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.
As part of the IFC's larger effort to restore a positive image of Greek life here at Penn State, it has been announced that rush this spring will be dry.
According to the official guide for this semester's rush, the goal is to create an environment where fraternity members and those rushing will actually have to interact and have "meaningful conversation about the fraternity experience." It may, however, be a challenge for some fraternities to define said experience without involving alcohol. If this is the case, fraternities are facing a $1000 fine for each infraction. The Collegian reported this morning that events will be monitored by a third party and that the IFC will spot-check social events.
The Penn State scientists responsible for mapping the Woolly Mammoth genome will be featured in a segment on 60 Minutes tonight.
If you're back at school by then, it will air at 7:00 p.m. on WTAJ Channel 10. Update: The episode aired a few hours ago. The video is included after the jump. Watch my dream of actually being able to order Mammoth Ribs come one step closer to reality.
For more info on the project itself, check out our past coverage here, here and 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.
Everybody subscribed to PSUTXT got this text message this morning. Do you think that this is the kind of thing that PSUTXT should be used for?
Are you the kind of person that sits around all day thinking of names for things (scientist, rapper, politician)? Well, the Eberly College of Science has just the opportunity for you! The Eberly College is adding a new student center to the Ritenour building:
The east wing of Ritenour Building will soon be home to science undergraduate co-op, internship, and externship information, as well as advising and career advice...vitally important career resources, brought together in one place. This new student center, designed specially for science students, will provide comfortable furnishings and space to study, learn, and collaborate.
It's like the HUB... only for science kids. Anyways, they need help coming up with a name for the student center. What would you receive for your efforts? The winner of the contest receives an iPod touch, a $250 gift certificate to the Penn State bookstore, and the chance to officially name the student center. Four runners-up will also receive a $50 gift certificate. You can enter as many times as you like until January 25.