Actress fumbles, but with good intentions, B1
Career center offers advice to graduating seniors, C1
First senior art exhibit opens in Kauffman Gallery, D1
Softball drops three over weekend, E1
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Tuesday April 2, 2019
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Volume 62 No. 21
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Rally asks lawmakers to educate the state
Meghan Schiereck/The Slate
Sen. Vincent Hughes riles up the crowd on the steps of the Capitol’s main rotunda during the PA Promise rally Wednesday afternoon. Various speakers told their stories of why schools need more funding. Students from PASSHE universities across the state showed their support and asked lawmakers for more funding. Hannah Pollock Asst. News Editor HARRISBURG, Pa. — Senators, faculty and students from across Pennsylvania gathered on the steps of the Capitol main rotunda on Wednesday to rally for the Pennsylvania Promise Act. Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), a long-time advocate for affordable college, began the rally by leading the crowd of more than 100 supporters in a chant. “Repeat after me! Free college,” he shouted. The crowd enthusiasti-
cally echoed him, “Free college!” Hughes stepped up to the podium and welcomed those in attendance to Harrisburg. “We want to let the entire state know that there is nothing wrong with free college,” Hughes said. According to Hughes’ website, he is sponsoring Senate Bill 111 and Reps. Jordan Harris and James Roebuck Jr. are sponsoring House Bill 244. Both bills aim to create the Pennsylvania Promise, a program which will provide funding for students with a household income of $110,000 or less attending college
Importance of women’s sexual health to be addressed at panel Shannon Long News Editor “Let’s Talk: A Panel on Women’s Sexual Health,” being held on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Orndorff Theatre, will focus on educating members of Shippensburg University and the community about the importance of women’s sexual health. The panel will consist of Jenna Wise, SU senior and editor-in-chief of The Slate; Ashlie Crewe, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy; Kathleen Rundquist, a sexual health expert from Etter Health Center and Jayleen Galarza, a social work professor and human sexuality researcher. Wise reached out to the Women’s Center about hosting the panel. “I think it’s really important that both men and women know about these sexual health issues,” she said. She wants to start a dialogue about sexual health issues that women deal with and how they affect relationships. Wise will be speaking about her personal experience, even though it might be uncomfortable and hard to talk about. “If I can help one person, it’s worth it,” she said. There will also be a representative from Keystone Health present with information on STI testing.
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in-state. Hughes said Pennsylvania is last in the nation with support for college and student debt and has the highest student debt in the nation. After rallying the crowd, Hughes introduced the first of many speakers, Harris, a Millersville University graduate. “I know exactly what it is like to be a student going to school in the state system of Pennsylvania,” Harris said, empathizing with the students standing behind him. He shared that his grandmother would take money out of her retire-
ment check bi-monthly just so he could afford to eat. “She understood that the best investment we can make is an investment in people,” Harris said. He stressed that the Pennsylvania Promise is the moral thing to do for the commonwealth. “There is no greater good that we can do as a commonwealth than to invest in the future of people through education,” he said. “No individual should graduate with a mountain of debt.” A mountain of debt would prohibit graduates from buying homes,
cars or even supporting their families, he said. Roebuck Jr. discussed the need for change in the current system for higher education. He emphasized that every student is entitled to higher education. Ken Mash, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) and East Stroudsburg University professor, shared a similar viewpoint as the previous speakers. See “RALLY,” A2
Vigil honors victims of terrorist attack Hannah Pollock Asst. News Editor A small group of students gathered outside the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library Thursday to honor and remember the victims of the March 15 terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand. The vigil, led by Shippensburg University Muslim Student Union members Kanza Amin and Aminala Amadou Kindo, remembered the 50 dead and 50 injured from the attacks, most of whom were Muslims attending religious services in two Christchurch mosques. “We wanted to organize this event because it affected the Muslim community and wanted to bring light to it at Ship,” Amin explained. The vigil began with the readings of two prayers that are often said when a group of people have passed away. Amin and Amadou Kindo both prepared speeches to share with supporters. Amin encouraged those who were unsure about Muslim culture and religion to
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ask questions. “If you are not sure, just ask. Start a conversation,” she said. “Education is the biggest gateway to bridge the gap between someone who would do something horrific [the attack] and someone who would step up and stop it.” Amadou Kindo shared how the attacks impacted her, despite being thousands of miles away. “I never felt so terrified, I didn’t feel safe. I didn’t want to go outside,” she said. “I felt like going back to my home country.” Amadou Kindo spoke of “the hurt souls of all Muslims and humanity,” as the attacks claimed people aged 3 to 77 years old. “What had they done?” she asked. Despite her fears, Amadou Kindo said she will remain in America. “I won’t let them win, one person will not bring down my love for this place.” Sophomore Averie Bye-Dickerson came to the vigil to show support for her
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friend. “I think it is important to support each other no matter what religion we are,” she said. “Kanza is a good friend of mine and I will always support my friends.” Both Amin and Amadou Kindo read off the name of each victim before holding a moment of silence and saying another prayer.
After the prayer, Amin thanked each student who attended. “Hate repeats itself. Charleston, Pittsburgh and now New Zealand. Hate has no boundaries, it just hates,” she said. “But we have come together to show love. By being here, you are all saying how love is stronger.”
Meghan Schiereck/The Slate
Amadou Kindo (left) and Kanza Amin remember victims of the mass shooting in New Zealand.
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