Willyoudo it for a ScoobySnack?

Much like the cartoon character Scooby Doo was persuaded to walk down a dark corridor with his beloved Scooby snacks, Cabrini students were persuaded to go to Cabrini Day this past Thursday.

The snack in question was grades-good grades-if one attended Cabrini day ceremonies. So like Scooby Doo hyped on Scooby snack goodness, the Cabrini College students uttered a "rokay Raggy" and made their exodus from the warm confines of their beds to partake in the holiday of Cabrini Day.

However, it was for the wrong reasons.

Cabrini day is one of the last pure events this College has and one of our best traditions. Why should it be trivialized by students who attend for the wrong reasons?

Granted, the typical student on this campus is too lazy to even walk up to a CAP board-sponsored event. It would make sense that to get them to do something outside of their dorm rooms the college would have to coax them somehow.

The incentive in question, however, is not the answer. I am a senior and have gone to just about every Cabrini Day event my four years here, with or without incentives-most of the time without. I am not asking for retribution for that. A pat on the back is not required. The reward most students will find is in attending the workshops and listening to the message. It was disturbing to me to see people lined up outside of Grace Hall to see the award presentation-not to get their seats, but to put their names on a signup sheet so that they can have proof they were there.

For those who stayed, Chris Burke, this year's Cabrini award a good turnout. That being the case, I would much rather have 100 students attend who want to than have 700 who are going to the day for the wrong reasons. winner, gave a very moving speech that was worth the crowded conditions to hear. If people had been wooed to come to the celebration through advertisements and messages from teachers instead of grade satisfaction, perhaps more of them would have enjoyed the speech for the content as well. Chris Burke talked about volunteerism among other things in his speech. Surely we, as a campus, can look within ourselves and at least donate one day to the learning of community service without having to be rewarded with personal gain for our service.

The solution, I feel, lies in the promotion and advertisement of Cabrini day. I feel that the administration organizing the event needs to take it upon themselves, to advertise what Cabrini Day is all about. There is so much thought and planning for the event itself, but it seems like there is little planning to advertise the event.

I personally was astonished to learn that teachers were offering as much as seven extra points on their final grades if they were to attend Cabrini Day.

I suppose the driving force between this grade dangling is to get

One of the things that needs to get advertised better is the content of Cabrini day. If this happens you will get students to come for interest instead of self-interest. This year the only advertisement that I saw was the little purple pamphlet they put in boxes two days before.

Finally, I feel the responsibility to show up and change the direction of Cabrini Day falls on the students themselves. Students need to take the initiative to inform themselves and to try to exemplify the message of Cabrini day. As tantalizing as good grades may seem, what does that say about us, the students? Aie we really that lazy that it takes bribery to get us out of the dorms? If that is the case, why are we that apathetic as a whole? I challenge the entire community to try their hands at service instead of selfishness. Chances are they will feel a positive change.

PaulMoseris a seniormajoringin English/ communication.Heis oneof Loquitur's sportseditors.Hedoesnotbelievein sleep.

LETTERS To THE EDITOR Down Syndromeis not to be overlooked

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to you in reference to an article on page 4 of the Oct. 29, 1998 issue of the Loquitur. In the article about Chris Burke, you improperly spelled Down Syndrome. It's not Down's Syndrome, just Down Syndrome.

I frequently attend the Delaware County Down Syndrome Interest Group meetings and they often bring up how offending it is to a person born with the Down Syndrome, as well as their family and friends, when people improperly spell or pronounce Down Syn-

Feelingthe pain where othersdo not

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the article printed in this past week's Loquitur regarding the incident with "Princess" and the weapon found in Xavier Hall. I give Nicole Klimas the utmost respect for her sensitive and factual report of the incident. However, I must say that I was very surprised to find such sensitivity after the abrupt, disconcerting front cover. To those such as myself who once considered ourselves friends with Princess, this was extremely disturbing and deemed inappropriate. When my friend, a resident assistant in Xavier Hall, showed me the cover as we walked back to Xavier this afternoon, I nearly fell over. The ridiculous obscenity of such a picture nearly matches that of the actual incident.

The editorial was well written, but evoked a sense of perhaps unnecessary fear. No one is truly aware of what Princess is capable of, and I too, as a friend, am quite fearful. However, to create panic on campus is no way to deal with the emotional aspect of the situation. Rumors of a hit list were already dismissed as mere rumors

(which was duly noted in Klimas' article), but were perpetuated in the editorial. This was irresponsible reporting.

Please understand that I in no way condone what Princess did. It was wrong to have a gun on school property and the many stories coming out as for how and why it was there, including what she herself has told me, give me no conclusions or comfort. I cannot say that Princess never did anything wrong, but I can tell you that she had moments where she came through for me as a friend when no one else could. She has a deep, but obviously confused, heart.

It was not reported in the Loquitur article, but I would also like to take this opportunity to comment on the meeting that was held for the residents of Xavier Hall regarding the incident. I give the school and resident life staff, especially Dawn Rocci, a great deal of credit for the way they have handled the incident. Every precaution has been taken and the utmost care has been given for the students. The student body living in Xavier were the ones who gave drome or refer to them as people ~ith "Down's." I just thought I'd bring that to your attention.

Sincerely,

A Special Education Student me the difficulty. Many rude, insensitive individuals who reside in our haJI set themselves up as judge, jury and prosecution that night. Regardless of what the school decides for Princess' future with or without Cabrini, she will find it nearly impossible to be able to return to Cabrini because of the attitudes now present in our residence hall. If anyone had stayed through the end of the meeting instead of so quickly returning to the parties and drinking of the evening, they would have seen the hysterical crying that took over several individuals due to the insensitivity of their fellow residents. I ask that the Cabrini community take the time to think about what could have led a fellow student to feel the need to keep a gun in her room. If you think it through, perhaps you too will develop some sensitivity to the broken heart of such a young women. Because of the attitudes present in the Cabrini community regarding the situation, I refuse to include my name.

A saddened friend

Thumbsupandthumbsdown

To the Dixon Center, for signing out the squash courts until further notice. Thanks for looking out for your students' needs. E-mailus.

Spend three nightswith BILL: The typical Cabrini student

by Mike McGann and Joe Elliott

To my teachers, for giving us off for class on Cabrini Day. This enabled me to catch up on needed sleep and homework.

We'll almost certainly print your comments, especially if they are well thought out and about a relevant subject. Letters should be sent by noon on Mondays. Don't forget to include your name.

E-mail us at 1aura44@xavier.cabrini.edu compiled by Joe Elliott perspectives editor r'T''-

To Brothers Past, for playing a great show on Thursday night.

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