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Ed Board speculates on space, outer planets Editorials, page 9
Thursday, January 28, 2016
A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1921
Vol. XCV No. 15
Votes are in: Presidential primaries approaching SLU
‘ student poll 7% 6% 14% 10%
62% Poll conducted Jan. 22-27 via Facebook
Graphic by Paul Brunkhorst
Sophie Lappe/ The University News
By EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM Associate News Editor
After months of debating, polling and campaigning, one of the longest—and arguably strangest—election seasons in recent memory is approaching a pivotal point: the primary elections. In order to get students more engaged and informed about this part of the election cycle, the political science department will be holding
“I’m voting for Bernie Sanders because he respects my health care rights.” Maddie Brooker
Gabriel Gollub
various watch parties, where all members of the SLU community can gather for a political discussion. “Elections are the most exciting events within American politics and are a great avenue to bring students together to discuss, debate and learn about politics,” said Dr. Steven Rogers, an assistant professor of political science. The first watch party will take place on Feb. 1, the day of the Iowa caucus, at the
“I’m voting for Martin O’Malley on the basis that his policies seem to be in line with a lot of what I believe, and also he has the track record of putting them into action.”
Center for Global Citizenship. The party will open with a brief presentation by a political science faculty member on topics like how caucuses and primaries work, which can be a confusing concept for those who haven’t participated in an election before. “Instead of having presidential candidates be determined by party bosses in smoke-filled rooms, the primary system intends to give
Merette Khalil
voters more influence over who will occupy the White House,” said Rogers. According to Rogers, the process works like this: by voting in primaries and caucuses, voters help determine how state parties allocate delegates to the national conventions. In order to win his or her party’s nominaSee “Primary” on Page 3
“I love Bernie because he recognizes the inequalities that exist in our current society. He pays attention to and uplifts the marginalized, platforming the voices of the unheard minorities.”
Town hall discusses SLU students’ ethos In an approximately 90-minute town hall meeting in the Sinquefield Stateroom in DuBourg Hall on Thursday, Jan. 21, Casey Beaumier, SJ, led a presentation, followed by dialogue and discussion, of what is distinctive about a SLU education. The event was part of an attempt by the faculty senate and the provost to develop a vision statement that articulates what is distinctive about a SLU undergraduate education, its roots in the Jesuit tradition and how it might meet the challenges of the 21st century. Beaumier offered the Paschal Path, or Paschal Mystery, as the model of how a SLU education is distinctive. Just as Christ had to grow in wisdom, age and favor, so do SLU students. This is accomplished by creating spaces and facilitating conversation, and by participating freely and with depth, rather than just going through the motions of daily life. A SLU student is one who can say with conviction, “I
matter. I contribute.” Beaumier, who lives in a freshman residence hall at Boston College, shared his hope, for all freshman, that they learn to be both assertive and accommodating, where each person is called upon to develop the key attributes for contributing to the common good of humanity. Learning how to relate to others, often entering through another person’s doors, and welcoming of all sorts of personalities and backgrounds are essential skills. Although Beaumier’s framework is religious, and biblical, he stressed that it is the personhood of Jesus that translates beyond just a Christian vision. The Christ that preached the Sermon on the Mount, multiplied fishes and loaves, and healed surely had a great influence on people. As Beaumier explained, Christ entered Jerusalem “at the top of his game.” SLU students, too, are meant to have a real impact See “Town Hall” on Page 3
By GRETA PUTNAM Contributor
On June 19 of last year, the aviation program at Saint Louis Universit purchased two new Cirrus SR20 airplanes for just over a combined $700,000. These new planes were not flown until recently due to the lengthy approval processes required by the Federal Aviation Administration for both the specific aircraft selected and the related curriculum necessary for pilot training. Chris Wall, a junior flight science major, was the first student to fly the new planes in early November. Wall was granted the opportunity upon receiving his instrument rating, which is a certification to fly into clouds and in low visibility. The department hopes the purchase of the SR20 airplanes will not only help expand the program, but
also aid the students in their and get the most advanced training and better prepare technology that we can.” In them for their futures as pidescribing the experience, lots. he mused that, “You feel as According to Wall, “The though you are flying a luxuU n i ry sedan versity throug h wanted the sky.” an airT h e plane de p ar tt h a t m e n t introa l s o duced wanted students its stuto an add e n t s vanced to have e l e c this kind tronic of expeco ck p i t rience Chris Wall, display with the Flight Science Student that uses SR20s autob e c au s e mation it’s the as well. This means that the kind of flying they will explane has a really capable perience in the airlines. The autopilot. Cirrus Aircraft goal is to enable them to is a huge industry leader gain experience using the right now, so it’s a big step advanced display system in the right direction for our Garmin G1000, since it is school to pick these planes industry standard today. So
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Cirrus Aircraft is a huge industry leader right now, so it’s a big step in the right direction for our school.
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By PATRICK HYLAND Senior Staff Writer
the purchase of these more advanced aircraft is very timely for the program. According to professor Stephen Belt, a faculty member in the department, “The airplanes offer us the opportunity to add depth and complexity to our commercial pilot training.” He added, “With the addition of the Cirrus, our students receive an added dimension of training especially when it comes to the navigation systems.” SLU’s curriculum is designed in a way that expects students to train initially without all the instruments that help the plane fly on its own. Later in the training process, they experience what it is like to fly using the autopilot and other various instruments typically found in commercial aircraft. Professor Belt noted, “I think
See “Planes” on Page 3