Point Park University Globe Spring 2017 Issue 1

THE

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@PPUGlobe January 11, 2017

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Point Park social media reaches new level of achievement Alexander Popichak carries the Globe to its 50th year Basketball bounces back after winter break losses ppuglobe.com

Celebrating 50 years of covering the world of Point Park University news

Issue 1

Point Café still under construction Point Park employs amid start of semester for students new email system

By Kayla Snyder Co-News Editor

Over the winter break, both of Point Park’s dining amenities, the Point Café and the Residential Dining Facility (RDF) underwent renovations as part of a project brought on by CulinArt and Point Park administration.

The construction project that started Jan. 19 included minor changes to the RDF, as well as a complete renovation of the Point Café.

At the time of publication, the plans for the new Point Café were to remove the wall, reshuffle stations and add a new setup area for a convenience store option, according to Dean of Students Keith Paylo.

“You’re going to see a lot of changes because we are making improvements,” Paylo said. “The façade of the area is going to be different.”

In addition to space changes, the Point Café is also going to provide more offerings for students based on what has worked for students in the last semester.

CAFE page 2

By Matt Petras Staff Writer

Students can now store 50 gigabytes of data in their school email account, which is 250 times more than before, thanks to an updated system. This improvement comes alongside other new features.

“Don’t think of [the new system] as just email,” Director of IT and Security Will Elmes said in a phone interview Monday.

The new system offers students a wide array of features through the Office 365 suite of services, all offered, free. This includes Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Students can now also set up a mobile phone number and/or alternate email address to retrieve their password on their own; before, students had to call the IT Help Desk to do so. These additions come alongside the increase in storage.

“There is not a single person on campus using a Chloe Jakiela | The Globe

USG Vice President Bobby Bertha passes by the Point Café as construction goes on during the first day of classes Monday.

Students will not be able to eat in the Point Café until next week.

USG rolls out stricter funding policy, swears in new senators USG

By Alex Grubbs USG Beat Writer

United Student Government (USG) swore in two new senators as the student government rolled out stricter funding period windows for clubs and organizations.

Senior sports, arts and entertainment management major Priscilla Nevarez and sophomore broadcasting major Samiar Nefzi join USG as it cracks down on funding submissions after weeks of persisting PointSync problems.

“We’re not opening it again. I know in past semesters, we… let things slide,” Treasurer Amedea Baldoni said. “We’re getting stricter regarding that policy.”

During the fall semester, PointSync issues persisted for almost three weeks after initially closing its funding window. Club and organization budgets were not submitted correctly under the new system.

The first budget window for this semester closed Jan. 10 at midnight and will not reopen until the second funding period.

Due to the new semester, enrollment numbers may have shifted, which will lead to the adjustment of money that can be given out to clubs and organizations. Dean of Students Keith Paylo told USG he will provide the current enrollment after the add/ drop period ends next week.

“If there is an adjustment [in enrollment], it will be really slight,” Paylo said.

Continuing the meeting, USG approved Active Minds, a new organization regarding mental health.

“Their purpose is to establish and express mental awareness of students, faculty and staff on campus,” Senator Hayley Hoffman said.

According to its website, Active Minds is a nonprofit organization and has chapters at universities and colleges across the country. Its goal is to remove stigma regarding mental health problems and create an open dialogue about them.

The student government also looked into the future as President Blaine King’s two year tenure is coming to a close.

“With about ten weeks

left, I already planned out what we are going to do for the rest of the semester,” King said.

Upcoming events include a visit from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Monday, Jan. 23, a State of the Union address similar to the one given by the U.S. president, USG elections and Pioneer Community Day, which is an opportunity for students to volun-

USG page 3

quarter of [their new storage limit],” Elmes said.

Increasing the storage through the new system was “substantially” less expensive than adding the storage through the old program would have been, according to Elmes.

IT Director Tim Wilson is also involved in the update.

“We’ve been looking into doing this for a long time now,” Wilson said.

The previous email system, which was an older version of Microsoft’s Outlook service, only allotted students 200 megabytes of storage. This amount of storage is substantially less than the new 50 gigabytes of storage, as one gigabyte is equivalent to 1,000 megabytes.

This is helpful for students like Colten Gill, who is the executive director of the Campus Activity Board (CAB), and United Student Government (USG) President Blaine King.

EMAIL page 2

WPPJ notches four national radio awards

By Michael Richter Co-News Editor

WPPJ, Point Park’s student-operated radio station, was nominated for four 2017 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) awards, marking its seventh-consecutive year in which it has earned nominations.

“It’s an honor,” WPPJ member Brandon Cross said regarding the radio station’s nominations. “It’s akin to a college football team going to the Orange Bowl for a seventh time in a row.”

WPPJ station manager Vinnie Ferrainola, Cross and the Globe’s Editor-in-Chief Alexander Popichak were

nominated for Best Celebrity Interview, as they interviewed Sarah Koenig, the host of the popular podcast “Serial.” Miranda Van Bramer garnered a Best Promo Series nomination for her promos about her WPPJ show “Girls Overboard.”

“It’s great to be recognized for something we’ve worked so hard for at WPPJ,” Ferrainola said.

Ferrainola earned another nomination in the Best Station Promo category, and Cross also notched a second nomination for Best Public Service Announcement (PSA).

“To be nominated for

WPPJ page 3

Chloe Jakiela | The Globe

Miranda Van Bramer edits portions of her radio show, “Girls Overboard,” in the WPPJ studio Monday. Van Bramer is the Assistant General Manager and was nominated for an Intercollegiate Broadcast System’s Best Promo for her show.

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Point Park

GLOBE

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

NEWS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Point Café gets a revamp, more choices

Students Dining Hall adds new wall colors, carpeting, food stations obtain more email from CAFE page 1 more and be spacious for tions in a better laid out “The timing students when they decide concept,” Paylo said. “I beVice President of the to get their meals so it’s lieve we’re answering the storage was right and United Student Government (USG) and member of the food committee Bobby Bertha said the café will provide new opportunities for students.

“It’s a much more open concept that will allow students to be a lot more autonomous when it comes to making their own food,” Bertha said. “The grill will be new. The spinning salads will be a chance for students to make their own salads, and the choices are going to multiply.”

USG President Blaine King said that redoing the café has always been an idea that the university had.

“CulinArt wanted a fresh start that was appealing for students,” King said. “They wanted to add

not too crammed.”

According to Paylo, The Point Café was due for an upgrade since the last major renovation happened nearly 14 years ago.

However, the push for the renovation was a combination of both the new food service provider CulinArt and the aging of the café.

“The timing was right and with the new food service provider, everything came together,” Paylo said.

“We needed to make some changes.”

Paylo said he believes the new Point Café will be welcomed because of the increase of students who regularly visit the café.

“We’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere with more variety of op-

call for a better place for our students.”

USG Treasurer and member of the food committee Amedea Baldoni said with a new food service provider, changes come as well.

“The renovations are a very good thing for the whole campus,” Baldoni said.

Over the summer, the RDF was under construction before students came back to campus for the fall semester.

Paylo said they finalized phase two of the project to remodel the RDF by adding the finishing touches which included a color change on the walls, installation of carpet and a shift in some of the stations.

Chloe Jakiela | The Globe

The dining hall was renovated during winter break -- including the changes of rearranged stations, carpet and reusable takeout containers.

with the new food service provider, everything came together. We needed to make some changes.”

Keith Paylo

Dean of Students “You’re going to see those aesthetic changes more than anything,” Paylo said.

One of the changes that happened in the dining hall was the addition of recyclable takeout containers that can be purchased for $5.00 using student flex dollars.

Students will return the container each time and receive a new one. At the end of the semester, when students return their last togo container, they will get their $5.00 deposit back.

The RDF opened to students with the return of the semester, however, the café is currently closed because of the ongoing changes with a tentative opening for the second week of classes.

“Right now we’re looking at plans,” Paylo said.

“Plans are pretty accurate, but I’m really looking forward to the final product.”

Kayla Snyder klsnyde2@pointpark.edu

from EMAIL page 1 Both students were often frustrated by the 200 megabyte storage limit.

Once or twice a week, students within CAB send files as large as 50 megabytes over email, Gill expressed in a phone interview Thursday. Now, Gill doesn’t have to worry about constantly deleting emails, and plans to take advantage of the expanded space to archive many of these files and documents.

“I’ve been playing a game of deleting emails to make room for the past year and a half or so,” King said in a phone interview Thursday.

Most students only have to use their own personal school email, but King, for example, has to jump between multiple accounts, such as his personal account and USG’s account. One new feature King enjoys is the ability to open multiple accounts on one browser at the same time. Before, on the old program, he would only be able to view one at a time.

Despite the issues students acknowledge with the old email system, King said that there were never any substantial complaints reported to USG about it.

From King’s perspective, implementing the new system was a step forward in preventing issues before they grew into a bigger problem.

Matt Petras mapetra@pointpark.edu.

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

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Student-run station nominated for seventh consecutive year from WPPJ page 1 the interview.

“I was all aboard because Best Station Promo in video Koenig’s pretty famous,” format was really cool,” FerCross said. rainola said. “I couldn’t be Cross and Ferrainola happier. I can’t say enough both expressed that Koenig good things about it.” was humble and affable beBefore Koenig visited fore, during and after the Point Park this past Septeminterview, which was someber as part of the opening thing they did not expect. festivities for the Center for “Some of the requests she Media Innovation (CMI), Dihad put in before she came to rector Andrew Conte emailed Point Park made it seem like Ferrainola to ask if he or anybody else he knew wanted she wanted to be treated like to interview the host of the a big celebrity,” Ferrainola most downloaded podcast of said.

Once the students met all-time.

Koenig, they realized she was “I immediately responda down-to-earth person. ed and said that I would love “To meet her felt like you to interview her,” Ferrainola were talking to a teacher or a said. “As a huge fan of the family friend you’ve known ‘Serial’ podcast, I could not for years,” Ferrainola said. pass that up.”

However, prior to this, “She was so nice and she was Ferrainola had never inter- excited to talk to us.”

Cross agreed with Ferviewed someone of Koenig’s rainola. notoriety, so he searched for “You’d expect someone some help. who has hundreds of millions At the first WPPJ meetof listeners of their artistic ing of the 2016 fall semester, works to be a little high and Ferrainola asked if anyone mighty in a way, but she was would like to join him in inabsolutely personable,” Cross terviewing Koenig. Immedisaid. ately after his announcement, After the interview with Popichak, a fan of Koenig, Koenig finished, Ferrainola quickly raised his hand. and Popichak both breathed Ferrainola also enlisted a sigh of relief.

Cross, who was excited to do “Koenig said, ‘Oh, were

you guys nervous to do this interview?’” Ferrainola said.

“We replied, ‘We’re both huge fans, so we were a little nervous to do this interview.”

Koenig then assured them that they did well, which was Ferrainola’s favorite part of the experience. “’You guys did a great job,’” Koenig said to Ferrainola, Cross and Popichak. “‘You were very professional.’”

Ferrainola’s award-nominated WPPJ video promo started out as his final project for a class, Video Production and Editing. Ferrainola felt the station required a promo, as the previous one was out of date. Many of the students featured were no longer a part of WPPJ. “I said, ‘Let’s set up a promo we can put on the front page of our website,’” Ferrainola said. “Luckily, it turned out really well.”

Ferrainola interviewed WPPJ member Ty Polk, who won the Best Drama at the IBS awards last year for the station promo.

“That was a nice little touch,” Ferrainola said regarding the coincidence. “So I was really happy it was nominated for Best Station Promo.

And it ended up being better

“You’d expect someone who has hundreds of millions of listeners of their artistic works to be a little high and mighty in a way, but she was absolutely personable.”

than I thought it was.”

At the beginning of last semester, Van Bramer created a a 30-second promo for “Girls Overboard” with her co-host.

However, she got a new cohost as her Brandon Cross original one Productions Director, was unable to WPPJ fulfill her duties anymore.

Bramer said.

Thus, Van WPPJ does not expect to Bramer had to create a secgo stagnant.

As WPPJ station ond promo, which also lasted manager, Ferrainola plans to 30 seconds. do everything in his power “So I played off the fact to ensure WPPJ receives IBS that I had a new co-host nominations for an eighth in the second promo,” Van year in a row.

Bramer said.

“Every year, we get to be Van Bramer created a among the best college radio third promo, which was 15 stations in the country,” Ferseconds long, that explains rainola said.

“And I’m excitthe genres of music that plays ed to make this next semester on her show. even better for the students.”

Van Bramer did not anThe 2017 IBS award winticipate her promo series ners will be announced on to be nominated for an IBS Mar. 4 in New York City. award, but she wanted to submit something to be considered for nomination.

“I was in disbelief when Michael Richter I was nominated,” Van

mwricht@pointpark.edu.

USG elections to take place in April from USG page 1

Alex Grubbs | The Globe

United Student Government President Blaine King, far right assisted by Parliamentarian Charles Murria, second from the left, swears in sophomore broadcasting major Samiar Nefzi and senior sports, arts and entertainment management major Priscilla Nevarez into student government.

Elections for USG president, vice president and senators will take place in April. Other executive positions, such as treasurer, press secretary, recording secretary and parliamentarian positions are appointed. According to USG’s constitution, the current executive cabinet will designate a day as Election Day, which is to be announced.

Other events USG stressed for students revolved around Martin Luther King Day and the 2017 Presidential Inauguration.

The university is showing the film “Selma” in the GRW Theatre and providing shuttles

to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 16. in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There, students will visit the newly opened National Museum of African American History and Culture for only $10.

The Campus Activities Board will also have shuttles to the inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20 for $15, including an unlimited D.C. metro pass.

Due to Martin Luther King Day, the university is closed, resulting in no meeting next Monday. An emergency meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17 to allocate funds to clubs and organizations on campus.

Alex Grubbs aagrubb@pointpark.edu.

s s o r CRIM c EotRE n PORT do

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 3:00 p.m.

New Playhouse Theft Under Investigation

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 5:38 p.m.

Lawrence Hall Drug Violation Referred to Student Conduct

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Data compiled by Alex Grubbs Design by Emily Yount

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

FEATURES

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

University Instagram account wins national award Social media dept. recognized for its digital marketing content

than 1,000 higher education schools submitted entries Felicia McKinney to be recognized, spends a lot of time using also according to social media. Although it is the website.

McKinney exoften thought of as a leisure plained that the activity, McKinney’s use of university’s InstaPoint Park’s Instagram acgram differs from count has won a gold award other colleges and from the 2016 Education universities, focusDigital Marketing (EDM) ing on the downAwards.

“It’s very exciting to town campus.

“With Instaknow that what we’re doing gram, we’re really does pay off and that we are trying to showcase recognized for it,” McKinney, Social Media Manager what life is like on for Point Park, said about campus and in the city of Pittsburgh,” the award. said.

The Instagram account McKinney “We really promade the gold ranking mote the idea that from the EDM Awards, the the city is our camhighest ranking a university can earn. McKinney said pus.”

Point Park’s that all of the university’s account feasocial media accounts, inNikole Kost | The Globe tures photos from cluding Facebook, Twitter Sophie Stewart, freshman dance major, browses Point Park’s award winning Instagram feed. Photos from cam- the account are made to promote the university as well as its events and programs. and Snapchat, were sub- around pus, views in and mitted, but were not recogaround the city as nized. However, McKinney of social media since last by McKinney. The social at a close second,” McKinwell as photos of students semester. He said he en- media department also ney said. said she enjoys each of the platforms, using each one posing. McKinney said her joys the lax nature of work- hosts “Takeover Tuesday” With Point Park’s Twitpersonally as well as pro- favorite photo on Point ing for the department, and on Snapchat, when a stu- ter account, McKinney Park’s Instagram is also that he gets to spend free dent from an on-campus somewhat serves as cusfessionally. the first to time taking photos and vid- organization gains access tomer service, answering “I am break more eos for the school. very active,” to the account for the day, comments or concerns dithan 500 McKinney “I was pretty excited to which McKinney said is rected at the page. She said likes, which hear of winning,” Kelly said also one of their most pop- she is always focused not said. “Peris a photo about the EDM award rec- ular features. sonally, I only on the content but on she took of ognition. just love soPoint Park’s Insta- the audience as well. the Pittscial media.

Kelly said that the Hal- gram has 4,861 followers “I think we do a good burgh sky- loween party promo he cre- at the time of his writing. job of engaging our audiIt’s a great line at night ated for the Campus Activ- Although the university’s ence, so our audience is alway to stay c a p t i o n e d ities Board’s annual dance Instagram account was the ways in control,” McKinney in touch and “ P a i n t e d is his favorite creation from one that was recognized, said. it’s just fun.” Felicia McKinney skies over his apprenticeship. He said McKinney said her favorite T h e Social Media Manager, P i t t s b u r g h social media has helped social media platform is acwinners of Point Park this mornthe EDM in alerting him to jobs, tually Snapchat. Part of her ing.” awards are even earning an internship current bio in Twitter reads F r e s h - through Facebook. chosen by a “Queen of Snapchat.”

Eddie Trizzino panel of professional judg- man cinema production Photos from students “I would have to say eatrizz@pointpark.edu es, according to the orga- major Daniel Kelly has been may also be found on the Snapchat is my favorite nization’s website. More an apprentice for the office page, if they are approved with Twitter and Instagram

By Eddie Trizzino Co-Features Editor

“Personally I just love social media it’s a great way to stay in touch and it’s just fun.”

FEATURES

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

5

Playwriting returns with enrollment reaching capacity

Theatre arts expands curriculum toward cross-disciplinary

By Nicole Pampena Co-Features Editor

While pursuing a career in the field of musical theatre or acting, students typically work toward finding their voice on stage.

During their time at Point Park, some may find their voice on paper.

This spring semester revived a playwriting course that offers students an alternate creative outlet with the potential to bring out hidden talents. The class will focus on the main elements of writing, live changes that affect how the story is told, as well as development necessary in a script before being brought to life in a performance.

Playwriting has been available on and off, usually due to low enrollment, for the past five years under famous Pittsburgh playwright and winner of the Francesca Primus Prize from the American Theatre Critics Association Tammy Ryan. The course will now be taught by Molly Rice, who has been writing her own plays since 2001.

“I want them to be excited,” Rice said. “The environment we create will be created together. What they’re interested in matters to me.”

Rice originally began her career as an actress in experimental theatre until one day realizing “everyone was looking.”

“It was like Adam and Eve when they realize they’re naked,” Rice said.

“But I [thought] it was my body’s way of shifting [into becoming a playwright].”

The course also hopes to focus on performers shifting to a completely different side of their craft, a skill common to students majoring in theatre arts, otherwise known as performance and practices. The program was launched in 2015 and encourages students to become cross-disciplinary from writing to

acting to directing.

Sheila McKenna, chair of the theatre department and associate professor, contributed toward shaping performance and practices into a curriculum based on forward-thinking and serving contemporary interests.

Although playwriting is currently only available as a basic, entry-level class, McKenna is looking to eventually expanding it into a whole sequence along with directing courses. The connection would help directors “learn how to transfer new material and bring out dramatic action with the freedom of low-pressure practice.”

“I want them to be excited.

The environment we create will be created together. What they’re interested in matters to me.”

Molly Rice

Professor, Theatre Arts Department “Contemporary theatre requires [students] to be nimble across multiple skillsets,” McKenna said.

“That can then come together to make a company or an adaption…We’re excited because this might be a program where we take Playwriting I traction and expand its levels and types.”

Rice emphasizes that the course is not about moving from one discipline to another, but doing both and offering a variety

of talents. She refers to these artists as “slashes,” such as “director/actor/ playwright.”

As for actors with a background or interest in writing, such as sophomore acting major Allison Beauregard, the course carries a different set of challenges. The first day of class presented students with the task of writing both a 10-minute play and a 15-minute play during the semester, both unusual lengths for beginners.

“It’s pretty intimidating,” Beauregard said. “I’ve written my whole life, so to churn out that kind of work in a short period of time is daunting.”

Rice encourages the class to find support in each other to overcome the fear of sharing something “more intimate” such as writing. She described her students and new playwrights as “invariably brilliant writers” that are “always fascinating and always have great ideas.”

As the university progresses its inclusion of playwriting, the ultimate goal is bringing the live art back to the stage.

While plays transitioning to publication or production happens “quite often,” according to Rice, Point Park holds an entirely student-run production at the end of every semester called the Raymond Laine Memorial One-Acts Festival. McKenna hopes to eventually move to student-written productions as well.

But advances in the course that push students’ skills into that realm are not expected for a few years. In taking the first steps toward that goal, the primary challenge to overcome this semester is confidence.

“Writing is something I love to do, but I have trouble sharing it,” Beauregard said. “But Molly [Rice] gave great advice…I got a great vibe [from the class] with students who are really dedicated artists.”

Molly’s advice? Set up a daily writing time and “set up a time for your heart.”

“Creativity takes time,” Rice said. “If you show up for writing, writing shows up for you.”

Nicole Pampena nmpampe@pointpark.edu.

Friday the 13th

Tattoo & Piercing Specials

Nikole Kost | The Globe Allison Beauregard, sophomore acting major, is enrolled in Playwriting I. She wanted to try something new and become comfortable sharing her writing.

Pittsburgh Events Calendar

January 13

Poetry Unplugged August Wilson Center

January 14

All About the Burgh Culture & Ketchup Tours Station Square

January 14

An Evening with the Ghosts of Pittsburgh Society for Contemporary Craft

January 16

Friendship Bowls with Kevin Snipe

January 17

Now offering piercing!

Humane Action Pittsburgh 2017 Heroes Award Reception PPG Plaza

6

OPINIONS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

A letter from the editor...

By Alexander Popichak Editor-in-Chief

I’ve always been a fan of maps.

I can’t put my finger on what fascinates me about them, but I’ve always enjoyed the way maps look and the patterns woven within them.

Maps are physical representations of the world. The world is tangible but only as far as the horizon line allows you to see. With a map, however, you can see as far as you want - scale willing, of course.

The closest thing I’ve had to experiencing that same sense of depth a map produces was a flight to Chicago the month before I started at Point Park. Cruising at some great height, the patchwork parcels and veins of the country come into focus. In that moment you realize how small a space you personally occupy. The most striking thing in that moment is the scale and the perspective you occupy even for an hour-long flight.

My name is Alex Popichak, and I’m going to be the editor-in-chief this year, and in case you missed the ad at the end of last semester, Feb. 8, 2017 marks our 50th anniversary. We’re excited to celebrate 50 years of award-winning collegiate journalism, and I hope that shows in the coming issues. All the while we are going to strive to keep producing the same quality content, and I hope that shows, too.

In coming up with the ideas driving the 50th anniversary celebration, I have been inspired by two things: newspaper clippings and road maps.

The concept of a road map is much the same concept as a

newspaper. Maps show you not only where you’ve been but where you can go - and our pages show you where students, faculty, staff and administration have gone and where they are going.

Each story we tell or accomplishment we document is like a dotted city in a map.

They’re scattered about by the club or team or office they’re involved in. Each journey to get there is either a back road or highway. In the end they’re all roads and in the end they’re all the stories that make up the Globe.

We’ve assembled a great staff of people - names both new and familiar - that have a passion for the stories they tell and share a want to help connect the dots for you, our reader.

That’s the approach we’ve set out for ourselves - within the frame of the past we’re building a picture of the future of Point Park.

From the very first edition of the Globe we’ve been looking for contributors from all perspectives. As we have since 1967, we rely on volunteers to contribute to us in order to put together this paper each week. If you’ve been waiting for some personal invitation to contribute - consider this your call to action.

This year, resolve to use your own map for whatevjourney you want to take - and the Point Park Globe will be right here to document it.

Alexander Popichak apopic@pointpark.edu.

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Being a more active feminist in 2017, a very crucial year

By Beth Turnbull

Co-Opinions Editor

I am a woman. I am also a feminist. You would think these two things come together, a sort of package deal. But for many women, that is not the case.

As funny as it sounds, some women do not consider themselves to be feminists. Even more women are uncomfortable saying the word out loud.

Feminists do not have to be radical, they do not have to be angry and they do not have to hate men or marriage or children. There are extremists in every movement.

A feminist is simply someone who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.

Look it up in the dictionary and that’s what you’ll find.

How could a woman be opposed to something like that? It sounds crazy, but these women exist and live comfortably in our society.

For many, feminism is a dirty word and has been for a long time. I think it’s time to take it back.

The most common argument I hear when someone tells me they are not a feminist is that they don’t believe women are better than men. Neither do I. The reason we call ourselves feminists and not egalitarians or believers in human rights, is because we cannot ignore the problem of gender. We should not erase women from the movement that seeks to raise them up.

Another argument I hear is that women are not oppressed anymore. Just because some females haven’t been oppressed doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.

Women all across the globe, especially in the Middle East, do not have access to education. Many women are not allowed to travel outside their homes without the permission of a male relative. These problems may seem far away but they are important.

“For many, feminism is a dirty word and has been for a long time. I think it’s time to take it back.”

Beth Turnbull

Co-Opinions Editor, The Globe

The problem of gender equality should be shared and discussed by all – both women and men.

Feminism is inherently about action. It is the only social movement heavily working toward equality with a specific focus on gender.

If you’ve never considered yourself to be a feminist before, 2017 is the per-

fect time to start. I can’t lie, it will be difficult. We are facing a president-elect whose lewd sexual comments about women were not enough to keep him from being elected and a vice president-elect who tried to force mothers to hold funerals for their unborn fetuses, miscarriages included.

We’ll have to be vocal.

We’ll have to get involved, socially and politically. All of us will need to keep a careful eye on the 45th president and the members of Congress and call them out when necessary. We need to stay informed on the issues that matter to us and argue accurately and efficiently.

We need to be visible – both women and men – and show the world that feminists are not just angry women who want to burn their bras and overpower men.

We need to start having the conversation with our younger brothers and sisters and teach them to respect one another. Educating our peers is vital to creating a healthier discussion on gender.

Feminists have been fighting for centuries and I think we owe it to these powerful women of the past to continue that fight. If we all stand together and make a promise that we will not remain silent on injustice, we can make waves.

Beth Turnbull erturnb@pointpark.edu.

Looking ahead at what 2017 will offer the U.S.

A political and social look at the year to come for Americans

By Jordan Slobodinsky Co-Opinions Editor

This year isn’t exactly off to a great start. In a huge prank, the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles was turned into “Hollyweed,” and a mentally handicapped man in Chicago was tied up and tortured by four people on Facebook Live for almost 48 hours.

Though this was not the best way to start our year, there is still a bright future ahead for America in 2017.

President Barack Obama passes the torch to President-Elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, and that’s when the real change begins.

Now I’m not one to sit here and say that President Obama did a terrible job.

I can respect the man for his ability to stabilize the economy and create a huge amount of jobs in this country. However, I’m glad to see a man that created an abysmal healthcare program and

failed to deal with terrorism leave the Oval Office.

What we can expect now from President-Elect Trump is a stronger and more secure nation. I’m looking forward to his immigration plans that intend to deal with illegal immigrants and those who have taken advantage of our unsecure borders.

We can also expect the medical world to be shaken up by the possible repeal of Obamacare. Personally, I believe Obamacare needs a simple reformation, but the repeal could lead to a program that President-Elect Trump believes to be more sustainable for the American populous.

In his first 100 days in office, Trump has a lot planned. A proposal to shorten term limits in congress, a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, having the Secretary of Treasury label China as a money manipulator,

lifting restrictions on energy reserves, and canceling United Nations climate change funding are just a few that catch my attention.

“We can also expect the medical world to be shaken up by the possible repeal of Obamacare.”

Jordan Slobodinsky

Co-Opinions Editor, The Globe

Perhaps this is the year we see the money wasted on climate change be put to something useful like the rebuilding of our infrastructure. These topics have given

me high hopes for what is to come in 2017.

Come on, though. Politics isn’t the most interesting part of our year, by far. The Chicago Cubs are defending their first World Series title since the 1909 season, the World Baseball Classic returns in March, the seventh season of “Game of Thrones” comes out, Nintendo is releasing a new gaming console , and there will be a total solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

Whether you’re into sports, television, gaming or astronomy, this year has a lot of great stuff for everyone.

We just experienced a rough year and our country is divided on a lot of issues, both political and social. It is important that this year we try and come together in order for us to continue to thrive as a country.

I am confident in the resolve of not only President-Elect Trump but that

of the American people. A lot can happen in a year, and it is up to us to make this a great year for everyone, no matter your gender, race or skin color.

Personally, I’m looking forward to turning 21 this year and having a lot of fun.

We all have our own goals for the new year, and as a country we can have goals for us as a whole. We can hope to see a decline in crime and poverty this year in hopes to improve the safety and security of our country. I also have confidence Trump will resolve these issues.

This year has a lot in store for us, and if we keep looking up, we won’t be disappointed. With that being said, 2017, it’s great to have you here. We hope that you can bring us more fun, laughs and good times than your predecessor did.

Jordan Slobodinsky jeslobo@pointpark.edu.

Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967

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Robert Berger, Co-Sports Editor Megan Bixler, Copy Editor Sabrina Bodon, Online Editor Carley Bonk, Copy Editor Dara Collins, Staff Writer Josh Croup, Co-Sports Editor, Editor Emeritus Jonathan D’Antoni, Delivery Assistant Gracey Evans, Sports Photo Editor Julianne Griffith, Layout Editor Alex Grubbs, Copy Editor Matthew Hankinson, Copy Editor Casey Hoolahan, Social Media Coordinator Chloe Jakiela, News Photo Editor James Kail, Copy Editor Arianna Khalil, Graphic Designer Nikole Kost, Features Photo Editor Morgan McCoy, Public Relations Coordinator Jonnah McClintock, Copy Editor Kayla Novak, Copy Editor

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SPORTS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

7

Confident, experienced team takes on 2017

CROUP’S CORNER

the car ride from Butler to CCAC South.

Could you blame me?

Midway is in its first season of men’s basketball. The Eagles had just one win on the season in 13 previous games, and it was against Brescia, which currently sits at 0-6 in RSC play and 2-12 overall.

The Eagles were without their leading scorer, but so were the Pioneers. Point Park was without three of its top four leading scorers, but still had a solid starting five that should have been able to manage Midway.

Never make guarantees in life. Especially in sports.

It was one run after another. One minute, Midway had a double-digit lead. The next, the game was tied. It was back and forth like that almost all night, but Midway shot 51.7 percent from the field on the night en route to an 82-80 victory.

Midway played a solid game and made shots when it mattered. It just wasn’t meant to be for the Pioneers.

The men’s loss ended what was just a sour night in West Mifflin, with another conference game on the horizon.

IU Kokomo entered Saturday 4-1 in conference play, but again, sports are weird.

This game was a lot closer compared to Friday, especially early on in the contest. Point Park took a two-point lead into halftime and controlled a double-digit lead midway through the second half. IU Kokomo caught up to take a 68-66 lead with less than one minute remaining.

Enter Art Christian.

He hit both free throws with 40 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, then went on to score 10 of his 14 points in overtime to lift Point Park to a quality 84-73 win in overtime against the visiting Cougars.

This weekend proved why we play the games. It was a weird weekend that began with frustration and ended with a pair of solid victories.

It would have been really nice to pick up two W’s on the weekend. The women would stand at 6-0, alone in first place in the RSC. The men would stand at 5-1 in the RSC, good enough for a three-way tie in the RSC East with WVU Tech and IU East.

Now’s not the time to think, “What could have been?”

It’s time to buckle down as we’re knee-deep in conference play now, and forget about this awkward weekend. Both teams play ranked IU East teams Friday, followed by a date with Ohio Christian the following afternoon.

Here we go.

Josh Croup jdcroup@pointpark.edu.

Robert Berger raberge@pointpark.edu

Sports Columnist

A weird weekend

WOMEN

The women have established themselves as one of the top defenses in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) this season.

The team has battled through injuries and has overcome a lot of hardships this year. It was a really fun team to watch during the first semester.

I thought for sure the women would manage Midway, which entered the game 2-2 in RSC play. The Eagles finished 0-30 last year.

Point Park was lucky to have a 12-11 lead at the end of the first period. The Pioneers’ luck ran out after a sloppy second period, where they were outscored 24-15.

They were outscored 25-13 in the third.

Point Park fell 76-53, ending its 9-game home winning streak that dated back to last year. The 23-point loss was by far the worst of the season.

The Pioneers had to play a game against the RSC West division-leading IU Kokomo the next day at noon. I thought they were doomed.

But man, sports are weird.

Hours later, it was literally a night-and-day performance for the Pioneers.

Tyra James lit up the scoreboard with a season-high 31 points. She hit seven three-pointers against the Cougars, who were 5-0 in RSC play entering Saturday.

Point Park combined for just five treys the previous night.

How does a team follow a 23-point loss to a decent Midway team, with a 27-point victory hours later against an undefeated IU Kokomo team? Maybe it was the metaphorical kick in the butt the Pioneers needed.

MEN

While I was surprised that the women fell to Midway Friday night, watching the men struggle against the Eagles and get outplayed on both sides of the ball was probably more surprising.

Maybe it was my fault.

I guaranteed a win on

Co-Sports Editor

After finishing the 2016 season second to rival Rio Grande in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) championship, the Pioneers have high hopes for the 2017 indoor track and field season.

Four athletes have already qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor Track and Field National Championship.

The Pioneers opened its season at the Youngstown State Icebreaker on Dec. 2.

Sophomore transfer student Anna Shields made her debut in a Pioneer uniform and placed first in the 1000 meters, finishing with a time of 2 minutes, 56 seconds.

She also ran in the one mile race, placing second with a time of 4 minutes, 57 seconds.

This was the first time a Pioneer has ever finished the mile race in under five minutes. Shields reached the A qualifying standard in these events, which secures Liz Berie | Point Park Athletics her spot at the NAIA Indoor National Championship Katie Guarnaccia competes at the 2016 SPIRE Invitational on Feb. March 2-4 in Johnson City, 6 in Geneva, Ohio. The junior distance runner hopes to return to the NAIA Indoor National Championships this season.

Tenn.

“Wilson has become a “The team is looking Parsley expects their expegreat,” Shields said. “If we rience will give them an ad- whole different runner,” Parsley said. “Her improverun what we’re capable of, vantage when competing. and even being conservative Sophomore Andre Low- ment has been amazing and about our times, we should ery also had a record-break- I know she’ll have a big year definitely qualify for the ing day. Lowery finished for us.”

Parsley noted that redwomen’s distance medley fourth overall in the long relay.” jump with a 6.72 meter shirt freshman Taylor Celich On the men’s side, three jump. This beat the previous should also make make an athletes reached the B qual- school record of 6.71 meters. immediate impact on the ifying standard in the men’s 2017 is the third year of team this year.

“I’m very excited about triple jump at the YSU Ice- the Pioneers track and field breaker. Freshman Tyler program. Parsley felt the this season,” Celich said.

Carter made his college de- team was competitive the “We did well last year and but and placed first overall past two years, even when finished second, but we brought in some stronger in the event with a 14.05 me- the results did not match. ter jump.

Parsley expressed the field athletes so we should be “I knew Carter was some- team was very strong on the stronger all around this year. thing special coming into the track but fell short in field We’re training hard so hopeyear,” head coach Kelly Pars- events. The shot put made fully if we stay healthy, great ley said. “He’s been a state the difference between first things will happen.”

One obstacle the Piochampion in Pennsylvania and second place against Rio before so it’s not surprising Grande in last year’s tourna- neers face is the lack of an indoor training facility. The he qualified early on. We ment. also have a great coach, Julia Confident in his athletes, team makes the best of what Koloski, who’s been working Parsley expects more of it has, using the university closely with our jumpers.” them to qualify for nationals gym and Youngstown State’s indoor facilities.

Finishing behind Carter throughout the season.

“That’s what makes our were juniors Shaun Berry and Junior Katie Guarnaccia Jryi Davis, who placed second is one of those athletes. Guar- kids who qualified for naand third respectively. naccia has qualified for na- tionals even more amazing,” At the end of the season, tionals six times in her career Parsley said. “We don’t have Parsley has the choice to at Point Park between cross facilities to practice in every day like other schools have.” send three B level qualifying country and track and field.

Guarnaccia agrees with athletes from each team to She finished 11th in the the National Championship. nation in the outdoor 10,000 her coach.

“Cross Country goes until B qualifiers also have the op- meters at last year’s NAIA portunity to reach the A level Outdoor National Champi- the end of November for me so I don’t have much of an offseathroughout the season. onship.

Davis and Berry both Junior and captain McK- son before track,” Guarnaccia qualified for the Nation- enzie Wilson is also expected said. “I’d say it is an advantage though because it keeps your al Championship in 2016. to have a standout year. stamina up for sure.”

While the past two years WINTER BREAK SCOREBOARD for the Pioneer track and field DEC. 6 - JAN. 9 team have been focused on development, Parsley expects WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (15-4) (5-1 RSC) the coming years to be very ALDERSON BROADDUS 73, POINT PARK 99...................................... Dec. 6 successful.

CARLOW 53, POINT PARK 67*................................................................ Dec. 12 “I haven’t graduated anyPOINT PARK 74, NORTHWESTERN OHIO 80..................................... Dec. 14 one yet so we’ll have a really POINT PARK 71, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 84......................................... Dec. 21 good team next year, but it’s POINT PARK 64, CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN 42*.................................. Jan. 3 also about recruiting those MIDWAY 76, POINT PARK 53*................................................................ Jan. 6 pieces we need,” Parsley said.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY KOKOMO 54, POINT PARK 81...................... Jan. 7 “My focus is recruiting more Next: Jan. 13 at No. 21 Indiana University East*, Jan. 14 at Ohio Christian* women because their team is much smaller. I’m also trying MEN’S BASKETBALL (6-9) (4-2 RSC) to get more throwers on the (RV) WASHINGTON ADVENTIST 102, POINT PARK 92..................... Dec. 6 men’s side as well.”

POINT PARK 75, SHAWNEE STATE 96................................................. Dec. 10 The Pioneers’ next meet CARLOW 83, POINT PARK 90*............................................................... Dec. 12 is Jan. 20 at the Youngstown POINT PARK 94, No. 25 NORTHWESTERN OHIO 111......................... Dec. 14 State Invitational.

POINT PARK 83, CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN 112*................................. Jan. 3

By Josh Croup

I’m in my third season covering Point Park basketball and have seen some great moments on the court.

There have been overtime thrillers, incredible comebacks and stellar performances. When both the men’s and women’s teams play doubleheaders at CCAC South, they rarely fail to disappoint.

When the teams played Midway University Friday night in a River States Conference (RSC) doubleheader, they did nothing but disappoint.

To be frank, it was one of the worst nights of basketball I have seen so far during my time at Point Park. It was ugly.

By Robert Berger

MIDWAY 82, POINT PARK 80*............................................................... Jan. 6 INDIANA UNIVERSITY KOKOMO 73, POINT PARK 84 (OT)............. Jan. 7 Next: Jan. 13 at No. 10 Indiana University East*, Jan. 14 at Ohio Christian* *River States Conference game

8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

SPORTS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Three-game losing streak snapped with overtime win

By Derek Malush For the Globe

While most of us were celebrating with family and friends this holiday break, the Point Park men’s basketball team was taking care of its tenacious workload.

Point Park dropped its final contest of 2016 at No. 25 Northwestern Ohio, 111-94, and took a short break to prepare for 2017.

As the fall semester came to an end, so did the final grades. The Pioneers will be without two of their top leading scorers due to academic concerns.

Senior guard Sa’iid Allen, who averaged 16.5 pointsper game, and senior forward Kenny Strong, who contributed 13.3 points-per-game, are both on academic suspension.

Allen could make a return

before the end of the season.

Strong, however, will not return this season.

Point Park opened 2017 with a 112-83 River States Conference (RSC) loss at Cincinnati Christian. Senior forward Jaylen Mann, who has started all but one game this year, picked up two technical fouls and was suspended for one game under NAIA regulations. Mann averaged 9.2 points-per-game and 4.3 rebounds-per-game.

The Pioneers returned home on Jan. 6 to take on Midway (Ky.) in an RSC contest to try and snap their two game losing streak without Allen, Strong and Mann.

The Pioneers allowed Midway to shoot 52 percent from the field in the first half.

But sophomore guard Asim Pleas took the reins, pouring in 13 of his 17 points through

the first 20 minutes to help Point Park to a 35-34 halftime lead.

Fousseini Konate’s efforts to keep the Pioneers in the back-and-forth game during the second half came up short.

The junior forward scored 10 of his team-high 18 points in the second half and played every second from tip-off to the final buzzer in the 82-80 loss.

Point Park struggled from behind the arc, shooting only 27 percent from long range, and shot 41 percent from the field.

OT Thriller

The Pioneers tried to get back in the driver’s seat the following afternoon.

Point Park hosted Indiana University Kokomo in a RSC game hours after the loss to Midway, still without Allen and Strong. Mann returned to

Sam Robinson | Point Park Athletics

Senior, Sa’iid Allen, prepares to make a foul shot against Carlow University on Dec. 12. Allen leads the Pioneers with 16.5 points-per-game, but is currently sidelined due to poor academic performance.

the Pioneers and came off the bench for 19 minutes of court time. He scored two points but missed all three shots from the field.

“It’s just the next man up,” Interim Head Coach Gabe Bubon said. “It sucks without [Allen and Strong], but we need to play with the same intensity.”

With Point Park trailing by one point with three seconds left in the first half, senior forward Lassana Konate stole an inbound pass and sank a parking lot three-pointer to beat the buzzer and give the Pioneers a 35-33 lead.

Point Park was just twofor-13 from long range in the first half, but held the Cougars to just under 40 percent from the field in the first half. Point Park defense forced 14 turnovers by the end of the game.

Junior forward Fousseini Konate, younger brother of Lassana Konate, said that he wanted this win more than anything.

“After last night’s loss I couldn’t sleep,” Lassana Konate said. “I was up until 4 a.m., and we had practice at 9 a.m. My head was just everywhere.”

In the second half, the Pioneers were only hurting themselves as they went 10-19 at the charity stripe.

“It’s amazing that we can shoot three-pointers better than foul shots,” Bubon said.

“The real story of the game was Art Christian.”

Christian attempted a dunk on a breakaway layup, but didn’t reach the rim and missed. On the same possession, he banked in a three-pointer.

“Are you mad at him? I

don’t know,” Bubon said. “I want to be. But I don’t know if I can be.”

Although the Pioneers struggled at the free throw line during the final minutes of play, the team managed to make up for the missed points elsewhere, shooting 5-10 from the three-point line.

With only three seconds left in regulation, junior guard T.J. Bates fiercely defended the potential game-winning three point shot, forcing IU Kokomo’s Devon Burton to miss the shot, sending the game into overtime.

With less than three minutes to play in overtime, it was Bates’ defense on display again.

The junior guard stripped the ball away from an IU Kokomo guard at mid-court to set the tone for Point Park’s level of play for the remainder of the game.

Opposing what had occurred in regulation, the Pioneers made 8-11 free throws in overtime. Christian scored 10 of his 14 points in overtime, including two three-point attempts to solidify the Pioneers’ victory.

Point Park snapped its three game losing streak with an 84-73 conference win and now hold an overall record of 6-9 with a 4-2 record in RSC play.

The Pioneers travel to No. 10 Indiana University East on Jan. 13 for their fourth conference game in a row. Then, they travel to Ohio Christian the next afternoon for another RSC matchup.

Derek Malush dwmalus@pointpark.edu.

Women bounce back from tough home loss

By Mike Turk For the Globe

The Pioneers women’s basketball team dropped its first conference game of the year last Friday night, but bounced back 17 hours later in the River States Conference (RSC) Game of the Week to improve its conference record to 5-1.

The Midway University Eagles, a team that finished 0-31 last season, handed Point Park University its first conference loss of the year on Friday night.

“I believe we took them more lightly than what we should have,” sophomore guard Kaitlyn Smith said.

Point Park only trailed by eight at halftime, but Midway came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. The Eagles shot 47 percent from the field in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Getting out-shot was not the biggest predicament for the Pioneers in this game.

The team was out-rebounded 55-27, allowing Midway to pull in 17 offensive boards.

“We got out rebounded by 28 rebounds and that is uncalled for,” head coach Tony Grenek said. “When you get out rebounded by 28 that means you have no pride.”

The team has been averaging 73.5 points per game this season, but managed to put up only 53 against a stinRobert Berger | Point Park Athletics

Junior Maryssa Agurs lines up for a free throw at Youngstown State.

gy Midway defense and ended up on the wrong side of this one 76-53.

Only two Pioneers reached double figures in scoring. Junior guard Maryssa Agurs and senior forward Ja’Nia McPhatter had 13 each. Junior center Baylee Buleca dropped six points, consisting of nine rebounds and four blocks.

Point Park entered the game ranked fifth in the National Athletic Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) DII in scoring defense, allowing 54.9 pointsper-game, but gave up a whopping 76 Friday evening.

There was no time to hang their heads, as they had to get back to the court the following day in the RSC Game o f the Week against the Indiana University Kokomo Cou-

Sam Robinson | Point Park Athletics

Junior Shaniya Rivers, freshman Tyra James and assistant coach April Austin react to a play from the bench against Carlow University on Dec. 12 at CCAC South. Point Park defeated the Celtics 67-53. gars.

It was the game of the year thus far for freshman guard Tyra James from Toledo, Ohio.

The Pioneers were up by seven at the half, but James caught fire after halftime and helped Point Park outscore the Cougars in the third quarter 29-13.

James helped her team get a bounce back victory, 81-54, and would finish the game with a career-high 31 points, draining seven out of her ten 3-point attempts. James was just two-for-nine from long range the previous night.

The 5-foot-9 guard played 18 minutes in the 40 minute contest. James was one three-pointer away from tying the Point

Park single-game record for most three-pointers made in a game set by current assistant coach April Austin on Dec. 30, 2011 against Rio Grande.

“I was just letting it fly,” James said. “[The record] would have meant a lot as a freshmen. I have three more years to make up for it.”

James has started in only two games thus far. Coach Grenek has kept her in a “sixth man” type role for the majority of the season.

Unlike the night before, the Pioneers were strong on both ends of the court in the second game of the weekend.

The defense forced 18 turnovers and had impressive performances from Agurs and McPhatter, who had 11 points apiece. McPhatter also added four assists and three steals to her statistics. Buleca gathered in 10 rebounds and had three blocks.

The Pioneers lost senior

forward Carly Forse for the rest of the season after suffering a right elbow injury against Carlow on Dec. 12, the game after she registered her 1000th career point with Point Park. Point Park is 2-3 since losing Forse, who never missed a start in her previous three years.

“We have players who will step up and lead the team to success this year,” Forse said.

With the big bounce back win after the loss to Midway, the Pioneers are now 15-4 overall this season with a 5-1 conference record and are currently in second place in the East division of the RSC. The team will travel to IU East and Ohio Christian this weekend for a pair of conference matchups Friday and Saturday.

Mike Turk mjturk@pointpark.edu.