2-11-2022 Digital Edition

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INTERACTIVE: Poor bridges in Butler County

NEWS

GRAPHIC BY: BRANDON PIERCE

Risky business

By Joe Wells News Editor

E d i t o r ’s n o t e : T h e student in this stor y re q u e s t e d t o re m a i n anonymous. The Rocket refers to her by her first initial.

Every year millions of students step onto college campuses, pursuing an education and new relationships.

While some students, like E., a 19-year-old w h o a t t e n d s Sl i p p e r y Rock University (SRU), are making sure to protect themselves from COVID-19 while hooking up, they also at times forgo safer sex practices. Those choices account for people aged 15 to 24 representing half of all new sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

E. agreed to speak with The Rocket on her experiences dating in Slipper y Rock and the health risks of hooking up that she’s had while a student at SRU. For E., swiping through dating apps like Tinder and Hinge is a balancing act of finding a man to hook-up with, while not closing the door completely to a more romantic involvement.

Ho o k i n g u p , c a s u a l sexual encounters between those who are not dating, h a s b e e n g r ow i n g i n popularity with a 2013 study finding “60% to 80% of North American college students have had some sort of hook-up experience.”

But, over the past few years, the number of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) contracted in Pennsylvania have risen.

Increases in gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis in

2020 saw 30-year highs across the commonwealth, a c c o rd i n g t o a 2 0 2 1 advisory from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

After a year of being single and hooking up, using items like condoms occasionally, E. was told she by her physician she had contracted an STD in the fall of 2021.

“Obviously, you think it’s not going to happen to you,” E. said. “I was humbled.”

Data provided by the Student Health Services (SHS) show there have been 24 cases of chlamydia and 10 cases of gonorrhea reported this academic year.

Even though she was sexually active with multiple partners, E. didn’t think of having any sort of testing done since she had no symptoms and was feeling fine, but her doctor insisted on it.

STD testing has been a challenge across the nation with COVID-19 taking up so many resources and SRU is no different, according to Kris Benkeser, director of student health and wellness.

“It’s all COVID, all the time,” Benkeser said.

The pandemic didn’t keep people from wanting testing services but the availability of those services dropped.

In the beginning of the pandemic a lot of the nurses working at SHS w e re f o c u s e d o n t h e pandemic. With university closures and a move to a virtual environment, the number of STD testing being done on campus decreased, Benkeser said.

The positive test caused some apprehension at first for E., who said her peers’ views on those who have contracted a STD were quite negative.

“If you think someone has a STD [they’re] like, ‘They just have sex with everybody,’” E. said.

For E., whether you are

sleeping with one person or 12 isn’t what matters when it comes to the possibility of contracting a STD, safe practices are.

“Having a [sexually transmitted infection] doesn’t make you a h-,” E. said. “It just takes one person.”

E. made sure to contact her partners and inform them she had tested positive and encouraged them to get tested as well. Some of the men she reached out to were angry with her, she said.

Others told her they would not bother with getting tested. E. said she would not be meeting them again.

The experience has been eye-opening for her and her close friends. E. said she is open about her sex life and even talking about how having a STD is seen as taboo.

Still, it has provided her opportunities to talk about safer sex practices with peers and those she is sexually involved with.

That communication i s s o m e t h i n g Va n e s s a Vought, health promotion c o o r d i n a t o r a t S RU , has been advocating for throughout the pandemic.

Early on, the pandemic affected how SHS performed their outreach and the content of their messaging.

Forcing the conversation to move online, there was and still is a lot of success in reaching students through social media, Vought said.

Messages and how they are communicated to the campus community are now more adaptable.

“We meet them where they are,” Vought said.

Along with online messaging, students at SRU have access to Protection Connection, an online store where condoms, lubricant and dental dams can b e p u rc h a s e d . St a f f e d b y He a l t h y O u t re a c h through Peer Education (HOPE) employees,

orders take one to two days to be fulfilled and can be picked up at SHS. After taking a month break from sex, E., who has always used bir th control, now insists on using condoms every time. The response from her partners has been mixed. “ I ’m g e t t i n g m o r e aggressive about it,” E. said. “Like, if you’re not using a condom, no, it’s not happening.

“Some [guys] are like, ‘Yeah, I’m always going to use it.’”

For those who question the need to use one or agree at first but try to go back on having safer sex, E. gives them an ultimatum.

“I’m literally going to leave if you don’t use a condom,” E. said.

Vo u g h t e n c o u r a g e s students to enter sexual situations prepared and knowing what types of interactions you want to experience and how they are important to every college student’s sexual health.

“Informed consent i n c l u d e s C OV I D a n d mitigating different risks,” Vought said.

For students sexually active, testing is important to their routine health care, Benkeser said.

Testing can be done at SHS through appointment, with most infections able to be tested through either urine or blood work. Students may elect to use their health insurance, but for those who may not want their parents to know they sought testing, the test can be done for a small fee.

Getting the test done is a small price to pay for E., who encourages everyone to have the sex they want, so long as they are being safe.

“Every time you have unprotected sex, ever y couple of months, get tested,” E. said

GRAPHIC BY: RAYNI SHIRING

New church organization questioned

By Mac Bell Assistant News Editor

The Slippery Rock Student Government Association (SRSGA) met at the Smith Student Center (SSC) on Monday and approved its eighth faith-based student organization after some discussion regarding its necessity.

Sen. Rebekah Froehlich motioned to approve the new organization called The Well CCO, which is sponsored by Grove City Alliance Christian Church.

Following the motion, President Mia Graziani asked if anyone had questions or comments on the motion and Sen. Gabriel Stiles raised his hand to speak.

“What makes this organization different from the other catholic and christian organizations here?” Stiles asked.

Froehlich explained how The Well CCO differs from the current faith-based organizations on campus thus far.

“Essentially the difference between them as a christian organization is that they're working with a different c h u r c h ,” Froehlich explained. “So, that's what makes them different than other organizations that are working with different churches.”

Froehlich went on to say that SRSGA has set a precedent of approving faith-based organizations, and that they could not deny their approval since The Well CCO has met all the requirements.

The motion passed even with Stiles, who was joined by Senators Janessa Hayward, Madeline Smith and Amanda Brock, voting against. Senators Rose Resnick and Makenzie Shiller, as well as Vice Presidents Alexis Gish and Aiden Donnelly abstained from the vote.

Speaker of the Senate, Hannah D'Egidio motioned to approve $1,370.92 for The Harbor following an error in the distribution of funds which left the

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organization with nothing in their account this semester.

Vice President of Finance Sydney Rezzetano then spoke to the motion.

“So they currently have $ 0 i n t h e i r b u d g e t ,” Rezzetano explained.

“There are some expenses they have already incurred and they're asking to be refunded for, as well as money for the spring 2022 semester.”

After some discussion on how the budget mishap occurred, the motion passed unanimously.

Sen. Christopher Dang motioned to approve $388 for Club Baseball in order for the organization to cover club dues.

The motion was passed unanimously with no debate.

SRSGA also approved the confirmation of Rebecca George as the College o f Bu s i n e s s Se n a t o r and Madison Moore as the College of Health, Engineering, and Science (CHES) Senator.

The new senators were previously elected as

At Large Senators, but transferred to new roles in order to fill the collegesspecific positions.

Those motions also passed unanimously with no debate.

The SRSGA approved the minutes from Jan. 24.

The SRSGA plans to hold its next formal meeting on Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. at the SSC Theater. For more information visit their CORE page.

– All SRSGA Committee meetings on CORE

HALLE ANGELO / THE ROCKET

Sen. Gabriel Stiles has the floor while questioning the need for an eighth faith-based student organization during SRSGA’s formal meeting on Feb. 7, 2022. The Well CCO was approved with Stiles and three others voting against and four members abstaining.

February 11, 2022

NEWS Tide recedes in ATS

By Joe Wells News Editor

The water has receded and classes are back to normal in the Advanced Technology and Science Hall (ATS) at Slippery Rock University after the sprinkler system malfunctioned on Jan. 22.

The issue was discovered that day when members of the Slipper y Rock Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire alarm a c t i va t i o n . W h e n t h e firefighters arrived, there was no fire but water pouring down from the third floor and into classrooms and offices.

More than 30 learning and faculty spaces were affected, including the

stairwells, according to Scott Albert, SRU’s assistant vice president of facilities, planning and environmental safety.

Due to the necessary cleanup, some classes in the building were moved online for a few days. Most of the classes had returned to their normal schedules

by Jan. 25, Albert said.

The extent of the damages and the cost of repairs and replacing equipment is still unknown.

Some of the needed repairs can be seen just by walking the halls.

Numerous ceiling tiles are missing and roughly two inches of drywall has been removed from where the water rose.

For the water cleanup and drying of the building,

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SRU contracted Firewater Response. Albert expects the cost of their services alone to exceed $40,000.

Along with outside contractors, nearly 20 facility staff have been involved with the cleanup and disinfecting, along with repairs, he said.

Some of those repairs, like the replacement of data and phone ports will be done in the summer.

According to Albert, once those have been damaged by water they typically fail soon after.

Department chairs are also compiling lists of office and lab equipment that need replaced. While ordering the items may be easy for the university to do, Albert said, he expects global supply

JOE WELLS / THE ROCKET

Among the damaged ceilings and computers, humanoid robots from the computer science department were also damaged in the sprinkler malfunction that happened on Jan. 22, 2022. The robots are used to help young students with disabilities.

"Between maintenance IT and scheduling, [they] did an amazing job."

– Sam Thangiah, computer science chair at SRU

shortages to slow that progress.

One of the hardest hit areas of the ATS was the computer science department.

Like the hallways, Michael Stapleton’s office saw water flow from above into his second-floor office, damaging many ceiling tiles.

“It was a lot of water,” Stapleton said.

Computer Science Chair Sam Thangiah said the process of going through offices and classrooms to check what would still turn on was a minimal inconvenience but allowed them to identify damaged equipment easily.

Unfortunately, some of damaged items included computers with specialized software and humanoid robots.

JOE WELLS / THE ROCKET

Slippery Rock University workers with the facilities department worked over the weekend and into the following week to remove damaged ceiling tiles and cut away drywall after a sprinkler system malfunctioned Jan. 22, 2022.

In all, six classes from the department had to temporarily move online but Thangiah said the everyone came together to get things back on track quickly.

“Between maintenance, IT and scheduling, [they] did an amazing job,” Thangiah said.

S RU c o n t r a c t s w i t h Johnson Controls Fire Protection to maintain the alarm and sprinkler system, Albert said. Those systems

are designed to last up to 40 years, but typically begin to have issues after 20 years.

The system inside ATS was 17-years-old, Albert said.

According to Paul Novak, e xe c u t i ve d i re c t o r o f planning, the sprinkler systems are inspected every year. The system in ATS was inspected in the beginning of January but the final report has not been completed yet.

Bridge collapse raises concerns

By Joe Wells News Editor

The Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in Pittsburgh renewed calls for u p g r a d i n g A m e r i c a’s infrastructure from local leaders to President Joe Biden.

After the collapse, the conversation shifted to focus on the conditions of the bridges that western Pe n n s y l v a n i a n s d r i v e on ever y day.

An analysis of local and state bridge data provided by the Pe n n s y l v a n i a Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n (PennDOT) found that while only 13% of the bridges and culverts in Butler County are rated poor - the same r a t i n g a s t h e Fe r n Hollow Bridge - more than half only received a rating of fair.

Pe n n D OT gives bridges an overall rating based on the lowest score from three categories: the deck, superstructure and substructure.

While the deck refers to the surface part of the bridge that traffic use, the superstructure and substructure encompass the supporting elements of the bridge.

In Slippery Rock Borough, the worst rated bridge is a 441 square foot concrete slab that sits a few feet above a water way leading to Wolf Creek o n St a t e R o u t e 2 5 8 , right before the entrance to Slippery Rock Area Elementar y S c h o o l . Ju s t a f e w feet away, a similarly designed bridge next t o Pa r k l a n e D r i v e i s in poor condition, according to the data.

Those travelling south down Interstate 79 (I-79) to Pittsburgh will travel over five bridges that have a poor rating, many due to the condition of the deck.

Still, over half of the bridges in the immediate area of Slippery Rock Un i ve r s i t y ( S RU ) a re in good condition.

Compared to A l l e g h e n y C o u n t y, which includes the City of Bridges, the percentages of poor and fair rated structures in Butler County all var y within a few percentage points of each other. Despite that, Allegheny County has more than triple the number of bridges in poor condition compared to Butler County.

While accounting for only 11% of the total bridges, Allegheny C o u n t y’s m o r e t h a n 170 are rated poor.

On Jan. 28, when the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed, Pr e s i d e n t Jo e B i d e n was scheduled to arrive in Pittsburgh to discuss the need to invest in America’s infrastructure. During his speech, the president said his plan would provide $1.6 billion to Pennsylvania earmarked for bridges.

The state will receive $327 million in 2022 just for bridge repairs, Biden said. “ We’ve got to get on w i t h i t , " Bi d e n s a i d .

"We’ve got to move.

"The next time, we d o n’t n e e d h e a d l i n e s saying that someone was killed when the next bridge collapses.” On Monday, the National Transpor tation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report on the bridge collapse.

The report states the

"We've got to get on with it. We've got to move. The next time, we don't need headlines saying that someone was killed when the next bridge collapses."

– Joe Biden, President of the United States of America

early morning collapse caused the bridge to fall more than 100 feet into Frick Park, taking with it four passenger v e h i c l e s a n d a Po r t Authority of Allegheny County bus.

Immediately after the collapse a fifth passenger vehicle drove off the east end of the bridge, landing on its roof. From the vehicles, ten people were injured. No one was reported to be under the bridge at the time of the collapse.

According to the NTSB report, “certain areas of the welded steel girders were identified as being fracture critical,” but s o f a r, n o f r a c t u r e s have been found in those areas.

COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS

One of Butler County's smallest bridges that are rated poor by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Bridges are given an overall rating based on the lowest rating of one of three parts: dectk, superstructure and substructure.

JAMES ANDERSON / COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

Crews work to understand what caused the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Jan. 28, 2022. The collapsed happened hours before President Joe Biden was to arrive in the city to discuss his infrastructure plan.

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NEWS

February 11, 2022 (EMS) and police were dispatched to the scene, and the individual was then transported to Grove City Medical Center.

February 5 - Police received a call regarding a vehicle at the Lower Stadium B parking lot that sustained heavy damage. Police discovered the damage was caused prior to the vehicle being parked and no further action was taken.

February 6 - Slippery Rock Borough Police utilized the Datamaster at the University Police Station for a possible DUI. February 6 - Police responded to a fire alarm activation at Building F caused by cologne spray.

The alarm system was reset.

February 7 - Police responded to a fire alarm activation at Watson Hall caused by a burnt candle. The alarm system was reset.

February 7 - Police received a call from Butler 911 regarding a hit-and-run at the Smith Commuter Lot. The officer on scene was given the vehicle's registration number by the driver.

No injuries were reported, and the case is still under investigation.

January 31 – Police filed charges related to damage of an elevator in Building A. An investigation determined that Hillary Wolanski, 19, caused the damage by intentionally leaning against the door, pushing it off its tracks.

Wolanski was charged with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. According to court documents, damages are estimated to be $899.47.

February 1 – Police were alerted of a fire alarm activation at the Rock Apartments #4 caused by burnt food. The alarm system was reset.

February 1 – Police received a complaint of a hit-and-run while an individual had their vehicle parked at the West Lake Commuter Lot. The case is currently under investigation.

February 2 – University Police received a call from an individual at The Grove apartment complex stating that she was being tracked by an air tag and believed the tag to be attached to her car. After police investigated the vehicle and found nothing, they recommended the individual file a report with the PSP.

they will post the photos to social media. The individual was referred to the FBI cyber-crime unit.

February 3 – Police received a call from a CA at Building E regarding an individual who needed medical attention. University police transported the individual to the Student Health Center.

February 3 – University Police, while on patrol at the Central Loop, observed a vehicle that slid on the ice and hit the curb, making the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle was then towed from the roadway.

February 4 - Police received a call from a CA at Building E regarding two highly intoxicated individuals. Edward Huehn, 19, and Ryan Shanahan, 19, were both cited with underage possession of alcohol.

February 4 - The Student Health Center requested dispatch send an ambulance to their location due to a highly intoxicated individual from a prior call. The individual was then transported to Grove City Medical Center.

February 2 – Police received a call from a CA at North Hall of a possible alcohol violation.

Shaun Stoddard, 20, was cited with underage possession of alcohol.

February 4 - Police responded to a fire alarm activation at Building E. The cause was unknown and system was reset. Safety was notified.

February 3 – Police responded to a fire alarm activation at the Rock Apartments # 6, caused by burnt food. The alarm system was reset.

February 4 - University Police responded to a fire alarm activation at Central Loop that was caused by burnt food. The alarm system was reset.

February 3 – Police received a complaint of money extortion at Building F. The individual stated that they sent photos of themselves to someone that is now demanding $500 or else

February 5 - Police received a call from an individual in Building E who said they needed medical treatment. Emergency Medical Services

February 7 - Police responded to a vehicular accident at the Union Commuter Lot. The accident occurred while the driver was backing out of a parking space. No injuries occurred, both vehicles were drivable, and all required information was exchanged.

February 7 - Police responded to a complaint at the Harrisville Building of an individual who noticed a coffee cup in their vehicle that was not there earlier. After reviewing surveillance footage, it was found that nobody entered the vehicle while parked and no further police action was taken.

February 8 - Slippery Rock Borough Police requested backup at North Main Street due to a possible DUI. University Police on scene stood by for the officer’s safety.

February 8 - Police received a call from a contracted cleaning worker at Building D regarding muddy boot prints on the walls of the elevator. Security footage was reviewed, and the case is under investigation.

February 8 - Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) requested assistance at North Hall to locate an individual they needed to speak with. Police were unable to locate the person.

February 8 - Police responded to a fire alarm activation at Building E caused by burnt ramen.

The alarm system was reset.

February 9 - Slippery Rock Borough Police utilized the Datamaster at the University Police Station due to a possible DUI. COMPILED BY MAC BELL

NEWS

February 11, 2022

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Longo announces he’s ready to step up

and par ts of Slipper y Rock Township - covering nearly 65,000 residents in Butler County.

Currently, Pennsylvania Rep. Aaron Bernstine ( R - PA 1 0 ) s e r v e s t h e Slippery Rock Borough and Township.

When the new districts are decided upon, many of Longo’s supporters are excited to see what he does next, including long-time supporter George Ferrari of Butler.

“He’s moving on to the next step,” Ferrari said of Longo’s political future.

By Mac Bell Assistant News Editor

Joe Wells News Editor

Slipper y Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo, announced his intention to run for a Pennsylvania House seat during a rally at the North Countr y Bre wing Company on Jan. 23.

Although this is not an official campaign announcement, due to Pennsylvania redistricting plans still not being finalized, the Republican mayor made his intentions clear to the crowd.

Over 100 suppor ters f i l e d i n t o t h e No r t h Country Brewing Company tap room to hear from prominent Republican public servants and speakers in western Pennsylvania, and how they plan to increase Republican wins across the state this year, in what they call a “red wave.”

Speakers at the Red Wave Rally included Butler C o u n t y Sh e r i f f Mi k e Slupe, New Castle Mayor Chris Frye, Pennsylvania R e p . Jo s h K a i l ( R PA 1 8 ) , f o r m e r U . S .

House of Representatives Republican candidate Luke Negron and Hermitage School District Board Member Andrew Bucci.

Despite the many speakers to take the stage, their message remained unified on the importance of leadership.

“Leadership is something that I know is vitally important to all of us,” Frye said. “ To our communities, to our schools, to our organization and to your life."

Bucci, Hermitage School District’s youngest board member at 18-yearsold, called for everyone, especially younger Americans, to get involved with the process. “ I b e l i e ve , a n d s t i l l do believe, that my generation needs to get involved,” Bucci said.

“We need to stand up and show them that we matter too.”

Young voters came out to show their support for Longo and the other Republican speakers.

Gr o v e C i t y C o l l e g e sophomore Nick Guidas said he believes Longo to be a great leader and has his “support, 100

Updated Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022:

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo announces his intentions to run if a new legislative district is created this year during the "Red Wave Rally," at the North Country Brewing Co. tap room in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Jan. 23, 2022. Longo was joined by local Republican leaders that plan to run for new offices or reelection in 2022.

percent.”

By the end of the guests' s p e e c h e s , t h e c rowd’s anticipation for Longo’s announcement filled the room. Finally, once on the stage, he was greeted by a roaring applause of excitement. Attendants rose to their feet, holding signs that read “Citizens for Longo'' while simultaneously waving small American flags.

“As I'm sure many of you have heard, Pennsylvania is adopting new legislative districts, and Slipper y Rock may become part of an entirely new district,” Mayor Longo said. “Should the newly proposed maps hold, I fully intend to run a campaign to serve as your State Representative in Pennsylvania’s new 8th legislative district.”

Longo, who previously served as an infantryman in the Marines, was recently elected to a second term as Slippery Rock’s mayor.

He believes that these two ser vices have prepared him for what is waiting in Harrisburg.

“I think first and foremost it is important to remember that [all] Ma r i n e s a re l e a d e r s ,” Longo said. “Those leadership traits and

characteristics that were instilled in me as a United States Marine, of course, I’m going to carry for the rest of my life.”

Longo also discussed what he’s been able to do for Slippery Rock during his time as mayor. From

“ We’ve been able to turn the vie w of our c o m m u n i t y a r o u n d ,” Longo said. “This is a place that you come to have fun, it’s a place to come and shop and more importantly it’s a place where you can come to get

"Those leadership traits and characteristics that were instilled in me as a United States Marine, of course, I'm going to carry for the rest of my life."

– Jondavid Longo, mayor of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania lowering the costs of permits and fees for small businesses, to having never raised taxes for Slippery Rock residents and establishing the Slippery Rock Borough as a Second Amendment sanctuary city, Longo said he has done what he can to reshape Slippery Rock.

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

A crowd of more than 100 local residents stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the "Red Wave Rally," at the North Country Brewing Co. tap room in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Jan. 23, 2022. Many in attendance said they were long-time supporters of Longo and excited to see what he does next.

a great education.”

The mayor spoke about how important his main priority of not wasting taxpayer dollars is, and how he plans to bring these ideals of responsible spending down to Harrisburg.

“At the top of my list, and it’s been at the top

of my list as Mayor of Slippery Rock, is fiscal re s p o n s i b i l i t y,” L o n g o said. “Making sure that whenever it comes to the spending of taxpayer dollars, that we are being good ste wards of the taxpayer’s dollars.”

L o n g o ’s potential campaign all hinges on the passing of the newly proposed legislative districts but those plans might not be finalized for weeks.

Redistricting plans have stalled within the Pennsylvania commission in charge of drawing up new maps for legislative and congressional districts. The redistricting commission will have until Sunday to select a final map. If they don’t, it’ll be up to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court to either select a proposed map or draw one.

Proposals for the new maps were to be submitted to the Commonwealth Court Jan. 24.

The proposed map received nearly 6,000 comments from the public last week. That map will create a newly formed 8th District for the Pennsylvania House - which will include both Slippery Rock Borough

Last F r i d a y, the Pe n n s y l v a n i a State Legislature approved its new legislative district map based on the 2020 census.

Slippery Rock’s Mayor Jo n d a v i d L o n g o h e l d an event at the North Countr y Bre wing Co. Tap House at the end o f Ja n u a r y, w h e re h e announced his intention to run for the new 8th Legislative District seat.

His intention to run hinged on the passing of the recently proposed legislative district mapping which would have left an open seat in the new 8th district.

This new 8th district would have encapsulated Slippery Rock Borough.

But, republicans and democrats could not agree on the proposed map and both sides worked to carve out the new districts.

With the new map leaving no open districts, Longo told The Rocket he will not be considering a State House run.

Rep. Aaron Bernstine ( R - PA 1 0 ) a n n o u n c e d Feb. 6 he would run for re-election in the 8th District.

Those residing in the Borough of Slippery Rock will no longer be represented by Bernstine and will fall under the newly drawn 17th District.

Compared to the 10th District, the 17th will see a 6.5% increase in white voters and a decrease of 3.8% of Black voters.

Pennsylvanians will go to the polls on May 17 to cast their votes in the midterm primary.

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo talking with The Rocket's Mac Bell on why he wants to run for a possible Pennsylvania House seat at the "Red Wave Rally," at the North Country Brewing Co. tap room in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Jan. 23, 2022. Longo stressed that he doesn't see himself as a politician but a public servant, wanting to serve all Americans.

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OPINION

Our View

The intricacies of online dating

OPINION

Volume 105, Issue Number 6

220 220Eisenberg EisenbergClassroom ClassroomBuilding Building Slippery SlipperyRock RockUniversity University Slippery SlipperyRock, Rock,Pennsylvania Pennsylvania16057 16057 Phone: Phone: (724) (724)738-4438 738-4438 Fax: Fax: (724) (724)738-4896 738-4896 E-mail: E-mail: therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Nina Cipriani

Editor-in-Chief

Joe Wells

News Editor

Tyler Howe

Sports Editor

Sarah Anderson

Campus Life Editor

Kaitlyn Myers

Copy/Web Editor

Rayni Shiring

Photo Editor

Brandon Pierce

Multimedia Editor

Mac Bell

Assistant News Editor

Megan John

Assistant Campus Life Editor

Marissa Mastrangelo Halle Angelo

Assistant Copy/Web Editor Assistant Photo Editor

Dr. Brittany Fleming

Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Bailey Carden

Advertising Manager

Kaitlyn Shope

Assistant Advertising Manager

ABOUT US The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University five times per academic semester. Total weekly circulation is 1,000 (for fall 2021 semester only).

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

The Rocket receives 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.

GRAPHIC BY: HALLE ANGELO

Netflix documentaries l i k e " T h e Ti n d e r Sw i n d l e r " s h o w a glimpse of what dating is like today. It reveals the painful truth about online dating, as it details the dangers and risks of the most popular dating apps on the market.

Dating is no longer seeing someone attractive and asking them on a date. Online dating and dating apps are more popular now than ever. The Tinder Newsroom revealed that on March 29, 2020, Tinder broke its own record of swipes per day with 3 billion, and then broke that same record 130 more times in the last year. The online dating scene grew and prospered while COVID-19 was equally as prominent.

Bu t o n l i n e d a t i n g consists of more than one app or website. It also includes Bumble and Hinge, among so many other dating sites that are catered specifically to one given demographic.

But it all makes sense. People use these dating apps to seek out companionship of any kind, most likely because being in quarantine or on lockdown is lonely and i s o l a t i n g . H o w e v e r,

this isn't specific to the pandemic. The dating scene had been changing years before COVID-19.

The concept of online dating seems especially attractive when most places are closed and plenty of aspects of everyday life are virtual. Dating apps provide everything about dating right at the fingertips of its consumers. A person could have an ongoing conversation with a potential partner for days or months on end, sometimes completely avoiding the face-to-face aspect of connection.

Po p u l a r online dating apps customized their features to adapt to the new social climate. For example, Bumble added an option to include a vaccination status in its dating profile.

These new preferences add another layer of personalization to the dating scene.

C OV I D - 1 9 h a s n o t only changed the way of dating, but who we choose to date.

This lack of face-toface communication h a s j e o p a rd i z e d t h e quality of in-person connections. There's an ease that comes with scrolling on a

screen, whereas real life interactions require prep: the outfit, setting up a location and socializing. With t w o ye a r s o f d a t i n g essentially online, the task of meeting face-to-face can be daunting.

Our generation is essentially out of practice with going on a "traditional" date.

The pressure of dating stacks on top of daily college tasks.

Some students are stuck in a balancing act of school work and dating responsibilities. Often times, relationships begin to waver when expectations between partners are not equivalently met or communicated.

Any relationship is complicated, but adding on college courses can make for turbulent situations as pressure rises on all sides.

At a sur face level, dating apps can be used for instant gratification.

No c o m m i t m e n t i s n e c e s s a r y. W i t h i n seconds, you can swipe left or right, based on a person's looks. And at the same time, if you swipe right on the right person, you could match instantaneously and everything could change.

In the Quad

Nevertheless, there's still this idea that if you don't meet someone in college, then you'll never meet someone. And that's j u s t n o t t r u e . No t everyone will or should find love during their college years.

There are many different relationship types represented in The Rocket staff members. One of our staff members is married. Some are currently in long-term relationships, some are actively seeking a partner, some haven't dated since high school and some are happy being single right now. No matter what group you're a part of, relationships are unique for everyone, and there is no concrete path that everyone takes.

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, regardless of your relationship status, we are all going through the same experiences t o g e t h e r. E a c h l ov e story may take its own path, but on the most mundane level, everything comes down to individuals. Some are a bit confused, in love or overwhelmed.

It's human, and we will all figure out this new dating world, one way or another.

Question: How do you think dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge have effected the dating scene?

By: Brandon Pierce

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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.

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Pierce Landis Sophomore Biology, Parks and Resource Warren, PA

Cassie Yesalonia Sophomore Management in Human Resources Tampa, Florida

"Dating apps have depersonalized the dating atmosphere and have made social interaction awkward."

"It has definitely created unhealthy relationships and unhealthy relationship standards. It basically created a hookup culture. It's not healthy."

Caitlyn Williams Sophomore Business Administration Harrisville, PA "I think it makes it so that nobody wants to date in person. They're kind of like an out for people that don't want to date face-to-face."

OPINION

February 11, 2022

B-2

As another February 14 comes and goes Sophia Geitner Sophia is a senior public relations and digital media production major.

She is involved with WSRU-TV and The Soul Food Initiative.

Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y has been one of the most controversial holidays among all genders across the nation. During the process of writing this piece, I needed some inspiration.

So, as anyone else does, I turned to my friends and asked them “How do you feel about Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y ? ” Ever y person I asked has had a strong opinion on it one w a y o r a n o t h e r.

S o m e s a y, “ I t ’s a capitalistic holiday created to force people to spend money just to try t o h o o k u p ,” w h i l e o t h e r s s a y, “ I t ’s meant to bring two together and celebrate the love

that they have for e a c h o t h e r.”

All of these views on one simple holiday left me thinking, what do I t h i n k Va l e n t i n e ’ s Day is for? What side of the spectrum do I land on? So f a r, t h e a n s w e r i s inconclusive.

B e f o r e , i f someone were to ask me, “How do you feel about Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y ? ” I ’d s a y s o m e t h i n g along the lines of: “I hate it. Nothing ever goes right, a n d I ’m a l w a y s l e f t disappointed and mad at the end of t h e n i g h t .” Bu t why?

Ye s , I ’ v e h a d b a d experiences with the holiday in the past, but so have other people. Why should that deter me from future experiences, or should it?

Society puts so much pressure on people to have the most perfect and romantic Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y.

I f y o u’r e s i n g l e , y o u’r e s u p p o s e d to be independent and happy alone, ready to take care of yourself with no help, until you look around and everyone else is holding each other with one hand and a bouquet in the o t h e r.

People start feeling left out and the sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) sets in, then y o u’r e s c r a m b l i n g to make plans with your friends or someone off of Tinder just to feel included.

I f y o u’r e i n a relationship, what do you get your partner? How much are you going to spend? How much are they going to spend? What should you both do?

The worst might b e w h i l e y o u’r e i n a "situationship."

For those who d o n’t k n o w, i n m y opinion, t h a t’s someone you go on dates with but a r e n’t i n a n a c t u a l relationship with.

This leaves too much room for consideration. Are they going to ask you out? Should you ask them out?

Are you both doing something? Should you just make plans with your friends? It leaves everything up for interpretation, and y o u c a n’t e v e n b e m a d i f t h e y d o n’t ask you because you b o t h a r e n’t d a t i n g .

I n e v e r y situation, it leaves one or both people stressed and tired trying to coordinate everything for that

o n e d a y. S o , w h e r e does that leave us?

I know it usually leaves me with a glass of wine on the couch watching the same movie I ’v e w a t c h e d e v e r y Va l e n t i n e ’ s D a y f o r the past 4 years.

Sure, I would love to spend the day with someone special and get f l o w e r s a n d c a n d y, but who says we need to celebrate at all?

I f y o u’r e s t r e s s e d or overwhelmed o r l o n e l y, w h y n o t just do something that day to make yourself feel better?

Ta k e a b u b b l e b a t h with a face mask on.

Go play games with your friends. Even reading a book or taking a nap alone would be better than stressing about being single or being pressured to make the day perfect for your p a r t n e r.

This year for Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y, do something that is going to make y o u h a p p y. I f t h a t ’s going to a fancy dinner with your partner in a dress or a s u i t , d o i t . I f i t ’s sitting alone with a rom-com and some popcorn, do it. If that means just spending quality time with people you love, whether i t ’s a r o m a n t i c

relationship or not, then go do it!

Reclaim this holiday to do whatever makes you feel loved and h a p p y.

Maybe this is a little more of a “ Ha l l m a rk” m e s s a g e than what I was g o i n g f o r, b u t t u r n the holiday of love into the holiday of self-love.

If you were like me and hate Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y because you’re single or in a situationship, then change the way you think about it.

Ta k e t h e d a y a n d make it all about you. If you love Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y b e c a u s e y o u’r e i n a relationship, then relax a little.

There is no point in crushing yourself under the pressure for just o n e d a y . Tr y t o take some pressure off yourself and spend some quality with your partner and enjoy a movie at home together or just sit and talk about your Monday over some snacks.

In the grand scheme of things, every day should be about making yourself happy and showing your loved ones you appreciate them, why would Febr uar y 14 change that?

"Reclaim this holiday to do whatever makes you feel loved and happy.

Maybe this is a little more of a 'Hallmark' message than what I was going for, but turn the holiday of love into the holiday of self-love. If you were like me and hate Valentine's Day because you're sinlge or in a situationship, then change the way you think about it."

Connections, not COVID-19 SPRING 2022 PRINT DATES FEBRUARY 11 FEBRUARY 25 MARCH 18 APRIL 8 APRIL 29

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

Jacob Trone Jacob is a senior hospitality and tourism management major and will be starting his MBA in the fall. He is the president of the Hospitality And Tourism Student Society.

As we come into o u r f i r s t Va l e n t i n e’s Day that is feeling more normal than what became our n e w n o r m a l , t h e r e ’s a mu c h mo re d ive r s e m e a n i n g o f h ow yo u meet someone and build a romantic re l at io n s hip.

In fall 2020, the last thing on most of our minds was finding someone for c u f f i n g s e a s o n . Ev e n though most of us s t il l w an t e d t hat c o z y c o n n e c t io n , we d id n’t w an t t hat C OV I D - 1 9 c o n n e c t io n .

With the closure o f mo s t pl ac e s w he re yo u w o u l d g o t o me e t s o me o n e , we we re l e f t with our best and only option: dating apps.

These apps can be amazing in connecting people who have n e ve r m e t i n p e r s o n , while also providing a s af e w ay t o c o n n e c t pe o pl e d u r in g a t ime o f in t e n s e d is c o n n e c t .

"With the closure of most places where you would go to meet someone, we were left with our best and only option: dating apps. These apps can be amazing in connecting people who have never met in person, while also providing a safe way to connect people during a time of intense disconnect."

enriched the rapid s p re a d o f C OV I D - 1 9 that cer tainly resulted in catastrophic da ma ges .

Aside from the contribution to COV I D-19, t he ma s s utilization of these platforms resulted in issues involving s o c i a l a n x i e t y, s e l f perception, selfvalue and issues surrounding the ultimate foundation of a relationship: trust.

After you meet someone on one of these apps, most people have trust i s s u es f o r a ny p eri o d a f t er beca u s e t he f ea r of the unknown is hea v i er t ha n t he l u s t f o r t he know n.

Anyone could easily still be using the app and talking to other matches while they are talking to you and even after you've met. There really is no way of knowing. So, how can your mind fight this anxious feeling when it doesn't have the safety of the knowledge that comes with getting to know someone in person and getting a good idea of their priorities and intentions.

Not to mention t he i mp u l s e t ha t yo u must keep swiping and messaging after w o rr yi ng a bo u t i f t he o t her p ers o n i s gi v i ng in to their impulses, t o o.

This is a result of the culture that has assimilated within these apps: hookup cu l t u re.

Whi l e a l l o f t ha t i s so great, it can and did have some negative outcomes as well.

Fo r e x a m p l e , h o w i t SEE HOOKUP PAGE B-3

February 11, 2022

OPINION

B-3

What's more important: Love or respect?

Madeline Bundy Madeline is a junior converged journalism major. She is also a content creator for WSRU-TV News and a member of Jumpstart.

When building any type of relationship with someone, is it better to gain the other person's love or gain their respect?

E a c h p e r s o n’s a n s w e r will probably be based on which of the two they think is more important in a relationship.

Many people may also think that just because you have s o m e o n e ’s r e s p e c t that they also love you, or if you have s o m e o n e’s love, you also have their respect. But that's not the case. Many people may think that love and respect are the same or that once you gain one of them you automatically g a i n t h e o t h e r. B u t again, that is not the case.

First, let's take a look into love. It has multiple definitions, and like anything else, it's all based on the context it's

used in as for which definition of love you're referring to.

Love can be defined as an intense feeling of deep affection or a great interest and pleasure in something.

N o w, a g a i n , l e t ' s take a look at respect.

It also has multiple definitions, and like l ov e , i t ' s a l l b a s e d o n the definition. Respect is defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements or due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights or traditions of others.

When building any type of relationship, whether it's a platonic one or a romantic o n e , I t h i n k i t i s m o re important to gain s o m e o n e ’s r e s p e c t r a t h e r t h a n t h e i r l ove .

As the relationship g r ow s t h r o u g h o u t t h e t i m e y o u k n ow t h e m , you can gain their love, whether it's a platonic relationship or a romantic r e l a t i o n s h i p.

Once you have s o m e o n e ’s r e s p e c t , you can gain a lot more than if you h a d s o m e o n e ’s l o v e .

H a v i n g s o m e o n e ’s respect can help you later when you may need someone for something. If you we n t t h ro u g h t h e t i m e t o g a i n s o m e o n e ’s respect, they will most likely help you when yo u n e e d i t , l i k e u s i n g them as a reference for a job application.

But they can also help you when you find yourself struggling

with something. If someone respects you, they may not want to see you struggle with something they can help with, and thus, that will make t h e re l a t i o n s h i p e ve n stronger.

When you love someone, or someone l ov e s y o u , i t d o e s n ' t matter what type of l ov e i t i s , b u t i t w i l l not get you as far in the real world as respect will. Respect is what most business re l a t i o n s h i p s a re b u i l t on that and work ethic.

Yo u c a n b u i l d a relationship on love, but it is easier to lose or fall out of love with someone than it is to lose respect from someone. Once y o u h a v e s o m e o n e ’s respect, in order for you to lose that or damage that respect, you would have to do s o m e t h i n g m a j o r.

Most people do not just go around and hand out their respect or build a relationship on respect overnight.

It takes a while to build a nice strong and stable relationship on the factor of respect that is supported by other factors like love.

Yo u c a n s t i l l b u i l d a relationship on love, but if that is the first or only thing the relationship is built on, it can fall apart faster and easier than a relationship b u i l t o n re s p e c t f i r s t and then backed up and supported with other factors of the relationship.

Hookup culture persists through pandemic CONTINUED FROM PAGE B-2

Hookup culture, I believe, has always existed, but it r e a l l y h a s n’t b e e n so commercialized u n t i l n o w. B e f o r e COVID-19, hookup culture mainly existed after meeting someone at the club. But with the virtual commercialization of romance and sex during COVID-19, it allowed anyone to swipe through endless faces just because they were feeling a certain type of way at the moment.

U l t i m a t e l y, t h i s just propels the ideas of emotional manipulation and dissociation, all along with selfperception and value issues that truly have no just cause.

Apps like Tinder have become a marketplace for love, and the simple fact is that love cannot be manipulated and marketed. In recent times, these apps have begun to implement new strategies to fight these issues.

Ti n d e r h a s implemented a series called "Date Night," where you can add some specific attributes t o y o u r p e r s o n a l i t y, as well as other features, like linking your Spotify and social media accounts. This is all to balance the scale between a marketplace of looks with a marketplace of personalities.

I n t h e e n d , I ’m not going to sit

here and type this pretending that, o n e , I d o n’t u s e t h e s e apps, or two, that y o u s h o u l d n’t o r w o u l d n’t u s e t h e s e a p p s . R a t h e r, I a m going to challenge myself, and you, if y o u’r e r e a d i n g t h i s , to continue using these apps, but use them with more cognition and more consideration.

Tr u s t m e , l a d i e s , he might have a six-pack, but that d o e s n’t m e a n h e has at least six manners. And guys, j u s t b e c a u s e s h e ’s wearing a sports bra, t h a t d o e s n’t m e a n she is constantly h u n g r y f o r s e x . Tr y complimenting her smile instead of her bra, and see how much stronger of a connection you’ll feel.

GOT OPINIONS? We wanna hear 'em.

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You've come to the right place.

Write for The Rocket's opinion section today!

Email the Editor-in-Chief Nina Cipriani at nac1008@sru.edu.

S

VIDEO: Coach Lutz talks family

SPORTS

Rock football reloads

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

By Tyler Howe Sports Editor

In college football, there are always teams that are in contention no matter what.

The University of Alabama, for example, can be looked at as the best example of this. Oddly enough, The Rock and Alabama both find themselves in a similar position this offseason.

They face the task of filling holes that have been vacated by graduating senior players. Both programs have a similar strategy as well, and while Slippery Rock is not Alabama, they can take lessons from them.

The mantra for SRU is “We don’t rebuild, we reload.” It’s a task that’s much tougher done than said, especially when this 2021 class has made SRU records that exceed those of The Rock's past.

Among them were The Rock’s three veteran, star receivers: Jermaine Wynn Jr., Henry Litwin and Cinque Sweeting. To compare to Alabama again, the Crimson Tide lost their top two

receivers as well in John Metchie and Jameson Williams.

In total, The Rock has 30 student athletes incoming. 10 of them are transfers and 20 of them are coming from high school.

The official position count is eight offensive lineman, six defensive lineman, four defensive backs, three running backs, three receivers, two tight ends, two linebackers and a kicker.

The Rock received two transfers at the wide receiver position in Jacob Odom and Cohen Russell and one incoming freshman in Jaiyell Plowden.

Odom spent time at the University of North Dakota with current starting quarterback, Noah Grover. Russell returns to The Rock after a couple years away. Both are receivers that Coach Shawn Lutz thinks can have immediate impacts on the field.

“You’re never going to replace a Litwin, Sweeting or Wynn, but we’ve got Kyle Sheets who’s coming back next year and can be big time along with Qaadir Dixon and Gavyn Barnes, but to add Jacob Odom, who will be

one of the fastest outside receivers in the country and is a pipeline with Noah Grover from North Dakota is big,” Lutz said. “Then we got Cohen Russell back, who’s fast and can make people miss, so to add them to what we already have coming back is exciting.”

The return of Noah Grover and Brayden Long played a big role in the most important position not being recruited. But the back field was recruited, however. With the loss of Evyn Holtz, Lutz felt they still had an impressive one, two punch with Tim Smith and Chris D’Or, but now add Chris Wells to the mix and the back field has the opportunity to be one of the best in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

“You need running backs, because they get hurt easily and I’m very comfortable with our one, two punch in Tim Smith, who can get the tough yards, and Chris D’Or, who is just a homerun waiting to happen,” Lutz said. “But then you add in Chris Wells, who has three years of eligibility left, and now we’ve got a really good one, two, three punch.”

The offense really found their groove towards the end the season right when Noah Grover stepped in to take the helm at quarterback, but another aspect that they lost some depth on the offensive line.

The team lost Jake Tecak and Austin Wayt in the big senior class, and now have to fill their spots.

In order to do that, Lutz brought in eight offensive linemen. Jeff Burkhart, a transfer from Lock Haven University, will be one of the linemen to help do that. Burkhart is one of two transfers on the offensive line, with the other being Michael Toten, who comes all the way from Grossmont College in California.

Another thing that you’ll hear if you’re around The Rock football program is the emphasis on family. This graduating class took that quite literally. The Rock welcomes punter Kyle Butt’s younger brother, Cory and they also brought in the brother of Rock men’s soccer goalkeeper, Hossam Aly: Mohamed Aly. “I love brother combinations, it’s a family in our program,

but just to get a brother combination is pretty cool,” Lutz said. “I’ll admit this, he might he even have a bigger leg than his brother.”

Slippery Rock also brought in another tight end to go along with Max Maciejewski, who when he returned to the field, made an immediate impact on the offense. He made it clear just how big that position really is and how much it truly means to The Rock’s pass dominate offense.

The arrival of Carson Heckathorn helps The Rock be flexible as he can do it all. Now, Kameron Kruzelyak who comes from West Liberty University where he caught 25 passes last season, will be playing at linebacker.

Linebacker is one of the bigger needs for The Rock.

They lost some key pieces with the departure of Tim Vernick, Peyton Remish and Trysten McDonald.

“We feel we’ve met all of our needs in recruiting, e xc e p t a t l i n e b a c k e r,

because we lost a lot of pieces there, so we’ll still even be looking to bring in a transfer in the spring,” Lutz said.

The spring is going to be huge for the program.

The Rock is coming off of their third straight year in the PSAC title game and now with losses like Chad Kuhn and Garrett d e Bi e n , t h e ve t e r a n presence won’t be there as much next year.

It’ l l b e a l m o s t a n entirely new group of players that Lutz will have the challenge of meshing together. But that’s what makes it fun, and Lutz’s goal is always the same: bring home a championship.

“I can’t wait to just reload the program, and I think a lot of people will count us out with all of the seniors we lost this past season, but I truly believe that in this program, we don’t rebuild, we reload,” Lutz said.

Men's rugby prepares for spring

By Marissa Mastrangelo Assistant Copy/Web Editor

The Slippery Rock Men's Rugby Club (Rock Rugby) is preparing for a much anticipated spring 2022 season.

The Men's Rock Rugby team is a club sport for Slippery Rock University (SRU). They are competing against other colleges where rugby is one of their division sports.

Rock Rugby has been rebuilding their team in every aspect since COVID-19 began.

Due to the pandemic, the team had begun to fall apart and were forced to go rogue. The players that were freshmen and sophomores at the time looked elsewhere to continue playing.

It hasn't always been an easy ride for the Rock Rugby team. Prior to COVID-19, they struggled to execute wins.

Nonetheless, Rock Rugby began developing massive changes because of their coaching staff.

Another reason for their transformation is due to how tightly knit the club is. They are more of a family than a team. A tradition Rock Rugby upholds is their unique nicknames they have for each other, rather than using their first name.

Matt Heasley and Clinton McConnell, nicknamed "Hightower," are Rock Rugby's volunteer coaches.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM RANDALL

Gunner Coleman makes a run for it in a game this past fall for a team that made it all the way to the quarter finals in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) playoffs.

The spring season will have shorter games and less players involved.

They are also formerly known as the Slippery Rock Old Boys (SLOBS), who are alumni that played rugby for SRU. The SLOBS of Rock Rugby play a huge role in mentoring, supporting and even providing networking for the team. The positive support the team receives from the SLOBS runs deep for Rock Rugby. They are there for the team with whatever they need.

Despite a previous streak of losses, by the end of the fall 2021 season, Rock Rugby was one of the best rugby teams in their league.

Rock Rugby is affiliated with National Collegiate Rugby within the 15's player division.

After winning against John Carroll University (26-14), Slippery Rock was qualified for the Allegheny Rugby Union Small College Men playoffs.

After finishing their league play 5-2, they continued on in the National Challenge Cup playoffs. Rock Rugby competed against Grove City College and the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point to became a Great Lakes Regional Qualifier.

After winning in the Great Lakes Regionals, SRU qualified

and headed to the Midwest Championships in St. Louis.

Nationally, this placed Rock Rugby in the Sweet 16.

While in Missouri, Rock Rugby won their semifinal match in the Midwest Championship against Case Western University. However their streak came to end after a tough loss against Wayne State College. This loss eliminated them from the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Final Four in Houston.

Despite not competing in the NCR playoffs, Rock Rugby ended on a

high note for the fall 2021 season.

Three players from the team were also selected to play in the 2021 Allegheny R u g b y Un i o n S m a l l College All-Conference Team: Senior Anthony Houston, junior Wayne ( C h e e s e ) Sa n d e r s a n d freshman Aiden O'Shea.

The Rock Rugby Team President, Anthony Houston, gave further insight into how far the team has come.

"When I was a freshman back in 2018,

we didn't win a single game, our coaches played a huge part in restructuring the practices and team," Houston said. "We are on the brink of something special, we did a complete 180 and have very big things coming."

In the spring, Rock Rugby will play 7's instead of 15's, which means there will be less players on the field and bench, as well as shorter halves. However, it does not mean the games are any less competitive, they are just played at a considerably faster pace.

With spring right around the corner, Rock Rugby is preparing for another noteworthy season.

Overall, their main goals are to grow more as a team, in addition to helping grow the sport of rugby in its entirety. The Rock Rugby team also has their eyes set on possibly traveling to New Orleans.

"We are honestly just really excited to be able to play again," Houston said.

"The team is always taking new players, no experience is needed to join."

The team's spring schedule has not been finalized just yet, but they plan to have 7's games on Saturday's throughout the months of March and April.

Students are encouraged to reach out about joining Rock Rugby. If students have any other questions about the team, be sure to contact Coach Matt Heasley through his email; matt.heasley@sru.

C-2

SPORTS Jamiyah makes her mark

February 11, 2022

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

By Tyler Howe Sports Editor

Morrow Field House is buzzing and it’s almost time for tip-off. Another opportunity in the game she loves was here for Jamiyah Johnson.

Reflection is key in any aspect of life, but for Johnson it's even more so for basketball.

Reflection for her is looking back at the things she didn’t accomplish. For her it was things that she didn’t get to do at Davis & Elkins College (D&E). While there for her first four years, she accomplished a lot.

As just a freshman there, she appeared in all 28 games they played and, more impressively she grabbed 120 rebounds.

A year later, she grabbed 212 and started 17 of the 27 games she appeared in. But her start at D&E wasn’t what she envisioned.

“It was rocky at first, but it got better as the years went along and I was doing better in freshman and sophomore years, but my junior year was like a breath of fresh air,” Johnson said. “That year I really started to just do what I’m doing and found a love for the game, and I just had fun with it.”

In the 2019-2020 season Johnson had her breakout year.

She racked up accolade after accolade. D&E had just joined the Mountain East Conference (MEC) and in their first season

there, Johnson helped them make their mark.

She averaged almost 19 points and 15 rebounds a game. She also notched a double-double in 24 straight games and had 26 overall.

Both of those tied for the most National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II women’s basketball.

Then as the story always goes, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the entire world and shut down sports. The break shut down the entirety of the sports world for some time. Now approaching the two-year mark of when it all happened, Johnson is still playing ball.

While The Rock made the decision to not play any basketball in spring 2021, D&E did continue to play.

In their COVID-19 season, Johnson posted her 1,000 career point at D&E, but unfortunately her career there didn’t end how she would’ve liked.

“I had actually gotten sick with COVID, and it took away three games, and I just knew that I couldn’t go out like that,” Johnson said. “It took away from me being able to possibly be the all-time leader in rebounds, and I was kind of upset because I had timed it out perfectly, but it didn’t work out.”

After the season, she decided that it was time for a change. She looked for other options and

w i t h h e l p, e ve n t u a l l y decided on Slippery Rock University. She wanted to come here and play

"I love when people tell me they look up to me, and [it's cool knowing] younger people look up to me."

– Jamiyah Johnson, SRU women's basketball player

under Coach Robert McGraw took an interest in her. The change was immediate when it came to the differences between D&E and Slippery Rock.

“The campus itself is just very big. D&E is this small college with like 900 people max, but I came here, and I wasn’t used to everything being so far away from me,” Johnson said.

The atmosphere was completely different. Johnson went from a school that had just around 800 students to a place that boasts roughly 8,000 more students.

The focus was still basketball though. She was able to transfer as a graduate student and decided to use her last year of eligibility here.

But she was coming to a team that in 2019, didn’t perform as well as they had hoped. SRU women's basketball amassed a record of just 8-20 that year, but this season, 2021-2022, they already have more wins.

“I was honestly just looking to play, but it means a lot to me because I’ve been able to be part of a big turn around here and I’ll forever be grateful for it,” Johnson said.

Now she’s playing with Daeja Quick, and the duo has helped to lead the team to an early record of 10-9. The Rock started out at 10-3, but just like the last two years of play for Johnson, COVID-19 has disrupted some already set plans.

The team had to take an eight-day hiatus from practicing and playing due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Since the break, they haven’t won a game, but to Johnson

the mindset dset is the same. Just st go out and keep playing.

“Thatt break definitely ly took a toll on n us, and I think we’ve been trying to build ourselves rselves back up and I don’t think hink we’re at 100% again quite ite yet,” Johnson said.

“But I think hink that we’re going to turn it around soon and give you guys what you saw from us earlier this season.”

With nine games left this season, that’s exactly what they’ll look ok to do. Nonetheless, Johnson’s’s impact can’t be understated. ted. Johnson has already dy posted a double-double double 17 times this is season.

The only ly time she didn’t n’t was against Indiana ndiana University ty of Pennsylvania vania (IUP) when she had seven points and nd 17 rebounds. s.

Johnson on has been a big ig part of trying to help bring The Rock back too the Pennsylvania lvania State Athletic Conference ( P S A C ) tournament.

In the end, nd, it is one of her goals for this season.

She came me here to

help he bring home ho a PSAC PS title.

The T duo of Johnson and Quick Quic have helped bring two im important aspects to the fore forefront of their game: passi passing and rebounding. To McG McGraw and Johnson alike, it’s a reason they could walk aw away with that title.

“My biggest goa goal would definitely be to win the PSAC, that would be great, and it would be so awesome to experience,” Johnson Johns said.

She also has gain gained a role that was unbeknownst unbekn to her until recent recently: being a role model.

“I love when whe people tell me that th they look up to me, and [it’s cool knowing] k younger peo people look up to me,” Johnson said. “I’m just jus doing what I love, and an you’re s o m e o n e o u t t h e re looking up to me, me I’m no one special, I jjust love the game of ba basketball and want to be the best at it.”

When thin things do eventually come com to a close though, Johnson wants to be remembered rem for a long time. time In her words, she wants wan to be remembered by leaving a little bit of “sparkle" “ everywhere sshe goes.

Basketball and COVID-19

By Tyler Howe Sports Editor

When November 2021 hit, it was a finally a reality that all Slippery Rock University (SRU) teams had officially returned to playing. Both basketball teams had long awaited their homecoming.

Neither team had hit the court in nearly two years, but the time was finally here.

The question was and still is though: how will COVID-19 affect this season?

In the fall, not a lot changed.

With the emergence of the COVID-19 vaccine, it even seemed like things were going to get better and maybe, just maybe the mask mandate would be lifted. There was hope all semester long.

Those hopes never came to fruition, but more variants did. Right as the fall seasons ended, basketball slowly crept up. Of course, it was going to be basketball’s problem. They had narrowly avoided it in 2020, but they lost a whole year already.

They weren’t the only sport to lose that year, but for some reason it felt like they had the longest wait. Spring sports made their comeback

"[Covid-19] has effected everything."

– Robert McGraw, women's head basketball coach

only a few weeks after their season would have concluded.

They could’ve been the first to return, but it just wasn’t possible at the time.

For spring 2021 there were a ton of guidelines and rules to follow when it came to trying to keep players safe. In order to keep players on the field all precautions were taken: limited capacity at events, wearing masks at all time and weekly testing.

Skip to now, and both basketball teams are back in Morrow Field House playing games. But, things are still changing every day. “[COVID-19] has effected everything,” Coach Robert McGraw said.

Compared to the fall, it’s a lot harder to stop the transmission of COVID-19 when all sports are inside.

When sports were outside, it made the process a lot easier.

Spectators didn’t have to wear masks, although they were encouraged too. Vaccinated players didn’t have to test, and cases were down. But just as The Rock women’s basketball team hit a groove, in swooped COVID-19.

“We got to 10-3 and we were in the others receiving votes in the Atlantic region, but then we had a COVID-19 shutdown,” McGraw said.

“We weren’t allowed to practice or play games for eight days, and we haven’t won a game since.”

The Rock women were in the midst of a turnaround that saw them win 10 of their first 13 games. In comparison, they won just seven games in 2019-2020. The COVID-19 spike hit the entire nation, and The Rock women were no exception to it.

Neither were The Rock men. They also have had to

reschedule multiple games due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

Both teams were also affected when the SRU administration made thE decision to shut out all spectators. The decision was made before the double header on Jan. 29, when The Rock welcomed both California University of Pennsylvania (Cal-U) teams. The decision came after fans had been ignoring the mask mandate that’s been in place on campus for almost the entirety of the past two years.

In those games, both teams struggled. The first game saw Cal-U men’s team encouraging their female team and making noise in the away side bleachers.

“The Cal men didn’t do anything inappropriate or anything like that and I’ve said that, but to face that in your own building [hurt because the girls feed off of the crowd’s energy],” McGraw said.

That noise made all the difference according to McGraw, because what was supposed to be a home game suddenly felt like an away game.

“I can’t speak to how it affected the players, but obviously it had some effect on them because they couldn’t have their family or friends there,” McGraw said. “But I was disappointed in the decision because we weren’t going to allow our student athletes to, at a minimum, have their parents there after they had an entire year taken away from them, and two players like Daeja Quick and Jamiyah Johnson, to not be able to have family there was highly disappointing.”

The ban was lifted a week later, and fans were allowed back to see a double header against Indiana University of

Pennsylvania (IUP). Before each game both McGraw and the Men’s Coach Ian Grady pleaded with fans to keep on masks and follow protocols so that they could continue to play in front of a crowd.

“If you love college basketball or you’re a college basketball coach or player, playing in an environment like that is what it’s all about,” Grady said.

That environment helped The Rock men keep pace with one of the best teams in the conference, IUP. They lost on a last second three and a turnover helped seal the deal.

Two days later, they traveled to Indiana and played in front of no one. That made a difference. This time instead of losing by five, they lost by 11.

COVID-19 has taken some of the “mojo” from both teams.

After the layoffs, both teams have faced losing slumps. The Rock women have now hit eight losses in a row. The men have lost six of their last seven.

As things continue to roll along, both teams will continue to look to find their winning ways once again, but this season is undoubtedly different than before. They’ve had to face all sorts of protocols and things can change at a moments notice: as seen when spectators weren’t allowed in the building.

They’re down to the final stretch. February is it, and as they inch closer and closer to the season finale, the protocols stay the same.

If there’s one message they could get to The Rock faithful and anyone else who attends games, it would simply be: keep your mask on, so the players can continue to play in front of friends and family.

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

The return of basketball has seen a few COVID-19 issues arise and caused multiple pauses. The breaks in action disrupted the momentum both teams had in the early parts of the season.

HALLE ANGELO / THE ROCKET

SPORTS

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February 11, 2022

Family at The Rock

RAYNI SHIRING / THE ROCKET

Coach Shawn Lutz huddles with his team after a big win over Califoria University of Pennsylvania (Cal-U) that sent them to the Pensylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title game for the third straight season. The season had no major hiccups due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and saw the return of not only play on the field, but friends, family and fans in the stands.

By Tyler Howe Sports Editor

Family is a word that is often used, but sometimes has it’s meaning lost.

When COVID-19 hit, it’s meaning became clearer.

Family and friends often intersect, but the one constant between the two is love.

Imagine a scenario where you are shut away from seeing those you love and care for or doing the thing you love. For nearly the entire world, COVID-19 made this a reality and it doesn’t need to be imagined.

On one hand, the COVID-19 layoff when all students were sent home was used as a way to reset and enjoy family’s presence. In his feature story, “Far from home,” Cinque Sweeting described the time as a reset. He spent as much time as he could with his family. He wasn’t the only one to do so.

When you become so close with people, it’s just as easy to miss your “family” at college. For many, including Shawn Lutz, it made them miss w h a t t h e y h a d h e re .

But don’t get it twisted, that time at home was extremely important. “ It p u t t h i n g s i n t o perspective, it made me take a little backseat to what’s important, because people were losing loved ones due to COVID-19,” Lutz said. “It really made me appreciate being a dad.”

The ability to be with immediate family meant the world to Lutz. The father of three boys, he’ll take all the time with them that he can get.

“Just to see them more and being able to be home cooking a little more meals, it just made me value how important it is being a dad and what your purpose really is,” Lutz said.

But that theme of family stuck with him. It stuck with

nearly every Rock sports program. The teams would constantly meet on zoom and talk on the phone. For Lutz, it was almost daily. He missed the sense of what he had helped build here. But when exactly he’d be able to get back to it was unknown at the time.

COVID-19 caused a lot of things to be uncertain.

Look at the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball Association (NBA). They had to finish their seasons in bubbles, away from not only their home cities, but their families as well.

College didn’t have that ability. March Madness for both men’s and women’s basketball was canceled. It was a time that was hectic, even though there was nothing going on.

The fear of not being able to play in front of families spread. Even at The Rock, there were discussions that if spring sports were to be resumed it would be in front of no one. Of

course, that didn’t happen, and sports didn’t resume.

That time that was almost spent away from family turned into time that was spent almost solely with family.

In the fall of 2020, the trend of playing in front of no one continued. From college to the NFL, there was no one playing in front of fans. At the time it just wasn’t plausible.

Meanwhile, The Rock football players were also missing that family atmosphere. Lutz wasn’t the only one who missed it. Players like Henr y L i t w i n , A u s t i n Wa y t and Jermaine Wynn Jr. missed the culture that was created here. They started having internal discussions about returning after their season was canceled.

“I was so energized when we got back to do things that we used to, but some guys decided to not play football anymore,” Lutz said. “It’s

kind of funny because Henry was asking Austin and Jermaine if they were coming, and if one didn’t then maybe none of them did, but they wanted to be together one last time.”

It was a theme across all SRU sports. For as many players who didn’t return, just as many did. One of the key factors was being able to play and have their family watch. In the fall there were no hiccups, but this winter saw one.

S p e c t a t o r s w e r e n’t allowed at a basketball double header in late Januar y, and it had an effect on the players, because after coming so far and making the hard choice to come back, they weren’t able to have family or friends in the stands.

The decision was overturned a week l a t e r, b u t y o u c a n’t underestimate how important it is to anyone involved to be able to

have family and friends in attendance.

“Some of these guys, it’s their last year and it’s a part of sports to have your family watch you play,” Lutz said. “You don’t get this time back, and it is a privilege, not a right to play, but that’s what puts it all together, to have family with you no matter what.”

A privilege, not a right.

That was never clearer than in those basketball games. It was also obvious the impact that having loved ones in the crowd makes.

But no matter what, at Slippery Rock the goal is to come and make new f a m i l y. Lu t z s u m s u p exactly what that means. “ We consider family t o b e a n y b o d y t h a t’s impor tant to someone and that truly cares for their best interest,” Lutz said. “We talk about it all the time, loving each other and there is nothing wrong with that.”

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VIDEO: UPB and planning events

CAMPUS LIFE

Toxic love and abuse

By Sarah Anderson Campus Life Editor

CONTENT WARNING: This story contains mentions of domestic violence, abuse and suicide.

Use caution before reading.

Domestic violence can occur in many different forms in any relationship.

Maizee Zaccone the Outreach and Vo l u n t e e r A d v o c a t e for Victim Outreach Intervention Center (VOICe) is one of the many supports for survivors who are reaching out for help.

The priority for VOICe is to offer a safe place for survivors of domestic violence with various resources.

This includes things such as crisis intervention, e m e r g e n c y s h e l t e r, t r a n s i t i o n a l housing, advocacybased counseling, various advocate serious and support groups as well as community outreach and prevention, according to their website.

Zaccone describes domestic violence as any type of abusive relationship falling under the category of intimate partner or a romantic relationship of some kind.

“Domestic violence can be from physical abuse, to emotional

GRAPHIC BY: HALLE ANGELO

abuse, which can be a little more difficult t o i d e n t i f y,” Z a c c o n e said. “There can be manipulation, coercion, blackmail.

It can be economic abuse, keeping your partner from having a job of their own . . . access to documents, to treatment. " It ’s a wide s p e c t r u m .”

Relationships that fall under abuse, manipulation or coercion are defining traits of domestic violence.

VOICe serves those in Butler C o u n t y, m a k i n g i t a direct resource

for Slippery Rock University (SRU) students. According t o t h e i r “ W h o We Serve” message, they provide services to those in the community regardless of age, g e n d e r, r a c e , c o l o r, religion, culture, national origin, sexual orientation and many more.

The organization has two very prominent services they utilize. One of these services is their 24 hour hotline, which can be reached at 1.800.400.8551.

VOICe also has a domestic violence

shelter which allows survivors to stay for roughly 30 days.

They are provided with the basic necessities such as

"Domestic violence can be from physical abuse, to emotional abuse, which can be a little more difficult to identify."

–Maizee Zaccone, the outreach and volunteer advocate for VOICe

food, clothes and similar items.

“It gives sur vivors the opportunity to have that disconnected time from whatever is going on in their life and be able t o d e c i d e w h a t ’s n e x t ,” Z a c c o n e s a i d . “ Un f o r t u n a t e l y, that ends up in them returning to whatever situation they were already in.

“On average, it takes about seven times for somebody to leave an abusive r e l a t i o n s h i p .”

SEE TAKING PAGE D-2

Behind the scenes of UPB

By Megan John Asst. Campus Life Editor

University Program Board (UPB) at SRU has been operating for over 30 years. Their events are wellknown around campus, like the recently postponed “A Conversation with Pete Davidson," but the work that goes into each event is usually overlooked.

An important part of the process is the connections.

UPB has long-standing relationships with professional agencies, and when new members are elected, senior members introduce them to the agents. These connections often follow long after graduation.

Amy Myers, director of speakers committee, took on the challenge of planning UPB’s first traditional event in two years. As a newer member, she has not experienced this process just yet.

Natalie Glenn, president of UPB, has experienced both traditional programming and coronavirus programming.

During the pandemic, she said that Zoom fatigue was a challenge when planning events: people weren’t willing to get back on their computers after a day of virtual work.

"There's been a transition between being able to have these concerts, being able to have these speakers, and then Zoom burnout fatigue,"

Glenn said. "They don't even want to get on their computers, because they were already on them all day.

"It's been a very, very difficult transition."

During the planning stage, it all starts with an idea. Members brainstorm during committee meetings: they begin with a buzzword, and members build on that buzzword until they have a plan for an event.

Non-UPB members with ideas can also contribute in two ways. First, they can join a committee. UPB is volunteer-based, meaning there is no time requirement.

Second, they can come in during office hours and have a conversation about their ideas and how those can be realistically turned into an event.

University events are student-oriented, aiming to provide a takeaway and sometimes give mementos.

Speakers and concerts aim to create memories. Not every speaker or performer will be accepted by every student, but the goal of UPB is to do what’s best for the whole campus community.

When it comes to organizing speeches and performances, UPB members start by finding out who is available to perform or speak.

COVID-19 adds a unique challenge to this part of the process: many artists want required proof of vaccination

COURTESY OF UPB CORE PAGE University Program Board (UPB) is student-run, with various positions available. Students work together to plan events and bring different talent to SRU.

or negative tests, and as a public university, SRU cannot require that.

Contracts are worked out between the artist and the organization, then a venue is chosen. For Pete Davidson’s event, for instance, the Robert N. Aebersold Student Recreation Center (ARC) was booked, but couldn’t be filled to capacity due to COVID-19 limitations.

UPB communicated with the director of health and safety to work out an appropriate number of spots.

Next, they tackle tickets: how many to sell and who should be allowed to buy. The final part of the process is all about creativity and fun.

This includes planning out questions for the speaker and what they might use to draw students in.

Since many students have not seen traditional programming, drawing them in is crucial.

A c c o rd i n g t o My e r s , social media plays a big part in getting the word out about events.

When “A Conversation w i t h Pe t e D a v i d s o n” was announced, UPB’s like and follower counts skyrocketed.

UPB stated that there are currently no updates for "A Conversation with Pete Davidson," and they are working to reschedule the event for later in the semester.

Many students have an immediate reaction to UPB announcements without taking into

account the work involved.

“A l o t o f p e o p l e d o n’t re a l i z e t h a t w e are a student-run organization. This is what we happen to be involved in on campus.

So much goes into one single event, and understanding that we are just students putting this on . . . that’s a good thing to have in the back of their head," Glenn said.

CAMPUS LIFE New Dean brings changes to SRU February 11, 2022

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By Sarah Anderson Campus Life Editor

In Nov e m b e r 2 0 2 1 , Karla Fonner left her position with St u d e n t Su p p o r t a n d took up the position o f D e a n o f St u d e n t s for Slippery Rock University (SRU).

This position has not been occupied in nearly twenty years.

As Dean of Students, F o n n e r ’s e v e r y d a y looks different. Her top priority is to ensure that students are connected to resources across campus for when things happen outside of the classroom. She is in charge of care reports as well as when things regarding

"We want to figure out how we can support you through whatever it is that you're going through."

– Karla Fonner, dean of students

student conduct take place.

Pre v i o u s l y b e i n g i n St u d e n t Su p p o r t , s h e w a s re g u l a r l y d e a l i n g with student conflict at various stages. This could be roommate situations and living arrangements, lack of financial resources, lack of food, clothing or housing and all various basic needs.

Among these conflicts, Fonner also handled safety issues such as someone who has been violated, assaulted or abused.

With COVID-19, student conduct has also been dealing with family conflicts, such as possible illness or death of family members.

The goal of Student Suppor t is to offer re s o u rc e s t o s t u d e n t s and let them know they are cared for. “ We want to figure out how we can support you through whatever it is that you’re going through,” Fonner said. “ We m e e t w i t h t h e students, and we talk through what their options are, what choices they have and where we want to explore all the possible ways around a situation.”

In order to effectively support students, there are various members apart of these teams to conduct effective communication. Every m o r n i n g , F o n n e r ’s “internal team” meets

Taking a stand CONTINUED FROM PAGE D-1

Amanda Reilly, a senior SRU student, openly spoke on her Instagram (@theamandareilly) about a previous abusive relationship she was in for nearly two years.

Her post cites multiple incidents over the years including things such as being belittled, called various names, being yelled at as well as sexual coercion.

Reilly began to distance herself once she realized the situation she was in.

“It was a cycle that I felt stuck in and never thought it would end until one day it finally did,” Reilly wrote in her multi-slide Instagram post. “Even now almost a year later, I’m still struggling with the trauma while he’s living with no remorse, and that’s something I will have to learn to be okay with.”

As Reilly processed what happened, she often turned to her friends for support.

That support quickly made her more open to discuss this with others.

“I’m very lucky that my friends have a great way of communicating,” Reilly said. “It really helped me to eventually talk to my mom and dad about it.

“It started with one friend, then to a group of friends, then one day I was able to talk to my parents as briefly as I could."

Going to Instagram to share personal details can sometimes be a daunting experience, but for Reilly she did it “arm in arm” with a close friend.

Negative backlash was a fear for her, but the post actually prompted a young woman to reach out to Reilly and share details of her current experience.

“It can be anyone you know or anyone you pass,” Reilly said. “It’s sad because it really can be anyone.”

While domestic violence is often considered a

“women’s issue,” VOICe i s w o r k i n g t ow a rd s reframing the narrative around abuse.

“We as a society haven’t caught up with the fact that not all relationships are heteronormative.”

Zaccone said. “We haven’t caught up with, you know, that toxic masculinity is an issue.

“Men being willing to even say that they could be a victim is an issue.”

Zaccone pushes the importance of recognizing that men are also affected by domestic violence.

In 2014 an investigation began that involved two teenagers and domestic violence. Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy III had been involved with each other since 2012.

According to a New York Times article, Carter refereed to Roy as her boyfriend, but he seemed to reject that idea.

Roy had struggled with abuse at home and thoughts of suicide prior to the incident occurring on July 12, 2014. As time went on, Carter had been encouraged him to go through with it. The case has various sides to the conversation, often times people defending Carter.

The case aides in conversation regarding abuse, specifically when men are the victim.

It is important to have these conversations regarding domestic violence, but Zaccone also thinks it’s important to learn and recognize what a healthy relationship is. This includes having boundaries, respect and saying "I’m worth it."

“Th ere can be a more optimistic side of the c o n v e r s a t i o n , t o o ,” Zaccone said.

VOICe offers many local resources for those in the SRU area, but there is also a national hotline available (1.800.799.7233).

COURTESY OF KARLA FONNER Fonner has embraced challenges of new role as Dean of Students. She manages student ssupport as well as student conduct cases.

together to discuss their daily goals and what needs to be completed.

Once a week a staff meeting occurs where the team will look at the overall department to make sure things are o p e r a t i n g e f f e c t i v e l y.

This includes looking at programs going on, revisiting their mission statement and keeping the path open for departmental communication.

One of the biggest tools in clear communication among staff members is a

software system that a l l ow s c a s e m a n a g e r s t o s e e o n e a n o t h e r’s active cases. This is to be sure that students are receiving active information with whoever they may talk too.

Fonner also has a Care Coordination Team in place, which she deems as essential to running operations as the Dean of Students. This team is compromised of a representative from the Student Counseling Center (SCC), Student Health Services, Office

of Disability Services, St u d e n t Su p p o r t a n d Residence Life. Their weekly meetings last about two hours and they discuss cases that require crosscommunication across departments.

The final team is the Behavioral Intervention and Response team, which includes the care team plus some additional members who are crucial to stepping in if there is a threat to the community.

Fonner is not only working and communicating with these various teams, but she is working to rebrand the way people think about the purpose of Student Support. One of these steps is changing the perspective of CARE reports.

“I think we made a mistake early on using t h e t e r m ‘ re p o r t .’ So we’re trying to get away f r o m t h a t a n d re a l l y making it more about c o n n e c t i o n t o c a r e ,” Fonner said. “I think t h e r e’s a p e r c e p t i o n when you hear the word ‘report,’ like you’re in trouble for something.

“CARE is meant to be a helpful space because y o u’re w o r r i e d a b o u t someone,” Fonner said.

St u d e n t Su p p o r t i s trying to change the language, referring to it as "CARE referral."

Fonner, who received her undergraduate and

m a s t e r’s d e g r e e f r o m S RU , w e n t o n t o d o nonprofit work before returning a few years later to work on a grant project for violence against women, nearly 19 years ago.

About six or seven ye a r s a g o , a c c o rd i n g to Fonner, the Student Affairs Office went under restructuring to coordinate student inter vention. She was tasked with creating a department that would support and retain students.

“That was about six years ago, I started doing this work and really started to grow what Student Suppor t is,” Fonner said. “The tricky part about this role, at least with the director of Student Support, there was no playbook.”

Student Support and Student Conduct have undergone many changes over the last decade, and as the new Dean of Students, Fonner is always looking f o r w a y s t o i m p r ov e the departments and support students most effectively. “ We are very interested in what [students] need to b e s u c c e s s f u l h e r e ,” Fo n n e r s a i d . “ K n o w t h a t ’s g o i n g t o b e different for everyone, we want to meet with you. " We w a n t t o h e a r from you. We’re here to help you learn and grow."

February 11, 2022

CAMPUS LIFE

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Vaccine clinic offers incentivies for SRU

GRAPHIC BY: RAYNI SHIRING

By Megan John Asst. Campus Life Editor

On Friday Feb. 11, Student Health Services (SHS) and Giant Eagle will be hosting a vaccine clinic at the Robert V. Aebersold Student Recreation Center (ARC) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students from Healthy Outreach through Peer Education (HOPE) will encourage others to get

"But of course, anytime we do a clinic like this, it’s about making it more accessible. " – Vanessa Vought, the SHS health promotion coordinator

vaccinated through giveaways, a photo booth and Valentine’s Day themed goodies.

The clinic is open to SRU students, faculty and staff. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be provided, along with flu shots for those who haven’t received them yet.

Th is will be the sixth vaccine clinic hosted by SHS and Giant Eagle since COVID-19 vaccines became widely available in spring 2021. Vanessa Vought, the SHS health

promotion coordinator, aims to provide timely and accessible clinics when COVID-19 guidelines change.

“But of course, anytime we do a clinic like this, it’s about making it more a c c e s s i b l e . W h e re ve r you are in that process of getting vaccinated, whether it’s your first, second or third shot, students are welcome to come.”

As the health promotion c o o rd i n a t o r, Vo u g h t keeps up with common health issues on campus

and provides necessary education and services, with the goal of keeping the student body as healthy as possible.

Previous clinics have been held at the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center and near the Mass Testing Center in the University Union. SHS changes locations in order to find the most easily accessible ones. Vought considers last semester’s vaccine clinics to be very successful.

“Anytime we can get a student vaccinated, that’s

a success in my book,” Vought said.

For those attending a clinic for the first time, the process is simple. Anyone can register ahead of time or walk in between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Qualified pharmacists from Giant Eagle will be on hand to administer vaccines or flu shots, as will a nurse from SHS in case of a reaction.

Going through the clinic from start to finish takes roughly 20 minutes.

Vought emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated at this

stage of the pandemic.

Getting vaccinated is one additional thing you can do to be protected and prevent severe illness from COVID-19. “ We k e e p g o i n g through these waves. . . each wave is bigger than the last, and the waves are getting exponentially bigger and bigger. Even though we’re coming off the peak of omicron, we still have a higher level of daily reported cases than anytime prior to when the omicron wave started,” Vought said.

WEEKLY ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT MEDLIFE

STEP TEAM

By Sarah Anderson Campus Life Editor

Medicine, Education and Development for L ow - In c o m e Fa m i l i e s (MEDLIFE) is a non-profit organization that aids lowincome families in Latin America and Africa. The organization has chapters all over the globe, and the chapter at SRU is relatively new, beginning approximately five years ago.

Quinn Adams, a senior exercise science and Spanish double major, is only the second president of the organization. MEDLIFE has many volunteer and fundraising opportunities, as well as the chances to do service learning trips.

MEDLIFE at SRU is trying to regain focus on the organizations main values: medicine, education and development. Some specific activities the club has done to make steps towards achieving these values is local volunteer and fundraising events. They donate the money to MEDLIFE. They also partner with food initiatives to help support partner communities in Ecuador.

These are some small things the club does to try and get around the barriers of COVID-19. They are hoping that in May 2023 they will be able to go onto another service learning trip.

Although the club may seem geared towards those going into the medical field, Adams said they are trying

to branch out and reach people in different majors.

"Currently, most of our members are pre-health majors, I would say that's because they see 'MED' and think 'medicine,'" Adams said. "We would like to reach out to more education majors, safety majors.

"We're just a volunteer organization."

Adams also emphasizes the benefit of the club being a global project.

"People can participate in service learning trips, any age, any time. That's the thing, this is bigger than our campus," Adams said.

Those interested in joining MEDLIFE or learning more can reach out via CORE, Instagram (@medlifesru) and Adams' email, qka1001@sru.edu.

COURTESY OF MEDLIFE CORE PAGE Prior to COVID-19, MEDLIFE took various trips in effort to support communities in need. They are hoping to go on their annual trip again in spring 2023.

By Megan John Asst. Campus Life Editor

The Rock Royalty Step Team is a recently revived d a n c e t e a m a t S RU , practicing and performing rhythmic dances involving synchronized movement.

Step dancing originally came from fraternities and sororities of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU). However, Rock Royalty is not affiliated with Greek life.

The team itself is only a few years old. Team captain Angelica Gyan has worked to revitalize it since returning to inperson classes. As a secondsemester freshman, she did not experienced the step

team prior to COVID-19.

Without team members from previous years, she is rebuilding from scratch.

“As soon as you get onto the floor, your heart wants to perform and show the audience what you made up, because not that many people know stepping,” Gyan said. “ The first impression has to be really good.”

Rock Royalty plans to compete, fundraise and perform at football and basketball games. Last season, Gyan performed solo in the bleachers during a football game as a way to promote the team.

Those interested in joining the step team or learning more can reach out via CORE and Gyan’s email, axg1093@sru.edu.

"The first impression has to be really good.”

– Angelica Gyan, captain of Rock Royalty Step Team

GRAPHIC BY: HALLE ANGELO

February 11, 2022

THE ROCKET

Movie Review: 'Drive My Car'

By Dereck Majors Review Columnist

Three-hour long films are often reserved for epics— films that are on a massive scale. “Titanic,” “Gone with the Wind” or “Avengers: Endgame” come to mind and they require each and every second of their runtime in order to properly and effectively tell their stories.

A drama about a man dealing with the sudden loss of his wife, however, does not normally constitute this lengthy duration.

But Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” is not an ordinary three-hour long endeavor. The film takes its time to allow the audience to explore each and every aspect of its many characters: their lives and their ambitions.

Whereas many films edit intimate moments to simply include the “juicy” details, Hamaguchi’s story allows these slices of life to be expressed in full. In turn, the audience can immerse itself in every conversation to truly understand each character.

One of these scenes occurs toward the end of the film as two characters sit in the back of a car reflecting on a woman that touched both of their lives. Hamaguchi decides to simply focus the camera on the character who the audience is supposed to despise. There is no escape for the audience. No cuts, camera movement, or score

deviates our attention away from this person. We have to hear them out. Listen to their side of the story. Learn from them.

This 10-minute scene is built upon the tension in the dialogue. As the conversation continues, you can almost feel a bubble form in between these two. One that is just on the verge of popping. Like many of these long, drawnout scenes in “Drive My Car,” we are at the mercy of a director so in tune with his craft as he guides us along the life of these characters.

What Hamaguchi’s film does so masterfully is it doesn’t attempt to offer a life lesson after a tragic event.

Instead, we are taught that life moves on, regardless of if we are ready to continue on or not. The film’s credits do not appear on screen until forty-one minutes into the film, which is after the death of Yusuke’s wife, Oto. It signifies that Yusuke’s life, just like the plays he acts and directs, must carry on. This moment is merely the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Hamaguchi decides to alter the structure of the Haruki Murakami short story that the film is based on in order to put more emphasis on the central story which begins after these credits.

Yasuke arrives in Hiroshima to direct a multilingual adaptation of Chekhov’s "Uncle Vanya."

One of the theater company’s

rules, however, is that he is not to drive himself anywhere during his residency and will be appointed a female driver, twenty-three-year-old Misaki, to take him to his various destinations in his red Saab.

Hesitant at first, the platonic relationship that builds between these two helps one another to deal with the severe trauma and agony that each has experienced.

Yusuke with the death of both his wife and infant child some-twenty years prior, and Misaki with the abuse from her mother. They’re both lost: feeling trapped in their own individual lives. The connection that forms allows them to come to terms with their pasts and move toward a more fulfilling future.

The key to this film is its simplicity. There are no intricate camera angles or flashy costumes and sets. In its place is a sophisticated story that fleshes out its characters along with their intentions and desires. It manages to tell its story so efficiently that the lengthy runtime feels facile.

For a story dealing with morbid topics such as death and child abuse, “Drive My Car,” handles them with class while showcasing the realistic trauma these characters suffer.

Hamaguchi’s script is able to tell audiences that these emotions are natural but, as Yusuke states in a scene of self-reflection and healing, “We must keep on living.”

D-4