'V'% THE B 5 > NDm i Beacon A PENN STATE ERIE STUDENT PUBLICATION pennState gpErie SPRING 2001 FRIDAY Rain High - 39 Low - 29 Check page 2 for weekend forecast PAGE 2A S'l I n\ \ BROAD VI iU V. Mi, \lil J It’s not too late to study abroad this summer the University College of Northampton, England is a great deal with a lot of course options. PAGE 11A \ Till >W Been to the Mall lately? It might not be the same as when you were last there. New stores are coming and several are moving, including the GAP. PAGE IB s i i f> \ it. i i\ K MOM j* UO.\S B \MM\ I B U,t The women are still on the top of their game, and the men are gaining momentum as the season grinds down. PLUS... The Beacon’s monthly installment of Healthy Living to find out what is happening in Health and Wellness. NEWS WK.VHH R„. WORLD & N AT 10N........ 6A NATIONAL CAMH. N..... 7A EDITORIAL STALL M)i FORIAL,. SA CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARK YOUR CAU AOAR 10A FEATURES HOT SPOTS IN ERIE SPORTS BEHREND SPORTS., NATIONALS! ORIS. NEWSROOM: 898-6488 FAX US: 898-6019 ON THE WEB: www.clubs.psu.edu/beacononline/ Offices are located downstairs in Reed Union Building XLVIII No. 20 GROUP PROTESTS POLICE Behrend's Women Today protests inconsistencies in case against Erie patrolman by Jason Snyder editor-in-chief Behrend’s Women Today held a protest in front of the Erie Police Department this past Wednesday, February 14, asking local citizens if they should “trust our police department.” The protest dealt with local police patrolman Sean E. Perseo, who was accused of the rape and sexual assault of an Erie woman. The woman claimed that she has been abused for over ten years by Perseo, who is accused of “sexual, verbal and physical” abuse by the woman. Many procedures dealing with the case brought attention to Behrend’s Women Today, who have looked at the details of the case against Perseo, and aren’t confident that the Erie Police Department are being objective in their investigation. Women Today president Jaimi Bonczar commented on the events that have taken place so far saying, “the Police Department has a responsibility to the City of Erie to be objective when dealing with cases like this. We feel they haven’t done so.” Bonczar provided the Beacon with the facts of concern dealing with the investigation. These concerns include the fact that “Perseo’s gun permit was not revoked until nearly two weeks after the charges were brought against him.” This was of concern after “Sheriff Bob Merski at the Erie County Sheriff’s Department told reporters that usually gun permits are revoked immediately after a person is charged with a felony or misdemeanor. Rape is a felony in the U.S.” The statement provided by Women Today also stated that “when the Erie police investigate a criminal case, the assigned detectives typically are the only members of the police force who try to contact the defendant or the victim. However, shortly after Perseo’s accuser contacted police, two members of the police force - both friends of Perseo - left messages on an answering machine for the woman. The statement went on to say that “within a day Behrend ‘reaches to the stars’ with new observatory by Mike Francis staff writer Construction of Behrend’s new observatory has made it a little easier to reach out and touch the stars. The observatory will allow students and the public to view all the planets in the solar system and beyond. The newer, bigger facility was built next to the old one, which was also updated with a newer telescope and computer. The high-tech facility is equipped with a telescope and an electronic camera that allows people to see all the planets and an occasional stray comet. Both observatories are located at the base of the ski slope, just behind the Otto Behrend Science Building. The observatories are much more than just telescopes, however. They Provost Lilley addresses concerns of faculty by Erin McCarty assistant news editor Provost and Dean Dr. John Lilley addressed the faculty of Penn State Behrend at a noon meeting in the Reed Commons on Wednesday, February 14. He recently received the results of the evaluation of his effectiveness as the leader of this college, and while receiving a positive approval rating, which he appreciated, he was quick to assuage the few concerns that were voiced. After brief updates on the status of the new Child Care Center and the Eastside Access Highway, both of which will begin to take shape later Women Today president Jaimi Bonczar (center), vice-president Nicole Johns (far left), and treasurer Michelle Sprouse (right) protest in front of the Erie Police Department on Wednesday. of Perseo’s arrest, two off-duty police officers - also friends of Perseo - drove him to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in northeastern Pennsylvania.” The statement provided by Bonczar also noted that none of the officers who made calls or drove Perseo are assigned to the case. Because of many inconsistencies between Perseo’s investigation and usual procedures of the are contained in silver, silo-shaped buildings, complete with rotating domes that allow viewers to view the entire night sky. They are also equipped with outside power outlets capable of supporting large monitors for a larger viewing audience. The new telescope, an 18cm refracting scope, was chosen because it is the best available for viewing bright objects such as the planets, moon, and comets. Also, the scope is fully automated: by simply punching in the coordinates of the desired object, the scope will find it on its own. The electronic camera, or CCD camera, attaches to the end of the scope, which allows the pictures to be shown on a computer screen. OBSERVATORY continued on page 3A this year, Lilley opened his discussion of the review by cordially thanking the faculty for their dedication to their profession as well as their assistance in the evaluation process. He emphasized his “great appreciation for how hard you work,” noting that Behrend faculty members tend to work a minimum of SS hours a week. The Dean then addressed the faculty concerns that he has not appropriately invested in the idea of Penn State as an educational institution. Along with that concern was the question of whether general education courses were being given too little weight. Lilley reiterated his dedication to the education of FEBRUARY 16, 2001 Physics instructor Jonathan Hall (right) and student Bruce Tepke (left) look through the new telescope at Behrend’s observatory. Behrend students, and he commented that general education courses were some of the most important of all the courses a student would take. He cited his own numerous experiences with such classes during his education, and he reminded the faculty that, when faced with the opportunity to significantly decrease the number of required general education courses, he opted to retain the standing requirement. This argument seemed to be very much on the mind., of faculty at this meeting, for the issue was approached by several different faculty members. The point was raised that while few would argue that there is no Erie Police Department, Bonczar, with the support of Women Today, held their protest. Bonczar was pleased with the participation of an off-duty female police officer who protested as well. “Her support meant a lot, because it gave us some credibility.” WOMEN TODAY continued on page 3A philosophical commitment to quality general education at Behrend, the enactment thereof is a more difficult matter. Lilley agreed that there were certain factors limiting the utilization of these courses to their full potential, the most obvious being financial problems. He promised to continue to work for the improvement of these educational programs. Another faculty member questioned whether the aim of the college was still to provide an education, as it seemed to be increasingly focused on preparing a student for a particular career path instead. Lilley insisted that a well rounded education was still the goal f 9 m 18 pages - 2 SECTIONS Black History Month celebrations begin by Chris Buchanan staff writer February is the month during which Black History Month has traditionally committee was convened to organize events on campus. The committee consisted of the Office of Educational Equity and several student organiza tions, namely the Association of Black Collegians (ABC), the Multi-Cultural Council (MCC), and the National So ciety of Black Engineers. A number of activities have been planned dur ing the next two weeks, some of which coincide with other events. This year’s theme is “A Separate Heritage, A Common Destiny,’ which refers to African Americans’ ancestral history as well as the common bonds they share with all Americans. On Thursday, February 15, the celebra tions began with a lecture from Cathi Koehler. This presentation was titled “Growing up black in a white world” and was dubbed a profound story of racial reconciliation. Koehler’s ap pearance was sponsored by the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). Also performing during this event was the Behrend Gospel Choir. The celebration continues on Fri- day, February 16, with “The HipHopera,” a musical depicting col lege life through several skits and vi gnettes. “The HipHopera,” sponsored by NSBE and ABC, will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Studio Theatre and will feature members of the Behrend community. Tickets are available at a cost of $3 with a student ID and $5 without. On Wednesday, February 21, the Reed Commons will be turned into an African Village and will feature food, displays, dance and mime presenta tions, steppers, open mic, and poetry readings from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Later that evening there will be a special presentation by novelist, performance poet, and traditional griot Arthur Flowers at 6:30 p.m Flowers’appear ance is sponsored by the Diversity BLACK HISTORY MONTH continued on page 3A evaluation of the college, even though students might not appreciate their “gen ed” courses while taking them. Drawing from the indication that students tend to mature later rather than earlier, the professor who raised the issue went on to suggest jokingly that maybe students should start college with the courses for their major and then take all their general courses in the last two years. Lilley reminded the assembly that he has been a member of a faculty group for 35 years, and many of those years were spent teaching. He PROVOST EVALUATED continued on page 3A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers