The Golden Gate Xpress #5

6 LESS MONEY, LESS GOALS GOLDEN GATE XPRESS //

STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER PROUDLY SERVING THE SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1927.

// 09.21.11

VOLUME LXXXXI ISSUE 5

Updated ASI budget is in the works Funding from increased student fees will be allotted to new internships, allow for more student scholarships. bbarsott@mail.sfsu.edu

RENTALS ARE RISING

New bookstore programs help shop to thrive in hard times.

kstanton@mail.sfsu.edu

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2 CAMPUS

09.21.11

ECEC

PROGRAMS, SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

$231,200

RESERVES

$205,000

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER

$1,309,800

$343,800

BUSINESS OFFICE

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ECEC’S PROJECTED DEFICIT FOR 2010-11

$250,300

$859,800

$90 WAGES PLUS

$92.5 PROJECT REBOUND $97.3 LRC, EROS, WOMENS $106.4 PROJECT CONNECT

A VIEW OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET: ASI EXPENDITURES INCLUDE THE ECEC, WHICH OFFERS ON-CAMPUS CHILDCARE SERVICES ON A SLIDING SCALE TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS’ PROGRESS IS NOT LIMITED BY THEIR ABILITY TO AFFORD CHILDCARE.

$145.7

PUBLIC RELATIONS

$152

ALLOWENCES

IN THE THOUSANDS

sexuality.

“We try to use the student fees to pay for the services,” Coluzzi said. “We try not to charge students twice.”

Although all these programs are available to students, many do not know about the services that are provided.

“I think that not very many people are aware of the programs that are available on campus,” said Kathy Quintero, senior, and psychology major. “Maybe they need to let more students know about them.”

This is an issue ASI is addressing, as Coluzzi said that ASI wants the marketing department to work with Student Life to create a better community on campus.

However, he said that they couldn’t do much with $100,000 in terms of marketing.

The new marketing and public relations department of ASI, established in the 2010-2011 school year has increased its budget from $108,761 to $145,700 for this year.

Of the $3.6 million budget that ASI had prior to the increase of student fees for this semester, $1 million dollars is slated to fund the operational costs for the ASI $17,000 to provide telephone service to the different programs, $40,000 on periodic audits, and $195,000 on auxiliary business services, which, according to Peter Koo, executive director for ASI, go to the University for all accounting functions that need to be performed over the course of the year.

dents, totals $137,000 for this year. The ASI president earns $925 per month; the four vice presidents each make $800 per month and the remaining 15 members each receive $500 per month.

According to ASI President Andrew Gutierrez, being a part of ASI is no different than any other job, the responsibilities of which include attending two to three committee meetings per week that last two to three hours each, meeting with members of the administration and student organizations, handling tasks that must be completed as a part of their committee duties and being accountable and available to the students of SF State.

“I’ve already talked to my board members and told them if you’re doing this for the money, it’s not worth it,” Gutierrez said. “I don’t feel like this pay that we get is comparable to the amount of work we have to do and the stuff we have to put up with. You might as well go get another job because they will pay you more and you won’t have to do as much work.”

Gutierrez also said that he has made it very clear to the board members that despite the increase in revenue, the stipends for ASI board members will not be increased.

In addition to the amount allotted for stipends, ASI also budgeted $18,000 in membership fees and $13,000 for in-state travel costs to send at least two members of the board to monthly meetings of the California State Students Association, held at one of the CSU campuses and for the ASI president to attend monthly meetings of

SF SPEAKS OUT

the Associated Students President’s Council.

These membership fees are required for student representatives to place a vote during the monthly conferences, according to Koo. Students may still attend the conferences, but they no longer have a vote. The CSSA takes on issues that affect all students such as increasing tuition fees or parking issues.

“When the president (of SF State) seeks student input he comes to ASI,” Koo said. “When the state level legislature or the Chancellor seeks student input they go to the CSSA.” Among the proposed additions to the revised budget is the increase of student scholarships back to $30,000 or about $1,000 per student, according to Coluzzi. The funds for scholarships were cut in half to $15,000 a couple years ago as a result of the budget crisis.

Coluzzi also hopes to use the additional funds for additional Student Life events.

Another goal is to place student organization funding on the ballot for the election at the end of this school year. This would allow students to become more involved by being able to vote for which student organizations they feel should receive more funding, Gutierrez said. He hopes that this will increase student participation in ASI, while also providing the opportunity for ASI to get more things done, as he estimates to spend half his time listening to proposals for funding from different student organizations.

The full ASI proposed budget for the 2011-2012 year is not available online yet but there is a copy of

SHOOTING IN OUTER SUNSET A 22-year-old man was shot and killed in the Outer Sunset Saturday around 1:17 a.m. near 35th Avenue and Rivera Street. SF State police responded and aided San Francisco police in searching for possible suspects. No arrests were made. You can contact the SFPD Taraval Station with any information on the attack at (415) 242-9753.

WHAT SHOULD THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS INC. DO WITH THEIR BUDGET?

BUMPER CARS While most people usually go to Disneyland to live out their dreams of ramming into other cars without the risk of car insurance skyrocketing, one fun-repressed individual chose to play this game in SF State’s Lot 20 parking lot, ramming into a woman’s car, and driving off without notice. Police responded and made a report of the incident.

TRAPPED IN THE ELEVATOR, PART TWO Perhaps fund school clubs. They could promote more events and activities.

I would love for it to go back into the medical center. I feel like it’s a joke. It should give a form of health care accessible to students.

BIOLOGY MAJOR ART HISTORY MAJOR

I don’t know what the ASI is. I don’t know. This is my

BECA MAJOR

Last week several students trapped themselves in the elevators of Mary Ward Hall. Again on Friday two students were trapped in an elevator in the Towers. While it doesn’t seem it was of their own doing, the integrity of SF State’s elevators is looking questionable.

09.15 through 09.17 Compiled by Aaron Williams

09.21.11

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33

4 CITY

09.21.11

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Suicide barrier for bridge stalled

T

lcarmack@mail.sfsu.edu

Holmes said the cost of the suicide barrier is more

“The degree of attempts is rather aston-

or dying of internal bleeding according to former Marin There has been talk of installing a barrier in the form

popular opinion to have been improved by the suicide

suicides for years to publish in a comprehensive book

The effectiveness of a barrier has also been quesin California not under the control of the state legislature, and any measures to construct a preventative suicide barrier are required to go through the Golden

-

changes to include federal funding for suicide baring funding through donations and federal means have “(The goal is) to get the suicide barrier installed, or

leaders, several families of suicide victims came for-

and unusual political situation has been the biggest obstacle in securing funding to make a suicide barrier a

-

“

DEFAULTING AFTER DEGREE

I’m so screwed and scared for life. I’m probably going to have to work two or three jobs when I’m done.

-

-

institutions the default rate increased from 6 percent to

MASTER’S STUDENT IN HISTORY

bbalisi@mail.sfsu.edu

He said he has to struggle to survive by living on a diet -

While many college students are rationing their student loans by living on a Top Ramen diet, this may cult time paying for school, and the default loan rate has -

and do not make special arrangements for deferment or

ship requirements, it only results in a partial discharge

Hubler said every student has a different situation and unfortunately some had no choice but to take out ships to take advantage of other options rather than temporary postponement or reduction of payments for a

-

09.21.11

SPORTS 5

| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

Student athletes seek balance While participating in collegiate sports, these Gators must learn to juggle their many activities. Despite a few perks, most face a grueling daily routine in pursuit of victory.

jrwells@mail.sfsu.edu

Being a student athlete at SF State is almost like something out of a spy novel — these young men and women live double lives, weaving in and out of a society that knows little about them and understands them even less. student athlete,” said senior soccer player Andrew Chansky. “I think sometimes people don’t understand the challenges that come with it, but it’s also a big privilege as well.”

Those challenges include keeping up with classes, staying healthy on the road and trying to maintain a semblance of a social life.

“You have to be really organized,” said basketball player Kaylaa Davis. “It keeps you on your toes. You have to be eligible, you have to go to class or you don’t play.”

The coaches understand the demands of a college education and encourage their players to focus on school.

“Coaches make sure we put class as a priority,” Chansky said. “(The coach) likes to say, ‘It’s a student athlete, so They really put an importance on that.”

Most of them consider the relationship of student and athlete to be mutually “To be a better athlete you’ve got to be a good student. It works together,” said Ryan Woods, a cross country runner.

Although they receive support from coaches and teammates, the gap between the athletes and non-athletes seems to

cause a large rift within the student body, with priority registration as the wedge between the two.

“A lot of other students are pretty furious about that,” said Lindsay Enright, a sophomore on the cross country and track teams. “I understand where they’re coming from, but I also feel like they’re naive in the sense that they don’t know how much time we take out of it.”

Priority registration is an incentive to keep playing, athletes said. Without it, they wouldn’t be able to plan their schedules around practice. The schedule is just the beginning, however.

Athletes have mandatory team study hours while they’re at home but they all have different ways of dealing with homework while on the road.

Some choose to power through and it for when they return home, and some games or at night.

“I think it’s all about balance,” Enright said. “Sometimes you’re too much of a student and you’re not giving enough to your coaches or you’re giving too much to your coaches and not enough in your classes.”

With keeping up with classes, focusing on games and honing skills in pracon the baseball team, said sleep always “The last thing you do want to do when you get home is try to study for a test or read. You sit down on your bed to do it and you’re instantly asleep,” Wood said.

Head trainer Bryce Schussel said he of being on the road.

“They’re in tight quarters, they’re sleeping in hotel rooms, and sometimes they don’t get enough sleep,” Schussel said.

Schussel said that colds and other sicknesses are common because sometimes it is hard for the players to get the proper nutrition and stay hydrated.

“I know other girls tend to get sick a lot during the season,” said Jenna Robertson, softball player. “When you’re really tired from all day generally you lay your head down on the pillow and you’re out,” she said, snapping her Joe Danahey, director of sports information, sees all of the problems they face, day in and day out.

“People don’t realize with these guys, they’re all working too,” Danahey said. “They’re not just involved in their sport. They work for me, they’re at every game, they’re supporting the other teams.

All of our athletes support each other.

Our student athletes are a special breed here.”

“They care about each other,” he said.

It’s good that they have a built-in family on campus, because their schedules don’t leave any time for a more typical college lifestyle.

“We can’t go out and party, we can’t be a normal college student and stay up late,” Woods said. “We can’t be tempted with all that stuff. That’s probably the hardest part. We’re not normal people.”

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09.21.11

4 O F TH E TO P 5 EA R N IN G S C H O O LS IN TH E C C A A A R E IN TH E TO P 5 FO R C C A A C H A M P IO N S H IP.

SOME THING IN COMM ON O STATES SF AND CHIC CALIFORNIA JOINED THE ATHLETIC COLLEGIATE N IN 1998.

ASSOCIATIO

$347,000

| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

Total grants allotted to athletes during the 2009-10 school year.

$650,000 $115,000

$48,000

SF STATE

Aid for the men’s basketball teams.

CHICO STATE nataliey@mail.sfsu.edu

E

UNEVEN PLAYING FIELDS

program be successful.”

So why is it that SF State has such a smaller base of scholarship money to work with? It would seem that a school in a big city like San Francisco would be able to attract a lot more fundraising dollars than a school way out in Sonoma.

Location actually has the opposite effect. Sonoma the game just to be sure that there is State is almost 100 miles no advantage given to either squad. away from the nearest major There is, however, an inequity university. It’s the only game that drastically affects the outcome in town. Without competition of many of the contests that SF State from neighboring schools, sports teams enter. Oftentimes, the Chico State is able to attract Gators are playing from behind before an undivided share of the they even lace up their shoes.

HOW THE RELATIVELY booster money from the area.

The disadvantage is money. There is a direct relationship “Division II schools that do well have an unencumSMALL FISCAL BUDGET bered hinterland,” Simpson said. teams lose a competitive edge because they have a short stack of OF SF STATE’S SF State, on the other hand, shares its market with scholarship money, according to many involved in the athletic ATHLETIC PROGRAM major programs like Cal and Stanford along with program. competitive programs like St. Mary’s, USF, UCSF and “We’re competing against teams that are funded at a higher AFFECTS ITS ATHLETES. others. The Gators only see a fraction of the fundraising rate, so they’re getting the best players,” said SF State women’s dollars that are earned in the Bay Area. basketball coach Dr. Joaquin Wallace. “If you can’t get the re“This market is over saturated,” Wallace said. sources to be successful, how can you be successful?” bebernes@mail.sfsu.edu “When you’re a small player in an over saturated Imagine you’re an athlete. Two coaches sit in front of you. market, it’s hard to get people to buy your product or One offers a fantastic education in a world-class city that will cost service. That’s the issue that we have right now.” you about $65,000. The other offers a comparable or slightly inThe economy is partially to blame as well. As ferior education in a much-less appealing location, but it will cost companies scramble to stay solvent, they have less disyou nothing. SF State coaches are often the former in this situation cretionary income to funnel into sponsorships. Major when they go recruiting. San Francisco may be the most desirable corporations that have the capital to survive the recession tend to put their money option, but it’s often the most expensive.

“We’ve lost tons of players because, at the end of the day, they say, ‘yeah coach relied upon smaller businesses.

I want to come there. I want to play for you, but San Bernardino’s gonna give me a “We used to have great sponsorships with say, Stonestown (Galleria), but as the full ride.’ What can you do about that?” Wallace said. economy has started to go, those sponsorships have gone with them,” McDermott Financial aid for athletes comes almost entirely from fundraising by the coaches said. and staff of the athletic department. The money comes from parents, alumni, local businesses and old-fashioned fundraising efforts by the athletic department.

“We even, to raise money, we sell hot dogs and pizzas… we’re out there hawk“This (program) is a sleeping giant, or rather a slowly arising giant,” Simpson ing stuff. We hustle and work all the time,” said Cathy McDermott, SF State athletics development assistant director of external affairs and development. potential is to do very well in conference.”

According to U.S. Department of Education statistics, the SF State athletic deThis potential is highlighted by the SF State wrestling team, the school’s only partment gave out a total of $347,000 in grants to athletes for the 2009-2010 school sport competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Scholarship money year.

By comparison, Chico State distributed around $650,000. That difference is seen is more even in the RMAC. The Gators have won 11 RMAC wrestling titles in 50 years in the conference.

There is one positive that comes from the low level of scholarship funds.

1998. Chico State teams across all sports have captured a total of 36 CCAA cham“Most of the kids who do athletics do so because they really love the sport,” McDermott said.

No Gator is getting a free ride through college because of his or her athleticism.

“Let’s assume every school in the conference was equal (in money),” said SF State Athletic Director Dr. Michael Simpson. “Having an equal base doesn’t guaran- Gators are students who also play sports, rather than athletes who also go to school.

Members of SF State sports team consistently outperform the student body as a tee you’re going to win, but it guarantees you have a chance to win. But what if it’s whole in academics. unequal?”

“I’m not really concerned about the money. I’m here because I want to get a deOf the 12 schools in the CCAA, SF State ranks ninth in scholarship spending for 2009-2010, ahead of other struggling athletic programs like Cal State Monterey and gree and I know that SF State can provide me a good education,” said Iris Tolenada, a junior setter on the Gator women’s volleyball team. “I do love volleyball. I do love Cal State East Bay. The NCAA sets a maximum number of scholarships that any one team can have. this team.”

This situation may be improved over coming years if the economy rebounds The actual dollar number varies from sport to sport and is adjusted for cost of atfrom the recession. If SF State is able to solve its general funding problems, the tendance at a given school.

VERY SPORTING FIELD IS BUILT FOR FAIRNESS. THE SIDELINES ARE ALL THE SAME LENGTH. The baskets are the same height. The rules apply equally to all athletes. Most sports

spending. Most hover around 50 percent, with the highest number at 65 percent. SF State only spends 27 percent.

For example, the Gator men’s basketball team’s faced Chico State in January 2010. SF State had $48,000 in aid split between its 11-member squad. The Wildcats spent more than $115,000 on their squad. The Gators lost by 12 points that night.

funding.

In the short term, the best thing the Gators can do is win. Booster money tends team and women’s soccer, are on the upswing. This increases the likelihood that scholarship dollars will come. victories.

09.21.11

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09.21.11

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PROFESSOR NAMED ‘EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR’

TEACHER FEATURE

spencerd@mail.sfsu.edu

A

s the clarinet player in her high school marching band, Dianthe “Dee” Spencer never thought she would be winning awards and shaping young minds to hopefully one day do the same, but now she plays a different tune.

This month, Spencer was honored as the Educator of the Year by the Golden Gate branch of the National Council of Negro Women, a group that supports local women of color through tools like monetary aid for public education and acknowledging women who show extraordinary passion. Spencer to be honored this year.

Spencer is the current chair of SF State’s School of Music and Dance as well as a professor of jazz and other music classes.

She is also an accomplished jazz pianist and has played all over the world, from Tasmania to China, although it is not her full-time profession to play.

“Teaching sort of picked me and I didn’t know I would teach… but turned out it was great,” Spencer said. “I can’t say all my life that I wanted to teach. It wasn’t in my plan at all.”

Spencer said that she tried to be a professional musician for a while, but in the end found that teaching brought her more

by it… music changes you,” Spencer said.

Some students

constantly touring and playing live shows. She said that the life of a musician was not for her.

“For some people that’s great but I don’t want to be that person that is always in an airport, airplanes and hotels,” Spencer said. “It may look glamorous but it’s not easy.”

a positive light in everyday school pressures.

“She’s very nice. When you present her with a problem, she wants to solve all the parts of the problem piece by piece,”

1990, Spencer introduced a jazz studies program to the school.

She said that through teaching who are truly dedicated to crafting music. To be a dedicated musician, she emphasized, it takes more than a so-so commitment.

“It’s like a 24/7 type of thing, it has to be your passion, your calling and I tell people don’t do it if you’re not really, really dedicated and into it,” want to master something but truthfully that might not happen immediately because it’s a lifelong journey and you have to keep striving.” always dreamed of being an educator, ever since childhood she has had a profound love of music.

“Music is a very powerful thing because everyone is affected, and you can’t say that anyone breathing is unaffected

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23-year-old senior and music major.

“She listens, and most teachers don’t do that.”

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having her feedback and support is just as helpful outside of the classroom as it is within.

“She’s really fun, creative and she interacts with us and plays with us,” said Kevin Reierson, a 23-year-old senior and music major.

“She backs us all up and brings the good vibe that jazz has into the classroom.”

Spencer has gone beyond teaching college and adopted the music program at Gateway High School, a college prep school in San Francisco, as her own personal project to support.

She said it’s important to teach

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this generation about music, especially in the electronic age.

“I want to take them off their iPods a bit so I can help them understand how that music was made and what’s an artist rather than ‘I download a track, put in my ear buds and here I go,’” Spencer said. “I want to show them there’s much more than that.”

Spencer accepted her award Saturday at a NCNW luncheon for all the winners.

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DELIVERY hunter@mail.sfsu.edu

Creativity usually isn’t a big problem creativity can be.

Outlets for art funding – federal grants, record labels, millionaire patrons and state budgets, for example - are shrinking. In 2010, California only gave 12 cents per person to support public art according to people are turning to the internet, Kickstart-

Arts & Entertainment

er.com in particular.

“Kickstarter is really just a place for the project,” said Justin Kazmark, a spokesman for the site. “It’s at the intersection of commerce and patronage.” which was founded in 2009. Those ideas vary widely, whether it be a bicycle rim that illuminates the ground, a stylish desktop

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series of music videos and a tour, like San Francisco year. Then anyone who stumbles across the project can donate to help make it a reality unique experience.

Projects of all sizes are welcome. Some

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A R T S & E N T E R T AI N M E N T 9

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SITE ALLOWS PATRONS TO COLLECTIVELY FUND UNIQUE PROJECT IDEAS ONLINE raised more than $116,270 (his goal was $60,000)

by June to take his signature image to the Dead Sea. Some goals are funny and odd. Alexis Finch of Chicago is trying for $5,000 to produce a “Bicycle Chick Pinup Calendar.”

However, the project has to be approved by the site, and it doesn’t get any of the “pledged” money unless its goal is reached within a maximum of 60 days.

The “all or nothing” rule is shaped to keep patrons from losing money on failed ideas, and to keep the entrepreneurs from biting off more than they can chew.

Each idea has to involve concrete goals, “something with a beginning and an end,” Kazmark said. In return, those who donate are commonly given memorabilia, products or a fun experience related to the project.

A proposal to fund a Sicilian vacation probably won’t land on Kickstarter, but raising money to go to Italy to research a novel might. It did for Dan Stone earlier this year.

In about a week, he estimates, his goal of $2,000 was funded with $308 extra dollars in tow.

The novelist, ex-teacher and editor was then off to Italy to trace the steps of the infamous Italian painter and scoundrel Caravaggio, surprised by how easy it was.

Stone is currently working on the novel, and is also working on his second Kickstarter venture.

The project is a multifaceted magazine called Alibi, which will be “exploring relations between literature and rock and roll.”

“We’ve got subscribers in Australia, all over Europe, and they all found it over Kickstarter,” Stone said. “It links up with other social networks so word can spread pretty quickly.”

The idea for Kickstarter came in 2002 when one of the three founders, Perry Chen, wanted to throw a concert during the New Orleans Jazz and $20,000, then decided it wasn’t worth the risk.

But if there was a way to test an idea before an audience, Chen thought, someone could know Now, two years after their founding, Kickstarter says 900,000 people have backed 11,500 projects with a total of more than $85 million.

They report 40 percent of approved pitches end up fully funded.

“It’s a bit backwards from usual artistic form,” said Christian Olesen, a music producer who is waiting on approval for his Kickstarter project.

“Funding is usually searched for after the project.”

Of course, all of that comes with a price; this is a company after all.

If a project is fully funded, Kickstarter takes 5 percent of the total raised. The online retailer Amazon takes another 3 to 5 percent for processing the payment through their web services program.

Other sites like Kickstarter exist, the company estimates about 100 similar sites have popped up, but none have been as successful or popular.

Another well-known site, donorschoose.com, allows people donate to classroom projects of their choice.

There is plenty of advice for newcomers. Kazmark says most of the companies can be found in the “Kickstarter School” segment of their website.

Both he and Stone mentioned taking time on a creative, thought-out pitch as being important, as well as having a personable video introduction.

“You kind of learn as you go through what creative ways to put out the project.”

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10 O P I N I O N

A PUBLICATION OF SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY EDITOR IN CHIEF kgoff@mail.sfsu.edu ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR sdonchey@mail.sfsu.edu PRINT MANAGING EDITOR caitpat@mail.sfsu.edu ART DIRECTOR nataliey@mail.sfsu.edu WEB DIRECTOR aarOn@mail.sfsu.edu

OPINION EDITOR maolson@mail.sfsu.edu

A&E EDITOR sgraf99@mail.sfsu.edu

CAMPUS EDITOR juand@mail.sfsu.edu

CITY EDITOR jterman@mail.sfsu.edu BREAKING NEWS EDITOR ch3no2@mail.sfsu.edu

PHOTO EDITOR erikv@mail.sfsu.edu

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09.21.11

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WITH NEW FUNDING COMES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASI TO ENHANCE STUDENT EXPERIENCE, INVOLVEMENT In May, SF State President Robert A. Corrigan approved a request to increase the student body association fee by almost 22 percent, which was voted upon by the students. Students are now required to pay $51 per semester.

Associated Students Inc. is currently working through its finance committee to draft a revised budget that will take into account the additional funding.

Last year the number of scholarships awarded to students throughout the University, funded by ASI, was cut nearly in half as they suffered from the budget crisis, from 25 awards to 14, while the dollars spent on running the business of ASI stayed nearly the same, at more than $99,000.

This is unconscionable.

The new representatives of the student body must take this opportunity to use their positions and their funds to once again highlight high-achieving students through these scholarships, which at the moment they seem inclined to do.

Currently, ASI plans to add more scholarships and student life events with some of the extra money, which totals about $270,000.

We applaud that choice and hope they follow through with that promise.

Additionally, they are implementing a new internship program that will give 10 students a chance to see how student government functions. ASI hopes the experience will encourage the interns to run for office.

This is a key moment in the future development of student leaders,

a chance for existing officials to train the next generation to put the will of the general student population and fiscal responsibility above all else.

While re-adding these scholarships and the addition of the internships are important steps in the right direction, there are many more that ASI can take to ensure that the funds from these fees are being funneled into programs that are important to students.

Currently, the ASI board of directors is solely responsible for selecting the programs that receive student funding. Why? There has been talk of opening up the process to student votes, allowing the University community to collectively decide where its funds are spent.

Let’s make this more than talk.

Making students a part of the decision process will promote voices rarely heard in finance meetings and allow students to fund those programs that might be most beneficial to them.

Students deserve the benefits from these programs since more than 60 percent of ASI revenue comes from SF State students, and there are currently many good programs that are funded through these fees, but making students part of the process will allow for more transparency and for a greater return on investment if those funded projects are something that most students feel is a valuable and worthy expense.

If ASI is as truly committed to the students and this community as they pledge to be, this should be a no-brainer.

sdonchey@mail.sfsu.edu FACULTY ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu PHOTO ADVISER tucker@sfsu.edu ADVERTISING echarles@mail.sfsu.edu PRODUCTION & BUSINESS ggxads@mail.sfsu.edu

Fine arts often neglected GUEST COLUMN

CIRCULATION crayden@mail.sfsu.edu I.T. CONSULTANT arun@mail.sfsu.edu

Although San Francisco is a city thriving with art culture, it seems the SF State cam-

The Golden Gate Xpress accepts letters no longer than 200 words.

Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to Michelle Olson at: maolson@mail.sfsu.edu

The Golden Gate Xpress is a student-produced publication of the journalism department at San Francisco State University. For more information or comments, please contact Kelly Goff at: kgoff@mail.sfsu.edu

arts generates at least $5 in return to the local

Art students spend countless hours perfecting their craft, and only get two chances to share their work. of an opportunity to fully express their per-

It’s not fair.

09.21.11

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SF STATE BOOKSTORE STAYING INDEPENDENT, STILL STRONG Currently, within the CSU system only eight of the 23 campuses have bookstores that are independently operated. Fifteen campuses within the system are operated by either Barnes and Noble or the Follett Higher Education Group. Most recently, in April, Barnes and Noble signed a 10-year contract to take over operations of Spartan Bookstore at San Jose State. independent bookstores in the Bay Area. The bookFranciscan Shops. At any point in the year the bookstore maintains a staff between 100 to 110 employees mostly consisting of students. mean by that is that at the end of the year we give back to the University. We are not money oriented and Rosa Lie Rivas, 26, a senior majoring in English literature, spent around $100 at the bookstore after

total.

The Gator Rewards card that Rivas used is one of several programs and reward incentives for students. worth of purchases.

Rivas said that she prefers to shop at the campus bookstore because she would rather purchase books from her own school. said.

She also noted that she has previously purchased books off of Amazon.com but only because she was unsure if she would be able to get a spot in a class.

Despite some successes, however, the bookstore still struggles with its relationship with faculty and departments. When orders get mixed up and miscommunications happen, students start the semester with angry teachers and books to purchase.

As a result some teachers have chosen to skip the bookstore step altogether and have recommend or even require their students to purchase books from other sources or other independent bookstores. This also might be because of the history and knowledge an independent bookstore has on a particular subject that the campus bookstore can’t offer. ogy and human sexuality studies.

For many semesters Tully has had her students buy books from Modern Times Bookstore, an independent bookstore located in the Mission district.

Modern Times offers a wide range of literature focusing on globalization, politics, sexuality and gender “They are a worker-led bookstore and have a lot Erciyes doesn’t feel the same way and thinks that teachers should be more supportive of the campus bookstore and think of them as a No. 1 option regardless.

“We are an independent bookstore as well, number to work with [campus departments] and it has been a problem and we have initiated a program just for departments just for when they order books from us as

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