The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 78, Issue 3 - September 8, 1999

p. . .цшшд * Camp us News 1 A & E Шщкк Л LMU graduate wins Fulbright Scholarship. Page 4 See what the ‘Mystery’ is in Alaska. Page 8 Sports Women’s Volleyball starts up season with 3-1 record. Page 16 September 8, 1999 Loyola Marymount University Volume 78, No. 3 First-Year Student Substance Survey by Sean Chavel Asst. News Editor During orientation sessions in June, an anonymous survey asked 900 incoming first-year students about their alcohol and drug usage. The results have surprised both university administrators and students. The survey, conducted by Debbie Wilson, the director of student health services, was intended to clarify for incoming students many misconceptions and fallacies about their class¬ mate’s drug and alcohol usage. “The goal of the survey was to call attention to the expec¬ tations that all college stu¬ dents have to party hard. The results of the study are helpful in determining what values and practices exist with stu¬ dents,” said Wilson. According to the results of the survey, 30% of incoming students reported that they did not drink alcohol, and another 21% reported that they drank alcohol only once or twice a year. “I’ve never done drugs myself. I have certainly tried alcohol in a controlled situa¬ tion, but I have never felt pres¬ sured,” commented first-year business administration major Jeff Corless. Students have greatly over¬ estimated alcohol use among their peers, with 40% stating that they thought it was com¬ mon for students to drink three times a week. Yet 98% of stu¬ dents drink fewer than three times a week, according to the survey. In addition, half of the incoming freshmen estimated that their peers smoked ciga¬ rettes three times a week or more. But the results of the survey recorded that 87% of students do not smoke or smoke infrequently. Although some students have chosen to avoid the drug and alcohol scene, it can be a daunting issue for many first-year stu¬ dents. “Personally, I don’t feel comfortable around the .drink¬ ing. I stayed away from it in high school. I see a lot of smok¬ ing. I’m not used to that. I’m surprised by the number of students that actually smoke. I don’t understand why they do it,” said first-year liberal arts major Devon Eyrich. One of the concerns about the survey is whether or not the numbers actually add up. Survey: page з Del Rey Theatre Receives Early Curtain Call for Renovation by Kasey Seymour Editor in Chief After reviewing the results of several studies conducted in August testing the levels of asbestos in 25 buildings across the campus, university offi¬ cials have decided to temporarily close down the Del Rey Theatre in Foley in order to replace the asbestos material with a safer fire-proofing mater¬ ial. “This is very precautionary. We are doing it in the best interest of the students, the faculty, and the general public,” said Cathy Beasley, environ¬ mental health and safety manager for the univer¬ sity. Between Aug. 14 and Aug. 17, many of the buildings on campus — those built prior to 1980 — underwent a periodic monitoring to survey the condition of the asbestos fire-proofing material used within the buildings. Asbestos was the most common material used for such purposes prior to 1980. Recent studies have shown, however, that when the asbestos material breaks up from its solid form and becomes airborne, it can become hazardous and can lead to several forms of cancer and res¬ piratory disease. On Aug. 16, the Foley building was tested with an air sampling and a visual check. The ANA MARIA DA VEI6A / LOYOUN The stage and seats in the Del Rey Theatre will be empty until renovations are finished to replace asbestos. “ The Lonely Planef was the last play to be performed there. Theater: page з Students Vote Using New Budget Ballot by Mara Slade Contributor & Sharon King Staff Writer A record turnout of student voters marked this year’s budget ballot held Thursday, Sept. 2, with approximately 1,000 student votes compared to last year’s esti¬ mated 800 votes. Budget ballot is organized by ASLMUand pro¬ vides LMU - clubs and orga¬ nizations with a way to gain money for their activities. Sapp explained, “A new system has just b e e n passed through the student assembly.” Though in past years students were allowed to could divide up their money between 10 clubs as they wished, students this year were asked to only choose only two clubs. According to Sapp, “the new system allows for each individual to be assigned two votes. They can either divide these checks between two clubs or allocate both towards the same. It is not so much a matter of splitting, but instead all check marks are tal¬ lied up for each club and then money allocated based on the number of votes. Therefore the amount allocated to each vote depends on how many people vote.” The allocated funds are cur¬ rently being added up. The results are going to take two weeks to compile because the bal¬ lots must be looked at individual¬ ly to see if they are calculated cor¬ rectly. Each club president will be the first to be notified of the money they will receive before public announcement. “Overall I think [budget ballot] went very well. It is a much more efficient process than in past years,” said _ _ _ Sapp. Jonathan vice president of stu¬ dent life, said, “I’m very impressed with ASLMlTs hard work. In the past the system was not very precise in that a small group would receive a small number of votes and large groups receive a large percentage of the votes. People voted on sheer popularity and received students’ money for no Ballot: page 2 “I think it’s definite- O’Brien, ly putting money where it should be put.” —Peter Backus President, ADG INDEX News - 1 Campus News / 4 Arts & Bntartaimmt 6 EarpectiCes 8 Classifieds 12 wWwJmu.edu/stuaff/loyolan