PROVi
emphasis on these areas. He said that part-time faculty
are necessary to a college but tend to be exploited and
said that the college should make an effort to make
these faculty members feel appreciated. He also
discussed the relationship between liberal arts and
leadership and defined leadership as doing the best
you can in a chosen field. He said that a liberal arts
education tends to create true leaders.
The most in-depth portion of the talk occurred when
Blanchard was asked to comment on why he resigned
as the president of Fort Lewis College. He explained
that a number of factors contributed to his decision,
including a desire to be closer to his children. Hesaid
that several challenges faced him at Fort Lewis and
that he had thought he could he could fix the problems.
He said that although he accomplished a lot, he failed
to bring the faculty together into a community, a
mistake he did not want to make again.
"The physicists here at Behrend have discovered
something faster than the speed of light, and that’s the
speed with which the Durango Herald reaches Erie,”
Blanchard said, referring to an article which indicated
he resigned due to disagreements with Fort Lewis
faculty. A Behrend faculty member who had contacted
Fort Lewis’ faculty said he was not highly regarded
among those faculty members.
Blanchard described the situation at Fort Lewis,
detailing the fiasco that ensued when a tenured faculty
member decided to teach a course on the poetry of
pornography instead of the traditional literature course.
This incident, which Blanchard called a lose-lose
THON raises money for kids with cancer
by Jen Henderson
staff writer
The Student Government Association is
known for promoting worthwhile causes.
Feb. 22-24, this helpful nature will be shown
through its involvement in THON, the largest
student-run philanthropic event in the world.
THON is a 48-hour dance marathon that takes
place yearly to raise money for children with
cancer. The Interfratemity Council (IFC) and
Panhellic Council (PHC) hold the marathon.
This year's event will be held at the Rec
Center at University Park.
The process begins with students raising
money for two months during the fall. The
money that is raised in October and November
goes toward the Four Diamonds Fund. The
Four Diamonds Fund was established by the
Milliard family, who shares a special
sympathy with the parents of children
suffering from cancer. The Milliards lost their
son, Christopher, to cancer when he was only
14 years old.
In the marathon, 600 people dance for 48
hours without sitting down or sleeping. They
do this to support and encourage the children
who are suffering from cancer. Through its
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
• Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
• Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
• Cellular and Molecular Pathology
• Immunology
• Molecular Virology and Microbiology
Program description and application available at:
http://www.gradbiomed.pitt.edu
INTERESTED IN RESEARCH IN
THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES?
University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine
Biomedical Graduate Studies
Choose From Five Programs!
Independent project in a faculty lab
will expose rising juniors and seniors
to graduate school life!
$3500 stipend for 10-week program.
Applications due March 1,2002.
Contact: Maria Dunn (412) 648-9003
or mdunn@medschool.pitt.edu
FROM FRONT PAGE
situation, raised many questions about the rights of
tenured faculty and the process by which a course is
added to the books.
He also expressed regrets over the way in which he
dealt with the arts and sciences dean who was in place
when he took on the role of president. He said that
had he approached her about his concerns in a different
manner, the matter might not have ended in her forced
resignation. Blanchard stressed that he always had
considered himself a faculty advocate but said that he
did not want to come to Behrend if people may distrust
him.
The discussion of the pornography course led to
the question of how much academic freedom should
be granted to faculty members. Blanchard said that
he believes very strongly in academic freedom but
that a course should be deemed beneficial by several
members of the faculty. The interests of the institution
should come before the interests of the individual.
Blanchard wrapped up the question and answer period
by talking about development, particularly in the face
of Erie’s declining economy. He deferred to the
Behrend development committee in terms of expertise
but said that he would work to find ways to involve
faculty and students in development. Another
important consideration would be striving to retain
Behrend graduates for the betterment of the city.
Blanchard was the final provost candidate to visit
Behrend, moving the selection process into the next
phase.
experiences, THON is growing in popularity
and also in funds. Last year Penn State
Behrend raised more than $4,000.
This year Behrend will send two students
to participate in the event There was a contest
earlier this semester to determine which
students would be chosen to go. The top two
students who raised the most money
combined with helping with the majority of
activities and fundraisers were elected. This
year’s campus representatives at THON are
Sara Davis, who is also chair of the THON
committee for SGA, and Lauren Vaught.
Brandi Hovis, SGA President, attended
THON last year and thinks very highly of the
program.
“There aren’t enough words to describe
THON,” said Hovis. “It was one of the best
experiences of my life. I’m so honored that I
got to be a dancer last year. I can’t even
imagine what those kids go through with
cancer...and to show them how much you
care then that means something.”
When asked about this ypar’s chosen
dancers, Hovis said, “Sara and Lauren will
represent Behrend very well and it’s in their
hearts so they’ll be fine! I would encourage
everyone to go support them.”
Questions?
r J £ 'j'J
Friday, February 15, 2002
Pot statistics: myth or reality?
by Emily Linendoll
staff writer
According to a poster with statistics on
marijuana use currently displayed around
campus, marijuana is not as favored as
many would assume.
Potheads and High. Those are the
poster’s first attention-grabbing words. It
states that most Behrend students have
never tried marijuana. Eight out of ten
students say they would rather not have it
available at parties. Many question these
statistics and believe they are more a myth
than a reality.
“I have a hard time believing these
statistics because I know a lot of people
who do smoke pot here at Behrend,” said
sophomore Kristen Cain.
However, they were compiled from a
survey that students took part in last spring.
The survey was conducted with 1,000
students in a cross-section of classes. They
were given the survey, which was based
on questions related to drugs and alcohol,
and were asked to do it on their own time
and turn it into their faculty teacher. The
survey, which was done by the Student
Affairs Office, had to also go through many
processes before hand.
“Last spring’s data, which is the data used
for these posters, had a 48 percent return
rate,” said Nancy Panepento, associate
director of Student Affairs. “We wish we
would have had a better turnout, but this
social norm is painting a picture of what is
CAREEI
to learn much about their chosen career path.
“A lot of English majors don’t realize that
their major can get them a job with a
communications [firm], and communication
majors don’t realize they could get a job in
marketing,” Payne said,
insists preparation is a must.
“We suggest students don’t come in jeans,”
she said. Students are expected to wear
professional attire. Also, don’t forget your
resume. Payne advises students to ask
intelligent questions about the companies, to
know about the companies, and, of course, to
work on their handshake. Students interested
Payne
A few tips from The Career Development
Center:
Before you speak to anyone, it is
important that you’ve given some thought
to why you want an internship. Giving
thought to the questions below will help
you clearly express your interests better.
1. Prepare yourself:
’’What are your academic/career goals?
*What abilities do you have to offer?
*ln light of the above, what type of
experience are you looking for?
*What do you most want to learn?
2. What to say and do.
‘Shake hands and introduce yourself- “hi,
my name is and I’m a (Class
year) (major).
‘Hand the representative your resume.
‘Take one to three minutes to describe
yourself, your interests and the
opportunities you are seeking.
‘Exchange information with the
representative.
‘Gather literature, and ask for a business
card.
‘Shake hands, and thank the
representative for his or her time.
Be sure to visit
http;//www.pseri
internfairl.h
Upcoming job fairs:
‘Behrend Internship and Job Fair. Wed,
Feb 27 McGarvey Commons,
12:00-4:00 PM
*Westpacs Job Fair: Thurs, March 7,
Expo Mart, Monroeville, PA,
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
‘University Park Spring Career Day,
Tuesday, April 2, Bryce Jordan
Center, 1:00 - 7:OOPM
really happening on campus, contrary to
what many students believe.”
This is one of five posters on drug and
alcohol awareness by the Social
Marketing Campaign, which desires to
show the reality of drugs and alcohol
present on campus. Another poster,
focused on drinking and driving, stated
that 49 percent of Behrend students have
gotten behind the wheel while intoxicated.
The campaign is in the process of its
second survey, which will take place this
spring.
Behrend isn’t the only college giving
its students a taste of what’s really going
on. Many colleges are also taking part in
similar advertising campaigns, using
posters to preach the real statistics dealing
with students, drugs and alcohol.
However, some may argue that these
statistics are not very accurate because
they represent less than 50 percent of
students. A survey conducted by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services found that marijuana use among
college students over a period of five years
went from 27.9 percent in 1993 to 35.2
percent in 1999.
If you are one of the 1,000 students
given the option to take the drug and
alcohol survey this spring, maybe you
should take a few minutes out of your day
to complete it. No matter where you stand
on the issue of marijuana, the more
students who participate the more accurate
the results will be.
in making the most of their first impression
on the companies may want to see a video
entitled “How to Prepare for a Career Fair.”
Students may borrow it from the Career
Development Center in downstairs Reed or
may watch the 20-minute video right there.
Also, workshops are available. There is
one Monday at 4 p.m. in Reed 3, one
Wednesday at noon in Reed 3, and one
Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Reed 113. The video
is included in presentations.
for more information.
The Behrend Beacon
QUESTION OF
THE WEEK
- asked by Kelly Wa
“Snow angels ”
Bridgette Ramdhanie
General Arts and Science, 05
“Snowball fights
Clint Lewis and Mike Rigoni
Buisness Economics, 08; Finance, 08
"Nak ’d ice fishing ”
Joe Greer
Marketing, 04
"Snowman building ”
Ann Marie Havey
Marketing, 06
“Super downhill sled riding”
Mark Montory
Psychology, 02
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