Maxson addresses student concerns

President asked about housing, free speech, Internet in open student meeting

Theme housing, Internet and free speech were some of the topics discussed at an open students meeting between Cal Sate Long Beach President Robert Maxson and about 35 students in the North Campus Library Wednesday afternoon.

Maxson explained that the university is inquiring into a new site for the possible Greek Village/theme-housing concept. Previously, a location near George H. Allen Field had been earmarked but now school officials are looking into building between the residence halls and Parking Lot B.

"It is not whether we want to do it or not," Maxson said. "We're not trying to debate that- we know we want to do it- the answer is absolutely yes, if we can get the financing."

Roughly, $ 3 million would be needed to start the project. The university would attempt to obtain financing through banks and then use rent money, paid by students living in the new buildings, to repay the loan.

The new site being explored is on top of the drainage canal running between the residence halls and Parking Lot B.

"We're looking at that area because it would not take up existing green space," Maxson said.

Engineering student Andre Swillay said some engineering students are having to wait 15-30 minutes to access the Internet system through the engineering department and wanted to know what could be done to speed up the process.

Associated Students President Susie Aramesh helped answer Swillay's question by explaining how many people are using the Internet. Aramesh said that CSULB has 8,000 accounts but only 46 ports to hook up through.

Ports are the access lines for the Internet system and cost about $800 each. Ten of those ports are allocated for engineering.

"Don't look down on the system because it is crowded, 30 ports would be nice, 20 ports would do," Swillay said.

Maxson was also questioned about CSULB's commitment to free speech. The president used the opportunity to agree with the Supreme Court's ruling in Smith vs. California Board of Regents.

In that case, the court ruled that mandatory student fees could not be used to support activities or organizations whose focus is to advance political or ideological interests.