Maroon

              THE LOYOLA MAROON VOLUME 68, NO. 7 LOYOLA UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70118 OCTOBER 6, 1989 Loyola sponsors housing renovation By Christie Fox Staff writer Loyola joined a consortium of public and private contributors last Friday to sponsor a living-learning center in 124 newly renovated 50-year-old uptown apartments. The idea, initiated by Loyola graduate Michael Vales, is to "combine quality housing, a state-of-the-art learning center, and a caring management philosophy," he said. The Palmetto Apartment Complex, 3852 Cambronne St., is the site of the 20 remodeled buildings and the Loyola Learning Center. The center, expected to open in January, will provide free computer services to Palmetto residents. "This is a unique effort by the public and private sector to join forces to address some of the major problems facing society today — housing, education and employment." — Sidney Barthelemy In addition, the center will provide supervised study time, tutorial and social services, the Rev. Neal McDermott, 0.P., dean of Campus Ministry, said. He said Vales will work to insure that the apartment complex will remain drug-free. The apartments will be rented primarily to low-tomoderate income tenants, who will be screened and chosen by Vales, who hopes to prove that "a housing unit can be transformed into a home." "We're investing in our community," Vales said. "This is a unique effort by the public and private sector to join forces to address some of the major problems facing society today — housing, education and employment," Sidney Barthelemy, New Orleans mayor, said. The city, which made the extensive changes possible, matched renovation funds raised by the apartment owners. The investors have joined forces to "rebuild the dream" of affordable housing and protection from crime that has been shattered for urban residents across the country, the Rev. George F. Lundy, S .J., senior vice president and dean of Faculties, said. Those investing in the project include the City of New Orleans, the Louisiana Office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Vales Management, Inc., the Apple Computer Co., the Palmetto Apartment Partnership and the Whitney National Bank. The Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., university president, said he would like to sec more similar projects. "We'll provide the skills and the instructional talent," he said, but Loyola needs help with funding from outside sources. All apartments have been repainted, the windows replaced, and new wooden floors have been laid. Every unit is equipped with central air conditioning, heat, stoves and refrigerators. During the day, the facilities will help unemployed heads of households find jobs; in the afternoon, it will help school children with their homework; and it will be used by working persons in the evening to improve their marketable skills, according to a University Relations press release. "To make this happen, relentlessly moving to the next step... [Vales is] a model of the kind of Loyola graduate Photo by Charles Baker Loyola's Protective Umbrella — The Rev. James C. Carter S.J., university president and the Rev. George F. Lundy S.J., senior vice president and dean of faculties, join Sidney Barthelemy, New Orleans mayor in providing job skills to low-to-moderate income tenants. WWL-TV's sale will end debate By Tim Watson Editor in Chief Last week's announcement that Loyola-owned WWLTV will be sold ends at least 20 years of speculation and debate within the university community over sale of the station. As early as 1969, some Loyola officials believed selling WWL-TV would be wise decision. An article in the Nov. 21, 1969 Maroon said, "...some university officials are now saying, cautiously, that perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to consider selling the station." i Analysis Since then, debates about WWL-TV's value to the university have been ongoing. The main controversy stems from the station's two basic values — financial and community service — although many say that the station is valuable in numerous other ways as well. While some believe its primary purpose is to influence and help the New Orleans community, others see the station mainly as a business enterprise dedicated to earning money for the university. But most see the station as serving both areas and are torn between selling and keeping WWL-TV. The Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., university president, said in a statement dated Sept. 27 that "broadcasting has offered us ... a magnificent opportunity for community service over the years." He also noted that "income from broadcasting has been used exclusively to improve the quality of education" at Loyola. Dr. Mary Blue, associate professor of communications, said in March that when considering solely the community service aspect, WWL-TV is probably a good investment for Loyola because it allows the school to aid the community, often through the airing of public service announcements.Since federal deregulation of the broadcast industry in 1981, television stations do not have to air as many PSAs as they once did. However, Loyola has continued to air more PSAs on WWL-TV than required. But financially, Blue said, the station is probably not a good investment. Indeed, some officials have apparently favored selling WWL-TV because of its sluggish financial performance. In the 1969 Maroon article, John L. Eckholdt, vice president for Business and Finance then and now, said, "WWL is no longer as exciting or dynamic as it used to be. In the past, it has been the 'Big Daddy' of the endowment, but it has reached a slowing down point in its growth." No Maroon The Maroon will not publish next week because of midterm exams. Publication will resume OcL 20. See Palmetto/page 9 See WWL-TV/page 5 I I Inside This Week Campus jl Cramming  Crannies '~7s£?V see Life and Times/ page 13