April 19, 2016

By Cory Lesniak

Thank you. I would like to thank the readers of The Star and the faculty and staff who, week after week, allow students into their offices for interviews and such.

The Star’s continued stride for excellence couldn’t happen without the hard work and dedication of the staff. A number of students work week after week to develop story ideas, interview and write the stories for every issue. The work shown by the students this year has been some of the finest work we have seen in years. The continued support of you the reader is an important component to the recipe of success as well. As some students move on and take the next step in their lives, another group of young and hungry students move in.

Dominican University continues to evolve into a well-respected university; however, there are some things that need to be addressed before the fall semester. For example, this past year we as a community witnessed the power of the voice. As the “Black Lives Matter” movement progressed, students on campus raised their voices staging a number of protests on campus. However, the hard work of those who protested and those who believe in change was literally defaced, as another sign of hatred was written on the walls of the University.

Dominican officials created a board for the creation of a President’s Student/Alumni Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which Carroll currently chairs. What have they done? The hatred that continues to dwell on this small campus is unbearable and cannot, should not, be tolerated. The outcry and lack of action regarding the loss of the MAP grant is incredibly sad and should not be acceptable. While there are a number of events coordinated by Dominican regarding going down to Springfield to protest the MAP grant, the school is running out of voices to be heard. Students don’t seem to care. Why is that? Why is it that so few of us go to these rallies to show that Dominican cares?

Time and time again, SGA sends out emails regarding applying for positions. Time and time again, little to no one applies. The idea that this university is, or can be, great is fictitious. We as a campus cannot be great when we continue to fail by not supporting one another. We need to take a time and regroup.

The idea that angry emails and the creation of additional cabinets can fix the problem is a lie: a faulty Band-Aid. Each one of us faculty, staff and students need to look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we are being the best we can be.

This is an excerpt from Dominican’s website: “The Caritas Veritas Symposium is a treasured annual tradition at Dominican University. For one day during the fall semester, the entire university comes together to explore the meaning of our mission and motto through formal papers, panel presentations and interactive workshops.” I say to you, mission failed.

lesncory@my.dom.edu