page 4 Manitou Messenger December 4,1998 OPINIONS CROSSWORDS Fugazi: Think Jesus Rally had drafted and posted expression and a spirit of inquiry, Student Columnist Travis Cross some sort of explanation of what yet when a group of students they hoped to accomplish through chooses to exercise that freedom by Imagine attending a college of the resemble an evangelical camp or the event, students might have been chalking messages on the sidewalks, church. All students are required to rally experience. Such events arc we vandalize their messages as if to rarely "feel good" Christianity. able to understand the intentions of about it... take religion classes. Although the organizers before passing block their voices. We talk about attendance is optional, on-campus Instead, there is a lot of praise and judgement either way. tolerance and acceptance of people chapel and church services are held celebration of one's personal being full, First Ave. was packed. with religious beliefs different than Rainer Fronz six days a week. Prospective relationship with Jesus Christ — and So the organizers of the Jesus People of all walks of life were in ours, and we celebrate those who Contributing Writer students receive a beautiful brochure a lot of intense examination of how Rally could have done more to let the crowd; punks, indie kids, worship different gods in different entitled "A Community of Faith," the well one's life reflects one's stated the campus know about the purpose When 1 was a young teen, thirty-somethings, gutter punks, of the event. But dozens of other traditions as enriching our campus college mission celebrates an beliefs. However, students with maturing through the trials and they were all there. After the environment, yet when a group of education "rooted in the Christian little or no background in this kind organizations hold vaguely-defined students chooses to talk about Jesus tribulations of Junior High and opening act finished, the crowd Gospel," and the college president of worship had no idea what all of events, and the student reaction is in unfamiliar terms, our tolerance dealing with things such as immediately began to buzz with talks about the school's place as the the signs and chalked sidewalks nowhere near as heated. Regardless and acceptance falls victim to our puberty and zits, I was searching anticipation. Finally, the screen number one religious liberal arts were about, and many of them of how well the event was apprehension and offense. for my musical identity. All of my rose and Ian and his crew came institution in the nation. naturally reacted negatively to promoted, the way in which our community reacted to the rally The general student reaction to friends were into Public Enemy or out to a mass of cheers. Fugazi, in Sounds like the perfect something they didn't understand. provides plenty of food for thought, the Jesus Rally provides an excellent Anthrax. Granted, both of these keeping with their political environment for a group of students The Promise Keepers is an especially when considering what it impetus for our community to bands are amazing in their own values, announced a protest to organize some sort of Christian organization which holds several means to be a college of the church. discuss what it really means to be a right, I on the other hand was against bombing the people of celebration of their own, doesn't it? large rallies across the country to college of the church. We must So why did so many students at this encourage Christian men to live When GLOW sponsors a scries of looking from something a little Iraq. After the announcement decide whether the discussion of college of the church react so their lives in a certain way. The events focusing on National Coming different. they broke out in a wall of issues of faith enriches our negatively to the recent Jesus Rally? Promise Keepers have something of Out Week, we talk about how During my freshman year of intensity and feeling. You can education, both inside and outside Perhaps a large number of students a mission statement — seven exciting it is the see such diversity high school (1989 - 1990), I was always tell a great band by the the classroom. We must decide simply didn't understand what the promises which they encourage their celebrated here on campus. When paging through an issue of way the audience is captivated by the Forum for Inter-religious whether we can respect the free rally was supposed to represent. participants to make regarding their Thrasher magazine while trying to the music and the lyrics. From Dialogue brings in a non-Christian expression of religious beliefs on our Some students who are more lives and their families — which launch my career as a professional the get go, the songs flowed into speaker, we talk about how campus, even if beliefs are expressed accustomed to a more distant Cod plays a prominent role in all of the skateboarder. I happened to be one another, each building on the wonderful it is to have people of in ways to which we are took issue with the idea of a rally in organization's publicity. Despite reading the music scction when I other. The sweat began to pour these promises, there remains different faiths with us. Yet when a unaccustomed. which the immediacy of Christ noticed a small write-up about a off the band and the crowd as played a central role. Others widespread confusion and group of students decides to sponsor All of the chapel services, religion band that was loud, musically Fugazi ripped through an hour- perceived the omnipresent publicity misinformation about the Promise an event celebrating Jesus Christ, the classes, and glossy brochures in the tight, and had solid political and-a-half long set, playing songs as an attempt by one group of Keepers, but the existence of a such very namesake of the Christian world can't make St. Olaf a college beliefs. This band had started off of every album. As they students to shove their beliefs down a mission statement allows Gospel in which our education is of the church. Only through our seemed to be winding down, the the collective throat of St. Olaf responsible people to learn the goals supposed to be rooted, we react with attitude towards religious their own recording label, refused crowd shouted for more — and College. Still others complained that and ideals of the organization before misunderstanding and hostility, expression, exploration, and to promote themselves, and only the rally was going to be a bunch of offering either support or criticism. criticizing the beliefs of the examination can we truly live up to played all ages shows for six they got more. organizers who we don't even know our stated mission of an education dollars. Right away I was "feel good" Christianity. Groups here at St. Olaf could Finally, as the show came to a and taking offense at seeing Jesus' rooted in the Christian gospel. intrigued by the thought that such Having grown up in an benefit from creating and then close, the band came out for one name plastered all over campus. a band even existed. Having been evangelical church, I naturally communicating some sort of mission last song. Everyone knew it had We talk about the freedom of subject to MTV and mainstream assumed that the Jesus Rally would statement. If the planners of the to be the classic Fugazi anthem, radio, 1 was unaware that a band and as the bass line dropped the like this could even be a crowd and I began to sing, "I am a possibility. The band I was patient boy ...", Waiting Room. reading about was Fugazi; a band The song everyone wanted to that is one of the most respected hear fed on the mass of power From the pubs of Dublin in both punk and indie and energy in the crowd. (independent recorders) circles. Jeremy Swanson are from a blink-and-then-you-miss- than the U.S. and a comparison overseas if they can. An interim or Needless to say, the only way to International Columnist it town and in their eyes Northfield between St. Olaf and other foreign more off campus may give you the I had the honorable pleasure of really appreciate a Fugazi show is is a massive metropolis. But many colleges goes without mention here. breathing room you need or give seeing Fugazi play on what many to be there yourself. However,if In the safety of sitting in a corner other students arc left with an But could the desire to drink be the you a shock so you can see the people have said could be their pub over 4,000 miles away from the you just want to to simulate what unrequited desire for more than St. sole impetus for students to study worlds that exist outside of the tiny Hill, I can now answer the question last tour. Fugazi has just released it is like, all you have to do is sit Olaf has to offer and they each dig abroad? academic circle at St. Olaf. that has so long stung my conscience their most eclectic album yet this in your room, crank up your their cscape routes. Anyone who answered 'yes' to I stayed in Northfield for the and resolve the issue that the St. Olaf past summer, End Hits, on stereo and the heat, and think They arc the ones who smuggle that question should now be labelled summer and by the time I left in administration has continually Discord Rccords. Having already about the issues that you should their non-permitted vehicles on and a lush and cast into the gutter along August I would not have shed a tear swept underneath the carpet. Why seen the great Fugazi, I knew do something about but are just off campus thus deceiving the with their cheap bottle of wine. The if I never set foot on the campus docs the mass of St. Olaf students what to expect: a show packed too chicken to act upon. Then parking office goons so they can ride number of St. Olaf foreign studies again. Now that I have been leave the campus to study overseas? with emotion and intensity. I up 1-35 for their weekend kicks. programs are so vast and students' roaming overseas for nearly three you will know what a Fugazi I could adhere to the rhctoric of the arrived about an hour early, They make pilgrimages across the reasons for partaking in each months, not only have I grown to show is all about. global experience as professed in Cannon River so they may drink program so varied that finding a love travelling, but I can also see figuring that the club might be every brochure and piece of from the kegs of holy water at the unified theory is nearly impossible. 1 some of the virtues of life at St. Olaf. somewhat full. Instead of just propaganda the administration college of heathens. The cunning sincerely doubt, for example, that (I shall refrain from painting a spurts out. But beyond this means they use to combat the those students who joined the quaint Rockwellian picture of superficial answer a more sinister brooding sense of claustrophobia Middle East program did so to seek Northfield here and instead phrase truth lies. The travelling student is that can hang over the Hill are great the alcohol-fuelled nightlife of this thought with the least abjection not merely leaving St. Olaf to seek a and many, but in the end a majority countries under strict Islamic rule. of sentimentality.) Even though I can cultural experience abroad-they are The Manitou Messenger of these students make their great If the administration repealed the not name all the pubs on the street fleeing, running from an escape by setting sail to lands all prohibition policy at St. Olaf, just as that I live on in Dublin, how could I inexhaustible beast who stands atop Established 1887 across the globe. many students would study abroad not miss the aesthetic decor of the Manitou Heights and forces the The reason for such drastic as now and perhaps more would do Rueb? masses to find refuge in foreign Benjamin C. Dipman, Executive Editor measures must lie in the issue that so because other disturbing numbers Though I will not seek political lands. This beast is known as the has long been the blunt of much on the campus would rise, such as asylum in Ireland, even after I heard Sean McNattin, Executive Editor pervading sense of isolationism that student frustration and loathing. the number of sexual assaults, the that the new leader of my beloved nearly every student must battle Every travelling student knows that number of puke-ridden restrooms, state is a behemoth of man known as against on the St. Olaf campus, when they leave St. Olaf they also and the number of people passed "The Body," there are others in especially in the deep freeze of say good-bye to the St. Olaf alcohol out on Melby lawn. In fact, any America who may want to do so. In winter. Unfortunately many of us policy. In countries such as Ireland, reform the administration or the Ireland, as I most recently learned Anna Miller, News Editor are losing the battle. where at the Guinness Brewery over student government would make to when I attended a bachelor party in Ryan Palmer, News Editor I have met many a freshman 4,000,000 pints of stout are brewed try to add some spice to the Olaf a pub, they will whom despite all of the recreational Jessica Stock, Opinions Editor daily, students need not build nightlife would have a mild effect at accept our most vile and sinister of and dating tips of Dean Kneaser, Samuel L. Walling, Opinions Editor underground systems of dorm room best. (I have now thrown in my two- criminals. rarely walk beyond the campus Amy Goldammer, Feature Editor speakeasies just to relax and have a cents on the issue in which every In the middle of all the raucous borders. They consider a stroll down drink on a Friday night. In commentary writer at St. Olaf must song and cheer the groom-to-be Ed Welsch, Feature Editor to More 4 for some bread and milk a Scandinavia, where there are reflect upon at one point in their stood up and silenced the crowd to Erin Anderson, Arts & Lifestyle Editor grand excursion. We can only hope sixteen-year-old Danish school girls college career.) propose a toast. 'This one is for my that these students do not become Becky Taylor, Arts & Lifestyle Editor who have a higher alcohol tolerance It is the responsibility of each man, Billy Boy," he said as he raised blind to the world by burying Eric Vegoe, Sports Editor than the entire Ole offensive line individual student who feels boxed his pint, "and let us hope that he themselves in library for four years combined, students gathered for a in at St. Olaf to free themselves by may still be Kelly Weaver, Sports Editor like moles in their little holes. festivity in the park do not have to using whatever creative and healthy impeached because if they don't Jed Latham, Back Page Editor There arc several students who play cat-and-mouse games with the means they deem necessary. I want him in America, we'll vote for Liz Drotning, Copy Editor are content with the social life at St. local authorities. Clearly many strongly encourage every student, the bastard in Ireland!" Olaf and in Northfield. Perhaps they Katie Milbrett, Copy Editor countries have a more relaxed whether they are content with the are city kids seeking escape from attitude towards social drinking social life at St. Olaf or not, to study Dana Vosbeck, Copy Editor urban commotion. Or perhaps they

A Word From our Editors Jay Oakman, Photo Editor Are we unaffected by cutbacks? Stacey Bries, Darkroom Technician Greta Norlander. Staff Photographer On November 24 Karen P. Wilson, chair of the communications and theater department, resigned as department chair, Noah Warren, Staff Photographer although she will continue to teach in the department. According to Wilson, this decision came as a result of departmental downsizing. Earlier this fall, Wilson and other members of the department spent time coming up with proposals to redesign the major. On Wednesday night's meeting, Wilson commented that she was disappointed she never heard back from the Dean's Council regarding the proposal. Sara Nymo, Business Manager When asked about the proposal, Dean Pence said he spent "many hours talking with Karen about the future of the Adrianne Morse, Ad Sales department." He said they are simply unable to reach any conclusions. On top of the current cutbacks the department will lose one full-time teaching equivalent next year, resulting in a loss of six classes. Pence stressed that current majors will be unaffected by the cutbacks. Dean Pence also feels that the Dean's David Neuger, Advisor Council is an effective system. First and foremost, how can the Dean's Council be an effective system when communication is left ambiguous or there is no communication whatsoever. Wilson commented that she never heard back from the Dean's Council about the proposal,

and Pence commented "What I read in the Northfield News tonight is more information than I have ever gotten from Karen." 'the Manitou Messenger encourages contributions from students alumni, faculty and admin- The moral of the story: open the lines of communication. If the Dean's Council cares about the good of this school, they istrators. Opinion articles are open to all political, social and philosophical viewpoints. Hditorials should let people know what's going on (i.e. they shouldn't leave out bits and parts of information), and they should do it in and Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the views of the student body, faculty, admin- istration or Messenger Staff members. The editorial is written by the Executive Editor exccpl a timely fashion. when initialed by another editor. The second comment worth noting is Dean Pence's notion that the cutbacks will not affect the current majors. If Dean IX'adline for all submissions is 5 p.m. on the Sunday preceding publication date. Tht Man- itou Messenger reserves the right to edit all contributions. Letters must comply with the Letters Pence asked every major in the department whether or not they were affected he would probably almost get a unanimous to the Editor Policy answer of "yes." Itie Manitou Messenger is a student publication of St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN. It is published weekly except during vacations, examinations and interim. The cost for one year's Many people may feel a loss comparable to that of losing a friend. People may feel a sense of betrayal in that something subscription is $45.00 for first class. Postage is paid in Northfield, MN. they felt to be very important was no longer thought to be important by St. Olaf's administration. Here at the Manitou Offices: St. Olaf Center, Lower I .cvcl. Address: Manitou Messenger, St. Olaf College, 1500 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057-1001. Production Office ITione: (507) 646-3275. E'ax: (507) many staff members are communication and theater majors, and feel the major is of utmost importance in this Messenger, 646-3650. line of work. So to Pence's comment about unaffected majors: he is sorely mistaken.