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Winter has returned and so have winter parking regulations. The following regulations are in effect for University Park.
There is no parking in any surface parking lot at University Park from midnight to 7 a.m. if snow has fallen. The regulations do not specify a minimum amount of snow because the Office of Physical Plant may need to scatter anti-skid material only. The lots need to be empty to assist in this process.
Vehicles which need to remain overnight should move to one of the parking garages: Eisenhower Deck, Nittany Deck or HUB Deck. They may remain in those structures until 8 the next morning regardless of the permit issued.
Departments also should ensure that department vehicles are moved to the structures. Any vehicle remaining in a lot means it takes more time to remove snow and that the snow cannot be removed properly.
For more information, call Doug Holmes at (814) 863-0164.
Once again the Agricultural Arena on the University Park campus will be the site of a holiday tree display that, this year, will include 100 decorated trees.
From Dec. 11-15, visitors can view the trees decorated by local businesses, families, groups and schools from within the community. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, the five-day event will also feature entertainment at various times of the day, a craft sale and show, and a holiday tree sale. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome. Visitors also can vote on their favorite tree. Proceeds from this event, sponsored by the Centre County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Penn State Forestry Society, go to Centre County United Way. Last year, about $2,000 was raised for the United Way.
The role of intercollegiate athletics in American higher education is the subject of the next edition of "To the Best of My Knowledge," President Graham Spanier's monthly call-in program on public radio station WPSU-FM (90.1, 91.5 & 106.7). It airs on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
Joining Spanier in a discussion of such topics as academic standards for athletes, gender equity and the commercialization of college sports will be Jim Delany, commissioner of athletics for the Big Ten Conference, and Tim Curley, director of athletics at Penn State.
Central Pennsylvania residents with their own recommendations for improving intercollegiate athletics -- or who simply have a question for Spanier and his guests -- are invited to call 1-800-543-8242 during the one-hour program. Internet users worldwide will be able to link to sound and pictures from the program at http://www.psu.edu/ur/tech/tech.html; and they will be able to contact the president via e-mail to:response@psu.edu.
Hosted by Patty Satalia, "To the Best of My Knowledge" is a series designed to explore topics of concern to higher education and to allow listeners a chance to communicate directly with Penn State's president.
Most people feel depressed at some time or another in their life, but some experience major depression. A study designed to help people with this problem currently is being conducted. You may be experiencing major depression if you:
* Feel depressed most of the day, nearly every day;
* Experience a marked decrease of interest and pleasure in almost all activities;
* Feel fatigue or loss of energy most of the day; * Feel worthless or excessive guilt; or
* Feel a decreased ability to think or concentrate.
If you believe you are experiencing major depression and would like to be considered for a study being conducted by the Department of Psychology, please call Charles Hines at (814) 863-4833.
Subjects (ages 18-55) included in the study will receive 12 to 20 free sessions of individual psychotherapy, either immediately after being assessed for depression or 12 to 20 weeks later.
Subjects also will be asked to compete various questionnaires during and after treatment. A brief telephone interview will help with a preliminary determination of the suitability of this treatment for you. If you cannot be included in this treatment, alternate referral suggestions will be made.
Strictest confidentiality is maintained. The principal investigator on this study is Louis Castonguay, assistant professor of psychology.
This fall, 21 Penn State Berks students moved into Albright College's residence halls as part of a new joint residence life program between the two institutions.
Berks campus residence halls were filled to capacity at 390 students and some vacancies in Albright's residence halls which house 972 allowed the two institutions to make the mutually beneficial arrangement. Students pay Penn State Berks tuition and Albright room and board, and have access to everything both institutions have to offer, from activities to clubs to sports.
"I know of no other similar housing arrangement where students literally have two college environments to experience for the price of one," said Blaine Steensland, director of student affairs, Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley College. "We are constantly monitoring our students reactions to this unique living situation."
Additional residence hall construction at Penn State Berks is slated for 1999. Penn State Berks and Albright College are also currently exploring a partnership that would allow the sharing of programs and faculty. This could serve as a model for public/private partnerships in higher education.
Penn State will hold 1997 Fall Commencement ceremonies for the University Park campus on Sunday, Dec. 21. Undergraduate and associate degrees will be awarded at 1 p.m. in The Bryce Jordan Center. Graduate degrees will be awarded at 4 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium.
A total of 2,524 baccalaureate degrees and 12 associate degrees will by conferred by President Graham B. Spanier. The speaker will be Peter G. Glenn, dean of The Dickinson School of Law.
A total of 446 master's degrees and 207 doctoral degrees will be conferred by Executive Vice President and Provost John Brighton. The speaker will be Harry Allcock, Evan Pugh professor of chemistry.
University Health Services will offer vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis, a very serious, contagious infection, at a clinic at the University Park campus on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Although immunization against this disease is not usually given to the general public, the American College Health Association (ACHA) has just issued a recommendation that college students consider getting vaccinated. ACHA, which is a national nonprofit organization serving and representing the interests of professionals and students in health and higher education, does not recommend the vaccine for adults over age 30, as they are rarely afflicted by this infection.
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Outbreaks of meningitis tend to occur in relatively isolated or confined environments. The disease is transmitted through the air via sneezing or coughing and direct contact with infected people. Because college students often live in close quarters, such as residence halls or fraternity houses, they have an increased risk of meningococcal disease.
At Penn State's University Park campus, there were two cases last year and one Penn State student died as a result of the disease. There has already been one case of meningococcal meningitis this fall.
University Health Services will provide the vaccine at cost to University Park students during the vaccination clinic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the HUB Main Lounge. The cost of the vaccine is $55, which can be billed to a student account. The vaccine has few side effects and is generally effective for three to five years. The vaccine also will be available by appointment at the Immunization Clinic in Ritenour Building. Students may call (814) 863-9882 to schedule an appointment.
For more information, students and families are encouraged to visit the University Health Services Web site at http://www.psu.edu/UHS. If you have additional questions, call the advice nurse at (814) 863-4463 or contact UHS via the "Advice Line" link at (http://www.psu.edu/UHS/doc.html). Flu shots also will be offered at an additional cost of $10.
To register for these or other Human Resource Development Center programs on the University Park campus, complete the registration form found in the back of the fall HRDC catalog, and fax to (814) 865-3522.
* Did You Hear That? COM 041 -- Increase your listening potential by developing effective skills through practice. Dec. 15, 1:30-4 p.m., 319 Rider Building. Cost: $44.
* What's Going Wrong, Dilbert? LDR 067 -- This lighthearted program with serious lessons explores common pitfalls in today's work environment and how supervisors can make changes for the better. Dec. 16, 1:30-4:30 p.m., 319 Rider Building. Cost: $44.
* Adapting Work Processes to Manager Change, LDR 058 -- Discover how to keep your organization operating successfully by continuously adapting work processes to ever-changing conditions. Dec. 18, 8:30-10:30 a.m., 319 Rider Building. Cost: $29.
A new Microwave Processing and Engineering Center has been created at the Materials Research Laboratory. The center will focus mainly on processing and sintering of ceramic powders, ultrahard materials -- including carbides and diamond composites -- electroceramics, powdered metals and transparent ceramics.
The center also will provide microwave technology to relevant and interested industries. Work at this new facility builds on recent breakthroughs and innovations made in the last couple of years by professors Dinesh Agrawal and Rustum Roy and their colleagues. Agrawal, professor of materials, will serve as director.
Core support for the center comes from Electric Power and Research Institute, the Department of Energy, Ben Franklin Technology Center and industry.
Richard R. Auhl, supervisor, engineering labs in College of Engineering.
Randy S. Bowersox, research support technician III in College of Agricultural Sciences.
Tracy M. Bowman, senior applications programmer/analyst in Division of Development and Alumni Relations.
Helen F. Brady, staff assistant VIII at Penn State Abington.
Karen P. Brooks, program coordinator IV in Applied Research Laboratory.
Mac E. Bryan, research engineer/supervisor in College of Engineering.
Marilyn G. Byers, coordinator, internship program in College of the Liberal Arts.
Carol L. Campbell, conference services manager at The Nittany Lion Inn.
Anne M. Cavanaugh-Stover, administrative assistant I in College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Patricia A. Cochrane, assistant to financial officer II in Continuing and Distance Education.
Melissa B. Conrad, staff assistant V in Division of Development and Alumni Relations.
Joseph L. Conaway, environmental systems technician at Capital College.
Amy J. Crawford, maintenance worker-utility at The Bryce Jordan Center.
Todd E. Dobson, food preparer B, Housing and Food Services.
Lou Erma Krape, janitorial worker, Office of Physical Plant.
Brad J. Long, snack bar-janitorial worker A, Housing and Food Services at Penn State Altoona.
Kathleen A. Ray, snack bar worker B, Housing and Food Services.
Stacy R. Showers, stock truck driver, Office of Physical Plant.
