By Kassandra Garcia |Staff Writer| On Thursday, May 7, the federal appeals court finally ruled that the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance program was illegal. The new reform, known as the USA Freedom Act, is a surveillance reform bill that recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. In my opinion, this is a sad excuse of a reform. The bill itself is intended to set restrictions on the NSA which is supposed to end the bulk collection of data on U.S. citizens. According to Wired, the Patriot Act allowed the NSA to collect as much of your personal data, and the data of anyone you’ve been in touch with, as they … [Read more...] about USA Freedom Act is ill-revised
policy
Your Facebook Persona is now Immortal
By Mackenzie Viera |Staff Writer| Facebook had a change of heart and will now allow you to “immortalize” yourself. Users will be able to designate a page administrator who, upon your death, will be restricted on what he or she may do with your profile. Prior to this new feature, Facebook would freeze the deceased person’s profile, turning it into a memorial. Though the profile would still exist, nothing could be added or modified. Facebook announced on their blog, after spending time talking to people who have experienced a loss, the appropriate way to sympathize with users is by showing support with developing the “Legacy Contact.” The idea of this feature was established … [Read more...] about Your Facebook Persona is now Immortal
Boy Scout Policies changing but it’s too little too late
By Brenda Servin |Staff Writer| For over 20 years the Boy Scouts of America’s policy has prohibited openly homosexual scouts from gaining membership into their organization. At the annual Boy Scouts of America meeting in Grapevine, Texas, 1,400 Nation Council members voted on the policy that would allow openly homosexual boys into the scouts. The policy change won with 61 percent of the vote to allow openly gay youths to join. The new policy for the Boy Scouts of America states, “no youth may be denied membership in Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,” it will take into affect January 1, 2014. The new policy change was a bittersweet … [Read more...] about Boy Scout Policies changing but it’s too little too late
Religious controversy sparks over birth control mandate
By Melissa Benton |Staff Writer| The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Jan. 20 that all employers, including religious affiliated institutions, must provide contraception coverage in their health plans for all employees. Roman Catholic bishops and other religious leaders severely opposed this mandate claiming it as a violation of religious liberty. Pres. Obama amended the plan on Feb. 10 requiring all health insurance companies offer employees free contraceptives for all religious affiliated institutions, including churches, hospitals and universities. Many Democrats and others who support Obama’s contraceptive plan believe that this is for the greater good. The … [Read more...] about Religious controversy sparks over birth control mandate
No more smoking on campus
By Lindsey Martinovich |Staff Writer| Smoking on campus is prohibited... or nearly so. The following smoking policy was recommended by the CSUSB administrative council and approved by CSUSB President Albert Karnig in the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year: According to the new smoking policy, “Smoking is prohibited on all CSUSB property and in all indoor and outdoor spaces owned, leased, licensed, or otherwise controlled by CSUSB, with the exception of designated smoking areas.” This policy shall be assessed in two years from its inception date to determine its effectiveness and appropriateness. This policy may be assessed before that time as necessary to reflect … [Read more...] about No more smoking on campus