opinion Let's Talk by Pastor Ray Sines Collegian Staff Writer Thank you, Michelle, for your bravery, boldness, and for being concerned enough to write your ar ticle on • "Greek Life." Even though, I'm quite sure, that all sororities and fraternities on cam pus do not fall into the category mentioned, my hat is still of to you for the stand you have taken and for caring enough to state it. I went to the Schlafly vs. Wed dington debate last week, where I heard 'opinions' discussed which varied from one extreme to the other by the two speakers. The Erie Hall was packed with both students and faculty members. I could hard ly wait to hear the comments by the Behrend students which were present. Sadly, not at all to my surprise, less than one percent of the students present was concerned enough to comment. WHY? I have often heard individuals say, "When I get around to it, I am going to do this or that" or "When I get a round to it, I'm. . . " Schlafly irritatin g, incorrect I was thrilled, but not suprised at the attendance at the Wed dington/Schlafly debate. My con tention that Erieites are astute and politically aware was validated. Student Affairs and Jamie Grimm should be congratulated for pro viding this excellent program. Schlafly was, as always, ir ritating, incorrect, irresponsible, and impeccably groomed. One wonders how Mrs. Schlafly manag ed her nuclear family, which in cludes six children, while she handled a law practice, traveled widely, ran for political office, served as a Reagen appointee, and wrote ten books. When was the last time you baked cookies, Phyllis? Debate crowd unreasonable We went to the Weddington vs. Schlafly debate with open minds. We were willing to listen to both standpoints impartially (impartially as possi ble), and come to a conclusion based upon the arguments given by our distinguished guests. However, it didn't seem like the majority of the Erie community graced Behrend's presence with the same willingness. We noticed that most of the citizens wouldn't even consider the opposing views. They couldn't appreciate another's opinion. Some people went as far as to yell disapproval to the speakers. These same people couldn't awaken from within their own narrow, older world and generation to even imagine a newer world. This world could be complete with the emergence of an equal society tolerating less discrimination against any human based on sex, religion, color or creed. These people are unaware, or maybe un caring, of the "new" rising generation of women capable and desiring of independence and equality with men What disheartened us most was that the audience as well as Mrs. Schlaf ly reasoned unrealistically for this day and age. For example, a question was raised about whether Mrs. Schlafly believ ed that the world should be male dominated. She blatantly said yes, it should be; and in response, the audience applauded wildly. This was almost more appalling than the answer itself. Another example was a group of ladies sitting directly behind us. In considering the controversial condom acthrtisements (although not con troversial to them; they're disgusting), their answer, and Mrs. Schlafly's, was abstinence. In the present day world, abstinence in teenagers or adults is nearly impossible to reach. It's an unattainable goal. Later in the debate, one of the ladies went on to tell us that we have no right to be engineers, not only that, but we shouldn't desire to be engineers because this is a "male's career" in which women are incapable of. How did such discrimination get past the 1960'5? Or even the 1920'5? We'd like to point out that the women's movement is not disapproving the traditional values. It is merely saying that women should have a career and a family. The Schlafly viewpoint comes right out and says that the movement is wrong. How can she speak for all women? Some women need a career. Others need a family. Shouldn't this be up to the in dividual? The issue here is a freedom of choice, most basically, as well as equality with men. After all, the only difference between a man and a woman is biology; a woman has the alternative to bear children. Kathryn Reazy RicAV) klz) 2 ' L°q-ria- ll'ie-eAltisiziw- Lorena McCallister Pastor Ray Free of charge, I have provided a round "tu it" at the end of this ar ticle. Please take a pair of sissors and cut out this round "tu it" and place it in your pocket, purse, or wallet. This round "tu it" will kill apathy, stop complacency, create concern, will get your greatest task accomplished, and it will even stop the spread of communism. This is for your benefit! Use it! Get in volved! If you need more round "tu its," please write. They will be furnished free of charge while supply lasts. TL) IT 1 felt Ms. Weddington presented her views clearly and with convic tion. Her manner was professional, polished, and enviably patient. She is very sharp. 1 would like very much to see her as a candidate for office--the oval office. Linda M. Ditrich Fourth Semester, English Congratulations indeed, but not just to Jamie Grimm and the Stu dent Affairs Office. Head of Humanities and Social Sciences Dr. Archie Loss and his office, as well as the Development Office, were integral pieces in the programming of the debate. Stream of Consciousnes "Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment of spirit. It cannot, like adultery or gluttony, be practised at spare moments; it is a wholetime job. "—W. Somerset Maugham I have a story to tell. Not being very much of a raconteur, I usually don't like telling stories. I have a feeling, however, that many of you have stories of your own that are very similar to mine. This is unfortunate because mine is a story of the injustice that is often dealt to the students of this college. This is a story of apathy, misinterpretation and unconstitutionality. This is the story of my $350.00 parking sticker. I would also like to convey a . symbolic meaning in my story, for it represents more than my personal case of injustice. Rather, it is an exam ple of a trend of unfairness and hypocrisy that has made a mockery of Behrend Security and the very reasons for its presence. It was Fall semester 1985 at Penn State-Behrend, and I was an eager young freshman with a car. In accordance with Penn State's parking regulations, I obtained a full-year permit for my car so that I could park without fear of being towed. Parking went quite smoothly at first, but as the semester progressed and the weather took ,a turn for the worse, parking spaces became a rare com modity. When spaces were unavailable in Perry lot, adjacent to where I was staying, I would park in the lot behind Lawrence. Eventually, it became impossible to find spaces in either lot remember, these were the days when the apartments lacked sufficient parking facilities. Finally, one rainy November night after searching in vain for a parking space, I decided to leave my car in the unused area of Perry behind the dumpster. This seemed harmless enough until the next morning when what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a soaked yellow piece of paper tucked neatly under my windshield wiper. The fine was for "parking on the grass and obstructing the roadway." Upon reading this, my first thought was as to how I could possibly be parked both on the grass and on the road, when in fact my car was quietly sinking into several feet of mud. As for "obstructing the roadway," I couldn't imagine that this length of asphalt which abruptly ended in the woods was much of a road to obstruct. No matter, I'd pay for the ticket the following day. Unfor tunately, the next day I was greeted with yet another ticket. To avoid similar fines, I waited for a parking space to appear outside Perry Hall and decided not to use my car after it was safely parked. After ignoring my car for almost two weeks, I hopped in to go to the store one Weddington more realistic The recent debate between Sarah Weddington and Phyllis Schlafly afforded the student body an op portunity to hear two opposing views on the current status of the gender equality in America. Not only were the two speakers on op posite ends of the political spec trum, they were also very different in their methods of delivering their message to the audience. Ms. Weddington appeared to be the more realistic speaker. She listened patiently to questions, and analyzed Mrs. Schlafly's remarks Greeks reacted angrily It is unfortunate that in a society and only supports what Michelle that prides itself on our rights of had to say. free expression, a person who I don't necessarily endorse either voices an opinion must endure un- the views of Michelle or of the justified social ridicule. I couldn't Greeks, but I do believe that help but observe that Michelle everyone is entitled to their own Grasmick's letter concerning Greek views, in speech and in pi int. . . life was greeted rather poorly by with discretion and objective campus organizations. They ob- maturity. viously did not agree with Pan! Sarkis Michelle's views and their reaction was one of angry indignation. I iii.s6"-- hope that the Greeks realize that is 4 such behavior is self-condemning Fourth Semester, English Not everyone out for Greek Life We are writing in response to an article in your last issue regarding Greek life on campus. As non- Greek members, we found the arti cle to be ludicrous and completely untrue. First of all, not all people are cut out fot Greek life, and only the individual can decide. Also, we think that the particular ex member should have looked into her sorority before pledging. Sorority dues, pledging activities, 6c;eoz.- 6•(" 1 fAg as siwut-1 Daniel Gozzard by Paul Sarkis Collegian Staff Writer expertly, revealing inconsistencies. (That is, until Schlafly asked her to stop.) Her arguments were logical and supported by facts. She did not lose her composure for a moment during the long, heated debate, but remained respectful and firm, even in the face of Mrs. Schiafly's ob vious distortions of truth. (In an age of presidential "disinforma tion", we dare not call them lies.) Schlafly aroused audience sup port in a less subtle fashion-- through by-now-familiar conser vative rhetoric. She was skilled at and other functions are a fact of Greek life and it is naive thinking that this should not happen. If Ms. Grasmick considers walking backwards to class hazing, she should visit Pitt where survival means becoming a member. It may be true that the only side of Greek life people see are the parties, but that may be because that's the only side some want to see. Insecurity is cut Gregg Burns afternoon and noticed that a sizeable amount of wet yellow stuff had ac cumulated on my windshield. My reaction was one of anger and confusion. When I inquired as to what was wrong with my car to justify the tickets, the officer who wrote them informed me that my car was parked on the grass. I was in fact, parked in the last spot on the right in Perry lot. Unfor tunately for me, somewhere down the line of spaces a car had been im properly parked so that all cars overlapped onto the space to their right. My car, being on the extreme right, was two-thirds on the asphalt and one third off. Nevertheless, the officer rudely dismissed my excuse as invalid and in formed me that if my car wasn't "moved in an hour, I'll write you another ticket! " It was the Buddha who said that "in his ignorance of the whole truth, each person maintains his own arrogant point of view." It is my belief that a man who cannot admit to the errors of his judgement is truly ignorant. Ignorance has no place in a position of authority, it only undermines the reasons for having leadership. The officer suggested that if no spaces were available near the dorms, I should park in the lot behind Erie hall. A week later, I was forced to park behind Erie Hall. The next day my hubcaps were gone and a key had been run down the length of my car. Security was no doubt busily writing $3.00 parking tickets in Perry lot while over $250.00 worth of damage was being done to my car. When I went to Security's office to ask what could be done, the response of the person seated behing the desk was "We can't help you--report it to the State Police." The final slap to my sense of fairness occurred during finals week. My car was stuck in the snow in the Reed parking lot. I had taped a large piece of paper inside my windhield that read "car is stuck--will move tomorrow -please don't ticket." Sure enough, the next day I found a ticket for illegal parking under my wiper, directly over my note. I took my car home that semester and never brought it back. Between the tickets, the hubcaps, the paint, and the parking sticker, it cost me over $356.00 to park at Penn State-Behrend for one semester. I'm sick of calling Security when you really need them and gettng no answer, or worse, their answering service. I'm sick of seeing students kick ed out of the library study room at 11:30 pm because Security feels like closing early. I'm sick of watching my tuition money pay an inefficient organization that neither benefits me, nor aids me when I'm in need of assistance. If it seems as though I have filled . my pen with bitter ink before writing this article, it's because too much injustice has been unacknowledged for much too long. Although it is much easier to bury a problem than it is to solve it, a solution must be found for the good of the students, as well as for the integrity of Behrend Security. rousing the emotions, particularly the fears, of the crowd. Afraid of homosexuality? Afraid of sexuali ty? Afraid of social, political, and economic change? Then Mrs. Schlafly was speaking to you. She played on our need to be proud and isolated Americans, to wrap ourselves in the flag and to ask the realities of a changing world to please go away. But you cannot "cure" homosexuality by shaking a moral finger at it. You cannot change the fact that a large part of the adult and young adult population, mar ried and unmarried, are sexually active by asking them to practice "restraint," and denying them ac cess to safe birth control, or infor mation about birth control. The proper response to widespead teenage pregnacy is certainly not more fear and enforced ignorance. And when pregnancy results, as it inevitably will if parents are prac ticing neither restraint nor birth control, Schlafly tells us it is the government and not the parents Editorial Policy The Behrend Collegian's editorial opinion is determin ed by the Editor, with the Editor holding final respon sibility. Opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of The Behrend Collegian, The Behrend College, or The Pennsylvania State Universi ty. Brown-Thompson Newspapers, the publishers of The Behrend Collegian , is a separate corporate institu tion from Penn State. Letters Policy: The Behrend Collegian encourages comments on news coverage, editorial policy and University affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced, signed by no more than two people, and not longer than 400 words. Students' letters should include the semester and major of the writer. Letters from alumni should include the major and year of graduation of the writer. All writers should provide their address and phone number for verification of the letter. The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length, and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not conform to standards of good taste. Postal Information: The Behrend Collegian (898-6221) is published fourteen times annually (seven times dur ing each academic semester at The Behrend College) by the students of The Behrend College; The Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, PA 16563. FEBRUARY 26, 1987 Collegian PAGE 3 who will decide the fate of the lives of everyone involved. The mother, Schiafly tells us, is not to be con sulted, regardless of the cir cumstances involved- whether rape, incest, or risk of mother's life. It is arrogant, at least naive, to assume that moralizing at a pro blem is the same thing as trying to solve it. Mrs. Schlally wants to preserve the traditions of a world gone by, in which men work and women are protected from making descions. Ms. Weddington, in stead, faces the facts. Women are no longer restricted by the narrow views of the few dictated to the many. Schlafly asks us to accept. Weddington asks us to question. Kim Krynock ~~~ Sixth Semester, English
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