— LIONS EYE — Page 5 December 4, 1996 New College Coming Soon: How Will This Affect You? By Daniel J. Abbondi In order to provide students with the most convenient and best quality education they deserve, Penn State is in the process of instituting massive change. On November 21, Penn State Delco students and faculty met with PSU Vice President Bob Dunham to discuss, in an open forum, the idiosyncrasies of the plan. As planned thus far, eleven satellite campuses, including Delco, will become what will be known as the Commonwealth College. The Commonwealth College is said by the originators to benefit the student population. According to Dr. Dunham and associates, everyone, regardless of age, campus or future plans will benefit. The new college will have the option of offering additional 4-year degrees, to supplement the traditional 2-year and 4-year degrees no being offered. Businesses in the area will have quality students at their disposal. Location bound students can educate themselves without leaving their jobs. Traditional students at Delco will continue on their way to University Park. The installment of additional 4- year degree programs in the new colleges will theoretically decrease the number of students transferring to University Park, giving more opportunities to those who want to go there. Amidst the drastic change and new options for students, however, there exist some problems. One of the more controversial issues involves the idea that professors take more of an active role in students’ social and co- curricular lives. Personally, I could do without instructors counseling students. A majority of the academic staff are just not qualified to take on such a large responsibility. They may be able to handle the technical aspects associated with the job; however, they are ill prepared to cope with the personal problems that affect students. Professors are already burdened with pressure to produce articles, conduct research, and find time to lecture our classes as well. If they enter this role, how many students would be comfortable being counseled by the same individuals who conduct their classes? The new Commonwealth College, disregarding its possible negative factors, should provide convenient, quality education, starting July 1,1997. This will continue the quality Penn State has provided us in ‘the past and will continue to do so in the future. Softball Team In Question New Club Needs Players By Erin Lulevitch “We don’t thin¥ there’s enough support.” That's what Pat Conboy (3rd semester, Pre-Med), member of the Student Allocation Committee (S.A.C)), told Lindsay Braceland (3rd semester, Urban Ed.) when she petitioned the Student Activities Fee fund for money to start a new softball team. Braceland did manage to walk away with enough money to buy catcher’s equipment and balls, but if she wants to upgrade her “club” to a “team,” she’s got a long way to go. “Until further progress can be made, the softball club will function as a co-ed sport open to all students, experienced or not.” Tiz Griffith, Director of Athletics, acknowledged the obstacle as part of the “problem in maintaining women’s sports here on campus. Each year there is a demand for women’s softball. Budget restraints have made it impossible to add and I hesitate to add a sport that requires at least 14-18 women. This campus has had a tremendous increase in the number of women enrolled since 1992, but in recent years many of the campuses have had difficulty fielding teams. I think we need to take a look at the reasons and what can be done to get more women participating.” At the start of the semester, a list of twenty names was compiled of interested players. This list was submitted as proof of interest, but was considered invalid because of the length of time that has passed since it was made. It was reasoned that schedules may have since changed for those who originally signed up. Such evidence can not be relied on to ensure that there will be enough people who will show up at the games to keep from forfeitting a season. The Committee suggested thatan updated list of interested participants be submitted along with a report of price quotes for the cost of equipment and uniforms from several stores, for ~ asecond proposal. Intramurals should also take place in order “to show the “committment of people for the practices and the games,” said Conboy. “We can’t justify the costs unless we have a season to base it on first.” This is not considered to be a gender issue for the Allocation Committee. “The same process would have to occur for anyone trying to start up a men’s lacrosse team.” Come spring, Lindsay intends to hold those intramurals during common hour “to prove the interest is there.” But because of stipulations, all of their scrimmages will have to occur at locations other than Delco. If she can successfully do so, the club could become a team by next year. The matter of available transportation to these other locations poses another problem. Braceland’s - not sure if the school is going to allow the club access to the campus van for such road trips. If denied this option, insurance concerns may further hinder the already challenged club. Until further progress can be made, the softball club will function as a co-ed sport open to all students, experienced or not. March remains the tentative starting month and Braceland is still looking to add more interested names to her list of players. Anyone who wishes to obtain more information should stop by room 136 in the Commons Building. or. Robert Dunham, Vice President of the Commonwealth Education System, talks with students Johanna Licciardello, April Best, Dawei Yin, Brian Logue and Justin Mayfair after a presentation on the new Commonwealth College. Hungry Clubs Need To Look Elsewhere For More Money By JoAnne Johnson In the beginning of this semester, quite a controversy was stirred over the topic of food at club meetings. Many small clubs complained that it would initially be difficult to attract new members to their meetings without the incentive of food. When the SGA Executive Board met before the semester, they discovered that most of the funds spent last year were for food. “The clubs are allowed to use 10% of their budgets toward food,” explained Student Services Specialist, Raquel Arredondo. “$17,000 was available to be dispersed among all of the clubs and organizations on campus.” University Park policy states that the money should really be spent on uses such as trips, speakers or other activities. Clubs should try to cover food costs by using their own resources or by raising money. “It would be a shame for clubs to spend all that money on food,” commented Arredondo. The SGA has been the object of scrutiny lately. Being a member of a small club myself, I noticed that clubs came to accept the fact that food could not be used as a consolation to attending a meeting. However, it was pointed out that the SGA provided food at their meetings while every other organization was left dry. When I heard this, I must admit that I felt slightly bitter, and annoyed over the fact that there seemed to be favoritism toward the SGA. To clear up a widespread misconception, the SGA does provide food at their campus meetings. These meetings differ from the Executive Board meetings where food is not served. At the campus-wide meetings, not only is everyone on campus invited to attend, they are encouraged to. SGA pays for this out of their own budget. Many clubs are taking the initiative to extend their budgets. The Black Student League charges a dollar admission to their meetings, as a supplement to refreshment costs. Also, the Communication Club is selling a spring break trip to Florida. Rather than complaining about the apparent lack of funds on campus, everyone should try to pledge their support of their fellow students in clubs by looking into the fund-raisers, and assisting them. Pat Conboy watches as Justin Mayfair signs a petition 0 | in the aftermath of the shootings at University Park. A banner with the signers’ names was displayed at Michigan State football game. : op Expand Mind: (Continued from page 2) Year’s holiday and earn a possible 6 general education credits, or visit Paris during spring break and also receive credit. If you can’t decide on a particular country, visit several of them in the Semester at Sea program. Although considerably more expensive, Semester at Sea travels via boat to Study Abroad numerous locations with a variety of professors form different universities to lead the way. It is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh. So take a vacation, earn some credit and beef up your resume, showing any future employer you have what it takes to be independent, adaptable, and open to new experiences. Sign up today!
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