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Volume 41 - Issue 15

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SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: GOLF / p. 6

THE WHO ROCKS SAN DIEGO / p. 3

Monday, February 18, 2013

Volume 41 • Issue 15

“PLNU Confessions” Facebook page stirs controversy
abby hamblin news editor
A trend of anonymous “secrets” or “confessions” Facebook pages has been popping up on college campuses nationwide, and a new site called “PLNU Confessions” has joined in with 683 “likes” and 637 confessions posted since it was created on Feb. 11. “PLNU Confessions is an unfortunate expression of student activity or opinions,” said Caye Smith, vice president for student development. “It seems to me unhealthy and unwholesome and it undermines both the Christian witness of the University and the Christian witness of the individual.” The Facebook page has a link to a SurveyMonkey page, which allows people to anonymously post their confessions, and an unknown person or group of persons posts the confessions on the page. While the page has an identifying photo with the school’s “PLNU Forward” brand logo, there is no way to be sure a PLNU student is running the page, or that the confessions are done by PLNU students. “It could be posted by anyone so I think whoever looks at the site should remember that, because much of the content is offensive so I think it’s well for us to remember that it’s not necessarily an accurate reflection of the student body,” Smith said. However, the page has dominated the conversations of many PLNU students for the last week, and people who comment on or “like” the posts are not anonymous. Many of the commenters or “likers” on the page are confirmed PLNU students, and the content of many of the posts includes specific references to people, places or events at PLNU. “I’m sure that it could be and that it’s troubling for anyone from the outside who would find it unintentionally or stumble upon it or search for PLNU and have this thing pop up. I think it’s terribly regrettable and I certainly don’t like or endorse university artwork on it,” Smith said. “At the same time, we don’t have any control over it.” PLNU is not the only school in San Diego with such a site. San Diego State University’s “SDSU” Confessions works the same way, and was created on Jan. 24. Other regional Christian universities are associated with the trend, such as BIOLA University’s “Biola Confessions,” created Feb. [cont. CONFESSIONS, p. 2]
Screen Shot Courtesty of PLNU Confessions

Fair Trade Club to propose $3 tuition raise, Fair Trade Fund
guimel sibingo staff writer
In the coming weeks, the PLNU Fair Trade Club plans to propose a $3 tuition raise for a Fair Trade Fund to the Board of Trustees. The proposal, which was discussed last Wednesday at the Fair Trade Forum, asks that students be given the opportunity to vote on the raise. “We’ll ask each student to voluntarily raise their tuition ... and then we’re going to use that money toward sustainable and fair trade practices on our campus,” said Andrew Schalin, president of the PLNU Fair Trade Club. If the plan is approved, students could raise up to $7000 dollars per semester. This proposal is part of the student-led process for PLNU to become a Fair Trade University, certified by the non-profit organization Fair Trade Colleges and Universities. The approval of this plan would also make PLNU the first university in the nation to have a Fair Trade Fund. “I was speaking with the President of Fair Trade Universities … and he was blown away by the fact that we’re considering this,” Schalin said. “I can’t imagine the press that we would get if we were the first school in the nation to have [a] fair trade fund.” The event was lead by Schalin and the PLNU Fair Trade Club members. At the forum, Schalin defined fair trade as trade seeking to provide equality for workers, often from developing countries, through fair wages and working conditions. The goal of fair trade is to protect the rights of workers by preventing exploitation. “A product that is fair trade ensures that people producing this product are treated ethically,” Schalin said. “It means that they are free and they are paid their just wage. Ultimately fair trade is about seeking to understand how we relate to other human beings in the purchases we make throughout the world.” Some of the products receiving the most discussion when it comes to fair trade include coffee and chocolate. “Every time we buy a bar of chocolate or drink a cup of coffee that isn’t produced in a fair trade manner we’re actually funding slavery in the world today,” Schalin said. The forum served as a platform for the discussion of the Fair Trade Fund proposal. Much like the Green Fund, a student-voted $5 tuition raise for sustainability and environment purposes, the Fair Trade Fund Proposal, if approved by the Board of Trustees, will seek the approval of students for a $3 raise to tuition. If approved, a small commission made up of students, staff and faculty and lead by the director of the Center for Justice and Reconciliation, Jamie Gates, would be formed to determine [cont. FAIR TRADE CLUB, p. 2]

News Briefs
President Obama introduces College Scorecard
abby hamblin news editor
The president’s State of the Union address last week hit many points of discussion in Washington, such as immigration, unemployment and national security but it also addressed something that particularly affects young people: the process of choosing a college. “Through tax credits, grants and better loans, we’ve made college more affordable for millions of students and families over the last few years. But taxpayers can’t keep on subsidizing higher and higher and higher costs for higher education. Colleges must do their part to keep costs down, and it’s our job to make sure that they do,” President Barack Obama said in the address on Feb. 13. “My Administration will release a new College Scorecard that parents and students can use to compare schools based on a simple criteria: where you can get the most bang for your educational buck.” While PLNU students have already chosen their college, they may still be interested in knowing their school’s scores. Each category is ranked low, medium or high on whitehouse.gov/scorecard.

Summer session registration open
abby hamblin news editor
PLNU is offering two sessions of summer school this year, and registration opened on Feb. 11. During summer school, students are able to take many required general education and other classes needed to get ahead or catch up with their credits toward graduation. Non-PLNU students are also able to apply and take summer classes on PLNU’s campus. PLNU’s summer classes are discounted and also go at an accelerated rate.

NEED TO KNOW:
COST - HIGH - Avg. Net Price (cost after grants and scholarships): $27,160 per year GRADUATION RATE - HIGH - 72.4 percent of full-time students received their bachelor’s degree within six years. MEDIAN BORROWING - HIGH - The average PLNU student’s Federal loan payment over 10 years is approximately $247.42 per month.
info from whitehouse.gov/scorecard

NEED TO KNOW:

SESSION ONE: May 6 - June 7 SESSION TWO: June 10 - July 12 COST: $400 per unit Students must obtain clearance from their advisor before registration. Registration is done through the typical means on my.pointloma.edu.

2 | NEWS

the point weekly | Monday, february 6, 2012 February 18, 2013

PLNU spends Valentine’s Day with Garrison Keillor
katie callahan staff writer
Garrison Keillor started off his own event in Brown Chapel Thursday evening with a couple words and no introduction: “There are people still coming in; let’s sing to them.” But that wasn’t all. As the chapel packed to full capacity, Keillor walked the aisles, serenading his audience and telling those people who “forgot to do what you should have done today” that this Valentine’s Day song might help: “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” by Elvis Presley. Called the “Mark Twain of his generation” and known for his radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion,” Keillor is famous for entertaining audiences through storytelling. “The stories all say what I think stories need to say, and that is: you’re not alone, be brave and tomorrow’s a new day,” said Keillor. The event, coordinated by Edie Chapman, an adjunct associate professor of writing, was sponsored by the Department of Literature, Journalism and Modern Languages and the San Diego Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It tweeted as one of the first Writer’s Symposium events under #PLNUWS. Professor of Journalism and the host of the Writer’s Symposium’s events, Professor of Journalism Dean Nelson, introduced the speaker, and stated the magnitude of having a speaker like Keillor on campus. “He’s a historic force ... We all saw what a true artist looks and sounds like and I think we’re all elevated as a result of it,” Nelson said. Allie Frazier, a junior writing major at PLNU and also a student on the workshop panel held earlier that day, said she was amazed by being able to interact with and critique this man who she grew up listening to before she could even talk. “He is a fabulous storyteller. You aren’t going to hear stories from anyone the way he can tell it,” said Frazier. “In his past, on the radio, in person, it’s the same. He just has that way about him that you want to keep listening.”

photo courtesy of katie callahan Keillor attended and critiqued student pieces in Fermanian Business Center at a workshop at 3 p.m. before his evening event on Thursday. The panel included students from Rick Hill’s Advanced Writing Workshop class: Callie Radke, Tory Orduño, Camron Cluff, Elizabeth Pode, Eddie Matthews, Spencer Chesnut, Karisa Ham and Allie Frazier.

WORLD NEWS

Pope Benedict XVI to resign as Bishop of Rome
julie mckibben staff writer
On Feb. 28, Pope Benedict XVI will officially resign as Bishop of Rome. Benedict was elected pope in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II. It has been nearly 600 years since a Pope has resigned. “[The Pope] had talked about doing it before, but no pope ever had; he changed the nature of the Bishop of Rome back to its original purpose,” said Professor of Theology and Christian Scriptures, John Wright. “Obviously one does not resign from kingdomship, so when the Pope resigns, he has now shifted the Bishop of Rome from a unity as a monarch to the unity of the apostolic origins for the visible unity of the church,” said Wright. In traditional Catholicism, a time of mourning would take place after the Pope dies. However, in this situation, the election can start right away. Now that Lent is in season, sooner may be better than later. “During Lent there are certain roles that the priest has to fulfill: the celebration of Palm Sunday, the Holy Week Vigil [and] Good Friday, so they have to figure out how to coordinate the election with the celebration,” said Wright. “I think by doing this before Lenten Wednesday, he is putting the election of a new Pope within the Lenten fast.” When the election process begins, the cardinals, who are considered honorary priests from various churches in Rome, will get together and pray. “One thing I have heard is that if all things are equal, they could elect a South American or an African [if] the person has the same theological convictions, the same pastoral modes and if the bishop cardinals trust him,” said Wright. Junior Catherine Galbraith, member of the PLNU Catholic Community on Facebook, said that she was both shocked and curious when she heard of the resignation. “I did not even realize that resigning from the papacy was possible. After all, it hasn’t happened in about 600 years or so,” said Galbraith. “As a Catholic, this means that leadership within the Church will have an even more pronounced place in my prayers during the coming weeks. I now feel a mixture of trust, gratitude and excitement; I trust that Pope Benedict XVI would not make such a big decision without a lot of thought and an even greater amount of prayer.” Freshman Megan Arriola expressed what the pope’s retirement means to all followers of Christ. “He is showing all Christians that we should be putting others before ourself and that is exactly what Benedict XVI is doing when he resigns,” Arri- photo courtesy of catholic church (england and wales) on flickr ola said. “I think we all can learn something from this courageous decision.”

CONFESSIONS cont. from p. 1
13, and Azusa Pacific University’s “APU Confessions,” created Jan. 26. Some of the posts include funny comments about campus happenings, but others address PLNU students by name, or bring up issues that face the PLNU community. “I don’t think this is the most obvious representation of our student body and I think a majority of our students don’t live the life outlined by most of the confessions, but I’ve seen some that are really interesting things that should be explored and talked about,” said ASB President Ian McKay. McKay said he understands why people might be angry about the pages, but that he takes most of the posts seriously, and that he supports the free speech that takes place on the page. He also said that some of the posts reflect conversations he thinks the student body should be having, and that he thinks it is sad that people feel like they have to go to a secret website to express themselves. “If you look at schools like UCSD, you’ll see that they don’t have the same conversations going on in their confessions and that makes me think two things,” McKay said. “One, that we’re an immature student body, which I think that there is an aspect of that, and two, I think ... that we haven’t had these larger conversations about alcohol, drugs and sex. I think there’s a middle ground that we can walk and say there’s some bad in this and there’s some immaturity that is just going to come from going to a Christian liberal arts school and then there’s a side that says, OK, why is this coming up and why is this not being orchestrated and kind of navigated through formal institutions.” PLNU’s Student Conduct Handbook states that the University has the right to remove or limit access to material posted or transmitted by its computers, but because the site is anonymous, Smith said that Student Development cannot take any disciplinary action and are not attempting to do so at this point. “I think also that even if individual responses on there are PLNU students I think it’s important for us not to extrapolate that to the entire student body,” Smith said. “I don’t believe for a minute that reflects the actions, thoughts, feelings, intent [and] Christian witness of the entire student body. At this point in time I would say that I and others in administrative roles are saddened but hopeful that the site will lose its attraction and go away quickly.”

FAIR TRADE CLUB cont. from p. 1
the allocation of the funds. The approval of the fair trade fund is part of the process of the school becoming a Fair Trade University. PLNU would become part of the 17 schools already certified by Fair Trade Colleges and Universities. “The certifying body would designate us a fair trade school, through … Fair Trade USA and the fair trade college designation,” Gates said. “There are certain criteria we have to meet.” The criteria consist of building a fair trade team, reaching out to venue outlets on campus to sell fair trade products, encouraging the use of fair trade coffee or food in departments and supporting educational events about fair trade. The last process is the passing of a fair trade resolution through the school. Senior and Fair Trade Club Member Katie Haeuser said approving the Fair Trade Fund is an important step the school needs to take. “It’s extremely important for us as a Christian university, as a Christian community to be doing things ethically and to make sure that we aren’t contributing towards slavery in any way at all,” she said. Junior Haley Courtney thinks the Fair Trade Fund is a good opportunity for the school to make an impact. “If we have the resources to do it, I don't see why we should not move forward with it,” she said via email. “I am really excited to get more involved in it because I think it is definitely a worthy cause with a tangible solution, and we have the power to help get to that solution.” Gates said his vision is that the school would become slave free in all purchases made and for the University to promote living wages. “Not just for its own employees, but any supplier, any builder, any international trips that we take,” he said. “[the vision is] that we have living wages and a better life, a more just set of practices woven through whatever we do.”

See “Word on the lane” on page 4 for some student thoughts. Have opinions on PLNU Confessions? Send them to [email protected].

october 8, the point weekly | monday, monday, february 6, 2012 Monday, February 18,2012 2013

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 3

2/4-28 Museum Month @ Museums Across San Diego 2/19 Kirsten Shetler Composition Recital @ Crill Performance Hall, 7:30 p.m. 3/13 Alicia Keys @ Valley View Casino Center, 7:30 p.m. 3/15 Weston Bennet Vocal Recital @ OB First Baptist Church, 7 p.m. 3/18 Imagine Dragons @ House of Blues, 7:30 p.m. 4/11 Rihanna @ Valley View Casino Center, 7:30 p.m.

The Who rocks San Diego
sean woodard staff writer
On Feb. 5, The Who brought their tour to San Diego at the Valley View Casino Center. The concert almost didn’t happen. Before the opening act, Pete Townshend, lead guitarist and primary songwriter of The Who, came up to the microphone and said that their current drummer, Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr of The Beatles, had taken ill that afternoon. They were barely able to find a backup drummer on such short notice, Townshend explained. But the show went on. After a stellar opening act by Vintage Trouble, a band known for their blend of hard rock, metal and 1970s soul, The Who took center stage. The band powered nonstop through the entirety of their rock opera “Quadrophenia.” This story follows a young man named Jimmy who feels alienated from his society, culture and family in the height of the 1964 Mod Scene. Jimmy’s quasischizophrenic thinking is personified by the recurrence of four themes in the music, representing his split personality types. The song arrangements were fleshed out for the tour, featuring a brass section and a bank of synthesizers and pianos, in addition to the traditional bass, guitar and drums setup. The show had two large screens on either side of the stage, and centered porthole-shaped screens that featured vintage images of The Who, period videos of the 1964 Mod scene and clips from the film adaptation of “Quadrophenia.” All this was accompanied by an ecstatic light show. Remaining members Roger Daltrey on lead vocals and Pete Townshend on lead guitar were in top form. Although Daltrey’s vocals have grown raspy and his range has diminished, his high energy level was consistent from when he roared “The Real Me” to the album’s stellar finale, “Reign O’er Me.” Highlights of the show included the songs “5:15” and “Bellboy.” During these songs, the late bassist John Entwhistle and drummer Keith Moon were virtually reincarnated on screen. During “5:15,” Entwistle’s blistering extended live bass solo from the “Quadrophenia” tour was shown on screen, while “Bell Boy” showed a young and ferocious Keith Moon from an early 1970s concert drumming and singing the song’s lead vocals. The band played in real time along with the pre-recorded audio and video during these songs. These clips enlisted a strong emotional response from the audience, ranging

from vivacious clapping to streaming tears and choked-back sobs. The showstopper of the concert was the rock album’s finale, “Reign O’er Me.” It was Roger Daltrey’s best vocal of the night. After this, the band received a well-deserved standing ovation. After band introductions, Townshend then remarked, “All right, you already know this s***,” launching into an encore of The Who’s most

famous classics: “Who Are You,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” The concert closed with the quiet, retrospective “Tea and Theatre,” a song which encapsulated The Who’s legacy as a band. The show gave the audience the chance to experience The Who with the same energy of their live performances from the 1960s and 1970s,

vintage photo courtesy of the who

the band’s heyday, minus the destructiveness of instruments and set pieces that The Who is famous for. The Who’s performance and musicianship also gave the audience an encouraging taste for what to expect for their upcoming 50th anniversary tour in 2014.

What not to wear with @the_icrane, A&E editor
ian crane a&e editor
If you have spent any time on Caf Lane after chapel, you know that every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, in the flash of an eye, this campus turns into #PLNUfashionweek. Suddenly, it’s as if Anna Wintour, Editor-in-chief of Vogue, in her signature bob and sunglasses, is sitting on Sunset Deck and we are all strutting our stuff, trying to impress. This is Fashion Week front row, baby. You have the good seats. Now trust me, I pound the pavement like it’s no one’s business. If you have ever seen me walking down Caf Lane with headphones in my ears, I am serving up #tyrabanksrealness in my mind. I’m probably listening to Telepopmusik or Ke$ha or some weird electro music that is only appropriate during a weird séance or while walking through the Amazon in Versace heels. The lights and cameras are all up in my face and I am serving fierceness on a platter. At least I think I am. Now, friends, at PLNU Fashion Week, as with any fashion week, there are true standouts. There are those who make your jaw drop and your hands shake and your eyes well up with tears. Along those same lines, however, there are those that make you think to yourself, “what was he/she thinking?!” These are the Lindsay Lohans of Fashion Week and you do NOT want to end up on that style blog. I am fully aware that this may make me #publicenemynumberone, but I absolutely cannot let Loma students continue to commit severe #fashioncrimes. So here we go. Ladies. LAY-deez. This might be my number one current fashion irk. We’re talking about Ugg Boots. Here’s the thing about Ugg Boots. They have their place. When it’s 30 degrees outside, go ahead. Wear your Uggs. Wear your Uggs like you were born in them. When it’s 75 degrees and the sun is shining, though, all I can think to myself is: “that girl’s feet must be warm.” I was just talking with my mom about Ugg Boots on Skype and she said, “Aren’t those the shoes that look like grizzly bears?” To which I responded, “yes, mother. Yes, they are.” Don’t wear shoes that look like grizzly bears, y’all. That’s all I have to say. This next one goes out to all of the Loma dudes. If I get into this conversation one more time, I might die. Wearing athletic shorts every day of the year is not okay. If you’re on a sports team and have practice later in the day, I get it. Why would you go back to your room to change? I wouldn’t. I‘m lazy. If you are not on a sports team,

though, just put some real clothes on. #realtalk is that people only take you as seriously as you take yourself, and getting dressed in the morning really helps with that. I’m not saying you have to take an hour to get dressed. Maybe lay your clothes out the night before. Maybe sleep in the clothes you plan on wearing the next day so you can just roll out of bed with real clothes on. I don’t know your life. Just put some pants on. Moving on to my third and final fashion enemy: leggings as pants is never, ever an okay thing. I think I have been saying this for at least three years, but no one listens to me. This is an issue of fashion, but also an issue of modesty.

An open letter to those who think that wearing leggings instead of pants is a cute, trendy comfy way of covering your body: it really isn’t. You might as well be painting your body with black paint. I can see everything and that’s not cool. Instead, maybe wear yoga pants or put a skirt over your leggings. Maybe wear a long sweater. Again, I don’t know your life, but there are many cute, comfy modest options other than just wearing leggings. Friends, do not be discouraged. I am for the most part impressed with

photos courtesy of ian crane

the fashion on this campus. There’s a reason that Caf Lane feels like a runway and that’s because of all of the fierce fashion that can be seen on campus. Keep it up, Loma. Keep it up.

4 | FEATUERS

october 8, 6, 2012 February 18, 2013 the point weekly | Monday, february 2012

********************************************************************************************

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It is a tremendous strategy to get on a bike and go somewhere.” - Garrison Keillor
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Who’s Who at PLNU: Lynn Reaser inspires faculty and students
haley jonswald staff writer
Lynn Reaser has had anything but a dull career. Reaser works in the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute at PLNU in the MBA program as a professor of Managerial Economics. She is also Chief Economist for PLNU and California. “As PLNU's Chief Economist, I try to present an economic voice for our University on various issues important to the community,” Reaser said. Reaser has been involved with economic studies on clients such as San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego Military Advisory Council, Sempra Energy, the Equinox Center and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. “In 2012 she was honored by the National Association for Business Economics for producing the most accurate business forecasts for the year,” said Ivan Filby, dean of the Fermanian Business Center. “Late in 2013 she was appointed as the Chief Economist to California ... She is responsible for producing economic forecasts for the State. This is a really big deal.” Before these accomplishments, Reaser discussed how she worked at Bank of America. Looking to challenge herself further, Reaser had a set of standards for where she would land next in her journey. “I believe that everyone should strive for excellence and to reach for the next challenge,” Reaser said. “I had three criteria for where I wanted to go next. These included: the opportunity to work with good people; the ability to be challenged; and the opportunity to apply economics to make for a better world. PLNU has provided all of those elements.” Among the many projects Reaser has been involved in, she has been a big part in a major study of individuals receiving help from the San Diego Food Bank. “This study was based on surveys of more than 550 Food Bank recipients and heavily relied on the assistance of PLNU students in gathering the data,” Reaser said. “Understanding the backgrounds and current situations of these Food Bank recipients has enabled us to offer a number of recommendations we believe could help many of those struggling in our community.” Reaser made it clear that her job is not only about the economy, but the people affected by it. “My vision, which I try to convey to my students, contacts in the media and audiences I speak before, includes trying to help everyone ‘connect the global dots' and understand how all of the pieces fit together in a complex puzzle,” Reaser said. “Most importantly, I strive to help find solutions to help improve the condition for our world and all of its inhabitants through the application of economics.” Reaser has used her gift in more ways than one. Reaser describes her strengths as “perseverance” and “the wish to do better.” Her strengths continue to fuel her ability to push forward in her efforts to better the world around her. “Lynn is simply exceptional and a gift from God to the entire PLNU community. We are so proud of her,” said Filby. Tim Marcacci, a student assistant at the Fermanian Business & Economic Institute, works beside Reaser and said he is inspired by her character and achievements. “Although I have not had her as a teacher, I can confidently say that her continuing support and exemplary work ethic has dramatically influenced the way in which I act as a young, Christian business professional,” Marcacci said. “Dr. Reaser remains high on my list of role models and I can only imagine those who have been fortunate enough to take a class of hers would agree.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNN REASER

Word on the Lane: PLNU Confessions
callie radke and hana eades staff writers

Last week, the Facebook page PLNU Confessions went viral. With more than 500 posts, the page is attracting the attention of both students and faculty. The opinions of the PLNU community are as varied as the posts itself. Is it funny? Is it rude? Is it PLNU’s version of Mean Girls’ burn book? We hit the streets to find out what students thought.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANA EADES

“It’s art. Print the poems and sell it. All of our unwanted Shylocks and Antonios are heard and welcomed.”

“It’s hilarious and a splendid way of finding out what’s going on underground at Point Loma.”

“It’s a little high schoolish, but kind of funny.”

“I think the anonimity gives people the confidence to say things. I don’t think people would say things if it weren’t anonymous.”

Stu Stivers Senior literature major

Garrison Bollenbacher Sophomore communications major

Brent Chicoine Sophomore biology & chemistry major

Alyssa Darby Junior social work major

monday, october 8, 2012 February 18, 2013 the point weekly | Monday, monday, february 6, 2012

FEATURES | 5

A Taste of San Diego: Saigon Star Review
kaylie pullin staff writer
It’s convenient that Saigon Star is located right by a hospital, because after eating there you may need to deliver a food baby. Going to Saigon was spur of the moment, chosen simply by the Yelp app on my phone, growling tummies and the magnificent word “boba” glowing before my eyes. Compared to other phó places I’ve been to, Saigon was classy: spacious, plenty of seating, clean, and nice atmosphere and decor. My friend and I sat ourselves in a booth with a perfect view of Jeopardy on a flat screen TV. It wasn’t easy deciding what to eat. After asking the waiter what he recommended, we decided to order an appetizer of chicken spring rolls, shrimp phó, egg noodles with veggies and chicken, and two boba smoothies: strawberry and mango. First to arrive were the boba smoothies, and Lordy did I do a double take. They came out in all their delicious glory in giant milkshake glasses with a fat straw, a long metal spoon and sliced strawberries on top. The mango was a perfect balance between creamy and sweet; I’ve found from other boba places that they can be too much of one or the other. The strawberry one was delightful as well, tasting exactly like strawberries and cream, and was probably my favorite of the two. The boba balls weren’t too strong, but not tasteless either. Definitely the best boba shakes I’ve ever had. Saigon offers avocado, honeydew and taro smoothies as well. Soon after the delivery of our nectars of the gods, out came our chicken spring rolls. A serving of four fat, scrumptious spring rolls were perfect for splitting between two people. They came loaded with noodles, lettuce, sprouts and chicken that didn’t look like mystery meat; there’s also the option of tofu, pork or shrimp. Although the nutty dipping sauce they came with was good, the combination of chili paste and hoisin sauce was amazing; perfectly spicy, tangy, fresh and crunchy. Without much more of a wait our steaming hot entrees were laid before us. My soft egg noodles with chicken and vegetables were wonderful. The noodles were nice and garlic-infused, the vegetables were cooked perfectly — not too soft, not too raw — and the chicken was questionable in neither appearance nor texture. The entire plate was full of flavor and freshness. The phó was outstanding and served with a (literal) branch of basil that smelled like it was picked off a tree just moments before. The broth alone was more flavorful than any other phó I’ve had; with a little chili paste and soy sauce it was perfection. The noodles were thin but easy enough to twirl onto a spoon or slurp with chopsticks. And the noodle-tobroth ratio was spot-on as well. Saigon Star is a bit of a drive, at a bit less than 20 minutes from campus, but no distance comes between me and boba. It’s definitely a place I would make a special trip to for some warm comfort food if I’m out and about. The service was wonderful as well: with a simple, “Excuse me?” three waiters stopped in their tracks and looked in our direction. They were very polite, attentive and thanked us when we left. For the portions and quality, the prices were extremely fair, keeping our wallets fat and happy as well: The spring rolls were $4.25, the phó $7, the stir fry noodles $8.50, and the boba smoothies $2 each, coming out to a total of $29.97 for both of us. The phó gave us left overs, our smoothies were only half drunk, and our stomachs bulged by the end of the meal. Definitely worth every cent. 10450 Friars Road Suite E, San Diego CA 92120 http://www.phosaigonstar.com/

Taste of San Diego

Saigon Star: Vietnamese Bistro Food: 4.5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Cost: 5/5 Total: 17.5/20 Final Verdict: You HAVE to go!

PHOTO COURTESY OF KAYLIE PULLIN

Ref lecting on an evening Donald Miller Storyline Conference with Garrison
eddie matthews staff writer
I listened to 17 podcasts of The News from Lake Wobegon in preparation for Thursday. I hadn’t listened to it before, and I let Garrison Keillor talk of Lutheran pastors, senior proms and frozen pump handles during my drive through the rain to Riverside and back. So Wednesday night I printed out his essay entitled “Cheerfulness” and sat with a pen and a cup of tea, and began to read. Dean Nelson had arranged for Keillor to look at some student work and I was fortunate enough to be one of those students chosen. Keillor thought it’d only be fair if he gave some unfinished work of his for students to workshop. What do you tell a man about writing who has won a Grammy and the John Steinbeck Award? You can relate with my dilemma. And yet I had to put all of that out of mind, and tell myself that it was just another writer, just another essay. It took me about four hours to work through it. I tried my best to be articulate and insightful and whatnot. I bought a blank CD and made Keillor a mix of Mason Jennings songs; both are men from Minnesota, you see. I met the man, but didn’t really feel intimidated, perhaps because I had just read his 17-page essay about how one needs cheerfulness to combat Life’s mishaps. Keillor sat in the middle of two student panels; I sat on the right table at the end. There were dozens of copies of each of the stories being workshopped — Camron Cluff’s along with Keillor’s and mine. When the time came for my short story to be workshopped, various students had valuable input — the communicative intricacies you miss in the dialogue with the Muse. Then Keillor spoke. His voice is like the wind — gentle, powerful, has the capacity to blow you away. He starts by relating how he read it three days ago and is going off what he remembered. He didn’t have it in front of him so a copy was passed to the front. He said he appreciated the gesture, but wasn’t going to look at them. He proceeds to tell me every single major plot point, complete with character names and specific concrete details. His mind works like an improvisor, speaking and creating connections in a seamless simultaneity. He would recount a detail and follow it like a thread, dissecting the plot in the process. He gave advice to take the story in a completely new direction, making it a first-person narrative of a different character than the two primary ones. It’s advice that’s worth following. He told me if I had the new story written by 10 p.m. he’d take a look at it. He was kidding. . . Right after, it was my turn to critique his piece. I told him what he did well, and gave him some advice about how to better interconnect the themes of the essay. I ended by saying if he kept it up he could have a successful career in publishing. He laughed. To have a man of that caliber read and provide specific direction for my work was the most valuable gift I can be given as a writer. It’s like if Stevie Wonder came in and gave the Gospel Choir some pointers. At the end Keillor referred back to me and my piece in answering a question from the crowd. That was it. It’ll change how I listen to The News from Lake Wobegon. It’ll be something I refer to when I reflect on my time at PLNU.

at PLNU
callie radke features editor

This weekend, PLNU is hosting Donald Miller’s Storyline Conference. The event is centered on the idea that life is story and we can learn how to live the best story we can. Donald Miller writes nonfiction and is the author of Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. He is also Founding Director of The Burnside Writers Collective, a group of faith-based writers who collaborate to create an online magazine. Chloe Sparacino, Department Assistant in the Fermanian School of Business, attended the first Storyline Conference in Portland. She said one of her favorite parts was the intimate nature of the conference. She also said that she would encourage anyone who attends to learn to “live bolder. It’s just really encouraging to be affirmed that God has a great plan for our life, that it’s happening now and coming in more abundance.”

On the Storyline website, Miller says, “The most fascinating people in the world are telling great stories with their lives. They know a secret, that God has given them shared agency. The truth is any of us can tell a great story with our lives.” The conference discusses writing, but can also be applied to anyone’s life. “You definitely leave ready to take risks,” Sparacino said. The event will be held in Brown Chapel, and is $99 for students. For registration and more information, visit http://www.mystoryline.net/

6 | SPORTS

october 8, 2012 the point weekly |September february 6, 2012 Monday, February 18, 2013 24, 2012 october 8, 2012

2/18: Tennis @ Hope International University, M. 2 p.m., W. 3:30 p.m. 2/20: Baseball vs. Bethesda University, 2 p.m. 2/20: Tennis vs. Concordia University, M. 1 p.m., W. 3 p.m. 2/21: Basketball @ Cal Baptist University, W. 5 p.m., M. 7:30 p.m. 2/22: M. Tennis vs. Westmont, 2:30 p.m. 2/23: Track @ Rossi Relays, 10 a.m. 2/23: W. Tennis vs. UC Riverside, 11 a.m. 2/23: Basketball vs. Fresno Pacific, W. 2 p.m., M. 4 p.m.

Head Athletic Trainer resigns to pursue graduate degree
jacob roth sports editor
PLNU Head Athletic Trainer Lindsy Donnelly has resigned her position to pursue her master’s degree of Kinesiology-Athletic Training at the University of Virginia. “We are deeply appreciative to Lindsy for her service to all those within the campus community and athletic department,” said PLNU Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton in a statement. Donnelly first arrived at PLNU in 2002 as a student. After graduating with distinction in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training, she returned to the school in spring 2007 as a part-time assistant on the Athletic Training staff. In 2010 Donnelly was named the Head Athletic Trainer and has held the position since then. This school year, Donnelly worked as the Athletic Trainer for the men’s and women’s soccer teams as well as the baseball team this spring. In addition to her athletic duties,

“Point Loma has become like a second family” -Donnelly
Donnelly serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Kinesiology department at PLNU, teaching secondyear athletic training students. “[Donnelly] has been a huge part of my experiences and growth here at PLNU and as an athletic training student,” said Michaela Johnson, a

junior athletic training major. “She was always able to motivate and challenge me in such positive ways. “She is a great example to all of us and I appreciate all the time and care she has put in to make sure we succeed and learn.” According to PLNU Sports Information, the master’s program at UVA attracted Donnelly because it focuses on research. The accelerated program will allow Donnelly to earn her master’s in 13 months. Donnelly will continue working at PLNU until May 24. She will begin her studies at UVA in June. “Point Loma has become like a second family,” said Donnelly. “It has always been a very welcoming place for me.” PLNU Sports Information provided some quotes and information to the story.

Lindsy Donnelly has served as PLNU’s Head Athletic Trainer since 2010. After graduating from PLNU in 2006, Donnelly joined the athletic staff in spring 2007 as a part-time assistant before taking her current position.

photo courtesy of plnu sports information

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS: WOMEN’S GOLF
will macneil staff writer
In only its second year of existence, the PLNU women’s golf team is making strides to become a major competitor in the PacWest conference under the instruction of former professional golfer Jacqui McSorely. The Sea Lions competed in six tournaments during the Fall semester, including the Nation Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national tournament, where they finished 4th. Sophomore Andrea Mersino tied for sixth place at NCCAAs to earn AllTournament honors. This semester the ladies are scheduled for five tournaments, culminating in the PacWest Conference Championship in El Cerrito, Calif., on April 15. Last week the Sea Lion golfers teed off in their own tournament they hosted at the Riverwalk golf course. The tournament consisted of 20 teams — PLNU was one of five PacWest teams. They shot a team score of 644 with four golfers, which was good enough for a fourth-place finish. “I’m really excited,” McSorely said in regard to their team’s fourth place finish at their tournament. “Our scores are still not as good or as low as they could be or should be though.” With only a handful of competitions this semester, McSorely hopes the team will grab a win from one of their tournaments this year. But a win doesn’t come easy. The team is out at the golf course at 6 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They play for about three hours before heading back to school for chapel. The ladies are also responsible for workouts on their own outside of organized practice. “They put in about 20 hours a week into their golf,” McSorely said. With seven ladies on the roster currently — one freshman, five sophomores and one junior — the Sea Lions are a small and relatively young team with a lot of talent and room for growth. McSorely said she is optimistic for this year and the future with this group. The Sea Lions take to the fairway again next week on Monday Feb. 25, for the Lady Cougar Spring Invitational hosted by Cal State San Marcos.

AT A GLANCE
Head Coach: Jacqui McSorely (2nd year) Key returners: Andrea Mersino, So.; Alyssa Orito, So.; Kathleen Crossley, So. Key newcomers: Samantha Stockton, So.; Macy Douglas, Jr.; Past results: 20th place at 2012 NAIA National Championships; 4th place at NCCAA National Championship

photo courtesy of plnu sports information

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS: MEN’S GOLF
will macneil staff writer
The PLNU men’s golf team is entering their last season of competition as a sanctioned PLNU intercollegiate sports team. The Sea Lion golfers are competing this year and capping off an era of a very quality program. PLNU alumus and four-year golf team member Zack Ponder has returned to coach the Sea Lions after Ben Foster stepped down following 38 years of coaching the team. This is Ponder’s first year as head coach. Foster will now assist Ponder as the director of Men’s Golf. The Sea Lions competed in three fall tournaments, including a team third-place finish at the Cal State San Marcos Fall Invitational. The team consists of only five members with four seniors and one freshman. “We are not as deep as we were in previous years,” Ponder said via email. “This puts more pressure on the guys to put up good scores.” The men will compete in six tournaments this spring, culminating at the PacWest Championships on April 23. The Sea Lions recently competed at the Cal State San Marcos Spring Invitational, where the team tied for seventh place with a team score of 925. “Considering the obstacles we have faced,” Ponder said, “I am proud of the guys and hope we can dig deep and get a win under our belts.” As the men look forward to the rest of the season, their goals aren’t the same because there is no national tournament at the end of the spring. However, the Sea Lions can look forward to good competition in the PacWest, with Grand Canyon University ranked 19th in NCAA Division II right now and Dixie State ranked just outside the top 25. Ponder said the team’s goals this year are to “have fun, get better every day, represent God and the school with integrity and to play good golf.” The men will take to the course again March 4 at The Master’s College Spring Invitational before coming home for the San Diego Intercollegiate Invite on March 11.

photo courtesy of plnu sports information

AT A GLANCE
Head Coach: Zack Ponder (1st year) Key returners: Oscar Casillas, Sr. (2011 NAIA All-American); Zane Keith, Sr.; Nate Wanken, Sr.; Cole Reese, Sr. Key newcomers: Jack Koeller, Fr. Past results: 13th place at 2012 NAIA National Championships

monday, october 8, 2012 February 2013 the point weekly | Monday, monday, february 6, 2012 october 8, 2012 18,

SPORTS 7

Jake’s take: Wrestling gets pinned out of the Olympics
jacob roth sports editor
On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it dropped wrestling from the program starting with the 2020 Summer Olympics. The decision of which sport to drop apparently came down to four lucky finalists: wrestling, field hockey, taekwondo and modern pentathlon. But why did wrestling have to hit the mat? According to IOC spokesman Mark Adams: “It’s not a case of what’s wrong with wrestling, it is what’s right with the 25 core sports.” Additionally, the IOC’s statement Tuesday stated that the decision is part of an ongoing effort “to remain relevant to sports fans of all generations.” The IOC wants to cap the number of participating athletes at 10,500, so it narrowed down the list to 25 “core sports,” which apparently does not include wrestling. So if you’re scoring at home, wrestling — a sport that dates as far back as 708 B.C in the Ancient Olympic Games — got canned, but modern pentathlon gets to stay? What’s next? Hopscotch? Go ahead and try to name the five disciplines of the modern pentathlon off the top of your head. Don’t worry, take your time… … … … That’s what I thought. The modern pentathlon was invented by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the IOC and father of the modern Olympics. The sport consists of pistol shooting, horseback riding, fencing, a 200-meter swim and a 3-km run — five things that make about as much sense together as Queen Elizabeth in an episode of Buckwild. Before making a final decision, the IOC conducted a report analyzing 39 criteria, including ticket sales, global popularity, anti-doping policy and TV ratings, which makes the decision even more puzzling. Wrestling currently has governing bodies in 180 countries, and 29 different countries won Olympic wrestling medals in last summer. On the other hand, only 26 countries sent modern pentathletes to London. Furthermore, the IOC report noted that wrestling drew nearly double the number of TV viewers as the modern pentathlon, while selling roughly 114,000 of its nearly 117,000 possible tickets. Maybe wrestlers shouldn’t be all that surprised. The 15-member IOC board held a secret ballot. And after all, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Jr. — vice president of modern pentathlon’s international governing body — happens to be one of the board members and spent time lobbying for his sport to stay. It doesn’t matter that each of the five pentathlon disciplines is already its own separate Olympic event. Or that Michael Phelps has nearly as many Olympic medals (22) as countries that competed in modern pentathlon in London (26). Or that “pentathlete” isn’t even an actual word according to Microsoft Word. Wrestling just had to go. But modern pentathlon isn’t even

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
WESTON EHLERS M. BASKETBALL
Ehlers averaged 14 points per game during the Sea Lions’ three games in Hawaii last week after missing more than a month of the season with injury. The junior from Leawood, Ks., came off the bench to score 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting in a 79-61 thrashing of Hawaii-Hilo Saturday night. Against BYUHawaii Monday, Ehlers scored 13 in a losing effort.

the only sport that should’ve been dropped before wrestling. What about trampoline? Or synchronized swimming? And — my mom won’t like this one — what about equestrian dressage? Seriously, go look up “dressage” on YouTube. I’m not saying that any of these things aren’t athletic or mentally demanding or extremely difficult. I’m just saying that to pick any of those things over wrestling, a sport so sacred it’s mentioned in the book of Genesis, is an absolute travesty. Of course, trampoline is considered part of gymnastics; synchronized swimming is technically part of “aquatics”; dressage is one of three equestrian events. None of them are independent sports, so they

were ineligible to be cut. ZThere is good news for wrestling fans, however. After the IOC vote Tuesday, wrestling joins baseball/ softball, roller sports, karate, sport climbing, squash, wakeboarding and wushu on the shortlist of sports still applying for 2020 inclusion. What’s next? Backgammon? Those eight sports will make presentations to the IOC in St. Petersburg, Russia, in May. So basically the IOC has three months to reverse a decision that caused outrage across the world and threatened to kill off one of the pillars of the Olympiad. But with the way the IOC’s been making decisions lately, they’ll probably end up picking hopscotch.

Do you want to be next year’s Point Weekly sports editor?
Email Jacob Roth: [email protected] for more information.
*all tweets are from a fake stephen a. smith twitter account @stephenasmth

FAKE TWEETS FROM STEPHEN A. SMITH*

ANDREA MERSINO W. GOLF
Mersino led the Sea Lions to a fourth-place team finish at the Super San Diego Women’s Golf Championship. After opening with a firstround 79, the sophomore from Fresno, Calif., came back to shoot 74, which was good enough to place her tied for fourth overall (153). She finished just four strokes behind first place.
all screenshots were taken from twitter

SEA LIONS SCOREBOARD
MEN’S BASKETBALL
2/11 L 49-75 @ BYU-Hawaii 2/13 L 60-62 @ Chaminade 2/16 W 79-61 @ Hawaii-Hilo

WOMEN’S TENNIS
2/16 L 2-7 @ University of Redlands

WOMEN’S GOLF
2/11-12 4th place PLNU Super SD Championships

BASEBALL
2/12 L 5-6 (11 innings) @ UC San Diego 2/15 W 6-0, L5-8 (DH) vs. Hawaii-Hilo 2/16 W 2-0, W 6-4 (DH) vs. Hawaii-Hilo

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
2/11 W 76-53 @ BYU-Hawaii 2/13 W 91-48 @ Chaminade 2/16 W 51-45 @Hawaii-Hilo

MEN’S TENNIS
2/16 L 4-5 @ University of Redlands

TRACK & FIELD
2/16 W. 1st, M. 2nd @ Fresno Pacific Dual Meet

FOR MORE SCORES AND STATS, CHECK OUT:

WWW.PLNUSEALIONS.COM

8 | OPINION

october 8, 2012 the point weekly | Monday, february 6, 2012 February 18, 2013 october 8, 2012

Kyle Lundberg Abby Hamblin Callie Radke Jacob Roth Ian Crane Hana Eades Lara Khodanian Kendra Pittam Rachel Barr Keio Lewis

Editor-in-chief News editor Features editor Sports editor A&E editor Opinion editor Layout editor Copy editor Web Editor Ads manager
|

The opinions in this section may not reflect those of The Point Weekly or of Point Loma Nazarene University. Letters to the editor and columns are subject to editing for length, taste, grammar and clarity. Letters to the editor must include the author’s name, major, class standing and phone number and be limited to 500 words. Please submit your opinions to [email protected]
www.pointweekly.com

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Value of virginity: does sex define faith?
annie buell contributor
After reading the article about the XXXChurch, I have no disagreements with Craig Gross and all he has done to fight the porn industry and help those who have been used to that lifestyle for so long. However, my thoughts shifted to the opposite end of the sex spectrum to something that isn’t seen as an issue in the church. In a society that glorifies, celebrates and exudes sex, the church today places value on virginity and sexual purity. For those of us who are virgins, we are considered “the good ones” or “the special ones.” For nearly two decades, we’ve somehow still held onto something that either saves or loses our salvation ­ — as if it’s the currency to get into Heaven. In short, we are considered “good” Christians because of our virginity.

When did my Christianity become a matter of my sexuality?
Place a virgin in front of innocent Christian girls and boys, and it’s the standard of what they should strive to be. Place a virgin in front of

those who are no longer virgins, and it becomes a guilttrip: this is what you should have been. But what about those who are sexually pure in body, but not in mind? What about those are sexually pure because of circumstance, not by choice? What about those who had their virginity taken away from them? The Church hates gray areas. I’m starting to realize that my sex life — or lack of sex life — is becoming someone else’s morals. What would they think if I told them that sometimes I resent my virginity? That my body is only sexually pure to please my parents, my friends and my church? Some days I’m not

mad at God that I’m still a virgin, but it’s not something that I go parading around on a high horse. Disgust and judgment would fill their eyes. So I smile and bear with it. Those three words that were said over and over to me, with pointed fingers since I was 13, taste like vinegar coming out of my mouth: “True love waits.” My story and another’s virtue start to combine. It’s almost impossible to tell the difference between them. As I struggle to control my thoughts, I shamefully push God out of the picture. How could He look upon me with anything but disappointment? And yet my soul whispers,

“ You are more than your sexual purity or impurity.” And I am. When did my Christianity become a matter of my sexuality? Has my walk with God become a walk of shame? My total purity solely resides in Christ and what He has done on the cross — not in my virginity. As I talk with some of my friends who are no longer virgins, I see that their value, worth, imagination, heart, love of life and spirit remain the same as before. And God loves them all the same. He will love me all the same also. He sees the heart and soul of His child. And He revels in it. You are not your sex life.

Long live the Awkward Sealion Moments
hana eades opinion editor
To those who miss “The Awkward Sealion”: My life basically defines what it means to be awkward. I have at least one embarrassingly awkward moment per day. So yes, sadly, most of the “Awkward Sealion Moments” have been from my own life because students hadn’t sent me many ideas for the series. The main reason the Awkward Sealion has been momentarily retired this semester is because my life is so overflowing with awkwardness that to fit an awkward phrase into one small bubble would be a miracle. Y ou know that moment when you begin a story with an awesome punchline, but it takes forever to tell it? Several times, people have said, “Oh, Hana, I have a perfect idea for an Awkward Sealion Moment,” and then a good 10 minutes later, the punchlines of their stories make an appearance. Here is a story to emphasize the need-for-space to portray my awkward life. Last week I was walking toward my room, using the sidewalk on the outside of the track. A very fit and muscular male nutrition professor was jogging the track and for whatever reason, it caused me to jump a little. He said something like, “Sorry, I’m panting so hard. I didn’t mean to startle you.” It did not shock me to see a professor jogging — I’m certain it is completely normal. I’m probably about to put my foot in my mouth here, so to speak; the odd thing that adds awkwardness to this moment is that he was shirtless. Let’s make one thing clear: I was not in any way lusting over this professor — it has been brought to my attention that my reaction could fall into that category. I abruptly looked away, as if offending him by making eye contact. I did everything I could do to avoid conversation with this professor. I tried to pretend he wasn’t there, and just keep on my merry way toward my apartment. I even pretended to send a text message, so that I could stare at my phone as an excuse to avoid looking at him. He must have assumed I was scared or something, which I think seems like a silly concept in itself. Instead of simply laughing at his joke, smiling or waving back to him, I allowed a stream of words to fall straight out of my face and splatter helplessly on the ground. I truly wish I knew what went through my head before I responded to his comment. My reaction was, hands-down, the most awkward thing that I have ever said: “That’s ok. Sorry I’m panting so hard, too.” I have no idea why I responded the way that I did, especially since I wasn’t even panting! I think I was trying to convey that I should be the one apologizing for being out of shape, or something — seriously, I am clueless as to why I said what I said. So there you have it; this story, and many more similar to it, is a reason The Awkward Sealion has not been seen on this page in a while. If you are a die-hard Awkward Sealion fan, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Miss me? Submit your Awkward Sealion Moments to: [email protected]

camron cluff editorial cartoonist

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