Page 71 - ThePhoenix1993-94

i~ +"::__ ::_:illi_liIi_ii"i Gerasimov Speaks Through the Cold War, communism. WMC recently received a first-hand account of a man who helped make that curtain fall. Gennadi Gerasimov, former director of the Soviet Union's department of infor- mation and Mikhail Gorbachev's chief spokesman, spoke in McDaniel Lounge on November 12. Gerasimov's speech was the firstin a series of addresses in the Evelyn Y. Davis Lecture in Journalism. Geraslmov, regarded as an important voice in "new political thinking" for the fonner Soviet Union, spoke on "Russia Today", "The main reason for the changes today are because of journalism and the mass media," he said. Gerasimov himself was the former editor-in-chief of Moscow News from 1983-86. The state of Russia today is not very good. Inflation wiped out nearly everyone's savings. "In the old day we had money but no goods," said Gerastmov, "Now we have goods all over, [but] no money." The idea of reform in the Soviet Union was alive long before Oorbacbev came into power. "Our country was pregnant with change even in 1952," Geraslmov ex- plained. The Marxist-Leninist theory that so many people put their hopes in was not working. ''The system was not delivering what the theory promised," Gcrasimov Gennadi Gerasimov stands with Evelyn Y. Davis and President Chambers. explained. strate [have] very deep throats." Speaking to a full house, Gerasimov recalled how they finally started to talk about With an election to be held December 12 in Russia, Gerasimov does not see an the Soviet Union's problems that were previously "under the carpet". "So we opened easy solution. "Nobody can really predict the results of our elections, which may be [he closet and out came skeletons. Marched out a lot of Skeletons," he said in his a sign of democracy," he said. native aceent. After being a major part in the Soviet reform. Gerasimov looks to the future. "I The-recently former Russian Ambassador to Portugal recalled how the Soviet have no regrets. The old system was not working ... We made our Soviet Revolu- Union wanted to help other countries. "We were ready to help them, to bring them tion in the name of the future," reflected Gerasimov with a stoic look. to their happiness that they didn't recognize on their own," he said. Gerasimov at- What does the future hold for Russia? "The journey to the new society is very, tributes this to the escalation of the Cold War. very bumpy." said Geraslmov. "My country is very rich in resources and rich in tal- With a polished sense of humor, Gerasimov reassured the crowd of the present. ented people. We shall overcome eventually." "It's time for you to take down all those black and yellow signs that say 'Fallout Gerasimov was introduced by Evelyn Y. Davis, a former student at WMC. Davis Shelter' ," he said. Russia has signed a document that says they do not have any also called on people during the question and answer segment after Gerasimov's enemies. "We are partners today," be added. speech: Gerasimov candidly reflected on his former boss, Mikhail Gorbacbev. "Gorbachev is going down in history as the man who changed the world radically," Finacial Aid be said. Gerasimov did recognize-that Gorbachev failed because be did not have a From Page 1 master plan. "Gorbachev took off on a plane but didn't tell the crew where to land," the diplomat said to a laugbing audience. n>eDt. Don-tc'aditional scholal'ship and salaries frozen. The perestroika reform of Gorbacbev affected everyone. '"'We have an inflation the family Hess emphasized that students can rate of 2,000 percent a year. The U. S. has 2.8 percent," be said. The sky rocketing tuition reduction grant. A student must still qualify for a need-based grant inad- prices nearly wiped out the middle class and created a poor majority and a rich mi- bave a certain status to get one of these dition to the one non-need scholarship. nority. Gerasimov said, "One of the worst results of the reform is that many people scholarships, such as being an Eagle For example, a student could have a are below poverty." Scout or a Carroll County citizen, Hess $5000 scholarship and a $5000 grant, This has caused several psychological problems in Russia today. Many of the said. she said. older people still believe in the communist theory but feel that they have lived their Financial Aid also cbanged their Hess also discussed the effect the de- lives in vain. ''[It's] very difficult for the old dogs to learn new tricks," explained scholarship policy for monetary reasons, cision may have on enrollment. Finan- Gerasimov. "Young people feel they can make iL.. The wealth of the big national Hess said. "There are budgetary impli- cial Aid is now analyzing the new pie is up for grabs." cations when you award multiple grants policy's Impact on this year's enroll- In tbis way, the reform has brought opportunity for many. Boris Yeltsin has con- to students," she said. However, since ment.ahe said. "My gut instinct is that tinued where Gorbachev stopped. "Some say that Yeltsin did something no other Financial Aid will still provide the larg- it did not burt us," she said. Soviet leader could do - not even Lenin, Stalin, or Brezbnev- Yeltsin made commu- est grants, WMC will only save an esti- Tbere wasn't much negative reaction nism look good," said Gerasimov. mated $25,000, Hess said. to the change from new students, but He feels that a larger-than-Iife Yettsin has been created which makes Yeltsin the The Financial Aid budget has been many people have called to ask if the "champion of the cause. In my opinion, he is riding the tide," said Gerastmov. growing in recent years, Hess said. It Carroll County grant is affected by the However, Yeltsin, the new leader of Russia, has many problems to deal with. was $4.7 million in 1991-92, $5.7 mil- change, Hess said. "We've had a hard Gerasimov explained the many different political forces in Russia today. "Some of lion last year, and $6.6 million this year, time explaining that only one award will them are working for the reform and some of them against," said the former Soviet she said. Funds for financial aid come be given, which includes the Carroll chief spokesman. from 'the general operating budget, en- County grant," she said, adding that the Yeltsin recently disbanded the Parliament because be felt it was an obstacle to the dowed scholarships, donors, and college change in policy is highligbted in WMC reform's continuation. "Our constitution is just a tool. It was amended 300 times in fund-raising. admissions material. two years," said Gerasimov, describing the difference between Moscow and Wash- The director said the college receives Hess said that cutbacks in Financial ington D. C. "The U. S. Constitution is like a sacred cow." federal and state grants, but that money Aid funds have had more impact on stu- Gerastmov suggested that Yeltsin may be blamed for the separatist movement is not increasing. The federal govern- dents, such as budget reductions for because of things Yeltstn said when he was fighting for power against Gorbacbev. ment froze its spending for financial aid, need-based grants and the academic Gerasimov quoted Yeltsin: ''Take as much sovereignty as you can swallow." and state money has frozen or decreased. scholarship program. Gerasimov then explained, "Now we can see many regions in the republic demon- "The only place where funds can in- Full-tuition scholarships may no crease to help our families is from the longer be given, she said. college." Hess said. The highest award given was frozen at Another Schmitt's ~ Drugs the increased reason for the change was $12,500 last year, with the exception of Hess said. freshmen, two early-decision for need-based demand scbolarstnps, Hess said. The money that The limit is not set for next year, she said. !I48-5911OoFAX-K76-2081 55 & MAIN STiulET, WESThfINSTER , MD 21157 is saved from non-need scholarships will Hess also explained the financial aid go towards need-based grants, she said. process. She said students can get flnan- -Fax and t:opy Service ''The priority in my position is definitely cial aid simply by demonstrating their FREE LOCAL .p,mpuleri'.cd Prescription Servia .1A fir. "1hn Service to help the families with financial need," need. "We use a formula to bridge the DI;:LlVERY 'Bccr-WilK.~-l.lq.. ~ ·1.uncl,,'.oncUc she said. gap of what it costs and what the family anda The need for financial aid has grown can afford," abe said. MON.-fiRl. X::lO AM,61'M - SAT. I) AM-.1IIM To tbose students who don't think 10% student I'AMKINC;IN «1'1\« because the two-year recession has re- Hess aid policy is fair, Hess said, incomes, many families' discountWE AL'U"''' MOST'IRI) I'MTY 1~'.sCR:1l0N I'I.ANS duced She said some parents have been the financial is a real hard issue to discuss said. "Fairness laid off, gotten pay cuts, or bad their when it comes down to financial aid."