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New bill makes Calif. first in nation to require coverage for HIV screening

California is now the first state in the nation to require every health care service plan and health insurer to provide coverage for HIV testing, regardless of whether the testing is related to a primary diagnosis.

This is due to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signing of Assembly Bill 1894 by Assemblyman Paul Krekorian earlier today.

The Governor highlighted, in his signing message, the alarming data by the Centers for Disease Control showing the underestimation of the HIV epidemic in the United States over the last decade.

The Governor also noted that preventing the spread of the infection made for a healthier California, and the cost-effectiveness of providing coverage for testing compared to the cost of lifelong treatment for someone who contracts the virus from someone who does not know their status.

AB 1894 comes on the heels of legislation the Governor signed last year fundamentally changing the strategy on preventing further spread of the disease. In conjunction with that legislation, California now becomes the first state to provide routine HIV screening to all patients whether they are showing symptoms or not.

“With the Governor’s signature of AB 1894 today, California once again has demonstrated its global leadership in developing innovative policies to fight the HIV pandemic,” said Assemblymember Krekorian. “This legislation will set the standard throughout the nation by making HIV screening a routine part of ordinary preventive health care.”

Worst jobs

The Collegian asks readers what the worst job they’ve ever had is.

Fresno State, Fresno Unified announce partnership

Fresno State and the Fresno Unified School District have announced a partnership to provide guidance services and counselor training to promote a college-going culture in district schools.

The agreement was announced today, Sept. 29, at the California State University and AT&T Road to College Tour outreach event, held at Bullard high school.

“The Fresno State and Fresno Unified partnership aims to increase the number of college-ready students graduating from Fresno high schools,” said Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson. “Both Fresno State and Fresno Unified have the qualified staff, materials and equipment to provide the services outlined by this partnership.”

Among the initiatives is a College Making It Happen (CMIH) program at each of the 18 middle schools in the district. CMIH is a program designed to communicate to families and school educators the importance of early academic and financial planning in order for middle school children to have choices after high school graduation. Fresno State will provide speakers, CMIH booklets and other materials to students and parents.

Fresno State also will provide College Ambassadors – university student mentors – to each of the district’s high schools to help students maneuver through the college application process.

Fresno Unified will provide “How to Get to College” Guides that will be distributed by guidance counselors to middle and high school students.

The school district and the university will jointly fund a University College Counselor Liaison to work in the schools to promote college-going activities, train staff, etc.

“This partnership will result in a greater opportunity for our local high school students to attend college,” said Fresno State President John D. Welty. “Careful financial planning and academic preparation are the first steps to getting into college.”

Roses are red for the Bulldogs

Fresno State leaves Pasadena with its first victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

Harassment lawsuit filed

Annie Tremp claims age and gender discrimination by ASI

Former ASI Executive Director Annie Tremp filed a lawsuit Friday claiming she was wrongfully terminated and discriminated against by some ASI executives.

The lawsuit lists the defendants as ASI and California State University, Fresno, Association, Inc. She is seeking undisclosed compensation for financial and emotional harm.

The lawsuit comes after two ASI executives admitted violating the “substance free pledge” during the ASI retreat in July, where underage drinking took place. Tremp claims she was dismissed after reporting the abuse.

Also, the related financial documents may have been misplaced, the ASI spokesperson told The Collegian on Sunday.

Tremp, who is not a student, was hired in May 2007 to work for ASI after being a long-term employee of Fresno State. Paul Oliaro, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs, told The Collegian that Tremp previously worked for International Student Services and Programs (ISSP) at Fresno State, where she was the office manager.

According to the lawsuit, Tremp believed ASI employed her, but her benefits and pay were administered through the Association.

While working for ASI as executive director, Tremp said in the lawsuit that her duties included reviewing financial information, working with ASI executives to budget for special projects, budgeting for ASI publicity, processing the payment of bills, supervising and training assistants that work for ASI and monitoring expenses, including the use of ASI executives’ credit cards.

Tremp claims ASI President Mackee M. Mason threatened her job if he did not get elected in May.

The lawsuit states: “Mason informed Plaintiff (Tremp) that her job would be in jeopardy if he did not get elected.”

After Mason was elected, Tremp claims that Mason continued to intimidate her with similar remarks and again threatened her job.

According to the lawsuit, Mason threatened to have Tremp fired after she told Mason he was not allowed to purchase a cell phone with ASI funds.

ASI was issued five credit cards for the executives, including Mason, Executive Vice President Sandra Flores, Vice President of Finance Lauren Johnson, Director of University Affairs Tara Powers-Mead and Tremp, according to Johnson.

Johnson, who is also the spokesperson for ASI, told The Collegian on Sunday that under normal conditions, it would be her duty to sign off on all expenses with the executive director. Since she was out of the country for the summer months, that duty was passed along to Tremp.

“Normally, what would have happened is I would have signed off on the ledger to pay that [monthly credit card bill],” Johnson said.

Johnson said the receipts of expenses under question are not available and believes they may have been misplaced. Although the credit card bill was paid to Diners Club International, supporting documentation has been requested from the companies to which the expenses were made.

Johnson said it should be known in a few weeks what was included in these expenses.

Tremp’s lawsuit also includes the following allegations:

• Tremp claims she was discriminated against for her age and gender. She was the only female over the age of 40 working for ASI.

• Mason’s harassment of Tremp was so severe, she claims, that the work environment could have been considered “hostile or abusive.”

• Tremp said she reported the conditions to the Association, which in turn did nothing. By not taking action, the lawsuit states that the Association participated in the harassment by assisting and encouraging it.

• Tremp claims she was put on probation after she issued complaints against Mason for misusing ASI funds and providing alcohol to minors at an ASI retreat in July.

• After Tremp made these complaints, the office was shut down and the Association started an investigation of her.

• After she reported the violations by Mason, he altered Tremp’s job description, she claims. This included reducing her status and responsibilities and replacing her with a younger person to take over some of her responsibilities.

Neither Mason nor Powers-Mead could be reached for comment Sunday.

During the investigation conducted by the Association, Tremp claims in her lawsuit that the investigator told her she was too old to be working with students and should look for other employment.

Tremp was accused of making unauthorized expenditures and falsifying her time sheets, which she said is false. It is still not known what these expenditures consisted of.

Tremp was fired Aug. 29 after refusing a severance package of four months pay if she would waive all claims.

According to the lawsuit, Tremp had not received any prior reprimands that showed her job performance was suffering.

Additional reporting by Ben Keller.

Students gather to watch presidential debate

While presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain were squaring off in Mississippi Friday, spectators flocked to the Bucket on campus to see how it unfolded.

As part of its Why1509? campaign to promote political awareness and voter participation at Fresno State, ASI publicized the debate to be viewed by students still on campus in the evening.

Although there were no food or drinks being served from behind the counter, ASI provided plenty of refreshments and a quiet atmosphere to watch.

“A lot of students are here probably when the debate is going to be,” said ASI Senator Sarait Martinez, who is helping coordinate the campaign. “So it’s really easier for [the students] just to go on campus and watch the debate.”

Two televisions were tuned in to ABC-30 for the more than 30 students in attendance Friday night. A number of news media outlets were present to catch reactions on camera.

Throughout the debate, McCain spoke at length on the need for increasing defense resources while tightening excessive spending in Washington.

“I’ve got a pen and I’m gonna veto every spending bill that comes across my desk,” McCain said.

Obama decried McCain’s plans to provide tax cuts to the rich. Obama’s own presidential agenda includes a 95 percent tax cut to working families and more availability of health care.

“We believe only what’s good for Wall Street but not Main Street,” said Obama.

He said McCain’s constituents have proven themselves ignorant of the struggling working class.
Both suggested the exploration of alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on foreign oil in order to keep U.S. dollars at home.

McCain, declaring the success of the latest troop surges that he supported, proposed a spending freeze on everything but defense and veterans’ assistance.

“We are winning in Iraq and we will come home with victory and with honor,” said McCain, citing the dangers of pulling out without a comprehensive plan.

Amidst instances of crosstalk between the candidates, Obama agreed with his opponent’s general principle on the war, but denied that it would be effective or practical.

“That’s using a hatchet where you need a scalpel,” Obama said. “No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they are carrying out the orders of their commander-in-chief.”

Applause rang out in the room when Obama discussed the importance of affordable college education, while personal remarks were uttered from several tables in the Bucket throughout the night.

While no forum was held for post-debate dialogue, many students expressed feedback between themselves at closing.

“I feel that Obama believes in helping those who are less fortunate,” said senior health science major Alita Espinoza. “Unfortunately, McCain tonight expressed that he will cut everything.”

Other students were a little more gracious of McCain’s performance, with considerable respect to his years of experience.

“I think as far as foreign policy goes, McCain made the strongest [impression],” said political science and business major Lauren Brown. “He’s got the background; he came across so much more knowledgeable; he’s been there, he’s done that; he knows what’s going on.”

Evaluations were given to everyone in attendance, allowing the audience to express concerns about the debate. ASI will use these to determine students’ knowledge of the issues and overall satisfaction of the event.

ASI will hold screenings for the vice presidential debate on Oct. 2 and for the two remaining presidential debates on Oct. 7 and Oct. 15. No clear plan has yet been made as to the location or procedure of these viewings; however, both will be announced upon the analysis of student surveys.

Martinez said in the effort to foster greater political responsiveness on campus, ASI will continue to distribute information on the upcoming elections while inviting students to participate in the Why1509? campaign.

“I think if students are educated on the issues concerning the propositions, they’re gonna be more likely to register and go out and vote,” Martinez said.

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