Editorials
Where's the waste?
An Editorial
By Linda McCarty
The probability that the
unknown waste buried in the
woods near Meade Heights poses
a serious health threat to Capitol
Campus seems slight. But the in
cident has posed serious questions
about the University's awareness
of and preparedness for potential
environmental hazards.
For eighteen years Capitol
Campus has occupied the land
once owned and utilized by the
Air Force. Hasn't anyone at least
inquired about the barrels only
partially hidden in the ground for
over 20 years? It is understan
dable that those who have only
walked along the Meade Heights
path failed to notice. Yet Penn
State has maintained houses
within yards of the area and even
built a path on top of the site,
and still it appears as if they've
never completely explored it.
Had they, someone would have
undoubtedly stumbled across the
Air Force remains. Or maybe so
meone did and their findings were
deemed too insignificant to war
rant further investigation.
Capitol
Imes
Linda A. McCarty ,Executive Editor
James E. Fitzroy Managing Editor
Tony G. Perry Managing Editor
Jeffrey G. Shatzer Production Manager
Photography Editor
Neil A. Myers Composition Editor
Angelo M. Vecchio Sports Editor
Michele S. Haley Events Editor
Kimberly C. Bush Business Manager
Kathleen E. Heraghty Production Assistant
Donald R. Strausburger Reviews
Sean C. Ferry Advertising Consultant
Jerome J. Trently Editorial Consultant
Advising and consulting...
The 'Capitol Times' welcomes letters from readers. Letters intended tor publication must be signed by tlw author and
indicate his/her club or organizational affiliation, If any. The 'Capitol Times' manes the right to edit or reject letters at
its discretion, although It Is our policy to edit as little as possible.
Letters published do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or Its staff.
To correct our mistakes:
The photograph of Joe Oddo on page three of our March issue was
taken by Laurie S. Bedford, not Jeff Shatzer.
The article "Short roster won't harm baseball team's spirit" that
appeared on page fifteen was written by Linda McCarty, not Angelo
Vecchio
Thursday, April 19, 1984
Vol. 18, No. 7
Even when the barrels contain
ing an unknown and potentially
hazardous substance were
discovered, not by campus of
ficials, but by outside agencies
searching for the source of con
taminated water, it appeared as if
Assistant Provost John Joseph
was one of the last persons to be
notified.
He shouldn't have been. Mat
ters which concern the health and
safety of students, faculty and
staff should be brought to the im
mediate attention of those in
charge at Capitol Campus, then
those at University Park. Not
vice-versa.
Had the threat been more im
mediate, the delay through
University Park's Safety Office
could have proved costly and
perhaps deadly.
While researching the story,
Capitol Times was approached by
the administration for informa
tion. Why? Because we were the
ones who asked questions, in
vestigated the problem, and
demanded answers. We only did
what the administration should
have done.
..Bern Sharfman, Dr. John Patterson
Capitol Times Thursday, April 19, 1984
Letters to the Editor:
Letter to the Editor,
First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people
who donated their time and effort to make the book sale that was
held March 21 and 22 a success. Almost $4OO was collected from
students, faculty, and staff and donated to the Joseph C. Atkins
Memorial Scholarship Fund. I was pleasantly surprised at the response
the students showed; it seems we are not as apathetic as we are por
trayed to be.
I was also surprised at the response encountered from the faculty--
but not pleased. This fund was organized for one purpose—to pay our
respects to a fellow human being. We weren't honoring him as a pro
fessor, husband, father, or anything else--only as a man.
All faculty members of Capitol Campus received announcements of
our book sale and a request for donations of used books. Several
times flyers were sent out and met with not only apathy, but
selfishness. The basic response was, "I didn't know him, therefore I
don't care." Only after Stanley Miller (Acting Provost and Dean) sent
a memo from his office requesting cooperation from the faculty, did
they start to "suddenly care" about this man and our endeavors.
It is indeed rare at this campus to get students involved in ay extra
curricular activities, but I was not aware that our faculty was com
peting with us for the "Pennsylvania State University/Capitol Campus
Apathy Award". I personally find it very sad that some faculty
members had to be begged before they would take five minutes out of
their schedules to get rid of books that were only collecting dust to
begin with. Yes, sometimes it is difficult to be "Capitol Campus
Proud".
To the faculty and staff who cooperated from the start, I wish to
express my deepest thanks. A special thank-you goes out to Ricardo
Valdes, who ran around the school and helped me pick up the book
donations, and to Dr. Mehdi Khosrowpour, who helped organize the
fund and supported the involvement of the student committee.
Wendy Susan Batkin
Editor, t l9B4,`Capitolite' Yeartipx*
Editor,
As a student on this campus, I feel it should be brought to the at
tention of everyone that in the opinion of'snMe students, 5.U.8.0.M'
(Student Union Board of Governors) is not representing everyone
who attends school here.
The issue that most influenced this belief concerns bands selected to
play at our Rites of Spring weekend celebration, and also a review of
bands that have played at functions sponsored by 5.U.8.0.G.
throughout the year.
5.U.8.0.G. was approached by two students with a proposal to hire
a dance band for the Rites of Spring. Since more than one band is go
ing to play, and a rock-and-roll band had already been booked, the
request seemed very fair. But it was turned down, and not recon
sidered, even after a petition for the dance band, with eighty names,
was brought to a 5.U.8.0.G. meeting. Instead, 5.U.8.0.G., in all
their wisdom and fair judgement, decided to hire three rock handl. At
the time of this writing, the decision, to the best of my knowledge,
still stands. Their attitude, in my opinion, was stubborn, closed
minded, and ignorant.
Since everyone here is a Penn State student, everyone should, at
least once in a while, be encouraged to attend social functions set up
with help from S.G.A. (Student Government Assosciation) money.
This will happen only when 5.U.8.0.G. realizes that not everyone
shares their tastes.
With a new 5.U.8.0.G. staff ready-to take over for fall term,
maybe attitudes will be different and more diverse functions (and
diverse bands) will be employed (for example, jazz, country, new
wave, reggae, soul, etc.) If not, it seeems likely that a designated
coalition will approach the administration with a request to investigate
5.U.8.0.G. and scrutinize the way they spend the students' money.
Jeff Weis
B.C.T. major
Editor's note:in the interest of fairness, the 'Capitol Times' contacted
Jeff Schnier of 5.U.8.0.G., who stated that a group of students re
quested an alternate band for Rites of Spring, but failed to meet
5.U.8.0.G.'s deadline. Schnier added that 5.U.8.0.G. also offered to
provide time during Rites of Spring for any interested group to spon
sor a band of its choosing.
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