"What if that CATA bus speeds up while I'm crossing the street? What if we have a pop quiz on the one day that I skip class?" As college students, we face risks on a regular basis, but so does the university itself.
Penn State Live recently profiled Gary Langsdale, Penn State's resident risk manager. He utilizes a corporate approach called Enterprise Risk Management and leads a team of employees who strive to make Penn State a safer place--in every aspect imaginable. Langsdale defines a risk as "any impediment to accomplishing institutional goals." Such impediments can pertain to data security, laboratory environments, pandemics, student behaviors, weather emergencies, and much more.
Langsdale and his team conducted 53 interviews throughout the university and identified over 100 possible risks. The top ten include the dangers of high-risk student drinking, the unique risks presented by running an academic medical center, and maintaining Penn State's reputation and the perceived quality of a Penn State degree. Check out the rest after the jump.
Onward State is finally writing about Onward State. How meta. But really, we are pretty awesome. Even the Chronicle of Higher Education approves!
The Chronicle ran a story about us on Monday and posted a supplementary video on Thursday. You can read the article HERE and watch the embedded video on this page.
The story praises the budding genius of our founder, Davis Shaver, and also emphasizes the importance of assigning editor Eli Glazier (Sadly, my favorite editor, Evan Kalikow, ended up on the Chronicle's cutting room floor, save for a shout-out in the video) (Editor's note: Awwwwwwwww).
Although our editors pave the road, let's not forget our writers and photographers, the vehicles that ride this road to journalistic success. We have all earned this honor. In that spirit, we'd like to announce a series of profiles that should hopefully help you put a face on your favorite Onward State writers.
For now, check out the Chronicle article and continue enjoying Onward State, one of the nation's most exceptional blogs.
Kent Clizbe isn't working for the US government or any other organization. He's one man searching for answers amidst the Climategate controversy. As the Collegian reported this week, Mr. Clizbe sent letters to 27 Penn State faculty members in hopes of locating a snitch whistleblower. He possesses an extensive background in secure communications and has even recruited a lawyer who has experience working with the False Claims Act.
Faculty members who come forward with information about the Climategate controversy will be protected--and apparently well paid. We contacted Mr. Clizbe to understand his motives for launching this personal investigation.
After reading a recent roundup of drinking data, I have made the above proclamation. That's right, you heard it here first.
To understand Penn State's notorious drinking habits, the university and the county have created "Penn State's Partnership - Campus and Community United Against Dangerous Drinking."
Each year, the PSPCCUADD CCUADD Partnership publishes the Annual Assessment Report, which strives to track changes in the levels and consequences of drinking. The new 2009 edition can be found here.
When Flynt Leverett isn't teaching at Penn State or guiding the nation in Washington, he apparently enjoys contributing to the New York Times.
The NY Times recently included this piece by Dr. Leverett and his wife: "Another Iranian Revolution? Not Likely." In the article, they urge our nation to continue diplomatic relations with Iran, despite the misguided opinion that the Iranian government will collapse. It's definitely worth reading.
Dr. Leverett currently teaches in the School of International Affairs at Penn State. He also directs the Geopolitics of Energy Initiative at the New America Foundation in Washington and seems to be an all-around important guy.
Can the campus police search your dorm room without a warrant? A startling new ruling suggests “yes.” In 2007, Boston College police officers received a tip that two students were harboring weapons in their dorm room. Three officers and two residence life officials knocked on the students’ door. After some questioning, the students turned over […]