Monday October 5, 2009
Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 18
The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
INSIDE DT FEATURES:
Somoan students express concern for disaster-struck nation, Page 3
OPINION:
Mobile devices are “Generation iPhone’s,” new addiction, Page 4
SPORTS: Women’s volleyball sweeps Big West teams in weekend tournament, Page 6
Cuts hit library services By Meghan Alfano
Daily Titan Asst. News Editor news@dailytitan.com
Students who use the Pollak Library’s inter-library loan system (ILLiad) have reportedly noticed a problem with the library’s service. Christiana Lagana, a 28-year-old history major, says that she and other students have been unable to use ILLiad due to a lack of funds from the school to the library. Dr. Wendy Elliott-Scheinberg was recently approached by various students she teaches, primarily in her 11:30 a.m. History 300B class, about the issues they said they were having with the service. Lagana, a student in Elliott-Scheinberg’s class, said she received an e-mail saying that her ILLiad loan had been canceled, and was then offered other services to obtain reports on her research topic. As part of a research project, ElliottScheinberg requires that each student rent a book from ILLiad as a way to become acquainted with different library resources that they can use. The cost of an average transfer of a book via ILLiad is $22 for the school. Students are not charged to use this service. However, due to budget cuts, the library has asked that students use this service sparingly. Multiple students approached Elliott-Scheinberg, saying that their loans were being canceled and rejected, not only for their 300B class, but for other classes as well. Students also complained that they had problems with the library, and they felt that because of the large number of requests, they were “treated with hostility by the librarians,” Lagana said. Elliott-Scheinberg was also surprised when she was approached by the director of the library and the chair of the Department of History. She was told that her classes were abusing the use of the ILLiad service. “I’ve been teaching since 1996, and have required it for every class I’ve taught,” Elliott-Scheinberg said. “It’s a simple way to learn about the value of the library benefits, and it’s a process every historian needs to know ... I’ve never had a complaint (about requiring students to use the service).” Students were concerned with the news as well. Thomas Woolsey, a 22-year-old history major who is in Elliot-Scheinberg’s 10 a.m. 300B class, said he has received some books through ILLiad, but had other orders canceled. Woolsey said he understands the
ASI opens student election process By Nicole Park
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
By Todd Barnes/Daily Titan Photo Editor The CSUF library limits the number of inter-library loans that can be taken out through their ILLiad service. This has caused some students to voice their concern, saying that this is just one more service being taken away due to budget cuts.
library’s situation; however, “when the library is cutting out educational opportunities, something needs to be said.” “It’s not fair that something students have once had access to is cut out, especially when it’s a class assignment,” Woolsey added. Susan Tschabrun, head of the reference department at the library, said that the library is not rejecting students’ use of ILLiad, but rather their misuse of it. “Students who don’t know their topic come and order books for no reason because it’s required of them to use this service,” Tscharbrun said. As for the cancellation of requests through ILLiad, Tschabrun said that because the library is trying to control the amount of loans being processed, it’s possible that if student’s haven’t cleared prior reports or books from their ILLiad request allowance page, that their new loans won’t be processed, due to having a maximum amount of books on their allowance. Tschabrun said that a system error may have occurred when processing requests. Stacy Caron, coordinator of the ILLiad service, said that getting a loan is also dependent upon how new the book being requested is, how many of the books are available and where the book is located. She also added that new books typically aren’t loaned out by other libraries because they are already in high demand at that library.
Tschabrun headed meetings held for both of Elliott-Scheinberg’s classes. She stated the importance of using other references at the library and to use ILLiad as a last resort, but said that students shouldn’t be discouraged from using it either. “We don’t mind doing it if you need it,” she told students, “but in the case of budget cuts, we’re really in a crunch.” Tschabrun then showed students the other resources they can use, and even set up a Web site designed specifically for the class. Elliott-Scheinberg said she was impressed by the site, and grateful for Tschabrun’s help throughout the situation. “It really feels like she’s there for us,” Elliott-Scheinberg said. “History students need inter-library loans.” Elliott-Scheinberg added she did not plan to remove the inter-library loan from her class syllabus, but she will ensure students know when it is necessary to use it. “I think things have been straightened out, and this hullabaloo that was
created is going away ... but I could be wrong,” she said. Lagana, however, was still upset by the situation. To her, it’s not about a service, but the simple fact that students are paying more tuition yet being denied certain parts of their education.“I am aware the campus is spending money on creating a new logo...there is a sign next to the J Lot stating there will be a new playing field soon, and yet there is no money for a new book,” she stated in a letter to the Daily Titan. “Our fees have been increased tremendously ... where is the money going, and what are we paying for? The campus is getting a glorious makeover and the students are suffering at the hands of closed classes, canceled classes and services denied.” Both Tschabrun and Caron emphasized the need for students to come forward if they have issues with the ILLiad service, as neither of them had received any complaints about canceled books from students.
“It’s not fair that something students have once had access to is cut out, especially when it’s a class assignment.” -Thomas Woolsey History major
“How often do students get to play a major role in the operations of a multimillion dollar non-profit organization?” asked Associated Students Inc. Vice President Joseph Lopez rhetorically. The answer: hardly ever. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, ASI opened the application process for Cal State Fullerton students to become eligible for a position on the ASI Board of Directors; it will close Oct. 13. Despite the economic climate of the state and the impact it has inflicted on state university campuses, ASI remains a successful student-run corporation because, as an auxiliary to the campus, it operates from its own state-independent budget. “The board of directors is involved in the final decision on everything in ASI. They are on the top level of the ASI organizational structure, along with President Santos and President Gordon,” said ASI Elections Commissioner Genevieve Eldred. “They deal with the allocation of funds and serve on various committees.” The board consists of 16 members with two directors representing each of the eight academic colleges at CSUF. Elections are held once each semester, ideally for eight positions, one per college. This semester there are three additional positions, giving a total of 11 students the opportunity to become instrumental in ASI business operations. “The board of directors make all the important company decisions made by ASI. Everything passes through the board. They play a huge role in passing a multimillion dollar budget. Sixteen students on campus are making these decisions,” Lopez said. Eldred explained that, while each term is expected to last one year, additional positions will become vacant when a student director graduates, becomes overwhelmed or steps down for any other reason. See ELECTIONS, Page 2
Bonsai growers share art By Greg Lehman
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
INSERT: Daily Titan’s Halloween Guide features strategies for maximizing fun
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photo Courtesy MCT Nurse Helena Gustafson, right, gives Stephanie Pelach a seasonal flu shot.
Walgreens makes vaccines available By Lauren Felechner
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
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On Oct. 8 in the Alvarado Room of the Titan Student Union, flu shots will be made available to the students and faculty of Cal State Fullerton. The Human Resources Department coordinated with Walgreens to visit campus from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., offering the normal influenza vaccine for $24.99 to anyone that would like to get vaccinated. This vaccine is not for H1N1 cases; it is strictly for the normal flu. Walgreens will also supply a different type of vaccine made for expectant mothers that will cost $29.99, according to Alisha Brown, the Worker’s Compensation program manager. “We have enough to vaccinate a
few big cities,” said Moss Trompeter, a pharmacist and coordinator of the event. CSUF’s neighbor, Hope University, has been the only other school that Walgreens has teamed up with. Surrounding high schools were unable to participate due to the students being minors and needing parental permission. “We are doing this as a service, an outreach to go into the community and help out,” Trompeter said. “And depending on the number of people that come out the first day, we might have a second day on campus as well.” Once vaccinated, it takes about two to two-and-a-half weeks for the antibodies in the person’s body to build up; the vaccine will last up to about three months. See FLU, Page 2
The Arboretum hosted the Kofu Kai Bonsai Club’s annual showing of bonsai trees on Oct. 3 and 4. Members of the club perused the displays, sold tools for styling trees and showed off their own bonsai. While they might appear delicate and small, bonsai trees are as resilient and rugged as they would normally be if they grew to their full size, according to Peter Macasieb, Kofu Kai’s show chairman. “Instead of growing up, we’re going down,” Macasieb said. He described how the hobby is ideal, as each of the trees is easy to transport and can last for as long as the bonsai stylist is alive. Macasieb pointed out one long, twisting bonsai tree which he said was between 300 and 350 years old. Everett Bassin, a Kofu Kai member and owner of Bassin Bonsai Tools, shared the history of bonsai trees. Bassin said that the tradition goes back 1,500 years where it began in India. Buddhists from China found bonsai when they went to spread their religion in India, and brought it back to China. Bassin said the practice meshed well with the Buddhist love and appreciation for nature. When the Buddhists would travel, they brought their trees with them, the reduced size making them easily portable. In 1909, said Bassin, a convention in England brought bonsai to the Western world, and,
when soldiers went to Europe in the 1940s to fight in World War II, they brought the practice back to America. “Bonsai has taken over many people’s lives, including mine,” said Bassin. “I’ve been in bonsai 35 years, and I am still learning. It’s a learning process forever. There’s no such thing as a finished bonsai, finished bonsai means it’s dead. Finished means finished. The concept is to keep it alive and style it, and you can change the styling anytime within the lifetime of the tree or yourself.” Macasieb described manicuring
bonsai trees as an art. “Every single person has their own way of doing bonsai.” Macasieb went on to describe how learning the basics of bonsai enables one to find their own style. Within their own club, Macasieb said that beginner’s workshops are offered as a way for the uninitiated to learn how to style bonsai trees. He also said that California is an ideal place for bonsai, as it offers a nearly 12-month growing period. See ELECTIONS, Page 2
photo By Greg Lehman/Daily Titan Staff Writer Peter Macasieb stands with his bonsai which he kept in spite of large monetary offers.