Smeal College helped when nothing else did

This letter serves as a public thank-you note to the Smeal College of Business Internship Office.

The business internship office is one of the most effectively, efficiently-run organizations on this campus. Not only are they consistently professional, they truly care about their students.

Just one example: after completing a 6-month co-op I obtained through the office, I returned to campus to find that the University had informed Stafford I withdrew from school.

Consequently, Stafford canceled my loan and left me with loan and tuition bills neither my parents nor I could pay by the immediate deadline. Both my mother and I made many phone calls to the financial aid office, none of which were returned.

A few days before classes began, I contacted the internship office and informed them of my situation. I was confident they would be able to help me, and they didn't let me down.

Adora Way immediately checked with the Bursar's office and began to resolve the situation. Not only did she make sure my aid was reinstated, but she kept in constant contact with my mother and myself to reassure us that my classes would not be dropped and that I would not be denied aid to finish up my bachelor's degree.

At a university so large, you rarely experience that kind of personal attention -- it really is appreciated.

Thank you!

Jennifer E. Reitz
senior-management science and information systems

'Thon should be moved into larger building

I am writing on behalf of the Health and Human Development Interest House, which raised just under $1000 but was not allowed to dance in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Why? We were Couple # 295, placed on the waiting list since dance marathon can only accommodate 275 couples. I believe that if we had been allowed to dance, we could have easily raised a few thousand more dollars, but as soon as we found out we would not be represented, everyone lost their motivation. It's a shame so many people trying to help are turned away just because of the size of a building.

We are Penn State, a huge campus with plenty of huge buildings, yet dance marathon limits itself to the tiny, sweltering hot White Building.

Stacey Confer's article in The Daily Collegian about the issue Feb. 17 cited Rec Hall's lack of accommodation for the event's equipment, but exactly what can not be accommodated? Couldn't something be worked out? It's for the sake of charity, for kids with cancer. Why couldn't the marathon be held in one of the Intramural Building's gyms?

They're big enough. Many people may make the argument that it's part of the tradition for dance marathon to be held in the White Building. But it's also tradition for everyone involved to break all previous fund-raising records. This year, $1,528,425 was raised, breaking last year's record by more than $300,000.

Isn't this what 'Thon is really about? The whole point is to raise money to fight cancer, not to keep the tradition of dancing in the same hot, cramped little gym year after year. It's time to move somewhere bigger so more groups can get involved with fighting this disease.

Remember, it's for kids, not tradition.

Jamie Slegel
Health and Human Development Interest House Secretary

USG Supreme Court decision disturbing

The Undergraduate Student Government Supreme Court's unanimous rejection of STRAIGHT has just sent the entire student body two rather disturbing messages.

First, USG has shown how much it really cares about tolerance. And secondly, the decision has shown that students who wish to form any organizations had better adopt the agenda of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Student Alliance, lest they be labeled intolerant and/or homophobic.

Prior to Feb. 17, I was under the impression that USG believed in the free expression of ideas and values.

However, now that USG has arrived at their decision (with the help of the LGBSA), I now know that my initial impression was wrong. LGBSA, it seems now, has USG in their pockets. STRAIGHT wanted a charter, but I suspect that even before decision time came, the fix was already in.

LGBSA Political Co-Director Duane Gildea's primary reason for opposing STRAIGHT's charter seems to be that he fears that violence will erupt as a result of this group.

LGBSA likes to pretend there is this constant and ongoing violence against them at Penn State which, by the way, I don't see any evidence of. This group must be living on another planet if they think that this University is not the most accepting environment for them anywhere.

And what of Darin Loccarini? As I understood, he also received threats of violence against him. What of the concern for his group and its members?

From what I've read, STRAIGHT has been respectful of LGBSA from the start. LGBSA should think about a time when they were denied a voice, like STRAIGHT is being denied now.

And the USG Supreme Court should drop its personal biases and give STRAIGHT the recognition it deserves.

Steven F. Freed
sophomore-telecommunications

STRAIGHT can be heard without PSU charter

Concerning whether students' first amendment rights are being trampled by the rejection of STRAIGHT's charter -- they aren't. STRAIGHT's voice can be heard loud and clear, and in America the students who wish to join this group have every right to organize and promote their values, opinions, and mission.

However, the U.S. Constitution does not say that because there exists "free speech" that every other group and institution in the nation must be forced to endorse it on First Amendment grounds.

Words like "intolerance," "tolerance," "gay bashing" and other emotionally loaded words are being thrown about to confuse things. Penn State should not be forced to accept any group just because it has written a constitution, but the group has the right to exist whether or not Penn State grants it a charter.

Cathy Rowell
senior-English