2 | NEWS
Defining Loquitur’s purpose on-campus “Is this a major student concern? One of the questions I have with the Loquitur, you say this is a student paper. I speak to students, I have students in here all the time-I haven't heard of these things. I could be out of the loop. Are these burning student issues? Lottery is a burning student issue, housing is a burning student issue, and I hear that, I've heard it from students - I haven't heard any of these from students. I will say that in the past I've had members of the editorial board come here and said 'this is not an issue with the students, but we are getting pressures from other sources to pursue the article.' And I'm just curious, is this pressure from other sources?” - President Iadarola Recently, this fair but from a journalist perspective an insulting question regarding the issues the Loquitur handles in its weekly editions was asked. The “burning” question that was put in front of us was: should the Loquitur cover hot topic matters such as the reduction in faculty and staff salary and benefits? The answer is unequivocally, YES! The doubt that was suggested in this question was the fact that the Loquitur is a student-run newspaper and thus would handle only matters relating to students. Although this is true, the Loquitur's responsibilities also demand that all Cabrini matters whether it relates to students, faculty or administration should be considered and examined on how they affect the entire community. The Loquitur is a forum for the entire Cabrini community and thus should continue to discuss stories like the faculty and staff salary and benefits cuts and the administration's decision not to renew Dzik's coaching contract alongside topics like housing and parking. Given the fact that the newspaper has the responsibility to write and investigate stories involving the college's students, faculty and administration, the Loquitur will continue to do so until its unimaginable demise. The question goes on to inquire whether an outside source has been encouraging the Loquitur to raise awareness and create spark over these issues. It is with good reason that the question be posed whether the Loquitur is receiving outside pressure to speak out about certain issues that are considered taboo since manipulation goes both ways when investigating an article. The answer to this question is simply, NO! In the Loquitur's editorial meetings, the editors participate in open discussion over various ideas that will eventually become our lead stories. When we speak on a topic that could be classified as being dictated by an outside source, the real reason behind the Loquitur's decision to write about it is to make ourselves a well-rounded paper. We are a student-run newspaper but what that means is that we are students who are learning through practical experience the skills required for journalists in today's society. We are not limited to writing the standard student complaints. Rather we are inclined to provide the campus with all events going on around them. There are no hidden agendas to the Loquitur's stories. We are a student-run newspaper that demands of itself the task to confront difficult issues without any bias. Our goal is to find the truth in the stories we write about it. The Loquitur has and always will strive to be more than just a student newspaper focused solely on student issues but rather on all issues that eventually affect students.
Friday, Feb. 25, 2005
www.theloquitur.com
President’s letter adds fuel to fire over Dzik SHAWN RICE EDITOR IN CHIEF SMR723@CABRINI.EDU In a letter sent to alumni addressing the John Dzik situation, President Iadarola stated new reasons for not rehiring the long-time coach. “Our Athletic Director, Leslie Danehy, is committed to responding to the changing environment of NCAA Division III athletics, emphasizing that rigorous academic programs and participation in sports contributes significantly to the student’s overall collegiate experience.” Dzik was surprised to find that the decision not to renew his contract was done solely by the athletic department. “Leslie warned me that Lysionek was going to get rid of me. I see Iadarola spinning it down to Leslie.” The changing environment that was indicated in the letter refers to a process that has been going on for 10 years in the NCAA to strengthen the academic aspect of student athletes. As recently as January 2005, the NCAA Division III has begun to vote on possible changes in their academic standards. “I always put the welfare of the student-athlete first,” Dzik said. The Loquitur was not able to document the student-athlete graduation rate because most Division III colleges like Cabrini
do not give athletic scholarships. Danehy has stated that a computer system should be implemented in five years that will be able to track Cabrini’s graduation rate of student-athletes. “I think they would be high (graduation rate) in all the sports; it wouldn’t just the men’s basketball team. I think that, again, I don’t have hard data,” Iadarola said. Shortly after Dzik was told that the college would no longer require his coaching services, Dzik had a discussion with VicePresident of Student Development Christine Lysionek about philosophies towards academics and athletics. “She (Lysionek) told me through her observations we have divergent philosophies, whatever that means,” Dzik said. It has been rumored and confirmed by Danehy that the college has looked into replacing Dzik with one of his assistant coaches most specifically his longtime asst. coach, Joe Kelly. Dzik said, “I find it odd that the school would fire me and want to hire Joe who after 25 years shares the same philosophy as I do.” On March 18, 2005, coinciding with the end of the basketball season Dzik will no longer officially hold his position as special assistant to the president for athletic advancements leaving the responsibilities open. Vice-President of Institutional Advancement Robin Moll said, “What I’ll
propose at our planning and budget meeting is not a direct replacement of that position as it was structured at the salary it was. I think that the work that was in that job’s description needs to get done, so I am very committed to continuing the work of engaging student athletes in the life of the college, now and in the future, in having meaningful connections between all alumni, but that would also include athletes in the ongoing life of the student and the plan.” “I don’t know if there’s anymore about this issue that we can rehash; we’ve made a decision. We didn’t do it precipitously, we did it with great thought and regardless of the information that you are receiving from John, it was done in full consistent compliance of the college’s policies and procedures, and he does know the reason. So, he is not being kept in the dark,” Lysionek said. Whether there has been any mutual discussion since the news first broke out over Dzik’s nonrenewed contract has yet to be seen. Dzik said, “I haven’t reached out to anyone (administration) and they haven’t to me.” For more information on this matter and to read the letter from the president, go to www.keepjohndzik.com
2004-2005 Loquitur Staff 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
Asst. Managing Editor Maria D’Alessandro Asst. News Editors Ashley Weyler Kimberly White Asst. A&E Editors Diana Ashjian Christine Ernest Asst. Features Editors Jillian Milam Melissa Steven Asst. Sports Editors Andrew Matysik Laura VanDePette
Asst. Perspectives Editors Christine Blom Sharon Kolankiewicz Staff Writers Krisitn Agostinelli Kellie Belmonte John Del Sordo Katie Hodgins Latisha Johnson Elyssa McFadden Kelly McKee Katelynde McNulty Paul Nasella Christopher Rogers
Staff Photographers Dave Carron, Holly Eshbach, Sean Fogel, Michelle Kebel, Ian McDonald, Janette Mochnacz, Michelle Moran, Mindy Paul, Mary Remoli, Brandi Updegrove, Jessica Webb Asst. Photography Editor: Ginger
Web Team
Shane Evans, Chris Gentile, Ryan Norris, Chaynne Roland, Shawn Rice
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.