May
22
10% Proposed Budget Cuts: Let Your Representatives Know That You Are Concerned
Total Need: $386 Million Dollars
AFFORDABILITY – the proposed cuts to the CSU will increase student fees and will decrease financial aid awards
• Student fees have increased every year in the past six years with the exception of the 2006 election year.
• Cuts to the CSU budget will increase student fees by at least 10% fro the 2008/2009 academic year.
• The cuts eliminate competitive cal grant awards, which provides financial aid to qualified students
• About two-thirds of recent graduates carry student loans and their average debt has increased by more than 50 percent over the past decade after accounting inflation
ACCESS – Cuts to the CSU will impact student access since not all qualified students will be admitted. This will fall hardest on underserved communities
• The CSU has asked for revenue to increase enrollment by 2.5 percent or 10,000 students for 2008/09. This is not included in the proposed budget
• That means that 10,000 qualified students will not have the opportunity to attend a CSU because we will not be able to offer them a slot at any CSU campus.
• This will fall hardest on Latino, African-Americans, Native – Americans, low income and first-generation students and veterans who rely on the state university to get a college education.
• The pipeline of students in K-12 is two-third student of color, and it is critical to the state’s future that more students from underserved communities attend college.
ECONOMY – Higher Education is part of the solution to a troubled economy. Cuts to the CSU will undermine future growth in California
• CSU graduates nearly 90,000 students into the state’s workforce each year.
• We supply the majority of the workforce in key industries including 51% in nursing, 85% in education, 52% in agriculture, 65% in business and 82% in public administration.
• For every dollar the state invests in the CSU, $4.41 is generated in economic activity. A $300 million cut to the CSU means a %1 billion loss to the economy.
• The governor’s plan for 100,000 more teachers in 10 years is impossible if the CSU budget is cut.
May
22
San Luis Obispo Legislators
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Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee Republican Party
California’s 33rd Assembly District
Quick Fact: 2/7/2008 Assembly Office Joins “Cash For College” Outreach
San Luis Obispo District Office 1104 Palm Street
Ph: 805-549-3381
Fax: 805-549-3400
Senator Abel Maldonado Republican Party
Quick Fact: Introduced bill to Extend Online Education to Schools: SB 155 will allow high schools to provide online classroom
San Luis Obispo District Office
Phone: 805-549-3784
Congresswoman Lois Capps Democratic Party
California ’s 23rd District
Quick Fact: Supported College Cost Reduction and Access Act
San Luis Obispo Office 1411 Marsh Street, Suite 205
Phone: (805) 546-8348
Fax: (805) 546-8368
May
16
Voice your Concerns about the CSU Budget to your Representatives
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Voice your concerns about the CSU budget to your representatives. Please print out the letter below and mail it to the representative or drop it off at the ASI Student Government Office. Thank you!
Dear Senator Maldonado,
My name is fgskjbsdfkjsbdfkjsbfddsfbsdfsdf and I am currently studying sdifujbdsfjbsdfjbfdskjbsdf))) at
I believe this is the wrong direction for the state to go and cuts to the CSU can only make the economy more stagnant and reduce our ability to remain competitive in our global marketplace. Here are some important facts to consider:
- For every dollar the state invests into the CSU, $4.41 is generated in economic activity.
- With these cuts, the CSU estimates that 10,000 eligible students will be turned away from a
CSU University. - The CSU has a major role in the state’s workforce, graduating 90,000 students each year, including 87 percent of education graduates, 64 percent of nurses, 65 percent of business professionals, 82 percent of those involved in public administration, and more than half of the state’s graduates in agriculture-related fields.
- Lastly, a $300 million cut to the CSU could mean a billion dollar loss for
California’s economy.
Given the significant impact the CSU has on the future of California’s workforce and economy, it is critical that you restore the proposed budget cuts to the CSU budget.
Sincerely,
Feb
20
Green Power
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This March two student-run events will be held at Cal Poly. Though held on different days, they both have an emphasis on clean technology, and share the cohesive theme of looking at “The Road Ahead: Greenpower.”
To kick off the month, an Alternative-Fuel Car Show will be taking place at the Bonderson Center Plaza from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, March 1st. Over 20 vehicles have already been confirmed to be there, and the day’s events will include free test drives, a barbeque, a keynote speaker, live music, and entertainment for children. Cal Poly’s Electric Vehicle and Hydrogen Energy Clubs are hosting the event. We are already expecting 400-600 Cal Poly students, faculty and community members to be attending the show, along with a number of other student clubs.
Later on in March, ASI Student Government will be hosting a Renewable Energy Expo. With dozens of company representatives and campus clubs expected to attend, the event is being designed to promote the interaction and discussion of ideas between students, industry spokespeople, and community members. It will be held in Chumash Auditorium in the University Union on Tuesday, March 11th from 11am to 4pm. To date, 14 energy companies have been confirmed to attend, and guests will be able to play energy allocation computer games. Two Cal Poly movies about student involvement will be shown throughout the day. Snacks will also be provided, and the day’s point leaders of the computer game will receive prizes.
Feb
20
Join Lobby Corps!
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Functions of Lobby Corps includes the following: track legislation, coordinate delegation and attend California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS), provide concerned students with the necessary skills and experience to lobby the student perspective in local, state, and federal arenas, organize “days of action” to educate students and advocate for legislative/statewide concerns, lead lobby groups to legislative offices and bring legislators and respective staff to campus, etc.
How to join: all students shall be allowed to have membership and each member shall have an equal vote in all functions of the Lobby Corps.
Contact Information: Contact Dennis (415) 846-4354 or the ASI Student Gov. Office if you’re interested in joining. Lobby Corps meets twice per month during the academic year.
Feb
5
Answers to Sustainability Questions
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Here are the answers to the questions asked by Jorge in his comment on the Sustainability Blog:
Question 1: What are the “best sustainable practices” and “green building standards” that ASI is planning to incorporate in the expansion of the
Answer:
Cal Poly will be following the Chancellor’s Executive Order 987 - Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the
The following is taken direction from E.O 987:
1. All future CSU new construction, remodeling, renovation, and repair projects will be designed with consideration of optimum energy utilization, low life cycle operating costs, and compliance with all applicable energy codes (enhanced Title 24 energy codes) and regulations. In instances where a project’s current funding does not include energy or sustainable design features consistent with low life cycle costing, augmentations may be sought, when warranted. In the areas of specialized construction that are not regulated through the current energy codes, such as historical buildings, museums, and auditoriums, the CSU will ensure that these facilities are designed to consider energy efficiency. energy efficient and sustainable design features in the project plans and specifications will be considered in balance with the academic program needs of the project within the available project budget. (78-Adopt; 88-Revise; 01-Revise; 04-Revise)
2. Capital planning for state and nonstate facilities and infrastructure shall consider features of a sustainable and durable design to achieve a low life cycle cost. Principles and best practices established by leading industry standards or professional organizations shall be implemented to the greatest extent possible. The CSU is supportive of campuses pursuing third-party accreditation for campus facilities, however current Department of Finance (DOF) policy does not permit the use of state capital funds for such administrative costs. Therefore, campuses considering outside accreditation shall identify alternative means of funding for associated costs. (04-Adopt)
3. Sustainable design for capital projects is a process of balancing long-term institutional needs for academic and related programs with environmental concerns. In the context of designing to provide for university and academic needs, the following attributes will be considered “sustainable:” (04-Adopt)
a. Siting and design considerations that optimize local geographic features to improve sustainability of the project, such as proximity to public transportation and maximizing use of vistas, microclimate, and prevailing winds;
b. Durable systems and finishes with long life cycles that minimize maintenance and replacement;
c. Optimization of layouts and designing spaces that can be reconfigured with the expectation that the facility will be renovated and re-used (versus demolished);
d. Systems designed for optimization of energy, water, and other natural resources;
e. Optimization of indoor environmental quality for occupants;
f. Utilization of environmentally preferable products and processes, such as recycled-content materials and recyclable materials;
g. Procedures that monitor, trend, and report operational performance as compared to the optimal design and operating parameters.
4. In order to implement the sustainable building goal in a cost effective manner, the
process will: identify economic and environmental performance measures; determine cost savings; use extended life cycle costing; and adopt an integrated systems approach. Such an approach treats the entire building as one system and recognizes that individual building features, such as lighting, windows, heating and cooling systems, or control systems are not stand-alone systems. (04-Adopt)
5. The CSU encourages the use of materials and systems with reduced environmental impacts. The design team (architect/engineer) shall recommend building materials and methods with life cycles (manufacture, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement) of reduced environmental impacts. Considerations shall include energy efficiency, energy required in the manufacturing process, life cycle duration, and maintenance and replacement costs. (04-Adopt)
6. Capital Planning, Design & Construction of the CSU Office of the Chancellor shall develop a CSU Sustainability Measurement System and self-verification standard. The system shall be based on LEEDTM principles with consideration to the physical diversity and microclimates within the CSU. The Sustainability Measurement System shall support the energy efficiency goals and guidelines of this policy. (05-Adopt)
7. The CSU shall design and build all new buildings and major renovations beginning in the FY 2006-2007 to meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the CSU Sustainability Measurement System, which shall be equivalent to LEEDTM “Certified.” Each campus shall strive to achieve a higher standard in the CSU Sustainability Measurement System equivalent to LEEDTM “Silver” within project budget constraints.
Question 2: Are “building expansions” part of this policy?
Answer:
Yes, and the following is again taken directly from E.O 987:
“All major capital projects starting design beginning in the FY 2006-2007 shall meet the following requirements: new construction projects shall at a minimum outperform the 2005 Title 24 Standards (California Energy Code) by at least 15% and all major renovations projects shall at a minimum outperform the current Title 24 Standard by at least 10%. These efforts will help to reduce the BTU/square foot consumption of the projects”
Question 3: Is Cal Poly’s ASI going to meet the MINIMUM set of green building standards set by the State of
Answer:
Cal Poly and ASI are committed to being leaders in sustainability projects. See Resolution #07-04 ASI Stance on Sustainability. http://www.asi.calpoly.edu/admin/img/updocument/Resolution07-04ASI_Stance_on_Sustainable_Projects.pdf
When we build on Campus we always strive to use the latest and best technology available and will do so on this project. The question really comes down to what we can afford while still delivering the project promised to the students.
Question 4: Where can I find the set of green building standards required by the State of
Answer: This is the link to the CSU Executive Order 987.
http://www.calstate.edu/EO/EO-987.html
Jan
24
Sustainability: what does the buzz word we hear on campus really mean?
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Of the many issues that concern Cal Poly students, one of the most popular is: Sustainability. But what does that buzz word we hear so often around campus mean?
The Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Still a little confused?
The definition goes on to describe the concept of sustainability as being “ideas, aspirations and values,” that inspire members of society “to become better stewards of the environment and that promote positive economic growth and social objectives. The principles of sustainability can stimulate technological innovation, advance competitiveness, and improve our quality of life.”
Improvement in our quality of life? I’m sold and so is Associated Students Inc., which is why if Cal Poly students chose to expand the Recreation Center, it will incorporate many green building practices. In fact, new policy from the State of California now requires all new buildings on CSU campuses to meet a minimum set of green building standards. In ASI’s commitment to sustainability, the Rec Center Expansion Project will use current and future best sustainable building practices to ensure that the renovated facility not only meets these standards, but exceeds them.
Dec
3
From ASI Student Government’s talks with student groups we have identified the top ten goals that students will see in their new Recreation Center.
1. Students will not have to pay the fee increase until the facility opens.
2. The Recreation Center will remain open during construction, although the entrance may change and some components will be offline during expansion.
3. Total square footage of usable space will double in size.
4. Air conditioning is planned for high demand areas of the building using best sustainable practices.
5. The weight/exercise room will triple in size from 7,000 to 21,000 sq. ft.
6. Planning to add 2 gym courts (for basketball, volleyball, etc.)
7. Planning to add a multi-activity center (for indoor soccer, floor hockey, concerts and events)
8. Planning to add a leisure pool.
9. Planning to replace 2 existing Sports Complex fields with synthetic turf.
10. The proposed increase is $65 per quarter.
Dec
3
New Club funding Program
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A few weeks back you may have read a story in the Mustang Daily about ASI’s revamped club funding program. And we’re very excited about it! Historically the club funding program has consisted of only a co-sponsorship component. This year ASI Student Government is happy to announce that the program includes two funding options for clubs. Eligible clubs can receive up to…
$500 for discretionary spending
This money could be spent on starting a club, making copies, having pizza at meetings, etc.
OR up to
$2,000 for event co-sponsorship
ASI will provide matching funds for your events
To ensure the fair and proper use of student fees the board has devised a set of policies that can be found here. One of the most important policies for this program is that clubs eligible for this program are chartered clubs or ISO’s that do not already receive ASI funding or receive Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) funding.
ASI Student government is really excited about these new changes and wants clubs to take advantage of the new funding streams. Applications are available online and at the Epicenter. The lovely ASI staff at the epicenter would love to help any club with an application to this program, so stop on by and sign up today!
Oct
5
Rec Center Expansion Vote
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Over the years the Cal Poly campus population has grown tremendously. Enrollment in 2011 is expected to be 21,000 students. Additionally, between 2005 and 2010 the number of on-campus residents will nearly double from 3,600 to 6,600 students as a result of the new housing on the north side of campus. These expected increases will only continue to put strain on ASI-managed facilities.
Although the Recreation Center was built just 13 years ago, its popularity has quickly exceeded its capacity. Most recently the overcrowding at the Recreation Center has caused students frustration and disappointment. Rec Center users have had to be creative and flexible in planning their recreation activities around peak times of usage.
During winter and spring quarter 2007, members of ASI Student Government held discussions with various student groups regarding space issues within the Recreation Center. The response from students was an overwhelming support of a quarterly fee increase to expand the Recreation Center in its current location and upgrade the upper Sports Complex fields to include synthetic playing surfaces.
Students have expressed the need for more space to accommodate additional weights, cardiovascular machines, fitness classes and basketball courts. An expansion of the Rec Center would translate into less time waiting for machines and weights, more options for exercise classes, and new spaces (studios) for various club, dance and fitness activities.
Taking into consideration the overcrowding of the current Rec Center and the need to continue serving students’ growing recreation needs, Cal Poly will move forward with a Recreation Center Expansion vote February 27-28, 2008.