What's an Eco-Rep you ask? Penn State has established a new program to further the university's green initiative. Twenty-eight freshman living in East Halls will be deemed “Eco-Reps.” Theses selected students will attend training and learning sessions throughout the semester on how to live Eco-friendlier lifestyles. For example, to kick off this Fall, the program will focus on electrical energy consumption in residence halls. With their new knowledge base, the Eco-Reps will be expected to pass their incite onto their peers through events, activities, and discussions.
More on the program after the jump.
You know the nights you're downtown and you have really got to go, but it's too late that you can't make a b-line to the bathroom in Chili's, what are you to do? Hold it in? Risk a semester of teasing and go in your pants? Find a nice dark place behind a parked car or healthy foliage? It's a tough decision to have to make, but fret no more! The Borough Council of State College has decided to open up public bathrooms 24/7 downtown.
Read through to find out where the new bathrooms will be located...
For Penn State faculty, skies may seem a bit more blue. Last year, in an attempt to keep student tuition down, faculty were denied salary raises. With the 2010-2011 proposed budget, the university plans to end the freeze.
This year, the university is hoping to get a 3.9% increase, or around $360.9 million, in state funding. StateCollege.com cites the fact that this is one of the lowest increase requests in 50 years. While nothing is official until the board convenes in July, President Spanier believes the raises are likely.
Proposed raises are not all encompassing, rather they are based on individual merit. Assistant Director of Public Information Annemarie Mountz explains, “There is no set amount given to all employees. Some people may get a very small raise -- or even no raise at all -- while others may get a larger than average raise."
Who is Valerie Plame? A wife. A mother. An undercover CIA agent who had her cover blown by the Bush Administration. But most importantly – a Penn State alumnae who's fascinating story is the basis for a new movie starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn, due to open Fall 2010.
The movie, directed by Doug Liman, debuted this past week as the only American entry “in competition” at the Cannes Film Festival.
Read on to find out more about the film's critical reception.