Editorial Opinio
•
Winners . . .
The Association of
Residence Hall Students, for
superior intentions and in
tuition. To benefit han
dicapped University students,
ARHS raised about $6OO
through its Movin' On
weekend jamboree. ARHS
also had the crystal ball in
stincts to select a sunny
weekend for its charitable
event in the aftermath of
two rain-stained Gentle
Thursdays.
Nine Nittany Lions who
were selected in last week's
National Football League.
draft. Only Oklahoma and.
Notre Dame turned out more
players who caught the at
tention of the professional
football world than Joe
Paterno's squad.
Allen Benton, an, en
tomology professor at the
University who recently
developed a substance to
alleviate allergic reactions to
bee and wasp stings.
Colloquy and its spon
sored speaker last week,
children's crusader Ken
Wooden, for bringing to light
a . problem which cannot be
conveyed by its sufferers;
that of delinquent child abuse.
State College Municipal
Council, for inviting input
from various sides in the Phi
Psi 500 controversy. Last
More than a. kick
"We have the technology to develop many energy sources,
but what we need now is just a swift kick in the pants"
(Thomas D. Smith April 26).
Unfortunately Tom, it takes more to develop solutions to our
energy problems than just a shot to the hindquarters. It takes
the realization that money is just as important as the problem.
Companies will not venture into any sort of solution if it is not
.economically profitable for them. How do you think Exxon
became one of the wealthiest companies in the world, anyway?
Yes, we probably do have the techonology to help alleviate
our energy crunch. However, we do not have the means to
make these solutions economically feasible. For example, we
filP
"P
Let's also enlist the not-so-busy
By BONNIE NORTHROP
special projects coordinator,
Undergraduate Student Government
At the end of a recent "Town Day"
sponsored by the Organization for
Town Independent Students, those of
us present were asked to return to the
small groups we had formed to decide
the date of our next meeting.
We had been discussing vandalism.
Various speakers had dealt with
different aspects of the problem; we
had heard of the amazing scope of the
problem the legalities, the
sociological forces and the economics
involved. Each student, ad
ministrator, "townie," parent and
local merchant pays for ever act of
vandalism. On campus, he pays
through increased tuition and room
and board fees. In town, he pays
through increased taxes and prices.
But what did we do with our new
knowledge? When asked when we
could meet again, one man stood up
and said he really could not devote
any more time to another problem.
He was, he said, "meetinged to
death." And the people in the room
agreed.
My purpose in writing this is not to
week's discussion and the
formation of an advisory
committee for further
examination of the event will
allow all parties the op
portunity to air their views
and possible solutions.
The Interfraternity
Council, for suggesting Spring
Week become Greek Week.
Fraternities and sororities
may contribute a lot to
campus social life, but `this
move would only further
divide Greeks and in
dependents into separate
camps. If most independents
ignore Spring Week activities
anyway, as IFC says, what
purpose does it serve to ex
clude them officially?
The weatherman, for
ruining Gentle Thursday two
weeks in a row. The fine
weather provided for Movin'
On does not make up for our
dampened spirits.
The person who
suggested next year's Phi Psi
500 runners dash not for beer
but for milk or juice. Such a
move might not directly take
care of vandalism, but it
would sure reduce crowds.
remind you of the hassles vandalism
causes. Instead, I wish to point out a
problem prevalent in our student
body and in the University system as
a whole. That is elitism.
Town Day is a needed event, and I
must admit I was impressed by the
way it was organized, as well as the
constructive responses given and the
overall feeling of the day. But those
present were the same familiar faces
seen going to any such event. The
solutions we came up with will
probably not go any further than the
room in which they were aired
because those present haven't the
time to take on another job or
responsibility.
And Town Day is just one more
exapmle of the way things are run in
the various student governments
systems that the administration
promotes. Those students who might
show some interest in combating
vandalism or straightening up the
dorm 'situation or changing the
Sinners
Letters to the Editor
could mine 440 billion tons of coal a year, but only half of that
or 220 billion tons is economically practical to mine. If the
price of coal were to go up, however, this would allow the
companies to mine more coal. Also, there is oil shale located in
Colorado, and tar sand in Alberta, Canada, that can be used as
sources of oil. One of the major problems in obtaining the oil,
though, is the cost of plant construction;
There are other sources of energy that can be used, but like
these solutions, financing is a major obstacle. Yes, we must
find ways to solve our energy needs, btit somehow it must
come with a picture of George Washington on the blueprint.
SO O[41)-5 LIKE
"Me GOBS ARE
lIMG-W1 Pt&AttN9
FORUM
The BAD way to cure risin
Centre Community Hospital is ram
pant with "bad" ideas lately. It's a
condition which, if spread to enough
hospitals, may save the nation's health
care industry from a painful and
needless federal cost crackdown.
"BAD" is an acronym for Buck-a-day.
It's a voluntary program in which
Mountainview Unit's 600 employees are
encouraged to suggest ways to save
money. The contradiction of terms is'
readily visible upon any visit to
Mountainview, where guys in black
raincoats adorn the walls to inspire
economy measures. '
Mountainview is one of a number of
hospitals that has undertaken . the
voluntary cost-containment effort in
response to threats of, federal cost-'
,containment legislation. President
Carter has called cost-containment the
centerpiece of his anti-inflation
program, while skyrocketing health
care costs have become a paramount
concern in the United States.
Mountainview Assistant Ad-.
, ministrator Tom Zyroll. estimates that
since the new program went into
operation April 16, more than $9,000 has
been saved. He gave as examples the use
of cotton balls, in place of more ex
pensive gauze bandages, , and a more
judicious use of cafeteria condiments.
Twenty-five Pennsylvania hospitals
will actively be pursuing voluntary
efforts this week during "Hospital
Week" across the Commonwealth.
Clearly, the hospitals are trying to show
government they can manage their own
affairs.
The costs of medical care are not just
prohibitive, they are frightening. Any
extended period of disease can wipe out
a family's savings. These high medical .
care costs have inspired the push for
comprehensive national health in-
Dave Coveney
3rd-chemical engineering
May 3
system to allocate football tickets are
simply not invited to the Town Days
in fact, most seem barely aware of
the existence of such events. They are
content to let the Undergraduate
Student Government, the Association
of Residence Hall Students or OTIS
try to handle the problems, and none
of these organizations has the
manpower to completely do so.
In this case, at least, student
apathy can be fought. But Town
Days, Socials, etc., must be expanded
to include students who are not
"leaders" and State College residents
who are not "officials." One simple
ad in the Collegian announcing the
time, date and place of the events,
and inviting all those interested to
participate would make a function
like Town Day something more than
a social affair.
I commend OTIS for Town Day
the purpose and the format were
excellent, and we need more of such
events. But I feel that "student
leaders" should be used as sup
plemental guests, not as exclusive
participants. Next time, leave out the
pomp and circumstance and maybe
we can get something done.
A\
o.
,v .
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( - All
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4, , e7
SIT WOULASEM SOME SNIVELLING /14CATITM WOG YOU NAVE N CpiNIAINING TO!'
THEIR CONGIMM *OUT OUR COM AND %MICK, ia
surance, not withstanding the alarming.
parallel of hospital cost increases with
proliferation of government medical
assistance programs.
An interesting statistic in a national
,health-insurance-less America is its pre
eminance among the world's major
industrial democracies in terms of
,doctor-patient ratios, mortality rates,
.and other indices of quality health care.
We have more people covered propor
tionally under private health plans such
as Blue Cross and Blue Shield than most
other countries cover with their national
plans.
Government efforts so far have
aggravated the problem. There have
been innumerable instances where
doctors: have padded Medicare and
Medicaid bills since the government has
the resources to foot the bill for needless
tests and unprovided treatments.
Hospital costs left the launch pad in 1967,
Waste not
Lettuce . . . tacos . . . milk . . . meat. These items are con
stantly traveling down the dining hall conveyor belt to the
garbage disposal, never to be seen again, never to put to some
use. And why, you might ask? Because lots ,of unthinking
students either don't care abOut wasting food, or they don't
realize they are wasting food. They continue to eat half their
salad, drink only half their glass of milk, or take 3 desserts,
and eat only one of them. And when a food fight scene, similar
to one found on a Hollywood sound stage, takes place, they feel
free to participate with the vigor of one attempting to win an
Academy Award. '
However, not all of the blame for food waste rests with the
students. The dining hall management is also at fault. What
taste appeal does 'a measly leaf of lettuce on a plate add to a
serving of jello or chicken salad? Although this may seem to be
a trivial point, all of these points add up and equal a large
problem called wastefulness.
But why should we carefree people in Happy Valley be
concerned with wasting food? The main reason is that we are
indirectly affected by our actions. With the rising costs of food,
and subsequently the rising cost of University room and board
fees, one very advantageous step toward solving the problem
would be for both students and the dining hall management to
check their wasteful behavior. Admittedly, that Academy
Award or luscious mound of chicken salad on lettuce looks
awfully tempting, but the price we pay for them is high!
Kathy Speranza
•
12th-home economics education
May 2
Is it still?
It appears that there is a certain group on campus which
feels it is its mission in life to prevent the rest of us students
from hearing about current cultural and social events hap
pening on campus that it has personally decided not to attend.
These people also seem to feel that no one else should be
allowed to take advantage of these growth opportunities
either.
Case in point: Five hundred flyers announcing a dance being
held this Saturday night in Walnut Building were distributed
around campus Wednesday morning. Thursday, there were
around 30 posters left. No matter if one agrees with a HOPS
sponsored dance or not. No one has the right to interfere with
the dissemination of information on any student organization's
activities.
America has always been a place where every citizen can
explore life and reach one's full potential. Is it still?
Beyond his dreams
As Chairman of the first and second Phi Psi 500 s, I had hoped
that the program would expand over the years. Despite that, I
did not think I would ever see anything the magnitude of the
11th annual 500. I am quite proud of the obvious effort put forth
by my brothers, the great enthusiasm of the student body and
the tremendous patience of the year-round residents of State
College.
Alumni are well advised to add this weekend as one of the
obligatory Penn State weekends.
Sharing what?
Way back when, during Orientation Week '7B, many of us
first-termers were baffled by all of the Gentle Thursday t
shirts we saw. Nobody was really sure what this magical,
mystical event could be. "A Day of Sharing?" On May 3, I
found out for myself. . . .
At our first step off the pavement and onto the HUB lawn, we
were surrounded by "Gentle Thursday people" and warned to
be cool with our coolers. Next, a person informed us we were
all "gonna get busted" if we drank our beverages from the
original containers. That meant we needed to find a doien cups
somewhere to continue our festivities.
Ed Good
13th-vocational and industrial education
May 3
health cots
just about the time Lyndon Johnson's
Medicare program was establishing
itself. There is too close a correlation to
suggest anything other than a direct
relationship between increased public
spending for health care and increased
health care costs. If the money is there
to pay for them, costs will go up.
The imposition of artificial constraints
will not do the job. Federal legislation
might bring temporary relief, but that
would soon be followed by the
misallocation of resources, and all the
while the quality and quantity of care
wouldn't be appreciably affected.
The American Medical Association
may belong up there with General
Motors and IBM for being ogres in power
positions. The AMA has pretty much had
its way all the time, restricting ad
mission to medical schools to boost
doctors salaries, promoting or rep
pressing drugs, lobbying for broader
Joseph C. Korsak
Class of 1971
May 2
Well, in tradition with the typical Penn State run-around, the
search took me through the HUB twice and finally to the Lion's:
Den. Much to my dismay, however, the working ladies there:
were not the ones who had been giving the cups away. Ada:
matter of fact, they were charging a nickel apiece for them.
And, if I may be so bold, I assume they made a handsome:
profit on that particular salesitem... - • . •
Funny . . I never understood "sharing to mean that. . . •
Minor hassles like these make it hard to keep a positii - e;:
gentle attitude. Yet from what I saw, the general attitude was:
quite good, considering. Personally, I think all of us who were:
out on the lawn last Thursday proved something. We cargd:
enough about the principle of Gentle Thursday to bear the:
weather, absence of good music, and added hostility froin•
University Police Serivces. I hope this is considered when the.
decision to hold a Gentle Thursday next year is made.
So, Gentle Thursday 'BO —here's to ya!
Whose laws?
. 4 •
I would like to give my support and sympathy to the girl w,liq '
"ran like a wild animal" from the police on Gentle Thursday;
and also to the two State College residents who scuffled with
the police. I would run too from someone who was trying tg i
arrest me for breaking a law which unjustly stifles my per's
sonal freedom.
Whose law was it anyway? Surely not ours, the people's. We
don't want the authorities to tell us when we are too young : to
drink alcohol. We don't want the authorities to tell us we can
not smoke marijuana. And we don't want the authoritiei f
pressing upon us laws which tell us which forms of happiness
we can't pursue, or which self-affecting activities we cannott!
engage in when we wish to freely or openly express ourselvps: ;
Freedom and liberty are still unalienable; we don't want them
reclassified. •
When did Congress and the state House get the right. to
create and maintain laws the people don't want? When did the -
Courts get the right to judge legal these unpopular laws? AM ;
who gave the executers of these laws the right to violently,
enforce these laws which the people have repeatedly shoviOte i
they don't want?
I always thought our government, was designed so tile
people could decide what is right and what should be law.,lt 11
seems the roles have changed. And something should be doie'
about it. We should take another look at the underlying prifv
ciples of the "Constitution" and the "Declaration of In-*
dependence." If those are a little too radical, or upsetting,
there's always "1984." In the meantime look over yo - ur,
shoulder before you do anything enjoyable or expressive
probably illegal.
=Collegian:i
Monday, May 7, 1979—Page 2
Pete Barnes
Editor
BOARD OF EDITORS: Managing Editor, Harry Glenn; Editociat.
Editors, Andy Ratner, Jim Zarroli; News Editors, Bruce Becker, GI
Carroll; Copy Editors, Corliss Bachman, Vicki Fong, Tim Konski;
Allen Reeder, Jim Wilhelm, Mary Ellen Wright; Photo Editors, Chip' 9.1
Connelly, Joe Tori; Assistant Photo Editor, Dave Kraft; Sports Editor,.
Jerry Micco; Assistant Sports Editors, Denise Bachman, Jon'
Saraceno; Features Editor, Stan Ellis; Arts Editor, Joyce Gannon;;
Assistant Arts Editor, Diana Younken; Graphics Editor, Della Hofer.
Contributing Editor, Dave Skidmore; Office Manager, Lorraine Ryan.:
BEAT COORDINATORS: Consumer-Business, Betsy Long; Facuityt
Administration, Amy Endlich; Local Government, Paula Froke*
Minorities, Tammy Walro; Student Government,Jim McCanne,yi
State-National Government, Paul Sunyak.
._ -
BOARD OF MANAGERS: Sales Manager, Steve Kornblit; ()Mee
Manager, Dave Niderberg; National Ad Manager, Tony Frank.
Assistant Sales Manager, Marc Brownstein; Assistant Mace
Manager, Kim Schiff; Assistant National Ad Manager, • Kathy
...
Matheny.
federal spending to subsidize an extra
day a week at the golf course.
Until the AMA's broad persuasive
powers can be curbed, government must
legitimiately monitor the health care
industry. But in the meantime, let's let ,
the hospitals try to solve the problem
themselves.
We need more doctors and more
research to understand what causes
illnesses in the complex society heading
into the 21st century.
When it comes to health care, be , it
research, medicine or keeping costs
from making illness and death an
economy measure, let's trust those than
the hospitals, rather than those wiio:
run the government, to contain health
care costs. In the area of cost
containment, the Congress should try:
some of its own medicine first. •-•
Brian Golden is a 10th-term broadcast:
journalism major.
. •
Lisa Thomas:
3rd-aerospace engineering:
May:4:
Dennis Bauer•
Bth-general agriculture-
May -
Marjie Schlessinger:
Business Manager
© 1979 Collegian inc.:
• : :4