PAGBB'
Penn PIRG Nears
Goal In Signatures
On May 5, an all night vigil was held on
Kent State Campus, Ohio, to honor and
remember the student activists who were
shot and killed while protesting U.S.
involvement in an unjust war. Fittingly,
five years since that day the war is finally
ended. Hopefully the many injuries
suffered by members of the peace
movement were not wasted.
Since the ending of U.S. military
presence in Vietnam, many Americans
apparently feel that campus activism has
died.
This is not the case-activism has
simply been channeled into more
organized and thus more effective
movements. PIRG, the Public Interest
Research Group, is such a movement.
Recently on Capitol Campus, students
have mounted a major petitioning drive to
demonstrate support for the movement
to the PSU administration.
As of this writing approximately 75%
of the 1100 signatures goal set for our
campus has been met.
This success has resulted from a
multi-media publicity campaign, petition
canvasing, and such guest speakers as
Scott Kennedy, Nader’s Raider; and
Driane Brenner, Penn PIRG eastern
coordinator.
In order to further garner support,
Ralph Nader, developer of the Pirg
concept, spoke to a crowd of 2500
students at University Park on May 7th.
Nader rather appropriately referred to
the American people, and in many ways
unorganized students, as sheep at the
mercy of a corrupt system. Moreover,
since he believes so strongly that Pirg is
a way to escape this herding, he stated
that in order to incorporate the movement
into the PSU community, he will
personally “camp in” at University Park if
necessary.
Representing Capitol at the rally were
Jim Pegan and Chris Markey, two
members of the Penn PIRG ad hoc
committee on campus.
When interviewed, members of this
committee outlined some basic problems
which have been encountered thus far.
Basically, they feel that Capitol’s
infamous and infinite apathy have been
the major obstacle.
Coupled with this, however, has beeh a
KEGGAR ’75
FRIDAY, MAY 30,1975
9 to 1 STUDENT CENTER
ADMISSION FREE
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
PLENTY OF BEER
by Michael Bless
general lack of knowledge on the
students’ part as to how Pirg can benefit
the individual.
It was explained that Pirg will be
primarily oriented toward student
concernes such as landlord/tenant
rights, utility rates, and local consumer
costs.
In addition to these, the movement will
allign itself with various other “people
power” groups such as Common Cause,
and state consumer groups in order to
initiate broader platforms - environ
mental protection, legislative reforms,
etc.
Finally it was pointed out that the aim
of Pirg is to involve the optimism and
activism of the college student in
conjunction with the practical abilities of
professional lawyers, researchers and
lobbyists to incorporate meaningful
changes in our system. These changes
will be of benefit not only to the general
populace but directly to the student
through the mechanism of independent
studies for academic credit.
In connection with this we interviewed
David Kochner, director of Pennsylvania
Common Cause.
Kochner expressed genuine interest in
Penn PIRG and outlined various
independent studies possible for Penn
PIRG researchers associated with
Common Cause.
Included in these are research projects
into conflicts of interest within the state
legislature, much as was done by New
York PIRG; corruption within the state
utilities; mismanagement in govern
mental departments, and tax reform.
He stressed the importance of the
PIRG movement at Capitol because of its
proximity to the state capital and stated,
“Common Cause Pennsylvania welcomes
and is looking forward to building a
symbiotic relationship with Penn PERG.
The PIRGs throughout the United States
are among the most effective mech
anisms for restoring confidence in our
social and governmental institutions,
and for rechanneling the decision
making process back to the people.”
If readers have any questions, contact
members of the Penn PIRG ad hoc
committee through Prof. Decker.
Music Festival
Slated Here
Good People Productions
wil present the fifth annual
Music Festival, Saturday
starting at 11 a.m. behind
the Engineering Lab. Last
year’s concert drew several
thousand spectators on a
beautiful sunny day with
good music for all.
This year’s free, outdoor
Festival is open to the public
and will feature the following
musical groups: the recently
recorded “Dialogue”; “El
mer’s Kids,” which has a
new single record; “Third
Stream”; “Morning Song,”
and “City Limits.”
Saturday’s concert will be
C.C. Tuition On Block
Among the unusual items
on the block at the annual
WITF-TV auction from May
11-17 will be a full term’s
tuition to Capitol Campus.
The tuition has been
donated by Electronic Data
Associates Inc. of Lemoyne.
A spokesman for the firm
said the tuition can be used
heard through a better sound
system and performed on a
larger stage with more good
people helping out.
In case of rain on
Saturday, the concert will be
held Sunday.
Bring your wine skin, roll
your own, prepare yourself
for a day of sun, fun and
music.
For further information
contact concert coordinat
ors:
Ed Jennings
Dave Nicholas 944-1643
(Harpo)
Stan Chilson 944-0322
by any full time graduate or
undergraduate student for
any program.
The money from the top
bidder for the tuition will
support public television for
central Pennsylvania, WITF
TV, channel 33. Electronic
Data Associates Inc. will pay
for the tuition.
| Bathtub
Crackup
On Campus
Bathtub driving should be
left to the experienced. This
was the lesson learned last
Thursday, May 8 at 8:30
p.m. when a Capitol Campus
student decided to use the
tub for crusing instead of
bathing.
During the Roman Riots in
Meade Heights Bonnie Kal
len was given an enthusias
tic launching down the hill
on a solo bathtub run by
friends in People’s Park.
According to witnesses,
Miss Kallen was piloting the
NADS’ winning bathtub from
the 1975 annual bathtub
race. She handled the
bathtub well in the begin
ning, but towards the
bottom of the hill lost
control and crashed into the
rear of a parked car.
Bonnie was not injured
but the car, a 1974 Fiat
station wagon owned by
Kathy Long, received dam
ages to the left rear quarter
panel. The bathtub was put
out of commission for the
rest of the evening.
Bonnie's solo came to its
spectacular finish because
the tub was not equipped
with brakes. She said, “It
was a freak accident that
could have happened -to
anyone.” Miss Long, the
owner of the damaged car,
agreed with Bonnie.
John Morris, chairman of
the NADS bathtub commit
tee, said that the bathtub
was used without the
sanction of the NADS.
International Club Meets
An organizational meeting
of the International Affairs
Association will be held on
May 22 at 8:00 p.m. in the
Gallery Lounge. All stu
dents interested in joining
All We Are Savina
Is Give John '
A Chance
HELP KEEP JOHM LENNON IN THE 0.5.-
JOIN THE NATIONAL
FLOOD THE WHITE HOUSE DAY,
JUNE 12th
Send petitions to President Ford
to allow Lennon to stay in America
“If he can pardon Nixon,
why can’t ho pardon Lennon?”
For complete information, petitions, etc.,
send a stamped, self-addressed
envelope to:
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER
310 Franklin Street
no. 117
Boston, Mass. 02110
Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope
944-3522
MAY 15, 1975
Term Setup
Continues
University Park, Pa.-An
academic calendar for 1976-
77, continuing the present
four-term system for one
additional year, was an
nounced by Dr. John W.
Oswald, president of The
Pennsylvania State Univer
sity.
“Any permanent change in
the basic academic calendar
that might emerge from the
recommendations of the
Calendar Commission will
not take place before the Fall
of 1977,” Dr. Oswald said,
explaining that more study
and consultation are neces
sary.
Art Exhibit
Begins Here
An art exhibit featuring the
work of students, faculty,
and staff will be shown in
the Gallery/ Lounge from
May 19 through June 9.
According to Maxine
Lewis, coordinator of art
shows, the exhibit will
feature paintings, drawings,
graphics, sculpture, crafts,
and photography. All work
shown will have been
created by members of the
campus community.
Lewis commented, “The
purpose of this event is to
bring together the creative
talent on campus.”
The Student-Faculty-Staff
art exhibit is sponsored by
the Student Activities Office.
the Association are invited
to attend. The topic of the
meeting will be the aims of
the Association and its
general direction for the
coming year.