The 24-hour study lounge at the Academic Information Resource Center will finally launch Sunday.

Associated Students Inc. agreed to implement up to $2,000 of funding toward advertising the center.

The study lounge, which will be known as the Hornet Lounge, will be open every Sunday through Thursday throughout the semester, with the exception of being open 24 hours, seven days a week, during the period of finals.

Funded by both ASI and University Computing Communications and Media Services, the Hornet Lounge will have security available on site.

ASI President Jesus Andrade looks upon the new study lounge similar to the way he views culture.

“Just like culture, we have to build the study lounge. We have to promote the facilities,” Andrade said.

The Hornet Lounge will be a great place for students to hang out and stay as long as they want to, Andrade said. He further said the lounge will be a convenient study area with an atmosphere where everyone can study, instead of being forced to go home when the AIRC building closes.

“People will have to adjust to (the Hornet Lounge)?I have no idea how many people will go to the new lounge, but so far the responses have been good. It is something new?something fresh that I think students will enjoy,” Andrade said.

ASI is looking to provide coffee at the Hornet Lounge in the near future.

AFRICA funding denied

ASI decided not to provide funding for Africans for Re-Education, Innovation, Consciousness, and Achievement after a long discussion that aroused strong emotions Wednesday. AFRICA is an organization made up of students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Its purpose has been to provide a forum of activities and events to develop the critical thinking and acting skills of the campus and community to engage in positive struggle for the forward advancement of African Americans, according to the association’s flier. It was stated that AFRICA applied for Dollars for Organizations and Clubs grant where it would receive $1,500 from ASI.

As a participant, ASI would receive a half-page advertisement in the conference booklet, a listing as an Education/Government Level Conference Sponsor, and Education/Government Sponsor “Award of Recognition.”

Andrade told the AFRICA representative to go through with the DOC grant, and that ASI will sponsor the organization in this manner.

Vice President of University Affairs Chris Ramos suggested that AFRICA go through other ways of getting money from ASI, as other clubs do, rather than receiving both $1,500 and $350 from ASI.

“If (AFRICA) gets the DOC grant, we’re giving them extra money; $1,500 and $350,” Board Associate Rita Tyk said.

Every student club on campus is eligible for $1,500 through DOC funding. Since AFRICA will be eligible, Andrade said it would not be fair to other clubs if ASI approved additional funding for AFRICA.

Sociology professor proposes legislation modifications

Sac State sociology professor Kevin Wehr said he felt uneasy about ASI’s legislation regarding the California Faculty Association and the California State University system at a working board meeting.

“Sacramento State asks the chancellor to act to avert a faculty strike by going back to a negotiating table because this is in the best interest of students,” Wehr said.

Wehr has taught at Sac State for the last four years. He proposed ASI to change the language in the legislation, adding that the current language is “unhelpful.”

A strong believer in the strikes having a positive outcome on students in the long term, Wehr stated that a happy faculty makes for happy students. Without bargaining in good faith for a fair contract, he added, morale is low and students will be affected.

To withhold his labor is the only thing that the chancellor seems to listen to, he said. Wehr does not want the students to suffer, but if push comes to shove, he claims he will be left with no other option but to strike.

Wehr went on to say that the legislation should address the unmet needs of the CSU system and to reprioritize academics over executive salaries.

ASI board members did not make a decision as to whether they will modify the legislation or not.

Jacqueline Tualla can be reached at [email protected]