MONDAY, AUGUST 4 - SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2014 • VOLUME 101 • ISSUE 3

KATRINA ROSELISTAFF WRITER___________________________________

The San Diego State Alumni Association recently cancelled its membership fee and is encouraging alumni to donate to the university instead. As of July 1, the Alumni Association eliminated the $45 annual membership fee.

“In the last year we came to the conclusion the alumni membership was not serving the school,” assistant vice president of alumni engagement Jim Herrick said.

There are more than 7,000 lifetime members who have paid the membership fee to SDSU, Herrick said. The annual membership fees were originally used for funding the operations of alumni associations, marketing and getting more people to become annual members.

Instead, the association is now asking members to donate to a college,

#ALUMNIASSOCIATION

department or initiative of their own choice.

“We are determined to raise the reputation of SDSU in the U.S. News and World Report (college) ranking,” Herrick said. “One of the factors is the percent of alumni donors.”

He said that the U.S. News and World Report ranking has an affect on the value of SDSU degrees.

Keith Harris is president of Bay Area Aztecs, a regional chapter of the Alumni Association. He hopes eliminating the membership fee attracts more members.

“I think the change is going to be a win and help us get more alumni active for our chapter,” Harris said.

The new changes encourage alumni to connect not only with other alumni but also with the university, Harris said.

He added that a strong alumni network helps to keep the spirit alive after graduating from SDSU.

“Our Alumni inspire students and each other and make us really proud

of the education we get there,” Herrick said.

Along with the elimination of a membership fee, the Alumni Association also changed its engagement model from chapters to affinity groups and networks, hoping to attract alumni who wish to connect with university members in a less structured way.

Regional chapters, such as Bay Area Aztecs, are not affected by this restructuring and will continue to be regarded as chapters and still hold social, cultural and sporting events.

According to its website, the Alumni Association’s goal is to have 10,000 affinity group members in two years.

Alumni are still encouraged to become lifetime members of the Alumni Association. With this membership, alumni receive benefits such as, invitations to special events, discounts from the SDSU Bookstore, a lifetime supply of SDSU return address labels and more.

The Alumni Association is implementing new changes to benefit students and alumni with additional domations, helping San Diego State move up in rankings.

BYE BYE ALUMNI

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THINKSTOCKJENNA MACKEY, STAFF PHOTOGRPAHER

Aid for minority men on campus Robosub enters first competition

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Empty Qualcomm seats hurt Aztec reputation

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AuG. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: david hErnandEz• nEws@thEdailyaztEC.CoM2 news

#MINORITYMALES

Initiative helps minority men on campusquinn owenSTAff wriTer_____________________________________

The Minority Male Community College Collaborative, started by two San Diego State professors in 2011, is now operating on a national level to improve the educational environment for men of color at two-year schools.

M2C3, under the direction of professors Luke Wood and Frank Harris, is collaborating with seven other organizations to draft a national policy brief. The results, stemming from findings through surveys, research and training modules, will be released in mid-August.

In February, President Obama announced the launch of My Brother’s Keeper, an initiative that works toward bettering the college experience for minority males on a national level. Research conducted by M2C3 has provided data to the Obama administration’s program.

The Minority Male Community College Collaborative operates in three main areas:1. Surveys

The M2C3 program works to draft and distribute surveys at community college campuses. These are designed to collect data on what challenges men of color face in school. 2. Research

The data collected by the surveys are compiled into reports that help advise community colleges with regards to the scholastic environment.

Through the research, Wood has discovered the strongest predictors of student success can be found in whether or not faculty members create a welcoming environment for students.

Wood said a positive learning

environment involves, “creating a sense of belonging, welcoming the students to engage with the subject matter in and out of the classroom, and validating students with key messages of encouragement.”3. Training Modules

The research is used to develop instructional material for teachers, administrators and counselors.

Wood said the work of M2C3 allows community colleges to “create an environment for students to work harder and put more effort into school.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, “because America’s racial and ethnic minorities are the fastest-growing sectors in the country and they make up a disproportionately large segment of the economically poor population, tending to their educational needs is in everyone’s interest.”

Locally, San Diego City College began an official partnership with M2C3 in February 2013.

Professor Nesha Savage, chair of counseling at SDCC, said the research

program has helped the school tremendously.

“By actually knowing the challenges that the men are facing,” Savage said, “it helps us develop programs and services.”

Savage said underserved men of color have persistent, unsolved problems in the current education system.

“Through research, we know that this is the student population that continues to struggle,” Savage said. “Other minority groups don’t have the same challenges.”

Additionally, Savage said the social stigmas of masculinity disenfranchise minority males in a different way.

“Men of color have masculinity and identity issues that they’re dealing with and their academic identity even and how they see themselves as students.”

Moving forward, Savage hopes to share their progress so that other campuses can implement the same strategies.

Wood said the Minority Males Community College Collaborative will remain focused on improving outcomes for historically underserved men.

#CSufuNDING

CSU system receives $142 millionjamie ballardSTAff wriTer____________________________________

An additional $142.2 million recently distributed to the California State University system may allow more students on campus, additional funding for programs and improved facilities at San Diego State.

The funds come from General Fund allocation from the state and according to the Office of the Chancellor, the plan focuses on increasing enrollment, student achievement, employee pay and critical infrastructure needs.

All employees across the system will receive a compensation increase of 1.34 percent. Additionally, a compensation pool will be established, and further employee salary increases will follow based on collective bargaining. Faculty salaries are negotiated by the union at

the CSU system level.SDSU plans to increase enrollment of

California residents by 200 students this fall.

Additionally, some of the student success programs SDSU offers are the Writing Center, Aztec Mentor Program, and the International Student Center. Funding for these initiatives comes from a variety of places, including philanthropy, grants and scholarships, but it is possible that the funds dispersed through the CSU system will be used for these initiatives.

SDSU also has infrastructure needs, including the Zura Hall renovation and the steam system construction. As with the student success programs, these initiatives have a variety of financial supporters, but the new funds may be used as well.

“The President’s Budget Advisory Committee will make recommendations

of how the funds should be used at SDSU,” Media Relations Specialist Natalia Elko said. “Though the budget has already been set for 2014-15, the PBAC provides opportunities for divisions to make additional requests throughout the year. It’s an ongoing process year-round that allows various programs to be funded according to their changing needs.”

Requests can be for one-time allocations or ongoing demands.

Budget planning begins in May and is voted on in June, but the PBAC operates year-round to ensure all divisions and departments can receive necessary funding.

“The process doesn’t end when things are voted on in June,” Elko said.

CSU allocations ultimately make up less than 20 percent of SDSU’s budget. The budget is based on funds gained through philanthropy and grants, among other funding options.

THINKSTOCK

the Minority Male Community College Collaborative aims to improve minority men’s college experience. JENNA MACKEY, PHOTO EDITOR

3OPINIONAUG. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: SARA TIANO • OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#ADOLESCENTPROBS

MARISSA OCHOASTAFF COLUMNIST____________________________________

Let’s take a stroll down memory

lane to your senior year of high school. You were one of two types of people: either you knew what you were going to do

for the next few years, or you shuffled awkwardly while struggling for an answer that didn’t sound redundant. Fast-forward to the present and most young adults are still categorized into these two categories. For those who are still figuring it out, an age-old question is asked more often than not: what are you going to do with your life?

“Figuring it out” is a scapegoat to avoid judgment for taking a few years off from school. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to plan out the future. But why the urgency of having every step planned out before turning 21?

There’s this traditional path most

JOSE GUTIERREZSTAFF COLUMNIST____________________________________

The world is a mighty cruel place. It seems

that no matter where you turn, you’re perpetually subjected to harsh scrutiny and criticism. If it isn’t that one nagging aunt

who keeps commenting about you, it’s you acting as your own biggest critic. In this world, it’s far too easy to succumb to feelings of low-worth, which eventually manifestsinto poor performance.

What could possibly be the remedy for such disheartenment? A healthy dose of narcissism.

I know, I know. We already have a reputation for being the most narcissistic generation in recent history. That in itself is a prime example of how everybody loves to tear us apart. Simply existing becomes an open invitation to be reviewed like a movie on Rotten Tomatoes.

But if you’re gonna act like a critic, then I am too and I’m giving myself a 96 percent certified-fresh rating. I really don’t care if it reinforces the notion that this generation is completely self-absorbed—in fact, I hope it does.

So why promote self-glorification as if it were a medicinal cure for low worth? Because it works.

I don’t think there’s ever been a day in my life when anyone has ever told me brown eyes are beautiful. Because after years of struggling with low self-esteem and not living up to expectations of what I should be, I decided to start walking with my head held high.

It took me one short summer break to delude myself into believing I am worth a damn. In fact, it took one episode of “America’s Next Top Model.” Tyra Banks must’ve told the contestants something along the lines of “You’ve got to fake it

Mid-life crisis: 20 years too soonyoung adults are expected to follow. Go to a four-year college, get a job, get married, have kids and grow old. If this plan isn’t followed right after high school, all of a sudden one becomes unfit by society’s standards.

Family and friends begin to ask that same age-old question when we are barely entering our 20s. Why are we so afraid to slow things down? Why can’t we all take a few years to really live life?

In high school, students are already being told to figure out a career path at 16. We all remember those school assemblies that shoved college brochures down our throats, which practically screamed ‘choose now or be doomed to work a dead-end job for the rest of your days.’ 16-year-olds can’t even watch R-rated movies without adult supervision, let alone choose a career affecting who and what they’ll become.

Sticking with the status quo and continuing to follow through with this step-by-step guide to a mediocre life is not done by choice. In actuality, we are given an ultimatum to be accepted by society or degraded for choosing

A little narcissism never hurt anyone #NARCISSISM

otherwise. “It is a decision, but if you choose

against the popular then it will be frowned upon by some people,” sociology junior Zayra Duran said.

I know if it were my choice, I wouldn’t be attending school right now. I would be trying to do things I didn’t have the time for in high school. But because I live in a fast-paced world where every passing year is just a ticking time bomb, I was forced into my career path right as I hit 18.

Almost every young adult has come across some form of mid-life crisis in their 20s.

I don’t know what I’m going to major in. What happens if I don’t choose the right career? But I’m already in college so I’m expected to have an idea of what I want.

All of these questions hit close to home for most college students and in a nutshell, it’s sad.

From the first day of college, students stop living their lives in the now and start working toward a future. However, there’s little-to-no room for a breather when one has been trained to follow a

particular life map.Your 20s should be about doing things

you won’t be able to do at an older age. This is the time when most people are in their prime, yet they waste it on worrying about whether they will have a career and family before they get gray hair.

“We’re trying to have everything set in stone right away. But no. There’s still so much time ... if anything, take one obstacle at a time,” anthropology junior Jocelyn Valencia said.

Maybe somebody doesn’t know what he or she wants as a career when they’re 20. This doesn’t determine failure.

Day after day, students lower their heads and hustle; going through work trying to push their way to the top. In a blink of an eye, 30 years have passed without a single year actually lived to it’s fullest.

Stressing about a 9-to-5 job isn’t going to create a life worth retelling. So go ahead and live. Stop having a mental breakdown every time you’re not exactly where you pictured you’d be in your 20s.

You have more time than you think.

until you make it.” Well why not?Seeing as it was born out of an illusion

of adequacy, my initial confidence was artificial. It started out with simple things, such pampering myself with expensive cosmetics and finally wearing that one striped sweater out in public. Eventually, little baby steps turned into full-fledged catwalk struts. Although they never looked like struts, they sure as hell felt like it.

Obviously I know I’m not perfect. I don’t even think I live up to most standards half the time, but that does not faze me anymore. But the day I began praising my existence was the day

I ended a long-term relationship with depression. Truthfully, it still rings me up on the phone every so often, but I don’t answer anymore.

I have my flaws and I graciously accept them, but this little dose of narcissism I take every morning with my well-balanced breakfast fuels me more than any energy drink (pun unintended).

But just like any other medication, try not to overdose.

While I worship the very ground I walk on, I still know the world doesn’t cater to me, nor will it ever. There’s probably not a single person in this world who wakes thinking of me. I wonder if I’ve ever been

someone’s crush.I’m not royalty by any means, nor am I

entitled to sit on any throne. I also realize in the face of adversity, I‘ve always stood alone. On the cloudiest of days, not even my shadow stands beside me. I learned this long ago: you can only depend on yourself.

Against all the sticks and stones the world has thrown at me, I still stand. My heart never stopped beating just because I wanted it to.

So I’m sorry Galileo if for as long as I am alive, I believe the sun revolves around me.

I am my own savior.

THINKSTOCK

AUG. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM4SPORTS

#AZTECFOOTBALL

Empty Qualcomm stifles Aztecs

MIKE HERALSTAFF WRITER____________________________________

San Diego State football kicks off this month, poised to push its bowl streak to five. USA Today ranks

SDSU at No. 58, Lindy’s Sports picks the Aztecs as West Division champs in the Mountain West, and sophomore running back Donnel Pumphrey is a player to watch for the nation’s top running back award.

Despite this, the football team struggles to fill Qualcomm Stadium. Because every home game this season but one is scheduled for national television coverage, cameras will capture another season of another lifeless Qualcomm.

That’s a big problem. It won’t be just San Diegans or rival Mountain West fans noticing empty seats, it’ll be bowl selection committees, according to U-T San Diego columnist Nick Canepa.

“Bowl (committees) give games to teams that travel well,” Canepa said. “SDSU doesn’t travel well.”

Before SDSU can “travel well,” it’ll have to start drawing at home. And its home is the problem. Qualcomm’s dilapidated feel doesn’t seduce San Diegans.

“They play in a stadium that isn’t considered ‘cool.’” U-T San Diego columnist Tod Leonard said.

“Energy breeds energy,” Leonard

continued. “And there is very little energy at Aztecs football because it’s swallowed up by 67,000 seats.”

SDSU draws well on paper. Officials say 199,344 attended games in 2013, or an average of 33,244 fans per game.

However, U-T San Diego columnist Stefanie Loh’s Jan. 14 article suggests that SDSU’s official attendance isn’t what TV audiences see. Loh writes that SDSU counts total tickets issued instead of turnstiles turned. According to Loh, 61,619 fewer fans attended in 2013, or an average of only 22,954 per game.

While SDSU considers tickets issued a barometer of fan interest, bowl committee members see only what TV shows them—a stadium one-third full.

The solution to a stadium too big seems simple. But locals know that building a stadium is hamstrung by environmental and economic issues. Lawsuits delayed Petco Park for six years, and San Diego taxpayers thwart the San Diego Chargers’ zeal for new digs. Moving SDSU out of Qualcomm won’t happen unless it’s demolished.

This leaves SDSU with four options for increasing attendance, with the first one eluding them since Marshall Faulk left in 1993.

“You have to have a hook,” Canepa said. “Somebody that makes a fan say: ‘Man, I’ve got to go see him play tonight.’”

But clouding that issue is that high-school-football-rich San Diego is recruited heavily by football powerhouses in the powerful Pac 12. And

despite its home-and-home series against Oregon State University, recruiting rivals won’t risk playing here—which hampers the second thing for elevating home attendance: Draw big-name opponents.

“A lot of those schools don’t want to play SDSU because they recruit in this area,” Canepa said. “Some of those schools think they have everything to lose and nothing to gain coming here.”

Instead, SDSU schedules away games against football powers. But for those games to increase its recruiting pull, SDSU must avoid blowouts such as last year’s 35 point loss to Ohio State.

“It’s important to play those schools,”

Cheerleaders perform in front of fans and emtpy seats at Qualcomm stadium last fall. Qualcomm Stadium can seat 67,000 people but it rarely fills up. MONICA LINZMEIER, EDITOR IN CHIEF

“THEY PLAY IN A STADIUM THAT ISN’T CONSIDERED ‘COOL’”

- Tod Leonard,U-T San Diego Columnist

The Aztecs can try to improve on the field all they want, but until more fans start making their way to Qualcomm stadium, SDSU football will forever remain behind.

Canepa said. “But if (SDSU’s) just taking its million bucks and getting out of there with a loss, I don’t know how much it helps.”

If SDSU can’t entice marquee programs to Qualcomm, then perhaps it can entice fans through promotional giveaways and special events. After all, the annual KGB-FM Sky Show is always the best attended game.

“This town has always responded to free stuff, but I’m not sure what SDSU would give away to compel more to come,” Leonard said.

A look at this year’s promotions reveals that SDSU is giving away just T-shirts and blankets. The problem, though, isn’t a promotions department punting. Instead, it’s a state budget deficiency.

“(SDSU’s) a state university,” Canepa said. “How much money can it spend on promotions?”

If SDSU is going to increase promotions, it’s going to need corporations acting as ambassadors, absorbing the cost of the promotional items.

This leaves the last thing SDSU can do, and fortunately it’s something it can control. SDSU must keep winning.

“The only way for them to boost attendance significantly is have a season in which they go undefeated—or close to it—and become a part of the new bowl playoff picture,” Leonard said. “I don’t see any other way to do it.”

5SPORTSAUG. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM

#MENSBASKETBALL

Thames, Davis vie for NBA chanceMATTHEW BAIN SENIOR STAFF WRITER____________________________________

When we all graduate, we’ll spend our allotted time on Cloud Nine. Cap-and-gown selfies, parties, family get-togethers, and an obligatory cry-session with Vitamin C’s “Graduation (Friends Forever)” playing in the background.

Then, it’s time for life to begin. Time to get employed. Hopefully, you’ll have connections from your years at San Diego State that’ll pay off during your job

hunt. But no matter how many people are in your corner, you’re still starting an arduous process that’ll make finals seem like butterflies, rainbows and all that jazz.

It’s the same for SDSU’s two men’s basketball stars looking to earn their keep in professional basketball. The Brooklyn Nets bought the rights to Xavier Thames from the Toronto Raptors after the Canadians picked him 59th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. And Josh Davis signed with the Summer League team of his hometown Charlotte Hornets as an

undrafted free agent. Their “job hunt” began in the 2014

NBA Summer League, where NBA teams draft picks and young prospects fight for a spot on an NBA roster.

Xavier ThamesThames averaged 20.4 minutes per

game (Summer League games are 40 minutes) throughout the Nets’ five games in the Orlando Summer League, and he started two.

The hoop was not Thames’ friend. The former Aztec scored just 3.6 points per game, shooting 26.9 percent from the field, 16.7 percent from long range and 75 percent from the charity stripe.

But surprisingly enough Thames defended very well, using his length, quick hands and defensive instincts to nab 2 steals per game, good for third in the Orlando Summer League. He also dished the ball out frequently, averaging 2.4 assists per game.

Thames’ play also led to more Brooklyn points than the box score indicates. He scored zero points against the Miami Heat, but his six assists, one steal and one offensive rebound led to 17 Brooklyn points. Similar story against the Philadelphia 76ers, when Thames’ four steals and two assists gave the Nets 13 points in addition to the 2 points he scored.

As of today, the Brooklyn Nets have not signed Thames. Brooklyn has, however, signed Thames’ fellow drafted rookies—

Oklahoma State University’s Markel Brown and Baylor University’s Cory Jefferson—to multi-year contracts.

Josh DavisWhen you outperform your team’s

prized draft selection, you know you’re doing something right.

In 25.6 minutes per game, Davis averaged 8.9 points, a Las Vegas Summer League fifth-best 10.1 rebounds (4.0 offensive) and 2.57 fouls while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.

In 27.1 minutes per game, Charlotte’s No. 9 overall selection Noah Vonleh averaged 9.1 points, 10.0 rebounds (4.0 offensive) and 5.57 fouls while shooting 28.4 percent from the field and 67.7 percent from the free throw line.

No, Davis didn’t blow Vonleh out of the water. But while the undrafted rookie from SDSU was on the court, the Hornets averaged 15.86 more points than their opponent. The Hornets scored just 9.29 more points when Vonleh was on the court.

And another surprising moment: Davis had three double-doubles over seven games, grabbing 16 rebounds twice and scoring 18 points along with 14 rebounds in his final NBA Summer League game. He also started three of Charlotte’s seven games in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Currently, Davis is still an unsigned, unrestricted free agent.

Xavier Thames (top) and Josh Davis (bottom) await roster announcements after the Summer League.

WESLEY BEIGHTS, VIDEO EDITOR

THEIR ‘JOB HUNT’ BEGAN IN THE 2014 SUMMER LEAGUE...

AUG. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: NICK KNOTT • ENTERTAINMENT@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM6ENTERTAINMENT

#ROGEREBERT

Four picks, four days, one fun weekend#WEEKENDPICKS

Hillcrest’s annual street fair, CityFest, is returning Sunday, Aug. 10 to celebrate its 30 year anniversary. The all-day event draws more than 150,000 party people every year. University Avenue will be filled with stands ranging from arts and crafts to food vendors and event sponsors. Musical acts will hit the stage to keep the party going all day and night with tunes from the rock, reggae, EDM and pop. The party doesn’t stop until 11 p.m., but bars stay open untill 2 a.m., so it doesn’t really stop until then.

Museum visits are usually reserved for the daytime, but the La Jolla location of Museum of Contemporary Arts, San Diego welcomes art enthusiasts well into the evening. Every Thursday night, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., MCASD La Jolla caters music, pizza and drinks to enjoy while taking a gander at its sculpture garden and the shoreline view. The nightly hangout is free and a free tour is also offered for its ongoing exhibit, “Treasures of the Tamayo Museum, Mexico City.” This Shore Thing event continues until Aug. 28 so you have a whole month to experience the coastline museum at night.

Grammy award-winning reggae band Steel Pulse will be making a stop in Del Mar this weekend to take part in the Del Mar Summer Concert Series. The group will take stage Friday, Aug. 8, after a full day of races. Hailing from Great Britain, Steel Pulse is the brainchild of lead singer David “Dread” Hinds. The group has been making music for more than 35 years, much longer than most of us have been alive. The beauty of the Del Mar Summer Concert Series is that the shows are free when you buy admission into the races, which only costs $6-10 depending on where you want to watch from. After a long day of dressing classy and betting on the ponies, a relaxing reggae concert might be just what you need. And you don’t even have to leave the track to experience it.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Casbah will host the one-year anniversary of the Vinyl Junkies Record Swap. The swap meet will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature DJ sets, food, drinks and whole lot of vinyl. The event is for ages 21 and up and costs $3 at the door. Inside you’ll find vendors selling records from their collections they’ve built throughout many years. DJs will alternate sets every hour and two of San Diego’s own, Seth Combs of SD City Beat and Steve West of radio station 91x, will each have hour-long sets. Although short and sweet, the Vinyl Junkies Record Swap is perfect for a Saturday afternoon of perusing bins of collectible music.

Two thumbs up for Ebert’s legacyANTHONY BERTEAUXSTAFF WRITER

My favorite review of Pulitzer-prize winning Roger Ebert’s is his last one.

Ebert reviewed Terrance Malick’s “To the Wonder,” an obscure romance movie which was critically panned as being overwhelmingly somber and stylistically disastrous. The film had a less than favorable score from multiple film critics. Ebert had enough evidence from his colleagues and the public that the movie was going to be a critical and financial disaster. I thought that Ebert would hate it.

Instead, he surprised me. He praised the film as a beautiful film that escaped explanation and gave it three and a half stars out of four. What was amazing about the review wasn’t how many stars he gave the film, but his writing. He asked an important question, a question that should be asked when it comes to modern day film criticism,

“Why must a film explain everything? Why must every motivation be spelled out?”

At its core, modern day film criticism, as seen on Rotten Tomatoes, the A.V. Club and other blogging and video outlets, assigns value to films based on these objective checkpoints looks down on readers and filmmakers equally.

It’s absurd to critique a film objectively when film as a medium affects moviegoers personally and subjectively.

What is revolutionary about Ebert’s perspective as a film critic is his acknowledgement of his shortcomings as someone who assigns value to an artist’s work. Who is anyone to assign value to something that he or she can’t fully understand, because it doesn’t originate from his or her world? You may not understand a film but you can’t deny it if it makes you feel something.

Granted there are films that are stupid, as there are films that are smart, but to dismiss films that one doesn’t

understand as bad is another thing. Another film review where Ebert

articulates this sentiment is his review of the critically panned, “Cloud Atlas.” The complex film interweaves six different storylines into a single narrative. It was criticized as being overly long, complicated and pretentious.

I loved the film because it wasn’t a movie one could explain. Its core ideas transcended what people viewed as a traditional film narrative. I loved Ebert’s review even more because he understood that films couldn’t be explained but simply experienced.

“On my second viewing, I gave up any attempt to work out the logical connections between segments, stories and characters,” Ebert said. “What was important is that I set my mind free to play. Clouds do not really look like camels or sailing ships or castles in the sky. They are simply a natural process at work. So too, perhaps, are our lives. Because we have minds and clouds do not, we desire freedom. That is the shape the characters in ‘Cloud Atlas’ take and how they attempt to direct our

thoughts. Any concrete, factual attempt to nail the film down to cold fact, to tell you what it ‘means,’ is as pointless as trying to build a clockwork orange.”

It’s important to remember Ebert as a critic, but even more as a writer, whose words were few but nonetheless impactful and human. That’s how he elevated film criticism, not because of his critiques, but because of his poetic writing.

In essence, film critics prioritize critiquing films over their writing. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

I never knew Roger Ebert personally, but I miss his presence deeply. I read his work hoping to understand how he could write reviews that were critical yet incredibly human. Perhaps the fact that he could write so humanly and honestly shows self-reflection on his part regarding his own imperfections. There are great film critics who are masters of the form, but there will never be a critic who transcended the role of film criticism like Ebert has.

Film criticism today is all about assigning grades (as A.V. Club does) or percentage of critical acclaim (as

Rotten Tomatoes does), but it should be more than just an objective number. Films are made from a personal perspective; therefore their critiques should be subjective and personally resonant.

The writers and editors at RogerEbert.com carry on Ebert’s legacy of personal and thoughtful film criticism, where it becomes less about how many stars a movie gets and more about the words. I enjoyed its review of “Boyhood,” detailing the fleeting nature of time, and the review of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” a review which saw the real-life reflections of war tragedies. However, none will replace the distinctive voice in film criticism that was Ebert.

Roger Ebert passed away April 4, 2013.

When people who have a substantial influence like that pass, they don’t really leave. Ebert lives in film critics across the world. He lives in the writers that have carried on RogerEbert.com and he lives in the film writers here at The Daily Aztec. He is alive where writers exist.

SHORE THINGWHEREMCASD LA JOLLA

WHENTHURSDAYS THROUGH AUG. 28, 5PM

CITYFESTWHEREHILLCREST

WHENSUNDAY, AUG. 10, 12PM

STEEL PULSEWHEREDEL MAR RACETRACK

WHENFRIDAY, AUG. 8, 4PM

VINYL JUNKIES RECORD SWAPWHERETHE CASBAH

WHENSATURDAY, AUG. 9, 11AM

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, MCT CAMPUS

NICK KNOTTENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

RYO MIYAUCHIASST. EDITOR &

CROSSWORDS

ACROSS1 Curved sword6 Glad shelfmate11 Pint-size14 Justice Samuel15 Blast from the past16 Veal cordon bleu stuffing17 Faulty smoke detectors, e.g.19 DSL offerer20 Photo lab abbr.21 It may be gluten-free22 Impressionist Claude24 Comedian Handler’s talk show28 Many Southwestern homes30 Tennille of pop’s Captain & Tennille31 Cap brim32 Debatable

34 Spot for a remote38 Bach’s “Mass __ Minor”39 Elite Navy group that’s fittingly camouflaged in the four longest answers in this puzzle40 Zen garden fish41 High-protein beans43 British aristocrat44 Poppy product46 Bowled over48 Bells and whistles49 Higher than zero, on an altimeter54 “E! News” subject55 Big Mack56 A/C capacity meas.

59 Campus aides, for short60 Countries with strong economic ties, say64 Ozzie Smith’s number65 Autumn blossom66 Chai __: Starbucks order67 Director Howard68 Like old attics69 Fencing swords

DOWn1 Bank vault2 “Moon Shot” co-author Shepard3 Portrayer of TV’s Dr. Cliff Huxtable4 “Avatar” extras5 Short-antlered critter6 Boring outcomes?7 Bring joy to

8 Prez on a dime9 Journalist Russert10 Overly agreeable guy11 Snivel12 Prop for van Gogh13 Unthreatening, as some threats18 Feels sick23 Milo’s film friend25 “Game of Thrones” channel26 Lagoon-enclosing isle27 Oodles28 Rental car choice29 “The Flintstones” pet32 Victor at Gettysburg33 Sculling need35 “This may be a trick, but tell me”36 Umpire’s call37 Points (at)39 Gets the point42 Copy to the hard drive44 First name in popcorn45 Dessert slice47 Video chat need48 Tornado response gp.49 Audition hopeful50 Number-calling game51 Daily Planet cub reporter52 Selling point53 Not fully trusting57 Beret’s perch58 Puts to work61 Fighting Tigers’ sch.62 Tiebreakers, briefly63 Once around the track

7featuresAug. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: kELLy HILLOCk • FEATURES@THEDAILyAZTEC.COM

#CLubSpOTLIgHT

We all live in a robot submarineolivia litsey senior staff writer____________________________________

San Diego State’s Mechatronics Club is looking forward to its first competition, the U.S. Office of Naval Research and Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s International Robosub Competition starting July 28.

As first year competitors, the club is a mix of nerves and confidence.

“We actually went to the competition last year to check it out and see if we wanted to do it,” Project Manager and computer engineering senior Maryann Ibrahim explained. “We were like, ‘We really want to do this!’ We didn’t know how hard it was going to be, but we’ve learned so much doing it and it’s been a really fun experience.”

The 17th International Robosub Competition is based on the advancement of the AUV, the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, that involves challenging obstacle course-style missions that teams must complete for points. It’s a competition native to San Diego that will be held at the SSC Pacific’s SPAWAR TRANSDEC Pool in Point Loma. About 40 teams from all around the world will be competing in this year’s competition, traveling from places as far as India, Japan and Egypt.

“It takes up a lot of time, and you have to be really dedicated,” Ibrahim said.

The design and prototype began in the fall 2013 semester and was followed by the building of the actual robosub, named The Endeavor, in the spring 2014 semester. Club meetings were held once

a week and build sessions were held on weekends. Since summer break has begun, the club meets on a daily basis for testing.

“As the name implies, it’s been a crazy endeavor,” mechanical team member and mechanical engineering senior Rodrigo Leon-Alvarez said.

After developing and tweaking throughout time, the club decided to use a comparatively simple approach for its robosub in this year’s competition.

“Design-wise (the robosub has) definitely changed, embedded systems team member and computer engineering software Peter Tasev said. “It’s been improved over time, but we definitely have kept our goals from the beginning of what we wanted to accomplish.”

The club has focused on the essentials in order to obtain as many points as it can with the time and manpower available. To complete this year’s missions as efficiently and accurately as possible, the club worked to perfect its image processing, coding, internal city planning, framework, microcontrollers, and circuit boards, just to name a few of the key components necessary for the operation of the robosub.

“(The robosub) goes through the (entry) gate every single time now, Tasev said. “Seven out of eight times it’ll hit the buoy. I’ve seen the bottom camera align itself to be parallel with the colored line like nobody’s business.”

After the work that the club put in, it is safe to say that they will have less formidable prospects and a strong basis for an even better model.

The San Diego State Mechatronics Club takes part in its first robosub competition. COuRTESY Of THE SDSu mECHATROnICS CLub

KELLY HILLOCKFEATURES EDITOR____________________________________

Boxes upon boxes are scattered everywhere. Some sealed and labeled neatly, but most are open

and half-full with their contents spilling out.

How is it possible for one person to have this much stuff?

There’s a ton of expired food in the back of your fridge. Food gets thrown out, objects you never used get tossed or pawned off onto someone else. You spackle holes in walls, bring out those cleaning supplies you never really used and clean your apartment better than you have ever cleaned it before. You finally find that shot glass after months of it being lost.

How is it possible for one person to have this much stuff?

Moving is a hell in its own category. One lease has ended, and another is beginning—and you’re moving. Moving consists of several steps, each equally frustrating. First, you pack up all your belongings—which, after a few days or hours you probably start referring to as your s--t. You find boxes at Costco or from other friends who have moved. You fill up the boxes. You should probably label them.

Then comes the actual day of moving. Loading and unloading boxes and furniture. Of course, the sweltering July heat makes moving furniture and boxes

HOROSCOPEHAPPY BIRTHDAY (8/4/14) - It's your year; flaunt it! Jupiter's in your sign, powering your charm. October eclipses (10/8, 23) open new doors at home and work. Family responsibilities keep you busy until 12/23, when a fun, romantic game entices. Sign papers, issue statements, and send releases. Put down roots (allowing spontaneous exploration). Share love and appreciation.

HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 6 - New information dispels old fears in the coming week. Practice your game, full speed ahead. Give the plan time to work. Choose what's best for family. Get comfortable at home and share a movie.TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 7 - Finish an old project. Build a strong foundation, and improve your living conditions. Reconsider your banking arrangements. Heed the voice of experience. Manage your shared finances together. Strategize for the long term.GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 - You could be tempted to abandon a responsibility for love. Accept an authority's rulings. Keep learning. Practice, practice, practice. Go over the numbers again, for a delightful surprise. Supply snacks when enthusiasm wanes.CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 - Finish an old job. Step into more leadership. Share techniques to save time and resources. Replenish reserves and cut expenses. Work faster and make more money. Exceed expectations. Your efforts pay off.LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 6 - Make a good impression at home. Handle all your chores. Speak clearly to avoid a possible misunderstanding. Leave your money in the bank. Don't try to get around the rules. A beautiful friendship arises.VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 - Keep learning new tricks. You could be tempted to invest in land and real estate. Looks like there's more work coming in, too. Update home technology. Cut emotional stress. Love finds a way.LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 - Find ways to increase your income today and tomorrow. Look from a different angle. Prepare for the big test. Enjoy private conversation and intimate moments. A brilliant insight surfaces regarding a loved one.SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 - Get into the completion phase on a group commitment. Save more than you spend. Personal meetings work best. Tidy up and go out for some fun. Share food, drink and enjoy the show.SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 7 - Be patient and evaluate the situation. Accept wise coaching from a trusted friend. Take the first step. Prepare the perfect attire. Dress for the status you want (regardless of what you think you have).CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - Complete projects and clear your desk. Devise a plan. You've earned a lovely moment. Solitude is needed for a personal project. Stick to deadlines, and carve out time for yourself. Delegate, if necessary.AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 7 - Dreams provide persuasive arguments. Step into a new level of leadership. Wrap up old business before beginning. You're gaining respect. Confer with your team. Decrease tensions with a reality check. Review the facts.PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 - Keep increasing your understanding on a difficult subject. What you learn can be applied for practical gain. Develop an effective routine. Accept an unexpected bonus. Let the love in. Gain status.

HOW TO PLAY: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box contains every digit 1 to 9.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 2 / 4

CROSSWORDS, SUDOKU, AND HOROSCOPES COURTESY OFTRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC., ©2014.

GAME SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE ATTHEDAILYAZTEC.COM

SUDOKU

PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec. Express your concerns by emailing letters@thedailyaztec.com

Moving out: move it or lose it#RANT

all the more horrible. Hopefully, you have friends to help you—preferably strong boys who can do all the work while you just complain.

After completing all that grunt work at your previous place, lifting boxes or just watching boxes being lifted, chances are the new apartment has its own array of mishaps. Mysterious carpet stains, nail holes in the wall, missing blinds, squeaky floorboards and strangely-placed outlets.

Again, you’re stuck spackling holes, ignoring the carpet stains, taping up blinds.

Why? Who decided moving was a good idea? Why does humankind feel the need to pack up its belongings and caravan to untraveled places? Is it ever worth it? The pilgrims weren’t happy, and neither am I.

There are several reasons why we think it’s a good idea to change

addresses at the end of every summer: cheaper rent, better location, finally getting your own room, getting away from crazy roommates, the desire to live with friends, strangers or by yourself. But every reason and every new place brings on a new slew of problems, beginning with the blinds that never stay put.

Once the dreaded day of hauling your boxes and furniture is over, then you have to deal with unpacking. Once again, you’re reminded of the question pounding at your temple: How is it possible for one person to have this much stuff?

Followed by, what kitchen cupboard should I claim? How discreetly can I lay claim on the bathroom sink I want? How long can I leave my boxes unpacked before it drives me crazy?

There’s a reason there’s a Seinfeld episode about moving. Seinfeld episodes are constructed to remind us of life’s greatest grievances and laugh at them. It’s easier to laugh at things on Seinfeld, though. There’s no laughing with 90 degree weather and cardboard boxes. There’s no laughing with strange smells and dirty kitchen appliances. There’s no laughing when you move.

Eventually, once you feel like you’ve sweated more than humanly possible and you’ve thrown out all the boxes and Febreezed everything you own, you’re all unpacked. You tack up your favorite posters and your new apartment is starting to feel like home. Hang in there, Aztecs. The worst is almost over.

#DASNAPSHOTS

BRIGHT LIGHTS, SUMMER SIGHTSStaff photographer Sarah Smith captures the ferris wheel at the Delaware State Fair by using long exposure.

AUG. 4 - 17, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTECEDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM8THE BACK PAGE

WHY DOES HUMANKIND FEEL THE NEED TO PACK UP ITS BELONGINGS AND CARAVAN TO UNTRAVELED PLACES?

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