BinnacleThe

October, 2013

In this issue-Students put to death-Leaking policies-Editor goes into hiding-Too many people -Not enough parking-No more coffee!-New IBL Sim Center

CMA News in Brief

-ABM (maids) get Campus Stewardship Hours-Alum not donating to school....I wonder why-Mrs. Cropper (our heroine) goes to the dining center; wants to know why the food isn’t the same as what is served at her house during events -75 demerits for missing formo all talk and no game; what is this, the Cold War?-$17 million on New Messdeck, still no forks or ketchup anywhere!-Predator drones used to find cadets out of uniform -Chancellor White happily intrigued to learn about CMA’s existence-Vallejo GDP goes up as cadets fill the local theater to see Captain Phillips -Corps still does not run itself-Government shuts down, corps may be next-Vallejo moves from 18th Most Miserable City in the US to 6th according to Forbes; wonder if threatening 75 demerits for missing formo has anything to do with it?-I’ve got 99 problems; but a ship ain’t one...yet-Boatswain Allen threatens to “knock congress the f*ck out”

$1.50

VALLEJO- A cadet of the California Maritime Academy was found clinging for life after remaining completely oblivious to the opening of the school’s new dining facility. The freshman boy is said to have been completely unaware of any change in eating venue, as he never checked the online portal. “My friends would tell me to meet them for lunch at noon at the messdeck. But when I showed up, I was the only one there. It almost seemed like the entire school was conspiring against me.” The student was seen pounding for several hours on the doors of the former dining hall, crying out for help. “I first heard intense weeping, which is completely normal for this campus. But then I saw a kid trying to break open the doors of the old messdeck with a crow bar, and I knew something was wrong.” The famished student was finally discovered eating a skunk carcass out of the Upper Res dumpster and that’s when authorities were alerted. The CMA cadet is said to be in stable condition and was actually found extremely healthy due to not having eaten the school’s food. The student was then informed that he would not be able to eat at the new dining facility, as he was expelled for missing formation.

MESSDECK IS DEAD; LONG LIVE NEW MESSDECKby Joey LaMarche

Vol. 73, Issue 2

By decree of the Administration, Capt. Bolton, and the Coast Guard, the students of MPM Company will begin to stand 25-hour a day watches to make up for being MPM students at the California Maritime Academy. The new watch standing stipulations came about when the school felt as though the MPM students had it too easy with only standing 8-hour watch days. These new watch standards will be enacted randomly this year because the California Maritime Academy loves to keep its students on their toes/ruin their lives. One student asked the question that was on everyone’s minds: “How can we stand 25-hour watches if there are only 24 hours in a day?” To answer this question the Binnacle reporters went straight to Capt. Bolton who informed us that with his massive wealth he was able to purchase an extra hour for the CMA campus. A licensed major professor was quoted saying: “Thank God those lazy MPM’s are standing a real man’s watch. They truly were ruining this campus with their little watch standing and carefree attitudes.” More will follow as the Binnacle keeps you up to date on the possible riot that will ensue after the implementation of something the MPM students don’t want.

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on a lighter note, then serious

No one thought that the Administration was serious when they sent that very threatening email about missing the formation on the day of the President’s Inauguration, but the students of the California Maritime Academy soon found out that the threat was very real. The Administration is holding up their threat of putting to death the students that missed the formation by name tags. Some students have already been put to death as a foreboding message by the Administration. Students with hundreds of name tags jammed into their khaki-adorned bodies litter the campus. When a Binnacle reporter asked why the Administration was taking such a hard stance on missing formation, she was put to death also. They have found that this method is so successful that they have implemented their own twisted version of Sharia Law for all offenses. Here is a list of offenses and their subsequent punishments:

Miss formation: DEATHDon’t shave: DEATH

Don’t complete Campus Stewardship hours: DEATHLetting the Corps run the Corps: DEATH

Alcohol violation: 20 demeritsFlip-flops in the Mess Deck: DEATH

Writing for the Binnacle: DEATHJoin ASCMA: DEATH

Threaten students: 10 merits

MPM to Stand 25-Hour Watch

Student Put to Death by Name Tags

A disturbing trend at this academy is the lack of respect towards fellow cadets and peers. There is a huge fissure between majors, especially, between licensed and non-licensed. Many licensed cadets believe that they are superior to the non-licensed and that they are capable of any job that a non-licensed cadet or even that any non-licensed course of study is useless. It is important to remember that this is a maritime academy and not a merchant marine academy. CMA has been applauded at all levels for its holistic approach at providing knowledgeable and capable graduates in numerous fields. Cadets of all majors have been invited to and have attended international conferences and workshops. Still however, there is no respect between the licensed and non-licensed majors. This has been perpetuated by cadets, faculty, and some employers alike. While different opinions are healthy, blatant disrespect should not be tolerated. It is almost as if there is some sort of competition. What is there to compete after, though? Licensed and non-licensed have aspirations of entirely different careers. To put someone down does not raise you any higher. Even if one does not admire the course of study someone else is in, they can still admire that their peer is working to reach a goal of further education.

R-E -S-P-E-C-T

By: Kevin Sweeney By: Kevin Sweeney

By: Rachel Neuharth

getting the word out

READ IT AND WEEP, THEN MAKE IT BETTER SINCE THERE IS A SEVERE LACK OF COMMUNICATION ON CAMPUS, HERE IS THE POLICY

ON CAMPUS STEWARDSHIP HOURS; FORMERLY KNOWN AS CAMPUS SERVICE.

A C A D E M Y POL I C Y M A NU A L

Policy Title: CMA Cadet Campus Stewardship Policy Policy Number: SA 02-001 Policy Administrator: Vice President, Student Affairs Policy Initiator: President Authority: President Effective Date: August 19, 2013 Revised Date: Approved: Approval Signature:

Thomas A. Cropper, President

Purpose: Pursuant to California Maritime Academy Presidential Orders regarding cadet campus stewardship related to university programs, this document provides policies and procedures for California Maritime Academy.

Scope: All cadets

Accountability: Office of the Commandant, Corps of Cadets

Policy: California Maritime Academy recognizes the benefit of service work to the development of values-based leaders and engaged citizens and the necessity for policy and procedures to articulate the scope of the definition and mandates of cadet campus stewardship related to university programs.

Cadet-led and executed campus stewardship, such as: creation of new campus facility amenities, repair, refurbishment, or improvement of existing facilities, or general upkeep and beautification of the campus, helps to fulfill our leadership development vision statement to provide cadets with educational and experiential leadership opportunities and to promote our core values.

Cadet campus stewardship shall promote and support, to the greatest extent possible, the maximum level of cadet initiative, leadership, and campus service. Our planning and operations involving cadet campus stewardship will demonstrate our institutional values of dedication, respect and responsibility, with specific regard to our campus facilities and community.

Brought to you by: Emily Keyes

*Please note it is still in draft form, but is being implemented as if it were official.

Procedures for Cadet Campus Stewardship:

Cadet campus stewardship is defined as any work, including planning, coordination, and execution, which creates, improves, maintains, or beautifies the physical campus of the Academy or its immediate perimeter.

The cadet campus stewardship obligation is mandated as follows:

All 4th Class cadets – 15 hours of service per academic term (effective from AY 2012-13)All 3rd Class cadets – 10 hours of service per academic term (effective from AY 2013-14)All 2nd Class cadets – 5 hours of service per academic term (effective from AY 2014-15)All 1st Class cadets – 0 hours of service per academic term (effective from AY 2012-13)

While 4th Class cadets may design and lead their own stewardship projects, 3rd and 2nd Class cadets are expected to perform their stewardship hours in some capacity of leadership of their stewardshipprojects.

Any portion of an individual cadet’s campus stewardship obligation (rounded to whole hours) that remains unfulfilled at the end of each spring term will automatically default to Extra Duty hours imposed on that cadet at a one-to-one conversion rate.

Office of the Commandant, Corps of Cadets is delegated the authority and responsibility for review and approval of cadet campus stewardship projects related to California Maritime Academy programs consistent with this policy. All projects must be coordinated with the Director of Facilities and must not create, without express prior approval from the Vice President for Administration and Finance, follow-on annual operations or maintenance costs for the Academy. Funding for projects, if required, must be identified prior to final approval of project proposals.

Office of the Commandant, Corps of Cadets shall arrange centralized document retention in compliance with CSU policies and procedures for cadet campus stewardship related to California Maritime Academy programs. Such documentation shall include:

1. Approved Cadet Proposals for cadet campus stewardship projects2. Completed cadet campus stewardship hours by individual cadets3. Unfulfilled cadet campus stewardship hours that are subsequently converted to Extra

Duty hours

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It is clear that the school is growing more and more every day. In the few years I have been here, I’ve watched a bookstore, sports Rugby field, and Dining Facility open in just two years. We have also watched an increase in the amount of students and professors on campus every school year. Which is making me start to wonder, is the current flood of enrollment effecting the education standards CMA prides itself in? For one, someone that handles enrollment needs to sit in on a math class; because there are way too many students on campus. Did you know that there is a limit you can take in? Or that maybe, just maybe; allowing more licensed track people into this school than there is room for on the ship was a bad idea. Reports from students on the past two summer cruise stints all sound the same, (from METs) “We didn’t do $h!t, there is too many people working on things, I didn’t learn anything except in lecture.” I remember the selling point of CMA was the students actually work on the ship, even when it’s underway. But if only a hand full out of the 300+ students are getting that actual hands on experience, what’s the point? What can you really learn from watching 12 people taking turns loosening a bolt and whipping oil up during “Happy Times” or whatever it’s called now. This school prides itself with the one on one experience students get with their professors. Many seniors including myself know our professors quite well, with most knowing our first names. How can the student teacher relationship remain; with classes over filling and the increasing number of sections being made for lecture? This school is probably the only school in the state with the benefit of having a one on one relationship with our professors. It is starting to become clear that the experience that is CMA, is going to die, and it’s going to die soon. Am I the only one with the feeling that education has been put on the back burner? I am not saying that the Major Departments are being lazy, but that Admissions, Administration, and other faculty departments are unknowingly ruining this school. Seriously, what happened to the two ladies in records; they were so nice, extremely helpful and had candy. There is seriously no room at this school, nowhere to study (they took one of those rooms away from us), nowhere to sit, and where the hell can I park my damn car? Did anyone at this school think before enrolling an extra few hundred people? Like, where can we put them, where will their cars go? I am more likely to win the lottery than to find parking on campus on a Tuesday at 0800. Did it ever occur that, maybe instead of a new Dining facility, gym, and an updated fancy gate; that maybe increasing the amount of parking spots would be a good idea? Over 50% of the cars on freshman hill have parking passes, and how many times am I going to have to watch a professor be forced to walk up there because they gave too many B lot parking away? Interesting enough, every year parking fees are increased, yet no new spots are made. Instead they take spots away for CMA vans. I think it may be a good idea to all if they:

1) STOP SELLING TWICE THE AMOUNT OF PASSES. 2) Build a parking lot.3) Create a carpool option to reduce the amount of vehicles on campus. (Pretty easy, make the pass a PLACARD) 4) Charge $1000 a year for parking, forcing students to never have a vehicle or leave campus turning them into human hermit crabs. I’m just going to go on whim here, and say that number 1 has an immediate effect, number 2 should be in the works already, and number 3 is something that should have been done a while ago. When we can’t find parking before formation, the “you should have shown up earlier to guarantee yourself a spot”, is total bullshit. If I did, then the next guy would have been late too; so just make some more spots please, I don’t need to explain to you the circle of life. Now this doesn’t mean I don’t like the new additions to the campus. I went to the new Messy D’s, and I have to admit it is really nice in there. It’s seriously really nice, and I think having a place like that on campus is pretty cool. Did someone say there is a place to socialize on campus that isn’t the library? I just don’t think the food is worth $13, yes I paid to eat there. Also, more and more training is being handed out to the licensed track cadets and unlicensed track engineers; which as much as they could use the training –most are taking 18 units already—and with watch on top of it; where is the time to actually study, do homework, and have somewhat of a social life. I think it has become clear that trying to fit the Corps of Cadets with the actual education part of this college, is becoming increasingly more difficult. How many people are having watch conflicts because night classes until 2015? Or getting dropped from your 0700 lab because your Night Engineer watch runs to 0730 (this happened actually happend)? What are you supposed to do as a student; do you risk suspension by not going/leaving early or risk being late and becoming a 5th year student? And how many of you are sick and tired of having 5 finals in three days and being told you have to stand watch? 18 units at CMA isn’t 18 units at [Insert Name] CSU; at CMA a 1 unit class is like taking any other 3 unit class; my 1 unit labs are harder than most of my damn 3 unit lectures. There needs to be a line that shouldn’t be crossed when it comes to extra work from the Corps side of the school; that line should be education. The past four years has had some ups and downs with leadership coming and going. We still have our Captain, but a Commandant and President change within a couple years of each other is a pretty big deal. I think it is becoming clear to the school that there is an issue with the rise of students on campus, and if the school wants to maintain its Academy Standards things need to change and parking spaces need to be made. If the flood of more and more students continues, the CMA standard is going to drop so hard the recession is going to look like a joke; and you can’t blame someone else for it, only yourself.

SUMMARY; The increase in enrollment is decreasing the quality of education on campus, as students aren’t able to find the time to study, or find a professor because they are spread too thin. The Maritime Standard seems to be fading away. And there is no damn parking!

THE GREAT FLOOD critical thought

By: Trevor Mankini

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CALIFORNIA MARITIME ACADEMY- The sky is falling yet again here at CMA. October 8th marked the opening of the new dining hall, and with its official opening came the much anticipated, or feared, end of free drink service. While now charging 50 cents per drink has generated some new revenue to keep Sysco and the Administration happy, it has had the perhaps unforeseen consequence of widespread caffeine withdrawal in approximately 95% of the student body. The effects are being felt throughout campus. One 4/C cadet stated that, even though he has only been on campus for less than two months, since the new messdeck opened he has been getting constant headaches that he described as a terrible “mild inconvenience.”

And the terror does not stop there. When asked for comment on the situation a 1/C fell asleep where he stood for a good five minutes before waking violently, cursing the bright sunlight and stumbling off to his next class. 7AM classes are a no-man’s land of bodies strewn across tables and bent into shapes, not believed possible by physicians and gymnastics instructors alike, in chairs just trying to get a bit more rest. “I just spent my last 20 dollars on one of those drink cards,” said one license track cadet, “it’s been two days and I’ve already used up a quarter of it. How am I supposed to make it through my exams under these conditions?” Those living on the T.S. Golden Bear seem to have been hit the hardest due to their across campus quarters and inability to have coffee pots on board. “I heard one of the Deckies in Upper es has a coffee pot they’ve been rationing to people,” one resident told us, “I don’t believe it though. Like those fairy tales, you know man?” Despite falling grades, attendance records, demerit spikes, and near comatose students, the Administration is standing by its decision. “Sacrifices have to be made from time to time,” one university spokesperson told us, “That is the lesson the cadets should take away from this. Even if it is not a popular decision, it is one we will uphold.” President Cropper’s office was unavailable for comment due to our field staff being passed out from more than 2 hours of continuous work without coffee. There is a light shining through the darkness, however. Some TSGB residents have worked around the system and taken up using French-presses to dole out coffee to fellow cadets on their decks. Others have begun stockpiling caffeinated drinks in containers in their rooms, in a manner not dissimilar to a doomsday prepper. One segment of already caffeine free cadets has started an evening support group to help those seeking to use this as an opportunity to “cleanse [their] mind and body”. However, those efforts may be stomped out as a particularly devoted group has gone so far as to start a “Coffee for Cadets” kickstarter, in order to purchase and supply a donation funded coffee cart for the campus. While it is difficult to speculate on the long term effects of this earthshaking event, one thing is for certain: I need some more damn coffee… -This has been a Binnacle special report. The Binnacle, your most trusted source for CMA news-

Free Drink Service Ends; Entire Campus Suffers Caffeine WithdrawalBy: Brian Strickland

hard hitting news

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funnies

Peer Health Educators Present

Come Out & Play

Zombie Tag at CMA

October 28, 29 & 30, 2013 6:45 - 9:00 pm

Pre-Registration Required Sign up – Peer Health Table – Quad Wed. Oct. 23rd & Fri. Oct. 25th 7:30- 8:30 am (after formation)

$35 Visa Gift Cards Awarded - 2 Winners Zomibe that Tags Most Humans Last Human Standing

Co-Sponsored by ASCMA

For more info, “Like” CMA Peer Health Educators on facebook

Student Health Corner OBITUARIESMessdeck served her final meal in the early days of October 2013. She was chained shut after 63 years of serving the souls of those who walked the quad before us. The paper plates and plastic utensils was a great last supper that drew a mediocre crowd of jaded cadets. The saving grace was Mom’s awesome desserts (as always). In lieu of floral arrangements please send monetary condolences to CMA in order to pay for the new messdeck.

•Real life stapler simulation•Annoying virtual coworkers that are way too interested in what you did last weekend!•An overbearing boss that gives you that “I’m going to kill myself ” authentic office feel.•Paper got you in a jam? Try the copy machine module that starts to work better the more you scream at it!•Try your hand at refusing the temptations of the virtual office harlot!•Try and keep your hands to yourself after meeting the virtual office floozy “Jasmin from sales”!•If your office prank doesn’t go as planned, no worries! Just hit the reset button and attempt covering your boss’ desk in pig’s blood all over again!•See what it’s like to have your wife leave you for someone smarter, handsomer, and richer in the Disappointment Simulator!•And now featuring a virtual unemployment line to prepare you for what you’ll actually be doing!•ONLY WITH BIZSIM!

INTRODUCTING BIZSIM A SIMULATOR FOR BUSINESS MAJORS

by Joey LaMarche

by Emily Keyes

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updates

Some catch-up about what we’ve been up to:Resolution #1: We are going to start a committee to end watch standing during Finals Week, because that is just a ridiculous request. School is a lot harder than it was in the 70’s…hint hint.Resolution #2: We would like the Administration to understand that enacting mandatory activities in the middle of the school year or without warning is not tolerated by the student body. We demand that if something wants to be enacted, that the school works out all the kinks before students have to do it…you know what I’m talking about.Shared Leadership: The relationship between the Corps Staff and AS has been exceptional, and they will only get stronger.Town-hall Meetings: Even though there has been little attendance, we will still continue to put Town-hall meetings on every so often.Greenovation: Our Environmental Officer is going to be working with the California State Student Association to receive money to make our campus greener or to help offset the costs of “green” programming.Lobby Corps: Our External Affairs Officer is in the works on making a Lobby Corps for Cal Maritime. This would be a group of students that would go to the Capitol and lobby on behalf of Cal Maritime. If you have any questions or concerns email, as.president@csum.edu or attend our weekly meetings at 1700 on Mondays in the President’s Conference Room.

Campus Stewardship: Cross Company Divisional areas were established, prior to the 2013 Orientation, for the ease of ownership of designated areas. Areas are shared by division from each company i.e. 1E,1D and 1M share the same area. This is to promote cross company camaraderie. Areas borders are as follows: Division 1Boathouse parking lot, inner side of Morrow Cove road along waterfront, all of quad, backside of Administration building, Upper service road to Maritime Academy Drive, parking lot E and FDivision 2Administration parking lot, all Maritime Academy Drive, Faculty Drive, Bodnar field and Mini Park, Staff HousingDivision 3Road between Lower Res, Mayo Hall (gym), Student Center, Dining facility, all of Morrow Cove Drive and the waterfront to Leadership BuildingDivision 4Outside Lower Res, Upper Res, McAllister residence hall, residence hall roads that go to Maritime Academy Drive. This is the simplified version of the proposed policy for campus stewardship. I'm going to be the devil’s advocate and say you should do the hours, and make a positive change on campus. But you should be upset about the fact that you are required to work for something that is not an official policy.

FROM THE CORPS, WITH LOVE

ASCMA: BEHIND THE SCENESBy: Kevin Sweeney

By: Jonny Jordan

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note

from

th

e edi

tor IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE:

~Wycoff returns; order restored ~Emily’s two weeks notice

*The opinions in this issue do not, in any way, reflect those of the CMA Staff, ASCMA, Housing & Res Life, or their affiliates, no matter how right my opinions are.

Special Thanks to: Captain Stewart Staff: Joey LaMarche - Head Writer Kevin Sweeney - Staff Writer (Binnacle Puppeteer) Trevor Mankini - Staff Writer Jonny Jordan- Staff Writer Brian Strickland - Staff Writer Rachel Neuharth - Contributor/Emotional Support/Editor Andrew Leonard - Senior Photo Journalist/Editor Rachell Nadell- Photoshop Guru Emily Keyes - Editor-in-chief

Questions, comments, complaints?E-mail thebinnaclecma@gmail.comDo not e-mail my writers directly, please.

Staff Picture: Emily Keyes (left) & Joey LaMarche (right)

Deadline for article submissions is now on the first of the month, every month, 500 word max,

please!So I have my issues with a few things. At the beginning of the year there was a campaign of “the corps is dead; long live the corps of cadets,” which I was ok with the idea of this year being different with ‘leadership development.’ Butttttttt, it’s not different. New name; same sh*t. The week of the Chancellor’s visit the Corps Officers got together and decided that the reprimand

for missing formo on that special Friday would be 20 demerits and 2 hours of extra duty, instead of the standard 10 demerits (I vouched for more hours of extra duty and less demerits since demerits are so damaging for cruise picks and merits still mean nothing at this point; but only one other agreed with my proposal). Then on Thursday an all student’s email goes out threatening 75 demerits and possible suspension.... So the 45 minutes the officers spent debating possible repercussions was time wasted. That email was the biggest slap in the face for most Corps Officers. Now everyone (still) hates the Corps; there was no change, no progress. This school preaches “leadership development” yet treats us like children.

I have nothing else to say.....I’m keeping my mouth shut for a while. Biting my tongue so hard it is bleeding.