opinions
ditorial opinion
A time for action
Students and other area residents who
believe that vandalism is just a problem for
those unfortunate enough to be living near
fraternities are likely to find little to be
interested about in State College's Crime
Watch program.
And that's a shame, because this disinter
est is just the sort of buck-passing that will
allow the problems created by vandalism to
persist.
Vandalism was listed in last year's Resi
dential Improvement Study as one of the top
six community concerns. This concern
would seem to be well-founded incidents
of vandalism have increased annually since
1980 when a year-long campaign against
vandalism ended.
In the face of this increase, the Anti-
Vandalism Committee has been developing
a program to encourage awareness of the
problem and discourage vandalism.
The group, which consists of student,
citizen and business organizations, will ask
State College residents to keep an eye on
their neighbors' properties and keep closer
contact with police to fight vandalism.
But whether the program is successful
depends largely on the participation of
college-age residents, who represent 70
percent of the State College population.
So far, the signs have been encouraging.
The Interfraternity Council is already
forming a "Fraternity Crime Watch Pro
gram" set to begin operations next week.
Members from each downtown fraternity
will patrol the area Wednesday and Thurs
dathiley Collegian Board of Editors Managing Edi- Board of Managers Assistant
tor: Jeanette D. Krebs; Opinion Edi- Business Manager: Amy R. Norris;
tor: Doug Popovich; Assistant Accounting Manager: Lori A. Spos-
Opinion Editor: Alan J. Craver; sey; Office Manager: Gretchen A.
News Editors: Ron Yeany, Bob King, Funk; Assistant Office Manager:
Patrick Collier; Copy/Wire Editors: Aileen M. Stickley; Sales Manager:
Anita Yesho, Sue_ Graf f ius, Lori Susan Shamlian; Assistant Sales
Goldbach, Tim Eyster, Denise Weav- Manager: Michael Kutch; Layout
er; Town Editor: Phil Galewitz; As- Coordinator: Nancy George; Market
sistant Town Editor: Lori Heller; ing Coordinator: Cathy Jones.
Campus Editor: Amy Fellin; Assis
tant Campus Editor: Celeste Mc- . . .
Friday, Feb. 7, 1986
©1986 Collegian Inc
Anita C. Huslin
Editor
William G. Landis Jr
Business Manager
The Daily Collegian's editorial opin- Cau ley; Sports Editor: Mark Complaints: News and editorial
ion is determined by its Board of Ashenfelter; Assistant Sports Edi- complaints should be presented to
Opnion, with the editor holding final tors: Chris Raymond, Carol D. Rath, the editor. Business and advertising
responsibility. Opinions expressed Doug Frank; Arts Editor: Pat Grand- complaints should be presented to
on the editorial pages are not nec- Jean; Assistant Arts Editor: Victoria the business manager. If a com
essarily those of The Daily Colle- Jaffe; Features Editor: Kris Sorchil- plaint is not satisfactorily resolved,
gian, Collegian Inc. or The la; Science Editor: Nan Crystal grievances may be filed with the
Pennsylvania State University. Arens; Business Editor: Rich Dou- Accuracy and Fair Play Committee
Collegian Inc., publishers of The ma; Graphics Editor: Tony Ciccarel- of Collegian Inc. Information on
Daily Collegian and related publica- li; Photo Editor: Gregg Zelkin; filing grievances is available from
tions, is a separate corporate insti- Assistant Photo Editors: Jeff Bus- Gerry Lynn Hamilton, executive sec
tution from Penn State. traan, Cristy Rickard. retary, Collegian Inc.
On Monday, Feb. 17, 1986, The Daily Collegian will percent by 1987. The figure currently stands at 3.7
open its opinion -editorial page to reader opinion con- percent.
cerning the formation of the Black Student Coalition Students, faculty and other members of the Universi-
Against Racism. ty community are invited to react to BSCAR's plan.
BSCAR, comprised of 13 black University organiza- Authors must present letters-to-the-editor (one typed
tions, formed in reaction to the University Board of page, double-spaced) or forums (up to three typed
Trustee's vote not to divest University holdings in pages, double-spaced) in the Collegian office. in 126
companies operating in South Africa. BSCAR pledged Carnegie Building. Deadline for any letters or forums
to oppose minority recruitment efforts until the trust- is Friday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m.
ees reverse their decision. All submissions should be signed, include the au-
The University is required by a court mandate to thor's phone number, semester standing and academic
increase its black student enrollment figures to 5 major or University position.
Going home:
Those visits with the parents who remind you to wake up in the morning and give you gifts of Dog Halt
I guess those few weekends home were
too short and too hectic to notice much. It
may have hit some people over Thanksgiv
ing break, but I suppose I was too caught up
in the raw excitement of parades, football
games and real stuffing to notice it then.
No, it was that first long break away from
school that did it for me. Over Christmas
break I experienced for the first time the
trauma of returning home.
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Now everyone talks about the trauma a
college student faces when leaving home for
the first time. Leaving parents, family,
friends, pets and especially the car can be
an emotionally painful ordeal. But the
frightening experience of the first time
away from home is nothing compared to the
mental shock that awaits the student re
turning home for the first time.
Sure, the majority of us really love home
and I'm sure many cried the first time we
packed the car and headed for State Col
lege. Confess it now, how many clung to the
front door chanting "Idonwannago" repeat-
BSCAR fights for divestment
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day nights as well as during weekends
"Both fraternities and homes•in the area
had experienced a lot of vandalism recent
ly," IFC Community Relations Chairman
Vinnie Delie said. "The IFC felt that it
should take the initiative and decided to
take some direct action against it."
Delie and the IFC should be commended
for taking the initiative to help alleviate the
problem. However, the IFC has attacked
only the most obvious times when vandal
ism incidents occur nights when the area
is most active.
The challenge remaining is to convince
other students that vandalism is a problem
that burdens us all.
• Every student who rents an apartment
should realize that vandalism is a potential
ly expensive and often not understood re
sponsibility of a leasee.
In addition, the Organization for Town
Independent Students should help make
students aware they are responsible for
damages incurred as a result of vandalism
possibly through advising or pamphlets.
Every State College resident should also
be encouraged to join in the fight against
vandalism.
But whatever is done, it is clear that
awareness and the participation of all
groups within the community students
included is 'the key to combatting the
problem.
The time has come to take action, if for no
other reason than our own self-interest.
edly until shot with a tranquilizer gun, tied
up and secured to the luggage rack of the
family car?
Okay, so maybe it was just me. But we
were all filled with all kinds of fears the day
we moved out, ranging from the fear of
having to use a campus map for the rest of
our natural lives to anxiety stemming from
the realization that we were now responsi
ble for doing our own laundry and probably
wouldn't see clean clJthes again.
It may have been difficult adjusting to
college life at first, but gradually the real
ization hit that now that we were no longer
home, we were basically in command of our
own lives. We were becoming independent
and we liked it.
Remember the joy of newfound freedom
away from screaming siblings and prying
parents; staying out all night, cutting
classes for days on end, playing the stereo
at decibel levels only dreamed of when still
at home, eating cold pizza and Pepsi for
breakfast and doing a dozen other things
our parents were likely to drop dead if
aware of? At last we were really living!
What a shock it was to our newly liberated
egos to go home and be subjected to the
tyrannies of familyhood!
It started on the car ride home when Dad
and I played our ritual game of 20,000
Questions. He 'asked. I answered. All the
way home. Two hundred grueling miles If
gruesome grilling. I began to feel like I was
on some sort of game show where the main
objective was to answer an endless amount
of questions with as few words as possible so
as to frustrate the interrogator thus causing
him to ask more questions. I had played the
game before. I wa:s good at it.
"How was your chem exam?"
"0.K."
"What do you mean by 0.K.?"
"I mean that it was 0.K."
"Well, do you think that you did well?"
"I did 0.K."
"How is 0.K.?"
"Alright, you know Dad." And so on, for
nearly two and a half hours. Next time I
plan on packing light and taking the bus. Or
walking. Or crawling. Anything to avoid
those questions.
When I finally arrived home, for reasons
unknown I expected that I would be treated
differently now that I was a big-time college
woman. Oh where did I conceive such an
asinine idea? Things were different. My
parents now treated me as if I suddenly had
the brain of a slow 12-year-old.
I guess I shouldn't really complain be
cause not once over vacation did I have to
think for myself.
"I think you should take some medicine
for that cold."
"Drive carefully and wear a seat belt."
"Get a good night's sleep, you have a big
day ahead of you tomorrow."
Dad may have been just a little bit trying
with his questions, but Mom surpassed him
with flying colors when it came to 'helpful
advice.'
In a time span of 24 hours, she told me
eCollegian Inc
reader opinion
Constructive measures
Now that everybody is jumping on President Jordan, it
may be time for somebody to come to his defense.
A vote against divestment of all assests in companies
doing business in South Africa is not necessarily a vote for
apartheid; neither is a vote for divestment a rational
measure to reduce racial bigotry.
At the December Faculty Senate meeting, South Africa
was compared with Nazi Germany (a comparison in
certain ways valid), even though there are some strong
forces in South Africa calling for improved conditions for
Blacks something which would have been unthinkable
under Hitler's regime.
The ultimate goal of the divestment policy is to isolate
South Africa economically. Nazi Germany was quite well
isolated in the 1930 s and 19405, and it was exactly this
isolation which allowed the Nazis to rally the people
behind a ridiculous regime, against the whole world
conceived by the common citizen as the common enemy.
The worse the economy in a country is, the more
violently do racial tensions flare up. So if you want to
foster and worsen racial tensions in South Africa, elimi
nate jobs and throw the country into a permanent eco
nomic depression, vote for divestment.
I prefer to side with President Jordan'ssupport for
constructive measures like the Sullivan Principles.
Gert Aron, civil engineering professor
New light
I was very disturbed when I read the statements made
by Schumann and Sestito in the Jan. 30 edition of The
Daily Collegian. and I would like to repudiate some of
them.
nine times to be careful because there was
ice on the sidewalk. She would call me from
work to see if I remembered to get up. I was
really grateful that she gave me some truly
useful reminders on food preparation be
cause I probably would have forgotten and
served the darn spaghetti dry had she not
reminded me to boil it first. .
I tried to ignore it for the first few days,
but eventually the "button your coat's" and
the "drink your milk's" became hard to
ignore. I finally lost it while out driving with
my mother one day.
After she had been giving me directions
around the city I had only lived in for the
last fourteen years and listening to her drop
helpful driving tips ("stop the car when the
light is red"), her last "turn left here" did
me in. I brought the car to a halt, looked her
in the eye and carefully explained,"Look,
Mom. There's a building in front of me.
There's a brick wall to my right. And
there's nowhere else to turn. Mom, I'm in
college now. That's C-O-L-L-E-G-E."
Unfortunately, my mini refresher course
had little to no effect on her as she continued
to share bits of obvious information with me
up until the day I left.
By the new year, I was more than ready to
go back to dear old State as evidenced by
the scratch marks on the inside of our front
door.
Before I left, my dad gave me his stan
dard speech that I shouldn't worry myself
over grades as long as I was doing my best.
I did not think this was a good time to
The Daily Collegian
77/
BRuTg_?
First, I'd like to pose some questions. Is it naive to
believe that American corporations are supporting the
white government of South Africa and vice versa because
one profits off the other? I think not. Is it also naive to
belive that our support of those corporations (with our
investments) is tantamount to supporting the oppressive,
racist government in South Africa? I think not.
The majority of South Africans (even though they are
denied citizenship) receive nothing of the riches of their
land. All they receive is oppression and the denial of their
human and civil rights. Political sanctions against South
Africa have failed. The only way white South Africans are
going to notice anything we say or do is to hit them in their
overly fat pocketbooks!
Now I'd like to address some other statements made by
fellow Penn Staters. It only seems logical to me that the
reason the African National Congress is advocating
violence is because the South African government has
ignored their more reasonable pleas for change. Another
reason for violence is in retaliation to the years and years
of oppression and violence used against the Blacks by the
Whites to keep them in their place. Was it wrong for
Colonial Americans to have used violence in their fight for
freedom against Britain?
The University Board of Trustees' decision not to divest
has nothing to do with morality or student opinion.
Instead they merely want to make money (a fiduciary
responsibility). Moreover, the current fundraising drive
by the University would be hampered if we divest. What
company involved in South Africa would donate money to
Penn State after we have divested from them? The
trustees are not "in tune with student opinion," your's or
mine.
inform him that I spent finals week playing
cards with my roomies. I just nodded my
head gravely as my comedian of a mother
added,"Remember, 3.9 is fine!"
At this time, my dad presented me with a
small going away gift a can of dog
repellant that postal workers use. when
threatened with canine attackers. Not your
standard going away present, I agree, but I
have a job on campus and my parents,
being the parents they are; worry about me
walking home late at night. So let that be a
warning to all those who stalk the neighbor
hood at night in search for innocent victims.
I am armed and dangerous and can be
identified by a small birthmark on the right
side of my neck and a can of DOG HALT in
my left hand.
I still found myself getting all misty eyed
when it came time to say goodbye. As much
as Mom and Dad seem to bother me at
times, I know it's just because they miss me
and I find myself missing them just as
much.
So, here I am back in the dorm again
contemplating whether I should do some
studying or make some marshmallow kris
pies. I'm sure the krispies will win in the
end.
It's good to be 'back.
Cheri Monaghan is a freshman majoring
in secondary education and a columnist for
The Daily Collegian. Her column appears
every other Friday.
Ffiday, Feb. 7, 1986
Michael S. Protevi, senior-French
opinions
The Bull Session
Those late-night, philosophical discussions which take on a new dimension above the second floor
The scene is a dormitory room. It is three
o'clock on a Saturday morning. The room is
cluttered with papers, books and beer bot
tles.
Harry, a recent convert to born-again
Christianity, is reading the Bible by a desk
light. His hair is fashionably short, and he
wears a striped bathrobe. Chip, a punk
rocker, is dry-heaving by the window. He is
naked and has an.orange mohawk.
Harry: Really, Chip, is it worth it? Is a
life of sin worth throwing up for?
Chip: (gasping) Yes. Take no prisoners.
(Chip kneels and leans against the the
wall.)
Harry: I'm praying for you, Chip.
Chip: Yeah? I'm praying for some Pepto-
Bismol. (Chip stops heaving and gains his
composure.) Hey Harry, did I tell you that I
had a dream about Moses last night?
Harry: Oh? And how did you know it was
Moses?
Chip: He was wearing a shirt that said "I
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parted the Red Sea and all I got was this t
shirt."
Harry: I will not tolerate you mocking my
beliefs.
Chip: Then you better live .in a cave,
because you're going to get abused no
matter where you go. What's happened to
you, Harry? We used to have some good
times together.
Harry: Chip, there is more to life than
"good times." He has called me, and I have
answered.
Chip: He called Little Richard, too, and
that cat's on a party line.
Harry: Let's not discuss my beliefs. You
could never understand. You're a hedonistic
humanist.
Chip: Is that like a pocket fisherman?
(Harry ignores him.) Come on, Harry. I
don't care what you believe in. Just don't
lay a self-righteous trip on me.
Harry: Chip, do you believe in God?
Chip: Of course.
Harry: And will you accept Christ as your
personal savior?
Chip: No. But I will accept a Coke if He
has one.
Harry: Stop avoiding the truth, Chip. You
run around like a lust-filled German shep
herd. (Chip scratches his head and repeat
edly pounds his left leg on the floor.)
There's no meaning in your life, no direc
tion. I have that, and it feels good. I've
found the way. You will, too.
Chip: If that means telling people I'm
•
R 154 I>
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right and they're wrong, then forget it. I
don't understand you anymore. We used to
have these talks, and you were open to
anything. Always willing to try something
new. Now, you just go "Chip, you're lost!"
and make condescending remarks.
Harry: Chip, I'm sorry, but when you find
the way, you realize that everything else is
silly and false.
Chip: Gandhi was silly and false? Bob
Geldof is silly and false?
Harry: If they haven't accepted Him then
they will burn in . . .
Chip: Hell. And home born-again living in
a suburb who gives blood and buys Easter
Seals will go to heaven.
Harry: Faith in Christ is the key, my
friend. You can't go there without it, no
matter how much good you do on earth.
Chip: It seems like the whole point of
religion is to have faith in something and let
that faith turn into positive actions.
Harry: Oh, Chip, you're only halfway. Be
hot or cold, don't be lukewarm.
Chip: I'm not liath water. And who are
you to say how hot or cold my soul is? For
all you know, I may be an angel sent here to
test you.
Harry: I didn't know angels wore safety
pins in their noses.
Chip: Harry! You made a joke! Dear
God, you still have a sense of humor!
Harry: Yes, I do. Only you get so uptight
about my beliefs that I'm always on guard.
Chip: You? Harry, if you lay that "What a
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friend we have in Jesus" speech on me
again, my head's going to explode.
Harry: I'll try to be more subtle in the
future.
Chip: Screw subtlety. Try accepting the
fact that, some people are never going to be ,
Christians.
Harry: Chip, you will not be one of them.
One day, you and I will go home to heaven.
Together. Oh, what a day that will be. I
can't wait.
(Both become silent. Ten minutes pass.)
Chip: Man, I got to get my GPA up. Hey
Harry, you ever hear about that rule saying
if your roommate dies, you automatically
get a 4.0 for the term? (Harry is asleep.
Chip gently lifts him from his chair and
carries him to the window. Chip sits him on
the ledge. Harry flops out the window as
Chip holds his legs.)
Harry: HEEEYYYY!
Chip: Don't sweat it, Harry! You'll go
home to heaven, right? Oh; what a day this
will be!
Harry: Chip! I have so much to live for!
Don't do it!
Chip: Well, now, Harry old son, you told
me that the whole point of your life is to go
to heaven. Now, if you're a true Christian
and I let you go, I can help you get there.
Sort of like instant salvation.
Harry: Chip! I could never die knowing
the dark sin that would forever stain your
soul!'
Chip: Oh pish, Harry! It can't be darker
s2o© o off
when you purchase a complete pair of prescription eyeglasses
Offer expires 2/15/86 = . —/- 1; Mon.-Fri 9.5, Sat. 9.1
The Daily Collegian Friday, Feb. 7, 1986-13
than the stains on the arm pits of my
bowling shirt, and Tide got them out. (Chip
sings.) Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in
the sheaves, we shall come rejoicing . . .
Harry: Chip! I'll do anything you want!
Say it!
Chip: Okay. Swear on this. As an imper
fect human who often swipes my jockey
shorts, you will realize that life is a mys
tery, and to go around telling everyone
they're going to hell sounds foolish and
crude, especially coming from the mouth of
20-year-old kid.
Harry: No! Never!
Chip: (singing and shaking Harry's legs)
Kumbah Yah, my Lord! Kumbah Yah...
Harry: Wait! I swear! I swear! And you
can have my tan loafers!
Chip: Deal!
(Chip pulls Harry back into the room and
laughs uproariously. Harry slams his Bible
shut, kicks some beer bottles and paces the
room.)
Harry: God will get you for this, Chip! I
don't know when, I don't know where. When
you least expect it, expect it.
(Chip swigs from a bottle of Cherry Kjafa.
He burps the words, "Sure thing, Harry."
Harry turns his face away so Chip can't see
him grinning.)
William S. Repsher is a senior majoring
in English and a coimnist for The Daily
Collegian. His column appears every Fri
day.
125 S. Fraser St. 234.1040