" 'Ghetto' is a program that allows students to vicariously negotiate the hardships of being financially impoverished and socially segregated in the U.S.," Carolyn Tubbs, faculty mentor of the Living Learning Community, said in an e-mail.

Tubbs was first exposed to "ghetto" by her professor at Purdue University.

"It was really interesting to see students dealing with heavy social issues and enjoying the process. It allowed the students to dig deeper than the myth of the American work ethic. It focused on breaking the barriers of classism, racism and sexism," she said.

Tubbs introduced "ghetto" to Penn State in a meeting with housing, Residence Life and the Schreyer Honors College personnel, who decided that resident assistants in Atherton, Simmons and South Halls would participate in "Ghetto" during orientation.

Based on their experiences, several RAs decided to share "Ghetto" with their residents.

Adam Kapp (senior-psychology and English), an RA in Atherton, chose to have this simulation open to the students of his dorm.

"I found the concept really fascinating. It plays like a game — it illustrates very pointedly the real issues connected to poverty," said Kapp. "This program can educate people and create a better atmosphere on campus — making it better for everyone," he said.

Monday's program was held in Atherton's Grandfather Clock Lounge and featured a 90-minute simulation followed by a debriefing session. The 25 participants were residents of Atherton and also recipients of the Living Learning e-mail list.

Students sat in groups of six with a facilitator. Each participant was given a profile of his character and allotted "hour chips" accordingly. The rules to "ghetto" explain that "each hour chip represents one hour per day that the player will have to spend in earning a living and improving their standard of living."

The goal is to maximize "reward points" by devoting "hour chips" to various activities — such as school, work, welfare, recreation and hustling. The simulation is played with each round equaling a year.

After five or six rounds, a discussion took place to help the students make sense of what had just happened. Many students disagreed with what they deemed as unrealistic aspects of "ghetto," such as the views of hustling — especially the absence of the police.

Sophia Riley (junior-agriculture business management), chief financial officer of the NAACP, was particularly bothered by the simulation. Riley said the "ghetto" program perpetuated negative images of those who live in poorer urban areas.

"While some of these images are present in low-income communities, they are not the most prevalent. I strongly feel as though the 'game' was an inaccurate depiction of the type of lives the people in the so-called ghetto lead, and I have to question if the 'game' should exist at all," she said.

Riley was not the one who felt negatively about "ghetto." When an announcement about the simulation appeared on the Living Learning e-mail list, some students immediately expressed concern.

Kapp received six or seven e-mails of negative response. These respondents found the announcement and title of "ghetto" offensive. Some protested that having a "game" about the ghetto trivialized the lives of those who did live in low-income housing. Kapp also received an e-mail requesting his attendance at a meeting with a representative from the Black Caucus. Tubbs sent out an explanation and apology regarding the voiced concerns of the "game."

"It is the intent of 'ghetto' to allow those, regardless of race, who would never consider prolonged contact with the impoverished to momentarily realize that they may not truly be 'better than' given a similar, albeit artificial, set of circumstances," she explained.

Despite initial negative response, Jennifer Brown, also an RA in Atherton, felt that Monday night's program was a success.

"Those that do not live or don't know much about the ghetto were able to kind of see some of the challenges that people in these positions face," said Brown (senior- elementary education).

"It was a really good mix of people — we were able to do more than just the game. A lot of people were able to share some examples and experiences."