Dan Choi, who just days ago chained himself to the White House fence, spoke last night in the HUB Auditorium as they keynote address for Penn State's Pride Week. He referenced his recent arrest, saying, “It’s a strange feeling getting arrested for something you know is right…nothing is more liberating, nothing is more freeing.”
Choi's demonstration was a protest of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, a topic he brought up again in his address; he called DADT “the most despicable law because it institutionalizes shame.”
There were a few major announcements and votes last night as the fourth assembly of the University Park Undergradute Assembly met for the ultimate time in HUB 302.
First, someone has been found to head the Student Legal Clinic. The name should be released today. The clinic will start offering services this semester, but the executive branch hopes to have it running in maturity by fall semester.
'Last Stop' got the majority of the votes in the online poll UPUA did to help rename its spring music festival. However, the assembly has not passed legislation confirming this name yet, so it is still unofficial for the moment.
The UPUA passed its medical amnesty legislation, which will create a system for students to make emergency and medical personnel aware of alcohol-related circumstances that might otherwise put them in a compromising position. Students will be given the option of either taking the judicial sanctions or participating in the Medial Amnesty Program, which entails students to participate in a BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention of College Students) program. If this program is completed it results in no judicial/legal consequences for the involved student. Repeat offenses will be penalized with further terms and task completion, and will ultimately result in expulsion from the program.
Last Saturday, students from the Schreyer Honors College dedicated their time by participating in the 2nd Annual Schreyer Day of Service. The Honors College sent out students to various locations around Centre County, performing an array of tasks that were a testament to the versatility of the group of students serving.
As one might think of closely befitting of the SHC, some students sorted documents at the Centre County Library Historical Museum in Bellefonte. However, others got dirt and mud on their hands while gardening at the Arboretum right here on campus. Schreyer students reached out to the whole Centre County community that needed a hand.
The Day of Service is still a small, upstart operation, and the chairperson position for next year's Day of Service is open. Contact Faculty Advisor Dina Liberatore at [email protected] if you are interested in taking an active role in giving back.
Last night, one of literature's most loved faces spoke in Eisenhower Auditorium to a nearly full house offering wisdom and a surprising amount of laughs. Maya Angelou talked about racism, sexism, and spoke directly to the students asking them to eliminate discrimination.
Angelou repeated one of her favorite quotations,
"I am a human being. Nothing human can be alien to me."
She spoke directly to audience members and talked about "rainbows in the clouds," a metaphor for someone's happiness and hope.
The first of two debates between this year's candidates for president of the University Park Undergraduate Association took place in the HUB last night. Though generally mild, the debate had some intense moments as Christian Ragland and Colleen Smith argued with David Adewumi about a number of issues.
A full recap of the debate follows after the jump.
Think you know your stuff about the College of Liberal Arts, Penn State, and current events? Prove it!
In celebration of Liberal Arts Week 2010, the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council will be sponsoring a team trivia night on Thursday, April 1 from 7-9pm in 129 HUB.
Dinner and entertainment and dinner will be provided, and there is no registration free. If you're feeling down for the challenge, email your name and the names of up to four of your friends to [email protected]. Groups can't be bigger than five people, but you can sign up alone if you think your trivia skills are mightier than the combined fortitude of five ordinary men (or women).
Trivia Night, however, is the grand finale of Liberal Arts Week 2010. Here are three events leading up to next Thursday:
Monday, March 29 - Student and Professor Debate in 102 Chambers from 7-8pm
Tuesday, March 30 - Undergraduate Research Panel in 321 HUB from 7-8pm (Food will be provided!)
Wednesday, March 31 - Cultural Fair at Heritage Hall from 7-9pm (Food will be provided!!)