The Behrend Beaco NAACP Chairman expresses views on race By Ayodele Jones and Will Jordan Managing Editor and News Editor Julian Bond has been the current chairperson of the National Associa tion for the Advancement of Colored People since February of this year. He came to Be- hrend last night to discuss the current state of racial affairs in America. The audience was full of people from the com- munity and Be hrend students and faculty. Bond discussed his days as a civil rights ac tivist and he emphasized the impor tance of the young people in the movement and the importance of non violent protest Bond declared that race is still a matter which needs to be seriously addressed by the people of this nation. What's Inside Police and Safety: Mountain Bike Robbery SPC Movie: Studio 54 Calendar of Events Editorial: College Sex Campus News: Pie Protests World and Nation: Six Weeks in Arctic Hut Page 7 Auditions for Spring Play The Visit Review: Enemy of the State Men’s and Women’s basketball He urges all people to become in volved in the increasing equality of all people, no matter what their race, gen der or sexual preference. Bond informed the audience, that people of color still experience in equality in regards to low birth I thought that Julian Bond was a very en lightening and inspira tional man. He made me wish I could have experienced the move ment in the sixties. Shimiro Williams, 05. Business Economics America would be one step closer to achieving equality for all. In a final note, Bond urged the au dience to become involved and aware of the racial situation in society today. See Bond page 2 Trilogy Entertainment throws Pajama Party By Danielle Marshall staff writer Behrend’s first annual Pajama Party was held on Saturday, November 21 st, 1998 in the Reed Commons. This event was sponsored by MCC and Trilogy Entertainment, a group made up of three Behrend students, Harrison Dixon, Gyasi Stewart, and Damion Miller. From 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m„ DJ Rizzo spun tunes from the latest Master P hit to favorites by the Bad Boy him self, The Notorious 8.1. G. This idea of a pajama party came from the Students give thanks at Dinner Strangers By Sarah Edwards staff writer On November 19th 200 strangers composed of Behrend faculty and staff broke bread and talked about life. This occasion marked the 11 th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Six Strang ers. After a delicious meal with all the fixings Behrend students and fac ulty leisurely chatted over pumpkin pie and coffee. Jay Baughman, 01 DUS, said "The meal was excellent, I can’t think of a better way to spend and evening here at good ol’ Be hrend.” The speaker for the evening was Jake Rouch, who runs a non profit organization in Erie. His orga nization has created a partnership be tween area business CEOs and the community. His message to the large dinner party was to volunteer for the community because the affect of one’s Erie, PA 16563 weights, me dian family incomes and educational levels. Once the American public can recognize the everyday ob stacles that people of color face, for Six December 3, 1998 Volume XLVII No. 14 Julian Bond, Chairman of the NAACP McKeesport campus, where pajama parties occur just as often as regular parties. The people that came out were mostly from different campuses in the area. For example, Edinboro, Gannon, Penn Stale University Park, and Mercyhurst universities were represented there. Behrend students, on and off-cam pus, made their appearances also. “It was fun. I’m glad that they got the party approved in the first place be cause we don’t have many, espe cially parties for people of multi-cul tures. It joined schools together and promoted a comfortable environ- person’s contribution can be amaz ing. He said it is especially impor tant to reach out to the community during the holiday season. His com ments made 200 strangers realize how privileged they were too be sit ting at Penn State Behrend sharing a thanksgiving meal together. At the same time his words inspired people at the dinner to give to the less for tunate in their community weather it be in the form of time or money. John Piasecki.Ol Biology, said “The speaker was very interest ing. The subject on which he talked made me think of how lucky I am to be in the position I am in today and also for the opportunities I have had. The dinner became a chance not only to meet new people from Behrend but a challenge to touch other strang ers lives in the community.” DEC U 'I 1998 merit. We weren’t worried about any body shooting,” said Erica Cobb, 01 DUS. In order for the students to further enjoy themselves, Trilogy Entertain ment held a “Most Sexiest Dressed Male and Female” contest, where both categories were won by Behrend students. They also had a video game set up on big screen “to break the ice.” “It gave students the opportunity to mingle with other people if they felt uncomfortable dancing with them,” stated Damion Miller, 05, MIS. It was made by Erie’s sound technician Tom Lee. Miller also stated, “The pajama party was good, but the turnout wasn’t what we expected it to be. The Spring Fling, which is our next event, will hopefully attract a better turnout. This was our first experience throwing to gether a party. Now we have some ex perience under our belts.” Last weekend members of the Ku Klux Klan rallied on the Erie County Court house. Gathering brought mixed reception and controversy from the public. See editorial on page 4. pennStat Photo courtesy of Public Relations Health and Wellness center offers vaccination By Kristie Vitron staff writer The Penn State Behrend Health and Wellness Center is taking measures to prevent a meningitis outbreak. Meningococcal meningitis infects about 2,600 and kills more than 300 Americans each year. There were two cases, one resulting in death, during the 1997-1998 school year at the Penn Slate University Park campus. Men ingitis is a very serious and conta gious bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes sur rounding the brain and spinal cord, which can result in death. The disease is transmitted through air, and outbreaks usually occur in late winter or early spring. People can contract the virus through sneez ing or coughing and direct contact with people already infected with meningitis. Because meningococcal meningitis outbreaks occur in isolated or confined environments, it is espe cially dangerous to college students. Living in highly populated close quarters such as on-campus housing, apartment buildings, or fraternity/so rority houses, increases contact with one another which increases chances SGA passes resolution to lower copy costs By Rose Forrest Layout Editor At last night’s SGA meeting, former president Mike Zampetti brought his concern over the price and availabil ity of the Venda Cards for the photo copy machines to the student forum. SGA decided to write a resolution to the library outlining student concerns. Currently the Venda Cards are sold only at the RUB desk and MISC. There is a fifty cent charge to purchase Meningitis of contracting the disease. Other studies have also suggested that the lifestyles of many college stu dents lead to the increased risk of con traction of meningococcal disease. Some of these unhealthy habits in clude poor nutrition, cigarette smok ing, excessive drinking, and bar pa tronage. To combat the spread of this dis ease among college campuses, the American College Health Association has issued a recommendation that stu dents consider getting vaccinated. The vaccination provides protection against the four most common strains of the disease. This includes sero type C, the strain most frequently in volved in college outbreaks during recent years. A vaccine will be available to Penn Slate students throughout the month of December, but it is up to students to take advantage of the opportunity. Interested students should call 898- 6217 to schedule an appointment. The shot, which is effective for three to five years and has few side effects, costs $58.00 and can be billed to the student account. Also, tlu shots are being offered for $lO.OO and can be done at the same lime as the meningitis shot. a card and copies still cost 10 cents each, the same as paying cash. The resolution that passed unanimously basically stated that the library, MISC, and the student body would benefit if students were more aware of the Venda Cards and they were' more available and less expensive. SGA president Buck Goedicke ex- See SGA page 2 Photo by Mike Coursey