Penn State University - La Vie Yearbook (University Park, PA)

Page 20 text:

 J

Page 19 text:

110 TRADlTlOn During the countless times you have walked across campus, have you ever slowed your pace to simply notice the buildings you pass? If so. you may have observed that Penn State's ar- chitecture runs the gamut of styles from the earlier classical types to the more geometrical styles of today. The oldest building on campus is the Old Botany Building, constructed in 1887. In 1950. Frank Lloyd Wright said that the little red building across from Schwab Auditorium was the most beautiful structure at the University at that time. The alternating lions' heads and palmettos found on the rooflines of Sparks and Burrovves Buildings are interesting classical features used to relieve the monotony of the long roofs. Other classical touches are the urns balanced above the entryways of Sparks and Sacked Buildings. Behind Sparks lies the oldest dorm complex, West Halls. Starting with a nucleus of three buildings in 1932 - Watts, Jor- dan and Irvin Halls — future struc- tures spread symmetrically to the right and left giving the area a lay- ered look. Perhaps the most interesting con- trast in contemporary architecture is provided by the windowed walls of Shields Building as they stare at the totally blank face of the Intramural Building directly across the street. — Cheryl J. Cease

Page 21 text:

 ==S Speaking with Pat Cahalcn, Executive Di- rector of the State College Chamber of Commerce: How do you respond to student claims that downtown State College businessmen charge higher prices to a captive Penn State audience? Outside competitor: Transportation is available to outlying areas. Buses leave from the downtown State College area throughout the day. Downtown merchants have felt a downward pressure on their prices because of this development. Overhead: Most Downtown retailers lease their premises. For a small storefront in town, rent is S400 a month. Larger stores pay up to $4,000 a month. Unawareness of prices: Many students do not have to purchase items when at home. Parents do it for them. Students from urban areas are not accustomed to small town prices. Merchants in State Col- lege do not experience rapid inventory turnover and cannot buy in quantity, there- fore the prices tend to run higher. Shoplifting: State College has a high rate of shoplifting, although store managers re- fused to quote loss figures. McLanahan's, which employs a private surveillance firm to monitor their stores, catches about one shoplifter a day at their East College Ave- nue store. That’s only a minute fraction of the offenders; we find empty makeup boxes all the time. Returning items: Most stores will not give cash refunds, only credit at their estab- lishments. State College store managers were forced to implement this system to combat the return — of — the — shoes — that - were - worn - to — a - weekend - formal — and — then — returned — on — Monday — morning — syndrome. Cahalen commented. But don't tell me that State College stores aren't making a substantial profit. Not all of them are. Really, there are several stores downtown that are marginal. 1 can't understand why they stay open. Cahalen said. Yet, State College can be a place to make money and there is outside interest in the area's potential. Clockwise, from lop loft: Shopping downtown: Student Book Store: Corner Room: Colder Way: Route 322. 17