University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild, along with Provost Madeline Wake and Senior Vice President Greg Kliebhan, took questions from students at the semi-annual event. About 50 students attended. ,”Money, safety and diversity were the issues of the day at Tuesday's Father Wild Forum.

University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild, along with Provost Madeline Wake and Senior Vice President Greg Kliebhan, took questions from students at the semi-annual event. About 50 students attended.

The forum began with a discussion on tuition costs and financial aid. Sara Soriano, Marquette Student Government executive vice president and College of Arts & Sciences junior, asked how the administration plans on improving financial aid in light of a $1,600 tuition increase and the discontinuation of the Raynor Distinguished Scholar Award last year.

Wild cited a lack funding for the scrapping of the scholarship and said the next flux of fundraising will be used primarily for financial aid. He said while scholarships are important, general financial aid, including grants and loans to low-income students, should be the main concern.

"Affordability is the bottom line," Wild said. "The cost of tuition is a challenge for families and we want to be able to help as best we can."

Student safety and well-being was also a topic of discussion. John Tadelski, a College of Engineering senior, asked how Marquette has improved its security and counseling programs in light of last year's shootings at Virginia Tech.

Wild said the school began emergency planning years ago and feels the university is prepared.

Kliebhan said the counseling department added a staff member last year and has increased hours of psychiatric visits.

Several students voiced concerns about the diversity of faculty.

Wake said at least one minority candidate must be considered for new faculty positions. Fifteen ethnic minorities were hired as faculty in the fall of 2006, she said.

"We've been conscientious about casting wider nets," Wake said.

Wild said he wants people to realize "a fair commitment has been made" to diversity.

"The concerns are legitimate," he said. "At the same time, we have limited resources for this and other projects."

Another focus of the evening was Marquette's acquisition of property.

Jim McMahon, dean of residence life, recently said Marquette plans to turn the apartments on 17th Street and Wisconsin Avenue into a sophomore residence hall. One student voiced concern for the future of Sweeney's College Books, a textbook vendor currently leasing property at 1634 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Wild said Marquette will honor the leases with vendors on the property, but said he didn't know anything beyond that. Kliebhan said textbook buying may be shifting online.

"There are multiple ways to buy books," Kliebhan said. "In the future, textbooks may not be bought in stores."

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