Since the earthquake in Haiti in January, students at Pitt-Greensburg have been doing what they can to help through various fundraising events such as food sales, dances and collections.

Although Pitt-Greensburg has had homecoming activities in past years, this February was the first official homecoming that campus organizers had hoped to have. Festivities were set to begin Friday, Feb. 5, and continue through Saturday night.

Then the snow came.

Deborah Nelson has put herself in danger for her job. Nelson isn’t a cop or a firefighter. She’s an investigative reporter.

“It’s like being a detective,” Nelson said of her job.

Nelson spoke on campus earlier this month about a piece she wrote that won the Pulitzer Prize, as well as a book she cowrote about war crimes during the Vietnam War. During her discussion, she encouraged the student members of the audience to become investigative reporters themselves by explaining the role investigative reporters play in society and the media today.

Today at 4 in the Lyceum, professor Michael Lucci will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using computers in high stakes testing. The seminar also will cover useful test-taking strategies and test-development methods.

“I wanted to do this because it will help both me in research for a graduate course and any interested students who might take a computer-based test,” Lucci said.

Schools and testing organizations used computer administered tests (CATs) for convenience — “because it is an efficient way to give tests and to provide similar but different questions,” he said.

Last fall, a resident assistant discovered pictures on Facebook of Pitt-Greensburg students drinking in what was clearly a campus residence. The students were punished with alcohol violations.

Although Facebook has a mostly positive reputation, users who aren’t careful with their private information could find themselves regretting which “friends” they share their information with. Which leads some to ask: To “friend” or not to “friend?”

Blood drive: Several Pitt-Greensburg students helped save lives by donating blood Nov. 18.

Every time there’s a blood drive on campus like the one yesterday, Pitt-Greensburg students help save about 120 lives.

On average, 40 students donate a pint of blood during each blood drive. Each pint of blood can help save three lives by separating it into components of red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The red blood cells are used in trauma and surgery, platelets are used in coagulation and plasma is used to treat burn victims.

As January approaches, campus President Sharon Smith and others prepare for the first batch of students to begin the Katz Immersion MBA program at Pitt-Greensburg. Editor-in-Chief Ashleigh Chicko stepped into Smith’s office last week to see what all of the buzz is about.

AC: Dr. Smith, tell me a bit about the basics of the new Katz MBA Immersion program and how the immersion program will work.

SS: This is a general management MBA, so all but one of the electives are chosen for you. Classes will begin in the Spring of 2010. They will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each month. The first cohort will begin Jan. 22, 23 and 24 and go on from there. A cohort approach means that the classes will be held no matter what. The classes will run from 8 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. all three days and Chartwells will provide breakfast and lunch for the students on those days. It is roughly a two-year program but you will start in January of 2010 and by December of 2011, you’ve got your MBA. The classes will be held on campus in either Powers Hall or in the library. The immersion format means that you can complete your MBA in just one weekend a month.

The total number of criminal incidents on campus dropped from 110 in 2007 to 69 last year, a decline of more than 37 percent. According to the annual report filed by campus police, most of the criminal activity that takes place at Pitt Greensburg falls into one of five categories — burglary, theft, criminal mischief, drug violations and liquor law violations.

Last year, the number of incidents for each category dropped significantly, with the exception of burglary and criminal mischief. The biggest increase reported was in criminal mischief incidents, which more than doubled from nine incidents in 2007 to 19 last year. Burglary increased from three incidents in 2007 to six last year.

Existentialist Cinema: Bill Pamerleau’s new book explores films that describe life in the modern world.Pitt-Greensburg philosophy professor William Pamerleau recently published his book “Existential Cinema.” Insider staff writer Matt Reilly sat down with Pamerleau to discuss the book, the philosphy and the movies.

MR: Dr. Pamerleau, your book is entitled “Existentialist Cinema.” What exactly is existentialism?

WP: Well, existentialism is a philosophy that tends to describe the human condition from what it’s like to actually live. It describes how we live and how we try to find meaning in the world. It emphasizes concepts, like freedom, choice and living authentically. With those concepts we try to find meaning in the world.

MR: What films do you examine in the book?

WP: There’s a variety. There are foreign Italian and Swedish art films. There are a lot of big names if you are into film with people like (Federico) Fellini and Ingmar Bergman. There is also a film by Woody Allen, “Crimes and Misdemeanors.” There’s “Dead Poet’s Society” and “Harold and Maude.” I wanted films that describe what it is like to live in the modern world. So, the whole point of the book is that movies can shed light on the philosophy.

Nearly 100 years after homecoming became a tradition in the U.S., it looks like Pitt-Greensburg will welcome back alumni with a weekend celebration.

For the first time in the 41 years of campus history, Pitt-Greensburg will have a homecoming/family weekend for students past and present to show their school spirit, mingle with their favorite professors and — for the alumni — to see how the school has changed since they left. Both alumni and current students are encouraged to bring their families to share in the fun and camaraderie.