Last week, General Petraeus testified before the Senate about the current state of the Iraq War and provided his recommendations for the future. But before he had even arrived on Capitol Hill, Democrats were spreading negative messages about his report. Nancy Pelosi stated, “We don’t want to hear any glorification of what happened in Basra. We have to know the real ground truths of what is happening there, not put a shine on events.”

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama alongside many other Democrats, are committed to the idea that Iraq has always been a complete failure and have established themselves as candidates who will immediately pull out all troops to end American bloodshed. Because of this extreme stance, they are unable to accept any sort of successes that we have had in the region, but are actively looking and hoping for our failure in Iraq.

This is extremely frustrating for those who have seen significant gains over the past six months, with the number of deaths due to ethno sectarian violence falling significantly since last September. General Petraeus also cited other examples of progress in the region stating, “Iraqi forces have grown significantly since September, and over 540,000 individuals now serve in the Iraqi Security Forces. These units are bearing an increasing share of the burden, as evidenced by the fact that Iraqi security force losses have recently been three times our own.”

Ambassador Crocker went on to illustrate other gains when he stated, contrary to Pelosi’s beliefs, that “the Iraqi decision to combat these groups in Basra has major significance. First a Shia majority government has demonstrated its commitment to taking on criminals and extremists. Second, Iraqi security forces led these operations.”

Petraeus emphasized other positive events like the Iraq’s increasing revenue from oil as a sign of improvement. But while these gains have been significant, there is also much work to be done. In order for these gains to be truly realized, they must be sustained. Petraeus recommends continuing the surge drawdown until July, when he would undertake a 45-day evaluation, during which he would determine what further courses of action would be needed.

Iraq is an incredibly difficult situation, arguably one which the country should or should not have gotten involved in. But since we are involved, we have the duty as well as the opportunity to improve this region and make the rest of world safer. Iraq is the defining issue of our time; we should not simply cut our losses and give up, nor should we remain there indefinitely. We should constantly analyze the changing situation there, and determine how to continuously give more and more responsibility to the Iraqis. This has already begun and will continue to do so. But to make a rash decision, to end our involvement and give up, would be an utter disaster. Presidential candidate John McCain said it best: “To promise a withdrawal of our forces regardless of the consequences would constitute a failure of political and moral leadership.”

Popularity: 13% [?]

NETwork Against Malaria started off as a family project, but it is slowly growing into Marquette’s newest student organization.

Maura McGlynn, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, first met Rev. Michael Mujule when he was a visiting missionary in the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Mujule had founded two girls’ schools in Uganda, his home country, and was living in Metropolis for three years while studying to be a teacher. It was through him that McGlynn’s family learned that malaria is still a major problem in third world countries in Africa.

“More people have malaria now than ever,” McGlynn said. “Uganda has the most documented cases of malaria in the world.”

Immediately the McGlynns began to help.

Mujule said the easiest way to help prevent malaria is with insecticide-treated bed nets. Nets can be purchased for $10 and reduce the risk of malaria by 90 percent. The main problem with the nets is most people in Uganda do not know how to use them, McGlynn said. The next major problem is that since the average Ugandan makes less than $1 a day, they sell the nets and face more expensive medical bills because of malaria.

How does NETwork Against Malaria help?

McGlynn said she gives the money she raises to Mujule. Mujule then wires the money to a priest in Uganda so the nets can be purchased in Uganda. Then the girls at Mujule’s schools decide who will receive the nets and teach the recipients how to use them.

Through a grant, McGlynn is able to sell t-shirts and bracelets to raise money. T-shirts are $10 and bracelets are $5. The bracelets are made out of beads that are handmade by Ugandan women and benefit another non-profit organization, Bead for Life. The beads become a source of income for these women, and they have a way of lifting themselves out of poverty. Bracelets can either be purchased or McGlynn gives an opportunity to make your own bracelet out of the beads.

McGlynn is currently working to make NETwork Against Malaria a student organization, but for now she is just trying to raise awareness. She has been giving presentations at dorms across campus because many people do not realize malaria is a problem.

“The answer is out there,” McGlynn said. “If you want to reach the community and actually want to make a difference, this is the way to do it.”

On April 10, she gave a presentation at Cobeen Hall, 729 N. 11th St.

Emily Paprocki, a junior in Arts & Sciences and a residence assistant in Cobeen, sponsored McGlynn’s presentation. Paprocki talked several girls on her floor into coming to the presentation.

“She came to talk about it and get more student interest,” Paprocki said.

Sarah Rossella, a freshman in the College of Communication and a Cobeen resident, said she came for the bracelet making.

“It’s also a good cause,” she said.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Marquette’s Catholic community is, in many respects, self contained; very few students are acutely aware of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s recent financial struggles. While many Marquette students do not call Milwaukee home, it might concern some that the greater Milwaukee Catholic community of which Marquette is a part is facing serious financial crisis. The Archdiocese is projecting a multi-million dollar budget shortfall, due primarily to sex-abuse lawsuit settlements. On April 7 the Archdiocese released a massive reorganization of its central offices, which included the merging of several offices and programs, as well as the elimination of multiple positions.

Steve Blaha, the coordinator of faith formation programs in University Ministry also serves on the Vision 21 committee, an advisory group of the Archdiocese. On the Archdiocese’s recent financial challenges Blaha poignantly commented that the Archdiocese has “cut the fat, and is now starting to cut the muscle.” Blaha points out that the effects of reorganization disseminate down to the parish level, affecting how the ministries of individual parishes operate, and placing a larger burden on parish ministers and staff.

Jerry Topczewski, the chief of staff of Archbishop Dolan, stressed that the purpose of the restructuring was not to eliminate programs and services. Rather, the aim of the restructuring was to save as much money as possible, while preserving core ministries and outreach programs. “All ministries are important,” Topczewski notes. He highlights that the Archdiocese is not like a corporation that can arbitrarily cut costs, saying, “The services that are used the least are some of the most important. The marginalized are the ones that need us the most.”

While this restructuring does not directly affect Marquette, there are ways that Marquette students can assist the Archdiocese as it reshapes itself in these times of financial struggle. Students can, of course, donate financial assistance through The Catholic Stewardship Appeal, which is the primary fundraising operation of the Archdiocese. One-hundred percent of the money donated to the Stewardship Appeal goes directly to supporting ministries like Catholic Charities and campus ministry programs at UW-Milwaukee and Whitewater.

A second, more active, way that Marquette students can help is by donating their time and skills. Both Topczewski and Blaha emphasize that in the wake of this restructuring the call for lay volunteers has never been greater.

Nicole Steinmetz, a sophomore in the college of Arts and Sciences, currently volunteers her time teaching Confirmation classes at Christ King parish in Wauwatosa. “It’s been a really rewarding experience,” says Steinmetz. “Working in the parish has been great, and I feel like I’ve been able to make a difference.”

This willingness to volunteer, according to Topczewski, is going to be integral to the future of the Archdiocese. “This restructuring calls for people with skills to participate more actively,” he says.

Finally, Topczewski urges that students remember the Archdiocese in their prayers, so that the Catholic community of Southeastern Wisconsin might have the strength to walk through this valley of shadow and financial strife.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Chairman of The Warrior Inc. Board of Directors and former beer columnist.

Brandon Henak, a 2006 graduate of Marquette University, still keeps his Marquette Experience a part of his daily routine. Originally from Chanhassen, Minnesota, Henak now resides in Milwaukee and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Warrior Media, Inc. While working at General Electric Healthcare in the Information Management Leadership Program, Henak still assists The Warrior with its Web site.

Formerly, Henak wrote for The Warrior as the beer columnist. Henak was instrumental in the formation process for The Warrior – now a mainstay on Marquette’s campus. He was also the long-serving Chairman of the Marquette University College Republicans.

Currently, Henak is an active blogger on two sites, gop3.com and newlycorporate.com. He’s a season ticketholder for Marquette basketball as well.

Henak shows what being a Warrior is all about: leadership, hard work and dedication to a cause.

“It’s a great day to be a Warrior.”

Popularity: 14% [?]

The vast majority of Marquette students has or will rent an apartment for their junior and senior years. Every month, students write a rent check to the slumlords who make a huge profit off of their condemnable buildings. After graduation, as students move off campus and into the real world, they need to think about whether to buy a home or keep writing rent checks. There are many advantages and disadvantages to each option.

But first, for those of you who are leaving the friendly confines of Schroeder, Straz, Mashuda, or Carpenter and moving off campus for the first time, here are a few things to keep in mind when renting. Find out what utilities are included. Does it include water, garbage, heat, electricity, or cable? All of these things add a substantial cost to the apartment. Also, be sure to read the lease. Many landlords have huge restrictions on the number of occupants, kegs/parties and pets (which I find ironic, because four guys can do much more damage to a place than a Labrador).

Now, for those of you who are moving to the real world, there is more to consider than just pets and kegs. Personal situations must be assessed to determine if it is appropriate to buy or rent.

First, can you afford to buy a place? Purchasing a home involves fees, down payments, taxes, mortgage payments, repairs, and more. Typically, renting is much cheaper and assumes less risk. As a side note, if you find a rental that is just a little out of your price range, you can try to haggle. If a building has lots of vacancies, landlords may lower their prices to fill the space.

Second, you need to assess your time horizon. If you are going to spend one or two years in your new location, then move somewhere else, renting is your best choice. If you are staying for a longer time, more than three to five years, buying may be a better choice. Some reasons to hold off from buying short term are fees and the mortgages payment structure. The longer you live in the house, the more those fees are mitigated over the years. Mortgage payments are structured with high interest payments during the first few years. This means you are not building up as much equity in the first few years as you do later on.

If you determine that buying a place is appropriate, you should hire a real estate agent and look for a mortgage broker. A real estate agent will know the area and can show you homes in your price range. Find someone you like who comes across more like a professional than like a used car salesman. A mortgage broker will help you set up the financing. Usually you should go with the mortgage broker who can find you the lowest rate.

Both of these people are salesmen and they work off of commission (meaning they only make money when they close a deal). In their eyes, it is always “A great time to buy.” Therefore, you should learn about the market on your own to decide if it is a wise investment. Research the local housing market, the general housing market and the financing market.

Buying a house is the biggest financial decision most people will make in their whole lives. Educating yourself is paramount.

Popularity: 15% [?]

“Wear your blue and gold to weelcome Marquette’s new men’s baskletball coach”

The foregoing was the opening line in the Special News Brief from Marquette University announcing the hiring of new head men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams. I count three errors. Let’s hope it’s not an omen.

The hurry to get out the News Brief, and hence the lack of appropriate editing, is indicative of the way this entire hire has gone: rushed and garbled.

Even if it’s not all their fault, the blatant mishandling of Tom Crean’s departure has left fans and students casting a skeptical eye at the athletics department. To earn that trust back, the Department needs to act humbly and recognize that process matters.

At a press conference immediately following Crean’s departure, Athletics Director Steve Cottingham said, “We are not going to have a search committee. I think that the level that we’re at, it is a management decision within the university.”

They followed through on that pledge, turned around a very quick hire, and promoted Buzz Williams. The Williams pick appears to be driven by a short-sighted desire to keep a few key recruits for next year rather than a long-term vision for the program.

There was no search committee for Cottingham’s job either. When Bill Cords departed as AD well over a year ago, we were told that Cottingham’s number one job as interim AD would be to recruit a great successor. Fourteen months later, not a single interview had happened, even though over 60 eager and qualified candidates had applied. One day, Cottingham decided he thought he should stay on permanently, and a “management decision” was made that gave him the job.

The athletics department did empanel a search committee once in the last few years, for the hire of the men’s soccer coach in 2006. Student-athletes were selected to interview candidates and provide feedback. Cords made a “management decision” to hire Louie Bennett, and the search committee was not involved at all.

Allow me to further note that the search committee for the provost (at least there is one!) does not have any student members, so this problem is not just in the Athletics Department.

My point is this: Process matters. When people trust the management, it is easier for the management to make an executive decision. When trust has been bruised, however, then a committee process that includes all the stakeholders is important. Transparency is important. Take your time and think things through.
We talk often at Marquette about dialogue, empowerment, and community. Perhaps we would avoid both superficial and substantive mistakes if we followed a process that made stakeholders feel confident and included.

Popularity: 15% [?]

President Ray Redlingshafer is working to make his campaign promises a reality. He has been agreeing to meet with newspaper writers and bloggers, opening up a line of communication to the Marquette student body that a few weeks ago was nonexistent.

More impressive though is what Ray has done as President, only being on the job for two weeks. Ray has been working hard to make the student opinion heard as the University looks for a new Vice President of Student Affairs. “I’ve been the student voice,” Ray said.

Furthermore, he is looking to make sure that Marquette University is safe. As someone who has Chief Rickard’s (head of the Department of Public Safety) personal number in his phone, he takes campus safety very seriously. Ray said that since he took office, “I’ve talked personally with Chief Rickard three times.” Campus safety has been a huge concern among students lately because of the number of incidents that have recently been reported to Marquette. It is amazing that the MUSG President is addressing issues relevant to students. Ray been critical of Public Safety, but rather than doing all the talking, Ray has been working to “listen to Public Safety.”

A convoluted issue that was raised during the election was the Student Organization Allocation process, and Redlingshafer, along with Executive Vice President Kathleen Blaney, have had a meeting that all club sports presidents were invited to attend, so they could clear up any questions about the SOA process. Even though currently MUSG only returns about 1/3 of the student activity fee to the students through the SOA process, it is wonderful that Ray and Kathleen are helping clubs get through the red tape that is the bureaucracy of MUSG.

Ray admitted that what he has had difficulty with thus far in his term as president is getting computers in the Union. The reason that Ray gave is that Senate support is needed in order to buy computers for the Union and is having a difficult time with the Senate getting this accomplished, partly because there has been a lack of a Legislative Vice President. Ray did say that he was not blaming the Senate that the computers have not been set up. However, it seems that in fact it is the Senate’s fault; it has been determined that this group does not make anything happen around the Marquette campus. In fact, as can be deduced from this lack of action, the Senate is a drag on MUSG, and a group that needs to be dealt with more than any other group. (Senate meetings are open to the public, every Thursday at 7:30pm in the AMU. Just ask the Informaiton Desk in the AMU for the location.)

The other project Ray hopes to see completed this semester is a gender resource center on campus. Ray said that the idea is to have a “central location on campus…to have a comfort zone, to speak about problems.” These problems would be primarily relationship problems. The idea to have such a center certainly fits with Marquette’s vision of caring for the whole person. Again, though, Ray said that he is waiting on the Senate for this project to happen.

Ray also sat on a committee recently to appoint a new Communications Vice President. This person, replacing Jillian Mertz, is Catherine Leukam. Ray hopes to see her reach the students that MUSG is “typically unable to reach…take the next step to reach the student body population.” This is certainly a tough job, but it fulfills one of Ray’s campaign promises. Leukam will start her new position sometime between April 15 and May 1. Hopefully she can live up to both Ray’s expectations and what the students deserve from her; hopefully she is not just another name filling a position.

President Redlingshafer seems to be taking his new role extremely seriously and seems to be making tremendous progress with MUSG. Hopefully the rest of the organization does not hinder his progress.

Popularity: 10% [?]

I served in Michigan State University’s student government as an undergraduate, and my duties included sitting in on certain Board of Trustees meetings. The setting was impressive – an oak-paneled conference room with giant oil paintings of past presidents leering down from the walls. Best of all, there was always free food – fruit trays, cheese and crackers (not the snack pack kind, but the good stuff you see at wedding receptions), candies, and the like. Bottles of water and mugs of coffee were also free. Here we were, undergraduates used to boiling Ramen noodles or eating inedible cafeteria food, seeing how the other half lives – with hors d’oeuvres pushed at them all the time.

Marquette students may not have an inalienable right to enjoy appetizers, but we do have a right to choose an effective, articulate representative at the highest levels of university decision-making. The best means to this end will be a permanent student seat on the University Leadership Council.

Having a student on Marquette’s Board of Trustees would be fun, but not useful. The Trustees consist of people who gave a lot of money to Marquette or went to Marquette and do something really cool, like Glenn A. “Doc” Rivers, or John F. Ferraro, Chief Operating Officer for the accounting firm Ernst and Young. The networking possibilities are endless – you treat Doc Rivers to an evening at Caffrey’s, and he treats you to courtside Celtics seats. Or you fly in John Ferraro to give a guest lecture to finance majors, and he invites you to dinner at the Four Seasons. But I jest.

Real decisions get made in the University Leadership Council, which includes 16 senior administrators and Marquette’s 12 university deans. This body could use a student member, if for nothing else, to break the dreaded tie vote. The most important criteria for the young woman or man who would represent students would be preparation for all items on the agenda, the ability to offer alternative policies as well as to complain and critique, and the deft hands required to smuggle the appetizers out of the Throne Room (or whatever palatial meeting place is used) it and into the hands of his or her hungry fellow-students.

This student would serve for two years, meaning that juniors would be standing for University Leadership Council membership in September. The two-year term would enable continuity, camaraderie and cohesion, instead of an endless parade of one-year appointees rotating in and out. The one-year term might be a good idea for our national Congress – the sooner we throw those bums out, the better – but durability in office for the student would build rapport with the more senior members. He or she would be seen as an asset, not an annoyance.

Ideally, this student would be a Trustee-in-the-making. None of us have boatloads of money to give the university, but some of us have done really cool things already – like Jason Rae, Marquette’s superdelegate to the most contentious Democratic National Convention in recent memory; or Pat Landry, whose tireless work on the Hunger Clean-Up and various Catholic-minded service events deserves our applause. Our University Leadership Council representative would have already proven his or her ability to think outside the box and act outside the norm for the good of our Marquette community and the greater glory of God.

Popularity: 23% [?]

The Board of Trustees is Marquette’s overarching, governing body. The idea of it having a student member, no matter how interesting that may be, is simply not wise.

Where to begin? For starters, whether we like it or not, Marquette is in fact…a business. Normally, businesses only directly affect investors or those employed by them. Colleges are unique, because a third party is involved: students. If the local grocery store goes bankrupt, consumers have the option of going to the next store down the road. In the rare event of a college going kaput, students, numbering in the thousands, are left with the short end of the stick. Will their credits transfer? Will another college accept them? Will they need to start over?

I’m not naïve enough to actually believe that a student member on the board could single-handedly destroy Marquette, but this extreme example should illustrate how important the decisions are that are made by the board.

With enough bad decisions, Marquette’s reputation could be destroyed in a much shorter time than it takes to agonizingly rebuild it. It is the Board of Trustees’ duty, for the sake of thousands of people on campus and the hundreds of thousands of alumni abroad, to make the best decisions for the sake of the greatest good. This includes such “bad” decisions as the one to become the Marquette Gold. Members of the Board realized that they had opened Pandora’s Box by suggesting a nickname change. The overwhelming majority of students and alumni favored a return of the Warriors, but today’s politically correct focused society would never allow Willie Wampum to come back. A third, unseen choice seemed the best course of action at the time.

A student member of the board, even in a non-voting capacity, would have added nothing to the debate. Student sentiment was already known because of a survey issued to the Marquette community earlier that year. Perhaps a focus group on possibly becoming the Marquette Gold would have been wise, but no doubt information would have leaked and the surprise would have been blown.

Contrary to popular belief, people who make decisions like becoming the Gold know that they will be unpopular, but they are made anyway because it is the right thing to do (analogous to President Truman firing General MacArthur). Additionally, turning points such as this require solidarity. Was anyone else suspicious when it was announced that the Board’s decision to become the Gold was unanimous? It is unknown to students what was actually said in the meetings leading up to that decision, but I can only imagine that the debate was fierce. Regardless of the outcome, the decision had to be unanimous. If the report issued to students stated that there was a lone dissenter, the press would have hounded that individual, and torn apart a “solid” decision by the Board. Granted, they did that anyway, but it would have been worse if one or two people had voted, “No.”

I say all this to set up the question: if you were on the board, would you be able to swallow your pride and vote for the greater good? You may say yes, but really mean no. Students lack the necessary maturity and experience to know when to give up fighting for what they want in order to facilitate the common good. This is why business leaders and other adults with real world experience are chosen to be on the board. Besides, how many students do you know who can make a million dollar donation?

Popularity: 14% [?]

• The current Board of Trustees consists of 32 members. Some, like Glenn Rivers are alumni. Others are Jesuits, some are faculty, and still more are people unassociated with Marquette but have been asked to help run it based on their past business experience.
• Some colleges, such as the University of Massachusetts, have one or more students as full fledged members of the Board of Trustees.
• One of former MUSG President’s Brock Banks’s planks for running was getting a student on the Board of Trustees. Although resolutions for a full member and a non-voting member passed the MUSG Senate, they were subsequently denied by the Board of Trustees.
• The Trustees’ most visable decision was the decision to change the Marquette mascot to the “Gold,” prompting massive protests and anger among students and alumni, who overwhelmingly favored a return to the Warrior mascot.

Popularity: 15% [?]