Due to recent vandalism attempts, first floor Eggleston Hall was forced to put a strict visitation policy into effect as of April 5, 2001. The factor that Resident Life had pinpointed as the cause of these acts of vandalism was male guests (either off-campus non-residents or residents from other Villages). Though some of the vandals have been identified and the rest are in the process of being identified through on-going investigations, Residence Life put a ban on male guests in hopes that the hall would make a better effort to safeguard their community. Starting at noon on Thursday, April 5, 2001, until noon on Monday, April 16, 2001, all male guests, both resident and non-resident, were banned from the first floor of Eggleston Hall. Under the constraints of the new visitation policy, males were not allowed on the floor at any time, for any reason.

"I understand that it was necessary because of the vandalism. What was unnecessary was the 24-hour-a-day ban of guys on Eggleston Hall for such an extended period of time," said freshman Liz Ortiz, a resident of first floor Eggleston. Things such as the hall’s bulletin board were vandalized. During the middle of the day, three male visitors on the hall allegedly ripped the bulletin board down. After tearing the board from the wall, the men proceeded to dump water on it, ruining the board. "During the two weeks while the policy was in effect and male guests were not present, the hall was free of problems and seemed to regain its sense of community," said Eggleston Resident Assistant Patrica Caron, who had created the bulletin board. In response to these acts, Residence Life placed the ban on lower Eggleston, not as punishment, but as a way of removing the one constant factor that seemed to be causing the acts of vandalism. Though Residence Life remained unavailable for comment, the idea of the ten-day policy was to encourage residents to take back the safe community they were known for the entire previous portion of the year.

Virginia Wesleyan’s annual Senior Week will be held from Tuesday, May 8 until Friday, May 11. Senior Week is dedicated to seniors to celebrate graduation, and to basically offer some last minute fun to those who may be embarking on careers or graduate study. It is a week to celebrate seniors’ accomplishments, friendships and memories here at VWC. Normally Senior Week lasts from the Sunday before graduation until the night before; however, this year there have been some difficulties. For instance, today is April 27 and the fliers publicizing Senior Week only started going up April 24. Due to the late publicity many adult and commuter seniors were unaware of Senior Week. "I had wondered if there was a special event, but it looked like nothing," commented senior Nancey Dooley, a commuter. Eileen Pollock, also a commuter, had no idea that VWC even had a Senior Week. "I just checked my mailbox and there was 50 things in it, but nothing about Senior Week," said Pollock.

The Student Government Association who sponsors the event got started a little late in the planning, according to Treasurer Matt Chester. Chester, along with other members of SGA were responsible for gathering ideas about Senior Week and putting it all together. Due to members’ hectic schedules and lack of funding, the finalization of Senior Week took a little longer than expected. According to Chester, the SGA’s funding was cut nearly in half from last year, so some of the events, like the annual Duck-N beach party, had to be ruled out. Chester was not sure why the funding had been cut, he just commented that because SGA was sponsoring fewer events this year, homecoming and Senior Week, they received less money. Chester actually went to Dean of Students Lina Cottingham and asked for more money. "This Senior Week will be just as good as last year, if not better," said Chester. Chester’s main suggestion for next year’s SGA would be to start planning earlier and to have people be committed to what they are doing.

Many seniors are looking forward to Senior Week. Senior Rachel Dattillio said, "I’ve known about Senior Week since I came here. I am really looking forward to it." And so should everyone else. Despite the problems, Senior Week is going to encompass many events that should appeal to everyone. The fliers around campus give the itinerary for Senior Week, but they are not specific, so here are the clarifications: The senior dinner will be held on May 8 in the Boyd Dining Hall at 7 p.m. Invitations will be mailed to senior commuters’ home addresses and to senior residents’ campus mailboxes. The Cruise O’ Fun will take place on the Rover, which is docked behind Waterside mall on Waterside Dr., and you must have your ticket to go on the boat. There will be an open bar for those 21 & up as well as light refreshments.

Have a Nice Day Café will feature a free buffet and drink specials from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. The official spot where the Beach Bash at Chick’s Beach has not yet been discovered. Today is the last day to purchase your tickets for Senior Week, so make sure you stop by the Boyd Dining Hall during lunch or dinner to participate in the last senior event before graduation.

After canceling her first lecture due to illness, Barbara Ciara gave her talk, "Advice to Women as Emerging Professionals," on Tuesday, April 10. Ciara, who now works for WTKR-Channel 3, will be back on air in late summer. After talking for 30 minutes, she opened up the floor for questions because she feels that the best information is in questions. Ciara told the audience a personal story of how she was not prepared for a journalism assignment, and missed out on an opportunity. "In Tucson, Rosalyn Carter came, and I wanted to cover the story," said Ciara. "The News Director asked me and a co-worker a question, and whoever got it right was able to cover Rosalyn Carter. The director asked, ‘If the president and vice president went down in flames and died, who would run the country?’" Ciara did not know the answer and she did not get the assignment. She said that she would never forget the answer, which is the Speaker of the House. She was able to make her point that preparation and opportunity equal success. Ciara began her journalism career at the University of Arizona, where she was studying print journalism. In 1975 a local television station gave her the opportunity as a broadcaster. After five years she moved to the Hampton Roads market. She thought she would return to print journalism, but never did. Just recently she received her degree from Hampton University. She told the audience, which was mainly female, about the trials she and women in general have gone through. Ciara, who was a teenage mother, said that most of the discrimination she has encountered has been gender related, not race related.

"There are few blacks and women in positions of authority. The challenge is not to make hate make you hateful," said Ciara "While I was in college in the 70s, there was this notion that women can do it all, and we were building toward that dream, even though I was told early in my career that news from a woman sounds like gossip. In the 80s I lived that dream. I had a husband, a cat, a dog, and a house. But in the 90s I still had a job." Ciara said she was too focused on her career in the 1980s, and all the important things were gone. "I was solely focused on my career, and didn’t see anything else," said Ciara. She added, "In the 70s and 80s women got through the door, but today they are not getting to high levels of management. Very few women are presidents or managers, and that is a challenge in the new millennium. Women need to own the door. The most difficult thing a woman can do is owning the door." While there are few women over 40 on television, Ciara still sees herself on television 10 years from now. "Barbara Walters has increased the age limit for women," said Ciara. "If you show insecurities, people will prey on them." Along with giving advice to women, Ciara gave advice to journalists as well. One of her professors at the University of Arizona told her that the three basic rules for a story are that it must be true, fair, and necessary. Ciara said that if a story fails one of the rules, then it should not run.

She still follows these rules today. Each time Ciara’s contract expired, she would float her resume around to other markets. Even though there was interest from bigger markets, Ciara feels like Hampton Roads is her home. She added, "I move around the market to challenge myself." Two of her biggest accomplishments as a journalist have been interviewing Oprah Winfrey and covering the Gulf War. "The future is in your hands," said Ciara. "There are many challenges in this life and we must meet them."

In an effort to further develop student leadership at Virginia Wesleyan, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities Lina Cottingham has established the Club Presidents’ Retreat. The retreat, to be held on campus Tues., May 8 and Wed., May 9, is required for all returning club presidents, as well as one additional club member. "We’re retreating, but not very far," laughed Cottingham. "This was something that was sorely missing in preparing the fall’s leadership." The Club Presidents’ Retreat was something that occurred years ago at Wesleyan, when there was another Director of Student Activities. This is Cottingham’s first year in the official position, and she will be assisted at the retreat by Assistant Director of Residence Life Kristen Whalen.

"I think it’s a good idea," said junior Jim Baker. "It gives people from other clubs, who wouldn’t normally get together, a chance to get to know each other." Students will engage in team building activities and basic leadership skills and learn how to more effectively communicate their plans and programs on campus. They will also learn what Cottingham calls "basic education," such as how to reserve a room and requisition a check. "It’s a sort of ‘crosspollination’ with each other," said Cottingham. Students can learn from each other and about other clubs’ activities. "As far as leadership skills, they will learn what they are, and how to make those skills work for them." Along with having two members in attendance, clubs and organizations must also have turned in a Statement of Existence, outlining their officers and the organization’s intent. Clubs will not receive funding if they do not attend the retreat. Ultimately, says Cottingham, the money is the bottom line. "But it’s going to be fun," she added. Students will get to know each other, learn something, and have fun. "This is not a ‘sit and listen’ type of event."