Rock Defeats Mercyhurst SRU beats Mercyhurst 58-34 to earn first PSACWest win of season. Page C-1
Friday, October 4, 2013 • Volume 97, Issue Number 6 • Slippery Rock University's Student Newspaper
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Organized religion protested on campus
NEWS Dumbledore's Army a
Recognized Club The Student Government Association recently approved many new organizations including Dumbledore's Army. Page A-2
OPINION
SRU Gun Policy: All or Nothing?
The university updated its gun policy to allow guns on campus, but not in buildings. We think they should take the all or nothing approach.
Page B-1
SPORTS
Men's Soccer Shut Out Panthers The Slippery Rock University men's soccer team take 4-0 win over University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Page C-2
CAMPUS LIFE Candlelight Vigil Raises Awareness RockOut's candlelight vigil remembers students who have committed suicide as a part of their yearly awareness week. Page D-1
Don Jon Review Jimmy G's Rock Reviews takes a look at Joseph Gordon Levitt's latest written and directed Hollywood hit Don Jon. Page D-2
REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET
Slippery Rock students walk passed a member of a religious organization that came to campus Wednesday morning. The group handed out religious literature and declared the need to separate faith from organized religion.
Budget troubles to continue into upcoming fiscal year By Kevin Squires Assistant News Editor
The Council of Trustees voted to approve Slippery Rock University’s 201314 Educational and General Fund budget during their regular meeting held Sept. 27. The approved budget was balanced, remedying the previous $5.2 million deficit that was reported earlier in the semester. Robert Taylor, newly elected chair of the council described the budget as ‘very difficult’. “We reviewed a very difficult budget. It is not a pretty budget. It is not an easy budget to swallow and accept. There is pain in the budget. I think it as reasonable of a budget as we can expect to accept. It is a sensible budget,” Taylor said. President Cheryl J. Norton emailed
the campus community with an update regarding the budget Monday which had a reduced deficit of $4.7 million due to additionally received performance money. “To address the remaining deficit, we will use approximately $1.1 million in reserves and implement nearly $3.6 million in personnel and non-personnel reductions submitted by the divisions. We expect to achieve the personnel reductions by not filling vacancies and natural attrition.” Norton explained. With the current year’s budget approved, next year’s predicted deficit has already started being addressed. “We will intensify our efforts to address the challenges of the fiscal year 2014-15 budget, which we predict at this time could result in a deficit between $10-$13
million.” Norton said. Dr. Patrick Burkhart, president of the SRU chapter of the Association of State College and University Faculties, responded to the forthcoming budget in an email sent to the faculty Wednesday. “It saddens me to report that SRU management made it apparent at a Meet and Discuss with State APSCUF Wednesday that, without substantial attrition, the institution will retrench faculty. Letters will be issued this academic year and dismissal will occur effective Fall term, 2014.” Burkhart said. During her quarterly report to the Council, Norton excluded the topic of the budget as she stated it was already discussed thoroughly and chose to make the focus of the report as stating some of SEE APSCUF, PAGE A-3
Campus organizations express views on gun regulations By Stephanie Cheek Assistant Campus Life Editor
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, and Sandy Hook are only some of the many places that have experienced a mass shooting and have seen firsthand what the damage of a firearm can do. Events like these have opened up a debate about gun control and what needs to happen to keep the general public safe. The debate is between those who feel there should be limits on the use of firearms and those who feel this is the first step toward firearms being eliminated. “Hitler’s Nazi regime started with background checks regarding guns, and it led to citizens being completely defenseless,” explained senior Joshua Weitzel, 22, a political science major and president of the Rock the 2nd Amendment Club. According to Weitzel, the right to bear arms is a constitutional right that’s not about hunting, but about being able to defend oneself. Recently, there has been a law change that allows students who have a firearm permit to conceal and carry in an open space on campus, Weitzel said, but not in any on-campus buildings. “Students should be allowed to carry and defend themselves, especially in dorms, which is considered a student’s home on campus,” Weitzel said. Weitzel further explained that his goal for the Rock the 2nd Amendment
organization is to hopefully repeal the weapons policy on campus and be allowed to carry on campus and in the buildings. He wants campus to also understand that his organization is not a radical group focused on giving everyone guns, but wants to allow gun owners to carry their firearms in order for them to feel safe. “Slippery Rock is a public university and should uphold the Second Amendment, allowing students to bear arms,” Weitzel explained. Another group on campus whose hobby involves firearms is the Hunting and Fishing club. “I was taught around the age of nine to fire a gun and started hunting at 12,” explained senior Thomas Wilson, 24, a parks and recreation: resource management major and Hunting and Fishing Club president. According to Wilson, he grew up around guns, and hunting was a family pastime. He explained that when he was young, his father taught him to never point a weapon at anyone, keep the safety on when the firearm is not in use, and to keep a finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. “I believe in moderate gun control,” explained Wilson. He believes that criminal background checks are needed when firearms are purchased, SEE OBAMA, PAGE A-2