Graffiti initiates diversity debate

Xaviergraffiti, page 1 class schedules were obtained for the residents of the first floor of Xavier.

There is no camera verification of the incidents.

The 45 residents in this area gathered in the Xavier Great Room Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. for a mandatory meeting to discuss the incidents with the steering committee.

The three events have led some students to feel disgruntled, on more than one occasion and on more than one issue. After a meeting with the Diversity Support steering committee, the residents were asked to remain and discuss the events with one another.

After only a few minutes, some students stormed out, frustrated with the direction of the meeting.

“Honestly, I think that’s out of hand. They should step up. Don’t laugh about it. Take the consequences,” Michael Belmonte, a freshman business major and Xavier resident, said after the meeting.

Others, like Chris Gaudio, were not even aware of the happenings. “I didn’t know about this until tonight,” Gaudio, a freshman physical therapy major, said.

The resident assistant in the area, Anthony Vellutato, said that

Valley Forge and is extremely happy he did so.

Valley Forge encourages the professors to get involved with the students. This was one aspect ofthe school that Halbert could not wait to be a part of. He enjoys the unique aspect of teachi ng at a military school and admires all of his students. “Just like Cabrini, there is such a wide range of students here,” Halbert said.

InhisshorttimeatValley Forge,Dr.Halberthasalready madean impact.CadetCaptainJoeDean,astudentat ValleyForge,thinksof Dr.Halbertassomeonehimselfandothercadetscanturn t o. “Dr.Halbert’sclassesare somethingtolookforwardto. H ehelpsstudents onapersonallevelandthat takesalotofintegrityand s trongmoralcharacterina schoollikeValleyForge,” Dean said.

Although there is a similarity between the love for his students at Cabrini and Valley Forge, there are differences in the atmosphere ofthe two schools. For example, something as little as role call is unique at Valley Forge. The students will walk into class acting just like Cabrini students do, talk- ing to friends, being social. However, once Halbert says, “Ready to call the class,” the students are immediately quiet and the ranking cadet calls the class toattention.

Halbert finds the respect he is given at Valley Forge to be intriguing. He gets saluted by students and can see the difference between the students who salute him because they have to and the students who salute him because they want to. Next year Halbert will become a major and wear a uniform.

The factor that sealed the deal for Halbert working at Valley Forge was the change that will be occurring next year; Valley Forge will be accepting women. Halbert commented, “I am so happy tobe able to be a part of this integration.”

Halbert teaches composition atValley Forge. He also runs the writing center and will be teachi ng literature courses in the future. Just as he did at Cabrini, Halbert has to work his way up the ladder at Valley Forge.

The two things that Halbert misses the most about Cabrini are his students and staff. He would have loved to say at Cabrini if the relationship between him and administration was different.

Halbert expressed that he does not keep in contact with his students as much as he would like to. He wants all his students to know that he will still write them letters of recommendation.

Dr. Halbert is not soon forgotten by his former students. Senior Ryan McCarthy, an English and communication major, defined Halbert as his favorite teacher.

“Dr.Halbertwasthefirst teacher to welcome me into the Cabrini College community. He is not like most teachers; he understands his students and what they are going through,” McCarthy said.

Halbert will always be thankful for his time at Cabrini.

“I debated whether or not to announce to my students that I was leaving. While I didn’t want them to think I abandoned them, Ididn’t want to cause a fuss over my departure,” Halbert said. He will never forget his former students and is proud of the difference he made two of his residents cleaned one of the markings. “They felt bad,” he said. “Many want to figure out who it was and then obviously get him offthe floor.”

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McCormick, dean of academic affairs, has the same sentiment. At the meeting, he said, “We weren’t meant for each other.You showed us you don’t want to be in our community,so we will show you we don’twant you in our community.”

McCormick said that the punishment for these acts is expulsion.

No one has taken responsibility for the events, but, all leads will be pursued in the case, as “nothing is unworthy,” McCormick said.

The committee was originally created in 2003 to prevent future incidents of racism and graffiti. Aswastika was made out of shaving cream on a door,also in Xavier Hall, in the spring of 2003.

Students who feel that they have been treated in an intolerant, biased or discriminatory manner because of their age, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or geographic origin can receive help by contacting any of the steering committee members or by emailing diversitysupport@cabrini.edu.