A.S.I denies KBEACH independence

KBEACH has lost their bid for independence. 

The Associated Student Inc. Board of Control voted Monday against allowing the student-run radio station to become an independent student organization. 

KBEACH, a station which broadcasts over the Internet and the University Student Union's public announcement system, presented its proposal to the board April 24th, requesting that the board separate the station from the A.S.I. and grant the station independent student organization status. Four members voted against the proposal and one abstained. 

The proposition will now continue to a vote in the A.S.I. Senate. 

The board's vote surprised former KBEACH General Manager Mike Soultanian, who drafted the proposal. 

"It's shocking that they voted on it so fast," he said. "I thought that they would have taken more time in considering it. This has some interesting implications. We are going to decide what to do next in the next couple days." 

The station proposed that A.S.I. let the station keep its equipment and current Student Union facility in exchange for coverage of debates during the Cal State Long Beach elections, Senate meetings and promotion of events held in the Student Union. According to Soultanian, the station's goal is to promote free speech "in an environment that promotes an independent voice." 

A.S.I. Vice President Sheryl "Shorty" Mauricio was upset at the station's proposition. 

"I feel a sense of abandonment," she said. "The station was built and run by students and with student funds. The A.S. has worked hard to have a student radio station." 

Mauricio said there are many reasons for the station to remain part of A.S.I. 

"I think that the relationship now is OK," she said. "If they leave, they will have many more financial obligations with the equipment and the facilities." 

Richard Haller, A.S.I. chief administrator, said at last week's board meeting that he could not professionally or personally endorse the station's proposal and that his staff is against the separation of the station from A.S.I. 

"The proposal is inconsistent with the formal business plan presented to and approved by the Senate in 1998," Haller said. "After all, it was this proposal that persuaded A.S.I. to invest over $40,000 in the purchase of equipment and fixtures, in addition to the countless hours of staff time spent advising and assisting KBEACH." 

Haller disputed the idea that the station does not control its content and insisted that censorship can be prevented without the station leaving the governing body. He said the proposal was denied due to a lack of evidence of past censorship or A.S.I. interference and a failure to identify future sources of revenue that would 
allow KBEACH to continue operating. 

"I think that it is a bold statement, especially when it's a station that is the voice of the students," Soultanian said. "The decision might not have a large impact now, but down the line two years from now who knows what could happen." 

Also at the meeting on Monday, the board officially approved Kane Diallo, freshman computer engineering major, as the station's new general manager.