William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey Vol«me3,Number9 . 7, 2003 TimesPIONEERTimes@stuclentwmnLedu WPU to lose $6 million as state slashes budget SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA By Jill K. Sanders Lower enrolled classes will not be offered," he said. "I don't Co-Editor think we've ever received a cut TRAGEDY IN THE SKIES William Paterson as devastating as this. The cut University has frozen all job is extremely severe." searches in the wake of an On Jan. 28, Gov. James anticipated $6 million cut in McGreevey announced plans to state aid. cut state funding to all of the Faced with a cut of 10 per- state's higher education facili- cent of its state funding ties as a way of closing the $5 because of New Jersey's deep- billion budget gap. The nine ening economic crisis, Dr. state colleges and universities Arnold Speert, the university's (The College of New Jersey, president, said in an interview Kean, Montclair, Jersey City that the usual remedies of University, Ramapo, Richard offering early retirement and Stockton, Rowan, Thomas cutting expenses won't be Edison and WPU) will see their enough this time. appropriations decrease by an Instead, in a memo to the estimated $100 million, more university community, he than twice last year's loss in called the loss "the most severe funding — $40 million - when cut we have ever faced." the crisis first emerged. Speert said that, in addition County colleges and pri- to the job freeze, the school vate colleges that receive state would "defer major purchases, aid also will see a cut in finan- repairs and improvements to cial aid. Some have warned buildings and equipment, other that the cuts in the state's edu- tha^-w©jAc feat is required to cation fmfc oqxMAhmmwak^ maintain health and safety." as 14 percent of the school's In an interview he also not- total operating budgets, some- SPACE SHUTTLE AND ITS SEVEN PASSENGERS... ed that class size would be thing Speert seemed to agree affected. with. "Clearly we won't be able PAGES 8 & 9 to have as many sections. SEE BUDGET, PAGE 13 Christos Cotsakos, WPU benefactor, resigns from E Trade position By Tanya Drobness Campanelli-Andreopoulos, who becoming "one of the premiere business schools in the teaches economics. "I don't know nation." Staff Writer why he resigned and I found it sur- According to Rick Reiss, vice-president for prising. But he is a leader in the field Institutional Advancement at WPU, the gift has allowed After seven years as and the cultural environment has the college to begin new programs like the Professional CEO of the second largest benefited tremendously from his Enrichment program and to fund faculty research. He on-line brokerage compa- donation." added that $500,000 from the donation would be used ny, Christos Cotsakos According to the Arizona to offer scholarships to students in the music program abruptly resigned recently Republic, Cotsakos' departure was for the first time next fall. The rest of the money will be as E*Trade chairman and the result of a unanimous decision by used for the business college, which houses about 1,300 chief executive. E*Trade's board of directors at a reg- students. If the name sounds ularly scheduled meeting Jan. 23 and "A gift of that magnitude helps us raise money from familiar, it should. was effective the following day. other donors as well," Reiss said. "He's a wonderful William Paterson "I'm a little disappointed because person and I'm sure we'll hear more from him." University's College of he was such a great benefactor. I Reiss told the Pioneer Times that he was not at lib- Business is named after don't think it (his resignation) will erty to discuss the terms of the Cotsakos donation. the Paterson native, who — ; =-ir--J affect the college and we are still Many business students also believe the Cotsakos' donated $10.5 million to 00 ot WPUNJ largess will spur other contributions. his alma mater in May WPTTK r , ru-< y, ^ ^" very excited about his very large WPU benefactor Christos Cotsakos. donation," said Prof. Francis Cai, "Mr. Cotsakos' donation will encourage such kind 2001. The donation is the who teaches in the economics, of contributions among other individuals, organizations largest ever received by the university. finance and global business area. in the alumni and the society as well," said Birol Filiz, "Thanks to him a lot of things are being organized He added that the business college is in the process who is studying for his MBA. "His donation was just that would have been very difficult for us to do without of applying for accreditation to assist the institution in his contribution," said Associate Professor Giuliana SEE COTSAKOS, PAGE 15 A look back at Briefs .»..ii Entertainment 5 2002's music... Calendar.. 10 Opinion 4 Comics 7. Sports ..12 Page 11 Shuttle Section 8 & 9 Vignettes 3 The PIONEER Times, Page 2 Frosh Jayro Rosado wins big 1 The PIONEER Times at 'Showtime at the Apollo PWNEERTinw$sti4dent.wmmi.cdu By Jennifer Urban was only the first step on a long path that landed him in a series of preliminary tal- Co-Editors Co-Editor ent contests the he won, including the Jill K Sanders One day last September William "Apollo Amateur Night on Tour" in Paterson freshman Jayro Rosado got a Newark in October, where he sang the Jennier Urban call from his mother, urging him to go to Kate Bush song "This Woman's Work," an audition for a talent show being held and won $1,000 and a pair of airline tick- at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center ets to anywhere he wants to go. He has- Consuting Editor in Newark. n't used them yet, but plans to travel to He was reluctant at first, not knowing Puerto Rico this summer with his father. RobirKavanagh what he would sing, and intimidated by Winning these contests automatically the thought of the hundreds of other per- placed him in the show's season finale, formers who no doubt would show up. taped on Jan. 21. where he faced eight Calenlar Editor But hoping the line wouldn't be too long, other competitors. Kerr\Johnson Rosado, 18, went; he was relieved to find Rosado waited patiently as the other he was only the 21st person in line. performers went on, the audience did not. "I didn't know what I was going to The crowd of 2,000 grew restless as the Assistnt Editor sing until I got to the front door of the night wore on. But by the time Rosado audition room," he said. "So I was like, 'I faced them - singing again "This Ja^ Green know what I'll sing. I'll sing "Fallin" by Woman's Work" in a falsetto - the crowd Alicia Keyes.' And there was a piano in was silent. there, so I asked if I could play while I Until the end, that is. When it came StafiWriters sang, and they said 'Sure, no problem.' time to pick the winner - determined by Scott Akos Tabatha Capri Minster So I sang for about a minute and a half how loudly the audience cheered for each and they told me to stop. They said thank performer - the crowd erupted at his Larry Clow Kelly O'Neil you very much, gave me a couple of name, making him the champion, and the Tanya Drobness Robert Salemme smiles here and mere, and I went home." winner of the grand prize. Last month, with a great deal more When asked how he felt at that Celia Flores Jill K. Sanders fan fare, Rosado was crowned the cham- moment, it is clear he still cannot find the Robin Kavanagh pion of the season finale of "Showtime at words to describe it. He pauses, then Christopher Tinney the Apollo," a long-running late night slowly a wide grin warms his face. Lori NcCurley Jennifer Urban amateur talent show, and walked away "It felt good," he said. "It felt really with the grand prize of $25,000 in cash good." and prizes. SEE APOLLO, PAGE 15 La you and Design His performance at the first audition Jill K Sanders 806 diplomas Jennter Urban awarded at 176th Banner Design Robin <ava nag h commencement Jennter Urban By Kelly O'Neil Adrisers Staff Writer Prof. Eliabeth Birge Recent graduates of William Paterson Photo Courtesy of efocusNews.com Dr. Tiia Lesher University had a reason to celebrate, Graduates from left: William Colangelo, unless they were Raiders' fans. Susan Weiner and Jonathan Liano. Crystal Rollins received her degree in business management at the university's and to remember what they had learned mid-year commencement on Jan. 26. She during their time at the university. was glad the ceremony was short. "The value of your education is that it "Now off to the Super Bowl party!" empowers you to make your own choic- Rollins said. es, to make a difference in your own life Shortly before noon, parents, friends as well as in the lives of others," he said. and relatives began pouring into the Rec "It unlocks your potential and sharpens Center. The bleachers quickly filled with your skills so that you can and will suc- 3,000 guests eagerly anticipating the start ceed." of the 176*" commencement ceremony Dr. Leonard Harris, the University's HSPLC where 114 masters and 692 undergradu- Visiting Distinguished Scholar, was the STUDENT PRESS LAW CENTER ate degrees were awarded. commencement speaker. Harris is a pro- "I'm happy that it's over!" exclaimed fessor of philosophy at Purdue University newly graduated Melissa Donovan, and the founder and executive director of clutching her diploma in sociology and the Alain L.