— STAFF EDITORIALS —
Absurd abuse, absent assistance
We’ve recently identified a huge—nay, an absurd problem on Xavier’s campus: drug abuse. At least until this issue’s publication, there has not been a big push to really get to the root of the drug crisis on our campus or to figure out any long-term solutions.
Such a solution is long overdue. Perhaps we need to appeal to the ever-donating alums to form support groups or to help root out dealers and users in the Xavier community.
Xavier needs to make treating, not just deterring, such problems a more important focus in the university’s goals for enriching the lives of its students. Let’s face it, the university has gotten pretty good at cracking down on students who are drinking on campus this year, but charging someone a fine doesn’t get them any help.
We do have a Health and Counseling center, but McGrath should make more of an effort to reach out to us in these areas. The only time we are truly made aware of their resources are during the first week of our freshman year in a flood of paperwork, pamphlets and brochures, or else when we are sitting lonely in a waiting room and browsing more brochures.
Even if it’s something as small as moving some of these brochures to the residence halls, or putting up signs with information and services in Gallagher, or sponsoring a Drug and Alcohol Awareness week (guest speakers! free food! presentations! movies!), every bit of awareness and availability helps.
Don’t get us wrong; we still think it’s perfectly OK to have fun with alcohol, as long as it’s done mostly responsibly. But when students have serious alcohol and drug abuse problems, that’s when we’re okay with the university stomping its mighty foot down.
Give struggling students somewhere to turn, before it’s too late.
The end of the BS?
Someone give Dale Ting a standing ovation.
For a while, the Newswire has been drawing attention to the fact that the bookstore isn’t giving students the best deal (in fact, we’re getting a rather crappy one). Once they stopped publishing the ISBNs for required books, it became even more difficult for students to find the right books for class at other, cheaper sellers. While this certainly would give Xavier’s bookstore a leg up on the competition, we can’t exactly say we find it fair.
Enter Ting, who, recognizing the problem, has developed NOTthebookstore.com, a web resource where students can look up the books they need for their classes.
Granted, Ting does get a cut of Amazon’s profits, but we all know that even that slight elevation in price won’t even come close to that of the bookstore.
The last step in this revolution, of course, is to use the website.
Maybe it will work; maybe it won’t. But we have to give it a shot so we can send the bookstore the message that we won’t be cheated anymore.
So for the fall semester, get some or all of your books from Amazon using NOTthebookstore.com, and let us know how it works out for you.
Because if we can get out of paying $100 for a book that’s worth $20, we’re pretty much on board.
So go ahead, stick it to the man, cause we’re sick of the BS.
Cut the foolin’, let’s make bank
Darren LaCour
Op-Ed Editor
You saw the signs: our tuition only covers half of what it costs for a Xavier education.
That means the other half is dependent on alumni, who may have graduated from the Williams College of Business and as a result are loaded, or graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences and are even more in debt now because they are in grad school.
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting concerned.
What happens if the alumni decide that enough’s enough?
Now, I’m not worried so much about the long-standing donors who know and understand how the education system works; we will forever be indebted to their generosity.
But what about our current seniors and recent grads? Could they possibly be too stingy to donate back to Xavier to help the next generation of students pursuing their dreams? (It’s actually more likely that they’d be too socially conscious to have any money.)
To help with this problem, I’ve been brainstorming (with the help of some friends, of course) ways that Xavier could become less alumni-dependent, which might help us get the campus expansion rolling ahead of schedule.
First, Xavier should start investing in lottery tickets ($250 million Powerball!). There’s a sign outside the library that says that the cost of running the library for seven hours is $1,000. I say we close the library for seven more hours each day and use the money to buy lottery tickets. With 1,000 tickets, we’ll have a much better shot than those average joes. Alternatively, we could stop running the heat and A/C in Brockman and use the money we save to buy the tickets.
As a second wave of fundraising, we could start hiring professional gamblers to storm the casinos. We’d front the cost of their excursion, and let them keep 10 percent. Let’s make sure we pick smart gamblers, but people who are not smart enough to simply walk away with the money given to them.
If you’re not on board with these professionals, perhaps we should tap into the student body. I propose we start a class where students learn how to count cards, kind of like that guy at MIT. Except the students will be graded on how much money they can take out of the casinos. You’d get an A if you could muster up a couple grand, which of course would go back to your education anyway. Don’t think about taking the money yourself, though: they’d fail you, then prosecute you for gambling with the school’s money.
A third strategy would be to rob banks and/or jewelry stores. Yet that poses obvious dangers, especially if one of the guys in on it is really an undercover cop posing as a student (“Reservoir Dogs,” anyone?).
My final solution is one that will utilize the wonderful resource that is our TV station. I learned in my mass media class that action movies make tons of money in overseas markets. We’re talking at least four times the amount they make in the U.S.—even the crappy ones make BANK!
I propose we invest in explosives and give the students formerly involved with “Time Well Spent” a new task: 90 minutes of pure, uncut action! Think “Shoot ‘Em Up” on steroids (I know, you’re wondering, is that possible?). Just imagine how nice our campus facilities will be once we see the dough from that overseas blockbuster!
Now Xavier, once we start implementing these fundraising ideas, I expect to be compensated heavily. Guaranteed placement at a high paying job would be nice (please and thank you, Board of Trustees members!). That way, when I get a call from Phone-a-thon asking me to make a donation back to my wonderful alma mater, I won’t have to choose between saving the world, financing a dreamer’s education, and a 1978 Les Paul Goldtop; I’ll just do it all.
And in the rare occasion that the university rejects my proposals, I suggest all of you graduating seniors think long and hard (that’s what she said!) about how much money you’ll be willing to give back. Other grads did it for you.
So thanks, in advance.
Crisis of faiths
Sarah Weiten
Editorial Columnist
Last Tuesday, more than 400 children were removed from their homes in a compound in Texas after authorities received a report that a sixteen-year-old girl was being abused by her fifty-year-old husband.
The compound is home to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.
Local and federal authorities stormed the compound wearing body armor, carrying automatic weapons and accompanied by an armored vehicle.
After finding evidence of possible forced underage marriage, the authorities removed all the children from the compound on suspicion of widespread sexual abuse.
The children are undergoing DNA testing and have been separated from their parents for questioning.
This brings to light an interesting parallel. Pope Benedict XVI was making his first visit the United States this week. One stop he made during his tour of the east coast was completely unexpected.
On Thursday, he met and consoled a group of victims of the sexual abuse scandal in the clergy that has bankrupted five American dioceses and brought many American Catholics to question their faith.
Such a gesture of compassion to these victims has never been undertaken by a Pope, and can be seen as a step forward towards the healing of those touched by the scandal.
While the two circumstances of abuse may seem unrelated, they share a common thread; the perversion of American faith to take advantage of those who are innocent.
My question is, how can we allow this perversion to continue? How can we allow the situation to get so out of hand that armed government men must take children from their mothers to ensure their safety?
Clearly the issue is not with one religious group alone. It is an issue for all American faiths, indeed for all faiths around the world.
Here at Xavier University, we need to examine how it is that such atrocities occur in our midst and make it clear that such practices are not to be tolerated. As “men and women for others”, how could we do any less?
The Good, the BAD and the Great
Brandon McClain
Editorial Columnist
Quick Hit
The year is coming to a close and we’re all getting tired of the spastic weather and insane amounts of work to be done. I know that I’m mentally drained and physically tired, but I haven’t given up all hope yet.
Summer is this close to getting here and all of the freedom and fun that comes with the vacation time will soon be ours. We all just have to dig deep and fight through the work that separates us from the summer months.
I’m aware that sometimes we all need a boost, so if you know someone who needs his or her spirits lifted, don’t hesitate to let them rant, rave, cry, or do whatever it takes to get over this last hump. Stay strong and be patient, for good things come to those who wait.
Epic Failure
I love to laugh until I cry, but I didn’t laugh much at Carlos Alazraqui on Monday as part of SAC’s Spring into Summer Week. I had high hopes that Carlos Alazraqui and Cedric Yarbrough were going to be funny, but I saw Alazraqui’s routine and only laughed at a few jokes. He was too buzzed on the energy drink that he made the mistake of imbibing and went all over the place with his thoughts instead of staying on track with his jokes. I didn’t stay for Yarbrough’s routine, but I’m fairly certain that I didn’t miss much.
This leads me to ask SAC, what happened to the ton of money that wasn’t spent on the missing fall concert? What happened to the promise of a great spring concert or event? Wasn’t there an opinion poll that asked about what events the student body would be interested in seeing?
I know it takes a lot of time and effort to book performers and I appreciate the effort made by SAC, but at the same time I am thoroughly disappointed in the performance on Monday.
The event only reinforced the disappointment that I have felt towards SAC as a whole this year. After many fun events and games on campus last year, SAC has let many students down.
Great Success
There’s a dude on campus that everyone should know; he’s a short guy with a ridiculous amount of facial hair and a knack for making people laugh. Of course I am talking about the man known as Reid Faylor, the same man who draws cartoons for the Newswire.
Reid has succeeded in two ways in recent weeks and he should be recognized and thanked for being so amazingly funny. At the National College Comedy Competition two weeks ago, Reid wowed the audience with his amazing stand-up performance and won the regional competition, beating all of Ohio State’s comics.
Now a semi-finalist in the competition, Reid needs your help to get to Aspen, Colorado for the finals. Go to rooftopcomedy.com and click on the National College Comedy Competition banner and vote for him to go to Aspen.
Reid Faylor is also the “Great Success of the Week” because he was the high point of the Alazraqui/Yarbrough event. He did the opening set and made the audience laugh heartily. I commend Reid again for being funny and making the event more enjoyable, despite the so-so entertainment that followed.
— LETTERS TO THE EDITOR—
Take another look at the facts
In response to the letter to the editor entitled “The Red Healthcare Scare” published in the April 9, 2008 edition of the Newswire:
I don’t see how a reader of the pamphlet can be “misinformed.” It provides accurate definitions of both universal and private healthcare systems, contains U.S. Census Bureau statistics and shows calculations while using numbers from a real paycheck. It’s a shame the pamphlets didn’t reach all of the Xavier population. They were placed on the tables in the caf, but many were taken off by lunch time.
I believe they are still stacked up behind the pillar at the entrance if anyone is still interested in reading one, though.
I find it interesting that the main argument for universal healthcare posed in the article was this “save the children” initiative.
I find it hard to believe that the group proclaiming this slogan advocates extending health insurance—let alone, healthcare—to all children from age 18 on down.
I guess they feel they need to make up for all those babies killed.
Sure, life is more important than money, but if we are willing to pay extra taxes to the government in order to “save the children,” then maybe we should put this money somewhere we can control it, like giving it to an organization fighting to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The writer of the editorial article is right on one thing: do your own research. But don’t put up with any sweeping statements either. Look at the facts.
Kyle Rinderle | ‘11
Guest column: New Senate, same mission
As a newly elected Student Senator, I am fully aware that I have a lot to learn, including information regarding the Senate Board and the Student Government Association (SGA) as a whole. As I learn, I will be relaying my findings to you, in hopes of bridging the gap between the Xavier University governing bodies and the students.
There were several instances in the past few months in which Senate’s name had the opportunity to be stained.
Whether it’s through the election “scandal” that has some people still upset or the SGA salary increases for the executives, I feel as though Senate is not viewed in the same way as when I first walked onto Xavier’s campus.
These happenings are definitely factors which the students should participate in and be fully aware of; don’t get me wrong. However, the students should also be aware of other things.
Since the executive elections, in which the Scanlon, Johnson, Badall ticket received less than fifty votes more than the Gamboa, Hale, Callejas ticket, students have been talking about the presumed “unfair” nature of the election.
What most students don’t know is that the newly elected Senate Coordinator will, for the first time in SGA history, be sharing an office with the President of SGA, Craig Scanlon. The 2008-2009 Senate Coordinator is none other than Esteban Gamboa, the candidate who ran opposite Scanlon.
Also, as a result of the very close election, both the winning and losing executive tickets met so that the standing executives could learn the losing ticket’s platform ideas. In the end, all students, regardless of who they voted for, will see elements of both platforms come to life.
In addition, the salary increases for the SGA Executives, the Senate Coordinator and the SAC Chair were not ways for the Senators to reward their own leaders. Being an SGA executive takes so much time that it would be near impossible for the individuals holding these positions to take on schoolwork, SGA and a part-time job.
The amount of money given to each executive, in accordance with the amount of hours each executive is expected to put into their position (and I can guarantee, each of them puts in much more than what is expected) comes out to be around $7/hour , the minimum wage of the state of Ohio, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Xavier University Student Senate’s mission statement, adopted on October 6, 1997 by the then-presiding Senate, states:
“The Xavier University Student Senate’s mission is to provide representation and service to students. The Student Senate shall organize, and provide stability and guidance to clubs and other student organizations. Through communication with the student body, the Senate acts as a bridge between students and administration to improve the quality of life for all students associated with Xavier University.”
As a senator, I know I speak for everyone on the board in saying that our mission has not changed.
If your current view of the Senate is still stained, I welcome you to attend a Senate meeting and express any or all of your concerns. The board welcomes student input and suggestions to create open lines of communication.
Meetings are Mondays from 3-5 p.m. in Gallagher Student Center room 214. Together, as a Senate, working with each other, and our fellow students, we know that the 2008-2009 school year will be full of great things for the entire Xavier community.
Neil Heckman is a Senator and SGA liason for the Newswire.
Katherine Monasterio
Op-Ed Editor
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