Syracuse's P&C Foods notifies some employees of possible store closings

P&C Foods is notifying store level employees that it’s supermarkets will be shutting down Feb. 15 if they cannot find a buyer or the company does not receive financing according to The Post Standard.  The Penn Traffic Co., the owner of P&C foods filed for it’s third Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 10 years.  The company mailed many employees letter today informing them about the possible shutdowns.  The company claims in their two-page letter that they are notifying employees now due to the New York State Workers Adjustment Notification Act and other regulations. These regulations require them to give 90 days notice of possible shutdowns.

My Take: There is a P&C supermarket very close to South Campus.  Students are able to take the bus to the store increasing its convenience.  If the store shuts down it will be detrimental to the employees but also to the students at SU that depend on it for groceries.

Swine Flu Activity Down in Many States

The numbers of confirmed cases of H1N1 are beginning to decline, according to ABC News.  There is still widespread flu activity but the activity is starting to drop.  Dr. Pascal James Inperato, Dean of the SUNY School of Public Health thinks that “We might actually be beyond the peak.”  Although activity of H1N1 is declining the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the levels are still high for expected flu cases this time of year.  They also said to have caution because the levels could surge again, especially in the winter months.

My Take: Although H1N1 cases are on the decline college students may still be at risk.  The cold winter months, especially here in Syracuse, can bring on symptoms.  In addition the close quarters of many students in dorm rooms could also contribute to a spread on college campuses specifically.

Protesters Take Over Wheeler Hall On UC Berkeley Campus

A group of about 40 student protesters have taken over Wheeler Hall at UC Berkeley according to CNN.  The students are protesting the tuition hikes that University of California approved Thursday.  Officers are on the scene and there have been reports that they have already used pepper spray on the students.  They also may be making arrests to regain control of the building.  The approved increases will cause undergraduate education at the University of California to go up more than $10,000 a year.  The Santa Cruz campus is also experiencing student protests.

My Take: Here at Syracuse University officials are in the process of creating the budget for next year.  Last year, although tuition increased, it was the lowest percentage increase in 43 years.  The estimated tuition at SU is $50,791 this year.  The University of California estimates the total cost for the 2009-2010 academic year to be about $26,400.