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."