SRU Rocket 11-11-11

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The Rocket www.theonlinerocket.com

Friday, November 11, 2011

Slippery Rock University Student Newspaper

Est. 1934

Volume 94, Number 9

Smartphone Getting 'wild for a cure' at SRU Apar tments offer different use on rise living options in college

By Steph Holsinger

By Kaitlyn Yeager

The use of smartphones among college students everywhere has continued to increase over the past year, according to recent reports.

According to a recent study by the Institute for Mobile Media Research, smartphones are beginning to take the place of laptop use for many college students.

Nearly 100 percent of college students own some form of mobile device, half of which are smartphones.

Many people hear the term “smartphone” used every day, but some still wonder what makes one different from an ordinary cell phone.

The basic features of a typical smartphone include an operating system, several applications, some form of web access, e-mail capabilities and a “QWERTY” keyboard, all of which one can find on an iPhone, Android or Blackberry.

Nearly 90 percent of students who own a smartphone are able to access the internet from the device.

Aaron Guerrieri, a junior sport management major at SRU, finds this feature to be the most helpful.

“Smartphones are good for being able to check your e-mail on the go and also to be able to listen to music, as well as use other apps,” Guerrieri said.

The use of smartphones among college students has nearly doubled

Slipper y Rock University students have the opportunity to live in apartment complexes that cater to the needs of residents, as leasing for the 2012-13 school year has recently begun.

O f f - c a mp u s h o u s i n g i s popular for upperclassmen because they want the freedoms that on-campus living cannot provide.

Students most often look to the University Village at Slippery Rock (UVSR), the Heights, South Rock and Stone Crest to fulfill these needs, as well as maintaining an active social life.

Brandi Keech, a leasing consultant for the University Village at Slipp er y Ro ck, formerly known as the Ivy, is sure that UVSR meets all needs of students living off-campus.

“We have more amenities than other apartment complexes and we try to create a fun, open environment with personable staff members that you can see on campus all of the time,” Keech said.

University Village at Slippery Rock has recently added a basketball court and a hot tub to a long list of amenities that already includes a fitness center and free tanning.

Rates for 2012-13 leasing are in the $500-$600 range.

Representatives from UVSR

Assistant News Editor

Rocket Contributor

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Emily Strickland, a junior public relations major, twirls fire outside the ARC for the "Up Til' Two for St. Jude" event at SRU. The event had around 800 participants, according to Katie Duetsch, a senior athletic training major. At the event participants write letters to family members, friends, and businesses asking them for donations. St. Jude Childrens is a non-profit hospital, and all proceeds from the event goes directly to the hospital. Duetsch said they won't know how much money they raised until around February, but their goal is to raise $85, 000. Last year, the event had a goal of $75,000 and was able to raise $77,670.51.

SEE EVERYTHING, PAGE A-3

SEE APARTMENTS, PAGE A-2

Governor Corbett passes new law against text messaging while driving

By Catie Clark Rocket Contributor

LEXI KOVSKI/THE ROCKET

Governor Tom Corbett passed a law against text messaging while driving on Wednesday.

The ban passed through Pennsylvania’s General Assembly on Nov. 1, winning by a 45-5 vote.

The new law makes it illegal for a person to text message from behind the wheel of a moving car.

Doing so is now a primary offense, which means that police can pull over motorists for that violation alone.

There is a $50 fine accompanied with the offense, but police officers are not allowed to take any cell phones away from the motorist.

A provision was stripped from the bill that would also punish drivers for talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, so it remains legal for Pa. motorists to talk on their phone while driving.

According to the Environmental Health and Saftey leaders magazine, the EHS Today, Pennsylvania is the 35th state to impose a textingwhile-driving ban for all drivers.

Dr. Patrick Harvey, chair of the criminology department at Slippery Rock University, suggests that it could just be adding extra stress to law enforcement officers.

“My first concern is that we may be adding additional demands to an already difficult occupation,” Harvey said.

Harvey also commented on the insights of his students and how he believes they ‘hit the nail on the head’.

“Criminology major or not, all of my students have realized that this law is going to be tough to enforce, and is probably not going to deter anyone from [text messaging while driving] if they are already comfortable with it,” he said.

According to Harvey, he considers the law to be a ‘feel-good law.’

“Reckless driving has been against the law forever, it isn’t anything new,” he said. “People want to feel safe, and politicians like to see their names on new laws.”

Harvey said that time can only tell how much effect the law will have.

“From a research standpoint, it is going to take time to be able to analyze the actual effect the law has in Pa.,” he said. “Is it going to do what people hope?”

It is believed that cell phone use is one of the worst examples of distracted driving, especially for young adults.

According to a study by Carnegie Mellon SEE STUDENTS, PAGE A-2

News

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Rock Notes

Students Social media changes college unsure of new law

By Will Deshong Rocket Staff Reporter

Study Abroad Informational Meetings

Interested in traveling to new places, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures? Study Abroad is a great opportunity to do all of these things! To find out more information about Study Abroad come to an Informational Meeting, held weekly on Tuesdays 12:30pm – 1:30pm or Wednesdays 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Carruth Rizza Hall, Room 212.

Act now, the Application Deadlines will soon be fast approaching! Questions? Contact International Services Graduate Assistant Tess Crispin at tmc0451@sru.edu.

Registration Assistance for Spring 2012

The office of Academic Records and Summer School, located at 107 Old Main, will be open until 6:00 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, November 17th to assist students with registrations and dropping and adding classes for spring 2012.

WSRU "Purple Rock" Concert

WSRU will be hosting the "Purple Rock" concert on Wednesday, November 16, at Rocky's Den/ The University Union Game Room from 6 to 11 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. There will be a raffle and bands, including Black Joker, Small Victories, The Shuttlecocks, These Three Words and Wine & Spirit.

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

November 11, 2011

A pamphlet in the mail, an add on a billboard, a commerci a l on a lo c a l television station -- all of these were once revolutionary means for universities around the country to contact and recruit prospective students.

To d a y, t h e s e tactics are becoming more and m o r e outdated with every click of a computer mouse. The Internet has revolutionized both media and advertising by connecting the world, and the emergence of social media has taken that close, personal interaction to a whole new level.

And universities are using it.

According to a study done in 2010 by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing and Research, 95 percent of colleges and universities in the country use at least one form of social media to recruit students.

And that number is only rising, as it was a 10 percent increase from 2008 and a 34 percent difference from 2007.

“Not having a comprehensive Facebook p age wou ld b e to our detriment,” Kevin McCarthy, an assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Slippery Rock University, said. “It’s expected at this point.”

S ocial media giants Facebook and Twitter offer administrative offices a direct connection with individuals, while blogs and video hosting can offer unique looks into campus life.

“We also have Twitter that is updated regularly and a YouTube account which hasn’t been updated in a while, but is linked on our website,” McCarthy said, in addition to the office’s Facebook usage.

But blogging is the most effective new media force used by SRU to connect with prospective students, as it best gives a close insight into campus life.

“Students coming in the fall of 2009 answered a survey and the biggest rise in usage was in blogs,” McCarthy said of prospective students’ social media use. “About 30 percent of students who came to the university looked at student blogs, opposed to nine percent who went elsewhere.”

SRU has the regularly updated Rock Blog linked on the campus website for prospective students to view.

“We have student workers sharing experiences dealing with class and campus life,” McCarthy said of what goes on the Rock Blog. “They’re

supposed to post once a week and it’s linked on the website.”

Social media is a unique new tool that allows students to compare and connect with many universities instantly without leaving their homes.

Where students once had to travel to tour a campus, they can now view videos of almost any college from a home computer.

Students can also search the strangers assigned to them as roommates and usually find out a plethora of information on them from posts on their social media pages.

This luxur y not only relieves a little bit of the stress incoming students endure in the weeks before entering college, but can also prepare a student for conflicting personalities with an assigned roommate.

But as McCarthy said, media like Facebook and Twitter are not new ground, and the school is continuing to explore innovative ways of connecting with students as the technology that enables social media keeps growing.

“We’re currently reaching out t o a c omp any t o create a smart phone app,” McCarthy said of the future of the school’s social media development. “I’m not sure how best to utilize it yet, but communicating with users on a mobile device in a quick fashion is the focus now.”

Part two of this series will be about social media with students in college.

Continued from Page a-1

University, driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.

Drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Insurance Inst itute for Hig hway Safety.

SRU students had varying reactions at the thought of a texting-while-driving ban.

Junior computer science major Daniel Jaworski doesn’t think that police will enforce the law thoroughly.

“I don’t see them actually pulling over people for texting,” Jaworski said.

“I think it will just be a fine they tack on if you need to be pulled over for something more serious.”

Andrea Love, sophomore accounting major, has mixed feelings.

“I think it is a good thing because it prevents accidents,” L ove s aid.

“But there are still other distractions that can cause accidents.”

Junior elementar y education major Anne Castello doesn’t think the law will be stringently followed.

“I think people will still do it,” Castello said. “People still text and drive, even with touch screens, which complicated the issue in the first place.”

Apartments offer different amenities Continued from Page a-1

Applications available at Rocket office, ECB room 220 Index

Weather Forecast from National Weather Service Saturday Friday Sunday Snow Likely60%

High: 41; Low: 32

Sunny

Chance of Showers- 30%

High: 53; Low: 40 High: 59; Low: 46

Rock Notes..........A-2 Blotter.................A-3 Opinion.......A-4 Classifieds..........A-6 Comics................A-7

Sports...................B-1 Campus Life........C-1

can be found on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Student Union on campus, passing out promotional items and giving out prizes to current and new leasees.

Kirsten Ulm, an intern for the apartment company, is one member of the staff that can be seen advertising on campus.

“Our office gives promotional items such as cups, shot glasses, mugs and pizza as a way to attract students to live here,” Ulm said. “We never see other apartment complex representatives on campus.”

One resident of the UVSR who is very happy with his new living arangement is Mike Kapler, a 20-year-old business major.

"I absolutely love it here," Kapler said. "I love not having to worry about utilities, the bus is a great help, and they have so many different extras that other places just don't offer."

Kapler said that he used to live at South Rock apartments, but enjoys his place at the UVSR much better.

The Heights is also a top pick for students looking for freedom and luxury in a college setting.

Advertisements for this apartment can be found throughout town, ranging from in the ARC to local restaurants.

Connie Hamilton, the administrative assistant at the Heights, believes that a current promotion can attract students

into future leases.

“Each resident can receive $100 before Christmas break if he or she makes all rent payments before they leave in December,” Hamilton said.

Mike Melko, a 23-year-old marketing major, is very comfortable in his apartment at the Heights and enjoys the off-campus lifestyle that this complex provides.

Melko, a two-year resident, suggests that the spaciousness and friendly environment is a reason why many students choose this apartment complex over others.

“I like having four and a half bathrooms and a three-story apartment, so that each person has their own privacy,” Melko said.

“The party environment and social aspect also make it a really great place to live.”

The Heights’ rental rate for next year is $530 per person.

South Rock Apartments and Stone Crest are both operated out of the South Rock office across from campus.

These rates range from $391 to $599, with Stone Crest ranking at the top of the price range. The company owns three different complexes throughout Slippery Rock.

Like UVSR and the Heights, South Rock is currently leasing apartments and is having early showings to students, as well.

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

2011 Runner-up most Outstading Newspaper, Society of Collegiate Journalists.

News

November 11, 2011

A-3

Police Blotter Borough

Magistrate Nov. 2- Richard Matthew Snyder, 40, of Butler, was seen for endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and indecent assault. He was released on his own recognizance.

Nov. 2- Joshua Aaron Simons, 18, of Waterford, Wis., was seen for two counts of DUI and one count of purchasing an alcoholic beverage by a minor.

Nov. 2- Nathan Paul Schmitt, 31, of Portersville, was seen for two counts of DUI. He was released on his own recognizance.

Nov. 2- Jeffrey Alan Grace, 19, of Aliquippa, Pa., was seen for two counts of DUI and one count of purchasing an alcoholic beverage by a minor. He was released on his own recognizance.

Nov. 2- Jocelyn Ann Arnoni, 18, of Pittsburgh, was seen for possession of a controlled substance and two counts of DUI. She was released on her own recognizance.

Nov. 2- Luke F. Newstrom, 22, of Ellwood City, was seen for two counts of DUI and one count of driving an unregistered vehicle. He was released on his own recognizance.

Nov. 2- Patrick Bradley Gaudino, 19, of Freedom, Pa., was seen for two counts of DUI. He was released on his own recognizance.

Nov. 3- Sarah Sanders, 21, was arrested for a DUI.

Nov. 2- Jeremy S. Schrecengost, 21, of Butler, was seen for theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and six counts of conspiracy.

Nov. 5- Shawn Lake, 20, was cited for disorderly house.

Nov. 20- Ronald C. Schrecengost, 44, of East Brady, Pa., was seen for nine counts of altering an illegally obtained vehicle, one count of receiving stolen property and six counts of conspiracy.

Nov. 6- Matthew C. Boyer, 21, was arrested for a DUI. Campus

Nov. 5- Cassidy L. Shearer, 19, Haley M. Marrone, 19, Colin Q. Daugherty, 19, Jordan M. St. Clair, 19, Justin R. Chiocca, 19, Shane M. Spinneweber, 19, and Matthew J. Spinneweber, 18, were cited for disorderly house.

Nov. 1- There was a report of theft of cigarettes from the library. The case is still under investigation.

Nov. 2- There was a report of theft of speakers from McKay Education Building. The case is still under investigation.

Nov. 2- There was a report of harassment at Building B. The case is still under investigation.

Compiled by Stephanie Holsinger

Everything you need available in the palm of your hand Continued from Page a-1

from 2009 to 2010 and has only increased since then. Nearly 80 percent of smartphones include a GPS (Global Positioning System) feature, which many people find helpful.

Gabbie Sekely, a junior psychology major, finds herself using this feature on a regular basis.

“I like the fact that my phone has a GPS on it in case I ever get lost, which happens a lot,” Sekely said. “I pretty much have everything I need on it and I can look up information whenever I need it.”

Many students find smartphones to be convenient in helping them with their schoolwork, as well as utilizing other resources on campus. Kate Griffin, a senior English education major, is one of those students.

“I like my iPhone because I’m able to know when a teacher cancels classes without having

to find a computer,” Griffin said. “It’s also convenient to be able to check the weather on the go.”

“I also find myself using my dictionary app a lot on my phone, which is really helpful as an English major,” Griffin said.

According to a September 2011 article by USA Today, most students would prefer to use smartphones to assist them with homework rather than a laptop because of their compact size. However, the smaller size of the device makes it easier for students to engage in nonclass related activities, such as visiting social networking sites, without professors knowing.

The majority of professors find this to be disrespectful, as well as hurting the students in the long run. Dr. Debra Hyatt-Burkhart, a professor in the department of counseling and development, finds cell phones of any kind to be a distraction in class.

“I have no problem with students using

computers or iPads for note-taking purposes in class, but I don’t really find that there is a need for students to have their cell phones out and ready during class.” Hyatt-Burkhart said.

“I don’t think that these [phones] are used for note-taking or any other productive purposes,” she said. “What I do see is that these phones are used for checking Facebook, e-mail, playing Scrabble, looking at sports scores and other non-class related activities.”

Hyatt-Burkhart feels that at the request of the instructor, a smartphone could provide a quick avenue for searching a topic on the web, but, overall, finds them to be a distraction more than anything.

“I truly have trouble understanding what could be so important in the world outside of the classroom that students can’t be disconnected for an hour and 15 minutes,” she said. “In general, I feel that phones are best when they are turned off during class so

that students can be tuned in.”

“The use of these phones just provides a distraction to the students who are using them and to those around them,” she said.

Although students find them to be convenient, they also find them to be distracting at times, as well.

“Sometimes it can be hard to get my school work done because my phone can be a distraction,” Griffin said. “Social networking sites can be tempting.”

Some students also find smartphones to have other downfalls. “ The touch-screen keyboard can be annoying at times, like when I accidentally click on something,” Guerrieri said. “Also, the battery life gets eaten up really quickly because of all the apps.”

Many people are beginning to wonder whether using smartphones are such a smart decision after all.

OPINION

The Rocket

A-4

November 11, 2011

The Rocket

Our View

Volume 94, Number 9 220 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 Courtney Nickle

Editor-in-Chief Brian Brodeur

News Editor Andy Treese

Campus Life Editor Tim Durr

Sports Editor Lexi Kovski

Photo Editor Stephanie Martincsek

Copy Editor James Intile

Web Editor Stephanie Holsinger Assistant News Editor James Meyer Assistant Campus Life Editor Madeline Williams Assistant Sports Editor Liana Pittman

Assistant Photo Editor Will Deshong

News Reporter Mark Zeltner

Faculty Adviser

Advertising Staff Emily Hunter Advertising Manager

About Us The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000.

No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief.

The first copy of The Rocket is provided free of charge. Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents each.

The Rocket receives approximately five percent of its funding from the SGA General Service fee paid each semester by students.

All other income is provided through the sale of advertising.

Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 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.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions to The Rocket are available.

Subscriptions are $20 per academic semester and $35 for the full academic year.

Inquiries should be directed to the 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 2011 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.

Texting and driving is not only stupid, it’s now illegal

Governor Tom Corbett has made some decisions during his time in office that we don’t agree with (see PASSHE budget), but this week, Corbett signed a bill we couldn’t have been happier to see passed.

On Wednesday, Corbett signed a bill that will outlaw texting and driving in the state of Pennsylvania. Once the law goes into effect in March, texting and driving will be a primary offense with a $50 fine.

With this law, Pennsylvania will join the more than 30 other states that ban texting and driving.

Butler County was reminded just how dangerous texting and driving is when we heard about Alex Summers, a 17-year-old senior at Knoch High School in Saxonburg, who died in a texting and driving accident just hours after the Pa. Senate passed the bill onto Governor Corbett’s desk.

State police believe Summers was answering a text from a friend asking what time cheerleading practice was the next day when her car ran off the road and hit a tree on Nov. 1.

We are all guilty of sending the occasional text message while driving.

Or even looking down at our iPod to see what song is playing. Or checking our phone briefly to see what time it is.

While we can all sit there and say “this won’t happen to me” or “I know what I’m doing,” the fact is it can happen to you and you don’t know what you’re doing.

Here’s another fact you might find interesting. According to an article by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bevi Powell, director of communications for AAA East Central, said that when anyone takes their eyes off the road for two seconds, they are twice as likely to crash. A text message takes an average of 4.6 seconds to send.

That makes you four times as likely to crash while you’re sending that single text message.

It’s sad to us that the government has to pass a law stopping people from doing something so dangerous not only to themselves, but to others as well.

Think about the other people on the road with you. What about that mother and father you just passed with their baby in the back seat? If you had taken those 4.6 seconds to look down at your phone and answer a text…. well, you can imagine what could happen.

We can only hope that once this law against texting and driving goes into effect, the quantity of these types of accidents will decline. That might be an optimistic hope, but we hold it all the same.

Here’s a small solution, something you can do. When you get in the car, put your phone away. Put it on the seat beside you, in your backpack or purse, throw it in the back seat, whatever will stop you from having the urge to look at it.

And if you hear your phone beep, or feel it vibrate in your pocket while you’re driving, think about what that text could possibly say, and if it’s worth risking your own life and the lives of the people sharing the road with you.

A-5

In the Quad

Opinion

Sexual orientation still an issue at work

In the Quad is a segment in which random students, faculty and staff are asked for their opinions on a specific topic.

This week’s question: How do you feel about the proposed law against texting and driving in Pennsylvania?

Ashley Ranck RockOUT

Christi Wilson Junior Spanish major Hometown: Mars, Pa. “I approve of the proposed law.

There are a lot of accidents caused by texting and I think the law can prevent a lot of deaths.”

November 11, 2011

RockOUT inspires me often. As copresident of RockOUT for the past three years, I have had the privilege of walking away from many meetings feeling as if I could do anything. This past week’s meeting was one of those times. The discussion at RockOUT has inspired me to write this article.

Have you ever had to hide a vital part of who you are? Do you catch yourself watching your language, your actions and the way you dress to keep something hidden? The members of RockOUT know exactly what this feels like.

The discussion at last week’s meeting was about being out at work. For many students, myself included, we would try to appear straight in order to earn the respect of our boss or our coworkers.

At my summer job in Butler this year, I had female bosses who I respected for their work ethic and knowledge.

However, there were many times when I was reluctant to truly be myself because of their conservative views.

For example, my bosses were going to a meeting and they asked me to man the phones while they were gone. I said, “You mean ‘woman’ the phones,” and I smiled at my own wittiness.

My one boss went on for several minutes about how everyone knows that when you say ‘man’ it really means both men and women. I kept my mouth shut after that. I never officially came out as a lesbian at work, but I would just say I was going to see my girlfriend if we were talking about our weekend plans.

When most people realize that I am a lesbian, they usually ask a lot of questions about when I knew, how my parents reacted and how long I’ve been out.

My bosses did no such thing. They never even brought up the topic.

However, they knew enough not to ask me if I had a boyfriend.

For many people at RockOUT, they had similar experiences. There is a negotiation that happens as a member of the LGBT community at work and that is finding balance between respecting your boss and being yourself.

While my co-workers would talk about their children and their husbands, I would sit quietly unless a question was specifically directed towards me.

If you know me at all, you would know that I am out on campus and I’m not ashamed of who I am. This is why I even surprised myself this summer by being so guarded about my sexual identity.

I felt judged and uncomfortable at my workplace.

One should always try to be a good employee. However, some employers are not as friendly when it comes to being gay or lesbian.

One student at RockOUT said the employer told him he was hiring him only because the place of employment wanted to seem more diverse. He was hired as the token gay person. How is one supposed to respect their employer and do their best on the job if one is merely hired so the company seems diverse?

Imagine you and your co-workers are having a conversation during lunch.

Someone who supervises you asks what you did this weekend. You start to say, “Oh I went to my…” and you hesitate.

Do you say girlfriend or should you stick to the safe route and just say friend?

The moment’s hesitation passes and you say girlfriend. The conversation continues.

Being LGBT is never easy, but when it comes to your paycheck and your livelihood, sometimes it can be extremely difficult.

In 2011, I should not be writing this article.

It is unfortunate that those in the LGBT community have to negotiate their values with their career.

I look forward to the day when being gay is no longer an issue in the workplace.

Ashley Ranck is a senior creative writing major from Lancaster, Pa. She is the copresident of RockOUT.

Paparazzi taking over journalism, photojournalism

Jake Olson Introspection Scott Zacherl Senior journalism major Hometown: Fredonia, Pa. “I think they should do it. I have a half hour commute and there was a guy swerving everywhere and I could clearly see the glow of his phone. Plus during this time of year you have to be more aware because of deer.”

If you go into the checkout of nearly any shopping center, you are immediately bombarded by flashy magazines and tabloids. They boast more scandals and “Guess who did what” articles than you could possibly comprehend in one sitting. Many times, these articles are entirely based on speculations or what-ifs, and they are frequently about things that most people could, or should, care less about.

However, it’s obvious that the American population gobbles t his typ e of reporting up like candy because it continues to expand.

The paparazzi are a huge part of any news

source anymore because of the market appeal and the money they bring in.

Scandals and drama all help contribute to shock value, which is one of the bigger drives behind grasping the attention of an audience.

However, it needs to be debated as to where the line for news begins to fade and where sensationalism begins. It’s no secret that news outlets do this to try to raise their views or readership on a particularly slow week, yet the articles constructed by paparazzioriented circulations seem to overly abuse this method of reporting through each issue.

Photojournalism is by no means a dead art. The saying that a picture is worth a thousand words rings as true today as it did decades ago, though we seem determined, as a society, to kill that belief.

In the past, photos brought us the reality of how horrid wars were, the shock of presidents being assaulted, and chilling accounts of domestic attacks. These are prime examples of how

pictures should be used the opportunity to.

I think it’s starting to to write their own stories and to let an audience have become more of a truth an emotional connection. that, as a society, we are More often now, the disinterested enough in our paparazzi provide us photos own lives that we constantly of a celebrity’s behind and have to surround ourselves want us to guess who has w i t h o t h e r p e o p l e’s cellulite, or a bald spot experiences.

Kurt Vonnegut believed of a celebrity that has to start using Rogaine. No that our exposures to value within the picture, sensationalized stories emotional connection or sparked some of this story to be told, yet it sells dissatisfaction because we issues to those who aren’t believe that life has to have seeking anything past some sort of ebb and flow between excitement and surface-level eye candy.

Today, living vicariously distress.

His belief, combined is one way that many people can feel like they with our tendency to live live the American dream. vicariously, is a recipe A very small percentage for why we seem to be of people make it into largely attracted to drama stardom compared to those and other shock-oriented that either aspire or attempt feelings. The media won’t to. Through a paparazzo’s change what it shows until picture series of a star the audience changes attending a party full of what it wants to see. If we other big names, people are want to see less of what able to think that they have the Kardashians are doing, also been there and were a then we have to stop fueling part of it. We seem to have the sources that feed us. an insatiable fascination with the idea of being able to have an experience Jake Olson is a junior secondary without actually having to education English major from deal with it, or even having Grove City, Pa.

Join the world, don’t hide behind your headphones Amanda Glatfelter Sophomore secondary education major Hometown: York, Pa. “I feel it should be illegal just because there’s been so many accidents already and there are already enough distractions in the car without texting.”

Nicole Crevar Dare and Share There are rumors circulating around that iPods and mp3 players are more damaging to our ears than we expect.

My concern, however, is the negative effects on socialization that students are blindly partaking in.

We are all victims of the tendency to ignore our surroundings and rock out to a good song. But what exactly are we ignoring? And can an iPod really damage our social life?

This past week, I decided to tuck bothered, just listen to music.

The real damage, though, is the my iPod away and walk to all of my lack of socialization. You never classes without it.

I assumed that nothing would know who you’re going to run into on campus. If people keep walking change. around with their attention in a But, as usual, I was wrong.

It turned out that I ended up different place, they are less likely to running into various friends on the make new friends and feel welcomed.

And for me, an extremely friendly way to class, especially friends I haven’t seen or talked to in months. person, I don’t want to be giving off And in all honestly, even though that vibe. So I’m going to attempt we only chatted for a minute or two, not to listen to my iPod as much.

Hopefully I’ll regain a little more it was so great to catch up!

I realized that if I had been jammin’ control of my social life.

As for the rest of you introverts to my iPod, I would have walked hiding behind the music, take right past them.

I hide behind my iPod like Harry out your headphones and start Potter hides behind his invisibility socializing!

I promise that your SRU experience cloak. This is problematic.

Whenever I walk past someone will be enhanced tenfold. who is listening to music, I pretend they aren’t there, and I know the feeling is mutual. It seems these days Nicole Crevar is a sophomore journalism like there’s an unspoken rule around major with a minor in Spanish from Mercer, campus that if you don’t want to be Pa.

A-6

November 11, 2011

COMICS

The Rocket

B-4

November 11, 2011

MoreOn TV

By Jay Schiller and Greg Cravens

Blundergrads

Life in Hell

By Matt Groening

By Phil Flickinger

That Monkey Tune

Welcome to Falling Rock National Park

Horoscopes Tribune Media Services (MCT)

To d a y ' s Birthday (11/11/11). Big changes on the work front lead to new frontiers. Follow your intuition regarding new directions. Collaboration with friends could work.

Do it by the rules. Home is where your heart is ... organization and renovation pay off big.

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 7 -- You're getting into the intellectual side of things. You've got curiosity and concentration.

If you could minimize distractions, you might really get something done.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Cultivate your talent, whether it's math or science, literature or the arts (or some interesting combination). Exploration is the key. Look for the secret door.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) -- Today is a 9 -- When you're hot, you're hot, but

when you get too cocky, you're not. Know your own history for increased power.

Spend some time outdoors or in a garden.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) -- Today is a 7 -- You're inclined to think things over, but at some point, you have to stop pondering and make a decision. You can always change your mind later.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -Today is an 8 -- Have fun without spending money.

Instinct guides your actions.

Let go of a wild idea that lacks soul, and get together with friends. Remind them how much you appreciate their support.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) -- Today is a 7 -- Be practical, and go for making a good impression. You have plenty of energy for detailed analysis and planning for the rest of the year.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- You can do what you want, as long as you're ready to play the game. With Mars entering your twelfth house, you may feel more powerful in private.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

By Michael A. Kandalafti

By Josh Shalek

Sudoku

By Nancy Black

-- Today is an 8 -- Reimagine your life just the way you want it. Then take one step at a time to move towards that invented future.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- A caring soul is there to help with a big decision. The tricky part is almost over. There could still be surprises. Fix something old at home for your family.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Action and activity abounds, with more work coming. With Mars entering Virgo for the rest of the year, you can expect more energy and organization in your career.

Aquarius (Jan. 20Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- You're attracting love.

Come up with creative and unusual ideas for music, art, literature, theater ... all enjoyed in the company of family and friends. Spice it up with romance.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 7 -- If things get annoying, focus on what's really important.

Mind your manners. Only complain to someone who can do something about it.

Stand up for yourself.

Solution

By Michael Mepham

A-8

November 11, 2011

SPORTS

The Rocket

B-1 "STATE GAME" November 11, 2011

PHOTO COURTESY OF SRU SPORTS INFORMATION

GRAPHIC BY: LEXI KOVSKI/ THE ROCKET

PHOTO COURTESY OF KUTZTOWN SPORTS INFORMATION

PSAC title is SRU's gateway to NCAA playoffs

By D.J. Vasil

N

Rocket Contributor

o. 24 Slippery Rock will look to win its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game since 1974 and will face the No. 8 ranked Kutztown Golden Bears who look for their first title.

The Rock fell to No. 9 in the NCAA Super Region One after its loss to Gannon and will need to win the PSAC title to move into contention for the NCAA playoffs, because only the top six teams in the region make the playoffs.

The Rock defense will have to contend with a highpower Golden Bears offense that averages 490.9 yards per game, 366.8 passing, 224.1 rushing. The Golden Bears also score an average of 41.2 points per game.

Rock head coach George Mihalik believes Kutztown will be the toughest opponent they have faced all year.

“They’re a very good football team,” Mihalik said. “They have great balance between the run and the pass. They have outstanding special teams. They’re the total package.

That’s why they’re ranked eighth in the country.”

Kutztown quarterback Kevin Morton comes into the contest totaling 2,620 passing yards along with 31 touchdowns. Morton has thrown 10 interceptions on the year.

“Morton is a very good decision maker,” Mihalik said.

“His efficiency is impressive. He’s elusive to where he can also run the football. He makes their offense go. He hasn’t thrown an interception in five games.”

Senior linebacker Zach Sheridan has led the defense all year and will play a key role in stopping Morton and the Golden Bears offense.

“They’re an explosive offense,” Sheridan said. “The talk around town is that Morton is supposedly the best quarterback in the nation in Division II, but, we are the best defense in the nation in Division II. I think we can take away the past this week and force them to run the ball.”

Kutztown receiving game is led by Erik Frazier who has 683 yards and five touchdowns on the year. Josh Smith has

caught 10 touchdowns and racked up 487 yards.

“Their receivers are very productive,” Mihalik said.

“They force our defense to cover the entire field. It presents a big challenge for us. They aren’t a one man team.”

Leading the way for the secondary is senior safety Brandon Watters. He has seven interceptions on the year to lead the Rock in that category. Watters will be looking for more Saturday against Kutztown.

“We are going to go back to what we do well,” Watters said. “It’s the No. 1 defense versus the best offense Saturday. That’s motivation in itself.”

Kutztown, on the ground, is led by Robbie Frey who has rushed for 928 yards and has 10 touchdowns on the year.

He is complimented by Josh Mastromatto who has 577 yards and four touchdowns.

“Frey is a little more of that strong downhill power runner,” Mihalik said. Mastromatto is more of a quicker SEE SRU, PAGE B-3

Sports

B-2

November 11, 2011

ANDREW LACEY/THE ROCKET

Sophomore midfielder Stephanie Buckenheimer drives the ball down the field against West Chester University of Pennsylvania in the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament on Nov. 1. The women travel to Kutztown University today to face Alderson-Broaddus College in a 1 p.m. matchup.

Women's soccer gains bid to national tournament

By Madeline Williams

Assistant Sports Editor

The 22nd-ranked Slippery Rock women’s soccer team received the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Region when they were chosen to play in the 2011 NCAA Division II tournament on Monday night for the second consecutive year.

The Rock (14-4-2) will take on No. 6 AldersonBroaddus College (11-6-3) this afternoon at Kutztown University. The opening

round game is set to kick off at 1 p.m.

The winner of the game will move on to the second round and take on Kutztown this coming Sunday.

California University of Pa., Kutztown University, Edinboro University, West Chester University and Alderson-Broaddus College were among the other teams in the Atlantic Region that also made the bracket with SRU. This year marks the second consecutive season and the seventh overall NCAA tournament berth for the

team under head coach Noreen Herlihy.

Freshman forward Lucy Hannon is proud of how the team is doing and isn’t ready for the season to be over yet.

“Overall, it’s been a great season so far, we just don’t want it to end yet,” Hannon said.

Last Friday, the Rock suffered a tough 4-0 loss to Kutztown in the PSAC semifinals.

With the win, Kutztown advanced to the championship game, only to lose to Cal U. on Saturday by a score of 2-1.

The Golden Bears held a 16-

10 advantage over the Rock in total shots and an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal, but SRU led 5-4 in corner kicks.

Sophomore Kara Mullins, who leads the team with 10 goals and three assists for the season, led the Rock’s offense with three shots, while junior Shelby Ward and senior Alyssa Barrett each added two shots.

Senior goalie Lisa Rodgers, who leads the PSAC with a .870 save percentage, finished the game with seven saves.

Friday’s game marked the first goal scored on the Rock since the team’s 1-0 loss to

Kutztown back on Sept. 24.

It ended the 11-game shutout streak for the Rock, which ties for fifth all-time in Division II history.

Junior defender Emer Flately is hoping to get the chance to avenge their loss to Kutztown on Sunday. “ The game today is extremely important to us,” Flatley said. “We really want to beat Alderson-Broaddus, and then get that rematch with Kutztown. We’re not going to lose for the third time in a row.”

In addition to making the playoffs as another post-

season accomplishment, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference named six members of the team to All-Conference honors on Thursday.

Flately and Ward were each named to first team All-PSAC, while Mullins was named to second team All-Conference and Rodgers, Hannon and sophomore Izabel Scott were named to the third team.

This marked the second consecutive All-PSAC honor for Flately and Mullins, while the other four athletes are first time selections of the conference honor.

Cross Country finishes fifth place at ROCK RESULTS Atlantic Regional Championship meet Women's Volleyball

KARA STYLES/THE ROCKET

Junior Abby Michaelian and freshman Janine Powis lead a pack of runners on Saturday at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship. Both the men's and women's teams placed fifth.

By Madeline Williams Assistant Sports Editor

The Slippery Rock men’s cross country team took fifth place in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship on Saturday morning at Cooper’s Lake Campground.

The team battle came down to a five-way showdown to see which three teams would

travel to the NCAA National Championships.

Edinboro University took home first place, scoring 71 points, just narrowly beating Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania with 76 points.

The battle for the third spot was where the real fight was.

Shippensburg University earned the final ticket to the National Championship scoring 108 points, just edging East Stroudsburg (110) by two

points. Slippery Rock scored 131 points, rounding out the top-five finishing teams.

Sophomore Travis Arrigoni led the Rock with a strong 10th place finish, running the 10,000-meter course in 32:52, and earning All-Region honors.

Despite a tough battle back from injury all season, junior Eric Geddis came through as the Rock’s second finisher, placing 26th and running 33:26.

Junior Alex Koksal placed 29th with a time of 33:32. Following him was sophomore Morgan Elliott, placing 30th in 33:36.

Freshman Chris Grooms completed his first 10K with a 36th-place finish in 33:58.

Sophomore Michael Beegle finished 45th in 34:24 and junior Rogers Clements rounded out the SRU competitors, finishing 80th in 35:36.

The Slippery Rock women’s cross country team matched the men on Saturday, also placing fifth at the Regional Championship meet.

Shippensburg posted a score of 50 points, running away with their fourth consecutive team title. Lock Haven took home second place, scoring 108 points, and Bloomsburg University rounded out the national qualifiers with 134

points. Edinboro placed fourth with 156 points, and Slippery Rock took fifth with 159 points.

Junior Stephanie Case and senior Kara Styles each placed in the top-25, earning AllRegion honors from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Case led the Rock with an impressive 12th place finish, running the 6,000-meter course in 22:54.

Styles crossed the line in 23:20, taking home 21st place for the Rock.

Freshman Janine Powis was the Rock’s third finisher, placing 36th in 23:50. Just trailing her was junior Abby Michaelian in 41st place in 23:56. Freshman Angie Bagwell rounded out the SRU scorers with a 49th place finish in 24:15.

Senior Caitlin Hancox finished her final collegiate cross country race with a 58th place finish in 24:28 and senior Becky Belding crossed the line at 26:41, placing 123rd.

Arrigoni was pleased overall with the results of the season.

“The season went very well,” Arrigoni said. “We each grew individually and as a team.

Next year is looking very promising for us because we’re a young team and we aren’t losing any guys. I’m very proud of the team, but now it’s time to tear it up on the track.”

• After finishing regular season play with a 2011 overall record, the Rock must wait to see if they will be chosen to make the NCAA playoffs, which will announce its bracket Sunday night.

Women's Soccer • In the first round of the NCAA tournament, SRU will face Alderson-Broaddus College in Kutztown Friday at 1 p.m. If the women defeat Alderson-Broaddus on Friday, it will play Kutztown.

Football

• After losing a close game to Gannon, SRU travels to the PSAC Championship Game for the first time since 1974 to face Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. A win will put SRU in the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2000.

Cross Country • Men and women both finished fifth in the NCAA regional tournament with Travis Arrigoni and Stephanie Case finishing the best for each team.

Men's Basketball • The Rock lost its exhibition match against Penn State University, 64-47, and Devin Taylor scored 25 points against the Nittany Lions. The Rock plays Westminster College tonight.

Women's Basketball • SRU lost its exhibition match against Miami University of Ohio Saturday by a final of 7232. The women face the University of Findlay tonight. Jasmine Cooper led all scorers with 14 points.

Sports Rock drops to ninth in poll after close loss to Gannon

November 11, 2011

By D.J. Vasil Rocket Contributor

Turnovers and missed opportunities played a major part in No. 24 Slippery Rock’s first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West division loss Saturday at Gannon University, 33-27.

The Rock turned the ball over five times, had three interceptions and two fumbles. Head coach George Mihalik considered the turnovers to be the biggest contributor to the loss.

“When you lose the turnover battle, the majority of the time, you lose the game,” Mihalik said. “That’s football for you. It was an all around poor performance.

Special teams, offense and defense all had mental errors. It was an entire team let down.”

Offensively, the Rock outgained the Golden Knights 384 yards to 324 yards. But what matters in the end is the final score.

“The statistic that matters is the scoreboard,” Mihalik said. “This is one of those games where we had more total yards, but we still lost.”

Rock senior quarterback Cody Endres was 22-for49 for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but threw three interceptions.

“We are all disappointed about the loss,” Endres said.

“The offense, defense and special teams didn’t play as expected. The last time we lost was early in the year and we responded well. We would like to repeat that and come out and have a big game this week.”

Senior receiver Devin Goda continues to produce on the year, as he recorded nine catches for 131 yards and one touchdown.

“I came out ready to play Saturday,” Goda said. “I had a feeling they couldn’t guard me. As good of a game as I had, I wish we would’ve won.”

Goda, on the year, now has 961 yards receiving on 69 catches, and has caught 10 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Rock gave up 27 points, 21 of them were scored by Golden Knights receiver Lawrence Coleman. ”I thought we had good coverage on all three passes,” Mihalik said. “It was perfect ball placement by Daniel Tapscott and great catches

by Coleman. We had good coverage. They just made three great plays.”

The Rock took a 20-7 lead into the half before allowing Gannon to come out in the second half and tie the game by scoring 13 points in the third quarter.

Gannon kicked two field goals in the beginning of the fourth quarter to jump out to a 26-20 lead.

The first Gannon field goal came off of an SRU punt and the second came off of a Cody Endres interception.

After taking the six point lead, the Rock had a chance to drive back downfield and take the lead, but turned the ball over again off of a Jimmy Zubik fumble.

Gannon drove down and took a 13-point lead and SRU scored a touchdown to pull the game within a score, but couldn't make it any closer.

Senior linebacker Zach Sheridan was tied for the game high in tackles with senior safety Jayson Nickson. ”It was a disappointing loss,” Sheridan said. “We fell apart in the second half.

We were up 20-7 at halftime and ended up losing by 4.

We needed to create more turnovers.”

Senior safety Brandon Watters recorded his teamhigh seventh interception against Gannon and recorded one tackle.

“We got away from what we do as a defense,” Watters said. “We weren’t disciplined. People weren’t where they were supposed to be. We didn’t trust our technique.”

The Rock will travel to No. 8 Kutztown for a 1:05 start Saturday to take on the Golden Bears for the PSAC championship.

B-3

PHOTO COURTESY OF KUTZTOWN SPORTS INFORMATION

Kutztown University receiver Colby Tuell runs downfield against Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.

The Rock will look to stop Tuell and the Bears offense tomorrow in the PSAC title game.

SRU in first title game since '74 Continued from Page B-1

running back and better in changing direction. He is elusive. They complement each other well with their different styles.”

Kutztown, defensively, creates a lot of turnovers.

On the year, they have 29 turnovers, 21 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.

Eight of the 21 interceptions have come from defensive back Alex DiNolfi.

“Their offense is getting most of the attention because of the 490 yards a game and 41 points a game,”

Mihalik said. “But when you look at their defense, they have 21 interceptions.

Brett Moss has 12.5 sacks.

They’re a very productive team on both sides of the ball.”

Senior quarterback Cody Endres will make his first appearance in a PSAC championship Saturday and will have to contend with a tough Kutztown defense that has 64 tackles for loss on the year.

“We aren’t going to revolutionize our offense,” Endres said. “They like to take away the deep ball.

I’m going to take what the

defense is going to give me.

They like to make you beat them on 10-play drives.”

Endres will look to continue his great chemistry with senior leading receiver Devin Goda.

“I’ve been watching a lot of film and I think we can expose them,” Goda said.

“I catch a lot of short balls and I feel they can’t defend that. I feel like our offense is better than their defense.”

Next week is undetermined right now as the Rock will need to win on Saturday in order to secure a birth in the NCAA playoffs.

B-4

November 11, 2011

The Rocket

CAMPUS LIFE C-1 November 11, 2011

Honoring our heroes

JOSH SEYBERT/THE ROCKET

Tech Sgt. Joel Meyer (front) and Staff Sgt. Derek Walton practice room-clearing tactics during a security exercise April 5, 2010. The non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are with the 28th Security Forces Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The picture was taken by junior public relations major Josh Seybert, 24, who served in the Air Force as a combat cameraman.

Student veterans readjust to life away from the service

By Rebecca Marcucci Rocket Contributor

Veterans Day is a time when most Americans might stop to think about those who have served in a branch of the military protecting the United States or those who died while doing so. It is not typically celebrated with picnics or fireworks like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day or Labor Day. This week at SRU has been dedicated to veterans and those who have served in a branch of the military. The week is also in honor of many military veterans who are currently attending SRU. Senior social work major Mike Crum, 32, served in Japan and Arizona from 1997-2001 as a motor transportation dispatcher for the Marines.

Crum explained how he worked with logistics for the Marines in planning and coordinating where military vehicles are sent.

“I didn’t see any combat or anything, but it was a good experience,” Crum said. “The

Marine Corps really instilled the discipline and leadership skills that I use here at Slippery Rock.”

Crum said that his overall sense of accountability and responsibility is due in part to a lot of what the Marines have taught him.

“Without that Marine Corps mentality, I couldn’t have done as much as I have,” Crum said.

Crum explained how adjusting to life back home was for him and how it can make most veterans feel.

“Service, in general, makes veterans more able to adapt to different situations,” Crum said.

“Civilian life is still tough, but you have the skills to overcome those situations.”

Crum said he attributed much of his schooling success to the Marines.

“I barely graduated high school,” Crum said. “Without being in the military and having the education benefits and taking the ASVAB test, I wouldn’t be in college. It’s definitely helped.”

While Crum agreed that Slippery Rock’s efforts in providing for veterans this week was an

appreciated effort, he believed the campus needed to do their part to provide more for veterans.

“I just think the campus needs to be more aware of more cultural issues, such as veterans or such as female veterans, and be able to provide more services,” Crum said.

“So far, the campus has stepped up a little bit, but I think they need to keep being proactive and not just do stuff because it’s veteran’s week.”

Crum explained how doing more for veterans could put Slippery Rock ahead of leading universities.

“They need to do stuff because it’s something that is an issue at other universities,” Crum said. “Slippery Rock has the opportunity to be better than the rest when it comes to veteran’s services and recognizing the veteran population as a whole.”

Sophomore criminal justice major Ryan Hoffman, 24, has been enlisted in the Marines for four years. He has served at Camp Pendleton, Ca. from February 2006 to August 2009.

“It’s the proudest thing I’ve ever done,” Hoffman said. “I grew up and learned a lot.”

Hoffman explained how different his life back home seemed compared to his Marine duties.

“I had a lot more free time than I knew what to deal with,” Hoffman said.

Air Force veteran and junior public relations major Josh Seybert, 24, served active duty in Ellsworth, South Dakota from 2007-2010 as a combat cameraman. He is still serving today.

Seybert said he learned he wasn’t quite ready for college after high school.

“I originally attended Clarion University, but I wasn’t in the mindset for school,” Seybert said.

He explained how he decided to enlist in the Air Force before attending SRU and the difference it made for him.

“I’m much more focused now,” Seybert said He said the Air Force helped prepare him for college life, but that he received help from others along the way once he transitioned back.

“My friends and family helped me a lot,” Seybert said. “My roommates

Student vets deal with PTSD in classrooms

By Courtney Tietje Rocket Contributor

Upon his return home from the baking sands of the Iraqi desert, sophomore criminal justice major Ryan Hoffman didn’t expect the memories of his experiences in overseas combat to follow him all the way into the classrooms of SRU. “[Being in the Marines,] we got numerous classes on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder before, during and after deployment,” Hoffman said. “We were screened when we got back and there were a lot of services offered, but I still can’t enjoy [doing some things like] going down to the tavern—I just don’t like being in big crowds like that anymore.”

Hoffman, 24, is just one of over 300 student veterans who have served in the military, out of the roughly 9,000 graduate and undergraduate students who are

currently enrolled at the university.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can not only affect a veteran’s day-to-day life, but when they’re attending college and trying to work towards earning a degree, it can affect their performance and attendance in class also.

Hoffman explains how PTSD might affect a student in the classroom. “[The severity] really can vary,” he said.

“It depends on the individual, but it can be as simple as where they sit in the room—do they sit by the door, are they close to the window, always thinking about making a quick and strategic exit?

It can affect [a student’s] attention span, the effort that they put into the class and doing the work, if they’re depressed.”

Because veterans make up such a huge part of the SRU population, in celebration of Veterans’ Day, and because of the services that they have done for their country, SRU President Robert Smith

declared the week of Nov. 6 as Veterans’ Appreciation Week.

Senior social work major Mike Crum, who served in the Marine Corps, was in charge of putting together various events during the honorary week for veterans.

Crum, 32, said he feels the educational value of the week was priceless.

“Besides just doing an event that says we appreciate our veterans, we have created an educational awareness, as well,” said Crum.

Kimberly Specht, an Air Force veteran with PTSD, arrived on Tuesday with Patricia Lee Stotter, the co-sponsor of “Service: When Women Come Marching Home,” a movie screened publicly for the first time at SRU on Nov. 8.

Specht openly described her own experience with PTSD and how she is currently coping with it.

SEE STUDENT, PAGE D-3

also really helped me to adjust.”

Seybert eagerly spoke about his current military occupation.

“I have the best job ever,” he said enthusiastically. “ I take photos of the Air Force to document history.”

Seybert also explained how a lot of people from his hometown are involved in the military.

“They say 10 percent of the nation is involved in military active duty,” he said. “I am proud to be part of that 10 percent.”

A documentary was shown on campus Tuesday evening in the MPR, entitled “When Women Come Marching Home,” portraying the stories of several women veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life, to honor female veterans.

SRU also hosted a veteran’s appreciation breakfast today at 8 a.m., sponsored by the Student Veterans of America chapter at SRU and the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL), followed by a veteran’s memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. outside the Alumni House.

SRU veterans react to change in military policy

By James Meyer Assistant Campus Life Editor

With a mild look of disgust, Tiara Todd describes one of her previous places of employment where coworkers threatened to leave if they had to work alongside homosexuals. She also recalls a heterosexual woman being teased for being friends with a lesbian. This work environment she describes is the U.S. Army.

Todd, a 20-year-old social work and philosophy major, serves in the U.S. Army reserve.

“I had a friend who was afraid to go active duty because she was a lesbian,” Todd said. “And I remember just hanging out in the smoke pit and overhearing some of the guys talking about how they’d get out of the Army if they had to serve with ‘homos.’”

On Sept. 20, the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy was officially repealed, allowing openly gay men and women to serve.

SEE DON'T, PAGE D-3

Campus Life

C-2

November 11, 2011

Street fashion in Europe, Japan more risk-taking and cutting edge than U.S. fashion

Katie Ellis "ROCK'n Fashion" International fashion is vastly different from fashion in America.

While Americans usually play it safe when dressing for daily activities, people in countries like the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan definitely do not. People in these countries have a wide range of styles from sophisticated to eclectic, and everything in between.

London is known for its famous royal family, double-decker buses and the London Eye, but the people should be known for their fashion sense. With an array of designers from the likes of Burberry and Alexander McQueen to Whistles and Reiss, Londoners have a variety of styles to choose from.

Street style is where Americans should look for inspiration.

While walking around London, people can be treated to a wide variety of styles that the average woman has put together. These women can be preppy chic, bohemian cool and wildly outspoken. Londoners are not afraid to wear loud red tights with an equally loud colored dress and jacket while walking the streets, and unlike people in other

countries, they take their looks in sky-high black high-heeled stride.

Fashion icons in the United Kingdom are not only nationally famous, but internationally, as well. Catherine Middleton and her sister Pippa catapulted to international fashion fame the day of Catherine’s fairytale wedding to Prince William. Ever since the royal wedding, the world has taken notice of the famous sisters and has followed their every stylish move from the grocery store to lunch with the queen.

“Harry Potter” star Emma Watson is also a British style icon as the face of Lancôme. Alexa Chung also deserves fashionable mention, as she was the winner of the British Style Award at the annual British Fashion Awards. The people of the United Kingdom, especially in London, are known for their classic style and daring approach to fashion.

Very much like the people in London, people in Germany are not afraid of fashion. Berlin is the epicenter for starting fun, fresh and elegant design trends. It is home to many different brands like Hugo Boss, Strenesse and Penkov, which are famous all throughout Germany and even in major fashion locations around the world like Paris and New York City.

Germany has also given the world one of the most famous fashion designers in the history of fashion.

Karl Lagerfeld, the genius behind French couture company Chanel, was born in Hamburg, Germany and is now as synonymous with

Ask Ana "Ana Graham"

Question: Dear Ana, I read recently in the news about a rape allegedly committed by a student.

There seemed to be enough evidence to make the charges legitimate.

When I first read about it, I believed it and was angry.

But then I looked at the student’s Facebook and was surprised not only by the amount of support he was getting from his girlfriend, friends and family, but also for how gracious he was for this support. I read body language which gives me the effort to read between the lines, and I have to be honest and admit I now have my doubts about his guilt. He seems not only humble, but clearly distressed over the situation.

I analyzed a lot based on little information, and I know that Facebook is not a particularly accurate depiction of a person, but it shows implications of how a person lives his or her life.

I have to say that I doubt he did it. And I don’t know what to do about that feeling.

A Guilty Conscience

Answer: Dear Guilty, It’s definitely difficult to truly judge a person’s character based upon their online

persona. Only two people honestly know what the truth is - the alleged attacker and the alleged victim. Even then, the view of the victim can differ drastically from the alleged attacker based on their idea of what was wrong or right, what was consensual, etc.

It is just as possible that he’s so distressed because he’s remorseful for what he may have done, just as much as he may be horrified by a false accusation. There isn’t really much you can do about this feeling because you are not in a place of authority or even a relationship with this person.

The best you can do is when someone else talks about the situation, try to get them to look at it objectively.

Pe o p l e w i l l m a k e assumptions based on personal experience, and some will be adamant on either guilt or innocence. If you can try to get these people to realize that these are not just an alleged victim and an alleged attacker, but also two people - two human beings - who are being affected by a tragic situation, no matter which way it goes.

Question: Dear Ana, What do you think of today ’s television programming in general and why?

Someone Who Probably Wants This Information for an Essay or Something

Answer: Dear Someone, I don’t have cable because it costs money and money is something I do not have.

But Beavis and Butthead are apparently back on

the brand as its creator Coco Chanel.

Germans tend to wear darker hues in their clothing unlike the people in London, but their outfits are still equally as fascinating. In street fashion, people wear bold stripes and graphic t-shirts with staple pieces like knit hats and chic coats.

In terms of fashion icons in Germany, Heidi Klum is synonymous with the term.

Starting her career as a model for Victoria’s Secret and cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Klum has transitioned to the business and television world.

She is now a fashion designer with two clothing lines and the host of the uber successful show “Project Runway” on the Lifetime network.

Diane Kruger of “National Treasure” and “Inglorious Basterds” fame is another German fashion icon. Born in Algermissen, Germany, Kruger was first a model then transitioned to acting in 2002.

People can now see her as the spokeswoman for L’Oreal and the face of Calvin Klein’s fragrance, Beauty. When it comes to fashion, Germany truly has a rich history in the business.

Japan has the most cutting edge styles of any country in the world.

It is responsible for giving modern day fashion a burst of color and creativity.

Harajuku is a popular style of dress in Japan because of the Harajuku girls who are known for their colorful and fashion forward looks. Fashionista Gwen Stefani has popularized the Harajuku style with her successful fragrance line

MTV, which gives me hope that television is not a dead abyss of Jersey girls with poufy hair and shows about high school choir students singing glorified karaoke and generally destroying the integrity of classic songs.

That said, as long as Pokémon is still on television, then I have no worries about the future of our children who stare at television screens all day. If they watch Pokémon, they can’t be much worse than our current generation who also grew up with the show.

Question: Dear Ana, I’m a blunt woman and I don’t have much in the way of patience. I really like this guy and it is definitely mutual, but he seems very cautious.

I just want him to ask me to be his girlfriend.

I don’t want to scare him off with my bluntness and ask him to be my boyfriend, so what should I do in the meantime while I wait for him?

Now Now Now

Answer: Dear Now, If you were truly a blunt woman, you would just ask him out anyways. But if he seems cautious, consider that he may be waiting for the right moment.

Don’t be visibly impatient.

Just take this time to get to know him better, let him get to know you better, and don’t make yourself look like a fool. Also, enjoy the time you spend together in the meantime.

A label doesn’t mean anything. It’s the mutual feeling that really counts.

"Ana Graham" is a senior public relations major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

ANDREW LACEY/THE ROCKET

Sophomore biochemistry major Jiwoong Kim represents Korea with contemporary street fashion in the International Fashion Show in the MPR Monday evening.

Harajuku Lovers that consists of four fragrances: Love, Angel, Music and Baby. Labels like Frapbois and Tiny Dinosaur offer urban style clothing, while As Known As and CA4LA offer sophisticated fashion options for the upscale Japanese woman.

Street fashion in Japan is utterly outrageous. Women wear tutus and knee-high socks while walking the streets of Tokyo, as well as brightly colored dresses with tights and sky-high high-heeled shoes.

As for fashion icons, pop singer

Namie Amuro is Japan’s number one source of fashion inspiration.

Fashion in other countries is vastly different from American fashion. People in other countries keep their style fresh by staying outside the box and by being unafraid to try new things. In America, we should take a page out of the international fashion book and try something new.

Katie Ellis is a freshman journalism major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

Rob Oliver

Campus Life

November 11, 2011

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Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal gives hope to homosexual service members Continued from Page C-1

Dr. Katherine Massey, an associate professor of psychology, is openly lesbian and served in the Air Force from 1984 to 1990, prior to the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy being instituted.

“When you’d get to the base, you’d go through an orientation,” Massey said. “They’d give you a sheet of off-limits places. Of course, you can guess what places were off limits.”

Massey recalled one airman who was discharged for nothing more than attending gay clubs that were off limits.

“She would go to those off-limit places, and the office of special investigations would actually follow her and do surveillance,” Massey said. “Within a month or two, she was discharged.”

Massey worked in a personnel office at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

While working there, she had to process the paperwork of several airmen who were subject to punishments and discharge for being gay.

“I think the worst case I saw was a person who was actually convicted

of sodomy,” Massey said. “He was in a gay relationship. He was not only discharged, but he was sent to Angola prison. The person he was with actually turned evidence against him. It was pretty ugly.”

Massey described the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy as a small step in the right direction.

“At least with ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ they can’t ask you, and as long as you don’t tell someone who reports it, then you’re okay,” Massey said.

“But the bad side to that is that you can’t be who you are, so there’s always a piece of you hidden. So, definitely, repealing it is the right thing to do.”

Lt. Col. Patrick Callahan, SRU’s professor of military science and commander of the ROTC battalion, said that because the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ is such a high profile issue, he expects that the military will have zero tolerance for those who continue to discriminate against homosexuals.

“You either get on board with it or get out of the military,” Callahan said. “We were one of the few militaries left that had a policy against homosexuals.”

In the four years that Callahan has been involved in the ROTC, he has

GRAPHIC BY LIANA PITTMAN

not encountered any issues of sexual orientation.

“Nobody’s ever come out,” Callahan said. “And honestly, I don’t care. We serve something bigger than ourselves. We serve our nation.

If he or she is capable of doing our job, I don’t care.”

Although the military has made a change in policy, Callahan said that it’s homosexual service members who are making the greater adjustment.

“The general view is that the Army

has to adapt to homosexuals now being in their force, but if you go and look at the guidelines, it’s not the Army that is making the bigger adaptation,” Callahan said. “They still fall under UCMJ. They are not allowed to have on-post housing.

Significant others are not allowed to have health benefits. There is no recognition of same-sex marriage in the military. This is people who are homosexual integrating into the Army ranks and adjusting.”

Although there has been much

talk in the media of the difficulty of the military adjusting to a new policy, Callahan offers a simple solution.

“Whatever your personal views are doesn’t matter,” Callahan said, pointing to the U.S. Army tape on his uniform. “As long as you wear this uniform, you have one view, and it’s not personal. The Army’s view is that ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ has been repealed, and you follow the guidelines and the instructions of the officers above you. It’s as simple as that.”

Student veterans discuss challenges of dealing with post-traumatic stress on SRU campus “I’ve learned that it’s a process that everybody goes through, but people are in different parts of the process at different times,” Specht said.

“You’re always in the process though, moving backward and forward like an ocean tide. I’ve learned to recognize in other people just where they are.”

After the film, Specht proudly introduced her service dog, Toby, and

explained how he helps to control her condition.

“The dog creates a natural barrier between me and others in a crowd,” she said.

“They’ve got a very intuitive sense of smell. He can smell my respiration and my perspiration, so he knows when I’m getting anxious and when and how to react.”

While Specht told stories about the challenges that she faced with her service dog,

Crum distinguished problems that students with PTSD may face when dealing with professors.

“Professors don’t necessarily understand what the [veterans] go through,” he said.

“A veteran isn’t a normal 18 to 24-year-old college student.

They may have seen combat and they may be more mature, but I think SRU is becoming more aware of vets and their needs, which is why we do

educational programming for faculty and staff and students.”

Hoffman does not feel as though there are enough services for student veterans available at the school.

Although there will be a veteran lounge in Eisenburg C l a s s ro o m Building, according to Crum, and the counseling center is open to all students, sometimes more is needed.

“The closest place a student

could go is all the way to Butler to the Veteran Hospital,” Hoffman said. He suggested veteran support groups.

“Some just need a support group of veterans and others that they can talk to, to help them through the hard times.”

Specht said she could relate to those struggling with the disorder.

“There’s nothing worse than having PTSD and having someone who can’t relate to

you try to treat you,” she said.

When it comes to taking care of their veterans with PTSD, Crum said SRU has room to grow, but the university is on the right track.

“If you look at other schools and their vet services, some are better than SRU’s and some aren’t, but if you look at our university, I would say we’re in the right spot for [change and development],” Crum said.

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November 11, 2011