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THURSDAY Dec. 5, 2002 Vol.XLIX Number 13
INSIDE:
• Policycleanswalls in_halls, page 2 • Christmasconcertreview, page 7
H 2 NO:
Carpenter resigns·get the
lead out
VINCE DEFRUSClO
KELLY FINLAN
David Carpenter has resigned from the position of Director of Residence Life. His last day will be Jan. 2, 2003. The word spread quickly throughout campus late Monday night after Carpenter announced it to his staff members at a Resident Life holiday party. Mary Theresa Schwartzer, director of human resources, confirmed that Carpenter had resigned on Monday. Carpenter is going to King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he will continue as director of residence life. King's is a 15minute commute from where Carpenter will call home. He and his wife are building their "dream house" on a plot of land they have bought. Currently, Carpenter is two hours away from his wife, who teaches in the Wilkes-Barre area. Carpenter said that he is leaving on good terms. "It was like Mother Cabrini intervened. Everything just kind of came together at the right time," Carpenter said. "I was not in a full-blown search looking for anything else because I'm very happy here at Cabrini." During an interview in his office, Carpenter seemed prophetic at times, sullen at others. "I love working here," Carpenter said. "I love the students, I love the community, I like everything about my job." "It's just one of those things that presented itself that I couldn't not show some interest in," Carpenter said about the offer from King's. "If I weigh everything together, personally and professionally - what's best for
ASSrSTANTNhWS EDITOR
In a recent letter to the Cabrini community, Stephen Lightcap. the vice president for finance and administration, declared the water in the Mansion to be undrinkable. App tied Environmental Management of Malvern, Pa. was caJled in to test the Mansion's water on Oct. 21,and they found it to contain higher• than-normal-levels of lead on the first floor. The facilities department has since authorized an optional second test that took place on Nov. 13. The results of this second test, received Nov. 22, showed elevated levels of lead in the water found in the bathrooms on the second floor as well. The water fountain was disconnected shortly after the results came in, and those working in the Mansion have been asked not to drink the water or use it for cooking purposes. Washing hands and eating utensils with the lead leaden water does not, however, pose an immediate threat. An environmental consulta,. tion organization. with expedence in this field, has been calltd in to find the source of the problem. Until then, a meeting is scheduled to be held in the Mansion to answer any questions the communitymay have concerning the safety of the water.
NEWS EDITOR
Cabrini and what's best for me - I think that it all just makes sense. It's a natural thing." Carpenter has been involved in student affairs for over 15 years, coming to Cabrini from Western Connecticut State. Carpenter was hired by former Vice-President of Student Affairs, Dr. Laura Valente, two years ago. However, Carpenter said he is not part of a "Valente-era." "I'd like to be viewed as an individual, not an era." Prior to his current profession, Carpenter taught creative writing and expository writing in high school. Carpenter even worked for two years in Japan, teaching English as a second language. Carpenter said that he feels he has left Cabrini a better place than what it was when he began. "I think that when I first came, Cabrini was in need of some stability. I think that the Residence Life program particularly needed to assess itself and do some redefining," Carpenter said. "I think we revitalized the program." "A lot of what I was successful in doing, and I think one of my greatest strengths, has been making interdepartmental connections," Carpenter said. On his regrets, Carpenter said, "I think that you always have regrets on things. Not a day goes by that I don't think, 'Gee maybe I could have or should have done that differently."' On last semester's R.A. controversy, Carpenter said, "We were able to rebuild and revitalize [the program]." When asked if he would miss Cabrini, Carpenter said, "Terribly so." He added, "I think I've forged a lot of real positive relationships here." On the students, Carpenter said he would miss them "very
KATIEREING/PHOTOEDITOR
Dave Carpenter, director of Residence Life,announced his resignation on Monday,Dec. 2. His resignation takes effect on Jan. 2
much." Carpenter remains close with many administrators in adjunct offices. "I think that most of them were at first like, 'Oh my goodness'," Carpenter said. "I think that they realized that it works well for everybody." Student reaction was mixed, as rumors of Carpenter's resignation slowly trickled out. "I was shocked that he resigned," Bernadette Hazel, senior SGA president said. "I personally liked him, but I know that many students didn't like him very much."
When asked if he resigned because he thought he would be fired, Carpenter said "No. I would have stayed longer had the right position not come up." Carpenter laughed at having to pick just one thing he would take from Cabrini, saying, "I would say it's the students whose lives I impacted, I hope, in a positive way." In the interim, Dr. Richard Neville and Angie Hodgemann will be handling some of Carpenter's workload and responsibilities.