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Serving San José State University since 1934
Monday October 17, 2011 Volume 137, Issue 27
SPARTAN DAILY SpartanDaily.com
Spartans win in Homecoming thriller Sports p. 2
Burning for a win
All Fired Up: Photo Essay p. 6
Possible uprooting for garden by Brittany Patterson Staff Writer
Revolva was the first fire dancer of the night at the Fire on the Fountain Homecoming celebration at SJSU Thursday night. Photo by Thomas Webb/ Spartan Daily
Annual rally features booths, food, music to elevate student spirit by Brittany Patterson Staff Writer
Spartan pride heated up during the fifth annual Fire on the Fountain Homecoming pep rally hosted by Associated Students on Thursday evening. About 25 student organizations and an estimated 2,000 students braved the grassy area in front of Tower Hall, according to A.S. Events Coordinator Bradyn Blower. Parts of the field were muddy, which created some complications including the relocation of the henna booth, Blower said. The fire fair ran from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and featured free snacks,
games and performances by SJSU clubs and organizations. Clifton Gold, events and outreach coordinator for SJSU, who was stilt-walking in a striking blue and gold costume and making balloon creations during the event, said the event exists to help drum up school pride during Homecoming. “This event started because we wanted to bring together an event that was kind of tied into the traditional (college bonfire) aspect, but we wanted to do it more in a unique way, celebrate the diversity on this campus,” he said. Freshman public relations major Diana Rojas said she saw the event on Facebook and decided to check it out. “I like how there’s free food,” she said. “The dancers were great. You meet new people and it brings people together.” Some of the attractions at the
fair included caricatures by the Shrunkenheadman Club, demonstrations by the juggling club, free chocolate milk from Nesquik, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” by the Black Student Union, and an Apple computer tent. Jason Orozco, president of the Muggle Quidditch club at SJSU, said this was the first year the club participated in Fire on the Fountain. The club set up a goal post so people could take pictures with the gear and also brought about 45 cupcakes to give to students who either signed up on their email list or liked them on Facebook. “We’re here to let people know who we are and when we practice,” he said. “There’s juggling and carnival games. It’s a good opportunity for students to come and learn about the student orgs. (organizations) in a more interactive and fun setting than the student organization fair.” Blower said the event mainly
celebrates Homecoming and the Homecoming game. “It’s really important that this event take place because it’s one of the biggest events on campus where all students from all different organizations, all different niches, kind of come together on one big grassy area and get together,” she said. “Not only are they learning about the resources here at state, but the really cool clubs that are here as well as being exposed to some incredible entertainment.” At 8 p.m., the fire show, pep rally and Homecoming court began. Fire Pixie, a troupe of fire dancers, took the stage to finesse with some flames. Clad in tight pants studded with silver and jewels, the group combined the primal element of fire with rhythmic music. The crowd pressed against
SEE FOUNTAIN PAGE 3
Presidential staff changes hoped to aid in new plan by Cynthia Ly Staff Writer
The numerous past and upcoming changes in SJSU presidents and presidential staff has led to a seesaw of thoughts on the future of the campus. Interim Chief of Staff Veril Phillips said despite staff changes in the Office of the President, he feels optimistic about the future of SJSU. “It certainly can’t be denied that the turnover in presidencies has lead to some uncertainty on campus,” Phillips said. “It is really difficult to have continuity in strategic planning, difficult to have any kind of upgrade in the campus culture and spirit. It has led to a period of uncertainty.” In the last ten years, SJSU has had six different presidents — from Robert Caret (1995 - 2003) to current President Mohammad Qayoumi (2011), according to the university’s website. “I think with the appointment of Mo Qayoumi we are in a new period of sustained leadership,” the chief of staff
said. “I believe he is here for the long term.” A board of faculty, administrators and — pending approval — students are processing data from the president’s town hall meetings on strategic planning, he said. Phillips, who left retirement two different times (once in July 2004 and again in August 2011) to take positions in SJSU’s Office of the President, said he plans to leave by next year to pursue other projects. “There are two key leadership positions — provost and chief of staff — that are currently being searched (for),” said William Nance, interim vice president for student affairs. Although Nance has an interim position, he said he will be in office for the next two years. He said they hope to complete the two searches by the end of this semester. A committee made of SJSU administrators and faculty, with assistance from the external search firm R.H.
Interim Chief of Staff Veril Phillips Photo by Jack Barnwell / Spartan Daily
Perry & Associates, will decide on the next provost, according to the website for the President’s office. According to its website, R.H. Perry & Associates was also involved in a search earlier this year for vice president of administration and finance, which resulted in Shawn Bibb taking the position in August. Katherine Cushing, former director of sustainability and associated professor of environmental studies, stated in
an email that this is a transitional time for the university. “I think the results of the town hall (meetings) are important,” Cushing stated. “They will help set the tone for the university’s future direction.” But SoonKhen OwYong, a senior management information systems major, said there is a lack of student interest in these decisions since SJSU is labeled a commuter school and students don’t feel the need to spend their limited amount of time on campus activities. “If we want to push up student involvement on campus, we need the staff to get students to do stuff,” he said. The faculty could make joining a campus organization part of the curriculum for students, and the push could produce more interest of campus life, OwYong said. “Once the strategic plan is completed later this semester, we’ll all have a lot better idea of the key priorities and direction we’ll all work toward,” Vice President Nance said.
An order from Facilities Development and Operations for the Tommie Smith and John Carlos Statue Garden organized by Growing Roots of Wellness, SJSU’s garden club, to be replaced with flowers has sparked debate. According to Yan Yin Choy, cofounder and former president of G.R.O.W., the club’s faculty adviser received an email Wednesday from Facilities Development and Operations that said the club would need to remove their plants from the planters, but did not specify a deadline. Choy, the A.S. director of student rights and responsibilities, said she heard from a friend who works in the President’s office that relocation might come forcibly from Facilities as soon as last Friday. In response, Choy and Samantha Clark, A.S. director of community and environmental affairs, wrote a letter to President Qayoumi asking for his support in keeping the garden in its current location. Choy said a petition is also circulating through the student population on campus and has collected more than 200 signatures. Shawn Bibb, vice president of administration and finance and Chief Financial Officer for SJSU, said Facilities has been receiving comments about the garden regarding its appearance. “That space is designed as planters,” he said. “It’s for flowers. There’s a request for something more appealing.” Bibb said he was surprised that this issue came into the spotlight so quickly because there have been no decisions made or a timeline established. “I think that maybe we did a bad job of communicating,” he said. “It’s not our intention to come in and rip it out and destroy the garden. It’s a student initiative and a faculty initiative and we’re not just going to rip it out. As far as I know there is absolutely no date when things need to get done.” Senior English major Marisa Gomez said she saw the petition on Facebook and signed it. She said she enjoys sitting out by the garden and appreciates that it is producing something tangible. “I’d much rather it be something useful, something people are passionate about rather than just another pretty plot,” she said. “And for me this is the most apparent aspect of this sustainability mission that is going on here.” Professor Anne Marie Todd, chair of the sustainability board, stated in an email the garden is an educational tool. “The garden’s centralized location and active use fulfills SJSU’s sustainability vision as a 3-D sustainability
SEE GARDEN PAGE 3 Spartan Daily Serving San José State University since 1934 Volume 137 / Issue 27
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