The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 55, Issue 1 - September 6, 1977

Vol, 55, No. 1 Loyola Marymount University September 6, 1977 WITH BELONGINGS IN HAND and a determined look on her face, this freshperson, one of almost 800 in her class, appears ready for any challenge college might offer. More photos of Orientation Week are on Page 13. (Loyolan photo by Nels Israelson) LMU students fight housing discrimination Efforts bv LMU students oyer Plaza apartments, which house fhe summer helped advance the several hundred LMU students, as legislative progress of AB 1 032 , the being one of the worst offenders in bill that would outlaw discrimina- the area, tion against students seeking hous- “After what I’ve gone through ing. However, there’s still a long this year, I wouldn’t send anyone to way to go, according to Fran the Plaza next year,” she com - Williams, LMU’s coordinator of mented, adding that students there off-campus housing. must pay higher deposits than Despite discriminatory practices, other tenants, and have to sign 10- Williams was still able to place month leases, about 400 students seeking housing Williams noted that the entire this summer, a feat she called “a Plava Del Rey area in general tends small miracle.” Williams, along to reject students out of hand. Ir. with her Referral Center staff, one instance, at the Barcelona received little or no cooperation Apartments on Delgany Street, from large apartment complexes in students were told by the manager the area. not to even bother applying for a Indeed, such complexes are often vacant apartment because the the most notorious when it come$ owner of the building considered to refusing students, and last week renters a ‘‘competitive market” Williams complained bitterly about that he could pick and choose from, the obstacles that students often and that he was currently not face when seeking housing. picking students. “They say students make too Another tactic used by apartment much noise, or they don’t pay their managers is to hold a student’s rent on time. It all seems kind of rent deposit, sometimes as much as petty,” she said, adding that often, three weeks, only to then refuse students are subjected to special them. Williams reported that stu- rent rates, occupancy limits, and dents applying at the Buena Vida 10- month leases that regular ten- apartments in El Segundo had ants in the same buildings do not experienced this, as well as at face. . Cross Creek in PI ay a Del Rey, She singled out the Manchester (Continued on Page 3) Inside Venice rent strike .... .... . . . Page 8 Tenants in a run-down building in Venice are protesting huge rent increases by staging a rent strike that has been going on for more than six weeks. The owners are trying to evict the tenants, the tenants are suing the owners, and the whole situation goes to court this week. Farewell to Groucho . Щ . . . . . Page 14 LMU graduate and former Loyolan film reviewer Paul Stiver, who interviewed Groucho Marx in 1974, pays tribute to the late comedian and recalls the accomplishments of his long, rewarding life. Construction of 'garden-type' apartments to begin this fall by Michelle Vranizan Construction on a new resident apartment complex will begin with¬ in the next few months, according to Dr. Thomas Quinlan, vice presi¬ dent of Student Affairs. The three- story complex will contain approxi¬ mately 45 units, with space for 280 to 285 beds. It will be located on the lawn presently adjacent to the Tenderich Apartments and McKay Hall. Quinlan said that unlike the Loyola and Tenderich Apartments, the new complex will contain ‘ ‘garden-type ’ ’ apartments . This type of housing makes maximum use of landscaping, trees and garden areas. Each apartment will contain two bedrooms, one bath, separate living room and kitchen facilities, and an outside entrance. This type of entry will eliminate a central hall and promote better air circulation. The complex will also contain a central laundry facility, storage space, meeting room and outside patio. According to Quinlan, the meeting room and patio could eventually be used by Tenderich and McKay, and possibly the entire campus. Space is also being consi¬ dered for bike racks and barbeques. The complex will be accessible from three entrances: the main road near the Information Booth; the McKay parking lot, and Ford- ham Road. Formal planning for the new apartment complex began last May. An important meeting scheduled for today will finalize design ideas. Blueprints of the proposed apart¬ ment floor plan will be available after today’s meeting. If construction begins within the next few months, the new complex could be completed by next August and ready for occu¬ pancy for the Fall 1978 semester, Quinlan speculated. He added that much time and thought has gone into the planning stages of the apartments to prevent design or conceptual mistakes that result from bad planning. He also said that the apartments are being designed with a “non-institutional” attitude in mind. This could allow the University to use the facility to house graduate, Law School, or married students should it become necessary. The construction will be funded by government bonds, but Quinlan stressed the University's desire to keep costs minimal. “This type of apartment housing has to pay for itself,” he said. “We are building with the hopes of 100 per cent occupancy at all times . ” No proposals for a name for the new structure have yet been made. Merrifield in good spirits after undergoing major heart surgery Rev. Donald P. Merrifield, SJ, President of the University, under¬ went major heart surgery Tuesday, August 16, following tests which revealed that two arteries leading to his heart were completely blocked. Merrifield, 49, is now convales¬ cing in Los Angeles after the suer cessful operation, which involved four arterial by-passes near the heart. His official return to campus may be delayed from October 1 to November 1 because of the surgery, according to a campus official. Last May, Merrifield suffered a heart attack, which prevented his participation in the commencement exercises. He went to Santa Clara to recuperate and remained^ there through July. During his recovery, Merrifield’ s doctors felt that he was not making proper progress. Merrifield returned to Los Angeles in mid- August for testing. After arterial studies, his doctors sched¬ uled the necessary by-pass oper¬ ation. On June 6 the Board of Trustees authorized three LMU vice presi¬ dents to serve as acting presidents during Merrifield ’s absence. John A. Pfaffinger, vice presi¬ dent for Business Affairs, served as acting president from June 6 to 20 and again from July 18 to August 8. Dr. Thomas E,. Quinlan, vice president for Student Affairs, served as acting president from July 4 to 18 and again from August 8 to September 5. Rev. John W. Clark, SJ, vice president for Academic Affairs, served as acting president from June 20 to 30 and is presently acting president until whenever Merrifield is able to return. Quinlan reported that Merrifield is presently “feeling quite good but is in some physical pain.” He also commented that Merrifield is in good spirits and anxious to resume his official duties. JUST A FEW DRIPS leaked through the atrium of the newly-completed library expansion when an unseasonal late last month. The skylight is reportedly guaranteed against defects for one year, however, and was promptly repaired. The water caused only minimal damage. (Loyolan photo by Dennis J. Lau)