Friday,December 12,1980
Cabrini College, Radnor, PA 19087
Vol. XXVII,No. 6
• Groundbreaking expands Cabrini BY ROSEMARY LYNCH
With the completion of the groundbreaking ceremonies, construction is now underway for the George D. Widener Campus Center. On November 25, 1980, the ceremonies began with college president, Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, extending her greetings to everyone present. Sr. Mary Louise explained the significance the building has to the college's growth and development. She then introduced Dr. Kay Gavigan, chairperson of the history department. Dr. Gavigan provided greetings from the faculty and extended their appreciation to all the trustees. Several faculty members are involved in the planning of the building. A communications studio is planned for the upper level of the center. The studio will include space for the yearbook, college .newspaper, a T.V. studio, and eventually a radio station. Other plans include a tiered lecture hall, quiet areas, and a game room . A large social area is planned on the ground level for assorted campus functions. Mary Goldner, vice-president of the student body, spoke on behalf of the students at the ceremonies. Goldner commented, "The goals and ideals of Cabrini students have in the past exceeded our physical boundaries. With the growth of Cabrini we will have better oppor-
tunities and a better ability to shape our futures." Sr. Mary Louise proceeded to int rod uce several Widener and Cabrini trustees; she then introduced Mrs. Edith Robb Dixon, chairperson of the board of trustees. The TI million dollar gift for the college center has· been made possible through the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon, Jr. Mrs. Dixon and her husband have personally funded the college before, both through private donations and the George D. Widener Trust. Mrs. Di-xon gave a brief background of the project and discussed its future. She stated, "There was a long time need for such services with the success in growing enrollment." Mr. Dixon spoke about George Widener's dedication to Cabrini. He also assured that the structure will be constructed by able people and will have the best possible facilities despite any rise in costs . A luncheon was followed in the mansion for present trustees, faculty and student leaders. Final zoning approval was granted on the eve of groundbreaking and construction is scheduled to be completed sometime during the fall of 1981.The Near Contracting Company of Limerick, Pa . will undertake construction for the building with Joseph J . Hennessey serving as principal architect for the project. A model of the center is on display in the mansion lobby.
THE GEORGE D. WIDENER CAMPUS CENTER (above) has long been a dream at Cabrini. When Kay Gavigan, Detsy Lynch, Sr. Mary Louise Sullivan, and Mr. and Mrs. F. Eugene Dixon turned the first shovels of earth at the groundbreaking ceremony on November 25, the dream took its first steps towards reality. (Top photo by Maryann T. Ribick , photo at right by Kitsy Humes)
Election goes to run off, sign-up system under fire.
I
BY JIM LAWLOR When student elections closed on Tuesday, the following was revealed: There was no president or vice president of Student Government; there was no SGA recording secretary; there was no junior class vice president; there were no freshman or sophomore officers whatsoever; and, of seven people elected to offices, five ran uncontested. The election system came under some criticism. According to the SG A constitution, a candidate for an office must receive 51% of the vote to win. In the cases of the unfilled SGA seats and the junior class vice president, this occurred. The constitution says that in this case there is to be a run off election between the top two vote getters in the undecided office. Whoever gets the most votes in the run off is the winner, percentages not withstanding. In the SGA president /vice president race, the vote broke down as follows: Theresa Collins/Fran Carusi, 50%; Dave Murphy/Judy Hammet, 23%; and Pat Dailey/Jeff Brun, 17%. There were 10% abstentions. The first two teams, then, are in
the run off which is being held this week. Faced with five more campaign days, Collins said, "Oh God! It puts me more on edge. I think we have a good chance, maybe a better one, now that there are only two candidates. It will be a fight to the finish for Patty's votes ." Murphy said that the thought of five more campaign days is "pure hell," but he is confident. "In a run off a lot of people change their minds," he said, "and the abstentions make up their minds. It's a whole new election," he added, "and Pat Dailey is encouraging her supporters to back us up ." Neither Collins nor Murphy expected the results that came in. Both thought there would be a run off, but neither expected the wide margin. That wide margin brought the 51% rule under some questioning. Mary Goldner, SGA vice president, and ex-officio election committee member, said, "I think the election shows a flaw in the system. When one candidate gets 50% and the next one gets 23%, it is evident that the students made a clear choice." She added that, "We should keep this system,
though, because there will be ing secretary, Cathy Masino and cases when the outcome is not Joyce Patitucci face one another. clear at all. Then a run off will be a Kevin Kelly and Jo Schwoyer necessity." are the run off candidates for Detsy Lynch, SGA president and junior class vice president. also on the election committee, The five offices won uncontested saw no problem with the 51% rule. are as follows: Theresa Calibrese, She said, "This system makes it corresponding secretary of SGA; competitive, it adds to the atDane Linn, SGA social activities mosphere of the election. Candichairperson; Maria Cedrone and dates should have to fight for those Peg Heffernan, social activities extra votes." assistants; and Lourdes Latorre, The candidates' opinion on the junior class secretary. rule reflected its effect ·on them in Two candidates won office by the election. Both are gearing for a defeating an opponent. Janet close run off. Alfonsi defeated Tom Kenny to Collins said, "I hope I get the become SG A treasurer , and Kathy support I've had all along. 1 hope Cordilla won the junior class presidency over Pat McCanney. people take time out to vote again, and in some cases for the first The biggest void in the election, time." however, and the cause of most Murphy is stepping up his criticism, came in the freshman campaign for publicity . In the first and sophomore class races. The campaign he avoided publicity by entire election for both these classes was invalidated, according choice. He said he doesn't want votes based on posters and gim- to Detsy Lynch, because of confumicks. He said that now, he and sion in and abuse of, the self nomination system. Lynch said Hammet "are going for more publicity, but not in an outlandish that some names were written on way. We're going to let people . the posters facetiously, and names of serious self nominees were know who we are, and that we're scratched out. The result of this serious about the election." In the run off election for recordwas innacurate ballots for the two
classes. Lynch said, "The main problem of the election was sign ups. There should be another method. It should be one of the first issues addressed by the next administration." Murphy and Hammet said that the situation illustrated a "definite flaw" in the election system . Murphy also feels that there was a human factor involved . "That should never have happened," he said, "the people on the election committee have enough experience to prevent something like that." He made some suggestions as to alternate sign-up systems, and .said that it is an issue that would be addressed in his administration if he is elected. Collins said, "If we win in the run off, I'd like to make some changes in the election system. We've had the advantage of seeing its faults first hand." The winners of the run off election will be announced on Tuesday. The winners of the freshman and sophomore re-elections will be announced then, too ... unless no candidate for a certain office gets 51% of the vote.