Friday, Feb. 24, 2006
Loquitur The
Features Turning 21
Cabrini College’s Student Newspaper
page 9 www.theLoquitur.com
Radnor, Pa.
Sports Lady Cavs head to first round page 15 Vol XLVII, Issue 17
Bush Students rally against immigration legislature proposes standardized testing for colleges MEGHAN HURLEY STAFF WRITER MLH722@CABRINI.EDU
MICHELLE MORAN ASST. MANAGING EDITOR MLM724@CABRINI.EDU Standardized testing in colleges could take effect soon if a new proposal under the Bush administration is successful. A federal commission is exploring whether the use of standardized testing in colleges would be useful by forcing schools to show how much their students are really learning and to allow for easier comparisons among colleges. The new urge for colleges to measure up is being fueled by the government’s push for colleges to be held more accountable to students, parents, taxpayers and employers. With the cost of a college education soaring and increasingly more studies being released about dropping literacy rates among college graduates, many are questioning the education received for the money being paid. Katie Haycock, a commissioner of the group appointed to conduct the study, said, “Any honest look at the new adult literacy data for recent college grads leaves you very queasy. So doing something on the assessment side is probably important. The question is when.” In addition, the government is concerned that about one-third of the annual investment comes from the federal government and officials know very little about what they are getting in return. The scores of the tests could also potentially help aid in students’ and parents’ decisions when deciding between colleges. Patrick Downs, a senior business and finance major, said, “Individualized testing tests the school’s ability to teach individuals. I would want to know how well schools score on standardized testing if I were to further my education. I think it’s a good thing.” While some students and parTESTS, page 3
Over 70 students and faculty from five different local colleges stood together as “Students in Solidarity for Just Immigration Reform.” The event took place Feb. 17 in the Grace Hall atrium underneath the mural of immigrants that was made for Cabrini Day last year. Students from Villanova University, Rosemont College, St. Joseph’s University, Immaculata University and Cabrini College, all a part of the Greater Philadelphia Higher Education
Peace and Justice Consortium, joined to express their need for comprehensive immigration reform by gathering letters to be delivered to Senator Arlen Specter. Over 650 letters were collected to be delivered to Specter’s office. Cabrini graduate student Jennifer Ayoub, one of the about 15 Cabrini students in attendance, said, “Today was an effective way to gather students to show others the steps to make a difference.” Cabrini submitted approximately 200 letters that were signed by students, faculty and
DAN SQUIRE/ASST. PHOTO EDITOR
The above crosses were displayed to symbolize the 500 people who have lost their lives trying to cross the border.
DAN SQUIRE/ASST. PHOTO EDITOR
The students pictured above participated in a promotion of comprehensive immigration reform that will create a system that acknowledges the country’s need for immigration labor and allows more workers to enter with temporary legal status.
staff. They also included around 18 handwritten letters from students expressing their opposition to criminalizing undocumented immigrants, citing personal experiences and feelings toward the issue. These students are promoting comprehensive immigration reform that will create a system that acknowledges the country’s need for immigrant labor and allow more workers to enter with temporary legal status. Earl Aguilera, a sophomore at
St. Joe’s University, presented 120 letters from his school. “Immigrants are human beings, and we can’t just file them away as criminals,” Aguilera said. Also, as part of the rally, Villanova and Immaculata students brought wooden crosses to be displayed. Carrie Leone, a senior French language and literature major from Villanova, said that they “brought the crosses to represent the over 500 people who IMMIGRATION, page 3
New project to crack down on underage drinkers ASHLEY WEYLER NEWS EDITOR ARW723@CABRINI.EDU The Liquor Control Board is looking to crack down on people who supply minors with alcohol. A new grant progra Source Investigation Project will give towns money to go-after suppliers. Radnor Township, the location of Cabrini College, Valley Forge Military College, Villanova University and Eastern University, is just one of the few townships chosen statewide to be given this grant. According to Lieutenant A.J. Antonini of the Radnor Township police, they have received a $10,000 grant to carry on their program, which kicked-off last week. Antonini said, “The penalty for providers of alcohol to minors
JESS WEBB/PHOTO EDITOR
With Radnor Township’s new “Cops in Shops” program, police officers and establishments where liquor is sold will fight underage drinking.
is a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail. Providing alcohol to minors, which means anybody under the age of 21, not 18 as some people maybe believe, is a misdemeanor and will go on your criminal record.” Antonini also warns that it can affect future employment.
For underage drinkers or fake IDs, the penalty is a summary offense. In a press release from the Radnor police, any arrests that are made through SIP will be publicized through media outlets that are likely to reach Radnor’s
student population. Superintendent John Rutty said, “By making a very visible presence on our campuses and publicizing any arrests, we hope to convey to students that it is not okay to engage in risky behaviors, nor is it acceptable to provide alcohol to minors.” Lisa Jones, a 21-year-old senior english and communications major, thinks that this punishment is ridiculous and thinks that a suspension of license would be more appropriate. “Yes, I have provided alcohol for minors. I have bought it at the beer distributor and have also been at a bar where they don’t card and then give them drinks at the table,” Jones said. SIP, page 3