friday,nov.2, 1984
cabrinicollege,radnor,pa. 19087
vol.xxxi,no. 8
ROTC:
Programfails to arouse interest by Michelle M. Bamber Cabrini College has a cross-enrollment agreement with Valley Forge Military Junior College which allows its students to actively participate in an ROTC program. This simply means that Cabr -ini students may attend tlie necessary military science classes offered at Valley Forge. Different viewpoints are held by people on campus as to whether or not the program is beneficial. Dr. Margaret Reher, chairperson of the religion department said, "I feel it's not a program for a Catholic institution." Dr. Jolyon Girard, chairperson of the history and political science department feels that "ROTC is an individual choice and no one should be denied access to it." Army ROTC is an Officers Training program which when successfully completed will result in a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Army. For ROTC cadets who excel academically, there are competitive sch'1!arships available. These cover college tuition costs and allow cadets in the advanced program an allotment of funds every month. Besides taking military science courses, · participants must attend Basic and Advanced Camp, both six week training programs given during the summer . These are required before becoming commissioned. This semester there are no Cabrini students enrolled in the program. The reason for such a lack of participation seems to be one that can not be pinpointed, although it is an individual decision which each student may or may not choose to make. According to Capt . Bernard Yanos, ROTC Officer at Valley Forge Military Junior College, "ROTC scholarships offer· a lot of opportunity for individuals ." He said that in February or March he visits ' the financial aid office to inform them of the available scholarships. This past year, the scholarships alloted to Cabrini were used by Valley Forge cadets due to lack of . interest of students here.
Sophomore 'transfer student Chris Smith will begin military science at Valley Forge next semester. Smith said that his cross country coacli, Tom O'Hora, organized his participation in a twoyear ROTC program with Yanos. Smith commented, "It's a lot easier going in as a lieutenant than a private and you can rise in rank easier." Smith eventually hopes to land a job in government and feels that the experience he will gain from ROTC will be beneficial. If he manages to maintain a 2.7 grade point average, his entire tuition will be paid for. Although ROTC is a successfully proven · way to finance education and is offered at over 300 colleges and universities nationwide, faculty members on campus hole reservations as well as admiration for the program. Reher , does not feel that an ROTC program will benefit students. Reher believes that college years are for developing one's ability to analyse a variety of issues including society. Reher stated, "That it's important for students to realize the morality of the positions we have taken in the international struggle of other countries, for example Nicarauga." She feels that "students can 't understand the military if they benefit from it." Reher did point out that it is not at all her intention to make individual judgments on students in ROTC programs. She also admitted that she can see "the attractive ne ss of RO'OO JlU).ney w · ''.. Reh er mentioned the organizing of a national peace academy and said, ''If the government would offer the same kinds of funding for people who wanted to persue peace studies, then I might feel more comfortable . Then students would have an option. " Reher noted that there was a decrease in funding to college students but not to the ROTC program, which "indicates where the national priorities are." Girard , holds a different viewpoint. He was on the initial committee which formed the cross-enrollment contract. He felt the
R(?!C is a program held in conjunction with Cabrini College and Valley Forge M1/JtaryJunior College. The program offers students the opportunity to become trained officers and gain a military commission. (photo by Mark Magner) reason that the program w~ not very popindividuals choosing ROTC as a career. " ular could be due to the fact that it is not He feels that it is a major decision for each publicized readily, although opportunities individual to make . Another importan t were announced through Loquitur . point he wanted to stress , was t hat miliAnother possible drawback could be the tary service sometimes is looked at with realization of moving into a different acaevil reservations, ''but there is nothing in demic environment and dealing with the tlre tradition of the United States forbidconfusion and anxiety that might arise. ding serving in the military." Girard offered a few points for his supGirard thinks that ROTC offers good port of the ROTC program. He noted that a resources to students . He said, "it provides large number of Catholic colleges and unifinancial opportunities, possible career versities sponsor ROTC and it is "unfair of options, and possible educational options an institution to forbid the opportunity to they don't have."
DesigningXavierHall with studentsin mind byRandy T. Letko John Hieberger, vice president for development, and Mike Caranfa, physical plant director, both agree that the new dorm, named Xavier Hall, will be the most energy efficient, durable and student effective building on campus . · Hieberger assures the campus personnel that the building is being built with the student in mind. Xavier Hall was developed after extensive meetings with student life personnel and faculty. Caranfa agrees with Hieberger that the building will be , "functionally better than the rest of the buildings on campus." Caranfa said, "The reason for our optimism towards the dorm is the intense planning for it. Before the architect could draw the building , we got faculty members and stu-
dent life personnel together and devised a plan that allowed for maximum student life in the new dorm."
'Therehas been a lotof planningand a lotof work doneto makethe dorm rightand if everything come_s outaccordingto the plan,XavierHallwillbe a verysuccessfulproject.' Xavier Hall is built according to a communal core layout. The idea is to put the common areas of the dorm, those being, the study lounge, television room , vending machines and the resident manager's office
in the center of the building . The dorm areas are built in a clover fashion with four adjoining rooms, two students per room, which will increase student interaction. Parking has been added around the building and also to the Woodcrest lot . Drainage of water and melted snow was a major problem that had to be investigated. Xavier Hall is situated on one of the lowest sites on campus but the drainage problem was anticipated and a system of pipes around the building should take care of it. "That was a major concern for us and I believe the drain pipes will take care of everything ." Heiberger said. Caranfa said,"The reason for our optimism stems from the fact that the owners oflrvine Construction, Jay and Bob Irvine, are at the site everyday making sure everything is being done JCcording to the plan. "
Every two weeks a quality control check is done by the contractors to keep the construction at a high level of excellence . Xavier Hall is also handicapped equipped with an elevator and special rest rooms. Safety measures have been added such as making the windows with a special release-lock system that allows the win dow to be opened fully from the inside only. Xavier Hall is being built with the student in mind and should allow for maximum student interaction as well as safety . Caranfa said, "It should be a nice dorm." Hieberger agrees, "There has been a lot of planning and a lot of work done to make the. dorm right and if everthing comes out according to the plan, Xavier Hall will be a very successful project. But , as with any new building , you never know. Ask me in a year ifit was successful, then I will know."
inside perspectives • .2 news • • . . . ••• .3 features • • • ••• .4 .5 living •••• sports • • • • • • • .6 sga ... • • • • • • • .7 twac • • • • • • • • .. 8 •
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Individuals can make a difference Although the field hockey team did not have a winning record this year, the team memhers' individual talents have shown through. (photo by Mark Viggiano)
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Discussing ideas on the weight room
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SGA discusses the weight room from its original conception to its present state and ideas for its future as far as their role in governing it goes. ~photo by Mark Viggiano)