Fighting against the CSU budget cuts

Even though the Senate is not capable of directly affecting the upcoming budget cuts, its intention is to urge higher legislation to make higher education a top priority.

Senators unanimously passed a resolution that encourages students, faculty and community members of the CSU system to oppose the budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year.

The recent budget cuts may result in fewer class sections, increased class sizes, and a 10 percent increase in student fees.

Before ending the final meeting of the semester, senators spoke briefly about how to improve the Senate for the upcoming semester. Two areas they all seemed to agree on were: unifying the senators efforts and becoming more actively involved. ASI executive director, Richard Haller, complimented the Senate on their work semester.

Finally they passed it!

After six weeks of discussion and debate the ASI Senate came to a unanimous decison to pass the Textbook Rental Program and the Campus Safety Initiative.

Assuming the 49er Shops, Inc. outline and organize the program by the spring 2009 semester, CSULB students will be able to rent textbooks for 40 percent of the original cost. Not all textbooks will qualify for rental, professors are required to adopt the same textbook for a minimum of four consecutive semesters in order for the textbook to be eligible.

The unanimous approval of the Campus Safety Initiative requires an annual "Night Walk" where ASI walks through the campus to find any potentially dangerous areas on campus which can be improved. This semester's night walk will happen after Dec. 1, however for upcoming semesters it is required that the walk be done before Dec. 1.

This initiative will also secure additional lighting along Atherton Street, as well as talking into consideration any input on campus safety the students have to share.

Where does all our money go?

• 32.3% Publisher's Production Costs (paper, printing, ancillary materials, and editorial costs)
• 15.3% Publisher's Marketing Costs
• 11.6% Author Income
• 11.2% Campus Store staff (salaries), and personnel costs relating to: ordering, receiving, pricing, shelving, customer service, refunds, etc.
• 10.0% Publisher's Administrative Costs (including taxes)

• 7.0% Publisher's Income (after tax)
• 6.5% Campus Store Income (pre-tax)
• 4.8% Campus Store insurance, utilities, building/equipment, rent & miscellaneous overhead
• 1.3% Freight

http://web2.concordia.ca/Bookstore/textbooks.shtml

Leaving the ASI Senate behind

While the ASI Senate postpones the Textbook Rental Program again, the campus bookstore and University Library push forward with implementing the program.

The flyer above was given out to CSULB professors last week inviting them to "adopt the same textbook for four consecutive semester" and save students 60 percent of textbook costs.

Although the approval from the Senate is the "politically correct" thing to do, ASI Vice President Chris Chavez explains, it is not required before putting the program into action. Next Wednesday's meeting maybe bring a final vote on the program from the Senate.

The Clean Beach Initiative was passed by the Senate on Wednesday. As a result the university will be required to abide by a number of new policies. The most important of which requires that all future construction meet, at minimum, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification.

A committee will be formed to draw up new environmental policies and present them at future ASI Senate meetings.

The not so clear majority

The Associated Students, Inc. Senate cast a 15 to 2 vote against the not so clear bylaw amendment entitled the "Clear Majority Act."

After weeks of debate, revision and confusion the ASI Senate finally voted at Wednesday's meeting not to pass the amendment that would have redefined what the clear majority of the Senate was. Since the issue was layed to rest the clear majority is still defined as two-thirds of the entire Senate, or 14 solid votes.

Sen. Thuy Tran and Sen. Amanda Thyden both expressed concerns of misrepresentation of the student body if the bylaw amendment was approved.

Other senators did not vote in favor of the amendment because of the confusion which had been surrounding the issue. Sen. Ruben Cordova argued in favor of amending the current bylaw, however believed that this particular amendment was not clear enough to be put into action. Cordova ultimately ended up voting against the approval of the bylaw amendment.

When the discussion came to an end, the two votes in favor of approval were from Sen. Everett Bryan, who wrote the "Clear Majority Act," and ASI Vice President Christopher Chavez.

One step closer

Senators completed the first draft of the Resolution to Support Textbook Rental Program and presented it at Wednesday's ASI Senate meeting.

With the proposal the approve the Textbook Rental Program written and ready for review, it is only a matter of time before the Senate reaches a decision. If approved in time, CSULB students could be saving hundreds of dollars on textbooks next semester.

ASI Vice President Christopher Chavez pushed once again to lower the proposed 40 percent fee to a more reasonable 30 percent to 35 percent charge. Chavez also asked senators to speak with fellow students to get feedback on the program.

Wednesday's reading was a first reading of the resolution to present the resolution and welcome the Senates opinion. Upcoming meetings will entail more debate and eventually a vote on the program.

No other choice.

Attendance, or lack-there-of, left ASI Senators with one option at Wednesday's meeting. Postpone discussion of all matters at hand.
With nearly one-third of the senate unable to attend the meeting, the majority opted to wait for higher attendance to vote or further discuss topics on their agenda. This was done in hopes that the senate as a whole would best represent the student population.

Senate finishes up with 2007-2008

The passing of three new amendments at this weeks ASI Senate meeting brought an end to the 2007-2008 business which had spilled over into this academic year. 

The previously debated Clear Majority Act was approved this week by the AS Judiciary, allowing the senate to cast a final vote on the amendment. Using the old Clear Majority Act one last time to vote this amendment into action, the senate unanimously voted in favor of the change. 

The other two amendments overlapping from last years academic year were the Amendment to Senate and the Amendment to Subsidiary Board. Senators explained that passing both of these amendments would help prevent conflicts of interest from arising between ASI, the USU Board of Trustees and the senate. 

Senate again chose to postpone discussion on the Textbook Rental Program, leaving student waiting at least one more week before a decision is reached. 

Is the Clear Majority really representing CSULB's majority?

Wednesday's ASI Senate Meeting focused, in large part, around a potential new bylaw amendment entitled the Clear Majority Act, which could lead to the misrepresentation of the CSULB student body.

The bylaw amendment would redefine what was considered a two-thirds vote in the ASI Senate. In order for an amendment to be put into effect right now it requires a two-thirds vote of the entire, 20 member senate. In other words, a solid 14 votes is required to pass an amendment. If changed, the senate would require a two-thirds vote of the sworn in members of the senate.

This change was proposed weeks ago when senate members were discussing the challenge of receiving all 14 votes required to pass an amendment when there are only 15 sworn in senators. In this particular situation an almost unanimous vote would have to be cast to pass the amendment at hand.

As with every meeting, concerned senators spoke out in order to ensure that the senate had the students best interest in mind. Sen. Amanda Thyden voiced her opinion the fellow senators. She worried that lowering the already low 14 votes required for the senate to pass an amendment could lead to further misrepresentation of the CSULB student body as a whole.

Deciding to give the proposed amendment more thought before coming to a decision, the ASI Senate approved the second reading and passed the amendment along to the ASI Judiciary for further scrutiny.

We Could be Renting Our Textbooks Soon..

ASI continues to debate the proposed Textbook Rental Program which could potentially save CSULB students hundreds of dollars a semester. Last Wednesday's ASI Senate meeting was buzzing with talk of a potential new program where students would rent the textbook for 40 percent of the original cost.
The program is already in effect at CSU campus' across southern California, including Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State University. These campus' charge students between 25 percent and 35 percent for their rental program. Charging 40 percent seemed to pose an issue amongst the senate, claiming 40 percent may be too steep.
Another concern brought forth by ASI Senator Thuy Tran was the possiblity for the rental program to increase to university's deficite which is already between $5 million and $6 million. ASI Vice President Christopher Chavez quickly explained to the senate that the 49er Shops would be behind the funding for the program, leaving the university's funds untouched.
Chavez contacted San Diego State Senate to see if they're program was running smoothly. There had been no complaints from students, staff or faculty thus far. After the senate meeting came to a close I took a minute to ask Chavez why the Senate seems to be taking their time before coming to a decision on the program, Chavez said this was an issue the senate wanted to consider from all angles before coming to a decision.
This Wednesday could hold the long awaited decision.
Full story at:
http://www.daily49er.com/news/textbook_rental_program_still_in_air

Senate sets goals for 2008-2009 legislative year

Upon meeting Christopher Chavez, acting Vice President & President, Associated Students Board of Directors, I recieved a copy of The Policy Agenda and Legislative Initiatives for the 2008-2009 Senate of the Associated Students.
ASI President Erin Swetland approved this agenda on Sept. 24th, 2008 to be put into effect for the 2008-2009 school year. The approach ASI takes to achieve these goals will affect students, teachers and faculty alike. The goals include but are not limited to:

• Improve campus safety
• Designate smoking areas on campus
• Improve quality of acedemic advising and make it more accesible
• Urge local and state leaders to not cut higher education expenditures as a solution to the budget woes of California

'Sometimes there IS such a thing as a free ride'

CSULB and Long Beach Transit extended their partnership to 365 days a year after the undeniable success of this months trial of the U-PASS Program.
The extension allows CSULB students, faculty and staff to ride Long Beach Transit buses and the Passport Shuttle anytime with a swipe of a Long Beach State I.D. card. With over 30 stops all over the community U-PASS should ease the parking problem on campus.
U-PASS did more then save students from the morning-headache which came with parking; it saves students money and benefits our environment. With the increase of ridership going up nearly 10 percent, U-PASS is helping to reduce global warming.
You can plan your route and find out more information by visiting www.lbtransit.com.

What Goes on Behind Closed Doors?

CSULB's weekly Associated Students, Inc. Senate meeting are held every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30 in the University Student Union. Unlike other blogs I'm not looking to give you a recap of what was discussed, instead I will be giving student insight on the issues that ASI will be making decisions on.
ASI deals with a wide array of on campus organizations which could directly affect you. I will be attending the ASI Senate meetings in order to report back to you with potential new changes and how these decisions could be effecting you.
I intend to keep my readers on top of what is going on behind the doors of the ASI Senate meetings, as well as acting as an outlet for the CSULB student body to be heard.