HERALD June 0808.Qxd 8/11/2008 1:04 PM Page 1
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HERALD June 0808.qxd 8/11/2008 1:04 PM Page 1 Walk on, through the wind Who were this year’s big winners at Walk on, through the rain You think you know enough about Haigazian’s Awards Day? ...Walk on, through a Pool of Livers... Honour Killing? If you're intrigued, flip to page 22 to see Flip to page 12 to find out. what we're talking about. Skip to page 24 to learn more about this You can also check out the other creative unfortunate cultural phenomenon. submissions. May 2008 was a month in which Lebanon and its citizens witnessed a lot of turmoil and instability in general. For that reason, the Haigazian Herald interviewed President Reverend Dr. Paul Haidostian as an attempt to summarise the difficulties that HU faced throughout the harsh times, as well as to give the students some insight on some matters. How were the mood and atmosphere on campus successfully complete the academic program, and not has increased this year. What is the reason? And and within its vicinity during the tense periods? necessarily to complete all the activities we were hoping don't you think the timing could not be worse? to do. We also anticipated frustration from students who The first thing that came to mind were previous expe- lived in areas relatively distant from the university, and We were very transparent and early in announcing this riences of war, especially in the Haigazian neighbour- those who were still under unpleasant conditions. That to our students, so that they are not caught off-guard at hood, since throughout the war years in Lebanon, this is why some staff employees were spending more time a later stage. We were very upfront and honest, and the region has gone through a great deal of danger. with the students, reassuring them that Haigazian is still economic situation eventually led to this minimal However, experience has helped, and so in order not to that neutral ground where no conflict exists, despite the increase. In contrast, there are significant expansions repeat these happenings, we immediately went into crisis tensions in the country. concerning the financial aid offerings and the removal of management mode - as the safety of students and facul- the credit limitation. So if you really think about it, the ty was our main concern. So getting in touch with those student is the one who is gaining more. We cannot con- in need also became important. Then, on the material trol the economy of Lebanon and the world, but we level, the safety of the buildings was essential, not to keep financial viability. As people know, Haigazian is not mention the library and its valuable resources. a business, and students' financial situations are taken into consideration. (Keeping in mind the fact that the President and his family live in the Mugar Building, the next question On a lighter note, which events/activities were just had to be asked.) you most fond of during the past year? Did you remain in your residence despite the dan- I greatly enjoyed the student Classical Music per- gers surrounding your neighbourhood last month? formance. I love music, and to see people think of I sent my girls to a safer area, but my wife and I stayed Beethoven and Bach at noon was refreshing. I was also here throughout the troublesome times. fond of the spiritual retreat organised by the Spiritual How did instability impact short and long term Life, especially since I played a role in it - due to the Did you feel safe? Haigazian University plans, mainly the reconstruc- absence of a campus minister. tion of the Heritage Building? Not always. But the possible physical damage that Since you mentioned it, when is HU expecting a could have risen if things were to escalate further was Our plans in general had to be halted for a while. The new campus minister? what worried us the most. I mean, the location of Mugar construction site at the Quad was no different, but the Building is very delicate, and after all, that building works resumed as soon as the political situation was rel- We will have the pleasure of welcoming a new Campus embodies the Haigazian libraries. It was not an easy atively stabilised. Minister this coming academic year, meaning in thing, but I can also say that it was not the worst of September. experiences. It is unfortunate because one should not There have been many complaints from HU stu- have to compare bad things with worse things. In our dents concerning the "overfriendliness" of some If you were to relive your student days at HU, case, we could. I saw us on foreign and Arab TV sta- soldiers who are guarding the street leading to HU. which course would you anticipate enrolling in, and tions. What people saw was the heavy military presence. What was done about their "overfriendliness" with which club would you join? So we didn't really enjoy that; it's not the kind of pub- some people, and the "unfriendliness" with others? licity that we want for our university. I would happily attend any Intercultural Studies Overfriendly or even unfriendly behaviour should not course, for I have always enjoyed them. I would also love How did the university address the academic clo- be accepted, but let's be realistic: this behaviour was to attend and audit classes in Political Science or sures and overcome the mood of the university stu- fuelled by the heavy military presence around campus, Computer Science. dents? especially around the Mugar Building, and this led to some lack of discipline but there is no cause for alarm. As for the club I would join if I had the chance to, I As I am sure you know, we lost eight academic days Frankly, I expected us to face worse problems. I assure would be inclined to join the Desert Streams. I think of teaching. But I am glad to say that the staff came to you that we presented our complaints, and all I can say most people naturally see themselves there. I also would work on most days and we were constantly preparing to is that every time we raise our voice, something is done think of sport activities because I used to play football reopen as soon as conditions permitted. When we decid- as soon as possible. We have a good friendship with our and table tennis during my university years. ed to resume classes, I called for a faculty and staff neighbours and people are very responsive to the prob- meeting; not all the faculty could show up, but all staff lems we face. Interview by Manuel Kurkjian (ADC) members were present. Nonetheless, it was a nice gath- After the rise of the prices of practically every ering; I talked about our perspective in relation to what other good in the Lebanese market, HU students was happening and how our main role at the time was to were surprised to find that even the HU credit cost HERALD June 0808.qxd 8/11/2008 1:04 PM Page 2 Editorial: sticking to a certain clique of people who you identify and follow it. with, who you feel you relate to and belong with, an Break free of all the shackles that have been placed EXI T "emo" group, a "queer" group, an "intellectual" group, a around you by parents, by friends, by society's images, S "macho" group, an "athletic" group, a "fun-loving" by gender roles, by sexual limitations (I'm not propagat- group etc... People do not want to feel like misfits. That ing pornography or promis- I am now supposedly an official Haigazian graduate sometimes even triggers hypocrisy. cuity, this requires deeper - the only thing lacking is the document that I will Abusive relationships: Many times, abused part- thought than the seemingly acquire soon enough. The first few times I walked past ners learn to feel that they are inferior to the "dominant" obvious), by love, by land, Haigazian after that subliminal "graduate" feeling took member in the relationship, regardless of the physical or by anything. its toll, I felt something weird, a part of which may have emotional anguish that becomes part and parcel of the Do not be limited by been a sense of uncertainty as to whether I could still whole matter, and they aren't able to leave. the religious prejudices you say I belonged there now that I have graduated. Educational institutions: Those places are sought were brought up with. And then it hit me, and I started wondering. Even the after for enlightenment, to go down paths that will make Shatter them. Do not be most hardened people sometimes seem to get attached people feel that they belong in a certain field, to find limited by racial biases. Be to places, people, anything, just in order to feel a sense others, especially within the same field of interest. open to all people. It's the of belonging, a sense of community, or a sense of com- These are just a few examples I could think of under person that matters, not pletion. But that turns out to be a prison sometimes. the huge pressure crushing me as I attempt to write this what they look like, or what's written on a silly docu- Authority figures: Prior to the Doha intervention piece at lightning speed to make the post-deadline dead- ment - which is not even there by choice; it is something and the selection (freakin' finally!) of a new president line set for me by Mr.