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FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2001
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"Knowing that I was
graduating."
Beth Bernard
Math, 08
Everyone
Behrend's Women Today lead the Erie Community in a Take Back the
Night march protesting violence against women
by Andrea Bolton
staff writer
Behrend college students gathered
in Perry Square at 7:00 p.m. on
Wednesday, April 25, to "Take Back
the Night." Take Back the Night is
a march and rally event that protests
violence against women, especially
sexual assault.
The march was kicked off with
speaker Jaimi Bonczar, the president
of Women Today. The keynote
speakers were Sue Daley from Penn
State Behrend's Counseling and
Advising Office, and Donna
Douglas from the YWCA. They
explained that the march was
designed to support those who have
been victimized by sexual assault,
or individuals who are close to
women who have been sexually
Members of NOW, the National Organization for Women, also
walked in protest of the fear many women feel when walking at night
SGA 2001-2002
SGA VP-elect Lewis on samep age as Hovis
by Jason Snyder
editor-in-chief
SGA vice president-elect Clint
Lewis is on the same page with
president-elect Brandi Hovis as far
as goals are concerned for the
upcoming school year.
Lewis and Hovis have already
met with Director of Student
Affairs Ken Miller to work on the
details of the "unfinished business"
the two promised to take care of in
the radio station and web page.
Upon arrival at the beginning of
the fall 200 , 1 semester, Lewis has
some goals lined up. "I want to
really push for student involvement
and let people know what SGA
does," said Lewis.
Lewis feels this can be
accomplished by working on the
image of SGA and the appeal of the
SGA office. "We want to make the
office a little more appealing so
, that the students feel comfortable
coming in here," said Lewis.
Lewis feels many things can be
accomplished if SGA presents
itself well to students outside of the
group.. "We want to get an image
established for SGA so that people
want to be involved with student
government.
;• • ;
<r < '
"The big snow storm,
when they closed down
no classes that day."
Dan Zahn
MIS, 08
unite, take back the night!
assaulted
The clan marched throughout the
streets of downtown Erie, chanting:
"everyone unite/take back the
night," "join together/free our lives/
we will not be victimized," and "yes
means yes/no means no/whatever
we wear/wherever we go."
The march began in Perry Square
and proceeded through the streets in
the downtown area, and finally
ended back at Gannon University
for a Speak Out and reception.
Throughout the march, the group
stopped at several places to hear a
speaker discuss some of the issues
that women are faced with today,
including sexual assault. The
speakers included Rich Digiacomo
from the District Attorney's Office,
Jen Redenis from the Erie County
Rape Crisis Center, Pam Graham
This type of student involvement,
according to Lewis, will create
more contested elections. By
adding incentives, student would be
more apt to run for positions.
Lewis wants to continue working
with student organizations on
campus through the new liaison
program initiated by current SGA
Clint Lewis, the current SGA treasurer, was elected as the 2001-
2002 vice president.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
;. = 1
"Maybe the Shaggy
concert, I guess."
Members of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority took part in this year's Take Back the Night March, bearing
signs and participating in a candlelight vigil
from Safe Net, and Mary Beaumont
and Yelena Kerr from the Penn State
Behrend Ophelia Advisory Council.
At the close of the march the group
sand the song "Behind the Wall" by
Tracy Chapman.
The Speak Out was a forum for
sexual assault survivors to discuss
their experiences. There were no
cameras or media to report these
individuals' personal experiences at
the Speak Out. Following the Speak
president Jen Miles.
"I think SGA has come a long
way this year. Jen Miles really
raised the bar a little bit, and we
need to live up to that," said Lewis.
Lewis welcomes any students
interested in joining SGA to
contact Hovis or himself as early
as possible.
f riNc'
Erin Ahlgren
DUS, 03
"Water Polo!"
Hollie Stash (left)
Math, 02
Lauren Packer (right)
English, 02
Out, there was a small reception
which included entertainment, the
band Freudian Slip, information,
and free refreshments.
Take Back the Night is an event
that began in England in 1977 as a
protest against violence against
women as they walked the streets at
night. The first Take Back the Night
rally that occurred in the United
States was held in San Francisco in
1978. The rally in San Francisco was
Behrend receives a 'taste of Africa'
by Erin McCarty
assistant news editor
Erie's winter weather may be
waning at a maddeningly slow rate,
but on Saturday, April 21, members
of the Behrend community were
transported to the sunny continent
of Africa for the evening.
African Odyssey 2001, titled
"Taste of Africa," commenced at
7:30 p.m. in the Reed Commons
and lasted for two hours. The
Organization of African Students
(OAS) presented this cultural
celebration in order to bring a
greater appreciation for the diverse
traditions that make each African
country unique and the sense of joy
that unifies the continent.
The audience trickled in to the
strains of traditional African music
and had a chance to take a look at
the diverse display of African
masks before OAS advisor and
Behrend's reference librarian
Patience Simmonds stepped up to
the microphone to thank them for
coming and to introduce the Master
of Ceremonies, Baena Cabiri.
Cabiri welcomed those in
attendance by teaching them the
word karibu, which is welcome in
Swahili. He went on to bestow
honorary African heritage on one
and all, inviting them to experience
the cheer that pervades Africa's 54
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a protest of violence against women.
Since this time Take Back the Night
has spread across the United States.
This event was absent in the Erie
area since 1996, until Women Today
from Penn State Behrend decided to
bring the program back to campus
last year, and their ideas spread to
the Erie community this year. The
march was sponsored by many
organizations, including Penn State
Behrend and Gannon University.
countries. After his opening
speech, everyone stood for the
South African National Anthem,
"Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika."
The microphone was then passed
to student Rehab Elzeney, who
spoke as the flags of eight different
countries were brought up to the
front for display. She explained the
symbolism of the flags of Nigeria,
Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique,
Sierra Leone, Ghana, Ethiopia, and
Zimbabwe and provided facts about
each of the countries. Next, several
students bedecked in African garb
paraded through the Commons for
the fashion show. Ranging from
regal to everyday wear, the clothing
Was characterized by vibrant colors
and intricate designs.
At this point, participants and
observers alike were encouraged to
sample the African cuisine whose
aroma had filled the room. The
program came to an intermission so
that the people attending could sit
at the tables and tickle their taste
buds with boiled or fried plantains
(a fruit similar to a banana), corned
beef stew, chicken wings, and white
or jollof rice. They washed this
down with a choice of Pepsi, non
alcoholic pina colada, or non
alcoholic strawberry daiquiri
punch.
The presentations continued with
four cultural performances
"When Come! West
visited Behrend."
Michael Ogbeide
MIS, 05
Behrend
fraternities
run into
trouble
by Paige Miles
copy editor
Over the past few years, a trend
seems to be developing among Greek
organizations as summer approaches.
Last spring, Kappa Delta Rho fell into
trouble after accusations of "pledging
and initiating an ineligible male
student .. . " were made. As a result,
the fraternity was punished with a
one-year suspension. This spring, two
other fraternities have come into
trouble for different charges.
Sigma Kappa Nu has been
suspended from campus recognition
for the fall semester for a fight that
occurred recently. A
"misunderstanding between two
people [occurred. It was] settled in the
front yard," said SKN president
Shawn Fisher.
In addition to the suspension, the
fraternity is on social probation for
two years, which prohibits them from
serving alcohol and from having
parties or mixers. They have also lost
their pledging right for the fall, said
Judicial Board Chair Justin Hayes.
What exactly happened is still
unclear, said Hayes. The fight did
involve a brother and an outsider, but
it is unclear as to who started the fight.
Stories weren't straight,.but there was
enough evidence to convict the SKNs.
The police were not involved.
Linda Lombardi-Nestor, assistant
director of Student Affairs, was
unable to comment on the incident
due to the confidentiality of the case.
Nor was anyone able to comment on
who reported the fight to the college,
or the names of those involved in the
fight.
On April 22 at approximately 3:00
a.m., the Delta Chi house was
subjected to a visit by the police.
According to Delta Chi President
Thom Orlando, who said he was not
present at the time of the event, two
police officers came into the house.
Orlando said that the brothers were
unsure whether the officers knocked
or if they came in unannounced.
Ten people were given breathalizer
exams. Orlando was unable to
comment on whether or not those
people passed the test. According to
the Wesleyville Police Department,
nine of those students failed the test
and were issued citations. District
Justice Mark Krahe declined to
comment
Orlando also said that three female
students were escorted back to
campus by Police and Safety, though
the students were supposedly not
under the influence.
At press time no action had been
taken by Behrend.
representing Egypt, Nigeria,
Barbados (located in the West
Indies but rich with African
culture), and Ghana. Elzeney
returned to perform a sultry
Egyptian veil dance. Nigeria's
guitar-playing representative
impressed the audience with his
instrumental and vocal talents as he
regaled them with a Nigerian song.
The most popular part of the
show seemed to be Ali Ellis'
exuberant calypso, which he
performed decked out in stripes of
paint and a grass skirt. His
uninhibited movements earned him
a standing ovation from the crowd.
The performances concluded with
a Ghanaian dance in which four
dancers participated, two in grass
skirts with white-painted faces, two
in brilliantly colored dresses with
beads to match. All four wore
jingle-bell bracelets on their ankles,
which added to the intensity of deep
drums that provided the dance's
beat.
The evening ended with a brief
address by OAS president Curtis
Williams, who is from Nigeria.
Dressed in a flowing periwinkle
blue robe, he thanked the
participants for all their hard work
and the attendees for their interest
in this event that celebrated the
unity and grandeur of the African
continent.