The Highacres Collegian Program Time In the Residence Halls By: Lisa Hornberger and Kelly Anne Walcb During every semester, Residence relationships with our friends, family, Life is required to schedule programs and even a significant other. for the students on campus. These Different stages and steps in programs can be of an educational, a relationships and levels of intimacy human relations, or a generally were discussed, as well as the enriching nature. As of press time, importance of open communication, only four programs have been Some very interesting handouts were presented, but there are many more to passed around at this program, and come. Programs offered by staff and some refreshingly creative ideas were students are given for the common shared by all who attended, good and the improvement of health, Another program given for the welfare, and living conditions. Residence Halls was presented by The first program "Nostradamus'' Chnsi Kieffer and was of a very was of an educational nature and was physical nature. It was a self-defense submitted for your approval by. Erin class held in the upper gym. Women Rauersachs, in South Hall lobby on were taught basic defense moves that February 11. A video 'of promoted personal safety. Those who Nostradamus’ prophecies was„ r viewed attended walked away with a feeling and predictions of various"' topics of confidence, ranged from the drought in Ethiopia to The most recent program given for what might have been Saddam Residence Life was presented by Hussein and Desert Storm. Carolyn Krall and was assisted by Nostradamus has made these Nurse Gaffney. This program was predictions in the 1940’s and proved based around a question and answer to be accurate on many counts. period which afforded the opportunity Communication in Relationships 1° find out what members of the was the second program put on by opposite sex really think and feel. Residence Life. This enriching topic Questions were both proposed and was hosted by Dan Darrow and answered by the students present and showed us many different approaches a better understanding of our for conveying our feelings in our counterparts was learned by all. Point/Counterpoint Gays in the Military It was history in the making, not to mention one of the most audacious decisions in Presidential history. In late January, freshly inaugurated Bill Clinton proposed the admittance of gays in the military and ignited a debate that still rages. Pro: The point that must be considered is that homosexuals are now a part of our society. There is no conceivable way to get rid of than or to shove them "back into the closet." Besides, homosexuality is only a lifestyle choice, not something to be feared or hated. It is unfathomable as to why there is such an objection to gays joining the armed forces. Granted there is the risk of unbecoming behavior, but that risk is miniscule at best. It needs to be understood that gays who joined the armed forces are there for one reason only: to serve their country. The question still not answered is: "Why all the fuss?" I asked around campus to try and find an answer. "It is bigotry based on ignorance," stated Dr. Carl Frankel. He compares the issue to the early fifties when blacks were integrated into the army. "People are still anxious and afraid when it comes to gays," he said. Dr. Frankel went on to say that ignorance is not the individual’s fault, but society’s for failing to educate people properly. Some members of ROTC refused to comment on the subject, saying that it wasn’t their duty to opinionize, only to carry out the Commander-in-chief’s orders to the best of their ability. People who formerly served in the armed forces answered the question in the same way, although they were a bit more vehement in the way they expressed themselves. I concluded that the whole controversy is caused by fear. Fear of the unknown and fear, of anything that is even remotely different from the norm. This fear, unfortunately, has been nourished and given a chance to thrive in our white-bread, Anglo-Saxon society. And this fear, along with the hatred and ignorance that go with it, must be stopped and allowing gays in the military is the first step. Con: Yes, homosexuals are part of our society and they deserve every right which heterosexuals have. We live in a homo-phobic society and without dispelling fears and educating the people of this country on the issue of homo-sexuality, progress in this area will be very slow. Why all the fuss? Why not ask around the military and find out from the affected majority? The truth of the matter is that there are objections to gays in the military, not to mention new problems which would arise if they were allowed to serve. Most people in the military are there because of their desire to serve their country. They will follow any policy that is implemented, like it or not. What I think is truly important is the morale and welfare of the troops. At one point in time, minorities and women were not allowed in the military, but with time, education of people, and progress, they are now accepted parts of the military. What Page 6 An issue has arisen at University Park that the Commonwealth needs to be made aware- of. A committee was formed last semester called "Beaver Stadium Assigned Seating Committee." The goal of this committee is to "maximize seating and minimize overcrowding ." A plan was derived by this committee before student input was taken on it. A problem of overcrowding is being observed during the games which can cause accidents, for which the University becomes liable. With this committee’s proposal, they want to have assigned seats in a "S" formation. Students will then take a ticket at the stadium and follow to a designated area. Now, one of the things that is most enjoyable about the games is sitting with a group of friends. With this plan, students would need to form groups before the games...outside the stadium. Most people know that this is a physically impossible. This liability and overcrowding problem was discussed at the first committee meeting. Since then, an article was published in the Collegian at U-Park expressing student view points... None of which were favorable. At the second meeting, the subject of having block seating was discussed, meaning that students would sign up before the game to have a section reserved. This would be done by lottery and each group would have a different section at each game. The idea behind this is to give students a destination ahead of time to eliminate overcrowding before the game. This causes a problem with the commonwealth because we would have to schedule ahead of time and chances are U-Park students are going to get first bids. The question arises: Do we want a specific seating section at the games? Again, this is only an idea. Please discuss this among your clubs and peers. Give your feedback to Carolyn Krall, SGA Vice President. This could be a problem for the Commonwealth if this goes through. Each Commonwealth campus was sent a copy of this letter, maybe with enough feedback the committee will see this isn’t what the students really want. A new idea to solve the problem may come from your feedback so act fast. we should do is learn from our mistakes and go about implementing gays in the military in a better way rather than see prejudices rage and many people and possibly our safety get hurt. If women still receive so much opposition on being able to hold certain military occupations than what will happen to gays in some the same areas? Homosexuals who were discharged from the armed services for that reason, usually received a Dishonorable or a Bad Conduct Discharge. How is the government going to make up for that-by reinstating their ability to enlist, changing the nature of their discharges, or through monetary reparations? What, if any special arrangements need to be made for housing set ups of squadbays or individual roans? When service members are married their pay status changes. Will homosexual marriages be honored and marriage/pay status change? What kind of codes will need to be written for behavior unbecoming of a service member and what type of punishment is just without a counter-complaint of discrimination being filed? What kind of review boards need to be set up to overlook the prejudice that will occur if homosexuals are allowed in the armed forces at this time. 1 would never say that homosexuals should not be allowed in the military, but I will say that now is not the time. There is much more open-mindedness that needs to be achieved, and many prejudices to be dispelled for this great step to be taken. Until then, keep educating, trying to understand, foreseeing problems which may arise, and finally one day .everyone will be a big enough person to accept everyone for who they are at face value. ATTENTION Beaver Stadium Situation American Cancer Telethon By: Gina Hammond On February 27th & 28th members from the Hazleton Campus Video Club were working cameras for die Americian Cancer Telethon. This year the February telethon was held at Geneti Best Western on Rt. 93 in Hazleton from 10:00am until 11:00pm on Saturday and 11:00am until 10:00pm on Sunday. Volunteers worked to make this program a success, doing everything from running pledges up to the computers, preforming, floor managing, suppling food, answering phones, being hosts, to working the cameras and mixers. The eight students from Penn State who attended this event enjoyed the fun and excitement from all angles. Some lucky volunteers had the chance to meet Miss Pennsylvania, while others spoke informally with radio DJs. Switching from phone room to entertainment room, then back to the phone room, is how most of the two days went while filming. During the filming, camera operators recieved mere fifteen minute breaks to do whatever necessary before the chance was lost. Sometimes a person would approach your camera and ask if you need anything, take what you can get. One never knows how long their stay will be at that one camera. Overall everyone enjoyed themselves, while helping out at an important event. Not everyone on this campus would volunteer their time to help out in something such as a telethon. These students not only represented Penn State, but they walked away with the knowledge each and every one of them made a difference at the Cancer Telethon. March 1993
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