A.S.I. silences KBEACH's crusade for independence

KBEACH's bid for independence officially died Wednesday.

In spite of the 12 disc jockeys and listeners who showed up in support of the station, the Associated Students Inc. Senate voted 11-6-1 to approve the minutes for the May 1 Board of Control meeting, which contained the vote against allowing KBEACH to become an independent student organization. 

The minutes approval dashed the student-run Internet radio station's hope of reversing the A.S.I.'s decision this semester. The station is located on the first floor of the University Student Union.

"If we approve the minutes, it doesn't stop them from coming back with a proposal next year," said Senator Edward Knight. "I think they should talk to an accountant to help draft a financial proposal and a budget."

Last week the board voted 4-0-1 to deny KBEACH independent student organization status. At the same meeting Kane Diallo, freshman computer engineering major, was voted in as the station's new general manager without the consent of the station. In response to the vote, KBEACH pulled its Web site off the Internet and replaced it with a letter urging students to oppose the board's decision. Despite the station's reaction, Senator Justin Ramirez defended the senate's vote. 

"We are students and we are elected to make decisions," said Ramirez, who sits on the board. "I stand 110 percent behind our decision."

The decision left many from the station in tears and others angry.

"All we want is time to talk about the proposal, which wasn't intended to be the end all-be all of proposals," said Candy Simpkins, KBEACH's interim general manager. 

Senator Michael Braga felt that even though Diallo has only been with the station for two months, there is more than enough time to prepare him to be general manager. 

"They can train him over the summer," Braga said. "If they are willing to teach him I am sure that he is willing to be taught. If you truly love something, you will find a way to get around any obstacle."

Neither Diallo nor former general manager Mike Soultanian were present at the meeting.