Current Focus Vol. 1, No.1 A student publication of Emmanuel College February 1993 Focusing on Current's Past: A New Beginning by Valerie Greenwood The Current Focus is, by far, not At this time the funding for the funding source, student sub­ and publication was indeed pos­ the first newspaper here at paper was provided by student sub­ scription s, were insufficient and sible, but the people who headed Emmanuel. Several newspapers scriptions. rapidly diminishing. In addi­ the newspaper were graduating have been published under many The early seventies reflected a time tion to the lack of funds, there and leaving campus. The Focus editors who had different goals. in which the newspaper staff's opin­ was a lack of determined staff followed in their footsteps and did Former editor, .Mary Goodhue, ions were published although the writers. Publication ceased. not return for two years. wrote her thesis paper on the his­ staff did not represent the majority The student literary magazine The aim of Focus II, which began tory of Emmanuel College's of Emmanuel's student opinions. made a donation to the Focus in publication in the fall of 1974, was newspapers. Her thesis has pro­ Ironically, the editors of this time the spring of 1971, and once to inform students about women's vided me with valuable informa­ period claimed the primary func­ again a student newspaper was issues. It's goal was "to insure tion for researching this article. tion of the paper was to "inform a facet of Emmanuel College. student news, opinions and ideas The first official student newspa­ students responsibly through The donated funds provided for would be effectively communi­ per, the Focus, was published in clearly defined news stories". the Focus were only for one cated" across campus. The Focus 1948. The intention of the Focus Student voices were heard regard­ semester, thus the end of the II disappeared, but it was of no was to "present a positive ..view of ing such issues as privileges in the Focus. loss. The articles ignored impor­ the college" and ·to relay campus dormitory, choice of mandatory The traditional newspaper was tant Emmanuel issues, like stu­ event information to Emmanuel theology courses, and a student Bill canceled, but a promise was dent protests, and instead rhetori­ students. of Rights. A group of anonymous made, and kept, to circulate cally discussed student apathy. The Focus primarily ran articles students believed the Focus was mimeographed paper sheets The third official student publica­ on campus events. Any off cam­ too conservative and acted on that. when there was a need to relay tion called itself the Lapis Ledger. pus issues that were contained in These extremists took matters into information to the entire com­ This newspaper began in 1981, the Focus' first twenty years pub­ their own hands and began an un­ munity. For one year these continued on page 4 lications were of a religious na­ derground newspaper. It was mimeos circulated on our cam­ ture. The absence of riveting, named the Open End and seemed pus, generically fulfilling the controversial topics was noticed to have been distributed on a whim, Focus' goals. New Arrivals by Eileen Miller by all. and ended similarly. Open End Emmanuel's newspaper saga Excited, optimistic, yet uncom­ In the late sixties the Focus ex­ was not a long-term publication. continued into the 1972 fall se­ fortable, these are a..few feelings tended it's coverage to national The fall semester of 1971 brought mester when funding was pro­ sophomore, Teresa Petrillo had news and the overall improve­ about financial difficulty for vided by SGA. Finally, the as she entered Emmanuel Col­ ments of the paper was apparent. Emmanuel's Focus. The primary Focus had sufficient funding lege. "It is hard when you are a Helping Others Face to Face transfer because your fellow by Danielle Kovacs class mates have had that extra willing to extend themselves sought after areas are: in­ time to grow together and build Boston offers it's college beyond campus boundaries. volvement in women's issues, friendships which incoming students more than just a place Cook and Tracey, both seniors at working with troubled youth, transfers have missed." to live. Boston adds a supple­ Emmanuel, noticed fellow and working with the elderly. Teresa Petrillo, a transfer from the mental dimension to their students inactive as they spoke of But these issues do not define University of Massachusetts at college years by providing the problems surrounding them. Face-to-Face. There are still Boston, soon realized that most of numerous opportunities and Frustration frequently grew out a number of other volunteer the students who transferred into experiences. But being stu­ of their feelings of helplessness sites presently being investi­ Emmanuel had experienced the dents, with deadlines and when faced with the effects of gated. In addition to offering same feelings. With the help of demands, it can be easy to crime, homelessness and poverty. students an opportunity to her friend, Margaret Crawford, a overlook how little is given However, Cook saw that there volunteer on a regular basis, junior transfer from Southern back to the city that provides was away, " .. .to help students Face-to-Face is also putting Massachusetts University, Teresa these numerous experiences. help themselves." Her solution together group assignments took the initiative to create a sup­ This lack of returning much of was to provide an outlet for their that will consist of students port group to help settle these "un­ what is given is one reason frustration through a support willing to volunteer one day comfortable" feelings. Rhonda Cook and Amanda group designed to allow students to a particular cause. This The goal of the Transfer Club, Tracey founded Face-to-Face, to become involved in helping will allow students to get under the advisement of Mary a volunteer society new to solve the problems that they were involved in a variety of issues Ellen Ackerson, is to create a sup­ Emmanuel this past fall. They only previously able to talk without necessarily having to port team consisting of both trans­ saw the need to " ... get the about. Once sparked, both Cook commit themselves on a fer and traditional students for in­ college community involved in and Tracey knew it was an idea weekly basis. coming transfer students. They the larger community," and that they could not let die. They Twenty students replied in hope to create an orientation pro­ acted by organizing students recognized the potential for _response to their initial gram for transfer students who studenls to really see themselves survey. Cook and Tracey enter Emmanuel College with making a difference and knew welcome the responses of any emphasis on students who trans­ TABLE OF CONTENTS that it could benefit not only their additional eager students. If fer second semester. The club Campus Calendar ................ 3 morale, but also add something you are interested or have any also has ideas for different events Community Calendar .......... 3 to the community. questions about Face-to-Face, and fundraisers. Crossword Puzzle ............... .4 Face-to-Face is not limiting itself Rhonda Cook and Amanda This year, Emmanuel College has Editorial ............................... 2 to specific issues, rather it is Tracey may be contacted received a total of fifty one trans­ Immig Review ..................... 2 allowing the students to dictate through the Campus Ministry fer students. This is an increasing Student in the News ........... .4 what areas they wish to involve Office. number, which demonstrates that themselves in. Three of the most Emmanuel needs to accommodate continued on page 3 2 Current Focus February Rosenberg Review Editorial by Melissa Resendes Mter months of planning and cess. Not only is it an essential moved on. We also hope that the As I entered the empty Immig meeting and proposing, it is vehicle of campus wide commu­ ideas presented will cause each Gallery my eyes briefly scanned finally here. The Emmanuel Col­ nication but, it is also an opportu­ reader to think about what she/he the works on the wall. My first lege newspaper is reborn. In plan­ nity to learn about others who you has read and form ideas and opin­ impression of the paintings and ning this rebirth we have clearly share this four year experience ions and respond, if not in Current etchings was that they were simple stated goals. Within these goals with, an opportunity to express Focus, then in the "outside world." drawings of random lines. As I lies an essential goal, if not the your thoughts and ideas, and an We hope that the exploration be­ took a closer look, I realized that most important: to create a news­ opportunity to become involved gun at Emmanuel, and possibly in each drawing had meaning. Ev­ paper with continuity. What is a and make a difference. CurrentFocus, will continue with ery line represented an emotion or college campus without a news­ At this crucial time in our lives we you throughout your life. feeling of the artist, and could, in paper? Does the analogy of a car must openly embrace the oppor­ tum, generate an emotional reac­ without an engine answer that tunity we have to explore. We EDITORIAL POUCY: tion for the viewer. question? We are at a point in our must learn as much as we can The Current Focus Editorial reflects The work of Rhoda Rosenberg lives that is, and will be, un­ about everything we can in order the opinions and ideas of the Editorial takes on an autobiographical tone Board only. Opinion editorials are wel­ matched by any other period of to better ourselves and our world.