' •• I VOL. 103 _ ISSUE 23 FOGHORN.USFCA.EDU MAY 10,2007 Student's Community Gordon Inspires Students Attempt to Cool Off Others to Go Bock to the Roots EVA ERICKSON StaffWriter future Coop? At this moment, no one is sure as to what will become of n era of fanning and self- the new club, but all of those involved sustairiability that seemed have the utmost curiosity to see the Along since extinct has slowly growth manifest into a real cause, begun its reinvention. A club, dreamt hopefully taking USF along for the ride. up by Michael Aguilar and called Back The faculty advisor for Back to the to the Roots, has rapidly become a Roots, professor Steven Zavistoski small, student run group of gardeners. said "I think that by promoting more The club has spread infectiously support to a student group hke this through the imaginations of the is one way for USF to kind of get ecologically conscience at USF and as behind its stated commitment of social a result, two small gardens boasting a justice," which, according to Zavistoski, variety of vegetables have been dug USF has not been quick to do. In in the back yards of willing students. reference to the University's practice Back to the Roots started in February, in sustainability and working towards ignited by the ambition of a single being self-sustainable, Zavistoski said student and the receptiveness of his that LTSF was not as sustainable as it friends and peers. Aguilar spent a could be. "It's a university, it's a place 'semester in Thailand and returned with of higher education, it's a place that a developing plan that would hopefully has a stated commitment of educating motivate USF students to change in a minds and hearts. And I think that, in way that could potentially aid a world that spirit, it should become a leader falling quickly into environmental in sustainability issues," he explained. disrepair. "Everything starts small," The newly founded group is not said Aguilar, "Right now it's just for alone its ambitious aspirations. The students at USF to understand that Garden Project, a new living-learning we have the power to grow food and community, will begin next year at USF, we have the knowledge to be self- its focus being to design and manage a sustainable." But Back to the Roots community garden. A team of faculty harbors big dreams of becoming more and staff, whose members include than just the avid gardener's recluse. media studies professor Melinda Stone, The club bears notions of engaging in Associate Director of Staff 6c Programs almost pseudo-activist movements to for the Office of Residence Life Mark promote environmental awareness and Thoma, and architecture and community the futility of a consumerist nation. design professor Seth Wachtel, will lead Aguilar almost whimsically said the freshman-oriented project. "The "Maybe one day we'll put an entire faculty-staff team have been working on day's worth of USF garbage out on the developing the curriculum and planning lawn... this is how much we consume." for the garden this past year and we are Whispering to his sprouting beans recruiting new first-year students for and watering each wavering stock the community right now which will HUNTER PATTERSON/FOGHORN individually, Aguilar quietly conveyed begin in August 2007," said Lorrie his visions for Back to the Roots. With temperatures rising into the high eighties this week, students took a dip in the Gleeson Library/Geschke Center fountain, stripping Could it potentially evolve into a GARDEN: continued on page 2 down to their shorts and adding chairs from Harney Plaza. Shedding Light on the Homeless Plight ot USF University Responds to the Homeless On Campus Public Policy Homeless Class Makes a Connection ELYSE MARTIN jail, but had to make a court appearance. The third time, JOHN USHER honored with the University's most prestigious StaffWriter pubhc safety had to physically contain her, because she StaffWriter annual award. The Sarlo Prize is awarded to the was kicking and screaming. They had to issue what is teacher who most embodies the mission and ave you ever seen anyone on campus that called a 5150 Health and Safety Code, which allows values of the university. Her students, though, or University of San Francisco junior looks hke he or she does not quite belong them to book someone for a psychological evaluation, will say Johnson is worthy of so much more. Her Andrew Landles-Dowling, teaching here? Every year, a good amount of homeless tireless dedication to the homeless problem in San H because there was evidence in Login's case for a serious a woman out of school for 38 years people flock from the city of San Francisco to the health problem. As a Jesuit institution, USF is called F Francisco amazes sophomore media studies major to master basic math is a memory that will USF campus to find shelter or food. They hang out Stephanie Luu. "She is an amazing professor who's to recognize social justice issues, however the school forever mark his college experience. The in the computer lounges, try to sneak into functions really active on campus and in the community," Luu' itself does not have enough resources to provide the peace of mind that he received tutoring where fdod is provided, or just sit at the benches said. "And while she is as tough as nails, her class care that the homeless need. However, pubhc safety homeless San Franciscans to receive their and tables on campus. During the warmer seasons, is challenging and rewarding at the same time." does refer them to shelters such as St. Anthony's to get GED degrees is far more valuable than these people set up camp on the wooded Westside But professor Johnson gives all the credit to her the help that they need, but it is up to the individual the four credits he will earn for his Public of the hill by Lone Mountain for shelter.Although students, who are required to do twenty-four to take the initiative and actually go there. The Jesuit Policy Homeless class. "My service learning Dan Lawson, USF director of pubhc safety, has said hours of service throughout the semester. "The Community of USF sends a great deal of money to experience this semester has been invaluable," that "these people are "not harmful or dangerous," students never cease to surprise me; they make these non-profit organizations to ensure their success. Dowhng said. "It got me out of my USF they need to be removed. Lawson also mentioned meaningful contributions to the community and I St. Anthony's is also one ofthe few shelters that have an bubble and into the San Francisco community how USF is what is called an "open campus" with learn something new every semester,"Johnson said. onsite psychological service. Rev. Donal Godfrey, S.J., in a way that was making a difference." no gates, and there is a need for students to feel that "They come to class with wonderful interviews and Associate Director of University Ministry, mentioned For many like Dowhng, a politics major, this they can come and go freely, but sometimes there they just amaze me every time." She contributes that USF is not a soup kitchen or a shelter. Godfrey class was merely fulfilling USF's service- are people who take advantage of the situation. the enthusiasm she sees in class in large part to the also mentioned that as a Jesuit University, students learning requirement, but it has ended up There are certain procedures that Pubhc Safety spirit of social activism on campus. "I haven't gone should look at the underlying causes of homelessness. fulfilling so much more. Professor Roberta takes when dealing with these individuals in a safe out and done a survey to compare USF students to About homeless people wandering on to campus, Johnson, the department head of the Pubhc manner. They approach them as "equals" and make others,"Johnson said. "But, I would say we are head Godfrey said, "Can we do more? Yes. Should we try to Service minor, began the class in the mid-1990s sure not to talk down to them. Public safety officers and shoulders above; I'm convinced we are unique." help them? Yes. But it is not our primary thing. It is not to give students a tangible education in a city first explain the fact that they cannot stay here if Student experiences in Johnson's class have been why we are here."University Ministry provides a variety with the second largest homeless population they are not a student, faculty member, or certified unique to their other courses and have awarded of weekly trips to such places as St. Anthony's Women's in proportion to the number of residents in guest on campus. Lawson said that most of the them an education in itself. "Having to go out Shelter, Project Open Hand, and St. John's Grocery the U.S. "We're a small city, under a million, time, these people are very compliant. However, one there and be on the front lines, and be in the Distribution, as well as after school tutoring programs. so the homeless stand out," Johnson said. situation occurred with a consistent homeless visitor, gritty parts of the city is rewarding," Luu said. It is up to USF students to have the desire to reach "To be able to study this topic and connect it and the University asked the San Francisco Pohce "It gets you out of the USF comfort zone.