I The Behrend Beacon
National and world news in brief
Roberts Confirmation Hearings Held
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee has held hearings that could lead to John
Roberts being made the next Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
These hearings, w hich ended Thursday, are designed to allow the Senate to question the
Court nominee anil determine his professional attitudes before permitting him to sit on the
Supreme Court.
The public hearings were conducted in a professional and amicable manner including repre
sentatives from both sides of the political spectrum. It was clear that Judge Roberts was seri
ous about his judicial responsibilities and wanted to be equally clear with his questioners that
he would try not to let personal feelings interfere with rulings of law.
"You've devoted your entire life to the law and it's clear that you love it," said Charles
Schumer (D-NY). “Most people in that position tend not to be ideologues."
However, liberals and conservatives alike were irritated that Roberts would not answer ques
tions under oath relating to his views on important issues such as abortion, civil rights, limits
to government power, separation of church and state, and executive war powers.
“You've told me nothing. It's kind of interesting, this kabuki dance we have in these hearings
here, as if the public doesn't have a right to know what you think about fundamental issues fac
ing them,” claimed Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE). “Without any knowledge of your understanding
of the law. because you will not share it with us. we are rolling the dice with you, judge.”
The Senate will begin confirmation voting next Thursday.
Oceanarium Dolphins Rescued from Gulf of Mexico
NEW ORLEANS - A group of eight dolphins that was swept out to sea from the Marine Life
Oceanarium in New Orleans was rescued on Thursday by its trainers and caretakers.
Although naturally wild creatures, several had spent their entire lives in captivity and were
ill-prepared for life in the wild. Furthermore, several were injured when they were forced from
their 30-foot high tank by the 41-foot high storm surge caused by the hurricane.
"Once we realized the dolphins had been swept out to sea during the hurricane, we feared
that they had died." Moby Solangi. owner of the aquarium, said. "We are just thrilled that they
have stayed together during the past couple of weeks."
The six other dolphins at the Oceanarium had been relocated to hotel swimming pools fur
ther inland before the storm struck.
By Pat Webster
staff writer
REDC construction continu
By .1. William McConnell
staff writer
-Anticipation for the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) has
been building for 3 years, since the project's approval in 2002. It promises to be a
major addition to the Behrcnd campus, potentially catering to students and facul
ty in all areas. The space it will provide will reportedly be available to everyone,
whether or not the scope of the class can make full use of the new facilities.
Il is designed, however, specifically for the schools of Engineering (Computer,
Mechanical. Electrical, etc.). Engineering Technology (Mechanical, Plastics.
Electrical, etc.) and Business (Accounting, Economics, Marketing, etc.). Classes
under these majors would he shilled out of the former Engineering and Business
buildings into the new facilities. "The Engineering area will become the site for
some of the Science classes, and there w ill be in general more space for everyone,”
says Dr. Jack Burke.
The wind tunnel that is housed in the present engineering buildings will be
moved to the new building to aeeoinmodate this shift further. With the extra space
provided, the addition ol more majors (most likely engineering and business ori
ented) in the luture is not out ol the picture, and would certainly be feasible with
in the next lew years. When asked about the prospect of REDC housing more
majors in the near luture. Dr Burke explained: “Not initially, it will just give us
more space: it will lake us a lew years to pull everything together.”
The Rl-.DC project has a cost of $3O million, and is approximately 160,000
square l eet Construction initially began in spring of 2003. About a year after the plans for the project
w as approved by the Board ol Trustees, the designs for which were made jointly by architectural firm
Weber Murphy box through their West Lake Road. Erie branch, and NBBJ of Cincinnati, Ohio. Both
companies are very renowned lor their architectural achievements and this project should prove no less
impressive.
Student Government Association has
Financial,
By Danielle Tomasello
stall writer
The Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Board
has been hard at work this summer planning for a brand new year at
Behrend. Their goal is to tackle issues with student life this school
year. Many projects have been planned to raise money for the
school, help students save money with local businesses and to help
create more school spirit at Behrend.
SGA is looking out for our Behrend students by creating pro
grams in efforts to help students financially. SGA strives to
strengthen the council system along with the committees. “I am
working very closely with each committee trying to get them
rolling, and this year by far, we tire at a great start, things are going
really well and plans and goals arc already being created,’ - said Vice
President of SGA Deepti Soni.
From SGA's efforts, some programs including online textbook
purchases have already been initiated on campus. Students have the
opportunity to purchase textbooks online to provide more competi
tion at the campus bookstore. Another goal on SGA’s agenda is to
create a parking lot committee to decide what needs to be done with
the expansion of the Research and Economic Development Center
(REDO.
"We are currently working on and plan to continue working hard
on student discounts at local businesses, the online bookstore data
base and also the council system." said SGA President. Alexander
Henderson
SGA is very committed to helping Behrend students economical
ly. In the future, Behrend students will be looking forward to the
its sights set high this year
student life and public relations issues to be addressed by council
sourced from CNN.com
drive to get local businesses to provide discounts to Behrend stu
dents who show their ID cards. SGA is also trying to get Lion
Cash+ installed within these businesses. The committee is working
really hard to contact these local restaurants for their support.
To further help students financially, a rally in Harrisburg will take
place to increase state appropriation. This will help stabilize tuition
for Behrend students. Also, SGA will raise money and awareness
from THON, which is Penn State's own philanthro
py. Student Affairs has also been working on trying
to get discounts at local restaurants along with work
ing on a housing affair. The Diversity Committee,
which has been reinstated this year, has been work
ing extremely hard in trying to increase diversity
awareness amongst this campus. They are working
closely with Multi Cultural Council (MCC) along
with a few of the First year interest group (FIG)
classes
SGA has put a tremendous amount of effort into
creating a more ideal Behrend. The most important
component of creating these programs were the stu
dents who took the time to help. “Most importantly,
we want students to realize what SGA is and how it
can help students. We want students to get involved
in SGA. Without everyone’s involvement and input,
we would not be doing the organization justice,”
Soni said. “Students can become more involved in
SGA in various ways. Students have the option of
running for a Senate Seat or they can join one of our
committees. Students can walk into the SGA office
fE W>
Hurricane Ophelia lurks off Atlantic coast
ATLANTIC BEACH, NC - Hurricane Ophelia continues to swirl menacingly off the coast of North Carolina
but is not expected to make landfall.
As punishing rains continue to batter the Outer Banks, many people are keeping one thing in mind: it couli
be worse.
"Mother Nature plays strange tricks in strange ways,” said Sandy Sanderson, director of emergency man
agement of Dare County, NC, “but the Outer Banks has been spared a direct hit."
Residents of the mid-Atlantic coastal region are thankful that Hurricane Ophelia did not turn into anothei
Katrina. At most, it will continue to brush by the coast in a northeasterly direction and dump plenty of rain
Even as a relatively weak (category 1) hurricane, landfall could cause plenty of damage, but it doesn’t seen
to be in the cards this time.
Iran Claims Readiness to Share Nuclear Technology
UNITED NATIONS - The President of Iran has publicly declared that Iran will share developed peacefu
nuclear technologies with friendly Islamic states.
Iran’s current nuclear program is based on refining uranium to provide energy in light of declining work
petroleum reserves, and Iranian leadership claims that the production of nuclear weapons is not a goal.
"We have firmly decided to use this technology for peaceful purposes within the framework of the Non-
Proliferation Treaty, international regulations and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,'
President Ahmadinejad said.
The United States, which at this point in time has no official diplomatic ties with Iran, remains wary thal
nuclear technology will lead to the development of nuclear weapons. The European Union has been in nego
tiations with Iran for some time, seeking guarantees that this will not happen.
Indonesian Rebels lay down arms, government forces withdraw
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia - Both sides in a civil war that has lasted more than thirty years have reached his
toric peace accords in a willingness to work together to rebuild the tsunami-devastated region.
Rebels in the Aceh province have begun turning in scores of grenade launchers, machine guns, and rifles tc
the national government, and federal troops are withdrawing from rebel-held areas in twin gestures of good
will that may reshape the years to come.
The Free Aceh Movement revolutionaries and Indonesian government have been hammering out deals thal
appealed to both parties, claiming that now was not the time to “add to people's suffering.” when together they
could help their devastated country.
The rebel movement has agreed to stop fighting, disarm, and recognize the authority of the national gov
ernment. The government has granted amnesty to all rebels, released those imprisoned and granted incredi
ble measures of self-government and resource control to former rebel areas.
International monitors are now observing the situation.
Tiffany Mak/THF. BEHREND BEACON
The Research and Economic Development Center, scheduled to open in February of 2006, is currently under construction.
Proximity to Knowledge Park should provide an easily accessible “stepping stone” to its joint Penn
State/Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation opportunities for engineering students. The
REDC is located behind the Smith Chapel near the Junker Center on Jordan Road and is steadily near
ing completion. The Research and Economic Development Center is projected to open in February of
2006.
o
.J
and see when and where the meeting times are, or they can email me
at [dusl43@psu.edu] for more information.”
Behrend has a new beginning this year. Students will have a
more financial friendly school and programs to participate in.
Students are the most important factor to SGA.
We have a very strong administration and senate, and we will
accomplish many of our goals,” said Henderson..
Classifieds
"Secrets should be Secret, told
only to the Secreter and the
Secretee."
-Virginia Clark Clarkson, The
Alphabet of Civility
Janet Neff Sample Center In
far Manners ir Civility KjjHl
Friday, September 16, 2005