4/14/17 Digital Edition

NEWS

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April 14, 2017

INSIDE NEWS

SGA President joins BOG

Interviews start for transitions position

Current SGA President Logan Steigerwalt will serve in a student position on PA Board of Governors.

New position would help aid students switching from schools or switching to dierent programs.

See theonlinerocket.com

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NEWS

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

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Rachel Lawler was announced as the 2017-18 SGA President Tuesday during common hour.

SRYOU ticket sweeps SGA elections

By Logan Campbell Assistant News Editor

INDEX Blotter.................A-3 Opinion................B-1 Sports...................C-1 CampusLife.............D-1

CONTACT US Newsroom: (724) 738-4438 Advertising: (724) 738-2643 Fax: (724) 738-4896 Email:

220 Eisenberg Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057

therocketnewspapersru@ gmail.com Awarded first place in Newspaper Overall Excellence

by The Society for Collegiate Journalists.

The winners of the 20172018 Slippery Rock Student Government Association (SRSGA) elections were announced Tuesday, and the SRYOU ticket swept all executive board positions over the Your V.O.I.C.E ticket.

In total 1,854 votes were cast by the SRU student body for this year's election., the most of any SGA election in recent time.

Rachel Lawler as SGA president as Dallas Kline as VP of student and academic affairs, Scott Vogelgesang, VP of student and academic affairs, Lexi Foster as VP of internal affairs and Riley Keffer as VP of financial affairs, will be the next executive board for SGA in 2017-2018.

Lawler said how incredible it is to win this election and

how a sweep was something no one on the ticket expected to happen.

Lawler credited both tickets for well balanced and organized campaigns this year.

"It's actually amazing," Lawler said. "I honestly didn't think it was going to be a sweep but a split ticket. Both tickets were so strong and so dedicated to what they believed in and what they stood on. So I'm just really proud of both tickets for doing this and making it so competitive this year."

Along with the executive board positions the graduate, building and commuter senator positions were announced.

The graduate senators will be Christopher Kostelnik and Jennifer Gentzel.

The Building A senator will be Chadwick Burdick.

The Building B senator will be will be Habibah Dawodu.

The Building D senator will be Cale Walker.

ROCK NOTES

The Building E senator will be Kaitlyn Hazelett via a writein.

The Building F senator will be Esteban Ramirez.

The Rhoads Hall senator will be Tabitha Dunton.

The senator positions for Watson Hall, North Hall and the ROCK Apartments were not filled for this election.

These positions will be fair game to any student interested in doing so.

All 15 commuter senator positions were filled this election.

The commuter senators will be Noah Marvin, Leanna Ohora, Parto Bahreini, Robbie Eberhardt, Sophia Sarver, Quiona Glover, Claudia Hartmann, Angela Vickers, Brennan Smith, Spencer Vinroe, Connor Himich, Joshua Jenkins, Logan Campbell, Stephen Reu and Mitchell Overdorf.

To have a Rock Note featured in the last print edition of the semester, please send your announcement before May 3 to Daniel DiFabio at dxd1034@sru.edu or therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com

SGA FORMAL SENATE MEETING Everyone is welcome to attend SGA's meetings to learn about what is going on and around campus or to voice a concern or suggest. The meeting is on April 17 in the Smith Student Center Theater from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A LESSON IN SOLIDARITY Screening of PRIDE: A film based on the true story of gay activists who worked to help miners on strike. Discussion to follow. Screening will take place April 17 from 7 p.m to 9:30 p.m.

STUDENT HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING The purpose of the Student Health Advisory Board (SHAB) is to improve communication between the student body and the health services offered to them. It provides students the opportunity for their input into the health care services provided. Meeting will take place on April 18 during common hour.

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STUDENT TRANSITIONS Presentation/Open Interview Session for Students, Faculty, and Staff. Interview will take place from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 17.

NEWS

April 14, 2017

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POLICE BLOTTER Campus

stopped by police for being visibly intoxicated near Aebersold Recreation Center; was charged and April 10- Person reported an unknown vehicle April 8- Police noticed a truck in the grass on Maltby transported to Butler County Jail. struck her car in the McKay Commuter Lot. Case is Avenue and the vehicle had to be towed. Insurance under investigation. information was gathered for the damage to public April 10- Police observed a highly intoxicated property. person in the Central Loop, person was taken to the April 10- Staff personnel called police for two Health Center, charges to be filed. persons arguing and ready to fight outside of Bailey April 8- Slippery Rock Borough Police requested Library. Police arrived and spoke with parties and sent assistance on a traffic stop on Grove City Road which April 10- Hunter Nagy, 21, was charged for them on their way. No other action was taken. resulted in an on-foot pursuit. Borough police will be disorderly conduct in the Swope Commuter Lot when charging persons. he was told to leave the lot and used vulgar language April 10- Traffic stop resulted in an arrest for drug towards police and staff, which caused alarm to others paraphernalia on Service Drive.

April 8- State police requested assistance from in the lot.

SRUPD on a traffic stop on Grove City Road that had April 10- Beth Stumpf, 20, was cited for underage a wanted person inside the vehicle.

April 10- Alexandria Stevenson, 20, was cited for consumption near the Aebersold Recreation Center consumption of alcoholic beverages near Aebersold and was released to a friend.

April 9- Traffic stop on the Central Loop resulted Recreation Center and was released to a friend. in an alcohol violation for the passengers; person(s) April 10- Gabriele Diamond, 19, Shannon referred to student conduct, driver was warned for April 10- Austin Freeman, 21, Jacob Miller, 21, McNamara, 19, Morgan Reilly, 18, Savannah Saccuci, faulty equipment.

Brandon Schmoll, 21, were all charged with disorderly 18, Kelly Stiller, 19, were all charged with an alcohol conduct after police observed a fight inside the violation at Watson Hall.

April 9- Person reported damage to their vehicle in Aebersold Recreation Center. the Lower Stadium Lot A. Case is under investigation.

April 11- Laura Hallam, 19, was charged with public April 10- Courtney Meyers, 21, was charged with drunkenness.

April 9- Person called about the welfare of their disorderly conduct for having drug paraphernalia in friend near Gail Rose Lodge. Police located person her car.

April 13- Santino Birty, 19, Chad Kuhn, 19, Dylan later.

Stapleton, 18, were all charged with alcohol violations.

April 10- Person reported car accident in the Alumni Police were called for possible intoxicated people in April 10- Lukas Peterson, 19, was charged with Commuter Lot. Police arrived, both parties exchanged the lobby. having a fake ID and disorderly conduct after being information. No other action was taken by police.

GET app lets students add flex and track meal swipes

By Haley Potter Rocket Contributor

SRU students can now download the GET app, which helps students manage their on-campus flex funds and locate places to eat.

The app was created by the university along with enterprise applications. AVI’s resident director, Mark Lisowski, mentioned that AVI fully supports the university in their decision to make this app.

Beverly Lumley, SRU information

technology generalist, said that this app is very convenient for students to track their meal swipes, add flex dollars, find places on campus to eat, report their identification card as missing and so much more. “Prior to the app, students had to log onto their MySRU accounts to add flex funds to their accounts, which was a long process that often took 24 hours," Lumley said. "With this app, money is added instantly with full proof for margin of human error.�

GET can be found in the app store

or on the web at http://get.cbord. com/sru. GET accounts are merged with students' SRU portal accounts to make log-in much simpler, Lumley said. “This app is just so convenient," Lumley said. "Students and parents have the ability to see where the card has been used and the app is extremely user-friendly.�

In the future, Lumley said that they want to add more features to the app that will benefit students. Some of those features include having an available secure barcode in the app

that can be used in place of the card at food venues on campus. Another update would allow for students to potentially have the opportunity to take their own picture to use as their ID picture, as long as it meets qualifications. Lastly, Lumley said the university wants to add a GETfood feature, so that students can preorder food and set a time to pick it up between classes or while on a tight schedule. “We have gotten all positive feedback from this app so far," Lumley said. "Students love it.�

See more news stories at theonlinerocket.com

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NEWS

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April 14, 2017

Five PASSHE schools post notices of possible retrenchment Program changes could eliminate several faculty positions rid of individual faculty, but to not be eliminated until the start of eliminate positions for program the 2018-19 academic year.

By Daniel DiFabio changes.

"They really were just fulfilling a News Editor "When you make programmatic contractual obligation," Marshall changes, that may mean eliminating said. "Really those notices are Per the faculty and university programs where there is no longer almost a formality at this point, contract, five schools in the state a demand and it may mean adding they start the process going." system have submitted letters of new programs in areas where Marshall said that next, the intent for retrenchment.

The universities that have s u bm it t e d t h e l e t t e r s a re "When you make programmatic changes that may mean California, Cheyney, Clarion, Edinboro and Mansfield. eliminating programs where they is no longer a demand According to an April 3 Association of Pennsylvania State and it may mean adding new programs in areas where College & University Faculties there's a high demand."

(APSCUF) press release, the deadline for Pennsylvania's State - Kenn Marshall, spokesman for the state system System of Higher Education (PASSHE) was April 1.

In the aforementioned APSCUF press release, APSCUF President Ke n n e t h Ma s h s a i d , " We there's a high demand," Marshall universities will meet with their understand finances are tight, said. "But to do that it may require respective faculty union, to but cutting programs and faculty realigning your faculty. That may start discussing what positions members is penny wise and pound mean eliminating some positions would be eliminated. He said that foolish. Limiting opportunities and creating new positions, and over the last six years PASSHE will not help universities heal or retrenchment is a process by universities have issued about 76 grow. It certainly does nothing to which you can do that." letters of possible retrenchment encourage students to enroll."

Marshall said at this current and of those only nine are no Kenn Marshall, spokesman for time no positions that would longer working in the system. the state system, said that these experience layoffs were identified Marshall said that if a position notices are not attempting to get and that any such position would was eliminated, retrenchment

allows for the faculty member to be transferred to another position or have the first right to accept a position at another university within the system.

"There are all kinds of protections built in," Marshall said.

Marshall said that the five universities that issued the notices had been walking for some time about refocusing their academic programs, with Cal U wanting to focus more on science and technology programs, Clarion on healthcare, business and teaching and that Edinboro is looking to make sure it's offering the right programs.

"It's entirely up to the universities to do this," Marshall said. "They're responsible for balancing their own budget."

Marshall said that by Aug. 1 2017, universities would have to say if they have a need for retrenchment.

"It's a long process but it's deliberate," Marshall said. "It's so that the universities can work with the faculty union, minimizing the impact of any retrenchments an d m ay b e e ve n avoi d i ng retrenchments entirely."

Town hall gets campus involved with presidential search

By Daniel DiFabio News Editor

The SRU Council of Trustees hosted a town hall session on April 13 to let members of the campus community express what they want in a president.

Jeff Smith, member of the Council of Trustees and the presidential search committee, hosted the event alongside JoAnn Gora, who is a consultant for the Association of Governing Boards (AGB), the firm helping SRU with the search.

Gora said that the first step in the process is creating a presidential profile, which will act as a job description for applicants.

Gora said the search firm is hoping to have campus interviews in September, with the new president being announced by October 2017 and taking over in the spring 2018 semester.

"The candidate generation phase will take place during the summer,"Gora said. "Once the fall semester resumes and people are back on campus the search committee will be in the process of vetting the applications."

Gora presented those in attendance a list of seven questions to answer, with the questions covering what challenges SRU will face, what attributes they wanted in the president and the unique strengths of SRU. James Free, senior secondary education major, said the new president should be willing to increase the quality of education and keep an eye on campus issues.

"They should also be the kind of person to look outwardly more than inwardly," Free said. "They should be willing to increase the efficiency and the quality of education received using their specific experience and knowledge to put a new set of eyes on the issue and point out what somebody already on campus might have overlooked over the years."

A few music education and performing arts students also expressed a desire for Miller Auditorium to be renovated, saying their respective programs have suffered from not having experience in playing in a concert hall and having to rent out facilities.

Deborah Baker, director of special events, said that many departments don't have proper performance space.

"The lack of a performing arts complex moving forward has really invented a problem for so many of the academic areas," Baker said.

"Our community has been told we're going to be getting a new performing arts space for what is now moving into the sixth year."

Gora said that any questions members of campus still have can be submitted to the SRU website and they'll be answered before next Tuesday. Future updates on the presidential search can be found on the university's website.

SRU to host psychology conference featuring student research

By Haley Potter Rocket Contributor

On Saturday April 15, Slippery Rock University will host the 45th Annual Western Pennsylvania u n d e r g r a d u at e p s y c h o l o g y conference, which has been taking place since 1973.

SRU last hosted the conference in 2010.

Psychology professor Jennifer Sanftner McGraw said that though she has never been able to attend a conference before, she is excited and knows that this conference will truly

benefit the students in attendance.

The conference will take place in the Smith Student Center Ballroom and will include poster and paper presentations, a similar setup as the recent student symposium.

The presentations will consist of research that has been conducted by students and faculty members in the psychology department.

“When students get the opportunity to work closely with faculty, there is a high impact," McGraw said.

"Faculty get to know students, which will benefit them when applying to graduate programs or when they

need a letter of recommendation,” said McGraw.

McGraw also said that the conference allows for students to practice being professional.

“Presenting at this conference gives students a feel for what it is like to present at a professional conference," McGraw said.

McGraw said that students benefit from researching with faculty because they are exposed to real-life scenarios and how data is taken and analyzed. They also learn the ethics of working with real human subjects.

The conference also gives the

students experience in conducting research and then analyzing the data, much like they would in the field.

“Students get to learn content that is far beyond what can be learned in a regular classroom,” McGraw said. “Strong resumes can be built from attending this conference.

Also, the national conference can be intimating and expensive. Having a regional conference right here on the SRU campus will allow for more students to attend and present in a realistic environment.”

Interview process starts for new student transitions position

By Adam Zook Rocket Contributor

On-campus, interviews started this week for the newly created position of Assistant Director of Student Transitions, after narrowing the process of applicants over the last month.

Corrine Gibson, director of the office for inclusive excellence (which deals with transition, mentoring, inclusion and advocacy) said that the position was created for a few reasons.

"Our goal by creating this new position is to expand the number of students who can be reached and assisted through transitional periods during their time at SRU," Gibson said.

Gibson said the term "transitional periods" is

a broad one, as it covers a broad spectrum of the college experience. Transitions can come in the form of students graduating from high school and starting their freshmen year, or changing their major and focus of study. Personal changes with family or friends are also life transitions and will pose challenges to whomever receives the position.

"The assistant director will be tasked with implementing programs and methods geared toward helping students through these transitional periods in their life," Gibson said. "This additional help will allow students to focus on succeeding in the classroom."

David Wilmes, associate provost for student success, said he was enthusiastic about the

potential of the new position and is eager to see how it evolves in the future.

“We have a program on campus called Jump Start that assists incoming freshman adjust to college life here at Slippery Rock,” Wilmes said.

“Whoever gets the position will certainly be tasked with improving upon and expanding that program. We also hope to see our retention rates grow among transfer students and possibly see workshops developed for them in the future.”

The final on-campus interviews will be held on Monday of next week. A thorough review process will be conducted over the next few weeks before the committee comes to a final decision.

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April 14, 2017

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OPINION

Our View Students should take an interest in student government

OPINION Volume 100, Number 9

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

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

EDITORIAL BOARD Ryan Barlow

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel DiFabio Megan Bush

News Editor Campus Life Editor

Cody Nespor

Sports Editor

Rebecca Dietrich Victoria Davis

Copy/ Web Editor

Logan Campbell

Assistant News Editor

Megan Majercak

Assist. Campus Life Editor

Jordyn Bennett

Assistant Sports Editor

Kendall Scott

Assistant Photo Editor

Amanda Salvia Eric Davies

Assist. Copy/Web Editor Multimedia Reporter

Mark Zeltner

Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Catharyn Burton

GRAPHIC BY KENDALL SCOTT/ THE ROCKET

Photo Editor

Advertising Manager

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

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

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

In this past week’s Student G ove r n me nt Ass o c i at i on (SGA) elections, the SRYOU ticket swept its opposition, Your V.O.I.C.E., in ever y category. With 1,854 total votes being cast, the most votes cast in a Slippery Rock SGA election in recent history, it is troubling to understand how a sweep was possible, especially considering that both parties had balanced and organized campaigns and focused on similar issues.

While it’s not completely necessary to deem the SGA elections as a “popularity contest,” it does feel as if one party clearly overpowers the other when elections come around. While SRYOU had qualified candidates who deserved the positions they will receive, it seems that the voters in the student body have a habit of voting for the ticket that their friends are involved with and sticking to that ticket throughout the voting process, completely unaware of who the other candidates are and why they might also be qualified.

Also, the SRYou ticket is primarily made up of students

who had served on this past year’s SGA, possibly meaning that students who had voted decided to stick to the names that they’re familiar with instead of branching out and learning about the other candidates.

Every student at Slippery Rock should take a side in the SGA election, especially those who are heavily involved in on-campus organizations.

Voting for your student leaders shows that you have an interest in what happens on campus and that you’re interested in making a difference. Under no circumstance should a student claim that he or she is passionate about being i nvolve d and m a k i ng a difference on campus if he or she is unable to spare five minutes to vote for their peer leaders.

Slippery Rock’s SGA is one of the most structured and respected SGA’s of the state schools in the Pennsylvania State System. SRUSGA has held conferences in the past to show other universities how to successfully govern their student bodies. So, despite

not picking new faces to represent our student body, at least both parties offered students the option to elect students who will surely keep the respected reputation the current SGA members and past governments have instilled.

It seems that if you get involved with SGA early, you are most likely to fall into the pattern set by previous SRSGA’s. As long as they get “in” with the current SGA executive hand early in their student careers, the more likely they are to get positions in the future.

Of course, this should not be considered a bad thing, because at least these students have witnessed what makes SRUSGA’s so successful, so as long as the system isn’t broken, maybe there is no reason to fix it.

However, if students want change, they need to take the initiative to change things, and that’s why it’s their responsiblity to spread their messages and ensure that the ones they want to see in charge are elected.

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.

In the Quad

This week’s question: Did you see Lil Wayne? If so, did you enjoy the show?

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

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.

Mitchel Lutton Junior Sport Management Major New Castle, Pennsylvania “I didn’t go to the show because I had to work, but seeing other people experience the show made me realize there is a lot of potential.”

Molly Hancock Sophomore Safety Management Major Mercer, Pennsylvania

Ryan Hatkevich Junior Exercise Science Major Erie, Pennsylvania

“Yes, it was pretty good. “I enjoyed it just to see Lil Wayne.

I was there with UPB, but He had a good set but I wish it he did come out late.” had been more of him and less up-and-coming artists.”

OPINION Millennials have a different take on food consumption April 14, 2017

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One rant I’ve heard several iterations of is that kids and young adults today don’t value food like previous generations have. And I can understand where these people are coming from, but I disagree. True, with each successive generation, our nation has fewer and fewer farmers, but just because raising livestock and Joseph Szalinski crops is no longer en vogue doesn’t Commentary meant that we don’t value food.

Joseph Szalinski is a senior creative Yes, it’s easy nowadays to opt for cheap, greasy fare; between writing and professional writing fast food, Ramen Noodles or major. microwavable meals, simple dining proves to still be quite Working in a grocery store for popular. However, it’s because of about six years has allowed me this generation that we’ve seen to meet some interesting people. increased demand for healthier I’ve seen and heard more than foods, grown and raised more I would’ve liked to, with a few sustainably. rants being included in there. But I remember being in 11th grade a few customer rants I heard are and watching “Food Inc.” for still near and dear to my heart, the umpteenth time, becoming like the one couple who came more and more privy to the vile in, complaining about how “kids secrets of the food industry. these days don’t get any good Sure, past generations had Upton drugs anymore,” but I digress.

Sinclair’s “The Jungle,” but we

had compelling (albeit disgusting) video evidence that chronicled horrendous living conditions of livestock, as well as how our diets have been coopted by corporations to be easier to produce.

B ecause of this access to information, our generation has been rendered food advocates and activists. Even though the antiGMO movement is incredibly misguided and misinformed, it is comforting to know that people are curious about what they’re putting into their bodies and what they should eat to maintain optimal health.

It’s also nice to see people demanding better treatment of livestock (even if they are just going to be eaten later), and becoming more concerned about how food production impacts the environment, immediate and overall.

Think about gluten-free food options. A few years ago, it was ludicrous that sugar-free candy existed! Now there is gluten-free

bread, among other offerings. We want to make sure everyone can enjoy something, even if they can’t enjoy the legitimate thing; hell, we even make soy that tastes like bacon so vegetarians can get in on the fun too.

Our generation is also the first to be obsessed with cataloging diets and taking pictures of meals and counting calories.

More people are learning to cook too, guys and girls, because people now fortunately realize that one of the most basic means of survival isn’t a gendered skill.

People are also more open to donating food and making food from other cultures, like Conflict Kitchen in Pittsburgh.

Everywhere, people love eating tasty things, and those delectable dishes should be made available to as many of us as possible.

Our unique diets are what make us, us. So it can only be hoped that we care about ourselves enough to keep making appetizing delicacies.

The stigma around menstruation is a direct form of misogyny

Lauren McNeil Commentary Lauren McNeil is a senior early childhood/special education major.

A woman never forgets the first time she got her period.

For me, it was when I was eleven years old. I was in the fifth grade, and I had been playing at a friend’s house just up the street from mine. Suddenly I had to use the bathroom, and when I pulled my pants down, eleven-year-old me was utterly shocked to see blood in my underwear. Just a few weeks before, all of the girls in the fifth grade were squeezed into one classroom and forced to watch a video about our looming menstrual cycle, so I understood WHAT it was. However, I was mortified. I was too embarrassed to tell my friend, so I made up an excuse for having to go home suddenly. I was too embarrassed to tell her mother why I had to politely decline a ride home out of fear I would get blood on the seat of her car.

I was even too embarrassed to tell my OWN mother at first, which is why I waited about three hours after I got home to tell her just what had happened. When I finally did tell her, she cried. She was “so proud of the woman I was becoming” and wasted no time teaching me everything I needed to know about a pad and the week that was ahead of me. I could not for the life of me figure out why she was so happy, because I wanted to crawl in a hole and die in that moment.

The next day, she loaded me up with pads to take to school.

I will never forget how scared I was to go to walk into Bellevue Elementary School that day. I didn’t tell a single friend, teacher or faculty member about my newfound “friend.” I hid the fact that I had to go to the bathroom every hour to change my pad, (being new to the process, I had no judgement for

how long those puppies could last me) and the thought of someone knowing what was up was enough to make me sick (or was it the cramps?). For YEARS to come, I would feel shame and embarrassment from my mensies. But the real question is… why?

Now that I look back on it, I think about how terrible it is that I was made to feel like my body’s natural process was something I had to hide and be ashamed of. I wasn’t born with the preconceived notion that my period was an evil thing.

The only time I find it truly even is when those damn cramps come around. So why at the age of eleven was I already made to feel like I should hide it?

The unfortunate but utterly true answer is that society made me feel like my period was something to hide from a very young age. And I’m not sure how much of it was any one person’s fault, but just the stigma around the whole process. For instance, when I first learned about my period, it was in that small classroom full of fifth-grade girls. After a video depicting every detail in animation form, we were given a sample pad, a pamphlet about the process, and some mini-deodorant (was this to tell us our period co-existed with being dirty or were they just trying to tell us we smelled? I’ll never know). When we left the room, everyone was being very secretive about what we had watched. The teachers didn’t inform the boys of our video, and we didn’t let them see what was in our little “goodie bags.” So right from the start, I was made to feel like boys shouldn’t know about our period. It was a “girl thing,” and boys were not to be bothered with girl things.

Why I felt the need to hide my period from my girlfriends I still don’t understand. I lied about the fact I had started my period when anyone would ask. Once in the sixth grade, I even had an accident in reading class. Instead of telling my closest friends what had happened, I came up with ANY dumb excuse I could think of, one of my best being that I “sat on a strawberry Pop Tart this morning.” (C’mon Lauren, give me a break.) Once they all started getting their periods, I felt some relief, but not much. All of us were very secretive about our periods, sneaking pads and tampons out of our backpacks and hiding them in the sleeve of our shirt or in our shoe until we got to the bathroom. When we would ask to go to the bathroom and a teacher said no, we would quietly sit down and pray to the sweet Lord above that we wouldn’t leak through our pants. Any time we were emotional or angry about something, any boy around would make comments

that we were probably just on our period. When any boy overheard my friends and I talking about our periods, we would be met with the famous question: “EW! Why do you have to talk about that stuff around me? That’s disgusting.”

As women, we are taught to come up with nicknames in order to refer to our periods, because just flat out saying, “I’m on my period” is apparently too risqué. Absurd phrases like “Aunt Flow is visiting,” “I’m painting the town red,” “Flying the Japanese flag,” “Shark Week,” “Riding the cotton pony,” or my personal favorite, “blowjob season.” They are code words only known among girls, so the boys don’t have to know when we’re “riding the crimson wave.”

Not only are we told to hide our menstruation in everyday life, but also in the media. Artist Rupi Kaur recently did a photo series addressing the stigma around periods. She put the photos on Instagram, some of which being her lying in bed with a blood stain on her pants and the sheets. Ironically enough, Instagram removed the photos twice, because they “did not follow the site’s community standards.” Yet how often do we see pictures of naked women or illegal activity on Instagram?

According to writer Erika Sanchez, “The company’s decision to censor an image of period blood sent the message that women’s bodies are acceptable — if they’re sexually desirable.” Likewise, she pointed out that men have no problem watching violent movies or playing graphic video games, but the mere mention of menstrual blood is disgusting to them.

This taboo around a woman’s period is even brought into the workplace. Another photo series about menstruation was published in an issue of Cosmopolitan, eventually getting that issue banned from many offices. The issue was deemed “not suitable for work.” The term “feminine product” is applied to machines designated to dispense pads and tampons and is on the bin where you should dispose of them. I don’t know about anyone else, but I HATE the term “feminine product”. Why can’t we just call them tampons and pads? Are those terms too risqué too? Not to mention the fact that taxes are placed on tampons and pads because in the eyes of the government, they are seen as a luxury. I can’t help but wonder if they would still have a luxury tax if they weren’t seen solely as feminine products.

Read full version on theonlinerocket.com

Music has the power and force to unite diverse groups

Alec Cunic Commentary Alec Cunic is a junior public relations major.

In the structure of today’s times, the opinions of the public are few and far between, colliding on the many controversial issues that are actively being disputed in the modern world. While it

may seem now that it is easier to disagree, one thing that the human race has always been able to put their differences aside for is the celebration of music and the many different mediums to which music allows us to express ourselves toget her w hile individually maintaining the differences that make us unique.

The process by which the many different forms of music are crafted can be expressed through the specific genres that allow the overall sounds of music to be categorized.

From folk, jazz, the blues, country, rock and classical to pop, hip-hop, alternative, modern-day R&B, electronic and countless subdivisions of each, these musical genres have the power to unite humans of various faiths, races, genders, social classes and

backgrounds to reach a ground of newfound commonality through similar interests of musical expression.

Artists who build careers after distributing their preferred music taste possess the ability to swing this change once reaching a higher point of popularity.

Once recognizable to the point of being able to tour for profit, artists establish a fan-base of people that are brought together for the entire duration of the performance.

The music itself is what brings people together for the pure enjoyment of seeing an artist perform their own musical interpretation, an interpretation that does not rely on a definitive religious principle, a selected race, a preferred gender, a higher social class, a specific political party affiliation or a more prestigious

background that is superior to anyone else’s.

In saying this, people are brought together in a light that can transcend the personal and public beliefs of everyone that is together through the musical harmony.

No matter the genre or subgenre that someone likes, or how few and far between similarities may be, once a musical connection is made between two, three or multiple people in an area, friendships can be formed that can last a lifetime.

While this may not always be the case, in another unusual historical period that’s bent on dividing humanity through differences, the numerous cultural aspects of music that society provides each of us can unite us all in ways that can be unique if we’re looking to accept them.

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April 14, 2017

INSIDE SPORTS

S SPORTS

PSAC Digital Network

Athlete of the Month

The PSAC announces a partnership with Stretch Internet to provide streaming service.

Senior lacrosse attacker Caitlynn Palladino leads The Rock as they try to make the playoffs.

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Slippery Rock sports celebrate conference sportsmanship week

By Joshua Kellem Rocket Contributor

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) held its third and final sportsmanship week of the academic year this past week, April 10-16, promoting its sportsmanship awareness campaign.

During the 2016-17 academic year and sports seasons, three we eks we re dubb ed PSAC Sportsmanship weeks: Oct 17-23 in the fall, Jan 23-29 in the winter, and April 10-16 for the spring.

The PSAC Sportsmanship Week is a campaign to emphasize and promote sportsmanship as it relates to the league’s schools, coaches, student-athletes and fans," an April 7 PSAC press release said.

"Through releases, social media and the web, the conference and its member institutions showcase their continuous commitment to sportsmanship."

At e v e r y P S A C h o m e competition during the week, the home team will display their sportsmanship by initiating a pregame handshake, in addition to the traditional postgame one.

Additionally, PSAC and member schools will amplify the campaign through releases, social media platforms and official accounts, as mentioned in the press release.

The sportsmanship activities can be seen on the PSAC's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PSACSportsmanship.

“We’re proud of our PSAC member institutions for their continued commitment to sportsmanship, not only during the upcoming

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

The SRU softball team shakes hands with Gannon players prior to their doubleheader Monday afternoon in celebration of PSAC Spring sportsmanship week.

week, but throughout the 201617 seasons,” PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said in the press release. “It remains of the utmost importance in the PSAC, and we will continue to highlight and emphasize its importance to our teams and fans.”

During the sportsmanship week of April 10-16 there were 74 total intercollegiate athletic events on the docket. All spring

sp or ts (men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field) were involved. Precisely, there were 20 baseball games and 21 softball games, eight men's tennis matches and 13 women's tennis matches.

To round things out, there were 11 women's lacrosse games and one outdoor track meet.

Shifting focus, The Rock had

nine scheduled games throughout the week.

"I think sportsmanship means respecting your opponent, and your opponent respecting you," Slippery Rock Athletic Director Paul Lueken said.

Lu e ke n a l s o c ite s a c t i ng professionally no matter the SEE SPORTSMANSHIP, PAGE C-2

Softball duo tops PSAC in batting average

By Stephen Cukovich Rocket Contributor

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Junior outfielder Emily Nagle takes a swing against Clarion in a game last season. Nagle is hitting .457 so far this year.

Junior center fielder Emily Nagle and senior third baseman Caitlin Baxter are both on pace to finish the softball season with batting averages above .400.

Coming into their latest match-up against first place Gannon University on Monday, Nagle was leading the PSAC in batting average at .457, while scoring 14 runs and stealing four bases.

Baxter wasn't far behind Nagle coming into Monday, being ranked eighth in the PSAC in batting average at .411, along with her teamleading three home runs with 11 RBIs. "It was actually pretty neat," Nagle said regarding leading the PSAC in batting average.

"I worked hard over the winter and I currently still work really hard, so it's cool to have that opportunity to lead the PSAC." Nagle, a Bellwood, Pa. native, started all 43 games last season at center field and ended the season with a .312 batting average, with 11 multi-hit games, scored 22 runs with 12 RBIs. After going one-for-three and one-for-four in The Rock's doubleheader against Gannon, her season batting average currently sits at .443, and currently riding a 14-game hit streak heading into this weekend's match-ups. She has also notched six doubles, a triple and eight RBIs. "I'm trying not to let it get to my head," Nagle said. "I think I need to at least get a hit a game just to help the momentum of our team, and if

I have multiple hits that's great, but I just wanna keep it up to help my team win."

Baxter is from Butler, Pa. and she started 41 of 42 games last season, batting .260, with nine multi-hit games, scoring 17 runs and setting a career-high 23 RBIs which was third on the team.

Facing some tough pitching against first-place Gannon, Baxter went 0-7 on the day, bringing her batting average down to .375, still second on the team to Nagle. Her three home runs still lead the team with four doubles and a triple.

"I'm not really into stats," Baxter said.

"They change every game, but it's a good accomplishment for both me and Nagle to be leading the PSAC, but stats change all the time."

Nagle currently sits at no. 4 on the PSAC batting average list, while Baxter sits at no. 19 heading into this weekend. Baxter mentioned consistency is one of the hardest things about the game.

"Games change and the people we play always changes," Baxter said. "You can go three-forthree one day, then the next day you can go zero-and- three."

The Rock currently sits at fifth in the PSAC West with a 9-16 record, with Gannon in first place with a 20-7 record. The Green and White are only five wins behind second place California University (Pa.) who sit with a 14-10 record. The Rock will travel to Edinboro University on Friday for a double-header starting at 2:30, then will come home to face California (Pa.) on Saturday starting at 1 p.m.

SPORTS

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April 14, 2017

PSAC to introduce digital network Baseball 1.

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Mercyhurst Slippery Rock Indiana (Pa.) Seton Hill California (Pa.) Gannon Pitt-Johnstown Clarion

22-2 (11-1) 15-10 (7-5) 11-15 (7-5) 20-12 (6-6) 13-15 (6-6) 15-13 (5-7) 13-19 (3-9) 7-18 (3-9)

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East Stroudsburg Mercyhurst Indiana (Pa.) West Chester Slippery ROck Lock Haven Seton Hill Bloomsburg Kutztown

10-2 (6-1) 8-2 (6-1) 7-4 (6-1) 8-3 (5-2) 9-3 (4-3) 7-5 (4-3) 7-6 (5-4) 7-5 (4-4) 7-6 (3-5)

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Millersville Shippensburg Gannon Edinboro

5-7 (2-5) 6-6 (2-6) 3-8 (1-6) 1-10 (0-7)

By Justin Kraus Rocket Contributor

On Thurs, April 6, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) made a full commitment to the digital age when they partnered with Stretch Internet, which will become the conference's exclusive digital network provider, starting with the 2017-2018 academic year.

The contract will tentatively run through the 2020-2021 school year.

“We are very excited about our partnership with Stretch and our movement into webstreaming of our events,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray at a press conference on Thursday.

The streaming service will offer 1080p HD streaming for all PSAC schools. All schools will be required to stream men's and women's basketball starting next year, and expand to volleyball and football for the 2018-2019 academic year. The goal is that all PSAC schools will stream all sports sometime in the near future.

While the entire PSAC will be affected by the streaming platform, it was a long process for one of Slippery Rock's own during the developmental process of the platform. Slippery Rock University's athletic communication director Jon Holtz was an integral part of the process.

"This was about a two-year process for the PSAC," said Holtz, who then went on to talk about the makeup of who worked on the platform. "There was a committee of a couple sports information directors, a couple ADs (athletic directors) and a couple university vice presidents; there were nine people on the committee, and I was the SRU representative on the programming committee."

Holtz talked about his

involvement in the process and how the platform came about.

"So I was intricately involved in the process over the past few years. We put together a 20-page blueprint of how the network should be laid out. It was good, it was probably overdue to get on board and to get some of the schools that aren’t streaming yet into streaming. It should pay off two or three years down the road."

While the streaming service will be helpful for other PSAC schools, Holtz explained that SRU is already well ahead of the minimum requirements for the service.

"It won’t change anything that we do. We are already streaming all the sports that will be required for the next four years.

Anything that is in a facility with a hard-line connection, we are already streaming. It won’t change that."

A free streaming service for all PSAC fans sounds like a huge convenience, but Holtz explained some of the difficulties him and his staff will face with the new platform.

"The biggest challenge for us will be deciding whether we want to keep delivering the quality and content we have been delivering in the same way through our website or if we want to exclusively use the new PSAC website, which would be pushing fans off our website to a different provider," said Holtz on the intricacies of the platform. "There are perks to keeping things the same, but it will cost us a little bit more money, as we will have to keep our same system but also send stuff to the PSAC service.”

The biggest impact will be felt by the fans of PSAC schools, who will soon have unlimited access to all their school's teams.

"It will be good for some of the other schools that aren’t streaming yet," said Holtz. "This will be the kick for them to

Sportsmanship week brings PSAC together

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Mercyhurst indiana (Pa.) Edinboro Seton Hill California (pa.)

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start streaming. It will be nice to jumpstart some schools that haven’t been doing it.”

One of the most intriguing points of the digital network is the potential for advanced features during live streams, such as highlights and live stats.

"All of the features are dependent upon the people running the broadcasts," explained Holtz on the difference fans will experience depending on the school.

"You will see a vast difference between people who want to go all-in and make a serious effort and the people that are just trying to meet the minimum requirements. It takes a couple bodies running the software on the back end."

Holtz also explained how those features will not magically happen in conjunction with the new service. "In order to be able to produce those highlights, someone has to manually clip them and upload them on the platform. There is a place to display them, but how many schools display them will dependent upon the staff who will do those things.”

Both Holtz and commissioner Murray talked about how this could be a stepping stone to something much larger, with Murray stating that the platform "is just the beginning of designing and building a platform that truly provides PSAC institutions with an unrivaled fan experience on many levels." In his Press conference last Thursday.

Holtz added to that sentiment, talking about the future of streaming sports. "I do think this trend is going to continue until we have an open-source streaming platform that holds everything.”

Slippery Rock already streams the majority of its sports, but all other PSAC schools will start on the streaming service next fall with men's and women's basketball.

14-1 (4-0) 15-5 (5-1) 10-5 (3-2) 8-9 (2-2) 4-7 (2-3) 7-11 (0-4) 5-8 (0-4)

Standings as of Thurs. April. 13 at 12:46 p.m.

outcome as another meaning of sportsmanship.

For the most part, Slippery Rock athletics has a done a good job at being good sports, Lueken said.

According to Lueken, Murray recently rewrote the sportsmanship policy and implemented sportsmanship week after seeing it executed successfully in another conference.

"If anything, it just brings it (sportsmanship) to the foref ront," Lueken said. "But sportsmanship should always be in the back of our mind."

Lueken said the women's soccer team already participated in pregame handshakes before the sportsmanship weeks, because it's the international way to introduce soccer teams. Additionally, women's field hockey and lacrosse as well as women's volleyball already

coordinated pregame handshakes before the sportsmanship campaign. However, for basketball and football, it was unique.

"If it's good for some sports, it's obviously good for all," Lueken said.

"Beyond sportsmanship, a new branding initiative is coming to the PSAC," Lueken said. "There will be new PSAC logos relevant to Slippery Rock's colors on banners next year. Uniforms will have the PSAC logo in the school's colors as well. It's just part of a deeper bind in terms of that school and a conference."

Lueken said another development is the ongoing development of a new strategic plan for athletics.

"It's kind of like the sportsmanship week, we might establish some community service type of promotional events that have athletic events so that people know more about what out student athletes do," Lueken said.

SPORTS

April 14, 2017

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KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET

Junior goalie Emily Bitka looks to pass the ball during a game earlier this season. Bitka is in the top 10 in the NCAA in goals against average and save percentage so far this season.

Transfer goalie providing a boost to Rock LAX

By Cody Nespor Sports Editor

Following the end of the 2016 season, the Slippery Rock University lacrosse team had missed the conference playoffs for the 10th straight year since the sport's reinstatement in 2007. To make matters worse, the team was also graduating the only two goalkeepers on the roster, then-seniors Jordan Wagner and Taylor Balbierz.

Wagner had started every game in goal for The Rock for all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons and eight games during the 2014 season. She and Balbierz were the only goalies that saw any action between the posts for the Green and White since April 2014.

Luckily, less than seven hours away from SRU at the University of Albany, there was a sophomore goalie looking for her opportunity to play and ready to transfer when that opportunity arose.

Now Slippery Rock junior goalie Emily Bitka said that, if given the opportunity, she knew she could succeed.

"I had the opportunity to come in and make a difference and play right away," Bitka said. "I had two years behind another goalie and I got to watch her play, I got to watch top-play lacrosse for two years so when the opportunity came up I felt ready to go."

Bitka spent two years at Albany, seeing time in five games while making only two total saves.

Through 11 games with the Green and White this season, Bitka has put up some of the best numbers in the entire Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). She leads the PSAC in goals against average (6.96) and is second in save percentage (51.1). Nationally, those stats rank seventh and ninth in all of Division II. Rock head coach Emily Hopkins said that she did not know what she would be getting out of Bitka once she transferred here, but Hopkins said that with the senior-filled, experienced defenders The Rock had this year, she would have been comfortable starting any goalie.

"One of the things that we definitely knew we had going for us, even before we knew what was going to happen with Bitka transferring, is we knew that, even if we had an inexperienced goalie, we were going to have a very strong defense," Hopkins said.

On the roster, SRU has three senior defenders who have all played at least 50 career games.

Brittany Brewer leads the trio with 61 career games, Miranda Reininger is second with 56 and Morgan McLaughlin is right behind her with 53.

Hopkins said that adding a goalie who had collegiate experience to that mix has produced a good outcome.

"We knew we were going to be very strong on the defensive end having (Bitka) coming in," Hopkins said. "With a lot of the intangibles outside of the saving itself I think instills confidence (in the defense) and makes attacks change their game up a little bit because she is such an active goalie."

So far this season Bitka has played 585:51 minutes, making 71 saves (eighth in the PSAC).

She also has 32 ground balls and has caused 17 turnovers.

Like Hopkins, Bitka gives a lot of credit to the defense that plays in front of her, saying that they force a lot of bad shots that still end up counting as saves for her. Despite this being her first year with the team, Bitka seems to have a good relationship with the rest of the players. According to Hopkins, the team has elected her a captain and Bitka said that the team made her feel right at home when she first got to Slippery Rock.

"I think the team helps me a lot," Bitka said.

"I didn't know anyone or anything and they've helped me, showed me around, made new friends through the team itself."

If Bitka can keep playing at the level she has been, making the playoffs becomes much more realistic. Slippery Rock is currently ranked fourth in the PSAC and the top six teams make the tournament. Nothing is a given, however, and the team will face a number of tough tests in the coming weeks before they can punch their ticket.

LAX player making the most of her final season

By Jordyn Bennett Assistant Sports Editor

In what started out as one of the best starts in program history, Rock lacrosse’s Caitlynn Palladino has been the forefront in the team’s success.

The senior attacker leads the team in scoring and assists to contribute to the team’s 9-3 start.

But Palladino was not always the prolific player that she is today.

Palladino came to SRU for what she called her "best possible situation".

“I was looking at a bunch of different schools,” Palladino said. “But, they (SRU) had a really good secondary program and the conference is some of the best competition. It’s the best of both worlds.”

As a freshman, Palladino only started three games out of the 15 she appeared in for The Rock. She only accounted for eight points (five goals and three assists). The following year, she earned a starting job. For the next two seasons, Palladino would account for 44 points (22 each).

Now, in her senior season, Palladino has surpassed all of her season-bests, scoring 31 points off of 23 goals and eight assists, and she still has six games remaining in the rest of the season.

“I’ve definitely taken on a bigger role transitioning from my freshman year to my sophomore year as a starter,” Palladino said.

Head coach Emily Hopkins said that she has been taking her role very well as a player and a leader.

Hopkins said that she is not the team's primary focus, but the offense works very well when she is on the field.

KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET

Senior Caitlynn Palladino controls the ball against Edinboro earlier this season. Palladino leads The Rock this season in goals (23), assists (11) and points (34).

“I think it’s great she gets the ball to everyone,” Hopkins said. “She’s definitely an all-around player.”

Palladino is not just an all-around player by action, but by mentality.

Hopkins said that treats every game equally. After taking losses to no. 11 West Chester and no 18. IUP and preparing to take on no. 19 Lock Haven, she said she's just taking the games one at a time and preparing day-by-day.

"We have to prepare to keep our composure," Palladino said. "We just have to keep our composure."

Going into a week where her team will take on three nationally-ranked opponents, Hopkins said that the senior's work ethic and belief in herself shows in her field presence.

"With all the hard work she puts in, she takes these games as any other game," Hopkins said. "The confidence she has and all the hard work she has put in shows on the field."

Palladino is making the most of her senior year and has the opportunity to continue to improve on her already great season. With five games left,

her final days as a member of The Rock lacrosse team are coming to an end, and she said she doesn't know how to feel about it.

"I'm happy, sad, excited and every other feeling you can think of," Palladino said. "It's a mixture of every feeling."

Before her student teaching begins next semester and she prepares for graduation in December, Palladino still has time to figure out those mixed emotions and make the best of her final days as an SRU athlete.

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April 14, 2017

Wayne's World at The Rock Rapper Lil Wayne took the stage in front of a crowd of SRU students during the annual spring concert

Iconic rap artist Lil Wayne rocked SRU at the annual spring concert. The artist, once signed to Cash Money Records, announced that he had signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation during his performance.

Grammy-nominated writer and G.O.O.D. Music rapper Cyhi The Prynce opens SRU's spring concert for Lil Wayne.

Lil Wayne performs 20-plus years of music at The Rock.

International up-and-coming rapper Bas performs in front of over 1,000 Slippery Rock students and fans.

Photos by: Rebecca Dietrich / Photo Editor

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CAMPUS LIFE

INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE

WSRU-FM to host car smash event

Kaleidoscope Arts Festival begins

SRU's student-run radio station will host their second annual Jesse Muto Memorial Car Smash. Games will be played, cars will be destroyed and prizes will be won.

The 16th annual spring festival began Thursday at Boozel Dining Hall during common hour. The two-week long event will be full of art, music, dance and theatre events for students.

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ROCKS SRU

Legendary rap artist ‘Krashes’ SRU's spring concert

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Lil Wayne performs on stage in the Aebersold Recreation Canter (ARC) Monday night during SRU's spring concert hosted by the University Program Board (UPB). Hundreds of students were in the crowd as the rapper performed hits such as "Got Money" and "No Worries."

By Jordyn Bennett Asst. Sports Editor

A lone drummer sat on stage in front of a crowd of Slippery Rock students and fans as they chanted for the star of the show. The lights changed effects and a DJ joined the drummer behind his table. Seconds later, the Aebersold Recreation Center went into an uproar as rapper Lil Wayne (born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.) walked onto the stage in a Rock Adidas basketball jersey with the number 17 on it and stood there smiling in front of hundreds of screaming fans.

The multi-million-dollar recording artist opened the show with his selftitled song “Mr. Carter” from his triple-platinum certified album "Tha Carter III." The bass shook the entire gym.

Wayne went on to perform his classic hits “Got Money” (Tha Carter III, 2008) and “I’m Goin’ In” (DrakeSo Far Gone, 2009) before delivering a message of appreciation to his fans.

“I haven’t put out an album in four years,” Lil Wayne said while on stage.

“And, y’all still rocking with me like I’m a new artist.”

While the artist hasn't released an album since "I am not a Human Being II" (2013) and a mixtape since "No Ceilings 2" (2015), Rock fans were reciting lyrics to classic songs from his earlier music like it just came out.

SRU was the sixth of nine stops on the artist's “Kampus Krash Tour.”

Slippery Rock was a change of pace for the artist. Prior to performing at The Rock, the tour stopped at the University of Florida, Georgia State University, West Virginia University and the University of Rhode Island before making its way to western

Pennsylvania. Slippery ppery Rock is the third smallest school ol on the tour.

Members of thee tour said theyy enjoy the smaller crowds just as much as they do thee large crowds..

While Lil Wayne would not take questions, his DJ, who goes by the stage name off DJ T. Lewis, and drummer, known as Yayo the he Drummer, both said that they hey just enjoy meeting new peoplee and giving them an experience they hey wouldn’t normally get.

“We’re reachingg out to thee people who aren’t able to get to o everyday shows,” T. Lewis said.

“An artist of this caliber aliber and this big, you don’tt get to just see that every day.”

Slippery Rock was not only special for thee size, but for its name. Thee artist used the name "Rock" as a segue egue to announce his signing to music sic mogul Jay-Z's Roc Nation during the performance.

Lewis said it’s a great eat feeling performing ng with who he called ed the greatest artist off our time.

“I’ve been doing ng shows for a while,” T. Lewis said. “People ple know his music and nd a re rock ing w it h you. It’s an amazing ing feeling.”

Yayo the Drummer mer agreed. He said he never takes any performance for granted.

“Going new places ces and tryingg new food, it’s amazing zing every dayy I do it,” Yayo said. “I appreciate any chance we get to influence people.”

Lil Wayne was joined by a number of other artists. rtists.

He brought four upand-coming a d-coming artists an to perform du d ring his set, s et, and also invited

longtime friend and Young Money longt artist Mack Maine on the stage to rap his ve verse from the record label's selftitled compilation album’s hit single “Every Girl.”

The show was opened by rappers Cyhi the Prynce and Bas. The artists artist are signed to rappers Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music and J. Cole’s Dreamville records, respectively.

Dream Cyhi, Cyh a native of Stone Mountain, Ga., went f irst. The Grammynominated songwriter has been active n min no since s nce 2005 and has been credited for si writing hit songs for Kanye West w i wr such as “All Day,” “Famous” and s su “Ultralight Beam.”

“U He was the first artist to perform.

Cyhi was not the headline of the C show but performed like he was. s He said that he uses the tour to H learn from Lil Wayne and to get le his name out there even more. h “It’s amazing being able to study him,” Cyhi said. “People come to h hear his music, but then they hear he you and they’re like, ‘dang your y yo music is dope too.’” mu Aft er a number of performances A and a set full of decades of music an from the 20-year veteran, Lil fro Wayne ended his performance W with w i “No Worries” (I am not a Human Being II, 2013). Yayo the H Drummer said it’s his favorite D song so to perform.

“I can relate to it the most,” Yayo Ya said.

The drummer’s love for the song so showed in his performance.

Before the song ended, Lil Wayne Be and an Yayo were shirtless, jumping around on stage and joined by aro an entourage of the Young Money e Crew Cre before walking off, leaving SRU S U students with a performance SR they t hey would not forget.

CAMPUS LIFE Kaleidoscope Arts Festival kicks off with celebration at Boozel Dining Hall April 14, 2017

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By Megan Majercak Asst. Campus Life Editor

Kaleidoscope Arts Festival, an annual SRU two-week long event, held its opening ceremony Thursday during common hour in Boozel Dining Hall. The celebration was made complete with live music put on by the Music Therapy Club, and an art demo and sale by Art Society.

"The Kaleidoscope Arts Festival means a lot to the Musical Therapy Club," junior musical therapy major and Music Therapy Club President Emma Martin said. "We get the opportunity to perform and do music activities during many events for the festival." "[Kaleidoscope] also advocates for the arts in general. So often, the arts and music are an afterthought. This event brings light to the importance of arts and music," Martin said.

Musical Therapy Club performed popular songs so that students could get into it more, Martin said. The musicians sang and played guitar, shakers and cajon.

SRU theatre professor, Deanna Brookens, is the director of Kaleidoscope. This is her third year working on the festival, and the 16th year the annual event has been happening on campus. "[Kaleidoscope] is two-week multi-disciplinary arts festival. We feature department events, dance, music, theatre

and art. We bring in guest artists and this year we will have two large community festivals as well," Brookens said.

Kaleidoscope events will take place from April 13 to April 29 and will include many humanities-based events and community-wide events, like having an arts and music celebration on Main Street on April 29.

Brookens explained that the idea for Kaleidoscope came about when faculty realized that a lot of arts programming usually happened at the end of April and they wanted to build on that and use it as a way for the campus and community to come together.

"The mission of Kaleidoscope is to provide free or lowcost quality programming to an underserved region," Brookens said. A lot of cultural events happen in Pittsburgh, Brookens said, but being an hour away, we might not get to experience those types of events.

One of the goals of Kaleidoscope this year is to come directly to the students, rather than the students having to come to the events.

"We did the opening celebration in Boozel so we can try to get people excited as Music Therapy Club performs and there is beautiful art in the lobby by Art Society," Brookens said. "It's just this really fun, festive atmosphere which I think makes everyone feel good, especially with finals coming up."

One of the keynote speakers will be Ekiwah AdlerBelendez, who is coming from Mexico City on April 20

along with his friend and fellow performer Greg Josselyn from Boston. Adler-Belendez is a paraplegic poet who has been writing since he was 10 and got published at the age of 12. He focuses on using disability as a creative force.

On April 27, a Latin ensemble called Three Rivers Trio will be performing in the Student Center during common hour so students can enjoy the festival without going out of their way as they are hanging out or eating lunch, Brookens said.

Brookens wanted to focus on listening to what the students want so they can really enjoy the festival. Last year, Brookens had students in her Studies in Audience Development class pick a Kaleidoscope event to go to and survey the students to see what they wanted to see at Kaleidoscope. One student came back with overwhelming results that students wanted to see a hip-hop performance.

"You spoke, I listened," Brookens said. "We will be having the Get Down Gang come, which is a hip-hop dancing group that Teena Custer, a professor in the dance department, works with in Pittsburgh." Get Down Gang will be performing on April 27 at 7 p.m. in Swope Music Hall.

Kaleidoscope is also reaching out to students by having a social media presence. Students can receive updates on events from @sruartsfest on Instagram and Twitter.

"Hopefully we get a good student turnout for a lot of events," Brookens said. "I am really excited for everything."

Art students aspire to make an 'impression' with student-produced exhibition

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIANNA HANNON Junior and senior art students in the art seminar class enjoy the reception for their student-produced exhibition 'Impressions' on Wednesday, April 12 at the Butler Art Center. The show will run from April 12-17 and features works from 20 different art students in the class.

By Megan Bush Campus Life Editor

As part of this semester’s art seminar class, a group of junior and senior art majors worked together to produce an exhibition of student works that will be on display at Butler Art Center from Wednesday, April 12 until Monday, April 17.

Senior Bachelor of Arts major Kasey Kurpakus is one of the exhibitionists for the art show, titled ‘Impressions.’ Kurpakus said putting this show together had been a challenge, as many of the students had never done anything of that scale, but it was a great collaborative learning experience.

“The best moment [for me] was leaving the gallery and seeing everything hanging,” Kurpakus said. “After seeing everything up, it’s pretty rewarding.”

Kurpakus said the exhibition’s t h e m e , ‘ I mp r e s s i o n s ,’ w a s developed when the students

were attempting to come up with a cohesive theme that could represent every artist’s work well.

The idea that each piece of artwork is an impression of the artist who created it was discussed, and the students agreed on ‘Impressions’ for their theme.

The class is made up of 20 upperclassmen art students, and each student submitted at least three pieces for this show. The works include a variety of different mediums, including ceramics, photo g r aphy and e tch i ng s .

Kurpakus said this exhibition shows a good representation of all the different artists and the mediums used within SRU’s art department.

Submitted by Kurpakus were a few etchings of moons. Kurpakus said the etchings were something she worked on during the fall semester of her senior year.

Science fiction is something that has always interested her, and she is fascinated by all of the moons in the solar system and how much people truly do not know about them.

“We have a few grainy images of them, but we really don’t know anything,” Kurpakus said. “I worked off those images and came up with my own ideas.”

Kurpakus also submitted a number of stitching portraits, the process of which interested her when she took a class in embroidery, a medium outside of her comfort zone.

“Traditional, classic embroidery isn’t really my thing,” Kurpakus said. “I liked the idea of creating something differently.”

Some of her favorite pieces submitted for the show include the ceramics, because she said it was cool to see someone excel in a medium she usually struggles with. Kurpakus also expressed that she enjoyed generally seeing everyone’s work, and that it was great to truly get an ‘impression’ of the other artists she may not have known as well as others.

Even though she is a graduating senior, Kurpakus has only spent about five semesters in SRU’s art department because she transferred in. She said she enjoys

the Slippery Rock arts because there are a lot of opportunities to step outside of their comfort zones and work in different mediums.

In those two and a half years, Kurpakus was able to participate in many different events and collaborations through the art department. Some of these include a collaboration with Polish SRU students and a 6x6 show in New York. She also mentioned that at the end of every year, senior art students present their senior shows; this year’s shows will begin to be displayed every Monday starting on April 17.

“It’s a really cool experience to have a gallery that’s just you, just your work,” Kurpakus said.

Kurpakus said she hopes those who attend ‘Impressions’ are able to develop an appreciation for the arts; the students are looking to give all who attend good impressions.

“Each piece is like a fingerprint of an artist, it’s a piece of us,” Kurpakus said. “As an artist, we want to share that with others.”

CAMPUS LIFE Exhibition poses questions, proposes solutions for future without bees April 14, 2017

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KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET Students observe artwork and PlantBots at the exhibition "Adaptation" in the Martha Gault Art Gallery. The exhibit discusses the possibility of moths and their importance to the environment, especially during the rapid decline of bees.

By Emma Burgman Rocket Contributor

From March 27 through April 14, the Martha Gault Art Gallery showcased “Adaptation” by Jeff Schmucki and Wendy DesChene, professors from Georgia Southern University and Auburn University, respectively. "Adaptation" included PlantBots, an invention that included engineered crop plants, and the importance of pollination that exclusively studied moths - second shift pollinators. This exhibition was displayed as part of SRU's Sustainability Month. A reception for the gallery was held on April 11 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. where students and faculty gathered to see the refreshing take on the relationship between art and biology.

“It was interesting to see the combination of sciences of biology and adaptation installation work,” senior art major Kayley Thomas said.

“The exhibitions that go on overall help

students develop their work and get a visual example.”

One of the PlantBots with wheels attached zoomed around the gallery while other bots danced to songs like “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz.

The lighthearted atmosphere also brought light to the fact that bees are dying at an alarming rate, and science is trying to come up with solutions to the “What If ?”. The bee population has been down about 60 percent since 1950. The gallery shed a light on the possible solution: moths.

Senior art major Nikki Wakefield weighed in on the reality.

“I think this is really cool and brings up the question of, 'what do we do if the bees do not exist anymore?'” Wakefield said.

Pollination plays a vital role in balancing the ecosystem. Moths could potentially take on the responsibility of food crop pollinators if the bees can no longer do so.

“They actually pollinate our food plants just as much as bees!” director of the Martha

Gault Art Gallery Theresa Antonellis said.

“The beautiful moths are represented in these massive, larger-than-life sized portraits to emphasize their importance in our food system.”

The capabilities of moths are not usually discussed. They have more to them than just hanging around your porch light on summer nights; they are also a great indicator to changes in the ecosystem because of their sensitivity. It is important that humans take care of the ecosystem for plants and animals as they do for us.

“We humans are only here as part of natural and biological systems that are much more important than our own agendas, agendas that are harmful to helpful animals like moths,” Antonellis said.

This gallery was a great way to show the effort that experts are putting into a world without bees. Hopefully, the world will not have to suffer these consequences.

SRU radio station will host second annual car smash

By Megan Bush Campus Life Editor

In memory of Jesse Muto, a former member of Slippery Rock's campus radio station 88.1 FM (WSRU), the radio station will be hosting the second annual Jesse Muto Memorial Car Smash on Friday, April 21 from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the SRU Ski Lodge. Muto, who passed away in January 2016, was a member of the radio station and a good friend of many other members, junior environmental science major and public relations director for WSRU Chandler Sendek said.

The car smash was designed as an event that represents the radio station, commemorates past members and provides an opportunity to raise revenue to keep the station running, according to senior psych major and WSRU DJ Andrew Berwyn.

It's also an opportunity to raise awareness for the radio station, which is a studentrun organization, and could lead to more participation and the growth of the station.

Berwyn said he feels confident saying that one of the radio station's highest values as an organization is the proliferation of music and positivity, and the station hosts the event at a time when many people are stressed out due to finals, graduation and generally moving on.

"We try to promote good vibes, and eating pizza, listening to live music, playing PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW RINDT games, smashing cars and hanging out with A student hits a demolished car with a baseball bat during the first annual Jesse Muto Memorial Car a bunch of chill people with whom you have Smash, hosted by WSRU (88.1 FM). WSRU will host the second annual Car Smash on Friday, April 21. many things in common is an excellent way

of breeding those vibes," Berwyn said.

Sendek said the station also wanted to do something to memorialize their late friend, and the funds made during this year's event will be put toward a memorial plaque for Muto.

"We wanted people to be living in the memory of him, but in a good, fun light," Sendek said.

The event will feature live music and DJs, free Domino's pizza, games and prizes.

Sendek said they plan to bring in multiple DJs, a live local punk band and a rap group; one of the DJs spinning during the smash will be Muto's former roommate. Some of the prizes will be gift cards to places like Giant Eagle and Bob's Subs, along with other giveaways.

In order to have a chance at smashing one of the cars, donated by Pry's Towing, students have to pay at least a dollar, and that amount permits 15 seconds of smashing with a baseball bat; for those who pay five dollars, a sledgehammer is given and the participant is allowed a full minute of smashing. Sendek also said the radio station will be giving away free smashing coupons on air over the week, and they will also be promoting the smash by attaching flyers to Domino's pizza boxes.

Sendek said he is excited for this event because it went well last year, and he hopes it will promote involvement with the radio station because of how unique the idea of a car smash is.

"Jesse would've wanted people to gather, have a good time and smash some cars," Sendek said.

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April 14, 2017

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• Pre-session: 6 credits in 12 days • Sessions I, II: 7 credits in 4 weeks • Summer Term: 12 credits in 8 weeks • 18 undergraduate credits in 11 weeks • 15 graduate credits in 11 weeks

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