UT
NIVERSITY IMES
February 6, 2017
www.csulauniversitytimes.com
C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y, L O S A N G E L E S
Issue 214.03
Immigration Reform Targets the Vulnerable Trump’s executive order affects many on Cal State LA campus Ani Nalbandian Staff Reporter President Trump has kicked off his term with sweeping immigration reform. On Jan. 27, President Trump signed an executive order, banning the citizens of seven majority Muslim countries from traveling to the U.S. for 90 days. He has also banned refugees from entering for 120 days, and indefinitely banned Syrian refugees. The seven countries included are Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. This ban includes green card holders as well as visa approved travelers. Trump also reduced the number of refugees who
will be admitted this year to 50,000 – specifically prioritizing those refugees who are a religious minority fleeing persecution.
“We are monitoring all executive orders and assessing their impact on our community. The well-being and safety of our students, including our Dreamers, is of the utmost concern. Cal State LA does not support measures that undermine the values of our community. We pride ourselves in our unity and diversity,” said William Covino, University President. Federal judges from across the country immediately issued stays on the ban, ordering the release of green card holders and visa holders stuck at American airports. On Feb. 3, U.S. District Judge James Robart ruled against (Continued to Page 2)
Students Rally as Trustees Consider Tuition Hike Potential tuition hike has students concerned Anthony Karambelas Staff Reporter Last Tuesday, over 30 students, faculty and staff from colleges across the California State University (CSU) system gathered at the Office of the Chancellor in Long Beach to protest the proposed tuition increase. At the Board of Trustees meeting, they gathered with signs reflecting their anxieties about the proposed tuition increase. Currently, the Board of Trustees estimates that CSU requires an investment of $346 million to remain in proper working order. However, they predict that the Governor is only willing to allocate $157.2 million. With a $168.8 million funding gap, the Board has been looking for alternative ways to fulfill CSU’s needs. In 2011, the CSU system ordered for a similar tuition
increase, which was designed to effectively avoid any further raises for five years. Now that those five years have elapsed, students face a new and problematic financial concern. Though President Covino attended the meeting, he has remained silent on the issue at hand. Chancellor White, on the other hand, has remained steadfast in his support for tuition increase. He authored the resolution, which brought tuition increase to the forefront of discussion among trustees. White believes that his duties as Chancellor make him responsible not only for current CSU students, but also future ones. Although increasing tuition rates by 5%--as White proposed--wouldn’t solve the budget issue altogether, it would generate a sizeable $77.5 million. These funds could be devoted to the 2025 graduation initiative program, a Board priority designed to increase the graduation rate from a concerning 19% to 40%. Other benefits include a 70% six-year graduation
POLITICS Page 2 -"Trump Sparks Airport Protests"
Instagram @Giannnita Students protesting against the CSU Tuition increase outside the Office of the Chancellor
rate and shortened time for transfers. Many students have voiced skeptical attitudes toward the efficacy of the program. There is little to no factual proof that the graduation initiative will actually work.
I appreciate the ambition and everything that went into that plan, but it’s not really guaranteed that it’s going to work out. We don’t know if students are going to graduate that one or two semesters early,” said Marcos Montes, ASI Vice President of External Affairs.
“Whether it’s going to happen, we don’t know.
Regardless of whether it actually works
NEWS
out, the money needed for the initiative still presents a major challenge. Many students fear that the remaining budget deficit will result in cuts at their expense. “They’re going to cut services and programs that support students. The graduation initiative already will be counterproductive, (Continued to Page 7)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 4 --
"Cal State Alum wants a seat in the House"
Page 11 --
"Once Upon a Reconfigured Sound Space"