-g-g The Daily Collegian Published independently by students at Penn State PSU no longer top party school By Megan Rogers COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Penn State fell two spots from the top Princeton Review party school ranking, but some student leaders say the rankings never had any merit in the first place. After climbing its way up the party school rankings over the past several years, Penn State is slowly moving down the list. The university is not thrilled with the rankings but feels no need to get hung up on the results, university spokesman Geoff Rushton said. “How do you scien tifically gauge something like this?” Rushton said. “I don't think you do.” JoePa quiets critics Coach asserts health is fine By Andrew J. Cassavell COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER CHICAGO Joe Paterno walked gingerly up on stage, spoke quietly and looked weaker when making his first public appearance since the Blue- White game. Intestinal issues forced Paterno to skip three alumni speaking events this summer, and the coach's health was the No. 1 story line surrounding Penn State football on the first of two Big Ten media days Monday at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. “I'm tired," Paterno said, “of answering the same dumb ques tion about mv health." That didn't stop reporters from firing them at him. Paterno constantly reiterated he is feeling fine and said he was only affected in terms of making public appearances because he had trouble controlling his bowel movements. His health has not kept him from watching film, meeting with recruits or prepar ing for the upcoming season, and he said he expects to coach from the sidelines. “Well, you know, again, what did Mark Twain say, the rumor of my death has been over-exag gerated or something, I forget,” Paterno said. “I really didn’t lose any time. The problem I had was not having control of some things, and I had to be careful that I didn't get myself in a posi tion where I would embarrass See JOEPA, Page 2. Joe Paterno shakes hands with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany. But Rob Franek, author of The Princeton Review's “The Best 373 Colleges," said the rankings have merit because they are the results of thousands of students' opinions and are true to what university life is like at each campus. Some student leaders said they were not surprised by the results. Interfraternity Council President Max Wendkos said the third place ranking was what he expected. But he said the impor tance of the ranking is overplayed. He said that while he was happy Penn State greek life got a shout out in the lists as the No. 10 Major Sorority and Frat Scene, he said he hopes the rankings reflect the See RANKING, Page 2. Sam Posey, 4, escapes the summer heat in Dallas, Tx., by running through fountains at Main Street Garden Park. Though the weather hit the triple digits in parts of the south, temperatures in the northeast have remained fairly steady and enjoyable. Greeks pleased by housing plan By Brendan McNally COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Penn State fraternity and sorority life leaders said the uni versity’s tentative plans to reno vate South Halls would be a move in the right direction for greek housing. Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Roy Baker said he’s been pleased with the progress the university has made so far in drawing up plans for the renova tion set to begin in December 2012. Though nothing’s been “set in stone” yet, Baker said the univer sity has done a great job in reach ing out to the greek community Third Place Partiers Penn State was ranked as the N 0.3 party school by the Princeton Review this year. Q> I 5 c ITS cc 'O4 'O5 'O6 'O7 'OB 'O9 'lO Source: Collei Heather SchmeSzlen/Coliegian so that the renovation meets its needs. “I have a housing and resi dence life background, so I know what those people go through on a daily basis,” Baker said. “The fact that they have included us and the students in this conversa tion is invaluable.” Stanley Latta, assistant vice president of the Penn State Office of Housing, Food Services and Residence life, said the university is currently planning to renovate the halls so sororities’ suites are on the same floor as their bed- rooms. Panhellenic Council President Sara Linkosky said the change See SOUTH HALLS. Page 2. University gets top rank for passionate sports fans By Megan Rogers COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Staying until the end of the boasts the best student section in game despite the pouring rain, the country, Paternoville presi waking up early on the weekends dent Alex Cohen said. He said the to paint bodies blue and white and No. 1 ranking only confirms what camping on pavement to get front- everyone already knows, row seats have finally paid off. And the amount of energy and For the second year in a row, excitement surrounding Penn Penn State students have earned State athletics is only just taking the university the No. 1 /spot on the off, he said. Princeton Review Students Pack “Every year it gets better and the Stadiums rankings and See STADIUM. Page 2. Simmons Dining Hall will be renovated to make room for suites. psucollegian.com @dailycollegian many say the ranking comes as no surprise. It’s no secret that Penn State