The Collegian Sports Fans back east love Fresno State, despite controversies, Page 8 Fresno State | Serving the campus since 1922 February 11, 2009 | Wednesday collegian.csufresno.edu Water forum on campus brings out Fresno residents By Alex Zimmerman The Collegian There’s nothing like a good Out of harm’s way debate on a hot topic to stir up Where the ASI Fees Go the community. In this case it is environmentalists versus the agriculture advocates. ASI budget is still safe from crisis The debate, sponsored by ’08 - ’09 ’09 - ’10 Fresno State’s political sci- ence program and the Political despite lower enrollments next year Science Student Association, Total fee garnered a lot of interest from $1,392,092.50 $1,365,560.50 local residents as it was open calculation By Kaley Delarosa receives a portion of every stu- to the public. The Collegian dent’s fees. Nearly 700 concerned citi- “We are really looking at the zens were in attendance for Associated Students Inc. (ASI) projections for next year with the debate, which took place has not been affected by the state the enrollment freezes in mind,” last Wednesday at the Satellite Funds to: budget crisis yet, but said it is Johnson said. Student Union. Intercollegiate $290,885.00 $285,341.00 looking to the future and focusing Johnson said that ASI will not Fresno State students from on student needs during this diffi- receive as much money next year the mass communication and Athletics cult economic time. simply because there will not be journalism department filmed “Because we are a fee based as many students enrolled. “We the debate, which re-aired on organization, we don’t really have will be getting less revenue due to Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. to deal with the uncertainty of less enrollment,” she said. “That The debating environmen- Funds to: the state’s budget,” ASI President will be the most direct way we are talists were Tom Birmingham, The Collegian $186,997.50 $183,433.50 Graham Wahlberg said. affected because we will receive the general manager of the ASI VP of Finance Lauren significantly less [funding] than Wastelands Water District, Johnson said ASI has not been this current year.” Kole Upton, former chair- affected because it works with a For the 2008 - 2009 school year, man of Friant Water Uses set revenue and budget. ASI had $623,325 from student fees Authority, and Jim Beck, the Funds to: “We start out with a specific to use at its disposal. For the 2009 general manager of Kern $290,885.00 $285,341.00 amount of money and we spend - 2010 school year, ASI projects it County Water Agency. Financial Aid it,” Johnson said. “ASI is not will have $611,445. Debating on the agriculture dependent on receiving any addi- Johnson said that although they side was Michael Jackson, tional funding.” will have less money from student Lloyd Carter and Bill Jennings. Johnson said she is currently fees, ASI will supplement its bud- Bill Jennings is the Chairman working on putting together ASI’s get with money from reserves. of the California Sportfishing Fee budget for the 2009 - 2010 school In preparing the budget for next Protection Alliance. Jackson is Revenue $623,325.00 $611,445.00 year. year, Johnson said she is keeping active in the California Water ASI’s funding is directly related the economy in mind. Network, the Regional Council to ASI to how many students are enrolled of Rural Counties and counsel at Fresno State. Each year ASI See BUDGET, Page 2 to the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance. Photo Illustration by Bryan Cole / The Collegian Also active in the California Water Network and President of the California Save Our Streams Council is Lloyd Carter. Efforts to restore the San WWE fans gettin’ ready to rumble Joaquin River, on the Valley East Side, was a topic debat- ed at the event. Effects of the decision will affect ground- water recharge, potential loss of water to agriculture irri- gation and return of salmon. Also, this will propose new recreational opportunities and freshwater from the Delta. The agriculture advocates debated against the issue of the Valley West Side. Possible effects of the Valley West Side decision may include loss of jobs, damage to agriculture and drainage issues. The last issue of debate was Photos by Matt Weir / The Collegian the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta. Potential prob- By Collegian Staff lems are the fragile levees in Northern California, and con- ans lined up early at the Save Mart Center to get into WWE Tuesday. cerns of Northern California Tommy Nicolulis and his son Tre, 10, drove from Oakhurst to see their citizens. F The debate also discussed a favorite wrestler Jeff Hardy. “He’s an unbelievable fan,” Nicolulis said about proposal to route water from his son. See more on Page 4. the Sacramento Delta to the Central Valley and Southern California. Page 2 The Collegian • News Wednesday, February 11, 2009 News Editor, Mathew Gomes • [email protected] BUDGET: Execs say cuts will come from internal spending CONTINUED from page 1 student. ASI recently spent roughly $90,000 on “If we do have to cut spending, it will new computers for the lap top rental be internal and not to the detriment of program. Those computers will be the student body,” she said. available when the new library opens. Johnson said to do so, she is trying ASI is also in talks to help furnish to minimize overhead costs as much the library. “If we can use our money as possible, but some things, such as to help the library, then ultimately, we rent, are fixed costs and will always be are helping students,” Johnson said. there. Wahlberg said that ASI is working on One example of how ASI is cutting a way to help students deal with stress costs is that they have started e-mail- and lack of sleep by providing a place ing senate and finance meeting packets on campus where students can go to to save on printing costs. “It is saving relax and sleep. some money and we are doing our part “We are working on creating a space to help the environment,” Johnson that students will feel comfortable in,” said. Wahlberg said. Any program that is currently fund- President Welty has announced a ed through ASI will not suffer, but pro- budget summit for Feb. 12 to discuss grams seeking ASI funding that have proposals and talk about where cuts not received it in the past might. “We should be made. are all adamant to keep programs that Wahlberg said ASI has held focus students use and students like, such groups to hear student concerns and as the campus readership program,” suggestions. Wahlberg said. “ASI is making sure that students’ Wahlberg and Johnson said they interests are heard,” he said. expect to see more funding proposals Wahlberg said students who have from campus organizations looking to suggestions or concerns regarding the supplement traditional funding that budget can voice them through ASI. may have been cut because of the econ- “Students do not have a say where a omy. lot of their fees are spent but they can “There are going to be a lot more pro- be sure that ASI will listen and spend grams requesting funding than in the their fees the way they want them to be past. We do not anticipate getting rid spent,” he said. of any current programs but the com- “What is important during this time petition for new proposals will be more is that students can look to ASI for competitive,” Wahlberg said. some stability.” ASI said that despite the poor econo- my, its main concern is students. ASI is working on more programs, COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for stu- such as the book and lap top rental pro- dent expression. grams, to alleviate the cost of being a C http://collegian.csufresno.edu The Collegian That’s What the People Are Saying Slogan displayed on London’s buses to promote atheist beliefs here’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and “T enjoy your life.” —Sign paid by the British Humanist Association OpinionOpinionPage 3 Opinion Editor, Daniela Lopez • [email protected] • Wednesday, February 11, 2009 State budgets vs. Walsh Act CAMPUS SPEAK sexual offenders. 100,000 of these offenders are actually However, despite financial con- ‘missing’ from the system.” straints, it is not reasonable to com- With the Walsh Act in place, when- How do you feel about Michael pletely disregard the implementation ever a sex offender changes informa- of a federal law that would make tion in their registry, all other loca- Phelps smoking marijuana? children, as well as other vulnerable tions where the offender is required to parties, safer from sexual predators. It register will be immediately notified, is less so, when the option for delaying and in failure to do so, the offender Caffeine drip the deadline remains. would be charged with at least a year Rachael DANIELA LOPEZ The Walsh Act would create a of imprisonment. nationalized system to register sex It is irresponsible to say that our Hamilton offenders that would clarify their clas- current state laws work relatively Freshman n the midst of a national eco- sification by the gravity of crimes, well, even when facing economic con- Physical Therapy nomic struggle, has it become have them appear in person up to four straints, especially when considering I economy versus safety? Do our times a year to verify their registered the benefits of being able to share sex "I think that it’s not good financial woes warrant the lack of information, as well as provide an offenders’ files nationwide.