Maroon

              The Maroon VOL. 83, NO. 10 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS NOVEMBER 12, 2004 ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO Wildes off to a running start during first semester By Gigi Alford Staff Writer The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. said he is excited about the challenges that come along with being the new president of Loyola. Wildes wasn't officially inaugurated until Oct. 15, but he reported to the Office of the President from his 11- year tenure at Georgetown in late July. He said that on his first day as president, the Carrollton Hall dilemma was sitting on his desk. Dealing with the repairs of the water damage to the three-year-old building and the litigation that is slowing the progress down is just the beginning of Wildes work. He said that it is his job to think about the bigger picture of Loyola, and to do so he must prioritize his responsibilities. "A lot of things were put on hold," Wildes said. "Now a lot of people are anxious to get things moving so everyone wants a piece of time." Nancy Dupont, University Senate chairwoman, said she thinks Wildes has been effective with his time. "I've been amazed at his energy," Dupont said. "And his ability to juggle so many balls in the air at one time." FUND RAISING IS IN ORDER Wildes said he lets fund raising take up 40 percent of his time. He said he spends a couple of days a week on the road visiting potential benefactors. Some of the alumni clubs he has met with this /ear are in Philideiphia, New York ind Atlanta. He was slated to leave Dn Wednesday to meet with alumni n Miami. Dupont said she feels confident n Wildes fund-raising abilities. "Father Wildes is extremely Dersonable and that is what fund aising is, establishing personal elationships with other people," Dupont said. She also said that he might end jp spending more than 40 percent of lis time when the year is up, because fundraising has become a major part of the job of the university president. Community concerns voiced at town meeting By Krystle Robinson Contributing writer Fund raising, athletics and national prominence were hot topics discussed at a Loyola town meeting. The Rev. Kevin J. Wildes, S.J., university president, met with the faculty, staff and students to hear their concerns Tuesday. He presented his suggestions and plans for dealing with issues that were already on campus.Wildes explained how he wants to make a university-wide strategicplan that would help enhance Loyola's strengths as a university and strengthen its weaknesses. One weakness is Loyola's sensitivity to a reduction in enrollment, according to Wildes. He said that because of a decline in enrollment during this school year, Loyola is suffering a budget shortage of almost $500,(XX). Wildes said he wants to sustain and increase enrollment, but that he does not want to rely on student tuition for Loyola's funds. He said the school will raise more money by contacting and becoming familiar with Loyola's alumni and endowment givers. By developing closer relationships to these organizations, Wildes said, Loyola would be able to do more efficient fund raising. Wildes also said he has been in contact with the athletic department to make a possible plan that would expand intercollegiate athletics and integrate recreational sports and intercollegiate athletics. Wildes also explained how he wants to focus on developing specific sports. Before the meeting, he sent out a campus-wide e-mail that outlined the plans and changes that he had concerning athletic scholarships. According to Wildes, there was a positive response. "I think what people like about it was that I took the time to listen. And I looked at all of the issues," Wildes said. Among the concerns of the audience was the physical expansion of Loyola's campus. Wildes said he wants to build more dorms because the majority of Loyola's students are not from the Louisiana area. When asked about the previous expansion plan concerning the Broadway campus and the visual arts program, Wildes said he would have to look at the plans again to determine if those they were still adequate for Loyola. Audience members also asked Wildes to elaborate on his plan for gaining national prominence. He said he wanted to work with vice presidents of the departments and focus on Loyola's strengths and uniqueness to gain national attention. Wildes noted that something unique to Loyola is the fact that it is the only Jesuit university with a college of music, and Loyola's strength in communications.Jack Morris, assistant professor of communications, said he liked Wildes' ideas, suggestions and plans for gaining national attention. Marlene Murray, administrative assistant for the sociology department, also said she agreed with Wildes' plans. Murray said she liked his plan to deal with student affairs and residential life, such as building more dorms, because more students are coming to the university from out of state. Wildes also elaborated on other plans, such as teaching undergraduates. But he stressed that he was working on two main concerns: making a university-wide strategic plan and meeting people to increase successful fund raising. Krystle Robinson can be reached at klrobins@loyno.edu. STAFF PHOTO BYANN HERMES Freshmen Ainee Pote, sociology, and Kalherine Leforce, general studies, carefully touch up a window frame on Saturday with Habitat for Humanity. Constructive Saturday for students, Habitat Loyola groups help build house for AmeriCorps By Savannah Brehmer Staff writer The tables were turned Saturday when five AmeriCorps volunteers received an electric-blue shotgun house built with help from Loyola student volunteers. Most Habitat for Humanity house projects are for low-income families; however, with students finishing paint touches, a fence, a flowerbed and other projects on Saturday, AmeriCorps volunteers were given a house as a sign of gratitude courtesy of Habitat. "We decided to build a volunteer house since they're paid very little," said Geandra Davis, assistant construction supervisor for Habitat. AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment, according to their Web site. Among the programs AmeriCorps volunteers take on is building affordable housing, the lack of which is the number one cause of homelessness. Student volunteer efforts were organized by Loyola University Community Action Program and Sam Cabrera, international business sophomore and LUCAP Habitat for Humanity co-chairman. According to project volunteer Sarah Mackota, sociology freshman, the volunteer work is worth the effort because it makes someone happy. "I like how you're not just donating money," Mackota said. "It's nice to work with people you've never met before. It shows a lot about the Loyola community." Davis attributes a reduction in crime and neighborhood revitalization to the four houses in the neighborhoodSee WILDES, page 2 See HABITAT, page 3 SPORTS A Complete intramural flag football playoff jm «K brackets page 5 LIFE & TIMES Ozomatli blends African and Latin music to create their own unique sound page 9 INSIDE: NEWS BRIEFS, page 2 • SPORTS, PAGE 4 • OP/ED, PAGE 6 • LIFE & TIMES, PAGE 9 VISIT US ON THE WEB: MAROaN.LOYNO.EDU ONLINE POLL Do you plan on attending Loup Garou? vote online: maroon.loyno.edu