As the Kampia/Schneck administration draws to a close, so does my full-time, paid position as Undergraduate Student Government executive secretary. My resignation will mark the end of my six-year career as a Penn State activist, which began at Schuylkill Campus as Collegian editor and Radio Club vice president and continued at University Park through serving as an active member in Eco-Action, Students' Peace Initiative and Student 1st Step, re-co-founding and serving as president of Penn State NORML, serving as NORML adviser since my 1991 graduation and most recently working for USG.

Now that I am planning my transition from campus activism to the statewide and national levels, I am writing to say farewell to everyone who fought at my side, inspired and encouraged me through diligent work on other related peace and freedom issues and/or provided me with the support and comfort of friendship despite my frantic and often over-imposing lifestyle.

Three events in particular have given me encouragement and insight, which I would now like to share: Operation Thornbush, the "Kampaign" and Bush-Bash.

Operation Thornbush -- In October 1991, then-Attorney General Dick Thornburgh came to campus to campaign for U.S. Senate. With only three days to prepare, every campus activist group with reason to dread the prospect of Dick in the Senate, including Eco-Action, NORML, the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliane, Womyn's Concerns, Student 1st Step and Penn State Pro-Choice, organized and arrived in full force to show our opposition. The result: 400 boisterous protesters, 40 supporters and no Dick. His cancellation ignited a string of similar protests throughout the state, to which a Philadelphia news station attributed a turn-around in the campaign, which eventually lead to Dick's defeat. Never before and never since have I seen as many campus activist groups united in one strong show of force, and never since has a Penn State protest had such significant national impact.

The "Kampaign" -- When Rob Kampia ran for USG president, I spent at least six hours a day campaigning (even though, as an alumnus, I could not even vote). I was amazed by the number of students involved in the grassroots effort to elect our "radical" candidate, and the amount of time, energy and effort they invested. In just 16 days of campaigning, we accomplished what many thought would be impossible -- a long-haired marijuana activist won! I firmly believe that with sufficient organization, unity and focused energy, there is nothing that the progressive student movement can not accomplish. Given the general lack of enthusiasm and massive student involvement in issues such as the three-person occupancy limit, lobbying for increased state funding etc., I wonder what it might take to get everyone as motivated as the campus potheads?

Bush-Bash -- While protesting Bush's campaign stop last September, several police asked me to leave the Old Main lawn for "creating a disturbance." After trying unsuccessfully to get a reasonable explanation out of them, I decided to assert my rights by sitting down, whereupon I was arrested, handcuffed and jailed. After discussing the situation with District Attorney Ray Gricar, the arresting officer charged me with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, in the hopes that I would plead guilty and pay a fine, since fighting the charges with a lawyer could have yielded an additional six-month sentence. Wrong. I fought the charges and was found "not guilty." I was right, and I won, and the trauma of the arrest and detainment was far surpassed by the learning experience of the situation and the following opportunity to expose the Bush campaign and Ray Gricar in the local and national media for what they are. The moral: Learn your rights, and stand up for what you believe in. Ultimately, you will win.

Unfortunately, I am left with two big disappointments. First, there is still no united progressive front. Efforts to maintain the momentum built during Operation Thornbush have failed. Attempts by the Kampia administration to build unity through a Campus Activist Panel were met with a half-hearted response. There are many issues that share the fundamental core of a desire for peace, freedom and justice. While an occasional coalition materializes for a special event, unless all of the oppressed and downtrodden can unite and fight as one, while maintaining respect and empathy for each other's particular values and beliefs, it is unlikely that any major revolutionary changes will occur.

Second, there is still no massive student involvement. It is obvious through the music, clothes and mannerisms of the students of the 1990s that there is enormous displeasure with our current state of affairs. Yet, it seems that more students are interested in escaping reality, whether through beer and football or LSD and dancing, than in fighting to change what's wrong. There are enough concerned students to make a difference, but it can't be done unless you empower yourself and get involved in an organization. If you don't act now, just imagine how bad things will be 10 years from now!

Student activists can change the world. It happened in the U.S. in the 1960s, and recently in eastern Europe. It can happen here, again. Get involved now, while you're young and energetic. Do what you like to do -- what you do best -- but do it for a cause you believe in. Choose an alternative career path, or at least dedicate some portion of your time to fighting the good fight. The Clinton/Gore administration should open up a world of hope for progressives, but it will be lost if we don't seize the moment. If you would like to brainstorm ideas, share information, exchange tips, invite me to speak at a meeting, etc., please call me at 867-2334. Farewell.