Legal parties, racism among topics at SGA meeting

by Mildred Metz staff writer

The Student Government Association hosted an open discussion to hear the voices of many concerned and angry students.

On Tuesday, February 25, students were given the opportunity to voice their opinions in the Widener Center lecture hall.

Many issues were discussed such as the cancellation of legal parties for the Spring semester and the increase of racial disturbances on campus.

At the last legal party, a fight occurred that was supposedly initiated by visitors who were invited by Cabrini students.

The issue of knowing who is drinking under age came up because there are students that have access to a fake ID.

Underage drinking is difficult to control because of the amount of students who use fake IDs successfully.

"The problem is that the majority of the drinking is done under fake IDs," senior and campus activities programming board chair John Lindsay said. Students have spoken about reports of alcohol poisoning in which Cabrini students have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The majority of them have been students under the age of 21.

There is a hunger among the Cabrini Community for more activities, but there are also complaints about actions that have been taking place on campus.

Students discussed the fact that racism on campus has increased over the years. It has been brought to the attention of administrators, faculty and students.

The Ethnic Student Alliance, international club and many other concerned students are voicing their opinions and expect to be heard.

There have been personal testimonies of many racial slurs and actions that are being committed against ethnic students.

"We need to have more diversity here on campus. It is not just throwing people in a place, but giving them the opportunity to interact with culturally diverse people," junior and president of SGA Andy Burke said.

"We cannot change people, but we can inform them," Burke said.

Many students agreed with Burke's statement.

"I believe people need to be educated and become informed of the many beautiful cultures there are in the world," junior Agueda Lazala said.

"I do not hate anyone. I just do not want anyone to tell me when and where I can speak Spanish. This is my native tongue and it is a part of who I am, a Dominican," Lazala said.

Many students may not be exposed to ethnic diversity back home, so it can be a new experience for them.

SGA is hoping to help form events that will allow students of different ethnic backgrounds to interact with one another to try to stop racism.

It is a problem that will be addressed as a priority for the remainder of this semester and next year.

The turn-out for the campus-wide meeting was not as numerous in bodies, but very vocal in opinions of concern. Some students were disappointed by the poor turnout.

"It is sad to say how many people care about this school because look at how many showed up for this meeting," freshmen Marleny Vasquez said.

SGA wants anyone who has any proposals or concerns not to hesitate to bring it to their attention.

SGA wants to address these complaints and bring them to the attention of Dean of Students Dr. Robert Bonfiglio.