Oct 30 (No. 8)

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UNEWS unewsonline.com

OPINION PAGE 9

An empty space in the outfield

ARTS

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Decadence discusses recent debut

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A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1919

Vol. XCIV No. 8

Ebola, is the panic justified?

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Housing, a long-awaited update SLU implements plan for new housing options By MAX HAMMOND Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Housing and Residence Life Administration

Campus Housing Plans: Conceptual photos of the potential new housing projects at South Fusz and South Gries

With thousands of students providing input, years of preparation, and hundreds of hours of planning, the Department of Housing and Residence Life, along with the Division of Student Development, has officially announced that SLU’s campus is getting a face-lift. Recently, there has been talk, but the department has now officially solidified plans for one of the largest renovation projects this campus has ever seen. Over the past academic year, much of SLU’s student population was surveyed regarding the current oncampus living situation. Melinda Carlson, the Director for Housing and Residence Life for Student Development, says, “…whether it be traditional residence halls or apartments, students want to live on campus.” The pressing need has been apparent for years, and Carlson continues to say that “students would rather have

us be their landlord than the off-campus apartments,” and after collecting a survey from almost 2,600 students, there was a definitive consensus that both new developments and more housing space in current buildings needed to be added to SLU’s campus. Attributing some of the decision making to focus groups, surveys and the student and faculty forums held on campus, Student Development has made sure that it grasps a solid understanding of what the general student body wants in a new dorm. Jay Bryant, a junior here at SLU, has attended many of the forums on campus condoned and applauded much of the process that the department went through. “Last year, there was a lot of talk about when or if we could actually see ground broken for a residence hall in the near future,” Bryant explained. “The fact that SLU See “Housing” on Page 3

On making a difference, one day at a time to be unique. This year I had the opportunity to serve at Carver Elementary School and help fix up the playOn Saturday, Oct. 25, ground.” Hargis hopes that Saint Louis University came each year will bring her to together once again to cela new site, for a new advenebrate Make a Difference ture. Day. The “SLU’s day, marked m i s s i o n by service, s t a tement brought tosays ‘The By attending gether over Mission of 4,000 stuMADD, I am Saint Louis dents, factruly living out University’ is ulty, staff, the pursuit the Jesuit alumni and of truth for mission parents to the greater support -Meredith Hargis, glory of God nonprofit and for the Sophomore schools, service of churches humanity. By and homes attending MADD, I am truly in the St. Louis area. living out the Jesuit mission,” Sophomore Meredith beamed Hargis. Hargis added, “There are While it may seem that over 170 sites that the SLU MADD is only a one-day community serves, with a event, there is a lot of bewide variety of people and hind-the-scenes planning. places. Each year is bound Caroline Usher, the VP of By JACKIE STACHIW Staff Writer

Public Relations, stated that the planning began in July when they contacted sites for projects as well as started to get sponsors to donate to the event. Once the school year started, the MADD committee came together to start marketing and planning logistics for the day. Usher’s role involved designing the banners and flyers and providing information about the event via twitter. She added, “Finally, we started a ‘How do you make a difference?’ campaign, asking students and staff around campus to tell us how they make a difference in the world or at SLU.” This year’s MADD had its biggest turnout to date. President Fred P. Pestello kicked off the day, delivering an encouraging and See “MADD” on Page 3

Andrew Trinh / Contributor

Helping others: Students participate in Make a Difference Day by volunteering throughout the city of St. Louis.

Hinduism illuminated during Festival of Lights

Ryan Quinn / Photo Editor

Diwali: Hindu priest leads prayer ceremony to celebrate the New Year. By JESSICA WINTER Managing Editor

Last week marked a new year in the Hindu calendar, as people celebrated the

five-day festival of Diwali. From Oct. 21-25, religious participants around the world hosted family gatherings, prayed, reflected on the year and partook in many religious traditions that

observed the overarching theme of good triumphing evil. During this time, Saint Louis University’s Hindu Student Community (HSC) engaged students and faculty with religious festivities, including its annual Diwali Puja celebration. “To me, Diwali is the time of reflection on the year that has passed,” said senior Shivani Thakkar. “The lights that are lit everywhere are a reminder that the New Year brings happiness and joy. Having Diwali Puja at SLU provides me with the opportunity to feel as if I am home with my family, praying for a prosperous New Year.” Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights” and translates to mean “rows of lighted lamps.” People light these lamps to help the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, find her way into their homes.

The lights reflect on the hope for a positive new year and happy successful lives. “It involves lighting up not only your home with candles, creating a path for God, but also lighting up your life,” said senior Mumtu Lalla. “I think that the celebration of Diwali is also a time of introspection, opening up your heart to making yourself a better person.” HSC’s Diwali Puja event was Oct. 26 and reflected over a month’s work of planning, spearheaded by sophomore Shradha Mehta. The group decorated the Sinquefield Stateroom for the event and made Indian food arrangements for the dinner that followed the ceremony. They also collaborated with See “Diwali” on Page 3

‘Brand’ new Ad Club By CHAD MAXWELL Staff Writer

In 2010, companies spent an estimated $143 billion in the United States, and $467 billion globally, on advertisements. No wonder so many people are attracted to advertising as a career choice. Some of those interested can be educated on the topic through SLU’s Ad Club, as well as through classes. The SLU Ad Club is currently going through a rebranding process to modernize itself and become more visible on campus. Ad Club member Ryan Spencer said, “We have created the name ‘Clocktower Advertising’ (a branch of the Ad Club) to accentuate our rebranding efforts.” Spencer said that the Ad Club had always been willing to

contract its services to other student groups; however, not enough students knew about the program. Spence continued, saying that offering these services has two main objectives: providing experience for Ad Club members and providing service to other Chartered Student Organizations (CSO). He went on to describe that the goal of the Clocktower Advertising, which comprises communication students, is providing members of the group with firsthand experience that would be necessary in advertising firms. These roles include account management, graphic design, copywriting and web design. The Clocktower Advertising group will

See “Ad Club” on Page 3


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