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“It’s here because it’s true— Not true because it’s here.” The Cowl Est. 1935 Vol. LXXI No. 3 www.TheCowl.com * Providence College > Providence, R.I, September 14, 2006 Possible case of Off-campus meningitis students have rouses rumors, increased liability awareness under new law by Cate Rauseo ’07 by Jennifer Jarvis ’07 News Staff News Editor Students returning to PC this fall, eager to enjoy the company of their fellow class Last week, Catherine Kelleher, R.N., mates at off-campus house parties, are director of student health, was ready to faced with a new Rhode Island law that start September with the routine walk-in could put a damper on the fes- cases and paperwork that accompany the OFF tivities. On July 19, Rhode start of the school year and CAMPUS Island Governor Donald STUDENT the arrival of students. Carcieri signed documents to LIFE Instead, a more serious case join 15 other states in adopting a new arose. On Tuesday, Sept. 5, Social Host Law. a student with a possible case of meningi According to Brenda Amodei, a health tis arrived in the Student Health Center promotions specialist from the Rhode According to Kelleher, the female stu Island Department of Behavioral dent came to the Health Center feeling ill, Healthcare Services, the new law will where an evaluation prompted the center hold adults responsible if they allow to call an ambulance. underage drinking in their homes regard “We recognized within a very short less of who supplied the alcohol. period of time—less than 10 minutes— While this law was created to prevent that she was really rapidly changing,” said parents from allowing their underage chil Kelleher. The Rhode Island Department of dren’s friends to drink in their homes, the Health (RIDH) is calling the instance a law will also have an impact on college “possible case of bacterial meningitis,” she students. said. “What is important for college students According to the Center for Disuse to remember is that this is a misdemeanor Control Web site, meningitis is a disease crime, so in addition to being faced with that causes swelling of the membranes sur possible jail time, this is something that rounding the brain and spinal cord. The DENIELLE BALSARI '07/The Cowl employers will see when you are applying for jobs,” said Amodei. “Also, by allowing disease is marked by flu-like symptoms— This crossing light on Huxley Avenue is just one of many improvements made to such as a high fever, headache, stiff neck, the College’s campus this semester. underage drinking to occur in their homes nausea, and vomiting—but its sudden some students could be violating their onset and quick progression are what dis lease and be risking eviction from their tinguishes it from a lingering bug. Ten to landlord. So there is a lot at stake.” 15 percent of the 2,500 Americans that College gets a nip/tuck In the past, students 21 and older who contract this disease each year die as a allowed others underage to drink in their result. In addition, 20_percent of survivors by Chris Donnelly ’08 opening this semester. homes were only liable if proven that the will incur brain damage, hearing loss, or “I think [Sienna] is so pretty... Overall students supplied the alcohol to the News Staff limb amputation due to complications the campus is going to be much better minors. Now, students can be faced fines from the disease. The campus underwent major changes looking,” said Bridget Freeman ’07. upwards of $1,000 or even jail for allow The most recent case of meningitis at since the spring semester ended, and St. Catherine of Sienna Hall, which is ing underage drinking in their homes. PC was six years ago, Kelleher said. In her returning students are reacting to this new now finished being renovated, houses both Will this change the way PC students 33 years at the College, she remembers PC. These changes include the improve the Department of Philosophy and party? Students have differing opinions. only four cases. ment of Huxley Avenue and Department of Theology. “I feel that any host that allows under Fortunately, the student’s status contin River Avenue, the renovation . “The big reason to do all this was to age drinking in their house can’t be too CAMPUS ues to improve, though she is still in the of St. Catherine of Sienna consolidate all the faculty members of concerned with the law or the logistics of hospital, said Kelleher. NEWS Hall, resident rooms in St. both departments into one geographical proving they didn’t actually purchase the Joseph Hall, and the coffee location,” said Mark Rapoza, director of alcohol,” said Erin Egan ’07. MENINGITIS/Page 4 shop and convenience store that will be RENOVATIONS/Page 3 “Rather, they are more concerned with not having the police come to their house at all. Therefore, with this law, there would be the same concern—keeping the music Athletic center on schedule and on budget down. On the other hand, there is nothing illegal with drinking in a house of all 21- year-olds—this law may just keep all the by Alison Espach ’07 Construction of the two-story, 23,000 landscaping,” said Rapoza. “We’ve added underclassman out of house parties,” said News Staff square foot building with a three-level the handicap ramp on the Cumberland Egan, who lives off campus. glass atrium is “on budget and on time,” Street side. We’ve created a new ramp Others students, however, are deter according to Mark Rapoza, director of cap from the Slavin deck to Alumni Hall.” mined not to let the new law affect their s Providence College students ital projects and facilities planning. While Rapoza did not note any major overall college experience. packed up for the summer, con Rapoza said there have not been any problems with the construction, he said “I don’t think it will affect my college struction on the College’s latest obstacles in the progress of the fitness cen that this has been the College’s most chal experience as a whole, but I do believe that and most challenging project — ter and that there should be no cost increas lenging project due to the fact that it “inte some off-campus partying will tone down Athe $12 to 13 million fitness center—es final or delays in its expected opening for the grates] the infrastructure of the new facil once fines and arrests are given out,” said ly began on June 2. fall of 2007. ity with the daily operation of the three Kyle Bucchi ’08. “. Most house party “It’s early, but we’re hoping that it con other buildings.” hosts will not want to risk it, and will not tinues to be that way,” said Rapoza. Designed by SMMA/Harkins Scott and want to take the full burden of the trouble INDEX “We’ve been digging and moving dirt contracted by Consigli Construction Co., that those attending the party may cause.” around for about three months, and we are Inc., the center will offer students top “I think it is a law in the right direction, Campus Calendar..................................2 still working on putting in footings and notch facilities for physical nourishment. and even though it is geared toward par World......................................................7 foundations that are going to hold the steel The first level—11,500 square feet— ents, it makes sense for college students as Week in Review....................................... 8 which we expect in the next couple of will be for cardiovascular and aerobic well. But will it change the way I throw a Commentary............................................9 weeks,” said Rapoza. exercise equipment. On the second level, party? No,” said Tom Quinn ’07. A & E................................. 12 Rapoza said most of the construction there will be 4,600 square feet for cardio The law may be an inconvenience to PC Portfolio............................................. 16 right now was preparation work for the vascular and aerobic exercise equipment, students, but the true motivation is an Roving....................................................20 eventual building. as well as a glass meeting room for mem- j attempt to simply protect underage PC Scoreboard..................................... 21 “In order for us to get to the point that bers of the College community. There will I drinkers. Sports..................................BACK PAGE we are right now we needed to relocate the also be 2,700 square feet allocated for free According to Richard Kless, director of Welcome Back Edition............ INSERT loading dock over at Alumni Hall, and that weights and an observation room over- off campus living, Rhode Island social is pretty much completed except for some ATHLETICS/Page 2 DRINKING/Page J 2 The Cowl ______ News______ September 14, 2006 NEWS briefs PEMA looks for victims has been in place for many years and is The Providence Emergency Management “nothing new.” She said that the College Agency (PEMA) seeks volunteers to par allows graduate and School of Continuing ticipate in a Public Safety Drill on Education (SCE) students to pay for their Saturday, Oct. 1. in downtown Providence. classes with a credit card because many of The purpose of the drill is to exercise a these students do not have the loans under response to a mass causality accident, in graduate students do. this case, an explosion, said Todd Manni, Also, many graduate and SCE students the Homeland Security liaison for the work full-time during the day, and employ PEMA. Volunteers will be asked to act as ers offer to pay for the class after they see victims of the simulated explosion so that the grade.