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CHIPS LUTHER COLLEGE
“Let the chips fall where they may.”
November 1, 2012
Vol. 135, No. 8
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Since 1884
Student vote 2012:
Platform Forum Sarah King
Bailey Mulholland/Chips
Passionate predictions. Guest lecturer and economist Chris Martenson explains environmental, economic and energy issues of the future, emphasizing the importance of community action.
Martenson envisions economic, energy and environmental solutions Bailey Mulholland
Staff WRiter the world.
Visiting economist Chris Martenson offered a refreshing take on economic and environmental issues Tuesday, Oct. 23. Martenson addressed practical ways people can confront impending economic and energy-related changes in his lecture “The Essential Insights for Prospering in Our Increasingly Uncertain Future,” hosted by the Center for Ethics and Public Life. In his presentation he emphasized the interrelation between “The Three Es” of Environment, Economy and Energy, stressing that nothing can be considered in isolation anymore. Exponential growth of debt and resource usage has been rapidly transforming
However, Martenson believes that working together can prevent people from becoming helpless victims of an unpredictable economy. “We are talking not only about our individual but collective futures,” Martenson said. Director of the Center for Ethics and Public Life Greg Jesson invited Martenson to speak at the college. Jesson appreciated Martenson’s focus on emotional resilience, personal responsibility and promotion of “following the evidence.” “What I really liked that he said is ‘I can’t
News Editor
Luther students gathered to learn about party platforms at the Student Senate sponsored Presidential Forum Tuesday, Oct. 22. The forum brought together many Luther students and faculty. The Student Senate Special Events Committee, chaired by Gen Becker (‘14), organized the event. The Forensic Speech and Debate Team was also involved in preparing the LC Democrat and LC Republican panel representatives. President of LC Republicans Aime Karam (‘15) explained that the forum was not actually about the candidates themselves, but rather the political parties’ platforms. “For the Luther College Republicans, they feel that one politician cannot define the platform,” Karam said. “Some people are not supporting Romney in my group, and some are.” At the forum, a panel of members from LC Democrats and LC Republicans prepared answers to questions about each party’s platform. The main issues brought up were subsidizing college education, immigration, gun rights, LGBTQ issues and women’s reproductive rights. In explaining each party’s stance on these issues, Karam hopes students supporting different parties can use it as an opportunity to set aside any negative feelings that are not uncommon during and after the election season. “Just because we are voting for different people doesn’t mean we need to dislike each other,” Karam said. “Both platforms focus on the reunification of people and using the American spirit to help move our country in the right direction, and that’s the important part.” Professor of Political Science John Moeller moderated the forum. Moeller explained how the forum was conducted. “Each side had two minutes to respond,” Moeller said. “This was designed, I was told, as more of an informational session than a give and take debate. In the last 15 minutes, questions came from the audience.” Assistant Dean of Student Life Jane Hildebrand (‘74) finds forums like this to be vital to college students who may have Student vote
Martenson lecture
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Board of Regents reveals sources of revenue Brita Moore
Staff Writer
The Board of Regents met on Oct. 26 and 27 to discuss important issues facing the college in 201213. Members of the board discussed philanthropy at length, as alumni donations provide a large source of financial aid for current students. Doug Mason, a partner at the Gonser Gerber Company gave a presentation entitled “The Role of the Board in Institutional Philanthropy.” “This can be some of the most rewarding and memorable work you can do for the college and transform lives through education,” Mason said of
fundraising. The variety of organizations that rely on donor dollars creates competition, and Mason’s presentation demonstrated why giving to Luther is important. “Luther provides a place that very few others do in the world,” board member Marsha Olch (‘82) said. “I don’t want it to go away because people can’t afford it.” The alumni efforts are less obvious to students, who see financial aid packages but are often unaware of the source of the money. “We appreciate the financial aid, but we don’t see it as coming from the alumni,” Student Activities Council President Charlie Bruer (‘13) said. “We see
it as coming from the college.” Bruer also gave a presentation at the general business meeting about student leadership and service activities, including a SAC spring break service trip to Denver. “The kind of people Luther attracts have strong community values and feel a sense of service to their fellow students and across the world,” Bruer said. Student Senate President Charles Banta (‘13) and Diversity Council President Oketekyie DakwaAgyekum (‘13) are the other two students who sit on Board meeting continued on page 10