The Difference We're Making: An Open Letter to CSULA Students

I couldn't let this holiday season pass by without taking the time to thank you all for all the wonderful support you've given me. I've received so many kind messages in the last few weeks, and I can't tell you how much your friendship and support means to me.

As I celebrate the holidays with my family, I'll be thinking about all our wonderful memories from the past year. I hope you'll take the time to remember all the things we accomplished together and all the lives we touched.

I know that there is much work left to do... it goes without saying that we have a lot to look forward to in the coming year. With the possibly of a calendar conversion occuring without the approval of the majority of the student body on our campus, the increase in student fees being mandated from the state Capitol, and even the turmoil we face with representation on our campus, there will be many battles to be fought, long campaigns to win, and we will all have to pitch in to make things work. However, even in the midst of great challenges here on our campus and throughout the state of California, we know change is coming and there is reason to have hope for a brighter future. I assure you all that you can expect great things in the coming weeks.

Thank you so much for everything: your support, kindness, and constant encouragement. I hope you have a very happy holiday season and please do not hestitate in contacting me with your questions, comments, or concerns!

Always,
Carlos Lopez-Jimenez

Cell: (310) 384-7254
Email: CSULALeadership@gmail.com

Notes and Thoughts -- 12/11-12/31 tour of Central America

Besides the beautiful scenery and welcoming faces that one would expect to see, I have also realized that apparently even while on vacation, access to an affordable education and social justice remain issues requiring immediate attention. The past week has indeed been exhausting, and has pushed me to the limits of my personal fortitude… but it has also allowed me to realize that the things we place a priority on in the United States are also very volatile issues within other countries. In the short time that I have been out of the country, I have found myself taking part in campaigns promoting equity within the access to education, women's rights, GLBT awareness, and even free democratic elections. And while there have been many obstacles in the way of the efforts of myself and my newly found partners and friends, such as the outbreaks of civil unrest and violence as well as the epidemic of cholera that has been devastating the south-eastern border between Guatemala and Honduras, I have found that these campaigns have been more than worth the effort when taking into context the fruit of our efforts.

For example, over the past three days, regions 14A and 16 as well as zone 4 in Guatemala have all passed several pieces of legislation aimed at encouraging the distribution and installation of solar panels in their public office buildings.

In addition, through the work on the part of several non-profit international humanitarian organizations, I have seen the formation of three new school districts in rural towns as well as the beginning steps to the reconstruction of a prominent cathedral in the town of Esquipulas.

Perhaps the most humorous aspect of all is that despite all the turmoil and civil unrest within the country, I still have found a certain level of peace and comfort. Perhaps it is because I am visiting the home of my ancestors. Perhaps it is the quiet serenity of the lifestyle of the people whose main source of income is through the commercial trade of agriculture.

However, I think that most of all, it is because of the knowledge that even while away from home, I still see that that all of us share similar goals, hopes, and dreams.

Note: I´ll likely write a second part to this and add pictures later on, but seeing as my access to the internet is severely limited, this will have to suffice for the time being.

What is Student Representation?

Student Representation creates a structure to ensure that students' views are heard. A form of student government is usually necessary at a University to ensure a committed effort to receiving and responding to student feedback in order to bring about improvement in the quality of the student experience and development of learning and teaching within the institution. The underlying principle is that any student from any background on any degree programme should be able to contribute to and enhance his or her experience at the University.

--Adapted from The University Of Manchester

At CSULA, we do have a student government association, the Associated Students Incorporated at California State University Los Angeles. However, like any organization, the underlying fundamental behavior of this association has a direct link with its leadership. In any given year, if a President who has been elected into office and has committed to providing true student representation even in the face of challenges from the University administration, faculty, and staff proves to be an knowledgeable in their charge and shows character by challenging University policies and proposals when they are against the desire of a majority of the student population, then the rest of the association will follow suit. However, when a President takes upon a lax and complacent attitude and chooses to bow down to the views of the administration, how can the association be expected to show character? Not only would they have to oppose the University administration, they would have to face possible retribution from within their own association!

Using dictionary.com (an alternative source, of course), I have found the definition of "to lead" to take upon three similar definitions:

1. To go before or with to show the way
2. To influence or induce
3. To guide in direction, course, action, or opinion

For any person to claim that as the Chair of an organization (within CSULA, an ASI President also serves as the Chair for the Board of Directors of ASI), one is restricted to pure neutrality in all cases or issues is, and please do forgive the expression, a claim of supreme ignorance and a coward's excuse for inaction. A basic, underlying responsibility of a Chair in any organization is to ensure that the association's Board of Directors has the information to make informed decisions. 

An excuse that may be brought up is that it takes time to educate an entire Board of the issues that concern students and that perhaps a people differ in their ability to lead. My refutation to this particular claim is that any person that agrees to lead must be confident in his/her ability to execute the duties of his/her position. 

Therefore, it is my claim that student representation is whatever the student leadership deems it to be. If the leadership is strong and committed to the best interests of the student body, then students will receive ample representation. If not... students may see their interests being mishandled by ineptitude and complacency.

Quarters versus Semesters: The Pros to Each Arguement

I realize that everyone is a bit confused to the different arguments coming from each side. Therefore, I have decided to compile a list of pros to each proposal. All of this information can be found on the CSULA Home Page or you can simply click on the following link:

https://nss-nemo.calstatela.edu/semester/

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Semesters

Pros

• The conversion would provide the University with the opportunity to comprehensively re-examine, redefine, and remodel its curriculum as necessary to deliver breadth of information and depth of insight, as well as utility, in order to best meet the requirements of modern life and market demands.
• Conversion will ease the transfer of students into and out of Cal State L.A. programs from other institutions, most of which already follow the semester system.
• Because most CSU and community colleges already follow the semester system, conversion would improve program articulation, as well as enable cross-institution courses and materials and comprehensive student interfaces.
• A semester calendar will allow underprepared students greater time to adjust to the rigors of university academic life. Since over 70% of our first-time freshmen require remediation, this will provide adequate time for adjustment.
• The semester system provides greater opportunities for collaborative research and for in-depth teaching and classroom projects.
• Conversion will help Cal State L.A. “capture” more summer school students returning home for the summer months from other institutions, who might want to enroll in courses (and in a time frame) compatible with their academic careers.
• Conversion will provide graduating students with a “first-mover” advantage when entering the job market. Most large employers schedule recruitment of new hires according to the semester calendar. Currently, Cal State L.A. graduates enter the post-graduation job market much later than regional peers because of their late graduation date.
• A semester calendar will facilitate study-abroad options, student teaching, and other forms of experiential learning.
• A semester calendar allows students greater flexibility in regard to dropping/adding or otherwise switching classes because of the extended length of semesters versus quarters.
• The semester system improves administrative efficiency, resulting in cost savings in certain functional areas, e.g., admissions, registration, and financial aid. For instance, financial-aid fund disbursements would occur on a biannual basis in the semester system versus four times per year in the quarter system.
• Sabbaticals for a full semester would be fully funded, thus enabling a leave, including summer, of approximately 8 months with full pay. (Under quarters, still including summer, faculty members can receive 9 months off by choosing two quarters off at 75 percent pay, but can receive full pay for 6 months maximum.)
• The pace of a semester is less stressful for faculty as well as students. This reason may well be the most frequently cited in favor of semesters. In terms of student learning, this translates into more time for the material to “sink in” and to complete assignments; more opportunity to catch up if students get behind due to illness, work, or family emergencies (or even procrastination); and so on. For the student balancing work, family, and academic work, it increases by 50 percent the number of weekends to complete assignments (though, admittedly, with more assignments).
• Class periods can be somewhat shorter, accommodating the attention span of students. A shortened teaching year would free more time for research or creative activities. The exact increase in available time would depend upon the calendar chosen. The shortest academic calendars would likely be a 13-week trimester calendar or a 15-week semester with a shortened summer term (e.g., 10 weeks). On these calendars, faculty would teach for 25-26 weeks and have two exam weeks. Under the quarter system, faculty teach 30 weeks and have three exam weeks–one more week total than teaching two standard semesters (30 weeks plus exam weeks).
• The ease of creating courses of varying units enables faculty to tailor the curriculum in appropriate sizes for the content to be covered. Although flexibility is present under quarters as well, there is pressure in many departments to conform to a 4-unit course standard.
• The greater number of weeks provides more opportunity for research, rewritten papers, field work, service learning, more multi-stage assignments or lab experiments, and so on.
• Semester calendars can allow for “dead time,” enabling students to finish papers, research, or projects, and prepare for final exams, without missing classes near the end of the term.
• Planning, ordering books, and other “gearing up;” evaluating; grading; paperwork; and getting to know new groups of students all take place two rather than three times per year (or three rather than four times for those who teach all year, e.g., lecturers).
• Advisement, including applications for graduation and counseling new students, takes place one fewer time per year.
• There is a greater likelihood of teaching-load reduction from the current load for tenure-track faculty on semesters rather than quarters. This results, for example, from our ability to increase class size by teaching two sections per year of a course rather than three, the ability to create courses with varying numbers of units, and other methods.

Quarters

Pros

• The quarter system allows for more flexibility and creativity in curriculum design. Since courses are shorter by several weeks, students and programs are able to benefit from a greater variety of courses.
• Some have argued that it is easier for students and faculty to stay focused and motivated throughout the quarter term (as opposed to a semester), given the shorter period of time.
• Many faculty have claimed that the pace of teaching and learning can be more easily maintained without a lag in energy in a quarter term.
• The quarter terms are shorter, so for each term there is the potential for fewer exams and quizzes to be taken by students and graded by instructors.
• Some have argued that the quicker pace that develops on a quarter calendar creates the need for students to develop more quickly the time management skills they need.
• Again, given the faster pace, students can be said to be less likely to procrastinate on the quarter system than on the semester system.
• Students are keenly aware that a missed class in a quarter term will be very detrimental for them, so one can assume that attendance is likely to be more consistent on the quarter system.
• Student cohorts do not last as long on quarters than on semesters because students are mixed more often in the scheduling of classes. One beneficial result can be that a class with a negative flavor will end sooner, and with less likelihood that it will impact student learning and/or a faculty member’s frustration level.
• Since most textbooks cannot really be taught in their entirety in a 10-week quarter (textbooks usually are written for a semester-based system), instructors can focus on the most important sections in the book. Pedagogically, this provides a built-in advantage to students by highlighting what is meant to be retained.
• In the quarter system, tests can cover three or more chapters at a time rather than just one, thereby promoting a greater breadth of knowledge of the subject matter.
• The shorter quarter breaks in December and the spring promote a better learning mindset because students must remain focused on academics.
• Most observers will agree that students are more willing to try out an elective class on a quarter schedule, knowing that it will last only 10 weeks.
• The quarter calendar affords faculty much greater flexibility when they are considering taking a sabbatical or other kind of funded leave.
• Because of the greater variety of courses possible on a quarter calendar, this schedule is likely to facilitate better the option of double majors and/or double minors
• Students who find themselves out of sequence (due to stopping out for a term) will likely find it easier to pick up the trail of required courses because programs will find it easier to offer “trailer courses” more often when they have four terms available instead of the two semesters plus short summer on the semester calendar.
• The quarter system has worked pretty well on this campus, so if we keep things as they are we would not be the worse for it.
• In fact, it should be highlighted that there is no additional cost involved in staying with the quarter calendar.
• By staying on quarters, students can enroll in fewer courses per term (and, of course, faculty can teach fewer courses as well).

ASI Debate - Quarter vs. Semester System

Yesterday, I had the privilege of representing the CSULA Forensics Debate team in a debate hosted by A.S.I. regarding the proposal by CSULA President James Rosser to transition from a quarter system to a semester system. However, after seeing the confusion that many members of the audience displayed, I would like to clarify a few things.

In the ASI sponsored debate, the CSULA Forensics Debate team was asked by Jennifer Chemel (A.S.I. President) to perform in a debate so that the witnessing audience would have the opportunity to become informed of the pros and cons of each argument. In short, this was a debate assignment. Both the affirmative 'team' and negative 'team' were assigned a position to take -- either for or against -- and argue the issue. Neither were given the opportunity to choose which side to take. The CSULA Forensics Debate team agreed to take part in this debate for obvious reasons as well as our sense of campus pride motivated us to do this service to our University.

However, as far as our performance goes, the CSULA Forensics Debate team was never notified by Ms. Chemel that we would be asked questions from the audience. Despite the fact that I am an appointed member of ASI, during this debate, I was first and foremost a member of my debate team. We were under the false impression that a Q&A session would take place after the debate (in which, I of course would 'switch hats', so to speak and perform my duties as an Academic Senator). Furthermore, the CSULA Forensics Debate team is seeking an apology from Ms. Chemel for not having made this lack of clarification to both the team and to the students in the audience.

To sum this up, the opinions expressed at this debate are not necessarily the actual opinions of the debators themselves. As debators, we were merely either supporting or attacking the resolution we were given.

Now that this is cleared up, I also wish to address the issue of the student sentiment towards A.S.I...

A.S.I. was established on the principle of having students working on the behalf of students in both representation and outreach. As elected and appointed members of student government, we have an obligation to the constituency that we have been elected to represent and should be held accountable for our actions.

The main reason why I first became a part of A.S.I., even as early as my freshman year, was because I personally believe in the principles of true representation and accountability. In brief, what I mean by true representation is that as a representative for a constituency, one must advocate the views, needs, and concerns of those that one represents instead of the individual. Student representatives are voted in by their peers... as a result, students are the sole constituency that I have and will continue to represent.

Throughout my service in student government, I have been of the opinion that A.S.I. has a responsibility to the students we have been elected and appointed to represent. In my freshman year, I found myself advocating for the concerns and demands of the College of Business and Economics students as the College of Business and Economics Representative. This year, however, I have found myself placed in a unique situation as an Academic Senator in where I will be voting on University Policy that is presented to the Academic Senate. One of these issues will in fact be the quarter to semseter conversion proposal by CSULA President James Rosser. Im this matter, I have been asked to voice the official opinion of A.S.I. (which currently has no opinion). I, however, am disgusted by the possibility of going against the desires of my constituency. My pledge to the student body of CSULA is that, despite protests and the possibility of recieving criticism from my partners in student government, is that I will continue to do as I have always done: to voice YOUR concerns. To consider YOUR needs beyond my own.

Despite what you may be told, remember that you do have a voice. Use it! Lobby A.S.I. and demand true representation and accountability. Ask your college representatives about what they are doing to voice your concerns to the rest of A.S.I. Ask your A.S.I. President as to how you are being represented under her leadership and how A.S.I. is making an effort to reach out to the student population.

As students, we have a right to be heard and to be taken seriously. If all else fails, we do have voices of our own. Please remember that.

Carlos Lopez-Jimenez
A.S.I., Undergraduate Academic Senator
Student Action Coalition, Chair
Earth LA, President
Student Alumni Association, Public Relations

Earth LA, A Presidential Platform

When we heal the Earth, we heal ourselves

-- David Orr

Last year, Earth LA was launched with the purpose of pushing our campus and community to take better care of the environment we live in. Earth LA has also advocated on improving University policies in order to become more environmentally friendly. However this year, as the new Earth LA President, has pushed for the University to move ahead of the pack and be a truly environmental university through several measures.

First, I will exert pressure on our student government and University administration to sign the ACUPCC (a commitment and plan for making our University climate neutral). Also, I am currently in the process of instituting a monthly Campus Beautification Day, in which I hope to gain the cooperation and support from other campus clubs organizations. We have already started a recycling program on the campus; now I am assigning a full-time executive board member, previously the Sustainability Advisor to actively lobby in ASI and University-wide committees about the importance of improving on our recycling program by with more access to recycle bins for all types of recyclables and a greater widespread education on what can and cannot be recycled. It is obvious that a more aggressive CSULA partnership with Metro Transit would improve services to students and benefit the environment and, in recognition of this, I am having Earth LA take a leadership role in the institution of such a partnership. Finally, this year Earth LA will be taking sides in political issues that pertain to the environment and we will take an active role in educating our campus community in these issues.

We will still continue our traditional events such as the Eleventh Hour, Earth Day, and other festivals, but I assure you that this will only be a part of what Earth LA will be taking part in.

CSULA can set the bar for the rest of the community on becoming more environmentally friendly and push other CSU campuses to follow suit. The fight against global warming and environmental deterioration will shape the 21st century. It will be up to us to determine the eventual outcome. We must realize that understanding the laws of nature does not necessarily make us immune to their fury. In order to coexist, we must learn that every day is earth day.

I look forward to an amazing year with all of you... in peace and in harmony.

Carlos Lopez-Jimenez

Earth LA, President

ASI Office Hours for Fall 2008

As per ASI Bylaws mandating Academic Senators to serve a set number of office hours per week, I am pleased to announce my office hours for the 2008 Fall Quarter.

• Wednesday 3:20PM - 4:00PM
• Thursday 1:30PM - 3:00 PM

Hours are subject to change due to cabinet meetings and/or University-Wide Committees.

For times other than as listed, please send a request for an appointment via email. Unfortunately, I will not be holding office hours during finals week but will be checking my email regularly.

Ashes and Rebuilding

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation

-- Henry David Thoreau

How true this is. I know a person in particular that, even though her soul and heart is in one place, she has chosen to remain in the status quo. We each look for a safe vessel to place our hopes and dreams in but we come to realize, within time, that what makes the difference between happiness and despair is what our intuition and inner eye tells us. 

Then again, I could be wrong. However, I doubt that I am.

Notes and Thoughts -- 9/11-9/14 tour of Northern California

Though the past few days have indeed been rather exhausting, the conferences and tours that I was able to take part in have been more than worth the effort. For instance, even to able to tour the Sacramento & San Francisco CSU campuses has given me a wealth of ideas of possible projects to pursue here at CSULA. Who would have thought that attaining student ownership of popular campus vending sites would be so simple? Or even having free such a thing as 'free speech zone' for protests and student demonstrations? I am just surprised that many things that are being done throughout the state have not been brought up here on our own campus...

Besides the beautiful scenery and welcoming faces that I saw up on our northern side, there was the issue of attending the two conferences to which I was invited to. At the conference pertaining to the issue of higher education, I witnessed a great deal of enthusiasm on the part of students in attendance. The atmosphere was full of energy and an almost tangible hunger to create change. And of course, the presentations that were made regarding environmental sustainability, currently proposed litigation affecting college bound and currently attending students (regardless of legal status), and the still present issue of the financial cuts being made to education.

In Sacramento, there was also a lot of excitement at the team building and leadership conference. After having several workshops about strategic planning and delegation of tasks to increase the overall efficiency of an organization as well as a short overview of parliamentary procedure, I had the opportunity to give a short speech regarding the issues we are currently facing at CSULA. While the majority of attendees were from the UC system, I was surprised to see some familiar faces from other CSU campuses. 

To give you all an idea of how much of an eye-opener these conferences were, let me share with you the ideas that I came across and will likely try to implement this year....

• to initiate a campus wide green policy to further attain goals in environmental sustainability
• increasing the rate of success in mobilizing the CSULA student body in demonstrations of student unity in the face of adversity
• pushing for more accountability and better representation from our own representatives at the University level so as to increase the efficiency of our student government
• pursuing the overall emphasis of our campus (whether it be from an academic, professional, or athletic standpoint) and to capitalize upon it for the marketing of our target audience in the recruitment and retainment of students
• to further educate our student body regarding shared governance and to advocate in favor of student participation at the University, local, state, and national arenas
• activation of a long term strategic plan for the University with student input
• maintenance of a meaningful lobby corps presence on the behalf of CSULA
• to create an atmosphere of campus pride at our University

Fall 2008 Schedule

Well, I've finally finished registering for classes and have prepared my schedule for the Fall quarter. So far, this is what it looks like...

Econ 209: Applied Economics and Business Statistics

Mondays & Wednesdays 9:50-11:30 AM

Music 160: Music Fundamentals

Mondays & Wednesdays 11:40AM-1:20PM

Econ 202: Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:50-11:30 AM

Hist 202A: US Civilization

Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:40 AM-1:20 PM

Comm 377: Advanced Forensics

TBA

All in all, 18 units... not too shabby!

When the time comes...

It is that time again... the time in the morning when insomnia hits and you cannot find sleep, no matter how many cups of tea you drink, nor how many poems you might read. While in this process, however, I came across a very remarkable poem with an enlightening message. The title of the poem itself Si me muero antes que tu (If I die before you) may sound a bit morbid, but the last stanza in particular gives a very special definition as to what life really is about. It encourages us to live life to the fullest and as if each moment could be our last... because, after all, it might very well be so. I will try my best to provide a translation of the stanza of which I speak

Where ever I may be and if you wish to write something of me...
Hopefully, you can say it all in just one simple phrase,
"He was my everything, he believed in me, and I loved him"
Then... then shed your tears
I may not be present catch your tears as they fall, but no matter
Hopefully someone will be there to do so in my place
And seeing myself well substituted, I shall attend my new duties in Heaven
But once in a while, I will escape even the attentions of the Lord
And though you may not see me, I will be there watching happily
Watching over you

Do you believe in these things?
Then pray that we both live like two people who know that one day their time will come
And that we may die like two people who knew how to live well
And if I were to die first, I don't believe that I will see anything new
Because, after all...
Having you at my side was like having a piece of heaven here on earth.

Translated & adapted from Mariano Osorio's Si me muero antes que tu

CSULA: Key Issues & Concerns

In the past few days upon my return to LA, I have been meeting with several student leaders to discuss issues that are relevant to the CSULA community. While it has been quite a break from my recent trekking through the Burmese wilderness, it has still brought to my attention that most students are concerned about the state of the University. To illustrate this point, I will share a few of those with you here.

CSULA has a reputation as a second tier university

● CSULA has outstanding programs and professors, not to mention extremely prominent alumni.
● However, this has not promoted the way it should be, nor have we seen a visible effort to do so
● The excuse is that CSULA has too much of a commuter campus mentality
● The manner to rectify this is to increase student ownership of the University

• Some of the people I have met have even come up with some pretty catchy slogans for campaign work... here are two of my favorites
  

Your University... Your CSULA

Los Angeles’ University... CSULA

CSULA Campus Pride

● There is a generally apathy to our campus and a lack of school spirit
*Hardly anyone can be seen sporting CSULA gear outside of the University and even our own athletics programs see infrequent attendance
● Again, the solution is student ownership
*The more involved and invested students are, the more they feel that they have a say in what goes on and the more they will be willing to participate in our campus events

Advocacy and Outreach

● A.S.I. should be passing frequent resolutions in favor of relevant litigation
*This would be the secondary responsibility of the Judicial Review Committee J.R.C. and give them more of a legitimate responsibility
● I'm Going to College! (I.G.T.C.) outreach events in collaboration with the Alumni Center, E.O.P. and the Outreach programs on campus
Mobilization of the Student Body at CSULA
● There should be a visible effort from our student government to help vocalize the voice of the students at CSULA by helping in the formation of a considerable Lobby Corps and voter's coalition here on our campus.

Providing a venue for community events and carnivals
● California Academic Decathlon
● Athletic Competitions
● Concerts & Open Hall Venues
● Festivals and Carnivals

The shocking thing is that most of these key concerns can be easily dealt with. However, if things are not getting done in the fashion that is needed by those who represent you, then there is another alternative route... to create the change yourself! I am slowly getting the feeling that I will be working on these campaigns throughout the year and can't wait to see the campus mobilize itself and see people like yourselves in the forefront.

The time is NOW!

Itinerary for 9/12 - 9/14

September 11th

• Student Alumni Asssociation TV Taping Fundraiser
• Special Event - Samantha (younger sister) turns 5!
• Board Flight to San Francisco

September 12th

• Low profile tour of San Francisco State University
  
• Higher Education Conference in Oakland

September 13th

• Low profile tour of Sacramento State University
• Meet and Greet at the State Capitol
• Leadership Conference in Downtown Sacramento

September 14th

• Personal visit to Santa Cruz
• Tour of UC Santa Cruz
• Flight back to LA in the evening
• Cheescake Factory???
  

Bringing the Academic Decathlon to CSULA

This year, one of my main projects will be to bring the LAUSD Academic Decathlon to CSULA. For information as to what the Academic Decathlon is, please visit http://www.academicdecathlon.org/news.htm Historically, the decathlon has been split into two portions, the first being hosted at Bravo Medical Magnet and the second at UCLA. However, my plan is to bring the decathlon from UCLA to our very own campus here at CSULA.

By changing the venue from UCLA to CSULA, I aim to accomplish the following:

I am hoping to show these inner city students that there is an option outside of the military and the community college system... that is the California State University. As a student leader here at CSULA, of course, I would love to host the decathlon for a myriad of personal reasons, but it does not take away from the benefits that would be brought forth by having the decathlon at a state school. And seeing that over 71% of our students are able to receive some form of financial aid, CSULA is rapidly becoming an increasingly attractive choice as a University, as is evident by a historic high number of applications this year alone.

I also wish to follow my mission statement of bringing media attention and making the name CSULA a recognized and, indeed, bringing the academic decathlon can do that for any campus at which the competition is to take place.

As to the question of whether or not CSULA can host an event of this magnitude, take into consideration the fact that CSULA was also a venue for the 1984 Summer Olympics. This, added to the fact that the new University-Student Union has been built on our campus has the potential of making CSULA an extremely competitive bidder in the search for a new venue for this competition. 

Give me your thoughts, questions, and concerns!!!!

Student Alumni Association -- August 28, 2008 Executive Board Meeting

Attended: Diana, James, Ben, Christopher, Leo, Carlos

In a very interesting meeting, we were able to cover topics ranging from discussion of marketing materials to a extensive tour of the new student union. To start off, our new mission statement has been set as:

The mission of the Student Alumni Association is to promote unity, pride, campus involvement and networking amongst CSULA students: past, present, and future.
(2008)

For this upcoming year, you can expect an SAA presence at events such as the Fall Student Fest, the USU Grand Opening, the 1st Alumni Board Meeting, and in the campus main walkway at various times for recruitment and promotional purposes. There is talk of even hosting a Holiday Movie night (shhh!) and further information is yet to come!

Upcoming events can, of course, be viewed at the Association's website, but here's a tentative list as well...

• LACMA Late Night Art -- September 6, 2008
• SAA TV Taping Fundraiser -- September 11, 2008
• Dodger Days -- September 21, 2008
• Midnight Mission Volunteering -- November 22, 2008

List of scheduled upcoming meetings...

• Alumni Center Conference Room -- October 1, 2008 (3:15-4:15PM)
• Alumni Center Conference Room -- October 15, 2008 (3:15-4:15PM)

As always, if you have any question regarding the Student Alumni Association or any campus events, feel free to contact me via email.

Cheers!

S.U.R.G.E. -- A Warm Welcome and Introduction

The purpose of S.U.R.G.E is to provide Cal State Los Angeles AB 540 students (non-resident students exempt from out of state tuition) with informational resources to guide their education. This includes researching information on scholarships and/ or internships that AB 540 students can apply to. S.U.R.G.E provides guidance, support, and creates a constructive learning environment and also encourages high school graduates to attend college.
--Excerpt from Students United to Reach Goals in Education (S.U.R.G.E.) Constitution

After being invited by a past member, Fermin Vasquez, to attend the last general meeting for the summer quarter in order to give a short introduction as to who I am and my past accomplishments, I realized that many of my past preconceptions regarding the undocumented student status issue were completely mistaken. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what these students face, I would suggest that you visit the following websites:

http://www.ilrc.org/ab540.html (Information regarding the AB 540 and Dream Act)
http://www.decolonizing.com/ab540faq.htm (FAQ regarding the AB 540 law)


The interesting thing is that even though CSULA has a large hispanic/latino presence, from what I was able to see from this organization on campus is that this issue hits close to home to more than just to one specific ethnic community. This is, indeed, a multi-ethnic issue and one that needs to be addressed within the upcoming year. After reviewing with them their ideas and plans for the upcoming 2008 quarter, I have found myself in a position where I cannot, as both a student and a member the CSULA community, stand idly by.

I expect to see great things from this organization... and I very much look forward to working with its members in throughout my stay here at California State University, Los Angeles.

PepsiCo Leadership Diversity Practicum Series: Lenora Billing-Harris

"People are like marbles, with a hard protective covering of the varied components inside that make them each a culture of one."
- Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP

Honestly, I cannot stress how much this presentation has impressed me. Despite it being advertised with such a distressingly bland title, it definitely had its merits.


The presenter at this practicum was Lenora Billing-Harris, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), diversity consultant and author of The Diversity Advantage: A Guide to Making Diversity Work. Taking an interesting approach by using Wizard of Oz characters as a metaphor, her presentation aimed to help CSULA students understand how they can use their brains, hearts, and courage to make a real difference in today’s multicultural world.

Considering the political climate that we are in, both at the national level and even here at our own University, I cannot imagine a better time to impress the value of diversity upon our student body. I would highly recommend that anyone who is interested in attending similar uprcoming events contact the PepsiCo Leadership Office

Student Alumni Association Executive Board Meeting -- August 16, 2008

Though the social event at Granada Park was canceled, the Student Alumni Association still decided to go along with it's scheduled Executive Board Meeting, albeit a change in location. Within the CSULA Cafeteria, we were able to get through over two hours of discussion and planning for the upcoming Fall Quarter.

During this particular and lengthy meeting, we were able to come up with new mission statement for the organization. According to SAA President

The mission of SAA is to "promote unity, pride, campus involvement & networking amongst CSULA students; past, present and future."

The mission statement itself is inspired by the organization's 2008-2009 goals which include:

1. Increase membership and retention
2. Increase presence and recognition on campus
3. Increase the sense of family on campus
4. Create a link between alumni & current students
5. Increase participation in community service activities
6. Create a synergistic relationship amongst campus organizations
7. Establish a working and thriving organization that will last for years to come.

While specific events are still under discussion, I would urge CSULA students to look forward to witnessing an SAA presence at the following CSULA events:

Fall Student Fest

September 30, 2008

The Grand Opening for the University Student Union
October 24, 2008

and more TBA...

Also, the Student Alumni Association will be holding several recruiting events in order to attract new membership. Any interested individuals can, of course, contact myself via email at CSULALeadership@gmail.com

... and now, to continue watching the Olympics!

Unfortunate News

Well, to say that this week has been interesting would be a huge understatement.

I have found myself in the awkward situation of having to resign from my elected position as the Statewide Lobby Corps Officer of the California State Student Association because of my campus' student government president's decision not to provide funding for the my attendance at the state conferences.

Due to budgetary constraints and the relevancy of the ASI position that you have applied for, ASI will be unable to pay for your attendance at CSSA meetings.

Jennifer Chemel

ASI President

California State University, Los Angeles

While I do firmly agree that it is the right of whomever takes the position as a president of an organization to make a decision such as that, I also must state that I disagree with the logic and reasoning of said decision. Especially when the excuse of budgetary constraints is used and said president has opted to choose the more expensive form of travel (a flight from LAX) rather than choosing the far more affordable option (driving a mere 4 hours).

... we knew in advance that CSU Stanislaus was to host the August meeting, ever since the July transition meeting. Logistically speaking, this CSSA conference is being held under the same circumstances as it for the June conference (which did not include a flight). It does seem quite interesting to me, as a student who is paying fees supporting A.S.I., what changed so that air travel is now a logistic necessity... especially in the face of of having such a restricted budget as you had previously mentioned. Surely ground travel would save the organization funds to help make the most of the limited monies that are available.

My realistic expectations are quite simple. I made my commitment to become the CSSA Statewide Lobby Corps Officer under the leadership of Joel Francis with the understanding that A.S.I. would aide me by providing me with the necessary funding to fulfill the obligations that position entails. Despite the transition in leadership, I expect, realistically but perhaps optimistically, that I would be given the support that I was promised when I was encouraged to apply for the position. I have already shown my commitment on both occasions that A.S.I. has had problems funding my travel, but the fact that now I am being put into a situation where I may have to go through an involuntary resignation due to the lack of support from, not A.S.I., but from my President... my position is that my position within CSSA is one that can benefit the students of CSSA by its very nature. By remaining the CSSA Lobby Corps Officer, I would be able to aide the efforts of the A.S.I's Leg. Affairs Rep.

My goals as the CSSA Lobby Corps Officer are to help establish a fully functional Lobby Corps at the 23 CSU campuses. Is it not Victoria's goal to establish our very own Lobby Corps at CSULA? Would not having the statewide leader in this field at CSULA be a tremendous source of additional aide and would it not lend strength to our campus' own efforts?

Maybe I am indeed mistaken... but of course, the weight of this decision ultimately rests upon your shoulders.

I will be out of town for the weekend, in order to take part in a fencing tournament, but I will be checking my messages. Please feel free to contact me at your leisure now that you have my contact information.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Very respectfully yours,

Carlos Francisco Lopez-Jimenez

CSSA Statewide Lobby Corps Officer
California State University, Los Angeles

5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032

Unfortunate as it may be, the fact remains that the given decision makes it unfeasible for me to fulfill the obligations and duties of the position that I was elected to at the Statewide level. Apparently, when someone is appointed to the position of president of an organization due to the line of succession clause of the bylaws rather than being elected into office, a common practice is to disbar individuals of their positions.

However, on the brighter side of the spectrum, I am very pleased to announce that a new member has been born into my family... pictures will, of course, follow as they are taken.

As always,

Carlos Lopez-Jimenez

What I Stand For...

If I have had the chance to speak to you in person, then you probably already know my fundamental beliefs and intentions as a student advocate. However, for those of you who are still curious... here's a brief overview.

I believe in True Representation, Accountability & Transparency, Experience, Unification, and Advocacy & Mobilization.

I support the right to an affordable and accessible education, stringent environmental regulation, and the growth of the national economy through investment in our human capital.

I am pro-choice, pro-freedom of speech, pro-human rights and am vehemently opposed to racism, intolerance, and close-mindedness.

... there it is, in a nutshell.

A Short Introduction

Dear friends,

After several weeks of pressure and encouragement from a few friends and supporters, I have decided to set up this new blog. As the title suggests, here you will find current news and events that I feel are relevant and important to the students of the University. I will also, of course, be writing about my own personal life and experiences in order to give all of you a better idea of who I am, what I represent, and what I do outside of the realm of advocacy and politics. With the rapid advances of technology and considering the convenience of digital communication, it is my hope that through this blog, we will get to know each other better.

As always, yours truly,

Carlos Francisco Lopez-Jimenez