friday, february 19, 1988
cabrini college, radnor, pa. 19087
vol. xx.xiv,vol.14
~!!~:immod~o~~ye~?ilie~e~tbeof students,resigns James Fitzsimmons resigned as dean of students last Monday amid a flurry of questionsconcerninghis departure and its impact on the future of Student Services. According to Fitzsimmons, he was not asked to resign as many speculated, but rather chose not to renew his contract for next year. He will continue in his present duties until June 30 in order to prepare for the new summer orientation pro• gram, reconfiguration of residences, graduation, and the fall semester. A suc• cessor is expected to be chosen by then. "We plan to follow the normal search procedure," Sr. Eileen Currie, MSC, president, said. Fitzsimmons' decision to leave Cabrini comesafter an 18monthtenuremarkedby succ~sses, failures and controversies. His "make no small plans" motto involved pooling Student Services with several other campus departments. Change, according to Fitzsimmons, brings controversy, and that is just what happened at Cabrini. This isnot to say that much of his work was detrimental. On the contrary, the establishment of Health Educators to deal with peer education and substance abuse, and the restructuring of the Rudy Rooyman's Counseling Center, are among some beneficial contributions. However, some difficulties which appear to have played a role in his decision to resign stem from the manner in which several of these changes were made. John Dzilc, director of athletics, has mixed emotions about Fitzsimmons' departure. He said that although they often
process of beginning to understand one another. "Jim provided ideas, guidance and insight as a new, objective staff member. However, mine was a more pragmatic approach due to my limitations as a one man department," he said. "I think change at Cabrini comes slowly," Christy Mason, senior, said. According to Dzik, some of Fitzsim• mons' frustrations may have come from the fast-paced tempo at which he was accustomed to operating. "An institution. like this is dynamic because it is made up of people. Students' needs are different each year," Currie said. However, she stressed the need for campus departments to work at the same pace in order to achieve this. Currie drew an analogy between the function of a car engine to the workings of the Student Services office under Fitzsimmons. "Each gear has to move with the same momentum for it to work. The gears will grind and strip if this doesn't happen," she said. Currie added that Fitzsimmons brought a great deal of energy to his position. "You want someone to bring what you don't have to the institution. His insights and programs have been very good for Cabrini College and I can appreciate his energy," she said. And what are students' reactions to Fitzsimmons resignation? "I was surprised," Donna Kulesa, sophomore said. "He did keep Student Services running, but at the same time I don't feel that he
Jim Fitzsimmons, dean of students. (photo by Dr. Carter Craigie)
madehimselfvisibleenough. That is except to those studen who were Jirectly involved with him," she said. - "Some people want to compare Jim with Sr. Christine Marie, who was dean two years ago, but I don't think it can be done," Mason said. "They are two different people who approached Student Services
in their own ways," she said. " can't say much because I haven't really seen things changing around here," Timothy Durning, sophomore, said. "People are going to miss him, but right now it is beneficial to the college," junior, orientation counselor, said.
Co-ed by Jacqui McClernan Resident life, in conjunction with student services, is working on a proposal for the reconfiguration of Xavier as a coed dorm. The proposal will consist mainly of student input at the request of Sr. Eileen Currie, MSC, president. A meeting was held lasrweek and another is planned for Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 1:00 p.m. in SH7, to gain student input into the proposal. Joel Zazyczny, president of the student government association (SGA), said, "The reason for so much student input is because Sr. Eileen will not pass a reconfiguration proposal of the administration. She said that the students are Cabrini." ·student turn out was good as numerous ideas and criticisms were tossed about. Sandy Prucha, director of resident life; John Doyle, assistant director of resident life; and Rita Calicat, director of student activites, were all present for the meeting. Reconfiguration would involve separating Xavier Hall into male and female wings. The remainder of the men would be relocated in at least two houses, possibly three depending upon the fate of Counsel Hall. If not a male Xavier Hall , the sight of reconfiguration. (photo by J. G. Starrs)
inside perspectives.... 2 news ............ 3-5 features ....... 6-9 sports ...... 10-12
Review of "Raisinin the Sun" {page 6)
more RECONFIGURATION on 4
Lincoln vs. Cabrini {pag~ 10)