NOVEMBER 9,1984 Pepsi Increases Inevitable by Michael Eric Wimms Collegian Staff Writer In a recent interview with Mr. Michael Ryan, manager of food and housing at Behrend, he stated that the price increase of soda on cam pus from 50 cents to 55 cents was primarily due to inflation. The rising cost of sugar, a main ingrediant of soda, made price increases necessary. Ryan pointed out that he has to contend with the pressures exerted by the vending service. “When you use the services of a vendor,” said Ryan, “you’re not only paying for the machine rental and the soda, but the service as well.” We are paying for the con venience of having these machines within reach. “Of course it is easier and cheaper to go out and purchase a six pack of soda,” said Ryan, “but it is hardlv convenient.” “The machines seem to.be doing very well,” said Ryan. He added that “The school needs extra service to keep the machines full. It is true that some places sell soda for less Activities Fee Proposed by Barrett Parker Collegian Staff Writer Did you buy an Activities Card? This year the choice was yours. In the future, however, the luxury of an optional ac tivities card may not exist. The activity card gives you free entry to movies, Cub basketball games and numerous activities. The replacement of this ac tivity card is currently being considered by University Park officials. It would be succeed ed by a manditory activities fee, the first Penn State has seen in 20 years. According to Dohn Har shbarger, Dean of Student Af fairs, an activity fee would have many advantages over the present system used to fund student events. This fee would be totally “earmarked for student events and pro grams,” says Harshbarger, “and could not be siphoned off to fill other needs at the ex pense of the activities.” As you can imagine, this would increase the money for pro gramming which is presently “underfunded.” Harshbarger than 50 cents per can, but these machines normally have lower grade products or they are privately owned,” he said. It is then the job of the owner to stock the machine, usually with some generic brand. It is true that some places sell soda for less than 50°hut these machines nor mally have lower grade products or privately are ownedl The extra money from the machines goes to the school. The commission is used for upkeep of the machines, elec trical costs, and payment of the cleaning staff who cleans the area around the machines says that “The amount of money that SGA has available...(would) double to quadruple.” “The fee would supply more money for more ac tivities.” In addition to in creasing the number of ac tivities, the additional funds would make possible more “big name entertainment and higher risk programming which may not bring compen sation at the ticket counter,” says Harshbarger. This is especially true at Behrend which is a great deal smaller than University Park. Har shbarger commented that almost all programs have to be subsidized because there are 2,000 students and not 20,000 students. “From my point of view,” concluded Harshbarger, “it is a necessary thing. Student Ac tivities is underfunded. The best way to address this is through a fee.” Student opinions on the subject may be expressed at the SGA meetings, held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday in the Reed Seminar Room. BEHREND COLLEGIAN NEWS in the Reed Building. “The entire commission is used for overhead costs and not much is profit,” Ryan commented. The machines break down periodically. Ryan attributes the breakdown of the machines to high sensitivity: “The Pepsi machine is technologically superior to many other vending machines,” he stated. “Because it is so sensitive,” asserted Ryan, “it may be ac ting inefficiently because somebody attempted to insert the wrong amount of change or physically abused the machine.” Many students have been penalized for such actions. Money back guarantees are issued to students who have lost money through no fault of their own. “Due to the popularity of Pepsi, the school will continue to do business with the same vending company,” stated Ryan. The machines, with all of the criticism against them, continue to get a lot of our money. This will insure their longevity for some time to come. Spring Registration to be Computerized by Tricia Wood Collegian Staff Writer Spring registration won’t be like it used to be. Behrend Records and Schedule Officer Bob Schenker expressed concern recently that unless continuing students carefully and com pletely advance-register bet ween now and Nov. 27, the new computerized registration system will not run smoothly. Schenker said if students fail to advance-register by Nov. 27 they will be required to pay a $lO late-registration fee and will lose any class priority standing. “Jan. 10 and 11 registration will be for first semester freshmen only,” Schenker said. Continuing students will not be able to register on Jan. 10 and 11. Behrend faculty advisors have been informed of proper completion of advance registration forms and Schenker said students should make an appointment to con sult with their advisors about advance registration. Could You Be an R.A.? by Anne Waskowitz Collegian Staff Writer On Nov. 1 the selection pro cess began for choosing the Resident Assistants for Spring semester and the 1985-86 academic year. The process began with the prospective R.A. picking up an application in the Office of Student Affairs. The process of being selected to fill the position of a Resident Assistant is basically divided into three phases. The first phase requires the com pletion of the application. During the second phase, Bill McCartney, Director of Stu dent Affairs, directs a three week session and the third phase is known as the inter viewing phase. The third phase is further divided into three phases to enable the staff to learn more about each in dividual applying for an R.A. position. The first part of the third Tuition Payments “Students who do not pay estimated tuition bills by Dec. 14 will be assessed a $25 late “Unless Continu- Students Carefully and com pletely advance register between Nov 7 and Nov 27, the new Com- puterized Registra tion System will not run smoothly. 99 fee and lose any courses secured through advance registration,” Schenker said. Students who do not receive phase is a large group (usually four to eight students) discus sion. The group is presented with a problem and their solu tion is evaluated. The second part is basically the same pro cess, however, the group is condensed to two or three peo ple. The third part is an in dividual interview. If applicants pass through each phase they are able to continue the process by taking a one credit class called “Residential Living.” The Residential Living Staff decides upon the future Resi dent Assistant’s. After an individual is selected to be an R’A., he or she must maintain a 2.5 grade point average. If this require ment is not met, the in dividual is put on a one semester probation period. The two primary jobs of the R.A.’s are to maintain order in the dorms and make residential life living more pleasurable for the student. an estimated bill shortly after bills are mailed on Nov. 13 should contact the Behrend bursar’s office. Alternate Course Choices Schenker said special em phasis will be placed on effec tive, careful choice of alter nate selections this year. “Thoughtfully selected alternate courses are—in ef fect’’, Schenker said. Schenker said it is extremely important for students to pro perly make alternate course selections. “Students must select alter nate courses different from their original class selec tions,” he said. Different sec tions of an original course will not count as an alternate choice for advance registra tion. “Upperclassmen should list at least two alternate courses,” Schenker said, “but freshmen and sophomores should list four courses. The computer will not register time-conflicting courses,” he added. PAGE 3