PENNSTATE { Delaware County October 29, 1999 was heavily damaged. In Delco’s parking lot, Lima and Lenni Heights Fire Department members help douse a car fire caused by an electrical problem. No one was injured, but the car Photo by Scott Troyan F.A.S.T. Encourages Free Student-Faculty Dining By Doris Ruiz Lion’s Eye Staff Writer Penn State’s Delaware County Campus has always been a small friendly community, and although professors are always willing to meet with students outside of class, students never actually get to a chance “to know” them. Meetings usually take place in cramped offices or in crowded hallways. And almost always, both parties are in a hurry. Furthermore, when students actually see their professors outside of normal settings, it feels awkward. This fall, the offices of Student Life, and the SGA, together with Dr. Paul Orlov, Faculty Chairperson, came up with a brilliant idea to break down the barriers between students and faculty members. “F.A.S.T. is designed to open boundaries between students and their professors in the classroom of life”, states Dr. Orlov, the creator of FA.S.T. (Faculty And Students {eating} Together). Ms. Doreen Hettich, Director of Student Life, is also an active coordinator of this project. “Students should take advantage of this excellent way of meeting with faculty members outside of normal classroom surroundings.” F.A.S.T. is.a simple program, which can be used by both students and faculty. Students can pick up a voucher in the office of Student Life, and faculty members can get them from Dr. Orlov. The bearer of the voucher receives up to $5.00 worth of lunch in the campus cafeteria. The catch? Both the student and the Faculty member must lunch together in the cafeteria. The coordinators of F.A.S.T. have also allowed for up to 3 students to lunch with up to 3 faculty members at a given time. This will help fade away any intimidations a student might have about eating alone with a professor. Dr. Orlov hopes that this new program produces great response from students and adds, “This is a great way for students to enjoy a painlessly free lunch!” Students will soon have a shorter route to take between the Commons and Classroom Building. Photo by Cherjon Bailey Delco’s First Fall Graduation Is A Go! By Amanda Ponzar Lion’s Eye Staff Writer Penn State Delaware County will hold its first ever fall commencement for approximately thirty graduating seniors on Saturday, December 18. Delco plans to hold the ceremony at 10 a.m. in Vairo library, with A. Leo Sereni, President Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, giving the address. Graduates may invite as many guests as they choose and Delco will host a reception lunch after the ceremony for everyone involved. Since commencement planning normally starts a year in advance, preparations for this December are on a tight schedule. As of October 1, Joyce Rigby, the campus registrar, identified 35 students eligible for December graduation and they have each received an informational letter. Dr. George Franz, Director of Academic Affairs, anticipates this number will fluctuate as students discuss degree requirements with faculty. A large turnout is desired, but since this is the first fall graduation held at Delco, it will be up to students to make it worthwhile. “I don’t want to hold a party and find out five are coming,” said Franz. Students are overjoyed at the campus’ decision and plan to attend. “I just really want to thank Dr. Franz and the University for doing this. It means more than they’ll ever know,” said Kelly Holmes, one of this year’s December graduates. “I think it’s great,” agreed another December grad, Debbie Hutchinson. Although not graduating until next fall, junior Amy Hurley was also thankful for the campus’ decision because of the precedent it sets for future fall graduations. “That rocks! I didn’t want to wait around till spring. I wouldn’t have come,” said Hurley. Although fall graduation is not an issue for seniors Shannon Kelly or Brian Mollenhauer who graduate this spring, they still support their fellow students. “I think it’s about time. Just because you finish in December doesn’t mean you don’t deserve graduation,” said Kelly. Mollenhauer agreed. “It is good they’re having a fall graduation, but students deserve it after spending the money and putting the time in. It shouldn’t even be an issue,” he said. Hutchinson, like many students, thinks Delco’s graduation will be “much more convenient” and is reli€ved that her family and friends won’t have to travel all the way to University Park; the only other fall graduation option, to see her graduate. “It was going to be a big hassle,” said Hutchinson. Senior Darik Urlota agreed, saying it was “cool” not to have to go to University Park. Pleased with Delco’s momentous decision, he said it was “great that people at this cam- pus are getting involved.” (Continued on page 6) Senior Shannon Kelly assists Fall ’99 graduate, Kelly Holmes. She will be one of the first students at Delco to experience a Fall graduation. Photo by Amanda Ponzar Around Campus New Walkway Planned By Al Stavola Lion’s Eye Staff Writer PSU Delco is planning a new walkway and “rest areas” for the campus. According to Kerry Wareham, head of campus maintenance at Delco, “A need for a pathway between the Commons and the Classroom building is becoming apparent. We are currently reviewing the need for additional paths. There are several possibilities that are being looked at.” Apparently a significant number of students have expressed a need for the pathway and “rest areas” along current paths. Wareham says, “The ‘rest areas’ have been installed. They are located on the pathways between the Main building and the Commons and between the Main building and the Classroom building.” These “rest areas,” — stopping points along the sides of existing paths — are intended to provide students with a rest from commuting around campus. Wareham says that the walkway is still “in the planning stages, (however) the project could take place next summer.” No completion date has been set. How this project will be funded is also not quite clear. “We haven’t put the project out for bid yet. It is still a little too early. Also, the funding source hasn’t been firmed up,” says Wareham. When asked if the walkway was necessary and if it would make moving around campus easier for students, Wareham said, “The answer to both questions is yes.”
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