Page 4 — LION’S EYE — October 15, 1997 Opinion & Keview Courtesy Has Been Lost in the Clouds of Smoke By Len Damico Not too long ago, I was walking toward the Cafeteria to get some lunch. I grabbed the door handle, and felt something hit me in the back of the leg. 1 turned around, only to find that the projectile was a lit cigarette. Luckily, I was hit by the filter, rather than the lit end. So what?, you say. But smokers and their discourteous deeds are becoming a growing problem on campus. Have you ever tried to enter a building on campus, only to find four or five smokers, impeding your progress like a roadblock? Have you ever gone to sit on the grass, only to find it littered with cigarette butts? Have you ever gone outside for a breath of fresh air, only to find - that the air was not so fresh? Or, have you ever been hit by a lit cigarette butt? The area outside of the cafeteria looks more like an ashtray than a patio these days. This should be a place where students can sit outside and enjoy a nice day, not fight for their breath and dodge flying fireballs. I recently conducted an impromptu poll and discovered that roughly half the students on campus smoke. This also means that half our campus does not smoke. The rights of one half cannot and should not be dictated by the interests of the other half. To have a harmonious campus we must somehow discover a way to keep both sides happy. I understand that not all smokers engage in this childish and downright dangerous behavior. The problem is that the smokers who do litter and crowd make life miserable for everyone, smokers and nonsmokers alike. So what does it all mean? The issue boils down to one central topic: common courtesy. I’m not asking smokers to quit smoking on campus; that wouldn’t be a compromise at all. Rather, smokers, instead of flinging lit butts across the courtyard or on the grass, kindly get up and put them out in the receptacles provided. Please don’t crowd the doors while taking those last few precious puffs. Perhaps maintenance can move the receptacles away from the door, to lessen the crowds there. And if you oblige, I'll stop writing preachy and - pedantic articles about smokers. Do you have a comment or conflicting viewpoint? 1jd128@psu.edu Definition of An Editorial By B Ray On September 23, the Lion's Eye ran an‘ editorial in this spot entitled "Night Classes Suck." In the month since its release, the author, the advisor, and the newspaper as a whole have suffered criticism for printing it. I was not the author of the piece in question, nor did I see it before it was published. I was fortunate enough, however, to be in class when the matter came before us for discussion. The matter was taken very seriously. Among the ideas considered were a written retraction, an open forum during class time, to jointly compose future editorials, and even the elimination of editorials altogether. Throughout this class, I remained silent and noncommittal. While the staff weighed its options and considered the outcome when raders were offended, the pride of writing for a publication that allows me the freedom to both report news, and give opinions on what I feel necessary overwhelmed me. Do I think that there could have been a another way to express the opinion that caused so much grief last month? Absolutely. But expressing opinions and having opinions are two different things. On September 23, Erin Lulevitch had an opinion. Whether people liked it or not, the one thing they should do is respect it. An editorial is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as “an article expressing the opinion of its editor or publisher.” Job well done, Ms. Editor. The same book defines a censor as someone who removes or SUpPPIOSSos what he considers objectionable. You're welcome to object to it. As welcome as we are to think it. Networking for Jobs — Making It Work for You is a dynamic presentation for students offered by Sigmund Moscow, Business & Career Consultant, on Tues. Nov. 4 at 11:30 in the Main Lounge. Want to learn more about writing for the Lion's Eye? Bring your questions to the open meeting on Friday, October 24 at 12:30pm 3 in the Large Conference Room, €/AC The wrking, DeAth Jhat-Awots yo softer CASS Democracy at Work at PSU By James Conroy You say you're sick of hearing about corrupt politicians? Lost faith in our government after hearing about the possible impeachment of our President and Vice-President? Ready to join one of those para-military groups out in Colorado and secede? Well, before you move to Canada, or put you're name on the waiting list for that M-16 you've had your eye on, check out the one governmental agency that still has some level headed Americans; the Penn State Delco SGA. Lead by President Anton Shuford, the SGA conducts their general meetings every other Monday during common hour in room 112 of the Vairo Library. Along with Vice- President Maria Iannarelli, Assistant Vice-President Eilleen Milliken, Treasurer Rob Mathews, Secretary JoAnne Johnson, and head of Public Relations Jason Lewis, the SGA use the meetings to deal with the various clubs around campus, their concerns, and upcoming events. These meetings are open to all students and club presidents (or at least a member representing the club) attend these meetings, so it’s a great place to go if you're interested in joining a club. Public Relations guru Jason Lewis says the purpose of these meetings are to “basically just try to transfer info.” In addition, every Monday afternoon at4:30pm the SGA Executive Board meets to discuss concerns, and make plans for campus, regional, and state wide events. These meetings are not usually open to the public. OK, so they're not trying to reduce the deficit or cut your taxes, but isn’tit great to see some polititians that aren’t having trouble with campaign contributions? THE LION'S EYE Vol. XXIX, No. 2 The Pennsylvania State University September 23, 1997 Delaware County Campus CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Erin Lulevitch Christina Papa eell10@psu.edu cmpl59@psu.edu NEWS EDITOR FEATURE EDITOR OPINION EDITOR JoAnne Johnson Paul Basilio Bill Raymond Ryan Boldosser Elizabeth Dalziel Justin Helimak Candace Meriano Kathryn Carroll Len Damico Paco Laborde ° Aaron Mixson James Conroy Rachael Fetterman Lea Anne McGoldrick Cynthia Moore Rob Coyle : ADVISERS Barbara Daniel John Terrell The LION’S EYE is published monthly during the academic year by the students of the Delaware County Campus. Submissions are welcome from all students, faculty and staff. Material must be typed, double spaced, and submitted in the LION’S EYE mailbox located in the Lion’s Den. Letters, articles and cartoons represent only the views of their authors. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect editorial opinion. THE LION’S EYE regrets it cannot guarantee the return of any material submitted. All submissions are subject to editing.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers