Senate discusses "USA Today" proposal; recaps rules of operation

By Gerry Wachovsky
Online Forty-Niner
Diversions Editor

The Associated Students Senate met Wednesday to approve a referendum that would enable students to choose three papers that would be available to the campus population.

"USA Today" gave a presentation to the Senate last week detailing their Collegiate Readership Program, which aims to keep students of college campuses aware on Online news by encouraging learning both in and out of the classroom.

The program, which started at Penn State, would cost Associated Students, Inc., approximately $15,000 to $20,000. To pay for this, ASI would have to either take the money out of existing funds or increase tuition by five dollars. Students would be allowed to vote on the tuition increase through a special referendum.

"The money just isn't there," said Senator Morgan Wheeler, who discussed the prospective program with Richard Haller, executive director of Associated Students, Inc.

"If 60 percent [of students] vote [on the prospective referendum], there would still be 40 percent who wouldn't want it," Senator Zaira Tinoco reasoned, expressing concern that even if it were to pass, some students may be financially pressed and unable to incur even a five dollar tuition raise. The referendum itself would also cost money, and according to Vice President Erik Jolliff, "Associated Students would have to cover the entire cost."

Forensics department director Matt Taylor spoke of the "tradeoff" that would exist if the referendum were passed. "$15 or $20,000 can go into a lot of things [to increase student body participation]," Taylor said.

The Senate eventually agreed that the detrimental monetary factors outweighed the good, and set it aside for a possible future endeavor, dependent on funds at that time.

Next came a presentation from Stuart L. Farber, a man who has served over 42 years of public service to the Cal State Long Beach community. His presentation, which was designed to increase awareness among the senators regarding the parliamentary procedures and rules the Senate must follow, was given as a sort of recap for both returning and new senators alike.

"Preparation is the key to being a successful Senate representative," Farber said, relaying tips for how the senators can make better use of their time and be more efficient when it comes to Senate and governmental matters.

Farber also expressed his admiration for the Senate and mentioned several accomplishments by the body. Among those were the Beach Pride referendum, the deliberations regarding the additions to the Union building's third floor, and the Iraq war resolution, which Farber said was "back and forth" and "pro and con," with "the vote coming to within one."