Spartan Daily Serving San José State University since 1934 Monday, February 28, 2011 spartandaily.com Volume 136, Issue 17 Ethics Bowl team headed for national competition Ron Gleeson Team member James Gold, a graduate stu- legiate Ethics Bowl. about 12 cases prior to the competition, so Staff Writer dent in political science, said he expects the “There’s no question the national compe- they can prepare their arguments and memo- competition to be tough, more so than the tition will be more of a challenge for these rize opening statements for each case. regional which took place on Dec. 4, 2010 in students,” she said. “But they’re a strong “We start trying to form the strongest Armed with confi dence, preparedness and Chico, Calif. group that has worked really hard, and possible argument for every given case,” she diversity, the SJSU Ethics Bowl team is set “We know it’s going to be trying,” he said. they’re expecting that.” said. “We have many practices and meetings to take part in the national competition on “But at the end of the day, we got there, and The team will be given a series of fi ctional to talk through the cases. Everybody has to Thursday, in Cincinnati, Ohio. that’s an accomplishment in itself.” cases that raise questions in both practical be thoroughly familiar with each one.” The team features four philosophy and Rita Manning, chair of the philosophy de- and professional ethics in advance to the Tim Blackwood, a retired deputy attorney two political science students, all of whom partment and one of the team’s coaches, said competition, and then judged on the qual- and volunteer coach, said the ethics bowl is fi nd themselves traveling to the national the competition will feature the 32 highest- ity of the moral argument the team delivers, competition having had no prior ethics bowl scoring schools from regional competitions Manning said. or debate-style contest experience. throughout the nation at the 15th Intercol- She said the team members were given see ETHICS page 2 ACLU calls BASKETBALL Language on students Spartans clinch spot department to fi ght for honors its civil rights in WAC Tournament Alex Wara ‘champion’ Staff Writer Eric Van Susteren Senior Staff Writer Student organizers at SJSU met to discuss what civil rights were The department of world languag- missing in California and how they es and literature dedicated its Clark could be further improved. Hall media center to former provost An event put on by the American Carmen Sigler in a ceremony Thurs- Civil Liberties Union on Thursday day to commemorate her decades of at the Student Union allowed stu- service to the university. dents to ask questions about what “I consider it an honor to be a part could be done to protect the rights of anything acknowledging what Car- of students. men has done for this university,” The ACLU is an organization interim President Don Kassing said. that strives to protect the liberties “We’ve been very fortunate to have of people that tend to be denied ba- her; she’s smart, perceptive and a nat- sic rights and try to achieve rights ural leader.” through organizing, policy chang- Since her fi rst position in 1987 as ing and public education, according coordinator for the single subject to an ACLU document. teaching credential program, Sigler “Students have always been at rose through the ranks, becoming the forefront of protecting civil the foreign language department’s rights,” said Abdi Soltani, execu- chair in 1992, dean of the College of tive director of ACLU of North- Humanities and the Arts in 2000, in- ern California. “In the civil rights terim vice president for University movements it was the sit-ins that Advancement in 2002 and fi nally pro- sparked all kinds of future changes vost in 2004. so we see students as being really Students of world languages and important leaders in ensuring that literature can use the media center in every person’s rights are protected Clark Hall Room 208 to take place- in this country. ment tests and use electronic course Rena Shanawany, a junior health material, said Dominique van Hooff, science major, said her club, the chair of the world languages and lit- Muslim Students Association, erature department. would benefit by joining the ACLU “I’m grateful that it’s a learning on campus. space, something that is very close to “I believe that we, as an organi- me,” Sigler said, calling the dedication zation, are doing well,” Shanawany Photo: Vernon McKnight / Spartan Daily “a wonderful gift from her colleagues.” said. “If we join ACLU it would SJSU guard Justin Graham drives to the hoop during the Spartans’ 72-60 win over Louisiana Tech. Van Hooff said the department de- strengthen our club and we could cided to dedicate the media center to be involved in the programs they Sigler shortly after she retired from her position as provost in 2009. see SPORTS page 3 “We wanted to remember a real see ACLU page 2 role model,” van Hooff said. “She’s an inspiration for faculty, students, ad- ministrators and even the president.” Kassing, who was president during Queer Prom rekindles high school nostalgia Sigler’s time as provost, and Gerry Sel- ter, Sigler’s successor to the position, praised her work ethic and commit- Alex Wara “A lot of people did not get to go ed this year after the event was so lic because of the clubs relation- ment to students and staff. Staff Writer to prom in high school,” Cadena said. popular last year, Cadena said. ships with clubs throughout the “When I took the job everything “We wanted to throw in an event The event, hosted in the Uni- state, Cadena said. was changing, so I was fortunate I in college where it gives people a versity Room a year ago, was “My prom days are over — it is didn’t have to live up to her,” Selter SJSU students and guests chance to go to prom with who they moved to the Barrett Ballroom sort of like the prom I have never said, citing the state budget cuts im- dressed in their fi nest attire walked want, regardless of what gender.” because the University Room had,” junior psychology major plemented at the time. into the Barrett Ballroom on cam- The poker-themed prom had a would not have been able to ac- Adan Gaona said. Kassing said as a vice president, Si- pus to attend what was, for some, red, black and white color scheme commodate the expected number Gaona said he also never gler retained affection for her home their fi rst college prom. and featured decorations of poker of attendees. thought he would be attending a department of foreign languages and Hosted by the SJSU organiza- cards throughout the ballroom. People in attendance were able queer prom in college. spoke of it often. tion Queers Thoughtfully Inter- Gabriella Pinelo, a club member to dance to the disc jockey or relax “I am from L.A. and they usually “She’s been their champion for rupting Prejudice, students and and volunteer at the event, said she and eat food provided by the club. have queer proms but I have never years,” he said. “She’s always been a the community were welcomed to never thought she would go to a There was also a place where people been to one, so I want to come to wonderful advocate for world lan- the Queer Prom on Friday. dance in college. could get their photos taken with San Jose State’s,” Gaona said. guages.” Queer Prom, which was in its “I think it brings in a welcoming their dates or friends, similar to the Many attendees looked forward Sigler, a native of Argentina, is now second year, has grown to be a and nice atmosphere of the queer photos taken at a high school prom. to showing off their dance moves, teaching Spanish language and litera- place where students can go to community,” said Pinelo, a sopho- Cadena and Steven Prudencio, Pinelo said. ture classes, just as she did more than prom regardless of their gender more theater major. “It is a nice a senior art design studies major, “I haven’t shown off my dance 20 years ago. or what gender they choose to be thing to have during the school welcomed the crowd and encour- moves since high school,” she said. “It’s like coming home,” she said. with, said Matt Cadena, a senior year, to just have a night to relax aged everyone to take part in the Attendees danced well into the “Nobody really grows up hoping to meteorology major and co-chair of and meet new people.” festivities. night, enjoying what was for some, be a dean or a provost, but I’ve always the club. About 300 people were expect- The event was open to the pub- the prom they never had. wanted to be a teacher.” WEATHER OPINION, PAGE 5 A&E, PAGE 6 SOCIAL MEDIA FollowF us on SJSU basketball star deserves shot at ‘Swan Lake’ illuminates San Jose TTwitter NBA stage @spartandaily@ Daily staff writer discusses Adrian Ballet is a story of love and heartbreak. BecomeB a fan Oliver’s NBA potential. ono Facebook High: 60° facebook.com/f Low: 40° sspartandaily 2 NEWS sPARTANDailY Monday, February 28, 2011 Gardening club plants seeds for healthy eating among students Rebecca Henderson berries, mint, dill, lettuce, garlic and snap peas. Staff Writer “We grow our food based off of sustainable means, using methods like companion plant- ing,” she said.