Ah Spring, what a great season for sports. Is that March Madness I smell? -See Page 5 March 23, SGA elections, constitutional ratification postponed Student court, government square off A heated, ongoing debate over amendments proposed by the Student Government Asso ciation will delay this semester's elections at least one week, possibly longer. After an argument nearing one hour at their March 17 meeting, the senate approved a mo tion to postpone the elections and ratifica tion to discuss the issue. The sometimes heated discussion arose from grievences filed by the Student Court. Stacie Wentzel (left) and Tami Pardue, the THON contingent from PSH, flank Kirsten Werme, Four Diamonds Coordinator for Hershey Medical Center, at this year's marathon The PSH dancers raised $4, 977 toward THON's grand total of over $2 million. Engineering cuts draw fire by Dan Zehr Despite protests by students, faculty and alumni, four engineering professors will not have their contracts renewed next semester. Dr. John Bruhn, provost and dean, and Dr. John Welsh, engineering department head, told a packed room 211 crowd that declining enrollment in engineering forced the cuts. In mechanical engineering alone, the number of students has been steadily dropping from 151 in 1992 to 80 this semester. The drop has cost four adjunct and part time professors their positions. They are Mitchell Haller (MET), Ganesh Bal (MET), Cheryl Ebel (EET) and Linford Harley (SDCET). Students and faculty were particularly dis pleased with the decision. While recogniz ing that some changes need to be made, many Don't just lie there you deadbeat. Sartwell gives the morgue a new mission. -See page 7 The justices of the court strongly opposed to new provisions added to the SGA constitu tion. Those changes, recommended by the Constitutional Revisions Committee, would begin incorporating the current judicial con stitution into SGA's. The court currently runs under its own con stitution, while being partially ruled by SGA's. The recent proposals have the court concerned about the balance of power. So were upset these professors, Bal and Haller especially, would be the ones to go. "It's obvious which professors are good and bad," said Gwen Coble, a senior MET ma jor, "but they are letting the wrong ones go." In a letter to the administration, 1996 MET graduate Jack Staconis agreed writing these professors' release, "will degrade the integ rity of the Engineering program at PSU Har risburg." William Aungst, another MET professor, worried the better instructors were being fired. By letting go of those without tenure, the administration was taking "the easy way out." He challenged the administration to release other professors despite the tenure problems that would arise. "They need to make the tough decisions," he said. arrisburg Campus concerned, the justices have threatened to shut the senate down. A four-page document listing seven sepa rate SGA violations was delivered just be fore the senate's meeting. In the summary, the court ruled that all SGA functions should cease for three days. During that time frame, the court would investigate and rule on the constitutional breaches. Also in that time, SGA would have to re cruit more candidates for the elections. At this point, only five people are on the ballot: The weapon that heals THON's effects last much longer than 48 hours by Dan Zehr A sword is displayed there. It is perched on the wall just a short walk from the inter section of Telethon Avenue and Marathon Road. A longsword, brightly polished; the kind of weapon King Arthur's knights wielded in days of yore. It is a symbol of the fight against cancer, and it hangs near two of the pediatric care wings at Hershey Medical Center one sup ported by The Children's Miracle Network telethon, the other supported by Penn State University's dance marathon. It is a weapon made for battle. A short walk away, bright pinks and yel lows adorn the doorways. Glow-in-the-dark stars pasted on the walls wait for the over head lights to go dark so they can glow. Boxes of toys, children's books and games are stacked in each room. This place exudes joy. But all is not happiness. The battle is rag- ing here too In the pediatric oncology units, innocent smiles of children are set face-to-face against cancer. There, Janiece Crovella is a sword bearer and playmate. She is one of two child life specialists employed by Hershey Medi cal Center. The hospital employs two child life spe cialists one inpatient and one outpatient. Both are funded solely by the Four Diamonds Fund for which Penn State University holds its annual 48-hour dance marathon. Both are mediators between smiles and swords. And both provide support for children with can cer and their families. Crovella, the outpatient unit's specialist explained she helps address concerns, ques tions or fears that may arise. "I try to mini- The education department adopts an expanded cirriculum - and a 43 page syllabus. -See Page 2 Volume XXXVIII, Number 3 Bob Woehr; Marcus Richey; Daneen Will iams; Sean Linric and Mike Woodford. However, the whole process was tempo rarily avoided when the two sides agreed to discuss the proposed changes further. Compounding the problem behind these decisions has been time. All revisions to the constitution must be approved by a student vote. Thus the decision to postpone election dates. Originally scheduled for Mar. 23-25, the booths are scheduled to open on Mar. 30 to April 1. But even those dates remain shaky. mize the trauma," she said, "I try to make the medical experience a positive one." Since moving here from California in 1994, she has been helping do just that in a variety of ways. Her tasks range anywhere from comforting the kids themselves to answer ing questions from their families. Her solu tions are just as varied. For the children, a variety of what Crovella calls "tools" are used. Stories, photo albums and anatomically correct dolls give the pa tients and families a chance to understand the procedures they are going through. For ex ample, the dolls are used for medical play. She explained that the kids can do to the dolls what the doctors are doing to them. "I also try to present them with relaxation techniques," Crovella said. To help the pa tients feel more comfortable during a spinal tap or marrow abstraction, "We might use music and deep breathing exercises," she explained. Crovella also comforts the patients' fami lies by providing information. "They know how to talk to their own kids," she said, "but they don't always know what to say or they need to know the right information." While she tries to let the parents know they can handle this, she also lets them know people are there to help. But such help often is not needed after long. "Most of our par ents are amazing," she said. Equally amazing are the attitudes of the kids. In the midst of their battles against can cer, they still are the stars, Crovella said. "They have jokes to tell, hugs to give," she said. "They have smiles in the worst of times." Like any battle, this one has its share of Please see "THON" on page 2
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