Collegian to return April 11
March 29, 2007
Due to spring break The Collegian will not print again until Wednesday, April 11. Classes resume Monday, April 9. It is Collegian policy that the paper does not print the Monday following a major holiday. We look forward to resuming our coverage of the Fresno State community.
VIDEO: Lemony Snicket
March 28, 2007
Web exclusive video of “An Evening with Daniel Handler,” author of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, at the Satellite Student Union. Part of the University Lecture Series. Video by Logan Rapp. Encoding by Bryan Harley.
Library to get new catalog system over spring break
March 27, 2007
On April 2, while Fresno State students are relaxing on their spring break, the library’s new Millennium Library Catalog will go live.
Art and English literature sophomore Edgar Saldivar said he is looking forward to seeing the new system and what it has to offer.
“The ALIS system that the library is using right now is severely outdated,? Saldivar said. “I think the new system will definitely bring us up into the 21st century.?
According to Hye Ok Park, head of library technology at the Madden Library, the ALIS system has been in use for more than 15 years.
Park realized the need for change in the catalog’s technology following the groundbreaking ceremony of the new library’s construction.
“We knew that we needed a system that would reflect the look and feel of the new library,? Park said. “The Millennium is simply a new generation system that is very powerful.?
According to Park, more than 4,500 other libraries nationwide use the Millennium system. What it means for Fresno State students in particular is the ability to search library materials faster and more accurately. It should also provide improved access to personal library accounts and links to other online resources, Park said.
The system is designed to be more user friendly, Park said. When a student wants to request materials, authentication is based on the student’s Fresno State e-mail and password.
“We wanted to make the system completely student-centered,? Park said. “Having that in mind, we knew that it had to be both simple and sleek.?
Susan Lewis, who has been the Madden Library’s circulation supervisor for more than 17 years, said she is welcoming the new system with open arms.
“Our old system was wonderful at the time,? Lewis said. “But it’s time for a change.?
Lewis said the circulation desk’s main goal is customer service — with the new system in place, its goal can be reached much easier.
“It has been our number one focus from day one, to make the students at this university happy,? Lewis said. “Anything that we can do to better assist them in their education is our sole priority.?
Renaldo Gjoshe, information technology assistant at the Madden Library, said he found the ALIS system hard to use. He graduated from Fresno State with a BA in information systems last May.
Gjoshe designed the layout of the new system keeping his past experience as a student in mind.
With easy to understand icons, a built-in spell-checker and a place to access what books a student’s professor has put on reserve to read, the library’s new catalog system is loaded with updated features.
“I think it’s a really good idea that they’re upgrading the system,? Saldivar said. “Although students won’t be here when it first starts being used, I’m sure they’ll appreciate the library’s effort to improve their experience at the university.?
Students celebrate life of Cesar Chavez
March 27, 2007
Many are thrilled to receive an extra day off from school to get a head start on their spring vacation, but this Friday is not just another day off. It’s set aside to honor a man who changed the lives of farm workers.
César E. Chávez co-founded the United Farm Workers, a union that aimed to get laws set in place so that farm workers would not be abused.
Workers were paid very little, and simple things such as water and restroom breaks were prohibited. These conditions resulted in many illnesses and deaths of people who were willing to work hard in order to have better lives for themselves and their children.
Norma Lara, a nursing and Chicano and Latin American Studies major, is appreciative of the dedication Chávez had to improving the lives of farm workers.
Her parents were farm workers when she was young, and her grandparents were a part of the Bracero Program, which allowed Mexican farm workers to work in the fields of this country.
“I got to meet César Chávez when I was little,? Lara said. “It didn’t seem significant at the moment, but I learned that he was an extraordinary man and that his movement was significant because it’s where I came from.?
Sarina De La Rosa, a sociology and Chicano and Latin American Studies major and MEChA member, said Chavez was a man who taught others that they did not have to be taken advantage of.
“He was a voice for those that were afraid to have a voice,? De La Rosa said.
He also inspired the youth to get an education so that they would not have to experience what their parents did.
“César Chávez opened the door for a lot of students to go to school and go beyond the fields,? De La Rosa said.
The activities that will be held in honor of Chavez include poetry readings, art exhibits and various student presentations.
Wednesday’s “Flor y Canto Night: ‘When Dreams Become Arte,’? includes poetry and an art exhibit put on by Fresno State students.
A large celebration will be held Thursday that includes entertainment, an altar display, a garlanding ceremony and the announcement of the poetry and essay contest winners.
Friday, some students will be traveling to the National Chávez Center to visit Chávez burial site.
Ambar Alvarez, Trabajadores de la Raza president, is excited about the turnout for these events.
“I have a deep appreciation for what he’s done,? Alvarez said. “I admire the strength and courage it took for him to do that and I’m glad to give him the celebration he deserves.?
CFA, CSU continue strike negotiations
March 27, 2007
In a conference call Monday with multiple news organizations, California Faculty Association President John Travis said he was “cautiously optimistic? about a resolution between the CFA and CSU System that would not involve faculty strikes.
The CFA announced Sunday that it would accept a fact-finding report created by a neutral third party.
Edward Purcell, director of representation for the CFA, said, “In general, we were pleased with the report. We do think it represents the basis for a settlement and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks to see if we can actually wrap it up, based on the fact finder’s recommendations.?
In a statement from the CSU, Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees Roberta Achtenberg said, “We have indicated both to the fact finder and to the faculty union that we are willing to use the report as a basis for an overall settlement agreement.?
Travis said he attended a collective bargaining meeting on March 25, at which point CSU Chancellor Charles Reed agreed to use the fact-finding document to discuss a settlement.
Following this agreement, the contract between the CSU and faculty was extended until April 6, during which time the two organizations will try to come to an agreement regarding items such as faculty pay, faculty parking fees and early retirement programs.
“I’m happy to use the framework,? Travis said. “What remains is to see if the administration and chancellor will live up to the promises they’ve made to follow the guidance provided by the fact finder.?
Purcell said in California, public employees have the right to strike under Supreme Court precedence. With the bargaining law that the CFA operates under (Higher Education Employee Employer Relations Act), fact-finding is often used to resolve disputes.
Fact-finding is a process in which both parties present their arguments and evidence to a neutral party who provides recommendations for an appropriate basis for settlement.
Sylvia Skratek of Seattle was recommended by the chancellor’s labor relations consultant.
Purcell said, “The union decided to use Ms. Skratek both because of the fact that she has a very high reputation in the field, but also because we were hopeful that somebody who was trusted and recommended by management would actually have a stronger voice when recommending a resolution of this dispute.?
Among the suggestions put forth by Skratek was that the CSU give higher budget priority to the hiring of additional tenure-track faculty. Purcell also said this has been a goal of the CFA, the administration and the Academic Senate.
Dr. Shane Moreman, an assistant professor in the communication department is a University-Wide Senator for Fresno State’s Academic Senate.
Moreman said, “I would like to see more tenure-track faculty hired. I think that whenever we have the opportunity to hire new faculty, we have the opportunity to bring in fresh blood and new ideas and new energy.?
Of the fact-finding report, Moreman said, “In general I was really pleased with fact-finding report. I read it as way for me to find out the facts of the situation too. There have been a lot myths or fictions around. It helps me to get a big picture of what’s been going on.?
Dr. Diane Blair, an associate professor of the communication department, said, “The recommendations, especially in terms of salary, really confirm what the faculty have been saying all along.?
Blair said she is personally hopeful that a resolution can be reached. “I think that it’s a good sign that both sides were willing to come back and continue negotiating. This 10-day extension is a good sign.?
Dr. Paul Oliaro, dean of Student Affairs, said the move back to the negotiation table is “a reflection of the commitment of the faculty and CSU administration to avoid a situation that could adversely affect students.?
Representatives for the CFA and the CSU agree that going back into negotiations is a positive step toward reaching a conclusion to the faculty contracts dispute. However, CFA President John Travis said, “If we haven’t reached a settlement by April 6, we will go out on strike.?
Former Collegian editors win photography award
March 27, 2007
The Collegian is proud to announce that former photo editors Andrew Riggs and Joseph Hollak have won a breaking news photography award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Riggs and Hollak won a Region 11 Mark of Excellence Award for their coverage of the police-involved shooting near campus on Aug. 30, 2006. The actual place awarded will be announced on May 5 in Fullerton, Calif.
Hollak, a senior digital media major, was The Collegian photo editor in spring 2005. It was by chance that Hollak was on campus when the shooting occurred. Hollak happened to have a camera in his truck, which he used to capture the images that would run on the front pages of The Collegian.
“I was thrilled to have gotten the content online before any other local news organization,? Hollak said.
Riggs, a senior photojournalism major, was photo editor at the time of the shooting.
He got the phone call that brought him to campus early that morning from then Collegian adviser Greg Lewis.
“It was somewhat early in the morning and I came to campus,? Riggs said. “At the time it was pretty hectic; it was the second day of school.?
Riggs said he remembered being carted around in between classes. He said in trying to cover the event, there was a “long amount of waiting with action in between,? Riggs said.
Riggs said he was “pretty stoked? about the award and added that he was definitely surprised to find that he and Hollak had won.
“It’s cool. Hollak and I can have something to bond over, if you will,? Riggs said.
Hollak said, “I’m just doing it for the people.?
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