Paige Miles, Editorial Page Editor
The Behrend Beacon
treckh. /)V the .strulents of Penn . S tub' Elk. The lieltrend Collage
News Editor
Erin McCarty
Assistant Sports Editor 111/10110\11
Lauren Packer
Assistant News Editor
Jen Henderson
Sports Editor
Scott So/tis
Editorial Page Editor
Paige Miles Beaco n
Features Editor
Karl Benacci
"A newspaper by the
Staff Photographers students for the students"
Jeff Hankey
Heather Myers
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
The Beacon is published
weekly by the students of
Penn State Erie,
the Behrend College;
First Floor, The J. Elmer
Reed Union Building, Station
Road, Erie, PA 16563 .
The Beacon can be reached by
calling (814) 898-6488 or
(814) 898-6019 (FAX).
ISSN 1071-9288.
Behrend Blahs
Wow. Where has the time gone? I only looking Erie girls as it is, so the pretty
have three editorials left to write--this girls shouldn't be smoking. Sure, lovely
one, another one, and my final goodbye girls may still look good after a few
column to Penn State Behrend. It seems puffs, but it all adds up and gives them
like only yesterday I was a timid, shy yellow teeth and unhealthy skin. Of
freshman. True, some people still think course, I don't care if unattractive
I'm shy, but that's just because I girls or the entire male species
don't like them. smokes. In fact. either of these
I've learned a lot of things in col- °' 01 groups can light up six packs a
lege, and I am here to share them -1 14140 day for all I care. It's all good.
with my beautiful readers. C' 4F.1 Light em' if you've got em.'
Some of these things are fellas and beasts.
cool, and most are not. Lets Since I'm passing my
start with the nots. word quota, I'll
Things I dislike: give a summary
- I get annoyed really Oh, you didn't know? of other Behrend
easily and I'm really Karl Benacci things that suck
high strung, so there's
nothing worse than
sitting in class and being distracted by a
cell phone some idiot forgot to turn off.
The worst part is everyone looks around
the room—including the tool that owns
the cell phone.
Why is this? Is the person hoping it's
someone else's phone that coincidentally
has the same Christina Aguilera ring
tone'? If so, I'll say this: The odds of
two people in the same room having
"Genie in a Bottle" as a ring tone is more
minute than the odds of me marrying
Christina Aguilera, and as everyone
knows, I'm not going to marry/ Christina
(My faithful readers are well aware I'm
going to marry Britney Spears instead!).
- My second Behrend pet peeve in
volves not pets, but people who are la
zier than the fools who park next to the
apartment dumpster, turning the road
into a one lane deathfest. What could I
be talking about? The million-dollar
staircase's elevator abusers!
There are actually people who are so
unmotivated and sloth-like that they take
the elevator not just up, but down, also.
Yes, DOWN! Is it a coincidence these
people are often corpulent and over
weight? Nope! If anything, these people
should be running the million-dollar
staircase steps like Rocky Balboa. I un
derstand some people are unable to use
steps, so let's only use the elevator to go
up so we don't wear the damn machine
out for the people who actually need to
use the elevator.
However, there's nothing worse than
a jabroni(et te) who sees a group of
people walking behind them and decides
to ride the elevator alone as opposed to
being nice and waiting for the others.
Personally, I don't use the elevator un
less I'm weakened by sickness, which
brings me to my next tirade.
- To the people who come to class sick
and spread germs: Everybody hates you.
We hate your sniveling, gasping, nose
blowing ways. If you're sick, please stay
home, or else you should come to my
house and bring me chicken soup and
Sucrets after you've infected me with
your scummy germs.
-Speaking of gasping, there's nothing
worse than an attractive girl who smokes.
Why? Because there aren't enough good-
Editor-in-Chief
Kevin Fallon
Managing Editors
Rebecca Weindorf
Robert Wynne
Professional Publication Mgr
Dave Richards
Advisor
Cathy Roan
The Beacon encourages
letters to the editor. Letters
should include the address,
phone number, semester
standing, and major of the
writer. Writers can mail letters
to behrcoll2@aol.com. Letters
must be received no later than
5 p.m. Monday for inclusion in
play 13ehrend in
tramural basketball with long nails. It's
not the girls league! Cut them (This is
especially close to my heart after a guy
who calls himself Princess scratched me
so deeply that hlood dripped from both
wrists! I felt like Kim--Fininem's ex-
wife (9).
-Repulsive roommates--we all have
a few of these, don't we'?
-People who have an audio system in
their car that's worth more than the car
itself. I will never understand these
people. They huy a nice system when
they don't have a window to throw it out
-People who interrupt-No one likes
you or what you have to say. Fill your
mouth with some ciriarettes and walk off
the gorge
-Bad professors. We all hate them,
even more than the people who come to
class sick. One day, I even had a had pro
fessor who taught sick. I hope she
smokes.
There's no space left, so I will list the
things I enjoy about Behrend with little
-The painting of Bruno (in Bruno's)
His eyes follow me wherever I go,
whether it's to get some pizza or throw
my lunch away.
-Maintenance. There's nothing funnier
than Behrend students getting sprayed
with grass from a lawnmower.
-The Junker Center. Why?
-The Behrend Dance Team. They're
all fine, and I assume none of them
smoke. Maybe they will perform at my
graduation party.
I am here to offer a final piece of
Benacci wisdom. For everyone who is
graduating this semester (myself in
cluded): After our one-week of vacation
from our final Spring Break we'll be
covering our eyes because of the glare
from the light at the end of the tunnel.
Make the final seven weeks (and finals
week) an enjoyable time. I look back on
my high school years and realize I didn't
do anything cool (other than play than
varsity sports). Carpe diem. After all,
college is a time to remember; these are
supposed to be our crazy days.
Benacci's column
appears every three weeks.
:~ .
r~
Advertising Manager
Christine Kleck
Calendar Page Editor
Ennn Hansen
A&E Editor
Daniel J. Stasiewski
Associate Editor
Mike Butala
Healthy Living Editor
Courtney Straub
Distribution Manager
Scott Sollls
that week's issue
fak jiffisA
Friday, March 7, 2003
In the diversity corner
by Carrie Rodgers
contributing editorialist
That's so gil.y!
Ileac! or said this a lot? Well, you're not
alone. Using the tern "gay" has now evolved
into describing unpleasing situations, people
or objects. When I am in the conversation,
the speaker is quick to add, "Well, I wasn't
referring to you. I hope that you're not mad."
I'm not mad. but it does concern me that
many people regularly use the term nega
tively. Is being gay wrong? Is it that unac
cepted?As long as we continue this language,
we are in danger of offending our best friend,
brother, sister or co-worker. In most cases. I
know people are not trying to directly of
fend me, however, many others may he of
fended and affected.
Imagine yourself as a gay student---even
better, a gay freshman. You have no idea what
college life is about, let alone the opinions
regarding sexual orientation. So, you just
observe and listen to your peers. Overhear-
Ponderi
All right. You knew there would be a
pattern here, and this editorial is going to
he about someone I don't know very
well, and yet we share the same last
name. Ah, no, it's not my third cousin
twice removed, although I might have a
few of those living in town, actually.
Anyway. As I've said in my last
editorial, being a senior doesn't always
have to center around studies it's a
stage where I'm about to completely
change. And though I can credit this
change to my future husband and my
parents and other big-name stars in '
reality show that I call My Life, the
are other key characters on the
playbill that I'd like you to meet -
one of whom I have already intro
duced in my Feb. 7 editorial. And a:
the big, tough, protective oldest sistt
that I am, I'm ready to share some o
my editorial spotlight with my other
younger siblings and, in a sense. let
them take over the Eldest Sibling Undressed from the neck up
part that I have played so
diligently in the last 22 Becky Weindorf
The second sibling in my
family was used to being called the
baby'. because for six years, she was
She was the little sister that I 10-o-oved
to pick on or dress up. She and her
childhood friend would always he at our
house and I would beg to brush their hair
and braid it and all that stuff. I was that
older sister who had that authority streak
(I hesitate to say 'anal' because I don't
think I am) and loved to dress them up in
my weird, stylish clothes.
When Lindy came along, she was the
little daredevil. We have an infamous
story in our house (actually, there are too
many to count, but this is the one I
remember right now). In our old house,
Letter to the Editor
Kevin Fallon's column on Jack Burke
as Provost in the Feb. 28 issue is One of
his best. Burke is of course the best, best
choice to continue the excellence that
characterizes Behrend College and sets
us apart from other locations in the
system.
But hat if 'Sal and Rock° . an
swered'? ( They are Dr. Thomas
Wortman. Special Assist. to Dean and
Dr. Robert Light, Associate Provost ).
Feel free to publish their letter:
Dear K. Fu/h)!?
We, the members of Burke's Posse,
take exception to Four recent column
gtia4
it,100%) RE Atly
.-‘ :"F
27 1 , 4
, A."
_
•
ing derogatory terms and jokes targeting gays
and lesbians keeps you in the closet. This is
where we fail. Even though the majority of
the campus might he accepting, you will
never know--you're too of raid. You believe
revealing your sexual orientation will push
you even further outside the campus com
munity.
Opting to stay in the closet seems to he the
appealing answer for many gay youths. Most
of them have good reasons. Fears of humili
ation. separation and physical injury are
among the top concerns. If we continue
equating gay with an unpleasing subject or
person, many students will continue hiding
their orientation to "fit in". This can lead to
lowered self-esteem. Defacing Trigon post
ers concerning GI.BT (gay. lesbian. bisexual
and transgendered) issues further validate that
being openly gay is unacceptable.
We need to watch what we say. Using and
accepting this language further separates gay
and straight students. Given that one in 10
people are gay, lesbian, bisexual or
ng the word `seni
the one with the refinished basement,
Cindy took one of her tricycles and
decided to ride down the stairs into the
basement. Can you imagine the noise we
heard? THUDDA-THUDDA
THUDDA-THUDDA-13AM! She came
out relatively unscathed on that one
(note: I said 'that one.' There are others
where we have a lovely assortment of
broken bones, swollen joints, and a
couple concussions.)
So this sibling here, although we don't
share a lot of our lives now, is also one of
letting me be a driver in another state)
and a wild explosion of blonde hair and
blue eyes.
When you first meet her, she's quiet,
but the type that carries an aura of, shall
we say, power? She was a tomboy when
she was younger, and played every
known sport on this continent (softball,
soccer, volleyball, she's talking about
javelin right now). I think she has a
boyfriend, but she doesn't like it when
snobby classmates at school mess around
and try to be popular and "all that. -
She's one of those no-nonsense people
who hates the high school crap and can't
wait for everyone else to grow up, and
about Dudley Dean Right.
Nobody asked us if he should be Dean
Either of us would hare been a better
pick cause we're the real power behind
Burke.
the guy come.s running into the
office every morning confuted, it's US
thus points him to decal - or hi-test. Who
do you think gets him into his tax
correctly for all those fancy-smantzy
affairs wheretve have to stand outside or
park cars?
Boy, could vue tell you stories. Like his
insistence on yelling "Bingo!" before he
has all the numbers.
We better get really cushy jobs outta
all this
ise instrumental pieces of
ny history here in Erie
that I am about to leave
for the new life that's
awaiting me in four
months. Cindy is six
years younger than I.
on the cusp of her
sixteenth birthday
thanks for
The Behrend Beacon
transgendered. we encounter \ c\ cr\
EVell in private conversations. people Gill
overheat you on the IA:IV 10 do , \; Bruno,.
in the classroom. in the dorms cv Cry \A here
Nothing is really private at lichrend l '•,cd in
just casual come's:mon. 50111 ustsnl , e
a powerful and detrimental effect on a sub
dent who is concealing his ur her !denim.
There is hope 13e1etid is trying. to lied
ways to embrace the (Hlit'l comniumt%
Recently. I talked to a RA \\lin told me pint
of training invokes L•limmanng often,' c lan
guage towards gays and lesbians 'omplete
change, ho\A ever. need, to ',duo ssnlun you
Being a 61.8 T ally is a great place to skill
Educate yourself about all .tspects i)l di .!
sity. Use non often,' \e and Inclu,isr lan
guage-- language that does not (Mend any
race, gender, sexualti
or.en.a..on and so on.
This allows students to feel condonable
themselves and peers. Given todiiv's \\ odd
events, we need to look inward and emhi ace
diversity within o crown bottlers. Wain int ac
ceptance, we are fighting ourselves.
or,'part two
has talents for Aiming and writing
Portraits are one of her specialties.
As a powerful volleyball player 161 the
local McDm\ ell 'Trojans and an ad\ (with!
tier the Christian retreat program
Foot Steps. I think ( .ind is going through
life with a relaxed smile and a realistic
outlook on her future. Sort of like the
time she and I used to share a room when
we were younger, and the realistic future
that we shined was hay ing our o\\
rooms (and we made sure our mother
heard that request every din.
Cindy will he one of my bridesmaids
come July this year. and I think she's
excited about it, even though she has to
get her hair done and wear a dress
(wink). And even though I had a
tendency to overdramatiie my temininth
at her age, she's starting to discos er ho
she is, and what she wants to he NA hen
she grows into a woman.
I think there's a lot more common
between us than I realise. too, because
one of those discoveries that we both
discovered at In was that we cut throiTh
the bullcrap and don't put up with it. It
makes life a lot simpler. And we both ;lie
'tough gals' (my father's words)
For the last three years, e been
trying to complete school and tOcus most
of my energies on either my future
husband or my studies. Maybe this is not
an editorial pence, but like I said. I'm
changing parts. I have to make that
transition as smooth as possible. Its a lot
of responsibility coming first in ai Limit\
like mine.
P.S.: Special editorial preview! I ook tot
`Squirt' on April I I.
Weindorf's column
appears every three weeks
Signed,
Sal and Rock()
(aka Dr livortman. ( - hal Tar‘ and
Dr R.Ligla. Chief ol Seas)
(Wortman was instrumental in having
Behrend declared an arboretum
in same issue: and Bob Ught has among
his duties heading up the Sea Grant
program through Knowledge Park. Both
are as good sports as Burke)
Have fun
Mike Chiteman, !lead
Division of Undergraduate Studies
20 Eric Hall
Page 5