~ Omnes vocem habent
@®
-Spring 2007-
-Vol. 3 Issue 5-
By Ryan Kelly
Staff Writer
Drinking on campus is a popular
pastime for Mont Alto students, of
age and underage alike. Though
quite common, consider the
following: How much do you know
when it comes to your rights
concerning alcohol consumption
and being under the influence of
alcohol while on campus?
First off, let us cover the basics.
If you’re a minor (meaning under
21 years of age) it is illegal for you
to drink anywhere in this country.
On top of that, the campus of Penn
State Mont Alto is a dry campus,
meaning university policy, and
controlled mainly by policy AD18,
prohibits the consumption of
Editorial:
alcohol. Clearly, the consumption
of alcohol is not allowed on
campus.
This, however, has not stopped
anyone. In interviewing numerous
people in Mont Alto, everyone
said that they either knew
someone who drank regularly or
drank regularly themselves. So we
see that alcohol is quite a popular
beverage.
At the same time, students were
asked whether they agreed with
the campus’ alcohol policies.
Most students did not agree and
were resentful, although most of
the students were underage
anyway. In talking with Andrea
Christopher, the Director of
Student Affairs, and Kim Rushing,
Assistant Director of Student
Affairs, we can see why students
students.
It is apparent, however,
students are managing to get
caught, one way or another. The
number of students involved in
alcohol related incidents last
semester was around 69, with
approximately 25-30 total incidents
occurring. Common reasons
students get caught are acting
drunk or smelling like alcohol.
There are of course, other reasons,
including having a party in one’s
room. and attracting undue
attention.
We must now turn to what
happens when you actually get
caught in an alcohol related
incident. There are several distinct
ways to become involved in an
alcohol related incident. First, we
will cover the policies as they apply
to minors, then those of age. One
see Drinking page 3
By Tony Arnold
Staff Writer
During our recent spring break,
I was lucky enough to participate
in the Alternative Spring Break
Club’s trip to Springfield, Georgia,
a trip devoted to helping the
Effingham County, Georgia chapter
of Habitat for Humanity with its
various endeavors to provide and
improve community housing.
While there our group of nine
students and two advisors
performed myriad tasks, from
painting walls to laying tile, and
many things in between. Most of
the work took place in one of
Habitat’s restores, warehouse-like
buildings in which Habitat sells
new and gently used home
improvement goods at a fraction
of the retail price. The restores are
largely, if not entirely, dependent
Student
LC
upon donations from contractors
and private donors and sell
hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of merchandise, serving the
dual purpose of providing bargain-
priced items for less wealthy
consumers and producing
substantial funds for Habitat’s
many ventures. Our group beamed
with pride as we helped in putting
the finishing touches on this fine
outlet. What were once a cluster
of barren rooms at the prodigious
building’s head—Ilacking doors to
enclose their somber chambers or
even one coat of paint on their
nondescript walls—were
transformed into a finely clad
group of offices, restrooms and
utility areas, fully furnished and
ready for use. Our work was
required in other areas as well.
Shelving was made to organize
scattered materials such as carpet
and drywall, and hooks were
created to hang various lighting
fixtures. Custodial duties were
even performed as our group
turned a chaotic work zone into a
well-groomed banquet area for an
afternoon luncheon to commend
the restorer’s completion. Four
days of honest work was the time
required from eleven eager
volunteers to pump life into the
newborn operation.
Our work did not go unnoticed,
either. Our every breakfast and
lunch was provided during our
stay from local churches and
restaurants, donating selflessly in
honor of a noble cause. And it was
not just food that the fine people
at these institutions furnished us.
serving of southern and—what
they will swear by—Christian
hospitality that is increasingly
more difficult to find—even
comprehend—in an America that
is moving too fast to pay such
respect. What we witnessed was
an anomaly in the otherwise
uniform fabric of the modern
American disconnect.
The ultimate example of such
grace was embodied in the form of
a selfless old woman by the name
of Mildred. The ageless Mildred,
see ASB page 3