We've All Grown Leaving the C.C. Reader behind and having to Ali goodbye to a bunch of hard-working, concerned friends, I have to say thank you for a great experience. What I have learned about people, college newspapers, and studemliorganizations has been invaluable and it has given me much more than the academics alone could have given me. I've grown and so have the people around me. Running student organizations hasn't been all 'peaches and cream'; we've had our good times and bad times, but that's all past. Even though things didn't always turn out the way we would have liked them too, we know that we put everything we had into getting it together. And that's something that no one can take from us and a hell of a lot to be proud of. What we must do now is to feel good about what we've accomplished and learn from the mistakes we have made. After being apart of this experience for over a year, I can't help but have a little pride in this place. I know there's plenty to bitch about, but what good will that do us now? Instead, let's look for ways to make it better, not in school anymore, but in the world, because the way I feel this school and this world have a lot of potential to grow. (Just the fact that Capitol can offer students a living experience in Meade Heights that is unique and unequalled in any college environment, is enough to get this school off the ground.) Anything more than this can only be achieved through a relaxed, concerned and open administration. And this will take more than an overdose of EX-LAX. It's going to take understanding, patience, and a lot of work by all concerned parties, including faculty and students. The only way I see that this can be done is through communication, and that's where the college newspaper comes in. Because the READER not only reflects the attitude of the campus, it also communicates to outsiders what this school has to offer. (Definitely a selling point). The READER should be the voice of this campus and should reflect the ideas of the administration and faculty as well as the students. It's not easy, but it's not hard either. It's going to take some reaching out to people, a helping hand sort of speak. Administration reaching out to faculty and students to see where the problems lie and working together to solve them. A faculty that reaches out to students to see where their problems lie and to help them the best they can. And a student body that seeks these services; all of which should bring about a better rapport and understanding of goals that would make this experience one of the best in our lives. Maybe, everyone is saying, "Well, we're doing this," but the climate reflected in students is such that it's not enough. Why this hasn't been the case is beyond me because the way I see it - we're all in the same game; learning and growing and it's not easy for anyone, and that's why it's even more important to help each other out. I've seen student organizations working together and just the thought of this has filled me with a lot of hope for a lot of things, society is just one and. America, believe it or not, is. another. It wasn't my purpose to get long-winded about this because I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck in a world that needs a lot of help and congratulations for a four year job well-done. Maybe this hasn't sounded like the Frank DeSantis that some of you have come to know, but then again, l'm sure most of you don't have the same ideas, ideals, goals and hopes as when you first came here. Because that's growth man, and we've ALL GROWN. / - - - - . Nte , . , . . . . . . . . , , . . • N 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 Term& Opinions expressed by the editors and staff are not necessarily those of the University Administration, Faculty or Students. Assistant Editor ... Jim Bollinger by Frank DeSantis COMMUNICATE, LOVE AND WORK HARD TO FIND YOUR HAPPINESS ok sr 4 P. Pe 4,` , MI a. t it r 2 ~Ir FR ..• V • • 1 . 5 S Frank DeS antis The future of Capitol Campus By Fred Prouser The future of Capitol Campus is dependent upon a number of factors. The Administration and Faculty are responsible for the development of educational programs that will draw more students to this campus. The curriculums offered presently do not adequately prepare many students for a reasonable chance at employment. Specifically, the field of education seems to be drying up as well as the perennial struggle Humanities majors have in obtaining a job relating to their field. Other areas of study such as business and engineering are in a favorable position in the job market. What it comes down to is that the opportunities the campus has to offer are many, the problem lies within the Faculty, Students and Administration not exercising their perogatives in making these opportunities a reality. Capitol Campus was granted autonomy two years ago by the University Senate. What has the campus done with this autonomy? A favorite phrase around campus is, "It has to go up to the Park." Why are we still dependent on the Park for most of the decisions affecting our campus? It would seem that we are an autonomous body with our hands tied behind our back. The only way we get them untied is by going up to the Park with the hope that someone up there has the time to work the knot out for us. The knot in this case always is a decision that has to be made up there, but SHOULD be able to be made right here at Capitol Campus. The intent of the campus as originally established recognized a lot of talent existed, and the possiblity for some really positive action was not an idle dream. What has happened is that people on campus are ducking the issues, issues that are vital to the future of this place, and instead are placing their energies on personal power trips. What should come about soon is a frank campus, with an openess and opportunity for a rapport to be established among all involved. A lot of unnecessary hassles have occurred this year in many areas and they could have been avoided through proper communication with those involved. A lot depends upon the individual next year. A committment on the part of those involved on committees, both student and Administrative, is essential if the campus is to remain a viable institution. Mechanisms for change are being developed and hopefully specific priorities will be stated with the purpose that these goals will be achieved. In the end, it is up to you. Do you want to make or break Capitol Campus? The choice is up to you. THINK ABOUT IT. * * * Parting Shots Well, it's finally over. When I first wrote this article it explained all the nice but dubious accomplishments that the S.G.A. achieved during the course of the year. I think, though that such things are for others to decide and not me. I've spent 4 years in college governance structures, those great bulworks of participatory democracy and I can't help but look back at it all and feel like I've been chewed on a mite. But +he past can't be compromised nor redone, so there's no sense in telling all that was accomplished this year and all that wasn't. Instead, maybe I can offer you some points and suggestions to ponder . . . First: You shouldn't waste valuable time and effort on the parking fee. Attack it, but don't endanger your organization by not knowing the right opportune moments to withdraw. Second: Do not compromise on the issue of Campus Security. This is strictly a matter between the students and the direct superiors of the security department. Third: Establish a Food Service Committee that will serve as a constant review board for the various food operations on campus. (Vendorville, the Cafeteria and the Snack Bar.) Fourth: Utilize your excess funds to start an emergency loan fund and possibly a scholarship fund which YOU will control. Fifth: Research the idea of retaining a solicitor for your use to research contracts and help students with legal problems. Sixth: Establish an effective Used Book Sale to be held every term. Seventh: Develop STUDENT Evaluation of faculty and publish your own results. Eighth: Don't hesitate to carry matters to the highest levels. Put restrictions on the amount of time you will wait for a reply. If you do not receive expedient correspondence, carry it to the next highest level. Ninth: Utilize the newspaper as your main vehicle for communication with the students. Tenth: Develop a strong working relationship with the H.A.C.O student government, and other area student governments. The faculty at Capitol are professionals and should be recognized as such. But the faculty should be offering the type of guidance that will foster student reaction and activism; and this is lacking. The faculty should provide in their classroom an atmosphere for the expression of ideas and promote various frameworks to experiment with these ideas. I said ideas, by the way and not idea. The classroom is not for the impregnation of one central authoritarian viewpoint, but many viewpoints. Faculty advisors are needed for student organizations on campus. But an advisor should be an advocate too. We have few strong student advocates on campus. How often are the students used when a faculty member is in trouble? How many times will the James Jordan award be used as a device to gain grace? How many times will the faculty turn against another member because of his or her mannerisms or exterior lifestyle or any other mode or expression that isn't deemed that of the status quo? You know we can all hide behind our degrees or our academic rank or our publications or our good standing with the powers that be. How much time does it take to express an opinion or give advice or listen to a concerned and interested student? ADMINISTRATION Herein lies the pressure points for change. There are many things that they could do to restructure and nurture this institution and I will deal with only a few. The present tenure system should be abandoned. It leaves to many avenues open for the interjection of one man's authority and personal biases. Instead tenure should either be eliminated or substituted with a series of varying term contracts. If an instructor does not receive tenure this does not mean he or she is ineffective. He or she should at least have the opportunity to continue on a long term contract. If the administration is at all interested in promoting particpation and decreasing alienation they should seek to institute a governance structure that will bring all three interest groups, faculty, students and administrators together. The office of Director of Student Affairs should become a separate entity not included under the administrative offices. This new entity should include: Admissions, Veterans Affairs, Counseling and Placement. The bookstore should expand and retain a used book section. Office areas should stay open over the lunch hour specifically the Finance office. The student recreational facilities should be greatly expanded. How can you sell a campus on its present basis? Academics is not everything. Student positions should be opened on all committees and in all structures. Students should have a say in curreculum matters. (Why not offer courses pertaining to governance structures, journalism, etc?) I could go on, but I suppose many of you will read this and interpret it as being vague or illogical or something and maybe you're right. It has been a good two years at Capitol and certainly the positive points outweigh the negative. But that does not mean things cannot be improved. I'd like to wish all the graduating seniors the best of luck in the future endeavors and the incoming seniors too. See if next year you don't feel a bit chewed too. by Bill Matthews S.G.A FACULTY
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers