Page 4 Editorial Revise Erie schools' required reading list Behrend associate professor and Erie School Director Eva Tucker Jr. has found himself in the middle of quite a controversy. A story appeared in The Erie Morning News last week stating that Tucker wanted Marie Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" removed from the Erie School District reacting list. Tucker was upset by the use of the word "nigger" in the classic, citing it as a derogatory reference to blacks. Tucker’s initial position evoked plenty of opposing views and even some shock from some Behrend faculty members and students, including the editorial staff of The Collegian. Now Tucker has shifted the focus of his concern. He would like to see books written by minority authors added to the list rather than taking "Huckleberry Finn" away. Reading novels by minority authors that show history from different perspectives will allow students to learn other viewpoints and give them a more complete education. Additionally, Tucker expressed concern about how "Huckleberry Finn" is handled in the classroom. He does not want to see the confusion and prejudice of that generation passed along to the students of today. Teachers should use the novel as a springboard for discussion regarding prejudices and address the differences between accepted norms of Twain's time and of today. This could also open the door for discussion about race relations today and how students feel about it Tucker’s modified position is commendable. Instead of trying to impose censorship on the young minds of Erie, he wants to broaden them. Hiding the problems of yesterday from the students of today will not change the past or make today's problems go away, but opening students' minds is a positive step towards a solution. The Collegian Published weakly by the students of Behrend College, Erie, PA Edßor Todd J. Irwin Buebieee Msneger Christie Redmond The Collegian’* editorial opinion is determined by the editorial staff, with the editor holding final responsibility. Opinions expressed in The Collegian are not necessarily those of The Collegian or the Pennsylvania State University. Managing Edßor Mark Owens Nswa Edßor LeaGotch Jen Flanagan Nsrtslnmsnt Edßor Robb Frederick John Musser Layout Edßor Chris Kocott as » ranocooramor Jim Pierdomenico Phots Goonflnalor Michael B. Schell Office Mmgsr David Mahoney DMribution Manager Leigh Stanosic AcMaor Dr. Mice Simmons Letter Policy: The Collegian encourages letters on news coverage, editorial content and university affairs. Letters should be typewritten, double-spaced and signed by no more than two persons. Letters should be no longer than 400 words. Letters should include the semester and major of the writer. All letters should provide the address and phone number of the writer for verification of the letter. The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length and to reject letters if they are libelous or do not conform to standards of good taste. Letters should be submitted to The Collegian office no latter than noon on Tuesday prior to the desired publication date. Postal Information: The Collegian (814 898-6488) is published weekly by the students of the Behrend College; Reed Union Building, Station Road, Erie, Pa 16363. The Collegian ffetf's OVRMocLzk Htvk SE&M&r oN ms sftEctf. (ouldYou CHBfi irovtp.? Provost appalled I was appalled and saddened to team of a recent incident in which racial slurs were yelled at Dr. Michael Ichiyama from two different residence hall windows. There is no place at Penn State- Behrend for such actions. Words that belittle others are destructive and an affront to all of us. On behalf of Behrend students, faculty, and staff who were disgusted to learn of this incident, I wish to apologize to Dr. Ichiyama, a talented colleague new to Behrend. In his September 3 Letter to the Editor, Dr. Ichiyama extended to those who perpetrated this act an invitation to have lunch with him. He described it as an opportunity "to see (him) as an individual and not a category or stereotype." I salute Dr. Ichiyama for his willingness to turn an ugly situation into a learning experience. As we begin a new academic year, I hope that all of us will make a sincere effort to meet and learn from others who bring different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs to Penn State-Behrend. I hope all of our community will participate in the many important educational programs throughout the year that are designed to engage us in discussion about our different backgrounds mid perspectives. I shall do everything I can to create an environment in which all of us can feel welcomed, appreciated, and safe. We must all work together to make this goal a reality. John M. Lilley Provost and Dean Clarifying status I read with interest last week's story and editorial about child care. I would like to provide a few clarifications about the status of child care efforts at the College. The Penn State-Behrend Child Care Task Force is very much aware of the divergent child care needs of students and faculty/staff. The child care center request for proposal, which will be mailed soon to professional child care providers, states that "part time and flexible child care will be given equal priority to full time care" to accommodate the needs of students. Those who submit proposals to construct and operate a child care center at Behrend will be required to include detailed information about the manner in which part-time care will be provided. The University has stated that child care centers constructed on University property must meet state licensing requirements. It is important that the safety of children and quality of services be the top priorities of on-campus child care. This means that our center staff must ensure that staff to-children ratios will meet or exceed state requirements at all times. While unscheduled, drop-in care cannot be provided since advance notice is needed to plan for necessary staffing, we will ask providers to allow students to schedule part-time care around their class schedules for a pro rated charge. Potential providers will also be asked to submit detailed rate schedules. Costs to students, faculty, and staff parents will be a principle consideration in selecting a child care provider. In the needs assessment conducted last year of students, faculty, and staff at every University location, respondents were asked how much they are willing and able to pay for on campus child care. Preliminary estimates suggest that services can be offered within the range that Behrend students have Thursday, September 20,1990 6*•><