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Government needs
fresh look
ELECTIONS I
SGA
19 9 2
Well, quit asking why and find out for yourself. In less
than two months, students will elect their SGA
representatives for next year. Two days during the first
week of April will determine what kind of leadership the
student body of this College will have next year.
In order to avoid another stagnant year in Student
Government, students must breathe a breath of fresh air
into the SGA offices.
Of course it is important to vote, and every vote
counts, but it is time for a greater change on this campus.
It is time for new student leadership, and new student
leaders.
The students leaders of this year may not be in the
exact same positions next year, but, with minor shuffling,
the same faces will be present in Student Government.
In order to avoid this, new leaders need to come forth
from the student body and revamp the lethargic attitude
that is currently prevalent in SGA.
Something can be done and improvements can be
made, but nothing will happen without student
involvement at all levels.
Just because you haven't yet been involved is no
excuse. If you think you may be interested in running for
an SGA position, show up at one of the SGA orientation
meetings on Monday, March 2in Reed 117. The first
meeting is at noon, and the second one will be held at 8
p.m.
Change starts with you; make it happen.
The Collegian
Published week!'
Editor
Todd J. Irwin
Business Manager
Adrienne Shrawder
The Collegian's 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.
Assistant Editor
Vicky Snyder
Features Editor
Robb Frederick
News Editor
Mark Owens
Entertainment Editor
Christi Luden
Entertainment Editor
Craig Campbell
Assist
Sports Editor
Greg Geibel
Assist. Sports Editor
Matt Cissne
Copy Editor
Dawn Brenneman
Editorial
Student
How many times have
you wondered what the
Student Government
Association (SGA) does
for you? Or, more likely,
how often have you
wondered why SGA
doesn't do anything for
you?
the students of Behrend College, Erie, PA
Ad Layout & Design
Distribution Manager
Joe Mycka
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
standing 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. Letters should be
submitted to The Collegian
office no later plan noon on the
Tuesday prior to the desired
publication date. The Collegian
is published every Thursday
during the academic year.
Postal Information: The
Collegian (814 898-6488) is
published weekly by the students
of The Pennsylvania State
University at Erie, The Behrend
College; First Floor, The J.
Elmer Reed Union Building,
Station Road, Erie, Pa 16563.
Rob Pfendlef
Advisor
Dr. Mike Simmons
Opinion
Letters to the Editor
Festa broke,
broke, broke
In response to Mr. Festa's "If
it ain't broke..." article which
appeared in the February 20
edition of The Collegian, Mr.
Festa, states: . "If you .begin
something reach for a conclusion.
If you have something to say,
speak if you speak, make sure
you're heard."
I would sincerly wish that Mr.
Festa would practice what he
preaches. I do not consider myself
an expert journalist, however I
am also a tenth semester English
major and found Mr. Festa's
article, at best, a rambling,
babbling mess.
At times I found it next to
impossible to find any semblence
of consistancy between the title
and the theme. I'm still not sure
what he was trying to say or just
what conclusion, if any, was
reached.
It seems to me that Mr. Festa
has reached the conclusions that
doctors, lawyers, teachers and
"advertisers" have little to offer
society. Mr. Festa, where would
we be without our resporators,
heart monitors, cat scans, and
advances in lazer surgery?
Mr. Festa, we learn from
history. How could our judicial
and political institutions,
arguably the best in the world,
litigate laws if there's no basis
for sound judgement? Teachers,
Mr. Festa, are our greatest
resource. I don't know whose
classes you've been taking, but
there's a saying that goes "you
only get out of it what you put
in".
Also Mr. Festa, advertisers,
communications and sales -
"advertisers" as you call them -
are the most important facet of
industry - you can't sell a product
no one knows about. I'd hardly
call their part "small".
I hope that in future articles
Mr. Festa thinks a little more
before he writes. A little research
would be nice. Mr. Festa, please
practice what you preach, because
this article is "Broke! Broke!
Broke!"
Chuck Hoffman
Tenth semester
English
Candidates
wanted
What's bugging you? Do you
have concerns or ideas that you
would like to voice? Would you
like to meet enthusiastic students
like yourself that are shaping our
campus and student life? At the
same time you can be gaining the
vital communication, leadership,
and organization skills that
employers look for.
If you have some good ideas
and a little bit of dedication, we
would like you to attend an
orientation session that will
outline the procedures necessary
to run for a Student Government
office for the 1992-93 school
year.
This meeting will give you a
basic understanding of how your
governing body influences
student life and it should also
serve to familiarize any potential
candidates about Student
Government so that you may
make an educated decision
concerning your involvement.
We urge you not to
underestimate your qualifications.
Student Government is not a
group of intimidating political
science majors wearing three
piece suits to every meeting, but
rather a cross-section of concerned
individuals who want to get more
out of Behrend than just grades.
These people are a
contributing factor to the future
of student life as well as the
entire campus. Currently, SGA
members serve on everything
from Budget Committees to the
Traffic Appeals Board, and they
include everyone from freshmen
Thursday, February 27, 1992
to non-traditional students,
Approximately 20 voting
seats are up for grabs. This
spring we will elect the new
president and vice-president as
well as all new commuter
senators and resident senators.
Also, several of the council
president seats are also available.
Even if you are currently
unsure about running for an
offiee, with a better understanding
of SGA, perhaps you will see
how effective you can be.
The letter writer is the
chairman of this year's SGA
Elections Committee.
Ed. Note: If you would like to
voice your views on an issue,
write a Letter to the Editor.
The Collegian encourages
letters on news coverage, editorial _
content at 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. All
submitted letters become property**
of The Collegian.
Letters should be submitted to
The Collegian office, first floor
of the Reed Union Building or
The Collegian mailbox located in
the SGA suite also on the first
floor of the Reed Building no
later than noon on the Tuesday
prior to the desired publication
date.
Donald T. Krause Jr.
Fourth semester
Management