opinions
editorial opinion
Democratic voters should make
Tomorrow, the Democratic vot
ers of Pennsylvania will get their
chance to decide the direction of
the Democratic presidential cam
paign.
The campaign to this date has
been nothing less than a circus at
times. Former Vice President Wal
ter F. Mondale went into the cam
paign as the clear front-runner. It
was just a matter of time before the
other seven candidates dropped out
in the shadow of the great Mondale
machine.
But the upset-minded primary of
New Hampshire changed the entire
scope of the Democratic campaign.
All of a sudden, a little-known Colo
rado senator named Gary Hart
began to make a sudden surge at
the front-runner status.
In the meantime, five of the origi
nal eight candidates have dropped
out. The third remaining candi
date, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, has
made strides with his campaign
also. Following poor showings ear
ly in the campaign, Jackson has
built a core of support that has
given him strong showings in re
cent primaries and has made him
self a force that must be reckoned
with in the Democratic race. -
And now, with tomorrow's pri
mary in the state that will send the
fourth largest block of delegates to
the bemocratic convention, it is
time for the Democratic voters of
Pennsylvania to make an informed
choice on the Democratic presi
dential race.
Pennsylvania also holds the dis
tinction of a major force in the
momentum of the Democratic
campaign. The supporters of Gary
Hart need a strong showing in
Pennsylvania. If Mondale wins
gi; Collegian
Monday, April 9, 1984
01984 Collegian Inc.
Alecia Swasy
Editor •
The Daily Collegian's editorial opinion is determined by
its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding final
responsibility. Opinions expressed on the editorial
pages - are not necessarily those of The Daily Collegian,
Collegian Inc. or The Pennsylvania State University.
Collegian Inc., publishers of The Daily Collegian and
related publications, is a separate corporate institution
from Penn State.
Board of Editors Managing Editor: Marcy Mermel;
Editorial Editor: Harry Weiss; Assistant Editorial Editor:
Ron Yeany; News Editors: John Schlander, M. Lee
Schneider; Sports Editor: Greg Loder; Assistant Sports
Editors: John Severance, Chris Wightman, Matt Michael;
Photo Editors: Paul Chiland, Thomas Swarr; Assistant
Photo Editor: Bill Cramer; Arts Editor: Heidi Beeler;
Assistant Arts Editor: Diane DiPiero; Campus Editor:
Christine Murray; Assistant Campus Editor: Lori Musser;
Town Editor: K.L. Kane; Assistant Town Editor: Michael
Newnam; Features Editor: Jeanne Ann Curry; Assistant
Features Editor: Grace LoMonaco; Graphics Editor: Tony
Ciccarelli; Copy Editors: Dina Defabo, John Holt, Patricia
Hungerford, Christine Kay, Marcia McGrath, Lori-Marie
Vail, - Rebecca Albert; Weekly Collegian Editor: Michele
Jo Pupach; Weekly Collegian Assistant Editor: Laura
Dunhoff.
oredom unavoidable even when the weather is better
Despite the many inches of snow, I really
think that spring has finally arrived in State
College. The air is becoming warmer and
people are engaged in the normal spring
activities such as frisbee throwing and base
ball. Gradually the snow will melt and the
snowball fights will end. And most of all,
people will be busy enjoying the spring or
will they?
During the spring months there are hun
dreds of things for students in State College
to do. There are the organized events such
as the Phi Psi 500 and the Regatta and the
more spontaneous activities of picnicking
and softball. Yet, I predict that the listles
sness which many people felt all winter will
return after people are set in routines of
spring.
It seems that every year people go
Pennsylvania by a big margin, the
Hart campaign will indeed be
jumping for Mondale's coattails.
To make an endorsement at this
point in the campaign would be
extremely hard. Many of the issues
in the race so far have not come
under close enough scrutiny.
Among the three candidates, their
stands on some of the issues are not
that distinguishable to make any
one of them a clear front-runner.
One issue the Democratic cam
paign has not talked about nearly
enough is programs in education.
One has to dig deep into the cam
paign to find exactly where the
candidates stand on this issue.
If there is any issue central to 'a
university community in this cam
paign, this would be it. President
Reagan's swashbuckling cuts into
federal education programs have
been widely criticized. If the Demo
cratic front-runners want the vote
of student populations, it would be
in their favor to address this issue
squarely in the future.
Another problem this country
faces is the Reagan deficit. All
three of the Democratic hopefuls
have come out in favor of cutting
the deficit, but with some fine dis
tinctions.
Mondale and Hart would both
scale down the defense budget and
cut out tax breaks for the rich.
Jackson, in addition to making
massive cuts in the defense budget,
would increase taxes on the
wealthy and on big business.
All three candidates propose
ways to halt the massive build-up
of this country's nuclear arsenals.
Also, all three candidates have
offered alternatives to present situ
ations in Central America and the
Susan M. Melle
Business Manager
It should be noted early that the actions of these men
were nothing less than barbaric themselves. Any person
who takes the life of another human being does deserve to
be severely punished. However, punishing murder by
murder seems both illogical and morally wrong.
These criminals are viewed as utterly hopeless, anti
social human beings. They cannot be rehabilitated or
made productive to society. So what the hell good is this
human life. It will save the state thousands of dollars a
year, too.
Some "experts" tell us that capital punishment acts as a
deterant to murder. However, I believe that this "myth"
has been disproven by statistical fact: So let's throw that
out the window right now.
Thank goodness that we live in America. America, the
most advanced country in the civilized world. America,
home of baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and death by lethal ,
injection. Thank goodness our country isn't as uncivilized
as some of those third world countries. We all know how
barbaric they are.
I feel that when a society has put the decision of life and
death in the hands of a select few "justices" things have
through the winter months complaining
about being bored and having nothing "fun"
to do. But once spring and summer arrive,
people still complain of boredom.
Actually, it makes a lot of sense that
people are just as bored if one considers that
there are probably as many activities that
are characteristic or winter as there are of
spring. Sure, the weather is usually a bit
more temperate, but for a lot of snow
enthusiasts, weather does not seem to mat
ter much.
So the questions stands, why are so many
students here bored? Some would argue that
State College•is just a tedious place. While I
might agree during one of my more apathet
ic moods, this answer does not make sense.
Boredom is not just a symptom of State
College life. This city may not be New York
or Washington, D.C., but students in all
different types of colleges experience the
same fatigue and stress from feeling bored.
Indeed, it is commonplace among most
people and considered by psychologists to
be one of the major causes of stress for
individuals.
Now my father and many of his genera
tion have told me that in the "good ole days"
kids knew how to have fun. Theri, I hear how
television is the root of 70 percent of the evil
in this country and so on. They consider it to
reader opinion
Something amiss
Today marks an all-time low for the American judicial
system, in my opinion. Today two men were executed for
their crimes of murder. They are the latest victims of our
nation's most barbaric criminal punishment the death
penalty. This year will see an all-time high for executions
since the death penalty was reinstated by the Supreme
Court.
informed choices based on the
?NE GREAT
ISSUES aF 1984
°Aso
vt,sse,
440 4/
4q. YO ‘ 6o,
OK? /
wel l
is
Middle East.
Jackson favors talking with the
church in El Salvador and not sup
plying covert aid to the rebels.
Jackson also favors talking direct
ly with the Palestinian Liberation
Organization.
Mondale favors moving. the U.S.
Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusa
lem and would tell Amin Gemayel
that the U.S. forces in Lebanon are
not there on an open-ended basis.
Hart opposes covert aid in Cen-.
tral America also, and Hart has
criticized Mondale's willingness to
keep U.S. troops in Honduras
which critics have said are there to
intimidate neighboring Nicara
guan troops. Hart also favors mov
ing the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv,
but he has diavowed a letter he
said staffers sent to a Zionist group
be a problem of our culture. And as much as
I hate to always agree, I think they have a
point.
From my perspective, it seems that peo
ple have been raised with a certain compul
sion to work. Most of us have (or should
have) at least discussed the renown Protes
tant work ethic that pervades this country.
Thus, many of us are taught to be achieve
ment oriented. When younger, we were
given permission to have fun, but it was not
necessarily encouraged. Presently, as col
lege students, a lot of us are not even given
that permission, either by our parents and
professors or ourselves. We're told to work.
Who needs permission to have fun? What
a ridiculous, idea. But is it? Students (at
least some of us) spend a lot of time worry
ing about our major, our classes, and our
homeivork all of which is condoned wor
rying. But it appears odd when someone is
anxious about how they are going to enjoy
themselves and escape the pressure of their
work.
Consequently, we don't plan our leisure
hours in order to make sure that we will be
doing something we want. Thus, many
times, we don't enjoy ow night or afternoon
out. Or we become bored, not knowing what
to do.
But, isn't this plight only that of the
gone too far. Tell me what right this group has of deciding
life and death for another human being. It seems odd that
our country's best solution to murder is murder itself.
What the issue really boils down to is the philosophy of
live and let live or live and let die. I know what my
philosophy is and have no doubt that it is right. Can you
say the same about your philosophy?
Dave Ulery, junior -industrial engineering
April 5
Must the majority rule?
Regarding Patrick Bayer's letter on April 3, we feel we
must add our own "two cents."
In his letter he notes a recent poll which finds 80 percent
of the American public is in support of a school prayer
ammendment. He then quotes Abraham Lincoln stating
that our government is for the people. Understand, howev
er, a majority can be wrong.
What percentage of American southerners supported
slavery in the 1800 s? What percentage of the German
people supported Hitler and his Reich? Weren't the
Greeks and the Romans highly supportive of slavery and
male domination? Didn't the Romans have a good ol' time
at the Colosseum? Wasn't witch hunting one, of the most
popular sports of medieval Europe and colonial America?
Mr. Bayer, aren't you a history major? Surely you must
know a majority does not constitute right or wrong.
The fact is that school prayer is unfair, discriminatory,
and is a last ditch effort-by the religious leaders of this
Ak g, ctop•mvammx, mOO.ll,
00-31110#1sr toor
mg—HowaDviyou pNA
190/(7 Tx), Oa(
Au- °co
promising to negotiate any such
move.
On big business, the candidates
are a little more divided. ' Hart
voted against the bail-out of Chrysl
er because he did not want to bur
den the taxpayers if the company
failed. Mondale totes the Chrysler
deal highly, calling it one of Ameri
ca's greatest success stories. But
Mondale has also been criticized
for being in the back pocket of
labor. Indeed, labor organizations
have been stumping for Mondale
with the greatest enthusiasm seen
in some time.
Jackson favors the type of loans
that Chrysler got - because of the
number of jobs that are on the line.
Jackson has not courted labor to
the extent Mondale has, and has
been picking up some big support
fortunate and aren't there much more im
portant things about which to worry? Of
course, there are. Yet, not spending one's
leisure time wisely hurts our ability to think
and work. As mentioned previously, bore
dom is a leading cause of stress, which can
lead to a variety of other serious problems.
So what does one do? While the answer to
that question varies with each individual,
certain generalizations can be made. Stu
dents feel different things, all of which they
tie under the subject heading "boredom."
For some, those who are constantly working
or studying, "boredom" means wanting a
break from all that work.
For those who seem to "party" most of
their college years away, "boredom "
means needing to find a different way of
having fun.
And for the middle group, those who work
a lot, but do find time to eat dinner or read a
book for pleasure, "boredom" indicates a
state of wanting to have fun, but either not
being able to pinpoint what "having fun"
entails or not being able to do the things at
which one has fun. And, I would venture to
say that it is this group into which most
people fall.
For the over-achiever type, the easiest
way of alleviating boredom is giving oneself
that permission to enjoy and to take a break
NO, 41.5,
ROVS Nor
MOO -
iV tom
country to attempt to regain the influence they have been
losing for years. So please don't complain about yoit
"dead freedoms" to us; can't you pray on your own?
Mark Kauffman, freshman-chemical engineering
Garth Longdon, freshman-computer science
Robyn Bock, sophomore-DUS
April 3
On the road to recovery
As a resident of Johnstown, I was disappointed about the
recent free lance page.
When people ask me where I'm from and I say Johns
town, they usually say something about floods. I reply by
saying Johnstown also has one of the highest unemploy
ment rates in the country. I usually get a startled re
sponse.
The pictures showed the economic situation well but the
photographs are not characteristic of the city. In my
opinion, the feature makes it look like there is no hope
The article only showed bad points and no area ef
recovery. Currently, there is heavy reconstruction going
on throughout the city and people have not lost hope.
The next time someone asks me where I'm from and 7
reply Johnstown, I hope they say,"Oh, yeah, Johnstowq,
the city which had high unemployment but never lost
hope."
Daneen Hewitt, freshman-management
April 4
from working no matter how many pages
are left in the book. Those in a near constant
state of partying have probably given them
selves the permission to have fun and proba
bly should think about giiiing themselves
permission to work.
But it is the last group for whom most of
the probletns occur. While feeling the pres
sure to achieve, this group acutely feels the
pressure to have a good time, especially
because "everyone else is." Thus, they are
torn in opposite directions.
To overcome these pressures, these peo
ple have to realize and accept several facts.
First, it Is all right to have fun, even when
every scrap of work is not done.
But second, "having fun" is not something
that just happens. It should be planned on
the basis of individual preferences and
limits. Thus, to have fun or alleviate bore
dom takes a little time and imagination, and
there is nothing wrong with really planning
or working on ways to have fun.
Consider that people major in Recreation
and Parks and that some people spend their
lives' work showing others how to have fun.
It may take a little work, but isn't it worth
it?
Linda Menghetti is a senior majoring in
political science and a columnist for,,The
Daily Collegian.
The Daily Collegian
Monday, April 9, 1984
issues
r -clibkrt
RUBS.
MD*
ASS! Sire„
/
from many people in labor who
would rather choose a candidate
for themselves than have the union
tell them who is best.
Those are some of the issue that
will be the base of the Democratic
platform when it comes down to
trying to oust Reagan in Novem
ber. But before the Democrats go
against Reagan, they must come
out with a leader of their own.
The Democrats in this race have
been criticized for their near-con
stant attacks on each other.. While
they have been trying to rip each
other to shreds, they have left some
key issues in the dark.
And as the race enters the home
stretch, issues, not personality
slurs should dominate the cam
paign.
, wiir
rgr
vp•
fr#
/AY,'
opinions
Graduate committee dedicated to improving family housin•
Editors note: This forum is part of a continu
ing series on graduate student life at Penn
:State by the Graduate Student Association.
:By Saras Meson
The following article looks at the major
'concerns of graduate students living in family
!housing and how their recently-formed com
mittee is helping to identify and resolve some
of the existing problems. It focuses both on
immediate issues as well as long-term consid
erations, essential in serving an expanding
graduate community.
In response to several probleMs created by
;the policies of the Housing Office toward the
;renting and maintenance of the graduate
:family housing facilities on campus, the resi-,
'dent of Eastview Terrace and Graduate Cir
cle formed a committee under the auspices of
:the GSA earlier this year. Although the corn
:mittee has been functioning for only a short
while, its experience in tackling a few of the
;issues has been an extremely positive one,
;and has provided the basis for continuing to
press for improved conditions in family hous
:ing.
Early in January, several families received
'termination notices, because they would have
school-age children residing in the apart
ments in the 1984-85 academic year. They
were faced with a serious disruption in their
academic plans because most of the graduate
students were in the final phases of their
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
FACULTY -- STUDENTS - ALUMNI.
- NOTE -
April 15 is the deadline .to submit nominations for the
ALUMNI. SOCIETY
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT LEADER AWARD
Nomination forms are available in 181 Chambers
Call 865-2523 for further information
A • A
I • IF . II IF - • II I • • I •
Tuesday, April 10, 7-9 p.m.
Pollock Piano Lounge
Wednesday, April 11, 7-9 p.m.
Findlay Rec. Room
Wednesday, April 11, 1-4 p.m.
Monday, April 16, 9-4 p.m.
HUB, Room 301
Reminder: Complete two alternate courses on the registration form!
Fall Registration Worksho
degree program. The absence of affordable
alternative housing downtown would have
been a further financial burden, particularly
at a time when a student's main energies need
to be directed at completing the degree and
seeking employment.
As a result, a committee was formed and
attempts were made at ascertaining the rea
son prohibiting school-age children from re
siding on Penn State property. Two reasons
were offered by the housing authorities:
1) Family housing is unsuitable for older'
children, and;
2) the University could be asked for payment
in lieu of taxes to the State College municipal
ity if there were a large number of children
attending local public schools. It was the
latter that became the central issue in the
negotiation for lease extensions.
The committee researched the problem by
contacting State College Area School District
officials, the Borough Tax Office, the County
Board of Assessment and the State Depart
ment of Revenue in Harrisburg. We were.able
to show that, at this time, payments in lieu of
taxes is a voluntary payment, and that Penn
State takes , minimal risk in allowing school
age children to reside on its property. Pen
ding U.S. legislation, moreover, would make
lease restrictions on children illegal.
At a meeting organized by the GSA, rep
resentatives of the committee presented the
entire issue to University President Bryce
Jordan. He appeared sympathetic to the
problem, observing that in his personal expe
rience the availability of graduate family
housing had considerably eased his graduate
studies.
The committee also stressed its concerns
regarding the long-term policy of the Univer
sity towards graduate family housing. This,
too, was of particular interest to Dr. Jordan,
who emphasized Penn State's commitment to
the expansion of the graduate community. As
a result of these efforts the housing officials
agreed to meet the committee and have
agreed to a discussion of guidelines for the
lease extension procedure.
Another important outcome of the efforts of
the committee was the strengthening of com
munity feeling in the two neighborhoods. The
concern of the residents who were not directly
affected by the lease termination was heart
ening. They offered suggestions and joined
with the affected residents in petitioning the
Housing Office. More importantly, though,
this resulted in the airing of concerns that
affected other residents as well.
One such problem is the waiting list of
applicants, maintained by the Housing Office.
Applicants have been considerably perplexed
in the past by the sudden allotment of apart
ments to families who have been told earlier
that they are way down on the list. There is an
impression that continual pestering of the
Housing Office leads to speedy allotment. The
Housing Office could dispel such doubts by
publicly posting the waiting list in its office.
This would help applicants who have to decide
whether to renew l their off-campus leases,
•
Is your education preparing you for life as well as a career? Find out how a Liberal
Arts education fits into your future at the Liberal Arts Career Planning Day.
"Interpersonal and communication skills and a well rounded education
gives me the attitude 'I can do anything' and it works!"
-Susan L. Kemmerer '7B, Senior Buyer
"It literally got me out of o ditch and into an office. What else con I say?"
-Cori Mentz '7l, Advertising Services Manager
Liberal Arts Career Planning Day
Thursday, April 12,1984
In the HUD
12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
and would also assist residents (who move out
of graduate family housing) with subletting.
A major gain in this experience has been
that the Housing Office now deals seriously
with the committee. As a result, it has been
possible to meet with other individuals in the
Housing Office to raise issues regarding the
maintenance of housing particularly, the
infestation of roaches in Graduate Circle
(which, in the past, has been dealt with only
by partial extermination); the clearing of
sidewalks during the winter holidays; the
condition of the laundry rooms in Graduate
Circle; and necessary improvements in the
playground equipment. Another inconve
nience that has been mentioned is the lack of
a safe walkway between Graduate Circle and
Eastview Terrace, where a very busy high
way (University Drive) has to be crossed.
Last year, traffic lights were installed at the
crossroads ony when a student's wife was
injured while crossing the highway.
It is a positive sign that the Housing Office
has consented to meet and discuss these, and
other problems, with the Committee. If Penn
State is serious about improving its research
environment and expanding its graduate pop
ulation; it must consider the needs of of
married students and single-parents. The
increasing number of returning adults at the
undergraduate level makes the needs of fami
ly housing more broad-based. The Family
Housing Committee and the Housing Office
have taken the first, steps together towards
improving the living environment in the grad-
La•Careker Planning• 84
La•Camr Plannin9•B4
The Daily Collegian Monday, April 9, 1984-9
•
uate family housing areas.
The Committee, however, does not wish
merely to pursue and resolve problems and
disputes between the Housing Office and
residents. We have long-term plans for the
enhancement of community life, in these
neighborhoods, of which a few can be identi
fied. Efforts can be directed toward organiz
ing orientation and education workshops,
recreational activities for residents, cooper
ative babysitting, neighborhood beautifica
tion, and so on. Closely related to many of
these projects is a long-felt need for a commu
nity center the committee is particularly,
keen to assist the Housing Office in exploring
sources of funds to make such a center
possible.
Residents of Eastview Terrace and Grad
uate Circle deeply value the availability of
graduate housing. It is an economic necessity
during the difficult period of graduate study.
In addition, we have all benefitted from the
supportive community found in both neigh
borhoods. The committee hopes to reinforce
this community spirit via its more organized
educational and recreational efforts, thus
contributing to the improvement of the qual
ity of life in family housing at Penn State.
Saras Menon her husband, Krishna are mem-.
bers of the Family Housing Committee, which
was formed this year. The committee wel
comes comments and suggestions and can be
reached through the Graduate Student Asso
ciation.