This week's stories:
In Our Opinion New program may cause problems Get out the Advil. The Academic Excellence program which the Student Government Association endorsed is a headache waiting to happen. The program aims to increase attendance at academically sponsored events. It rewards students for increases in GPA. A series of equations and points determine how many privileges students will have pertaining to time of registration and housing selection. Students may need a calculator for this. To find out where they stand on the point scale, they must first mutiply their GPA by the number of credits taken. Next, each academic event attended must be multiplied by five points per event. Lastly, the increase of their GPA from the previous semester must be multiplied by five points. Confused yet? We hope not, because the total points earned can be deducted from the housing lottery number. The potential for many students to have the same number is disturbing. If the housing office thought it had problems when students protested lottery numbers last semester, wait until 10 students have the same number and all of them want a Townhouse. The point of Academic Excellence will try to get students to use their brains more. Unfortunately university officials did not develop the program in the same spirit. As if the housing department wasn't in enough trouble with students. If the new program rewards those students with high GPAs, that means it punishes those with lower ones. With this system, university officials are shaking their fists in the faces of the mediocre student. While the slackers may get what's coming to them, the average student who struggles to get by with B's and C's gets muscled. Add living in Francis Hall to the list of repercussions for bad grades. University officials just upped their power and hid themselves further behind a curtain of confusing equations and point systems. We now dance harder on the strings of this Wizard of Oz-like panel which scares us into raising our GPAs with its push-button pyrotechnics and booming voices. This system may help raise GPAs, but it will not help housing. Building more residence halls will help housing. Academic Excellence widens the gap between university officials and students. All students would like to raise their GPA, but not at the hands of losing a place to live. This system scares students straight and, after a while, students will get sick of being scared. There are other things besides grades that deserve privilege. Student leadership in organizations like the Franciscan Center for Social Concern and The Buzz require just as much time and effort as a high GPA does.
New harassment policy in effect To the Editor: For the first time in the history of St. Bonaventure University, it is now a violation of the university's Harassment Policy to discriminate against a person because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. I say "Bravo, SBU!" I commend the Board of Trustees, the Faculty Senate, the Graduate Council and the Student Senate for approving the policy, and I commend the CODAH (Council on Discrimination and Harassment) for writing and approving the policy. And I commend President Wickenheiser for his strong and unwavering support throughout the process. Now when we say that this is a university that espouses Franciscan values "in which the dignity and worth of all members of the university community are respected," they are not just words. We now have our first official deed. This policy will not change everything overnight. But it is a long-awaited and essential first step in our growth towards our own humanity.
Sincerely, Bob Amico, chair, Council on Discrimination and Harassment
In Our Opinion Bush culprits must be held accountable If this were the medieval days, the St. Bonaventure bushes' vandals would be decapitated and their headless carcasses would be put on display. Obviously, we have come a long way since those days. The role of the black-hooded executioner has now been taken on by the vice president for student life, and the guillotine now brings its wrath in the form of a level one violation. Regardless of the change in times and the less life-threatening consequences, the recent acts of disrespect to a St. Bonaventure landmark must stop. If there was ever a time to make an example out of a student, or students, this would be it. Residence Life takes pride in catching students committing violations and putting their punishments on display to prompt a disciplinary change. We feel the bush vandals' punishment must spark this change. By making an example of this crime, future vandals will see that St. Bonaventure means business in protecting school property. Acts of destruction are becoming too frequent on campus and putting dents in our positive qualities. If the disrespect continues, the St. Bonaventure name will become as damaged as the trampled bushes. Residence Life has shown no mercy in prosecuting the loud resident and the freshman in the hall with a can of beer. Hopefully it will stay on this track and make a bust that counts. We urge university officials to be thorough in their search for the culprits. We urge students to respect their university and treat it as you would your own home.
Sometimes war is necessary regardless of religious orientation To the Editor: Last week's edition of The BV featured a letter to the editor written by Dr. Chris Stanley entitled "Military and Religion Clash in Values." The letter was written in response to an opinion piece submitted the prior week by an SBU student who serves in the St. Bonaventure ROTC program. Not only did Dr. Stanley question the young man's convictions as both a member of ROTC and of the Christian faith, but he also attacked the military presence and existence both on and off our university's campus. While I enjoy and look forward to reading viewpoints that are different from my own, I find it rather interesting how a small number of professors on this campus have begun to use this student newspaper as a forum for their ultra liberal views. They argue that there is a fundamental conflict between our mission as Christians and our support of the military. Certainly this is a very important topic and one that young liberal arts college students like myself should indeed be asking. In many classes on our campus right now, students are contemplating and debating this subject particularly with regards to America's current situation with terrorism and Iraq. The vast majority of professors on our campus eagerly listen to their students and moderate discussion. They also challenge students to think in new ways about these types of topics and encourage them to look at issues from many different perspectives. This is what makes college classrooms all across this country great. At a Franciscan University though, as Dr. Stanley right points out, we have a responsibility to live up to our Catholic and Franciscan values. These values are deeply rooted in the teaching and lifestyle of Jesus Christ. Jesus told us to "turn the other cheek" and to "love our enemies." He also said to "pray for those who persecute you" and "forgive those who do wrong to you." These teachings are extremely important to us as human beings and things that we should always try to live by. These words however, need to be read in the context of the whole New Testament. There is a difference between the commandments to us, as individuals and to the state and the role of the state in society. In the book of Romans, Paul explains how good governments and leaders are permitted by God to use force to overthrow evildoers. Paul says that the authorities do not bear the sword in vain but are God's servants to execute justice on those who do evil (Romans 13). The apostle Peter wrote that government is established by Christ to punish those who do wrong (1 Peter 2: 13-14). The United States is indeed a legitimate authority that is responsible for protecting human life throughout the world. Today, thousands of men and women are currently serving in the United States military on peace keeping and humanitarian efforts. Dr. Stanley failed to mention this and instead disputed the fact that the military is a true life of service. He also used quoted from 2nd and 3rd century philosophers like Hippolytus, Tertullian, and Justin Martyr to argue that war is never justified. St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine however viewed the use of military and war as a final resort to ultimately achieve peace. Augustine believed the only reason for waging war would be to defend the nation's peace against serious injury. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that war is only permitted to pursue some good or avoid some evil. Engaging in war and sending our troops into battle is a very serious matter and one that good governments and leaders do not take lightly. St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul and the apostle Peter all recognized this. Before we pass judgment on our nations leaders or those brave men and women who risk their lives in the military, we must understand that being a Christian does not mean you should be a pacifist.
Sincerely, Kevin MacMaster, junior
by Shane Colligan BonaLand is dead. The nickname associated with the spirit of the university has been phased out along with the sense of community which it ac-companied. BonaLandıs official date of death is hard to determine but it probably occurred in 1998 after word spread that Tim Winn, point guard for the menıs basketball team, allegedly punched freshman Matthew Illig, breaking several facial bones, in front of the Hickey Dining Hall. Thatıs the first act of on-campus, student-on-student violence I remember hearing about. If it wasnıt dead before, BonaLand definitely died then. Since then, it seems the sense of community has quickly faded. People used to pass each other on the sidewalks and greet everyone they saw with nothing less than a smile and a friendly hello. Now, they seem to do that less and less. This used to be a safe campus, too. Now, we hear stories proving otherwise. An Olean man, brandishing a knife and wearing a stocking on his head, was charged with second-degree menacing after allegedly threatening a female Devereux Hall resident in September 2000; a man grabbed a female on Clare Road in 2001; the infamous ³gunman in the woods² episode of the Spring 2002 semester; and now the recent vandalism to university property makes me wonder: would this happen in BonaLand? Of course not! All the crime and vandalism that students hear so much about certainly proves that the universityıs community spirit had dimmed—almost extinguished altogether. Then something happened. While inquiring about the free student government tickets for the Rochester Downstairs Cabaretıs performance of ³Ainıt Misbehavinı,² a friend and I found out a guarantee that we could sit together would cost $40 ($20 per ticket). Forty dollars is a lot of money to shell out for a couple seats, which you are in for only two hours. Needless to say, I considered not going to the show at all after hearing this news. Then, from nowhere, a shimmering glimpse of BonaLand in the form of an arts center box office employee spoke up. ³Take my tickets,² she said, whipping them out of her purse. She said her friend couldnıt be there and she had to work the champagne reception during the show so she couldnıt go to the show either. After she told us they were free student government tickets, we gladly accepted them. We enjoyed the show from the second row, with no one sitting in front of us, and beside each other. And, Wednesday, another shining example, Joe, emerged — this time from Robinson Hall. He actually stopped and helped me carry extremely heavy boxes down the hall to my car out of the goodness of his heart! Maybe BonaLand isnıt dead. Perhaps this is just a game of hide-and-seek and BonaLand found a great hiding spot! They say a few rotten apples spoil the bunch. If thatıs true, St. Bonaventure may have more than a few bad apples but, hopefully, that will pass. As for those bad apples, someone should make cider.
Garret Theatre: a hidden treasure
By Allie Herryman Since the Garret Theatre Players' first show began rehearsing on Sept. 3, the black door between the fire escapes on the west side of Devereux Hall is propped open most weeknight evenings. With that encouragement, it's hardly surprising that nearly every night curious people have peeked inside to see what was going on. The first boy who looked in just wondered where the door led. The next night a girl wondered the same. The night Olean Community Theater held auditions in the basement of Butler, a confused parent stopped in, mistaking the theater for where the auditions were. A security guard, friends of the cast, and many Devereux residents round out the list of faces that have appeared in the door frame. The first question they all ask is simply, "what is this?" By now, a month into the semester, the location of Garret Theatre should not be such a surprise. The space has been a part of our campus since it was converted from a chapel in 1961. In those 41 years, there have been hundreds of plays, musicals and other performances on the stage. In addition to the students who have been "Garret Theatre Players" in their time at St. Bonaventure, many members of the faculty have ties to Garret Theatre. Dr. Ed Simone, associate professor of theater, Dr. Leigh Simone, assistant professor of theater, Andrea Trisciuzzi, university advancement and Don Hopwood, technical director for The Quick Center for the Arts, have all participated in some aspect of performance. Dr. Stephen Gray-Lewis, associate professor of theater, has directed the group for 30 years. The stage of Garret Theatre has seen so much history it is practically a landmark. The fact that some people can still wonder what Garret Theatre is seems unbelieveable. There is a warm glow to the inside of the theater that goes beyond the red paint on the walls. It is a welcoming space that beckons everyone to get lost in the magic of the stage. However, that magic is hard to feel when you just peek in the door. To really appreciate all that is Garret Theatre, it has to be experienced. Next time, don't just stop by the open door. Buy a ticket for the performance, and come on in!
A junky car can still capture your heart
by Steph Boyle I'm not sure why I even bothered to bring my car to St. Bonaventure this year. Sure, it was great having a vehicle last year. I could come and go when I pleased. I could escape from the craziness of campus. I could drive people to the liquor store. In fact, having a car as a freshman was wonderful. I've had my baby, an ugly blue 1992 Plymouth Sundance, for almost three years. My uncle is a mechanic, and he found me the nicest car in my price range. I paid $1500 for "Blue" that March, and I've been regretting it ever since. The problems started out small. She came with a slight oil leak, but I didn't mind because my uncle told me that a lot of small, older cars had similar problems. She also had ignition troubles. The flywheel didn't line up correctly, so every time I started her, there was the potential for stripping the teeth off the gear. I could have cared less. I had my own car. I should have cared. Every time I started my car, it sounded like the engine, if not the world, would explode. People cringed. Mechanics cried. To stop the staring, I finally had my uncle fix the problem. Months passed without incident. My parents had a CD player installed as a graduation present. She ran fine. I let my guard down. That summer, two hours after a routine tune-up, I drove my car to work. To this day I am glad I was driving down a hill when the engine quit because I had just enough momentum to coast safely into a parking lot. I spent over a month without a car. I don't want to talk about how much I paid for repairs. I made it through my first semester in college without much trouble, aside from parking fees and lack of spaces. I will admit, however, that I let Blue's interior decline slightly. As a result, my friends decided to change her nickname to Shay (like the residence hall). Shay's reflection of the less-than-sanitary conditions seemed to fit Blue perfectly. I got the message. I cleaned her. Enter February break. After a trip to Ithaca College, I noticed that my oil light still came on despite the numerous quarts I poured in. My uncle broke the news gently. Oil is not supposed to come out of spark plugs. Shay officially needed a new engine. You may ask why I didn't give up and send my car to a scrap heap. I blame my uncle. He said he could fix it, and it wouldn't be that expensive. Fearing a loss of independence and my most prized possession, I relented. He kept my car until the end of Spring Break. I finished freshman year ecstatic to finally have my car back. Then, one day, I smelled gas. I really smelled it. Then I realized I had a nasty gas leak. I also realized that walking two miles in the pouring rain to call for help can be fun, if you don't mind getting completely soaked while wearing a white t-shirt. The saga continues today. After losing Shay for most of the summer, I made the crazy decision take her back to Bonas for sophomore year. I reasoned that she still had enough energy to tool around Olean. Besides, my CD player still worked well. That last factor is now key. As long as I have music, I can drown out the persistent rattle that my car now mysteriously emits. To top that, I'm currently breaking New York State law because I don't have a catalytic converter. And since my frame is rotting out, Shay will not pass inspection in November. It's a victory in itself that she starts when I turn the key. Be sure to wave if you see me on the side of the road, because I might need your help. But hey, at least my CD player works.
Pageant turns into a freak show
by Mike Trask The Miss America Pageant proved to be an evening full of laughter, excitement, and intellectual stimulation Saturday night. Between the swim suits, evening gowns, and raw talent, it proved to be hard to still think about the candidates' platforms and marvel at their astounding knowledge of pop culture. Wayne Brady, of "Whose Line is it Anyway," hosted the event in a career-ending performance. His desperate attempts at humor verged on that uncomfortable feeling you get when someone makes an improper and inappropriate remark in class. Brady strolled out at the beginning of the competition and started with a monologue remarking about how the contestants hadn't eaten since June. It would have been funny if it wasn't so true. Then he reverted to black guy jokes for the rest of the night. Somewhere around the fourth time he alluded to his race, it just became painful to watch. Brady probably called his agent crying near the end of third segment. Then came the women, well, maybe girls. Most of the contestants ranged in age from 20 to 23. They had big hopes for their platforms, from making music a priority in education to curbing violence. The winner of the competiton gets to spend a year spreading the word on her cause of choice and a $50,000 scholarship. It's a great gesture, but it doesn't detract from the shameless exploitation of both the females' bodies and their intellects. If I hadn't known better I would have thought the entire show was satire. Perhaps, it is. The pageant seems to have degenerated to the point where it just parodies itself and pokes fun at the idiocy of the twenty-something crowd. For all the pizazz, from the male point of view, the contestants just don't look that good. The whole spectacle, especially the heavily made-up girls who look like wax figures of the 20-year-old girls on this campus, comes across faker than Michael Jackson's face. Nobody can smile as much as these individuals. They smiled when they did well, smiled when they lost, smiled when they sung, and smiled when they looked like fools. The highlight, by far, was the quiz section of the show. The final five candidates had 16 multiple choice questions to answer first about current events, then about events that made America great. Two contestants incorrectly answered that Theodore Roosevelt was the only other president, besides George W. Bush, whose father also served as president. They missed other seemingly obvious questions about the history of the country and basic questions about what has been in the news lately, too. Apparently in between practicing their one-minute routines and learning to walk in high-heels the ladies didn't have time to catch up on the latest happenings. All this happened after a strange episode in which Rebekah Revels lost her Miss Carolina crown when an ex-boyfriend alerted the pageant's organizers that he had naked pictures of her. Revels was permitted to keep her title after a lawsuit. The saddest part was the image of young people America received was one of materialism and stupidity. Most middle-age people could answer the quiz questions asked. Apparently, most of this generation can't. Oh yeah, Erika Harold, Miss Illinois, won. She will spend her reign campaigning against youth violence before she heads off to Harvard Law School. It's hard to say if there's hope for the future or not.
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