opinions
editorial opinion
Admit it, then change it
“System been down long?” That is the
caption accompanying a cartoon of a man
addressing a skeleton sitting at a computer
terminal. The cartoon has recently ap
peared in several offices on campus.
Students waiting in endless lines while the
University’s computer system is down are
not laughing., Neither are harried office
workers trying to catch up with huge back
logs.
The “Nittany Line” is not new to the
University. But registration, billing and
drop/add by computer are. And although
the new system went into effect during the
Summer Session, a full complement of
students to test its capabilities had to wait
until Fall Semester. The results have been
far from perfect.
Signs that all was not well with the com
puter system surfaced last month when
recent graduates received tuition bills.
Also, many students received their bills less
than a week before they were due. The
Bursar’s Office extended the payment
deadline because of this.
Initially the computer pre-registration
appeared to be working well. About 21,000
students received complete schedules.
Those with incomplete schedules made ad
justments over a toll-free telephone line.
But those with complete schedules were
told to wait until the drop/add period to
make changes.
That was when the real problems began.
. Some students were dropped from all
their courses because an error resulted in
the Registrar’s Office’s belief that their
bills had not been paid. For drop/add, slow
computer response time resulted in lines
extending down hallways and even outdoors
at some departments. The waiting time was
so long that some departments distributed
free sodas and ice cream coupons. In spite
of these considerations, some students are
daily Collegian
Wednesday, Aug. 29,1984
©1984 Collegian Inc.
Susan M. Melle
Business Manager
Alecia Swasy
Editor
The Daily Collegian’s editorial
opinion is determined by its Board
of Opinion, with the editor holding
...WELL, of COURSE
THERE ART STILL
A fqa) eocs
m/ The system.,.
...WELCOME TO
The horror stories about 'the computer' are true. Believe me.
■ It’s a nightmare for me that came true.
Unfortunately.
When I first came to Penn State three
years ago as a freshman, I heard of horren
dous tales where “the computer” had put a
student between a rock and a hard place. All
I had to do was hold my breath for four
years and hope I would get out unscathed.
No such luck
Being between a rock and a hard place
isn’t the most comfortable spot to be in.
Believe me.
Yesterday, in my first class of the semes
ter where a professor called the roll, some
thing happened to me that had never
final responsibility. Opinions ex
pressed 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 publi
cations, is a separate corporate
institution from Penn State.
Complaints: News and editorial
complaints should be presented
C T CAT 7 C\ -S'?
• % \j j- O » r\ r\ « w i'«
/f ? o7i
understandably left wondering if perhaps
the old system was superior.
Any time changes are made in an estab
lished procedure, problems are to be ex
pected. And University administrators
have offered assurances that the system
will operate smoothly in time.
But the problems with the system appear
to be so severe that they raise serious
questions as to whether the University
made wise choices in its selection of com
puters and software. It appears that at the
very least, the system and software were
not adequately tested and debugged.
Maybe the University was in too much of
a hurry to implement the new system. Or
maybe the University simply tried to imple
ment too much at one time. Perhaps a step
by step process that would have integrated
the new system into full capacity by Fall
Semester 1985 would have been a more
feasible plan.
Although hindsight is 20/20, the Universi
ty should have been better prepared to
handle the major problems in the imple
mentation of this system.
The computer system was supposed to
simplify and speed operations. Thus far, it
has accomplished the opposite for many
people.
But at the core of the problem is the
University’s insistent optimism that the
system will smooth itself out. Computers
don’t debug themselves. Those responsible
for implementing this new system should
admit that mistakes have been made and
work toward solving them. Optimism will
not get the students through another semes
ter’s registration procedure.
Let’s hope the next cartoon with a similar
caption does not show a line of skeletons
sitting in a University hallway. That would
-not be funny either.
©/9ft
, 4 aJ '*>*--
COMPUTER AGEi
T MC
• ! lU
happened before. My name was not on the
roll. Impossible. I know I had the class
scheduled.
I spoke with the professor at the end of
class. As we looked over the class roll, it
became obvious I was not there, or that I
shouldn’t be there.
But wait. There was my name on the last
page of the class roll, with the word
“cancelled” typed in beside it.
I realized that unless there is another Ron
Yeany out there (God forbid), things with
my schedule weren’t too kosher. I spent
three days at Shields Building during sum
mer finalizing my schedule, and there’s no
chance I would have dropped anything.
When this professor told me to go to the
department office to see if there were some
problems, the plot thickened.
The secretary at the department office
punched my name and student number into
the computer and we waited.
Brace yourself. “The computer” dropped
all my classes because, for some reason, it
had me listed as ineligible to register.
So I was off to Shields Building once again
to try to get to the bottom of this dastardly
to the editor. Business and adver
tising complaints should be pre
sented to the business manager. If
a complaint is not satisfactorily
resolved, grievances may be filed
with the Accuracy and Fair Play
Committee of Collegian Inc. Infor
mation on filing grievances is
available from Gerry Lynn Hamil
ton, executive secretary, Colle
gian Inc.
i S' i j
plot by some microchip to send me to
Siberia or something.
At Shields, it was just as I expected. I
waited in one line at the Registrar’s Office
for an hour just to be told to go and wait in
another line at the Bursar’s Office.
I’ve heard the new computer system for
registration is still in need of some debug
ging. I’ve heard it takes much longer than
expected to do anything on the new system.
,Hey, but I’ve also heard the administrators
are optimistic the system will be worked
out.
I’d like to see some of those administra
tors go into Shields Building and take a little
survey. First of all, the place is about as hot
as a sauna. I would figure with the amount
of tuition money we are paying, at least they
could afford an air conditioner for the
building infamously known for its long lines.
Oh, and administrators, while you’re
there, ask some students and Shields Build
ing employees how they think the new
computer system is coming along. Sure
you’re optimistic, but have you seen the
shirt-and-tie-guys going from terminal to
terminal with clipboards in hands and looks
Columnist applications are still available in 126
Carnegie and will be accepted through Sept. 1.
reader opinion
Editor’s note: This letter originally appeared on July 31
and is being reprinted here by request.
God's creations
On the first day God created the Board of Trustees. On
the second day the administration was created. On the
third day God looked down and said “let this be Penn
State,” and it was, and He was happy, for all was good.
Then on the fourth day the Board of Trustees said “We
need a town for our school,” and God created State
College.
On the fifth day God sent the townies to populate the
town and surrounding area, that they may prosper from
the fruits of their labor. On the sixth day the townspeople
and the Board of Trustees said to God “We need students,
from which we can thrive, suck dry of all they have, and
treat like second class people.” To which the Board of
Trustees and the administration said “And don’t forget
that then we can bill them!” And God saw that this is
right, and on the sixth day God created students.
Oh what a joy in happy valley! STUDENTS! Someone
to rob blind, over-charge, and boss around. And the
administration sent nice little notes to the students
(prepared weeks in advance) saying, “Dear student, you
have one week to pay this tuition bill. If you don’t pay in
that time, (or we lose the paper work), we will charge you
even more for the joys of Penn State.”
The administration doesn’t care if you don’t happen to
be at home, or if the mail is slow. As usual, all they care
about is the money. Send it in, oh, students! Every penny
you have! Don’t complain about the mail being slow, or
not getting yourbill in time, for it won’t help. No matter
what you do, you have only one week to pay up, or pay
more. For on the seventh day you will be charged a late
fee;
Harry Goldman, senior-quantative business analysis
President, Penn State Society of Second Guessers and
Back Seat Drivers of the Board of Trustees
July 31
Fashionable beef
Hats off to the Penn State Dining Services who else in
Happy Valley could pull the wool over the eyes of 12,000
(hungry?) students (give or take 24,000 eyes).
While scheduling the major events of our lives around
the University Food Services menu for Fall Semester
1984, we were pleased to read on the front page of the
menu that those folks at University Food Services want
our experiences at the University to be “meaningful,
rewarding, and enjoyable.” They also go on to state
“(we) hope that we can contribute by making your
mealtime experiences'pleasant and satisfying.”
Let’s get realistic here. “Pleasant”
Any organization that has the guts to serve Cream Dried
Beef on Toast Cups or Hungarian Chicken Paprika to
humans sounds a tad sadistic to us. What on earth are
Toast Cups anyway? The extinction of Taco Dogs, for
those of us who can remember them (or those of us who
of sheer frustration on their faces?
Have you seen the tellers who resort to
uttering curses at the cursor and pounding
the keyboard for the lack of anything better
to do in the five-minute wait or more that it
takes to get anything back from “the com
puter.”
But I’m sure everyone working with the
new system is optimistic. What else can
they say? Nobody seems to know what is
going on.
It turns out the money for my Fall Semes
ter was sitting dormant in my account. The
money was there, but “the computer”
hadn’t registered that money as being paid
on my Fall Semester bill. Consequently,
“the computer” non-registered me for all
my classes.
Why? Well, after I talked to four people at
Shields who didn’t know, it seemed hopeless
to pursue it any further. After all, I had
professors to see in my pursuit to re-regis
ter for two of my classes “the computer”
said were now filled.
And this is not just an isolated case. I met
two other unfortunate souls yesterday who
“the computer” deleted from Penn State.
...A PIANE VMH ONE RIGHT WINS
WAT HAS FIXMN fOR FOUR YEPRS
ANPIS UKEt-Y 70 00 SO FOR
ANOTHER FOUR YEARS /
-Submitted byi
J. temp, N. Gingrich.
.R.Viguerie.T. Doten,
Washlnqton.Oc
would like to forget them), was probably the best thing
that ever happened to Residence Hall life.
Take note of this: On Sunday, Sept. 2,1984, Penh State
Dining Services promises a “meaningful, rewarding and
enjoyable” experience in the University Dining Halls
when Roast Beef a la Mode will be featured for the first
time this semester. Think about it. Roast Beef A LA
MODE.
According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, Bth
edition, the definition of “a la mode” stands to read: l)
fashionable, stylish 2) topped with ice .cream. I don’t
know about you, but I don’t care how fashionable or
stylish my Roast Beef is. For that matter, have you ever
seen a designer cowTDesigner Roast Beef? Come on;
pick up the latest issue of GQ or Vogue magazine and I
promise you won.’t find one ad for fashionable or stylish
Roast Beef. Anywhere.
Being self-proclaimed connoisseurs of Dining Hall
meals, we have sampled Roast Beef a la Mode on several
festive occasions. Upon receipt of our main entree at
dinner, we found it to be neither fashionable nor topped
with ice cream. THE BIG QUESTION: Would the addi
tion of ice cream to the Roast Beef now being served to
students.in the Penn State Dining Halls change this one
time mundane entree into a lavish desert, or protect the
credibility of University Dining Services?
As students in our last year here at Penn State, we
demand the “pleasant” and “satisfying” experiences
initially promised to us. Either dress up your Roast Beef
to make it fashionable and stylish or top it with ice cream.
Otherwise, give us our money back. That’s all we ask.
Steve Amend, senior-marketing
Lauri C. Michna, senior-marketing
Aug. 26
Vibrant community
I am writing to request that The Daily Collegian desist
from using the words “dormitory” or “dorm” when
referring to those building where students spend a signifi
cant part of their time.
“Dormitory” has generally been used in the past to
identify a place where sleeping occurs. The word itself
must now be allowed its final resting place for it conjures
images of House Mothers and “in loco parentis."
I would suggest that “residence hall” be used in the
future, for it (in the minds of those of us working with
residence hall students) connotes a vital, vibrant commu
nity where sleeping only occurs when the exciting aspects
of the collegiate experience take their toll and rest is a
must. Some of us never sleep, and when we do, its never in
a dorm! N
Larry Druckenbrod, assistant director-Residence Hall
Programs
Pollock-Nittany-Centre
Aug. 27
The Daily Collegian
Wednesday, Aug. 29, 1984
No thank you, but I’d rather graduate from
Penn State than have “the computer” send
me on my way.
Chances are, it now seems, that I will be
able to re-register for the classes that were
filled. But it could have been worse.
Consider this situation. My professor
didn’t call the roll yesterday. In fact, none
of my professors did. I continue to take the
classes, believing I am registered. Now,
about the time midterm grading rolls
around, none of my professors know why
I’ve taken their exams because I’m not
registered for their classes.
But hey, I’m an easy-going guy. I’ll grin
and bear it.
And after all, I’m in the same boat with
the rest of you apathetic Penn State stu
dents out there. Wq’ll all be grinning until
our lips drop off.
Ron Yeany is a senior majoring in, journa
lism (at least he was the last time he
checked the computer), and is editorial
editor of The Daily Collegian.
opinions
Sentencing disparities:
With the chance to play Erma Bombeck of
State College for a morning, I’ve decided to
address a problem a bit'more severe than
whether or not the grass is always greener on
the other side of the septic tank.
The problem lies within a system that is
representing and protecting all of us the
justice system. Unfortunately, there is a
grave disparity in the sentencing of convicted
criminals and I believe that it is a disgrace.
The hard core reality of the matter is
shown over and over again in previous case
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studies. A prime example of these gross,
illogical, injustices is evident in two New
York counties.
In Taylor County, James T. was sentenced
to life in prison after being charged with
rape. Harvey J. is serving three years in
Paliding County for the very same offense,
whereas Elmer E. is serving 17 years for
attempted rape.
Is justice prevailing in the courts of the
United States or has our justice system
become so muddled with “loop-hole” laws
that justice is hot being administered fairly?
Bluntly, it turns my guts to see these gross
injustices not being corrected. How can we
stand for this?
The 50 states are divided into 10 judicial
circuits and the difference in the rendered
sentences is phenomenal. Case and point, a
violation of a narcotics law in the third circuit
(PA, VT, NJ, DEL), can draw a penalty of
33.1 months in prison but the same violation
in the tenth circuit (Colorado, Kentucky, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming), results
Now is the time for one crime, one law, one sentence
in 73.9 months of incarceration. Why?
There is no difference in the severity of the
act; should there be a difference in the
severity of the punishment? Are these laws
upholding the guarantee of “liberty and jus
tice for all” that is pledged daily in our
elementary and secondary schools? Perhaps
it should read, “liberty and justice for all
those who live in the first through third
judicial circuits.”
I really wouldn’t be suprised to see some
sort of a pre-planning as to the area in which
to commit a crime. The sad fact is that this
pre-planning could happen, especially in rela
tion to premeditated crimes.
If one is going to violate the law, why not do
it in an area where a more relaxed punish
ment will likely result. With hard facts glar
ing off of the pages of past case histories, it
wouldn’t be that tough to figure out where lax
sentencing occurs within the 10 judicial cir
cuits.
Here’s a real winner once again demon
strating the haphazard nature of criminal
penalities that say a hell of a lot for those Borsi is right. In essence, judges have a
perceptive people making laws governing the blank check power, so to speak, and unfortu
land in which we live: nately if this power is wrongly used the
A statute in Colorado states that a 10-year account will come up unbalanced
maximum penalty will be enforced for steal
ing a dog, while the other prescribes six
months in prison and a $5OO fine for killing a
dog. Needless to say that these conflicting
punishments are ironical. Is common sense
something of the past?
Definite sentencing is not something with
which the majority of people disagree. In
fact, it has a broad coalition of groups back
ing it. Across the ideological spectrum, defi
nite sentencing has an appeal, with the
conservatives applauding the certainty of
punishment and the liberals attracted by the
equity of fairness likely to result.
After all I’ve read about sentence discrep
ancies, I completely agree with Giosue’ Bor
si’s philosphy that states: “When a judge is Terry Mutchler is a sophomore majoring in
unjust he’s no longer a judge but a transgres- journalism and pre-law, and is a beat report
sot.” i er for The Daily Collegian.
The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Aug. 29, 1984—7
I just can’t believe that our judicial system
can govern in such an inconsistent manner. It
is time that judges wake up and incorporate
common sense when rendering sentencing.
Are those appointed to pass judgment on the
guilty ignorant of the their colleagues deci
sions when dealing with similiar crimes or
are they just ignoring them?
When I hear of rapists and murderers being
set free on mere technicalities, and orie
convicted person receiving a greater punish
ment than another for identical crimes, I
sometimes wonder just who the real criminal
is.