Tuesday

March 3, 1998

Campaign '98 under way

Gary Davis, last year's disqualified presidential election winner, is taking another shot at the office of president of the Associated Students Inc.

Davis, along with Dan Freschi, director for undeclared students, was deemed eligible Friday by student affairs to run for office.

Both Davis and Freschi filed for the office of president.

Davis said he is aware students may be hesitant to vote for him this year due to his disqualification by the ASI Appellate Council for violations during last year's campaign.

"That is one image I am most afraid of," Davis said. "We are dotting the I's and crossing the T's on this campaign."

Davis, who beat incumbent President Sandra Schlemmer by four votes in the spring election, was found guilty of violating three sections of the election code:

• Posting campaign materials before the filing period.
• Using ASI office facilities for his campaign.
• Violating publicity and posting policies.

Davis objected when the ruling was made in May -- and still believes he is innocent. "I think there was confusion. If (the Appellate Council) had heard my story I would never have been disqualified," Davis said.

Freschi said the conflict between Davis and Schlemmer has grown tiresome for students.

"We need a new slate of ideas, fresh ideas," Freschi said. "It is time for a change."

Freschi said he wants to see a more student-oriented government, one that gets students more involved.

"I want to promote ASI more," he said.

Davis said he believes ASI programs are running smoothly, but questioned the actions of the government itself. He said some board members seem detached from campus concerns.

"If I do get into office, I will strive to be proactive as opposed to reactive," Davis said.

Davis said he has several ideas for his campaign slate, parking being No. 1.

He said he will focus on getting a new parking garage built.

Davis also said he would like to see the Night Shuttle used in the day to ferry students who park in the lots farther from the campus.

"The vans do nothing all day," he said.

Election packets are available in student affairs through March 23. The last day to file to run for office is March 27.

Elections will be held April 21 and 22.

Other offices for which candidates can file include:

• State Hornet Publications Board member.
• ASI executive vice president.
• ASI vice president for finance.
• ASI vice president for university affairs.
• ASI director for undeclared students.
• ASI director for Natural Science and Mathematics.
• ASI director for Arts and Letters.
• ASI director for Health and Human Services.
• ASI director for post-baccalaureate programs.
• ASI director for Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies.
• ASI director for Education.
• ASI director for Engineering and Computer Science.
• ASI director for Business.

Clash over scheduling continues

Primary complaints about current class scheduling practices are being sidestepped by administrators, according to Associated Students Inc. Director of Arts and Letters Jennifer Helms.

Early this year, Helms and ASI Director of Science and Mathematics Kim Shaw voiced their concerns on scheduling in a letter to CSUS President Donald Gerth and Jolene Koester, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

In the letter, Helms and Shaw condemned zero-capping courses -- offering a course in the course catalog while blocking enrollment -- a process they blame for problems with last semester's class schedule. They also outlined the following means to avoid future scheduling problems:

• Ensuring availability in the second semester of all two-course series to students finishing the series.
• Offering the second semester of all two-course series in the same time frame as the first, and with the same professor.
• Requiring each department to provide a list of high-priority classes two to three years in advance of scheduling.
• Offering a tentative class schedule three semesters in advance.

Zero-capping is used to reserve space for possible overflow in popular classes, Koester said.

"It gives deans opportunity to plan ahead of time," she said. "Otherwise, there is no easy way to add a class to the schedule."

She also suggested using the Internet, where an updated schedule is available throughout the semester.

Shaw said her main concern with the class schedule is that it misrepresents class availability.

"They (students) are being misled by the departments and the schools," said Shaw.

Helms said she found Koester's responding memo unsatisfactory.

"She has completely missed the point of half the stuff," said Helms.

She said Koester's description of the university's policy for zero-capping was inaccurate.

Helms referred to an article written by the State Hornet in December in which foreign languages chair Mark Riley explained the zero-capping of Italian 1B.

Riley said the department fully intended to offer the course when the schedule was printed, but when funds to secure an instructor were found unavailable, the course was placed at zero enrollment.

Following the protests of students and faculty, a section of Italian 1B was eventually opened. To free an instructor to teach the course, however, another class -- Italian 2B -- was dropped.

Helms was also unsatisfied with Koester's response to her request that one instructor teach both semesters of a two-semester course.

Koester wrote that while having one instructor teach both semesters of a two-course series is preferred in some departments, it is not always possible. In fact -- depending on the department and the course -- some deans prefer that different instructors teach the two classes in the series.

However, all deans agree it is important there be offered a sufficient number of sections of second-semester courses, wrote Koester.

Helms and Shaw are in the process of formulating a response to Koester's memo.

Professors showcase classroom technology

The future of education took a step forward as CSUS faculty members gathered to show off their technology-based teaching techniques Friday.

Web-based course material, e-mail discussion groups and video-conferencing were the hot topics of the day at the Faculty Technology Showcase, sponsored by the CSUS Teaching, Technology and Learning Roundtable.

"The sexiness is luring all of us in," said Andy Fisher, keynote speaker for the event. Fisher is the market development manager for Addison Wesley Longman's hard science publishing group.

Fisher presented the idea of textbooks on CD-ROM, book publishing and course packs -- specially published collections of articles and textbook material.

At one of the many demonstration booths, professor Jean-Pierre Bayard showed off his electrical engineering online testing system. After his lectures, students will take a timed test on the Web, allowing him to see how well the students understand his lectures.

English professor Fred Marshall offers his assignments and class handouts on the Web along with copies of the computer-generated slides he uses in class. He also links his page to other English instruction resources.

"It allows students to review material," he said. "If they missed a class, they can pull materials from the Web."

Marshall told of his vision for classes to only meet once every two weeks, with coursework being completed outside of class individually or in small groups. Questions would be addressed via e-mail and assignments could be shared electronically for review by all.

He is looking for feedback from students on all his ideas.

"I want to know from students how attractive that is," he said.

CSU, Chico faculty member David Swanson gave a presentation on distance education at the event. Swanson, professor of exercise science, discussed his work with the College of the Redwoods, in Arcata, to bring health services classes to high school students in Humbolt County.

He helped establish the program to give high school sophomores and juniors a vision of their future, Swanson said. The goal was to pique interest in becoming an emergency medical technician, a nurse, or other health care provider.

By teaching the class via distance education, all the schools were able to link together to form one class. Without the use of video conferencing, none of the schools could have raised enough interest to individually offer a class in health services.

During the show, smaller groups gathered to discuss the larger questions of distance education. Professors Ann Haffer and Jeanne Pfeifer, and librarian Leilani Hall, questioned how to find out if distance education was providing quality instruction to students.

"There is a certain amount of responsibility in being a distant learner," said Pfiefer, professor of teacher education.

Haffer and Hall noted communication between instructors and students as well as between students themselves was the most important aspect of success in distance education.

Pfiefer, who has taught classes using video and audio conferencing, pointed out the penalties of not having adequate communication. While she lectured in front of a camera, students would watch in the classroom, at home, and at other sites. Yet, when questions directed to a particular location went unanswered, the whole class was deprived of an intelligent response, she said.

"Not having students participating actually hurt the process," Pfiefer said. Distant students have the option of communicating with their instructors through e-mail, conference calls and two-way video.

Hall demonstrated the Library's Internet resources, including Eureka -- the CSUS card catalog system -- and InfoTrac -- a database of articles from periodicals. She wants students to be aware of the amount of research that can be accomplished without coming onto campus.

"We would like you to be able to do this from home," she said.

Want to do library research at home?
The CSUS Library's Web page has links to Eureka and InfoTrac at:
http://www.csus.edu/libr.

Course repetition policy approved by Faculty Senate

CSUS' Faculty Senate approved a measure modifying the university's grade replacement policy last week after replacing the initial measure with one containing stronger language.

Students can now repeat a course once without department approval for a better grade. However, the second grade, better or worse, will be the one computed into the student's GPA.

Senators were asked to reform the policy by the Senate's Academic Policies Committee. The committee members wanted to make department standards consistent, ensure fairness to students who don't repeat courses, and end the ability of students to keep repeating courses to earn higher grades.

In the works since October, the measure was approved without debate by the Senate.

Under the new policy, if a student wants to retake a course more than once, he or she must get departmental approval. Departments can limit the number of repeats taken by a student. Though the student's first grade will remain on the transcripts, it becomes available for other institutions, such as medical and law schools, for GPA calculations.

The grade earned in the second attempt, even if it is lower, will be used in GPA computations at CSUS. However, the first attempt will remain on a student's transcript.

Additional attempts, with department approval, will be averaged together for GPA calculations. This way, students can't keep retaking courses without penalty, simply to keep up their grades.

At its meeting Thursday, the Senate also began consideration of a measure directing its executive committee to create a panel of at-large members to review the membership structure of the Senate. The panel would consider recommendations for changing the Senate membership from a departmental basis to one reflecting the schools, with additional representation by at-large members.

Greeks to address alcohol dangers

Concerned about alcohol use among fraternity and sorority members, the CSUS Inter-Fraternity and Panhallenic councils are sponsoring an alcohol awareness seminar at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the University Union Redwood Room.

The director of the Health Center, Laurie Bisset Grady, and a panel of students will discuss the dangers of alcohol abuse and issues that college students face today. Grady will also talk about how to stay strong when in a potentially dangerous situation.

The seminar is in the wake of two alcohol-related deaths that occurred at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Louisiana State University last year.

"We realize that there is a problem, with the recent events at other campuses," said Karla Sullivan, head of public relations for the Panhallenic Council. "It's present on every campus and we're trying to take a responsible stance on the issue."

The seminar is open to everyone from the campus community. For more information, call Sullivan at 381-6707 or Grady at 278-5427.

Wanted: More students to fill classrooms on Fridays

The California State University system is planning to draw students onto a near-empty campus on Fridays with alternative course schedules, according to Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jolene Koester.

Students are not discontented with the traditional schedule, said Koester, referring to the results of a recent CASPER survey.

According to Koester, the university's goal is to offer classes when they are most convenient for students.

"Alternative class-starting times freed up previous restrictions," said Koester. Most courses currently offered are grouped on Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays. This type of scheduling leaves the campus virtually empty of students on Friday, according to Koester.

Koester said plans are in the works to increase the use of physical space on campus next fall, such as three-hour-long seminar courses to be offered on Fridays.

These new programs would meet once a week for 15 weeks, or twice a week for eight weeks. Some departments currently offer such seminars, such as the chemistry department with Chemistry 294, a seminar in chemistry.

According to department chair James Hill, there is also the possibility of a weekend lab section. The only drawback is a weekend lab section would require the stockroom be open, he said. This would require a rearrangement of current stockroom work schedules, or paying overtime to staff members.

Cornerstones -- the CSU's plan to take the university system into the 21st century -- outlines these and several other new ideas on how to best provide students with educational opportunities.

Included in the plan is a call to provide sufficient physical space, better use of current campus facilities, consideration for year-round and special sessions, and a more intensive use of space during the week, such as on Fridays, evenings and weekends.

Additionally, opportunities for worksite and expanded distance learning should be explored. More night courses would allow working students to attend the university.

"The Cornerstones game plan found a need to offer programs and courses in a non-traditional manner," said Tom Krabacher, chair of the Faculty Senate.

According to Krabacher, by bringing students to campus on Fridays, Saturdays and evenings, CSUS can put to use 20 percent of the underutilized space.

The decision to implement an alternative schedule rests at the department level. Some have been making the option available for years, while others are just now examining the possibilities.

The art department started offering non-traditional courses more than 10 years ago. "The problem with graduate students working was art lends itself to work best when taught on a long day," said Pat Stapleton from the art department staff.

According to the English department, it is looking into the amount of interest among faculty for the possibility of teaching on alternative schedules in the future.

Hornet writer makes history

Sekhar Padmanabhan, State Hornet head copy editor, etched the campus newspaper into history Thursday. He won the first-ever Katharine M. Macdonald award for excellence in college journalism at the Fourth Annual California Journalism Awards Conference.

Padmanabhan is the former chief editor of the Coast Report, the student newspaper of Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. He was honored by the Center for California Studies for his news series on the California Education Technology Initiative, the proposed technology deal between the California State University system and several private corporations. His early coverage scooped large daily newspapers throughout the state.

"I believe it was our responsibility to cover the debate over this important issue so the information would be out in the open for everyone to decide upon," Padmanabhan said. "I'm honored to be the first recipient of this award."

Padmanabhan, a CSUS junior and journalism major, received $300, along with a plaque at a dinner at the Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn in Sacramento.

Awarding the plaque and check was Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, political analyst for KCAL TV in Los Angeles.

The Center also gave out three California Journalism Awards for excellence in print, radio and television work on public affairs and political coverage. Winners were selected by a panel of distinguished journalists from throughout the state.

For his public television show, "California Capitol Week," Michael Isip was selected for his stories on Proposition 209 and bilingual education.

In the radio category, David Wright, host of the public radio program "The California Report," was chosen for his three interviews with legislative leaders and candidates for the 1998 elections.

Scott Ard, Karen deSa and Jeff Israely of the Oakland Tribune were honored in the print category for their series on welfare reform.

The keynote speaker for the dinner was Christopher Hitchens, contributing editor for Vanity Fair magazine, a writer at The Nation and a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley. He spoke on President Clinton and the press.

NEWS BRIEFS

Community college plan unveiled

In a speech before the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges Friday, Davis outlined his plan. Davis aims for making a community-college education available for more Californians, and adding more full-time instructors and improved benefits for part-time faculty.

The plan would continue in the footsteps of his College Affordability Act last year. The act reduced fees at the University of California by $190, and $79 in the California State University system; and it cut per-unit costs at community colleges from $13 to $12.

According to Davis, California spends about $3,400 per year for each community college student, $2,200 less than the national average.

"California's community colleges receive less government support than any other community college system," Davis said.

Re-entry scholarships available

The deadline for most of the scholarships is April 1. For applications, go to Lassen Hall, room 1013 or call 278-6750.

University honors its alumni

A number of people were chosen including Edward Chavez, chief of police, Stockton; Christine Dean, chief of police; Clarke Dominguez, former city councilman, Rocklin; Kelvin Lee, superintendent, Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District; Mike McGowan, supervisor, Yolo County; Ted Morse, foreign agent, U.S. Agency for International Development; John Moulds, U.S. magistrate judge, Eastern District of California, Ninth Circuit.

Receiving the Distinguished Faculty Award will be Dan Decious, professor of chemistry and receiving the Honorary Alumnus Award will be Thomas Hobday, assistant dean, health sciences, UC Davis Medical Center.

Roger Valine, president and chief executive officer of Vision Service Plan will deliver the keynote address. A reception for awardees and guests will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner and program will follow at 7 p.m. Cost is $45 per person or $450 per table.

For more information, call the CSUS Alumni Office at 278-6295 or (800) SAC-GRAD. Deadline for reservations is March 6.