Students receiving tutoring at Marquette may see some changes as the tutoring center receives a possible new location within the next two years. Faculty and tutors involved in the Marquette Tutoring Program feel there is a huge lack of space, which can affect their ability to aid students.

According to Dawn Barrett, associate director of Student Educational Services in the tutoring program, there are “approximately 60 [classes tutored] throughout each semester, mostly freshmen and sophomore-level courses, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, Physics, many others, etc.”

In past years, these classes were solely taught in the tutoring center, located on the third floor of the Alumni Memorial Union (AMU). This year, additional overflow space is on the fourth floor of the AMU. However, this is not enough.

“[A new location] is absolutely necessary, especially with there being at most 20 if not more groups of four to six people each,” said Marlena Eanes, a junior in the College of Education and former tutor. “The rooms get quite crowded quickly.”

Oftentimes, the crowded rooms are more than simply an annoyance for tutors but they are a distraction.

“The big problem with the space issue is when you have other groups, it’s hard to tutor because there are so many distractions,” said Angie Macias, a Spanish tutor and senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“When I did tutor training they told me I was really soft spoken,” Macias continued. “If you’re like me and you’re really soft spoken, it’s hard for people to hear you. Everyone else talks louder so they can be heard.”

Former Spanish tutor Chris Powell, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, agreed that crowded rooms are a distraction.

“I think that as a tutor you want to be able to make the most of the limited time, about an hour per week,” said Powell. “There’s a lot to cover, and the better you can efficiently communicate with the students the more effective the session will be.”

Powell concluded: “I think that crowded, noisy rooms are a poor environment in which to facilitate this type of positive interaction.”

Problems not only arise for the tutors but also for those tutored.

“I know from being a tutee that it is hard to concentrate on the material when there are so many other people around,” said Eanes.

Macias also reflected on her experience as a tutor. “Usually the class being tutored next to you is also something you are in,” Macias said. “So you are trying to listen to both.”

The obvious solution would be a new location, but this has proven difficult. According to Marquette’s provost, John Pauly, plans started even before he received the title of provost in 2008.

“There is a demand for space in the Union,” Pauly said. “From my perspective we never found an alternative space that was adequate.”

The two most likely places for the tutoring center to be relocated are Marquette Hall and Sensenbrenner Hall, with the former being more likely. In order for this to happen, Pauly said the building needs some improvements.

“The hope was that next summer we could start and be in place by the next fall,” Pauly said.  “We are looking at budgets.”

Although there are currently many obstacles, Pauly recognized the importance of the new building for students.

“Students need to get off to the right start,” he said. “What happens in the first six to eight weeks with freshmen helps determine their future. When students have issues, this is the place to go.”

Announcements for the new tutoring center will be made when plans are finalized.

by Sara Torres

[email protected]

Popularity: 3% [?]

DLC combines new ways of learning with new technology and sustainable practices

The first and lower levels of the 115,000 square foot Discovery Learning Complex (DLC) for the College of Engineering, located on Wisconsin Avenue between 16 and 17 streets, are currently open for classes. Jon Jensen, Ph.D., the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management, said the entire building is anticipated to be open by the summer of 2012. Marquette plans to add a second building to the current facility that will together occupy 250,000 square feet. While the college is striving for LEED Silver Certification, features of sustainable design of the DLC include over 30 solar panels, a heat recovery chiller to recycle wasted heat, a 10,000-gallon water tank to collect run-off water, and a roof garden with a walkway. The building also has little carpeting that saves oil and materials and reclaimed wood from construction areas in Wisconsin. The college is still raising money to complete this $50 million project.

“The building is a

laboratory all on its own.

A living laboratory.”

-Jon Jensen

Associate Dean for Enrollment Management

Fast Facts:

• As a teaching tool, the structure contains every type of construction member in plain view, in all shapes and sizes.

• Large windows with natural light and transparent glass walls promote an open and friendly environment to inspire innovation, collaboration and creativity.

• Smart classrooms (right) are equipped with movable furniture and large monitors that can be synchronized for video conferencing, recording and sharing lectures, and hooking up students’ laptops.

• The building is made up of  10 percent recycled content. Ninety-five percent of the debris was recycled from the original building on site.

• DLC uses 95 percent LED lighting, which uses less energy and less heat than incandescent lighting.

• The Engineering Materials and Structures Testing Lab houses a strong wall (left side), tubular members that support highway signs (right side), and a 10-ton crane that will add to the little-known body of knowledge on the stress it experiences under load.

• Controllable light dimmers in each environment and motion sensors help sustain energy and reduce unnecessary light usage.

• Writable dry-erase walls in laboratories all over the building allow students to draw out their ideas.

Collaborative Atmosphere:

Unique among engineering colleges, the DLC provides working spaces and laboratories that combine subfields of engineering. In addition, each floor is designed to facilitate collaboration between faculty research and student studies. Approximately 1,168 full-time undergraduate students and 210 graduate students are enrolled in the College of Engineering. The college has 55 full-time and 20 part-time faculty members.

Building Breakdown:

Lower Level — Energy

Level 1 — Engineering Outreach and Education

Level 2 — Sensor Technology

Level 3 — Healthcare and Human Performance

Level 4 — Water Quality and Clean Water

Building Nuts & Bolts:

• 38 laboratories

• 9 classrooms and seminar rooms

• 25 faculty offices

• 12 student study nodes

• 2 graduate student offices

by Melanie Pawlyszyn

[email protected]

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Milwaukee Film Festival is one of my favorite events in Milwaukee. If you haven’t gone to any of the films in the festival in the past, make sure you try to attend in the future. It is really great when something like that is right in your city. If you are a student, it is something you must attend before you graduate. Not only does the film festival allow people to see films they otherwise would not (low budget, foreign, etc.), but it is also allows people to access another almost forgotten side of film, a side that shows that film is more than just entertainment – it is, or at least can be, a legitimate form of art. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend much of the Film Festival this year, but I did get the chance to see a great selection of short films entitled “Date Night.”

In “Date Night,” each short had its own unique flavor and style. They were only truly united by their focus on romantic relationships that tended to be perverse or dysfunctional. Beginning with the brilliant “An Evening with Emery Long,” the story of one middle-aged man’s comical attempt to make meatloaf for his first “date” with his co-worker, and ending with the minute and a half Spanish short called, “The Screamers,” the short film collection was entertaining all the way through. One highlight was the second to last film, “Gayby,” about two friends, one a gay male and the other a female who has given up on relationships, trying to make a baby together. This plot is just one example of the creative twists on relationships that was prevalent throughout the shorts.

Probably the most creatively filmed and edited of all the shorts was “Animal Love.” Featuring Selma Blair (“Cruel Intentions,” “Hellboy”) and Jeremy Davies (Daniel Faraday from “Lost”) as two strangers who arrange to meet up using a date website. Although they seem to meet purely for sexual purposes, it becomes apparent that both characters are actually two lonely individuals looking for something more. The film really shines in the way it is presented, including a dating game show style introduction of the two main characters and a few shots through the point of view of a runaway pet guinea pig. Complete with music by (appropriately) Animal Collective, “Animal Love” was certainly a highlight of the short films, and a great mix of originality and flawed romance.

Overall, “Date Night” was a lot of fun, especially for the couples in the audience. My only complaint was that it dragged a little during the French film, “Dear Abbot,” which was disproportionately longer than the other films and could have been cut about five to ten minutes shorter. Still, I enjoyed each film for the creative ways they presented love, relationships, religion, sexual orientation and even baby-making. The variety in “Date Night” makes it a fun and unusual movie-going experience. It is just one of the many jewels the Milwaukee Film Festival can bring to this city.

by Kevin Benninger

[email protected]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Well, Damn. Another year has come and gone, and now I’m a senior. So I guess that my advice bears even more weight, especially to my new Warriors, the class of 2015. This one is for you, so listen up.

What is the number one thing on your mind right now? People. Guys and girls alike are both concerned with meeting new people so they can share the epic nights with good friends. How does that connect with my fashion column? I have advice that will make that easier! Here’s the scoop: Be MEMORABLE. Guys, let’s handle you first.

The number one way to get a cute girl to remember who you are when you awkwardly encounter them in McCormick on Monday afternoon is to be the best dressed guy there. I promise to walk you through the nuances of fashion as the school year continues, but right now I have some hard and fast rules. One: Don’t look like a bum, ditch the sweatpants. Two: Seriously. I will mock you if I see you in sweats. Three: A clean polo and a pair of dark jeans take no maintenance and set you apart from the forty other guys in ragged tees and basketball shorts. Four: Ties, collared shirts and nice pants can be worn WHENEVER you feel like it. Randomly dress up one day; I guarantee at least one person will inquire, and that’s a great opportunity to make new friends. I live by the motto, “Everyday is bow tie optional.” I’m not saying you have to pull out some Vineyard Vines, but pick one day a week where you pull out the stops and you will see results. Five: You can get away with a lot of fashion quirkiness if the item fits properly and is clean. What separates a bum from a hipster? A shower and a sizing rack. And finally, Gentlemen, there’s no such thing as being “overdressed.” Always look as if you’re going somewhere better. Example: I wear button ups everyday. Why? Because I am an adult, and because it makes people mistakenly think I’m important. Men, if you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you do good.

Ladies, I want to make one thing clear. I believe that every single one of you is selling yourself short. I think you should all look stunning at all times. Not because I’m some sort of chauvinist who wants a fashion parade on campus but because I think that looking like a million bucks is a key to making a million bucks. Understand, I am not saying you need to wear something skimpy, ask any girl who knows me. I would rather see my future girlfriend (still single, ladies) in a nice blouse and skinny jeans than in some of the trash I’ve already seen a handful of girls stumble out of Colbeen in. You want a guy to notice you? Look gorgeous, but keep it classy. If you have to keep pulling down your skirt or pulling up your top when you’re out on Wells… Do you really think that the guys you meet will remember your pretty smile, or the words that are coming out of it? Equally important is what you wear to class. That cute upperclassmen you’re crushing on probably owns the oversized crew-neck sweater you yanked on with your leggings. If you walk into class dressed looking like a professional there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get treated like one.

I’ll wrap it up, I know the guys want to get back to COD and the ladies have Glee to watch.

I get it. You’re too busy to dress up all the time, and that’s fine. But realize that you are setting habits for your futures as actual grown-ups with actual jobs. Actual jobs where your boss and coworkers will judge you based on your appearance. Remember that.

One last piece of advice. I get it, college is a new thing and your biggest concern right now is partying, followed not-so-closely by academics. Ask anyone who knows me, I heartily advocate having fun… But then again I also spent some time on academic probation. I leave you with those parting words, until next time. Warriors, keep your swagg on.

by Gus Lopez

Popularity: 3% [?]

Never before have everyday Wisconsinite’s had a hard time deciding between which team to focus a party around. You can’t host a Saturday Badger game party, followed by a Sunday Packer/Brewer game party. Even then, if you choose the Sunday doubleheader you are forced to choose a game to focus on since they were playing at roughly the same time. The teams that we are able to cheer for at the moment are spoiling us, and here is why.

The Badgers have the potential to receive an invitation to the BCS national championship game this season for the first time in over a decade. While the championship was viewed as a possibility, this last Saturday’s match-up against eighth ranked Nebraska was viewed as the make or break game for the year. Entering Saturday’s game, the Badgers had already decimated each team they had faced. The offense ran over some of the worst teams in college football, while the defense was fairly staunch. Nebraska was viewed as their first real test, and the offense clicked as if the competition hadn’t improved. The defense, meanwhile, gave up more yards than would normally be comfortable, but forced several turnovers by mistake prone quarterback Taylor Martinez. Now the Badgers have risen from seventh to fifth in the rankings, and quarterback Russell Wilson has injected new life into a team that has never before had a QB that can beat any team with his arm or his legs. In fact, when was the last time they had a quarterback who could beat a team on his own, period? Montee Ball rushed for over 150 yards on 30 rushes, continuing the Wisconsin tradition of having a big, bruising back. Now the only potential bumps in the road seem to be October 22nd against Michigan State, and November 19th against Illinois. Neither team is expected to be as good of a team as Nebraska.

The Brewers are in a position that they haven’t been in since 1982. They are considered one of the teams that actually has the potential to make a World Series run. Yes, they made the playoffs in 2008, but they were in a similar position as Arizona is in these playoffs: a team that is just happy to make the playoffs. With Shaun Marcum, Zach Greinke and Yovani Gallardo, the Brewers fully expect to make a serious run at the championship this fall. After winning a team record 96 games this season, the Brewers won their division and the right to home field in the first series of the playoffs (and the second if the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies). The Brewers have never won a World Series here in Milwaukee, and fans are delirious at the possibility. More surprising than any of that, for me at least, is that for the first time fans are actually tuning in to a Brewers game instead of a Packers game. While emceeing at Replay Sports Bar, I actually witnessed fans requesting that the sound for the Brewers game be turned on instead of the sound for the Packers game. Fans asked to have some of the televisions showing the Packers game switched to the Brewers game. This is MILWAUKEE, we are a football city, not a baseball city. Helped by the fact that they are in the playoffs, the Brewers garnered more attention that the Packers. After the Packers game ended, no fans left. None. While I set up an auto-tune to the Jets/Ravens game, fans booed me because they thought that I may have been turning off the Brewers game (and because they were a little drunk from all the free shots). I got booed, loudly, incredibly loudly, because fans thought I was turning off a 9-4 seventh inning baseball game.

The Packers are a different story all together. This state has long been a Packer state. A cheese head state, if you will. The Packers won the Super Bowl last season (as predicted on November 11th by yours truly), and all expect them to make a serious run at repeating as champions, something rarely accomplished. Notoriously slow starters since Mike McCarthy took over, the Packers have jumped out to a 4-0 start and seemed to be in control at the end of every game. The Packers offense has been particularly explosive with QB Aaron Rodgers supplied with a “toolbox” of talent, Donald Drivers words, not mine. Each week it seems as if a different player steps up and grabs the attention of Rodgers. Each defense has tried to focus on one specific receiver, whether it be Jermichael Finley or Greg Jennings, but that always leads another talented receiver open. It’s not even fair sometimes, since rookie Randall Cobb has the talent to be much higher up on the depth chart than fifth receiver, and has excelled when faced with a teams inferior cover corner. Because of last year’s championship, there is a lot of residual excitement surrounding this year’s team. Fans have not had to experience a Packers loss since December of 2010. Since then the Packers have won ten straight games, including playoffs.

Talk about a spoiled fan base. Let’s take out southerly neighbors, the city of Chicago, and compare. In the three major sports, Chicago fans have had nothing to cheer about since Michael Jordan left. The last championship for the Bears was in 1985, and the last time the Cubs won a World Series was well before World War II. To be fair, I do not count the White Sox because before they wont the World Series five years or so ago I had never met a Chicagoan who actually cheered more for the White Sox than the Cubs. Oh, and their college football teams are terrible. Does this mean that we are simply better than Chicago? Probably. Does this mean that we should rub it in their faces? Maybe. Does this mean that we are one lucky fan base who does not quite realize how lucky we have it right now? Definitely.

by Roberto Ruiz

Popularity: 3% [?]

Jason Rae

The most exciting phone call the average Marquette student will get is from Buckheads telling them they have won a party on Friday night. Jason Rae, a Marquette alumnus from the class of 2009, received his most exciting phone call from former President Bill Clinton while sitting in his bedroom at Mashuda Hall. Having the most famous voice heard at Mashuda since the Beatles stayed there, Clinton called Rae because he was and still is a superdelegate to the Democratic Nationl Committee (DNC).

The months surrounding the 2008 Wisconsin Primary were a “total blur” to Rae. He was interviewed on Fox News, MSNBC, Good Morning America and Anderson Cooper 360°. As a superdelegate, he voted for Barack Obama despite Clinton’s encouragement to vote for Hilary Clinton. He voted for Obama after he saw Wisconsin choose Obama in the primary.

Rather than becoming a superdelegate to simply make his voice heard, Rae ran as a DNC superdelegate to represent America’s next generation. He was a founding member of the DNC Youth Council and is now its chair.

Rae became active in politics while still in high school. He was one of 30 students to spend fall of his junior year working on the floor of the United States Senate as a page. He was born in Rice Lake, Wis., about five hours northwest of Milwaukee. He had always been involved with county politics and was wondering what he should do next. Because of his experience at the Capitol, he originally wanted to go to George Washington University. But Marquette gave him a more competitive financial package so he ultimately enrolled at Marquette.

While most freshmen were content signing up for club sports during O-Fest, Rae walked into the political science department to declare his major. He took his first political science course with Dr. John McAdams, which he greatly enjoyed despite his disagreement with McAdams on nearly every issue. During his freshman year, he also worked as an intern in Herb Kohl’s office in Milwaukee.

Rae, a double major in history and political science, was active on campus outside the classroom as well. He served as the legislative vice president for Marquette University Student Government twice, and as a freshman, served as a student representative for the Academic Senate. Some professors on the Academic Senate were astonished that a freshman was appointed to such a position, and even suggested that an upperclassman may be a better fit. Yet he maintained his position, and was even a resident assistant and a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society of which he became the student chapter president.

During the summer of his senior year, he worked as an intern for Nation Consulting, a Wisconsin-based public strategies firm that offers services to local, regional and national clients. After graduating, he was offered a spot to stay on. He is now an associate there where he works primarily with political clients and non-profits.

The advice he offered to those aspiring a career in politics is to start early, such as obtaining a college internship. He said you should not wait until senior year to become involved because of all the valuable connections and insights you can get from a strong (and early) beginning. Ultimately, he said you are “never too young.”

by Adam Ryback

[email protected]

Bill Neidhardt

Although most students do not know who Les Aspin is, they do have a profound respect for Marquette’s educational program founded in his name. Bill Neidhardt, a junior majoring in political science with a concentration in law, “cannot speak highly enough of the Les Aspin Center.” He said he believes the staff really helps you excel in Washington. Rev. Timothy O’Brien, Director of the Les Aspin Center for Government, has a particularly major role in showing students how their experience in D. C. connects with studies in the classroom. He takes the students aside to look at the internship from a “removed perspective,” according to Neidhardt.

He also argued that if you use the “Marquette Connection” right, it can take you far. For instance, he describes how Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s chief of staff, a Marquette alumnus, went out of his way to talk to Neidhardt about Marquette basketball or other topics because of their mutual connection to our university.

Marquette gives its students more chances to have an in-depth role in politics than many other schools. Neidhardt compares Marquette to Fordham University in New York, where he also considered attending college. At Fordham he said he does not believe he could have competed in place like New York. However, since he went school in Milwaukee he was able to get an internship his freshman year.

During his college career, Neidhardt has held three internships, two with former Wisconsin senator Russ Feingold and one with Durbin, whom he worked for last semester. He held his first internship the second semester of his freshman year. He worked in the field, going door-to-door and working at a phone bank. The following semester he worked as a press intern for Feingold’s campaign handling calls from TMJ and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Moving up the ladder, Neidhardt held a paid position as press assistant for Durbin while he was involved with the Les Aspin Center for Government.

by Adam Ryback

[email protected]

Ryan Lopez

Marquette alumnus Ryan Lopez has always been interested in politics. During his time at the university, he was involved with various clubs and held leadership roles. He served as vice president of the College Democrats and spent time in Washington D.C. through the exchange program.

“Working on campaigning politics is different than learning in school,” said Lopez. He said he believes that, although education is greatly important, hands-on experience teaches invaluable lessons. Lopez’s early experience was focused on his displeasure with the Bush administration. To turn his opinion into action, he worked on the Kerry campaign and was eventually satisfied when Obama was elected to office.

During his college life, Lopez worked with the John Kerry and the John Edwards campaigns. He was also director of online communications and visual strategizing for Tom Barrett in his gubernatorial campaign and spent time working with an organization associated with the Liberal Democrats, a British political party.

“Most universities do not teach any sort of campaigning,” said Lopez. The most effective way for students to get involved and learn more about politics is to search the community around them for opportunities. In particular, Lopez emphasized that an excellent opportunity for students is to join political campaigns when they are just beginning to form.

Lopez’s dissatisfaction with the economy, the direction of the United States in 2003-2004, and his passion for justice led him to choose a career in politics. After hands-on experience and involvement at Marquette, Lopez now works as the communications director and head of visual strategizing for Peter Barca, the current representative for the 64th district in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Anyone who is passionate enough about a subject can make a difference or get involved and work towards making a change. Politics affects everyone, and there are countless ways to get involved and take a stand against an issue, injustice and controversy – everything and anything that draws public attention provides an opportunity for political activism.

by Marelyn Lehocky

Popularity: 3% [?]

Every year MUSG provides speakers, films, excursions, performances and many other activities for students. Students have the liberty to use MUSG’s services as they choose, but regardless of their choice, they are helping fund the activities.

The student activity fee sits at $30 per student per semester – a cost that has risen throughout the years.

“The activity fee has always been the source of MUSG’s annual budget,” MUSG Financial vice president and senior John Dunlap said. “The dollar amount has increased over the years. It stands at $30 now. In the past it may have been more like $25.”

Despite an increase in the costs, some, like freshman club tennis player Zubin Patel, feel it is completely fair to keep them mandatory.

“Probably 90 percent of the kids [at Marquette] end up doing an activity at some point during their Marquette careers,” Patel said. “Thirty dollars is minimal.”

Even if students feel the price is fair, there are other schools who handle the accumulation of activity fees differently, like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which offers students the option of having their activity fees refunded if they do not see the value in them.

Dunlap does not believe a refund to the students is as simple as it seems, nor all that beneficial.

“A reimbursement can logistically be very complicated,” Dunlap said. “We have a balanced budget, we don’t plan to make a profit and we don’t plan to lose money. We plan to use all the money we take in. If money gets unspent it goes into a reserve fund.”

Moreover, Dunlap said MUSG provides enough diversity in its activities that students likely should not feel they aren’t getting the value from the activity fees.

“I think it’s an unfortunate situation if someone doesn’t feel like they are getting the value out of the $30 they pay each semester,” Dunlap said. “MUSG does a very good job at putting these funds that meet the needs of a lot of student interests.”

If students at the University of Illinois feel that the activities are not meeting their needs, they have the option of receiving refunds on fees that go toward the campuses center for performing arts, financing environmental initiatives, study abroad programs, student legal service, registered student organizations and cultural programs.

Patel doesn’t think an opt-out feature at Marquette is all that necessary.

“We get to see films and do things like see B.J. Novak,” Patel said. “I’d definitely say it’s fair [the way it is now].”

Rather than change to a refund based policy, Dunlap said he hopes that if students don’t feel satisfied with what they are getting for their activity fee that they would mention it to MUSG so they can improve how they spend the money.

“If [students] are not satisfied, they can come to us and tell us what they’d like to see happen,” Dunlap said. “We definitely seek input on how can we improve the benefit and the value they receive from what they pay in the activity fee. We are really at the forefront of addressing student needs.”

by Joseph Kaiser

[email protected]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Fr. Scott Pilarz took the stage as Marquette’s official 23rd president to a standing ovation from a near-full Al McGuire Center.

Among his first official words as the new president was a reference to Bruce Springsteen, whose Sept. 23 birthday fell on the same day as the inauguration, saying, “Marquette, baby, we are clearly born to run.” The crowd laughed with the new president. Though light hearted, those words rang true throughout his speech in which he alluded often to not only Marquette’s illustrious history, but also its bright future.

Pilarz spent the first part of his inaugural speech on Marquette’s past successes. Pilarz said he has an “incredible sense of gratitude for how far Marquette has come since 1881,” praising Milwaukee’s first Bishop for having the vision of a Jesuit university in the city. He made reference to Père Jacques Marquette’s difficult journey away from family and friends to explore North America and find the Mississippi River, similar to the journey Marquette students make when they leave home to attend MU.

Fr. Pilarz gave the past presidents in attendance, Fr. Albert Diulio and Fr. Robert Wild, rounds of applause, recognizing them for their important roles in “Marquette’s momentum right now.”

He mentioned Marquette being the first Catholic university to admit women. The new President called the Marquette community “remarkable,” saying, “Marquette has been blessed with a spirit unique amongst Jesuit schools.”

For the balance of the speech, though, he discussed his immediate and future plans for Marquette. He stressed the importance of Marquette’s success at present, saying, “together we stand at a critical junction for Catholic and Jesuit higher education.”

Fr. Pilarz described looking into the future as “daunting” and said, “the work ahead may be arduous.” But he mentioned “hope” as the only way to combat a “(future) colored significantly by mystery.”

Despite facing uncertainty in Catholic education, he is confident Marquette can thrive in these difficult times. “There is no blueprint for Marquette complete in every detail.  But our love for this university will work its way.” Pilarz is confident Marquette’s past success indicates more of the same in the future. “Marquette has always made strides in the direction of excellence.”

Although impressed by Marquette’s current standing as he begins his presidency, our President gave Marquette two goals: “Access and a new excellence.”

Pilarz proudly stated nearly 25 percent of the class of 2015 is the first in their family to go to college, noting he himself was the first in his family to earn a degree. He is committed to maintaining that level of access to Marquette.

He spent a significant amount of time on Marquette’s presence in the Milwaukee community, but hopes Marquette will earn “a new excellence” under his guidance, noting, “Marquette has important work to do on the national and global stage.”

The President wants Marquette to strive for a new excellence outside the classroom as well as inside of it. He asked the audience, “How do our students and faculty become the voices for the voiceless?”, “how do they become persons of solidarity for the poor?” and “how can we re-imagine ourselves in this globalized world?”

Events at the inauguration preceding and following the speech indicated Fr. Pilarz would not settle for the status quo. Before the speech, a video was shown with students reading Mary Oliver’s poem “What I Have Learned So Far,” a poem with the ending words, “Be ignited, or be gone.” After Pilarz finished his speech, the Marquette Gospel Choir sang a song titled, “New Direction,” which included lyrics like, “I’m headed in a new direction. I don’t want to go the same ole’ way.”

Around campus, the general feeling surrounding its new leader is that of excitement.  Arely Flores, a senior, said, ““I’ve gotten a very good vibe from Fr. Pilarz. I’ve heard him speak twice, and both times I felt his energy and his enthusiasm. I think he was a great choice.”

Students believe Fr. Pilarz’s youth will help him lead students in his quest for “a new excellence.” “He’s going to strive to keep Marquette ahead of the game. I think it’s important for him to be pushing the envelope for us and not just coming in and learning the ropes. He’s going to take an active role,” says senior Molly Gilmore. “He’s living in Campus Town, and a lot of students relate to that.”

Pilarz’s visibility around campus is popular as well. Freshman Matt Marhefke says, “I look at Madison, and you never see any of your faculty or administrators. And here you see them everyday just walking down the street. It’s that kind of closeness that really sets him apart.”

Also resonating with students is his humor. Sophomore Joanna Tulachka simply said, “He’s funny…he doesn’t seem like an old guy.” Freshman Tim O’Connor likes how Pilarz combines humor with a serious message, “[the inauguration] is the fourth time I’ve heard him talk and every single time he always has something new to say. It’s always interesting, it’s always funny, it’s always entertaining, but he still gets a good message across.”

Students believe in Fr. Pilarz’s idea of “a new excellence.” “As a senior, I’m taking it as “don’t become stagnant,” said senior Brad Tharpe. “There’s a lot of ‘cruising’ that goes on senior year so to me personally it’s go out and tutor at the community center, or go out and find a new service project or just recommit myself to academics.”

Marhefke believes Fr. Pilarz’s new excellence seeks the continued growth of Marquette’s academic prestige. “He wants it to be a pillar of the Jesuit foundation of education,” he said. “As an engineering student, I picked Marquette because their engineering curriculum is very hands-on… Here it’s a brand new way of thinking, of tackling these problems and changing the world around you.”

On a day meant to celebrate the present, Fr. Pilarz took a hard look at the future. He concluded his speech with a famous quote from St. Ignatius, telling Marquette to “go set the world on fire.” If Fr. Pilarz’s speech signified anything, it is that Marquette will likely face challenges in his time as president, but Marquette is “ready, ready to run.”

by Ben McCormick

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Popularity: 2% [?]

Walking a road so often walked can get drab. The weight of the backpack saddled on your shoulders and the feeling of your feet hitting the pavement are the only reminders that this moving world made soundless by the beating headphones in your ears is reality and not just a bland dream. When everything is a blur, you find paying attention somewhat difficult. The next thing you know you’re thrust back into reality – blood pumping, brain spinning and senses perking up. There he is, another male, demanding that you give him your iPod. Your iPod, my masculine side whispers angrily in my ear. You don’t recognize this man, and while his spit glistens in the sunlight as it flies at you, your immediate reaction is to assess the situation and figure out the best way to escape. Though everything is moving so fast, your world slows down. The possibilities race through your mind as you look in his eyes and then glance at his friend who is trying to maneuver her way behind you. If I beat him down now, when will he come back with more friends? Does he have a weapon? Will he come back with a weapon? How much is this old iPod really worth to you? Very little, but what does your pride mean to you? While you contemplate what seems like every possible scenario in a matter of seconds, you can feel your instinct as a man creeping up on you. Be a man, beat his ass.

Ever since I can remember the idea of being masculine has been drilled into my head. Be tough, be aggressive, be strong, don’t be scared, don’t cry for help; use your muscles, not your brain. I never threw a punch, never pushed him away, never threatened to beat his ass. I just stood my ground, and didn’t give the young man anything. Even as a police car stopped just a few feet away, I never called for help, I didn’t need backup. I kept my iPod that day, yet that night I couldn’t fall or remain asleep because what had happened bothered me so much. You are a wuss. I should have beaten him down. I should have dominated him physically in every way. I could have, but I didn’t. I ignored my caveman instincts and stood up to him mentally. Staring him in the eyes, not being scared, not backing down. You should have shown him who was boss, my masculine side screams at me. As I lay in bed this screaming is deafening, yet it doesn’t make a sound.

As a student, it is impossible to avoid the officers and teachers lecturing us men on how bad it is to assault women, whether physically or emotionally. Yet we are not told that 86 percent of assaults are male-on-male crime. A quick Google search on “male-on-male violence statistics” will provide a definite wake-up call: not only does it attempt to show results for “female-on-male violence statistics,” but it brings up exactly zero articles on the former. People do not feel bad for men when they are assaulted by other men, not in the same way people feel bad for women. In no way do I mean to diminish the unacceptable act that is male-on-female violence, but I ask for an proportionate amount of attention be put on violence as a whole. Even the most hardcore feminists would say that hitting a woman is worse than hitting a man. I wholeheartedly agree. What I have a problem with is that 14 percent of violence gets what seems like 100 percent of the attention. As men we are taught through society that the strongest and most physical men will prevail in the world. The man who is not afraid to get in someone’s face, the man who does not back down to physical intimidation. We get adrenaline rushes from being put in situations where we can show our dominance. Take a step back for a minute and think about how stupid it is to settle disputes with physical violence. Think about how much more damage you can do to someones life by punching them in the face, or kicking them in the head. Words don’t kill, violence does. When, as a society, will we wake up and realize that violence as a whole deserves a portion of the attention that male-on-female violence gets?

As a young boy I remember getting in several fights with other boys in my class, and every single one felt like it was a test of my manhood. What was always pounded into my head was not to fight, but good reasons not too were never drilled into my head. Never was I told that beating somebody up could easily lead to brain damage, organ damage, paralysis and death. If I was told that every time I punched someone I could easily ruin their lives forever, I would have never done so. As a child it is hard to comprehend what brain damage or paralysis really means, but children also recognize that what they don’t understand is something that is too complex to mess with.

I strongly encourage anybody who has a boyfriend, good male friend, brother, son or father, to contact every school district that is tied to your family. Ask your schools to provide classes or educational seminars on violence as a whole. After you contact the schools make sure to contact any city officials that you think would support such a movement. There is no reason to ignore what males do to other males, and this needs to stop now.

I was fortunate that the male who approached me did not possess a weapon. I was lucky that he never tried to hit me. I was lucky that I was not forced to hit him. Most people, though, are not that lucky. Most people are either forced to give up their belongings or suffer the consequences. Most people are not as big or as confident (or as stupid) as I am. What is really disturbing is that every time I think about what happened, my adrenaline flows and my fists are clenched without option. Deep down, I still feel like I should have done more.

by Roberto Ruiz

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As a freshman at Marquette who decided to ride the bus to school, I did not expect to have a big network of friends from the start of my college experience. Little did I know that there was a network already set up for me if I had the initiative to pursue it. Thanks to CSA (the Commuter Student Association), my transition into college was smoother than I could have ever expected.

A great amenity offered by the CSA is the Commuter Lounge. Tucked away on the west side of the AMU, ground floor, just down the hall from student government, the Commuter Lounge is a popular location frequented by a dozen or more students during its busiest periods – before classes and around the lunch hour. The space has two rooms, one with a round table, two couches and two chairs, the other with two computers, one smaller table, a refrigerator, microwave and cabinets. It is a nice space for situations where a few people want to socialize or study together.

However, in a setting where a couple dozen students want to eat lunch and chat, it is too small and invasive a space. The study and socializing spaces are not only crammed, but further, are not separated by any door, making concentration difficult. If a door existed, it would allow students a quiet space to study, and also, allow the students who want to socialize to be able to do so without worrying about distracting other students.

As for the space issue, there are a couple of ways it can be resolved. One would be to expand the current space of the Commuter Lounge into the courtyard. That would certainly allow for close to twice the amount of space it presently occupies. Admittedly, this would be a difficult option to execute, especially if other students rely on the courtyard for eating or studying.

That’s why the option that seems to make more sense is to trade spaces with another room in the AMU. One possible trade would be with the Multicultural Lounge, a bigger room than the Commuter Lounge with a conference room in the back that could be used as a quiet study space. Although the space is large and functional, it is not utilized or frequented nearly as thoroughly as the Commuter Lounge. This tells me a swap would be better for both organizations. Why give a larger space to a smaller group? Three to five people are in there on average during the school day, while the Commuter Lounge is sometimes squeezing twenty students at one time.

As a commuter student, having a place to meet college students who are in a similar situation as me has been a great experience, one which I think all commuters should have the opportunity to partake in. Unfortunately, partially due to lack of space in the Commuter Lounge, some new commuters are drawn away from this experience because it is too crowded early in the morning and during the lunch hour. I think if we are given a bigger room, more commuters would show up on a regular basis because there is less of an intimidation factor with a room that is larger and more open.

Eventually, if the numbers of commuters using the Commuter Lounge on a regular basis increases even marginally, a slightly larger space will be needed, and the Multicultural Lounge would be the ideal swap scenario. They would get slightly better privacy, as there are not as many windows in the Commuter Lounge, while commuters would get a larger room, and one with a potential adjoining room for those who want privacy. It would also offer a great opportunity to the growing numbers of commuter students.

by Nicholas Groh

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