Page 2 Oct. 22, 2014 PASQUINO
CAMPUS NEWS
Campus clubs pitch in for Day of Caring and Sharing By Pat McKone Ag. Editor You don’t often stereotype college students as caring, kind or the sharing type. Here at Potomac State College on Oct. 9, faith in humanity was temporarily restored by three groups of college students. Through a partnership with the United Way and Mineral County Family Resources Network, various academic clubs from campus showed their support by giving back to the community through service. Over 30 students and staff from the college came together at several locations and volunteered for the good of the local community. Members of the Agriculture and Forestry, Col-
Photos by Kristen Nestor legiate 4-H, Collegiate Horseman’s associate and Outdoor Club volunteered at the Mineral County 4-H Camp Minco. Through the organization of Jeff Jones, Bobby Cheves and Jared Miller, these individuals scraped and painted the council chambers and girl’s cabin 2. Bobby Cheves, a teaching instructor, feels it’s im-
WVU responds to riots WVU issued the following statement regarding the disturbances following Saturday, Oct. 18’s football game: It is unfortunate that some fans, not all of whom were students, engaged in riotous behavior following the football team’s outstanding victory over the 4thranked Baylor Bears. The focus should have been on celebrating our team, coaches and their achievement. The behavior exhibited last night will not go unpunished, either by the courts or the University. All law enforcement agencies, as well as University officials, are reviewing videotapes and social media posts. Where individuals can be identified, they will face immediate charges and arrest. In addition, as the WVU Student Conduct Code covers student behavior on- and off-campus, any students found to be involved in the activities will face appropriate sanctions, up to and an including expulsion. WVU President Gordon Gee expressed his disappointment regarding the behavior and his expectations for students at West Virginia University. “This is not acceptable Mountaineer behavior. It is not ‘partying’ to set fires, tear down fences or throw bottles at police. It is criminal and will be dealt with as such. I have zero tolerance for students who wish to act in such a way that it demeans the achievements of our institution and its faculty, staff, students, alumni and our Morgantown community. “It is time this University, together with our students, embody and exhibit a code of conduct that makes Mountaineers everywhere proud. Each of us needs to accept individual responsibility for our actions and understand we each represent West Virginia University. We will work together to ensure incidents like this do not happen again.” The University is appreciative of the actions of the Morgantown Police Department, the Morgantown Fire Department and other cooperating agencies in preventing serious injury.
portant to give back to the community and set the example for the next generation to give back. Three members of Collegiate DECA club led by staff member Jayne Gilbert volunteered by cleaning up the old St. Francis building on West Piedmont Street. This building was the site of Keyser’s Head Start program and will be the new home of another children’s program. The Criminal Justice Club was also involved in this day of giving by volunteering at Burlington United Methodist Family Services. Their five-member crew spent the day peeling apples to help them make food products. This special day of helping the local community occurs every year around this time. The college has been involved in supporting this activity for the past six years now and plans to continue its support.
Homecoming Court election VOTE TODAY: WEDNESDSAY Student Union 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Collelli concerned with lower state funding
By Travis Ferrell Editor Campus President Leonard Colelli is concerned about lower amounts of state funding for higher education, including Potomac State College. Funding from the state has dropped close to the amounts that the college received in 2003, eleven years ago, said Colelli, but the cost of educating students has not declined in a similar fashion. In the past the college received most of its funding through the state. Now only a third of the total operational costs are covered by the state. The difference in funding is being made up with tuition and fees and generous gifts from PSC alumni. Colelli went on to say that the “governor did not want the funding cut to financial aid” and effect the students. Although PSC’s fall semester enrollment is lower than last fall, this year has seen a four percent rise in the number of first-time, full-time freshmen. PSC offers one of the lowest tuitions in the state, said Colelli. Lucas Taylor the Director of Development is also working to raise funds by connecting with alumni and the “buy a brick” program. PSC alumni have an “opportunity to impact lives” by donating to the college, said Taylor. The “buy a brick” program was started to help with the costs of building a new baseball club house for the baseball team, said Taylor. The bricks are $150 each. Athletic Director Shawn said, “I’ve even bought one,” to help with the program.
The BIT is here to help students By Dustin Van Meter Campus News Editor The Behavior Intervention Team has been at PSC since April 2007. It was formed in response to shootings that happened at colleges such as Virginia Tech. The BIT gets reports on both students and faculty regarding strange behavior and has an off-campus psychologist on the team to help identify and address problems. William Letrent, dean of Student Affairs and chairman of the BIT, says the main job of the BIT is to “make sure students are safe and healthy” and “we
sometimes even get reports on faculty.” “We’re here to help students stay on campus,” Letrent said. The BIT is run with the objective of preventing tragedies before they happen. Students and faculty on campus play a role in helping the BIT by providing any information regarding suspicious behavior. “If your gut is saying ‘I should probably tell somebody,’ you really should. The person that committed the tragedy always told somebody before they did it,” Letrent said. Reports to the BIT can be faculty reports, police re-
ports or e-mail. Examples of suspicious behaviors include: disruptive behavior, possession of a weapon, conduct violations, emotionally troubled individuals, hostile or aggressive behaviors, alarming references to fires or weapons or bombs, acts motivated by hatred or discrimination, alcohol or drug abuse, and a drastic or unexpected behavior change. The campus community can contact the BIT by calling the dean of Student Affairs at (304)788-6843 or by calling the University Police Chief at (304)788-6930.