lehrcnii Collegian Volume XXV No. 13 Oswald, Penn State To Discuss School's In an attempt to offer students the opportunity to discuss the significance of the new status of Behrend College John W. Oswald, Penn State President, held a meeting during his visit last week. Although sparcely at tended, the comments made by Oswald covered a wide range of problems from academic to university functions. Oswald remarked that one of the things that came out of his first year of office was the clear indication of the participation of students in the educational process. Every campus is under the requirement to constructively involve students in the proper kind of input in higher education. The future of Penn State relates to how effectively branch cam puses and Behrend College do the job. Last year over 40 per cent of Penn State’s graduates went to a commonwealth campus. Very soon more than 70 per cent of the graduates wll have received their initial college experience off SGA New Meeting Place Proves Successful By Commencing in Residence Hall Lobbies By Jim Benner Staff Writer Energy or power is a force, that when harnessed can be of unlimited value to man. The power of any group of people especially students, is also a valuable component to utilize. Perhaps the first step in har nessing student energy on Behrend campus was taken Monday evening, February 19 at the SGA meeting held in Perry Hall lobby. Many students who just hap pened to be there or passing through took an interest in the discussions that ensued once the meeting began. Ideas, gripes, a few laughs, all contributed to a spirit of openness and com munication. The meeting lasted nearly two hours, at the end of which it seemed a beginning of actual student concern had evolved. Along the lines of Food Service, the problem with providing warm food in Dobbins Hall arose. If not so palatable for its flavor, at least it might be kept warm. The RUB grill which closed due to lack of student support was reapproached. Requests for various machines, including the essential washers and dryers, in working order at convenient places were made. Even, the questionable construction of the residence halls, where as it was put, you hear the student next door leafing through his book, was a point of discussion. So too, a way to socially reunite com muters and residents, who were initially separated with the building of Dobbins Hall, became a topic for concern. Finally a committee, armed with these requests and ideas, was formed to work with Mr. Finley, Director of Food and Housing, for future plans. As regards the ice-skating rink, a number of students offered their opinion, that even though the unusual winter weather .was held up its construction so far, the basic framework should be assembled in expectation of the more, usual cold temperatures. Mr. Mead, assistant to Dean of University Park. Last year the Academic Policy Plan of the whole Penn State University jelled under Dr. Oswald’s direction. It stressed that Behrend has a broader mission than just that of a commonwealth campus. Penn State, with its size and diversity, needs a campus with the kinds of options of a smaller bac calaureate program. Realistically, Behrend will not be in a position to repeat the op portunities of a campus of 30,000. Oswald wanted to reaffirm his convictions to all undergraduate students as Behrend College goes into the final stages of develop ment. However, new facilities and additional faculty can only proceed as the necessary funds become available. At a time when the University is trying., to maintain an upward thrust, there is a leveling off and even a decline in their sources of financial support. Higher education has been warned that it will be Student Affairs, informed those present that such could be the case, but it would require that students maintain the surface of ice if any melting occurs. The maintenance staff is too busy and too few in number to do this. The idea was accepted and a request will be made for the construction of the framework. The important area of traffic regulations and security were also covered. Complaints were made about inconsistancies in regards to ticketing cajrs, especially in the RUB parking lot. So too, the apparent unfairness of having the dorm lots off limits entirely was mentioned. It was said that certain spaces should be reserved of course for staff and RA’s with cars, but the remaining space is wasted. It should be available at least on a half-hour time limit. The rates, for fines was questioned too alongside ticket complaints. Ideas for a lower initial fine from $l5 and even a $5O limit for fines per term came up. Another committee was formed to work with Mr. Nowak on these possible reforms. A serious matter, that of security guards carrying firearms on campus at times other than allowed, was exposed. Walker Moore, SGA president, English Lovers Can iVoit? Write! Are you the type that gets caught at parties talking about psychoanalytic interpretations of william Faulkner’s novels? Or do you perhaps see didactic illusions m esoteric works? Do you find the onomatopoeiatic lines of Ten nyson or Blake ringing through the day? in trochee? Are you tired of not having any place outside of the classroom to discuss your empathy with Stephen Dedalus? Now there is an organization for you. The English Organization will Published by the Students of the Behrend College of the Pennsylvania State University Station Road, Erie, Pa. 16510 receiving less fiscal backing from the federal and state levels of government. Penn State had proposed an increase in tuition for next year, a sum Oswald thinks already too high. But there is a feeling among our legislative leaaersmp,' ootn Republican and Democrat, that tuition ought to move to $l,OOO. The Governor’s 1973 fiscal budget calls for a zero appropriation increase for Penn State, Temple and Pitt. Oswald indicated that his reaction was one of “extreme alarm.” Institutions of higher learning have' mandated cost increases over which no one has control. The Board of Trustees therefore must follow one of two options in absorbing these costs: either increased ' tuition or dropping and limiting research, student services or other programs. Student Aid and other sources of revenue for students are also in jeopardy this year. President Nixon is reorganizing the whole told the group that he would personally investigate this allegation. It was mentioned too, that according to University regulations, searches of student dorm rooms by any paid staff of the school can be made at anytime. However, Dean Seanor, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, emphasized that only under extreme circumstances of suf ficient question did the school exercise that right. Civil authorities, such as state police, still require a search warrant. Other brief items such as lack of books in the library; in sufficient activities curing the week and weekend; and the lack of a more cultural atmosphere on campus were raised. In essence, what was demon strated was student interest in communicating their desires to the people who can help get things moving. This night of talk was an important victory over the first obstacle, lack of communication. Such dorm meetings must and shall continue. However, now that we _know better what must be done, that is it—it must be done! To keep alive the spirit of Mon day’s meeting, students must dedicate themselves to the work of making Behrend “College’s live up to its name. February 27 in 204 Turnbull, Common Hour. In order to join you must have at least a 3.25 cumulative average in English, must have taken two other English'courses beyond 1 and 3 by the end of Winter term, and, most importantly, have a lively in terest in literature. This organization is truly a chance for lovers of English to renew their romance with the Romantics, to find reality with the Realists, and to become newly critical with the New Critics. Honorary meet pn President, Visits Behrend New Status with Students By Susan Sammons Staff Reporter federal system of assistance to schools. On the state level, the governor has prepared to double appropriations for Act 101, the Educational Opportunities Program. Last .year Penn State received $lOO,OOO in support from the state and this increase would be welcomed. Students questioned Oswald concerning out-of-state tuition, graduate study and University Park students concern for the branch campuses. One person inquired of the proposed tax on students at University Park by Center County, which has always been previously illegal. A question was raised as to Oswald’s knowledge of a list on file compiled of “suspicious persons.” An instance was related by a student who had dropped out of school due to financial reasons. When he at tempted to visit friends on campus he was asked to leave. Another Behrend student was Be hr end to Become Art Center in May By Jim Benner Staff Writer When people think of art, certain places like Paris, Vienna, and Venice come to mind. They are or have been sites of great importance to the development of art. Well, certainly no sustained comparison between any one of them and Behrend can be made realistically. However, when May rolls around, for a brief six day period, local and student artists in all fields of art will display their talents and bring just a small touch of those places to mind. In order to present the best examples of work within that period (May 15-20), the coor dinating committee for the Behrend College Spring Arts Festival held its second meeting the evening of Thursday, February 15 and drew up a ten tative schedule. A more per manent' schedule will be published later, but the following general outline describes what can be expected. Tuesday evening May 15, the Behrend orchestra and chorus A volcanic rock spewn from the bowels of the earth? A metiorite dropped from the vast heavens? No, as a matter of fact, the mysterious object these students are pondering over is a giant snowball, rolled in an endeavor to erredicate at least a small portion of the snow which smothers the campus. Thursday, February 22,1973 hassled at the America concert when getting into his friend’s car. Oswald replied that he did not know enough of these specific cases to comment. However, he did say that the university is being faced with an increasing amount of problems of robbery and violence. His wish is for a professional security force, as far away from the night watchman concept as possible. Students at University Park are coming to him in increasing numbers asking for protection. Oswald says that he wants to protect individuals and this is m no way an op pressive move. Finally Oswald stated he was delighted with the recent achievements in Behrend’s academic status. His visit February 16 with students, faculty and local citizens was to reaffirm his concern in the development of this university system. will present “King David” in Erie at the St. Paul’s cathedral. This event, not directly linked to the Festival planning, still provides an example of Behrend students’ musical talent. The following day begins the event on campus with the numerous painting and photography exhibits from University Park, local people, and students to be placed on display in the RUB. The afternoon will provide a folk-guitarist, probably in the Lecture Hall area. No one has been signed definitely yet. That evening a woodwind quintet and discussions in the literary field from either author Peter Beagle, who will be on campus during the Festival, or our own Dr. Moffett will alternate on the schedule. It is possible that a series of one-act plays might be performed by the campus play group or one yet to be signed. An afternoon presentation by the Behrend band and chorus will get Thursday off the ground. A barbershop quartet might (Continued on Page 4)
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