Legal Services Society Aims to Help Katrina Victims

Members of the Columbus School of Law sent an open letter to Congress, asking to "relay the urgent needs that remain unmet" in the affected areas of a post-Hurricane Katrina Gulf Coast.

Following a legal relief trip to Biloxi, Mississippi in the spring, nine students signed a letter outlining their desire to "bring political attention and solutions to the thousands of families who remain displaced with no prospects of returning to their lost homes or settling permanently into new homes." Specifically, they referenced a zoning law exception that would displace survivors from municipal land, as well as the bureaucracy that prevents people from receiving the money states have allocated to them.

The students worked for nearly two weeks with the Mississippi Center for Justice, a nonprofit firm for the advancement of racial and economic justice. The law school's Legal Services Society sponsored the trip.

".An open letter to Congress is the least we could do to help," said Jenny Lin, who has been credited as the one who spearheaded the action. "Personally, I was not going to let myself off the hook when I returned home while many people I met in Biloxi still have no home to speak of."

"The letter to Congress was our attempt to spur our leaders into action and to alert them to some matters needing immediate attention," said Patrick McCormally, one of the letter's co-writers.

The letter, sent on July 3, was addressed to the 27 U.S. senators on the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; among them were those who represent Louisiana and Mississippi. Both states were devastated by the hurricane two years ago Wednesday.

"It's easy to forget about something that happened in 2005," said McCormally. "But when you're down there, it sometimes looks like it all happened yesterday."

Life Cycle Future Unsure with Relocation to Maloney

The fate of the Life Cycle Institute still hangs in the balance after being unwillingly moved into a "less desirable space" in Maloney Hall.

The LCI will have to submit a three-year plan by Nov. 1 detailing how it will operate self-sufficiently. Should the LCI's plan not meet the standards the University set, per the budget process, they risk losing University support - money and space.

On April 4, John Convey, the then provost of the University, informed the LCI of a construction plan that included the possibility of relocating them to accommodate the School of Philosophy. The plan involved demolishing St. Bonaventure Hall, where Housing Services and the philosophy department operated. He estimated the process would take a year.

In June, however, the board of trustees approved the plans. Vacating Housing Services and the School of Philosophy became priority. According to Provost James Brennan, the obvious choice for the philosophy department's new site emerged.

"One of the luxuries that was enjoyed by the faculty of LCI was office space," said Brennan. The University, according to Brennan, wanted the philosophy department to move only once and permanently, and the LCI building could accommodate that need. Also, because the School of Philosophy is "such a visible part of this University," said Brennan, the LCI's good condition reflects that standard. The building was to be named Aquinas Hall.

University officials had already discussed the need to move the philosophy department and planned to do so by next summer, but the developer insisted St. Bonaventure Hall had to go down before he met with the D.C. Zoning Board.

"Very soon after [the meeting with Convey], it became clear that the contractor wouldn't do anything with St. Bonaventure up and so what looked like a year leeway.changed to weeks," said Sandra Hanson, a research fellow at the LCI.

Once the School of Philosophy was poised to move into the LCI building, the facility where the research center had operated from since its inception in 1974, the LCI itself needed a new working space. Though there was talk about relocating the LCI to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, ultimately, the library in Maloney Hall was cleared and renovations were made to give adequate space to the research center, according to Brennan. In a meeting with Brennan in mid June, the decision to move the LCI to Maloney Hall to accommodate the School of Philosophy, as well as the decision to withhold half of the LCI's endowment as an insurance policy in case it should run into deficits and the University's appointment of former Provost Convey to serve as interim director, despite nominating Marc Sebrechts, a procedure outlined in their bylaws, was disclosed to the LCI. According to Convey, the Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, president of the University, asked him personally to step in as director of the LCI.

Hanson, who was present, called the meeting contentious, stating that the nature of the discussion yielded passionate responses.

Prior to Brennan's meeting, the LCI, under Dr. Stephen Schneck, the then acting director of the LCI, had worked to find compromise after being informed by Convey of the possible move. One of those compromises was sharing the building with the philosophy department.

"This building is historically Boys Town, built for the study of youth.called the Boys Town Youth Center. The building has historically housed an inter-disciplinary research center that focuses on issues involving social justice, youth, the Church.and we bring in grants," said Hanson of the facts and merits that justify sharing the building. Brennan stated that there would not have been room to accommodate both.

Now operating out of Maloney Hall, the LCI, under Convey, is preparing a plan to be completely self-sustaining.

"They are not generating a lot of research dollars to support that research," said Brennan. He continued that a research center's goal should be to operate on the revenue of its extramural research and what he is asking them to do is "basically present a business plan" - a request Brennan said is reasonable. The University currently allocates $150,000 to the LCI.

Hanson argued that Brennan's assessment of insufficient research funds is wrong, because many of the LCI scholars' funded work, though listed under their specific departments, help the LCI. However, Hanson said the LCI could move in the direction of being self-sustaining, provided they receive their indirect funds, a move Brennan said will happen.

Brennan is confident they can succeed in their new space.

"I think they have a lot of strengths," said Brennan, adding that he has and will continue to offer his help for the plan due in November.

Director Convey has scheduled the first meeting to discuss the approach for the plan for Sept. 13.

"The intention is to develop a vigorous plan so that we can continue what Life Cycle has been doing for 33 years," said Convey, and regarded the need to get external funds as a priority.

Hanson has suggested that these events indicate the University had a target on the LCI.

"We are a center that is so dedicated to the mission of this University," stated Hanson, but "Bottom line is they don't like some of these messages. The bishops are very conservative and they don't like some of this stuff. Everybody quotes us, we are the experts on it and yet, sometimes you shoot the messenger."

Hanson is not the first to suggest this. An editorial in the National Catholic Reporter, titled "Dear CUA, don't kill the messenger," states that, "The bishops and other members of the board should engage in a long and frank discussion before moving ahead with any plans to dismantle a long-established and respected source of important information about Catholic community and life." The article is from May 25, before the formal decision was made to move the LCI.

But Hanson remains positive for the LCI, stating, "The future of LCI involves continued training, research and networking on issues that involve youth, the church, civil society and social justice." She is not alone in this vision.

"The Life Cycle Institute has for years been doing social science research in the service of the American Catholic community. We have carried out surveys of laity, young adults, priests and so on. This work will continue in our new setting, since research grants are coming in and leaders of Catholic institutions need the information," said Dean Hoge, an LCI scholar.

"What matters most for the future of LCI is a coming together of various visions for its mission. President, provost, institute fellows and LCI's constituent departments and schools all need to share a vision for the place and its work," said Schneck. "The good news, [amid] all the tensions that come with change, is that we have made progress towards that shared vision; a vision that has at its core an effort to open a vital, three-way conversation between the University, the Church, contemporary American society and public policy."

Convey has indicated that Schneck will be briefed on the plan's progress. Schneck will resume duties as director next year.

University Students Help Troops Overseas in Iraq

University students are giving back to those who serve and protect. Maureen Martin, a sophomore and Patrick Campbell, a former law student are both familiar with the military. Martin's father is a Colonel in the army and Campbell is a National Guard medic.
Martin raised more that $3,500 this summer for Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The money was raised primarily through a swimming lap-a-thon that was held in Fort Mead, Md. She also created care packages for soldiers and delivered them personally.
Campbell is helping student soldiers with the loans accumulated while they are serving overseas. His solution was the Veterans Education Tuition Support Act (VETS), which he wrote. The legislation makes colleges refund tuition for students sent overseas, cap interest accumulation at 6% and extend the time that a soldier can re-enroll before paying back loans.
This legislation is meant to facilitate student soldier's completion of their degree.

Students Compete in Miss D.C.

University students Ashley Ahlquist and Caroline Casey participated in the Miss District of Columbia Pageant, which took place on July 21.

Ashley Ahlquist, a senior politics major, had never participated in a pageant before, but decided to enter "on the spur of the moment." Ahlquist's platform was positive solutions for crisis pregnancies. She found coaches to help her as she trained for an evening gown segment, a bathing suit segment, and an onstage and private interview. Preliminaries began in March, during which a panel chose 14 college-aged women out of 30 that would then participate in the pageant later that summer.

She had a great experience with the other 14 contestants during the rehearsals. "We all became really good friends while we were doing this," she stated. Ahlquist felt that the winner, Shayna Judd, would represent D.C. well, and work hard on her platform, which, according to missdc.org, was T.E.S.T.I.M.O.N.Y.S. (Telling Each Story To Inspire More Of Our Nation's Youth to Succeed).

Caroline Casey was not available for an interview, but according to missdc.org, her talent was vocal and her platform was promoting health and wellness in DC's children.

Neither student placed in the contest.

New Changes, Ideas, Programs Gave Orientation New Vitality

Orientation 2007 featured several new events. Assistant Dean of Students Kathryn Jennings, in her first year as the faculty head of orientation, brought a new vitality to the program, according to student coordinators.

Several new ideas were introduced this year. The traditional square dance was replaced with "Playfair", a program that according to Jennings used music to conduct a "big icebreaking team building event with the freshman class." The event attracted between 500 and 600 students.

The lip sync was replaced by Movies on the Mall where about 300 to 400 students were in attendance. The reader's program was removed from the orientation program due to past lack of attendance and a new excursions program was instated during which freshman had the opportunity to go into the city with orientation groups.

Another new program was the Brookland Trolley ride. In this, "Brookland Heartbeat teamed up with old town trolley and brought in an alumnus who does trolley tours…they could stop at the Franciscan Monastery for a tour, or the ice cream station." Jennings said that around 200 students and families attended this program.

Around 920 students and some 1600 guests came to the University for all of the programs and were met with an Orientation staff of about 60 upperclassmen.

Returning staff came early to learn and rehearse the College Choices seminar, among many other things. The program was described by freshman Sam Ritts as "Interestingly done" and continues to be a staple of the Orientation Program.

Some students felt improvements could be made to the program. Freshman Laura Keating noted that as the weekend went on activities were continually less attended, a trend shown in the attendance numbers each night. According to Jennings, however, the parental feedback thus far has been positive and focused mostly on the staff.

The Orientation program is not over however, with the executive staff looking towards Orientation Extended, an additional six-week program. Freshmen will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt that upon completion enters them into a raffle for a Gift Certificate among other incentives in the coming weeks. There are more events scheduled starting with the Labor S.T.A.Y. Weekend this weekend and the Fall Fiesta September 4.

For Once, Reason Prevails at This University

The changes that have occurred at Catholic University so far this year are startling and wide-ranging. Departments, landscaping, dorms and the very face of the University are being reshaped at a dizzying pace. Upperclassmen should take a moment or two to try and absorb the vastness of redefinitions that are occurring. Think about your impression of Catholic University during your orientation and the modifications that have occurred since then. Improvements? Defacing? Revamping? Whatever word you choose to describe the alterations it is clear that The University is working hard to change the way it is perceived.

On land that holds the largest Catholic Church in North America, campus buildings themselves seem like afterthoughts and addendums. With plans to build a new campus entrance on South side and remove several buildings to make way for it, the University seems to be attempting to establish itself as truly independent of the massive structure that dominates the horizon.

From the standpoint of students interviewed by The Tower, and comments made last week on The Tower's website concerning the decision to approve Senator John Kerry, a directional change is apparently being attempted. Is it the type of change that will eventually result in the kind of academic independence that is necessary to bring Catholic University up to date with liberal arts institutions across the country?

The Tower hopes that this is the case. Seeing our University take steps that will eventually result in a fundamental shift in purpose and perception excites hope for those who wish to see the university of their choice become a university of progression and open academic channels.

Our tagline sums it up nicely. Reason Faith Service. It appears that reason is taking the foreground, as it should with all educational institutions.

The trends that are manifesting themselves with all of the new projects on campus are laudable, if they continue.

Should this direction be reversed, it will be business as usual on campus. Those who wish to see progression will feel out of place with those who appreciate comfortable and aged practices. Perhaps this is the start of an assuaging of that conflict. We will patiently wait and see.

Crime Blotter

Thursday, August 23

12:00 p.m.

THEFT

The Columbus School of Law (Courtyard)

Respondent one reports person(s) unknown took two yellow banners, which were the property of complainant one. Respondent one last observed the banners in place on Aug. 9 at 10:00 a.m. DPS canvassed the area for witnesses to no avail.

Sunday, August 26

2:31 p.m.

LOST PROPERTY

CUA Campus

Complainant one reports she lost her cell phone on Aug. 26 between 12:45 a.m. and 1:15 a.m. This happened somewhere in the noted location.

Monday, August 27

2:30 p.m.

THEFT

The Columbus School of Law (Lobby)

Complainant one reports she left her property, unattended and unsecured, on Aug. 27 at 10:30 a.m. When complainant one returned at 11:10 a.m., she discovered person(s) unknown had taken her property. DPS Investigator O'Neal interviewed complainant one.

Property: One Dell laptop computer, silver/black in color. SS# unknown and valued at $800.00. One Coach briefcase, brown in color and valued at $300.00.

Tuesday, August 28

12:15 p.m.

LOST PROPERTY

Spellman Hall

Complainant one reports he misplaced his property somewhere in the above noted location on Aug. 27 at or near 10:00 a.m. Complainant one canvassed the building for his property to no avail. Complainant one notified DPS of the loss on Aug. 28 at 12:15 p.m.

CAMPUS NEWS BRIEFS

CAMPUS NEWS BRIEFS

The Loft Stops Selling Coca-Cola

The Loft Convenience Store is no longer selling Coca-Cola products. The university has an exclusive beverage contract with Pepsi and does not sell Coca-Cola on campus.

"The C-store manager, through a request of students brought in Red Bull (energy drink). Because of the contract that we have with Pepsi we could not sell more than 10% of our drinks from a non-Pepsi product. Due to the popularity of Red Bull, we had to stop selling Coke," said Roland Depew, resident district manager. Catholic's current contract with Pepsi was formed in 2003 and will continue until 2009.

According to Carl Dieso, assistant director of housing services, the factors that were considered when making the contract included: the price of the product, reputation of the company, commitment to service and reliability, and benefits for the University.

These benefits the University receives include: donations like the "Welcome Class of 2011" banner, free give-a-ways at campus events, and donations to athletic teams such as water bottles and towels.

- Allyssa Lohr

Campus Crime Down, Alcohol Violations Go Up in 2006

The number of students referred to for disciplinary actions for liquor violations jumped up over 25 percent in 2006, according to crime statistics released last week. The number of liquor violations on campus and in residence halls was 305, compared to 240 in 2005. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported fewer drug violations, and saw the number of motor vehicle thefts on campus go from 21 in 2005 to 10 in 2006.

- Ryan J. Reilly

Family Weekend Cancelled by UCSPE

The University cancelled the annual family weekend event due to poor attendance and parent visit without the presence of planned programs.

The event included events for student and family participation.

According to Bill Jonas, director of the University Center, Student Programs, Events, "The time, energy and resources devoted to past family weekends will be channeled toward other programs and activities that support student life on campus." Some of the traditional events that once took place during Family weekend have been scheduled for the fall. These include the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society induction, which will take place on October 12; the School of Nursing commitment ceremony, which will take place on October 14; and the blessing of class ring recipients, which will take place on November 11.

- Katie Gorski & Sophia Binz

New A Capella Choir, Take Note,

Gets UCSPE Approval

A second A Capella choir has started on campus. The new group named Take Note hopes to attract students to their alternative style of music.

Kathryn Murphy, a sophomore who started the group said she was inspired to create the group because "there are so many students at CUA that don't have an opportunity to sing that are amazing singers." Take Note is my effort to find those students who love to sing and don't necessarily have time to participate or pursue music as a major."

Take Note will join Redline which was the University's only A Cappella group. Murphy said, "I hope for Take Note to eventually have the same status on campus as our already great a cappella group Redline does."

Murphy said the group wouldn't necessarily differ from Redline, but it will "give a few more students the opportunity to experience A Cappella."

- John Clyde

Letters to the Editor

It is most unfortunate that Senator Kerry will be speaking at the University. While he may be in accord with some of the social teachings of the Catholic Church, his voting record is solidly pro-abortion. Health care for example is a good thing that Mr. Kerry supports, but you won't find many politicians against it either. However, it does not outweigh the fact that he has consistently voted in favor of allowing children to be killed. The Senator apparently is not in favor of health care for unborn children.

Some issues have overarching importance and the right to life is one of them. You cannot be a good Catholic and be pro-abortion. By having the Senator here we give the impression that the Church is willing to compromise its Catholic faith. This is not an issue of party, but of faith. I am disappointed in the University and encourage you to contact the administration.

In the same issue of The Tower there was also an article about a homosexual alumnus who has sponsored gay marriage legislation in New York. There was no mention in the article that the Catholic Church is opposed to such legislation, that homosexuality is an objective moral disorder, and that homosexual acts are gravely immoral. Again I am disappointed that the impression is given that Mr. O'Donnell is somehow doing something laudatory. That is not the case. The fact that he found his "partner" here is disturbing to say the least. I suggest prayers for our political leaders in general and in particular for these two men who, unfortunately, oppose the teachings of Christ.

-Fr. James Goodwin

St. Joseph's Seminary

Why any supposed "Catholic" institution would ever have someone who believes in abortion come to speak on anything is beyond my comprehension. Worldly, wrong and evil - absolutely. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You will all have to stand before God (each one alone) and address to Him in His Justice why you would ever permit this in any Catholic institution which is supposed to instead be a source of true faith and teach appropriate conduct, virtue, modesty, etc. to it's children. As Catholics, one is supposed to be in the world, but not off it. It is time for the lot of you to meditate on what that truly means. God help you, if you permit such evil on your campus.

-Anne Shuster

The Catholic Hierarchy's job description very clearly requires that they sell a product - the teachings of the Catholic Church - and until they decree individually or as one voice, that Catholic politicians who vote for abortion rights are aiding and abetting the commission of a mortal sin a crime and should be publicly denied the sacrament of communion, people like pro-abortion Catholic Sen. Kerry will continue to be honored by inviting him to speak on a Catholic campus, irrespective of the subject.

Ann Sheridan

President, Georgetown Ignatian Society

$1 Million Opus Award Finalist Named

The three finalists for the Opus Prize, a $1 million humanitarian award for excellence in faith-based social entrepreneurship that will be awarded at the University on Nov. 8, were announced Thursday.

Finalists were selected by a jury of ten prominent individuals, including Wolf Blitzer, Tim Russert and George Stephanopoulos in March, but kept secret until now. University seniors visited the locations of the final organizations selected over the summer and helped shape recommendations to the Opus Foundation Board of Trustees. The winner of the $1 million prize and two $100,000 awards will be announced in early November.

Nominated for the prize were Rev. John Adams, president of So Others Might Eat (SOME), Brother Constant Goetschalckx, founder and director of Africa Health and Development International Institute in Tanzania and Rev. Noberto Carcellar, executive director of the Homeless People's Federation Phillippines. These three finalists were selected from a group of about 20 organizations that were recommended to University President Rev. David M. O'Connell by "spotters" around the world.

The Opus Group, a $1.4 billion real estate company, is the company tasked with building the $25 million upperclassman residence Opus Hall. The Opus Prize Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded by the Opus Group in 2002. The Opus Prize, founded in 2004, annually honors an "unsung hero working on the front lines of today's most dire social challenges." Opus has previously partnered with three other Catholic universities to present the award: The University of San Francisco, Marquette University and the University of Notre Dame.

Over the summer, seniors Anthony Buatti, Tori Engelstad and Jon Meyer visited the locations of the three organizations on "due diligence trips" to learn more about the work they did. These seniors were selected by the Opus Prize Administration Oversight Committee because they "demonstrated an abiding interest in service and their faith," and are "all active members of the Catholic University community with strong academic records," said Victor Nakas, chairman of the committee and associate vice president for Public Affairs.

"As an architecture major with an interest in housing issues, Tori was a logical choice for the Homeless Peoples' Federation Philippines," said Nakas. "Jonathon is a biochemistry major with an interest in health care and that is one of SOME's areas of outreach. Anthony is a history major with an interest in education and AHADI's focus is distance education."

Buatti, from Downingtown, Pa., spent eight days in Tanzania, which is on the eastern coast of Africa in the great lakes region. The AHADI Institute educates refugees from the war-torn countries of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi by providing post-secondary training via a distance learning program and instruction for 500,000 students studying for their high school diplomas. In Swahili, AHADI means "working toward the fulfillment of a promise."

Accompanying Buatti on the trip was Emmjolee Mendoza-Waters of Campus Ministry, as well as two members of the Opus Foundation Board of Directors. Don Neureuther, a representative of the Opus Foundation, went on all three trips.

Engelstad, from Bradley Beach, N.J., flew to Quezon City, Manilla in the Philippines and visited the Homeless People's Federation. Carcellar, the Vincentian priest who runs the organization, caters to the poor who live in the area around a garbage dump called Payatas. People there make their living shifting out medal and plastic from the dump and selling it to junkyards. The Federation encourages these families to microfinance by saving one peso, or about two cents, per day.

Bill Jonas, director of University Center, Student Programs, Events, and two members of the Opus Foundation Board of Directors also visited the Federation.

"A lot of the poor become complacent in these towns," said Engelstad. "The Federation encourages them to find a better life for themselves. Father Carcellar has faith in those that he helps, and the women working in the foundation are able to interact with the people the best because they have been in their situation."

Amazed by the conditions the residents of Payatas live in, Engelstad said they "have about eight family members living in a house the size of a room in Spellman."

Meyer, from Torrance, CA, stayed in the district and visited SOME. Rev. John Adams, president of the organization, started there in 1978 when it was just a soup kitchen that fed 50 to 60 people per day. Today, SOME serves more than 800 people in their dining room and also offers medical, dental, mental health and addiction treatment programs. They also offer transitional housing, long term housing, family housing, job training and services for the elderly.

"What affected me the most was observing the passion and love that I saw in the employees and volunteers," said Meyer. "They seemed so selfless and humble in performing their jobs and it didn't even matter if the client was ungrateful. Overall, it was a very humbling and inspiring experience."

According to Buatti, Engelstad and Meyer, the University will host a variety of events related to the Opus Prize in the weeks and days leading up to the ceremony including movie series and lectures. These events will be open to all students. The ceremony itself will take place in the Pryzbyla Center and is by invitation only.

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