Point Park Globe Fall 2018 Issue 9

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@PPUGlobe October 24, 2018

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Point Park administration continued budget cuts by limiting university funding for department spending. On the list of items cut are pet care, flight upgrades, coffee, bottled water, food for faculty meetings and ibuprofen. These items are now classified as “personal items” by the university, even if they are bought for the use of the entire department. Michael Gieseke, Dean of Student Life, explained that this was a measure taken by the university in order to spend university money in other places, such as aiding student field trips. “An area where to save money and to try to find money that is finite was to say: Why should university money be spent so you could drink coffee in the morning?” Gieseke said. Gieseke relayed that this decision was made this past year and was set to take place starting the new spending year on September 1. Jonas Prida, Assistant Provost for Point Park and director for the Center of Inclusive Excellence, said he has no problem with the new restrictions on departmental spending, so long that the money is being used for the betterment of the students at the university. “I understand them because I would rather have Point Park spending the money on students than on me upgrading somebody’s flight,” Prida said. “As a person who believes in student access, student affordability and student success, that’s where our money should go.”

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Covering the world of Point Park University news for over 50 years

University cuts chairs’ spending on “personal items” By Sarah Gibson Co-News Editor

In-brief: A City University Life class gets attacked during a volunteer trip What are clubs doing to get in the Halloween holiday spirit? Anna Shields earns her fourth win, cross country reaches 16th in nation

Prida took time to highlight what he saw as necessity, or lack thereof, concerning the items the administration banned in comparison with what he believes university money should be spent on. “And frankly, we make enough money where I can buy my own coffee; I don’t need my job to do that. That’s a perk of a job, and at times when it’s tough, perks go away, because it matters about what we can give to students,” Prida said. While things like coffee may be used by the entire department, they aren’t the most necessary when it comes to university funding, Heather Starr-Fiedler, professor of multimedia and chair of the Department of Community Engagement, said. “I think it’s always a fine line to walk between what is reasonable and expected and what helps us to feel good about coming into work every day and doing our job,” Starr-Fielder said. “I also recognize that I would rather that money be spent on students, and so I do understand it, while it may be frustrating.” Prida does not believe the restriction will last forever. He explained that if the administration uses university money to better the university and attract more students, soon the university will make more money, and keeping departments from buying coffee won’t be a priority anymore. Gieseke agreed, saying the decision wasn’t made over a shortage of university money, but over the efficiency of the use of that money. “I think it’s truly about the university looking at where they are spending wise-

CUTS page 2

Issue 9

AUTUMN ARRIVES WITH APPLEFEST

Jake Berlin | For The Globe

Junior Niko Roros strolls along the farmer’s market-style selection during AppleFest. The event was put on by CulinArt and featured live music, fall-themed favors and plenty of pumpkins and apples.

USG swears in new parliamentarian USG By Amanda Andrews USG Beat Writer

Former Senator Matthew Spadaccia was sworn in as United Student Government’s (USG) new Parliamentarian at this week’s Legislative Body Meeting. USG has been without a Parliamentarian for nearly three weeks following the sudden resignation of former Parliamentarian Alex Popichak. Spadaccia was elected as a senator at the end of last semester and has served on the Campus Activities Board (CAB) for a number of years, and currently holds the position of Event Coordinator in that facet. While his experience with USG has been limited thus far, Spadaccia expressed that

did not curb his enthusiasm concerning the organization or his belief that he has a lot to offer as the new Parliamentarian. “When I got here [to USG], seeing it...you kind of just fall in love with it,” Spadaccia said. “You kind of just get a feeling that it’s something different. It’s something out of the ordinary, and I wanted to get more involved with it.” Spadaccia said his skills in leadership would be valuable as Parliamentarian, more than ever. When questioned as to why Spadaccia was selected for the Parliamentarian position, USG President Kaylee Kearns gave a brief explanation. “We did an interview process, only three of the individuals showed up for interviews,” Kearns said. “And [Spadaccia] was just

the best applicant that we felt was most fit for the job.” Spadaccia’s main goal for the rest of the semester is to facilitate the process of revising USG’s constitution. He opted for a more conservative approach to changing the constitution, analyzing it section by section instead of making sweeping alterations, but also expressed potential plans for a constitutional convention. President Paul Hennigan accepted an invitation to speak in front of USG at this week’s meeting. He discussed tuition costs, transparency and budget cuts, the Pittsburgh Playhouse funding and his role as president of the university. Hennigan explained how Point Park follows a system of providing differential tuition. Tuition prices for Conservatory of

USG page 3

Health services reduce walk-ins

WALKING ON BROKEN GLASS

By Sarah Gibson Co-News Editor

Gracey Evans | The Globe

An outward-facing window in the Globe and WPPJ office began cracking around 3 p.m. on Monday while students were inside the offices. Public safety responded to the situation immediately, and the window was pushed from the inside out onto the sidewalk of Fort Pitt Boulevard. Plywood is now temporarily covering the opening, and according to an engineer for the university, it is undetermined as to when the window will be repaired. This is due to the glass company having to special order the tempered glass.

The Student Health Center will be operating with new staff and new hours this semester. In an email sent to Point Park students by Michael Gieseke, dean of student life, it was revealed that starting November 1, the Student Health Center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to noon and from 3:00-4:15 p.m. by appointment only. Hours between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. will be walk-in hours for students. The changes were made by the new health services nurse Katie Leslie. Leslie is new to Point

Park, and started at the beginning of the semester. She was previously a middle school teacher, before going back to school to become a nurse. She has a professional background as a nurse in pediatrics and homeless outreach. While the changes made to the office times haven’t changed, what has changed is that the Student Health Center now runs on a mostly appointment-based system. The purpose of this is to eliminate lines. These changes aim to fix the problem of students flooding the health center and leaving untreated after waiting in line so long, ac-

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Weather Forecast Today: Cloudy H 47, L 32

Thursday: Mostly Cloudy, H 49, L 35 Friday: Cloudy, H 51, L 38 Saturday: Rain, H 48, L 39

Sunday: Rain, H 48, L 40 Monday: Rain, H 47, L 38 Tuesday: Rain, H 49, L 37

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