FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27,2000 Students share pizza and conversation with by Amy Peffer staff writer' “Whasss-uuup?” was Provost and Dean Dr. John Lilley’s opening comment at the “Pizza with the Provost” meeting held on Tuesday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. in Ohio Hall. Other topics discussed at this opening session of the 2000-2001 series included campus safety and project completion. Following his opening remarks, Lilley asked each of the approximately twenty students in attendance who their favorite professors were so far this school year. His hopes are that by the time every student graduates, each will have a long list of favorite professors, for. as he stated, “good faculty changes lives.” One of the first major issues raised at Tuesday’s meeting was that of school spirit and how it can be improved. Lilley remarked that Behrend's spirit last year during the men's basketball season was just incredible. He noted that the pep band and cheerleaders were great, and also said “that dance team last year added so much.” Lilley then raised the question of how to create more school spirit. On a related note, he stated that nearly eighty percent of Behrend students listed this college as their first choice. However, he added that his goal is to make Behrend the first choice of 100% of students, because "Behrend is a fine place for an education." Also related to school spirit, he asked if students would like to see a football team, marching band, and colorguard added to Behrend. Not surprisingly the students said yes. Lilley warned that such programs cost a great deal, but that over time he thinks that Behrend will adopt such activities. The discussion next shifted toward campus life and activities. One student mentioned that many students leave on weekends, 1j Little Caesars' Best Pizza Value in America. HARBORCREEK Sunday • Thursday 11 am •11 pm Giant Eagle Plaza Friday & Saturday 11 am ■ Midnight 899-6660 Minimum $7.00 purchase lor delivery FREE DELIVERY TO CAMPUS Mow Hiring Drivers ... Hourly Wages Plus Commission and Tips ... Flexible Hours! |free crazy] ! BREAD i i with any • I . ... Jr|j.|nni * ■ ifUftij I ■ .. a I" Caesar 1 | Wings | 1 10 wings—$3.99 1 a 20 wings—$6.99 a ■ rfWtH. I liiMJikMlwit ® | MifiS«tHkteMrcrlSO| ■ i#M\wm j _ j r~ m ~. —i 2 Medium. 1 Pinas j m\ I bfimwrn I ISMSps - J MONDAY MADNESS! 2 $6.99s 2 & $9.99" 1 Tapping IMtfTmNM ,Tc K* n 9 Dan Schiesser, coordinator of Residence Life, directs a comment to Dean Lilley during the first Pizza with the Provost session of the semester. seemingly unaware of the activities offered here on weekends. Lilley responded by commending the Beacon, stating that it is doing a fine job in making events known to students. Lilley also asked if first year students should be denied the privilege of keeping cars on campus, thus forcing them to remain at Behrend on weekends. The idea was rejected, as those present agreed that new students would feel trapped. When the students were asked if the Blue Bus was used, Lilley’s question was met with the sounds of lauuhtcr. One possible source of weekend entertainment. Lilley said, is having a video rental store nearby. He stated that there is talk about building such a shop close to [large Final | 1 topping j I I I 2 CANS SB J ! S 6H. ! j bplmlJ/M/Wl UttkCMun J [large Staffed! i (rust Pirn i I 1 I | i ,v rt”'*¥ | | $ B2. j iJtUtdeCieini j i Large Pina i j | nuT| [ 12 LITERS! [ i $799 i | # d"* I j hfim mm i [filiOfeCaeun j r- 1 i X-Large i ! Pizza I | Hopping | i % i | m | I bummm . [fUtdeCiMOT , i r Medium Pinal ■ Hopping . I \ PLUS > I I WMduoi \ I j > Toned Salad \ I | ! Hfl ! I Cifirn U/30/00 I i Medium 1 ! Pizza | | 72. | I I ww w«ivtsMvi lirjt Pim $4.99 1 Toppmg UaMtiwOH* campus, then asked what students thought about having one on campus. Although some students liked the idea, problems such as maintenance, management, location, selection, and charges are sure to arise. Director of Student Activities Mr. Chris Rizzo, also present at the meeting, questioned if videos are still a good idea due to the popularity of DVDs. Students responded by saying that videos and VCRs are cheaper and more practical for college use. Lilley also commented that plans are in-the-works for development across the street, which might add such entertainments as a coffeehouse, fast food restaurant, and possibly apartments. First year student R.J. Mycka I 1 2 Medium! Rizzos ! I 1 lopping I ! sow ! | f pin Ml | a bpbw IJ/KVOe | jtJUttfeCamn J i Italian i I Chain « I i i nreaa j i *2* i | I j 3 Mum Pirns] ■ 1 lopping ■ I PLUS 20 WINGS i l $ 19” ! I l2/30/00 I MEWS PHOTO BY BECKY WEINDORF |» : mm- m*mm mm mm mi m| iofiSsi 1C53331 2X-Largei Pinas j | ItaPPi*t | i $1499 1 « leMtllWN 1 iJtLttkCaenn J J $l.OO ! ! off ! ! ANY ; j SUB j I htk*\V*M I raised the issue of a possible textbook monopoly forming at Behrend. He reported that some of Behrend’s textbooks cost more than those at other Penn State branches. He felt professors who write their own textbooks are profiting by requiring students to use only that textbook. Lilley said that Behrend is not part of a textbook monopoly and that professors are not making profits. He did say, however, that some professors do have contracts with Behrend for textbook usage, and that the student body cannot make any decisions about which books will be used for each course Diversity and multi-culturalism were also put on the table for discussion. Pilly Gonzalez, another Behrend student, commented that racism and segregation do seem to be issues facing some Behrend students. She believes that some students are hit with a culture shock upon arriving at Behrend, simply because they have not experienced other cultures prior to college. Lilley asked how she thought the problem could be solved or lessened, to which Gonzalez replied that orientation programs and other events could be created. Lilly responded with his concern that simple thirty-minute programs Au- you can £AT WiNi<=i-KirrH 6-$W sjtyowATTiiE mee feaCH-^lfa would not work. Instead, he feels that classes might have a chance, but the best method would be daily interaction in the residence halls. One student asked if the tuition increase is just for Behrend or for all Penn State campuses. The answer is that the increase is university-wide, with some money going to University Park for health benefits, and the rest of the money contributing toward Behrend employees’ salaries. Following the financial line, one honors student complained that not enough honors students receive scholarships. Lilley empathized with her. commenting, ‘‘every year we add more and more scholarships and there’s never enough." Kristin Rodgers, a Resident Advisor in Ohio Hall, called into question the artistic aspects of Behrend, wondering why the photo lab was removed. Lilley responded with "we have added more arts,” as well as explaining that Behrend now has an agreement with Mercyhurst for a cooperative art program. He also said that due to digitalization and the greater need for a physics lab, the photo lab was an option that Behrend felt would be okay to eliminate. One of the biggest discussions of the evening dealt with the completion of projects such as the ARC, chapel and bell tower, and the elevator in the Stair Tower. The ARC will be dedicated on November 9, but Lilley said that the facilities will be unusable until either December or January 1. He remarked that one of the major problems is that the liner in the pool is leaking. He also declared that the company building the ARC is paying daily penalties for each day it runs over the official completion date. As for completion of the chapel, Lilley guessed that as long as no delays or problems occur, he would "say the building would be finished this coming summer." Lilley then asked for Provost suggestions about when and what the hells should play. One idea is that the bells could ring periodically from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Potential songs could be the Penn State Alma Mater, fight songs, or different religious songs according to the holiday seasons. Some students voiced their concerns about being distracted in their rooms by the chiming. Lilley said that while students would hear the bells from campus, it is unlikely that they would hear the sounds from the residence halls and apartments. When asked why the Stair Tower elevator was not yet functioning, Lilley said that during construction, problems arose such as cut cables and gravel spills. Repairs are costly, but construction is expected to be completed within six weeks. Finally, the hot topic of the evening centered on campus safety. While Dean Lilley said “I honestly think this is a safe campus," Pilly Gonzalez and others disagreed. Gonzalez declared that the campus is not well-lit, does not have enough call-boxes, has a lack of police protection and escorts, and is too easily accessible to strangers. Students and Lilley debated for quite some time on how Behrend is or is not safe. The two sides were able to agree that the college could use more lights, surveillance, and police. The potential for a work study program for security escorts was also discussed. Everyone present at the meeting realized the need to be responsible for his or her owm actions, but still agreed that, unfortunately, things do happen. After one hour and thirty-five minutes of discussion, Lilley closed the meeting so that he could attend the band and choir concert. He thanked everyone for attending, and said that he really enjoyed meeting with students and learning their perspectives on life at Behrend. o*Li
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