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The Behrend Beacon
' olitical debate sheds light on party differences
by B.J. Shields
staff writer
While most debates held in public
forum involve candidates running for
political office, Tuesday night's meeting
of representatives from the College
Republicans and Young Democrats
served a different purpose. Both of the
organizations sponsored a political
debate that allowed students to better
understand the differences between the
major parties.
The event took place in the Reed
Union Building room 114 and began at
7:30 p.m. Complimentary pizza was
available, and all members of the
Behrend community were invited to
attend.
Roughly 30 students attended the
debate, and most all who were present
participated.
After the audience took their seats, the
presidents of the clubs made brief
statements on the future of the
organizations as well as on their
purposes. Both organizations hope to
debate on a national level next year. Both
parties invited any interested students to
become involved with the clubs at
Behrend.
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ADMISSION IS FRET.
204' SGA Corner ..,
COUNCIL REPORTS
Academic Council has been meeting
for two weeks now. Meetings are
Thursdays at 6 p.m.
IFC did not meet last week because
of Greek Week. Their meetings are
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Service and Honors' first meeting
was Thursday in Reed 112.
MCC's kissing booth will continue
through today outside of Bruno's.
Meetings are Mondays at 5:20 p.m.
Panhellenic did not meet last week
because of Greek Week. Meetings are
Tuesdays at 5:20 p.m.
Recreation Council is concerned
with the budget deadlines. They
wanted to know if they could be
pushed back a week.
No report:
Arts and Student Life
CLUB/ORG REPORTS
Treasurer Erica Sitter reported that
she and President Scott Soltis are
working on the SGA Budget, and
that if anyone has any thought of
anything to be included, let one of
them know.
COMMITTEE
Before the actual debating began, Dr.
Robert Speel, associate professor of
political science, explained the format
for the event. The first 45 minutes
allowed for discussion of pre-drafted
questions on the following topics: the
war in Iraq; the economy and affirmative
action. Each side had one minute to state
their responses to five questions on each
topic. Following the first half of the
debate, the floor was opened for guests
to ask questions or offer comments on
any other political topics.
Dr. Speel introduced the speakers for
each side. David Sandy, Finance, 03,
represented the Young Republicans and
Matt Leister the Young Democrats.
Students who wrote questions prior to
the event were asked to read them to the
debaters. The first question concerned
weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and
asked the speakers to share their views
on the war in light of the fact that none
have been found.
Leister, answering on side of the
Democrats, said he felt the war was
based on a flagrant lie. He opposed the
war, asking in retrospect why the United
States still has not turned up any WMDs.
Speaking on behalf of the Republican
side, Dave Sandy told the audience that
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courtesy of Student Government Association Minutes
Academic Affairs are working on the
Academic workshop. The dates for the
workshop are March 17-18 from 10-2
Budget members needed to attend one
informational meeting. There is a list of
times of the meetings at the RUB desk.
Constitutional Review has started
setting goals. They reviewed the
Behrend King Pin constitution and have
suggested some changes for it. They
have also received a constitution from
the Behrend Equestrian team. They are
also in the process of rewriting the SGA
constitution so it would now include
judicial board.
Diversity had no attendance last week
Elections met briefly after the meeting
Governmental Affairs is having a Rock
the Vote on Nov. 12 and 13 from 11-3
p.m. outside of Bruno's.
Public Relations discussed their goals,
namely informing students of what the
SGA is discussing.
THON had a canning weekend last
weekend on Upper Peach. They also put
together packets to send out to all the
clubs regarding the IFC/PHC/SGA
Behrend Dance Marathon. Clubs have
until Nov. 15 to decide if they want to
participate.
No report: Student Affairs
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College
Oct. 22, 2093
REPORTS
NEWi ,
Friday, October 31, 2003
while war is always a failure, it was
necessary in this case to shut down
resistance by Saddam Hussein.
"He's a rapist and murderer of his own
people," said Sandy. "Saddam didn't
take care of his end of the bargain in
offering to disarm."
Also regarding the war in Iraq, both
parties were asked what they think is the
best solution to the American presence
there. The two speakers again offered
differing opinions. Sandy stated that the
United States must stay as long as
possible to help rebuild and secure the
future of the new democracy. Leister
stated his preference for a quick
withdrawal, though he said it must be
timely in helping form a sturdy new
government in the war torn country.
Further questions regarding Iraq were
discussed, including one student
questioning a shift in opinions in the
Democratic Party. Also debated was a
seeming double standard in the decision
of the United States to attack Iraq but
not North Korea.
When the time came for Sandy and
Leister to respond to questions about the
economy, an audience member pointed
out that Sandy leaned towards capitalism
while Leister's ideals seemed to favor
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SGA DIRECTORY
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President Scott Soltis
Vice President Jenn Sutter
Secretary Jess Burnett
Treasurer Erica Sitter
SENATE
Senator
Jair Carrasquero jec2Bs
Jason Flaherty jjf223
Sara Grant seg 193
Alex Henderson amh33B
Nichole Lemke n 11127
Ashley Pourmehr asplsl
Deepti Soni dusl43
Kathleen Streaker kes2B2
Nathan Snyder nasl76
Erin Strayer eqslol
Matthew Withum mdw233
Kristin Zupancic kazl3s
John Zwigart jdz I 24
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
Senator
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Academic Amy Smith ajs3B7
IFC Joe Piazza jjp24l
Service &
Honors Russ Neuner rdn 109
MCC George Morgan 111 gzmlo3
Panhellenic Eileen Falkenberg emfl6B
Recreation James Wyble jsw2o9
Student Life Jeannie Roos jmr4o4
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Academic Amy Smith ajs3B7
Budget Tenn Sutter j 15648
Constitutional Alex Henderson amh33B
Diversity George Morgan 111 gzmlo3
Elections James Wyble jsw2o9
Governmental Mattew Withum mdw233
Public Relations Erin Strayer eqslol
Student Affairs Jeannie Roos jmr4o4
Thon Justin Curry jrc2B4
Rachael Yates rayl3l
the blue-collar worker.
In a last minute change of plans, Chris
Strayer, English 03, took the podium on
behalf of the Young Democrats to debate
issues surrounding affirmative action.
The first question posed asked the
debaters if they feel affirmative action
is a form of reverse discrimination. Both
parties agreed they do not believe in
reverse discrimination, though Strayer
spoke in support of affirmative action
and Sandy was in opposition.
"I don't think we should have them
(affirmative action policies) at all,"
Sandy said.
At the end of the formal debate, the
audience had the opportunity to ask any
further questions of the speakers. Most
audience questions during this period
revolved around the economy and taxes,
and occasionally around the issues
involving the U.S. and Iraq. The debate,
however, became heated when questions
regarding abortion laws came up.
Strayer, who had rejoined the audience
by that point, asked Sandy (who had
already taken a pro-life stance) if he
would oppose abortion if the fetus
showed signs of mental retardation.
"...let's say if there was the possibility
the unborn flesh had no chance of
SAF
fast
The deadline for Student Activity
Fee proposals is coming up on
Wednesday. Why should students
care about this deadline? This is your
chance to bring great new programs
and activities to Behrend or improve
existing ones. Want to see a famous
band or a world-renowned speaker
live at Behrend? Do you think that
some new equipment could help en
hance student learning or provide en
tertainment on-campus? Then you
need to fill° out a SAF proposal be
fore Wednesday.
SAF revenues can be assigned for
almost anything that would enhance
the student life. Money could be used
toward putting computers in dorm
study lounges, improving student ex
ercise facilities or to bring in a one
time program that would ben-
efit or entertain
that attend. SA
are also earmar
for women's
groups, the
gay commu-
nity or ethnic
smss2o
. 15648
jmb6o7
e 15192
organization
that want to
more diversity
to Behrend. As an added bo-
nus, SAF proposals can also allo
cate money to pay for part-time pro
fessional staff, wages for students,
and officials for athletics.
This is only a basic outline of what
your SAF money can do for you. If
you can think of an event or program
that would benefit Behrend students
that has never been heard of or seen,
then you are encouraged to submit a
proposal.
And the word "you" means any
student. Any student that attends
classes at Behrend is allowed to sub
mit an SAF proposal if they decide
to; you don't need to have completed
a certain amount of credits, live on
campus or be a member of any club
to do so.
However, there are some guide
lines that all students must follow
when working on a SAF request: The
event you propose must be open to
any student who wants to attend; it
must describe how your program or
event will benefit the campus, and
how it will enhance the out-of-class
experience for those who participate;
and it must explain how the event
will be marketed towards students.
To print a copy of an SAF appli
cation request, go to the SAF
homepage,
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/activity/
ourtney Straub & Justin Curry, News Editors
deadline
approaching
by Ryan Russell
advertising manager
enjoying life or becoming fully
functional in society," said Strayer.
Sandy responded passionately, calling
Strayer an animal and later referring to
him as Hitler.
"Who are you to say who can or cannot
be fully functional in society?" said
Sandy.
Strayer noted that he works closely
with physically and mentally
handicapped people, and has been
around these people all of his life. The
audience applauded as both Sandy and
Leister agreed that handicapped people
should be just as much a part of the
human race as anybody else.
Further topics were gay marriage and
adoption. Sandy was undecided on these
issues, and Leister favored both.
The debate ended at 9:10 p.m. with
both sides shaking hands. The audience
applauded, recognizing the speakers'
efforts to communicate their positions on
issues currently being debated by
politicians.
The College Republicans meet on
Thursdays at 12:20 p.m. in Reed 3. The
Young Democrats meet Wednesdays at
noon in Reed 112. Anyone interested in
politics is invited to attend these open
meetings.
saf/index.htm, and click on the
"Online Application" link. After fill
ing out the application, the next step
is to hand in your proposal on or be
fore Wednesday. This means it can be
reviewed at the next SAF meeting on
Nov. 10. At that meeting, the SAF
committee will review and then decide
on all submitted proposals.
"Generally, students are notified
within a day or two whether or not
their proposal has been accepted," said
Dr. Ken Miller, director of student af
fairs and SAF committee co-chairman.
"Proposals are rejected because of
a lack of clarity or because they are
not in line with university policy. We
give each proposal feedback on how
it can be improved, and encourage stu
dents to reapply their proposal the fol
lowing month."
So, if your proposal is not accepted
at the Nov. 10 meeting, don't give
up. The next opportunity to
proposal comes
n Dec. 3, and if
And if your proposal is re
jected in December, keep trying.
There is no limit to the number of
times you can submit your proposal,
and no limit on the number of propos
als that SAF can accept each month.
"In September, we funded 23 out of
32 proposals, and in October, we
funded 13 out of 17," said Miller. "It
really varies month by month."
Some of the proposals approved
through SAF in October included the
Battle of the Hill Paintball program,
Spirit Day programs for the Lion Am
bassadors, the Jeopardy Challenge, the
Fall Leadership Conference, resources
for Sign Language Classes, Craft
Nights and Bowling for Hunger. And
if you have an idea that you think
would change student life here at
Behrend, or just keep students enter
tained for one night, you could join
this list.
If you feel as though you could make
even more of a difference and want to
help other students with their pro
grams, you are encouraged to apply for
a seat on the SAF committee. There is
currently one seat open, and anyone
interested in filling it should contact
Miller at 217-6111, or contact SAF co
chairman Scott Soltis at
smss2o@psu.edu.
you make a
good case,
chances are
that some of
the $lO,OOO
onthly budget
o toward your