Nemko says Behrend
Ivy League education
by Rob Prindle
The bottom line is "Penn
State - Behrend does not have a
designer label," but if a student is
willing to work hard he or she
can get an education of the same
quality offered by big name
schools, and save 70 thousand
dollars, by attending a college
like Behrend.
That was the message Dr.
Martin Nemko, author of "How
to get an Ivy League Education at
a State University," had to offer
last Thursday night.
Nemko, who has been called
the Ralph Nader of education,
kicked off the Penn State-Behrend
1990-91 Speaker Series,
"Shaping the Future: Taking
Responsibility in the 1990'5."
Nemko's book lists Behrend
as one of 115 public colleges
with the right ingredients for a
"quality undergraduate
experience."
Nemko feels the four key
ingredients; good students,
quality instruction, ample extra
cuticular activity, and sufficient
opportunity for career and
graduate school success, all exist
at Behrend.
"Some state schools offer
opportunities of leadership,
undergraduate research, and one
to-one work with faculty that the
more prestigious schools can't,"
he said.
Nemko, who specializes in
evaluation of educational
programs, cited large class size,
too much pressure on students,
and lack of socio-economic
diversity as some drawbacks to
attending a prestigious school.
He also mentioned the growing
emphasis placed on graduate,
rather than undergraduate,
education as a minus.
But Nemko was quick to
point out public schools also
have disadvantages. He feels that,
in airauempt to broaden access,
some state colleges have lowered
admission standards too far. He
Tucker
modifies
stance
by Lea Gotch
News Editor
Eva Tucker, professor of geo
science at Behrend and an Erie
School Board director, last week
suggested Mark Twain's
"Huckleberry Finn" should be
removed from the supplemental
reading list for high school
seniors.
Yesterday, however. Tucker
restated his position on the issue
by saying "Huckleberry Finn"
should remain on the reading list,
but works by minority writers
should also be included to add
balance.
He originally based his
objection to the novel on the use
of demeaning references to
blacks, including the use of the
word "nigger",
Yesterday, though. Tucker
told The Collegian, "Maybe my
position should have been to add
to the list instead of take away.
Expand the list to include
minority authors."
"Looking at the books on the
list, 1 didn't find any book by a
black author. Where's the other
view? It hasn't been dealt with
adequately," said Tucker.
offers
feels too many underprepared
students can slow down classes
and "turn colleges into remedial
high-schools."
According to Nemko, an
underprepared student has less
than a 20 percent chance of
graduating. He believes these
students suffer "a non-stop
assault to their self esteem” as
they continually fall behind in
their studies. Nemko also feels
that not making students aware of
the problems they will face is
"educational malpractice.”
Nemko, who obtained his
own undergraduate degree from
New York's Queens College, was
inspired to write the book when
his daughter neared college age.
The 100 thousand dollar price
tag on an Ivy League education
made him question the value, but
he also wondered if choosing a
public college would hurt her in
any way.
He compiled the data for his
guide book by conducting
extensive interviews with
members of the faculty, staff and
Defending position: Eva Tucker Jr. shifts his
stance on "Huckleberry Finn."
The list in question is a
supplemental reading list for
advanced placement 12th grade
English students. It is up to the
teachers to decide which books
from this list the students must
read.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" and
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's
Nest" are two of the books
included in the 12 to IS which
are on the list, according to
Tucker.
Tucker said he recognizes that
Huckleberry Firm is an American
classic and has never considered
keeping it from the students of
Audience participation: Dr. Martin Nemko
allowed the audience to speak up throughout
his presentation last Thursday, photo by Michele Beisier
student body of the schools.
So what should a student do
to make the right college choice?
According to Nemko, he
should take advantage of all the
information his high-school
guidance counsellor and college
photo by Mike Schell
Erie. However, he feels a balance
should exist in the reading
requirements since minorities
comprise 30% of the Erie public
school student population.
In a letter published in The
Erie Morning News yesterday,
Tucker said he was concerned as
to "whether or not this text was
introduced and utilized in its
historical context particularly
given its derogatory and
demeaning treatment of blacks in
general and particularly the
character of Jam."
"Instead of trying to be more
(continued on page 3)
guide books have to offer.
In addition, he stresses that it
is important to make campus
visits and to go beyond the
simple campus tour because "you
wouldn't buy a car without test
driving it first."
Changes
concerning
rush week
activities
by Mary Zaczkiewicz
Collegian Staff Writer
Unlike last year, sororities and
fraternities will have to adjust to
new changes and regulations
concerning rush week activities.
The Interfraternal Council,
which governs fraternities, and
the Panhellenic Council, which
governs sororities, have made
some adjustments pertaining to
this year's rush week.
One of these adjustments is
the "Dry Rush". This means no
alcoholic beverages may be
consumed at any rush event
David Shields, Assistant Dean
of Student Services, says "if the
fraternities and sororities follow
these policies, rush week will run
smoothly."
Rush week is an opportunity
for students to find out
information about the fraternities
and sororities here on campus.
Each organization goes through a
sign-up process. Students who
are interested in joining a certain
fraternity or sorority put their
name on a mailing list and are
sent information an the fraternity