Maroon

              THE MAROON Loyola University New Orleans VOL. 82, NO. 1 qt4ewtrwgsrg "For a greater Loyola" Renovated bookstore opens with new vendor By Joe Rosemeyer News editor Some students dissatisfied with change from Follett to College Book Stores The bookstore opened this fall under a new vendor with nearly $100,000 worth of renovations that included new carpet, tile, paint and shelving. But with these changes, some students and faculty members say it's just a new surface to a shabby operation. The refurbishment came after the university decided last March to terminate its 12-year contract with Follett Higher Education Group. A committee, comprised of City College professor Dee Harper, associate professor Andrew Mac Donald from the English department, financial affairs controller Mike Breath, vice president of business and finance Rhonda Cartwright, internal audit director Debbie Zimmerman, student activities director Chris Cameron, student affairs vice president Dr. James Eiseman and student government representative Martina Mills, investigated the university's conflicts with Follett. The committee decided that Follett's managerial policies weren't in line with the school's and community's best interests. "Given recent changes in Follett corporate leadership, unreasonable directives to store managers and the decline in financial returns to both parties a change in vendors was warranted," Cameron wrote in a press release. The committee unanimously voted in March to accept a contract with College Book Stores of America, an operating company that focuses on smaller campuses. In an electronic press release, Cameron cited the company's ability to cater to small and mid-sized schools, rather than being a big-bulk carrier, as a reason for the choice. Cameron said that "students may see a small percentage drop in textbook prices, as CBA [College Book Stores] does not pass on freight costs to its customers," but that ultimately, "textbook pricing is still largely dependent on the publisher's retail price." Students complained this fall that the stacks were disorganized and that many books had their prices blacked out - if not completely removed. Students didn't find out how much they had spent until the final total was rung up at the register. "I wish I would've known that 1 was going to spend $530 on books, but since they blacked out the prices, I had no idea," said marketing junior Jeff Barker. Long lines were another frequent complaint. "With nine registers, I waited 30 minutes," Barker said. The students aren't alone when it comes to finding problems with the new STAFF PHOTO BY GILLIAN DICKER Chartenya Gray, a sophomore finance major, waits in line for nearly an hour to buy books for her fall classes. The bookstore reopened with nearly $100,00 worth of renovations and an online spirit wear catalog, but many students have expressed frustration with long waits and missing books. English professor remembered for enthusiasm, personality By Katie Ide Assistant news editor Dux Academicus award recipient dies of marrow disorder at 54 English professor Julian Wasserman was a man who mastered the English language. However, after his death, there are few who can pinpoint the exact words to describe the beloved professor. "He's hard to describe because, he was so much more than ordinary," said English junior Megan Fillinich. "He was engaging. There was never a dull moment in his class." Wasserman passed away on June 4, 2003 from myelodyplastic syndrome, a bone marrow disorder. He was 54 years old. Psychology senior Nicole Goforth described Wasserman as one of the best English teachers she ever had. Although sheliad class at 8:30 a.m., she said that no one had a problem staying awake with him in the room. "He was always jumping around the class. He was so enthusiastic," Goforth said. "You couldn't ignore him. You didn't want to." Communications junior Diana Madrigal said that Wasserman's secret was communication with his students. "He never talked at his students. Instead, he talked to us on our level. It made him feel like less of a teacher and more of a friend," she said. English Department head Mary McCay agreed that his students were very important to Wasserman. She said that he was willing to talk to his students about their lives and goals. McCay said he also had the gift of making classroom discussions relevant to his students. "He showed how the past and present meet and influence each other and how people don't change over time, but rather find new ways to express their hopes and longings," she said. His unique teaching methods showed when he periodically dressed up costumes to lecture on various topics. Among his costumes were Robin Hood and a Medieval knight. His favorite and most-used was an Elvis jumpsuit, which he often wore to Chaucer class to lecture on the writer's status as "King of Literature." "That was great, because it's a THE POWER OF SUGGESTION STAFF PHOTO BY GILLIAN DICKER While hypnotized, international business sophomore Richard Spicer believes that he's auditioning for "American Idol." The hypnotist show, one of the more popular events during "Catch the Action," is free to incoming and returning students every fall before classes resume. See BOOKSTORE, Page 3 See WASSERMAN, Page 2 •n . '\ y, _ ~ja 1 ■•■•'—— -~~