4 I THURSDAY, DEC. 2, 2010 UPUA moves forward with test prep program By Kathleen Loughran COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER University Park Undergraduate Association members received approval from the university to move forward with the process of acquiring subsidized test prepara tory programs, student body pres ident Christian Ragland said. Though the proposal from The Princeton Review has been received, Ragland (senior-political science) said UPUA members are still waiting to hear back from Kaplan lest Prep and Admissions. UPUA Academic Affairs Chairwoman Courtney Lennartz FRESH CUTZZZ Christie Orso of Rinaldo's Barber Shop works on Jim Isajewicz's (senior-history) hair. isajewicz came to Centre County to enjoy hunt ing season but was forced to forego his trip due to the rain. Group raises money with record attempt By Megan Rogers COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Atlas THON organizers were disappointed they did not break the world record for the most people doing crossword puzzles, though they did raise some money for the Interfraternity Council/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Only about 100 people attended the event, organizer Pete Farjo said 400 people short of the goal. "It was pretty disappointing," Farjo (senior-biological engineer ing) said. "Sadly we only had 104 people there." The current record for the most people doing a crossword puzzle is 443 people, Farjo said. Those who did attend paid $2 and were required to work for at least ten minutes on the THON themed crossword, Atlas Executive Director Meg O'Rourke said. Participants had to correctly complete at least five answers, O'Rourke (senior-life sciences and psychology) said. She said she thought the idea of using a world record as a lure to raise money for THON was creative. "It's a pretty unique way to Check us out! twig.- • ©mycollegianad dlYrYrc • said if UPUA does not receive a proposal from Kaplan soon, UPUA will use The Princeton Review. Lennartz (sophomore-health policy and administration) said she is pleased with The Princeton Review's proposal, which would provide cheaper preparatory classes for all of the major tests. Such tests are required for entrance to graduate programs such as medical school, law school dental school and optometry school. "It seems like a great deal," Lennartz said. "It's really going to cut the cost for students and is really good for UPUA because raise money for THON and a lot of fun." O'Rourke said. Event attendee Emily Banach said she was disappointed by the small crowd. "It sounded like more people said they would be at the event than actually attended," she said. But a small crowd didn't deter Banach, who heard of the event from friends who are Atlas mem bers, from enjoying herself. Banach (sophomore-kinesology) said she managed to get every one of the puzzle answers cor rect. She said she has high hopes that if repeated, the event will have more success. Some students who attended said they thought the event was worthwhile, despite not meeting the record-breaking goal. Hank Bushong (sophomore-econom ics) and Katy Adolfo (sophomore education) said the event was pretty unique but they were hoping to break the record. The event did turn a profit, which will be donated to THON. Farjo said he does not plan to send in the event to the Guinness World Record headquarters. but said he may look and see if the event broke another record. To e-mail reporter: mers2oo@psu.edu LOCAL really all we'll have to do is get the tests and reserve the rooms." Ragland who ran on estab lishing subsidized test preparato ry programs said he knew the idea was possible and would be beneficial for students because it has had success at Ohio State University "These tests and classes are pretty expensive," Ragland said. "Understanding the plight of tuition, I want to make sure that anything else in regards to aca demics can be as cheap as possi ble." Ragland said more students are going directly to graduate schools Student quickly catches PSU spirit Series note: This is the sec ond in a five-part series profil ing international students. By Christina Gallagher and Jessica Tully FOR THE COLLEGIAN Unlike most 18-year-old inter national students, Hong Kong native Darren Ng began his assimilation into American life two years ago with the potential to become a championship college tennis player. Ng was recruit ed to play tennis at Cornell University, but the coach was fired. Upon his Ng termination, the Cornell coach referred Ng to play tennis at Binghamton University because he would not be accepted to Cornell without a high school graduation certificate. After he arrived at Binghamton, Ng's tennis career quickly ended because of a stress fracture in his ankle. "It was from over-training for three years," Ng said. "It didn't hurt at first, and by the time it did start to hurt, it was too late." Commissioners set budget increase By Anita Modi COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER The Centre County Board of Commissioners passed its 2011 budget Tuesday by a 3-0 vote. This year, the county worked under a $7B million budget. $26 million of which was raised in real estate tax revenue. The rest of the money was obtained through federal funds, Board of Commissioners Chairman .Jon Eich said. The Board of Commissioners. comprised of Eich, Rich Rogers and Steven G. Ders hem. approved an increased 2011 budg et of $82.1 million, along with a tax cut of about $125,000. As a result. taxpayers throughout the county will pay an average of $l5 less next year as compared to this year. Money paid to the county is divided among more than 35 departments including human services, children and youth serv ices, transportation and courts and prison -related offices. Of the different departments, Eich said human services, responsible for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and men tal health services, receive the largest portion of the budget. HUNGRY HOUR $4 Select Appetizers Excludes JD Sampler & Pick 3 For All 814.861.5540 1215 N. Atherton St. because of the economy, which means having less expensive pro grams is particularly important. He said he hopes to have the classes ready for next semester. UPUA is not the only student government working on this initia- tive the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments also wants to offer subsidized programs at Commonwealth Campuses, CCSG President Mohamed Raouda said. Raouda (senior-history and international politics) said he plans to bring up the proposal at Council Weekend, which begins Friday. World campus But what seemed tragic at first was a blessing in disguise, Ng said, adding that he was unhappy with Binghamton, as he wanted to attend a college with a better aca demic and social atmosphere "There was no school pride," he said. "It was not the college I was looking for" With advice from friends. Ng applied and was accepted to Penn State as a junior for the fall 2010 semester. He quickly began to bleed blue and white. Ng (junior-economics) said his roommate at Binghamton helped him assimilate into the American culture by introducing him to sports. I go to all of the Penn State football games and I love them," he said. "My favorite professional team is the Philadelphia Eagles." Ng said the people he hangs out with also helped Americanized him. Dan Galante (freshman-mete orology) said he's thanklul for his friendship with Ng. "My friendship with Darren has given me a whole different Eich said the commissioners could afford to enact a tax cut despite approving a larger budget because the county increased its reserve fund by more than $2 mil lion over the past year. The elimination of vacated positions and decrease in nursing home operating costs and employee health insurance claims contributed to the deci- Denise Elbell, Centre County deputy administrator and direc tor of financial management, is responsible for working with each department head in addition to the Board of Commissioners to draft the county budget every year. She said the process starts in July when the commissioners' financial staff mails a budget package out to each department about past expenditures and rev enue. After a month, the departments send back their copies of the budget including projected expenditure and revenue values. as well as lists of grants and requests for review. Elbell moth fies certain areas of the budgets as necessary and offers a tenta tive copy to the Board of Commissioners. MONDAY-FRIDAY 9PM-1 . BAR ONLY $2 "YOU CALL $2 Drafts $2 House Wines $2 Bottled Beers $2 Liquors - Margaritas, Captain & Cokes, LITs, House Martinis and more! THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Since the Commonwealth Campuses currently do not offer test preparatory programs on campus, Raouda said it is impor tant for the initiative to come to fruition, especially considering many of the campuses now offer four-year degree programs. "A lot of them will want to take prep classes, but if you don't have a car, it's a hassle to get to," he said. "I think that if we can offer these classes to them on Penn State campuses, they will be encouraged to take these class because they're cheaper" To e-mail reporter: krlslo6@psu.edu perspective on international stu dents who I see around campus," he said. - I no longer stereotype anyone because I know that we are all just people no matter where we come from." Many Asian students feel more comfortable around other Asian students, but Ng said he prefers to socialize with mostly American students. "I don't feel like it's a waste for Asian students to come here, but they're not benefiting from any thing by only talking to each other. If you're going to stick with your own people. you might as well go to school in 'our own country." he said. Ng said he doesn't understand how Asian students wind up meeting each other at Penn State. "I always notice when Asian kids only hang out with each other. I believe it is a part of Asian culture for them to stay together even when away from Asia:* he said. Ng said he returns to Hong Kong twice per year for winter and summer break. The biggest change that his parents noticed in him when he returned home from America was that he acted more lively, Ng said. He isn't sure if it's the American culture that made him more live ly or just college in general. Centre County budget The Board of Commissioners approved a budget increase and tax cut for 2011 2010 BUDGET $7B MILLION ► $26 million raised from real estate tax revenue 2011 BUDGET $B2 MILLION ► 5125,00 tax cut, or $l5 lessiyear for each Centre County resident So , ,rcP Centre County Board of Commissioners Heather Schmelzlen/Coilegrar The commissioners approve a tentative budget to present to the public for opinions and sugges tions. After 20 days, feedback is incor porated into a final budget, Elbell said. This year, there were hardly any changes regarding programs, she said, but a number of issues discussed last year were consid ered when drafting the budget. "Travel was really watched for the 2010 budget, and we looked at that again this year," she said. To e-mail reporter: arms373@psu.edu IT"
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