Debate:
the Internet
and the Ist
amendment
by Nathan Mitchell
layout editor
The world wide web used to be
a 'no-holds-barred' media to
communicate freely with anyone
in the world. As more and more
people surf the ever expanding
Internet, certain moral
ambiguities raise censorship
issues.
Wednesday at noon, John
Frohnmayer, a lawyer who served
as fifth chairman for the National
Endowment for the Arts, and
David Touretzky, a research
scientist at Carnegie Mellon
University, came to Behrend to
face these issues in a heated
debate.
In the opening statements, the
highly controversial
Communications Decency Act,
was the first issue discussed. The
Supreme Court ruled the CDA
unconstitutional in the case 'Reno
vs. ACLU' because it would have
banned too broad a range of
`indecent'• material from public
spaces on the internet even though
the term 'indecent' is still
theoretical and unclear in law. It
is believed that the CDA would be
more likely to interfere with
"The CDA... persuades
me that we must
continue to search for
intelligent life on Earth"
-John Frohnmayer,
former Chairman of
NEA
freedom of expression thkri
encourage it. "The CDA...
persuades me that we must
continue to search for intelligent
life on Earth," said Frohnmayer.
The CDA was basically directed
toward protecting minors or
anyone else from receiving illicit
material, but the first amendment
is designed to protect the speaker.
Frohnmayer argued that
government should not get
involved with information passed
over the Internet. Frohnmayer
believes that "The CDA shows
contempt for the human mind
and a disregard for the parents
who try and teach their children."
Touretzky stressed that the
Internet is such a large and easily
accessible • means of
communication, it should be
treated as any other. Minors are
protected, from.-accessing adult
material on video, the telephone,
in books, and other media.
"People have legitimate desires to
see certain kinds of speech
limited," said Touretzky.
"Competing desires must be
satisfied."
Fro!mayo. argued that seeing
offensive material ' isn't it
legitimate reason to censor it. "In
a tree society wedepend upon the
marketplace of• ideas," said
Frohnmayer. "The first
amendment is the gears that
Makes the democratic process
move." He continued to
emphasize the need for an
Internet unburdened by
legisiation,m4 that technology is
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As of now,.however, the web is
a public place of access for all
Behrend to celebrate its
fiftieth
by Andrea Zaffino
editor in chief
The 1998-99 academic school year
is an especially notable one for Penn
State-Behrend. It will mark Penn
State-Behrend's 50th anniversary as
a Penn State campus and its 25th an
niversary as an official college that
offers four year degrees.
Anne-Marie Welsh, the director of
public relations for the campus, told
of plans to commemorate this bench
mark: "It will probably be celebrated
with a series of events that will take
place all throughout next year."
John Lilley, Penn State Behrend's
provost and dean, is convening an
anniversary committee to plan with
this year-long celebration. The com
mittee will be meeting periodically
throughout the remainder of the fall
'97 and spring '9B semesters.
Thomas B. Hagen, a former student
at Behrend, has accepted the respon
sibility as the committee's chair.
Hagen attended Penn State Behrend
from 1953-55. Because Behrend was
Behrend students celebrate
chemistry week
by Ayodele Jones
staff writer
Last weekend at Mil!creek mall,
members of the Behrend Chemis
try Club were at Millcreek Mall
demonstrating the chemical prop
erties of wet diapers.
The American Chemical Society
is sponsoring National Chemistry
Week which runs through Novem
ber 2 through November 8. Na
tional Chemistry promotes
awamess to the general public about
chemistry as a science.
On November 1, The Behrend
Chemistry Club along with students
Sunlight reflects through a tree by the path that runs between Glenhill Farmhouse and
campus residences on a recent Autumn morning
anniversary in 1998
not yet able to confer four-year de
grees at that time, he went to Ohio
State University to obtain his degree
as a bachelor of science in commerce.
Hagen is currently the chairman of the
Custom Engineering Company, lo
cated in Erie, which specializes in
metal fabrications and consulting.
In 1988, the Behrend college hon
ored Hagen as an Alumni Fellow.
Along with being the anniversary
committee chair, Hagen also has a seat
on the Penn State-Behrend council of
fellows and served from 1995-97 as
the secretary of community and eco
nomic development for the common
wealth of Pennsylvania on Governor
Tom Ridge's cabinet.
As of yet, the planning committee
has not gotten together to formulate
any ideas, however planning is not
limited to this group. Welsh said, "If
any students feel inspired with any
ideas for the celebration, they can feel
free to email me at
axw6@email.psu.edu."
from Edinboro and Mercyhurst
were at the Millcreek Mall demon
strating basic "kitchen chemistry."
Kitchen chemistry is the essentials
of chemistry which are most likely
basic knowledge to the public. Ex
amples include the reaction be
tween baking soda and vinegar and
the polymers in children's diapers
which absorb wetness.
For the last ten years as part of Na
tional Chemistry Week, chemistry
majors paint the windows of the
Science building, each window de
picting a subject students are re
searching. Neil Vogley, 05 chemis-
Behrend in the old days: Er
Photo courtesy of Dr. Alan Jircitan
try, is the vice president of the
Behrend Chemistry Club, he says
the club encourages chemistry ma
jors to join and attend the club's
meetings, which are every other
Tuesday in Hammermill 41. The
Behrend Chemistry Club is a way
for chemistry majors to get to know
each other.
They are planning a trip to the
Coming Glass Center in New York
on November 15. If you wish to
contact the Chemistry Club you can
visit www.clubs.psu.edu/
BehrendChemClub.
Thursday, November 6, 1997 The Behrend College Collegian - Page .3
e hall undergoing construction
Police And ►Jafety
10/27/97 Complainant reported harassment and possible
stalking by another student while on campus.
10/29/97 While coming around the corner of Erie Hall,
officer heard a female yelling
10/29/97 Complainant requested help in picking up a
student on warrant.
10/28/97 Complainant reported that a vehicle that had a
parking revocation notice ww:p44;i-i1tki1;47„:.:1,-i,l-,,t,t,
10/28/97 Called to report a fire alarm in Niagara Hall.
Everything was fine, but there was a very strong odor of
rubbing alcohol that had been used. They did not open any
windows on the floor.
10/28197 Possible missing person went to Buffalo and did
not return.
1030/97 Vehicle hit while parked in Dobbins lot
10/30/97 Delivered memo regarding a hose along a
walkway creating problems for a handicapped student
10/30/97 Unknown persons "keyed" complainant's
vehicle.
10/30/97 Called to report a bird loose in Nick 156
Thursday, November 13, 1997
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Reed Union Building Commons
Auctioneer - Clark Johnson
ITEMS TO BE AUCIIONIM
TIVO. ooe-year esemberships so the YMCA. az right say
a the Botany Bed & Breaths. inn taming micas from
Today's Tan. two dams so ary Moo at the Erie
Playhouse and dr Roadhouse Thew. am oath
munberguy to Penobriar. Ihmey pawls by EJ Morris
Studio and Captured Masan Pleomwilly. parting by
Joan Balm at Naming by Mark" 's Ultima Car
Clemuni Snorkel and mask by Dims' Blond. bninch for
two at Peal; Peak. last Nif & Thames from
Attorney Robert Mcßride. Bract =wawa by
Warthn and Fosters Rose ig Shim. 2 tickers to the
Erie hulhanoonc. 4 tickers at the Erie Onus hockey
pmt. Par. State bean bait ctM. by lizzmar's Furniture.
and many more items and ommtgas doomed by foal
businesses and indwitals
Buy your Christmas presents and support
PROTESTANT CAMPUS MINISTRY
AT PENN STATE-BEIIREND
le mm Cams Meat! Smileme iis mina pews Fame IP? a kora of "glow aballars aee
perm eek Wed Its mvue Mom
AUCTION
Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Bidding begins at 6:00 p.m.
Open to the Public
AVLW9L