UNIVERSITY POLICE OPEN HOUSE

CSULB's University Police hosted an Open House near the Maxson Plaza Fountain on Thursday, Oct. 23. The event was held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students and staff were welcome to meet campus security and the new Chief of Police, Stan Skipworth, as well as learn about the various security services on campus.

One topic of discussion was the new Connect-Ed emergency notification system.  "We saw that our opportunity to utilize an ENS system to communicate with our student body, faculty, and staff on an immediate basis in response to an emergency was really going to be a critical component to our overall preparedness in emergency situations," said Skipworth.

"With thousands of students attending such a large campus, it is important to be 

aware of the emergency services available," said Greg Pascal, communications and information safety manager for University Police.  The event not only allowed students to attend department tours, but also allowed them to meet those monitoring their safety daily.

[photos by Lisa Strachan]

BECAUSE SCHOOL CAN'T BE BE A DRAG ALL THE TIME...

CSULB and organization Tag The World hosted the first ever Celebrity Slam basketball game on Oct. 16. Players included actors from hit TV shows and movies raising money for charities supporting Africa, animals, cancer, children, and the environment.

The game was delayed 30 minutes, starting at 8:30 p.m., as some of the participants were stuck in traffic. Once everyone arrived, the celebrities were divided into the white team and the silver team. The silver team won the game 65-59. Business major, Tim Shin said, "The game was fun, but the only somewhat legit and recognizable person was Frankie from 'The Hills'." 

However, the event offered more than just the game. The CSULB dance team performed and Frankie Delgado of "The Hills" competed in a dance-off with Michael Copon of "One Tree Hill", earning applause and laughter from the crowd. 

Overall, the event had a turn-out of around 1,000 people and, according to the Daily49er, Robert Parks-Vellata, creator of Tag The World, hopes to hold another Celebrity Slam next year.

[photo by Nancy Luong]

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Cal State Long Beach has utilized the Connect-Ed emergency notification system, allowing the University to send information and instructions via home phone, cell phone, or e-mail in the event of a crisis. On Oct. 9, 2008 a campus-wide fire drill was held in which many students, faculty, and staff received automated phone calls or text messages from this program.

However, upon leaving my classroom, I couldn't help but notice the number of students seemingly oblivious to what was going on around them. Of course it was only a drill, but I found myself wondering how many of these students would know what to do in the event of a real emergency.

CSULB has an extensive Emergency Operations Plan determined to keep students and staff safe as well as to coordinate and manage resources in the event of a disaster. The plan describes events such as medical emergencies, crimes in progress, and potential hazards or threats to the campus. To learn more about this plan, visit CSULB'S emergency website.

SEYMOUR HERSH TO SPEAK AT CSULB DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, Seymour Hersh will give the keynote address at this year's CSULB Distinguished Speaker Series. The event will take place at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m.

Hersh will address issues mentioned in his book Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib among other important topics pertaining to the world today. Knowing his history as an investigative journalist focusing on such topics as politics, the government, and national security, CSULB business-finance student, Andy Herzfeld, said, "I am definitely interested to see what [Hersh] has to say about the current state of America."

Reserved seating tickets are $40 and, if available, day-of-event tickets will be $45. To purchase tickets, visit the Carpenter Performing Arts Center's website or call (562)985-7000.  

(photo courtesy of http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu)

EXPERTS DISCUSS THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

Lately it has been difficult to pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV without hearing about the downfall of the economy. With the current financial crisis, housing prices are crashing, lending standards are soaring, and the economy as a whole has slowed down.  

Being a part of such a deep recession in the United States, it is important to be informed and aware of what is happening. This Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, a panel of experts will help you do just that. The panel will meet from 12 - 1:30 p.m. at the Pointe to discuss such things as what the $700 billion bailout means, the cause of the crisis, and the effects of each on our country.

For more information, a list of panelists scheduled to participate, and additional resources pertaining to the current economic situation, visit the College of Business Administration's website.