Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Students look to the stars for scientific understanding
Courtney Gillett
Asst. Campus News Editor
Every month for the past two years, Xavier students have been invited to take a closer look at the stars at the astronomy observatory located on the roof deck of Lindner Hall.
Richard Hamilton, Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics in the Xavier University Math and Physics Departments, has been influential in initiating the program and ensuring its development during his two years at Xavier. Hamilton, who manages the campus observatory, incorporates these stargaze sessions into the labs of his astronomy class. For Hamilton, it is an opportunity for students to “[gain] a better perspective of who we are in the overall scheme of things.”
In the stargaze held last week, students were given the chance to see Saturn’s rings (located about a billion light years away from earth), the gas pockets on the moon’s surface and gain a deeper understanding of the formation of the constellation known as the Seven Sisters.
The program has been quite successful, attracting anywhere from six to about 30 students. When asked if astronomy should be offered to students as an undergraduate major, Hamilton remained skeptical and stressed that with astronomy’s highly specialized nature, it “would be a mistake [for a student] to narrow their focus so soon. It would be better if they take physics and then specialize later on.”
Although he supervises the monthly stargazes, Professor Hamilton says that there is a group of approximately half a dozen students, including sophomore Jimmy Stringer, who assists in planning and preparing the targets for the sessions. Interestingly, Professor Hamilton notes that not all of them are physics majors.
Some people might still question the relevance of attending stargaze sessions, especially since a clear night might afford them an unaided view of stars or constellations.
However, Professor Hamilton reminds us that while we might have daily experiences with astronomy in our perception of the sun and some stars, we are still missing the deeper meaning behind astronomy.
Hamilton notes that “with an understanding about what these objects are and how they behave, we can appreciate and experience much more…It opens a hidden universe to us.”
He explained that another reason that students and other individuals should experience stargazing is that we often mistake planets like Saturn or clouds of dust or gas for a star. We might be able to see without a telescope, but we still cannot fully understand what it is that we are seeing.
Hamilton hopes to encourage students in studying the sciences and to assist them in understanding that it is not unlike other subjects; “You just have to take it one small piece at a time until you reach an understanding.”
Professor Hamilton, who is also on the staff at the Cincinnati Observatory and teaches educational classes there, is currently working on a book entitled, “Quantum Doors,” a joint venture with physicist G. S. Hurst. The text focuses on the themes of quantum mechanics and its varying areas of inquiry, including statistics, information theory and physics.
The next stargaze will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the observatory located on the second floor of Lindner Hall.
Alternative breakers may break hearts
Colleen Bott
Contributing Writer
On Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the GSC atrium, some students will be auctioned off for a good cause in the fifth annual Alternative Breaks Date Auction. Chief Couch, a former auctioneer, has donated his services to the event.
“Chief Couch did a great job last year,” junior Katie Bartholomew said. “It’s really nice of him to participate and he’s good at convincing people to go just a little bit higher.”
Students can be auctioned off individually or as part of a group. Every winner is provided with a gift certificate donated by a local restaurant to go on a date.
“We are grateful for all the restaurants who participate,” said junior Laura Morand, a member of the Alternative Breaks student board. “We are also so grateful to the people who donate their time to be auctioned off or to attend the event. Without them, this event would not be possible.”
In addition to attempting to raise several thousand dollars to fund 22 service trips that will take nearly 300 members of the Xavier community all over the globe, the Date Auction is also a great chance for attendees to learn what Alternative Breaks is all about.
“It’s a fun way to bring awareness as it involves people from the outside community as well and allows them to donate in a creative manner. It’s a great fundraiser that everyone can participate in,” Morand said.
Bartholomew, a site leader for the Minnesota trip, which will be working for a camp for kids affected by HIV/AIDS, will be auctioned off at the event. She enjoys the fun of participating along with the excitement of the auction itself.
“Last year, six of my friends who were all roommates were auctioned off together,” she said. “Half of them weren’t even doing a trip, but they wanted to help. We had a lot of fun working together as a group to raise money for them and even planting people in the audience to help make the bidding more exciting. I think it’s wonderful when people outside Alternative Breaks help play such a large role in this event, whether through donations or participating.”
One of the most exciting parts of the auction is when groups or individuals perform skits or dances before they are auctioned off. Sophomore Michael Palmer, a site leader for the Oklahoma trip, which will be working at the Cherokee Nation Head Start program, is planning a song with fellow trip member senior Michael Gall.
“We’re re-writing the song ‘Margaritaville’ to describe our date,” he said.
Look for them as well as more clever and willing participants at the Date Auction.
Alternative Break Sites
Colleen Bott
Contributing Writer
A run-down of who students participating in Alternative Breaks will be working with and what service activites they will participate in:
Colorado- Drug/Alcohol Rehab
With: Harvest farm residents in a drug and alcohol rehab program. Service: Physical labor and farm work with residents.
Tennessee- Cerebral Palsy
With: the United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee. Service: Building wheelchair ramps, aiding in wheelchair basketball program, more.
Arkansas- Global Hunger
With: Heifer Ranch (provides education that promotes solutions to global hunger). Service: Helping with ranch chores and/or projects
West Virginia- Appalachian Poverty
With: Gift of Tears Catholic Worker House. Service: Outdoor activities and spending time with members of the community.
Washington D.C.- Urban Poverty
With: Steinbruck Center for Urban Studies at Luther Place. Service: Delivering meals and other services surrounding causes of homelessness.
Virginia- Domestic Violence
With: Dungannon Development Commission, Inc. Service: Home repairs, yard work, office support and interacting with people at the center.
Florida- Environmental
With: Everglades Hostel. Service: Projects to help clean the Everglades and wildlife.
Minnesota- HIV/AIDS
With: Camp Heartland (for children with HIV/AIDS). Service: Working with people with HIV/AIDS, maintenance at the camp.
Oklahoma- Native American Issues
With: Cherokee Nation Early Childhoot Unit. Service: Working with the Head Start program, helping in classrooms, outdoor maintenance.
New Orleans- Hurricane Relief
With: Catholic Charities Operation Helping Hands. Service: Helping the disabled and those affected by Hurricane Katrina with no insurance.
Catalina Island-Environmental
With: Catalina Island Conservatory. Service: Removing non-native plant species, secruing habitats, maintaining conservancy-operated facilities.
Mystery- Elderly Living
With: Someone (it’s a mystery!). Service: Helping the elderly
Baltimore- Urban Poverty
With: Catholic Charities Project SERVE. Service: Helping people participate in the community to the best of their ability.
Out of the country programs:
Ukraine- 2nd World Poverty
With: Orphanage 12. Service: Refinishing work around the orphanage, spending time with the children.
Jamaica- Community Development
With: Blue Mountain Project. Service: Working to build medical clinics, operating nutrition programs, providing job training.
Professor Profile: Dr. C. Walker Gollar
Tyler Burgei
Contributing Writer
Dr. C. Walker Gollar, member of the theology department, has been teaching at Xavier since 1993. He is actively involved with community service committees on and off campus and has been involved with the peace studies program for 14 years.
Dr. Gollar has taught a vast array of classes; some of these include theological foundations, American Catholic history, African-American religious history and many other theology and history-related courses. He has also been the chair of the peace studies department for the past four years where he oversees a lot of the courses.
When asked how a peace studies minor coincides with virtually any major, Dr. Gollar made the point that it is an easy minor to integrate without having to take many extra courses. He also pointed out that the peace studies program is the largest interdisciplinary minor at XU. “Especially with the country at war,” he said, “more students are concerned about the quest for peace.”
Besides teaching, Dr. Gollar is actively involved with the Xavier community. He is chair of the academic service learning committee and was a trip leader of a group that travelled to Nepal in 2001. He also leads student and faculty groups, including ones that go to Over-the-Rhine.
In addition to teaching, chairing committees and leading service learning groups, Dr. Gollar has found time to publish over 35 articles in scholarly journals; he also does work for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and extensively researches American religious history and slavery.
Dr. Gollar also has a book being published called The Whole Truth, which takes a look at the sex scandals in the Church from a historical point of view. He says that if we dare to look at the dark side of the Church, we can learn some really powerful stuff.
Dr. Gollar expressed his love for teaching and the importance of integrating all three aspects of being a successful part of the Xavier staff: teaching, researching and doing service. “I love teaching at Xavier,” Dr. Gollar stated, “because of the inspiring students who always give a lot of energy.” Dr. Gollar’s enthusiasm for teaching and incorporating community service has enriched the staff of Xavier University.
Police Notes
Jan. 22, 7:09 a.m.—A Physical Plant employee and a student reported an auto accident near the Buenger Hall loading dock.
Jan. 23, 4:29 p.m.—Two employees reported an auto accident on University Drive.
Jan. 24, 12:40 p.m.—Campus Police investigated a report that a car had been burglarized while parked in the R-2 lot. Further investigation by officers revealed that several other cars were broken into as well. Norwood Police and Xavier Police are currently investigating.
Jan. 25, 9:57 p.m.—Campus Police investigated a dispute between two students that took place in Kuhlman Hall. One of the students had left upon Campus Police’s arrival.
Jan. 27, 2:24 a.m.—A student in the Village was cited for playing loud music during quiet hours. The apartment residents had previously been warned on several occasions.
Jan. 27, 11:59 a.m.—Campus Police and the Cincinnati Fire Department investigated a fire alarm on the fourth floor of the Commons. Firefighters discovered that the alarm was triggered by food that had been burning on the stove.
Jan. 27, 3:55 p.m.—Campus Police received a theft report from a juvenile who stated that her purse had been stolen from the MLK Tournament on Jan.15.
Police Note of the Week
Jan. 26, 8:20 p.m.—A student caught urinating in the R-2 lot was cited for public indecency and underage consumption.
Kelly Shaw 
Campus News Editor
Club budget meeting
The Financial Affairs Committee of the Student Government Association is hosting information sessions at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday in GSC, room 214. The committee asks that all club treasurers attend this meeting to ensure that their clubs’ budgets are approved and not penalized for the new academic year. Contact Corey Burton at 615-525-1614 or burtonck@xavier.edu for more information.
Relieve stress with yoga
If you would like to unwind after a stressful week, come to the yoga sessions that are held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Sundays in Edgecliff Hall, room 201. All you need to bring are comfortable clothes and a towel, just in case the class runs out of mats. No experience is necessary. The first and second sessions are free. To sign up for the rest of the semester is only $15. Email Tiffany Groen at groenta@xavier.edu for more information.
Driver
training
There will be van driving sessions for those students and staff members who are interested in driving a 12 or 15 passenger van from 6-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 12 and again from 9-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 17 in the Flynn Hall Training Room. Once the session is complete, participants will be issued laminated cards that document their participation in a National Safety Council defensive driving program. To register or for more information, contact Mary Beth Townsley at the Risk Management Office at 513-745-2090 or email her at townsley@xavier.edu
Freedom Center new exhibit
Discount tickets are available to the National Underground Freedom Center’s new exhibit, “Invisible: Slavery Today,” currently on display from Jan. 6 - Feb. 28. Tickets are through the Department of Psychology. Contact Dr. Cathy McDaniels Wilson, mcdanielswilson@xavier.edu, or 513-745-3072 for information.
Writing center
reopens
The Writing Center is now open for the spring semester! If you need help getting started with class papers, make an appointment. The center is open at 9:30 a.m. and is located in Alter B-12. Walk-ins welcome. For appointments, stop by the center or call 513-745-2875.
Navigators
The Xavier Navigators invite all students to their worship meeting that starts at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1 in GSC, room 214. Following the meeting, some group members will be heading to Pleasant Ridge Chili. Call Shandyn Massengill at 513-924-8735 for more information.
MIDAS
Do you want to be a nurse or know someone who does? Did you know that you need not have a BSN or RN to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing at Xavier? The MIDAS program, a 20 month full-time course of study, is a Master of Science in Nursing program that is designed for individuals with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing. Xavier also offers an MSN program for registered nurses. To learn more, come to an information session at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 in the Schiff Family Conference Center. If you would like more information or would prefer to register by phone, please view the website, or contact Nancy McDonald at 513-745-1009.
Women’s Chorus
It is not too late to join the Xavier women’s chorus. Rehearsals are from 7-9 p.m. on Monday in the Long Recital Hall, in Edgecliff Hall. Contact the Chorus Director, Matt Phelps, at phelpsm@xavier.edu.
Congratulations
Congrats to the Lamda Class of the Emerging Leaders Retreat. The following students spent Jan. 26 and 27 developing their leadership skills and networking with other campus leaders: Joe March, Sarah Voveris, Chantal Thomas, Ian Harrell, Sarah Virkler, Stephanie Braun, Kevin Brophy, Brigid Cafferty, Jana Clear, Maggie Cuff, Kathryn Franchini, Rob Goeller, Amy Gore, Katie Gottron, Robert Huddle, Kyle Isaac, Stephanie Ibemere, Oluwasola Kevin Ijoyah, James Matthews, James McShane, Eric Petrek, Long Phan, Brenda Ratemo, Molly Rehak, Andrew Robbins, Anna Russell, Allie Tewell, Liz Wagner, Shaye Worthman, Matt Matovina, Erika Vickers.
