ARCHIVES
NEWS
COMMUNITY
EDITORIAL
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

more ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
FEATURES
SPORTS
more SPORTS

February 11, 2000

The Virginia Wesleyan campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity broke ground on their new building project on January 15. The house, which will be constructed at 5581 Aurora Drive in Virginia Beach, is the chapter’s second house-building project in the past three years. The chapter’s first house, "A House for Mary," was completed in April 1998. “

"I feel this will be a life-changing experience for our students," said President Dr. Billy Greer in a speech given at the groundbreaking ceremony. Senior Katie Wick, project director, said that the chapter’s goal is to complete the house by May. About 100 volunteers worked on the chapter’s first building project, and she hopes to improve that number on this project. The homeowners, Deonne Jenkins and Demetria Gordon, have been on the waiting list to get a Habitat House since December of 1998. The groundbreaking brought them one step closer to their dream of owning their own home. Habitat homeowners, in addition to putting a down payment on their homes and making mortgage payments, are required to put in "sweat equity" hours, either working on Habitat building sites or in the Habitat office.

Gordon says that she is grateful to all those who have donated their money, materials and time to this project. "It’s just unbelievable that so many people come together to help with the project," said Gordon. The chapter raised the $50,000 for the project through both outside donations and chapter fundraisers such as the "Shack-A-Thon" and cookbook sales. The idea to build another Habitat house had been around since the dedication of "A House for Mary" said Wick.

"The thought was there, but we needed time to rest, and that was last year," she said. What does this project say about Virginia Wesleyan volunteers? "I think it shows that we want to get out in the community to help people," said sophomore Emily McLaughlin. She has been volunteering with the campus chapter of Habitat since her first semester at VWC. "We’re a group of dedicated students," said Wick. "I hope that we’ll continue what we’ve done for the past four years. Continue with the pre-orientation. Continue with the building." The campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity always welcomes volunteers. Anyone interested in participating on this project should call the campus Habitat Office at 455-3426.

The budget presented at the trustees meeting this semester called for an increase in overall tuition, room, and board of 5.5%, and is planned to go into effect next Fall.

Surprised? Well, don’t be. It happens almost every year, and not only at VWC. Last semester there was an increase of almost 5% in overall tuition costs at Wesleyan. This year, just as in previous years, current scholarship rates will increase correspondingly. According to Dean of Admissions Rick Hinshaw, the difference this year is that students must complete their financial aid renewal information by March 1, and make a commitment by April 15 to return to Virginia Wesleyan next semester.

Hinshaw hopes that the imposed deadlines will allow the school to conclude by April 15 how many students will require the increased financial aid packages. Those who don’t meet the deadline, however, may not be eligible for the increase. "We want those people to let us know they are coming back, said Hinshaw, "it is extremely important to keep students who are here."

"The first thing students need to do is get in to the financial aid people," said Deanie Hickman, director of financial aid. According to Hickman, several notices will be circulated to remind students of changes for the upcoming year. Letters from President Greer, as well as the Dean of Students office, and VWC’s homepage will all provide such information. Next year’s increase will also allow for several new additions to VWC’s campus. Part of the money will go towards the hiring of new instructors, reducing the need for adjunct faculty.

Also, to boost the social life at Wesleyan, Lina Cott-ingham will become the full-time Student Activities Director before the new student center is even built. According to Hinshaw, the tuition increase will help fund "big events" on campus. These events are intended to attract not only resident students, but commuters and off campus audiences as well. "It will give us an outlet to organize things better," said SGA Vice President Seth Brady about the new cost of tuition, "it’s not that drastic of an increase." Brady did, however, find the deadline somewhat harsh. "It doesn’t sound like a reasonable amount of time," Brady said. Any students who have questions concerning their financial aid should contact the financial aid office on the first floor of the Godwin Administration Building, at 455-3345.

Arun Gandhi, grandson of the late spiritual leader Mohandas Gandhi, spoke on Tuesday, February 8 as part of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom’s Spring Symposium. Growing up in South Africa, Arun Gandhi was persecuted by both whites and blacks for being brown. "Every moment of the day we were reminded of the color of our skin," explained Gandhi. Because of this, Arun became increasingly angered and vengeful. At this point, his parents decided he should live with his grandfather, Mohandas Gandhi.

Arun lived with his grandfather from 1946-1947. During this time he learned what non-violence was all about, and he learned how to deal with his own violence. "To understand non-violence, we must first understand violence," explained Gandhi. Arun began to understand violence through the teachings of his grandfather. Mohandas Gandhi would spend an hour a day speaking to Arun about non-violence and how to channel anger and use it positively. Four words that hold significant meaning to both Arun and his grandfather are: love, compassion, understanding and respect. These four words embody the philosophy of Mohandas Gandhi’s approach to nonviolence. Arun explains that society needs to use this philosophy to build meaningful relationships within its self. "We must become the change we want to see in the world, otherwise, we will still have violence," said Gandhi.

Arun explained that the change has to begin within ourselves for it to radiate through society. "Society is self-centered and thinks about themselves," said Gandhi, "Whatever happens to one happens to others. We are all connected." Arun also discussed that there is a fine line between pity and compassion. Instead of just giving a homeless person a dollar, we should actively do something about his condition. We should find out why he is homeless and help him better himself. Arun did this in various poor sections of India like Bombay. He told stories of how he and his friends bettered a whole city of what India called "untouchables." He showed how easy it is to help people attain a better way of life.

"It is about sacrifice," said Gandhi. Arun also shared memorable and touching stories about the time that he spent with his grandfather. The audience found out that Mahatmas Gandhi was afraid of the dark and that his three main role models were his nanny, his mother and his wife. Arun has taken these lessons and memories from his grandfather and has used them effectively throughout his life. He and his wife began the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in 1991. Many of the Institute’s educational programs are aimed at conflict prevention, anger management, and relationship and community building. Arun feels that it is a tragedy that although America is a superpower full of technology and civility, it is the most violent nation in the world.

"We cannot create an entire non-violent society because that is not attainable," explained Arun Gandhi, "but we must work towards that."