On Wednesday, the State College Planning Commission reviewed a new version of a temporary use provision (which will be voted on at the nest meeting), as the Commission is considering allowing fraternities that have disbanded to live in their houses for up to two years while the chapter regains its foundation. The Daily Collegian reported:

According to the proposal, disbanded fraternities could temporarily classify themselves as a rooming house for two years, after which the landowner will decide what happens to the property. For on-campus fraternities, the university could seize the property.

The proposed policy also states that the “building ownership entity” or a “local alumni association member” that is in charge of the property itself must reside within 25 miles of State College in case any problems take place. The policy also stated that the disbanded fraternity has to apply for a permit allowing the chapter house to be temporarily used as a rooming house within 120 days of the fraternity’s disbandment.

Whether it’s on the wrestling mat, the volleyball court, or behind an épée (Brush up on your fencing lingo, we’re defending national champs), Penn State is no stranger to “Top Ten” rankings. Not to be left in the dark, Penn State’s neighbor to the south, State College, cared to join in on the fun.


Recently, State College placed eighth in Kiplinger’s “Ten Cities With Rising Home Values.” State College landed itself on the list by boasting some impressive numbers. Over the course of one year, the average $200,000 house in Happy Valley would gain 4.7% in home value – remarkable compared to the average of 18% drop everywhere else in the country.


So why are houses in State College of all places gaining value? Read on to find out!

According to Time Warner, as of late Sunday night, the Wal-Mart in State College has sold more copies of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition than any other Wal-Mart in the nation. And, just to show that Pennsylvanian’s recognize fine art when they see it, we’d like to note that the King of Prussia store is sitting pretty at #8 in sales.


Why the interest? Who cares– whether it’s snow induced boredom, spring break outfit planning, or Brooklyn Decker’s bodacious bod, we’re still proud!

Craigslist is a big, and sometimes scary, place. Craigslist Penn State is no exception. In an effort to better serve you, our reader, we have started an new effort to highlight listings we feel should be shared with the greater Penn State audience.


We hope we can find what you’re looking for.

To the girl that found my book – m4w – 20 (PSU)

This is probably a long shot but I feel the need to address what happened today.


I appreciate that you found my book and called the number to give it back to me. When I saw you walking up with it I was awestruck by your beauty. Usually I don’t run away from beautiful girls but.. I just couldn’t control my reaction. I’m sorry I turned and ran away, subsequently falling down a staircase. I also am aware it may look like I soiled myself shortly after falling down the stairs but this was not the case, I was carrying Hershey’s chocolate bars in my back pocket and became very sweaty and hot when I saw you and they were probably crushed while I fell down the stairs. This is the best explanation.. of course the other is that I actually did soil myself which is not entirely impossible but it’s been a few weeks since that’s happened otherwise so it seems unlikely.


Er.. anyway, I really do need my book back. I promise if you meet up to give it to me I won’t run away or shit all over the place this time.


If not can you please email me questions 2 – 15 and question 17 for Chapter 1? Thanks.

I totally feel for you man, this is how I react every time I see an attractive girl on campus. Like a deranged lemming, I just make a beeline for the nearest stairwell and throw myself down it.

On Thursday night, the State College Borough Planning Commission agreed upon a definition of fraternities within the borough; Fraternities in the borough must be recognized by Penn State. To spell it out, fraternities have to be recognized by the governing board of a student organization (purposely not naming names) and then must be recognized by Penn State’s Division of Student Affairs.
It was argued by Sandy Deveney, a Phi Delta Theta alumnus, that doing so limits fraternities to only Penn State students. He said that this vote could be seen as discriminatory since other students in State College would not be …

In a world with limited resources, global warming, and increasing doubt in everyday life, what is it that the State College area is running dangerously low on? Phone numbers. Yes, the community surrounding Penn State is running out of digits to follow their 814 prefix.
Apparently the same problem has occurred in the 717 area and the 570 area.  The solution? It’s been suggested that the State College area phones may be split up, and that State College could get a new area code! As a 412-er myself, this doesn’t seem to have the potential to impact my life, but I’m …

Apparently we’ve got some high achievers in our town. The Daily Beast just ranked State College the eighth smartest college town in America. How so?
The criteria included bachelor’s degrees per capita, graduate degrees per capita, students’ median SAT scores, and voter turnout in the 2008. While you can’t truly measure the “intelligence” of a town, these criteria make a valiant effort.
We received a “B” overall. Our description:
Known as Happy Valley to locals, State College is seeped in blue and white pride for the Nittany Lions football team. The university is known for its undergraduate engineering and business programs, as well …

The City of Pittsburgh has proposed a “tuition tax”  to be levied on the city’s college students. Unfortunately for Penn State, State College hopes to follow suit.
According to the Centre Daily Times, the potential Pittsburgh tax would amount to 1% of a student’s tuition. That equates to $27 for community college students and $400 for Carnegie Mellon students, with Penn State somewhere in between.
Cities with colleges, such as Pittsburgh and State College, insist that students utilize city services such as roads and police forces without paying taxes. This free-rider dilemma particularly pummels State College, where 75% of residents are nontaxable …

The State College Borough Council will vote tonight on a proposed nuisance ordinance that, if passed, would allow police to hold hosts responsible for the actions of their guests, even after the guests have left the party’s original location. The meeting is at 7:30 in the municipal building.
The ordinance is thought by many to unfairly target Penn State students. UPUA President Gavin Keirans addressed the proposal in a guest column published today in The Daily Collegian.
The document’s nebulous classifications of violations, as well as saying that the host is now responsible for individual actions after leaving a party is a …

A new report from the Congressional Quarterly ranks the State College Metropolitan Area as the safest in the country. The annual report uses FBI crime statistics collected from local law enforcement agencies. The study takes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft numbers and compiles a score and compares it to the national averages.
Last year, State College was ranked 2nd.
Following State College in the top 5 are Sheboygan, WI; Appleton, WI; Bangor, ME; and last year’s number 1: Logan, UT.
I looked through the rankings for other Big Ten Areas and discovered that the second safest is Bloomington, …

Cozy Thai Bistro has moved into new digs at 232 S. Allen, across from the State College Borough Municipal Building after it outgrew the original location on College Ave, across from Redifer.
Penn State TV interviewed executive chef and owner Suksan Ruangpattana. He says that the move was prompted primarily by space, both inside for seating and outside for parking. We have video of the interview after the jump.
The restaurant has kept the same menu, prices, phone number, and hours. The Collegian reported last week that the old location will be transformed into a new Asian fusion restaurant, featuring …

At first glance, I was genuinely expecting big news. For 2009, the State College Magazine poll voted Penn State the ‘Best Place to Work’ in the…[Oh gosh, this is gonna be good]…region?  Uhm, question: What the hell else is there to do in State College?
In the midst of such vast, urbanized territory and boisterous competition, it’s a wonder how they managed to narrow it down! You mean to tell me that the largest university in the nation offers the best place to work in all of State College? Bullshit!
Who on Earth wouldn’t want to be fostered and spoon-fed government funds, crazy benefits, and …

The Centre Daily Times is reporting that the Democratic candidates for Mayor and District Attorney won easily over their Republican opponents. Elizabeth Goreham, current State College Borough Council President, defeated Joe Wakeley by a margin of almost 2-1. With 86 of 89 precincts reporting, Goreham had 2,195 votes to Wakeley’s 1,050.
In the District Attorney race challenger Stacy Parks Miller overwhelmingly defeated incumbent Michael Madeira, grabbing 64% of the vote. Parks Miller cited dozens of mismanaged cases by Madeira as the primary reason for her deciding to run. Penn State students can remember Mr. Madeira mainly for his aggressive prosecution of …

I should disclose the fact that I’m the co-campaign manager for the Elizabeth Goreham mayoral campaign. I’ve been around all the campaigns over the last few months, and am going to try to present an unbiased view of the candidates.
Mayoral Election
The untimely death of Mayor Welch has created a hole in the borough’s “weak mayor” position. State College’s mayor has no legislative powers, but can preside over borough council meetings and is the face of State College.

Elizabeth Goreham, Democrat

Experience: last 12 years on Borough council, current president of Borough council
Important Issues: Making State College “green”, environmental protection, connecting “Town” and …

Campus feels kind of empty right now. The football team left to play Michigan in Ann Arbor and many students are leaving to go canning for THON. No worries, though: there will still be plenty of things to do in State College.
Remember to watch Penn State play Michigan at 3:30 pm tomorrow. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC (channel 8 on campus).
Check out Powershift Pennsylvania, which begins tomorrow at 9:00 in 100 Thomas… visit our original post or the Powershift Pennsylvania website for details.
The Goonies is being presented by No Refund Theatre tonight and tomorrow at 8:00 pm …