Although the Senate cannot directly affect the budget cuts, it intends to urge legislative powers to make higher education a top priority, and to continue to adequately fund the CSU system.
Senators passed a resolution to oppose the proposed budget cuts to the California State University system for the upcoming fiscal year. This recent budget proposal may ultimately result in a 10 percent increase in student fees, reduction of class sections offered, increase in class sizes, loss of staff and faculty and a potential 10-percent decline in enrollment at CSULB.
The resolution was unanimously passed at Wednesday’s senate meeting, encouraging students, faculty, and community members of the CSU system to work together to eliminate further budget cuts. The resolution calls on everyone to take action by attending rallies and signing petitions opposing the budget cuts.
Discussion on the senate’s attempt to increase awareness of nonsmoking areas on campus was postponed. Postponing the vote will allow senators more time to speak with constituents and better understand how enforcement will be handled.
Before ending the final meeting of the semester, senators briefly discussed how they hoped to improve the senate next semester. Unifying efforts and becoming more actively involved were two areas senators seemed to agree on. ASI executive director, Richard Haller, said he was impressed with this semester’s senate and how they engaged the student body and incorporated the whole campus.