In 2000, 76,800 Los Angeles residents went uncounted, causing the City to lose more than $200 million in state and federal funding.
Latinos as a group have been historically under-represented and undercounted by the Census. Most recently, I have decided to support a city-wide effort to launch the “ya es hora, ¡HÁGASE CONTAR!” (It’s time, make yourself count!) national Census campaign, to ensure that all Latino residents are counted in next year’s Census.
This time, we're trying to correct the problem by informing and empowering the community to participate.
By having an accurate Census, the City will receive its fair share of federal and state funds, have full representation in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, and affect important policy decisions at all levels of government. Data gathered during the Census will be used by governmental and non-governmental agencies for years to come in a manner that will have a direct, lasting, and substantive impact on Angelenos of all ethnic backgrounds and creeds.
Visit http://hagasecontar.yaeshora.info/ for more information on how to make yourself count.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cal Grants, CSU grants expanded to offset State University Fee increases for recipients (Campus-wide Announcement)
The California State University has received new information regarding increased Cal Grant eligibility for CSU students. This is welcome news for Cal State L.A. students who are eligible for Cal Grants.
With CSU students facing a fee increase of $978 – or 30 percent – the California Student Aid Commission has announced that Cal Grant fee awards will be increased to cover the additional fees. Approximately 16 percent of the more than 400,000 students enrolled among the 23 CSU campuses receive a Cal Grant.
Also, the roughly 109,000 students who receive the CSU State University Grant will receive dollar-for-dollar fee offsets for 2009-10. Federal Pell Grant recipients will receive an increase of $619, and federal higher education tax credits will continue to help families cover expenses other than the State University Fee.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, the annual undergraduate State University Fee is $4,026. Additional fees, which vary slightly by campus, total roughly $800. The CSU Board of Trustees increased the State University Fee to help the CSU manage a $584 million budget deficit caused by the state’s economic crisis. The CSU will also be implementing furloughs to reduce salary costs 10 percent, reducing enrollment, and taking other measures to address the deficit.
After factoring in all available sources of financial aid, CSU students from families making $75,000 or less pay no fees. Many other students, including those from families making up to $180,000, will qualify for financial aid and tax credits.
Helpful links:
Cal Grants: http://www.calgrants.org/
CSU Budget Central: http://blogs.calstate.edu/budgetcentral/
Cal State L.A. Student Financial Aid: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/finaid/
With CSU students facing a fee increase of $978 – or 30 percent – the California Student Aid Commission has announced that Cal Grant fee awards will be increased to cover the additional fees. Approximately 16 percent of the more than 400,000 students enrolled among the 23 CSU campuses receive a Cal Grant.
Also, the roughly 109,000 students who receive the CSU State University Grant will receive dollar-for-dollar fee offsets for 2009-10. Federal Pell Grant recipients will receive an increase of $619, and federal higher education tax credits will continue to help families cover expenses other than the State University Fee.
For the 2009-2010 academic year, the annual undergraduate State University Fee is $4,026. Additional fees, which vary slightly by campus, total roughly $800. The CSU Board of Trustees increased the State University Fee to help the CSU manage a $584 million budget deficit caused by the state’s economic crisis. The CSU will also be implementing furloughs to reduce salary costs 10 percent, reducing enrollment, and taking other measures to address the deficit.
After factoring in all available sources of financial aid, CSU students from families making $75,000 or less pay no fees. Many other students, including those from families making up to $180,000, will qualify for financial aid and tax credits.
Helpful links:
Cal Grants: http://www.calgrants.org/
CSU Budget Central: http://blogs.calstate.edu/budgetcentral/
Cal State L.A. Student Financial Aid: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/finaid/
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Rally at CSU Chancellor's Office
On Tuesday July 21st there will be a vote to raise student fees 20% on top of the 10% fee increase for fall!
Join me in supporting the California State Student Association, the Student Action Coalition, and Students for a Quality Education on this day to speak out against this and budget cuts!
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: 401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802
Let me know if you're planning on attending. I'd like to set up a carpool system, so anyone who can drive... please let me know! I myself will leave CSULA at 9:15am.
Free Food, Entertainment, Guest Speakers!!!!
Join me in supporting the California State Student Association, the Student Action Coalition, and Students for a Quality Education on this day to speak out against this and budget cuts!
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: 401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802
Let me know if you're planning on attending. I'd like to set up a carpool system, so anyone who can drive... please let me know! I myself will leave CSULA at 9:15am.
Free Food, Entertainment, Guest Speakers!!!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES - IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING CHANGE IN REGISTRATION DATES FOR FALL QUARTER 2009
Continuing Students,
The University is deferring the first day of continuing student registration from July 21, 2009 to July 28, 2009 when we will be more certain of the course offerings for the Fall 2009 quarter. We apologize for the delay but believe that this action will result in less inconvenience registering for courses for the Fall 2009 quarter.
Please be sure to view your assigned appointment dates in GET. The change in dates will not affect the priority of the registration process for any student classification; we have just moved the registration dates forward one week. Should you have any questions regarding this issue please call the GET Help Line at (323)343-7438.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Joan Woosley
University Registrar and Director of Enrollment Services
California State University, Los Angeles
The University is deferring the first day of continuing student registration from July 21, 2009 to July 28, 2009 when we will be more certain of the course offerings for the Fall 2009 quarter. We apologize for the delay but believe that this action will result in less inconvenience registering for courses for the Fall 2009 quarter.
Please be sure to view your assigned appointment dates in GET. The change in dates will not affect the priority of the registration process for any student classification; we have just moved the registration dates forward one week. Should you have any questions regarding this issue please call the GET Help Line at (323)343-7438.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Joan Woosley
University Registrar and Director of Enrollment Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Rally at the CSU Chancellor's Office July 21, 2009
Hello Everyone,
As you already know the nation and our state are in an economic crisis and all of public education has been hit extremely hard. The Governor and state legislative leaders continue to view public higher education as a target and are proposing massive cuts to higher education. As these government officials fail to provide a solution to our funding crisis, thousands of students are being denied access to universities, classes are being dropped, classrooms have become overcrowded, and faculty are being threatened with non-reappointments and layoffs in high numbers. As frustration increases we cannot stand around and lose hope. We must keep our heads up and continue to take action. That's why on Tuesday, July 21st, at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting, the Chancellor's Office in Long Beach will see a massive mobilization of students coming together to rally and protest the current attacks that our higher educational system is undergoing.
Our plan is to hold a
Rally/Protest
On Tuesday July 21st from 10 - 4pm
Our plan is to shame the Board of Trustee members as they enter their office for allowing the current cuts on education and to put pressure on their decision making for the proposed 2009 - 2010 school year fee hike.
There will also be food, entertainment, & guest speakers
The address is: 401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802
As you already know the nation and our state are in an economic crisis and all of public education has been hit extremely hard. The Governor and state legislative leaders continue to view public higher education as a target and are proposing massive cuts to higher education. As these government officials fail to provide a solution to our funding crisis, thousands of students are being denied access to universities, classes are being dropped, classrooms have become overcrowded, and faculty are being threatened with non-reappointments and layoffs in high numbers. As frustration increases we cannot stand around and lose hope. We must keep our heads up and continue to take action. That's why on Tuesday, July 21st, at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting, the Chancellor's Office in Long Beach will see a massive mobilization of students coming together to rally and protest the current attacks that our higher educational system is undergoing.
Our plan is to hold a
Rally/Protest
On Tuesday July 21st from 10 - 4pm
Our plan is to shame the Board of Trustee members as they enter their office for allowing the current cuts on education and to put pressure on their decision making for the proposed 2009 - 2010 school year fee hike.
There will also be food, entertainment, & guest speakers
The address is: 401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802
Monday, May 25, 2009
An Open Letter to CSULA Students Regarding Student Safety and Privacy
“The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.”
Obviously, student privacy is a very important privilege that we, as students, are loathe to relinquish. For this reason, to keep personally identifying information on a more confidential basis, Campus Identification Numbers, perhaps better known as CINs, began to take the place of Social Security numbers as the official means of identifying students on our University records. Still, CINs are held by University standards and confidential information that is not permitted to be disclosed for public view.
We already know that CINs play an important part our lives as students. We use this information to access our transcripts, access our financial aid, enroll in classes, and now we can even use it to create new bank accounts. One would believe that such sensitive information would be kept secure under the strictest of guidelines, however, as of Thursday May 14, 2009, it came to my attention after a tip-off from a member of the newly elected Beltran slate that this identifying information was available for public view on a campus department website. Sadly, this was not an isolated incident of a few CINs being disclosed as the website contained the records of every single enrolled student for every quarter dating back as far as the past 4 years.
First, before going into an uproar, I would like to commend the actions of Vice President for Student Affairs and his staff for immediately taking action to remedy this incident after I alerted him to this breach in security. Because of their quick and decisive actions, the website was stripped of this information as of Friday May 15, 2009 at approximately 3:00 PM. However, the fact that such information was on a University funded website is inexcusable and irresponsible.
Yes, I did file a complaint with ASI based on the fact that this situation may have compromised the ASI Elections. After all, during these ASI elections, all that was needed to vote was a CIN of a currently enrolled student. There was no need for any verifying information and if a candidate or slate had knowledge of a website with this information posted, this leads to the automatic suspicion that all votes may not have been valid. And with the danger of sounding repetitive, I first learned of this issue from a member of the Beltran slate. However, this goes far beyond the validity of a simple ASI election. This deals directly with the safety of identifying student information that was posted online that provides an avenue for possible abuse. With such sensitive information floating around, the repercussions are almost too horrible to imagine but include grade tampering, fraud, and even identity theft.
Let’s make this very clear. Policies and guidelines, when created to provide for the safety of students, should be followed, not broken or amended to fit the desires of a few individuals who have displayed a history of irresponsibility in the past. It is my personal opinion that everyone should be held to be accountable for their actions and to the same standards as any other person. Whether incidents like this happen today or a year from now, we as students should take an active role in ensuring the future success of the continued quality of our education.
Obviously, student privacy is a very important privilege that we, as students, are loathe to relinquish. For this reason, to keep personally identifying information on a more confidential basis, Campus Identification Numbers, perhaps better known as CINs, began to take the place of Social Security numbers as the official means of identifying students on our University records. Still, CINs are held by University standards and confidential information that is not permitted to be disclosed for public view.
We already know that CINs play an important part our lives as students. We use this information to access our transcripts, access our financial aid, enroll in classes, and now we can even use it to create new bank accounts. One would believe that such sensitive information would be kept secure under the strictest of guidelines, however, as of Thursday May 14, 2009, it came to my attention after a tip-off from a member of the newly elected Beltran slate that this identifying information was available for public view on a campus department website. Sadly, this was not an isolated incident of a few CINs being disclosed as the website contained the records of every single enrolled student for every quarter dating back as far as the past 4 years.
First, before going into an uproar, I would like to commend the actions of Vice President for Student Affairs and his staff for immediately taking action to remedy this incident after I alerted him to this breach in security. Because of their quick and decisive actions, the website was stripped of this information as of Friday May 15, 2009 at approximately 3:00 PM. However, the fact that such information was on a University funded website is inexcusable and irresponsible.
Yes, I did file a complaint with ASI based on the fact that this situation may have compromised the ASI Elections. After all, during these ASI elections, all that was needed to vote was a CIN of a currently enrolled student. There was no need for any verifying information and if a candidate or slate had knowledge of a website with this information posted, this leads to the automatic suspicion that all votes may not have been valid. And with the danger of sounding repetitive, I first learned of this issue from a member of the Beltran slate. However, this goes far beyond the validity of a simple ASI election. This deals directly with the safety of identifying student information that was posted online that provides an avenue for possible abuse. With such sensitive information floating around, the repercussions are almost too horrible to imagine but include grade tampering, fraud, and even identity theft.
Let’s make this very clear. Policies and guidelines, when created to provide for the safety of students, should be followed, not broken or amended to fit the desires of a few individuals who have displayed a history of irresponsibility in the past. It is my personal opinion that everyone should be held to be accountable for their actions and to the same standards as any other person. Whether incidents like this happen today or a year from now, we as students should take an active role in ensuring the future success of the continued quality of our education.
Monday, February 23, 2009
CONVERSION DEBATE REVEALS ASI RIFTS
**DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a student at CSULA and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Carlos Lopez-Jimenez or of any affiliated organizations. Furthermore, Carlos Lopez-Jimenez has requested that the University Times publish a retraction due to various mistakes in the article, chiefly the fact that he has never run for office within student government as his prior office was an appointed position rather elected and also, at the time of publication of this article, Carlos had already resigned from his prior position as an ASI Academic Senator and is not currently affiliated to the Associated Students Inc., at California State University, Los Angeles.**
CONVERSION DEBATE REVEALS ASI RIFTS
(CSULA-UT)
Friday, 20 February 2009
At least 100 students rallied in front of the Administration building yesterday against the budget cuts and hoping to prevent the estimated $4 to $80 million-semester conversion.
Jonathan Bilwani, a third year psychology student said “I’m against the conversion because I’m a working student. If the semester were in effect it would make it more expensive, prolong my graduation, and make it harder to take the classes I need.”
The quarter system at CSULA has been in effect since 1967 and was originally intended to accommodate to a greater number of students. Between the years of 1960 and 1975, there was a 65% increase in the college student population within the United States. The protest began Wednesday at 12:00 pm. Supporters gathered and responded to speakers about University issues, and voiced their opinions to fellow students about the campus conversion. Carlos Lopez Jimenez, undergraduate ASI Academic Senator, led the rally on the march across campus. He expressed his reasons why students should take action on this issue. “The rally itself fulfilled its intended purpose. We got the message across to administration. We got Tony Ross to commit to having an open town hall meeting with the students, organized by the students. He also said he would ask President Rosser to be present at that meeting as well. What I’m really hoping for is that those promises will be fulfilled.”
Jimenez also contended that ASI President Jennifer Chemel had failed to represent the interests of CSULA students. “I am very disappointed by the fact that our own ASI president Jennifer Chemel was not here, even though she openly stated that she’s advocating for the students. She also openly stated that she is against the semester system. However, she was not here to be a voice for the majority of the student body.”
Before the rally, ASI President, Jennifer Chemel, discussed her views on the conversion and it’s impact on students. “There has to be student input on every level. I feel that there are pressing issues that we can be using people-power for” she continued. “The conversion [if it does happen] will be uniform with other CSU’s; it shouldn’t affect students much financially because instead of paying for three quarters you’ll be paying two semesters.” Among other things Chemel’s absence from the rally has become a point of contention. Jimenez, who serves in Chemel’s administration, is also the chair of a group calling itself the Student Action Coalition (SAC). Claiming the support of this group, on Tuesday Jimenez sent out a mass facebook message to CSULA students calling for the impeachment of President Chemel. This comes in conjunction with considerable criticism ASI has faced recently under charges of lackadaisical leadership. “She hasn’t represented the students,” said Jimenez of Chemel. “Whether her impeachment is successful or not I want this to send a message that students do have a voice and if the leadership in ASI is not representing them they too [the leadership] will have to answer to the students.” he said.
Jimenez and the SAC have been spreading the word of the proposed impeachment through facebook and paper flyers. They have begun a petition to oust Chemel online for students to sign. Observers have noted that the acrimonious debate between Lopez-Jimenez and Chemel is far more personal than ideological or political. Chemel says it is an open secret that Lopez-Jimenez wants her job, and has made her defeat his personal vendetta.
Lopez-Jimenez, who ran unsuccessfully for ASI office prior to winning his current seat, says that even if his impeachment efforts succeed, he does not intend to run for the office of ASI President. In this context it isn’t surprising that Chemel did not participate in the Wednesday rally; the antipathy between the two ASI leaders is palpable; signs not so much Chemel’s support of the conversion plan, but rather the discord at the highest levels of ASI.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tony Ross was present for part of the rally and responded to participants concerns. When asked about the budget and funding for the conversion, Ross explained, “There’s no cost associated with anything, until there’s an actual decision that we may move or not move towards a semester conversion. The planning committee has to factor that in. From a faculty standpoint, just as ASI is the official vote of the students, the Academic Senate is the official voice of the faculty.”
Ross continued, “I don’t have an answer for you in terms of anticipated costs. You are asking me about anticipated costs on something that hasn’t been decided yet. I can’t address that now. “
Melina Abdullah, professor of Pan African studies, said to Tony Ross’ and participants at the rally, “We had to fight in the senate to get a faculty vote, because we wanted to get it documented that the academic senate is not the only vote of the faculty.” Abdullah continued, “I teach here because I like the face of CSULA…one of the calls is for a town hall meeting where we can all voice our opinions beyond just relying on ASI. “
Around 1:30pm students and faculty began to disperse. The demonstration suggested a significant level of concern and interest in the campus community.
Organizers of the rally made it clear that Wednesday’s demonstration would not be the last action. Another rally will occur today at 12:00pm in the same location, outside the administration building.
CONVERSION DEBATE REVEALS ASI RIFTS
(CSULA-UT)
Friday, 20 February 2009
At least 100 students rallied in front of the Administration building yesterday against the budget cuts and hoping to prevent the estimated $4 to $80 million-semester conversion.
Jonathan Bilwani, a third year psychology student said “I’m against the conversion because I’m a working student. If the semester were in effect it would make it more expensive, prolong my graduation, and make it harder to take the classes I need.”
The quarter system at CSULA has been in effect since 1967 and was originally intended to accommodate to a greater number of students. Between the years of 1960 and 1975, there was a 65% increase in the college student population within the United States. The protest began Wednesday at 12:00 pm. Supporters gathered and responded to speakers about University issues, and voiced their opinions to fellow students about the campus conversion. Carlos Lopez Jimenez, undergraduate ASI Academic Senator, led the rally on the march across campus. He expressed his reasons why students should take action on this issue. “The rally itself fulfilled its intended purpose. We got the message across to administration. We got Tony Ross to commit to having an open town hall meeting with the students, organized by the students. He also said he would ask President Rosser to be present at that meeting as well. What I’m really hoping for is that those promises will be fulfilled.”
Jimenez also contended that ASI President Jennifer Chemel had failed to represent the interests of CSULA students. “I am very disappointed by the fact that our own ASI president Jennifer Chemel was not here, even though she openly stated that she’s advocating for the students. She also openly stated that she is against the semester system. However, she was not here to be a voice for the majority of the student body.”
Before the rally, ASI President, Jennifer Chemel, discussed her views on the conversion and it’s impact on students. “There has to be student input on every level. I feel that there are pressing issues that we can be using people-power for” she continued. “The conversion [if it does happen] will be uniform with other CSU’s; it shouldn’t affect students much financially because instead of paying for three quarters you’ll be paying two semesters.” Among other things Chemel’s absence from the rally has become a point of contention. Jimenez, who serves in Chemel’s administration, is also the chair of a group calling itself the Student Action Coalition (SAC). Claiming the support of this group, on Tuesday Jimenez sent out a mass facebook message to CSULA students calling for the impeachment of President Chemel. This comes in conjunction with considerable criticism ASI has faced recently under charges of lackadaisical leadership. “She hasn’t represented the students,” said Jimenez of Chemel. “Whether her impeachment is successful or not I want this to send a message that students do have a voice and if the leadership in ASI is not representing them they too [the leadership] will have to answer to the students.” he said.
Jimenez and the SAC have been spreading the word of the proposed impeachment through facebook and paper flyers. They have begun a petition to oust Chemel online for students to sign. Observers have noted that the acrimonious debate between Lopez-Jimenez and Chemel is far more personal than ideological or political. Chemel says it is an open secret that Lopez-Jimenez wants her job, and has made her defeat his personal vendetta.
Lopez-Jimenez, who ran unsuccessfully for ASI office prior to winning his current seat, says that even if his impeachment efforts succeed, he does not intend to run for the office of ASI President. In this context it isn’t surprising that Chemel did not participate in the Wednesday rally; the antipathy between the two ASI leaders is palpable; signs not so much Chemel’s support of the conversion plan, but rather the discord at the highest levels of ASI.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tony Ross was present for part of the rally and responded to participants concerns. When asked about the budget and funding for the conversion, Ross explained, “There’s no cost associated with anything, until there’s an actual decision that we may move or not move towards a semester conversion. The planning committee has to factor that in. From a faculty standpoint, just as ASI is the official vote of the students, the Academic Senate is the official voice of the faculty.”
Ross continued, “I don’t have an answer for you in terms of anticipated costs. You are asking me about anticipated costs on something that hasn’t been decided yet. I can’t address that now. “
Melina Abdullah, professor of Pan African studies, said to Tony Ross’ and participants at the rally, “We had to fight in the senate to get a faculty vote, because we wanted to get it documented that the academic senate is not the only vote of the faculty.” Abdullah continued, “I teach here because I like the face of CSULA…one of the calls is for a town hall meeting where we can all voice our opinions beyond just relying on ASI. “
Around 1:30pm students and faculty began to disperse. The demonstration suggested a significant level of concern and interest in the campus community.
Organizers of the rally made it clear that Wednesday’s demonstration would not be the last action. Another rally will occur today at 12:00pm in the same location, outside the administration building.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
ASI LEADERSHIP MISSING
ASI LEADERSHIP MISSING
February 13, 2009 (Published in February 19, 2009 Edition of U Times)
Student Representation creates a structure to ensure that students' views are head in order to bring about improvement in the quality of the student experience and development of learning and teaching within the institution.
--Adapted from The University Of Manchester
At CSULA, we do have a student government association, the Associated Students Incorporated (ASI). However, like any organization, the underlying fundamental behavior of this association has a direct link with its leadership. In any given year, when a President is elected into office, he or she has committed to providing true student representation even in the face of challenges from the University administration, faculty, and staff. If a president proves to be 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, the association cannot be expected to show much character either, unless they oppose both the University administration and the leadership within their own association!
On Wednesday February 18, there was a student-led rally to protest the Academic Senate's vote to mover forward with the planning stages for a conversion to a semester system at CSULA. Protest organizers felt that for any planning to take place, funds will be required. It is the opinion of many students, myself included, that any funds that are readily for use should be invested in saving the quality of education for students, especially when we are facing the darkest hours of a global economic crises. The rally gained the support of both students and faculty alike and many hours were dedicated by certain key individuals. But one person that has been absent from these discussions is our un-elected ASI President, Jennifer Chemel.
There are those who blame the entire ASI for the current situation. However an organization is only as capable as its leader. One would hope, however, that instead of claiming credit for the work of others and misrepresenting the 23,000 students at CSULA, our current and future student leaders will opt to begin the work of rebuilding the campus in both pride and unity, advocating for the rights of CSULA students and the value of investment in higher in education.
Carlos Lopez-Jimenez
Economics Student
clopezj@calstatela.edu
(310) 384-7254
February 13, 2009 (Published in February 19, 2009 Edition of U Times)
Student Representation creates a structure to ensure that students' views are head in order to bring about improvement in the quality of the student experience and development of learning and teaching within the institution.
--Adapted from The University Of Manchester
At CSULA, we do have a student government association, the Associated Students Incorporated (ASI). However, like any organization, the underlying fundamental behavior of this association has a direct link with its leadership. In any given year, when a President is elected into office, he or she has committed to providing true student representation even in the face of challenges from the University administration, faculty, and staff. If a president proves to be 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, the association cannot be expected to show much character either, unless they oppose both the University administration and the leadership within their own association!
On Wednesday February 18, there was a student-led rally to protest the Academic Senate's vote to mover forward with the planning stages for a conversion to a semester system at CSULA. Protest organizers felt that for any planning to take place, funds will be required. It is the opinion of many students, myself included, that any funds that are readily for use should be invested in saving the quality of education for students, especially when we are facing the darkest hours of a global economic crises. The rally gained the support of both students and faculty alike and many hours were dedicated by certain key individuals. But one person that has been absent from these discussions is our un-elected ASI President, Jennifer Chemel.
There are those who blame the entire ASI for the current situation. However an organization is only as capable as its leader. One would hope, however, that instead of claiming credit for the work of others and misrepresenting the 23,000 students at CSULA, our current and future student leaders will opt to begin the work of rebuilding the campus in both pride and unity, advocating for the rights of CSULA students and the value of investment in higher in education.
Carlos Lopez-Jimenez
Economics Student
clopezj@calstatela.edu
(310) 384-7254
CSULA STUDENTS ORGANIZE RALLY TO COUNTER LOSS OF REPRESENTATION IN DISCUSSIONS TO CONVERT UNIVERSITY INTO A SEMESTER SYSTEM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2009
Event: CSULA Student Rally
Contact Person: Carlos Lopez-Jimenez
Company Name: California State University, Los Angeles
Telephone Number: (310) 384-7254
Email Address: clopezj@calstatela.edu
Web site address: www.csulaleadership.webs.com
CSULA STUDENTS ORGANIZE RALLY TO COUNTER LOSS OF REPRESENTATION IN DISCUSSIONS TO CONVERT UNIVERSITY INTO A SEMESTER SYSTEM
Los Angeles, CA, Monday, February 16, 2009 — On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, students of California State University, Los Angeles, will congregate on the campus’ main walkway at 12 noon to protest the proposed university conversion to a semester system from its traditional quarter system.
This rally is a student-organized response to the series of discussions that have taken on the CSULA campus where the majority sentiment of the student community has been voiced as being against the conversion; however, on January 13, 2008 the university’s Academic Senate announced the final results of the advisory vote to the President on whether or not to proceed with the preliminary planning of a possible conversion to a semester system. The Senate voted in an overwhelming 30-17 in favor of proceeding with the said planning. The Academic Senate is the official representative body of University faculty which speaks on its behalf on matters within its purview, such as policy on curricula, promotion, retention and tenure matters, and other matters that affect faculty.
Estimates for the costs of such a conversion have ranged from anywhere from $ 1 million to an alarming $18.3 million based on comparisons of other universities that have undergone similar conversions.
In an official statement issued by the Associated Students Inc., the student government on the campus, stated that no decision has been made yet on whether the conversion will occur.
"… this is still up to the president of the University to decide" the statement said
With recent budget cuts and fee increases that have drastically affected the quality and accessibility of higher education in California, students are expressing concern over the possible costs of the conversion. The planned demonstration intends to meet outside the office of CSULA President James M. Rosser on the afternoon to collectively express their concerns and frustrations with the lack of student representation in the University’s policy making process and with the proposed conversion.
Event: CSULA Student Rally
Contact Person: Carlos Lopez-Jimenez
Company Name: California State University, Los Angeles
Telephone Number: (310) 384-7254
Email Address: clopezj@calstatela.edu
Web site address: www.csulaleadership.webs.c
CSULA STUDENTS ORGANIZE RALLY TO COUNTER LOSS OF REPRESENTATION IN DISCUSSIONS TO CONVERT UNIVERSITY INTO A SEMESTER SYSTEM
Los Angeles, CA, Monday, February 16, 2009 — On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, students of California State University, Los Angeles, will congregate on the campus’ main walkway at 12 noon to protest the proposed university conversion to a semester system from its traditional quarter system.
This rally is a student-organized response to the series of discussions that have taken on the CSULA campus where the majority sentiment of the student community has been voiced as being against the conversion; however, on January 13, 2008 the university’s Academic Senate announced the final results of the advisory vote to the President on whether or not to proceed with the preliminary planning of a possible conversion to a semester system. The Senate voted in an overwhelming 30-17 in favor of proceeding with the said planning. The Academic Senate is the official representative body of University faculty which speaks on its behalf on matters within its purview, such as policy on curricula, promotion, retention and tenure matters, and other matters that affect faculty.
Estimates for the costs of such a conversion have ranged from anywhere from $ 1 million to an alarming $18.3 million based on comparisons of other universities that have undergone similar conversions.
In an official statement issued by the Associated Students Inc., the student government on the campus, stated that no decision has been made yet on whether the conversion will occur.
"… this is still up to the president of the University to decide" the statement said
With recent budget cuts and fee increases that have drastically affected the quality and accessibility of higher education in California, students are expressing concern over the possible costs of the conversion. The planned demonstration intends to meet outside the office of CSULA President James M. Rosser on the afternoon to collectively express their concerns and frustrations with the lack of student representation in the University’s policy making process and with the proposed conversion.
An Online Partnership with Fellow Students
As I'm preparing for another advocacy effort on the part of CSULA students, I wanted to ask you, my core supporters, to help me begin to build a strong, online, grassroots network of supporters and activists to help us fight for a better future for our University and our surrounding campus community, not to mention statewide. Over the coming weeks, I will be employing various methods in an effort to communicate with my fellow students -- including my new blog and website -- but there is one that you and I, together, can help get off the ground right now: this Facebook page.
I want you to help me grow our Facebook page community so we can begin to share our vision of a mobilized and unified CSULA with a new thoughts and ideas. After much deliberation with several key advisors, such as the Student Action Coalition at California State University, Los Angeles and the executive board of Earth LA, we came up with few easy steps that can help you start using Facebook to grow our community right away.
1. Become a supporter. The quickest way to start growing our numbers is for you to make sure you've signed up as a supporter. And better yet, when you become a supporter, your friends will see it in their News Feeds, so just by joining you'll be helping spread the word!
2. Click the Share button on my page. By sharing the page, it will be posted to your profile and in your friends' News Feeds. You can also add a comment about why you are supporting my candidacy and why you think others would want to as well!
3. Post a link to my page in your Facebook status. Use a message like, "Join me in supporting student representation at CSULA!" and include this link to my page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlos-Lopez-Jimenez/120138260493
4. Write a note about what change here on our campus means to you and tag your friends in it. Then, include a link to the page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlos-Lopez-Jimenez/120138260493 ) so they can join us and so that I too may read about your opinions and concerns!
5. Email your friends. I will be constantly updating to post relevant news regarding issues at CSULA and our surrounding community, but I also need your help! Help me by continuing the chain of information by forwarding emails to all of your CSULA contacts. Then, include a link to my page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlos-Lopez-Jimenez/120138260493 ) and encourage them to tell their friends as well!
Still looking for more ways to spread the word or having some trouble? Don't hesitate to contact me at clopezj@calstatela.edu for more information!
Building a strong and active online community will help us build the vision of a green, unified, and strong CSULA campus community that we all share. But to create that community, I need your help to recruit your friends and make our Facebook page a place where we can all come together and look to the future.
Here, we have the opportunity to not just share, but also shape a new vision for LA. My colleagues and I will be posting videos, articles, and messages for the community there, but you will also have the chance to share your videos, photos, and thoughts. Together, we can discuss the future of Cal State LA and ways to make it brighter for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support, and make sure to keep an eye out for new tools as we build this online movement.
Very Truly Yours,
Carlos Francisco Lopez-Jimenez
I want you to help me grow our Facebook page community so we can begin to share our vision of a mobilized and unified CSULA with a new thoughts and ideas. After much deliberation with several key advisors, such as the Student Action Coalition at California State University, Los Angeles and the executive board of Earth LA, we came up with few easy steps that can help you start using Facebook to grow our community right away.
1. Become a supporter. The quickest way to start growing our numbers is for you to make sure you've signed up as a supporter. And better yet, when you become a supporter, your friends will see it in their News Feeds, so just by joining you'll be helping spread the word!
2. Click the Share button on my page. By sharing the page, it will be posted to your profile and in your friends' News Feeds. You can also add a comment about why you are supporting my candidacy and why you think others would want to as well!
3. Post a link to my page in your Facebook status. Use a message like, "Join me in supporting student representation at CSULA!" and include this link to my page: http://www.facebook.com/pa
4. Write a note about what change here on our campus means to you and tag your friends in it. Then, include a link to the page (http://www.facebook.com/pa
5. Email your friends. I will be constantly updating to post relevant news regarding issues at CSULA and our surrounding community, but I also need your help! Help me by continuing the chain of information by forwarding emails to all of your CSULA contacts. Then, include a link to my page (http://www.facebook.com/pa
Still looking for more ways to spread the word or having some trouble? Don't hesitate to contact me at clopezj@calstatela.edu for more information!
Building a strong and active online community will help us build the vision of a green, unified, and strong CSULA campus community that we all share. But to create that community, I need your help to recruit your friends and make our Facebook page a place where we can all come together and look to the future.
Here, we have the opportunity to not just share, but also shape a new vision for LA. My colleagues and I will be posting videos, articles, and messages for the community there, but you will also have the chance to share your videos, photos, and thoughts. Together, we can discuss the future of Cal State LA and ways to make it brighter for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support, and make sure to keep an eye out for new tools as we build this online movement.
Very Truly Yours,
Carlos Francisco Lopez-Jimenez
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
CSSA CONDUCTS SEARCH FOR CSU STUDENT TRUSTEE
Long Beach, CA. – The California State Student Association (CSSA) today opened its annual search for a Student Trustee to serve on the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees. Applications are now being accepted by the CSSA.
The Board of Trustees is the highest policy‐making body for the 23‐campus California State University system. Trustees establish policies on student fees, admissions, financial aid, technology, student services and other areas that directly impact approximately 450,000 CSU students.
The primary responsibility of the position is to present the issues and perspectives of CSU students. Trustees conduct campus visits and attend seven regularly scheduled meetings per year. Serving as Student Trustee offers a unique opportunity to shape policy for the largest four‐year higher education system in the world – the California State University. The student trustee is the most prestigious leadership position a CSU student may hold.
Completed applications must be received by the CSSA no later than 5pm, Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Application packets must be mailed or hand delivered. Incomplete applications and those sent by facsimile will not be accepted. Applications are to be delivered to:
California State Student Association
ATTN: Director of University Affairs
401 Golden Shore, Suite 135
Long Beach, CA 90802.
Applicants selected for personal interviews will be notified in writing and by telephone. Interviews will be conducted May 8, 2009 at the CSSA monthly meeting. Three to five nominations will be forwarded to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who will make the final appointment.
For more information and complete instructions on how to apply visit the CSSA website at www.csustudents.org.
The Board of Trustees is the highest policy‐making body for the 23‐campus California State University system. Trustees establish policies on student fees, admissions, financial aid, technology, student services and other areas that directly impact approximately 450,000 CSU students.
The primary responsibility of the position is to present the issues and perspectives of CSU students. Trustees conduct campus visits and attend seven regularly scheduled meetings per year. Serving as Student Trustee offers a unique opportunity to shape policy for the largest four‐year higher education system in the world – the California State University. The student trustee is the most prestigious leadership position a CSU student may hold.
Completed applications must be received by the CSSA no later than 5pm, Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Application packets must be mailed or hand delivered. Incomplete applications and those sent by facsimile will not be accepted. Applications are to be delivered to:
California State Student Association
ATTN: Director of University Affairs
401 Golden Shore, Suite 135
Long Beach, CA 90802.
Applicants selected for personal interviews will be notified in writing and by telephone. Interviews will be conducted May 8, 2009 at the CSSA monthly meeting. Three to five nominations will be forwarded to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who will make the final appointment.
For more information and complete instructions on how to apply visit the CSSA website at www.csustudents.org.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Results of the Academic Senate of Quarter to Semester Advisory Vote and its Consequences
On January 13, 2008, at approximately 1:30 pm, the Academic Senate announced the final results of the advisory vote to the President on whether or not to proceed with the preliminary planning of a possible conversion to a semester system. The Senate voted in an overwhelming 30-17 in favor of proceeding with the said planning. Please note that ASI, the official voice of the student body at CSULA, has officially taken a stance against this conversion and each student representative that voted within the Academic Senate voted against the preliminary planning.
My personal opinion on this matter is that it will take a mobilization of students to protest this decision in order to show how vested the student interest is in this matter. If this does not occur, the decision will indeed stand and the consequences will be that the student voice will be, again, diminished. I am not advocating for a revolution. I am not advocating for a complete overhaul of the system. Instead, I am asking you, as students of CSULA, to voice your opinions to myself and to your other representatives within ASI to make this a priority issue. ASI is BY the students and FOR the students. Let us not forget that.
If you are willing to mobilize and advocate for change, please by all means, let me know. The time has come for the CSULA student body to show with our masses that WE are the driving force of this University. It is time for us to show that the STUDENTS are the living spirit and life blood of the campus life here at CSULA.
Let's make our stand. Not a month from now... not even a few weeks from now... but NOW!
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Facet of Religon
Dictionary.com defines "humanitarian" as:
One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist.
With that definition, the term "eternitarian" could be defined as:
One who is devoted to the promotion of a person's eternal welfare and the advancement of spiritual reforms; a philanthropist.
This is how the eternitarian lives:
The eternitarian treats people not just as humans, but as eternal beings. They are mindful of the reality that each person is an eternal being who will spend eternity in either Heaven or Hell. Their focus is on aligning hearts and souls with the truth of eternity. They work for the eternal benefit of everyone, through discipleship, with an understanding for the diversity in culture and ideas of people around the world.
Just a thought.
One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist.
With that definition, the term "eternitarian" could be defined as:
One who is devoted to the promotion of a person's eternal welfare and the advancement of spiritual reforms; a philanthropist.
This is how the eternitarian lives:
The eternitarian treats people not just as humans, but as eternal beings. They are mindful of the reality that each person is an eternal being who will spend eternity in either Heaven or Hell. Their focus is on aligning hearts and souls with the truth of eternity. They work for the eternal benefit of everyone, through discipleship, with an understanding for the diversity in culture and ideas of people around the world.
Just a thought.
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