Vol. 5, No. 1 THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY DELAWARE COUNTY CAMPUS, MEDIA, PA. November 12, 1971 Ping Pongplomacy to Continue FOCI UNDER FIRE Dr. Rufford Harrison, chair- man of the International Competi- tive Table Tennis Team, pre- sented a tourist’s eye view of the American table tennis team’s re- cent trip to China, before a group of students here a few weeks ago. Through slides, taken by Dr. Harrison on the trip, the bubbling activities in a large Chinese met- ropolitan area were shown. Officials and team members of the American entourage were free to walk the streets of such cities as Peking and Shanghai, where the Chinese people, according to Dr. Harrison, “were curious, but kept their distance.” Dr. Harrison pointed out the sharp distinction made by the Chinese between the country — the United States — and its inhab- itants — Americans. He said that the Chinese are highly anti-Amer- ica as regards our government and foreign policies, but showed no hostility towards Americans them- By Joe Contino selves. At Shanghai University, the table tennis team was greeted by n “obviously put-up” crowd. Dr. Harrison said that a group of stu- dents were neatly assembled and applauding as the team entered the University. Regarding the table tennis team’s performance against the Chinese, Dr. Harrison said that six of the seven American wins in Peking were “handed to us.” Ac- cording to Dr.-Harrison, this was done so as not- to humiliate the American team. He also said that the reason the team was invited to China was to open things up be- tween the two countries, not to overwhelm the United States at table tennis. As for the future, Dr. Harrison will be working with the United States Table Tennis Association, which is formulating a return trip for the Chinese team. Dr. Harrison said that creating the United States tour has been difficult because “at present we are preparing for an unknown number of Chinese, coming at an unknown time, to unknown cities.” Draft Service Clarifies Deferments ' The Selective Service System today clarified expected policy changes on undergraduate student deferments. | College students who were en- rolled full-time in the 1970-71 academic year will be eligible for student deferments in the 1971- 72 school year if they continue to make satisfactory progress in their programs of study, Selective Serv- ice officials said. However, young men who entered school for the first time this summer and those who enroll as freshmen this fall will not quality tor student deter- ments if the pending changes of the Selective Service Act are passed by Congress. The House has completed action on the bill and final Senate action is expected in September. Dr. Curtis W. Tarr, Selective Service Director, said: “Few in- coming freshmen students are likely to be inducted in the near future because of the student de- ferment phaseout. Of the 1,034,- 000 incoming freshmen males es- timated by the Office of Educa- 7 Steps Lead to a ‘New’ Life by Stephanie Pappas On Wednesday, October 13, Tom Duffy, a teacher of Tran- scendental Meditation (TM), spoke in the lecture hall here at Penn State. His lecture concerned the men- tal and physiological effects of TM as the first of seven steps in the understanding and ability to practice transcendental medita- tion. The second step is another lec- ture which involves the principle used in TM. The third step deals with the mechanics of TM and is con- ducted as a brief interview. In the fourth step, the student is directed into the actual experi- ence. The fifth through seventh ses- sions ar devoted to stabilizing the act of meditation and as an op- portunity to discuss the experi- ences afterward. But, what is Transcendental Meditation? Duffy says it is an opportunity to strengthen your inner life by strengthening your perception. Because thoughts are produced through energy as a spontaneous experience, you are able to direct your intelligence . and can attain a state of pure con- sciousness (pure energy). Once this is achieved the medi- tator feels a greater enjoyment and achievement in life. TM re- duces stress during a period of mental awareness and physiolog- ical restfulness. TM claims to be able to develop creative intelli- gence and increase perception. Duffy has been a meditator for almost two years. He first took it up with his wife during his studies at Villanova University. Recently he spent three months studying at the world headquar- ters in Spain under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Maharishi first in- troduced his technique of Tran- scendental meditation in the United States over twelve years ago in Caligornia. Today there are more than 80,000 meditators in the U.S., and a half million over the world. Transcendental Meditation is catching on quickly and has been endorsed by many scientists and philosophers. uon, approximately sU% are i3 years old and only 20% are 19 years of age or older. The 18 year olds will receive their lottery numbers in 1972, and they will not be subject to induc- tion until 1973, when draft calls should be low. The 19 year old freshmen received their lottery numbers August 5 of this year and will be subject to induction next year; at least 1/2 should have high enough lottery numbers to preclude their induction. Of those remaining, approximately 50% will be disqualified on mental, moral or physical grounds, or (Continued on Page 2) Student Handbook Possible Answer Analysis by David Reiher During registration one of the neglected spots on the tablet of agenda was the yearbook desk. Although hundreds of students saw it, only a pitiful number even expressed interest for the book, and even less than that paid the deposit. At a recent SGA meeting, Jo- seph Biscontini, Public Informa- tion Officer of this campus, pre- sented a few facts and recommen- dations about our yearbook. He said that $2100 was lost last year in paying for the publication. Foci contained the literary magazine Symposium, and year- book material all under one cover. Biscontini estimated that less than 100 students bought Foci. Something should be done to change this sad situation. We could eliminate Foci altogether, or produce an improved and less costly yearbook. We could again print the con- ventional type of yearbook, found in most high schools. If the general opinion favors the conventional yearbook, then students could back the effort by raising money and giving some of their time to the staff. If enough student support is channeled through the yearbook staff, this Spring’s book will be a positive surprise. Also, a cheaper, soft cover edi- tion could be printed, offering a variety of backings and paper types. This has been done here in the form of the student handbook. 1000 copies were printed for only $85, according to Biscontini. If such a publication replaced Literary Magazine Proposed Replacement by Joe Contino “Our last yearbook was a major disaster, financially and esthetic- ally,” said Joseph Biscontini, Pub- lic Information Officer at this campus, at the October 21 meet- ing of the SGA. Biscontini offered his pros and cons concerning a yearbook, and offered some alternatives. “We've been sucked into the American yearbook syndrome, but nobody wants to buy it.” Bis- contini said this in reference to the difficulty in selling Foci this year. He also stated that Sympo- sium, a literary magazine incor- porated into the yearbook, was “the only thing worth salvaging.” Biscontini suggested that the students try to publish a literary magazine on the order of this campus’ Student Handbook. 400 copies could be printed for ap- proximately $500, whereas 350 copies of Foci cost close to $2500. To finance the publication Bi contini suggested incorporatin witn another Jiub such #8 Td Kl y stone Society. : “Student writing and photogr: : phy should concentrate on a solid, higher class literary magazine.” “A literary magazine should stand on its own, not be enmeshed in mediocrity.” the yearbook, almost anyone who wanted the book could buy it. The price — about $1. Also, the group of students who put it together could make money on the project. The direction of next Spring’s yearbook, is, presently unknown. Hopefully, last year’s experience won't repeatitself.. > Campus Feels Growing Pains “College should build a person, socially, morally, but most im- portant, intellectually,” said John Vairo, campus director. “This is a fifth year campus. The past four years have been growth and development years for the school, and a certain situ- ation has been created. “The growth has been quite rapid. This particular building was designed for 720 persons. There are now 836 daytime stu- dents, and 500 more night stu- dents.” Vairo predicts that stabilization is beginning and will continue next year. “It will level off. Students are working under too much of an ad- verse atmosphere,” he said. “It is a traumatic experience. There are 65 different things go- ing on at the same time in one ‘building. Ping pong games, lunch, learning, and said Vairo. “A student center and library studying,” By Holly Hawkins and Ron Giancoli are scheduled for construction. We're waiting for funds from the General State Authority.” Vairo also stated, “We've gone ahead with the parking lot and one thing many students don’t realize is that this building was built by the people of Delaware County. They raised 1.2 million dollars for it. “Our academic program is the sum total of our existence. The rest is relatively unimportant. We must enhance you intellectually, through our teaching and reac- tions. If we don’t, we've failed you.” Anyone who wants an edu- cation can get one. Money is available, stealing isn’t necessary. One has to pursue his goals. There’s too much talk of “instant” success according to Vairo. “When I was at University Park,” Vairo adds, “there were hundreds of scholarships avail- able. Believe it or not we had to go out and recruit students to ap- ply for them. Here at our campus we even have a Dean of Student Affairs to help with financial aid. I know college costs money, but you need determination. “There have been no severe disciplinary problems with any of our students in four years. That says a hell of a lot for our stu- dents,” said Vairo.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers