“Reporting Live from the Scene, Robyn Matthews with the Pack News”
Since her early years, Robyn has always had a love for writing. She enjoyed writing essays and explaining her views on a topic in school. Robyn took her love to the next level where she decided to major in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism. She was a writer for her university’s award winning newspaper, ‘The Maroon’ and was awarded a scholarship from New Orleans’s very own prestigious newspaper, the Times Picayune. Robyn was also a news anchor for the Pack News which is Loyola University’s news station.
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Interstate 10 Noise Complaints: Noise Louder Despite Sound Walls
by Robyn Matthews
The noise level has picked up tremendously after a widening project was completed in early 2009. The project included for sound walls to be built.
“After the wall was built, we’ve got double the noise,” said Theresa Vivirido, a home owner in Metairie.
Home owners on both sides of the I-10 have complained about noise problems that seemed to grow exponentially after sound walls were constructed from Causeway Boulevard to the Parish Line.
“I bought the house right before they were finishing the construction and I remember being inside of it and kind of listening for the interstate noise and it wasn’t too bad at all. Well shortly after they have finished the construction, and surprise to me, there were no sound walls built in this area and the noise has increased significantly,” said Mario Sanchez, a home owner in Metairie and engineer.
“I tried to contact the Department of Transportation to find out why it happened and they just say it wasn’t on their plans, not really explain why and uh you know, basically since then we’ve been trying to search for answers, trying to see why they wouldn’t put any walls over here and if they can do something about it,” said Sanchez.
“When people are up working and traveling the noise is substantial,” said Robert Evans, president of the Bonnabel Civic Association.
There was a question whether or not the sound walls were constructed properly and there was also a question whether or not some sound walls were actually omitted by the state.
“The State Department of Transportation has acknowledged that the problems exist and have told us that they are studying possible solutions to the problems,” said Evans.
Either we can modify what has been built or rip it down and build again, DOTD District Administrator Michael Stack said.
Residents are hoping to see something done from DOTD soon.
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Monroe Hall renovation plans are near finalization
by ROBYN MATTHEWS
Published: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Updated: Thursday, November 4, 2010 12:11
Renovation of Monroe Hall is undergoing planning and beginning construction will cause dramatic effects.
This semester is the planning process, which will conclude during Thanksgiving break.
Construction will begin on Jan. 1, 2012 and will cause disruption, however a “good positive outcome,” said Ed Kvet, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.
Chemistry professor, Kurt Birdwhistell, is not looking forward to the upcoming renovation for Monroe Hall.
“It’s a little scary,” Birdwhistell said.
He is not pleased with having to teach in dusty and noisy conditions. However, Birdwhistell believes Monroe Hall definitely needs renovation.
Chemistry professor, Joelle Underwood, spends most and all most all of her time in Monroe Hall. Underwood said that the renovation serves several purposes.
It’s a safety issue and the research space for students is not in good condition.
Whenever it rains, students have to stop their work due to pipes leaking in the research lab on the second floor.
Kelsey Finnegan, chemistry freshman, definitely feels like there is a need for renovation. Finnegan said that the chemistry area is too small and needs more space to do lab work.
Campus schedules will change. Classes held in Monroe Hall would either have to be in early mornings or in the evenings.
Faculty and staff whose offices are in Monroe Hall would have to share office space. Underwood said, “It can’t happen on a regular basis.” Professors need private space to answer student questions.
Underwood doesn’t mind the schedule changing. “As long as I have a functional space to work in, I don’t care,” Underwood said. Nonetheless, Underwood said, “It’s going to be worth it.”
Birdwhistell said about 50 percent of classes are held in Monroe Hall. Monroe Hall houses political science, sociology, psychology, mathematics, biological sciences, physics and chemistry classes.
The new Monroe Hall of 2012 will be the new home of the visual arts and theatre departments also.
Faculty handbook outdated
by ROBYN MATTHEWS
Published: Thursday, October 14, 2010
Updated: Thursday, October 14, 2010 12:10
Loyola University New Orleans faculty handbook has been out of date since 2006. The goal for the Handbook Committee is to have a solid, updated faculty handbook for fall of 2011.
Laurie Phillips, associate dean of Technical Services, said the handbook is definitely out of date.″They have been trying to get the handbook finalized since the beginning of construction,” Phillips said.
“The handbook is not in alignment with the new colleges and it states things that are no longer valid. The language needs to be updated.”
The faculty handbook is an extension of the faculty’s contract that describes the rights and duties for being a member of Loyola’s faculty.
Each year the faculty has a meeting and Edward Kvet, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, gives a charge of the year.
The charge of this year is to establish a new Faculty Handbook.
The proposed changes have to go to the University Senate to be read and acted upon, then to the provost to make sure all language is correct, and finally to Board of Trustees where it is voted and carried out, said Dee Harper, spokesman for the Faculty Handbook Committee.
English professor Barbara C. Ewell said, “The faculty handbook is always changing. It is a living document.”
The committee plans to add five new committees and take away five old committees. The proposed new committees consist of a new common curriculum committee, an online education committee, a resurrection of the Office of Continuing Studies, and an education abroad committee.
They also plan to refigure three other committees by combining two committees into one. For instance they plan to combine the grants and leaves committees.
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