By snoadmin
Cal State Long Beach students had their political and economic questions answered during the university’s “Beer and Politics” event.
More than 50 CSULB students, faculty and community members packed the Nugget Grill and Pub last Thursday night to discuss politics and drink beer alongside President F. King Alexander.
The CSULB president touched on a number of budgetary concerns within the California State University system and the Long Beach community, while praising the federal government and showing his disdain for the state Legislature.
“Whatever we do, we cannot let the Legislature off the hook for the decisions they are making,” Alexander said.
CSULB students have been affected by the loss of at least 25 percent of the university budget this year in a variety of ways, such as less class time due to furlough days and an increase in fees. Alexander also partially blamed the school system’s financial woes on the Long Beach community, most notably the recent failure of Measure T, which would have allowed a five-year parcel tax on property owners and generated money for the Long Beach Unified School District.
“When we’re 48th in the nation in support of our children and we’re second in the nation in support of our prisoners, we need to consider significant reforms,” Alexander said.
The crowd cheered Alexander’s honesty and his summary of the state’s priorities.
“One of the most refreshing things is to see such a high public profile figure speak so adamantly against what the state has done,” said dramatic writing graduate student Brian Addison. “He’s most certainly no-holds-barred [with his] comments, and that is rather refreshing after hearing circular comments from Gov. Schwarzenegger and other public figures.”
Alexander did have some encouraging news for CSULB students regarding support from the federal government. In addition to this year’s increase in grant money, the federal government will also be offering a tuition tax credit of up to $2,500 to students and their parents.
Any student or parent who pays university tuition fees, has a household income of less than $160,000 — if married, but $80,000 for single taxpayers — and does not qualify for Pell grants may qualify for the full tax credit. Partial credit is also available for some of those who do not meet that criteria. Alexander estimated that about 95 percent of CSULB students might qualify.
The federal government will also be attempting to pass the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act bill next month. If the Senate passes SAFRA, banks will be removed as the middleman in the tuition loan process, and the universities will handle all the loans through the Department of Education.
SAFRA would cost approximately $90 billion over the next 10 years. However, if the bill does not pass, that money would go to the banks instead, according to Alexander.
CSULB alumnus Michael Clements started Beer and Politics in September 2006. His objective was to bring people together in a relaxed setting where they would feel comfortable discussing politics and voicing their opinion. The first Beer and Politics event started with less than 20 people, but word spread quickly and many events since then have been packed.
Due to the extreme nature of the CSU budget cuts and growing student concerns, Clements decided to hold a Beer and Politics event at CSULB for the first time. Clements was pleased with the success of the event and plans on returning to the CSULB campus in the near future.
