Staff Editorial
It is getting to be that time where we look back on what has changed since our arrival in late August, now that spring break has passed and we have entered the home stretch of another semester and year at Pepperdine.
While some changes, like the yearly tuition increase and the loss of a year of college life, are not about to make students smile about the passing school year, notable changes for the better have occurred at Pepperdine, giving us that inclination of hope that maybe we are getting our money’s worth here in Malibu. Here are the highlights:
Campus Dining Services
Perhaps the biggest campus cliché of all-time is the cafeteria complainer: the student who just simply is never satisfied with what’s being served up by our hard working chefs. Well, life is starting to get tough for these complainers with the implementation of a new “Smart Market” program to replace the now deemed inadequate “Café Fresca” program.
The name change signifies the beginning of more diverse, healthier options when we dine at the Waves Café and at the satellite locations at the HAWC and CCB.
Following national trends in the food and beverage industry, Pepperdine Dining Services took steps last November to reduce the amount of trans-fats in cafeteria food by cooking with healthier canola oil. They also worked to increase the options for vegetarians and more health-conscious eaters.
While the new digs at the Café may not be saving students money, our bodies are sure to be thanking us, because one can only live on double cheeseburgers and fries for so long.
One thing that was frustrating for students was the quality and selection of food here at Pepperdine, and it is a problem Dining Services confronted directly.
Convocation/Campus Speakers
Convocation is not exactly the most popular activity for students, but organizers have done a commendable job with attracting quality speakers and balance to a Convocation program that for too long was not sending a strong enough message to students.
Jim Wallis, author and theologian, spoke about the importance of social justice in the minds of Christians. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, who was recently a guest on Comedy Central’s wildly popular “Colbert Report,” gave a riveting address, drawing complete attention from a crowd whose attention is usually far from what is happening on the stage. And Sister Helen Prejean, who was portrayed by Susan Sarandon in the film “Dead Man Walking” also addressed the wednesday morning crowd, rounding out a great year for Convocation speakers.
But aside from Convo, Pepperdine is becoming a destination for more big-time speakers to stop and pitch their ideas. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., addressed an overflow crowd in Smothers Theatre in October and, at the Brock House, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed California’s bill to fight Global Warming, both major events that earned media coverage.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association brought two notable changes to campus, with major accolades going to the development of the Student Discount Card. Malibu has always been a tough place for students to go out to eat, and the discount program for students is sure to give students a much needed break with the expensive nature of the much-touted Malibu lifestyle.
SGA also worked with Housing and Community Living (HCL) to re-introduce the Readership Program. After its discontinuation in 2004 due to the program’s excessive contribution to litter around campus, the USA Today and Los Angeles Times newspapers have returned to residence halls and various buildings around campus, in addition to the recent arrival of LA Weekly to the CCB. The return of the readership program in combating campus ignorance is a welcome and needed change.
Campus Landscaping
The most notable changes are always the physical changes made around campus. A school must work hard to maintain its top ranking on Princeton Review for having the “most beautiful campus.” The CCB’s aesthetic revitalization has brought a completely new look to the once empty front yard that poorly accentuated the building.
Our massive landscaping crew, who deserve credit for what is without question the most labor-intensive job on campus, have transformed our campus from looking good to great in an astonishingly short amount of time, ensuring our top ranking and subconsciously eliminating our stress.
And with the multiple facility improvements planned across campus for the future, these comparably small accomplishments contribute greatly to the overall effort made by students, workers, faculty and administrators to make Pepperdine a great university.
03-22-07