Maroon

              THE MAROON VOL. 79, NO. 20 l.oyoltt University New Orleitns I MtIDAY, MAltai 22, 2002 MAROON.LOYNO.EDU Shame on Loyola, protesters say By Mary Chauvin News Editor About 100 protesters gathered across from the Loyola Law School Wednesday evening to voice their disapproval of inviting Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, to speak at the school. Protesters said that Gandy, a prochoice activist who graduated from Loyola Law School in 1973, has no right to be honored by a Catholic university. Gary Durel, one of the protesters, said Loyola was "turning a blind eye to her (Gandy's) character, which is a grave evil, according to the pope." The conflict concerning Gandy's appeareance began last week when Archbishop Alfred Hughes publicly chastised the university for inviting Gandy to speak. Hughes' rebuke was followed by an advertisement taken out by Priests For Life, a national pro-life organization of priests, admonishing Loyola for Gandy's invitation. The ad, which appeared in the A section of Wednesday's Times-Picayune, read: "Shame on Loyola University for fostering the Culture of Death." Peter Finney Jr., communications director for the archbishop, said Hughes made his statement because he did not want his silence on the issue to be taken as approval of the invitation. Dean James Klebba of the Loyola Law School declined to comment on the ad taken out by the Priests for Life or on the archbishop's censure of the university's decision to invite Gandy. Klebba said Gandy's invitation was a joint effort of the Women's Resource Center, the Gillis Long Poverty Law Center, the Association of Women Law Students and the School of Law. Klebba also said that NOW supports many issues the Catholic church does not disapprove of. Finney said that NOW has done many good things, but that one of NOW's main objectives is an ardent push for abortion rights, while the teachings of the Catholic Church are against abortion. "It saddens me that the accomplishments of one of our graduates are being reduced to one issue," said Susanne Dietzel, director of Loyola's Women's Resource Ccenter. "This is a law school, not a seminary," Gandy said on the NOW Web site. "Loyola's Law School's job is to develop lawyers, thinkers and scholars, not religious ideologues." THE PROTEST About an hour before Gandy was scheduled to give her speech, protesters began arriving. Both University Police and the New Orleans Police Department were in full force in preparation for the protest. Sgt. Paul Accardo, NOPD public information officer, said that a canine unit swept the building for bombs an hour before the speech. They also sent a special operations team and mounted officers to the campus. "We're here to keep the peace and make sure everyone's civil rights are protected," Accardo said. Law students began to gather on STAFF PHOTO BY LANE COTTON WINN John Paul Zeringue, one of nine children of Karen and Brent Zeringue, holds a sign along with about 100 protesters in front of the Law School on Wednesday. Hall, Marchand win SGA run-off Glynn and Hjortsberg also elected to positions By Erin Williamson Assistant News Editor Anna Hall was elected the new Student Government Association president, and Percy Marchand will be the new vice president, according to Wednesday's runoff election results. Both outcomes were tight, with less than 20 votes deciding both races. Haill, music business junior, garnered 417 votes, and while Nathan Gaudet, history junior, received 400. Marchand, management junior, won his position with 414 votes, defeating over Caryn Winters, political science sophomore, who received 395. Marchand credited clean campaigns and a lack of negativity with good voter turnout. He said that turnout could always be better but was higher than expected. "The Loyola community showed their appreciation by turning out in high numbers to vote again," Marchand said. "It shows student AND THE WINNERS ARE concern and support for the administration." Hall said she was also impressed with this year's voting response. "Voter turnout was amazing, and it says a lot about this year's SGA." she said. She said she enjoyed sitting in on different organizations' meetings during her campaign because it STAFF PHOTO BY LANE COTTON WINN Percy Marchand (left) and Anna Hall (center) check out the run-off results late Tuesday as they were posted outside the Student Government Office. Campus crime causes debate By Curie Veronica Jones Staff writer Debate continues to surround the the thefts at the New Residence Hall, and a Loyola student was robbed at knifepoint. According to a University Police BOLO report, a Loyola student was robbed at knifepoint in the early morning on March 3 at the intersection of Hampson and Cherokee Streets. A man approached the student from behind and grabbed her purse. The victim did not let go of her purse, and the assailant dragged her while saying, " Give me your purse! Give me your purse or I will stab you." The student let go off the purse only when the man began reaching for his pocket. The robber is described as a white Gandy speaks of U.S. judiciary By Jeremy Cook Contributing writer and Erin Williamson Assistant News Editor According to Loyola School of Law graduate Kim Gandy, there are disturbing changes occurring in the U.S. government. At the law school on Wednesday she expressed her belief that these changes could threaten much of the equal rights progress of the last 35 years. Gandy spoke about women's rights and judiciary attacks on civil rights legislation. She brought up Title IX, domestic violence protection laws and age discrimination. The atmosphere inside stood in stark contrast to the anti-abortion protests outside. The only sign of controversy in the room was the presence of the New Orleans Police Department and University Police. At least four officers remained inside the room at all times, while others patrolled the halls and stairwells. Bill Quigley, director of the Gillis Long Poverty Center, joked that he had "never gotten in trouble for giving an award before" as he presented Gandy with a plaque honoring her commitment to publicservice.The audience welcomed Gandy with an extended round of applause. She accepted her award and thanked the university for not withdrawing support despite considerable financial and political pressure. She seemed unaffected by protests, telling light-hearted jokes and stories. The controversy didn't appear to scare people from attending, as many were turned away at the door because the room had reached capacity. Since graduating from Loyola in 1978, Gandy has started a number of programs attempting to defeat gender bias. Her Women Elect 2000 project tripled the number of women in the Louisiana State Legislature. "The glass ceiling didn't break. It was just moved higher," Gandy said of the struggle for women's rights. She said the women's movement exists because people should "be judged on ability, not anatomy," drawing loud applause. The balance of powers keeping the government in line is beginning to falter, Gandy said. The filling of Supreme Court vacancies has been one of Gandy's major concerns since becoming president of NOW in July of 2001. She has tried to block efforts of See PROTEST, Page 3 See RUN-OFF, Page 2 See CRIME, Page 2 See GANDY, Page 3 gfg