Brown and White Vol. 120 no. 10

              Vol. 120 No. 10
Friday, February 25, 2011
‘All the Lehigh News First’
THE BROWN AND WHITE
Lehigh University’s Student Newspaper Founded in 1894
SPORTS
Lacrosse player
has CLASS
Page 12
ONLINE
‘Like’ our
Facebook page
facebook.com
Join the movement:
GEner8-tion Txt
Page 7
LIFESTYLE
By KELSEY STOCKER
A panel of experts in various scientific fields, led by President Alice P. Gast, released a report that analyzed evidence and approaches used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation during investigations of the 2001 an­thrax attacks.
The panel, consisting of experts in the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, statistics and biological sciences, and a district judge, was selected in 2008 and first met during the summer of 2009. It was a 16-member committee, and the members were selected from various sources and colleges such as Pennsylvania State, Tufts and Harvard Universities.
Gast has a doctoral degree in chemical engineering, so her expertise in the chemical field likely earned her a position chairing this committee.
“We rarely see Alice Gast beyond her role as Le­high president, so this opportunity for her to work on this panel allowed us to see her in a new light,” said Caitlin Donnelly, ’12. “But her expertise in her field certainly brought an important viewpoint to the analyses.”
The panel was selected as a part of the National Re­search Council. The NRC was formed in 1916 and is recognized by the National Academy of Sciences, the
Gast heads panel discussing anthrax letters
By JESSICA SZAFONI
A forum called, “A Priest, a Minister and a Rabbi walk into a bar…” offered a fun, comfortable environ­ment for interfaith dialogue on Monday at Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub on Fourth and New streets just outside Lehigh’s campus.
More than 30 students sat around four tables pre­pared to anonymously question the three-man panel seated in front of them about any issue of Catholi­cism, Judaism or Christianity. Father Wayne Killian, priest of Lehigh and Moravian College; Dr. Lloyd Steffen, Lehigh University Chaplain; and Rabbi Seth Goren, director of Jewish Student Life, were present to provide answers.
Benjamin Weiner, ’12, a member of the execu­tive board of Lehigh’s Hillel Society, said both the Catholic Student Union and Hillel intended to create an informal atmosphere and reach out to students and the Bethlehem community alike by supporting Molly’s, a local business.
“The fact that this event is not being held in an academic building underlines our goal,” he said. “This really is a ‘food-for-thought’ event, so any ques­tions that some may have been previously unsure about asking are welcome here.”
Pens and index cards to write questions on were set on the table as the crowd gathered. While students pondered, some ordered food using the $5 handed out to everyone present for the forum, and others over age 21 ordered drinks.
Jennifer Pysher, ’12, and Matthew Keim, ’12, of­ficers of the Catholic Student Union, anticipated good conversation before the question and answer session got underway.
“It’s a really great idea,” Keim said. “I’m interested in hearing about the faiths I don’t know that much about and talking to Rabbi Goren, Dr. Steffen and Father Killian, so I think it will be fun.”
“The goal for the program is to not have any par­ticular influence from any of the religious groups,” said Justin Sirrine, ’11, Catholic Student Union president. “It’s simply to allow students to ask any questions they have in an open, non-judgmental and friendly atmosphere, and to have their questions an­swered by people who are ordained and practice the faith they are discussing with the students.”
The Residence Life Coordinator for Richards
See RELIGION Page 3
Religious panel offers diverse insight at Molly’s
Student intiative lights up off-campus houses
By JACKIE LYONS
The Student Senate, along with dozens of volunteers, went door-to-door off campus, changing porch light bulbs and handing out safety information to increase off-campus safety during the “Light Up Off Campus” event Monday through Wednesday.
“We’re encouraging residents to leave their porch lights on overnight at least, if not at all times,” said Brit­tany Foster, ’13. “It’s really cheap, and it has been proven again and again that well-lit areas are less-sus­ceptible to crime, and robbers are much more likely to move on than risk being seen in the light.”
Foster said the event was strongly influenced by the large number of attacks and break-ins that occur off campus each year.
“There have been a lot of police reports that make me somewhat nervous about walking around alone at night,” said off-campus resident Jenna Peroutka, ’11. “Whenever our porch light is off, and I’m trying to unlock the front door, I am very un­easy about being out there.”
Student Senate purchased more than 1,200 light bulbs and replaced porch light bulbs on East Fifth, Philmore, Polk and Webster streets and Hillside, Berkel and Montclair avenues.
The volunteers included local landlords, police escorts and stu­dents from Greek houses who either pledged money to help the cause or volunteered at the event.
Statistics say that leaving the light on all the time will only increase the electric bill by $1.50 per month.
“It’s really easy; $1.50 split be­tween tenants is the least you can do to promote off-campus safety,” said Jarrett Herold, ’11.
Foster said much of the crime that takes place is crime of opportu­nity because it is easier to rob some­one who is not paying attention in dark areas.
“We are usually pretty good about keeping ours on, but it re­cently went out, so it was great be­ing able to get it replaced,” Peroutka said. “I’m glad other people on our street will be keeping their porch lights on too. It makes me feel a lot more at ease when I’m walking home at night.”
Off-campus resident Samantha
See LIGHTS Page 3
B&W photo by BRIAN LAFOND
Matt Bilsky, ’12, replaces the porch light for resident Larry Silvi, ’11, during the “Light Up Off Campus” initiative on Monday night. Student Senate led the door-to-door event that encouraged residents to keep lights on.
See ANTHRAX Page 2