/iTTITTnUT AT CAPITAL times
/ JCiLfl IVJ I\l/\lj November 25, 1991
PSH Heindel Library
conditions abhorrent
After sitting through two open forum discussions on the
library, I've come to terms with a few of the facts of what
being a student at Penn State Harrisburg is all about. Okay, so
it was more like being slapped in the face by the cold,
metallic glove of reality. Now I know.
Probably the most disheartening fact I learned is that the
things I pay for, and are as a result of my payment owed to
me, still elude me. In an idealistic mind, Penn State violates
every notion of what is "right" or "just." Not being deeply
theoretical, but being extensively simplistic. Meaning: I pay
the same tuition as any "in-state" resident attending
University Park, therefore, I am equally entitled to anything
and everything the U.P. student receives.
But after sitting through the forums and listening to not
just students, but faculty and library staff complain about the
library's inadequacies I realized just how bad the situation is.
And, now I know...l'll never get what I deserve. I am, as a
student at the open forum put it, a second class citizen in the
Penn State system. And that is wrong.
You can talk about state funding, university funding and
fund raising, it doesn't change anything. D O
SOMETHING. It's so aggravating to be told as a student to
write to my legislator, the board of trustees or Joab Thomas
himself. It's not my job. I have papers to write, exams to
take, and a newspaper to oversee. I don't have time to sit
down and draft letters to powerful people so their aides can
have a good laugh. And I shouldn't have to, I'm not here to
fight for what should indisputably be mine.
And am I immensely simplistic or do the administrators of
the entire Penn State system just need to be smacked? Why is
the answer so clear to me, and everyone's sitting back with
their hands in their lap, saying "We're doing our best." To
hell with the political processes and red tape. I paid for a
decent library. I want it and I deserve it.
There's no doubt in my mind, or probably anyone else's,
that Penn State has the money to fund the library project on
its own. The money IS there, somewhere. It might be in the
six-digit salaries of Thomas and Patemo, or perhaps on the
feet of the football team. Or maybe, just maybe it's in that
little expansion job Beaver Stadium underwent last summer,
or the construction costs of the new sports convocation
center. But those are just bare essentials, aren't they? And
I’m quibbling over a library.
So what am I suggesting? Let’s face it, the library
expansion project will more than likely still be sitting in
front of the same obstacles it now faces when I graduate in
six months. Maybe it will be built in time for my children to
use it. Maybe I'm being too optimistic. My concern is where
the library is now and what can be done.
The demands of the Students For a Quality Library are
not unreasonable. The organization is realistic about seeking
changes to make the library more bearable immediately.
They're not asking for a new building to be built tomorrow,
rather, that a new attitude be formed about the conditions and
improvements of the present libraiy.
My hat's off to the members of the organization, for taking
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the time to do the tedious, grunt work required. My advice to
fellow students is to sign the group's petition. It might not do
anything, but there's always hope.
And if anyone should find time to write Joab a letter, ask
him if he really gives a damn about the students in his
university. Or is he just in it for the money?
( Capital Times j
Editor-in-Chief... Karen M. Putt
News Editor... T.J. Brightman
Sports Editor... Michael Givler
Copy Editor... Elin Marcel
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Mike Starkey, Michael Stone, Nancy Strawhecker,
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Karen M. Putt
Editor -in-chief