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MONday Issue NOVEMBER 15, 2010 FRESNO STATE
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ASI scales back spending By Ana Mendoza The Collegian In 2008, the Associated Student, Inc., Fresno State’s student government organization, was marked by high spending, a lawsuit and scandals. But 2010 brought about a different group of student officers and tighter spending. F re s n o S t at e h a s b e e n involved in several lawsuits and other money handling problems in recent years. The Auxiliary Organizations audit Report in 2008 revealed several of the universities money mismanagement problems in several Fresno State departments. Some organizations within the university were shown to have no abnormalities but after months of investigation, the Audit revealed that ASI, “did not reveal any major findings or significant internal problems or weaknesses.” But months later, ASI was sued and was involved in a scandal that ended in the resignation of ASI President Mackee M. Mason and
Executive Vice President Sandra Flores after admitting to underage drinking. That same year, ASI spent $50,449 in traveling expenses which included a trip to Disneyland for one of their retreats. A c c o rd i n g t o A S I Vi c e President of Finance Cesar Sanchez the group has not traveled anywhere this year. Sanchez also talked about additional money being i nve s t e d i n a d d i n g m o re computers to the University Student Union. Sarait Martinez, a senate member in 2008, said it’s very important for all students at Fresno State to be involved in the workings of ASI. “It’s our [students’] money,” Martinez said. All students are charged student body fee of $34.50 every semester. According to the 2008-2009 Annual Report, ASI received $590,071 and $623,904 of yearly income for the 2008 and 2009 fiscal year from student fees. These fees are used to support ASI, whose members
By Andrew Boydston The Collegian
Infographic by Michael Uribes / The Collegian
decide how the money will be distributed among ASI sustainability and student programs. Cesar Sanchez, vice president of finance, said that ASI does not get the full $34.50 per student. According to
Sanchez, he was told that ASI only receives $14 per student. He is unaware of what happens to the remaining money. When the amount of students increases, ASI receives See FINANCE, Page 3
Graduate school decision stumps By Kellcie Mullaney The Collegian As the second semester is quickly approaching, many seniors are faced with the perennial question: do I go to graduate school or not? Senior year is often the most demanding year for students. The decisions they make in the last year of college will affect them for the rest of their lives. There are typically two directions to choose from. One, jump into the real world and get a job or two continue on with school and get a master’s degree. While many students are wiped out from their last four, sometimes five or six years of college, additional schooling is the last thing they want to do. “I have been in school for what feels like my whole life. I can’t even imagine two or more years more of homework. I need a break!” says senior Chris Ramos, a construction management major. But on the other hand, many students find themselves struggling to find jobs right after graduation. The current state of the economy isn’t the best for new graduates. Students with just their bachelor’s degrees are competing with people with years of experience. According to careerbuilder.com, a master’s degree is worth it in the long run and that “more formal education or advanced credentials in
Matt Weir / The Collegian
Although graduate school gives students an upper edge in the job market, it means at least two more years of study and even more intense coursework.
the specific field of work or occupational area will carry some weight in starting-salary offers.” It is doubtful that any Fresno State student will argue that having a bigger salary is a problem. Graduate school proves to be beneficial to those students
Online schedules get good feedback
who are unsure if they have picked the right major. Getting a master’s degree can broaden students’ range of knowledge, which can open many doors to other opportunities. “I’ll have my [bachelor’s] degree in child development, but I want to get my masters in counseling. I feel like it
will give me more job opportunities,” says senior Kristen Bergmann. Grad school isn’t for everyone. Master’s programs are typically two-year programs of rigorous work, and usually require much more detail and in-depth analysis of the subject. To get into many graduate programs in the United States, undergraduates are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The exam is used to assess students skills and readiness for graduate-level school work. The test is set up similar to the SAT, but at a more advanced level. It evaluates verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Each section is not related to a specific field of study. The test is offered in two formats. It can be taken yearround by appointment at computer based testing centers (Fresno State is a testing center), or as a paper based test which is only offered a couple times a year. There are a variety of GRE prep materials to get students prepared for the tests including computer software and test prep books. While g rad school may seem like an eternity away for some students, for others it is just around the corner. Choosing the right path is a challenging decision, but having a degree, bachelor’s or master’s, is rewarding either way.
A change has hit Fresno State with class schedules only being available online. But the shift to the electronic world hasn’t seemed to leave many negative feelings. “T he students haven’t complained about the class schedule only being accessible online,” Registrar Tina Beddall said. This year the spring 2011 class schedule was no longer available as a print copy in the Kennel Bookstore. Students have not addressed any complaints to the bookstore or the registrar’s office about the transition. Kennel Bookstore director of 10 years, Ron Durham, says it’s not a problem so far. “No one has come up to us and complained,” Durham said. “There are always going to be people that struggle with change, but so far everything has been running smooth.” He and associated director Jack Gartner also say the change is for the better. “[It] has taken all the sales for the class schedules, but I think the fact of the matter is that students are lot more Internet savvy and the new way of registering is more up to date and user friendly,” Gartner said. That is not to say that there haven’t been a few confused students from the change. “I’ve seen a few students look around for it but when an employee explains it’s online they don’t seem mad,” Durham said. “In fact the student employees tell them where to find it and how to do it.” S o m e s t u d e n t s e x p re s s their positive feedback for the change. “When I was at Reedley Community College, I never used the print version of class schedules,” Leighanna Mixter, a double major in political science and linguistics, said. “One problem I had with the print version was that the courses would be outdated and some classes would be dropped and I wouldn’t be able to register,” Devon Lowe a mathematics major, said. Beddall believes this is another benefit of the transition to the Internet. “Before the class schedules were printed the class scheduling is planned three months in advance, so by the See CHANGE, Page 3