opinions i st .1 • editorial opinion • Misguided logic He started it. After joining the University Board of Trustees in the unanimous decision not to divest Penn State's $5.5 million in compa nies that operate in South Africa, President Bryce Jordan disregarded the protest out side the Faculty Building as he said, "We don't make University policy based on taking votes among the students." Here, he was doing more than just dis carding the value of student opinion. He was in fact pronouncing the question of divest ment dead. Now the newly-formed Black Student Coalition Against Racism is prbnouncing Bryce Jordan dead wrong. The coalition, comprising 13 black stu dent organizations, has presented Jordan with a resolution promising, among Other things, active opposition to the minority recruitment efforts mandated to the Uni versity. The University's failure to divest, BSCAR argues, has made, it "hard to take seriously Penn State's expressions of concern for the black students at Penn State." Jordan responds by terming the inten tions of BSCAR "misguided" and adds that "we simply plan to continue our efforts in minority recruitment because we think it's in the best interest." Allow us to point out the profound irony in President Jordan's choice of the term "mis guided" in describing the intentions of the coalition. Indeed, that adjective • seems most appropriate in discussing a pattern of logic that entails recruiting minorities while investing in South Africa. "Ignorant" runs a close second. Instead of spending his time coming up with patronizing labels to place on the intentions of BSCAR, Jordan should realize that the gross insensitivity of his adminis tration left Penn State's black community with no choice but to unite and act. the Collegian la; Science Editor: Nan Crystal daily Arens; Business Editor: Rich Dou ma; Graphics Editor: Tony Ciccarel -11; Photo Editor: Gregg Ze!kin; Thursday, Jan. 30, 1986 Assistant Photo Editors: Jeff Bus ©l9B6 Collegian Inc. traan, Cristy Rickard. Anita C. Huslin Editor William G. Landis Jr Business Manager The Daily Collegian's editorial opin ion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor holding 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 publica tions, is a separate corporate insti tution from Penn State. Board of Editors Managing Edi tor: Jeanette D. Krebs; Opinion Edi tor: Doug Popovich; Assistant Opinion Editor: Alan J. Craver; News Editors: Ron-Yeany, Bob King, Patrick Collier; Copy/Wire Editors: Anita Yesho, Sue Graf fius, Lori Goldbach, Tim Eyster, Denise Weav er; Town Editor: Phil Galewitz; As sistant Town Editor: Lori Heller; Campus Editor: Amy Fellin; Assis tant Campus Editor: Celeste Mc- Cauley; Sports Editor: Mark Ashenfelter; Assistant Sports Edi tors: Chris Raymond, Carol D. Rath, Doug Frank; Arts Editor: Pat Grand jean; Assistant Arts Editor: Victoria Jaffe; Features Editor: Kris Sorchil- Rome: To experience the essence of its culture, conceal the camera, speak the language and never admit being a foreigner Beyond overwhelming, Rome is many things. But after only two weeks, it is difficult to know exactly what these things are and what they will mean to me. Certainly, it is things I'll never have in the United States. columnist abroad Here, going home means opening mon strous, carved wooden doors, walking up a marble staircase to a room where my desk Board of Managers Assistant Business Manager: Amy R. Norris; Accounting Manager: Lori A. Spos sey; Office Manager: Gretchen A. Funk; Assistant Office Manager: Aileen M. Stickiey; Sales Manager: Susan Shamlian; Assistant Sales Manager: Michael Kutch; Layout Coordinator: Nancy George; Market ing Coordinator: Cathy Jones. Letters Policy: The Daily Collegian encourages comments on news coverage, editorial policy and Uni versity affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced, signed by no more than two people and not longer than 30 lines. Students' let ters should include semester stand ing, major and campus of the writer. Letters from alumni should include the major and year of graduation of the writer. All writers should provide their address and phone number for verification of the letter. The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not conform to standards of good taste. Because of the number of letters received, the Collegian cannot guar antee publication of all the letters it receives. All letters received be come the property of Collegian Inc. Mail letters to: The Daily Collegian; 126 Carnegie Building; University Park, Pa. 16802. ~~ a'.~' He should further realize that when he prematurely pronounced the death of di vestment, it was he not black students who threw down the gauntlet: The tremendous sacrifices that BSCAR intends to make especially opposing minority recruitment, which would enhance the painful isolation of a community that accounts for a mere 3.7 percent of the total enrollment should underscore the vitality of support for divestment in Happy Valley. Groups like the Undergraduate Student Government, Graduate Student Association and Faculty Senate, as well as individual students have understood and proclaimed divestment as the.only just course of action. We support BSCAR's resolution and hope that others will support its efforts to move the University to divest fully from compa nies in South Africa and to promote a better environment for the black community. And in the meantime, we would hope above all that no one ignores the fact that the present situation here at Penn State is very grim. On one side stands an administration that has remained coldly opposed to divestment. In the middle stands a majority of pre dominantly white students who have re mained noticeably and strangely silent on the matter. And on the other side stands a small black community who, thanks to the administra tion's brazen insensitivity, has been forced to resort to threats of obstructing minority recruitment in order to make its voice heard. Should BSCAR be further forced to carry out its promise, the potential for tragedy would be manifold. But the fact is that black students simply cannot advocate enrolling at a university that refuses to acknowledge the justice of divestment. Neither can we. is a wide stone windowsill overlooking an enclosed courtyard It is unlikely I'll ever be so centrally located in a major city only five minutes from the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Piazza Nervona, three Gucci stores and countless Benettons. They tell us Rome is a museum. It is doubtful I'll ever live in one of the metropol itan museums in New York City. But there is more, in fact so much more that without a map it is difficult to identify,. much more then Saint Peter's or the Colo seum on sight. Some of what I see is what I expected,' but my expectations were little more than mazes of fountains, narrow streets, unex pensive shipping and aggressive men. And they are all here, with their details often making them, well, overwhelming. Elaborate fountains are seemingly around every corner, the larger ones are gathering places for foreigners and Italians who come with guitars and sing Bruce Springsteen and Simon and Garfunkel songs. reader opinion Student opinion This letter is directed toward Presidents Jordan and Rosenblatt: As apathy runs rampant in the rands of the University student body, the Undergraduate Stu dent Government and the University administra tion clamor for student opinion. Clever idea, for this will classify these institutio nal structures as receptive and thus better their public image. I believe, however, that while there is a call for opinion, this call should more aptly read "White, male, upper-middle class, American, mainstream Republican opinions wanted. Submit at 203 HUB or Old Main Monday tp Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m." Based on my assumption, apathy can then only result because it, defined as the absence or lack of interest or concern, it the only thing warranted from a student population that unconsciously knows this University is racist, sexist, classist, ethnocentric and Moral Majoralistic. Any opinion expressed running counter to the University's beliefs and practices will not be taken seriously, at best having a "'committee" formed to study it, and time will be viewed as wasted. Should students be interested in wasting time laboriously expressing opinions when they would waste it on much more pleasurable pursuits? Beyond the "everything"-ist foundation where non-white and female faculty and administrators are near nonexistent, Blacks have to be recruited and steps taken to retain them, tuition continually increases while financial aid decreases, teachers' assistants lack proper training for them to be effective and accepted and Ronald Reagan is idolized big issues have risen where students The cobblestoned streets are lined with Humorous boutiques selling shoes, furni ture, jewelry, pottery all much less expensive when the dollar was stronger. Some streets are so narrow that only European compact cars can pass through. Others so crowded by cars parked on side walks, often doubleparked, that the cars must be lifted out of the way to allow larger vehicles to turn. And the men very overtly turn to watch women pass, saying "bella." Or groups of men follow others down the street asking "where are you going?" or if they are English, German or French. After dark, women outside without men are almost certainly not Italian. But these are things any tourist can see in less than a day and certainly Rome is more than what you see Knowing that we will be here for four months, makes me want to take things more slowly, not only to adjust, but in some ways, to assimilate. For some, this means keeping their cam eras concealed. POLICY 75WAR0481.1a5?!. 8 Wafrsloiw6 wrrH MY Fbt-IcY TOWARD BIAceSM i! N THE PATENTED 'REST3oNsE. What do you think? The Collegian's Board of Opinion voice your opinion to the Universi- spaced) or forums (up to three is interested in what the Cone- ty community or to those involved typed pages) in the Collegian office gian's readers think and feel about with the issue, why not write a in 126 Carnegie Building. the issues that may affect Penn letter to the editor? All submissions should be signed, State. Authors must present letters to include the author's phone number, If you are looking for a way to the editor (one typed page, double- academic major and status. provided opinions only to fall on deaf ears. The issue of divestment was convieniently post poned via forming a committee. The Beam Hall decision reigned supreme. Pornography is still shown on campus by USG and the Association of Residence Hall Students while at the same time conflicting with the interests of a department in USG. Now it seems the careless, thoughtless alloca tion of space within the Office of Student Services has left the Center for Women Students with a totally inadequate lounge area in which to meet. Will this decision prove unchangable too, re guardless of persistent student opinion opposing it? You ask for student input, Presidents Jordan and Rosenblatt and the systems you head, and you recieve it. Now is the time to start to prove you use it As a very active student in academic, social and political segments of this University, I have come to believe I am wasting my time expressing my opinions. My only justification is that, by not expressing my views, it would in effect be• condoning this University's actions. That, I regret to say in many cases, I want no part of. Pro-choice On Jan. 22, 1986 I am reminded again of the issue of abortion. For many years almost everybody, including myself, has encountered a conversation on this delicate subject. For others, it means avoiding answers when asked if they are American. For everyone, it means trying to speak as much Italian as possible, even when over rehearsed phrases are answered in English. In any case, it will take time: first to adjust to customs, such as closed shops and restuarants during the afternoons, and then time to become comfortable with these customs. Of course this isn't easy. It is difficult to know what the lives of Roman families and students are really like, at least in terms general enough that we can adapt our individual personalities. Though most of the American students live in "pensionis" run by families, we are out most of the day; therefore, detached from the day to day routine. And from standing in bars or sitting in restaurants, it is nearly impossible to un derstand what is being said around us or to hear what is important to Italians. Fortunately, shopkeepers and bar owners are willing and patient enough to tell us the Italian words for their products and carry Judith E. Grasso, senior-sociology The Daily Collegian Thursday, Jan. 30, 1986 My feelings on the subject are on the Pro-choice side. Murder, according to the dictionary, is stated as "the offense of unlawfully killing a human being." I underline human being because of the fact that the unborn entity cannot be considered a child since: e It does not have a birth certificate. e It does not have a social security number. e It does not have its name registered any where. • It does not have any other identification to prove that it is an independent being. The unborn entity is still connected to the moth er and, wouldn't you say, still considered a part,of her. If one sees that then one can relate to the fact that an unborn child is not a human being, but just a bunch of cells gathered together inside the woman. It will NOT be murder then. In fact, I believe lives will be saved if abortion is kept legal. If it were illegal there would be no telling what would happen. The babies might be killed, tormented or just be unloved throughout their lives. Being unloved would be worse than death itself I am sure you would agree. I, myself, in the past or future could not think of sending a girlfriend or wife to an abortion clinic, but I would still feel better knowing it is my decision and not the governMent's or court's. I respect the Pro-life advocates opinion on this important subject, but what I do not comprehend is why they want to lose their freedom of choice the freedom that lets anyone be who they want to be and do what they want to do. David Parton, freshman-business on polite conversations. And often people on the street approach us to speak, but the conversations are limited. Despite having studied eight chapters of Italian, my conversations are barely on the level of the fourth chapter, and only with those Italians who know at least as much English. With those who speak no English, I am still on chapter one. What's your name? Where are you from? How old are you? Are you a student? What do you study? It is some consolation to see that these conversations are becoming easier. Also, I understand much more of what is being said around me because knowing Italians will be the difference between see ing and really experiencing. It will be the difference between having visited Rome and having lived there. Colleen Barry is a senior majoring in English and a columnist abroad for The Daily Collegian. This semester she is study ing in Rome. Her column appears every third Thursday of the month. opinions reader opinion Against Gidgets Repsher, you get a standing (even if I'm seated) ovation for "Gidget goes radical . . ." One question: where does she come from and what can we do to stamp her out? And, oh my God, there's 15 of them in my Accounting 101 class. Like, help man. I'm going crazy, you know? David Gawain, freshman-account ing Right choice I have an analogy for those idealis tic observers of the University com munity's opinion concerning the divestment issue. Suppose I favor the elimination of the Phi-Psi 500 (which I do not), and I know that at least a few other people on campus share my conviction. Even though we feel very strongly about this, we have no right to claim that our views are held by a majority of students. This is essentially what the few supporting divestment have done. At a highly touted "rally" last semester, the extremely low turnout was blamed on a light afternoon rain. Well, let's hear why, on this cam pus where the student opinion alleg edly favors divestment, only 200 showed for the big demonstration on the day of the trustee's deciding vote. Not only did it not rain, but the weather was the nicest we've had in months. Some turnout, considering 35,000- plus students, and a large town com munity. And don't tell me about student apathy, that wouldn't coincide with the claim that there is a consensus for divestment. 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" JOSTENS AMERICA'S COLLEGE RING"' administrator. - A social science major is an epidemiologist (state health dept.). A biochemistry major is an industrial hygienist (Meade Corp.). A math major is a hospital radiation health officer. A nursing major is a hospital infection control practitioner. Biology majors are genetic associates, a legionella researcher, industrial hygienist (PPG), a health physicist (Con Ed). They're all Class of 'Bs—University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. We specialize in guiding students from all academic backgrounds into public-health specialties tailored to their interests. For information about how to put your major to work, call Karen Peterson, 412/624-3002. Or write to her at 116 Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH University of Pittsburgh Perhaps the students you label in a derogatory and condescending man ner as apathetic are actually better informed and more understanding of the factors involved than you. I know a good many of them who resent being lectured to, especially 'by tear-jerking philosophers like John Brodeur, who missed a few points in his Jan. 23 column. John, please keep in mind that a majority of those dying in South Afri ca are doing so in conflicts involving only Blacks. The system of apartheid is reprehensible, but cannot be slyly blamed for tribal violence or terrorist activities prompted by the Marxist African National Congress; which, by the way, strongly • encourages vio lence in its radio broadcasts, and has mined the roads in certain black townships. Jan. 29 I can not be so naive as to feel guilty, because I do not support di vestment, for the bloodshed in South Africa. Moreover, if you look "closely and with honesty" at what John wrote concerning "idealists." you would detect a hint of self-righteousness, and a measure of elitism as well. Truly Afrikaner sentiments. Coincidentally, John's lack of his torical perspective is exemplified by his noting the idealism of Washington 'and Jefferson, both of whom found it "ideal" to own slaves. Read a book, English major. The trustees are very much in tune with student opinion, and they realize 'that dismantling apartheid will be a long, difficult task for the entire pop ulation of South Africa, which can only be complicated by the possible loss of jobs that any economic sanc tions might cause. Eric Schumann, junior-accounting Carl Sestito, junior-pre-med Jan. 24 ers Welcome my son: A quest to be the-one-who-knew-how-to-use-the-machine The delicate balance between technology and him. He was obviously my only friend in the "Check the damn device letters," I muttered to society has been the topic of much thought and room. myself. discourse lately. Thousands of research dollars "What the hell ... ?" I said. A-ha (no new music pun intended), the flashing have been allotted to investigate it, scores of man Something's wrong, I answered myself mental- "h" was back. All I needed was to shut the copier hours are spent pondering it, and entire college ly, and checked the device letters a row of down and start the computer again. courses have been assigned to it. incomprehensible babble on the upper right I did. In light of this, it is interesting that this corner of the Video Display Terminal whose Nothing. reporter was recently involved in an episode in function is to alert the user when something has "WHaaaT da HELL?!?" . which this balance was central. gone awry. (At this point, my notes become bleary. All I Sure enough, a flashing "h". . know is that I scratched a quarter-inch gutter in Then it was simple. The "h" meant "halted." the table on which the copier sat, and it took B.R. All I needed to do was restart the copier a and the production manager to drag my heaving . . . , simple process. body away from the copier. I said something like gin;; :..° .. "death to machines, up with people," ). 4. I turned the printer off, using the big red button * now reset, ready for action. On the VDT I pressed beat the frigging machine, I petitioned the help of "s,hc assign" the command to reset the the production manager. . computer part of the printer,,and was ready for He gave the computer the proper commands, action. all the while telling me for future reference what I opened a file I wanted copied, pressed ",hc to do, but I was oblivious. I hated the damn assign," and, as predicted, the machine whirled machine. I wanted no part of it, except to get the into motion. stuff I wanted printed done. Unfortunately, there was a problem with the "Why have I wandered into Room 6?" I won paper in the copier. dered. Specifically, it wasn't properly aligned. When the manager had finished, I opened a The machine went nuts. file. Closed it, "he assign." Ten minutes and three trees-worth of paper The machine whirled into action. later, B.R. and I were shovelling the excess into This time, no paper monster, no silence, just the hall, vaguely in the direction of the janitor's smooth, flowing hard-copy. room. "Rejoice," I cried to 8.R., who was smiling "Somethin' got messed up there, Bill," I said. ear-to-ear. "Man will rule technology after all. "Yep!" said Bill, a man of few words. The Revolution is safe." "Well, no biggy, all we need to do is fix the I printed out more hard-copy that afternoon paper feed and try again." than anyone else on the East Coast. I printed After playing with the paper for 10 minutes, stuff just for the fun of it. and finally petitioning the help of a production I printed stuff abbut recipes and weather person from another room, the paper was ready maps. I printed the high school sports roundup. I to go. printed it all. Back to the VDT. Open a file, then ",hc assign" I left the room with a feeling of relief. again. "Yes," I said dreamily as I left. "Man shall Nothing. rule the Earth " "WHAT THE HELL?" 8.R., to whom I was the-one-who-knew-how-to use-the-machine, was silent It seems that I and new friend, 8.R., (a Daily Collegian columnist who will remain essentially nameless), having nothing better to do, were in Room 6 of Carnegie Building, sorting through the computer system looking for worthwhile read ing. (Only things written by yours truly had qualified up to this point). It was then that the notion of copying some of the stuff hit me. The Collegian has a high-priced, "high-qual ity" printout machine in Room 6. To make it print whatever you like, all you must do is close the file of whatever it is you want copied, press "he assign," and theoretically the printer should whirl into motion, printing out what you com manded. Needless to say, this did not happen on my first try Instead, a silent printer stared me down from the far wall. 8.R., who had earlier asked me to show him how to use the copier, also stared dumbly at me, but the callousness of the machine was beyond AREA'S LARGEST ATHLETIC FOOTWEAR DISTRIBUTOR Pi NOW thru Sat., Feb. 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