Maroon

              THE MAROON Loyola University New Orleans VOL. 81, NO. 20 FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2003 [ "For a greater Loyola" Students disagree about war in Iraq By Peyton Burgess Staff writer Protestors respond swiftly to first days of military conflict Loyola students and faculty joined an estimated 1,000 protesters at the United States Court House Thursday, March 20, in response to the first attacks against Iraq. The protest was held in conjunction with other anti-war rallies that convened throughout the U.S. at 5 p.m. Organized by war-opposition group, C 3 and New Orleans Coalition To Stop The War, the New Orleans protest began on the corner of Camp St. and Poydras in front of the federal courthouse. "It's emotionally devastating," said Loyola English professor, Paulette Swartzfager. "War has far-reaching effects." Attacking current war and business policy, protesters carried posters that read "Stop Corporate and Military Globalization." Other posters warned onlookers of the cruelty involved in war. One young girl carried a poster reading, "War Kills Kids Like Me." Leaving the federal building's grounds slightly littered, the protesters marched down Camp Street, eventually stopping at Jackson Square. On Canal Street marchers chanted "This is what democracy looks like." Pedestrians stared at the large group moving slowly down the street with police escort. "You should see how many of us there are. It's beautiful!" yelled Claire Davis-Wheeler, Tulane environmental studies senior and coleader of the march. Some onlookers offered support with a peace gesture or displayed their disapproval with a middle finger. Some marchers stepped out to debate with pro-war onlookers and protesters. "Get on the right side," yelled Craig Bennen, a Vietnam Veteran. "The Vietnam protests are part of the reason why we lost that war." "Have you forgotten 9/11?" another pro-war protester yelled. Some carried posters that read, "Saddam Is A Direct Threat," or "Appeasement = Tyranny." Twomey Center for Peace and Justice leader, Ted Quant, gave reason for the anti-war movement. "Right now it is illegal to attack somebody without them first attacking you or threatening you with imminent danger," he said. "People out here don't believe that there is sufficient evidence to prove that Iraq is an imminent threat," Quant said. "By saying that the U.S. will follow a policy of preemption makes the world more dangerous." Rene Miller, a local businesswoman, attacked the younger protesters' dedication. "They're just rich people with nothing better to do," she said. "Most of them are kids from Loyola or Tulane." At the intersection of St. Peter and Decatur streets, about 17 protesters attempted a sit-in on the street. STAFF PHOTO BY ANN HERMES Karen O'Keefe, a third year law student at Loyola, carries a coffin in the protest of the war in Iraq. The protest held after the first day of bombing caused mixed reactions from onlookers. Student activism part of Jesuit identity By lan Morrison and Sara Lezama Staff writers Iraq, political climate offer students way to explore fesuit ideals In the desert of Iraq, our nation wages war and Loyola's campus has become a hotbed o activism. From faculty down to students, Presiden Bush and his administration have spawned i wealth of causes to support or fight. Monday marked the first day of Jesuit protest on campus. "You can jump on any bandwagon you want to, just jump on a bandwagon because that's why we're in college, that's why we're the youth of today," said Anna Hall, former SGA president and music business senior. Demonstrators took to the streets. / Several students in search of the Jesuit identity went camping in the Peac Quad to express their views on the war. Thes students are taking shifts staying in a tent am two people are sleeping in it until Easter. Inside his new nylon home, Jeff Guhin sociology senior, said he intends to become a visible witness for peace. While protesters disperse back to their respective lives of CNN and crawfish boils, he will fast and contemplate along with the other people running the tent "I think some students are apathetic because they don't feel empowered to act; they don't feel they have any reason to act," Guhin said. Only sparse trees and benches that line the quad separate Jeff and Iggy, the statue of the original i proponent of contemplative action. Their religious/social ideals remain inexorably 1 intertwined. The statue stands as a copper testament to the university's rich Jesuit tradition, steeped in a history of social justice. In this year's social justice bout, poverty is the major opponent. Loyola University Community Activism Program and Guhin have localized their focus to better relate to the community they wish to serve. I "We're trying to bridge the connection between the 'what' of service and the 'why,'" Guhin said. Bill Quigley, director of Loyola's Law Clinic and activist, says he thinks that the members of LUCAP "are the most exciting folks on campus." "They do a very good job of critiquing the underlying need for the services," he said. Josh Daly, LUCAP member and music composition junior, said he finds that the organization's and the Jesuit identity's tradition of reflection leads to a greater understanding of self. "We're always contemplating our role in the world and what we're supposed to be doing and putting ourselves in challenging situations," Daly said. J Often, an organization shrouded in spirituality or religion can conjure notions of conversion and evangelistic recruitment. "People outside of LUCAP have told me that we're very difficult to approach because we're very passionate about our beliefs," Guhin said. "It's critical in any movement to meet people where they're at. It's important to try things in the spirit of love and compassion." "If I didn't believe love, or some desire "You can jump on any bandwagon you want... that's why we're in college, that's why we're the youth of today,' - ANNA HALL, MUSIC BUSINESS SENIOR, on the way of college activitism today Res Life workers call for change By Joe Halm News Editor The Office of Residential Life for Fall 2003 handed out job opportunities through staff selection, Friday, March 21, under a veil of controversy. At 5 p.m., staff acceptance and rejection letters slid under all applicants' doors, leaving them with no choice but to wait until Monday to talk to the administration about the decision. In addition to the wait, both Tim Albert, associate director of residential life, and Vicki McNeil, associate vice president of student affairs, were out of town until Wednesday. For several years, many members of the undergraduate staff claim to have witnessed deterioration in the professionalism of the professional staff, and this deterioration has led to many of the problems in the organization. The issue came to a head this year in the form of letters to Robert Reed, director of residential life, after the selection process. The group of students upset with the selection process each wrote individual letters stating their specific problems. In addition, a group letter was composed to jointly state the issues the group sees as the crux of the problems as a whole. One of the major issues for the staff revolves around several members of staff being asked to give up their leadership positions in other organizations to be a part of Res Life. Others were simply not offered a position. In the letter, the group highlighted several issues that it said need to be addressed, such as seniority and hiring practices. "We are very disappointed with the lack of professionalism displayed by the Res Life staff. We have seen many inconsistencies in the hiring process and we want to see it changed so that other students don't have to deal with it in the future," Angela Haddad, communications junior and current New Residence Hall resident assistant, said. One example of the claimed inconsistency of Res Life's system involves two members of the University Programming Board. Daniel Roberti, UPB vice president elect for Fall 2003-Spring 2004 and political science junior, was asked to resign from his position in order to work for Res Life; however, Kate Linyard, UPB chief of staff elect for Fall 2003- Spring 2004 and communications sophomore, was offered a position with no such stipulation. Jennifer Dinsmore, associate director of student activities, said that all four executive board positions, which include vice president and chief of staff, require the same time commitment. "I would like to think that all positions on the executive board of an organization are fairly equal," she said. "All of those positions require a serious time commitment." Reed defined the difference between minor and See IRAQ, Page 2 See JESUIT, Page 2 See RES LIFE, Page 2 wgrewgrehre