AS 'action plan' put into motion

Student Struggle candidates promised to take action if its members were elected last spring. According to Associated Students President Kenyan McCarthy, Struggle's five-point "action plan" is well on its way to completion.

During the election last March, the plan promised to increase student organization appropriations by 100 percent, expand and reform the existing textbook loan program, fund scholarships for each of SF State's colleges, create a free hotline for students to get AS updates and leave suggestions or complaints and develop a Student Action Center to provide various services.

Under the above platform, Student Struggle candidates beat out the opposing United Student Movement slate for the majority of the positions in AS last March. The elected Struggle members were initially disqualified from the election, by a USM dominated elections committee, for alleged campaign violations. However, they were reinstated on May 1 by a preliminary injunction granted by the San Francisco Superior Court, which is still in effect.

McCarthy said Struggle kept its first promise by doubling last year's student organizations budget to $60,000. The AS put less funds into its reserves this year to come up with the extra The $30,000.

The Student Body Association fee, $42 per semester, makes up 75 percent of the annual AS budget of more than $2.1 million.

Troy Buckner-Nkrumah, chair of the Pan Afrikan Student Union, ran against McCarthy for president last spring. He said as a member of a student organization he appreciates the gesture by AS to increase funds.

However, he questions who will pay the price for the benefits organizations will receive this year and whether or not it is justified to spend this much money in an area where he said most students don't participate.

"Most students don't belong to an organization," he said. "Also, the money is coming from the reserves, and up and coming administrations may be faced with economic problems.

"A lot of times administrations will do programs to make them look good, but then the next administration is faced with economic problems," he said.

Laurie Quillopo, head coordinator for Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavors, said the extra money could help expand events in the future, like PACE's celebration of Pilipino-American history in October.

Although the organization hasn't received an increase in funds yet, Quillopo said there could be many uses for it.

"It will help us with all of the activities we plan as far as publicity for events, like flyers and posters," she said.

Student organizations have until Sept. 19 to turn in funding requests. Money is allocated based on whether or not the organization charges dues, the number of events sponsored, amount of surplus funds an organization has from the previous year and number of years on campus.

The Student Hotline, another item on the Struggle action plan, is scheduled to be in operation by the end of this week, according to McCarthy.

"The messages will be checked daily by one of the assistants," he said. "They will be documented so that they can be attended to." The toll-free hotline will inform students about campus happenings and other issues. It will also allow them to leave suggestions, complaints, or messages for AS members. It will be paid for through the existing business office telephone budget.

The scholarship program will most likely be the next of the campaign promises to be enacted, McCarthy said. The AS budgeted $24,000 to provide each of SF State's eight colleges three $1,000 scholarships, which will be disbursed through the Financial Aid Office.

McCarthy said the AS will be primarily responsible for setting up the criteria for scholarship recipients. He hopes the scholarships will be available next month.

Director of Financial Aid Tom Rutter said his office has met with AS and that the money has been committed. He thinks McCarthy's time-line is feasible.

"There's no real obstacle that I can think of," he said. "We'll do our best, but I'm less inclined to make commitments."

Projected to be completed by the end of the semester, the Student Action Center, an addition to the AS service area, doesn't have a budget outlined yet. The center will provide legal advice, peer education, financial and tax preparation advice, free incoming fax service, consumer assistance and housing referrals for students.

In addition, the existing AS counter will be renovated to be wheelchair accessible, four terminals will be set up for students to access email, and more typewriters have been added to the AS typing center.

The new textbook loan program is expected to be up and running by next semester, McCarthy said. Students will be able to borrow books they can't afford after filling out an application and signing a contract. He said the details of the loan system have not been solidified yet.

"We'll lose money on it, but we're willing to do it to enhance student services," he said.

Alejandro Villasenor, speaker of the AS Legislature and College of Ethnic Studies representative, ran as an independent write-in candidate last spring. He said the money is being well spent.

"AS funds 250 organizations, which is very extensive and should reach a lot of students," Villasenor said.

Amy Feiner, 36, who is a liberal studies major, didn't vote in the election, but said some of Struggle's ideas are good. However, she'd rather see money spent in other areas so students who aren't involved in campus activities can benefit too.

"Those programs may help if you're a freshman and 18 years old," Feiner said.

"Most people I know come here (every day) and leave. Those students would rather see things like new books in the library."

[ Golden Gater Online September 14, 1995 ]

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