In 24 days I will be walking across the stage in Shirk Stadium to receive my long awaited college diploma, but will I have to cross the picket line first?
This question is the question burning in the minds of the Albright College senior class as they are being bombarded with the possibility that their graduation will be the stage of a political protest directed at commencement speaker, Governor Tom Corbett.
On March 8, Gov. Corbett set forth his proposed budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. This budget by law had to be balanced (expenses must equal income), and had to also address the current deficit that the state of Pennsylvania finds itself in.
Because of these needs, many state programs and departments will experience funding cut. Jobs are being lost along with services because with hard times come drastic measures. But one area that is of particular concern to Pennsylvania residents is education.
Kindergartens and colleges are all seeing a decrease, as funding for state sponsored education is proposed to be cut by close to 1.5 billion dollars. More specifically, the fourteen state-owned and four state-affiliated colleges and universities will see a cut of $625 million dollars, which translates more than a 50% decrease from last year’s funding.
Now, you may have noticed that private colleges were not highlighted in the above stated cuts. So with that, you may be wondering why Albright College seniors are so concerned. Well the answer for the most part is two-fold.
The first reason closely correlates with education. After all, Albright College is an institution of higher learning. It is an institution that many students would have never been able to attend if it had not been for the foundation provided to them by their hometown’s public school system.
Now, that foundation is at risk. With funding to K-12 public education being cut, seniors are worried that students similar to them will never get the opportunity they had to attend a small, liberal arts college like Albright. Because even if the funding is there, future students will lack the necessary skills and aptitudes required for admittance.
On that same note, one of the biggest majors, and selling points, of Albright College is its education program. Offering students the option to earn their bachelors in four years, or stay an additional year to earn their masters, this program offers future students the classroom theory, as well as the hands-on experience needed to succeed as educators.
But will their degrees matter? Because of the proposed cuts to K-12 education, senior education majors feel that probability that they will get a job, in an already rocky economy, has drastically diminished. After all, experience teachers being fired due to monetary constraints, these new graduates will enter into the job search and compete against more experienced professional for jobs that may not even exist.
The second reasons seniors are so upset with the governor’s presence at their graduation is all the baggage the Corbett brings with him.
Multiple articles, websites, and Facebook groups have confirmed the seniors’ worst nightmare. There will be protesters at Albright on the day of their graduation. And although their protests have every right to freedom of speech and have stated that they will strictly be against Corbett and his policies, they will certainly be taking the spotlight away from the students who have worked so hard and accomplished so much in their time at Albright.
Even though protesters are confirmed, students still worry about the unknown factors related to having Corbett as there commencement speaker. They are concerned that protesters will get in the stadium, will make noise or disrupt the ceremony, or even worse, create and unsafe environment for their families and friends who have traveled to see them receive their diplomas.
On top of the external protesters, seniors also are faced with the reality that members of their class, as well as the members of the Albright faculty, may make their opinions known to governor. Rumors continue to circulate Albright that those faculty members and students who are morally and ethically opposed to the governor may not show up to graduation, may leave during his speech, or may even turn their chairs around during his address.
So why have someone speak at a commencement that a good portion of the class does not want to hear?
The answer is very simple. The governor was chosen by the President’s office to speak prior to his proposed budget. At the time, the President’s office thought the governor was a very exciting candidate for speaker because of his new office and the fact that he was within the college’s budget for a speaker. Free.
However, now, nearly two months after the budget’s proposal, excitement had turned into defense. In an attempt to address of the senior class’ concern, President Lex O. McMillan, held on open forum on April 26.
McMillan open the forum simply noting that regardless of the controversy and dismay of the senior class, the he would not uninvited the governor.
McMillan went on to explain the complications of the budget, and the harsh economic climate, and the need for students to understand the power of the governor and the positive impact a relationship with Corbett could have for Albright in the future.
These remarks were not what seniors present for the event wanted to hear, as for two hours following McMillan’s opening statement seniors expressed their frustration and anger with his decision to uninvited. They were greatly disheartened by the president’s resolution to keep the governor, despite their comments and concerns.
The following are reactions of several senior students who did attend the open forum on April 26. Although their concerns vary, it is clear through their remarks that a number of seniors are not pleased with their current graduation speaker.
Jeff Plummer, senior, secondary education and math major at Albright College.
Nick Goodling, senior, marketing and finance major at Albright College.
Amber Foster, senior, communications major at Albright College.
Becky Smith, senior, art and art history major at Albright College.
So what now? What can the senior class do when the college has already made their mind up? What can they do when there is no help is in sight?
For the senior class only one answer seems acceptable. They can unite and they fight. They can work for the next 24 days to ensure that their voices are heard and that their graduation is truly about them and their accomplishments.
After all, they do have an Albright education in their arsenal. Which I am sure will lead them to a different way of thinking about how to save their graduation from politically assured destruction.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Is Giving Aid Always Necessary?
After Moammar Gadhafi stepped down on February 11th the United States military stepped in to give aid to the country. Is this a good move for the United States to help other countries all the time? Is this necessary? Dr. Smith, a business professor, shed some light on this subject.
Smith feels that the reason the military entered Lybia is “to somewhat level the playing field between the forces of the current regime, Gadhafi regime and what they perceive to be a need to the rebels I guess out there.” Regarding the question of whether entering Lybia was necessary; Smith may not be sure but has some idea. “I guess it’s necessary from the standpoint that if we want to promote the ideology of democracy being a good thing and if we see an opportunity, that’s a positive thing. […] I’m not sure why it’s necessary, can I justify why we’re there, probably.”
The idea of the military leaving Lybia is a long shot, but may be possible: “I believe in Lybia, not having men and women on the ground [troops having to go in to fight] at least is easier to exit out of it. I guess theoretically we could leave tomorrow. […] I’m not sure you’re going to get out there anytime soon as anybody else is going to get out of there.” Smith said.
The United States is a state that may need to stretch their helping hand: “Could we do more? We probably could be there more; we could probably give more humanitarian service via military. I think what the military might tell you, if I’m putting on their hat for a minute, we’re not real good at humanitarian services, it’s not what we’re trained to do. I think like any nation we pick and choose what’s important to us as well.” Smith replied.
Our military has aided many different times with many different countries, like Japan, World War II, and Kuwait. Smith gives his opinion on why we currently help other places and how we feel that we have to help: “Maybe we step in more for humanitarian things than in the past. I think we realized as a nation we can’t be [as] near as isolated as we want to be. [In] World War II we tried to be more isolated and realized we really couldn’t stop the work occurring around us.”
Smith feels that some countries need to solve their own problems on their own. Smith also feels that these problems, like civil wars for example, should be dealt with only the people in that area: “To me personally, when I think of civil wars, I’m not sure another nation should be in a civil war, it is between the people of that nation.” For example, the war between the North and the South may have had outside involvement but needed to work through their issue to figure out who they are.
The United States may gain a bad rap if they do not help: “I suppose we would get a reputation that we don’t appreciate and we’re isolationists again, selfish isolationists.”
Some students gave their opinion on this issue.
Here's Leon's view:
Here's Jack's view:
The United States military’s participation in places like Lybia may not be fully necessary but shows that we care.
Smith feels that the reason the military entered Lybia is “to somewhat level the playing field between the forces of the current regime, Gadhafi regime and what they perceive to be a need to the rebels I guess out there.” Regarding the question of whether entering Lybia was necessary; Smith may not be sure but has some idea. “I guess it’s necessary from the standpoint that if we want to promote the ideology of democracy being a good thing and if we see an opportunity, that’s a positive thing. […] I’m not sure why it’s necessary, can I justify why we’re there, probably.”
The idea of the military leaving Lybia is a long shot, but may be possible: “I believe in Lybia, not having men and women on the ground [troops having to go in to fight] at least is easier to exit out of it. I guess theoretically we could leave tomorrow. […] I’m not sure you’re going to get out there anytime soon as anybody else is going to get out of there.” Smith said.
The United States is a state that may need to stretch their helping hand: “Could we do more? We probably could be there more; we could probably give more humanitarian service via military. I think what the military might tell you, if I’m putting on their hat for a minute, we’re not real good at humanitarian services, it’s not what we’re trained to do. I think like any nation we pick and choose what’s important to us as well.” Smith replied.
Our military has aided many different times with many different countries, like Japan, World War II, and Kuwait. Smith gives his opinion on why we currently help other places and how we feel that we have to help: “Maybe we step in more for humanitarian things than in the past. I think we realized as a nation we can’t be [as] near as isolated as we want to be. [In] World War II we tried to be more isolated and realized we really couldn’t stop the work occurring around us.”
Smith feels that some countries need to solve their own problems on their own. Smith also feels that these problems, like civil wars for example, should be dealt with only the people in that area: “To me personally, when I think of civil wars, I’m not sure another nation should be in a civil war, it is between the people of that nation.” For example, the war between the North and the South may have had outside involvement but needed to work through their issue to figure out who they are.
The United States may gain a bad rap if they do not help: “I suppose we would get a reputation that we don’t appreciate and we’re isolationists again, selfish isolationists.”
Some students gave their opinion on this issue.
Here's Leon's view:
Here's Jack's view:
The United States military’s participation in places like Lybia may not be fully necessary but shows that we care.
Rising Gas Prices Causes Concern
Rising gas prices have caused concerned for many US citizens. With gas climbing every day these prices have affected many American families, especially those who are dealing with money issues. The rising gas prices have affected many Albright students and faculty, and has raised some concerns. For many Albright students, gas prices is just one more issue to deal with, especially for those who are not as affluent as others. With the rising costs the question remains how long will this last before something is done to curb the prices.
Recently in the press, President Obama demanded an end to oil tax breaks. President Obama urged leaders to repeal tax breaks for oil and gas companies and use the money to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. You can read more about this on the NY Times website. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/obama-again-demands-an-end-to-oil-tax-breaks/?scp=2&sq=oil&st=cse
The Washington Post also recently ran an article about oil prices. Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said the nation's economy will continue to recover. Gas prices gained 5.10 cents to settle at $3.2431 a gallon. You can read more about the newest oil prices on the Washington Post website. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/oil-settles-slightly-higher/2011/04/27/AFla6pzE_story.html
Professor Margaret Rakus feels that the recent rise in gas prices has affected things that she does with her family. "When we go on vacation we don't fly because we can't afford it, so we always drove, but with the increase in gas that means the less money to spend when we're on vacation." Professor Rakus finds these new prices discouraging, but she thinks it is more of an inconvenience than anything else. One issue Professor Rakus has with the rise in prices is that it is not often covered in the news. "I do think that it would be interesting if our news covered the issues dealing with the gas before they talked about sports, I really wish it was positioned as something that is newsworthy, because there are more strategies than acceptance."
Amanda Hunter is a senior at Albright and is very disgruntled with the current gas prices. With the rising gas prices Amanda is becoming more cautious with her driving and is not as eager to drive places anymore. Amanda also believes that President Obama can do a better job at curbing the prices. Amanda has also seen an increase as to how much she spends on gas, mentioning how it has reached almost $50.
Mandie Mulcahy is a junior at Albright and has felt the burden of rising gas prices due to her frequent trips to Maryland on weekends to visit her boyfriend. Mandie mentioned that the trip used to cost her around $30, and this recent weekend she spent over $50. Mandie also thinks that with the rise in gas prices it affects how often she does her shopping. Mandie mentions that instead of running to the store for one item, she waits until she has a full list of items before she makes the commute to the store. Mandie also mentions that with the rise in gas prices she changes the way that she drives, as to conserve more of her gas.
With gas prices expected to hit $4 by the summer hopefully something will be done soon to ease the cost of gas. With Albright's tuition going up by 3% next semester, students do not need to be hit with another burden in their wallets.
Let's Move - Across Pennsylvania
On Feb. 9, 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama launched her Let's Move campaign, a nation-wide initiative to reduce obesity and weight-related issues among children by encouraging active, healthy lifestyles.
More health-conscious lifestyles can improve students' health and potentially lower the risk of obesity and weight-related health issues. Not sure if your child is a healthy weight? It only takes a few seconds to calculate your child's body mass index and determine whether a child is underweight, overweight or obese according to age, height and weight standards. Let's Move has helped communities and schools across the country educate others and further their own health-oriented programs, including Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem, Pa., and Kelly Elementary in Lewisburg, Pa. The Center for Disease Control's survey on the obesity epidemic among Pennsylvania students shows how these two schools compare with others across the state.
Broughal Middle School opened its doors in the fall of 2009 and educates approximately 600 sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Along with a new school building, students can look forward to new programs aimed at helping them live healthier lifestyles, fostered in part by grants from the community and Let's Move.
The school's greenhouse was made possible through a grant from the Bethlehem Health Bureau, and currently houses tomato and basil plants. With an irrigation system in the works, the school hopes to expand its horticulture and eventually provide vegetables not only for the school cafeteria, but also for the South Side community.
"Our hope is that we're able to [grow] some vegetables ... and sell them at the local farmers' market," Principal Ed Docalovich said.
But Broughal Middle School does not plan to give back to the community with just produce. A family center provides outreach to the surrounding area.
"We were able to make a connection with St. Luke's [Hospital] and Temple [University] ... to have their own school here at Lehigh Valley," Docalovich said.
The family center delivers free wellness clinics, including blood pressure and diabetes screenings earlier this month and physicals scheduled for next month.
The Lewisburg Area School District, of Lewisburg, Pa., also works with the community to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles.
"Our curriculum does focus a lot on the benefits of being physically active, and we work closely with the community recreation program to encourage kids to participate in out of school physical activity," said Tammie Cristini, a physical education teacher at Kelly Elementary in Lewisburg. "Our students at the elementary level are very involved in extra-curricular sports with the community. Many of the students are on various seasonal teams. Our team sports at the high school are flourishing."
But active kids require nutritious food to keep them going - both physically and mentally. Fortunately, Broughal and Lewisburg have stepped up to meet that challenge by not only providing healthy food, but also by educating students, as well. And education about nutrition is vital, according to Bethany Beaver, a junior nutrition major at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, Pa.
"I believe researchers are now starting to truly understand the impact of nutrition on our health and I think research will continue to increase. It can be difficult because the information is constantly changing with new research and technologies. I believe the biggest problem, however, is the lack of nutrition education to the public. It is being studied, but it is not being understood," Beaver said.
However, between programs and workshops, two Pennsylvania schools are working hard to keep students up-to-date on healthy habits.
"We had the kids creating healthy eating habits [and] healthy dishes," Docalovich said, of the school's healthy eating program, adding that the nutrition isn't a new facet. "We've pretty much always done the healthy eating."
Likewise, the Lewisburg district has also altered its fare to reflect a more health-conscious lifestyle.
"Our cafeteria has made many changes with the menu and offers workshops to classes to teach the children about healthy nutrition," Cristini commented.
Broughal Middle School fosters growth outside of the classroom, as well. For the early risers - there are about 50 in the student body - there are morning exercise programs, too. And after school, students can take advantage of the fitness trainer and the school's new fitness room, complete with elliptical machines, treadmills, free weights and other exercise equipment.
But, in spite of the variety of programs and equipment, Docalovich recognized a need to reach the school's female students - apparently, the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders who helped the students celebrate their progress were more of a hit with the boys than with the girls. And what of students who are less partial to weight lifting?
"We need to target the female population," Docalovich said, adding that the school has acquired an Xbox Connect solely for that purpose. "This way, we're focused on the dance part - we're trying to gear that up for the girls."
However, Docalovich also added that, while healthy, active lifestyles are important, they are not the school's primary mission. Instead, physical activity and eating right contribute to the learning process.
"That's all tertiary to our main goal - learning," Docalovich said. "If you have kids who are coming hungry, they aren't thinking of learning."
More health-conscious lifestyles can improve students' health and potentially lower the risk of obesity and weight-related health issues. Not sure if your child is a healthy weight? It only takes a few seconds to calculate your child's body mass index and determine whether a child is underweight, overweight or obese according to age, height and weight standards. Let's Move has helped communities and schools across the country educate others and further their own health-oriented programs, including Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem, Pa., and Kelly Elementary in Lewisburg, Pa. The Center for Disease Control's survey on the obesity epidemic among Pennsylvania students shows how these two schools compare with others across the state.
Broughal Middle School opened its doors in the fall of 2009 and educates approximately 600 sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Along with a new school building, students can look forward to new programs aimed at helping them live healthier lifestyles, fostered in part by grants from the community and Let's Move.
The school's greenhouse was made possible through a grant from the Bethlehem Health Bureau, and currently houses tomato and basil plants. With an irrigation system in the works, the school hopes to expand its horticulture and eventually provide vegetables not only for the school cafeteria, but also for the South Side community.
"Our hope is that we're able to [grow] some vegetables ... and sell them at the local farmers' market," Principal Ed Docalovich said.
But Broughal Middle School does not plan to give back to the community with just produce. A family center provides outreach to the surrounding area.
"We were able to make a connection with St. Luke's [Hospital] and Temple [University] ... to have their own school here at Lehigh Valley," Docalovich said.
The family center delivers free wellness clinics, including blood pressure and diabetes screenings earlier this month and physicals scheduled for next month.
The Lewisburg Area School District, of Lewisburg, Pa., also works with the community to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles.
"Our curriculum does focus a lot on the benefits of being physically active, and we work closely with the community recreation program to encourage kids to participate in out of school physical activity," said Tammie Cristini, a physical education teacher at Kelly Elementary in Lewisburg. "Our students at the elementary level are very involved in extra-curricular sports with the community. Many of the students are on various seasonal teams. Our team sports at the high school are flourishing."
But active kids require nutritious food to keep them going - both physically and mentally. Fortunately, Broughal and Lewisburg have stepped up to meet that challenge by not only providing healthy food, but also by educating students, as well. And education about nutrition is vital, according to Bethany Beaver, a junior nutrition major at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, Pa.
"I believe researchers are now starting to truly understand the impact of nutrition on our health and I think research will continue to increase. It can be difficult because the information is constantly changing with new research and technologies. I believe the biggest problem, however, is the lack of nutrition education to the public. It is being studied, but it is not being understood," Beaver said.
However, between programs and workshops, two Pennsylvania schools are working hard to keep students up-to-date on healthy habits.
"We had the kids creating healthy eating habits [and] healthy dishes," Docalovich said, of the school's healthy eating program, adding that the nutrition isn't a new facet. "We've pretty much always done the healthy eating."
Likewise, the Lewisburg district has also altered its fare to reflect a more health-conscious lifestyle.
"Our cafeteria has made many changes with the menu and offers workshops to classes to teach the children about healthy nutrition," Cristini commented.
Broughal Middle School fosters growth outside of the classroom, as well. For the early risers - there are about 50 in the student body - there are morning exercise programs, too. And after school, students can take advantage of the fitness trainer and the school's new fitness room, complete with elliptical machines, treadmills, free weights and other exercise equipment.
But, in spite of the variety of programs and equipment, Docalovich recognized a need to reach the school's female students - apparently, the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders who helped the students celebrate their progress were more of a hit with the boys than with the girls. And what of students who are less partial to weight lifting?
"We need to target the female population," Docalovich said, adding that the school has acquired an Xbox Connect solely for that purpose. "This way, we're focused on the dance part - we're trying to gear that up for the girls."
However, Docalovich also added that, while healthy, active lifestyles are important, they are not the school's primary mission. Instead, physical activity and eating right contribute to the learning process.
"That's all tertiary to our main goal - learning," Docalovich said. "If you have kids who are coming hungry, they aren't thinking of learning."
What's Happening in Your Backyard?
I was sitting in the lounge of Krause with a group of friends and I randomly asked, “Do you guys remember the BP oil spill that happened last summer?” and they said that they remembered hearing about it constantly on the news.
However, they did not know that as of March 1 the Obama Administrations approved Noble Energy to begin drilling again in the Gulf of Mexico. Most likely, this is because there has not been any news updates since the beginning of March.
Then I asked them if they knew what the Marcellus Shale is. Shockingly, they had no clue what it was.
So I explained to them that the Marcellus Shale is a rock formation in Pa., N.Y., Ohio, and W. Va. that is being drilled for gas. However, there are many environmental consequences from this drilling and these consequences could have the same dire effect as that oil spill.
Kaitlyn Morgan who was one of the students I asked this question to stated “It’s scary that none of us knew what the Marcellus Shale was but we should because this drilling is affecting people in our own backyard.”
Morgan then asked me if drilling at the Marcellus Shale is frequently in the news like how the BP oil spill was. I told her that it is hot topic but there is more coverage in local papers rather than constant media cover.
In addition, Morgan wished she realize that there was a Panel Discussion on Marcellus Shale with Senator Ted Erickson on April 20 at Albright because she would have went.
Associate Professor of Biology, Dr. Andrew Samuelsen, attended the beginning of the Panel Discussion and was able to share some of his thoughts:
Although some folks wanted to do away with the drilling altogether, I am not sure that will be a viable option in the face of pressure to become more energy independent. It would be great to just leave it alone, but in the absence of doing that we need to make it as safe as we possibly can with strict (and enforced!) regulations,newer technology and huge penalties for any accidents that occur. Taxing the companies must come at the front end of this process so that we have the money to police this industry and help with remediation efforts as needed – it shouldn’t fall on the state budget to do this.
Samuelsen was able to explain some of the risks of drilling at the Marcellus Shale. First off, he mentioned that trees have to be removed which negatively effects the habitat. Another risk is the water supply of the people near these drill sites is often contaminated and it is difficult to undo the damage.
“In terms of Pennsylvania,” explained Samuelsen, “we are an important watershed for other states and many of our waters feed into the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River Watersheds. Water flows across state lines, so what we do here has impacts beyond Pennsylvania.”
At the panel discussion, it was mentioned that are not any strict regulations about how much drilling is allowed. Samuelson stated “States such as New York and Maryland have slowed down but Pennsylvania seems to be rushing headlong into this without taking a breath.”
In comparison to Noble’s Energy’s offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico to the onshore drilling in the Northeast it seems like there are less regulations for drilling consequences that could harm our environment.
After the initial oil spill, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement enforced new regulations for ocean drillers. Nobel Energy has developed the technology (and the money) to follow the safety regulations.
According to the Fox Business, Noble Energy successfully showed that they can now drill safely and they can now contain a spill if it were to happen again. Chuck Davidison, CEO of Nobel Energy, stated that he thinks there will be more approvals for offshore once other companies fulfill these regulations.
On the other hand, drilling companies at the Marcellus Shale have had violations but these companies usually deny the harmful consequences. Therefore, these companies are not under stricter regulations like those companies that drill offshore.
Samuelsen commented on some recent reports of the drills leaking fracking fluid: “If they contain benzene and other carcinogens (as suspected), there could be great harm done decades from now because most cancers take years to develop in one’s body.”
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” said Samuelsen “and if it is mandated that more precautions need to be taken I’ll bet someone could figure out how to remove these fluids more effectively and perhaps even come up with safer fluids to start with.”
Sara Bogue, a senior and environmental studies major, expresses her opinion about drilling at the Marcellus Shale in the following clip.
Albright Students Stand with Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood is an agency that has been receiving controversy since 1916. They have fighting for everything from legalizing birth control to becoming one of America’s largest abortion providers. Criticism is something Planned Parenthood has always had to deal with. However, many people forget that Planned Parenthood does not only give abortions. It gives many services at a low cost. According to the Planned Parenthood website, the Reading Medical Center, offers not only abortion services, but birth control services, emergency contraception, HIV testing, HPV & Hepatitis Services, LGBT services, Men’s Health services, Pregnancy Testing, Options & Services, STD Testing & Services, Women’s Health Services, and Patient Education.
According to a description in patient education, it is a private and confidential one-on-one patient education that is provided by trained staff who is sensitive to your needs and concerns. The topics could range from anything from safe-sex education to cancer screening education.
Recently in the 2011 budget cuts Planned Parenthood has come under a lot of fire. The House Republican has voted to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood. According to the Huffington Post, they did this“as an attempt to weaken the abortion provider.” However, this lack of federal funding does not mean less abortions, it also means less of the other services Planned Parenthood provides as well. In the last year Planned Parenthood has performed 330,000 abortions. On the other hand, they also did 1 million screenings for cervical cancer, 830,000 breast exams and some 4 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases. The abortions services only make up 3% of the total services that are provided by Planned Parenthood.
Chart of Service Usage offers by Planned Parenthood.
It should also be mentioned that the law bars Planned Parenthood from using any government money for giving abortions. Different states have different laws regarding abortions for women under the age of 18. The Pa. law states “Except for medical emergency, physician must give information to mother at least 24 hours before abortion; if mother under 18 years and not emancipated, both mother's and one parent/guardian's informed consent required.”
Many students at Albright are opposed to the budget cuts from Planned Parenthood. They feel that Planned Parenthood offers so much more than abortions.
“I come from Poconos,” said sophomore Raeanne Ayers. “My local Planned Parenthood does not even offer abortions services. It is more for the contraceptives and testing that people go for. I think that it is dumb that they would cut their budget when it offers so much more than it.”
Raeanne Ayers and her sign "It's my body, It's my choice."
There is also the ongoing debate between pro-life and pro-choice. Many people feel that Planned Parenthood encourages women to get an abortion.
“I am pro-life,” said Ayers, “But it does not matter with this debate because we are losing the testing and services that they offer.”
Many women feel that it is not the government’s choice to tell them what to do with their bodies. According to the Planned Parenthood website at least one in three women has an abortion.
“It’s my choice,” said student Julia Miller. “The government has no right in deciding what I want to do with my body.
Though the budget cuts have not been approved, there has been much response to the proposal, and their message is clear. Students all over the country have been responding with social media. They have been posting videos, and making various Facebook groups, all saying the same thing: they stand with Planned Parenthood.
Julia Miller and her sign "I stand with Panned Parenthood"
The Irony of Governor Corbett Speaking at Albright College Commencement
There is much tension on Albright’s campus about Governor Corbett speaking at the Commencement Ceremony on May 22. Many students and faculty are frustrated, angry and appalled that he would come speak about education at a private institution when he just made extreme budget cuts to Pa.’s public school K-12 education system, nearly $550 million and $650 million in higher public education costs. AOL news goes into more detail about PA budget cuts. http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/08/tom-corbett-budget-5-painful-cuts-in-pennsylvania/
Many Albright students feel as though this is a slap in the face because it affects them directly when they graduate, it affects the children in the public school system because due to the cuts, many won’t be able to have the best education.
So, to get a feel on how frustrated and angry people are on campus about the Governor coming to speak, I focused on interviewing education majors, being as though they want to be teachers one day and it affects them the most. It is a controversial situation because students have different views on whether he should come speak or not. Three people I interviewed who feel strongly towards the recent Pa. budget cuts and to the Governor speaking at the commencement ceremony are Dr. Bekken, professor of Communications, senior Political Science major Michelle Reinhart, senior Political Science and Communications major and Meaghan Washington, watch as they speak about their views.
Tiffany Wells, a junior majoring in Education and Spanish says, “I just feel like as a Commencement Speaker, someone who is taking so much away from education shouldn’t be the one to speak at graduation, especially since Albright is most known for their education program.”
Taylor Mitchell, a freshman majoring in Early Childhood Development says, “I think it’s a bad idea for him [Corbett] to come speak at the commencement because he’s making all these cuts and there’s a lot of education majors here, I don’t think it’s appropriate and especially since all the education majors who are graduating are trying to make a statement during commencement if he is here and I think it would just put a bad word on Albright and a bad word on what he’s doing. So I think they should find a different commencement speaker for graduation”
Anna Berzins, a junior majoring in French and education says that she doesn’t have a problem with him speaking at commencement, “I have nothing against him, I knew that whoever the future governor would have been it would have fallen into their laps, so it’s definitely not a personal thing.
Word around campus is that some education majors plan to protest at the commencement when Governor Corbett speaks, and I asked students how they felt about that.
Berzins states, “Governor Corbett should not be disrespected because he now has to deal with this situation and now obviously this country is not financially well-off right now, I mean we’re in economic crisis and while it’s not as bad as it has been in the past, we’re still in transition period and we’re still establishing getting finances, I don’t really have a problem with it because I feel like he still has best interest in mind and while I don’t think that the education cuts were allocated as they should have been, I think it’s very inconsiderate, I don’t think it’s very good at all because it shouldn’t be a personal attack, it’s just business.” I guess we will see how this turns out when the Governor comes out to speak on May 22, if the protests will happen or not and if someone is going to take a stand.
Here is a link to Corbett speaking on the budget cuts. http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/budget_reform/030811-education-slammed-in-pa.-budget-cuts Here is a link to how the city of Reading, Pa. is being affected by the budget cuts. http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=303963 Here is a link to how Union workers, especially teachers are being affected by the budget cuts, losing jobs etc. in the city of Philadelphia. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philly-School-District-Plans-3820-Job-Cuts-120809839.html
Many Albright students feel as though this is a slap in the face because it affects them directly when they graduate, it affects the children in the public school system because due to the cuts, many won’t be able to have the best education.
So, to get a feel on how frustrated and angry people are on campus about the Governor coming to speak, I focused on interviewing education majors, being as though they want to be teachers one day and it affects them the most. It is a controversial situation because students have different views on whether he should come speak or not. Three people I interviewed who feel strongly towards the recent Pa. budget cuts and to the Governor speaking at the commencement ceremony are Dr. Bekken, professor of Communications, senior Political Science major Michelle Reinhart, senior Political Science and Communications major and Meaghan Washington, watch as they speak about their views.
Tiffany Wells, a junior majoring in Education and Spanish says, “I just feel like as a Commencement Speaker, someone who is taking so much away from education shouldn’t be the one to speak at graduation, especially since Albright is most known for their education program.”
Taylor Mitchell, a freshman majoring in Early Childhood Development says, “I think it’s a bad idea for him [Corbett] to come speak at the commencement because he’s making all these cuts and there’s a lot of education majors here, I don’t think it’s appropriate and especially since all the education majors who are graduating are trying to make a statement during commencement if he is here and I think it would just put a bad word on Albright and a bad word on what he’s doing. So I think they should find a different commencement speaker for graduation”
Anna Berzins, a junior majoring in French and education says that she doesn’t have a problem with him speaking at commencement, “I have nothing against him, I knew that whoever the future governor would have been it would have fallen into their laps, so it’s definitely not a personal thing.
Word around campus is that some education majors plan to protest at the commencement when Governor Corbett speaks, and I asked students how they felt about that.
Berzins states, “Governor Corbett should not be disrespected because he now has to deal with this situation and now obviously this country is not financially well-off right now, I mean we’re in economic crisis and while it’s not as bad as it has been in the past, we’re still in transition period and we’re still establishing getting finances, I don’t really have a problem with it because I feel like he still has best interest in mind and while I don’t think that the education cuts were allocated as they should have been, I think it’s very inconsiderate, I don’t think it’s very good at all because it shouldn’t be a personal attack, it’s just business.” I guess we will see how this turns out when the Governor comes out to speak on May 22, if the protests will happen or not and if someone is going to take a stand.
Here is a link to Corbett speaking on the budget cuts. http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/budget_reform/030811-education-slammed-in-pa.-budget-cuts Here is a link to how the city of Reading, Pa. is being affected by the budget cuts. http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=303963 Here is a link to how Union workers, especially teachers are being affected by the budget cuts, losing jobs etc. in the city of Philadelphia. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Philly-School-District-Plans-3820-Job-Cuts-120809839.html
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