Student Leadership Workshop
Focuses on Diversity
Continued from Page 1
that “changing mindsets is an
incredibly difficult thing to do,”
and that a one-day workshop can
only plant seeds in the hopes of
beginning a change in thinking.
Dr. Norma Mateer added the
perspective of a public school
administrator in discussing the
challenges of recruiting a school
staff reflective of the diversity of
the community.
One danger she identified was
the tendency to believe “that the
best person for the job is the per
son most like me.”
Mateer reports that Steelton-
Highspire School District active
ly recruits teachers through
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia col
leges which tend to enroll a more
diverse student population than
central Pennsylvania colleges.
The third speaker, Sharon
Reed, recently accepted the posi
tion of Diversity Consultant for
Hershey Foods Corp.
Hershey Foods’ diversity
council is responsible for “foster
ing a diversity friendly environ
ment, ” Reed said.
The council sponsors educa
tional activities to help employ
ees value differences in the
workplace and suggests women
and minority causes worthy of
corporate contributions.
According to Reed, corpora
tions like Hershey Foods have
decided that addressing diversity
is “not just the right thing to do,
but the smart thing to do.”.
Echoing that sentiment, Dr.
Terrell Jones concluded by dis
cussing Penn State’s diversity mis
sion and reminding the group that
the most successful corporate
diversity programs “hook their
diversity effort to the bottom line.”
He also added a somher warn
ing that “[diversity] is a tough
thing and people will run around
Photo by Cathie McCormick Musser
Metamorphosis performs during the Student Leadership Workshop.
Panelist Dr. W. Terrell Jones
it if they get the chance.”
At 11 a.m., the workshop
moved to the auditorium to expe
rience a performance by
Metamorphosis, a performing
company focusing on societal
issues.
Matt Davis, PSH senior in
Applied Behavioral Science,
found the company’s perfor
mance of “Strange Like Me” to
carry the most impact of the
day’s activities.
The opening scene was a dis
turbing monologue of angry,
hateful slurs delivered in first
person and aimed directly at the
audience.
“The discussion after the skits
helped me reevaluate my own
opinion,” Davis said.
The skit concerning a gay col
lege roommate withholding
information about his sexual ori
entation “outraged” Davis at first.
But, the discussion helped Davis
“think about it more critically.”
Davis’ career plans include a
Master’s Degree in either coun
seling or education. He feels the
workshop was useful.
“The exercises stimulated
mental growth. They were . . .a
mind altering experience helping
us define diversity and look into
ourselves.”
Leadership workshops are
scheduled each semester. Accord
ing to Widoff, workshop themes
vary and are designed to cover
current issues of importance to
students as they assume leader
ship roles in the community.
CAMPUS POLICE REPORT
By Matthew McKeown
Capital Times Editor
January 28, 2000
3:38 a.m.: A report of loud
music and a party on Mars
Drive. A warning was given to
the residents and the party was
disbursed. An investigation is
continuing as to underage drink
ing violations.
January 29, 2000
2:15 p.m.: A verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
January 30, 2000
1 :50 p.m.: A verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
4 p.m.: A verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
January 31, 2000
7:11 a.m.: An ambulance was
requested by a complainant in
the Olmsted Building for an
alleged throat poison. The per
son was transported to Hershey
Medical Center.
7:50 a.m.: A minor non
reportable vehicle accident
occurred on College Ave. There
were no injuries.
11:48 a.m.: An ambulance was
dispatched to E 244 Olmsted for
an unconscious student. The per
son was transported to Hershey
Medical Center.
2:05 p.m.: A student fell down
the stairs in the Olmsted
Building. The student suffered a
minor injury to the lower back.
A university accident report was
completed.
2:40 p.m.: A verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
28th Model United Nations Conference
The model United Nations
will be held Feb. 17 to 19 at var
ious campus locations.
Over 85 delegations from 22
area high schools are scheduled
to attend. The opening ceremo
ny will be held Feb. 17 in the
Student Center at 6 p.m.
The keynote address will by
delivered by Amb. R. Grant
Smith who is a staff member in
February 1, 2000
6 p.m.: Assisted Lower Swatara
Police on Lake Drive for an
active break-in. Upon arrival,
everything was OK.
9:50 p.m.: Advised of vehicle
being repossessed on Weaver
Avenue.
February 2, 2000
9:15 a.m.: An employee was hurt
tripping over a floor runner. A
university employee accident
report was completed.
10:25 a.m.: An employee slipped
and fell on ice Feb. 1. A universi
ty accident report was complet
ed.
February 3, 2000
12:05 p.m.: There is a recurring
problem with waste being dis
carded on the floor of a bathroom
in the Educational Activities
Building.
12:45 p.m.: A deliveryman
slipped on ice and twisted his
back at the Capital Union
Building. A university non
employee accident form was
completed.
4:21 p.m.: A customer was
yelling and being disruptive over
a book return at the bookstore.
The situation was resolved and a
verbal warning was given.
February 4, 2000
12 p.m.: A citation was issued for
a speed-related moving violation
on Weaver Avenue.
February 5, 2000
9 a.m.: A verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
10:42 a.m.: A verbal warning
was given to sled riders. The
group disbursed.
2:47 p.m.: Responded to a
request by H.I.A. Police to assist
the U.S. Army Peacekeeping
Institute, Center for Strategic
Leadership, U.S. Army War
College.
The times and locations of
selected topics will be posted
around campus.
For more information, contact
Dr. Clem Gilpin at 948-6066. All
the events are open to the public.
with a traffic stop on Route 230
at the entrance to the campus.
February 6, 2000
8:20 a.m.: An employee fell on
ice. A university accident report
was completed.
12:26 p.m.: A verbal warning
was given to sled riders. The
group disbursed.
1:50 p.m.: A verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
6 p.m.: A. verbal warning was
given to sled riders. The group
disbursed.
February 7, 2000
12:30 p.m.: A citation was
issued for a speed-related mov
ing violation on College
Avenue.
February 8, 2000
8:45 a.m.: A report of a car
parked on Flickinger Street
bearing an expired registration
and inspection sticker.
Contacted the student to remove
vehicle.
February 9, 2000
9:43 a.m.: An employee slipped
and fell on ice. A university
accident report was completed.
9:10 p.m.: A report of very
minor damage to a vehicle that
may have been caused while
parked on university property.
February 10, 2000
4:15 a.m.: An ambulance was
dispatched for an individual
experiencing labor pains on
Kirtland Avenue. The person
was transported to the hospital.
9:13 a.m.: A citation was issued
for speed-related moving viola
tion on College Avenue.
9:55 a.m.: The constable was
contacted to serve a university
police warrant in Harrisburg.