The "infamous" RLC Shuttle Service



Above: Picture taken by NPingle on April 6th 2011 on RLC Shuttle. Sign depicts that RLC students are given first priorty prior boarding.



Since starting school here in Spring all I have heard is complaints from residents about the RLC shuttle and the poor service it offers in terms of frequency and timeliness. And recently new regulation which gives priority to RLC students has caused even more havoc. 

A new policy change now means that priority is given to RLC students who may board first meaning other residents will be required to exit first. This new procedure is implemented by a "sticker" service where a red sticker must be placed on your I.D. to indicate you are a RLC dormer. A sign is also displayed which is shown on the right hand side which says, "RLC SHUTTLE: RLC RESIDENTS BOARD FIRST. CSULB ID WITH RLC STICKER REQUIRED".

Recently, my room mate who was rejected despite the bus being empty complained about this service and how it disadvantaged follow dormers who also pay fees and should be entitled to eat at the RLC dining hall which is dubbed as the more exclusive and "better" dining hall.

So, I decided to board the RLC shuttle and interview students to see what they thought about the service. Jacob MacMaster, a freshman student residing at RLC said that generally he hadn't had any major issues though there was isolated days which caused issues. " Fridays is the worst day. Once I waited for the shuttle for 30 minutes. If you have 9 am class and you miss the shuttle you are going to be late," said MacMaster.

Furthermore several students complained about the I.D. requirement complaining about the stringent requirement which was sometimes enforced too strictly. "If you are running from RLC to the shuttle and you forget your I.D. they will not let you on,  I mean they have to soften up on these things," said MacMaster.

Kristine Chu another RLC resident complained about the overcrowding issue and the lack of frequent services. "There was many problems with overcrowding and it's getting a little bit better now. Though it's so annoying how there can be two shuttles waiting but they don't use the second until the first has left," said Chu.

Timeliness seems to be another issue. One angry student said he hated waiting in the dark after class for the shuttle when it almost inevitably always arrived late. " I am a music major and carry my instrument and I leave practice around 0.00p.m.-10.30p.m. and it just doesn’t come, it takes realistically a half hour to come. It’s ridiculous. I wait alone in the dark, it's kind of scary. I felt like someone was hovering behind me last night. I mean I come from the music department so it’s a good 10-15 minute walk to the bus stop then I have to wait in the dark till it comes," said frustrated student, Amir Fausi. 

It appears overall that the public of CSULB is unimpressed with the service and it needs to pick up it's game. CSULB College Beat did a recent segment on the RLC shuttle and managed to interview the department responsible for it's management, take a look at Spring Show Episode 1.

Off-campus RLC vs. On-campus Residential Dorms

It has been an age old debate, is it better to live on or off campus? It's the question on everyone's mind on campus, and if you ask anyone at the dormitories they'll have an opinion on it. It looks like the general consensus is that there are pros and cons for both choices with some residents citing some interesting reasons why.

California State University Long Beach offers various housing options.
The two main distinctions between what is offered concerns an on-campus and off-campus housing option. The dormitories located on campus at the top of Beach Drive include the International House, Residence Commons, Parkside Commons and Los Cerritos and Los Alamitos Halls whereas off-campus the main option is the Residential Learning College. There are various reasons for choosing either option.


CSULB housing website listing the 

 various options and descriptions of domority options. Photo
courtesy of CSULB. edu, photographer unknown. 

Andreas Christou resident at RLC Beach Hall, highlights the big dorm rooms at RLC as the best thing about the dorms in comparison with the on-campus dorms. Furthermore he highlights that most students prefer the dining hall food at RLC, which provides a more "restaurant-style" menu and seating style. However he cites the downfalls as reflected in the high price and dining hall hours. "They need an all-day microwave system and 18 operational hours for the dining halls because many cannot make it in the allocated time slot," said Christou. Andrew Mussett, resident at RLC Pacific Hall, further states that the fact local convenience stores and food outlets are within walking distance make it more convenient. However he complains that the shuttle bus needs to pick up it's game in relation to timing because it is an on-going problem. "The shuttle is the biggest load of bollocks. I have early classes Tuesday and Thursday, plenty of times myself and others have been late during mid-terms cause of it, and they should fix it considering the high tuition we pay," said Mussett.

By contrast Charles Allard resident at the International House prefers on-campus housing for the convenience, as do many students. Overall he cites on-campus dorms as being of good standards, kept tidy and clean regularly. "The common spaces are clean. I wouldn't want to live at RLC it's too far and I am late sleeper so I like how I can just come to the dining hall at 9.30 a.m. and get to class by 10 a.m." said Allard. Aman Uma resident at Parkside Building L since 2008, says the positives off living on campus are cheaper prices and meeting great people to "hang out with, and meet everyday" although he rates Parkside lower compared to RLC with a score of only 7/10.

Overall however all students stated that the high cost of dorm living turns off most students and that ideally most students prefer to find private accommodation once they have set up there social circles which dorms are great for and have familiarized themselves with the campus. One thing that struck me was a comment stated by RLC resident, Andreas Christou who stated that "living on campus and eating at a prepared dining hall is a disadvantage in the sense of learning how to cook for ones self." Despite dining hall food being convenient it does take away that added sense of independence but overall it is a fun experience. At the end of the day it's about whether you prefer convenience and sleeping in late or a nice dining hall experience, the choice is yours!

Spring time, are you healthy or not?

 The sun is out and California can say goodbye (for now at least) to the colder weather because it is spring time. The time has finally come to take off your sweaters, put on your flip flops and head down to the beach to soak up some hot sun. I know that is what I will be doing. But the thought of putting on a bikini can be daunting for many students who haven’t seriously pondered their accumulating figures underneath their big sweatshirts for over three months. Are students who eat in the comforts of the dining hall and have a rec centre at their dispense starting to take advantage of these resources now that spring has hit?

 Everybody wants to look good in spring as it means that summer is around the corner and  the bikinis and shorts will see daylight again. Students who reside on campus have access to the dining hall foods and the on campus rec center and overall it appears that there is a shift in the way that students utilize these resources now that there is a weather change.

Sierra Perez a spokesperson and employee for the Residence Commons dining hall on campus said that despite the hall not altering the menu despite the apparent weather change, she has definitely noticed a change in eating habits. Specifically students are sticking more towards the salad bar and away from carbs, fats and overall unhealthy foods. “It is very apparent that dorming students change their eating habits opting for less chicken nuggets and there are many more students coming in, with their gym clothes,” Perez said.



Official logo of Dining Hall Services at CSULB.

 Despite this some dorming residence are still skeptical about the offered food choice that the dining hall caters for. Hanna Villa, International House resident wishes there was healthier foods in the main bars essentially because the current menu resembles an unhealthy and oily school cafeteria menu. “There’s a lot of salad but I wish they would have more tempting foods in the main meal because health is very important to me especially now. I like to look healthy and hot,” she said. Effectively, Villa is also very body conscious and utilizes the rec center to her advantage, “I exercise a lot, if I don’t go to the rec center I will run around, do a P90X routine at home because sometimes the gym is too far to walk to from the dorms.”  

On the opposite end of the spectrum some students are not as phased by their external image specifically because of the weather change. Residence Commons and rec center employee, Ben Lefebvre says, “I would like to be healthy but I’m not overtly worried about my image. I do however work out about four days a week.” Similarly residence commons, building E dormer, Jake Little said he was also not fussed about what he consumes citing “taste over healthiness” as a more important feature.

 

Above: CSULB students enjoying a meal at

the on -campus dining hall lcoated in between

Residence and Los Cerritos and

Los Almitos buildings. Photo
courtesy of CSULB. edu, photographer unknown.

 I know I for one am not someone fussed over what I consume but the rec centre has such an amazing atmosphere and high-tech resources that working out for four days a week is a pleasure not a pain. The Residence Commons dining hall food although tries its best could improve its menu selection opting to follow a more diverse pathway like the Residential Learning College dining hall. Whether you like it or not spring is here and it's here to stay for three more months.

Spring semester dorm events; a hit or miss this semester?

The Spring Semester is quickly encroaching its mid-term period and accordingly many dorm events organized seasonally by the residence assistants are coming into full-swing. But what has the reception been like this year, are students taking advantage of these events or is there a demand for change?



Each semester as part of their duties the Residence Assistants on campus are required to organize campus events for those living in the dorm.  In mid-February the first event of the semester, the Valentine’s Day dance started off with a big bang, and since then more events have stepped off the bandwagon.  

Only recently, the Big Bear ski and snowboarding trip which offered an exceptional deal where students only paid the half-price of, $45 to rent snow equipment, ski lift and transportation to the ski resort was a big success with students like Melissa Bird, an International House residence lining up for over two hours to secure tickets. The Residence Assistants acknowledge the events as thus far being popular and in demand. “So far these events are popular as most students are excited to get active and do something off campus with their friends,” Emily Lees, R.A. of Residence Common, building D said. However she acknowledges that, “it depends on how much the Residence Assistant’s themselves market and publicize them."

The student opinion is diversified with many students acknowledging that there needs to be slight changes implemented in order for more students to take advantage. Some agree that despite the prices being affordable the sign up times can be inconvenient. “No, I don’t sign up in time and sometimes I want to because it’s cheap and easy so it would be better if there was more dates to sign up,” freshman student, Logan Webster said.

Kady Kamakaté, Residence Assistant at the International House states that this semester in terms of changes, the residence assistants are grouping together for events meaning there will be less events but more quality events with greater funding pools. “The events were having a hit and miss so we decided to have more group projects, meaning more money for items and more inclusive events,” Kady Kamakaté said.

However most agree that the positives outweigh the negatives for students who are low on money and time or are even unfamiliar with the surroundings.  “We don’t know the in’s and out’s of everything on campus,” Daniel Kniaz said, an international exchange student from Australia. “It’s great because it is already prepared for you, the travelling, location, fees, events etc. so it’s convenient.”



Kady Kamakaté, Residence Assistant at the International House is organizing the upcoming “Tom’s style your sole” event on March 19^th which enables students to purchase fabric shoes to design and wear whilst raising much needed funds for those in poverty-stricken situations overseas. Kamakaté agrees that despite not all events having equal popularity, the new improvements this semester which sees Resistant Assistants working in teams will ensure there are more quality events offering the usual discounted rate, ultimately benefiting residents.



Students shouldn’t fear, classic R.A. events such as the “M.A.C nights”, and themed nights are still being catered for, with the overall impression that these will only get better as the semester ensues.



Below photos taken by NPingle showcasing the various

posters displayed in the Resdential Dining Hall. Events

are organzied by each Residential Assistant.. for housing residents.

Above: LA Galaxy soccer event staring David Beckham.



Above: Beach Idol event starting April 20th 2011.



Above: Disney Land event where tickets only $45 and
includes t-shirt making. 



Above: Grease movie night and Clothing Swap.