LOOKING BACK
Looking back on my first full year here at the dung-heap of the
Penn State campus system, I can only say: "God, I wish I was gettin'
outta this place." But that's being cynical. Capitol does have its good
points. For instance, because of the abundance of garbage, there is
never a food-shortage in vendorville. And the apathy everyone is
always complaining about, I have found, doesn't exist; many of our
students have had their vital forces squeezed out of them by a
combination of things, so that all we have here is a bunch of warm
bodies walking around.
Enough of this amusing reverie, however, and back to business.
When I first came here, I was led to believe that it wouldn't be much
different than HACC. How wrong that belief was. All along, they
had me believing that HACC and Captiol Campus were, together,
the educational ideal of the future. Well, maybe they were right
about the former school, but, man, did they fumble the ball on that
latter count. It didn't take me long to learn that Capitol Campus is
just a new (?) way to get really (expletive deleted) - over.
First, I had to acclimate myself to starting the regular school year
long after all the sane people and institutions had already gone back
to work. Then I had to put up with these ridiculous class schedules
they saddle us with (including a course which was totally
unnecessary), followed closely by having to put up with this insane
trimester academic year.
With the start of the Winter term, I had another unusual (to me)
problem to contend with - ten straight weeks of class without a
single holiday. Then followed a Spring break which had no practical
correlation with more sane time schedules, being too early for Easter
and too late for Washington's birthday; I spent the whole week
twiddling my thumbs and watching daytime TV (which is enough to
send anyone to the funny-farm).
Finally came this crap of the Spring term lasting half-way turu
the summer, which allows students from other colleges (and even
high-schools) to gobble up all the decent summer jobs. Cest la vie.
Throughout all this came the fruitless protest against the
exorbitant parking fees, the equally as fruitless complaints about the
registration situation, and the security hassle. But even with all this
and all the other things that are wrong on this campus, there are
signs that things may be getting better: registration now stays open
over the lunch-hour, agreements have been reached over the security
situation, and the new SGA administration is working hard and is
realistically optimistic about its future prospects.
Looking ahead to next year, I seriously doubt if any major
improvements or accomplishments will be made, partly because
administration will always have University Park to pass the buck to,
and they hardly pay us any attention anyway (I doubt if they know
we exist).
However, minor improvements appear to be on the horizon:
nothing earth-shattering, but it is, at least, encouraging. For
example: here in our very own Reader office, we're finally going to
get an electric outlet, and maybe even a typewriter that works
correctly. Like I said - minor developments.
There are strides being made in more significant areas, however,
and the prognosis is not entirely bleak. Yet for these strides to mean
anything, we - you and I, the students - will have to help.
How can we help (as if you care)? Get involved in something -
anything, as long as you're interested in it. There are many
worthwhile organizations on campus - XGl's, BSU, WZAP, Beta Chi
and Aviation Club, not to mention intramural sports and a myriad of
other things (including the good old Reader).
If you're not involved in any of them, give some serious thought
to joining one; and pick the one that intrigues you the most. When
you come back next year, find out more about it. If you like it
enough, don't hesitate to join.
And while you're thinking things over, keep the C.C. Reader in
mind. We still need a staff, and we'll take anybody, regardless of
talent or experience. All we require is that you posess some degree
of literacy.
If things are going to be looking up next year, don't miss out on
the action. Pull your head out of the ground and look around and
take the time to see.
P ''!
The Capitol Campus Reader
The C.C. Reader is published by the students of the
Pennsylvania State University at Capitol Campus, Middletown,
Pa., and is printed by the West Shore Times during the Fall,
Winter and Spring Terms.
Opinions expressed by the editors and staff are not
necessarily those of the University Administration, Faculty or
Students.
Page 2
by Jim Bollinger
EIMXI
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Frank DeSantis
Assistant Editor ... Jim Bollinger
. Doug Gibboney, Fred Prouser
John Langdon, Romeo Trajanus
C.C. READER
TO THE EDITOR;
Who is this guy, Geoive Dressler and how the hell does he come
off being Administrative Director of Capitol Campus?
I understand about the parking rate, I'm already resigned to the
fact that I'll always get the Nittany Screw as long as I'm associated
with the Penn State System, but shit, when he said that Cpaitol had
all its freedom in the academic field, I had to laugh. Laugh at the
absolutely unoriginal, backward, boring scarcity of courses, not only
for the three big terms here, but also the mere pitance of courses
offered for the Summer term. Laugh at the four courses in
humanities. Which isn't so funny for humanities majors.
What this campus could use just to name a few, are a journalism
course, a photography course and even a film course that could
possibly give students some idea of what American has done in the
film industry from the Marx Bros. to Stanley Kubrick. (But that's too
much to expect from this school.)
Aside from that, what provisions are being made for the populace
in Middletown on this new construction? Are programs being
instituted to provide the adults and children with some kind of
learning experience? If there was a pool included in this new
construction, (since there isn't, I see no reason to build it, a library
would be a much better idea), I'd say that programs in swimming
instruction should be a must, but of course this is not the case.
What is this campus doing for the community anyway? What is
Public Relations doing besides filling the outside media with
University social news?
And God Almighty, what is this crap about Dressler not knowing
what the reasons were for the discontent between Student Security
Forces and Mr. Paul? He said they were unknown to him -
UNKNOWN? Man, this is the guy's job isn't it? What does he get
paid for?
This is all too much for me - maybe I just don't understand,
maybe I'm the one who's got things messed up - I just don't know.
Oh, and what took the cake was that bit about salesmen beating
the bushes -- TOOOOO MUCH. The administration, whoever they
are and whatever their job is, better start using their heads and
realize that we're not dealing in the slave trade. If they want
students, they better start offering students a little more than soggy
french fries and a $7.50 parking sticker. They better start giving
them a faculty that cares and students organizations that work and
are supported by more than a handful of real concerned student& (If
you don't know how to do this then you better get up off your ass
and find out.) I mean if you're going to have students as customers;
you better start realizing that the customer is always right and thay
they deserve a little more trust and respect than has been given to
them.
Just don't give them so much red tape that they can't make a
move. Offer them some courses that are different and unique in the
college system. Give them a reason for enrolling here. Give them a
helping hand.
I don't see it being done and frankly, being a graduating senior I
don't give a damn anymore. I mean these people have to work in this
environment and from the impression I got from Dressler, he wants
to stay here. What a pity, because anyone that works here under
these conditions has got to be either a masochist, a pervert or just
some constipated old man that's only in it for the money.
Capitol is just digging its own grave and this guy Dressler put the
first shovelful of dirt on it.
Dear Complainers,
This is how I feel I should
address the majority of
contributors to our campus
paper! It seems that no one is
happy with the "System", Penn
State, and/or Capitol Campus.
Several issues ago, a poorly
selected group of words
appeared to let people know
that this person was unable to
cope with the decision as to
whether or not he should
purchase an order of french
fries, which he found
continously of poor quality (a
sad situation after a four year
education)!
So it seems to me that a few
of us miss the point of our
education! That is, we are here
to learn from - others mistakes
and discoveries, and to change,
as best we can, the imperfections
of our society and maybe the
world! COMPLAIN - O.K. - but
offer alternatives and get
involved and right the wrongs
and inequities.
This same issue carried an
accusation about the Housing
Staff of Meade Heights allegedly
s;oying and informing on the
Letters
/s/ A concerned, but now disgusted
student who finds the whole thing
absolutely absurd.
CIEZEI
students. I must admit that I was
both surprised at the source of
the article as well as the logic
used in writing it. PONDER
THIS POINT: when you are
stopped by a policeman for
speeding, do you (1) get mad at
the cop because he wasn't out
chasing "criminals," or, (2) at
yourself for being so ignorant as
to break the laws of society and
then get caught in the process?
If you belong to the first group,
then you, would probably
complain about the Housing
Staff when it reported womens
clothes in an all-male house, or
what have you.
In the situation above, I can
find only two explanations: (1)
You are breaking University
rules, by having an unauthorized
visitor in your house (and
therefore, as an adult, should
accept the consequences) or (2)
you are wearing women's clothes
(and I wouldn't brag about that,
either). I think the contributors
of both articles have a problem
with plain ordinary common
sense.
My main purpose for writing
this article is to defend the
May 30, 1974
people who are taken for
granted and who do so much to
make
. our life here as confortable
and unencumbered as possible.
They are the Housing Staff,
especially the group in Meade
Heights!
I wouldn't want their job for
all the education or money in
the world. JUST IMAGINE: the
lawn area that has to be cut, the
painting that has to be done, the
windows that have to be
replaced, the pilots in the stove
and two heaters that have to be
relighted or cleaned. And the
total amount of complaints
received on the average day that
are overlooked by our student
population. And it's not the
mass or diversity of complaints
that make things complicated,
but the fact that many people
view their problem as the only
one!!!
How about the personality
clashes that inevitably happen
when diverse living habits meet
and conflict. Many people were
extended quick and courteous
relocation help in these and
other matters, and who then
seem to forget that they were
once in need themselves.
So to the Housing Staff in the
Meade Heights Area, my
warmest appreciation goes to
you for a difficult job well done.
I feel that you were unfairly
criticized on unsubstanciated,
hastily drawn conclusions and
that you are doing the best job
anyone could do with the
continous upkeep of an old one
time military base.
Sincerely,
/s/ Dennis R. Burd
** * *
What to do on
a boring afternoon
Why not try the library for a
laugh or two.
It is fun to watch the Peeper
Sneaker. He is the quiet human
you see watching you as you
browse and use the men's room,
but when you need an intelligent
answer this peeper sneaker will
hide. Now the fun begins when
you first realize he has you
under surveillance. Then the idea
is to wander around a lot so you
keep him busy, he gets bored
too you know. Remember while
in the library keep your hands
visible at all time, that is if you
want out. They touch them on
the way out to make sure they
are connected.
CM!
Why
Why!
Why is what I scream
in the darkness of my mind
Why do I feel so lonely?
Why do I feel so lost?
Why do I feel?
Do I feel?
I feel until it hurts
so I do not want to feel
Why can't they help me?
Why can't I help myself?
Why can't I help?
Why can't I ...?
Why?