Point Park Globe Spring 2020 Issue 11

IN THIS ISSUE: PAGE

@PPUGlobe March 25, 2020

4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967

SGA president receives student conduct violation Sarah Gibson Co-Opinions Editor

On March 11, days before the first COVID-19 case arrived in Allegheny County, the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne University all declared that brick-and-mortar classes would be taught in an online format to keep large groups of students from gathering in the classroom setting in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Although the university had previously sent out emails regarding the virus, Point Park’s social media and mass emails remained silent regarding COVID-19 on March 11.

Around 5:30 p.m., Student Government Association (SGA) president Jake Berlin sent out a tweet on his public account, @ PresJakeBerlin, stating the following,

“!!BREAKING!! Source confirms Point Park University will close as precaution for coronavirus COVID-19.

No cases known on campus or in Pittsburgh. Classes will be moved to online format.

Email announcement to be sent ‘Very soon.’”

This tweet was soon paired with a follow-up tweet stating: “This tweet is all of the information that I currently have...I am a journalism senior and made sure that multiple sources were thoroughly vetted before reporting anything...

After meeting every day for the past week to discuss this, PPU has an obligation to inform us about housing.”

Point Park did not announce their decision on the cancellation of in person classes due to the coronavirus until the following morning at 9:40 a.m., when the president’s of-

fice sent out an email stating that classes would be closed for a brief time and then would return in an online format until the end of the semester.

Berlin revealed that he received two phone calls from Dean of Students Keith Paylo, telling him that if he did not cease contact with the students, he would be given a student conduct notice.

The Globe contacted Paylo, but he declined to comment on the situation and Berlin’s claims, and he referred all questions to Lou Corsaro, the managing director of Point Park’s public relations.

Corsaro responded with the following statement in regards to Berlin’s claim against Paylo: “Point Park staff is working around the clock to make sure our campus community is

VIOLATION page 2

COVID-19 LEAVES PUBLIC AREAS DESOLATE

Jared Murphy | The Globe James Bruener, 45, and Claire Gallaugher, 33, drink coffee while on a date in Arlington Field, which is left empty amid the coronavirus outbreak on Mar. 20, 2020. The South Side park is usually filled with basketball players and children on the playground.

Thursday: Cloudy H 64, L 49 Friday: Rain, H 59, L 53 Saturday: Rain, H 63, L 52

ppuglobe.com Issue 11

COVID-19 Updates for the Point Park Community If you test positive for COVID-19, contact Dean Keith Paylo if you are a student, and Lisa Stefanko if you are staff or faculty.

Students are able to opt for a Pass/No Credit grade at the end of the spring semester.

The process is as follows: 1. Students and faculty complete spring semester 2. Faculty posts letter grades through Registrar’s Office 3. Students will have from May 1 to May 7 to select the Pass/No Credit option for one or more grades (A, B, C and D = Pass; F= No Credit) 4. Students who wish to maintain a letter grade do nothing and the letter grades earned will stand.

Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremonies are postponed -If you purchased regalia for the ceremonies, visit the university website for information on returns.

Residence halls must be vacated by Friday, March 27th University employees have switched to a virtual/remote work enviroment unless they are essential to the health and safety of the university.

Key card access to campus is closed unless approved by a supervisor and HR. Alysse Baer | The Globe

On-campus residents must vacate by Friday Sarah Gibson Co-Opinions Editor

On March 16, an email from the Office of the President was sent out to the student body informing students that the university would be evacuating the dormitories early.

Students were told to be out of their dorms no later than April 3, and the date they moved out would reflect how much of their tuition and room and board was prorated.

This was contradicted by an update on March 17 that told students that the date by which they had to move out was not April 3, but March 27.

It also included an updated proration chart.

In both emails, it is mentioned that if a student feels they need to stay on campus, they can fill out a “Move-Out Exemption Request” form, but that very few exemptions will be made.

Several students have spoken out about these ‘exceptions,’ citing that having an abusive household or a sickness should qualify as a reason for staying on campus.

One student, who has wished to remain anonymous due to the personal nature of their reasons for wanting to stay, noted that going home could be dangerous for both them and their parents.

“I have multiple autoimmune diseases that the school is aware of, and my mom’s a nurse, so, obviously, she’s working with patients that potentially have this illness or can get this illness. She actually just got moved to work at a testing center. My mom would be conducting the tests and then coming home to me.”

This student explained to

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Online Editor Mya Burns offers book options to read while in quarantine Senior Globe staffer Hannah Walden writes to President Hennigan U-View’s Macot Correspondent explains history of Black Diamond II

Sunday: Rain, H 55, L 39 Monday: Cloudy, H 55, L 37 Tuesday: Cloudy, H 59, L 40

the school that on top of the serious financial issues surrounding their family, it would be dangerous or even deadly to send them home. Despite this, the school denied the student’s request to stay on campus “They just kind of responded and said that I was denied and didn’t really give me any further input as to why,” they said.

According to this student, it was unclear for them and many other students as to what criteria the university was following when deciding who would get to stay on campus.

“My roommate reached out to almost 20 people who applied to stay and not one person got accepted, so I’m just kind of confused as to what the criteria was to be accepted and why they had to fill out a form, and who sat down and read all of these desperate pleas from students to let us live here and still decided to kick us off. Who was the one making that decision?”

The Globe reached out to Dean of Students Keith Paylo to clarify the confusion as his name is on the emails declining move-out exemption requests.

Paylo requested all media inquiries go through Lou Corsaro, the university’s managing director of public relations.

“Point Park staff is working around the clock to make sure our campus community is safe, and that we are following guidance from federal, state and local governments,” Corsaro said. “Managing all the different moving parts during a worldwide crisis like this takes an extraordinary commitment from students, faculty and

HOUSING page 2

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

NEWS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Students criticize response to Students laid off move-out exemption requests after non-essential business closures from HOUSING page 1

staff. That is what we are focused on.”

President of Point Park University Paul Hennigan commented on move-out exemptions in a previous interview on March 16.

“That’s being clarified today. We have a number of requests. We quite frankly have to get legal guidance...We’ll know in a day or two what the guidance is, but we have to make sure we follow all the federal laws and rules on making exceptions,” he said.

The following email sent out to students regarding extended residency only clarified that it would be granting very few exceptions to students, but not on what grounds which they would be accepted or denied.

Another student, who also asked to stay anonymous due to the nature of their situation, was denied despite the possi-

bility that they could become homeless. However, the school sent her a second email after she was denied, letting her know that they had changed the decision as to whether or not she could stay.

“I applied to stay on campus because I don’t really have a stable home environment...

They haven’t been helpful both times I’ve tried to move in and out and so with everything happening, they weren’t being very cooperative as far as coming to pick me up...If they rejected me, I would be facing possible homelessness,” the student said.

She noted that after reaching out for help from a Point Park professor, she was able to get a letter of acceptance.

“On Friday, I was denied, along with pretty much everyone else that I know...I reached out to a professor. She emailed the Student Life Office and told them that she was really concerned, and I knew that she

was part of what helped me get accepted,” they said. “Later Friday night, I got an email and they said ‘Please disregard our last email. After being given additional information, we’ve changed our minds and you can stay on campus until the end of term.”

After this experience with Point Park, the student declared that their faith in the institution had been shaken, due to the university seemingly not taking the complaints of students seriously.

“I would really like to say that it seems like the university handled the situation well... it seems like they didn’t really care or read what we were submitting because they were pleas for help and for them being able to say ‘No, you have to leave,’ and not even offering any help to the students, it’s really heartbreaking” Sarah Gibson

sagibso@pointpark.edu

President charged with 3 separate counts of student conduct notices from VIOLATION page 1 safe, and that we are following guidance from federal, state and local governments. Managing all the different moving parts during a worldwide crisis like this takes an extraordinary commitment from students, faculty and staff. That is what we are focused on.”

On March 13, Berlin followed this up by announcing on Twitter that he had been given a student conduct notice regarding his communication with the students. The tweet read: “Residents are without their REs. COPA and comm lack the infrastructure to complete their classes. Questions about commencement are rampant. Despite the chaos, Point Park has decided to spend its time giving me a Conduct Violation- for accurately reporting that the school was closing.”

Paired with the tweet was a screenshot of a student conduct notice, alleging that Jake “used social media in a manner that caused unnecessary stress to the university.”

The conduct notices that Berlin was charged with are as follows: 3i:Oper.- Operational Obstruction Intentionally obstructs the operation and functions of the university.

3k:Oper.-Other Policy Violates any other published university policy or regulation.

3l:Oper.- Conduct Unbecoming Exhibits conduct unbecoming of a university student.

In the letter, it clarifies that the policy broken in his second charge was the university’s “Freedom of Expression” policy, which states: “Point Park University reserves the right to review a computer user’s individual home page for appropriate content. Content should reflect the mission, vision and standards of the university.

The information posted must not be represented as an official opinion or viewpoint of Point Park University.”

Berlin’s tweets did not go without criticism or praise.

Krist Munoz-Malave, a junior cinema production major, understood Berlin’s actions, but

didn’t necessarily agree with his practice “I think the president could easily say ‘I could have provided more information and I could have waited, but I felt like it was more important for the students to know,’” Munoz-Malave said. “I understand that and I sympathize with it, I just don’t necessarily agree with the idea of ignoring the fact that your actions have consequences.”

Munoz-Malave also spoke on Berlin’s very public handling of his student conduct violation on Twitter.

“I feel like right now is a national pandemic and President Jake Berlin is making it about himself,” Munoz-Malave said. “In the place of a national emergency, it just might be the time to take a back seat.”

Madison Mitchell, a freshman information technology major, noted that Berlin was not the only person trying to alert the students as to what the university was planning before they said anything.

“At face value it didn’t really look that great because why is a student saying something about the university? Where are his facts coming from?”

Mitchell said. “After knowing the story a lot more, it was clear that this was like a moral issue of the university knowing that they were going to be closing and various people knowing about this but the university deciding to wait for absolutely no reason besides ‘Let’s wait.’

I think that he was completely right for making the twitter post and informing students.”

Mitchell also noted that this wasn’t the first time she had seen people offering information about the university’s closing before the university does. While she also received information from an international student hinting that Point Park closing the dorms was becoming more likely, she also referenced a post on a Point Park Parents page that had been screenshotted and shared among students.

In the post, a parent of a student tells the group that a housing employee advised her to start making plans for moving students out. This was posted before the university came forth with the information

that they would be closing the dorms. The original author of the post was reached out to, but declined to comment.

In a statement sent to The Globe after his post-hearing interview, Berlin stated the following regarding his student conduct meeting held with JW Tabacchi, Director of Student Development: “My phone call with JW [Tabacchi] devolved into bizarre, irrelevant comments which I feel were aimed to personally attack me (‘Your Constitution, which you still haven’t changed from USG…’). He said my tweet ‘pulled a mother away from her toddler as she had to deal with’ my post…He said, ‘People do not view you as a journalist,’ and ‘You have no information.’ I am most concerned with his assertion that I fabricated my reporting, as he said ‘I think you’re lying. I think you’re using your journalistic integrity to be a liar.’”

The Globe reached out to Tabacchi regarding Berlin’s claims, and he too requested all media inquiries go through Corsaro.

Corsaro gave The Globe the same response as he gave when previously asked about Berlin’s claims against Paylo.

At the time of The Globe’s publication, Berlin had requested an appeal to the warning he received at the end of his student conduct hearing. In his request email, the two following statements were also provided regarding the tweets and student conduct hearing: “My discussion with JW [Tabacchi] was focused on semantics like ‘the definition of the word ‘closing’’ and ‘the extent to which the university is still operating.’ I think this conversation between us could be used to productively address campus issues such as political/media relations, the role of the president, and the role of student journalists...I have spoken to multiple journalism professors who believe I acted ethically and responsibly. This unnecessary blame is going to cause more frustration across the campus community, and I think we all would appreciate a swift resolution,” Berlin said.

Sarah Gibson

sagibso@pointpark.edu

Dara Collins Editor-in-Chief

Western Pa. college students are filing for unemployment in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

On the evening on Sunday, March 15, Governor Tom Wolf ordered that all restaurants and bars stop their dine-in services in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties effective 12:01 a.m. on March 16.

Also on March 16, the Wolf administration urged non-essential businesses to close for a minimum of 14 days. These businesses include gyms, concert venues, sporting event venues and hair and nail salons.

On March 17, Emily MacIntyre received a letter from her employer, Millie’s Homemade, that she was laid off, the same day she was supposed to start training to become assistant manager.

“I can no longer save to move out of my mom’s house, so I’m lucky enough I’m not losing security in where I’m living, but I am losing security in the control of my life,” MacIntyre said.

MacIntyre, a junior public relations and advertising major at Point Park, worked as a shift leader at Millie’s.

MacIntyre typically worked full-time hours and has become a face of the company, which reflects her nickname, Millie Mac. “I hit my two year anniversary this March 13, which funny enough is the date they gave me to use as my unemployment date to collect unemployment,” MacIntyre said.

MacIntyre said the lay off was unexpected, but she believes the small company is handling the situation as best as it can.

“Laying us off was very sudden and not communicated as an option that could happen to us,” MacIntyre said. “But they did give very helpful instructions in the layoff document on how to go about collecting unemployment and mentioned separately that they intend to eventually call us back to work but gave no indication as to when that may be a possibility and expect us to get by solely on unemployment until their call.”

Aside from the inability to save money, MacIntyre worries about private loan payments, her phone bill and other varying expenses.

“Some big expenses that have been affected are my neuropsych assessments that I need to follow up on some long term damage I have from a brain injury I had two years ago and dental expenses from some lifelong problems I’ve had with my mouth,” MacIntyre said.

Abbi Slezak, a senior biology major at Duquesne University, is also affected by the government shutdown.

Slezak worked as a parttime server at the Cheesecake Factory, and this June will mark her two year anniversary.

Although her employer has been communicating with its employees, Slezak remains frustrated with the situation.

“They have been communicating with us every 24 hours or so,” Slezak said.

“They originally told us we were still getting paid and are now telling us to file for unemployment. There is a lot of confusion and frustration.”

The part-time gig helped pay her bills while in school.

“I live off-campus, so I worked to pay my bills like rent, utilities and electricity,” Slezak said. “Any money left over was for spending.”

Although Slezak isn’t working and Duquesne now holds classes online, she will remain in Pittsburgh rather than return home to Johnstown, Pa. “My dad is immunocompromised, so as a safety precaution, I cannot go home,” Slezak said.

Benjamin Saloga, another part-time server and a senior at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, lost his job at the local Applebee’s.

Saloga used the money to pay for bills, spend on outings and create savings. Currently, he and the rest of the Applebee’s staff are playing it by ear as to when the location will reopen.

“My employer has handled the situation very well and has been very open and compassionate,” Saloga said.

Similarly, Cassidy Black, a sophomore at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, says her Johnstown employer, Valley Dairy Restaurant, has also handled the situation well.

“We got memos frequently from our corporate office with cleaning and sanitizing procedures, signs of COVID-19 and more,” Black said. “My boss was very upset to call employees to tell them that they were out of work for at least two weeks.”

Black, a part-time wait staff member and certified trainer at Valley Dairy, filed for unemployment on March 17 to avoid a heavy impact on pay her car insurance, car payment and college expenses.

“I have some savings that will help me for now because my family can not afford to help, but it won’t last for long and that’s not what I intended on using my savings for,” Black said.

Although the restaurant still offers takeout services, Black’s coworkers and bosses suspect dine-in may remain closed longer than the mandated two weeks.

“We are a little family there and it hurts to not see each other, and we actually have a big group message going to stay in touch right now,” Black said.

Last Thursday, Wolf’s updated order required all non-life-sustaining businesses to close their physical locations effective March 19 at 8 p.m. Enforcement against businesses that did not close began on Saturday, March 21.

Wolf also required restaurants and bars to stop all dinein services across the state.

However, carry-out, delivery and drive-through options may remain available.

As of Monday at 8 p.m, Wolf ordered a stay-at-home order for all residents of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe and Montgomery counties.

Dara Collins

dmcolli2@pointpark.edu

NEWS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

3

SGA announces 2020 election candidates

COVID-19 President, vice president elections set for April 2, 3

changes to university facilties & services Facilities closed until further notice: -Student Center -Center for Media Innovation -University Counseling Center (WALK-INS) -Book Store -Point Perk -UC TV studio -Playhouse Soundstage -Media Services Office -AH Photography Labs -SPS Equipment Labs -West Penn Edit Suites -All IT computer labs

Services online/ by phone until further notice: -Admissions -Financial Aid -Student Accounts -Graduate Admissions -Internation Student Services and Enrollment -COPA Recruiting services -Registrar -Athletics -Library Services -Center for Student Success (disability services, tutoring services, summer and fall registration, student support contacts and getting in touch with your success coordinator) Alysse Baer | The Globe

International, National & Local As of the evening of March 23, the global total of positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has reached nearly 380,000. The death toll stands at 16.5 thousand, and the recovered cases amounts to 101.5 thousand.

China records the most cases of COVID-19 at 81,093, Italy is second with 63,927 and the United States of America has 43,449. All countries have been recording new cases by the thousands.

In the US alone, 545 deaths have been recorded, and the amount of recoveries have totaled 295.

New York has the most cases of COVID-19, surpassing 20,000 cases. Second is New Jersey with just under 3,000 cases.

Pennslvania is the 13th state with the most COVID-19 cases with 644, accouridng to the latest date from the Pennslvania Department of Health.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued a stay-athome order for Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Monroe and Montgomery counties effective 8 p.m. on March 23. Philadelphia is already under a stay-at-home order.

Dara Collins

dmcolli2@pointpark.edu

Grace Tyler Frank-Rempel President Throughout Grace Tyler Frank-Rempel’s time at Point Park, she has had one goal: to graduate from an institution she will be proud to call her alma mater.

“When I look around at the school right now, I am not proud of what I see,” Frank-Rempel said. “After I graduate, I want to be proud of the school I came from.

Running for the position [of president] is the best way I can think of to improve the school.”

Currently, the sophomore intelligence and national security major serves as the vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), where she runs legislative body and executive cabinet meetings, makes herself available on campus to the student body and steps in to both challenge and support current President Berlin.

Before her role as sitting vice president, Frank-Rempel first served as a senator, then was elected into the position of President Pro-Tempore (PPT).

As PPT, she tracked the office hours of SGA’s members and served as a liaison between the executive cabinet and the legislative body.

In fact, it was her position as PPT that gave her the eventual promotion to

vice president. In the SGA constitution, the PPT fills in for the vice president should they resign or be unable to fulfill their duties.

When former Vice President Alexa Lake transferred schools at the end of the fall semester, Frank-Rempel got her call up, which she is thankful for.

“SGA was the first organization that I joined freshman year and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities it has given me,” Frank-Rempel said. “What I love most about serving the student body in SGA is the ability it gives me to influence the school into a community that I am proud to be a part of. “ Though she loves her current position, Frank-Rempel already has big ideas for how she can step into the role of president. “[In addition to] an overall improvement in the functionality and beautification of Point Park’s facilities, I would like for SGA to step up into a position to hold the administration accountable,” Frank-Rempel said. “Particularly in light of the problems we have faced with discrimination in the past year.”

Allison Schubert

alschub@pointpark.edu

Bryce Hayzlett Vice President Ever since Bryce Hayzlett stood before the legislative body to inform students and fellow senators about the controversy surrounding Turning Point USA, he realized he felt comfortable speaking in front of a crowd when it came to the Student Government Association (SGA).

During an SGA meeting on Nov. 11, 2019, Hayzlett revealed two years worth of incidents where Turning Point USA was associated with racism and sexism, citing specific examples from other university chapters of the organization.

Hayzlett, a junior information technology major, has publicly, comfortably and successfully spoken about sensitive and controversial topics. Now and in the future, he wants others to feel comfortable approaching him about anything.

“I’ve been told that I’m easy to approach and talk to as well as a good listener, and I hope that I can use those qualities for students to feel comfortable approaching me with absolutely any concerns that they have relating to the university,” Hayzlett said.

“I like helping anyone in SGA that has questions on how we run, and I expect that we’ll have plenty of new faces after next semester’s freshmen elections.”

Hayzlett currently serves at the President Pro-Tempore but looks to further his involvement in SGA as the next vice president.

Dennis McDermott President Dennis McDermott has always been an outgoing person, and realized shortly after joining the Student Government Association (SGA) that he could use that aspect of his personality to connect with the student body.

“Being in SGA has allowed me to connect with resources not only on campus, but in Pittsburgh as well that can be used as a vehicle for the improvement of people’s lives,” McDermott said. “It has also provided me with the perfect excuse/ talking point to strike up a conversation with literally anyone on campus, to find out things they struggle with on campus and how I can help to alleviate those struggles.”

Currently, McDermott serves as a senator for SGA with seats in the Rules Committee, Student Concerns Committee, Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Committee and the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, but his role in student government extends beyond the walls of the university.

He also is the current president of the Pittsburgh Student Government Council (PSGC), a group of students from member schools of the Pittsburgh Council of Higher Education that meet to discuss the com-

mon needs and concerns of all represented colleges and universities.

“I have always prided myself on being up-todate on the rules of SGA, the student concerns of the university and attending every single meeting,” McDermott said. “I have also learned about issues surrounding the city of Pittsburgh [at PSGC], and brought that information back to the school with ideas on how to solve them at Point Park.”

Throughout his time in SGA, McDermott has been taking notes of what he believes would be best for the student body, and he has turned those notes into ideas that he formed his platform on.

“The number one change I would like to implement is to reduce the level of food insecurity on Point Park’s campus. Point Park has the highest level of food insecurity in Pittsburgh at 44-percent rating at moderate to high levels of food insecurity. That is unacceptable,” McDermott said. “I would also like to ensure the training of new senators and appointees… to give them the ability to seek change on their own terms.”

Allison Schubert

alschub@pointpark.edu

Jordyn Hronec Vice President

As the President Pro-Tempore, Hayzlett’s current duties include creating the schedule and tracking hours for SGA’s work hours, and he would fill in for the current vice president if they were to resign or be absent from a legislative body meeting.

Hayzlett also acts as an ex-officio observer during executive cabinet meetings, in which he serves as a liaison between the executive cabinet and the senate.

Hayzlett expressed his passion for SGA, stating that he serves “out of personal passion and not for a line on a resume.”

“SGA is what I dedicate most of my free time to outside of classes, and I’ll still have plenty of time next academic year to continue this work ethic.”

Hayzlett hopes to keep the senate on track next semester and be a resource for new members.

“After our former vice president transferred, there was a readjustment period that I believe hindered SGA’s productivity,” Hayzlett said. “I want to make sure that nobody is left behind and that we have the most productive year possible.”

“I want to be able to ensure that incoming senators have someone that can help guide them and help them fit into their new role, and I believe that I’m the best person fit for that job,” Hayzlett said.

Dara Collins

dmcolli2@pointpark.edu

Jordyn Hronec believes that Student Government Association (SGA) is more than just gavels, polos and constitutions.

“As vice president, I will specifically be working to ensure that our weekly legislative body meetings possess the correct atmosphere that encourages and uplifts the student body,” Hronec said.

Hronec, a junior multimedia major and the current recording secretary of SGA, already has multiple plans in place to fulfill the role of vice president.

“In order to bolster student involvement and ultimately, student approval of SGA, the correct atmosphere needs to be established within the body, and that all begins with the correct leadership, both inside and outside of meetings,” Hronec said.

Hronec hopes to continue current President Jake Berlin’s work and make legislative body meetings of interest to students.

“At legislative body meetings, SGA tends to discuss a disproportionate amount of internal business over affairs that truly matter to students,” Hronec said. “This needs to change, and I will make it change through several measures, including but not limited to, making agendas public and well-known, accepting student body-driven amendments to agendas and pushing for non-essential, internal votes to occur via SGA’s public email group.”

Hronec has made students a priority in her current role in SGA. In addition to her duties as recording secretary,

Hronec also served as the chair of the Student Concerns Committee. This committee collects, organizes and resolves concerns of the student body.

As chair of the committee, Hronec helped organize the Come Complain events as well as the new monthly Town Hall series. There is also an online concern collecting form that students can access from anywhere at any time that Hronec created.

Hronec feels the role of vice president is integral to SGA functions, especially organizing and motivating the senate.

“In order for the SGA senate to truly reflect the needs of the student body, it needs the correct leadership who will maintain order, but also break down walls created between the body and the students,” Hronec said.

Hronec believes her organization and leadership skills will help her excel as vice president, but she views her most important quality as clarity.

Additionally, Hronec would be holding dual leadership positions as she fills the role of Editor-in-Chief of The Globe next academic year.

She believes the organizations have the same basic goal: to serve the student body.

“In the past, The Globe and SGA have had a contentious relationship,” Hronec said. “Recently, this has changed...This is the relationship that we should have, and it is one that I will continue to foster.”

Dara Collins

dmcolli2@pointpark.edu

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

FEATURES/A&E

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Downtown’s Bluebird Kitchen offers delightful cuisine at the cost of eating into one’s wallet

By Amanda Andrews Co-Features/A&E Editor

Rating: It can be easy as a student to fall into the rhythm of visiting the same fast-food restaurants in Market Square—Chipotle, Noodles and Company, Starbucks. However, if you’re looking for a change in pace, this hipster-esque cafe might just be for you.

Bluebird Kitchen is tucked in between the CVS Pharmacy and Dollar Bank on Forbes Avenue, marked by an unassuming sign of a small bluebird perched in a nest on the side of the building. The interior is of modern chic design, with hardwood floors and stylized chalkboards listing menu items. When I visited during the lunch rush, a whole crowd of people gathered in a slightly unorganized line, entertaining their eyes with the front display case of scrumptious-looking desserts.

I decided to try a bit of everything. Fair notice, if you do this, it’s going to be pricey. For drinks, I ordered a Cappuccino for $3.75 and European Style Drinking Chocolate for $5.25. There were three soups for the day, so I chose the Cauliflower Curry and Chicken and Quinoa soups. Each of those was $4.50. The cafe also provides a wide array of sandwiches, so I chose the House Roast Beef, priced at $9.50. Of course, I couldn’t pass up on trying the desserts, so I got an Orange Chamomile cupcake and a chocolate chip cookie dough cookie sandwich. Unfortunately, I’ve lost my receipt to the sands of time, so I can’t remember what exactly I paid for the two desserts but it was definitely upwards of $5.00.

Altogether, my total was upwards of $30.00, although I did order an insane amount of food that I ended up sharing with some friends.

So, was it worth it? It’s yes and no from me.

Amanda Andrews | The Globe A chocolate chip cookie dough sandwich from Bluebird Kitchen

Amanda Andrews | The Globe An orange chamomile cupcake and a cappuccino from Bluebird Kitchen

The drinks are made by a barista, so the drinking chocolate is much better than if you pop a mug of Swiss Miss in the microwave. It can be made with either whole or skim milk, but I personally opted for whole milk, so that the drink would be as deliciously as unhealthy as possible. The chocolate drink, as a result, is so much more velvety than your average hot chocolate, making it taste as rich as a chocolate bar melting in your mouth. Again, though, it is nearly $6.00 for only 12 ounces. The cappuccino, in my opinion, was more fairly priced, and it was strong enough to get me through my hour and a half and three-hour classes of the day.

As for the soup, the Cauliflower Curry is a creamy soup and tastes unassuming at first, but it has a flavorful punch

once you swallow. Whereas the Chicken and Quinoa was more broth-based like a chicken noodle soup and was pretty hearty, and it’s a good pick if you have a sore throat.

Although, I should say at this time if you’re feeling ill, please stay at home until you feel better.

The House Roast Beef is made up of medium-rare beef, oven-dried tomatoes, thyme onion, arugula and horseradish aioli on ciabatta bread.

However, the sandwich was not the most appealing for me personally. While the bread tasted very fresh, the tomatoes were very tart, and there was too much aioli on the sandwich for me to enjoy it.

The desserts were the highlight of the menu items I chose. The icing wasn’t too sweet, and it did not taste like

the typical saturated taste of an American buttercream even with rock sugar and orange flakes on the top. It didn’t exactly stay on top of the cupcake though, so be careful when eating. The chamomile flavoring was in the icing while the orange was more pronounced in the cake. The actual cake was very moist and citrus-y. I am a traditionalist when it comes to food, so I preferred the chocolate chip cookie dough cookie sandwich, which was an edible cookie dough spread sandwiched in between two chocolate chip cookies. The cookies were crispy enough on the outside while being airy on the inside—exactly what I want out of a chocolate chip cookie. That would have been good enough on its own, but the cookie dough was like a satisfactory sweet icing. Essentially, it’s heaven for chocolate chip cookie lovers.

Overall, the selection I chose was a mix of some hits and misses. I would recommend trying their desserts and drinks...if you’re willing to fork over the money that is. I should note this visit happened two weeks ago and the Bluebird Kitchen did not respond to any calls about whether they are open for takeout or curbside delivery, so this may not be an option until the closures of businesses are lifted. If that is the case, this wouldn’t be a bad pick to put on your restaurant bucket list once the world returns to normal.

Amanda Andrews aaandre@pointpark.edu

Best young adult books to read in quarantine Mya Burns Online Editor

If you’re one of the thousands of people in the United States that either has the coronavirus or might have come in contact with it or if you’re practicing responsible social distancing/self-quarantine, you’re going to be spending a lot of time alone at home right now. Books are one of the best ways to escape into a world that isn’t your own for a little while.

With the rise of audiobook services and ways to get ebooks on your phone or other devices, it’s easy to fill

your endless hours quarantined away with some good reads. If you’re not really in the mood to read nonfiction right now because real life is a little bit too much, here are seven Young Adult books to read while you’re stuck inside for the next two weeks:

“The Lunar Chronicles” series, Marissa Meyer If you’re looking for a series to get lost in, this is the first one I would recommend. This series is set in a dystopian future where there’s an impending conflict between the Lunar Peo-

ple and the people of what used to be Earth. There are cyborgs, including the main character Cinder. Each book in the series introduces a new character that is a unique, dystopian, almost steampunk approach to the classic fairytale princesses, like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

This series hooked me from the beginning, and I’m definitely planning on finishing the rest of it while I’m home.

“Persepolis,” Marjane Satrapi

Bates Motel

“Persepolis” is a graphic novel memoir written by Marjane Satrapi. It details her experience living in Iran during the Islamic revolution. This subject was something I had never looked into on my own before reading this book. It was really interesting to see a memoir told through the format of a graphic novel, and it was able to keep my attention much more than a regular book. If you enjoy history and want to increase your knowledge of revolutions in other countries, give this a read. Plus, maybe it’ll give you some insight into the months of tension between Iran and the U.S. in early 2020.

Black Mirror

“Ready Player One,” Ernest Cline

CREEPY AND

BINGEWORTHY on Netflix You Dexter

The Sinner Haunting of Hill House Supernatural Alysse Baer | The Globe

Love pop culture, video games and dystopian novels?

Look no further than “Ready Player One.” This novel follows Wade Watts as he becomes involved in the search for puzzles left behind by the creator of the virtual reality system, OASIS. OASIS is where most people spend all of their time in this future,

and when Watts finds the first clue in a series of quests, he realizes that people are willing to kill, either in the game— or in real life. In order to live, he has to find all of the clues and pass all of the tests to win.

“I’ll Give You the Sun,” Jandy Nelson

I know that not everyone is going to want to read a dystopian novel in a time where real life feels like it could be the setting of one. If you’re looking for something heartfelt, beautifully written, but not dystopian, read “I’ll Give You the Sun.” This novel follows the lives of twins Jude and Noah and slowly reveals the stories of their lives. The chapters describing the past are told through Noah’s point of view, and the future chapters are through Jude’s. This novel made me cry a lot, but luckily it was happy tears.

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” Sherman Alexie

This novel follows Junior, a Native American teen living on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He enjoys drawing cartoons and feels that there’s a life for him outside of the reservation, so he decides to transfer to the all-white school outside of his reservation. The author of this novel, Sherman Alexie, said that it’s based on his own experiences growing up as a Native American in the U.S. This book would be a great read right now if you’re unfamiliar with the struggles of Native Americans in the United States. They’re currently struggling a lot with

the spread of coronavirus on reservations, especially because they’re not getting the health care assistance they should be from the government. After reading this, maybe consider donating to a Native American to aid with COVID-19 relief.

“Fangirl,” Rainbow Rowell

Here’s another novel that has nothing to do with dystopian futures or the scary reality of not being a white American. This novel is actually about fanfiction, and it’s amazing. It explores two twin sisters that grew a fanbase writing fanfiction about fictional character Simon Snow.

Now that they’re at college, Cath wants to continue their writing but Wren distances herself, saying she doesn’t want to live with Cath their freshman year. This book is relatively low-stakes but will still get you in your feels.

“Zeroes,” Scott Westerfield

Last but not least, we have “Zeroes.” This book is about six California teens that have superpowers.

They’re called Zeroes, and when something goes wrong with one of the teens, the only people that can help are the other Zeroes. That becomes a little difficult when we learn that they’re not very fond of each other anymore.

“Zeroes” is full of adventure, action and emotion, and, even as someone that doesn’t always enjoy reading highstakes action novels, this was an incredibly enjoyable adventure, to say the least.

Mya Burns

mnburns@pointpark.edu

OPINIONS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

THE

GL BE’S POINT We’re here for you

In two days, campus will be nearly empty. For some of you, this is not the best outcome.

Last week, a whole lot of chaos was created when the deadline to move out was created and then shortly moved up. In fact, we had to rewrite and revise our coverage numerous times in the moments leading up to our deadline to send the paper to print. It was all pretty whiplash-inducing.

Now, there’s an even bigger problem: some Pioneers are being forced from the safety of their dorms, suites and apartments into homes that may be unsafe.

Many students who this applies to took their concerns to Twitter, and we at The Globe read every single one.

Our hearts are broken for you. Your requests to remain in the safety of your on-campus housing, where quarantining and self-isolation are still possible, were denied without reason. You’re also required to keep up with online coursework while coordinating moving-out and adjusting to life back home in a new, scary world.

This is an odd and unfair time. We at The Globe understand that there is no fun

5

An apology letter from the editor ‘I’m so sorry...but I’m so proud of you’

By Dara Collins Editor-in-Chief

Point Park Globe globe@pointpark.edu

I am so, so sorry.

I am so sorry to the freshmen who didn’t even get to experience a full first year of college life on a college campus in such a vibrant city.

I am so sorry to the sophomores and juniors who had their semester cut short and are losing out on time spent with their closest college friends.

Most of all, I am so sorry to the seniors that had the last weeks of their undergraduate career ripped away in an instant.

I’m a senior, and like the rest of my graduating class, we were on track to walk across the stage in front of our cheering, clapping and crying families and friends one month from today.

If things were normal, we would still have four weeks of class before finals week. If things were normal, Village Park would be lively and filled with laughing students basking in the early spring sunlight or lack thereof thanks to our gloomy, beautiful city.

If things were normal, I wouldn’t have to write this.

The world has seen pandemics before, but everyone is repeating the same phrases recently: “We’ve nev-

more proud of these past four years of hard work and determination at Point Park than walking across that stage, getting my diploma and shaking your hand to close this chapter of my life before officially entering the “real world.”

While no handshaking will or should take place, there needs to be an official, in-person ceremony when the time is right. Anything less can only be described as a soul-crushing disappointment that my four years as a Pioneer won’t come to a head in this all-important ceremony like it was intended.

I’m sure you already know, but so much time and hard work go into doing well during college. Large work-

loads from each course, semester after semester, all while juggling work and personal lives; and that hard work needs to be recognized.

I’m sure you don’t need a reminder about how much money we students and families have spent on tuition, dorms, meal plans, books and more while working towards our degrees. Our families expect to see their money in action, with us on the graduation stage where they can take photos and feel parental pride in our success before we go out and use the skills we learned in and outside of the classroom in a job setting.

In addition, please keep in mind the international students and students who left their

hashtag or any other method of reassurance that can help at this time. However, we can assure you that our editors and writers are working day in and day out to provide you with answers. We are in constant contact with the administration, as well as the Student Government Association, to get to the bottom of things. Expanding the negotiation power of the students is one task that must be completed, and this is more evident now than it has ever been before. Know that you have a dedicated group of student leaders who are working very hard on your behalf. It is our job to do so, and we would be remiss if we started slacking now.

For Pioneers who may be feeling unsafe at home right now, feel free to reach out to The Globe’s editorial staff.

We would be more than willing to assist you in connecting to resources that can help you, as well as letting your concerns be known to the administration.

Please stay as safe as possible, everyone. We’re counting on you.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

er seen anything like this before,” and “...these unprecedented and uncertain times...”

I understand the severity of our current situation, and I understand the precautions the government is taking to protect the safety and well-being of all individuals. The cases of COVID-19 are rising across the globe, across the country and in our very own state.

It’s a terrifying time, but this virus is also manageable, and we will return to a normal lifestyle someday.

I’m certainly not a healthcare professional, so I can’t tell you whether that will be in weeks, months or years. I’m just the girl sitting on her bed typing away into the late hours of the night to share my deepest, sincerest sympathy with every single one of you.

Freshmen, this isn’t what college is like. Sophomores and juniors, you know this isn’t what college is like.

Seniors, this isn’t how college was supposed to end.

But it did - and here’s what we all have to celebrate.

Freshmen, you’ve had your first taste of the college experience. You’ve started your journey of a lifelong friendship with the friends who stuck by your side through all of the newness

that is your first year away from home.

Sophomores, you have another year under your belt. You’re climbing through your degree with flying colors. Your entry-level classes are mostly out of way - unless you’re like me and put off a few general education courses until the last minute.

Juniors, you’re almost there! You have one more year left, but please, take it from someone who is just weeks away from the finish line, don’t wish it all away.

You have one more year to be with the friends you’ve known for three years but feel like you’ve known them your entire life. Finish out strong, strengthen that GPA and get serious about job hunting.

Seniors, you’ve nearly done it all. Four more weeks and we will have completed our undergraduate degrees.

We will say goodbye to our favorite professors, roommates and our best friends, the late nights and early mornings, the tears, the laughs and our home away from home.

I’m so sorry it ended like this, but I’m so proud of you.

Dara Collins dmcolli2@pointpark.edu

An open letter to Paul Hennigan: online commencement is not the option that graduating seniors want or deserve

By Hannah Walden Co-Copy Desk Chief

Dear Paul Hennigan, I am a graduating senior that was more than excited to graduate at the end of April.

I understand the concerns around COVID-19 and the changes to PPU life to prevent an outbreak. However, as a graduating senior, please understand my concerns and the concerns of my fellow graduating Pioneers circulating around commencement.

I’ve attended every commencement since I started attending Point Park, since the graduating class of 2017.

After every commencement, I have looked forward to this moment in my life more and more. Nothing makes me

home towns and moved across the state or even the country to dance, produce, design, write and study their butts off at Point Park that won’t have the opportunity to come back and have a real commencement like they were promised when they committed to Point Park their freshman year.

In short; we don’t just want a virtual commencement.

Nothing is a bigger slap in the face than holding a ceremony of that level of importance over Skype, Zoom or other video conference services after working so hard to get to that ceremony in the first place.

There could be a virtual commencement for the students that won’t have the opportunity to be in Pittsburgh

for an actual ceremony but don’t just stop there. Please keep your eyes and ears open for news and put together a possible timeline for when graduating seniors can plan for an in-person commencement, even if it is at the end of the Summer 2020 or Winter 2020 semesters.

We didn’t work this hard to be completely shut out because of an outbreak. We are adapting to this new way of digital learning before entering the workforce. All we ask is that there is an adaption on both sides to ensure that we get what we earned and what we paid for.

Hannah Walden hwalde@pointpark.edu

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far since PPU has switched online?

“For me, the biggest challenge has been getting back into a rhythm. I’m so used to having a pace that the classes run at, and now that the pace is all out of whack, some professors have uploaded everything for us to do, with certain due dates, others are more ‘we’ll go by what comes,’ it’s trying to find that rhythm again while working from home.” - Ray Hazenstab , junior broadcast production major “Finding the motivation to do my work is the hardest, also not having all the proper equipment to complete my homework until the last minute is stressing me out. Also, not having to pack up my entire life without any sort of forewarning has not been great.” - Kate Griffith, sophomore cinema production major “Being kicked off of campus while originally being told we could stay, but still having classes during the week...and losing work study.” - Kasey Newman , junior education major Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967 Editor-in-Chief: Dara Collins Editor-Elect: Jordyn Hronec Business Manager: Nathan Vrablic Faculty Adviser: Aimee-Marie Dorsten Administrative Adviser: Dean Keith Paylo The Globe board consists of Dara Collins, Jordyn Hronec and fellow editors. Opinion articles, letters to the editor, columns and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the position of the newspaper or editorial board. The Globe reserves the right to refuse advertising and edit all submitted articles and letters to the editor. Letters to the editor must be signed and include author’s contact information. The Globe offices are located at the corner of Wood Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard. Writers should address letters to:

The Globe 201 Wood Street, Box 23 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or globe@pointpark.edu

Advertising: Submit advertising related inquiries to globeadvertising@pointpark.edu All ads must be approved by the university.

The deadline for ads is Friday at 5 p.m.

Details: ppuglobe.com/advertising Story Ideas: If you have a story you think The Globe can use, email globe@pointpark.edu Meetings: Mondays at 2:40 p.m. in the CMI Details: ppuglobe.com/contribute

News Editors: Jake Dabkowski, Luke Mongelli Photo Editor: Jared Murphy Features/A&E Editors: Amanda Andrews, Tia Bailey Photo Editor: Emma Federkeil Sports Editor: Allison Schubert Photo Editor: Mallory Neil

Public Relations Co-Coordinator: Jake Berlin, Regan Tischler Graphic Design: Alysse Baer Staff Photographers: Katie Williams, Kylie Thomas, Alexis Wary Staff Writers: Rosalie Anthony, Jake Berlin, Ben Reinke, Mason Strawn, Logan Dubil, Zoey Angelucci, Kylie Thomas

Opinions Editors: Sarah Gibson, Shannon Copy Editors: Mya Burns, Chandni Shah, NarHartnett dos Haile, Sabry Mohieldin Online Editor: Mya Burns Delivery Assistant: Mya Burns Copy Desk: Sara Cronin, Hannah Walden Social Media Coordinator: Payton Comunale

6

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020

All In with Allison

How to stay active while at home and practicing social distancing Advice from Adam Brown, MS, ATC, LAT Certified Athletic Trainer

By Allison Schubert Sports Columnist

A World Without Sports Not once in my entire writing career— no, scratch that, not once in my entire life did I think I would even have to imagine a world where sports did not exist, let alone live in one.

I knew I would be bored when the announcement of all of the athletic seasons’ postponements came out, but I did not know just how sad I would be. Like, all the time.

The sadness began on March 11, the date that the NBA suspended their season for a minimum of 30 days after the Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

One day later, the NHL followed suit. The league and player’s association asked athletes to self-quarantine until March 27, but practices were pushed to late April at the earliest. What does that mean for all of us, hockey lovers? A resuming date that will not be until May, should no more delays ensue.

The same day as the NHL’s announcement, the NCAA canceled their March Madness tournaments, both men’s and women’s, and also canceled all remaining winter and spring championships throughout the rest of the semester.

The MLB was knee-deep in spring training when the league indefinitely suspended the remainder of spring training and delayed the start of the regular season by months. The league did say it was “committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins.”

The MLS suspended all play for a minimum of eight weeks, with U.S. Soccer canceling appearances by the men’s and women’s national teams as well as all youth national team training.

The NFL, although not as affected as the other leagues, did cancel its league-wide end of March meeting, as well as forbidding teams to make in-person visits with draft-eligible players indefinitely. As

of the time of publication, the draft scheduled for April 2325 in Las Vegas is still a go.

The XFL, however, was mid-season when the outbreak occurred, and on March 12 players were informed that the rest of the 2020 season will not be played.

Finally, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed after teams around the world called for the postponement due to a lack of ability to train leading up to the games.

Other events, like the Masters and big city marathons, have been pushed back or canceled due to the outbreak as well.

Even the Australian Football League canceled games earlier this week.

It has been said countless times since the COVID-19 outbreak began: we have never seen anything like this.

I never, ever thought that we would see a world without sports. Those that do not even watch or enjoy sports are seeing the effects that a sportsless world has on society.

Sports are not vital to life.

It may seem like it to some, but the simple fact is that we can all live in a world that does not include sports.

The simple fact of the matter is that we choose not to because sports add excitement.

They bond people together.

I guess that is the positive we can take out of all of this. We’re all going through it together.

Imagine when all of the suspensions are lifted, the postponements cease and those canceled events get rescheduled.

Attendance is going to skyrocket; TV viewership is going to reach new records; those bonds that were tested over this temporary break are going to be stronger than ever.

We may be living in a world without sports now, but imagine how sweet it will be on the other side.

Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Stretch! Stretch! Stretch!

-3 sets and hold for 30 seconds for hamstrings, quads and calves Foam roll IT bands and other muscle groups to relieve tension Work on balance -Hold for 30 seconds 6 times -Double leg; progress to single leg -Eyes open; progress to eyes closed Straight leg raises -Lay on stomach, back and both sides Theraband exercises -Tie it around knees or ankles and complete “monster walks” by walking back and forth against the resistance band Jog or take a long walk

Alysse Baer | The Globe

A historical account of Point Park’s bison mascot

U-View’s Mascot Correspondent weighs in

By Sarah Gibson Co-Opinions Editor

While Point Park is home to the Pioneers, that’s not what the symbol on Point Park’s logo happens to be, which has caused some confusion regarding the real mascot of Point Park.

While the athletes may be referred to as the Pioneers, Point Park’s mascot is a bison. There is a difference between a team name and what the mascot is, and sometimes people confuse the two. Mascots are defined as being the characters or symbols representative of a certain team or group. In this case, “Pioneers” is just the name of the team, or nickname.

Point Park chose a mascot in 1967, the first year that it allowed its sports teams to compete intercollegiately with other four year institutions.

The bison became Point Park’s mascot when the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity teamed up with the Varsity Club to buy a live bison which they named “Black Diamond II.” He lived in South Park, Pa. on a bison reserve that still stands today. The school brought him to parades and certain sporting events where he was wildly popular.

Even after his eventual death, the university bought a monument to the mascot that is on display in the Academic Hall Lobby.

Wait, Black Diamond II? Whatever happened to Black

Diamond I? Well, Black Diamond I was a North American bison from another generation entirely. Born in 1893, he lived in the Central Park Menagerie, which today is the Central Park Zoo, for 22 years.

Black Diamond I was used as the model for the US Buffalo Nickel coin introduced in 1913. He was still on the back of the nickel in 1967, so the student body saw it fit to name the new mascot “Black Diamond II.” While Black Diamond II is no longer a live bison, he is just as involved in the spirit of Point Park. In fact, in 2018, Black Diamond II was voted as the most popular mascot in the River States Conference.

That’s all the history I’m able to access without going into the University archives, and while I’d love to do that, it’s not much of an option right now. So, instead, I’d like to use my position as the Official Senior Mascot Correspondent of the Pioneer Sideline (on U-View) to talk about what the school can do to improve on our mascot.

I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that the school could use some school spirit right now. Do not get me wrong, I’m a fan of the Black Diamond who comes to sports games and greets students during special occasions on campus, but I don’t think it would be a bad idea to get back to our roots.

What I am suggesting,

of course, is buying another bison.

I’m not suggesting we get rid of the friendly, furry, bipedal Black Diamond. I think he does a wonderful job for the tasks he’s given, but can you tell me that it wouldn’t warm your little heart to go on a field trip once a month to the South Park Bison Reserve to see a bison that your school sponsors?

It could be a very fun university bonding exercise. We could bring picnic supplies and have a nice picnic. In the winter, we can go caroling at the bison reserve and wish our bison a happy holiday.

Now, when our school bought a bison in 1967, they brought him to sports games and parades. That’s a tradition I suggest that we break.

I think that we should sponsor the bison, but he should not leave the reserve.

I think the bison we sponsor (which would not cost a lot in the grand scheme of everything) would be a lovely symbol, and it would also give our students a chance to connect with their namesake.

I think the bison is a great idea for a mascot, but I think it would be even better to give university students the chance to see what that really means, to give them the chance to see the strength and stoic beauty that is the bison.

Sarah Gibson sagibso@pointpark.edu