Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1412606
5 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 SEPTEMBER 2021 KURT SANSONE STUDENT organisations are up in arms since not all University of Malta students will be able to return to campus for in-person lectures in the first semester. The problem stems from the fact that not enough lecture rooms will be available after the UOM leased the Gateway Build- ing to the health authorities at least until January, for use as an emergency hub if COVID-19 cas- es spike. The building has five large lec- ture theatres and smaller rooms that cannot be used, making it difficult to find space to host larger student groups while re- specting the 1m distance. Uni- versity students shifted to online learning last year because of the pandemic. In a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela that was also copied to Chris Fearne and Justyne Caru- ana, Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi, ELSA Malta and Junior Chamber of Advocates, lamented the "dou- ble-standards" being adopted. "Given that both major political parties have scheduled Independ- ence Day celebrations including 'rallies', as well as other standing events with 100 people may take place without minimum distanc- es being imposed or any preser- vation of social bubbles, it seems questionable as to why university students cannot be guaranteed a return to campus," the organisa- tions lamented. They added that clubs and oth- er entertainment establishments were given "a carte-blanche in setting out policies which eco- nomically accommodate them best", while disregarding many of the protocols set out by the health authorities. "It seems highly disproportion- ate and inconsiderate to, once again, ignore university students considering that the aforemen- tioned non-compliance [by clubs] simply goes unnoticed," they insisted. The three organisations said it is unjust that students are not allowed to return to campus to continue their studies in an envi- ronment which is "pro-active and collaborative, rather than simply attending lectures virtually". They noted that the age group that the majority of university students fall in has one of the highest vaccination rates. Calling for compassion, the groups called for in-person learn- ing to resume for all students and if this is logistically impossible adopt a hybrid system that will see student groups alternating be- tween online and physical learn- ing. "It is understood that this sit- uation was unprecedented for both students and administrative staff alike, and we are willing to initiate negotiations so as to safe- guard physical, mental as well as social wellbeing of student," the groups said. University students find it 'questionable' why return to campus cannot be guaranteed NICOLE MEILAK ARCHBISHOP Charles Scicluna warned of growing greed and individualism in Maltese society at the expense of the Mal- tese landscape during a pontifical mass at St John's Co-Cathedral. "Greed is an expression of extreme in- dividualism: if I am satisfied then I do not care about anybody else," he described. "But those who are content with what they have, those who eat their daily bread with gratitude because it was earned by their hard work, with a pure heart, a clear conscience and a great sense of justice, not only will they have enough but they would also have given a valuable contribution to society." Scicluna questioned whether people are capable of controlling the desire for new projects, instead creating buildings and projects that are aesthetically pleasing and hold respect to the country's landscape. "If we look around us at the city of Mdi- na, the bastions of Valletta and Cottonera, we do not only see functional buildings but also harmonious and captivating architec- ture. Can we say the same thing about the buildings through which we are destroying the sense of beauty in our country?" He recalled a passage by Saint Paul, which warns that by falling into tempta- tion one deprives themselves, their chil- dren, and future generations of a better quality of life. "Is the craving for money, easy money, also destroying the moral backbone of our country? [And] what kind of independence are we celebrating if we are slaves of the craving for power and greed for money?" "These are egoistic traits that do not give us freedom, and if we are celebrating our independence and the freedom of our country from all colonial and military con- ditioning, we need to stop and think: have we succumbed to some form of slavery, the slavery of our own greed for power or money?" He added that the economy, finance and wealth are not to be condemned. Sciclu- na turned to a passage from the Gospel of Saint Luke, which shows that Jesus had his own "fundraisers", who helped and served him from their own wealth. "But today, on Independence Day 2021, we ought to ask ourselves: does money control me or do I use it for the good of others?" He concluded his homily by thanking the Maltese State. He said that the State has cherished social services since the Second World War, more so since gaining inde- pendence. "All that contributes towards the com- mon good clearly demonstrates how a State ought to be. My word is therefore one of encouragement and appreciation for all the good that takes place." Archbishop warns of greed in biting Independence Day homily ˇ Archbishop Charles Scicluna