THE BEHREND 8...,.C0N Friday, April 14, 2006 Picture Project focuses on Katrina victims LAartheir families ~• . - '1 w• , • - • - •.n._ed I hotos Dennis Heintz, an accountant for Erie County Juvenile Probation, can't hide from the memories of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Whether the pictures are in boxes waiting to be scanned or placed carefully on tables in the living room, they are without a doubt pre cious and valuable. Heintz is part of the Picture Project, which accord ing to their website is, "The Erie community's gift to the residents of the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas whose precious photos were lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina." It all began when Sue Webber, a friend and Picture Project coordi nator, heard Ann Weiss speak about the effort she made to return the pictures she had found at the Auschwitz-Berkinau concentration camp while on a tour in 1986. After gaining control of these precious photo- * t • ..,.„ , --• , ,,f11 - ~„ .... ~.- -., 11 S i ‘''''''''' :I. • I , . 3i,.....,...: 1'. ....., . 4' Sotth:111 tcain on a treak Contents News 1-3 Editorial 4 Humor 6 Student Life 7-8 Sports 9-10 Contact Us Newsroom: 898-6488 Fax: 898-6019 E-mail: editorinchief@psu.edu Our offices are located downstairs in the Reed Union Building. By Miranda Krause staff writer mlk3l9@)pstLedu E-bills elicit concern from students After digging through binders and stacks of paper distributed throughout the Bursar's office, Pam Kedzior said, "This is exactly why we are switching to e-bills!" Penn State University has recently decided to modify its billing practices by eliminating the use of all paper bills and replacing them with e bills. Beginning in the fall, tuition bills will no longer be mailed to student's homes and can only be accessed online via eLion (www.elion.psu.edu). With this change students will now have to become more respon sible in getting their bills paid because their parents will no longer be notified; instead, a mes sage will be e-mailed to the stu dent's account notifying them that a payment is due. Kedzior expects there to be complications regarding payments, but feels that most students are experienced enough to know their billing policies. "The ones I really feel bad for are Personal counseling provides solutions to stress With May quickly approaching, the stress level we are all under is quickly cli maxing. Homework, quizzes, tests, work and now the added fear of finals is sneak ing up on many of us. With all of these compounding worries, many students may be left wondering what to do and where to go for help. Penn State under stands how students can react under pres sure and offer a safe way to help manage stress: the Personal Counseling Office. The Personal Counseling Office was originally started by one psychology pro fessor in 1985. Since then it has grown to include two professional psychologists, Sue Daley and Nicole Kirkpatrick, spe cializing in counseling for young adults, and a staff assistant to help keep everyone in order. They do need to keep order; the number of students who received service By KJ Margraff Jr. contributing writer kjm2B9@psu.edu A Penn State Erie Student Publication i 4 201 Vol. LIII No. 27 graphs, she made every effort to return them to the families and the survivors. Weber then contacted Karla Anderson, and she, as well as Heintz, got involved. Heintz, Weber and Anderson then formed the idea of the Picture Project. Afterwards, dozens of calls were made and WJET TV 24, United Van Lines, Kodak and Wal-Mart, as well as other sponsors, got involved. About four weeks after Hurricane Katrina struck, multiple trips to Biloxi, Mississippi were made by Webber, Heintz and Anderson to begin setting up the organization. The weekend before Thanksgiving of 2005, more trips were made to place boxes at local Wal-Marts labeled with two signs. One sign explained the project and another asked people to write the zip code of the location in which the photo graphs were found. Public service announcements were made by the local ABC and Fox affiliates informing the public of the location and purpose of the drop boxes. People who had found pictures in their back yards as well as other places on their property were asked to write the zip code in which they found them, place them in plastic bags, and drop them in the donation box. This way the pictures would be shipped back to Erie where Heintz, Webber, Anderson and other members of the Picture Project could scan the photos and upload them onto their website at www.pictureproject.org. However, this process may take a few weeks because the pictures were just received March 22 and more were received the following week. After the pictures are uploaded onto their website, the public is asked to search for their photographs, which are listed by the zip codes in which they were found. Once they find their pictures they are to con tact the Picture Project. "The picture project staff," says Heintz, "will then upload those photos to the Kodak Galleries where the owner can get one free print for each photo and other family members can purchase more copies if they wish." Heintz, who is very proud of the progress, says, "One of the things that amazes me about this is the trust that people put in us, that we will follow through with the project and do the right thing. It's almost overwhelming." Mary Haldi, who is thrilled to be part of this project, says, "Possessions can be replaced, but the memories that the pictures cap ture can't be replaced. The past is the past and the photos capture that." Haldi and Nancy Griffey, another volunteer for the Picture Project, both said that everyone working for the Picture Project just hopes the By Nick Underhill staff writer nru 100@psu.edu grew from 36 students in the 1985/1986 school year to an astounding 295 students last year. The number of appointments scheduled has leaped from 774 in 1996/1997 to 1,214 in 2004/2005. The Fall 2005 semester recorded a record breaking 701 appointments pro jecting a total of over 1,400 appointments expected for the 2005/2006 school year. Daley commented, "This spring is off the charts." Two students were admitted into inpatient care at St. Vincent's hospital. With the stress level on high, Daley fears that they won't be able to handle the excess volume. She explained that they are unable to properly care for over 300 students, that there is "not enough man power." With any luck, Daley hopes that the office will be able to hire a third full time counselor. This year was the first year that the Personal Counseling Office needed to keep a waiting list. Some stu dents have needed to wait a week or more to see a counselor. "I feel a disconnect pictures make it back to their owners. They say . it's like giving them their life back. Anyone wishing to volunteer, can do so by sorting or scanning pho tographs to be uploaded at their website. Contact Dennis Heintz at the Picture Project's Website, or e-mail Heintz directly at DHeintzs6@velocity.net. the incoming freshmen; they aren't used to how things go." Many students are worried that their parents will struggle with the transition to e bills. Kedzior stated, "There have been a lot of complaints," one being that some stu dents do not have Internet access at home. Kedzior explained that arrangements can be made to serve those who are struggling to make the necessary adjustments. "They can still call in and get their student's information and mail their checks if needed. They can always go to a public library if they don't have the Internet or a computer at home, but, you know, we just figured that everyone has Internet access these days." Penn State feels that the use of e-bills will eliminate any chance of error and make things easier on everyone, but some just are not embracing the changes and prefer things the old fashioned way. Mark Allsion says, "I don't think I've ever seen my par ents on the Internet, let alone pay the bills that way. My mom never gives her informa tion over the phone, what makes them think people will be comfortable doing it on the Internet?" He goes on to add, "I think it's just an attempt to make things easier for the school; they aren't thinking about us; [the use of e-bills] is stupid and self-serving." Kedzior explained that arrangements can be made to serve those who are struggling to make the necessary adjustments or don't feel comfortable paying bills online. "They can still call in and get their student's information and mail their checks if needed. They can always go to a public library if they have to, but, you know, we just figured that everyone has Internet access these days." Beginning with the Fall 2006 semester, students will need to grant their bill payers access to their student account if they want them to be able to view it. Also, along with the use of e-bills, the university is also encouraging people to make payments via cred it card or eCheck. with the students; there's no time left for everyone." Pamphlets on stress and stress manage ment offer advice to help reduce the stress level temporarily so students can keep focused. First, relax --- where you are; sim ply taking slow deep breaths with your hands across your navel and counting can calm unexpected anxiety attacks. Next, take a break. The weather is get ting warmer every day, so get some fresh air and exercise. If you need to, find a private place for a good cry. The third suggestion is a question for yourself: "Is it worth being upset over this situation?" Many times we have no con trol over situations, only how we react to them. Find a friend to talk to or write a letter that you don't send. Just getting your emotions out into the open can give you a better view of the situation. And last, write a list of all the things you need to do right away then prioritize them. Knock off a The Fa" 2005 , few then leave the rest to be the top of tomorrow's list, but don't procrastinate. If you need a record breaking help of any sort, the Personal Counseling 701 appointments. Office is located on the first floor of the semester recorded Building. The number is 898-6504 and their hours are Monday Friday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (appointments preferred) or the Crisis Line is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by calling 814-456-2014 or through Police and Safety Services at 898-6101.
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