A weekly publication by Loras College students
Vol. 90, Issue 2
Language lessons lessen gaps by DEEPA SAGAR staff writer
9/11 caused many to take a step back and group fellow Americans. Those who were our friends and neighbors turned into our “enemies” because these neighbors practiced Islam and knew Arabic. It has been ten years since the tragic incident. Life has given way to new hope to many Americans since that day. Everything else in the U.S. seems to have evolved for the better for most citizens. However, there is group in America who are disrespected and stereotyped; they are our Islamic neighbors. In airports they are singled out for practicing their God-given rights for simply talking in their native tongue. Authorities react to the Arabic language like an emergency alarm. Passengers take a step backward at the sight of a person in burqa. As diversity is being introduced to the Dubuque community, Loras College, a liberal Arts institute has taken an approach to assist. The school is introducing Arabic classes for students. John Eby, history teacher and director of the honors program says students have the responsibility to engage in a meaningful way with the diversity of the world. The most important factor in that is listening and learning, prerequisites to Jesus’ command to “love thy neighbor.” The Arabic language, taught by Dr. Shaykh Ali, at Loras is accessible to the entire student body and faculty. It is not a traditional class, so there will be no credit given for attending this class. The cost for taking this exotic class is extremely low compared to other classes offered at Loras. Eby encourages everyone to give it a shot. “Students will be able to learn to recognize and read words in Arabic. Grammar in the class is not a major focus for this semester, which can be a relief to many of our students. Along with Arabic, Quran is also being taught in the campus.” Eby’s motive, shared along with many other college students, is to come to the class to nurture their friendships and to learn even more on how to love God. “Our Quran discussions have, without a doubt. enriched my Christian faith and identity,” said Eby.
Sept. 15, 2011
iillustration courtesy of LORAS COLLEGE
An architectural rendering of a portion of the Loras Parkway, from the corner of Loras Boulevard. The smokestack will stay in its current location
Picture-perfect parkway The primary goal for the reconstruction of Cox Street is to be completely sustainable by NICK JOOS
executive editor
The roots for the Loras Parkway, formally known as Cox Street, will be planted in the next few weeks, with construction starting soon, and continuing for several years. The initial tasks of Phase One of the 4-part project will be conducted by the Loras Physical Plant. This phase will include bringing in gravel and preparing for the safety of students by setting up signs. One of the signs will be not unlike those that adorned the Cafe last year; they will show what the completed project will look like. While the finished product is years away, Phase One is extremely important to the longevity of the Parkway. Phase One tasks include installing drainage waterways, planting various vegetation and foliage, and generally bolstering the infrastructure of the area. The goal is for the area to be completely sustainable. The overall cost of Phase One will be a hair over 550,000 dollars, and every dime used for the project will be paid for through individual gifts and grants from corporations and organizations. Loras is still accepting and reviewing contracting bids for the lengthy project. Therefore, completion estimates for Phase One land sometime before the end of the academic year, (2012) but President Jim Collins says all estimates are just that — educated guesses. “When you have a government grant there’s a series of
processes and protocols you have to follow,” he said. “For instance, we have to submit three different bids to construction engineers, and from that, select the lowest cost provider. It’s more laborious than a private grant, and that’s why the completion date must be fluid.” The construction will not interrupt the everyday bustle between upper and lower campus. John McDermott, director of the Physical Plant, says if there are, for whatever reason, blockages to the street and main passages, the footbridge above Cox Street will remain untouched and fully functional. The lower ACC parking lot will also be unaffected from the first wave of construction. Construction work will be going on during normal daytime hours, so students must be wary of equipment and workers going about their duties. President Collins doesn’t see any need to be worried. “We’ll provide a safe zone,” he said. “I hope students and community members are respectful of the workers’ property. I don’t think we will have any issues with that.” With the closure to the southern part of Cox Street, points have been raised about the maintenance to the rather steep northern section, which allows access to Kirkwood St., Angella St., W. 17th St., the Graber Sports Complex, and the Athletic Wellness Canter’s parking lot. The City of Dubuque has reviewed the situation, and they will indeed pay greater attention to the snow removal and salting process on the rather steep incline that makes up the winter maintenance schedule. Keep track of Myduhawk.com, LCTV, and the Lorian for further updates when they become available.
Calling all seniors by PATRICK O’GRADY staff writer
photo by Meghan Delaney
Parking lot ... or boat dock?
On one July night, the Dubuque area received more than 15 inches of rain in about 10 hours. Turn to Page 2 for more.
Senior Class President Nicholas Satterlee needs your help. It is a tradition at Loras that the graduating seniors offer a Senior Class Gift; a way for Loras graduates to give back to their soon to be alma mater, exemplify the disposition of responsible contributing, and leave a little bit of a legacy along the way. The Class of 2012 will be no exception, as Senior Class President Nicholas Satterlee prepares to lead the effort. “In the past, seniors have always given a senior class gift,” says Satterlee. “My goal for the gift is to get what the students want. I want to hear feedback from the students. If the [Senior Class] officers and I come up with an idea and it’s not what our constituents want, we’re not going to get the funding to get the job done. This needs to be about the students. I want to push our seniors this year to talk to their class officers and work to develop some really good ideas.”
In kicking off this endeavor, it is clear to see that Satterlee and the other Senior class officers are taking the populist approach and creating a legacy by the students, for the students, an approach that will, no doubt, be a popular one. So what can seniors look forward to as this process moves forward? “We’re going to have a revealing of the gift in November or December, along with a class social,” says Satterlee. It’s a good opportunity for us to get together as a class, socialize, and bid farewell to the December graduates.” “The reality of Student Senate is that we can’t do anything unless students are engaged,” says Satterlee. “The reality is, unless we hear from the seniors, we won’t be able to make this senior gift a reality.” In the end, it is all up to the Class of 2012 to develop the senior class gift to “be more.” Ideas for the senior class gift may be sent to Senior Class President Nicholas Satterlee at Nicholas.Satterlee@loras. edu or Senior Class Vice President Aaron Junge at Aaron.Junge@loras.edu.