Ryan Boyle

The College Republicans hosted an economic forum Tuesday featuring Suffolk professor and chairman of the Beacon Hill Institute David G. Teurck, PhD. Prior to his work at Suffolk and the B.H.I., Teurck was a director in the Economic Analysis Group at Coopers and Lybrand, in addition to serving as a director of the Center for Research and Advertising at the American Enterprise Institute.  Teurck also holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Virginia.

Teurck started off with a brief overview of his political background, sharing how his interest in politics took off during the Kennedy campaign and how his mother used to say he was “baptized a Democrat,” coming from a family of Roosevelt era Democrats.

The forum opened with Teurck reflecting on President Obama’s campaign. “[Obama’s] selling a bill of goods he never should be allowed to sell,” he said, referencing the promise of economic recovery through green jobs, tax cuts, and various stimulus programs.  Teurck feels raising the taxes for Americans that make over $250,000 is more of a punishment then a productive stimulus measure, “straight out of the Communist manifesto.”

Teurck called the Green Jobs Stimulus a public relations campaign for the Obama administration, saying the jobs created are “jobs you give to people for things that people don’t want to buy.”  Further attacking the administration’s Green campaign, Teurck calls the numerous greenhouse emissions regulations ineffective in the long run without worldwide cooperation. He did, however, point out that the United States is setting an example, and ideally, other nations will follow suit after seeing our commitment to the environment.

When asked what he would do to stimulate the economy, Teurck responded by saying there are “two schools of economic thought,” further stating that “markets left unrelated will do well” and “keeping taxes low, will result in a good economy.”  Expanding upon his previous statement, he said he would also, “freeze capital trade taxes, put health care reform on hold, work to control the deficits [and] bring federal spending down” resulting in the economy correcting itself.

Taking a question from audience member junior Mike Gomez  regarding how Obama was handling the economic crisis, Teurck responded by saying, “Obama got elected on a bad deal.”  In regards to Obama’s mounting debt and federal deficit, Teurck is left wondering when the “savings binge to backup the levels of debt” is coming.  He noted that when the government carries excessive debt, it’s a bad sign to businesses. He also stressed the point that the government needs to encourage savings through freezing taxes on capital gains, marginal rates, and dividends.

In regards to federal and state contracts, Teurck called union labor contracts, the “kiss of death,” saying that the unions unnecessarily inflate project costs, and take away the competitive atmosphere of the construction industry.  He commended former President Bush for banishing union labor contracts from the federal government, and cited how non-unionized contracts resulted in cost savings and more competition between bids for contracts.

Teurck predicts that Obama will not get re-elected in the 2012 election, unless he “acts more like a Republican” and that the Democrats in general will “lose lots of seats.”

Another question asked of Teurck by Suffolk GOP President Karl Hoffman was in reference to jump starting jobs in Mass. Teurck said the state should “rescind the sales tax increase, rid spending, and reduce the corporate tax,” despite the fact that high-tech and investment companies in Boston were performing well in this economic struggle.  In regard to the state’s health welfare program Teurck said, “a generous public welfare program has got to go” and that the minimum wage should be lowered to allow for more competitive jobs among teenagers and immigrants.

In addition to lowering the minimum wage, Teurck feels that salaries for teachers should be increased, in addition to police officers. “We pay [officers] for the job of fighting crime and going after the bad people instead of standing over a manhole cover,” referencing a Mass. law that requires a police presence on job sites.

The last way to reduce the deficit and save money is through eliminating Medicare and urging Americans to save for healthcare and other expenses, while leaving Medicaid alone.

The one thing Teurck agrees with is Obama’s new plan for government Pell Grants, saying, “it gets students to Suffolk and helps them graduate, I like that.”

“There was a really strong turnout and it was refreshing to hear a different Republican viewpoint at the forum,” said Hoffman, where some come with such a “stringent viewpoint.”

Originally published in The Suffolk Journal, February 24, 2010

Students returning from winter break will definitely notice a difference when they enter the dining halls this semester.  Each of Suffolk’s dining facilities underwent renovations with the help of a $1 million contribution from Sodexo, the catering company that provides food for Suffolk.

The cafeteria at 150 Tremont Street received the most attention, with a complete renovation of the food serving area, and organization of the sitting area rearranged according to the architects original plans.

The serving area at 150 Tremont now features a spacious opening, ambient lighting, brand new Corian-based countertops, a brand new grill and sandwich serving line, redesigned pizza station with heat lamps, a new international station, and a new, more efficient salad bar.  The new design makes effective use of limited space by removing the bathrooms that were once at back of the serving area and the rectangular salad bar and replacing them with a new serving line style that allows for more choices to be offered.

“I feel the food quality is the same, but the salad bar is definitely a lot nicer,” said freshman Ryan Brown. “The entire area looks a lot brighter and nicer quality over all.  The staff now seem more excited, and enjoy where they work now.”

In addition to the cosmetic changes that were made, the menus have been reworked and rotate on a four week cycle.  The deli line will feature a wider variety of Sodexho’s weekly special sandwiches, in addition to a new Grab N’ Go method so students can self-serve.  The international station, where Mongolian wok, pasta bowls, and burritos are made, will now feature Indian and Asian cuisine on a rotating weekly basis.  The entree line now features a reworked menu, with a greater focus on offering more vegetarian and vegan selections along with new southern-inspired dishes.  Sushi is now available, made fresh daily and replaced throughout the day from the chefs at the Donahue Café.  The Simply-to-Go offerings have been increased with new yogurt parfait flavors, salads, panini sandwhichs, and pressed sandwiches being offered.  A new condiment station has been set up that offers five different Heinz condiments, with a new specialty dipping sauce program being introduced in the coming weeks. Complimenting the new menu, the 150 Café sports a new smoothie machine, Coke fountain, drink display case, and three new flavors of Green Mountain Coffee all of which are Free Trade Organic.

“The new renovations look great, there is now plenty of room to walk around without bumping into people, the ambient lighting refreshes the room, and the serving area looks cleaner,” said sophomore Dave Best.

Yesterday marked the official re-opening of the 150 Tremont Café, with opening remarks by Provost Brown followed by pastries, cake, and a raffle.  Cullen Gilchrist, the unit manager for the 150 Café, is very pleased with the outcome of the changes.  When asked about the re-opening he said, “Looks like everybody likes our new program, everything is now fresh, up front, and ready for students to eat.”

Although 150 Tremont Café under went the most extensive renovations and changes, all of the other dining facilities had adjustments and improvements made to them.

At the Donahue Café, a new sushi bar was put in, a new Coke machine is in place, three different flavors of Starbucks coffee are now available, and the fast food area has been reworked.  The salad bar has been expanded and now spans the room, offering more fresh options to students.  Chef Stephen, who oversees the kitchen in Donahue, is excited to offer students, “more pizza options, and new English muffin breakfast sandwiches, and croissant sandwiches.”

The Sawyer Café now serves Peat’s tea and coffee along with sporting a new coffee bar, where students can add syrups in addition to the traditional cream and sugar options.  A new display case features panini sandwiches, pita bread, yogurts, muffins, croissants, in addition to offering fresh sushi.

Although no changes were made to the Miller Café, a new Atrium Café is now open and on the first floor of the Miller Residence Hall.  The café aims to serve breakfast and late night snacks to residents such as sandwiches, pastries, and Grab N’ Go options.

In response to the positive feedback from the changes, Vice President for Student Affairs Nancy Stoll remarked she is, “excited we are able to improve the facilities here and enhance the dining experience for students.”

Originally published in The Suffolk Journal, January 27, 2010

Amid repeated problems with the elevators in Suffolk buildings, the SGA is working to repair some of the issues that students face while going from floor to floor.

Senior KyQuan Phong, the SGA Chair of Housing and Facilities, acknowledged that the administration is “well aware of the issues,” and that a proposal is being drafted to compliment the new elevator contracts that are going to be active within a year.

“Currently Suffolk has four different companies that manage the elevators,” said Phong, and that the administration is currently gathering proposals to create a new contract.  As of now the “elevators are serviced to safety standards,” and that little to no preventative maintenance takes place.

Phong described the SGA proposal as, “a simple programming change, to relieve a lot of congestion.”  In the proposal, the far left elevator in the Sawyer building will become an express elevator servicing the main lobby and floors nine through 12, like the one on the far right.  This will help alleviate the congestion during the morning and in between classes, allowing students to get to and from class quicker.  The SGA also wants to put a reporting system in place, so that if a student or faculty member notices an issue with an elevator they can call a number or send an e-mail, speeding up the maintenance process.

In October seniors Caitlin Milley, Courtney Crocker, Carolyn Milley, and Brittany McKalagat waited 45 minutes until Boston Firefighters freed them from an elevator in the Ridgeway building.  The senior girls incident is only one of seven entrapments from September to November, the most occurring in the 150 Tremont residence hall.

The four students were attending Professor Ken Martin’s photojournalism class and were out on a break. Upon returning,they became trapped inside the left elevator on the fourth floor.

“This happens frequently and I’ve been here long enough to know,” Professor Martin told the Journal in the Oct. 16 issue.  “And Ridgeway is one of the better elevators at Suffolk!”

“The elevators close too quickly, and could pose a danger to someone trying to enter at the last minute. The sensor in the elevator needs to be adjusted, so it opens when you try and stick your hand in and out quickly,” said sophomore Joe Weston, who lives in 10 West.

While the elevators in Ridgeway shut too quickly, the close button in the front lobby elevators at 10 West does not function.  The open button works as it should, although the close button does not shut the doors. Instead, students must wait for the elevator to automatically shut them.  Aside from the close button not working, the front lobby elevators function correctly.

The close button in the rear elevators in 10 West works perfectly, despite the elevators being older.  While the elevator is moving between floors, the motor goes silent, “and I get nervous, because I’m afraid it’s stalled between floors,” said 10 West resident Billy Hazeltine, 2012.

“I heard they were going to replace them or re-program them at some point, they’re not the best, but they work,” said freshman Glen Jackman regarding the elevators at 150 Tremont.
Gordon King, the Senior Director of Facilities Planning and Management, has a plan to spend $350,000 over the course of a five year period to replace the elevators starting with the 150 Tremont Resident Hall, and concluding with the Ridgeway building.

As of this printing, Suffolk University has declined to comment.

Originally published in The Suffolk Journal, November 18, 2009

Christopher Mosher, a graduate of Suffolk University Law School, was recently appointed as the Vice President of Advancement.

As the University’s Chief Philanthropist, Mosher is responsible for raising funds from private sources, corporations, and foundations, in addition to managing donations, major gifts, annual giving, and revenue streams through alumni relations.

Mosher has a background in philanthropy and communications, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in English and Journalism from Northeastern University.

He spearheaded a capitol management campaign at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and directed fundraising programs, held leadership positions, and worked in public affairs at Northeastern University.  Prior to joining Suffolk University, Mosher was vice president of Development at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA.

Mosher said he’s coming into Suffolk at a critical time and has his work cut out, with a new residence hall underway, new academic program in the works, and a new academic building on the drawing board.   “The opportunity to play a leadership role in Suffolk University’s advancement program is the opportunity of a lifetime for me.”

His first goal is to wrap up the “Power to Change” campaign within the next two years.  It’s currently the largest and most ambitious capital funding campaign Suffolk has ever undertaken.  So far $53.4 million has been raised towards an interim goal of $60 million. $75 million will ultimately be raised, according to Mosher, who said the funds will support initiates in student life and learning, academic excellence, evolving campus, and allow greater financial flexibility within the Suffolk Annual Fund.

Funds will be used to aid undergraduate Need-Based scholarships, including graduate fellowships, law school scholarships, the Presidents Incentive Loan Program, and the Law School Loan Repayment Assistance Program.

Five new academic support centers will be created for entrepreneurial study, teaching excellence, innovation and change leadership, the Suffolk Poetry Center, and law and public service.

In addition to the new academic support centers, Suffolk is looking into science lab renovations, creation of a student center, and additional building funding to make renovations and improvements.

Mosher also plans to bring the philanthropy program to the next level.  “Suffolk is an institution that is deeply committed to its students,” he said. “I know first-hand what a Suffolk education has done to me, personally and professionally.”

Mosher hopes to encourage more alumni to contribute back to Suffolk, so future students have the ability to attain a life-enriching experience.

“In life you reap what you sew, the quality of your Suffolk degree is enhanced each day,” said Mosher.

Originally published in The Suffolk Journal, November 14, 2009

On the evening of Friday Oct. 25, the Suffolk community celebrated Diwali Night 2009 in the Sawyer Lounge.  Sponsored by the Center for International Education and the Suffolk Indian student community, the event featured Rangoli designing, a Punja pair, and was concluded by some authentic Indian cuisine. Diwali night has been a tradition at Suffolk University for the past seven years.

“Around 75 to 100 students, faculty, alumni, and friends participate in the event each year,” said director Scott Reedy.

Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and is traditionally celebrated during late October and early November, depending on the lunar calendar.  During the festival small lamps are lit to signify good over evil within an individual. Milk-based sweets are also prepared and given as gifts to close friends and relatives. In addition to these events, businesses start a new set of financial books to bring luck for the next business year. At night, large amounts of firecrackers are also set off in celebration.

For the Diwali celebration at Suffolk, students, faculty, and alumni started off with a Rangoli activity.  Rangoli is a form of sand painting that is usually done in entranceways depicting large floral or nature based themes.  Groups were established around tables and were tasked with creating different designs out of dry rice that was dyed different colors.  At the end of the activity, the best designs were showcased to the rest of the participants and a prize was awarded to the group with the best creativity.

After the Rangoli designing, Aditya Gupta, a Suffolk student, led the group in the Puja prayer.  The Puja is a prayer where a small offering is giving to a deity in return for their blessing.
Following the Puja, authentic Indian cuisine was served.  In response to the variety of food, Gokhan Usla, Class of 2009, said, “It’s a really nice event to get people together for good food, fun, and learning about different cultures.”

In response to the large turnout of students, Professor Gopinatah of the Sawyer Business School said, “I’m very happy its being well attended and the students are taking the initiative to organize events like this.  The organizers also made an effort to involve students of different culture backgrounds to participate in the event which adds its success.”

Originally published in The Suffolk Journal, October 28, 2009