Pyramid use questioned

Jutting 18 stories above the earth, viewable from three freeways and every area on the Cal State Long Beach campus is a $22 million, cobalt blue facility that has given the campus a symbol for which to be renowned.

The Pyramid, although part of the state university, receives no state funding for maintenance or operation. It is a public-private hybrid controlled by the athletic department, in accordance with policies and procedures of CSULB.

The Pyramid is primarily to be used for academic instruction and athletic events, according to CSULB Athletic Director David O'Brien. "When not used for instruction or athletic events the department tries to rent out the facility as often as possible."

"Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Pyramid is designated as a physical education facility to be used for instruction," said Jim Suguitan, athletic department business manager.

However, the facility is rented out during the hours designated for instruction. Physical education classes are then relocated to other areas in the facility if possible, to other on-campus physical education facilities or outdoors, said Dixie Grummett ph ysical education department chairwoman.

"Generally their is no real interference to the courses," Grummett said.

There are cases, however, where interference with courses is eminent, as during the three-day rental of The Pyramid for the filming of a Taco Bell Corp. commercial.

Some students were late to class because they either did not know class was relocated or because clothing and equipment needed for class were housed in the inaccessible locker rooms, closed to students as a result of filming.

"It doesn't happen often, but there problems that come up when classes need to rescheduled," said Grummett. "In this particular case it was my error.

I completely forgot our aerobics classes have their lockers in the arena area, because it's the first sem ester we (physical education department) have had aerobics classes in The Pyramid."

The athletic department did inform Grummett that the Taco Bell Corp. commercial would need the arena space, Grummett said, although not enough notice was given to inform all of the aerobic instructors.

CSULB biology major Anna Magpantay, unaware that locker rooms in the arena would be closed Feb. 8, during filming, could not make prior arrangements to get the gear she needed to be prepared for her 9 a.m. aerobics class.

"I left my shoes in the locker and basically had to wear uncomfortable construction boots class," Magpantay said. "I wish they would post these changes at least two to three days in advance and have the instructors inform the class, so that students can be prepared. There were no signs posted to let students know what was happening."

"Some students were escorted to the locker room to get their things," said Grummett, "But, we may have missed a few."

According to the The Pyramid General Policies and Procedures manual, the facility is to be used for, "physical education use Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., including set up time, except that special events shall have priority if scheduled before the first day of the month preceding the event."

Although the athletic department and the physical education department work together, cases have occured such as with the Taco Bell Corp. where, although notice of an upcoming event was given, there was not enough time to inform instructors. In the case o f the Taco Bell Corp. commercial no signs were posted to inform students of the changes.

"Classes are taught only every other day, so changes should be posted at least three days in advance," Green said.

The main classes taught in the arena by physical education department are basketball and volleyball, said Grimmett and those classes can easily by rescheduled outside or in other facilities, but advanced notice needs to be given.

"Both departments (athletic and physical education) are working together, so that when a special event comes in we negotiate where classes need to be scheduled. Physical education classes are still the priority, but there is the athletic department's dile mma of paying of their loans to be considered."

The facility must be rented out to cover monthly payments of about $30,000 paid directly to the CSULB Foundation to pay off a more than $3.2 million loan, Suguitan said.

"We (the athletic department) had to come up with the money for completion of items with The Pyramid," said Suguitan.

This cost includes a monthly lease of fixed, portable and convertible seats within The Pyramid. Also included is the cost of the ticketing system, the Dactronics score tables and the cost to complete the facility. The lease payment is covered through rentals and ticket sales, which also help pay for general operation and personnel, O'Brien said.

"Rentals for outside events like these begin at $2,800 a day to a maximum of $5,000 before additional expenses are added." Additional expenses may include the use of chairs, tables, electricians, ticket sales and ticket takers and event management, said O'Brien. "The charge determined depends on the needs of the event."