Northridge Corp. Postpones Vote on Loan Request

After much discussion Thursday, the Northridge Corp. decided to postpone voting on a loan request from Cal State Northridge that would revive two athletic programs eliminated by the school on June 11.

In a presentation by Ronald Kopita, Northridge’s vice president of student affairs, the university explained to the corporation’s board of directors how $586,000 would reinstate the baseball and men’s volleyball teams for one year.

The 17-member board, chaired by school President Blenda J. Wilson, heard comments from speakers during a lengthy morning meeting. Only the loan issue was on the agenda.

John Chandler, a Northridge spokesman, said the board would take up the matter next week, although a meeting date was pending. He said that two significant proposals were made Thursday.

One, by William Jennings, a Northridge professor and board member, calls for the corporation to grant the loan without interest and with a suggested three-year repayment period starting in the 1998-99 school year.

The other key proposal was offered by John Hatemi, newly elected associated students vice president at Northridge, who suggested that the school receive the money from the corporation without obligation.

“The university corporation, about four years ago, made a promise to give the athletic department $500,000 a year in funding but they didn’t keep up with that bargain,” Hatemi said. “They owe the athletic department a little over $700,000. . . . They have the money now and they promised it back then, so they should give it to athletics.”

Donald Queen, the corporation’s director, could not be reached for comment.

Queen said earlier this week that the corporation is contributing $500,000 to Northridge athletics for 1997-98.

The corporation operates commercial facilities at the university. A week ago, it signed a multi-year deal with Follett’s to run the campus bookstore, a contract expected to generate between $1 million and $1.7 million per year in commissions.

The $586,000 loan amount equals the funds targeted for Northridge’s athletic department in a proposed amendment to the state budget by Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley). The bailout money was approved July 2 but the state budget is stalled in the Legislature.

Even when the budget is approved, it could be months before Northridge receives the money, if at all. The loan from the corporation would give the school a chance to restart baseball and volleyball while awaiting the money from the state.

Northridge also dropped men’s soccer and men’s swimming last month, but those programs later were resurrected for one year through financial pledges from outside sources.