Letters and Emails
Santa Clara students need to set good example for friends
I AM SENDING this letter to all Santa Clara University students to apprize you of the current climate in the neighborhood adjacent to the University and to ask for your help.
There have been several reports to the University and to the City of Santa Clara about inappropriate as well as illegal behaviors (alcohol violations, noise disturbances, vandalism, littering, etc.). All recognize that Santa Clara students are not the only ones who are involved. However, it appears as if a few Santa Clara students are responsible for much of the disruptive behavior. Unfortunately, the few reflect on our entire community.
In order to resolve this situation, it is important that all members of the Santa Clara community, especially students and Santa Clara City leaders and residents work together as responsible citizens who respect each other and act appropriately in our communities. If you are interested in becoming more formally involved in this endeavor, please contact the Office of Student Life. This office is seeking to involve students in helping promote positive relationships in the neighborhood.
One of the ideals of a Santa Clara education is to prepare you for "responsible citizenship and service to society" and one of our fundamental values includes a "respect for others" and an "engaged concern for the common good of the campus, the local community and global society." The ideals and values begin now, during your time as students at Santa Clara and citizens of the City of Santa Clara. Most Santa Clara students are exemplary citizens already. You make us proud. I ask that you help your peers remember that they represent all of us when they are at home, social events and in public.
Please be aware of the impact that disruptive behavior has upon the residents living near the University. For the University to be a good neighbor, all its members must be good neighbors. To this end, I hope that you will hold yourself and each other accountable to the values and expectations of the University and civic community. Thank you.
Paul Locatelli, S.J.,
University President
Career Celebration a success
IT MAY HAVE been early for a Saturday morning, but the Career Center's annual Arts and Sciences Career Celebration was definitely worth it. On April 6, 2002, over 50 of our wonderful alumni from a variety of majors and professions took their time to talk to present Santa Clara undergraduates about their personal experiences during college and in the job market. As a Peer Career Advisor (PCA) for the Career Center, I was asked to work the event, but I was also able to attend some of the panel discussions.
The morning panel I chose to attend did not directly relate to my major, but I was fortunate to find and speak to an alumnus who is involved in a career path I am very interested in exploring. After communicating with her this past week, I was referred to one of her colleagues. As a result, I landed a job interview for a summer position in my desired career field. Whether or not I am offered the internship, I know that I have gained a very valuable contact from this event.
It is unfortunate that more Santa Clara students did not use the Arts and Sciences Career Celebration to their advantage. As you can see, it was a wonderful opportunity to network with our fantastic alumni and listen to their experiences and words of wisdom. The amount of planning and preparation on the part of the Career Center team was tremendous and those who didn't attend really missed out on a stellar opportunity to make lasting connections.
Michelle Villalta,
marketing, '03
Career Celebration a success
I'M WRITING IN response to the article written by Ashley Ritchie regarding the MTV television show "The Osbournes," in the April 11 issue of The Santa Clara. Although your opinions are quite understandable, I would like to pose my view upon the people of Santa Clara. I do not care for Ozzy Osbourne's music. In fact, if you asked me what songs he sings, I would not have an answer for you. However, I have watched quite a few episodes of "The Osbournes" and I find it, quite frankly, hilarious. Although Ozzy has a noted past of drinking and behaving in a manner of misconduct in the public, the show based on his family is quite entertaining. It came to my knowledge that Ozzy has quite a bad reputation, and I find your article well-researched. However, I do not think that the people who watch his show (mainly teenagers and people our age) have done or would do research on Ozzy unless they were fans of his music.
Ozzy might well be an alcoholic, and his family might well be dysfunctional. However, I believe that MTV only airs this show for entertainment purposes. I question whether or not you have actually watched the show, and it appears as though you have, in that you know how the parents talk to their kids and vice versa. Yes, this is in a haphazard manner, and I agree that the show is hard to understand, because they are swearing half the time. However, I believe you overestimate the influence television has on children. MTV's target age group ranges from high schoolers to college students, and I believe that "children" in these age groups will hardly find it acceptable to speak to their parents in such a rude manner, and would not be influenced to do so after watching an episode of "The Osbournes."
I think it is important to take into consideration the fact that the week of April 1, 2002, the show had 7 million viewers, the highest in MTV's 21-year history (excluding award shows). I also think it is important to take into consideration the fans of Ozzy Osbourne. They are probably very excited to learn more about Ozzy and his family. However real or fake the show is, Ozzy's interaction with his children shows the audience that no matter how strange or dysfunctional they all might be, he cares about his kids more than anything.
I also wonder how you do not find it acceptable to watch a strange old man interact with his family, but find it okay for thousands of "children" our age to dress scantily and make out with every drunk person in sight on shows such as "Spring Break."
MTV is applauded for their variety of reality based television shows, and I think they deserve a standing ovation for airing "The Osbournes." It is pure entertainment that any music fan, even myself, a lover of the Dixie Chicks and a non-Ozzy fan, can appreciate. He's Ozzy Osbourne ... he's a legend.
Becki Fowler,
communication, '03