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Drink Responsibly
For the past few years, Penn State has had the growing reputation of being
known as a "party school." This is true. Very true.
What possesses individuals to drink to the extent of total inebriation? What is
their purpose? Is there anything to be gained by this foolish practice?
Of course not.
While it is true that students are here to have a good time as well as to get a
quality education, this does not mean that drinking to great proportions is
condoned.
Many students are here -- not to learn -- but to see how much and how fast they
can quaff an assortment of alcoholic beverages. Indeed, these are the same
students who disrupt others who are here for more ethical reasons. These are the
same students who traverse the campus with all the grace and dexterity of Gerald
Ford. Although these students are a minority, their number is rapidly growing
and actions against them must be taken. If the situation is allowed to steadily
worsen, the integrity of the university is at stake.
Let's not allow the prestigious tradition of Penn State to be destroyed by a few
thoughtless fools who overindulge.
If we must drink, it is up to us to drink responsibly and encourage others to do
likewise. Remember, it took 125 years to establish a respectable reputation. Let's
not ruin it now
Published biweekly by the students of the Capitol Campus of the Pennsylvania
State University in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
The C.C. Reader has the following four-fold purpose: [l] to keep students
informed about their campus communityal to provide editorial comment on issues
lacing the campus community; [3] to serve as a forum for student poetry,
photographs, short stories, graphics, and other creative endeavors; [4l to serve as a
learning mechanism for all students interested in the journalistic process. This
includes reporting, editing, layout, typesetting, and paste-up.
All students are urged to express their views by contributing to the C.C. Reader.
Editor-Elect - Susan M. Snell Photography Editor - Mark W. Clauser
Activities Editor - Linda Lightner Contributing Editor - William J. Neil
Sports Editor - Kenneth Aducci Cartoonist - Joe Horvath
Copy Editor - Alice M. Coon
Staff - Dave Caruso, Mike Kondor, Gary Pellett, Darrell Reider,
Kevin Spiegel, James Seda, Keith N. Gant . z
Dr. Elizabeth Winston, Dr. Donald Alexander
Faculty Advisors
The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and are not
necessarily the opinions of the students, faculty, staff, or administration of the
Pennsylvania State University.
The C.C. Reader welcomes letters from readers. Letters intended for publication
should indicate the writers college affiliation, if any. All letters must be signed by the
writer. Unsigned letters can not be printed. However, a writer's name may be
withheld upon request. Letters should be legible [ preferably typewritten, double
spaced]; and any material that is libelous or does not conform to the standards of
good taste will be edited and/or rejected.
PERPETvAt- CALEND4O,
cc. reader
Pennsylvania State University
Capitol Campus
Route 230
Middletown, PA 17057
Office W-129
Phone -- [7171944-4970
Editor-in-Chief
Harry H. Moyer
LETTERS POLICY
Thursday, November 6, 1980
Editorial /Opinion
-- William Neil
Vandalism Condemned
In recent weeks several stop signs on our campus have been stolen, with only
bare, twisted poles left behind.
In addition, a brand-new directional sign, erected to point the way to various
buildings on campus, was stripped of its individual placards.
Such blatant acts of vandalism, though obviously criminal under any
circumstances, are particularly reprehensible when you consider that they
occurred on a college campus. For a college, supposedly an institution in which
mature adults gather to seek an education, to be subjected to such destruction is
inexcusable. Though everyone would like to assume that it was the work of
outsiders, it is much more likely that the "pleasure seekers" were Capitol
students.
Granted, with the everyday stress that is so much a part of college life,
students find the need to "let off steam" every now and then. However, there
comes a time when we must distinguish between playful pranks and outright
destruction.
To use violence as a means of releasing tension is, as evidenced by observing
the remains of the signs around campus, nothing to be proud of.
There are several theories as to why these acts of vandalism took place. First,
they may have been committed by students who had had a bit too much to drink.
This view holds the hope that, in a normal state of mind, the persons responsible
would not have declared open season on all road signs.
Secondly, the destruction may have been done in a - methodical fashion to "get
back at Capitol" for some past disagreement. This theory is a worse reflection on
the guilty party, since the persons responsible went about their task knowing full
well the extent and seriousness of their actions.
The third and perhaps saddest theory is that the vandalism was committed
"just for the hell of it." In this case, people destroyed public property simply
because they had nothing better to do with their time. Hag our society regressed
to such a point where college students, the "cream of the crop," the future leaders
of America, get cheap thrills out of stealing road signs?
Whatever the reasons behind such destruction, be it drunkenness, revenge, or
just plain stupidity, it is sad testimony to the members of the campus community.
Hopefully, it isn't asking too much of our citizens to respect the property of
of others.
Letters
to the Editor
Wumke's
Editor
Good day to all students, faculty, and
staff (even Provost Gross!). I'm back
again because I heard through the
grapevine that you all missed me. Well,
rest assured that I'm alive and well.
Seriously, though, I was unable to
appear in the last issue due to extenuat
ing circumstances (my favorite bureau
cratic phrase).
I'd like to let all of you in on a most
heart-warming story I heard recently in
a local establishment. I made a remark to
a "townie" that residents of this area
don't appreciate the benefits (both cul
tural and economic) that Capitol Campus
brings to Middletown and surroundings.
Whereupon he quickly assured mle that
he himself had never -- and would never
-- put down a C.C. student. His family
still remembers Capitol Campus stu
dents' volunteering hundreds of man
hours of their personal time in aiding
victims of Hurricane Agnes in June 1972.
Student Longs To Belong
Capitol Campus students make to
achieve this goal, one would find the
A sense of belonging has always been traditional college insignia accouter
a primal need of Man. This "sense of ments including bumper stickers,
belonging" can be found through one's sweatshirts, hats, and beer mugs.
affiliation with family, friends, commun- The fact is that Penn State Capitol is
ity, and social institutions, including not a homogeneous unit; Penn State
school. Ah yes, school. Capitol is made up of a heterogeneous
To bring my point closer to home, the set of different programs but only one of
students of Penn State Capitol Campus these programs has a personality of its
do possess a need to feel that they own.
"belong" to this school. And if one were continued on page 5. . .
to closely examine the attempts many
Editor
Back
It made me teel more than a little proud
to be associated with a school which
produces that kind of good deed. So, you
see, some natives do think a lot of us --
even if they rarely come right out and
say it.
I was pleased to learn a few weeks
ago that SGA has finally taken away
appropriations from some long-defunct
campus organizations. Now that money
can be used for the benefit of at least
some students. Only four more campaign
issues to resolve, kid.
Now for the bad news. I would like to
take this opportunity to publicly deplore
the recent theft of four glass pitchers by
students from Thirsty's Tavern. I hope
whoever did it is reading this. To the
thieves: Thirsty's is one of very few bars
in the area which actually welcome Penn
State students -- and now a few people
might blow it for all of us. Because of you
idiots, we are now forced to put down a
continued on page 5. . .
C.C. Reader
-- David Caruso