PAGE 3 RUB Desk to Enforce Check Cashing Policy by Lori Starcher Collegian Staff Writer In the future, the RUB desk will strictly enforce their check cashing policies. Students wishing SGA Savings and Loans by Anne Waskowitz Collegian Staff Writer On Oct. 11 the M.I.S. club requested a loan from the SGA to begin a fund-raising activi ty. Due to the policy of the school, they were unable to receive the loan. This event initiated the idea qf starting a “new loan policy” sponsored by SGA. Any club on campus is eligi ble to receive a loan'. However, college policy does not permit the fraternities, sororities, or The Behrend College Chris tian Association to apply. Fraternities and sororities are A Very Special Place for Some Very Special People by Risa Glick Collegian Editor Some people are bom with ex tra abilities such as natural in telligence or athletic capabilities, “The philosophy of the center is that each in dividual is en titled to a pro- gram which will enable him to use and develop those talents which God has given him. ” but others are born “special.” They are special in the sense that they are physically or mentally to cash checks will be required to show their student ID and check cashing cards before the RUB desk will honor their checks. This policy enforcement is due to the number of students who are considered discriminatory groups because everyone can’t join and the college is not per mitted to promote religion. A few things are taken into consideration before the loans are given to the eligible groups: (1) how many fund raising activities the club or organization have done in the past, (2) how active the group is (3) the amount of money in the club’s budget, and (4) the possible alternate sources of obtaining the money. The SGA money is for stu dent use, but in order to keep activities occuring the SGA must be sure that the money will be returned. There really disabled. Through the combined efforts of Behrend’s Omicron Beta Kap pa Society and OBK member, Dr. Zachary Irwin, students are given the opportunity to interact with these “special” people. As a service to the community OBK sends volunteers each week to the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Center located on East Ave. The center is a non-profit charitable organization chartered by the State of Pennsylvania for the pur pose of providing education, training, rehabilitation and health care services for all types of exceptionalities. basic The need for educational and social training of handicapped children was recognized by Dr. Gertrude A. Barber. In 1952, Barber founded a ' program in Erie for exceptional children. Currently, the Barber Center is recognized as a major diagnostic, therapeutic, educational and social training center for retarded and handicapped persons. A quarter of a century has passed since its founding in 1952. Each year has brought about new facilities, increased services and enriched programs providing the most modem techniques and ser vices that current technology and research can offer. THE COLLEGIAN NEWS cashing bad checks Last year the Reed Student Union accumulated over $2,400 in outstanding checks. In some cases the money was collected, but is no time limit set for the loan to be paid back, however, two variables are considered: the club’s financial situatation and the amount of money that was borrowed. The loans can be either short- or long-term (this also depends on the situation) and no inerest will be charged. The only two major concerns that the SGA have are that the money is used for a beneficial cause and that the money is returned. The student senate would prefer the groups and organizations to raise the money on their own, however, SGA will always be there if needed. - .. .. According to Dr. Gertrude A. Barber, founder and president of the center, “The basic philosophy of the center is that each in dividual is entitled to a program which will enable him to use and develop those talents which God has given him to the fullest.” “The Center’s self-proclaimed mission of public service has en compassed nearly every phase of life,” says Barber, “and a close relationship exists among the parents, clients, staff, volunteers and the community.” “I feel like I ac complished something. These people need help and Tm willing to give it to them. 99 . Many of these volunteers come from Behrend College. “The pro gram is open to anybody,” says Irwin. “Anybody may visit and get involved with the center.” many more cases were turned over to the district magistrate who prosecuted the students involved. Currently, the total amount of money due by students in the form of outstanding checks is $9OO. Because students are not mak ing any effort to refund the RUB desk, the Reed Student Union Of fice has no choice but to take ac tion. Letters are issued to students informing them of the return of their first bad check. Often the first letter is ignored by the student. Dohn Harshbarger, Dean of Student Affairs, will then issue a second and final notice. If the check and the $lO fee that the RUB desk charges for bad checks is still not paid, the matter is turn ed over to local authorities. Before turning the student over to the district magistrate, Reed Union Board Secretary Marge Wizikowski exhausts all avenues. She urges students to make ar rangements with her that will allow them to pay the bill in in stallments if they don’t have suffi cient funds to pay the bill im mediately. If a student makes ar- The Behrend volunteers visit the Center every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. for open gym and swim. “Basketball is a big activity at the Center,” states Steve Galich, a regular volunteer at the Center. Galich attends the Center on a regular basis. “I go because it makes me feelgood,” he says. “I feel like I accomplished something. These people need some help and I’m willing to give it to them.” Irwin has volunteered at four places for exceptional persons and says that, “I’ve never seen one work as closely with clients as does Barber Center. The Center stresses dignity and independence for clients,” he says. Dann Johns, a regular Center volunteer feels that “the ex perience of working with these people has been rewarding.” The atmosphere at the Center is in teresting to Johns. “It’s really a happy atmosphere,” he says. “They’re into the competitive at mosphere. They like to compete and there is a lot of friendship.” Galich noted that everybody is so ‘huggy’. They appreciate our help, ”he says, “and I get per sonal gratification and intrinsic values . from helping them and making them happy.” “There is an appreciation from NOVEMBER 21,198. rangements for payments and then doesn’t fulfill their promise, the case goes directly to the district magistrate. Cashing a bad check has serious adverse effects on the student. Once a student cashes a second bad check, their check cashing privileges are revoked for the re mainder of the academic year. If the student doesn’t pay for outstanding checks, the Reed Stu dent Union will hold up that stu dent’s registration. When an outstanding check is turned over to the district magistrate and the student is arrested and convicted, it becomes a lifetime scar on the student’s permanent criminal record. To some students this may seem extremely harsh, but to the Reed Student Union, it is a necessary step to ensure full payment of outstanding checks. Before such steps are taken though, the stu dent is given every opportunity to pay their bill. The Reed Student Union is not happy about taking such steps, but their hands are tied. They have no choice, therefore they will strictly enforce their policies. clients that we are there,” states Irwin. “It’s fun. They are suffi cient individuals and you get to know them. They look forward to our coming. It’s a place for us to go and feel relaxed,” adds Irwin. “We’re getting something out of it and they’re getting something out of it. An exchange like this is very positive,” he asserts. “If I was going to call anybody friends,” gleams Johns, “I’d call these people friends.” For more information about volunteering at the Gertrude A. Barber Center, contact Dr. Irwin in the Faculty Office Building or talk to any OBK member. “We’re getting something out of it and so are they. An ex change like this i s very positive. 99
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