Schwarzenegger
to talk, address CSULB students
By
Zamná Ávila
On-line Forty-Niner
Republican
gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger
will address Cal State Long Beach students
today at 12:30 p.m. on Upper Campus.
Three
weeks ago the Associated Students Inc. sent
out invitations to Gov. Gray Davis, Cruz
Bustamante and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In
addition to an invitation letter, ASI made
courtesy calls to each of the candidates.
Within 10 minutes, Schwarzenegger's campaign
staff returned the call to discuss a visit
to the CSULB campus.
Confirmation
of Schwarzenegger's visit was "enthusiastically"
attained last Friday according to Mike Johnson,
ASI treasurer. ASI posted flyers, notified
resident assistants and announced at the
dorm picnic the candidate's visit to CSULB.
The
idea to invite the gubernatorial candidates
came from Guido Piotti, ASI vice president,
and Johnson. According to Johnson, they
wanted to create a forum for students to
get exposure to the different candidates.
Although
similar invitations were extended to Davis
and Bustamante, only Schwarzenegger's staff
responded enthusiastically.
"Bustamante's
people declined, they said 'we can't fit
you in our schedule," Johnson said.
Schwarzenegger
is expected to speak on a number of issues
in hopes of securing the student vote. After
his speech he will try to meet his audience
and shake their hands. However, he will
not be taking any questions.
"We
are looking forward for him to announce
his educational policy," said Johnson.
The
event will take place on the Upper Campus
in front of the PH1 building for approximately
1 hour. The event is expected to attract
local, national and perhaps international
media coverage, according to Johnson.
"This
is one of the biggest events ASI is planning
for our campus," Piotti said. "However,
I would like make clear that ASI does not
endorse or support any of the gubernatorial
candidates nor their views.".
Piotti
also said he encouraged students to contact
ASI if they have suggestions in seeking
the participation of other speakers that
may represent a different view by going
to the ASI office located at the University
Student Union, room 311.
|
