Chico State’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1975
AND THEN THERE WERE 4
PARK’S PERKS Bidwell Park provides the public with a place to play and volunteer. Video theorion.com/multimedia Story D4
VOLUME 67 ISSUE 8
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2011
The women’s soccer team continues its historic season in Florida. Story B1
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PRESIDENTIAL SALARIES
The 20th annual Giving Tree program sponsored by the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center began Monday. Students and faculty are encouraged to pick a child’s name from trees located in the Bell Memorial Union, the Student Services Center, the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center or the residence halls. Gifts must be new and unwrapped and returned to designated boxes that will be in the lobbies of the SSC and the BMU by Wednesday. Source: Campus Calendar
Laxson Auditorium will be hosting Neil Berg’s “Broadway Holiday” tonight at 7:30 p.m. The show includes songs from many beloved Broadway musicals, such as “Jersey Boys,” “Wicked” and “My Fair Lady.” The price is $23 per student.
Presidential pay ‘sensitive’ topic Presidential salary differences may sour camaraderie among leaders
CSU Presidential Salaries
Total of all presidential salaries
more than $300,000 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State, Cal State L.A., Cal State Long Beach
Griffin Rogers STAFF WRITER
less than $290,000
$6.48
After watching incoming California State University presidents receive about $400,000 in salary, current administrators have become concerned with what implications it might have among lower-paid presidents. The gap between the highest paid and lowest paid CSU president is about $140,000, President Paul Zingg said in an email. Although many presidents feel they are fairly compensated, the range in salaries may create a “tier” system among them. A ranking of CSU presidents could introduce tension in the group, he said. “I haven’t seen such tension yet, but this set of circumstances could affect it,” Zingg said. “If it does, camaraderie could be adversely affected.” Jeff rey Armstrong, the newly hired president of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the second highest paid CSU president, said any problems created by salary issues could be solved through the presidents’ high level of trust and friendship. “Issues of pay are always sensitive, and I realize that they can create hard feelings,” Armstrong said via email. “When the
Fresno State, San Francisco State, Humboldt State, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Cal Poly Pomona, Sonoma State, Cal State San Bernardino
million
more than $280,000 Chico State, Cal State East Bay, Cal State Channel Islands, Cal State Monterey Bay , Cal State San Marcos, Cal State Stanislaus, California Maritime Academy SOURCE: 2011 MERCER REPORT
THE ORION • TERCIUS BUFETE AND MARK ROJAS
COMPENSATION The above illustration shows how much the respective campus presidents earn annually. Chico State’s Paul Zingg is among the lowest paid presidents earning just under $280,000. chancellor offered me the job, I accepted it as he offered it – no negotiations.” Armstrong makes a total of about $385,000 per year, but still has concerns over the salary differential, he said. “I am equally concerned with the fact that faculty and staff have not received salary adjustments,” Armstrong said. The highest paid president among the 23 CSU campuses is Elliot Hirshman of San Diego State, who makes about $400,000 per year
after combining his salary with additional wages. Hirshman declined to comment on the issue of presidential salary concerns. The lowest paid president is Bill Eisenhardt who receives $259,000 per year as an executive at California Maritime Academy. He announced his retirement on Oct. 31. A president might resign if he or she disagrees with the direction of the CSU, Zingg said. The system is looking for five new >> please see SALARY | A7
Source: Chico Performance
Glorious Sounds of the Season, a holiday fundraiser, will be hosted by the Chico State music department and the School of the Arts in Harlen Adams Theatre. The children’s choir of Chico, as well as many student and faculty ensembles, will be performing more than 25 musical pieces Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $20 each, with all proceeds going toward music scholarships for Chico students. Source: Theatre Department
Professor helps study increase of mercury in common fish Raquel Royers STAFF WRITER
THE ORION • AARON DRAPER
GENERAL ASSEMBLY Students, faculty, Academic Senate members and Chico State President Paul Zingg were in attendance at the first assembly meeting that went through line-by-line of a tentative charter, which will be sent to the administration regarding various demands.
Occupy Chico State eyes Kendall Hall Zingg joins group to address issues raised in relation to recent fee hikes Brenna Dillman
The Cross-Cultural Leadership Center is hosting a free “Motivating Yourself!” workshop from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Thursday in Meriam Library Room 172. The workshop will focus on self-empowerment, new learning styles and the significance of accountability, communication and teamwork. Source: Campus Calendar
STAFF WRITER
With the Occupy movement moving across the nation, Chico State students have decided it is time to join and get involved. After the news of a $498 increase in tuition on Nov. 16, a group of students decided that administration is not doing enough to represent its students. Two Facebook pages have been created for students to get the word out and for the movement
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to distribute information to the public. The General Assembly of the movement is working through consensus among members to meet everyone’s needs. The Occupy Chico State Facebook page published the first letter the group has sent to administration. “We are a leaderless organization,” the letter said. The first event and beginning of the occupation will be Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Trinity Commons starting with the General Assembly in which all students, staff and community members are welcome. This will be followed by the occupation of Kendall Hall. One of students’ biggest concerns is the brutality that has been seen at other
universities and rallies across the country, according to the Facebook page. Occupy Chico State made a statement on its page about the legality and options for individuals during occupation. “At our occupation, we will hold a Know Your Rights seminar so that everyone can feel comfortable and safe with their own personal decisions,” the statement read. Despite concerns about police issues, Adam Roth, a senior sociology major, thinks it should not be a reason not to go, he said. Since it already happened in other places, it is hopefully being corrected and won’t happen again. Roth thinks many students probably are worried and frustrated with the tuition >> please see OCCUPY | A7
Sushi lovers may want to think twice next time they’re craving that spicy tuna roll. A study showed an increasing amount of mercury levels in forms of fish jerky samples. The study was co-conducted by David Brown, professor of geological sciences at Chico State. Brown was attending a conference in Nevada City that focused on mercury due to results of mining when he met Jane Hightower, Brown said. Hightower gave a speech on the growing amounts of mercury being found in raw seafood products. Brown offered to help with her proposed experiment, which >> please see FISH | A7
$498 tuition increase raises student concern Brenna Dillman STAFF WRITER
Recent tuition raises and budget cuts among California State Universities has made it increasingly difficult for students to not only afford to go to school, but afford rent, food, gas and other living expenses. For many students the idea of paying even more for college is a nightmare, and for some it will affect the rest of their lives. With budget cuts, some classes are becoming harder to get into, or electives and classes for minors are being cut altogether. Gracey Hessinger, a sophomore communications major, was informed through email that one of her theatre classes was no longer >> please see HIKE | A7
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Chico State students take a different approach in creating graphic T-shirts with Common Culture Cothing. Story C1
Features Students caught illegally selling class material through online company. Story D1
Opinion Could you live on $1.50 a week? Story A8