2 | NEWS
Friday, Nov. 5, 2004
www.theloquitur.com
New hall brings new living Progress options for residents
must be made for certain issues
Now that the presidential election is over the country must move forward as a united nation and push aside their hard feelings and come together as reasonable individuals. With that in mind the question remains how does the country resolve the issues that have divided its citizens come each election? Some issues like abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research are particularly difficult to discuss and resolve because they arise from fundamental values and beliefs within people. In most cases, other topics of debate over the economy and war can yield to some form of agreement between the individuals so why do others seem irreconcilable? Determining which candidate provides the better economic plan can easily be settled by reviewing past statistics and measures. Certain issues like economy strategies and war allow compromise in stances between the candidates and their supporters. So in these cases the past is an effective part of the choice for the future. Although there are always two sides to economy and foreign policy, past statistical figures offer itself as a decisive factor to resolving the best campaign. If the option for reaching agreement is available to these issues then why can’t people work towards some sort of negotiation with topics like abortion and gay marriage? It is astonishing how there is little cooperation between people when it comes to matters of abortion or gay marriage. Not to trivialize these subjects but why can’t people work towards some middle ground. The only underlying similarity with issues like abortion and gay marriage is the fact religion plays heavily with a person’s motives in their decision on the topic. Issues like the economy and terrorism can be argued based on historical facts whereas abortion and gay marriage rely on the spiritual factors in individual’s lives. It would be easy to blame the candidates for taking such strict opposing sides to these issues by arguing separation of church and state. How can we expect the politicians to allow for any give and take with these issues when the citizens themselves rarely concede to any middle ground? Society needs to begin demanding separation of church and state in order for discussion over these seemingly discouraging topics. Why can’t we at least take the same approach towards abortion and gay marriage like we do for other important social matters? The great thing about election season is that discussion begins unfortunately that dialogue rarely serves as a useful source of progress concerning the issues. The same conclusions can be given for each matter over and over again but until the people allow themselves to be open for new proposals, society will be stuck without any resolve. At this point in time, the best solution is to continue open debates active and alive with each side. In a perfect world, compromise and respect for each person’s opinions would seem all too easy and less complicated. The reality is people will remain firm to their beliefs on certain issues. Whether the government can ever achieve true separation of church and state in the way it decides its stance on matters, will be left up to the people to make this movement not the politicians. People must at least give way to hope. Hope in terms of coming to a reasonable, fair solution for the way we live our lives and govern our people.
LAURA VAN DE PETTE STAFF WRITER LCV722@CABRINI.EDU The fall semester of 2006 will provide 120 resident students with an additional housing option that will be a cross between New Residence Hall and Cabrini Apartment Complex. In recent years, Cabrini’s retention rate, the number of students staying at Cabrini from freshmen year to graduation, has increased, making housing more difficult every year. Last year, Residence Life even offered seniors housing at nearby Harcum College, but this option only angered seniors and forced them to consider off-campus housing at local apartment complexes. To stop this trend from continuing, Cabrini has new housing plans that will please current sophomores and freshmen. Jessica Boettger, a sophomore early childhood and elementary education major, said, “I am thrilled about having a new housing option because it will alleviate the pressure of trying to find an off-campus apartment my senior year.” As construction on the highly anticipated Science Education and Technology building is completed, Cabrini will begin another construction project on the new hall. Residence Life is currently completing construction drawings and plans to break
ground for the new hall in early spring 2005. Kevin Quinn, a sophomore biology and pre-med major, said, “The new hall will be more convenient as many students do not want to move off-campus. The hall also proves that Residence Life and Student Development listened to students’ concerns about housing and responded with a solution.” The new building will be built on the west side of campus, between the Cabrini Apartment Complex and house seven. The present driveway in front of the CAC will be relocated to pass behind the apartments and the new hall. The rooms in the new hall will be configured as five- or six-person suites, with each suite consisting of a mix of double and single rooms, a shared bath and a small living room area. The building will also contain common area lounges, kitchens and laundry facilities. Dr. Christine Lysionek, vice president of Student Development, said, “This configuration is intended to complement and extend the variety of on-campus living options available for students.” The idea of more housing options has resident students excited. Brittany Liberatore, a freshman English and Communications major, said, “I live in New Res and the building is terrific. Knowing that I can live in a similar building my junior year is comforting. I love Cabrini’s
campus and I want to stay here.” Although students are open to the idea of a new hall, students need to be aware of construction noise and dust that will be right outside the windows of house seven and the CAC residents. Lysionek said, “Every construction project involves a degree of noise, dust and inconvenience to those living in proximity to the construction. However, students interested in apartment or house assignments next year should make those requests with a clear understanding that construction noise will be a ‘fact of life’ on the west side of the campus.” Dan DeRosa, a freshman business major, said, “Next year I’ll be a sophomore and I’ll probably live near the construction and have to deal with the noise, but it will be worth it. Knowing that I will have the option to live in a brand new building as a junior will make me more patient when it comes to dealing with the construction.” Residence Life has implemented a housing rate system in which students living in Woodcrest pay less than students living in New Res. Matt Triboletti, a freshman exercise science and health promotion major, said, “If Cabrini is improving life for its residents then students should be open to the new hall regardless of an increased housing rate. I would definitely choose to live NEW HALL, page 5
2004-2005 Loquitur Staff Staff Writers
Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor News Editor A & E Editor Features Editor Perspectives Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Photography Editor Photography Editor Web Editor Copy Editor Advisor
Shawn Rice Christina Williams Kristen Catalanotto Lauren Reilly Angelina Wagner Jessica Marrella Alyssa Schoenleber Matthew Campbell Nina Scimenes Cecelia Francisco Aegina Foto Cecelia Francisco Alyssa Schoenleber Dr. Jerome Zurek
Krisitn Agostinelli Diane Ashjian Kellie Belmonte Christine Blom Maria D’Alessandro John Del Sordo Sarah Duffy Christine Ernest Marisa Gallelli Katie Hodgins Latisha Johnson Sharon Kolankiewicz Andrew Matysik
Elyssa McFadden Kelly McKee Katelynde McNulty Jillian Milam Paul Nasella Jenna Nash Christopher Rogers Kyle Rougeau Melissa Steven Laura VanDePette Ashley Weyler Kimberly White Mike Sitiriche
Staff Photographers
Kara Delaney, Meghan Fox, Justin Hallman, Andrew Matysik, Elyssa McFadden, Conor McLaughln, Melissa Mesete, Jeffrey Outterbridge, Giovanni Pena, Anthony Pepe, Amy Pia, Carli Pio, Marla Porreca, Michelle Schmidt, Jennifer Stoltzfus
Web Team
Shane Evans, Scott Fobes, Lori Iannella, Paul Nasella, Jenna Nash, Ryan Norris
Our Mission Statement
The Loquitur is Cabrini’s College weekly, student-run, campus newspaper. It is widely respected as the voice of students, staff, faculty, alumni and many others outside the Cabrini community. The Loquitur has earned its position by advocating for self expression through freedom of speech, and by serving as an outlet for readers to affect change on campus and off. Founded in 1959, the Loquitur has thrived and greatly expanded its readership. The paper now has 1,674 online readers and 1,500 print readers on a weekly basis. Our mission is to provide readers with an opportunity to voice their opinions freely, in an environment where their voices are effectively heard and respected. The Loquitur: You Speak. We Listen Loquitur is a laboratory newspaper written, edited and produced by the students of COM 353, 352, 250 and 251. Subscription price is $25 per year and is included in the benefits secured by tuition and fees. Additional copies are $1 each. Loquitur welcomes letters to the editors. Letters to the editor are to be less than 500 words. These are usually in response to a current issue on campus or community area. Guest columns are longer pieces between 600 and 800 words and also are usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini College campus or community. Letters to the editor and guest columns are printed as space permits. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content. Name, phone number and address should be included for verification purposes. Personal attacks and anonymous submissions will not be printed. Letters to the editor and guest columns can be submitted to loquitur@cabrini.edu or to the newsroom mailboxes in Founders Hall 264.