Behrend collegian. (Erie, Pa.) 1971-1988, November 22, 1988, Image 1
pennState Collegian Tuesday, November 22 Voting on Minority Senator Ruled Invalid by Janies Martin The proposal to add aminority senate position to Behrend's SGA (Student Government Association), was voted on and passed at last Wednesday night's meeting - only to have the voting procedure ruled improper. The proposal, first introduced by Darron Henry, president of the Association of Black Collegians (ABC), calls for the creation of a minority senate position, who would represent the school's minority students. Such a senator would be elected by an election of minority students who would vote for only other minority students. According to the proposal, such a senator would be offically elected as a H.A.B J.T. Senator, the initials standing for Asians,/ Alaskans, Blacks and Indians Together. Following over an hour's discussion at the November 16 SGA meeting, Assistant Dean of Student Services Dave Shields noted that the general concept of having a minority senator could be pursued in principle, without voting on an actual ammendment. At this point, Senator Dave Kravetz made a motion that the SGA vote on the proposed senate seat. The motion was seconded by Senator Ala Stanford. Though a number of senators had already left the meeting, a vote was conducted, which resulted in a simple majority of those present, voting in favor of having a minority senator. The vote itself drew the criticism of a number of senators. While many SGA votes are conducted by secret ballot, the vote for a minority senator was conducted openly. Some senators felt this placed them under undue pressure. "I was extremely displeased with the fact that we had to publicly vote," said Resident Senator David Friend. "I feel this a very highly contested issue. We should have Hands-On Art Now Offered at Behrend by Tammy Furyesz Collegian Staff Writer The students walking around campus with the large portfolios aren’t about to give a major presentation. Instead, they're off to art class. Art 110, two dimensional design, is the beginning of hands on art classes here at Behrend. Students are not only learning about the different aspects of art but also how to apply these techniques in various media. The class is quite a change for most students .who are accustomed to a full course load of strictly academic classes. Jen Vorberger, insiDE: . Adopt a School pg. 2 Editorial Movie Trivia pg, 5 Ask Louanne pg. 6 Gannon Football pg. 8 either had a secret ballot or closed the meeting to the public for the purposes of the vote," he said. Another senator who wished to remain annonymous express a similiar view. "Regardless of how I felt, I felt pressured to vote in favor of the minority senator," he said. One senator explained that Minority Counselor Biddy Brooks resisted a move to have the vote conducted privately. Following the vote, many of the senators admitted to being confused. "We don’t know if we voted on the concept or actually ammended the constitution," said Friend. Because of the nature of the voting procedure, Commuter Council President Joe Cunningham called a meeting with Dean of Student Services Chris Reber; SGA President Steve McGarvey, Resident Life Coordinator Elvage Murphy, Minority Counselor Biddy Brooks and Association of Black Collegians President Darron Henry. By examining the SGA constitution, the group determined that the voting procedure had been improper. According to Reber, before the constitution can be changed, an ammendment must be read at three consecutive meetings. For the ammendment to be approved it must be passed by a tho thirds majority. Therefore, further attention to the ammendment has been delayed until the SGA's next meeting. Reber further explained that Shields intent was to conduct a straw poll, to indicate the level of interest before pursuing a course of action. One of the primary conceems over the creation of a new senate seat concerns the issue of multiple representation. "I think that minority representation is a big issue and something we need to address," said Senator Kevin Trenney. " But I can see problems with adding special seats with special interest" third semester communications major, says she enjoys art and likes the class because, "I like getting my hands dirty and creating, rather than just learning about artists." Edward Chamey, lecturer in Arts H&SS, is very enthusiastic about the new class and its progress. He feels that the student interest is high and producing great results for being non-art majors. Vernon Sanders, first semester communications major, agrees and adds, "I think it is a challenging course and anyone interested in art who is willing to put in a little extra time will find it worthwhile." More art classes are planned. There is a continuing education painting class scheduled for this | summer. Also tentatively scheduled is an historical art painting class for the fall of 1989. "I’d like to see the department develop gradually. We have already taken a major leap by hiring Dr. Sharon Dale as a full time art historian. She is a credit to the division and the college," Chamey said. Art 110 introduces students to the possibility of art as a major area of study. Most students use the course as an elective but arts and architecture students can use it to fulfill requirements. The class also provides work for portfolios that students use for entrance Pg- 3 consideration to University Park art programs. STATION ROAD, ERIE, PA 16563 Penn State to Release Parts of Budget Calls USG's Release of Administrator's Salaries ' Irresponsible' by Maria Plaza Collegian News Editor The University Board of Trustees voted unanimously on November 11 to release parts of Penn State's Budget, including some salary breakdowns, but University President Bryce Jordan called the Undergraduate Student Government’s release of administrator's salaries "irresponsible." Jordan made 5145,000 during 1986-1987, according to a survey released by the USG on November 1 in a move to for a more open budget. USG obtained the salary figures from a confidential survey that the University prepares each year for the College and University Personnel Association in 808 FARREL, an Assistant Professor of Plastics Engineering, is shown here demonstrating a new plastic injection molding machine.. The machine is part of Behrend's newly-opened Plastics Lab. (Photo by Jeff Majcher) Health Center Offers Inexpensive Services by Ken Anderson Collegian Staff Writer The Behrend Health Center, The laboratory services offered The services provided at the located in the rear entrance of the at the Health Center include Health Center are free to students, Glennhill Farmhouse, staffs a full pregnancy testing, urinalysis faculty, and staff. All medications time nurse practitioner and two testing, cholesterol testing and prescribed and services provided part-time registered nurses who can allergy injections. There are during a visit are available at cost, diagnose illnesses and prescribe educational programs on topics For example, the cost of urinalysis medications. The Center also offers including nutrition, exercise, and is $1.50. All services rendered at many special programs and a wide dealing with stress. Crutches, ice the Health Center are completely variety of services to the students. packs and hot water bottles are also confidential. The first full week of April has available for loan. Nurses are Excuses for class absence are been designated as Wellness- available to listen and help students not provided by the Health Center. Washington, D.C. > - Jordan's salary was 43.6 percent higher than the national average for chief executive officers at four-year universities with with student populations over 17,500, USG determined from a January 1987 survey published in the journal American School and University, according to USG President Seth Williams. While administrators salaries range from 22.8 to 43.6 percent above the average, the average 1986-87 University faculty salary was 13.1 percent below that of other national universities, according to the journal. Faculty members described the conclusions as somewhat vague, because the journal's survey compares the University only with Awareness Week. It will be a good opportunity for those interested to find out what wellness is all about other four-year universities with enrollment over 17,500. total enrollment in Penn State's system is about 69,000, with about 36,000 attending University Park campus. To draw valid conclusions from the salaries, USG officials should use a more comparable scale that reflects the University's status as a major public research institution, said Political Science professor James Eisenstein. The administration, claiming that the USG is "not authorized to hold" the CUPA survey, asked the USG to return the survey and explain how they got it. Williams refused to say when or how USG obtained the survey, except that it had been acquired using legal means and that it is not University property. explore their own problems. Students may also get stress counseling at the Center. Volume XXXVII, No. 6 At the November 11 meeting, trustees agreed to make public for the first time in history salary breakdowns by department as well as total department allocations. However, the trustees stopped short of releasing individual salaries or the line-by-line budget which was originally requested by the USG in April. In addition to the departmental disclosures, administrators will compile and catalog all financial material already available, which Jordan said is a substantial amount "The point I want to make (is) that a great deal of information is already available to the public," he said. Penn State has always maintained a closed budget, claiming that it is a state-related institution rather than a state-owned one.' State-related universities receive part of their money from taxes and part from private sources. The University of Pittsburgh, Temple and Lincoln universities also are state-related and keep their budgets closed. Information taken from. The Daily Collegian. Free Tutoring by Jennifer Rose Collegian Staff Writer The Academic Services Center offers free tutoring sessions to encourage students to improve their grades. Help is available for English, math, chemistry, physics and biology. "Tutoring is a great advantage to students who try hard but just can’t make it. I feel the college is obligated to pay for this, if a student needs help, they shouldn't have to pay for it," said one tutor. The tutoring helps students along, but it’s stressed that they won't write your paper or do your problems for you. As one tutor stated, "If you do everything, no one will learn anything. The whole purpose is to teach -so that the student won't need a tutor.” Students who have had tutoring find it really helpful. "It takes up some time, but at least I understand Calculus now," states one freshman girl. A sophomore stated, "I only had to go once and I got back on track. I understood stuff for the rest of the year.” If you want a tutor, there's a sheet on the wall opposite room 205 Turnbull. Sign up for the hours you want and the tutor you want. It could save your grades. For more information call 898-6418.