TUESDAYNovember 1, 2011Volume 97, Issue 38

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PLAINTIFF

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S D S U ’ SI N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

S I N C E 1 9 1 3

Finding outanonymouspeople’ssecrets is onlya click awaywith thisonline blog.

S C I E N C E &T E C H N O LO GY

During the last academic year, SanDiego State was awarded $145.2 mil-lion in contracts and research grants.This figure is comparable to theamount of grant money received theprevious academic year, which totaled$151 million.

In a statement issued, SDSU presi-dent, Dr. Elliot Hirshman, noted theimportance of SDSU’s small researchprograms, saying it is “affecting lives inSan Diego, throughout California, andaround the world.”

The money for the grants camefrom a variety of sources and isbeing put to use in a number of dif-ferent fields.

The National Science Foundationissued SDSU a total of 51 grants for asum of $8,952,230. Part of this money

funds the work of SDSU biology pro-fessor Forest Rohwer. Rohwer and histeam are working to stop the destruc-tion of the world’s coral reefs causedby climate change and overfishing,which he says are almost 30 percentdestroyed with an additional 50 per-cent of the reefs in danger. Rohwer isalso looking at viral sequences instressed coral, which come in theform of an ancient herpes-like virus.

Another major source of fundingcame from the National Institutes ofHealth, which gave $32.2 million. TheNIH is part of the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services and is themajor medical research agency for thenation. The NIH is comprised of 27 dif-ferent institutes and centers, all focus-ing on different research areas.

Associated to SDSU is the NationalHeart, Lung and BloodInstitute, as wellas the National Cancer Institute. Thefunding from these institutions will goto specific projects such as Mark

Sussman’s studies on heart failure andmyocardial cellular survival, and ElvaArredondo’s work addressing the highrates of cancer and other chronic dis-

eases in the Latino population by pro-moting physical activity.

Additionally, the Small BusinessAdministration provided $599,978 tothe “Advanced DefenseTechnologies Cluster,” which helpsdevelop new equipment for the U.S.military. San Diego is one of threeregions to receive this award. Thecontract is locally focused, as thework is done in conjunction withbusinesses in San Diego.

The ADTC encompasses a numberof different fields, with as focus inareas such as cyber security, com-munications and renewable energy.The overall goal of the program is tohelp small businesses based in SanDiego expand into the worldwidedefense marketplace.

Since 2005, SDSU has been rankedas the No. 1 small-research universityin the nation according to the FacultyScholarly Productivity Index.

KKeevviinn SSmmeeaaddstaff writer

On Saturday, the Hispanic BusinessStudent Association is hosting itssecond annual high school confer-ence to promote higher educationand inspire students to pursue a col-lege degree after high school.

“We have different workshops thatare going to provide help for studentsand inspire them to stay in school,keep going to school and reach ahigher education,” Shastity Urias, aco-coordinator of the event, said.

The event will take place from8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Exerciseand Nutritional Science building oncampus. Last year, about 50 stu-dents attended the conference, butmore than 200 are expected at thisweek’s event.

The conference is a necessitybecause Hispanic students have oneof the highest high school dropoutrates. According to the U.S.Department of Education’s NationalCenter for Education Statistics,Hispanic students had a dropout rateof 17.6 percent in 2009, 4 percenthigher than the next most likely group.

To help decrease this statistic, highschool students will be able to meetSDSU students and talk to themabout a variety of topics that willprepare high school students for col-lege and encourage them to attend.

“The (high school) students will beable to talk about scholarships andhow they can get them, differentways to become involved in collegeand organizations, and the opportu-nities available to them,” Urias said.

According to Urias there would beinformation about different commu-nity colleges, in case students arenot prepared for a four-year universi-ty experience yet. Part of the confer-ence will focus on transferring to afour-year school after starting incommunity college.

The keynote speaker for the eventwill be Geena the Latina, a co-host ofthe Frankie and Geena morningradio show, who, according to theHBSA, has worked through manyobstacles in her life and stayedinvolved with her native culture.

Also on the agenda are workshopsabout studying abroad, Latina lead-ership, entrepreneurship and how topay for college.

HBSA won both the Excellence inMarking Award and the OutstandingOrganization Award at the 2011 FutureRising Business Leaders Awards.

BBiillll CCrroottttyynews editor

National Institute of Health awarded a combined $32,206,815 through 103 grants

SDSU received $151 million ($18.7 million from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which also provided $9.3 million in 2010-2011).

National Science Foundation awarded a combined $8,952,230 through 51 grants

SDSU researchers received a total of 799 awards, totaling $145,180,000

A few highlights in 2009-2010 Fundraising

SDSU awarded $145 million

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

YEAR

1980

1985

1990

1995

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

TOTAL

14.1

12.6

12.1

12.0

11.8

11.2

10.9

10.7

10.5

9.9

10.3

9.4

9.3

8.7

8.0

8.1

WHITE

11.4

10.4

9.0

8.6

7.7

7.3

6.9

7.3

6.5

6.3

6.8

6.0

5.8

5.3

4.8

5.2

BLACK

19.1

15.2

13.2

12.1

13.8

12.6

13.1

10.9

11.3

10.9

11.8

10.4

10.7

8.4

9.9

9.3

HISPANIC

35.2

27.6

32.4

30.0

29.5

28.6

27.8

27.0

25.7

23.5

23.8

22.4

22.1

21.4

18.3

17.6

ASIAN/ PACIFIC ISLANDER

—

—

4.9

3.9

4.1

4.3

3.8

3.6

3.9

3.9

3.6

2.9

3.6

6.1

4.4

3.4

AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKAN NATIVE

—

—

16.4

13.4

11.8

‡

14.0

13.1

16.8

15.0

17.0

14.0

14.7

19.3

14.6

13.2

Status dropout rates of 16- through 24-year-olds in the civilian, noninstitutionalized population, by race/ethnicity: Selected years, 1980-2009

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2011). The Condition of Education 2011 (NCES 2011-033), Indicator 20.

Conference to spur college interest

2

PETA’s lawsuitagainstSeaWorld ispurely a publicity stunt.

O P I N I O N

Information sessionhopes to motivatehigh school students

D A I L Y A Z T E CTuesday,

November 1, 2011 S C I E N C E & T E C H N O LO GY2

Secrets are not fun, unless sharedwith everyone. Hidden deep withinthe soul of every individual laysclandestine memories and medita-tions of the psyche. Some secretsare harbored inside and kept at asafe distance, even from friends andfamily, for the simple reason thatexposing the truth can be frighten-ing. However, candid release can

sometimes bring a profound senseof enlightenment. Postsecret.comoffers that window of opportunity.

PostSecret is an ongoing commu-nity art project where people mailtheir secrets anonymously on ahomemade postcard. The initiative isnot to embarrass or bring shame tothose revealing cherished memoriesor affections, but rather to give asense of hope and liberation throughthe publishing of secrets.

By allowing thousands of viewersto peer into the very core of some-one, a new value of connection andmutual comprehension may beestablished. People confess to themost profane yet genuine thoughts,revealing absolutely anything fromfevered obsessions and love propos-als to frightening childhood stories.Some postcards are hilarious, suchas people owning up to pullingpranks on their bosses. Some admitto rather grotesque and unimagin-able rituals, and then there are thedeeply moving narratives that reflectupon traumatic experiences.

PostSecret encourages followers toremove the shackles of secrecy in themost awe-inspiring and innovativeways possible.

“I think of each postcard as a livingwork of art,” founder of PostSecretFrank Warren said. “And as art, secretscan have different layers of truth.Some can be both true and false, oth-ers can become true over timedepending on our choices.”

The website is adorned with draw-ings and photographs infused withpoetry and creative artwork to pro-duce a plethora of unique, personal-ized displays. Thousands of peoplesend cards in the hopes of being fea-tured, and every Sunday the websiteis updated with new entries. Each oneis completely unique from the next.

“I check the website rather reli-giously,” English junior Laura Palosarisaid. “Every Sunday I read through thenew posts with great excitement.”

Postcards are pulled from severalgenerations and nations to illustratethe vast range of emotions andexperiences shared among manypeople. It may come as a surprisehow much inspiration naturallyblooms from the works of othersand how touched one can feel afterreading another person’s card.

Streams of jubilance and love canbe found alongside dark and dis-turbingly unfortunate realities. For thisreason, PostSecret works to be proac-tive and helpful while working closelywith suicide prevention agencies andother health organizations.

PostSecret has also published sev-eral books of confession throughoutthe years. Additionally, the organiza-tion has just began hostingPostSecret Live in select areas inhopes of promoting stability andunity among the larger communitiesthroughout the nation.

The website aims to foster a betterunderstanding of self and serves as aportal for all to confide. So whetherseeking to reveal a deep-rooted frus-tration or a lovesick obsession,PostSecret grants the public thechance to let out revelations of allproportions on one tiny postcard.

AAmmyy DDeeVViittoostaff writer

PostSecret providesan outlet for onlineconfessionals

“I think of each postcard as a liv-ing work of art. And as art,secrets can have different layersof truth. Some can be both trueand false, others can becometrue over time ...”

Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret

ANTONIO ZARAGOZA, PHOTO EDITOR

T H E D A I L Y A Z T E C . C O M

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Strangers’ posted secrets provide hope

D A I L Y A Z T E CTuesday, November 1, 2011C L A S S I F I E D S 3

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$18 mil.

42,500

2,750

88,750

26

1.75 mil

Average # of missed classes per college student / year

Number of college graduates each year

Amount of college students arrested during spring break

Total college student divorces each year

Total delinquent student loans

Total college student marriages each year

2 Parking tickets per college student each year

2,800 Average food budget for college student each year

FOR RANDOM COLLEGE STUDENT FACTS

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D A I L Y A Z T E CTuesday,

November 1, 2011 O P I N I O N4

Difficulty Level: 1 out of 4

Instructions: Complete the gridso each row, column and 3-by-3box (in bold borders) containsevery digit 1 to 9. For strategieson how to solve Sudoku, visitwww.sudokudragon.com

Solutions available online atwww.thedailyaztec.com

©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

AACCRROOSSSS1 Held, as a

protest7 Beggar’s request

11 T-shirt sizes, forshort

14 Bow user15 Homebuyer’s

request16 “Bali __”17 “Great” Russian

emperor18 Missing some-

one special20 Modern record-

ing device22 “Now, listen to

me ...”23 Start of a fic-

tional sea shan-ty

27 Flair28 “Was __ for-

ward?”29 Have on30 Enjoys the shal-

lows31 Duke U.’s con-

ference32 Jib or spinnaker33 Flab34 ’80s-’90s ABC

drama40 Time workers,

briefly41 Topsoil42 Not worth a __43 Doorposts46 Male swine47 Poetic black48 Layer between

the sclera andretina

49 Quick nap51 Interrupt53 Adam’s second54 Competitive

look56 Black Sea port60 Before, in an

ode61 Country south

of Iran62 Discrimination

based on years63 Damascus is its

cap.

64 Divisions in 65-Across

65 Where onehears the startsof 18-, 23-, 34-,49- and 54-Across

DDOOWWNN1 Oozy tree out-

put2 Italian trio3 Performance4 Inner city area5 Weird6 Garage entrances7 More than most8 Not so tight9 Expert

10 Bygone knife11 Protection

against spears12 Gordon of

“Oklahoma!”(1955)

13 Notes similari-ties (to)

19 Blade cover21 “__ the loneliest

number”: oldsong lyric

23 Italian automak-er

24 Skin irritation25 Centers of

attention26 Unpleasant

smell30 Measure of

power32 Conventions, for

short33 Interisland

transport35 Dealer’s incen-

tive36 Sporty Mazda37 Literary ID38 Barnes & Noble

e-book reader

39 Six-shooters43 Court figures44 Zoo section45 German physi-

cian fromwhose name aspellbindingword evolved

46 Black-spottedfeline

47 Brennan of“PrivateBenjamin”

49 Oil holder50 Golfer’s lofted

iron52 Sci-fi subjects55 One-point

Scrabble letters57 It can be carnal

or cardinal58 Govt. assistance

program59 Trans __: certain

Pontiacs

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (11/1/11) Celebrate athome with people you love, and let themshower you with affection. Don't be afraidto return a compliment. Say what youhave to say, but the gold is in how youlisten. Fill your year with experimentation,for breakthrough discoveries.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating:10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 -A quiet, reflective morning suits the moodand gets stuff done. It's a good time to sell.Talk more in the afternoon. Your social lifeheats up this evening.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8- Trust the friends that believe in you morethan you do. Launch your next project,and enjoy the ride as well as thedestination. There's fun ahead.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 7 -Review all logical steps, prepare everythingin private, and then make your decision.Celebrate with good friends, great foodand beautiful scenery.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8- The road to acceptance has denial andresistance. It's all part of it. You can find thenecessary funds. Don't get blinded byreality or success. Say "thank you."

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 -Spend some time exploring newpartnerships. It's not always about you.Really listen to what others have to say. Afemale reveals a secret. It's gettinginteresting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 -Don't get so busy that you forget what'sreally important. Your creativity is a plus.The fewer words you use, the better. Keepthings focused and clear.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 -Romance is a growing possibility for thenext two days. Creativity and beauty play alarger part than normal. Escape to apeaceful spot to get an idea to flower.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 -Personal comfort must be consideredtoday. Stay close to home, and nurtureyourself (saving money in the process).You can still be productive.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today isa 9 - Money's not everything, but it surehelps. Don't go around wasting what youdon't have. Accept an invitation. You noticebeauty in random places now.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today isan 8 - Focus on finances to growprofitability. Avoid distractions that createnew work. Be inventive, and barter ifneeded. Trade services. Get what youneed.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9- You're on top of your game and ready fora touchdown. Bring it on! Nothing canstop you now, in communication, art orlove, all of which are in perfect harmony.

PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 5 -It's not the best time to pop the question ...or for romance in general. The mood's abit flat. Focus instead on learning skills andpracticing. Make your pitch later.

©2011, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

BY NANCY BLACK,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICESHOROSCOPE

BY THE MEPHAM GROUP,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICESSUDOKU

BY RICH NORRIS & JOYCE LEWIS,TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICESCROSSWORD

LIKE SDSU news?LIKE SDSU news? / Daily Aztec

hamu and the gang havebecome a revered symbolof America’s finest city — atleast according to RonBurgundy — not to men-

tion one of San Diego’s biggesttourist draws. But now an outsideforce conspires to tarnish our prideand taint our entertainment with foulaccusations. Animal rights groupPeople for the Ethical Treatment ofAnimals has sued SeaWorld for violat-ing the 13th Amendment of theConstitution by holding the orcawhales in a condition of slavery. Andwho, you ask, are the plaintiffs of thiscase? The five whales.

I’m sure this viral news story hasalready provided a welcome doseof humor for many readers in SanDiego and around the country. Butas amusing as it is to picture a 6-ton orca being wheeled into thecourtroom in a glass tank, the sub-stance of the complaint and thestrategy behind it are worth a moreserious examination.

Of course it should be obvious toany rational person the U.S.Constitution only applies to humans.The preamble makes it clear the doc-ument applies to “We the people ofthe United States,” not “We the vari-ous mammals, indigenous and intro-

duced,” though apparently corpora-tions are close enough. The fact is,there is no legal basis for the lawsuit,and I think even PETA knows it’s justa charade to get attention.

This kind of wacky publicity stunthas become PETA’s MO. Campaignswith celebrities posing nude, redpaint thrown on fur coats and pornwebsites promoting vegetarianismmay make headlines, but I’ve seen lit-tle evidence of real change resultingfrom such tactics.

In fact, it may have the oppositeeffect, alienating reasonable peopleand making it harder to understandand contribute to a just cause. You’dexpect such a well-known organiza-tion to do better than play thenaughty toddler acting out to getMom and Dad’s attention.

However, the lack of constitutionalcorroboration and PETA’s question-able tactics don’t render the moralcore of the argument unjustified. Itmay indeed be true that the orcas’conditions — and porpoises, turtles,penguins, otters and other oceanicanimals — cause the animals stress,discomfort and poor health. It’s hard

to imagine a huge animal accus-tomed to swimming freely from onehemisphere to the other being happi-ly confined to a small concrete pool.Almost everyone can agree we musttake the suffering or well-being ofanimals into moral consideration. Theprofusion of pets is evidence enoughof our human desire to care for ani-mals — a surprising 63 percent of U.S.households have at least one pet.

And yet, somehow this respect andempathy often stops at furry housepets, or, at most, large, pretty mam-mals such as polar bears and tigers.The fact that SeaWorld’s whales arelarge charismatic creatures capable ofgarnering sympathy may be the rea-son PETA chose to focus on them.This is the organization’s second mis-take. If you’re going to talk aboutinhumane treatment of animals,there is no reason not to start withthe horrendous conditions of animalson factory farms, or other abuses ona systemic scale. Even ugly creaturesfrom outside class mammalia cansuffer, thrive and play an integral rolein a wider ecosystem. Making thepublic more conscious of that factwould be much more useful thanplaying into unhelpful stereotypes.

My final issue with this lawsuit isthat the application of the 13thAmendment seems to equate ani-mal domestication with humanslavery, and assumes animalsdeserve completely equal rights tohumans. I find this view some-where between flawed and morallyreprehensible. If an organizationreally wants to make progress, itshould focus on education to laythe groundwork for an attitudeshift. It should focus on achievablegoals that can attract wider supportto make real policy changes. A bet-ter strategy to help the whaleswould have been to focus on thefacts in exposing their poor con-ditions, rather than distractingthe issue with ridiculous gim-micks that will turn most people

off. Sometimes public sentimentand consumer pressure are mighti-

er than the gavel.

RRaannddyy WWiillddeestaff columnist

PLAINTIFF

PETA’s slavery lawsuitserves no porpoise

S

RRAANNDDYY WWIILLDDEE IS

AN ISCOR SENIOR.

PLEASE NOTE:The views expressed in the written works of this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Story ideas can be sent to tips@thedailyaztec.com.

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