The Behrend beacon. (Erie, Pa.) 1998-current, February 08, 2008, Image 1
Friday, February 8, 2008 Pa. Governor Rendell speaks in Erie By Angela D’ Aurora contributing writer ;isd 169(a' psu.edu Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell was in Erie Wednesday, Feb. 6 pushing prosperity, progress, and politics. Serving as chief exec utive of the sixth most populous state. Rendell spoke about his efforts to increase government responsiveness and responsibili ty to the public and its needs. During his speech at Erie City Hall. Rendell focused specifically on the 2008-2009 state budget and his economic stimulus program. - ‘I believe in Pennsylvania we have to do more.” Rendell said. The Governor touched on the changes Pennsylvania has seen since 2003. Regarding the unemployment rate. Rendell explained that, as part of his budget, $3 billion in gov ernment funds have been set aside to help cre ate jobs. “Pennsylvania is doing very well." Rendell said. The state of Pennsylvania is now ranked fifteenth for job growth in the nation. Included in the $27.5 billion state budget is a $4OO rebate for working families who make less than $32,000 a year. “More people are working and less people are on College Candids: A photo tour of what's happening on Behrend's campus Stove Winfield (left) and Adam Pierce (right) study in the Clark Cafe at the RF.DC. The Cafe has become a favorite hang out spot for both engineering and business majors. «*eegL .ego.. Grant McDonald works on a computer at the Reed Building Kiosk. PSU endowments ranked among highest in the nation By Mark Nardo staff writer manso92 @ psu .edu Due to a nationwide trend in increasing endow ments, an inquiry ordered by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee was made in early January to find out which universities ranked highest and lowest. Among the top 50 wealthiest, Penn State came in 46th place with an endowment at $1.59 billion, which is consid ered to be significantly high, just surpassing the bil lion dollar mark. As of last year, college and univer sity endowments went up about 17.7 percent. Penn State’s endowment grew about 20 percent from 2006 to 2007, and even though Penn State has the highest tuition among the ’‘Big Ten” universities, its endow ment is ranked seventh. The Director of the Center News Opinion Humor. DffluraD Dincon Contents ...1-3 Entertainment.. 4 Student Life ..5 Music A Penn State Behrend Student Publication welfare." he said. Governor Rendell also spoke about the lack of resources for flood protection. Rendell said that insurance com panies have been asked to pay seven cents for every home owner's insurance policy pur chased. "That's forty-two cents a year. That is a small price to pay to secure us for our future." said Rendell. With the economic stimulus program. Rendell hopes to increase incentives for jobs, as well as ask legislature to triple to $3,000 for every job they create. "This is a stimulus program that will work," Rendell said. In addition to addressing the state budget plans and economic stimulus program. Rendell. in an exclusive interview with The Behrend Beacon, announced his support of Hilary Rodham Clinton in the 2008 Presidential election. "I like Obama, but I believe Hilary is the most qualified out of all the other candidates." Rendell said. The Governor said he believes that Hilary Clinton is even more qualified then her hus band and former U.S president. Bill Clinton. See RENDELL on page 2 for College Affordability and Productivity, Richard Vedder, claims that considering Penn State’s tuition, it is a middle endowment university. This recent rise in endowments, according to Vedder, could be due to an increase of investments in hedge funds and overseas investing. He also claims that the gap between poor schools and rich schools seems to be growing due to this increase. The endow ments for the richer schools are increasing signifi cantly more when compared to the poorer schools, whose endowments aren’t increasing at the same rate. Among the other top 50, from 10th place to first, the rankings and endowments go as follows: University of Pennsylvania - $4.02 billion, See ENDOWNMENTS on page 3 Students upset over computer kiosk problems By Krista Jones staff writer kejso39@psu.edu The computer kiosks in the Reed and Kochel buildings are well known for their slow reaction time, poor internet quality and lack of up-to-date features —including Microsoft Word. However, their original intent was never for the casual use that students utilize the computers for now. The computers were installed during the late 1990 s as an alternate way for students to check e-mail on a computer outside of the lab environment. Because the only way to check e-mail was to go onto the Eudora client on one of the lab computers, saving anything important to a floppy disk, stu dents were clogging the labs with transient computer traffic. Since there were no laptops, wireless internet or other alternatives, it was necessary for students to use the labs. This became a huge problem when there were classes using them, and students couldn’t gain access during ...7 ...8 Jeremy KonvekTTHE BEHREND BEACON Pa. Governor Ed Rendell speaks exclusively with a reporter from The Behrend Beacon during a visit in Erie on Feb. 6. Student activity fees increasing again? Students will have the final say ■" « an approx,,„mc n»c- J J dollar increase or more. Penn State Bchrend is a second tier campus, so students here are looking at the possibility of a small increase. “Nothing has officially been decided, but if it is and the increase will be implemented, it should take place beginning in the fall semester of 2008." said Student Affairs President Ken Miller. Tve never seen any tuition changes or fee increases imple mented during mid-semester. They usually occur at the beginning of the next academic year." According to Miller, there has been a huge demand for the funding of activities students want to hold on campus this year. "Students have put in requests equaling up to $100,115. Unfortunately. See FEES on page 3 By Krista Jones staff writer kcjso39(g Students who attend some of the 19 Pennsylvania State University commonwealth campuses may find themselves shelling out a little extra cash come fall of 2008. The student activities fee that is paid every semester with the tuition bill is up for an increase. The Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) is looking to pass a resolu tion that will raise the student activity fee students pay each semester. First tier campuses will not have any change or increase in their fees —however second and third We are now on the Web! Visit us online at www.thebehrendbeacon.com See KIOSKS on page 2 Vol. LIV No. XIV Behrend and Canisius College team up to offer 3+2 program By Matthew Schwabenbauer assistant news editor mjss3B7@psu.edu Students at Canisius College, a liberal arts col lege in Buffalo, New York now have the opportu nity to receive an engineering degree from Penn State Behrend as part of a new "3+2" dual degree program. The School of Engineering has signed an artic ulation with Canisius College which gives Canisius students the opportunity to come to Behrend and receive an engineering degree. The program, which is in effect for the current semes ter, requires students go to Canisius College for three years, then Penn State Behrend for two. Students will study liberal arts, science and pre- engineering at Canisius, and engineering at Behrend. At the end of the five years. 3+2 students will receive two degrees, a B.S. in physics from Canisius, and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Behrend. “Our 3+2 articulation agreement streamlines the credit transfer process and eliminates duplica tion of coursework,” said Ralph Ford, director of the Behrend School of Engineering. "We've creat ed a seamless way for students to earn two degrees that make a unique and valuable skill set." A program that requires an extra year, but results in two degrees seems like a good deal to many students. “The 3+2 program is a good opportunity," said Behrend Freshman Aaron Sullivan. “Having two degrees would impress employers, and Behrend engineering degrees carry a lot of weight.” “This new dual degree program in liberal arts and engineering will further enhance our success ful science programs,” said Scott Chadwick, vice president of academic affairs for Canisius College. “In addition, the combination of liberal arts, science and engineering courses will expand student mastery of communication, critical think ing and leadership.” Canisius College was founded in 1870 by the Jesuits, and remains one of just 28 Jesuit schools in the country. Canisius is a Catholic college, located in the Delaware Park district of Buffalo. New York.