It’s 6 a.m. on a Monday and Jeanette Ramirez, 21, just woke up. She reaches for her cell phone and opens her FMyLife application to read the latest posts. Throughout her day, Ramirez checks her phone every couple of hours to view the latest posts on the Internet site where users can anonymously post embarrassing, unfortunate and humiliating moments. She has read FMyLife posts so often that now, she feels like she’s read them all. “Yes, I know I’m addicted…. Read more

Senior Joseph Field, 24, knows how to keep busy. He is in five bands, and about to take on a new challenge, turning his passion into a profitable career. Field learned how to play the trombone at the age of 10 and hasn’t put it down since. In addition to the bands he is in, he does freelance work. His performances have included various music styles like ska, orchestral and funk. “I’ve played with hundreds of groups, every time I’m… Read more

Twenty to 30 CSUN students protested budget cuts by using theatrics to promote their message Wednesday afternoon. They stopped in the Marketplace at Sierra Center, in front of the Oviatt library, and the USU before finally concluding outside the bookstore. The group performed demonstrations with each member taking their turn to reveal to onlookers how the budget cuts have derailed their life. Monica Turner, a lecturer in the Pan African studies department, led the march that involved her students in… Read more

By Antony Garcia President Jolene Koester announced her retirement this week and highlighted university achievements during her tenure as president of CSU Northridge. It was beautifully written and focused on very positive aspects during her last few years of presidency, which while beneficial, are not the only or most significant accomplishments during her tenure.  She said graduation rates have improved, the VPAC is completed, and her leadership allowed CSUN to “weather difficult budget circumstances,” but I hear a politician when I hear… Read more

The U.S. Postal Service announced Wednesday more than $2.5 billion in losses for the first three months of this year. The financial woes of the agency are adding up despite cutting 130,000 jobs over the past three years. USPS officials said the agency soon would be forced to default on loan payments due the federal government unless Congress approves proposed changes to mail service and retirement benefits for postal workers. The culprit, of course, is email. Just from January to… Read more

Sticks and stones As a guy who grew up with an unusual name which can be scoffed at, confused, inverted, changed at the speaker’s whim, easily rhymed with derogatory terms, needs repeating several times on the phone, out-right refused by listeners because it’s different, gotten wrong by peers, teachers, coaches, people taking food orders, etc. I feel I can speak from a place of experience to modern parents about their penchant for creative names. As my older brother tells it,… Read more

Before the next big earthquake hits or a suspect burglarizes another dorm room, CSUN officials advise University Park Apartments residents to obtain some type of insurance coverage for their possessions. Many students believe their personal belongings in the dorms are safe from loss. However, the university does not cover or replace anything, whether it is from water damage from an upstairs neighbors or an accidental fire, said Melissa Giles, assistant housing director. Residents are basically responsible for their own property…. Read more

With issues at both the defense and offense for most of the season, the Matadors had finally found a bright spot in the long tumultuous year. After winning two of three games against UC Santa Barbara, the Cal State Northridge baseball team (20-27) improved its Big West Conference record to 3-12, taking its first league series victory of the season. CSUN head coach Matt Curtis stressed the fact that winning league series is difficult in and of itself, so a… Read more

CSUN has been playing its best softball as of late, winning four out of the last six games and second-straight conference series, improving its league record to 8-10. Northridge will travel to Cal State Fullerton for the final three games of the 2011 season. The Matadors and Titans face off for a doubleheader at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, California. The Matadors (20-30, 8-10 Big West) took the series, 2-1, against the UC Riverside last weekend for the final match… Read more