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The Behrend Beacon
Students
`Political
by Jenna Dominick
"I'll take Political Theory for $4OO, Alex."
Phrases such as this rang through Reed 117
Wednesday evening as the fourth annual"
Political Science Jeopardy" took place. The
setting was a "Jeopardy"-like, with an audience,
stage, category board, and contestants with
buzzers. Dr. Robert Speel acted as proctor and
posed questions and awarded points at his
podium.
More than 50 students gathered in Reed to
either participate in or watch "Jeopardy."
Participation is open to all students, but first there
is a pretest to be taken. A sample question was,
"Name any six US senators who will be in office
next year." All questions and categories are
political science-related. Students with the top
nine scores were named semi-finalists.
Prizes included $25 gift certificates to
Millcreek Mall, Borders Books, Tinseltown, and
various restaurants. Certificates were chosen in
order of top points earned.
Volunteer scorekeeper, timekeeper, and
category tracker were needed. Volunteers' names
were drawn from a box. The scorekeeper had to
be able to add and subtract quickly, while the
timekeeper had to keep track of the rounds' time,
as well as how long the question was available.
The category tracker was in charge of writing
down the categories, and erasing questions that
had already been chosen. All semi-finalists,
volunteers, and one lucky audience member
received gift certificates.
The game worked very much like real
"Jeopardy." Three contestants sat on stage,
buzzers at hand, while Dr. Speel gave trivia.
Categories were posted on a chalkboard, but
instead of dollar values, there was a point system.
In the first round, there were points one through
five available, and in Double Jeopardy, points two
through ten were awarded, in two point
increments. There were six categories. Score
MUSIC
music that students may otherwise not hear.
"(We want to) expose students who might never
take the initiative to go to a concert to this kind of
The apparent lack of interest is a little depressing,
considering the amount of work that goes into the
program. Barnard explained that about $50,000 a
year is spent to bring these performers to the school.
The funds are donated through a grant from the
Harry A. Logan Jr. Foundation. Kay Logan, a
former music educator, is in charge of the grant,
and takes an active role in choosing the groups that
Arranging for the musicians to perform also takes
a lot of planning. Barnard explained that he goes
Tuition hikes explained
at Pizza with the Provost
by Erin Scott
staff writer
On Monday, members of the Behrend community
gathered again in Lawrence Hall to discuss recent
campus events at Pizza with the Provost. These
monthly arrangements provide a time when students
can express their concerns or ask questions about the
campus. The meetings are informal and casual,
although Interim Provost and Dean Dr. Jack Burke
and head of Housing and Food Services Randall
Geering are usually in their "business" attire.
This month 20-25 students attended the meeting .
All in attendance enjoyed pepperoni, cheese, and
vegetable pizza with a variety of soft drinks.
Dr. Burke opened the meeting by telling the
students that the new contracts for campus housing
for the spring semester would be available online.
Beginning Dec. 9 and continuing through Jan. 21,
students will be able to access the contracts
electronically.
"This will be much more convenient," Burke said.
"The contracts will he accessible to everyone from
anywhere
In past years, housing contracts were dispersed
through the mail and each student would receive the
contract in their mailbox. The student then had to fill
it out and return it within a few days. However, the
new online system should be much easier and faster,
improving Behrend's housing situation greatly.
The conversation then turned to the big question
of the night: Why did tuition increase 13.5 percent
this year and what did we get for it? Burke replied
that because of the recession, states are getting less
and less money, which is causing an increase in
student tuition.
"When I went to school, 80 percent of the money
given to schools was grant money and 20 percent was
loans. Now it is 80 percent in loans and only 20
staff writer
FROM FRONT PAGE
compete
Science Jeopardy'
PHOTO BY JEFF HANKEY / BEHREND BEACON
Political science-savvy students show off their knowledge during Wednesday's "Political Science Jeopardy." All contestants received $25 gift
certificates.
was kept on the left side of the auditorium with
a big tablet of paper and marker, as a running
tally.
Dr. Zachary Irwin, Dr. John Gamble, and Dr.
Celise Schneider acted as judges. Dr. Irwin's
task was to name the person who buzzed in first
to answer. Each round was 10 minutes long, and
there were 10 seconds to buzz in to answer each
question. The first person to buzz in got to
answer first. Responses had to be in the form of
a question. There was a Jeopardy round, a
Double Jeopardy round, and a Final Jeopardy
round. The finalist from each semi-final round
then moved on to play a fourth round, repeating
all components. The process to set everything
up was lengthy, as it took over 45 minutes.
Once the game got rolling, however, it moved
along at a very quick pace. Contestants and Dr.
to different conferences in order to listen to the
music and decide if the group is worth inviting.
He has been to a conference in Atlanta and is
currently planning on attending one in New York.
Once he finds a group of performers that he likes,
he contacts them and asks them to come to
Behrend, where they will perform a concert and
speak to some classes. The musicians also perform
for students at the Diehl School in Erie. Barnard
has already begun planning for next fall's series.
When arranging for this year's performers,
Barnard tried to make the program as diverse as
possible. In past years, the music tended to be 18
and 19' century chamber music, performed by
mostly white, male musicians. This year the aim
percent in grants. This is a dramatic change in a short
amount of time," said Burke. He then went on to
explain how the University of Pennsylvania receives
$3O million in state assistance, while Penn State's
College of Medicine receives a mere $4 million. And
if that isn't bad enough incoming freshmen will pay
even more to attend Penn State next year!
Jenna Boazza then lightened the mood by asking
if the ranch dressing in Dobbins could be homemade
because of the increase in tuition.
"Seriously," she said, "the homemade dressing is
so much better than the generic Ken's!" Boazza's
comment then stirred Mike Hargather to request a
soft serve ice cream machine.
"We need one," he said. "I've heard a few other
students talk about wanting one too." This of course
led to the question of why we aren't served Creamery
ice cream. The answer was simple.
"It's too expensive!" said Geering.
Other topics that were not touched upon in detail
were what is being done about the Lion cash
machines and when debiting will be an option again.
The Junker Center hours were also discussed, with
students wondering if it could possibly stay open later
on the weekends.
The last issue raised at the meeting came from
Katie Nichols. She expressed a concern about the
power failures in Lawrence.
"It's weird 'cause it's only four rooms," she said.
"The first four rooms on the second floor have a
power failure at least three times a week. It's only at
night and only my side of the hall." Geering
responded by telling her that he would look into it,
and that many times it's because too many things
are plugged in at once, or too many electronic devices
are being used at one time.
If you have a question or concerns about campus,
come join Dr. Burke and Geering at the next Pizza
with the Provost.
Frida , November 15, 2002
n Behrend' 1 ii .in .
4111 0, 1 A
Speel seemed to get very into "Jeopardy"-mode.
as they sounded like they were actually on the
Nicole Dirling, Dave Sandy. and Raphael
Scarnati began the first round. Sonic of the
categories throughout the night included Global
Political Economy, Civil Rights, and Campaign
2002. The audience could sense the anticipation
in the contestants, as they anxiously awaited the
trivia and chance to buzz. in.
With the top score to heat at 57, belonging to
Sandy, Dave Bichner, a returning finalist of last
year's competition, Guy Reschenthaler, and Tony
Ceechini began the second round. Ceechini
excelled best with points. Malt Damian() came
out on top to beat out Scott Soltis and Emily Allen
of the third round of semi-finalists.
Many of the questions weir difficult. and the
was musical, ethnic, and gender diversity as groups
ranging from the Gryphon Trio, a Canadian gomp,
to the Silk Road from China, and to the all African-
American Marian Anderson String Quartet, came
to Erie. In February, the Moscow Chamber
Orchestra is scheduled to perform. followed by
Ariel Winds, an all female woodwind group, and
the Turtle Island String Quartet.
All of these groups are comprised of
professional musicians. As Barnard explained.
they are world-class artists, who have produced
CDs and whose music is actually their job. What
students can see for free at Behrend, would he hard
to find anyplace else.
"If the students realized the value of what's
Bicentennial trees
leave a living legacy
by Courtney Straub
staff write!
On Wednesday, Jeremy States completed one
part of his Eagle Scout Project by planting a tree
at Penn State Behrend. He was able to do this
with help from the Harbor ('reek 'Township
Bicentennial Committee. States has been planting
trees this year so that next year they will (lower
for the bicentennial
"I picked this project because it helps the
community and shows citizenship, - said States.
Johnson's Evergreen Nursery donated 10
flowering trees for States to plant in harbor Creek
Township. They have been planted in different
locations such as the Faith Lutheran Church and
Cline Elementary School. The tenth tree to be
planted was placed next to Behrend's tennis courts.
"This is the first part of leaving a living legacy, -
said Ed Daglish, chairman of the bicentennial
committee.
States has been scouting since second grade and
is now a junior at Harbor Creek High School. He
belongs to Troop 175. His parents. Marcia and
Robert States, are very supportive of their son.
"I'm very pliiud that Jeremy takes pride in the
community
, anti, wanted to do something lasting.
The tree is in aplace of honor because every car
has to go by it 4t some time." said Marcia States,
who attended Bit * hrend.
States beearop involved in the bicentennial
committee becatise as part of his project, he needed
to help an organization in his committee. He also
had to show service to the members in his troop.
"I had to do di the planning and carrying out,"
said States.
contenders were stumped often. One of the
questions was, "The World Trade Organization
is headquartered in this country." "What is
Switzerland?" was the correct response. A flurry
of questions and answers flew as excitement grew
and stakes rose. For Final Jeopardy, participants
learned of the category, wrote down their wagers,
and took a stab at the tough inquiry before them.
The final winner. Cecchini, a political science
major, choose the certificate for Damon's,
Applebee's, or Quaker Steak and Lube first.
Sophomore finance major Sandy and freshman
Damiano tied in the final round.
"It was cool," said freshman Jenn Schwant. "I
didn't think I'd get into it as much as I did, but
the last pace interested me and it was fun trying
to answer the questions."
there, they would come... said Barnard "They just
don't haye aJ app,r i eci,aooo.7 , ,
Barnard estimated that of all the students who
_ .
come to Music at Noon, about half are required to
he there, while the other half come because they
enjoy the music. He has looked into other possible
time slots for students that have class, but so far
noon is the best time.
requiring students to attend music at noon
for classes, such as Music Appreciation, Barnard
stated that many students who would not normally
go, discover something they like about the music
that they did not expect. He hopes that by
attending. students will develop a taste for the
The next performance, featuring the Moscow
Chamber Orchestra, will he held on Feb. 18 at noon
in the Reed Union Building.
Trees are a legacy for the environment because
they have environmental benefits, they increase
property value, and they provide an actual setting
for a community.
"It's important to have projects like this one
because of all the benefits," said Ken Springirth,
Supervisor of Harbor Creek Township.
A&G Wholesales has already donated 15 white
or blue Spruce trees to be planted next year.
Dr. Wortman and Dr. Burke, Penn State Behrend
staff, are also on the bicentennial committee. They
will soon begin holding bicentennial events on
campus such as a picnic.
"I had fun watching them plant the tree. I think
it's great that Behrend is involved in the
community," said Amy Frizzell, freshman. "Events
like this are fun and educational for Behrend
students."
behrcolls@aol.com