THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929 Campus Living A&E Students explored Senior art exhibit alternative spring at Cummings Art breaks Gallery Page 4 Page 7 MSG elections See page 2 NEWS Vol. 80 No. 17 Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546 March 22, 2007 Committee rejects 4x1x4 Document cites student needs, size of core curriculum calendar failed to meet the needs of Core courses – more than is required at mittee recommends to the board of mittee’s hard work during the process. By Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-chief the students at the four Mercyhurst any other college,” it states. trustees that the current trimester “I am grateful to both the trustee campuses. Vice President of Academic Affairs calendar continue until a new calendar committee and the internal study com- “(The committee recommends) that and chair of the calendar’s Special Study proposal is made that meets their rec- mittee for their very thorough work on After three months of deliberations, it (the board of trustees) reject the Team, Dr. Barbara Behan, said the team ommendation. the review of the 4-1-4,” he said. the Academic Affairs Committee proposed implementation of a 4-1-4- investigated the calendar to the best of The report, however, also states the “Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, chair of the decided Tuesday to reject the possible calendar on the basis that it does not their abilities. study team found there is no agreeing trustee committee on academic affairs, switch from the current trimester calen- meet the needs of the diverse student “We produced much data and in- alternative to another calendar other and Dr. Barbara Behan, chair of the dar to a 4x1x4 semester calendar. population at Mercyhurst College on depth analysis with all the aspects we than the trimester. 4-1-4 study committee deserve special According to a report from the its Erie, North East, West and Corry were asked to investigate from the “There is no clear consensus among recognition for very fine work that committee, it will forward the recom- campuses citing that one-half of the Academic Affairs Committee,” she said. college constituencies on a specific should make Mercyhurst proud.” mendation not to implement the 4x1x4 1,600 new students admitted to Mercy- “We produced analyses and conclu- alternative academic calendar due to Behan said the college will most likely calendar to the board of trustees for the hurst in fall 2007 will not be traditional sions, and the committee accepted the the unique mix of student populations take a break from pursuing any more April 25-26 meeting. Erie four-year degree students,” states conclusions…” served,” states the document. calendars. Mercyhurst College President Dr. the report. The committee’s document states that “An alternate calendar to the 4-3-3 “We’re pleased to know that we have Thomas Gamble said the committee The report goes on to state that “…any further requests for a change calendar currently in place must accom- thoroughly investigated the calendar and made the best choice. further investigation is needed into the in calendar be part of a college-wide modate non-traditional students at all I believe we will have a brief rest before “On reading the results of the analysis core liberal arts courses. constituency-approved initiative before campuses of Mercyhurst College: i.e., we pursue any others,” she said. conducted by the study committee, it is “…Before any other calendar recom- being brought to the board and that it Erie , North East, West County and “And whatever we do next, we will clear to me that the committee made the mendation is brought before the board be included as part of a Strategic Plan- in Corry.” make sure it is in the interest of the best decision on behalf of Mercyhurst of trustees or its standing Committee ning document which would guide the The study team also discovered that diverse student population that was and its very diverse student body,” he on Academic Affairs, the administra- administration and board on such deci- the “…January Intersession may not evident in this process.” said. tion must first reduce, refresh, and sion-making matters of concern to the work well at Mercyhurst because of its The report states the reasoning for possibly overhaul the Core, currently at total college community.” diverse student population.” rejection was primarily because the an unprecedented high of 18 required According to the report, the com- Gamble said he appreciates the com- Proposal calls for $3.3M expansion of Carolynn Hermann Student Union By Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-chief The Carolynn Hermann Student Union may soon become a student center. According to Mercyhurst Student Government President Dan Schuler, plans are under way to add a more than 14,000-square foot addition to the cur- rent union. Schuler said the initial proposal calls for an addition that will extend north toward the Grotto and east toward Garvey Park. According to the plans, the north addition will cover 7,000 square feet and the east addition will cover 6,250 feet. Executive Vice President for Admin- istration Tom Billingsley said the plans Photo courtesy of BSI for the $3.3 million project are still in Above: A rendering of the the initial stages. expanded union shows the north Financing the construction is still and east additions. under consideration by administration and MSG. One possibility is an added Right: Marking stakes are in place fee to students’ annual bill. where the north addition of the “The plan is developed,” said Billing- union would expand. The area sley. “What still is under deliberation currently has a wooden walkway is the interior design space (of the and gazebo. building).” Billingsley said the Division of Stu- student center versus a student union dent Life is developing plans to desig- with a conglomerate of offices,” he nate what student organizations will be said. “The thrust is to add areas that given space in the new addition. will incorporate needs of such groups “Student Life is looking into how it as an international student center, will be designed and how to respond to Diversity 101, the ROTC program, and the functional needs of the ideas that approved clubs and organizations area would go in there,” he said. where lockers will be available so they Assistant Vice President of Student can store supplies.” Life Laura Zirkle said the division is The plans reserve a total area of 3,950 working to decide how to use the space square feet on the first and second for student organizations. floors in the east addition for Registered “We’ll work mostly on how space Student Clubs and Organizations. itself will be used,” she said. “We Moore also said the current plans will then offer suggestions to student include “…reserved space for the Mer- government.” ciad, a commuter lounge, the yearbook, According to Associate Vice Presi- the mailroom, and a lounge area and dent of Administration Tyrone Moore, stage for a wide variety of things like MSG led the proposal to incorporate a plays, debates, and social activities.” number of student-run organizations. “Student government is promoting a Please see Union on page 3 PAGE 2 THE MERCIAD March 22, 2007 NEWS To contact: [email protected] Students are encouraged to learn about candidates running in the Mercyhurst Student Government Executive Board election. Each candidate is profiled below, and additional information can be found at the MSG Web site at msg.mercyhurst.edu. The election begins at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. To vote, visit the MSG Web site at the address above, and follow instructions to vote online. All full-time undergraduate students are encouraged to vote, including seniors. Because the treasurer position is uncontested, candidate Christina Coovert is not profiled below. Presidential candidates Marissa Starin Martin Wallenhorst Year: Junior Year: Junior Major: Sports Medicine “I feel very comfortable Major: Intel. Studies talking to people, listen- “My knowledge of the ing to new ideas, and can workings of this organiza- relate to all the students tion is integral, as are my es- in some way.” tablished relationships with various faculty and staff.” Vice Presidential candidates Jeff Allen Chris Davis Year: Junior Year: Junior Major: Intel. Studies Major: Sports Business “I would encourage any “I love the people at this student, faculty member, or school and feel that I can citizen of Erie to approach help to make improve- me and ask me about MSG ments based on what the and just what it is that we students want.” do.” Mihailo Jovanovic Zach Pekor Year: Sophomore Year: Sophomore Major: Intel. Studies Major: Business “I feel that with the vice “I believe that everyone president position I can reach and everything can always a greater number of students reach improvement, and and hear what they have to that is my goal for student say in order to get a clear and life at Mercyhurst.” balanced opinion.” Secretarial candidates Andrew Schuler Jacquelinne Year: Freshman Brown Major: Undeclared Year: Freshman “I want to serve as the vice Major: Business president because I want to “I want to be a growing be able to take a greater part of past traditions part in the workings of and a keystone in the student government.” development of future ones.” Secretarial candidate Erik Penn Alexandra Miniri Year: Sophomore Year: Freshman Major: Fashion Major: Intel. Studies Merchandising “I’m willing to do what- “I feel that my service will ever the student body or be a fresh and inspiring addi- whatever MSG asks of tion that can help bring about me because I truly believe important changes to help in the betterment of the better suit the campus to the college.” student needs.” March 22, 2007 THE MERCIAD PAGE 3 To contact: [email protected] News Bergen gives Police and Safety Log World Briefs insight on Osama International news March 13 March 17 Larceny/Theft Criminal Mischief Compiled by US approves Iranian Baldwin Hall 3924 Briggs Ave.