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L cabrinicollege,radnor,pa. 19087
friday,february13,1987
vol. xxxiii,no.14
Computercompetency:
Facultyvotes'yes for requirement by Yvette Ousley
A second option for students is a seltinstructional module. After the student has studied the self-instructional module and feels confident that he or she can take and pass the test, he or she may arrange to do so. A third option offered to students may involve taking two seven-week courses where he or she will be instructed in computer use and terminology by an instructor. Each of the two courses will be worth 1.5 credits. This is the only option in which students will be given academic credit.
As computer use has become prevalent in the business world, it's no wonder that Cabrini has made it mandatory that students, starting with the class of1991, demonstrate computer competency before graduating. Though Cabrini's faculty agree that the computer competency requirement is important, there are questions as to whether or not the college will be able to accommodate students with the computers needed, once the students become comAnita Johnson, library director, chairputer competent. Faculty members voted on and ¡passed , person for the curriculum committee, said that the various options were devised so the computer competency requirement in that students would be allowed to choose. January. Before reaching the voting "We wanted the students to have the stages, the curriculum committee, which opportunity to use their credit hours as consisted of various administrators, facthey saw fit," she said. "This way we ulty and members of the student body, had wouldn't interfere with double majors." to compose and sponsor the computer competency requirement and submit the idea The test that the department will to the academic council. Once approved by administer to students is not devised at the academic council, the computer compethis time. However, according to Satlow, tency requirement was put before the fullstudents will be expected to show computer time faculty members for voting. competency through actual computer use The idea of a computer competency and through a written exam. requirement originated with Julie Luckraft, chairperson, computer information Though few students were aware of the science, and Jerry Satlow, assistant pro- . existence of the computer competency fessor. CIS. Both Luckraft and Satlow prerequirement, those who did know favored sented the idea as a part of the master plan the idea. for their department. According to Luck"I think that the computer competency . raft the plan for a computer competency proposal is a good idea because no matter requirement had been in the works for wnat fie1d')louget ioto, computerfwill be a libout two years. ,.. • part of it in some degree,'' Paul CamUnder the guidelines for the computer panella, senior. said. competency requirement, incoming freshmen will have to demonstrate competency Lori Johnson, junior, said that she perin two out of three areas of computer use sonally likes the program. However, she and terminology. The three possible areas added, "Those majors who have no need for are word processing, data base and eleccomputer knowledge shouldn't be forced to tronic spread sheet analysis. take computers." Freshmen will have the option of demon"I think the computer requirement is strating computer proficiency in one of good because it helps you to think critically three ways. A student who comes to college and it makes your work easier and more with knowledge of computers can chalefficient," Joe Giuffre, senior, said. lenge the requirement by taking and passJoAnn Everly, sophomore, history major, ing a computer competency test, adminis instructing herself in word processmg. istered by the CIS department.
Everly said that she wished that the requirement was in effect now, so that she could benefit. "Freshmen will have priority on the option of becoming computer competent through classroom instruction," Johnson (Anita), said. ''Then, if there are any spaces left, the spaces may be offered to upperclassmen." Faculty are pleased with the idea of having a computer competency requirement. However, some faculty members expressed
concern over adequate facilities as students become computer literate. Dr. Jerome Zurek, chairperson, Engiish and communications department, said he thinks that the requirement is an excellent idea. He is concerned, however, that there are not an adequate number of computers to facilitate everyone. "I really think that the requirement should be held off for a year so that the college could try to get more computers," he said. more COMPUTER on 4
As Valentine'sDay once again rolls around',---------------1
familiar sights of flowers, candy, love notes andr------------1 such can be found passing from hand to handr---------------1 as sweethearts remember the significance of'--------------' the holiday. (photo by Chris Corcoran,1----------------11
BlackStudentAlliance:
Clubprovidesfor blackinterests by Jim Steffler
The month of February is Black History Month. Every year, this month receives national recognition and is celebrated by blacks all over the country in honor of their long withstanding culture. Cabrini is also paying tribute to the cultural richness of the black race. The celebration kicked-off, Sunday, Feb. 1, with a special evening mass held in the Bruckmann Memorial Chapel. According to Samantha Hidlebird, sophomore, the significance of the mass was to give the month's festivities a spiritual overtone. The mass differed considerably from the traditional Catholic mass. Karen Clark, senior, sang the Black National Anthem and Rachel Anderson and LaTonya Lucas, both sophomores, entertained the congregation with a liturgical dance.
"Britto spoke of the need for each and everyone of us to understand the barriers that exist within us," James Fitzsimmons, dean of students, said. "That's something we should encourage one another to do." An entertainment group known as the Concern for the Children's Betterment Dance Troop is tentatively scheduled to appear on campus, Wednesday, Feb.11. The group is known in the Philadelphia area for helping minority students develop their individual talents. Many of these same students, themselves, earn places in the group. Malcolm Poindexter, KYW-TV's editorial spokesman. will speak on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Library Conference Room. According to Rita Calicat, director of student activities, Poindexter will be primarily addressing those students interested in the field. The Black Student Alliance of Cabrini is primarily responsible for this month's black cultural awareness.
Rev. Fred Britto of the Church of St. Agatha and St. James PhilThe Alliance (formerly known adelphia, officiated the se~vices as the Black Student Union) is a and preached from the Gospel of relatively new addition to the St. Matthew.
already existing clubs on campus. Even though the Alliance was born last October, it has really been around for much longer. According to Calicat, acting moderator for the Alliance (Dr. Margaret Reher, chairperson of the religion department, is the official moderator, but she is currently on a sabbatical leave), the Black Student Union was a part of the campus since 1975, until group members decided to change the name to the Black Student Alliance. So, why the change? According to Yvette Ousley, president of Black Student Alliance, the change was made due to group convictions that the term "union" may lead to some misconceptions about the group's intentions. The constitution of the Black Student's Alliance states, "the purpose of the Black Student Alliance is to provide and promote activities in the specific interests of the black students, as well as the entire campus community." It was the latter part of the statement that prompted the Alliance to initiate a name change. "We didn't want to sound as if we were segregating ourselves from the rest of the campus,"
Roughly, 70 percent of the student population were completely unaware of such an organization existing on this campus. Of the remaining 30 percent, only five percent were aware of the club's 'I trulybelievethatthis purpose. Last semester, the club ran a chance to win tickets to the Snowparticular groupof ball Dance. Tickets were sold at studentshasbeenthe twenty-five cents. The Alliance mostmotivated black managed to make a profit of about $40, Calicat said. studentorganization at "I truly believe that this particular group of students has been Cabriniin a longtime.' the most motivated black student -Rita Calicat,director organization at Cabrini in a long Calicat said. of studentactivities time," The club is currently awaiting the results of their budget hear"I think that for identity pur- ing which took place on Thursday, poses it's very good for the black Jan.29. Erick Quick, co-treasurer of the students, but I hope that things will advance so that someday they Alliance along with Clark, thought that the club presented won't need a Black Student "I am Alliance," Mike Johnson, senior, itself well at the hearing. said. "No one has to see color or confident that we will get the amount we deserve," he said. race anymore, just people." An informal Loquitur poll mea- "Even if it's not enough, it will not sured the degree of awareness of matter, because we are deterthe general student body to the mined. We will just have to work harder." Black Student Alliance. According to Quick, the future Approximately 100 students were randomly picked to answer of the club rests with the underone question, "Have you ever classmen, but it's left to the juniors and seniqrs to set the heard of the Black Student trend. Alliance of Cabrini College?"
Ousley said. "Even our constitution states that we are open to all members of the Cabrini community who are interested in the realization of the purpose."