Most students don't realize it, but they're affected by Loyola's president, Rev. Michael Garanzini, S.J. every day. Whether it's hearing the construction of the Information Commons, seeing the flood of prospective students at open houses or lounging in Regis Hall where Garanzini lives, the president's influence on the university can be seen throughout Loyolans' lives. On Wednesday, March 28, Garanzini held a town hall meeting in CFSU to give students a chance to voice their questions or concerns about life at Loyola.
Garanzini set the subject for the meeting by discussing the current construction on Loyola's Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses. The president first addressed the much-heralded Information Commons, all-glass lakefront addition to Cudahy Library, which will be completed by November 2007.
Garanzini explained the university's efforts to "create pockets of green space" by tearing up Campus Road this summer and knocking down the Jesuit Residence next year.
Plans for the distant future include remodeling of Gentile Center to provide for Loyola's athletes. Garanzini also talked about the construction of the Clare building downtown, which will house the communication department.
About 50 students filled the lobby of CFSU, which was set up to seat more than 100 people, and when the president opened the floor to questions several hands went up. Senior Katie Vogel asked why funds were being directed to athletics instead of academics.
Garanzini referred back to his explanations of the Information Commons and the Clare.
"There won't be any basketball playing in there," Garanzini said. He then explained the $56 million renovation of the Mundelein Center.
Another student rose to pose a question about Loyola's underfunded and understaffed International Film and Media Studies program. She also brought up the issue of part-time teachers. These professors are either travel to instruct at different universities or professionals who bring their workplace experiences to the classroom.The student asked whether these professors were up to the quality of teaching that students expect at Loyola.
Garanzini referred the communication department's plans to utilize classrooms in the Clare and to hire more full-time faculty.
He noted the importance of having professionals who teach bring their unique experience to the classroom. He did not address the traveling professors.
Turning the conversation back to construction, sophomore Dan Kleinman requested that the university focus on remodeling CFSU to look like a real student union.
Garanzini suggested that Kleinman pass the microphone to Vice President of Student Affairs Rev. Richard Salmi, S.J.
Salmi explained plans to renovate Bremner Lounge during the summer to make it "comfy and respectable."
There are future plans replace Alumni Gym with a student center, though this will not be completed for two or three years.
Maintaining the line of questioning about construction, freshman Jason Kaestner asked about the timetable for construction.
"It seems like the whole four years that I am going to be here the campus is essentially going to be one large construction zone," Kaestner said.
"A lot of frustration about being here right now is that every year you're going to see something new and then you're going to hear about something that's going to come after you graduate so it's unfortunate, but that's the way it is," Garanzini said, noting that there will be construction for the next eight to 10 years. "I guarantee you there's a master plan that's quite beautiful. Maybe your kids will come here someday."
A question was asked about current juniors and seniors, who are dealing with the immediate side effects, such as larger class sizes and the current lack of green space. These students will not enjoy the benefits of the construction projects as undergraduates.
Garanzini acknowledged that the construction is happening on the current students' time at Loyola. "I don't know what to tell you except that your campus is getting better," he said.
In response to the class sizes question, Garanzini replied that education should provide a variety of experiences. "Some students like larger classes and some students probably like smaller classes, but I think variety is good," he said.
"Show me someone who likes large class sizes," junior Paul Nappier said after the meeting. In reference to long term plan, Nappier said, "Basically, we were told to just deal with it."
Keeping in line with the construction theme of the evening's discussion, a student asked about the impact of the construction on the expanding student body.
Garanzini explained that the incoming student population is capped. He emphasized that while Loyola is becoming a better school academically, he does not want it to be economically elitist.
Another student brought up a topic about construction that had not yet been addressed: the noise. He cited the loud construction noises in Mundelein Center as being disruptive to his theater class.
"For that I can only apologize. I wish we could do this more quickly," Garanzini said.
Nappier asked what the university is doing to make sure its apparel comes from fair trade factories.
Garanzini passed this question on the Associate Vice President of Business Services Tim McGuriman.
"To the extent that we can assure that apparel generated in a sweat-free environment where labor organizations are unionized and supported, we do," McGuriman said.
Senior Atheni Asihel asked how Garanzini thought Loyola can reidentify itself with the Jesuit mission for diversity and social justice as the university grows.
On a broader level of identifying with the Jesuit mission directly in the university, he said he is "open to suggestions," because it is really the passion of students and faculty who carry out the Jesuit mission.
Though there were still a number of hands in the air at 5:30 p.m., Garanzini called the meeting to a close. He invited those in attendance to a reception in Bremner Lounge where everyone could continue to ask questions.
There were mixed reactions among students at the reception.
"I felt like [Garanzini] was very good at explaining himself and the schools' position on everything," freshman Joe Houlihan said.
Junior Maura Hughes referred to the town hall meeting as a big Loyola commercial. "People who complain about Loyola don't care enough to come to these things," she said regarding the turnout.
Sophomore Michael Jamroszczyk noted the frustration among some students. "The way he was addressing the questions was a bit jocular," he said, but he was pleased to see Garanzini in person willing to respond to students' questions.
Sophomore Kevin Snodgrass appreciated Garanzini's different perspective on construction. "A lot of good topics were brought up and Father Garanzini seemed to be on the ball," Snodgrass said.
Garanzini explained the meeting was planned as a way to be available to the student body.
"Students want to make sure I know what they're thinking," Garanzini said after the meeting. "Knowing that you're being heard is valuable."
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