IN THIS ISSUE:
PAGE International athletes,
5 PAGE 8 PAGE 9
@PPUGlobe December 6, 2017
dancers, models choose Point Park on global scale Editor-in-Chief Alexander Popichak reflects on tenure as term draws to close Two track and field athletes qualify for nationals in first meet ppuglobe.com
Celebrating 50 years of covering the world of Point Park University news
Public Safety to implement updated security technology for fall of 2018 By Nikole Kost
January 2017
Photo Editor
As Angela Altieri waited in Lawrence Hall for her parents to pick her up, she said a man later identified as Dalbert Banks approached her and asked if she was a dance major. After Altieri said no, Banks brushed her off and continued to prowl outside of the dance studio until the registered sex offender was arrested the next day on numerous charges. “When I was reading [the article] that’s when I saw the picture and was like ‘that’s the guy I was talking to the day before it happened,’” Altieri said. Following a review of safety proceedures, Point Park officials have opted purchasing a new visitor management system (VMS) aimed at increasing security
Sept. 22, 2017
Dalbert Banks arrested VMS purchased and on campus. implemented across campus Point Park begins review Lawrence Hall becomes of security protocol locked 24/7 Sept. 7, 2017
Fall 2018 Isabelle Opsitos | The Globe
A timeline of events surrounding Public Safety’s reevaluation of security policies. and vigilance campus-wide about who is allowed on campus by fall 2018. A VMS is a digital logbook which keeps track of where and when individuals check in to a particular building. The VMS is developed by Software House and uses an online portal that allows authorized operators to create and manage scheduled visits and process visitors from the time they sign
in and sign out. Point Park Chief of Police Jeffrey Besong declined an interview regarding the purchase of the VMS. Besong commented in an emailed statement: “After reviewing the safety and security needs of Point Park University, the Public Safety Department is moving forward with the purchase of a Visitor Management System,” the state-
ment read in part. Instead of taking a guest’s ID when signing in, the guest will be added to the online guest log. Guest IDs will no longer need to be held at the security desk. If a person trying to sign in is banned from campus, the system will notify security. “The plan is to roll out this system in fall 2018,” Be-
VMS page 2
Issue 14
Destination confusion: students unsure of waitlist status By Lauren Ortego Co-Copy Desk Chief
For the spring course International Media, Point Park’s registration program, Jenzabar, is unable to create wait lists for dual-listed courses going into the spring semester. Helen Fallon, the professor who teaches the course, has to keep her own personal waitlist for the class and the subsequent trip to Italy that comes at the end of it. Jenzabar, the company Point Park uses for registering, does not allow a waitlist for dual-listed courses, meaning that the class is both for graduate and undergraduate students.
WAITLIST page 2
Point Park students part of team USG discusses future knocking The Pitch out of the park approaches to funding By Alexander Popichak Editor-in-Chief
Two Point Park students were members of the winning firm of this year’s “The Pitch” advertising competition. The annual competition, sponsored by the Pittsburgh regional chapter of the Advertising Federation (AdFed), challenges six groups of advertising students to craft a marketing plan for a specific client. Teams are assigned a local professional advertising firm to assist in the creation of a plan but all of the work is developed by advertising and marketing students from the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Kayla Belovich, a junior advertising and public relations
major, said a class with public relations and advertising professor Bob O’Gara inspired her to join the competition. “I was in Bob O’Gara’s class and he said, ‘if you’re in advertising you should look into doing this, it’s ‘The Pitch,” Belovich said Sunday. “I was, like, ‘that’s what I want to do with my life so I should be a part of it and hopefully this will help me see if I am capable of doing that in my future.” Belovich and senior advertising and public relations major Kristina Pacifico were the two Point Park students on the 12-person team. The task at hand for each advertising team was to provide a marketing strategy for Outreach Teen and Family Services based in Mt. Lebanon, Pa.
“This wasn’t a re-branding project,” Pacifico said Sunday. “They wanted to reach out to more teens, which is their main target audience, and they just wanted to know what our thoughts were.” Belovich and Pacifico said their team’s strategy was to make use of social media and other low-cost advertising methods to target teenagers who may be hesitant to seek counseling on their own. The teams have eight hours to create a marketing strategy with the assistance of their host advertising firm. Based on an eight page proposal and a ten minute video, two finalists are chosen to present a full pitch directly to their client.
THE PITCH page 3
USG By Hannah Walden USG Beat Writer
Student government ended the semester by discussing future funding periods and internal procedures. During the Treasurer’s Report, United Student Government (USG) Treasurer Josh Croup started a discussion within the legislative body about allocated club funds during the past two semesters. “In talking with the SAIL office recently, each of the past two semesters we’ve had at least one club overspend their allocated budget,” Croup said. “Some by more amounts than others, but we haven’t had a
situation where that has hurt USG’s budget or individual organizations, but we also never took steps to address the situation before or after they arise.” As the senators discussed how to approach clubs overspending their allocated funds, the question arose as to potential consequences placed on organizations that extensively exceed their allocations. “Something to think about is what that process is,” Dean of Student Life Michael Gieseke said. “Right now a club goes over [budget], what is USG’s process for dealing with that?” Once the funding leaves USG’s hands, it is up the Office of Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership (SAIL) to authorize purchases.
USG page 3
Bubble soccer returns to warm welcome
PIONEER PICASSO
By Dannys Marrero For the Globe
Carley Bonk | The Globe
Sports, arts and entertainmnet major Shayla Gebhardt and broadcast production major Yvette Hines paint cityscapes on canvas during a Campus Activities Board Event Monday night.
Point Park’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) brought back its annual Bubble Soccer event to provide students with the opportunity to make new friends, relieve some stress and have fun wearing inflatable bubbles. Students who took part on Nov. 29 formed two separate teams while constraining their movement through human-size inflatable bubbles. The winning team had to be the first to score two out of three goals. Carmella Cuomo, a senior dance major and member of CAB’s Special Events committee oversaw the event this year. When asked
about her expectations on the student turnout, she expressed optimism towards a large crowd. “This is Bubble Soccer’s third year and each year it’s been getting more and more popular,” Cuomo said. Once the doors opened and students were allowed into the gym, the crowd grew as the night continued with over 50 participants. “I went to this event last year and it was really fun,” Christian Barker, a sophomore performances and practices major said. “I came in today and loved it. They should have it twice a year.” As the matches wore on, the players clashed,
SOCCER page 2
Weather Forecast Today: Sunny H 42, L 26
Thursday: Partly Cloudy, H 36, L 23 Friday: Mostly Sunny, H 37, L 22 Saturday: Mostly Cloudy, H 38, L 22
Sunday: Partly Cloudy , H 36, L 27 Monday: Cloudy, H 38, L 24 Tuesday: Cloudy, H 34, L 16
Point Park
GLOBE
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
NEWS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
University to adopt new visitor sign-in software from VMS page 1
LOCAL Sean Elliot Martin, instructor and director of online programs for the Department of Criminal Justice and Intelligence Studies, was recently honored by the Black Belt Hall of Fame. In 2003, Martin created his own style of martial arts, Kage-Essensu. He told the university website that Kage-Essensu is an efficient and practical method of martial arts that was developed for lifeor-death situations. Martin has been teaching the style at Point Park for 14 years, according to the university. Along with being recognized, Martin taught a workshop at the event on Kage-Essensu which he now does annually. ---Pioneer Records named senior musical theatre major, Gabe Reed, their latest recording artist to sign on to the student-run label. Each year, the record company encourages student musicians to enter a contest for a chance to sign to the label. For Reed, Pioneer Records will have 300 copies of his debut EP printed and film a music video. This coming April, they will also host an EP release show at the club stage of Stage AE. According to the university website, Reed took interest in music from a young age when he would listen to his father play guitar. ---The Gender and Sexualty Spectrum Alliance (GSSA) is currently working to provide sanitary products in certain restrooms around campus. The club recently added pads and tampons to three gender neutral restrooms around campus. After condoms were made available to students during the 2016 school year, the club had the idea to provide these products to students. If the initiative proves successful, GSSA would like to add sanitary products to more campus restrooms.
song said in the statement. “As always, the Public Safety Department operates with a goal of keeping the campus safe for our community members and visitors.” Besong declined to comment on further protocol if a person banned from campus tries to sign in. During a Sept. 25 meeting with United Student Government, Besong said planning for the system began in January of 2017. “It’s very tough to secure this whole campus because you don’t want it to be the penitentiary,” Besong said Sept. 25. Residents who are hosting guests are notified by email when visitors checkin, according to the Software House website. Besong confirmed via email that the VMS will be active campus-wide 24/7 and security hours will remain the same. Earlier in the semester, desk attendant hours on campus were cut which has been a concern for some students after the incident involving Dalbert Banks in Lawrence Hall. The Sept. 7 incident led to an altercation resulting in Banks fleeing. Police tasered Banks as he ran outside through the stairs setting off the emergency alarm, afterwards running into traffic where he was eventually arrested on the sidewalk. Public Safety did not issue a PointAlert following the arrest. However, colleges and universities have been required to comply with the Clery Act since 1990. The
Nikole Kost | The Globe
Certain campus buildings now check ID 24/7 as part of new security procedures being implemented. halls. This assists emergency personnel and our residence life staff,” Bannister said. Students approached their USG representatives with safety concerns following their meeting with Besong. “Especially what happened in front of Lawrence Hall earlier [Banks’ arrest] this semester, we really wanted to do more of a push to talk about safety and really get everyone on the same page about what’s happening around our campus,” USG Press Secretary Sabrina Bodon said. “We just want students to be as aware of what’s going on as possible.” Harleigh Foster, a sophomore sports, art and entertainment management major and Lawrence Hall resident, didn’t hear that someone was arrested outside of Lawrence Hall until she read it about it in the Sept. 13 issue of the Globe. “I was shocked that this person had been coming
into the school so long and no one did anything about it,” Foster said in an interview in September. Foster and sophomore photography major KJ Paige said she felt like the Public Safety Department should bring back security guards 24/7. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t have security guards all day,” said Paige, also a Lawrence Hall resident. Foster feels like security budget cuts have decreased students’ safety and is disappointed that students do not receive notification about what happens on campus. She has not told her parents about the security change. “If my major was offered somewhere else I would transfer,” Foster said. Disclosure: USG Press Secretary Sabrina Bodon is the Online Editor for the Globe.
Nikole Kost nkost@pointpark.edu.
Dual-course listing complicates int’l media trip
Frustrated professor keeps her own course waiting list from WAITLIST page 1 “My course is packed,” Fallon said. “So what I’ve been trying to keep on top of is keeping my own waiting list in case anyone drops out. But this is not your usual course.”
Correction
ü
Clery act requires a timely warning be issued to students for crimes including aggravated assault, according to Point Park’s website. Banks was charged with aggravated assault and criminal trespassing among other charges. According to Point Park’s crime log, this semester there was one count of aggravated assault, one sexual assault, two trespassing incidents and one count of terroristic threat on campus. While speaking to USG, Besong said that two weeks prior, someone not affiliated with campus walked into Academic Hall, locked himself in the bathroom and overdosed on heroin. “Things like that happens because it’s an open public building,” Besong said Sept. 25. According to Julie Bannister, director of customer experience and business systems at at the University of Pittsburgh, the program has a Guest Management System. “When purchased, we evaluated the security factors for our students in tracking,” Bannister said in an email interview. “We also looked at a system that could implement our rules and regulations for our guest policy as stated in our code of conduct.” All visitors at a building must be accompanied by the resident. Their ID is then scanned into the Guest Management System and is tracked for entry and exit from the building. “We are able to track quickly to report if needed who is in any of our residence
The headline on last week’s USG article was spaced incorrectly. It was intended to read “USG faces three resignations ahead of semester’s end.” The same article also misgendered former senator Blaze Kelley. We apologize for these oversights.
According to an associate at the registrar office, Francesca Sirianni said Point Park is not the only university to experience these issues; it’s a program-wide problem among Jenzabar-using schools. Point Park originally had waitlists for dual-listed classes, but began experiencing an issue similar to Fallon’s shortly after the newly-created waitlist system. “In a dual-listed course, when a student would sign up for the waitlist, the program would notify students who were already on the waitlist that they could add the class - that a spot would open up when it didn’t,” Sirianni said. “Which was obviously a huge problem.” According to Sirianni, when Point Park reached out to Jenzabar, the company told them the waitlist function was currently unavailable for dual-listed classes, and suggested the school simply turn it off. Jenzabar additionally told Point Park that they were working on a fix; Sirianni said the program generally offers updates every few months. “It was a problem for every dual-listed course, it wasn’t just isolated to one department,” Sirianni said. “So this semester we just turned it off for all dual-listed courses campus-wide.” According to Sirianni, leaving the waitlist ability turned on would leave students with conflicting emails, causing confusion. The feature will remain off until Jenzabar provides the university with an update or fix to the issue.
Emily Yurchison, a junior multimedia major, is one of the students on Fallon’s waitlist. “I went to sign up for [the class] and it was full I didn’t have the option to waitlist,” Yurchison said. “It didn’t give me that little box you have to check, so I emailed Helen personally.”
“It was a problem for every duallisted course; it wasn’t just isolated to one department. So this semester we just turned it off for all dual-listed courses.” Francesca Sirianni Associate, Registrar Office
Yurchison and Fallon have been emailing back and forth regarding the class, sans the help PointWeb. “I don’t even know where exactly I stand on that,” Yurchison said. “I’m not doing anything through
PointWeb as far as that goes.” Yurchison has experience being waitlisted for other classes and noted that it was a simpler process. “You just click the waitlist button and that’s it,” Yurchison said. “As far as I know, I’m still waitlisted on all of them.” Fallon has two problems: trying to keep an accurate waitlist while still tending to many of her duties on campus and figuring out travel plans with an ambiguous number of students. According to Fallon, before the spring semester even begins, plane tickets have to be purchased, making the lack of a proper waitlist difficult when working with specific funds and travel plans. “We ended up booking another group of tickets on an alternate flight, just in case that we need them,” Fallon said. Fallon doesn’t want to leave behind any student who wants to take the course and go on the trip. Going out of the country, according to Fallon, is something that can be life-changing for a student. “I’m trying really hard to be fair to students, and I just want the technology to work for us,” Fallon said. As of Dec. 4, Fallon has already moved one student from the waitlist to the class, and plans on being able to do so for more students in the following week.
Lauren Ortego leorteg@pointpark.edu.
NEWS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
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USG recognizes club, ‘The Pitch’ competition mirrors sets sights on new year atmosphere at advertising agencies from USG page 1 “Remember that we are here to help student organizations and not to necessarily punish them,” Croup said. “But to place some precautions or some safeguards in case a situation were to arise.” This week, the rules committee received a request to recognize the Pioneer Closet as a student organization on campus. Senator Kris Chandler read aloud the organization’s mission statement: “The purpose of this organization shall be to provide an avenue for charity here at Point Park tending to the needs of the students by providing the basic needs they require.” During last week’s meeting, Senator Samiar Nefzi addressed that students have come to him not knowing who USG was and what the organization does. Since then, more senator social media profiles have been added, including a
picture, major, email address, office hours and a fun fact about the senator. “We had them in the works,” said Senator Montana Gabriele, a member of the communications committee. “We had to send them to our graphic designer and put them on social media.” Student Concerns Committee member and Recording Secretary Shaniece Lawrence announced that concerns have gone through and changes will be discussed next semester. Dec. 8 is the last day clubs and organizations can spend allocated funds from this semester. Leftover funds will not be carried over into the spring 2018 semester. Disclosure: USG Treasurer Josh Croup is a co-sports editor for the Globe.
Hannah Walden hawalde@pointpark.edu.
Bubble soccer offers ‘interesting experience’ Soccer team joins in the fun from SOCCER page 1 bumped and stumbled against one another as the ball rolled through the gym and bounced against the walls. The students who weren’t playing, laughed and cheered for those who were. “I had a lot fun last year when I did it, so I got really excited when I saw it was back.” said Tanner Knapp, a sophomore photography major. The event also brought in a large crowd of Point Park athletes, mostly members of the Point Park men’s and women’s soccer teams. “I saw the signs [CAB] had posted around campus, and I love soccer, so why not?” said Khalid Binnahidh, a freshman civil engineering major and member of Point Park’s men’s soccer team. “I really loved the chance to play this version
of soccer with my friends and teammates. It’s for sure an interesting experience.” Once the event concluded, many students asked when Bubble Soccer would be back, along with what and when the next CAB event would be. “I think the event was a success,” Cuomo said. “[CAB] is here to build a sense of community among the students. It allows students to get together and build friendships and network outside of the traditional classroom setting; and I think the students see that.” CAB’s next event will be Glow Roller Rink as part of their Point Park After Dark series of events on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8-11 p.m. in the Student Center Gym.
from THE PITCH page 1 “You learn to work with different types of personalities and people,” Pacifico said. “I realized that not all those who participated are advertising students. You have some that are designers that are strictly graphic designers.” Pacifico explained that teams are supposed to get a binder with the problem the client is facing, and their target demographic. Garrison Hughes account manager and team sponsor Cathy Vu said the oversight seemed to work in the team’s favor. “As I read through the proposals afterwards, our team was the only team who skewed from that [target demographic] and they decided to focus on teens 14-21,” Vu said via phone Monday. “To me it feels like that set them apart from everyone else, and if they had gotten the book, that may have confined them a little.” While the six teams craft proposals for the same client, they only meet with the client when the finalists present their final pitches. This year the top two teams pitched to Outreach two weeks ago at Point Park’s Center for Media Innovation. Advertising professionals from each agency, as well as the client, judge the proposals and choose a winner. “I was incredibly impressed because it was a lot of work to complete in a lessthan-eight-hour time frame,” Vu said. “To me, I was just so impressed by the caliber of work [the team] put out in such a short amount of time, and I kept thinking to myself, ‘Wow,
Autumn Barszczowski | The Globe
Junior public relations and advertising major Kayla Belovich and senior public relations and advertising major Kristina Pacifico visit advertising firm Garrison Hughes for the Pitch competition. students now are very different than from when I was in school.’” Vu said this type of competition benefits students by offering an environment that mirrors the atmosphere of a day at an advertising agency. “It’s very frequently the case where you would meet with a client and have to disseminate that information to a broader team,” Vu said. “Having a way to consolidate the information and present it in a way that everyone can understand is important.” Belovich credits her prac-
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tical education and experience with preparing her to successfully take on The Pitch as a junior. “[Point Park advertising professors] focus more on the projects and what you produce over how you perform on a test,” Belovich said. For their victory, the team will get to go to the annual “ADDY” (advertising awards) and have their resumes sent across the country to leading advertising firms.
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4
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
FEATURES
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Finals week stress approaches
Students cool down between studies in multiple ways By Kimberly Keagy For The Globe
For Amber Mole, hard workouts do the trick when finals week approaches and anxiety rises. Having a personal planner loaded with lists of things that need to be accomplished helps Kaitlyn Smith endure the most trying time of the semester. Establishing behavioral norms is also a way to deal with the pressure of final exams, says Dr. Nicholas Flower, a psychologist who specializes in anxiety treatment. The American College Health Association (ACHA) conducted a study releasing stress as the number one impediment to academic performance in college students. The ACHA reported stress af-
fects students’ academic performance more than physical illness, lack of sleep or relationship concerns. Mole, a Point Park dual accounting and business major, finds she does better when her physical and mental health is balanced. “Working out helps take my mind off school work,” Mole said. “When you’re healthy and eating right, drinking water, and working out, you’re in a better mindset to study.” Overwhelmed with stress from trying to balance an internship, part-time job and being active on campus, Mole was convinced she couldn’t push forward. As finals week closed in, however she began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Mole looks to her peers
Kimberly Keagy | The Globe Point Park reminds its students to remain calm and keep others in mind during this stressful week.
From The Globe archives A former photography student’s project captures the pre-technological stress of finals, showing a student breaking a pencil.
and relies on her faith for motivation during the hardest week of the semester for her. “During finals week, my friends and I are all going through the same thing so in our group chats we send funny quotes or sayings of our own to help push through,” Mole said. Smith, Campus Activity Board (CAB) executive director and women’s basketball player, plans her week out ahead of time to obtain a successful finals run. “Time management is 100 percent key to finals week,” Smith said. “Without
making lists and a planner I’m not sure that I would get through the week.” Smith wants to remind others it’s important to focus on your studies but making time for yourself to relax is also a must. “Even if it’s just 15 minutes to a half hour to either watch Netflix, relax or sleep in occasionally, making sure that I take a couple minutes to be myself is important,” Smith said. Flower recommends students organize their sleep schedule after his own firsthand experience his freshman year of college.
“I remember the first time I took a final and I didn’t do well because I was doing things out of the norm,” Flower said. According to Flower, adjusting your sleep schedule to avoid all-nighters will help students retain material better. Tutors are available in the Center for Student Success during finals week for students who need extra help in preparing for exams or papers.
Kimberly Keagy kakeagy@pointpark.edu
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
5
Students attend university from around the globe By Kayla Snyder
Co-Copy Desk Chief
Wessel Reitveld, Richard Perez and Robelin Bautista all came to America driven by the world of sports. For Katja Rochat and Florencia Urquidi, America furthered opportunities their home countries didn’t have. Victor Sule came to America with a nonconventional dream and the passion to pursue it. For some international students at Point Park, coming to America for school was the best way out of hardship because of the opportunities that America could provide. The director of international student services and enrollment, Rebecca Lee, said Point Park’s international student population is at 167, representing around 40 different countries. According to the 2016 factbook for the university, international student population last year was 181, representing 40 countries. Lee signed off on all of these students’ reasoning. She said that these students want to come here for the educational aspect. “The opportunity that is afforded to them in order to gain that curricular training is very important,” Lee said. “They’re looking for that learning experience because we’re a global society now.” The idea of coming to America is far different than the process of coming to America. Every international student is met with the same difficulties and challenges, regardless of their reasoning for wanting to study in the states. According to Lee, the first step in the process is becoming academically admitted and providing financials for the entire first year of their studies. In addition, a student must be proficient in English. Without that, they cannot be provided a student visa to study in the United States. The student visa, as the name suggests, allows an international student to study in America, but that’s all. This particular visa does not allow an international student the opportunity to work off campus in any capacity for the first year. The visa also does not allow students to gain residency in the states. Lee also said an athletic student, in the eyes of the United States government, is the same. The only difference is how their scholarships are awarded, but they still have to be enrolled full-time as a student. Lee said essentially international students have to “plead their case” at an American consulate in their home country proving why they should be granted a visa to study. “All of the immigration paperwork is hard,” Perez said. “Everything they inquire is tough. It’s tough to get approved to get here.” The American consulates are typically looking for students that want to go back to their home country whenever their studies finish, Lee said. “They definitely look for ties to the home country,” Lee said. “[The student visa] doesn’t give any in-road to make residency in the United States.”
THE ATHLETES
For Dominican Republic-native and sophomore
sports, arts and entertainment major Bautista, baseball was always his dream. In a family consisting of ten, Bautista is the only child to be attending college and only the second to graduate high school. Unable to chase his dream because of the responsibilities he had with providing for his family, Bautista felt defeated. According to Bautista, his baseball coach never wavered the ambition he had for him, even though the Dominican Republic does not offer baseball in higher education settings. “He wanted to see me in a uniform… I could have a better future with baseball,” Bautista said. “If I had a legit opportunity, I would quit my job and do it.” Bautista was set to start what he thought would be his baseball career in the United States at a different university, but because of his financial situation, he could not afford his studies. After bouncing from different schools trying to find a college that could meet his needs, Point Park’s baseball coach saw Bautista pitch at La Roche College and offered him a chance to come to a workout. “Something inside of me said stay here, and I had this feeling that I wanted to stay here,” Bautista said. “I performed the way I think coach wanted me to and he offered me some money in a scholarship. I liked it here.” Reitveld, a sophomore behavioral science major from the Netherlands, has always had an athletic life. Playing sports since he was younger, for him it felt arbitrary to chase his dream despite his country not offering soccer in a university setting. With a sociology degree started at a university in the Netherlands, Reitveld’s teammate received a scholarship to play soccer in the United States and prompted him to go for it and see what happened. “It’s the reason I came here,” Reitveld said. “I can’t imagine being here without it being for soccer.” One of the selling points for Reitveld was Point Park’s coach is Dutch, a connection to him because of his roots. “If I didn’t do this I would always have two options I would always regret when I was older,” Reitveld said. Perez, a junior business management major, followed his Plan C by coming to America. In a country where there’s a current dictatorship, leaving was Perez’s only option. Right after graduation, Perez said the political problems in Venezuela essentially forced him to look for a better life. He said he has looked at pictures since he was a kid always carrying around a ball and a bat and starting playing baseball at three years old. Perez likened the popularity of baseball in Venezuela to that of American football in the United States. “I had to leave my country because of all of the problems there,” Perez said. “I got an offer to go play and study at an American college in Ohio and two years in [Point Park’s baseball coach] saw me and gave me a scholarship to play here.” Perez said the best collegiate league for baseball is in America. His plans prior to having to leave his country always included education and
baseball. “Whenever it turned that bad, [Plan C] turned into a Plan A,” Perez said.
THE DANCERS
Urquidi, a freshman dance major with a concentration in ballet, is from Bolivia. Dancing since she was younger, continuing the education of her passion only felt right, she said. “In my country, the opportunities in the arts are nonexistent,” Urquidi said. “You can’t pursue your art professionally. A lot of people get to a really good level of their art, but then they have to stop and go to study something different.” At just 15, Urquidi attended a summer dance intensive in Michigan, and from thereon, she knew that she wanted some form of America in her future. “My dance teachers always told my parents that I had a talent and I shouldn’t waste it,” Urquidi said. “In order to improve, I needed to leave Bolivia.” At 14, Katja Rochat, a sophomore dance major with a concentration in ballet from Switzerland, knew that she wanted to dance in the United States. Similar to Urquidi, Rochat said her country is not advanced in the arts enough to pursue a career dancing. “We like the arts, but back home the whole system doesn’t allow you to dance for a long time,” Rochat said. “We aren’t really open-minded or into the whole ‘arts’ thing. For us, we have to have a backup plan because it’s not really open.”
THE MODEL
Unlike the others, Victor Sule, a master’s student studying environmental studies from Nigeria, had a different outlook for himself. Sule did not come to America chasing an artistic or athletic dream, but rather an
Kayla Snyder | The Globe Florencia Urquidi, freshman dance major, moved from Bolivia to pursue her talent professionally.
unconventional one. “I wanted to experience cultural diversity,” Sule said. “I’ve done a lot of research on a lot of schools around the world and the United States nailed that aspect for me.” With an undergraduate degree in botany, Sule wanted to further his studies in the environmental world, while also pursuing another passion of his: modeling. “It’s always been one of my dreams to be a model and a public figure,” Sule said. “I feel like modeling is more to do with than just dressing up. It’s how you take care of yourself, it’s how you live a healthy lifestyle by eating the right foods and living the life that gives you a good life.” Sule is currently signed to an Ohio-based modeling agency and is currently attending modeling classes and training to pursue that dream outside of Pittsburgh. With the hopes to eventually move, Sule has “big plans” for the future. “The modeling hub is definitely in Los Angeles, Calif., but
I’ve heard other things about places like Miami and Colorado,” Sule said. “I just want to explore the American lifestyle.”
THE FUTURE
Lee expects a decline in the upcoming years due to the political nature surrounding the United States. She said overall there has been a seven percent decrease in international student enrollment in the United States since the start of Trump’s presidency into the fall 2017 semester. However, the international students currently here are finding their own satisfaction and sense of purpose in America. “It’s hard to say one favorite things about America,” Reitveld said. “But I really like the kindness of the people here, and as well all the facilities… I enjoy every day of being here and it’s the best decision I’ve made in my life so far.”
Kayla Snyder klsnyde2@pointpark.edu
PIONEER PUBLIC
Michael Gieseke By Carley Bonk
Co-Features Editor
When Dean of Student Life Michael Gieseke isn’t overseeing resident life, commuter services, health services or student activities, he’s taking calls from parents or reading emails about shenanigans that happened in the residence halls the previous evening. “The rule of thumb is that I have no idea what my day is going to be for the most part,” Gieseke said in an interview last Monday at the Center for Media Innovation. “The unknown, I think, can be the most challenging – that and the parents believe it or not.” Gieseke always knew he wanted to be a part of
the education system, but it was following his graduate schooling when he realized he preferred a college atmosphere. “I got to college myself, got involved with activities, events and realized I liked doing that,” Gieseke said. In the ten years he’s spent on Point Park’s campus, his fondest memory is seeing the university progress into a real campus environment. “I think I’ve appreciated, without a doubt, the growth that I have seen,” Gieseke said. “The idea of you all as students wearing Point Park gear, wearing the words ‘Pioneer’ and the Bison head really didn’t exist.” Despite the upcoming
Carley Bonk| The Globe
break, Gieske will be working longer than students, though he mentioned he is able to get a lot more work done when the campus quiets down before the spring semester kicks into gear. “I love you all and I’m glad that you’re here, I miss you when you’re gone for too long,” Gieske said. “That’s a nice time to be at the university because you we get a lot done, have a lot of conversations and plan for the future.” Over the holiday, Gieseke is looking forward to traveling with his wife and three young boys to see their family in south Florida, a tradition they keep every December.
Carley Bonk cmbonk@pointpark.edu
Check out the “Pioneer Public” video online at ppuglobe.com
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
A&E
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
In memoriam: Vans Warped Tour Book-ending 2017 By Emily Bennett and Beth Turnbull Editor Elect and Co-Opinions Editor
“DEAR IJEAWELE, OR A FEMINIST MANIFESTO IN FIFTEEN SUGGESTIONS” - CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
Nick Horwat|The Globe
Clockwise from left: Four Year Strong (2016), Sum 41 (2016), Black Veil Brides (2015), Bring Me the Horizon (2013), Riff Raff (2015), Pepper (2016). By Nicholas Horwat Co-A&E Editor
After 24 years, the Vans Warped Tour will come to a close as a full cross-country tour. The tour is survived by its creator Kevin Lyman, 1,700 bands and over 11 million attendees over its life. The tour is coming to a tragic end because Lyman feels exhausted after 26 consecutive summers on the road -- having worked for the Lollapalooza tour for three years, after deciding in 1995 to create a tour that combined music and action sports. His plan was to originally to only have the tour happen for a single summer. “I can’t believe that I’m this young and I’m seeing the end of the tour as we know it,” Miranda Van Bramer, a senior broadcast production major said. “I thought it would just be around forever. Everyone kind of had that impression.” Music has a way of bringing people together. Warped Tour not only brought people together but also created a safe space for many to be away from the outside world. “It always felt like a home away from home,” Molly Knepper-Miller, a senior sports, art and entertainment management major said. “It’s where I met some of my best friends, where I found what I would love to do in life.” Warped Tour was much more than just a concert; it was a unique time for fans to be closer than ever with some of their favorite musicians. “There is no better place to meet and interact with your favorite artists,” Tyler Richey, a junior sports, art and entertainment management major said. “You’ll see them walking from their tent to the same hot dog stand that you are going to buy a hot dog from.”
“There is no better place to meet and interact with your favorite artists.” Tyler Richey
Junior SAEM Major Every band on the tour had a merchandise tent. Not only can fans purchase products from their favorite bands, like shirts and CDs, but the tents also play host to artist meet and greets.
Artists would take pictures with and sign autographs for their fans. “Levi Benton, the singer of Miss May I, makes a point to meet with as many people as he can after a show,” Richey said. “Really down to earth guy, and great with interacting with fans.” The tour was also the home of many life-long memories for many people. From seeing an artist perform to meeting them just minutes later, it is a place for fun and camaraderie. “My favorite memory would have to be meeting my all-time favorite band, Bring me the Horizon,” Knepper-Miller said. “That or working with Fearless Records at their tent and running their Snapchat backstage.” Many people look at Warped Tour as a primarily punk rock and metal tour. Throughout its years the tour has had more than just punk acts. Artists like Eminem, the Black Eyed Peas and Katy Perry found themselves on the tour early in their careers. In more recent years, artists like G-Eazy, Waka Flocka Flame and Machine Gun Kelly have taken to a Warped stage, proving that Warped Tour was for every genre of music. Punk and metal have been a large part of Warped Tour’s DNA with tour veterans like Anti-Flag, Every Time I Die, Pennywise and NOFX all appearing on the tour at least seven times. Simple Plan holds the record for most appearances with 11. Ska punk is another big player on Warped Tour. Less Than Jake, Real Big Fish and Big D at the Kids Table have all been regulars on the tour. Less than Jake and Real Big Fish both had their first run in 1997. Thanks to Warped Tour, bands like Blink-182, Paramore and My Chemical Romance were able to gain huge popularity and become household names. Paramore played five straight summers with the tour from 2005 to 2009. Warped Tour also gained enough popularity over the years that bands who have already garnered large fan bases had small appearances on the tour. Linkin Park played for a single show in 2014, Green Day and Weezer shared a few shows on the main stage during the 2000 tour and Limp Bizkit played a show in 1996. The first ever Warped Tour in 1995 had bands like No Doubt, L7 and was headlined by Sublime. Not only could you see some of your favorite artists
in a more intimate setting, Warped Tour was also one of the better places to discover new music. With about eight stages and over 50 bands, there is bound to be a band or artist you’ve never heard of playing somewhere.
“I can’t believe that I’m this young and I’m seeing the end of the tour as we know it. I thought it would just be around forever, everyone kind of had that impression.” Miranda Van Bramer
Senior Broadcast Production Major
“Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is 63 pocket-sized pages of engaging anecdotes, passionate parenting advice and wisdom with one common goal -- to educate the reader about equality, specifically gender equality. The book, which can be easily read over the course of an hour or two, is set up as a letter. Adichie was inspired to write the book after a close friend asked her a seemingly simple question -- “How do I raise my daughter as a feminist?” Adichie proceeds to provide her friend with 15 suggestions with topics ranging from identity to appearance, marriage to thoughtfulness, gender roles to oppression. As a Nigerian woman, Adichie pulls from her experiences growing up in Africa and what she learned from the immersive Igbo culture. Although the topic of parenting advice may not appeal to a wider audience, Adichie’s advice can be applied to women and men at various stages in their lives. The advice provided is helpful to those who wish to be more thoughtful in the way they approach gender equality, and to those who wish to learn what the core of feminism truly is. Adichie’s other work includes “We Should All Be Feminists,” “Americanah,” “The Thing Around Your Neck,” “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Purple Hibiscus.”
“WHAT HAPPENED” -HILLARY RODHAM Warped CLINTON
“Thanks to Tour, I discovered State Champs, The Story so Far and Knuckle Puck,” Van Bramer said. “Those bands really stick out to me.” With 2018 being the last full cross country tour, all fans can do now is wait to see what the future hold for Warped. “I really hope that [Lyman] can keep something going with the Warped name,” Richey said. “Something to keep the young people engaged.” The future of Warped Tour is still under question with no official statement being released. Lyman has, however, hinted at some kind of celebration for the tour’s 25th anniversary in the summer of 2019. “They do so much outside of just the city to city tour I don’t think we are seeing the burial of Warped Tour as a whole,” Van Bramer said. “I think we will see something at a smaller scale.” The tour’s first ever show took place on June 21, 1995 in Boise, Idaho. While its final show on the 2018 tour is set for Aug. 5 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Pittsburgh show is slated for July 16 at the Key Bank Pavilion. Warped Tour is yet to announce bands that will be on the 2018 tour but Lyman’s desire is for it to be the biggest lineup ever.
Nicholas Horwat njhorwa@pointpark.edu
While political memoirs from Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Obama’s former speechwriter David Litt and several others flooded Barnes and Noble’s across the country, Clinton’s deeply personal account of the 2016 election was not lost in the chaos. The 400 page account spares no details of the heartbreak Clinton felt after losing the election, a feat she didn’t consider all that likely. The memoir explores the decisions she made throughout her campaign, advice for a defeated America, and what it was truly like to run against one of the most unconventional candidates in recent history. The book also provides the reader with insight into Clinton’s sense of humor, her go-to Chipotle order (she gets her guac on the side), and her experiences with gender discrimination in the world of Washington. Clinton’s memoir is an inspiring story of loss and the road to recovery and allows readers a closer look at what it’s really like to run for President.
“LINCOLN IN THE BARDO” – GEORGE SAUNDERS Perhaps you’ve long taken an interest in the personal life of Abraham Lincoln extending beyond the Gettysburg Address and his fabled inability to tell a lie. Maybe you’re into obscure, folk-arty, concurrently grim and coarse themes. Do you like cemeteries? What about Tibetan Buddhism? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, we should be friends, but also you should probably
buy George Saunder’s epically long-awaited novel “Lincoln in the Bardo.” The near-400 page novel chronicles the death of Abraham Lincoln’s son Willie smack dab in the middle of the Civil War. Told from the perspective of the already deceased, ghoulish inhabitants of a cemetery, the entire book stretches across a single evening. Readers are introduced to a graveyard full of deceased characters – including but not limited to: a man who was struck by a rogue ceiling beam before he had the chance to consummate his marriage, a murderer, a rape victim and an avid hunter who killed approximately 30 bears in his lifetime. Leaning more towards a screenplay than a novel, the famed short story author delivers a poignant, occasionally laugh out loud funny walk through Lincoln’s mourning process. The endless slew of ghostly voices can be distracting -- it’s clear that the book shines brightest when we see the broken Lincoln, tear-stained cheeks and lanky limbs, making his way to the graveyard in the night to see his son.
“TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN” – JOHN GREEN There was a lot on the line for this book. John Green’s first young adult novel since the humorously successful “The Fault in Our Stars,” fans were justifiably anxious about the new addition to their bookshelves – and it’s the thesis of anxiety that’s found at the heart of the novel – in a compelling, relevant and genuine fashion. If you thought “Fault in Our Stars,” a fated tragedy about two cancer-ridden teenagers was dark, “Turtles All the Way Down” is considerably darker, documenting the harrowing realities of obsessive-compulsive disorder and debilitating anxiety. This is where we find Aza, a 16-year-old who’s beyond consumed and repulsed by the bacterial ecosystem that’s simply part of being alive. Green, who has been open about his warfare with OCD, meets Ava right where she’s at – from a simple, yet detailed, quick-witted personalized and judgement-free point of view. On-par for Green, “Turtles All the Way Down” features a quaint cast of wildly intellectual and introspective, adventurous teenagers. In traditional Green fashion, you fall in love with the characters in a way that just doesn’t quit -- once you traverse through the slight initial drag of the first several chapters, that is. This book starts out a little slower when held up next to Green’s other fast-paced, adventure-packed tales. But don’t misread me – “Turtles All the Way Down” isn’t lacking in adolescent thrill. The plot trails behind Aza as she sets out alongside a friend from her past to find and take down an Indianapolis billionaire who’s up for a shiny $100,000 reward. Reluctant at first given her condition, Aza warily steps into the peril – and of course falls in love. Know this – this book is a tragic one. The conclusion is as moving as can be – and if you’re an admirer of Green’s consistent ability to blow your mind and smash your heart into a million pieces with beautiful twists and turns, you’ve got to give this one a go.
Emily Bennett elbenne@pointpark.edu Beth Turnbull erturnb@pointpark.edu
A&E
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
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This year’s monumental music releases By Mick Stinelli Co-A&E Editor
Despite being a tumultuous year in many respects, 2017 brought us no shortage of great art. Albums from industry natives to exciting newcomers make up some of the best of the year. From the intimate confessionals of Jay-Z to the reserved beauty of Moses Sumney, here are some of the year’s best albums.
ARCA – “ARCA”
The cover art for “Arca” features a close-up of a face – a stark difference from the grotesque digital art that adorned his first two LPs. This art signaled a change, as Arca introduced a new layer to his already dense and complex production: his voice. What resulted was his most captivating and enjoyable work to date. Combining the avant-garde with pop sensibility, Arca solidified his spot as one of the most intriguing and rewarding artists working today.
FLEET FOXES – “CRACK-UP”
Ditching the campfire singalong ease of their previous two LPs, Fleet Foxes opted for longer and more complex arrangements than they have ever presented before. Still remaining are the band’s incredible harmonies and lead singer Robin Pecknold’s soaring voice. The melodies, though constantly changing and rearranging, are as catchy as ever. Pecknold’s lyrics are more poetic and elusive than they have ever been.
JAY-Z - “4:44”
The veteran rapper returned to the public eye with his
13th studio album. Featuring some of Hov’s most candid and honest lyricism of his career, “4:44” was immaculately produced by No ID. Samples from Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone form the basis for Jay-Z to reminisce on family, his career and the state of the rap game. It’s a solid return to form for one of rap’s biggest stars.
KELELA – “TAKE ME APART” “Take Me Apart” reassured audiences that the long-awaited LP was well worth the wait. The record is undeniably modern, yet miles ahead of many of Kelela’s contemporaries. Her voice, somehow both powerful and cool, drives the wonderfully produced tracks. It’s a rare album where every track could qualify as a single, yet it works best as a collective whole.
KENDRICK LAMAR – “DAMN.” In this album, Lamar seeks inner peace amidst a chaotic society. He takes jabs at Geraldo Rivera, (“Fox News wanna use my name for percentage”) Donald Trump and America itself. The record tackles lofty themes like love, lust, pride, humility, fear and God. One of the LP’s best moments is its climactic finish, where we hear the story of a chance encounter between Lamar’s musical idol, Top Dawg, and his own father. The story serves as a reminder of the massive impact of a seemingly irrelevant interaction.
KING KRULE – “THE OOZ”
Archy Marshall returns to his King Krule project’s much-anticipated sophomore album. Refusing to be constricted by genre, Marshall dabbles in rock, hip-hop and electronic
Trevor Lingle | For The Globe
Lorde, Tyler, the Creator and Kendrick Lamar were a few artists who released impressive albums this year. music. Challenging yet rewarding, “The OOZ” stands out in a year defined by reggaetón and trap-influenced music; it sounds otherworldly, futuristic and uncategorizable.
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – “AMERICAN DREAM”
“American Dream” follows many of the conventions that LCD Soundsystem became known for in their first incarnation. Despite this (or because of this), LCD returns from their breakup-turned-hiatus with an album worthy of standing alongside the rest of their catalogue. “Tonite” into “Call the Police” into “American Dream” remains one of the year’s most unbelievable sequences, and continues to thrill after repeated listens.
LORDE - “MELODRAMA”
Despite have written “Melodrama” before she turned 21, the album solidified Lorde as of the best songwriters alive today. Flashes of dancing, rid-
ing in Ubers and drunken decisions fill the record. Backed by polished production, Lorde’s lyrics take the listener into the mind of a voice of a generation that refuses to be put into a box. Songs like “Green Light” and “Perfect Places” scream with triumph, while ballads like “Liability” and “Writer in the Dark” remind the listener that even the most perfect parties have moments of self-reflection and frustration.
MOSES SUMNEY – “AROMANTICISM”
Rarely do debut albums display an artistic vision so fully realized. After several singles and two EPs, Sumney showed listeners that his voice could be just as captivating over a fulllength record. Though many of its songs are slow and spacious, the album sits at a tight 34 minutes, never dragging anything out longer than it needs to. Sumney’s voice is delicate, but presenting an album as unique and incredible as this one sug-
gests that he is bolder than he appears.
TYLER, THE CREATOR – “FLOWER BOY” Gone are the immature jokes, homophobic lyrics and shock-value humor of Tyler, the Creator’s previous albums. On “Flower Boy,” Tyler realizes his full potential - not only as an MC, but as a songwriter and producer. Blending the beautiful with the abrasive, “Flower Boy” delivers some of the year’s best pop, rap and R&B all in one package. The result: an album that shows a young goofball transformed into a genuine auteur. Guest appearances come via the usual suspects – Frank Ocean, A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne – as well as up-and-comers like Steve Lacey and Kali Uchis. With “Flower Boy,” Tyler, the Creator perfected his vision without sacrificing his unique voice and personality.
Mick Stinelli mfstine@pointpark.edu
The Globe Staff picks their favorite movies from 2017 “BABY DRIVER”
By Matt Petras
Co-Features Editor
A lot of “Baby Driver” spoke to me, including the impeccable, suave performance from Ansel Elgort, the fastpaced, exhilarating action and the jamming soundtrack, but I think what resonated with me the most was the romance. The film, from “Scott Pilgrim” and “Shaun of the Dead” director Edgar Wright, follows Baby, a young man with an obsessive love of music and incredible skills behind the wheel. Forced by a comic book-like league of criminals to be the driver for various heists, Baby constantly suffers with self-loathing. This is why whenever Baby meets Debora, a beautiful woman infatuated with tunes just like he is, he feels a lot of happiness but also a lot of dread. How could Baby possibly deserve someone that makes him as happy as Debora does? For me, struggling with clinical anxiety and depression
issues means constantly feeling like I’m not deserving of happiness. Seeing Baby get the girl and, most importantly, learn to be okay with himself, was by far the most satisfying moment I’ve had in a movie theater this year.
“BLADE RUNNER 2049” By Mick Stinelli Co-A&E Editor
“Blade Runner 2049” is a film that I was sure was destined to fail. I was happily proven wrong. Despite being filmed decades after its predecessor, it felt like an effortless return to a retro-futuristic Los Angeles filled with flying cars, killer robots and hyper-commercialism. The movie was a win on all fronts for me: writing, performances, special effects, sound design, editing. Every part of the film felt like it was meticulously thought over and filled with love. There is a scene in Blade Runner 2049 that was featured in a lot of its advertising. It shows “K” (played brilliantly by Ryan Gosling) staring at a
towering holographic woman. The shot is visually stunning. In the context of the film, however, it is one of the most simply heartbreaking moments of any movie this year. Gosling’s muted performance, a contrast from 2016’s “La La Land,” has solidified him as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men around. With “Blade Runner 2049,” director Denis Villeneuve crafted a sequel that honored the legacy of a cult classic, while also providing some of the most exciting and emotional storytelling of the past several years.
“GET OUT”
By Lauren Ortego Co-Copy Desk Chief
“Get Out” was released in late February, and despite coming out so early in the year, it was easily one of the most influential films of 2017. I saw it twice; both with friends and in theaters filled to the brim with people. And that’s saying something considering the price of movies and my lack of funds.
The film came at a pivotal time in America -- Donald Trump had just been inaugurated, and inequality was increasingly becoming a topic shared between friends and random colleagues alike. “Get Out” was fresh, unsettling and just the right amount of hilarious when it needed to be, all while tackling the uncomfortable racist undertones that come with interracial dating. The audience was engaged. But what compelled me most of all was that for the first time in my life, I liked hearing my fellow moviegoers talk throughout the showing. Writer and director Jordan Peele said this movie was for theaters; it was for group watching. He was absolutely right, and it was well worth the $18.75.
“ANNABELLE: CREATION” By Nicholas Horwat Co-A&E Editor
I am already not a fan of horror movies, so when I see them I do nothing but nitpick and find the plot holes. When “It” was sold out, I went in to see “Annabelle: Creation.” I also really had no idea what it was. I was told afterword that it is a prequel to another movie called “Annabelle.” Overall, from an outsider’s perspective of horror movies, “Annabelle: Creation” was an exceptional film that holds as a great piece of the Conjuring franchise.
“THE BIG SICK”
By Beth Turnbull, Co-Opinions Editor
Trevor Lingle| For The Globe
Jordan Peele’s thrilling “Get Out,” Denis Villeneuve’s thoughtful “Blade Runner 2049” and Edgar Wright’s hilarious “Baby Driver” were among some of The Globe staff’s favorite movies from 2017.
Kumail Nanjiani may not be a household name yet, but his debut film “The Big Sick” has firmly pushed him in that direction. The witty and touch-
ing comedy, which came out this past June, stars Nanjiani as himself, in the story of how he met his wife Emily Gordon, who is played by the stunningly quirky Zoe Kazan. The story centers on two young people falling in love, but as it is so often in movies, and reality, it is much more complicated. Nanjiani is a Pakistani immigrant with a very traditional family, and Gordon is white. Drama and a sudden illness ensue. Nanjiani has to navigate his life as an amateur stand-up comedian, the complexity of sick loved one, and the cultural pressures of his family. The film, while dramatic, is at its heart, a comedy. Featuring Ray Romano and Holly Hunter as Gordon’s parents, the film is bursting with wit and the vigor of living life well. The film is a beautiful testament to love, it’s complicated, sometimes awkward, but always a good idea.
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OPINIONS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
THE
GL BE’S POINT
One semester won’t hurt you Grades and academic success are very important to the average college student. It is actually required to have an adequate GPA to participate in most school functions and to even stay in school. The majority of the student body dreads writing papers or taking tests, and at the end of the semester, most of us procrastinate for weeks. Whether you are sitting on a 4.0 GPA or are weeks behind in your assignments -- when the curtain falls on yet another semester, we here at the Globe want you to know that this semester does not define your success. College will certainly test the limits of what you can handle; it is not for the faint of heart. If you have to deal with the stress by dropping a class and taking it again later, it’s okay. It’s not uncommon for students to have really bad semesters, but there is always another semester and there is no shame in staying longer or taking extra
classes. Sure, paying extra money is no one’s dream, but it doesn’t mean you’re a bad student. Pick yourself up, write that paper and try again. Everyone learns differently, and that’s perfectly okay. Pick your head up, and look forward, because however this semester ended for you, it’s going to be in your past. In the words of Rafiki from the “Lion King,” “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.” Some people may say, “pain is temporary, but GPA is forever.” This is untrue. Grades do not equal intelligence. Don’t let one C steal your sunshine. We at the Globe believe every student at Point Park strives to do their best. You can’t do more than your best. Bad semesters do not change that and we believe that our student body can succeed in academics and in life.
The Point Park Globe globe@pointpark.edu.
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
A final letter from the editor... By Alexander Popichak Editor-in-Chief
I’ve always been far more interested in the bookends of life than I have been with the in between bits. It makes sense for my chosen field, I guess. After all, journalism professors encourage you to seek out anecdotes about turning points in your subjects’ lives. The downside to being so preoccupied with the major twists in life is that you forget to look at the moment you’re currently in unless it’s a moment of transition. I’ve personally challenged myself this semester to not look at what will eventually be, but rather, what is actually happening in that moment. I can’t say I’ve had much success with living in the moment, but there have been some amazing moments these past 12 months. We celebrated the paper’s 50th anniversary with an incredible gala. Our staff survived the great Lawrence Hall flood and #globetastrophy of 2017. We documented the full-time faculty union forging their first contract. We brought you stories of triumph, heartbreak and everything in between. Week after week, I am impressed with how creative our staff is, in both finding stories and designing this paper each week. Editors have kick-started our Pioneer Public video series, an Arts and Entertainment Section and countless other flairs
that have consistently raised the bar for our publication. Have we fallen short? Sure. I personally messed up last week’s front page headline, we still have no on-the-record idea of when the Starbucks on campus will open and I’m waiting to hear back on the status of touring the Playhouse, but all in all, I would say this has been a fantastic run. I’m continually grateful for the staff here at the Globe, my supportive friends and family and the folks who actually read the paper every week. I cannot tell you how many hours I’ve spent in 710 Lawrence Hall, but I can tell you there’s no group more talented, creative or bizarre than the people who put this paper together every week. I would be remiss without thanking Kristin Snapp, Josh Croup, Anthony Mendicino, Dave Grande, Gina Catanzarite, Dr. Hallock, Dr. Dorsten, Dean Paylo, Caleb Rodgers, Lou Corsaro and the countless others who have helped me grow as both a journalist and administrator this year. The impossible thing about collegiate newspapers is that this paper must be a teaching tool and a tool to inform. Our staff are all at once editors, students and teachers. We’re in a unique position in that the turnover is ridiculous, but without fail, and sometimes out of sheer spite, the Globe keeps on going. We prove every
You are good enough, always
week that a volunteer army can achieve incredible things. And I’m thankful for that. Call me crazy, but I believe we’re headed in a positive direction as a field. I feel like this campus, region and country are hungry for a group of journalists willing to go an extra mile to share the truth with the electorate, and I hope what we’ve been able to accomplish in 2017 demonstrates that the next generation of journalists are here to meet that challenge. I’ve thought quite a bit about this bookend in my life - and while I will miss the rush of leading a team of talented individuals, I look forward to rejoining as a writer with the perspective of the whole. In the end, legacy means next to nothing at a college level. To my incredible staff - I wish you the absolute best. You’ve taught me so much about this paper, this campus and myself. To my fourth floor Thayer sister and our next chief, Emily Bennett - I wish you calm winds, following seas and to be blessed with an amazing staff like I have been. To Point Park - Keep fighting the good fight. Go. Fight. Win. Thanks for reading,
Alexander Popichak
Alexander Popichak apopic@pointpark.edu
Ending the semester with hope for 2018 By Lauren Ortego Co-Copy Desk Chief
As the semester comes to a close, books are returned, finals are studied for, tears are cried and the stress of the first half of the school year is replaced with stress about the second half. And as the season of “New year, new me” Instagram captions slowly creeps towards us, let me share something with all of you that I have learned this year, and that I hope you can learn and carry with you into 2018. You are good enough. I’m not crazy. I know that I could type that a million times into this article, I could personally find each and every one of you and tell you once an hour every day for the rest of our lives, and you still wouldn’t believe me. But you are. I see you, Point Park. As a self-proclaimed fly on the wall, I often enjoy sitting back and watching the world move around me. I’ve seen you struggle, I’ve seen your highs and your lows, I’ve seen you singing with your friends in the elevator and crying in the lobby after weeks of sleepless nights and a failed exam. I’ve seen you
sitting by yourself because you’re too scared to talk and make new friends, and I’ve seen you surround yourself with people and still feel alone. And I’ve seen you be hard on yourselves. I’ve seen you, great students and young people and activists, beat yourselves into the ground. Some of you are my friends, my classmates and even if you’re not, it hurts to see you think so little of your accomplishments and your work. You are good enough. You’re good enough to apply for that job. You’re good enough to go for something you thought was unattainable, you’re good enough to tell that friend you’ve had a crush on for weeks that you like them even though it might get a little weird. You’re good enough to do anything you put your mind to. I know me chanting these words at you over and over won’t solve your anxiety, it won’t cure your depression or the chemical imbalances in your brain. But it’s something I want you to know and say to yourself when you’re feeling like nothing you do is right, like you’re a loser and a failure.
That’s not to say that you’re not allowed to fail or be a loser. That’s a key part of being human, and I’d like to think that none of you are robots, but after seeing all those videos on Twitter of Sophia, the first robot to be granted citizenship, I can’t be too careful. This also isn’t a message to halt your growth. This isn’t me telling you that you’re “as good as you’re going to get.” At this ripe age of roughly 17to-24 years old, you should aim to grow far beyond your own comprehension, and you will. And, hey, I’m not saying that I’m perfect, that I don’t do all these things, that I’m not hard on myself. I spent 21 years of my life feeling like I had never been enough, let alone good enough. There are still days when I feel that way. I don’t want to anymore, and I don’t want any of you to feel that way, either. It’s not easy. It’s not an easy thought to have or to convince yourself of. But you are really, truly, honest-to-God good enough. And 2018 better be ready for all of you.
Thanks for a Great Semester! Good Luck on Finals, Point Park!
Lauren Ortego leorteg@pointpark.edu
Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967 Editor-in-Chief: Alexander Popichak Editor-Elect: Emily Bennett Business Manager: Autumn Barszczowski Faculty Adviser: Dr. Steven Hallock Administrative Adviser: Dean Keith Paylo The Globe board consists of Alexander Popichak, Emily Bennett 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 in rooms 710 and 712 Lawrence Hall. Writers should address letters to:
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SPORTS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
CROUP’S CORNER By Josh Croup
Less may be more from long range Point Park basketball has undergone a swift transformation in the last year. Not only has the program transitioned its personnel for the first time in nearly three decades, it is also in the process of changing the style of play that has been known for since the early 1990s. Last week, the team’s evolved approach was evident and full of irony. Point Park defeated Rio Grande in the River States Conference opener last week at home in a game that came down to the buzzer. The Pioneers used only nine attempts from beyond the arc in their 81-79 victory over the RedStorm, making five 3-pointers in the process. They took only two 3-pointers in the first half, making them both. Point Park’s offense worked the ball inside and was effective in transition to shoot 52 percent from the field on the night. It marked the second straight game the Pioneers shot over 50 percent from the field. The former game against Washington Adventist resulted in just four made treys for the Pioneers on 18 attempts. Point Park made up for the missed long balls by feeding the ball down low to its 6-foot-5 senior Fousseini Konate, who dropped 22 points in the win. So far this year Point Park has made five-or-fewer 3-pointers in five games, matching the total from all of last year. It happened only twice the year before last. The team’s amount of made 3-pointers are down this year, but Point Park’s shooting percentage from long range isn’t far off from its averages in the past decade. Only two Point Park teams since 2006 have attempted fewer 3-pointers per game. The 2009-10 team attempted 17.6 per game and finished 9-16, missing the postseason. Last year’s Point Park team attempted the most treys than its previous five seasons, putting up 29.11-pergame and missing the playoffs for the first time since that 2009-10 season. Last year’s team also attempted the most 3-pointers for Point Park since the 2004-05 season. The other time Point Park attempted this few 3-pointers in recent memory was in 2006-07 when the Pioneers
launched an average of 17 treys per contest. That team went 29-2 and is the last Point Park squad to appear in the national tournament. Let’s go back to the Rio Grande win. Point Park’s nine 3-pointers attempted against Rio Grande were the fewest in a single game for the program since that 2006-07 season. That team attempted fewer than ten long balls three times on the season and made 6.1 3-pointers-per-game. While the Pioneers largely avoided the long ball last Wednesday against Rio Grande, it was the three that won them the game. Point Park’s 6-foot-6 forward Aaron Barlow, the biggest man on the court for the Pioneers, grabbed a loose ball with ten seconds left on the clock on Rio Grande’s end of the floor. The first-year Pioneer got the ball out to guard Daniel King down by one with time winding down. King began penetrating the RedStorm defense as he had all game when he began to lose possession. He kicked it out to Barlow, who was set up outside the arc and calling for the pass. Barlow flicked his left wrist for only the sixth time this year and connected for his second long ball of the season to push Point Park past Rio Grande as time expired. Head coach Gabe Bubon overheard me talking to the scorer’s table after the game confirming that Point Park only took nine threes on the night. His response says everything you need to know about the new direction of the Pioneers. “We took that many?” Point Park this year has worked the ball inside to its big men and has taken more high-percentage shots. Only when necessary or when the Pioneers have struggled to penetrate down inside have they turned to the long ball. The conference schedule is just kicking off for the Pioneers, who face an uphill battle in a loaded River States Conference this year. Time will tell if the more organized offense combined with an aggressive defense will hold up throughout the duration of the team’s season.
Josh Croup jdcroup@pointpark.edu
Gracey Evans | The Globe Sophomore guard Baylie Mook dribbles the ball Saturday vs. Rio Grande.
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Davis, Shields qualify for nationals at season opener By Josh Croup
Sports Columnist
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
Co-Sports Editor
The track and field teams are sending two athletes back to the national championships this season after a strong showing at the first meet of the season. Jryi Davis and Anna Shields will represent Point Park in Pittsburgh, Kan. in March after qualifying for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championships in Point Park’s first indoor track and field meet of the season last weekend at Youngstown State University. Davis set a school record in the triple jump, winning the event with his leap of 14.51 meters. The junior bested the NAIA ‘A’ qualifying standard of 14.20 meters. His jump last year of 14.44 meters at
nationals earned him NAIA All-American honors. His appearance at the NAIA National Championships in March will be his third time at the indoor championships and his fourth time at the national championships overall. Shields continued her dominating 2017 year with two facility records en route to qualifying for the national championships again, less than two weeks after earning NAIA Cross Country All-American honors. She earned national qualifying times in the 1,000 meters and the mile. Shields took second place at last year’s national championships in both events. Her time of 4 minutes, 45.04 seconds in the mile won the race by 35 seconds and beat the record at the facility
Robert Berger | Point Park Athletics Senior Jryi Davis competes in the triple jump last season at the Muskingum Muskie Duals on March 18. He will return to nationals for the fourth time.
that stood since 2012. Another 2012 record went down courtesy of Shields in the 1,000 meters when she won the race with a 2 minute, 28 second finish. Her times in both events were also good for new school records previously held by Shields. Sophomore Xavier Stephens narrowly missed qualifying for nationals in the team’s first meet, finishing the 800 meters in 1 minutes, 56.74 seconds and breaking his own school record. Stephens helped Point Park to a program-best start to its season with a second-place finish in the race. A number of freshmen shined in their college debuts last weekend. Jaz Wicks led the women throwers with a shot put toss of 11.4 meters, a new school record. The women also featured freshman Reba Bartram leading the pack in the 400 meters with a 12thplace finish of 1 minute, 0.91 seconds, less than one second away from breaking the school record. Alyssa Boyd, also fresh off a nationals appearance in cross country, trailed only Shields and two others in the 1,000 meters for a fourthplace finish. The men were also highlighted by junior Sean Hilverding in the 3,000 meters, who placed fourth at the meet with a 9 minute, 7 second finish. He was four seconds away from tying his own school record. Sophomore Chance Callahan jumped to third place in the triple jump and sixth in the long jump to lead Point Park.
Josh Croup jdcroup@pointpark.edu
Women’s basketball falls short late in first pair of RSC games By Allison Schubert Copy Editor
The women’s basketball team opened River States Conference (RSC) play last week, but despite two close finishes, did not record a win. The first RSC game was against Rio Grande last Wednesday. This was the first conference game that Point Park played in their new home, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) – Allegheny campus gym. The game ultimately came down to a jump shot by the RedStorm’s Jimi Howell in the final seconds, handing them the 77-75 victory. Point Park was down 4432 at the half, but gained momentum early on in the third quarter. “Right now, we just need to connect and start off stronger,” freshman guard Michelle Burns said. “I think once we start connecting as a team and get going together, we will start winning some games.” After a 30-9 run by the Pioneers in the third quarter, they went into the fourth with a 62-53 lead. Rio Grande answered with a 17-4 run of its own to put the RedStorm back on top, 70-68, with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left. Burns contributed a big 3-pointer with 1 minutes, 52 seconds remaining to put Point Park back up 71-70.
Burns continued to make big shots with 28 seconds remaining, when she made both ends of a 1-and-1 free throw to tie the game at 75. Howell made her game-winning shot with only eight seconds left. “It’s a defensive lapse,” Sam Weir said. “I think we’re struggling to really shoot the ball and just making some stupid mental errors.” Point Park was able to put up some big numbers in the back and forth game. Weir had a season-high double-double with 21 points and 17 rebounds. “I was really getting down on myself,” Weir said. “I was thinking that maybe I just didn’t have it anymore. I just need to focus on what I do best as a player and play my role.” Maryssa Agurs contributed 18 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Burns had 20 points on the night, 13 coming from free throws. Another close game came on Saturday against the West Virginia Tech Golden Bears. The Pioneers found themselves down again midway through the third quarter 54-45, but battled back in the fourth to keep it a one-possession game for a majority of the final minutes. The Point Park player of the game, Baylie Mook, made a trey with 2 minutes, 56 seconds left in the game to gain
the lead back at 78-76. Her shot was the final made field goal of the game by the Pioneers. The Golden Bears ended the game with their final ten points coming from the free throw line and ultimately handing them the win, 85-79. “I think we’re making way too many mental errors,” head coach Tony Grenek said. “We are missing rebounds off of the other team’s foul shots, just everything. It’s frustrating. We’re making too many turnovers, too many mistakes.” The Point Park bench made its share of contributions with 41 total points, led by the 14 points apiece from Mook and Nikki Corcoran. Agurs again came up big in the second half, with ten of her 12 points coming in the third quarter. Leading the scoring for the Pioneers was Weir, who tallied 16 points on the night. Tyra James also contributed 15 points of her own, 12 of which came in the form of treys. After hosting Carlow Tuesday night, the Pioneers head to Indiana University-Kokomo on Saturday for the first road conference game of the season and do not return home until Dec. 18 against the University of the Cumberlands.
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
SPORTS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Barlow’s buzzer beater lifts men past Rio
Pioneers split first pair of weekend RSC games at new home By Derek Malush For The Globe
It was the late-game heroics of junior Aaron Barlow that gave the Point Park men’s basketball team its third win of the season as it kicked off River State Conference (RSC)
play at home by edging the University of Rio Grande on Wednesday night, 81-79. “They gave me the ball at the end and I just knew it was going in,” said Barlow on his game-winning 3-pointer. The Pioneers were in control at the half as they led the RedStorm 39-35 on 46 per-
Briana Walton | Point Park Athletics Senior guard Gavin Rajahpillay shoves a RedStorm opponent to the side while driving to the basket. The Pioneers defeated Rio Grande 81-79.
cent shooting from the field. Midway through the second half, Rio Grande began erasing its halftime deficit by going on an 8-0 run to take the lead 63-62. The score stood as one of the RedStorm’s two leads of the game. Point Park quickly answered that 8-0 run with one of its own with the help of senior guard Gavin Rajahpillay’s back-to-back 3-pointers that extended the Pioneer lead to 70-63 with just over five minutes left. “I was relieved making those two 3-pointers,” Rajahpillay said. “Each play a different man needs to step up, so it’s all a team effort.” The Pioneers were down 79-77 with just under a minute to go in the game when senior forward Fousseini Konate drew a foul that sent him to the free throw stripe. “I’m just trying to bring the intensity every game,” Konate said. Konate made one of his two free throws that pulled the Pioneers within one point of the RedStorm at 79-78. With the window of opportunity rapidly closing, Barlow scooped up a loose ball under the RedStorm hoop with seven seconds to go and ran it up the court before he dished it to sophomore guard Daniel King. King drove to the hoop and passed it back to Barlow who drained a deep rightwing 3-pointer that gave the Pioneers the lead at 81-79 with 1.4 seconds remaining. “They trusted me and I’m
very thankful for that,” Barlow said. The Pioneers went on to win 81-79, notching their second-straight victory as the Red Storm could not get a final shot off. “We panicked and we made a lot of dumb mistakes down the stretch,” head coach Gabe Bubon said. The Pioneers gave up 18 turnovers during the night, but managed to hold Rio Grande to just 43 percent shooting from the floor. “To be lucky enough to get away with a win like that, you just got to be happy,” Bubon said. “Our defense kept us in the game but it was Barlow who finished it.” It was a different outcome on Saturday as the Pioneers took on West Virginia Tech in their second RSC matchup of the season. The Pioneers lost 98-79 at their home floor of CCAC Allegheny. “Everything we did wrong is fixable,” said Bubon. “Going one-on-one and not moving the ball is something we need to work on.” Point Park shot just 41 percent from the field on the game and was heavily outrebounded by West Virginia Tech, 51-30. The Pioneers captured their only lead of the game less than a minute into the matchup, however the Golden Bears made sure that they did not regain control. Point Park allowed 11 3-pointers in the first half as they found themselves in a deep hole down by 13 points
after the first 20 minutes of play. “We definitely need to fix some things up defensively,” freshman guard Mark Shehady said. “We’re a new team and just need to work on our chemistry a lot more.” West Virginia Tech built up its largest lead of the game in the second half with the help of a 20-6 run that put the Pioneers behind on the scoreboard by 28 points. The Golden Bears never looked back as they ended Point Park’s two-game winning streak on a barrage of 3-pointers, hitting 16 shots from behind the arc on the game and shooting 53 percent from the floor. “We could have done a lot better job closing out on shooters and rotating on defense,” junior guard Michael Connor said. “This is a group effort and not just one person, so we all need to help each other.” The team was led by Connor and King who combined for 39 of Point Park’s 79 points. The Pioneers now stand at 3-6 on the season and are 1-1 in RSC play. After hosting crosstown rival Carlow on Tuesday night, the Pioneers host non-conference opponent Wilberforce at home Thursday night at 5 p.m. Point Park hits the road this weekend to continue conference play at Indiana University Kokomo.
Derek Malush dwmalus@pointpark.edu
Student-Athlete: Balancing books with sports Part Two: Coaches prioritize, monitor grades to ensure success By Allison Schubert Copy Editor
When looking for student-athletes during the recruiting process, coaches also have to be mindful of the past academic success of the potential recruit. At Point Park, the criteria to play a sport include maintaining at least a 2.0 grade point average, participating in the team and school’s mandatory study hours and subjecting academic progress to being monitored throughout their time as a student-athlete. “We focus on the academics,” athletic director Dan Swalga said. “We emphasize it, we watch it, we monitor it and 97 percent of the athletes embrace what we say.” As the ones in charge of tracking the academic progress of those student-athletes, administrators such as coaches and the athletic director have a unique perspective on what it is like for students to balance their schedules between academics and athletics.
“I try to recruit players that I know will get it done in college.” Tony Grenek
Head Coach, Women’s Basketball
“I’m very fortunate that I am surrounded by great young ladies,” women’s soccer head coach Maggie Kuhn said. “They work hard on the field and that definitely carries over into the classroom and into their extracurriculars as well.” Several student-athletes are also actively involved on campus outside of athletics. Junior Kaitlyn Smith is a member of the women’s basketball team and also serves as the executive director of the Campus Activities Board (CAB). “She fits that mold of having a great work ethic,” women’s basketball head coach Tony Grenek said. “Someday, she is going to be successful doing something that she loves because she has a passion for it. You can see it just by watching her from a coach’s perspective that she has it all figured out.” There are also stories of unsuccessful academic years plaguing teams’ seasons throughout Point Park’s history. The most recent example came last year with the men’s basketball team. The team started off conference play with two wins, but soon lost a few players, including its top scorer at the time, to academic suspension. The games that followed the losses of those players resulted in an 8-20 overall record at the end of the season with a record of 5-12 in conference play. “The emphasis that we place is that they are first a
student and second an athlete,” Swalga said. “Ultimately, they are here to get a degree. The most important thing that they are doing here is their academics. To prevent a similar situation, some coaches have individual academic plans that pertain to their team specifically that they implement in addition to the school’s rules. These plans are usually a little stricter than the school’s rules to ensure no serious measures have to be taken if a student’s grades happen to fall. Kuhn is one of those coaches. “Their grades are extremely important to me,” Kuhn said. “I want them to leave Point Park with high expectations of themselves so they can carry that into getting a job. We have mandatory study hours, and I do weekly grade checks for anyone whose grade point average is below a 3.0.” Other stipulations include check-ins with professors if an athlete has missed a lot of classes or their grade has dropped significantly, midterm grade reports and missing games or practices for class if an athlete’s grade has suffered because of their commitment to the sport. Grenek takes precautionary measures when recruiting to guarantee that his athletes will be successful both on and off the court when they reach the collegiate level. “I try to recruit players
that I know will get it done in college,” Grenek said. “It all starts with the recruiting aspect. I’m very lucky to find and work with mature young women who want to be successful.” From recruitment to graduation, academic success is monitored and encouraged every step of the way. Ultimately, the way that the athletic administration at Point Park implements academic tools for the athletes to utilize helps them have an easier time balancing all aspects of their collegiate career. “The habits and expec-
tations that we place within our athletic program really does help them,” Kuhn said. “The structure that playing a collegiate sport provides definitely helps with time management and multitasking. Overall, it just really helps them become a better professional and I think that is something that gets overlooked a lot when talking about collegiate athletes.” This is the second and final installment of a two-part series on the academics of student-athletes.
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu
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