Students learn how to get involved at the ASI Open House event that was held on March 16. Photo by Ashley Luu/Daily Titan Staff Writer

The Associated Students Inc. Open House offered opportunities for students to get involved on campus by joining a committee, making their voices heard and meeting current leaders at the Titan Student Union Tuesday.

Students participated in the event by talking to various members involved with the Titan Tusk Force, Lobby Corps, ASI Productions and the Association for Intercultural Awareness (AICA).

Andrew Lopez, ASI chief communications officer, said that the purpose of the event was to urge students to get involved in programs, along with elections for board positions and the TSU governing board.

“This (event) is something we want to continue doing. We definitely like the fact that we’re getting out there and being as transparent as possible, showcasing the student leadership opportunities,” Lopez said.

Mark Hizon, administrative chair for AICA, said the event included everything that ASI encompassed, and offered information for students to get involved.

“We have great leadership opportunities that are all run by students, so this is a great opportunity for them to get involved and learn how to set those foundations when they get into the fall semester,” Hizon said.

Hizon said that AICA focuses on celebrating culture and is a program housed by ASI, rather than another college.

“It was through one of these events that I learned about it (AICA) and I got kind of sucked in. I said, ‘You know what? This is what I want to do for the rest of my college career,’” Hizon said.

At the TSU booth, graduate student Daniell Whittington said that jobs from the marketing department, executive services and titan bowl are being offered.

“(Jobs) allow students not only to work on campus, but to be a part of the Cal State Fullerton community,” Whittington said.

A job post displayed an opening for a graphic designer, services assistant, webmaster, desk attendant, recreation attendant, a Lindy-hop and Jitterbug instructor and a West Coast swing dance instructor.

Theatre major Lauren Kidwell, 21, said that she found out about the event through a friend, and was interested in learning about what was offered.

“There were good incentives and they (ASI/TSU members) were inviting. I think it’s good for freshman to know what goes on campus,” Kidwell said.

Since the turnout was not large, Kidwell said that events should be publicized in the Quad because people tend to flock to booths more.

Lopez said that he wants the open house and other events to take place in the Quad so more students can notice.

“Keep an eye out. As long as they’re (students) paying attention to all the marketing that’s going out there to highlight events, then they should be aware,” Lopez added.

Hizon said that any form of promotion helps because the opportunities offered at CSUF and ASI are a positive thing.

“They (students) have those leadership positions and can continue to grow in this organization (ASI) and as a part of this student government here at CSUF,” Hizon added.

For event information or interests in becoming an ASI member, go to: Asi.fullerton.edu/

Students at the Irvine campus partake in the free pizza that was offered to them at the Pizza with the Dean event held on March 16. Photo by Alison Munson/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Four large pizzas and three 12-pack sodas lined a long brown table in the Cal State Fullerton Irvine campus’s Titan Student Union at 5:30 p.m. The air-conditioned room was calm; students studied independently, some cramming for a quiz while others browsed the Internet on one of the 10 computers that lined the walls.

It was the kind of quiet that settles right before a storm. At 5:45 p.m. a pack of hungry students wiped out the buffet of pizzas and in approximately 30 minutes; only two pieces remained of the 11 pizzas that were provided by the Associated Student’s Inc. for the Pizza with the Dean event held Tuesday.

“Student’s kind of come in groups,” Irvine Campus Dean Susan Cooper said with a laugh. “Usually the pizza will last until 6:30, but today it didn’t.”

Cooper set aside one hour of her time to participate in the Pizza with the Dean event to get to know the students that she represents. The program began running this year at the Irvine campus, she said.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to sit with students and actually hear what they have to say, give them an opportunity to ask me questions or issues that they have and talk to me about it,” she said.

The event was held as an open forum with Cooper sitting in a chair near enough to be seen but relaxed enough to avoid an authoritative presence. Students were able to grab a bite to eat, and on the way to satisfying their hunger, Cooper was there for friendly conversation.

“I just go down and I sit in one of the big chairs so it looks like I’m sitting in the Santa Chair,” she said. “They can just come in and shake my hand and sit down and talk … it’s just a time for people to say what’s on their mind.”

Most students that appeared for the event grabbed the food before hurrying off to class or their study groups. Cooper was pleased with the turnout and the content of her conversations. One of the goals for the event was to act as a meet-and greet, she said.

“I think the core value of it is for (the students) to see the dean visibly on the campus, to see the dean as a person,” Cooper said. “Students don’t usually meet the dean… It’s kind of a chance for them to talk to a person who can find something out for them or make a decision or give them an answer that they haven’t been able to get before if they’ve been wondering why something is the way it is.”

The informality of the Irvine campus creates a sense of trust and reliability, Cooper said.

Students like Nathaniel McRoberts, a 22-year-old junior accounting major at the Irvine campus, were unaware of the program but appreciative of its intentions.

“I don’t really do much in the way of events and stuff on the campus,” he said. “I think it’s good that she’s trying to get to know students at a more personal level. (If I were to talk to her) it would be just to talk.”

Other students recognized the goals and, though they didn’t speak with Cooper, felt the effects of the event.

“Now that I’ve seen her I know what she looks like. Before I would have had no idea who she was,” Allison Worthy, a 23-year-old junior communications major at the Irvine campus said. “It’s nice that she’s making herself more accessible to everybody.”

For students who go to the Irvine campus just to take care of business and who aren’t interested in traditional campus activities, administration still wants them to feel like they are welcome and that they belong, Cooper said.

“I’m happy to talk with them,” she added. “I want to know what their concerns are. We’re all about making this campus better for them.”

The Clothesline Project was started in 1990 in Cape Cod, Mass. to raise awareness of violenceagainst women. At Cal State Fullerton the project includes anyone affected by violence, stereotypes or hate. Photo by Brenna Phillips/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Associated Students Inc. and the Association for Intercultural Awareness (AICA) hosted a “Rally Against Hate” cookout March 11 to bring awareness and tolerance in their fight against hate.

“The event is mostly geared towards AICA and is held because of recent events that have happened on campus, like people hanging nooses up at school,” said Genevieve Eldred, the ASI supervisor of elections. “We are a community and we need people to get together.”

Students congregated at the Quad to get their free hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and drinks throughout the afternoon. There were also several booths set up by members of AICA where students were able to sign pledges on cards detailing what they would do to counter hate and learn about recent issues of hate on campus.

“There are a series of things we do for the ‘Rally Against Hate,’” said Mark Hizon, administrative chair of AICA. “It shows ASI’s commitment to the fight against hate.”

Students were allowed to write out any acts of hate that they have experienced on a white shirt as a part of the Clothesline Project, a program that began in 1990 in Cape Cod, Mass. to address the issue of violence against women.

However, at Cal State Fullerton the “Rally Against Hate” has expanded the Clothesline Project to include any person on campus who has been affected by violence, stereotypes or hate. The shirts that were collected were added to the existing ones and will continue to be hung throughout the semester at future ASI events.

“We are also giving away necklaces with one puzzle piece on them to remind students that they are pieces of the solution,” Hizon said.

Even though the main focus of the cookout was to educate students about instances of violence and hate, ASI also had a booth that encouraged students to get involved on campus by running for office in the upcoming ASI elections.

Members of ASI also encouraged students passing by to express their concerns about campus and school life by writing them on a large piece of parchment paper, which contained statements like:
“Classes are too packed.”
“I don’t pay not to go to class.”
“I miss having money.”
“Keep the guitar program.”

Members of ASI then take these comments and send them to the state legislature as an act of lobbying on behalf of the students.

“It is always good to raise awareness,” said Andreana Pettersen, a 26-year-old communicative disorders major. “Supporting these causes is always important especially if there are instances on campus that allude to hate and intolerance.”

The Titan Pride Center was created as a liason between students and various campus organizations. Photo by Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

Every year, students pay a portion of their tuition to Associate Students Inc. to fund projects that will, in theory, benefit the student body. A case in point is the recently constructed Titan Pride Center. This project was developed by several student leaders and is run by the Leader and Program Development department of ASI. The center opened in the Titan Student Union in early April of last year and has been trying to reach out to the student population that has overlooked ASI’s marketing efforts.

The center was initially proposed to be an informational center for student organizations, much like the Student Organization Resource Center in the TSU. Drew Wiley, the administrative coordinator of the TPC, explained: “Our vision for the center is to connect students to their college experience, by providing sort of an intermediary for how students can get involved.”

Wiley also went on to explain why SORC isn’t the same project.

“It’s a little bit too far out of their way,” he said. Wiley believes that putting the center out in the open, like the lobby of the TSU would help students become motivated to participate.

Those students that have visited the TPC have found attendants that have helped them learn about events, organizations and the Titan Reward Program. Such program offers students points for attending athletic games and later allowing them to redeem points for prizes at the TPC.

Melanie Woods, a freshman business major, is one of seven attendants employed as part of the project.

“This is my first job,” she said. “It’s been beneficial, it’s made me a lot more outgoing and has helped my self esteem because I’m very reserved.”

The TPC may have had a personal impact on Woods, but the center didn’t make an impression on all students.

Only one in 20 students asked knew what the TPC was and had visited the center.

“It wasn’t the best experience, and if it doesn’t affect me on a daily basis then it’s not worth it,” Marcus (who preferred not to give his last name) said, referring to the budget of $18,796, according to ASI Governing Board minutes, that was allotted to set up the TPC.

Many of the students polled were surprised to learn the approximate cost of the center.

TPC uses social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as passing out handbills in the Quad.

“It’s on its way. It’s been a fast year and a lot of our goals we’ve met,” Wiley said. “We are continuously striving to expand and really find the best ways to provide all of the services that we want to try and do through the center”.

Video by Ashley Wood

Students armed with posters in hand reading, “my education is not socially irrelevant,” “stop the Reed, we need to succeed,” and “we are not a big-box corporation,” gathered outside Humanities before 12 p.m. to set up for today’s protest concerning the lack of funding for higher education.

At noon, the protesters made their way around the quad chanting “You say cut back, we say fight back!” As the students marched down the Titan Walk and around campus, the crowd grew larger. Protesters encouraged students to stand up for their rights and join in as they made their way to the front of Langsdorf Hall.

Once there, the protesters lined up on the sidewalk and chanted “students united will not be divided” as cars went by and honked to show their support.

Academic Professionals of California (APC) and Cal State University Employee Union (CSEU) had tables set up with petitions for students to sign.

“We’re here to support education and let the governor know that people feel strongly about education,” said Jacqueline Otis, president of CSEU.

As the students marched back to campus and made their way into the TSU, they attempted to not interrupt those who were studying in the alumni lounge.

The protesters made their way to Humanities and started an open space for 10 minutes where students and faculty expressed their thoughts and opinions on the budget cuts. A mass of students gathered around to watch.

“They’re fighting for what they believe in, so I think it’s cool,” said Alex Galvan, 21, business administration major.

Faculty also joined in and expressed their sentiments. Steve Jobbitt, professor of modern European History said it was encouraging to see so many students.

“(Students) deserved an education and we deserve the opportunity to teach (students),” Jobbitt said.

As the protesters marched throughout campus, drummers joined in and played their drums to the beat of the students’ chants.

The protesters stopped in front of the education building where plans of a sit-in outside of President Gordon’s office were in talks.

ASI and students made 200 t-shirts Wednesday in preparation for silent protesting today, March 4. Photo by Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

Members of the Associated Students Inc. gathered at the Garden Cafe in the Titan Student Union last night in preparation for the “Mobilization for Education” protests that will be held statewide today.

ASI members and students garnished 200 plain white shirts with the motto “Reinvest in Higher Education” in black paint on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

“This is in preparation for tomorrow’s rally for higher education and hopefully we’re going to make into a larger campaign for the rest of the semester,” said Gregory Washington, ASI chief governmental officer.

ASI members, who prefer not to take a stance on the protest, are wearing the t-shirts as a form of peaceful protest and will pass them out to students on campus to get them more involved.

“ASI feels it is important to support the student body, so we are doing a silent protest to support them,” said Kathy Ting-Ting Yu, ASI chief administrative officer. “We do want to fight for higher education, but we are doing it by standing unified and doing it in a peaceful manner.”

Ting-Ting Yu said that the ASI will not be participating in any walkouts or protests.

“If you are fighting for education and value it, then why would you even think of walking out of classes? Just by wearing the shirts we will stand in solidarity,” she said.

Many faculty, staff and students will be attending the march in Los Angeles or staging walkouts, but ASI members feel the best way to show their support is to attend classes as usual.

“I respect their point of view,” said Rahima Schwenkbeck, 25, a graduate student of American studies. “But I want to raise awareness by attending my classes and hopefully make other students aware by being in class.”

Schwenkbeck, who heard about the preparation for the campaign through the school e-mail, said that she was making a t-shirt that she plans to wear to class and to the protest that she will participate in, in Los Angeles.

Washington feels that it is important to maintain the idea behind “Reinvestment in Higher Education” as part of ASI’s mission and have the message extend beyond just the March 4 protests.

“I want this to be a statewide rallying cry for the rest of the year,” said Gregory. “A lot of people are affected when budgets are cut, so I think it is fitting to adopt this on a statewide level.”

Alan Emery (Right), assistant professor of sociology, and Valerie O'Regan (Left), professor of political science, speak at a panel discussion about cultural diversity in the Unite States. Photo by Charles Purnell/Daily Titan Staff Writer

The Associated Students Inc. Association for Intercultural Awareness presented a discussion entitled Multi-Cultural Landscape on Tuesday in Pavilion B at the Titan Student Union. The event featured professors from different fields of study who spoke about the relevance of multiculturalism.

The panel of speakers included John McDermott, professor of anthropology and human services; Dr. Valerie O’Regan, professor of political science; Dr. Alan Emery, professor of political sociology and Dr. Trisha Gabany-Guerrero, assistant professor of anthropology.

Mark Hizon, 19, a director at AICA, said that the decision to hold a panel on multiculturalism was to make Cal State Fullerton students aware of the importance of accepting and interacting with different cultures.

“AICA has always focused on celebrating different cultures, but sometimes we have to take a step back and have more discussion on how to interact and preserve individual culture,” Hizon said.

Several student organizations, including the Cambodian Student Association, The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, The India International Club and the Association of Chinese Students, were also present at the discussion and provided attendees with information about their cultures while members of AICA handed out free pizza and drinks.

During the discussion, O’Regan emphasized the importance of understanding that the notion of the United States as a melting pot was outdated. “In terms of multiculturalism, the U.S is more like a tossed salad and there has to be an account of different cultures and an understanding of how they make up the U.S culture,” O’Regan said.

O’Regan also said that panels such as these are very crucial to creating awareness among students at CSUF, but getting the word out is not that easy. “It is really important to teach students about other cultures; to understand each other, not judge each other,” O’Regan said.

Professor John McDermott said that it is difficult for a society to come to an agreement on how to embrace other cultures because of the linguistic, geographical and economic divisions that are placed on people.

“The whole idea of grouping and segregating people comes from colonial European dominance; that’s what the country was founded on, and remnants are still around today. That is the problem with multiculturalism,” McDermott said.

Lorena Lopez, 21, a human services major, said that she was attending the discussion in order to learn what people were saying on the issue of multiculturalism. Lopez said that she had taken a human services class that opened her eyes to the inequalities in society. “This is important personally because I have to realize I am not the only one. I have to be aware of people around me,” Lopez added.

Brenda Lopez, 19, event coordinator at AICA, said that even though CSUF is such a diverse campus, most students are not willing to learn more about or interact with cultures different than their own. A majority of students do not think it matters or are afraid of being judged; this prevents them from understanding what multiculturalism deals with and how different cultures can interact with each other, Lopez said.

“It is important to interact because then, instead of thinking that we are better than each other, we would be more tolerant and respectful and the idea of cultural myopia would not exist.”

Moostache rocked out at the Becker Amphitheatre for another one of Associated Students Inc. Productions’ Wednesday Concerts, performing in front of a crowd of significant size.

Despite the difficult weather, Moostache managed to put on a free show that had some crowd members moving their feet and clapping their hands to the rhythm. Students strolling by took a break from the commotion of getting to class to enjoy a few seconds of the performance.

“Turned out to be a really great show,” said Francis Szykowski ASI Productions concert coordinator. “(We) had about a little over 200 people over for it.”

The band incorporated bass, electric guitar, keyboards, drums and a tambourine. The string instruments often engaged in distinctive solos throughout their songs.

Moostache is based in Huntington Beach and is composed of the three Wardell brothers: Patrick on vocals and guitar, Brian on drums, Sean playing and bass and rounding up the lineup is their friend Scott Zschomler on guitar and keyboard.

“They are from my hometown, and I’ve seen signs for them around local places,” said Katie Holland co-coordinator of the concert, explaining why the band played.

The band’s sound is quite unique and resembles Modest Mouse with a very soft melodic instruments and similar vocal style. They integrated jazz elements to their sound with simple scat singing and a walking rhythm bass.

As for their peculiar name, the band has some disagreement over the name Moostache, but they have an overall consensus as a memorable name for the followers of the band.

“We just kind of made it up in eighth grade,” Patrick said.

The group blended various distinct genres of music create a sound of their own. They mesh blues, classical rock, funk and folk to create their own indie sound.

They credit their influences to bands like Wilco, Led Zeppelin, Bootsy Collins and the Kinks.

According to Patrick, the band uses a song writing style that is “always changing.” He creates the melody and the band gets together to play it.

“It usually starts out on like electric guitar or piano and then we bring it together,” Sean said.

Moostache started their performance with an opening tune titled “Au Revoir,” a song that features style.

Fans were treated to their newly-released single “Thrills” that was fresh on their set-list.

Moostache played a cover version of The Beatles’ classic tune “I’ll Never Dance with Another,” a song that provided a change of pace for the crowd.

The band displayed their versatility by playing Sean’s personal favorite song “High Walled Fortress.” This song took a funky approach with heavy rhythmic bass.

The band plans to record another in album to release this summer.

ASI governmental officer Greg Washington speaks with a student from CSUF's Irvine campus during the meet-and-greet. Photo by Alison Munson/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Laughter rang in the Irvine Campus courtyard during the Associated Students Inc. meet-and-greet event Tuesday.

ASI came prepared with roast beef, ham and turkey deli-sandwiches to pass out buffet-style with sides of egg-salad and buckets filled with varieties of soda and bottled water on ice – enough for 150 students.

Also present was an ASI information booth, equipped with an informational poster about ASI, Cal State Fullerton’s student government and student gear such as lanyards and t-shirts.

“ASI is for Cal State Fullerton,” Andrew Lopez, 21, fourth year communications major and chief communications officer for ASI said. “Since our offices are located at Cal State Fullerton campus, it’s nice to come out here at least once a semester and just try to outreach as much as possible.”

As an attempt to promote campus unity, ASI holds events at the Irvine Campus twice a year: a fall block party and a spring meet-and-greet.

ASI represents both the Fullerton and Irvine campuses and worked with the Irvine campus student affairs office to pull the event together. The event was held for ASI representatives to create awareness about scholarship and leadership opportunities that Irvine campus students may not know are available to them, Lopez said.

“They can meet their student leaders,” Lopez said. “And we want them to know that everything that student’s get involved in at the Fullerton campus, they can get involved in at the Irvine campus.”

The event was a surprise to a few students, Miranda Charlnoes, 21, third-year criminal justice major said, adding that the satellite campus does not see many activities.

“There’s so many more people there (at the Fullerton Campus),” Charlnoes said. “Here, there’s not anything.”

The event spurred hopes that the Irvine campus would receive more attention from the CSUF Student population, Charlnoes said.

“Not many people know it’s here,” Justin Brown, 19, second year criminal justice major said. “When I first saw it I thought it was really small, but it’s a lot bigger once you look around.”

The atmosphere of the Irvine campus is relaxed, Charlnoes and Brown agreed.

“It’s way more laid-back,” Brown said. “I’m not swimming through 30 people just to get to the store.”

Irvine campus’ size is one thing ASI is trying to overcome, Lopez said. Students that go to the campus should be able to have similar experiences that Fullerton campus students receive, he added.

“We’re trying to enhance their college experience,” Lopez explained.

The ultimate goal of the meet-and-greet was to inform students that the opportunities are available to them and that they can get involved in the Fullerton campus, too, Lopez said.

“The food is just a way to bring them in and to find out more,” Lopez said.

Photo by Nick Marley/Daily Titan Photo Editor

The continued parking problem at Cal State Fullerton has some Placentia residents and businesses fuming.

Students wrestle with the decision to either disturb residences and business owners, or be late to class. Many find that a safe option is to park in Placentia residential neighborhoods and undesignated business parking lots.

The city of Placentia, along with a CSUF undergraduate student, are looking at solutions to help Fullerton students and Placentia residents come to a productive consensus. The result being a new student parking structure a mile off campus.

Nichole Zepeda, a senior cultural anthropology major, is conducting a survey to identify substitute parking options for CSUF students. Placentia plans to use the data from the survey to decide whether or not it should resume with the new structure plans.

Zepeda hopes to collect at least 100 responses to the survey concerning this new parking option. Results will be presented to both the city of Placentia and Associated Students Inc.

“I’m very passionate about this issue because I’m struggling with the parking issue myself,” Zepeda said. “I didn’t buy a parking pass this semester because it’s pointless. It’s too expensive and I park off campus anyway because there is absolutely no parking available when I get to school.”

Zepeda was approached by her professor, Dr. Tricia Gabany-Guerrero, assistant professor of anthropology, to head the project.

“Nichole was interested in an independent study project,” Gabany-Guerrero said. “I was teaching a class about applied anthropology last semester. The project focused on the town of Placentia and community development. Because Placentia is greatly affected by student parking, this issue was raised to me by the town manager and the project idea interested Nichole.”

Gabany-Guerrero believes that parking is a concern for not just students, but faculty, staff and the community, as well. Despite the scheduled completion of the Lot E structure in June, she does not expect the additional 1,000 plus parking spots to alleviate the dilemma.

“I think that parking will continue to be an issue for faculty, students and the community because of the projected growth at CSUF,” Gabany-Guerrero said.

Placentia residents hope that providing new amenities such as cheaper prices, a coffee stand, bike rack and shuttle service to and from campus will appeal to students, however some have already expressed their approval for the potential project.

Natalie Barbas, a graduate student in the credential program, says she would absolutely take advantage of the new parking option, since she carpools to school because she can’t afford the campus parking pass on her own.

“The parking pass is just way to expensive,” Barbas said. “My two friends and I park off campus and carpool to school because there’s no other way. If it’s cheaper to park in the structure than it is to park on campus, we would definitely take advantage of it.”

Zepeda hopes that by spreading the word, students like Mazandarani will be proactive and participate in the survey.

“Without this new structure, there is no other option,” Zepeda said. “Because of my student status, it’s been difficult to get interviews and general information from faculty and administration.”

Gabany-Guerrero’s confidence in the plan has inspired her to help Zepeda expand participation.

“I think that this type of project is ideal because the student is directly engaged in applied research about a problem that confronts the university and community on a daily basis,” Gabany-Guerrero said. “I have posted the survey under a research website under the department of anthropology. We are hopeful that the university will permit a university-wide announcement.”

Zepeda and Gabany-Guerrero encourage students to partake in the study. The survey can be found at anthro.fullerton.edu/parkingsurvey

Many students lined up to grab free hot dogs at the ASI Cookout in the University Quad on February 10, 2010. Photo by Lucio Villa/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Standing in a line longer than one to buy Scantrons during finals week is not a favorable situation for students, but substitute the Scantrons with a free meal and suddenly the line seems manageable.

Associated Student Inc. hosted its monthly cookout in the Quad on Wednesday. The cookout anticipated serving 500 people, and around 100 were lined up before the first hot dog was placed into a bun.

Music played as ASI Vice President Joe Lopez urged onlookers to enjoy the free lunch. Lopez further enticed his audience by mentioning that it was “your student fees at work.” Tables were set up so students could sit and enjoy the food provided to them with friends.

First-year student Susan Huynh, 18, was excited to take part in the cookout because she’s usually in class during the monthly event. When the blue tents pop up, she comes running, hoping to get some food of her own, but walks away empty handed.

Andrew Lopez, 21, ASI’s chief communications officer, believes the cookout is meant to reach the students.

“We try to recruit pretty much every day for people to join ASI and encourage them to get involved,” Lopez said while preparing a batch of hot dogs.

This free meal fits in with the theme of an advocacy tent set up by ASI, which makes an appearance at many other ASI functions. Advocacy tents are meant to inform students about voter registration and different problems facing students and the state. At the cookout it was an interactive tool where students could grab some markers and let their frustrations with low educational funding run wild.

Two large rolls of paper contained hundreds of short student grievances toward state budget cuts that affect California schools. One of the messages to Sacramento read, “Don’t cut education … stuff that really matters.” These student comments are to be sent to the governor’s office before his next budget proposal.

ASI’s Chief Governmental Officer Gregory Washington, 19, was in charge of the cookout’s advocacy tent. Washington said these actions are “similar to the ‘Truth’ campaign” against tobacco and provides a place where “student’s can voice their concerns.” Students also get to write a personal message to the state government on a whiteboard and take a picture with it to send to Sacramento.

Washington is hopeful that the project, started last semester, will make an impact.

Daily Titan Staff Writer

State Sen. Leland Yee. Courtesy of CSU

State Sen. Leland Yee, (D-San Francisco), reintroduced two bills Jan. 5 that will bring greater transparency to the state of California’s public higher-education institutions, require foundation records to be open to public inspection and will also seek to protect whistleblowers in the Cal State University/University of California systems.

According to a press release on the senator’s Web site, the first bill, SB 330, is a reintroduction of SB 218, and if approved, will require campus auxiliary organizations like Associated Students Inc. to be subject to the California Public Records Act, subsequently allowing for more accountability at UC, CSU and community college campuses.

The second bill, SB 650, is a reintroduction of SB 219, and will provide UC and CSU employees who report waste, fraud and abuse, with the same legal protections as other state employees.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed both bills SB 218 and SB 219 in October 2009.

“Subjecting the altruistic activities of private donors and volunteers to the CPRA will have a chilling effect on their support and service … it would also result in a loss of private donations and volunteer activities supporting California public institutions of higher education,” said Schwarzenegger in his veto message.

According to the senator’s Web site, the revised bill, SB 330, addressing the Governor’s veto message, “will exempt from disclosure the names of volunteers and donors who wish to remain anonymous provided they do not receive something of value greater than $500 in exchange for their donation or service.”

While Yee believes that the approval of SB 330 is “imperative in order to rid the University of California and the California State University of waste, fraud and abuse,” few students and faculty at CSUF say that it would make a big impact as they feel the system is accountable enough.

Amy Ramirez, a senior business administration major and Titan Student Union Governing Board Director of Public Relations says that the decisions reached during committee and board meetings are available to the public, and students are not only welcome to attend board meetings, but are also encouraged to ask questions.

“One of our goals is transparency, so it might not affect us much,” said Ramirez, speculating on the passing of SB 330.

Dr. Matthew Jarvis, assistant professor of political science says that he doesn’t quite understand the hullabaloo surrounding the passing of the bills.

“Nobody ever told what the big deal is and so I don’t quite follow it,” Jarvis said.

Jarvis said that, as far as the UCs are concerned, salaries have always been public. When it comes to the CSUs, Jarvis said there is not much alumni spending anyway and doesn’t understand why it’s such a big issue. “It’s small potatoes,” he said.

Chapter President of the California Faculty Association Dr. Mougo Nyaggah said that the public has a right to know what is in the auxiliaries.

Nyaggah also said that it is especially important at a time like this when students at universities are being affected by cuts in classes and faculty as a result of the budget crisis.

If SB 330 is passed, it will mean that campus auxiliaries will be open to the public, and Nyaggah says that when the books are open, it could mean more classes for students.

“The CFA believes in supporting students, and has always fought for more classes,” Nyaggah said.

Nyaggah said students need to know that the CFA has no animosity towards any administrations on campus when it supports bills like SB 330.

“All we need is transparency,” Nyaggah said.

ASI Chief Governmental Officer Gregory Washington said that if private donors are subject to the CPRA, it might affect students indirectly.

“This possibly might hurt students because donors could be discouraged from making a contribution,” Washington said.

Both bills were approved by the California Senate on Jan. 28 and will be put before Schwarzenegger again this year.

Daily Titan News Editor

In their first meeting of the year Tuesday, Jan. 26, the Associated Students Inc. Board of Directors refused to consider the Panhellenic Council’s proposed budget for inclusion in the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget process after Panhellenic missed the 5 p.m. submission deadline by 12 minutes.

Following the decision by Henoc Preciado, ASI Vice President of Finance, to deny consideration, a further appeal to the board by Panhellenic President Maritza Lozano was voted down 7-1. Three abstained due to Greek affiliations at the request of the board.

“It was requested that all Greeks abstain because (of) conflicts of interest, however, the other members who did vote – I believe it was a conflict of interest as well – because the groups that they are involved with were directly affected as well,” contested Lozano, a 20-year-old psychology junior. “One of the statements was, ‘If they don’t allot Panhellenic a budget this year, that their organization will receive extra money.’”

“I strongly believe that the decision was made fairly,” said Preciado.

Panhellenic is one of four greek life organizations on campus which also include the Interfraternity, NPHC Chapters and the Multicultural Greek Council. Six sororities, including Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Zeta, Sigma Kappa and Zeta Tau Alpha, fall directly under Panhellenic.

“It was definitely tense,” said ASI CEO, Juliana Santos. “It’s nothing personal. It’s strictly business and it was simply us being fair and adhering to our budget language and all of our policies and bylaws,” the 21-year-old child adolescent development major explained.

According to Rodrigo Calderon, a 26-year-old graphic design major, and College of the Arts representative on the Board of Directors, the request to be submitted by Panhellenic exceeded $31,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Panhellenic received a budget of $23,470 for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

“There was a lot of effort on ASI’s part to make sure Panhellenic would not miss the deadline and would supply an accurate budget that would qualify them to be part of our discussion,” said Calderon.

While not clear whether Panhellenic would have been included in the ASI budget process to the extent of their request, the denial will certainly affect them in the coming fiscal year.

“Panhellenic isn’t specifically to enhance Greek life; it’s also to enhance life across campus,” said Brittany Boat, fundraising chair for Zeta Tau Alpha and Panhellenic Vice President of Recruitment. “So I feel that if we don’t have a budget, or if we have no money at all it’s probably going hurt campus life overall because a lot of the activities and things that we do aren’t going happen,” the 21-year-old communications major explained.

“There’s going to be maybe some events that they might not be able to do or it might limit the time for the expenses that they’re going to have to make between events, but they’re going to be moving forward with this experience,” said Maricela Alvarado, Greek Life Staff Coordinator on campus. “It’s definitely a learning experience.”

Calderon said there are other avenues available to Panhellenic and they are well aware of them. There is a contingency fund available to organizations for which requests must be made upon an event-by-event basis to the ASI Finance Committee. And like any organization, Panhellenic is welcome to fundraise.

“We do fundraising, but when we fundraise it’s not for us, it’s for all the philanthropies that each sorority has,” said Boat. “And mostly Panhellenic fundraising goes to Camp Titan, so if have to fundraise for ourselves then that will away from Camp Titan. I think everything comes back to being detrimental to the school.”

The ASI Board of Directors meeting was the first of the year with many new members and only three returning veterans.

“By allowing the Panhellenic Council’s budget to be included even though it was there own fault for not turning it in on time, even after Henoc had gone to great lengths to try and help them out, it would just be opening Pandora’s box,” said Emel Shaikh, ASI Board of Directors Chair and 21-year-old public relations major.

“It was a meeting that basically started the semester off with a bang.”

CSUF's Student Recreation Center. Photo by Lauren McCann/Daily Titan Staff Writer

Cal State Fullerton students are encouraged to participate in the “Titan Fitness Challenge,” a 10-week on-campus competition this semester, as a way to promote a healthier lifestyle.

The challenge is sponsored by Titan Recreation, Associated Students Inc., ASI Productions, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services and CSUF Student Affairs.

ASI Productions Administration Director, Thomas Kocina, is extremely excited to see the challengers and encourages them to apply.

“Being a participant in this program is an incredible journey, free for students, and an absolutely fantastic resource for any student in need for a life change,” said Kocina.

Last year there were over 100 applicants for the challenge. This year, even more are expected to apply.

The competition will consist of 24 contestants who will be competing in six dimensions of physicality and nutrition. Throughout the challenge, CSUF trainers will be coaching and training students through personalized exercise programs.

Ryan Carpenter, one of the trainers, is eager for the second year of the challenge.

“Our program is set up for you to achieve. We will find a personal level for you to succeed. Like a backbone, we will be working as a group,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter believes in the importance of a healthy lifestyle and encourages students to take part in this semester’s challenge.

According to Carpenter, and backed by popular nutritional belief, The Pareto Principle observes the 80/20 rule. In relation to fitness, it means that a balanced and healthy nutrition regimen consists of 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent exercise for best results.

Health educator Darany Hoang will be providing nutritional consultations and basic information from the American Dietetic Associations and USDA MyPyramid to achieve dietary success for the competitors.

Contestants will attend 20-minute weekly weigh-in meetings, where they will have the opportunity to discuss their progress and challenges.

“The challenge is a time for each contestant to focus on empowering themselves with better habits and staying accountable to the supportive team from the Titan Fitness Challenge,” said Hoang.

Through the Student Health and Counseling Center, participants are required to get a pre-participation physical during the week of Feb. 15, which is also funded by the program.

“The previous group of contestants learned a great deal of skills in the gym, eating better and understanding the mental aspects of body image and food issues, and ultimately had a positive experience during this lifestyle change,” said Hoang.

Through the fitness challenge, not only will contestants be exposed to physical training and nutritional counseling, there are also Mind/Body Workshops provided by CAPS in SHCC. According to their Web site, CAPS strives to help students achieve their academic, professional and personal goals. CAPS is a confidential program that will be a part of the challenge, providing two interactive sessions that will address eating and body image issues related to weight loss.

ASI Productions will be awarding prizes to one female and one male in overall weight loss and nutrition on a weekly basis. ASI Productions will also be holding a half-way celebration and a grand finale dinner for the contestants where the overall top competitor will be awarded.

This year, ASI Productions has gone the extra mile and added a cooking class to the program for participants.

“On top of the nutritional tips, I feel if the students actually see nutritional cooking, how quick and easy it can be as well as delicious, they will be more willing and maybe even wanting to cook more having an excellent diet during the program,” said Kocina.

Kocina, Carpenter, Hoang and James Mayhard, another CSUF personal trainer, all encourage students to ask them questions if there is any hesitation to apply.

“My motivation is seeing the challengers smile,” said Mayhard.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and applications must be submitted to the Titan Student Union, Room 269 by 4 p.m. on Feb. 5.

For an application, visit the Titan Recreation Center, the Student Health Center or visit:
asi.fullerton.edu/src/ to download an application.

For the Daily Titan

Curtis Schlaufman. Photo courtesy of Cal State Fullerton

Former Cal State Fullerton ASI President Curtis Schlaufman resigned from the California State University Board of Trustees January 11.

In November, Cal State Fullerton’s own Curtis Schlaufman was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California State University Board of Trustees as one of only two student trustees.

In a phone call to the governor’s office on Jan. 11, just months after his appointment to the board, Schlaufman confirmed his decision to discontinue his higher education.

“I will no longer have the position because it is a student trustee position. You have to be a student, and since I no longer will be, I had to resign,” Schlaufman said.

The former trustee, 23, said his resignation from the board was not directly intended, but “an unfortunate consequence” of his choice to not continue his pursuit of a master’s degree.

The position, intended to last two years per term, is being abandoned after only two months.

Along with his bachelor’s degree in political science obtained in May 2009, Schlaufman’s five-year stay at CSUF earned him several distinguished titles within Associated Students Inc, including president, vice president, chair of Lobby Corps and director of governmental relations. Included on his lengthy list of student leadership positions, Schlaufman has also served on the California State Student Association’s Board of Directors for the entirety of his academic career.

“Hopefully people will remember me for everything I’ve done on campus over the past five years and not the past couple of weeks,” Schlaufman said.

Current ASI President Juliana Santos was on Schlaufman’s executive staff during his presidency in the 2008-2009 school year.

“The name Curtis Schlaufman is (recognizable) both on this campus and among the entire CSU community. Curtis gave me a lot of advice and guidance while he was President and CEO and he was a great trailblazer, which has helped to make my job easier,” Santos said.

Upon his graduation, Schlaufman decided to continue his education at CSUF as a graduate student in the Higher Education Leadership program, which aims to prepare future practitioners of student affairs to “support student learning and development,” according to the Department of Educational Leadership Web site.

After finishing his first semester in the program, he reevaluated his professional future.

“I’ve had a pretty long history here in student leadership and always loved what I did, loved the opportunities and people I worked with. I thought this translated to a career in student affairs. I did enjoy the semester, but I also learned a lot about myself after graduating, especially in a program that requires a lot of self-reflection. I learned what I want in life, what I want for myself and what I really want to achieve and I realized that my goals didn’t align with the program,” Schlaufman explained.

Now, Schlaufman says he would like to diversify his experience.

“All I’ve known in my adult life so far has been higher education. There is so much out there to explore in the world. I’d want different perspectives and a change of scenery. I want to follow my heart and try to achieve goals and get my dream job,” he said.

Schlaufman says that dream job is acting on the comedy sketch program Saturday Night Live.

“Some people might think it’s crazy, but people who really know me will understand. I enjoy entertaining people. Making people laugh is my passion,” he said.

As far as continuing his education in the future, Schlaufman has no plans for it, but doesn’t rule anything out.

“I have to do what will make me happiest both short and long-term, but I don’t know what is going to happen. You can’t plan life out because it doesn’t always turn out the way you expect it to,” he said.

The decision did not come without thoughtful consideration from Schlaufman.

“Being a disappointment was certainly a big thought on my mind. I thought about resigning for a few months, to be honest, and it’s been the toughest decision I’ve had to make in my life so far. I know a lot of people on campus were excited for me to be appointed. A lot of them were people who have seen me develop as a person since I was a freshman up until now. It was hard knowing I’m going to be disappointing a lot of people, but when I’ve gone to talk with them, they’ve all been extremely supportive. Having the support of professors in the program, administrators and other faculty I know has given me peace of mind that I did make the right decision,” Schlaufman said.

One of those supporters is Schlaufman’s former ASI executive staffer, ASI President Juli Santos.

“I am proud that Curtis was courageous enough to make such a difficult decision and I am not disappointed in him at all. I am actually more excited than anything because I know that whatever Curtis decides to do next, he is going to apply the same kind of passion that made him such a memorable leader for our campus and for the CSU,” she said.

Schlaufman said there were no conflicts between himself and the CSU or CSUF, but that the choice to move on was simply “a life choice to pursue other ambitions.”

Communications Assistant Dean Peggy Bockman refused to comment on Schlaufman’s resignation or her working relationship with him as her graduate student assistant when contacted by phone and email.

Director of Media Relations at CSU Clara Potes-Fellow said, “He made a personal decision to suspend his program at CSUF and the CSU wishes him well.”

Schlaufman said his replacement as student trustee should be someone with integrity, knowledge on the issues and a passion for higher education, not only in the CSU, but as a whole.

To all students, he said, “a word of advice: Always do what makes you happy no matter what anyone else thinks. If you don’t pursue your passion, it will come back and you will get that itch to do it.”