i' *Old McDonald ' Definite-Lfigput I More and more Americans are buying j •/; , Linebacker Sean BHffiinotpjdV£k I their food from local farmers markets i 11 The Daily Collegian . . Published independently by students at Penn State Flu cases on rise, hit 900 By Allison Jackovitz COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER University Health Services (UHS) has diagnosed more than 900 Penn State students with an influenza-like illness, and two have been hospitalized since the start of classes, director Dr. Margaret Spear said Tuesday. In general, Spear said the presence of the HINI virus commonly known as swine flu has been steady. Spear estimat ed that between 50 and 60 stu Chloe Elmer/Collegian Members of the cast of the Broadway musical Avenue Q perform Tuesday night in Eisenhower Auditorium. Although it's a puppet show, the production advertises itself as unsuitable for children because of its adult content. Racy puppet show entertains By Matthew D'lppolito COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Audience members were edu cated through songs about topics ranging from racism and porn to life purpose and schadenfreude Tuesday night in Eisenhower Auditorium. The Broadway musical Avenue Q took the stage at Eisenhower for the first time to an audience of 1,550. The produc tion will show again at 7:30 tonight. "It exceeded my expecta tions," Brian Maynard (sopho- Gardens take place of tailgates By Lexi Belculfine COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER The sounds of bottles clinking, grills sizzling and tailgaters partying in Parking Lot 80 have been replaced by an unusual quiet at Penn State, as the for mer tailgating fields north of Park Avenue transform into the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. The gardens are part of the first phase of an initiative to redevelop the area into a 377-acre arboretum, extending from Park Avenue to the Mt. Nittany Expressway. From Overlook Pavilion temporary lights and portable'toilets can be seen in the distance, reminders of how far the Arboretum at Penn State still has to go. •‘This is one of the most visible, most exciting new initiatives at Penn State," said Kate Reeder, arboretum event and marketing coordinator. As a part of the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence's Educating for Sustainability Conference, two groups of dents are seen at UHS each day UHS to Mount Nittany Medical for flu-like symptoms. Center at the end of last week. Although UHS saw the most The students spent 24 and 48 students with symptoms during hours in the hospital respectively the week of Sept. 14, the average and have since been discharged, number of cases is still on the Neither student was critically ill. rise, Spear said. While 900 students out of the “If a lot of students get vacci- entire student body aren't too nated, hopefully that’ll keep it so many in her mind, Spear said the we're not seeing 250 a week for figure is likely an underestimate, the rest of the year," Spear said, as many students are treating "I’m not sure my staff can keep themselves without seeking doing that." medical attention. In general. The two students requiring only students in high-risk groups hospitalization were referred by need to visit UHS if they're more-interdisciplinary studio) said. "‘And I expected hilarity.” Maynard said this was the first time he and his friends had seen the show live. When they found out it was coming to campus they needed to see it. he said. “It kind of has a reputation for being really funny." Ford DeCastro (sophomore-bioengi neering) said. “It preceded itself." He had listened to several Avenue Q songs before, includ ing “The Internet is for Porn.” Those songs made him want to see the show. He added that 'e'-erter Cc.iegian The reflection on the right belongs to Jacob Bader, 6. of State College. The lily pad filled pond is part of Penn State’s arboretum, which is still under construction. Bader listened to a tour guide during a tour of the gardens Tuesday nignt. about ten people toured the Botanic of plants and 1,700 individual plants. Gardens on Tuesday afternoon. Equipped with Wi-Fi. the gardens fea “People tend to enjoy tours the most ture a fountain that runs from morning and hearing the inside story." Reeder to midnight —as per the wishes of Penn said. She has been working on the State President Graham Spanier. who arboretum for nine years. lives nearby. "Our mission in one word is steward- As the arboretum is currently very ship," she said to a tour group. “We want See GARDENS. Page 2. people to understand and reconnect with nature.” The botanic garden boasts 700 species LOCAL, Page 4. while watching the show, it's easy to forget that many of the characters are puppets. The musical tells the story of recent college graduate Princeton as he moves into a cheap apartment on Avenue Q in a nameless borough outside of New York City. Princeton finds things become difficult when he realizes he has not yet found his life purpose. The performance opened with a song about how much life sucks as Princeton meets his new neighbors. The cast eventually agrees that it sucks most to be Coverage of a climate change forum exhibiting influenza-like symp toms, which include fever, body aches and fatigue. "We assume that there are some students who are coming down with symptoms of the flu that have read about it and fig ured out that they have it so they just lay low and take care of themselves,” she said. But the university's new flu form on eliving.psu.edu may help to provide more accurate figures as to how many students are See FLU. Page 2. the Avenue Q superintendent, who happens to be Gary Coleman, who is played by one of three live actors in the show. As Princeton begins interact ing with his neighbors, the songs elicited more laughs from the audience. "Everyone's a little bit racist sometimes." Princeton’s love interest. Kate Monster sings at one point. “Maybe it's a fact we all should face.” It was this straightforward ness that Lindsey Goodlow enjoyed most about the show. See SHOW. Page 2. Campus connections The common areas in some parts of campus have total wireless coverage, while others should by next semester. Nittany Comm. Center..... 100% Source: Penn State Housim Wi-Fi coining to some dorms Some students are upset that not all residence halls will receive wireless internet, By Allison Jackovitz COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Wireless Internet is finally coming to some campus residence halls but the service isn’t as inclusive as some might have hoped. Housing and Residence Life is focusing on providing wireless access in common areas but because of the cost of installation, there are no plans to provide service to dorm rooms, said Joel Weidner, director of information systems for Housing and Food Services. Although common areas in many residence halls already feature wire less Internet, Penn State officials hope to have the service in 12 dorms in South and Pollock Halls by next semester for around $85,000. Putting wireless in the remaining residence halls at University Park will cost about $140,000 and should be completed by spring 2011, Weidner said. However, wireless Internet will not be installed in the tower build ings in East Halls. Organizers said the residence halls have lost lounges to supplemental housing and are already close to Findlay and Johnston Commons. Even so, room and board fees from all on-campus students go toward installing wireless Internet, something Ryan Beckler (freshman division of undergraduate studies) said is unfair. Student tells Congress of college costs By Laura Nichols COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Penn State student DJ Ryan stood before a congressional committee Monday to share his federal aid story, emphasizing the program’s importance to many students in the face of rising higher educa tion costs. The Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions held a field hearing in Philadelphia on Monday, ques tioning students, parents and employees in higher education on the importance grants hold in py an facilitating higher education. Ryan (junior-communication arts and sci ences), who is the Campus of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG) governmental See STUDENT, Page 2. To read Ryan's testimony: psucollegian.com 28.57% 27.27% .14.28% and Food Services Justine King/Collegian See WI-FI. Page 2.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers