Whatever your opinions on the freshman handbook, a timeline was confirmed last night with a printing date of May 1st. UPUA's Handbook Committee met to discuss their plans for the book, which will most likely be called "The S Book". At the meeting was Ben Bronstein '61, who edited the 1960 and 1961 editions of the book. He will be serving in an advising capacity, helping guide the handbook's revival.
According to Bronstein, the book was an integral part of a students freshman experience in previous years. There were several examples of past handbooks at the meeting, all of which fit the description of "a keepsake to last beyond your years at Penn State". While they may not be able to have the books leather bound as they were in 1937, with the proper design,the book may be more than a toss-able handout.
There has been much argument about whether the book should be print or digital, but there has been little discussion of its content. More on what sections may be in the handbook after the jump.
Though April may seem like the distant future right now, it's closer than you think. Movin' On, Penn State's longest running Spring Music Festival now has an official Facebook event for the April 17 concert, only two months away.
As usual, the event will last all day and feature a mix of local and national acts. The lineup won't be announced for several weeks, but I'm hoping for some bigger bands than last year. Groups such as Run DMC, Fall Out Boy and Reel Big Fish have performed in the past, bands that are still popular years later.
Last year's show was great, with some impressive performances, but it would be nice to have a headliner people can get excited about.
Though some have said having two spring festivals is cutting down on Movin' On's budget, I'm sure they're going to put on another great show. I'm hoping it's amazing. What headliner do you think Movin' On should bring? (And please don't say Lady Gaga!)
Does being buried in snow constantly bring you down? Tired of walking to and from class in a constant white out? Get used to it. Penn State is projecting White Outs all the way into at least next October - but they need your help. Our good friends at The Collegian are hosting a poll to pick the next year’s White Out t-shirt. Be sure to vote here starting now before February 19 at 4:00 PM.
Read on to see the rest of the designs. Let us know what you think!
If you didn't have a reason to watch the Winter Games already, American short track speedskater Allison Baver is representing Penn State in Vancouver. Baver, who was profiled in the Collegian last Friday, will be competing in events the 20th, 24th, and 26th.
Check out her website so your commentary can be more in depth than blurting out "look at that hot chick that went to my school!"
It's cold. While great for skiers and snowmen, the weather blows for most of us. It is about this time of year that I start looking at sweet study-abroad locales. Here are a few PSU summer abroad programs that got me thinking about blue, sunny skies.
It might seem somewhat like a no-brainer, but Spain is kick-ass place to consider studying. European, warm, ridiculous nightlife, beautiful women (and well-dressed men). Ok, I guess it is not a great place for studying, but let's count that as a plus. Also, as Barcelona is rather far north, so it is an excellent staging ground for a Euro-tour. (If staying in Spain is more your game, check out Madrid or Granada)
Moving further east into the Mediterranean, the boot-country Italy is similar to Spain in the good-for-you-bad-for-your-GPA department. Stick to a place like Siena: you'll avoid the touristy mobs and still be able to see major sights on day-trips. Though the Siena program is more suitable for people who are peaking now (read: liberal arts majors), science and engineering majors should not despair.
It could be that Singapore is more your game. With courses available in engineering and the sciences, Singapore is a better fit for those with less wiggle room in their schedules. Also, a trip to Asia is way more adventurous than a stint in Europe, though the level of culture shock is surely a great deal higher. That aside, Singapore has tons of English-speakers which makes it a great place both to study and 'not-study' abroad.
Just to round things out, I often find that South America gets left out in many study abroad conversations, and I have no clue why. Who wouldn't want to spend a semester in Sao Paulo, for instance? A vibrant city with warm weather and sandy beaches is a rarity, throw in the fact that Brazil is fast-becoming an economic superpower, and it is safe to say that there are many things to see and do in Sao Paulo. Dust off that high school..uh.. Portuguese and get going next spring.
