Dr. Chris Miller of Marquette speaks at the Kapco Challenge kickoff event at the Bradley Center

At Marquette University we are challenged to “Be the Difference.” It’s a simple and bold statement that can have a profound impact on our campus and community. On January 27th Jim Kamarcik, president of Kapco Metal Stampings, took the initiative to allow students to be the difference and make an impact on our local Milwaukee community through the “Kapco Challenge.” Inspired by “Oprah’s Big Give” Kamarcik created the challenge so that we can be the difference.

The Kapco Challenge consists of teams from Concordia University, Wisconsin Lutheran College, & Marquette University. Each school has 5 teams and every team receives an initial $1000 for phase 1. Each group then creates a service project to give back. On February 15 each group will present to a board and the most deserving project from each school will enter phase 2.

While each group aspires to enter phase 2, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about what we do for others. Please consider each group and what they will do for our local community this month—meet our Marquette difference makers. (Each first statement is the group’s Mission Statement)

Men Serving Others:“As a group of young men inspired by Jesuit ideals, we are called to be men working for others by immersing ourselves into the community we are serving,
empowering others to reach their own potential, and actively working to help close the gap of poverty and privilege in the Greater Milwaukee area.”

MSO is a group of male leaders on campus. Together they will work with Repairers of the Breach to create a Career Center to help their fellow man or woman get back on his or her feet. Additionally, MSO will provide workshops on resume writing & interview prep. They will accept any donations, but especially business clothes & usable computers. Please contact Phillip Hanson at mensleadership@gmail.com & visit http://menservingothers.weebly.com/

Kappa Sigma:“Founded on the noble principles of Fellowship, Scholarship, Leadership and Service, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity is dedicated to the promotion of the youth and their education at Pierce Elementary. It is our belief that a quality education is the way to a brighter future. With this in mind, we then have the duty to promote the best education possible, on every occasion, for every student at Pierce Elementary School.”

Men of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity believe in fostering education & are working with Pierce Elementary School. Pierce currently has a wired computer lab for years, but for never any computers or technology in the room. By working with students and various local businesses KS looks to raise funds and accept donations to help Pierce Elementary educate our future. KS will accept any technology donations (Computers, Software, Printers). Please contact Joey Kimes at jfkimes@gmail.com & visit http://tinyurl.com/Team283

Sober Party Kids:“We recognize that our world is in need of hope. Together we commit ourselves to opening our hearts to those around us. Our family stretches beyond the walls of our house–we are called to give shelter to our brothers and sisters on the streets, open our closets to our parents without clean clothing, share our tables with children lacking a meal, and empty our pockets to family members in need. We can change the world we live in, we can change the lives of those around us, and we can make this community a family. Through charity we can build a family of love.”

Sober Party Kids are a group of active & driven students. These driven students are actively working with Pathfinders Shelter on Project S.H.Y- Support Homeless Youth. SPK wants find a way to help these youth by promoting/creating a drop in center. Additionally SPK wants to raise awareness of the 400+ current homeless youth in Milwaukee. Please help them so that no youth has to live without a home. Please contact Stephen Moser at shymilwaukee@gmail.com

O-Staff: This energetic group is looking to help the community at large by working with either mental health issues or cancer. More details are to come soon. Please contact Dave Kruse at david.kruse@mu.edu

Burke Scholars:“In the spirit of Dick Burke, who transformed each of our lives, we seek to use the resources entrusted to us to create transformative, sustainable change in our community that will continue in perpetuity. Above all, we seek to serve the voiceless in our community, to see them as whole people and to use the gifts, resources and talents entrusted to us to bring about meaningful, empowering change.”

The Burke Scholars remarked that they are hoping to use their funds to help the community at large to create a sustainable change. More details are to come soon.

At the kickoff event for the Kapco Challenge Kamarcik quoted legendary coach John Wooden by saying “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” As our Marquette student groups begin to serve those who cannot repay, may they remember Wooden’s quote, for he was one of the most remarkable men and winners in recent history. Like Wooden, we are all winners because of the generosity of Kapco, Kamarcik, and our fellow peers. Together lets join as a Marquette community and help each group by giving our time and what we have so that together we can “Be the Difference.”

Look around Marquette…in every classroom across campus there is crucifix, often with a plaque stating its country of origin. On November 3rd, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that crucifixes hanging within each classroom in Italy violated “the freedom of parents to educate their children according to their own convictions and of the religious freedom of the students” (CNS).

Unlike the United States in its origin, Italy has been a traditionally Catholic country from birth. Religion and faith are tied very closely to the cultural and historic identity of the Italian people. As is typically the circumstance with many morals-pertaining court cases, the case was brought as an exception to the norm, and now will be enforced upon all. In this particular scenario, the case was submitted by a Finnish-born Italian, who had been fighting for the removal of crucifixes from her sons’ school in Abano Terme (Italy) for almost eight years. In previous attempts to pass the case, Soile Lautsi, the above-mentioned mother, had taken it to Italian courts, where it was refused because of the engrained Catholic cultural identity on Italians. Hence, Lautsi then took the case to the European court located in Strasbourg, France.

In reaction, the Italian government says it will appeal the European court’s decision. Even Mariastella Gelmini, the minister of public education in Italy, believed that the crucifixes “[do] not mean adhesion to Catholicism, but is a symbol of our tradition” (CNS). She even went further, so as to say that “…removing [the symbols] would be to remove a part of ourselves” The Catholic bishops, however, suffered sorrow and grief at the ruling. The Italian Conference of Bishops expressed their disappointment in the following written statement: “It does not take into account the fact that in Italy the display of the crucifix in public places is in line with the recognition of the principles of the Catholicism as ‘part of the historical patrimony of the Italian people,’ as stated in the Vatican/Italy agreement of 1984” (CNN). The bishops also noted the significance of the crucifix is meant for all of humanity, not solely Catholics. The crucifix represents God’s love to every human person, the gift of his life for every member of the human race. Hence, it is a symbol that should be respected and revered by all, whatever the nationality, religion, or age; it is the universal symbol of love that transcends time and space. Must a mother really go to such an extent if she is, in fact, the “exception” in her desire for the removal of crucifixes from her children’s classrooms? Must she really make such a statement? In doing so, she has offended not only Our Lord, but all of Italy, including the wealthy and governmental rulers. As Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re concluded, “It is a God that teaches us to learn to love, to pay attention to each man…and to respect the others, even those who belong to a different culture or religion. How could someone not share such a symbol?”

For centuries, people have debated the merits of drinking alcohol. One of the more current discussions began in the late 1980’s, when French scientist Serge Renauld set out to explain why, despite eating a diet full of cheese, butters, and other saturated fats, the people of France reported few instances of heart disease. Surprisingly, in a 1992 interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Renauld attributed these benefits to alcohol. He claimed that his research showed that red wine, another staple of French cuisine, protected the French against heart disease. Alcohol sales in the US soared and college students everywhere felt a little less guilty.

In the almost twenty years since Renauld’s “60 Minutes” interview, the idea that moderate alcohol intake is good for a person’s health has begun to be incorporated into mainstream knowledge. But what exactly is moderate? And just what types of benefits does a person gain from drinking alcohol?

In many studies, moderate levels of alcohol intake have been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.  According to Barbara Troy, Assistant Professor of Dietetics in the College of Health Sciences, “the health edge that’s most provocative right now is in relationship to cardiovascular disease.” She said, “alcohol has a favorable effect on lipid levels because it tends to elevate HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol.” This puts a person at a lower risk of dying from heart disease, the leading cause of death in America. The benefits don’t stop there; other studies have shown that alcohol has a positive effect  in reducing the risk of diseases ranging from gallstones to type II diabetes.

Many of the benefits of red wine have been attributed to the phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, found in it. Some of these phytochemicals are thought to have antioxidant and even anti-cancer effects.  A growing number of studies also show that regardless if a person drinks wine, beer, or spirits, the alcohol in itself contributes to improving health.

But before you raise a glass to your health, it’s important to note that the benefits derived from alcohol come only from moderate intake.  Most college students are well aware of the short-term consequences of drinking too much: loss of coordination, decreased inhibitions, debilitating hangovers. The long term risks, which include liver disease, weight gain, certain cancers, mental health problems, and even reduced fertility are even more serious.

Yet college campuses are notorious for promoting binge drinking habits, and Marquette University is no exception. AJ Hill, a senior co-op in the College of Engineering, said “students here don’t drink moderately. They drink five to ten drinks on one or two nights a week.”  In such an atmosphere, it can be difficult to discern what truly constitutes moderate alcohol intake.

Troy, citing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, objectively defines moderate drinking as one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. One drink consists of 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Troy said, “once you cross that line, the risk benefit ratio starts to change.” Any possible benefit derived from moderate intake is almost certainly negated once a person starts to drink in excess.

Other guidelines state that in order for a person to derive health benefits from alcohol, drinks cannot be “stockpiled.” This means the benefits derived from drinking once every day for a week are not similarly seen in a person that abstains all week and drinks seven drinks on Friday night. Even though a person may not exceed their weekly drink allowance, Troy emphasizes that with such behavior, “the benefits simply will not follow.”

Furthermore, there are some groups of people who simply should not drink alcohol. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with liver or pancreatic disease, and those who are on certain antibiotics are all groups of people who should not consume any alcohol.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is no reason for any person to start drinking in order to gain these benefits.  The benefits that alcohol confers are modest, and all can be achieved by alterations in diet and lifestyle. For example, the phytochemicals found in red wine are present in grapes, and modest aerobic exercise has also been shown to increase HDL levels.

So this holiday season, raise a glass to your  health (or don’t).  But if you do, remember the key word when it comes to drinking alcohol for health benefits: moderation.

In 2009, Marquette University will be conferring six honorary degrees.  The individuals receiving the honors are selected through an annual nomination process.  Father Robert. A Wild, S.J. said “they should be outstanding individuals who are recognized for their scholarship or for excellence in achievement.  This achievement may be shown by acknowledged leadership in a profession or by exemplary service to society.  In all cases there must be an appropriateness of the nominees to the distinctive mission and values of Marquette University.”

Marquette has the list of recipients of honorary degrees listed on their website through 1980.  Since 1980, a total of 131 honorary degrees have been given.  The process is as follows: nominations are open for a period of time, the nominations gathered are given to the Committee on University Honors for consideration.  Father Wild then gives the short list of names to the Board of Trustees; the Board approves those on the list they believe to be worthy and then Father Wild takes those names from the Board to invite recipients to Marquette where they will receive their honorary degrees.

This year, as mentioned earlier, Marquette will be gifting 6 honorary degrees.  The recipients are, Frank Busalacchi, Clifford G. Christians, Shirin Ebadi, Dick Enberg, Maria Rosa Leggol, and Helen Prejean.  Here is a bit of information about these recipients.

Frank Busalacchi is the Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation and was the leader in the state’s efforts to complete the Marquette Interchange project, the largest construction job in the state to date.  He was presented by Dr. Stan Jaskolski, the OPUS Dean of the College of Engineering.  According to Jaskolski, he nominated Busalacchi for the degree of Doctor of Laws “because of his distinguished commitment to public service and to the people of the State of Wisconsin.”

Clifford G. Christians was nominated by Dr. William Thorn, a journalism professor in the College of Communication.  Christians is one of the world’s leading media ethics scholars and has had a 30 year career in ethical studies, he has examined and written about ethical implications for journalists in democratic societies and other media professions.  He received an honorary Doctor of Letters “because of his important contributions to the philosophy of technology, media ethics, and communication theory,” Thorn said.

Shirin Ebadi was both the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to receive a Nobel Peace prize.  This honor was bestowed on her in 2003 for her “pioneering work for democracy and human rights, tirelessly advocating on behalf of women and children.”  She was nominated by the Dean of Marquette’s Law School, Joseph Kearny, because of “her exemplary career as a lawyer, judge, writer, and activist on behalf of our human family.”  She has worked diligently in the legal system for the rights of those who have been victim of extremist interpretations of the law of Islam and continuously works for peaceful solutions to social problems in a contemporary Islamic world.

Dick Enberg is one of the most awarded men in sports.  He already has 14 Emmys, including a lifetime achievement award, 15 Sportscaster of the Year awards, and several other big titles.  He was nominated by Phylis Ravel, a professor of the Performing Arts.  Enberg has become a sports icon in the broadcasting world and was nominated because of “his distinguished career as a broadcaster, writer, philosopher, educator and playwright.”  He was also May’s commencement speaker.

Sister Maria Rosa Leggol never received a formal education past the fifth grade, but through her work as a sister, she has helped over 40,000 orphans in Honduras.  She is celebrating her 60th year of religious life in 2009 and throughout this time, she has comforted the dying, educated, fed the living, and convinced several other agencies to help the suffering in Honduras.  She was nominated by Senior Vice President Thomas Peters, for “her extraordinary acts of compassion, for being an inspiration to people all over the world, and for exemplifying the spirit of magis by being a woman for others.”

Sister Helen Prejean was nominated by Fr. Harak, the Director of the Center for Peacemaking.  Her work has helped formally shape and vocalize the Catholic Church’s stance on the death penalty.  Prejean’s passion for the subject stemmed from her correspondence as a spiritual advisor with a death row inmate.  She now spends much time counseling death row inmates as well as acting as an advocate of the Pro-Life position.  Her book, Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty, was a New York Times best seller and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Clearly honorary degrees are conferred for a variety of different reasons and talents as demonstrated by the diverse set of honorees this year.

Throughout the year Marquette’s student government (MUSG) sits down to discuss Student Organization Allocation (SOA) for recognized and registered student organizations on campus. With over 250 organizations,, each one is unique in terms of how much funding it needs in order to have a successful event or year.

“The allocations are not arbitrary at all.  The SOA committee evaluates each application objectively looking for the benefits that the program or trip will provide to our campus,” said MUSG Communications Vice President and senior in the College of Communication Lauren Lakomek.

The MUSG SOA Committee makes the final decision on allocations. The committee is comprised of the Financial Vice President, Executive Vice President, Program Board Assistant, two Residential Senators, and two Academic Senators.  This year’s advisor for the committee is Kate Trevey, Coordinator for Student Organizations & Leadership for the Office of Student Development.  A week before every deadline, MUSG holds informational workshops for student organizations to educate them on the process.

“Its hard because you want to do a good job so your team may receive the most funding possible and yet unless the executive board before you leaves a sample of what they did its hard to know exactly how to write these out. MUSG holds a workshop on it and it is very helpful when you stop in their office but I think it would be very helpful if they posted some past requests they thought were well done,” said Marquette Crew President and senior in the College of Arts and Sciences Julie Knyszek.

In addition to workshops, this particular year the SOA Committee created a powerpoint presentation to give visual step by step instructions and information about the SOA process. This can be found on the MUSG Web site.

“The SOA budgetary process is divided into two lines; one for club sports and one for non-club sports.  Club sports have two deadlines throughout the year; one for the spring season and one for the fall season.  Non-club sports have eight period deadlines that they can apply for throughout the year,” said MUSG Financial Vice President and senior in the College of Business Administration Jonathan Giel . “During the fiscal year 2010, MUSG has successfully allocated to 58 student organizations totaling $60,383.14.”

Depending on whether or not the organization is in the non club sport or club sport categories, there are several deadlines throughout the year for each to respectively apply for funding. This year there are eight periods for non club sports and two periods for club sports. Each period is based on when the organization plans on having their event or activity. Though organizations are encouraged to apply for funding as early as possible, funding is generally given for specific events that the clubs plan on having. MUSG SOA funds speakers or educational events, documentaries and performances, advertising and publicity for events, and any event or services that are open to all of Marquette and enhance the community. For organizations that have more expenses this means working twice as hard on their SOA applications.

“I’m one of the co-presidents of the rowing team and because we are one of the most expensive club sports on campus, making sure we submit thorough and detailed funding requests is very important,” said Knyszek. “During the SOA funding workshops MUSG stresses that due to the large amount of clubs and requests they get the more detailed your request is, the better. Writing this out takes quite a bit of personal time because, at least for me, I know that the work I put in this could mean a big difference in dues for every member of our team. I would say so far the other co-president and I have spent about 6 hours on this and we are still not completely done yet.”

In terms of how decisions made, detail is considered a key factor in the allocation process. According to the MUSG SOA Committee, the more detail organizations put into their request the more prospective funding that can be received. The MUSG SOA said that although applications that do not provide complete event or season details are generally not given funding. A clear defined plan for each season with a through breakdown from tentative costs, to number of participants, to specific lodging and transportation details has a better chance of receiving more funding.

“Our goal as members of MUSG and the SOA Committee is to be financial stewards of the Student Activity Fee (SAF),” MUSG Executive Vice President and College of Business Administration senior Stephanie Stopka said. “We fully understand that it is our job to look at all of the applications with an impartial eye.  When discussing the applications we do not bring in any outside knowledge.  We only take into consideration the information that is provided on the application,” Stopka said. “The committee is looking to sponsor and support events that enhance the overall Marquette experience, aligned with the Jesuit ideals.”

However, not every organization will receive the funding they want or need. As the SOA Committee members are inclined to make decisions based on applications, they sometimes cannot give organizations all the funding they request. For these situations, there is an allocation appeals form that organizations can submit. Reasons for appeal include: the SOA Committee incorrectly deeming the application insufficient, the SOA Committee decision seeming arbitrary and inconsistent with similar funding decisions and practices, or MUSG not following its stated application procedures and policies.

Though the SOA typically covers organizations’ expenses towards their events, there are specific things the MUSG SOA cannot fund. These things include recruiting or fundraising events, capital goods (t-shirts or prizes), operating expenses (office supplies), non-current expenses (expenses that came outside of the current funding period), and any event that charges admission fees.

“In the past MUSG has been pretty helpful in allocating us money, I believe we are usually one of the clubs that receives the larger amounts of funding and every bit helps but it’s still hard because MUSG must split the fund between 250+ clubs on campus,” Knyszek said. “Because of the amount of clubs and the high expenses our club incurs any mention of reduction in club sports allocations is especially nerve-wrecking. Ultimately for the rowing team the amount of time we put in to the process is usually more than given back to us in allocation money it just comes at the end of the semester.”

“Accept Jesus, save yourself from the hell you deserve.” The shouts rise above the noise of traffic on Wisconsin Avenue as “Good News” pamphlets are extended to hurried students on their way to class.

Know what proselytism is? If not, you do know. You’ve just experienced it.

Proselytizing is generally understood to be the act of converting one to a specific religion or belief. Marquette has had an evolving policy on the issue, but now uniformly bans active proselytizing by any University affiliated individuals or organizations.

Dr. Christopher Miller, Vice President for Student Affairs said the policy is “more of an operational, logistical piece…it’s not a single entity, it’s a broad based policy.”

The Office of Student Development (OSD) updated the Religious Activities Policy last year, adding the phrase, “and their activities,” to its description of protocol regarding religious event approval.

The inclusion of “activities” in the scope of the University’s proselytizing policy has been felt by evangelical Christian student groups on campus, who say that since the change, OSD has restricted many of their outreach events. One student organization, the non-denominational Christian group, Campus Crusade for Christ was also asked to change their mission statement and re-submit their constitution.

Campus Crusade was asked to remove phrases from its purpose statement that Dr. Jon Dooley Senior Associate Dean of Student Development said, “could appear to contradict the University’s Religious Activities Policy” including, “winning, to lead others to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior” and the organization’s mission as “turn[ing] lost students into Christ centered laborers.”

Michael Waller, a junior in the College of Engineering who runs Campus Crusade’s Men’s Ministry and is on the organization’s core leadership team said this year there has been an increase in OSD and Campus Ministry restrictions and stipulations to their outreach events.

“We have engaged in outreach/evangelism activities in the past which have never clashed with MU’s proselytizing policy before…even though these policies have always been here, they have never been enforced as they are this year,” Waller said.

Dooley said the addition to the Religious Activities Policy did not represent a change in how the policy was implemented, but rather just clarified the existing expectations that were in practice. “No changes were made in how those events were reviewed or approved, it was simply an addition to help organization leaders,” Dooley said.

Student Development does consult and collaborate with Campus Ministry regarding the University proselytizing policy and approval of religious events, but Campus Ministry declined to comment on their role in the implementation of the policy.

Although OSD says there has been no change in the approval process of religious events, other campus Christian groups say they are experiencing a tightening in event rules as well.

Matthew Gerhard, a senior in the College of Engineering and president of the non-denominational student group, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Marquette said that although his organization was not required to resubmit their constitution, OSD and Campus Ministry are “enforcing their rules and regulations much more strictly than ever before.”

Gerhard said earlier in the semester OSD cracked down on a survey the group was distributing because it was interpreted as proselytizing and therefore “unacceptable.”

“They had us redo the survey and make it completely anonymous and we weren’t allowed to talk to anyone taking the survey. They said this had mostly to do with survey policy,” Gerhard said.

While activities such as “personal witnessing, Scripture study, worship, discussion, faith sharing” are appropriate, they “cannot be done for the purpose of converting others,” Dooley said. “The goal of “winning” people for Christ or “changing” or “converting” them is proselytizing and is contrary to the Religious Activities Policy,” he said.

Both Waller and Gerhard agree that Marquette’s ban on proselytizing through the Religious Activities policy is too restrictive. “Personally I think Marquette’s proselytizing policy does go too far in curbing student’s religious freedom on campus. Christians are commanded by God to spread the gospel in both word and action,” Waller said.

“I think what OSD is comfortable with in terms of evangelism is to allow students to come to us and then we can say what we want to say; they don’t want us going to students and saying what we want to say,” Gerhard said. “They want a very passive form of evangelism.”

The Definition Debate

The University’s evolving definition and classification of proselytism has been a contentious issue at Marquette for decades with much of the debate has focused on Marquette’s Catholic identity and obligation as a Catholic institution.

The current Religious Activities Policy currently provides two definitions for proselytizing:

1. “the University does not allow any other individual or organization to actively proselytize its members…That is, no individual or organization can coerce or pressure others or misrepresent themselves,”

2. “No individual or organization…may hold activities on campus the specific purpose of which is to proselytize, that is to make converts of members of the university community to another church or religious affiliation.”

The University’s classification of proselytism has been debated in years past and remains a point of contention for student groups like Campus Crusade and InterVarsity.

“Not only does Marquette’s policy on proselytizing curb students’ freedom, but it also is difficult to understand exactly how they define proselytizing,” Waller said. “In one sentence they refer to proselytizing as coercion and pressure while in another it is referred to as making converts of a person, which are two very different things.”

Dr. Christopher Wolfe, Marquette Professor Emeritus of Political Science and current co-director of the Ralph McInerny Center for Thomistic Studies, said the policy is well-intentioned, but not very coherent or precise.

Wolfe said that while he agrees with the University’s prohibition of coercion or misrepresentation of any kind, the policy goes too far in equating all proselytism with any effort to convert others – “even, apparently, if there is no coercion or pressure or misrepresentation,” Wolfe said.

“…Isn’t it an obligation of all Christians to help others come freely to see the truth of Christianity as they understand it?  I think the answer is clearly ‘yes,’” Wolfe said.

Wolfe also disputed the policy back in 1988 when changes were made by Campus Ministry to restrict proselytism that did not include coercion or misrepresentation. In a 1988 memo to then Director of Campus Ministry, Fr. David Haschka, Wolfe disputed the University’s across the board ban on proselytism, writing, “I think a bald prohibition of proselytism would be incompatible with the Catholic, Christian and Jesuit character of Marquette.”

In his letter, Wolfe cites the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Religious Liberty, stating that the Declaration “asserts the right of religious communities ‘not to be prevented from publicly teaching and bearing witness to their beliefs by the spoken or written word.’” The Declaration also indicates that there are reasonable limits that should be considered.

Dooley said that Marquette does support the Declaration on Religious Liberty and that the University is committed to the quest for truth, “which implies the need for investigation, conversation, and dialogue,” Dooley said. “Religious questions are part of that search and part of students’ development of a religious identity.”

But for Wolfe, Marquette’s definition of proselytizing and Religious Activities Policy remains muddled.

“I think what has happened is twofold.  First, people have rightly become more sensitive about coercion, pressure, misrepresentation, and harassment.  That’s good.  But, second, many people have come to adopt a position of religious indifferentism:  it doesn’t matter what you believe, but only that you are sincere. That is a deep misunderstanding of Christianity,” Wolfe said, “Sincerity is good, but believing the real truth matters.”

“If there’s a public perception that finance is corrupt, then that’s a false perception,” AIM program director Dr. David Krause said.

As Wall Street continues to grapple with the global economic recession and public outrage over AIG executive bonuses and the Bernie Madoff scandal, Marquette’s Applied Investment Management (AIM) program is expanding the scope of Jesuit education and service beyond traditional social justice campaigns and food drives.

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The AIM program is bringing Jesuit values to the forefront of finance through an innovative investment research curriculum designed to give students real investment experience and a solid foundation in the Jesuit tradition.

The Applied Investment Management (AIM) program was founded in 2004 and gives a select number of finance majors the opportunity to manage $1 million of the University’s endowment while receiving hands-on training in managing small capitalization equity and fixed income  funds.

The International Applied Investment Management (IAIM) program was established in 2007 and expanded the portfolio to include global equity funds. As one of the nation’s top investment programs, the AIM program was the first undergraduate business program in the world selected as a program partner by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute.

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Jesuit infused ethics guide the program as AIM students are some of the first in the nation required to take courses focused on socially responsible investment management standards.

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“As far as we know, we’re the first school anywhere to offer investment ethics. We feel pretty good that we’re at the forefront addressing these problems. Because of our Jesuit values, we were addressing ethics before there was ever a need for it, before the big explosion,” Department of Finance chair Dr. Sarah Peck said.  “We take a lot of pride in the fact that not only are our students going to be extremely knowledgeable, but also become the type of people you want to see on Wall Street.”

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In addition to the ethics course, a new course on risk management will be offered because of the link between the current economic crisis and the high frequency of risk leverage.
“We could really see that this was becoming an issue so we’re going to offer a course on it,” said Peck.

Disclosure to clients, trading, conflicts of interest, compensation and corporate governance issues are among the many ethical concerns addressed in AIM courses, Peck said.
The AIM program also prepares students to take the Chartered Financial Analyst exam, in which ethics is heavily covered. According to the AIM Web site, the program’s partnership with the CFA Institute is dependent upon the program covering at least 70 percent of the CFA Candidate Body of Knowledge.

Marquette graduate and AIM program alumnus Steven Briggs, who will be starting at Bank of America in New York as an analyst in Mergers and Acquisitions in July said ethics was always a huge part of his classroom experience in the AIM program.

“Ethics is a huge portion of the CFA exam and was talked about in every class we took for the AIM program,” Briggs said. “We had to write papers on ethics and current events dealing with ethics was always discussed.”

The Jesuit ethics taught at Marquette have also stayed with alumnus Dan Williams, Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor for U.S. Trust Bank of America in New York.
“I think there’s a fundamental difference between people who’ve been Jesuit educated and those who have not,” Williams said. “It broadens your view of ethics, provides a moral, ethical training and makes it easy to tell when something is wrong, and say no right away.”

Although market volatility has gone down in recent months, the finance industry still faces hardship and uncertainty. Despite industry conditions, Dr. Krause said the AIM program has not suffered significant losses, and is also attracting a record number of applicants.

“The program hasn’t changed investing strategies, and is doing well in up and down markets,” Krause said. “There have been some alterations in type of companies, but we’ve stayed invested long term.”
Applicant numbers may be on the rise, but the implications of last fall’s financial crash has affected some students’ outlook on the future of finance. ????? ?????? ????? ???????
AIM program junior Sarah Finneran said upheaval in the financial industry compelled her to initially question joining the program.

“As I was applying to the program, the financial industry was in turmoil, and so I initially thought “why would I want to do this?” but then I realized that with the backdrop of Jesuit values taught and applied through AIM, this is what there is a need for [in the industry],” Finneran said.

“There is a need for a moral compass in the business world, and that’s exactly why I wanted to be a part of the program, so that what happened doesn’t happen again.”

Before the emergency vehicles arrived on the scene, Marquette ’02 alumnus Nick Skiffington was driving down Clybourn Ave. when a construction worker running away from the site of the new Marquette Law School, Eckstein Hall, caught his eye. Then, Skiffington saw the flames shooting up behind the worker.

“I slammed on my brakes, and the guy behind me slammed on his,” Skiffington said, “It took me a second to grab my cell phone and call, but when I did, the lady said emergency vehicles were already on their way.”

Skiffington placed his phone call at 3:50 p.m. Emergency vehicles arrived at 3:51 p.m.

In the nearby academic buildings, evacuation did not start until approximately 4:10 p.m., according to Amanda Hein, a teaching assistant for a class held in David A. Straz, Jr. Hall. “Public Safety sent officers to evacuate the building floor by floor,” Hein said.

The Haggerty Museum of Art was fully evacuated, while Straz Hall, Gesu Parish and O’Hara Hall were only partially evacuated.

According to Brigid O’Brien Miller, Director of University Communication, Marquette University enacted the evacuation of the east campus buildings only as a safety precaution.

The fire started due to a ruptured vaporization line leading to one section of three interconnected 1,000-gallon propane tanks.

The propane gas within the tanks is a liquid at cold temperatures and needs to be heated to a gas by a vaporizer for use. When the vaporization line ruptured, the heat started the line on fire, which in turn started the tank on fire, according to Battalion Fire Chief Michael Labinski.

Approximately 1,900 gallons of propane were still in the three interconnected tanks, so the Milwaukee Fire Department had to wait for the gas to burn off, although the firefighters stayed busy by directing large amounts of water at the tanks to keep them cool.

“We’re just cooling the tanks… and letting it burn. We keep them cool so the tank doesn’t superheat and explode,” Labinski said. “This is a controlled situation.”
Six construction workers were on the scene at the time the fire started. According to Labinski, they were in the trailer, heard a hissing noise and came out to find the tank on fire. All six workers are safe and without injury.

Damage to the structure itself has yet to be determined, but due to its containment between two concrete walls in the basement of the building, it is expected to be minimal.

Because of the fire, Clybourn Ave. was closed from 11th to 13th streets, and classes in Straz Hall were cancelled for the rest of the night.

The most disappointing closing was the cancellation of Marquette University Chorus’ concert with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at Gesu that was co-sponsored by Marquette University and Gesu Parish.

“Marquette University called us and decided to cancel the concert,” said Margi Horner, Director of Liturgy at Gesu. “We did not make the decision.”
MU Chorus member Christine Kehl was disappointed not to be able to perform but said that the concert will be rescheduled.

November 18, 2008, a Marquette Place location was noted for allowing food buildup around a cutting board, and for employee’s omission to wash hands between table-cleaning and food preparation activities. The Journal Sentinel report also said there was not hand-soap available at certain hand washing sinks.

As of press time, no Marquette Place authority was available for comment on last year’s inspection. In an email exchange, however, the Executive Director of Alumni Memorial Union and Auxiliary Services said specific concerns raised by inspections are “immediately addressed,” and that all managers and employees are certified in the ServSafe program.

March 6, 2008, a German cockroach was found under the dishwasher at the Brew Bayou AMU location. At the time, a manager said there was a “slight roach infestation” and pest control was being undertaken.

November 4, 2008, an inspector observed bugs on liquor bottles at the bar in Caffrey’s Pub. Owner of Caffrey’s and Murphy’s Irish Pub Mike Vittucci said the insects were found on a bottle of vermouth that was rarely used, and has since been removed. Though the report said that there are no single service hand-towels available in the restrooms, Vittucci said there are towels available, but most patrons make use of the electric hand dryers, which are more sanitary.

The Journal Sentinel report did not mention any health concerns connected with the pub’s weekly “turtle racing” event, wherein spectators watch live box turtles maintained by the staff inch towards a logo in the center of one of the establishment’s tables. Vittucci said only one employee who does not work behind the bar that night handles the turtles.

November 12, 2008, the final cooking temperature of the chicken at Qdoba Mexican Grille on 803 N. 16th St. was tested at 145-160 degrees, according to the Journal Sentinel report. State regulation requires all poultry be cooked at 165 degrees. General Manager Ryan White said Qdoba policies require food to meet the 165 degree requirement, and that each piece is tested with thermometers.

The Qdoba report also said the inspector observed a bowl of guacamole being prepared on a garbage container. White said an employee was probably transferring food from one bowl to another over an empty garbage can.

Further information on local eateries is available at http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/dataondemand/33609219.html.

ADVISING’S TWO WAY STREET FOR STUDENTS

While students who enter Marquette as first semester freshman are assigned a departmental major adviser, transfer students follow a somewhat different advising track. Meghan Dolan, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences transferred to Marquette from the University of Arizona at the beginning of her sophomore year. She said advising was a factor in her decision to transfer.

“I didn’t have an adviser at the University of Arizona,” Dolan said. “I didn’t know who to go to with questions about required courses and what ones would go with my major. I didn’t know who to talk to, and just had a general lack of direction.”

Dolan said after being accepted into Marquette, she received an e-mail from the Advising Department at the College of Arts and Sciences over the summer and then was able to then meet with an academic adviser to map out the courses she needed before she registered for classes.

“I met with my adviser before school even started and we talked a lot, which was really nice. She set up sheets and helped me map out my gen eds and everything I needed to do to graduate on time, and how I could get classes to double count for requirements, because I behind on credits,” said Dolan. “She’s been super helpful.”
Dolan met with her adviser twice more throughout her first semester, and said her adviser made herself very available to discuss any questions and concerns.
“She was really good about making sure I was adjusting and fitting in and making friends, making sure I was in the right classes.”

After her first year at Marquette, Dolan was assigned a major-specific adviser to meet with every semester before registration.

“I have a specific academic adviser now, but she’s relatively new and I’ve always wondered, do they really know what I need other than what’s a good major-related course for me to take?”

As positive as Dolan’s advising experience as been, College of Communication junior Joe Gacioch hasn’t been as fortunate, his advising experience at Marquette has been, in his words, “below average to say the least.”

Gacioch entered Marquette as a broadcast and electronic communication major, and was initially assigned a faculty member in that department as an adviser. Gacioch switched to Public Relations, subsequently changing advisers.

“She was either in her first or second year at MU, so she was unclear as to what classes I had to take to fulfill core, college and major requirements. As such, I basically had to figure out my requirements on my own,” Gacioch said.

Gacioch explains that although he is required to meet with his adviser, he usually has his classes already picked out.
“I was in Johnston Hall, not just her office, for eight minutes for my last advising session,” Gacioch said.

In addition to his poor experience, Gacioch said many of his friends have also had “below average experiences with their advisers.”
“I think that many students are unsatisfied with the advising system, as a whole, because of the lack of required sessions.”

MARQUETTE’S ADVISING STRUCTURE AND PHILOSOPHY

Each college at Marquette individually organizes and assigns advisers to students who have declared a major, but the Advising Center in the College of Arts and Sciences has a distinctively comprehensive program for Arts and Sciences students, transfer students and students who have an undecided major.

According to their Web site, the Advising Center utilizes full-time professional advisers who are available to assist students with “choosing a major, utilizing study skills techniques, determining career goals, selecting and scheduling courses and preparing for professional school.”

The Advising Center promises that their advisers will know students well and meet individually until a major is declared and other questions regarding courses, majors and careers are answered.

Brenna Vogel, who is an Academic Adviser at the Advising Center for College of Arts and Sciences takes that promise seriously. As a full-time pre-major adviser, Vogel works with 150 students on a one on one basis. Vogel typically meets with freshman, sophomores and transfer students from other universities or colleges within Marquette until they are paired with a faculty adviser in their area of study in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“I really get to know the students that I serve,” Vogel said. “I aim to see each student three times a semester, more if he/she wants. If a student is on academic probation, I meet with him/her weekly to make sure that we are working together to achieve academic success.”

Vogel also assists students with study abroad plans, summer school options and to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college, holds workshops on time management, organizes the College Majors Fair and does curriculum presentations during Orientation and Preview.

“I love what I do and I love my students. Advising is extremely rewarding and truly gives me a chance to get to know students on a personal level. My goal is to embody “cura personalis,” care for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit.”

MAJOR ADVISER PERSPECTIVE

College of Communication Associate professor, Dr. Ana Garner has been a faculty adviser for 16 years, and said faculty are expected to become familiar with the requirements of the major, college and university when advising students.

“The College of Communication has always held information sessions as things changed. Since faculty oversee requirements and course content they are usually familiar with changes that occur. The information sessions help fill in the gaps.”

Garner said College of Communication faculty undergoes supplemental training as academic requirements change and said balancing an advisee load is a part of being a faculty member just as much as teaching and researching.

“It is part of the ebb and flow of academic life, thus advising demands change as we move through the academic year in the same way the other work does.”
In his role as chair of the political science department, Dr. Lawrence LeBlanc, who has been advising and teaching at Marquette for 40 years, is responsible for assigning and meeting with all students who declare a major in political science.

“Yes, I would consider myself accountable to the College for the efficiency of the advising program in Political Science,” LeBlanc said. Students can either choose or be assigned an adviser after meeting with LeBlanc. He said, “the ability for students to choose their adviser is important.”

“I make every effort to be sure that students have advisers they will be comfortable working with,” LeBlanc said. “Advising is very important, but not all students see it as very important. Some want help not only with course selection but with working out, or at least thinking about, career plans and options. Others do not and are very self-reliant in making decisions on such matters.”

LeBlanc, who received the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Advising Award in 2006, said he was given no training on advising when he first came to Marquette.

“From time to time I went to advising workshops, particularly when I served as a Freshman Adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences. I do not require that the faculty undergo special training.”

Despite the lack of a formal training program, LeBlanc said the faculty in his department consult among themselves and share knowledge and insight on advising.
“Our objective is to provide first-rate advising to students, and I would say that we almost invariably achieve that.”