Thursday,
October 20,
Vol. 18., No. 2
Published by students of Penn State University, Capitol Campus
Pass-Fail option may change
By Sharon DePalma
Students having saved their
pass-fail electives to set sail into
Spring Semester may have just
missed an easier boat.
The University Faculty Senate
at main campus, under a student
recommendation, has voted to
replace the present pass-fail
system with a new program called
“satisfactory-unsatisfactory. ’ ’
Under the new student-initiated
option, the lowest acceptable
grade will increase from a‘D’ to
a‘C.’ Students electing
satisfactory-unsatisfactory will
receive an ‘SA’ on their
transcripts for ‘A,B,’ or ‘C’
grades; and a ‘UN* for ‘D’ and
‘F’ grades.
Pending University President
Bryce Jordan’s signature, the
satisfactory-unsatisfactory option
could take affect as early as
Spring semester.
fffmmrmn
Executive Secretary of the
Faculty Senate, George Bugyi,
said the new option is undergoing
implementation, such as including
it in the course catalog and ad
justing the computer to accom
modate the new grade conver-
“I’ve always been in favor
of pass-fail, but around
here I’ve found a lot of
students use it to lighten
their workload.”
Dr. William Miller
Assoc. Prof, of Physics
sions. Because of these
technicalities, Bugyi said im
plementing satisfactory
unsatisfactory is feasible for the
Spring, but more than likely the
option will become effective in
the Fall.
srry Trently, Jr.
Professor of Physics, Dr. William
Miller, the proposal to change the
pass-fail system is the result of a
three-year study. Within that
time, Miller said the subcommit
tee on undergraduate study found
the present pass-fail system is in-
p, ®9«e see “PASS/FAIL,” pg. 4
official proposes
arming campus police
SGA
By Shirley Marquet
Student Government Associa
tion Vice President, Chris Barrett,
has made a proposal to the stu
dent senate that Capitol Campus
Police be allowed to wear guns.
At present, the five uniformed
police officers on campus do not
wear weapons, but have com-
pleted the Municipal Police
Education and Training Program,
according to Supervisor of Safety
and Police Services at Capitol
Campus, Charles Aleksy. The
program is required of anyone
carrying a weapon due to their
job requirements.
Barrett said he was approached
by “approximately 30 students
following the HACC incident ex
pressing their concern that police
here do not carry weapons.”
“Considering the area and the
crime rate, we see a need to pro
vide a safe environment through
prevention and protection, and
According to Capitol Campus
Faculty Senator and Associate
Dr. William Miller, Associate Professor of Physics, has assumed duties with the Penn State Universi
ty Faculty Senate. Miller has been working on the pass-fail change with the senate
perhaps armed officers will better
implement that,” Barrett said.
Barrett, who is employed by
campus security, is not the first to
make such a proposal.
In 1980, a similar measure was
discussed after armed criminal
suspects were believed to be seen
on campus.
A four-page study of the issue
was prepared by an armament
“They become targets in
a dangerous situation just
as we do . . . Personally,
I wouldn’t take the job if
I couldn’t carry a gun.’’
Richard Malwitz, Jr.
Lower Swatara Township
Chief of Police
committee chaired by Dr. Susan
Richman. The report preceded
two public hearings held in May
of that year.
No action granting the issuance
of firearms was taken after those
hearings.
According to student newspaper
reports,the armament issue was
brought up in 1977 by then
Student Government Vice
President, Ray Martin, who cited
an increase in burglary in the
Meade Heights area as the reason
to necessitate guns.
Aleksy said, “there was a com-
Please see “GUNS,” pg. 3
status
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