What Intellectual Environment ? An open letter to the Penn State Harrisburg community: "Intellectual environment." This is what the administration claims we've got going around here, and the more I see this phrase the more shrill I become by it. After nearly four semesters at this school, I would like to know exactly where this environment exists. It may exist in the minds of certain persons in the administration, but it isn't evident in the real campus world. I offer some non-intellectual aspects that are found at Penn State Harrisburg. Let's take a look at the Humanitiesßehavioral Science merger. The merger may not be such a bad idea, but to not consult with faculty before the merger was announced was rude and arrogant. What is there to be afraid of? It's no wonder administration feels "tension when there's any suggestion of change." Where's the comradeship, the sharing of ideas, the "intellectual environment"? If the merger is for faculty and student to "get together and work more successfully", then when does this togetherness begin? Shouldn't a togetherness between faculty and administration have been started via open debate in the merger's 'open for consideration' stage instead of 'this is what we're going to do' stage? This has been a poor example of working together. Students and faculty alike - must put up with classrooms that are far from soundproof. One can hear chalk being applied in the next room, not to mention voices. Maybe this would be satisfactory if testing periods coincided. Also, we have a few faculty members around here that practice non-acceptance of student ideas in the classroom. Don't ask questions, don't challenge the status quo, don't think. Just memorize the text and the lecture notes (which are sometimes one and the same) and duplicate it on the test. The goal, it seems, is to get a grade, not to foster critical thinking. Is this the "intellectual environment" that is being referred to? Women's History Month: An Important Observance Kimberly Anastas Women have not only been discriminated against for centuries, but they have been crying out for help against violence. As early as the fifth century b.c., Aristophanes brought women's struggles to light in a comedy called Lysistrata. The women of Athens, who despised war, declared a sex-strike against their husbands who had been at war with the Spartans. Although a very humorous play, Lysistrata's underlying serious tone was successful in illustrating the inferiority men impose upon women. In the 1600 s a hispanic nun, Sor Juan Ines Dela Cruz, wrote poetry about the abuse so many women endure. The title of one very powerful poem speaks for itself: "She Proves The Typically, schools of Penn State's size have library holdings of well over 100 books per student. At Penn State Harrisburg we have less than 65 volumes in the general collection per student. I'm not the only student on campus that out of necessity uses the State Library for research Why waste time in the Heindel Library looking for material which isn't there? Is this part of our so-called "intellectual environment?" One last example, and this is a sad note indeed. This is in regard to the salary discrimination by sex among the faculty. It may come as a surprise to most of you, but given equal qualificiations, male faculty members out-earn female faculty members to the tune of over $3,500 annum. And at a school where we have a female provost! Is this the "intellectual environment" we are expected to believe exists here? It is stimulating to have with us such artifacts as the Tarnhelm, art exhibits in the Gallery Lounge, Heindel Library, and in the Humanities Division office area. The Provost Lecture Series and the noon-time entertainment in the Gallery Lounge are looked forward to and are events we can be proud of having. It doesn't measure up to the quantity and variety in programming presented by our crosstown friends at HACC with their outstanding extras for the community, but we do have something here to be thankful for. It's my impression that at Penn State Harrisburg too little attention is paid to academic excellence and too much attention is given to political and financial goings on. It's not so bad attending school here, but please stop referring to the school as having an "intellectual environment". It just isn't so. Darvin Geyer Senior, Behavioral Sciences Inconsistency of the Desires and Criticism of Men Who Accuse Women of What They Themselves Cause." Today, in 1988, women still endure abuse: physical, mental and sexual. Women still fight for equality in the workplace, in education and at home. There is still wonderful literature being written on the subject but more importantly, we all just have to open our eyes and our ears and witness it for ourselves. Hundreds of organizations have been established to help combat the problems of violence against women but the problems are far from being solved. Since March is Women's History Month and Penn State Harrisburg is offering programs and exhibits to commemorate it , we should Now for the Democrats OK, OK. I know what you're saying--" Boy, this guy really blew it. He picked Simon for gawsh sakes." Well, no, not really. If you'll hearken back, Simon was my choice as the Democratic contender with the most palatable media presentation. Honest. The Republicans I've been sick, so I was unable to submit a column for the last issue of the Cap. Since then, I've been overtaken by events on the Republican side. (What a turn of phrase--I've been overtaken by events...l write about politicans and I start sounding like somebody's press secretary. Sheesh.) Dupont and Haig have both dropped out, and Kemp may not be far behind. So I'd better start with Jack and write fast before he goes casper, as in ghost. Jack Kemp: In looks, Jack Kemp is the epitome of Republicanism. You know all those guys down at the Kiwanis in dark suits and power tie knock-offs from K-Mart? That's Jack Kemp. He's boring. His allocution lies somewhere between a dial-tone and distant traffic. Did I mention that he's boring? George Bush: Listen up, 'cause there's a very strong possibility that George will be our next president. Bush has the most impressive resume in the universe. Ask him. He's been everywhere, done everything, and met everyone. Yet, for some reason, he looks like the guy who gets sent out for coffee. He dresses well, and I think he's stealing blood from his wife to look young, but, regardless of what happens, in my heart of hearts, Bush will always be a vice-president. - Pat Robertson: Pat is colorful enough to be a all use the opportunity to become more aware of the problems women have faced for centuries. Learn how you can help victims and if you are a victim, do yourself a favor and seek help. Films, lectures and panel discussions have been carefully planned to promote awareness and give victims and potential victims a channel for seeking much-needed help. Capital Times, March 16,1988, Page 5 The Candidates: Part 2 Democrat. A budding linguist, Robertson is trying to convince an uncaring world that he was never a television evangelist but, rather, a religious broadcaster. Right, a religious broadcaster who also claims to have turned Hurricane Gloria back to sea through hard prayer and eye squinting. Pat's an amateur eugenist, too. It's his theory that the U.S. is being out populated by infidel third world countries and our governemnt should pay our women a premium for evey baby carried to term. That should stop teenage pregnancy cold--" But, Peggy Sue, if you get preggers the President will give you $500!" worth Robert Dole Bob Dole is a cynical batard, and that's good enough for me. He's the guy who said the American people would have to take some 'bitter medicine." In other words, he'd raise taxes. That was at the beginning of his campaign, before his media weasels made him stop, but what a revolutionary idea: tell the truth! He doesn't stand a chance. Addendum: It has occurred to me that since the presidential selection process is fast becoming a TV/visual operation only, directed somewhere below the mean average intelligence of furniture, we should take it to its logical extreme. Therefore, I propose G.L.O.P. (Great Ladies of Politics). Lay a bed of goodly poached dirt and let the candidates' wives way in. Barbara Bush and Libby Dole could do literally what their husbands have been doing figuratively all along: wrestle in the mud. We could see if Tipper Gore has true grit. And it might be Gary Hart's only chance--Lee would rip their eyes out. OOPS! In the alcohol awareness survey printed in the last edition of the Capital Times, the correct answer to question number 20, should have been: Myth - When a pregant woman drinks her unborn is. affected. My choice, for what it's
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers