Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Volume 74 Issue 7 For more content, visit us at: theonlinebeacon.com
North Adams, Mass.
November 3, 2011
Boo Bash 2011
Academic probation changes By Skyla Seamans Senior News Editor
Photo by Aaron Crawford/Beacon Staff
Students pose at the 17th annual Boo Bash, which took place Oct. 26. Local children and their families were encouraged to stop by Berkshire Towers for a costume party and trick or treating. The event was hosted by the Residence Area Advisory Boards and the Center for Service and Citizenship. For more Halloween Photos - See Photo Essay, Page 16
The criteria for academic probation and suspension has been revised and is now stricter. According to Deb Foss, Associate Dean of Advising and Director of the Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE), the first notable adjustment to the criteria is the change in the definition of “good academic standing.” Now, all students need to obtain an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher in order to be considered in good academic standing. “There are good reasons to raise the bar for students,” Foss said. “The old criteria was too confusing. Now there is one standard for every student. It will go into effect this December. The new rules will then apply to everyone’s grade point averages.”
The old criteria depended on the amount of credits each student had obtained. Freshmen who had the same GPAs as juniors would have been considered in good academic standing, while the juniors would not. Now the bar is set at 2.0 for all students, no matter what his or her class is. Kate Heekin, Assistant Director of CSSE said she hopes students will conform to the increase in expectations. Heekin said if students are asked to reach a higher bar, they will strive to do so. “It makes sense to have this as the standard,” Heekin said. “In order for students to be accepted at MCLA, they need to have grade point averages of 2.0 or better. This shouldn’t change once students are enrolled here.” CHANGES, continued on page 2
Gates offers insights into foreign relations By Chris Goodell Managing Editor
One of the nation’s leading defense experts highlighted the importance of taking the future into our own hands as the country faces increasingly pressing economic and political problems. “Americans continue to be the masters of our own fate,” said Robert Gates, former secretary of Defense. “If the United States fades from preeminence, it will be because we failed, not because others succeeded.” Gates addressed a crowded Campus Center Gym Tuesday night, offering his opinions and insights into America’s foreign relations and public policy. He stated the most pressing issue facing the country today is the state of the economy. “The real task ahead for this country is to get our finances in order,” he said. “Our problems go
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much deeper than individual personalities.” Gates said political parties have become too divided, and that many political figures are becoming too extreme in their views. This is due in large part to the media, who often give the most attention to those with the most extreme views, Gates said. “Every point of view, even the most extreme, has a ready vehicle for wide dissemination,” he said. “The moderate center is not holding.” In order for America to get back on track, Gates said he believes that politicians must develop strategies that will last over several presidencies, regardless of political party. “Our problems are so big, none can be solved over one presidency,” he said. Gates, who joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and has served eight different presidents, cited the Cold War as an example
SGA reveals firearm referendum timeline If approved, student vote expected to take place on Dec. 5 News, page 3
of a time when political strategies were unified over several different presidencies. When Gates first retired in 1993, the United States enjoyed a time of great economic prosperity after emerging victoriously from the Cold War. This status as a world super-power led to other countries growing disdainful of the United States, Gates said. “In the wake of America’s victory in the Cold War, other countries resented America’s dominance and propensity for telling others what to do,” he said. Gates suggested that many countries, either openly or privately, even took some pleasure in seeing the United States fall victim to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Although Gates believes the United States has done well at preventing more terrorist attacks, he also stated that completely eliminating terrorism is impossible. GATES, continued on page 3
Trustees approve 2011 audit and more
Photo by John Durkan/Beacon Staff
Robert Gates fields questions from students in Murdock Hall on Tuesday.
Index
News 2-3 World News 4 Public Policy lecture renamed Features 5 “Michael S. and Kitty Dukakis A&E 6-8 Sports: 9-11 lecture” Science 12 News, page 2
Letters to the Editor Campus Comment Commentary Comic Word Search Photo Essay
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