Editorial opinion Rare exception A popular generalization in these Watergate days is that all types of government are ineffectual, or corrupt, or both. But, as is often the case, exceptions appear to punch holes in such neat theories. One exception at Penn State: the Student Advisory Board to University Health Services. z; This group has taken on the responsibility of investigating and improving medical services something the University has not had the resources or initiative to develop on its own. One of the advisory board's major priorities is gathering student opinion about Ritenour Health Center. Members of the board man a complaint center in 106 Ritenour, third and fifth periods Monday through Friday. In the past, students' only ' YOU'RE IN 511IPPIN6, chance to complain about health services came during the irregular Ritenour hearings, which did little but pit angry students and Ritenour personnel against each other. To get opinions from students who may not take the trouble to complain, the board is preparing a survey to send out randomly to 100 students to guage attitudes toward the health center. In another project this term, the board is compiling information on whether students in wheelchairs can use University buildings easily. To determine this, the students are investigating whether there are ramps or elevators in student-used buildings. Another plan the board is in vestigating would require doctors to dispense medicines clearly ... rod, 0 6v4 sisafmcws. ' lableled with their chemical names. This would make it easier for the patient's hometown doctor to know what the student has been taking. Related to this idea is a project to publish a pamphlet detailing the side effects of medications and the results of m ix ing them or taking them with alcohol. The irregular eating, sleeping and studying habits of most students make it essential that they know whether a medicine will make them drowsy or upset their stomach. These are only a few of the projects that the board has been involved with since its beginning last term, illustrating that students can improve things at the Univer sity. Now that the board has established its role, it must con tinue its work. Letters to the Editor Paying for privilege TO THE EDITOR: Last week's letter entitled "We have lounges" was very interesting If you want to over look its several faults. The fact that there have been minority lounges on this campus for years is true. However, what wasn't mentioned in that letter was the fact that sororities pay betwer forty and fifty dollars per person per term for the privilege or using such a lounge. Now if the blacks or any other minority grip at Penn State is willing to pay that price per person per term for , its own lounge, then I don't think anyone would object. The second point that I would like to expound is the statement in the letter that the reason we are so uptight about black lounges is that we are prejudiced. Personally I don't care if the blacks get a lounge or not. I'm not uptight about the lounges, I only want to see everyone who wants a lounge to get Only in PSU one. I don't want to see certain minorities exploited while granting others free lounges. Everyone stiould pay or get a free TO THE EDITOR: I am writing this letter to express my lounge—no exceptions. In conclusion, I would like to say lounges are expensive discontent with the hassles students at thjs university receive. luxuries, not free necessities. Why are tuition bills and grade reports addressed to the parents or guardian 0f..., instead of being addressed to the student himself? Why must the freshmen live in a dorm, or for that matter, why must the dorm student contract for room and board, instead of just room? Why must the majority of students receive tax forms, only to exonerate them, when the tax office could just send out forms to the proper students? As we live in a coed society, why are not all the dorms coed (maybe by floor)? What are the University and the students afraid of? I think it's time the students take a stronger stand on these and other matters, and I don't think the student government, with its menagerie of committees, is the answer. The students aren't here for the University, the University is here for the students WASPish bourgeoisie TO THE EDITOR: Penn State takes great pride in its reputation as one of the nation's outstanding universities. However, if the letters of Mr. Jones, Mr. Craig and Mr. Hawkins are any in dication of the education offered here, then we are sinking fast. These letters show a total blindness of the social structure in America today and border on blatant racism. The American flag has done little for a majority of this country's blacks. Even by defending the flag, blacks have experienced racism and oppression. It takes a great'deal of courage to protest among the WASPish bourgeoisie here at PSU, and I admire every black who does so. Mr. Craig and Mr. Hawkins, I'm sorry you could not ex perience full and total enjoyment of the game because of a few quietly protesting blacks. But please don't ever go through any ghetto or slum—you're very likely to get depressed, which isn't fun at all. And Mr. Jones, I'm sure PSU's blacks would be glad to shine your shoes, open your doors, etc. to earn their lounges. I can't believe I'm at a university One nation, TO THE EDITOR: I wish to reply to the sentiments expressed by Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Craig in their letter entitled, "Disrespect For America." These two gentlemen stated their passionate indignation at the refusal of some spectators to stand and-or remove their hats during the playing of the national anthem at the Penn State-Syracuse basketball game. I attended that game. I witnessed the incidents, and found them refreshing. At least some Americans have the guts to "sit down" for their convictions. I am a freshman, an undergraduate who has not quite yet recovered from the shocking segregation and prejudice here at Penn State. Here, at art institution of higher learning and in tellectual thought, one should least expect to find such childish feelings as bias and animosity. It seems to me that we'd all be a lot better off if we chan neled our energies into correcting the faults in the American Name withheld Andrew B. Hegeman 10th-biology indivisible society, rather than decrying those who see said faults. Work, then, to improve America. If we can rid society of its ap prehensions, inhibitions, and prejudices, then, maybe, we'll be able to afford the time to worry about such trivialities as expressed by Misters Craig and Hawkins. As those two gentlemen stated, "In America, one can do as he pleases." If they believe this, how can they deny that we also have the right, -in America, to communicate our disgust at some of its functions? America is not problem-free yet—far from it. Worry not whether or not someone stands for the national anthem. Rather hope that this country will someday provide what it was originally intended to provide: "...one nation. indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL " Student concerts? TO THE EDITOR: I feel that the ticket sales policy for the Stephen Stills concert was unjust. There were three given days for ticket sales: the first two days tor student tickets at $3.50 and the thlr,d for non-students at 34.50. The student tickets were sold out on the first day. Those students who were unable to obtain student tickets were required to buy non -student tickets at $l.OO more than the student price. Concerts sponsored by the University Concert Committee are mainly for student entertainment. Why weren't the tickets sold at one student price instead of having two fixed prices' ) In the future, groups like the UCC should ask themselves who these concerts are given for: the students at PSU or outsiders, such as families, friends and employes') dtatzCollegian PATRICIA J. STEWART Editor Successor to the Free Lance. est 1887 Member of the Associated Press Charter member of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Media Association .***********************w * * : SKI WEEKEND * * * AT * * * * * * CROTCHED * * 1 MOUNTAIN N H * *5- • * * Don't let the gasoline shortage stop you! * * * FOR ONLY $lOO.OO per person * * * You can enjoy this Bargain Ski Vacation * * * i * Departure from State College * * * Friday March 1 for 2 nights * ** THE PRICE IS ALL INCLUSIVE * * Call us for details * * * * * * stop in * * Penn * * 116 W. College Avenue * * State State College, Pa. * Travel 237-6501 * * ************************** Dane Keller Rutledge 2nd-physics Steve Fram Bth-food service Name withheld CYNTHIA ASHEAR Business Manager
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers