4 I Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010
County may upgrade 911 system
By Caitlin Smith
FOR THE COLLEGIAN
Emergency communication serv
ices may upgrade from analog to dig
ital in Centre County as a result of a
project estimated to cost about $2O
million.
The potential upgrade will include
broader emergency coverage via
new radios and increased communi
cation between radio towers, said
Jon Eich, chairman of the Centre
County Board of Commissioners.
The new radios would be placed in
emergency vehicles in addition to the
ones carried by first responders.
"Replacing the system will ensure
that the calls are up to the level we
would like,” Eich said.
County officials have looked into
an upgrade since 2008, when the
company responsible for the current
system closed, Eich said.
Currently, the county’s 911 center
receives about 160,000 phone calls
each year, he said.
Responders are dispatched for
about 60,000 calls and about 45,000 of
Libraries’ loan periods extended
Undergraduate students can keep loaned materials for full semester
By Danae Blasso
FOR THE COLLEGIAN
Just in time for the new semester,
undergraduate students are now
able to keep their loaned materials
from the Penn State libraries for a
full semester.
Library Supervisor Circulation
and Reserves Specialist Chris
Holobar said the idea to allow every
one affiliated with Penn State not
just graduate students and faculty
to borrow library resources for a full
semester was first discussed on Nov.
Previously. Holobar said the limit
for all others outside of faculty and
graduate students was four weeks.
"We really want to promote the use
of our collection." Holobar said.
There are a tremendous amount of
resources that we want you to take
advantage of."
The semester-long borrowing sys
tem was in place for more than ten
years for graduate students and fac
ulty staff, Holobar said.
By extending the loan period for
UPUA intern program sees success
Geared toward freshmen,
UPLIA's internship is
designed to teach students
about the organization.
By Kathleen Loughran
COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER
Though the University Park
Undergraduate Association's fresh
men internship program is only in its
second year, UPUA Director of
Freshman Outreach Rebecca Alt
said there have already been
improvements from last year's pilot
program.
During the program known
as Year-One Undergraduate
Supporting Representative Voice
interns attend classes where various
UPUA members give presentations
so interns can learn about all aspects
of UPUA, Alt said. Each intern is also
assigned a mentor within UPUA to
help bring initiatives to fruition.
In addition to growing in size, the
internship program has also expand
ed to include interns to the assembly
rather than solely the executive
board, Alt (sophomore-communica
tions arts and sciences) said.
"It's really beneficial because I
know there are so many students
that run for UPUA, and they don't
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“Replacing the system will ensure that the calls
are up to the level we would like.”
those calls are classified as emer
gencies, Eich said.
A new system will ensure that
radio calls are received clearly,
whether being made from inside
buildings or out in the street, Eich
said.
The project is also a response to
population growth across Centre
County’s rural and urban communi
ties. To help reduce costs, Eich said,
the county is looking to partner with
owners of already existing radio tow
ers to avoid constructing its own,
which can cost $1 million per tower.
Safety and cost will be the primary
considerations for the county as offi
cials look to move forward with the
proposal, Eich said. “We are aware of
the high cost but are making every
effort to ensure the changes are both
efficient and necessary,” he said.
books, Holobar said the new system
makes it fair for all students whom
try to check out books.
“We are assuming that many of the
materials students are checking out
are used for course purposes,"
Holobar said.
It also makes it easier to return the
borrowed books at one common
time, which would be at the end of
the semester, said Stephanie
Movahedi-Lankarani, manager of
library services at the Architecture
and Landscape Architecture Library.
“[Students] were pleased to have a
longer period,” Movahedi-Lankarani
said. “They thought it would be very
useful for research needs.”
Students are allowed to renew
their books twice during the loan
period, but their books can still be
subjected to recall, Movahedi-
Lankarani said.
“If someone needs [the book] they
can click the T want if button,” she
said.
The “I want it” button online sends
an e-mail to the individual that cur
rently has the book checked out and
“The more we train the future of the organization,
the more legitimate we’re going to become.”
know the structure of it or the histo
ry of it," she said. "These interns are
already networking with UPUA
members."
UPUA Vice President Colleen
Smith said the program was mainly
focused on educating the interns last
year, but having mentors now has
helped strengthen the internship.
“I really like that it’s a good mix
between education and hands-on
involvement," Smith (junior-history)
said.
UPUA Director of Governmental
Affairs Travis Salters said his intern,
Candace Fox, has helped him with
organizing the Pennsylvania Student
Association.
"As much support as we can get is
always helpful,” Salters (junior
broadcast journalism and African
and African American studies) said.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my
intern. She’s definitely getting a
great experience, and I wish more
students could take advantage of this
opportunity."
Fox (freshman-accounting) said
she decided to apply for the program
LOCAL
Centre County Board of Commissioners chairman
Eich said he believes Penn State
will work with the commissioners to
maintain compatibility between the
two communication systems, though
the details of the university’s involve
ment are not yet known.
Penn State spokesman Geoff
Rushton said he was unsure of the
university’s involvement in the proj
ect thus far.
But he said he encourages univer
sity and county officials to work
together.
Some students said they support
the plan, as it would improve safety.
“I think it is important as well as
beneficial for Penn State to commu
nicate with the county,” Kyle Ruffing
(freshman-business) said.
“It will show that Penn State
cares about the safety of its student
body.”
states they have ten days to return
the book, Holobar said.
Besides the option to have the
book recalled, the Easy Borrow sys
tem is still available, Holobar said.
Through the Easy Borrow system,
institutions in Pennsylvania as well
as several in New Jersey and
Virginia can send the student a copy
of the book from their library,
Holobar said.
However, not all materials are cov
ered under the new semester loan
policy, Movahedi-Lankrani said.
Students can not check out course
reserve materials, DVDs or refer
ence materials for a semester,
Movahedi-Lankrani said.
Holobar said he looked at the use
statistics of undergraduates regis
tered with the libraries and the books
they used when developing the new
system.
The statistics found that under
graduates are as responsible with
their books as graduate students are,
and it wouldn’t be a problem to allow
them to check the books out for a
whole semester, Holobar said.
sophomore-communications arts and sciences
because she wants to be involved
with UPUA.
“I’ve learned so much,” she said.
T’ve learned how UPUA works, how
it's structured, who’s friends with
who, the politics of everything and
just in general how everything gets
done.”
Intern Tom Bremer said he’s
enjoyed being a part of the program.
“I’ve been really impressed with
it,” Bremer (freshman-mechanical
engineering) said.
“I didn’t really know what to
expect, and so far I’m happy I’m a
part of it.”
Alt said she has received positive
feedback about this year’s internship
program.
“It’s become a really essential
part, and I know a lot of the assembly
members and executive members
have expressed that it’s the future of
UPUA,” she said.
“The more we train the future of
the organization the more legitimate
we’re going to become.”
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To e-mail reporter: kHslo6@psu.edu
SECONDO TO NONE
Andrew Dunheimer/Collegian
Sports commentator Leah Secondo speaks to a group of
students in the Foster Auditorium Wednesday night. For
more coverage of the event, visit psucollegian.com.
Festival set to bring
trees, holiday cheer
By Micah Wintner
COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER
After nine months of preparation, the 16th Annual
Festival of Trees and Crafts Show is ready to showcase its
92 Christmas trees.
The event, which will be field from Thursday to Sunday in
the Snider Agricultural Arena, was organized by the YMCA
of Centre County in collaboration with the Penn State
Forestry Club, Woodland Owners of Centre County and the
State College High School Wild Dream Team.
“It’s very gratifying to see the community come togeth
er,” festival organizer Jennifer Stephens said.
Stephens, who has been the event's organizer for eight
years, said planning has been going on since March.
The Wild Dream Team is a group of special needs chil
dren who come together and learn in one classroom. State
College Area High School teacher Rudy Burruss said.
Burruss said the students enjoyed setting up the lights
the most.
“It’s their way of giving back to the community for the
community giving to them,” he said.
Vendors will also display artwork at the event, ranging
from birdhouses to jewelry.
Longtime vendor Naomi Gallagher of Pleasant Gap, Pa.,
said she has been displaying her art wood products and
hand-crafted jewelry since the second annual event.
“We really enjoy coming here,” Gallagher said of
Stephens.
“It makes it so pleasant for the vendors. It's a source of
income for me, but at the same time I can help support a
local organization.”
All admission supports the State College Family YMCA
Strong Kids Campaign, Stephens said.
The festival will include entertainment from local bands
and will feature this year’s new event targeted at children:
Breakfast with Santa and Friends.
“Breakfast with Santa and Friends" will be hosted
Saturday morning from 8 to 10 a.m. and children will receive
complimentary photos and a holiday-themed goodie bag,
according to the event’s website.
But Gallagher said the event is not only for children.
“It’s a really fun thing for people of all ages," she said.
“I’m talking about adults to the little toddlers."
If you go
What: 16th Annual Festival of Trees and Crafts
When: Thursday to Sunday
Where: Penn State Snider Agricultural Arena
Details: Doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. The
event will end at 6 p.m. Sunday.
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To e-mail reporter: maws43B@psu.edu