1989-12-14

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Saint John's University

Christmas at SJU/5,7 A steep grade / 9 Buckets begin/14

Official student newspopor of Saint John's University, Collegevllle, Minnesota

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December 14, 1989/Volume 102, Number   12

Drug-Free Act hits SJU

Law calls for "proactive" workplace

By Michael Atkins

The SJU personnel office Dec. 1 announced its intention to comply with the federal Drug Free Workplace Act. The new policy requires all SJU employees to report a drug-related offense that occurs at SJU or while representing the university to the SJU administration within five days of conviction. The personnel office is then required to forward notice within five days to all federal agencies supporting programs at SJU.

Herbert Trenz, SJU director of personnel, said that effective Jan. 1990, every firm or institution receiving over S25,000 in federal aid will be required to comply with the law. AlsoT students with federal loans or work study jobs will be affected. The university policy states that "To maintain a drug-free work environment, the Order of Saint Benedict, Inc. prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance in the workplace or while acting as representatives of the Order while on or off-campus." Violation of the act could result in loss of federal support, reportedly worth several million dollars.

"There is a big push on the part of the federal government to be more proactive and more aggressive in dealing with the drug problem in the workplace," Trenz commented. 'The bottom line is that the employer is to become involved with the whole problem of drugs in the workplace."

Trenz outlined a variety of university efforts to curb drug use, such as seminars, counseling, and freerehabilitation programs. The personnel office also works with the Barbra Peterson, SJU Employee Assistance Program (EAP) officer, to help link SJU employees with local hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Noncompliance to the regulation apparently was never considered. "We never considered not complying," Trenz said. "We agreed with the spirit of the law. The employer should take a proactive role when dealing wiLh illegal drug use."

Some members of the university, however, objected to the policy. Martin Andrews, SJU associ-

Act

continued on page 3

SJS talks tuition hikes

"The Senate is very concerned about tuition increases and we would like it kept to a minimum," said SJS senator Troy Durochcr. In light of this, the issue of new projects reflecting in tuition, was brought up at the SJS meeting. When asked by Durocher whether there was a list of priorities to go by, Thimmesh replied that he was preparing a fiveyearprojection for theBoardof Regents. High on his list of priorities was the proposed Campus Center. "I definitely want to get the Campus Center built," Thimmesh said. He also stated that there wasotherprojects—anew dorm, the renovation of Benet Hall, expansion of the library and possibly increased faculty housing nearer the campus.

Replying to specific question as to what the impact

Hikes

continued on page 3

By Stephen Augustine

SJU president Hilary Thimmesh, OSB, met recently with Saint John's Senate members (SJS) to discuss the relationship between future priorities and a tuition hike.

Eric Trettel, SJS president, invited Thimmesh to the meeting to discuss the University's priorities regarding major construction projects. Roman Paur, vicepresidentforstudentaffairs ahd initially proposed, to the Booard of Regents, construction of a new dorm not unlike Virgil Michel. The proposal was tabled by the Board. According to Brett Loeb, student representative to the Board of Regents, the SJS does not feel that any new housing is required and that if a new dorm should be built then it should not be designed anything like Virgil Michel.

16 December, 1989

To Our Readers:

As the first semester draws to a close we at The Record would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued readership and responses to our efforts this fall. Your letters and comments have contributed to the quality of this publication and have made the experience of putting this out every other week a pleasure.

The Record's job is to be the official student newspaper for St. John's University and it is just that: a student newspaper. The students, staff, and faculty make The Record what it is by constructively responding to the articles, issues, and features that we print. As our proud tradtion continues into the second semester. We hope you will continue to read, think about, and criticize our efforts. That is after all what a newspaper is for.

aking th

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More than fifty students patiently waited outside the SJU Registrar's office early yesterday morning with hopes of adding new classes to their spring

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December grads unhappy

By Steve Perry

Forty CSB students will participate in winter commencement ceremonies to be held Saturday, but the 38 December graduates from SJU will be getting their diplomas in the mail.

The CSB ceremony will be held in the B AC Forum Saturday afternoon at3 p.m., according to Connie Cross, CSB public information director.

At CSB, Dr. Idelia Loso will present a commencement address entitled, "So Let Your Light Shine," drawing on her experience with the school's historic pageant ceremonies. Loso is a 1937 graduate of CSB and now resides in St. Joseph."

Loso will also receive the Lumen Vitae (Light of Life) award from-- CSB president Colman O'Connell. "DrLoso's light has been shared with the citizens of Minnesota in her role as teacher, administrator and Christian," O'Connell stated in a press release last week.

Loso held several administrative posts at Minnesota colleges before retiring in 1981. She recently authored Preserving a Heritage, a historical volume on the roots of St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Some SJU students are disappointed that their school has no winter commencement ceremony like CSB does. "I am a bit annoyed that there is no commencement. It would be really nice to have some type of recognition in December," said SJU degree candidate Kevin Putzkc, adding that a number of winter graduates arc in their tilth year at SJU.

According to SJU presidential assistant and commencement coordinator Stephen Lilly, OSB, SJU has no December commencement but encourages all graduates to walk in the traditional May ceremony. "We made this decision two years ago," said Lilly, citing poor attendance at a small reception for winter graduates the year before.

"I don't see why December grads arc punished for finishing during the winter," added John Kunkcl, another SJU senior. "Graduates should be miffed at having to return six montlis later for the ceremony when they've already earned their degrees."

But what Putzke finds most annoying is that he hasn't received any information about participating in any ceremony, winter or spring, as he ncars the end of his final semester. "I am on the December degree list, so it's not that they don't know my intentions."

"No information about winter commencement is sent out because there isn't a winter commencement ceremony at SJU," Lilly explained. "All degree candidates (winter or spring) receive important information in late March regarding May commencement ceremony. If a student graduates in December and wishes to march in May, then the most important thing is to keep the registrar's office informed of a current mailing address."

Under normal circumstances at CSB students are expected to march in their school's December ceremony if they are eligible, according to registrar Dave Lyndgaard.

However, some CSB students would rather walk in the traditional May ceremony. "I was much happier marching in the spring," said CSB grad Sarah Kockclman. 'The only reason it was an option for me was because I completed a January term course. I know there is a problem that [CSB students] arc being told when they have to graduate." Kockelman completed her requirements in December but marched in the spring.

CSB students often prefer returning in May because a traditional graduation in December looks odd with a smaller group, Kockelman said. *'St. Ben's had a grand march processional for a winter graduation of thirty people, so some who participated felt a little silly. They didn't want their graduation to be a small imitation of the May graduation."

CSB's ceremony Saturday will be a full commencement, and includes the traditional procession, said Dave Glenn, director of CSB special events.

Putzke, Kockclman and Kunkel all agreed that December candidates from both schools could be better served with a winter ceremony specially designed for a smaller group.