THE DAILY COLLEGIAN African and African American Studies professor Cary Fraser discuss es culture and politics with students in the HUB on Wednesday. Students discuss culture, politics By Anita Modi COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER From immigration to educa tion and human rights, Wednesday's "Culture & Politics Discussion and Taste of the Diaspora" showed students that politics is an essential cultural element. To promote open discussion. the Paul Robeson Cultural Center's Heritage Hall was remodeled to resemble a coffee shop, featuring lounges that sub divided politics into four aspects: education, immigration, human rights and general politics. Penn State students from both University Park and Common wealth Campuses were invited to log on to any of the four chat rooms corresponding with the four lounges from 1 to 3 p.m. through ANGEL. Moderators assigned to the chat rooms relayed insights and opinions from students who couldn't attend the event back to those seated in Heritage Hall. Melissa Landrau-Rodriguez, moderator of the Culture and Immigration lounge, said that contrary to pop ular belief, functioning well in a new country and honoring one's roots are not mutually exclusive. Though festivals, clothes and food might vary from culture to culture, people's values are usu- Learn well if Live well lionscrossing.com "Politics develops values and beliefs. It shapes who you are..." Brittany Martin senior - political science ally similar, said Landrau- Rodriguez, director of the College Assistance Migrant program. But media coverage of immi gration doesn't seem as hopeful, said Tiffany Lawerence-Bell, who attended the event. "The media has a negative out look on people of different coun tries coming to the U.5., - Lawerence-Bell (senior-psychol ogy) said. - People are uncomfort able with immigration, and I think it's because of a hidden ignorance passed down over the years." The event was part of the weeklong World Cultural Festival. While Tuesday's event focused on films and Thursday's event will feature the arts, Wednesday's dis cussion centered on the links between culture and politics. "Politics develops values and beliefs. - organizer Brittany Martin (senior-political science) said. "It shapes who you are and what group you belong to." To e-mail reporter: arms373@psu.edu ~~~._ n ittanycrossingpa.com collegeparkpa.com LOCAL & S'l A t iii Haas will stick to republican values if elected to Pa. House By Megan Rogers COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Pennsylvania House of Representative candidate J'oyce Haas told a crowd of supporters at a campaign kick off Wednes day night she will continue to embrace family and republican values if elected to the House. Haas, the vice chairman of the Haas Pennsylvania Republican Party, is running for the 77th seat in the House currently held by Rep. Scott Conklin. To challenge Conklin, D-Centre. in November's general election, Haas must defeat fellow Republican Ron Reese in the May 18 primary election. "It's a daunting task, but one that I will love," she said. Haas, a lifetime Centre County UPUA to host spring conference At tonight's meeting, held in Beaver Stadium, goals and ideas for next semester will be talked about with officials. By Casey McDermott COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Student government will host its annual Spring Academic Council Conference tonight, bringing together representa tives from student councils, faculty members and administra tors. Held in the Beaver Stadium recruiting lounge, the invitation only event changed its format this year, moving away from a "lec ture-like" meeting to a more open discussion. University Park Undergrad uate Association Academic Affairs Chairman Sam Loewner and Academic Affairs member Leanna Usnik organized the event, saying the conference pro vides the chance to exchange resident and Penn State gradu ate, said if elected, she will work to decrease taxes, spending and government involvement. She said she supports Tom Corbett for governor and hopes to back him in his promise of no new increases in taxes. Corbett has also proposed insti tuting a two-year budget, which would better help Penn State plan for the future, Haas said. Like Conklin, Haas criticized Gov. Ed Rendell and the legisla ture for withholding Penn State's appropriation during last year's budget process. But while Conklin has called for a constitutional convention, Haas said she does not see the need for a convention. She would rather enforce the current constitution because she said she would not trust legisla tors to create a new constitution. "I cannot trust what would go into it, she said. "Instead let's embrace what's contact information, goals for the upcoming semester and ideas for working together. Loewner (senior-political sci ence) anticipates about 50 people will attend, representing at least 10 of the university's academic student councils. A majority of the associate deans for those respective col leges will also be attending. 'At end of the day, our goal is to allow student council presidents a greater role in undergraduate education," Loewner said. "We're going to facilitate discus sion between all parties involved." And Usnik (sophomore-biobe havioral health) said the event's new format should help get that discussion going even further. This year's event will take place over dinner, providing a more relaxed and conversational atmosphere, she said. Keynote speaker Jeremy Cohen, vice president and senior associate dean for undergraduate education, will give a speech enti tled, "Democracy's Education: Whose Community Is It?" ~(~ THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 I Penn State student Anthony Christina worked with Haas this past fall to campaign for munici pal elections and said Haas has values he admires. "Joyce is the true pro-Penn State student candidate in both the primary and the general elec tion," Christina (freshman-politi cal science) said. Because Haas has a back ground in both education and pol itics she will be proactive in obtaining state appropriation money for the university Christina said. 'Joyce will be very Penn State friendly when it comes to getting our appropriation in next year's budget." he said. Christina, the treasurer of the Penn State College Republicans, said the club does not endorse either candidate during the pri maries, but will fully support who ever runs on the Republican tick et in the general election. To e-mail reporter: mers2oo@psu.edu "The fundamental value of an education is to develop an under standing of our role in a democra cy," Cohen said. - Whether a stu dent is an English major or a chemistry major or an IST major, in addition to learning about what they hope will be their profession, students also need to learn first and foremost how education can be used to sustain a democracy and to sustain liberty" Wil Santivasi, Eberly College of Science student council presi dent, said this kind of collabora tion on issues such as the IT Fee, class launch lists and the Penn State Book Exchange has been helpful at past confer ences, even when college councils disagree. "The discussion is never petty it's always allowing us to antic ipate and react to problems that may occur because of the deci sions we make," Santivasi (junior premedicine) said. "It's nice to be questioned by others that don't always share the same experi ences as you." To e-mail reporter: cmms773@psu.edu Whether you're finishing your first term or looking forward to graduation, summer sessions at the University of Pittsburgh provide an exciting opportunity to catch up on needed credits, stay on track, or get ahead of schedule. With more than 500 courses offered throughout the 4-week. 6-week, 12-week, and 14-week sessions, you choose the classes you want at the times that fit around your busy schedule. Best of all. summer sessions credits are transferable to most colleges and universities around the country! (,) University of Pittsburgh School of Arts and Sciences College of General Studies
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers