Maroon

              The MAROON Loyola University New Orleans VOL. 79, NO. 01 TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2000 MAROON.LOYNO.EDU A Stepping Stone?  By Jim Gunter Staff writer Construction in the paved circle outside the Danna Center is a sign of changes to come. Plans for a major redesign of the Peace Quad are being reviewed, according to the Rev. Bernard Knoth, S.J., university president. Knoth first publicly announced the plans at a faculty convocation on August 21 and said he hoped to have plans posted on Loyola's Web site by the end of the month. "What I want to do is go through a campuswide consultation, like we did when we changed the stationery, or when we went through the design of the campus master plan," Knoth said. Although final construction may be months or even years away, depending on how soon funding for the project is secured, Knoth said the plan is to bring out the history of the Jesuit martyrs whom the quad commemorates. The Peace Quad received its name in 1990 to commemorate the 1989 killings of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador. Under the quad's current set-up, five trees line the west side, with another three along the central path. Each memorial tree has a plaque honoring a martyr. "There are a lot of students who come through here who do not know at first that it's called the Peace Quad and once they know it's called the Peace Quad they don't know why," he said. A marker under the large, crooked elm tree near the quad's center memorializes the eight victims. "One person ... thought that [it] was a pet cemetery," Knoth said. The proposed design calls for brick pathways to form a circle around a 17-foot obelisk in the quad's center. A cross will top the obelisk. The obelisk will rest upon three granile steps and will be inscribed with the names of all eight victims. The obelisk's designer is Jos6 Maria Cundfn. a Basque Spaniard known internationally for his paintings, obelisks and other works, including coordinating a hand engraving of the Declaration of Independence in 1992. Knoth said the plan calls for keeping the memorial trees in the quad, though the ones along the central path will be relocated or replaced to create a larger open space. According to Knoth, the renovations, minus the cost of the obelisk, will total approximately $180,000. Knoth said that although no plans for financing the project were confirmed, he hopes STAFF PHOTO Bf EUZABETH STUART Biever reopens with a new look By Anthony Fulgieri .Staff writer After being closed for 15 months Biever Hall re-opened Friday after undergoing a $5 million renovation. The building has received a facelift, and officials say students can look forward to a comfortable future. Biever Hall now features movable furniture, new desks and dual phone jacks. Each room has its own thermostat for heating and air conditioning. In addition, each floor now has its own kitchen. Bathrooms were completely revamped, bringing the showers and toilet facilities into one room. These are major overhauls for a building which has housed students for nearly 36 years. So far there have been no problems with the residence hall, according to Robert Reed, director of Residential Life. "I think its going to be smooth." he said. "1 feel better about this building than I did about the New Residence Hall." Still, Reed said there might be some glitches with cable, telephone or Internet service, though such problems are normal. According to Kristen Mclntyre, international business junior and resident assistant in Biever, there have been no problems since she has moved in. Mclntrye, like many, was happy about the opening of the hall. "I lived here freshman year; I loved it, and I am very excited about it," Mclntyre said. "Everything is working really well, better than 1 thought," she added. The Rev. Bernard Knoth S.J., university president, said there are a few minor items that need to be worked out but is nonetheless satisfied with the final result. "The final product is comfortable, modern, energy efficient and has a high level of convenience for the students," Knoth said. Four Loyola Jesuits celebrate anniversaries with Mass By Patrick Cousins Contributing writer The New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus celebrated a Mass for its Jubilarians July 30 at Immaculate Conception Church on Baronne Street. This year four Jesuits living at Loyola celebrated anniversaries. The Rev. Ernest Ferlita, S.J., drama professor, and the Rev. Paul Schott, S.J., assistant pastor of The Most Holy Name of Jesus parish, are celebrating 50 years in the Jesuit order. Also, the Rev. Edward Arroyo, S.J., and the Rev. Clyde Leblanc, S.J., are celebrating 25-year anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood. Arroyo is the editor of the Blueprint for Social Justice. Leblanc recently completed an assignment as the director of the Loyola Jesuit Center. According to the July 20 issue of The Clarion- Herald, Leblanc has begun a year-long sabbatical program at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif. When asked about his fifty years as a Jesuit, Ferlita said that he enjoyed working for what the Jesuits are about, being "men for others," and that living in the community has been rooted in good relationships with other Jesuits. He said that young people who want to work on behalf of others should consider religious life. Arroyo referred to his personal Web page for his view on celebrating his Jubilee. "In professing what seem to be very restrictive vows ... there has been an amazing amount of freedom, flexibility, mobility. "Perhaps the greatest paradox, surprise, struggle has been that God has called and graced me in this way, despite my many failings and inadequacies," the Web page said. A Mass celebrating Schott's Jubilee anniversary will be held Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name church. FERLITA LEBLANC SCHOTT See QUAD, Page 3 See BIEVER, Page 5 =7= SPECIAL TUESDAY EDITION sap°rl® i i LIFE & T|MES A LOOK AT WOLFPAC&-Lq A SPECIAL GUIDE FOR ATHLETICS W 7 GOOD EATS AND MEETS Pages 14-15 foS V.X. D on $C£e pages 8-9 FR©AY: Tulane/Loyola book sharing aids student research