THE CAPITOLIST Vol. IX, No. 1 `New Directions' Program Review (A State of the Campus report) by Mike Dini, President Student Government Association As a candidate for SGA President, I pledged to "commit myself to work with you in a responsible, yet flexible manner, to continue the progressive thrust of our Student Government Association toward the enhancement of the student's status and the betterment of education on our campus." I also proposed a Seven Point Program from which I hoped our SGA could reorganize and develop our student organization into a more responsible organization through which we could articulate and implement the needs and desires of all campus members. The following is an evaluation and review of our "NEW DIRECTIONS" Program. The Seven Point "New Directions" Program encompasses: 1. Student Academic Concerns 2. Expanded Student Representation 3. Campus/Community Service Programs 4. Collegiate Friendship/Exchange Programs 5. Educational/Orientation Programs 6. Expanded Campus Communication 7. SGA Organization and Administration In addition, and most importantly, was a pledge to continue to make and keep Capitol Campus "STUDENT ORIENTED." 1. STUDENT ACADEMIC CONCERNS Some of the most important concerns of any student are those relating to advising, registration, scheduling, teacher/course evaluations, curriculum evaluation and design and other academic matters. Your SGA continues to make strides in its effort to evaluate and consider academic matters of importance to the entire campus community. These have included new registration and scheduling techniques (worked out jointly with the Academic Services Office and the faculty). SGA supports the Academic Services Office efforts to maintain student records at Capitol Campus instead of University Park. This would alleviate the problem of requesting official and/or unofficial transcripts from the Park. The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution urging Capitol Campus Division Heads to prepare and submit the Spring and Summer course program offerings as soon as possible in hopes of simplifying registration and advising in the interests of the student body as well as the faculty and staff. SGA has made an all out effort to articulate the needs of campus members in evaluating and making needed recommendations with reference to the Reoriented Penn State Academic Calendar. We continue to support and accept the University Park (Term) Plan A (with modifications which are deemed most beneficial to Capitol Campus). An ad hoc Student Academic/Campus Concerns Committee of SGA has been established through which SGA can review and determine the academic needs of students in such vital areas as the feasibility of a campus name change (a proposal to change the name of Capitol Campus to The Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg was passed by an overwhelming 73% in a recent SGA Special Election). Other areas include: consolidation and name changes of degrees, and procedures to simplify registration. The Student-to-Student Advising Program has the all out support and encouragement of the Student Government Association. What is now needed is a concerted effort by both students, faculty and administration alike to plan, develop and implement a workable planning and training program to insure that correct and essential academic/campus information is provided new students to our campus. SGA looks to the feasibility of such a program being funded by the University as a vital service and arm of both the faculty and administration in conducting ( registration/scheduling/orientation programs). Teacher/Course Evaluations continues to be a priority program of SGA. Although it was not carried out during the Fall Term (due to administrative problems) we look forward to an expanded evaluation program coordinated by both student and faculty. SGA also supported the affiliation of our Graduate (continued on page 6) "All The News That Fits . . . . We Print" CAPITOL CAMPUS - MIDDLETOWN, PA. Fall Commencement Held Seventy-five students were graduated in the first fall commencement ceremonies held at Capitol Campus on December 13. Previously students from the fall, winter, and spring terms were honored only at the annual spring commencement. Fifty-eight students who completed their requirements for degrees at the end of the summer term were also recognized during the ceremonies. Included among the 75 were ten candidates for graduate degrees. Master's degrees were awarded in Administration, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Regional Planning. Baccaluareate degrees awarded included Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Humanities, Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Technology. Most of the baccalaureate degree candidates attended Pennsylvania community and junior colleges and other Penn State branch campuses prior to enrolling at the Capitol Campus Campus--an upper division college with undergraduate programs beginning at the junior year level. Ten of the undergraduate students graduated with honors, having attained at least a 3.40 average out of a possible 4.00 average during their two years of study at the campus. Dr. Robert E. McDermott, Provost, presided at the ceremonies. Harry R. Ulrich, a member of the University's Board of Trustees, assisted in conferring the degrees. Candidates for the baccalaureate were presented by Dr. Richard H. Heindel, dean of the faculty, Dr. Daniel M. Poore, Head, Division of Administration and Business; Dr. John D. Antrim, Head, Division Michael J. Dini, SGA President of Engineering and Technology; and Dr. George D. Wolf, Head, Division of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education. Dr. Robert J. Brown, associate dean or faculty at Capitol Campus presented the candidates for the graduate degrees. A complete listing of names and addresses of those who graduated or were honored at the December ceremonies is available upon request at the CAPITO LI ST Office, W-104. Every month, Capitol Campus is highlighted on a local radio program. Station WMSP-FM, Harrisburg, 94.9 on the dial, conducts a program "Campus Candids" which is an interview program featuring guests from four colleges in the Harrisburg area. Capitol personalities are present the second Tuesday of the month with air time at 7p.m. As of now, four programs have focused on Capitol Campus. Dr. Roger B. Saylor, recently honored for 25 years service with Penn State, was the program's first guest last September. In October, Dr. Robert E. McDermott was featured in advance of ceremonies formally installing his as provost. In November, Marc Cohen, Station Manager of WZAP and Bob Bonaker, Co-editor of The Capitolist voiced their opinions of the campus in the wake of the abduction of the Lion. And in December, Dr. Jay Anderson was the guest, conversing on his favority topic of American folk lore and food mores. [XXXI Capitol on the Air January 11, 1-973 New Term Begins One-hundred and forty new students will arrive this week for orientation and registration at the Capitol Campus of The Pennsylvania State University. Registration also will be held for the 1,650 returning undergraduates and 500 graduate students who are continuing their work toward advanced degrees. Classes began on January 8 in the 213 courses being offered for this winter term at the upper-division college. Thirty-nine courses are being offered in the evenings to graduate students. Students may register until January 17 but must pay a late fee of 10 dollars. Tuition for a Capitol Campus course unit is $124 for Pennsylvania residents and $340 for others. Tuition for part-time students is $3l per credit for Pennsylvania residents and $B5 for non-residents. CIZZI SGA Election Results During registration last week, the Student Government Association conducted a special election concerning approval of a new SGA constitution, a proposal to change the name of the campus and a sample indication of seniors who plan to participate in Commencement ceremonies in June. With over 50 percent of the campus voting, the constitution was adopted, receiving 83% of a total of 862 ballots cast. 719 voted in favor, 66 were opposed. 77 did not vote, but were considered part of the total in arriving at voting percentages, according to SGA sources. The proposal to change the school's name from the Capitol Campus, the Pennsylvania State University to the Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg passed by a vote of 636-202, with 24 not voting, for 73% approval of the total vote. Obviously, the SGA has no power to change the name of the campus, but decided to sample student sentiment if such action was initiated. A more interesting outcome was achieved on the question of participation by seniors in the June Commencement. 344 expressed that they would participate while 224 indicated they would not. Only 66 percent of those sampled who plan to graduate in June planned to participate.
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