Thursday, April 4, 1996
Prayer stirs
controversy
from PRAYER page 1
Zampetti has conducted several
informal polls to gauge public
opinion on the issue. The results
indicated no clear majority of
opinion.
"The poll turned out...pretty
much even for students who are
for it and students who are
against it. That's pretty
balanced," said Zampetti.
Chris Rizzo, director of student
activities, brought up the
possibility of an SGA open
forum on prayer as a means of
better gauging student opinion.
"It strikes me that there isn't a
real good feel for which way the
wind is blowing on the issue," he
said.
SGA's stance on the issue is as
sharply divided as public opinion.
Zampetti has offered two motions
asking for resolutions in support
of a trial period without prayer at
graduation. The second motion
provided for an additional
optional ceremony with prayer.
Both motions were narrowly
defeated.
Since SGA cannot vote on the
same motion twice, Zampetti
would have to amend the
resolution before it could be
presented to the senate again.
According to Zampetti, it will be
difficult to adjust the terminology
without sacrificing ideology.
"i really don't know how much
more I can compromise without
losing the integrity of the
original motion," Zampetti said.
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Even if SGA does pass a
resolution in favor of • cutting
prayer, its effect .on
administration policy cannot be
predicted.
Timothy Mallon, SGA
president, believes that the
administration would consider the
resolution, but that a large outcry
form the student body would have
to be heard before action is taken.
Zampetti is also doubtful that a
resolution would accomplish its
goal even if passed.
According to Lilley, SGA's
voice would be heard and heavily
weighed by the administration
during the decision-making
process.
"I would have to know what
the arguments were and how they
approached it," Lilley said. "I
would certainly be respectful that
SGA represents one aspect of our
community...l would certainly be
interested in what SGA thought,
but particularly why they thought
it."
According to Zampetti, going
to court would only be a last
resort. he does plan to bring a
new motion to the floor at the
next SGA meeting.
"Our first objective would be
to not have to go to the ACLU
and try to do something within
the school," Zampetti said. "If
need be, there are ways of filing
against the school. I think that
is the most extreme way of going
about it"
Save lives on April 10i i
Blood Drive
Wednesday, April 10
11:00 - 5:00 pm
In the Reed Commons
It's not too late for sophomores
to be nominated to participate
in the University Scholars
Program. Third and fourth
semester students with
excellent academic abilities
interested in undertaking
independent study and research
at the junior/senior level may
be considered. Only as a
Scholar can a student earn a
Penn State honors degree.
7 - Sunday
News
Fiesta
time!
BEHREND-Penn_ State Erie,
The Behrend College, will host
its annual Cultural Fiesta on
Tuesday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. in the glass-enclosed
Wintergarde.n atrium in the Reed
Union Building.
"Celebrating a World of
Change" is the theme of this
year's program, which is designed
to bring together the Penn State-
Behrend and Erie communities in
celebration of different cultures
and lifestyles. This event is free
and open to the public.
The day promises to be a
smorgasbord of ethnic traditions,
customs, dishes, and
entertainment. Several display
tables will be featured,
representing Greek, German,
Latin American, African-
American, and Malaysian
cultures.
Musical entertainment will be
provided by a German street
organist and an international
improvisational band, Sangeta,
featuring flutes, saxophone,
percussion, and vocals. A variety
of ethnic foods will also be
available for sampling.
This event is sponsored by the
Penn State-Behrend Office of
Student Affairs. For more
information, please contact the
Student Affairs office at 898-
6111.
Student Events
4 - Thursday
8 - Monday
Deadline for Student
Events Calendar
Information
The Society for Human
Resource Management
(SHRM)
Last meeting of the semester
for student chapter members
Reed 114
5:00 pm
Storyteller performance
at Behrend
Shanta, an African American storyteller, will perform at
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Tuesday, April 9 at
7 p.m. In the Reed Lecture Hall.
The performance Is free and open to the public.
Storytelling has served many functions for African people.
For centuries, African cultures relied upon the Griot, or
storyteller, to preserve the history of the civilization in a time
when no records were kept. Storytelling also served to unite
a common community through shared experiences and
helped to clarify the values of the culture.
Combining her own creative spirit with African folktales and
contemporary African-American perspectives, Shanta's
stories are about peace, empowerment, healing and self
discovery. She seeks to instill pride, respect, and an
understanding of people of African origin and their many
contributions to society. She also explores the enduring
strength, energy, love an courage of women. Shanta's
performances include stories, visual elements, poetry,
chanting, and music from numerous instruments of African
origin.
Thanks in part to the recent collaboration between
Behrend's Health and Wellness Center and the
Erie County Health Department, AIDS testing will
be provided totally free of charge.
Testing is done by appointment through the
Health and Wellness center, 898-6217.
5 - Friday
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Band/Choir Room
6:30 - 8:00 pm
German Club
12:30 pm
Reed 114
Biology Club
Reed 3
5:30 pm
9 - Tuesday
Eco-Acdon
Reed 114
12:00 - 1:00 pm
6 - Saturday
Easter Egg Hunt
Reed Commons
10:00 -12:00
10 - Wednesday
Blood Drive
MVO - 5:00 pm
Reed Commons
SGA
Reed 112
5:15 pm
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