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.