The Great Issues Committee will invite politicians, entertainment figures and panels of various sorts to the Saint Louis University campus throughout the spring semester.

The Committee will welcome politician Ralph Nader, rapper Chuck D and the St. Louis Series, which entails four separate panels incorporating local speakers discussing media, business, entertainment and politics.

Each panel features four to six speakers in their area of specialty and how it is applicable to the St. Louis area.

“This is geared for students to find out about the fields they are interested in and to make local contacts in those fields,” said Tricia Fechter, chairperson of the Great Issues Committee. “Also, students can learn how people got started in the business.”

There will be a panel presentation one Tuesday per month, from now until April.

The first panel, media, is on Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the AB Auditorium in Cook Hall. The panel consists of Bill McClellan of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Charles Jaco of KMOX radio station, Collete Hogan, the president of Postnet.com, and Thomas Crone, co-host of a weekly talk show on KDHX.

Senior Brian Suda, a member of the Great Issues Committee, helped organize the media the panel. “I think that it’s going to be very interesting. It’s a pull from the community, about the community.”

It’s a great way for students who have an inclination for a field of study to hear about what classes are important and what the career actually entails, from people currently working in that area, Suda said.

“We sent out memos to professors to inform their students,” Fechter said. “It may be one of those opportunities for extra credit in their classes.”

A reception follows the presentation for all who attend.

In addition to the panels, the committee has two other presentations: a Napster discussion and speaker Ralph Nader.

Thursday March 1, is the day Napster representatives officially arrive at SLU. The discussion is being held with key-note speakers Chuck D, a rapper from Public Enemy, and Ted Meyers, an executive from Rhino Records.

According to Fechter, “They’ll talk about Napster and the effect it has on the record industry.”

Originally scheduled as a debate, it was changed to a discussion, as both participants agree on several issues, Fechter said.

The other presentation is anticipated to be the most heavily attended of the semester. Ralph Nader, former presidential candidate, will speak to audience members in the St. Louis Room on April 10.

“He’ll be focused on third-party politics but also mention his recent experience with the election,” Fechter said.

“Nader is going to be big,” said Fechter. “However, Napster is a current issue on this campus so it will be well attended.”

Both the Napster discussion and the Nader speech will be followed by a reception for a select 100 students. Tickets will be available in Student Life the week prior to the events on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“This will give students the chance to talk to Ralph Nader and Chuck D rather than having it open to everyone and no one would get to talk to them,” Fechter said.

Fechter is looking forward to a successful semester from the combined efforts of the entire Great Issues Committee.