— STAFF EDITORIALS —
Parking after hours
In the wake of the recent armed robberies near the Ledgewood parking lot, we’ve noticed that Campus Police have locked the area down. We frequent that lot quite often, since it’s the closest place to our offices that the meter maids allow us to park.
In fact, we’ve seen a Campus Police vehicle watching over the lot every single time we’ve parked there since last Thursday. So we don’t feel unsafe in the Ledgewood lot.
But what happens in a few weeks when everything calms down and campus police begins to resume their regular patrol routes?
We tend to think that Xavier students would be safer if they were allowed to park as close to campus as possible.
Obviously, during the day, there are faculty and staff members that are more important than us lowly students who deserve all of the best parking spaces. We get that. But when the employees go home for the day, shouldn’t all of their spots be up for grabs?
Several students recently told us that they were hit with $50 tickets in the parking lot behind the Residence Life building at 10 p.m. while they were studying in the library. This seems totally absurd to us.
All the spots in this lot are reserved for employees of Res Life, Mission and Identity/Ministry/Jesus and Physical Plant, none of whom work at 10 p.m.
So members of the parking committee, we think you should re-zone all near-campus parking to be available for students during the evenings.
Create a policy where students with Xavier Parking permits, either commuter or resident, are allowed to park into any Xavier lot once the employees who normally use the lots have gone home.
This way staff members don’t have to worry about their spots being stolen while they’re at work during the day, but the space isn’t wasted when students show up late at night for study sessions.
Eliminating long walks across a dark campus would make everyone feel a lot safer.
On Nov. 6, be sure to vote
Although some members of the Newswire staff have hinted at the typical apathy and lackluster turnout of college students at elections, we cannot stress how important it is for you to vote in this week’s elections.
Any time we are given an opportunity to have a direct say in our government, we should take advantage of it.
At Xavier, with the focus on social justice, we constantly strive to make the world a better place, and on Nov. 6 we have the option to let our voices be heard.
If you’re registered to vote in Cincinnati or Norwood, make sure you vote in the City Council elections.
It may seem like a small and insignificant election, but the truth of the matter is that this is the level where we can make the most change.
Local issues that have graced the pages of the Newswire, from the Dana crosswalk to homelessness, are all issues that can be affected at the city level.
So readers, take this opportunity to let your voice be heard. Especially because at the City Council level, your voice is easier to hear because fewer people are shouting.
What's happened to Halloween?
Mfreke Akpaninye
Editorial Columnist
For the last couple of years, I have witnessed a weird phenomenon on Halloween night. I don’t know what it is, but when the 31st of October comes around, people start acting crazy and morphing into new creatures. One of the things I have witnessed is good, wholesome girls turning into slutty, promiscuous ladies. Guys transform into pimps, terrorists or their favorite athletes. I’ve even witnessed one person dressed up as Adolf Hitler. What makes someone believe it is permissible to dress like that just because it’s Halloween?
Maybe I’m missing the mark, but isn’t Halloween all about scaring people and having fun? These days the only people who would be scared are mommy and daddy when they see their sweet ole Sally walking around looking like a stripper or hooker from the corner.
When we were younger, we thought it was cool to be scary on Halloween. We put on face paint, claws,and fake fangs to be the scariest kid in class. As we get older, it seems like the only thing we’re scared of is waking up the day after and wondering whether we caught some ghoulish disease.
Talking to many people around campus I found a very interesting trend. I remember in mid-September I was just talking about Halloween with some classmates. The guys were just brainstorming ideas and bouncing them back and forth off each other. On the other hand, it seemed like the girls had already picked out and ordered their costumes. They knew the exact measurements and details of the costume. Some girls even had up to three costumes dedicated for the weekend of Halloween.
It’s funny how in elementary school, guys seemed to be the ones who were into Halloween and costumes. I remember one year, I was a pretty scary vampire complete with a sweet cape. That was a top of the line, pricey outfit, let me tell you. Absolutely terrifying.
Now that I’m in college, things seem a little different. Guys will throw together outfits from old clothes, while girls will spend up to $30 dollars for an outfit that maybe covers 30 percent of their bodies. Don’t get me wrong now, I have NO COMPLIANTS about the costume showing off the goods, but is it really worth it? Is it possible these days to be “Sexy and Classy,” simultaneously?
Maybe I could understand if we all went to the University of Hawaii and it’s 90 degrees on Halloween, but guess what: That’s not the case. When it’s around 50 degrees and chilly, there’s no logical reason to be looking like a Victoria Secret model.
I know I’m not speaking for most guys, but it isn’t sexy to show the whole world your goodies.
I know I’ve been talking a lot about girls in this article, but guys can step up their costumes too. Instead of picking a costume to get a few cheap laughs, actually spend time and thought to make something creative. For example, Darren, the Op-Ed editor, went befittingly as a lumberjack. This year I went as the world renowned writer/artist Mfreke Akpaninye. There’s got to be a million other ideas besides of Adolf Hitler and members of the Taliban.
If you have any thoughts about this, or better yet, suggestions for people to use next year, don’t be afraid to let us know. That’s what we’re here for.
Xavier: let's go green
Xavier has taken great environmental steps in recent years, from implementing more efficient washing machines to committing to green standards (LEED Silver) for the new buildings planned for Xavier’s campus.
Xavier’s administration has recognized the devastating effects carbon emissions have on the environment and has taken the responsibility to clean up its act. However, despite these improvements and new higher standard for new buildings, the addition means an increase to our total campus output of greenhouse gasses and negative impact on the environment.
With reports that the Arctic is melting far faster than scientists predicted, and with the dirty energy industry responsible for countless illnesses and deaths each year, it’s time for Xavier to diminish our carbon footprint as we expand campus. Our administration has taken great steps to improve the energy efficiency on campus, but we students need to show them that there is more that can be done—and that we want them to do it! We need to seize the opportunity to move toward carbon neutrality and to join other colleges and universities in becoming role models for the rest of society.
Students must rise to the challenge by teaming up with over 20 national organizations asking the administration to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), pledging to reduce Xavier’s emissions to zero through energy conservation and purchasing more renewable energy.
We need big changes, we need leadership and we need Fr. Michael Graham, S.J., our president, to stand up and take action with us. When we leave Xavier we’re not just looking for jobs, but a healthy, prosperous and just world for all people. Over 400 schools have already signed the ACUCC and taken steps to tackle the challenge of our generation, but where’s Xavier?
We need Fr. Graham to sign the ACUPCC and make a plan to reduce our school’s emissions to zero. But we also need you, our fellow students, to join us in the most important social justice movement of our lives. Look for energy saving tips around campus, get involved with Campus Climate Challenge by emailing sam.thomeczek@gmail.com, and most importantly, show others how important environmental responsibility is to you.
This article was composed and endorsed by: Black Student Association, Club Water Polo, Fair Traders, Holy Land Club, Interfaith Club, Marketing Club, National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, Peer Leadership Team, Random Acts of Kindness, Service Fellows, South Asian Society, Student Government Executives, Student Nursing Organization, Xavier Dance Marathon, Students Against Sweatshops
— LETTERS TO THE EDITOR—
X-treme letdown
The Crosstown Shootout is by far the greatest thing that will ever happen on Xavier’s campus. The Newswire’s “Mind your Points and Queues” (Oct. 24) details how the Crosstown Shootout tent ordering process has changed from years past. In 2006, the campout line began at noon the Friday prior to pickup (not 8 a.m. as previously stated) and the groups present picked a number out of a hat to represent the initial order of the tents. This process was fair and lasted about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, this year, after years of dedication and anticipation, my tent will have zero chance to be first in line.
X-treme Fans claims this lengthy 10 minute process was the reason for the change, when in reality their own self-interest took precedent. X-treme Fans already have three entire rows reserved directly behind the hoop, but now they have manipulated the process to gain an even greater advantage. This year, the initial ordering follows a point system based upon the amount of volleyball and soccer games attended. X-treme Fans released this information after the soccer and volleyball seasons are almost over.
Because this plan was conveniently released to the public last week, students not involved in X-treme Fans were not given a fair opportunity to gain points. I understand that the X-treme Fans want to offer their loyal members something other than free pizza, but this type of preferential treatment leaves other students out to dry. As an avid fan of Xavier basketball who traveled to both Lexington and Atlantic City last year, it is shameful that other students will be given priority over myself only because they have attended half a dozen soccer and volleyball games.
As a senior, I have both professional and student obligations that prevent me from attending many soccer or volleyball games. I am such a fan of Xavier basketball though, if aware of the policy (like all members of X-treme Fans were), I would have made it a priority to attend these games.
I am surprised and disappointed that X-treme Fans allowed this process to be enacted and hope they reconsider their decision, even if it means their members must follow the same rules as everyone else.
Christopher Caldwell
Class of 2008
Help fight homelessness
How pitiful are we? How pitiful are we as a world, as a nation, as a city and as a realm of academia with supposed purpose? I spent four years at Xavier and each year I saw and read the same show of mediocrity every single fall. And guess what: it continues. I am not surprised that it has continued. Why would I be? Every year an estimated three-and-a-half million people experience homelessness in America.1 In fact halfway through Reagan’s second term in 1986, The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) estimated that there were as many as three-million people who were homeless.2 So, in the past twenty-one years, homelessness has not been attacked and overcome, in fact it has been allowed to increase. Allowed is not even the right word; homelessness has been given the fuel to increase.
What is one of the greatest fuels thrown on the fire that creates homelessness and maintains it: MEDIOCRITY! Newswire, you are right, as an alumnus I can safely say that every year I observed Shantytown I had questions about it and criticisms of it. Students set up fake shanties and pretend to live in them, though few actually do. Students then raise money and donated it toward fighting homelessness. No, this is not true solidarity, and no, those who are homeless do not have a warm dorm room as a retreat. In fact, people who are homeless do not have or have access to most of the systems that most Xavier students do. So yes, Newswire you have a valid argument. You are right; those involved in Shantytown put forth the same flawed effort every fall.
But, you, Newswire, put forth the same lame argument every single fall. It seems like I have read the same article so many times that I barely felt the need to read the current attempt. I assert that those students now involved in Shantytown and those involved in the past have done far more the fight against homelessness than the Newswire has ever done. Though their effort is flawed, and for some reason you find pride in pointing that out every single year, they have actually put forth an effort. Where is your effort? You have the medium of supposed journalism and the eye of several thousand students and alumni, yet you choose to criticize this one public Xavier student effort to combat homelessness. You put on the facade of good intentions and care for those who are homeless by acting like you actually know something about homelessness and then call out those involved in Shantytown for not adhering to your supposed knowledge.
I submit that both Shantytown and the Newswire’s annual article pointing out its flaws are acts of immature mediocrity and mirror the backwardness of this country at facing, or not truly facing such issues as homelessness. You, Newswire, spend your time every fall cutting into the efforts of Shantytown to raise awareness about homelessness and do nothing to end homelessness. Do you really feel that you get yourself off the hook of responsibility by putting forth such an article? Shantytown, every year you put forth the same effort, and despite your flaws, I am thankful. You have tried, are trying, and are doing something, but do you think you too are off the hook of responsibility?
Neither of you are. Actually no one is. I am sickened by the mediocrity I have seen by all involved, most of all by those at the Newswire. Do you truly know that there are real people in your neighborhood and your World that really are homeless? While you bicker and make the same lame arguments about a group of people that probably most of you have never spent time with, real people, our neighbors, are currently dying because they have no home.
I challenge all involved and all reading and all not reading, to take real action. I don’t mean erecting fake shanties and trying to raise awareness and funds through doing so. I don’t mean wasting time making childish arguments against the shanty-makers. I mean real action. Come and visit your neighbors who are homeless. Talk with them, learn from them, feel with them and do all of this before you supposedly speak on their behalf. Would you want someone who has never met you and knows very little about you, supposedly representing you? Second, I challenge you, Newswire to use your forum of journalism to do a full and real publication about the truth of homelessness. Write and submit policy that will combat and end homelessness. Research it, starting with the first challenge. I challenge those involved in Shantytown, to continue Shantytown, but not in the way it has been done for years. First meet the initial challenge, then, if you truly believe that homelessness is wrong and that people who are homeless are actually human, take risk to end it. Take Shantytown to the frontlines. Team with your neighbors who are homeless and move to City Hall. Don’t allow yourselves to be caught in mediocrity and remain on the academic mall. Move to City Hall with your neighbors who are homeless and together sleep and stay on the steps or in the Hall. Have your prepared list of demands, which include the creation of affordable housing, jobs, universal healthcare, a living wage, the destruction of day labor operations, etc. and refuse to leave until positive action is take on these issues. Newswire, join those at city hall and cover the story and make sure it reaches the World.
Stop this perpetual mediocrity. We speak of social justice, but very few are
doing much to get it. Question your self, why did you write such an article
and support and publish it and why did you create a shanty. Was it to assist
those who are homeless, end homelessness, make yourself feel good, look good,
sound good or was it just a simple and truthfully easy thing you could do to
relieve your conscious for a while from taking real action? Don’t settle
for mediocrity, we have for far too long. It leads to the deaths of many. While
you shanty and while you write articles about it, people are dying and their
blood is on all of our hands.
Joshua Spring
Xavier Alum 2007
Resident Services Coordinator
O-t-R Community Housing
Core criticism
It is almost that time of year again—class registration! Looking at the requirements that must be fulfilled, I was once again shocked that the administration had not heard Pat Stevenson’s cries of dismay over the science requirements. NINE HOURS of science, even for a non-science major. NINE. That’s a year and a half spent on something that is completely unrelated to my major. Six hours would be reasonable—that’s just one year.
However, the requirements in general sometimes seem extreme. A student will take nine hours of theology (it is a Jesuit university, but still...) and nine hours of philosophy. There must be 20 hours of electives taken - but who has time to take electives when they’re trying to fulfill the requirements for their major AND meet the rest of the core? These classes are supposed to be fun, but advisors seem to forget when they look at your schedule that electives are necessary too.
Perhaps Xavier could take a second look at the requirements for the core and change them so that more students are taking classes they will actually need once they graduate.
Staci Martin
Class of 2009
Letters to the Editor Policy
You readers are writing to us, and we’re going to admit it: We love it. Please keep them coming! For those of you who are unsure of the process or need a little clarification, here’s our letters policy:
• To submit a letter for publication, send the letter as the main text of an email to Newswire-Oped@xavier.edu.
• The Newswire is published on Wednesdays.
• Letters must be submitted by the Monday prior to publication. Letters received on Tuesday are unlikely to be published that issue.
• Letters should be kept to a maximum of 250 words. This is a point that the letter writers are having a hard time following. PLEASE try to keep your commentary as succinct as possible so everyone gets a chance to be heard.
• Letters must be signed and include contact information. This information will not be printed, but ensures the validity of the letters we receive.
• The Newswire reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity.
• We are not obligated to print all the letters we receive, but we will ensure that all points of view expressed in the letters we receive are represented.
• Letters are more likely to be published if they are succinct and coherent, especially if they offer a unique point of view.
• If you are a students submitting a letter for publication, please include your class year.
• Finally, if you wish to submit a longer piece in the form of a column (no more than 650 words), you are more than welcome to do so. Please, no poetry.
Darren LaCour
Op-Ed Editor
Submit a Letter to the Editor
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Editor-in-Chief Ellie Jaqueth
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