©INSIDE THIS ISSUE Welcome to Harrisburg Page 5 Clubfest welcomes in new semester. Page 6 ‘Bad news bears’ no longer. Page 9 Champs trades for new look Page 10 Cap!ial 3m ' By RABYIA AHMED Staff Reporter RZAIO9@PSU.EDU Trains and transportation. How interesting? At least that’s what Peter F. Swan, assistant professor of Logistics and Operations Management said. Even as a child, he knew that he wanted to work with trains. Swan describes himself with the words “humm anda moosh,” (over and over) as they are the sounds that a train makes speeding down jointed railroad tracks. When he was three years old, he went for a hearing test. The tester told him that he would get to play airplane pilot and placed the headphones on him. He refused to cooperate. On the way home, his mother asked him why he wouldn’t cooperate and he replied, “I do not want to be an airplane pilot. I want to be a train engineer.” Opposingly, however, in college he went for a bachelor’s degree in general studies at the University of Michigan because of other interests. With his degree, he soon learned that good job options were limited and knew that he would have to go back to school. He got a job at the General Motors Corporation, which was pretty interesting, Swan said, and he decided to attend the University of Tennessee for a master’s degree in transportation a year later. There he worked at CSX Transportation where he enjoyed working with trains. In fact, one of his hobbies, still, is to listen to and watch trains go by. After working in the rail industry for about ten years, he worked for a small consulting company called Transportation Operations, Inc. and decided that a career path change would be good for him. “Transportation got me interested in the business field, and I’ve always thought that teaching would be kind of fun,” said Swan, sitting in his disorganized office. So, he decided to go back home to Michigan for his doctorate degree at the University of Michigan Business School. “I have to say that going back home wasn’t as much fun as it was when I actually lived there,” Swan said. “Some things changed and there were some things that I enjoyed then but no longer had much interest in anymore.” As teaching still sounded like a good idea, he went to teach supply chain management at Penn State University Park for seven years and then decided to come to the Penn State Harrisburg, where he’s been for a year. Teaching students at Penn State Harrisburg is both refreshing and challenging for him. It’s interesting to him because Please see SWAN on page 4 INDEX: The real deal behin By MARUJA ROSARIO Editor in Chief MXR3OO@PSU.EDU and DIANE KENNEY Staff Reporter DMK29S@PSU.EDU No matter what college bookstore one stands outside of in the country, the cries of prices being too high and getting ripped off constantly surround the air around the building. The Penn State Harrisburg bookstore is no exception. However, this bookstore has a lot more going on behind its stacks than meets the eye, and recently fell under strong allegations that it is keeping secrets in its pages. The bookstore stands accused of withholding information from the students. Many students have stated that the PSH bookstore has been unwilling to give out information about books, especially ISBN numbers, has a website that deliberately denies complete information, and even covers up ISBN numbers with stickers featuring Penn State’s internal ISBNs. We began with the easiest complaint first: stickers. Walking up and down the aisles of the store, there was no evidence suggesting that stickers One on one: into the Chancellor Hanes's world By MATTHEW MAHONEY Assistant Editor MLMSO39@PSU.EDU Student instinct says one should not be voluntarily sitting in the chancellor’s office. The concept of walking through the twin doors into the office where all of Penn State Harrisburg’s final decisions are made is daunting. The atmosphere is warm and the office well lit. Sitting in the comfortable chairs of the waiting area with the friendly staff will send instincts of apprehension into a full war with the observation of hospitality. From the barely open door going directly to Chancellor Madlyn Hanes office, muffled voices can be heard. In what seems to be a non stop flow of verbal activity, one can only imagine what decisions are being made. After moments of nervous foot tapping passed by, the door swung wide open to reveal Hanes, papers in hand, smiling at the chance to be interviewed. Being welcomed through the door into Hanes’ personal office was the student equivalent of a priest walking into the inner sanctum of the Vatican. A massive wood table in Hanes’ office is strewn with folders and documents, testimony to the unimaginable amount of work that goes through her office on a daily basis. With a smile never leaving her face, Hanes began to unravel the mystery that is the Office of the Chancellor. Before students at PSH knew of her as the chancellor, Hanes was a student herself. Much like students of today are required to do, Hanes was leading a group discussion for her economics in government class. The discussion became so lively that her professor gave her the entire class period. Ever since then she has found her calling. Police Report Opinion. are covering up ISBNs. On the few instances where a sticker was found on the back of the book, the ISBN had been reprinted, granted, on a much smaller scale. We then went to the website to take notice of the lack of information. Although it is true that the website does not show all the information about a book, the website was standard across the Penn State system. Fred Hockenberry, manager of the PSH bookstore, said, “All the campuses operate under the umbrella policy; each campus follows the same policy and has the same prices ” So it became time to tackle the real meat and potatoes of the issue. By Barnes and Noble’s new policy, “we will now be providing our phone customers with book information, including ISBN when asked.” However, the policy a look Years later, she now leads the faculty, staff and students as the head of PSH. Hanes conveyed the seriousness of her task when she said, “The chancellor is also the chief steward of the Penn State brand, a quality education.” The chancellor’s daily activities are more than taking police escorts The Chancellor's suite, located on Olmsted, first floor, center wing, is open to anyone who wants to visit her. to the airport. Meetings and follow up communications are the primary time consumption for Hanes. From large meetings to small meetings, it is all about working together towards goals that advance the PSH experience for everyone. Goals like student retention rate, physical expansion and outdoor improvement are examples of what the chancellor’s office is undertaking. While most students may not physically see these things goes on to state that book information, including ISBNs, do not have to be given during Peak periods, which Stacks of used books in various subjects stand in the back aisles of the Penn State Har risburg bookstore. The bookstore would feature more used books, however, their buyback rate consistently ranks towards the bottom of all Commonwealth campuses, being beat by smaller campuses like New Kensington. happening, the measure of how well the chancellor’s office is doing on these goals is evident in the quality of education and college experience found both in and out of the class room. Beyond educational aspects Hanes is always receptive to all students. “I am surprised at how many students I know office purchase as many cases of cold water possible and provided them for free to all students. A common event that allows students a first hand chance to meet with students is the “Meet ; the Chancellor” night. Food and beverages are offered for free to anyone attending. These public events give students the chance to directly ask Hanes any questions they have. It also gives students the Please see HANES on page 4 News 4.5 Club News 6 - 7 Hockenberry describes as generally the week before, the week of and the week after the semester begins. This WE ARE PENN STATE HARRISBURG! We like to remind ourselves that every time we drive though Middletown towards campus. But have you ever walked through Union Street or know where the Ellks theatre is located? How educated are we about the town in which our university resides? Did you know what GMEDC stands for? Currently, changes to revitalize the community of Middletown and improve town gown relations are in development. Founded in 1755, Middletown is Dauphin County’s oldest community. During the American Revolutionary War, it was also recognized as a supply depot. Former residents have been part of the Whiskey Rebellion, the Mexican American, the Civil, and the Spanish American Wars. Middletown consists of many historic buildings with unique architecture and design. The community’s rich history makes it an ideal location for becoming a tourist attraction. Its central location, between towns such as Harrisburg, Hershey and Lancaster, is encouraging for potential economic growth and development. With the help of the Greater Middletown Economic Development Corporation(GMEDC), Middletown will become a more economically progressivecommunity.TheGMEDC is a non-profit organization that consists of 15 board members, which include one representative each from the four municipalities surrounding Middletown, including campus representative Don Holtzman. Their focus is on improving the economic well being of Middletown businesses and residents. and remember,” said Hanes about commencement ceremonies held every semester. Hanes prides herself on her easy accessibility to the student body. Although the doors on her office are physically closed they always remain open for students to walk through and meet her. “I will always meet with clubs that ask,” said Hanes One spring semester, when a heat wave was affecting the central PA area, Hanes had her The GMEDC was able to successfully bring the Main Street Program to Middletown. This program is a nationwide body administered by each state which provides grants to improve downtown through building Campus Calendar.... 7 Sports 8 - 9 New economic growth for the greater Middletown area By LORENA ROEDAN Staff Reporter LMR@PSU.EDU book fall’s peak period lasted from August 21 until September 14. A copy of the policy in hand and during the last week of peak period, we decided to test the “umbrella policy.” The results were astounding. Fayette, Abington, Delaware County, and York had no problem giving up ISBNs. Harrisburg and Hazleton denied ISBNs because it was their peak period, while Berks, University Park, and Erie stated that they never release ISBNs. Ever. Apparently, there are some holes in the umbrella. Hockenberry is uncomfortable to release ISBNs because he strongly feels he is “doing a disservice to the students.” He pointed out instances where students have purchased textbooks online, only to have the class dropped or a new teacher comes in and brings a new reading list. “I can’t help you when that happens. I can’t take back those books and give you your money back,” he said. However, “I will give the information when pressed,” he added. Hockenberry understands that students are seeking alternate methods in order to avoid using Please see BOOK on page 4 and renovation. The GMEDC applied for funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community. They also help attract businesses through marketing and promotion. In 2003, Middletown became eligible for economic improvement and renovation. It is designed as a five year program that can be maintained without state funding after that period. The restoration of the Ellks Theatre was recently made possible by the GMEDC. Located on Union and Emaus Streets, this historical building has been operating as a 469 seat movie theater since 1911. The Ellks Theatre is one of the oldest movie theaters in the United States. The GMEDC purchased the Ellks building and theatre in Aug. 2005 through an Anchor Building grant program. The Ellks Theatre is available for special events for the Middletown Area School District and Penn State Harrisburg. The GMEDC is committed to preserving and enhancing this historic landmark for the community. Although the program is funded by the state, the GMEDC is required to raise money and match their funds through activities and events. The upstairs part of the building was formally known as the Ellks Lodge. Kerry Golden is a two time Penn State gradate and a part of the Main Street Program. She said, “An architectural firm is currently evaluating the needs of the building which will help us determine the best use of the upstairs.” Within the next few months, fundraising campaigns to help restore the Ellks building will begin. An active response from the community and Penn State Harrisburg is needed in order to assist in the continuous economic developments of Middletown. Stefan Klosowski is an administrator Please see GROWTH on page 4 Entertainment... 10 - 11 11 Games
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers