The Los Angeles Loyolan, Volume 90, Issue 17 - November 10, 2011

Los Angeles THU FRI SAT SUN 77"- 53" 73"- 55" 69"- 54" 62"- 51” ESTABLISHED 1921 November 10, 2011 Volume 90, Issue 17 Your Home. Your Voice. Your Newspaper. Loyola Marymount University www.laloyolan.com :t| Loyolan Devin NEWS ANALYSIS What is the cost of missing class? Professors and students discuss the implications of missed classes. By Brigette Scobas Asst. News Editor Jobs, clubs, appointments, sleep, errands and social events are some of the many things LMU students try to fit into their weeks. While many students appear to attend their classes regularly, there are also those who choose not to. Some people may question this student decision. The cost of undergraduate tuition (not including fees) for this fall semester is $18,456 for 12 or more units according to LMUs Students Accounts’ website. When a student misses a class, they may only focus on the effect it has on their grade rather than the price they have to pay out of their pocket While prices per class missed may not be on a students’ radar, upon examining an LMU tuition fee schedule, and with the assistance of Louisa Vakili, the director of Student Financial Services, the cost of missing an hour of instruction theoretically costs approximately $82. This number is based off of LMU having See Classes | Page 4 First draft of the Strategic Plan receives feedback during open forums Strategic Plan seeks community input for LMU’s long term vision. By Kenzie O'Keefe Editor-in-Chief There’s no need for a ciystal ball to see into LMU’s future. One needs only to take a look at the current draft of the strategic plan. If approved, LMU could see a switch to four unit courses, more scholarships and an increased focus on graduate education within the next decade. Each of the aforementioned changes have been put forth in the first draft of the Strategic Plan, described on its website, www.lmu.edu/ resources/statplan.htm, as a “blueprint for movingthe University forward.”The Strategic Plan Steering Committee is currently in the process of soliciting feedback on this initial draft, which was made public on Oct. 19. “The strategic plan [is] ... an attempt to identify the most important differences between where we are and where we want to be,” said Chief Academic Officer Joseph Hellige, who is also the chair’ of the committee that LMU President David W. Burcham formed in March. Soon after its formation, the Stategic Plan Steering Committee conducted a Strategic Planning Survey which was analyzed last April. Throughout the summer and early this past fall, the committee used the survey findings to create the current draft of the plan which outlines seven strategic priorities for the University. Findings from the Strategic Planning Survey are located in the executive summary on the website. According to the faculty, staff and students polled, LMUs greatest strengths are “its ability to fulfill its mission in aspects related to faith, social justice, service to the community and education of the whole person.” Each of the different populations polled cited varying University weaknesses. Faculty “overwhelmingly cited academic quality and faculty support.” Board members “cited the need for enhancing LMUs reputation locally, nationally and globally.” Staff and students both cited “student resources, especially financial aid and scholarship” as weaknessess. According to the Strategic Plan page on LMU’s website, feedback will be solicited until Nov. 18. The draft of the plan can be viewed See Strategic Plan | Page 4 Obama sees decline in youth support NEWS ANALYSIS A recent Pew Research Study indicates young people have lost enthusiasm for the president. By Monika Kim Asst. News Editor According to a Pew Research Center report released in early November, the support from the younger generation that helped elect Barack Obama to the presidency in 2008 has substantially decreased. Despite this, support for Obama remains higher than that of any of the GOP candidates. “I think the reason why Obama has lost much of [the] support from the people is due to the creditability he ... created for himself during his first term in office,” said sophomore political science major Giovanni Falcon. “For a man whose slogan promoted ‘change,’ there certainly hasn’t been much of it. ” Political science professor Dr. Michael Genovese, who also holds the positions of Loyola Chair of Leadership and director of the Institute for Leadership Studies, asserted that the gradually declining support is due to a number of reasons, the most important being the current economy. Presently, the U.S. is facing a mild recession, while the national unemployment rate is at 9 percent. Young and old alike have been affected by these issues and consequently, Obama’s approval ratings have plummeted to 44 percent from its original 68 percent in 2009, according to Gallup.com. “Voters take [problems with the economy and jobs] very seriously,” said Genovese. “If you look in the past, no president has been reelected with unemployment that high. The economy and jobs really are the See Obama | Page 3 Associated Press President Obama (above) recentlylaunched "Greater Together," a program aimed at mobilizing 1 8 to 29-year-old voters. I Ш / It's Game Time Do the 2011-12 men's and women's basketball teams have what it takes to deliver a winning season? Check out the Loyolan 's basketball season preview section. Pages 1 В - 8B Index Classifieds . 5 Opinion . 6 Basketball Season Preview.. IB Business and Technology. . 9 Л&Е . 10 Sports . 16 The next issue of the Loyolan will lie printed on November I T, 201 1. Not going to the Centennial Ball? We have alternatives. _ Los Angeles has plenty to offer for those without the golden ticket to tomorrow night's 1911 Centennial Ball Los Angeles 1 CITY LIMIT L POP 3 957 875 ELEV 320 1 i IjE, Page 1 3