SGA debates credit card vendors on campus The Student Government Association (SGA) debated a bill Thursday that, if passed, would force credit card vendors on campus to display information about high interest rates. Vice President for Student Affairs John Guilfoil, sponsor of the bill, said he had witnessed the removal of six credit card vendors on campus within the last week. “Students come in as freshmen and are enticed by a free t-shirt,” Guilfoil told the Senate, citing advertising tactics used by the credit card vendors. Billy Haddad, SGA vice president for financial affairs, said there was no need for the legislation because a policy already exists that bans credit card vendors from campus, and this legislation needs to be enforced. Guilfoil acknowledged that the legislation would not ban vendors from setting up shop on city sidewalks. The legislation is not scheduled to be debated again or voted on this week, Guilfoil said.
Center of Community Service offers project grants Two different types of grants are currently available to Northeastern students seeking funding for community service projects. Six Northeastern University Civic Engagement Grants are offered by the Center of Community Service. Four of the grants are worth $250 and two are worth $500. Events or projects must be completed by June 2006. The Massachusetts Campus Compact is also offering 10 community service grants of $750 each. These grants are to be used for events during the campaign’s Month of Action from Feb. 19 to March 25, 2006. The Campus Compact is a membership organization of Massachusetts and Rhode Island campuses committed to service. The application deadline for both grants is Dec. 9. For an application, contact Marc Velasquez at 617-373-5805.
Jumpstart seeks volunteers for public school program Jumpstart is looking for student volunteers to help raise awareness of School Preview Time, when local families begin to choose which of Boston’s 114 public schools their children will attend. Jumpstart, Northeastern’s program for students to work one-on-one with local preschool children, will hand out information and hold signs next Monday morning at Ruggles MBTA station to make sure local families know their options. The event is organized through Jumpstart’s partnership with Countdown to Kindergarten, a local collaborative organization that helps Boston families choose the right schools for their children and transition to kindergarten. Volunteers must contact Kaitlyn Fischer, Jumpstart Volunteer Coordinator at 617-373-2237 today to sign up. The event will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 14.
Jewish studies to host Holocaust remembrance events The Northeastern Jewish Studies Program is preparing to host “Forgetting to Remember: America, France and the Holocaust.” The two-day event, which will be held next Monday and Tuesday, will examine America’s and France’s roles in the Holocaust. Monday will include a keynote speech from associate professor of journalism Laurel Leff, author of “Buried by The Times: The Holocaust and America’s Most Important Newspaper,” to be held in Raytheon Amphitheater from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will also be a screening of “Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust,” which will be shown in 90 Snell from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with an introduction by director Daniel Anker. Tuesday will be devoted to a French perspective, including lectures by Adam Nossiter, author of “The Algeria Hotel: France, Memory and the Second World War” and Pierre Sauvage, director of “Weapons of the Spirit.” All events are free and open to the public.
Latin American Student Organization plans rest of fall The Latin American Student Organization (LASO) is planning for the remainder of its fall semester events. Upcoming events include a Potluck at the African American Institute Nov. 17, Merry Mardi Gras Date Auction to raise money for funds for Hurricane Katrina Dec. 3 and a diversity forum Dec. 7. This semester, the group has strove to work with different student organizations, including a collaboration with the Council for University Programs to bring comedian Pablo Francisco to campus, LASO President Sergio Marrero said. All are welcome to attend LASO’s weekly meetings Thursdays at the African American Institute to help in the planning of future events. For more information check their Web site, www.laso.neu.edu.
BRC allocates money for upcoming diversity dialogue This week the Budget Review Committee (BRC) funded the events of three different Northeastern organizations, with more than $7,000 going to the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). The group received $2,050 for its upcoming dialogue on race relations, oppression and social diversity, which will be a collaborative effort of LASO and 13 other student groups. LASO was also allocated $5,260 to bring the play “Platanos and Collard Greens” to Northeastern. The play is a six-person performance about the trials of an interracial couple. The Association for Computing Machinery was allotted $1,244 to put on their “Geek Week,” in which Northeastern students can partake in activities ranging from bowling to board games. Northeastern Hillel, in conjunction with Circle K, received $2,091.18 for its annual PB Jam, where members will prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Boston’s needy citizens.
– Compiled by staff writers Dinah Alobeid, Hailey Heinz and Stephen Babcock and correspondent Alex Pauline.
