Public policy open forum
encourages feedback
from students
Sue Jones-Yurkiewiez
Capital Times Staff
Students majoring in public policy and
criminal justice attended an open forum
on Thursday, Nov. 12, to express their
opinions and concerns to the faculty and
staff of the division.
Approximately 20 students gathered in
the Gallery Lounge and discussed
admission to classes outside of their
major, - availability of current class
materials and seminars for state and
federal tests.
The meeting began a few minutes after
12:30 p.m. when Dr. Robert Bresler, head
of the division of public affairs, and other
faculty members took questions from the
students.
Rick Delgiomo, a senior public policy .
major, said he had a requirement for a
business class, but those classes are
Students protest cuts in writing lab services
Lisa Malask
Capital Times Staff
Students needing assistance with their
writing skills feel cheated by cuts in the
tutorial services in the writing lab.
Paula Eiland, a junior English and
communications major, wonders where her
tuition money is going.
She says her peers share her feelings
and claims she can prove it.
Eiland and two other students, who
requested anonymity, have gathered 200
BLANK STAIR
r Now( MIKES A
foot. OF If Timm/
Mi3oai
SFAI
restricted to business majors.
Bresler said that teaching resources
were stretched to the limit, but it was
possible that seats in other division classes
could be saved on a "quid pro quo" basis.
He said the idea would be discussed with
the other divisions.
Darlene Snyder, a senior public policy
major, raised an issue that concerns many
people, not just those in the public affairs
division: the library.
"Trying to get current or new
information at the library can't be done,"
Snyder said.
Her comment led to a discussion on the
state of the library. Faculty and students
are frustrated with the problems.
Bresler said that because of the limited
space in the library, older books may have
to be removed to allow room for newer
publications.
Dr. Marvin Bentley, an associate
professor of public affairs, said the
signatures on a petition protesting the cuts
made in the writing lab. The trio hopes to
obtain 500 signatures before submitting it
the the administration.
"I think it is vital for the students at
Penn State Harrisburg to get the best
education they can. This service is crucial,
especially to those taking the writing
exams and who need that help," Eiland
said.
She feels the cutbacks are particularly
unfair to evening students, citing that the
writing lab is only open one evening per
week.
GOING To HAVE Al
RUC WM Mk. Oxt. CoDDY-0
PoorrtHts MOP* &slums.
VMUlriltxlintol6l
Atcor WO* pro VILS
1 ARr 11114, Ribilr Me
_i 40 sr Wisit Het.
SOP DAWN& ME
'Pa TM" VIE!,
off ED
OH I?_Y
OH oGY
November23T:KE99: PSH NEWS / 3
Students and faculty discuss public policy concerns in the Gallery
Lounge.
legislature is scheduled to vote in The next
few weeks on the budget which includes
an item to allow bond funding for the
library.
Bentley said that letters from faculty
and staff to members of the legislature
could help in getting approval for the
library portion of the budget.
Students also asked about
Karen Bowser, writing and learning
research specialist, says she is aware of the
petition and is concerned about the
students' frustrations.
"I think it is important for students to
feel they have a voice. It is important that
they are heard," Bowser said, referring to
her support of the petition.
Alexia Brown, a junior humanities/
communications major said, "As far as the
budget goes, this is a big mistake."
Jim Mullane, SGA treasurer and a
senior accounting major said, "It's unfair
that the students are being affected by the
I'm 1111 NC You,
- fithr Ke. KeePs
RIPPING OFF ALL
OF MY Maw.
err imsr HE NWT
DRAW 160 lA/ A
,- WOW beE56(
-Pis cool NEEDS 1
Cteta UP, Mb I'M
visr The PON - Th Do ri"(
Wmor Do You 1101 K, GUIs?.
GRRRIZ
undergraduates helping professors with
research, the summer class schedule for
the division and the possibility of having
seminars to prepare students for the
LSAT, civil service test and other exams
outside of Penn State.
"I thought it was helpful," Bresler said.
"The forums are important because we
guess what students are concerned about."
University's cutback of something that's
beneficial to the students."
Eiland said, "We deserve better, and
we're going to get it."
Of course, there are some students who
don't care.
Dan Carr, a senior engineering major
said, "I don't have much of an opinion.
The way it's set up, it geared toward
English and humanities. There's not much
available for engineering students. Why
should I care?"
by Trev Stair
r _2" Darr OK its
Lo l / 4 6, As FSH
K6l SEMIN6
U 5 ALL of
LINER MOAIeY.
.1 - OWT
lir 1 Mal'
Photo by Jen Walker