Maroon

              THE MAROON A LOYOLA TRADITION SINCE 1923 • "FOR A GREATER LOYOLA ONLINE EDITION AT LOYOLAMAROON.COM FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2010 Vol. 87, NO. 18 Minus grade draws mixed reaction By CRAIG MALVEAUX Senior Staff Writer While most professors have favored the addition of minus grades so far, students have had mixed reactions about it. Steffon Gray, mathematics sophomore, said he doesn't like the minus system because it negatively affects students' grade point averages. "A student can get straight B minus grades and receive a 2.7 grade point average for example as opposed to receiving a 3.0 grade point average with the standard B grades," he said. According to Edward Kvet, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, Loyola decided to alter its grading scale after studies showed a majority of American universities use both pluses and minuses. " If you recall, we've had a system for many years that had pluses but no minuses. We did a study to take a look at the universities to who did what and to our surprise, we could not find another university with the exact way we did things," Kvet said. "So we evaluated and took a look at if it would make sense to go to pluses and minuses." Some students, like Maria Pinheiro, English writing junior, have transitioned easily because they're used to having pluses as well as minuses in the professors' grading scale from high school. According to Pinheiro, the minus system could benefit students and possibly serve as motivation to some students. "If you're going to have a minus grading system, then it probably will push you to work harder because if students want that A, they realize they can't just put in the bare minimum and expect to get the grade they want," she said. "But if you're the type of person who relies on being on the cusp to get the next grade up, then it'll affect students negatively." Gray said while he thinks it may push students to work harder for grades, he said he feels minus grades are demoralizing for students. "It's discouraging in my opinion. Before, it gave students a little more motivation to do well because they're either going to get a plus grade or a solid grade. Now students have to worry about receiving a minus grade," he said. Not every student opposes the minus system. Wayne Connor, economics junior, said he doesn't Faculty to receive increase in salaries By PEARLA MUTOMBOWATUMBAContributing Writer Faculty members at Loyola University will receive salary increases averaging 3.5 percent next year. Those raises will be based on two criteria. Part of the raises will go to reward each professor's merit and the second part will go toward correcting what university officials call "salary compression." Salary compression is a phenomenon that happens when a longtime employee ends up earning less than new hires. This happens because the longtime employee's cost of living raises failed to keep up with what other universities are paying. Since Loyola bids against other universities when it hires new professors, new professors end up getting paid at a higher "market" rate when they start MIDTERM MADNESS CAITLIN SULLIVAN / Assistant photo editor Students buckle down and hit the books after surviving the Saints Superbowl victory and Mardi Gras. Business freshman Victoria Barkley and music industry freshman Devin Anderson study for midterms Wednesday, March 3. Loyola anticipates Brees speech Despite worries, tickets will not be required at graduation By ABBEY BRANDON Staff Writer More than 13,000 seats will be available for this year's commencement address in the Louisiana Superdome, but with Drew Brees addressing the 875 graduating students, students have expressed concerns about seating limitations in addition to excitement. In previous years, Loyola has averaged 7,000 guests at the ceremony without seat limitations. This year, graduates will not have a limit on invitations for the graduation on May 8 despite some concerns that the university might require tickets due to Brees's popularity. "It's a concern because I have 19 people coming. If we have to buy tickets it is unfair to the 19 family members. They all want to come see me graduate," said Miranda Miller, music industry and vocal performance senior. "It is just weird because we are going to have random people coming to our graduation just to see Drew Brees and to think they have no connection at all." According to Meredith Hartley, director of Public Affairs and External Relations, "Students do not need to have a ticket to get in, nor do friends or family members." Last September, Edward Kvet, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, sent out a call for a commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients. The board of trustees and the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., then reviewed the nominations. Wildes made the final decision about the commencement speaker. The board of trustees votes on the honorary degree recipients. Wildes chose Brees as the New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees holds championship t-shirt after winning the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 24. Loyola mourns professor By JEAN-PAUL ARGUELLO Senior Staff Writer Criminal justice assistant professor and recently appointed associate chairman of criminal justice Patrick Dennis Walsh died at his home Sunday, Feb. 28. He was well known for his passion for criminal justice and willingness to "go the extra mile to help students." according to William E. Thornton, chairman of the dep;utment of criminal justice. Walsh specialized in the studies of the thought process of thieves leading up to robberies, corporate investigations and white-collar crime. Loyola was also Walsh's alma mater, and he earned both his bachekDr's and master's degrees in criminal justice from the university. He recently earned his doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2(X)6. Alter earning his undergraduate degree from Loyola. Walsh went on to work as an investigator in the lodging, retail and private security industries. One of his positions included being a polygraph investigator. Later, he worked for several different private investigator forms and then for Circle K Stores as a regional security loss prevention manager. His experience in the private sector granted him a perspective that no other professor had. Thorton said. He was known for his wild stories from real life experiences, and his trademark humor that embellished them. Thornton actually taught Walsh while he studied for his bachelor's degree. "I' ve known him since before he started teaching here, so I've lost a colleague and a friend," Thornton said. Walsh is survived by his wife of 32 years, Tere Mares, and daughter Christen Roberts, her husband Jetf. His son was the late Matthew Patrick Walsh. In lieu of flowers, the Walsh family requested that donations be made to the newly established Patrick D. Walsh Memorial Scholarship for criminal justice majors. Jean-Paul Arguello can be reached at jogueD@loyiio.edu see MINUS, page 4 see FACULTY, page 4 see BREES, page 4 OSGA ELECTION GUIDE 2010 see page 7 MAROON DIRECTORY: CRIME WATCH, page 2 | LIFE & TIMES, page 5 | SPORTS, page 11 | EDITORIAL, page 14 | NEWS TIPS: 865 3535