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Globe Point Park
@PPUGlobe November 16, 2016
Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967
UNIVERSITY HONORS VETERANS
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Staff Writer
photo by Gracey Evans
Anti-Trump protests erupt throughout city By Chloe Jakiela News Photo Editor
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, students and members of the community took to the streets downtown and in Oakland to voice their opinions through events such as protests and a candle-lit vigil. “This is a really pivotal time where there is only so much we can do, and one of those things is take to the streets,” said one protester, Point Park alumna Ren Finkel. Finkel has been an active participant in various protests for about three years, including the Black Lives Matter movement and unions on strike. She was a member of
the Student Solidarity Organization, a student-led social justice group on campus. Early Wednesday morning, there was a student-organized protest in Oakland, and then later in the day separate groups organized a vigil in Market Square and another protest in East Liberty that began at the Ace Hotel. Demonstrations continued, including a protest in Point State Park that turned into a march Sunday afternoon and evening. What started as a small group of students transformed and flooded into the streets of the University of
PROTESTS page 2
University mulling options to replace Blackboard software By Hannah Walden For The Globe
Point Park University is currently in the process of changing and adapting the technology available to students by replacing Blackboard with another online system. A committee of 15 staff and faculty members led by Nelson Chipman, the executive director of Point Park Online, and instructional technologist Todd Slater are searching for a system to replace Blackboard. The faculty and staff members were pulled from every department of Point Park – the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA), the School of Business, the School of Communication, the School of Arts and Sciences and oth-
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er groups and associations across campus. Professors and student use Blackboard for posting assignments, notes, notifications and grades for courses. While this program is useful, it is known to cause confusion amongst both students and faculty. Currently, the creators of Blackboard, Stephen Gilfus, Michael Chasen, Matthew Pittinsky and Daniel Cane, have created Blackboard Ultra, an updated version of the previous system, which they claim is cleaner and easier to use. Eventually, all customers with Blackboard will be forced to upgrade to Blackboard Ultra. This prompted Point Park to create a committee to search and survey other
photo by Chloe Jakiela
Alex Henderson, student at Clarion University, protests Donald Trump’s presidency as a pansexual Mexican woman, at Point State Park Sunday.
Today: Mostly cloudy H 57, L 38
Issue 12
After nearly ten years of planning, the new Point Park Pittsburgh Playhouse is slowly beginning to take shape on Forbes Avenue and Fourth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. The new Playhouse is designed to be an estimated 92,000 sq. feet and is being built on a 1.6 acre site on Forbes and Fourth avenues. Crews plan to renovate an additional 50,000 square feet of the former Stock Exchange building. Initial planning started 10 years ago when President Paul Hennigan took office with plans to grow the university. When completed, the Playhouse will include a main theater that will seat 530 people, a 200 seat transformational theater that will open up into the courtyard and a 100 seat blackbox theater. The building will also include a prop and costume shop, a sound stage for cinema students and performance classrooms that will replicate the main stage. Construction efforts began last winter with Pittsburgh-based masonry company Franco Associates removing and reconstructing facades on three of the Forbes Ave. buildings on site. According to Mick Nardozzi, lead estimator for Franco Associates, this is the largest terra cotta salvage and rebuild ever done in Pittsburgh.
The facades will be used in the Playhouse’s courtyard. “The extent to which we were able to salvage intact, whole pieces was pleasantly surprising,” Nardozzi said in a press release from the university. At one point, seven different buildings stood on the location. In 2006, Point Park purchased the Stock Exchange building for $645,000 for the Playhouse project. Currently, crews are working on the restoration of stained glass skylights from the building. In order to restore them, crews removed the windows in 5 feet by 5 feet panels. One window was even recreated from scratch. Construction cost is estimated to be $74 million, according to the university. Point Park has made $45 million so far, with $14 million coming from the university trustees and campaign leadership, $18 million from corporate gifts, $5 million from Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and $8 million from foundation gifts. The university also plans to sell the Oakland Playhouse to raise funds. The construction is being carried out by a team of nearly 30 different construction companies. PJ Dick is in charge of the subcontracting of crews, and some of the construction as well. Currently on the site, PJ Dick is working at laying concrete while Amthor steel
PLAYHOUSE page 2
Support groups created for students after election night By Matt Petras Co-News Editor
Following a night of demonstrations and public backlash against President-elect Donald Trump, two separate organizations on campus held public support group meetings to help students cope with this anxiety.
“The intent is not a protest,” said Taffie Bucci, the university’s counselor, in an interview before hosting a Wednesday evening event. “The intent is to talk about our feelings as a community.” When Bucci woke up on Wednesday and saw the news, she decided to quickly
BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS
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BLACKBOARD page 2
ppuglobe.com
Construction of new playhouse continues By Robert Berger
Tim Grebeck, sophomore education major and Eagle Scout, helps Eric Stennett, assistant professor of education and director of Point Park’s Ed.D. program, carry a wreath to a stand by the waterfall in Village Park during a Veteran’s Day ceremony Friday morning.
Dance conservatory presents Contemporary Choreographers. Kayla Snyder urges post-election unity and respect for viewpoints. Volleyball set to appear in NAIA tournament.
photo by Sam Robinson, Point Park Athletics
Freshman midfielder Nikki Polens celebrates with her teammates after their 2-1 conference semifinal win over Asbury Wednesday. Point Park then defeated Ohio Christian Saturday to win their second straight conference championship. Read more on page 8.
Thursday: Sunny, H 61, L 39 Friday: Sunny, H 68, L 47 Saturday: AM Showers, H 52, L 33 Sunday: Cloudy, H 42, L 35 Monday: Cloudy, H 41, L 31 Tuesday: Partly cloudy, H 44, L 32
Globe Point Park
schedule a group counseling session in Lawrence Hall the same day. The school was cooperative, and the word got out through the counseling center’s Facebook page as well as through an email blast to students. Around 25 students showed up to the impromptu meeting. Many of the students were truly hurting. “Last night, I stayed up drinking and smoking cigarettes,” junior student Troy Patrick said after the event. It isn’t just that these students have a simple political disagreement: they are scared of drastic changes in their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Sophomore Tim Grebeck is concerned that he will lose thousands of dollars of health care savings if the Trump administration repeals the Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly dubbed Obamacare. Grebeck, who is 20 years old, has autism and requires visits to a primary care physician, eye doctors, therapists
SUPPORT page 2
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Trump victory galvanizes students to protest in city PROTESTS page 2
photo by Chloe Jakiela
Katelyn Walker, senior cinema production student at Point Park, listens to fellow community members speak their minds about the election at a vigil in Market Square Wednesday night, Nov 9.
Post-election support group focused on future from SUPPORT page 1 and psychiatrists, as well as prescription medications. Currently, because of the ACA, he can stay on his parents’ health insurance until he is 26, which saves him $2,000-3,000 a month, according to Grebeck. “I know I can’t afford that on my own,” Grebeck said. “In fact, I know my parents can’t afford that on their own.” Also concerning to him is the fact that Autism is also considered a pre-existing condition. Without the ACA, the current ban on turning down customers with a pre-existing condition wouldn’t be there for him. Trump has consistently run on repealing Obamacare throughout his campaign, and both Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have stated they’re fully prepared to aid him in doing so. However, after meeting with President Obama, Trump said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he would like to keep the two parts of the ACA Grebeck said he fears will go away. Heather Leasure, a transgender student, also felt emotionally affected from the results. The conversation, however, encouraged Leasure to become more involved in activism. “I have a fire inside of me,” she said. The other group was hosted by Helen Fallon with the Honors Program on Friday afternoon. “The prospect of a Trump presidency has frightened people,” Fallon said after the event. “It’s frightened me.” Fallon felt compelled to
do this meeting whenever she saw the pain students were feeling. “I had students crying in my classroom,” Fallon said. This smaller event had around 10 students in attendance. One of the students was Krystopher Baklarz, a freshman sports, arts and entertainment management major and honors student. “I was nervous at first to speak up, but once Helen started speaking I eased in,” Baklarz said. The group ate pizza and talked out their feelings. “It was about taking the time to be with friends and people who will be supportive,” said Vivienne Wilkinson, another freshman honors student. Reports have come out all around the country of deeply upset students and faculty. These sort of support groups are not specific to Point Park University. Bucci also hosted a support group specifically for Trump supporters on Tuesday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in the Thayer Hall JVH Auditorium. The support group was held after the Globe’s publication deadline. “This election year has been challenging for everyone – so much divisiveness and lack of connection,” Bucci said in the email sent to all students. “Even though your nominee, Donald Trump, won the election you may be feeling some stress or other strong emotions...My focus will be on processing your thoughts, feelings and hope, as well as ways to communicate and connect with the people in your lives.”
Pittburgh’s campus involving hundreds of students, millennials and other members of the community. Protesters consistently chanted “Not My President,” and “Donald Trump go away! Sexist, racist, anti-gay!” throughout the night, not letting small groups of Trump supporters deter them from continuing. At the start of the protest in Oakland, one of the protesters burned a “Make America Great Again” hat. Along with others, the protestor danced and chanted around the hat. Afterwards, the group snaked around the streets of Oakland, beginning on Bigelow Boulevard on the University of Pittburgh’s campus, quickly gaining momentum. Corrine Jasmin, a senior at Point Park, passionately spoke out about how Trump personally affects her as an African-American queer woman. Jasmin has been involved with several Black Lives Matter protests in Pittsburgh. “People are coming out of the wood-work because this guy is endorsed by white supremacists,” Jasmin said.
“People are already teaching others that hate is acceptable and that it’s something that can be gotten away with.” Hundreds of protesters continued on through the night, past four a.m. Less than 24 hours later, a peaceful protest was organized at the Ace Hotel in East Liberty, drawing in a crowd of millennials. The protest created traffic, in which drivers either supported the movement or were annoyed. “You hold up the city, you hold up traffic, you make things come to a standstill and make it clear that the status quo won’t be accepted,” Finkel said. A smoke grenade was set off and police were dressed in riot gear. Mayor Bill Peduto made an appearance and yelled at the officers for using the smoke grenade, according to the Tribune Review. A more calm event was held in Market Square Wednesday evening, welcoming members of the community to voice their thoughts on Trump becoming president in the form of a vigil. People from various walks of life helped light each other’s candles before the organizers invited anyone to share words or sing.
photo by Chloe Jakiela
Protesters, largely millenials, flood the streets of Oakland on Election Night, protesting Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“As a queer person, as someone who is not cisgendered, I think this is going to be devastating,” Point Park sophomore Alec Ebeling said. Ebeling believes that coming together as a community in events such as the vigil will show people that not everyone supports Trump. “If we protest enough it can really show that not everybody is for Trump. Not everybody supports his policies and his very xenophobic, transphobic, racist, misogynistic language,” Ebeling said. Another protest against Trump was held Sunday at Point State Park, allowing people to again voice their stances on the new president-elect. After the protesters finished voicing their opinions, they made their way around the park and over the bridge to Heinz Stadium. One protester, Christopher Patrick, is a gay man who spoke about LGBT rights and the changes made in his lifetime for the LGBT community. “I’ll be 50 on inauguration day this year and I’m not getting the birthday present I hoped for,” Patrick said. Patrick has had numerous Facebook friends remove him over election season. “That’s fine with me, it looks like I just need new friends,” Patrick said. The crowd cheered him on. Despite taking place in less than a week’s time, these protests and the vigil were just the start. More protests along with other events are planned to take place throughout the next few weeks. “Historically, protests and direct action have been a way that people are able to make a change outside of just working within the system and voting,” Finkel said.
Chloe Jakiela cjjakie@pointpark.edu.
Construction totals $74 million from PLAYHOUSE page 1 is building the steel frame of the theatre. Other Pittsburgh companies involved include Wyatt Inc, who will build the interior drywall. Limbach Holdings Inc. will deliver air handling units and install the heating ducts. According to university architect planner, Elmer Burger, Construction crews faced setbacks from the start, as they had to remove foundations of the previous buildings on the site. In order to remove these foundations, a hole with a large ramp for
construction vehicle access was dug. The real challenge was the lack of space on site as the ramp had to be moved around multiple times to work on each section of the site. “The challenge was getting out of the ground…It’s going to get a lot easier now that we’re out of the ground,” said Burger. Space is another challenge crews are facing. With the site spanning only 1.6 acres, there is no room for construction trailers and equipment. Due to this, most of the materials needed are delivered in the morning. Another factor that was considered before work got under way is that people will be living and working next to
the site at all times. To ensure the construction is not a nuisance, crews placed vibration sensors in all of the adjacent buildings to monitor the vibrations from construction. Originally, Point Park planned to open the theater for the fall 2017 semester, however, the date has been pushed back to open sometime in 2018. “I really hope they finish construction for 2018, having the chance to perform in the new theater and in Downtown Pittsburgh would be amazing,” said sophomore musical theater major Jeremy Spoljarick.
Robert Berger raberge@pointpark.edu.
Matt Petras mapetra@pointpark.edu.
Correction
ü
Three photos were credited incorrectly in the last issue. The photo of the silent protester in the News Section was taken by Samantha Buchanan, not Emily Bennett. In Sports, the two Men’s Soccer photos were not taken by Robert Berger; they were courtesy of Sam Robinson, Point Park Athletics.
photo by Robert Berger
Point Park President Paul Hennigan looks on at construction work of the new Pittsburgh Playhouse on Forbes and Fourth Ave. The complex is expected to open for the fall 2018 semester.
NEWS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
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United Student Government recoups after controversial election USG By Alex Grubbs USG Beat Writer
United Student Government (USG) President Blaine King called for the governing body to stand in solidarity with the university as it moves to make the university a safer environment for students. “We can all work together and toward the future,” King said. “We can show Point Park is one community, that we are united.” Lindsay Onufer, who is a part of the university’s SafeZone program, which provides students within the LGBTQ community safe spaces, as well as an assessment coordinator in the Center for Teaching Excellence,
asked USG members how to ensure this safety on campus. “People are no longer feeling safe on campus,” Onufer continued. “I was shocked to hear that people are scared to die, not just scared of policy changes, but scared someone’s going to kill them in a hate crime.” As a Republican, Senator Shannon Seger voiced her concern over being scrutinized for voting for Donald Trump during a class activity, pointing out other students making snide comments. “I told my professor, I said, ‘I don’t think I feel comfortable now saying I voted Republican because I’m like being harassed on campus.’” A Democrat, Sen. Kayla Damazo echoed this sentiment, acknowledging a polarization between both sides
following the election. Support groups were set up on campus for students on both sides to express their emotions surrounding the election. “A lot of students aren’t listening to both sides,” Damazo said. “They are listening to their side, not the other side.” She feels that support groups mixed with both sides would open up discussion between students and a better way to express post-election emotions. David Rowell, sports, arts and entertainment management professor, gave safety pins to USG members as a way to signify to distressed students that they are safe people to communicate with. “[We have] the opportunity to wear the safety pin
[that] says to people, ‘I’m here. I’m here for you,’’ Rowell said. SafeZones are also in effect on different locations across campus. A specific sticker designates a room as a safe space. Seventy-five faculty members and students volunteer as part of the SafeZone program. “I don’t know if everyone knows where the SafeZones are on campus,” Sen. Kaylee Kearns said. She thinks the locations of these spaces should be more publicized. Onufer said she would work on a directory that details out where each SafeZone location is. Other items on Monday’s meeting agenda included Pioneer Community Day, a USG-sponsored volunteer event held every April.
King appointed President Pro-Tempore Shaniece Lawrence as the chair of the PCD committee at meeting, with senatorial approval. The committee is usually created in the spring semester each school year. King wants to get this “on the ground and... running before heading into winter break.” The finance committee also announced that no clubs or organizations will receive any more funding until a solution to why forms are sent in late is made. Baldoni said to contact her if anyone has questions regarding funding. Due to next week’s fall break, USG meetings will continue the following Monday.
Alex Grubbs aagrubb@pointpark.edu.
Decision on software replacement for Blackboard coming in 2017 from BLACKBOARD page 1 learning programs to find the best fit for Point Park students. These programs include Canvas, D2L Brightspace and Schoology. The plan for the future, told by Chipman and Slater, is to review the multiple systems and how the programs would be implemented from the different perspectives of students, faculty and staff. This includes making sure the system works for Point Park University’s IT Department and to ensure that faculty understand how to post assignments and for students to understand how to turn in
assignments, check grades and find notes with ease. All of the possible learning programs have mobile app functions and are available for smartphones, which is something that Slater finds very useful for students. Faculty members are looking for a system that can have a specific objective entered in and can link assignments, tests and tasks together in a unit or chapter that would last for any set amount of time. Currently, there are initial reviews to make sure each of the learning programs make it through the university’s regulations.
Testing each system should take place during the spring 2017 semester, though a final decision won’t be made until the summer or fall semesters of 2017. When testing the new system, at least 100 students and faculty members are asked to participate before the system is put into place for the university. The committee will be looking for a wider view and response on how students are interacting and engaging on the new system. When asked to comment on the possibility that students won’t respond well to
the system, Slater said, “In my opinion, students drive the adoption and are driven by that adoption by their faculty. It goes on both sides.” The implementation of a new learning program will be a university-wide decision and will require students, faculty and staff, administration and directors from every department across campus to test and approve of a system for the next academic school year. “I look at this as an opportunity for the university that can help students with cleaner technology that is faster,” Chipman said.
Nathan Vrablic, a freshman advertising and public relations major, welcomes the transition to a new program, as he has had firsthand experience encountering problems with Blackboard. “Not many students fully understand how Blackboard works,” Vrablic said. “I’m halfway through my first semester and I still don’t understand it. If we make this switch sooner rather than later it would be better for this freshman class to use for the rest of their time here.”
Hannah Walden hwalde@pointpark.edu.
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2016
FEATURES
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
‘Contemporary Choreographers’ produces shows for Playhouse By Karly Rivera
Co-Features Editor
From the lighting design to the dynamic choreography, stage manager Cat Hickerson believes “Contemporary Choreographers” is a show anyone, no matter their background, can enjoy. “Each piece is very unique,” said Hickerson, a senior stage management major. “I think it’s a really good example of contemporary choreography... the best example is art on stage.” “Contemporary Choreographers” brings together four choreographers’ works to the George Rowland White Performance Studio (GRW) Nov. 16-20. The show is put on by the Point Park Conservatory Dance Company and features COPA student dancers. The choreographers are not affiliated with the university. Act 1 opens with “The View From Here” by David Norsworthy. The piece is all about perspective. “How can I create a work that presents a challenge to my team in a way that honours the personalities and histories that they each carry?” Norsworthy said in a press release. “We’ll get started by following our curiosities and then see what emerges.” Next in the program is “Pink Mist,” a piece inspired by the military, by James Gregg. “Pink mist is a term used in the military which is when you shoot someone and blood splatters,” Hickerson said. “It’s about where you just have follow orders, and that’s what those dancers portray.” Sasha Alvarez, a senior dance major with a modern dance concentration, is one of the dancers in “Pink Mist.” Her role in the piece is to try to free her fellow dancers. “We’re just trying to break free from continuing
photo courtesy of Katie Ging
Senior dance majors Sasha Alverez (left) and Michaela Hoelldobler practice for their performance in “Contemporary Choreographers,” held at the Playhouse starting November 16th. The performance will feature guest choreographers Quebec native Helen Simoneau, Chicago- based Stephanie Martinez, James Gregg and Juliard graduate David Norsworthy. the same process that we do,” Alvarez said. “I’m the one that does get out of the same thing over and over again. I lead the dancers into seeing new ways and new things.” After the intermission, “Flight Distance” by Helen Simoneau will start the beginning of the second act. “The work I create is inspired and informed by a fascination with the intricacies of relationships and the vast spectrum of human dynamics,” Simoneau said in a press release. “Through dance making, I explore ways of expressing and sharing the ways we, as individuals, interact and relate to the larger group.” Lastly, “Chrysalis” by Stephanie Martinez will close out show. “Chrysalis” is about female empower-
ment across generations. “There are three featured dancers,” Hickerson said. “One represents females of the past, and then females of the future, and then females of the present.” Alvarez said the audition process was difficult. The dancers were given 45 minutes with each choreographer to learn parts of the pieces. They then began the first round of cuts, which only left approximately 80 dancers in the department. “It was just a very long process and hard to remember so much choreography,” Alvarez said. Hickerson and Alvarez both said the show was a collaborative process between the dancers, lighting aspects, choreographers and management. “I’ve never worked
with all the people in this piece before, so it was very exciting to help bring this process together with new people,” Alvarez said. “Everyone is just so creative and so talented.” Alvarez also said the process of creating a show is her favorite aspect as a performer, too. “The process of rehearsals, the long nights, the hours of soreness -- it all leads up to this one moment,” Alvarez said. “Contemporary Choreographers” runs Wednesday through Saturday. Performance times include Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, students
can visit pittsburghplayhouse.com.
Karly Rivera kmriver@pointpark.edu
PPG PLACE TREE AND ICE RINK READY FOR LIGHT UP NIGHT
NPR’s
DIANE REHM reflects on 30 years in Public Media
PPUGLOBE.com
photo by Sami Exler
Freshman theater arts major, Sarah Carson, paints at one of the tables in the Lawrence Hall lobby during the “Paint the City” event Thursday night. CAB provided painting supplies along and an outline of the Pittsburgh skyline along with canvases for students to decorate.
photo by Gracey Evans
The tree at PPG Place will be lit amongst ice-skaters during Pittsburgh’s annual Light Up Night, which takes place in the evening Nov. 18. The tree will be illuminated along with other holiday lights all around the city beginning that night.
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
FEATURES
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2016
5
Therapy Animals comfort students with mental health issues By Eddie Trizzino Co-Features Editor
Chaise Schrecengost’s dog Jack follows her almost everywhere. Although people ask her why a dog is in buildings or on the bus with her, she has an easy explanation for the reason: Jack is her therapy dog. “People ask me why I have a dog with me, but I’m always prepared for the situation,” Schrecengost, a junior biology major at the University of Pittsburgh who previously attended Point Park her freshman year, said. Schrecengost is diagnosed with anxiety, which can have an effect on her mental health and her overall school work. Pets such as Jack are certified therapy animals that are able to help people with mental health issues by providing security and comfort to their owners. Adrianna Hessom, sophomore screenwriting major, lives in Conestoga with three roommates and her therapy cat, Williams. Max Namey, sophomore forensic science major and Hessom’s roommate said that having Williams around is
beneficial for himself, and even friends who come to visit. “Having him around is relaxing and makes you feel more at home,” Namey said. “Just him being there, he has a safe presence, and it really takes some stress away.” Namey, who considers himself a cat person, said that Hessom had to get permission from a therapist, saying that having an animal around would help with an existing mental health condition. Schrecengost had to go through a similar process. PK Weston, a composition English professor, has been involved in training therapy dogs since she was younger. She now takes dogs through the necessary training and certification processes and helps them work with people who are in need of comfort. “You’ve got to have a dog that is very steady,” Weston said. “Dogs have to be very disciplined and very temperamental.” Weston said that she and her dogs have been tested by Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization dedicated to therapy dogs and their
handlers, in order to get certified to work with people who have mental health issues. She also works with people in hospice care, bringing her golden retrievers in to comfort people in need. She recalled a particularly memorable experience when one of her dogs approached a stroke victim who could barely move. One of her golden retrievers, Daisy, approached the victim who wore gloves to protect his hands. When the victim took off his gloves, he started petting the dog, to the surprise of Weston. Weston said that this is one of the reasons she continues to work with dogs, besides her love for the animals. Junior creative writing major Elizabeth Anderson shares the same passion, as she helps raise service dogs at Susquehanna Service Dogs. “I help the puppies practice with stimuli and go through training to get them ready,” Anderson said. Weston and Anderson both said that the love of animals makes them want to continue helping with therapy animals.
photo by Julie Kooser
Adrianna Hessom’s cat, Williams, a certified therapy cat, lives with her and her thee roommates in Conestoga Hall. “Working with puppies is always a plus, and knowing that I’m helping people is a good feeling,” Anderson said. Schrecengost also said that she loves animals, thinking of Jack as her best friend, as he has been with her family since he was a three month old puppy, and he will be five years old in January. She said that Jack gives her the motivation to get
out of bed every day and do her best to keep him happy and healthy, which in turn, makes her feel happy and healthy. “I love animals. I have a hamster and two fish, but he really is my best friend,” Schrecengost said about her dog.
Eddie Trizzino eatrizz@pointpark.edu
FALL FEST BRINGS MUSIC TO VILLAGE PARK
Interested in Writing for the
? photo by Robert Berger
Grandadchilds members and Point Park graduates John Rushlander and Tyler McLaughlin jamming with their signature blues-rock style at the annual Fall Fest, presented by the Campus Activities Board.
Join Us for Our Pitch Meetings! Mondays at 2:40 in the Center for Media Innovation Newsroom
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TICKETS ONLINE: pbt.culturaldistrict.org CALL: 412.454.9101 Restrictions may apply. Tickets will be held at Benedum Box Office. Must show valid Point Park University ID.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
OPINIONS
People should be treated with respect regardless of their votes
The
Globe Point Park
By Kayla Snyder
Support groups necessary This year’s election, as pointed out in both opinions pieces this week, has been unusually intense. The results ensuing Facebook and in-person arguments have led some people to believe that their country or their friends disrespect their points of view or even their core identities. And on Monday, an email from Point Park Chief of Police Jeffrey Besong noted an increase in harassment in Point Park’s vicinity since the election. Those real-life instances can take an emotional and mental toll on students, and it’s important to address the potential damage they can cause. It’s especially important for Point Park, which is a notably, vibrantly queer and diverse school. That’s why Taffie Bucci, the university counselor, should be applauded for organizing and hosting a post-election support group last Wednesday to help students process what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for them. This Tuesday, she hosted one specifically designated for Trump supporters. As colleges around the country held similar events, some criticized the fact that they even existed. They
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
characterized the support groups as full of whiners or childish millennials. But, as Wednesday’s support group demonstrated, these events aren’t just for weak kids who can’t face reality. They’re for people whose lives are on the precipice of changing in real and potentially traumatic ways. Losing your health insurance, having a family member deported, having friends cut off contact with you – these aren’t things that exist theoretically, in the minds of crybabies. They are things that cannot help but affect you, by virtue of being a human. College is one of the few times that people have access to some free mental health services. Too few students take advantage of those resources, but by making them immediately available in the wake of a traumatic event, Point Park is taking necessary steps for its students’ well-being. So kudos to Point Park for recognizing that and acting accordingly. It’s been a rough election, and helping its students through it emotionally is both responsible and kind.
The Point Park Globe globe@pointpark.edu.
Copy Editor
I am tired. No, not in the way that I need to sleep for more than 8 hours a night. Well, yes that way too, but that’s not what I’m referring to now. I am tired of hearing about the election. I am tired of seeing people I love and care about so upset over this election. I am tired of people excusing their votes regardless of which side they fall on. Are a lot of people upset? Yes. On the flip side, are a lot of people happy? Yes. There’s a common misconception that just because someone voted for Donald Trump means that they agree 100 percent with every single thing he has said on his campaign trail. That’s not the case. The same goes for people who voted for Hillary Clinton. I know there are a ton of Clinton voters who voted for her simply because their first choice candidate, Bernie Sanders, was not the Democratic nominee. And that’s okay. It’s truly okay to be different. Recently, through different leadership programs, I’ve learned that accepting and embracing differences can help you in multiple aspects of life. It seems as if in the 21st century people tend to forget that it’s okay to disagree with differences. It’s okay. I prom-
ise it really is. However, to assume that all Republicans are terrible and awful people is when the disagreeing goes too far. It’s okay to be happy or upset about the election result, but it’s not okay to belittle someone because of the way they voted. You have no idea what their reasoning could have been either way. Just because someone is a Republican or a Trump supporter does not mean they don’t support the LGBT community or that they’re racist or sexist or that they hate women. It doesn’t mean any of that. Maybe it simply comes down to the fact that they didn’t have another candidate to choose from. Sure, are there radical Trump supporters who believe in all of those horrible things? Yes. But to label an entire party as radical in that regard isn’t okay. Essentially, each party has their own radicals, and it’s not okay to outwardly assume and label someone with strong words such as: criminal, racist, sexist and a host of others because of their party affiliation. This brings me back to Point Park. All across campus, I’ve noticed “Love Trumps Hate” signs and the countless Facebook posts defending Clinton and Trump only to be consumed with negative comments trying to “win,” when in reality, no one wins. Both people get upset.
That isn’t love, that’s hate. Do people realize that by belittling people because of their political views, regardless of what they may be, that they aren’t “trumping hate?” If anything, they’re adding more hate to this world. Politics are a hot button issue, and I understand that. But as mature adults, we should be able to respect other people’s views and opinions. Not everyone is going to think the same way or see the world in the same light, and we need to respect that as a country. Belittling and making someone feel as if they are wrong for their beliefs is not okay, and it’s not how this country should run. It is okay to disagree with people, and it is okay to have your own opinion. We are all entitled to our own. It’s not okay to make someone feel awful for their political views because believe it or not, political views are opinions, too. It’s not okay to assume horrible, radical ideas about another person just because of how their vote fell. Not every Trump supporter is racist or sexist. Not every Clinton supporter is corrupt or wrong. We’re entitled to our own opinions. I’m not here to condone racism or condone sexism. I am here to highlight one thing: acceptance.
Kayla Snyder klsnyde2@pointpark.edu.
Trump poised for racist and sexist presidency By Laura Byko
Co-Opinions Editor
It all happened so quickly. Donald Trump was elected President of the United States on Tuesday. By Saturday, more than 200 hate crimes had been reported to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a spike more severe than the one after 9/11. It all happened so quickly. On Sunday, Trump announced that Breitbart publisher and white nationalist Steve Bannon will be his chief strategist. Breitbart, under his tenure, had a special section for stories specifically about “Black Crime.” Here are some headlines that Bannon published: “Bill Kristol: Republican Spoiler, Renegade Jew” “Birth Control Makes Women Unattractive And Crazy” “Data: Young Muslims In The West Are A Ticking Time Bomb, Increasingly Sympathising With Radicals, Terror” It all happened so quickly. The Ku Klux Klan will hold
a victory parade on Dec. 3 in North Carolina. It all happened so quickly. Ken Blackwell, who heads the Family Research Council, designated by the SPLC as an anti-LGBT hate group, will help head Trump’s transition team on domestic issues. Blackwell believes that being gay is both a choice and a transgression against God. It all happened so quickly. Trump, who is about to become the most powerful man in the world, tweeted angrily about the New York Times on Sunday. He said the paper was losing subscribers, that it was dishonest with its reporting on Trump’s stance on nuclear proliferation. (The NYT was, in fact, correct in reporting that he said more countries should acquire nuclear weapons.) He has in the past threatened legal action against media outlets critical of him. It all happened so quickly. I’m prone to walking the streets of Oakland late at night, usually alone. Saturday night, headed to a friend’s house, I felt afraid for the first time. I
did not feel safe walking alone in a country which has been emboldened to hate Others, and as a white woman, I probably feel significantly safer than any woman of color or Muslim woman. Never before have I thought I might have to use the mace my mom sent me in a care package that also came with homemade cookies. But this weekend I was afraid. It all happened so quickly. After Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid denounced Trump in a statement in which he called Trump a “sexual predator,” Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s campaign manager, said “he should be very careful about characterizing someone in a legal sense,” implying that President-Elect Trump will use legal actions to punish people, as well as media outlets who criticize him. It is happening now. Donald Trump is dangerous for democracy, dangerous for women, dangerous for immigrants, dangerous for the LGBTQ community, dangerous for Jewish people, and
dangerous for anyone who isn’t white. Now is not the time to “unify” under a president with fascist goals. Now is the time to organize and figure out how to stop him from implementing his racist, sexist policies. Any politician or citizen who helps to normalize the idea of a Trump presidency is complicit in helping it destroy lives. It is happening now. The idea that “divisiveness” is currently our country’s biggest problem is laughable. The division is this: People who are okay with an impending fascist and white supremacist regime, and people who are not. I am not willing to compromise with white nationalists, and the idea that I should is insulting to people of color and queer people who face physical attacks from citizens and legislative ones from our new leader. I feel no obligation to be polite to white supremacists or pretend as though a vote for a racist misogynist
is not a racist and misogynist act. At the very least, that vote signals the prioritization of personal interests over the well-being of marginalized people who will suffer under Trump. Pretending otherwise helps no one and only serves to relieve people of their culpability for what is about to transpire. It is happening now. Get organized. Join activist organizations. Don’t sit by while injustices are committed on an individual and national scale. The country has just gotten a lot scarier for a lot of people. Letting them wallow in their fear without acting is an endorsement of that same fear. Complacency is no longer an option. It is happening now.
Laura Byko lobyko@pointpark.edu.
COVERING THE WORLD OF POINT PARK UNIVERSITY NEWS SINCE 1967
Globe Point Park
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THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
SPORTS CROUP’S CORNER By Josh Croup Sports Columnist
Another shot at history For years, the Point Park women’s soccer and volleyball teams just haven’t been able to get over the hump. Year after year the women’s soccer team fell short in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Tournament, failing to get that one key victory. 2012: Lost 1-0 at Carlow in the KIAC Tournament Finals 2013: Lost 2-1 at Asbury in the KIAC Tournament Finals 2014: Lost 3-2 at Asbury in the KIAC Tournament Semifinals Last year the Pioneers got over that hump and finally took home that coveted piece of hardware, winning the KIAC Championship with a 1-0 takedown of West Virginia Tech at Highmark Stadium. Point Park had a chance to defend its title Saturday at Ohio Christian University. This time, the team sought out a Rivers States Conference (RSC) title (the conference underwent a name change over the summer). Like we saw all too often this year, Point Park went into the locker room with a scoreless tie and scored late goals to seal its victory. Now, that one key victory doesn’t seem like it’s too much to ask for. Now, it’s time to make more history. Before last year, it was all about winning the first conference championship in program history. Now that Point Park has won backto-back titles, the focus shifts to the opening round of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament. Point Park lost in its first NAIA Tournament appearance last year 5-0 at No. 1 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). It was a tough draw, and this
year’s draw doesn’t make the journey any easier. Point Park will travel once again to Lindsey Wilson, this time the NAIA’s No. 2 team, on Nov. 19 with the hopes of winning its first NAIA Tournament game in program history. Lindsey Wilson returns to the NAIA Tournament for the 16th-straight year and holds the longest active streak of appearances in the championships. The MidSouth Conference tournament champion posted a 15-3 regular season record and is 40-14-2 all-time in the National Tournament. Winning a game on the national stage is the new hump Point Park has to get over, and this hump is far greater than winning the RSC Tournament. Point Park has allowed just two goals in its last 450 minutes of soccer. Its defense has really locked down as of late and has lightened the load for freshman goalkeeper Rebecca Cohen, who has been stellar in net this year. It’s a dangerous team that got off to a rough 0-5-1 start that now has a chance to make even more program history. The volleyball team started the season 1-10, but finally got it together at the start of conference play. Point Park won the regular season RSC title with a 15-1 conference record and fell in the first round of the RSC Tournament in five sets to Cincinnati Christian. The volleyball team has its own hump to get over. Point Park is returning to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the fourth time in six years and the third straight year. The Pioneers have never won a game in the National Tournament.
2011: Lost 3-1 at Indiana Tech 2014: Lost 3-1 at No. 15 Georgetown (Ky.) 2015: Lost 3-0 at No. 12 Georgetown Point Park will get another chance to win a game at nationals this weekend on Nov. 19 when it travels to Madonna (Mich.) which drew the ninth-and-final at-large selection for the tournament. Madonna is making its 16th all-time appearance in the tournament after posting a 30-7 regular season record. The Crusaders have a 35-31 all-time record in the tournament. Point Park is one of nine teams in this year’s field making a return appearance to the tournament without a victory at the big dance. RSC Tournament Champion Indiana University Kokomo is one of the other eight schools in that field, losing in its first Opening Round appearance last year. They say the fourth time is the charm, right? No? Well let’s start saying it now, because this very well could be the year Point Park hangs around beyond the first match of the tournament. The Pioneers have RSC Player of the Year Shiloh Simonson and a great supporting cast of players that have really gelled together in recent weeks. Led by RSC Coach of the Year Mike Bruno, the Pioneers could make program history this weekend if they bring their very best. One way or the other, we’ll log another section of the Point Park sports history books Saturday.
Josh Croup jdcroup@pointpark.edu.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
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Volleyball wins final home game By Dara Collins Staff Writer
The Pioneers finished out the regular season with a final hoorah on their home court and entered the Rivers States Conference (RSC) Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Student Center opened its doors to the team, families and friends one last time to face off against non-conference opponent West Virginia Wesleyan on Nov. 8. “Since it’s not conference, I guess it really didn’t matter, but it did matter to our whole team because it’s the last time our seniors are going to play in our gym,” sophomore psychology major Ashley Taylor said. The Pioneers came out strong and took sets one and two 25-17 and 25-20. As Point Park prepared for the sweep, the Bobcats responded with a third set victory 25-18. However, their victory was short-lived as the Pioneers won set four 25-18. With an improved season record of 20-13, head coach Mike Bruno also claimed his 400th career victory. “I thought we almost played a complete match,” Bruno said. “We got a little comfortable at times but our relentlessness on the floor defense was probably better than it’s been in a while. They’re playing high-level ball at the right time of the season. I think this was a good dress rehearsal going in to the conference tournament.” Taylor controlled the net with 16 kills and six blocks followed by Madeline Poirier with 10 kills. Libero Morgan Dangelo ran the defense with a team-high of 19 digs. Emily Meng came next in line with 14 digs and 41 assists. 11 aces contributed to the Pioneer victory with four coming from Shiloh Simonson. The highly anticipated RSC Tournament began Nov. 11. The Pioneers faced tournament host and No. 4 seed Cincinnati Christian University in the quarterfinals. An exhausting five-set match ensued. The Eagles claimed set one 25-20, but the Pioneers battled back to win set two 25-21 and tie the match 1-1. Another exchange of wins followed as CCU took set three 25-21, and Point Park held on to win set four
26-24. Unfortunately, the Eagles came out of the fifth set victorious with the 15-12 upset over the top-seeded Pioneers. “CCU played the best game they did all season long,” Meng said. “I’m not here to take anything away from them, but if they look back on their season, I’m sure this game is the one they would be proudest of. They left everything on the court. Our side, however, really gave away so many crucial points.” Meng’s 55 assists spread across the net. Simonson, an outside hitter, recorded 19 kills followed by right side hitter Taylor with 17. Middle hitters Nikki Inquartano and Kirsten Burkes collected 13 kills and eight kills, respectively. Taylor and Dangelo led the Pioneer defense with 15 digs each. Despite the disheartening loss and elimination from the tournament, Point Park did not walk away empty-handed. The Pioneers received a plethora of recognition. The team collected an award for achieving the best record in the RSC. The RSC also named Bruno Coach of the Year and Simonson Conference Player of the Year, two major awards. Simonson was also named to the All-Conference First Team alongside Meng, and Taylor earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team. Freshman Courtney List claimed the Champion of Character Award. “It was such an honor for me to receive the Champion of Character Award,” List said. “I feel grateful that my teammates and coaches thought that I deserved it, and I’m thankful for them pushing me to be the best I can be on and off the court.” The Pioneers now look ahead to the NAIA national tournament, which begins Nov. 19. “We’re looking to put some different things in to our offense as we approach the post-season,” Bruno said. “I think we have the ability to spread the ball really well. We’re not going to change things too much. We’re just going to continue working on fundamentals and our team systems.” “I’m sure it will be a tough week of practice, but in the end, I’m sure it will pay off,” Meng said. “Making it past opening rounds is something PPU has yet to do, and I think it’s possible for us to do it.”
Dara Collins dmcolli@pointpark.edu.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: TICKETS TO NATIONALS
page 7 archive photos by Evan Showvron
Point Park volleyball celebrates with their trophy after the AMC Title Game in November 2011. The Pioneers defeated Daemen 3-1 to advance to their first NAIA National Tournament in program history.
Point Park volleyball players celebrate during the 2011 AMC Tournament Championship game in the Student Center Gym. Point Park is returning to the NAIA National Tournament for the fourth time in six years.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016
SPORTS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Women’s soccer wins RSC tournament title, clinches bid to NAIA tournament By Emily Miller For the Globe
The Point Park women’s soccer team can once again call themselves, “champions.” For the third time in four years the Pioneers advanced to the Rivers States Conference (RSC) championship game. After securing the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs, Point Park beat the Asbury University Eagles on Nov. 9 in the semifinal game. This was the third time Point Park went up against Asbury in the playoffs. In 2013, Asbury defeated Point Park in the conference finals. It also beat Point Park 3-2 in the 2014 semifinals. The game started out slow with no goals recorded by halftime. The first half
consisted of a few shots taken from each team, but none that secured a goal. The Eagles came out in the second half with an improved defense that put them at an advantage. Ten minutes into the second half, Asbury’s Logan Hall scored the first goal leading the Eagles 1-0. Both the Eagles and the Pioneers tried to make it to the net, but both teams played tremendous defense, keeping the score tight. It seemed as though Point Park was running out of time, but in the last ten minutes of the game the score took a turn. As the Pioneers made their way down the field, Freshman Nikki Polens tied the game with a shot right in front of the net. Amidst chaos on the field, Polens was able to sneak in her shot to earn a
photos courtesy of Sam Robinson, Point Park Athletics
Junior midfielder Katherine Melhuish moves past an Asbury defender on Wednesday in the River States Conference semifnal match at Highmark Stadium. The Pioneers won the match 2-1.
goal for her team. “I feel like I made my family proud tonight,” Polens said. “Being able to score for them just makes me feel so great inside. There are honestly no words to describe that feeling.” Five minutes after Polens tied the game, Point Park senior Simone Keibler took a long shot 18 yards out and scored to give Point Park a 2-1 lead with less than five minutes left. Her shot sealed the win for Pioneers. “I scored the goal, but our team really played together,” Keibler said. “That’s why we pulled through at the end. It wasn’t just an individual effort, it was a team one.” This win advanced Point Park to face the Ohio Christian Trailblazers in the RSC championship. Ohio Chris-
tian defeated Point Park 2-1 in the regular season, but the Pioneers were more prepared to take them on than they were before. “I am surrounded by an absolutely brilliant young group of ladies who are willing to run through a wall for each other and I think that is what is going to propel us through Ohio Christian who is going to be very hard to beat,” head coach Maggie Kuhn said after Wednesday’s win. Point Park did defeat Ohio Christian Saturday in Grove City, Ohio to claim their second straight championship. The game went into halftime with a 0-0 tie, but the Pioneers came out in the second half ready to win. In the final 20 minutes of the game, Point Park struck first with a goal by Izzy Hunt-
er. The Pioneers then stepped up their defense to keep Ohio Christian out of the net. In the final minute of the game, Polens secured the win for the Pioneers with the second goal, totaling out to a 2-0 victory for Point Park. The Pioneers outshot Ohio Christian 15-6 and freshman goalkeeper Rebecca Cohen recorded her sixth shutout of the season with three saves. This win for the Pioneers advanced them even further to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. Point Park will play second-ranked Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky. Saturday for the escond straight year in the opening round.
Emily Miller emmille1@pointpark.edu.
Senior midfielder Simone Keibler advances the ball against Asbury last Wednesday in the River States Conference semifinal match at Highmark Stadium. Point Park defeated Asbury 2-1 to advance to the RSC Championship, where it defeated Ohio Christian 2-0.