9-30-2022 Digital Edition

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VIDEO: Jones Jones talks diversitytalks diversity initiatives

Zink files lawsuit against SRU, PASSHE, President Behre

By Nina Cipriani Editor-In-Chief

Matt Glover News Editor

Former SRU Provost AbbeyFormer SRU Provost Zink filed a five count lawsuita five-count against SRU President WilliamSRU President William Behre, the university and theBehre, the and the Pennsylvania State System ofState of Higher Education (PASSHE)Education (PASSHE) on Aug 12on Aug. 12.

The Rocket obtained courte court documents detailing eachdocuments each violation and a history of theviolation and a of the events Many of the violationsevents. Many of the violations include the defendants either restricting or punishing Zinkrestricting or Zink for expressing her First andfor expressing her First and Fo

n t h A m e n d m e n tFourteenth Amendment rights rights.

Zink’s legal team declined toZink’s team declined to comment on the mattercomment on matter.

The first four counts of thee counts suit are against only Behre andsuit are Behre, and the fifth count is against SRUfifth count is SRU and PASSHE PASSHE.

The Rocket reached out out to the Office of the Presidentto about the lawsuit Theyabout the lawsuit. declined to commentto comment.

Because Dr Zink has filed“Because Dr. administrative legal claimsadministrative claims against the University and weagainst the University and we do not comment on ongoingdo not comment on ongoing litigation, we have no commentwe have no comment on her specific claims ” Interimon her claims,” Interim Director of Communication Justin Zackal said in an emailZackal said in an email.

Count one focused on theone on retaliation Zink allegedly facedretaliation Zink faced for exercising her right to freefor her to free speech The document saidspeech. The document said Zink believes Behre violated her right as a citizen to discussher as a citizen to discuss matters of public concern andmatters of concern and that he misused his powersthat he misused his powers under state lawstate law.

Count two explained theCount two the violation of procedural dueviolation of due process It explained that Zinkprocess. It that Zink was allegedly removed from herwas removed from her tenured position within SRU’stenured position within SRU’s English Department withoutDepartment without notice or an opportunity fornotice or an opportunity for rebuttal rebuttal.

Under counts one two andcounts one, two three Zink would be reinstatedthree, to her tenured position in theto her tenured position in the Department of Languagesof Languages, Literatures Cultures andLiteratures, Writing Writing.

Count three described the violation of substantive due process It alleges that Zinkprocess. It that Zink was terminated based on herwas on speech and/or gender, callingand/or it arbitrary, unreasonable andit “arbitrary, unreasonable and not rationally related to anynot related to any legitimate interest of SRU orinterest of SRU or President Behre ” Behre.”

C o u n t

dCount four discussed retaliation It said Zink wasretaliation. It was allegedly discriminated anddiscriminated and retaliated against for supportingretaliated against for supporting A m

Mo

Amir Mohammadi, the former senior vice presidentformer senior vice of administration globalof administration,

u r t e e By Nina Cipriani Editor-In-Chief Carson Denney Copy/Web Editor

C o u n t f i v e c o v e r e dCount five covered discrimination on the basis of sexon sex. The document said Zink was thewas first female provost at SRU and wasfirst female provost at SRU and was allegedly replaced by a less qualified“a less and less experienced male Zinkand less male.” Zink said SRU s workplace culture issaid SRU’s culture is not supportive of women and thatnot supportive of women and that internal administrative hires and promotions have favored whitepromotions have favored white men men.

Zink’s timeline

T h e c o u r t d o c u m e n t

The court document explained a series of events thata series of events that have happened since Zink washave since Zink was hired as the SRU provost inhired as the SRU provost in December 2019December 2019.

Zink took office on June 22office on 22, 2020 She was also given tenure2020. She was also tenure as a professor in the Englishas a in the Department Department.

On Sept 13, 2021, SRUOn Sept. 13, 2021, SRU submitted its Comprehensivesubmitted its Planning Narrative (CPP)Narrative (CPP) to PASSHE A CPP is ato PASSHE. a document that details everydocument that details every program ’ s financesprogram’s finances.

Vice President of FinanceVice Finance and Administration Carrie B i r c h b i c h l e r a l l e g e d l yBirchbichler allegedly balanced the budget throughbalanced the the projected elimination ofthe elimination of more than 30 full time facultymore than 30 full-time positions skewing the CPPpositions, the CPP projections by several millionseveral million dollars to favor SRU whileto favor SRU, while

d

$80 per credit, even though$80 per credit, even they would not have accesswould not have access to fully functioning labs untilto labs until spring 2022 2022.

re s p o n d e d t h a t PA S S H Eresponded that PASSHE knew exactly what was beingknew what was reported and they were finereported, and were fine with it it.

On Feb 1 2022 BehreOn Feb. 1, 2022, Behre wrote a performance evaluationwrote a evaluation praising her performance andher and accomplishments, saying I “I believe that you have a brightbelieve that you have a future in higher educationfuture in education.” She received a $10,575 payShe received a $10,575 pay raise on Feb 7raise on Feb. 7.

Weeks later on Feb 21,Weeks later on Feb. 21, 2022, Mohammadi sent a2022, Mohammadi sent a letter to PASSHE Chancellorto Daniel Greenstein regardingDaniel Greenstein SRU’s engineering programSRU’s engineering program and the CPP CPP.

Before Zink was hired SRUwas hired, launched mechanical and civil engineering programs Plansprograms. Plans to build labs for those studentsto labs for those were submitted in 2019 20were submitted in 2019-20, but construction needed for fall 2022 would not begin untilfall 2022 would not until April 2022 2022.

Zink was concerned thatwas the civil and mechanical engineering students wereengineering students were not provided the appropriatenot the appropriate f a c i l i t i e s a n d l e a r n i n gfacilities and learning experience that SRU hadexperience that SRU had p r o m i s e d E n g i n e e r i n gpromised. Engineering students at SRU pay an extrastudents at SRU pay an extra

A s o f Ap r i l 4 2 0 2 2As of April 4, 2022, construction had still notconstruction not begun on labs needed for fallon labs needed for fall 2022 2022.

Zink emailed SRU trusteeZink trustee Matthew Lautman on MarchMatthew on March 3 2022 saying she was deeply3, 2022, she was “deeply concerned that we still don tconcerned” we don’t have a plan to move forwardhave a to move forward with mechanical and civil engineering labs that studentslabs that students need for [f ]all 2022 In theneed for [f]all 2022.” In the same email, Zink mentionedsame Zink mentioned Mohammadi when discussingMohammadi when concerns about being retaliatedconcerns about retaliated against against.

In 2021 22, the cost of theIn 2021-22, the cost of the engineering labs was no longerengineering labs was no listed on the CPP Accordinglisted on the CPP.

to the court document, Zink continued to discussto issues involving accreditationissues accreditation a

and finances, but other administrators instead opted toadministrators instead to blame previous administratorsblame administrators,

former President Cheryl Norton and former Interim President and Provost PhilipPresident and Provost Way Norton retired in 2017,Way. Norton retired in 2017, and Way left SRU for anotherand left SRU for another opportunity in 2019in 2019.

On March 25, 2022, BehreOn March 25, 2022, Behre sent Zink an email where hesent an allegedly blamed her for failingblamed her for to build positive relationshipsto build positive with peers Zink contestedwith peers. Zink contested

the email, citing the glowingthe email, citing the review she had received fromreview him one month priorhim one month prior.

“You are on notice that any“You are on notice that any adverse action that you takeadverse action that you take related to me will be viewedto me as retaliation for speaking up ”as retaliation for up,” Zink said in an email to BehreZink in an to Behre. I ask that you immediately“I ask that you cease and desist your bullyingcease and desist your and demeaning behaviorsand behaviors toward me me.”

On April 4, 2022, from 2On 4, 2022, from 2 p m to 2:50 p m , PASSHEp.m. to 2:50 p.m., PASSHE

investigator Gretchen Mroczkowski interviewed Zink about financial improprietiesfinancial improprieties and amorous relationshipand amorous rumors rumors.

On the same day at 3:15On the same at 3:15 p m , Behre removed Zinkp.m., Behre removed Zink as provost in a meetingas provost in a with former Chief Human Re

Of

Resources Officer Lynne Motyl According to theMotyl. to the court document Zink wascourt document, Zink was presented with a settlementwith a settlement and release a brief temporaryand release—a brief temporary assignment and resignationand resignation— and was asked to sign itand was asked to it immediately immediately.

Zink refused to sign withoutZink refused to without legal counsel present Thecounsel present. The document explained that thisdocument that this allegedly made Behre so angrymade Behre so angry that Motyl asked him to leavethat asked him to leave the room Motyl did not knowthe room. did not know the cause of Zink’s terminationcause termination.

A

At 4:23 p.m., Behre appointed Michael Zieg to theMichael to the

“While we do not know thewe not details behind this decision ” decision,” the letter read “ we know thatread, “we Provost Zink has worked inZink in often difficult circumstancesoften circumstances, from quarantine to PASSHEfrom to PASSHE re

reorganization to having to navigate a challengingto a workplace culture that weculture that we know is not always supportiveknow is not of women women.”

The document also said,The document also “Administrators at SRU wereat SRU were aware of the discriminatoryaware of the activity yet did nothing to stopactivity yet did to stop it ” it.”

On April 18 2022 SRU’sOn 18, 2022, SRU’s fiscal review was completefiscal review was complete. Mohammadi’s position wasMohammadi’s position was eliminated two days latereliminated two later.

On April 25 2022 ZinkOn 25, 2022, Zink wrote to PASSHE Chancellorwrote to Daniel Greenstein to resignDaniel Greenstein to from her position as provostfrom her as provost and continue at SRU as aat as a tenured professor Accordingtenured professor. to the document, Behre hadto the Behre had asked her to resign in thisasked her to in this way Behre then refused herway. Behre then refused her resignation and terminated herresignation and terminated her employment, effective Aprileffective 26, 2022 2022.

Case number 2:22 CVCase 2:22-CV1170 is considered a complaint1170 is considered a in a civil actionin a action.

Nearly 90 years of The Rocket

More than 104 years after the first edition of the Slippery Rocket, The Rocket

is still standing strong with 14 staff members and a female editor-in-chief. From the first edition of The Slippery Rocket in 1918 to the 9-302022 edition of The Rocket, SRU's independent, studentrun publication continues to evolve with journalism trends. Sometime soon, newspapers

may be nothing but a hologram, and The Rocket will still be going strong.

The archiving process

Fine and Performing Arts

Librarian and University Archivist Judy Loney Silva explained that the earliest editions of the Slippery Rocket and The Rocket were

microfilmed for the archives and that the physical copies were not saved.

“[Microfilming is when people] take a picture, and they shrink it down teeny tiny, and then they put it under a reel,” she said.

The reels will be viewable for as long as there is the

correct technology available to look at them.

The Slippery Rocket, The Rocket and the Saxigena—SRU's Yearbook that ended in 2005—are available on the SRU website under University Archives.

The Slippery Rocket

The first ever Slippery Rocket print edition was

published in November 1918. According to the Slippery Rock University Archives, the Slippery Rocket was "published by the faculty and students of Slippery Rock State Normal School."

engagement and economicengagement and economic development Mohammadidevelopment. Mohammadi h a s s e t t l e d h i s o w nhas settled his own discrimination case with SRUcase with SRU.

c r e a s

n g

n s t i t u t

o n a ldecreasing institutional financial aidnancial aid.

On Nov 12, 2021, SRUOn Nov. 12, 2021, SRU

Trustee Jeff Smith asked theTrustee university if they had lied touniversity if had lied to PASSHE on the CPP Behreon CPP.

acting provost provost.

On April 8, 2022, 21On 8, 2022, 21 faculty members wrote a lettermembers wrote a letter to Behre and the Council ofto Trustees supporting ZinkTrustees supporting Zink.

The new Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

By Matt Glover News Editor

In this exclusive interview, The Rocket sat down with SRU’s new Chief Diversity Officer Anthony Jones to learn what he has planned for the role.

“I truly believe that this is a beautiful institution,” Jones said. “I often say I think that Slippery Rock is a diamond in the rough because it’s kind of off the beaten path.”

One of Jones’ main priorities has been to form diversity initiatives that his office will use to enroll students and hire qualified faculty from underrepresented populations.

When he was hired in late December 2021, he was presented with a Diversity Strategic Plan draft.

Jones is thankful to the approximately 30 people that worked on this plan as it gave him a starting point to learn about the SRU community, what it is doing well and what it has been missing.

However, Jones kept in mind that SRU’s President William Behre will retire effective June 30 2023, so he doesn’t want to establish a concrete plan before clearing it with a new president that may have a different perspective.

Therefore, Jones’ built his initiatives considering what can be improved before the new president arrives.

His first initiative is to create a pipeline

with high schools in Ohio and other areas of Western Pennsylvania. He believes that if more students come see this institution, they will fall in love with it like he did.

Jones is also planning to bring in "busloads" of students to see campus, interview and meet faculty so they can build relationships and further encourage them to attend SRU.

Jones recognizes the hinderance that Ohio students face in paying out-of-state tuition and is working to aid those students.

For in-state students taking 15 credits, which is what most would consider a full schedule, tuition costs $5,253.35. It is the second lowest in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Students paying outof-state tuition have their bill jump to $9,236.35 with the same schedule, but SRU does offer outof-state reductions that could bring their bill down as much as $2,000.

Jones also discussed establishing relationships in Ohio with Youngstown, which is his hometown, and the Cleveland area. In Pennsylvania, he wants to re-establish relationships with Slippery Rock’s surrounding areas like New Castle and Sharon.

Jones often feels he is managing the chicken and the egg at the same time by bringing students to the university

and preparing the university to receive them.

Another part of this first initiative is to establish a space for the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). They should be getting a space on the second floor of Old Main in the next few weeks, Jones said.

His second diversity initiative involves improving access for students from

transition from high school to college, to connect students with mentors, build relationships with faculty and help students learn their way around campus. These programs are also useful tools to keep these students at SRU.

Jones also wants to support SRU staff as much as he does the students, so he will be looking at Search Advocate Programs to aid in hiring. These programs bring in search advocates to ensure the hiring process is fair and unbiased, and they give the university more diverse candidate pools.

Jones’ third diversity initiative is to become more visible on campus by creating spaces where students and faculty can communicate more clearly and promote collaboration between offices.

bias-reporting system to give everyone at SRU a voice and opportunity to share their experiences on campus. Jones will also establish a Crisis Incident Response Team (CIRT) to be proactive about potential issues SRU may face regarding discrimination, hate speech or hate crimes. He said he has been at several institutions where being reactive to those situations has cost the university, so they will form procedures and policies for those situations.

“I think it’s really difficult to be in the middle of a crisis and try to solve it,” he said. “If you can, be proactive and think through those types of incidents with a clear mind and not have the pressure to get a response out right away.”

offices across SRU may be conducting similar research, but they aren’t conducting that research collaboratively or sharing results. He calls it “functioning in silos.” As a longterm goal, he wants to help break down these barriers between offices and encourage them to work together in their research to save time and resources.

The DEIB currently consists of Jones and administrative assistant Amber Holmes, who has served in several administrative assistant positions across campus. Jones boasts that she has been proactive, thoughtful, has amazing foresight and has been essential in getting the new office off the ground.

historically excluded populations and backgrounds. Jones will be working with campus programs like Jump Start, which helps new students

He wants to make the DEIB webpage into a hub for all students and faculty to share information about diversity and inclusion.

Regarding the “belonging” part of the office, Jones wants to revisit our

Aside from these initiatives, part of Jones’ responsibilities are to be an “influential leader” on campus. This role often takes him out of the office and behind the scenes.

In his first nine months here, Jones has noticed that

Jones will also be hiring an assistant director. The first interviews for the position were held today.

Jones admires SRU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through creating this position for him and allowing him to create others.

SRUPD trains for mental health crises

By Matt Glover News Editor

As the weather gets colder, and the Student Health Center’s hours shorten, the Slippery Rock University police are responding to an increased number of calls regarding mental health.

Since 2019, the Slippery Rock University Police Department has been sending officers to Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. The program was developed by the Memphis Police Department and emphasizes mental health knowledge, crisis resolution skills and access to community services.

The course also trains officers to handle citizens with developmental disabilities and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We’re here to help,” Kevin Sharkey, chief of university police and director of the parking and ID office, said.

“We’re a resource on campus. We can get (students) to the right people whether it’s on campus or off campus.”

The Westmoreland Economic Development initiative for Growth sponsors via grants the 40-hour training course and notifies the departments when it will occur. They hold the training about twice per year. Newly hired officers attend the next available class.

Instead of another officer or corporate entity, the training is provided by community mental-

health professionals, family and consumer advocates and experts in related fields.

After implementing this program, communities have reported fewer injuries to police and civilians, fewer arrests, an increased number of health-care referrals and fewer calls for intensive police force like SWAT.

All but two SRU officers have completed this training, but all officers have completed mental health training other than CIT.

The SRU police have also undergone training for applied suicide intervention skills, public safety, tactics for military veterans in crisis, Overdose Information Network (ODIN) training, Naloxone training and Stop The Bleed certifications and more.

Naloxone training focuses on overdoses and opioids. Stop The Bleed is an interactive course that teaches officers three ways to control bleeding.

Officers are also expected to complete updates to their training courses as they come out.

The Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) started including mental health training in their updates last year.

Now that officers are getting the proper training, the university just needs more of them to train.

The SRU police are short four officers. They had six vacancies and filled two dispatcher positions. Sharkey said

they are still providing the same police coverage they always have with officers working overtime to make up for the vacancies.

Police shortages have become common in the last few years. All the other PASSHE chiefs are also facing staff shortages, Sharkey said, and the unions are working on a fix. There are a few factors to consider for these shortages.

The average salary for police officers in the United States is $52,638 according to Zippa.

Pennsylvania ranks 21st with officers making an average of $48,782. The median income for one person in Pennsylvania is $60,640 according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In today’s political climate, the title of police officer also does not garner the same respect as it once did.

The SRU Police Department has been advertising in police academies and newspapers to bring in new recruits.

To become a police officer at SRU, applicant must have a valid driver’s license for prescreening and an Act 120 municipal certification. Act 120 is the basic training police officers complete in Pennsylvania.

After applying for the position, the applicant will receive a packet of about 36 pages for supplying background information. The

department uses this to complete the preliminary background check before the interview.

The applicant also must pass physical and psychological evaluations.

The applicant’s name is then sent to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s (PASSHE) Human Resources, Employee Benefits and Labor Relations offices for final approval.

Once hired, the officer is on probation for one year and works with a field training officer (FTO) for their first nine weeks.

To become an FTO, “(officers) have to be here for a while and know everything in our department,” Sharkey said. They also must complete a 40-hour certification course.

There is an FTO on each shift so trainees can be rotated.

Police officers must also keep up with certifications like first aid, CPR, Act 180 and firearms training.

To be certified under Act 180, officers must complete annually 12 hours of inservice training which can consist of both MPOETC-developed training and Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE) courses.

Officers must renew their firearms certification three times per year. The SRUPD has two instructors: Sharkey and Specialist Robert Martz. The training includes two day shooting sessions and one night session.

With public safety being a top priority, SRU President William Behre has said that police positions will not be reduced when discussing where to combine positions.

"We're here to help. We'e a resource on campus. We can get (students) to the right people whether it's on campus or off campus."

– Kevin Sharkey, chief of University Police and director of the Parking and ID Office

MATT GLOVER / THE ROCKET

The Slippery Rock Uniersity police station sits at 145 Kiester Rd. across from campus. They also have a confidential crime tip line for students who don't feel comfortable with traditional reporting.

"I truly believe that this is a beautiful campus. I often say I think that Slippery Rock is a diamond in the rough because it's kind of off the beaten path."

– Anthony Jones, chief diversity officer

POLICE BLOTTER

COMPILED BY NINA CIPRIANI

SRSGA: before fall break!

By Leyna McClelland Asst. News Editor

The Slippery Rock Student Government Association (SRSGA) met at the Robert M. Smith Student Center Monday to fill senator vacancies through a ballot. This motion was passed to continue without any debate.

The students on the ballot came up to introduce themselves. The new students to fill freshman and at-large senator vacancies are Jaeda Johnston (freshman senator), Emily Steele (at-large) and Owen Snyder (at-large).

SGA intends to make the tent in the quad a permanent place for students to study outside and still be shielded from the elements.

"...we plan to develop something that will be useful for the students to enjoy, and it will be a permanent structure that we can keep there that isn't as susceptible to the elements."

SRSGA President Hannah D'Egidio said.

The Board of Directors meeting was held last Thursday. They have allocated $5 million into an investment portfolio to gain interest for future use.

Alexis Jones, the vice president of student and academic affairs, went on to speak about how they are trying to find a new app to use for the Happy Bus. Student and academic affairs is planning to test out a new over fall break to see what their options are.

The President's Commission

Committee is looking for more student representatives.

Chloe Janis, a student representative for club softball, stood during the open forum and addressed an issue her club has with the budget they received. The budget reserves they currently

have are $33,694.58.

Club softball previously requested $5,455 to meet their needs for their games, balls, and other equipment they may need for the remainder of the school year. They were bumped down to $3,544 for the year to cover their expenses. They were then capped at $1,000 for travel expenses.

"We had to pay in the beginning of the semester everything out of our own pocket, we paid for a tee, net and a bucket of balls. A tee was $80, a net was probably $90$100 and a bucket of balls can go anywhere from $90-$120." Janis said.

Being a new club, last year, they were capped at $500. SRSGA had to cap other club sports travel expenses from the original five drivers to three so they could stay under the $1,000 cap they gave to other clubs.

The motion to keep the financial report the same was passed with a unanimous vote.

SRSGA intends to hold its next meeting on Oct. 10. at 5 p.m. in the Robert M. Smith Student Center.

West Nile Virus comes to Pittsburgh

By Matt Glover News Editor

A Pittsburgh resident in her 70s was briefly hospitalized with the first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2022, the Allegheny County Health Department reported Tuesday.

The resident lives in Squirrel Hill, but infected mosquitos were also collected in Point Breeze, the North Side and Wilkinsburg Borough. Human cases have been found in 11 counties, most of them in Philadelphia County.

With a case so close to home, The Rocket interviewed Kris Benkeser, the director of health services and student health and wellness, to see if students should worry about the virus.

“There’s no need to panic,” she said. “It’s more of a wake-up call to practice good outdoor safety.”

WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, but about 80% of people do not develop symptoms. The other 20% show mild symptoms like fever, body aches, nausea and sometimes rash or swollen lymph glands.

However, about one in 150 people develop severe symptoms that affect the central nervous system like encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).

Other severe symptoms can include disorientation, coma, tremors, blindness, numbness and paralysis.

At that point, the reality is the infected would be life-flighted

to Pittsburgh from the Student Health Center, Benkeser said.

“You want to get in with a major hospital system that has the epidemiologist and infectious-disease docs.”

An epidemiologist searches for a disease’s cause, who is at risk and determines how to stop the spread.

the disease can also be contracted from dead birds. The mosquitos don’t become infected until they feed on infected birds.

The mosquitos then will bite other birds and mammals to spread the disease. However, mammals are “dead end” hosts, which means the virus does not develop enough in the bloodstream to infect others.

The disease cannot be spread by sneezing, coughing or touching live animals. Whenever disposing of a dead bird, use gloves, plastic bags or a shovel to avoid touching it.

Mosquitos that transmit WNV often breed in areas with standing water. These areas can include catch basins, gutters, flowerpots, tires, kitty pools and birdbaths. When possible, eliminate these standing water pools.

WNV can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases.

“There really isn’t a West Nile Virus test per se,” Benkeser said. “They run a panel of tests and rule out everything else that we know we have a test for that can cause these symptoms. It’s almost like a diagnosis of exclusion.”

While the leading cause of WNV is getting bitten by a mosquito,

Pools that cannot be removed should be treated with mosquito dunks. These are small, donut-shaped disks that are made with bacillus thuringiensis israelenis (Bti), which is a naturally occurring soil bacteria. The disks are for standing water approximately the size of a bird bath.

For larger areas like backyard ponds, there is a granular form.

Bti can be purchased in many outdoor supply or garden stores.

The bacteria only kills mosquitos and black fly larvae, so it’s harmless to people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Students can also protect themselves by wearing long sleeves and covering exposed skin.

Turning pages back to predecessors

The early versions of Slippery Rocket contained a list of 16 staff members, including the editorin-chief, two assistant editors, business manager, assistant business manager, alumni reporter, athletic reporter, artist, senior reporter, junior reporter, freshman reporter, bryant reporter, philomathean reporter, two Y.W.C.A. reporters and training school reporter.

Within the terms of the edition, it explains that to receive all monthly editions during the school year, readers only have to pay $1.

The first few editions of Slippery Rocket were uniquely structured like books, often with only two columns per page.

The Slippery Rocket published some news items but mostly featured campus events, opinions, and gossip about the people who went to the university at the time.

The last recorded edition of The Slippery Rocket was published on May 21, 1930. By this time, the newspaper was labeled "the official journal of Slippery Rock State Teachers College." Only a few features had changed since 1918, though, one being the subscription rate, which was now $2 per year and $1 per semester.

The staff positions were also altered. By the last edition of The Slippery Rocket, the positions were the editorin-chief, business manager, two assistant editors, five reportorial staff, four members of the circulation department, advertising manager and two typists.

One of the more noticeable changes was the structure of the newspaper. It now resembled what people generally think a newspaper looks like, with many columns. The last edition included five columns on each page.

Out with the old, in with the new

There was a brief publication break between 1930 (the last recorded edition of The Slippery Rocket) and 1934, the beginning of the new studentcreated publication, The Rocket.

There is not much information that could be found as to why the Slippery Rocket ceased production, but Silva theorized that the publication may have been unable to afford the paper due to the Great Depression.

The first edition of The Rocket, published in October 1934, was labeled "the official college paper of State Teacher's College, Slippery Rock, PA." The paper at the time was structured similarly to how The Rocket is currently structured, with a headline that read "Rockets Open Home Season Here On Saturday."

The paper has a calendar of events, a sports section, a news section and a feature about different clubs and events on campus. At the bottom of the first page, there is a message about the introduction of The Rocket that reads:

"College papers have been born more than once in Slippery Rock and have died from one cause or another without attaining a ripe old age. THE ROCKET might he called a grandchild of the one-time SLIPPERY ROCKET. Though it starts out stumblingly on untried feet, we hope it may grow stronger than its predecessors and reach out into greater achievements. THE ROCKET Will endeavor to make our school spirit more uniform, to develop student opinion and offer opportunity for the expression of that opinion, and to acquaint friends of the school with our activities and progress. In order to achieve

these aims, THE ROCKET must have the support and encouragement every person interested in our college."

At this point in publication, new editions of The Rocket were being printed every week.

Funding and defunding

One especially interesting edition of The Rocket is from Dec. 12, 1970. The cover features the word "WANTED" with several pictures of former U.S. President Richard Nixon arranged to resemble mugshots.

December 1970 edition of the Rocket

A continued opinion piece on the inside highlights the huge anti-war sentiment that many college-aged individuals harbored regarding the Vietnam War.

While not appropriate to publish now, the article was accompanied by a photo of a soldier's decapitated head with the caption, "It seems somehow blasphemous to ask whose side the former owner of this head was on."

This edition allegedly caused a change in funding and placement for The Rocket because of its controversy. Previous Rocket Adviser Mark Zeltner said advisors were switching around a lot back in those days.

“I know it bounced around to a variety of advisors back in those days, and it was mostly out of the English department, but then it seemed like there were people in the student services that were advising it," Zeltner said. "It seemed like it was going through a lot of changes in the 70s.”

The Zeltner era

Since its start, The Rocket has followed the same publication processes as any other newspaper. But just like any other publication, printing techniques have drastically

changed. When Zeltner arrived in 1998, The Rocket was in a transitional phase.

"When I got to Slippery Rock in 1998, they hired me and they were still doing it the old way where they had layout tables in The Rocket office," Zeltner said, "and they would physically print out the pages on the printer and they would paste them down with wax, and they would use line tape.”

The Rocket newspapers were printed in New Castle at the time.

“They would physically lay the paper out, and put it in an envelope, and then drive it to New Castle at two in the morning," Zeltner said.

When Zeltner was hired as the advisor, he was told to design a website so that they could keep up with the changing times.

“I designed the first website - The Rocket - and came up with the name theonlinerocket," he said.

Initially, theonlinerocket. com was just posting all the same articles that were found in the newspaper editions that week. Over time, however, the newspaper began printing editions monthly and moving most of its posts to the website. The Rocket is now online for the majority of its content.

It was around this time in the late 1990s that other newspapers were moving to online platforms, and the Rocket never hesitated to stay in step with the big guns.

“It really mirrored commercial newspapers that have all done the exact same thing,” Zeltner said.

The Rocket's future

Brittany Fleming is the current advisor of The Rocket and WSRU-TV, SRU's television station. She is looking at the bright future of The Rocket and the many

types of media they can explore.

"My goal for the future of The Rocket is to continue encouraging our converged journalism students and students in our TV and video emphasis to really work together and collaborate, so that they are [teaching each other]," Fleming said.

Fleming is invested in expanding the multimedia capabilities of The Rocket. Multimedia is a term that encompasses any works that merge different types of media, such as an article with a video attached to it.

"I would love to expand the multimedia section, or even add a multimedia staff

member to each section of The Rocket," Fleming said. "So, amping up the amount of multimedia that goes into The Rocket."

She also wants The Rocket to focus on the town of Slippery Rock just as much as they focus on SRU.

"I want sports to cover high school sports. I want campus life to cover community members. I want news to cover things that are happening [in the town]," she said. "It's not just students that are picking up this newspaper. There are more community members that are actually picking up the newspaper and reading it."

BRANDON PIERCE / THE ROCKET

From left to right: Chris Thrasher, Alexis Jones, Nikole Husnick, Liz Hood, Hannah D'Egidio, Samantha Shaffer, Alexis Gish, Robbi Austin

"...we plan to develop something that will be useful for the students to enjoy, and it will be a permanent structure that we can keep that isn't a susceptible to the elements."

– Hannah D'Egidio, SRSGA president

"There's no need to panic. It's more of a wake-up call to practice good outdoor safety."

– Kris Benkeser, director of Health Services and Student Health and Wellness

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building

Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057

Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057

Phone: (724) 738-4438

Phone: (724) 738-4438

Fax: (724) 738-4896

Fax: (724) 738-4896

E-mail: therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com

E-mail: therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com

Our View The doctor is (kind of) in

Assistant Sports Editor

In a small town like Slippery Rock, there are only so many health facilities in the area, one of them being SRU's Student Health Center. This space is only for the use of students, making it easier for those on campus to seek medical attention.

The Health Center used to be open 24 hours a day, available for whoever needed assistance.

ABOUT US

The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University five times per academic semester.

Total circulation per print edition is 1,000. 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.

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.

On Aug. 2, Chief Student Affairs Officer David Wilmes informed SRU stakeholders via email that Student Health Services' hours of operation were changing to Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., beginning on Aug. 15.

Wilmes explained that the change was a necessity to compensate for the nationwide shortage of nursing professionals.

The email also listed off-campus resources that students can contact after operation hours, including Allegheny Health Network Grove City Hospital's Emergency Department (20-minute drive or nearly 3-hour walk), Butler Health System Faster Care, Slippery Rock (7-minute drive or 20-minute walk) and Butler Memorial Hospital (28-minute drive or nearly 6-hour walk).

Yet, the Aug. 2 email neglected to inform students if any of the tuition fees would be changing, or if students would get some percentage of their tuition reimbursed.

Students were paying for 24/7 care at their fingertips, and now, that resource is being cut in half.

Some students do not have the privilege of being

able to travel off campus whenever they need to. Is the university willing to support students who cannot travel to Butler or Grove City, or will they be left to pay an overpriced ambulance bill?

Every student has a different schedule, and many have a limited amount of free time. With an 8 a.m. to 8 p.m window, students may miss their only opportunity to seek accessible medical attention.

We understand that in case of emergencies, the University Police is still an option. But we're talking about everything other than that. No one wants to go to the Butler Hospital for a cold.

Aside from students who don't have off-campus transportation, oncampus residents should have a medical facility

In the Quad

BY: BRANDON PIERCE

Cecillia Labate Senior Psychology Mount Carmel, PA

"It definitely sucks that you can't get care all night now. I went there once, and they helped me. They gave me antibiotics."

Leah Buczek Senior Vocal Performance New Castle, PA

"I understand that there are staffing issues, but I feel like we should do our best to make sure students have the resources they are paying for. A lot of students don't have the means to get to another facility off-campus, and they should have the option for medical attention 24/7."

GRAPHIC BY: NINA CIPRIANI

available to them at all hours. Just like there are hospitals or urgent care facilities near students' permanent addresses, they should have access to those same resources.

To be fair, the Health Center has never been equipped the same as a hospital, but more like an urgent care facility. For years, the difference was that the Health Center was open when urgent care wasn't. Now, they essentially have the same hours of operation.

This issue is part of a bigger, national problem, which is important to keep in mind. It is in no way the Health Center staff's fault, or anyone's, really. The change is beyond anyone's control, but it is certainly inconvenient for students.

Ashley Conroy Junior Social Work Cranberry, PA

"I understand why it happened. I understand the struggle of not having enough workers. I think it's upsetting, just in case I needed medical care at that hour."

Kaitlyn Shope

Advertising Manager

ADVERTISING STAFF

Nina Cipriani

Editor-in-Chief

Carson Denney

Sophia Bills

Megan John Copy/Web Editor

Assistant Copy/Web

Annabelle Chipps

Tyler Howe

Pierce

Eddie Clancy

Jocelyn Kytchak

Photo

Glover

McClelland

Brittany Fleming

EDITORIAL

How do you feel about the decrease in hours of the Student Health Center?

Aidan Treu

OPINION

Need increases, access decreases

for over eight hours before knowing if she would be accepted to a facility.

You could then discuss the disparities between adolescent and adult mental healthcare accessibility. As a minor, Sarah only had two hospital options for inpatient care, and both were full while she was waiting to be admitted.

Thankfully, a kid was being discharged right before the ER was about to send her home.

a therapist who was accepting new clients and specialized in trauma. Once she did find an available specialist, the earliest appointment was over a month away.

Even the minimum six week-wait time could be too long for someone, let alone an instance of multiple months. And finding a therapist that is taking new patients, and fits various other criteria someone may have, is a whole other battle.

contacted a psychiatrist who was not accepting new clients or didn’t accept their insurance.

When people face higher out-of-pocket costs due to out-ofnetwork therapy, it may lead to them seeking less care, or going without any care at all.

even furthered with the COVID-19 pandemic, online therapy has been a growing field.

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains mentions of mental health and other potentially sensitive topics. Please use caution before reading.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, they say. When you call to make a physical checkup appointment, you can get in within days, sometimes hours.

But if you were to make an appointment with a therapist or psychiatrist, the national average wait time is seven and a half weeks. However, there are facilities where you have to wait much, much longer than that.

In most circumstances, it's hard enough to reach out for help and acknowledge that you need it. But when the "help" isn't actually attainable, that can set you back even further in the process.

Treatment being inaccessible

Many people go through life not knowing they struggle with mental health issues, or they just push through it and deal with the consequences. Receiving mental health care is extremely inaccessible. Various crisis and helplines are in place as a resource for those struggling, but how much help do they

really provide?

The National Sucide and Crisis Line (988) is an active resource across the U.S. This lifeline is made up of various local and statefunded crisis centers across the country.

Throughout the years of its existence, people have had complicated feelings surrounding the productivity of this as a helpful resource.

Recognizing you need help is a huge step in the process, which some don’t even reach until it’s too late. These resources aren’t exactly helpful when most cases are reactive, not proactive.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) outlines various parameters of an effective crisis line. This includes things such as a 24-hour crisis line, the option for walk-in crisis services, and mobile crisis teams.

These are very dependent on location, resources and funding. In a larger city or even a more democratic area, these may be more accessible. For a small town like Slippery Rock, these resources are nearly obsolete.

In Sarah’s experience, by the time she realized she needed help, a crisis line would have been too late. Even then, the hospital could’ve been too late, as she waited

Being accepted into a facility isn’t the case for everyone. In-patient facilities are often overcrowded, and beds are usually given to those with the most severe symptoms. How is it fair

Whether a person is insured creates even more challenges for receiving mental health care. As if it isn’t already a challenging process, money can make or break seeking help at all for many people.

Even in terms of mental health prescribers, survey participants were about 70% more likely to report diffi culty fi nding a prescriber who would accept their insurance than other types of specialty medical care.

The cost of medication is always tricky to navigate, but especially with out-ofnetwork care. Typically, uninsured patients are left paying the full price of the prescription. Depending on what the medication is, that could be upwards of hundreds of dollars.

Even in-network costs of prescriptions can be expensive and unattainable, once again, depending on what it is. Nina spends more than $50 a month on three prescriptions, on top of a $60 co-pay for therapy, etc.

Companies like BetterHelp and TalkSpace have cornered the market on more accessible mental health services in terms of location and benefits for the user and counselor, but these services are even less so covered by insurance.

According to an article from BetterHelp, as time goes on insurance companies are beginning to cover more costs for online therapy. Either way, online or not, there are costs that come along with counseling.

A common service that is often too taboo to talk about the price of is inpatient treatment. The prices can vary based on the hospital, the treatment and care someone is receiving and how long the stay is. Pubmed. org shares data showing that treatment can cost anywhere in the range of $3,600 to $8,500.

to say whose symptoms are worse than the other?

How long is it going to take for mental health care to be accessible to everyone?

Long-term therapy and mental illness

There is more of an emphasis on crisis mental health services than on providing longterm care to those with mental illnesses. Crisis hotlines are a temporary, immediate resource, but where should someone go afterward?

According to Psychology.org, the average wait time for counseling is six weeks. This time can be extended to several months if someone is looking for a specialist, for example, a trauma therapist.

In seeking long-term care, Nina waited over six months to find

No health insurance?

Big problem.

The number of uninsured persons in the United States has surprisingly lowered in recent years, though the statistic is still shocking. About 1 in 10 Americans do not have health insurance, which is more than 30 million people.

People who are uninsured have less access to medical services, receive poorer quality of care and experience worse health outcomes than insured adults. This is a whole different problem in and of itself. Put simply, uninsured adults have another obstacle to jump through when trying to get help.

In-network and outof-network care

In a study by NAMI, more than half of respondents said they

In- and/or out-ofnetwork care is absolutely not conducive to people with financial insecurity.

Sky-high out-ofpocket costs

Both counseling and in-patient care have ridiculously high prices. With insurance, most people still have copays and without insurance, the prices are still expensive.

According to Forbes, a therapy session can cost between $100 to $200 per session without taking insurance into account. This can increase or decrease depending on the state, private practice, billing cycles and more.

There are many alternatives to the “traditional” therapy people imagine: sitting in a chair across from a person in a blank room. With the advancement of technology, and this being

For reference, Sarah had an approximately fifteen-day stay at a local hospital where she received many different services. When the bill arrived in the mail, it was nearly $8,000. Thankfully, insurance covered most of the bill. But the shock of how much it truly costs to receive in-patient care is sickening.

Is there a solution?

The American healthcare system is a mess. But narrowing in on mental healthcare specifically, there is no overarching solution to these problems. We merely wanted to discuss some of the main problems within mental health services and the healthcare system.

There is a deep systematic change that needs to be made in order for progress to be seen.

We have not even scratched the surface of these issues and how deep they go. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

BY MAX ENCK, FRESHMAN PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

"The American healthcare system is a mess... This is just the tip of the iceberg."

Nina and Sarah met during 2020 when Sarah was previously on The Rocket staff. They have been besties ever since.

Nina Cipriani & Sarah Anderson

I am afraid of the Supreme Court

the United States Supreme Court declaring abortion bans unconstitutional.

Though some states still tried their best to loophole women into going through with their pregnancies, this was a large step in the direction of progress.

of women. All I know is that it is a prime example of the government infringing on the rights of the female population.

The worst part of this ruling is that it does not even

is not an accurate reflection of whom American citizens think is fit to impartially make decisions for our country. Allowing presidents to appoint justices themselves

Annabelle is a sophomore double majoring in English education and creative writing. She is the assistant campus life editor on The Rocket staff and has been a vegetarian for almost seven years.

The Supreme Court, like most things in this country, has been inherently corrupt since its inception. However, summer 2022 brought the injustice of the justice system to the forefront with a disturbing decision: the eradication of Roe v. Wade.

Roe v. Wade was a 1973 landmark case that ended with

However, as of June 2022, abortion is no longer federally protected. In some states, such as Texas, Mississippi or Oklahoma, abortion is completely illegal. Not only do abortion bans put women at risk for unsafe back-alley procedures, but they also do nothing to stop the practice. In fact, pregnancy termination rates are higher in countries where it is fully outlawed.

The practice of abortion is not an issue of sacrilegious murder. It is, in full, about controlling women and forcing them into motherhood.

With this decision, the Supreme Court solidified its status as an agent of patriarchy and violence against women. It feels dystopian. I am not sure what this will mean for the future

Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have both stated their disapproval of gay marriage in the recent past. Gay marriage is a fundamental human right and a massive marker of equality. But if a decision allowing women control over their bodies was reversed, anything is possible."

reflect the will of the people. According to pewresearch.org, 61% of Americans feel that abortion should be legal in some capacity.

Aside from their dishonorable choices, the Supreme Court

does not sound like democracy— especially because former President Donald Trump (who won by electoral votes, not purely democratically) chose his newest

representative without a proper waiting period following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Still, bodily autonomy for women is not the only right hanging in the balance. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have both stated their disapproval of gay marriage in the recent past. Gay marriage is a fundamental human right and a massive marker of equality. But if a decision allowing women control over their bodies was reversed, anything is possible.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett has publicly spoken of her disproval of trans people in the past and doesn’t think trans women deserve Title IX protection from physical harm.

It is not only the direct infringement on my rights that scares me. Among the people that we are supposed to trust as the most honorable and moral decision-makers in the country is Justice Brett Kavanaugh.   Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women in the past few

Plastic pollution and Sustainability Month

alternatives helped the environment and could save money.

Since then, there has not been another plastics symposium.

After COVID-19 hit, the discussion of plastic usage on campus got pushed into the background.

Jessica Crandell

Jessica is a double major at SRU in geography and nonprofit management. This semester, she is the social media assistant for the Office of Sustainability.

Freshman year. We all remember the newness and unfamiliarity of campus. During my first semester in 2019, I had that same feeling walking into the plastics symposium held in the Smith Student Center.

This event highlighted the issue of plastic across our campus and the world. The way plastic problems were brought to light was beautifully crafted through collaborations with art and environmental classes. On display was the research that student teams had conducted on alternatives to single-use plastic products. They demonstrated why their

In 2019, I saw so many initiatives driving away single-use plastics on campus. Weisenfluh Hall mostly offered compostable to-go containers, Boozel had reusable dining ware, and there was a composting station in the library.

There was also forward movement on getting plastic bottles out of vending machines, and only offering cans, but that effort came to a halt.

These small changes are what gave me hope for SRU to become a more environmentally conscious school.

Students on campus are often frustrated with the food options and waste produced by the dining halls. When I talked to a group of SRU students, they suggested partnering with more local farms to bring in fresh vegetables and fruits. This would help strengthen the food options on campus.

Ever since Aramark replaced AVI as the university’s dining service, they have not kept up with

their promises of sustainability. Due to a staffing shortage, they could not use the dishwashing equipment, therefore students were forced to use single-use plates and silverware. The Sustainability Commission has pushed Aramark to transition back to reusable dining ware and offer environmental packaging at other food locations on campus.

Thankfully, it appears that the agenda has been shifting, thanks to the Director of The Office of Sustainability Paul Scanlon. He has been in meetings with Aramark to discuss how they can make their operations more sustainable to align with the University’s Climate Action Plan.

Not many students know about the President’s Commission on Sustainability which advises the President on the environmental and sustainable matters of Slippery Rock University (SRU). There are several commissions for disability issues, racial and ethnic diversity, women, gender identity & expression and selforientation, wellness, sustainability, veterans and military affairs and mental health.

Now that things are back at full speed on campus, the President’s Commission on Sustainability has

voted to face several issues comprising sustainability at SRU. Plastic Pollution is the leading topic. Specifically, single-use plastic and its availability on campus.

We can make small changes within our community that reduce plastic consumption. Supporting legislation that will force corporations to create less plastic and pollution is a crucial step in making our country less of a polluter and more of an uplifter. If you are interested in learning more about the plastic industry, I highly recommend watching The Story of Plastic documentary.

During October, The President’s Commission on Sustainability is highlighting several events for Sustainability Month. These events are hosted by the President’s Commission on Sustainability, the Macoskey Center, the Birdwatchers Store, GGE (Geography, Geology, and the Environment Club), and Slippery Rock in Bloom. Students and community members should feel free to attend any of the events offered by these organizations. Every Thursday, the Macoskey Center will have its on-campus farmstand in Boozel Dining Hall. Peruse their

produce, homemade bath and body products, and Macoskey merch.

On October 1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., partake in a bird walk hosted by the Birdwatchers Store in Slippery Rock. Meet at the storefront. Register for the event by calling 724.794.2473.

On October 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., volunteer with the GGE Club as they clean up their section of highway. Meet them at the ATS lobby to carpool to the location.

On October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteer at the Macoskey Center by helping them prepare firewood for the upcoming winter months. Register on Rockserve.

On October 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., listen to Ken Ilgunas talk on “Trespassing Across America: One Man's Epic, Never-DoneBefore (and sort of Illegal) Hike along the Keystone XL Pipeline.” His talk will be held in the ATS Auditorium.

On October 29 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., volunteer with Slippery Rock in Bloom at their annual tulip planting. You can register on Rockserve.

On November 5 from 8 a.m. to 11

decades. One of them, Christine Blassey Ford, even attempted to keep him out of the nation’s highest court by speaking up about the horrors of what he had done to her.

Kavanaugh is not the only sexual assailant on the court. Thomas also has multiple allegations stacked against him.   Overall, the Supreme Court terrifies me. It blatantly imposes on my reproductive rights, threatens the fundamental liberties and safety of LGBTQ+ citizens, and reminds men that you can likely get away with sexual assault.

Perhaps the most startling fact about all of this is that the court is supposed to exemplify fairness for the people of America. I suppose it is fitting for a country built on the backs of disadvantaged people and historically notorious for serving the interest of only white, straight, upper-class men.

a.m., partake in a bird walk hosted by the Birdwatchers Store in Slippery Rock. Meet at the storefront. Register for the event by calling 724.794.2473.

On November 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy a workshop hosted by the Macoskey Center on making bath and body products. The event is held at the Macoskey Center.

"...Bodily autonomy for women is not the only right hanging in the balance.

"In 2019, I saw so many initiatives driving away single-use plastics on campus. Weisenfluh Hall mostly offered compostable to-go containers, Boozel had reusable dining ware, and there was a composting station in the library."

Annabelle Chipps

S

VIDEO: Sheets talks football football

A game as personal as they get

In college football, there are rivalries that are synonymous with the game overall. When you think Div. I, you think Ohio StateMichigan, AlabamaAuburn, OklahomaTexas, etc. But in Div. II, it’s hard to find a rivalry that’s better than Slippery RockIndiana (Pa.).

This rivalry goes much deeper than football. Once you enroll in a school it becomes a way of life. If you go to Slippery Rock, the dislike for IUP becomes part of who you are. In this area, there are so many people who have ties to one of the schools. Even IUP’s head coach, Paul Tortortella, changed allegiances.

Tortorella, who is in his fifth season as head coach of the Crimson Hawks, isn’t the only person to do so, and won’t be the last.

After any game between the two schools, there is a wildly different feeling on each side. Walking away on the losing side is crushing, but the sense of accomplishment and school pride after a win is like no other.

If any example is needed, all that needs to be done is to take a look at last year’s game.

Slippery Rock walked in undefeated through six games, and the Crimson Hawks came into the game with only one loss, but it wasn’t a conference loss. Because of that, they were both tied with California (Pa.).

From the first whistle, the game didn’t go as planned for The Rock. The rain was coming down and the first quarter was just a bunch of mishaps. Both

teams were aggressive i as they both went for it on fourth down in opponents’ territory in the first quarter. It was IUP who drew first blood.

At the half, the Crimson Hawks carried a 24-7 lead. The Rock couldn’t get anything going. They were a team who scored 49 and 75 points in the two weeks prior. But IUP took advantage of everything in the game. They came into Slippery Rock and ruined homecoming with a 48-21 win over the green and white.

After the game, players from IUP’s team went into the middle of the field and started to stomp on The Rock’s signature “S.” They took the celebration even further. From the under bowls of the stands, music could be heard all the way to the East Lake parking lot.

The party didn’t stop. But it lasted a little too long. The Crimson Hawks dropped their next two games. In an embarrassing fashion, IUP, who had the fast track to winning the PSAC west after the win in Slippery Rock, fumbled a late lead against Cal U and followed it up with an upset loss to Edinboro. Both games were at home.

No one benefited from those losses more than Slippery Rock. The team that was so used to doing things on their own benefited from a bit of karma.

The Crimson Hawks, who were riding high after the rivalry win, couldn’t finish things out.

Slippery Rock earned their third straight PSAC west crown just three weeks after their loss on the very same field. It’s one of the rare cases where the team who lost the matchup

represented the PSAC west in the title game.

“I shared it with the guys, whoever wins this game is in the driver’s seat to representing the PSAC west in the title game,” Slippery Rock head coach Shawn Lutz said.

But that game has still sat with Slippery Rock. They haven’t forgotten the way that the Crimson Hawks acted after dismantling them on the field, Lutz said before the season even started. In any year, that game would be circled on the schedule. But this year it was circled, underlined and highlighted.

The loss hurt a little bit more because that loss was Slippery Rock’s first regular season loss in three years and their first PSAC west loss since Edinboro in 2017.

A big difference this year, however, is that the game is being played fairly early in the year. That’s something that doesn’t happen often when it comes to Slippery Rock and IUP.

“This is what you want, we usually don’t play them week five, it’s usually six or seven, but to be both be undefeated going into this game is great,” Lutz said. “But it is a rivalry game, and you can’t ignore that.”

The Rock will walk into George P. Miller Stadium on Saturday with that in the back of their heads, but even better, they’ll be going to the game almost completely healthy. That in general is really good news to have, but especially in a week like this.

Duane Brown is a name that will undoubtedly be heard over the loudspeaker at some point, but to Lutz, one of the biggest keys to winning the

game is keeping the ball out of his hands. When it is in his hands, the goal is to make sure it’s not the big play.

“We’re not going to be able to stop Duane Brown, he’s going to get his catches, but we just can’t give him a lot of explosive touches,” Lutz said. “We’ve got to be able to maintain that.”

Don’t expect The Rock to do the same thing that the Crimson Hawks did last year if they’re to walk out with a win, though.

“We [will not do that kind of stuff], excuse my language but that’s chicken s--t stuff, ju u st go out and win the game,” Lutz said. “How we’re treating

made it clear that his team will be respectful, whether they walk away with a victory or not.

“I get the hype of the rivalry and the jawing back and forth, we’re going to concentrate on the game, but I won’t tolerate [anything like what happened last year], I won’t let that happen,” Lutz. “Win or lose, we’ve always got to show good sportsmanship.”

right way,” Lutz.

The Rock will also look to hold onto the ball better than they did in their PSAC opener against Seton Hill last week. There were a lot of points that were left off the board due to three straight drives with turnovers in the game.

Lutz also feels that this is going to be the type of game that will be won in the trenches.

A big part of that will be making sure to not take any unnecesary penalties.

nalties.

“The biggest matchup is going to be our O-line verus their D-line and vice versa, whoever can run the football will have the upper hand,” Lutz said.

After 350 days, The Rock and The Hawk will square off once again. For the 96th time, the two will meet.

this g ame is really about they know it’s a big game, but we’ve got to be busines slike and ignore the outsid

controlling us,

stuff.”

Lu

through four game

will always

that worry when it comes to IUP. It’ll be a big key to success and may be the difference

“We’ve got to keep our composure, we can be physical and chippy, but we have to do it the

Questions will be answered, and on one side, a team will be able to bask in a win over their bitter rival for one year. On the other side, they’ll be thinking about what went wrong. One thing is for sure though, on both sides this game is

TYLER HOWE / THE ROCKET

The Rock goes on the road to face a team that came to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium last year and embarassed them. The entire PSAC will have eyes on the rivalry matchup as Slippery Rock will look for redemption against their foe, and the winner will have the upper hand when it comes to representing the PSAC west in the title game.

The Rock has done a good job with

Tyler Howe Sports Editor

EDDIE

PSAC WEST STANDINGS

Rock Indiana

Gannon California

edinboro Mercyhurst Clarion Seton Hill

Soccer

Mercyhurst

Gannon Slippery Rock Seton Hill California

Pitt-johnstown

indiana

(5-1-2) 6-2-2 (5-1-2) 6-1-3 (4-1-3) 4-4-2 (4-3-1) 3-2-5 (2-2-4) 2-2-4 (2-2-4) 2-5-2 (2-4-2) 1-5-2 (1-5-2) 2-8 (1-7)

Onto the next

Tyler Howe Sports Editor

Not every win is going to be pretty or a blowout. Expectations have gotten to the point where every time The Rock steps onto the field they’re expected to blow the team out of the water. It’s something head coach Shawn Lutz is acutely aware of.

“It wasn’t a convincing win, but everyone thinks we’re supposed to blow everyone out, but it was 30-2 and that is blowing someone out,” Lutz said.

Seton Hill has been the team that Slippery Rock has opened their PSAC west schedule against for the past two years now, and the theme in both of the games was struggle from the start.

This time around, The Rock saw some struggles on offense in the first quarter of play. On their first drive, they went three and out, only gaining two yards. Their second drive ended with Noah Grover getting dragged down in the

endzone, and just like that it was 2-0.

“Being down 2-0, I was a little worried there, because they’re a tough defense to play against,” Lutz said. “They had everyone up on the line of scrimmage like we thought they would.”

“I thought we had a really good day against their offense, but I didn’t think that it would be like this,” Lutz said. “I think it’s of the more dominating performances we’ve seen from our defense in a long time.”

The defense helped put them in good positions all night. 10 players were credited with a tackle for loss in the game. Every time Seton Hill would a have a good play, it was almost a guarantee that they’d be caught in the backfield on the next.

The Rock answered back on their next drive with a nine play, 62-yard drive. This featured passes to Jacob Odom, Cohen Russell and on the touchdown play it was Max Maciejewski who went up and grabbed the ball to give Slippery Rock a lead that they wouldn’t give up.

In the game, The Rock’s offense seemed to chip their way down the field, but turnovers plagued what could have been more scoring drives.

The Rock led two more scoring drives to open up the second quarter. They had an eight-play drive that took them 50 yards. Chris D’Or’s 34-yard run on the first play of the drive got them all the way down to the Seton Hill 34. The drive stalled at the 18-yard line, but it was ended by a field goal from DJ Opsatnik.

On their following drive, The Rock drove 86 yards with the biggest play coming from a pass from Noah Grover to Jawon Hall for 23 yards. It was ended with Grover punching the ball in from the one-yard line.

In the game, The Rock’s offense seemed to chip their way down the field, but turnovers plagued what could have been more scoring drives. At one point, Slippery Rock turned the ball over on three straight drives.

“The thing I’m the most disappointed with is that we

can’t turn the ball over three times, but with that being said I thought that the difference was special teams,” Lutz said. “I think Kyle Butts put us in some good positions and I also thought it was good that DJ got us a field goal.”

The next score came on the first drive of the second half.

The Rock took 10 plays to drive 74 yards. Isaiah Edwards scored from the one-yard line, but Kyle Butts extra point attempt was no good.

The final score came with only a few minutes left in the game. Chris Wells hit pay dirt from two yards and gave Slippery Rock a 30-2 lead.

Now as The Rock moves onto week five, they have one thing on their mind. Redemption. They finally have the chance to redeem themselves against Indiana (Pa.). They haven’t forgot.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’m already thinking about this next week, it’s a rivalry game, so who cares about the record,” Lutz said. “But we got embarrassed by them here last year, and I’m going to take this personal.”

Rock tennis preps for spring

indiana

SLIPPERY

In April, The Rock women’s tennis team fell in the PSAC title game to rival Indiana (Pa.), but for that group of girls, that was just the beginning. After coming back from the COVID-19 year, no one really knew what to expect in general. That goes for every sport, not just tennis. But when you have a group of girls who are all from different areas in the world, it can be a little harder to get them to mesh together.

The Rock tennis team had no trouble with that, though. They finished with an impressive 13-6 record, and even better, all but one player from last year’s team returned. Jump to fall, and they’re in the midst of trying to figure out what the next steps are. The hardest part about that is simple- trying to get the weather to cooperate with their schedule.

“[The fall] is going alright, the weather hasn't been cooperating too much, but it is what it is,” head coach Matt Meredith said.

They started out their fall schedule in September in Meadville, but more recently they competed in Bloomsburg at the ITA championships in Bloomsburg. That was their first of three trips to Bloomsburg this fall.

“We had a decent ITA’s, but we have a new part to our team and she’s getting used to being here and as she gets more comfortable, you’ll see more out of her,” Meredith said. “I think some of our veterans did very well and I think we’re showing our strength to the bottom of the lineup like we normally do.”

The newest addition to Rock tennis is Tina Slovak, who comes to Slippery Rock all the way from Reading, England. Slovak, like all but one player on the team, comes from Europe, but luckily she has others on the team to help her transition to being in the US.

One of the players who will undoubtedly help with that is Gabriela del Val del Toro, who Meredith believes has made big strides in the offseason.

“Right now, I would have to say to Gabriela del Val del Toro is doing a really good job [stepping up] to fill that

leadership role, she’s playing really good tennis right now,” Meredith said.

Del Val del Toro will be one of three players to represent The Rock at the PSAC individual championships. Along with del Val del Toro will be two fellow Spaniards, Adriana Gonzalez Sanchez and Nuria Martin Lopez.

Meredith has been happy with how the team has been playing this fall, but he’s also extremely excited to get standout Teddi Isherwood back soon, as she is currently in a boot. According to Meredith, this time is good for trying to get the team to mesh together.

“It’s why we do the fall, no doubt, but it’s a great way to get us going and get us into a team atmosphere,” Meredith said.

A big part of the fall is also figuring out doubles for the spring, but Meredith has been surprised during the process of figuring those out.

“I have what I thought my doubles teams were going to be and it’s kind of changed a little bit, so I’m not sure on that yet, but in a good way,” Meredith said. “A team that I thought might play lower, might be my

number one team and might push us to be stronger the whole way through because of that.”

Now the process becomes trying to get everyone acclimated to being part of the team. A lot of that will be getting their lone freshman to be comfortable, but it’ll take time and patience for it to fully begin.

“I think the biggest part is getting our freshman comfortable, and when she does, we’ll be on a whole different level,” Meredith said.

“As the leadership from our upper classmen comes through this year, that’ll help her and that’s what hoping to see develop over the next couple of weeks now.”

The girls have also been to PSAC championship, so that alone sets a goal for this spring to Meredith. They’ve been there, but whether or not they have what it takes to get back will be the question.

“I think it kind of sets an expectation, all the kids that have returned know what expect and know what I expect of them,” Meredith said. “I think they’re up to the challenge.”

EDDIE CLANCY / THE ROCKET

Slippery Rock welcomed Seton Hill to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium this past Saturday, and was sent them home with 30-2 loss. The Rock improved to 4-0 on the season, but will now face their biggest test yet.

Tyler Howe Sports Editor

PHOTO COURTESY

Creating a new path

Tyler Howe Sports Editor

The year is 2019, and The Rock football is in the midst of what became their best season in program history. The wide receiver core is stacked with three of the best players in Div. II football at their position. There’s a freshman there, soaking up everything all around him.

That freshman, Kyle Sheets, is now in the position that they were in. Sheets, a 6’4,” 215-pound receiver had all the tangibles that were needed to be successful at The Rock. But coming from Conneaut Area High School, he knew exactly what to expect coming in.

“I decided to come to The Rock because the family setting is not something you get everywhere else, and we talk about that a lot on the team,” Sheets said. “But it’s a home here, out of all the other offers I had, I figured this was the best opportunity for me, it’s close to home, I know people here and it’s definitely one of the best decisions of my life.”

One of the people he

knew here was Henry Litwin. They had been teammates in high school, and by coming to The Rock they were now teammates again.

Sheets was there for some of Litwin’s biggest moments, and through the years their relationship just got closer and closer. Sheets still asks Litwin for advice even after the latter graduated.

“He really opened up a path for me to be able to strive to get where I’m at but being able to go home with him every summer really helped me take strides,” Sheets said.

“I mean, he’s one of the greatest to ever do it, so to have a chance to follow in his footsteps is a big opportunity.”

Last season, Sheets earned his way to sharing the field with Litwin. Sheets became part of that wide receiver group with Jermaine Wynn Jr., Cinque Sweeting and Litwin that was so hard to cover. Each brought a different skill set, but Sheets knew he still had a lot to learn.

“Those veteran guys were a huge part of this program, and we know what they did for this school, but to have them come back was just another of being able to learn

and see how we’re supposed to attack this program.”

When the season concluded last year against Notre Dame College, Sheets knew that it was his time to take over. But the receiver room would be a lot different. Maybe he didn’t know if he was ready for that change, but he took it head on.

Sheets got lucky because only a few short months later, Cohen Russell, who started his collegiate career with Sheets at The Rock before transferring away, came back to Slippery Rock. That was step one to finding out what receivers he’d be playing with.

It was nice to have a familiar face around, and then Jacob Odom came onto the scene. Now there were three. Each brought their own skill set, and in a way, there are shades of the dangerous trio that once was.

“It’s definitely hard for a defense to adjust to [us], because you have Cohen’s speed [and Jacob’s as well], then Jacob’s has such great technique in his routes,” Sheets said. “So to have someone so fast, someone 6’3”, and someone who has great routes and can go attack

the ball, the defense has a hard time adjusting to that.”

Defenses have had a lot of trouble with the three this season. They’ve combined for 38 receptions, 746 yards and seven touchdowns. All of that has come through just four games.

All three are on the receiving end of balls from Noah Grover, someone who Sheets views as one of the hardest working players on the team.

“Noah brings a lot of things to the table, but his work ethic is something that I have never seen in my life,” Sheets said. “That leads us to success on the field, and out of anybody, I’d want him to be throwing us the ball and leading us to where we want to be.”

Sheets brings knowledge and experience to the team this year. Sheets is one of the few players left from the 2019 title team, and because of that he knows what it takes to get back to the top.

“The biggest thing I took away from 2019 is that we definitely have to do more this year to get where we want to go, whether that’s lifting more, practicing harder or taking extra reps after

Aly eyes title

practice,” Sheets said. “There’s always something more you can be doing to get to where we want to be in December, and that’s McKinney, Texas.”

In summer, you could find Sheets on the field working on his craft every day. Much like Litwin, Sheets knew he had to take extra steps to prove himself more and more each day. That work paid off on the first drive of the season when he caught a slant from Grover to score The Rock’s first touchdown of the season.

While Sheets takes pride in his catching ability, he also knows how important it is to make the big block.

“We take pride in getting those perimeter blocks to open up holes for those guys like Chris D’Or and Tim Smith and those guys,” Sheets said. “I really think that our blocking is playing a big part in what we’re doing.”

Sheets has started to become one of the leaders on this team, and it’s easy to see why. A lot of the way he approaches being one of the leaders on the team is how his friend, Litwin, did.

“I was around Henry Litwin a lot, and his

leadership was a different kind of leadership, it was by example, he never really said anything, but if he needed to he would,” Sheets said. “That’s the kind of leadership I’ve adapted to, I’ve never been one to yell at somebody, but I’ll do my job and hope that you follow after me.”

For Sheets, he couldn’t be where he is without the support he’s had, however.

“Anything that I do on the field comes from that confidence in what everyone thinks I can do, but anything that happens for me on the field is a testament to what everyone has planned for me,” Sheets said.

All in all, though, his sights are set on one thing, getting back to the PSAC title game and bringing it home once again.

“I think for this team, the sky is the limit,” Sheets said. “I’ve never been around a team that has this much chemistry and that has this much depth at every position, so personally I think where we can go to everyone on this team wants to be.”

Aidan Treu Assistant Sports Editor

Hossam Aly is no stranger to comeback stories. His path to playing time at The Rock was anything but a free right of passage.

As an eight-year-old playing soccer in Egypt, Aly volunteered to hop in the net. He reminisced on how much fun he had just diving around in the dirt, knowing that he was falling in love with the position in that moment.

“I let in like eight goals on me, but I had fun,” Aly said.

Aly was a multi-sport standout in high school as a four-year letterman in soccer and a three-year letter winner in football where he was a punter. He also got another two years in wrestling and volleyball under his belt while he was a student at Central Dauphin East.

Early on in his college visitation process, he had several options, considering Slippery Rock, Bloomsburg, Temple and Mercyhurst, where he was committed at one point. One of the biggest draws to Slippery Rock was the idea of joining a new generation of Slippery Rock men’s soccer.

Coach Kevin Wilhelm, who guided Aly through a

tour, began his SRU coaching tenure in 2018. This meant that the 2019 recruiting class, Aly’s class, was also Coach Wilhelm’s first recruiting class.

“Coach was in the same position as me,” said Aly, describing how both men were looking to create a name for themselves bettering Slippery Rock’s soccer team. Their efforts showed instant progress by increasing their 2018 win total from four to eight in 2019. Aly would go on to discuss how Coach Wilhelm and himself have developed a tight-knit player-to-coach relationship, and he sees Coach Wilhelm as someone he can trust and rely on.

Aly also commented on how comfortable the team and school made him in the adjustment period from high school to college. Future matchups against Mercyhurst were an added plus, as he looked forward to proving to them that he made the right choice de-committing and playing for The Rock.

“It’s still eleven v eleven, it doesn’t really matter to me, but I think that me going up against them Is like a chance to like prove yourself, you know what I mean? And I thrive off of that type of stuff.”Aly added that his brother also chose SRU, solidifying that Aly made the right decision. “He loves it here too.”

TYLER HOWE / THE ROCKET

Kyle Sheets has been part of The Rock receiver room for what feels like forever now, but in that time he's soaked up all the skills necessary to be a leader. Now he's the longest tenured receiver in a room with guys like Jacob Odom and Cohen Russell, and he feels that this team has to abiltiy to get wherever they want to go.

Saving the best for the rest of the season

His high school success lead him to a spot as a division two athlete, but that didn’t mean instant playing time.

“Freshman year I redshirted because I wasn’t going to play and then I was pissed. You know I want to play, but like, if I’m not playing you’ve got to do something, there’s a reason you’re not playing," Aly said.

Aly recognized the grind ahead of him and looked to his upperclassmen and team leaders as role models.

In his first year at Slippery Rock soccer practices, Aly immediately noticed the intensity. He referenced how at other schools or levels of athletics, practice may seem like a time to relax and take things less seriously, but practice doesn’t mean taking your foot off the gas pedal at SRU. “I saw the intensity that was brought every day and they were the ones that were playing and I was the one sitting on the bench.”

Aly knew that there were players above him on the depth chart, but he wasn’t going to let anyone outwork him, so that’s exactly what he did. Through analyzing the players who were veterans at the time and never stopping his training process, he sent a message. “I wanted to prove to Coach and everyone else here that I can play.” Everything was trending up, and just then, the world shut down.

In early 2020 signs of a catastrophic pandemic were looming, and it was only a matter of time before COVID-19 began affecting everyone. Hospitals began to fill and schools halted inperson classes. On March 11, 2020, Slippery Rock University extended Spring Break as a proactive measure to limit COVID-19. On March 16, everyone was informed that classes were going online for SRU.

Just as everything was starting to fall into place for

Aly, he had to start over again. That didn’t stop him. He continued with his non-stop attitude and never quit on the grind, particularly at practice, where the competition didn’t let up.

He saw and felt the improvements but knew he needed to execute and show everyone else.

“In my mind, you know I just have to transition it to output to show results on the field,” Aly said.

In his Junior year, Hossam Aly got his chance. He started fourteen games while averaging just over one and a half goals against and a .720 save percentage. His 54 saves and three shutouts were good for fifth in the PSAC.

Potentially the highlight of his season was an October 20th matchup against Mercyhurst where he recorded a seasonhigh seven saves.

There have been multiple recent all-PSAC players from Slippery Rock men’s soccer

in recent years as Alejandro Fernandez and Anthony Gagliardi II captured firstteam All-PSAC West honors in 2021 with Mo Kanani, Dan Schearer and Brian McCarthy being named to the second-team. This has created a strong competitive culture and iron sharpens iron mentality among the players. This mentality carries into games where, as Aly would say, “We’d go into every game knowing we have a chance like we’re going to win.”

Aly himself has accumulated two PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week awards. This, in tandem with his play and confidence, has placed him into a leadership role on the team similar to the players he was looking up to just a few short years ago. Now as an upperclassman, younger players look to him for guidance.

“I tell them no one can be in a worse position than I was freshman year. What I mean

by that is I want to say I was like the fourth string keeper, barely playing,” Aly said.

Aly had anything but a clear path to playing time, but he made it through with the help of his strong mindset and work ethic.

“Talk to coach [and ask him what he wants from you],” Aly said.

Much of the Slippery Rock defense has been overhauled because of former players graduating or not returning. This has forced Aly to show the defense how everything needs to function and how they themselves can garner more playing time, and it comes down to one simple answer that Aly has been living by for seemingly forever now.

“You have to work for it," Aly said. "You can literally achieve what you want as long as you tell yourself that you can do it.”

Aly and Coach Wilhelm now look forward to the rest of the 2022 season, hoping to return to the PSAC tournament for the first time since 2019.

One stat that hasn’t left Aly’s mind was the Green and White’s seven losses by one goal last year.

“That’s how close the margins were," Aly said. “Just play 90 minutes.”

If The Rock men’s soccer can reverse at least some of those close losses, they appear to be primed for a playoff spot.

“Anything can happen, especially in conference play,” Aly said.

Despite his ever-growing confidence and ability as a leader, Aly never forgets the importance of playing as a team.

“Say I concede zero goals, it’s not me that conceded zero goals, it’s the team that concedes zero goals together,” Aly said.

EDDIE CLANCY / THE ROCKET

The extraordinary Boozel Deb

By Megan John Campus Life Editor

Nearly everyone on campus knows Boozel Deb, checking in students with an eternally positive attitude. But far fewer people know Deb Mellor, accidental SRU icon and self-proclaimed people person. When she isn’t swiping cards or busing tables, she has a lot going on, including a second job and frequent social media appearances.

Mellor has worked in Boozel Dining Hall for 12 years. She was parttime until last year, when Aramark took over and did away with part-time shifts. Before Boozel, she held multiple management positions in food service.

“I have always been in the people business,” Mellor said. “I was in the restaurant business for a long time [as a] manager, bartending, helping co-own a family bar, so there’s that.”

Mellor grew up in Indiana, then moved to New Mexico, where she met her husband. They eventually came to Pennsylvania for her husband’s job and to be closer to their families.

There, she built a family of her own.

When the company her husband worked for went under, Mellor helped him start a business of his own. It’s still up and running today. She continues to run the office in the mornings, but in her words, “my kids were grown and gone, so I picked up this job [at SRU].”

Mellor’s local influence began with a series of Twitter polls in January 2020. The @BarstoolSRU Twitter account set up a March Madness-style bracket themed after "SRU Person of the Year”.

“Students started coming in and saying ‘Deb, you’re winning’,” Mellor said. “And I was like ‘winning? Winning what?’ And they’d laugh. I finally said, ‘you’ve got to tell me what you’re talking about’ and they explained … I didn’t give it a second thought.”

In the end, Mellor beat out 31 other contestants, including President Behre, the West Lake geese, Boom Box Guy, and even Rocky.

The following year, Mellor’s daughter Rachael entered her in a Today Show contest called “Flip Your Fall”.

According to the show, the contest “[shines] a light on one deserving viewer”. Rachael cited the poll as a reason why Mellor should win.

As most students know, she did. In September 2021, Rachael surprised her at work with flowers

and a video call from Hoda and Jenna, hosts of the Today Show.  “She’s the hardest worker, she … inspires me, she keeps our family together,” Rachael said during the video call. “Students love her, we love her, she’s just the greatest.”

In January 2022, mother and daughter experienced the most life-changing result of the contest: a free, fiveday trip to Hawaii.

“It was a wonderful trip,” Mellor said. “They put us up in a hotel in Waikiki within walking distance of everything. … They did a nice job with that.”

She occasionally appears on her daughter’s Tiktok, as well as the Boozel Deb Instagram account. Both were Rachael’s idea. Mellor called her social media appearances “so much fun that we decided to keep things going”.

Mellor stated the events that increase her popularity on campus are “always happening around me”.

“I must say, in all my years, it’s been a really wonderful experience with our student body,” Mellor said. “I feel like it keeps me young. I can feel that energy and I love it.

I like to talk to students. I don’t get a chance to, really, because I work the dinner shift and it’s busy. But if someone came along and wanted to talk, I’d listen.”  Mellor thinks her time working in restaurants have made her “a good sounding board”.

As for her philosophy on

life, she had three succinct points.

“Keep it real. Have fun and be positive. That’s one thing I really try to do, is keep it positive.”

Brave new show: the story of 'Rock Tonight'

By Megan John Campus Life Editor

WSRU-TV is developing a comedy sketch and talk show to premiere later this semester. “Rock Tonight” takes inspiration from shows such as “Saturday Night Live”, “Key & Peele” and “Late Show with David Letterman”. Its content will include interviews and pre-filmed sketches.

James Cressman, executive producer of “Rock Tonight”, is a communications major with a concentration in digital media production. He joined WSRU-TV in spring 2022, after taking a TV studio production class.

“I remember, when we first came into the studio, I had no idea that this was even here,” Cressman said. “I [did not] really have a clue about WSRU-TV at the time.”

Prior to “Rock Tonight”, Cressman’s only production experience came from classes at SRU. However, he stated that simply seeing the studio gave him an idea.

“When I was growing up, I watched David Letterman a lot with my aunt,” Cressman said. “So when I walked in, you know, [Letterman was] the first thing I thought of.

… I just remember having an idea for a show, and it grew as the week went on.”

According to Cressman, the process truly began

with “random nonsense” at an off -campus job, which became the basis for a sketch. He described his ideal brainstorming session, which would eventually come to life in “Rock Tonight” meetings.

“You come up with a wacky idea, and you say it,” Cressman said. “Just building off of [each other]: one person says something kind of crazy, and then the next person is adding on to it, but making it even crazier. Even though it’s out of this world, you just say it because it doesn’t matter. It’s just an idea.”

The second step was finding an audience who enjoyed the material. He brought the idea to Brittany Fleming, who advises WSRU-TV. At the end of the spring semester, she encouraged him to continue, and that encouragement carried over into the fall.

Fleming advised Cressman to promote “Rock Tonight” at WSRU-TV’s table during the Involvement Fair. Twelve people signed up as a result.

“[That] was amazing to me, because I was starting to think, ‘nobody’s going to want to work on this silly little show’,” Cressman said. “If Dr. Fleming didn’t think it was funny during that first sit-down, I don’t think this would have gone any further.

Dr. Fleming laughing is what made this show a reality.”

The “Rock Tonight” crew includes several members of WSRU-TV, but others are working in the TV studio for the first time.

Cressman spoke on the importance of coming to a consensus about each idea.

“Everybody has a different sense of humor,” Cressman said. “On a campus like SRU, you have a wide variety of different backgrounds, different senses of humor,” and it can be difficult for a large group to agree that a sketch idea is funny.

The brainstorming phase of “Rock Tonight”’s first episode has ended. Their next step is to turn four core sketches into reality.

“This coming week, we’re going to break off into groups,” Cressman said. “[We’re deciding] who’s working on what sketch and fleshing them out. For some, you have to write the scripted material. For others, it’s more reaction-based humor.”

He stated the next two meetings would be “critical”. Once the groups are set and the writing is done, the crew of “Rock Tonight” will be ready to film. Skits set outside the studio come first, followed by the studio segments. Last, they will edit and release the final product.

The majority of the crew is interested in working both in front of the camera and behind it.

“I think it’s great because I think everybody’s funny,” Cressman said. “Everybody has a funny side to them. Some people, sometimes –and I’m one of these people – are afraid to go out and show it.”

Cressman referred to the process of working on his first show as “in-progress learning”.

“I have to work on getting used to the equipment so that, if there’s ever a time where we don’t have someone well-equipped to work, I’ll know what I’m doing,” Cressman said.

“People with WSRU-TV have had a lot of experience over the past several years,” he added. “That’s where I would say my disadvantage is.”

The finished episode will be posted on YouTube. Although the date is to be determined, it could be out within the next two months.

Cressman wants to continue “Rock Tonight” at least into the new year. Aside from his current project, he has thoughts on the future of the TV station’s programming.

“I’d like to see other people come up with their own show ideas, because I think WSRUTV is the perfect place to start,” Cressman said. “I had written a script for a low-budget student film. I would love to see student movie ideas done through WSRU-TV.

The biggest takeaway for me is that I want people to get involved. I want people to showcase a hidden talent that they’re nervous about showcasing. And I think that the more people get involved, the more projects we have, WSRU-TV could continue to grow and expand.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES CRESSMAN

The TV studio in Maltby Center stands empty, ready for filming on "Rock Tonight" to begin. At the time of writing, Cressman and the show's other creators were still in the scripting process.

"You come up with a wacky idea, and you say it. One person says something kind of crazy, and then the next person is ... making it even crazier. Even though it's out of this world, you say it because it doesn't matter. It's just an idea."

– James Cressman, executive producer of Rock Tonight

PHOTO COURTESY OF @BOOZEL_DEB ON INSTAGRAM

Deb Mellor poses with a gift in Boozel Dining Hall. For her birthday on May 6, 2022, she was surprised at work with flowers and a Happy Birthday balloon.

"I must say, in all my years, it's been a really wonderful experience with the student body. I feel like it keeps me young. I can feel the energy and I love it."

– Deb Mellor, cashier at Boozel Dining Hall

Main attractions on Main Street

By Annabelle Chipps Asst. Campus Life Editor

Though not on campus, Slippery Rock Township’s Main Street is a big part of life for students who live at school.

A short walk perpendicular to Old Main takes one right into the heart of town. There, students are greeted with familiar food favorites such as McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway.

“I love having a Dunkin’ right by campus,” freshman Katie Brady said. “My friends and I like to grab some doughnuts and get good coffee when we’re tired of campus food.”

Brady also mentioned that students flock a few blocks further to Sheetz on the weekends “for fun”.

“There’s not much to do up here, both on and off campus,” Brady said. “Sheetz has lots of things to look at when you can’t stand looking at the same four walls anymore.”

While many enjoy these corporate classics, Main

Street also offers local restaurants for residents to sink their teeth into.

A popular destination is Ginger Hill Tavern, a bar that has served families and students since 2007.

“My friends who are over 21 say hanging out at Ginger Hill is better than most parties here,” junior Ian Phelps said. The restaurant serves American dinner staples along with fried appetizers and alcohol. This is their only location.

Another establishment unique to Main Street is Bob’s Sub & Sandwich Shop. Phelps called it his “go-to when I’m looking for food in town.” As the sandwich shop has been open since 1973, Phelps said “it’s almost as old as [his] parents.”

The following year, 1974, a breakfast and lunch restaurant called The Camelot opened. Although they offer full breakfasts for under $5 on weekday mornings, students tend to have more time to visit on the weekends.

Another breakfast option is the newly opened Rooster’s Coffee Bar. Originally set to open in 2020, Rooster’s

made their debut in the fall of 2022. Unlike most attractions on Main Street, students are still getting to know the establishment.

The café serves pastries baked daily, with options varying from day to day. They also offer a vast array of tea and coffee drinks. According to junior and frequent patron Abigail Campbell, the best drink on the menu is the Rooster’s Study Buddy Tea.

“Finally, we have an independent coffee shop near campus,” Campbell said, “I’m tired of funneling money into Starbucks when on campus, or Dunkin’ when off.”

On the other hand, North Country Brewing Company, owned by Bob McCafferty, has several restaurants throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania. One of those locations is Main Street’s North Country Brew Pub.

“[North Country Brew Pub] is where I always suggest we go when my family comes to visit me at school,” said Brady. “It has a great atmosphere and oldtimey feel.”

The pub was built in 1805 as a single-family home.

Since then, the site has been an inn, a furniture store, a funeral home and now North Country Brew Pub.

As for dessert, Main Street houses Yumberries of Slippery Rock to suit the public’s frozen yogurt needs.   Main Street also has multiple options for shopping. Phelps named several retail stores in town, such as Taggart’s Jewelry and Our Angels Attic. However, there are other types of businesses that students visit often.

“SRU students are lucky to have a few different tattoo shops at our disposal, even for a thing like getting your ears pierced,” said sophomore Kaelin Love. “It’s something fun and different to do.”

Slippery Rock University holds many events on campus territory. Still, some students prefer to venture out of bounds.

“The fact that Main Street is a five-minute walk from my dorm makes it almost as important to me as the student center,” said Brady. “I am glad to have easy access to so many unique places.”

Finding common ground with Ross Gay

By Megan John Campus Life Editor

Award-winning author and poet Ross Gay visited campus on Tuesday as part of an initiative for SRU’s Common Read program.

Gay participated in a small Q&A, interview with RockScissorsPaper, dinner at Elephant 8 and a public talk in Miller Auditorium.

Common Read brings individuals across the

country together through reading the same literary work. On campus, critical reading and several upperlevel classes have incorporated the readings before. This year, however, critical writing students are included for the first time.

Julie Naviaux and Patrick McGinty, assistant professors in the Languages, Literature, Cultures and Writing Department (LLCW), were heavily involved in planning the event. Naviaux is also

coordinator for the Common Read program on campus.

McGinty originally nominated Gay’s book for this year’s common read, and his “sales pitch” convinced Naviaux.

“As a teacher, I liked how Ross Gay’s writing seemed approachable in a very honest way,” Naviaux said. “I thought students could really enjoy [his style] and not feel intimidated by it.”

According to McGinty, Gay’s work has running themes “of attentiveness, of noticing”.

“For Ross, to write is to notice and to notice is to care for ourselves so that we can better care for [others],” McGinty said in his introductory speech, immediately before Ross Gay spoke Tuesday night. “His work proves that writing is a

way to name what we notice so that we can better carry our experiences forward ... Writing is a way to share our noticings with others.”

Gay was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania. He currently teaches at Indiana University of Bloomington. Naviaux described him as a “regional author”.

“Still, now that he’s starting to get attention and fame, he’s regional,” Naviaux said. “That’s cool, to meet people who have gotten that level of recognition who are from places that you’re from.”

She is interested in having students make connections between what they learn in class and how they live outside of it. Naviaux believes meeting a bestselling author might help with this.

Both professors want to engage writing students by “demystify[ing] writing”. As a published author, when Gay speaks openly about the

mistakes and revisions he makes, student writers may feel encouraged to keep going.

“Seeing inside someone else’s process is a really great benefit,” McGinty said.

Aside from Gay’s status as a well-known local author, both Naviaux and McGinty described his work as authentic. McGinty called it “small-press artistry”.

“I view him as maximizing out the artistry he can have, sentence to sentence, for the widest possible audience, which is not an easy thing to do,” McGinty said. “It’s not super common for someone who is nominally a poet to get this famous.

For a poet to be able to work in multiple genres, to be as respected in higher graduate levels or niche art circles as he is to first-year writing students … He’s really viewed as a big tent artist. All kinds are welcome.”

McGinty has enjoyed Gay’s work for years prior to the visit. In his introductory

Village Fest takes over

By Tyler Howe Sports Editor

It’s a day that everyone in Slippery Rock looks forward to, but Village Fest just seems to get bigger and bigger every single year. The event gives all the small businesses around the Slippery Rock area a chance to showcase their business right before a big football game that always draws in a ton of people.

This year was the best example of that. The day was nice and cool, which for many involved with the event is always the best possible scenario.

“We’ve had different years with Village Fest where it’s been cold, dreary and rainy and the people just don’t come out, and so the weather has something to do with it,” volunteer coordinator Karen Perry said. “We’ll see a lot more people come out because of the weather.”

The event did see more and more people come out each hour. The streets were flooding with people as they gravitated towards the sights, sounds and smells. Among those was Jessica

Dixon, who is the owner of a business called “Colorful Creations.”

Dixon makes handmade children's accessories. From capes to hair bands, she has people covered. Like many other vendors, Village Fest is a great way to get her company out there and create new relationships with new customers.

“My husband went to Slippery Rock, and we did [Village Fest] pre-pandemic and we loved it. We weren’t able to come last year, but this year it worked in our schedule, and we’re excited to be here,” Dixon said.

Those streets that wewre filled with people who came out to find out what was going on and to find new stuff to see. Village Fest didn’t disappoint them. But the most exciting part for many is supporting local businesses.

“I really like supporting small, local businesses and this is just a really fun way to do that,” SRU student Maison Kairush said. “I love going to farmer’s markets in my hometown… Support local businesses and go to farmer’s markets, heck yeah.”

But in order to make the event come to life, there is a

lot of planning beforehand and a lot of work the day of. In order to find that out, you just have to ask Perry, or the Executive Director of Slippery Rock development, Tom McPherson.

“I’ve been coordinating volunteers since about six o'clock this morning. We arrived to an empty parking lot and by 8:30 we had a bunch of activity,” Perry said. “It really is exciting, especially because this morning it was only about 40 degrees, and the students were cold, but the sun is out now, the inflatables are up and the students are engaged.”

McPherson, who spent this year’s Village Fest training others to eventually take over, put a lot into the event and couldn’t be prouder of how it went. But all in all, he’s even more proud of the people who help bring the event together.

“We could not run this event without student volunteers, that’s a matter of fact, and every year, we’re like ‘are we going to get any this year?’” McPherson said. “When we do, they turn out to be great.”

remarks, he spoke about the impact Gay’s writing had on him personally.

“It might be cheesy, but you know what, it’s true: Ross’ work changes your behavior, which changes your life, and so why not the world, too?”

ANNABELLE CHIPPS / THE ROCKET

Students relax inside of Rooster's Coffee Bar. Cold weather and seasonal drinks bring in families as well as students.

BRANDON PIERCE / THE ROCKET

Maison Kairush examines jewelry at a Village Fest booth. Booths included jewelry, food and clothing vendors.

"I really like supporting small, local businesses and this is a fun way to do that. I love going to farmer's market's in my hometown ... Support local businesses and go to farmer's markets, heck yeah."

– Maison Kairush, SRU student

EDDIE CLANCY / THE ROCKET

Left: Ross Gay signs books in Miller Auditorium. After his talk, the author stuck around for a Q&A session and book signing.

"Seeing inside someone else's process is a really great benefit."

– Julie Naviaux, assistant professor at SRU

WEEKLY ORG SPOTLIGHT

Rock Racing Bowling Club

competitive side if you want there to be.”

By Annabelle Chipps Asst. Campus Life Editor

Rock Racing Club combines the strengths of students from a variety of majors. Students of engineering, art, marketing, finance and more work as a team to build a full-sized racecar. Their goal is to enter the finished car into a national competition.

“It’s like any professional racing team, but entirely student-run,” Nathan Sharp, sophomore and club president, said. “We need people from all walks of life to make this work.”

The organization’s main objective is to race in a competition sponsored by the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers

(SAE). Formula SAE’s list of aesthetic and mechanical requirements guides their work.

Although Rock Racing Club is engineering focused, it is not just for engineers. According to Sharp, “two lead engineers each oversee two engineering departments, and our secretary leads other parts of the project.”

The president serves as the first lead engineer, who directs peers as they work on the drivetrain and chassis. Both of these involve mechanics required to power and move the car.

The vice president is the other lead, supervising aerodynamics and suspension, which help the car stop and start properly. Members of the club recently decided that the treasurer will lead a

team as well: its role is to be determined.

The club secretary directs the heads of marketing and internal affairs. Last but not least are the teams of students doing hands-on work.

Th e fi rst informational meeting of the entire club will take place on Oct. 11, in room 102 of Vincent Science Center.

This is Rock Racing’s second semester on campus. They were approved by the SRSGA in March 2022.

“We bought a car and worked on it in April, but Formula SAE requires that we build our own,” Sharp said. “This will be our first year officially [working].”

By Annabelle Chipps Asst. Campus Life Editor

Rock Bowling Club recently began its first semester at Slippery Rock University. The organization has set out to cultivate a healthy social environment for those who enjoy bowling.

“Right now, our goal is just to garner interest,” said founder and president Heath Chase. “I hope it becomes a competitive club sport here at SRU one day. For now, there is only a

So far, almost 100 students have signed up for the bowling club’s e-mail list.

“I hope that at the end of this academic year, we can get at least eight people who are willing to join a league,” said Chase. “We are also working on a budget for next semester.”

The group plans to meet at least once a week, but they are not yet sure where meetings will be held.

“As of now we’re in contact with Bowl-O-Drome in Grove City,” Chase stated. “But if Coffaro’s opened its

lanes back up, that would be ideal.”

Though approval for the constitution and by-laws is still pending, the club has been approved by the CORE website and will be accessible in the near future.

No official events or meetings have been planned for Rock Bowling Club. However, that does not stop its founder from looking ahead to the future.

“I think I have a lot to teach other students about bowling,” Chase said. “This can be a great learning and team-building opportunity if one puts in the effort.”

Film Review: 'Don't Worry Darling'

By Dereck Majors Review Columnist

A film that will live in infamy—for all the wrong reasons.

“Don’t Worry Darling” is as formulaic as a physiological mystery thriller can be, with so much potential boiling underneath. The bad elements far outweigh the good in Olivia Wilde’s sophomore directorial effort. To put it bluntly, the film is equally as messy as the behind-the-scenes drama that occurred while making and promoting the film.

Set in 1950s America, Alice and Jack (Florence Pugh and Harry Styles) live in a small, picturesque community that is closed off from the real world. Those in the town, however, do not feel trapped. They have everything they need: shopping, parties, a sense of camaraderie.

Soon though, Alice begins to question her life and goes toe-to-toe with Frank (Chris Pine), the founder of their close-knit circle.

It’s a classic “something doesn’t feel right” film that struggles from the very beginning, when it delivers the entire exposition within the first twenty minutes. The script tries to rebound and hold back all its twists and turns, but it’s too late. For a good mystery to be effective, the audience should be guessing right up until

the screenwriter decides to let all hell break loose. Instead, the thrill of trying to piece together what is wrong in the fictional town of Victory, California is taken away from the audience, replaced with over two hours of beating around the bush.

For a film that stars big names like Florence Pugh, Harry Styles and Chris Pine, among others, it should be easy for the audience to be entertained by the mere spectacle of everything. But watching this film feels like a chore.

When the expected twist finally occurs, moviegoers will let out an audible groan and a collective eye roll.

When trying to figure out what went wrong, it’s easiest to turn to Wilde’s lack of direction. While she does have a good eye for shot composition, as the beautiful cinematography by Matthew Libatique is the best part of the film, Wilde struggles to capture a cohesive, entertaining story.

This story, however, struggled first on the page. Katie Silberman, who worked with Wilde on the massively successful “Booksmart”, rewrote the script which originally appeared on The Black List- a list of “most liked” not yet produced scripts. Somehow, Silberman managed to take away most of the appeal that was present in the original script. The audience is

left with a meandering plot that arrives at its destination too late. Just like the plane featured on the poster and in the film - though never explained after - Wilde’s film crashes and burns.

On the positive side, the cast is largely committed to their roles. Pugh does her usual best and knocks it out of the park as a housewife probing for answers.

Harry Styles, on the other hand, should head back to the recording studio. His scenes, even the most serious ones, are often comical due to his overacting. The One Direction alum can’t hold his own against talent like Pugh, whose character he is supposed to be gaslighting. His casting proves that not every popular musician is the next Barbra Streisand or Lady Gaga.

For those who have watched the film’s trailers and felt intrigued by the promise of mystery, glitz, and glam: stay home. In addition to the on-set drama that has taken social media by storm, “Don’t Worry Darling” has an awful lot to worry about once audiences start to tear the film apart.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATHAN SHARP

Rock Racing's logo includes a rock with the accessories of a racecar. It will likely be displayed externally on this year's car.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DERECK MAJORS

Right: Harry Styles and Florence Pugh starred in 2022's "Don't Worry Darling." Behind-thescenes drama included conflict between Pugh and Olivia Wilde, the movie director and significant other of Harry Styles.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKITTERPHOTO.COM

A bowling ball rolls toward a set of pins. As Bowling Club only recently started, they haven't found a location to hold meetings in yet.

Honors College keeps students and faculty occu'pied'

By Annabelle Chipps Asst. Campus Life Editor

The SRU Honors College hosted a “berry” sweet fundraiser, Pie a Professor, during common hour on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

For a $2 donation, students could throw plates of cool whip, or “pies”, at an array of professors. Proceeds went to the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center on campus.

SRU junior Sydney Snyder, fundraising co-chair for the Honors College,

spoke about last year’s pie-related donations, which went to the Butler Women’s Health Association.

“We raised over $800 to further research and help our local community with various mental health crises,” Snyder said, “This year we are going to help [Storm Harbor] with whatever therapies or services they need.”

The group plans to hold pie-throwing events annually.

“We have no specific financial goal,” Snyder said. “I know they’ll be grateful for [any money], and we will too.”

Participating faculty came from various departments. English professors, biology professors, higher-level administration such as President William Behre and more stood behind the bakery battle line.

According to Snyder, students were drawn in by

professors they had “pent-up anger towards”.

One frequently targeted member was biology professor Evan Guiney. This is his second year taking part in the event.

“It seems like it’s all my favorite students going out of their way to pie me,” he said. “The students seem to like it, but I hate getting pied. The sound [of the pie hitting Guiney’s face] is the best part, though.”

Honors College member Zach

Brodnick stated that “Pie a Professor” had been tremendously successful the year before.

“We broke our record for fundraising with just one single event,” Brodnick said.

Students who attended described it as therapeutic.

“The event was a good outlet for me,” said sophomore Chloe Wright. “There is nothing like a little revenge therapy.”

"The event was a good outlet for me. There's nothing like a little revenge therapy."

– Chloe Wright, SRU sophomore

A plate of "pie" ricochets off biology professor Evan Guiney's face and hits the professor next to him. The student donated more than once to ensure he could pie Guiney multiple times.

ANNABELLE CHIPPS / THE ROCKET Right: A professor reacts triumphantly to being pied. He was a popular target for students throughout the event.