Page Two _ ........... | , r , . . i. ' **■*.* ‘ • . ' . , To the “Editor” The Behrend Collegian, defying term without having to worry probability, has extended func- about overhead or salaries. Kurt tional illiteracy, irresponsible Cavano accuses administrators investigation,and abominable and faculty of favorites, towards taste to an extent surprising even their “offspring” and “jocks,” to those who welcome the but carefully explains that he lengthening intervals between its does not “have anything against issues. Whether this results from jocks”' and even echoes the malice or incompetence on the thought and diction of those who part of its editors is for them to once claimed that “some of my decide. best friends are niggers”. Tom According to. its “Editorial Armstrong asks Dr. Cottle Policy,” the Collegian will print sarcastically whether Cottle all letters to the editor except could write Armstrong’s column “those that are repetitious or in any better than Armstrong (of poor taste.” After reading two of course he could —even Arm the letters in the issue dated 20 strong could if he were willing to January 1976 (sic), one libeling submit his column for five Dr. Pfeiffer and another at- minutes to the' editing of a tacking Mr. Onorato, one won- literate’s pen), ders what the Collegian staff I suppose I should be used to considers poor taste. the Collegian’s functional Both letters attacked their illiterates by now, including those respective targets anonymously, who misspell names (except for perhaps because the writers are those of Collegian staff mem as uncertain about the spelling of bers), but deliberate distortion is their own names as about the more serious. A headline “No difference between “Pheiffer” Spring Arts Festival” in and “Pfeiffer”, although troducing an article which cowardice is more likely a “reports” that this year’s festival motive. An anonymous attacker will not be “of the same does not have to face the con- magnitude as last year’s sequences of libel (ranging from festival” clearly aims at rousing legal action to physical the rabble instead of reporting reprimand), support irrespon- fact. sible statements with evidence, The only criminal at whom the or worry about any mud sticking Collegian has not pointed its to his own hands. Since the accusing or middle finger is the Collegian only prints person who edits the paper, simultaneous replies to letters ostensibly searching for lapses in attacking members of its own consistency, accuracy, literacy, staff, an attacker also is free and taste. Perhaps this from refutation until the next proofreader is as obscure as any issue appears. evidence of his editing. Fortunately, the two letters, Fred D. Crawford which are no more original than Department of English they are accurate, are too poorly written to demand direct Dr - Crawford, response. The presence of these It would be anything but letters within inches of the “poor appropriate to engage in taste” clause of the “editorial verbal battle with you. We policy, however, reflects a fo ave no j spent the amount of conspicuous lack of supervision, time that h SeTiteeff COnSlStenCy m 016 mastering the art of rhetoric. In the same misdated issue, instead, we wish to inform Colleen Gallagher attempts to y° u that we wIU not apologize rake muck over “recent’ r (i.e., for, nor retract the eight months old) faculty statements made about “firings.” The “Collegian faculty members in the last Commentary” asks loudly, and issue’s Letters to the Editor. ungrammatically, for tenure represent the views of criteria wnich were printed in students who simply used the months e ago. *" tW ° Collegian as a forum to voice Elsewhere one professor is their valid gripes. Where else “senile” and the bookstore can they turn? Last year in the lobbies of the residence halls, there was a neat little gadget called the magic phone. This electronic miracle allowed the students of one dorm to communicate with students of another dorm, and with members of the opposite sex, during hours of non-visitation. Over the summer, these phones were removed by the business office, as a hedge against' in flation, but were not replaced by any sort of reasonable facsimile. After a great deal of haggling, the business office agreed to replace Letters vctnjing viewpoints makes a “profit” of $20,400 per As I See It by Kurt Cavano Executive Editor this system with a cheaper system which would be installed the first of the year. But as of yet, no system has been installed. A member of the Student Affairs staff stated that for the last three weeks, he has been told that the phones “will be in next week.” At State College, the present phone system provides every four rooms with a phone to share between them. These phones allow the students to make toll free (no dime) calls to local state college numbers. At Behrend, there is one pay phone on each floor, while the R.A.’s have nip ot/Vf*. CtffusTri^s. Mys CPF S)hk skifs ftyfrs _r got .I&HBORS TO I 'Oicr H ■■ T HE Behrend ColleHan Most importantly, however, we learned from your letter that you are “concerned”, or at least aware of the problems a student publication en counters. In this light, we, the Collegian staff, ask that you extend your “concern” in a more constructive manner, and act as our literary ad visor. As student journalists, with little or virtually no background in this area, we are in need of an advisor having your capacity. We hope that your “con cern" is genuine and that you’ll be willing to share with us your knowledge and ex pertise. JLM Dear Editor: One expects irreverence, impertinence, and iconoclasm from a student newspaper. In fact, these are often its redeeming features, especially when used to jolt complacent faculty and administration into awareness. However, these constructive qualities should in no way be confused with the distortion, untruth, and slander exhibited by some of the articles in the last issue of the Collegian. Without judging the merits of individual cases, it should be pointed out that applying the inflammatory word “fired” to all the faculty who will not return next year is a gross and outrageous distortion. A few minutes’ conversation with any faculty member or administrator would reveal enough to prevent such a mistake. Similarly, a simple phone call to the Records Officer would reveal that there is no “6-12” rule by this or any other name. Permission to change assign ment is granted according to criteria established by Penn State, not by Behrend College. Each case is judged by these criteria and on its individual merits. Terms of admission, by the way, are set forth in the letter of acceptance each student receives. Worst of all, no competent journalist would even consider publishing letters containing university extensions in their rooms. This is a far sight short of the phone service that is offered at U.P., and the gap between Behrend and U.P. is getting bigger and bigger. The January 17th issue of the Daily Collegian stated that a new system, “Centrex”, will provide each dorm student with their own phone. If State College can afford to provide each dorm room with a phone for two dollars, I’m sure Behrend can at least cough up enough bucks -to provide one phone in each lobby. Come on let’s get with it! H'iWiy op / UjHKT'I4. Candid Cam m ania The Collegian staff is con- Kathy Bretz: “I read it cerned with the recent questions sometimes. Jus't let everyone as to the importance and-or know what’s happening on validity of our articles. We campus, voice students’ opinions, decided, therefore, to ask YOU and maybe have a little poetry.” what you wanted to see in your Rick Stranahan: “If I have it college newspaper. available, I’ll read it. It should The following questions were keep students informed of asked of students in the RUB surrounding activities and any cafeteria and on the walkways changes made in the college between classroom buildings: curriculum. I realize it’s im 1. “Do you read the Behrend possible for the staff members to Collegian?” be Jack Andersons, but an in 2. “What, in your opinion, vestigation into some matters should be the main objectives of a such as tuition hikes and other college newspaper?” monetary issues would be very Here are some of the answers: interesting, to me, anyway.” Steve Maclsaac: “No. We Dave Jenkins: “I’d like to see shouldn’t have a paper, because information on University there’s nothing ever exciting at policies, any changes made, and Behrend.” a ls° information about loans and Joe Antoun: “No. First of all, it any possible job opportunities should have interesting feature would be very helpful. Also, articles, and second of all, it perhaps some career information should inform ” on what markets are wide open, ~ Meg Laughiin: “Yes. I think it and what fields are practically should be informative, en- closed would be interesting. I tertaining, and a way for students guess that’s it—just keep to express themselves.” students interested.” personal attacks on faculty or faculty members, and all others anyone else. There is always wronged by distortion and room for well-meant criticism, inaccuracy, an apology and but to print such scurrilous, retraction. Perhaps in this way libelous, and cowardly attacks as he can begin to restore standards these is unforgivable. of accuracy and decency to a The editor” of the Collegian, newspaper badly in need of both, whose job it is to oversee the Dean Baldwin content of his paper, owes these Assistant Professor of English lehrenii Collegian Larry Leidtke Business Manager Kurt Cavano Executive Editor Executive Secretary: Sharon Kochanovich Copy Editor: Karen Blum Layout Advisor: Gail Peck Writ £ r -?, : . c ?, lle . en Gallagher, Joanne Goldberg, Ann Hamilton, Kris B ishop, jo™ 3osadava' NanCV A " derS °"' Tom A Steve Typists: Rachel Battles, Sandy Schacchitti Photographers: Sue Wortman Artists: Joe Kozek, Kathy McGuiness Mailing Address - Behrend College, Station Road, Erie, Pa. 16510 Office - Student Offices, Reed Union Building Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday Phone: 898-1511 Ext. 238 Opinions expressed by the editors and staff of the Behrend Collegian are not necessarily those of the University Administration, faculty, or the student body. Published every other Thursday throughout the Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms, with exclusions for holidays and term breaks. The editorials appearing in this newspaper will be opinionated and therefore subject to criticism. All letters that are typewritten of 200 words or less and submitted to the newspaper staff will be printed with the ex ception of those that are repetitious or in poor taste. The staff reserves the right to correct tmT The Y I* l CBAtuTi-TTf oyj -tv«t 13e Hft' y