The Rocket

The

Rocket Slippery Rock University Student Newspaper Est. 1934

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Marc Elliot: Teaching students tolerance

October 8, 2010

Volume 93, Number 6

Safety panel answers questions about recent assaults

By Eric Busch

Rocket Staff Reporter

A rou n d 1 0 0 p e opl e showed up to a safety panel discussion Tuesday in the Union to clarify any questions they had about the recent sexual assaults in Slippery Rock.

The meeting was held in response to the high number of sexual assaults reported off-campus this semester.

An 11-member panel made up of SRU faculty and staff, law enforcement

and students were there to answer any questions the crowd had.

Dr. Sean Colbert-Lewis, an assistant professor of education, opened the forum with a prepared speech.

In it, he discussed the courage of the survivors and the disdain he has toward any student who has attempted to make light of the situation.

“The survivors had the courage to speak up,” Colbert-Lewis said. “Give them the respect you

would ask for if you were put in their situation.”

He said that he has witnessed what he called “disturbing rhetoric and behavior” from certain students toward the victims of the recent attacks.

Later during the meeting, Colbert-Lewis shared a story that a female student shared with him.

He said she told him she was walking home from a local bar when a car full of men pulled up beside her.

“We’re going to rape you next,” the men said from

the car before they drove off.

Colbert-Lewis said that story will stick with him forever.

After the speech, those in attendance were given the chance to ask questions, either by stating them or anonymously through note cards.

Karla Fonner, the Bridge Project coordinator at t h e Wom e n’s C e nte r, discussed how important it is to realize that these SEE PANEL, PAGE A-3

Self-defense classes held in response to recent attacks

Speaker to come to SRU to discuss alcohol safety

By Courtney Nickle Rocket Assistant News Editor

Two self-defense classes for women were held on Tuesday and Thursday from 6-9 p.m. at Morrow Field House in response to the recent assaults near campus.

The self-defense classes were sponsored by the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President of Student Life, Aebersold Student Recreation Center, Of f ice of C onference Services and the SRU Police Department.

Originally only one selfdefense class was scheduled, but so many women showed interest that a second class was added. Each class was capped at around 50 women for manageability according to Lisa Weinzetl, SRU director of conference services.

Jack Leonard, a Pressure Point C ontrol Tactics (PPCT) staff instructor, taught the class. Leonard also teaches PPCT to the police and military and is a retired parole agent. He has been teaching classes like this since 1981.

PPCT Inc. is an organization that develops training systems based on documented tactical, legal and medical research, according to their Web site.

L e onard t aug ht t he 36 women that attended

JESSICA GORDON/THE ROCKET

Dr. Sean Colbert-Lewis, an assistant professor of Education, speaks about the recent sexual assaults. He said students shouldn't make light of the situation.

By Courtney Nickle

Rocket Assistant News Editor

JESSICA GORDON/THE ROCKET

Chelsea Kephart, a freshman undeclared major, and Jack Leonard, a Pressure Point Control Tactics staff instructor, practice self-defense techniques in class Tuesday in Morrow Field House.

the class Tu e s d a y approximately ten different physical techniques. He also gave some tips for avoiding these types of situations all together.

“Focus on selfawareness,” he said. “Be so

alert that the attacker will go find someone else.”

Leonard said women that aren’t paying attention, listening to music or texting, turn into targets for attackers.

Weinzetl was the person

who got the ball rolling on the self-defense class. She said she agrees and thinks that students at SRU are too comfortable.

“I think being in Slippery SEE CLASS, PAGE A-2

The SGA Co-Operative Activities Board unanimously approved a request at their meeting Thursday at the University Union from Pi Kappa Alpha for up to $2,500 to bring alcohol awareness speaker Adam Ritz to campus.

The plan is to have Pi Kappa Alpha ask other local businesses to help sponsor the event. Shane Ellis, president of Pi Kappa Alpha, said he plans to speak to Ginger Hill Tavern, North Country Brewery and the University Program Board (UPB) for sponsorship.

Constance Foley, Vice President of Student Life, said her office would also be willing to put in money for the speech.

“I want to see this happen,” she said. “Co-Op can pay what they think is appropriate, and my office will pay the rest.”

Co-Op also unanimously voted against an appeal from the Men’s Ice Hockey team for $3,500 for ice time.

SGA Vice President of Financial Affairs Adam Kennerdell said the team lost that $3,500 from their budget due to penalties during the budgeting season.

He said no one from the team attended the mandatory budgeting meeting last year to set the budget for this

year. They also were late on submitting the budget, Kennerdell said, causing the money to be taken away in penalties.

SGA Vice President of Student Affairs Jordan Bailley was worried that approving the money would encourage other clubs and organizations to ask for money back from their penalties.

“I want to support this because we should support our clubs and organizations,” he said. “But we would be opening up a can of worms if we do this for other clubs to come and ask for their money back.”

Bailley suggested that CoOp should reach out to the Men’s Ice Hockey treasurer and treasurers of other clubs to make sure the budget is done right for next year.

The Co-Op board also voted to transfer $130 from the University Program Board (UPB) Conferences to the Paint the Town Event. They also transferred $500 from Transportation for Parade to Paint the Town.

UPB President Marcie Johnson said that $630 is needed for painting supplies for Homecoming as well as a cleaner for after the event.

“Over 24 organizations are going to paint windows of SEE CO-OP, PAGE A-2

Education department secretary retires after serving the Rock for 45 years

By Eric Busch

Rocket Staff Reporter

It was March of 1965 when a young Kay Wolford began working for Slippery Rock State College as a secretary in the Elementary Education/Early Childhood Development Department.

On Aug. 27 of this year, Wolford, now 64, retired from that same position.

She had been employed by the University for 45 years.

Wolford said she had multiple reasons to retire.

One reason was an incentive offered by the University for early retirement. Another was her knee, she said,

which she had recently had replaced, and continues to struggle with a subtle limp.

But Wolford said the main reasoning was simple.

“I just finally decided I was ready to retire,” she said.

Wolford still lives in the Slippery Rock area with her husband, Chuck. They have a son, Chris, 42, who’s soon to be married. Wolford said that her close proximity to the University will keep her coming back to visit.

“I really do love my job— did love my job,” Wolford said. “I do miss it, but I will still drop by to check-in.”

One person Wolford is

sure to visit from time to time is Kay Castor, secretary in the Secondary Education Department.

Castor has worked in the College of Education since she was hired in 1972. Castor and Wolford worked in the same building together for nearly forty years.

“She’s been a wonderful person to work with and a wonderful friend,” Castor said. “It’s truly a blessing to have known her and worked with her for all of these years.”

On Wednesday, the faculty and staff of the College of Education had a party for Wolford in celebration of

her retirement.

The party was thrown in McKay Education Building, where she spent almost half of a century working.

Dr. Sean Colbert-Lewis, an Associate Professor in the Elementary and Early C h i l d ho o d E du c at i on Department, took time to express his feelings about Wolford.

“I don’t think I would have ever gotten tenure without Kay watching my back,” Colbert-Lewis said.

Wolford was asked if she had any thing to say to those gathered around her.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Wolford said.

JASON ELLWANGER/THE ROCKET

Kay Wolford (right) celebrates her retirement at a party held for her Wednesday in McKay Education Building. Wolford retired in August after working at SRU for 45 years.

News

A-2

ROCK NOTES Ben Swantner Memorial A celebration of Benjamin Swantner’s life, through a tree planting and dedication ceremony, will be held at 2 p.m.

Oct. 8, outside the Hickory Corner Schoolhouse, in front of McKay Education Building. Swantner, a secondary education history major, passed away last October.

Harrisburg Internship Program Applications for The Harrisburg Internship Program are available now for the spring and fall 2011 semesters.

Completed applications are due Thurs., Oct. 21 by 4 p.m.

Students from all majors are invited to apply. This is a semester-long program in which interns earn 15 credits working full-time in various state government offices.

To apply, students must have at least 45 undergraduate credits and a 3.0 or higher QPA. Each student receives a $6,500 stipend before taxes to help pay for the costs of room, board, and tuition. Interested applicants should contact Dr. Sharon Sykora at ext. 2431.

LGBTQI T-shirt Wednesdays Support the LGBTQI campus community by wearing a Rainbow “Keeping the Gay Agenda Alive” or “Gay? Fine by me” t-shirt every Wednesday in the months of October and November and you could win prizes.

Student Teaching Registration Students planning on student teaching during the Summer/Fall 2011 should preregister by Nov. 1. Students must take all Praxis exams prior to student teaching. See adviser for more information.

Study Abroad Interested in studying abroad? The International Services office will be holding general information sessions Mondays from 3-4 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Carruth-Rizza Hall room 213 for anyone considering a study abroad opportunity. Come ask questions and learn about the many incredible overseas programs or contact Caitlin Barbour at cdb1052@sru.edu to arrange for individual appointments.

We’re Not Us Without You Students, faculty and staff are asked to participate in the first-ever online campus-wide assessment Oct. 3-17. The survey’s intent is to capture every individual experience here on campus as it relates to multicultural equality and inequality. Survey responses are confidential and anonymous. The results will be used to make the campus community more inclusive and inviting. Numerous random prize drawings are available.

Safe Zone Training Training for the Safe Zone program will take place on Tuesday Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the conference room of Building F. Safe Zone is a program that trains faculty, staff and students to provide support and resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students. Psychology professor Dr. Catherine Massey will facilitate the training.

All interested faculty, staff and students are welcome, but there is a limit of 30 participants. Lunch will be provided. To register for the training, call the Human Resources Office at ext. #2070.

Identity Theft Protection Training for protection against identity theft will be offered on Thursday Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in 156 North Hall.

The seminar will teach easy, preventative measures everyone should take to protect themselves, as well as what to do if you become a victim of identity theft. All faculty and staff are welcome. Christine Brownlee from PNC Bank will facilitate the training. To register for the seminar, call the Human Resources Office at ext. #2070.

Publicize your group's event with a Rock Note.

To submit a Rock Note to be considered for publication, please send your announcement by 6 p.m. Wednesday to: News Editor Lauren Laing 220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock, PA 16057 e-mail: rocket.news@sru.edu fax: (724) 738-4896 Submissions are not guaranteed to be published.

Weather Mostly sunny

High: 61; Low: 41

Chance of rain

Co-Op approves UPB money transfer Continued from Page A-1

businesses in town,” she said.

Johnson said the money will be used to supply each organization with at least eight colors of paint. The cleaner will be hired to remove the paint from the business’s windows.

Co-Op approved a transfer of $1,000 from Conferences to Co-Sponsorships. Johnson said this way UPB will have money set aside just for cosponsorships instead of taking money from other budgets, such as Lectures or Events.

Co-Op also approved another transfer for UPB for $100 from Conferences to Dues/Memberships. The money will be used to pay dues for UPB’s membership to the national organization that provides them with information about performers.

Chance of rain

High: 56; Low: 38 High: 52; Low: 34

LAUREN LAING/THE ROCKET

Jordan Bailley, SGA vice president of Student Affairs, and Adam Kennerdell, SGA vice president of Financial Affairs, discuss an appeal made by the Men's Ice Hockey team asking for money to cover their ice time. Bailley said he felt Co-Op should support SRU's clubs, but Co-Op voted against the appeal.

Class teaches women to be aware of surroundings Continued from Page A-1

Rock, people have a false sense of security,” she said.

“I’ve lived in big cities and you know you walk with your keys, check the back of your seats, park under lights. It’s one of those things that unless somebody tells people, they don’t know how to do that.”

Leonard said he hopes the biggest benefit of the class is that women learn to avoid the dangerous situations.

“The last thing I want is for them to have to phy s i c a l ly d e fe n d themselves,” he said. “But if they do, I want them to know how to do it.”

Leonard began the class with a hand technique.

The women were asked to pair off and face each other. One person was supposed to hit the other person in the shoulder with their hand on the same side. The person getting hit was supposed to jump backwards.

The goal of the exercise was to show that at six feet or closer, it’s easy to hit the other person, Leonard said. So pkeep someone uncomfortable with at a distance.

“If someone comes up to you and asks directions, say ‘I don’t know I’m new’ and keep walking,” he said.

“They’ll find their way.”

Another technique L e onard showe d t he women was called a “ br a c h i a l s tu nt .” To demonstrate, Leonard had the second instructor, Jeff Sciarrino, a US Probation Officer in Youngstown and a criminology instructor at Point Park University, grab his neck.

To get away, Leonard said to put your fingers in the hollow of the attacker’s throat or on the side of the Adam’s apple.

“I like this one because if you’re on your back it works and if you’re standing face to face it still works,” Leonard said.

S ci ar r ino s aid t his technique is also one of his favorites.

“I’ve used that at work before, so I know it works,”

Index

Forecast from National Weather Service Friday Saturday Sunday

October 8, 2010

Rock Notes..........A-2 Blotter.................A-3 Opinion.......A-4-5 Classifieds..........A-6 Sports...................B-1

Focus..................C-1 Comics................A-7

he said.

Kelsey Eisenhauer, a freshman music education and music therapy major, said she liked the demonstrations Leonard and Sciarrino did.

“I thought it was great that they demonstrated e ve r y t h i ng an d t h e n walked around helping and correcting each pair as we practiced,” she said.

Eisenhauer said she expected the class to be just a couple of freshmen, and was surprised by the turnout.

“It was interesting to work with seniors who were just as concerned as the underclassmen,” she said.

“It really helps you feel as though you’re not the only one who’s concerned about this sort of thing.”

Leonard also spent a lot of time talking about “motor points.” He demonstrated three in particular, one on the forearm just below the elbow where the muscle separates, one on the side of the neck and one on the side of the leg four inches up from the knee.

Leonard said if someone came af ter him, t he technique he’d use is a kick to the motor point on the shin.

“It’s harder for anybody to block because they’re not expecting it,” he said.

“Most men are expecting to have something attack their groin or maybe even go for their face but they’re never ready for a low kick.”

Another technique L e on a rd s h ow e d t h e women was groin shots.

“I think kicking to the groin just comes naturally to women,” Leonard said.

He told the women to point their toes down, look the attacker straight in the eye and bring the knee straight up.

If a knee won’t work, Leonard said another variation is a punch to the groin.

“You can’t make a fist with long nails,” he said. “You have to decide between being a ‘fashionista’ and being able to protect yourself.”

Leonard said it’s possible to hurt your wrist punching your attacker in the groin our hurt your ACL with a shin kick but it’s better than the alternative.

“It’s him or you ladies, and I want you to be the one who walks away,” he said.

Leonard said to be flexible with the techniques

you’re using.

“Don’t get killed using the same technique three times,” he said. “If it’s not working, do something else.”

Senior psychology major Sarah Smith said she thinks a self-defense class should be integrated into FYRST Seminar at SRU. “I think the best way to stop attacks f rom happening is prevention,” she said. “If the ladies in the school are more aware of what could happen and what to do, I believe the attacks would cut back drastically.”

According to Leonard, there’s a similar program in place at Carlow University.

“They give self-defense training to every freshman every year,” he said. “They get two partial day sessions, back to back, before they even start regular classes.

I would like to see that everywhere.”

Kara Maxwell, SRU fiscal operations manager, took part in the class along with her 15-year-old daughter.

She thinks the class was extremely valuable and should be offered again.

“As a mother, I wouldn’t have a problem if it was required,” she said.

Contact us Newsroom: (724) 738-4438 Advertising: (724) 738-2643 Fax: (724) 738-4896

220 Eisenberg Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057 Email: rocket.letters@sru.edu

Thirteen-time 2010 award-winning newspaper.

News

October 8, 2010

A-3

Police Blotter Borough Oct. 2—John Heraty, 18, was cited for public drunkenness.

Oct. 2—Eric Klingensmith, 20; Marissa Wr i g ht , 2 0 ; B re a n n a K re ut z e r, 1 8 ; Tay l or Ru e r bi n , 1 9 ; Kr i s te n Welsh, 20; Timothy Drury, 20; Sarah Krzewinski, 18 and Shanna Franschelli, 18 were cited for disorderly house.

Oct. 3—Katelyn Tuscano, 19, was cited for DUI. Oct. 3—Zachary Sheridan, 21, was cited for public drunkenness.

Oct. 3—John Skebo, 21, was cited for public drunkenness.

O c t . 4 — Matt he w J. Locke, 30, was cited for a bad check.

Campus Sept. 30—There was a report of a soccer ball striking a vehicle at the Ski Lodge. The soccer ball broke a window. The police took no other action.

Oct. 1—Charles Baer, 21, was cited for DUI. Baer, not a student at SRU, was cited after a traffic stop on Harmony Road.

Oct. 1—There was a report of theft of a permit in the parking lot of the police station. The case is under investigation.

Oct. 1—Scott Crisanto, 20; Timothy Kiernan, 19; Bartley Lalonde, 19; Todd Little, 19; James Penton, 19 and Kayla Waugaman, 19, were cited for underage consumption of alcohol after an alcohol violation was reported in Building A. Oct. 1—There was a report of an alcohol violation in Building E. Nothing was found and the police took no other action.

Oct. 2—Johnna Cwik, 19; Brandon Dalimonte, 19; Rachel Wesling, 18 and Joshua Robertson, 18, were cited for underage consumption of alcohol after an officer observed suspicious activity on Stadium Drive.

Oct. 3—An officer was stopped by security for an apartment on Kiester R o a d i n d i c at i ng t hat f ive individu als were confronting him. The officer broke up the scene and the individuals left. No other action was taken by SRUPD.

Oct. 2—There was a report of theft of a stop sign on Green and White Way. The case is under investigation.

Oct. 3—Taylor Ford, 18, was cited for underage consumption of alcohol after police received a report that the individual was going to climb through a window in Building F.

Oct. 3—Slippery Rock Borough Police requested assistance with a fight on Main Street. The fight was broken up and no other action was taken by SRUPD.

Oct. 3—There was a report of a disturbance in the lobby of Building E. Two individuals were in a loud argument. The individuals were told to leave the hall.

Oct. 4—There was a report of theft of a permit in the parking lot of Strain Behavioral Science Building (BSB). The case is under investigation.

Oct. 4—There was a report of theft of a permit in the West Lake parking lot. The case is under investigation.

Oct. 4—There was a report of harassment. An officer spoke with the individual and advised no contact. No other action was taken.

Compiled by Courtney Nickle

Panel says sexual offenses are bigger than Slippery Rock Continued from Page A-1

six assaults aren’t the only ones that have occurred.

According to Fonner, this problem is bigger than Slippery Rock. She maintains that this is a societal issue.

Fonner said that we must address rape as a culture and a community for change to occur.

She applauded the efforts of the Police and other groups for setting up self defense classes, but she claims that personal safety won’t end sexual assault.

Fonner responded to an audience member who asked why these incidents

occurred so close together.

“I think these events are occurring every weekend,” Fonner said.

O n e s t u d e nt , G i n o Binkert, used the opportunity to tell the panel of a recent incident during a party at his house.

Binkert said a man at the party was shoving his hands down a girl’s pants.

He said that they removed the individual from the house because his behavior was unacceptable.

Multiple members of the panel commended him for taking a stance against sexual assault.

One of the questions posed to the student panel

members was how they felt about the attacks. The two male students on the panel, Lawyer Johnston and Jordan Bailley, Vice President of SGA Student A f f ai r s , voi c e d t h e i r opinions.

Johnston talked about how he feels connected to the victims even though he may not know them.

He questioned how he would feel if it was someone close to him, then spoke of how he would feel if he was in the victim’s shoes.

“If I had to make that call to my parents and tell them I was sexually assaulted, I would break down,” Johnston said.

B ai l l e y pre s e nte d a slightly different angle of opinion.

“A s a m a l e , I ’m embarrassed,” he said. “As a member of SGA, I feel helpless.”

Another question posed to the panel was from a student who recently came into the possession of a stun gun.

The student wanted to know if theycould carry it for protection.

Interim Chief of University Police Windy Stafford said that she would not be permitted to have the stun gun on campus.

Chief of Borough Police

Terry Brown agreed and said that pepper spray is an easier, safer way to protect oneself.

Another question raised to Stafford was about the emergency call boxes on campus.

She s aid t he y have had problems with the E-phones recently because of their age and that there are a few that need repaired, but the parts have already been ordered.

Stafford said that the boxes are checked monthly to determine if they are working, and also said that the University Police do a monthly check of the lights on campus.

Stafford urged that if any student sees a light out to call the Police so they know to have it fixed.

Stafford was also asked if the University is considering establishing a permanent self-defense class.

Self-defenses classes for women were held Tuesday and Thursday in Morrow Field House. Around 100 students signed up for the classes.

S h e s a i d t h at t h e University Police are sending two officers to be trained to teach a selfdefense class and that they will attempt to hold one at least once each semester.

The Rocket

OPINION A-4 October 8, 2010

Our View The Rocket Safety starts with the students, then police Volume 93, Number 6

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: (724) 738-4438 Fax: (724) 738-4896 E-mail: rocket.letters@sru.edu

Editorial Board Kacie Peterson Editor-in-Chief Lauren Laing News Editor Stephanie Nicotra Focus Editor Bill Kostkas Sports Editor Jason Ellwanger Photo Editor Melissa McFarland Copy Editor Zack Tanner Web Editor Courtney Nickle Assistant News Editor Andy Treese Assistant Focus Editor Tim Durr Assistant Sports Editor Jessica Gordon Assistant Photo Editor Eric Busch News Reporter Joseph Harry Faculty Adviser

Advertising Staff Emily Hunter Advertising Manager Ashley Adams Advertising Asst. 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) 738-2643 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.

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Inquiries should be directed to the Editorin-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 Fall 2010 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.

Slippery Rock experienced six sexual assaults in September.

Yes, six.

The physical assault reported near Dollar General was later ruled a sexual assault, according to SR borough police.

As students, we were a little perplexed at how these events could happen in the quiet town we call home.

We were not the only ones concerned.

On Tuesday, a panel of our superiors held a meeting for students to ask questions regarding the safety and stability of our campus.

Pa n e l i s t s i n c l u d e d Windy Stafford, SRU interim police chief; Terry Brown, Slippery Rock B orough Police chief; Leigh Ann Datt, coordinator of Conflict R e s o lut i on S e r v i c e s ; Chris Cubero, assistant professor in the SRU Counseling Center; and Karla Forner, Women’s Center Bridge Project coordinator.

Student representatives included Jordan Bailey, p r e s i d e n t o f S RU ’s Association of Residence Hall Students and vice president of student affairs for Student Government Association and Sean Colbert-Lewis, assistant professor of elementar y education/ early childhood.

These people are the ones who care about our student voices.

We should be taking advantage of the opportunity to have our questions answered.

And the good news is that we did. Students actually attended the panel discussion.

Perhaps the idea of number-crunching monetary statistics doesn’t

interest students, but personal safety does. After a month like September, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Attendees were encouraged to write down their questions for specific panel members to answer.

Though the audience seemed a bit shy at first, once the note cards started, the questions poured in.

We at The Rocket had one question in particular catch our attention.

Why were so many sexual assaults reported so suddenly?

Yes, we wondered. Why is that?

The panel said that sexual assaults actually happen all the time, but go unreported.

And not just at SRU, but at colleges and universities all around the country.

So much for thinking we were special.

Our s exual assault reports for September are considered normal by national standards.

As a student body, we think this can’t be right.

The tiny college town we adore can’t have the same reputation as a big city school.

But that’s just it. We’re a college town regardless of where SRU’s located on a physical map.

And these aren’t the first sexual assaults to ever happen in Slippery Rock, let’s make that clear.

We’r e j u s t m o r e informed this time around.

We l l , t h e s e t i m e s around.

A contributing reason as to why sexual assaults go unreported is because students are unaware of what constitutes a sexual assault.

A sexual assault is forc i ng s om e on e t o

we should be able to take responsibility for ourselves and that includes making decisions about our safety.

The police can only do so much.

Perhaps the reasoning behind this is because in four of the six cases, the victim knew the assailant.

That person was someone they thought they could trust.

Though this is unsettling, keep it in mind.

These crimes are unconnected and are not the act of one individual.

We can’t hold one person responsible for causing our community to worry.

But we can be proactive in getting our security back.

We can walk together at night.

We c an k now t he pressure points of the human body in order to defend ourselves.

We can hold our keys in our hands as we walk to the car.

We can keep pepper spray in our book bags for extra protection.

We will not carry stunguns.

We could know every personal safety tip and self-defense trick in the book and it would still not make a difference.

How could that be possible?

Certainly knowing how to protect ourselves would be a good idea, right?

How else will we fight off the ninjas?

But in all seriousness, we believe that personal safety is a key factor in making our campus a safer place to be.

But a panelist drove the point home.

Personal safety will not end the assaults.

Our campus culture needs to change.

In order to make a difference, we need to alter our thinking as a campus and a society.

If we create an environment where assaults, sexual or other wise, are not tolerated, we can make a change.

We can do this.

This is change we can believe in.

We’re not asking you to jump on the Obama bandwagon, we’re asking you to step-up for your peers.

Me n , we’re a s k i ng that you step-up for the women in your life.

We want you to be someone they can count on, someone who won’t abuse them later on.

Women, we’re asking that you be careful with who you trust.

We want to make sure you feel safe walking the streets in the dark.

Even though the cases have been filed, we were told no one has been arrested for the crime.

We at The Rocket have a deep respect for the survivors of these incidences, we’re proud of you for having the courage to come forward and report the crime.

But we have to wonder why report the sexual assault if the perpetrator isn’t going to be caught and punished?

We think it’s only fair that if you’ve been hurt, you shouldn’t have to worr y about someone hurting you again.

Brown told the crowd the punishment for rape runs right up there with murder.

This is a serious crime.

You can do something about it.

We’re behind you.

Editor’s Note There will be no issue of The Rocket next week due to fall break.

The Rocket will return Oct.22, 2010.

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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.

perform a sexual act, according to Brown.

We at The Rocket think it was important for students to hear.

It served as a clarification for a sometimes-blurry topic.

But Brown didn’t stop there.

Stafford and Brown were repeatedly asked what SRU campus police and SR borough police were doing to ensure student safety.

Are they aware that lights go out around campus, making it a dark walk from East Lake parking lot to North Hall?

Will there be more emergency phone lights placed around campus?

Do the emergency phones work?

Because SR Township doesn’t have its own police force, how long does it take for a state trooper to react to a call for help?

These are all valid concerns about student safety.

We at The Rocket want to know the answers too, but maybe we already have one.

We as students are responsible for our safety just as much as those in uniform.

One audience member made the point that as a student body, we need to ask what we’re doing to protect ourselves.

This makes a lot of sense.

The police can’t hold our hand and walk us to class.

And the police can’t make sure we look both ways before we cross the street.

The police can’t watch our drinks at parties or do background checks on the people we call our friends.

Our safety is up to us.

We’re in college and

Blackboard Neither I’ve never taken an online class 64 respondents

Go to www.theonlinerocket.com to cast your vote!

Opinion

October 8, 2010

A-5

Community colleges are cheaper, but not worth investment

Spencer Cadden The Silent Majority I was recently asked, “what’s your favorite part of SRU?” Well, it has to be the expenses. No, I’m not joking. I’ve attended other institutions and SRU is by far the cheapest I’ve been to. In fact, I’ve met quite a few students who came here because it was fairly inexpensive, and in no way is that an insult to this institution. Frankly, I love that my education here is only going to leave me with $40,000 of debt, my last school would have left me with $120,000, and when I’m finished I’m still going to have a very reputable degree.

But, it has recently come to light that Slippery Rock may become a private institution, and this may

potentially be one of the smartest moves SRU could make.

There are institutions out there that are classified as “for-profit” colleges. These are your “Kaplan Career Institutes” and “University of Phoenix.” These are colleges designed to make money, they are the private of the private speaking in business terms. They receive virtually no federal funding, but are still some of the most popular higherlevel education options for students.

They also have some pretty great commercials.

You know the ones urging you to get off the couch and call so that you don’t have to sit there and waste your life anymore? Well personally I think these are pretty fantastic options. These for profit schools along with private colleges and public colleges (SRU) are at the heart of our nation’s higher education and they are under attack.

There’s a debate raging in higher education right now; a debate that most people are unaware of. The government, especially President Obama and

Where do you ‘like it?’

Kacie Peterson

sex.

If “it” was what men thought it was, we’d have some pretty kinky women roaming around our campus.

The “it” is where we put our purses.

We put our purses on desks, next to our beds and on hooks in the closet.

The reasoning behind this Facebook status trend is October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

By putting in your status where you “like” your purse, your simultaneously spreading awareness about breast cancer.

Apparently the colorthemed statuses caught the attention of news networks and brought the issue to the public eye. The hopes were the “like it” statuses would bring media attention too.

Well, here you have it. It’s in SRU’s newspaper, The Rocket.

I believe we need to find a cure to breast cancer. I’ve had women in my life experience it.

My mother walked 39.3 miles in two days in Avon’s Walk for Breast Cancer. My aunt, a breast cancer survivor, surprised my mom at the finish line.

But I also believe that we can do more than just change our Facebook statuses, too.

Maybe the trend has made a difference and I’m unaware, but I can guess that it’s not putting money into the “Find a Cure” fund.

I understand that as women, we’re testing how we can make a change if we come together, but I think we can do more.

If everyone who put an “I like it” status up this week gave $10 to an organization dedicated to either finding a cure, helping cancer patients or supporting cancer survivors, I think we could make a bigger difference.

And I think that’s the kind of difference we should strive to make.

Editor commentary “I like it on the couch.”

“I like it on the kitchen table.”

“I like it on the stairs when I get home, but on my dresser when I go to bed.”

If you’ve perused your Facebook Newsfeed at all this week, chances are you’ve witnessed a few updated statuses that mirror the previous sentiments.

If you’re a woman, you know exactly what I’m referring to. If you’re a man, either someone has informed you of the secret or you’re still waiting in the dark.

But I’m not about to let the cat out of the bag just yet.

Where would the fun be in that?

Let me tell you how I found out.

This week I received four Facebook inbox messages explaining the rules of the game.

Remember last year when women changed their Facebook statuses to a color?

We completely puzzled our male counterparts with every color of the rainbow.

Men put colors in their statuses because they thought they had figured it out.

Sorry, but we fooled you.

The colors represented the color of the bra strap we were wearing at the time.

This month, women have another game plan as to how to fool men into thinking they understand our witty words.

We are using the phrase “I like it...”

The “it” is not what you think it is.

Though the four-inbox messages I’ve received have Kacie Peterson is a senior explicitly stated NOT to tell men what the “it” is, I can’t dance and communication major and Editor in Chief help but spread the news.

Before you guess, “it” isn’t for The Rocket.

the Vice President’s wife, are pushing community colleges.

Not on ly are t he y pushing them verbally, but financially as well.

President Obama has set aside a total of $6.5 billion in the hopes of increasing the rates of students attending and graduating from community colleges.

The benefits of community colleges are obvious: they offer students a very cheap alternative to career institutes and other fouryear options and they offer two-year associates degrees which can put students into the work force faster. These are the issues that Obama has promoted.

Community colleges are great. These types of colleges allow students a quick and cheap way to earn a degree or prepare themselves to go onto a four-year institution. I know quite a few students here that have transferred f rom But ler C ounty Community College and other similar nearby i n s t i t u t i o n s . T h e r e’s absolutely nothing wrong with community colleges.

Howe ver, President

Obama may be off-base trying to push students into them.

First of all, four-year institutions and career institut ions graduate nearly 60% of students that enroll nationwide, whereas community colleges only graduate about 20%. I’m sure setting aside $6.5 billion may increase these graduation rates, but they still don’t come close to more traditional options.

So I have to ask myself, is this money being put in the right place? For that matter, does creating community colleges even address the real issue?

The real issue here is the fact that U.S. higher education is declining at every level. It has been years since we held the honor of most college graduates per capita. And, even our best institutions – Har vard, Yale and Princeton – are losing to Cambridge and Oxford (UK).

So President Obama’s idea to reverse this plan is to completely shift American higher education; to ignore the old and bring in the new;

to replace the accredited and the established with the cheap and the local.

American higher education is suffering.

It’s expensive and there are countless examples of traditional institutions abusing the federal system.

To me though, throwing $6.5 billion at a program that has little to no prior backing is lunacy.

Community colleges work for a solid chunk of their students, but four-year colleges and career institutions work for a substantially larger chunk. Yet, instead of increasing funding and demanding reform from these institutions the government is going to provide a completely different option and leave institutions like SRU swinging in the wind.

Instead of continuing to avoid issues in our higher education, we should attack them. Heck, with $6.5 billion floating around I’m sure that a great deal of reforms could take place at our nations institutions. I’m willing to bet President Smith would not mind a

piece of that check.

But, neither he nor I will be seeing any bit of that money. Instead a system that’s just as flawed and not quite as reputable will be receiving that funding.

So as the administration continues to dodge the issue in our education, we as the students suffer.

Sure, maybe my $40,000 debt is not that much, but it’s sure more than I want to pay.

Students such as me continue to take on debt in the pursuit of higher education and better opp or tu n it i e s . T h e s e opportunities are rapidly closing for us, and as the tide shifts from traditional school to community colleges, it seems that twoyear degrees are becoming a better option for the majority of students.

I for one am going to miss the late night commercials urging me to get off the couch and go to school, if only we had $6.5 billion.

Spencer Cadden is a junior secondary education major and regular contributor for The Rocket.

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.

“Frat” does not mean fraternity To whom it may concern, I read The Rocket every week and thoroughly enjoy each and every story. I find most to be insightful and entertaining.

One of my favorite columns this year is “Freshman Insider” by Chloe Finigan. As a senior, I find it fun and nostalgic to remember my times here as a freshman by reading her column.

But, as a member of a social Greek organization, I find her use of the word “frats” in her last article, “Greek vs not Greek,” to be very disheartening and disappointing. The women on this campus join sororities, or women’s fraternities as some are called, and men join fraternities, not “frats.”

“Frats” are those groups of men portrayed in movies as heartless, drunken, sloppy, mean guys who use girls and do nothing useful with their time.

But, being very good friends with many of the members of fraternities on campus, I know that this is certainly not the case.

Each fraternity works very hard each semester to re cr uit memb ers from various reputable organizations on campus and spends many hours studying and volunteering for community service.

They are always willing to help someone in need, and overall are a very kind and solid group of men who I find I cherish as friends.

They are true fraternity bro t h e r s , n o t “f r at members.”

Although I am sure no harm was meant, to call the organizations on campus

“frats” is an insult to each man at Slippery Rock who tries every day to do honor to his letters.

Dani Smolka Alpha Xi Delta

Students should vote for study Dear Editor: On the Nov. 2 ballot, SRU students will have a rare opportunity—to support the future of Slippery Rock by “voting yes”—to approve a local, multi-municipal, study commission. Passage of the referendum will establish a seven-member, citizens’ committee—to probe, explore and evaluate the possibilities of a merger/ consolidation between the Slippery Rock Borough and Township municipalities into one local government.

From a larger perspective, it’s really a struggle of the future vs. the past. In this election, you can cast a “Yes” vote for tomorrow or a “No” for yesteryear. I say “aye!”

Right now, we have one community but two separate governing entities; this is especially relevant to students since the SRU campus straddles boundaries of both, but mainly 80% of it lies in the township. But, keep this in mind: A vote for the Nov. 2 referendum is only a vote for a study and nothing more! You’re not voting for a merger proposal, your taxes are not increasing and your rent won’t go up either.

Since it̓s been estimated that around 5500 students live in both the township and borough, you have a right̾if you are a registered voter in either township or borough--to cast a ballot in this most important

referendum, one that will study your future safety.

After voting a “yes or no” on the study question, you will also—at the same time—cast ballots for seven out of 17 candidates running to get elected as study commissioners. If it passes, then the top seven voter-getters will get the opportunity to probe the financial status of each municipality, to explore options to eliminate duplication of municipal services and to evaluate how to improve daily life for our citizens, especially by providing expanded, police-protection services to our students. So, why is it necessary to have adequate police coverage?

In the township, for starters, there was The Heights’ brawling incident, one involving almost 100 students; in both municipalities, there have also been a number of sexual-assault allegations.

But, since the township has no cops, state troopers have to be notified whenever police emergencies arise.

Usually though, state police are too slow to respond or don’t show up at all until the following morning, depending on the type of 911 call received. So, why all this reliance on state cops? Because the township supervisors are too cheap to spend any local taxes to protect students! It’s really all about saving money, pure and simple, but only at the expense of our students.

Yet, here’s a tidbit that every SRU student should be aware of: ironically, the township terminated a police-service contract with the borough earlier this year, and yet because of economics, the township won’t maintain its own police force—HYHQ WKRXJK it has a ͆rainyday fund͇ of at least $600,000. After a phone survey was conducted we

found out that--out of the five PASSHE state schools in western PA—SRU is the only one with adjoining municipalities that do not provide 24/7, local-quick, police response to the community of students that live around and away from campus. What a shame!

The borough has a limited police force, while the township zilch, and as a rule, SRU police do not patrol off-campus—not even in student housing complexes—unless it has agreements with local municipalities’ police departments. In defiance of state law, campus cops did show up at The Heights, mainly because they were scared with the brawl turning ugly.

Finally, considering we̓YH EHHQ experiencing an above-average number of alleged co-ed assaults, it begs recalcitrant township supervisors to consider at least re-establishing a police pact with the borough̾in order to provide maximum protection for our SRU students. By the way, couldn’t it be said that students are vulnerable, not only to physical/ sexual assaults, but also to vandalism, thefts, and break-ins? So, come on, uncaring super visors, cough up some money for students’ safety sake!

Finally, don’t let study opponents, the so-called “naysayers,” intimidate you into voting against the referendum̓V TXHVWLRQ In the grandeur encounter between future and past, where do you stand?

A “yes’ for the future or a “no” for the past? A “yes” for expanded police protection or a ͆QR͇ IRU a shameless status quo that ignores students’ wellbeing? You decide.

Dr. Itzi Meztli Fa c u l t y, English Department

The Rocket

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COMICS October 8, 2010

The Rocket

A-7

Wondermark

Bliss

By David Malki

By Harry Bliss

Calamities of Nature

By Tony Piro

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy

Zero

By Tim Rickard

By Louis Coppola

Welcome to Falling Rock National Park

Sudoku

By Josh Shalek

By Michael Mepham

The K Chronicles

Solution

By Keith Knight

SPORTS October 8, 2010

The Rocket

B-1

Men's Soccer takes two non-conference matches

By Tim Durr

Rocket Assistant Sports Editor

In its most recent action, the Slippery Rock men’s soccer team, ranked fourth in the Atlantic Region, defeated Ohio Dominican University 1-0 in Columbus on Tuesday.

Freshman midfielder Zach Hall scored the lone goal in the 66th minute, his second goal of the season.

Hall’s goal came off of a defensive breakdown by the Panthers that led to a breakaway, where Hall beat Ohio Dominican goalkeeper Tyler Gleason for the gamewinner.

Sophomore goalkeeper Timothy White subbed in against the Panthers to give senior goalkeeper Greg Blum rest. The game gave White his second career shutout in as many starts. He has played in seven games in his career with the Green and White, and has recorded 12 saves in 292 minutes of action.

The Rock offense struggled to get many shots on net against the Panthers and finished the game with a total of six shots, two that were on goal. Ohio Dominican forced White to make four saves and sent 12 shots total in his direction.

SRU’s defense has played strong the entire year and has yet to give up more than one goal in a single game this season, assistant coach Chris

Logan contributed the success to the team’s experience.

“It’s the third year that most of these guys have played together,” Logan said. “They have a great understanding of how to play with each other and are all higher-level experienced players.

In one game that the team gave up one goal, it added three of its own to defeat Seton Hill University Saturday at Egli Field.

Three different scorers added goals for Slippery Rock on Saturday. Junior defender Jeremy Feehan started the action with a goal in the 41st minute that took a 1-0 lead into halftime for SRU. After Seton Hill equalized the game in the 48th minute, junior forward Anthon Paganie, who assisted Feehan on the first half score, received a long ball from senior defender Thomas Pool that he moved past two defenders and scored to give SRU a 2-1 lead.

While Paganie’s goal stood as the game-winner, junior defender Patrick Conley added an insurance goal in the 85th minute off of a penalty kick.

The three separate scorers for SRU Saturday add to the trend that has been followed all season with different players stepping up each game. Logan said the scoring ARCHIVED PHOTO

SEE ROCK PAGE B-3

Senior midfielder Mitchell Walters makes a move past a University of the District of Columbia defender last season. The Rock is ranked fourth in the initial Atlantic Region Poll.

Controversial play leads to overtime

SUBMITTED PHOTO/JOHN PAPA

Freshman Travis Arrigoni and senior Jason Leonard run the men's race in the SRU Inivational Saturday at Cooper's Lake.

JASON ELLWANGER/THE ROCKET

Junior defender Toni DiRenzo and senior forward Alison Hindley try to steal the ball away from an Edinboro University of Pennsylvania forward on Sept. 29. They have allowed two goals in the last three games.

By Bill Kostkas Rocket Sports Editor

In the 48th minute of the Slippery Rock women’s soccer match against Clarion University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, a goal by sophomore forward Shelby Ward put the Green and White ahead 2-0.

The Rock held the two-goal margin until five minutes remained in regulation and Clarion was able to capitalize on two scoring opportunities before the clock expired.

Clarion’s first goal of

the night, netted by senior forward Jill Miller, was not without controversy. Rock sophomore goalkeeper Allie Bird was undercut by another Clarion forward on the play.

He ad coach Noreen Herlihy said that there should have been a call by the referee on the play.

“The first one was clearly a foul,” Herlihy said. “It was uncalled. Our goalkeeper was undercut. We took that one on the chin.”

Just a minute later, in the 87th minute, Miller scored again to tie the game and

take it to overtime.

Herlihy had a very different view on Miller’s second goal.

“The second goal, the player just took a shot,” Herlihy said. “It was a great shot, an overhead kick right into the corner of the net.”

Despite holding Clarion shot-less through two overtimes, the Green and White still was dealt a tie, which meant they only received one point instead of the three if they had won.

“We were deserving of getting three, but we settled for one,” Herlihy said. “We

still missed out on two points.”

Other than the collapse at the end of regulation, Herlihy still felt the team played very well.

“We had an excellent performance,” Herlihy said. “We had a lot of good possessions and were pretty much flawless. We truly put in a complete performance.”

The Green and White’s first goal was scored by senior forward Ashley Paganie in SEE WEATHER, PAGE B-3

Ulrich, Burnick win home meet

By Bill Kostkas Rocket Sports Editor

If you’re going to be attending any of the Slippery Rock cross-country team’s meets for the rest of the season, be sure to bring your brooms with you.

After the men swept nine of the top 10 spots, including a sweep of the top spots in each the men’s and women’s races at the SRU Tri on Sept.

17, the Green and White once again swept both of

the winning slots at the SRU Invitational at Cooper’s Lake Campground Saturday.

Senior Brian Ulrich won for the men (26:06), and senior Crystal Burnick claimed victory for the women (22:09). The win means that Burnick won her third-straight race of the season and that the two have each won their SEE SRU, PAGE B-3

Sports

B-2

October 8, 2010

Backup kicker Brackman boots game-winner

ARCHIVED PHOTO

Redshirt Freshman Akeem Satterfield has scored seven touchdowns and rushed for over 600 yards in four games this season. As a total, the Rock offense has rushed for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010.

By Debbie Hilton Rocket Contributor

Redshir t s ophomore Kurt Brackman kicked a 32-yard field goal with less than two minutes left in the game, giving the Rock a 16-13 victory over Clarion at Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The winning field goal was one of three Brackman completed in the game.

Brackman replaced senior kicker C.J Bahr, who missed the game due to an injury, and added an extra point on the Rock’s only touchdown of the game.

Head coach G eorge

Mihalik praised Brackman on his performance.

“You got to give a lot of credit to Brackman,”Mihalik said. “He was just cleared to start kicking Wednesday after suffering a hip injury.

For him to be able to come out 3-3 in field goals, that’s a credit to his determination and commitment to do his best.”

The Rock’s first field goal, a 23-yarder, came just seven minutes into the first quarter and put the Green and White up 3-0.

The Rock kept the lead until 1:55 remained in the second quarter when Clarion’s senior kicker

Robert Mamula launched a 31-yard field goal tying the game at 3-3 going into halftime.

To begin the third quarter, Mihalik replaced redshirt f reshman quar terback Ryan Sabo with redshirt f reshman quar terback Mike Bongivengo, and the Green and White executed the wildcat play.

Mihalik said he decided to switch it up and use the wildcat after the offense was unable to produce anything in the first half. “ The f irst half the offense had no real spark, no momentum, nothing going,” Mihalik said. “We

had worked on the wildcat package during the week and the offensive staff felt that we needed to do something to give the offense some life.”

Since SRU and Clarion face each other every year, the teams know each other’s offensive plays pretty well, but the Golden Eagles were caught off-guard with the wildcat.

The strategy paid off as the Rock gained 44 yards on seven plays with Bongivengo rushing three yards into the end zone for what would be the Green and White’s only touchdown of the afternoon.

Volleyball beats conference rival Indiana

By Brian Brodeur Rocket Contributor

T h e S l ipp e r y R o c k volleyball season up to this point can only be described as a roller coaster ride. They went into their home opener against rival, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, on a threegame winning streak and hoping to extend it.

The Green and White, who haven’t won a home opener since 2006, got off on the right foot by winning the first set 25-22.

The Crimson Hawks battled back in the second set, winning 27-25, before SRU was able to take back control, winning the next two sets 25-23 each.

This match went back and forth, containing 15 lead changes, 31 ties and the excitement wasn’t lost on any of the players.

Senior setter Anna Bixler said that the match was very exciting.

“The p o s i t i v i t y, confidence and excitement were contagious,” Bixler said. “It was absolutely thrilling to be out on the

court.”

It was an overall team effort that won the game, according to senior middle blocker Alex Heller.

The team was able to keep up the same intensity throughout the entire match and never let up, she said.

Reigning PSAC Player of The Week, junior Kaylee Smith was tied for the team lead in kills (14) with sophomore Sarah Cadwallader in the match.

Junior outside hitter Alee Kromer led the Green and White with 30 digs, defensively.

While they were riding high off of the IUP win and four-game winning streak, just like any roller coaster, it had to come down.

They had another match the following day against California University of Pennsylvania that would be another tough match.

It went five sets, with the Green and White taking the first two sets at 25-20 and 25-21.

“After winning the first two sets against Cal U, the whole team was ecstatic,” Bixler said.

But they wouldn’t be for long, dropping the next three sets, 25-13, 25-21 and 15-10.

Heller said that the Vulcans were playing desperately. “ They just lost two games and knew if we won one more game, we would’ve won the match,” Heller said.

After the five-set loss to Cal U, it was followed with another f ive-s et match against Mercyhurst College.

The Lakers took the first set 25-19, but the Green and White have proved repeatedly that they have a lot of fight in them.

They came back and took second and third sets, 2519 each, before the Lakers took the last two, 25-15 and 15-8. That was their second five-set loss in two matches.

“Honestly, it’s really frustrating because we work so hard through the entire match, and then we can’t seem to pull off that last game,” Bixler said.

Kromer led the Rock on defense with 21 digs.

Bixler chiped in with 13

digs, along with 14 assists.

Smith once again was tied for the team lead in kills with 14, but this time with freshman outside hitter Lauren Rojek.

The Rock also lost to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in four sets, going from a four-game winning streak to a threegame losing streak.

In the match, Smith once again led the Green and White with 14 kills, notched 12 digs on defense and earned a service ace.

Junior outside hitter Kristin Slavoski was close behind with eight kills.

Bixler had 16 assists.

But, according to Bixler and Heller, the team’s still keeping their heads up, and they’re just focusing on what they have to do to improve.

The Green and White (610 overall, 1-3 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West) will look to start up a new winning streak today at 2:30 p.m. against Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, and 5:00 p.m. against West Chester University of Pennsylvania at Morrow Field House.

Brackman’s extra point made the score 10-3 with a little over nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. But the Rock’s lead did not last long as redshirt freshman, and backup quarterback, Ben Fiscus drove the Golden Eagles 67 yards in nine plays, all on the ground, to even the game at 10.

For most of the game, Fiscus and the Golden Eagles used the running game instead of the usual passing game of the quarterback.

Aaron Na l l, s e n i or defensive lineman, and his teammates were caught off-guard, but made some good adjustments.

“I think we did a good job getting pressure on the quarterback considering they began to abandon the pass game in the second quarter,” Nall said. “We need to get a little better staying in our proper pass rush lanes and continue to work on improving our tackling like we do every week.”

The teams remained knotted at 10 going into the fourth quarter, and Sabo returned to the game driving the offense 57 yards on eleven plays and setting up a 22-yard field goal by Brackman.

Clarion came back again as they ran 47 yards in six plays to tie the score for the third time in the game, 1313, with a 33-yard field goal

by Mamula.

With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter, the Rock offense was able to put together a 54-yard drive on nine plays for what would be the 32-yard gamewinning kick by Brackman with just 1:41 left in the game.

Fiscus and the Golden Eagles were on the verge of a comeback, but were denied when senior cornerback Robert Doiley picked Fiscus off at the Rock’s 41-yard line to end the game and give the Rock

their first conference win.

Brackman was confident that he could make the 32yard field goal.

“I was thinking, ‘I got to make this kick’ and I did.” Brackman said. “The only thing that was going through my head was, ‘you’ve got to make this kick; you have to make this kick.’ I wanted to show my team and coaches that when they needed me I could do the job and they could count on me. CJ is pretty good, and I wanted to show them that I could do the same.”

Throughout the game, Clarion caught the defense off guard with the quarterback keep, a play where the quarterback keeps the ball and runs for yardage.

The Green and White had trouble making adjustments to the strategy and Mihalik and the defensive coaching staff were surprised as well.

“I think as we evaluated the film, the defensive staff saw some other schemes we can use should we see that type of offense again,” Mihalik noted. “I’m very confident we will be prepared for that in the future.”

Sabo ended the game with his best passing yardage total of the season, with a 137-yard effort, and the Rock offense came alive in the second half to finish at 108 rushing yards and 144 passing yards.

Redshir t s ophomore Akeem Satterfield ran for over 102 yards on 24 carries for the fourth time in his collegiate career.

After the victory, the Rock team was awarded the first annual Milk Jug Trophy, a prize that will now be awarded to the winner of the Rock and Clarion game for years to come.

T h e w i n i mp r ov e s their record to 4-1. This Saturday, Slippery Rock hosts Edinboro at 6 p.m. at N.Ker r Thomps on Stadium.

Sports

October 8, 2010

B-3

Senior goalkeeper hopes to have pro potential

By Tim Durr

Rocket Assistant Sports Editor

At 6-foot 5 inches tall and 200 pounds, senior Greg Blum seems to fit the dimensions of a basketball player over a soccer player, but if you look in between the posts at a Slippery Rock men’s soccer game, you’ll find him guarding the goal.

With that job, Blum certainly d o e s n’ t disappoint. He has posted 20 shutouts in his career at the Rock and consistently lowered his goals-per-game average each year. In 2009, Blum lowered his average less than one goal-pergame and has an average of .64 goals-per-game this season.

“His physical attributes, his lengt h, size and wingspan, allow him to get to cover the net easier,” Matt Thompson, former SRU Head Coach, said. “That along with his basic fundamentals of the

game allows him to be so successful.”

Growing up, Blum played soccer and baseball, and in high school decided to stick with soccer as his main focus. He played at Ambridge High School (Pa.), where he earned AllWPIAL honors and helped guide the Bridgers to a 2005 State Championship.Along with his state championship in high school, Blum has earned many awards in college. In his sophomore year, he received first team All-PSAC honors and second team All-Region honors.

Last season he was named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference team once again and earned NSCAA AllAmerican and First Team All-Region honors, along with Daktronics Second Team All-Atlantic Region accolades. Mixed in with those accolades are some of Blum’s favorite moments as

a collegiate goalkeeper. He said his top moment had to be his first game at SRU in 2007 against defending national champion, Dowling College. Another big moment was the PSAC Championship victory over Millersville University.

“The first moment that sticks out to me when I look at my college career has to my first game against Dowling College,” Blum said. “They were the defending national champions and even though we lost, it felt good that we contended with a national champion. Winning the PSAC championship game is another big moment for me because it is what we worked for all year. ” Along with playing soccer at SRU, Greg is a criminal justice major and is set to graduate in the spring. He is looking at the possibilities of becoming a professional soccer player.

Thompson, who coached

Blum for his first three years at SRU and one year in an Under-17 league, said that his hard work with assistant coach Chris Logan has helped him improve many aspects of his game.

“He has worked hard with Logan over the past three years,” Thompson said. “His kicking distance and ability to find players downfield has improved and he has a good chance to go pro.”

Sophomore defender Chr istian McChesne y said that Blum is a key component to the Green and White’s defense.

“Greg is a big part of this team,” McChesney said. “He tells the defense where we need to be, and commands us into the right positions.”

That command over the defense has been evident this year as Blum has not allowed more than one goal in a game this season.

ARCHIVED PHOTO

Senior goalkeeper Greg Blum has accummulated 20 shutouts in his career at SRU with three of those coming this year.

SRU women have success despite injuries Weather moves match,

SUBMITTED PHOTO/JOHN PAPA

Sophomore Stephanie Case competing in the SRU Invitational Saturday at Cooper's Lake Campground.

Continued from Page B-1

respective races for the past two meets.

Making Burnick’s win

even more impressive is the fact that the women’s team competed without some of its top runners.

Senior All-American Jen

Harpp is out due to injury, and won’t be available until the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship meet. Sophomore Abby Michaelian and freshman Stephanie Turak also both missed last Saturday’s meet.

Head Coach John Papa said that Burnick’s performances thus far have been huge for the team.

“Crystal has stepped up for Jen in her absence,” Papa said. “She has ran pretty fast times.”

He went on to explain that the women’s team has an even brighter future as they look to get their full line-up back.

“We were missing some runners that would normally make us better,” Papa said.

“The other teams we ran against were pretty strong.

With all of our ladies running, we’ll be significantly better.”

Both of the Rock’s victors led their teams to impressive finishes at the meet. The men were able to finish in third place with a total of 85 points, while the women earned the fourth spot with 101 points.

The second finisher for the Rock’s men was freshman Travis Arrigoni in 12th-place (26:15).

Papa said that the younger runners on the team have been making quite an impact.

“We have a nice group of younger runners,” Papa said.

“A lot of times it’s getting that right race and getting that right performance.”

Arrigoni said that despite his finish, he still thinks the men’s work this year is unfinished.

“I was pleased with my second-place finish on the team on Saturday, but knowing that a couple of our top guys did not have a very good race doesn't make me content or satisfied,” he said. “I much would've rather been our third or fourth guy and had the team do better then be the second guy and have our team have a disappointing finish. But I will use the 2nd place as motivation and as a positive that my training is moving in the right direction.”

The third finisher for the Rock was senior Jason Leonard, who placed 20th (26:33).

For the women, sophomore Stephanie Case placed 15th (24:11), sophomore Rebecca Belding was 23rd (24:39) and junior Caitlin Hancox was in 30th (24:48).

The Green and White is idle this weekend and competes next on Sat., Oct. 16, at the Penn State National Invite in State College.

SRU beats Mansfield Continued from Page B-1

the 26th minute. She was assisted by sophomore forward Danielle Turner.

Senior forward Allison Hindley had the helper on Ward’s goal in the 48th.

On Wednesday, the Rock’s match against Mansfield University was relocated to Balls Mills Soccer Complex due to inclement weather.

The change of schedule didn’t seem to hamper the Rock’s offense at all, as they scored three goals in a span

of five minutes. Ward’s goal in the 32nd minute led off the effort. In the 34th, Ward netted her third goal in the Rock’s last two games. In the 36th, freshman forward Kara Mullins made it 3-0.

Hindley capped off the offensive attack in the 77th off of a corner kick.

The Green and White’s (7-3-1 overall, 5-3-1 PSAC) next match will be Saturday at 1 p.m. against Kutztown University of Pennsylvania at Thompson Stadium.

Rock shuts out Seton Hill Continued from Page B-1

for every position should continue in the second half of the season and only improve.

“It’s good that we have goals coming from everywhere on the field,” he said. “It should continue in the second half of the season with our younger players stepping up off the bench.”

The Rock will look to continue its success on the season today at 4 p.m. at Egli Field as it faces Ashland University (OH.) Ashland

has defeated SRU in the consecutive regular-season matches and is currently ranked No. 15 in the national by the NSCAA Division II Rankings.

Blum said that the Rock will have a good chance to end the streak of losses to Ashland if it can execute and have players step up when needed.

“Execution will be a key for us,” Blum said. “If we can stick to our game plan and have players step up in different positions, we will come out on top in this one.”

FOCUS

The Rocket

C-1

October 8, 2010

Author comes to SRU, speaks about choices and "Perks"

CAITLIN PAINTER /THE ROCKET

Stephen Chbosky came to SRU Monday to talk to students and faculty about his book, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." The theme of the event was, "Choices," because many decisions led to where he is now.

By Stephanie Nicotra Rocket Focus Editor

It was a sentence. Just one sentence in the mind of a Pittsburgh native for five years until it became the title of a book in 1999.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky, is a little, green 213-page novel of letters written by the

character, Charlie, a freshman in high school about his experiences and choices.

“Charlie is,” Chbosky shifted slightly then said. “Let me put it this way, while the book is not strictly autobiographical, it’s still very personal to me.

He came out of my desire to create a very pure soul.”

Chbosky, a 40-year-old, recently married man from

Pittsburgh came to SRU on Monday. Demanding no fee, he received a small honorarium to speak in the Union’s multi-purpose room, of which an estimated 900 people attended When one first meets him, the eyes are the first feature noticed. His unblinking eye contact and quirky smile is the precursor for the firm

handshake readily given.

The intelligence behind those eyes can be seen as he speaks.

Every word he speaks is deliberate.

When asked about the inspiration for his book he spoke each word with care.

“I was troubled watching so many good people let themselves get treated so badly, so I wanted to ask myself what

that was really all about in an emotional sense,” he said with his hands clasped over his speech notes.

The theme of Chbosky’s speech was “Choices.”

Choices were made that eventually led Chbosky to SRU. Some of these choices were made by a committee and then students.

This book was chosen for the freshman summer book program by 13 SRU students during the summer of 2009.

April Longwell, coordinator for the summer book program, said that the program started in 2005 and is a way to get students talking outside the classroom.

It’s always incorporated in the Weekend of Welcome.

This book was one of 19 that were looked at by a committee.

Chris Kite, 20, senior recreational therapy major and one of the students who selected the book, said the book was amazing and the way Charlie thought so much about things was interesting.

Also, since starting this program, as well as other freshman-oriented programs, sophomore retention has raised from 68 percent in 1999 to 83 percent.

“It was addictive, but not my cup of tea because he (Charlie) was too emotionally unstable, and throwing the molestation at the end and stopping didn’t really fly for me,” Amanda Farber, 19, freshman exercise science major and one of many stu-

dents who had to read the book, said.

Freshmen weren’t the only ones to read the book. A recent graduate from the masters program in reading came back to SRU to see Chbosky speak.

Caitlin Painter, 25, said she loved the book because her favorite book is “Catcher in the Rye” which is very similar to “Perks.”

One of the reasons this book was offered as a choice for the summer book program were the themes and issues in it.

“It hits on key issues the students are dealing with… an overwhelming number of students relate to this book,” Paula Olivero, assistant vice president of student development, said. “It’s admirable that the University embraced the book.”

It gives permission to discuss issues that wouldn’t normally be talked about, Olivero said.

“It can really change people’s lives,” Emily Frank, 19, a sophomore psychology major from Pennsylvania State University, Beaver, said. “I come to Slippery Rock to see my friends a lot, and when I saw that he was coming I just had to come.”

Chbosky, in his blue jeans and black jacket, walked through a massive wave of applause to the podium to give his speech about his book.

He talked about choices and SEE STUDENTS, PAGE C-3

Club offers students winter time fun

Chloe Finigan "Freshman Insider" The reasons that people choose which university to attend are always unique.

For Ryan Sheely, 21, a junior political science major and the president of the ski club, his passion for snowboarding made the choice clear.

“I first joined the club when I transferred into Slipper y Rock back in August of ‘08,” he said. “I currently live in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and chose Slippery Rock because of the aspect that I could go snowboarding anytime during the winter and not have to drive eight hours west to the closest mountain from my house.”

With that passion, he searched the campus for an outlet and got more than he expected.

“When I first joined the club, Steve Roberts asked me if I would be interested in becoming president,” he said. “I immediately answered ‘yes.’”

I can relate to this, seeing as within the first month of school I was asked if I wanted my own column.

Within seconds, I knew that the answer was ‘yes.’

“The club had died out and needed new energy,” he said. “So I took the 45-person email list and started from there; bringing the club to almost 275 members.”

With all of this success in the club, there must be something great about it.

“We try and take a trip to local resorts once every weekend while the weather permits,” Sheely said. “It comes roughly to about six to eight trips a year. We also took a trip last year with 24 members to Powder Mountain in Utah.”

With all these trips, one would expect to have to pay incredible dues, but they are non-existent.

“The reason our club feels like we should not require dues is because skiing and snowboarding is very expensive as it is,” he said. “Pa. is a winter activity paradise. Students have to pay $87 a semester, which goes toward all clubs and organizations. All we ask of is the school cover the cost of transportation to the resorts.”

On top of the fees, the club prepares in advance for fun and competitive activities.

The club already has 35 plane tickets reserved and lodging for this year, too, according to Sheely.

The ski club reaches out to all levels of skill. The trips can accommodate anyone from beginner to competitor.

“The experience of our members varies from never been skiing and want to try it out, to expert,” Sheely said. “Anyone can join. We have a lot of people who try it out and fall in love with the sport.”

The club is even trying to create a competitive downhill team for anyone looking to get serious with the sport.

“We also have tubing trips to local areas that have a tubing park,” Sheely said. “We have a once a month sledding night at the ski hill on campus behind Rock Apartments with a bonfire sledding at night and hot chocolate.”

L i k e a ny t h i n g t h at sounds perfect, there is al-

ways some kind of catch, no matter how small.

To go on a trip it can be anywhere from $24 to $50, depending on what resort they go to.

They receive discounted rates from each resort, which really helps cut the cost, Sheely said.

But $50 is a small price to pay for a weekend of fun, friends and, of course, skiing.

Even though some trips may not be a “trip,” the experience doesn’t change.

“We, as a club, help keep students on campus during the weekend, and give them an opportunity to stay at SRU and have fun,” Sheely said.

This is a relief because as an out-of-state student, it’s toughest when the people you know end up leaving for the weekend.

For me, the college experience is about getting to know a completely new set of people.

As I’ve written about before, clubs are the perfect way to discover new skills and meet people.

To become part of this cheap, fun and stimulating club, all you have to do is show up.

“Our first informational meeting this year will be held on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. in the ATS Auditorium. Our Web site has a lot of useful information,” Sheely said.

People choose things for different reasons.

“I joined because I love to snowboard," Sheely said.

"It is a huge passion of mine. Back home I cannot go very often, so that is one of the main reasons why I am here at SRU!” Chloe Finigan is a freshman emerging technology and multimedia major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

AMANDA ZABOTSKY/THE ROCKET

As more people were making their way into the multi-purpose room for Marc Elliot's presentation, Elliot approached, greeted and spoke to students already in attendance.

Tolerance:

Teaching students to keep an open mind

at all times because walked in.

By Amanda Zabotsky are When asked why he with only foot of intestine Rocket Contributer

Marc Elliot is by no means your average 25-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri.

With Tourette syndrome, a neuropsychiatric disorder, and Hirschprungs disease, a genetic disease in which there is no real preventative for.

Elliot has had an interesting life. He was born with around 4-feet of intestine (the human average is about 24-feet) he has gone through many surgeries and has the battle scars to prove it. But anyone meeting him wouldn’t know this, with his beaming, infectious smile.

The only real limitation that this disease places on his life is that he needs to know where the bathrooms

food moves thorough his system and as he puts it, “finding a bathroom has become something of a religious act,” and now refers to it as ‘sanctuary”.

With the limitations created with his disorder and disease he has learned to adapt his lifestyle and always asks himself, what it means to be an advocate, what do I need to do in life to be more comfortable and what do I need to do to be more open?

Before his speech, Elliot was walking around speaking to different audience members and saying, ‘hi,’ to anyone who would make eye contact with him. He was overheard repeating “goodness” every time another horde of students

chose Slippery Rock he simply said, “he didn’t.”

“Someone saw me speak at another engagement and got a hold of my agent and here I am,” he said.

But it was very clear he was excited to be speaking at SRU. Elliot spoke in the Union’s Multi-purpose room last week to an audience of approximately 525 people.

According to Lindsay Zipparo, an 18-year-old freshman early childhood, special education major she was at a loss of words. “[His speech] was out of this world amazing and if I had a bigger word I’d use it,” she said.

SEE TOLERANCE, PAGE C-3

C-2

Focus

October 8, 2010

New albums break new ground

Andy Treese "Live. Love. Jam."

I was mostly impressed.

Compared to past their past albums, the flow of this album is smoother and their musical approach is much more natural. In fact, the rhythms, riffs and notes of the instrumentals and vocals all just feel “right.”

So why not a higher score then, you might ask?

Because of the production style used for the album by its producers.

The very downfall of “Invented” is the fact that its songs are much overproduced. They’re much too digital.

For example, the first single off of “Invented,” “My Best Theory,” is a fun, upbeat song with plenty of energy, but the digital emulation of all the instrumental tracks and the heavy abuse of effects take away from what the song has to offer and instead make the instrumentals sound like they were all made and distorted by a computer program rather than by the instrumentalists themselves.

To prove my point, think of the crap put out by 3OH!3’s “Want” – soulless and significantly lacking in substance.

Jimmy Eat World’s by no means whatsoever like 3OH!3.

But with the way the producers decided to emulate some songs off of “Invented,” one would think for a moment they may have flirted with the idea of jumping on the “electrohop” bandwagon.

That aside, the album’s a great listen overall, and I would even recommend buying it just for the fact the musicality of the album is great.

With tracks like “Heart Is Hard to Find” and “Action Needs an Audience,” Jimmy Eat World shows that they can still play with vigor even when experimenting with their sound.

Had it not been for the album’s producers, “Invented” would easily have been four stars or higher.

Blame them, not the band.

Key tracks “Action Needs an Audience,” “Invented”

commercializing of modern country music that sounds just like the next artist’s song.

Truth told, whenever anybody talked about country music within the past few years, I could only think of the mundane Toby Keith and the annoyingly popular Taylor Swift. With the release of “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” country music has finally started to break the habit of being predictable.

Upon listening to the album, you can tell the instrumentals are broken in and especially relaxed and surprisingly enough, the vocals aren’t overwhelming.

In fact, Kenny Chesney’s rich, baritone voice meshes with the accompanying music in near-flawless fashion.

Production quality of “Hemingway’s Whiskey” is superb as well. The audio engineering was simple and maintained what proper audio engineers should do – allow the listeners to be able to fully appreciate their experience by being able to enjoy all the individual components to the group.

The problem with most audio engineering in music, regardless of era, is to be able to experience this level of appreciation, one would need to purchase a very high-quality pair of headphones, and believe me and they’re not cheap.

What especially draws me to “Hemingway’s Whiskey” is the fact I could easily submerge myself in the music with the use of decent headphones.

The sound cuts are just excellent.

My only gripe with the album is that certain tracks are a little too relaxed in feel, which causes them to lack a bit in soulfulness.

Even still, “Hemingway’s Whiskey” is a diamond in the rough that fans will love and cherish, and may even convert some skeptics.

I’ll admit, when it came to liking country music, the main names I would stick by were Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, but with “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” Kenny Chesney will easily be placed among their ranks in the future to many people down the road.

Key tracks "The Boys of Fall," "Somewhere with You"

The past week proved to be big for the music industry, most notably because of the debut of Kenny Chesney’s new album, “Hemingway’s Whiskey.”

Having debuted at number one atop the Billboard 200, “Hemingway’s Whiskey” sold a smashing 182,000 units in its first week, snuffing out the competition in sales.

On another corner of the musical spectrum, sales of punk rock albums are usually hit and miss, depending on the artist.

But for Jimmy Eat World, success with their new album, “Invented,” has been achieved in more ways than one.

Since the end of April, PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS Jimmy Eat World has emChloe Moretz stars in the vampire film remake, "Let Me In," as Abby, a young girl who befriends Owen, a barked on an epic world young boy living next door. As Abby is a vampire, their friendship becomes a struggle over her bloodlust. tour to promote their new album.

With all 202 shows soldout, and with “Invented” debuting on the Billboard 200 at number 17 with 17,000 units sold, this only ers”) move into the apart- just his monocle. While I see seems to be the beginning ment next door. It’s soon re- his point, I find that attitude of the success “Invented” vealed that Abby’s a vampire uninteresting and unrealis- will eventually reach. and the pair begins a touch- tic.

The American college stuing friendship that’s only Jimmy Eat World troubled by Abby’s need for dent is much more likely to “Invented” blood. As neighbors begin to see something in English disappear and Owen’s bully- than to scrounge around for ing escalates, the film comes a copy of something in a different language. to a culminating finale.

MICHAEL I found the American reI found the film spectacuCHIAPPINI lar. The cinematography, the make compellingly similar cold and desolate setting, the and just as artistic.

"To See or Not To See?" This is a side of Jimmy It’s particularly interestblue and grey tones, the desexualized childhood friend- ing to compare the political Eat World I did not anticiStars ship– all combined perfectly climate that informs both pate to hear, let alone even knew existed. for a haunting cinematic ex- films.

If you were to ask any The Swedish original, set perience.

The film wasn’t over-the- in 1980s Stockholm, seems die-hard fan about the protop because it didn’t rely to defy the wonderful image gression of sound in Jimmy The vampire has made a on cheap gimmicks to get that Sweden puts out to the Eat World’s repertoire, they stunning return to popular a thrill out of the audience. world. would probably tell you that Kenny Chesney culture.

The setting is dreary and with each passing album, The horror didn’t lie in the If you haven’t noticed, vampirism, but in the emo- depressing and there are the band has matured and “Hemingway’s vampire popularity comes in tional desolation one felt by marginalized people who increasingly refined their Whiskey” cycles. In the 90s, we had the film’s end. have problems. Similarly, sound at a gentle pace. And Anne Rice “Interview With a they couldn’t be more right.

As well, the children’s per- “Let Me In” places the acVampire” craze coupled with formances are perfect. They tion in 1980s New Mexico, Except for “Invented.”

“Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” manage to capture that es- all to the backdrop of the Jimmy Eat World has – both relatively regrettable. sence of childhood while Reagan Era. come a long way since the Then, no vampires until juggling the awfulness of the During America’s heyday, days of “The Middle.” But “Twilight” burst onto the subject matter.

Andy Treese is a sophomore there was still economic “Invented” shows a grownNew good country mu- journalism major and the scene in 2008. The “Twilight” The film is a remake of a depression for those on the up, wholesomely refined franchise, “True Blood” and 2008 Swedish film, “Let the margins.

Jimmy Eat World, of which sic can be hard to find Assistant Focus Editor for The anymore, amidst the mass the books they are based Right One In.” The SwedIn fact, I found the voice of Rocket. on have formed a goldmine ish version is spectacular, President Reagan playing in market for the recent craze. I will admit – the children the background more horHistorically, these cycles are much more eerie-looking rifying than vampire aspect can be attributed to socio- and Sweden is even more of the film. historical movements, usu- desolate than New Mexico.

I absolutely rate “Let Me ally linked to fear of some It was perhaps a little more In” as a “to see.” If you enjoy “other.” However, the recent effective than its American it, I recommend seeing the burst in vampirism places counterpart, but there’s no Swedish original as well. vampires in an almost posi- reason to not enjoy the re- Both are the perfect antidote tive light. to the saccharine awfulness make.

Regal Moraine Pointe Cinema Stadium 10 Instead of being some horI overheard some preten- of “Twilight.” rific, sexualized monster, the tious English major in one Moraine Pointe Plaza Butler, PA, 16001 vampires of “Twilight” and of my film classes say someMichael Chiappini is a “True Blood” are heroes and thing like, “It’s completely Phone: (724)282-1195 accepting of diversity. What- different – they’ve left out senior English literature and ever reason vampires have the androgyny of the char- environmental studies major, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2010 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2010 film and media studies minor returned, they have returned acters.” with a vengeance.

He then proceeded to puff and a regular contributor to Case 39: 2:30 5:00 7:55 10:20 Case 39: 2:30 5:00 7:55 10:20 This week’s choice, “Let on his tobacco pipe and ad- The Rocket.

Me In,” is a different kind of Easy A: 2:10 4:25 7:15 9:30 Easy A: 2:10 4:25 7:15 9:30 vampire film. Directed by Legend of the Guardians 3D: 1:40 Legend of the Guardians 3D: 1:40 Matt Reeves (“Cloverfield”), 4:05 6:50 9:20 4:05 6:50 9:20 the film follows Owen (Kodi Let Me In: 2:40 5:15 8:00 10:30 Let Me In: 2:40 5:15 8:00 10:30 Smit-McPhee, “The Road”), This week, I pull from filled commune.

Life As We Know It: 1:50 4:40 7:25 Life As We Know It: 1:50 4:40 7:25 a prepubescent boy living The movie is an interthe vault and recom10:05 10:05 out a dull existence in snowmend Yugoslavian direc- esting symbol for ComMy Soul to Take 3D: 2:20 5:05 My Soul to Take 3D: 2:20 5:05 bound Los Alamos, N.M. tor Dusan Makavajev’s munism’s effects on Eu7:50 10:25 7:50 10:25 Bullied at school and living 1974 cult classic, “Sweet rope and an important art Secretariat: 1:30 4:15 7:00 9:45 Secretariat: 1:30 4:15 7:00 9:45 through a divorce at home, house staple.

Movie.”

The Social Network: 1:20 4:15 The Social Network: 1:20 4:15 Owen’s life is not so majestic.

If you aren’t easily ofThe film is shocking 7:00 9:50 7:00 9:50 Life becomes a little more inand disturbing – the tale fended, I recommend teresting when Abby (Chloe of Miss World Virginity checking out the CriteWall Street: Money Never Sleeps: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: Moretz, “Kick-Ass”, “Diary and her kinky honey- rion edition on Netflix or 1:20 4:10 7:05 10:00 1:20 4:10 7:05 10:00 of a Wimpy Kid”) and her moon that ends in a feces- Amazon.

You Again: 2:00 7:40 You Again: 2:00 7:40 guardian (Richard Jenkins, “Dear John”, “Step Broth-

Remake stays true to original Film pick of the week: “Let Me In”

4

Michael's DVD Pick

Focus

C-3

October 8, 2010

Tolerance emphasized to students

AMANDA ZABOTSKY/THE ROCKET As someone struggling with Tourettes Syndrome and Hirschprung's Disease, Marc Elliot stressed to the students in attendance to be tolerant of others.

Continued from Page C-1

He was diagnosed with mild tourrets at age 9. To help everyone understand what he goes through on a daily basis he used the example of having obsessivecompulsive disorder and being a risk taker.

“What’s the worst thing I can say in this environment?” he asked. “And that is the tick that comes out verbally.”

When Elliot started to get excited and his verbal tic became most of his sentence; he finished what he was saying then tried to lighten the mood by joking, “Oh, by the way, I have Tourette’s.”

Another time in the speech he joked, “Good times with Tourette’s”.

This really sho cked 21-year-old, senior psychology major, Anna Antrum, as she beamed at how open and funny Elliot was.

As much as he joked about Tourette’s he made sure the audience understood that as a child he believes that his Tourette’s did hold him back.

When asked if he wished his life was different in any way, he said that he would get rid of his Tourette’s tomorrow if he could but it does give him a different

perspective.

While making sure we understood that some people grow out of their Tourette’s and some like himself have Tourette’s that wax and wane, getting worse from when he was first diagnosed and into middle school to finally starting to slow down now at 25. With no real cure for Tourette’s yet, he has had Botox treatment where he had Botox injected into his neck while getting rid of some of his wrinkles it has helped his neck-jerking tic.

After Elliot gave a little background on how his life is affected by his diseases he focused on his main topic of the lecture, tolerance. He said that people are out of practice.

“If you take anything from this lecture let it be tolerance,” he said. “Acceptance is my goal but tolerance is close enough.

People need reminded of tolerance.”

Elliot believes that intolerance is making assumptions and turning them into actions, which in most cases is usually verbal actions.

“Do you know what’s going on in other people’s lives? Do you know what makes them tic?” he said.

“Marc had a lot of great ideas,” James Framer a

fifth-year student majoring in Therapeutic recreation said. “I have multiple sclerosis I can relate with people making assumptions.”

When Elliot star ted speaking about a year ago when he had a year between his bachelors program at Washington University in St. Louis where he studied biology, pre-med. Elliot figured he could help more people by speaking about tolerance than med school.

He has never looked back since.

Elliot was inspired to do all of this because of his older brother who is openly gay and Elliot has seen firsthand the intolerance people can have towards one another. “(The lecture was) awesome and was definitely inspired me,” Brian Rice, 18, sophomore health and physical education major, said. “I’m black; I’m gay and out of state. I’m really different on this campus. Being comfortable with myself and confident helps. And this has shown that people have more of an understanding and acceptance of people’s differences.”

Although when Elliot was in college he felt he was concerned with only making it in life as a doctor.

“I built it up in my head,” Elliot said.

Elliot focuses on tolerance as the big picture because he needed a product.

Which turned out to be one word, tolerance.

“You are the most intolerable person of yourself,” he said.

This rang true to 20-year-old, freshman creative writing major, Victoria Forry.

“He brought home how beating yourself up doesn’t help and make you forget what’s wrong,” Forry said.

“Accept yourself for who you are.”

Elliot’s lecture related to many students. As well as to 19 year old Kaitlyn Veiock a sophomore education major.

“To me his lecture was interesting because I have psoriasis,” Veiock said.

“I have my own tic. Accept yourself. He taught us that.”

And when Elliot was asked if there was a down side to the life he has chosen to live Elliot stated that we all make choices.

“This is my choice,” he said.

AMANDA ZABOTSKY/THE ROCKET

Though the presentation contained humor poking fun at himself and his Tourettes Syndrome, Marc Elliot taught the audience that beating yourself up doesn't help someone forget what's wrong and that the best course to take is to accept yourself for who you are.

CAITLIN PAINTER /THE ROCKET

President Robert Smith, along with an estimated 900 people, attended Chbosky's speach on Monday.

Students taught to take control of life Continued from Page C-1

made the audience laugh with his quick jokes. He related how he had made a choice to personally promote his book.

When it was first published, his editor called him and told him it wasn’t doing very well and she was very scared but he didn’t want it to end with the editor on the phone so he went everywhere to promote it.

“Take control of your own life,” he said. “The only thing to write your own story is to make choices; this is a choose-your-adventure book.

Embrace your time here.

Make the choices to write the greatest choose-your-ownadventure you could possibly write.”

During his speech he pulled out a letter he received from a 15-year-old girl in Dec. 2009.

She wrote that the book gave her a sense of hope and if she hadn’t read his book in one night then she would be dead right now. Chbosky said that he met this girl and she’s doing a lot better. Chbosky’s book saved her life and changed many others.

“You can take whatever pain you’ve gone through and turn it into a calling; a career,” he said. “You can change the lives of so many people.”

Projects based on “Perks” were set up on tables in the Union lobby and were shown on a screen in the MPR. These projects were from Dr. Myra Balok’s young adult literature class from last spring.

STEPHANIE NICOTRA /THE ROCKET

Caitlin Painter, 25, recent graduate from the master's program in reading, came back to hear Chbosky speak because she loved the book.

“You get to really listen; you get to really know people,” Chbosky said when asked what the perks of being a wallflower were.

He’s currently writing a second book about a little boy and his mom. It’ll be different, but it deals with the same themes as in “Perks.”

The “Perks” movie will be filmed in Pittsburgh starring Emma Watson, (“Harry Potter” series) and Logan Lerman, (“Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief ”) and should be in theaters in 2012.

Even though his speech

ended at 8 p.m. and he had an early flight the following morning, he stayed until after 10 p.m. to sign about 900 books and posters.

One student, after speaking with Chbosky and receiving a signed book, ran down the aisle between hundreds of red chairs to catch up with his friends, excitedly saying, “Oh my gosh, he’s so nice.”

“I loved my time at SRU,” he said, while signing a book.

“Faculty were great; the students were great. I honestly have never had such a huge reception.”