RememberingthegoodoleCabrinidays EDITORIAL Silenceof the students

Although students expressed the sentiment that the faculty take them seriously, they also felt they were unable to challenge professors and teachers in their classes.

This contradiction was a result found in a recent survey administered to students. In comparison with 80 percent of the students from four-year Catholic colleges surveyed, 65 percent of Cabrini students would not challenge their teachers on ideas presented in classes. On the other hand, 51 percent of Cabrini students believe the faculty respect them and take them seriously, while 39 percent nationally think the same.

If students feel their professors treat them genuinely, then why do they not feel cornfortable or confident enough to speak up in class and question the concepts their teachers are presenting?

We have a few reasons for students' lack of participation. There is a high school mentality that exists on this campus. Many students get by without preparing for classes. Naturally, these students are not going to speak up in classes because of their lack of knowledge on the material. In addition, other students do not express their beliefs in classes •for fear of ridicule from fellow classmates or from being wrong.

The blame for the deficiency of students contributing their opinions in classes does not lie completely on the students themselves. Some professors structure their classes in a manner that does not permit discussion Students can not speak out if they are not afforded the opportunity to do so.

In order to eliminate the paradox that exists where students do not particpate even though they feel their teachers are sincere, we have some suggestions. Workshops could be organized that instruct faculty on how to get students more actively involved in class discussions. Above all, students need to realize they are no longer in high school and a college environment requires actual dedication and exertion.

RON D'ORAZIO

As I come within two months of graduation, I can definitely say that Cabrini, for the most part, has been a positive four-year experience. I have been given many opportunities here that I would not have been able to receive at other schools until late in my college career. The opportunities have held especially true when it concerns my major.

I am an English/communication major and have had the opportunity to work on the newspaper, the radio station and in the television studio in my first two years. If I had chosen a larger school, the aforementioned experiences may not have been available until my junior or senior year.

College life in itself is an experience that I would do over again in a heartbeat. The students of the college, on the whole, are good people, and I have been able to make many friends here that I am sure to keep for a long time.

The college experience was cruising along for me until this year. My senior year, the year I graduate. Graduation, an experience that one is supposed to be treasured throughout life, has become a large source of debate amongst seniors and administration.

After last year's debacle at the Dixon Center, the administration, for the first time in 30 years, wanted to cut the number of people at graduation to four tickets per person.

In addition to not wanting graduation inside, seniors wanted the same freedom that previous classes had enjoyed. We held numerous meetings to decide how to plead our case. Of course, we were discouraged from fighting by such sayings as "this school is not a democracy."

How about that? We, the students, cannot have OUR graduation where we want it at a school which we (or our parents) pay to attend. Additionally, the administration said that we can have the ceremony outside, with only three people allowed to attend with us.

The problem is that most students have twice that number of immediate family members. So, I guess we were expected to exclude some people in our family. No brother and sister for me, just one or the other.

Finally, a reporter for the Loquitur revealed the administration changed their minds again, allowing other family members to attend. The seniors now have what they set out for, a graduation to their liking.

By the way, Dr. Robert Bonfiglio said that the other guests will not be able to see or hear the ceremony. The administration needed to get their last two digs in after they did not get what they wanted. I just do not understand how they can dictate where we can or cannot graduate when they charge as much as do to go here.

After a 9.5 percent increase in tuition last year, there was a public outcry. This year, the school raised the tuition 9.7 percent and really got people steamed. The paper printed many letters and editorials expressing student disgust in reference to the tuition hike.

When inflation is only 2 or 3 percent, it makes you wonder how a school figures out a need to raise tuition almost 10 percent.

With the school cutting off residences at a certain point and Cabrini, in my opinion, way behind other schools in the technological field, I cannot fathom such a large increase.

Since I am a sports person, I am hoping to see the extra money put towards meaningful projects, such as building a softball field for the Lady Cavs to play on.

The school is thinking of re-vamping a pond at the front of campus. but somehow cannot give their team a home field.

Do you really think that a pond will bring more students to the school than a new softball field? The fact that the Lady Cavs have to play at a high school is an absolute disgrace.

As I depart from Cabrini, I wish all the remaining students good luck and I hope that the administration actually starts working for the students.

RonD'Oraziois a seniormajoringin English/communication. Heis oneof Loquitur'ssportseditors.Heis a bitteryoungman.