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The Rfttunda Volume 79, Number 5
Looking for the Farmville Witch Since 1920
Open Forum Passes Quietly MELISSA GILL Editor-in-Chief President Cormier held the Open Forum recently for students to discuss their campus issues. The group was a little slow in starting conversation, but eventually the pace picked up and the discussion began. One of the first issues discussed was the possible closing of the fraternity chapter rooms and moving fraternitites into a single dorm. Jeromy French, a Resident Assistant and a Phi Kappa Tau member commented, "I think it would be bad for all concerned to section off the Greeks into two buildings—it's kind of like sweeping them under the rug. The fraternities fear the inevitable conflicts, and many
are afraid that another chapter will lose its charter. Most disturbing is thai this is being done with little input from the fraternities, and certainly against the fraternities' will. Also, moving the fraternities into one building does not 'fix' or address any problem-if it aint broke, why fix it?" Conflicts over the new freshmen visitation policy (which does not allow any overnight visitors to freshmen dorms) was discussed. The administration felt that the freshmen parents were paying for their child to get an education. They felt that the freshmen might be distracted by having visitors stay overnight. Other concerns were that there were not enough minority (academic) programs on campus, parking, paying money for theatre
programs, and the administration/student lack of communication. The sexual orientation clause was brought up again and discussed. President Cormier was one of the people that actually brought this motion up to the Board of Visitors, so she spent some time informing the students about what went on at the meeting. The student increase, and Stevens as a dorm were all topics brought up, as well as Longwood's change to Division I. Long wood has decided to go to Division I, but there is a part of it that does not require a football team. President Cormier was very clear about this when she stated, "I will not have a football team! I did not come here to build a football stadium!"
Longwood Honors Author Kraft KIM URANN Assl. News Editor On Tuesday, October 26, the 19th presentation of the John Dos Passos Award was bestowed upon Eric Kraft. Kraft wrote seven related short novels on the life of the fictional character Peter Leroy. Each novella tells of a certain event in Peter's life, and there will be more to come than what is already published. Kraft had many inspirations through his life. Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Marcell Pruce and John Dos Imao* each contributed something to Kraft's desire to write. He began reading Do* Passos when he was 17 and working as a surveyor during the summers. He kept a tattered copy of whichever novel he was reading at the time in his back
L-. pocket. "What attracted me powerfully [to Dos Passos' work] were
Photo By Kevin Tschai the characters and the form ... the people who lead ordinary lives," said Kraft.
fW iLlioka*! in Dr. Michael ILund was the host for the evening's ceremony, and he talked about Kraft's achievements and style. "I am not going to try to fit Kraft into one category," he said. Kraft read from his new, unpublished novel, Ella's Lunch Launch. It is the eighth installment of the Peter Leroy series. After the reading, Lund and Longwood President Patricia Cormier honored Kraft with a check and a medallion they hung around his MCk. A short speech followed, and Kraft made a point to thank his wife, Madeline, who was in the audience The college further celebrated Kraft's victory with a reception at the Alumni House that the audience was invited to attend.
October 28,1999
Longwood's Newest Publication FRANCES HAZELWOOD Staff Writer For the first time in over fifteen years, Longwood College has its own full color professional quality magazine. According to Public Relations Director and Longwood magazine editor Dennis Sercombe. the magazine has been on the college's "wish bat" for quite a while. During the last six months, with the help of Sercombe'* staff, the magazine came to fruition. It became a priority as part of the college's overall marketing strategy when monies were appropriated by the Longwood College Foundation With this appropriation, the Public Relations staff of David Whaley, Kent Booty, and Judy McReynolds, along with Dennis Sercombe, began working on the magazine's concept. It was decided that since there is already an alumnae newsletter, "The Colonade." (which will be mailed a few months after the new magazine) the Longwood magazine would not include class notes, as this would be too costly. The plans for future copies of the Longwood magazine include two feature articles and other planned submissions to equal approximately the same 28 pages as the initial issue. Ideas being considered are the new dining hall, as well as possible article* on Ihe Civil War battlefields in both Petersburg aad Sailor's CkMfc. The Public Relations Department i* open to ides* and suggestioas but actual article* will be limited to PR staff members. At times, articles will be solicited aad may include student testimo-
nials or special experiences Sercombe stated, "Guest writers will also be invited to participate to reach out beyond the Public Relations Department." There is also currently under construction a special website that will be available for comments and suggestions At present an edited version ol the magazine is being put online. Early responses about the magazine are positive, and the public relations department is "very satisfied" with this new Longwood publication. According to Sercombe. there has been "good feedback from constituents, both internal and external. The President has received some nice notes, and the feature article about HUBS Peanuts will be used as part of HUBS future marketing plan." Also making the first issue a success is the linkage between world-renown Dr. Jane Goodall and Yared Fubusa, the Longwood student who was instrumental in bringing Dr. Jane, as she is known, to Longwood College last spring. The Longwood Magazine has a publication of approximately 27,000 copies which will be received by Longwood faculty and staff, alumnae, friends of the college, donors, aad parents of current students. The magazine will be published twice a year with a third issue devoted to toe college's annual report Anyone who has not received an issue but would like one may contact the Public Relations Department at X2020.