The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 62, Issue 3 - September 24, 1984

Loyola Maryrhount University September 24, 1984 Hundreds Ponder Fate Of The Earth By STEVE PETERS Loyolan News Writer Some had hair to their waists and looked as if they had not showered in weeks. A few chanted “Dump Reagan and have peace,” while others expressed great adoration for the present ad¬ ministration. There were even some who dragged all of their belongings in backpacks along the floor of Gersten Pavilion. As great as their differences, however, they all came to Loyola Marymount this past weekend to ask the same question, “What is the fate of the earth?” Under the direction of Karen Liffin and with the help of Campus Ministry’s Fer¬ nando Moreno, the University hosted the culminating event of an 18-month pro¬ gressive conference, “The Fate of the Earth.” People came from all parts of the West Coast to listen to highly qualified speakers discuss the issue of nuclear arms. Project Director Karen Liffin set the tone of the conference early Saturday morning when she said, “This is, not an anti-nuclear rally, but an educational event.” From there, Norman Corwin, famed author and CBS director, helped people realize the severity of the problem at hand. “We can exterminate not just a faction, a part, a block of a neighborhood, but rather, the entire earth.” In his poetic manner, he went on to say that “nuclear weapons are more Satanic than Satan himself” and “all men are cremated equal under the hydrogen bomb. Loyolan photo by Joel Jimenez Loyolan reporter Steve Peters (right) interviews Russian defector Alexander Sakharov during his visit to campus this past weekend . “The press does not realize that they will be just as easily vaporized as the illegal aliens, vagrants and punk rockers, ’ 3 he ac¬ cused. “What makes them immune?” Corwin concluded by saying that there were two choices before the people of the earth: “We will either sink into the final coma and not wake, or wake up and cleanse the earth of nuclear weapons. ” After the cheery welcome, a panel discussion began on the future of U.S.- Soviet relations. First to speak was Russian defector Alexander Sakharov. The well-educated man asked the nearly 1,500 people in the Pavilion to “try and guess if tomorrow would be another day, or the eve of the Callahan Loses The Latest Round By GINA MANCHA Loyolan Asst. News Editor «recent court decision made by the California State Court of Appeals, ruled that former Jesuit and LMU pro¬ fessor Michael A. Callahan is not entitled to reinstatement of his teaching position pending trial of the lawsuit he brought against Loyola Marymount University. Callahan is now faced with a major set¬ back in his legal battle to regain his posi¬ tion as a tenured Associate Professor of Communication Arts at LMU. Callahan, who was fired in February of 1982 for having married a fellow pro¬ fessor, Diane Stauts, without first obtain¬ ing dispensation from the Catholic Church, filed a lawsuit against Loyola Marymount for breach of contract, wrongful discharge and violation of his right to privacy as guaranteed by the California Constitution. In a past issue of the Loyolan , former LMU President Reverend Donald P. Mer- rifield, S.J., was quoted as saying, “The University has a policy against employing or continuing to employ former priests who have not been released from their canonical obligations.” The University held that Callahan violated its policy by marrying and by deliberately impeding the objectives and goals of the University. Callahan, who is suing for $300,000 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages, was granted an injunc¬ tion in September of 1983 by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Cole who rul¬ ed that Callahan should be allowed to. teach until his case appeared in court. The University, however, appealed this deci¬ sion and according to the L.A Times , the California State Court of Appeals revers¬ ed the injuction on September 20, 1984. The L.A. Times stated that when Callahan contracted in 1971 to teach in the Communication Arts Department, he signed a document saying he was doing so, “in my capacity as a Jesuit and under the direction of my ecclesiastical superiors.” Apparently, the appellate court which reversed the injuction is sympathetic with the University and holds Callahan to be fully responsible for his actions. Accor¬ ding to the Times , Justice Donald N. Gates, in his writing for the appellate court last Thursday, pointed out that Callahan acknowledged his marriage would constitute an impediment to the goals of the University, but nevertheless deliberately elected to go forward with it. Also according to the Times , Gates in¬ dicated that such conduct by one hired in , the capacity of a Jesuit, “could not but have a potentially grave effect upon the aims and objectives of the University.” When the Loyolan asked Reverend Albert P. Koppes, O. Carm., Academic vice president, what his feelings were on the appellate court decision, he replied that he was not at liberty to discuss the matter. Diane Stauts Callahan was unavailable for comment. ■ Inside Art Gallery Issue Resolved p. 9 What's In a Name ? p. 12 Howto Get an 'A' p. 17 A Winning Record p.21 — J