The Slate 8-27-24 by The Slate

“You

have to walk the walk” — meet SU’s new Provost, Darrell Newton

Hanna Atkinson / The Slate

Shippensburg University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Darrell Newton took a moment to welcome the Class of 2028 at convocation on Friday, August 23.

Connor Niszczak & Ian Thompson Editor-in-Chief & News Editor

“Do you have any idea what a provost even does?”

That’s how Darrell Newton opened his speech at Shippensburg University’s 2024 Convocation.

For over 30 years, he has been on a mission to find out.

Appointed in late April as SU’s next Provost, Newton came to Shippensburg in early July from Winona State University in Minnesota. Originally from Northern California, Newton has worked in various pockets of the country but spent the bulk of his life throughout the Midwest — he

Connor Niszczak Editor-in-Chief

One way or another, another summer has ended, and we are back in the routine of the fall semester.

This time of year is always full of excitement across campus with new changes, new faces and the promise of a new academic year in front of us.

One of the most exciting changes for me is that I am beginning my senior year as The Slate’s Editor-in-Chief for the next academic year.

As EIC, I want to address our readers directly and lay out my promises of what you can expect from our organization over the coming months.

In just 70 days, there will be an election for the next President of the United States. As we saw from this summer’s excitement over the possible Harris-Shapiro

completed high school and college in Wisconsin and went on to teach for over 15 years across the state.

As he bounced between states, he was also climbing the ranks of academia.

“I spent like 30 years in the classroom before making the move to academic administration.

So when making the move from assistant professor to associate to full professor to associate dean, department chair, all those sorts of ranking, I wanted to become a dean,” Newton said.

From Associate Dean at Salisbury University to Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin Eu-

ticket, Pennsylvania will continue to play a crucial role in the electoral process. My staff and I will do what we can to travel across the area and tell stories about how the next president will impact our campus community as the candidates campaign.

Of course, we will continue to report on a wide spectrum of events here on campus: the good, bad and the ugly.

Last year saw a lot of signifcant news stories, including a water main break in Naugle Hall, a gas leak, a scooter fire in Seavers Hall and subsequent ban, the interim suspension of Theta Xi and an arrested student.

Those stories are not why my staff and I put in countless hours to get this paper to your hands. Yes, they must be told, but we do not wake up every day waiting for bad news to drop. We are here to gain experience as journalists and report the news, whatever that may be.

Most importantly, I want to emphasize that the other hats I wear as a Student Ambassador and a Resident Assistant, and the personal relationships I have developed across campus,

Claire to now Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Shippensburg University, Newton has continued to live by one of his educational philosophies — there is no finish line.

In one of his first major appearances on campus this summer, Newton spoke on the importance of persistence in education — and life — to this summer’s Academic Success Program (ASP) students.

“When I consider the fact that there is no finish line, I mean that to say that education is an ongoing process,” Newton said. “There’s always something new to learn. No matter who you are, how old you

will not affect the stories published in The Slate. I have been incredibly lucky over the last three years to build relationships with individuals in Marketing, Dining, Housing, Admissions and Campus Life, but the news is the news.

I will never refuse to publish a story because it may make an office or organization I am involved with look bad. Wearing my Ambassador or ResLife hat does not mean I will throw away my metaphorical Slate hat.

I care deeply about this university and its continued success. Every time I take a group of prospective students and their families on tour, I highlight all the amazing things SU offers. But loving this institution also means I will challenge those in power and call things out when they do not meet the standards we should be meeting.

I see my role as an advocate for members of our student body who do not have the name recognition that I may have. I enjoy asking tough questions, and as long as I have The Slate as a platform, I will do just that.

are, where you live and what you’re about, there’s always something more.”

One “something more” that Newton is tackling as he begins his first academic year as provost is what SU’s future may be in an era of declining enrollment and restricted budgets.

“We simply don’t have the enrollment here, as most schools don’t, that we once had. And with that loss of enrollment is a loss of income and loss of revenue that can be used to support the students,” Newton said. “That kind of stuff is lost, and we have to find ways to hold on to what we have or recoup some of those losses.”

In the spring 2020 semester, SU’s enrollment was 4,863 undergraduates, and dropped to 4,443 by fall 2022.

Newton looks at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reforms to higher education in Pennsylvania as an impetus for SU to look at its educational model and how the institution can better meet the needs of a diverse student body.

“We really, really need to think outside the box when it comes to the educational model,” Newton said. “More online classes would be a wonderful thing for us to do. It wouldn’t require faculty teach online if they don’t want to, but there are a lot of faculty who would be glad to if they could.”

Newton also emphasized the need to tap into non-traditional returning students who may have attended some college but were unable to finish their degree.

With his decades of classroom

experience — mainly in the communications and media field — advocacy for the autonomy of faculty is another of Newton’s goals.

“They should be allowed to teach their classes in the manner that they choose to and organize the classes in a way that’s best for their students, and that could differ from one faculty member to the next,” Newton said. “They should have that right.”

“Often, I think there’s a preponderance of us being painted as the dark side, as the bad guys, as ‘ooh administration, scary Boogeyman.’ But no,” Newton said. “Most of us come from the classroom, and I mean all my years in the classroom, there’s no way I could forget my roots and forget my service to students and to my colleagues and to my departments.

As he reflected on those 30 years in the classroom, Newton remains passionate about putting in the work for students and hopes that faculty always remember where most administrators have their roots.

“We too served as faculty at one time, and because of that our enthusiasm, our zeitgeist, our zeal for what education is really about has not lost us,” Newton said. “All of this administration, Old Main – any administrative building anywhere on any campus [in the] USA means nothing without students and faculty.”

Those who enter administration without classroom experience, Newton said, “never quite have the sort of vision that some of us do”— “You have to walk the walk.”

Election update: 70 days to go

Ian Thompson News Editor

Pennsylvania is slated to be a primary battleground state as the 2024 general election continues to heat up. Quite a lot has changed over the summer, transforming the race into one that would have been unrecognizable a few months ago.

President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump faced off in a debate hosted by CNN on June 27. Biden’s poor performance in the debate reignited concerns over his viability as a candidate, sparking a month-long effort to oust him as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

That effort culminated in Biden dropping out of the race July 21 and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris later that

day. That endorsement began a dramatic shift in the energy of the race that has disrupted any notions of an easy path to a Trump victory come November.

At a July 13 Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman made an attempt on the former president’s life. The would-be assassin, later identified as a registered Republican, nicked Trump’s ear before he was shot by law enforcement.

Later in the month, Republicans confirmed Trump at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The first day of the convention saw Trump’s announcement of Ohio senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.

Likewise, as the new Democratic Party candidate, Harris announced on Aug. 6 that Minnesota Gov. Tim

Walz was her choice for the vice-presidential slot on the ticket. The Democratic National Convention was held from August 19 to 22, making the duo officially the party’s nominees.

Before Biden’s withdrawal from the race, Trump had a lead of 3.1 percentage points, according to RealClearPolitics. Since then, polling has swung the other way, giving Harris a 1.5% lead. Prior to Aug. 3, Trump held on to a lead in polling since Sept. 2023. Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral college votes are key to both campaigns’ strategy to win in November. With just 70 days until election day on Nov. 5, the keystone state will likely be inundated with political messaging and campaign events for this race’s home stretch.

SGA election petitions available

The Shippensburg University Student Government Association (SGA) is looking for motivated students to be a part of the 2024–2025 student senate. SGA is an elected body that represents the student body. Senators commit to attend two meetings a month and hold regular office hours for their constituents. Students who wish to run for positions can pick up petitions at the CUB info desk. Petitions contain an informational and biographical

Matthew Scalia Asst. Opinion Editor

Opinion

Welcome Back to Election Season

As students return to campus, they are preparing to resume their studies in a political environment that has seen little change in the issues but is also drastically different from when they left in the spring. Most notibly, despite casting votes to reelect President Joe Biden in the spring, he was not the candidate that ended up giving the acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week.

With negatively trending poll numbers and increased scrutiny of his mental facilities, Biden made a hasty withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election via social media before disappearing from public life for few days over the course of a weekend this summer.

This led to the ascension of Vice

President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the big ticket this November, despite never having received a primary vote and polling between 1-3% for most of her short-lived run to be the party’s candidate in 2020.

Harris is a last-resort option for Democrats. She was never adept on the campaign trail and was once voted “the least popular vice president in the last 30 years.” This has not stopped her from getting off to a strong start, as recent polls show Harris in the lead.

While part of this can be attributed to the honeymoon period candidates enjoy after accepting their party’s nomination for a race, there are only 10 weeks until the election. The Harris campaign will work overtime to keep the Chicago convention spirit.

But the vice president has one glaring vulnerability — she is vice

president. The Biden-Harris administration has overseen a haphazard Afghanistan withdraw, record inflation, record illegal border crossings and the outbreak of conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. At some point, she will have to say what she plans to do differently without implicating her work under Biden, won’t she?

Harris dodged those details during her acceptance speech at the DNC last week and no one seemed to notice. Reuters described Harris’s speech “muscular” and “forceful,” before boasting about how “Chicago’s United Center brimmed with energy and people,” and was so crowded that the fire marshal had to declare the building at capacity. The New York Times defined her campaign as “the art of the possible.”

MSNBC crowed, “Trump’s election nightmare comes true,” as Harris accepted the nomination. With cov-

Slate Speaks: What makes a provost?

The presidential election is not the only event that will cause a change of leadership for Shippensburg University students.

Starting this semester, Darrell Newton, Ph. D., will have his first full-length semester as the school’s new provost and vice president of academic affairs. We wish him luck as he takes the role during a fraught time in both the political and academic worlds. Newton was selected out of 80 possible candidates during the spring semester

Face-to-face networking & transparency is key for new provost

and officially took the reins in July. While the title of provost means different things at different schools, at Shippensburg, the office “provides leadership and maintains direct administrative responsibility for educational programming including curricula, budgeting and academic personnel matters.”

During the interview process, Newton highlighted previous experiences in a variety of roles in academia, but one bullet point stands out — his time as associate vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean of graduate students at Wisconsin Eau-Claire. Shippensburg University lags behind on the technology front, with limited online classes that are primarily available in the summer and winter as the school’s only offerings. This is coupled with declining national college enrollment and a financially turbulent Pennsylvania state university system.

Improving distance learning and increasing revenue at the margins is only the beginning of the possible improvements that Newton can bring. One of his first actions should be an audit of degree requirements. Often, universities like to pack in largely unnecessary requirements that burden students on their path to graduation. This is painfully on display with mathematics and basic foreign language requirements for degrees in fields that do not make use of them.

Another course of action, one that Newton and the rest of President Charles Patterson’s executive mangement team can start on right away, is showing face and helping students understand the various administrative departments. President Patterson makes it a point to be seen around campus, but how many other of the dozens of leaders can the average student name? Getting out of Old Main and engaging with students other than at annual events like Breakfast Bingo would be a good start.

Besides the face-to-face networking, transparency of agenda is key as well. Communication from the upper brass normally only trickles down to students when campus events cause them to. This should change. In our interview with Newton, he highlighted the need for administrators to meet students where they are.

We wish Newton luck. He starts his new job amid political uncertainty that will certainly spill over into academic life. Building collateral and trust with students early will aid him later.

Where’s your voice?

• Shippensburg University students, staff, faculty, administrators and affiliated people are welcome to submit letters to the editor for publication.

• Letters must be no more than 500 words and may not contain derogatory language or messages of hate or discrimination.

• The Slate may reject letters for any reason.

• Letters become property of The Slate.

• Letters without a name and title (affiliation to SU) will not be accepted. Letters should be sent to The Slate one week prior to the day of publication. Late letters may be accepted but published the next week.

Disclaimer

• The views and opinions expressed in this section are those of the writer and not of The Slate or University.

• The unsigned staff editorial, “The Slate Speaks,” represents the views and opinions of The Slate as an organization. Participating editors help shape the staff editorial.

erage like this, one can only assume that the party raged so hard that the invitations had a question mark listed as the end time.

This gives Donald Trump the opportunity to stoke the populist sentiment that the media is biased against him. This only rallies his base, regaining none of the voters that may have defected when Harris joined the ticket and took the polling lead. The more effective play would be to challenge Harris on policy, the discussion of which is not Trump’s forte.

Instead, Trump wants to continually remind voters why they gave him a pass in 2020. Taking to Truth Social, Trump responded to Harris’s speech by saying, “There will be no future under Comrade Kamala Harris, because she will take us into a Nuclear World War III! She will never be respected by the Tyrants of the World!” This is in ad-

dition to his usual taunts about his opponents being weak. This bloviating is not in Trump’s best interest, and neither is his continued obsession with the 2020 election. Trump is missing the obvious trap. If he cannot tie Harris to the Biden record, he will have no chance if Democrats pull an October shakeup and push Harris over the top. His biggest challenge will be maintaining a polling lead should he regain it. All Biden has to do is resign if Harris falls behind, and fresh energy will swirl around Harris as not only the first female president, but one who is an incumbent. It is not out of the realm of possibilities. Biden was already essentially forced off the ballot by the party to the cheers of many. If Republicans want to avoid another Trump defeat, they will have to tackle the nigh impossible task of keeping Trump on task.

‘Champions of What...?’ The

World

Kevin Carr Staff Contributor

Nearly a year ago today, Olympic trackand-field athlete Noah Lyles uttered the phrase that frustrated the NBA community. Lyles said he was upset that the NBA and other American sports leagues hang banners calling themselves world champions. He then added the infamous phrase, “Champions of what, the United States?”

His claim is that because leagues only represent one country and do not compete against others, they have no right to call themselves world champions. I do not have an issue with what Lyles said. It is his opinion, and he has every right to it, but when you look deeper, you can see that his claim is rather flawed.

Paris. They were out to prove that America has the best basketball in the world and has every right to call their league world champions.

The NBA is the best basketball league on the planet, bar none. The goal for every hooper is to make it to the NBA, not the NBL, the BAL, or even the Big 3 league. Every great hooper strives to make the NBA.

The NBA has players from all around the world, including Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece, Nikola Jokic from Serbia, Joel Embiid from Cameroon and several others. When a league has the best talent from around the globe, how can you not declare yourself a world champion when you win the NBA Finals? You faced the best talent in the world.

The words of Lyles motivated NBA players to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in

The “Avengers Assembled,” including Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and more suited up to represent the United States this summer and put on a show for the ages. James and the United States defeated Nikola Jokic and Serbia 110-84 in their first game, setting the tone for the rest of the games. They defeated South Sudan, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Serbia a second time to carve their path to the gold medal game, where they competed against Victor Wembanyama and France in their own country.

While James was the best performer for Team USA throughout the Olympics, Steph Curry went ballistic in the finals, hitting multiple three-pointers to give Team USA a 98-87 win over France 98-87 For their fifth consecutive gold medal in Men’s Basketball This proved that the NBA’s biggest stars can dominate on a global stage. No NBA fans ever doubted Team USA and their abilities, yet one man did.

As a massive NBA fan and an American, thank you, Noah Lyles. Without your claim, Team USA would not have been as motivated. You gave them bulletin board material, and they showed up and showed out. You cannot ask, “Champions of what?” They are now champions of the world.

Carr,

Courtesy of Andy Miah, Flickr Noah Lyles at Paris Olympic Games.

Ship Life

A look at what’s new across campus

Connor Niszczak Editor-in-Chief

Every August brings a new wave of energy to campus, as the latest class of Raiders begin their journey at SU and experience everything campus has to offer for the first time.

Over 1,200 new Raiders began their SU career this week after a particularly change-filled summer.

New IDs

As you read this, you likely have a brand-new student ID in your pocket. To allow for easier cooperation among the 10 PASSHE institutions,

every student now has an ID number for the state system rather than just for SU.

New Laundry

Housing and Residence

Life signed a contract with a new laundry vendor, Caleco, which saw every washer and dryer on campus replaced throughout July and August.

Caleco’s units come with an app, Speed Queen, that allows students to see the status of any machine on campus. No more walking down the hall just to find all the machines are in use.

New Furniture

Residents of Harley Hall

also have new furniture throughout the building as SU Housing continues to update and repair residence halls that have reached their 10th year. New couches, chairs and high-top tables are in each floor’s lounge.

No more UPS keys

The UPS store announced on Aug. 12 that keys for individual mailboxes will no longer be used at the facility. All students will pick up their mail at the front desk by simply showing their student ID.

Simplified meal plan

Dining Services rolled

out a simplified roster of meal plans for resident and commuter students. Oncampus residents can now choose from either a 14meal plan with $300 Flex Dollars or from two tiers of an Admiral plan, which allows for unlimited access to Reisner Dining Hall.

SHIP Letters

Installed just days after graduation in May, the SHIP letters, which were paid for in part by the Class of 1973, were dedicated on June 1. It served as a popular photo op for various campus groups and visitors throughout the summer.

Fashionably Slate: Sweater Weather

Hello, Shippensburg University students. Welcome, or welcome back, to the 2024-2025 academic year. The Slate looks forward to serving you as the year continues.

As I am sure many of you already have, I feel as though it is necessary to express my excitement for the upcoming autumn season. Fall has always been my favorite time of the year, and I have never strayed from the feeling. I am not sure if I adore it because I was born in October, because Halloween is my favorite holiday, or because of the overall vibe of the season. However, fall has always been my No. 1. The enthusiasm of the “ber” months makes its awaited comeback each year when the air begins to crisp. September, October, November and December are largely considered to be a familiar favorite in regard to the calendar. As we begin the fall semester, it is a perfect time to introduce a few things to look forward to. My favorite thing is apparent: I love fall fashion.

The opportunity to dress according to the weather in a comfortable way is soothing for the soul. It is not too hot or too cold; the temperature and ambiance are just right.

Each year, fashion statements change; it changes by the month. It is one of the most tirelessly evolving ideologies in the world.

There is an annual excitement for fall because of the way that it makes people

The fall semester is always a special time for me. The energy is fresh, with new students moving into their dorms and returning students reuniting with their friends. Moving, exploring campus buildings and meeting new people is exciting for freshmen, but it can also be stressful. As a junior at Shippensburg, I have been through it before, and so has every other upperclassmen student on this campus. Here are some tips to make sure that your first week on campus is as seamless as possible.

1. Talk to people

Talking to new people can be hard. I moved to Shippensburg without knowing a single person on campus. At first, I was anxious and unsure of myself. However, I eventually adopted the mindset of “Who cares?” If someone I meet during Fall Welcome Week dislikes me, who cares? There is no point in being embarrassed. Everyone around you is also anxious and unsure of themselves. By starting a conversation with someone, you may be calming their nerves, in addition to your own.

2. Calm down When I was a freshman, I was scared of everything. I have always been anxious, but coming into a new environment, I wanted to be prepared for anything. A few weeks before classes started, I emailed all of my professors to ask what textbooks I needed. As I later learned, this was completely unnecessary. Most people will tell you to wait until the first week of classes to see if you need to buy any materials. You are probably nervous about college, but take a breath. You will be fine. Even if you mess something up, everything will be OK.

3. Join clubs

The best thing to do outside of class to get to know people is to join clubs that interest you. Even if you do not become an official member, meeting new people with similar interests can be a great experience. Most campus groups will be at the Campus Activities Fair, so explore your options there. For many, their first year of college starts a new chapter of life. Take this opportunity to learn who you are and what you like. I guarantee that you will be a different person four years from now. Embrace it. Welcome to Ship!

feel inside. I once read a quote that said, “Autumn exists to remind us that things must end to begin again.”

As summer ends and a new chapter of your life begins, fall is there to remind you of the comfort new seasons can provide you with. Though every season is wonderful in its own way, autumn is a relaxing, exhilarating and promising time of the year.

It’s the end of August, and I’m sitting at my desk wearing

forms of entertainment and autumn because of their similarities, and I have plenty of fun looking through the inspirations.

Last year, autumn was known for its “clean girl” aesthetic that many people loved and still love today. Colors began to disintegrate, and neutrals were a very common sight to see. However, this fall, colors are being welcomed back in full throttle. A mixture of

an oversized sweatshirt, sweatpants and UGG boots. It may be 88 degrees outside, but I am awaiting the brisk air impatiently. I find the availability for comfort within this season encouraging, as there are many opportunities to look and feel your best at the same time.

This year, in particular, autumn fashion is largely characterized by entertainment. For example, “Gilmore Girls” is a cozy, warm TV series that brings several people smiles and reassurance.

Author Sarah J. Maas has created a unique world for fall lovers. Many Pinterest boards have been created in regard to the cherished

navy blues, forest greens, soft pinks and deep reds are coming together to coexist within the fashionable world in which we live. Items like oversized sweaters, leather jackets, trench coats, pointed heels, long boots, messy hair, red lips and flare jeans have started to become more popular as the season begins to progress. Additionally, faux pajama pants are a hot commodity because of their level of comfortability and ability to be styled. These pieces collectively look put together and create a look that distributes consolation from person to person. There are many activities that occur within the fall

season. Some of these include pumpkin patches, festivals, movie nights, traveling, dinners, holidays and carving jack-o-lanterns. These fun activities leave nothing but the craving to dress up in autumn attire. Clothing is more fun when you get to play around with it and work with pieces you may not always get to wear during other seasons.

I picture the way all of Shippensburg’s students will look walking around campus, whether they are returning students or new. The excitement to wake up in the morning, put together an outfit that screams autumn and head to class with your headphones, coffee and backpack is truly an extraordinary feeling.

The compliments will be heavy this year, as the seasonal cheer is beginning. Remember to dress for yourself and feel good about all of the things you’ll have to look forward to during the semester and rest of the year.

Don’t forget to give yourself grace and wear sweats throughout the week, as that will be absolutely necessary. Whatever aesthetic you find yourself gravitating toward, you will add to the autumnal joy we love so much.

Overall, I am very excited for the upcoming semester. I believe that the colors we will see, music we will hear, food we will eat and people we will meet will make this year a fabulous one to remember. Let’s be excited together and enjoy fall before the New Year. We only get one a year.

P.S. Don’t show up to class fashionably… late.

Dorm Mug Cake

3-Ingredient Chocolate Mug Cake

Need a sweet treat after your first college class? Look no further. This mug cake only takes one minute to prepare and will bring you some sweet satisfaction after a long day of class. Requiring only three ingredients, a mug and a fork, this chocolatey dessert is convenient and delicious.

Ingredients

1/4 cup Nutella

2 Tbsp. all purpose flour 1 egg

Instructions Into a microwave safe mug, add the egg, flour and Nutella. Using a fork, mix the batter until smooth. Place the mug into the microwave for one minute and 30 seconds, or until the cake is fully cooked. Top with more Nutella, powdered sugar or whipped cream. Enjoy! Now that move-in is over, it’s time to relax and enjoy college. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, we all need some simple joy in our days when life gets stressful.

Hanna Atkinson / The Slate Students talking at SU’s Fall Welcome Week.

Megan Sawka Ship Life Editor

Reagan Gardenhour Managing Editor Courtesy of

Jenna Cornell / Guest Contributor

Editor-in-Chief Connor Niszczak sitting on the new SHIP letters, donated by the SU Class of 1973.

Mara Eberle Asst. Ship Life Editor

‘Short n’ Sweet’ Review: Flirty, fun and unserious

Lydia Elmy Staff Contributor

She’s working late, ‘cause she’s a singer.

Sabrina Carpenter released her fifth studio album, “Short n’ Sweet,” on Friday. It is a collection of love triangles, humorous jabs at exes and devilish innuendos. Totaling 36 minutes, the pop star’s album is flirty, wholly unserious and not so bold.

The album kicks off with “Taste,” a jangle-pop melody about a love triangle. Additionally, Carpenter released a horror-laden music video for the song, featuring actress Jenna Ortega.

Later in the album, we are reminded of Carpenter’s sense of humor in “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Ceiling fans are a pretty good invention, right? Car-

penter thinks so. The bubbly songs come to a pause in “Sharpest Tool.” This song is not as bold as the others, discussing a one-sided relationship and a lack of communication. While the music is upbeat, Carpenter’s lyrics convey a feeling of confusion and resentment, showing a more vulnerable side of the normally carefree singer.

In Carpenter’s two-minute acoustic ballad, “Dumb & Poetic,” she says goodbye to a man of wellness, taking jabs as she went — “Save all your breath for your floor meditation,” and “I promise that mushrooms aren’t changing your life.”

Moving through the album, Carpenter goes country with the silly “Slim Pickins,” a song that channels both Dolly Parton and Kacey Musgraves through vocal trills and

plucky guitar rhythms. Carpenter also tackles something as serious as pregnancy and creates a new pop culture reference with “Juno” — “If you love me right, then who knows? / I might let you make me Juno.”

As the record comes to an end with “Lie to Girls” and “Don’t Smile,” Carpenter’s breathy vocals take the spotlight, reminiscent of singers such as Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande. She also takes a more vulnerable approach in these songs, freely airing out frustrations with an ex.

“Short n’ Sweet” took various directions in each song, jumping from flirty and fun to unguarded and resentful. What will she do next? Who knows. Isn’t that sweet? Carpenter guesses so. That is that her espresso.

“I Love You So F***ing Much”

ion, it did not work.

In 2020, you could not escape Glass Animals. They released a bonified hit in “Heat Waves,” and dropped their third studio album, “Dreamland.” They received immense love for the record. After they blew up in 2020, they were somewhat radio silent for years, until they announced their new album, “I Love You So F***ing Much”, which was released on July 19. As a big Glass Animals fan, I was ecstatic about this album and counted down the days until I could listen, yet nervous because they had big shoes to fill following “Dreamland.”

The new album focuses on looking up at the stars with a space theme while processing all aspects of love — the good, the bad and the ugly.

The album starts with “Show Pony” which is every Glass Animals song ever made, with tropes about meeting a girl, falling in love and getting betrayed. It follows the same beat and sound as most songs they make, which is OK, but it felt like they were trying to use the same classic Glass Animals formula here. In my opin-

Review

We take quite the turn with “whatthehellishappening,” which starts with those words, followed by getting thrown in the back of the trunk of a 1999 Corolla. The best way I can describe this song is the title, and that is exactly what they wanted. You are not sure what is happening, yet it is clear to be a kidnapping of sorts. My favorite part about this song is the abrupt ending of the sound of a trunk shutting, while Dave Bayley uttered the words “took me by surprise.” It ends the song by having you say the title to yourself again. The beat is solid and the storytelling is great, making for a solid second track.

Another notable track is the single they released with the album announcement, “Creatures in Heaven,” which is easily the strongest track on the album in my opinion. This song is all about being present in the moment and enjoying love as it happens, which is a message we all need to hear at times. Bayley is phenomenal as always, with a solid beat and an extraordinary, catchy chorus, this song hits on all levels.

“F1 Trillion: Long Bed” Review: Post Malone switches music genres

Abbygale Hockenberry

A&E Editor

I hate country music, for the most part.

That is exactly why I think I should be giving this review. By now it is clearly no surprise that Post Malone has turned country with the recent release of his first ever country album, “F1 Trillion.” The same day the album came out, which was Aug. 16, he surprisingly releases a second disc called, “F1 Trillion: Long Bed.” The dual album includes 27 songs. The first half is filled with many features from big country singers like Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw and Luke

Combs just to name a few.

I was super skeptical when I saw that there were so many features because I think that looks bad for an artist, especially one who is switching

genres. It tells me that they are unable to do it on their own. Quickly, I was proven wrong when the second part was done completely solo.

Anyone who has heard of Post Malone knows that he was a hip hop and pop artist. This major switch in his music style was risky on so many levels. He already has a well-established audience and suddenly changes his style that is geared toward a completely new one. I was highly impressed. Like I said, I hate country music most of the time. After hearing this album, I will be thinking twice before I judge another country song.

My favorite track off the entire lengthy album would have to be “Pour Me A Drink” that features Blake Shelton, because every time I listen to it, I envision a tailgate party. That would be for obvious reasons because the song is quite literally about drinking

on a Friday night after a long week.

Even though his style has changed, his voice did not. Malone does not sound like a traditional country singer who has the accent and twang when he sings. His voice is something that has always been unique and easily distinguishable when heard on the radio. The hit song off the album, “I Had Some Help,” features Wallen. It is so catchy and upbeat that sometimes I forgot I was listening to country because I liked it. I have heard many other people say the same thing. They do not typically like this genre but like this album.

I would suggest listening to the album and giving it an honest chance despite not liking the genre to see if the same thing happens. Now the big question is — Will Post Malone stay a country singer?

“It

Ends with Us” Review

over in the movie.

Given that my review of the book “It Ends with Us” was among the first articles I posted, it was only appropriate that I also review the adapted movie.

My opinions on the book were quite positive, contrary to others’ thoughts on it. I expressed that the book gave some surface-level insight on the difficulties of being in and navigating a domestic abuse relationship. This is especially true for people who previously thought that exiting a relationship like this was as easy as getting up and leaving.

To begin, I was disappointed with the casting of Blake Lively playing the role of Lily. Lily Bloom was the protagonist and was portrayed as a naïve 23-year-old. However, Blake Lively is much older than that and did not quite fit the role. Furthermore, Lily was described to be a redhead.

I wish they had cast a younger actress with red hair, which would have given them the opportunity to make a name for themself, rather than casting a blonde and dying her hair red. Aside from that, I thought the other actors were cast well for their roles.

There were times while I was watching the movie where I felt like I only knew what was going on because I had read the book. I watched the movie with a friend who was unfamiliar with the book and found myself having to explain some things that were not depicted clearly. Additionally, I noticed many scenes from the book completely skipped

I understand that a good chunk of scenes are removed in most adaptations of books, but considering that the duration of the movie was well over two hours long, I’d expect most scenes to appear in the movie. Removing that many scenes made the movie seem like it was rushed, which is not a good look considering they began developing the movie in 2019.

Finally, the marketing of the film has been controversial. Blake Lively and author Colleen Hoover have been receiving backlash and have been under scrutiny for the way they have marketed the film. After the great success “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” last summer, it seemed like they were trying to recreate similar vibes and tried making it the “movie of the summer,” which backfired considering the seriousness of the subject.

We can observe Blake Lively’s frivolity and carelessness to the subject by the way she told viewers watching the movie to “wear your florals” as if it was a rom-com film, in addition to discussing trivial things in interviews like the costuming, which were questionable. It appears that this was just no more than a quick money grab for her. In addition, it is unfortunate that the drama taking place amongst the cast has been receiving more attention than the movie itself.

Overall, the movie was not terrible, but it also was not as good as I had anticipated. This movie had the potential to be sensational and educate people, but instead most of the attention has been shifted to the bad marketing and the drama between the cast.

Listen to these songs that were selected by the members of The Slate that describe each of their summer vacations. Welcome back to campus!

Yusra Aden Staff Contributor

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Sabrina Carpenter’s new 12-track album “Short n’ Sweet” was released on Aug. 23.

Photo courtesy of Flikr

Blake Lively plays the main character, Lily Bloom, in the new movie “It Ends With Us.” The film adaptation came out on Friday, Aug. 9.

Kevin Carr Staff Contributor

Photo courtesy of Flikr

Post Malone released a 27-track country album after being a Hip-Hop singer.

Sports

Football seeks to rebound with young roster

Mason Flowers & Nicola Puggé Asst. Sports Editor & Sports Editor

Editor’s Note: The Slate sends its deepest condolences to Head Coach Mark “Mac” Maciejewski, his family and the entire SU athletics community for the loss of Levi Maciejewski earlier this month. Bill Morgal, SU Sports Information Director, said the university and athletics department will be supporting the Maciejewski family in this difficult time.

Shippensburg University football is set for a transition year, with a roster full of changes looking to build on a 2023 season that saw the Raiders finish 3-8 overall and 2-5 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East play.

The team sees plenty of new faces, with 44 of the team’s 95 players in fall camp being new to the team, including 43 freshmen. offensive coordinator KiJuan Ware said, “The upperclassmen are helping the younger guys, while the younger guys are grabbing in and embracing our culture.”

Both Ware and defensive coor-

dinator Mike Burket mentioned the youth of the roster as a possible weakness. Ware said strengths of the team are its togetherness and the growth in the locker room. Burket said, “The effort and attention to detail that these guys are putting into it would be the strength.”

The youth of the roster came after the team saw lots of players depart after the 2023 season. According to Bill Morgal, sports information director at Shippensburg University, numerous players who departed the team received their undergraduate degrees from Shippensburg University and had one year of eligibility remaining due to COVID-19.

For the upcoming season, the main competition on offense is for the starting quarterback position, as both redshirt junior Joey McCracken and sophomore Sam Stoner return after making multiple starts last year. Speaking on the battle, Ware said, “Everyone is preparing as if they want to be the starter.”

Other starters from 2023 returning at skill positions include red-

Field hockey looks for extra push in upcoming season

As for the 2024 season, the Raiders have six freshmen, two graduate transfers, and a junior transfer joining their ranks.

Shippensburg University’s field hockey team is gearing up for the 2024 season with a fire lit under them.

After falling short last year in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship and the NCAA semifinal, the team hopes to find itself back on the playoff stage and reach gold.

The program has a successful legacy. The Raiders have been PSAC champions twice and Division II national champions six times. Out of the last six national championship wins, five have occurred in the last 11 years.

Last season, the team’s record was 155. In the PSAC championship tournament, the team lost in the championship to East Stroudsburg 1-0.

A few days later, the team was chosen as the No. 2 seed for the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row and traveled to Manchester, New Hampshire for the semifinal against Kutztown University.

The Bears defeated the Raiders with a stroke penalty in the final minutes of the game and were the future 2023 DII national champions.

Fifteen SU field hockey players are returning from the 2023 season. Senior Yasmin De Meyer, an All-PSAC Second Team selection last year, reflected on the previous seasons.

“Now we know what it feels like to lose, that just makes us want it that much more,” she said. “We know that there needs to be an extra push and we’re willing to make it.”

Read more about Sports online at theslateonline.com!

The new SU field hockey members include Avery Austin, Emily Bitters, Elaina Fragrassi, Anne Gardner, Annika Madeja, Gabby Wameling, Josefina Golppi, Kristen McCormick and Kelly Naudé. The team also added Grae Meinke and Kayla Snyder, two sophomore transfers last spring semester.

Head Coach Tara Zollinger spoke on how excited she is for this new group of athletes to join the SU field hockey family.

“There are so many different experiences and so many different talents coming together, which I feel makes it a very balanced group that will strengthen our unit as a whole,” she said.

The Raiders were picked third in the PSAC preseason coaches’ poll, receiving one firstplace vote. Kutztown was first with eight firstplace votes and East Stroudsburg was second with one first-place vote. The rankings were solely based on coaches’ feedback and do not reflect any statistical analysis.

According to Coach Zollinger, the team is looking to achieve specific goals during preseason, including learning new press structures tactically and establishing team-unifying values. The Raiders first two games will be on the road against the University of Mount Olive and Belmont Abbey the weekend of Sept 6. The Raiders will have their first competition at home on Sept. 13 against New Haven at Robb Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

“We know there needs to be an extra push and we’re willing to make it.”

Yasmin De Meyer Midfielder/Forward

shirt junior running back Tanner Hess and sophomore wide receiver Jaimen Bryant. Hess led the Raiders in rushing last season at 683 yards, and Bryant was second on the team with 25 catches and 386 receiving yards.

The Raiders’ defense has been the strength of the team for years. It ranked at the top of the PSAC last season, allowing the fewest yards per game of any team. The group has higher goals this season, as Burket said, “We want to be the top team in the nation in the red zone, the top team in third-and-fourth down conversions, and we want to create turnovers.”

The 2024 PSAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll ranked SU seventh in the PSAC East.

The Raiders kick off their season at American International on Sept. 7, before returning for the home opener against Clarion on Sept. 14, the first of three straight home games. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Seth Grove Stadium. Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 19 against Kutztown.

We want to be the top team in America in the redzone, the top team in third-and-fourth down conversions, and we want to force turnovers.”

Mike Burket Defensive Coordinator

Returnees looking to lead the defense this year include linebacker Javon Cruz, who was second on the team last season with 58 tackles. Junior cornerback DJ Jackson also returns for 2024, coming off a season in which he led the Raiders with four interceptions.