An Open Letter to the Campus Community

Note: The following letter is an opinion piece and the sole opinion of the author. The views represented are not officially endorsed by the general body of the College of Liberal Arts Student Council.

An Open Letter to the CSULB Campus Community:

When freshmen take their first few steps onto campus and walk under the “Graduation Begins Today” banner, they may not necessarily know much about CSULB. However, there is one fact that the websites, reviews, and social media all dictate: Long Beach is a diverse campus. 

The distinction is rightfully deserved; Long Beach is a diverse campus in terms of more than just ethnicity. CSULB boasts a diverse population, as well as a plethora of services, resources, and centers dedicated to maintaining and enhancing our unique communities on campus. The progress we have made is a wonderful thing to behold, but it also begs the question: are we truly safeguarded from the real world vices of sexism, racism, and homophobia? We must acknowledge that discrimination based on race, gender, and orientation are unfortunately not uncommon in American universities. That being said, the test of a university’s effectiveness is not how it prevents discriminatory acts from occurring, but rather how it ensures that such acts do not continuously recur. 
 

CSU trustees asked to hike tuition 12 percent: Fall tuition break $5,000 mark

California State University has not wasted any time responding to the budget Gov. Jerry Brown signed today, which cuts CSU funding by at least $650 million for the coming school year.

Chancellor Charles Reed announced this afternoon that he will ask trustees to vote on a 12 percent tuition increase when they meet on July 12. The increase would be effective this fall, and comes on top of a 10 percent increase that trustees approved last year -- also to take effect this fall.

If trustees approve the newest increase, annual undergraduate tuition at the 23 CSU campuses will be $5,178 this fall -- or $948 more than it was in fall 2010.

"What was once unprecedented has unfortunately become normal, as for the second time in three years the CSU will be cut by well over $500 million," Reed said in a statement. "The magnitude of this cut, compounded with the uncertainty of the final amount of the reduction, will have negative impacts on the CSU long after this upcoming fiscal year has come and gone."

The budget Brown signed calls for cutting CSU and the University of California each by another $100 million if revenue expectations are not met by December.

Read more at Capitol Alert

LA Times: Cal State considers drastic plan in case of an 'all-cuts' budget

Facing a potential $1-billion reduction in state funding for the coming school year, California State University is considering "radical" measures that could include huge tuition hikes and enrollment reductions, officials said Tuesday.

The actions may be necessary to keep classroom doors open if tax extensions requested by Gov. Jerry Brown are not approved, Chancellor Charles B. Reed told trustees at a meeting in Long Beach.

The state already had approved funding cuts for the next school year of $500 million each for Cal State and the University of California. An additional $500 million may be demanded from each system if the temporary tax extensions are not approved by voters or the Legislature.

Under the contingency plan presented Tuesday, Cal State could be forced to raise tuition for full-time undergraduates by 32% next year, in addition to a 10% increase already approved for fall 2011. The contingency increase would mean an additional $1,566 and bring total annual tuition for undergraduates to $6,450. The total does not include annual campus fees that average $950.

"It's going to be radical and it's going to generate a lot of pain," said Reed, who will make formal recommendations to the governing board in July.

Cal State campuses also may resort to a waiting list for applications for winter and spring 2012 enrollment and hold off admissions decisions until a state budget is finalized.

In the worst-case scenario, 20,000 qualified applicants could be turned away, Reed told trustees.

"An 'all-cuts' budget would mean reducing 36% of our operating costs in one year and I don't know of a business in this country that can take that kind of reduction," the chancellor said.

Reed offered a number of other scenarios that could save $500 million, including closing the 10 smallest of Cal State's 23 campuses... to continue reading, please click here.

FSLD Video Submission Contest: Win an iPod Shuffle!

ForgiveStudentLoanDebt.com is holding a Video Submission Contest and you could win an IPOD SHUFFLE.
 
We want your videos - serious videos. The videos should be from 30-90 seconds long via web cam, personal camera, or professional camera (if you have one). To qualify for the IPOD SHUFFLE there needs to be an absolute minimum of 50 (THAT’S RIGHT! 50) video submissions, 10 coming from each category that you can pick from (see below).

We will keep track of the submissions and when all the requirements have been met, we will make the announcement that all qualifications have been met and we will then have a drawing from those who have made a legitimate (meaning serious) submission and one lucky winner will get an IPOD SHUFFLE! (You should like the CAPS, I mean an IPOD SHUFFLE for a video?? Easy stuff!!)

English Tutor Positions Available - 2011 Summer Bridge Program (SBP)

Summer Bridge Program (SBP) is a one-week residential/three week commuter program of courses and activities designed to prepare selected incoming EOP Freshmen for the challenges of a four-year University.  It is an academic preparatory program with an emphasis on English and math, designed to help new students enhance their academic performance at CSULB.

Participants will take courses Monday through Friday and receive supplemental instruction and tutorial services for the duration of the program.

Dates:  

TBD  – Training
July 23-July 30 – Residential Component/Instruction
August 1 -August 19 – Commuter Component/Instruction

Details:

20-40 hours per week, depending on Program needs/ $12.00/hour

Application Deadline: May 13

Responsibilities:

1.       Assist assigned Instructors in the instruction of courses (English) in the Summer Bridge Program.

2.       Assist in identifying the level of skills in each individual student through testing and assignments.

3.       Conduct the afternoon, evening and/or weekend group and individual tutorial sessions.

4.       Assist the Instructor in the evaluation of tests and assignments; provide input on any concerns regarding students’ progress.

5.       Collaborate with the Summer Bridge Staff in discussing particular students with whom there may be concern.

6.       Assist in the enforcement of Summer Bridge rules and regulations, both inside and outside the classroom.

7.       Attend all Summer Bridge general and instructional meetings as required.

Experience:

• Upper division or graduate CSULB student majoring in English or related subject
• 3.0 GPA or better in subject area
• Experience in tutoring low-income, first generation students desirable
• Two letters of recommendation required
• Prefer applicants who would continue as EOP Tutors during the academic year

Enquire at LA3-200 for information and application.