1993_09 Insight September 1993

              September 22,1993
Insight/California State University, Fresno
Page 3
Apartment leases give first-time
renters a condo-sized headache
By Michelle Yeoh
Staff Writer
Gilbert Martinez signed an apartment lease while he was in college,
but changed his mind and left after
two months.
Little did he know it would come
tack to haunt him.
Martinez didn't do what every student should: read the fine print before
signing an apartment lease.
Martinez said he broke his six-
month lease with Plaza Apartments
after his car was broken into twice in
three weeks. "The management didn't
seem to care," he said.
But when he tried to rent again, he
was rejected by three complexes because he had been reported to Apartment Credit Network, which supplies
the names of lease-breakers to management companies throughout California.
It was then he learned he was considered a "risky tenant."
Both apartment managers and renters advise students to learn what a
lease is and understand that breaking
it can result in a bad credit rating, a
lawsuit or difficulty renting again. A
lease offers the security of a long-
term agreement at a known cost.
Even if it allows for rent increases,
it normally provides limits on how
much and how often it can be raised.
But there's a downside. Even if there
are problems, the lease can't be broken.
According to a booklet published
by the Department of Consumer Affairs, the only way out is if someone
else takes responsibility for the lease.
"The only people who can break
the lease is the landlord and a judge, if
it's taken to court," said Stanley Stuart,
manager of RENTSENSE, a telephone service administered by the
Fresno Community Development
Office that answers tenants' questions.
"The problem
with a lot of
complexes is
they care more
about the quantity of tenants
than the quality
of the complex,"
•Maureen Greere
"I've only seen a case dismissed
when a tenant proved the apartment
was uninhabitable and the manager
was indifferent to it," he said.
Carol Mui wasaCSUFsenior when
her roommate left the country and she
was forced to move because she
couldn't afford the rent She mailed
the keys to the manager, but left no
forwarding address.
"I moved to a new complex and
haven't heard from her since. I didn't
have any problem getting a new
place."
But Mui was one of the lucky ones,
according to Stuart. "Some complexes
are really in need of tenants," he said.
"So they might be willing to bend the
rules in spite of an applicant's past
credit report. What she does not realize is that a year down the road if she
applies for a car loan, she's not going
to be so lucky.
"A lot of the times the management company will not go to great
lengths to find that 'runaway' tenant.
It would cost more to find them in the
long run."
Many limes the best way is to com -
municate with ihe manager. At The
Califomian apartments, 70 percent of
the tenants arc on leases, most of them
students. The Califomiansoffer leases
on a semester-to-semesier basis. The
manager said this policy allows students to go home for summer vacation without breaking the lease.
"There is no acceptable reason for
breaking a lease," said Cottonwood
Grove Apartments manager Melissa
Britten. "You made the commitment.
"We never force anyone to opt for
a lease. However, there are exceptions we might make. Each case is
handled individually," she said.
Students re-fuel at new
food court area pit stop
By Laurah Leigh
Staff Writer
There** a new taste on campus. It's the new food
court in thePU by University Food Services. Where
once simplesandwiches, bum tos andchips were the
mainstay, students now have ethnic option*.-
IT you're craving Mexican food, Taco Bell Ex-'
prcssis there to ft II the need. Chinese any body?Tbc
ChinaSuuonoffei-sscvenddiffcTCmentrees.aiong
with a ia carte options. If a deli sandwich is more.
your style, the Food Court also offers Subway
sandwich shop.
For hamburger and Drench fry loyalists, up a
flightofstairsand3fcwstridcsacrossfromihccourt
isCarl's Jr. Jim Prince, director of University Food
Services, said thechanges were made in response to
several student questionnaires evaluated last semes -
ter. "It's what the students wanted, "he said.
According to Prince, in the first two weeks alone,
the volume of food sales has doubled from last
semester. Toe University Food Services Board approved the purchase of Taco Bell, Subway, The '
China Station and Carl's Jr. franchises on June 24.
The changes wtw«wrpleted on Aug. 27. "It will be
very worthwhile for (he university as a whole," be
said.
The franchises do not sell everything that their
off-campus counterparts do, but Prince said the
limitauons were mild.
' Taco Bell Express scl It the core of what it Taco
BdC *•*•»"*.
Subway does not sell 79-ceot sandwiches on
campus and the campus Carl's Jr. docs not sell its
smallest hamburger."We couldn't keep up with the
volume,* hesaiAThepric«s,however,are the same
as off-campus franchises. "Not all campuses do
that," be said.
Carl's Jr.'s baked potato bar is a favorite for
many. "Hike that you can do your own thing," said
Audrey Bums, a senior accounting major, "Build
• your own potato. T am especially excited about the
new non-smoking policy."
One thing Burns said she docs miss is the availability of fresh fruit, although fruit and vegetables
arc available in the County Store and the University
Restaurant, next door to tlie Bucket. "We got rid of
the hamburgers,'' said Nancy Gorham, the
restaurant's manager. "We have a wonderful cook
who makes things from scratch. Bread is baked here
fresh in the morning.'*
The University Restaurant also has several vegetarian dishes, including pastas and marinated vegetables, as well as vegetarian pocket pita sandwiches and an all-you-can-eal soup and salad bar.
They take reservations so people can gel in and
out during lunch hour and Gorham said business has
doubled since last semester. The Uni versity Rcstau-
rant serves beer and wine and lunch is served until
2p.ro,
In addition to the Food Court, a convenience
store called The Pantry opened in the South Commons selling snacks, drinks, candy and Pizza Hut
pizzas. Prince said The Pantry's pizza is being
offered at S2kss lhan the normal price, so students
get a break.
California law gives both tenants
and landlords many rights and responsibilities. Under Civil Code Section 1654. if the written agreement is
unclear, the law usually interprets the
it in the tenant's favor. The Department of Consumer Affairs stresses
that ihe best way for tenants to prevent problems is to communicate.
However, Martinez said, he could
not get cooperation from his former
manager, putting him in a no-win
situation.
Maureen Greere, a leasing consultant at Reflections Apartments, empathizes with tenants.
"The problem with a lot of complexes is ihey care more aboul the
quantity of tenants than the quality of
ihe complex," she said "In a situation
where there is a dirty complex and no
security, it's no surprise a tenant would
want to leave," she said.
Rose Garabcdian, a RENTSENSE
worker, said the only way to avoid a
messy lease problem is to read the
agreement before signing iL
"If the properly manager will not
allow you to break your lease, find
someone else to sub-lease it from
you," she said. If the apartment is
uninhabitable, Fresno County Health
Department should be notified.
Garabcdian said anyone wanting
to move into an apartment should first
read the California handbook on Tenants' Rights and Responsibilities. "It
informs the tenant on everything they
need to know and saves them a lot of
hassle in the future," she said.
Former Fresno State quarterback Mark Barsottl
serves time for a March of Dimes fundraiser. He
must raise $1,000   to get out of Jail.
Professor 'Doc' Rogers dies
By Olivia Reyes
Staff Writer
Memorial service held
for late Ethnic
Studies professor.
CSUF senior Victoria
SumlercriedFridayasafricnd
consoled her at the Satellite
Student Union where approximately 200 faculty and
students gathered in memory
of CSUF ethnic studies professor James H. Rogers.
Rogers, also known as
"Doc." died Sept 10. 1993.
from a self-inflicted wound,
according to the Fresno
County Coroner's Office. He
was 57.
Sumler, a reccpicnt of the
Rosa B. Parks Award established by Rogers, said she
knew him since her freshman
year.
Rogers joined the university faculty in 1981.
In addition to teaching, he
was a playwright and dirccto
of African-American theater
productions.
Rogers had also taught at Moorhead
State University and Simpson College.
He received his bachelor of science degree in English and social
studies at Ihe University of Missouri,
and his master of fine arts degree in
creative wriiingand English and Ph.D.
in American civilization at the University of Iowa.
A bouquet of roses and red, pink
and while flowers were placed in front
Studies Department
"Those principles were that love
conquers hate, injustice must give
way to justice via politcal action and
students have a right to become involved in decisions that affect their academic lives," she
said.
"Most importantly, Dr.
Rogers bel ie ved resistance to
racism should be commonplace in the life activity of
every American individual,"
Small said.
Faculty expressed their
feelings for Rogers on Friday.
"Doc is the only person I
know who could leave me a
message on the phone, cuss
me out and have me interpret
it as love," said Waller
Robinson, CSUF faculty
member.
The somber crowd
laughed.
"Those of you laughing
must have got those calls,
too," Robinson joked.
Students also expressed
their sadness.
"When I found out Doc
was gone, something cut in-
H. Rogers, Emnteaudles Professor    side of me," said CSUF student Nasa D. James.
"Fresno Slate lost a great man. I
know God has a place for him."
A student scholarship fund will be
established in Rogers' name.
Contributions may be sent to the
Ethnic Studies Program, 2225 E. San
Ramon, Fresno, CA 93740-0100.
of the stage in the Satellite Student
Union where abouia dozen of Rogers'
colleagues delivered eulogies.
"He was an intense bul compassionate man who lived by Ihc very
same principles he taught," said Lily
Small, department chair of the Ethnic
*>3
tt
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fMcDonalcrs
WHAT YOU WANT IS WHAT YOU GET
ATMcDONALDfS TODAY
REMEMBER FRESNO STATE STUDENTS
& FACULTY MEMBERS SHOW US YOUR ID.
FOR A FREE 21 OZ. DRINK!
(WITH THE PURCHASE OF A LARGE SANDWICH AND FRIES)
♦ ♦
Buy One Sandwich Of Your Choice
 A nd_ R^cewe^neFree]	
' Just present your school I.D. with this coupon
when buying a Large Sandwich and you'll get
. another Large Sandwich FREE! (equal or Imtr value)
I Limit one food item per coupon, per customer, per visit.
I Please present coupon when ordering.
| Not valid with any other offer.
V Good only at McDonald's - Shaw & Cedar /Shaw & Fresno J
on
"The Breakdown of Democracy"
Wednesday, September 22, 1993 at 8 p. m.
Satellite Student Union
California State University, Fresno
CSUF students free with ID in advance. CSUF students $2 with ID at the door.
$5 General Admission
For more information call 278-7078