Features
HITTING the BOOKS
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It s 12:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and only a few people roam the aisles filled with books and various types of technology at the CSULB University Bookstore. Though it was summer, there were still students on campus for summer sessions. Despite the smaller amount of people on campus, the bookstore was still open and available for students to turn to for all of their school needs, according to student employees, Rebecca Ruiz, Jason Fujii, and Rhory McConville. “Book sales don’t drop that much throughout the entire year, due to summer school classes,” Ruiz, 20, said. However, Fujii and McConville begged to differ. “Sales actually drop pretty dramatically during the winter and summer. There are some people who take classes during the break, but it’s not the same,” Fujii said
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John Pham browses the Self-Help section at the University Bookstore at Cal State Long Beach August 7, 2013. The bookstore offers books, supplies, gifts, and more to students. Photography by Samiha Ali.
as McConville agreed. There is a rush during August where everyone is buying books. Ebay and other competitors aren’t very big to compete against because of
the price matches that will match any price found online from an accurate seller and the available rental books that can save students anywhere from $20 up
to $100. “When buying books from the bookstore, students know they’re getting the right book for a class.” Fujii said. The book sales aren’t the only revenue
contributor at the bookstore, where clothing and accessory sales are also a big hit. “Clothing is a big part of sales, and probably makes more money year round than books do,” Ruiz said while Fujii and McConville agree. While each of them work part-time and are students on campus, each of them say working at the store is great because of the flexibility and convenience of working on campus. Also, they think the convenience of buying a book from the bookstore is easy because of its central location. “Students should purchase from the bookstore because it has everything they will need,” Ruiz said.
49 Years of Camp Fun
hese children were attending the 49ers Summer Camp on its 49th anniversary. Flores, 43, has been working in the 49ers summer camps for 18 of those 49 years. These camps allow children to enhance their athletic skills. Flores is enthusiastic because, as a child, he enjoyed baseball and other sports. “The best part of my job is watching the children grow and develop [in their athletic abilities],” Flores said. The summer camps include archery, dance, bowling, and swimming as activities for campers. The children attending the camp are then split into groups by age. During the swim unit, kids get to participate in diving games, swim lessons, and free time in the pool. Barbara Moore, 20, is a swim staff member.
She has been with the 49ers Summer Camps for three years. “It’s the kids’ attitudes. If you’re having a bad day, their faces will lighten you up,” Moore said. Opposed to Flores’ 18 years, some of the camp’s staff members have only recently started working for the program. Kayla Kamaka, 21, is working the camp for her first year. She works on the pool deck, overseeing the children during swimming. Kamaka is currently attending CSULB. “On Fridays, parents can participate in activities with their children,” Kamaka said. Total, there are around 550 children attending the camp during this session. The children range from ages 5-12. There are two sessions over the summer, and this is the only afternoon summer program. Each day, campers are to report
at 12:30 p.m. to begin their day. The parents then return at 5 p.m. to take the children home. “It’s funny that it is the 49th year and it is the 49ers camp,” Flores said. This special anniversary of the camp will only occur once. Though the camp is coming to a close, the children are still loud and energetic about the camp. At the end of the camp, their athletic skills will by evaluated. Other than sports, the children also get to enjoy pizza and water activities, such as water balloons. “Today we probably have over 100 pizzas for the campers,” Moore said. Camps like this keep the CSULB campus filled with people, even during the summertime. However, other camps occur mainly in the morning time opposed to this afternoon camp. “It’s a special year for the camp,” Flores said.