The Rattler (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 75, No. 14, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 11, 1990 Page: 3 of 12
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The Rattler
COMMENTARY
Page 3
April 11,1990
SGA elections offer no choice
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Handicapped lack university
support, need new programs
Community service core
not necessary in curriculum
By Don Iden
Guest Columnist
By Richard Andis
Editorials Editor
and William Elliott
Staff Writer
By Mari Denise Sanchez
Staff Writer
After witnessing weeks of
mudslinging and political ma-
chines hard at work in the Demo-
cratic primary, the upcoming
SGA elections will seem un-
eventful. But nonetheless, these
elections may have a greater
affect on the lives of St. Mary's
Students. So the big choice is
which of the candidates will best
serve students.
The choice for Vice-President
is a rather simple one. Of the
two candidates, Elizabeth Petti-
grew and Dina Trochesset, one
has far more experience in the
realm of campus politics. Petti-
grew, who has been actively
involved in SGA for three years,
has proven her ability to plan and
implement programs that are
beneficial to students. And while
Trochesset has been a member
of SGA, she has yet to garnish
the record of service that Petti-
grew has.
Either candidate could, most
likely, do a fair job as V.P. But
placing bets on a sure winner is
never a bad move.
As for the presidential candi-
dates, each has advantages and
disadvantages. Both Nef Garcia
and John Goodson have the
experience to justify their seek-
ing office. David Libby on the
other hand, has come out of right
field to run for office. Libby may
have the necessary skills to be
an effective president, but here
again, the proven leadership of
Garcia or Goodson would be
better serving to the students.
needs are most critical. It is ex-
tremely difficult for them to ask
for help, but knowing what sup-
port assistance is available
would create a sense of security
and belonging. ‘
The University needs to es-
tablish a disabled services pro-
gram that will provide the sup-
port required by disabled stu-
dents. These services would be
of benefit to both temporarily and
permanently disabled students.
This type of program could pro-
vide a variety of services, such
as note taking assistance, es-
corts to classes, a disabled stu-
denttesting center, library assis-
tance, and counseling on avail-
able services. The manpower
for such a project could be pro-
vided through a combination of
work-study and volunteer stu-
dents.
This is the type of support that
is needed for disabled students
to feel accepted as members of
the St. Mary's Community. It will
also demonstrate that the Uni-
versity's image is a reality, not
just a perception.
Editors note: On April,26, the Chi
Phi Fraternity, in an effort to raise
awareness of the lack of proper
disabled facilities, will demon-
strate the d if f icu It y some d isabled
students face on a typical class
day. They will have volunteers
remain in a wheelchair for two
hours while carrying on daily ac-
tivities. It Is hoped that not Just
the volunteers, but also everyone
will realize the inaccessibility of
certain campus areas
ticipants forced to perform com-
munity service.
The situation may be similar
to the sentencing of a juvenile or
first time offender of a particular
crime.
Since learning is the primary
objective of an education, it
stands to reason that more would
be learned from community serv-
ice if it would come from within
the individual, rather than from
the fear of not graduating.
This University has not failed
the student in teaching him the
values of community service.
Opportunities exist and are
posted throughout the entire
campus.
Campus Ministry is a good
example of such opportunities
available for student volunteers
who want to help their commu-
nity as well as their fellow man.
It is not necessary, however,
for such service to be included
as part of a core that is already
considered too large and a waste
of student's money.
University policy could be af-
fected by such a forum spon-
sored by the Dialogical Commu-
nity Group.
While this is the case, it is
necessary to remember that
national and world problems can
be solved by positive rather than
negative means.
St. Mary's University is using
the message contained in its ad-
vertising campaign to build a cul-
tural perception of the University
as a "Loving, Learning Kind of
Place." This image created im-
plies that the University is con-
cerned with the whole person
and will provide for the support
and well being of its students, as
well as a high level of academic
excellence necessary for per-
sonal growth and success in life.
The problem is there is an in-
consistency between the image
created by the message and the
reality of University life. This is
particularly true in the case of
disabled students attending the
University.
There is no question that the
University is providing a quality
educational program for its stu-
dents, but it is not fulfilling its ob-
ligation to provide forthe support
and well being of all its students.
In the case of disabled students,
they, like other students, come to
benefit from St. Mary's academic
reputation, but they soon dis-
cover that the support they re-
quire is not readily available.
They encounter difficulty in
mobility on campus and building
accessibility, but these problems
were anticipated. What was not
anticipated was the general lack
of academic support or concern
for their individual needs.
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va%.
CPS
The faculty and students ex-
pect the disabled student to per-
form at the same level as other
students. This is an impossible
task unless concessions are
made to allow the disabled stu-
dent to function within the limita-
tions of his disability.
Each year the University
loses disabled students, not for
academic reasons, but because
of the lack of support that creates
a feeling of isolation and loneli-
ness. Something the student
cannot overcome. Disabled stu-
dents leave the University feel-
ing rejected and like they have
failed, when in reality, the Uni-
versity failed.
If St. Mary's is going to main-
tain the image it has created
through its advertising cam-
paign, then it must implement
changes and programs that will
enhance this image. For dis-
abled students, this means a
combination of facility structural
improvements and an increase
in support services. The issue of
structural improvements is being
addressed by student govern-
ment with some success, but it is
long-term project which will take
time and money to realize the
benefits of the projects.
On the other hand, very little
is being done to improve the sup-
port services for disabled stu-
dents. This is the area that would
provide the most immediate
benefits for the least expenditure
of resources. It is also the area
were the disabled student's
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Garcia and Goodson have
positives and negatives which
influence their performances as
campus leaders. Relationships
with students, administrators,
and other members of the Uni-
versity community will be in-
creasingly critical, especially
considering Garcia's general ani-
mosity toward administration's
views and Goodson's usual draw
towards supporting the views of
administrators and the Faculty
Senate.
What SGA needs is a leader.
A personality that will be able to
interact on all levels of the Uni-
versity. In reality, a blend of
Garcia and Goodson, and even
a little Libby, would be most
desirable.
But only one can be Presi-
dent. The next leader of SGA
needs to possess the personal-
ity , skill, and experience to rep-
resent all students. Make your
choice wisely.
Feb. 27 marked an important
day in the St. Mary's Community
and for future students.
The Dialogical Community
Group sponsored an open forum
where the issue of making com-
munity service a core require-
ment arose.
University President Father
Moder stressed commitment to
community service as a major
objective forthe University com-
munity.
SGA Senator Elizabeth Petti-
grew also shares the view of
commitment to community.
While both Fr. Moder, Miss
Pettigrew, and all who share
such commitment are truly repu-
table and esteemed members of
society, their views of commu-
nity service should not be
thrusted upon students byway of
a core requirement.
True, community service
could offer positive solutions to
many of our national or world
problems.
While this is the intent of com-
munity service, it would fail if it is
made mandatory rather than vol-
untary.
More harm than good would
be generated by unwilling par-
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St. Mary's University (San Antonio, Tex.). The Rattler (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 75, No. 14, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 11, 1990, newspaper, April 11, 1990; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1518680/m1/3/: accessed July 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting St. Mary's University Louis J. Blume Library.