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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
SYRIA INTERVENTION Obama makes a smart move in going to Congress first OPINIONS, PAGE 4
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Vol. LIX, Issue 624
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ Journey tribute band finishes 100 Days of Summer series DIVERSIONS, PAGE 6
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Tuesday, September 3, 2013
ASI Scholarship Program changes direction, deadline The new essay prompt for ASI scholarships focuses on student challenges and how students overcome their obstacles.
By Kealie Mardell Contributing Writer
The year-old Associated Students Inc. Scholarship Program is seeing changes this year, including a shift in deadline and target audience. According to the scholarship application, the ASI Scholarship Program
seeks to provide $25,000 of financial support in awards of $1,000 to 25 qualifying students. In the past, the application focused on the theme of student engagement on campus or in the community, accord-
ing to ASI Treasurer Agatha Gucyski. It required applicants to submit an essay describing their responsibilities while in college, including involvement in student organizations, internships, research, employment or com-
munity outreach. This year, however, the application also targets students with financial need, according to Gucyski.
See ASI, Page 3
Todd Johnson | Daily 49er
From The Beach to the Greeks
The Mikra Asteria and Nea Ellas dance groups perform a Greek folk dance during the Long Beach Greek Festival at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday. Cars filled Parking Structure 3 on campus over Labor Day weekend as shuttle busses waited to transport attendees to the three-day cultural festival, which hosted jewelry merchants, food vendors and dance lessons by traditional Greek performance groups.
Washington Monthly: CSULB gives students 6th best bang for their buck CSULB ranks higher than 343 other colleges and universities on the magazine’s list. By Anita Wang Contributing Writer
Cal State Long Beach is ranked sixth in the nation for giving students the best bang for their buck, according to Washington Monthly. The new “Best Bang for the Buck” list by Washington Monthly, a non-profit magazine covering U.S. government and
politics, ranked colleges and universities across the country based on their ability to provide low-income students with valuable degrees at affordable prices. CSULB Interim President Donald Para said he was pleased with the national recognition the campus was awarded for its ability to provide education at a low cost. “[The campus] aspires to excellence, and our mission is to graduate students
See Ranking, Page 2
CSULB alumnus looks to bring conservative view to city council “Bring Back 49er Football” mastermind Jason Aula also seeks to renovate the Long Beach Arena. By Donn Gruta Assistant City Editor
Alumnus Jason Aula has leaped into the race for Long Beach’s First City Council District, and he’s no stranger to campaigning in Long Beach. While at Cal State Long Beach, the former business finance major ran for Associated Students Inc. vice president in 2008 and ASI treasurer
in 2010. He was also president of the Long Beach State College Republicans, previously called the Conservative Student Union. He left CSULB in spring 2011. In running for the April election, the 28-year-old said he plans to bring a different approach to the council. “I think the city hall just needs to be refreshed with some conservative business ideology,” Aula said. “I think that could change a lot of things. I’m not saying I’m going on a witch-hunt … I just want to redirect.” Since leaving CSULB, Aula re-
cently became the executive director of Long Beach’s chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which aims to legalize responsible marijuana use by shifting public opinion, according to its website. He has also written and drafted the Long Beach Patients’ Access Act of 2013, a ballot measure proposal that aims to reform policies on medical marijuana use in the city. Aula said that while his work with
See Aula, Page 2