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Photo courtesy of OLLU Communications and Marketing |
| The remnants of the spire that fell during the fire that tore through the Main Building on May 6 are extracted from the building. |
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Spirit on campus prevails through fire tragedy
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Tessa Benavides, Eliana Rodriguez, David Ramirez(05.23.08)
Lake Front Writers
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Today marks the final days of the 2008 spring semester; all the computer library labs are full as students cram before finals. The atmosphere on campus is surprisingly serene as students continue about their everyday lives. If not for the charred Main Building looming across the campus skyline, it could be just another day.
In the wake of any disaster, the first task is to assess the damages. More than a week after the fire that destroyed parts of the “heart of the university” – insurance adjustors having come and gone – the focus is not on what was lost, but rather what remains.
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Some students make early departure in wake of fire
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david ramirez, eliana rodriguez (05.23.08)
Lake Front Writers
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The night of the fire, as students that were displaced from Theresian and Providence halls were moved to Pacelli and Ayres halls, other residence students found themselves hesitant to spend the night in their rooms.
Some left campus while others stayed with friends and relatives. Residents walked out of their halls with suitcases, boxes, and bags. A parade of vehicles left campus through the back gate, the front gate entrance being closed due to emergency personnel.
Former SGA members strove for students’ interests/concerns/issues |
Eliana Rodriguez (05.23.08)
General Assignments Editor
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Voicing concerns, addressing issues and informing the students is what the Student Government Association (SGA) strives for every year. This past year’s 2007-2008 SGA president, Marco Cepeda, and vice president, Jacinto Casas, had many accomplishments, but, like former SGA officers, had to struggle with student apathy.
At the beginning of the semester, Cepeda said he had three steps toward his goal of ending student apathy. They were to actively market SGA events, give away incentives such as gift cards at events, and obtain feedback from class representatives on students’ concerns.
“My main goal was getting more students involved in our events and, compared to previous years, we had really great turnouts in all of our events,” Cepeda said. |
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Vandalism affects students’ safety |
Eliana Rodriguez (05.23.08)
General Assignments Editor
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Due to the recent damages in Centennial and Flores halls, vandalism on university property is a concern to resident students and the university police department.
Actions from Residence Life and the police are in progress to find out the individual or individuals responsible for the damages. Mark Center, director of Residence Life, said, “we have been working closely with the university police department to identify (the) suspect(s) responsible for the damages.” |
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| Admissions future looking bright despite the smoke |
David Ramirez (05.23.08)
Contributing Writer |
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On newspaper pages and television screens across the nation images of the Main Building Fire stood in full color. People around the world were able to witness the terror, destruction, and sorrow of the darkest day in OLLU history. And yet, people are pounding on the doors of Admissions, desperate to get in.
“Something has happened in this last couple of days,” admissions recruiter Shahrzad Sameri said. “From 5 o’clock from about five o’clock Tuesday evening to today [May 8] we’ve received 54 applications for incoming freshman.” |
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Campus food services on the rebound |
David Ramirez (05.23.08)
Contributing Writer |
They say an army marches on its stomach, and students are no different. Throughout the ordeal, the Chartwells Food Service staff has kept positive and continued to serve the OLLU community.
“We’re surviving,” said Sherri Henwood, director of Food Service for the Lake. |
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Biz school relocates to St. Anne's |
mariela cox, david ramirez (05.23.08)
Lake Front Writers |
Once a male underclassmen residence building, St. Ann’s Hall now plays host to the School of Business and Leadership. Yellow sticky notes posted next to doors identify the rooms’ occupants, “Dean,” “Professor.”
The School of Business, which was housed in the basement of Moye building, was flooded as the water flowed out of the Main building and out the front steps of Moye. Despite the hardships of relocating an entire department, the staff is optimistic. |
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