Page 4 Letter from the Editor C-ya Some sixty-odd issues of The Collegian ago, early on a Wednesday morning, I waited nervously in our broom-closet sized newspaper office for the courier to show up with that day's issue. That was January of 1990. It was also the very first issue of The Collegian in which my name appeared next to the title editor. Today's issue is the last. Since that first issue (Martin Luther King 111 appeared on the front page, I believe), we've had some memorable headlines grace these pages: Frat house raided, Accident on campus injures two workers, Twelve from Behrend in the Gulf, Ground broken for new library. Hopefully all of our headlines and the stories that accompanied them have helped to keep our readers informed and aware. It is my hope that the Behrend community has indeed been served during my tenure. Some changes have occurred here at the newspaper during the past two and a half years. Most of those changes have dealt with personnel, but others include changing our weekly publication day from Wednesday to Thursday, standardizing our format and officially changing our name from The Behrend Collegian to The Collegian. I like to think that over these past couple of years that we, as a newspaper, have made progress toward journalistic excellence and professionalism. I am certain that the next editor and the rest of the staff will continue to strive for those ideals. Those taking over are very capable and have my every confidence. Good luck. I have had the privilege of working with an incredibly talented, motivated and dedicated staff, and an advisor who has been everything we could have ever asked for. The proper words escape me in attributing due credit to them. Thank you. I remember watching my predecessor pound out his final words to Behrend on this very same Macintosh. Music was playing, writers were tapping away on computers, and staffers were rushing to finish layout. The more things change... You know, I really am going to miss this place. The Collegian Published weekly by the students of Ivania State University at Erie, The Behrend Colli The Penns' Editor Todd J. Irwin Business Managor Adrlanna 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. 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 tor length and to reject letters. Letters should be submitted to The Collegian office no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the desired publication date. Letters submitted to The Collegian become property of the newspaper. The Collegian is Assist. Entertainment Editor ,f“ blish *J ever > Craig Campbell year on recycled Aaalatant Editor Vicky Snyder Nawa Editor Mark Owens Aaalst. Newa Editor Loretta Russ Features Editor Robb Frederick Entertainment Editor Christi Luden Sports Editor Greg Geibel Assist. Sports Editor Matt Cissne Copy Editor Dawn Brenneman Ad Layout & Design Rob Pfendler Distribution Manager Joe Mycka Advisor Dr. Mike Simmons 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. Opinion Letters to the Editor Sore losers It is sad to see the childish behavior of those who lost the SGA elections. I suppose I am being idealistic in thinking they would accept their defeat and congratulate the winners, but how long must we tolerate their pettiness and immaturity? -Ed. If those who lost the election were as dedicated to SGA as their campaign led us to believe, they wouldn't be attempting to undermine the success of its new administration. Personally, I think Behrend should congratulate itself for electing a group of positive and enthusiastic SGA representatives. Hopefully, the future of student government will not be spoiled by the petty infighting that seemed to stricken it this year. I am especially happy to see that the gentleman attacked, and that we elected, have remained above exchanging shameful insults both during and after the campaign. I just wish John Mack, James Ruhlman, and Brian Silvis - all authors of recent derogatory letters to the editor -- would end their sore loser routine. WPSE proud The mission statement of WPSE, as issued by University Park, is our bible. We can not deviate from it, since doing so is not a Penn State problem, but a federal problem. Even if we had an unlimited budget, it would still be impossible to attain a 100,000 watt FM. It is not our choice or Penn State's choice. It is the FCC's decision that counts. 1450 kHz on the AM dial is designated Lisa M. Runyan Fourth semester Psychology by the FCC to be a community station. If we don't broadcast what we are currently broadcasting, we will lose our license to broadcast. Then our tuition money would be wasted. First, we are a commercial station. We are one of only a handful of commercial college radio stations in the entire country. Radio is not a music driven business. It is a sales driven business. Advertisements are what keep radio stations on the air, not university endowments that keep Edinboro, Mercyhurst and Gannon on the air. WPSE earns money for the school and for the tuition paying students. How many famous disc jockeys do you know that work at stations that don't play commercials? Secondly, we do have a responsibility to the community since people actually listen to our station. WPSE gets ratings. At certain times during the week, more people are listening to WPSE than are listening to Rocket or Jet. Jf WPSE could be a better music station than anyone else in town, then the FCC would let us change our format. We can't beat FM's like Classy and Mix at playing music. What we are is the best source in Erie for news, sports and information. When people listen to the station, and see that it is a professional and informative station, it represents Behrend well. The fact is WPSE is respected by the other stations in town. They hire our staff to work at their stations, and at stations in bigger and better markets. The experience and the drive for perfection that 1 am learning at WPSE will give me what I need to get a job at a bigger and better station. That is what I am paying Penn state my tuition money for. That is what all serious communication students want for Thursday, April 30, 1992 rue you d checks , House bank $