THIS WEEK'S EVENTS AND DEADLINES

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Observe Sexual Assault Awareness Week

Participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Week, which will be held April 7 - 11. Scheduled events and activities include a screening of the documentary film War Zone; a community art project; a workshop on men's roles in preventing sexual assault; and Take Back the Night, which inspires men and women to confront sexual violence. Get more information and a complete list of events online.
For more information, e-mail: saag@luc.edu.

Rock the Night Away with Third Eye Blind

Go to the Third Eye Blind concert on April 9 in the Gentile Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for Loyola students with a valid student I.D., $10 for other college students with a valid student I.D. and $20 for the general public. You can purchase tickets at:

• Centennial Forum Student Union (CFSU) Information Desk
• Terry Student Center Information Desk
• Third Eye Blind's Website
• The door on the night of the show

There is a limit of one ticket per Loyola I.D. The concert will also feature a performance by the Chicago-based band Absentsta. For more information, contact Nigel Vilches at: nvilche@luc.edu.

Attend a Presentation by Patch Adams, M.D.

Go to a presentation on "The Joy of Caring" given by Patch Adams, M.D, on April 10 at 8 p.m. in the Gentile Center. Adams has devoted his life to the study of what makes people happy, and he will share his perspectives on healing, healthcare, and working from the mind and human spirit. Free tickets to the event are available at the CFSU Information Desk and at the Terry Student Center. Learn more and get your tickets today!

This Week's Events and Deadlines

Make Your Own Stuffed Animal

Participate in the Create a Critter workshop on April 4 from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. in CFSU. You can make your own stuffed animal at this free event, which will feature plush giraffes, polar bears, zebras, pandas, turtles, cows, tigers and more. There is a limit of one critter per person. To learn more, contact Nigel Vilches at: nvilche@luc.edu.

Find Out About the STEP Biodiesel Course

Meet with students and faculty members currently involved with the Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP) biodiesel course on April 4 from 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the Quinlan Life Sciences Building. Learn how this interdisciplinary course develops practical solutions to complex environmental problems. The class takes waste vegetable oil from the Rambler Room and Simpson kitchen and converts it into biodiesel. Also, mark your calendar and plan to participate in Earth Day activities on April 12 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Quinlan Life Sciences Building. To learn more about these events and get additional information about the STEP course, contact Rubina Ali at: rali2@luc.edu; or Matthew Berns at: mberns@luc.edu.

Meet USGA Election Candidates

Get to know the candidates for the upcoming Unified Student Government Association (USGA) elections at a pizza party on April 4 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Halas Field. Enjoy free food and take advantage of this opportunity to ask the candidates questions about important issues. Also, attend a debate on April 6 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. in CFSU to watch the candidates sound off about campus affairs. If you have a question you'd like the candidates to address during the debate, e-mail it to: usga@luc.edu. A transcript of the debate will be posted on the USGA Website.

Go To Dance for Chicago

Attend the Fourth Annual Dance for Chicago on April 4 at 8 p.m. at the W Hotel Lakeshore, located at 644 N. Lake Shore Drive. Enjoy food, drinks, raffle prizes and great views of the Chicago skyline. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the CFSU Information Desk. Proceeds from the dance will benefit Oral Health America, an organization that provides dental care to women and children in need. For more information about the event, contact Khushbu Shah at: kshah8@luc.edu.

Contribute to Loyola's Literary Magazine

Submit your creative work by April 4 for possible publication in Diminuendo, Loyola's literary magazine. Short stories, essays, poetry, photography, fine art and other creative work may be submitted. Diminuendo is published on a quarterly basis and is printed in black and white. The final issue of the year, "Afterglow," is part of a year-long series titled "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll and Afterglow." Submissions can be e-mailed to: diminuendoluc@hotmail.com; or dropped off in Mertz Hall, Room LL-29. For more information, e-mail: bkidman@luc.edu.

Donate to a Food Drive

Give to those in need by participating in a food drive, which will be held April 7 - 11. Non-perishable items may be dropped off in collection boxes at the following locations:

• Cudahy Library
• Dumbach Hall
• Quinlan Life Sciences Building
• Baumhart Hall
• Maguire Hall

All food will be picked up on April 11 at 5 p.m. The donations will benefit people at the REST Shelter in Chicago. For more information about the food drive, contact Monica Kowalski at: mkowal5@luc.edu.

Watch the King Corn Documentary

View a screening of the documentary film King Corn on April 7 from 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in Finnegan Auditorium. Co-filmmaker Ian Cheney will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the film, which is about two friends, one acre of corn and the subsidized crop that drives the fast-food nation. For more information, contact Gina Lettiere at: glettie@luc.edu.

Run for a Department of Programming Office

Go to an information session and learn how to get involved with the Department of Programming on April 7 at 4:30 p.m. in Bremner Lounge. As a new branch of USGA, the Department of Programming will be in charge of planning campus events. Elections for director positions will be held separately from USGA elections. Positions are available on the following committees: Concerts, Main Stage, Large Events, Union Events, Films, Coffeehouses, Week-long Events, Outdoor Activities and Chicago Events. If you're interested in running for an office, attend the information session or e-mail Kristina Morgan at: kmorga1@luc.edu.

Join the Binge Nation Team—Extended Deadline!

Apply to be part of Loyola's Binge Nation team and help develop an interactive Website that includes articles, blogs, forums and videos focusing on binge drinking among students. The purpose of the site is not to demonize alcohol, but to create a place for open and honest discussions about the culture of student drinking. Team members are directly responsible for content creation, design and Website management. View a list of available positions and download an application online. All applications are due April 8.

Get Tickets to Guys and Dolls

Reserve tickets for the musical Guys and Dolls, which opens at the Kathleen Mullady Theatre on April 11 and runs through April 20. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $15 for the general public; $10 for faculty, staff and alumni; $8 for students and seniors; and $6 for Loyola students with a student I.D. Order tickets online, or call: 773.508.3847.

Sign Up for the Student Promise Week of Service Competition

Participate in the Together We Care: Student Promise Week of Service Competition, which will be held April 11 - 18. Organize a team and complete the highest number of service hours during the week to win a prize package that includes a catered meal, massage therapy sessions and more. To learn more about the competition and register your team, visit the Judicial Affairs Website.

Celebrate the International Pursuits of Graduate Students

Learn about international endeavors at Loyola at a special event on April 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Quinlan Life Sciences Building, Room 142. Discover the accomplishments of Loyola graduate students while enjoying great food, festive cultural performances and student presentations. This event is sponsored by the Graduate School and the Office for International Programs. To learn more, call: 773.508.3396; or e-mail: gradschool@luc.edu.

Upcoming Events

Register for Fall Semester Classes

Undergraduate registration for Fall 2008 begins April 14. Appointment times for fall registration are posted online. You can also find your appointment time in LOCUS by looking under "Academics" and then clicking on "Appointments." For more information about registration, contact the Office of Academic Advising and Services (OAAS) at: 773.508.7714.

Reserve Your Seat at the Business and Etiquette Dinner

Go to the Business and Etiquette Dinner on April 14 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Simpson Multipurpose Room. This event will help you prepare for interviews and jobs by teaching you important dining and business etiquette. The dinner will feature a five-course meal with dining etiquette instruction given by Dana Adams, and a "Dress for Success on a Limited Budget" presentation by Neiman Marcus. The cost is $5 per student and is payable by cash, check or withdrawal from meal plan. Limited seats are available, and reservations are required. You must stop by the Career Development Center, located in the Sullivan Center, Room 295, to register and pay in person. For more information, call: 773.508.7716.

Prepare for the Senior Send-Off

Members of the Class of 2008 are invited to participate in Senior Send-Off events, which begin April 15. Senior Send-Off activities give graduating students a chance to relax, have fun, network and transition to be young alumni. Scheduled events include a Chicago Cubs baseball game, a trip to the Second City improv comedy club, a dinner cruise on the Spirit of Chicago and more. Ticket packages for all events are on sale in CFSU and at the Terry Student Center. View a complete event schedule and ticket information at the Senior Send-Off Website.

Check Out the Graduate Student Research Symposium

Go to an interdisciplinary research symposium for graduate students and alumni on April 12 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Crown Center Auditorium and Lobby. The symposium is organized around two themes: public health and the urban environment. Graduate students and alumni will present their work in the form of an oral presentation or poster. The event will also feature lunch and a panel discussion on career awareness after graduate school. To RSVP for the symposium, e-mail the Graduate School Advisory Council at: gsacluc@gmail.com. Learn more at the research symposium's Website.

Listen to a Presentation by ABC News Reporter John Stossel

Go to a presentation and book signing featuring John Stossel, consumer reporter and host of the ABC News program 20/20, on April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Quinlan Life Sciences Building, Room 142. Stossel's presentation is titled "The Clueless Media: How the Media Keeps Getting Things Wrong." The presentation will feature a question and answer session, followed by a book signing. Stossel's latest book, "Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel—Why Everything You Know is Wrong," will be available for purchase at the event. Admission is free for members of the Loyola community and $1 for the general public. To learn more about Stossel, visit his Website.

Win a Trip to the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing

Enter the Initiating Mutual Understanding Through Student Exchange (IMUSE) 2008 China in My Eyes Competition to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Beijing Olympic Games this summer. Submit a 500 - 1,000 word essay or a photograph that illustrates the topic "China in My Eyes: What China Means to Me." Six winners will be chosen, and 10 runner-ups will receive a limited edition Beijing Olympic Games collectible. All entries must be submitted by April 15. Get more information and find out how to submit entries at the IMUSE 2008 Website. Also, check out the competition's official Facebook group.

Network with Loyola Alumni

Go to the Alumni/Student Networking Night on April 16 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in Beane Hall. Connect with alumni from various career fields and industries to learn about their successes and mistakes, ask questions about their career paths, and learn the benefits of business and personal networking. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served at the event. Business casual attire is required. To RSVP for the event, log into your eRecruiting account and click on the "Calendar" section.

Apply to the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference

Attend the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference, which will be held in Seattle, Washington, from July 30 - August 3. The theme of the conference is "Love, Justice, Community," and it will give you an opportunity to build community within the Jesuit network, share ideas for success and deepen your understanding of leadership. Workshops are organized into five tracks, which address the needs of each leadership function area: governance, programming, community living, service and spirituality, and cultural diversity.

To apply, you must have completed at least one year at Loyola by July 31 and remain at Loyola for at least one additional undergraduate year. Preference will be given to students who will remain at Loyola for two or more years. All conferences expenses will be paid. Finalists may be required to participate in an interview to complete the selection process.

All applications are due April 18 at 5 p.m. For more information or to download an application, contact Jack McLean at: 773.508.3912; e-mail: jmclean@luc.edu; visit the Student Affairs Website; or stop in CFSU, Room 101. You can also learn more at the official conference Website.

Nominate Candidates for the Catholic College Students Symposium

Submit nominations for the Catholic College Students Symposium: Building a World of Hope and a Community for Peace, which will be held in New York City May 18 - 23. The purpose of the symposium is to engage faith-filled college students in the work of creating a more just world. Two Loyola undergraduates will be chosen to participate, and they will be housed at the Cardinal Spellman Retreat House in Riverdale, New York. Lodging, meals and airfare will be provided. Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff and students. Self-nominations will be accepted. All nominees must complete an application and may be required to participate in an interview. Nominations are due April 18 at 5 p.m. For more information or to submit a nomination, contact Jack McLean at: 773.508.3912; fax: 773.508.3895; or e-mail: jmclean@luc.edu. Learn more about the symposium at the Student Affairs Website.

Discover Career Opportunities Through the Institute of Pastoral Studies

Go to the Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) open house on April 19 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in Beane Hall. Connect with IPS staff and learn about various opportunities in ministry-related careers. Register for the event at the IPS Website (click on "Visit Us"). For more information, contact Ryan Hoffmann at: 312.915.7484; or e-mail: rhoffm4@luc.edu.

Learn About Education and Diversity

Attend a presentation about education and diversity on April 24 at 3 p.m. in Beane Hall. Mark Enberg, Associate Professor in the School of Education, will present his research project titled "The Educational Benefits of Diversity: Advancing a Social Justice Agenda for Research and Practice." Related to a Michigan affirmative action case, the project focuses on ways to capture and understand social justice outcomes and discover pedagogical and curricular ways to achieve them. The presentation also covers the Intergroup Dialogue Method, which helps students learn how to talk about and discuss issues about social identity. For more information, contact the School of Education at: 312.915.6800.

Share Your Ideas at a Technology Focus Group

Go to a focus group about students and technology on April 24 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the Information Commons, Room 230. Discuss your perceptions and experiences with technology at Loyola and help develop ways to enhance the university's technology in the future. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and you'll receive specialty gift items for participating. Registration is required by April 18. For more information or to register, contact Bruce Montes, Director of Academic Technology Services, at: 773.508.7601; or e-mail: bmontes@luc.edu.

Complete the Senior Survey

Graduating seniors are invited to participate in the Senior Survey of the Loyola Experience. This online survey, which is available through April 28, focuses on undergraduate programming. The results will be used to shape future programming at Loyola. An e-mail will be sent to all Loyola seniors asking them to participate in the survey. Students who complete the survey by April 28 will be entered in a raffle to win one of five $200 prizes. For more information about the survey, e-mail: seniorsurvey@luc.edu.

ETC.

Take a Library Survey

Complete a survey about Loyola's new libraries Website. The survey will be available through April 14. You can access the survey online. For the latest information about Loyola's libraries, check out the library blog.

Protect Yourself When Using Public Transportation

Be alert whenever you use public transportation. Trains and buses are popular targets for thieves, and you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim by following these safety tips:

• Never wear headphones on a bus or train. You won't be able to hear anything, and you will be a prime target for theft.
• Use bus stops that are well-lit and located near public places.
• Travel with a friend whenever possible.
• Know the bus and train schedule ahead of time so you aren't forced to wait longer than necessary.
• Don't sleep on the bus or train.
• Always choose a seat near the bus driver.
• Try to sit in the first train car to be near the conductor.
• Have your U-Pass or money in hand when you arrive at the bus stop or train station so you won't fumble with your wallet or purse.
• Do not engage in unnecessary conversation with strangers, and never give out any personal information.
• Don't get too involved with reading while you wait. Stay alert!
• Move away from people who appear intoxicated, even if this means going to another stop.
• Before getting into a taxi, note the car's company name, taxi number and license plate number.
• Never share a cab with a stranger.
• Always sit near the aisle so you can get up quickly if someone bothers you.
• Do not sit near the exit door on busses or trains.
• Hold on firmly to your purse or bookbag. Never put personal items on the seat beside you. Keep your belongings in your lap or wedge them between your feet.

Contact Us

Loyola Focus is a weekly newsletter distributed to students by e-mail on Fridays when school is in session. You can also read Loyola Focus online.

The submission deadline for Loyola Focus is every Wednesday at 12 p.m. All submissions are subject to review. To submit an item, e-mail: loyolafocus@luc.com.

If you need help with student services, start at the Hub. For information about student organizations, contact Student Activities.