PAGE Two
..f orm Policy
Action by All-College Cabinet in decisively
backing "to the hilt" aims of its dorm committee
puts more strength in a broad student request
that assignments for west dorms be on a senior
ity basis. Cabinet has crystalized student senti
ment that sprouted from the College's decision
to house 1,000 freshmen and 650 upperclassmen
in the new dorm—Tri-dorm area next fall.
Prime purpose of College plans to house the
1,000 freshmen entirely in the west dorm
"palaces" is to slice a surprisingly high per
centage of Penn State flunk-outs in the fresh
man year. In the past, 30 per cent of fresh
men—whether on campus or off—have been
dropped, for one reason or another, after their
second semester.
On the proved theory that most students who
survive the rigors of their frosh year will finish
school, the College reasons that providing best
available surroundings for Johnny Frosh would
appreciably reduce the number of first-year
flunk-outs. This would ultimately help combat
a startling casualty rate which has from one
half to two-thirds of all Penn State freshman
students dropping out before their class gradu
ates four years later.
HOWEVER STARTLING this may seem, Penn
State's mortality rate. is still less than that of
most accredited colleges. Many enroll freshmen
on a wholsesale and less select basis, collect
their tuition and flunk out mobs. Penn State is
near the top, nationally, in number of students
who "make the grade." Girls, especially, who
enter Penn State are said to have the best
chance of any in accredited U.S. colleges to
graduate. This is due directly to screening and
admittance policy in effect here.
And the College is out to improve this. Put
Johnny Frosh in the "palace" where he enjoys
the best living conveniences on campus, estab
lish an effective student counselor system in
which the counselors live together with the
frosh, and show the frosh not only how to
study correctly but how to eat gracefully and
• how to dress and tie a Windsor.
This is the present College prograM for 1,000
freshman men who'll be on campus next fall,
and it's geared toward making good Penn
Staters out of frosh, and enhancing chances of
their "sticking it out."
ON THE OTHER SIDE are some facets of
this program pointed out by the dorm commit
tee and other student groups—facets and dis
advantages that have evoked a steady student
grumbling like that of a wagon on a corduroy
road.
First, we believe most students on campus
support the assertion that counseling of frosh
can be just as effective in the less desirable
surrounding of Splinterville, i.e. Nittany-
Pollock, as in the "palaces" now under con
struction. As a corollary of this, most students
maintain that the important thing is keeping
all the Johnny Froshes in a group, not neces
sarily in the best available dorms.
SECOND, THERE IS the shock that would be
a natural concomitant to moving from sumptu
ous "palaces" to less sumptuous Splinterville
when Johnny Froshes become sophomores.
THIRD, THERE'S AN assertion by upper
classmen many call it a right that they
should hold priority on the "palaces." They
maintain that the new west dorms should , be
something to work up from Splinterville
something to be apportioned on a strict seniority
bogie; of seniors first, juniors second and sophs
third.
It seems ironical, but what. appears as sup
port for this last-named student view is pres
ent College policy in Tri-dorms of granting
top priority to men who are seniors and have
lived in Nittany-Pollock. Furthei support is
inherent in College policy on girls' housing—
where senior coeds have first choice for places
in modern Simmons and McElwain Halls.
Our ground for assuming this three-pronged
dorm attitude of most of the student body is
lodged not in any poll of students—a gigantic
task, but is part and parcel of what representa
tives of student groups—Nittany-Pollock Coun
cils. Association of Independent Men, Inter
irmternity Council, political parties and others
-I;.:tve reported.
Zip Beg Collegian
Soccoroor to TILE FREE LANCE, oat. 1887
Published 'Tuesday through Saturday mornings in
clusive during tho College year by the staff of The Daily
Collegian of The Pennsylvania State College.
Mastered as second-slum matter Jniy S, 1934. at the State
College, Coat •[fire lender the act of March 3, 1879.
Business Manager
461 4 '" Marlin
_A t . Wows.
Udilor
It= vt,c) c
THE DAILY COLLEGIAN, STATE COLLEYSTE, PENNSYLVANIA
Little Man On Campus
"He won't apologize' for lecturing overtime today!"
A Bohn Mot . . ..
If The 48 States
Rotated Presidents
The Collegian Washington Bureau has forwarded Tass a report
of the utmost gravity. There is a rumor prevalent in our nation's
capital that a certain lobby is putting strong pressure on Congress
to adopt a 22nd amendment to the Constitution. The article proposed
would substitute the organization's own method of choosing leaders
for the system of nation-wide elections now in use.
THE NEW SET-UP, which the pressure group defends as being
obviously the most democratic one possible, would have—the Presi
dency rotated among the several states, one state ,being guaranteed
of Abe office for one of its own favorite sons every 48th term, or, in
other words,' every 192nd year. Thus, claims the lobby, autocratic:
control could not center in one. politically powerful region to the
exclusion of the others.
Now, this proposal demands serious consideration before one
follows his first instinct and bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
Let us examine some of the obvibus benefits of the rotational
system of selecting a President.
First, it is quite evident that some of our truly great statesmen,
kept down through misdirected public opinion, would have their
well-eapned day in office. Thus the sterling patriot John Rankin,
who certainly would be the Mississippi choice, would have a chance
to put into practice on a national level some of his progressive mea
sures toward solution of racial problems. He would be free also to
carry out his laudable purpose of expelling Albert Einstein, a Red
radical foreigner if there ever was one, from our fair democracy.
AND WHEN IT CAME Ohio's turn, that bulwark of American
ism, that most intelligent of internationalists, Robert A. Taft (he of
the late lamented Four 'Leaf Clover) would get his chance at bit.
Denied access to the highest of posts by the machinations of com
munist elements in the Republican party in 1948, he could, under the
new setup, rise to his deerved position in national and world affairs.
New York would have its day, or rather its four years, and its
well known racket-buster and statesman Torn Dewey would assume
the post he was recently steamrollered out of by the unfair election•
practices of some 50 million Americans. What a pity that Dewey's
obvious choice for Secretary of Defense recently threw himself out
of the window of a mental ward, when, had he been a bit more
prudent, he might well have assumed the cabinet post. •
Now, contrasted against the new plan's obvious advantages
outlined above, there is a minor drawback in the serious difficulty
in obtaining continuity of leadership it entails. Clearly, when the
organization which has been guiding the nation's President through
a four-year term must wait just under two centuries before it 'again
assumes the reins, it • stands in danger of losing some of its older,
more experienced leaders in the interim. This problem must be care
fully weighed before we enthusiastically encourage adoption of the
pi °posed system.
BEFORE CLOSING, let us consider a corollary to the adoption
of the Constitutional amendment. Sooner or later, the more enlight
ened states would come around to the new plan. The prospect brings
to the mind of this Philadelphian that that city's beloved mayor from
time immemorial, Bernard M, Samuel, would get his inning of guid
ing the Commonwealth ship of state.
For the benefit of any Pittsburghians or other outlanders who
are not acquainted with this sterling leader of the masses, let us
explain that this is the gentleman who has been digging multi
million dollar subway holes for many years and then neglecting
to put subways in them, the gentleman under whose administra
tion there has been a wholesale plundering of the public purse,
with one single department getting away with two hundred grand,
the gentleman who has
,given our home town more policemen and
less protection per square citizen than any other American city.
Hc i woulki inevitably be the Philadelphia choice for governor. •
This, then, is the project proposed by our nameless pressure
group. You mist judge it on its merits. Look hard; maybe you'll
Lind one.
by Bibler
TO THE EDITOR: With respect to the All-
College Cabinet decision to adopt the new ring
design, I would like to voice my protest! It is
the obligation and duty of all the representa
tives on Cabinet to express the opinions of their
constituents. Furthermore, the only way in
which these representatives can feel confident
in upholding their convictions is for the mem
bers of their organizations to tell them their
wishes. The Cabinet arranged to hold their
meeting in 121 Sparks on Tuesday for this
purpose. Less than 30 students appeared when
the seating capacity is over 200. This was an
extremely poor showing for a student body
when a tradition is about to be wrecked! I have
drawn up ~ a petition which, if successful, will
cause this matter to be reopened.
This idea of throwing away a good tradition,
incidentally, one of the few which are in full
force, reflects the poor interest shown in tradi
tions at Penn State. If we throw away this
one, why not freshman customs? The student
handbook gives an excellent definition of tradi
tions on page 22.
For anyone who is interested in carrying on
a fine Penn State tradition, I will be in the
lobby of Old Main with my petition form, 2:10
to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23
Admitted Tuesday: Edward Shanken, Edward
Teno, James A. Fulton, Sherie Rickel.
\ Admitted Wednesday: Suzanna Lou "Rice,
Doyle Homan, Vincerit Salmon.
Discharged Wednesday: Rhoda Levine.
AT THE MOVIES
CATHAUM—BIue Lagoon.
NITTANY—That Forsythe Woman.
STATE—Twelve O'Clock High.
-80/i BONN
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1950
Safety Valve...
Penn State Honor
TO THE EDITOR: In reply to your marvel
ously trite inquiry as to what the "Sweater
Girl" ‘ contest is doing for Penn State honor
and tradition: I say to you, p'shaw I
I mean really, what-the-hell has a mere con
test for the general populace have to do with
honor and tradition? (For that matter it may
begin a new tradition). I can't say I see where
the• Collegian's humor has been so low. Or do
you belong to that minority of snobs which
still believes in the aesthetic beauty of cultare.
May I ask Miss "Are You For Real-Girl," if
you have visited any of our Broadway theaters
of late. These so-called centers of dramatic
culture are, according to your standards wal
lowing "in the proverbial gutter."
• Letter Cut
A Great Help
TO THE EDITOR: Let me take this opportun
ity to oppose Miss Lida Whitesel's letter in
Wednesday's Collegian criticizing Miss Deanie
Krebs' article of the play, "Time Is A Dream."
Along with many of my buddies, I have found
this article of great help in ddciding whether
or not to take my date to one of the plays. '
And let me give Deanie Krebs a great big
pat on the back for an honest, unslanted review
of the play. Since she can have no motive
whatever for slurring the play, one would come
to the conclusion that the report is as honest as
it could be. .
In ,conclusion, let me say that a shiny car is
no good without a good motor, and fine stage
settings without good acting are no good either.
Keep up the good work, Collegian and Miss.
Krebs•!
I Protest
Gazette . . .
Thursday, February 23
WRA BadMinton Club, White Hall Gym, 4
p.m.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Organization, 207 CH,
6:45 p.m.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS, Student Branch, 110 E.E., 7 p.m.
WRA Fencing, 1 White Hall, 7 p.m.
WRA Bowling Club, Beginners, White Hall
Alleys, 7 p.m. • '
WRA Swimming Club, Advanced, White Hall
Pool, 7:30 p.m.
AIM Council, 409 Old Main, 7:30 p.m.
• PSCA Bible Study, 304 Old Main, 4 p.m.
PSCA Dancing Class, Armory, 6:45 p.m.
PSCA Cabinet, 304 Old Main, 8:15 p.m.
COLLEGE PLACEMENT " ,
Further information concerning interviews and job pintr
monis can , be obtained In 112 Old Main.
The Ingersoll-Rand Co.. ,Feb. 27, 28. June
grads in 'ME, lE, MngE. Applicants must have
1.8 or better average.
Shell Oil Co., Mar. 6, 7. 'June MS and BS
candidates in MngE and PetroleUm and Natural
Gas Refining, MS candidates in EE and
,ME,
and PhD candidates in Phys.
Standard Oil Development Co., Feb. 27. MS
and BS candidates in ChE who will graduate in
June. Applicants must have 1.5 or better aver
age.
COLLEGE HOSPITAL
STAFF THIS ISSUE •
Night Editor Deanie Krebs
Assistant Night Editor Joyce Moyer
Copy Editor John Dalbor
Assistants Hal Kates, Jo Reish, Renee 'oil
man, Paul Poorman, Julian Gordon
Advertising Manager .... Laura Merrnelstein
Advertising Assistants Herb Blough, Ed
Singel, Winnie Wyant
—Pale Twaddle
Arthur P. Munson
—Jack Harris