By Matthew Stone

Oracle, creator of OCS, cuts 2,000 jobs

Despite a report Monday about a 42 percent increase in profits for the quarter ending February 28, Oracle, the provider of Macalester’s OCS e-mail client, will proceed with 2,000 planned layoffs, according to spokeswoman Karen Tillman. The Redwood Shores, Calif.-based company announced the layoffs last month following its acquisition of rival Siebel Systems.

According to Tillman, the layoffs will not directly affect OCS support staff, on which Macalester’s Information Technology Services (ITS) division has relied heavily in recent months to address ongoing difficulties with the e-mail application. Tillman stopped short, however, of saying that the cuts will not have any affect on OCS support staff.

Divide between Multiculturalism and Internationalism discussed

Over 50 students and faculty members met in the Cultural House Wednesday for an open discussion on multiculturalism and internationalism at Macalester. The talk comes amid a series of developments in both arenas on campus, including the resignation of Dean of Multicultural Life Joi Lewis and the inauguration of the college’s new Institute for Global Citizenship.

Several of the discussion participants questioned why a divide has emerged on campus between the two Macalester pillars. Student participants highlighted segregation between various groups in the student body and differences in institutional support for international students and domestic students of color.

“It went well, I enjoyed it,” said Tinbete Ermyas ’08, a Mac Weekly columnist and co-moderator of the discussion. “I think it was necessary to have it. It was a good starting point.”

The discussion was part of Latino Week, a series of panels, talks and discussions sponsored by Latino student organization A­Adelante!

Candidates for Campus Programs job visit campus

The first of four finalists for the position of Assistant Director of Campus Programs for Multicultural Life visited campus yesterday as part of a search process to fill the position formerly occupied by Mattie White, who resigned last year. Tieree Smith, currently the Assistant Director of Student Activities at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind., was scheduled to meet with groups of students, staff and administrators yesterday. She met with students Wednesday night in the Cultural House for an open session.

A second candidate for the position is scheduled to visit campus today. The remaining two finalists will visit Monday and Tuesday.

According to Director of Campus Program Brian Wagner, who is directing the search process, students and others will be able to meet with the finalists at noon on each of the candidates’ visiting days on the second floor of the campus center.

The four finalists emerged from a pool of approximately 120 applicants.

Students will have the opportunity to submit an evaluation on each of the candidates.

“I value student opinions very, very much,” Wagner said. “They are integral to seeing that the right person comes to the college.”