Atlas Week events aimed to provide students, faculty and staff with a better understanding of how Sept. 11 has affected the world in various ways.

From a clash of civilizations to religion and culture in conflict, or an increased security in the business area to being prepared for threats of bioterrorism, to working together in cooperation: The week looked closer at the need for a new global perspective.

“Atlas Week was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the inter-dimension of Saint Louis University and vividly demonstrated that our students and faculty truly share a world view,” said Michelle Lorenzini, coordinator of Atlas Week and associate professor in the Political Science Department.

Signature Symposium “After 9/11: A New Global Perspective?” was held this past Thursday in the Anheuser-Busch Auditorium. Part I, “The Threat of Bioterrorism” focused on members of SLU’s faculty discussing the threat of bioterrorism in our country today and how prepared the nation is to deal with such an act of terrorism. Also discussed was SLU’s involvement in the research process.

Bioterrorism is the single most significant threat to the public health, causing a tremendous risk to national security. Bioterrorism is the unlawful use or threatened use of microorganisms or toxins derived from living organisms to produce death or disease in humans, animals and plants.

SLU has a role in the bioterrorism preparedness with its Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections along with SLU’s consortium for Defense against Biological Tangents.

SLU is leading the study in the smallpox vaccination. The goal of the study is to find out what is the best form of vaccination. Threats of bioterrorism are different from threats of terrorism because there is no ground zero scene to respond to and the former involves different first responders. Not only do emergency personnel have to be prepared, but the public health system needs to be prepared as well.

“Preparedness for an act of bioterrorism is a moral imperative to the community as well as to the nation; being prepared also has an ethical and legal basis,” said Bruce Clements, associate director of the Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections. “Bioterrorism preparedness is a challenge, and SLU is actively engaged in a variety of bioterrorism preparation activities.”

“Atlas Week was started last year to hold up that the University was really international,” said Provost Sandra Johnson. “We have discovered, now more than ever, that the students, faculty, as well as the research aspect of the University are more aware of international implications of our world and not less.”

Part II, “Global Conflict, Crises, and Cooperation” focused on the relationship between politics, the economy and religion and how they could interact with each other, especially within the Jesuit tradition of such interactions in the past, and how they could be in the future.

“Here at SLU we teach each other and learn from each other. We live with one another and we grow with one another. We serve our society and our University together,” University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., said. “It is critical to approach the topics of today with open ears, yet it is more important that we live our lives each day with open minds and hearts.”

The attacks are against civilians, and our nation should expect a terrorist attack again within the next five years, said Robert Jervis, professor of politics at Columbia University.

Mike Marks, vice president of the Boeing Company, discussed how the attacks of Sept. 11 have affected the aerospace industry.

While commercial air flight has taken a hit and the growth experienced in the military business has been minimal, many productions have been cut, and workers have been laid off. The fallout in traffic has caused smaller air transportation industries to go bankrupt and planes to be grounded.

The industry is recovering slowly. Marks said that he expects to see a full recovery and the industry back to normal by the end of the year.

Francis Clooney, S.J., discussed the differences between culture and religions and that we need to come together in hopes of making the world better balanced.

“There is sin in the world,” said Clooney. “Things do go wrong and so do people, but there is a basic goodness of human nature and the sin can be overcome.”

Freshman Diana Metzger said, “The symposium helped to bring to the front some of the issues that we as students are going to be facing in the future because we are going to be living in an even more global environment than before.”

“Atlas Week is important for a school, especially a school in mid-America because we are seemingly so self sufficient with ourselves that we don’t take the rest of the world into consideration as we ought to, and this week has given us an opportunity to do that,” said John Padberg, S.J.

Billiken World Fair

SLU students, faculty, and staff from all cultures came together in celebration of the Billiken World Fair this past Friday, April 5. The International Student Federation, Multicultural Formation Team, Student Development and the Office of the Provost sponsored the Fair.

The Parade of Nations kicked off the event that featured live cultural music and dance, academic and informational booths, games and international students selling cuisine and sharing their culture of their respective countries. The belly dancers brought the audience into the groove by pulling them into dance with them.

“The belly dancers where truly awesome,” said senior Brandon Rochan. “They brought so much energy to the fair.”

“The weather turned out wonderful for this event, allowing everybody to have a lot of fun,” said Katharina Panjaitan, ISF president. “The performances have been really good.”

At the Indian booth, students were able to experience a part of the culture by tasting Indian food or getting a henna tattoo. The tattoo is called Mendhi and is an elaborate decorating design that is usually done during special occasions in the Indian culture.

One of the many tattoo artists, senior Sheena Kadavil said, “It’s a lot of fun sharing our culture with others. I really enjoy this. It is like doodling on people.”

At the Chinese Student Coalition booth students could play a game for a chance at a free spring roll and soda. In the game-players used incense to keep a quarter from falling through a paper and into a cup.

“The event was a wonderful way to experience a different culture and taste its food as well as become aware of the diversity here at SLU,” said senior Kevin Rodrigez from Jamaica.

St. Louis Osuwa Taiko Drummers performed a Japanese style of drumming and shared a variety of songs. Senior Puja Natesaen performed an Indian dance for the crowd.

“The Billiken Fair brings so much unity within the students along with the faculty to bring SLU together on a different level, especially in this day and age when we need to stop and celebrate each others’ difference,” Rachon said.

Students said that they enjoyed the inflatable Moon Bouncer, Obstacle Course and Judo Fighting. “It’s great we have been outside enjoying the event all day. The food is awesome, and even Gries did well for once. The dancing is really cool and different,” said freshmen Jen Brennan and Liz Hudson.

The winners of the most creative booth at the fair were the Spanish Student Coalition for 1st place, the Indiana Student Coalition in 2nd place, and the Philippine and African Students Coalition booths tied for 3rd.

Panjaitan said, “It is great to see that the University has come together as a big community today, and I hope that everybody takes something back from today learning about other cultures.”