02/09/18 Digital Edition

COVER DESIGNED BY: CODY NESPOR

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NEWS

February 9, 2018

INSIDE NEWS

Health services to host safe sex, healthy relationship events

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Information provided by Slippery Rock University Health Center/Health Services.

By Daniel DiFabio News Editor

One key goal for the Health Center at SRU is to make sure that students are engaging in safe sex and have the proper materials to do so.

According to Vanessa Vought, health educator for SRU Health Services, the Health Center administered 707 STI tests in the fall 2017 semester. The Health Center also distributes a survey, which is part of a national college health assessment.

According to the survey: 46.4 percent report having only one sexual partner within the last 12 months 57.3 percent report using contraception the last time they have vaginal intercourse 70.2 percent of SRU students or their partners report using birth control pills to prevent pregnancy the last time they engaged in vaginal intercourse

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47.2 percent reported using a condom or protective barrier during vaginal intercourse within the last 40 days

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Only 6 percent of students used protection for oral sex and 18 percent for anal intercourse

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Vought also said that the university also saw an increase in positive chlamydia tests by 50 percent, as well as positive herpes tests by 50 percent, up from last year.

According to Vought it's also important to note that these numbers are not indicative of the entire student population, only accounting for students who come to the Health Center to get services. Some STI's, such as chlamydia are also asymptomatic, and Vought said it's important for students to get tested.

"Chlamydia is notorious for not having any symptoms related to it," Vought said. "That emphasizes the need that if you're sexually active to just get the test done regularly regardless if you're seeing symptoms or not. If you feel like you're at any risk whatsoever, come in and get tested."

The Health Center provides regular programming throughout the entire academic year, with programs available by request. These programs are carried out by HOPE (Healthy Outreach Through Peer Education) peer educators, comprised of SRU students.

"We use the data (from the survey) to kind of focus the information," Vought said. "If we see a drop in STI testing we want to emphasize the point a little more, so we would just target that a little more in the programming."

The month of February is a big month for sexual health, with Valentines Day right in the

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middle of the month. To coincide with this, HOPE peer educators and health services have events for the week of Feb. 12, which is also sexual responsibility week. They will be in the Smith Student Center Ballroom on Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The aim of the event is to promote a different side of sexual health.

"Part of our belief about sexual health is that there are a lot of different topics that relate to it," Vought said. "Some things that are not exactly physical sexual health; like healthy relationships, love and respect."

HOPE will also run the annual Condom Fashion Show, which is on Feb. 28 and starts at 7 p.m. Vought said most events aim to provide sexual health information in a fun way.

"We try to make those types of events a lot more fun and light-hearted because obviously the topic can be very heavy and even a little awkward," Vought said. "We feel like the more fun and engaging it is, the easier it is to get across that information."

The Health Center is open 24/7 and offers sexual health check-ups, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, birth control prescriptions and emergency contraceptions. Vought said she will also meet with people in "option appointments", to describe the numerous contraceptive options.

"I go through every type of birth control available and we kind of find the best that's suitable for you," Vought said.

Additional supplies can be bought through the Protection Connection office, where students can buy condoms, dental dams and lube. Additional condom vending machines can be found in the Boozel bathrooms and Bailey Library.

"Trojan ENZs are consistently our most popular and most sold condoms," Vought said.

"We do take requests for Safer Sex supplies, so students can request a particular brand they'd like us to stock."

Vought, who started at SRU last semester, said she also hopes to make the HOPE Peer Educator presentations more interactive.

"We find that when these specific programs get requested in residence halls, they don't work as well because they're designed for classrooms," Vought said. "We don't want it to be just like we're lecturing you and we're berating you with all this information. If we make it a little more entertaining, people will be more interested in requesting it."

Overall, Vought hopes for the stigma around sexual health to be reduced.

"I want to be able to educate for students to have an open dialogue, increase communication with your partner about STI testing, increase the importance of getting it, I want it on their radar," Vought said. "In that we would see STI testing, see condom sales go through the roof, because they would know it would be second hand."

NEWS

February 9, 2018

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POLICE BLOTTER Campus

February 4- Police were called to Boozel Dining Hall for individuals Februar y 1- Police noticed who were intoxicated. Katherine damage to Scarnati Field while on Fronczak, 18, Abigail Mueller, 18 patrol. The case is currently under and Ashley Sokol, 18, were escorted investigation. to the Health Center and cited for alcohol violations.

February 2- Police heard a woman screaming from inside a car on Rock February 4- Police were called Pride Drive. Bailey Wilson, 19, was to Building E for a medical escorted to the Health Center and emergency. Madelaine Pacella, cited for an alcohol violation.

20, was intoxicated and had to be transported to the hospital. Pacella February 2- While investigating was cited for an alcohol violation. an earlier incident in Building B, police checked on an individual February 4- A smoke detector who appeared to be intoxicated. was set off in Watson Hall. The Casey Snyder, 18, was transported cause was determined to be burnt to the Health Center and was cited food and the panel was reset. for an alcohol violation.

February 4- Police were alerted of a person being harassed in Building A. Both parties were spoken to and the problem was resolved.

Compiled by Adam Zook

February 4- The community assistant in Building B notified police for a possible drug violation.

Kyle Wadsworth, 19, was cited for disorderly conduct and items were seized.

February 4- A vehicle became stuck on the side of Harmony Road. Police called a tow truck and the vehicle was cleared from the roadway.

February 6- A vehicle was stopped by police in the Central Loop for an equipment violation.

This resulted in suspicion of DUI. Vincent Caruso, 18, Collin Eger, 18, and Zachary Yeskatalas, 19, were all cited for alcoholic violations.

Jacob Schriefer, 18, was cited for a drug violation. Travis Nicholas, 19, was cited for driving under the influence.

February 7- While plowing the February 5- Police booted a Police Staff Lot, the plow accidently vehicle in the parking lot outside struck a vehicle. A report was taken. of Rhoads Hall due to outstanding parking tickets.

February 7- A crash occurred on Harmony Road. Police arrived and February 6- Police found a had one vehicle towed from the tarp on fire at the construction scene and a report was taken. site by Strain Behavioral Science Building. The fire was put out and February 7- A person slid into the notifications were made. curb while driving in the Central Loop. The owner called a tow truck to have the vehicle removed from the area.

Slippery Rock student appointed to Borough Council

By Adam Zook Assistant News Editor

On January 9, Slippery Rock student Denton Zeronas was appointed to serve a two-year term as a member of the Slippery Rock Borough Council. The appointment is in the wake of November's general election that left the two-year term slot open for application.

Zeronas is also the first Slippery Rock student to have ever held a voting position on the Borough Council. Recently elected council member and SRU professor Dr. Itzi Metzli had hoped to see a student join the staff for the two-year term.

"I've always been interested in serving in local government. I had received a lot of encouragement from my friends and professors, so I figured that I would give it a shot," Zeronas said.

Zeronas is a senior secondary education major who hopes to teach History at the high school level. Zeronas also hopes to coach in the future, wishing to positively influence his students beyond the classroom. It's these aspirations that further highlight an individual who has always strived to help others in any way he can.

"I started out as a psychology major here at The Rock before switching to education. I decided that this would be the best way to help people and pursue

my passion of coaching as well. Serving the people of Slippery Rock will hopefully be a great way to build on my future."

Issues that Zeronas hopes to address include the Gateway Project, an initiative that will add more downtown parking but has been met with stark public opposition. Fellow new council members Gene Alison, Itzi Meztli and Russ Karl also hope to cancel as much of the project as possible. Other areas of concern for Zeronas include reducing property taxes and encouraging more businesses to open up in vacant lots on Main Street.

"Anything we can do as a council, whether that be enacting policy or allocating funds, should be towards benefiting the community. Improving people's daily lives is what I'm primarily concerned with."

Following this two-year term, Zeronas will likely pursue holding positions in local government when he becomes a teacher, with the possibility of getting involved at the state level. He also hopes to see more student involvement and will advocate for possible internships through the borough system.

"It would be great to have students interns at the borough office in the future, possibly from the information technology program to help revamp our website. The more student engagement we have the better SRU students will be represented in the future."

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DENTON ZERONAS

Senior Denton Zeronas will serve in a student position on the Slippery Rock Borough Council.

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February 9, 2018

SRU's forgotten romantic tradition: Co-ed week

UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

A section of the front page of the April 10, 1956 edition of The Rocket.

By Cory Nespor Editor-In-Chief

The Rocket has been Slipper y Rock University's student newspaper since 1934, and since then a lot has changed on this campus. Back then Slippery Rock was a teacher's college and the rules on campus regarding sex and love were a lot more strict.

As one would expect for the time, men would be in the lead for pretty much any sort of romantic excursion. Male students would pick female students up at their dorms, help them with their coats, hold open doors, pull out chairs and foot whatever bill the night would produce. This was normal procedure back in the day, however there are a series of articles in The Rocket's archived editions that reference a 'co-ed' week that would happen on campus once a year. Reading through the almost 80 year old articles one could find what might just be SRU's forgotten tradition.

Co-ed week was held the week after Easter and it was a whole week when the gender roles in romance were flipped. The women on campus would ask out the men, plan the dates, help them with their coats, hold doors open for them and pay all the expenses.

The earliest mention of a co-ed dance appears in an edition of The Rocket from Feb. 23, 1938. It announces a second annual co-ed dance, held on Feb. 26, in which, "each girl invites a boy, arranges the dances, provides for refreshments, and may even gladden his button hole with a boutonniere..." The article continues, "and some of the more aggressive souls may call for their partner and escort him to the gym."

The annual co-ed dances must have been very popular, as by 1941 the first mention of a full co-ed week can be found. An article in The Rocket from Feb. 12, 1941 lays out that girls will be escorting the boys around all week.

This was seen as a way to show the opposite sex what having the shoe on the other foot was

like. The article states, "Come on girls, show your spirit. You 'gripe' about the men and their attitudes, don't turn down a perfect chance to show them what you can do...By all means keep those self-assured males guessing as to whom you are taking to the dance."

Co-ed week keeps appearing annually in The Rocket for several years. In 1943 the event was put in jeopardy with a lack of men on campus due to the draft for World War II, but 500 Army Air cadets were stationed in Slippery Rock for training and the SRU women were still going to make the most of the week. "Maybe [the cadets] will be busy under a looie's [lieutenant's] thumb, but at least we can look at them marching past, and we won't forget that a man under thirty-eight years of age looks like. (Apologies to the faculty)," the 1943 article reads.

By 1946 co-ed week was regarded as one of the most popular events on campus, with a student, Emaley Poast, putting tips for women on how to pick up boys in The Rocket on March 15. Some of the tips in the article include, "If any of you big-strong, handsome girls want to date any of those sweet young boys, you have to do the asking", "if he's a few minutes late, cut him short with one of those sarcastic remarks he uses on you when you're not prompt", "pick up his hankie when he drops it", "when the lights are lowered [at a movie], tenderly hold his lily-white hand," and "When you escort him back to South Hall at the end of a perfect night (I hope) kiss him goodnight. If he slaps you face (ouch), that's just part of the game."

Year after year The Rocket printed stories painting co-ed week as a success, each year more and more activities were added to the week's planning such as spaghetti dinners, square dances, movie nights, hot dog roasts and the week was always capped off with the co-ed dance. The last mention of co-ed week appears in 1960 in the Feb. 19 edition of The Rocket. In 1961 co-ed week seems to just disappear and no mention of the once celebrated tradition can be found past that.

While it may have up and disappeared without a trace and was eventually forgotten, co-ed week one was of the highlighted tradition for Slippery Rock students on the 40s and 50s.

Former student reflects on SRU dating scene in the 60's

ADAM ZOOK/THE ROCKET

Chuck Banas, who attended SRU from 1967-72, describes the dating scene.

By Adam Zook Assistant News Editor

Students at Slipper y Rock, and college campuses all across the country, are gearing up for Valentine's Day. The holiday represents a celebration of love and affection in it's purest of forms. While SRU students flock to local restaurants and enjoy the nightlife, it is poignant to look back at what dating was like on campus 50 years ago.

Chuck Banas attended SRU when it was known as Slippery

ROCK NOTES

Rock State College from 1967-72, graduating with his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. At a time in American history where young people were expressing themselves through political protest and controversial films like "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" were redefining our culture, Slippery Rock was a quiet college town with little to offer in terms of entertainment.

"I recall Slippery Rock being a pretty sleepy town during my time there," Banas said. "There were no restaurants in town, only a small hot dog shack on campus.

You'd have to drive to Grove City or Butler if you wanted to go to take a date somewhere nice to eat.

If you didn't have a car, you were very limited with what you could do in terms of dating."

It is more common now for students to connect over social media and to go to popular restaurants like North Country Brewer y, or go bowling at Coffaro's. For Banas, the town Slippery Rock is far different from the one he once called home, who spent most of his time competing on the wrestling and soccer teams.

Vincent Science Center had only recently been constructed and less than 4,000 students attended SRU. Banas was a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon, a fraternity that merged with Phi Sigma Kappa in 1985. It was through fraternity/ sorority mixers that relationships were commonly formed at the time. These mixers were often supervised by the administration at SRU and were held at a dance hall on campus called El Gato. The hall stood between Weisenfluh and Rhoads Hall in what is now the Art Building.

"We had dances at El Gato, or sometimes North Hall, every weekend. With Slippery Rock being as quiet as it was, those dances were often the highlight of the week for us. Our fraternity was

involved and was associated with many sororities on campus. The dances on Friday and Saturday nights were the best way to meet new people."

Rules regarding dating at the time were far stricter than now: All residence halls were separated by sex. Banas lived in Patterson Hall when it still housed students, while North and Rhoads Hall housed only girls at the time.

Curfews were very strict for female students, having to be back in their dorms each night by 11 p.m.

"When you went to pick up your date, you weren't allowed to head up to their room," said Banas.

"You waited in the lobby while the front desk paged the girl's room so they knew to come down. If you were out too late and didn't get your date back before curfew, you were in deep trouble."

Slippery Rock now has several restaurants in town and "co-ed" dorms where male and female students regularly interact. School dances have been replaced by weekend parties and messaging each other on social media outlets like Twitter and Instagram.

However, one thing hasn't changed over the last 50 years: love is in the air at SRU, and Valentine's Day will serve as a celebration of young love here on campus.

SGA FORMAL SENATE MEETING Senate business meeting and public open forum. 2/12/18 Smith Student Center Theater, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

DATING WITH A TWIST SRU's Chapter of N.A.A.C.P. invites the SRU community to join them in their event Dating With a Twist. This event will be a conversation centered around interracial dating in today's society.Tickets can be purchased at the door: $3 for students with ID and $5 for general public. 2/14/18 Spotts 102 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

NEWS

February 9, 2018

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SRU’s Weather Policy: What to expect during delays, cancellations and closures

By Hannah Shumsky Rocket Contributor

“It is the University’s intent to conduct classes as long as it can maintain reasonable conditions on campus and the roads in the immediate areas are reasonably passable,” according to the University Weather Policy.

However, what happens when a delay or cancellation, or even a university closure, is announced?

When extreme weather conditions are possible, the A-team will advise the provost and president on if classes should be delayed or canceled or if the university should close.

This team includes Rita Abent, executive director for university communication and public affairs, Michael Simmons, chief of police and Scott Albert, assistant vice president of facilities and planning.

The team looks at reports from PennDOT, the Pennsylvania State Police and the National Weather Services as well as the facilities crew see at SRU concerning the status of campus roads and lots. Timing of extreme weather also impacts the decision to adjust the schedule of the university.

“If a weather event hits us at 3 o’clock in the morning, chances are at 3 o’clock in the morning, we would be responding then and most likely have the campus entirely clean,

but we would be talking about that hourly from that point on as to what the level we have of making sure the campus and the roads are safe for people,” Abent said.

Decisions concerning a delay, cancellation or closure would be announced by 6 a.m.

When applicable, cancellation notices for evening classes starting at 5 p.m. or later would be announced by 3 p.m.

“We have a number of people that travel distances to come to the institution, and we don’t want them out traveling if it’s really not safe here,” Abent said, who also said that one-third of students are considered “true commuters” who live outside of a two-mile radius of SRU. If classes are delayed or canceled, or SRU is closed due to severe weather, notifications will be sent via e2Campus alerts. The e2Campus alert will automatically be sent as an email to @sru.edu accounts, and a text to those who registered for text alerts. These alerts would also show on D2L, SRU’s website and local media.

“People are more prone to check their text messages when they get up in the morning, so generally, that’s the best one for us,” Abent said. “We want to get it out there in multiple ways so that there is the least amount of confusion about what is happening.”

If SRU is closed, all classes and

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET

Winter weather affects students, with many walking to class even in snow.

extracurricular activities would be canceled.

However, essential services will remain open on campus. Per the University Weather Policy, this includes dining halls, residence halls, health services, switchboard, university policy and the university help desk.

If classes are delayed, SRU would implement a compressed class schedule.

The first classes of the day would begin at

10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes would then be 35 minutes long while Tuesday and Thursday classes would be 60 minutes long, and both schedules include a 10-minute break between classes. Evening classes would remain as scheduled unless otherwise announced.

18 cases of influenza repor ted by Health Center for Spring 2017

By Daniel DiFabio News Editor

SRU's Health Center has already seen a large number of cases of the flu, affecting numerous students on campus.

According to Vanessa Vought, health educator for SRU Health Services from Jan. 19 to Feb. 5 (first two weeks of spring semester) the health center had diagnosed 18 cases of influenza. This is more than the total of the fall semester, with the Health Center diagnosing 14 cases from Sept. 1 to Dec. 15.

"It's pretty gnarly," Vought said. "This flu is widespread throughout the entire country so prevention is going to be very important."

Vought said this particular strain of flu is tricky in terms of treatment and prevention, as the vaccination isn't as effective as it had been in previous years. Vought said the best prevention is watching out for yourself and avoiding the flu.

"As far as best prevention, it's making sure that you are looking out for your immune

system," Vought said. "[Students should try] Eating well, sleeping well and managing their stress."

Vought said that cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth and carrying hand gel are good ways to prevent catching the flu.

"The flu is spread through water droplets, so sick people who are sneezing and coughing, that's how it's transmitted to your body," Vought said. "As much as you can protect yourself from touching something and touching your face or around your mouth; try to avoid that as much as possible."

If one does get the flu, Vought said the best way to deal with it is to isolate yourself, so one doesn't risk getting other people sick. Students who do get sick can visit the Health Center for excuses.

"Come and see us, we will write you an excuse," Vought said. "If you have any trouble getting out of class contact us and we will help you. It's very important to not go to class if

you're sick because you'll get the entire class sick, and that's not gonna be good for the professor either."

Vought said the flu can last up to 2-3 weeks, but someone with the flu should say at home and wait to not have a fever for 24 hours before leaving.

The Health Center also contains a cold care center next to the waiting area, where students get come in (without an appointment) and get cough drops, pain reliever medication and Sudafed.

"If you just need something on hand you can pop in and get it whenever you want," Vought said. "No need to sign in, no need to make an appointment, it's absolutely free."

Regardless of how severe this strain of flu is, Vought said it's still important to get the flu shot.

"We provide the flu shots 24/7," Vought said.

"Whenever you need to come in, early in the morning or late at night; there's not excuse."

O

OPINION

Our View

The duality of college romance

OPINION Volume 101, Number 2

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

(724) 738-4438 (724) 738-4896 therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Cody Nespor

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel DiFabio

News Editor

Justin Kraus

Sports Editor

Megan Bush

Campus Life Editor

Victoria Davis

Copy/ Web Editor

Paris Malone

Photo Editor

Eric Davies

Multimedia Editor

Adam Zook

Assistant News Editor

Stephen Cukovich

Assistant Sports Editor

Megan Majercak

Assist. Campus Life Editor

Heather Donat

Assist. Copy/Web Editor Assistant Photo Editor

Dr. Brittany Fleming

Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Miranda Morgan

Advertising Manager

ABOUT US The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000. No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief.

The Rocket receives approximately 5 percent of its funding from the SGA Student Activity fee paid each semester by students. All other income is provided through the sale of advertising.

Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 7382643 or by emailing rocket.ads@sru.edu.

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

GRAPHIC BY CODY NESPOR/ THE ROCKET

College is the metaphorical limbo of love.

You can go to class and listen to whispers of what parties were the best and who hooked up with who in the back of the class while looking at the couple in front of you plan their engagement party on Etsy. There are friends with benefits and high school sweethearts, Tinder swipers and kissless-virgins, married couples, one night stands and everything in between.

Many people will try to say that a new partner every weekend must have an effect on selfesteem or that getting married at 20 is going to lock you down and ruin your life but love isn’t the same for everyone. Many give credit to college as being the most formative years of their life. For many, college is the first time students are on their own, the first time they get to grow without the guidance of parents.

Figuring out what to look for in a relationship, or even to look for one at all, is a big part of figuring out who you are. Young adults are going through some of the most dramatic changes in their personalities, goals, and future plans and with all that change comes two very different views of love.

On one side are the kings and queens of one night stands and the other, those who believe they have found their soulmate, and there’s a

case to be made for both sides. Whether it’s a new guy or girl every month, week, or night, some choose to live their lives unattached from a committed relationship, and that’s not wrong.

Some choose to have something solid in their life, a significant other who provides some stability, and that’s not wrong either.

To think that there is a universally correct way to be in love is just unrealistic, and to think that your way of doing it is the only correct way is even more unreasonable. If you are spending date nights thinking about the party you are missing out on maybe a relationship isn’t for you. Maybe if you are spending your nights out wishing you had someone to come home to then it’s time for you to settle down. In the end, love should make you happy, and if it’s not then that’s the only time it is wrong.

The Rocket staff thinks that, above all, it is important for everyone to realize what is the best option for them. Comparing your situation to someone else’s is a losing proposition.

College is the ultimate melting pot of people from different backgrounds with different experiences and we are all at different points in our lives, both romantically and otherwise.

Discovering what part of life you are at and embracing that is what college is all about.

In the Quad

This week’s question: Where is the best place to find love in Slippery Rock?

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

EDITORIAL POLICY The Rocket strives to present a diverse range of opinions that are both fair and accurate in its editorials and columns appearing on the Opinion pages. “Our View” is the opinion of the Editorial Board and is written by Rocket editorial board members. It reflects the majority opinion of The Rocket Editorial Board.

“Our View” does not necessarily reflect the views of Slippery Rock University, its employees or its student body. Columns and cartoons are drafted by various individuals and only reflect the opinions of the columnists.

LETTERS POLICY The Rocket welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication.

The Rocket retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes the property of The Rocket and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published.

Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any.

Please limit letters to a maximum of 400 words. Submit all material by noon Wednesday to: The Rocket, 220 ECB, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Or send it via e-mail to: rocket.letters@sru.edu.

Roger Jones Nathan Stillings Shannon Schultz Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Arts Administration and I n t e g ra t e d M a r k e t i n g Bio Chemistry Major Nonprofit mgmt Major Communication Major Moon Township, Pennsylvania New Castle, Pennsylvania Hopewell, Pennsylvania You don’t find love, love

I would probably say the

I would say I think out at

finds you.

parties, the Grove or the

parties with your friends

Ivy, but I don’t know if

but I haven’t found my love

that’s the best kinda love.

yet.

OPINION

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February 9, 2018

Real romance, or From a philosophy perspective; social media display? the true nature of happiness

Chloe Frey

Spencer Upton

We tend to get so caught up in social media that we miss out on what is actually happening in front of us.

Instead, we may catch the beginning of an event and then pull out a phone to document the rest, which causes us to miss important content. Some of us are so worried about how we are portrayed online over what is actually happening in our lives. Do you feel the same emotions when you witness things through a screen? Do you actually embrace the same detail and beauty of life as you would through only your own eyes? Probably not. Keep this in mind as you spend time with loved ones during the Valentine’s holiday. Don’t forget to take time away from the distraction of technology, I promise you can tell your friends/followers about how romantic, or not, your date was another time.

There’s nothing that can ruin an intense, happy, or romantic moment like the sound of your phone alerts, especially from social media apps, which are most likely not urgent matters. Put the phone on silent, with your family possibly being the only exception to have on ring, and truly engage in the valuable moments spent with those you love. Allow yourself to smile at a person instead of the front facing camera of a smartphone with a heart-eyes filter. I promise it feels more genuine, and the world needs more of that. Tell the ones you love how you feel using real words and facial expressions, versus typed words and emojis. There is nothing wrong with showing your significant other off online, just don’t let it consume the majority of your time together.

Now if you find that in doing these things your time spent together is actually awkward or unenjoyable because you’re used to escaping that awkwardness or finding conversation starters through being on your phone, maybe it’s time to rethink the whole thing.

Stop “doing it for the gram”, and do it for your true self. Find a genuine connection that is stronger than your wifi signal and embrace the realness that so many of us increasingly and continuously miss out on. Spread these ideas and encourage others to live in the moment in all aspects of life. Let’s get back to the basics and get physical; forget the virtual. Finally, for the love of Snapchat, appreciate reality and make these memories last longer than 24 hours.

How many times in your existence have you used the words ‘happy’ or ‘happiness’? For instance, how many different times have you asked someone if they were happy and how many times have you been asked by others if you were happy? I’m sure the number is countless, that is, ‘happiness’ appears to be of substantial importance in our lives and it is something we wish others to possess, as well as want ourselves. But, and here comes the hard question: What is it, that is what is ‘happiness’?

Have you ever seriously reflected on the nature of what it is that you and others are so concerned about? Now, again, I’m sure that you have an idea about what ‘things’ you think will make you happy (e.g., money, success, or love), but the things that you think will make you happy, are not happiness itself. However, there is no need to worry because good thing for you, philosophers (and others) have been interested in this question for centuries.

Thus, in the rest of this essay, my aim is to provide a small introduction as to what philosophers have said about the nature of ‘happiness’ and this will be done by addressing the following three points: (1) providing semantic clarification of what is meant by ‘happiness’ in everyday discourse, (2) briefly describing four metaphysical explanations of ‘happiness’, and (3) seeing how the notion of ‘life’ influences are understanding of ‘happiness’.

(1) Semantic clarification: It is important to make the distinction between the uses of the word ‘happiness’. For instance, the uses of the word ‘happiness’ can be broken into two distinct meanings: (a) that of being happy, and that of (b) having a happy life. Roughly put, the former is temporally local, extending to emotions and moods, while the latter is temporally global, thus emphasizing an entire person’s lifetime. In other words, the notion of ‘being happy’ can be referred to as the psychological understanding of happiness, while the notion of having a ‘happy life’ can be referred to as the well-being understanding of happiness. Moreover, there is an important asymmetrical relationship that exists between the two. That is, being happy (i.e., psychological happiness) is independent of having a happy life (i.e., well-being happiness), but it appears that having a happy life is dependent upon at least

being happy in some time span within that life.

Thus, it seems that the more inclusive term is the well-being understanding of happiness and so, that will be the focus of the rest of this inquiry.

(2) Four metaphysical explanations of ‘happiness’: Within the well-being understanding of happiness, there are four popular metaphysical theories that aim to explain the nature of happiness. The first is that of ‘hedonism’, which states that a happy life is a life based in pleasure. That is, hedonism holds that the sum of more pleasurable conscious experiences than not equates a happy life (e.g., is consumptiondriven). Next, is that of ‘desire satisfaction’, which states that a happy life is a life based in getting what you aimed for. That is, desire satisfaction theory is based on rational reflection and one’s priorities over a lifetime (e.g., is goal-driven). Thirdly, is that of ‘perfectionism’ or ‘objective list theory’, which states that a happy life is a life based in perfecting human nature. That is, objective list theory states that someone must do x, y, and z (e.g., things that would perfect human nature) to become happy, regardless of their feelings or capacities regarding x, y, and z (e.g., is condition-driven). Finally, there is that of ‘eudaimonia’ or ‘nature fulfillment theory’, which states that a happy life is one based in living in flow with the individual’s nature. That is, nature fulfillment theory states that to be happy, you must do what you love (e.g., passion-driven).

To point out the ambiguities from above, it is still debated as to what constitutes ‘pleasure’, ‘priorities’, ‘human nature’, and ‘flow’. That is, I leave this for the reader to decide.

(3) ‘Life’: I think that it is important to see how our understanding of ‘life’ fits into our overall understanding of what it is to have a happy life.

For instance, it appears that how we analogize ‘life’ has implications for how we go about living it; it influences our pursuit of happiness. But what are the analogies we use to understand ‘life’? Here, I see there to be two analogies. First, the typical analogy used to understand ‘life’ is to think of it as being a journey of some sort, where the point of the journey (i.e., life) is to reach some destination (e.g., success, retirement, death, or perhaps some type of afterlife). That is, on this view, there is somewhere we are always trying to get, and we will work our entire lives to get there (e.g., analogy focuses on the parts—the end state). Thus, persons, here, possess an inherent temporal orientation towards the “future” because they live for what has yet to come. However, the second analogy holds that we should not think of ‘life’ as a journey, but instead think of ‘life’ as being a musical composition of some sort, where the point is not reaching some destination, but rather to enjoy the moment. That is, on this view, the point of life is not based on working to get somewhere, but rather is based in

Read the full story on theonlinerocket.com

Instant gratification has this generation confused on romance

Megan Anderson When thinking about Valentine’s Day and how this generation dates we get all types different opinions from friends, parents and even the news media. What we are finding today is that most traditional dating methods for our parents’ generation does not work for the millennial generation.

What I read so far about my generation is that we are a bunch of hipster, tree-hugging pacifists who only want to do drugs and have hook-ups every weekend, but that is not the case. We want to be heard and we want people to love us for who we are, but it’s hard to find someone to love you when we plaster fake saturated pictures on Instagram and Facebook about how wonderful our lives are. The same goes with how we go about our lives communicating with others.

This is why it’s so hard to connect with people on a regular basis because we are consumed by our computers and phones.

This is why my generation has so many confusing romances and I am here to help shed light on how to date in this confusing

world wide web-world.

The is one thing I find great about phones is how we can still keep in touch with our friends, family and many of our old pen pals, but the one thing that can cause problems in relationships or finding the right mate is the inability to communicate outside our social media. This is why my generation has a hard time connecting with a potential partner. We get so consumed by what other people are doing with their lives that we just don’t take a chance to just turn off the phone and just listen to others. We are also used to instant gratification in just seconds that is easier to fill the void of a potential partner with vulgar images and easy sites to find pleasure. What my generation wants is an easy connection to make with people that we don’t really have to try to make a foundation with a potential partner. That’s where we’re losing are our confidence in the dating world because it’s just easier to be on our phones and hide than to truly love who we are and make an effort to put ourselves out there. It also takes time to make a relationship work and if you are only going into the relationship for you to get something out of it you are not in the right mindset. I know because that’s all I wanted when it came to dating, I wanted some guy to love me and give me all my security through his love, but that’s not how our generation works anymore. We need to be more confidence in who we are and not be so consumed on what we think we need to be. That’s why it’s easier to be online when it comes to dating and that’s why so many dating sites can put out goofy commercials on your tv. When it comes to dating most

of us don’t have a clue how or what works and the ones who do still have yet to learn what a really relationship is like. So what’s it going to take to get a potential mate in this technology-saturated world? Put down the phones and get out there.

What I’ve read so far from expert dating counselors is that the one thing that millenniums have a hard time doing is making foundations where you’re at right now. It’s so easy to get caught up in the world of Facebook and Instagram that we don’t have time to just sit and make connections with others. That is why it is hard for this generation to make connections because as I said before we want instant gratification that pleases us and not help others. When looking for a mate you have to be very observant with the people who are around you because you never know who might perk your interest. I find that the best way in finding a mate is being friends with them first before even jumping in a relationship.

I think the millennial generation’s problem with dating is we don’t stay long enough to build a foundation with someone. We want it now and we want it to happen on our own terms. That’s why my generation is killing modern dating because we want that guy or girl to text us the day after we met them and sometimes that not possible.

Instant gratification is killing the dating game because it is teaching us that we need to rely more on what we can get right now instead of waiting for it to just slowly happen. What happens after we feel rejected is we start to lower are standards on dating.

This has led to a lot of things being handed to us through the internet that we have

become cowards in the process on excelling into the digital world. I don’t know how many times I walked on campus and a guy is looking at a girl who he seems interested in, but won’t get up the courage to go and talk to her. Texting has caused little to no faceto-face communication, that it’s just easier to break up on text than to do it face-toface. It has become apparent to me on how my generation can act and I believe we can change it, but how? Put yourself out there.

When it comes to interacting with people it is actually so much fun to meet people at events and really talking to them in person.

I don’t know how many times I went to an event on campus where I met the most interesting people and who knows maybe you might find the perfect mate, but you got to get out there and try because it’s not going to be handed to you. I know a lot of times Facebook will post events in your town that you can go and meet new people. With this generation we need to be more outgoing when it comes to dating, because hiding behind screens is not going to get you very far. So find things you are interested in and actually go outside your comfort zone and meet people. If there is an event near you for Valentine’s Day don’t be alone, get out there and meet new people. You never know what might be around the corner when you get out from behind your screens and explore the world out there. Don’t let romance be confusing, just be you and find what makes you inspired. I hope this read will help you to get back out there and date, but also to find new things you can become passionate about this Valentine’s day season.

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February 9, 2018

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INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE

CAMPUS LIFE

Date Night Fashion: Valentine's Day

A living soundtrack on Cupid's favorite day

College Dress Relief member dives into trending fashion to help students dress to impress this Valentine's Day.

SRU student uses music to illustrate various moments in time during the loveliest day of the year.

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Love is in the Air!

UPB prepares for Valentine's Day event

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET

Students wait in line at the Welcome Back event in September hosted by the University Program Board (UPB). UPB is currently preparing for their Valentine's Day event coming up on Tuesday.

By Taylor Akers Rocket Contributor

As Valentine’s Day slowly approaches Slippery Rock University, many students and organizations are preparing to share the love.

The University Program Board (UPB) is just one of these organizations.

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, UPB will be hosting their fourth annual Valentine’s Day Event in the Smith Student Center ballroom from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. By working with several local companies and other campus organizations, this Valentine’s Day Event will include chocolate dipping, a photo booth and the well-known Stuff-A-Plush fundraiser.

“Stuff-A-Plush is usually our go-to for these events,” said Director of University Events, Celine Halt. “It’s kind of like Build-A-Bear but

we bring it to campus. Students can pay five dollars, grab a bear, stuff it, get a free t-shirt and a little birth certificate with it, too.”

Customized bracelets, a new and exclusive addition to this year’s activities, will also be available at the Valentine’s Day Event.

In addition to planning these activities, members of UPB also brace and prepare for the anticipated large turn-out seen previously throughout the years. Other events like Homecoming, Welcome Back events, the Haunted House and upcoming Spring Fling have all made the organization popular among students.

When asked how UPB manages these events, Halt explained saying, “Each event takes a different amount of planning. It’s a lot of communication between campus organizations and making sure we’re all on the same page and how long we need to plan

out so there’s a lot that goes into each event specifically.”

Companies in the area, student volunteers and new members eager to participate also help make these events possible.

“For the Haunted House, we contact one company and they bring everything with them the day of and we just take volunteers and we put the haunted house together. For events like the Valentine’s Day Event, we do a lot of on campus collaboration,” Halt said.

To experience what UPB has been working on and to get a plush or bracelet, the Valentine’s Day Event will be held in the Smith Student Center ballroom on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. UPB partnered with Fraternity and Sorority Life, HOPE, the Student Government Association, the AllSaints Lutheran Church and Student Center (ASLC) and Open Hearts for All.

SRU Crushes torch to be passed on

By Steven Cukovich Asst. Sports Editor

SCREENSHOT COURTESY OF @SRUCRUSHES1 ON TWITTER

SRU Crushes is a student-run Twitter account dedicated to receiving and posting anonymous messages from other SRU students. The current owner is looking to hand down the torch come next semester.

the current owner, they already have a person in training for when graduation and the new school year comes in the fall.

In order for the new owner of the page to be most successful, the current owner has also written a short manual with some basic do's and don'ts on running the page. This is so because not every DM that is sent to the page actually gets tweeted, since some wannabe posts are too cruel or just plain inappropriate. With DMs coming in all the time, the current owner does know everyone's little secrets, which can be interesting the current owner said.

"Their are some posts that I just can't say; they're bad," the current owner said. "Who has which STD, who cheated on who, pictures of some people doing things. I know who is having sex with who; it's great."

The current owner has been running the page since they were a freshman, after posts from the original SRU Crushes stopped being posted because the owner then didn't want to keep doing it. After that, the current owner and some friends started the current SRU Crushes, which is a completely new page from the original one.

After the spring semester is finished, the SRU Crushes Twitter page will have a new owner behind the posts everyone looks at to find the parties for the weekends and to find out who might be crushing on you.

The Twitter page serves as a place where students can crush on each other through DM's sent to the page, along with party posts and designated driver posts, which are then tweeted for everyone to see. This can take up a decent amount of time for the current owner, especially on the weekends when everyone wants to have their parties posted.

"I have to check my phone about seven million times a day," the current owner said. "I have to be on it all the time. I don't really go on dates often, but if I do go on a date then they normally think I am just being rude and I have to explain why I am on my phone all the time."

The person currently behind the page, a senior, will be graduating in the spring and will then turn See "SRU Crushes" on page C-3 the page over to new ownership. According to

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February 9, 2018

College Dress Relief presents: Valentine's Day Look Book

By Rachel Spence Rocket Contributor

Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of February, in what may seem like an endless winter, and finding the perfect outfit to accommodate these conditions can be difficult. The day of love can be a ton of pressure, as if your relationship depends on it. Full of cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries and candy, your outfit should be the least of your worries. Since we can’t all rush to the store to purchase Beyoncé’s new limited-edition Valentine’s Day merch, I’m here to steal your heart with some perfect outfits that are easily accessible. Whether you’re spending the holiday with your boo for a fancy date night or celebrating uncuffed with your friends, it’s time to pull out the pink, red and black pieces you have laying around and get inspired.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL SPENCE

MODELS: Andrea Spence (left) and Critter Fink (right)

If you’re planning a candlelit dinner at home or going out on a fancy date it’s important to remember that Valentine’s Day is about being extra, so your outfit should be too. For the gentleman, you don’t want to show up underdressed, so the first outfit I have for you is what I like to call, fancy shmancy. Keep it classy, with a classic white button up, black pants and black jacket. Spice it up with a red floral tie and to finish the look, stay comfortable and throw on your favorite pair of sneakers. For the ladies, since it’s probably going to be cold out, slay V-Day with black jeans and black over the knee boots. Put on a red sweater, throw on some red lipstick and remember, sexy doesn’t always have to be lacy.

Steal the look:

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL SPENCE

MODELS: Critter Fink (left) and Andrea Spence (right)

No plans, but still want to get festive? One word. Athleisure. Go to class, chill out at home, go bowling but no matter what your V-Day plans are, make sure you celebrate in style. For the guys: paint the town red literally, with a red hoodie and red shoes. Pair it with your favorite joggers and jacket. For the girls: stay comfortable but cute in navy blue sweatpants and a red hoodie. Throw on a jean jacket for extra warmth and always make sure to wear your heart on your sleeve.

Steal the look:

LADIES - Calvin Klein sweater and scarf set, Pac Sun jeans, Anne LADIES - Tommy Hilfiger sweatpants, H&M hoodie, vintage Levi Klein watch, Forever21 black boots jacket, H&M scrunchy, Louis Vuitton purse, Nike Thea sneakers GENTS - Comme de Garcons Converse in white, black Sherpa pants, GENTS - Adidas quilted joggers, vintage custom-painted Champion Johnston and Murphy white button-up, Liberty of London tie, Topman hoodie, Guess bomber jacker, red low-top Converse blazer bomber jacket

'Boombox Guy' brightens SRU students' days with music, dance

Look out for the full story about 'Boombox Guy' on theonlinerocket.com!

PARIS MALONE/THR ROCKET 'Boombox Guy' Jonathan Sosa dances outside the Smith Student Center. Sosa is an SRU student dedicated to putting smiles on the student body's faces with his dancing.

February 9, 2018

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Sex and Love survey reveals differing experiences of student romance

By Megan Majercak Asst. Campus Life Editor

GRAPHIC BY CODY NESPOR

The results presented in this graphic were collected from a survey conducted by The Rocket of 67 individuals. This was not a scientific survey and the results are not indicative of the entire SRU community.

The Rocket sent out a survey available to students regarding their experiences and opinions on sex, pornography, romance, love and relationships and the results show the contrast of student’s experience. This years’ sex and love student survey revealed many varying opinions regarding sex on campus, and some things everyone agreed on.

Out of those who responded, 55.2 percent are in relationships, and 27.9 percent of those relationships have lasted over two years. It was fairly agreed that sex is better when you are in love with your partner, with 84.8 percent of those who took the survey saying so.

However, some say millennial romance is not what it used to be, proving to be true as 32.8 percent of us have been asked to have sex via social media, and about a fifth of us having hooked up with someone met on Tinder or Grindr. These dating apps that are commonly used just for hook-ups may be the reason for the different kind of love that millennial seems to experience.

Tinder, which came out in 2012, now has 50 million users, with 80 percent of those users being college-aged students. About twothirds of us agree that society is too focused on sex overall. Over half say that it is important to experiment sexually in college, with 34.8 percent of us having had a one-night stand before, and three percent of us having onenight stands frequently.

A n ot h e r i s s u e t h e ol d e r generations are arguing changes the younger generations love life is pornography. Only half of students watch porn, and those who do not say they are not interested, it degrades people, or they refrain from watching it for religious or moral reasons. However, with social media's presence, 71 percent of students say they have come across porn without wanting

Review: Fifty Shades of Music Valentine's Day reimagined with song

By Mallory Angelucci Rocket Contributor

Every Valentine’s Day goes a little differently for everyone. The day may be spent with friends, with loved ones or even alone. While there are countless ways to spend the day, there are several different scenarios with a mini-playlist to match them on Cupid’s Day. Ten minutes to go, and the outfit you picked suddenly looks horrible to you.

Changing for the third time today, a car pulls up to the curb outside; they’re early!

The song playing in the background continues unpaused and almost forgotten.

“Lola” by The Kinks enhances the awkward, energetic mood of the whole day.

Now rushing, you put on a carefully selected jacket and slide out the door. Shortly after the door closes behind

you, the ice below your feet decides that you needed a small lesson in humility today. You watch the car door open from the cold ground, and a hand soon outstretches towards you.

As you grab the hand, your date is pulled down with you.

“It’s a mixed up, muddled, up, shook up world,” but this night could possibly get better with hope and a good song.

You’ve done this countless times, but maybe this time will be different. You’re feeling confident, and it all seems to be going well. “New Rules” by Dua Lipa eases the night along, a steady beat to match the back and forth of conversation. You’ve made yourself a new set of rules to follow for the next time something like this happened.

“Practice makes perfect,” and you’ve got plenty.

Closing the door behind you, you fall onto your bed

and turn up the first song on the radio.

Another Valentine’s Day over with, another one spent alone. “Feel It Still”

by Portugal. The Man blasts through the speaker and it fills up the room. Alone but not lonely, you are going to dance tonight, even if it’s “just for kicks.”

The car ride home from the restaurant is quiet for the first time all night, save for the song playing and the something in the air. “For You,” by Liam Payne and Rita Ora pushes the silence away.

The night unfolds the way the song does, beginning with restraint and progressing wonderfully at the loss of it.

The something-in-the-air is new to you, but you’ve been “waiting for a lifetime” for it.

No matter how you spend Valentine’s Day, remember to stop, and listen for the music.

to, most frequently on Twitter.

It is inconclusive what really is different about millennial love culture than years past, but most can agree social media plays a part.

According to Planned Parenthood, one should get tested for STDs right after they become sexually active and most people end up getting an STD in their lifetime, so it is important to get tested. While almost 90 percent of us believe we need to get tested even if you have only been with one person, only 44 percent of students have been tested, when about 80 percent of us are sexually active.

Thankfully, less than one percent of those who responded to the survey have had a STD, and all of them have gotten it treated, either through their doctor or by going to the health center on campus.

As millennial sex culture is changing, the women's average marr ying age is rising (27, according to Huffington Post), but satisfaction rate of student’s sexual activity is going up (71.6 percent, according to our survey). In a study done at the University of Portland, it showed that in reality, college students are not having more sex than college kids did 20 years ago, just less relationships.

While results seem to differ in different studies, this just proves that everyone’s love life differs dramatically, especially today.

In reality, over 50 percent of students think other people have more sex than them, when the same percentage of people engage in sexual activity weekly, and 20 percent of students are virgins. While every single person who took the survey has heard of Netflix and Chill, just half have participated, and half agree romantic comedy is the best kind of movie to watch for Netflix and Chill sessions.

In the end, three-quarters of students have hope that romance is still alive, despite the rumors older generations have started about modern romance.

"SRU Crushes" is anonymous outlet for SRU campus Continued from Page C 1

Once their sophomore year hit, the current owner was then running it by themselves.

According to the current owner, they believe their page is different from the previous one, mainly because the new one is more consistent with content being posted.

"I think I've given a lot people more outlets to voice not necessarily their opinion, but voice clubs and get whatever they need to say spread across campus," the current owner said.

What proves to always be a challenge is for the current owner to remain anonymous so they can remain safe from people who might not be a huge fan of the page or what not.

"There was a couple people that I told, and then those people told their friends and it kept going on," the current owner said regarding telling some friends they were running the page. "Some people still find it as a shock, but whatever."

The SRU Crushes page can be found on Twitter @srucrushes1. The page specifically states it is not affiliated with Slippery Rock University.

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February 9, 2018

Swipe right on The Rocket

Cody, 22

Paris, 20 Photo Editor at The Rocket Washinton D. C.

I'll be forever upset that a group of squids isn't called a squad.

Megan, 20 Campus Life Editor at The Rocket Stroudsburg, Pa

I like Corgis, long walks on the beach and ordering the mac 'n' cheese dish at restaurants

Justin, 21 Sports Editor at The Rocket Hopewell, Pa

I wish I had three eyes

Dan, 22 News Editor at The Rocket Washington, Pa

looking for a lady who likes cats as much as I do

Eric, 20

Editor-in-Chief at The Rocket Mercer, Pa

I just really like newspaper.

Megan, 20 Asst. Campus Life Editor at The Rocket Bloomington, In

eating chocolate, drinking coffee and reading books

Adam, 20

Multimedia Editor at The Rocket Dallas, Pa

My dad crushes rocks with his fists for a living

Heather, 21 Asst. Copy/Web Editor at The Rocket Pittsburgh, , Pa

pizza, sleep and dogs #college

Steve, 21

Asst. News Editor at The Rocket Tyone, Pa

My mom thinks I'm the handsomest boy around.

Victoria, 22 Copy/Web Editor at The Rocket Ontario, Canada

I sext in AP style.

Asst. Sports Editor at The Rocket Renfrew, Pa

I like sports and Seinfeld #giddyup

Miranda, 21 Advertising Manager at The Rocket McDonald, Oh

not sure where I'm going yet but you're welcome to come with me

S SPORTS

INSIDE SPORTS Women's lacrosse to start a new era

Women's basketball coach talks dating

Kelsey Van Alsyne enters her first year as SRU's lacrosse coach, and does so with a mix of returning and new players.

Head Coach Bobby McGraw gives his take on modern day dating and how to keep that special someone.

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Lutz lectures players on how to properly date during college

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET The Slippery Rock football team celebrates after a senior day win over Clarion last year. SRU finished 8-3 in head coach Shawn Lutz's second season.

By Justin Kraus

"These guys gotta understand they either want to have a girlfriend, or they don't. They can't have Sports Editor the best of both worlds," Slippery Rock head coach Being young, wild and free is what every young Shawn Lutz said with a smile on his face. "If they person dreams of. However, that freedom when it need some advice, I can help them, but a lot of these comes to dating in college can present some difficulties guys just don't know how to talk." for the young men of the Slippery Rock football team Being in the office and the locker room, Lutz hears in their efforts to enter the dating fray. plenty about his players dating habits, but he remains unimpressed.

"It's the pretty guys [bragging], the wide receivers and the defensive backs that think they got all this swag, but they really don't know how to talk to a young lady," Lutz said.

Besides just overhearing chatter, Lutz has had some more direct involvement with his players' dating lives as well. Before the senior day game on November 12th, 2016, Senior defensive end Cody Conway proposed to Slippery Rock alumna Alissa Kelty, and Lutz was one of the only people to know about it before Conway went down on one knee. Besides substantial support for his players, Lutz also likes to have fun with them as well.

"I like to tease our guys about their girlfriends all the time," Lutz said. "I like to establish a relationship with our guys, so I know what their girlfriends' first names are. One time, the kid's phone rang, I picked up the phone and said 'Hey this is coach Lutz, do you need anything specifically?' She was so embarrassed."

As a married man with three children, Lutz has plenty of experience in the department of love, so he was willing to offer some succinct advice to his players, besides just the teasing.

"The college experience is so fun and precious, enjoy every moment of it," Lutz said. "You have your whole life to be tied down, I'm not against it by any means, but college is such a unique experience."

When Lutz attended West Virginia University, dorm floors were not yet co-ed, and there was an enforced curfew for when students had to have their dates back.

"To me, I'm old fashioned. When you know you have to have a girl back by 10 p.m., it makes you appreciate everything a bit more," Lutz said. "Back when there was that challenge, you really wanted to see that girl even more, because your time was limited."

Softball head coach up to task with coaching and having a young child

By Stephen Cukovich Assistant Sports Editor

Softball head coach Stacey Rice has had her hands full recently with not only coaching, but with raising a 16-month-old daughter at home with her husband, Scott. Rice, a SRU graduate, raises her daughter, Harper, alongside her husband Scott, another SRU graduate, with their family dog, Webber.

"It's a lot of fun, more fun than you know we ever thought it would be," Rice said. "But it's exciting to watch her grow and develop and learn and we also have a dog so family of four."

At just 16 months, Rice says Harper is starting to show her personality with lots of laughter, and Rice says she is happy with the fact that Harper is a great sleeper, which makes mom and dad great sleepers as well. "(Harper) probably got that from me, she likes to sleep," Rice said. "She is giggling a lot, she's very happy, she's generally just a happy kid."

During her time at The Rock as a student and athlete from 2004-10, she met her husband Scott, who was also on the baseball team. The two met at the beach back in 2006 when both the softball and baseball teams went down in Florida for their beginning of the year tournaments, but they didn't start dating until 2009 when Rice was in graduate school.

The couple got married in June 2011, and Rice describes her husband as a straightforward thinker, due to his background in accounting and taxes. "(Scott) is a little more black and white when it comes to his thinking," Rice said. "We definitely play on each other's strengths and weaknesses. He's the math guy, I'm the reading person. I'm more creative in my thinking, he's very to the book."

Rice says her and Scott really are trying to encourage Harper to get involved in sports or anything that might keep her occupied. Even though Rice and Scott both came from baseball and softball backgrounds, Rice says that they will encourage and support whatever she chooses to do when that day comes.

"Sports really played a really important role in our lives and so we would hope that she would get that same benefit, but which sport it will be, I don't know, we'll see," Rice said. "It would be nice to definitely watch her grow in the game that I love, but it would also be really cool to maybe watch her thrive and excel in something else where I can maybe just be a fan."

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Slippery Rock head softball coach Stacey Rice coaching third base during a game last year.

Rice is entering her fourth year as head coach for The Rock and ninth overall. Rice's first daughter, Harper, was born in October of 2016.

Being a part of her daughter's life is something that is very important to her and Rice says she wishes she could be there more, which is very difficult because she can't be everywhere all the time.

"It's definitely a challenge, work life balance, especially being now a mother," Rice said. "When you're married or just have a relationship it's a little easier because you're both adults and you can work through those things."

Parenting and coaching are the same in many ways, and Rice believes that both are the same because you have to have some sort of system in order to be most successful.

"You have to have a philosophy and you have to surround yourself with people who believe in that same philosophy," Rice said. "I recruit kids who believe the same things that I believe and what we want to accomplish at the end of the day."

Rice will enter her fourth year as The Rock's head coach when the team kicks off their season when they travel to Myrtle Beach, SC. for their annual Myrtle Beach Softball Tournament on Feb 16.

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Women's basketball coach gives his take on today's dating atmosphere

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REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET An energized McGraw gets his players fired up during a game from his first year as head coach in 2015-16.

By Stephen Cukovich Assistant Sports Editor

Rock women's basketball head coach Bobby McGraw is more known for his advice when it comes to things on the basketball court, not his relationship advice.

"If you find the right person and you know you're with the right person, make sure you make time for that person," McGraw said. "Your basketball career will end in four years, your life with that person could potentially last the next 45 to 50 years, so always make time for that person. If it's a special person and they got a special place in your heart, always find time for them."

McGraw, a former Pennsylvania State Trooper, has dealt with his fair share of gruesome events and

individuals. Comparing that to when a player of his is having trouble with a significant other, the two aren't even close.

"I've literally sat across the desk from numerous murders, people who have committed heinous acts against children," McGraw said. "So when one of my players is having an issue with their significant other, it may be the end of the world to them at that point in time, but it's a lot easier to deal with that than all my past experiences and its college, my players get over breakups pretty quickly."

Although, McGraw did mention that his players usually turn to his assistant coaches for dating advice before they come to him, but he does lend some words when they come to him because he is a counselor in a way for his players.

"When it's my place, or when they specifically seek me out it absolutely is my job and it's my place as a counselor and they know it's an open door policy and they can always come to me," McGraw said.

Being a student athlete, it doesn't leave much time to have a social life, especially in the middle of the season. McGraw gave the example of that this weekend the team has a home game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., with a 9:00 a.m. shoot, so that leaves very little time to go out on Friday night which is a prime party night.

"We try to do our best to make sure our student athletes have a social life because happy players are productive players," McGraw said.

Dating today has evolved into something completely different from generations past, such as co-ed dorms and when girls had to be home at a certain time on campus. McGraw said from his personal experience, playing at Clarion University in the early 90's, there were no co-ed floors in the dorms.

"Its a completely different atmosphere when it comes to dating now," McGraw said. "Is that for the best, I don't know the answer to that, I just know it's completely different."

New coach and new faces to propel LAX

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REBECCA DIETRICH/ THE ROCKET Slippery Rock lacrosse celebrates a win over Shippensburg last year. SRU is ranked no. 25 nationally in the IWLCA preseason poll.

By Justin Kraus Sports Editor

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Having the best season in school history is a lot of pressure for a brand new coach to live up to, but first-year SRU Lacrosse head coach Kelsey Van Alstyne is more than ready to take up the challenge of keeping the ball rolling.

"It's actually really exciting to inherit a team that had success last year and build off of it," Van Alstyne said. "I think the challenge this year is getting [the team] to buy into my philosophy. They've been really excited and truly bought into everything we've thrown at them, which is great."

The Green and White had the best year since program reinstatement in 2007 last year, going 12-6 with an appearance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament which was cut short by a 5-4 loss against rival Indiana (Pa.) in the first round. As a PSAC veteran (played at Bloomsburg), Van Alstyne knows the challenges that playing in the conference can bring.

"I've always kept tabs on the PSAC, it's an exciting conference. There were a lot of upsets by one or two goals last year," Van Alstyne said. "I'm really excited to be back in the conference."

Even after bowing out in the first round, SRU was ranked nationally in the IWLCA poll at number 25, which

Van Alsytne ackknowledged that garnering some respect is a confidence booster.

"It is a nice change for the program and for the school, that we're not upsetting people, we're contending," Van Alstyne said. "I'm a big believer that I don't care what the polls say before the season, it's what they say at the end. I think it's awesome that we got some respect, but it doesnt really mean anything until we hit conference play. " Slippery Rock is a team that will return five of its' seven top scorers from last season, a factor that Van Alstyne said will aid the transition to a new offense.

"We have the philosophy of a runand-gun offense, we're going to need those five and a lot of other people to step up and score a lot more goals," Van Alstyne said. "Were going to be tough to defend, everybody will be able to assist, feed or whatever we need. If a team thinks they can shut down one or two of them, by all means go ahead, the other five will step up."

The top returning scorer will be senior midfielder Tia Torchia. Torchia was second-team all-PSAC last season, and did so by scoring 38 goals and totaling 41 points, the most among returning players. The other four top scorers returning are senior attacker Bre Vodde (33 points), sophomore midfielder ShyAnne Toomer (24

points), Senior attacker Ally Culhane (15 points) and sophomore midfielder Tori Penders (12 points).

Another bright spot for The Rock will be returning second-team all-PSAC goalie senior Emily Bitka, as well as firstteam all-PSAC defender, Danie Porath.

The defense will also be changing philosophies under Van Alstyne, so having returning starters is a big help.

"To have the starting goalie from last year and have Raelyn [White] and Danie [Porath] coming back, who had tremendous seasons, it makes it really easy to implement different concepts. Our underclassmen are doing a great job filling in for the players that graduated."

Even while returning a solid corps of starters, depth is always an x-factor for any team, and Van Alstyne is very pleased with her team's abundance of it.

"What's really cool about this team is that everyone is going to get time. There's going to be a lot of different goal scorers, opportunities and defenders," Van Alstyne said, who rattled off a myriad of names that will help contribute. "Rachel Shaw has really solidified her place in the defense. Kelsey Thoenson and Sami Gentzler, they didn't get a lot of time [last year], but they've really stepped up this year and I think there gonna be key contributors."

Van Alstyne kept listing off players who she thinks will be key factors, but cut herself off eventually.

"We have a lot of speed and depth in the midfield in the terms of Audrey Napp, Katie Hart and Caitlyn Byerly.

Kelly Muenster and Erin Brown didn't play a lot last year and I think they're going to have tremendous seasons. It's really exciting, we toy with the starting lineup a lot. I could literally sit here and list off every single kid [on our roster]."

With all of the brimming positivity Van Alstyne has for her team, only something completely out of her control could be of concern.

"My biggest concern is that it's snowing way too much, we're not outside doing full-field as much as I want, we have a scrimmage at Duquesne this Sunday which will be three minigames, so that will get us on track."

Slippery Rock will start their regular season February 25th, with a home game against West Virginia Wesleyan.

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Lutz's home life always a priority along with football Even though Lutz would rather Logan get a full ride somewhere else, he isn't completely opposed to the prospect of coaching his son."We haven't ruled out him playing here, he's got a lot of work to do. I want him to do what he wants to do, but it would be a dream for him to be coached by his dad," Lutz said.

"Maybe it's better off he doesn't play for his dad, because I will be pretty hard on him."

Lutz has always emphasized his family, and with his newest addition, it will only make things harder for him to balance the coaching life and a family one.

"My youngest, Easton, turned two in August, and he's all over the place," Lutz said, laughing.

"On a Saturday when most people are doing something, I'll take Easton to Burger King and we'll play in the playground."

For most, having a parent be gone for a majority of the time puts stress on everyone, but Lutz says HUNTER CASILIO/ THE ROCKET that his family wouldn't have it any Slippery Rock head coach Shawn Lutz celebrating with his team after a victory over California (Pa.) last year. Lutz is entering his third year as head coach other way. and 22nd overall at SRU. Lutz lives with his wife Julie in Grove City with their three children Logan, Gavin,and Easton.

"I always ask my kids if they want me to do something else, "When I am home, which is not boys Logan, Gavin and Easton. they love what I do, being a head

By Justin Kraus a lot, I try to spend time with my Logan, a junior in high school, coach," Lutz said. "If you don't Sports Editor family in a quality way, not just be was an all-state wide receiver have support from your family, it's Balance is at the crux of what there and sit around," Lutz said. "I last year and has received some a tough road." everyone wants to accomplish in will rearrange my whole schedule looks from several colleges, some The most important thing that life. Balancing classwork and a if I can to be at all of my kids' in Division I, which presents a Lutz has learned is that dedication social life is key to staying sane in sporting events." difficult situation for the head to the family is of the utmost college.

B etween prac tice, games, coach of the Green and White. importance if he wants to maximize Maintaining a balance of hobbies meetings, recruiting, workouts, "The ideal thing is that I won't be his quality time. and hard work helps to provide a interviews and everything in- able to watch him play, because I'll "If you're not at work and you full life of experiences. between, Lutz has a vast and be coaching and he will be playing want to be a family guy, you For Slippery Rock football head varied workload as head coach of somewhere else," Lutz said. shouldn't be in a golf league, you coach Shawn Lutz, splitting time a Division II football team that he "I told him 'you go where you shouldn't be at a fantasy football between his family and an intense has been a coach for the past two want to, but someone better give party, you shouldn't stop at a bar workload as a coach is the grandest decades for. you a full scholarship so they pay or be with your buddies," Lutz said. balancing act of all.

At home, Lutz lives with his wife for your education.'"

"To me, when I'm not at work, I Julie in Grove City, with their three am at home with my family."

Tennis spring season starts

By Justin Kraus Sports Editor

After 119 days without a contest against another team, the Slippery Rock university women's tennis team returned to action on February 3rd against Carnegie Melon, a match they lost, 1-8.

"It's always better to play [versus another team]. That's why we do this, we want to play," Head coach Matt Meredith said. "Practice is fun, I hope, but competing is what we strive for."

Meredith is in the midst of his 20th season at the helm of the Rock tennis program. With 290 career wins, Meredith could reach his 300th win at some point this spring.

His 20th year as head coach started last fall, where The Rock competed in four team contests, amassing a 3-1 record, and also competed at the Atlantic Regionals and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) individual championships. "[The fall] helps us get our players and new players used to being in our system and developing in how I want them to play, and getting used to each other," Meredith said.

"Hopefully our freshmen are no longer freshmen. If we can get over some of our initial fears and get ready for competition."

Coming into the year, Rock players were well represented in the ITA preseason rankings. Sophomore Lacey Cohen led the way, just missing the top ten, being ranked 11th for singles competitors.

Senior Carla Corrochano Moracho wasn't far behind at 13th, and sophomore Viola Lugmayr rounded out the individual athletes at 19th.

"I don't put a lot of stock in rankings, per se. It's nice to be recognized, I think our players work hard and they earned those rankings," Meredith said.

"It lets us know where we're at and what we can strive towards. That's how we use the rankings."

SRU also had two doubles teams ranked in the poll. The combo of Cohen and Corrochano Moracho ranked seventh, while Lugmayr paired with freshman Olivia Warner were ranked ninth. The team was ranked fifth in the region as a whole, and that ranking can be at least partly attributed to overall depth, Meredith said.

"What's nice this year is we got a lot of depth, so everyone is pushing everyone. [Lacey and Carla] are getting pushed by people they maybe weren't last year. That makes us a stronger team."

Besides Corrochano Moracho and Cohen, Meredith said that a lot of other players are expected to have a great spring. "[Viola] has unbelievable hands and plays really good doubles, she's gonna get stronger and stronger for us," Meredith said. "All of our four people who have come in this year are all going to do well. We're going to see some nice things from them."

SRU will continue competition with two matches back-to-back on February 9th and 10th, against Davis and Elkins and St. Bonaventure, respectively.

"I'm looking forward to playing a DI on Saturday who I think we're going to be very competitive with and maybe surprise [some people] a little bit there," Meredith said about St. Bonaventure.

All of Meredith's excitement was echoed by Lugmayr.

"We played our first match last weekend, and it got me really excited for the upcoming matches."

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