Fireside chat puts Locatelli in hot seat

By Jessica Alway

Alcohol, sex, police harassment, university funding and housing problems were just some of the issues the Santa Clara president touched on Monday night.

Associated Students sponsored the "Fireside Chat with Father Locatelli," which provided an open forum which allowed students to ask questions about campus life and offer opinions.

During the hour-long session, Locatelli addressed questions and concerns regarding long-standing issues as well as those that are new and prominent this school year.

"I have really enjoyed my years here at Santa Clara," said senior Sean Tario. "But as a student who lives off campus I want to make you aware of the current situation between students and police. Many of us are harassed nightly near our own homes for carrying something like a Snapple bottle."

Locatelli acknowledged Tario's grievances.

"There some police officers out there who are a little overzealous, but that is not indicative of all of them. I believe most officers are trying to do the right thing, some just get carried away," he said.

Yet he made it clear he has little, or no, direct contact with the police.

"Some people allege that I call the police when I hear or see a party. But I have never done that. I have never even called the Santa Clara police for any reason," Locatelli said.

When asked about the actual consumption of alcohol on and off campus Locatelli shared a realistic view.

"People are going to drink when they come to college. We just hope to teach students how to do so in a responsible way," he said. "We are in no way condoning the use of alcohol by minors. We are building a new social area known as 'California Fresh' and alcohol might be served there, but never to minors."

Locatelli also discussed the construction of other buildings on campus such as the new business school and the completion of Leavey Athletic Center. The business building could possibly be completed within two years though no clear plans are set. Leavey, on the other hand, is taking much more time and money than originally planned. Costs are up to $28 million and there is still more work to be done, Locatelli said. Yet the building represents a versatile part of the Santa Clara community.

"Though Leavey's primary focus is intercollegiate activities, our hope is the building becomes an 'activity center' for the University," Locatelli said. "We want to hold baccalaureate mass and orientation activities within the building in the future."

The meeting also helped to provide insight for students into administrative plans for the future of Santa Clara. Locatelli discussed the purchase of the Good Earth parking lot in order to expand. Possibilities for the property include the construction of many new residential complexes, some similar to Sobrato. Though facilities on this location will not be complete by the 2002-03 school year, Locatelli acknowledged the need for housing after numerous problems this year.

"We are definitely going to have more housing next year," he said. "To be honest, we really didn't foresee a problem before this year. Five years ago we didn't have enough students to fill the halls and now we are overcrowded. We don't want students to be in the same situation next year, so we are taking steps to make more housing available."

In fact, the Jesuits are planning to move from Nobili Hall next year into other locations. The building will most likely be used for student housing after this time, Locatelli said. This came as news to many of the students in the room, including sophomore Michelle Curtis, who came to the chat after positive experiences last year.

"It is the best opportunity to ask questions," she said. "I really wish more people came to these. It shows you that Father Locatelli is not this mythical figure, but that he really thinks about students. He likes to hear our opinions to help make decisions which help us."

It was on this premise the "Fireside Chat" was established. Once each term the Associated Students coordinated this meeting with Locatelli.

"I think this is a really important time for students," Thao La, this term's coordinator and AS development vice president, said. "Sometimes Father Locatelli doesn't have a clue what is going on with students. This offers an opportunity for both groups to be updated on the other's opinions and plans." The night went smoothly according to La.

"We tried to keep the numbers below 30. We open it up to the whole student body, but extend special invitations with those specifically invested in the issues," La said.

Freshman President Annie Selak and Treasurer Jessica Frank came for this reason.

"I think it is really important for us to be updated and informed because we need to inform the rest of the class," Selak said. "If someone comes up to me and asks me what is going on I want to be able to tell them important information."