CAMPUS TIMES APRIL 4, 2008 SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE COMMUNITY SINCE 1919 VOL. 116, NO. 19 Campus celebrates Chavez legacy Mexican culture highlighted Jamie Ondajte Staff Writer The sounds of a mariachi band and the smell of carne asada filled Davenport Dining Hall Monday night, as University of La Verne students celebrated Cesar Chavez Day. Few people realize that March 31 is celebrated to recog- nize the achievements of Chavez, a Mexican-American farm worker, who fought to improve labor conditions for farm workers across the nation. “Cinco de Mayo is over- played and [Chavez] deserves some recognition,” Campus Activities Board Concert Troy Doolittle Chairman Dylan Haro said. Inspired by the music of the mariachi band playing in the back- Chávez. Campus Activities Board sponsored the Happy Hour in The event featured a live ground, La Verne students David Merlos, Armando Jimenez, Davenport to give students an opportunity to celebrate César Continued on page 3 Branamier Courtney and Travis Arroyo offered cheers to César Chávez Day. Tradition kept alive through model seder al and religious importance of freedom as a whole,” Bergson the seder is the retelling of the experience occurred at a La Verne the Passover holiday, which said. 10 plagues of Egypt. Passover seder. begins on April 19 this year. The ceremony began with Since wine is a symbol of joy The model seder is an impor- “The seder is a way to see the lighting of candles since in the Jewish celebration, tant celebration at ULV, particu- embraces ourselves as if we were freed Jewish holidays begin at night- removing 10 drops from the cup larly because of the school’s from Egypt,” Bergson said. fall, Bergson said. of wine onto a napkin with the commitment to diversity and Passover Bergson first read aloud from The seder continued, paying pinky finger symbolizes the culture. the Hagaddah, which tells the particular attention to a small reduction of joy. “When we hear diversity, we story of Passover. selection of food on the table to “This part is for remember- usually only think of ethnic Then she turned to the rough- be eaten at specific times during ing the suffering of Egyptians,” diversity, but it’s important to Lesley Michaels ly 40 participants and invited the ceremony. Bergson said. think of religious diversity as Staff Writer them all to take part in the Among the foods were pars- Traditionally, four cups of well,” said Don Pollock, profes- sor of communications, who is Students, faculty and the responsible for coordinating the community of La Verne gath- ‘It was good to see all the different types of people in the model seder annually along with ered for a model seder in the community take interest – not just those who are Jewish, but Campus Minister Debbie spirit of Passover, a commemo- Roberts. ration of the Jewish exodus those who are interested in learning about diversity.’ The model seder is a tradi- from Egypt. —Ari Robbins, seder participant tion at the University that dates The event was held March 27 back more than 20 years. in the President’s Dining Room Nearly 40 people attended over a traditional Passover seder retelling. ley, to be dipped in salt water; wine are consumed throughout the seder this year – a mix of dinner led by Rabbi Leslie Though there are several matzah, a cracker-like substance the ceremony, each after a dif- students, community and reli- Bergson, Jewish chaplain and ways to tell the story, this partic- to replace leavened bread; and ferent prayer is said out loud. gious figures. hillel director at the Claremont ular hagaddah involved a con- horseradish for the matzah, to Because the University of La “In the past years, as many as Colleges. densed retelling mixed in with remind people of the bitter Verne is a dry campus, com- 80 people attended,” Pollock The event, an abridged ver- songs and prayers. times. bined with the fact it was not a said. sion of a full seder, included a “It talks about the freedom of Traditionally, the matzah, or full seder, grape juice was sub- “I thought it was a good retelling of the historical, cultur- Egypt, as well as the subject of afikomen, is broken in half, the stituted. introduction to the Passover larger portion of which is placed Questions were encouraged religious ceremony,” said Ari INSIDE TODAY’S CAMPUS TIMES back into the plate of matzah, since nearly half the participants Robbins, a Jewish audience and the smaller into a cloth reported this was their first member. Political science professors pouch. seder. “It was good to see all the discuss election issues . .Page 2 When holding the seder at “Since the ceremony relies different types of people in the Local bands duke it out home, many Jewish families on numerous cups of wine, do community take interest – not for a ULV audience . .Page 6 hide the afikoman and let the people ever get a little tipsy?” just those who are Jewish, but Kristin Key offers children find it for a reward. one curious participant asked those who are interested in “This is the point where it during the fourth cup of grape learning about diversity,” ribald comedy . .Page 8 becomes an invitation to attend juice. Robbins said. Ragsdale resigns from athletic the matzah feast,” Bergson said. Bergson said that many peo- Lesley Michaels can be director position . .Page 10 Another important focus of ple claim that their first drunken reached at [email protected]. Page 2 NEWS April 4, 2008 Voters silenced by early primaries Convention. Your Vote Counts lack of organization, which The Democratic National States lose But members from both could harm the Democratic Committee will make the final states will be seated on three vote. decision on what will occur with One in a standing committees including Obama’s campaign is not the issue at hand. votes and regular series the Credentials Committee, exploring the supporting the plan to have Members of the National which will meet prior to the 2008 votes and delegates given based Committee, who include Debbie delegates convention. elections on the primary votes of January. Dingell, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks The Credentials Committee Clinton believes that the del- Kilpatrick, Sen. Carl Levin, and resolves disputes dealing with By moving up primaries egates should be based on the the United Auto Workers whether or not to seat delegates. Michigan and Florida were dis- results of Florida’s election. President Ron Gettelfinger are Maxtla Benavides Stephen Sayles, professor of advantaged. They would have A resolution will need to be working to find a solution that Staff Writer history, believes it is a shame been in a better position if they established before the National will create a new cohesive plan that there is the possibility of held their primaries as sched- Convention, which begins Aug. for both parties. Controversy surrounds delegates not being seated. uled. 25 in Denver, Colo. Maxtla Benavides can be Michigan and Florida after “The Democratic parties of There was talk of the option There is separation on how reached at mbenavides@ breaking the rules and moving Florida and Michigan need to to circulate a mail-in ballot, but these votes should be counted. ulv.edu. up their primaries before Feb. 5 look at their leadership,” Sayles the probability of this action By violating national party said. taking place is slim due to time rules, Michigan and Florida “They broke the rules and and cost constraints. Professors discuss were considered noncompliant now they pay the conse- Time is essential in order to for their actions. quences.” abide by the rules for any re-do These actions have left the The primaries in both states elections. election priorities voters of these states without a were won by Sen. Hillary They have to be completed voice in the primary elections. Clinton. by June 10 to be counted under “The behavior of Michigan In Michigan Clinton was on Democratic National Jen McElroy States is the most difficult in the and Florida party officials was the ballot, while Sen. Barack Committee regulations. Staff Writer world. so unacceptable that I feel Obama was not included in the Many feel that the needs of He discussed how parties accommodating them at this Michigan ballot. the 5.2 million voters outweighs With general elections quick- were created within Congress point would only encourage Both agreed that having a the cost of re-elections. ly approaching, there is still and were arranged so that cer- similar behavior in the future,” caucus would be too expensive. The voices of these voters is much for people to learn. tain people would be nominated Kenneth Marcus, associate pro- Recounting votes would cost a crucial element to the elec- To help with this process, and elected for president. fessor of history, said in an e- $10 million to $12 million. tions and definitely could have three University of La Verne The bulk of his lecture dealt mail interview. “The purpose of having early had an influence on the winning professors held a symposium to with what has happened in past Michigan held its primary primaries is to maximize influ- candidate. discuss political issues before presidential elections, and why Jan. 15 and Florida held its pri- ence,” said Jason Neidleman, Richard Gelm, professor of the elections. American elections are the way mary Jan. 29, which lead to pun- associate professor of political political science, believes that a This event was held March they are today. ishment by the national party. science. huge disadvantage for the 27 in the West Dining Room. Gelm spoke in-depth about Following, both states were In this case, Neidleman Democratic Party is that Obama Faculty and students filled the Electoral College and how stripped of their delegates for believes that the situation did and Clinton did not campaign in the room to hear ULV faculty the primary system began.