opinion Parting Words by Lisa Hahn t Collegian Editor ' It's the end of a semester and the end of my term as co editor of the Collegian, First I'd like to thank everyone involved in helping with the paper. Jim and I couldn't have done it alone. Your time, efforts, and contributions did not go unnoticed. -First, to Steve Aller. Without his help and knowledge the publication of the Collegian would still be in the "Stone Age" and the transition from where he left off would not have been easy. Thanks for all of your dedication, information and time. —Secondly, to Bill Warner, Layout Editor, for transforming the looks, of the paper. He utilized the new technology along with his great ideas to give the Collegian a "lace lift". Thank you Bill. Without your help we’d probably still be laying out the first issue. -Thanks to my co-editor, Jim Martin, I couldn't have done it alone. Good Luck next year and have fun!!! —Last, but not least to Nancy McGartland, the Collegian advisor, and a dedicated staff. Without the staff the newspaper could not happen. To all of the section editors, business managers, writers, photographers, distributors, typists and to the copy editor. Thanks for a job well done!!! SOME RANDOM NOTES ■ Since I'm trying to fill up space again I'd like to ramble on about my memories at Behrend. ; -my friends I'm leaving behind, thanks for the best times -the windowettes the (unbusted) parties -heaven o’six and its occupants -walks/treks into the gorge-Fall Foliage and (busted) Spring Fling -the Collegian (I must be crazy) . -working at Dobbins (I’m convinced some people should major in Creative Tray Design) -Mr. Smith, Dunkle Quarters, Mexican etc. -Lawrence 204 and the Strawberry Dacquari Bathroom -Dr.Feel Goods and work the next morning I won’t miss: -the weather—it changes with the blink of an eye -standing in line for drop/add only to get in the door and find out you forgot a signature -the busted parties -the aromatic fertilizer -film class and the Battleship Potempkin - rskating down the apartment walkway in winter -frozen shut apartment doors -walking up Dobbins stairs and/or cleaning them Thank you for letting me indulge for five minutes Are SAT’s obsolete? by Debra Malone Collegian Staff Writer The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is supposed to measure a student's verbal and mathematical reasoning and comprehension. However, many people feel the two hundred plus multiple choice questions arc not an accurate representation of a student's abilites. In spite of these objections, SATs arc still a major part of college entrance requirements. Few schools, however, base acceptance or rejection solely on a student's SAT scores. Based on this fact, James Crouse, a professor of educational studies and sociology, and Dale Trusheim, assistant director of inetutional research and strategic planning, both at the University of Delaware, feel SATs can no longer be justified, they state, "we argue, despite its ability to predict educational success, the SAT is unnecessary." Their argument is based on analysis of over 2,800 SAT scores. Crouse and Trusheim compared decisions based on class rank alone with those made on both class rank and SAT scores, their findings proved that in 83% of the cases, the same decision for college admission would have been made without the SAT. They concluded, therefore, that the SAT is an unnecessary tool used by American colleges in determining student enrollment Crouse and Trusheim do admit that in cases of the other 17%, the SAT scores werethe deciding factor. They stated, however, that 17% was not a high enough percentage to justify demanding .SATs as admission criteria, colleges continue to make admissions mistakes, but even with the SAT, they're still making, on the average, three wrong entcries per every hundred students. ... Jhe.ETS (Education Testing Lisa M. Hahn Retired Collegian Editor Service) counters this argument by saying, "even small percentages, in admission decisions, arc important if they reduce the waste of resources on students who will not succeed." They also argue that the value of other admission criteria will deteriorate if the SAT was dropped. If high school grades alone were used, there would be more pressure on teachers to give higher grades. This would result in a devaluing of the grading system, making them unreliable as an admission basis. Crouse and Trusheim agree that this could become a problem, and rcccomcnd a battery of standardized achievement tests as a replacement. They admit that these tests may not be any better than the SAT at predicting college success, but 1 this testing format would have other advantages. These tests, individualized by course of study would 1) encourage the high school student to take and master, more advanced and challenging courses, 2) allow colleges to judge how much a student knows, not how well they learn, and 3) high schools would be forced lo broaden their curriculum. Whether or not these tests would be useful in the college admissions process is debateable, but in any case the effects on education are obvious. Tests have become the reason for learning, not the measure of learning. This should indicate a major flaw in our academic structure, but even so, it's not one that will be corrected in the near future.. Based on this reason alone, our methods of testing should be used to stretch and improve the student, not just cause him hours of mental and emotional agony. The reason for, and value of, the SAT must be reviewed by the 1,500 colleges presently requiring it for admission. Dropping the SATs would not be the end of higher education, but it might be' the begininning of higher learning. Letters-Letters-Letters-Letters -Letters- Letters IF IT’S BLUE, IT'S YOU !!!!! Hi Matt, how are you doing? It seems like we have mutual friends here at Behrend Security. It sure is a warm feeling to know that our elitely trained and alert officer was out and about on St. Patty’s Day evening. You know, that day which arrives on March 17th and everyone, short or tall, Irish or not, is out tipping a few at one of Erie's infamous gin mills. The holiday spirit was out that night, along with fifty or so of the "local yocals” and a rowdy bunch of Mercyhurst folks. After a couple of warm shots, a few cold green ones, and a lot of loud and boisterous John Valby songs, the cheer faded. It was nearing one ish and that 8 o’clock class drew even closer. It was a straight shot down 38th Street from the Laker Inn to the SKN house [so I thought]. The villain in tonights episode is Bob Capwell, retired President of Sigma Kappa Nu, founder of SKN Inc., and Chairman and founding member of Inter-Greek Council. Well, I had just pulled into the house parking lot and shut off my lights when guess who shows up? One of our fine Behrend Security officers as "Johnny on the spot’’. [I would like to keep his identity anonymous, I think he knows who he is.] It's always nice to know that Behrend Security is on the prowl looking for crazy antics at the "SKIN' house. Or maybe he was taking a quiet drive looking for a cup of coffee or, perhaps, a bite to eat. Well, the reason for his visit to our humble abode this particular evening was not a social call but rather an obligation as a member of Behrend Security. Anyway, back to my story. The setting that evening was cold and snowy; the plows had been running around to clean up our spring time snow storm a few days earlier. This particular officer had witnessed someone in a blue car drive past him through campus minutes earlier and this keen-eyed officer also spotted tire tracks on Penn State property and somehow correlated the two incidents together. Of course, you can almost guess that the "luck of the Irish" was with me - - My car is blue, along with a few hundred other people in Erie, but I guess parked at the "frat" house made my car that much more blue. The officer of the night informed me that, although his quickness as a law man was sharp, he could not get the plate, make, or model of the vehicle he saw drive off campus, only the color. After catering to his requests of a drivers license, registration, and anything else that had my name on it, 1 proceeded to inform him of the difference in sense of location between where I live and where campus is. After tapping me diligently on the chest with his nifty flashlight, he informed me that I was the culprit. He also informed me that since my car had snow on the front bumper and grill that I was the criminal he was trying to apprehend. I walked him to the front of my car and proceeded to show him that the snow had gathered there'because of my lackadaisical park job into the snow bank. He told me that the lack of evidence did not matter, in this case his directional instinct to Shannon Road did not fail him. He also informed me that his overwhelming lack of evidence could not carry our intelligent conversation to court. So he gave me a short seminar on proper driving etiquette and sent me to bed. But not before he promised that he would catch me slipping up some other time. Maybe someone should buy me a map of Erie next time so I don't get lost [at least so our friend thinks]. Robert Capwell Graduating Senior The Conclusion: A few Final Words Well, I’m back with the thrilling conclusion to my first article. It' seems that our hero from my last story held true to his word. On tuesday of last week, I received my summons to appear before District Justice Peter Nakoski to plead to the charge of CRIMINAL TRESPASSING. For anyone interested in seeing the American Justice system in action, my appearance before the court is Thursday May 5,1988. Everyone is welcome and admission is free. Furthermore, I'd like to thank everyone for the positive feedback I received from both faculty/staff and A pat on Dear Jim Martin and Lisa Hahn, I wanted to drop a note to the two of you and let you know what a wonderful job I think you are doing . I have seen improvements in the Collegian each issue . I sincerely look forward to sitting down and reading each edition. Too often we tend to focus our energy on what is wrong with what we see. Then when we see improvement we turn the other way and refocus our energy on the next issue, ignoring the advances which have been made. Although you may hear criticisms of your efforts, I want you to know 1 have heard many positive comments about the improvements made with the Collegian. These comments have come from faculty, staff and students. I believe the credit should be spread throughout the entire staff. This includes your sports, news, copy, and features editors, photographers, managers, contributing writers and especially Steve Aller and Nancy Me Gartland( and all those I might have missed). The computerization of the Collegian has saved S.G.A. much money and Steve, Nancy, and all others are to be commended. Finally I want to say how important I think the Collegian is to Penn State- Behrend. The Collegian can inform students, faculty and staff about upcoming events, comment on past events, and serve as an excellent medium for the Behrend community to communicate. I hope you realize the importance of your role and continue to produce the quality of work you have been producing all semester. I look forward to the next edition of the Collegian and I am excited about the prospect of seeing a weekly publication. Best of luck and continued success. Should you need any help or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Sincerely John Downey Assistant to the Dean Student Services siudcnts. I hope everyone enjoyed the article, it was supposed to have made you laugh. However, after talking with some prominent individuals on campus, I found that the efforts put forth by some members of Bchrend Security are a real issue. If we want something to change then we must work to change it, remeber a college is only as happy as its students. If you want to see the real thrilling conclusion, stop by on May sth, I'll be glad you did. Matthew Farkas, SGA President the back This Letter-to-the-Editor is in reference to the article appearing earlier in this paper about Vera Lee Byrd's resignation as Minority Counselor If the Minority Counselor's promote. I found out about it the responsibilities were to 1) maintain day after the deadline. How can she contact, 2) serve as a resource, 3) increase our awareness when her provide services, 4) increase own is so lacking? awareness and 5) determine Byrd's efforts to promote the effectiveness of programs, then Byrd Minority Counseling Office also necessarily should be replaced. needs much improvement. I don’t Perhaps my views are biased, mind that I keep getting but as a minority, Byrd proved "Socialization of Prejudice” flyers useless as a resource. She neither in the mail, and that I've only seen provided me with information about them plastered up in a thousand opportunities available to places around campus; it just makes minorities nor did she ever ask for me wonder why they bothered my input as a minority, stuffing it in an envelope and Considering her position is wasting a stamp (and consequently relatively new, I would think that students' tuition and miscellaneous she'd be interested in some input fe es) when they could have just sent from a senior. ' it "Non-profit, postage paid." Not that I would have been able 1 might have minded less if Byrd to get to her. She was consistentiy had m cludcd a memo or something, out-of-town. And usually for the anything> with the flyer . Mailin g wcc . , , ~ , . just an already seen flyer made it A counselor should be aware of even more pointless than it already scholarships and other such was. perhaps Byrd was too busy on opportunities. When I approached her out-of-town business to explain Byrd regarding a $l,OOO scholarship wh she was sendin fl designed for minonucs majoring in QUt in Communication Byrd had neither an aggressive woman, heard of it nor did she display any Bynrs effom need “ o drawn away interest m learning about it. If f rom pe rsona i g oa ] s an d redirected rCStCd , m * IS scholarsl VP towards professional ones. CUPRAP), send an inquiry to the ACROSS 34 Piece of land: 2 Bar on which 26 Devoured P - wheels turn 27 Withstood 1 Prohibits 36 Moslem prayer 3 Disturbance 28 Obscure sHltli 9 h,| y leader 4 Soaks 29 Period of time 8 High 37 Caustic 5 Trial 30 Obstruct 12 Way out substance 32 Keen 13 Transgress ■ 38 Paid notice °" , 35 Py nart 14 Name for 39 Young girts 8 ? Secretly 36lmSes Athena 42 Strikes „ l; ea sacral y 30 Part _ fh .. 15 Century plan, 46 Encourage 39 Tibetan pries, S2SS <7 SSJ !;£*„, j;i;;,2 Ad,m 18 Hate 49 Kiln 19 Spanish for 42 Japanese beer 20 Rely on 50 Apportion 7 es 43 shadow- -J 22 Greek letter 51 Antlered animal 21 God of love 44Anof 0 Sa^ o n 23 Father 52 Fork prorig 23 Stitched Sa *° n 24 Edible seeds 53 Winged 24 Parent: colloq. 27 Entered in the 54 River in 25 Organ of f BeveraoT books Scotland hearing Beverage 31 Grain 55 Killed 33 Kind of pension DOWN fund: init 1 Trinket rsr- 1 High luxury High performance. Ana thousands less than Europe's best. ALL-NEW MAZDA 929-COMPARE ITS ROAD TALENTS AND COMFORTS TO HO,OOO SEDANS, FOR UP TO *20,000 LESS. An advanced fuel-injected 18-valve V 6 engine is teamed with a unique E-Link suspension and other technical innovations to achieve an extraordinary level of driving luxury. With nearly one hundred cubic feet of interior space and extraordinary amenities, Mazda 929 is, quite simply a new adven ture in luxury-and a unique driving experience. 2315 West 12th Street • Erie, PA 16505 (814) 452-6441 Collegian Collegian c/o the News Editor. Equal Opportunity magazine also offered a scholarship, not exclusively for minorities, which Byrd also failed to expose and Answers pg. 2 Page 5 3 a.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers