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.