opinions
editorial opinion
Those annoying details
Calendar change mechanics overshadowing academics
Iniproving academics.
Ah, yes, that was one of the main reasons for
the decision to switch from a term calendar to
a semester calendar, according to University
Provost Edward D. Eddy. One of the most
persuasive arguments in favor of the change,
as a matter of fact. "By all odds, academics
has been our overriding consideration in the
change to a semester system," Eddy said last
spring.
Part of the hoped-for improvement in aca
demics would no doubt result from lengthening
the academic period from 10 weeks to 14
weeks. But probably more, important in in
creasing academic quality would be the re
evaluation of courses and curriculum that
would or should be made in the process of
changing to a semester calendar.
At least, that was the talk last winter, when
the semester switch proposal was most active
ly debated.
But now it's this winter, and again the
semester calendar is being talked about. This
time, though, the talk centers on mechanics:
Scheduling mechanics, classroom use mechan
ics, salary mechanics, financial aid mechan
ics, tuition mechanics.
All are necessary considerations and who
could doubt that they must be of much greater
concern to students than course re-evaluation.
After all, what affects a student more: the cost
of tuition, or whether' an introductory entomo
logy course ignores modern fruit fly diseases
I am an aware, compassionate, progressive racist
I am a racist. Funny thing for me to be
writing. I'm the daughter of a liberal
Democrat who hates. Reagan, supports.
Teddy Kennedy and thinks Martin Lu
ther King was a great man.
::But the ugly fact remains.
,The lightening bolt struck me when I
walked in the Black Caucus Office for a
interview with Black Caucus President
AVery Rose. Sitting'at office chairs were
tWo other black men and Avery. My
stomach took a sickening diVe. For a
minute, just for a minute, I was really
spared.
0f what? I really don't know. Did I
think they were going to rape me? Did I
frel uncomfortable because for once I
was in the minority? Did their glances
appear hostile; menacing?
don't think they looked at me any
differently than any other person passing
through their doors. But what I do think
reader opinion
Thanks
I would like to' thank the participants in the
post-Notre Dame game receptions in the HUB
sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Gov
ernment, the Association of Residence Hall
Students and the Alumni Association.
We are pleased to have offered refreshments,
entertainment and a place to relax for those who
attended the Nittany Lions' exciting comeback
win over the Fighting Irish. •
.It's unfortunate that the University was forced
to close the residence halls at 3 p.m. last Satur
day due to legal concerns ; but we are glad that
accommodations were made for those people in
need.
:-Specifically, I'd like to thank the offices of
Housing and Food Services and Residential Life
fqr providing luggage areas for those students
who attended the game; Mel Klein, Director of
Student Activities, for keeping the HUB open
after the game; HUB Food Service for staying
open for dinner and catering our reception; USG
Snate, ARHS and the Alumni Association for
their financial support; Dan Lech and the ARHS
Movie Co-op for the cartoons; Glenn Kidder,
musician extraordinaire, for keeping the crowd
is that Anne Matthews Conners grew up
in a white middle-class neighborhood,
with white middle-class teachers and
white middle-class friends. The closest
relationship I ever had with a black
person was in Panama when I was five
years old and went to the playground
with Sophia.
After that it was suburban bliss all the
way. Not one black student walked
through the hallowed halls of my high
school. Not one black family lived in the
comfortable confines of our community.
Not one black family sat in a pew at my
church. •
Of course, the fact that I was im
mersed in a total WASP environment
didn't prejudice me at all. Archie Bunker
was a caricature figure to be laughed at.
The Ku Klux Klan was something to
disdain in high school discussions about
racism. I even watched the autobiogra-
entertained; and, most importantly, the people
who attended. A good time was had by all.
Bill Cluck, USG President
Nov. 24
Pap and drivel
Over my last two years here at the main
campus, I have looked forward to picking up a
Collegian every morning to find out what is going
on. With the onset of this year's new editor and
associated staff, this attitude has become one of
disgust and apathy, and I am forcd to comment
on the situation.
What was previously a fine newspaper report
ing the news has turned itself into a daily digest
of liberal lunacy, which spews out a steady
stream of opinionated pap and drivel of little
value to a majority of its readers. Whether it be
the weekly edition of the Darrell and Darnell
Daisey Report or the daily Bill Cluck fan club
newsletter makes little difference. I have little
tolerance for continual one-sided pandering to
minority causes, or ad nauseum reporting' of the
misadventures of USG, ASA and the other Fu-
in favor of covering the mating habits of
bumblebees?
Ahem.
Mechanics of course are important, very
important. But somehow, there's an uneasy
fear in the air that just maybe the more
intangible, harder-to-accomplish re-evalua
tions of academics are being brushed aside in
this calendar conversion while attention is
concentrated instead on' the more tangible,
mechanical, concerns.
To be sure, a good deal of intensive course
re-evaluation may well be going on behind the
scenes. That's fine provided that it is hap
pening
But perhaps it's time for students and• fac
ulty to remember the promise of a better
learning environment, and work 'at holding the
University to that promise. Perhaps it's time
to ask what would happen to quality, for
example, if English 10 and 20 are combined
into one 14-week course.
A computer can do the mathematics of
converting trimester hours to semester hours
and of scheduling classroom use. It takes
humans, humans who are involved and who
care, to scrutinize the academics and see if
they fit the needs of students, and to see if those
students are being taught as well as possible.
If we don't do it .now, we'll have no one but
ourselves to blame in 1983.
The Daily Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by its
Board of Opinion,. with the editor-in-chief holding final
responsibility.'
phy of Miss Jane Pittman on TV and
cried.
If I really think about my background,
I remember that my mother still calls
black people "colored," that the lady
••• •
' • •••••:‘4',41;
down the street claims that "they" de
prived her son of acceptance into law
school because of affirMative action and
that house prices were high in my small
ture Politicians of America chapters. Come on,
Collegian! Climb out of your ivory cubicles of
Carnegie Building and start giving your readers
what they expect and deserve: straight, honest
reporting of the news.
I fear that your failure to correct this situation
will do much to promulgate the "I don't give a
" attitudes that it is your place to eliminate.
Maurice R. Baker, 12th-electrical engineering
Nov. 3
Editor's Note: Tryouts for Collegian candidate
school will be held Sunday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. in 75
Willard Building. Bring a blue book.
Commie plot
I speak for the many Americans, rich and
poor, who have at one time lost their loose,
however, valuable change to those greedy
monsters, otherwise known as vending ma
chines. More specifically, at this time I will
concentrate on the relatively poor college stu
dent, who have most probably fallen prey to the
malfunctions of these obnoxious conveniences,
located all over our campus.
Today, I reluctantly fed a nutritious amount of .
nickels, dimes and quarters to the belly of one sly
and selfish Pepsi machine. After realizing that it
had no intention of reciprocating with its content,
I proceeded mechanically to request my refund.
Quite naturally that failed and I therefore re
sorted to a higher authority, the HUB desk.
They, apparently bored with the monotony of
such complaints, served me a slip of paper to
complete. Not exactly what I had hoped.
The $1.05 I gave the machine today is unfortu
nate. However, the estimated $lO they have
taken from me in recent years is the' ultimate
cause of my fury and this subsequent letter.
Something can and must be done. The companies
that spend millions on advertising the products
of these machines can donate Some much needed
effort and much less money perfecting them.
I have just passed a twin of my infamous
machine. A man stood in front, obviously out
raged, pleading with the various buttons to grant
him some feedback.
Silent and stubborn, the machine rested, disre
garding the spontaneous kicks of the customer. I
rly DIETS
OUik HERE!
community because "they" lived,in the
city. s
,
• ' it's in the Forum and even then it's only
•
But, insidipusly, I slowly realized that .., one or two out of 500. I have a white
was worse than Archie Bunker, worse,''•roommate and white friends. I work for a
than the ; CrTand o Wilard of the KKK, paper which out of a staff of 170 report
worse than the police who set the dogs on • ers, editors, and photographers boasts
Miss Jane Pittman...By concealing •Iny three black staff members. Igoto a lily
racism, dislike and fear, I could pretend white church. I've never been taught by a
to be the educated, emancipated liberal black professor.
of the 20th century when I really wasn't. .
And now' I'm here at Penn State, the
epitome of the free exchange of ideas,
bastion of socio-economic understanding
and institution of true higher education.
Here I can shake off my provincial atti
tudes, take some risks and really grow in
my understanding of blacks.
Fat chance
Happily enough, I've come to a Univer
sity that's not too different from the
GORIPt tiugcN
Denessual Awm,t-
close-minded environment which I fled. I
rarely see a black face in a class —unless
But the question is: Will I ever stop
being scared? Will I ever understand? Or
will there always be an invisible line
between the community in which I live
and the teeming black masses outside?
As I said before, I never thought of
myself as being racist. Until I walked
into the small Black Caucus office that
fateful day, I was liberal with a capital
"L" Anne Conners, who discriminated
against no man, supported the Amercian
wanted to tell him that it is much more feasible
to walk to the nearest store and receive mer
chandise from a more gracious and fair source,
but I remained quiet, taking personal pleasure in
observing.
Karen Cavistov, 7th-speech communications
Nov. 4
Cleaning air
Many Penn State students have written me
expressing their support for the continuation of
the Clean Air Act (CAA) in its present form.
Federal legislation to control air pollution
dates back to 1955. It was the CAA of 1967,
though, that authorized the first comprehensive
federal program for dealing with air pollution.
Congress has amended the CAA several times,
most notably in 1970, and 1977, and has signifi
cantly expanded the scope of the original law. In
the coming months Congress will be reexamin
ing the current law which expired on Sept. 30, but
it is unlikely that it will be reauthorized' this
year. Presently, a continuing resolution is pro
viding money to extend enforcement of the
current law.
The backbone of the CAA is the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAS) which'
provide that the Administrator of the Environ
mental Protection Agency (EPA) establish the
NAAS at a level that, in his/her judgment, allows
for a margin of safety to protect the public
health. Also, the EPA Administrator mandates
that each state develop plans to control emis
sions from existing awl stationary sources. In
addition, the states are required to designate
whether they have attained the ambient stan
dards for sulfur oxide, particulate matter, car
bon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and lead.
The Clean Air Act of 1977 was perhaps the most
important environmental action taken by the I
Congress in the last decade. Recently, the results
of a poll taken by Louis Harris and Associates,
Inc., showed that 80 percent of the American
public opposed weakening the CAA.
I can assure you I support the goals of the Act
and am committed to preserving the health
based National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
It is my belief that the framework of the 1977 Act
has minor flaws that can be corrected, includ
ing:
Z ATE Too Mie.44.‘l'M DEPRESSED.
The Daily Collegian
Thursday, Dec. 3
N l i A GO V% LOVE
GREAS TZ. A r
THE PAILy collalAN
Civil Liberties Union and had a poem by
Langston Hughes on her bedroom wall.
When that surge of fear crept to the
surface, something else slimy and foul
bubbled up that jolted my comfortable
illusions about my comfortable self.
Although I'd like to think otherwfse, I'd
gander I'm not in the minority here at
good ol' State U. There's probably thou
sands of others like me, good kids who
have been raised in good neighborhoods
and who have never really thought about
the penalty of being black in a white
society.
Wait. Could it be? Could you be a closet
racist too?
Anne Conners is a sth-term liberal arts
major and a senior reporter for The
Daily Collegian. Her column appears
every other Thursday.
o confusing and overlapping regulatory re
quirements, and
o administrative time delays which, in a
period of inflation, have added 50 percent or
more to the cost of approved projects, without
justifying emission requirements in excess of
best available control, technology.
Also, I think you will see minor amendments
aimed at alleviating problems experienced by
certain industries. One such measure to give
the steel industry three more years to meet air
pollution cleanup deadlines has already been
enacted (Public Law 97-23).
These are some of the issue Congress will
debate in considering the reauthorization of the
CAA.
Once again, I wish to thank all those who have
taken the time to express their concern 'about
protecting the act. You can be sure that I will
keo your views in mind when the reauthorizing
legislation comes to the floor of the House of
Representatives.
Rep. William F. Clinger, R-Centre Region
Nov. 2
Collegian
Thursday Dec. 3, 1981—Page 2
Paula Froke
Editor Business . Manager
BOARD OF EDITORS: Managing Editor, Phil Gutis;
Editorial Editor, l Becky Jones; Associate Editorial
Editors, John Allison, Tom Boyer; News Editors, Cindy
Deskins, Dave Medzerian; Sports Editor, Mike Poor
man; Assistant Sports Editors, Ron Gardner, Pete
Waldron; Arts Editor, Elaine Wetmore; Assistant Arts
Editor, Judd Slouch; Photo Editor, Stelios Varias;
Assistant Photo Editors, Janis Burger, Renee Jacobs;
Graphics Editor, Lynda Cloud; Wire Editor, Maryann
Hakowski; Copy Editors, Cindy Cox, K.E. Fishman,
Karen Konski, Jackie Martino, Iris Naar, Leslie Zuck;
Campus Editor, Joyce Venezia; Assistant Campus
Editor, Sharon Taylor; Town Editor, Justin Catanoso;
Assistant Town Editor, Mark Featherstone; Features
Editor, ScOtt McCleary; Weekly Collegian Editor, Neil
Axe; Assistant Weekly Collegian Editor, Laurie Penco.
BOARD OF MANAGERS: Sales Manager, Paul Rudoy;
Assistant Sales Manager, Monique Rura; Office Man
ager, Michelle Former; Assistant Office Manager, Mi
chael. Conklin; Marketing Managers, Sue Largman,
Mark Pulos; National. Ad Manager, Owen Landon; Co-
op Managers, Donna auterich, Jodi Shubin; Creative
Director, Tracy Meyer; Layout Coordinators, Susan
Largman, Barry Reichenbaugh, Jodi Shubin.
© 1981 Collegian Inc
Debby Vinokur
-reader opinion
Bro's job
After my first term here I was a bit offended at
tho preachings of Bro Cope and company. I did
19t particularly enjoy being called a drunk, a
Whoremonger, or any of the other terms they use
.o describe us. I also enjoy sitting in the sunshine
outside of Willard Building between classes and
lm not exactly thrilled at having my ears
lssualted by constant shouting and yelling.about
the prospect of having my soul damned to hell.
Somehow, the situation just is not apealling.
After a couple more terms my opinion did not
change, but a number of classes pointed to the
real possibility that the world could end sooner
than I thought it might. There have been too
many indications that we must do something if
we want life as we know it to continue. Isaac
Asimov spoke about human existence on the
planet at a Colloquy speech last year and gave us
a 50 to 100 percent chance of making the earth a
"devasted world of survivors".within 50 years.
Understandably, I became concerned.
But what does the end of the world have to do
with Bro Cope? Well I interviewed him for a
research paper and I discovered that he really
4' believes the end is soon. He is preaching on
campus, and has done so for five years, because
he believes we should hear his message.
When I interviewed him I found. not the self
righteous, harsh speaker who hollers outside of a
main classroom, but a quiet, soft-spoken man
who cares about other people and believes he is
4 living his life the way God wants him to. Obvious
.1
""
ELCOM
We're more than a bookstore
ly, he is not afraid to stand up for what he
believes and he tolerates being "the brunt of 32,-
000 students' jokes." His only job is being a street
preacher; he has no other way support himself
and "lives by faith."
During the course of the interview my opinion
of him changed.
I do not know if the world will end the way Bro
believes, and I still do not agree with a great deal
of what he says, but I respect the man. I do not
know many other people who have thrown away
the things most people hold precious and live a
life doing what they believe is right. I am really
offended that some students who are getting an
education here yell for Bro to "get a job."
Bro Cope has one. .
Gregory A. Hansen, 6th-communication studies
Nov. 30
No consideration
I am becoming dismayed at the nit-picking
enforcement techniques of the State College
Police Department concerning local traffic vio
lations. Recently I received a citation for park
ing my vehicle on South Allen Street at
approximately 10 p.m. for being slightly extend
ed in a loading zone. Although the vehicle was
not positioned to hamper any delivery opera
tions, especially late on a Saturday night when
most stores are closed, the officer felt he or she
should enforce the law at all times, in all circum
stances, with no regard to the situation.
freshmen
returning
elf r•
magazines
athletic wear
class rings
cards & gifts
PSU souvenirs
STUDENT BOOK STORE
330 E. College Ave. 237-7616
The law was correct; I was in error, hence I
will not contest the ticket. Nor will I contest
similar citations received by myself and others I
know for seemingly insignificant statutes, such
as two hour parking limits that are strictly
enforced. Some police place chalk on motorists'
tires and time the length of parking! This legalis
tic outlook is unfair, and the department should
concentrate on its investigative bureau and
criminal procedures.
We do need effective traffic control and en
forcement. But with little . parking space, and
many vehicles, the feelings and needs of the
citizenry should be taken into consideration.
Michael A. Kalinosky, 7th-administration of jus
tice
Nov. 18
Use and abuse
Alcohol abuse among students at the Universi;
ty is an increasing problem; the question is:
Why? Before getting into the reasons I think it's
appropriate to relate a story in order to show
that the problem actually exists.
I woke to my roommate's alarm clock. As I sat
upright everything that had happened the night
before came back to me; my thick, dry tongue
and throbbing head attested to the fact that it
was some party. While I was stumbling toward
the shower I was overcome by the smell of stale
beer; however, it was no match for the stench
that was waiting in the bathroom. It was obvious
that someone had had a few too many and wasn't
quick enough to make it to his destination.
After the shower I went to the cafeteria for
breakfast. The numerous beer cans on campus
had a good time too. Breakfast was not very
enjoyable because of the feeling in my stomach,
but I did get some satisfaction in watching other
people suffer through the same situation. My
thoughts were interrupted by my roommate:
"Come on, we don't want to be late for the
tailgate!" Well, I guess a little hair of the dog
that bit me wouldn't hurt.
Scenes like this occur all to frequently at the
University. On a campus of about 32,000 student's
only about one-fourth are 21 the legal drinking
age in Pennsylvania. However, all one has to do
is walk around the campus on any weekend and
it is evident that much more than one fourth of
the student population, is using (and more fre
quently abusing) alcohol.
John Body, a resident assistant in East Halls
and a peer educator in the Total Alcohol Aware
ness Program (TAAP) here at the University,
gave many reasons for the alcohol abuse among
students: These include lack of education, peer
pressure, and easy access.
Perhaps the biggest reason for alcohol abuse
among students, according to Body, is lack of
education. Many people don't realize the effects
of alcohol on their bodies. It is a common
occurence to go to a party and find someone who
says he "knows his limit" yet ends up getting
sick. If the student population was better edu
cated on the effects of alcohol this would happen
less frequently. Unfortunately the University
ALL
and
students!
WE WILL BE OPEN
ADDITIONAL HOURS
DURING THE FIRST
TWO WEEKS OF
DECEMBER
The Daily Collegian Thursday, Dec. 3, 1981-3
doesn't like to deal with alcohol education be'
cause underage drinking is illegal therefore_
the students shouldn't be doing it:
Another reason for abuse is peer pressure.
Some people drink only because they feel like a
jerk or out of place without a drink in their hand.
Others drink because their friends insist that
they do. Since most parties on campus usually dó
not offer alternative beverages such as coke or
punch, many people feel they must drink to fit in.
Easy access to alcohol is another major reason
for student alcohol abuse. On any weekend there
are numerous parties everywhere on campus. If
you prefer to have your own party there are
many people of drinking age who will be more
than glad to get you alcohol. There are few
people who can pass up the chance to "get
wasted" after a long week of classes, because of
the ease with which beef, wine and liquor can be
obtained these chances present themselves of
ten.
Obviously alcohol abuse is a problem at the
University that needs to be dealt with. The most
effective way to solve the problem would be to
better educate the student population on alcohol
and its effects. Perhaps the University should
sponsor more programs such as TAAP and/or
offer a class on alcohol abuse, it couldn't hurt
and it just may help.
Doug Weaver, 2nd-science
Nov. 16
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