Some students and University officials agree that the distribution of 500 buttons with the slogan "United Against Racism" Wednesday by the Office of Public Information is not a solution to racist attitudes, but it is an initial step in fighting the problem.

It is seven weeks into the semester -- midterm exam time - and many University students are exhausted, penniless and in need of relief.

One small step last week for WQWK radio will be a large step for potential listeners, station officials say.

In the wake of a State College Planning Commission rezoning rejection, leaders of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation, 224 Locust Lane, say their organization will survive regardless of future zoning decisions.

University and borough police are exploring new leads in several recent racial incidents and have increased patrols in potentially unsafe areas, the University director of public information said yesterday.

International press coverage needs to be improved, said the executive editor of the Centre Daily Times.

The University's disciplinary system -- often the focus of campus debate in recent weeks -- received attention again last night as a University official explained the process to student leaders.

More people may be cheering in Beaver Stadium in the near future.

Centre County businesses and residents have contributed more than $22.8 million in gifts and pledges to the University - nearly 10 percent of the total of the Campaign for Penn State, said the executive director of University Development.

In an effort to better manage downtown State College and its surrounding neighborhoods, State College Planning Commission members last night proposed creating new ordinances affecting the borough's commercial and residential-office zones.

With the continued threat to author Salman Rushdie's life over the publication of his latest novel, "The Satanic Verses", opinions and controversy abound, affecting even the Centre Region.

In a continued effort to confront racism in the Centre Region, State College School Superintendent Seldon V. Whitaker Jr. has asked community members to wear or display yellow ribbons to show their support.

University Harrisburg lobbyist Frank Forni said recent concerns over racial tension at the University would have little effect on budget lobbying efforts.

The number of University minority employees increased by 16 percent in 1988, a year also marked by a 3 percent increase in complaints filed to the University's Affirmative Action Office, the office reported.

The recent uproar over Salman Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" has spawned a large number of requests for the book at local bookstores.

Traveling to the 49th annual Eastern Seaboard Championships with hopes of a victory, the men's swimming and diving team is ready to give Princeton and Harvard a run for its money.

Six Penn State fencers turned in strong performances at the Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs, Colo., last weekend, but all of them fell short of qualifying for a select national team.

California . . . the beaches, the sun, Hollywood, and home of the toughest collegiate volleyball competition in the United States.

With the Eastern Wrestling League Tournament only two weeks away, the third-ranked wrestling team entertains Bloomsburg in its final dual meet of the season at 7:30 tonight in Rec Hall.

Plagued by inexperienced gymnasts and a lack of depth throughout its season, the men's gymnastics team received another blow before its spring break tour on which it will meet five teams.

Penn State saved the best for last in the first round of the Eastern Women's Swimming League Championships last night as the Lady Lion 800-yard freestyle relay team of Jill Fretz, Christy Roarke, Kristen Elias and Kristin Lilly captured the final event of the evening.

An oft-heard sports adage dictates that a good team will have a winning record at home and play .500 on the road. Following its 90-71 rout at Massachusetts, the men's basketball team exemplified that statement: it is 9-2 at home and 7-7 on the road.

When looking forward to this weekend's pair of away games against Niagara, the ice hockey team will face some good news and some bad news. Mostly bad.

The back of a t-shirt says it all: "IC4A, the last really great track meet left on earth."

Lady Lion Coach Rene Portland would like to remind women's hoops expert Mel Greenberg about the cliche that says, "Any team can beat any other team on any given day."

Collegian Editorial

My Opinion: Rich Zimmerman

My Opinion: M. Vasiur Rahaman

My Opinion: Jeff Kochan

"Neighbors from Hell."

Every Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. radio stations around the nation, including local WPSU-FM, broadcast a live opera from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera house. The operas are broadcast over the Texaco-Metropolitan Opera Radio Network which reaches over 95 percent of the country.

In celebration of Black History Month the Paul Robeson Cultural Center Gallery has been hosting an exhibit of books, literature and art by and about blacks, their history and experiences.

Shu Kai Kim has been living a nightmare for the past eight years.

-- Until March 10, the galleries at the Kern building will present The Watercolor Paintings of Marlee Erwin. The exhibit features 14 watercolor pictures, all with the theme of flowers.