A E The Old Switcheroo Disney s remake stands

A&E The Old Switcheroo: Disney’s remake stands on its own. See page 5. Editorial Gay Marriage: Does legalization infringe upon religious beleifs? See Page 2. News Grappling With Fate: CSUH student to have pro-westling debut at Zucchini festival. See page 4. PUBLISHED FOR THE CSUH COMMUNITY AND THE EAST BAY August 14, 2003 • Editorial, p2 • Features, p3 • A & E, p5 • Classifieds, p5 • Movies, p6 FREE CSUH Student Government Sets Agenda for New School Year By Jim Montgomery Staff Writer C Getting Things Done: During Sunday’s team-building session, ASI board members Nathan Curtis, Mary Pregoles and Aura San Miguel (l to r) debate the pros and cons of their management style. Photo/Courtesy al State Hayward’s Associated Students Board of Directors has made increases in board visibility and student involvement, the review of student organization funding policies and procedures, and examination of election procedures as goals for the coming academic year. The directors set its annual agenda during a weekend retreat at the Tiburon Lodge and Conference Center. Transportation, lodging and meals were paid for by student funds. Last week, Elizabeth Sandbothe, chair of ASI, told The Pioneer that no planning was to take place during the weekend and that it was “just an opportunity for members to get to know each other.” Members decided the university’s student organization funding application form needed to reflect current practices, and funding guidelines needed clarification. They will debate the matter their Aug. 20 meeting, 4 p.m. in the University Union. Suggestions for increasing visibility included producing a flier to be distributed at the Pioneer Bookstore, signs, banners and better use of the electronic marquee in the University Union Common. In addition, an “open invitation” policy for ASI meetings will aim to increase participation by faculty and administration, particularly the Career Development Center. Suggestions for increasing student participation included publicizing a list of open committee positions, working with The Pioneer and linking students in an interest network. Sandbothe was offered the opportunity to meet weekly with an editor of The Pioneer. She stated she would have to think about working with the campus paper. In its initial brainstorming session, the board decided it was critical to find ways to gather input from fellow students. The board listed as priorities: to be approachable, to be seen and to work closely with faculty departments and the administration. As her most important objectives, Sandbothe cited information gathering - finding out “what the students in the trenches are thinking” - following through and attending meetings. Vice Chairman Nathan Curtis was concerned about “providing and carrying out a vision,” and said the board members “needed to support each other.” Reflecting on the new academic year’s budget constraints, he admonished his colleagues about fiscal responsibility. “We’re using the students’ money,” he said. Precious Stroud-Chambers, ASI director of marketing, briefed the board on ASI marketing initiatives for the new school year. Stroud promised to increase student awareness of ASI through a series of broad-based initiatives using print media, bulletin boards, electronic communications and student activities like the Fall Musicfest, planned for Wednesday, Oct. 8. In opening remarks, Sonjia Redmond, CSUH vice president, student affairs, spoke about “servant leadership,” a concept developed by Robert K. Greenleaf, former director of management research at AT&T. She said one of the most important responsibilities of servant leaders was to help other develop their potential so that their contributions to an organization would be enhanced. CSUH alumnus Robert Merikle, finance manager for Wells Fargo’s San Diego-based Border Banking division challenged the new board to set its sights high. “Board members tend to move on and do great things,” he said. He also encouraged them to stay in touch with the students they represented. “Social interaction skills will make the difference,” he said. Above all, he cautioned them to “remember the real-life consequences of what you’re doing this year.” As the board debated its priorities, Merikle suggested the members develop a realistic action plan: “It’s better to work within the system. The administration loves to wait you out. You’re only here for one year,” he warned. Joyce Montgomery, ASI executive director, offered this thought: “Remember this. You represent the students. They’re depending on you. You don’t have to win all the time, but you do have to represent them all the time.” Elected last spring, ASI’s 15 student directors will set policy and have responsibility for expending student funds. The board assists campus pro- See Agenda, page 6. Professor Aids South African Educational Reform Program By James Barnes Staff Writer al State Hayward instructor Michael Kass spent several weeks last month in South Africa to aid with the reformation of the country’s school districts. Working with colleagues from the University of Fort Hare, the oldest black institution of higher education in South Africa, Kass, senior lecturer for the Department of Educational Leadership, assisted with the Educational Leadership, Management and Development Program. The program brings together the members of a school or district community to work toward school reform. During South Africa’s apartheid pe- C riod, the quality of a person’s education depended on his skin color, said Kass. Even educators received restricted educations because of the caste system. Kass explained that the project aimed to level the educational process. “It is designed to bring together the constituents, the stakeholders, to the same table,” he said, “and through projects, over time, make them feel equally valued and give them an equal voice.” Kass has been working with this project for four years. His desire to have working educational systems throughout the world led him to the endeavor. “I am concerned about education in our society. If we are truly going to become a multicultural democracy that includes and serves each of the needs of all of our citizens, education is one important part of that,” said Kass. “It is not the only part, but it is an important institution within the larger society. “In a lot of ways, it is the place where we can achieve multicultural democracy. We have not gotten there yet and it is important to achieve that, whether it is here in Bay Area schools or the schools in South Africa. It is all about what we can do to improve education so that someday we will in fact realize what it is to be a truly multicultural democracy.” Kass was a teacher and elementary school principal before he arrived at Cal State Hayward. “The problems in South Africa are similar to ours,” he said. “The depth of poverty is more severe there, but the See Professor, page 6. Limits Advised on Faculty-Student Dating By Shayna Suleman Staff Writer Graduating To Become Easier By Bridget Love Staff Writer T tudents entering Cal State Hayward in the fall of 2004 will be granted an academic reprieve. Catalog year 2004/2005 will allow many CSUH students to obtain baccalaureate degrees by completing only 180 units. “CSUH in the past has had more stringent criteria for graduation than even the schools in the UC system,” said Dr. Carl Bellone, associate vice president of academic services. The current catalogs require that students complete a minimum of 186 units before declaring themselves candidates for graduation. S Changes to the 2004/2005 catalog will allow all students in the College of Arts, Letters and Social Science to graduate after completing 180 units. Students in the college of Business and Economics with majors other than computer information systems, management, accounting, or E-commerce marketing management will be eligible for graduation with fewer than 186 units. Students in the College of Education and Allied Studies can look forward to being graduation candidates after completing 180 units in all degrees except exercise nutrition and wellness (184) and pre -physical therapy (185). See Easier, page 6. he University of California Board of Regents recently banned instructors from dating their students in the 10campus UC system. Under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, sexual harassment includes any unwanted sexual behavior or expression by persons in positions of power or authority over the victims. Among the California State Colleges, Cal State Hayward is one of many campuses with explicit sexual harassment policies. It does not tolerate any unethical behavior that constitutes for hostile academic and work environment. Romantic liaisons between faculty members and students are “highly discouraged, but not prohibited,” according to Janis Linfield, CSUH interim vice president of human resources. “If a romantic relationship were to develop,” she said, “faculty members should report this to their department chair immediately so that it is brought out in open in order to protect faculty and students.” Dr. James Forsher, a CSUH communication professor, says it is a commonly accepted rule of conduct for faculty not to date students. “Most professors in their right minds would not entertain any thoughts of that nature,” Forsher said. “You just don’t do it.. It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that out.” English Professor, Jeff Scott is aware of the policy, and he says he cannot imagine teachers seeking sexual favors from students. Prior to joining the Cal State Hayward faculty, Scott said he had heard stories about teachers and students involvement with each other in the English Department. “I was aware of the stories about teachers’ and students’ involvement 25 years ago, well before I was here, but that is unconfirmed,” he said. “In my experience, nothing between professors to students has occurred.” Milena Guantcheva, a Cal State Hayward junior and finance major says that she would rather fail a class and take it over again than get involved with her professors. “Personally for me, I don’t favor using sexual involvement with my teachers to boost up my grades, but there are some people who perceive that as perfectly fine,” she said. The campus policy on sexual harassment is available online, on the campus Web site. See Dating, page 6. Summer by the Pool Tales of Academic Survival at CSUH By Jenn Jarin Staff Writer mily Nye, director of Cal State Hayward’s Student Center for Academic Achievement (SCAA), has produced a collection of “Tales of Academic Survival” to show new CSUH students experiences other students have encountered on campus. “I have found our students to be particularly motivated and grateful for this kind of advice,” said Nye. “It will help students gain confidence and stay in school.” The stories are by current students and alumni, faculty and staff, people who have had experiences that helped them become better students, understand the university experience, or learn a skill. Each of the stories E gives advice relevant to CSUH students. “The contributors benefit by showing their trials and tribulations with others,” said Nye. “The university community benefits by becoming just that, a community of students, faculty and staff who care about each other and want our students to succeed. “ To s h a r e s u c h i n f o r m a t i o n through a publication also impresses on students the value that writing is important.” Nye’s inspiration came last fall, during her first year as director of the SCAA. She had noticed that there was more going on in tutoring sessions than simple instruction. “To the students who visit our center, our peer tutors often serve as role models who convey the message, ‘I’m doing well in my university career, and you can too!’” said Nye. “As an undergraduate, I know that I turned to senior students, advisors, faculty and staff for advice on how to survive - indeed thrive - in college. I believe that CSUH students are hungry for this kind of information and support.” One of Nye’s goals was to be able to publish “Tales of Academic Survival” before freshman orientation. “This anthology will be useful to all CSUH newcomers, sections of the learning clusters, as well as any student interested in learning from others,” said Nye. Students can obtain copies of “Tales of Academic Survival” at the SCAA Side Pocket: Slow summer days call for relaxation in the Student Union as Anh Le follows his shot. Photo/John Harris, Jr.