This week's stories:
Students express discontent over housing
By Jessica Galasso Although some students are unhappy with their room selection, Sonia Ostrander, director of housing said the housing selection process went well this year. Sophomore Torre Catalano plans to live in a Francis Hall single this fall after housing rejected his application for a Townhouse, with one senior and two juniors. He said if a room on the main campus opens, he plans to move. "There were many, many applications for Phase II and Phase III Townhouses," Ostrander said. Catalano pitched a tent and strummed his guitar outside the Reilly Center in protest of his housing situation on April 8, the second evening of the housing selection process. Residence Life broke up the 40-to-50 person crowd at 12:15 a.m. "I wanted someone to know how many people are angered because a lot of people were saying they were unhappy but no one was saying anything," Catalano said. "We had enough credits and everything. What hurt us was that so many seniors are living on campus," Catalano said. "I don't think fifth year seniors should live in Townhouses. If they weren't allowed to, then all seniors would basically be guaranteed a townhouse." This year, there are 46, four-person female Townhouses and 30, four-person male townhouses as well as four resident assistant apartments. There are two male and three female six-person Townhouses. Fourteen Garden Apartments are split into seven male and seven female apartments. Ostrander said 37 all-senior Phase II and III Townhouses were assigned. Thirty-one three-junior, one-senior Townhouses given and eight two-senior, two-junior Townhouses given. Catalano served as the Opinion Editor at The Bona Venture . He was suspended from The BV's editorial board for the final three weeks of this semester as well as from working on the senior supplement. Kevin Okun, editor in chief of The BV, said that the newspaper's code of ethics requires that any member of the editorial board who participates in protests is suspended for four to six weeks. "It is important to separate ourselves from the news," Okun said. "It was a difficult decision because (Torre) is enthusiastic about everything he does. We will be glad to have him back in the fall." Catalano says The BV's policy should be changed. "What I did was practicing my First Amendment rights," Catalano said. "Being Opinion Editor is practicing those same rights. (The policy) seems to be contradicting." Sophomore Matt Auteritano plans to live in a suite in Falconio Hall in the fall. He said he and three other students, all with junior credits for the fall semester, applied to live in a Townhouse. The four-person apartments were full by the time applications of four juniors would have been considered. Auteritano said he plans to live in a Falconio Hall suite. "In theory, (the lottery system) is the fairest way," Auteritano said. Sophomore Jackie Shipman lived in a Falconio Hall double this year. She plans to live in a Robinson Hall suite with three other juniors in the fall. "We wanted a suite on third floor Falconio, but we ended up with a Robinson suite," Shipman said. "They were all taken by the time our number was called." "People who work hard have bad lottery numbers," Shipman said. She said good grade point averages should be rewarded by having a factor in the housing process. Ostrander said the only suites saved on main campus for freshmen are three on the first floor of Falconio Hall, explaining that housing is uncertain whether the wing will be male or female. Ostrander said the only way freshmen are put into suites or rooms in Doyle Hall, Devereux Hall, Robinson/ Falconio halls and Francis Hall is when someone backs out of an arrangement set up during the spring housing process. There are no plans to change the housing selection system, Ostrander said.
Channel 7 co-anchor gives keynote speech
By Kelly Zientek WKBW-TV, Channel 7's Eyewitness News, co-anchor Susan Banks presented the keynote address at the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication's first Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award ceremony on Wednesday in the Dresser Auditorium in the Murphy Professional Building. Lee Coppola, dean of the journalism school, called the presentation "the first of what we hope will be many keynote addresses and awards." He then introduced Banks as a woman who "epitomizes ethical journalism." Banks began by expressing how honored she was to be part of the event. She centered her address around the changes she has seen in television journalism during the 28 years she has been involved in the business. The first and most important change has been in technological advances, she said. Banks candidly recalled the days she had typed up stories using a typewriter and the photographers developed their own film. She outlined the progression from videotape in the 80's and the "live eye" microwave transmission vehicles that allowed reporters to deliver their story at the scene. She also talked about digital editing and shooting with clearer pictures and even newer advances in technology with videophones "the size of lunchboxes" that will eventually replace today's satellite truck. Other changes Banks recalled in her years as a journalist included ownership and viewership. She commented on problems that occurred when government regulations restricting companies from having more dominance over multiple stations were lifted in the 90's. "Who suffers? The viewers of course," Banks said of the lower quality news stations have battled with due to less competition. Banks spoke about the viewers as the last changing venue. She said ratings indicate how well of a job the news anchors are doing. "People have a fundamental need to know the truth," she said, adding that Buffalo-area viewers are very well informed and expect to know more about what is happening. Another key point of Bank's address centered on the importance of ethical journalism. Banks described the television journalism industry's drive towards "being the first, being the best, getting it right." She also stressed the importance of getting the truth to the public. "Accuracy versus immediacy is an issue we deal with all the time," she said. "Accuracy is the most important in my mind." Although the Internet "is going to be huge," according to Banks, she also cautioned that it may cause problems with accuracy. "People should be choosy about where they go for news," she said. When questioned about dealing the perception that television personalities have to have the proper appearance. Banks pointed out that television viewers are bombarded with pictures and the news has to compete with those images. "Do I think it's fair (to be criticized)?" she said, "Of course not! But it's going to happen. You're going to be vulnerable to the jokes and criticisms." Banks cited her bout with breast cancer as a way to use her publicity to get a message out. She talked about how a television personality has a certain celebrity image that carries with it responsibility. "It's a huge responsibility and I take it seriously," she said. Next, Coppola recognized Hamilton, associate professor of journalism/mass communication. He described her as the "rock of the Journalism school." He cited her as the "fortitude I look to when I need guidance and advice on the right thing to do." Hamilton will start teaching half-time in the fall. Hamilton received a standing ovation when she was introduced. "My first and only standing ovation," she laughed. Award recipient senior Elizabeth Ortega thanked the key influences in her journey through the Journalism school at St. Bonaventure including Chris Mackowski, associate professor of journalism/mass communication, Denny Wilkins, associate professor of journalism/mass communication, and especially Mary Hamilton. "I am invigorated and proud to be the first recipient of an award that bears Mary Hamilton's name," she said. Ortega had fled her native home in Nicaragua with her family due to political strife and was raised in Miami. When she was 26, she decided that she wanted to study journalism and chose St. Bonaventure to pursue her ambitions. The faculty of the Journalism school chose Ortega for the award because of her "very promising future," Hamilton explained. "She is a bright and shining light in the journalism school," Coppola said. The Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award, an idea first proposed by Mackowski, will be presented every year to "a promising senior female student in the journalism school," Coppola said.
By Holly McIntyre Country music star Toby Keith performed in the Reilly Center Arena last Saturday night for just under 3,500 people, according to Steve Plesac, director of student activities. The concert also featured special guests Jamie O'Neal and Emerson Drive. Plesac said, "It was considered a sellout. It was within a couple of tickets." He said the ticket office estimates the university community purchased between 275 and 300 tickets were, with between 30 and 35 of those purchased by students. In response to concerns that Coors, a beer company, sponsored this tour, Plesac said the university and Clearchannel, Keith's promoter, agreed that no Coors signs or logos would appear onstage. "The university did benefit financially," but could not release the amount, Plesac said. The tickets cost $37.75 for students and non-students. "It went very well. We were very pleased with the entire concert from A to Z," Plesac said. He added, "The artists themselves were very appreciative of what we did. "Toby Keith is considered the No. 1 male country artist in this country right now, and he really enjoyed being here," he said. Plesac added St. Bonaventure was the tour's smallest venue and "it says a lot about the university that they would want to come here." He added, these types of events "bring recognition for the university as well as stimulate the local economy."
Pulitzer winner to teach this fall
By Shane Colligan Thirty-eight years after graduating from the university's department of journalism, John Hanchette will return as a full professor. The 52-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist will join the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty next semester, said Lee Coppola, dean of the school of journalism and Hanchette's long-time friend. "John Hanchette and I go back 42 years," Coppola said. "We met as freshmen in the 1960s. We were in the same class." Coppola said Hanchette will teach one session of advanced reporting and two sessions of Senior Capstone, the senior thesis requirement for journalism/mass communication majors - formerly taught by Mary Hamilton, associate professor of journalism, who, Coppola said, will "semi-retire" at the end of the semester. In December, Hanchette retired from his position as foreign-affairs correspondent at Gannett News Service, where he worked since 1977. "Before Christmas, he called and told me he was retiring on Dec. 29. He seemed receptive to the idea (of teaching) and we started to talk about it. So I brought it up with the administration and was given the go ahead to hire him as a full-time assistant professor. I called him and he said yes," Coppola said. Hanchette, a native of Watertown, N.Y., said he has planned to teach for several years. "I was brought up to consider (teaching) an honorable and fulfilling profession," he said. "I increased my guest lecturing at several schools during the 1990s and also taught young staffers in various Gannett newsrooms in a company program to upgrade reporting at Gannett papers. That seemed enjoyable and fulfilling to me, and I experienced good reactions from the students, editors and reporters." "I always wanted to work in Washington, and have done so for more than two decades now," Hanchette said. "I've won many awards and had many adventures. I wanted to do this while I still had the energy and desire. These things - life moves - are sort of ineffable. You'll consider something for years, and then a little voice in your head will tell you 'Now, now ... do it now.'" In 1980, Hanchette won the Pulitzer Prize for a series about a religious fund-raising scandal which resulted in the restitution of millions of dollars in lost investments. "It probably won the Pulitzer because the Pulitzer jury likes happy endings," he said. "It's very exciting winning a Pulitzer and it can, of course, be a big career boost, but it can also give the recipient a big head if perspective isn't employed. Sadly, I also found it creates a lot of jealously among peers and colleagues." Despite his award, Hanchette said he is more proud of being nominated many other times - none of which were self-nominations, he said. Hanchette has served as managing editor at newspapers in Little Rock, Ark., and Niagara Falls. He is also a founding member of USA Today. He has served as a Lenna Visiting Professor and was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters from St. Bonaventure. Hamilton, a 1959 St. Bonaventure graduate, said, "Early in the Fall 2001 semester, I talked to our dean about my proposal. I said I wanted 'more time - and space in my head - to read novels, do my own research, etc.' than teaching full-time allows. "I think one's credentials are far more important than whether one returns to teach/administer at one's alma mater," Hamilton said. "Among the three of us, we have about 75 years professional experience before entering academe." Hamilton said, "I look forward to having John Hanchette as a colleague next year - not least of all for his wit. Knowing John's background and enormous capabilities as a writer and journalist, I send out a challenge to all our J/MC majors: don't let him down." Students 'pass with flying colors'
By Jim Miller Eighty-two freshmen journalism majors registered last week for News Writing and Reporting (J/MC 106) after meeting performance prerequisites set by the faculty of the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communications. News Writing and Reporting is a prerequisite for more advanced J/MC courses, according to the university course catalog. According to Lee Coppola, dean of the school of journalism, the school evaluated 86 students. He added he was "pleased that so many students passed with flying colors." This marked the first year such evaluations have been conducted, he said, adding that they were given to help students decide whether or not they wished to pursue journalism. Freshmen students wishing to register for News Writing and Reporting were evaluated based on their performance on two tests given during their Introduction to Communications Technology (J/MC 102) courses, Coppola said. The school of journalism administered an editing-skills test on Feb. 5, and an essay test on Feb. 26, according to Patrick Vecchio, lecturer of journalism and mass communication. Student performance in Composition and Critical Thinking I (Clare 110) and Introduction to Mass Media (J/MC 101) was also taken into account, along with input from faculty, Coppola said. Coppola noted that several students had been allowed to register for News Writing and Reporting after professors "went to bat" on their behalf. Vecchio, who helped to administer and grade the tests, felt that this faculty input was vital. "That human touch is just so important," he said. "What we're really seeking is to see if students understand grammar and spelling," Coppola said, noting that professors did not judge student's work solely by numerical grades. Following the test, students received one of three letters, according to Coppola. One informed students that they had met the prerequisites "with room to spare," another said that they had met them, but that their work was "barely adequate," and a third reported that they had not met the prerequisites, and thus could not register for News Writing and Reporting. Coppola, who personally read all the students' essays, made the decision as to who would get which letter. Coppola has met with three of the four students who did not meet the prerequisites. Those students will be allowed to register for News Writing and Reporting next semester, he added, "if they improve in the areas in which they were deficient." Eighteen students received letters informing them that their performance had been "barely adequate," according to Coppola, who said that several had come to him requesting explanations of why they had done poorly on the test. Other students have complained about the wording of the letter, which Coppola defends. "It seemed to me that the students who got those letters were severely deficient in at least one area, and I wanted to advise them of that," he said. Freshman Mark Miggliore received the "barely adequate" letter and feels that it was unfair. "I don't think the letters were justified by the test results," he said, adding that the skills test itself was unfair because it was not based on things which had been taught in classes. Kathleen Mason, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, acknowledged problems with the skills portion of the test. "There was a lot of discussion about people being confused about what to do," she said. Coppola said that, according to some faculty members, the skills test was "too journalistic." The skills test, and the other components of the evaluation, will be discussed at a meeting of the journalism faculty today, he added. The evaluation will be administered again next year, albeit with some changes, Coppola said, noting that it is "now a part of the journalism program." Students who received the version of the letter stating that they had met the requirements "with room to spare" also found something to complain about. The same letter which said that much would be expected of these students also contained a typo, referring to the "Russell J. Jandoli School orf Journalism and Mass Communication." Coppola said that he had been unaware of the error, but was not pleased that it had occurred. "Whip me! That's ridiculous," he said, commenting on the mistake.
Senior elected to College Republicans position Senior Bill Schneider was elected Co-Chair of the New York State College Republican State Committee at its convention in Buffalo on Sunday. Schneider, an accounting major in the M.B.A. program from Fairview Park, Ohio, now serves as the second-highest official in the largest Republican youth organization in the state. Schneider previously served as Western Vice Chair of the New York State College Republicans and Chairman of the St. Bonaventure University College Republicans. The College Republicans have more than 45 clubs in colleges and universities with hundreds of active members across New York State. Earth Day activities scheduled The Franciscan Center for Social Concern is sponsoring a series of events in celebration of Earth Day on Monday. Sunday's festivities start with the video presentation "Our Home Planet" at 2 p.m. in the Garret Theatre. Students and staff at the Koop Broadcast Journalism Laboratory created the video. An Earth Walk, presented by the Seneca Nation, is also scheduled to be held outdoors at 2:45 p.m. and should include stories, poems, prayers and dance. On Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the center will sponsor game and information tables around campus. At 4 p.m. Walter Simpson, a peace activist and energy officer at the University at Buffalo, will give a presentation titled Energy, War and Terrorism: Political and Personal Connections in the Dresser Auditorium in the Murphy Professional Building. There will also be a second presentation of "Our Home Planet" at 7 p.m. The events will conclude on Tuesday with a Cosmic Walk from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Dresser-Rand Atrium at The Quick Center for the Arts. Softball registration takes place Sunday Those wishing to register softball teams for the annual Rick Farina Softball Tournament during Spring Weekend may do so at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Reilly Center Lobby. A completed team roster and registration fee of $40 is required. Games start on Thursday and run through Sunday, April 28. Class banner signing to aid Annual Fund The Freshmen Class Banner will be available for the class to sign on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Shay/Loughlen lounge. A fee of 25 cents is charged, and money raised will go to the Annual Fund. The banner will be on display when the current freshman class graduates in 2005. Arts and Business Night planned Students in the business school are invited to spend the evening with Arts Council members in the Quick Center for the Arts. The event, which runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight, will focus on the role that art plays in the business world. A tour of the Sha Sha Higby exhibit is planned, along with discussion of gallery etiquette, an overview of The Quick Center for the Arts, a networking session with the University Arts Council and a raffle of Kenney Museum Membership. Planners hope this will become an annual event. Send questions and comments to The Bona Venture. |