The Collegian Thursday, December 7, 1989
Opinion
Parting Shots
Jim Says : "I'm
Outta Here."
by James_Martin
Collegian Editor
As I sit down to write this, it's hard for me to believe that after
two years its almost over.
Provided I manage to pass bowling 58 and complete the work for
a few other classes that hang in the balance, I'll soon be out of here.
Since the spring of 1988, I've had the privilege of being editor of The
Collegian, a position that has given me a lot of good opportunities.
It also has forced me to focus on what's going on at Behrend and I've
formed a few opinions.
Here are a few thoughts and observations:
• The Collegian has grown from a twice-monthly to a weekly
newspaper during the past two years. I like to think we've made some
improvements during that time. The credit for those improvements
belongs to a number of people, perhaps too many to name. Some of
them - include-former Editor Steve Aller and my - two assistant editors,
Rick Cain and Todd Irwin. Stan Lefes, the paper's business manager
and a departing senior has also been instrumental in keeping The
Collegian on solid financial ground.
• With Todd Irwin taking over as editor in January, I know Fm
leaving the paper in capable hands and that the paper will continue to
improve.
• WPSE, Behrend's new radio station has a lot of possibilities.
Both Station Manager Fred Anzivino and Student Station Manager
Ken Bunting bring considerable experience with them. But I fear
growth and innovation will be slow in coming as long as the
university administration keeps the station on a leash. In most cases,
The Collegian has been left alone and free of restrictions; and I think
the results have been positive.
But there still seems to be a fear in the administration that the
radio station might somehow make Behrend look bad. I hope the
school can stop worrying about looking bad and let the radio station
live up to its consideratire potential.
• If The Collegian had been subject' to the same restraints as the
radio station, one of our most memorable features might — never have
seen print. During the past two years, Love Rob has been
unquestionably the most widely read part of The _Collegian. Good
things can happen when you don't spend all your time worrying
about offending people. Now, Rob says he's through writing his
column. Hopefully for Behrend, he'll change his mind.
• On balance, Behrend has a lot going for it. Straight-faced
comparisons to Dartmouth are still a ways- off but there are many
top-notch professors here. I was fortunate to learn from many of them
in the English department, some of whom are well known writers
with national reputations. But we're missing some of the basics here
at Behrend. We're supposedly building a $lO million life fitness
center, but our library still has less than 70,000 volumes. Sure, we're
getting a new , one - one that eventually could hold up to 150,000
books. Still, a pretty lame total. I can't blame the people running the
library. You can't buy books without money.
• During the past two years, The Collegian has been threatened
with legal action-at least three times. Now it seems we've upset the
good people at the Pregnancy Aid Center. You can find their letter
and side of the-story in this issue We stand by what Dr. Barton wrote
in her column and hope the administration will too.
• As I sit here writing this, The Collegian is less than two hours
from deadline. Our small, windowless office is crowded and filled
with the sounds of fingers on keyboards, and people fighting for
space at the layout tables. The phone is ringing and theit is just no
way we're going to get out on time - I'm really going to miss this
LOVE ROB
Power to the Students
Gorge Coup Imminent
by Rob Prindie
Everyone knows that in a few days the 'Bos
will be over and everyone is busy making
predictions and resolutions or recapping the
decade. I think that even with all of the problems
in the world, the 1980's may well have been the
finest period in human history. For the First time
in history, peace talk really works and weapons
are being reduced instead of increased.
And peaceful demonstrations are working.
Even after the tragedy at Tiananmen Square,
Eastern Europeans still have the guts to march
for better representation, We are living through a
time that will warrant its own section in every
history book.
But Fm not here to lecture, I'm here to lead.
Student government may not be willing to. I am.
When we return to campus in January it will be a
new decade and we should start it off on the right
testicle. If you've been watching the news you've
seen the protest marches and the strikes I'm
talking about. You have also seen just how
successful most of them have been. Now here is
my plan: We throw a coup.
Under my leadership we band together and
overthrow the Gorge Strongman, Al
Vogan. I know that Al has really been taking a
lot of flak this year, but even with all of the
hoots and hollers nothing his changed.
_I am not being flip when I say that it is time
for Behrend students to unite and change things
that the administration has - simply chosen fci
ignore. Apparently they aren't taking us
seriously.
My plan is clear and easy. We boycott. The
food is barely worth eating anyway (We can get
some sort of car pools together to take people
into Wesleyville to get food). I know that some
of you already have points and that might be a
problem, but hopefully the strike won't last too
long and you won't take a loss.
Once Al is out on his apron, I have the
perfect replacement in mind. I'm not sure, but I
think his name is Pete and he owns a place called
Pete's Restaurant at 3517 Buffalo Road.
Pete's place serves basic food along with
some Greek specialties and the food is fantastic.
The prices are more than comparable: In most
cases Pete's pummels the Gorge. At Pete's you
can get home fries, two eggs (any style), and two
pieces of toast for 99 cents. Meanwhile, here at
the Behrend Monopoly Cafeteria you can get an
egg muffin creation for $2. I think you are
beginning to see my point.
Oh, by the way, if you are really hungry you
might try Pete's really serious breakfast. For
$2.95 you get a large steak, a pile of home fries,
two eggs, and two pieces of toast. All, that for
less than the price of two egg things at our
Gorge.
Another, comparison: Pete's- 3 chili dogs for
SA9. Gorge - 3 chili dogs for $3. I could
c\ .c.
tine, but why bother? Even if Pete's were
mo expensive it would still blow the Gorge
right the hell out of the water.
Here at the Gorge we get industrialized food.
A small selection of mass-produced food. At
Pete's you get anything you want. Here at the
Gorge you wait in line and carry trays. At Pete's
they take your order, bring your food, refill your
coffee and say "thank you" as you leave.
How does Pete do it? I would be willing to
bet that this guy has a lot more overhead than Al
and the Gorge. How can Pete beat the Gorge on
quality, service, and price? What could be the
problem with the Gorge? Now I'm not saying
anything for sure but might anyone guess...oh, I
Rob Prindle
don't know...bad management? My lawyers and I
certainly wouldn't. But who knows?
Maybe the real problem with food service is
that it doesn't have to be good. There is no
competition. A lot of Behrend students are stuck
on campus. So the Gorge offers a few selections
made in bulk (say, shouldn't things be cheaper in
bulk?), a few fried foods and a truly amazing
salad bar. Amazing not for its selection or
quality, but for its price. Twenty cents an ounce
is insane. Over $3 a pound for lettuce?
But I could possibly forgive the Gorge all its
sins if only the food, were good. Being a college
student, I need sustenance. I do not need fish
balls or broccoli-and-cheese-stuffed potatoes. And
even the things that should be good just come
out as boring and bland and I will tell you the
truth: I think that my old high school cafeteria
could kick the Gorge's butt.
Now I'm being serious, people. This mediocre
management has got to stop. If it is not Al
Vegan's fault then he should start blowing the
whistle on someone. Shouldn't someone put a
little energy into this problem? Obviously the
Gorge management is too busy banning Jolt
Cola, so it is time for real action.
Oh, by the way, I think that it would be
dangerous for the Gorge/school administration to
take all this as a joke. Just remember what's been
happening to the ruling powers in Eastern
Europe.
How does house arrest sound, Al?
, 11 /./
4,„
Page