Black history event addresses historical court case

Wolf Howard / News Editor
Sisters: Cheryl Brown Henderson (left) and Linda Brown Thompson.

Saint Louis University addressed black history on Feb. 20 when sisters Linda Brown Thompson and Cheryl Brown Henderson spoke at the Center for Global Citizenship. The sisters discussed their father’s involvement in the historical Brown vs. Board of Education court case, which served as a lead case for desegregation of school systems.

The event, Remembering the Legacy: Brown v. Board – 60 Years Later, was part of a Civil Rights Symposium hosted by the SLU Law School and other organizations in honor of Black History Month. LaTanya Buck, director of the Cross Cultural Center, collaborated with the organizations to have the Brown sisters visit and enlighten the SLU community.

“I want students to have a respect for history and know that they stand on the shoulders of many who have struggled to make their present opportunities and environments possible,” stated Buck.

SLU had been desegregated 10 years prior to the landmark decision, but the case offered all Americans a chance for equal education and better lives.

In the presentation, Linda Brown recalled having to walk seven blocks to the bus stop in the harsh winter while there was a white school only a few blocks away. While she may not have been able to fully grasp the oppressive situation, her father recognized this unfair treatment. He became one of twelve other parents, led by the NAACP, that filed suit on behalf of their children. In 1954 the Supreme Court unanimously voted to end segregation of schools.

“The Brown decision expanded beyond education to have a broader impact on policy, law and society at-large. We all continue to benefit from the bravery of these families who simply wanted equity, access and opportunity for their children,” Buck said.

However, the Brown sisters argue that the fight is not over. Instead of segregation in schools, there is an “economic segregation” within the United States. The gap between the middle class and lower class is growing and those in the minority seem to be at the bottom. The Brown sisters spend a lot of their time teaching or giving presentations about the oppressions and racial issues that still affect the United States. They want audiences to understand that they are heirs of courageous acts committed by average families who were willing to take a stand. They say that it is not just enough to be present, but to be conscious of the wrongs in the world and step up.

Jessica Winter / Associate News Editor
First Aid: Students practice drawing blood during AED’s pre-health conference.

Last Saturday, Alpha Epsilon Delta hosted the Annual Pre-Health Conference. The conference ran all day and focused on “The Changing Landscape of Healthcare,” or more specifically, the existing needs of the U.S. healthcare system. Occupying several rooms in the Bush Student Center, the event offered a broad range of activities for SLU students.

“We had a wide variety of speakers, including the keynote Ryan Barker from The Missouri Foundation for Health,” said Shelby Lee, AED President. “His talk centered on the focus for the conference: The Changing Landscape of Healthcare.”

Other guest speakers focused on the importance of a healthy diet, health disparities in the St. Louis area and medial malpractice cases. The idea for hosting a pre-health conference came from students attending the national AED convention. Taking an initiative, SLU executive board members decided to start something similar at SLU, and in 2012 AED hosted their first conference.

“We enjoyed some of the hands-on experiences offered, and implemented those into our conference at SLU,” said Lee about her experience at the national convention.

By tying together activities with the speakers’ lecture themes, the students got to be more hands-on and benefit from the experience. For example, suturing labs allowed students to try their hand at stitching up a fake piece of skin and a first aid lab gave students the opportunity to practice drawing blood from a patient. Self-defense and Zumba classes were also offered as part of the conference’s itinerary.

“Personally, my favorite part of the conference is the suturing labs and first aid labs,” said Tiffany Chen, Vice President of Public Relations for AED. “It gives me a taste of what my future will look like.”

The conference not only provided critical information for anyone in the healthcare field but it also encouraged SLU students to take their well-being seriously. Besides the activities and speakers, AED provided pamphlets with healthy food ideas for college students and healthy snack giveaways. Keeping up a healthy diet as well as a healthy body, was a key take away from the event.

Preparation for the conference started in early November, with the executive board and their vice presidents planning little by little. From inviting speakers, planning sessions, advertising, to piecing together those last minute details, the conference took months to prepare for. But the time and effort was well worth the wait.

“[AED] offers pre-health students amazing opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have,” said Lee.

John Schuler / Photo Editor
A Filipino-American choir singing at Monday’s Typhoon Haiyan benefit concert.

On Nov. 7, Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines. With at least 5,680 dead, it has become the deadliest Filipino typhoon on record. Before the storm hit, the Philippines issued a public storm warning signal at the highest warning degree, meaning that the typhoon had reached speeds of over 115 mph. People quickly tried to prepare themselves for Haiyan, but the typhoon wiped out large parts of the Philippines and other areas, deteriorating already impossible housing conditions and devastating the lives countless people.

As of Nov. 13, the Red Cross has estimated that 22,000 people are missing while hundreds of thousands have been left homeless. Large parts of the Philippines have been left without power or any assistance since Haiyan.

In the United States, substantial efforts have been made to aid the Philippines and other affected countries. Now, SLU is doing its part to assist in this effort. On Dec. 2, the Filipino Student Association (FSA) hosted a benefit concert to raise money for those affected. Corinne Casino, FSA President, said that she was approached by her cousins who live in St. Louis to put on a benefit concert, and after word got out, other SLU organizations were more than willing to help out the cause.

With the help of her family, Casino was able to provide speakers such as Fr. Manny Cruizon to open and close the ceremony. The event included a musical performance from a Filipino-American choir and participation from certain SLU organizations such as Astha A Cappella, Bare Naked Statues, XQuizit, SLU Tai Chi Society, and SLU Karate.

John Schuler / Photo Editor
Concert attendees were provided with authentic Filipino food.

“Since the magnitude of Super Typhoon Haiyan is so huge, everyone knows about this natural disaster,” said Casino. “I have had people willingly ask me if there is anything that FSA is doing to support the cause, and if they could help out. I think that people are aware of this issue and are looking for ways to aid the typhoon victims, so they [were] more than willing to attend this benefit concert.”

Casino also said that this benefit concert was a great way to showcase some of SLU organizations to those who may not know about them for a great cause. The overall purpose of the concert was to raise awareness about the consequences that a natural disaster can have on a nation. For developing countries like the Philippines, the effects can be more detrimental and widespread.

“Relief organizations are calling on us as Americans to provide aid to a country in need. While we are trying to shed light on this disaster, the benefit concert also shows the unity and compassion of the SLU community, as many people have come together to help out a common cause,” added Casino.

“I take great concern for those affected by the typhoon,” stated sophomore Mahiwish Ahsan, an attendee of the concert. “Helping those affected does not stop just by going to the concert. There are others ways to get involved such as the Red Cross to help those in need. Natural disasters happen everywhere, and that means everyone should help.”

The FSA greatly thanks those who participated in the concert and encourages people to continue to support relief efforts.

With over 150 student organizations at Saint Louis University, from Campus Kitchen to the Korean Student Association, it appears as though every area of interest is covered. However, as student populations fluctuate so does the need for particular organizations and student representation. One potential student organization is attempting to renew their status as a Chartered Student Organization (CSO). The group, originally known as Latin American and Caribbean Club, was present on SLU’s campus years ago. However, the organization fell apart due to a decrease in enrollment from the region and a lack of interest from new students. Now, a recent increase in enrollment from the region has reawakened an interest in the organization and the population of Latin American and Caribbean students, which has grown to over 60 students, now feels the need for their voices to be heard again.

Garvaundo Hamilton, the Vice President of International Affairs, and Doerin Villafranco, a senator and one of the head members of this potential group, are teaming up to ensure this group returns to campus stronger than ever. The organization, called Caribbean and Latin American Student Association (CALSA), would appeal to a large and incredibly diverse population.

“By the sheer nature of the region, there are a multitude of cultures, ethnicities and languages that are encompassed within the group,” stated Hamilton.  With such a large variety of cultures within the region, Villafranco and Hamilton want to ensure every person is represented on SLU’s campus.

The diverse representation would provide SLU with a very unique student organization.

“The group would be one of the few, if not only, student groups on campus that has at least six different spoken languages from these regions,” said Hamilton. “CALSA would seek to showcase to SLU’s population the multi-faced region… which these students proudly represent.”

The process of becoming a CSO involves multiple steps. First, they must have at least five members to show support and lobby for the success of the group. Interested peoples would then meet with SGA’s Vice President of Student Organizations and discuss a blueprint for the group.

Finally, potential group members would meet with SGA’s Committee for Student Organizations to present their mission, constitution and other important details. If the committee votes to pass the group, they are given a four to six month probation period in which they must show they are capable of being a functional and self-sustaining student organization.

Afterwards, the committee takes a second vote on the group and, if approved, the group goes to the Senate where a final vote is taken before finally becoming a recognized Charted Student Organization.

While all of this is no easy task, the members of CALSA believe they are up to the challenge. The group also hopes to host cultural and educational events that will represent both the Latin American and Caribbean regions.

“Perhaps [we could do] a ‘taste from the region event’… events encompassing music, dance and other aspects of the Caribbean and Latin American culture,” Hamilton said.

The main goal of CALSA is similar to that of many other student groups on campus: to attain a sense of identity. Every person wants to feel like they belong at SLU. CALSA hopes to make this transition much easier for students.

Both Hamilton and Villafranco hope CALSA will help to “foster a community that will share in each other’s cultural experiences, knowledge and love for the region.” They encourage every student on campus to show support for this group and even considering joining, regardless of ethnicity.

Even before the fall semester had started, Saint Louis University’s Habitat for Humanity was feverishly planning for the school year ahead. A major national organization, Habitat for Humanity is a student organization that engages in social events, fundraisers, volunteering and education in order to end substandard housing.

One of the club’s most popular events, Cardboard City, allows students to build structures out of cardboard and sleep in them overnight. Its purpose is to increase empathy for people living in substandard housing. Habitat members dedicate a large amount of time preparing for this event, as it is not something that can simply be planned in one day.

“All of the cardboard used is collected from freshmen move-in, so we count on club members to be ready for Habitat time before the school year technically even begins,” said co-president Emily Burghoff. “Every year we [also] always have devout club members donating hours of their summer to collect cardboard for this event.”

While the event might sound strange to some, those who attend are never disappointed. At the kick-off, students usually receive duct tape, spray paint, and their cardboard boxes as well as a boost of encouragement to get creative and make a “home” that is fit to be judged for competition.

“[We have] a competition of who can make the best house!” exclaimed co-president Kathleen Gallagher. “We have some judging criteria, and judging takes place later during the night. We always have very creative submissions–in the past we’ve had people build a rocket ship, Hogwarts, and even the Cupples House.”

At the beginning of the night, Habitat asks the builders to spray paint facts concerning housing issues, substandard housing and the Habitat for Humanity organization. These facts are then taken into consideration at the end, when the vice president of fellowship examines and judges the houses.

This year, however, the Cardboard City event was cancelled due to rain. Undeterred, Habitat for Humanity sponsored a makeup event for the following Monday that was full of fun, smiles and meaningful messages.

“The alternate event on Monday featured the speaker who was supposed to be at the event on Saturday. They are also a Habitat homeowner,” stated Betsy Barton, a Habitat member. “She is closing on her Habitat house next week, so that was really exciting to see someone whose life has actually been changed by the work that we do.”

Many students such as Gallagher agree with Barton that the speakers are the best part of the night. “It is a phenomenal experience to hear their stories because it continually ignites my passion to continue my work with Habitat for Humanity.”

In addition, students were able to go on a scavenger hunt around campus and participate in a “mini Cardboard City building contest.” Rather than a large-scale house that they could have slept in, students made little gingerbread-like houses out of cardboard.

Although the event in itself is fun, the message it sends is serious. There are individuals who must sleep in these cardboard boxes every night.

They struggle to find warmth and are in a constant battle of life and death. The purpose of Cardboard city is to encourage people to live like them for one night in order to raise awareness about the cause.

While the event was cancelled due to rain, it highlighted the environmental struggle that homeless people must face on a daily basis.

Rain or shine, however, Habitat for Humanity promotes substandard living awareness at SLU while also bringing a bit of fun.

While they hope it is not cancelled in future years, Habitat is always prepared to make the most out of any situation.

On Friday, Sept. 27, Saint Louis University took a stand against world hunger.  For the past year, the Disability Services Club has been working with a not-for-profit organization called Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). This organization “strives to eliminate starvation in children throughout the world by helping to instill compassion in people to hear and respond to the cries of those in need.”

Every year about 3.5 million innocent lives perish due to starvation.  The Disability Services Club sponsored an event, Fast to Feed, to help FMSC obtain their goal. As hundreds of students mill through the Bush Student Center each day, on average they will pay $8 for a meal.

“As people walk through to get food for lunch, we will be asking them to donate the money they would normally spend on lunch and have that money go towards feeding the hungry,” DSC Vice President Elizabeth Puzniak said. “An $8 lunch will provide a whopping 36 meals.”

Missing one meal could mean the difference between getting any food at all for a child. This year, the DSC attempted to raise around $22,000 to help starving kids all over the world.

Puzniak also noted that the event was aimed at recruitment for DSC’s Make A Difference Day Event (MADD).

MADD, an annual event, is well regarded amongst SLU students. Over 3,000 students participated in the day-long service last year. The day will begin with a Kick-Off Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 26 at the Hermann Stadium. After, groups of volunteers will be spread out to local non-profits, schools, neighborhoods and homes for a day of service.

One of the options will be the FMSC event in Reinert hall. The goal of the event is to pack over 100,000 meals in six hours to be sent to over 70 countries.

“I think we should all take a moment to give back. We could be saving someone’s life,” Chanel Alorsan, a freshman at SLU, said. “It is not about just showing up to something because you have to, it is about wanting to make a difference.”

The Disability Services Club maintains a wider range of focus than nutritional disabilities. They aim to provide a wide range of services, and on Oct. 7 the group will be sponsoring Ability Olympics in the Quad.

During the Ability Olympics the DSC will host various activities, each of which are meant to portray a unique disability. The group is aiming to provide both a fun and educational environment for developing a better understanding of what it means to have a disability.

Rooted in a tight-knit community, homecoming at Saint Louis University is a time for families, alumni and students to come together. It is here where members of SLU’s community celebrate its traditions and mission.

One such tradition is the Golf Cart Parade, which will take place on Saturday, Sept 28.

“The parade features about 50 carts that are decorated by various student groups and departments on campus. It’s definitely a unique experience where students and staff members are able to show pride in their own organization or office,” said Anastacia Sontag, Student Activities Board (SAB) Advisor.

This year has a special event marking Oriflamme’s 50th anniversary. The group, which helps first-year students adjust during their first few weeks at SLU, will be hosting an alumni reception on the homecoming weekend to celebrate their milestone.

Homecoming organizers generally spend the majority of a month getting things together. Cindy Aiazzi, who works on alumni relations, says that planning starts 11 months in advance. “From coordinating alumni reunions, to setting athletic schedules, to inviting parents and families, large parts of the University are involved in all of the events.”

Aiazzi also has a special role in planning the 50th reunion for the Golden Billikens group. She remarked that, when these alumni come back, “it is so incredible for them to see how much SLU has grown.”

Not every event takes place on Saturday however.

SAB is co-sponsoring an outdoor movie with Parent & Family Programs on Friday evening at 9 p.m. that will show Monsters University.

In addition to the other events on Saturday, Greek Life is sponsoring a wiffleball tournament.

Families and students are also invited to attend the soccer game, with a firework show at halftime.

Whatever the event, many can agree that being with the SLU community is the best part.

“Though all of the events are special, my favorite part is seeing all of the groups come together to celebrate,” said Aiazzi. “Seeing our Golden Billikens meet our current students, seeing parents meet our outstanding Jesuits, seeing our recent grads gather again at the soccer game – and seeing our alumni bring their young children back to their campus – it really shows that we are all Billikens.”

Sontag held the same sentiment.

“It’s really sweet to see families reunited after being away for the last month since the start of the academic year,” Sontag said.

“While I have really enjoyed my first month here, I miss my family back home very much,” Freshman Tracy Gutzke said. “Seeing them and showing off how great SLU is will definitely be a highlight of my freshman year.”