'05-'06 Student Org Budget Submitted

The 2005-2006 Student Organizational Budget was presented to the Legislative Branch of the Undergraduate Student Government Tuesday in an open meeting in Hannan Hall.

Of the 61 organizations that requested funding this year, most saw their budgets cut, and five organizations received no funding at all. This was due to a new focus on funding more for organizations that had plans for university-wide events.

The organizations that received the most money in the proposed budget were awarded higher amounts because the programs they put on benefit the entire university community, said Treasury Vice President Brian Jones. Program Board received the largest portion of the budget, $71,500, from the USG treasury branch. In fact, this amount was almost double of the amount any other organization received. The money will be used to fund such events as Movies on the Mall and potentially another concert like this semester's Gavin DeGraw performance.

Another organization that saw a large increase in its funding was the Friday Nights Planning committee. This organization had not received money from the student organizational fund last year because it was funded by the Campus Ministry budget. This year, to supplement the cost of staging such Friday night events as open gym nights and laser tag, the committee applied for student organizational funding. Jones said the group received a significant portion of the budget because programs they present benefit a large portion of the University community.

Despite the increase in funding for some groups, many academic-based organizations saw their funding decreased dramatically. Groups like the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and CSI, a professional society of the architecture school, saw funding decreased from this year's amount of $1,250 each to $145 and $220, respectively. Other academic organizations such as the Italian Club and Eta Sigma Phi, the classics honor society, were denied any funding this year.

Jones attributed this decrease and elimination of funds to the fact that such specific academic organizations receive funding besides what is allocated to them by USG from their respective schools. "The Treasury branch found this fact out and decided that since they have another school-based funding source that allocating funds on the scale of the previous year was unnecessary," he said.

BMES president Daniela Monterrubio, a junior biomedical engineering major, refuted the legislative branch claim of significant departmental support of her organization. "This 88 percent cut in funding for BMES prevents any activities from occurring this year without member support," Monterrubio said.

Monterrubio also said that even though her department has in the past contributed some funds to defray the cost of student fees at conferences, it could not be expected to fund completely the programs that BMES sponsors. "This amount given will not even cover the cost of one student's entry fee to the national conference, which costs $200 to attend. In addition we cannot even give the $300 to the Maggiano's Engineering Ball we had planned, meaning that this cut will hurt more students than the biomeds," she said.

Student Organization Budget Recommendations
Alpha Delta Gamma $2,900
APO $7,000
ASCE $8,434
ASME $1,500
Amnesty International $1,250
AURS $940
Best Buddies $550
Biology Club $500
BMES $145
Cheerleaders $7,700
Runners $1,300
Yearbook $35,000
Centerstage $11,500
Democrats $7,500
Republicans $19,500
Ballroom $4,400
CSI $220
Equestrian $1,000
Ice Hockey $11,150
Rowing $19,000
FOCUS $2,740
German Club $1,000
Fri. Nights Planning Cmte $15,000
Habitat for Humanity $14,000
HoCo $5,400
Impulse Control $2,150
IEEE $800
IAA $16,500
Knights of Columbus $2,784
Latin Alliance $1,250
Men's Rugby $9,530
Minority Voices $1,000
NSBE $700
Pax Christi $1,800
Phi Sigma Tau $2,300
Psi Chi $275
Program Board $71,500
SWE $3,200
SAAC $3,000
SFL $3,000
BOSACUA $1,900
Class of 2009 $500
Class of 2008 $2,600
Class of 2007 $9,250
Class of 2006 $23,500
CRUX $7,000
USG $6,000
Cultimate Frisbee $575
UDT $600
WCUA $3,000
Women's Rugby $3,505
NSNA $250
Redline A Capella $500
French Club $450
AIAS $500
KASA $250

Dean of Students Office Takes Authority for HRS

Responsibility for the Office of Housing and Residential Services was moved to the dean of students last Friday, after former HRS Director Katherine Boone accepted an offer to leave the University before the end of the academic year, several weeks earlier than she had planned.

HRS will continue to exist as a student life department, but it will report to the dean of students office rather than Vice President for Student Life Susan Pervi. No immediate staff changes are planned, and no interim HRS director has been named.

In an interview, Pervi said Boone's resignation was unexpected, but she does not plan to name an interim HRS director because of the new reorganization plans. "I have total confidence in the [HRS] staff," she said. "They don't need me to find someone to cover them."

Jonathan Sawyer, the dean of students, said that his office and Pervi will work with HRS staff members to create "a more seamless approach" to student housing. "That's going to take some time," he said, adding that the immediate priority for the new organization structure will be to manage next year's room selection and finish out the academic year.

Sawyer said he was informed of the new arrangement last week. Boone resigned March 9, but said she would remain director until the end of the year. That plan changed last Friday, when Pervi offered to let Boone leave the University immediately-which Pervi said Boone wanted-rather than serve through the rest of the year.

In an e-mail to The Tower, Boone said her last day will be Wednesday, and she will be "in and out of the office" until that time.

"Although I had offered to stay until the end of the semester, I was given the opportunity to leave earlier to aid me in my transition. Although I am sad to leave CUA, I have accepted the offer," Boone wrote. She said she would be spending time with her children and reiterated her desire to continue working part-time as a consultant. Boone currently works part-time for the University of Maryland and American University, about which Pervi said she was unaware.

Pervi said in a letter to staff members that Clay Patty, the associate HRS director for residence life, "had already informed us he would be leaving his position to attend law school this coming fall," a circumstance suggested by Boone in an interview last week with The Tower.

"There are no short-range or long-range plans to eliminate positions" that are currently filled in the housing office, Sawyer said. Through the end of the year and into the summer, Sawyer said that student life officials would "look at the structure of the department in terms of management." Pervi also reiterated that there are no plans to eliminate positions.

In an interview, Pervi that she decided to move responsibility for HRS to the dean of students the same day as Boone's resignation, due to a desire to curb "the silo effect" where student life departments "operate as individual units."

HRS and the dean of students office have already been working on a number of projects, Pervi said, including joint work on enrollment, enhancing facilities, "living-learning" initiatives and leadership programs.

"The response has been tremendous" from staff members in both departments, Pervi said. Asked why the decision was made so quickly to reorganize the offices, Pervi said she asked herself: "Do I want to do this now, or do I want to do this later? For me, it made no sense to wait." She praised Sawyer as "a strong leader" and said he would manage issues percolating up to the HRS director's level-problems that would formerly be resolved by Boone.

Sawyer left open the possibility that someone in the dean of students office may take on some duties normally carried by Boone or Patty. Also, the HRS director's position may change to an associate dean position. The day-to-day supervision of HRS area coordinators-now done by Patty-would need to be one of the responsibilities taken on by a current staff member or a new hire, Sawyer said.

Both Pervi and Sawyer said they expected that the total reorganization would be completed by the opening of classes in the fall. "I don't think students will feel the effect of any of this," Pervi said.

Now the dean of students, Sawyer joined CUA as the Housing office's assistant director for assignments, marketing and judicial affairs, shortly after which the position was changed to encompass only residence life and judicial affairs. With the 2002 reorganization of the student judicial process, and the creation of a student code of conduct, he became an associate dean of students for judicial affairs and ethical development. He was promoted to his current position in 2003.

The dean of students office already works with HRS to try and prevent violations of the code of student conduct, Sawyer said. Although HRS primarily documents violations of the code (through resident assistants and area coordinators) the dean of students office-through Associate Dean for Judicial Affairs and Ethical Development Sarah Janczuk-holds responsibility for judicial oversight and student discipline.

Pervi said that she joined the University after leaving Georgetown University in 1982, and began serving as CUA's director of housing and food services at the University.

Improvements Planned for New Land

The University has applied for a certificate of occupancy for the 49 acres of land purchased in 2003, and will request the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment to zone the land for an outdoor music pavilion, an unpaved cross country course, and a location for more trailers to function as temporary student housing for students.

Plans also call for a recycling center and a storage area for trucks, along with a large area for "environmental research," an area where biology classes could conduct research, according to Carl Petchik, the executive director of facilities operations.

Two areas of "spiritual repose" are also proposed for the area.

Petchik said that the application was necessary to protect the new area of campus-called "West Campus"-from being taxed. The rest of the University's property is untaxed because CUA is a non-profit organization.

The most significant construction would be the outdoor music pavilion, a stage for musical groups to perform for an audience seated on the lawn near Harewood Road NE. Because of funding constraints, Petchik said no major construction is planned for the area. Petchik also said that the plans are tentative because funding hasn't been absolutely secured. But assuming that it is, and the Zoning Board approves the request, construction could begin as early as the summer, he said.

A 1.5-mile unpaved path would go through the wooded area of West Campus, Petchik said. "We'd widen and clear it-we've discussed with the Park Service on how to do those things," he said.

Trailers for temporary housing would be installed "only if necessary," Petchik said, but plans include space for enough trailers to house about 40 students.

The West Campus area will be fenced and locked at night.

Petchik predicted no problems in having the land zoned and receiving the occupancy certificate. "We believe it'll be recognized as use, we'll get the certificate of occupancy, and it'll be tax exempt, as is the rest of the University," he said.

Notes & Asides

There is at least one day of the school year when we have school spirit. Too bad we're all wearing green.

Just in case you hadn't figured out what the red panic button in CV was for, it now says exit. This is one red button you actually can push.

Bagpiper. Pryz. Awesome!

Hey, have you heard abou the Faith Reason and the Imagination lecture series? Gotten any emails promoting it? We've gotten, well about a BILILION! Anyone else smell spam?

Police Blotter

3-12 / Harewood Rd / 11:14 p.m.
THEFT FROM AUTO
C/1 reported she parked her vehicle on 3/11, she stated that she returned to her car on 3/12 and discovered the passenger side vent window smashed and property stolen from her vehicle.

3-14 / Caldwell Hall / 10:05 a.m.
INJURED PERSON TO HOSPITAL
C/1 fainted causing him to fall, striking his head on the floor. EMS was notified and responded and he was transported to the hospital.
3-15 / Spellman Hall / 11:00 p.m.
BURGLARY II
C/1 and C/2 reported they saw their property at 1 pm. When C/1 and C/2 returned at 11 pm they discovered their property stolen. MPD was notified. Status: under investigation

3-16 / Harewood Rd / 11:00 a.m.
STOLEN AUTO
C/1 stated she parked her vehicle at 11 am. When she returned at 3:10 pm, she discovered her car had been stolen.
3-16 / Salve Regina / 1:57 p.m.
INJURED PERSON
C/1 stated he lost his balance and fell striking his head. EMS was notified and responded. C/1 refused further assistance.

3-16 / Mullen Library / 3:15 p.m.
LOST PROPERTY
C/1 reported she left her property in the library. When C/1 returned, she discovered the property was not where she believed she left it.

Miss CUA Attracts A Crowd

56 Students Nominated for USG Positions

Current Academic Vice President Mary Fox and Sophomore Class President Daryl Lloyd were nominated Wednesday night to run for USG president, along with fifty-four other students who were nominated for the four vice-presidential offices, class presidents and vice-presidents, and the four senate seats for each class.

For next year's junior class, all candidates will be elected pending a write-in campaign and assuming all candidates are approved by the dean of students. Just one person is nominated for president and vice president; four students were nominated for senate.

Only one person was nominated each of two academic senate seats and as school representatives.

USG Nominations

USG President
Mary Fox
Daryl Lloyd

Legislative Vice President
Katie Cavan
Jenn Jones
Katelyn Crawford

Treasury Vice President
Ben Senger
Erika Bencker
Kevin Walling
Frank Morroni

Judicial Vice President
Sean Hurley
Tom Powers

Academic Vice President
Matthew Fallon
Ryan Goodwin

Senior Class President
Nicholas Bell
Sean McConnell

Senior Class VP
Susie Catania
John White

Senior Class Treasurer
Brian Jefferes

Senior Class Senator
Harry Cradic
Judy Kegley
Patricia Freyvogel
Matthew McCarron
"Scuba" Steve Garofano

Senior Commuter Rep.
Jon Hartrey

Junior Class President
Kelli McErlean

Junior Class VP
Audra Kane

Junior Class Treasurer
Charles Wilkes

Junior Class Senator
Greg Gervais
Justin Ciktor
Kimberly Pulick
Dan Gorecki
Junior Commuter Rep
Matt Janeczko

Sophomore Class President
James Beattie
Kyle Cocchi

Sophomore Class VP
Frank Anastasio
Justin Tuskan
Jillian Abecasis

Sophomore Class Treasurer
Michael Nardi
Jacob Gallay
Christine Hunkele

Sophomore Class Senator
Matthew Murphy
Jackie Lodge
Brandon Umba
Ray Gennawey
Joseph Quintas
James P. Walsh
Vanessa Rudnansky
Brendan Koeth

Sophomore Commuter Rep.
Adam DeAngelis

2nd Academic Senator
Matt Thorn

1st Academic Senator
Joe Branco

Reps. at Large
Claire McKenney

School of Philosophy Rep.
Jessica Wisniowski

Music School Rep.
Rob Casal

Nursing Rep.
(none)

Architecture Rep.
Victoria Engelstad

Engineering Rep.
(none)

Arts & Sciences Rep.
Nolen Deibert

Letters to the Editor

Scholarship Cuts Are Not Unfair

I find it disheartening to hear the current student leaders voicing their utter disgust with the administration's decision to cut student organization scholarships. How can these students feel as though it is a fair trade to put in time for USG, The Tower, and the Yearbook and get a scholarship in return?

What makes these student organizations better than any other and more worthy of paid positions? I was captain of the volleyball team during my time at Catholic. I put in plenty of time - cutting my summer short to put in weeks of preseason, spending hours every day practicing, and often spending well over 30 hours a week on the road to play for our school and represent it well. I never saw a dime for any of that time, and don't feel that I should have.

Like every athlete and other student organization member and leader, I participated because my heart was in it. I was dedicated to representing the University and doing my best to make it a better place. It says much more about one's character that they would do something simply because they were passionate about it, rather than taking interest because there is a monetary reward involved.

Perhaps now is an opportune time for students to do some self-evaluation and discover their real passions. It will pay off in the real world.

Katie Acuff

Class of 2003

Scholarship Cuts Have Bad Timing

Alright. I'll give the University administration the benefit of the doubt: the decision to remove scholarships from student organizations including The Tower - whom the administration has refused to talk to since October -was not a political but a "business decision." I am, however, deeply troubled by the incompetence apparent in the execution of this decision.

The failure to alert student leaders of a change - "made before the academic year began," according to The Tower - that demands possible restructuring of their organizations until so late in the year is simply gross incompetence.

Fortunately for everyone, it is not an unrecoverable error: the University administration can show they are reasonable and responsible by deferring implementation of this policy until the 2006-2007 academic year. This delay would be sufficient for The Tower, USG, and Yearbook to address their future new financial needs.

I will be reading The Tower to see if this administration is a responsible steward of my alma mater. If their actions prove otherwise, I'll know that the best way to serve my University is not to support its mismanagement through the Annual Fund, but instead to contribute directly to organizations like The Tower. I'll encourage my fellow alumni to do the same.

Joe Price

Class of 2005

Editorial:Changes Needed in USG Campaign Structure

The Undergraduate Student Government will hold their annual elections March 30. We at The Tower had hoped to be able to endorse candidates this year, as we did before last year's election. We view endorsements as a way of both informing the electorate about candidates' positions and also giving our opinion of which candidates are most qualified for USG positions.

We met with and interviewed executive-board candidates and voted as an editorial board on who would be best to lead USG, based not only on the interviews but on a year (or more) of reporting on these individuals.

Unfortunately, due to the Easter Holiday, The Tower will not be publishing the week preceding the election and thus, we will be unable to offer our views on the election. We will also be unable to offer complete news coverage of the candidates and the races. Forcing the candidates to campaign around the Easter holiday is simply unacceptable; USG's election committee should have realized that candidates need more time to meet with students and make their views known to the campus. The Tower also needs a certain amount of time to interview candidates and publish endorsements.

Easter Break interrupts the very heart of the USG campaign season, leaving candidates with only six full days to campaign; five occur before break, leaving only one campaign for after the Easter holiday.

Because paper ballots-and not computer voting-will be used this year, candidates are forced to have a Get Out the Vote campaign on top of an issue platform. Professional politicians and their paid consultants have a difficult time getting out the vote, so how can we expect our student candidates to do much better?

USG officials should have also lengthened the campaign in order to accommodate the Easter Holiday. By ignoring the need for alterations, USG is only handicapping their own candidates.

National News Briefs

DoD Aide to Head World Bank
President Bush announced his nomination of Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz to be President of the World Bank, on Wednesday. Wolfowitz is one of the principal architects of the Iraq war, served as ambassador to Indonesia, and was the dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Wolfowitz will replace James D. Wolfensohn, a Clinton appointee who frequently clashed with the Bush administration. It is traditional for the President of the United States to appoint the president of the World Bank, but the nomination must be approved by 24 executive directors who represent the 184 member states that compose the World Bank.

Jury Find Ebbers Guilty
Former WorldCom CEO Bernie Ebbers was found guilty of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, and making false SEC filings, on Wednesday. Ebbers was accused of masterminding $11 billion worth of fraudulent accounting entries. Ebbers had used his WorldCom shares as collateral for over $400 million in bank loans from the Bank of America. Among the evidence used by the prosecution were memos in which Ebbers admitted to accounting fluff and one time events impacting financial statements. Ebbers, 63, faces up to 85 years in prison; his sentencing is set for June 13.

Congress Addresses MLB Steriod Use
A hearing sponsored by the Congressional Committee on Government Reform investigated the use of steroids in Major League Baseball, on Thursday. The hearing was prompted in part by a tell-all book written by former player Jose Canseco in which he alleged that steroid use was common during his time as a player. Kurt Schilling, Rafael Palmiero and Mark McGwire all challenged the testimony of Canseco, protesting that they had not used drugs and that what Canseco said was inaccurate. Rep. Thomas Davis (R-VA), the committee chairman also announced the formation of an advisory committee to curb steroid use to be chaired by players Kurt Schilling and Frank Thomas. Both are fierce opponents of steroid use. Executives from MLB issued a statement saying that they would identify and punish those who use steroids.

Guilty Verdict For Peterson
A jury sentenced Scott Peterson to death, on Wednesday, for the murder of his wife and their unborn child. Laci Peterson, eight months pregnant, vanished on Christmas Eve of 2002. Prosecutors alleged that Scott killed his wife and dumped her body in the bay because he did not want to face the impending responsibilities of fatherhood. At the time of Laci's murder, Peterson was having an affair with Amber Frey, who was the prosecution's star witness at Peterson's trial. Peterson was sentenced to death by lethal injection and ordered to pay restitution of $15,000 for Laci's funeral and other expenses.

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