Every now and then, when dealing with the administration at this University, one is made painfully aware of the managerial slackness of public institutions.

Customer service and administrative productivity reach lows unimaginable in the business world.

The prize this month goes to the Beaver Stadium ticket office. Those students who have entered this office will recognize the pattern.

One waits unattended at an open, customer service booth, wondering why you are not being served, or even noticed.

Perhaps the staff is ignoring you with the hope that you will go away.

Perhaps they are waiting for a commercial break in General Hospital (at first I thought that the TV was to keep me amused while I waited, but it is actually angled away from customers).

Maybe their fingers are all greasy from eating their popcorn, and they are waiting to finish it before turning to meet your gaze.

And when finally served, you are made quite aware that you have greatly disturbed the unharried atmosphere of the office with your trivial proffering of $42 for a football ticket.

Is this behavior by the ticket office directed only at students, or are alumni and the public being treated in the same discourteous manner? I am not certain which situation would be worse.

It's a shame that students at the University often get better treatment when spending 59 cents at McDonalds than they do in some of the administrative offices at Penn State.