December 10, 1999 - LION'S EYE - Page 3 FEATURES Minors Available For Spring Semester By Scherrie Bailey Lion’s Eye Staff Writer “Next year I was considering leaving this campus to go to University Park because I wanted to minor in Spanish, which is not available at this campus. Now I plan to leave the Delaware County campus because there just isn’t enough minors to go around,” says Jennelle Butera, sophomore in Marketing. Starting in the Spring of 2000, stu- dents in Delco degree programs who wish to choose a minor will wait no longer. Seven minors will now be avail- able on the Delaware County campus. The six that have been off~cially approved include: American Studies, Law/Liberal Arts, Business/Liberal Arts, English, Speech Communications, and Women Studies. The International Studies minor has not yet been au- thorized and is awaiting final approval. Typically, approval takes a period of a few months, but less than an academic year. Requests are sent through the office of Dr. George Franz, Director of Academic Affairs, then the Dean of the Commonwealth College, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and the Provost’s Office to approve the extension of a major. In the future, Delco students can expect to have other minors available in IST and Human Development & Family Studies. According to Dr. Franz, “Students can have several minors; however, choosing one depends upon the number of additional courses required to complete a degree. Selecting a minor makes students more marketable to potential employers. Also, students get more recognition if they spend time concentrating on particular courses.” Those interested in these minors will ‘be asked to meet with an adviser to obtain approval forms and to plan their desired course of study. Most minors require a completion of 18 credits in a focused area, with 6 credits at the 400 level. LionLink Makes Connections Amanda Ponzar Lion’s Eye Co-Editor One of Penn State’s best-kept secrets is LionLink, an alumni career service that matches students with professionals in their fields. According to the LionLink coordinator Lisa Hatheway, LionLink’s website was established in 1997 and received 600 student registrations per year in its first two years. “During this academic year alone, we have had 452 students register, so a lot more are finding out about the program,” said Hatheway. In total, 1,704 students and 1,912 alumni have registered to use LionLink. Alumni donate their time, and when matched to a particular student, will offer advice and assistance. “Networking,” truly the catchphrase of the ‘90s, is a student’s unparalleled advantage to a successful career search. By offering LionLink, Penn State is in her field, keeping up with the competition. “Other schools, including some of the Big 10, have student alumni networking programs similar to LionLink,” said Hatheway. Vera Klinkowsky, a volunteer alumni career coach, graduated in Spring 1999 and is already working with a student matched to her through LionLink. Klinkowsky, a reporter for Today ~ Sunbeam in Salem, NJ, got a jump-start or: her career by using LionLink. “I used LionLink a year before graduation to learn about the experiences alumni have. I was linked to a Reuters reporter and he was helpful in my job search.” Although she worked hard and gained experience like most seniors, Klinkowsky was apprehensive about finding a job, especially since she had not completed an internship in her interest area. Still, after her LionLink career coach reviewed her resume and cover letter, she felt a lot more confident. Now, Klinkowsky, a successful writer with a bright future, volunteers time for the program that assisted her. “I benefited from LionLink as an undergraduate so I wanted to help...I know how stressful ajob search can be. . . it can be easy to give up on your dreams.” Klinkowsky said she participates because she “had a great experience at Penn State so I still really feel connected. I also enjoy helping people.” Klinkowsky knows she has a lot t offer in regards to knowledge and practical experience. Instead of abandoning aspirations, students can make connections that will put those dreams in closer range. Connect online with LionLink at www.lionlink.psu.edu or email coordinator Lisa Hatheway at Imh11@psu.edu. Muslim Students Fast For Ramadan By Ramy Nasr Muslim StudentAssociation Why are almost seven million Ameri- cans and over a billion people around the world abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn to sunset this month? They are Muslims who are fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the religion of Islam and one of the highest forms of Islamic worship. Abstinence from earthly pleasures and curbing evil intensions and desires is regarded as an act of obedience and submission to Allah (God in Arabic) as well as atonement for sins, errors, and mistakes. | On December 8, 1999, approximately 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide start their fasting. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and thus the month of Ramadan rotates over the years. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the lunar cycle, and be gins with the sighting of the new moon. The fasting peroid ends upon the sight ing of the next new moon, which occurs after 25 or 30 days. Ramadan brings out a special feel ing of emotional excitement and religious zeal among Muslims of all ages. Though fasting is mandatory only for adults, children as young as eight willingly ob- serve fasting with their elders. Children look forward to the excitement of sight- ing the moon and eating special meals with their families. Adults appreciate the opportunity to double their rewards from Allah and seek forgiveness for past sins. All feel a particular close ness towards their Creator and amongst their family and friends. Muslims have to change their whole physical and emotional selves during these 30 lond days of fasting. A typical day of fasting begins with getting up early, around 4:30 a.m., and eating before the fast begins at dawn - around 5:50 a.m. As dawn breaks, the first of five daily prayers (Fajr) is offered. And as the day proceeds, Muslims’ stomachs continue to growl. It is with each growl that Muslims remind themselves that they are fasting for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah and seeking His mercy. Fasting helps one to experience how a hungry person feels and what it is like to have an empty stomach. It teaches one to share the sufferings of the less fortunate. Muslims believe that fasting leads one to appreciate the bounties of Allah, which are usually taken for granted - until they are missed. Muslims are urged to invite others to break the fast with them. Fellow students of this campus and all the staff are wel- come to join us in breaking the fast just after sunset on Monday, December 13. Watch for signs posted from the Muslim Student Association. Prayers are offered in the Main Build- ing, room 217 every Friday at 12:30 p.m. Local mosques have ample books on Islam and Muslims, and the Muslim Student Association will be more than happy to provide additional education sources upon request. The Muslim Stu- dent Association can be contacted for further information by emailing the President, Ramy Nasr, at The 944@aol.com ~ wrigglers” Freshmen Steve Wolfe and Chrissi Haas pitch-in their plastic bottles. Photo by B. Feick Delco Promotes Earth Day And More Recycling By Wilma Beacher Penn State Delaware County kicked off a recycling awareness campaign on Monday, November 15 with the renowned speaker, Hetty Francke. She is a Master Gardener and Master Composter from the Cooperative Extension Program at the University of Delaware’s Department of Agricultural Sciences. The talk centered around the fact that the United States is far behind many European countries when it comes to recycling. Francke challenged not only the campus to be more proactive. in regards to recycling, but also for every individual to begin his/her own recycling effort. She brought in her own composting basket, complete with “red (worms). Francke demonstrated how easy it is for anyone to get started recycling and composting. There are three main reasons why recycling is an important agenda item for our country and our campus. Recycling protects our natural resources, improves our quality of life, and strengthens our economy. When we recycle, the paper industry’s need for wood pulp decreases, which leaves more trees standing. Trees absorb carbon and generate oxygen, thereby keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and reducing climate change. Also, in one year, solid waste recycling prevented the release of 33 million tons of carbon into the air, roughly the amount emitted annually by 25 million cars. It takes years for an aluminum can to decompose in a landfill. Through recycling, an aluminum can is back in circulation in 30 days. It is evident that recycling works. All we have to do as a community is spread the word and secure others’ participation in the effort. Penn State Delaware County had begun to engage the campus by dispensing prizes to those who recycle. In every building near the recycling bins are boxes where people who recycle can drop in their names and email addresses. On several Fridays in November and the beginning of December, winners will be announced. Last week the winners were Jennifer Walley and Tenysha Warren. The prizes are useful, recycled products. In an effort to keep the recycling effort moving forward, preparations are getting underway for Earth Day. If any students are interested in forming a committee to work on this event, please email Wilma _ Beacher at wpb4@psu.edu.
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