Haunted Forest

Jason Oliver, Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Haunted Forest Chairman, has been working very hard to put together this year’s Haunted Forest. He, along with the Haunted Forest committee, has been planning and developing scary attractions throughout the campus’ arboretum paths and the Hayfield House three to four times a week for the past several weeks.  On October 12^th, the committee held their fifth formal meeting in the ARB.  The Haunted Forest committee has dedicated much of their free time to ensure that the event is the best and most successful in Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s long list of traditions.

The dates for Haunted Forest are: October 15^th-17^th, 22^nd-24^th & 29^th-30^th. Tickets prices are: $7 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, and $5 per person in a group of 10 or more. All proceeds benefit THON,  the largest student-run philanthropy in the world,  to aid in the fight against pediatric cancer.

When arriving at Haunted Forest, guests start at the Student Commons. Here, our brave souls will purchase their tickets and play their part in the fight against pediatric cancer.  Next, the guest will watch a videos:  the “do’s and don’ts” of Haunted Forest. Tour guides will give a background on the theme of this year’s Haunted Forest: Southern Mansion.

The group will walk to Hayfield House, where the trail begins and the story of the Southern Mansion unfolds.  After a terrifying walk through Hayfield the trail continues. The guide will then lead the guests into the Forest, where imaginations (among other things) run wild!  If our guests can endure the horrors that lurk in the forest, then their wits haven’t run short!

Haunted Forest is a great opportunity to take family and friends out for an enjoyable night of scares. Each night, Jason and the committee will be relying on eligible volunteers to help on the trail and as tour guides. Each night requires about 45 volunteers in total.  Any member from the campus or the community is welcome to come and lend a hand.  Volunteers should report to the Penn State’s Commons at 5:30 for make-up and costume changes.  We thank you, in advance, for all of your support.

H1N1: Isolation is Key

Macro image of the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

The recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus has prompted University officials to develop contingency plans for wide-spread proliferation across the Univeristy’s 19 campuses.  University officials projected reported cases to be between 200-400 cases per week during the height of the flu season.

Already, there are 2 confirmed cases at Penn State Erie and, according to some faculty, there are 2 suspected cases at the Wilkes-Barre campus.  Since students are not required to provide documented proof of contamination, it’s difficult to substantiate suspected cases.  Students are advised to isolate themselves if they feel ill with an influenza-like illness.

According to Penn State University’s University Health Services (UHS) site, students are advised to consult their class syllabi and promptly inform their faculty.  Students are fully-expected to complete coursework in case of illness, but are to be given “reasonable opportunities” to complete late assignments.

Some good steps for prevention include:

• Practice good hand hygiene.
• Practice respiratory etiquette.
• Stay home if they are sick.
• Talk to their health care providers about whether they should be vaccinated.

Some useful sources regarding the H1N1 virus are:

• So you have the flu? Follow this self-care guide for recovery.
• FAQ for students about missed class time, flu symptoms and more
• Penn State Live – Tag: Flu

A Fight for Dollars

State Capitol, Harrisburg

Recently, Governor Rendell decided he will cut appropriations to state-related schools like Penn State. Some $60,000,000 will soon disappear from Penn State’s balance sheet. These critical hits will mean two things to us as students:

1. Cuts in much-needed services.

2. Tuition spikes to make up the cut funds.

Of course the University wants to keep tuition down. Our college has an entire department (Governmental Affairs) devoted to handing these types of matters. We as students are encouraged to rally against these kinds of cuts with events like “The Rally at the Rotunda” where students lobby their legislators to support higher educational funding.

University entities and our student advocacy groups are aggressively acting against these impending cuts. DJ Ryan and Cerah Kolarcik, CCSG Governmental Affairs Director and Asst. Director, respectively, have connected with student leaders from Temple University (which faces similar cuts) to augment the Universities’ collective strength.  The groups will be attending a press conference at the State Capitol building on Friday @ noon.

Through sites like the Penn State Grassroots Network, supporters are encouraged to contact their legislators through written letters or emails.  CCSG President,  Nicholas Borsuk, encourages students to call their elected officials for greater impact.

It appears that we have reached the apex of this fight and the situation look dire.  With proposed layoffs and budget cuts across all state services (including poverty- and disabled-related programs) it’s tough to determine just what our fighting chance may be. . . but despite those odds–fight, we will.