CCSG begins semester with original central staff

By KARA McCONNELL
Collegian Staff Writer

Penn State's Council of Commonwealth Student Governments underwent changes last semester, but the responsibilities of the members remained the same -- to do what is best for the students they represent.

But unfortunately for those students, many of the problems distracting CCSG remained as well.

In early December, 16 of the 20-member CCSG central staff resigned from their positions after giving both President John Baer and Vice President Charles Stevens an ultimatum: Step down or the staff walks.

The central staff is composed of CCSG members who are attending the University Park campus and represent and work for the Commonwealth campuses.

The 16 members who resigned said Baer was not fulfilling his duties as CCSG president and they could not work with him any longer.

At the end of last semester, Baer withdrew from Penn State for medical reasons.

Stevens took over presidential duties and wrote a letter of apology to all central staff members, urging them to resume their duties.

In Baer's absence, 13 of the 16 central staff members who had resigned asked to be reinstated, Stevens said.

Christine Martin, CCSG secretary, was one of the central staffers who resigned in December and was reinstated.

Martin said her work for CCSG is one of her priorities.

"I hope the staff that has come back can work for the campuses," she said.

"And we should remember why we're here and what we're all about," Martin added.

However, the CCSG staff surprises were far from over. Baer re-enrolled the first day of classes this semester and asked to return as CCSG president.

Stan Latta, director of student unions, reinstated Baer and demoted Stevens to vice president.

"There's a lot of confusion," Baer said, "but we've reorganized."

Despite Baer's optimism, Stevens said the dramatic personnel conflicts of the past few months have left CCSG with internal problems to deal with in addition to the concerns of the students they represent.

"We had stuff all lined up and ready to go, but now we are just figuring things out again," Stevens said.

CCSG is the student-run organization that represents students attending the Abington College, Altoona College, Behrend College, Berks-Lehigh Valley College, Capitol College and the 12 Penn State campuses that make up the Commonwealth College.