September 30, 1998 —- LIONS EYE - Page 3 P.S.U. Delco Approves New School on Campus By Sarah Stover Lion's Eye Staff Writer The Penn State board of trustees approved a new school of In- formation Science and Technology on Friday, September 11th. The school is estimated to cost around $9.5 million annually and will in- clude 30 new faculty. Enrollment is planned to be- gin next fall and about 800 under- graduates and 200 graduates are ex- pected to participate. Jim Thomas, senior associate dean of the Smeal College of Business Administration, ~ remarked that a lot of companies will be looking for people with program- ming experience. He continued, . “They’re interested in people who can use technology to provide a com- petitive advantage.” Many students, along with faculty at Delco, are both excited and relieved such a project is underway. Some students involved in the sci- ence and technology departments feel that this addition to Penn State is long overdue. Curt Day, presently teaching all fall semester computer science courses at Delco, had a lot to say about the new school. He, too, felt that the School of Information and Technology was much needed. When questioned, he commented, “When you consider the ever-in- creasing impact that computers are ‘making in the work place, it is im- portant to try to provide systematic ways to study what is being done.” : In addition, Day believes that many students will sign up for the program. “Since computers are SGA: playing a more important role in the future, it is logical to think that this school would attract many students.” However, Day is not without con- cern. He is worried about how this new school will properly be distin- guished against pre-existing schools and if the new programs being of- fered will fit in to the present cur- riculum. Day also stated that the pros- perity of any school, computer ori- ented or not, centers around the stu- dents. “Regardless of the program or school, students who study com- puters need to have the right expec- tations to benefit fully from the classes. They need to expect to learn the details of using computers and they need to learn how to fit the indi- vidual parts together. Many times, new students expect computer sci- ence and computer usage courses to emphasize the details while unaware of the need to integrate the parts. The success of any school will partially depend on the students having the right expectations.” More than one million com- puter scientists, system designers and programmers will be needed by the year 2005, according to a university report. However, less than 25,000 U.S. students graduate in computer science each year. : With this school of Informa- tion Science and Technology comes an entirely new field, one that is pres- ently in high demand. Students are urged to take advantage of the pro- gram. This new school will no doubt open more opportunity to Penn State students and broaden the majors in this field. A Call for Participation By Tracey Dinh Assistant Editor The Student Government Association seems especially moti- vated this year in getting Penn State Delaware County students involved in campus activities. Although al- ways optimistic, Martin Ranalli (SGA President) is worried about the active involvement of not only the campus students, but also the cam- pus clubs. The showing at the last SGA meeting was poor, barely half the clubs existing actually repre- sented themselves at the meeting. One by one the clubs were called for attendance, and with every silence, the SGA became more and more agi- tated. This agitation is justified, how can students be persuaded to be more involved if the campus leaders do not set the example? ‘So, in an effort to dissuade the growing atti- tude of indifference on campus, the SGA instituted a penalty for clubs that do not represent themselves at future SGA meetings. Clubs will be deducted $10 from their account for every no show. Another method for getting students involved is by having our University’s mascot, the Nittany Lion, roam the campus at different periods during the day. Besides marking his territory, the Lion will be sporting a large bulletin board in- forming students of upcoming: or important events on campus. It will also display the accomplishments and volunteering endeavors of cam- pus clubs. All the clubs on campus are always eager to recruit new mem- bers, whether it is the Black Student League or the Asian American Cau- cus, all are welcome to join. For those not up to the challenge of join- ing an ethnically rooted club, several other clubs are forming to satisfy the diverse interests of students. One notable one is the new philosophy club, Pantopia. At the very least, join the club to unravel the meaning of the club’s name and how its defini- tion exists in your existence. Of course, there is so much the SGA can do to stimulate student involvement on campus. It is up to you, and you, and you to take advan- tage of the opportunities available. So, grab the closest campus leader and aim high. Students taking a break and enjoying the weather. Photo by Tracey Dinh P.E. P.P. Lends Helping Hand to Neighboring Schools By Regis Fields Lion's Eye Staff Writer For the past year PSU Delaware County has been involved with the Penn State Educational Partnership Program, or (P.E.P.P). The program started in the late 1980’s at the PSU McKeesport campus, moving to the Reading campus in ‘91-°92 before finally being introduced to PSU Philadelphia area campuses, including Abington and Delaware County. The program is an after- school and summertime program that utilizes Penn State students in local area schools for tutoring and mentoring. In this area Penn State has been involved in two Philadelphia area schools, Barry Elementary School at 59" and Race Streets in West Philadelphia. The other is Vaux Middle School in North Philadel- phia at 23" and Master Streets, Vaux holds this program primarily in the summertime while during the school year the majority of students volunteer at Barry. Program Manager Elmore Hunter sees this program as ex- tremely beneficial for children in urban environments. “ The Penn State kids are a good influence on the children... for them to see someone who has and is going through it (school) is great,” said Hunter. Hunter, who frequents campuses and assists at PSU Abington, spends most of his time coordinating and searching for volunteers for the program. Hunter heads up the program in this area from Penn States’ downtown office at 4601 Market St. For the program Hunter seeks “students with a good chance for success.” He went on to explain, “We are open to any student interested in tutoring. ..some of our best tutors were not Urban Education majors. In Philadelphia the program has had good success even though it is only two years old. The program not only focuses on the student but the learning environment as well. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate with their children with agendas like reading and writing. At Vaux, the program gave children a “100 book challenge,” a contest that encourages reading by reward- ing children for reading 100 books. “The best way for a child to im- prove their vocabulary is by reading. . kids are doing better in school, not only grade wise but with their attitudes towards learn- ing,” Hunter said. P.E.P.P plans on using such challenges for other aspects of education and will also work at community centers like the YMCA on 52™ and Chestnut Streets to reach more children. The program has seen one of PSU Delaware County’s own volunteering Urban Education major Louis Walker. Walker volun- teered last semester at Barry El- ementary School from 3-5 on Tuesdays’, Wednesdays’, and Thursdays’. “ It was a good atmo- sphere for the students...I think it worked well because the parents were involved,” said Walker. “The students had a lot of interaction with us, that’s what made it the best.” Walker is the only student left at this campus who was in- * volved with the program last year, P.E.P.P hopes for more this year. The program operates for students of PSU three days out of the week from 3-5. Hunter hopes to have things moving by Oct 12, and this year will incorporate the use of a van to ease the commute from campus to the places where stu- dents will be helping. P.E.P.P extends their welcome to any student interested in helping, offering credit work and stipend pay of 5.50/hr. for those who meet the requirements. Hunter will soon be visiting our campus and anyone interested in the program that does not want to wait that long can call ‘ (215) 471-2206. ;
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