Seniors struggling to find work after graduation

Photo by The Miami Hurricane

In a tough economic time where the recession has affected many lives financially, CSULB graduating seniors find it a little more difficult to find jobs right after they receive their diploma.

According to the Daily49er, some fields, such as the medical field, have a shortage of employees. A group of nursing students are preparing to take their final board exam at the end of January in order to start their careers as quickly and smoothly as possible.

In California, the unemployment rate this past October was at 11.7 percent. In October 2001, the rate was at 6.1 percent. 

"I'm sure I can find a crappy job, but I want work that's relevant to me," says 4th year photography major Jonas Nakas, whose pondering on what he can do with his degree.

Many college students have to work part time while attending school, which sometimes may result in staying with that part time job even after they graduate because they cannot find work right away.

"It's very stressful," says 4th year pre-graphic design major Katie Sipek. "My job takes up a lot of my weekend, which I need for studying. I'm also on a dance team which takes up even more time."

In Katie's case, she only works about 15 hours a week to pay for the necessities she needs to pay for. Although she isn't working to pay for rent or her education, she still feels stressed because her free time is limited, as with many working students.

Beer and wine has been sold on college campuses for over 40 years

Photo from Free-Extras.com

According to an article from the LA Times back from 1975, Cal Poly Pomona was the first state-owned college in California to obtain a beer and wine license.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) department allowed a beer and wine license to Kellog West, Cal Poly's center for continuing education, with a restriction that the alcoholic beverages only be sold with meals.

Kellogg West has a restaurant open to the faculty, students, locals, and outside organizations that is used for everything from having a meal to hosting seminars.

According to the LA Times, Gordon Kelly, director of the ABC office in El Monte states, "People can't come in and sit and drink beer and wine like they would in a cocktail lounge or bar."

The article also states that a beer and wine license was granted to the University of Wisconsin in 1950, which is 25 years prior to when this article was published.

What does this mean for Cal State Long Beach students? Well earlier this semester, the Outpost applied for a beer and wine license. Starting in the Spring 2012 semester, alcoholic beverages will be available to students.

"For many college students, it's the thought that they are able to get alcohol at school is the reason why it sells well," says senior accounting major Will Chung. "The majority of consumers on campus are typical students who just want a cold beverage to unwind and relax. The fact that they can buy it at school is a convenience so they don't have to leave school to get a refreshment."

While alcoholic beverages can already be purchased at The Nugget, The Outpost will be the second vendor on campus to serve alcohol. 

Cyber Monday - The new way to do Black Friday

Photo by Laptop Memo

Endless lines, camping out, crowded aisles, crowded parking lots, tents and sleeping bags - this is black Friday; America's busiest shopping day where everything from clothes, TVs, laptops, and home appliances are on sale.

According to the Daily49er, 3rd year pre-nursing major Geanne Valdez states she likes to participate in Cyber Monday because some websites, such as Living Social or Amazon have great deals.

The Associated Press reported that online sales went up 7 percent, which shows that more and more people are starting to use Cyber Monday.

"I only do Cyber Monday shopping if I have any leftover money from Black Friday," says 4th year journalism major Diana Alcivar. "I prefer it because I can do it from the comfort of my own home."

The CSU system raises tuition by 9% or $948

A heated debate about the CSU tuition hike among the CSU Board of Trustees in an open session happened on Wednesday November 16. According to the Daily49er, police officers clashed with students in what turned to be a violent protest.

Four protesters were arrested and three police officers were injured during the clash.

"Whatever the rationale, this issue is simply too important to not allow for a full and thorough public discussion or to contribute to the perception that this process is anything less than open and transparent," says Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom.

The chair of the board, Herbert L. Carter, gave the protesters 30 minutes to voice their opinions about the issue, but the protesters continued to chant over their alloted time.

"What do we want? A refund! When do we want it? Now!" the protesters chanted loudly and repeatedly.

Since 2009, the CSU has approved six separate tuition hikes. The average CSU student may pay as much as $7,017 next fall.

"It makes me nervous," says 4th year communications major Nia Pines. "I only get $7,500 in loans and no financial aid, so I'm worried I won't be able to afford school."

With students having trouble affording their tuition, how will students afford to buy items from the campus bookstore, convenience store, or any of the campus eateries?

"I think bringing a lunch will help save money. I wouldn't want to keep spending money every week on campus when the tuition is getting higher and higher," says CSULB alumni Ronald Figueroa.

CSULB convenience stores' prices are higher than off campus stores

A price comparison between outside convenience stores and the outpost convenience store

Which do you prefer to buy - a $0.69 banana from 7-Eleven or a $1.00 banana from the Outpost Convenience Store? Before you answer that, keep in mind you only have 10 minutes to walk from the UTC building to CBA. Now, which one are you most likely going to buy?

The 49er shops generally have higher prices on various foods than a convenience store off campus. According to the Daily 49er, the 49er shops tries to adjust their prices to be comparable to other convenience stores, says Rosa Hernandez-Henderson, director of Human Resources. However, in the end, the prices at off-campus convenience stores are cheaper than the prices on campus.

"I'm trying to eat healthy, but they want to charge me almost $2 for a banana," says 3rd year psychology major Nicole Ngo. "It's an outrage!"

Having fewer customers at on campus convenience stores makes it difficult for the 49er shops to gain revenue, thus making it difficult to lower the prices on their items.

"Revenues generated allow us to make contributions to the campus, including through capital investments like the recently renovated Outpost Grill and Convenience store," says Hernandez-Henderson.

49er shops, which manages all the convenience stores on campus, is a non-profit auxiliary of the Cal State University system and is a part of 90 public auxiliary organizations from all of the CSU campuses.

"They know we only have a small amount of time between classes, so they know we can go anywhere to get snacks. They're like Disneyland or Hotels; they want to jack up the prices because they KNOW it is an inconvenience for us to go out and buy at a grocery store. We're paying for convenience in the end," says Ngo.

Bank of America gets rid of plans for $5 debit card fee

With the overwhelming customer disapproval of the $5 monthly debit card fee, Bank of America has decided to not charge its customers.

The Daily 49er reports a statement from David Darnell, co-chief operating officer in a press release, "We have listened to our customers very closely over the last few weeks and recognize their concern with our proposed debit usage fee. Our customers' voices are most important to us. As a result, we are not currently charging the fee and will not be moving forward with any additional plans to do so."

On September 30, 2011, Bank of America announced they would start charging a $5 monthly fee for the usage of your debit card. Many customers were outraged by this plan because many found it unnecessary. For Cal State Long Beach students, whom many work part-time or full-time to pay for school and commute, many felt upset and wanted to close their accounts.

According to the Daily 49er, Young Cho, a junior marketing major states, "I was one of the mad customers. I was even thinking of canceling the account."

Like BofA, many other banks such as JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, also got rid of plans for debit card fees.

Price comparisons - the bookstore vs. apple

                                                      Photo by CSULB Bookstore

The CSULB bookstore offers a wide array of school supplies ranging from the traditional pencils, paper, and notebooks to textbooks, CSULB gear, and greeting cards. In addition to all these necessary supplies, the bookstore provides Apple merchandise at lower prices.

Hang Nguyen, a 4th year Liberal arts major, finds her macbook very useful because of all the different applications, such as the iMovie, iCalender, and mail. She also finds the fact that you can view different screens at once as efficient.

At a regular Apple store, an iMac costs $1199, a Mac mini costs $599, a Macbook Pro costs $1199, and a a Macbook Air costs $999. At the CSULB bookstore, an iMac costs $1149, a Mac mini costs $579, a Macbook Pro costs $1099, and a Macbook Air costs $949.

When asked about where she would rather purchase her Apple merchandise, Hang preferred an Apple store. "The Apple store has more people explaining stuff to me. I feel like they are more professional."

Bank of America charges $5 monthly fee

Starting in 2012, Bank of America will charge a monthly fee of $5 for debit card transactions, resulting in $60 a year - just to use your debit card, a service that has always been promoted as free.

Cal State Long Beach currently has a Bank of America ATM at the University Student Union, as well as a Wells Fargo and Chase, who are also testing out debit card fees in certain states.

"The service of the debit card costs the bank money," says Amgad, personal BofA banker. "In a time where the economy is rough, we have to find a way to keep providing service to our customers and in order to do that, we need to find ways to make profit to ensure our business stays afloat."

Bank of America risks losing many customers over this decision, especially during a time of economic recession. People have many other financial responsibilities to have concern over, and this additional fee is not sitting well for many BofA customers.

"It just adds frustration to their already frustrating service," says 3rd year Kinesiology major Mireille Sine. "Did they even think about what $5 could do for a college student? I would definitely consider switching over to another bank."

Taco Bell replaced by new Pete's Fresco Grill

Dashing in between classes to buy a crunchwrap supreme from Taco Bell will no longer be possible because the new Pete's Fresco Grill, an authentic Mexican eatery, has opened in its place.

The Daily 49er says  that Don Penrod, general manager of the 49er shops, states, "The Taco Bell license came up for renewal and we personally thought that we can open up a more authentic Mexican restaurant."

Pete's Fresco Grill is a brand new, CSULB-owned eatery, similar to the Beach Walk, The Nugget, and The Outpost. Its menu consists of burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and salads. Items can be ordered a la carte or in combos. In addition to the authenticity, Pete's is also a healthier alternative.

"There's a limited number of places you can eat on our campus. The customer base remains the same," says 6th year Civil Engineering major Jhon Manalese. "People will be willing to try Pete's at least once. If the food tastes good, then it shouldn't be a problem since the demand is just the same as when Taco Bell was there."

The average combo at Pete's is $7 compared to the $5 combo at Taco Bell.

For more information, check out the full article on the Daily 49er

Alcohol to be served at the Outpost Grill this Spring semester

Photo by Stefan Agregado, Daily 49er

Tired from a long day of rigorous classes but don't want to walk all the way to upper campus to the Nugget to buy a beer? Well, wait no longer because the Outpost Grill will begin to sell certain alcoholic beverages no later than the start of spring semester.

The Outpost Grill applied for a beer and wine license in late August. This will make it the second vendor on campus where students can purchase alcoholic beverages. The 49er shops, which operate the Nuggest and the Outpost, have a catering license to sell beer, wine, and distilled spirits like whiskey and vodka.

"I think it’s based on convenience," says 4th year biology major Shanli Khani. "The Outpost will become the Nugget for lower campus and cater to the students there. The students will appreciate that they don’t have to walk all the way to upper campus just to buy a beer."

Don Penrod, chief executive officer of the 49er shops, "cited a possible increase in revenue, recent renovations to the restaurant and service to the student community as reasons for the idea." (Daily 49er) The Outpost has paid $650 to apply and will have to pay a $350 renewal fee a year after licensing.

 "I believe this is a good business move because there will be an influx of money to help our campus for its desperately needed classes, professors, and even lower costs on tuition," says 4th year accounting major Will Chung.  
However not every student feels comfortable with the idea of a second vendor selling alcohol on campus.
"I feel like the Nugget is more than enough alcohol for a college campus. It’s already sad that we have one and it’s understandable since its legal, but having two bars that are less than a mile away from each other is a little to much. I start to feel like the campus is encouraging us to drink before class. I feel like it’s a bad move just because its a public school and since this is higher education we should be above the norms of society. I think they would definitely make money, but I would call it "dirty money," says 3rd year business major Izzy Powe.

Although this makes buying alcohol more convenient for students, the student reaction to this new business venture is controversial. Penrod states that the 49er shops will limit the promotion of alcohol sales outside of its restaurants.