Vida Newspaper - August 1992

Loypla Marymou^t Unlversltty; ■ |j ' r . ; ; ... - • i.Saturcfayj August % 1992 VIDA/Joe Viraia “Trust In me.” During a trust walk, an activity at the SDS retreat on May 11, senior Tamara Oyola, center, firmly holds her partners’ hands through the difficult climb up the hills. SDS retreat educates on unity By Marisol Barrios As part of the Student Development Services (SDS) program to enhance leader¬ ship skills and bring aware¬ ness of minority issues to stu¬ dents, the SDS Minority Lead¬ ership Retreat was held at Griffith Park on May 11. Approximately 65 stu¬ dents joined to partake in the intense and goal oriented re¬ treat lasting for four days. Some of the goals decided on by the SDS retreat committee were minority student em¬ powerment, nurturing of an awareness and appreciation of diversity, and development of an understanding of lead¬ ership in a Multi-Cultural con¬ text. Said Root- r to Flores, Assistant Director of Chicano Latino Student Services, “It was a confirmation of my be¬ liefs on multicul turalism-stu- dents united around the idea that racism is a cancerous ill¬ ness, and the need to respect each other and each others cultures.” For many students the retreat was not like other retreats. The recent riots dis¬ turbed many of the partici¬ pants and some students were directly affected. Senior Anna Gonzalez said, “The last conference was more like a training. This conference everyone was in a high emotional state. There were alot of problems put on the table and we began to re¬ solve them. ” Accordi ng to Joe Vi rata, Director of Asian Pacific Stu¬ dent Services and Office of International Students, the retreat was made more ur¬ gent due to the Los Angeles riots in the Spring. Explains Virata, “We needed to revisit goals, train people, have activities and give students the opportunity to begin exploring the social context of race relationships which is a hierarchy that par¬ allels with what is going On in the community.” Junior Erika Denton said, “I thought it was a great experience having a multicultural event like the retreat. Not only was it fun, but rewarding. Hopefully, the multiculturalism will con¬ tinue throughout the school year.” For many like Denton, who hope multiculturalism will continue, they can only keep up the spirit of the re¬ treat and hope for a better community. News briefs Staff welcomes freshmen Presented by Office of Black Student Services is a pre-orientation Bridge Kente Program on August 20 at 9a.m. heldin Hannon Loft. Also Asian Pacific Student Services will offer an orientation for incoming freshmen on August 21 at 9 a.m. A barbeque will be given to welcome the new students. There will be a Welcome Back Dance co-sponsored by Isang Bansa and MECh A on August 29 at 8 p.m. New carpet was put in on July 29 and 30 in all the offices of Student Development Services. A new coat of paint will also accompany the change after the painting of Cam pus Ministry is finished . Budget crisis Principal cuts sports: claims low enrollment By Marisol Barrios Students and parents of Pi us X High School in Downey are suffering due to budget cu ts cau sed by 1 ow enroll m en t . Classes such as year- . book, journalism andfinearts will be changed to activities. Minor sports have also been cut, especially boys and girls cross country. According to Principal Michael Parmer, mi nor sports are determined by the num¬ ber of participants, costs, and the revenue brought for the school. Parmer explains, “Cross country is a minor sport that is being cut this year. That was a decision made in con¬ junction with the Archdiocese, a decision I have to follow.” Parmer was confronted at his office by a number of parents of the cross country . team after numerous times of trying to make appointments. Parents sent out propos- als to Parmer, the Archdio¬ cese, and the Cardinal Roger Mahoney that stated they were willing to supplement the budget through fundraiser. In addition, they would help out other sports. The proposal also dis¬ cussed insurance, liability waivers, transportation, league fees, andinvitationals, all of which would be raised by parents and team mem¬ bers. Salvador Perez, boys cross country coach, stated “I feel this is an injustice to the kids. The principal has not been there to see them run, practice, sweat, cry nor tri¬ umph. Why does he say he understands when he has no understanding of what the kids are going through.” We -are not asking for money, but are only asking to allow us tohelp keep the sports program s running, ” sai d Luz- Maria Gonzalez, one of the 22 parents who signed a letter to the archbishop of Los Ange¬ les. For these team mem¬ bers, cross country is not just a minor sport, but an opportu¬ ne ty opening future doors to furthering their education. Senior German Echevarria, who is consider¬ ing coming to LMU, explains, “Running for cross country would help me get an athletic scholarship. Now I have to worry about getting the money.” For Eric Gavica, all you need for cross country is “a pair of legs and a big heart.” When he is not coaching, LMU alumnus Salvador Perez * dances for Grupo Folklorico, among other campus actfvities.