Alumna questions SGA resolution

By Airan Scruby

SGA's recent resolution to ban JuicyCampus.com from Pepperdine's internet server struck a blow against the students who elected SGA's members, and it demonstrates once again that the organization is not looking out for the rights and needs of their constituents. Rather, they keep up appearances for an image-conscious few. By ignoring the ramifications of such a decision on student speech and ability to gather information on campus, SGA is stealing the free will of the students who elected its members.

After hearing about the decision, I read every post on JuicyCampus.com over the past week. Most were immature, petty and sex-obsessed. But that doesn't change that students are expressing something what they think. While hurtful comments without a reason are indefensible, it does not change the writer's right to make them.

I am currently working as a reporter at the Whittier Daily News, a medium-sized paper based in the San Gabriel Valley, and my job is to cover a city, Pico Rivera. Several Web sites exist as "watch dogs" for the community, where people can anonymously post their thoughts about local politics. Often, posts are mean-spirited and not based in fact. Some call the morality of city leaders into question, while others accuse them of illegal activities.

Ugly things are said on those Web sites, but they represent a beautiful thing: freedom to speak your mind, regardless of how crazy or mean you are when you do so. And sometimes, those Web sites are used by reasonable people who start intelligent debate about what should be done in Pico Rivera. Reporters at the newspaper often check those sites and follow up by investigating the claims made on them. Occasionally, these watch dogs help to uncover corruption in their community.

SGA could have made the decision to use JuicyCampus.com as a forum for debate and discussion. They had the opportunity to encourage students to elevate the discourse there, and to use the site to point out the strengths and weaknesses of the university. Student journalists at Pepperdine, at the Graphic and Newswaves, could have followed up on claims and questions raised there, improving the flow of information for students.

Instead, the decision has been made to stifle student freedom and to squander an opportunity to give this cloud a silver lining.

Pepperdine Graphic turns 70 today

The first issue of the Graphic was published on Oct. 20 in 1937. Keep checking the printed Graphic for a special tribute to the work of the past 70 years.

Wow, Volvo advertisement on Pepperdine's Web site

This is currently on the Pepperdine Web site. I hope someone is getting a Volvo out of this product placement.

Pepperdine University Alumni Association

A Private VOLVO Reception
Monday, October 8, 2007

Join the Orange County Waves and Volvo Cars of North America's Executive Team for an evening of brand immersion, marketing creativity and product overview.

Hear from senior executives discussing industry insight and marketing. Special guest speakers Vice President of Marketing Communications John Maloney and Western Regional Sales & Marketing Manager Gregor A. Hembrough.

We will kick the event "into gear" with a model year 2008 test drive experience including the new C30, C70 and S80!

All alumni, students, parents and friends are invited for this exclusive evening.

Test Drive: 6:00pm Reception: 6:30pm Executive Presentation: 7:30pm Location: VOLVO Headquarters 7905 Gateway Boulevard Irvine, CA 92618 Map & Directions

Kimkio update

I received a letter from former Graphic Editor in Chief Joann Groff giving me an update about another former EiC's situation. Kimiko's house burned down a few weeks ago and through the generosity of many in the Pepperdine community Joann was able to send Kimiko nearly $1,000 for her and her young son.

I understand that Kimiko's son even got his new bike that was destroyed in the fire replaced.



Read Previous Posts >>>http://newsbuf.blogspot.com/2007/07/pep-alumn-suffers-fire-emerges-with.html

Former Graphic Editor's first articles in new job

Lights out at lamp shop
Covina retailer to close after 54 years in business

By Audrey Reed, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 09/06/2007 06:45:03 PM PDT
COVINA - The city will soon be a little dimmer.

Come Dec. 1, Lighting Elegance Lamp & Shade Shop will close its doors and turn off its lights after 54 years of business.

The closing sale started off strong Thursday with about a dozen customers waiting outside before the store opened and a steady stream of shoppers looking to make their last purchases.

But that kind of traffic is unusual for Lighting Elegance.

Owner Dennis Phillips attributes the closure to competition from big-box retailers like Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe's, which sell cheaper, imported products.

Lighting Elegance carries a higher-end product line than chain retail stores.

Read More >>>

Pep alumn suffers fire, emerges with good spirits

Here is an email about Kimiko Martinez's situation. Please keep her and her son in your prayers.

-Chris

Hi everyone,

We are writing on behalf of our good friend Kimiko Martinez, a fellow Pepperdine alum ('04). Monday night, she came home to see her block sectioned off with police tape and her house up in flames. It appears to be a random arson situation, but the police were unable to catch the suspect. Kimiko has found a place to stay, but she and her young son lost everything, including their beloved dog and cat.

I'm sure most of you knew her, but if not, here's a bit about her: Kimiko, 29, is an amazing person. After high school, she had a child, her beautiful son Ricky. She enrolled in community college, excelled, and entered Pepperdine shortly after. She was a natural journalist--people felt so comfortable with her. She was editor in chief of our school's newspaper and graduated at the top of her class while waitressing full time. She was offered a job at the Indianapolis Star and literally jumped out of an airplane for a story. She and her young son, now 11, have acclimated to the cold winters and big city and had made a great home together.

Nothing was salvaged from the flames. Kimiko is a strong woman of whom it takes a lot to ask for help, but clearly, she needs it. She has no family in the area, just a small group of good friends. Kimiko and Ricky don't have clothes, toiletries, furniture or beds, but she's staying positive.

"Now, 14 hours later, I still haven't slept and am stuck in a bit of a state of shock. But I am absolutely counting my blessings. Luckily, I wasn't home at the time, my son was in California, and everyone in the house next door got out safely. Nobody was hurt, although my dog and cat were both killed (and that's the one thing I'm rather emotional about). Still, it could have been worse and what it all boils down to is that stuff – furniture, clothes, etc. – can be replaced. My animals, of course, cannot. Things like yearbooks, photos, momentos and memorabilia can't either. But it's all still just stuff."

Instead of shipping large items, we're hoping to collect some money from friends and mentors at Pepperdine and elsewhere. We are hoping to send a gift card, as well as a note from everyone who contributed to let her know that people are thinking of her at her alma mater.

Below is a news story about the fire, which started in her house and spread to two others. Also, a cell phone-camera photo of what's left of Kimiko's home. And, a list of things she needs, although with shipping costs, we are hoping to just send a gift card.

Thanks so much everyone for considering helping our friend. We appreciate it so much.

Joann Groff, '05
Kyle Jorrey, '04
Karma Salvato, '03

Donations can be sent to any of us at:
The Acorn Newspapers
Attn: Joann Groff (for example)
30423 Canwood St. #108
Agoura Hills, CA 91303
If you'd like to contribute to the gift card, just make the check out to one of us. If you'd like to write her a check directly, feel free to make it out to Kimiko Martinez and we'll send it along.