UNEWS
SPORTS PAGE 7 Women’s Basketball on a roll
OPINION PAGE 10
unewsonline.com
Connecting the dots for 2014-15 Welcome back! Freshmen selfie with the Bill
A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1919
Vol. XCIV No. 1
New Captain at the Helm: Pestello talks SLU, Ferguson
Ryan Quinn/ Photo Editor
By PAUL BRUNKHORST News Editor
Two months into the job and a few weeks from his official inauguration in October, new Saint Louis University president Dr. Fred Pestello has already had an eventful and challenging start. In handling these difficulties and new responsibilities, he looks towards his passion for SLU and the Jesuit mission to help him move forward with the university. “I thought about it,” Pestello said on his decision to
come to SLU, “[and] here we have a Catholic, Jesuit, international, residential research university. To me, it’s one of the most powerful organizations you can have in terms of humankind in exploring… the compelling questions of our time within a strong mission.” Things are moving quickly at the start of Pestello’s tenure, and he’s had to handle several situations right off the bat. SLU’s bicentennial is around the corner, and the administration is preparing to mark the occasion with a strategic plan for the future.
Buddhist Monks: Prayer and sand
The University is looking to address concerns that Pestello sees as affecting campuses across the country: rising costs of educational technology and facilities, student affordability, and the overall national decline in college enrollment. “It is my plan,” Pestello said, “to have the strategic plan completed by the end of this academic year, and then to use the strategic plan to undertake a comprehensive fundraising campaign.” As for other situations facing SLU, Pestello was blunt in his comments on the
bias incidents of the spring 2014 semester, saying that “clearly there is no room for that behavior on our campus. It is contrary towards everything for which we stand.” He is hopeful that the incidents were not reflective of the general SLU student body and wants to ensure that the university is fostering an inclusive atmosphere for all students. Pestello also offered an equally challenging reflection on the current See “Pestello” on Page 3
Connect with The UNews:
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Student ‘Walkout’ for solidarity By PAUL BRUNKHORST News Editor
On Aug. 9, Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old, was killed by white Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson. Wilson is one of 50 white officers on Ferguson’s force, as compared to only three black police officers. The event caused a clear spike in racial tensions throughout St. Louis, as well as in the larger nation, and served to provoke further chaos and violent incidents. What is not clear, however, is whether the recently established grand jury will find probable cause to convict Wilson of a crime. While the nation waits for this judicial decision, individuals and groups across the country—including students in St. Louis—are attempting to make their voices heard in a collective call for justice. A group of students from Saint Louis University and Washington University gathered near SLU’s campus clock tower on Aug. 25 to participate in what was dubbed a “hands-up walkout” for students in the St. Louis area. By skipping their classes and raising their hands in a gesture of surrender, the students expressed their solidarity with individuals who have been confronted at gunpoint by authority figures, such as Brown reportedly was. Aug. 25 was not an arbi-
trary date; Michael Brown was buried at 10:00 a.m. that day. Brown’s father had called for protests to cease on the day of his son’s funeral; however, walkout organizer Stacey Banks emphasized that the event was not a protest, but a method to address the issues surrounding the death of Brown and that of those in similar situations. Banks and other attendees stressed that another of their main goals was to communicate their feelings on what an appropriate response would look like to Brown’s case. As the event statement articulated: “We expect the Saint Louis University and Washington University communities to actively engage with the greater St. Louis area by participating in local rallies, panels, protests and grassroots events. We ask individuals to learn their rights in order to recognize and combat the abuses of power seen in those we pay to protect us.” The walkout organizers also demanded a greater administrative response from SLU. Event literature expressed members’ disappointment in SLU president Dr. Fred Pestello’s limited response to the situation. One specific complaint of the organizers was his “[nonarticulation of ] any concerns about how racial tensions See “Walkout” on Page 3
SGA gears up for new year By PAUL BRUNKHORST News Editor
Ryan Quinn/ Photo Editor
Monks: Tibetan monk creates sand mandala. By AMIT PRAYAGA Contributor
From Aug. 27 to Aug. 29, SLU was host to Buddhist monks from southern India. These monks came to SLU in order to accomplish three goals: to build sand mandalas as a symbol of peace and unity, to spread the teachings of Buddhism and to raise money to support their simplistic lifestyle. The Tibetan monks spent the majority of their time at SLU in the Center for Global Citizenship constructing a sand mandala – a piece of artwork made by placing colored grains of sand. It is a tool used by the Buddhists to re-consecrate the earth and all of its inhabitants. The mandala at SLU was con-
structed during a three day span in the Center for Global Citizenship. The Buddhist monks incorporated many religious and spiritual symbols from around the globe in the mandala, as well as the symbols for the four elements: earth, fire, air and water. By incorporating the religious symbols, the Tibetan monks wanted to symbolize peace and unity between all humans – no matter their core beliefs. The symbols of the four elements represented harmony between humans and nature. In accordance with Tibetan belief, after construction the sand mandala was See “Monks” on Page 3
Throughout the years, Saint Louis University’s Student Government Association has acquired a list of accomplishments that speaks toward the organization’s goal of enhancing students’ lives at SLU. In 2002, SGA helped renovate SLU’s Busch Student Center, acquiring a student organization suite within the building. Between 2006 and 2007, renovations through the organization were focused on the Simon Recreation Center. In 2009, SGA initiated the 24-hour availability policy at Pius Library, and in 2010, organized more renovations of the same library. One year later, SGA began the universitywide usage and promotion of the monumental Oath of Inclusion. These accomplishments reflect the student organization’s power and responsibility to create change at SLU on behalf of the student body. The SGA Mission Statement alludes to some lofty goals when it states, among other things, that the goal of the association is “to promote the welfare and unity of the greater student community; to uphold the ideals and values of the Jesuit Catholic tradition, especially the ideal of ‘men and women for others’.” But Student Government Association president Ann Knezetic broke down her organization’s goals in more digestible terms. “The biggest thing that I would tell
Luke Yamnitz Photography
SGA: The 2014-2015 Executive Board is ready to lead the student body. new students is that SGA is here as a resource as well as an advocacy body for student issues and concerns,” she said. Despite its power and influence, SGA has struggled in recent years to develop the sort of student body participation it wants—and needs—to remain relevant to the student body. Elections during the spring 2014 semester—the contest that brought Knezetic to power— saw historic lows in student voter turnout, and in many executive board contests, candidates ran without any opposition. In many ways, this could reflect an overall apathy among the student body about how SGA affects them, and Knezetic wants this changed. “I would like to create a
better relationship with students and the administration,” Knezetic said. “I believe that building bridges between the two entities is important. I want the student body to know the administration and vice-versa.” Knezetic pointed out some tangible, on-campus evidence of this improving relationship between administration, SGA and the student body. For instance, SGA now has a much more capable office suite within the BSC; it is no longer across from Grand Market, but down the hall in a room with a lounge and plenty of conference and meeting rooms. In addition, the space is more visible to students, sitting on the corner of a main thoroughfare in the BSC. The University
News now occupies SGA’s old space. SGA was also a strong proponent of the Water Bottle Initiative, which saw the installation of 29 new water bottling filling stations across campus, both inside and out. Included in this effort to reduce disposable water bottle waste is the opportunity for SLU students to get a free water bottle from SGA. They will, or have been, handed out at various events across campus, according to Knezetic. Of course, part of having an effective student government on campus is having adequate student participation in the governing process. SGA Senate meetings, held every Wednesday in BSC 256, are open to all SLU students.