ASI Gets Into the Swing of Things
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Where does CSU system stand among state priorities? OPINION FOOTBALL HOME OPENER Science and Health Careers Information Center offers workshops SCIENCE The Bulldogs face off against Weber State in their first game of the season. Check out page 8. Women’s volleyball prepares for second out-of-state tournament SPORTS FRIday Issue August 31, 2011 FRESNO STATE COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922 ASI gets into the swing of things By Mark Smith The Collegian Fresno State’s student government met Wednesday afternoon to discuss new campus policy and voted to approve new positions and financial decisions, with at least one vote that caused a bit of confusion. Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), is an organization made up of 15 senators and four executive officers, such as President Arthur Montejano. The first guest speakers gave a pre- sentation on HigherOne, the new financial services company contracted through the university. University Controller Anthony Forestiere said previously that HigherOne was chosen to streamline distribution of financial aid and other funds to students while lowering costs through the elimination of paper and postage to mail checks. While not a bank, per se, the company does distribute debit cards and allows students to use their financial aid as a form of checking account. Prior to the contract, Forestiere said 40 percent of students received finan- cial aid through checks. Of those stu- dents, Forestiere said many lacked Rogue Morales / The Collegian bank accounts and would cash their ASI members (from left to right) President Arthur Montejano, Executive Vice President Parmita Choudhury, Senate Recorder Katrina Alaniz, Vice President of Finance Rebecca Rosengarten and Vice President of External Affairs Sean Kiernan. See ASI, Page 3 Fresno State’s No. 10 national New commanders for university’s ranking reflects graduation success Air Force, Army ROTC units Via University Communications second and third years, especially those who lack connections and relationships Fresno State’s efforts to improve with their major department,” added graduation rates is paying off not only Washington Monthly. “With this knowl- at Commencement for students, but also edge, department chairs reach out to in recognition by Washington Monthly every student between their second and magazine in its annual rankings of how third years to act as a point of contact effectively universities serve their stu- and to provide support.” dents Associated Students Inc. President Overall, Washington Arthur Montejano said Monthly ranked the magazine’s high Fresno State 10th in the ranking of Fresno nation among master’s sing data has State isn’t surprising. degree-granting uni- “Uhelped the The university does versities and second “a really great job of institution to see where embracing the stu- in the California State students fall through the University system. dents and helping them The magazine cracks.” be successful,” he said. designed a ranking He praised the uni- versity’s efforts to get system “to rate col- — Washington Monthly leges based on how every new student well they perform involved in campus and with the students they community activities have, regardless of the students’ back- outside the classroom, too. Montejano grounds or SAT scores … ” said the amount of personal contact by It uses social mobility, research and faculty, staff and other students give public service as measuring sticks and students “the feeling like someone’s Photos courtesy of University Communications it factors in “the average price that invested in them.” Fresno State’s two Reserve Officer Training Corps — Lt. Col. Lorenzo P. Rios (right) and Lt. Col. first-time, full-time students pay after “It’s nice to be recognized and to see Matthew R. Buehler (left). subtracting the need-based financial our efforts are more visible around the aid they receive.” country,” Provost William Covino said Via University Communications citizen born in Tecoman, Colima, The magazine reported that Fresno of the Washington Monthly report. Mexico. He was a migrant farmworker State has a predicted graduation rate Improving graduation and retention who enlisted in the Marine Corps. rates, Covino said, is particularly note- Fresno State’s two Reserve Officer of 39 percent when adjusted for back- Training Corps programs have new He earned a bachelor’s degrees in ground factors, but has an actual gradu- worthy in a period of fiscal hardship for political science in 1995 and a mas- the state of California. leaders — Lt. Col. Lorenzo P. Rios ation rate of 51 percent. commands the Army ROTC Bulldog ter’s in Organizational Leadership in “As a member of the Presidents’ Covino credited recent success “to 1999 at Gonzaga University where he the dedication of the faculty, the staff Battalion and Lt. Col. Matthew Alliance for Student Learning and R. Buehler the Air Force ROTC joined the ROTC program and was a Accountability, Fresno State has com- and the administration here at Fresno Distinguished Military Graduate. In State. We’re keeping the focus on the Detachment 35. mitted to gathering, reporting on and ROTC unit leaders chair the the Army, Rios served in the Balkans, using evidence to improve student students and that’s what’s most impor- Iraq and Afghanistan. tant.” Departments of Military Science learning,” the magazine reported. (Army) and Aerospace Studies (Air In 2006, Rios earned a master’s degree in political science at Arizona State “Using data has helped the institution COMMENT: The Collegian is a Force) within the Craig School of to see where students fall through the forum for student expression. Business. cracks – those who are between their C http://collegian.csufresno.edu Rios is a naturalized United States See ROTC, Page 3 The Collegian THE REAL WORD OF THE DAY argy-bargy (noun) a vigorous discussion or dispute. Opinion Source: Dictionary.com PAGE 2 OPINION EDITOR, LIANA WHITEHEAD • COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 2012 ONE-FINGER Tax tribulations and Culled each week from discussions in The Collegian budget cuts dim SALUTE newsroom. Thumbs up Labor Day Weekend Golden State The first three-day weekend of the school year will give you plenty of time Where does the CSU system stand among state priorities? to catch up on homework and hit the books. Right. Throw on your sunscreen On the contrary, those who pating in senseless spending. If and aviator shades - it’s time to relax, earn nothing in comparison our educational system is in such do some BBQing and enjoy family and to our upper class are taxed on a rut, why are we overspending friends. everyday purchases. We “lower- and undercutting school funds? class” voters who, God forbid, Educated young adults are drink soda, purchase candy or this state’s future, and any Thumbs down smoke cigarettes are (and will funding for education should NASA be) outrageously taxed simply remain untouched while less because the state has deemed important programs are taxed. these habits “poor choices.” In a cautiously worded docu- Nasa recently announced that a debut We do not earn enough money ment prepared by California song written and performed by the Black to take, so they target our addic- Atty. Gen. Kamala Devi, Eyed Peas’ will.I.am was transmitted tions and lifestyle choices it mentions in detail what from the Mars rover Curiosity. The song, — anything for a quick buck. are the goals for Prop 30: “Reach for the Stars,” traveled more than With that said, this is not an The initiative promises to save 700 million miles to Mars, then back to attempt to urge my fellow students our existing public safety fund- to vote “yes” or “no” on Prop. 30 ing and allocate the tax income Earth. While the concept is fascinating, — I have yet to decide where my to K-12 schools (89 percent) and the choice of talent is questionable. Opinion Editor own vote will fall this November. community colleges (11 percent). In an interesting effort to gain Sounds hopeful, yes? In actual- LIANA WHITEHEAD more insight on Brown’s initia- ity, there is no way to ensure that Thumbs up tive, I have stumbled upon some the tax revenue which Prop. 30 The scents of polling, prop- Hurricane Isaac reduced to newsworthy details along my way. will earn will actually go toward tropical storm ositions and politics are in In a speech California’s the air, and Fresno State stu- given at San schools. We dents are facing a number Hurricane Isaac downgraded to a Diego City simply have to tropical storm Wednesday. Although of choices — 11 to be exact. College, Brown trust our poli- The upcoming November elec- ducated young the hurricane is out of sight, cities implied that ticians, right? in Louisiana suffered post-hurricane tions give students the chance to Prop. 30 was a adults are this state’s Let’s take voice our hopes, doubts and ideas “E flooding. More than 8,000 guardsmen make-or-break future, and any funding for a gander at assisted in relief and rescue duties. concerning government issues proposition, the recent on the national and state level. stating that vot- education should remain California For the sake of time, space ing “Yes on 30” untouched while less parks depart- and our sanity, let’s tackle one will invest in important programs are ment scandal. Thumbs up issue at a time. The Golden State our schools and Over $50 mil- taxed.” Jersey Shore gets the boot is facing 11 potential proposi- “No on 30” will lion “slipped tions, one of which will directly result in “dev- through affect California college students. astating cuts.” the cracks With supporting dona- Brown also stat- for more Debuting in 2009, the Jersey Shore team tions reaching over $10 mil- ed that California would not have than a decade,” according to is facing their last season and saying lion, Proposition 30 is paving a future if we deny his initiative.