Dismissal decision postponed

The Cal State Long Beach Associated Students Judiciary did not reach a decision at its hearing Wednesday on whether to dismiss charges brought by A.S. Senator Steve Negley and CSULB student Joseph Thinn against the Black Student Union and the Black Cultural Programming Committee.

The charges concerned a speech given by Khallid Muhammad, former member of the Nation of Islam and former aide to Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan.

According to Negley's petition, the BSU and the BCPC for failed to follow the guidelines set by Smith vs. UC Board of Regents when Muhammad spoke at the Black Consciousness Conference held Nov. 19, 1994.

The petition also stated that the BSU and the BCPC deceitfully placed a last-minute program change in violation of the Smith vs. U.C. Board of Regents ruling.

The ruling states that mandatory student funds cannot be used to support activities or student organizations whose focus is to advance political or ideological interests.

In his opening statement Mark Guillory, BSU treasurer and representative of the case, argued that the BSU is not officially recognized by the Associated Students Inc. nor did they receive any funds for the program by the A.S.

Guillory also said that the BCPC spent mandatory fees for the Black Consciousness Conference, but followed guidelines in bringing Muhammad on campus.

"They were given four guidelines," Guillory said. "They had to advertise, number two, they were given adequate security, number three they had to have a question and answer period and had to havemeetings with Student Life and Development.

"Dr. Khallid Muhammad is an international scholar and definitely deserves to be heard in a university forum," Guillory said.

"We don't understand why there were special meetings held forthe presentation of Dr. Khallid Muhammad," Joseph Elders, who represents Thinn said. "This a probable cause and directly a problem that needs to be curved and the motion to dismiss should be rejected."

Elders also said he didn't receive any documentation of questions asked of the speaker, which would make grounds for dismissal invalid.

In his argument, Negley said that the BSU was involved in the funding of the program that brought Muhammad on campus and said that he was opposed to the funding the program.

"The BSU was the clear front runner," Negley said. "I think the BCPC was just a leg, the BCPC was just a front running addition or a funding arm of the BSU."

"Therefore we should continue to keep the BSU within this judicial hearing." Negley said.

Security was another issue brought up by Negley in the hearing. He also mentioned the concern for being shot and was a danger to students.

The A.S. Senate may have a decision on whether or not to dismiss charges of the misuse of funds by Monday at 4 p.m

.