August 2009 Archives

The SF State community reflected today on Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's life and political career after the news of his death came late Tuesday evening.

Kennedy died of brain cancer at the age of 77 early Wednesday morning in his home in Massachusetts. Doctors discovered a malignant brain tumor in May 2008 after he suffered from a seizure.

Larry Salomon, an ethnic studies professor, said that in the 70s and 80s, when most Democrats had to compromise their liberal views, Kennedy would not compromise his political values even if it meant losing national support.

"What's remarkable about Kennedy's tenure was that his strongest defense of marginalized people came during the most reactionary political times since World War II," Salomon said. "He was the most fierce and progressive voice when America became more conservative politically."

Weston Spiro, 20, a political science major, said he was a model senator not only because he appeased lobbyists and campaign contributors, but for being able to appease the Republican Party to get a bill passed.

"Losing someone that can allow a unified Congressional House to pass bills that don't necessarily affect them is a tragedy because many Senators are extremely out of touch with a significant amount of the citizenry, particularly less affluent people," Spiro said.

Joel Kassiola, the dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, was saddened by Kennedy's passing, and reflected on what his dedication to public service meant for the American people.

"He was able to make friends of political enemies," Kassiola said. "For Americans he made a lot of difference in terms of policy legislation."

Kassiola said that Kennedy was very important in passing significant legislation in almost every social area including education, health, welfare and supported students in need of financial assistance.

Some of the important acts Kennedy was involved in included the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

"Contemporary students may not realize he was the youngest of nine children and with his passing, the Kennedy era, which I grew up with, is gone," Kassiola said.

Kennedy will be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Saturday, according to The Associated Press.

Students, faculty and administrators at SF State are frustrated by the semester's furloughs and confused about when the campus will be open.

There are four fixed furlough days scheduled for this semester during which previously scheduled classes will be cancelled and all services on campus are suspended.

In addition, there are six furlough days scheduled on holidays during which services, usually available, will now be shut down.

"The start of the furlough days [was] Friday, August 14 and Monday, August 17," SF State President Robert Corrigan wrote in an e-mail to students. "Furloughs will occur throughout the year in response to the enormous budget cuts imposed on all California State University campuses by the governor and legislature."

The furlough days generally follow or precede holidays, resulting in a five-day Labor Day weekend as well as a weeklong Thanksgiving break.

In addition to scheduled furlough days, faculty must also take off 12 flexible furlough days per academic year. These unscheduled days off are being handled differently by individual teachers and departments. Some teachers may take their flex days during their scheduled classes and others may choose to spare their students and call one of their off-days as a flex furlough.

Journalism Department Chair Venise Wagner said the furloughs "are quite devastating" because teachers are getting more days off as well as not being paid for them.

"It's like trying to drive a car with a flat tire," Wagner said. "You can move, but you move slowly and with little control. While furloughs may be a necessary evil at the moment, they make it difficult for faculty to provide students with a full education."

Members of the faculty and administration are concerned about a decrease in the standard of education students receive due to the addition of the new furlough program.
In his annual address to faculty, Corrigan was applauded when he acknowledged there really are no days off for the dedicated employees.

"For our staff, every day's a work day," he said.

Students will feel the effects of furloughs as well.

Shawn Heiser is pursuing a master's in geography and he doesn't like the new furloughs.

"I'm an employee as well as a student," said Heiser, who works at the SF State Library.

Although his days on campus are limited by furloughs, he is also affected by the days he gets to work.

"It's horrible," Heiser said. "I can't afford a 10 percent pay cut."

Though this semester's schedule looks on-and-off, Heiser plans to make the most of his excess free time by working on his thesis.

"I'm going to work on my thesis," Heiser said. "Then try to work another job."

Furloughs affecting class will occur on September 4 and 8; October 23 and 26.

"Teachers will have the same furlough days as their students, but not all students will have the same furlough days," Wagner said.

SF State President Robert Corrigan encouraged educators to find solutions to the state's budget crisis at the annual faculty convocation Monday.

Corrigan said the California State University system absorbed the largest cut in its history and "it can be assumed that the worst is still to come."

This year, faculty and staff took a 10 percent pay cut, and mandatory furlough days have already taken a toll -- primarily for low-income employees.

Corrigan addressed SF State's active role in the community.

"Over the years we made a difference in the community and now we need to make a difference in this state," Corrigan said.

"I like his ideas but he didn't articulate how to implement them," biology Professor Tom Parker said. "It's not really practical because they're the ones in power [Sacramento]."

California currently faces a $26 billion deficit, directly affecting CSUs. The school's academic senate executive committee met 12 times this summer to discuss the budget effects, yet SF State has the fewest course offerings in a decade and there is a 33 percent full-time position loss since fall 2007.

"It was really depressing, but I'm glad he shares values of student education," said Theresa Hammond, associate professor in the College of Business. "I hope it turns around. My pay got cut 10 percent and I have a full waiting list," she said.

"The budget cuts will force the institution to change in ways we do not even know. One thing we will not change is our values," Corrigan said.

President Corrigan reinforced the idea of a "new SF State" throughout his speech, while making it clear that the school will not be changing its mission.

"The campus is committed to social justice and equity, its highest priority for education to the most diverse students," he said.

An example he gave was comparing the campus bookstore to the current budget situation. Years ago, the bookstore was heading toward bankruptcy when the marketing department on campus created a business plan to revive the store into a "thriving enterprise."

Corrigan used his anecdote to point out the importance of using school talent to create solutions rather than moving up the ladder to air their complaints.

"This is an example of what we can do now to help out the economic state on campus," Corrigan said.

This week marks the beginning of the university's 111th academic year, but Corrigan called it "year one of a reconstituted SF State."

"I do expect change. I expect the impact of the California state budget and for classes to be insane tomorrow," full-time geosciences lecturer Bridget Wyatt said.

Plastic SF State bags, replacing previous canvas bags, were handed out to nearly 400 faculty members, filled with a packet of current statistics on the faculty's diversity, salary comparisons with other CSUs, grants and contracts awarded this fiscal year.

"We took a vow of poverty when we came into this profession," Corrigan jokingly said, "but not of silence and obedience. We have the brain power -- money is not the issue."

Corrigan also addressed concerns about the furlough days from faculty and students.

"We hope it's short-term," Corrigan said. "It's only a cut in salary that preserves fringe benefits."

Corrigan suggested faculty work together to send possible solutions to Sacramento.
One option he mentioned was brainstorming the reform of Proposition 13, which limits property tax increases.

"Everybody my age is scared stiff of touching Prop. 13 but it's possible to reform Prop. 13 without hurting you and me," Corrigan said.

"It's going to be a difficult year that calls on all of us to do the best," new Provost Sue Rosser said.

SF State President Robert Corrigan encouraged educators to find solutions to the state's budget crisis at the annual faculty convocation Monday.

Corrigan said the California State University system absorbed the largest cut in its history and "it can be assumed that the worst is still to come."

This year, faculty and staff took a 10 percent pay cut, and mandatory furlough days have already taken a toll -- primarily for low-income employees.

Corrigan addressed SF State's active role in the community.

"Over the years we made a difference in the community and now we need to make a difference in this state," said Corrigan.

"I like his ideas but he didn't articulate how to implement them," said biology Professor Tom Parker. "It's not really practical because they're the ones in power [Sacramento]."

California currently faces a $26 billion deficit, directly affecting CSUs. The school's academic senate executive committee met 12 times this summer to discuss the budget effects, yet SF State has the fewest course offerings in a decade and there is a 33 percent full-time position loss since fall 2007.

"It was really depressing, but I'm glad he shares values of student education," said
Theresa Hammond, associate professor in the College of Business. "I hope it turns around. My pay got cut 10 percent and I have a full waiting list," she said.

"The budget cuts will force the institution to change in ways we do not even know. One thing we will not change is our values," said Corrigan.

President Corrigan reinforced the idea of a "new SF State" throughout his speech, while making it clear that the school will not be changing its mission.

"The campus is committed to social justice and equity, its highest priority for education to the most diverse students," he said.

He compared the campus bookstore to the current budget situation. Years ago, the bookstore was heading toward bankruptcy when the marketing department on campus created a business plan to revive the store into a "thriving enterprise."

Corrigan used his anecdote to point out the importance of using school talent to create solutions rather than appealing to outside authorities.

"This is an example of what we can do now to help out the economic state on campus," said Corrigan.

This week marks the beginning of the University's 111th academic year, but Corrigan called it "year one of a reconstituted SF State."

"I do expect change. I expect the impact of the California state budget and for classes to be insane tomorrow," said full-time geosciences lecturer Bridget Wyatt.

Plastic SF State bags, replacing previous canvas bags, were handed out to nearly 400 faculty members, filled with a packet of current statistics on the faculty's diversity, salary comparisons with other CSUs, grants and contracts awarded this fiscal year.

"We took a vow of poverty when we came into this profession," Corrigan jokingly said, "but not of silence and obedience. We have the brain power -- money is not the issue."

Corrigan also addressed concerns about the furlough days from faculty and students.

"We hope it's short-term," said Corrigan. "It's only a cut in salary that preserves fringe benefits."

Corrigan urged faculty work together to send possible solutions to Sacramento.

He suggested brainstorming the reform of Proposition 13, which limits property tax increases.

"Everybody my age is scared stiff of touching Prop. 13 but it's possible to reform Prop. 13 without hurting you and me," said Corrigan.

"It's going to be a difficult year that calls on all of us to do the best," said new Provost Sue Rosser.

With the fall semester beginning, the J. Paul Leonard Library is still under renovation, and students will scramble to many temporary locations disbursed throughout the campus for their studying needs.

The library has been closed since the summer of 2008 and will not be up and running until fall of 2011.

Some students, such as junior Rachel Lagan, 20, have mixed emotions about the project.

"I think the renovation is necessary, but I don't think they should have closed the entire library, because people still have to have a more convenient place to study," Lagan said.

During the rebuilding process, the school prepared locations scattered throughout the campus for students to retrieve books, use computers and study but many find these satellite locations to be problematic.

Lagan said she avoids going to the Annex, which is located west of the University Police Department, because it can take up to 30 minutes to get there.

"It is an inconvenience to me, so I don't take advantage because it wastes one hour of my time just walking, round trip, from the top of campus," she said.

Although the library changes may spark mixed emotions in some, others, such as LaVonne Jacobsen, division head for collections and management services and faculty member since 1972, are thrilled by the new changes under way.

"It's a good cause because the building was totally inadequate for the students as far as space and heating ventilation goes," Jacobsen said.

Lagan's younger sister, Ashley, 18, an incoming freshman at SF State, is excited about the new library because, she said, it will benefit her in the future, unlike juniors and seniors who may graduate before the project is completed.

Not only is she thrilled about the new library, but the freshman said during this semester she would most likely use the temporary locations such as the Annex, although she does not know the location of the building due to lack of information given at her fall 2009 orientation.

"They should have explained the locations and project better, but I will figure it out because I still need somewhere to study," Ashley said.

For this semester, Jacobsen said the hours for many of the temporary locations are somewhat complicated because of the furlough days. "We're trying hard to at least leave studying hours open for everyone," Jacobsen mentioned.

Whenever the Department of Public Safety officers are available, the Annex will try to be open 24 hours for students, with community service specialists there to provide safety for students.

The HSS Building location will be open on weekdays, and Saturdays from 12 to 5 p. m., but closed on Sundays due to lack of students using services.

The new library will have added 85,000 gross square feet to the existing building, and it will also have 34 percent more space in total; 50 percent more seating; 50 percent more group study areas; 50 percent more collection capacity, and 100 percent more computers.

For more information and updates regarding temporary library locations visit the library's Web site at www.library.sfsu.edu/about/building/index.php.

Laundry bags overstuffed with clothes and boxes of unopened furniture decorate the campus. While the incoming freshmen struggle to carry their belongings to their new dorm rooms, parents and friends give their last hugs and prepare to say their goodbyes.

Aug. 19 was move-in day for all incoming freshmen living in the dorm halls at Mary Park and Mary Ward.

"Oh my God, the bathrooms are so gross," said freshman Michaela Booker, who moved from Union City. "They smell disgusting, and my bed at home is like three times bigger than this twin I have now."

Moving away from home and into a new city is a major transition for incoming freshmen.
For first-year students, adapting to a different atmosphere and making new friends make experiencing the college life more challenging.

"It's not a nightmare, yet, but I don't know if we're completely compatible," said Erin Gibb, a theatre arts major from San Diego, about her new roommate. "I like her enough to be able to get along, so it's not that bad."

SF State organizes student activities every week, like Karaoke or Movie Night where freshmen are able to socialize with fellow classmates and familiarize themselves with the campus. Tutoring sessions are also organized so that each student feels welcomed and eager to learn.

"The one thing I'm really nervous about is my class schedule," Gibb admitted. "I know some people from back home, but I'm curious to see how difficult my classes will be."

Surviving the first year of college can be nerve-racking for many freshmen; with frightening professors and upperclassmen, but the outcome is an accomplishing feeling and the ultimate experience.

"I'm looking forward to a new school year. Everyone at SF State seems friendly, so hopefully it turns out to be a good one," Booker said.

Finding $20 in a birthday card and getting just-for-emergency credit cards from the parents are becoming luxuries of the past for recession riddled students, so they're finding other paths to fulfillment that don't involve money.

While these are no longer common privileges for students during the economic recession, and students are branching out, finding other ways to make themselves happy, even when money is tight.

As advised in an article "10 Secrets to Finding Happiness During the Recession," students are nurturing meaningful relationships, spending money on experiences rather than on items, and staying positive -- anything that's cheap.

"My family, we don't spend money on cars or TVs and things. Every few years we'll save money and take a trip somewhere," freshman Justin Boese said. "Last summer we took a trip to Greece. Being out gets my mind off the depressing side of things."

The article suggests spending $20 on an experience rather than an item, pursuing meaningful life goals, nurturing meaningful relationships, counting your blessings and getting out to sweat. Many students at SF State are doing just that.

"There are people that are doing worse off than how I'm doing right now," freshman Nicole Hicks said. "I stay optimistic and look at the bright side."

Hicks and friend Joy Hubbard sat at the Muni stop, waiting to go inbound and explore the city for the first time.

"I play ball. It takes my mind off things," Hubbard said. "It's free to play ball. Your mind is not really focused on money."

An article on www.economyincrisis.org states, "it is widely believed that suicide rates naturally rise with unemployment and increase in even greater frequency during times of recession."

The article goes on to say that during the Depression, suicides rose from 14 per every 100,000 people in 1929 to 17 per every 100,000 in 1933. Over that same period, the unemployment rate increased from 3.2 percent to 24.9 percent.

With the new California budget, fewer students are eligible for school loans, more layoffs are leaving students unemployed, and the rise in tuition is leaving people wondering how they will afford to stay in school.

"I've been backpacking recently because it's free," senior Michael Mahaffie said. "I sold my truck and got a Vespa because I can't afford gas, but I get a lot of compliments so it's a win-win."

Mahaffie signed up to become a resident assistant on campus this fall. After living in the city for a year, he realized that money was getting low and that he could no longer afford to live off-campus.

"When I interviewed [to be an RA] I said 'I need a job to pay for my housing,'" Mahaffie said as he chuckled.

While some friendships may be lost because of unpaid money loans, some have brought friends closer together.

"My friend just moved to Santa Monica and I loaned him $50 to help pay rent. He said he would never forget it," freshman Kyle Kulinski said. "We are definitely a lot closer now."

Parents show great concern as well, having to pay more tuition for their kids to continue
their education -- a backlash from the recent CSU budget cuts.

The biggest challenge was for parents Duke and Charlotte Thompson was helping their daughter find classes. And now, "Because of the recession, we spend more time as a family -- more talking, less going out. We don't take the big vacations anymore, we stay local."

Although there are ways to still find happiness during the recession, students still face hardships during a time when nothing seems affordable and noodles have become a frequent dinner.

"I really wanted to go to the Outside Lands Festival, but tickets were too expensive so I'm
using money to buy books for school instead," junior Cecily May said. "I have to be happy that I at least have an education."

Some students didn't seem to be affected at all.

"I don't know if much has changed for me because I don't spend much money usually. When I get together with friends, we just hang out," Boese said. "It's important to have a few close, intimate friends to hang out with."

During the recession, students are changing their living situations to accommodate their paychecks, if any. They are taking up new hobbies like backpacking, and forming closer friendships in a time of struggle.

"10 Secrets to Finding Happiness During the Recession" was written by Deborah Kotz and published April 22 in U.S. World News and Report.

One of BART's unions approved a new contract late Tuesday evening according to The Associated Press.

According to Jesse Hunt, the head of the union, more than 80 percent of members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 have agreed to the new contract, as reported by the AP.

The new four-year contract included reducing overtime, charging employees more for premium health benefits and eliminating jobs through attrition instead of layoffs, according to AP.

Nearly two weeks ago, the union rejected a contract proposal that would have frozen salaries, capped health benefits and imposed work rules intended to cut down on overtime.

Last week, the ATU were planning a strike after BART's board of directors decided to give a 7 percent pay cut solely to the union. But a tentative agreement was made a few days before the strike ensued.

Sen. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy died early Wednesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass. at the age of 77, CNN confirmed.

The Massachusetts senator was battling a brain tumor when he died. He was the second most senior member in the US Senate after President Pro Tempore Robert Byrd.

Kennedy had served in the US Senate since 1962.

In a press statement, California State Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) described him as "the moral standard for generations of lawmakers."

"For decades, Ted Kennedy, like his brothers, 'saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it,'" Yee wrote.

Kennedy, known as the "Lion of the Senate," played a crucial role in passing many important acts including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who also represents San Francisco's 8th district, called Kennedy "a great patriot" who had "a grand vision for America."

"Rooted in his deep patriotism, his abiding faith, and his deep concern for the least among us, no one has done more than Senator Kennedy to educate our children, care for our seniors, and ensure equality for all Americans," Pelosi wrote.

The most prominent member of the Kennedy family, he was the younger brother of the late President John Kennedy and Sen. Robert Kennedy both whom were assassinated in the 1960s.

Kennedy is survived by his second wife, Victoria Ann Reggie Kennedy and his five children from both his first and second marriages, according to CNN.

SF State students feeling the effect of California's budget crisis are expressing their disgust in a survey done by a faculty union.

The survey, hosted by the SF State chapter of the California Faculty Association, is aimed at students frustrated with not receiving the education that they are paying for. The students were asked to write down the classes they could not get into or were cancelled as a result of the budget cuts.

"Without education, students will be pushed into other alternatives like the military and prisons," said senior Samantha Adame, a CFA representative who was passing out complaint forms to students.

The CFA plans to send the surveys to the CSU board of trustees and the governor.

"We are trying to get the message to Sacramento to think of some alternatives so we can educate our students," said Eloise McQuown, an executive board member of CFA at SF State. "We are going to do anything we can to stop the bleeding and recapture the promise that was made to students."

Faculty and students are not the only ones concerned about the state of the campus.

"It's not right to do that to the kids," said Anne Fong, who has two kids attending SF State. "We pay for the tuition and then they raised it. It's bait and switch."

The CFA will continue to hand out surveys tomorrow at the Cesar Chavez Student Center from noon to 6 p.m.

Hissing and buzzing insects, followed by booming laughter of small children permeated the small but fitting Martin Wong Gallery in the Fine Arts building, as the ComuniCarte's art exhibit premiered at SF State last week.

"We wanted to give a little sense of what it's like to be in Colima," said program instructor Christian Nagler of three years. "You have insects, heat, dogs and horses."

The Colima, El Salvador and Costa Rican project showcased murals and sculptures created by students over the summer.

The project unveiled its art on Aug. 20, in an environment similar to the Central American town in the summer: hot, loud, and intense.

This technological approach to the exhibition is something fresh for the Colima Project.

"We had a bunch of media artists with us this time," said Program Director Amanda Eicher. "Documentation becomes so much more alive when you use more media tools."

Due to their recent return to the United States, the Costa Rican program will only be minimally involved in the exhibition, but plan to display their projects in the near future.

"We plan to have another installation later in the year, in order to highlight the work we do in Costa Rica," said student Ashlie Gaos. "I do hope to air our documentary for the project from last year."

Everyone involved with the Colima Project wanted to convey a clear understanding of the relationship between the United States and El Salvador through a mural of photographs, mirroring projected videos, and oral histories. These projects essentially aimed to absorb the visitor into Colima life.

"This exhibition has so much time-based work," said Eicher. "I would like people to set aside a moment of time in that space to be in Colima and imagine themselves in Colima."

The rural town approximately 45 minutes north of San Salvador is one of the few agricultural cooperatives in El Salvador that has been adversely affected ecologically.

Industrial pollution in surrounding rivers and the longtime controversial existence of a hydro dam has plagued Colima for years. Students from SF State, as well as resident artists, traveled again to Colima this past July to work with the people and optimistically bring back a greater social awareness.

"This project is the opportunity to learn how to bring social and political consciousness with art practices," said Nagler. "It's a very delicate and difficult relationship, but necessary."

ComuniCarte is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until Sept. 3.

The BART strike was avoided earlier this evening as a tentative agreement was reached between the agency and one of its unions.

"Our members will be working tomorrow. Trains will run. Stations will be staffed," said Jesse Hunt, the head of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, in a press conference earlier this evening.

Hunt also said that he is confident members of the union would agree to the new contract and have it ratified next week when the vote takes place.

ATU was planning a strike Sunday midnight when BART's board of directors agreed Thursday to a 7 percent pay cut to the members of the union.

Thousands of commuters will have to find alternative ways to commute Monday morning after a union representing BART workers announced a strike when talks with the agency's board of directors broke down.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555, which represents 900 train operators and station agents, announced they will go on strike Sunday midnight after the BART board of directors unanimously voted to impose terms on the union a 7 percent pay cut and "eliminate what is our social security from our members," said Jesse Hunt, the head of the union, in a press conference.

Earlier in the week, the union rejected a contract proposal that would have frozen salaries, capped health benefits and imposed work rules intended to cut down on overtime, according to The Associated Press.

Hunt states the board's vote shows that they are ending negotiations with the union, but that "anything's possible" as far as negotiations continuing.

The other two unions, the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and the American Federation of Local, State and Municipal Employees Union Local 3993, will honor the ATU's strike, said Hunt.

BART is currently facing about $310 million deficit over the next four years and wants to reduce its labor costs by $100 million, according to AP.

For information on alternative ways to commute, visit the BART's official website at http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2009/news20090623.aspx