The Paterno Fellows Student Advisory Board met on Thursday, September 6. Present were PF Director Jack Selzer and Board members Brianna Adams, Sean Dooling, Laura Dzwonczyk, Coral Flanagan, Olivia Hoover, Brian Prewitt, and Doug Smith. (Associate Dean Chris Long attended as an observer.) Two Board members were unable to attend.
The Board:
–Discussed possibilities for a Big Event for Paterno Fellows in the spring. In the end, three “finalists” were nominated and Fellows will be asked to register their preferences soon. The finalists:
- Gay Men’s Chorus production of “It Gets Better”
- Musical comedy “The Addams Family”
- Leonard Bernstein’s “Mass”
–Discussed whether Paterno Fellows would welcome the establishment of a Special Living Option in the dorms next year. (A pilot effort is being tried this year, and it might be possible to secure 150 or so beds in a dorm next year.) Board members were unanimously enthusiastic about the idea. They emphasized that of course it should be an option and not a requirement; that Special Living Options offer great advantages in terms of programming and opportunities for group cohesion among Fellows and aspirants; and that Anything But East Halls would work best. The Director promised to follow up with the Housing and Residence Life.
–Discussed the current state of the Fellows Program in light of recent events. Board members remain enthusiastic and supportive of the program; they appreciate the opportunities the program provides and are proud to be a part of it. While they are sensitive to naming issues (pros and cons and ambiguities), they agreed unanimously that now is not the time for change: further events are likely to unfold and additional information is likely to emerge; and there is a need for further thought and reflection. At the appropriate time, Board members agree, there should be opportunities for Fellows to make their thoughts heard, and the Board discussed opportunities such as blog entries or a town hall forum. In the meantime, Fellows are encouraged to articulate their views on the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Studies blog (which already contains one thoughtful blog entry on the issue) or the Center for Democratic Deliberation blog.
–The Board agreed that the Paterno Fellows should stay particularly involved in the Pinwheels for Prevention effort and in the Beaver Stadium 5K Run–both of which support children and provide leadership and service opportunities for Fellows.