Digital Edition 11/13/15 by SRU Rocket

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Friday November 13, 2015 • Volume 99, Issue Number 10 • An Independent, Student-Run Newspaper

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Rock propels to PSAC Championship game with blowout By Ryan Barlow Sports Editor

Rock football otball was crowned the best in Saturday afternoon, clinching the west straight PSAC West title in a its third t of Clarion, advancing to the 65-13 rout l v a n i a St ate At h letic Pennsy e (PSAC) Championship Conference for the third g a m e t straigh season. T h e Green and d a 3-0 advantage after White held quarter, but Clarion answered the first conds into the second to take a just 30 seconds Around the nine-minute mark, 7-3 lead. deout and punt return man senior wideout utrieuille busted for a 91-yard Jaimire Dutrieuille rn for a touchdown, changing punt return entum of the game and setting the momentum or its remaining minutes. the tone for "It was an outstanding play and we give edit that he was able to see his Jaimire credit downfi eld," Rock head coach blockers ihalik said. "We also give credit George Mihalik ther guys on the field who were to the 10 other e him that space. They had been able to give eally hard to get him that space working really

p y There is no bigger gg play p y in to make a play. football that can change the momentum m of the game like a special teams play." Dutrieuille finished the game with 210 all-purpose yards, including a 48-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Dante Nania to go along with his special teams TD. Nania finished

the game with nine completed passes and three touchdowns before being replaced by redshirt-junior Zack Newsock later in the game. Newsock completed three passes for 54 yards and one touchdown. The substitution was to ensure Nania remains healthy for the PSAC Championship game. Redshirt-sophomore Cornelius Raye caught five passes for 69 yards and

p J two scores. Sophomore Marcus Johnson rrecorded re e co c rded two completions for 24 yards alongside Dutrieuille's 51 receiving yards. Redshirtjunior Leroy McClain added an eight-yard touchdown reception from Newsock. Senior running back Julian Durden found the end zone twice with 64 rushing yards, scoring his 16th

and 17th touchdowns of the season. Redshirtjunior Dominic Dingle rushed for 56 yards and touchdown while redshirtjunior Shamar Greene led all rushers with 82 yards on just 11 carries. Redshirtsophomore Isiah Neely also added 68 yards to The Rock's running game. The SRU defense bruised the Golden Eagles all afternoon with redshirt-sophomore

Marcus Martin leadingg the way with two sacks. Junior Joe Phillips recorded one sack and redshirt-junio redshirt-junior Cody Sen Avery Conway recorded 1.5 sacks. Senior Anderson recorded five tackl tackles along with a half sack. Despite the previously injured redshirtsenior placekicker Mike Wainaus Wainauskis being available today, coach Mihalik decided d to stick with senior Andrew Husk Huska for allpurpose kicking duties. Huska recorded nine touchbacks on 11 kickoffs and was perfect on all extrap o i n t attem attempts. The Rock looks forward to Saturday as it travels east to visit West Chester (7-3 overall, 6-1 PSAC) in the th PSAC Championship game. SRU look looks for a bit of revenge against WCU, as th the Golden Rams ended The Rock's season a year ago with a 46-20 victory in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The last time Slippery Rock played at West Chester for the PSAC ti title was a 28-14 Rock victory, led by a stellar ste three touchdown performance by th then senior quarterback George Mihalik. The Rock head coach believes believe fate will be on his side once more.

KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET

GRAPHIC BY CODY NESPOR/THE ROCKET

(Above) Junior defensive end Cody Conway celebrates SRU's sixth straight victory over Clarion in the milk jug game. (Bottom) Slippery Rock prepares to face West Chester for the PSAC Championship Saturday.

SRU professor SGA announces replacement of outdated earns Purple workout facility on Old Thompson Field By Haley Barnes Hear t award By Chris Gordon Assistant News Editor

A Slippery Rock University professor was awarded the Purple Heart for a combat wound he received in Afghanistan at Tuesday's Veteran's Day service. Army Captain Joseph Barrow, who is an assistant professor of military science at the university, suffered traumatic brain injury and facial edema in 2013 after enemy fire detonated a vehicle that was 25 meters from his position, an SRU press release read. "The Purple Heart is a very personal award and I am glad I am able to share the experience with the SRU community, veterans and ROTC cadets," Barrow said. "I am glad none of my fellow soldiers were injured and I was able to recover and get back to my unit." Senior history major and ROTC cadet David DiPasquale said the award is a reflection of Barrow's character. "The awards we wear aren't for us, they're for others," he said. "They're to remind the citizens, our families and our friends of how we've been raised and what we've done. We already know what we've done." DiPasquale, who has had Barrow for class, SEE VETERAN'S PAGE A-3

Johnson said SGA believes that students use the current outdoor workout facility sparingly because the equipment is old. News Editor She said that the new facility will have multi-level bars, parallel bars, four person horizontal bars and a horizontal ladder. The Slippery Rock Student Government Association (SGA) "[The bars] will all be made out of metal," she said. "This will serve announced Friday that companies, Snider Recreation and Greenfield around 12 people at a time." Outdoor Fitness, will begin constuction to replace the current, Johnson said that ROTC uses the current facility for workouts outdated outdoor workout frequently and that the organization facility that is located on Old would highly benefit from new Thompson Field with a new equipment. She said that students and outdoor workout facility. staff will also benefit from the new Vice President of Student outdoor workout facility, as professors Affairs at SGA, Jessica could use the equipment for classes. Johnson, said that the new "This prompted the university to get outdoor fitness facility will be involved and cover all costs," Johnson a great asset to the campus explained. "SGA was originally going because SRU is an extremely to help fund, but ended up not being -Jessica Johnson, Vice President of Student Affairs wellness oriented university. necessary. " She said an outdoor workout Johnson said that SGA is proud to facility also aligns with the help bring the new outdoor workout President's Commission on facility to the campus. Wellness' ideals. “SRSGA is fully committed to encouraging healthy lifestyles on “A year or so ago on a care break, members of SGA saw a really campus and we believe this facility will help achieve this goal,” she said. awesome outside fitness area and thought SRU would benefit,” Construction was originally to begin Tuesday, but due inclement Johnson said. "[SGA] was then told how SRU does have [an outdoor weather, construction was delayed to Wednesday. Construction is workout facility], but it's out of date." expected to last for four days.

"SRSGA is fully committed to encouraging healthy lifestyles on campus and we believe this facility will help achieve this goal."

Christianity's God Is Not Pro-Life

Athlete Of The Month

A Rocket contributor weighs in on Biblical passages that show God in a new light. Page B-2

Junior forward Matt Sangermano was named The Rocket's October Athlete of the Month. Page C-3

'Spring Awakening' Debuts At Sru SRU's Theatre Department opens their second play of the semester, 'Spring Awakening.' Page D-1

NEWS

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November 13, 2015

Faculty union rejects contract P proposal over healthcare costs

Catch something exciting happening on campus? Want your Insta-photos to be featured in The Rocket? Just follow @SRURocket on Instagram and use # in the caption for your chance to be featured here every week!

By Chris Gordon Assistant News Editor

Slippery Rock University professors and coaches are now working off contract following the faculty union's rejection of a budget-saving proposal offered by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The one-year contract, which would have provided faculty with salary increases and save the stated system $9 million per year, was rejected because it required professors and coaches to take on more of their own healthcare costs, Penn Live reported. "We rejected it on its face, right then and there," Ken Mash, the president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), told Penn Live. PASSHE's proposal would have required faculty to contribute $3 to $14 more each twoweek pay period towards healthcare costs, depending on their level of coverage, Penn Live reported. The plan was aimed at keeping tuition affordable for families while providing faculty with the same healthcare benefits they enjoyed before, Frank Brogan, the chancellor of the state system, told Penn Live. "We are committed to keeping tuition as low as possible, which has become increasingly

challenging as many of our costs, including those for employee healthcare and pensions, have continued to rise well in excess of the normal rate of inflation," he said. Mash also hopes to negotiate a contract running longer than one year, Penn Live reported. Alex Hvizdos, an undeclared sophomore, said he thinks the rejection is ridiculous. "If you're getting a raise that offsets the cost of the healthcare increase," he said. "In reality, $14 is nothing." Ryan Naylor, a sophomore environmental science major, agrees that the rejection is without merit. "The portion of money PASSHE is offering is more than adequate to cover the increased healthcare costs," he said. "The faculty union really needs to roll back on that." Samantha Hallet, a junior public relations major, used her mother to explain why APSCUF should have accepted PASSHE's offer. "My mother is a school teacher in Pittsburgh," she said. "We have great healthcare, everything is covered. $14 more really isn't that big of a deal for that level of coverage." PASSHE's offer was a counter proposal to a plan APSCUF offered on Oct. 14, which did not include an increase in healthcare contributions, the Butler Eagle reported. Negotiations will resume in Harrisburg on Nov. 20.

New fire systems enhance campus safety By Daniel DiFabio Rocket Contributor

INDEX Blotter.................A-3 S p o r t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C - 1 Opinion................B-1 Campus Life...........D-1 Comics...................B-3

220 Eisenberg Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057

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New methods for fire detection and suppression are enhancing the current safety and security systems on SRU's campus. Paul Novak, interim executive director of planning and environmental health and safety emergency management administrator, is helping to introduce these new enhancements that will make emergencies more manageable and help to lower the damages these emergencies can do to both students and technology. “Older fire alarm systems are reaching the end of their useful lives and are starting to periodically fail or not provide continuity,” Novak said. Novak said with the older system requiring parts that are hard to find and running on older phone lines, new equipment was needed. One of the new additions enhances the old copper phone lines with a fire fiber loop. The fiber is run between various campus buildings, creating a loop that will upgrade fire alarm panels on all the buildings. This will lead to state-of-the-art fire alarms that will enhance the overall system to become a mass notification system. “Not only will the alarm sounds in buildings send a signal to campus police, but in the event of an emergency on campus the new system will let us communicate

to individuals and occupants in buildings,” Novak said. The installation of these new fire alarm systems won’t interfere or impact a student’s day to day experience, Novak said. He said he believes that upgrading the existing technology could help stop occasional activation of fire alarms where no fire or emergency situations existed. Novak believes this will help combat the sense of complacency many have adopted when it comes to fire alarms and that by reducing the number of false activations people will react appropriately. The new fire alarm panels come with microphones where, with the touch of a button, one can transmit a message to anywhere on campus. In the event of a threat to campus, security university police or an emergency management administrator can get on the intercom and give updates through the same speaker that would normally sound the alarm. This includes exterior speakers of certain buildings so security can give notifications to individuals who would be outside. “It really enhances [the fire alarms] and is a compliment to our existing mass notification system,” Novak said. While the new system enhances security, it also saves on the cost of replacing technology that could be damaged with a traditional water sprinkler system. Novak said he has

upgraded a lot of the fire suppression systems in buildings with certain information technology operations. If there is a fire this suppression system releases a compound that is a dry chemical which will put out the fire but not damage the IT equipment. This saves money since the technology won’t have to be replaced. “Costs for IT are astronomical,” Novak said. “You really are saving a lot down the road and reducing the risk.” Novak is working with campus police at adding swipe card technology on some of the academic buildings, hoping to monitor and control access. Novak said control leaves many with a negative perception, with people believing that control means limiting access. “We’re not limiting access, we’re simply monitoring in the best interest of an individual’s personal safety and security,” Novak said. “People would still have access at various times but it would be controlled access.” Novak said the new upgrades show commitment at the seniormost level, with the introduction of the new technology speaking a lot to the vision that the administration has to protecting its students. “We really take pride in knowing that SRU is one of the safest and most secure campuses,” Novak said.

November 13, 2015

NEWS

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POLICE BLOTTER Campus

November 5- Brian Crawford, Novemb er 6- Chr istopher November 4- Aaron Barker, 21, 30, was charged with disorderly Fornataro, 18, was charged with a was charged with simple assault conduct after police observed drug violation. following an incident involving a him smoking marijuana at Miller female at the tennis courts. The Tract. November 6- Alexander Hiler, female was taken to the Health 19, was charged with a drug Center by police. November 6- Paul Blair, 19, was violation. charged with an alcohol violation November 4- Shaunae Winston, after a Building D CA called police November 7- Pennsylvania State 18, was charged with driving for a disturbance. Blair fled, but Police requested assistance for under the influence. was stopped and transported to a person with a knife who was the police station. yelling that they wanted to be shot

in Madison Grove. The person was taken into custody. November 8- Stephen Svetz, 18, was charged with an alcohol violation after being transported from Building A to the Health Center by police.

Compiled by Chris Gordon

Veterans Day ceremony celebrates military service

Purple Heart recipient Joseph Barrow embraces his mother after receiving the high military honor.

Continued from Page A-1

said he takes on a mentor role in the classroom, deviating from the superior role that is more common of military professionals. "One time I was playing basketball at the gym with my

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

friends and Barrow came right up to us and asked to play," he said. "He's always taking personal initiative to show he cares about his students." Having a professor with a Purple Heart adds value to the ROTC program, DiPasquale said, because it shows Barrow has been deployed, been injured, done something heroic and

returned to service. "Barrow sets the standard very directly," he said. "He's one of the best officers we have here." Additionally, Henry Magusiak, the director of enterprise systems applications at SRU, and Bob Bibler, the application support manager, were given the Patriot Award. "It basically says they've done some things other warriors haven't done," said Fred Fair, the vice chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for Pennsylvania. The Veterans Day service featured a speech by SRU President Cheryl Norton, a keynote address by 1986 alumna Colonel Mike Brobeck and words from 2009 alumna Captain Emma Schiller. Norton offered thoughts to those who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces and emphasized the importance of military service to SRU. "After all, our first president, James Morrow, was a veteran of the Civil War," she said. In his address, Brobeck, whose daughter is currently enrolled in SRU's ROTC program and whose wife is a fellow alumna, spoke to the sacrifices those in the armed services make. "If it ain't rainin', we ain't trainin', if it ain't snowin', we ain't goin'," he said. Schiller, who also served in Afghanistan, spoke of her experience in the ROTC program and said SRU was "the only campus that felt like home." "ROTC quickly became my family," she said. "We even met each other's families on holidays." The service also featured the official enlistment of 11 SRU ROTC cadets via the military's Oath of Enlistment, the placement of a wreath commemorating fallen soldiers and performances by the SRU Chamber Singers.

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OPINION

Our View Contract disagreement creates uncertainty

OPINION rocket.letters@sru.edu Volume 99, Number 10

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: Fax: E-mail:

(724) 738-4438 (724) 738-4896 rocket.letters@sru.edu

EDITORIAL BOARD Janelle Wilson

Editor-in-Chief

Haley Barnes

News Editor

Amber Cannon

Campus Life Editor

Ryan Barlow

Sports Editor

Rebecca Dietrich Shelby Stearns Victoria Davis

Photo Editor Copy/ Web Editor Assist. Copy/Web Editor GRAPHIC BY BECCA DIETRICH/ THE ROCKET

Chris Gordon

Assistant News Editor

Emma Pfeifer

Assist. Campus Life Editor

Cody Nespor

Assistant Sports Editor

Kendall Scott

Assistant Photo Editor

Emily Brown

Multimedia Reporter

Mark Zeltner

Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Karleigh Santry

Advertising Manager

ABOUT US The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000. No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. The Rocket receives approximately 5 percent of its funding from the SGA Student Activity fee paid each semester by students. All other income is provided through the sale of advertising. Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 7382643 or by emailing rocket.ads@sru.edu.

CORRECTIONS If we make a substantial error, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call The Rocket newsroom at (724) 738-4438. If a correction is warranted it will be printed in the opinion section.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) rejected contracts proposed by Pennsylvani’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), leaving uiversity faculty and staff across the state working off contract. Currently, APSCUF and PASSHE can’t come to an agreement because PASSHE is demanding that faculty under APSCUF pay a larger sum of money from their salaries to go toward health care. The purpose of the higher cost of healthcare would be to make tuition more affordable to students, according to Frank Brogan, the chancellor of the state system. PASSHE proposed that faculty members contribute $3 to $14 more each two-week pay period towards healthcare costs, which would vary according to the coverage options faculty members chose. APSCUF denied the agreement, and they have not since agreed on a contract. This has been going on since

summer. The contract issue is still unresolved, and creates an aura of uncertainty for faculty members and students. This affects us as students, as well as the faculty here in multiple ways. For one, it discourages potential applicants from applying to teach at our university. Applying for a position without a contract attached makes the job itself appear unsteady, and could be the deciding factor between an applicant working at our university and one not under the PASSHE system. If applicants do not feel comfortable applying to work at SRU, we are losing the opportunity to be educated by qualified staff members. It also creates an unstable environment for fac ulty. Without a contract, faculty members could technically walk out on the university at any time. If professors decided that they were not being treated fairly by not being under contract, then they could leave at any time, which creates an

In the Quad

unstable environment for students to learn in. This instability is only worsened by the fact that applicants could potentially be deterred from a position because they are not working under contract. If a professor decided to walk away from their position, then there might be difficulty filling that position, leaving students without a professor, and possibly forcing them to repeat the class. There is also threat of a faculty strike. Faculty could strike if PASSHE and APSCUF do not reach an agreement. A strike would threaten students’ standing, and has potential to prolong the time it takes to complete their degree. Being under the threat of a strike may cause unrest among current students and could discourage new students from coming to SRU over a private university. Our staff hopes that PASSHE and APSCUF can come to an agreement soon in order to give the faculty and students a higher sense of security.

This week’s question: What was your favorite coffee at the coffee house event hosted by Internations Club?

Subscriptions to The Rocket are available. Subscriptions are $20 per academic semester and $35 for the full academic year. Inquiries should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief at the address listed here.

EDITORIAL POLICY The Rocket strives to present a diverse range of opinions that are both fair and accurate in its editorials and columns appearing on the Opinion pages. “Our View” is the opinion of the Editorial Board and is written by Rocket editorial board members. It reflects the majority opinion of The Rocket Editorial Board. “Our View” does not necessarily reflect the views of Slippery Rock University, its employees or its student body. Columns and cartoons are drafted by various individuals and only reflect the opinions of the columnists.

LETTERS POLICY The Rocket welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication. The Rocket retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes the property of The Rocket and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published. Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any. Please limit letters to a maximum of 400 words. Submit all material by noon Wednesday to: The Rocket, 220 ECB, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Or send it via e-mail to: rocket.letters@sru.edu.

Carly Booth Sophomore Communication Major Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania “The Irish cream. It’s the right amount of strong, and it’s an interesting flavor.”

Lindsey Adkins Sophomore Exercise Science Major Munroe Falls, Ohio “The tea is great and full of flavor. I didn’t even have to add sugar.

Valerie Fiala Junior Public Relations Major Brussels, Belgium “The Belgian white chocolate. It reminds me of my home, and I liked the taste of chocolate.”

OPINION

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QUESTION OF

THE WEEK

November 13, 2015

Need your voice to be heard? Want to be featured on The Rocket’s opinion pages? Tweet the @SRURocket and use #opinion for your chance to be featured weekly. New questions are posted every Monday.

@SRURocket

Christianity’s God is not pro-life, as evidenced by the Bible

Cheyenne Jackson Commentary Cheyenne Jackson is a senior creative writing major.

It is no secret that Christianity has heavily influenced American culture. To be anything other than a “God fearing Christian” is seen as un-American and could mean facing discrimination and violence. There are some studies that indicate Americans trust atheists as much as, or possibly even less than, rapists. The consensus seems to be this: Without belief in the Bible, one cannot feel guilt or truly know right from wrong; without fear of the afterlife, one cannot be trusted. I am not one to pretend that religion has not influenced our country’s origin. Regardless of that fact, we should not, and according to the constitution cannot, make decisions for our country based solely on Christian ideology. To say that we would not have laws condemning thieves or rapists or murderers without the Bible is ridiculous; I do not think it is unfathomable to believe that we as a society could have realized murder is wrong without

the Bible, and frankly it scares me to think that some people don’t kill or rape only because it benefits them not to do so. If the only reason you don’t do these horrible things is because you think it gets you a fancy afterlife, newsflash, you’re a terrible, selfish person. Conser vative Christians have lost the battle to prevent consenting adults from choosing who they marry and now it seems they have fueled all of their LGBThating energy into the fight against abortion. They truly believe that their God holds the same “prolife” values as they do, but I keep finding myself wondering: “What Bible were they reading?” The answer to that question is most likely none; most people who identify as Christian are unaware of the truly horrible tales told throughout the Bible and have never actually taken the time to read the book, yet they are quick to describe it as the truth. What does identifying as prolife really imply? Pro-choice advocates like myself often point out the hypocrisy of the pro-life movement because much of their ideology actually screams “probirth.” You would think pro-lifers would support free healthcare for all American citizens considering that free healthcare would save many lives. It would be safe to assume that pro-life supporters would overwhelmingly support introducing paid paternity leave for new parents, especially since many pro-lifers are also supporters of the “traditional” family. It would not be a stretch to believe these conservative Christians are complete

supporters of increased funding for education and environmental protections considering those things indefinitely increase the quality of life, but overwhelmingly that is not the case. It seems that the moniker “pro-life” actually means “every fetus deserves to be born but screw them after that.” Now let’s take a look at pro-lifers largest piece of “evidence” for eliminating women’s access to safe and legal abortions: God. More specifically, the Bible, since this is considered by most Christians to be the word of “God.” At no point in the Bible is there any support for the claim that life begins at conception. In fact, the God depicted in the Bible seems to have little to no regard for the proposed “living being” inside a woman’s body. Numbers 5:11-31 In this Bible passage, a woman is brought to a priest by her husband on suspicion that she has had sex with another man and is pregnant by him. The priest administers a test to discover whether or not this woman has committed adultery. The priest gives the woman a concoction which whence consumed will force the woman to miscarry if she has been with another man. God “kills” this unborn “child” because its mother cheated on her husband. And let’s not forget that the mother is executed for the crime of adultery. Hosea 13:16 God commands that the people of Samaria be punished for rebelling against him. “Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped

up.” – A direct quote from the King James Version of the Bible. What did they do to deserve such punishment? They committed the sin of falsehood and stealing. “God” commanded the death of babies because the people of their homeland were liars and thieves. 2 Samuel 11-12 In this tall tale David sees a woman bathing and becomes infatuated with her. He sent for her and she was brought to him. They had sex and she became pregnant, but the woman was married. David wanted her to himself so he sentenced her husband to death. David and the woman married and the child was born. God was not pleased with David’s actions, but instead of punishing David, he made the newborn baby sick, made it suffer for 7 days, and then it died. There are more biblical tales similar to the ones I described here, for example, 2 Kings 15:16 and Psalms 137:8-9. The God described in these stories does not seem pro-life or even probirth. Even if the Bible was a viable source to use for making laws, it does not provide any sufficient evidence for outlawing abortion. I would actually go as far to say living in a place which completely abides by the Bible would be terrifying. If you want to be pro-life, fine, but the Bible doesn’t support you.

Disclaimer The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors on The Rocket opinion pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Rocket or The Rocket staff

Law enforcers should be required to be educated and have military training

Joseph Szalinski Commentary

Joseph Szalinski is a senior creative writing and professional writing major

We live in a truly turbulent time. There exists a great unrest amongst the American citizenry regarding the perception of police officers and law enforcement personnel. This development is not unwarranted, as cops have exhibited

unlawful and unnecessary behavior. A healthy relationship should exist between the protectors and the protected, but it’s hard to ensure that the dynamics of such a relationship remain beneficial for both parties. Ideas have been discussed as to how to “better equip” officers to deal with tenuous situations, many of which involve more training. I have to agree with the idea that law enforcement personnel need a more solid background in order to appropriately administer justice. I came across something online that I’ll paraphrase: “It takes six years of school to practice the law, but only six months to enforce it.” The picture I stumbled upon online does provoke a good discussion: should police officers be required to undergo schooling and a myriad of other tests beyond training at police academies? I believe so. Other countries, and even some precincts in our own country, require law enforcement hopefuls to have a collegiate background; a degree in criminology is the most encouraged area of study, in tandem with basic academy training. The officers who have a broader understanding of

criminals, and crime in general, may possess the sight to properly handle situations without being provoked. An argument could even be made to require cops to have had some military experience, especially if a particular police department uses tanks or similar war-like weaponry. I personally believe no common cop should have access to those weapons, but if the access exists, then I would personally feel more comfortable if said officers had military training. Another point is that veterans are looking for work after leaving the military, and law enforcement is a pretty accepting field. Whether these veterans patrol beats, act as security in schools, or perform some other legal function, they seem to possess a greater understanding of dangerous situations and greater self-control. Maybe even requiring both would lead to fewer complaints against police and law enforcement personnel. It can’t hurt to be proactive about the situation. The worst that can happen is America getting better prepared police officers.

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November 13, 2015

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COMICS Sharing Stalls

By Molly Huey

COMICS

Today's Birthday (11/13/15). Get organized for a year of teamwork and mutual gain. Consistent practice pays off. Money comes easily ... save some. Love sparks this spring, requiring a change in plans. Coordinate friends and community groups for an autumn push, leading to new opportunities. Connect for love. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 9 -- You hear about a lucky break. Partner with a gracious person to take advantage. An older female shares a new trick. Buy tickets, or make reservations, if work and your partner agree. Let joy and abundance win. Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Find balance and harmony. Make your life more comfortable. Travel for pleasure. You're gaining maturity as well as knowledge. Smart investments now can increase your security. Follow your passion with discipline. Your wit and effort makes the difference.

Molly Huey is a freshman dance and communication major from Warren, Pennsylvania

Best in Show

By Phil Juliano

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy

By Tim Rickard

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 9 -Communications channels are wide open. Accept more responsibilities. Writing, recording and publishing thrive. Keep others on track. Create (and appreciate) works of beauty. Participate in a bigger conversation. Trust old love. Listen to what your grandmother says. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Look to the future. Keep family first. Look at what needs to change. Home investments pay off. Find an excellent deal in a fixer-upper. Creativity is required. Transform a mess into beauty. Create peace. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Your investigation leads to unexpected benefits. The more you learn, the more confident you become. Listen to your dreams. Use what you're discovering. Get the best quality materials you can afford. Apply discipline for love and nothing can stop you. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Your connections have wisdom and experience. Reach out and let people know what you need. An older person comes up with the answer. Collaborate for a cause that's close to your heart. Feminine details make the difference. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Talk about what you love to grow it. Put together a good team. Read voraciously, and share your discoveries generously. Provide substance, not just symbolism. Listen to a female's advice. Clean up and lend a helping hand. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Good things come through communicating with your social networks. Encourage feedback to see your blind spots. Back up your words of love with action. Pour your energy into creating something beautiful. Accept advice from loved ones (especially children). Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Friends open unseen doors. Your team is especially hot. Keep everyone in communication to harness flourishing creativity. Put physical energy into a job you care about deeply for powerful results. Money saved is money earned. Party later. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Important people are watching. New contacts increase your influence. Provide excellent work, and ask for what you need. Maintain discretion. Devote energy toward a matter of the heart for abundant reward. Love keeps you on the right path. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Get help building your dream. The action is behind the scenes. Stick to practical moves. Friends share options. Go farther than ever before. Travels, transportation and shipping flow with ease. Hold yourself to high standards. Angels guide you. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Allow abundance in. Pay attention to all offers. You're gaining skills and confidence. Creative breakthroughs spark when you mix love into your work. Learn and teach. Bring your vision into practical reality. Make a romantic connection. (Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black's legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com) (c)2015 bY NANCY BLACK. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Bliss

By Harry Bliss

B-5

November 13 , 2015

Your potential. Our graduate programs. 9 schools of study—arts, sciences, music, business,

nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, education, and law

85 graduate and professional programs 25% off tuition for select graduate programs

Learn more. Apply online. 412.396.6219 | duq.edu/graduate

A Catholic University in the Spiritan Tradition

Student Government Association Happy Bus Schedule On Campus Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Arrival Time Stop Location :30 :50 : 10 McKay :32 :52 :12 Weisenﬂuh :35 :55 :15 ARC Lots Building F/Rock Apt. :37 :57 :17 :40 :00 :20 Watson Hall :43 :03 :23 Student Center :45 :05 :25 Field House

ID 16 17 19 6/7 8 23 10

Oﬀ Campus University Village / Campus Side Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Stop Location McKay Weisenﬂuh Pine Glen Campus Side The Grove University Village Student Center Field House

Arrival Time :20 :50 :20 :22 :52 :22 :25 :55 :25 :27 :57 :27 :29 :59 :29 :35 :05 :35 :42 :12 :42 :45 :25 :55

ID 16 17 3 4 27 5 23 10

Evening Monday - Thursday 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM Arrival Time Stop Location :30 :00 : 30 The Heights :40 :10 :40 The Grove :42 :12 :40 Campus Side :43 :13 :43 Harmony/Kiester :45 :15 :45 Building F :46 :16 :46 Rock Apartments :48 :18 :48 Watson Hall :50 :20 :50 Student Center :52 :22 :52 Field House :54 :24 :54 Weisenﬂuh :55 :25 :55 McKay :00 :30 :00 The Heights

ID 0 27 4 -6 7 8 23 10 17 12 0

Oﬀ Campus The Heights / Giant Eagle Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Stop Location The Heights Fire House Elm/Cooper Elm/Cornish Subway a Student Center McKay a Giant Eagle

Arrival Time :30 :00 :30 :36 :06 :36 :38 :08 :38 :39 :09 :39 :40 :10 :40 :43 :13 :43 :49 :19 :49 :55 :25 :55

Late Night Friday & Saturday 9:40 PM - 2:30 AM Stop Location Arrival Time The Heights :40 :20 : 00 Fire Hall :43 :23 :03 Midway :44 :24 :04 Pine Glenn :49 :29 :09 HarmonyRoad :52 :32 :12 University Village :55 :35 :15 Building F :58 :38 :18 Rock Apartments :00 :40 :20 Watson Hall :02 :42 :22 Student Center :05 :45 :25 Field House :06 :46 :26 W Weisenﬂuh :08 :48 :28 Old Main :10 :50 :30 Midway a :13 :53 :33

ID 0 1 2 3 22 5 6 7 8 23 10 11 12 14

ID D 0 1 24 25 26 23 12 13

*Happy Bus only runs on scheduled classs day days a s ps *Oﬀ campus routes are 30 minute loops *On campus route is a 20 minute loop *2 Late Night shuttles running 20 minutes apart *Detailed schedule at srsga.org

Where’s the bus? Call

724-698-2049

INSIDE SPORTS

Athlete of the Month

SPORTS

Online Exclusive

Rock junior men's soccer player Matt Sangermano was voted as The Rocket's October Athlete of the Month.

Rock volleyball drops two games over the weekend in Erie and looks to ďŹ nish oďŹ&#x20AC; its season on a good note.

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See theonlinerocket.com

Rock soccer back on top

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Senior forward Peter Boylan wrestles the ball away from Vulcan striker Eric Campbell in SRU's 1-0 playoff win over Cal U on Nov. 3. Boylan scored five goals with seven assists this season.

Men's soccer wins second conference championship in three years By Cody McCullough Rocket Contributor

The Slippery Rock Men's soccer team did not qualify for the NCAA tournament, even though they pulled two upset victories to win the PSAC tournament. After beating the first seed Mercyhurst in the semis, The Rock went on to challenge #21 ranked Millersville in the PSAC championship game. The Rock fell to an early deficit against Millersville less than two minutes into the game. Some thought it would be a long day for SRU when they fell to a ranked foe, with not even two minutes gone in the first half. The defense would tighten up however, and only allow five more shots on goal

for the whole game. The secondranked offense in the nation was stifled by the defense and the goaltending of Steven Rerick. Rerick made a couple outstanding diving saves in the first half to keep the lead at a slim 1-0. Despite SRU controlling possession for much of the first half, they were only able to register two shots on goal. The Rock came out in the second half ready to get the tide flowing in their favor. The defenses on both squads dominated the first 25 minutes of the second half until Ryan Lutke struck gold on a free kick with 26:08 left. The Rock didn't let up and continued to attack Millersville. The Rock broke through once again when Peter Boylan scored

his fifth goal of the season at the 71:08 mark, giving SRU a 2-1 lead. Boylan's first shot was stopped, but he got his own deflection and nailed it home for the goal. Millersville didn't go away quietly and upped their offensive pressure for the remaining 19 minutes. The Rock defense and Rerick rose to the occasion and stood their ground. Rerick would finish the game with five saves, and answered the call of shutting down the tough Millersville attack. Despite the PSAC championship, SRU was still denied a chance to play in the NCAA tournament. The committee only accepts four teams from the Atlantic Region, and those teams going to the tournament are, Charleston, Millersville, Urbana and Notre Dame.

The Rock holds head to head victories over Notre Dame and Millersville, which made head coach Andy Hoggarth pretty upset. He was surprised that despite winning their last five games, and only giving up one goal in that stretch, they were still denied to get in. He wanted to see his seniors get one last chance in the NCAA tournament. The Rock's season is finished with a record of 14-6, and its second PSAC title in the last three years. Three seniors also made the All PSAC team. Seniors Ryan Lutke and Ryan Boylan made first team All PSAC, while senior, Peter Boylan and junior, Matt Sangermano made the second team All PSAC.

The road to a conference championship 11-6 regular season 7-5 in conference

Round 1: Quarterfinals 1-0 win vs #5 CalU

Round 2: Semifinals 1-0 win at #1 Mercyhurst

Round 3: Championship 2-1 win at #2 Millersville

SPORTS

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November 13, 2015

Rock juniors who can jump start an offense Football 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Dara Demich

Overall/PSAC

Slippery Rock Indiana (pa.) california (pa.) Clarion Gannon Mercyhurst seton hill edinboro

(9-1)/(6-1) (7-2)/(6-1) (7-3)/(5-2) (7-3)/(4-3) (6-4)/(3-4) (5-5)/(2-5) (3-7)/(2-5) (0-10)/(0-7)

Women's Soccer/Forward Team PSAC Rank Rank Goals: 12 1 Assists: 3 T-3 Points: 27 1

T-2 T-6 T-3

S amar Greene Shamar Football unning Back Football/Running

Men's soccer 2015 PSac Tournament Round 2 Round 3 Semifinals Championship Mercyhurst

Team Rank Rushing yards: 984 1 2 Rushing TDs: 9 Rushing YPG: 123.0 1

PSAC Rank 4 T-8 2

Megan McKay Field Hocey/Forw d Hocey/Forward

The Rock The Rock The Rock

Team Rank 1 1 1

Goals: 16 Assists: 6 Points: 38

Bloomsburg

PSAC Rank T-4 T-3 T-4

att Sangermano Matt Me Men's Soccer/Forward

MilLersville MilLersville

Women's soccer 2015 PSAC Tournament

Team Rank Goals: 9 1 Assists: 2 T-3 Points: 20 1

PSAC Rank T-4 T-7 T-5

Andrea Felix Women's Soccer/ Soccer/Forward Team PSAC Rank Rank

Round 2 Round 3 Semifinals Championship

Goals: 5 Assists: 2 Points: 1 12

T-2 T-4 T-3

T-7 T-7 T13

Gannon Edinboro Edinboro ESU The Rock

Taishan Tucker ker Football/Wide e Reciever

ESU ESU

Receptions: 27 Receiving Yards: 334 Receiving Tds: 3

Team Rank 4 4 3

PSAC Rank T-22 40 T-11

Standings as of Thurs. Nov. 12 at 4:39 p.m. GRAPHIC BY CODY NESPOR/THE ROCKET

SPORTS

November 13, 2015

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Soccer junior goes on late season hot streak Prior to Oct. 17, Sangermano had not scored since Sept. 15 and had never scored a goal in a game in which he started. SRU head coach Andy Hoggarth said that Sangermano's late season success was a result from something he had changed coaching-wise. "Against Lock Haven he (Sangermano) had a good second half and then he started against PittJohnstown and he just found his form," Hoggarth said. "Up until that point I think he was a little bit more of a creator and after we changed some things around he took more of a lead and started scoring goals." Sangermano came to Slippery Rock by way of a transfer from Seton Hill University where he played both soccer and kicked for the football team his freshman year. Matt attended high school at Our Lady of Sacred Heart where he was a multi sport star, lettering four times in soccer, four times in basketball, two times in football and two times in track. In his first and only year at Seton Hill Sangermano started 11 games and recorded four goals and one assist.

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Junior Matt Sangermano celebrates a game-winning goal of West Chester this season. Sangermano led SRU with nine goals and two assists, earning second-team All-PSAC for the 2015 season.

By Cody Nespor Assistant Sports Editor

Going on a hot streak can mean a lot of different things for a soccer player. They might start handling the ball better than they ever have before or they could start making perfect passes. For Slippery Rock junior forward Matt Sangermano, going on a hot streak means one thing; scoring goals. From Oct. 17 through Nov. 3, Sangermano

scored seven goals in his team's four games. Over those four games Sangermano scored a game-winning overtime goal over West Chester University, scored a hat-trick against University of Pitt-Johnstown, and scored a late game-winning goal in the team's round one playoff game against California University (Pennsylvania). Those seven goals raised Matt's season total to nine, which led the team and ranks fifth in the entire Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

When Hoggarth found out that Sangermano was thinking about transferring Slippery Rock, the then first-year coach immediately got in contact with him. "I just went through what I wanted to do with the program and he decided to come out and play for us the last two years," Hoggarth said. "Matt's a great kid and I feel we've given him another opportunity. This year I think we've gotten everything out of him and he's put everything into it. He's a hard worker and has a great love for the game." Sangermano also led the Green and White in game-winning goals with five, third most in the PSAC. "Late in the game you always want to have (Sangermano) on the field. If he's not scoring he's going to be creating for somebody," Hoggarth said. "He's an academic senior and we're definitely still trying to talk him into coming back for one more year and certainly would love to have him back." With next season still be up in the air for Matt Sangermano he can certainly take pride in the season he had this year. A PSAC Championship and a second team allconference selection would not be a bad way to end his final season playing soccer at The Rock.

Rock finishes fifth, sophomore gets national bid By Brittany Fagan Rocket Contributor

COURTESY OF JOHN PAPA

Sophmore Jeremy Parsons races at the NCAA Atlantic-Regional Cross-Country meet on Saturday. Parsons earned a bid to the NCAA Nationals.

The Slippery Rock men's cross-country team finished fifth overall at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championships Saturday at Lock Haven University. Out of 20 total teams, Shippensburg finished first with 35 points. Lock Haven and Edinboro took second and third with 41 and 105 points. Indiana and Slippery Rock rounded out the top five teams with 114 and 127 points. Kutztown, East Stroudsburg and Concord took sixth through eighth with 185, 189 and 285 points. West Virginia Wesleyan and California took ninth and tenth with 301 and 304 points. Dylan Mountain from Lock Haven won the race with a time of 30:27. Mountain was also the winner of the PSAC championship race two weeks ago. Slippery Rock's very own Jeremy Parsons was the top individual qualifier for Nationals finishing sixth overall with a time of 30:46.4. Parsons, a sophomore here at the Rock, received All Region Honors for the second time in his career for finishing within the top 25 men. "Last year I was two places away from going to nationals and to be that close to qualifying burned fear into the back of my mind, knowing that if I pushed a little harder I could have made it," said Parsons. "Going into the race I didn't want to leave any doubt of earning a spot in the national championships." Unlike the regular season races that are 8,000 kilometers, the Regional race is 10,000 kilometers. "I knew I could stick with the front runners if I could hold it together mentally," explained Parsons. "Knowing my training was where it needed to be, it was all up to how mentally strong I could be." Parsons explained the mental battle he had

throughout the race as he pushed his hardest. "Once the race started it was smooth until the later part of the race where my body began to tell me to quit, but I didn't want to throw away what I worked so hard for," Parsons said. "When I crossed the finish line it was all worth it. I am honored to be able to represent Slippery Rock University at nationals, a dream I've been chasing all year." Parsons is the first male to qualify for nationals since runners Jeff Weiss and Pat Reagan qualified in 2008. Shippensburg, Lock Haven and Edinboro were the top three teams to qualify to compete at the 2015 NCAA National Championship race November 21st in Joplin, Missouri. Top three men not a part of qualifying teams included Parsons, Steve Maine from Kutztown and Alex Hampel from Indiana. These three men will advance to compete in Joplin as well. Other top finishers for SRU included senior Steve Green and sophomore Jeff Henderson who finished in 32:17.8 and 32:18.3. The two men took 26 and 27 place just missing All Region Honors. Seniors Ryan Thompson and Theo Reynolds rounded out the top five men for the Rock taking 32nd and 36th place with times of 32:30.4 and 32:40.4. Senior Charlie Frank and freshman Andrew Maxwell finished in 63rd and 79th place with times of 33:40.1 and 34:02.4. "I was very pleased with our men's performance," said head coach John Papa. "Jeremy Parsons qualified to compete at nationals and two of our top runners Steve Green and Jeff Henderson just missed All Region Honors. Our team competed well during the championship part of the season and we are all excited that Jeremy will have a chance to run against the best runners in Division II Cross Country."

SPORTS

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November 13, 2015

Women's XC season ends with fifth place finish

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN PAPA

Senior graduate-transfer Leah Anne Wirfel races at the NCAA Atlantic-Regional Championship Saturday at Lock Haven University. Wirfel was the first SRU finisher at ninth overall.

By Cameron Bildhauer Rocket Contributor

Seniors Leah Anne Wirfel and Jenny Picot led the Slippery Rock University Women’s cross-country team to a fifth-place finish at the 2015 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Championship race on Saturday at Lock Haven. Wirfel finished ninth overall with a time of 21:17 and Picot finished 11th overall at 21:19. Head coach John Papa believes that the team had a very good race at regionals. “Potentially, we could have done a bit better,” head coach John Papa said. “I believe that if all of our runners had their best race of the season, we may have been able to move up a spot or two. Rarely does

everyone on the team have their best race of the season at once.” The California (Pennsylvania) Vulcans took first place overall with 105 total points, followed by Edinboro with 112 points. Third place went to Shippensburg with 116 points, followed by East Stroudsburg (126), Slippery Rock (130), Bloomsburg (152), Seton Hill (164), Lock Haven (214) and Kutztown (223). Rounding out the top ten was Indiana (Pennsylvania) with 277 points. “There were 25 points separating the top five teams, in crosscountry that is very close,” Papa said. “I believe that the top five teams in the region competed very well, we just needed a little extra.” Individually, freshman Ida

Narbuvoll from Edinboro took first place finishing the 6,000-meter race in 20:32, followed by Kate Dodds from Bloomsburg at 20:41. California’s Julie Friend took third place at 20:45 as Amanda Eisman from West Chester and Casey Norton of Shippensburg rounded out the top five. Junior Kaylee Haberkam finished third for The Rock behind Wirfel and Picot with a time of 22:25, placing 33rd overall. Senior Jessica Bennett finished 38th at 22:28 and sophomore Tessa Dombi finished 42nd at 22:32. “Our ladies improved quite a bit over last season and they competed courageously,” Papa said. “The fact that we had a very good performance and still placed fifth in the region

tells us we need to work harder for next season.” Sophomores Melissa Rains and Caitlyn Janeda also competed for The Rock. Rains came in 50th at 22:45 while Janeda finished in 56th at 23:00. Slippery Rock’s season fell just short after Wirfel missed nationals by a very slim margin, but Papa is satisfied with the outcome of the season and is looking forward to next year. “The goal will again be to prepare to our best ability, race courageously, and work together to be the best we can be,” Papa said. “Hopefully that will be good enough to have us in the top three places and earn a spot to the national championships next year.”

Women's soccer loses in second round of the playoffs By Kendall Scott Assistant Photo Editor

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Sophomore Tess Keeley fights to keep possession of the ball against a Shippensburg player during SRU's double-overtime playoff win over Shippensburg. She finished the year with four goals.

Slippery Rock fell short to East Stroudsburg University on Friday afternoon 0-2 in the PSAC semifinals at host school Gannon University. The Rock started the game with a strong offensive front, taking four shots in the first 25 minutes. East Stroudsburg stepped up their game, however, in the remainder of the first half before scoring off a cross and header combination in the 43rd minute. After the first half, East Stroudsburg scored their second and final goal in the 56th minute after beating freshman keeper Charlotte Elrod. Slippery Rock had multiple scoring attempts in the last 30 minutes of the game, but couldn't seem to find the back of the net. Standout junior forward Dara Demich had a game-high eight shots. Four of those shots were out of the team's six shots on goal. Sophomore midfielder Tess Keeley, freshman forward Skye Kramer, and junior defender Sam Thorton each added another two shots for green. "We didn't play any differently. They were just a very good team. We had a shot hit the crossbar, we hit the post, we put the ball just wide on a breakaway, their keeper made a really great save at the very end.

We had an unlucky day, but they were a very good team." said head coach Griggs. Offensively, green held many statistical advantages over the Warriors. The Rock led in corner kicks 4-1, and had 16 shots compared to the Warriors' 12. Slippery Rock also only had six fouls called against them, while East Stroudsburg had 12. During halftime, Megan Lenzi, a junior defender and physical education major was decorated as the 2015 PSAC Champion Women's Soccer Champion Scholar. She boasts a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 and has taken 75 credits thus far at Slippery Rock. She had the highest GPA of all four teams competing in the PSAC women's soccer semi-finals. East Stroudsburg became the eventual winner of the PSAC tournament on Sunday, with a 2-1 victory over Edinboro University. Unfortunately, the Rock's overall record of 13-6-1 and ranking of #6 in the NCAA region standings did not land them a place in the NCAA tournament. The Rock will return next year for their spring season. "We're returning a great group of players. So we have 21 players returning, and we're only losing three seniors. Of course those three seniors were very impactful, but I think the returning players are ready to go," head coach Griggs said.

CAMPUS LIFE

INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE

Rating Our Professors

'The Film Buff' Reviews "The Intern"

The top professors at SRU discuss what makes them good professors, and comment on their reviews on Rate my Professor.

Harmony Kasper reviews the lastest Nancy Meyers film, "The Intern." Kasper tells us what she loved and disliked about the film.

See Page D-2

See theonlinerocket.com

SRU Theatre Department debuts "Spring Awakening" Musical examines sex, sexuality, teenage angst and self-discovery

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET The teenage boys break into song during their Latin class when Melchior Gabor defends his friend Moritz Stiefel, by inferring that the school and society are narrow-minded.

By Amber Cannon Campus Life Editor

The Slippery Rock Theatre Department will bring Frank Wedekind's "Spring Awakening" to campus this weekend, which will examine love, sexuality and self-discovery. The musical takes place in 19th century Germany and tells the story of teenagers who are trying to discover their inner and outer sexuality, all while trying to live a typical teenage life. Director David Skeele said the musical is different from other works that he has directed because he's not used to directing musicals. He said "Spring Awakening" is a revolutionary musical because the music is used in a different way than most musicals use music. He said in this musical, the numbers are used to express how the teenagers are feeling inside.

"These rock songs are what’s going on inside these teenagers," Skeele said. "So, essentially the spoken scenes are in the real world and the songs are all happening in the world inside these young people." Because of all the scenes pertaining to sex, sexuality and self-discovery in the musical, Skeele said he started out the process by telling the students in the play that they were going to have to be brave. "The [students] came into the show loving it so much that they were really prepared to delve into things," Skeele said. "I was worried about it, of course, because we had to talk to some degree about sex from a teenagers' perspective and different mindsets that you run through sexually as a teenager, but as I said, they were really open to thinking about it and talking about it." Zach Frye, senior theatre major plays Melchior Gabor, one

of the main characters in the musical. Frye said his character grew up like every other kid in Germany, but the difference between Gabor and the other characters is that his parents are a lot more laid back and easy going. Having just torn his ACL again, Frye said it was hard for him to try to not show pain on his face throughout his performance. EJ Christopher, sophomore theatre major with an emphasis in acting plays Moritz Stiefel. Christopher said Stiefel was a pretty interesting character to play. Stiefel doesn't do well in school and he always tries to fit into a crowd, and he even gets kicked out of his home, Christopher said. Throughout the play, Stiefel struggles with depression and finding himself. SEE SRU, PAGE D-3

International Fashion Show displays fashions from around the world By Emma Pfeifer Asst. Campus Life Editor

The International Fashion Show hosted by the Internations club gave Slippery Rock’s students a chance to show their culture and their fashion There were over 100 students in the club from 36 different countries that worked to put the show together. It was held on Monday from 8:00-9:00 in the SSC Ballroom. Jessica McBain, an international student from Australia, was one of the hosts for the fashion show. She stated that the purpose of the show was to “promote the diverse culture we have on campus." She also said it was a fun kick-off to Internations Week.” The show started off with two hosts discussing what would be happening and what other events the club was hosting throughout the rest of the week. The event showcased over 20 countries and the fashion associated with the culture. The hosts announced the name of a country and two students would walk out on the catwalk presenting that country’s fashion. Each time students came out representing a country, one of the hosts would give a few facts about that country. A couple of the facts that were announced were that Japan is the has the most punctual train system with only having a delay of 18 seconds, India has the world’s largest democracy, in South Korea you are considered one year old at birth. SEE FASHION, PAGE D-3

KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET International students Frederika Oravcová (left) and Katka Dudášová (right) walk the runway showing students and staff the fashion from their home country Slovakia.

CAMPUS LIFE

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Professors respond to positive Rate My Professor reviews By Janelle Wilson Editor-in-Chief

Rate my Professor grades professors on criteria such as helpfulness, clarity and easiness. It also ranks professors by how many times they've been rated as well as allows students to give professors a chili pepper if the student finds the professor attractive. Over 68 percent of SRU students rely on Rate my Professor to schedule their classes, according to a nonscientific Twitter poll conducted by the Rocket. The following professors have been ranked as top of their respective categories. Highest Rated- All Time: Dr. Joseph Merhaut Dr. Merhaut is a special education professor who has been rated almost 40 times by students and has a 5.0 average on ratemyprofessors.com. He has a 5.0 in helpfulness, a 4.9 in clarity and a 4.3 easiness score. On his rating, Dr. Merhaut said that he’s usually a shy person, but credits his high rating to his love and respect for his students. “Without my students, I have no job,” he said. “It’s important for professors to remember that. You should always give your students time and treat them with respect.” Dr. Merhaut also says that he is very personable, and models his behavior off of his mentor, and undergraduate professor at SRU, Dr. Dennis Fair. He said that passion is important in the field that he’s in, and he often relates his lectures back to his own life, as he has a daughter with a disability. Most Rated : Dr. Kurt Pitluga Dr. Pitluga is an art history professor who has been rated over 130 times, with an overall score of 4.6. He has a helpfulness rating of 4.4, a clarity rating of 4.7 and an easiness rating of 4.3. Dr. Pitluga is a 4th generation college professor. His father taught at Edinboro University, and his daughter is also a teacher. “Teaching is in my blood,” he said. “I know not everyone is interested in art history, but I try to make things more digestible for students who aren’t interested. Many of my students go on to take other art history classes.” On having a chili pepper on

November 13, 2015

All Time Highest Rated

5.0

Dr. Joseph Merhaut Special Education professor for 14 years

Rate my Professor, he joked that he must have blind students, but that he appreciates it. “Teaching to a lecture hall with 110 faces is always challenging, but if my students leave with a taste of world art and the incentive to travel, then I’ve done my job.” Hottest : Dr. Danette Dimarco Dr. Dimarco is an English professor who has 60 ratings, and an overall rating of 4.9. She has a 5.0 in helpfulness, a 4.9 in clarity and an easiness rating of 3.9 She said that she’s never looked at Rate my Professor because she is nervous about what people would say. On her hotness rating, Dr. Dimarco said that it was good to know, but that she doesn’t take it seriously. On her persona in the classroom, Dimarco said that she enjoys what she does and likes when her students want to work hard. She credited her success as a professor to always switching things up in the classroom. “I’ve never been apathetic about my classes,” she said. “I’m constantly resolving issues and trying new things if I feel that my teaching’s ineffective.” Most Helpful : Professor Nora Ambrosio Professor Ambrosio is a dance professor who has has eight ratings, and an overall score of 4.9. She has a 5.0 in helpfulness, a 4.9 in clarity and a 3.5 in easiness. "It's so funny that I was rated so highly, because I am so strict," Ambrosio said. "My students can't miss more than two classes, and I make my students work hard and think critically." Ambrosio said her students must like her teaching because she is very clear and organized in her instruction, and she can tell that her students appreciate it. She also said that her passion for dance helps her ability to teach, and her students can't believe her love for dance and teaching dance. "I doubt myself all the time," she said, "but I have to trust myself that I pick and choose material that is important, while encouraging my students to go beyond and do extra research."

4.6

Most Rated Dr. Kurt Pitluga Art History Professor for 24 years

4.9

Hottest Dr. Danette Dimarco English professor for 21 years

Most Helpul

4.9

Professor Nora Ambrosio Dance professor for 28 years PHOTOS COURTESY OF SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY AND NORA AMBROSIO/ GRAPHIC BY JANELLE WILSON

SRU students taste coffee from around the world By Samantha Figard Rocket Contributor

An International Coffee House was hosted by the Office of Global Engagement and the Internations Club in the Spotts World Culture Building on Tuesday during common hour for students and faculty with an interest in tasting coffees from all over the world. Internations Club Public Relations Coordinator Deliana Martinez Pena was in charge of the event that provided students and staff with international coffees, snacks and the chance to view artifacts from a variety of cultures. “We hope faculty and students are able to experience the many different cultures from around the world, some of which are represented here on campus or were at one time, by sampling coffee from around the world as well as viewing the many different artifacts that past and present students have handed down to the Office for Global Engagement. Each artifact tells a story and connects people to a location, culture or person,” Martinez Pena said. The coffees featured were Rwanda Light Roast, Belgium White Chocolate, Irish Crème and decaf Colombian. Treasurer of Internations Club, Sithie Rizwan said she attends the Coffee House every year because of the collection of artifacts displayed from different countries. "It's interesting to get to know about the artifact and their countries of origin,” Rizwan said. “The coffee and snacks are a bonus, but even so, I really liked the Belgian White Chocolate flavor because it tastes good even without milk or creamer and sugar." Advertising for the Coffee House, as well as the other Internations Week sponsored events, was publicized campuswide. Study Abroad Adviser, Theresa Thrower was in attendance at the Coffee House this year to witness the amount of students and staff that made appearances throughout the tasting. “We had one of the best turn outs this year and we always love to see a combination of international and domestic students attend the event," Thrower said. "Anytime we can spread knowledge of culture around campus, we are happy.

KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET International student from Sri Lanka, Isuri Rajapaksa, samples the different coffee offered at the Coffee House on Tuesday during common hour.

Thrower said she believes the success of this year's Coffee House is due to the Internations Club E-board getting the word out and also the location of the event because Thrower said Spotts is a very busy building. International student Dilmini Diyakelinawala was just one of many who participated in Internations Week. For the international students not attending Slippery Rock University permanently, involvement in activities like Internations Week allows for connections to be made that may have not had the chance to occur otherwise. “This is my first international week at SRU," Diyakelinawala said. "I think this week is beneficial for students because it is a learning point as well as a leisure time for students. It helps an international student to interact with another international

student. So far I've met a lot of other international students I never met during orientation." The coffee house attracted students who have a love for coffee, as well as students with a curiosity for learning about new cultures and made for an open environment to mingle. “By trying different coffees from around the world and exploring the different artifacts we have out, students are able to spark conversations among each other and with our international students," Thrower said. "These conversations lead to greater interest in the culture we have right here on SRU’s campus. For example, conversation about the coffee and artifacts led many students to come discuss study abroad opportunities with me. They received the travel bug just by attending a two hour event."

November 13, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

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'Spectre' falls flat in comparison to other popular James Bond movies Cody Nespor "Cody's Reviews" Cody Nespor is a sophomore digital media productions major and the Sports editor of The Rocket.

For most movies, making $70.4 million in the opening weekend would be a massive success. But when that movie cost over $300 million to make and is the direct sequel to a movie that grossed $90.6 million in its opening weekend, expectations might have been set a little higher. While nobody expected "Spectre", the latest of the James Bond films, to be able to duplicate the success of "Skyfall" when it came out in 2012, I don't think anyone expected the gap between the two to be so large. "Spectre" comes in a full $20 million behind "Skyfall" and only $2.4 million ahead of the widely hated "Quantum of Solace" from 2008. In terms of quality, "Spectre" is probably closer to "Skyfall" than "Quantum," but that doesn't mean "Spectre" doesn't suffer from the same things that plagued the earlier Bond films. My main complaints with "Quantum of Solace" are that it has a plot that makes no sense, characters that never get fleshed out and action sequences just for the sake of having action sequences. These complaints can also be said for "Spectre." Starting with the nonsensical plot, "Spectre" tried to tie all of the other Bond films together by saying all of the movies' villains are all part of the same evil organization. Now this is not a bad idea except for the fact that the villains from the other Bond movies are so bland that

PHOTO COURTESY OF MTC CAMPUS James Bond searches for Mr. Hinx in the mountains to keep Madeleine Swann safe.

you probably will not remember any of them without having to go back and re-watch the movies that they are in. And even then, the connection "Spectre" tries to force is so loose and unbelievable that audiences are most likely better off not trying to connect the films at all. While Bond films have always been more about the action and romance and less about character growth and development, I cannot think of a Bond film that left its audience more in the dark about its characters than "Spectre" does. While most were left puzzled at the end of "Casino Royale" when Bond had fallen deeply in love with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) over the course of about five minutes, "Spectre" has romance that somehow makes even less sense. In "Spectre" Bond and Madeleine Swann, played by Léa Seydoux, go from not being able to stand each others' company to being deeply in love after a train ride, a fight scene and one night together. Perhaps even more confusing is the inclusion of Dave Bautista's character, Mr. Hinx. Hinx says one

word throughout the entire movie and is only in maybe three scenes. He seems to be there only as a way to give Bond someone to fight. When Bond eventually defeats the mysterious Hinx, it is hard to feel like Bond had accomplished anything because so little was known about the man he beat. Finally, the action sequences. Let me just say that "Spectre" was a couple explosions away from making me think that the director was actually Michael Bay instead of Sam Mendes. Whether it's flying a plane into a building or driving a car into a river, everything seems to explode and every action scene feels drawn out and slightly forced in. Ultimately "Spectre" suffers from some of the same things that made people not like Daniel Craig's first two Bond movies without not doing enough of what made people love his third one. If "Skyfall" took two steps forward for the James Bond franchise, "Spectre" might just be taking one step back.

SRU cast thanks Broadway cast Fashion show

educates students

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REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Melchior Gabor (Zach Frye) and Wendla Bergmann (Emily Daning) gently hold hands while they sing about their unannounced love for each other.

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Christopher said the hardest part about playing this role was portraying such an iconic character. "He's one of the most popular characters in the show and I really had to go to a dark place for this role," Christopher said. "This has probably been one of my most challenging roles ever. David really wanted me to be very specific about the good side of Moritz, but the dark sides as well." Christopher said on the inside, Mortiz is a very sad kid, but on the outside, he's very awkward and sporadic. "It's very challenging to go to such a dark place at a point where I just go home and cry at the end of every rehearsal," Christopher said. "It's a very emotional-driven role." Christopher said students will relate to this musical because it's so relevant to today's youth. "People are facing depression, people are getting raped, people are getting sexually abused, people are having feelings in their body that they just don't understand and then when they try to reach to the adults or society, they just don't want to listen," Christopher said. Senior music therapy major, Jessica Patterson plays Martha Bessell, who is abused by her father, but tries to keep it a secret. During the song in the musical, "Left Behind," a funeral takes place for one of the characters. Patterson said at the

time of the cast learning the song, she had a death in her family and it was rough, being that she had to pantomime a funeral in the musical. "I remember [during] the first couple rehearsals of "Left Behind," everyone was crying," Patterson said. "It was rough. No one likes dealing with teen suicide." Senior theatre and fine arts major and the public relations chair of the theatre department, Kaitlin Cliber said most of the Broadway's original cast for "Spring Awakening" was deaf. During the Broadway play, Cliber said the directors cast people to play the deaf character' voices. Cliber said the SRU cast was inspired by this. "As an outreach, we made a video," Cliber said. "The president of the American Sign Language Club, Rachel Hunziker, came in and taught the cast how to say thank you for inspiring our cast and we love you, and we sent it to them [Broadway's musical directors] and the production manager actually replied. It was great." Cliber also said there was a trailer made for the play that has been playing before every movie that SGA plays over the weekend. "Spring Awakening" opens on Friday, Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the University Union. Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for the general public.

There was an opening performance performed by a student from Nepal that sang acapella to start off the show. There was a total of five performances that appeared in-between the transition from different countries from six students. “We do this every year as a part of the Internations week. This show exposes different cultures and traditional clothing that gave students a real look,” Mcbain said. Mcbain is the activities coordinator in the club. She also performed in the show by singing 2 a.m. by Anna Nalick. The stage was surrounded with small flags that represented each country. There was a different song played for each country to demonstrate each country's culture. Danielle Jeung, a sophomore music therapy major said, “I think seeing different cultural fashion and realizing that not everyone dresses the same is amazing.” There were some apparent differences between countries such as the United States and China. Two students that represented China came out in a long traditional dress and the students that came out for the United States were dressed in a basketball shirt and shorts. Shannon Pitcairn, a junior public relations major, said, “I personally think that it was better than last year mainly because of the personalities of the models. They made the show what it was, and did a good job of interacting with the audience.” There were barely any seats left in the room, there were many people standing along the outside of the room. Throughout the show, audience members would clap along with the songs and cheer on their fellow peers. “We felt it was successful," McBain said. "We got a bigger turn out than we anticipated, and we are all really happy about that." The Internations Club hosted three other events throughout the week including a “Coffee House” themed get-together with a free lunch in the SWC building on Tuesday, a round table panel discussion in Eisenberg on Thursday and then to conclude the week, a International Dinner in the SSC Ballroom on Friday Nov. 13. “The club is a fun experience, we try to organize a lot of events to get our International students involved and having fun,” McBain said.

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November 13, 2015