Page 2 News Briefs Use of student skyrocket Student loan debt has increased three times as fast as college cost; during the past five years, according to a study released by the Education Resource Institute. “The situation is growing completely out of control,” said Ted Freeman, president of ERI. “Students and their families have to readjust their lives to pay off their student loans.” During the past five years, the borrowed amount of money has increased four times as fast as personal incomes. Today’s college student averages $8,474 in students loans compared to only $2,500 fifteen years ago. There is also a growing number of college seniors graduating $lO,OOO to $50,000 in debt In a survey of Americans dealing with higher education costs, the ERI, together with the Institute for Higher Education Policy, found that: -87 percent said collage costs would be “out of reach” in five years. -68 percent would consider student loans necessary, yet a major financial hardship -52 percent said any additional debt would cause "serious financial risk” for their families. Freeman said one way to help shrink student loans is to expand the Pell Grant program, which currently tops off at $2,400 per student, covering roughly 21 percent of the average annual educational costs. “We’re forcing all students to borrow more more money, especially those that have the least of it,” said Freeman. “The govemmenl needs to recognize the importance of these grants.” Is it the end of 0.J.? The murder trial of O.J. Simpson is nearing the end as prosecutors closing arguments came to an end on Tuesday. After an angry Judge Lance Ito allowed cameras back into the courtroom, prosecutor Marcia Clark painted a picture showing Simpson as the killer using bloody pictures and pieces of evidence. Clark also disavowed the prosecution’s police witness, Mark Fuhrman, as a racist and ridiculed the contamination-conspiracy theory of the defense. As the families of Nicole Brown and Robert Goldman wept, prosecutor Christopher Darden completed closing remarks. Darden’s presentation focused on motive, playing Nicole Simpson’s9ll call exposing Simpson as a wife beater. The prosecution completed closing remarks Wednesday and was followed by defense attorney, Johnnie Cochran Jr. Chinese brew at the pub In a deal with Erie’s sister city, Zibo, China, Hoppers Brewpub in downtown Erie will feature a Chinese beer. Beer drinkers in Zibo will get a taste of Mad Anthony’s Red, a favorite brew at Hoppers named after Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne. Erie Brewing Co. owners signed a letter of intent for a licensing agreement with 21ibo economic development officials on Tuesday. This agreement may be the beginning of a long relationship between the owners of Erie Brewing Co. and Zibo entrepreneurs. Company officials hope to open a brewpub or several brewpubs in China. Currently. China only has two brewpubs. SGA Election Results Resident Senator Remits Demetrius Reeves Jody Joy William Maury Doreen Foutz Elaine M. Glotz Brian Schumaker Shannon Hasten Chariette Sargent Total Votes Cast Commuter Write-Ins Freshmen Senator Results Charlotte Later Jessica Schwab Christy Janeile Wilcox Bianca Collins William Malory Savann Samreth Snoopy Total Votes Cast •Won Election ••Won Biwfinn [o term expiring at the end of Fall Semester 1995 loans Votes For Votes For Saturday, September 23 was northwestern Pennsylvania’s Third Annual “Day of Caring.” “Day of Caring” is a project organized by the United Way of Erie County. Volunteers get to work together, meeting the needs of their community. This was the first year that Behrend participated in the “Day of Caring.” Chris Rizzo, Director of Student Activities, worked at the “Day of Caring” and said that approximately 70 Behrend students participated. Rizzo saw it as an extremely fulfilling day. “It was a day of accomplishment, and I look forward to working with Behrend students on future volunteer projects.” Behrend provided transportation for participating students. Half Ticket to ride... Nobel prize winner to speak BEHREND-Nobel Prize winner Dr. Leon Lederman, will speak on educational reform in his presentation, “Ticket to the 21st Century.” The noted scientist and educator will speak Thursday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. in die Reed Lecture Hall. Dr. Lederman is co-author of the 1993 best-seller "The God Particle." He is known for his ability to help audiences make sense of the complex world of science. Dr. Lederman appears as part of the award-winning Penn State- Behrend Speaker Series, partially funded by the John Nesbit Rees and Sarah Henne Rees Foundation and sponsored by the Office of the Student Affairs. BEHREND-Some members of the class of 1996 at Penn State-Behrend are leading efforts to establish a new college tradition of a senior class gift Graduating seniors would be given the opportunity to show their support for their alma mater through the donation of an item or service to improve the college. At University Park, following a 135-year tradition, senior classes have donated the famous Nittany Lion Shrine, added an Extended Hours Room in Pattee Library, put the clock in Old Main Tower and funded the creation of the Foundry Park. Behrend’s class of 1996 would become the first class to give a lasting contribution to the Behrend community. The senior class gift committee is composed of seniors graduating in May or December of 1996. The committee has accepted ideas for a senior class gift from the entire campus community. Ideas under consideration include a clock in the central part of campus, a centrally located flagpole, and books or hardware/software for die library. Ideas can be submitted in writing at the Glenhill Farmhouse switchboard by 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 2. The senior class gift is made possible through funds donated % of Total Vote 22.44* 21.02* 19.89* 19.03** 16.76 0.28 0.28 0.28 % of Total Vote 28.57* 24.11* 21.43 20.54 2.68 1.79 0.89 News Behrend cares... Day by Ericha Hagenbuch Collegian Staff Efforts to start class of Caring '95 of them worked on a project in west Erie and half worked in east Erie. “Those buildings were real eyesores when we arrived,” said Allison Ernandez, Program Coordinator for Student Activities. She worked along with one group of students in scraping, priming and painting two maintenance buildings at the Villa Maria Center on West Lake Road. “When we got done, I turned around to look at them and thought, ‘Wow, we really made a difference!”’ Kelly Shrout, Coordinator of Protestant Campus Ministries, was one of the staff members that worked on a painting project at the Trinity Center on West 17 Street. “The group of students painted all/2 story house used for after school programs for elementary gifts from members of the 1996 senior class. Based on the class size, the committee has estimated a goal of $2,500 to $3,000. Members from the class of 1996 will be asked to contribute funds in die near future. In mid-October, seniors will be given the opportunity to vote for their choice of a gift from a list of the top three generated from all suggestions submitted. Behrend’s class of '96 would become the first to give a lasting contribution... The committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, at 5:00 p.m., in the Memorial Room in the Glenhill Farmhouse. Interested seniors are welcome to attend. For more information about the senior class gift, contact Brian Rasamussen at 866-0306 or Bonnie Fagan at x6IS9. Thursday, September 28,1995 and high school children,” Shrout said. Volunteers at the Trinity Center provide tutoring and sport activities for children who live in dysfunctional households. Five staff members and 70 students from Behrend volunteered Saturday to help needy organizations. “They were so willing to help,” said Ernandez. “A lot to students asked me if they could do it again this weekend.” Student participation in the “Day of Caring” is one project planned in conjunction with Service Learning Programs for this school year. Next semester, students can participate in an Alternative Spring Break and will have opportunities to listen to several speakers advocating volunteerism. The search continues by Adam Levenstein Teryl Shields left Penn State- Behrend on September 22 to take a position at the Altoona campus as a counselor/advisor to adult students. The Assistant Director of Student Activities, Shields left a hole in the department that needs to be filled. During the first week of October, Behrend will advertise in the Chronicle of Higher Education asking for a candidate with a Masters degree in Student Planning and two years' experience in Student Union management This advertisement will be placed locally and nationally so Behrend will be able to get the best possible candidate. A special Search Committee will be convened at Behrend to make recommendations as to who will fill Shields' spot in the Student Activities Office. The committee will be reviewing applications and holding on campus interviews of the applicants. Final discretion, however, is left to Chris Rizzo, Director of Student Activities. The position will be filled when a suitable applicant is found, but no one can be sure when that will be. "I hope we can get this thing wrapped up by January," says Rizzo. Join The Collegian Collegian Stiff