VOL. 103 ISSUE 19 FOGHORN.USFCA.EDU APRIL 5,2007 USFConnect University Life Prohibition vs. Legalization of Tab Undergoes Makeover KATE ELSTON lllict Drags in America Debated StaffWriter In the past, Senate was forced to use "a ridiculous amount of resources" for public­ n the USFconnect website, ity, hke flyers, emails, and Foghorn ads, said wedged between the student and Kilton. But now everything Senate—and Oonline support tabs, is USF's new any other club—wants to publicize can University Life tab. Previously a mundane simply be put on the new website, through tab highlighting some of the campus go­ which students click and browse daily. ings-on, now is decked out in green and The site was designed by senior graphic gold graphics and laid out to include almost design major Jessica Dragotto, who, accord­ every single USF club—from Knitting for ing to Kilton, has done an amazing job." Neighbors to Los Locos—and upcoming "Students came up with the idea, stu­ events, from academic to social. Students dents created the site," Kilton said, who can read the most recent Foghorn articles, was clearly very excited about this new watch USFtvvideo clips,access the websites feature. "The only thing we asked from of campus resources hke the Koret Center the administration was support. This and Universiry Ministry, and even check is all student-run, student-based, and . out all the campus clubs' Facebook pages. all the info is presented by students." "I think it's cool," said sophomore Eng­ Sophomore Performing Arts and Social lish major Hayley Higgins. "It looks a lot Justice major Julianne Fawsitt has already like my Google personalized home page." found the new University Life tab use­ James Kilton,junior Associated Students ful. She watched USFtv on the site since senate president and media studies major she doesn't have a television in her dorm agreed that the new aesthetics are great. room. "I heard USFtv news did a seg­ But better yet, he said, is that the new tab is ment on The Vagina Monologues, which achieving its goals: building community and I was in," she said. "So it was really nice showcasing USF's clubs. "You can watch to catch that." Fawsitt also said the site is USFtv and read about announcements," visually appealing. "I hke the whole setup," said Kilton. "You can listen to KDNZ at she said. "It will let people know more the same time you're on your USFcon­ about what's going on around campus." nect email. It's all centered into one space." Ron Toledo, USF's Web Services Di­ The reason ASUSF embarked on this rector, who helped ASUSF launch the project in October, said Kilton, was that site, is excited about the new tab, calling the Senate was concerned about commu­ it a "huge step" in building a commu­ nication with the student body. "The Sen­ nity within USF, which is what he said ate executive board said we need to create USFconnect was meant to do all along. one central source of info - one that is go­ Toledo said he is impressed with the ing to attract students and help them get foresight and initiative Kilton and the involved as a result," said Kilton. "The oth­ er goal was to bring students back to US­ Fconnect so they can see announcements UNIVERSITY LIFE: Continued on and what's going on around campus." Page 2* Letters From Graduation Center Cause Anxiety For Many Seniors MARIA DINZEO News Editor classes and we haven't received a substitu­ tion form, or students transfer credits from ast weekend's Grad Finale swarmed other institutions and we haven't received with over 1200 graduating seniors, transcripts," said Wilson. Even advanced Lwho picked up their graduation placement classes taken in high school and caps and gowns, browsed brochures that substituted for college credit require substi­ HUNTER PATTERSON/FOGHORN advertised college rings, and grabbed tast tution forms, in addition to directed study minute resume writing handbooks provid­ classes that are designed to exempt stu­ James Q^Wilson, left, questioned whether society could benefit from the legalization of marijuana and hard drugs. Ethan Nadelman, ed by the Career Services Center. However, dents from enrolling in required courses. right, proposed that legalizing drugs would make society safer through regulation and argued that recreational drug users ought not be » there are some seniors who have yet to re­ Every summer, the Graduation Center punished for their pastime. ceive a letter from the Graduation Center sends an email to all students who have inviting them to commencement. Rather, completed at least 90 units of applicable they received letters saying that they have coursework, asking them to fill out an on­ CHELSEA M. STERLING not fulfilled the necessary requirements line graduation application. Three to four StaffWriter for graduation and are in danger of not weeks after their petition has been received, participating in the May commencement the center sends a letter to the student, ei­ hen students became aware engage each other in debate. Rather, each Alliance, a lobbyist group. During the ceremonies. One such student was media ther inviting them to-commencement or of the drug legalization de­ delivered a monologue about their individ­ debate, he used the energy of the young studies major Clair Yeo, who received a alerting them to the requirements they still bate that took place in ual sides of the issue. Several students re­ crowd to bolster his claims. For example, W he asked the audience to close their eyes letter shortly after spring break notifying need to fill. A duplicate letter is sent to McLaren Complex last Tuesday, they marked that the concept ofthe debate was and then he inquired which members of her that she did not have enough appli­ the dean of each academic school as well eagerly overwhelmed the room's maxi­ on point, but their expectations were not the audience had smoked marijuana be­ cable credits to graduate. Yeo, who applied as the student's advisor. Students need mum capacity of seventy-five people. met by the debate's occurrence. Joseph, a fore. About ninety percent of the audi­ for graduation last fall, was informed that 128 applicable units in order to graduate, The affirmative and the opposing de­ second year student, remarked, "I [appreci­ ence raised their hands. Nadelman also she needed to take several classes she had and can have up to 12 unfulfilled units to bate speakers are very well respected ate] that they went one at a time, but the introduced the "principle of sovereignty," already taken at a different university that be invited to commencement. Those who and have achieved this respect by am­ format seemed to contribute to a mono­ which means that you can be as harmful her advisor had waived. "I'm still worried have over 12 units to fill are given letters bitiously seeking to impact the United logue type style." Nadelman, a proponent as you wish to your body as long as you about whether I'll graduate," said Yeo, who of notification, and are allowed to re-ap­ States' public policy on such drugs as of legalization, began by engaging the au­ do not cross the line and harm others. is still waiting for the media studies depart ^ ply for graduation up until May 16, the crack, cocaine, methamphetamine and so dience and challenged them to change the On the contrary, Wilson attacked ment to fill out the necessary paperwork. day before commencement. "Our goal is to on. The event was sponsored by Cicero's way we look at drugs, instead of changing Nadelman's claims by challenging him Yeo's situation is not uncommon. Ac­ have every student on stage shaking Father Platform, a podium debate series spon­ our laws to penalize recreational drug users. Under the presumption that illegal drugs to deliver details of his plan for sover­ cording to Graduation Center Director Privett's hand," said Wilson. "This is a once sored by the USF Philosophy Club, which are used solely for individual recreation, eignty. Wilson went one step further by Kevin Wilson, there are 42 students left in in a lifetime opportunity and we want all aims to bring pertinent discussions to he urged a liberal stance that would try prodding, "Will society be better off? the undergraduate College of Arts and Sci­ students to be invited to commencement students and to put "ideas into action." to regulate drug use, making it safer, and Or will people be sued instead of shot?" ences alone who have not completed their and be able to come to commencement." Although the speakers, Ethan Nadel­ ultimately assimilating it into our culture. Prohibition or Legalization of graduation requirements. Though Wilson According to Wilson, the Graduation man and James Q_ Wilson, were well re­ Nadelman has published several books Drugs in America was hosted by the says that the situation differs between Center works closely with the dean of spected and very competent in their lob­ on drug policy in the US and is the found­ Philosophy Club with the support of each individual, in most cases, the problem each school to urge students and advisors bying and informing others about their er and executive director of Drug Policy the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. stems from missing paperwork. "Some­ arguments in the drug debate, they did not times advisors allow students.to substitute GRADUATION: Continued on Page 2 <^ Thwack! Tennis in __ui USF Goes Green with Interview and Concert review for Mixed- Golden Gate Park. Recycling Program Genre band Gym Class Heroes _. 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