From the Desk of
the Editor
Welcome to the Fall 1996 return issue of The
Capital Times. It is an honor for me to return in
my senior year as editor of your student newspa-
I would like all Penn State Harrisburg (PSH)
students to know that each Capital Times staff
member has chosen to serve on your student news-
paper
We will strive to provide you with the news
and information about your campus that you want
to read. I welcome your comments, suggestions,
story ideas and particularly your article contribu-
tions.
Throughout the semester, I will be exploring
new ways in which the PSH students can have their
views and ideas expressed in this publication.
Although the staff of The Capital Times has
grown since last year, we are still in need of
reporters, advertising staff, a copy editor, a busi-
ness manager, and persons who wish to work on
layout and design. Experience is not necessary and
training will be provided.
The Capital Times is your student voice. If
you wish to submit articles or comments, please do
so. Our office is in room W-341 of the Olmsted
Building and our phone is (717) 948-6440.
I look forward to talking with and interview-
ing many of you this sememster.
Jody L. Jacobs
Editor, The Capital Times
,Letter from the SGA President
Frank Nieves offers welcome
to PSH students
We Are
Penn State!
We Are.
Penn State!
We Are
Penn State!
No. We Are. .. Penn State Harrisburg!
Welcome to Penn State Harrisburg!
On behalf of the Student Government
Association, I welcome you to Penn State Harrisburg.
There are many reasons why students in the Penn
State system, HACC or elsewhere would choose this
campus over University Park to finish their BS/BA or
Master's requirements. Some want to be closer to
home, others prefer smaller classroom size, and many
choose to attend to attend PS Harrisburg because of
the job Opportunities in the area. Each of these rea
sons is valid and understandable.
Personally, I 'm glad that you've made the deci
sion to come to PS Harrisburg, for whatever reason.
Your attendance here adds to the personality of our
campus and enriches the overall quality of this great
institution. With this in mind, I urge you to explore
w hat our campus has to offer. Make an effort to do
things "The Penn State Harrisburg Way" - socialize,
recreate, participate, and most important, learn some
thing. Everything you do from this point forward
paints a picture of you to the world. What clubs you
join, w hat grades you earn, the company you keep
and anything else you do at PSH, will be what con
vinces prospective employers to hire you or not.
Don't waste the opportunity to prepare yourself for
tomorrow today.
If during your passage through this gateway o
your life, I or anyone on SGA could be of any assis
tance to you, feel free to knock on our door (E-216
Olmsted) or call us at 948-6273. We'll do our best to
meet your needs or direct you to someone that can.
Remember, the Student Government Association
is for and of the students. Take advantage of us and
use us as a resource. Have a great year!
Students voice opinion on the new
Students at all
Penn State University
campuses experienced
a change in the uni-
versity's grade report
ing system at the end
of the Spring 1996
semester.
Final grades will
no longer be mailed to
students at the end of
a semester. Now stu
dents must dial a toll
free number and listen
to 30 seconds of
advertisements before
receiving their grades
from an automated
system. A publication
from the University
Park Office of the
Registrar states that
the promotions pay for
the 800 number ser-
vice.
Although the
university no longer
mails "report cards,"
students will receive
copy of their grades in
their Degree Audit
Report which is mailed
to them at the begin
Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society
Alumni Mentor Program
VIEWPOINT
computer grading system
ring of every semes
ter. Penn State
Harrisburg (PSH) stu
dents can also receive
a printed grade report
through a print-out on
the OASIS computer
system or by request
ing one from the
Registrar's Office.
The following are
students opinions on
this new grade report-
mg system:
• "I don't like the
advertisements. I'd
like to have a hard
copy report card actu
ally," said Jason Derr,
information systems
major.
• "I like the new sys
tern because I can get
my grades faster. I
don't want to have to
wait for weeks to
know what my grades
are. But, I like that
hard copy in my
hand," said Susan
McKasson, business
Fall 1996 - Spring 1997
Five Ways for Students to Benefit
from this Free Program
Complete an application in WlO6 Olmsted and update your resume
Your academic adviser's signature and short essay describing what you hope to
gain from your Alumni Mentor relationship will expedite the application process.
Turn in all application materials to the Alumni & Special Events Office by
Monday, September 30, 1996.
You may pick your Alumni Mentor from our volunteer list when you turn in your
application. Alumni and students are matched very quickly in certain professional
areas, so hurry in to the Alumni and Special Events Office for the best match.
Attend a 30 minute student orientation session on
Wednesday, October 9, 5:30 p.m. or Thursday, October 10, 12:30 p.m.
Meet your Mentor and other program participants at the Kickoff Breakfast on
Correspond, call or personally meet with your Alumni Mentor
at least five times on professionally related topics between October and April
Participate in the Wrap-up Reception with the other program participants and
turn in your program evaluation form on
Thursday, April 17, 1996, 5 p.m..
Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society
Penn State
Alumni Association
management major.
• "When we call the
800 number, they
should just tell us our
grades. We shouldn't
have to listen to the
ads," said Heather
Wagner, behavioral
science major.
• "I'm not really
happy with it. I think
it's just ad network,"
said Jim Barnacle, pub
lic policy major. "Last
week the university
sent me two parking
permits, and they can't
spend the 32 cents to
send me my grades."
• "Personally, I look at
it as a new system
that we all have to get
used to. Calling to get
grades is fine for me,
but I understand how
some students might
have a problem with
it," said Student
Government
Association Senior
Thursday, October 17, 7:30 a.m.
CAPTIMES, August 29, 1996
Senator for Public
Affairs Crystal
Woodley. "At least the
800 number doesn't
cost anything."
• "I do like the tele-
phone grading system.
I t's efficient and con-
venient. However, I
don't like the ads. I
understand the rea
soning for the ads, but
I think its unnecessary
for us to have to listen
to them. Who is going
to order that stuff?"
Joy Maatman, humani
ties communications
major.
• "At least there are
fewer trees being cut
down," said Curtis
Rager, electrical engi
neering major. "I get
reimbursed for my
college courses at
work, so I have to call
and get a copy of them
sent to me, so the new
system is more of a
hassle for me?'
W-106 Olmsted
777 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898