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The goal of the campaign is to establish
a loud voice in defining how the community sees itself, Rosenberger
said.
USG teamed up with the university's
Division of Student Affairs to conduct a
Penn State Pulse survey. According to
the survey, which was released in
November, its purpose was to get students
to think, "What are we?"
Some of the findings concluded that
96 percent of Penn State students like to
be treated courteously by others; 93 percent
thought feeling safe and unthreatened
is essential to a civil campus environment;
55 percent smile and say
"hello" while walking on campus.
Julie Vastyan, a USG spokeswoman,
said some of the results would be used
in the USG campaign because they
reflect what the community wants.
"We will use those definitions in promoting
what we want for our community,"
Vastyan said.
The campaign committee requested
$15,000 from University Park Allocation
Committee to have full funding for all
their advertising means — which range
from flyers, posters and newspaper
advertisements to billboards, and radio
and television advertisements.
If the allocation committee doesn't
fully fund the campaign, Vastyan said
USG will approach other student
groups.
Vastyan said USG enlisted the help of
the Division of Student Affairs, alumni
and administrators. She said the group
expects to have full student support.
Assistant Vice President for Student
Affairs Philip Burlingame said it is
important for people to support the campaign in order to figure out what
"We are … Penn State" means.
"What does it mean? From Penn
State traditions and principles to treating
people with respect and speaking
against criminal acts," Burlingame said.
Davin Carr-Chellman, assistant director
for the Center for Ethics and Religious
Affairs, believes the "We Are"
campaign is an effective tool in getting a
message out to the community.
"Our identity is wrapped up in a
whole lot more than just athletics; when
you look at someone in the eye do you
sense compassion, sympathy?" Carr-
Chellman asked.
USG will meet today with representatives
from about 65 different student
organizations to try and develop messages
from the survey to represent everyone at Penn State and decide
which are the most important.
"Our community isn't really defined,"
Vastyan said. "When we say ‘We are…'
what is that? What do we want it to
mean?"
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