page 2 - The Behrend College Beacon - November 5,1998 RASO still alive lack of members By Danielle Marshall staff writer RASO, Returning Adult Student Organization, is currently in the pro cess of being revitalized. The Multi- Cultural Council has created this or ganization, known as RASO, to in clude returning adult students in the Erie area. President of MCC Jennifer Fontecchio wants to keep RASO open even though there are no members, no meetings, and apparently no ex ecutive board. At present, the only person-in-charge is Don Adams. "I look at it as an opportunity with a potential to gather all adults return ing to school who have unique prob lems with respect to returning to the Coffee- continued from page 1 of $35,000 leaving students to carry an average need of $2300. Scholar ships are provided for those who meet eligibility standards and we are con stantly attempting to raise money for additional scholarships.” Pennsylvania State University re ceives the least per student dollar in all of the Pennsylvania Common Wealth. "A Penn State student re ceives on average, $3300 while stu dents at Edinboro receive $4,000 and Temple students receive $5500. Penn State is the second most expensive public school in the United States, and money is still hard to come by if you are short” said Lilley. A student asked Dean Lilley to unbiasedly answer the difference be tween University Park and Behrend. In one word Lilley responded, "Ac countability. Students are more re sponsible, they are held accountable in smaller classes. I hope you know that your faculty, even though they may press you, they also wish to see you succeed. You have more people Bill to exempt student employees of Penn State from Social Security tax By Shannon Weber staff writer Getting a job on campus might seem more lucrative after a new l fed eral bill takes effect July 1, 2000. This new federal bill will exempt stu dent workers attending Pennsylvania state colleges and universities from paying Social Security taxes. The savings estimated for the stu dents is $l.B million. Right now the tax is 15% of the gross compensation with both the University and the stu dent each paying half. Legislation was passed by Congress and on Oc tober 21 and was signed by President Clinton. The next movement will be for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which is to amend its agreement with Behrend math and biology departments combine efforts to create Center for Mathematical Biology By Christina Salizzoni staff writer Another academic development at Penn State Behrend is in the works. A partnership between mathemati cians and biologists has worked to create The Center for Mathematical Biology. The two departments have suc cessfully worked together on previ ous research projects. But this fall the School of Science formally an nounced the creation of the center. Got an opinion ? Write a letter to the editor academic arena, who also may have valuable experience that can translate to the younger generation,” said Don Adams, 07, BLASC. Until enough members participate to elect an e-board, RASO will be at a standstill for now. It takes time and effort to successfully run or participate in any organization. Time and effort seem to be the major problems here. It is difficult for adults to attend meet ings because of the nature of times meetings are held and/or family and job requirements. Of course, these re quirements are top priorities over any extracurricular activity. For example, Kevin Weise, 08 po litical science, stated, "I work full time. I have no time to participate in any thing. In addition, I am graduating in pulling for you, more people writing recommendations for you. It is also easier to participate outside of class because of our Division 3 standing. These requirements are more realistic and encourages more involvement in extra-curricular activities.” In a side reference to the Matthew Shepard incident, one student reported being called a derogatory term in re gards to her sexual preference. Lilley quickly described such behavior as “boorish, rude and obnoxious.” Ken Miller, Acting Dean of Student Affairs, said “Such incidents need to be re ported. That’s the kind of thing we need to know about, we need to know about the climate on campus. There are faculty on campus such as Sue Daly and John Champagne who need to be informed of such instances." Hinkson noted that the resignation of former Humanities Director, Rob ert Salper has caused teachers to do more bureaucratic work, in turn affect ing the students because they dpn’t have time to spend with them. Lilley the federal government to exempt stu dent workers attending state colleges and universities. Part-time students will also qualify, dependine on the type of work that they do for Penn State University. Congress had provided an opportu nity to all 50 states in the early 1970 s to exempt certain student workers at state institutions of high education. All of the states, except Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas decided on this form of exemption for students. Now the three states have that opportunity again. This bill will apply to the 14 Pennsylvania state-owned universities in the Pennsylvania System of Higher education, the 15 community colleges, and Penn State. Private colleges, Temple University and University of Pittsburgh, will also benefit from the Initial projects will concentrate on better understanding the medical aspects of mathematical science, spe cializing in cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The department will be study ing biological activity, developing and analyzing mathematical models of in sulin release into the body, muscular contraction in the heart prior to heart attacks, and modeling cancer cells and chemotherapy treatment. Mathematician Joseph E. Paulette will be director of the center, working along with fellow mathema email to behrcoll2@aol.com despite December. I usually just get the newsletters from Commuter Council to keep up with the latest news.” Like Weise, there are a lot of other adults on campus who are just too busy with their own lives. Mike Coursey is one returning adult student who would get involved if RASO reactivates. “I started in 1980, then I went to the marines. Then I came back in Fall of '95. Hopefully I will graduate in May. I would get involved. I’ve been in volved In other groups, like Amnesty International. Last year, there were only three or four members and we did have one event," said Mike Coursey, 08 political science. Like Coursey, there are others who would get. involved if opportunty knocked. replied “When you have a change in leadership, a search process must take place, I don’t think there is a greater faculty work load because Salper has resigned.” After an evening of coffee, cook ies and discussion many students looked back on the evening with mixed feelings. Damion Miller, 05 MIS, stated, “The Coffee with The Provost had an open atmosphere. Most of the questions were answered the way I thought they would be answered. I still feel that more should be said about minority functions because the statement was brought up but it was never addressed fully.” Matt Elais. 04 Meteorology, said " It was the first Coffee with Provost 1 ever attended so it was a relatively new experience to me. I think I will definitely attend more in the future. It would benefit campus if more stu dents attended to get their problems heard.” exemption “It is a quality benefit to the Uni versity because it can attract more able graduate students now that Penn sylvania and, hence, the University is competitive on this salary benefit issue with the other 49 states,” said Dr. John Lilley, Provost and Dean. Karen Brundage, 03 Marketing said, “I don’t know how the new bill will effect me, but when it is enacted, the Penn Stale students will receive a big break. I would have saved close to $75 to $lOO this semester.” Amanda Frank, 01 DUS, said, “1 feel the bill is a good idea, yet in the same note it doesn’t take that much out of our paychecks to worry about anyhow. On the other side, every little bit of money matters to a college stu- ticians Richard Bertram, J. Carl Panetta, and Joseph P. Previte. Work ing alongside will be biologists Paul E. Barney, Pamela S. Bolts, and Micheal Cambell. Also involved is lecturer of computer science Ronald McCarthy. The center will play an impor tant role in curriculum development for biology majors by introducing the methods of mathematical biology and implementing a mathematical bi ology course at the senior level. News 10/28/98 Complainant reported being harassed, but refused to reveal the identity of the person responsible. Informed him there wasn’t too much that could be done until he revealed the other persons identity. Referred him to student affairs. 10/29/98 Complainant reported that a mouse was in the building. Individual wanted P&S sent or to contact someone to take care of it. M&O contacted. 10/30/98 Complainant reported that they received a strange call from campus. Ad vised them to hit star 69. Individuals came up with a number and turned out to be a person looking for a friend. Everything was straightened out and no further action taken 10/30/98 Complainant called East county stating that there was trouble at Niagara Hall and wanted someone to come quick. Upon arrival found a couple asleep and asked them if there was any trouble all night. Round of building was made and some residents were asked if any problems had occurred. No trouble was found. 10/31/98 Careless driver. Issued state citation R>lice .A.nd Safety JM v i/, '"Hr What should be the punishment for possession of child pornography? “Constipation for life.” “Death.” “Castration and pictures of his small penis should be put on the internet.” -Scott Tennant, 01, History “Strung up on a telephone pole by his genetalia while being tomatoed by the community he lives in.” -Chad Knight, 05, Communications “Kicked out of school, and receive coun seling.” -Kim Moses, 05 MET -Vaughn Craig, 05, MIS -Mindy Gabrielson, 07, Psychology fc Bl| ~JLf ■ > *»•<
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers