A dabble in sassy snow vignettes
Michael Stone
Capital Times Staff
As February winds down, I notice this
quickly-passing month has been a busy
one--at least for me, anyway.
So, without one huge topic staring me
in the face, and with a deadline dosing in
on me, I'm choosing to make this column
a series of print vignettes. I'm not one for
good transitions, so hold on.
I guess the biggest thing to happen in
February has been the return of snow to
the area. I mean snow. We finally got out
of the rut of measly whitish-gray, icy,
rainy, light-blankety "snow" and
experienced some serious, ivory -white,
deadly silent, fluffy snow. And we got two
fairly big snowstorms in a row. I checked
the old climatological records, and we
haven't had a serious snow since
December of 1990 (no, it wasn't on
Christmas...that would ruin an area
tradition of rainy, 50 degree Christmases).
Granted, the recent storms do not compare
to the two-foot blizzards of ten years ago,
but for snow fans like me, the events of
the last few weeks have been emotionally
satisfying.
Snow means a lot of things to a lot of
people (here I go getting profound again).
To the skiers, it means enjoying local
skiing on non-synthetic snow.
To children (or, children at heart), it
means of day of playing hooky, and
seeing how cold and wet you can get
before retreating into the house (and I
guess seeing if you can survive a snowball
fight without getting hit in the ear with the
dreaded iceball. It's a pain that would
make even the toughest Marine cry for
his/her mom).
Apathetic students: stop your complaining
Lisa Malask
Capital Times Staff
Where were you? I constantly hear
students complaining about student
activities fees, budget cuts and never being
consulted as to how their tuition is spent.
Well, you had your chance, and you blew
it! You see, quite recently, Associate
Provost and Dean of Faculty Ernest K.
Dishner, and Associate Provost for
Administrative Operations James D.
South, held an open meeting. The topic of
discussion was the impending budget cuts
and how these would affect the student
body. The only people who attended were
some SGA members, an advisor, a
member of the college press and one other
student. Even professors and
administrators were not present. Don't
bombard me with trivial rationalizations,
as this meeting took place on a Tuesday at
12:30 p.m. (when everyone has a break),
and it was publicized. There were
advertisements all over PSI-I.
Fees and "flirtations":
Michele Loeper
Capital Times Staff
Originally this was going to be another
"Why are the students at PSH so damn
apathetic" column, but I really didn't feel
like beating a dead horse (no pun
intended). Rather, there are other more
important Penn State issues that could use
some colorful commentary.
First of all, FORTY BUCKS??? TO
PARK??? Give me a break!! I mean who
is the genius who came up with this one. I
realize this campus needs some
improvement (I know. You're probably
thinking, improvement? This place?
No!!).
Snow means innocence and a day of
catching up. Maybe some schoolwork
needs attention; a good book that's been
waiting to get read gets picked up at last;
the microwave gets fired up for some
cocoa; or, if your home is so equipped,
you build a fire. A snow day might mean a
day of total relaxation...watching some
favorite TV programs or videos that are
missed during the weekly routine, or
perhaps just opening the curtains and
watching Mother Nature coat the world
with a blanket of white (there are very few
places that don't look damn beautiful with
a fresh blanket of snow on them). Then
again, doing absolutely nothing at all is a
great way to spend a snowy day.
There are the people (myself included)
who see snow as a challenge. For some
reason, when it snows, I feel like I MUST
go somewhere--to a diner, to the store, or
the post office. I don't know why. Maybe
it's the fact that I can't spend a day just
sitting around relaxing, but I think it's
some latent male urge to conquer the
elements. I'm in a heated car, with
insulated boots and gloves, a wool coat,
and plenty of gas to get me to Virginia,
but I'm still conquering, dammit.
Then there are the people that
absolutely hate snow. They've been pretty
happy the last few winters, but now their
hatred of the white stuff has returned.
Maybe it's because of snow shoveling.
The slushy mix we're used to getting is a
back-breaking annoyance. Even the best
snow blower can crap out in wet snow.
Why else do people hate snow? This
Had you been interested enough to
grace us with your presence at the
meeting, you would have been informed as
to the new computerized way that students
will be choosing their classes. You would
have learned about the new parking fee and
how the proceeds will be dispensed via
maintenance and security. You would have
learned about the cutbacks regarding health
services and PSH's alliance with the
Hershey Medical Center. This was your
opportunity to ask questions, but you
didn't care enough to be there. What does
this tell you?
Whether you are a commuter or live on
campus, there is no excuse for apathy.
Yes, I know that every semester somebody
dares to accuse students and faculty of
being indifferent, and maybe you're sick of
hearing it. Nevertheless, this is a problem
that must be articulated. Even hatred is
Maybe it's just me, but I certainly can
see $4O a semester going to something a
little more beneficial than a neatly paved
parking lot. It's bad enough that I have to
spend $35 a semester to use a computer in
a lab that, well, how shall I put this--
sucks!! But now this bureaucratic,
capitalistic, shrine to Pepsi, wants me to
shell out 40 shekels to park my car. I'm
appalled!! Someone please call the police;
this place is raping my wallet!!
Before I get off of this wonderful topic,
I have some food for thought: In the
brings me to driving in snow. It shouldn't
be that difficult, should it? But why do
some people make it that way?
Unfortunately, we live in an area that's
prone to sleet and freezing rain, thus
throwing extra factors into the overall
driving equation. If you're careful, proceed
somewhat slowly, leave room between
cars, don't slam the brakes, and turn in the
direction the rear end of the car is
skidding, then you'll do fine. But why
wasn't everyone taught this--or at least,
why doesn't everyone remember this?
When it snowed earlier this winter, I
remember seeing a Camaro (a car
specifically designed for snow) on the side
of the road, twisted and contorted in
strange ways. My guess is that the driver
wasn't observing the winter rules of
driving. Then, as I was proceeding down
the highway, most of us were traveling at
about 40 or so, this Jeep whips down the
(unplowed, untraveled) fast lane at about
75 mph. The Jeep went about 300 yards,
hit some ice, slammed on the brakes (shall
we review our rules for winter driving?)
and skidded right off the road into the
median. The driver came to a stop without
harm or collision with anything, but as I
laughed uncontrollably in my car, not
equipped with four-wheel drive (which is
the gateway, it seems, to fast winter
driving), I couldn't help but think, "What
a moron."
A little relaxation, defensive driving
and some patience would make winter
driving less of a hassle. So, be safe.
This month, with the arrival of
significant snow, my imaginary friend,
Gus, got breast implants. (I just wanted to
see if you're still with me.)
I guess no discussion about snow
healthier than apathy. When you despise a
situation, many times, action is taken;
but, indifference is like numbness.
Simply, it's an "I don't care" attitude.
Apathy is a plague that sneaks up on
people and infiltrates both body and soul.
It's a contagion. If one person doesn't care,
the mood is set. Soon, nobody cares. This
pathological outlook is detrimental to the
present and the future. No, I am not being
melodramatic. It is unhealthy for people to
let others make their decisions without
any inquiry or challenge. Are the people
making the decisions always capable?
Perhaps, if more people had challenged
Hitler before he obtained so much power,
the Holocaust might not have taken place.
That's only one example. My point is
that we don't have to be, and shouldn't be,
mechanical, robotic people who allow
others to make our choices for us. Assert
yourself. Go ahead and take the plunge.
Stand up for your principles, or agree to
disagree. Make your voice known. How
can you live your life to its fullest
the big stink at PSH
parking story on the front page of this
issue, it says that students can pay less if
they agree not to park in the spaces closer
to campus. Again I ask, who is the genius
who came up with this stuff? How are
they going to work this one? What
happens if I only want to spend $10?
Does this mean I have to park in the
airport long term shuttle lot? Or, what if I
agree to pay $6O a semester? Could I then
get my very own front row space with a
personalized sign --"Michele's space"?
Just curious. After all, it is my money.
Another thorn in my "Lion's" paw is
the ridiculous hell that the bursar's office
keeps putting me through. As with many
of us, I have invested in several student
CAPITAL
February 24, 1993 TIMES OP-ED / 5
would be complete without mentioning
the fine, art-like process of snow removal.
This year hasn't been too bad considering
the amount of ice we've had. (Although
previous years of snow removal
performance once caused Atlanta to fax us
a page saying "And we thought WE had
problems.")
And I must admit, the campus workers
make the main road safer than most
interstates. The road that goes from the
Olmsted building to the dorms and Meade
Heights is another story. A wintry drive
on those roads can be more physically
draining than a five-mile hike (with full
gear) and more emotionally wrenching
than a ride on Astroland's Cyclone roller
coaster. At times you wish you drove a
Zamboni.
But say what you want, I for one am
happy that central Pennsylvania is finally
getting a taste of real winter. I'd say it's
beginning to look a lot like
Christmas... Christmas in northern Maine,
maybe (but with nuclear reactors that have
crummy security).
Oh yeah, I mentioned something about
vignettes (I guess a concrete topic
developed as I wrote). Not going back on
my promise, I'll sum up in a few lines:
My 22nd birthday was the other week.
It was about as eventful as this sentence.
Valentine's Day was shortly before my
birthday. It was equally as exciting,
perhaps as a preview for my birthday fun.
And, Hillary Clinton came to the
campus this month. For details about the
excitement levels felt during her visit, see
the sentence about my birthday.
Drive safely, campers... Phil saw his
shadow.
potential if you are oblivious to your
surroundings?
There is a distinct difference between
living and existing. Those who are
indifferent merely exist...hanging in limbo
all of their lives, waiting for someone else
to assess situations and take command. On
the other hand, you have the option to live
to your fullest potential...to make your
opinion known. Sometimes you'll win,
and sometimes you'll lose. Correction! If
you at least endeavor to take a stand for or
against something in which you believe,
you are a winner.
Don't ask me to recapitulate o r
regurgitate what was discussed at that
meeting. You had the chance to be there,
but it wasn't one of your priorities. You
didn't care, so why should I care whether
or not you are apprised of what took
place? Get it? I DON'T CARE! Pass it
on...unless you just couldn't care
less...because I don't care whether or not
you care. ...And the "apathy syndrome"
perpetuates!
loans to pay for the outrageous price tag a
degree from this university holds. If it's
not bad enough that I have to live
knowing that after I graduate I will be
living at home, in debt, for another
two/three years just to pay off these
humongous loans, the bursar's office is
stressing me even further by holding my
money.
For some reason, it has decided not to
release the money into my account
because I apparently didn't sign a release
form (which incidentally I have signed--
twice!!) Is this stress really necessary? Is
it really that difficult to get a little
See LOEPER, page 6