The Beacon - Oct 31 - Issue 9

Page 1

Vol. 115, Issue 9 October 31, 2013

The BEacon

Every Thursday

The Student Voice of the University of Portland Since 1935

More soccer photos from Saturday night

MPF ideas less than stellar

Women’s soccer falls 1-0 to BYU

upbeacon.com/multimedia

Opinions, p. 11

Sports, p. 16

Fr. Gary says farewell to The Bluff Fr. Mark DeMott to take over as director of Campus Ministry Kate Stringer Living Editor stringer14@up.edu

Stephanie Matusiefsky | THE BEACON

Fr. Gary Chamberland

Last Friday, University President Fr. Bill Beauchamp announced that Chamberland will be leaving the University at the end of the semester and moving to Notre Dame. The decision comes from a desire to be closer to his parents, whose health concerns increasingly demand more of his attention. “It’s hard to leave, I love this place,” Chamberland said. “This is a place I’ve always thought of as home, have called home.” A graduate and former professor of Notre Dame, Chamberland will return to work in the Division of Student Affairs as a hall rector. Before his ordination, Chamberland served as Shipstad Hall Director from 1992-1995. He returned to The Bluff in 2009 where he began his role as director of Campus Ministry. Additionally, he served as interim director of the Garaventa Center from 2013-2013, sat on the Presidential Leadership Cabinet and served as pastoral resident of

Kenna and Corrado Halls. To students and colleagues, Chamberland’s role at UP has exceeded those of the job descriptions. Campus Ministry Assistant Director of Faith Beth Barsotti felt a deep sadness at the news of Chamberland’s departure. “I get really happy when I see Father Gary,” Barsotti said. “His presence is beyond Campus Ministry, it’s so much of his person that he shares with all of us. The way he walks around campus, the way he talks to everybody, the way he’ll stop by and just chat with me.” Former Corrado resident and junior Francis O’Halloran will miss the friendly, inclusive energy Chamberland brings to his interactions with students. “He’s a good man. He always made everybody feel included, wanted and happy, regardless of whether you’re Catholic or not,” O’Halloran said. “He doesn’t classify people based on their devotion but on their human worth.” Whether it was through his role as Campus Ministry director

or pastoral resident, Chamberland said he tried to “help students find life in God and celebrate it.” Corrado Resident Assistant and senior Amanda Ewing found this to be true last spring when Corrado’s much-loved housekeeper, Shari Butler, passed away. “The way that he talked about (Butler) in her memorial Mass was so perfect and what everyone needed that came to that Mass,” she said. “He knew exactly what to say about her that was funny and lighthearted and that everyone understood. Chamberland found challenging experiences like these to be both the best and most difficult elements of his job. “When someone’s dealing with the death of a parent, somebody is dealing with deeply personal issues, whether that be alcoholism, or their own sexuality, when somebody is trying to figure out what they’re going to do in life, you help them see ‘You’re okay, this is the human condition,’” Chamberland See FR. GARY, page 4

Library popular, crowded New library sees higher attendance, addresses student concerns

Lydia Laythe Staff Writer laythe16@up.edu Despite still working through some kinks, the new Clark Library is receiving unexpectedly high traffic. According to Drew Harrington, dean of the library, before renovations an average of 1,200 students visited the library every day. This number has now climbed to 2,213. “I’m so pleased to see students using (the library) like this,” Harrington said. “We made one of our goals with this project to add a lot more space and more seating. So we expected it and prepared for it.” The changes created more space for seating and technology. While shelving accounted for about 70 percent of the floor space in the old library, the compact shelving has brought that percentage down to 30. Junior James Oliver, a library staff member, worked at the

library through the changes. “Compared to the old library, as a worker, it’s a lot nicer and it’s got a lot more technology,” Oliver said. “As a student, it’s great because there’s a lot more study space.” Crowded study rooms The popularity of the new study rooms surprised Harrington. “I’m a little surprised at how incredibly popular the study rooms are,” Harrington said. Most study rooms are equipped with whiteboards, lighting, internet, artwork and interactive technology. Harrington is working on adding interactive technology to all the study rooms, but warns it will take years. She is hesitant to equip every study room because the equipment costs over $5,000 per room, and she’s still gauging how much the technology is used. It’s obvious, however, that the study rooms are popular. Senior Mary McIntosh said she reserved a study room two

David DiLoreto | THE BEACON

Sophomores Quinn Devereaux and Megan Tamblyn study in the booths on the second floor of the library. weeks ago for the week after fall break. “You have to reserve them way in advance now that people know to reserve them,” McIntosh said. “I’ve had to kick a lot of people out of study rooms. They’re nice.

It’s just kind of awkward.” Oliver said the new library, especially the study rooms, is catered to group studying and group projects. “It’s good for students because there’s a lot more tables for group

projects,” Oliver said. “The (two upper) floors are dedicated to group study, so it’s not as big of a deal to stay super quiet.” Harrington understands the See LIBRARY, page 5


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.