The Highacres Collegian SGA Elections By: Stephen Mazlum It is that time of year again when we, the students al Penn State Hazleton, vote for next years Student Government’s President and Vice President. Before running out to cast those votes, you should find out whc these candidates are and what they stand for. To help the student body with this important decision each of the presidential candidates were interviewed by a member 01 the Collegian Staff. The election tickets are as follows (President, Vice President): Rob Venema, Jay Ferris; Erie Sherman, Janice Hayes; and Joe Spado, Darryl McKeeby. The first of five questions asked was "What made yoi decide to run for the office of president of the SG/ [Student Government Association]?" Their answers to thi question were similar yet different. Eric Shermi informed us that he feels the best way to help the campus to become involved. Sherman believes through the SGA and hard work club participation can be increased. He also wants to promote activities while better governing the student body. Joe Spado agrees with Sherman on the poor participation level in the clubs. Spado blames this on the fact "Few people know that there is a Student Government on this campus," how are they suppose to know about the clubs, especially if they don’t know there is a student governing body to represent them? One solution he has is to make sure all the students are aware of and have the opportunity to become involved with the SGA. Rob Venema, who has always been involved in Student Government, expressed the gratification he receives when he does things for his fellow peers. Venema also feels he will best accomplish this goal by being a representative of what the students want. The second question asked was "How and why did you chose your vice president?" Spado explained Darryl McKeeby is a very intelligent person who believes in the activeness in government for the student body. With McKeeby living off campus Spado feels the off campus students will be represented better. Venema chose Jay Ferris as his running mate because they both share the same views. Ferris, while working as a member of the Lion Ambassadors, showed Venema that this is the type of person gets the job done. Sherman, after a long search, finally decided on Janice Hayes because he feels she’s the type of person who is willing to give 100 percent for the students. Hayes knows what she’s talking about, and if this lady says she’ll do something, it gets done. The third question which was asked of these candidates was "What makes you think you are the best candidates for the job?" Venema explained leadership skills which he acquired by his involvement in the senior class council and student government in his high school. His involvement in various clubs while at PSU has given him knowledge of all the important issues. Sherman feels his experience in the student government outweighs the other candidates due to his participation in important issues dealing with the faculty and students. Spado viewed his experience as an important issue also. While in high school Spado was in the Legislature part of the student council dealing with issues such as freedom of speech. Spado was chosen to go to American Legion Boys State, were elected to City Party Chairman, County Party Chairman, and Speaker of the House in a mock assembly of state. He was also elected parliamentarian and assistant secretary of the senate when he attended the American Legion Boys Nation held in Washington DC. The fourth question asked was "What would you do differently from the present administration [SGA]?" Sherman feels the SGA now does not deal with many of the problems which pertain to the students. The students don’t have a chance to voice their opinions. Sherman, if elected plans to promote club participation by instituting a membership drive, which he has already placed in it’s beginning stages this semester. He wants to show the issues about the clubs to students and listen to their opinions on what should be changed. Sherman would like to survey the student body on their points of interest such as the parking problem and how to improve the situation, along with the ecological problems on campus. He feels the senate should not make all the decisions for the students. Committees should also be opened to off and on campus students so they can be represented. Show Penn State is Proud to be in Hazleton is another view of Sherman’s. How you may ask? By makiijg this campus more committee oriented. DON *T Forget to vote Spado holds a high opinion of the present SGA President Eric Bush, but feels he gives too much freedom to the senate. If Spado is elected he plans to hold the senate to a higher standard by throwing problems, giving ideas to them, and encourage the senate to be open with the student body, while opening more seats on the senate to off campus students as well as adult students and publicize the SGA meetings more. Spado plans to be a "Grass Roots, Home town type of president who is very accessible, if elected." Venema agrees that the SGA meetings should be held some where more general as well as opening more seats up on the senate. The student advising on topics such as choosing a major is another issue in which Venema would like to address. He feels that in order to change things on this campus the change should start at the students government level. CCSG is a council were a group of students from each commonwealth campus meets and discusses changes which would improve and benefit the commonwealth campus. Through this group many of the changes you want can be made. The final question asked was to give the candidates a chance to inform the readers of things not covered in the previous four questions. "With all of the questions I’ve tried to cover all the bases. Is there anything else you feel strongly about." Spado explained he wants to improve the academic advising and increase the number of activities trying to keep students on campus more. He plans to lobby for better learning facilities, fighting hard to make sure as the third largest commonwealth campus, we receive our fair share of the funds allocated. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE was how Spado ended his interview. Venema made things quite clear up front "Don’t make this a popularity contest, vote for the best person for the job." Vote for someone who represents you, and gets done what you want. The second point Venema made was vote for the person who is going to get the job done. The students can make a difference. Sherman also stated students are the key factor in having fun on campus, we are here to leam and have fun in conjunction with learning. Students should expand their minds by joining clubs. Many of the Candidates brought up good points and factors concerning the future of Penn State Hazleton. These people can’t do it alone, so make sure you vote for the ticket you feel most comfortable with, and who will address your needs. Look around campus for signs informing you about these candidates and their views. Page 2 Family Weekend By: Lisa Homberger Family Weekend took place on February 19, 20, 21. The weekend was a huge success with over 100 families attending this year. Who was the person that planned and arranged this whole ordeal? It was none other than Alicia Houser. Alicia Houser is a sophomore senator of Student Government Association (SGA). She has been planning for this weekend since last semester. When it came time for Family Weekend to happen, Alicia was. a nervous wreck over the possible outcomes of her projects. She did not need' to worry about it at all, everything went well for this weekend. On Friday, the first entertainment of the day started out with the Air Force Military Quartet. Many families attended the concert and were pleased with the quartet’s performance. After the quartet, families piled in the dining hall for karaoke. Many families participated in the event. Most of the groups that performed were the same groups who went up time after time. For a few songs, the mothers and fathers got up to sing. One would expect them to be shy, but not SO. These parents enjoyed themselves just as much if not more than the their children. Saturday night’s entertainment was the hypnotist: The Astonishing Neal. The gym was filled with families, students, and people from the Hazleton area. At the beginning of the show, Neal had parents and students volunteering to be hypnotized. Family Ckmt. on Pg 8 March 1993
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers