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THURSDAY
I:~SIDE: • Freshmen class election results, page 5
October 3, 2002
• College festival in Philadelphia, page 7 Vol.XLIX Number Five
• Family Weekend preview, pages 8 & 9
Grants improve science technology With the purchase of new equipment, the science department is one of the most technologically advanced programs in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Con.sortium for Higher Education. RICHARD MAGDA EDITOR IN CHIEf
The science department was awarded four grants that are being used to purchase the latest science equipment. With the new tools, the department is among the most cutting-edge of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education colleges and universities, according to Dr. Sherry Fuller-Espie, chair of the science department. "Founder's Hall 301 and 302 are the best kept secrets at Cabrini College," Fuller-Espie said. "Most people don't know what we have behind these doors." Each of the four grants will be used by the department to fund for a wide range of equipment, ranging from high-end microscopes to the most powerful ultracentrifuges. The National Science Foundation grant, proposed by Fuller-Espie and effective from Jan. 15 to DeG.31, 2004, is being
used to aid in the development of the biotechnology major, the newest to the science department. The grant funded $84, 176, which will be matched by Cabrini with $84, 876. With the funds, the department will have a high performance liquid chromatograph, a gas chromatograph, two inverted microscopes with digital cameras, a refrigerated bench-top centrifuge, three laminar flow hoods and a freezer that maintains a minus 80-degree temperature, among other items. "The new instruments will make a dramatic difference in the science majors by improving labs associated with general, analytical, organic and environmental chemistry as well as biochemistry and instrumental analysis," FullerEspie said. "As we grow, there is no doubt this will play a vital role in the growth and importance of the science majors." see SCIENCE, page 3
RlcHARO MAGDA/EDITOR IN CHIEf
Dr. Sherry Fuller-Espieexamines slides under one of the new microscopes that the science department purchased with the grant money awareded to them. The science department continues to purchase science equipment with the funds from the grants.
'Enron Debacle' sparks debate on campus JANA FAGOTII
STAFF WRITER
Faculty and students gathered in Grace Hall on Tuesday, Sept. • 24, to witness "the Enron Debacle," a faculty forum between professors Mary Harris, Harvey Lape and Ann Servey. While most students are focusing on their own studies rather than what is going on in the economy, this month's faculty forum gave both faculty and students a chance to t?ecome informed on Emon, the energy company which recently filed for the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. The one-
hour event was focused on the bankruptcy of Enron, why it happened, and answered the question: Is business ethics an oxymoron? Enron filed for bankruptcy, and sent the economy into a complete downward spiral as stocks went from $87 to 99 cents. Arthur Andersen, Enron 's auditing firm, is on trial for charges of obstruction of justice for the shredding of important Enron documents while the business was going through a federal investigation. This historic plummet will affect the future of business in America. Lape, a philosophy professor, began the discussion by stating his
point of view on Enron. "It's nqt a failure of ethics. It's a regulatory failure," Lape said. He hopes that this crisis will put an end to Albert Carr's poker analogy, which argues that deception is part of. business. "There were no ethics. They are needed," Lape said. Harris, an assistant professor of finance, used analogies to help the students who attended the forum better understand the scandal. Harris said that, "Analysts are finding that they were wrong in telling people to buy." She disagreed with Lape, "It was the fraudulent nature that caused bankruptcy. We have regulatory
issues in place," Harris said. Ann Servey, business administrator and certified public accountant, agreed with Harris, saying that the downfall of Enron was, "not regulatory failure.'' Servey believes that enforcements were not met within the company. "There are •many gray areas. However, integrity can accomtnodate the invertent error." Their insights were undoubtedly impacting the faculty and students. Dr. Joseph Romano, professor of philosophy, pointed out that, as a result of Enron, "the burden is put on the consumer.'' Regardless of their differences
and concerns about what caused Enron 's bankruptcy, the three professors see it as being an example to all businesses worldwide. Servey said that the impact is "obvious, not just Enron." The lasting effects of the opinions of Servey, Lape itnd Harris will hopefully spark and inspire economic concern among both students and faculty who attended. The Enron Corporation is holding an auction in which computers, telecommunications equipment, office furniture and even the "E" in the corporation sign are being auctioned off.