friday,september18, 1987
cabrinicoll~ge,radnor,pa. 19087
vol.xxxiv,no. i
Pollutiondropscallingcardon coastline by Jacqui McClernan This past summer has been marred by the pollution along the Jersey coastline. From as far north as Sandy Hook to the southernmost tip of Cape May Point, hospital waste, sewage and dead dolphins have washed up along the once-clean beaches. Not only has health become a major issue, but the business community along thr shore is suffering as well in different aspects. Vacancy signs that were nonexistent in past years, have now become the norm in the resort towns of the Jersey shore. Denise Brady, senior, who waitressed and supervised Martell's Restaurant in Point Pleasant, NJ, said the business in the north was definitely affected by the publicity as well as the actual waste. "I worked with a girl this summer who got stuck with a hypodermic needle while swimming in the water off of Point Pleasant. That would scare anyone," she said. Businesses in Cape May seem to think that their problems will surface in the summer of 1988. Roman Meduich, owner of the Washington Street Gallery in Cape May, NJ, said that his business did not really suffer because ¡ the problem with the water happened so late in the season. The business community tends
to think that the problem itself was sensationalized by the media and that it therefore obscures the view of perspective tourists. "My group is the result of how overblown and out of proportion the entire situation is," he said. "I am not saying whether the water is safe or not, but it is how the media reacted when the dolphins died." He continued, "The story was done this way for ratings at the expense of the business community, especially in the northern area." Cheryl Giddis, a resident of Cape May, said, "The real test will be next year because people tend to forget from year to year. The question is will they come back or will this be a repeating problem?" Brady estimated her loss this summer. "It didn't have to be said because it was so obvious that the water problem was destroying business for everyone; as a supervisor and waitress, I lost easily over $1,000." As bad as the business communitysurmises the problem to be the health department in Cape May County challenges this thought. They site this year as their best ever as far as beach closings are concerned. Dave Treen, Senior Enviommental Planner for Cape Mav County Health Department, said, "To date, we have had only one beach closing and that was in North Wildwood where one block
of beach was closed for two days due to heavy rains. In Cape May, a beach was closed but it was not open to public bathing to be with." For those who are not experts in the field, it is hard to fathom how one decides the water is unhealthy on one block but safe 50 yards down at the next street. "Test for fecal coliform level (the average being 200 MPN [Most Probable Number]) are done weekly and if a beach shows two consecutive counts over 200 MPN it is bracketed off a block on either side and test are done daily at all three locations until the bacterial level goes down to normal," Treen said. The testing begins in early May and continues through September. The ocean, as well as the back bays, are tested. When these tests are performed, the results can be known in as little as 24 hours. Treen says that his department has no hesitations closing a beach if it is deemed necessary. "We are the health department and we do not cater to the business community," he said. "Health is a priority and regardless of what weekend or holiday it is, I would have no problem posting a beach." Giddis said, "Pollution does not just happen overnight, for as long as I can remember there has always been a pollution problem and skin sores associ-
co legeexperi by Stephanie Giardini Meet Amy Lopolito. She is one of Cabrini's freshman from the class of 199l. In the next few weeks she will be going through• what many college students go through, her freshman orientation. ¡ The beginning of her and her classmates' first semester in college will shape their ideas in a way that they have never known. It is a period of change and adjustment, letting go of dependency and entering into independence. It is freshman year. The initiation of an individual to life. "I had an instant feeling of independence," said Lopolito. "It's a growing experience." Every student goes through freshman year in his or her own way. This year could be very difficult for some and relatively easy for others. It can be a time for d.rastic changes for good and bad. Lopolito agrees that it is a difficult period to adjust to changes. "I was never good for making changes," she said. "Coming straight from high school is becoming a freshman all over again and learning a new way of life." This summer, before she came to Cabrini, Lopolito visited her high school, Towson High in Maryland, to put her past into perspective.
"When the water is warm in August you naturally have problems," she said. "I know one lifeguard who has sores on his arms and leg, but yet they are told by their supervisors not to talk about it." Regardless of what the Health Deparment finds, businessmen are still concerned. In Cape May County, the Chamber of Commerce has begun to take measures. According to a secretary at the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, Robert Patterson, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce ordered and distributed post cards to th; business community. These cards read, "Dear Mr. Governor: A clean ocean is everyone's business. Please use your veto power to stop all dumping off the coast of NJ." At the end of the card was a place for comments and suggestion. A total of 45,000 cards are on their way to Trenton from Cape May County. In the north the problems were similar. Brady said, "A lot of my customers were really mad because they paid all this money only to have to return home because their children couldn't swim." This was an all too familiar phrase chimed along the Jersey shoreline throughout the summer of 1987. Will they forget or will the question long linger through the crucial winter months?
an eyes
"1 realized I was ready to go and leave that part of my life behind," she said. ': 1 am re~d_Y_ for a c~ange and for the new life Cabnru 1s offering me." . In herobservations of the first day with her classmates, Lopolito noticed that many of them were trying out different personalities to see which fit in the best. Sh~ later learned that this was a form of adjustment to a new environment. In time each one will become moreateasetoshow his or he~ true personality. It is okay to be you even m college.
liturgy very moving and inspirational. When they sang "Be Not Afraid," Lopolito saw the tears of many in breaking away from their parents and knew of the courage that they soon would reveal. Woodcrest is now her home which she shares with two other roommates. Being the only child, Lopolito is faced with yet another change in her college career. "I met my roommates on Monday at 11:30 a.m.," she said. "The best part is that we get alorig very well and this makes sharing a room with others easier."
"Meeting new people is a part of facing life and you have to be strong to face life," said Lopolito. Cabrini tries to make the transition into the freshman year an experience in which everyone can find something to enjoy. The orientation helps the freshman feel more a part of the school. The freshman orientation according to Lopolito was a very exciting and impressive learning experience. The activities which the orientation counselors provide and the family atmosphere made her feel comfortable and at home. "It is nice to live at a small campus because things are close together," said Lopolito. "Peopfe are nearby and there is always someone to talk to and get to know."
She
ated with it."
the
Amy Lopolito sits in Cabrini cafeteria for the first of many college meals.
also found the familv
photo by Denise Hurley
Lopolito said, "We had the most fun waking up at 3:00 a.m. to clean and rearrange the room." "After the first day, we had so much tension in us that we stood in the middle of the room and screamed, cried, and then laughed. It felt good to let it all out," she added. The first day of classes came soon enough for this freshman. She realized the responsibility of the time manag~ment of her classes, meetings, study time and campus fun was hers and hers alone. The courses on this potential English and communications major's roster keeps her busy and interested in learning. Lopolito likes her classes and admires the faculty who teach them. "I am impressed with all my classes and my teachers," she said. "Especially my honors English course with Dr. Young. I believe that I am going to get a lot out of this course." She is absorbing all of the Cabrini atmosphere in order to make easier her adjustment. Lopolito enjoys all that surrounds here at Cabrini. Starting with the beauty of the campus right down to something all college students complain about the classes and the food. more FRESHMANon 4
inside perspectives ...2 news........3-4 features....5-6 sports......7-8
Read about the summer of '87 (page 5)
Profileof women's field hockey (page 8)