 "Photo: Elizabeth Sorrell")
 "Photo: Elizabeth Sorrell")
 "Photo: Elizabeth Sorrell")
On Monday HSU students were treated to free pizza and one hour to ask any question of the five most powerful men on campus, courtesy of the Associated Students.
The men taking questions were President Rollin Richmond, Provost Robert Snyder, Vice President of Administrative Affairs Burt Nordstrom, Vice President of Student Affairs Steve Butler, and Vice President of Advancement Rob Gunsalus.
Some students took their pizza to go, but with budget cuts affecting every nook and cranny of HSU the South Lounge quickly became a standing room only affair.
The first question was from rangeland soils major Stuart Wilson regarding his own major, which is once again up for elimination.
“We went through a whole process [to save the program] and now it’s up for elimination again, why?” he asked.
Snyder responded, ”We’re now on a budgetary process. Everything is back on the table.”
Academic Senate Student Representative Ross Olson explained that the senate had previously ranked all majors based on a different set of criteria.
Last week the Academic Senate passed a new expedited procedure for program elimination and suspension. Richmond soon signed off on the new criteria.
Yet days later, on Monday, Richmond decried the Senate’s actions. “Eliminating uniqueness [from program elimination] is a mistake,” he said.
Rangeland and soils major Jessica Huyghebaert said HSU has many similar programs to every other CSU, such as Philosophy or psychology. “Why are we focusing on getting rid of programs unique to Humboldt?” she asked.
Richmond said students want and need an all-around education. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to get a degree without taking psychology or philosophy,” he said.
Huyghebaert remained adamant, “Then why not keep them as [general education] courses instead of majors?”
Richmond seemed at a loss for words. Snyder answered, “We can’t replace psych majors with rangeland majors. It’s not realistic.”
Richmond then went on to emphasis the importance of students and parents playing a roll in changing the way California’s legislature works.
“Students have to get on the backs of the legislature. Tell your parents to make calls to their representatives. In reality people do listen,” said Richmond.
Wilson responded, “President Richmond, with all due respect, you’re just passing the buck.”
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