The Clothesline Project was presenting on campus last Tues. and Weds., raising awareness of sexual harassment and abuse, ending the event with a Vigil Wednesday evening.
All photos here copyright: STAR // Michelle Cooley
Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council hosted its second annual Greek Week at SSU from April 25 to April 28. Various events were held throughout the week, starting with a Greek carnival where money raised was donated to the Japan tsunami relief fund. Organizations competed in friendly competitions of Minute to Win It games, an egg toss and an improv and skit night. In the end, the men of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity and Kappa Delta Zeta Sorority were declared the winners of Greek Week.
IFC also kicked off its annual Greek Olympics from April 28 to May 1. Six fraternities battled it out in various competitions of brains and brawn, including football, basketball, softball, soccer, Knowledge Bowl and volleyball, the newest event added this year. Tickets for $5 were sold this year, with the profits being donated to the charity of the winning fraternity’s choice.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon took first place in basketball, while Alpha Psi dominated in softball and Tau Kappa Epsilon won the championship football game. However, Phi Delta Theta took first place overall, winning the Knowledge Bowl, soccer and volleyball competitions.
Students from California were seen waving signs, chanting and marching in response to the potential budget cuts within the state.
On March 14, eight students from Sonoma State University joined 15,000 to 20,000 scholars in Sacramento representing each of the 23 California State Universities (CSU’s) and several junior colleges during the event “March in March,” which was planned by the California State Student Association (CSSA). read more »
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Dancers Gloria Rubio, Colette Bekke, and Jenna Szczech during a rehearsal for "Common Grounds."
“Common Ground,” a new show of visual performing arts is blurring lines and breaking boundaries on the Sonoma State campus. The show combines elements of dance, music, improve, theater and visual effects, all created and performed by students.
Music major, Maxwell Transue, one of the two directors of the show, described the eclectic nature of the show in an interview.
“It’s a junction of two major departments: theater and dance, entirely student work, everything about it from posters, dance, lighting staging, etc. Everything about it is created from the ground up,” said Transue.
Transue commented that the name “Common Ground” comes from the “communal experience of audience and performer.” This idea intrigued him after seeing the show Fuerza Bruta in New York City where this idea was put into effect.
“Fuerza Bruta means brute force,” said Transue. “I saw this show and it was unlike any live performance I’ve ever seen, a spiritual experience, the feeling of involvement was still there afterward.”
Transue described how the show involved audience participation and a variety of performance arts.
“It was the feeling of an audience member being involved in the experience rather than the observer,” said Transue. “This show is a realization of a piece of music in its entirety.”
“It’s been an incredibly fulfilling process, which is why I love doing it,” said Transue. “It hasn’t been simple by any means but I love doing it.”
Co-Director Gloria Rubio, a senior double majoring in dance and psychology, commented on the creative elements of the show.
“Everything is completely original from students,” Rubio said. “It has been difficult getting everyone together, we wanted to start working sooner but everyone’s schedule is crazy, but the actual experience has been surprisingly easy.”
According to Rubio and Transue, there are a total of 15 collaborators including everyone from dancers to lighting and directors.
“We all come from different backgrounds and expertise, “ said Rubio. “I think it’s magical, the fact that it’s completely put on by all of us makes it not anybody’s, it’s ours, it’s everybody’s.”
Junior, Colette Bakke is not only a performer in “Common Ground” but also helped with the choreography. Bakke is a double major in global studies and dance.
“All the dancers were encouraged to come up with the choreography,” said Bakke. “Everyone has their own say in what happens, it’s really collaborative.”
Bakke commented on the different experience that “Common Ground” brings to the Sonoma State campus.
“People should see it for a new experience, to see different aspects of performing arts, we’re trying to give a new experience,” said Bakke.
Student interest is sparking across campus, including SSU junior Caitlin Brandon, a psychology major.
“I’m eager to see how all the elements combine, mostly I’m just excited to see new work on campus, it’s fresh and in your face!” said Brandon.
The creators of “Common Ground” are grateful for everyone who put effort in to making the show.
“It’s the fact that all these people donated their time and creative energy and that in itself is extremely powerful,” said Transue.
Common Ground will be shown in Ives 119 on March 11th and 12th at 8pm and is free for students.
STAR // Stephen Kirschenmann Senior Mike Stornaiuolo scored his first career point on Jan. 27 against UC San Deigo. A team manager for two years, “Big Mike” earned his first chance at the hardwood this season.
Brian Evans
Sports Editor
Senior Mike Stornaiuolo has accounted for one point and six minutes of playing time for Sonoma State men’s basketball in the 2010-2011 season, and could not be prouder.
Stornaiuolo’s desire to lace up the Adidas high-tops and sport the number 34 in Seawolf Blue propelled him to beat the minimal odds stacked against the six-foot-six forward.
Affectionately known as “Big Mike” both on the team and by those on campus, Stornaiuolo earned his first point for the Seawolves on Jan. 27, fueled by anxious and excited murmurs and cheers from the crowd.
“Everyone knew what he had worked for,” said teammate Ashely Arnott. “It was all he ever wanted.” read more »
Sara Jane Pohlman
News Editor
Continuing a long term relationship connecting the local wine industry with Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute, Korbel Champagne Cellars has announced the next step in their support: The Korbel Professorship.
“Professorships are a common practice in business and economics, and other academic fields,” said Annemarie Brown, administrative manager in the office of the dean of Business and Economics.
“They are a mark of esteem that a program is worthy of support and making a positive contribution to the world at large,” she added. read more »
Tyler Stenzel
Staff Writer
STAR // Maria Tzouvelekis Senator of Social Sciences Paul Ramey discusses how the campus would be affected by budget cuts.
Associated Students, Inc. assembled Friday for their first session of the spring 2011 semester with the main topic of discussion being the fiscal troubles facing the school, as well as the state.
“There will be $500 million of cuts to the CSU system, plus a ten percent fee increase, leaving a $300 million difference,” said Senator of Social Science Paul Ramey, “which would leave SSU at a projected $8 million deficit.” He noted that the social science department could lose as much as half of their current funding.
ASI President Dussan explained that the projected $8 million deficit is only applicable if the state legislature passes a recent proposed tax measure.
“If the state fails to pass the tax measure, then there could be a deficit of almost $1 billion dollars” said Dussan, also adding that it could lead to another 100 or more days without a budget being passed. read more »
Ronald Pierce
Staff Writer
Heidi Van de Wouw has received a sizeable grant to further her project about a process called bioremediation, which uses microscopic organisms to reduce pollution in an environment. In this case, she is working to provide a practical method for reducing chromium contamination in soil.
“It’s similar to the Erin Brockovitch case against Pacific Gas and Electric,” said Van de Wouw, referring to when PG&E used chrome to clean coolant tanks along a pipeline in southern California and runoff contaminated a small town’s water supply.
Heidi Van de Wouw is a Sonoma State junior double majoring in chemistry and environmental studies and planning (ENSP) with a focus on water quality. Recently, Van de Wouw had her research proposal chosen to receive the Nancy Foster Glasmeier Research and Writing Award for her project proposal titled, “Reducing the toxicity of chromium in polluted soil.” read more »
