Proposal rejected by A.S.I.

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, October 7, 1998

A proposal recently submitted to the Associated Students Inc. which suggested turning the Soroptomist House into a residential facility for retired people was declined by the A.S.I. Board of Control, according to Richard H. Haller, A.S.I. chief administrative officer. The board turned down the proposal at the Sept. 30 A.S. Senate meeting.

Douglas Richie, a trustee for The Richie Family Charitable Trust, made the proposal and emphasized that the house would have been enhanced rather than replaced. It would have consisted of 25-30 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Initial feedback from campus administrators was not favorable.

A.S.I. Vice President Toby Sexton stated that the Soroptomist House is not a good location for a retirement facility. Noise factors could become an issue since the house is located adjacent to the dorms.

Joe Latter, associate vice president for financial management at Cal State Long Beach, agreed by saying that a retirement facility is not consistent with a campus venue.

Richie said that the facility would have provided an opportunity for cross-generational relationships, with residents acting as mentors for the students. A.S.I. members have expressed doubts that this would have actually occurred.

Interest in the project had been expressed by professors who teach courses related to gerontology here at CSULB. They see it as an opportunity for research, student internships and employment for students planning careers related to service of the elderly.

The facility would have operated as a non-profit entity with revenue from operations, in the form of lease payments and or management fees, according to the A.S.I.

The residents of the facility would have been encouraged to enroll in CSULB's Senior University and to attend performing arts, athletic and cultural events on campus.