Editor’s Note: The following letter was sent to the Campus Times chief adviser, Oct. 6. With Dr. Rahmani’s permission, the letter was included in the Letters to the Editor column. It was held last week due to space.
Dear Editor,
I have always followed the “hands off” policy for University administrators. I have encouraged my staff as well, concerning story generation, writing, editing and distribution of the Campus Times.
After discussions with Steve Morgan and consulting with legal counsel, the letter to the editor from Simon Bouie [“Letters to the Editor,” Sept. 24] was “marginally libel.” I believe the printing of the letter was not in order of the Campus Times Code of Ethics. Under Section III, Responsibility, #2 it states: “Realizing the power of the written word, the Campus Times staff members shall strive to use good judgement and sensitivity toward the protection of the well-being of the people of the University of La Verne.” Campus Times does not have to print every letter written to the editor.
Let me disclose some facts regarding national trends in universities’ enrollments and national and ULV Housing and Residential Life Department response over the last two years:
1. Increased university enrollments are a national trend.
2. Increased numbers of students demanding housing is a national trend. (See the Chronicle of Higher Education.)
3. National response to meet these demands includes the following steps: (See the Chronicle of Higher Education.)
a. Triple room assignments (some Universities have tripled every available room. Triple room rates are discounted)
b. Renting hotel space in local hotels
c. Module (temporary) housing installed
d. Plans to build new housing units
4. The decision to respond to the housing demand was not a unilateral decision made by Julie Thurman Francisco. In order to respond to the increased number of students and the demand for housing spaces the President, the Executive Vice President for Administration, the Director of Admissions, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Director of Financial Aid and the Director of Housing and Residential Life met on a number of occasions to brainstorm solutions.
5. The primary reason for the tripled rooms and leasing the hotel was for the benefit of the students.
a. Studies indicate that students who live on campus their first year have greater success in their college experience than students who do not live on campus (increased involvement on campus, better GPAs, greater satisfaction with faculty, greater opportunity to graduate in four years, etc.)
b. Conversations with students indicate that if they did not receive a housing accommodation, the student may not have attended college during this academic year or last academic year.
6. Recent studies on tripled rooms indicate that the students receive the same benefits as students in double rooms.
7. The University Administration (not the Housing Department independently) must make new housing policies for who can live on campus. Policies such as no seniors or juniors allowed to live in housing or a lottery for a percentage of upper-classmen to live in the halls must be made. These will be difficult decisions that will require student input.
Julie Thurman Francisco is an exemplary professional. She has led her Housing and Residential Life staff through very challenging times. She sets high standards for herself and her staff. The Housing and Residential Life mission statement is the model for a mission for the students. The Housing and Residential Life staff should be commended also for their commitment, energy, efforts and “can do” spirit.
I have now read the letter to Steve Morgan from Simon. I ask the Campus Times to write a formal apology to Julie that is printed in Campus Times which reflects Simon’s retraction of his letter to the editor. I would also like to see an article in Campus Times that discloses the above facts and that honors Julie Thurman Francisco professional reputation.
Thank you for understanding my position regarding the letter from Simon.
Dr. Loretta H. Rahmani
Dean of Student Affairs
Dear Editor,
About two weeks ago I opted to walk in the First Annual ULV Cancer Walk [“Inaugural Cancer Walk raises funds,” Oct. 15]. So I gathered sponsors and raised money, knowing that I was doing this for a good cause. As the days neared toward the event, I began to hear rumors that [Vice President of Activities] Frank Tolentino, the chairman of the event, would not be participating in the walk. This upset me some, but what shocked was the advice he was giving out to people who could not make the event. Frank suggested that they just turn in their money and then go back to bed.
Having known that Frank would not be walking did not seem to bother me because I thought that there would be plenty of ASF members participating in the event. But I was wrong. I saw one member of ASF that actually completed the walk on foot. The handout that we received when we signed up indicated that there would be a multitude of measures taken to ensure our safety. First there was to be a police escort, which never seemed to arrive, even when we had to run across a freeway off-ramp. Then there was the mention of ASF members driving the route to lend a hand if anyone needed help. I can honestly say that I saw two cars during the entire walk, and both were filled with ASF members. Please tell me how you are going to pick up an injured person and drive them to safety when you have no place to put them.
The only thing that I had to look forward to at the end of the walk was the water, considering that the only water that was provided was at the beginning and the end of the walk. As I recall, we live in Southern California where temperatures can reach the 100s on any given day. I thought it was irresponsible for ASF not to have stations where the walkers could get hydrated.
The Cancer Walk was supposed to be an event to raise awareness and funds for a cure, but it turned into another opportunity for ASF to promise a lot and give a little. I hope that next year’s Cancer Walk is better organized and better staffed.
Vickie Creekmur
Sophomore
Loretta Rahmani
