Editorial opinion Costly lesson University Club: expensive white elephant What an idea! proposed building the club A club for faculty members near the HUB but the plans to hold meetings and fell through, discussions at lunch and to The faculty members can provide a relaxed atmosphere hardly be blamed. The price at dinner. seems rather high to travel to Sounds perfect, except for the outskirts pf campus for one problem —no one showed lunch or dinner. U P- Too many assumptions The University Faculty were involved in the club’s Club built at a cost of design, and $939,485 is too $939,485 is now used by much money to risk on ap- Continuing Education due to praisals when dealing with the low turnout of faculty personal preferences, members, Donald Rung, Fortunately, the building president of the club, said, was not left idle. But for that Most of the members would Expensive price, the space is not join because of the $lOO- not used to its fullest poten per-year dues, he said. tial. With increasing cutbacks The size of the club also and the upcoming HUB contributed to its failure, renovations, why is the Rung said the dining room valuable space not better was too open for intimate used than for Continuing dining. Before the club was Education? built in 1976, a size appraisal The HUB renovations are was done on the club to due in large part to the failure determine construction, Rung of the Terrace Room. said - Although the Terrace Room However, the faculty the was not in serious trouble club’s intended beneficiaries when the faculty club was were never consulted in the built, the renovations are appraisal. More importantly, evidence that the University the University did not ask the does not learn from its faculty if they were willing to mistakes, pay $lOO a year. The HUB renovations will A third factor in the club’s cost almost twice as much as failure was its location behind the faculty club. Let’s hope the Nittany Lion Inn. Rung the HUB will not turn into said the University originally another white elephant. Great injustice Gentle Thursday is a main event for all students to look forward to, regardless of race or creed. It is one day of the year when practically all students unite for a day of en joyment, collectively participating in a day of sharing. But this year, unlike the recent past, black students are being cheated out of a major activity. The Gentle Thursday Band Committee has announced that its by-laws say it must be diverse in its selection, that each band performing this year must be different, to satisfy all students. There is one funk-jazz I land, J-Crew, that sent a tape of its work to the committee, and it was refused in its quest to perform. Why? The reason given to the band was that it lacked “original songs." Since when has the University become the training ground for brand new singing groups with original songs? If Gentle Thursday is a day of sharing, why can’t the members of J-Crew be allowed to share their musical expressions, talents and desires with those willing and expecting to hear? What right does the selection committee have in deter mining what songs a band plays in a performance, anyway? Doesn't it make more sense to listen to popular songs that people can identify with than to listen to unfamiliar tunes where the majority of praise will come from the performers themselves?' Not only that, but the group does have two originals, and t>oth were on the submitted tape. But how does the selection i ommittee know that? Can all these questions be answered to justify the reasons for refusal of this band? For three years now, whenever a decision made by whites here is disagreed upon by blacks, the cry of "discrimination" is usually heard from us. I, for one, try to understand it as naivete or ignorance, because a number of white students are not really knowledgeable or aware of the needs or necessities of blacks, for reasons really beyond their control. But if racism is not the reason for the refusal of this band, then someone must tell me what the reason is, because this is a great injustice being done. Carl Walton. Nth-journalism April T 1 More than partying Today is Gentle Thursday Penn State’s famous “day of sharing." Every year, the students who are involved with the planning of this event have to bicker and bargain with University officials and campus police, just so that they can get an O.K. to go ahead with the planning of this popular Penn State tradition. The various problems of previous Gentle Thursdays which range from vandalism and drug overdoses to several arrests of high school students for underage drinking have caused University officials to doubt the value of this annual event. They have warned us that the outcome of this year's "festivities” will determine the fate of future Gentle Thur sdays (as was the case with this year's Phi Psi 500). In a sense. Gentle Thursday is “hanging by a thread." The students who have worked to organize this year’s event realize that the University is not just making idle threats this year is actually the critical one. As a result, the Gentle Thursday committee has been working to emphasize the fact that Gentle Thursday is more than just a day of partying it is a day for students to interact with one another while sharing the joy of music, friendship and new experiences. This year there will be demonstrations by Penn State’s frisbee team, along with “New Games” a creative collec tion of unusual games designed to get people to know each other while they have fun. The Monty Python Society will be adding a touch of craziness, and there will be people painting faces. Balloons and other novelties will. be distributed throughout the crowd, plus 10 different bands and soloists will play a variety of music all day. A lot of work has gone into planning this year’s Gentle Thursday because there are many people who believe this enlightening event is worth saving. It is more than just a day of partying, despite its reputation. If the students want to be able to enjoy Gentle Thursday in years to come, they will have to work together to convince the I can't After working on Quotos for six weeks now, I have begun to stereotype the people I interview. I’ve broken them down into three basic categories. Those who have something to say, those who have nothing to say and those who don’t say anything. The most interesting by far are those who have nothing to say. Unlike those who don’t say anything, they wish to be considered intelligent and give a lengthy response. Unlike those with something to say, their opinion is meaningless and inane. Usually, when an NTS (Nothing To Say) is asked a question, they look around hoping to get the right answer from someone else. Mind you, these are opinion questions. There is no right answer. Yet these people would consider cheating in order to get their* response to jibe with everyone else’s. And they lie. I don’t know any other way to describe it. They lie to me. They are saying one thing but all I can hear is “I’m sorry, I don’t know what the hell I'm talking about. Please shut me up.” These people, with proper encouragement (nodding of the head, grunting, etc.), can go on babbling for hours. The NTS lacks the honesty of the Don't slam By Diane Salvatore 7th-journalism To Ms. or not to Ms. that is the question. But it is the answers, or more precisely, the reasons behind the answers, that are truly important. Do you prefer women to be referred to as Ms. or Miss? This is what I asked an arbitrarily chosen 100 men and 100 women last week in North Halls. The questioning was in no way intended to be represen tational or conclusive; merely to point up trends in thought. Of the group, 53 percent of the women preferred Ms. and 47 percent preferred Miss. Of the men, 30 percent preferred women to be called Ms. and 70 percent preferred Miss. One point is in order from the start: Why is such, a little matter like two letters important enough to be considered seriously? After all, what’s the big deal? Words are the only means humans have of com municating to each other. Therefore, everything we say and how we say it is vitally important. If those two letters don’t matter, then what do the four letters 1-o-v -e matter? After all, what’s the big deal? The big deal, of course, is what we mean when we say words. As Hugh Duncan put it in his essay Axiomatic Propositions, “Communication determines social relationships because language gives us the capacity to indicate to ourselves what other persons are going to do, and then to assume their attitudes on the basis of that indication.” Ms. and Miss, then, are attitudes and not just sounds. The question of whether to Ms. or not to Ms. is now an issue because, as Duncan says,“a meaning must always pass the test of relevance . . .and is fixed only so long as traditional forms of expression help us to organize activity in (the) present.” Obviously, if people.now think twice about using Ms. or Miss, traditional forms are being tested for validity in organizing communication. Still not convinced that Ms. and Miss are ah issue? Listen then, to your peers. One of the most popular arguments against the use of Ms. is best shown in this quote from a woman student, “I’m not a women’s libber,” she said. “I like to be feminine.” Another majority view against Ms. is typified by this woman’s words, “I don’t want the door slammed in my face.” What has been communicated is that any woman using Ms. is a masculine masochist, a kind of sexual castaway who enjoys meeting her nose violently against door surfaces. My friends, I can tell you that I go by Ms., and I enjoy the option of being as feminine every bit as much as the next Miss. But I know that femininity comes from interpreting femaleness, and is not reinforced simply by using Miss. Moreover, I would hope that holding a door is a common human courtesy extended to all, not just those of us who use Miss. The point is clear. Ms. has come to be a symbol for the overbearing, agressive, obnoxious, irate, castrating female. It is little wonder the Ms.s of the world are always getting doors slammed in their faces. And why has this unjust caricature been per petuated? This is largely because of the Ostrich School of Feminism. This school teaches the doctrine, “I believe in equal rights and all that (key phrase) but I’m not one of those women’s libbers.” Can you blame these women? Who would go out of their way to be labeled with such an unappealingtag, especially when many men keep smiling down bn those women who perpetuate their own oppression by flaunting it with Miss. But the reasoning is circular. If more women who knew themselves not to fit this stereotype adopted Ms. talk, I have people who say nothing. These are usually the truly intelligent and/or courageous people. They have the willingness to admit that they are uninformed on a matter and have not formulated an opinion. There is a difference between an unformulated opinion and not having one. An NTS does not have an opinion and can not formulate one. He is the kind of person who considers whether it is cheaper to lease or rent an opinion. Great ice-breaker at parties . . . opiniqns.lt suprises me to see “status quo” making a comeback from the ’6os. There are variations. There are those who violently refuse to give their views. “NO, NO, NO!,” they shout. "I’ve been misquoted in the the door on this Ms. as an expression of their support of equal rights (and all that) the stereotype would become useless. Women’s libbers would become respectable. Equal rights would start to become a reality. If Ms. is suffering due to poor public relations, then what needs to be done is to remind the public of exactly what it means. Mr. is used for all men, regardless of age or marital status. It is derived by extracting the first and last letter of the word Mister. Ms. is derived by extracting the first and last letter of the word Mistress, minus the connotations. The ideal is that it be used for all women, regardless of age or marital status. That is all. Nothing more, nothing less. Using Ms. does not mean that one hates men, hates children or hates roses. It does not mean that one even likes the ERA, likes business suits or likes having doors slammed in one’s face. But using Miss allows the first piece of information anyone gets about a woman to be her relationship to a man. Do we all still'agree that the most immediate information we need about a woman is to know if she is married or not? Do men change their Mr. when they marry? I suppose Miss has its redeeming points if you’re out first and foremost to advertise that you are single. As one male student phrased it, he preferred Miss for women “because then you know if you should make your move or not.” How charming and practical to have all of womankind presorted for the marketplace of masculine affection. Remember however, this attitude gives way often to more innovative courtesy titles. As one gentleman put Aab.We.allhe prefers,‘!Jßey,:bro?d!.” . , ~. . The Ms.s of the world have been accused of being insecure because-they-insist on pointing out em phatically their Ms.-ness. It is simply a matter of respect. For instance, a man at a business meeting would probably not opt to be called by his nickname if University and thepolice that they are capable and responsible enough to make this year’s Gentle Thursday a success. Cindy Behrens, 3rd-nursing April 22 Stay at home After reading John McEno’s thoughts on the Olympic boycott, I felt compelled to express a few of my own. First, most experts agree that an effective boycott of the Moscow games would cause serious psychological and political blows to Russia. The Soviets have tried for a decade to get the Games in Moscow and now that they have secured this they have spent close to $3 billion to see that it is full of glory and brilliance, making it the costliest Olympics ever. All over Russia, citizens are preparing for the event Everyone from cabdrivers to prostitutes are relying on the Gomes for economic reasons. The Soviet government has undertaken 99 major construction projects including new Collegian before.” And not all non responses are noble and fearless. Some are just late for class. “I’m sorry,” they say. “I’m late for class,” I fill in. These are the same people who stand around in stereo shops saying, “sorry, I’m just looking.” There are also some phrases which I would like to see eliminated from the English language. “A iot”, is used, well, a lot. How many? A lot How often? A lot. Where do you park your car? A lot. And there’s the usual I think , “you know” and the ever popular “can you see what I mean?” I need a special attachment on my tape recorder to eliminate these, if there are any EEs listening. In short, I do not get perverse pleasure out of finding uninformed responses. It’s just that there are so many of them. And why the hell are you people so formal. This isn’t a test. I want some funny, off the wall an swers. Not everyone, but cut me a break once in a while. Anywho, I’ll be seein’ ya on the street and you guys better be better this week or I’ll have to start making these things up myself. Brian Gamerman is a graduate graphic arts major and is a columnist for The Daily Collegian. a class it happened to be Ippy. His real name, Alexander or John, would carry more seriousness with it. . Barbara Haas, national president of Women in. Communications, Inc., said recently that her organization considered changing its name to a less sexist one. But they agreed to stay with a name that clearly pointed out that they were largely a women’s group. As they phrased it, “the time to change to a non sexist name is still in the future.” * No doubt, I will be accused of blatant hostility toward men. But why is it never considered hostility toward me when the average female college graduate still only earns as much money as the average male high school graduate? Consider also that every time you are saying "Call me ‘Miss,’ ” you are saying in effect that your identity will be attached someday, you hope, to a man’s. So will be your bank account. And why, say the employers, does a wife need a decent income? This does not seem a wise policy since, according to Haas a woman has a 50- 50 chance of being single or widowed by the age of 40. Everytime you say Miss, you further the idea that women are men’s ribs. You make it harder for Ms.sAo look like anything but the obnoxious stereotype. You make it harder for the ideals behind feminism to get a good name. And with every self-respecting fiber of my body, I will never understand why, in the wake of both a Civil Rights and Women’s Rights decade, anyone would tolerate and even favor the slightest shad of maleopression. It would be pleasant if no courtesy titles were But they are. Or if women were, in fact, already respected solely on the merits of their personhood. But they’re not. I , call ,f,or a little more to mention thought, to be given to courtesy titles. I have every intention of holding the door for any Miss or Mr. who passes through behind me. I just wish they, too, would stop letting doors s#ing shut on my face. Let’s not Ms. the point. airprt and subway extensions. And, all of this effort prepare for 300,000 foreign guests. 9 The Olympics has put a stain on Soviet economy. Other construction has stopped to prepare new buildings, restaurants, and computer centers. Major and minor in conveniences have been condoned by the Soviets knowing that once the Games take place, the dollars will be rolling in from everywhere. i However, if the U.S. doesn’t compete, along with halt a dozen other countries, the Soviets can kiss their foreign guests and their profits good-bye. Perhaps when thousands of blind Soviet citizens see that thousands of foreigners aren't coming to their beloved country, it will make them think twice on the story their own government gave them concerning Afghanistan. Telling our U.S. athletes that they can not compete in tffc 1980 Olympics is telling them to make an enormous sacrifice However, the decision is made and we, as Americans, should support that decision and realize that no Soviet endeavor, especially the Olympics, is divorces from communist politics. To participate in the Moscow Games only months after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan would be unwise and unsafe. Cheryl Lebeda, lOth-nursing April 15 Are you hooked? Since the introduction of the electronic video games?' the popularity of pinball seems to be on the upswing. Are you a pinball wizard? What do vou see in those flashing lights? Perhaps pinball is the classic example of the “man versus machine'' battle. Or, is pinball simply a psychological release lor sexual frustrations'' Or could it be an addiction? But. (torn the other side rj> Uic bumper, maybe pinball is just a waste of time and money. Whatever the reason, people are onee again spending their lune and money in amusement arcades On Tuesday, April 2 l >, The Daily Collegian will focus Us oped page on pinball and why people seem to be compelled by Ihe silver ball. If you have some pninters on pinball or would like lo share an experience, please * submit them to the Editorial Editor, 126 Carnegie Ail letters must be typed, double spaced and no longer than 30 lines. Deadline is 3 p.rti. Friday. Thursday. April 24, 1980-Page 2 Betsy Long Editor BUSINESS COORDINATORS: Layout, Cathy Norris, Michelle Forner Ruth Myers; C’o-op Advertising. Mary Jane Carson; Special Larry Kerner. / l < ( A I Illustration by Della Hoke rc ‘ 1980 Collegian Inc. Kathy Matheny Business Manager Police services members vote against joining union By PAMELA MACLEOD Daily Collegian Staff Writer University Police Services officers vfcted yesterday against union representation by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Twenty-seven of the 30 officers eligible to vote went to the polls; 11 voted for representation under AFSCME and 16 vplp^i9p«|««pvp*|iip * * To Coach Mack - * Thanks for all* * your help and good * times! * Love, * * The KD * | u-030 Chuggers * Peruvian Embassy group to leave and was even providing transportation to the embarcation port of Mariel, 30 miles from Havana, it has continued to denounced the emigrants. Tuesday, Radio Havana quoted Lourdes Casal, whom it identified as a psychologist and college professor from Georgetown, N.Y., as saying, "All the people coming from Cuba to the U.S. are going to be in jail soon because in the U.S. people who steal millions remain free but petty criminals are prosecuted,” Hugo Landa, 27, who worked in Cuba as a technical translator, transcribing scientific articles from French and English into Spanish, said, “I came to work. I’m not a criminal. I’m not a thief.” He arrived yesterday on the Lucy. Imelfadel Hernandez de Morales said her husband owned a machine shop until it was taken away eight years ago and he was forced to work in a dairy. She said she, her husband and their 5-year-old son got a safe conduct pass to leave the Peruvian Embassy to return home. En route, people in the street called her “a prostitute and many things worse,” she said. The three arrived Tuesday night aboard the El Mar. USG Department of Legal Affairs is now accepting applications for University Hearing Board and University Appeals Board. Stop by 213 HUB or can 863- 0295 . Application deadline is i ,Thnrs., MayiTi Letters to the Editor Silent reflections on a Millheim pond Youngerman resigns post as USG associate justice Mitchell Youngerman will resign most concrete, and most efficient as associate justice of the Un- mean?. Unfortunately, we disagree dergraduate Student Government that they are the most • efficient Supreme Court tomorrow due to his means,” he said, loss of the court clerk position last The court is concerned with week. maintaining the status quo, Chief Justice Jim Prior fired Youngerman said, and he disagrees Youngerman as clerk last week, with that direction. because of a difference in opinion “I believe this judicial body could about court procedures, he said, provide valuable necessary in- Prior would not elaborate further, but formation to, and prevent problems said, “We parted as friends.” of, student organizations at the “I have observed that there are University,” he said, certain gaps and needs within the Youngerman said he may become student government, needs that can the first press secretary for USG. be fulfilled by the Supreme Court. As President Joe Healey has said that he a concerned member of the court, I wants to. form better relations bet attempted to close these gaps and fill ween USG and the press. these needs in the most effective, The Daily Collegian Thursday, April 24,1980—3 JUNE^J THERE’S STU. TIME TO PREPARE. MOinlNuiiinttMi JgLlMriuiN Iffß UwM twttm Elenor Coburn V imiuimpacaim *444 E. CoIIOQQ luMmMlMnßlllW \lt * «*»»»"« » '23Q-1423 Photo by Stel Variaa —by Lorraine Capra