Chico’s summerh2ea0t index 10 *
100° july 16
*
may 21 aug 21
*
source: wundergroun d.com
Chico State’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1975
SALUTE TO SUMMER
ENDING ON A LOW NOTE
Both baseball and softball ended their seasons over the weekend in a disappointing turn. Story B1
2011
SEE INSIDE
VOLUME 66 ISSUE 16
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011
THE ORION
• RYAN RICHARD
S
FIRST COPY FREE
news all week at theorion.com
additional copies 50¢
Huge tuition hike possible in 2012 Kenny Lindberg NE WS EDITOR
A potentially massive tuition hike for spring 2012 sent shockwaves throughout the campus as students try to cope with increasing costs. The California State University Board of Trustees announced last week that they may raise fees by up to 32 percent in the spring if Gov. Jerry Brown decides to cut an additional $500 million from the CSU budget. On Monday, Brown proposed that the reduction would go into effect if his plan for temporary tax extensions is rejected. The hike is in addition to
the already implemented 10 percent rise approved for fall 2011, which means tuition between spring 2011 and spring 2012 could potentially rise by 42 percent. “Everything that we’ve tried hard to deal with, including access, affordability, quality, diversity — all of those things will be in jeopardy with that kind of doomsday fee increase,” President Paul Zingg said. This possible rise would translate to a $1,556 per year fee increase, which would raise CSU student tuition to $6,450 per year for students taking more than six units. It also means that tuition will have more than doubled since
the 2007-2008 academic year. “Students have been paying more and receiving less for the past few years,” said Amro Jayousi, former Associated Students president. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said this kind of fee increase would “devastate the institution,” according to a press release. The CSU system has already decided to admit 10,000 fewer students, raise tuition by 10 percent in fall 2011 and ask its 23 schools to cut $281 million from their budget next year in response to the initial $500 million cut. Zingg thinks a 32 percent fee increase would likely offset a >> please see TUITION | A7
EDDITORIAL
CSU tuition raises over the years
Contingency plan leaves California with fewer students, revenue
W INFOGRAPHIC BY LINDSAY SMITH
STACKING UP CSU tuition costs have risen more than 232 percent in the past fi ve school years.
Adderall use increases during finals for focus
UNDIE RUN FEVER
CAMPUS >>
hen the California State University system reaches into the pockets of college students come spring, all it will find is holes and lint. The CSU's proposed tuition hike, which CSU Chancellor Charles Reed has called a “scorched earth policy,” is proof that the board of trustees needs to retake economics 101. This proposal in itself is not a bad thing. It’s a worst-case contingency plan meant to salvage what’s left of our higher education. If the state budget is revised to cut $1 billion from the CSU system in June, the new plan will allow the trustees to keep classrooms, minds and textbooks open. Unfortunately, the plan also opens up our >> please see HIKE | A8
Dario Gut STAFF WRITER
Diversion Excursion, the annual sustainable program aimed at helping students moving out of University Housing recycle their waste, will happen again from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday outside of residence halls. Diverting the waste from landfills will help Chico State meet a new state mandate for state facilities to reduce waste. The program will also donate reusable materials to several local businesses and charities. source: Campus Announcements
Students stripped down for the Salvation Army Friday, running through the streets of downtown Chico in only their underwear. Colorful costumes added to the draw of the event, which had hundreds of participants. story D1 THE ORION • RYAN RICHARDS
Structure approval defies student vote Kenny Lindberg
While some students stick to caffeine to get them through the last half of finals, others choose Adderall, the addictive prescription drug known as the “study drug.” “It’s not really cheating,” said Byron Dunning, a senior physical geography major. “If it works for people and gets the job done, then why not use it?” Adderall affects chemicals in the brain and nerves, contributing to hyperactivity and impulse control, according to Drugs.com. Usually prescribed for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the drug stimulates the central nervous system to help the user focus. Neal Reclus, a senior business major, compared taking Adderall to drinking an excessive amount of coffee. “Just like caffeine being used as a performance enhancer, Adderall does the same thing,” Reclus said. Adderall, with the generic names amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is a prescription drug and has side effects that include nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Withdrawals from Adderall may vary depending on the amount previously used, said William Dawson, peer advisor for the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center. “Inability to sleep and loss of appetite are the most common symptoms for the withdrawal from the drug,” he said. Yet some students with a prescription decide to capitalize on the drug’s popularity, including one student dealer who was granted anonymity because of fears that he would incriminate himself. “As finals get closer sales increase,” he said. “It’s not necessarily a problem selling Adderall. They sell very quickly.” The student said he normally sells two pills for $5 or one for $3 and sales normally pick up “exponentially” prior to finals. Clint Cook, a pharmacist at the Chico Costco Warehouse, thinks if a student has trouble focusing on their studies, then they should apply for their own personal >> please see DRUG | A4
ADVERTISEMENT:
NE WS EDITOR
Portions of the Performing Arts Center will be closed for construction during part of the summer, along with the first street promenade at the Student Services Center and the path from the east side of the library to Kendall Hall. The PAC will be getting a new roof and will have one entrance closed, while the promenade will be continuing its ongoing construction. The path between Kendall Hall and the library will be upgraded to meet accessibility codes. source: Campus Announcements
Dario Gut STAFF WRITER
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHICO STATE
NEW ADDITION Construction of the parking structure will begin January 2012 and will be on West Second Street, costing an estimated $14.2 million.
INDEX >>
Despite an overwhelming majority of Chico State students voting against the project, the California State University Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $14.2 million parking structure last week. The four-story structure, which will be built on West Second Street between Chestnut Street and Normal Avenue, will have 359 parking spaces. Construction is slated to begin in January 2012. “I think it’s an addition to the campus and to the city,” President Paul Zingg said. “The mayor, the >> please see PARKING | A5
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT
342-2214
INSIDE >>
World News
A2
Directories
B5
Police Blotter
A4
Arts
C1
The_Webz
A4
Daily Dose
C5
Opinion
A8
Features
D1
Sports
B1
The Nebula
D5
TODAY
Opinion
Arts
Features
The CAMMIES come to a close, with many bands playing for a final show. Story C1
Orion staff writer Griffin Rogers shares his story as a colorblind man. Commentary D1
full week A2 >>
Poor policy doesn’t protect in student/ professor relationships. Column A8
72 49
high low