Happy Holidays
As I walked into Panera this morning at 10am, just having completed my morning class, I was desperately searching for those essential carbohydrates, and of course a large serving of the world’s best drug, caffeine. I ordered my bagel and coffee, and headed out on my way to the condiment stand to make my coffee just right.
I waited behind a gentleman who was having a discussion with two others, all three of whom were in business attire, and appeared to be local business men. I went to reach for the cream, and he said to me, “So when do you head home?” I quickly responded, “Wednesday is it for me,” to which he responded, “good luck buddy,” and I finished with “Happy Holidays,” to which he completed the conversation, “same to you!” After that atrocity of an attempt to use dialogue in a blog I would like to convey the message I took from that brief conversation.
I have not stopped hearing, since the day I arrived here, the disconnect, between town and gown. This morning, I could not have felt anything but the opposite. The biggest problem, inside of people’s heads, is mental. I am a firm believer that if you tell yourself, or someone something long and strong enough, that they or you will undoubtedly believe it.
My point is, yes there is a disconnect between town and gown, but is it as bad as we think it is, or are we all just playing at that to make it sound worse and create more problems. Are we really all that different, the answer is yes but not really. The difference, and one of the sources between the disconnect, is that difference of values, and of point in our lives in which we live. We are all at different points in our lives where to a student drinking is more important, while a towns person is simply trying to get their kids to school on time.
The end point I am trying to make is that, though we are different, we still are all people, there is a human element, or level that exists, and should be fostered. Just how this conversation with a man in Panera, has made my day, a conversation between a borough council member, and a student government leader can create a new idea.
Successful Spanier
President Spanier, has become one of the most successful presidents in Penn State history. Regardless of any personal or professional opinions, facts are very telling.
He has lead our University to greatness on levels, including the creation of some of the Nation’s top academic programs. Under his tutelage, the college of Information Science and Technology was created, along with the Schreyer’s honors college, and the establishment of the Dickinson School of Law, which will move into its’ new building next year.
President Spanier, deserves much respect for all that he has done for our University, and all that he works for to make our lives better in some way as students of this great university.
Safe State College
State College, have we ever really appreciated what we are just given here? I come from a high-school that was in an Urban Setting in North Philadelphia, where life held no value, and murder was so frequent, the mind was numb to its affects.
Here in State College, we take our safety for granted. We live in one of the safest places in the United States.
“State College Police Lt. Chris Fishel said he credits this common police motto to the borough’s recent second-place ranking in a list of the nation’s safest towns.
The CQ Press’ 2008 edition of its “City Crime Rankings” was released last week and placed State College as the second safest metropolitan area in the nation, directly behind No. 1 Logan, Utah.
“It’s consistently a safe place to live,” Fishel said about State College.
The organization that compiled the list is a publisher of political and policy information. The ranking pulled data from FBI statistics and looked at murders, rapes, robberies, assaults and thefts in an area, among other things.”
We are so lucky to go to a school where there is virtually no risk for harm, hurt or crime. We can walk around freely, walk home at night and not fear anything but maybe slipping on some black ice. Friends of mine who go to school in the urban setting, such as Philadelphia are amazed at how calm, quiet, and safe it is here even at 4am.
I applaud the State College Police, they have committed to a goal, safety, and they have accomplished it. They deserve the plaudits they are getting, even if people do not realize it. They are the unsung hero’s of our town.
The Final Push
As we make our way through the semester, we continually look towards the week ahead, towards what is next on our schedule, if it be an exam, a meeting or whatever, the weeks and the semester always look so jam packed.
In this time of crunch, with a new president on the way, a recession, finally, officially announced, it is easy for all of us, including myself to lose touch with what is truly important this time of year. Spending time with family and friends who not only support us but love us as well.
Part of what Penn State so great is that although most of us are a good distance away from home, we have started to build, and develop friendships, traditions, memories that will last a lifetime. When we spend so much time, isolated almost from the outside world, this is inevitable, and should be cherished.
The bonds we are building today, will last forever, no matter how cliche’ it sounds, I will always remember my freshman roommate from East Halls, and call him my brother. A family unit is something that cannot be replaced, but here at Penn State, there is a good substitute. We are free to speak, hang out, and maybe even cry if we want to, with the people that we spend so much time with.
In this most busy time of the year, where people have so much on their minds, it is most important to keep people on your mind. No matter how well you do on an exam, or how great that final paper is, what does it mean if you are alone, without anyone to share it with? So in this holiday season, work hard, play hard, but make sure you do not lose sight, of the friends and family that have continuously supported you on the journey on which we currently embark.
Lion Brings Disgrace to PSU
I am not one to go out and bash an individual here at Penn State, a place that is made up of so many, to single one out, seems unjust. However, when one represents so many, he or she must conduct themselves in a manor fitting the responsibility. The Lion would obviously not agree with this. This collegian article says it all.
“The student behind the Nittany Lion costume was charged with drunken driving early last Saturday morning before the Michigan State game, Penn State Police said.
James Sheep, a senior, was pulled over on a traffic stop at 3:16 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, on Curtin Road after a police officer noticed there were too many people in his car, police said.
Sheep was then found to be driving under the influence, police said. Penn State Police Officer Sean Gorman filed a DUI charge and summary traffic violations against Sheep with District Judge Jonathan Grine, according to police reports.”
James, what were you thinking? I had so much respect for you, so did so many people from the youngest PSU fan, to the old alum watching you from home. I am still proud to have you as our mascot, your dedication has been unprecedented, however, what was going through your head, when you sat behind that wheel. I hope for the best for you, good luck.
Congratulations Luke Pierce!
On a chilly State College evening Tuesday night, the Inter-fraternity Council, made one of its best decisions to date. Luke Pierce was elected as president of the council, in a landslide victory winning 33-8.
This marks the debut of a not only a new face, but a new day for the greek community. Luke has successfully, worked, lobbied, and advocated for the rights of the entire greek community as president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Director of Greek Life, for the University Park Undergraduate Association, and Safeguard Old State.
With all of this experience, and knowledge, the sky is the limit for Luke, and all of us here at Safeguard Old State wish him the best of luck, and pass on a very proud congratulations, to a man with tremendous potential to revolutionize, and revitalize the greek community here at Penn State.
Preacher Should Be Respected
When a person feels as passionately about a subject as the Willard preacher does, we should respect him. No matter what he says, he should not be patronized, or made fun of on a childish level as what occurred and was reported on in the collegian yesterday. According to the collegian, the man threatened students, after his clothing was copied by students.
Nat Jackson (senior-anthropology), president of Penn State’s Atheist and Agnostic Association, led the group of “worshippers” and engaged in a verbal dispute with Cope, at one point calling Cope “insane.”
Cope, who returned as the Willard Preacher after a 23-year hiatus, responded by telling Jackson to stand back because he was armed.
“If I am insane, you ought to seriously be concerned that I don’t pull out my knife and slit your throat,” Cope said.
The exchange was recorded in a video a student submitted to The Daily Collegian.
Three Penn State Police officers responded to a telephone call from an unknown person at the scene who said the word “knife” had been mentioned.
“[It was] said in the context of the debate,” Penn State Police Sgt. Brian Bittner said.
Cope said police took his penknife, adding he had no other weapons. Charges were not filed in connection with the statement.
Bittner said police would file an administrative report, which Penn State Police Sgt. Don Hazel said is filed when an incident does not fall under the Pennsylvania crimes code or violate Penn State rules and regulations.
“We want to get it on record in case something would escalate,” Hazel said.
This is ridiculous, the fact that a grown man has to tolerate the antics of immature students is amazing. These students, who are lead by a senior, should know better then to try and insult someone on that level. He dedicates a great portion of his life, to trying to make a difference. We may not all agree with what he is saying, but we should respect it none the less.
Finally UPUA garners support
Finally the University Park Undergraduate Association is garnering some support from the outside world. After a long fought battle, UPUA is starting to gain some ground, on being a actual student government that can operate free from constraint.
Recently there has been a movement by the UPUA to move towards securing a direct source of funding, for the past months, these attempts have fallen on deaf ears. Times are changing, do to the efforts of Student Body President Gavin Keirans, and Assembly Chairman Ralph Crivello, people are listening.
Last week, the UPUA received almost 40,000 dollars in emergency funding. It is about time, how is a student government supposed to function without money, how can they become a visible part of the community if they can not even afford to get dressed for the show, in a matter of words.
The way that UPUA has been funded in its fledgling life, is not the norm of student governments, especially in the BIG 10. Generally, student governments receive a portion of the student activities fee, a process that should be adopted here, and if we can learn anything from history, it is on its way. At Vice President For student affairs Damon Simms, former University, the student government received 10% of the student activity fee directly.
It is time for the same to be adopted here. To bread and foster a student centered university, an active, and healthy student government is vital. This is just a necessary step in the right direction, but definitely a big step.
Luke Pierce The Only Choice For IFC President
Luke Pierce is the only choice for the Inter-fraternity Council President. As the president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, he has shown his desire for the betterment of greek life.
It is the belief of Safeguard Old State, that Luke, will continue on his mission to improve Greek Life here at Penn State, and that he is the most qualified of the candidates. He has shown through his initiatives with the University Park Undergraduate Association, the Inter-Fraternity Council, and his own fraternity his willingness to work together to better student life.
His candidacy for President marks the changing of the tide in Greek Life, with cooperation from the fraternities, Luke can revolutionize the system we now have for the better.
Election Day Madness
First of All, we here at SOS are not politically motivated, in any sense regarding what we do here. However that does not limit me on commenting on the events about to transpire.
Today is one of the most exciting days in history, voter turn out is anticipated to increase dramatically, especially here in Centre County, and depending on how the day ends, there will be for the first time, a Black President, or a female Vice President.
“Lines of voters — some with children along for the historic moment — began forming half an hour before the polls opened Tuesday and offered an unfamiliar presence in the normal morning landscape as Centre County residents woke to Election Day.”
This brief quote from the CDT shows how large of a crowd is coming out to vote, in what people view as one of the most important elections in history. I encourage all to vote, and exercise your civic duty, because if you do not, you have no room to complain for the next 4 years.
