,A„ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2000 What parking problem? Caught in the `Spyder'web Jason Snyder .;,,, "I'm so sick of having to walk the length of this campus to get to class just because I can't find a parking spot within 100 meters of my classroom." Yes, the parking "problem" at Behrend has been the hot topic for discussion this first month of the school year. And students aren't shy in expressing their anger over the huge injustice they deal with everyday in finding a parking spot suitable enough for their needs. But let's break down that parking problem and the huge injustices that we are forced to deal with on this campus because of the shortage in parking spots. First of all, we have to walk far. Second of a 11... Well I guess that's it. But it's still a major problem, right? I mean, how unfair is it that the faculty get to park in more convenient lots than the students? I'll answer that for you. We are, for the most part, young and healthy adults. (I realize I would be politically incorrect and uninformed if I didn't make an exception for the returning adults and handicapped students that might not, be young or healthy. Not to say that all returning adults are old or that the handicapped are "unhealthy" depending on your definition of health, but mostly, the students that complain about a parking problem are young and healthy.) And for us students, it's a little something called "respect for faculty." We will someday be in charge and will someday be able to have our own parking spot really close to our office. But for now, have some respect and decency towards the faculty and give them their perks that they have earned after years of education that they went through where they were the ones parking long distances from their classrooms. A couple more inconveniences that I hear all the time... 1.1 don't have anywhere to park my car in the middle of the day. 2.1 live in Almy Hall and I have to park in the Ohio lot. 3.1 am late for my 8:00 class because of the big traffic jam going into campus. 4. Police and Safety direct me to the lot across Jordan Road when the lots "on campus" get full. Now, some advice for the students that have the overwhelming urge to pout about the aforementioned problems. 1. If you time it right so you arrive on campus exactly ten minutes before your class begins, spots open up. Surprisingly, for every car you see leaving campus as you are entering, another parking spot opens up. 2. Almy Hall is about one football field distance from the Almy entrance. I know the Penn State football players have trouble covering that distance, but I have faith that Behrend students are capable of making the trek. 3. Wake up at 6:50 as opposed to 7:00. I know it might interfere with your eight hours of sleep a night, but it beats joining the Beacon editorial board and not leaving the Reed Building until 1:00 in the morning. 4. Technically, the lot across Jordan Road is "on-campus." And if you are anywhere on the Behrend campus, the longest walk you will have to make to another destination on campus will be 7 minutes. So, before you start cussing me out in your heads for daring to say that parking isn't a problem and that students' attitudes are, think about it for a minute. How ridiculous is it to ask able-bodied (see disclaimer above for definition of able-bodied) students to walk 7 minutes? Make adjustments in your schedule to make up for the inconveniences. Now, I do owe an apology to students that live in the Niagara, Perry and Lawrence Halls. You have the right to complain for the simple reason that there is not space for parking anywhere near you. But think of it this way...the distance you are forced to make up in walking from the upper lots to your dorm is made up with the distance saved in your short walk to classes. Just think about having to walk from Ohio Hall to Erie Hall for an 8:00 class. Hopefully that gives you some satisfaction. For anyone else that is still cussing my name, take a drive to Mercyhurst College and Edinboro University and find some empty lots there. Believe me when I say, we are well off. And if everything else I have said has failed in satisfying your parking rage, then I will start a petition for the one thing that has saved many campuses' parking problems. Simply ban freshman from having cars on campus. Oh, maybe reality has set in now. Instead of making that seven minute walk across campus, maybe you can make that nice hour walk to Buffalo Road for a burger. Hmmm, the Jordan lot doesn't seem so bad anymore, does it? Strvder'.., column uppett's evoy three Tell us whatyou Send a letter to the Editor! Send all letters to: behrcoll2@aol.com No more hiding...) stand out from the rest Last summer, I got Ilr 01110(1011 011 my, one-year anniversary at \Neginan . s. I jumped Irons being a cashier/Whids employee ('kid, is the daycare ‘‘e have for customers) to becoming a front end coordinator. It was one of the hest things that happened to me, not only for the substantial raise that I received, hut also for increased responsibility of running the busiest part of the stole the front Granted, it can he a cal pain to herd the people \.k. ith their o‘crlhm inc carts to a shorter line, or has ing to deal %% nil four missing cashiers on a crovkded Friday night. Not only do v,e deal \‘ith the customer, we have to deal with the cashiers too, who are essentially the major pov.ci behind our business. It \Ae didn't have the cashiers, we wouldn't have our talented front end (hut we'd have a lot of angry customers). Which brings me to a curious point: the cashiers on the front end see us (the front end coordinators) as the people in charge. The front end manager. ‘k. ho is essentially 'in charge,' does run tile floor at times, but she's in charge of scheduling the management team (us) and the cashing team (the cashiers). With over 100 people to schedule for one week, it keeps her extremely busy. Not to mention the meetings and the load of other duties she must meet to keep the front end running smoothly. My duties as a coordinator, on the other hand. are somewhat easier than the front end manager's, but a lot more difficult than a cashier's. Every coordinator is given an mmer down Disclaimer The following article does not intend to offend any people based on race, sexual preference, height, weight, body odor, cola, of eyes, hair color, athletes 'Pot or lack thereof The . following people, groups of people, things, and fictional characters are in no way, shape or form intended to be defamed: Muzak lovers, shriners, mimes, mime groupies, people who thought Milli Vanilli were musical geniuses, Phil Collins fans, professional wrestlers, Trekkies, Civil War re-enactors, zoo animals, people whose names begin with the letter "Q," crack addicts, people who dress up far the Rocky Horror Picture Show Dreu. Carey, Jerry Seinfield, Andrew "Dice" Clay, mullet sporting individuals, people who still wear acid washed jeans and B.U.M. equipment shirts, the dead, the undead, zombies, mutants, ghosts, imaginary friends, lawyers, farm animals, air hockey tables, cheap beer aficionados, goats, crappy boy hands (not that there is such a thing as a GOOD boy band), people who think professional wrestling is real, people who like profes- sional wrestling, members of the mafia, drug addicts, drug dealers, born again Christians, cult members, atheists, internet porn addicts, Yanni, cock rock bands, the letter "H," chicken quesadillas, Ronald McDonald, Hamburgler, the actors who comprised the "A -team," swiss cheese, The George Foreman low fat grill, compulsive liars, EDITORIAL think! Return to - Reality ~ . Becky Weindorf I checks, etc. The only thing about being able to override an unauthorized check is that your employee number goes on that check, and if it bounces or comes back denied, you're the one that's responsible for explaining your actions. And then there's the customer. The majority of customers are very polite and understanding when it comes to slight inconveniences in the store (for example, running out of a product on sale). But I'll tell you this much: customers are impatient, selfish, and want everything done RIGHT NOW. I mean, they expect you to drop everything that you are doing to help THEM RIGI IT NOW. I don't care how nice you are outside of a grocery store, if you're shopping and you need something, you want it now. Believe me, I had the same mindset until I started working on the other side of the counter. But despite all the hardships, it can be an exciting job. We're the ones you see running around, helping out newer cashiers, getting customers out the door and making sure that their experience at Wegman's is a pleasant and friendly one. (Yeah I know, I'm the now, take a chill pill or shut up do, write, breathe, or think about is "ok." 1 Untitled 21 think racism, sexism, and discrimination Ben Kundman against people based on sexual preference is complete bull. Yet, I don't think people .torol is>l should be preached to because they said something off-color. There is a difference between calling someone a demeaning name 1$101511E( and telling an off-color joke (within reason). Unfortunately, the "within reason" aspect 1, impossible to define. Offensive to sonic is hilarious to others. I just think people need to look at context more than what is said. With another 92 words left in this column, and nothing more to say about the topic of this article, I would like to address a letter printed in the Beacon three weeks ago. The letter, titled "Quit talking in codes Bacon," talked about what a talented and creative group of writers we are here at the Be(lcon. Actually, the letter said the editorial column, are "poorly thought out and poorly written right-wing garbage." I will he the first to admit, I suck at writing. I'm an engineer, silly! I can barely read, let alone write a column that clearly conveys a message. The important thing about having an editorial column is providing a voice for students. If sick of hearing "right wing garbage," then send a sample editorial into the Beacon and get on the staff in the spring. sufferers of Catholic guilt syndrome, my °strength of materials book, car bombs, the N.R.A., the D.E.A., DMX, N.WA., tech support workers, telemarketers, tickle me Elmo, Pokemon characters, Beenie Babies collectors, Witches, Warlocks, Dragons, people who play "Magic," Marlon Brando, pizza delivery boys, hobos, "No Skateboard ing" signs, the person who decided riding a skateboard at 9:30 at night on campus was "disorderly conduct" ($125), sobriety checkpoints, bartenders who cut you off, our "open" container law ("that's not open!" "Technically, no, but you're getting fined anyways"), Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, The Green Party, the vast non voting majority on campus, people with big teeth, and Martha Stewart. I may have gotten a little carried away on the disclaimer. The point of this article was to point out that being politically correct is getting a little ridiculous. I am sure that I offended 98% of the campus with my disclaimer, knowing how big Phil Collins is here. I don't believe that people should have to constantly worry whether what they say, £Fq £i4 override key to put through unauthorized checks, WIC The Hot Debate The Week' What's the deal with the oil? ~~ s~~f i '~ f Earlier last week, Clinton authorized the release of 30 million barrels of oil trom th( Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help curl, the price of oil for families this winter. in his view, he doesn't want America's families to "freeze'' this winter and wants to help families brimg down gas and oil prices for this winter. Please. Give me a break 30 million barrels of oil will sustain this country for a whole two days. There is absolutely no reason why Clinton should have done this. For one reason, the nation is in no "oil - emergent_ \ a crisis would be, just for an example. a war. Those barrels are purposely put iv a'. for national crises when the U.S . decides stop buying internationally. We have enough oil for about two months to sust:iin the whole country on its own -- and this country is so filthy rich, we shouldn't worrying about climbing oil prices Second of all, isn't it a coincidence that Al Gore just "happens" to mention that the United States needs to do something alit itit the oil prices? Well gee, we know he's \ ice president and all, but since when did a \ice president have power in the affairs of the United States? That is just too much 01 a coincidence for Gore to bring this issue lip and actually watch his idea being carried out a week thereafter. Seems to me that Gore might have needed a small hoo'l in the polls. Every week, two editors from the sip!// dents, faculty and staff arc encouragol topic. Send ideas to beloy:0112.0)aol.coni perfect advocate for Wegman's). And there's something special about knowing what you're doing that can earn you a lot of respect from fellow employees. The cashiers look at us in awe sometimes, and it's the newer, younger cashiers that crack me up. For example, we told one cashier we had the power to remove him permanently from the express line if he didn't cash fast enough. (which we do, but it's not lair ban a cashier from express just hecatic still learning). And he thought \NC 11 CR serious! It's one thing to break Al a ca , ,h!ci for the job, but it's another when they actually start believing your jokes. Essentially, being a front end coordindwi takes a lot of patience and stamina to take th pressures of running the front end. Casluel are constantly bugging you to let them take their lunches, customers ask for you to honor expired coupons, a customer screams at v on because you refuse to take their refund check, and you put up with the constant complaints of why you simply can't accept an $BOO payroll check (because we arc not a bank, but I can't tell them that!). But that's a part of the job description that you're not told about you just learn it. All in all, it makes me feel good that I have the keys even if it means that I have to grow up and realize that I can't hide from the angry customers or my mistakes I make on the job. ;, ();I rnight ~111111(1 pi,l J (Hy in the cl 11, ()11 hcing IC- t, ,111,11 IV , envi.", Iti . ,m% itc.c pt ',..11!1 , OC‘ ' • \VC Can All •,1 ' 111,1! , T oil that kit)! cnicl- i E. ~.' i H r 11.1- mtqc th,m r N,Vc hiiAL 101 l th '1 lc timtl her ;ire hour. in .rriain,j , ~~t, Ilinouth Cull 1, !I. I ,t i I hr o I • ill l ot' the oni \ country in ~~ ~, i (1(1)() , :11 ,, ()I.()iL 111., I 1111 Ck I S 1 :Ile ()1 Iri , "1 1 "A , I11(1 olt 111, I kr! rrl 'ororr- \r.lll Ikrrnn t turn on tho., rirHr;r; rr; kr ; r ind It\ r a r .. Then we of lied Hopefully 1),1%, HI, mow citkiClll. So why (kW , A ,H2Oh.", it -NviiiC \+. lo ;11H, :Hc,t .c ol oil to 111 cicbccic /O/)/k that l hot.Slit c !Hui/ 1101 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Issues with parking Ural Idclor I ,urn V. 1111112. In 1C,11i)11 , ,e to the recent article / ' Pmbleins 4/ Inns Ihc September 22 edition ()I thc Hca, he Article was Very Well writ- rn, hill 1,,\ pdiN, that (ire rue up are tho , ,e dealitle ihe uttrty ic‘i. with Nit - . Donahue Polk ;Ind c ,,lft.'(\ at Penn State Erie, - 111 i •1 1,1.1 In lean thing up )1 • attack on Mr ~ tuilent. ,• , point ~ 1 '111,,11 'I, I. ,I`.. Vst:ll 111111 - i 11.1\ r hCCII de:IIII1Lr. ith , 1 I ,I P, n. P, , o L iu H ,hlClll‘. MCC I esh man th,tt each scar ',cern,. lIIOMMEI ! , 11 , nth . cur()liincill at li 1 I \N. \ \I; I,ll'l have adequate parking ()Il ,;;;;111•01.' %IliC(111;11C • 1111 'rime r nirnt.' ;; WilCllll.lllnk pin k. \ c(wilmut I iciniml , - k'oad Lot in the AL . & 1)111 iihout the Pi hit\ r neadv 111 111 then •ui •• , H walk 15 20 MPhil I I', ',ll(ffild he their choice HHIS 'We'.ll. I hid NlAll\ (1111C‘, !IILkIC uut I() (hell 01 leave l()r Ow\ the article that ()net. It , 1 lI \ ~.,munuter, , may he I‘,ll't Ai:(' eolir_ to he tar and 'neon \ H l 11,0.1 cla , o, there ttnut athletic prac tice, I ~,, t ll,l parking there; otherwise, I ()t thr v. 1%, w, 'Laic(' in die article \ enforce a few hellevr that it tvoulil be a viable option !esnlent parking to first-ear stu dents. .1 'k make more spots available to olilot iesidents in the upper lots. Sonic t.:01 - ICgC', doll 10. t \ Cal students to CUM- )1 II ( lk mute. Instead. (11 , ; \ must Ike on campus, thus hcein‘, ! up m, ~pleas tor the older students who do commuk, I undcrstand however, that the .ulvni t this problem does not hc (ad, in ihe hand , of the ,tdnumstratton. Stu dent,. .11,0 h% poohm,:. \A ith room- mutt,: , h e;11(mg their route jo „H o kho , A stu- Ikiii dli!'.i<k thy c' ,(me of ()or tuition (If L,, hudtling that dreamy illt() the no,s that !till1( , 11 to (111,11) m.t1,1 ..tc at Penn State Erie and • 0 that the\ would d wok hchyti 'Silke I started college, I lkoc , Aorkc , .l _ash ,chool year and summer ;‘, p.y. for education. I am not work ing -It hour., ;1 \keek and Carrying a lull load of das \es to tiO I have convenient parking. While I under stand that these problems cannot he sulked o‘einight, there are steps that can he taken to Cll`,lllt,' that this situation will not worsen. I \11,..11-) I 1 ;tJ) lurl 111,in k htmdicd ~i~~IIILIaIIti
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers