Page 82 - ThePhoenix1996-97

Thursday, December 12, 1996 - Page 2 COMMENTARY Staff R tJ M IN AT ION S Editor-In-Chief Michelle A. Hamilton '98 ------------11 MichelleHamilton.1--------- Managing Editor Sarah E. Sbeckells '97 As my last editorial as editor in chief of without, the paper would .be impossible. take risks necessary in learning, would not Advertising Manager The Phoenix, Iwould like to thank all of those With highest confidence, Ihave chosen from learn skills of discrimination and decision who have made my job over the past year Sara Gruber '99 that staff sophomore Sports Editor Carolyn making, and we certainly couldn't "think rewarding. It is difficult enough to manage Barnes to take over the responsibilities of dangerously." News Editors a staff, and almost impossible to do it in an the paper. While many people have cooper- The Phoenix serves as a training ground Grant A. Rice '99 unsupportive environment. The majority of ated with The Phoenix, I do hope for the time for journalists, and by cutting off connec- Christian Wilwohl '98 administrators, faculty, staff and students at of Barnes' tenure that there will more coop- tions with the paper, individuals are inhibit- WMC have been .fuUy supportive of The eration from select groups on campus. ing the learning process. The college needs Features Editor Phoenix. They have granted last minute in- The campus needs to decide for the next to decide what type of journalistic experi- Jennifer Vick '98 terviews, critically complemented and criti- year, as The Phoenix continues to improve ence it wishes to have for its students and cized the paper, and brought upcoming events in quality, what type of educational experi- what type of reputation it wants in this aca- Sports Editor to our attention. ence it wants for the students working on demic area. The Phoenix has proven its Carolyn Barnes '99 Student support and readership has grown the paper. During my time with The Phoe- dedication to professionalism through its which is shown by the effective use of let- nix, I have had at least two separate depart- many improvements in the quality of stories, Photography Editor ters to the editors. The Phoenix has succes- ments prohibit some or all of their employ- the thoroughness of coverage, accuracy of Meghan Joyce '99 sively evolved over the past few years as an ees from talking the campus press. While it events, and overall appearance. This pro- effective student forum where students can is their right to take this position, I question fessionalism must be matched by other mem- Computer Consultant be heard and taken seriously. whether this educationally is the best posi- bers of the WMC community or the college Heather Brinkhous '97 Many students, faculty and staff have per- tion for students. will be forever limited in the type of experi- sonally called to compliment The Phoenix on Since we are a college paper, Iapologize ences it can offer potential journalists. Genera. Staff its improvements. These calls and notes have ahead of time for the mistakes that are cer- I would like to thank all of those who Ruth Bradley '97 been appreciated and often times have served tain to be made at some point. These mis- have worked cooperatively with The Phoe- Dan Callahan '00 as the motivating factor for the staff. It is takes, however, are what learning is all about. nix for their confidence and support. I also Aaron Corbett '99 not only by criticism, but by compliments as If every organization placed a ban on em- would like to invite those who refuse to par- Adam Dean '98 well that we know which areas to improve ployees speaking to The Phoenix, the paper ticipate in The Phoenix's learning process to Julie Edwards '99 and continue working on. Thank you. would not serve as a voice for the students reconsider their position and decide what As the editorship of TIle Phoenixchanges, or as an educational tool. It would simply Tom Gill '97 type of educational experience they want I am leaving behind a motivated staff who be another PR piece. Students would not Kate Hampson '00 under the new editorship. Faye Ingram '99 Nicki Kassolis '99 LOCK AND KEY Maggie Kimura '99 Jeremy Lopus '00 Outonthefann I JonathonShacat I Mike Puskar '99 The number of study abroad participants Kerri Reyelt '97 About five miles due southwest of the to rise. "It will definitely increase is expected Francesca Saylor '00 WMC campus, there is a 68 acre paradise. our percentages of study abroad students," Jonathon Shacar '98 Two ponds, a stream, some barns, and three, said Williams. The loan is a financial re- Sarah Snell '97 houses can be found on this forest covered land. source that students did not have access. to Cameron Speir '97 The property, called the Singleton before. "It may bridge the gap between the Rich Suchoski '00 financial aid and what they can afford." Shannon Tinney '99 Mathews Farm, is owned by the college; one- Motard-Noar agrees. By offering this third of the land was bequeathed to the col- Jessica Watts '98 loan, some students will have the opportu- Heather Woods '99 lege by Marthiel Mathews in 1987 at which event there would be a "change of pace" for time the remaining two-thirds was purchased the students. He is right. However, nothing nity to afford their dream, she said. ''This Advisers for $260,000 from Johns Hopkins University, is held there that students can attend. Maybe might be (he bridge that will make it hap- pen." Herb Smith to which Charles Singleton had willed his CAPBoard could plan an event there. Or Maryann Suehle portion, according to the Hill magazine, Au- perhaps, as Seidel himself suggested, orien- The maximum amount that can be bor- gust 1989. tation and senior week events could take rowed is $3000 per academic year. I! is a The three houses located there are rented place on the property. Any way you look at loan, but it is potentially a free loan. If it is out. The money collected pays for the up- it, it is there and it should be used. repaid in full during the first year, only the keep of the land, said Ethan Seidel, vice presi- $$$ for study abroad principal is due. Otherwise, the borrower The Phoenix is published biweekly. dent of administration and finance. The col- The number ofWMC students who study will have 10 pay interest on the amount. For The opinions expressed do not necessar- lege hopes to sell part of the land someday. abroad each semester is about six, accord- more information contact the financial aid ily represent those of The Phoenix staff, It has plotted out seven lots and would like ing to Martine Morard-Noar, the study office at extension 233. Faw interviews the faculty, or the administrators of to sell them. This idea is only in the plan- abroad director, but that amount might go those students who apply for the loan. WMC. ning stages, said Seidel. He would like to up soon. At least now study abroad is a bit more The paper welcomes free-lance sub- The reason for the current low number is feasible at Western Maryland College. faculty, administrators, missions on Macintosh disks in most see WMC there someday. or alumni because WMC financial aid does not trans- Books and such residing word processor formats. The editor re- The college plans to allow development fer to a study abroad program, said Patti Just like every business in the world, the serves the right to edit for clarity, length, there even though, according to the Hill, the Williams, financial aid director. WMC bookstore, owned by Barnes and and libel and to publish as space permits. The financial aid office is trying to make Nobles, is trying to increase its sales. They All submissions (excluding self-ad- Singletons and Mathewes wanted the enure study abroad more affordable, though. As are expanding their product line. It was and still area to remain a study/retreat. dressed diskettes) become Ihe property is a concern to "make sure not to violate the of January, a loan fund called the Student "People go to malls to get books for gifts of The Phoenix and cannot be returned. intentions of Mrs. Mathews and Professor Emergency Loan Fund (SELF) will be avail- for holiday shopping," explains Thor Please include a name and phone Singleton," said Seidel. The college is going able to WMC students who wish to study Johnson, the bookstore manager, "and we number for verification. Names will be to limit the designs of the houses when the abroad. now offer [that merchandise] on campus." withheld only by the discretion of the buyers build them and the lots are all located WMC alumnus Robert D. Faw estab- The general book selection has increased Editor-in-Chief. along the county road rather than in the heart lished the loan fund.in 1987. It was intended 100 percent since last year at this time, said The Phoenix does not discriminate of the land, said Seidel to aid those students who were in need of Johnson. based on age, race, religion, gender, Except for the occasional meeting or get- money due to an emergency. However, the Competitive prices have been placed on sexual orientation, national origin, con- together, this property is currently used very loan fund was never used; probably because certain items in the bookstore. What they dition of handicap, or marital status. are selling in the bookstore is considerably little by the college, said Seidel. "It has a lot all other forms of aid had to be exhausted of potential, but right now we have other pri- before a student could apply, said Williams. cheaper than what is sold at other stores. Mail to: Several books are for sale at discounted orities." Seidel cites events such as the plan- It has been extended to aid those students The Phoenix who study abroad. prices. Barnes and Nobles can sell them for WMC, 2 College Hill ning of the Capital Campaign launch and the cheaper prices because it purchases in bulk Westminster, MD 2J 157 recent renovations of several buildings as the Faw is in favor of the concept of study- quantities. reason that minimal thought has been given ing abroad. "I have traveled all over the 10 the possible uses of this space. world and I know how valuable it is," he said. Due to an educational discount, prices of (410) 751·8600 It is a facility the college owns that we "Traveling is broadening. It helps to com- computer software programs also have been (410) 876-2055, ext 8600 could be doing a lot more with for the col- plete one's education to see how other discounted. To be eligible for this discount, FAX, (410) 857·2729 people, cultures live." Continued on page 4 lege community, said SeideL Going to an