*Winter 2001 Magazine CR - Webpages at SCU - Santa Clara ...

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MissionMattersUniversity to endsupport of fraternitiesand sororitiesAfter a five-month review, theUniversity announced that itwould phase out fraternities andsororities on campus, ending supportfor them altogether by 2003. Italso pledged expanded social andrecreational facilities for all students.The decision, announced inMarch by President Paul Locatelli,S.J., followed the study of the Greeksystem by a committee of faculty,staff, and students.The committee recommendedkeeping the system with tighter controlsand increased staff resources,while expanding social and recreationalprograms for the University’s7,350 students.Locatelli chose to embrace thecommittee’s recommendation toinvolve students in the creation ofgreatly enhanced on-campus socialprograms, and to establish longerhours for food service and recreationalfacilities.His decision to eliminate theGreek system on campus allows the239 sophomores and juniors whoare members of four fraternitiesand four sororities to retain theiraffiliations, but makes permanenta suspension instituted last fall of“rushing”—recruiting—of newfraternity and sorority members atthe University.In a letter to parents, Locatellisaid, “I understood when I madethis decision that it was not goingto be a comfortable one, especiallyfor those students directly affected,and that some students, parents,alumni, and friends would notshare my perspective ...What struckme, however, as I reviewed theoptions with many informed people,was the reiterated concern for awider, more welcoming, and livelierset of social opportunities thatwould benefit all students.”David Forsythe, vice president ofthe IGC, told the San Jose Mercury Newsthat “Greek organizations havecaused public relations problems foruniversities, and I think that’s thebasis behind this decision.”Locatelli said it was “a tough decision,in large measure because thevast majority of our fraternity andsorority members are terrific individuals—realcampus leaders.”“But I had to think,” he said,“about the longer-term issue: puttingour efforts and resources behinda determined effort to add to thesocial opportunities for the greatestnumber of Santa Clara students.”The University’s first fraternitywas formed in 1935; its first sororityin 1946. Membership in SCU Greekorganizations peaked at nearly 19percent in 1993, and is currently at388 (240 women and 148 men),which is less than 10 percent ofundergraduates.The SCU decision mirrors nationaltrends. Fraternity and sororitymembership nationwide declinedabout 30 percent in the last decade,according to The Chronicle of HigherEducation.The full text of the University committee report,and a copy of Locatelli’s letter announcing thedecision, can be found at www.scu.edu/provost/docs/greek-review.Eastside Project renamed to honor ArrupeCOURTESY OF WWW.JESUIT.ORGPedro Arrupe, S.J. (1907-1991)The Eastside Project, which provides opportunities forstudents and faculty to work to understand the livesof the marginalized and the poor, changed its name tohonor the former Superior General of the Society of Jesus.The program was renamed The Pedro Arrupe, S.J.Center for Community-Based Learning on Feb. 5, whichmarked the 10th anniversary of the death of Arrupe,head of the Jesuits from 1965 to 1983.“In renaming the Eastside Project, Santa ClaraUniversity honors the memory of this remarkable man,whose leadership of the Society of Jesus inspired thefoundation of the Eastside Project,” said Catherine Wolff,the program’s director. “It is our hope that the work of the[center] will be a worthy expression of his teachings—advancing the Jesuit tradition of the service of faith andthe promotion of justice.”Located in the new Sobrato Residential LearningComplex, the Arrupe Center works with the BannanInstitute for Jesuit Education and Christian Values tooffer community-based learning experiences for studentsand faculty. The center sponsors “immersionexperiences” for faculty, staff, and students, providingopportunities to learn from diverse cultures locallyand abroad.SANTA CLARA MAGAZINE/SUMMER 2001 7
MissionMattersThe School of Law inFebruary announcedthe creation of a NorthernCalifornia InnocenceProject, a program that joinslawyers and law students inan effort to free personswrongfully convicted inCalifornia.Making the announcementat a press conference,Cookie Ridolfi, directorof the program, said, “Inthe last several years, the useof DNA analysis in criminalcases has proven that analarming number of innocentpeople are wrongfullyconvicted, in prison, and ondeath row across the UnitedStates.”Ridolfi, a professor ofcriminal law and director ofthe Criminal Defense Clinic at thelaw school, is working with two experiencedcriminal lawyers directing lawstudents in the investigation andevaluation of innocence claims beingmade by California prisoners. In thefirst two months, they received morethan 100 requests.The Northern California InnocenceProject will be part of theNational Innocence Network, begunby the Benjamin Cardozo Schoolof Law in New York City. The SCUbasedproject will handle NorthernCalifornia cases, while the onlyother project of its kind in the state,at Cal Western School of Law inSan Diego, takes on Southern Californiacases.Santa Clara Innocence Projectfights wrongful convictionsBarry Scheck, here with law professor Ellen Kreitzberg, came toshow his support for the project.“The causes of wrongful convictions—falseconfessions, mistakenidentifications, and reliance on jailhousesnitches—occur as a result ofdeeply entrenched law enforcementtechniques and methods, both wellmeaningand otherwise, usedthroughout our criminal justice system,”Ridolfi said.“In fact, with California leadingthe nation in the number of peoplein prison and on death row, we areconcerned that this state may alsolead the nation in the number ofpeople wrongly convicted,” she said.There are approximately 20 similarInnocence Projects nationwide,following the lead and model of theNew York project begun in 1992. Aco-founder of the New York project,Barry Scheck also appeared at theSCU press conference toshow his support for theSCU project.Scheck, who addressedlaw students during hisvisit to campus, gainednational prominence forhis work in the developmentof the use of DNAin proving innocence.Nationally, DNA tests,most of them developed incoordination withInnocence Project efforts,have helped to free 82inmates, 10 of whom wereon death row. Two of thesepeople were Californiaprisoners.Ridolfi said that theSCU law school, consistentwith the University’smission to promote social justice,is providing faculty support andoffice space for the NorthernCHARLES BARRYNationally, DNA tests, most of themdeveloped in coordination withInnocence Project efforts, have helpedto free 82 inmates, 10 of whomwere on death row. Two of thesepeople were California prisoners.California Innocence Project.“There are other significant coststhat must be met if this project is tosucceed,” she said. “The future ofthe Innocence Project depends onthe support of the people in thiscommunity who we know care deeplyabout this important social issue.”8SANTA CLARA MAGAZINE/SUMMER 2001
Page 1 and 2: The Board of Fellows of Santa Clara
Page 3 and 4: ForeWordsCommitted to memorySome of
Page 5 and 6: 150th AnniversaryHere’s a samplin
Page 7 and 8: 150th Anniversary‘Shen Fu’ lear
Page 9: MissionMattersIBudget funds technol
Page 13 and 14: MissionMattersFirst African-America
Page 15 and 16: MissionMattersConferences focus onc
Page 17 and 18: With few resources, uncommon dedica
Page 19 and 20: “On our way out to the island aft

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