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The Behrend Beacon
WEEKEND WEATHER
OUTLOOK
SATURDAY SUNDAY
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Proposed budget trims Penn State funds
Gov. Mark Schweiker presented his proposed budget for the Commonwealth of Pennsyl
vania, which includes a five percent reduction from the 2001 -02 appropriation for Penn State
and other state-related universities.
"We understand the financial challenge the state is having, and Penn State must do its part
to assist the state,” said Penn State President Graham Spanier. "But we are disappointed that
Penn State, along with Temple University, Lincoln University, and the University of Pitts
burgh are being asked to bear a disproportionate share of the burden. A cut of nearly $l7
million for Penn State alone, if allowed to stand by the legislature, would present serious
challenges for the university, and inevitably place a much greater burden on students and
their families."
"Moreover, the cuts to our agricultural research, cooperative extension, and medical
programs would be profound, with no tuition income available to offset the cuts," said Spanier.
"Given that the governor proposes an overall modest increase in the state budget, our hope is
that the legislature will seek to restore this proposed cut."
Under Schweiker's proposal, Penn State would receive an allocation for 2002-03 of
$3lB million. This is approximately equal to what the University received from the state in
1999-00, setting the University back three years in funding.
"When inflationary costs are factored in, the proposed budget sets Penn State back $35
million from 1995-96," said Gary Schultz, senior vice president for Finance and Business.
"We already receive less appropriation per student than any other public university in Penn
sylvania, and less than any other Big Ten university. For years we have managed to run Penn
State with less than our peers. Unfortunately, as the state's contribution continues to decline,
the University will be forced to increase tuition much higher than we would like."
Schweiker recognizes Penn State compost program
Penn State has been recognized by Gov. Mark Schweiker for its commitment to pollution
prevention and environmental protection demonstrated in a university-wide composting pro
gram. The initiative takes pre-consumer food wastes from student dining commons, hospital
ity service units and the Bennett Family Center and mixes them with organic debris and ma
nure from the University's dairy herd. Over the last four years, the amount of materials recov
ered has increased from 403 pounds per day to 1.6 tons per day. During the 2000-2001 aca
demic year, the composting facility helped Penn State save more than $16,000 in landfill
tipping fees. It also enhances the University's teaching, research and outreach efforts, provid
ing students and faculty the opportunity to learn about source separation, waste management
and commercial and backyard composting.
SGA worries about diversity on campus
The Student Government Association (SGA) vowed on Wednesday to improve diversity
on campus. SGA members are co-operating with the Multicultural Council (MCC) and have
asked Provost and Dean Dr. Jack Burke to have meetings concerning the issue.
The meetings would include Burke, Director of Student Affairs Ken Miller, and several
others, including representatives from SGA and MCC, according to SGA President Brandi
Hovis. What specifically SGA plans to do to improve diversity at Behrend has not yet been
clarified.Hovis welcomes all students with opinions on this matter and others to join SGA.
Meetings are every Wednesday at 5:20 p.m. in Reed 114.
- Tony DiPlacido
There was a report of a stolen vehicle. After checking the campus, ECC
was notified and the vehicle was put in NCIC. A family member later
claimed that the car may have been borrowed.
2/7/02
East County reported that it received a call from the complainant saying
that they got kicked out of an apartment and left their bookbag. The
complainant did not want an officer involved.
2/8/02
A staff member reported that a wall light along the Dobbins Hall staircase
had been broken and an “exit” sign under it had been taken.
2/10/02
A staff member reported that a taillight on a university vehicle had been
smashed.
2/10/02
A complainant reported that one of the maintenance vehicles was on fire.
2/12/02
Earn sl,ooo-$2,000 with the easy Campusfundraiser.com three hour
fundraising event. Does not involve credit card applications.
Fundraising dates are filling quickly, so call today! Contact
Campusfundraiser.com at (888) 923-3238, or visit
Anawim Community of Frenchville, PA
February 24,2002
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Bethany Retreat Center
879 to VFW Rd to Germania Rd (retreat center on right)
Frenchville, PA
Guests are invited to a Liturgy, brunch and presentation
For more information or to make a reservation call
Sr. Therese Dush or Sr. Suzanne Thibault
(814) 263-4855
e-mail:
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BEHREND BRIEFS
Fraternities * Sororities *
Clubs * Student Groups
MONDAY
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NEWS
Friday, February 15, 2002
Hoping the Lions don’t fall behind
We’re not sure what provoked this unconventional show of school spirit, but this student certainly caught our attention. Hey, if it
helps the Lions win, then we’re all for it!
Masteller hooks enthusiasts with
aquatic flies website
by Lori DeFabfo
staff writer
Dr. Edwin C. Masteller, Professor Emeritus
of Biology, has spent years researching
caddisflies and stoneflies in Pennsylvania and
decided to post his research and findings on a
website rather than print them in lengthy paper
volumes.
Masteller was named the President of the
Entomological Society of Pennsylvania in
1979 and the President of the North American
Benthological Society in 1986. He has a
specialized interest in researching aquatic
insects and other invertebrates.
During 1989-91, Masteller’s research was
supported from grants from the Wild
Resources Fund of Pennsylvania and he was
able to collect Trichoptera (caddisflies) from
the entire state of Pennsylvania. He has been
collecting since, and in 1996, he was able to
identify 321 species of caddisflies in
Pennsylvania. Masteller collected Plecoptera
(stoneflies) during the years of 1994-96 and
was able to distinguish 134 species. This
research was also supported by the Wild
Resources Fund of Pennsylvania. After the first
fund had ended, Masteller knew that he wanted
to continue researching the aquatic flies.
“I had a goal of getting this information out
and it could be the basis for future studies by
the young and inspired,” Masteller said.
He decided to start studying the caddisfly
and the stonefly because they interested him.
“I had been collecting aquatic insects for
about 10 years by using emergence traps on
streams here at Four-Mile Creek and Six-Mile
Creek. One of the major groups was the
Trichoptera and the Plecoptera were always
of interest.”
Dr. Masteller had a colleague at the
Smithsonian who helped him identify the
different insects. He felt that it was a
worthwhile project to find what streams
Dr. Edwin Masteller, professor emeritus of
busy researching aquatic insects.
FOCAL POINT
PHOTO BY ERIN McCARTY / BEHREND BEACON
Ron Richardson, Math and Computer Science 08, Matt Langguth, MIS-BD 08, and Isaac Hagenbuch,
Biology 07, worked together to create Dr. Edwin Masteller's website, Pennsylvania Aquatic Flies are Us.
The site is located at http://paaQuaticfliesrus.bd.DSu.edu.
supported a biodiversity of insects.
Masteller said he is the first researcher he
knows of to include all of his work online
rather than in printed volumes. He was going
to produce CDs to hold his work and maps,
biology, is an avid bicycler when he isn’t
Erin McCarty, News Editor
behrco!ls @ aol.com
but Isaac Hagenbuch, the web site maintainer,
suggested putting the maps on the web.
“I felt it was a great way to make this
available to many different individuals and
especially the invertebrate aquatic research
community,” Masteller stated.
The creation of the web site was not as easy
as one may think. “I have had excellent student
support from talented individuals,” Masteller
said.
At first, the webmasters tried to learn the
Arcview Geographic Information System to
create the site. More than a year ago Tracy
Hersman worked with Masteller and began
entering data. Because of program problems,
they switched to another and also received help
from the Erie County Planning Department.
A server was provided to hold the web site
and Matt Langguth was able to set up the
server and develop the security. Also, Ron
Richardson helped develop the server pages.
Masteller said the website is beneficial
because he can share updated information to
people in the world who have an interest in
insects. He does feel that there is one
drawback to a web site. His research is not
peer reviewed and may not provide enough
credibility to some.
Masteller said he has received very kind
comments regarding his web site and “won’t
look back.” The Aquatic Flies web site entitled
Pennsylvania Aquatic Flies Are Us can be