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Using the new Bulldog Card

The Bulldog Card replaces the Keycard. Computer science sophomore Kanchan Chetal explains how the new card system works. To read more about the Bulldog Card, click here.

Fall semester welcomed

For some students, Welcome Week is a good time to interact and glean information about activities on campus. For others, it can be a bit overwhelming.

This past week, Fresno State students had hundreds of opportunities to hone their interest thanks to the Welcome Week ceremonies on campus. The University Student Union (USU) has made it possible for new and returning students to find a community that suits them.

Welcome Week highlights student opportunities, offers activities

The Welcome Week ceremonies kicked off on Monday in the USU South Patio offering music entertainment and prize drawings.

A host of academic clubs and departments represented their programs from the Memorial Gardens on Tuesday. The Colleges, Departments and Academic Student Organizations Fair lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured a free concert on the USU South Patio.

Wednesday took a different spin as hundreds of clubs and organizations lined up in the free speech area to get themselves recognized. The USU was also holding its own open house on the south balcony where students lined up for free airbrush tattoos and prizes for the bean bag toss. Several USU representatives were roaming the area, passing out flyers and offering information to curious visitors.

“We’re really trying to get students engaged in academics and the community,” said Kerry Jack, director of student involvement for the USU. She also wanted students to know that the USU was there to assist all those who want to get involved in campus activities.

Freshmen Brianna Johnson and her friends were only five minutes into the festivities and already several bodies deep in line for the airbrush tattoos.

“It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed it so far,” said Johnson, who was planning on getting the Chinese symbol for peace applied to her wrist.

Getting the word out

Jeff Phillips, president of the Fresno State Triathlon club was trying to reach anyone with the will to bolster their physique and compete against others.

“We’re all about finding like-minded students who enjoy working out,” said Phillips, a junior.

Folks at the tutorial center were letting students know that their services are completely free and that it is also a good place to squeeze in some quiet study time.

“The big kicker is that we’ll be considered to be placed in the library,” said Idalia Morgutia, administrative assistant in the tutorial center. While it’s not certain whether this move will be guaranteed, she stressed that they will be giving the same quality help as always with on board tutors who have been certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CLRA).

First Nations, an American Indian Student Organizations, was encouraging students to save the dates.

Among their upcoming events is a celebration on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 in honor of Dia de los Muertos where traditional Aztec dancing can be seen. The club will also share some history and heritage of the Native American culture.

There were more than a few options open for the spiritually oriented student as well. The Rock is a Christian organization that holds sporting events such as softball. They also conduct various college Bible study services at The Bridge church in Fresno.

“We want students to know that there’s a Christian influence on campus,” said club member Tony Pietrolungo, a senior history major.

A graduate student in nursing, Richard Jones, was passing out CDs on the USU South Patio spreading the word about Fresno State’s radio station KFSR 90.7.

“We’re trying to branch out,” said Jones, who explained that not everything played on the station is jazz as some have been led to believe. “It’s nice to have a younger listenership.” Jones’ program comes on between 6 and 9 p.m. Friday nights where he plays local bands like SparkleJet and 40 Watt Hype.

Athletics, careers close Welcome Week

The Student Services Fair was followed up the day after by Spirit Day, an event that put the spotlight on Fresno State’s many athletic programs and a few professional organizations designed to get students thinking about their current and future careers.

Welcome Week ends today with continued open houses in the learning center and a demonstration by the Ultimate Frisbee Club. Tuesday of next week is reserved for ASI (Associated Students, Inc.) Day where students can get in their last bit of recreation before classes get demanding. Free ice cream and music are just a few of the festivities planned from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. at Memorial Gardens that day.

Students may find out more about on campus clubs by going to the Student Activities Web site.

Welcome Week Activities

Welcome Week continues through the Wednesday,
Sept. 4. Join the fun at the following campus activities:

• Ultimate Frisbee Club demonstration, Fri. Aug. 28 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Peters annex trailer.

• ASI Day, including free ice cream, music and kiddy pools, Tues. Sept. 2 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Memorial Gardens.

• Community service opportunities fair Wed. Sept. 3, 10 a.m. Memorial Gardens.

• Legislative intern informational meeting, pizza and soda, Wed. Sept. 3, 3 p.m. -7 p.m. USU 310

Bulldog Card unveiled

The I.D. card that Fresno State students are used to got a major makeover this semester right down to its name.

The I.D. card, which was formerly called the “Keycard,” has been renamed the Bulldog Card. It is the same card given to all new students, but now with more features.
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The name change, according to Linda Simmons, manager at the Bulldog Card office, was initiated because they wanted to give the card a title that related to the university.

“We needed to give it a name and we wanted to keep it in the same spirit as the campus,” Simmons said.

New machines intended to provide increased options

Students can now directly add money to their Bulldog Card, Simmons said. Once the money is added to the card, it takes the form of Bulldog Bucks that can be used around campus.

The cards are available for all students, faculty and staff on campus.

The Bulldog Bucks can currently be added to the cards at two campus fill locations, called PHIL stations, Simmons said. One is located on the second floor of the University Student Union (USU) and the other is in the Peters Building in room 133.

Simmons said that money can be deposited in the form of credit card or cash, but change is no longer accepted. The new machines are touch-screen and offer the option of a printed receipt for the transaction.

Students are also able to check the balance on their Bulldog card at these machines, Simmons said.

Blackboard interface still developing

Deposits can also be made on students Blackboard accounts, Simmons said, but it takes some navigating because there is not a direct link on the main page at this time.

“It’s a new system, and that is something we are working on, but you have to do a lot of clicking to get to it right now,” Simmons said.

The Blackboard account only accepts credit card deposits with a minimum amount of $20. This minimum amount is also effective at the PHIL stations when using a credit card. However, the minimum deposit for cash is only one dollar.

“Bulldog Bucks” uses include food, printing

The Bulldog Bucks are accepted in the food court in the downstairs area of the USU, including the snack shop by the bowling alley.

Simmons also said that the cards are required for printing on campus. When the card is swiped at the printing and copy machines and the money is deducted from the Bulldog Bucks. Wireless printing is now accessible with these cards also.

Kanchan Chetal, a sophomore computer science major, said she uses the new system mainly for printing.

“[The old machine] wasn’t working at times,” Chetal said. “I’ve been here for two years so it was a
hard time for those who don’t have a printer at home.”

Mark Lewis, a senior nursing major, attempted to use the new machine earlier this week but his card would not work. He said he will probably use the Bulldog Bucks this semester because he will be on campus more.

“This semester I actually have 14 units so I probably will be spending more time here,” Lewis said.

Refund policy undetermined

Simmons said that the Bulldog Bucks carry over from semester to semester but need to be used before students graduate.

Although there is not a set policy at this time regarding the expiration of Bulldog Bucks, Simmons advises students to use the money because it cannot be refunded.

“When people put money on their card, we anticipate they will use it,” Simmons said.

University Controller Chris Robinson added that a refund policy is in the works and remains a priority.

“It really needs to be determined quickly,” Robinson said. “We will get the word out as soon as that is decided.”

Guests on campus can purchase a Bulldog Bucks Card for one dollar at the PHIL systems and use it like a Bulldog Card. Simmons said the Bulldog Bucks Cards are also refillable at the stations after purchase.

Fun and games, 8-29-08

Sudoku and crossword puzzle answers for 8-29-08.

Editorial: Members of Amethyst Initiative show little initiative themselves

OUR OPINIONS

A RECENT ARTICLE BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS describes an effort by the Amethyst Initiative, a newly formed organization of university chancellors and presidents, to reignite the debate about the drinking age in America. While the organization does not explicitly advocate lowering the drinking age from 21 years old to 18, it does urge for “an informed and dispassionate debate” about the matter.

As might be expected, the movement has provoked some opposition, particularly from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. According to the article however, both sides still consider alcohol abuse among college students “a huge problem.”

We think it’s a huge problem as well. It does seem curious that the push for reconsideration should come from an organization comprised of college administrators.

We ask them: what is the difference, from the university’s perspective? Colleges need to be vigilant about monitoring alcohol consumption and try to curb its abuse, among both legal and illegal drinking populations.

The article also cites research indicating “more than 40 percent of college students [who] reported at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence,” with more than 500,000 college students from four-year universities suffering alcohol-related injuries annually.

These figures don’t delineate how many of the students are legal drinkers and how many are underage. They don’t really need to either—the indication is that alcohol is a major issue on university campuses.

The AP article quotes Moana Jagasia, a Duke sophomore from Singapore, where the drinking age is lower. Jagasia says “There isn’t that much difference in maturity between 21 and 18.” This effectively encapsulates the Amethyst Initiative’s argument as well — both center on the issue of maturity.

Maturity, however, is not quantifiable — it is subjective and it is abstract. Different communities define maturity in different ways, and even within those communities, the age of “maturity” varies from person to person. Universities are often comprised of students from diverse communities — from those from Singapore to those from Cedar Rapids, Iowa — and so are not in a particularly good position to make blanket statements about maturity.

Because here is what is concrete: the aforementioned research includes all of these students as well.

Maturity should be ancillary — the primary issue needs to be tackling the abuse itself.

Because here is what is quantifiable: 1,700 students of the aforementioned 500,000 die as a result of their alcohol-related injuries every year.

And these are our students, too.

So it is difficult for us to see this as anything more than an effort to skirt the primary issue. If more than 40 percent of our community suffers from symptoms of alcohol abuse, then the people at the top need to be as aggressive as possible in trying to eradicate that problem.

There is nothing aggressive about the Amethyst Initiative — to the extent that they will not even take a firm stand on dropping the age limit.

The organization says it chose its name because the Greeks associated amethyst with sobriety. A cursory search also reveals that Egyptians associated the stone with a freedom from guilt.

And it is this secondary association — even more than the first — that characterizes the organization’s effort.

Age — and whatever it might indicate of maturity — is beside the point.

Universities must make a stronger effort to educate students about and eliminate alcohol abuse on their campuses, for real and for good.

Back 2 School

… but USU Productions gives students a getaway.

Classes have started and in a matter of days students will be swamped with homework, tests and presentations. So why not celebrate the last few hours of quiet before the storm?

On Wednesday night, many Fresno State students decided to do exactly that—by joining old friends, as well as new ones, for the showing of the movie “Iron Man” under the stars.

“We are really happy that the school decided to put on this event to bring everyone together,” said Shannan Eddington, a junior majoring in biology.

Welcome Week gives students a break

The movie showing was organized by USU Productions as a part of “Welcome Week,” a series of fun events happening during the first week of school.

These events help celebrate the beginning of the year and inform students about what the school and the community have to offer.

“It seems like a great way to socialize and see what’s going on,” said Kristen Cartier, a freshman kinesiology major.

“[And] it’s a great chance to catch up with friends,” said Christa Byrd, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.

Whether the reason was to catch up with friends or to take a break from classes or work, many people gathered next to the Bulldog Diamond to enjoy the movie.

“It was great because it gave me the chance to take a much needed break from work!” said Alexis Newlin, a graduate student majoring in counseling and resident director at University Courtyard, the residence halls at Fresno State.

Movie kicks of year’s events

USU Productions wants to make this event even bigger in the next coming years.

Eric Morin, the USU Productions director and a senior majoring in family sciences, said the plan might involve a concert before the movie, maybe a barbecue and some icebreakers for people in the community to get to know one another.

“We want to make it more an afternoon event, [so] there is more time [for people] to mingle around,”
added Morin.

But this movie showing is only the beginning of what USU Productions has planned for this year.

From exciting trips to Yosemite and San Francisco to comedy shows on campus, students will have a wide variety of entertainment choices to pick from.

USU Productions is also working on their main events, like homecoming, which they have been working on since March, and their annual denim drive. During last year’s Denim Drive, 12,000 pairs of jeans were collected, and they hope to do the same or better this year.

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