kitvenshead rocks Eisenhower. ... . i . *albite!) play? Higi --- par.le 10 Sports . 45 .* Scatter See pa # 4l k i the daily CO Ile ian www.colleglan.psu.edu Vol. 99, No. 82 18 Pages ©1998 Collegian Inc Scott Claffee (sophomore-advertising) fills out a credit card application or the corner of Shortiidge Road and College Avenue. The U.S Public Interest-Research Group criticized credit card companies for `manipulatively' targeting college students. Group criticizes credit card companies for marketing college students heavily By TIM SWIFT Collegian Staff Writer A public interest group criticized credit card companies earlier this fall, calling the companies' marketing strategies aimed at college students "sleazy" and implying they are manipulative. Students who obtain credit cards at on-cam pus tables carry larger balances and pay off their cards later than those who do not, according to a report released by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). Nicole Beaumont, consumer advocate for the Pennsylvania PIRG chapter, said college students are all too often "baited with trin kets," such as T-shirts and Frisbees, rather than receiving lower interest rates or dis counts as do older consumers. However, Karen Rugh, director of universi ty relations, who oversees commercial use of the Penn State campus, said it is up to stu dents to make decisions about credit cards. "From a university standpoint we don't make those judgments for students," Rugh said. Maria Mendler, a Citibank spokesperson, said the company, which markets cards at Penn State, uses tables because they more efficiently reach college students. Credit card companies market vigorously to college students because they are easy tar gets to rack up debt, Beaumont said. "College students have a longer credit life span ahead of them ... with no credit history, they have a clean slate," she said. PIRG questions credit card companies' on- Interview requests to be modified By CHERYL FRANKENFIELD Collegian Staff Writer In order to simplify completing an interview request form, Career Development and Placement Ser vices is looking at alternative, World Wide Web-based systems. A student's request form is sent to companies to set up on-campus interviews, said Jack Rayman, director of career development and placement services. A new system is not yet in the budget because career services will need time to train staff, publish directions and evaluate the new system. "We're still hopeful to install a new system in Fall (Semester) 1999. I think we'll get there, but the big issue is resources," he said. The Engineering Science and Mechanics Climate Committee, made up of students and faculty, r*ised concerns last year regard ing the interview request form. Taking charge campus marketing strategies and recom mends colleges prohibit the companies from offering items for filling out applications without educational information about credit cards and credit card debt. Mendler said Citibank does provide educa tional information about debt and other credit issues but was unsure if such information accompanied the credit card incentives at Penn State. "Credit cards are not an extension of income but a convenient method of payment," Mendler said. Hap Brusca (senior-horticulture) said he has had no problems with the credit card he received from an on-campus table, yet he said credit card companies should include educa tional materials with the free items. "Many students are naïve and (credit card companies) are taking advantage of that fact," Brusca said. Penn State has limited involvement with the on-campus tables and does not receive any payment for the use of the property rather, registered student organizations spon sor the credit card companies and have them approved by the university as a method of fund raising, Rugh said. One exception, Rugh said, is MBNA, which has a contract with the university to produce Penn State-themed credit cards and market them on campus. "Students have to make their own decisions about getting a card," said Jason Covener, Undergraduate Student Government Senate president. "They must make informed deci sions about their financial situations." The committee found undergradu ate engineering students were frustrated with the $8 fee for the disk required to use the system they described as difficult. The fee is charged because the budget is not large enough to pay for the system and maintenance costs, Rayman said. "Really, some improvement needs to be done in the system. If it's cutting off data, (students) are not represented well," said former committee member Laura Ruhala (graduate-engineering science and mechanics). Looking for a job is something students take seriously and the request form is students' contact with companies, she added. This is the third year the DOS based system has been utilized by students. Last year, a Windows based version was introduced in Center for Academic Computing labs, Rayman said. "(The request form) runs on a DOS system, not a Windows sys tem, and students think it's archa ic. We know it doesn't word wrap and spell check," Rayman said. "We are aware of the problem and doing everything to make changes to simplify the system, but we have economic constraints." About 100 to 200 students signed a petition distributed last year throughout academic departments within the College of Engineering in order to collect student input, said former committee member Ashley Barnes (graduate-quality and manufacturing management). The petition showed many student were frustrated with the request form and disk fee. But Rayman said employers request that Penn State uses the form because it is concise. Few have complained about the system. "We make a lot of effort to keep these lines of communication open," Rayman said. Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998 Abedola Odunlami (sophomore-biobe havioral health) fills out a credit card application. Odunlami, like many students, was offered free items If she filled out an application. Collegian Photo/Megan K. Mort Collegian Photo/Megan K. Morr 0 dr, lh Low 26 fed clouds and cool. age 2 for the extended forecast. Campus Weather Service Class schedules no longer sent home By DANA IRWIN Collegian Staff Writer By eliminating semester bill sta tus statements mailed to students' homes, Penn State will be lighten ing the load on the United States Postal Service this spring. Every semester, students have received two-part forms which included copies of their class assignments and semester bill sta tuses that were sent directly to their home addresses. Beginning Spring Semester 1999, these forms will no longer be sent by mail. Students will need to obtain their course schedules on the World Wide Web at caais.psu.edu, through the telephone registration system or by requesting a copy from their college advising center or the Office of the Registrar. The semester bill "status form" is not a bill. It is simply a state ment, and students will be able to check their status on the Web as well, said Garry Burkle, director of enrollment services in the Office of the Registrar. Actual semester bills will still be mailed to students. Police get training to counsel victims By RACHEL HANSON and MEREDITH O'DONNELL Collegian Staff Writers The State College Police Depart ment and Penn State Police Ser vices help victims of many differ ent crimes, but sometimes even the police need help. When dealing with victims of sexual assault and rape, the two area police departments often enlist the aid of counselors, victim advocates and attorneys to address the special needs of the victims. All officers receive general training for sexual assault crimes, but the State College Police Department is planning a training program that focuses on how to handle victims of rape and sexual assault, said Sgt. John Wilson. The department also plans to add a sexual assault and domestic vio lence position, using money from a state grant to prevent violence against women, Wilson added. Like State College police, all Penn State police officers are specifically trained to deal with sexual assault and rape victims. "The old rough cop image is gone. It's imperative we deal with these kinds of crimes," said Del mar Woodring, Penn State police supervisor. Pamela Gerber, the victim and witness advocate for Penn State police, explains the legal process to victims and supports them through the court process, if necessary. "My main objective, first and Published independently by students at Penn State "I don't think it's easier. I think it's more convenient to have some thing in your hand other than just a computer printout, and your par ents get to see it," said Kimberly Pelling (junior-marketing and international business). However, with the increasing use of the Internet, the use of the traditional mail service simply has reached the time to be phased out, Burkle said. Officials in the Office of the Registrar think the new sys tem is easier for students, Burkle said. "The same thing happened when we stopped sending grades. Stu dents thought 'Gee whiz, how will I ever get my grades?' Well, gee whiz, get them off the computer," Burkle said. "It's the same idea." "I think it's fine to get it off the Internet," Alicia Ellis (senior-edu cation) said. "It's not easier; it's just a different method." Still, students are concerned with access to the Internet. "It's easier for me. I have Inter net access. But I guess if you don't have Internet access, it would be difficult," Jason Storch (senior electrical engineering) said. foremost, is to be a good listener," she said. To Gerber, it is important to show compassion and understand ing, and she is careful to avoid blaming the victim for their cir cumstances or actions. State College police also has counselors available, but they are not always used. Victims may pre fer to have family members and friends with them, Wilson said. The Centre County district attor ney's office has two early outreach victim advocates. One works with violence cases, as soon as they are reported; the other works with all victims once the case goes to court. Once victims have reported an instance of sexual assault to police, they do not have to press charges, but Centre County District Attor ney Ray Gricar may prosecute without their cooperation. "If I thought the (assailant) was a threat to the community at large, I would try to persuade the victim to cooperate," Gricar said. The trial of Shane Dawson, who was found guilty of kidnapping and raping his ex-fiancee he later mar ried, is an example of how Gricar can proceed with a criminal case without the cooperation of the vic tim, he said. Not only did Dawson's wife appear as a witness for the defense at the trial, but she recanted her earlier testimony that said she was raped. Gricar said despite her tes timony, he felt the jury had no problem convicting Dawson.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers