1995_02 Insight February 1995

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FEBRUARY 22,1995
In Focus
Fresno shocks foreign students
By Hanne Bent/on
Staff Writer
Javier Quioros arrived at the Fresno Air Terminal at the beginning of the
semester from Spain with a dream: beaches, surfing and California girls.
"I was totally shocked," said Quioros, a 20-year-old speech communication
freshman who arrived with a surfboard among his baggage.
"I thought that the Golden State would offer me more than dry, hoi air and a
desert-like environment," Quioros said.
"I am used to big-city life, so Fresno is going to be a whole new experience
for me — a good one, I hope."
Quioros and 80 international students arrived in Fresno this semester with
no clue that what was waiting for them was Fresno's haze and fog.
Fresno's appeal generally varies based on nationality, according to John
Fu, an international student counselor with CSUF's International Student
Services and Programs (ISSP).
"The ocean and the sun are typically the major reason for Europeans when
they choose California," Fu said.
"They often seem to picture Fresno as what they sec in thc movies, where
California is portrayed as a world of sun, tanned bikini girls and surfer dudes."
■ Many Asian students chose CSUF based on recommendations from sponsors, friends or relatives, Fu said.
May Won, 19, a business major from Taiwan, had never been outside her
country before she arrived in Fresno six months ago.
"This is not how 1 pictured California," Won said. "My friends tried to explain to me that Fresno is not really the typical Califomian town, but 1 guess
I didn't listen."
Won admits that she is seriously thinking about transferring to another CSU
"My family sponsors me and therefore they have the final say in where I get
my degree. They chose Fresno for me and I honestly doubt that they will be
willing to reconsider," Won said.
According to the ISSP's records. CSUF instructs about 700 international
students from 80 countries. They include 550 undergraduate and 150 graduate students.
Taiwan and Indonesia contribute the largest groups, about 200 students.
Robert Prather, coordinator of international admissions, said the reason international students come to CSUF is because of its variety of quality programs.
"CSUF offers well-developed programs in a variety of fields, including programs such as business and the engineering," Prather said.
Another factor: It's inexpensive.
"Compared lo thc campuses located at the coast, Fresno is one of the least
expensive places to live," Prather said.
Fresno's lack of diversion is looked upon as a good thing by many international students, Prather said.
"They seem lo appreciate the study environment which is relatively free
from disruption."
Despite extensive recruitment efforts by the ISSP, the international student
body has decreased over thc last few years.
"I think the major reason for the drop in the number of foreign students is
the fee increase." Prather said.
International students pay out-of-state fees totalling $246 per unit plus $901
tuition. California residents pay $901 for six or more units.
Elevators, from page 1
There have been eight elevator malfunctions since thc beginning of the
semester.
It is unknown how many students
were unable to get to their classes as
a result.
According to Robert Boyd, interim
director of plant operations, 'There's
no way I can guarantee a piece of mechanical equipment to work every
time you need it.
"There's nothing you can say. espc-
cially to physically challenged
people." Boyd said.
Nothing could be said to Keith
Hartman when he was stuck upstairs
in the old Education-Psychology
Building due lo an elevator malfunction.
He had to wait 30 to 45 minutes before a professor and a couple of students finally carried his wheelchair
down the stairs.
"I remember I was very frustrated
at the situation," Hartman said.
Age is thc main problem with eleva
tors on campus. The one in Art-Home $400,000 lo $500,000 for a new cl-
Ec. is more than 35 years old and was cvator.
remodeled during the winter break. Boyd said there were three calls re-
Yet on Feb. 8 the elevator's doors porting the elevator malfunction on
were stuck open. On Feb. 9 there was Feb. 9. Thc first call came at 11:15
a sequencing problem, meaning the a.m.
"There's no way I can guarantee a
piece of mechanical equipment to
work every time you need it."
Robert Boyd
Interim Director of Plant Operations
elevator was calling on all three floors A representative of Keystone Eleva-
at once. tor Co., the company responsible for
Thc solution to the problem with the elevator maintenance on campus, said
Art-Home Ec. elevator is replace- a repairman was dispatched at 11:18
ment. Unfortunately, it would cost a.m.
Keystone's representative did not
have the time the elevator was actually fixed, but Boyd said the third report of a malfunction came in at 4
p.m.
According to reports Boyd received
from the elevator technician and an
independent consultant, only the
lights on the elevator were malfunctioning.
Garza tells a different story. He
waited 10 minutes for the elevator
before he gave up on getting to class.
He waited by the stairs for 30 minutes in case the instructor moved thc
class downstairs to an empty room.
The class wasn't moved, but Garza
was told he wouldn't be held accountable for the work done in class that
day.
As for the Feb. 8 problem.
Keystone's representative said they
had no call for a repair on that day.
Keystone holds the current contract
See ELEVATORS, page 8
Media technology
enlightens CSUF
By Sheryl Logue
Staff Writer
Students enrolled in CSUFs next
popular music class may accompany Pearl Jam lo a live concert performance.
Political science students may
have a live debate with House
Speaker Newt Gingrich.
These activities and more will be
possible with the scheduled fall
opening of the Academic Innovation Center.
Thc center will combine the latest technology with current teaching techniques to provide students
with a state-of-the-art education.
The center, the result of three
years of planning, is being funded
by $137,400 from University Priority Funds, according to Helen
Gigliotti, associate provost of academic resources.
Together wilh the Center for the
Enhancement of Teaching and
Learning, the Academic Innovation
Center will make up thc Faculty Institute.
Plans call for the centers lo be located together on thc first floor of
the McKee Fisk Building.
Thc center will serve as a resource
for faculty members interested in
using innovative technology in the
classroom. It will house multimedia computers capable of incorporating sound, video and graphics in
the development of technologically
advanced instructional materials.
The center will also provide faculty members with training in the
use of thc new technology.
"We desperately need on this
campus a support structure for faculty to develop instructional technology applications for their
classes." Gigliotti said. Centers of
this kind are "one of the hottest
things in education today." she said.
Daniel Surry, instructional technologist, said another main function of the center is to promote dis
tance learning. This technology allows people to take university
classes while at off-campus locations.
Distance learning technology uses
closed-circuit television systems to
broadcast live classes to remote locations. Direct communication is
possible through the use of two-
way telephone talk-back and overhead microphones.
According to Rose Marie Kuhn,
director of the Distance Learning
Program, thc technology is being
used at several central Valley high
schools, including campuses in
Sclma. Lcmoorc and Yosemite.
Few universities have a commitment to using innovative technology. Surry said. "This center will
make a major difference in the future of this campus.
"Wc have an opportunity to do
something wonderful." he said,
"and we'd be foolish not lo take advantage of all the technology out
there and do something revolutionary."
A director for the center is being
sought. David Quadro, professoi
speech and chair of thc search cc
mittee, said the leading candidate
for the job is Robert Threlkeld. director of the Distance Learning
Center at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.
Threlkeld has a doctorate in counseling psychology from Boston
College.
During a visit to CSUF, Threlkeld
said he had a vision for the center. "I
would like in three years to have the
faculty involved in the redesign of
instruction to make it more accessible to students on and off campus."
Some classrooms, Surry said, will
be permanently equipped withmul-
limcdia systems.
Thc center will also have five portable systems available for instructors to use in classrooms for multimedia lectures, he said.
fcC0) \\ ere iivUinu a facelift!
BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO OVEJuN THE NEWLY
REMODELED ROOMS AND SUITES AVAILABLE FOR 95
> live in residence suites or community style living haUs with aH new space sav^
> Relax on the new living room furniture In the residence suites or lounge furniture in the lobbies.
> Talk on the phone or watch MTV as local phone and basic cable service are included for 1995-96.
> Select the meal plan that best meets your needs.
> Study with new friends or get extra help in our Learning Assistance Center.
> Use the fitness center and swimming pool to stay in shape!
> Feel safer with a newly installed electronic lock system for room and building.
> Work on campus by applying for priority employment opportunities available for residents.
> Take advantage of guaranteed room and board costs.
> Make it easy on your pocketbook by choosing the payment plan that's right for you.
Come by and take a look at the new design and new furniture on display in The Lodge.
Applications will be available in early March 1995 from die University Housing Office.
Call (209) 278-2345 or the 24-hour information line 1-800-555-0482.
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