Maroon

              THE MAROON V0L.72 NO. 20 Loyola University New Orleans FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994 ESTABLISHED 1922 SGA official says he falsified budget signatures By CATHY NICHOLS and CHRIS BONURA Staff writers The Student Government Association will audit the American Trial Lawyers Association after the SGA discovered numerous errors in check and budget requests submitted for an ATLA trip last Fall. In lieu of the audit, SGA Vice President John Hernandez resigned as treasurer of ATLA approximately two weeks ago. Hernandez also admitted that he signed the names of Scott Beal, ATLA president, and Pamela Ebel, ATLA adviser and associate dean of the Law school, to the budget request. Hernandez said he signed the names to the request, which was submitted to the SGA in November, because he couldn't find Beal and Ebel. He said he notified them about doing so two weeks ago. Hernandez talked with Beal and Ebel, and told them that he had signed their names, and they had no problems with it. "They just asked that I don't do it again. It's a minor technicalityHernandez said. Hernandez said that if he had not even signed their names, the budget would have still been accepted. He also said that he submitted check requests for the ATLA convention trip to San Fransico, and didn't see a problem with doing so. "Anybody on the executive staff could make a check request, as long as the receipts are true," he said. However, according to Tim Bamett, Daima Center director, submitting check requests is not the responsibility of the SGA vice president. "There shouldn't be a conflict of interest because the vice president doesn't directly allocate funds and is not supposed to submit check requests," Bamett said. SGA President Erika Schwarz, firstyear law student, said that part of the reason for holding an audit is the confusion surrounding the many check requests that were submitted. Three were submitted that included the trip to San Francisco; all but the last one could not be funded because of errors. According to Schwarz, the first check request dated Oct. 19 was not submitted to Andre Dupont, former SGA director of finance. "They (a check request and receipts) went straight toTim Bamett with Andre's name [printed] on it," Schwarz said. Schwarz said receipts were missing and Bamett sent the request back to Dupont "He didn't know about this because someone had just taken a check request out of his desk and printed Andre's name on it," Schwarz said. According to Hernandez, he typed Dupont's name on the check request Hernandez Students profit from Academic Enrichment By DANIELLE JOHNSON Copy Editor Juggling classes, a job, extracurricular activities and home life can easily overwhelm students. The stress of such a hectic lifestyle can cause students to fall behind in their course work and become frustrated. However, students at Loyola have a place to go where they can get help. Academic Enrichment is a program that provides tutoring and academic counseling for students having difficulty handling school. Cynthia Cowan is one of three academic counselors who assists students with problems ranging from failing grades to time management "A lot of students have struggles at college. It's okay to ask for help. It doesn't mean that you're not bright," Cowan said. As a counselor. Cowan evaluates students and gives them advice on what to do to improve their situations. In addition to the counselors. Academic Enrichment also staffs 13 tutors who can help a student with core courses like English, political science, psychology, business and foreign languages, as well as a variety of other subjects. Maria Estorino, history junior, said students don't have to wait until they are having trouble to use the program. " You don* t have to be failing to get tutoring," Estorino said. As part of the tutoring process, students are taught how to organize and develop better study habits. Academic Enrichment also provides BEYOND THE CLASSROOM testing for placement skills and helps students improve their reading comprehension.Judy Bridges, a learning consultant with Academic Enrichment, works with students to find solutions to their particular problems. "I do testing for strengths and weaknesses, and make recommendations accordingly," Bridges said. Students who have learning disabilities, or suspect they may have, can get tested to pinpoint the trouble. "I talk to students with learning disabilities and suggest accommodations based on my diagnosis," Bridges said. Approximately 200 students per month use Academic Enrichment's services. Many students first hear about the program when a faculty member or academic dean refers them to Academic Enrichment. Students using the program's services are assured confidentiality, according to Bridges. Academic Enrichment encourages students utilize their services. Thu Tran contributed to this story. datatea The Maroon will not publish for the next two weeks because of Spring break. Publication resumes April 15. Hundreds of students celebrate International Week By Brenda Reyes- Tomasslnl Staff writer Students searching to understand multiculturalism were treated to food, song and dance that spanned the globe during International Week. As part of its commitment to provide awareness of the multicultural diversity on campus, International Student Affairs hosted International Week 1994, which started with the International Food FestivalFestival and Talent Show. The activity, held in the Danna Center Sunday night, attracted approximately 250 people. "This activity has been a success; more people than we expected came," said ISA President Miguel Elias, business senior. Participants tasted food from countries such as the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Argentina and Puerto Rico. "The food is great." said Lynette Torres, communications senior. "In my four years at Loyola I have never seen so many people at an activity. I think it indicates that there is more awareness of the cultural diversity among the Loyola community." At a talent show following the food tasting, some of Loyola's international students sang and danced to their country's native tunes. On Monday night Raul Castellano, Consulate General of Mexico in New Orleans gave a presentation about the recent conflict in Chiapas, Mexico, where a By TODD CARROLL Members of The Executive Steel Band played in the Danna Center as part of International Week. See HERNANDEZ, Pg. 4 See INTERNATIONAL, Pg. 4 Faculty members create a new environmental committee. pg.3 J J Boning It Up Baseball brightens outlook after conference victories. M Death March Danny Barker is honored with a solemn jazz funeral. Photo essay, Pg. *il