College Shorts

Author: Derek Matus

LIGHTS OUT FOR SMOKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS

A new state law in Pennsylvania that forbids smoking in all public buildings includes a smoking ban on 14 public university campuses, which has met with mixed reactions from campus and other groups.

While this move was supposedly meant to benefit the few students who have outdoor classes, it has garnered overwhelming criticism from many in the affected colleges. The law demands $250 for a first penalty and $1000 for each successive citation, a large sum for the average college student. However, the only agency allowed to give such fines is the State Health Department, prompting many to dismiss the measures as an empty threat.

No similar legislation has been passed in Vermont, but the case begs the question: could the issue eventually find its way to Middlebury?

Sylvana Chan '12 said, "I think smoking should be a person's choice as long as it doesn't bother anyone. Besides, people at Middlebury don't even smoke enough as it is."

- The Sentry

PROTESTS BORDER ON RIOTS AT BAYLOR ON ELECTION NIGHT

While some Middlebury students were celebrating Barack Obama's victory until early Wednesday morning, students at Baylor University in the red state of Texas celebrated a little differently. After the election results became official, protests broke out on the Baylor campus that included burning images of the President-elect.

According to campus officials, how the incident began is still unclear. Allegedly, when a group of white males mocked the Obama win to a carload of black females, the disturbance erupted with racial slurs and violent threats. This event escalated into a sort of riot where campaign posters were burned in the center of campus.

This was not the only incident to occur at Baylor during election night. Around the same time, a noose was hung on a tree outside of Morrison Hall.

- The Lariat

SITE FURNISHES NOTES FOR CLASS-SKIPPING STUDENTS

Wish skipping class was more convenient? Two enterprising Babson College seniors had college students in mind when they launched a Web site to provide free lecture notes

Knetwit.com has as many incentives for slackers as for the note takers; students can earn "koin," for uploading their notes and eventually exchange the online currency for real cash and prizes. Simply create an account, and buying that new television or game system for your dorm room is supposedly as easy as going to class.

Needless to say, not all members of college communities are as thrilled as some students are. Interviewed professors are quick to point out that there are a few problems with this system including lackluster notes, inability to reproduce multimedia teaching methods and the loss of the ability to ask questions in class.

- Minnesota Daily