Editorial opini
A lot of time and mk
wasted by the Unive]
Friday.
The University ,
Trustees met on
solely for the purl
approving a bid for tilt
Stadium expansion.
The trustees shit
402 Keller, poured th
glasses of water,
ulated themselves fo]
the trip, saw a slide
heard an explanatik
the expansion, app)
unanimously, and left
Board members cl
all over the state tk
minutes to rubber
EIR
211thlE.
Letters to the Editor
Fraudulent
In your editorial on Friday you suggest that "procedures
are needed to ensure that fraud are (sic) discovered
effectively?" How do you suggest that this be done?
A pattern of fraudulent voter registration can easily be
detected. However, to check each registration individually to
prevent even a
,single incident from occurring would
inevitably add to the work load of four county employees, and
would probably require additional staff. Who pays? The
taxpayer, of course.
The whole point of the present scheme is to reduce
bureaucratic procedures and to rely on the threat of heavy
penalties against offenders if and when discovered. Messrs.
Collegian Forum
Democracy homeless at PSU
By David Corey
9th-political science
I)rianne Benner
9th-political science
Where does democracy belon g ?
They told us that democracy does
not belong on campus;. we told them
we didn't believe it. So, how does one
change the manner of representation
and participation in a complex
organization —• or how does one
propose to make this University a
more democratic institution? Does
democracy belong here, in the
University, at all?
If one investigates these questions,
one will discover that the responses
vary radically. Last year the Dean of
Student Affairs told members of the
PennPIRG organization that
democratic principles do not apply on
campus. Four presumptuous students
hold a contrary view and leveled their
indictment at the University: They
chose to stand up for their belief in
democracy on campus by becoming
plaintiffs in a lawsuit that challenges
the composition of our highest
governing body, the Board of Trus
tees.
Litigation is one method of change
that might effectively reconstitute
the uppermost level of decision
making in the University by making
it more representative of the wide
interests involved in Pennsylvania
and the University. The assumption is
that by making this body more
representative somehow that idea will
trickle down to the lowest levels of the
organization.
This being not necessarily the case,
however, one must also focus at
tention on the roots of the University.
Students, faculty and their
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MONEY TALKS
relationship to one another form the
roots of our institution. The space for
that relationship to transpire is the
classroom, the lowest rung of the
organizational hierarchy and our
closest link to the organization. The
classroom is the smallest unit within
the organization would we say we
practice democracy there?
Take the Bill of Rights and apply it
to the classroom does one ex
perience the principles of freedom?
Some will argue that learning cannot
go on in an unrestricted environment.
Another assumption: it can.
The claim is that if we do not ex
perience this freedom that
democracy implies in our working
learning places, we cannot un
derstand what democracy means. We
have abdicated the responsibility to
act responsibly.
From the classroom one moves up
the hierarchy into the next level of
decision making in the University to
the department. Is the governing
body in the department constituted
democratically or not?
First, identify the constituents in
the department and see if they are
represented in the decision making
body. One will find that few depart
mental boards are so constituted.
Do not be discouraged because it is
possible that at least one department
might have a constitution or a body of
written procedures that responds to
some interests in the department. But
again one could find this not tb be the
case. So, the governing body may not
represent all interests, there may
exist documents that describe
procedures, but at least one can hope
that when these bodies convene that
they be open to the public.
Todd and Asendorf sought to demonstrate that fraud is easy;
they should not be surprised if the State follows through, and
demonstrates the consequences.
Inconsistent
One of the facts of political life which is learned very early
by new members of the legislature is that there is very little
consistency in the criticisms and conclusions of the news
media. Last week was a very good example of two extreme
positions being advocated across the State.
Early last week one syndicated writer released an article
If not, does any public record exist
for those of us who are denied ad
mission to their deliberations? From
this public record those excluded
from participating in the process
might at least know what factors are
brought to bear on the various issues
that come before the board. And so on
up the levels of the bureaucracy to the
top; the top is unlikely to be ruffled by
what goes on in the classroom or
department, and the bottom may not
be ruffled by what goes on at the top.
If one proceeds from the assump
tion that the University is a place for
democracy to be carried on, then one
must be able to critically analyze if
such is the case:
Although the myth still exists that
democracy is working on the campus
in the form of student government or
student advisory boards, remember
this quote from . Thomas Hobbes:
"The Athenians were taught ( to keep
them from desire of changing their
government) that they were
Freeman." Yet last year Someone
slipped and admitted that democratic
principles do not apply on campus.
Although this lawsuit can make
changes at the top of our institution
and be important in a broader con
text, it might be wise to remember
that the trickle down theory of change
is relatively inadequate for the needs
of those on the bottom rungs of this
University.
If one is interested in change that
will affect those at the bottom, it is
suggested that one go to the roots of
this University and move up the
levels. If we do not learn democracy
in our most fundamental activities, in
our work-learning places, where are
we to learn it at all?
From the editor
Endorsed candidate now
Tom Heitzenrater is not the same man
he was Spring Term.
The changes in him are not subtle to
those who observed the dramatic
progression of his campaign for the
Undergraduate Student Government
presidency during March.. The contrast
with the Heitzenrater then with the one
now is grim.
I endorsed Tom. It was a lengthy
endorsement backed by facts. But it was
as much an appeal to the reader's heart
as to his reason.
Tom was a University Coalition
member last year and thereby was
marked by students and administrators
alike as a radical, a throwback to the
60s. He compromised his belief in mass
activism when he became a USG senator
last year. Yet unlike many senators, he
spoke how he felt at senate meetings,
professed some innovations and thus
was slurred as "the wild man of the
senate."
He pioneered the idea of USG
reorganization, which was later , to
become the main issue of the spring
campaign espoused by all eight can
didates. Tom said USG should'combine
with the Association of Residence Hall
Students and other student organizations
in orderthat there be one united group to
voice student concerns. He said the
Student Advisory Board ( advisory to
University President John W. Oswald)
should be abolished, i §o that. Ile). ad
ministrators Would - meet withAlie:frue
Geoffrey L. Wilson
associate professor
student government for student input.
In an early March editorial, I com
mended Heitzenrater's ideas, not
because they were a perfect solution
they weren't but because they did
offer the first rational solution for a
weak and splintered student govern
ment.
Then begah the campaign. Changaris,
Anderko, Ackerman, Pfeifle and the rest
plastered campus with posters. None
impressed me. The whole race was a big
yawn.
Jeff
hawkes
One day, however, a tall, skinny kid
came into the Collegian office. He said
he wanted to write a Collegian forum
something about Oswald cancelling
several appointments to see him. It was
Heitzenrater. Not exactly how a wild
man should look, I thought. I agreed to
let him write the piece until he said, "By
the way, I just entered the USG race."
I explained how I couldn't give him
space in, the paper and not the other
candidates. He understood and did not
argue.
stating that the House has only been in session for 40 days
since January since most of the members were part-time
legislators who were busy at other jobs. I believe that this is an
unfair statement since it does not consider the many, many
additional days which members of the House spent in com
mittee meetings, hearings and work sessions which are
necessary in order to be able to vote intelligently when in
session.
In addition, I believe such an article further perpetuates the
myth that being a legislator is a part-time job. My views on
this matter are well-known, and after six months as your
representative I am more and more convinced that when all of
the members are full-time legislators we will have a more
responsive and responsible government and will eliminate all
conflicts of interest which have been perpetuated by those
legislators in the past who have had significant business and
financial interests outside the house.
In addition to the ethical and financial concerns, I really do
not see hoW any person can do a good job of representative
working part-time at some other occupation or business, no
matter how hard he or she works.
Later in the week, a different position was advocated by a
Harrisburg lobbyist who was then widely quoted across the
state and in the news media. This lobbyist indicated that one of
the problems in the House was that there were now so many
full-time legislators who had no jobs waiting for them at home
and so were more concerned about staying in office than they
were about good legislation. I find this position very puzzling.
All members of the House are certainly aware that they have
a limited ( two-year) term and I believe that by far the great
majority are also aware that the best way to be re-elected is to
WO Do YOU SIUDY PiViSle...;Gißß:?
SO ce's UNDERSTPAD
B. t t:s2 1 11-ke._ IVNIExV/strs
Or BODIES AND THE_ roc .5
BRING- ABOUT THOSE.
ts o ol/E_MEN S ) MI V)F..
The Daily Collegian encourages comments on news coverage, editorial policy and campus and
off-campus affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double spaced, signed by no more than two
persons and no longer than 30 lines. Students' letters should include the name, term and major
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tification of the writer can be made, although names will be withheld on request. If letters are
received by mail, the Collegian will contact the signer for verification before publication.
Letters cannot be returned.
Heitzenrater at first seemed to be a
mediocre candidate along with all the
others. Yet, with each appearance at the
numerous question and answer sessions,
Tom articulated well his vision for a
stronger student government. Three
days before the election, I met with him.
I asked him about his plans. He ducked
no questions and admitted some
inherent weaknesses with his proposals.
After he left, however, I knew who I
would endorse.
The endorsement was easy to write.
When one writes with conviction, words
flow unimpeded. The endorsement was
in the hands of the typesetters Tuesday
night the night before the election, the
night of the final debate in East Halls.
East Halls witnessed Heitzenrater at
his best. Eloquently, Tom painted the
picture of USG's current inadequacies
and then, mincing no words, outlined his
predictions for a united student
government. He paced back and forth
before the audience professing ideals: of
students with a say in the University, of
a University responsive to student
needs. ' .
He had a vision, not of himself as USG
president, but of USG as a force
representative of an unapathetic cam
pus. The audience perceived his vision;
they applauded.
I returned to the Collegian office that
night proud that the endorsement was
only a few hours away from hitting the
street.
do a good job in serving the constituents in the district, to
represent them in the best way possible. '9
This is not to say that the House affairs cannot be condueed
more expeditiously and more efficiently, or that there is'jjot
much time wasted by members whether full or part-tim; I
believe there can be improvements, and many of us, both new
and old, are spending a great deal of time working to improve .
the operations of the House. I believe we will be able to make
significant improvements yet in this session and will continue
to work hard ( full-time) to do just that!
d t z Collegian t
JEFFREY HAWKES SCOTT R. SESLEit
Editor
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Editorial policy is determined by the Editor. 1 i
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Opinions expreised by the editors and staff of the Davy
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ministration, faculty or students. i
11
WWI whirr VW JUST Cam'
A OIRLFRtet4D Lave_
ggemiot4e-eisF2?
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aimless
Heitzenrater lost. He came in thir!d.
The endorsement and that last debdte
were too little, too late in a field of eight
candidates.
I bumped into Torn downtown la!st
Friday. It was the first time I had seen
him since that night three days before
the election. I
He seems listless now. He is not takibg
classes; he doubts that he will pursue his
degree in the near future. He has lost
patience with his courses. He is low bn
money.
But what is most disappointing is lie
spoke of no goals for which he is striving.
He no longer cares what is happeninon
campus. He said things aren't goingsto
change here. Administrators will can
tinue to assume they know what is best
for students. Students will continue to be
too powerless and fractured to let diem
know different. • ~,
One thing about our short conversation
reassured me, though. During thi)se
couple of minutes we spoke Friday, TO
did not mention the endorsement. That's
as I hoped it would be. He had never
asked for it and had never expected it.
There was no reason to thank me for it-
His defeat was mine and the rest of The
stUdents as well. He knew it. It iVAs
better left unsaid
It's sad that not enough others un
derstand what really was lost in that
election in which less than 7,000 par
ticipated. ....
, .
Perhaps USG got what it deserves: 'n
Helen D. VVAe
State Representatiie
77th District
Business Manager