The study desks, called car-rels, that run along the walls in the Moore Library on the Lawrenceville campus are sup-posed to provide a sheltered area where students can work. However, they have been plagued for years with vulgar graffiti causing distractions for students who are trying to study. Some of the graffiti con-tains vulgarities such as “I wish that I was circumcised” and “Asshole.” Others make refer-ence to students’ first and last names, including one that said, “[Name] is my bitch.” Most are particularly about members of Greek organizations and oth-er campus groups. Some even have mentioned dates as old as 1978, as in the one that reads, “I love Johnny ’78.” The carrels are as old as the library itself, which was built during the relocation of the college to the Lawrenceville campus and opened for the beginning of the 1964-65 aca-demic year. Sophomore Kate Urffer finds the graffiti degrading. “It is immature and appears very unprofessional,” she said. “It reflects badly upon Rider University, which is giving us so many awesome opportunities.”

While parts of the Moore Library recently underwent a facelift, including new carpet-ing, new furniture and a rear-rangement, the carrels have not been replaced because there

was not enough money and the library staff wanted to focus on other areas of improvement first, according to Dean of Libraries F. William Chickering. “If you don’t have money to

do the whole project, you decide what you can be most effective at first,” said Chickering. “I’ve been trying to look with a fresh set of eyes and encourage col-leagues to look fresh at making

changes.” Chickering said he was aware that some of the carrels had graffiti, but was not aware

The student newspaper of the Rider community since 1930 Volume 75, Issue XVII - Friday, March 11, 2005

NIT bound?

12

PARDON OUR FRENCH Vulgar graffiti plagues library carrels

Some issues brought to light in the Opinion section of recent issues of The Rider News regarding the social event policy at Rider have raised confusion and questions, mostly about when students can and cannot bring guests. The current policy regard-ing on-campus events was implemented in September and minor changes have been made to it since, but it may be more complicated and organized than many students realize. According to Dave Keenan,

director of Campus Activities, the most important aspect of the definitions in the policy is the distinction made between “Non-Passive” and “Passive” events. Non-Passive events are defined as “those in which attendees are expected to be lively participants in the event, such as dances or concerts, or where a competitive element exists, such as stepshows.” A passive event would be one “where attendees are non-par-ticipating recipients of enter-tainment,” like the presentation of a movie or a play. “That is going to be kind of

the line that is going to deter-mine when this policy takes effect and when it’s not going to be used,” Keenan said. He add-ed that the policy would apply only to non-passive, indoor events. The notion that guests are not allowed at Bronc Buffets is a false one, Keenan said, that has resulted from the level of security required at different Bronc Buffets. “That’s a misconception that came up in The Rider News,” he said. “It’s up to the organizations to make that

Some of the graffiti that covered the carrels in Moore Library was scratched out after vulgarities were reported. However, not all of the graffiti was removed and some of the vulgar statements can still be seen through the abrasions.

Visit the Rider News Online at www.rider.edu/ridernews/

By Bill Greenwoodand David Maccar

Jerry Johnson, senior point-guard for the basketball team, signs a “Jerry is God” poster for fan, junior Morgan Schwoebel.

Photo by Allen Huang

Champions at home

See ‘Events’ page 2

Main photo by Allen Huang; Inset photo by Al Viciedo

By Cara Latham

Nature of events set policiesSee ‘Graffiti’ page 2

See Sports for MAAC Tournament results