Editorial Opinion
Homecoming weekend
begins today. So who really
cares?
Good question. Home
coming has been called
an anachronism by many, a
foolish waste of time by
others, a chance to make big
bucks by still more.
But Homecoming can be so
much more than just selling
an extra few hundred Big
Macs, or breaking your back
in pursuit of a trophy for best
float or best window.
Although many of us
present-day students look at
the returning alums with a
sense of benign neglect, or
worse, disdain, and laugh at
what we consider to be their
ridiculous second-childhood
antics, there is something we
should stop to consider.
We have never been in their
shoes, but some day we will
be.
The time will come for each
one of us to leave Penn State.
Although we often complain
about it, and say we can’t wait
to leave, most will change
their tune soon after going out
into . the cold, cruel “real
world.”
i
i
Bumbling fools
Could someone please tell me what bumbling fool is in
charge of what letters are to be printed in this column? Last
week, there were at least three letters from angry Indian
students who were irate about the editorial cartoon depicting a
baby developing in a test tube with bowl in hand for an already
empty stomach.
Every letter against the cartoon (and all of the letters were
against the cartoon) deplored its “distortion of scientific
achievement” in India. WRONG! The cartoon simply states
how stupid it is to develop a human life in a test tube in a
country which has too many children,tafe,etjLa|ready.
True, the scientific communify in'lndia is quite advanced.
The problem is that their priorities are totally screwed up.
Instead of developing another mouth to feed, why don’t they
make something to put in all the other mouths that are already
there?
Oct. 19
Editor’s note: The editorial editor and assistant editorial
editor are responsible for the selection of letters printed.
Ignorant
, We would like to comment on two issues that appeared in
Thursday’s (Oct. 19) issue of the Daily Collegian. First of all,
we agree with the editorial opinion.
At least 10 percent of the student population probably is
ignorant especially those students who wrote the Editorial
Opinion on PennPIRG. But their grounds for urging students
not to sign the PennPIRG petition are based on incorrect in
formation. The editors have confused a negative check-off
form of funding with the refusable-refundable method. They
are against negative check-off. As a matter of fact, so are we,
and so is PIRG.
PIRG has not set out to establish itself with monies collected
from students unwilling to support it. (You won’t be “out two
bucks” automatically.) Refusable-refundable gives students
two chances not to support PIRG: (1) by “checking” the NO
box on their estimated bill and (2) by requesting a refund if
they should change their minds after they have paid the $2 or if
they paid the $2 in error.
Refusable-refundable is NOT negative check-off. If the
Roving Reporter
Do you value your experience at the University enough to come back to visit
after you’ve graduated?
Quotes compiled by Mary Anne Mulligan
Photos by Chip Connelly
LorrieNavit (7th-laborstudies):
I will come back, that’s definite,
because I’ve made a lot of good
friends. This is gonna be a big part of
my life after four years. I’ll come
back to see what’s changed and
what’s stayed the same. There’s not
much I don’t like.
Gregg A. Stone
lOth-speech communication-broadcasting
Homecoming
The Happy Valley lifestyle
cannot be found anywhere in
the world of work. After
graduation, the respon
sibilities and pressures
become greater, the good
times fewer and further
between.
All too soon after
graduation, all of us will
hanker to return to Happy
Valley, to relive these idyllic
days. Knowing full well “they
can’t go home again” for real,
In an effort to write a
concise editorial, The Daily
Collegian omitted an im
portant aspect of the Penn
sylvania Public Interest
Research Group funding
system.
We said students would be
obligated to indicate on their
tuition bill if they did not want
to pay the PIRG fee. We also
said, “If you forget to check
the bill or don’t know about
PIRG, you’re out two bucks.”
That’s only half true. Under
Letters to the Editor
Dave Hayward (7th-environmental
resource management):
I think I’d come back. The town is
college-minded it carries on the
movement of the youth. I want to go
out, be open to ways and changing
times. This town affords that. It’s a
nice town anyway.
ediors can’t get their facts straight, how can we “ignorant”
students ever raise ourselves from our folly?
Finally, we would like to educate L.R. Sollenberger. Cars
and guns are not similar in many respects and, therefore,
should not be compared to such a great extent. Cars transport
people to various places, like Happy Valley that’s the reason
they were made.
Guns kill things: like animals and humans that’s the
reason they were made.
Doesn't get it
How many Popes does it take to screw in a light bulb? I don’t
get it. Wouldn’t it take the same number regardless of. his
ethnic background?
Misleading
The editorial in The Daily Collegian berating the PennPIRG
fund-raising mechanism does not present all of the facts. The
article neglects to mention one of the most important aspects
of the refusable-refundable method the protection for the
minority of students who don’t wish to contribute. The funding
mechanism provides a simple procedure for those who don’t
wish to participate.
If a refusable-refundable system is enacted, students will
have the option to financially support the organization when
they pay their tuition bill because it will be included on the bill
itself. Students who don’t wish to contribute only have to cross
out the option printed on the bill. A card describing PennPIRG
and the funding procedure will be included with the tuition bill.
If students inadvertently forget to do that or aren’t certain if
they would like to contribute at that time, a specified date and
time will be set up to provide refunds.
PennPIRG is designed to protect the free choice of students.
It is a student directed and financed operation. “The purpose
of PennPIRG shall be to articulate and pursue through the
the alumni return to try to
relive, for just a short while, a
small portion of the best days
of their lives.
But what, then, can
homecoming be for the un
dergraduate?
Actually, Homecoming can
really be considered more of
“a day of sharing” than
Gentle Thursday..
On Gentle Thursday, you
share what you bring to the
HUB lawn with the people
Omission
the refusable-refundable
system that PIRG advocates,
students have the opportunity
to obtain a refund later in the
term if they forget to check
the bill.
The Collegian’s omission
however, does not take away
from the central argument of
the editorial. A study of the
Minesota PIRG, a par
ticularly well-run PIRG,
indicates that at least 10
percent of Penn State’s
students would not know a
Jay Dorsey (lOth-health planning and
administration):
I just love the University itself. The
people, the area are nice. I love the
social life, with things to do that are
within walking distance. I imagine
I’ll reminisce about the area; all my
friends are here.
around you.
On Homecoming, you can
share your life with someone
who wishes he was where you
are now.
So, as you party this
weekend, and you look at the
guy with the receeding
hairline and slight beer belly
running around with a lamp
shade on his head, don’t
laugh. Show a little tolerance.
And don’t forget. The
lampshade will be passed.
PIRG fee is optional. That
means they would fail to
check their tuition bills and
they would not know about the
refund either.
Adding the refundable
option to the refusable (or
negative) system would not
prevent the uninformed from
paying the PIRG fee, possibly
against their wishes.
We think a consumer group
like PIRG should not depend
on the uninformed for part of
their funding.
media, the institutions of government, the courts,and other
legal means the concerns of students on issues of general
public interest.”
It is unfortunate and misleading that the editorial did not
include all this information.
Penn State's own
Chuck Marecic
7th-pre-law
Su Ruglovsky
7th-marketing
Oct:l9
I remember numerous rainy, cold fall and winter afternoons
in the past doing my running on the indoor track at Rec Hall
while the Penn State basketball team practiced on the floor of
the main gym below. At times it made a pleasant distraction
from the boredom. But now I will have to do that running
outdoors, rain or shine.
Why? Because Penn State’s own version of Woody Hayes has
decided that no one may watch the basketball team practice.
Now I sympathize even more with our ice skaters and hockey
players who have lost their ice rink.
T. Malczynski
7th-food science
Oct. 19
As usual, it’s athletes first and students, faculty and the
community last. But in this instance I fail to see the purpose in
closing off the track, since the basketball team does not use it.
Perhaps they are trying to simulate game conditions that is,
playing before an empty gym! They may have to occasionally
chase people off the track during their practices, but it is
doubtful if there will be any need to do so during games. In
fact, they may as well do the student body a favor and keep
their home games closed and secret as well.
Low priority
Gubernatorial candidates Peter Flaherty and Richard
Thornburgh have not taken a strong stand on the priority of
higher education because maybe they don’t consider it a
priority.
In The Daily Collegian’s Oct. 17th “Editorial Opinion” it was
suggested that this year’s gubernatorial candidates focus their
campaigns on increasing appropriations for higher education
rather than improving Pennsylvania’s business climate, its
employment situation, and rooting out corruption and
Amy Bates, State College area
resident:
Where I come from, the excitement is
driving 'around in a .car. It’s neat
here. It’s absolutely gorgeous. We
don’t know how long we’re going to
stay here, but we have no intention of
moving. I’d like to get to know the
area as much as possible.
Harriet Glass
llth-community development
Oct. 19
Richard A. Deger
graduate-business logistics
Oct. 19
Jeff Glazier, president, ARHS:
Oh, definitely. Penn State is fun and
there are lots of people here.
Everyone ought to be able to find his
or her niche—like puking on the floor
of the Brewery. And Happy Valley is
a beautiful place.
"tviis is
patronage in the government. These last three issues are the
promises now being made by candidates Flaherty and
Thronburgh. The editor then went on to say that
education could help solve the problems of corruption, the
business climate and the employment situation. •
Stating that higher education can solve such problems is a -
fallacy. Schools alone cannot bring about change. Emile
Durkheim, a Fr.ench sociologist, stated once that, “Schools
will change as other institutions change, and if change is to be
brought about, policy makers must focus on other areas of,
society, particularly the political and economic institutions.” &
Maybe if we direct our energies into cleaning up sthe
government and lowering unemployment we will have m'ore.
time and money left for higher education. ’
PennDOT, the state’s welfare program, and taxes are im
portant issues that will affect all of us. Let’s not cast these
issues aside so quickly or try to solve them unrealistically., Am
last, Pennsylvania’s politicians are trying to solve Our
problems sensibly, by examining the roots to our problems.; •
“Collegian
Dave Skidmore
Editor
Judy Stimsim
Judi Rodrick
Business Managers^
BOARD OF EDITORS: Editorial Editor, Bob Frick; News Editor,
Mike Mentrek; Assistant Editorial Editor, Patty Rhule; Assistant
News Editors, Pete Barnes, Jerry Micco; Copy Editors, Matt Benson,
Harry Glenn, John Marteiiaro, Andy Ratner, Diana Younken, Jim
Zarroli; Photo Editor, Lynn Dudinsky; Assistant Photo Editors, Chip
Connelly, Joe Tori; Sports Editor, Joyce Tomana; Assistant Sports
Editors, Gary Silvers, Rick Weber; Features Editor, Gina Carroll;
Arts Editor, Joyce Gannon; Graphics Editor, Delia Hoke; Contributing
Editor, Jeff Hawkes; Office Manager, Vicki Butler. Tl 7
The Daily Collegian encourages comments on news coverage,
editorial policy and campus or off-campus affairs. Letters
should be typewritten, double spaced, signed by no more than
two persons and not longer than 30 lines. Students’ letters
should include the name, term and major of the writer.
The editorial editor reserves the right to edit letters, and: to
reject them if they are libelous or do not conform to standard#
of good taste.
Mary Beth Luczak (7th-therapeutic
recreation):
I probably would come back for
Homecoming, if I could get a ticket.
But if not, I’d come back any other
weekend to see friends. I like the size,
all the facilities available, people,
town, parties.
bomb/
. >
:
i—d
Ann Blazek
4th-nursing
Octi 19