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A group of students with a passion for debate and public speaking has brought two faculty members together for a debate on whether colleges should provide alcohol on campus.
In its second debate of the semester, the Lafayette Communications Union (LCU) pits James DeVault, associate professor of economics and business, against Jerome Heavey, professor and head of economics and business, at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3 in Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104. DeVault will attempt to defend the following statement: “Resolved: That colleges should dispense alcohol on campus,” while Heavey will try to disprove it.
Co-sponsored by the Kirby Government and Law Society, the event is free and open to the public
Founded this year, the Communications Union fosters classroom and extracurricular activities that nurture verbal communication practices useful in daily life. Some of the members reside together in a special-interest living group in Keefe Hall, Lafayette’s newest residence hall.
Earlier this semester, the group sponsored a debate on the U.S. Electoral College between Arthur J. Rothkopf, president of Lafayette, and Alexandra Cooper, assistant professor of government and law. The series of formalized, resolution-based debates will continue next year to bring together faculty, students, and area leaders to discuss contemporary controversies, notes LCU.
“The intent of this program is to raise awareness and combat apathy in the Lafayette community,” the group states. “This organization considers education through verbal communication as a paramount way of encouraging change and raising consciousness. One can truly claim ownership of her/his mindset and beliefs when they are challenged through discussion. LCU hopes to challenge the Lafayette community to look at contemporary controversies and begin to form opinions as a basis for action and social change.”
For more information, contact LCU members Brandt Siegel ’03, (610)-330-3126; Michael Lestingi ’04, (610)-330-4394; or Alison Hindenlang ’03, (610)-330-3125.
The LCU team and its living group both have elected new officers for the upcoming school year. The team will be led by president Michael Lestingi ’04, a mechanical engineering major from Tallmadge, Ohio; vice president Devan Theiler ’04, a liberal arts student from Bridgewater, N.J.; treasurer Jennifer Rusak ’04, a behavioral neuroscience major from Ashley, Pa.; and secretary Alison Hindenlang ’03, a chemistry major from Randolph, N.J. The living group will be headed up by Theiler as president and Jessica Held ’03, a liberal arts student from Pottstown, Pa., as treasurer.