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.