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Chico State’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1975
VOLUME 69 ISSUE 9
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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24, 2012
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SUCCESS FEE
AS letter calls for student survey “It’s not my voice,” Virdee said Zingg proposed the compact at the Sept. 24 A.S. board of direc- of the letter. “It’s really a repretors meeting. The fee would sentation of the student voice.” The board of focus on raising directors recomfunds for areas of “I think it’s the best mends a monthly education collecstudent poll to tively decided by way to properly gain an equal students and facrepresent student representation ulty members. opinions.” of opinions from The board of Chico State’s studirectors gathdents, faculty ered suggestions LINDSEY SIEGEL A.S. director of university affairs and staff. The for the letter at its polling results Oct. 8 meeting. The drafted letter is a compila- would be presented to the Camtion of the ideas discussed at the pus Fee Advisory Committee. “I think it’s the best way to meeting.
Katrina Cameron
$450
STAFF WRITER
The Chico Parent Advisory Council unanimously supported a proposed fee amount at its Oct. 6 meeting. The proposed fee could be phased in over three years, starting at $150 a year and increasing by $150 increments for two years. SOURCE • BELLE WEI, PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Chico State student representatives are calling for a survey of student opinion on a proposed campus fee. The Associated Students board of directors reviewed a letter Monday drafted by A.S. President Jaypinderpal Virdee that includes several recommendations for how the university should consult with students during the development of the Chico Compact for Student Success. Chico State President Paul
properly represent student opinions,” said Lindsey Siegel, A.S. director of university affairs. A.S. wants to gain student opinion before taking a stance on the fee, Virdee said. A.S. is not currently for or against the fee. “The biggest message of that letter is to ensure that students are represented throughout the entire process,” Virdee said. “I want students to be heard. It’s our responsibility to make sure the university takes that course of route.” The drafted letter of suggestion >> please see FEE | A5
TANGLED UP Kayla Kashtiban poses in a fashion show hosted by Chikoko, a Chico fashion collective, at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on Saturday. Conga drums boomed as Chikoko showcased their “gutter punk gypsies,” who are models posed as caterpillars and butterflies. To read the story, visit theorion.com.
POLITICS
Legislators flunk accountability test, strike back Aubrey Crosby STAFF WRITER
Politicians all over the state have been given an F, and they are not happy about it. The grades are part of the California State University system’s first legislative scorecard, which ranks state legislatures based on how they vote on bills that impact the 23-campus system, according to a press release from the CSU. Of the 119 legislators rated, received an A grade and two represent areas surrounding Chico. Assemblyman Dan Logue, who represents Butte, Lassen and Nevada counties, received a score of 47 percent, an F, on the report. DAN LOGUE The assemblyFormer state senator man representing Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, Butte, Lassen and received an F, and Sen. Nevada counties recieved a F on Leland Yee, D-San Franthe report. cisco, received a D. Assemblyman Logue voted alongside the CSU on some bills, such as one allowing foster teens priority enrollment and registration in universities, according to the scorecard. However, Logue voted against the system’s agenda LELAND YEE on most bills, including The senator one that required univerrepresenting San Mateo and San sity administrators to notify Francisco counstudents before tuition is ties received a D increased. He also voted on the report. against the Middle Class Scholarship Program, a bill that would have provided financial aid to middle-income students. Sen. Yee fought back against the poor grade in a press release. “Based on the chancellor’s positions on legislation, I am proud of my D score on his report card,” Yee said in the release. “Rather than fighting for students and faculty, the CSU administration used taxpayer funds to advocate for themselves and their “Based on the fellow top chancellor’s positions executives. The chancelon legislation, I am report proud of my D score on lor’s card is a his report card.” sham.” Yee has LEELAND YEE received State senator many 100 percent scores for support of higher education from the California State Student Association, according to the release. Yee also created his own scorecard for the CSU system. He gave the CSU an F in accountability, transparency and advocacy for students and faculty. He gave the CSU an A+ in advocacy for the top executives. “Unlike the current CSU administration, I am hopeful that the incoming chancellor will represent the interests of the entire university community and that he will put in place a government relations team that will work >> please see FAIL | A4
THE ORION •PHOTOGRAPH BY ANNIE MAIZE
Gutter punk gypsies strut stuff FACILITY SAFETY
State receives asbestos complaint for Butte Hall Pedro Quintana STAFF WRITER
In the wake of controversy regarding the presence of asbestos in Butte Hall, a complaint has been filed with a statewide occupational safety organization. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health received the complaint about Butte Hall last week, said Patricia Ortiz, a representative with the safety organization. If investigators recommend removing asbestos or issuing citations or penalties, Cal-OSHA would oversee that process, Ortiz said. A Cal-OSHA representative visited Chico
State Monday and took a tour of Butte Hall with Marvin Pratt, the director of environmental health and safety, said Joe Wills, Chico State’s director of public affairs and publications The controversy over the possible presence of asbestos in the building began after faculty raised concerns that environmental
conditions in Butte Hall could be connected to the cancer deaths of sociology professor Andy Dick and staff member Tami Harder Kilpatric, both of whom worked in the building. Gayle Hutchinson, the dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, >> please see BUTTE | A4
Sept. 21
Oct. 15
Last week
Dean Fairbanks, the chair of the department of geography and planning, sends an email to fellow faculty members expressing concern about Butte Hall’s safety
Geography professor Mark Stemen puts up signs warning passers-by of asbestos in Butte Hall. The next day, students receive an email declaring Butte Hall safe.
CAL-OSHA receives an official complaint regarding the presence of asbestos in Butte Hall
Wildcat shop to open after mall overhaul Katrina Cameron STAFF WRITER
The seven-month renovation of Chico Mall is complete, just in time for the Chico State Wildcat Store to open its seasonal storefront there. The Wildcat Store will open a shop in the mall within the next two weeks, said Ryan Winger, a sophomore business major and Wildcat Store customer service representative. The mall store will sell Chico State apparel, textbooks and gifts for the holidays. The location was also used last year, and the store will be in the same spot – straight through the main mall entrance. The Wildcat Store’s income on campus has increased slightly, but sales continue to decrease, said Keaton Bass, A.S. vice president for business and finance. The floor-to-ceiling renovation of >> please see MALL | A4
INDEX
THE ORION •PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH SUTTON
MALL MUSIC Momentum, a Chico State dance team, performs at the Chico Mall renovation celebration over the weekend. After a seven-month renovation, the mall now has new floors, paint, remodeled restrooms, a family restroom and an updated food court.
INSIDE
World News
A2
Sports
B1
Weather
A2
Directory
B3
Police Blotter
A4
Features
B5
Opinion
A6
Sex Column
B7
Sports
TODAY
59 44
high low
full week A2 >>
Learn about the StudentAthletic Advisory Committee and its impact in the community. Story B2
Features Radio stations give students the chance to gain professional experience. Story B6
Opinion Drunken zombies roam Chico on weekend nights. Column A6