Controversy • New
CSULB President F. King Alexander went
before the Associated Students Senate
Wednesday to discuss his feelings on
the Puvungna burial grounds and the
possibility for building on them, saying
he wanted more information dispersed
before any decisions were made. Tracey
Roman / Online Forty-Niner
Puvungna building issue comes to Senate
By
Joseph Serna
Online Forty-Niner
Assistant City Editor
President F. King Alexander addressed the Associated Students Senate Wednesday
to explain where he and his administration stand thus far on building on the
Puvungna burial grounds.
The burial grounds, once again coming into public awareness on the heels of
the new Cal State Long Beach president, have sparked debate whether to leave
the land undeveloped or use it for new facilities.
“Quite honestly, we don’t have any agenda on this issue,” Alexander
said. “My agenda is to listen.”
Alexander made it clear until he feels CSULB has all the facts, CSULB will
not make a decision.
“My job is to get as much information as possible, and then to disseminate
it,” he said.
Sen. Shelina McClinton, College of Liberal Arts, asked if Alexander had any
kind of timeline for when he wanted this issue to be resolved.
“I’d like to give you a date, but its not that kind of issue,” Alexander
told the senators. “And we’re not in any hurry.”
Some senators expressed interest in conducting a school-wide survey on Puvungna
development, similar to the recreational center survey last semester which
had a record number of responses.
“I think student surveys are fine, but I want to make sure they have all
the accurate information,” Alexander said.
“And I’m not sure I have all the accurate information.”
Sen. Elisa Herrera,”College of Education, also questioned whether there
had been any pressure from an outside source for development, such as an outside
contractor.
Alexander firmly stated there is no outside pressure, and if there was, it
would have no bearing on the school’s decision.
“This is our issue, and the Native Americans’ issue,” he said.
“Developers have a different agenda, and that’s not our agenda.”
The second topic that triggered some debate was the confirmation of an ASI
associate justice.
While Nicholas Mokhlessin and Trevon Williams were approved for chief justice
and associate justice, respectively, with little discussion, the third confirmation
of Joseph Edwards was met with opposition.
“I have reservations that these three are too much like each other,” Herrera
said.
All three are from the same department and share the same major: political
science.
“I think having Poli-Sci majors in the judiciary is a bonus,””said
Sen. Jessica Veira, College of Education.
While Herrera argued Edwards’ confirmation would put four justices from
the same department on the bench, Sen. Kory Witt, College of Health and Human
Services, said he thinks they will be responsible enough to remain impartial.
“I think not voting them in would be a slap in the face,” Witt said,
emphasizing that the potential justices understood that they would be required
to be impartial.
Edwards’ was ultimately confirmed, with Herrera and Sen. Naomi Cruz,
College of Liberal Arts, opposing.
Monique Henley was also confirmed as ASI administrator of the Associated Students.
The Senate passed a resolution allocating a minimum of $5,000 to the executive
officers budget, solely dedicated to the purpose of planning and executing
the “celebration of diversity” event, according to the document.
The resolution will not require a new event, so that money may be allocated
toward events that promote the required ideals.
The Senate also passed a second resolution, which established a policy of “transparency,” and
required ASI to “conduct its affairs in an atmosphere that is open and
transparent with the goal of enhancing trust and understanding,” according
to the document.
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