Editorial Page
***********"*".********
What About the
Students?
By Michele E. Hart, Editor-in-
Chief
It has been said before and it
will probably be said again- change is a
very slow and painful process.
And nowhere has that been
more evident lately than at Capital
College.
It has been with vested interest
that the Capital Times has watched the
aftermath of Dr. RoLzt J. Graham's
proposed reorganizition of the
humanities and behavorial science/
education divisions.
In the last Capital Times it was
suggested the merger would go more
easily if faculty and students became
involved in the planning. Faculty has
now taken the steps to try and become
involved.
In the letter sent to the
administration by the Faculty Council,
the Council stated that it was
"distressed" because it had not been
consulted prior to the announcement of
the merger. This letter"' - Stated that
Graham had not f.nllowed University
Senate Guidelines.
The battle lines that are being drawn are focused heavily on the
political side of the issue and not on the academic.
The Faculty Council's letter does state that they feel that college
leaders are " too little attentive to academic excellence... and the needs of the
campus."
College leaders do not pay enough attention to academics, and now
that the faculty and the administration have begun their political battle, neither
side can devote as much time to academic excellence for Capital College.
So who wins if the political struggle continues? No one. Who
loses? The students and the entire universtiy community.
It is important for faculty and the administration to maintain a
political balance, and it is important for both sides to respect that balance.
Graham's proposal does not have a great impact on students,
however, we will be indirectly impacted if the battle continues and the seeds of
animosity are sown.
Graham and the Faculty Council should meet to discuss each other's
positions and an equitable solution, that will benefit all, should be reached.
**************************************************************
Another issue that we will be watching closely is the possible
conversion of room 216 from the Clubs Meetings Room to a classroom or
data center. That room is very important to student organizations because it
allows them easy access to information and communications between classes.
If the organizations are assigned a room in a different building, access will be
cut dramatically. It is hard enough to keep continuity in organizations on this
campus because of its two-year nature, let's not make it any harder.
111
Editor-in-Chief-Michele E. Hart News Editor... Kimberly Anastas
Graphics Editor.... Joe Kupec
Photography Editor... Kyle Weaver
Advisor Peter Parisi
Stgati'Anilts:Atiologtiridt:oo4Walgigiiiien
The Capital Times is published by the students of Penn State Harrisburg. Concerns about content of any
issue should be directed to the Editor in Room W 212, Olmstead Building. Any opinion expressed are
those of the author and are not representitive of the college administration, faculty, or student body. The
Capital Times does not endorse its advertisers. The Capital Times welcomes signed letters from
made .
MAN - FNG.K. VtAPPENEII
--AERRY I S k.tt)S ?
This is Going to be "Spring"
Break?
By Michele E. Hart
Ah, "Spring" Break, that relaxing time of sunshine, partying,
sleeping, staying up to watch Late Night with David Letterman every night,
and being able to do all of the things college students never have the time to
do during the semester. In short, "spring" break is a piece of sanity in an
otherwise insane lifestyle.
Even the term, "spring" break, sounds joyous to my ears. So what's
the problem you ask.
Well, I have always been of the impression that "spring" break
should be in spring. According to my calendar spring begins this year at the
end of March. Our "spring" break, however, is the first week of March.
Hardly time to break out the shorts and open the sunroof on my Toyota.
I know, I know, beggars can't be choosers, but really, "spring" break
when the ground is still covered with perma-frost sounds contradictory to me.
If the university, in all of their infinite wisdom, has decided that our break
will be in the middle of winter they should call it winter break, or cabin fever
break. Anything but "spring" break because it definitely won't be spring-like
outside.
To really enjoy "spring" break in the purist sense one has to have
enough money to go to Florida or the Carribbean. I don't know about you,
but my measly q2lary wouldn't even cover the cost of peanuts on the plane to
either of these destinations, and you certainly can't drive to Jamaica.
I think that the university has started a plot against students. By
scheduling our so-called "spring" break for traditionally the bleakest part of
winter they are ensured that the main thing most of will be doing is climbing
the walls as we wait for the snow and ice to melt enough to walk to the
mailbox. They think we'll be studying because we won't have anything better
to do.
They probably will continue to schedule the break for the snowy
season each year, thereby frustrating us so much that we won't even look
forward to the time off. And once we let their ploy begin to work and start
loathing "spring" break they'll just stop scheduling it. Won't we be sorry
then?
In order to avoid this travesty of student sanity time I think that we
should all go up to U. Park during break and have a beach party on President
Jordan's lawn. We could even ask Dr. Leventhal to be a contestant in our
best-body on the snow competition. We'll hold snow-castle building contests
and barbeque polar bear steaks. If the brewskies thaw we could even hold
chug-a-lug contests or other inane college drinking competitions.
Sure it will be cold, so wear long johns under your bermudas. The
point is that we've got to show the administration that we're wining to fight
for our right to be lazy for a few days during the semester and that we would
prefer for those days to occur when the sun is a little closer to the earth.
RAVE FON
t i 114 E CO. 6.1
Hem WA f
Room. ii 4
ot-risT - rAb 1
•