According to the LA City Clerk’s election results Garcetti received 53% of the votes while Greuel received 46%.

Measure D, backed by the LA City Council, passed with 62.6% of the votes. This measure limits the number of dispensaries in the city to 135 and raises the tax on marijuana from $50 to $60 on all gross receipts.

Angelenos also passed Measure C in an effort to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which declared that corporations have the same constitutional rights as human beings. The ruling states that limiting a corporation’s independent expenditure spending in regards to campaign finance is unconstitutional.

However, when voters passed Measure C by 76.6% they called on elected officials to amend the law in the United States Constitution.
LA elections are known for their low voter turnout. Only 15% of eligible voters participated in this year mayoral election, one of the lowest turnouts in history.

The College of Health and Human Development saw hundreds of it’s students graduate on Tuesday. Dr. Samira Moughrabi, nursing faculty, gave the opening speech at a pinning ceremony for students who earned a bachelor’s of science in nursing. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

This week CSUN celebrated the academic accomplishments of nearly 10,000 students in more than 9 graduation ceremonies.

An estimated 7,753 candidates received their bachelors degree, 2,190 candidates received their masters degree and 19 candidates received their doctoral degree.

The graduation ceremonies began with the 31st annual Honor’s Convocation Monday, May 20. More than 2,000 graduates were recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements. To be invited to participate in this ceremony, students had to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.88 or higher.

President Dianne Harrison opened the ceremony.

“The students we honor tonight represent the very best of Northridge,” she said. “You truly help make CSUN shine.”

The annual Black Graduation was held on May 20 as well. African-American graduates and their families filled the lawn behind Manzanita for the ceremony. More than 140 graduates, including 14 graduates receiving their masters, attended the event.

The College of Science and Mathematics, Health and Human Development and the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication held their graduation ceremonies on May 21.

Graduating seniors and master students from the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication crossed the stage to obtain their respective degrees at 8 a.m. Graduating senior Anoushiravan Saboktakin was awarded the $10,000 Ravi K. and Amalia Sawhney Creative Excellence Award. This scholarship commemorated Saboktakin for his creative achievements and professional aptitude as a graduating senior.

Graduates of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences walked across the stage on May 22. Nearly 2,650 students and their families attended the ceremony, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in support of his youngest son, Antonio Villaraigosa Jr.

President Harrison congratulated the mayor before addressing the graduates as a whole.

“I’ve heard your stories, and they are varied, and they are inspirational,” she said to students. “You have truly made CSUN shine.”

More than 500 students and their families gathered on the lawn behind Manzanita Hall at the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s commencement May 22.

CSUN alumnus Kunal Chitre, a software engineer for Digital Energy, addressed the Engineering and Computer Science graduates. Chitre congratulated the class on their achievements and the many sacrifices they have made to succeed.

“I can say this for definite certainty and personal experience: that trading those beach weather weekends for group studies, skipping movie nights to prepare for midterms and suffering through pages and pages of readings for that one question on your exam has paid off very well to this day,” Chitre said.

In addition to the above mentioned graduation ceremonies were the Aztlan Graduation and the Rainbow Graduation. The Aztlan Graduation took place on May 18.  The ceremonial  theme was “Our Inspirations: the people, places, and things that have inspired us to progress”.

Rainbow Graduation, a commencement ceremony for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Ally (LGBTQA) graduates, took place May 20. The ceremony congratulated the 26 graduates participating in the event for their academic achievements and diversity.

John J. Duran, keynote speaker and mayor of West Hollywood, spoke about his experiences being a gay man and a LGBTQA advocate in the 1980’s. Duran is one of the few openly gay and HIV-positive elected officials in the United States and his education has played a pivotal role in shaping who he is today.

The College of Humanities, College of Business and Economics and the Michael D. Eisner College College of Education celebrated their commencement ceremonies on May 22 and May 23.

Contributing reporting from Muna Adem, Megan Diskin, Charlie Kaijo, Jennifer Luxton, Luis Rivas, John Saringo-Rodriguez, and Taylor Villescas

CSUN students from the College of Health and Human Development graduated on Tuesday, May 21. Traditionally, nursing students participate in a pinning ceremony and their graduation ceremony upon completing their degrees. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

The College of Health and Human Development students gathered on the Oviatt Lawn minutes before taking their seats for their commencement ceremony. Many graduates customized their caps to fit their personalities and while doing so they made sure that they were easily spotted from a distance. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

Hundreds of students participated in the College of Health and Human Development graduation on Tuesday. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN students from the College of Health and Human Development graduated on Tuesday. Many graduates creatively customized their caps with inspiring quotes. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN graduates celebrate getting their diplomas during the Art, Media and Communications graduation held at the Oviatt Library lawn, Wednesday. Photo credit: Loren Townsley / Editor in Chief

Students from the College of Science and Mathematics celebrated with friends and family at their graduation ceremony held on the Manzanita Hall Lawn on May 21. Those graduating with honors wore medallions. Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics , Dr. Jerry Stinner, and President Dr. Dianna F. Harrison were the main speakers. Photo credit: Luis Rivas / Opinions Editor

Several students decorated their graduation caps at the College of Science and Mathematics ceremony held on the Manzanita Hall Lawn on May 21. Professors wished graduating seniors good luck in their respective lives. Photo credit: Luis Rivas / Opinions Editor

Graduates of the College of Social and Behavioral Science wait for their turn to take the final walk across the steps of the Oviatt Library to receive their degrees May 22. Photo credit: Ken Scarboro / Senior Photographer

Anthropology students wait for their turn to walk across the stage at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences graduation May 22. Photo credit: Ken Scarboro / Senior Photographer

CSUN graduates wait in line to receive their diplomas during the College of Engineering and Computer Science graduation held at the lawn behind Manzanita Hall, Wednesday. Photo credit: Loren Townsley / Editor in Chief

President Harrison congratulates CSUN graduates during the College of Engineering and Computer Science graduation, Wednesday. Photo credit: Loren Townsley / Editor in Chief

CSUN graduates stand in preparation of receiving their diplomas during the College of Engineering and Computer Science graduation held at the lawn behind Manzanita Hall, Wednesday. Photo credit: Loren Townsley / Editor in Chief

“Iron Man 3″ brings back everyone’s favorite bad boy billionare genius Tony Stark with more flare and better insults than ever before. However, “Iron Man 3″ takes a different turn, and a much needed one, after Iron Man 2 just turned out to be a two-hour bore of a preview for “the Avengers.”

Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is suprirsingly faced with anxiety resulting from the aftermath of the wormhole incident that occured in “the Avengers,” and the struggle to keep his fist ever commited relationship with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). The transition to overconfident superheroe to vulnerable genius is as smooth as Iron Man’s armor, and the anxiety and thought-mechanism Stark goes through is a side we haven’t seen but may have secretly wanted to.

Stark/Iron Man, is however still succumbed to, well, superhero problems, regardless of his sorry state. Obviously, superhero problems consist of the usual saving the world, terrorist threats, protecting the people you love and still being true to the man (or woman) behind the powers. Obviously. Well, Stark can not stay clear of issues like these, and when the mysterious but sleek Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) approaches the Stark company with a gorundbreaking idea, Stark is forced to resume to his usual superheroe instincts.

It’s not all work and no fun; remember this is a Disney and Marvel film. There are laughs and stunts that will have audiences still enjoying Stark’s midlife crisis. Thankfully, Marvel’s great sense of humor is still relevant to Stark’s journey; the jokes are perfectly timed and the film doesn’t try too hard to still be that glowing fun superhero hit that audiences crave for.

The action scenes and special effects are never a miss with these supoerheroe films, but the terroist approach is a bit overdone these days. Thankfully, “Iron Man 3″ finds a way to stay original with the whole terroirst plotline, still staying patiroitic and figuring ways to send the message of unity.

Though “Iron Man 3″ executes most of their twists fairly well, they still can’t make audiences completley fall in love with Pepper Potts. Potts goes through a grand transistion herself but this  is still not enough to stray away from the biggest twist that Stark goes through.

“Iron Man 3″ could possibly be the best of the seires so far; taking chances but still enjoyable. However, you might not shake a certain doubt away, that being how is it possible that Iron Man is going through such life and death situations without the help of his superhero posse. Can’t he just call Hulk to give him a hand every now and then? His Iron Man suit makes calls, right?

CSUN police officers interview family members of a student who was found passed out in his parked car on the second floor of the B3 parking structure on May 21. Police recovered an empty bottle of sleeping pills. Paramedics rushed the student to Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Photo credit: Luis Rivas / Senior Reporter

At approximately 5:30 p.m. yesterday a CSUN student allegedly overdosed on sleeping pills according to witnesses. The incident took place on the second floor of the B3 parking structure on the southeast side of campus.

The male student was examined at the location and rushed to Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

A witness stated that he noticed the male student asleep in a parked car next to his with all the windows down earlier in the day. The witness assumed he was resting and continued to head to his graduation ceremony. But when the witness returned he noticed that the student was still there.

Fire Department paramedics and CSUN police officers were called over.

Upon searching the vehicle, police found ashes inside the car, an empty bottle of sleeping pills, a long store receipt and a plastic bag.

Officers heard statements from the student’s family, and asked if anyone had access to his Facebook account. Assuming it was an attempted suicide police officers said that oftentimes people post comments online prior to these attempts.

It is unclear if the student was a graduating senior or took part in any of the commencement ceremonies of the day.

Witnesses and police refused to comment any further on the incident.

Students graduating with high achievements were recognized during the Honors Commencement at the Oviatt Lawn on Monday. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

Graduating seniors gathered on the lawn of the Oviatt library Monday evening for CSUN’s 31st annual Honors Convocation. Each graduate was recognized and celebrated for their academic success.

President Dianne Harrison opened the ceremony, excited to introduce her first graduation ceremonies as president of the university.

“The students we honor tonight represent the very best of Northridge,” she said. “You truly help make CSUN shine.”

Out of an estimated 10,000 students that qualify to graduate this Spring 2013,  more than 2,000 were recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements. To be invited to participate in the ceremony, students had to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.88 or higher.

Harrison went on to introduce the keynote speaker Linda Lingle, CSUN alumna and former governor of Hawaii. Lingle was the first female Jewish governor of the islands.

“You cannot get a better education than the one you get here at CSUN,” Lingle told the crowd of students and families. “It prepared me for everything I’ve faced in my life.”

She shared memories of her own graduation from  CSUN, along with valuable words of advice for the graduates.

“No matter how big the issue in front of you…you can get beyond it by putting one foot in front of the other,” Lingle said.

Graduating students received a medallion for their hard work and academic acheivement while at CSUN. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN president Dianne Harrison presented Ryan Witkosky, geology major, with an Outstanding Graduating Senior Award at the Honors Commencement on Monday. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN president Dianne Harrison presented Shelley Thurk, mechanical engineering major, with the 2013 Wolfson Scholar Award at the Honors Commencement on Monday. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

John J. Duran, mayor of West Hollywood, was the featured guest speaker at Rainbow Graduation. Duran spoke of his trials and tribulations of being a gay man and LGBTQ advocate in the 80′s and how his education played a pivotal role. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN’s Rainbow Graduation brought the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied (LGBTQA) community together Monday afternoon to celebrate academics and diversity.  Family, friends and faculty gathered at the Northridge Center in the University Student Union (USU) to support the 26 graduating seniors participating in the event.

John J. Duran, keynote speaker and mayor of West Hollywood, spoke about his experiences being a gay man and a LGBTQA advocate in the 1980’s. Duran is one of the few openly gay and HIV-positive elected officials in the United States and his education has played a pivotal role in shaping who he is today.

Psychology major Raieka Kianian said that Rainbow Graduation is intimate and personal to her.

“It’s small enough that you don’t get lost in the crowd and your friends and family can see you,” Kianian said.

This year’s student speaker was Karlee Johnson, journalism major and queer studies minor. Johnson spoke of their experiences in the queer studies program and mentioned the benefits of having the Pride Center, a queer resource center, here at CSUN.

Doug Riechel, creative writing major, said that the group of students participating in Rainbow graduation were people he already knew.

“These weren’t random folks that I happened to share an academic discipline with,” said Riechel. “They were people that I have had deep discussions and some rather awesome arguments with over the past five years.”

Rainbow Graduation was held at the Northridge Center, USU, on Monday. Upon receiving their certificates, the 26 graduates were handed a rainbow rose. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

Upon receiving a certificate at Rainbow Graduation, Gender studies major, Raymond Marcell Buford, shares an embrace with friends. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN students line up to take photos with friends and family at Rainbow Graduation. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

Six members of the sorority Gamma Rho Lambda participated in Rainbow Graduation. The graduates and their sorority siblings chant in celebration. Photo credit: John Saringo-Rodriguez / Photo Editor

CSUN graduates receiving their master’s degree bow their heads for a prayer during the Black graduation ceremony held at the lawn behind Manzanita Hall, Sunday. Charlie Kaijo/Senior Staff

Students, faculty, and family members gathered together late Sunday afternoon to celebrate the Black Graduation ceremony held on the lawn behind Manzanita Hall.

Anthony Ratcliff, pan-african studies professor, introduced the Spring 2013 commencement theme, “Whatever is mentally conceivable is physically achievable”.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of CSUN’s African-American students, and keynote speakers such as Assemblymember Isadore Hall III spoke on the growing success of young African-American men and women.

“African American students are matriculating and maturing to higher levels. There’s no reason to fear the education of a black woman and a black man, but there’s every reason to praise them.”

Over 140 graduates, including 14 graduates receiving their masters degree, attended the event.

Amber Grace Canyon, journalism major, received the highest GPA award.

“It’s been tough dealing with school and finances. The most difficult part of school was being a full-time student and working and putting my all into both,” Canyon said.

CSUN graduates walk to their seats before the Black graduation ceremony at the lawn behind Manzanita Hall, Sunday. Photo credit: Charlie Kaijo / Senior Staff

Enthused graduates dance in celebration of receiving their diplomas during the Black graduation ceremony, Sunday. Photo credit: Charlie Kaijo / Senior Staff

Political science major with a concentration in law and society, Joshua Thompson, gives a speech to CSUN graduates during the black graduation ceremony held at the lawn behind Manzanita Hall, Sunday. Photo credit: Charlie Kaijo / Senior Staff

Students gather in front of the registration table for CSUN’s Aztlan Graduation Ceremony for the Spring 2013 which was held on May 18 on the side of the Chicano House on campus. Featured keynote speaker was Dr. Christina Ayala-Alcantar. Photo credit by Luis Rivas/Opinions Editor

Adjacent to the Chicano House on the northeast side of campus, graduating seniors, families and professors gathered for the Spring 2013 Aztlan Graduation Ceremony on May 18.

This year’s theme was “Our Inspirations: The People, Places, and Things that have Inspired us to Progress”. The graduating seniors focused on inspirational professors such as keynote speaker  Dr. Christina Ayala-Alcantar of the chicana/o studies department.

“It has really been my honor to have many of you as my students,” said Ayala-Alcantar. “You inspire me to read, to do my homework, so that we (can) have great class discussions. It really is an honor to be in a classroom with you.”

Guadalupe Ruiz-Madrigal, chicana/o studies graduate, helped with the Aztlan Graduation planning committee. She said that this ceremony is more intimate than CSUN’s general commencement ceremony.

“I think that the regular graduation from school is not as personal as this one,” said Ruiz-Madrigal.

The Atzlan graduation and scholarship committee is a student run organization. This committee has been hosting commencement ceremonies for Chicano Studies graduates since 1969.

Chicana/o studies department chair Mary Pardo opens up the Aztlan Graduation Ceremony for the Spring 2013 which was held on May 18 on the side of the Chicano House on campus. Featured keynote speaker was Dr. Christina Ayala-Alcantar of the Chicana/o studies department. Photo credit by Luis Rivas/Opinions Editor

President Harrison speaks to a filled VPAC Great Hall after being formally instated as CSUN’s president. Harrison’s investiture took place after one year of starting at CSUN. Photo credit by Ken Scarboro/Senior Staff

CSUN President Dr. Dianne Harrison cemented her position as the university’s leader at an investiture ceremony held in the Valley Performing Arts Center Friday.

Faculty, staff, alumni, students and a CSU Board of Trustee member witnessed Harrison officially take her place as president after accumulating a year’s worth of experience in the position.

“The investiture ceremony is one of the oldest traditions in academia, signifying the ceremonial transfer of the symbols of the office, in this case the CSUN presidential medallion, and the pursuit of knowledge,” Harrison said in her presidential address. “Most typically it is done at the end of the person’s first year. And some experts have suggested that this timing of course is to make sure the person is suitable before doing the ceremony. So, I guess I passed one test.”

A bevy of supporters sat by the new president’s side and welcomed her to the university including A.S. President Sydni Powell, Faculty President Steven Stepanek and Vice Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees Lou Monville.

The CSU Board of Trustees appointed Harrison CSUN’s fifth president in 2012, replacing Dr. Jolene Koester who Harrison called “a dear friend.” Before delving into her own experience at CSUN, Harrison recognized the presidents that came before her.

“Because of their vision and their accomplishments I inherit a resilient, rebuilt and strong institution that is ready to move on,” Harrison said.

Harrison, who served as CSU Monterey Bay’s president since 2006, said that while listening to former president Koester at CSU president’s meetings she learned more about CSUN. She said those meetings were part of her process in coming to know that CSUN was the right choice for her.

“Well when I read the job description and then started learning more and more about the university, it’s diversity and the kinds of programs it offers. I knew from having listened to Jolene Koester for several years at our president’s meetings what a great institution it was and then when I was able to really do my own homework and learn more about it then I knew,” Harrison said.

In her address the new president focused on “unlocking potential and cultivating achievement” at the university by implementing initiatives brought to her attention by the campus community. Some of those initiatives focus on pedestrian and vehicular safety, enhancing matador pride and achieving a tobacco-free campus, something Harrison will tackle in the fall.

Anthropology professors Dr. James Snead and Dr. Matthew Des Lauriers were happy to hear the new president say that providing opportunities for students to participate in research was a priority at the institution.

“I like President Harrison’s priorities,” Snead said. “One of the things we’ll be doing is more involvement from students in research.”

Des Lauriers said that it’s important for students to have access to research opportunities because it will help students get hired.

“I like the research and the re-emphasis on research rather than seeing it as something in competition with teaching. It’s this hands-on applied experience that matters more than a GPA,” Des Lauriers said.

Senior art history and chemistry major Eleanor Wolgast, 21, works in the International and Exchange Student Center and attended the event to show support for the new president because she’s attended a lot of the center’s events as well.

“It was inspiring to hear someone talk about higher education and the hope she has for CSUN,” Wolgast said.

Failing to capitalize with runners in scoring position late in the game, CSUN lost 6-2 to the Gauchos.

“We’ve just got to get back to playing good fundamentally sound baseball, playing good defense,” said head coach Matt Curtis. “You know pitching and defense has really been our trademark, and we gotta do a better job at the plate.”

After stopping the game in the first inning in order to repair the infield dirt, the Matadors worked around a two-out double by the Gauchos, but were unable to stop UCSB from scoring for long.

Two throwing errors by freshman starting pitcher Calvin Copping gave UCSB two of its runs, including the games first in the third inning.

Singling to open the inning, UCSB had runners on first and second with no outs after a fielding error by freshman third baseman Nicolas Osuna. A throwing error by Copping on a sacrifice bunt gave the Gauchos a 1-0 lead.

Tacking on two runs in the fifth on a solo home run and another throwing error by Copping, the Matadors trailed UCSB 3-0.

Copping went six innings, gave up three runs, six hits, walked three and struck out five in his outing before being pulled in the seventh.

“(Copping) was doing a good job. We really let him down defensively and he made some of his own mistakes defensively,” Curtis said. “(I) felt like they were starting to get good looks at him (and I) felt like it was time to throw a different look at them. Harley Holt’s been really good for us out of the pen all year.”

Holt’s outing was short-lived though, as he gave up two runs without recording an out. Hitting a batter, a wild pitch and a walk, and Holt was pulled from the game after being looked at by the trainer.

“He’s been a little tender and just didn’t look right and that’s why we went out there with the trainer.”

Back-to-back hits by the Gauchos extended their lead 6-0 after the seventh inning.

“(UCSB) just saw the ball and hit the ball pretty well and they found holes today,” said senior left fielder Cal Vogelsang, who went 3 for 4 in the game.

Northridge’s offense came to life in the bottom of the seventh, getting the first two runners on with walks, Osuna doubled in CSUN’s first run of the day.

“I was just looking for a fastball that at-bat, I was just sitting on it and he left one right there and I hit it into the gap,” Osuna said.

An infield single by senior shortstop Kyle Attl with one out, plated the Matadors second run, but two harmless groundouts would kill the rally.

“I don’t think we mounted a serious threat today until maybe the seventh inning, so we’ve got to put some better at-bats together,” Curtis said.

Loading the bases with no outs in the eighth inning, the Matadors were unable to score anyone, and went down in order to end the game in the ninth.

“Yesterday was a tough loss and this is the first time in a long tme that we haven’t immediately bounced back from adversity,” Curtis said.