President comments on newspaper, lighting

Published in the CSULB Daily 49er newspaper Sept. 27.

Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander announced to the Associated Students, Inc. Senate Wednesday that the print version of the Daily Forty-Niner would not be terminated and restricted to an online audience and version only.

This came after Bradley Zint, Daily Forty-Niner editor-in-chief, addressed the Senate to update and inform the group on the current situation at the newspaper.

"The Daily Forty-Niner is in trouble," Zint said. "I wouldn't be speaking to you all in a tie for just any old reason."

Zint reiterated the current issues, which have been making headlines nationwide, like the proposition of a feasibility study to see if the Daily Forty-Niner would be suitable as an online-only publication and the recent dismissal of journalism department chairman William Babcock.

"The chairman, who publicly disagreed with the College of Liberal Arts and Dean Gerry Riposa on the idea of having an online-only Daily Forty-Niner, was just fired as department chairman Friday afternoon," Zint said. "An interesting sequence of events, to say the least."

Zint explained the reason why there is talk about eliminating the print version, saying budget issues and a lack of income are to blame.

"[The newspaper] has overspent despite not having the ability to pay two-thirds of its 20-some person editing staff or all of its team of writers, many of whom work full-time for the paper, nearly 40 hours, five days a week, for free," Zint said. "It has overspent despite being thrifty to nearly every degree possible...we sometimes steal pens and most of our equipment is either donated or hand-me-downs."

Zint ended his speech by urging the senators to talk to their constituents about the situation, and to attend the planned campus wide town hall-style meetings regarding the future of the Daily Forty-Niner.

Alexander said he has made it clear to the editors that the print version will not be eliminated.

"I like a paper. I carry it around with me and I read it when I can," Alexander said. "What we're going to do is make the paper functional in paper form. That's my commitment to you."

Alexander also said, "One thing I won't do, however, and I've been asked to since April of last year on numerous occasions, to unilaterally impose a $4 fee on students. I am not going to impose a fee on the students after they overwhelmingly voted not to provide the fee for the funding of the newspaper."

Alexander said, however, he is willing to work with the newspaper and others to stress the value and importance of a daily printed publication.

"We're looking at lots of different options on how we can generate more revenue for the newspaper, and that's what we hope to do," Alexander said.

ASI faculty representative Chris Burnett, who is also a journalism professor, said, "As a faculty member, I think it's important for both students and faculty to know more about the issues. I think students are confused. We need more information."

Burnett also said it was good to hear the president back the newspaper.

Along with issues surrounding the print version, Burnett also addressed the journalism department accreditation situation.

"I strongly favor working to get [the journalism department's] accreditation back and keeping that a priority in our department," Burnett said. "I think it's something that will help us draw the best students."

Richard Haller, executive director of ASI, said after the meeting, "As a former student and as a long-term employee of the campus, I can't imagine there not being a daily newspaper in the stands. It's just unfathomable to me."

Haller also said he doesn't read things online even if he sees something interesting.

"I have to print it out," Haller said. "The lack of advertising revenue that you would generate by going online is going to make the situation even worse. It doesn't seem very well thought out; there's got to be other options to this then going strictly online."

In other Senate news, Alexander announced that the lack of sufficient lighting on the edges of campus is still in the works.

"We're not giving up on this. In fact, we're going back to the city council," Alexander said. "We have a number of wonderful supporters there on lighting Bellflower, Palo Verde and around our campus."

Alexander also announced that President George W. Bush might sign an important provision in the next couple of weeks that will give everyone going into teacher education in high demand fields a grant called Teach Grant.

"It's a $4,000 a year grant that will go directly to those students as long as they are pursuing teacher education," Alexander said. "All they have to commit to is teaching four years in high-demand areas. It's pretty broad what they defined as being high-demand fields."

Senate hears updates on campus projects

Published in the CSULB Daily 49er newspaper Sept. 20

After the clamor of a standing ovation subsided, a former Associated Students, Inc. Senate adviser grasped the lectern and spoke in the chamber dedicated to his 30 years of service to CSULB students.
Dean of Students Emeritus Stuart Farber attended Wednesday's ASI meeting with camera operators in tow. He will be inducted, along with three others, into Long Beach City College's Hall of Fame during a Nov. 2 luncheon.
Farber served as director of Student Life & Development, assistant dean of students and assistant vice president for Student Affairs, according to Richard Haller, executive director of ASI.
"I worked with Dr. Farber as a student leader in the '80s," Haller said. "He had a significant impact on the development of my leadership ability as a student and was one of the people who encouraged my choosing the student services profession as a career."
Haller also said Farber is the largest single donor to the ASI, with contributions exceeding $65,000.
Farber greeted the Senate and briefly reminisced about the '60s and the building of the University Student Union.
Farber said, "It was just a vision back in the '60s, but the street running through the middle of the campus was demolished and the Union was built."
Farber's main message to the Senate was vision and how to go about accomplishing goals. "I wait to see what your legacy will be," Farber said.
In other news, former Associated Business Students Organizations Council President Juan Carlos Mariano addressed the Senate to express, on behalf of ABSOC, opposition regarding the tanning salon.
"We're strongly opposed to such a measure," Mariano said. "We're preparing letters in the hopes to change minds."
Mariano said the salon doesn't cater to everyone and that resources could be better allocated.
"My presence here today is to inform you guys regarding this issue on behalf of ABSOC," Mariano said. The Senate refused to comment on the issue.
In a special order of business, Thomas Kenna, the senior director of Parking and Transportation Services, updated the Senate on parking issues. Kenna said his overall goal is to make parking a simple process because students have more important things to do.
"I'm the new parking director, not the enemy," Kenna said.
"We have about 300 more cars this year than last year," Kenna said. "It's been an interesting few weeks." Kenna announced the extended service of the off-campus shuttle, which travels to the Marina parking lot. The new hours are Mon. - Thurs. from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
"The hours are subject to change since parking seems to taper off the longer we get into a semester," Kenna said. "So far we haven't really seen riders past 7 p.m. - 7:15 p.m."
Kenna formerly held the same position at USC and regarding safety on campus, he pleaded with students to use good judgement.
He also addressed breaking ground for parking structure three, a $27 million endeavor, in December or January.
Don Penrod, the general manager and CEO of the 49er Shops, Inc., updated the Senate on current construction operations and future planning.
"Our mission is to enhance and support the education process at CSULB," Penrod said. "We have a $2 million payroll and hire 500-600 students a year."
Penrod said construction on the Chart Room was a "project gone bad" and by Oct. 1 the contractors should be out, turning over the space to the school. He said new bathrooms will then be constructed.
Penrod also mentioned plans to build another Starbucks, which will be located in the dining plaza and the possibility of a Second Street retail shop providing the community access to apparel and other university specific merchandise.
"It's way out there, but I think it's coming," Penrod said. "We're working with real estate owners and trying to come to an agreement. It may happen in six months, a year or two years, it depends on finding a landlord."

ASI Senate stalled on parking plague

Published in the CSULB Daily 49er Thursday, Sept. 13.

The woes of campus parking plague those brave enough to attempt it, but the Associated Students, Inc. Senate was made more aware that the challenge continues into the night and is, according to some students who spoke up at Wednesday's meeting, a safety issue.
At the beginning of Wednesday's Senate meeting, political science and economics double-major Christopher Chavez gave a passionate speech urging the Senate to create some resolution within the near future that could aid students by extending the hours of the campus shuttle services.
"We're all aware of the situation with parking, and due to my classes starting rather late, I have to park in the Marina parking lot," Chavez said. "That's acceptable. However, there's a slight problem with the fact that everyday I usually get out of school at 9:15 p.m. - four hours after the shuttle drop-offs are done."
The 20-year-old said he's forced to take a bus, bum a ride from a friend or walk to his car, which is located at Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway, because the shuttle's last drop-off is at 5 p.m.
"Not only is that an inconvenience, but it's also a safety concern," Chavez said. "I don't really think the shuttle should run late for me. But for other students, maybe the shuttle could extend its hours to at least 7:30 p.m."
No immediate comments were made from any of the senators in response to Chavez's concerns.
Mike Hostetler, associate vice president for Student Services, said, "I personally wouldn't want to walk all that way."
Hostetler also said the campus, although waiting for a final number, has overshot its goal by possibly reaching a population of 37,000 students this semester.
"If the walkways seem more crowded and there are less seats in your classroom, you're right," Hostetler said. "When this happens at a university, I think we need to hear stories like [Chavez's] and respond. I admire what [Chavez] said."
Senior English education major Marisol Diaz said safety should be a priority on campus and students shouldn't have to pay for it.
"I always take classes at night and I believe safety is an issue," Diaz said. "I think it would be great if the shuttle operated later."
After the meeting, in response to the student pleas, ASI Senate Chairwoman Lucy Montano said, "My next step with this issue would be to contact the director of Parking and Transportation to receive an update and see what's going on and find out why parking is so hectic."
Along with the parking issue, Hostetler also announced he is searching for help in understanding the student representatives' view regarding academic technology on campus. He said that the university has not "ridden the wave of technology," but is trying to catch up.
"The university will work hard this year on developing a strategic plan concerning technology," Hostetler said. "A very small group has been selected to start meeting and talking about the plan."
The meeting also dealt with appointing Sen. Ruben Cordova to the chair senate audit committee and Shanna Tyson as academic senator, although she was not in attendance Wednesday.
Montano said she thinks the students who want to be involved with ASI are serious, but sometimes they have restricted time schedules.
"Maybe we don't enforce showing up at the meetings enough, but they usually have good reasons," Montano said. "Sometimes I worry though."

Student senate rings in new school year

Published in the CSULB Daily 49er September 6, 2007.

The Associated Students, Inc. Senate kicked off the school year with an address from Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander and several new appointments at its first meeting Wednesday.
After Alexander delivered the invocation, he said, "It's wonderful to see you and feel the energy of the campus - it comes to life over night. There's something about the fall on a college campus, especially our campus. It rejuvenates everybody - our faculty, our staff, the alumni and the new people coming to our campus. Good luck this year and I look forward to working with all of you."
For new Senate Chairwoman Lucy Montano, the experience was nerve-wracking.
"I'm just glad everyone showed up," the liberal studies major said. "All of my senators support me and realize this is my first time."
The meeting focused on confirming new positions including the secretary for campus diversity relations in which Stephen Abanise took control.
"I was born in Ife, Nigeria, and I came to the States when I was six years old and two years after my parents arrived," Abanise said. "I want to promote diversity and create dialogue between students."
Abanise, a communications major, first attended Cal State Fullerton, but later decided to transfer to CSULB.
The Senate appointed Jeffrey Tuck as the government recruitment and training officer.
"I've held this position before and I know there's a lot of room for improvement," Tuck said. "It seems like people are excited at the beginning of the meetings and then they lose interest."
Tuck also said meetings should get to the point and stay short enough to keep people interested.
"Beach team members need to get involved more," he said.
Two representatives for the Board of Control were also appointed. Sen. John Alfonso and Sen. John Blowers received the position, with Alfonso receiving the most votes and earning him the chairman pro-tempore position.
Confirmed by the Senate for the chief of staff position, James Davis will lead the ASI president's cabinet.
"I've been an active student since 2001," Davis said. "This is a great opportunity. This position is new to me, but I can see myself filling this position."
First on Davis' agenda is a revitalization of the president's cabinet.
"I also want to get involved in city affairs and academic affairs and technology," Davis said.
Some senators said they were upset that he left his previous position as senator for the College of Engineering to try something else, but Davis seemed fully supported.
Senator from the College of Engineering Alexandra Cortez said, "I feel that my college will be underrepresented now that (Davis) resigned from his position."
College of Liberal Arts Sen. Raul Preciado said, "I didn't really like how he moved from senator to this new position, but if anyone can do it (Davis) is the person."
Senator-at-Large Erin Swetland said, "This position requires a lot of time and although I'm disappointed in another vacant seat, I know (Davis) is qualified and I know he'll do a good job."
Alissa Menhadji was appointed secretary of city affairs. Avis Atkins is the new student orientation commissioner and Jasmine Winfield was appointed for the sports and spirits commissioner.
University representative Jeane Caveness announced a change in Regulation 9, Section C regarding non-commercial solicitation.
"Although people are allowed to come on campus to express their views, the change involves the area in which they do it," Caveness said.
"The people may not stand within 50 feet of any university building where instruction or other activities are present."