Greensboro, N.C.
Volume 92, Issue 9
wwW.guilfordian.com
November 11, 2005
Archbishop Desmond Tutu connects with audience at Bryan Series
Emilie Grant
Staff Writer
Desmond Tutu - Archbishop
Emeritus of Cape Town, South
Africa, Chancellor of the
University of the Western Cape,
and one of the most inspirational
and honored people in the world
today - gave his only media inter
action while in Greensboro at the
Odean Theater at tiie Greensboro
Coliseum on Nov. 3.
After the press conference at 8
p.m.. Tutu gave a speech in War
Memorial Auditorium for the
Guilford community. Kent
Chabotar, President of Guilford
College, opened the lecture with a
brief history and introduction to
Desmond Tutu's lecture. He
described the Archbishop as "an
indispensable ally"
Eric Mortensen, Assistant
Professor of Religious Studies,
agrees that Tutu is an amazing
human being and describes him
as "one of the rare humans who
can speak about hope with the
confidence of experience."
The Archbishop spoke about
an array of topics including his
Truth and Reconciliation
Committee (TRC), the essence of
being human, and the Apartheid
in South Africa and its effects on
are." He spoke fondly of this
South African saying, its use in the
South African community, and
how it can be influential to others.
"He reminded us of that which
we, as Americans, often so conve
Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke to a packed auditorium
the counrty's people and the
world.
"He brought the topic of
Apartheid closer to home." said
first-year Jordan Miller.
Tutu used the South African
saying "Ubuntu" to describe the
essence of being human. He
defined Ubuntu as an African
world-view, or philosophy of Ufe,
that incorporates the values of
personhood, humaneness, morali
ty, honesty, and concern for the
social good. Human beings can
only truly be alive through other
human beings, according to Tutu.
The Archbishop Tutu
described it as "I am because you
niently forget: that forgiveness
can come through understanding,
and that if we fail to attempt to
understand those who have
harmed us, we are doomed to per
petuate a circle of hurt," said
Mortensen about the Ubuntu the
ory and Tutu's TRC.
Tutu eloquently captivated and
connected with his audience.
Throughout his entire lecture, he
used comedy and the short time-
frame of the lecture to his advan
tage. At one point, the Archbishop
briefly converted the entire audi
ence into South Africans to bring
them out of their timidity, allow
ing them to applaud for them
selves as he thanked Americans
for aiding the cause in South
Africa.
"I speak on behalf of millions
when I say 'thank you for your
support,"' said Tutu. And with yet
another wave of the wand, the
audience reverted back to
Americans. This was just one of
many ways Tutu connected with
Continued on page 2
1,118 applicants for Fall 2006
Jabari Sellars
Staff Writer
With less than 3,000 students enrolled,
Guilford is known for being a small cam
pus with a loud voice. Judging by the num
ber of applications already submitted for
next fall, that voice is being heard.
Guilford is receiving applications for the
2006 fall semester at a record rate - 1,118
applications as of Nov. 1. This is double the
number of applications for the two previ
ous years: 529 and 563.
"Though I'd like to think that it is some
thing the admissions department has done,
it is plain to see that the word of mouth at
Guilford is very strong," said Randy Doss,
Vice President for Enrollment and Campus
Life. "That is the ptower of satisfied students
and parents."
Doss explained how student and faculty
appreciation has helped application num
bers. "The most important thing is satisfy
ing customers," said Doss. "Like a restau
rant, when you like the food you ate there,
you suggest it to your friends; I believe that
Guilford has satisfied enough students that
our popularity has grown tremendously."
"By providing students with quality
As of Nov. I 1,118 applications were sent
assistance, we can help ensure their satis
faction," explained Tania Johnson,
Associate Director of Admissions. "We can
only hope that our satisfied students share
foeir experiences with friends and family
choosing their college; I believe that has
already happened."
Johnson explained how Guilford's repu
tation has developed out of unchanging
principles. "This campus and its students
pride themselves in staying active within
Continued on page 3
Senate approves gender-blind housing
Pascale Vallee
Staff Writer
There has been one question on Anya
Benson's and David Norton's minds: "Why
can't I room with my best friend?" They
both have unpaid single dorm rooms and
need to find roommates, but they cannot
room wifo each other because of their gen
ders. Thus birthed their proposal for gen
der-blind housing, passed by Senate on
Nov. 11. The proposal still needs approval
from Campus Life and President Chabotar.
In the gender-blind proposal, it is sug
gested that students of any gender may
share a dorm room. While the new apart
ments allow people of any sex or gender to
room together, the price of living in the
apartments is unattractive to many stu
dents. The only residence halls that would
be affected by this proposal, should it be
approved, are those that are already co-ed.
However, when asked about gender-blind
housing in Bryan hall, Aaron Fetrow, Dean
for Campus Life, shcx)k his head and said,
"That won't happen."
Benson and Norton hope that the pro
posal will provide options for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and inter-sex stu
dents who feel uneasy with the current
arrangement. The petition calls the same-
sex living arrangements on campus "het
erosexist" and claims that same-sex hous
ing encourages heteronormative thought.
The petition cites Guilford College's
Strategic Long Range Plan, which "express
es the need for more diverse housing
options on page 96."
One of the major concerns Campus Life
has with this idea is the possibility that het
erosexual couples may room together,
break up, and cause trouble mid-semester
in the residence halls. But with living
arrangements the way they are now, propo
nents argue that same-sex couples may
room together and present the same prob
lems.
"It's ironic that now straight people are
oppressed, because I could live with my
boyfriend but a heterosexual couple could
n't," said first-year Joe Pelcher. "This new
arrangement wouldn't be creating a new
situation, just opening it up to everyone."
Another major concern is the issue of
sexual assault. There is an opinion that if
there is mixed-sex housing, the chance of
Continued on page 2
>■
>4
■-P
%
n
r