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

Mousetraps converted into small, soapbox-sized cars darted down a hallway in Jacaranda Hall Wednesday for a project in an Introduction To Mechanical Engineering class. Associate Professor Of Mechanical Engineering Nhut Ho held the event that involved students collaborating in groups of four and spent eight weeks building the cars beforehand. The hallway was chosen with consideration to the cars’ size and distance they were expected to roll, Ho said. One of the program’s aims was to cultivate teamwork, a trait… Read more

Wailing guitars and soaring vocals filled the University Student Union Thursday at noon when local progressive rock band Vas Defrans played USU’s Plaza del Sol. The show was part of the USU’s Noontime Concerts series, in which local musicians showcase their music. “I think it will definitely just get us more of a fan base,” said lead singer Vincent Coleman. “It will give us an opportunity to connect to more people.” The gig drew about 10 to 15 onlookers.  

Local rock band Vas Defrans will take the Plaza del Sol stage Thursday to perform at USU’s noontime concert. Lead singer and songwriter Vincent Coleman said Vas Defrans’ sound is aggressive and describes his vocals as similar to Incubus’ vocals. The unsigned quintet has been around for a while. They played at Coachella in 2008. They also have played at Hollywood venues like the Roxy, Whiskey-a-Go-Go and Bardot. They plan to perform seven songs on Thursday. Coleman, a CSUN student… Read more

Kristina Maglic got her first glimpse of poverty as a toddler when her father’s love for surfing brought her and her family to Mexico. While there, Maglic spent a significant part of her childhood living in a motor home with her family. Her parents had her bring her toys to Mexico and distribute them to homeless children which instilled her with empathy for the poor and less fortunate. Maglic dedicated her life to humanitarianism at the age of six. As… Read more