Issue 3

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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4

Photography club’s ‘Fix’ magazine debuts inaugural juried show

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6

Laura Byko tells you how to stay warm

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Women’s basketball loses to Indiana University East

8

Wednesday, Januar y 27, 2016

Issue 3

University announces hire of new provost By Iain Oldman Staff Writer

After months of searching and multiple rounds of interviews with potential candidates, Point Park University announced the hiring of Dr. John Pearson as the University’s new provost on Monday. Pearson comes from Stetson University in Deland, Fla., where he currently serves as associate vice president of Academics Affairs. He has worked at Stetson University in various roles for the past 26 years. Pearson holds a Masters of Arts and a doctorate in English from Boston University. According to Point Park University’s press release, Pearson created and directed the General Studies Program at Stetson University for 10 years. The program was created “to improve the performance and retention of academically at-risk students.” Pearson also built an advising program geared toward undecided students called Stetson’s Discovery Program. “John’s experience clearly shows a commitment to the same values that have allowed Point Park to thrive as a student-centered university with an eye toward innovation and community engagement,” Point Park University President Paul Hennigan said in the press release. Pearson visited Point Park’s cam-

pus on Jan. 15 for a round of interviews with faculty to answer questions from students. “I had a terrific experience during my visit to Point Park,” Pearson said in an email interview Monday. “The students, faculty and staff were welcoming, asking great questions and seemed fully engaged in their work.” During his time on campus, Pearson said the faculty of the school stood out to him. “I’m particularly excited about working with the faculty, who are a very talented, hardworking group of people focused on student learning. I’m also excited about working with the staff throughout the University; for they, too, are talented and hardworking,” Pearson said. “The senior leadership team, moreover, is the finest I’ve encountered in my career. Together, we will strive to offer the best student experience possible.” Point Park’s urban campus makes it an interesting and unique school for both students and faculty, though Pearson believes his time at Boston University will help him make the transition from Stetson. “I try to learn something useful from every experience,” Pearson said. “Having lived and studied in Boston for many years is helpful as I make the transition from Florida to Pitts-

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photo courtesy of Liz Berie, Point Park Athletics

Senior Eric Briggs sprints during the indoor track and field meet at Youngstown State University (YSU) College Invite on Jan. 22. Men’s and women’s track and field broke eight school records at Jan. 22’s event. Read more on page 7.

Potential food service providers hear from students, discuss plans

“I just had to really pay attention to my spending over the course of the whole process,” Kruth said. “It’s been really hard at times. The biggest thing I’ve had to do though was cutting into my savings. I’ve gone through almost all of my savings just to pay rent over the last couple of months.” Though the state has yet to pass a budget, a recent action by the state’s General Assembly and Governor Tom Wolfe has appropriated roughly $305 million to PHEAA’s Pennsylvania State Grant Program. This means students are one step closer to getting the money they expected, but the overall amount is less than predicted. Wolfe originally requested that PHEAA receive $344.8 million, so this appropriation is an 11.5 percent decrease from that original sum.

There are 153,585 students who qualify for the state grant, which means the original $344.8 million request averaged out to $2,245 per student. The $305 million appropriation averages out to $1,985 a student, which is a cut of approximately $260 per student. “I honestly didn’t find the cut to be a problem,” Kruth said. “I just want the money. I don’t really care if it’s a little less.” Despite the cut being minimal, PHEAA decided something needed to be done to honor the commitments the agency made. According to Keith New, PHEAA spokesman, the agency had previously set aside $75 million from its personal reserves for the grant program. However, the agen-

dent Affairs and Dean of Students Keith Paylo moderated the forum and began by addressing the students. He explained that food service providers do not usually get to talk with students during the bidding process, and that the forum was a rare opportunity for them to hear from students. “They’re here to talk with you, not at you,” Paylo said. The event had no set agenda or format. It began with introductions from the four representatives and led to students asking questions. John Geronimo began the introductions on behalf of Metz Culinary Management. Metz was the only company at the forum that does not currently have a college client in the Pittsburgh area. The Dallas, Pa.-based company does however currently serve Gannon University and Lake Erie College, as well as local private schools including Shadyside and Sewickley Academies. Bob Kelly represented Culinart Group, a New York-based company that currently serves Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). Dave Giron, the current food service director at Point Park, represented the incumbent food service provider, Aramark. Point Park is the only local college or university that Aramark serves. The company also is the food provider for the three major Pittsburgh sports teams. Aaron Weaver ended the introductions as the representative for Parkhurst Dining. Headquartered in Homestead, Parkhurst has three local Universities in its portfolio, including Robert Morris, Duquesne and Chatham. It is also a division of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group. The representatives began by

BUDGET page 2

FORUM page 3

Thursday: Partly Cloudy, H 39, L 27 Friday: Cloudy, H 35, L 26 Saturday: Cloudy, H 48, L 37

Sunday: Showers, H 48, L 40 Monday: Showers, H 48, L 34 Tuesday: Showers, H 51, L 39

By Josh Croup Editor-in-Chief

photo by Emily Bennett

Freshman Jaron Andrechak examines student photography at the first Fix Juried Show on Saturday, Jan. 23. Read about the inaugural show on page 4.

Representatives from four food service providers spoke with students Wednesday to ask and answer questions about potentially becoming Point Park’s new food service provider in the fall. Aramark, Point Park’s current provider, is in the last semester of its contract with the University and has served Point Park since 2001. Joining Aramark Wednesday afternoon in 701 Student Center in front of about 30 Point Park students were representatives from Metz Culinary Management, Culinart Group and Parkhurst Dining. Associate Vice President of Stu-

State budget impasse withholds needed grant money for students By Phillip Poupore For The Globe

Junior broadcast reporting and broadcast production double major Matt Kruth is just one of 950 Point Park students who expected to receive a Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grant this school year. Between this grant and his other financial aid rewards, he expected a refund check of $6,500 to help pay for his off-campus apartment; however, he received just $2,000 due to the Pennsylvania budget impasse. In order to make ends meet, Kruth not only had to change his spending habits, but he also had to pull significantly from his savings.

Weather Forecast Today: Cloudy H 34, L 23


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