Some things to think about before we begin again

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997	`Collegian Columnists` Some things to think about before we begin again Welcome back, but don't get comfortable. There are things to think about before we slide back into our routine of eat/class/sleep.
Rachel Hogan and Amy Brosey are the Collegian opinion editors. E-mail them at rah145@psu.edu or amb184@psu.edu.	Some of what we have to think about is funny; some is not. Some is serious; some is for our own emotional edification. Perhaps it's not what we think about that's so important, so long as we think about something. With the beginning of this semester, then, there's plenty to think about. But if you're looking at the opinions page and thinking there's nothing you care enough to write a letter about, think again. We've come up with some issues, names, places, people and thoughts we feel are worth a little of your time. Alcohol abuse: University President Graham Spanier has named it the University's No.1 problem, but what about apathy and antagonism? Basketball: How will Penn State do this spring? What about the baseball team? Commonwealth Education System: This year will see the beginning of the new CES plan, which will radically change the organization of the University's Commonwealth Campus system. Will the plan work, or is it a bad idea?
`University President Graham Spanier's State of the University address expressing his concern about alcohol.`	Diversity: Will the push for diversity awareness and appreciation on campus be accepted by more students, and will diversity courses still put off others? Education: How is violence in the classroom affecting education majors and their plans for the future? What about education at the University -- is it losing out to research? Fun: Is it found in a bottle, or can the 24-hour HUB and more alcohol-free activities give students a break from the booze?
*"To many students, the beginning of a new semester is a chance to start over, to try again. But the loose ends don't tie themselves up with the close of a semester."*	Greek system: How do the negatives and positives of Greek life balance out? Do Greeks deserve the bad rap they receive, or the praise? Housing: Will the State College Planning Commission finalize a housing plan for the borough? Integrity: How does a generation defined by others as lazy slackers find their place in the world of hard-working, intelligent people who want change? Jones: Will Paula Jones' suit send President Clinton to court, or will he be found immune to civil trials during his presidency? Karma, spirituality, Christianity, paganism and Buddhism: How do different senses of faith, emotion and religion color our view, and how do we live peaceably with those who disagree? Love: Does it matter who you love? Marijuana: Is legalization on the way, and would that be good news? Nicotine: What part do politics play in the cigarette industry, and do cigarette ads intentionally target children? Official bureaucracy: Why does it take five hours in line to get a copy of your transcript at Shields Building? People: Why are they so annoying sometimes? Quiet: Why is everyone so quiet about the quietest place on campus -- when will we get a 24-hour Pattee? Rohypnol: Is the date rape pill gone? Should we be scared? Sex: And all it's implications in the era of AIDS. This isn't what our parents told us it would be like, if they told us anything at all. Television ratings: Is the government going too far now, and will it even help? Unity: Is it more than a Queen Latifah song? Is it a . . . possibility? Voices: Children's, women's, ethnic, racial and other minorities': Are they being heard? Women's issues: Is there still discrimination in classrooms? X-Files: Why are Americans obsessed with conspiracy theories and aliens? Yesterday: Was life better when we were children? Is the world changing too fast? Zoos, amphitheaters, ballets, concerts. . .Is there anything to do in this town? To many students, the beginning of a new semester is a chance to start over, to try again. But the loose ends don't tie themselves up with the close of a semester. Memories don't fade with the last day of class. Our history is continuous, and our problems continue to unfold. There are new things to think about every day. And the list will keep growing, building on what we've already experienced. No matter what, life isn't going to stop. And if you think about it, that's pretty amazing. To many students, the beginning of a new semester is a chance to start over, to try again. But the loose ends don't tie themselves up with the close of a semester. Memories don't fade with the last day of class. Our history is continuous, and our problems continue to unfold. This semester, some of us will find ourselves and others will lose someone they love. In this way, the list of things to think about and feel will keep growing, building on what we've already experienced. No matter what, life isn't going to stop. And if you think about it, that's pretty amazing.