The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 67, Issue 11 - November 15, 1989

Volume 67 Issue 1 1 Circulation 3,000 November 15, 1989 Students Overtly Confront Abortion Issue Pro-Choice Supported in Presentation By Aron D. Little Senior Writer Bqyola Marymount received its first exposure to the pro- choice movement last Thursday during convocation hour. The video, “Abortion: For Survival,” was shown in Mayer Theater to an audience of about 20 stu¬ dents. The video, produced by the Fund for the Feminist Majority, largely focused on the dangers of illegal abortions and how un¬ wanted pregnancies hurt women and society. Presentations of the pro-choice and pro-life positions, followed the video. Students then discussed their own views of the video and the issues. Dr. Ignacio Castuera, a minister from the United Meth¬ odist Church of Hollywood, pro¬ vided his religious background to his own pro-choice position. A former Catholic, Castuera told of his own experience with women hying to prevent un¬ wanted births and a brief histoiy of religious involvement in the abortion issue. Dr. Paul Weithman, an As¬ sistant Professor of Philosophy at LMU, offered the pro-life point of view. His rebuttal included issues missed by the video and the immorality of abortion. The lecture was organized by Assistant Professor Judy Pomer, who has produced sev¬ eral videos on feminist issues. Her purpose was to “start an open discussion of the issue,” and she was impressed with the “thoughtful discussion” by at¬ tending pro-jife and pro-choice students. In organizing this event on a Catholic campus, Pomer encoun¬ tered little opposition. She com¬ plied with a request by the, Aca¬ demic Vice President, Pr. Albert Koppes, O. Carm., to provide a speaker for the pro-life position after the film. She feels she has accomplished her goal of sup¬ plying “information so that stu¬ dents canmake their own deci¬ sions.** " In terms of future pro-choice events, Pomer said there is “some talk of beginning an organiza¬ tion” and that next semester she would like to see a forum on the issue. “This is a vital issue right now for women and families.. .there’s still a lot more to discuss,” Pomer said. Щ please see photo on page 2 LMU Pro-Life Group Holds Prayer Vigil By Robyn Hessinger 1 Assistant Features Editor Photo by Marie Madariaga parents, and staff gathered to pray at an abortion clinic in Inglewood. ** T esus hears their silent О screams” “Jesus was a fe¬ tus” “Fetuses are people too.” These were just a few of the signs carried by members of Loyola Marymount University’s Students For Life at the prayer vigil on Saturday, November 1 1th. The vigil began in Xavier Hall at 8:00 a.m. with mass, celebrated by Father Thomas Buckley, S.J. The thirty-six students and faculty then pro¬ ceeded to the American Woman’s Clinic on Manchester Avenue. The clinic performs preg¬ nancy tests Mondays through Saturdays, and abortions by appointment on Wednesdays. Fridays, and Saturdays. The clinic offers no counseling. The Students For Life car¬ ried signs, prayed, and sang hymns, while offering counsel¬ ing and support. The group’s goal, along with several “side¬ walk counselors” from Hope Chapel in Huntington Beach, was to support the mothers and pray for the unborn children, according to William Sahrtni, a member of the pro-life club. Over thirty LMU students, faculty i Many of the students at the vigil were in training to be side¬ walk counselors. Kieran Sulli¬ van is an LMU senior in Stu¬ dents for Life who participated in the San Diego Rescue and is now learning about sidewalk counseling. “I want to let people know we’re not going to sit still. Because there’s a holocaust going on in America — abortion. * Sullivan will be sent to Wash¬ ington, D.C. on Tuesday for a 5- day Operation Rescue project. A clinic security guard pa¬ trolled the area while the group walked. Participants were care¬ ful not to block the sidewalk or trespass on clinic property. Po¬ lice occasionally drove past and passers-by honked in support or objection. At one point, three LMU students carrying Pro-Choice signs arrived across the street from the clinic. The signs dis¬ played such statements as “Freedom of Speech — Freedom of Choice” and “Our Bodies Are Our Own.” During the security guards’ break, the students crossed the street and entered the clinic. But no conflict arose between the two groups. One of the Pro- Choice students said, “We were there because we feel that LMU should represent both sides of continued on page 2 Education Amendment-Title IX Affects Women's Sports at Loyola Marymount By Ray Watts Staff Writer ШШё IX, a federal statute deal¬ ing with sexual discrimina¬ tion, was recently restored by Congress after years of relaxed enforcement. In 1972, Title IX of the Edu¬ cation Amendment was passed. It states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any edu¬ cation program or activity re¬ ceiving federal financial assis¬ tance.” The act covers almost all areas within a university, but according to Lane Bove, Vice President of Student Affairs, “Title IX refers primarily to ath¬ letics.” “On the subject of athlet¬ ics." said Bove, “we have a ways to go, but we are working on [es¬ tablishing equality!.” Brian Quinn, Athletic Di¬ rector of Loyola Marymount, ex¬ pressed his views on the Title IX regulation, stating, “The statute was enacted in 1972 and many schools were affected. Santa Clara and Temple University each had major legal actions filed by women's athletic groups.” Quinn added, “If a school is found to be in violation of the statute, any facet of the university which receives money can be affected.” “In the eight years following the statute, every school scrambled for equality, but under Reagan it was not being enforced. But since Congress passed the Civil Rights Restora¬ tion Act in 1987, schools are being watched again very care¬ fully,” stated Quinn. The chief components of Title IX are scholarship propor- ШШшШт Photo by Peter Taylor Women's basketball has been directly affected by Title IX . tlons and benefits. Scholarships donate, must be allocated proportion- The other component of the atefy to the number of male and statue Is the benefits which are female athletes. If the number afforded to all athletes, regard^ of athletes in a school is 60% less of sex. These benefits in¬ male and 40% female, the schol- dude equipment, uniforms, arship money must be propor- continued on page 2 / - " news Student Affairs Committee questionnaire . . . page 2 Racial Awareness Days explained . . .page 2 v_ _ i _ features Public Safety emphasizes protection . . . page 4 Monaco promises sun, romance, studies . . . page 5 opinion ЕШ: threatens Leavey campus . . .page 12 Ronnie's Media Treats: roll over, play dead . . . page 13 a & e National dance festival comes to LMU... page J0 Communion takes oath . . . page 11 sports ^ 1989-1990 Men's basketball team preview ... pages 8&9 Flag Football playoffs are ready to be tackled ... page 7 _ _ _ _ J