Students speak about campus lif They comment about the residence halls, on-campus activites, and experiences By STEVE O’HOLLA Staff Reporter SAOI42OPSU.EDU Students have mixed feelings when it comes to campus life here at Penn State Harrisburg, but overall they are satisfied with the living amenities and academic programs. PSH is one of the few colleges in the area to offer students wishing to live on-campus single bedroom apartments. The Village at Capital College apartment complex offers 76 units for 288 students. All apartments feature a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and two full bathrooms with a washer/dryer unit. The Community Center provides a lounge area, meeting space, residence life offices, and mailboxes. Classrooms, the library, athletic fields, gym, and other campus facilities are nearby. Parking is also conveniently located near the complex. Compared to other colleges and University Park, everything is in walking distance and students can get to class from their apartment in a matter of minutes. The convenience factor is something that many students enjoy about this campus. Kendra Gonzalo, junior elementary education major, said, “You don’t have to walk far to make it to your class. It is fun to live here.” As always, students have some suggestions that would make their living experience here at Penn State just a little bit better. Eric Chong, junior management and finance major, said, “I would like a fan in the living room.” Curtis Munoz, junior elementary education major, said, “I wish the walls were more sound proof. Some people get annoyed.” Erica Cook, junior elementary education major, said, “I wish there was a dishwasher. ,J> - PSH’s spring break trip to London Find out how some Penn State Harrisburg students enjoyed their week abroad By HEATHER COLEMAN Staff Reporter HMCSO2I@PSU.EDU Imagine spending spring break in London and earning school credit at the same time. This year’s spring break, 30 Penn State Harrisburg students were involved in a study tour to London earning credit in one of three academic categories: emerging technologies, finance, and criminal justice. The three-credit study tour Westminster Abby, London. Gonzalo said, “1 would like separate heat controls.” Beth Kirby, freshman marketing major, said, “I wish the kitchens in the apartments were bigger.” For the most part, students enjoy having a kitchen in their apartment. When the apartments were designed, school officials anticipated having only junior and senior students living in them. However, with freshmen and sophomore students now being admitted to PSH, these students are taking advantage of the fine on-campus housing offered to students. Several questions remain. Do these students use the kitchen to cook? Do they only use the microwave? Do they rely mainly on Stacks Market? the students I interviewed all got along with their roommates. Tom Quinn, senior environmental engineering major, said, “For the most part, I get along with my roommates.” Kate Sharrock, junior public policy major, said, “I love my friends.” Some students chose to come to PSH because they simply could not get into University Park. Others came here because of the many things this area offers. Cook said, “It was easier to get into my major here, but there is better field experience and opportunities. I love the smaller At any campus, friends and class sizes and the experience lam roommates are what get us through getting here.” the long hours of homework, Majty beli ( sv«*thati.t,i* breakups with your significant ~ tridfet *p«ople“ if you 'mine (tut ‘tof Cook said, “I use my kitchen three times a day. I love to cook.” While Kirby uses the kitchen two to three times a week, Chong only uses the kitchen for the microw ave. Most students do frequent Stacks Market if they have classes in the Olmsted Building. As for the Community Center, several students feel that it should be more homey and utilized better. Some other suggestions included having activities there every night. When passing the community center from the parking lot, it is often dark and no one is there with the exception of the staff assistant on duty. was sponsored by the Office of International Programs and involved its schools of Public Affairs, Business Administration, and Science, Engineering and Technology. Rick Ciocci, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, taught the technology course, Design for Society; Jacob Deßooy, associate professor of managerial economics and statistics, taught the finance course, International Capital Markets; and Toni DuPont-Morales, associate professor of criminal justice, The Villlage at Capital seem to enjoy living in other, and family issues. Most of taught the criminal justice course, Comparative Justice. The technology course included a London architecture tour, a visit to a manufacturing facility, a lecture and tour with a British standards official, a lecture on environmental issues, and a tour of transportation and infrastructure. Darrell Wertz, who was a student in the technology group, said they visited the St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was probably the most magnificent piece of architecture he had ever seen. Monica Hardy described the experience has surreal. She couldn’t believe she was actually at the St. Paul’s Cathedral where Princess Diana was married. She said, “It was an amazing and overwhelming feeling.” The technology group also saw the play, “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre, which featured the remaining members of the rock group Queen. They also visited the Jaguar Engineering facility where they saw rapid prototyping, testing, and undercover automotive development. The finance course included lectures and tours of the Bank of England, Lloyd’s of London, and the London Stock Exchange, a lecture on United Kingdom financial institutions, and a lecture on investment in Europe. David Mooney, who was a student in the finance group, said his most exciting school related event while he was there was their visit to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). A past Penn State student who now works in London at the RBS gave the group a tour of the bank. “Other than school, we enjoyed several nights out,” Mooney said. “We attended two different musicals: Mary Poppins and The Mouse Trap.” The criminal justice course a private rooms, full kitchens, and living rooms. Though students happiness with their on-campus experiences tends to fall short. College features the dorms, their your apartments and get involved in one of the many clubs and organizations on campus. There really is something for everyone. Also, students are excited about the return of intercollegiate sports and the intramural sports. “1 really enjoy the sports program. I play on the intramural softball and volleyball teams,” said Quinn. “Go Naturals!” The Student Activities, Student Affairs, Residence Life, Entertainment Council, and various clubs provide various student activities for students. When asked, many stated that PSU Idol, Stuff a Plush, Color me Mine, and Laguna Beach ranked among their favorites. However, others have never been to any activities. “I have not participated in any activities yet this year,” said Eric included lectures and tours of the Home Office, Inns of Court, London Museum, and the Tower of London, a lecture on security and terrorism, and a presentation on corporal punishment. Many of the students learnedinterestingthings on their trip to London. Hardy was surprised by the security measures taken by England post- 9/11 “They don’t seem to be fearful of attacks despite their close proximity,” she said. “ Also there aren’t any metal detectors, or any other security measure taken, in the subway system even despite the attack in July.” Even before the subway systems bombing, all trash cans were removed to prevent an easy means of hiding a bomb. In place of removing the trash cans criminals who need community service hours are used to clean the streets, and underground. Hardy said, “Surprisingly it seems to work. London is really clean compared to New York or even Harrisburg.” Rachel Jones learned that the public in England is not required to report a crime, even murder, if they choose not to. “Even if they have access to information that will lead to an arrest,” Jones said. Students stayed at the St. Giles Hotel in Central London. The study tour fee for this course was $1350 for Penn State Students or $1750 for Noncredit Community Participants and did not include Photo by MARUJA ROSARIO/The Capital Times Mike Edwards, SGA President, hopes Rites of Spring will really spark interest amongst college students here at PSH. Events such as Spring Luau, comedians, a club carnival, BBQ’s, a surprise rock band, HALO, X-Box, Laser Tag, and dodge ball tournaments will highlight the week. The week will end with a Spring Formal. Sometimes, however, no matter how good the activities, it is extremely difficult to get off-campus and non-traditional students to participate in on campus activities. Sharrock said, “They simply don’t feel like coming back to campus after a long day of work and classes. They want to go home to their families.” Others agreed. “The people who live on the campus attend the events,” said Munoz. “They are bored.” From right: Gordon the tour guide, Darrell Wertz, Dr. Ciocci, Tom Powers, Matt Oswald and Dan Massey stand with the 2007 Jaguar XK concept car (made out of clay) taken at the Jaguar Coventry Engineering Facility. applicable tuition charges. The total study tour fee was due by Feb. 1. The study tour fee included: one double occupancy hotel room for seven nights, seven English breakfasts, a welcome orientation, a half-day guided tour of London, a farewell reception, a seven day London tube pass, entrance fees for included activities, and required health insurance. The fee did not include: airfare and transportation to and from the hotel, cost of passport (which was required), v isa fees, departure taxes, dinners, lunches, or tips and incidental expenses. Some of the students had to extract loan money stored up to help pay for the trip while others were able to seek financial help from their parents. Yet, a majority THE CAPITAL TIMES March 27, 2006 Schott, EET major Whether you have participated in an activity this year or not, getting the word across is one the biggest challenges SGA and student activities face on a daily basis. Turnout at events is generally poor, even if it is well advertised. Recent events, such as PSU Idol and Laguna Beach have had better turnout. One upcoming event, Rites of Spring, will be heavily advertised by large, colorful posters and hopefully word of mouth. Because this campus is filled with a variety of people from different backgrounds, races, religions, and ages, having diverse and educational events and programs are essential for learning and growing. Many educational programs are offered to students, but the attendance at these events is generally poor. Students have said that they do not want to attend an hour lecture after spending the entire day in class. This campus does have the most technologically advanced wireless networks in the Penn State system and a state-of-the-art library. Tours are given by the Lion Ambassadors, and an orientation team is ready to welcome incoming freshmen to the campus. Students living on campus should utilize their Community Assistant if the need arises. junior Many students have found that if you came to this campus to party, you might have a hard time finding one. Several students even transferred to this campus because they felt they would get a better education because there are less parties and distractions. All in all, students would generally recommend this campus to high school seniors. “If you are coming here for the education, this is a great school,” said Schott. Whether you are a first-semester freshman or graduate student trying to earn your degree, everyone agrees that this campus does offer a variety of events and has great academic programs. With the proximity to Harrisburg and the technology available here, Penn State Harrisburg is a great choice to get a high-quality education. One little hint - if you get involved, make sure you keep up with your work and have some fun. The years here will fly by and soon you will be real world looking for a job. So, sit back, relax, and live. of the students financed the trip through their own means. Daniel Massey said, “It was worth every penny.” All of the students who attended the London spring break study tour would have to agree. “I would definitely do it again,” said David Mooney. “The trip was well worth it.” Rachel Jones said, “Anyone who has the opportunity to go, especially in an educational fashion should take it because it is the one way to get a well rounded experience that includes understanding, sightseeing, and cultural immersion.” Meredith Altman recommends the study tour to everyone, especially to those who like to have fun and learn about history and other cultures all at the same time. Photos courtesy of Darrell L Wertz
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