Maroon

              THE MAROON A LOYOLA TRADITION SINCE 1923 • "FOR A GREA ER LOYOLA" 21 3*T ONLINE EDITION AT LOYOLAMAROON.COM MAY 1, 2009 Hurricane Katrina-afTected Loyola seniors graduate By EDUARDO GONZALEZ SENIOR STAFF WRITER Not everyone in the senior class will be able to walk across the stage on May 9 to receive their diploma. As of April 24, the "Katrina class," as some refer to it, will have 476 students graduate on May 9. This leaves 68 seniors who will take summersummer classes and 114 who will receive their diploma after the fall semester. Shane Hennessey, mass communication senior, will not participate in the May graduation. "I didn't go to school during the Katrina semester, so I have to catch up," he said. Hennessey said he believes the school didn't give students enough time to figure out a plan of action. "It was a bit rushed and that was my main problem," he said. "I had offers from other schools, but it was too rushed." Hennessey said it does not matter that he will not have a ceremony in December after he finishes his studies."It doesn't bother me, but I can definitely understai ie frustrations of those for whom tl is important," he said. Angella Monroe, mathematics senior, is another student who will not graduate on time. Monroe was a part of the computer science major that was eliminated. Monroe said she went to the University of San Francisco for her Katrina semester. since it was near her home in California. Monroe accepted the situation, even though she was not very happy with transferring. She said this experience taught her a lesson she will never forget. "Katrina made me realize that tomorrow is never promised and that Terminated faculty sue university Bγ ANDREA CASTILLO STAFF WRITER Loyola University must pay nearly $3(X),(XX) to two former professors who sued the institution over the post-Hurricane Katrina restructuring plan called "Pathways." Another six former professors" cases are still moving through the courts — one of which is set for a hearing later this month. The remaining five are still pending trial dates. The eight professors filed suit against after the university eliminated their departments or programs in the months following the 2(K)5 hurricane. According to court documents, in the two cases already settled, Loyola paid $160,000 to Mary Ann Doyle and $120,(XX) to Janet Melancon, former professors from the Education and Counseling Department. Margaret Dermody, from the former Department of Education and Counseling, Bogdan Czejdo and Kenneth Messa from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and William Hammel, Nancy Dupont and Mary Blue from the Department of Communications filed the other lawsuits. Nancy Dupont's case is scheduled for trial May 18. Meredith Hartley, spokeswoman for Loyola University New Orleans, said she consulted Loyola's legal counsel, who told her it was not appropriate for Loyola to comment on pending litigation. According to Nancy Picard, an attorney who represents Melancon, Doyle, and Dermody, her clients' lawsuits, which were originally filed in April 2007, contend Loyola violated her clients' tenure contracts when the university fired them. According to Larry Samuel, Messa's attorney, tenure protects educators from being terminated "at-will" for no reason. Professors who have earned tenure at Loyola may only be fired for "adequate cause," and only after the university follows well Tour group numbers increase By JOHN ADAMS SENIOR STAFF WRITER While some students are preparingpreparing to graduate from Loyola, prospective students are visiting daily. With a new incentive of $1,000 off the first year's tuition, Loyola has seen an upswing of 30 percent in the number of prospective students who tour the campus. "We wanted to create an incentive for people to visit," said Salvadore Liberto, vice president of enrollment KEVIN ZANSLER / THE MAROON A tour guide leads a group of prospective students and parents April 24 inside Marquette Hall. Loyola has seen a 30 percent increase in students touring the campus this year. Loyola takes  precautions for swine flu By JOHN ADAMS SENIOR STAFF WRITER Student Health has antivirals available With possible cases of swine flu showing up in Louisiana, campus officials are warning sludents about health practices concerning the growing pandemic. In a statement to The Maroon. Rev. Kevin Wildes S.J., university president said. "I am monitoring the health situation closely both through the professional staff on campus, as well as our contacts in the state health agencies." Gov. Bobby Jindal announced on Wednesday thut he is temporarily closing a school in Lafayette. La., pending test results of five students. On Wednesday April. 29, a child with flu like symptoms went to the Tulane Uptown Square Clinic where a swab was collected to be sent off for testing of swine flu, said Mark Romig, a spokesperson for the clinic. Romig said the child was around people who recently went to Mexico, which is where the disease originated. Though it is not confirmed if the child has swine flu, the clinic handed the case to the state for testing, which Romig said could range from 14 to 24 hours for results. Cissy Petty, vice president and associate provost of Student Affairs, said the university will keep parents, students, faculty and staff updated via the university Web site. "As of this date, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Louisiana," said Petty on the afternoon of April 29. "Should the see GRADUATION, page 4 see LAWSUITS, page 3 see TOUR, page 16 see FLU, page 5 Tllh'W Wo,fpack's H9BH baseball star CORRECTIONS: In the March 13 issue. The Maroon misquoted Dean Luis Miron regarding broadcast journalism. We should have said a digital media sequence will likely be created. Also, in an April 24 article "Loup Garou ticket prices differ by dayTThe Maroon incorrectly attributed a quote to Sarah Azpeitia. Kate Gremillon mas the source. Also, in an April 17 news brief, The Maroon incorrectly said Loyola University Community Action Program elected Jonathan Lucio as associate chairman. Lucio is the internal affairs I chairman. The Maroon regrets these errors. __!__  MAROON DIRECTORY: CAMPUS WATCH, page 2 j UFE & TIMES, page 6 | SPORTS, pagelFf EDITORIAL, page 14 f NEWS TIPS: 865-3535