Page 4
nd of an era: extinction of Blue Bus
by Kristin Wasilewski
Collegian Staff
The campus Blue Bus,
which Behrend ran to and
from the Millcreek Mall and
Buffalo Road, has been
discontinued this year.
Behrend's decision to
eliminate the bus came after
the retirement of Bob Smith,
the Blue Bus driver.
With budget cuts to deal
with, the school was forced to
evaluate some of the services
provided for students and to
eliminate one of them.
At first, it was considered
to reduce the amount of time
the bus ran in order to cut
back on costs. The school
did not want to do away with
the bus entirely. This way
students would still have
some means of
transportation.
That's where the Erie
Metropolitan Transit
Authority (EMTA) stepped
in. They offered to work out
a schedule with Behrend so
that students would still be
Knights of Columbus
by Paul M. Marini
Collegian Staff
The Knights of Columbus, a
Roman Cathlolic-exclusive
organization, is attempting to be
officially recognized on campus.
Less than a year ago, the
campus branch of the Knights of
Columbus was organized by
Behrend's Catholic Chaplain
Father Larry Richards.
Because the Knights are a
relatively new organization, they
ha% not been officially
recognized.
The Student Government
Association will review the
Knights' constitution and vote
on whether or not the
organization will be recognized.
According to SGA President
Joe Mycka, the Knights have yet
to submit their constitution to
SGA. Even though they are not
an official student organization,
membership is between 40 and
50 men, said Grand Knight
(president) Markus Roderiguez.
Fr. Richards, who is also
Parochial Vicar of St. Luke
Church on E. 38th Street, hopes
that the Knights will be
recognized by SGA.
"The Knights of Columbus is
a group of Catholic men getting
together to support each other
seek recognition
Presently there is no
organization in which
Catholic men can get
together in a fraternal
spirit and practice
Catholicism
able to make direct trips to
the mall and Buffalo Road,
even without the blue bus
being in operation.
David Shields, Director of
Student Activities, said, "We
would not have eliminated the
bus if we could not work out
a deal with EMTA."
A ride on an EMTA bus
does cost more money than
the Blue Bus cost. Riding
EMTA costs $1 one way to
both destinations, whereas the
blue bus charged 60 cents one
way for a ride to the mall and
35 cents one way to Buffalo
Rd.
The RUB desk in the lobby
of the Reed Building sells bus
passes for EMTA. Passes
give students 20 rides for
$l5.
EMTA does provide more
times per day when the bus
runs, which gives students
more flexibility in deciding
when to take the bus.
EMTA runs to Buffalo
Road seven days a week and
to the mall on Tues., Fri. and
and give service to the
community," Fr. Larry said.
He also said that if the
Knights are in fact recognized,
"Behrend will become the first
secular (non-religious) college in
the country with a Knights of
Columbus on campus."
Rodriguez believes the
Knights offer something special
to Quitolic men at Behrend.
"Presently there is no
organization in which Catholic
men can get together is a
fraternal spirit and practice
Catholicism," Rodriguez said.
"Knights of Columbus is
Sat. These were peak days
for the Blue Bus.
Bus schedules are posted all
around campus.
Shields said he wants
students to be comfortable
with the service so he's trying
to make it all as simple as
possible. "It's new more than
it's an inconvenience."
Colleen Gritzen, sopho
more, said she misses the
Blue Bus service. "I really
wish we had the Blue Bus
again."
Mike Will, Superintendent
of Transportation at EMTA,
believes the new service is
operating well. "The service
seems to be doing okay so
far."
Will said they were sending
out a 20-seat trolly at rust as
a test. "The trolley was full
the rust day it ran."
If the new bus system
works well, Bebrend may be
given the opportunity to open
the service up for seven days
a week. "I'm confident it will
work: Shields said.
exactly what I and 45 other men
are looking for."
Earlier this month, Rodriguez
and Chris Niklaus joined the
ranks of Fourth Degree Knights
of Columbus, which is the
highest established rank of
Knights.
Niklaus said the Knights are a
a way for him to practice his
faith more deeply.
"The Knights are a way for me
to help other people through a
fraternal organization and have a
deeper understanding of my
religion while keeping in touch
with myself," he said.
The Knights of Columbus is a
society of Roman Catholic lay
men, or non-clergy, whose
membership is open to all
practicing Catholic men age 18
and older.
The organization was founded
by the Rev. Michael J.
McGivney when it was chartered
by the state of Connecticut on
March 29. 1882.
The Knights' philosophy is
founded on community service,
fraternity and acts of patriotism.
Their national headquarters is
based in New Haven, CT.
The Knights also pledge
themselves tb , education, giving
a variety of scholarships every
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Thursday, September 30, 19
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EMTA
Blue Bus
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