Senate approves new clubs

By Terran Odell
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

The Cal State Long Beach ASI Senate held their weekly meeting yesterday. The Senate approved new student organizations, discussed fees in the CSU system, and were given an update by ASI President Mike Johnson aimed at cooperative existence between the legislative and executive branches.

The Senate agenda included the planned recognition of three new student organizations: The Premed Association, The Dog Eared Book Club and the Roller Hockey Club.

The Premed Association is for "students interested in pursuing careers in the field of medicine," said Senator for the College of Liberal Arts, Noelle Bautista-Kinley. There was some discussion of the similarity of the club to another existing club on campus, TOPS (The Organization for Professional Students in health), but Senator Kerry Reid said, "TOPS is part of our college counsel," while The Premed Association is a special interest club. The Senate approved the club as a new student organization with an 18-01 vote.

The Dog Eared Book Club also received recognition by the Senate, but the Roller Hockey Club failed to gain approval due to the fact that there is an existing intramural Roller Hockey group. "It sounds like a club sport," said ASI Vice President Erik Joliff. Some of the senators felt that the club might have been brought to be considered for recognition without the knowledge of the other group already in existence, and so the club's fate was postponed until next week's meeting.

The Senate also discussed the CSU student fees issue with California Faculty Association's (CFA) President Mike Hassul. He said the Chancellor of the CSU system has made a deal with the governor that would not provide the CSU system with adequate funding. Hassul encouraged the senators to voice their opinions. "The most powerful group is not the CFA, its not the faculty, it's the students and your parents," he said.

The new deal made with the governor has created a funding ceiling instead of a floor, and Hassul said the Chancellor is now expecting the CFA, students, and faculty to "carry his water."

Hassul said the faculty share the concern about student fee increases, but said, "That's our salaries. Your concerns are our concerns, without you we don't have jobs." Hassul's main point was to have senators fight for what the students want. "Enjoy it while you're here, but stay aggressive," he said. "When we're fighting for budget, you've got to show up."

The Senate also received a report from Johnson that was aimed at keeping the senators informed as to the progress and working of himself and his cabinet. Johnson is concerned about these two branches of the ASI not working together, and he took the step toward working in cooperation as to yield the greatest good for the students of CSULB. One of Johnson biggest issues is with textbooks and the late ordering that has impacted prices. Johnson ended his presentation highlighting his purpose.

"Its [cooperative work] rocky, its not the easiest thing, but the end result is always better," he said.