Maroon

              THE MAROON V0L.72 NO. 15 Loyola University New Orleans FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1994 ESTABLISHED 1922 Black Student Union drafts more inclusive agenda By JENNY JOHNSON News editor With a new outlook that embraces mulitculturalism, the Black Student Union began the semester with a grand opening to announce their new philosophy."The New Black Student Union—A Revived Spirit and New Attitude," stales that the group's mission is to embrace other ethnic groups said Lrol Meryl, communications senior and president of the BSU. "As African-American students, we know our culture. The next step is to invite other people in and to teach other ethnic groups," Meryl said. However, there have been some BSU members who have opposed the idea of making the BSU more inclusive of other ethnic groups. "They fear that it is becoming a multiculturalistic organization and not an African-American organization," Meryl said. "The BSU is by no means changing its angle as far as addressing the issues of the survival of African-Americans," Meryl said. At the grand opening of the BSU on Jan. 22, Meryl stressed that the organization is multiculturalistic in philosophy and African-American in focus. Mandisa Mitchell, business freshman said the philosophy is not really a new idea. "It's not really anew philosophy, it's just something to enlighten people more. It's a fire under the bridge—to help keep the progress going," Mitchell said. In addition to announcing the new philosophy of the organization, the members also unveiled a new mural, which is painted on the wall in the BSU office in the downstairs of the Danna Center. The mural depicts an Asian, an Afri- New, improved library planned By SCOTT DOUGHERTY Staff Writer □ Tentative plans in for J. Edgar and Louis S. Monroe libarary Construction for the new J. Edgar and Louis S. Monroe Library should begin by the end of the year according to M ary Lee Sweat, dean of libraries. The library, which will be attached to Miller Hall, is being built with $21 million in grants and donations, Sweat said. Loyola recently bought what used to be Mercy Academy. The parking between the Danna Center and Miller Hall that will be lost to the new library will be replaced with more parking on the old Mercy Academy location. The new library will be twice the size of the current library and will hold 750,000 volumes instead of the 280,000 volumes which reside in the library now. It will have an updated computer system and an outside sitting area. Students who have seen the new library said they like the design. "The library design fits in well with the campus—unlike the Danna Center which looks like an afterthought," said Mike Kigin, communications senior. Nick Beaudoing, political science junior, agreed with Kigin about the design, but said he was concerned that the bigger library wouldn't be as helpful as the current one. The library's reputation for being helpful is a trait that Beaudoing hopes will stay intact as it grows from 35,000 square feet to 755,000 square feel. "The strength of the old library lies in its intimacy. Bigger is not necessarily better. I hope we can perserve the intimacyintimacy of the staff," Beaudoing said. Sweat agrees that the new library needs to retain the staff s helpfulness. "I hope to maintain the reputation of being friendly and helpful to students, which the library is now," Sweat said. The actual construction of the building will take about 21 to 24 months. Upon completion, the library will have a microcomputer center, as well as faculty and student labs. Also included in the library will be a literacy/functional skills research center and group study rooms. Kigin said he hopes the library adds to its resources. "The true test of a library will be the service and the resources it gives the students. The architecture, that's just a nice externality," he said. Chris Bonura contributed to this article.Tentative exterior drawing of the J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Libarary. View is from the quadrangle LUCAP sets agenda for social action By KATIE ZODROW Staff writer Homelessness and illiteracy are the two major battles the Loyola University Community Action Program plans to combat this semester. "LUCAP is a major supporter of social activism", said Thomas P. Kling, pre-med/physics junior and LUCAP chairman. Kling said LUCAP is divided into three areas of community service: charity, social justice and education. LUCAP publishes Their Voice, which provides an outlet for individuals to voicc their opinions and experiences dealing with the fight for freedom. The organization also plans to sponsor Saint John The Baptist New Adult Literacy Project. Another project is Hunger Relief, in which volunteers make nutritious bag lunches and distribute them in Lafayette Park. The program feeds almost 100 homeless persons. "It is more of a learning experience than acharity," said Denise Decristoforo, sociology junior. "We get to know the individuals on a personal basis and hear their stories." HAHA week. Hunger And Homeless Awareness week, will be held Feb. 27 through March 5. This year's events will feature various speakers, presentations by homeless people and experimental games. The week will end with the Riverboat dance on Saturday, March 5. Volunteers agree that the service organization is a success not only for the recipients of the services but for the participants as well. "LUCAP helps me learn about the struggles of those less fortunate than myself, and it gives me an opportunity to give back to the community," said Emily Kavanaugh, psychology junior. See BSU Pg. 4 ;»/* Live Batter up! 'U6 SPARTA 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 18 floats and 16 bands Starts on the corner of Perrier and Napoleon. CARROLLTON Noon Sunday 19 floats and 15 bands Starts near City Park. FRERET/PANDORA 4 p.m. Sunday 17 floats and 15 bands Starts on the corner of Calhoun and Freret. PEGASUS 6:30 p.m. Tuesday 18 floats and 16 bands Starts on the corner of Perrier and Napoleon. SATURN 6:30 p.m. Wednesday 15 floats and 10 bands Starts on Claiborne, near Napoleon. BABYLON 6:30 p.m. Thursday 20 floats Starts on the corner of Napoleon and Coliseum. HERMES 6:30 p.m. Friday 24 floats and 17 bands Starts on the corner of Perrier and Napoleon.