"Journey" gives students advice SRU faculty inspire SRU students by telling their personal stories. The event took place in the Ballroom of the Robert M. Smith Student Center on Tuesday. Page D-1
Friday September 5, 2014 • Volume 98, Issue Number 2 • Slippery Rock University's Student Newspaper
the rocket
www.theonlinerocket.com
Clubs and organizations of SRU take over the quad
SGA puts new goals into motion By Amber Cannon Assistant News Editor
With flu season coming up, the health center is offering free vaccines to students at Slippery Rock University. “[Influenza is] a horrible, horrible illness and you can prevent it with a vaccine,” Director of Student Health Services, Kristina Benkeser, said. “The vaccine can give a little over 90 percent immunity.” “Considering how contagious the flu is it’s definitely an intelligent decision to get vaccinated against because of the close
The Slippery Rock University Student Government Association (SGA) discussed their new goals and ideas for the new academic school year in their first senate meeting on Tuesday. President Cheryl J. Norton opened the meeting, thanking the new board for taking on the leadership responsibilities of SGA, as well as introducing a couple new ideas of her own. Norton explained the significance of the Slippery Rock Group Development and how it benefits our students if they choose to get involved. The Slippery Rock Group Development is an organized group of citizens from the borough who have made it their purpose to try to enhance the living conditions in the community. Norton suggested to students the idea of forming a committee that sits with the Slippery Rock Group Development to discuss how to access information about what students want to see in the community and how students can work together to fulfill those needs. "I sat down with Slippery Rock Group Development President Gill and suggested that perhaps this might be an opportunity for students to work side by side with the Community Leadership to express what they are interested in doing in the Slippery Rock community," Norton said. "It's a two-way street. We not only live here, but we make a difference in what comes and goes." The suggestion for the committee was tabled until the next senate meeting. SGA opened the election for commuter senators. Two of the applicants, Candice Robinette and Cheney Preston were elected and swore in as commuter senators for the year. Tatiana Bone was also sworn in as a commuter senator after being elected last semester. SGA approved a committee that will help with all of the work that comes with prepping for the Slippery Rock vs. Mercyhurst game in Michigan on Oct. 18. The committee will be helping with ordering busses and making sure that students have tickets and will be ran by Building A senator, Emily Murasso. The Women's Soccer Club was approved as a recognized student organization on campus, as well as the Amnesty International Club. Along with the approval of the Amnesty International Club, which also received a grant of $100 from SGA for the 2014-2015 academic year. With the start of a new academic year, SGA has many goals that they plan on achieving. "I plan on continually meeting with every organization on this campus just to continue to see how we can help them promote their initiatives," SGA President, Katie Hill, said. "I'm also working on increasing my transparency. I want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make students feel welcome to come into the SGA office to express their ideas."
SEE , HEALTH PAGE A-3
SEE POSITIVE, PAGE A-2
ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET
JamRock dancers show off their moves to the attendees during the clubs and organizations fair with the hopes of recruiting new members to their team. The fair was held on Thursday during common hour. Most of SRU's organizations had tables set up in the quad to promote their club.
Male professor claims discrimination By Haley Barnes News Editor
Dr. Christopher Niebauer, associate professor of Slippery Rock’s Psychology Department, filed a claim on Aug. 28, 2014 against the university for gender discrimination. “Slippery Rock University’s discrimination and harassment policy seeks to provide an environment free from discrimination, including the form of discrimination recognized as harassment based upon, race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability and/or veterans’ status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations,”
according to the SRU website. For Niebauer, Slippery Rock’s discrimination and harassment policy has not applied over the past eleven years, resulting in him filing a 12-page lawsuit against the University. Slippery Rock’s Psychology Department is comprised of eight professors. Niebauer is the only male of the department. A majority of staff who supervise the Psychology department are female as well, with the exception of Philip Way, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. According to Niebauer’s claim, the Gender Discrimination began back in 2005 when the Psychology
Scan this QR code to read Dr. Neibauer's 12-page lawsuit in full.
SEE WORK, PAGE A-2
Men's soccer lose first game
Vaccines give immunity
The men's soccer team lost their season opener Thursday in a close game against Firebirds. Page C-1
Kevin Squires It’s Rocket Science
Not Be A Chore
Play Showcases Powis Ready to Begin XC Season Student Work
Many students are complaining about classes already. Page B-2
Cross-country runner Janine Powis looking for more success. Page C-1
Classes Should
Kevin Lukacs brings his original one-act play to the Stone House. Page D-2
NEWS
A-2 7-DAY FORECAST FOR SLIPPERY ROCK FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Clouds and sun; warm and humid
A couple of t-storms; cooler
Mostly sunny and pleasant
Mostly sunny and pleasant
Partly sunny
Cloudy with showers
Cloudy
87°
65°
71°
48°
72°
REAL FEAL TEMPERATURE
®
Fri.
Sat.
Sun. Mon.
Tue.
Wed. Thu.
CITY Akron Allentown Altoona Cleveland Erie Harrisburg Indiana Johnstown Philadelphia Pittsburgh Scranton State College Wheeling Williamsport Youngstown
Friday HI LO W 89 64 pc 87 68 pc 85 65 pc 90 63 t 87 63 pc 87 68 pc 85 66 pc 81 64 pc 89 74 t 88 68 pc 88 69 pc 84 64 pc 86 67 pc 87 66 pc 88 62 pc
Saturday HI LO W 71 50 sh 88 58 t 78 52 t 70 54 pc 69 55 pc 83 58 t 75 50 t 74 51 t 91 66 t 73 52 t 82 54 t 76 51 t 74 52 t 79 53 t 70 49 pc
76°
55°
76°
UV INDEX
Fri.
Sat.
Monday HI LO W 77 59 s 78 54 s 76 54 s 76 59 s 76 61 s 76 56 s 75 57 s 72 54 s 78 62 s 76 56 s 77 53 s 75 53 s 76 58 s 77 54 s 76 57 s
Sun. Mon.
Tuesday HI LO W 78 61 pc 78 56 s 74 59 s 77 62 pc 76 63 pc 75 61 s 76 60 pc 72 58 pc 79 64 s 76 60 pc 74 59 s 72 59 s 77 60 pc 76 60 s 76 59 c
73°
Sun
Tue.
Wed. Thu.
The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.
Sunday HI LO W 74 51 s 78 53 pc 73 49 s 72 51 s 72 53 s 76 54 s 72 50 s 70 49 s 80 60 pc 73 50 s 75 51 s 71 49 s 73 51 s 76 50 s 72 48 s
59°
56°
75°
NATIONAL FORECAST FOR THE WEEK TEMPERATURES
46°
Above Near Below Normal Normal Normal
IN THE SKY
™
The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature is an exclusive index of effective temperature based on eight weather factors. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day.
REGIONAL CITIES
47°
Wednesday HI LO W 76 60 r 76 60 r 74 59 r 75 62 sh 74 62 r 76 62 r 75 60 r 70 58 r 80 67 sh 76 61 r 76 60 r 72 59 r 76 60 r 76 60 r 75 57 sh
Thursday HI LO W 83 52 r 77 60 pc 76 46 c 83 59 c 73 48 c 80 51 c 74 52 c 73 47 r 76 62 c 76 52 sh 76 45 c 74 45 c 81 52 r 76 44 c 80 47 c
Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Moon
Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Rise 6:51 a.m. 6:52 a.m. 6:53 a.m. 6:54 a.m. 6:55 a.m. 6:56 a.m. 6:57 a.m. Rise 5:13 p.m. 5:59 p.m. 6:40 p.m. 7:19 p.m. 7:57 p.m. 8:34 p.m. 9:12 p.m.
MOON PHASES
Set 7:47 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 7:43 p.m. 7:42 p.m. 7:40 p.m. 7:38 p.m. 7:37 p.m. Set 2:40 a.m. 3:49 a.m. 5:02 a.m. 6:16 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 8:43 a.m. 9:54 a.m.
Full
Last
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First
9/8
9/15
9/24
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Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2014
September 5, 2014 PRECIPITATION
Above Near Below Normal Normal Normal
National Summary: A cold front will bring numerous showers and thunderstorms on Saturday along the Eastern Seaboard from Maine southward to Florida. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will also blossom from Texas to Georgia. High pressure will bring cool, fall-like weather to the Midwest and northern Plains, with very warm and dry weather persisting in the West. For Sunday, high pressure will bring fall-like weather into the Northeast, and cool weather will continue across the Midwest and Great Lakes. Showers and thunderstorms will be found across the Southwest and even into Southern California. On Monday, a few showers and thunderstorms will occur in the East, with thunderstorms in the Southwest.
NATIONAL CITIES
Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday CITY HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W Atlanta 84 70 pc 86 71 t 86 70 t 80 68 t 81 69 c 83 69 t 87 63 pc Boston 87 71 s 86 61 t 74 59 pc 76 59 s 73 61 pc 74 62 c 72 53 pc Chicago 84 62 t 72 56 s 75 56 s 75 62 pc 76 63 t 76 62 r 76 54 r Cincinnati 91 69 t 77 54 t 75 53 s 78 60 s 80 64 pc 78 64 r 83 58 r Dallas 96 76 s 94 73 pc 90 74 t 92 77 s 95 76 pc 95 74 s 96 59 t Denver 67 49 pc 72 52 pc 80 55 s 82 55 t 79 52 t 74 47 s 77 40 c Detroit 89 60 t 72 51 pc 73 53 s 76 57 s 77 61 t 77 60 r 77 51 c Houston 92 73 t 92 73 pc 91 73 t 91 74 pc 92 75 s 93 76 s 93 67 t Indianapolis 88 65 t 73 51 pc 73 51 s 76 57 s 76 63 t 76 63 r 82 57 r Kansas City 75 56 t 72 51 pc 75 57 s 77 64 t 80 64 t 78 58 c 79 47 r Los Angeles 83 65 pc 89 71 pc 92 71 pc 85 69 t 85 66 pc 83 65 s 83 66 s Miami 90 79 t 90 79 t 90 78 t 89 79 pc 89 79 pc 89 78 pc 91 79 sh Nashville 90 71 pc 88 66 t 81 61 t 84 67 s 86 69 c 84 70 t 88 62 c New Orleans 88 74 t 89 76 t 90 75 t 89 75 pc 89 76 t 89 77 sh 90 74 t New York City 88 73 t 90 64 t 78 62 pc 78 62 s 78 63 s 78 66 sh 78 54 pc Orlando 89 74 t 90 73 t 91 73 t 91 73 t 91 74 t 91 74 s 93 72 t Phoenix 102 83 t 102 78 t 96 78 t 92 81 t 90 79 t 93 80 s 100 81 s San Francisco 76 58 pc 76 57 pc 75 57 pc 74 58 pc 73 58 s 74 58 s 73 60 s Seattle 82 55 s 85 55 s 84 57 s 77 57 c 71 54 pc 75 55 s 74 58 s Washington, DC 92 77 pc 91 66 t 81 64 pc 80 65 s 79 68 pc 80 70 r 85 61 c Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
Work environment claimed hostile P
Continued from Page A-1
Department refused to hire a woman because she was pregnant. According to the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, it is illegal to not hire a woman based upon pregnancy and pregnant women must Catch something exciting happening be treated in the same manner as applicants and on campus? Want your Insta-photos to employees with the same abilities. Neibauer’s claim said he voiced this to his superiors. be featured in The Rocket? Just follow Later that year, Niebauer applied for an associate @SRURocket on Instagram and use professor position and was granted the position, # in the caption for your even though the Health, Environment, and Science chance to be featured here every week! dean, Dr. Susan Hannam, recommended he should not be promoted. In 2010, Niebauer noticed that the department hired a woman over a man who was more qualified for the job. His claim states that the department rehired the same woman for the 2011-2012 academic school year and mended the criteria to cater to her experience. The department aimed to limit the number of applicants to ensure her rehire. Holly McCoy, Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Equal Opportunity approved of the terms. Universities are against Slippery Rock’s hiring policy. Niebauer’s claim said he protested against the bias of the department, but in response to his protest a female colleague said, “Now you know what it’s like to be bullied.” Niebauer continued to protest the bias of the Psychology Department, but female colleagues began to complain that Niebauer made personal attacks and behaved unprofessionally toward them. On Dec. 7, 2012, Niebauer was subject to investigation and was told to act professionally at all times and not make regards about against the Psychology department in the future, according to his claim. In 2013, Niebauer was removed from a research committee for the University. Niebauer also believes there has been gender bias towards male psychology students. Niebauer’s claim said that male students will often tell him that they are excluded from class activities and receive lower grades than female student for no reason. According to his claim, Niebauer approached Dr. Catherine Massey, Associate Professor of Psychology. Massey Blotter.................A-3 Sports...................C-1 was having a conversation with students and she said, “Lesbians only hang out with males because Opinion................B-1 Campus Life.............D-1 they are easy to manipulate.” Comics...................B-5 Niebauer has sent complaints based upon the number of students who complain about the department. He wanted to keep the names of the students confidential, but McCoy demanded the names and therefore, he refused. McCoy said that the conversations he had with students were not subject to be confidential and he must report the names. Niebauer’s claim said he felt this was a threat
INDEX
CONTACT US
220 Eisenberg Building Slippery Rock University Continued from Page A-1 Slippery Rock, PA Vice President of Campus 16057 Outreach, Anthony Plumberg, also has goals that he would like to achieve. Plumberg expressed how he would like to bring back the evening route for Happy Bus. "We chose to not continue 2012 Mark of Excellence First the evening route of the Place Winner in Region 4 from the Society of Professional Happy Bus last year. We Journalists. received a lot of mixed r e a c t i o n s a b o u t t h at . Obviously it was a better move financially, but there are concerns about campus safety. We want to try to bring that back," Plumberg said. "It wouldn't be a problem to get
Newsroom: (724) 738-4438 Advertising: (724) 738-2643 Fax: (724) 738-4896 Email: rocket.letters@sru.edu
if he did not do as she said. Niebauer overall feels very excluded from the department, as the faculty meeting occurs during a time he teaches and his classes have been replaced with introductory classes. On Aug. 11, 2014, Niebauer went to his lab and found all of his equipment was boxed up including his computer, which had valuable research material on it. When the Dean was contacted, she said this was a mistake and his computer would be found. Niebauer received his computer 11 days later. However, one female professor in the department does share Niebauer’s concern and made complaints similar to his resulting in the investigation of this female professor for “unprofessional behavior.” Niebauer’s claim states, overall, the department has created a very hostile environment for Niebauer and he feels he will never be promoted to full professor. As a result of the gender bias and unfair treatment, Niebauer has stress and anxiety. He also suffers from bruxism and must visit the chiropractor regularly. Niebauer said this is not the first time treatment like this has happened at the university and he is surprised that students do not know about the others cases. He said students often approach him with questions and support in regards to his case. “I definitely agree that the department is biased in almost every way,” a psychology major who wished to remain anonymous said. “As a student that works a lot with the faculty, it is noticeable that the department favors females. I had thought nothing of only having one male professor in the department at the beginning, but now having been here a while I notice that it’s not just that. During department meetings with students and just faculty I notice that he is excluded, but also has no intention on being included. I have also heard drama and gossip throughout the mostly female department about how he doesn’t get invited for various reasons that are unheard of. With this, I now somewhat have an understanding of why we only have one male professor. If others were to apply, or have applied in the past, I can see them absolutely getting turned down over a female for no reason other than that. I love the department, but with typical female attitudes, you can understand from an outside perspective how much attitude the department can carry.” The university was unavailable to comment. “It is university policy that we do not comment on litigation,” Rita Abent, Executive Director for University Public Relations explained. Dean Hannam, Provost Way, Psychology Department Chair, Dr. Jennifer Sanftner, McCoy, and Massey were all mentioned in the lawsuit. Each chose to provide no comment on the lawsuit.
Positive experience wanted for commuters it started again, especially during the winter as the weather gets colder and some students don't feel like walking to class." Vice President of Financial Affairs, Baylee Childress, plans on focusing more on relationship building with students and with other committee members. Childress also wants to aim for more communication and transparency not only within herself, but within her committee as well. Parliamentarian, Jessica Johnson, expressed how she would like to get her advocacy project moving.
The project allows students to gain knowledge about what SGA can do for them academically and personally. Speaker of the Senate, Megan Burr, wants to keep the commuter breakfast going, as it produces positive results from commuter students. She also wants to create more activities for commuters to participate in on campus. The next SGA meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 15th at 8:45 p.m. in the theater of the Robert M. Smith Student Center. The meeting adjourned at 9:46 p.m.
NEWS
September 5, 2014
A-3
POLICE BLOTTER Borough Aug. 2 - Tayler Sankey was cited for disorderly house after the department received a noise complaint from his apartment. Aug. 2 - Grant Craig and Ciara Reid were cited for disorderly house. Craig and Reid were also found to be under the influence of alcohol and under 21 years of age. Aug. 3 - Troy Parrott and Sean Parrott were cited for open container violations in Gateway Park.
12 year old female were arrested for underage consumption after leaving a party at The Heights. Two people were transported to the hospital for treatment, one of which had to be treated in the ICU. Aug. 26 - Andrew Lacomba was cited for an open container violation along Cornish Drive. Aug. 28 - A resident of Grove City Rd. reported a stolen checkbook. A written checked with a forged signature was issued to an unknown person. Campus
Aug. 3- Natalie Carroll was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after being stopped for a traffic violation along Midway Alley. Aug. 11 - Shelby Everetts was cited for disorderly house after officers were called for a disturbance at Stonecrest Apartments. Everetts was also found to be under the influence of alcohol and under 21 years of age. Aug. 24 - A 15 year old male, two 14 year old males and a
Aug. 28 - Police responded to a custody dispute at the Day Care Center in McKay Education Building. The case is under investigation.
case is under investigation. Aug. 30 - An unknown person was found unconscious in their car in front of the Health Center. The individual was transported to the Grove City Hospital by ambulance. Aug. 30 - Police received a call from a student who said an unknown person keyed the side of her car. The case is under investigation. Aug. 30 - Police, while on patrol, smelled an odor of marijuana coming from Building A. The case is under investigation. Charges are pending. Sept. 1 - Cody Lohr, 21, was cited with public drunkenness after being seen staggering and stumbling near North Hall.
Aug. 28 - Tyler Kachelries, 20, was issued an underage citation for an alcohol violation in Building F.
Sept. 2 - Police responded to a call for an individual having a seizure at Vincent Science Hall. The individual was transported to the Grove City Hospital by ambulance.
Aug. 29 - Police received a call for drug paraphernalia by the smoking hut in front of the R.O.C.K Apartments. The
Sept. 2 - There was a report of car damage at Stadium Compiled by Amber Cannon Lot A.
Health center offers free flu shots Continued from Page A-1
quarters that you are in on campus,” Abby Bartus, senior public health major, 20, said. Still, Benkeser has heard a number of excuses for not getting flu shots that she said just don’t make sense including a fear of needles, getting the flu, not ever getting sick and beliefs that vaccination can result in autism. She said that for the majority of people there is no reason not to get vaccinated. “The flu vaccine is made from dead virus so it is literally impossible for you to get sick from the vaccine,” Benkeser said. “Actually it’s a very good sign if you run a low fever after a vaccine.” What sometimes happens from a vaccine is a low-grade fever from stimulating the immune system. So what about a fear of needles? “It’s okay, you can be scared of needles and still get a flu shot,” Benkeser said, encouraging students
with a fear to bring a friend to help them through it. She said that college campuses, day care centers and prisons are particularly bad locations for infections from the close contact and poor hand washing and that the new residence style suites have decreased influenza significantly at Slippery Rock University. “Maybe you never got sick before but you’re in a different place. Just get the shot,” Benkeser said. She also emphasized that getting vaccinated isn’t just important for an individual, but the population as a whole. “If everybody has a good immune status, your probability of that disease finding a host is about zero so that’s good.” This is a part of a concept called herd immunity, which states that if the majority of people are vaccinated that the disease cannot continue to spread.
Bartus also noted the importance of getting vaccinated for others. “Think of when flu season hits. It’s right around the holidays. If you’re in contact with older grandparents or babies that don’t exactly have a developed immune system yet you’re really putting them at risk to a potentially fatal flu,” she said. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there have been concerns from individuals over the years that autism might be linked to vaccines, specifically from a drug called thimerosal. “As a public health major one of the biggest frustrations is people that believe the Internet hype that vaccines are bad for you or cause autism when in reality [the study claiming there was a link] was completely debunked and there is no causation for autism from vaccines,” Bartus said. “Evidence from several studies examining trends in vaccine use
and changes in autism frequency does not support such an association between thimerosal and autism,” the CDC website confirms. “The whole mystery of why we’re seeing so much more autism or autism spectrum disorders is a puzzle, no body knows, I don’t know, but we do know that vaccines are not the problem so immunize,” Benkeser said. “We do know what kills children and that’s measles, mumps, rubella, polio, influenza and guess what, we have a way to prevent all of them.” The health center will be offering free flu vaccines Sep. 18 in the quad. Students can also come to the Health Center anytime to get vaccinated for influenza, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Students can get other vaccines too upon request. “If we don’t stock them, we can help our students get them at free or low costs,” Benkeser said.
OPINION
O
Our View
OPINION rocket.letters@sru.edu Volume 97, Number 1
220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: Fax: E-mail:
(724) 738-4438 (724) 738-4896 rocket.letters@sru.edu
EDITORIAL BOARD Kevin Squires
Editor-in-Chief
Haley Barnes
News Editor
Katie Ellis
Campus Life Editor
Brian Hepfinger
Photo Editor Web/Social Media Editor
Shelby Stearns
Copy Editor
Amber Cannon
Assistant News Editor
Janelle Wilson
Assist. Campus Life Editor
Ryan Barlow
Assistant Sports Editor
Rebecca Dietrich
Assistant Photo Editor
Emily Brown
Multimedia Reporter
Mark Zeltner
Faculty Adviser
ADVERTISING STAFF Karleigh Santry
Niebauer v. Slippery Rock University
Sports Editor
Alex Mowrey Andrew Conner
REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET
Advertising Manager
ABOUT US The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000. No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. The first copy of The Rocket is provided free of charge. Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents each. The Rocket receives approximately five percent of its funding from the SGA General Service fee paid each semester by students. All other income is provided through the sale of advertising. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 7382643 or by e-mailing rocket.ads@sru.edu.
CORRECTIONS If we make a substantial error, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call The Rocket newsroom at (724) 738-4438. If a correction is warranted it will be printed in the opinion section.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to The Rocket are available. Subscriptions are $20 per academic semester and $35 for the full academic year. Inquiries should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief at the address listed here.
EDITORIAL POLICY The Rocket strives to present a diverse range of opinions that are both fair and accurate in its editorials and columns appearing on the Opinion pages. “Our View” is the opinion of the Editorial Board and is written by Rocket editorial board members. It reflects the majority opinion of The Rocket Editorial Board. “Our View” does not necessarily reflect the views of Slippery Rock University, its employees or its student body. Columns and cartoons are drafted by various individuals and only reflect the opinions of the columnists.
Lawsuit lacks cohesion, weakens discrimination claim In this week’s issue of The Rocket, we covered a story on psycholog y profess or Dr. Christopher Niebauer suing Slippery Rock University, claiming gender d i s c r i m i n at i o n r e s u l t i n g in claims of a hostile work environment that is limiting his career and causing stress and anxiety. Niebauer is the only male professor in the Psychology Department and many of his superiors are female, including the department chair, dean and the president. G e n d e r d i s c r i m i n at i o n is a very serious topic and something that is unfortunately present in the United States in many realms. We see pay differences favoring males, comments about women not belonging in the workforce, less opportunity for women to advance, be hired or even questioning as to if women are capable of being effective as presidents. We see gender discrimination against males too: male nurses are often looked at as out of place, a man wishing to obtain custody of a child in a divorce is fighting a more difficult battle than a female in the same position. This only begins to scratch the surface (in a very broad and incomplete manner) of gender discrimination and is not meant to compare “who has it worse.” The
big ger problem at hand here is that discrimination remains prevalent. All claims of gender discrimination deser ve consideration and examination and an individual should never feel wrong for bringing what they feel is discrimination to the attention of their superiors or human resources department. According to equalrights. org, “For sex discrimination to be illegal, it has to involve d i f fe re nt t re at m e nt t h at negatively affects the ‘terms or conditions of employment.’ ‘ Ter ms or condit ions of employment’ include things like your employment status (being hired or fired); your job position or duties; your work schedule, shift, or job location; your pay rate or salary; and advancement and training opportunities.” Upon reviewing Niebauer’s filed complaint, we think the argument is scattered in terms of drawing a clear case for gender discrimination. The instances described vary from pregnant women that Niebauer claims were not hired because of their pregnanc y, male students feeling discriminated against by female professors and his own encounters with d i s c r i m i n at i on f rom t he department which seem weak at best. Many of the quotes from his colleagues are presented
In the Quad
without context and the filing suggests that he cannot be promoted without the support of the department chair and dean who refuse to because he is a male. The stress and anxiety from working in this hostile environment have made Niebauer need services from a chiropractor. There is no focus to where the discrimination exists. Are these female professors against pregnant women, students or Niebauer? Or are they discriminating against everyone of any gender or age? Without being involved in the department, we can’t say for certain what degree this hostility existed or what merit there is to Niebauer’s claim. It seems like he’s just looking for a lawsuit because he feels entitled to become a full professor and doesn’t see it happening. This could be because of gender discrimination, or it could be for a number of other reasons. We aren’t convinced by the filed complaint and Ni e b au e r’s at t or n e y h a s advised him not to make a statement, so we guess it’s up to the court to decide. Either way, we commend Niebauer for bringing awareness to the issue of gender discrimination and for taking action when he felt his voice was not being heard.
This week’s question: Do you think SRU is dominated by females?
In the Quad is a segment in which random students, faculty and staff are asked for their opinions on a specific topic.
LETTERS POLICY The Rocket welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Rocket retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes the property of The Rocket and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any. Please limit letters to a maximum of 400 words. Submit all material by noon Wednesday to: The Rocket, 220 ECB, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Or send it via e-mail to: rocket.letters@sru.edu.
Madison Cooper Sophomore Exploratory Major Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Matt Bonessi Junior Accounting Major Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
“No, I don’t ever think this campus is female dominated. I’ve made more guy friends here, especially living in the dorms because they’re co-ed.”
“There seems to be a pretty even mix of guys and girls, it’s pretty well balanced.”
Rex Gregory Sophomore Psychology and Early Childhood Education Major Grove City, Pennsylvania I feel like it is but not in a bad way. I think it’s good. All the professors that are female are great and the president I think is awesome.
OPINION
September 5, 2014
B-2
Running: It’s torture, not a lifestyle
Danielle Swezey Commentary Danielle Swezey is a sophomore Early Childhood and Special Education major from Jamestown, New York Upon our entry into a brand new school year, I can’t help but notice the push of SRU students that are bent on running to the gym to avoid the dreaded Freshman Fifteen, which can evolve into the Sophmore Twenty and the Junior Year Stretch Pants if you let it. As the class workload hasn’t picked up
yet, many have turned to going to the gym or their usual running path to occupy their time. Generally, I have no problem with these people. I admire your willpower to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The people that I CAN’T tolerate are those who swear up and down that exercise is fun. You know who I’m talking about. “Once I break through the wall, I just enter this place where my thoughts are completely at peace.” There is no wall. There is no bliss in running a marathon. There is only chafing, asthmatic symptoms and misery. A normal person slogs and sweats along with the rest of us, only to be met with self-loathing and muscular exhaustion the next day. I should note the fact that I am the most unsuitable candidate for enjoying regular exercise. I savor food items that would make any health nut go into shock; I get cramps walking up any inclined surface. It’s after moments like these that the
tiny voice in the back of my mind acknowledges, “it looks like a gym day.” It’s with this realization that I make the ominous trek down to the ARC. I go when I think nobody will be there; two hours before the gym closes. I skulk down the path like a spandex clad master of the night, knowing fully well what I’m about to subject myself to. Without fail, my two-mile jog on the treadmill commences my gradual transformation into what looks like a cross between a troll doll and the Tasmanian devil. My face turns the color of a strawberry. My once neat ponytail slowly starts to unfurl into its natural, unruly state. My breath quickens to the point that it attracts the wary attention of the gym staff. I have genuinely been stared at as though a gazelle that had been chased for miles through the Serengeti by a starving lion had suddenly taken the place of an out of shape college student on the treadmill before them. By the end of my workout, I become
Class should not be seen as a chore Facebook posts about the semester beginning. Most have shed a negative light on education with posts such as, “Why is summer over? I hate school.” Others have been anticipating the start for all of the “social” reasons. While I am overly excited that I finally get to see my friends again, I seem to be Coryn Bookwalter one of very few who is actually Commentary looking forward to my classes. I absolutely adore learning Coryn Bookwalter is a junior and being able to challenge my mind once again. I even history major from Mercer, bought all my books at the Pennsylvania. beginning of August because Over the past few weeks I wanted school to start right I’ve been reading tweets and then. Here at SRU is where
I am the happiest, but I’ve noticed that a lot of people treat class as a chore and I don’t really understand why. I’m so thankful that I even get the chance to attend school because there are many people who are not even offered the opportunity. So why not be enthusiastic about learning? Instead of complaining about things being too difficult or a class being irrelevant to your major, why not embrace it and try to gain as much knowledge from the experience as you can? After all, what’s even the point of life without the pursuit of knowledge?
very aware of the river of sweat that is now trickling through all available orifices as I make my hasty retreat back home. It’s not pretty. I gave you that mental image to offer a piece of advice: don’t be like me. If you find solace in your daily run, that’s fantastic. If you think kale and spinach are the holy grail of good tasting and good for you foods, I sincerely believe that you need an intimate intervention featuring a pack of Oreos dipped in peanut butter, but I admire your spirit. If, like me, you choose to prosper life through chocolate and as a result break into a sweat climbing up a flight of stairs, you might want to start taking baby steps. Try to cut back on your daily sugary afternoon pick me up. Go for a walk with some friends. Do whatever works for you. Above all, instead of trying to feign joy from the feeling of running, think of the joy you’ll experience when you’re not out of breath on your trek across campus.
CORRECTIONS: Aug. 29 In the article “A new year welcomes the largest freshman class in SRU history,” the number of undergraduate and graduate students is 8,526 students. The students are taking 118,871 credits this year in total. The photograph accompanying the article on SCALE-UP was wrongly attributed to Jillian Wilcox, the articles author. The photograph was taken by SRU public relations. If we make a substantial error, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call The Rocket newsroom at (724) 738-4438 or email rocket. letters@sru.edu. If a correction is warranted it will be printed in the opinion section.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” section are those of the writer(s) alone. The Rocket cannot verify all facts presented in a given letter, but if we are aware of an error or omission, we reserve the right to include an editorial note for accuracy’s sake.
Ferguson events depict ‘harsh realities of race in America’ The events unfolding in Ferguson, Missouri, just before our return to campus remind us that the work of perfecting our union—indeed, humanity—is incomplete. On Aug. 9, the unarmed and black Michael Brown was shot and killed by white officer Darren Wilson in what has been called racially motivated police brutality. A fair observer might comment that we do not yet have all of the facts, but that would be missing the point. While Michael Brown’s family and friends are certainly grieving his loss, even they are aware of what the protests in Ferguson represent. Though it may seem obvious to many black Americans and a growing number of their white compatriots, the harsh realities of race in America go largely unnoticed by a troubling number. It is a tragic and inescapable fact of American life that race determines one’s place in and interaction with society. At the end of the day, the justifiability of Officer Wilson’s actions have nothing to do with the persistent racial issues plaguing this country. Officer Wilson may or may not have acted appropriately, but race is certainly a factor in police interactions. Setting the question of race aside for a moment, what followed Michael’s death has proven almost as shocking to the conscience. For days after the shooting, the heavily militarized response of the Ferguson Police Department led many to comment that Ferguson looked more like a warzone than an American city. While there were certainly incidents of lawlessness intermingled with peaceful protests, one cannot help but wonder whether the police response helped escalate tensions to the breaking point. Viewing the coverage of Ferguson in the days following the shooting, it is not difficult
MCT Campus Activists gather in front of the White House to deliver nearly 900,000 signatures calling on the Department of Justice to fully investigate, prosecute, and fire all police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, on Wednesday, Aug. 28 in Washington, D.C.
to imagine why police presence in black communities is often termed “the occupation.” Why, then, do black communities often feel like they are occupied rather than served by the police? The answer is white privilege and the criminalization of black men which is difficult for some to understand. Our lives are still very segregated, and we often lack knowledge of how other groups live. In America, whiteness carries with it certain privileges. White interactions
with police often take on a different nature than black interactions with police. White people are less likely to be stopped in their vehicles or on the street. White people are accustomed to cordial interactions with the police. White people are not accustomed to being automatically treated like criminals. There are exceptions, of course, but black people’s experiences with police are usually the polar opposite. Submitted by: Amnesty International SRU Chapter
Ice Bucket Challenge stands as an example of using social media for good Thank you to Kevin Squires and The Rocket for drawing worthy Thank you to SRU administrators and students who accepted the attention to ALS via the paper’s Aug. 28 opinion piece. My mother- challenge and contributed to the fight against ALS. in-law was recently diagnosed, so we are learning as a family about the devastating effects of the disease. She is 74. Gordon Ovenshine, SRU 1988 Mr. Squires’ thoughtful and mature article showed sensitivity and Communication specialist for SRU communication and public insight in calling for a greater focus on fundraising and research. affairs. As a middle-age American, I do not always understand the point of social media and wonder at times if we’re poisoning ourselves with P.S. I can be challenged at gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu information overload. The Ice Bucket Challenge, however, stands as a example of using social media for good.
September 5, 2014
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COMICS
Poppy
By Brooke Griffin
COMICS
Horoscopes Today's Birthday (09/05/14). Get introspective this year. Focus on writing, recording and creative communications until 12/23, when family projects take your attention. A partnership rises a level after 3/20. Collaborate to save resources. Get inventively efficient. Envision and map the next five years, including romance, career, family and contribution. Take action for what you love. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Brooke Griffin is a sophomore communication major from Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Best in Show
By Phil Juliano
Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -Handle chores first. Keep your objective in mind, and listen to intuition. There's interesting work coming in over the next few weeks, with Venus entering Virgo. Aim for artistry. Add a feminine touch. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Invest in home, family, and real estate. You know what you need. You're especially lucky in love with Venus in Virgo for the next month. Artistic efforts work in your favor. Share the beauty you see. Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -Your home can become your love nest. For four weeks with Venus in Virgo, focus on home and family. Household beautification and improvement projects satisfy. Compromise on spending priorities. Resolve a conflict of interests. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Trust your heart to lead you over the next month with Venus in Virgo. Study a subject of your passion. Projects that include writing and recording flow with ease. Do the dishes, and keep a partner happy.
Brewster Rockit: Space Guy
By Tim Rickard
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Gather new income over the next month with Venus in Virgo. It gets quite profitable. You find your comfort zone. Put your back into it, and your excellent service earns attention. Stash funds for later. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -For four weeks with Venus in your sign, you're irresistible. Take advantage, and ask for what you want. Try a new style. You're inspired. Your past work speaks well for you. Practice your art. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Finish old jobs and rest peacefully over the next four weeks with Venus in Virgo. Allow yourself more quiet time for pondering dreams and fantasies. Don't reveal secrets yet. Get lost in your thoughts. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -Group activities go well over the next month with Venus in Virgo. You're especially popular. Social activities benefit your career. Enjoy the public spotlight and use it for a good cause. Revisit a favorite place. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 9 -Disciplined efforts bear fruit today and tomorrow. Take on more responsibility over the next four weeks, with Venus in Virgo. Watch for career advances, and assume authority. Delegate tasks to your team. Invite participation. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- It's easier to venture forth for the next month, with Venus in Virgo. Chart your itinerary. Travel, studies, research and exploration offer abundant reward. Have a backup plan. Grasp the practical issues, and prepare well. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Find a sweet deal. Keep close watch on the numbers over the next four weeks, with Venus in Virgo. Increase your assets and savings. Expect expenditures and budget for them. Take on another assignment. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -Partnerships flow with greater ease over the next several weeks, with Venus in Virgo. Feminine magnetism plays a big role. Meet criticism with humor. Gain insight concerning the future. Think fast and be willing to compromise. (c)2014 BY NANCY BLACK DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Bliss
By Harry Bliss
September 5, 2014
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S SPORTS
INSIDE SPORTS
Volleyball Trio The volleyball team will be leaning on seniors Michelle Hren and Janna Reilly and junior Kristy Lake to lead the team. See page C-2
20th Season Women's soccer head coach Noreen Herlihy is entering her 20th season as head coach, and looks to lead the team to a 19th consecutive winning season. See page C-3.
Men's soccer loses first game of season By Ryan Barlow Assistant Sports Editor
The Slippery Rock Un i v e r s i t y m e n’s soccer team lost their season opener 2-1 against the University of D.C. on Thursday. D.C. scored the first goal of the game in the first half after sophomore goalkeeper Steven Rerick bobbled the ball in the box and D.C.’s sophomore f o r w a rd Ha s s i ro u Diakite deflected the rebound into the back of the net. D.C. put their second goal on the board three minutes later when s ophomore Nenad Smiljanic scored on a penalty kick with one minute remaining in the first half. The Rock was able to get on the board in the 57th minute when senior forward Dom Francis was able to score after being awarded a penalty kick. “I think this game we nt e x a c t l y t h e opposite of what we did last week during
our scrimmage. The first half wasn’t very good but the second half was better,” head coach Andy Hoggarth said. “We battled the 30 minutes of the game. It was good, we just have to get back to being a physical, hardworking te am who just presses the ball.” Francis led SRU with three shots on goal. Ju n i or for w ard Peter B oy lan had t w o s h ot s , w h i l e s e n i or m i d f i e l d e r Brandon Chiu, senior midfielder Anthony Ja c k , a n d j u n i o r defender Nick Kutcher each had one shot. The University of D.C. had 19 shots dur ing t he game, compared to the Rock’s 11. D.C. was also able to fire nine shots on goal while SRU only had five. A total of 39 fouls took place during the game, and Francis was sent off the field after being shown a red card in the 78th minute. Junior defender Stephen McConahy and senior defender
Josh Brake were each shown yellow cards as well. Rerick played in the net for SRU for the first time in his career, after sitting out his entire freshman season. Rerick played the entire 90 minutes of the game, allowing two goals on nine shots while saving seven. “We just have to go back to being a hard working team who just presses the ball,” Hoggarth said. “I don’t think we need to make too many adjustments, we just have to go out and get used to playing together. No t n e c e s s a r i l y p l a y i n g t i m e adjustments, but coming out and playing hard in the first couple minutes to getting into the right mindset.” The Rock’s next game will be on Sunday, Sep. 7, where they will take on Urbana University at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium at 1 p.m. The team’s overall record now stands at 0-1.
ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET
Junior defender Nick Kutcher attempts to head the ball during SRU's game against the University of D.C. on Thursday. Kutcher had one shot on goal in the game. He started in three games last season.
Cross-country senior ready to continue success By Brian Hepfinger Sports Editor
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROCK ATHLETICS
Senior Janine Powis runs during a meet last season. Powis has been All-Region and All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference twice, and qualified for the PSAC Championships nine times. Powis placed 20th in last year's PSAC Championships.
Slippery Rock University women’s cross-countr y runner Janine Powis is looking to improve on what has already been an impressive career. Powis is a senior from Telford, Pa., and has been running since she was in the eighth grade. “I realized my love for running in 10th grade track, when I won the district title in the 1600,” Powis said. “That is also when I knew I wanted to run in college.” In Powis’ first season in 2011, she placed in the top 10 at the Mack Cooper Classic. She then placed in the top 25 in both the Lock Haven Invite and the SRU invite. She also placed 43rd at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships, and then placed 37th at the Atlantic Regional Championships. “I would say that I have steadily improved since I’ve joined the Slippery Rock team in running, but also in getting stronger physically and mentally,” Powis said. Powis has numerous accolades in both track and cross-country, but in cross-country last season she placed 33rd place overall (second SRU runner) in the NCAA Division II Atlantic
Regional Championships, and also placed 20th place overall (first SRU runner) in the PSAC Cross-Country Championships. “It always feels good to qualify for the PSAC and regionals, and then last year when I earned All-PSAC, it was definitely a boost in confidence,” Powis said. “That helped me improve as a runner by knowing what I can do and go from there to do even better this year.” Powis has qualified for the PSAC Championships in track as well, including a second place finish in the 800-meter. She has earned both the AllRegion and ALL-PSAC honor twice, and has also qualified for the PSAC nine times. Powis said that while it’s hard for her to choose which sport she enjoys more, track is above cross-country. “I would have to say track has always been the sport I enjoyed more,” Powis said. “It’s hard to say which one is harder, though, because they both have their different difficulties. In cross you get all the hill workouts and then in track it's more speed work for me.” SRU head coach John Papa said that not only does Powis have a great deal of talent, she is a also a good leader. “Janine is our top returner from last cross-country
season,” Papa said. “She has a great deal of running experience and she sets a good example for the other runners on the team.” Papa said Powis’ success in cross-country isn’t only attributed to her talent. “Janine is successful because she has the ability and talent to be an outstanding runner in our conference,” Papa said. “In addition to the talent, Janine has the work ethic to develop her natural ability and she has the right attitude and mentality that it takes to be a successful distance runner.” Papa said he is looking for Powis to have another great season. “We expect Janine to continue to improve as a runner and for her to repeat her All-PSAC Conference performance from last season,” Papa said. “I feel that Janine is capable of a repeat All-PSAC performance and an All-Atlantic Region finish as well this season.” Even though Powis has already qualified for so many meets, she still wants to improve as a runner. “This season, my goal is to improve my place at the PSAC conference as well as be all-region,” Powis said. “I want to get stronger, increase my mileage, and improve my machine.”
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September 5, 2014
Former Division I coach takes over soccer By Ryan Barlow Assistant Sports Editor
REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET
First year men's soccer head coach Andy Hoggarth directs his players during a team practice on Wednesday. Hoggarth is from Middlesbrough, England, and is a former head coach of Thiel College and AFC Cleveland.
The Slippery Rock Un i v e r s it y m e n’s soccer team is under new leadership t his s e as on, and head coach Andy Hoggarth brings a lot of great experience to a veteran roster. Hoggarth grew up in Middlesbrough, England where he fell in love with the game of soccer. During his time as a player, Hoggarth was a goalkeeper. “I had pretty decent care er as a g o a l k e e p e r ,” Hoggarth said. “I spent a lot of time trying to represent every age group that I could, attending many different trials a n d t r y o ut s f or professional teams.” Around the time Hoggarth was 18 years old, he decided it was time to pursue a higher level of education, and graduated from Northumbria University. During his time there, he balanced schoolwork while playing soccer at a s e m i - p ro f e s s i o n a l level. After playing semiprofessionally for six years, Hoggarth
decided it was time to hang up his cleats and pick up a clipboard to begin his journey as a coach. Along with his decision to begin coaching, Hoggarth also decided he would pursue coaching jobs in the United States. His coaching experience came when he was doing graduate work at Shenandoah University in Virginia where he was the assistant men’s coach for one season, and the associate head coach for another. After his two years in Virginia, Ho g g ar t h m ov e d north to Western Pe n n s y l v a n i a t o begin coaching with Thiel College. While at Thiel, he was able to make a significant impact with both the men and women’s soccer programs, ser ving as the men’s head coach for his first three seasons, and then spent time on both the men's and women’s coaching st af f du r i ng t he remainder of his time there. “It was a great opportunity working with both programs,” Hoggarth said. “We took the programs
from zero wins a s eas on, to ab out eight wins a season. It do esn’t s ound like a whole lot, but considering the skill we were at, it was a good progression.” After coaching for seven seasons, Hoggarth left Thiel College to serve as the head coach of AFC Cleveland, a club team in the National Premier Soccer League, for two seasons. Through connections he made with AFC Cleveland, Hoggarth was able to become an assistant head coach at the Division I level for the University of Akron. After spending roughly 18 months w it h A k ron , t he opportunity came along for Hoggarth to accept the job as head coach for the men’s team at SRU. “A f t e r living around this part of the world for eight years, I knew the level of expectations t hat come a long with success of this program,” Hoggarth said. “After talking with previous coaches and alumni, I felt that at this time in my career Slippery Rock was the perfect opportunity for me.”
SRU trio looks to lead volleyball team Colleen Barenick Rocket Contributor
The Slippery Rock University volleyball team has only two seniors on the roster this season, including Janna Reilly and Michelle Hren. Along with Reilly and Hren, SRU will look to junior Kristy Lake to lead the team. Reilly said that being on SRU's volleyball team has been a great experience for her. "Through volleyball, I have met my best friends," Reilly said. "Being able to hang out every day and play the sport we love is such an amazing opportunity." Reilly, from Mason, Oh. is a setter for the team. Last season, Reilly started in 22 of 34 matches and appeared in 131 sets. Reilly also led the team with 705 assists (5.38 assists per set). During her four years at the Rock, Reilly said that her favorite memory while being on the team was beating Clarion in four home games during her freshman year. Reilly also said her highest accomplishment and proudest moment came when she was named freshman of the year in the
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division. Hren, from Mentor, Ohio is a middle blocker on the team. Hren said that her proudest moment while being on the team was being named team captain for two years. In the 2012 season, Hren played in 27 matches and appeared in 97 sets. She also registered career-highs in kills, assists, digs, and blocks. Hren was only hurt briefly but never long enough to cause her to red shirt. Hren said that her favorite memory while being on the team is from the Christmas parties. “Having a team Christmas party is always fun,” Hren said. “ The whole te am is to ge t he r eating and relaxing at coach’s house and exchanging gifts. I love the atmosphere of team parties and picnics.” Hren said the major hardship of playing a sport throughout the four years was when her family had something going on and she was not able to be home for the event. Lake,from Boardman, Oh. is an outside hitter for the team. Lake said that
her proudest moment while being on the team was some of the awards she has won. “When I was awarded the Slippery R o c k Un i v e r s i t y player of the week twice, being named the PSAC volleyball player of the week, and being voted captain by my fellow teammates,” Lake said. Last season, Lake star ted 22 of 34 matches and appeared in 132 sets. She also ranked second on the team with 306 kills (2.32 kills per set). Although Lake shows the leadership in her statistics alone, she missed all of the 2012 season due to an ACL, MCL, and lateral meniscus t e a r. H o w e v e r, Lake believes that her knowledge of vol l e y b a l l has increased and has heightened her level of appreciation for the game and her health. The Green and White will be leaning on Reilly, Hren, and Lake to lead the team to a successful 2014 season. SRU's first match is against Pfeiffer University at the Pfeiffer College Tournament on Sep. 5.
ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET
Junior outside hitter Kristy Lake attempts to hit the ball during practice on Wednesday. Last season, Lake started 22 of 34 matches, appearing in 132 sets. She had 306 kills and 195 digs.
September 5, 2014
SPORTS
Senior track runner makes transition into cross-country By Brittany Fagan Rocket Contributor
In one week, senior Tyler Melius will run in his first cross-country race on Slippery Rock University's home course at Cooper’s Lake Campground. Despite his wide variety of athletic involvement, Melius never participated in cross-country. Melius has been on the SRU track and field team for three years, but has never made the transition into cross-country until now. Melius is a safety and environmental management major at the Rock, and is also working on a Spanish minor. After this season, he will have three years of National C ollegiate At h l e t i c Association eligibility left in the sport if he chooses to stay and compete. Melius said that this is a possibility, but that it would be a big decision for him. For the past three years that he has spent at SRU, Melius has put a lot of time and hard work into his track and field career. Being a middle distance runner for the team, he has competed in events from the 400-meter all the way up to the mile, with the 800 meter being his favorite. “My favorite memory
from the sport was when my 4x800 meter relay team won first place at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference meet my sophomore year,” Melius said. “The men’s team as a whole also had a great meet that day which makes it a great memory.” In addition to this great accomplishment, he is also the school record holder for the 4x800 meter relay, along with Morgan Elliott, Dalton Zebrak and Kevin Jewel. The squad ran the distance of 3,200 meters in 7:41:85 in 2013. Entering the new sport, Melius has a wide variety of emotions. “Cross-country is a mentality challenge and introduces a whole new idea of pushing myself,” Melius said. “This will be a longer event than any other race I have run before, so it will be something new to adjust to.” With this new experience came a summer full of new and improved training. Melius said that he began running distance workouts during track season and carried that over to this summer. One of the major changes he made this summer was running more miles. One comment that Melius made was that he ran alone this summer and
really enjoyed it. “Running alone is my favorite, because it allows me to pay attention to my body and focus on my pace and what’s going on in my workout,” Melius said. “This has also helped me self-motivate myself and become more dependent on myself.” Looking ahead to this season might still be a little early considering the team doesn’t race until Sep. 12, but Melius already has his eye on some big goals. “I would definitely like to be an All-Conference and All Region runner this season,” Melius said. “In addition, I would like to overall improve in the new sport and carry my success from track season into this cross-country season.” As for the rest of the group, Melius believes that the men will do well this season. “We have a solid top group of guys on our team and the rest of the team has a lot of depth,” Melius said. “As a team, we would like to finish at the top of our conference and ultimately qualify for Nationals.” The men’s team is very excited for their season to begin in just one week. With a strong leader like Tyler Melius leading the pack, the Rock plans to surprise the conference this year.
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Rock women's soccer head coach enters 20th season By Cody McCullough Rocket Contributor
Head Coach Noreen Herlihy is entering her 20th season as the Slippery Rock University women’s soccer head coach with a chance to become only the 11th coach in women’s Division II soccer history to record 250 wins. She is leading a young soccer team, and hoping that they mirror the same success they experienced last season as Atlantic Region Champions. Herlihy is looking to lead this team to a 19th consecutive winning season. The first year that she took over was the year that women’s soccer at SRU became a varsity sport. She was given the task of rebuilding a program that had not seen much success. SRU finished with a 5-13 record in Herlihy's first year as head coach in 1995, and they haven't had a losing record since. Success is not a new thing to Herlihy, as she has been experiencing that all her life. She played on Ireland’s national soccer team from 1985-1988, where she played against the likes of England, Scotland, Holland and Sweden. She also has a pair of All-American honors to add to that list from her time at Mercyhurst University. As an assistant coach at Mercyhurst in 1993 and 1994 she helped lead them to a pair of Division II final four appearances before taking over the rebuilding process at the Rock. She wasted no time in this rebuilding project leading the Green and White to a 14-5 record in her second season in 1996, which led to a Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference (PSAC) “Coach of the Year” award. Because of that success, Herlihy was asked to help rebuild the men’s soccer
program in 1997. She served as a dualteam head coach for the next four years before going back to coaching only women’s soccer in 2001. She was the first woman to become head coach of the men’s program, and in her first season there, she led them to a 10-8 record, doubling their win total from the year prior. The Rock began their postseason success in 2000 with their first appearance in the PSAC playoffs. Since then, the results have been spectacular, with the team averaging 13.6 wins per season since 2001. To go along with those wins per year the team has made ten appearances in the PSAC playoffs, nine trips to the NCAA tournament, has earned three PSAC regular season titles and two PSAC tournament championships. “I'm proud, and I feel like it’s a wonderful thing to have stability for a program," Herlihy said. "I’ve had great help over the years, and great student athletes who take pride in wearing the jersey for this university.” When asked about her possibility of entering the 250 win club she gave all the credit to the team, saying that that win total does not drive her. The real drive and enjoyment she gets is from seeing the team do well. Junior midfielder Crysta Ganter said that while Herlihy is a professional head coach, she does have a fun side as well. “It’s been a very good experience so far,” Ganter said. “she’s very serious when it comes to playing, but jokes around at practices and makes sure we laugh every day.” Herlihy is looking to continue the streak of winning seasons, starting with the team's first game on Sep. 4 against Millersville University.
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September 5, 2014
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CAMPUS LIFE
INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE
Bread and Butters What could be better than combining pizza and pancakes? Nothing! Columnist Kelsey Phillips shares a recipe for a delicious mash-up. See Page D-2
Fashion's Next Top Models Fashion's next generation of supermodels are ready to step into the spotlight this fall. Katie Ellis explores the rise of three top models. See Page D-2
Comedic play attracts students to Old Stone House
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN LUKACS The cast of "The Old Stone House: An Original Play" written by history major Kevin Lukacs, 21, performs for an audience at the Old Stone House. From left, the play was performed by Butler Little Theatre performer Shannon Donovan as Juliet, Greg Crawford as Sir Basil, Austin Uram as Jack, and Lukacs as Daniel as they act through an intense scene.
By Katie Ellis Campus Life Editor
The Old Stone House run by the SRU History Department, gave history student Kevin Lukacs the opportunity to show his original comedic play set in the 1830s on location at the historic site. The House is a historic site that is a museum run by student employees of SRU from May through October each year, and Lukacs, 21, a history major and docent at the Old Stone House penned the original hour-long play set during its golden age. During its heyday people would come to what was once a thriving stagecoach stop to tend to their horses or rest during their travels, according to Lukacs. Lukacs began working at the Old Stone House during the spring semester, and after Associate Professor of History and the house’s curator, Dr. Aaron Cowan, mentioned that he wanted to expand the space’s function beyond being a place solely based upon history, he
decided that showing a play there would be a good place to start. Deciding the play to perform there with the assistance of the Butler Little Theatre didn’t come without its challenges, as there aren’t many plays that fit the time period of the Old Stone House. “Butler Little Theatre was thrilled with the idea of doing a play there and it was just finding one and that was difficult because Americans didn’t really write plays during the 1830s,” Lukacs said. “They did a lot of vaudeville, which the play does pay tribute to, so it was a lot easier to write my own.” While the play is a work of fiction, a character based on the house’s original owner John Brown does make an appearance, but the rest of the cast are creations of Lukacs’ imagination. The play represents the time period, but takes a humorous look at Butler County and trends from the 1800s including the temperance movement, which was a time when alcohol was to be consumed in moderation.
“The Stone House: An Original One-Act Play” has had one weekend of showings thus far, and ahead of the shows slated for this weekend, audience reaction has been positive. Audience members have been responsive to the jokes and stories told by the characters, which Lukacs equates to a surreal experience. “It’s entirely surreal how well people are receiving the play,” Lukacs said. “We did three shows this past weekend and we’ve had people come twice already.” Another person who has had a role in making the play a success is junior art major and communication minor Austin Uram, 20, who stars as Jack, a soldier in his 20s who is on his way home from Florida. Uram was attracted to the play in part because of its setting, which gave it a sense of authenticity that a set couldn’t have. SEE 'THE STONE HOUSE,' PAGE D-2
The Journey: SRU faculty share their life experiences By Alexandra Caccese Rocket Contributor
Five panelists sat upon the stage in the Smith Student Center Ballroom on Sep. 2, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., including President Cheryl Norton, assistant professor of history Dr. Aaron Cowan , associate professor of psychology Dr. Catherine Massey, assistant professor of biology Dr. Wayne Forbes, and Heather Strong Moore, a 2011 master’s degree graduate in community counseling from Slippery Rock. Students and faculty interact and walk among each other almost every day through campus sharing the same space and time, but how did we all get here at Slippery Rock University? How have all our individual paths gotten us here today? Exercise science major Rebecca Burkart and therapeutic recreation major Brittany Arnold, along with the moderator, Associate Professor of therapeutic recreation Dr. Colleen Cooke made it possible for faculty members, alumni, and even SRU’s President to connect with students on a personal level. “We who have been here for a little while recognize that especially for those of you that are freshmen, you’re embarking on a journey,” Cooke said. REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET University President, Dr. Cheryl Norton, professors Dr. Aaron Cowan, Dr. Catherine Massey, Dr. Wayne Forbes and 2011 master's degree recipient Heather Strong Moore advise students based on their life experience.
SEE 'JOURNEY,' PAGE D-3
CAMPUS LIFE
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September 5, 2014
Pizza pancakes offer breakfast and dinner at the same time
Kelsey Phillips "Bread and Butters" Kelsey Phillips is a junior public relations major and a regular contributor of The Rocket. Greetings fellow food and drink enthusiasts, mini-fridge mavens and otherwise generally hungry folk. Welcome to my new column, Bread and Butters – where I explore a well-known restaurant, food product, or recipe (the “bread,” which is, after all, one of humanity’s oldest and most popular foods) and add, find or create what I call the “butters” – new tastes, perspectives and uses. You know, the good stuff. For my first article, I wanted to give you a recipe that was inventive, playful and incredibly delicious. I was up against stiff competition, namely the donut burger, the pierogi dog and the deep fried oreo – palatable giants in the experimental food world. But with an empty stomach, a college student’s pantry and a little help from Pinterest, I give you…pizza pancakes! Now some of you may be thinking “genius” – I know – but there may be skeptics out there and for that reason I have created a short pizza pancake self-assessment below. You will enjoy pizza pancakes if you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions: Have you ever woken up for breakfast and wanted something other than the typical breakfast foods? Do you order pizza on a regular basis or live behind a pizza shop? Have you ever found yourself wondering whether 3 a.m. is too late for dinner or too early for breakfast? Do you like cheese? Now that we’ve established the champions from the pickyeaters, let’s get to the cooking. Only six ingredients are necessary for this recipe, all of which I consider to be kitchen staples and whose brands
PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSEY PHILLIPS Phillips showcases the end result of her "Pizza Pancake" recipe, which she adapted from noblepig.com to only use common ingredients students would already have in their kitchens.
are irrelevant. They are: pancake mix, pizza sauce, shredded cheese, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and pepperoni slices – or whichever toppings you happen to have lying around. Directions: (Adapted from noblepig.com) Place a greased skillet on the stove at medium-high heat. For the batter, mix the correct amounts of dry pancake mix and water, according to the package directions. I used 1 cup of dry mix to ¾ cup of water, which yields about 6-8 pancakes. Stir 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic into the batter. Set aside. If you have yet to grease your pan, now is your last chance before the fire alarm will go off and your whole building will resent you. Place 1 tablespoon of cheese on your greased skillet, which should now be hot. This will immediately begin to melt and turn into the crispy morsels you pick off of a slice of pizza and eat first. Pour a ¼ cup of the batter on top of the
cheese once it begins to melt. Add your toppings of choice and flip the pancake once the bubbles on the batter side have burst. Cook the remaining side until it turns a golden-brown color and transfer it to a plate. Repeat as desired and serve hot pancakes with pizza sauce. The result is a light and fluffy pancake that tastes like cheesy garlic bread in all the right places – no grease-blotting napkins necessary – and is cheaper and faster than delivery. Mind you, I live in an apartment with a standard kitchen, but you can always give it a worthy go in the residence hall community kitchens or Boozel’s waffle iron station. Mmm… waffles. If there is one thing that inventive recipes like the donut burger or even pizza pancakes can teach us, it’s to not be afraid of food. It doesn’t bite you. You bite it…except on the occasion of eating too much Mexican food, in which case that habanero burrito can most definitely bite back. Until next time, butter lovers.
Models of the moment take the fashion industry by storm
Katie Ellis "ROCK'n Fashion" Katie Ellis is a senior journalism major and the Campus Life editor of The Rocket. As New York Fashion Week kicks off in the Big Apple, models from across the globe will be flocking to Lincoln Center to suit up in designs from the spring/summer 2015 collections before audiences filled with A-list celebrities, designers, and magazine powerhouses. The industry’s top models will be walking in some of the most high-profile shows, while others will continue to grow their careers by staring in fall’s most buzzed about ad campaigns. There’s no denying that industry favorite Jourdan Dunn, model of the moment Kendall Jenner, and up-andcomer Lottie Moss are three of the hottest models in fashion today. With their careers taking off, these women will be putting their best feet forward as they continue their journey to
fashion domination. Jourdan Dunn is a veteran in the modeling world having started working at just 15 years old, when she made her runway debut walking for Marc Jacobs. Now 24, Dunn has been at the center of numerous headlines for her life on-and-off the runway. In 2008, she experienced one of the best years of her career when she was named “Model of the Year” at the British Fashion Awards and turned the catwalk upside-down when she became the first black model to walk for Prada in over a decade. The It-Brit continued modeling in shows for top designers like Valentino and Ralph Lauren, but her career was almost derailed in 2009 when she discovered that she was pregnant. That didn’t stop Dunn from striving towards her goals, and the support of the fashion industry remained firmly behind her with a cover of “Teen Vogue” in Nov. 2009 and a trip down the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier that same year when she was nearly seven months pregnant with her son, Riley. Her career has only skyrocketed since then with an appearance at the 2012 Summer Olympics when she modeled alongside fellow British supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss and a role in Beyoncé’s “Yoncé” music video in 2013. This year has also been good to Dunn who was named Maybelline New York’s newest face, became a spokeswoman
for YSL, and made history as the first black British woman to be on Forbes’ top-earning models list. While most people may know her as Kim’s little sister and one of the stars of E!’s hit reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” Kendall Jenner is quickly making a name for herself as fashion’s model of the moment. Modeling isn’t new for Jenner who began her career with a print ad campaign for Forever 21 in 2010, and followed up that success with a walk down the runway for Sherri Hill’s prom dress line. With three sisters who have made millions on their Kardashian Kollection clothing line, it’s no surprise that she would partner with her sister Kylie to start a label of their own, Kendall & Kylie, sold exclusively through PacSun. This business venture has kept the model busy for the past few years, but in February 2014, she made her first appearance as a highfashion model on the catwalk for Marc Jacobs. Her appearance didn’t go without controversy with many people abuzz about the revealing sheer top she modeled for the designer, but she continued walking her way through Fashion Week with a spot in Givenchy’s fall show, and even a trip down the Chanel Haute Couture runway in July. She landed her first gig with “Vogue” in their #VogueInstaFashion spread on their website where she worked fall’s
hottest looks like a seasoned pro in a series of selfie inspired images. Jenner has kept her high-fashion streak going with editorials in “Love Magazine,” and a coveted spot on the September issue of “Teen Vogue.” Storm Model Management knows talent when they see it, which is why it comes as no surprise that they signed Kate Moss’ little sister, Lottie, to their agency. The 16-year-old bears a striking resemblance to her sister in her early modeling days, and has begun her career by following in Kate’s footsteps by signing on to do a Calvin Klein ad campaign, which launched the elder Moss into the spotlight in the 90s. “Teen Vogue” profiled the up-andcomer for their April issue, where she cited Kate as one of her inspirations for getting into the business, and “W” magazine was quick to feature her in an editorial for their May issue, but as her star continues to rise, there could be a very high-profile cover on the horizon. Speculation is running wild that the Moss sisters will be featured on the December issue of UK “Vogue,” as the first ever sister duo to grace the cover. Dunn, Jenner, and Moss are prime examples of where the future of modeling is headed, and as fashion’s insiders keep a watchful eye on their every move, there’s no doubt that their star power can only go up from here.
'The Stone House' play brings people back to historic site Continued from Page D 1
“I loved the fact that they were using the space where the play was set as a theatre,” Uram said. “It’s been a lot of fun working in the area itself, and it helps you to get into character a lot easier.” Uram’s character Jack is involved in a love triangle with the play’s villain, Daniel, played by Lukacs, and the play’s sole female character Juliet, played by a student from Point Park University and member of the Butler Little Theatre, Shannon Donovan. “Jack is a nice guy, the kind that you would want your daughter to marry,” Uram said.
“Jack has a woman from his past pop up in his life again, and hilarity ensues.” For the past year, Cowan has been trying to break away from the idea that people have that the Old Stone House is solely a place where people can visit and take tours, it’s also a bridge between the university and the community. He wanted faculty and students to take an interest in coming up with an idea to get other students and members of the community involved with it, which is why he approached Lukacs. “I knew that he was involved in community theatre and that he was also someone who did some of his own plays,” Cowan said. “I mentioned it and we talked a bit about it and
I thought ‘that was that’, but he came back with this.” The performance space is small, which makes the relationship between the actors and the audience more intimate. The audience is able to become immersed in the time period through the colorful cast of characters, according to Cowan. Cowan hopes that in the future more plays will be able to be shown at the Old Stone House. “This is a way for people that have been before to come back and get them engaged, and I think that’s great,” Cowan said. The play is running Sep. 5-7 and Sep. 12-14 at 7 p.m.
CAMPUS LIFE
September 5, 2014
Scheduled career events show value of networking future employers. On Sep. 23 is a “Networking 101� event where students learn the best approaches for getting hired by building a network of employers. From this event, students will gain a hiring influence on employers increasing chances of employment after graduation. “I do not care what your major is, history, English, education, geology, management,� Rindy explained. “You simply cannot get around it, if you do not have contacts who have hiring influence as you graduate, you will struggle in the job market. We have so much data that shows this and yet some people think they will be the exception.� Rindy highly encourages students to attend these events, as real employers will be there. Rindy stressed the importance of planning ahead for the future. He said he would rather see students attend these events as opposed to working a fast food job. “Each semester at least one student will come to me with
By Haley Barnes News Editor
Slippery Rock University’s Office of Career Education and Development has three career events planned for September to help students of any age and major build and polish their resumes, learn how to network, and reach out to employers. “If a student leaves college knowing no one in the world of work, they will likely be unemployed for a while until they do build a network,� John Rindy, Director of Career Education and Development, said. “So, all of these Sep. programs are designed to get students prepared for the three major career fair events available to them this fall.� Rindy said all the events are constructed around learning. The first two events on Sep.16 and 18 teach students not only how to build a resume, but build it in a way that will increase their likelihood of being hired by
Follow this QR Code to see 'Journey' panelists' advice for students
no job and no prospects the last week of senior year and I will say to them ‘Did you come to our career fairs?’� Rindy said. “Nearly 100% of the time the answer is ‘No.’ When I ask why, I get excuses like ‘I had to work at my fast food job.’ Now wait a minute, I think. You gave up a chance to talk with dozens of people with full-time hiring influence all in one room, on your college campus, so that you could go work part-time in a fast food job? It does not add up to me. Look, I know students need money. I have two kids in college myself, but think ahead!� Rindy also said there is a Career Expo event on Sep. 25 for students seeking jobs in business, information sciences, and social sciences. He said over 50 companies will be at that event. Rindy explained that students can sign up for these events by logging onto www.sru.edu/ careerconnection. All that is needed is an SRU email and password.
Watch an exclusive interview with playwright and cast member, Kevin Lukacs
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'Journey' panel offers advice to students Continued from Page D 1
“We want to make sure that coming into this environment you feel that there’s a safe place for you, that there are people here with whom you can relate, and that you don’t have to take any step of this journey alone. Each member shared their story of where they are in their career now and what paths they took to get here. Each journey told was individually triumphant in their own unique ways, reminding students that they are on their own paths, but never alone. President Norton shared her journey of how the choices she made resulted in unexpected and surprising outcomes. These choices pointed her in the right direction, ultimately bringing her here to Slippery Rock University. She explained how the choices we make will inevitably alter our lives in big and small ways. President Norton encourages students to take advantage of the power of choice, and to take on these choices we make with excellence and passion. President Norton left the audience with this advice, “Always choose your friends well and always choose a path of excellence, and I think you will find the right place to be and who you are.� Heather Strong Moore has been a part of The Journey from the beginning. Burkart and Moore both agreed that students on campus could be doing a lot better, if they just had a little support and stronger relationship with the faculty around them. “Life is too short not to live with an open heart,� Moore said. “You have to let people in, you have to let others care for you, and be honest about who you are and let them be honest with you.� Moore explained how life can get dark at times, and even stay dark for longer than we ever imagine, but she reminded the students and faculty there that, “There is so much good and beauty in the world that is not covered in darkness.� After the panelists spoke, students discussed their own personal experiences with the people at their table. Facilitators also helped guide the discussion. This exercise allowed students to feel safe and comfortable opening up to sharing their challenges. When all was said and done, Burkart and Arnold want studentsto gain encouragement from hearing others’ life experiences and different perspectives. They hope to inspire students to create their own journey and grow from their challenges through their college experience.
The SGA Happy Bus Schedule! ...and how to read it
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September 5, 2014