■„ , ,Weekend Weather Behrend Women sVo lev ha II „.. v , .. , Tl ... - Friday: Showers and T-storms likc • j* 1 W'f • i v | Saturday: Cloudy w/showers and invitational, rind out how T .^.High 7 2 F .chance^. f 1 * 1 o cipitation 40%. they did on page >s. Sunday: Few showers. High 71 F. chance of precipitation 30% 77/e (seAfH>/i(/ fjfteaco/i Friday, September 12, 2008 Days Inn houses students two years in a row On-campus hous ing remains prob lematic for new students, hotel happy to help Connor Sattely managing editor dss(lfi(K«psu.cdu For the second year in a row, students are turning to the Days Inn several miles away from campus to solve their hous ing dilemma at Penn State Behrend. The Days Inn. which offered almost a full floor dedicated to college students last year, has once again opened their doors as a type of alternative off-campus hous ing. Penn State Behrend. currently holding the largest and second-largest classes ever to enter the campus, found itself with a waitlist for on-campus housing as early as last spring. Randy Geering, the Director of Housing and Food Services at Behrend, explains that anyone who asked for housing at the right time got it. "For people who missed deadlines, or applied late, they may have been put on the wait list,” Geering said. “But every one who wanted housing and applied on- time got it.” That list would not include freshman Brian Barker, who applied later than most due to his indecision over which college he wanted to attend. “I was at the FTCAP seminars,” Barker recalls, “when I found out that I was on the wait list, which was supposedly around four pages long at that point.” His next option became University Gate Apartments, where he put his name on their wait list as well. “1 asked them to call me if a spot opened up for a room mate, but I didn't really think it would happen,” he says. See DAYS INN on page 2. Newsroom 898-6488 Fax: 898-6019 E-mail: rcrsos7@psu.edu Our offices are located downstairs in the Reed Union Building. A Penn State Behrend Student Publication Only one way out Every day commuter students sit in a traffic jam on College Drive as they head to their after school activities. On an average day, the line of cars can be seen from the intersection of Jordan Road and College Drive, stretching clear past the Police and Safey Office. Many commuters find it difficult to leave the lower Reed parking lot. Concerns about the ability of emergency vehicles to easily pass through also have students worried. Look for the com plete story in next week’s issue of The Behrend Beacon. Chancellor Burke to retire after spring semester: A look over the last couple decades By Emily Reichert copy editor ecr.SOftX O' psu.edu Dr. Jack Burke has enjoyed his years as chancellor, however, the time for a change is upon him. Chancellor since 2001, Burke has shown his passion for Behrend through his consistent attendance at campus activities, such as musical groups, theater departments, and sporting events, while overseeing dramatic additions to the campus. Burke has said that he enjoys attending the Undergraduate Research Conferences, held every spring, because the complexity of them never ceases to amaze him. “Undergraduates are now doing things that students from the master degree level were doing years ago Visit us on the web at www.the behrend beacon, com and it's because of the technology." says Burke. "It allows you to do more." One of Burke's most treasured memories was at a graduation cere mony. A young Bosnian transfer stu dent had lived in Erie for five years and was graduating from Behrend. She wanted to return home to her family, but her foreign-exchange parents decided it would be best for her to stay because of war. Little did she know that her family had secret ly been flown into America and was hiding behind the curtains during the ceremony. While she was on stage receiving her diploma, Burke made the announcement. “We have a spe cial surprise...,” he said, voice cracking. The girl’s family then came out from behind curtains and every one in the crowd celebrated with the student. See BURKE on page 2. What’s Inside? - Check out the newly released video game Spore on page 5 - Read this edition’s “Whiskey Chronicles on page 6 - Steelers/Browns preview on page 8 'iKHil.llK Shown above: Chancellor Burke sits in Brunos Cafe. He will be retiring at the end of this spring semester. Vol. LIV No. IV Amethyst Initiative does not have every- one con- vinced “ When I was in col lege in New York, the drinking age at the time was 18 and that certainly did not stop binge drinking. However, it did make it easier for those under 18 to binge -- they had easier access -Chancellor Burke Mike (). Well rer slat] writer mrw S|)o4e 2. News 1-3 Perspectives 4 Arts 5 College Life 6 Sports 7 8