Letters to the Editor

Denial of benefits will affect everyone

I am greatly troubled by the circumstances affecting Penn State’s decision not to implement health care benefits for same-sex domestic partners. As a taxpayer, I am disturbed that the Pennsylvania legislature would threaten to withhold funding to the university if these benefits were instituted. As a parent, I am concerned about raising my children, who may one day discover themselves to be attracted to someone of the same sex, in a community that tolerates and perpetuates homophobia.

As a psychologist, I am unsettled about the ways in which recent events promote the antiquated scientific falsehood that loving a fellow human being of the same sex is unhealthy. As a Christian, I am disheartened that many of our religious leaders preach about homosexuality in ways that violate the fundamental Gospel message of love.

Finally, as a citizen, I am distressed by the ignorance of our locally elected officials as reflected in recent remarks about the value of marriage and the financial costs of domestic partner benefits. For example, it is unclear to me how benefits for same-sex partners can infringe upon the sanctity of marriage when unmarried, heterosexual couples are entitled to benefits at Penn State.

Furthermore, I do not understand how streamlining financial costs can be considered reason enough to deny same-sex partner benefits when studies indicate that such benefits would constitute a fraction of a percent of Penn State’s budget on benefits. The costs of human suffering and violating human dignity seem far greater to me.

Jeffrey A. Hayes
assistant professor of counseling psychology

Letrell Crittenden’s recent suggestion that students boycott the CATA bus system seems seriously misplaced. His two reasons for doing so are to call attention to the lack of parking spaces along the State College/University Park border and the borough’s suggestion to place numbers on the balconies of student apartments. While both situations deserve thoughtful discussion and analysis by both adult and student residents of the borough, how it is connected to the CATA bus system is unclear. CATA has nothing to do with either situation. It would be a better solution to start a petition drive or rally student residents of the borough to attend council meetings to bring about change.

Within this flawed argument are two other problems. First, Crittenden implies CATA is an expensive and therefore poor bus system. He forgets that the bus system would indeed survive without students as an important form of transportation for non-students. It is also one of cheapest and cleanest bus systems in the country. Finally, if we weren’t taking the buses, do you really think that would help the already cramped parking situation?

Second, to suggest this boycott be done "in the memory of Dr. King" ignores the very reasons why the bus boycott took place during the Civil Rights movement. There, the buses were a symbol of segregation and racism. A boycott was clearly connected to the problem. In State College, a bus boycott could not be connected to parking, balcony numbers or riots.

Tim Dohrer
graduate-curriculum and instruction

Yeah, great plan. Let’s all boycott the CATA buses. Just what we need: more people driving through downtown State College fighting over the limited parking spaces and making walking an absolute hazard. We will certainly get the attention of the borough and CATA. They will give in and build one or two more parking areas. Of course downtown State College is too full with places where we must spend our money,so a location has to be found that is big enough to fit the cars of all the bus-boycotting students.

The solution is found in a nice piece of green between State College and Boalsburg. Two hundred trees are cut down and a huge parking lot is built.

Parking on the lot is free -- a present from the borough to promote visits to and shopping in the beautiful town. The collective merchants of downtown State College even chip in to provide a cheap 40-cent bus ride from the parking lot to the downtown businesses. Too bad for you Letrell Crittenden, that you will not be able to use this service, as you are boycotting this cheap and environmentally friendly way of transportation. Enjoy the walk!

Jeroen Breman
graduate-instructional systems