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|
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