We're in search of a crazy Penn State fan.
Is that you?
Funny, with all of the contests we've conducted in recent years we haven't sought the crazy fan. Until now.
Take a bow, if that fits you, and make sure to enter. Not only could you win our top designation, but we might hunt for you when we pick fans of the game this fall.
Don't be shy.
Penn State's tuition increase is perhaps less than expected but still sends shock waves across the state.
Another 5.9 percent, on average, at a time when everything is going up.
The smoke rose from Erie at about 4 p.m. Friday, and I doubt this all gets much coverage around Pennsylvania other than a wire short. We of course cover it.
Notice the 5.1 percent budget increase and how it's called tightening the belts. That's university-speak, I guess. Is 5.1 percent really tightening?
Read our coverage and talk about it if you'd like. Here's the full chart of the costs.
Penn State's trustees will take their most important vote of the year Friday when they approve the new tuition rate, and the increase for students as proposed by the university.
No doubt, they'll approve it, probably unanimously.
And where will this key vote take place? Look west, all of you, to Erie, where the trustees will meet far enough away from University Park and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
We'll cover it, surely, and visitors and readers will find out about it in Saturday's Centre Daily Times. I doubt there will be much coverage otherwise.
I know there are 100 reasons why the trustees have to move around to meet, but I must ask why this meeting isn't in Happy Valley. And I just wonder about the expense, not of transporting trustees to Erie but of sending university personnel to the great northwest of Pennsylvania, for presentations and the like.
Any reader of this blog knows that I like bull riding, so I have to stop and tip my cap or western hat to the Bryce Jordan Center folks for bringing back the Pro Bull Riders Enterprise tour to Happy Valley. Circle the dates, Sept. 12 and 13, and be sure to check it out. I'll certainly offer reminders. It's the same weekend as the PBR's fantastic Grand Rapids event, which I attended last year, so the top riders and bulls won't be here. But you'll see up-and-coming guys and bulls and get a real understanding why they call this "the toughest sport on dirt." The Jordan Center faces quite a challenge, too, because the Earth, Wind & Fire and Michael McDonald concert is set for Sept. 14. That's a lot of dirt to move out in a day, so we'll see.
Flint Rasmussen, the masterful clown of the Professional Bull Riders, often talks up the popularity of the Jonas Brothers to the mostly western-thinking fans in attendance at events across the country.
Flint has girls, you see, and he knows what they like and listen to. And he appears to like the Jonas' stuff himself.
Many in the crowds just look at him and laugh when he sings Jonas' music and dances like the guys. The girls in the crowd, however, go nuts and the boys like it all too.
Had to think about this today when the Jonas Brothers' concert was announced for the Bryce Jordan Center in September.
The adults in these parts, too, don't know much about the Jonas' boys. But you know there will be Disney Channel-watching kids jumping around tonight and tomorrow, thinking about attending this big show at Penn State.
Really cool stuff, and I hope to get a visit from my Colorado niece and her family when they hear about this event. She's a fan, you know.
Maybe Flint will make a trip to Happy Valley with his Montana girls. Now, what would be better is if he brought the PBR along for a September event.
Happy Valley hosted the Enterprise tour in April 2007. Why not a return visit?
Timed my visit to Trash to Treasure to a dry spot after the early rush. In fact, the sun is making a statement here in Happy Valley now after some morning showers.
Trash to Treasure may have attracted a record early crowd, according to United Way officials, and the crowd was steady in late morning at Beaver Stadium.
Again, the Penn State students have come through in a big way, donating much appreciated "treasures" for Centre Countians, all to benefit the United Way.
It's quite a local event, and today I saw virtually everyone carrying out some "treasures."
Me too, in case you're wondering. I always find books, and today I found a useful desk lamp that of course I'd never think of buying in a store.
I'm sure Penn Staters out there are reading with interest what has become of Ritenour, the ever popular health center on campus.
Big expansion, big improvement perhaps.
I doubt I'm the only Penn Stater to remember it being called "Wait an Hour," and thinking back it was an hour at least whenever I stopped there.
Onward and upward for health care on campus, I think you'd agree.
On this commencement weekend, Penn State graduates can be happy they won't have to pay the new student facilities fee.
The rest of the students will.
This came recommended by the administration and was passed unanimously by the trustees. Unanimously?
Does any trustee see what is hitting students and their families these days? Does any trustee wonder whether it might be best to cut back on something and not hit students with this right now?
Apparently not.
Great news to read in Happy Valley on this commencement weekend. Of course the students it applies to are long gone. Let's hope they at least find out about it online.
What an achievement -- graduating from Penn State.
I remember it well, yes I really do. And I enjoy seeing the smiles of students at this time of year. They should be proud. They've completed a journey, with a long road ahead.
Congratulate them if you see them.
And since you're reading online, send them well wishes. We've made it easy for you with a "your turn."
Our Web site is read by tens of thousands of alumni, who remember it all so well. I hope these graduates who leave Happy Valley enjoy reading online just like many of you.
You know it's spring when ...
You might think the answer is 60-degree temperatures, which we've been having, or blue/white weekend, which is straight ahead.
But the real answer is protests at Old Main, and yesterday we had round two (or is it 12) of the sweatshop protests.
You can read about it here and I applaud the students for making their point, in previous protests. I also notice that Penn State has answered it.
But now we have spring and that means what we saw yesterday, on one topic or another. This year we've been interrupted by the election, but surely there's more.
Old Main no doubt is ready.
Five -- count 'em five -- stops are on the schedule for former President Bill Clinton tomorrow, and he'll end up at Rec Hall for an 8 p.m. appearance.
Remember that -- 8 p.m.
You have to love this barnstorming campaigning, and you have to love Clinton's energy. But let's be realistic: Here's a guy who loves to meet and greet and runs late, routinely. What time do you think he'll get to Rec Hall?
Blogging from here in Arizona, so I'm reading online with the rest of you. Here's hoping he draws a great crowd in Happy Valley, and here's hoping his wife and Barack Obama are next to visit.
Here in Denver for the first two rounds of the NCAA hoops tournament, and Penn State fans would be interested to know how similar Michigan State basketball fans are to Nittany Lions football fans.
They turn out big time. In fact, Michigan State seems to have the best fan support of any of the eight teams here in Denver.
They're loyal and they're vocal, and they enjoy themselves. Looks like MSU alumni are gathering in Denver from western outposts.
The Spartans were impressive in beating Temple but they face a big challenge Saturday night against Pitt. It will be interesting to see how Pitt, predicted to win it all by Bob Knight, fares in this one.
The other game Saturday features an intriguing Washington State team against Notre Dame. The Irish fans don't have the fan support here that you might expect. It is basketball, you know.
Denver is a wonderful host city for all of this.
Enjoy the paper and the Web site and have a nice Easter weekend, everyone.
The Jeanette-Strawberry Mansion game was great Saturday, and it was even better with a view from the Jeanette section.
We sat among the avid Jayhawks fans, and it looked like the whole town turned out at the Bryce Jordan Center.
They are great fans, and their support no doubt helped Terrelle Pryor and his mates. Jeanette played a home game in Happy Valley.
It was a great state championship game, and the BJC hosted outstanding ones. Another top-notch event for Happy Valley, and glad the games are coming back next year.
Spring break officially begins this weekend, I think, but a visit to Penn State this morning shows that some, clearly, are long gone.
It's a spring break-like day in Happy Valley, so we're all getting a taste of it even if we don't have travel plans.
Me? I'm here for spring break, except for a midweek trip to Hershey for state newspaper board stuff.
News doesn't stop during spring break, as we know. Keep in touch, OK?
Penn State students are good at raising money, as evidenced by Thon's amazing $6.6 million total this year.
That was only last weekend, and this weekend of course features a different student event called State Patty's Day.
All aboard for a wild weekend in town, apparently, and police are ready for long hours and extra patrols.
Perhaps the students enjoying this alternative St. Pat's will be just off their Thon fund raising and line dancing. So here's a thought: How about if they raise the money to pay the borough for the added police costs this weekend?
What about it?
You might recall our suggestion in an editorial last month that it would be better for students to hold a community service day as the alternative St. Pat's event. That went over like a lead balloon, apparently.
So here we are.
Let's take it easy on State Patty's or pay the consequences, and I'm sure the borough would welcome any donations.
I encouraged you -- in my printed column -- to stop at Thon, and I hope you did.
What a scene.
I stayed only a few minutes and saw what I expected and what I'd seen in our photos and video.
Repeating: What a scene.
The result is $6.6 million for the Four Diamonds Fund and Penn State students should be so proud. They've raised the bar, they've done it the right way, and they've helped many young people and their families.
Thon is the feel-good story of '08, and now you can send well wishes, watch the video and see the photos, read all about it and celebrate this record. Perhaps you helped them reach it.
Penn State students in John Beale's class are shooting Thon, and you'll see some of their best images along with ours in the Thon photo galleries on CentreDaily.com.
Already students' work is there, and the photos of Thon are special. Be sure to give them a good look.
New this year is our Thon video, and today's is by photo intern Catrina Rawson.
Readers can add their photos to our Penn State or events blog on the community blogs page, linked here and linked with the main Thon stories each day.
The images of Thon tell the story. Enjoy them.
Heather Hottle is a copy editing intern for us this semester and is fully active in Thon.
She wrote a column for our Blue Magazine that really shows you the meaning of Thon. It's linked here.
She's had medical challenges and she's now giving back and working so hard with so many students to make Thon a success. It all happens this weekend at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Perhaps you can visit. Perhaps you can help.
Here's our editorial today in support of the students.
So many of you visit our Web site because you long to find out what's going on at Penn State or here in Happy Valley.
I know. Perhaps you went to school here and would love to relive those student days. Or perhaps you just can't wait, really can't wait, to make your next visit.
Perhaps you'd love to move back and work here. Maybe, just maybe, you can get lucky like me.
It's not always easy or always fun, but being in Happy Valley is great, and being here at certain times of the year is greater.
One of those times is right now, the days leading to the Penn State dance marathon, or Thon.
There's a spirit in the air, an energy, and it surrounds you in Happy Valley. So much student work goes into Thon, and there's such a great outcome. Always.
I took a couple of speaking spots at Penn State Friday to go back on campus, amid that spirit. Why not? I'm back in Happy Valley, after all.
Thon is coming at you on the Web, with a whole batch of new content coming tomorrow from our Blue Magazine. Look for it.
And enjoy Katy Hopkins' new blog, Talk Thon to Me, started just this week. This student from Lancaster County is making the most of blogging and is reaching so many Penn Staters who are oh so interested in Thon.
This year look for video all weekend and next week, in addition to photo galleries and all of our Thon content. Come back if you can -- it's at the Bryce Jordan Center these days -- or camp out online otherwise and take in that Happy Valley spirit.
You'll feel good. No doubt.
Yesterday we highlighted the register-to-vote efforts at Penn State and the great success so far as we move toward the Pennsylvania primary.
Hat's off to the students, and this really to me will be the story of this election.
Will young people get involved in a big way and then stay with it to keep their elected officials on track for change?
That's what has to happen if we really, really want change, because the young have the most to gain and need to get fully invested in the process.
Signs so far show that they are getting involved, at Penn State and elsewhere, and we're watching closely to see where it goes from here.
Clearly they are supporting Barack Obama in a big way at this point, and I look forward to him visiting Happy Valley and Penn State in coming weeks.
It warms my heart, and perhaps it warms yours, that Sen. Jake Corman is such a friend of Penn State that he would work to shield the university from much of the new Right-to-Know law.
Details have emerged to show his influence, and you could say he's protecting his turf.
No reason to share PSU salaries, he says, since the university doesn't get much from the state anyway (only $350 million a year if you're counting) .
Interesting. Now read Claudia Vergara's open records blog on our Web site to show Corman won't give out any information about himself, either, and last I looked he was fully paid by taxpayers.
Vergara, a Penn State student, is blogging her efforts in trying to get information from the state, after being shut out the first semester. Take a look at the Corman similarities.
Surprise you?
Penn State's Faculty Senate deserves a bravo for sponsoring a scholarship to help students afford the rising costs to attend the university.
Faculty Senate chairwoman Dawn Blasko said it best in Friday's story, as profs are seeing more and more students who are having trouble making ends meet.
Meanwhile, Penn State keeps growing and adding jobs and new facilities.
The university can't count on much more from the state, we all know. Somehow, the costs to students have to be kept under control, and efforts like the Faculty Senate's must be applauded.
I think back to when I attended PSU in the late '70s. Could I afford it now, coming from Lancaster? I don't think so.
Wonder how many others think that way?
Leaving Penn Station today, after a nice train ride, I saw Penn Staters collecting for Thon.
People were everywhere, as is the case in New York, but you should know Thon is alive and well here.
People were collecting for everything, it seemed, but what could be better than Thon.
Nice job, students.
If I see you again I'll stop.
Back when the State College high school renovation/expansion plan carried a $100 million price tag and the debate was raging, I suggested an open meeting for everyone and even mentioned the Grange Fair as a location.
At a time when public comments were limited to late night board meetings, letters to the editor and e-mail blasts, it seemed that everyone could offer their views and debate it in a big group.
We didn't get that but we did get an election, which took care of things.
That brings me to this continuing legal matter with Penn State over taxes, and what the university should be paying. We're using county tax money for that, and of course university money is in play too.
We hear conflicting stories from each side on who previously met about this, and now a county judge says the four Centre Region municipalities with an interest must sign on to the lawsuit as parties for it to continue.
Tough choice, and more tax money going to this if they decide to keep fighting.
Penn State representatives say they'll talk, and so do county officials, so why not an open public meeting for all interested -- university officials, county officials, the municipal officials who are on the hot seat now, and the public. Yes, the public. What do they think?
How about an open meeting to air it all and become neighbors again? It might lead to a settlement and it could do wonders for town and gown relations. And, importantly, it would cut down on legal fees, for sure.
How about it? The Bryce Jordan Center would be a great location, a few hours before a Penn State basketball game. The participants would stay for the hoops action afterward, adding to the crowd and perhaps using some of their pent-up energy to cheer on a team that needs support.
What do you think? Is it time to really talk about this -- in public?
Been busy today, but let me offer a bravo to Penn State for allowing a Beaver Stadium concert. A real concert.
Penn State didn't have much say about the Fergie appearance, but news of it has been lighting up the Internet today.
For some reason people had to e-mail me asking what Joe Paterno thinks. How could he allow this, readers asked?
Good question. Wonder if we'll find out.
I'm all for Beaver Stadium concerts and other events. Bring them on.
Perhaps we can get the big acts here. Now, wonder when U2 will tour again?
I do hope Penn State officials are looking at the details of the off-the-field incidents involving football players last year and realizing they are really not like everywhere else.
Of course, they won't say that in public, and again yesterday they talked about the same old same old.
But look at the details and you find two group activities -- one at a downtown apartment and one at the HUB -- involving a lot of players. I'd have to say leadership off the field appeared at least as good as on the field.
Two group attacks involving football players in one season has not been seen elsewhere, to my knowledge. And the worst thing about this is another one happened in October, months after the April altercation sparked discipline announcements by Coach Joe Paterno.
No, these were not like everywhere else, despite what Penn State might say. And I'd point out that the program really better crack down, because more of this is not going to over well and will no doubt generate those ESPN headlines.
As for the comment about the Internet and how stubbing a toe can become visible, yes there's some of that. But these group incidents were of a higher order, it should be understood.
And for Web comments about us making news about nothing in reporting there's no news on Paterno's contract, just think how often you hear anyone at Penn State talk about this subject. Never in public. So yesterday's comments at the trustees' meeting -- and the trustees' questions -- were in fact news.
Take a step back and you'll realize that these incidents were not like everywhere else. And the concern now should be whether anything like them will happen again.
Fresh off a lunch stop downtown and like clockwork, a student darted across College Avenue without paying any attention to coming traffic.
Just like that. The students are back, after all. Back and distracted.
This isn't written to pick on students but to bring up a topic that is discussed regularly. It contributes, I'm sure, to the reasons why some people don't go downtown.
And while we don't expect anyone to be able to change behavior overnight, it would be helpful if the borough considers something basic. We've editorialized about it three times and I've pointed it out here before -- prohibit parking on the campus side of College Avenue.
Sounds simple. Just redirect the quarter-paying motorists at meters to the parking garages that have space.
Oncoming motorists, then, would have more warning and a clear view of students darting into the street.
How about it?
What a win by the Penn State women's volleyball team.
We saw it coming, but they made it pretty special.
Just like 1999, you can say, as they beat Stanford and are bringing home the title to Happy Valley. They truly crashed the California party.
Readers from around the country are posting well wishes for the Nittany Lions in one of our better Web forums. Read over the messages posted with our main story and our your turn.
Congratulations to Coach Russ Rose and the No. 1team.
I just happened to visit southwestern Virginia last weekend and observed one of the television reports on that took it to Penn State.
When I heard the teaser to the newscast, about Virginia Tech being upset at Penn State, all I could think of was the recent basketball game, which I attended. That was all great, I thought.
Watching in amazement, I took me awhile to realize it was all over two Penn State students who had dressed as Virginia Tech shooting victims on Halloween.
Of course it had nothing to do with basketball and the reaction got Old Main worked up, to the point of planning a "spontaneous" response by students, as our report says today.
Public Relations 101: If you even think about planing a "spontaneous" response, don't let anyone in the press know about it.
Let's get past this PR gaffe and think about what Penn State could have and should have done in this case.
How about trumpeting the great story on how Penn Staters saluted Virginia Tech at the blue/white game last April with a VT in the student section and maroon all over the stadium? The visuals, published by us and others, got widespread attention.
How about also talking about what happened at that recent basketball game at the Bryce Jordan Center, when $110,000 was given to Virginia Tech funds for the victims from the sales of those $10 maroon shirts for the blue/white game? It was a wonderful response and salute to the Hokes.
How about also talking about how the Penn State and Happy Valley community came together for the family of victim Jeremy Herbstritt, a Penn Stater?
Penn State had a great story to tell, clearly. Was it told?
Instead, Old Main runs for cover over what two students did on Halloween. Two students out of 42,000.
Let's hope a PR lesson is learned over this.
Some posted comments with today's story on Penn State's wrestling upset over Oklahoma State show just how difficult it is to get readers to notice what you're doing in the paper.
I've gone through this for five years here, as we've added to local coverage and invited readers to contribute news and photos in new ways. Yet I still hear, point blank, that we don't cover anything or aren't interested in anything.
I'm always the optimist, so I ask people with that view what they'd like to see us cover. Invariably, they tell me they don't know.
I got off topic here, because today's post is about wrestling. Check out the posted anonymous comments with this story and you might think we don't cover Penn State wrestling much at all.
But starting last year sports writer Guy Cipriano started following the Nittany Lions on the mat and his coverage has elevated the visibility of Penn State wrestling in the paper. Many readers will nod their heads in agreement to that statement, and perhaps soon the others will too.
Cipriano writes a Monday column, advances and covers the meets and writes about the athletes all season long, just the way he covers the State College Spikes in the summer.
It's great coverage, whether you like wrestling or not, and it's much better than the anonymous so-called readers are noting today.
Problem is, it takes awhile for readers to notice anything, so this is par for the course. These readers also apparently didn't notice that the meet was in Stillwater, OK. We didn't send a reporter and/or photographer, and we won't with long-distance sports events other than Penn State football. That's a reality check based on interest (when 100,000 people show up in the big stadium and countless thousand more watch on TV, there's great interest).
Just another day and another challenge from readers not paying attention, for one reason or another. At some point you hope they will start.
At long last, sunshine has prevailed in what's been known as the Joe Paterno salary case but is much more.
Congratulations to The Patriot-News, my former employer, which began this legal adventure in 2002 while I was still there.
Fighting all the way, Penn State refused to make public what should be public through the state retirement system. So it took the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today to end all of this and say Paterno's salary and the salaries of other university top administrators are indeed public.
Penn State President Graham Spanier maintains that 99 percent of Penn State is indeed public, so this must qualify in that 1 percent bracket.
We in the media seem to focus a lot on the 1 percent, but whatever, this is a victory for sunshine in Pennsylvania government.
Let's hope more victories are on the horizon, because taxpayers in our state deserve to know what they're paying for in their government. Please don't tell me that Penn State doesn't receive significant state money, even though it's never considered enough year after after year.
Intercepted from one of the comment forums and edited to conform to my blog style:
"Does anyone at CDT care that Penn State has other sports where the athletes aren't causing trouble? PSU women's field hockey is playing for a national title today. The women's volleyball team won their fifth consecutive Big Ten title last night. Where are the stories on those. ..."
If the poster actually reads the paper and our Web site, he/she will realize that we cover those sports regularly. In fact, our coverage of those games and teams is often the only coverage (besides the Daily Collegian, which doesn't print all the time, like this coming Thanksgiving week.)
Again, here's an example of an anonymous poster not knowing what he/she is talking about. I realize this happens, and I'll take the high road and use this blog to talk reality at times like this.
The Big Ten Network Insider Newsletter offers updates and news on the new network that isn't yet offered to many cable customers.
Included in the latest newsletter:
-- There are an estimated 298,000 satellite subscribers to the network.
-- The hoops announcing team will include former Purdue coach Gene Keady, former Ohio State star Jimmy Jackson and former Northwestern star Tim Doyle.
The network has been an issue in Happy Valley on weekends when Penn State football games were carried, and I suspect it will stay a big issue in basketball season.
Many fans do not realize that about half or perhaps more of the Penn State men's games -- not even counting other sports -- will be carried by the Big Ten Network.
Perhaps fans don't care now, but I suspect they will come winter and Big Ten play.
Reading the Insider can let you know what you're missing. Thought I'd share key parts.
Centre Daily Times readers are capturing the Nittany Lion, wouldn't you say, with some pretty cool photos.
These photos submitted for our ongoing contest were printed Sunday.
More are coming in, along with kids' drawings of the Lion. I highlighted all of this in my Sunday column, and I certainly thank readers for taking the time to share with everyone.
Think about it: We all have photos of the Lion. Someone is going to win this contest when their photo is voted the best by our print and online readers.
Send one to us if you'd like to be considered. Just follow the guidelines.
Penn Staters seem to be tripping over each other in a mad dash to drop Comcast and move to DirecTV so they can get their Big Ten Network.
Interesting. Weren't these some of the same people just touting the Penn State on Demand content added only to Comcast? Wasn't that a hot announcement from Old Main?
See Penn State programming, offered for TV viewers around the state ... that's what it said.
Move to DirecTV and you won't get Comcast, and you won't get Penn State on Demand. That's a reality.
Just wonder, in their mad dash, if they've thought about that?
I wonder if this hit anyone else over the head today: The simple breakout box, printed in our sports section, with Jeff Rice's Penn State coverage.
There it was, saying what we all know:
SEASON OPENER
Florida International at No. 17 Penn State
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Beaver Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: WMAJ 1450, WBUS 93.7
Simple, accurate but somewhat jarring, even with all of the coverage of the Big Ten Network-Comcast dispute.
I wonder how many fans will turn on TVs looking for the game Saturday, like always, and find it's not there like every other time. I just wonder. At that point they will wake up and join this intense debate, some of which is raging online since our Sunday story.
If they're not in Beaver Stadium Saturday and they have Comcast or another cable outfit, they just might be in for a reality check.
I think you know where I stand on the great Penn State-Big Ten Network dispute, but here we go again now that today's story brings it front and center in the news.
Let me say that I'm a Penn State alum and a huge sports fan, but I'm squarely in the corner of Comcast in this one.
I really think the great Penn State PR network should concentrate on securing more state money for the university than throw out names of bars that will show the Big Ten Network to fans starved for it. That would be a better use of their time and money.
Perhaps my view in all of this is shaped by sitting here and hearing from readers about what they want in the Centre Daily Times. It may surprise Penn State and Big Ten Network officials but there are readers here -- here in Happy Valley -- who think we run too much sports in the paper and too much Penn State sports in particularly. They want space given to other topics that range all over the map.
It's quite a balancing act we do every day in presenting the paper, and I know that everything we include -- from comics to items on the Sunday books page -- has fans. I hear from people if features don't run, and we don't pull anything abruptly from the paper. Consider our recent comics survey: We soon will bring in three new comics and replace two. We didn't decide that alone -- 2,000 readers sent in feedback.
It should be pointed out, too, that we don't add things and raise costs for readers. We add what we can, but we keep what we have.
Should Comcast drop one of the channels that Big Ten Network people think are inferior, for a channel that has limited -- yes limited -- interest? Sorry, but the television viewing world does not revolve around Penn State and the Big Ten. There are fans of all of the channels, and there are many out there who do not want to pay any more for the viewing pleasure. And need I remind everyone that this is an untested network. It's not ESPN.
The sad thing in this dispute is that the Big Ten Network should be available to Comcast subscribers who want it. It should be offered on a sports tier to people who will pay for it.
I'd be much more vocal about this if I had Comcast now. I want to watch the Big Ten Network and I'll get it on Direct TV 220. So it's no issue for me.
But sorry those of you who are running fast with Penn State's PR effort. I disagree.
The great Penn State-Centre County tax dispute continues to play out in the paper and here online, with strong reporting by Adam Smeltz.
Here's today's story on Penn State's response to the lawsuit now in county court.
My previous open records blog post included a mention of Medlar Field and leases. So it's not misleading, Medlar is not part of this suit. Let's say it's not in the courts -- yet.
Also, Bill Mahon at Penn State said that the university has provided the county a lease for Medlar. I'm waiting to find out when that happened. County officials, of course, say they don't see leases and they can't get Penn State to sit down and talk about this stuff.
I continue to maintain that Penn State records should fully open so everyone can read the fine print. Perhaps then we won't have to saddle judges with figuring this out.
And interestingly, when you return to Happy Valley and have lunch at the Corner Room or elsewhere, you know that those places are paying local taxes. But the food outlets at Penn State, as mentioned in this story and this suit, are not subject to local fees. Figure that one out.
Food is food, isn't it? Or are they actually serving academics? I guess I'm missing something along with some of you.
Need I say that a stronger state open records law which finally covers Penn State might -- just might --improve the county's relationship with Old Main.
In particular, it should keep disputes out of court.
Penn State should have to share leases, not keep them from the county, in an open fashion. Of course now the university can keep them under wraps, sparking this latest lawsuit.
We're talking about leases that cover Medlar Field, for example. Allow me to remind Penn State officials, when they say nothing has changed since 2005 and wonder what the county is messing with, that Medlar Field is new and should be subject to fair taxation.
Sorry, but that should be the reality -- and the lease should be out in the open. Instead we have court battles over protected information.
Let's hope the Legislature, as it moves toward a stronger open records law in Pennsylvania, keeps its eyes on this taxation battle here in Centre County.
In case you're not sure, there are "exceptional benefits" of the Big Ten Nework, as outlined in a letter to Pennsylvania business leaders.
I didn't get one, but I'll link it here if you'd like to read it. Penn State President Graham Spanner, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney and network president Mark Silverman are the writers.
This is their view of the world and clearly directed at Com cast in the ongoing hardball campaign of whether to offer the Big Ten Network to subscribers in basic cable or in a sports tier.
We've had a bit to say about this already, and most recently our Monday Morning QB logger noted that Penn State's campus deal for students doesn't include a key group of student athletes who get Com cast.
Back to the letter to business leaders. Here's a key paragraph:
"The Big Ten Network currently has national agreements with Direct TV and AT&T as well as regional agreements and commitments from more than 75 other cable operators. Unfortunately, the state's largest operator, Com cast, is not among them. They are insisting in public statements that the Big Ten Network be placed on an expensive sports tier. We find this position illogical, given the fact that Penn State sports carry some of the highest ratings in Pennsylvania."
Yes, I'd agree that Penn State football carries high rating in Pennsylvania. But last I heard the football games shown aren't the big ones, and minor sports would carry this Big Ten Network. They are not going to draw high ratings, I need to interrupt. And please don't tell me that Penn State basketball gets high ratings in this state. I'm a fan but also a realist.
It's a high horse that Spanier, Delany and Silverman are riding, and they're trying to force a business to do what they want. I'd suggest it is easier for Spanier and Penn State to increase tuition for students and their families every year than it would be for Comcast to increase rates for every subscriber for this untested network.
Have they considered that?
I'm looking forward to the Big Ten Network. It should be made available to cable subscribers in a sports tier. Those who want it should be asked to pay for it.
By now you've heard the news from York about Penn State's tuition increases, and the bottom line that in-state undergrads will now pay more than $12,000 a year to attend Dear Old State.
Here's the story if you missed it.
This total stuns former alums, no doubt, but does it stun current students and their families?
One way I like to measure interest is to look at Web reading, and on CentreDaily.com everything Penn State is read like crazy.
But this story? Not what you'd expect.
We've highlighted it all weekend until late this morning, but it got little reading while other stories were jumping. What does that tell me?
Nothing scientific, but I just don't think students and their parents out there are really worked up over it. They'll just write another check.
Someday, maybe, this will be a real concern to today's college students and their families. Or maybe it won't.
Allow me to ask, if state spending is going to increase by about 5 percent with this new budget, why they can't find a few more dollars for Penn State cooperative extension?
Here's a program that benefits the entire state and faces funding uncertainties and Harrisburg politics every single year.
Local legislators have given it their shot and have put in a funding boost, but they say they can't get any more.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ed Rendell and legislative leaders are filling out their priorities, and we really can't say enough that spending to run Pennsylvania will increase by about 5 percent overall.
These kind of questions will be asked over and over again as details emerge to this great budget agreement that has everyone smiling at the Capitol. But allow me to ask why a program that benefits the whole state should face job reductions and again has to hold on tight as the annual political winds blow?
We have quite a talk show going regarding binge drinking and whether early classes would curb it the previous night.
Everyone has an opinion on today's story, based on Missouri research, and it doesn't matter that most Penn State students are far away from Happy Valley.
Nobody asked me, but I remember my Penn State days with early Friday and early SATURDAY classes. Not every semester, maybe, but several semesters and at least one fall.
And I sense that attendance is seriously required today, perhaps more than it was in my time a few -- well many -- years ago. So it's really, really important that students get to class these days.
I look at this as a real option when it comes to trying to curb a serious problem in the community. It would not be the entire answer, but it could be a part of the answer. Early Friday classes -- why not?
Early Saturday classes? Now that would be cruel and unusual punishment.
What do you think? Go ahead, vote in the poll.
Imagine, if you will, if you don't pay your property taxes. Imagine how long the taxing bodies would put up with that.
Well today we have a double dose of Penn State and taxes, and you can just compare this to your own situation.
So much for town and gown relations, the taxing bodies have sent Penn State a note regarding payment of back taxes for three enterprises. There was no response yet to the request for $270,000. We'll be interested to hear the response.
Secondly, the Village of Penn State dispute will finally go to trial next week. I say finally -- it's been three years. What will Penn State end up paying?
These are two examples, in just one day, of Penn State wanting it own way. They're even more interesting now as Penn State continues to battle the effort to make government and records more open in Pennsylvania.
Looks like this will be an interesting summer.
Thank you, Tom Palchak.
Thank you, on behalf of Penn Staters everywhere. Or more specifically, Penn Staters who love the Creamery.
Palchak, the man behind the Creamery, is featured in a not-to-miss story in our latest Good Life magazine.
Penn Staters have a "sense of ownership" about the Creamery, as Palchak notes, and rightfully so. Can you make a stop to campus without getting a Peachy Paterno, Death by Chocolate, or another cone?
Former President Bill Clinton certainly couldn't, and who can forget that famous shot of him with two scoops -- a no-no for anyone else.
And about those recipes? You can get those too, according to Palchak.
Here's what he had to say about that: "The formulas are public. It's a public university, so technically they belong to the public."
Technically, they belong to the public. Couldn't agree more. Just like university records, they belong to the public.
Now today's question is can the rest of Penn State operate like the Creamery?
This really isn't about Coach Joe Paterno, but it starts with him.
Why should we be able to find out Lloyd Carr's salary from Michigan or Jim Tressel's salary from Ohio State, or the salary of virtually any coach in the country, with just a phone call, yet we can't find out Paterno's salary?
It goes further than Paterno, in that Penn State has been allowed by the courts to be public when it wants to, and private when it wants to. It has it both ways.
The state Supreme Court now is charged with ruling whether Paterno's salary and other Penn State salaries are public. Now, why should they not be? Why wouldn't Pennsylvania taxpayers, tuition-paying families and fans who pay support the athletic program want to know and deserve to know what they're paying for?
The blue and white die-hards are howlling, but we're pretty blue and white here and we think openness and open records are the right thing. Even if it all applies to Penn State.
Congratulations dancers.
Congratulations supporters.
Congratulations Penn State students.
Congratulations Bryce Jordan Center staffers.
Thon has shattered its record, raising $5,240,385.17 for kids with cancer.
That's incredible, and it should be applauded by Penn Staters everywhere. We'll have full coverage, of course, but let me alert you to two Web features: The Penn State photo blog, with dozens of Thon photos, and a place for your photos too; and the Lost Islander Insider blog by Ken Radzieta, who blogged throughout.
Don't miss these two features as you recap Thon.
It's Thon weekend, and it's bigger than ever.
It's the most special event of the year at Penn State, done entirely by students, and it's worth your time and your support.
If you're far from Happy Valley, follow Thon on the Web, where we'll post dozens of photos and one blogger is camped out there. Our coverage will be extensive, as you see today. Our editorial -- raising money and hope -- kicked it off.
If you're anywhere near here do yourself a favor and visit Thon. It's in the Bryce Jordan Center this year, and it's deserving of that grand setting.
This is Thon's 30th year in partnership with the Four Diamonds Fund, and $41 million has been raised so far. The money goes to kids with cancer, and there are no more worthy recipients.
As many as 180 families of children with cancer, and some of the children, will visit Thon this weekend. There is no more special sight, as Thon participants and observers know.
Thon shows Penn State students at their best, and they should be applauded. And so should anyone associated with this massive event, anyone who supports it. Let's celebrate Thon this weekend.
There's more to come on the Penn State/Human Relations Commission story, much more.
Penn State President Graham Spanier has responded in a letter to Stephen Glassman, and we'll have a follow story tomorrow.
It's important to note that Spanier's letter includes new information, none of which was provided for the first story. As with any information we can't report it until we get it.
I'll appreciate getting the complete story regarding this and we'll continue to follow it where it leads, and I don't think we need media bashing on the journey. We all should be above that.
Our jobs in journalism aren't easy by any stretch, just like the jobs in higher education.
As reported today, the State Human Relations Commission is considering an investigation into Penn State for a string of discrimination cases against the university.
We'll report what happens here as we've reported details of both sides of various lawsuits now in play.
And that's what makes me raise a point about this quote in today's story, by university spokesman Bill Mahon, concerned over lengthy news coverage of allegations against Penn State. Here it is:
"We worry that detailed coverage of unfounded allegations may give readers an impression not supported by the outcomes of most of these cases," he wrote in an e-mail, "and hurt our efforts to attract a diverse group of employees and students to an institution with a good track record."
Say what?
I'll speak for the Centre Daily Times and point out that Mahon and others over at Penn State know we work to be balanced in this coverage. If a lawsuit story runs on Page 1, we make every attempt to run the university's side, when it's released, on the same page. Every time. And we play outcomes in the same way, regardless if they're for or against the university.
They know that. Or they should know that.
And the greater Penn State community deserves to know details of what's going in, complaints or otherwise.
That's our view on this Happy Valley Wednesday.
We spend a lot of time reporting on the now-$97.6 million State High project, and with good reason.
Yet, it hits me that Penn State's law school investment dwarfs that costly project. Do you realize that Penn State will spend $110 million on its law school, both in Happy Valley and in Carlisle?
That's a lot of money -- a lot from donations and a lot from elsewhere. The building boom continues and it's all grand, we hear. And I'm not one to talk against lawyers or a law school, that's for sure.
But I'll just raise the visibility on Penn State's $110 million law school expense and let you decide. You'll help pay for it, not just the lawyers.
Centre Daily Times and CentreDaily.com readers are meeting Judge Cynthia Baldwin today, thanks to a unique profile written by graduating Penn State senior Greg Latshaw.
Latshaw, a contributor to the CDT with a blog called We Want the Lion and various free-lance stories, wrote this in-depth story for Communications Dean Doug Anderson's class and we're pleased to feature it today.
Baldwin, who will oversee her last meeting of the Penn State Board of Trustees Friday, talked to Latshaw at length and shared her background and some workings of the state Supreme Court for the story.
We're featuring more and more top Penn State student journalism in the CDT, and many Communications professors know they can contact us about stories, photos, videos and opinion columns. As I say it's a win-win -- for the student who gets published and for our readers here in Happy Valley and around the world.
And as my column today notes, that online readership is now 12 times more than our daily print circulation. More on the fine points of that column in a future blog post.
Unfortunately, I didn't know Robert W. "Bob" Koehler, the retired Penn State professor who died this week while on vacation in Florida.
He started teaching at Penn State in 1963 in business, but of course I hung out in journalism circles.
Fortunately, we're all getting to know "Bear" -- a little at least -- from the Web postings by our readers.
Let me thank readers for one of these "Best of the Web" examples, where the comments -- every one of them -- add to the story and the online experience.
"Bear" will be missed, clearly, and anyone like me who didn't know him previously knows him a bit now from the comments.
Please add your comments if you knew "Bear," so all of us get to know him.
Perhaps this is unusual for blogs, but we're starting a two-part series.
This post is titled "Only in Happy Valley," and the next one will be called "Only in Pennsylvania."
There's just so much material, and it's so unique to these two areas. So here we go, and I might offer another similar series next month, when material mounts.
Now for "Only in Happy Valley:"
We all watched Medlar Field at Lubrano Park go up, then we watched the Spikes play there all summer. Some of us even went to the stadium for tailgates or other events, and Penn State baseball is about to use the stadium in early 2007.
So you'd think that the stadium would be like any house owned by any homeowner: Its taxes would be set.
You would think, and you know how those real estate settlements go -- you don't get out of there without paying taxes.
But no, not in the case of Medlar. Penn State to date has not dealt with the county when it comes to taxing the stadium. Nope, Penn State has just ignored inquires.
Now we read that Penn State and county officials will meet on the subject. Yep, face to face.
Looks like they might even discuss taxes, but we don't want to speculate.
Looks to me like it's another case of Penn State wanting it both ways, or Penn State saying: "We're Penn State and you know what, You're not."
And it looks like the county is going to have to battle for tax money from a place we've started to enthusiastically support.
As I mentioned, just think about your house and how you end up paying taxes.
And that's today's "Only in Happy Valley" story.
Our next post, as we mentioned at the outset, will be titled "Only in Pennsylvania." There's so much to choose from ...
It was a privilege to be among a group last night that honored Gene Foreman, who is retiring from Penn State's journalism faculty after this semester.
Retiring after several years at Penn State, where he's contributed so much in elevating the editing program and being a big part of the success and enormous growth of the College of Communications.
So many students have benefited from Gene's professional guidance, just as so many journalists benefited from his many years at The Philadelphia Inquirer in his first career.
Inquirer staffers were among those in attendance last night, telling great Foreman stories and thanking the man in whose honor their newsroom is named.
Story after story, all about great journalism, attention to detail and accuracy, and a little fun along the way.
I do a lot of explaining to readers what we do, why we do it, and what journalism is all about. Last night it was celebrated, on the occasion of Gene Foreman's retirement, and it was refreshing.
Thanks Gene, from this editor/blogger, for making such a difference and being a true champion of the journalism we know and love.
Gov. Ed Rendell swept into Happy Valley Tuesday in impressive fashion, talking about a big win next week.
Rendell's traveling road show is hitting places like this, and helping Democrats across the state, because he's sitting pretty in the southeast and he's been largely able to deflect any concerns over issues.
It's an impressive run, and you have to think that if Rendell wins re-election by a big margin in Pennsylvania he'll be highly considered for the next Democratic national ticket. Why not? If it comes down to Rendell or Bill Richardson of New Mexico for vice president, why not?
That's jumping ahead, but politics is all about looking ahead and Rendell may have a unique challenge at the start of his next term if his own party wins control of the House.
They're plowing money into this and they feel good about retaking the House, and they certainly have a shot. But let me point out gently that Rendell working with a Democratic House will be no picnic, and here's why:
The celebration in Harrisburg would go on for awhile, and a lot of energy would go into office changes and redecorating and committee shifting. Big fun indeed.
And then we'd get to governing and reform .... oh, yes, reform. Correct me if I'm wrong but the Democratic House leaders haven't changed since the last time around and they aren't necessarily known as reformers.
A victorious Rendell should help lead reform and everyone should want to take part.
So there would be a challenge, before we even get to pushing ahead with the issues. Wonder if Rendell's thinking about that yet as the road show rolls on?
Many of you wonder about Penn State's building boom, as you return to campus and see new buildings each time.
Many of you talk about it, admire it, sometimes question it.
I want to make sure you see our Sunday story, by reporter Adam Smeltz, which connected the dots on the impact of these new buildings.
I've heard much reaction to this story, and I apologize for blogging about it three days late. But the issue will stay around as long as the buildings, to be sure.
Think back to your student days. You liked Happy Valley. Didn't want to leave, did you?
Same thing happens now, and according to Penn State President Graham Spanier 90 percent of Penn State graduates would rather stay in Happy Valley if they could.
As it happens, about half stay in Pennsylvania and half leave the state. The jobs are elsewhere, in many cases.
Spanier said what we all know, that Penn State students like it here. His comments came in his annual remarks to a big crowd at a Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County luncheon.
Spanier is among friends in the business community, and he answered all questions. He talked about student enrollment, research, tuition, and other topics Penn State.
He also talked about the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fair and how he enjoyed the tractor pull. It was great to hear Spanier talk up the fair, particularly to some who might not ever want to venture to the fantastic annual event in Centre Hall.
How many Penn State presidents have enjoyed the tractor pull event at the fair? Now there's a fair question.
There are always great stories at Penn State commencement ceremonies, and today we feature several.
I hope you take time to read about the journeys of Tamba Hali, Charlie Brown, Jason George and other graduates.
They completed the mission and walked with fellow graduates yesterday.
And in many cases it was quite a mission. Many of you know Hali's story, and he came back yesterday to get his diploma in what meant so much to him. I still remember Hali's excitement last year at Michigan State, as fans yelled "Tamba" and he celebrated a Big Ten title with his teammates.
He has a lot to celebrate today, and we can only congratulate him and wish him a great career with the KC Chiefs and wherever else he goes. We'll be watching.
Congratulations to all of the new members of the PSU Class of 2006.
Those of us in journalism often say that if people on both sides of an issue we report on aren't happy with our coverage, we must be doing something right.
Here's a precious example of this, from Saturday's opinion page. Two letters writers, one after another, discussed Penn State's tuition and budget and blamed the Centre Daily Times one way or another.
You can read them for yourself, and it pretty much covers the feedback we get about anything Penn State. Either we're too tough in questioning the university, or we're cheerleaders for the university.
It can be about anything too, from tuition (in this case) to covering football.
It makes the job fun, and it makes it rewarding -- believe it or not -- when you're hammered by both sides. It makes you feel that you're doing something right.
And we feel our questioning the continuing dramatic rise in Penn State tuition costs is the right thing.
People regularly agree or disagree with our daily "Our View" on the opinion page, and we appreciate hearing from them.
Today for blog readers, I want to highlight a column s
