A.S.I. dictatorship hurts campus group

The Hispanic student organization was denied funds for the 2000-2001 academic year because they failed to file their application on time. La Raza requested $5,000 for the 2000-2001 academic year.

After La Raza's treasurer appealed to the Senate to reconsider, a motion to transfer funds from the Entertainment Commission to the student organization failed. So where can La Raza get the money to keep going next academic year?

The budget math gets a bit complicated. First the Associated Students Inc. approved a budget of $50,000 for Beach Blast II and projected a $29,000 loss.

If A.S.I. borrows the $5,000 from the budget for Beach Blast II and allocates it to La Raza, the anticipated loss will be only $24,000.

Although student fees generated by the Beach Referendum will generate $1.2 million more, A.S.I. anticipates only $1.9 million in revenue.

Somewhere in this math, with a little shifting and digging, the funds can be found for La Raza.

Or is this another display of power like the denial of independence to KBEACH Radio?

Now, the Senators are imitating Washington-type politicians who cut welfare programs without bothering to consult their constituents.

True, a concert could be a great idea. But supporting organizations that hold events and promote outreach programs are much more beneficial to the university. The communities surrounding Cal State Long Beach will remember the efforts of campus groups like La Raza.

Spending $50,000 on something that is expected to lose money is like buying an expensive car that you know will break down. It's an impulse buy-- the A.S.I. wants it, so the students get to buy it.

The success of La Raza's past endeavors outweighs any denial for future funds simply because they were late filing a form.

A.S.I. needs to stop playing the power game and step back into reality. Treasurer-elect Sal Ayon needs to look at the situation and consider the effect these actions will have on the financial future of the A.S.I. And if he finds the actions inappropriate, he should take steps to invalidate the decisions of this group of dictators.