Page 4 Placement Center Important Job Service by R. W. Bonaker Mr. Richard R. Schulz, Director of the Placement Office, believes the "basic responsibility" of his office to "bring those students who have a specific career in mind together with a job opportunity in a specific field." In a recent interview, Schulz explained the various programs and information available in the Placement office. "It is unfortunate that many students lack degrees in the particular field they want to enter or some don't know what they actually want to do. It is our duty to help those students; to search for career opportunities they may qualify with their current academic background," he states. He explains his office "does not find jobs for students, it can only set up interviews." However, he adds that the service is a continuing entity and works to schedule job inquiries for students who have graduated. The Placement Officer has little control what which companies recruit on campus and the types of jobs offered and degrees sought. "Economic conditions dictate that," he asserts. The Placement Office, besides setting up employemnt interviews, has information available on any type of career opportunity, Federal and state civil service examinations, and part-time employment in this area. Schulz issues a bi-monthly Placement N Office Newsletter which can be found on the Roundtable and in the bulletin boards adjacent to the Office of Student Affairs, W-101. The Alumni Association is also centered in the Placement Office. Schulz points out at present the "job situation is discouraging. But production is improving, which reflects that the remainder of the business world is picking up." He adds that jobs are becoming more readily available, "for example, there is an anticipated need for people in the area of social welfare." Capitol Campus offers degrees such as bachelor of business, bachelor of social science, and bachelor of technology; different from the standard B.A. and B.S. But Schulz sees "no problem" with the different degree nomenclature. "Bear in mind, the achievement of a diploma does not guarantee a job. It is the responsibility of the individual to gain a job; we can only help him to sell his own potential. I can think of no single incident where anyone questioned the value of our B.S.S. or 8.8. or B.H. However, we did have a problem with our bachelor of technology students. The B.T. represents achievement in applied engineering more than Mr. Richard R. Schulz the theoretical aspect of engineering. For example, Bell Telephone would not hire our engineers but Western Electric, Bell's applied engineering area, would. Any other problems can be solved by taking standardized tests." "The job market is in the best shape it has been since 1969, particularly for engineering students. The B.T. degree has proved successful, as have all those in the various degree programs. I would hate to see any changes made, if they would be in the offing. Over 500 different undergraduate degrees are offered in the United States, and more and more colleges are adopting the type of degrees offered here. The respectability of the B.S.S. is shown by how well out students are doing in graduate school." As was previously mentioned, the Placement Office compiles a brochure of available part-time off campus jobs. "Last September we had a job listing of nearly 500 jobs. We try to seek out jobs relevant to the courses students are taking, but it is difficult." Schulz adds that he usually can contact area organizations for the availability of summer jobs. The hard working Mr. Schulz wishes he "could do more to prepare students to realize there are job shortages, but then again, jobs are available." The publication of the Placement Center Newsletter is, as far as he knows, the only such publication of its kind in the Middle Atlantic region of the nation. He urges students to register with the placement servicer as soon as possible as companies are already conducting job interviews on campus. * * * THE CAPITO LIST Rights of Recent acts of the Pennsylvania State Legislature have made significant changes with regard to the legal age of majority. Along with Pennsylvania, 14 other states have modified the definition of a "minor" and the legal rights of those in the 18-21 age bracket. Attorney Yates Mast, Students' Legal Counsel, has summarized the effects of recent Acts of the State Legislature that Governor Shapp signed into law June 17. (Since then, four other bills have been enacted which are not covered in Mr. Mast's summary. They relate to betting on harness races, age requirements for state scholarships, age for certain permits obtained for the Game Commission, and the age of the person who must accompany minors between 12 and 14 while hunting.) One action not taken this year was to change the definition of a "minor" as given in the 1937 Statutory Construction Act,' where the word "Minor" is defined as "an individual under the age of 21." Whether the Legislature will at some future time alter this definition, or whether the courts will choose to declare that 18 is the age of majority for most or for all purposes is conjectural at this time. The fact is, the Legislature has so far dealt with specific problems in the 32 acts related to the subject. SUMMARY OF CHANGES The 32 acts change four CAPITOL NEWS IN PICTURES Students who helped stage Christmas party. A grim reminder of the Sugar Bowl. 18-21 year old modified general areas of law and government with respect to the age of majority: (1) certain public employment and some nonpublic occupations; (2) payment of local taxes; (3) criminal law; and (4) civil law. Nineteen of the 32 acts lower the minimum age requirement from 21 to 18 for a variety of jobs ranging from those of certain police and firemen ,jurors in certain counties, notary public, members of school boards, etc. The occupations covered will open up many job opportunities for 18-21 year old people, but these are by no means the only areas available to them, since many occupations have not had an age requirement under Pennsylvania statutes and therefore the Legislature did not have to deal with them. An area of decided interest to Penn State students is that of local taxation. Six of the new acts amend the laws in this area so that those 18 and over will probably be added to the local tax assessment rolls and thereby taxed. (Many local borough or city, township and county taxing authorities have tax laws similar to those in the area around University Park. State College is used here only as an example.) In the State College Area, the taxing ordinances of most of the local governmental units attempt to tax all persons living within the taxing district, whether or not a registered voter. These taxes include: January 11, 1973 a. County per capita tax, $5. b. Borough per capita tax, $5. c. School District per capita tax, $lO. d. School District Occupation tax (amount related to the occupation; students are assessed at $2). (all of these taxes are payable with 2 per cent discount until Sept. 1, at face value until Nov. 1, and if not paid by Nov. 1, there is a five per cent penalty plus interest.) e. Borough Occupation Privilege Tax (for those earning $l,OOO per year or more), $lO. f. Earned income, taxable at rate of one per cent. Taxes on ownership of real estate are imposed annually as are those on ownership of certain personal property, such as stocks and bonds, by local government units. Application may be made to the local taxing entity for exoneration from these local taxes on the basis of non-residence, advanced age, poverty, etc. CRIMINAL LAW Five parts of the Pennsylvania Criminal Law Have been amended by Act 122 of the Legislature, all related to the "victim" role. Of most interest are those related to the criminal non-support of minor children, crimes with minor as accomplices, principal, or accessory, and the seduction of (Continued on page 5)
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