Ker—plunk Ten-year olds Mike DeLuca (foreground) and Matt Scheetz (background) of Lemont cool off by dropping a couple of lines into Spring Creek in Lemont ARHS to protest noise ordinance By DOUGLAS WOLFSON Collegian Staff Writer The Association of Residence Hall Students voted 22-1 Monday night to support other University groups in protest'of State College's newly proposed noise ordinance. The vote followed recent vocal opposition by other student leaders, including discussion about the possibility of having students run for Borough Council a move designed to give students more influence in local affairs. `lt is unbelievable and shocking that Borough Council would go ahead with something like this noise ordinance without a real concern for student opinion.' —Joe Cronauer, vice president of the Association of Residence Hall Students "It is unbelievable and shocking that Borough Council would go ahead with something like this noise ordinance without a real concern for student opinion," Joe Cronauer, vice president of the Association of Residence Hall Students, said. The fact that original noise level tests were done when a majority of University students were away highlights the need for student representation in State College, Cronauer said. But the author of the new ordinance, council member R. Thomas Berner, said he paid no attention to the tests when revising the noise laws. Berner rejected student claims that the ordinance will discriminate against students, saying the • ordinance is intended only, to help residents be better neighbors. Cronauer is worried that residence halls on the border of residential areas will be subjected to more than their share of citations and fines. He pointed to 'North Halls as an example, arguing that the "no amplified sound at any time" clause of the ordinance will effectively eliminate student parties and outdoor events in North Halls. Berner said he doubts there will be any increase in citations or ,arrests and added that some students have written to express favorable views of the new ordinance to Borough Council members. "I was disappointed in the way student leaders portrayed students (at the public hearing)," the daily Berner said. Most students are not "a bunch of loud, mischievous people," he said, but that is the way they came across at the hearing. The Undergraduate Student Government will begin'a "majOr effort" to fight the ordinance today; according to USG President David Rosenblatt. Rosenblatt said he will meet with Borough Council President Mary Ann Haas this morning and discuss, among other things, the possibility of having the ordinance placed on November's ballot as a referendum. He said a lot of good work went into the ordinance, but it "would be a step backwards" for University-Town relations. Council member John Dombroski said the ordinance is not any less fair than thosi in most other college towns. Asked about the possibility of a referendum instead of a Borough Council vote, Dombroski said he doubted that would happen. "I'm never sure it's the right time to pass something like this," he said. "There will always be some people opposed to it. "I don't share the fear others have that this will be a gotcha ordinance," he said, adding that "there is no question in my mind" that the ordinance can be refined if problems do arise. The idea of having a student on the Borough Council is not a new one. In 1973, 22-year old Dean Phillips was a University student on council. Phillips, who is currently a lawyer in Philadelphia, commended students for seeking additional representation but cautioned against students running solely as student representatives. - "It's a mistake for students to believe they can represent all students on all issues," Phillips said. Besides, he added, "a good council member is one who should represent the entire borough." Phillips said a lack of representation is a legitimate concern for students, and they . would certainly have a greater voice if there was a student on council, but that is not to say that the preSent council members are not concerned. "They do listen," Phillips said. Phillips recommended students not limit themselves to. elected positions, such as the council Students should seek appointment to the many authorities, boards and commissions in State College, such as the zoning hearing board, which are "the real building blocks of the community," he said. • What will happen if the ordinance does pass? "There will be a lot of student unrest," Cronauer said. "There is a lot we can do," he added. "Penn State has the largest percentage of registered voters of any University in the country and I'm pretty sure they can be used to our advantage. one • lan USG asks Univ. to divest $4.4 million By COLLEEN BARRY Collegian Staff Writer The Undergraduate Student Gov ernment senate last night requested that the University divest $4.4 mil lion in all companies doing business in South Africa. A resolution, adopted last night with four abstentions and twa_vo,tes. against, states that through disin vestment the University would be making a statement which publical ly denounces apartheid. "We all attend an equal opportu nity University. It is hypocrtical of the University to bring minority students in and yet perpetuate the racist regime in South Africa," said town senator Kate Lane. Marlon Kirton, president of the Black Student Union and Matthew Baker, president of the College Democrats representing two of the student organizations request ing the resolution congratulated each other after the resolution passed. "This is a symbolic victory," Baker said. "It shows that student leaders are behind our endeavor. Now with the student organization behind us we need the masses of students." 'Before its passage, however, the resolution was met with with oppo sition from some senators. Mark Boltz, West Halls Senator, said that it is not the position of the USG senate to denounce the South African governthent through a reso lution. "(Apartheid) is an internal prob- inside • Pennsylvania students will be hurt more by student aid cuts than students in most other states because the costs of greater Pennsylvania colleges are higher than average and the income of the average family in the state is lower Page 12 • Summer employment will be highly-competitive this year and local businessmen advise stu dents to start looking early and commit themselves to working in the fall to increase their chances Page 21 index arts comics opinion sports state/nation/world weather Mixed clouds and sunshine to day, with showers and thunder storms possible late in the afternoon. High 81. More show ers and thunderstorms tonight. Low 54. Precipitation ending tomorrow morning, with partial clearing by afternoon. High 71. Bill Goodman lem and should not be influenced by outside forces," he said. "If you take away apartheid you take away the sense of government and put the leadership in the hands of people who are out for blood." Senate President David Rishel cautioned the senate of becoming a part of the "band wagon effect" that hebelievesis goingAhrough the country. He argued that the sen ate's voice would be stronger if more time was taken to research the issue. However, a non-binding vote re vealed that 18 of the 26 senators present felt they were informed enough to vote responsibly. Rishel also argued if the• Unive rsity divested its funds, it would relinquish any influence it has over the companies in South Africa. The shares could feasibly be sold to USG to help branch campuses By COLLEEN BARRY Collegian Staff Writer A new Undergraduate Student Government department will initiate projects benefitting both Commonwealth campus and University Park students, the USG president said David Rosenblatt said because 60 percent of all University graduates attended a Commonwealth campus at one time, it is appropriate that USG becomes more involved in the Commonwealth campus system. He emphasized that the USG Department of Cooperative Intercampus Action will work with the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments and House votes down Contra aid By MIKE SHANAHAN Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON, D.C. The Democratic-controlled House last night rejected 248-180 President Reagan's proposal for $l4 million in direct military aid to Contra insurgents seeking to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua. The same resolution was approved 53-46 by the Republican-led Senate only a few hours earlier. Combined, the two votes set up a continuing congressional debate over whether to allow Reagan to provide non-lethal assistance to the rebels. More votes were set for today. In both houses, Reagan won some additional support with a last-minute pledge to reopen direct negotiations between the United States and the Sandinista government, a key issue in Democratic opposition to Reagan's' policy toward Central America. Reagan also promised not to use the money for military aid until the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. The House vote was the first of three on aid to the Contras, and the two remaining alternatives were expected to be much closer when votes are taken today. One choice sponsored by House Democrats would require that the $l4 million be spent through the United Nations or the International Red Cross for Nicaraguan refugees and to enforce any peace negotiated by countries in the Central American region. The second alternative, proposed by House Republican leader Robert Michel of Illinois and supported by the president, would give recognition to the Contras by distributing non-lethal aid to them through the United States Agency for International Development. In the Senate, 43 Republicans and 10 Democrats Wednesday, April 24, 1985 Vol. 85, No. 175 24 pages University Park, Pa. 16802 Published by students of The Pennsylvania State University ©1985 Collegian Inc. Benchmark-Atlantic files for bankruptcy By PETE BARATTA Collegian Staff Writer The developers of the planned Essex Mews student condominium project have filed,for bankruptcy in South Carolina. However, it is unknown whether the local project or University Development Corp., the Pennsylvania developmental arm of Benchmark-Atlantic Co. Inc., will be affected. Julia Tate, a deputy clerk at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Columbia, S.C., said the Chapter 11 bankruptcy notice was filed by Benchmark-Atlantic on April 12. The notice went into effect immediately after it was filed, she said. Under the bankruptcy notice, the company is protected from creditors and has four months to create a disclosure statement and a plan of reorganization, she said. Tate said the creditors cannot collect money owed them by Benchmark-Atlantic until the legal process under Chapter 11 is completed. She said the process someone who does not care However, Patrick Lenz, town sen ator and sponsor of the resolution, pointed out that while apartheid has been an issue since 1960, the Univer sity has not used its voting power within the companies to speak against the injustices in South Afri ca. In : the past, Itishel added that American Corporations have been instrumental in bringing about what little reform there has been made in South Africa. The Sullivan pricipals, a code of ethics that the US companies opera tintg in Souh Africa should follow, are only symbolic, argued Joe Ca puano, member of the committee for justice in South Africa. Town Senator John Clisham pointed out that divesting does not mean that the University will lose will only initiate projects that concern University Park students. The department will extend University Park-based projects to the branch campuses and offer its manpower to strengthen current CCSG's programs, Rosenblatt said. CCSG will still handle all issues of physical plant and University policies that affect the Commonwealth campuses, said Luanne Simmons, co-director of the deparment, pending senate approval next week. Deborah Cantone, co-director of the department, said that she will meet Lynn Duffner, incoming CCSG coordinator, later in the week to discuss projects that the two organizations will overlap on. Thomas O'Neill, Speaker of the House voted for the Contra aid proposal; 37 Democrats and nine Republicans voted against. . . Specifically, the Senate approved an appropriation for "military or paramilitary operations in Nicaragua." But Reagan promised in a letter delivered to Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole only a few hours before the vote that he would use the funds only for non-lethal purposes for the rest of the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Despite Democratic skepticism about Reagan's intentions, Dole said, "I think we can trust the word of the president of the United States." could take some time but she did not know how long. Joseph Orr HI, president of Hughes-Crawford Co., Altoona, the project's general contracting company, said Benchmark- Atlantic officals contacted him when the company filed for bankruptcy, but he said he is not sure whether the bankruptcy filing will affect the construction of the project. Dave Brown, owner of Dabro Construction, said he believes the bankruptcy filing by Benchmark- Atlantic will adversely affect his attempt to retrieve the $9,800 Benchmark-Atlantic owes him for work on the Essex Mews office. "I've been promised for the past year that I'd get (the money)," he said. "Just from the past history of (Benchmark-Atlantic) I doubt that I'll get it." Representatives from both The Daily Collegian and Sweetland Engineering and Associates Inc., both creditors of Benchmark- Atlantic, were unavailable for comment. money. The University of . Michi gan, who divested in 1979, made $1 million profit after reinvesting the money in other companies. In addition, the $4.4 million dollar investment is out of the Universi ty's operationg budget of over $6OO million, Larry Colorito, Centre Halls senator said. Clisham also pointed out that the resolution represents student opin ion has been heard. Three student organizations made the initial re quest that the resolution be drafted and many of the senators have already spoken to their constitu ents. "To postpone this would show lack of solidarity and commitment (on the part of the USG senate)," Town Senator John Clisham said. "The time is right now for a resolu tion like this."
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