By Lisa McMahan
At this semester's fireside chat last night in St. Mary's Lounge, Fr. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C., fielded questions from students regarding diversity, campus improvements and his feelings about the NCAA basketball championships.
"This is your time," Beauchamp said at the beginning of the chat. "I'll answer questions on whatever you want to talk about."
Freshman Kaileah Baldwin, public relations manager for Black Student Union, asked Beauchamp about his plans to increase diversity on campus.
"It's something that I think all universities struggle with," Beauchamp said. "We have, quite frankly, a quite diverse student body."
He added that exceptions include both African-American and Native Americans, and is helping develop a strategic plan to address this, among other issues.
According to Beauchamp, the University must focus on actively recruiting with diversity in mind.
"I think the students here on campus can be very helpful in the recruiting process," he said.
Recruitment is only the first step, however.
"We have to make sure that when a student does come here, there's an environment for them to succeed," Beauchamp said.
Other discussions regarding diversity at UP addressed ideas like offering scholarships for minority groups and the implementation of a presidential advisory committee dedicated to diversity.
"It seems like every time you turn around there's a presidential advisory committee for something," Beauchamp said. "I want responsibilities to be pretty clear and pretty specific."
Junior ASUP President-elect Colin Dorwart, who helped draft the resolution to begin a tradition of fireside chats last year, believes the event is a good opportunity for students to ask questions about any concerns, including diversity.
"People want to know there is a plan, especially minority groups," Dorwart said. "I think they've seen a lot of action from students but they're curious what action is going to come from upper administration in terms of support and funding."
Baldwin left the meeting with more questions, however.
"My biggest concern was that he didn't tell me what he plans to do. He said we're looking at things to do," Baldwin said. "I think it's evident that Fr. Beauchamp's main concerns are not in diversity, which bothers me."
Another topic that came up at this fireside chat, as it has in chats past, was the renovation and expansion of buildings on campus.
Beauchamp started the fireside chat by discussing plans for the renovation of the old Commons.
"It's going to be a very different kind of place," Beauchamp said, referring to the new meal system that will be implemented next year. "It will be much more like a student center."
He also responded to questions regarding the improvement of Howard Hall.
"There isn't a lot that can be done to Howard Hall," he answered. "I know we keep jamming equipment in every corner. So aside from cosmetic stuff, I don't really know what else can be done."
The University does have plans to build a new recreation facility in the future and are meeting Thursday, when the planning committee will discuss a report and make changes before presenting the plan to the Board of Regents.
The University is also considering offering membership to the new facility to neighbors and alumni, but its first priority is students and faculty, according to Beauchamp.
"My hope is that we'll break ground in a couple of years," he added.
Beauchamp also responded to questions regarding increasing the number of students on campus and the financial state of the university.
"We've gone up about 200 or 250 students over the last few years, but we don't plan to increase it. Our infrastructure really can't handle it." Beauchamp said.
He also said that the financial state of UP has improved since its 20 percent loss in endowment funds last year.
"We are up considerably from that low. We've probably gotten 15 percent of that back," he said. "We were fortunate that we didn't have a really big problem-a lot of schools had to cut back on budgets."
Although the chat addressed many of student's most pressing concerns, there was time for more lighthearted banter.
When asked if he had any bets going on the NCAA basketball championship, Beauchamp responded that he was not allowed to bet because he sits on the board.
"I wanted Butler to finish so badly," he said.
Beauchamp concluded the fireside chat by inviting students to contact him if they have any questions, and expressing his appreciation for the university.
"I'm very fortunate to be here, fortunate to become president and fortunate to become the president of a university that doesn't need to be fixed," he said.
