Page 82 - ThePhoenix1997-98

Thursday, December 11, 1997 - Page 6 NEWS Honors speaker addresses issue of world refugee crisis statelessness in his lecture. This occurs when !IV NICKI KAs..sOUS AJsiJlilnf Features Edi/m refugees find themselves without a nation- ality because of the breakup of their home- Anne Willem Bijleveld, regional repre- land. Bijleveld sees this as a very serious sentative of the United Nations High Com- problem because "hundreds of thousands of missioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spoke at people find themselves without a national- the annual Honors Program lecture on Thurs- ity." day, December 4. In the middle of his speech, Bijlevetd in- Bijleveld has dedicated his life to provid- troduced Joanna Rircey-Donohue, vice- ing humanitarian relief for refugees. In his president of USA for UNHCR. Ritcey- speech, which was held in McDaniel Lounge, Donohue spoke about her role in the organi- he discussed some of the issues facing refu- zation and the horror stories she often hears. gees, while encouraging WMC students to "You have many a nightmare when you read become involved with the problem. and hear stories about these refugees," she ''Today we're dealing with 22 million said. people of concern," said Bijleveld as he dis- Bijleveld told the 100 people in atten- cussed the scope of the problem. One of the dance that there are no easy answers to the key factors causing an increase in the num- refugee problem. "In the world of today ber of refugees is the increase in democracy there are no more easy answer, there are no across the globe. Although the spread of more solutions," he said. Bijlcveld then told democracy is beneficial, there are currently the students, "I shove the ball into your 35 civil wars going on around the world ac- court," encouraging them to become in- cording to Bijleveld. volved. Bijleveld's mission is to help individuals A question-answer period followed JOSE (JUBA) SIQUEIRA who suddenly find themselves in a war-torn Bijleveld's speech. The lecture lasted for United Nations High Commissioner Anne Willem Bijieveld presents President Robert country and decide to flee. In his speech, about an hour. WMC President Robert Chambers with a copy of his latest book about the refugee crisis. Bijleveld discussed the problem in finding a Chambers introduced Bijleveld. After the Honors Program Director Nancy Palmer According to President Chambers, part place for the refugees to go. "Fifteen years lecture, Chambers shared his impression of was impressed with the speech because it of the reason Bijleveld gave the lecture was ago the refugee camps were accepted as a the speech. "It was fantastic, an eye-opener. "raised an intellectual and humanitarian is- to get two or three students interested in the safe haven for people. Now the camps are I think: we saw two people here tonight the sue." refugee problem. "This is a marvelously being attacked and refugees are being killed," likes of whom we have never encountered," Palmer also feels that involvement with interesting time to be involved with interna- he said. he said. the refugee problem can provide students tional relations," said Chambers. In some cases, this ends up leading a refu- Senior Valerie Kann is currently enrolled with an ideal way to impact the world. "Stu- gee to return to their homeland because they in the honors senior seminar which deals with dents are eager to go out into the world and Any students interested in becoming in- "have to go back if they want to stay alive," immigration. "It was good to hear someone act on impulses to change the world and volved should contact Joanna Ritcey- according to Bijleveld. who had personal experience as a culmina- make it a better place. He provided an op- Donohue at (202) 296-1155 or the UNHCR Bijleveld also discussed the problem of tion to our class," she said. home page at www.usaforunhcr.org. portunity to do that," she said. On-campus bars Continued from page J Bosley disagrees with citing fewer drunk But when furniture started being destroyed alcohol and keep itself open, Alexander said. driving incidents as justification for on-cam- and the atmosphere got a little out of hand, that the best way to deal with campus alco- with down" wasn't hol problems to "clamp In order to make enough money, the col- pus drinking establishments. "If people are the pub started enforcing a limit and cutting lege would have to do promotions and happy going to be irresponsible, they'll be irrespon- students off after a certain number of drinks, policies, but focus on education and "lighten sanctions up" on drinking where there is no hours to bring in drinkers, but a "Drink Till sible on campus or off campus," she said. Alexander said. damage involved. You Drop" night isn't exactly compatible Alexander said he wishes that a regular Bosley said that having an on-campus According to Sayre, the combination of with the responsible drinking attitude the pub would work here again. On a personal pub would be "a mistake, because it gives a providing more alcohol-free social events for school tries to teach, Alexander said. level, he said it's "always nice to have a place conflicting message." She believes that such abstaining students and events that stress According to a report in the November for people to kick back." But professionally, an establishment would just promote alco- responsible drinking for those who choose 10 edition of the Baltimore' Sun, the other Alexander recognizes that a pub wouldn't be hol use, which is "not why we're here." to use alcohol "would fit in with the spirit of Maryland schools have become "deliberately a lucrative venture, and eligible students Bosley also wonders whether it is just the this report." - and unapologetically - 'wet,'" so that stu- would see it as too limited to patronize it alcohol or whether the hours and entertain- It is still possible for campus organiza- dents can enjoy beer, food, and entertainment regularly. ment make these pubs so popular. She said tions to sponsor events with alcohol at WMC. without having to venture off-campus and WMC's pub originally made a lot of that WMC's own "dry" Pub has become a If a group wants the privilege of serving al- risk possible drunk driving accidents. money, according to Alexander, going lot more popular now that the hours have cohol, they must fit! out an Alcohol Bever- Health Education Coordinator Bonnie through almost eight kegs of beer a night. been extended. age Request form and submit it to the Col- She is also against the idea because she lege Activities Office. NEED CASH? CLASSIFIEDS said alcohol isn't necessary in order to relax Signing the form means that the organi- of school spirit. regulations TELEMARKETING SPRING BREAK '98 or have an atmosphere of WMC students be- zation agrees to the school's rules include gov- no However, "S4% alcohol use. These erning Internet Publishing finn in Sell Trips, Earn Cash & Go Free!!! Stu- lieve that alcohol plays a 'role or significant alcoholic beverages leaving the approved dent Travel Services is now hiring cam- role' in social life," according to a May 1997 area of the event, alcohol only being served Westminster needs pus reps/group organizers. Lowest rates report from the Presidential Commission on by a college approved server, and that only Community Behavior and Alcohol Use. telemarketers to work from to Jamaica, Mexico, & Florida. Another concern of Bosley's is how al- students able to prove that they are of 21 our office. Flexible daytime Call 1-800-648-4849 cohol usage would be monitored. She be- years of age or older may be served any al- cohol. hours, three to five days per SEIZED CARS from $175 lieves that most college campuses have no The organization must pay for all the al- drinkers in the "happy medium;" they either cohol and other supplies it requests, but ev- week. $6.00 per hour plus Porches, Cadillacs, Chevys, BMW's, Cor- don't use alcohol at all or are binge drink- erything is coordinated and provided by Col- bonus. Call 410-840-0561, or vettes. Also Jeeps, 4WD's. Your Area. ers. lege Activities. According to Alexander, the for cur- Toll Free I-SOO-21S-9000A-3327 e-mail us at AmeriMall! rent listings. However, the report from the Presiden- total cost of such an event is about $150, in- tial Commission on Alcohol Use, of which cluding a half-keg or two depending on how RELIABLE SPRING Dean Sayre is chairman, reflects a different many people attend, cups, and servers. www.amerimall.com drinking atmosphere at WMC. Forum parties and Homecoming events BREAK TOURS The report says that although "alcohol are examples Alexander gave of typical al- Bahamas, Cancun & Ski Trips! does playa large part in social life at West- cohol activities. CAPBoard-sponsored co- FREE FOOD & FREE DRINKS! ern Maryland College, the vast majority of medians, magicians, and singers also some- Sign up before Nov. 30. Organize a students drink in moderation and responsi- times include alcohol. group-travel free. bly." A survey showed that almost one-third Alexander stressed thai although beer is Call for details and free brochure. of students at WMC drink rarely or abstain served, it is not intended to be the focus of altogether, and 40% are classified as "light the event, and said that it's "no different than CallI (888) SPRING BREAK Today! drinkers." having decorations at a party." In response to the report, Sayre decided ,)