Issue 4, Fall 2009

The S tate Hornet

September 23, 2009 HORNET INSIDE PLAYER PUSHES THROUGH

C alifornia S tate U niversity, S acramento

E st . 1949

O ne C opy F ree

We the people..

ASI, Sac State organizations team up for a weeklong celebration in honor of the U.S. Constitution

By Blazej Bruzda bbruzda@statehornet.com

What volleyball player pushed through two injuries for the love of the game?

Sports B4 MOVIE TIME

Paying almost $10 for a movie ticket and rubbing elbows with strangers? Find out where you can get in cheaper.

Features B2 ALTERNATE YOUR TRANSPORTATION

Tired of traffic? Tired of parking near the Alumni Center? Why not change it up?

News A4 READY FOR AN INTERVIEW?

Matthew Hughes State Hornet

Henry Rollins during his spoken-word performance last Thursday in the Union Ballroom.

Career C3 RENTING YOUR TEXTBOOKS? Renting books saves you money up front, but are you really saving? Your wallet could end up a little thicker if you just buy your books.

Opinion A5

The State Hornet Issue 4 | Volume 62| No. 4

see Constitution | page A6

Senate Possible pay freezes coming bill 218 waiting

By Brittany Bottini bbottini@statehornet.com

Trying to land a job?

How you carry yourself is just as important as how qualified you are.

Sacramento State and Associated Students, Inc., came together last week to celebrate not just Constitution Day, but an entire week filled with events in honor of the U.S. Constitution.

The third annual Sac State Constitution Week took place from Sept. 15 until Monday, and was created to commemorate the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1787, said Laura Gonzalez, ASI director of government affairs.

“Events such as Constitution Week help to increase student involvement within the campus community and also learn about one of the most important documents of our nation,” said Roberto Torres, ASI president. “The events we planned will help increase student awareness of the political climate and educate them about the issues.”

This year’s Constitution Week was sponsored by Sac State organizations such as the American Democracy Project, ASI, the Women’s Resource Center, PRIDE Center, UNIQUE, Community Engagement Center and Student Activities. Each of these organizations chose an event that would represent its ideals of the American constitution.

Once the events were chosen by the organization, they were taken to ASI for approval; all were approved.

“ASI is keen on collaborating with several campus organizations to serve our students,” Torres said.

ASI hosted the first event, which took place on Sept. 15 in the Library Quad. Participants were encouraged to register to vote and received a complimentary copy of the U.S. Constitution. Along with the copy came an explanation of the history

of the document from an ASI representative at the booth.

On Sept. 16, the MultiCultural Center, along with ASI Director of Undeclared Yeimi Lopez, held an event entitled “The Experience of Undocumented Students.” This event was an informational workshop concerning Assembly Bill 540, signed into law Oct. 12, 2001, that allows illegal immigrants to attend any UC, CSU or community college in California with only a few requirements, Gonzalez said.

Unregistered students are eligible for in-state, tuition, higher education if they complete at least three years of high school, graduate from high school or receive a G.E.D, register at an accredited college or university in California, and file an affidavit stating that they will apply for legal residency as soon as possible, Lopez said.

“I feel that these events allow the campus as a whole to pay attention to very crucial and important issues that we are facing but have been placed in the back burner due to the financial crisis we are facing,” Lopez said. “Most importantly I feel that the events will serve as a way to get students involved.”

The following day, Thursday, was the main event day; three events took place to celebrate the signing of the US Constitution 222 years ago.

On Thursday, ASI hosted its annual “Day in the Quad” event that was free to all students and put together in efforts to encourage student involvement at Sac State and a way for students to become more aware of what ASI does. As a bonus, ASI gave out free Jamba Juice to the first 300 attendees.

“This event is very important for ASI because we will be hav-

If governor signs SB 218, programs must show records

Pay raises during bad budget years may no longer be offered to California State University and University of California executives if Gov. Arnold

see CPRA| page A6

SB 217 was written by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/ San Mateo.

According to SB 86, no executive within the CSU or UC systems will be able to receive raises if the general fund is the same or less than the previous

year.

“Last time I checked, this was a public institution, not AIG.” Keigwin said, comparing the CSU system to the insurance corporation that received see SB86 | page A6

How do Gonzalez and Reed match up to President Obama and Gov. Schwarzenegger?

By Miyu Kataoka mkataoka@statehornet.com On Sept. 9, the California State Senate approved legislation on a 33-1 vote to create more transparency in organizations within California’s public universities and colleges.

Californians Aware and California Sen. Leland Yee, DSan Francisco/San Mateo, are pushing for SB 218 to be signed by the governor, which would require auxiliary organizations, such as Sacramento State’s University Enterprises, Inc., to comply with the California Public Records Act. “The courts have ruled that auxiliary organizations do not adhere to the CPRA despite the fact that their work historically has been handled within administration,” said Adam Keigwin, Sen. Yee’s chief of staff. “Taxpayers and students deserve to know what is going on.”

The CPRA states that public records are open to inspection at all times during the office

Schwarzenegger approves Senate Bill 86.

SB 86, which was passed earlier this month by the state Assembly and Senate, is a larger bill that encompasses a previously defeated piece of legislation - Senate Bill 217.

President Barack Obama makes $400,000 annually.

Chancellor Charles Reed makes $451,500 annually.

He also receives $50,000 for expenses and a $100,000 stipend for non-taxable travel.

This is $98,500 less then President Obama’s salary.

Courtesy Photo

McClatchy Tribune

Barack Obama U.S. President

Charles Reed CSU Chancellor

President Alexander Gonzalez makes $355,000 annually.

Courtesy Photo

Alexander Gonzalez Sac State President

$195,000 less then President Obama and $96,000 less than Chancellor Reed.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would make $206,500 if he did not refuse it.

McClatchy Tribune

Arnold Schwarzenegger Governor, California

Schwarzenegger’s salary would be the highest of all state governors.

A2

Wednesday - September 23

News Section

NEWS ROUNDUP Sac State’s weekly news briefs and campus events Classical piano performance

Peak Adventures Yosemite Trip Peak Adventures still has spots open for its weekend backpacking trip to Yosemite National Park. There are hikes beginning at 7 a.m. from Friday through Sunday.

The cost for students is $150 and pays for transportation, guides, hiking gear, dinners and entrance fees. The cost for faculty is $194 and $215 for the public.

Online registration for the trip has ended; reservations and payment must be made at the Peak Adventures office downstairs next to the Buzz. The deadline for the trip is Thursday. No experience is necessary.

Bicycle maintenance class

Mitchell Wilson State Hornet

A bicycle maintenance class is being offered by Peak Adventures at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Riders will be taught how to repair the various parts of their bikes as well as how to perform routine maintenance.

The class is six hours with a one-hour lunch break, ending at 4 p.m. Those attending must bring their own bikes so specific instruction can be given.

The cost of the class is $52 for students, $67 for faculty and $74 for the public.

Capistrano Hall will be holding a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday by guest performer Sara Daneshpour. She has performed in multiple European countries and across the United States.

Daneshpour has played in venues as prestigious as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Great Hall in the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia.

Admission cost $10 for students and seniors and $12 for the general public. Free parking is available on the weekends.

American River Courtyards dedication ceremony Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez and others held the official dedication ceremony on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

The ceremony honored the late Chris Ramos, a former ASI president, who was killed in late May of 2007. Ramos played a big part in getting the American River Courtyards project rolling.

Man arrested on suspicion of pulling fire alarm during Henry Rollins event A man was arrested on a dirt trail near the top of the Guy West Bridge on suspicion of pulling a fire alarm, after a confrontation with security officers in the University Union last Thursday night. The man was chased by security officers from the Union Ballroom, where spoken-word artist Henry Rollins was speaking.

Rollins continued to speak despite the alarm and the event continued as planned.

Police would not comment on the arrest as of press time.

▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀ Contact Mitchell Wilson in the News department at (916) 278-7248. ▶◀ ▶◀ ▶◀

statehornet.com

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features@statehornet.com The first copy of this newspaper is free. Additional copies cost $1. All views expressed herein are the responsibility of The State Hornet and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sacramento State Journalism Program, the Communication Studies Department, administration, student body or ASI unless otherwise noted. The State Hornet is copyrighted, and may not be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission of The State Hornet.

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Further, The State Hornet shall not be liable for any omission on an advertisement ordered to be published. By written request, The State Hornet will reschedule and run the advertisement at the advertiser’s cost. In no case shall The State Hornet be liable for any general, special or consequential damages. Claims for adjustments of any error must be made no later than three days after publication date upon which said error occurred.

Wednesday - September 23

News Section

statehornet.com

A3

Spring admissions open for 150 students

By Kristine Guerra kguerra@statehornet.com A small group of 150 Sacramento State students will be admitted into the teacher credential programs this spring despite the California State University system’s closure of all spring 2010 admissions.

Sac State’s teacher credential program is known for preparing California’s teachers, and with thousands of teachers expected to retire in the next five years, Sac State is credentialing more and more teachers.

“As an institution that’s primarily been charged with educating future teachers, we were given special permission to continue admitting and enrolling students into teacher preparation programs,” said Vanessa Sheared, dean of the College of Education Sheared expressed concerns over demands for teachers in specific areas of study.

As teachers retire, school districts will need highly qualified teachers, especially in areas such as mathematics, science and special education, Sheared said.

According to research by the Institute of Education Sciences, an organization within the U.S. Department of Education, more than 8,000 K-12 teachers in California are expected to retire this school year. The research estimates that by school year

2015-16, Sacramento County will need to hire nearly 7,000 teachers to keep up with student enrollment and teacher retirement.

“It (teacher preparation) is important if we’re going to provide teachers, especially for subject matter areas where they are desperately needed,” said Deidre Sessoms, director of the Teacher Preparation and Credential Office, which assists applicants during the application process, advises students and monitors their progress.

CSU Bakersfield’s department of special education admitted about 70 students into its fall quarter and will continue admission for the winter and spring quarters, department chair Anthony Van Reusen said.

“It’s of critical importance,” Reusen said. “There continues to be a demand for special education teachers both in mild/ moderate and moderate/severe disabilities.”

CSU Stanislaus’ teacher education department was also given special permission to admit 50 spring candidates into the single-subject credential program, department chair Nancy Jean Smith said.

“Multiple-subject credential program should have about 90 liberal studies students who will be allowed in by a special chancellor’s order because they are already in the program,” she said.

“Teacher preparation has always been a central part of the mission of the CSU system,” said Beverly Young, assistant vice chancellor for teacher education and public school programs for the CSU system.

“CSU prepares well over half of the teachers in California and 10 percent in the country.”

In fiscal year 2007-08, according to a research by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 53 percent of credentialed teachers came from the CSU system.

Five percent came from the University of California schools and 41 percent from private or independent institutions.

“Only five CSU campuses credentialed more teachers than Sac State,” Sessoms said.

These campuses are CSU Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, CSU Northridge, Fresno State and CSU Los Angeles.

Three departments under Sac State’s College of Education offer teacher credential programs.

These are the bilingual/multicultural education department, the special education, rehabilitation, school psychology and deaf studies department and teacher education department.

The teacher education department, which offers the largest program, will be admitting about half of the 150 applicants.

The other half will be divided between the special education and bilingual/multicultural

education departments, which have more specific areas of focus, Sheared said.

Sac State offers a multiplesubject teaching credential primarily to four different fields. These include elementary teacher candidates and singlesubject teaching credential to high school teacher candidates.

Also, education specialist credential to those who want to teach people with disabilities, and those who want to teach students with limited English proficiency, the bilingual/crosscultural language and academic development emphasis in their credential.

Young said each campus determined where the greatest demands for programs are.

Sheared said the number of admissions for spring are based off admissions data and trends over the last few years. Last spring, the College of Education admitted nearly 150 students, of whom 50 or so were continuing students from Sac State and 96 were returning students and new applicants, she said.

“While we have been given permission to admit 150 students, the budget does impact our ability to try and recruit more than that,” Sheared said.

“One of the concerns that deans and coordinators of teacher credential programs have is the impact of this budget in our ability to admit students to our programs.

Megan Harris State Hornet

Last school year, Sac State awarded teacher credentials to 547 students. 170 of the credentials were single-subject, 269 were multiple-subject credentialed and 108 were education specialist credentialed, Sheared said.

“Overall, I think we’ve done really well in terms of placing students in local districts or throughout the state,” Sheared said. “One of the things to be aware of is that we do have the job fair annually.”

Sac State has student-teacher candidates in the single-subject and multiple-subject credentials throughout Sacramento County. Students are admitted into on- and off-campus cohorts in school districts throughout the region, Sheared said. These act as a type of internship for the program.

Sheared said the college received approximately 200 to 250 applications in past semesters and around 200 in more recent semesters. There are usually more fall candidates than spring candidates.

“One of the things I’m very impressed with is our faculty, who, in spite of the economic difficulties in the state and the budget, has stepped up to the plate to make sure that students have the space and the opportunity they need,” Sheared said.

Sheared said faculty members are working to minimize the effects of the furloughs to students.

“I think furloughs are a fact of life for us right now,” she said.

Pilot textbook rental program is a success

By Julia Baum jbaum@statehornet.com With the Hornet Bookstore’s new textbook rental program, students looking for bargains on textbooks won’t have to rely solely on Internet retailers this year.

Since the start of the fall semester, Sacramento State students have been able to rent textbooks at less than half of the book’s retail price. Bookstore director Pam Parsons said the program has received nothing but positive feedback so far from students, and the bookstore would like to continue the program into next year if possible.

“There isn’t a catch,” Parsons said. “There’s something almost

everywhere you look.”

There are 527 titles available, with a range of subjects to choose from including history, chemistry and English. Students pay the rental fee upfront and may keep their books until Dec. 21 after finals are through.

As long the book is in the same condition as required for buybacks, it is eligible for rental return. Books with water damage, torn-out pages or broken spines will not be accepted for return, and students will be charged 75 percent of the new book price, plus an additional 7.5 percent processing fee, according to the rental agreement.

“It’s been a great investment on Follett’s part,” Parsons said Prior to learning that Follett already had a pilot textbook

rental program in progress, Parsons said the bookstore had been working to develop its own with University Enterprises, Inc. UEI’s original proposal only had two titles available and would have required a two-year commitment.

The bookstore welcomed the news when it heard that Follett chose Sac State as one of several college campuses for the pilot program, Parsons said.

Parsons said the second floor, where textbooks are located, devotes 15 percent of its space to the program. The large space makes the area ideal for the program because of the volume of titles accounted for in the program. In the three weeks since the start of the semester, Parsons said so far nearly 8,500

textbooks have been rented out to students.

Not all students are renting their textbooks, however. Matt Yamamoto, freshman business administration major, said that he had planned to rent some of his textbooks but did not have to after he learned that his brother had half of the copies required for his classes. He said none of his friends have rented any textbooks this semester either, but he still likes the program’s concept: “I think it’s a great idea because books are super expensive.”

Leonie Toche, senior health science major, is renting her textbooks this fall. She paid $20 to rent one required for her health and science class; buying it outright would have cost her

$40.

Toche heard about the program originally from her friends and is glad to have a bit of a price break on textbooks since tuitions fees have gone up this year. While the savings for her this semester are not much greater than last year, Toche said she is able to get more books for the money.

“For my psych class, originally (my book) was $200, and you can rent it for $70-something,” Toche said.

Erica Butler, junior child development major estimates that last year she spent $450 on textbooks, and the semester prior almost $600. She would like to use the program but none of the titles she needs are included in it, like those for her

economics, ethics, psychology or math courses.

“They just don’t have them,” Butler said, “If they had them here I would definitely rent them.”

Toche said that she likes the program, but thinks even with the vast array of titles available for rent in the bookstore, there still needs to be more.

“That’s not even enough because only two of my books were available for rent,” Toche said.

Ariel Solomon, an undeclared sophomore, said that she might use the program sometime but she did not know of its existence until the semester began.

“I don’t think a lot of people know that they can rent,” Solomon said.

SETC-United finds places UC faculty to to cut other than work time stage walkout

By Gina Cruz gcruz@statehornet.com The negotiation team of the State Employees Trades Council United toured California State University campuses during a seven-day process to conduct contract ratification and to vote on a furlough proposal.

On Sept. 1, the SETC-United announced the results of the votes where the furlough proposal was rejected by 74.5 percent and the contract ratification was passed by 90.5 percent of the voting members.

“We were real happy with a lot of changes,” said Matt Mason, union steward for Sacramento State. “It’s a tight budget and there’s really no money for anybody in the system, even with a major staffing shortage. We wanted the furloughs treated separately as a side agreement.”

Unit 6 of the SETC-United are facility workers servicing all 23 CSU campuses and the skilled trades workers servicing the UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, and UC San Diego campuses.

They perform trade work such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry.

“Using Unit 6 saves the state hundreds of thousands of dollars, said Patrick Hallahan, SETC chief consultant/chief negotiator. We accomplished that with this contract. It took 22 months to get the contract

settled now the university must follow it.”

In June, Administrative officials of the CSU system notified SETC-United Business Manager John Connor and other SETC executive board members of their intent to impose cutbacks to Unit 6. They were given two options: 121 layoffs system-wide or accept a two-day-per-month furlough.

While the SETC-United voted not to participate in the statewide furloughs, it is taking other routes to help cut back, save the university money and contribute to closing the state’s budget deficit. Like all California state workers, SETC-United was told that even if it did take the furloughs there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t experience any layoffs.

The contract ratification consisted of major improvements and changes in the contract and created the new collective bargaining agreement for 2009 to 2011.

Article four of the contract, regarding contracting out unit work, was one of 32 articles improved in the ratifications. It states the procedural guidelines for facility service contracts.

“We’re always following behind contractors doing the work over to better suit our campus’ needs and customize the quality of the work,” Mason said.

By Gina Cruz gcruz@statehornet.com

Chase Mason State Hornet

Facilities workers Jack Connor, left, and Gary McDaniel, right, walk through Eureka Hall during work.

According the contract, “The union should be notified of contracts pertaining to normal Unit 6 work. Circumstances permitting, notifications shall be prior to the start of such contracted work, and shall take the form of a letter.”

This means that the manager, assistant director or steward must be notified of the possibility of contracted work for a project and has the option to assess whether Unit 6 can do the work within the timeframe needed and whether it will be more cost-effective for Unit 6 to do the work.

SETC-United has already started to see the salary savings by doing as much work as possible in-house.

“We definitely show the need

and the ability to do the work cheaper and faster than an independent contractor. By doing a job in-house we can save between $30,000 and $60,000 for one job and that is one person’s salary,” Mason said.

There are no plans for any new hires for the 53 jobs posted amongst CSU facility workers associated with SETC-United because of the hiring freeze, Mason said.

There are 50 workers on the Sac State campus.

“The university has to learn, like everyone else, that it must change the way it does business, not just cut the bottom and hope the top stays afloat,” Hallahan said.

On Thursday, more than 150 UC Davis professors plan to walk out in response to a ruling from the University of California Board of Regents.

The ruling is not allowing faculty to schedule some furlough days on instruction days. This decision, made Aug. 21 by the UC Office of the President, was one of many actions implemented in response to the statewide mandatory furloughs.

The University of California Students Association voted unanimously to support the walkout, said UC Davis physics professor Richard Scalettar.

“This (walkout) is very significant. UC students recognize that faculty, staff and students alike need to come together to defend higher education,” Scalettar said.

Interim Provost Lawrence Pitts stated that furloughs on teaching days would be too hard on students and would be perceived as using them “to make a political point in Sacramento.”

UC faculty and staff are required to take 11 to 26 furlough day a year depending on their pay range resulting in a 4 to 10 percent pay decrease.

“Instructional furloughs pressure the state to cease defunding the UC system,

and they pressure the Office of the President to confront the fact that its overall approach to budget reform is unsustainable and unjust,” read a letter signed by 16 UC professors members sent out to the faculty on Aug. 31.

The term “furlough” is not accurate, said Neil Schore, professor and vice chair of UC Davis’ department of chemistry, the correct term is “increase in state income tax.”

Although the California State Legislature calls this an attempt to solve the state’s fiscal problem without raising taxes, Schore said his state income tax, as well as that of hundreds of UC faculty, will increase significantly come the end of December when the reduction will take effect.

Although the UC deficit cuts total $813 million and the CSU deficit cuts total $564 million, said CSU spokesperson Eric Fallis, the loss is greater to the CSU System because the proportion is much smaller.

The faculty walkout has now gained the support of the American Association of University Professors, a nonprofit organization that advocates for academics, the University Professional and Technical Employees Union, Solidarity Alliance at Berkeley and more than 820 signatures of supporters.

A4

Wednesday - September 23

News Section

statehornet.com

“Some students have mentioned they are trying to find ways to reduce their spending. Driving their car less is a step in the right direction.”

Nancy Fox, Director University Transportation and Parking

Green transportation useful, gives options

By Inna Gritsak igritsak@statehornet.com Some Sacramento State students and faculty spend more than half an hour driving to school and at least another 15 minutes driving up and down the parking structures trying to find an available parking space, all the while racing the clock to get to class on time. Students and faculty fed up with this routine start to ask the question “Are there alternatives?”

The answer is yes. Many alternative modes of transportation are available for student and faculty use. Carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling and walking are all options that students have when choosing their form of transportation. Public transportation options, such as light rail, Regional Transit buses and Hornet Express shuttle buses, are also available for students to take advantage of at little or no cost.

“The roadways can be pretty congested when students and faculty arrive to campus at the same time, but using alternate transportation alleviates congestion,” said Kevan Shafizadeh, professor of civil engineering who conducts transportation surveys on campus every spring.

According to the Spring 2009 Transportation Intercept Survey

performed by Shafizadeh and his civil engineering students, the majority of students still choose to drive solo in their own cars.

Shafizadeh’s student-led survey team, which surveyed 339 students, staff and faculty at random, determined that approximately 69 percent of the campus community surveyed used driving alone as its primary mode of transportation, 9 percent carpooled, 10 percent used public transportation and 12 percent biked or walked.

The survey also showed that convenience and comfort is the greatest factor that influences the mode of transportation students and faculty choose to use.

To bring the single-driver percentage down, Associated Students, Inc., has partnered with University Transportation and Parking Services in efforts to encourage use of alternative transportation.

Last semester, ASI bought and installed 20 new bike racks across campus. This semester, Peak Adventures and Power Inn Alliance, a transportation advocacy group that partners with Sac State, gave out 75 new bikes to residents of the Upper Eastside Lofts in hopes that more students, faculty and staff will use bicycles instead of airpolluting cars to get to school.

“In an era where we’re very

conscious of our carbon footprint, it’s very important as a university to look at ways to promote a reduction in our carbon footprint,” said ASI President Roberto Torres. “Doing a little bit, like not driving a car every day, contributes to that.”

The impact of ASI’s efforts to promote alternative transportation are still hard to make out.

According to information provided by UTAPS Senior Director Nancy Fox, the number of students that purchased parking permits this semester in comparison to last semester is almost the same. This semester, less carpool and motorcycle parking permits have been purchased. Residence hall parking permits were the only category of permits that increased. The difference was 90 permits.

Torres also said that last semester’s ASI board was more focused on exploring alternate transportation options than this semester’s board.

“Last year the board took action on bikes. This semester, our education as a whole, is the main concern. We will be devoting more resourced on bigger issues than on promoting a sustainable campus,” Torres said.

Fox, however, is not discouraged.

She said, “If everyone uses

alternative transportation one out of five days each week, commuting has been reduced by 20 percent. That effort makes a difference in the air quality and traffic congestion in the Sacramento region.”

Not only does the use of alternative transportation benefit the environment, but it also benefits student and faculty financially through less money spent on gas and car repairs.

“The use of alternative transportation has increase as the economy has become weaker.

Some students have mentioned they are trying to find ways to reduce their spending. Driving their car less is a step in the right direction,” Fox said.

Torres agrees. He said that with parking and enrollment fees going up and gas prices fluctuating, students are finding alternate ways of getting to campus.

An improved parking situation on campus is one of the promises of alternate transportation.

“While Sac State is experiencing a very good parking condition during fall 2009, more use of alternate transportation will help increase the number of available parking spaces,” Fox said.

Fox said on the first day of school, there were approximately 1,200 available parking spaces

Kristen Smith State Hornet

A student searches in the bike racks near Riverside Hall. at 11:30 a.m., even though the first day of classes is usually the hardest day to find parking.

This is due in part by additional carpool spaces that have been added this semester to parking structures I and III

by UTAPS. Besides carpooling, another popular alternate method of transportation is using Regional Transit. The number of student commuter sleeves distributed in fall 2008 was 15,300. That’s almost as many commuter sleeves issued as

single-driver parking permits.

RT is so widely used that students voted for a RT fee increase in the April 28-29 election. Starting in the spring 2010 semester, the RT fee will increase by $5.

While the pressure is on to use alternative transportation, Shafizadeh does not think it has to be something uncomfortable or inconvenient.

“Most people tend to forget how walking and riding the bus can be fun and adventurous,” Shafizadeh said.

STUDENTS COMMENT ON THE PROS AND CONS OF USING ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION “I drive because it’s the fastest and easiest way for me to get to campus.”

Tommy Fassett Senior, English

“I walk because it’s actually faster to walk. It takes me half an hour to find a parking spot and it took me 15 minutes to walk.”

Laura Louvier Senior, Psychology

“I carpool to save gas. We come from Lincoln.”

Eric Fernstrom Senior, Criminal Justice

“I drive here because I don’t like the light rail. It’s creepy and I get out too late.”

Katie Jackson Senior, Criminal Justice

Reporting by inna Gritsak

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A6

Wednesday - September 23

News Section

SB86: Allegations of CSU pay raises denied Continued | page A1

so voluntarily after giving big raises to administrators.

“They want to be able to award the administration with lavish salaries even if the budget is poor and even if the administration is mismanaging the university, and they are,” Wehr said.

The State Hornet has not been able to find evidence of monetary raises for these executives at this time.

In November 2008, a survey was conducted by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The survey concluded that the median salary for presidents of public four-year colleges was $427,000 annually. According to documentation in SB 86, all but one UC and CSU president have salaries that are less than the median salary.

Sac State President Alexander Gonzalez currently receives a $295,000 salary, along with $60,000 to cover his housing. The president could not be reached for comment regarding the issue.

Also, CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed receives $421,500 as his annual salary.

“The UC and CSU admin-

bailout funds from the United States Federal Reserve in 2008, then announced in March 2009 that it had spent $165 million in executive bonuses.

“SB 86 will ensure that top executives are not living high on the hog while the students and workers are unfairly suffering,” Yee said in an article released on Sept. 8 by the California Chronicle after the bills were passed.

Erik Fallis of the CSU chancellor’s office said that there have been no salary increases this year and that the chancellor, presidents of the universities and general counsel have not received a pay raise in the last two years.

In January, the CSU implemented salary freezes on all campus vice presidents, presidents and the CSU vicechancellor and chancellor for the 2009-10 school year.

Kevin Wehr, professor of sociology and president of the local chapter of the California Faculty Association, said that CSU did the right thing in implementing salary freezes; however, the CSU only did

istration continuously violate the public trust by catering to the university’s elite rather than serving the students, workers and taxpayers they are appointed to represent.

The public deserves better,” Yee said in a press release.

Fallis said while CSU is concerned about monetary compensation for its executives, the systems primary concern is the functionality of the CSU system.

“Restricting when the university is able to adjust certain employee salaries could increase personnel turnover as employees leave the CSU for higher-paying positions,” Fallis said.

According to the California State Senate’s online listing of lobbyist employers, CSU has paid these lobbyists almost $90,000 thus far in the 2009-10 school year. The CSU chancellor’s office did not respond to the Hornet when asked where the funds to pay the lobbyists came from.

The governor has until Oct. 15 to sign or veto the bill. If signed, the bill will go into effect beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

statehornet.com

CPRA: Yee hopes to pass bill, illuminate records Continued | page A1 hours of the state or local agency.

Under the current law, the Hornet Bookstore, run by UEI, is exempt from the CPRA, meaning that it can deny public record requests from the general public regarding documents. If the governor signs SB 218, students will be able to see documents that would tell things like price markups on textbooks.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has until Oct. 11 to sign or veto the bill.

“The bill furthers the state’s mission in providing transparency,” said Jim Ewert, legal counsel for California Newspaper Publishers Association, which co-sponsors SB 218.

Keigwin said another reason why organizations are supporting this bill is because there have been numerous incidents and scandals within auxiliary organizations throughout the state.

“We can only imagine what’s happening if we actually were able to review their books and see what is really going on,” Keigwin said.

A more publicized case was CSU vs. Superior Court in 2001, when the Fresno Bee was denied information from a Fresno State auxiliary organization regarding donors receiving luxury box suites at Fresno State’s Save Mart Center arena.

The court ruled that the organization had the legal right to deny the Fresno Bee’s request.

Terry Francke, legal counsel for Californians Aware, said, “There have been a string of scandals coming to light since this bill was introduced. The public ought to be able to find out how the university campuses are spending public funds and it ought to be able to apply that same transparency to the foundations that are raising extra money for the universities.”

UEI’s Marketing Service Director Celexsy Adame responded through an e-mail on behalf of UEI to say that it does not have a position on either SB 218 or public records law.

The email also said that UEI is an auxiliary organization and is not funded by state general fund money.

The CSU, UC and the chancellor of the community colleg-

es said the it would discourage donors from making donations to the schools because it will make nonprofit organizations more public.

The CSU, UC and community colleges stated in the bill analysis that SB 218 will lead to multimillion-dollar revenue losses due to reduced donations from anonymous donors specifically and diminish donations to the auxiliaries in general.

However, Ewert said there are provisions that protect the identities of anonymous donors to the extent that they do not receive anything in exchange.

The donors who do not wish to be anonymous are able to see and keep track of how their money is handled by making all auxiliary organizations’ records public, he said.

CSU also stated its concerns in the bill analysis. CSU stated its concerns that by expanding CPRA to private entities, CSU’s ability to receive donations, attract volunteers, participate in public-private partnerships and contract with vendors will be hindered because of those who fear access to their personal and proprietary information.

Constitution: Rights of citizens discussed at events Continued | page A1 ing all the programs of ASI out in the quad for the students,” Gonzalez said.

According to ASI’s website, its programs include SafeRides, which provides free, safe and confidential rides home to the students, staff and faculty of Sac State; Green Sting, a club devoted to promoting charities, athletics and other activities that build the campus life; the Children’s Center, which offers affordable, dependable and convenient child care for student, staff and faculty parents; as well as KSSU 1530 AM radio, Peak

Adventures, the Student Life & Services Center and the Aquatic Center.

The screening of the film “American Idealist: The Story of Sergeant Shriver” was yet another event that took place on Thursday as part of Constitution Week in the University Union Hinde Auditorium.

The screening was sponsored by the Community Engagement Center and the film concerned the invention of a string of social initiatives that shaped an era and dared millions of young Americans to live out their ideals, Gonzalez said.

According to the event sched-

ule, “Those who knew Sergeant Shriver - Bill Moyers, Andrew Young, political commentator Mark Shields, and so many others - have spoken of Shriver in the same breath as Martin Luther King Jr, calling him a visionary of deep humanity who helped create a more just society.”

After the film on Thursday, UNIQUE hosted the event by Henry Rollins in the University Union Ballroom. Rollins performed spoken-word and is the former singer of Black Flag and Rollins Band. He is a popular American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, pub-

lisher, actor, radio DJ and activist. In this performance, Rollins added to the theme of the week by speaking about constitutional rights in America.

The PRIDE Center’s event took place on Monday. The center decided to host a lecture by Brian DiSarro at the University Union lobby suites, entitled “Gay Rights in America.”

Brian DiSarro, government department faculty member, explained that the lecture takes a look at the gay rights movement, the history of this movement and the current political climate in the wake of Proposition 8 vote.

Matthew Hughes State Hornet

Members of the audience laugh during Rollins’ act.

any closer & you’d be sleeping in class

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