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