THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929 CAMPUS LIVING A&E Earth Week kicks “Scanner Darkly” off with hunger at PAC banquet Page 4 Page 9 Vol. 80 No. 20 Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546 April 18, 2007 Survey shows little support Lacrosse team at No. 1 for student union expansion context of the large number of poten- tial projects that are emerging from the strategic planning process.” According to Director of Administra- tion Tom Billingsley, there was an initial plan to construct an additional parking ramp north of the Audrey Hirt Aca- demic Center, and beside the current parking ramp. Billingsley could not give an exact cost for the project. He noted, however, that the current parking ramp north of the Hirt Center that has 250 parking spots cost about $1 million or $4,000 a parking spot when Lacrosse players rivaled New York Tech on Saturday to it was constructed in 1993. stay the number one team in the NCAA Division II . According to Billingsley, the col- lege never proceeded with the idea of For more information, see Men’s lax at No. 1 on page 12. another ramp. He said the college currently uses the parking lot across from the Cornerstone Bar and Grill on East 38th Street. Out with the mold, Billingsley said, though, the lot is only used by Mercyhurst until the owners decide to construct something on the in with the new KEY property. Light Blue- 14% students voted for union expansion MSG President Marissa Starin said Yellow - 35% students voted for parking MSG is not surprised the results are not Dark Blue - 20% students voted for other in favor of the student union. Green - 31% students voted not to raise the fee “Scientifically, in a survey like this, stu- Gray - Did not respond dents who respond usually have strong feelings (on the subject),” she said. Life Dr. Gerry Tobin said the results Starin said MSG talked about lower By Joshua Wilwohl fees such as $81 for five years or $69 for Editor-in-chief are difficult to understand. “It is really hard to interpret the six years, but opted for $102 for four survey because of the limited number years to pay for the union quickly. A recent e-mail survey by the Merciad of choices,” he said. “When we have “The representatives felt so strongly shows many students would rather find the choice of ‘other,’ it does not provide that they wanted to pay it (the union) a place to park on campus than expand very useful information.” off in four years instead of six,” she the Carolyn Hermann Student Union. Tobin said students are not fully aware said. The survey stems from the recent vote of the expansion project. According to Starin, the cost of con- by Mercyhurst Student Government “The union plan has not been well structing a parking ramp such as the two weeks ago to increase the building explained to students in a way where one north of the Hirt Center would assessment fee by $102 for the next four they would understand and appreciate cost $3 million. years to help pay $1 million toward the the benefits $102 would afford them,” She also said a multilevel parking Carpenter and laborer Rob Smith works on taking down the back $3.3 million student union expansion. he said. garage would cost $5 million. balconies of the Wayne 300 building. From Friday at 10 a.m. until Monday Mercyhurst College President Dr. Starin said the union is the most ben- at 5 p.m., 367 students responded to the Thomas Gamble said he encourages eficial way of spending the money. ments from the glass doors (of the “A union that costs $3.3 million offers By Joshua Wilwohl balconies),” said Moore. “It is to ensure survey that asked where students would student response. Editor-in-chief like to see the increased fee spent. “Even though as a social scientist a dramatic expansion to the Laker and that students are not harmed by water The options included: the union I have to express concerns about the adds offices and space to clubs and entering the apartments.” expansion, a parking garage or parking methodology, it is always good to hear organizations,” she said. There soon will no longer be any Associate Director of Residence Life lot, other, or don’t increase the fee. student responses,” he said. Starin said MSG is currently working wall-crawling slime in the Wayne Street Alice Agnew said the college has con- Fourteen percent voted for the union Gamble said the union expansion is with the administration about the union apartments. sidered taking down the balconies since expansion, 35 percent voted for park- still in the developmental stages. construction, and encourages students According to Associate Vice Presi- it bought the apartments. ing, 20 percent voted for other, and “As noticed in last week’s Merciad, no to ask MSG about the plans. dent for Administration Tyrone Moore, Moore said Building Services Incor- 31 percent voted for not increasing decisions have been made about the stu- “Students really need to ask a repre- the balconies that are supposedly caus- porated started the construction in Jan- the fee. dent union expansion,” he said. “The sentative to see what the union (expan- ing the mold problem are being torn uary and plans to finish – depending on Associate Vice President for Student project will have to be examined in the sion) entails,” she said. down. the weather – in about three weeks. “The way the roof design is devel- “I hope for it to be completed by oped allows water to go into the apart- graduation,” he said. Mercyhurst responds to Virginia Tech tragedy Campus news briefs An emergency response plan is in place, say administrators Compiled by editorial staff/from mercyhurst.edu Academic Celebration Mercyhurst College will sponsor a talk Gregorich said Mercyhurst revises the and the Student Life staff informing By Joshua Wilwohl Academic Celebration is a long- by Dr. Luis Cosenza, executive direc- plan every year. them about counseling services if any Editor-in-chief standing tradition at Mercyhurst, tor for Central America and Belize “We are constantly working on updat- student needs assistance. sponsored for the last several years at the Inter-American Development ing the plan addressing issues that may Zirkle said the college’s strong point by the Mercyhurst College Honors Bank (IDB), on Thursday, April 19, at need attention and/or updating,” he in the emergency response plan is com- The tragedy that struck the Virginia Program. It brings together students, 11:30 a.m. in Taylor Little Theatre. His said. munication. Tech campus on Monday questioned faculty, staff, administration, and out- lecture is free and open to the public. Gregorich noted police and safety She said there are plans set up that the safety of college campuses. side speakers to share their ideas in The IDB is the main source of is not armed with weapons if such an includes phone banks and a command Vice President of Student Life Dr. presentations that range from lectures multilateral financing for economic, incident occurred at Mercyhurst. center. Gerry Tobin said Mercyhurst College and debates to fine arts performances social and institutional development “In my opinion, our officers would be “The advantage is we are a small has a plan if such an event would occur and other creative expressions. projects and trade and regional inte- at a complete disadvantage if something campus and it is much easier to com- on campus. Increasing global engagement at gration programs in Latin America like this happened on our campus in municate,” she said. “There is an emergency response plan Mercyhurst College – inviting the and the Caribbean. It is the oldest and that we are an unarmed agency,” he said. Zirkle said a new type of commu- in place that would serve as a means of world on to campus – provides the largest regional development bank. “Our officers should be armed to pro- nication the school is looking into is directing our crisis response,” he said. focus for this year’s Academic Cel- Cosenza will discuss the U.S.-Domini- vide an adequate level of assistance and contacting students through text mes- “In an event like the Virginia Tech ebration, slated for April 22-25 and can Republic Central America Free security to the college community.” saging. shooting, we certainly have a plan titled “Mercyhurst: The International Trade Agreement. Gregorich noted there are seven Zirkle also noted the emergency to incorporate faculty, emergency Arena.” Fifteen events are scheduled, police and safety officers who are Act response plan will most likely change response, and communication with and all are free and open to public. Jason Levasseur is here parents.” 120 Municipal Police Officer trained following the Virginia Tech shooting. Kids and Sibs Weekend Director of Mercyhurst College who could be certified to carry a “We’ll learn lessons from Virginia Walker School of Business Performing at the Student Union, Police and Safety Rodger Gregorich said weapon. Tech,” she said. “We will adapt the hosts international banking April 28, 2007 at 10:30 p.m. Check the college developed an emergency Associate Vice President for Student emergency response plan accord- executive him out on MySpace. Life Laura Zirkle said the Residence Life ingly.” response plan over a nine-month period The Walker School of Business at in October 2005. Office sent e-mails to resident assistants PAGE 2 THE MERCIAD April 18, 2007 NEWS To contact: [email protected] Police and Safety Log April 1 April 11 Liquor Law Violation Larceny/Theft 4008 Wayne St.