Senate
reviews text initiative
By
Gerry Wachovsky
On-line Forty-Niner
The
A.S. Senate met Wednesday to discuss rising
book prices, upcoming Cal State Long Beach
events and accepted a valuable gift donated
to Associated Students Inc. and CSULB.
The
first new business that took place was the
presentation of a painting titled "Beach
Sunset" by Stuart L. Farber, dean of
students, professor emeritus. The painting,
valued at $12,900, is by American master
artist Ruth Mayer, who "received the
Hubbard Museum Award for excellence in 1991,"
Farber said.
The
painting was "unanimously being considered
by the Senate for placement in the A.S.
Senate chambers," Farber said. "It
is my hope that the addition of the painting
will serve to enhance the magic within the
Senate chambers, that is to say: a place
where any subject may be discussed with
decorum and civility," Farber concluded.
The gift was approved by unanimous vote
at the meeting, and now hangs in the Senate
chambers.
The
next major order of business was a presentation
from Fred Neely, director of Bookstore Services
for 49er Shops. A video titled "Straight
Talk About Textbooks - Expense or Investment?"
was shown to the Senate, explaining the
way students, teachers and parents feel
about book prices and showing how much profit,
on average, the bookstore actually makes
each dollar spent by students on books.
Following
the video, Neely mentioned that the bookstore
is "very concerned" about book
prices and also suggested a prospective
task force, whose goal would be to ultimately
"reduce the [overall textbook] cost
to the average CSULB student." \
Criminal
justice professor, Harvey N. Morley, said,
"Neely is a friend, not a foe, to the
students." Morley said that because
of academic freedom principles, professors
cannot be forced to use a certain universal
text, and the text that they choose is at
their own discretion. A.S.I. President Danny
Vivian voiced approval for the possible
task force and hoped that this idea would
catch on at other schools.
In
other news, Oliver Panopio was appointed
Secretary for Equity & Diversity, and
said that he will work with students toward
creating more of a "unity between culture
groups."
Also
announced was the grand opening of the newly
refurbished Nugget, which will take place
today at 11:30 a.m. The Senate, including
Vice President Guido Piotti, voiced their
approval of the new Nugget and is pleased
with the way it looks. Additionally, during
Piotti's individual report to the Senate,
he made a note of a request from an "Armenian
student who wants a resolution written up
recognizing the Armenian genocide."
|
