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Sports in Brief Issue 7

By
Ryan Whalen
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Baseball (12-14 overall, 8-7 SCIAC)

The Occidental baseball team took the field against SCIAC No. 1 Whittier over the weekend in a three-game conference series. Junior outfielder Chris Strain kicked off the league rivalry with a bang for the Tigers in Friday’s Game 1 with a 2-run home run in the second inning that gave the black and orange a 2-0 lead. Junior Johnathan Brooks and Riley Smith (senior) combined for an additional three RBI. But the Poets overcame the Tigers’ offensive output with a six-run fifth inning that led to a 7-5 victory for the Poets. Despite the tough loss, the Occidental squad was able to bounce back and snag a sound 8-1 victory over Whittier in Game 2, the first frame of a Saturday doubleheader at Anderson Field. Senior pitcher Mitch Margolis stole the show, allowing just one run through eight innings of work while adding to his SCIAC-leading strikeout tally by mowing down nine Poet batters. The rubber match then lasted 13 innings, as Smith tied the contest with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at eight runs apiece and again dealt an equalizing blow with a solo shot in the 12th to even the score at nine. But the Tiger shortstop’s late-game heroics were not enough for the black and orange, as Whittier was able to put up three runs in the 13th inning to best the Tigers, 12-10. Occidental travels to Redlands on Friday at 3 p.m.

Men’s Tennis (2-12 overall, 0-3 SCIAC)

The Occidental men’s tennis team found itself down an ace against Pacific (Ore.) on Thursday, with No. 1 singles and doubles player Josh Dancu (junior) out due to an injury. Veteran Kevin Siebs (senior) more than filled Dancu’s shoes, posting a collegiate-best victory in the No. 1 singles spot. Fellow upperclassmen David Cotton (senior) and Jeremy Kirchoff (junior) also scored for the Tigers in the match individually. While the black and orange was able to split its singles matches, the Boxers swept Occidental in doubles play en route to a 6-3 victory. The Tigers host Caltech on Friday at 2 p.m.

Women’s Tennis (1-9 overall, 0-4 SCIAC)

The Occidental women’s tennis team lost all three of its matches last week. The Tigers lost their closest match of the season 5-4 against non-conference foe Pacific (Ore.) last Wednesday. First-year Isabella Korfmann and Lucy Malloch (sophomore) led the black and orange in the match. Korfmann coupled her No. 5 singles victory with a win in No. 3 doubles with partner Jesse Hernandez (senior). Malloch’s win marked her first success while playing in Occidental’s No. 4 singles slot. Junior Amber Gasden won her second straight match to round out the scoring for the Tigers. However, Occidental’s competitiveness did not carry over into its next two matches against Cal Lutheran and Pomona-Pitzer on Friday and Saturday, respectively, as the Tigers were downed in a pair of 9-0 losses. The unit will attempt to snap its seven-match losing streak at Caltech on Friday at 2 p.m.

Softball (4-26 overall, 1-17 SCIAC)

The Occidental softball team saw limited action over the weekend, playing just one doubleheader against La Verne on Saturday. The Tigers struggled in Game 1, mustering just two hits and again falling victim to the mercy rule after allowing eight runs in an abbreviated five innings of play. After the rough outing, the black and orange made a defensive stand in Game 2. First-year starting pitcher Emily Pham allowed just two runs and struck out two in a six-inning stint in the circle. Despite trailing by the two runs through the first four innings, Occidental was able to manufacture a run in the fifth on an Alex Battest (first-year) RBI-single, and the unit tied the game in the seventh on a Jerika Barron (senior) double that eventually sent the contest to extra innings. But the Tigers came up short in the final inning, as La Verne sealed the 3-2 win with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth. Occidental hosts a doubleheader on Saturday against Whittier at noon and 2 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse (8-2 overall, 5-0 SCIAC)

The Occidental women’s lacrosse team (8-2 overall, 5-0 SCIAC) split a pair of non-conference games against Pacific (Ore.) and Colorado College last week. The Tigers opened up the stint with a dominant performance against Pacific, handing the the Boxers a 14-4 loss with an all-around team performance. All-SCIAC attacker Beebe Finch Sanders (junior) led the black and orange’s offensive charge with four goals, while goalie Kirsten Hee (sophomore) anchored the Tiger defense with a nine-save complete game. Additionally, attacker Mary Richardson (sophomore) played the role of distributor by dishing out four assists in the contest. The Tigers then turned their attention to their Sunday match-up against Colorado College. Sophomore Mackenzie Wright acted as the field general for the black and orange, tallying four assists while giving up just one turnover. Sanders was again the top goal scorer for her team, as she found the back of the net on three separate occasions. Senior midfielder Rebecca Belding displayed her offensive prowess as well, scoring two goals and assisting on two more. But the Tigers’ distribution was not enough, as the black and orange dropped the gritty match by a score of 10-9. Occidental begins its second round of SCIAC play on Saturday, traveling to Redlands at 7 p.m.

Kevin Liu (Men’s Golf)

The Occidental men’s golf team is coming off its best performance of the year at the West Cup at Bear Creek Country Club in Murrieta, Calif., on March 23-25. The Tigers tallied a season-low score of 312 after round one. Rounds two and three brought about more strong performances from the squad, as they finished with scores of 333 and 324, respectively, en route to an overall 12th-place finish in a competitive field of several national top-25 teams. Throughout the weekend, Kevin Liu (sophomore) produced a solid and consistent line. In the first round, Liu shot a season-low 7-over 79. He then notched a 17-over 89 in round two and a 15-over 87 in round three on his way to finishing fourth for the Tigers and 81st overall. Earlier in the season, Liu contributed to the Tigers’ fifth-place result at the SCIAC Preview, shooting a 14-over 86. The Mercer Island, Wash., native was an Honorable Mention All-King County selection in high school and served as his team’s captain as a senior. After a successful season as a first-year in 2013, Liu has stepped up into a larger role for the team, consistently posting top-five finishes and contributing to the squad’s scoring. He will play an important role for the Tigers on April 5 and 6 when they head to Empire Lakes Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., for SCIAC #2.

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TEDx in action at Occidental

By
Juliet Suess
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Students and faculty brought their own version of the popular TED Talks event to Occidental’s campus last Saturday. The first-ever TEDx event to be hosted by Occidental featured speakers from both the school’s immediate community and the greater Los Angeles area to discuss the theme “Reinventing the American Dream.”

The event began with undeclared major Somer Greene (sophomore) performing an original spoken word poem in which she portrays an African-American child walking around with her grandmother and experiencing discrimination.

“Ain’t no one that can touch your dream, child,” the grandmother said to the child.

Greene used the story to demonstrate the importance of dreaming and the power of the imagination.

Politics major Brian Erickson (sophomore) followed Greene, discussing social media and its uses in modern America. He attempted to frame social media in a new light: to use it as a means of enlightenment rather than a constant update of mundane life happenings.

Entrepreneur Dave Berkus ’62 spoke next, discussing his business ventures and failures to support his position that achieving the American dream sometimes includes failing.

Assistant Dean for Community Engagement Ella Turenne spoke on her view that the United States prison system impedes the ability of many to achieve the American dream. Turenne believes that the American dream manifests in the ability for every person to receive a college education, and incarcerated people are often denied this opportunity.

Speakers and audience members alike enjoyed the event and felt that it encouraged greater discussion on the issue presented.

After her speech, Turenne said that events like TEDx fit perfectly into Occidental’s culture and mission.

“I love the fact that students, staff, faculty and administrators are here,” Turenne said. “It is great to bring the groups together to create a dialogue. It goes with the ethos of who we are here. It has given us great food for thought.”

Berkus was equally impressed with the level of discourse present at Occidental’s event.

“I have been to and attended by theater TED talks, and I am shocked by all of the speakers in a very positive way,” Berkus said.

Many students who attended the event echoed these sentiments.

“All the different perspectives and ways of interpreting the American dream and the section on who gets it was very interesting,” sociology major Emily Watkins (junior) said. “I wanted to talk to people after every talk.”

Yet not all students thought that the event succeeded in the mission to reinvent the American dream.

“The first portion of the event was comprised of a group of salesmen whose successes have been established through the very systems that TEDxOxy should have aimed to re-imagine,” Critical Theory and Social Justice major Andrew Wilcox (junior) said. “Guest speakers betrayed the name of the event, ‘Reimagining the American Dream’ and perpetuated dominant discourses that I falsely hoped TEDxOxy would disrupt.”

Despite some negative reactions, organizers of the event believed it to be successful.

“It went really, really well,” economics major Shilpa Bhongir (junior), who spearheaded efforts to bring the event to Occidental, said. “It is kind of crazy. Everything has been going so smoothly. The speakers are all amazing and passionate about doing their best and creating a dialogue.”

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Water Polo edges Sagehens, notches first conference victory

By
Stephen Nemeth
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With a tie score and time winding down in the fourth quarter against Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, Occidental women’s water polo attacker Morgan McClafferty (senior) caught a rebound and fired a shot into the back of the net. The goal boosted the Tigers to a 6-5 victory, their first triumph over the Sagehens in three seasons.

“I was so ecstatic about scoring the [game-winning] goal,” McClafferty said. “We haven’t beat [Pomona-Pitzer] since my freshman year. It was such a close, tight game, and winning at the last second was awesome.”

The contest also marked the black and orange’s first conference win of the 2014 campaign after previous losses to Cal Lutheran and Redlands.

All three league games have come down to the wire against top-ranked opponents, with a largest final score margin of only two points.

Occidental (3-16 overall, 1-2 SCIAC) opened SCIAC play at No. 4 Cal Lutheran on March 19. Occidental also entered the day with a top-10 national ranking at No. 6. Despite a competitive contest, the Regals narrowly escaped the Tigers, scoring two goals in the final 2:30 minutes to put the contest out of reach, 10-8.

After the tough road loss, No. 7 Occidental returned to Taylor Pool for its SCIAC home opener against No. 5 Redlands on March 26. The Tigers surrendered another hard-fought match, this time losing to the Bulldogs in the final minute, 6-5.

Utilizing a strong defense, the Tigers were able stalemate the Bulldogs for most of the game, going into the half tied 2-2. But Occidental could not capitalize on multiple chances to put Redlands away despite outshooting them 28-16.

“For most of the game, we were the dominant presence,” McClafferty said. “That was one of the lowest scoring games we have ever had in our pool. But what we were lacking in was finishing our offense.”

At Pomona-Pitzer’s Haldeman Pool, the black and orange once again found itself scrambling in the final moments to break a 5-5 gridlock. With a handful of seconds remaining, Kelsey Shyba (senior) drove to the goal and unleashed a shot that was blocked by the opposing goalie. But McClafferty recovered the ball and sunk a goal with just one second to go, finally claiming a decisive victory for the Tigers.

“I think it was not about us playing any better,” Shyba said. “I think we played really well both days. It was just about being able to think about it and mentally get through that fourth quarter and finish the game and put it away.”

Senior goalie Sofie Munoz anchored Occidental’s defensive effort, recording 15 saves in the contest.

“I think our fundamental play was the same as it has been all year; the difference this game was more mental,” Tiger head coach Larry Zubrin said via email. “We stayed focused on the game plan, didn’t get rattled by any mistakes and generally just had a lot of fun playing the game.”

The squad looks to get to .500 in league play on Saturday, hosting Whittier at 11 a.m.

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Second 'Groove' promotes shift in social landscape

By
William Stupp
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The event itself is hard to characterize. It is not quite a concert and certainly not a party. With its decentralized landscape, multiple activities and artistic vibe, Groove at the Glen might better be described as simply a gathering. Some 200 students came together for the second iteration of the arts-focused event last Friday. For the informal, unnamed student group that organizes the Groove events, the second installment of the group’s semester-long community project proved it a vital and viable event with promise for constant evolution.

“[At the first Groove at the Glen] we created a model. We made and will continue to make minor changes, getting new musical acts and new art supplies. But we know we can execute this and that it works pretty well,” Groove at the Glen organizer and Critical Theory and Social Justice (CTSJ) major August Polstein (senior) said.

The overall aim of the Groove planners is to use Sycamore Glen for a variety of events. The two Grooves so far have been focused on music and dancing, but an early evening of barbecue, arts and crafts and conversation is in the works for the next event. Such an event would end by 10 p.m., before many students’ typical evening activities even begin.

By design, Groove at the Glen aims to defy prevailing trends in student social life.

“There’s this notion that for students that like to do things on weekends the only thing to do is get wasted and go to dances,” Art History and Visual Arts major Jack Baker (junior) said. “The idea is to get off of that train. You don’t have to smoke or drink or buy into the party system. But if you do, it’s a safe place to be. You can dance, and it’s not uncomfortable. You can talk. You can sit down and lie on some pillows. You can paint some pictures.”

The second Groove at the Glen hosted a diverse group of musical acts, beginning just after 9 p.m. with a performance by Campus Security, a five-piece rock band made up of Occidental sophomore students. The Moonlit Trio, a group of Los Angeles natives, followed up with their unique fusion of roots rock and Latin American Cumbia music. The sound was different from that usually heard at student parties but was well-received by energetic groups of dancers.

Audience members had the opportunity to participate in the performance as well, resulting in an impromptu rap performance by undeclared Adam Kelsick (first-year).

The final performance came from Hotel Garuda, a DJ duo consisting of economics major Aseem Mangaokar (junior) and George Mason University student Manila Killa. Their hard-hitting trap and electronic dance music ended the night at an apex of energy.

As musicians took their turns upon the stage, students adorned a canvas with layers of paint, creating constantly-changing, graffiti-like murals.

Many students appreciated the atmosphere in Sycamore Glen for its difference from other social scenes.

“I like the Groove better than dances. It’s better organized. There’s a place to dance and a place to sit,” undeclared Kyle McCue (first-year) said. “And it’s good for the performers to get a chance to play for a crowd that wants to listen.”

Undeclared major Lindsay Weinberg (sophomore) expressed what she thought the Groove brings to Occidental.

“There’s something uniquely ‘college’ about people convening near where they all live, listening to music, having a great time and keeping it chill without much pretension,” Weinberg said.

Organizers hope that their attempt to switch up the social scene on campus will be a community effort.

“Anyone can walk up and say ‘I want to be a part of this. We’re a community, not a hierarchy. Anyone can take the reins and get things going,” Groove organizer and sociology major Kirk Folette (senior) said.

Despite the Groove’s success, the team behind the show has had difficulty gathering large crowds at an event before 11 p.m., particularly an event that does not meet some students’ standards for a normative Friday night party. However, the organizers stress the importance of making art and performance space available, a value inherent in Groove’s unique blend of artistic and social life.

 

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Cafecito Organico provides hot roasts but cold climate

By
Sarah Corsa
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Cafecito Organico joins Eagle Rock’s multitude of coffee shops as the new, socially conscious and cultured kid on the block. But like any new kid, the artisan coffee roaster is struggling to incorporate itself in the neighborhood and establish a relationship with the local community.

The cafe chain expanded from a farmer’s market stand in 2010 to permanent locations in Malibu, Costa Mesa, Burbank, Silver Lake and Venice. As a shop carrying such a wide variety of espresso beans from exotic origins and bearing the word “organic” in its name, the shop could be a fitting addition to the increasing gentrification of Eagle Rock. In reality, Cafecito Organico lacks the authenticity and warmth that characterizes many local businesses.

The menu is very simple. It is small and lists only basic, familiar drinks under the espresso section – latte, americano, mocha – but the coffee section alone is broken up into brew of the day, manual brew and cold brew coffee. A chalkboard by the register explains the aroma, acidity, flavor, body and finish of the brew of the day, as well as the different roasts and characteristics of the options offered for manual brew. LaPalma, for example, is a roast made from Colombian beans and has a sweet chocolate aroma, medium juicy body and lingering finish. The board describes the roast from Honduras, on the other hand, as having an earthly lemon zest flavor and a crisp finish.

Cafecito Organico focuses on pure coffee without mixing its artisan roasts with any flavored syrup combinations. Its specialty coffee section includes only two drinks: a “cafecito,” and a “global warming,” both of which consist solely of espresso or cold brew, a milk of choice and raw cane juice. When a patron walks in and orders a mocha, the barista clarifies that their version uses raw organic cacao rather than chocolate syrup and therefore is not sweetened. For those that do prefer some sweetener, the condiment bar includes bottles of agave, simple syrup, molasses and honey.

At this point, Cafecito Organico attracts customers who are on-the-go rather than those who work on their laptops or meet with friends for a drink, especially considering the complicated nature of the coffee flavors. It is missing the intimate and familiar quality of many local businesses that keeps customers coming back. Although brief glimpses of friendliness and community show when the next-door Domino’s driver delivers a pizza to the baristas, the coffee shop otherwise feels cold and sterile. Furthermore, the information offered up by the baristas sounds rehearsed, and the Top 40 music confusingly juxtaposes the artisanal selections.

With Wi-Fi and plenty of seating, the cafe has the potential to be a refuge for espresso aficionados from the other bustling Eagle Rock coffee shops. Casual cafe-goers who prize caffeine over fancy flavors should skip this new one and stick to the other cafes in the neighborhood. Cafecito Organico only carries a limited selection of vegan pastries, so alternatives with more substantial food options include Highland Cafe, Four Cafe or Swork. Those craving a sweeter fix should turn to Cafe de Leche and their espresso con horchata.


Cafecito Organico is located at 1757 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles.

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Freestyle rap show dishes out more than sick beats

By
Earl Park
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A catchy loop echoes across the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) community center. Sudden breaks, additional tones and original mixes supplement the production as listeners begin to nod their heads to the beat. Audience members looked on in awe at DJs who have honed their craft – locally famous producers who are some of the best in the area.

Such is the scene at a recent Freestyle Friday, a monthly fundraising event hosted by Sessions L.A. – a music writing, recording, production and DJ-ing program for youth and young adults, located in Historic Filipinotown. Producers fill the community center on Freestyle Fridays with their beats, mixing and added live effects.

According to their website,Sessions L.A. aims to, “promote youth development, nurture critical thinking and foster community building through the process of creating music.”

In the beginning of March’s Freestyle Friday session, attendees were asked to contribute to the organization through a suggested donation of $5-$20, but no one was turned away due to a lack of funds.

Local producers Karman and Irren started the show with their respective productions and bided their time until the main event started. Their set consisted of hip-hop beats filled with traditional rap percussion patterns. Many crowd members began spitting rhymes among their friends as the show continued.

The highlight of the community fundraiser came in the form of Duke Westlake’s mixes as he demonstrated his mastery over beat-making and mixing. He transitioned from one beat to the next seamlessly, adding in effects, pauses and scratches with ease. His showcase elicited praise and applause from the audience; even tracks produced only an hour before the event had the crowd grooving.

Eventually, the mic became available to aspiring emcees to cypher (freestyle) over Westlake’s hip-hop beats. Attendees flowed over various beats, exhibiting their mastery of the English language. Wordsmiths were given the opportunity to work with the established Mid-City producers and many seemed to relish the chance.

After all the volunteers made their rounds, the host started up again with a freestyle of his own as the center erupted in a frenzy.

The night culminated in a vinyl sale. Customers were each charged one dollar for each record, with the option to donate more. All proceeds go towards Session L.A.’s efforts to provide classes to local youth.

The next Freestyle Friday in the month of April will be located at 3200 W. Temple St. Historic Filipino town, Los Angeles.

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Registration PIN envelope system is inefficient, wasteful

By
CamayakArchive
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Each year registration, like room draw, is inevitably stressful for students. While much of this stress can be attributed to a desire to get the perfect schedule, popular classes or to have certain professors, and thus cannot be helped, registration could be simplified with an online PIN access system and a way for students to gauge the popularity of courses prior to registration week.

The paper system through which students receive their PINs for registration is wasteful and unnecessary, not to mention inconvenient. After meeting with advisers, students must keep track of the sheet of paper on which their PIN is provided to them or else they will not be able to register for classes. In the digital age, this system is outdated; PINs could easily be provided to students via email or online through their myOxy accounts.

One argument for the paper system is that students must meet with their advisers in order to obtain their PINs, which forces busy or unwilling students to participate in the advising system. A paperless system could still maintain this requirement by having professors send out PINs only after students have met with them. The system could be set up so that advisers would have to grant access to students individually, which would only be done after advising meetings occurred. A simple online interface would easily allow advisers to make PINs viewable and would not be more challenging than collecting, storing and distributing the paper sheets currently in use.

Currently, once students have registered for at least one class with their PIN, they are able to look up and retrieve a forgotten PIN through myOxy. With this system already in place, it would be easy for the registrar to originally post PINs through this portal. Not only would this eliminate hundreds of sheets of paper and envelopes, but also it would decrease the possibility of students losing track of their PINs and remove some of the stress of the registration process.

While many students know that certain classes will always fill up quickly, the student interest in all courses cannot always be determined before registration. It is incredibly disheartening for students to look on Course Counts and see needed courses fill up because they misjudged what classes to sign up for on each of their registration days.

If students were able to express their interest in classes in a public and tabulated manner before registration week, they could see which classes they should register for on their first and second days of registration. A simple survey box could be added to course descriptions on Course Counts so that students could express their desire to sign up for certain classes and see which classes are likely to fill quickly. Such a system would provide students with more information going into registration week, so they would be better prepared and potentially have a less stressful time.

This editorial represents the collective opinion of the Occidental Weekly Editorial Board. Each week, the editorial board will publish its viewpoint on a matter relevant to the Occidental community.

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Gap years should be made financially feasible for all

By
Cordelia Kenney
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Tufts University recently announced the program, “Tufts 1+4,” that will help mitigate the costs of taking a gap year for admitted students before beginning school, sparking a national conversation about the accessibility of unconventional routes to college. The gap or bridge year — a year students spend before entering college studying or volunteering either abroad or domestically — is an increasingly popular phenomenon, but generally only for students who can afford it. The Tufts 1+4 program, however, allows more students to have the structure and financial support they need to participate in year-long opportunities abroad and provides a template for how other colleges should rethink the gap year.

Students who seek study or volunteer abroad opportunities during their college career
usually hope to attain greater cross-cultural awareness and skills,
greater language mastery, deeper appreciation of their field of study
and a deeper sense of self. Students with the financial means are often able to access this opportunity before college even begins. The time has come for all students, regardless of economic standing, to
be able to study and volunteer abroad before their first year. The Tufts 1+4 program, which includes coverage of housing and airfare, will help pave the way for future programs of a similar design so that all students who want to take a bridge year will have the opportunity to do so.

Only several other schools nationwide integrate a bridge year program into their curriculum. Princeton University offers need-based aid for students hoping to take
advantage of their “Bridge Year Program,” a nine-month service learning
program available in five countries. St. Norbert College in Wisconsin also covers the costs for their gap year program, which takes students on a cross-country trip that finishes in St. Lucia, except for travel costs to the first site. University of North Carolina, meanwhile, grants a maximum $7,500 to prospective gap year students.

What distinguishes the newly formed program at Tufts it that it is the most extensive of all programs thus far in breaking down the economic barrier many students face when it comes to taking a gap year. Students who apply for and are accepted into the Tufts 1+4 program have all of their program costs covered, travel and housing fees paid and can choose from a wide array from programs, in contrast to St. Norbert’s pre-established itinerary and Princeton’s limit of five program sites.

“It’s
about providing an experience that up until now has been largely
confined to students from more economically privileged backgrounds,” Tufts Director of Public Relations Kim Thurler said in an interview with Newsweek.

The Tufts 1+4 program centers on civic engagement and service, so students may opt for volunteer-oriented organizations that may be unaffordable for students without aid. Additionally, Tufts 1+4 incorporates parts of the Tufts’ curriculum, creating a continuum between what students learn and do abroad and what they study in the classroom once they enter Tufts as first-years. The program emphasizes leadership development and “active citizenship” as core components of the bridge year experience it provides. What differentiates this program the most, however, is its explicit focus on making the option to volunteer and study abroad before college accessible to all.

Many students may not necessarily have guidance or support when it comes to finding scholarships or volunteer organizations in order to finance gap years. Although some schools, like Yale University, offer some help with identifying feasible programs, many institutions lack any kind of financial support or connection to the school while the student is abroad. In the Tufts 1+4 program, in comparison, students are still connected with the school
through blogs and video chats to retain structure and communication.

Historically, recent high school graduates looking for a buffer between schooling institutions have had to largely look on their own. Organizations like the American Gap Year Association (AGA) offer support by featuring a list of recommendations for raising funds for taking a gap year. As more students show interest in spending a year volunteering or working abroad, however, more colleges will have to follow Tufts’ lead.

Although planning a gap year by themselves shows great initiative and independence on the part of those who seek out such opportunities, many students simply do not know that such an option exists or do not have the resources to do so. Additionally, students who plan gap years independently likely have to go through many hoops to find the right program, enough scholarship money (if they can) or support while they are actually abroad. Not to mention some colleges do not allow admitted students to defer a year. By offering gap year opportunities through the school itself, more students will be able to take advantage of this great option. Colleges themselves will benefit by having better prepared and more motivated incoming first-year students.

Students who have spent their first years out of high school on gap year programs report greater independence, confidence, maturity, motivation and easier adjustments to college life in relation to their peers who did not take a gap year. In the context of the intensely globalized and interconnected world we live in, accessibility to study and volunteer abroad opportunities is more important than ever. Making these kinds of experiences an affordable and feasible option for not just a privileged few, but for all incoming first year students, should take a higher priority on all colleges’ agendas.

Cordelia Kenney is a senior history major. She can be reached at ckenney@oxy.edu or on Twitter @WklyCKenney.

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Facebook pumps big bucks into Oculus venture

By
Will Westwater
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Facebook announced on March 25 that they are acquiring Oculus Virtual Reality Inc. in the second quarter of the fiscal year. The partnership between a platform and social media source could change our technological world.

Oculus’ headset has won over the gaming community. Their latest iteration, the “Crystal Cove,” tracks the movement of the user’s head, allowing him or her to see and interact with whatever is in the high-definition virtual world.

Oculus Virtual Reality (VR) emerged from humble beginnings. The idea for a virtual reality headset was funded on crowd-funding website Kickstarter.com and promised developer kits for pledges of $300 and higher.

“We started Oculus with a vision of delivering incredible, affordable, and ubiquitous consumer virtual reality to the world,” Oculus VR stated in its blog.

Its roots are based in gaming, but Facebook saw a bigger picture – expanding Oculus’ virtual reality to sporting events, video chat and more.

“After games, we’re going to make Oculus a platform for many other experiences. Imagine enjoying a court side seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face – just by putting on goggles in your home,” Facebook co-creator and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg stated in a Facebook post.

Facebook purchased Oculus for approximately $2 billion. Though it will remain autonomous within Facebook, Oculus now has teeth in the fight for what may be the next big thing in media. The financial backing gives it a possible leg up over Sony, which recently emerged as a serious competitor in the fight for VR dominance.

A week before the acquisition at the Game Developer Conference, Sony and their “Project Morpheus” VR headset upstaged Oculus’ updated “Crystal Cove” VR headset. But Facebook, together with Oculus, has far broader ideas than Sony, which hasn’t shown anything more than gaming-centric ideas.

Though both Sony and Oculus will provide gaming devices, the question remains whether or not Sony will be as ambitious with their social integration. In addition, if Sony is not as ambitious with their VR headset, will the new ideas Facebook and Oculus have expand to other VR headsets?

Successful Silicon Valley social media and app-based businesses know that having their services on as many devices as possible is better, but Facebook buying a platform to co-op with a product has never happened quite like this. Oculus wants their ideas protected and exclusive for their hardware, while Facebook thrives on device diversity and sharing. It is a combination that begs questions about the outcome.

Facebook will probably keep their open door policy with their apps on all devices, but only time will tell what will happen in the future. However it is clear this kind of competition will raise the stakes.

Competition often nets big returns for the consumer, and Facebook buying Oculus means that all VR headsets will have to compete to provide more services, both inside and outside the gaming industry.

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Talib Kweli: Great artist, but not for SpringFest

By
Alex Nieves
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When Programming Board announced that they would be bringing in Talib Kweli as the headline artist for SpringFest on April 12, my initial reaction was to throw up a Tiger Woods-style fist pump in the middle of the Marketplace and excitedly text my mom and younger brother about the good news. Talib Kweli has long been one of my favorite artists, and the opportunity to see him live is something that I never thought I would have.

But as my enthusiasm settled and I began to think about and discuss the choice of artist with my peers, I came to the conclusion that – as much as it pains me to say this – Talib Kweli just is not the right fit for this event.

That conclusion comes without any knock on Talib Kweli’s talent as an MC. He has long been one of the most socially-conscious and potent lyricists in the game, and songs like “Ms. Hill” and “Get By” are classics. However, his quick, poetic style of delivery and mellowed-out, head-nodding beats will not mesh with the “turnt up” disposition that Occidental students will inevitably bring to his performance.

Since I have been at Occidental, SpringFest has been an opportunity for students to go a little wild and blow off steam. And with the concert being the only school-wide event this semester, I expect a good number of people to be highly intoxicated. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as some styles of music go hand-in-hand with an altered state of mind — it is really the only way that acts like 2 Chainz or Wiz Khalifa are even slightly tolerable.

But Talib Kweli is the type of artist that deserves, at least, a semi-sober audience that can fully understand and deconstruct the messages behind his lyrics. I have no doubt that my fellow classmates can fully appreciate his music, but I am not sure that is what they want to spend their SpringFest doing.

My lasting memory from the Common show my freshman year is not of the actual music, but of the unnecessarily rowdy mosh pit of a crowd. After making my way to the front row and finding other people more interested in enjoying the music, I had a great time. But if I had ended up stuck in the middle, it probably would have been a different story. Selfishly, I do not want my first experience seeing Talib Kweli live to be tainted by drunk students constantly pushing me in the back. This is not YG or Waka Flocka, people.

I think that Programming Board has done a great job in choosing SpringFest artists over the years. Common put on a very good performance and Macklemore, who admittedly is not my favorite rapper, had great stage presence and was very entertaining. I can only imagine the kind of shows that Snoop Dogg, Nas and Lupe Fiasco put on.

Talib Kweli will undoubtedly put on a good show also, but he is just a little too far off of the mainstream for many Occidental students. He is much better suited for performing at an intimate venue, in front of a knowledgeable fan base.

I am never one to listen to a particular artist because of popularity, and I probably cannot name a single song currently on the Top-40 pop charts. But I can still see the merit in hosting a more mainstream hip-hop or even EDM performance that will resonate with a larger percent of the student body, and where drunken debauchery would be less misplaced.

Or maybe, my fellow students will just prove me wrong when Talib Kweli takes that stage. I can only hope so.

Alex Nieves is a junior Diplomacy and World Affairs major. He can be reached at nievesa@oxy.edu or on Twitter @WklyANieves.

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