PSU Students Polled University Park, Pa.-Fresh men at The Pennsylvania State University feel that high school grading is too easy, college grades are important and should not be abolished, and that students should have a voice in the evaluations of their teachers. These were views indicated by Penn State freshmen on a survey form sponsered by the American Council on Educa tion/University of California at Los Angeles (ACE,UCLA) Cooperative Institutional Re search Program. A total of 548 colleges and universities were surveyed and data from 47 with the highest percentage of participants constitute the norm. While Penn State freshmen seemed to be "middle-of-the road" in political orientation and on social issues, they did express strong views on women and job equality, as did freshmen elsewhere. Ninety three per cent of the Penn State freshmen feel that there should be job equality for women. The Penn State freshmen also think that government should do more to discourage energy use and that the government has not been successful in controlling pol lution. More than 80 per cent hold these views. Fifty-fonr per cent say that marijuana should be legalized and 55 per cent favor legalization of abortion. Sev enty-one per cent of the Penn State freshmen hold the opinion that there are too many rights for criminals. Comparing the Penn State figures with the national norms of the ACE,UCLA survey, Penn State freshmen do not feel as strongly about job equality for women, govern ment's role in energy use and pollution, legalizing marijuana and abortion as do other university freshmen. The Penn State freshmen were more concerned about rights for criminals, with 71 per cent at Penn State expressing concern. Elsewhere, an average of 61 per cent were concerned. Overall, the Penn State freshmen have expectations from college similar to fresh men at other universities. Three out of four feel confident they will aquire a baccalaureate degree and one in ten expects to graduate with honors. Fifty-five per cent feel they will be satisfied at Penn State. More than 45 per cent at Penn State say they need a job to help pay college expenses and one in four entends to work at an outside job while attending school. About 65 per cent this year expressed confidence in finding a job in their preferred field after graduation. This was an increase of 10 per cent over the freshmen who expressed this confidence a year ago. The percentage of Penn State freshmen who feel certain personal objectives are very important seems to be dis tributed in relatively the same proportion as the attitude of other university freshmen. Their primary objective, noted by 77 per cent of the freshmen, was to become an authority in their respective fields. The next most important objective, said 60 per cent of the freshmen, was "to help others who are in difficulty." Other objectives that were noted as important by over half of the Penn State freshmen were: --Being well off financially. --Developing a philosophy of -Raising a family. I --Obtaining recognition from colleagues. Some objectives that Penn I mi State freshmen felt were least • important include: --Influent • the itical I structure. --Creating an artistic work. I --Writing an original work. I -Achieving in a performing Freshmen at other univer sities, according to the survey, I also consider these objectives 1 to be the least important. NI C.C. Reader ENGINEERS Federal Government agencies are involved in some of the most important technological work being done today ....in energy fields, communi cation, transportation, consumer protection, de fense, exploring inner and outer space and the environment. Some of our jobs are unique, with projects and facilities found nowhere else. Salaries are good, the work is interesting and there are ex cellent opportunities for advancement. Our nationwide network can get your name referred to agencies in every part of the country. For information about best opportunities by specialty and location, send a coupon or your resume to : Engineering Recruitment, Room 6AII. gt9U.S. Civil Service Commission Washington, D.C. 20415 An Equal Opportunity Employer NI MI NI NI 111 MN 111 111 111 NI ME MN 111 NI NI Address Degree level and Engineering Specielit •Only. Col Geographic Preference IM IS MI MI MI MI INII IEII Ell MI MN ME MI Ili Bicycle Safety Nearly 46 percent of America's population owns or rides a bicycle. In fact, there are more than 100 million bicyclists free-wheeling today, making the need for bicycle safety consciousness more important than it has ever been, according to Chief Paul of the Campus Police Department. American Bike Month in May is dedicated to promoting bicycle safety. This is the twenty-second consecutive year that communities throughout the country have called special attention to making the areas a safer place for bicyclists, Chief Paul noted. State__.2ip Yr. Grad Month Because more and more youths and adults are riding the two-wheelers for fun, physical fitness, energy-conservation and transportation, Chief Paul emphasized that the need for bicycle safety consciousness is more urgent than ever before. A recent two-year study released by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation showed that a common cause of many traffic accidents involving bicyclists was the "blind eye of the motorist". The study revealed that the scanning patterns of the motorist were beamed at other automobiles, frequently overlooking the presence of the bicyclist on the road. Chief Paul cautions motorists to remain alert to bike riders and respect their right to the road. The study also pointed to the erratic and illegal maneu vers of bicyclists in unexpected places - .such as exiting from drive-ways and sidewalks onto public roads, thus creating hazardous situations. Failure to stop or yield the controlled intersections also contributed to danger for bicyclists. "There is no better time than during American Bike Month to remind citizens that bicycle safety is everyone's job," the Chief said. He reminds everyone that along with the Rules of the Road there is a further need for maintenance of a bike to make sure that it is in safe operating order. Chief Paul is recommending that the following Rules of the Road, issued by the Bicycle Manufacturers Association and endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police be followed not just during American Bike Month, but all year long. Suggested safe driving rules: 1. Obey all applicable traffic regulations, signs, signals and markings. 2. Observe all local ordinan ces pertaining to bicycle operation. 3. Keep right, drive with traffic, not against it. Drive single file. 4. Watch oil,. tor drain grates, soft shoulders and other road surface hazards. 5. Watch out for car doors opening, or for cars pulling out into traffic. 6. Don't carry passengers or packages that interfere with your vision or control. 7. Never hitch a ride on a truck or other vehicle. 8. Be extremely careful at all intersections, particularly when making a left turn. 9. Use hand signals to indicate turning or stopping. 10. Protect yourself at night with required reflectors and lights. 11. Drive a safe bike. Have it inspected to ensure good mechanical condition 12. Drive your bike defen sively; watch out for the other .:-. ...T.. . ' r . .' X. - , ' 1 ' i *t.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers