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Volume 64 No. 3
SGA holds debates for senator seats Blake Garlock Staff Writer
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
A.C.T. Committee members who organized the rally kneel in front of a “Black Lives Matter” banner.
A.C.T. rallies community Noel Miller News Editor
Students, faculty, administrators and staff gathered Thursday at the Hockey Rink and Rec Fields for the “A.C.T. Call to Solidarity Rally.” The Ask. Communicate. Teach Tolerance. Committee has an annual rally every September; however, the focus of this one was in response to the racial slur incident in Seavers Hall two weekends ago. A.C.T. Committee members organized the rally to unite all people who believe that racial injustice should not be tolerated at Shippensburg University. Attendees stood in solidarity to bring people from all parts of the university together. Dark clouds filled the skyline behind the stage and thunder distantly rumbled as Ramses Ovalles, an A.C.T. member, began the event. He welcomed the crowd and explained how important it is that the community come together to say that SU will
not tolerate racism. Several other members of the A.C.T. committee stood in front of the stage wearing shirts and masks that read “Just Act.” Ovalles mentioned the names of some of the recent victims of police brutality including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and told attendees they would repeatedly hear these names as society had failed them. Following his address, the other A.C.T. members including Abdulomar Tucker, Brenda Aristy, Kate Hargrove, Zaire Avant, Roneka Jones, Jessica Brown, Quiamia Wells and Leah Mottershead gave short speeches about why they came. SU President Laurie Carter took the stage and began by thanking A.C.T. for organizing the rally. “Meaningful change will come on our campus by acts of leadership at all levels” Carter said. Carter then shared her own story as the mother of a Black son. See “ACT,” A2
The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate candidates delivered their campaign speeches via Zoom Thursday. There are five students campaigning for four senate seats. Voting for the Senate race began Monday and ends Thursday at 4 p.m. Lucas Everidge, SGA class of 2021 senator and elections committee chair, moderated the debate and introduced the candidates campaigning for the first seat — senator for non-traditional students. “Essentially, non-traditional students have a little more on their plates,” Everidge said. “Maybe they’re parents or they started college late. The non-traditional student senator advocates for those students.” Imani Cameron, a 23-yearold junior with a three-yearold daughter, is campaigning for the non-traditional stu-
dent senator seat. “When I arrived at Shippensburg, I was amazed at the diversity on campus,” Cameron said. “I wanted to be a part of the diversity, and that’s why I’m running for non-traditional student senator.” If elected, Cameron said she will advocate for more storage locations for non-traditional students to keep supplies. She also plans to work to provide better child care opportunities for non-traditional students. “I would like to have lockers in the [Ceddia Union Building] CUB and other locations,” Cameron said. “This would prevent commuters and non-traditional students from returning to their cars between classes.” Cameron said she will also propose a cost-effective child care program for non-traditional students.
Senator Candidates
Imani Cameron Non-traditional student
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
Ramses Ovalles welcomes attendees with a short message about the importance of racial solidarity.
Kevin DelaCruz Class of 2022
Borough to vote on ordinance prohibiting discrimination, including against LGBTQ+ Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief
The Shippensburg Borough Council will vote on an anti-discrimination ordinance impacting many groups including the LGBTQ+ community during its Tuesday night meeting. The “Shippensburg Borough Anti-Discrimination Ordinance,” Ordinance No. 20-947 will prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations or educational institutional access, according to the document. The ordinance protects community members on the basis of race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, handicap or disability, or the use of a guide animal. Discriminatory acts include any unlawful act noted in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. “The fact that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act would not define a practice as unlawful when that practice is taken on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, genetic information, or marital status shall not exempt such practice from being considered a discriminatory act under this ordinance,” the or-
See “SGA,” A2
dinance reads. There are no overarching laws that prevent discrimination against sexual orientation, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status and disability. Sexual orientation and gender expression are not included. When state and federal governments fail to extend protections, Shippensburg University psychology professor Connie Bertram said local ordinances fill in the gaps. “If we were to experience denial of housing or service based on being LGBTQ, most of us could not afford to bring a lawsuit against an individual or business and wait for that case to travel through the court system to create a new precedent in civil rights law,” Bertram said. “An ordinance provides a local hearing for complaints and redress. It acknowledges that a municipality might set a higher more inclusive bar for its residents because it wants to promote a broader community and recognizes that unequal treatment harms all residents and visitors.” See “LGBTQ,” A2
Jose Lopez Class of 2024
Skylar Walder Female Athletics
NEWS
A2
September 1, 2020
Your World Today
Commentary: Mixed messages lessen impact of good communication
Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
Ramses Ovalles addresses the socially distanced crowd as A.C.T. Committee members stand at the Hockey Rink and Rec fields Thursday evening. From “ACT,” A1
Before sending their son off to college, Carter and her husband asked their son to remove a sticker from his car as they feared it would bring him negative attention on the road. The sticker itself read “the struggle is real.” Since her son had a “terrifying” experience while driving late at night before, Carter said she was worried something even worse might happen. Carter referred to the Netflix film, “American Son” where she said she cried with the mother of a character who had been shot. “I cried not just for her but because I remembered the moment when a sticker on my son’s car wreaked terror in my heart. Terror that you can only truly appreciate if you have a Black son,” Carter said. Carter said she stands in solidarity with her Black brothers, sisters and allies. “The cure requires us all,” Carter said. “I am black and my life matters,” Carter said. “And the struggle is real.” Peter Gitau, the vice president of enrollment management and student affairs, folFrom “SGA,” A1
The program will utilize early childhood education majors to watch the children while their parents attend class. Cady Weibley, the other candidate for non-traditional Student Senator, was not present. According to SGA policy, Weibley must be dropped from the ballot. However, she could run as a write-in candidate if she desired. Skyler Walder, a first-year secondary education major in history and member of the female tennis team, is running unopposed to represent female athletics. “Some may have concerns with a first-year student holding this position, but I can assure you this isn’t my first rodeo,” Walder said. Walder said that being a sports team captain and a class officer in high school prepared her to hold the female athletics seat. Walder said that being a sports team captain and a class officer in high school prepared her to hold the female athletics seat. Walder said she plans on
lowed Carter’s address. He spoke of his experience having moved from Africa to the U.S., highlighting the need for solidarity. SU Chief Diversity Officer Stephanie Jirard came to the stage. She called for attendees to use their right to free speech to not say the N-word. Jirard said the word’s hurtful past could not be erased or reclaimed. She held up a sign with a pledge to not say the N-word as she left the stage. Several other faculty and staff members came to the stage following Jirard as a call to action, some focusing on white attendees to do their part. The A.C.T. committee is working on other projects including “A Quilt to Cover us All” and a series of events with “Ship Votes.” Other initiatives include organizing a panel to demonstrate solidarity against racism and a 10-point plan to address issues like curriculum, police and social equity for the campus. To learn more about the A.C.T. committee, visit their website ship.edu/life/clubs-organizations/msa/act/.
using the position to help unify students and student athletes. “I want to make campus an all-inclusive environment,” Walder said. “We work better together, and I think we can rub off on each to make the college experience awesome.” Another candidate running unopposed is Jose Lopez. Lopez, an education major, is campaigning to represent the class of 2024. “The class of 2024 is one of the most resilient of the century,” Lopez said in his speech. “We graduated high school during a global pandemic and in the midst of a racial movement that will define our nation.” Lopez founded “Books of Hope,” a nonprofit that donates books to children’s hospitals. Since its founding in 2018, Books of Hope has donated more than 15,000 books to hospitals across the nation. Lopez plans on bringing the nonprofit to campus. “We have a great education program, and I think we can impact even more people across the country,” Lopez said. “As a campus, it will help us out and create good
publicity.” To finish off the campaign speeches, class of 2022 candidate, Kevin DelaCruz, delivered his speech. DelaCruz spoke about racial inequality and his hopes for combatting it on campus during his speech. “I’ve talked to African American students who say they don’t always feel welcome on campus,” DelaCruz said. “It shouldn’t be that way. We all came to Shippensburg to be a community.” DelaCruz is currently working to host a discussion between students and local police departments. His hopes are to have Shippensburg, Chambersburg and Carlisle police departments present for students to interact with. “I believe there’s a disconnect between local police departments and campus,” DelaCruz said. “We all have different things to say, and I think both sides meeting will help bridge that gap.” Students should have received an email from Lori Laughlin with a link to the election and directions for voting Monday morning.
Student Government Association Voting Cast your ballot until Thursday at 4 p.m.
In 2020, we are constantly bombarded with messages — whether we realize it or not. Market and brand executives spend hours crafting social and traditional media campaigns, so their products, brands or values subconsciously seep into the minds of consumers. While some may like to think, “That doesn’t work on me, I’m smarter than that…” you are wrong. My social media feeds are filled with the ongoing argument of wearing a mask. Shippensburg University recently posted a video of students interviewing campus community members asking why they wear masks. These students explained their reasons and showed viewers how to properly wear a mask. The university is consistent in its masking policy – you wear the mask the right way, you stay on campus. It is a simple concept, however, many of my peers seem to be struggling to understand. As the leader of The Slate, I find myself constantly running around campus. Whether it is for an event with another reporter, delivering newspapers or attempting to attend my classes, I see a lot of the
campus and my peers. It must be noted that there are significantly fewer students on campus this semester. As a commuter, I am able to get a parking spot in the first two rows at any time of the day. Outside of the pandemic world, this is nearly impossible. It appears as if a large chunk of the student body is attending remotely. Around campus, I am happy to report that I see students “doing their part” by correctly wearing masks, wiping surfaces and maintaining social distance. Yet, I must point out that there is a portion of on-campus students who are not abiding by the mask guidelines. Sure, we all need a few moments to take the mask off to briefly breathe a little easier or eat a quick meal. I am guilty of removing my mask to catch my breath after climbing the steps to The Slate office in the Ceddia Union Building. However, I remove my mask once seated 6-feet away from others behind a plexiglass barrier, when I am ready to eat or need to catch my breath. Unfortunately, I see some of my peers walking around campus with masks under their noses, chins or completely hanging off their faces. Faculty, staff and administration officials instruct these individuals to “mask up” and they usually comply. Student-workers such as resident assistants and lab workers do the same, but the level of compliance is not always equal. Students wander across campus with masks below their noses or around their chins. I was at an event
From “LGBTQ,” A1
SU faculty members who serve on the SU LGBTQ+ Advisory Council said this ordinance will provide some relief for LGBTQ+ individuals in the community. “LGBTQ+ individuals within the Shippensburg community will feel some relief in knowing they can move forward with the process of securing housing with the knowledge that if they experience discrimination, there is an avenue for challenging,” said LGBTQ+ Advisory Council Co-Chairs Jayleen Galarza and Nicole Santalucia. “It’s important to note that such an ordinance won’t completely eliminate housing discrimination or discrimination in other public accommodations – there’s still so much work to be done in creating a cultural shift – however, it can be a catalyst toward more sustainable and meaningful changes needed in the community.” The LGBTQ+ council members said they were made aware in July that an SU student was denied housing in the borough due to his sexual orientation.
where a university official instructed a student to properly wear his mask and the student abided. I was in a similar situation, except a student worker replaced the high-ranking official. The response was less than ideal and certainly not showing “Raider Respect.” We have received emails from university officials warning of closure if students do not make an effort to comply with the guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials report that masks do work, especially in settings where people are close to one another and social distancing is not achievable. We must wear our masks when interacting with others both on and off campus. But the need to wear your mask and show “Raider Respect” does not end after you get in your car and leave campus. Everyone knows the COVID-19 coronavirus does not spread off campus at parties, right? Wrong. While we see the messaging from campus community members about wearing our masks during the week, we see a different message on the weekend. One sees the social media posts and has to wonder, “Do they really live with those 15 other people?” We as students cannot complain when the university officials are forced to shut down the campus when these are the messages we communicate. Be consistent in your communication and the messages you send. Oh, and wear a mask while you are at it.
“While this recent example of housing discrimination did not happen to us personally, such discriminatory acts toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) communities sends a larger message to everyone – we are, in fact, not welcomed here,” Galarza and Santalucia said. “If we want to cultivate a culture of inclusivity on our campus and within the local community, then we need to show up for all marginalized communities.” The LGBTQ+ Council encouraged allies to write letters to the borough council to demonstrate support. The Shippensburg Borough Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. via Zoom. The public is invited to watch the meeting. Borough citizens may submit questions of comments via email to kplasterer@shippensburg.pa.us and all submissions must be received by 4 p.m., according to a Borough of Shippensburg Facebook page post. Any questions or comments about the meeting should be addressed to the above address.
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Opinion
The Slate Speaks
Off-campus cameras can enhance safety, but invade privacy With the COVID-19 coronavirus still on the rise, Shippensburg University students must make the necessary adjustments if they wish to remain on campus. This means social distancing and wearing masks and limiting interactions with others. Students must limit the number of people that congregate to curb the spread; however, some cannot resist the urge to throw a house party. Many students subscribe to the “We’re gonna get shut down anyway” mentality. Why should we social distance and stay at home
while our friends are out partying? Students at colleges across the nation are under scrutiny for their “extracurricular” activities. According to a letter sent out by Peter Gitau, the vice president for enrollment, student affairs and student success, pictures and videos have surfaced online of SU students attending said parties without wearing masks or practicing social distancing “Effective immediately, the university will embark on active monitoring of off-campus gatherings and will continue enforcement of
these guidelines on campus. Any student who refuses to follow the guidelines, or who is found to have violated university, municipal, state or federal public health regulations will be immediately subjected to serious interim and/or permanent sanctions following the due process of our code of conduct,” Gitau wrote in the email. Officials have started to use off-campus cameras to monitor gatherings. Any student who is caught violating the university’s health guidelines could receive a serious penalty.
A look at the Republican message after convention
Take five minutes:
Maria Maresca Staff Columnist
In a time of national uncertainty and unmitigated chaos, the Republican National Convention (RNC) acted as a beacon of hope for the future and was a much-needed reminder of who we are as Americans, where we came from and where we will go. Maximo Alvarez, a prominent Cuban-American businessman and founder of Sunshine Gasoline, was one of the many reminders of this message at the RNC and discussed his journey and humble beginnings as an immigrant escaping Fidel Castro’s socialistic Cuba. History tends to repeat itself and Alvarez was quick to point this out as a survivor of a broken system, “Those false promises — spread the wealth, free education, free healthcare, defund the police, trust a socialist state more than your family and community — they don’t sound radical to my ears. They sound famil-
iar,” Alvarez said. As a nation, we have seen many of these distinctions come to life, namely during the coronavirus pandemic, as power-wielding Democratic governors who dictated when we could leave our homes. Some also instituted contact tracing in some states like Delaware, a clear violation of privacy, and barred individuals from attending religious services. In June, the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) was established as a police-free zone in Seattle, Washington, and was expected to exemplify a “summer of love,” according to democratic Mayor Jenny Durkan. However, anarchy spiraled into a cloud of terror as the homicide rate skyrocketed to be 1,216 per 100,000, which is nearly 50 times greater than Chicago’s homicide rate., according to the City Journal. Lawlessness in the streets, extortion and individuals roaming the streets with guns and assaults on residents continued to multiply. In a socialist state, the police seek to control citizens rather than to protect, which was shown during the reign of CHAZ as residents took up the role of police. High taxes are yet another characteristic of socialism and democratic-run California is no exception with an income tax rate of 13.3%. Yet, the state still has an estimated 151,000
homeless individuals as of January 2019. We have seen the failure of systems with these elements time and time again in Venezuela, Cuba and the Soviet Union — to name a few. Donald Trump’s vision for the U.S. has been a stark contrast to these narratives and will build on our rich American roots, our culture of diligence, respect for the law, the freedom to operate a business without complete government regulation, the commemoration of our history, our right to earn what we work for and prosper from the fruits of our labor. “If something is too good to be true, then it probably is,” are words to live by as the nation faces the choice between freedom and the lack thereof. In her speech at the RNC, Ivanka Trump reiterated how essential free speech is, even if there is difference of opinion, which the left has only embraced as an opportunity for cancel culture. Any person that does not agree with the left’s narrative is immediately villainized and is found guilty of expressing their First Amendment rights. Their sentence is a lifetime of being “canceled” by the media and those around them. But the America we can expect under Trump will secure the protection of our rights and freedoms for every person of every race, gender and background.
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followed initial instructions, maybe officials would not have gone this far. Though the cameras may help them practice accountability, students can easily get mistaken for another person and be subjected to serious penalty. It would be easier to know what students attended parties by looking at social media than to check the cameras and risk wrongfully accusing someone. Those who gather without safety precautions must look at their priorities and be compassionate toward their classmates.
Give it a thought:
Vote for something, not against something
Chase Slenker Staff Columnist
With the upcoming election only 70 days away, Americans are left with an important choice to make: Who to vote for. We often ask people who they are voting for, but in today’s political climate, we should honestly be asking ourselves, “Who are we voting against?” By no means am I arguing that we should be asking ourselves this; however today’s electorate has transitioned from partisanship to negative partisanship. This is bad as negative partisanship is voting for a party out of sheer disdain and hatred of the other team rather than a shared sense of purpose. Negative partisanship is defined as voters forming their political opinions primarily in opposition to political parties they dislike. We saw this in the 2016 presidential election and are likely going to see it again this fall. Our president understands and has shaped his interaction with Congress around the concept that as long as the Republican base remains loyal to him, he is unlikely to face any serious challenge from House and Senate GOP members. Trump also understands that the best way to keep the support of his base is by attacking the Democrats. With recent elections being characterized by unprecedented straight ticket voting and party loyalty, politicians are
Where’s your voice? •
The cameras could enhance the overall security of the campus and the surrounding community. A camera could have been useful during last year’s homicide in an alley near Richard Avenue. If the cameras were installed for these types of safety measures, students may feel differently. While the cameras feel invasive, officials do have a point. Why are students unsafely gathering in the middle of a global pandemic? Some members of the student body are risking everything for a night of partying. If students would have
shifting more and more to negative partisanship. In 2016, people rarely voted for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, they voted against the other party. “I could never vote for Trump,” or “I do not trust Hillary so I guess that means I must vote for Trump,” were phrases commonly heard in 2016. The same mentality of “Never Trump” and “Anything but the Socialist Democrats,” are becoming cornerstones of this year’s election, but even worse than the last cycle. Not only does negative partisanship take out policy from the discussions of politics, but it also distracts from the actual problems that our political leaders are supposed to be solving. There is a long-term danger to our democratic system as well. In today’s environment, politicians need only incite fear and anger toward the opposing party to maintain their power, rather than seeking to inspire voters around a cohesive and forward-looking vision. In 2020 we must all vote for something, whatever it is: Climate change, tax reform, immigration control, defense spending, LGBTQ+ rights, etc. No candidate is perfect, and they all have flaws, but we must critically evaluate what they all are proposing. Policy over politics is the way we preserve our democracy and the integrity of our political system. You can dislike one candidate or a political party over another, but we should all want to vote for one person or party rather than just hate the “other guys.” The “other guys” are still Americans and we as Americans must figure out our problems: Negative partisanship being one of them. We are a nation of diversity, discourse and resilience. We can overcome the effects of negative partisanship. However, it begins with us
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Ship Life
SU Greek Life moves to virtual recruitment to sustain active membership and pride Chaela Williams
Asst. Ship Life Editor
With COVID-19 coronavirus concerns leading officials to enforce new social distancing and conduct rules, Shippensburg University’s Greek life chapters must find a new way to stay alive. Greek life members had a tough time dealing with the pandemic as the campus closed during the middle of spring recruitment last semester. “With human interaction being cut down, chapters have found ways to keep in contact and keep up with chapter’s needs,” Alpha Sigma Tau member Brooke Hopkins said. Hopkins said Zoom has provided a way for the sisters to remain connected. The Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council (IFC) came to the decision to have both Zoom and in-person meetings for fall recruitment in order to safely gain
new membership. Fall recruitment is considered “informal,” meaning undergraduate students may choose which sorority or fraternity event they want to attend. For many Greek life members, fall recruitment is considered “more relaxed” than the formal spring recruitment process. A major part of the recruitment process is connecting and bonding with the new recruits. Many Greek chapters fear that they will not be able to properly connect with potential new members because of online meetings and social distancing. Like other student groups, Greek life chapters must limit the number of members present during in-person meetings. “Since we have a much more limited time scale with the new members, we have all been focusing on how to have the best possible conversations and how to really get to know the potential new members before giving
Do you like ‘Pumpkin Spice’ flavor?
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
Both Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils are following COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in order to recruit new members into Greek chapters. out bids,” Panhellenic Council Recruitment Chair Emily Drennan said. The Panhellenic Council started its recruitment last Thursday by advertising on social media and providing a sign-up link in each chapter’s
Instagram bio. The sign-up survey will show the number of potential members who prefer online sessions or in-person meetings and events. The responses will help chapter officials to plan recruitment events for the
fall. “We understand that this decision will not come easy to many,” IFC officials said in a statement.
Morgan Barr/The Slate
The SU International Studies Club displays its table at the fall 2020 SIS fair. Asst. Ship Life Editor
For some, getting involved on campus seemed impossible this semester, but despite all the trials 2020 has brought, the annual Student Involvement Services (SIS) fair was still able to be
held. On Thursday, clubs from across campus gathered on Cumberland Drive between the Ceddia Union Building (CUB) and Reisner Dining Hall to display what they have to offer students. Shippensburg offers more than 150 clubs and organizations
for students to join. The SIS fair provides the opportunity for students to explore clubs such as Greek Life, professional societies, student media and intramural or club sports. Each club was permitted one table and one representative to stand at the table to
talk to potential new members. Masking was enforced for attendees and club representatives. While social distancing was encouraged, it was visibly not enforced at the SIS fair. Students crowded around tables and traveled in clumps throughout the street. Videos circulated on social media of large crowds of people at the SIS fair. Some club members bounced between multiple tables. Senior Olivia Sommers said, “I am president of both the Cycling Club and the Women Business Leaders Club, which were both tabling at the SIS fair this year.” Clubs were allowed to decorate their tables to showcase their clubs and what they do across campus. Many organizations had trifolds of information for potential members to look at. Some Greek organizations displayed large wooden letters, composites and decorative paddles to draw the attention
Sydney Mesaros, freshman “I do! I work in a local bakery in Mechanicburg and I made a pumpkin spice latte cupcake.”
Read the full story at theslateonline.com.
SIS Fair aims to get students involved despite the pandemic conditions
Morgan Barr
Question of the Week:
of attendees. The Cycling Club brought bicycles and spoke to interested students about their program. “The SIS fair is a great way to interact with freshmen and transfer students looking to get involved but may not know how,” said Sommers. “It allows a student to see all Ship has to offer in person rather than just looking at a list of organizations online.” SU offers students the opportunity to create and establish their own clubs or organizations. Only one semester after being officially recognized as a fraternity on campus, Theta Chi received the 2019-20 Chapter of the Year award through the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. For students that missed the SIS fair, getting involved on campus is still possible. Many clubs display their recruitment opportunities on flyers around campus, or can be found on SU’s website.
APB hosts semester’s first Bingo Night
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
The Activities Program Board held its annual first bingo night of the semester on Aug. 29. Students won mulitple prizes throughout the night.
Nyasia Tyuman, freshman “ I really love the taste of pumpkin spice, it tastes so good!”
Destinee Kendall, freshman “I like the pumpkin spice flavor in my coffee but only in iced coffee.”
Norah Vallon, freshman “Pumpkin spice is a classic fall drink that never goes out of style.”
Rayden Jones, freshman “I like pumpkin spice in my hot chocolate put not in my coffee. I’m not really crazy about it.”
SHIP LIFE
September 1, 2020
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Students find spiritual support in ‘Faith Pods’ during turbulent times Julianna Vaughan Staff Writer
During times of uncertainty, many people often cling to religion as a way to guide them through their troubles. As we move into our third week on campus, there is still plenty of uncertainty and unrest as students try to adjust to the new normal and face the tragedies that seem to be non-stop in society. The Shippensburg University community feels a lack of balance and stability right now, but many college students would not necessarily think to turn to religion to help them through this time. It could be because of poor
experiences with religion in the past or the vulnerability that coming to a new church might bring. One campus organization seeks to guide students to the faith now more than ever. The United Campus Ministry (UCM) welcomes all SU students, regardless of culture, sexual orientation or gender identity. UCM openly rejects the “hate and division” spewed by those “in the name of Jesus.” Due to social restrictions in place to comply with COVID-19 coronavirus regulations, the UCM created “Faith Pods” as a way for students to connect while ex-
ploring their faith and seeking support and fellowship in a safe and inclusive environment. Each pod allows up to four students to meet social distancing guidelines when gathering in person. The group will also implement Zoom sessions. Each pod will focus on different themes, such as Bible studies, social issues, making friends and covenant support, according to the group’s website. Faith Pods will begin after Sept. 7 and run until the end of the semester. For additional information, contact the Rev. Jan Bye through UCM’s CampusGroups page.
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
“Faith Pods” will help SU students deal with uncertainty of COVID-19 coronavirus.
Top 10 things to add to your autumn bucket list Chaela Williams
Asst. Ship Life Editor
Carmine Scicchitano/The Slate
Students paint pumpkins at a 2019 fall Activities Program Board (APB) event.
Autumn is coming, bringing cool weather, pumpkins, bonfires and Halloween. It might be hard to get into the fall spirit this year but make the most of it with these top 10 ideas to incorporate into your fall bucket list. 1. Apple picking What a perfect way to spend a sweater-weather day in an apple orchard. Take a friend to Boyer Nurseries & Orchards in Biglerville and pick a basket worth of apples. 2. Sunflower photo op Do you ever get jealous over seeing your friends post dozens of amazing sunflower photos? This year take a trip to Meadowbrooke Gourds in Carlisle and take photos in the sunflower fields to spruce up your social media feed. 3. Visit local markets During the fall season, fruit and vegetable harvest is at its peak. Shopping at farmer’s markets helps support your local farmers and bring fresh, locally grown foods into your kitchen. Stop by Maplewood Farm Market in Shippensburg or Farmers on the Square in Carlisle every
Wednesday to pick up some fresh goods. 4. Go to a pumpkin patch or corn maze Going pumpkin picking is a fall must. Take your friends to Paulus Farm Market in Mechanicsburg to enjoy a wonderful hayride to the farm’s large pumpkin patch and corn maze. 5. Harry Potter marathon There is nothing better than snuggling around the TV with big blankets and butterbeer while watching all eight Harry Potter movies. Plan a marathon with friends or by yourself and feel the magic of fall and the Wizarding World. 6. Bake fall goods With all the apple picking and pumpkin harvesting you’re going to have some leftovers. Try baking some apple pies or other fall treats like pumpkin tarts, caramel apples and pumpkin bread. Don’t be afraid to whip up something delicious in the kitchen. 7. Go canoeing or kayaking Embrace the fall weather and trees while you kayak or canoe down the Susquehan-
na River or your local creek. According to Better Health, canoeing and kayaking improves cardiovascular fitness so you can maintain your physical health even when the season gets colder. 8. DIY fall décor Get into the autumn spirit by decorating your dorm room or apartment with DIY fall decorations. Get in touch with your creative side and find some ideas on Pinterest or if you are not the creative type, find a day to go décor shopping. 9. Host a bonfire Roasting marshmallows over an open fire while wearing cozy flannels and a vest is the perfect way to spend an autumn evening. The semester starts to pick up in the fall and an easy way to wind down is to plan a bonfire party with close friends. But remember to observe social distancing guidelines. 10. Buy fall clothes Do you need more sweaters and comfy clothes? Take a day out of your busy schedule and take a trip to the mall (or go online) and shop for more fall clothing. If you are on a tight budget go thrifting instead.
Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Ingredients: -1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour -¼ cup white sugar -2 teaspoons baking powder -½ teaspoon ground cinnamon -¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg -1 cup milk -½ cup pumpkin puree -1 egg, beaten -1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions: 1. Combine flour, sugar, nutmeg, baking powder and cinnamon in a bowl 2. Whisk pumpkin, egg, milk and oil together in a bowl. Combine with dry mixture and stir. Batter should be slightly lumpy. 3. Heat griddle or pan to medium heat 4. Using a ¼ measuring cup, drop the batter onto the griddle and cook. Flip pancakes once edges are firm. Repeat with the entire mixture. Enjoy! Photo and recipe courtesy of Morgan Barr
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020
A&E
File photo/The Slate
The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center has held numerous acts including: “Rent: The Musical,” Celtic Woman and the SU Concert Band.
Commentary: How the COVID-19 coronavirus is changing the arts & entertainment industry Robyn Klawitter Staff Writer
As we all know by now, the COVID-19 coronavirus has caused many things to come to a complete halt in our personal lives. Throughout quarantine, many people have worked from home, participated in online school and learned how to continue living their lives from their homes. The arts and entertainment industry has been affected the most during the pandemic. People in this industry earn their living off live concerts, recording albums, selling art in gallery shows, on-stage performances in musicals and plays, and working on sets to produce the TV shows and movies that got us all through quarantine. I interviewed two local musicians and a local visual art student to discuss with them how the coronavirus has changed the industry and the obstacles they’ve personally experienced throughout this time. When I spoke with Madison Ryan, a local musician from Harrisburg, she explained to me that not only are musicians having a difficult time because they are unable to play live shows, but they are also running into
difficulty recording and even rehearsing because of having to socially distance. Ryan shared that she and her band have been using Zoom to rehearse. While this may seem upsetting, Ryan said she has found a new love of writing music for other artists. Sean Cawley, bassist for the band Youthfool, which combines indie rock with styles from the 1980s, shared his perspective. While it has been difficult, both his band and other musicians he collaborates with have been recording together during this time but doing everything piece-by-piece and editing it together from home. Heather Roach, an art student at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, shared that the most difficult part of this situation for her is not being able to be in her school’s art studio with her other classmates. Art is a very collaborative learning environment, so not having that has made it difficult for all of these artists to learn from each other’s creative process. However, Roach has found that it is easier to make art that is relatable to everyone because everyone is going through this time of isolation together. While it has been a chal-
lenge, the arts and entertainment industry has had to quickly adapt and evolve in order to survive, and everyone is finding unique ways to do so, like how some musicians have been holding drive-in concerts as a way to still play live shows and maintain social distancing. There have recently been multiple examples of how people in the industry are using technology as a way to get their work out. For example, multiple Broadway musicals have recently released recordings of their productions through streaming services like BroadwayHD and most notably, the release of “Hamilton” on Disney+, which originally was not supposed to be released until the show had finished its run on Broadway. While these unprecedented times have created a lot of uncertainty in the entertainment industry, these artists and creators are resilient and determined to get their work out. The Coronavirus definitely has not made it easy to share their art, but as days pass, they are finding creative ways to get around the challenges they are facing. Now it is up to us, their audience, to continue to support them even if we can’t do it in person.
‘Black Panther’ dead at 43 Ryan Cleary A&E Editor
Chadwick Boseman, known for his character as “Black Panther” in the Marvel cinematic universe, has passed away. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago. He passed away with his wife and his family by his side. Boseman, a graduate of Howard University in 2013, played black icons like James Brown and Jackie Robinson. Boseman then went on to take the role as Black Panther for movies
like “Avenger Infinity War,” “Black Panther,” “Captain America, Civil War” and “Avengers Endgame.” “A true fighter, Chadwick persevere through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” Boseman’s family said in a statement “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.” Countless fans are posting tributes on social media sites using the hashtags #WakandaForever and #42. He will be greatly missed.
Billboard Top 10 1. WAP -Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
6. 7 Summers - Morgan Wallen
2. Laugh Now Cry Later - Drake feat. Lil Durk
7. Watermelon Sugar -Harry Styles
3. Rockstar - DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
8. Roses - SAINt JHN
4. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
9. Savage Love (Laxed- Seirn Beat) - Jawsh 685
5. Whats Poppin - Jack Harlow feat. DaBaby
10. I Hope - Gabby Barrett
Editor’s Corner What has A&E editor Ryan been listening to the past week?
Songs
Artists Queen
1. Hammer to Fall
Fleetwood Mac
2.The Chain 3. The Night Begins to Shine
B.E.R Snarky Puppy
4. Tio Macaco
Cody Fry, Cory Wong & Dynamo
5. Want Me Back 6. Won’t Get Fooled Again
The Who
Artists and Musicians: How has COVID-19 impacted you?
Photo Courtesy of Facebook @Marvel Boseman as the Black Panther.
Photo courtesy of Facebook @42Movie Chadwhick Boseman steps up to the plate as famous baseball icon Jackie Robinson in the movie “42.”
Email slateae@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the Arts and Entertainment section!
A&E
D2
September 1, 2020
Leah’s Music Predictions: FINNEAS Leah Fuoco
Guest Contibutor
Hello everyone. It’s been a while since my last prediction, but this one is important. “FINNEAS!” If you haven’t heard of him or listened to him yet, I’m begging you to go to your Spotify, or wherever you stream music, and blast it. OK, on a more serious note, “FINNEAS,” also known as Finneas Baird O’Connell, is the older brother of American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. In my opinion, I think his stuff is way better than his sister’s but I’ll leave that up to you to decide. FINNEAS mainly used to write and produce for his sister but eventually decided to write, record and produce songs of his own. I discovered FINNEAS when I was listening to WSYC adviser Ted Carlin’s radio show “Alt Friday” last fall. The first song I ever heard by him was “I Lost a Friend.” It was one of those songs I played on repeat for months. It really resonated with me and some personal things I was going through. The 23-year-old pop singer released his latest album “Blood Harmony” in October 2019 but had already kickstarted his career back in 2016 with his single, “New Girl.” Flash forward to August 2020, he has now re-released “Blood Harmony” (Deluxe). The
album has a mixed vibe to it. The smooth tone of his voice, impactful lyrics and its electronic beats make up an amazing album. I personally love the use of the keyboard and synthesizer in some of his songs. You can listen to it and go through every emotion. If you want to feel sad, I’d say listen to “I Lost a Friend.” However, if you’re looking to fall in love, I’d say listen to “Shelter.” Other honorable mentions on the album are “Partners in Crime,” “Die Alone” and “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night.” FINNEAS’ creativity doesn’t stop at the music though. If you check out his music videos, you’ll see just how creative and imaginative he can be. My prediction is that this is only the beginning for FINNEAS. Whether it is writing more songs for his sister, or creating a new album (fingers crossed), I believe he is going to be an even bigger force to be reckoned with in 2021. FINNEAS also has a great presence on social media and he recently released a new line of merchandise. I see big and greater things for FINNEAS in the near future. I’m really hoping that within the next few years, when concerts start to happen again, that FINNEAS goes on tour and I can see him live. Interested in listening to my music predictions? Follow me on Spotify (@leah_f17) and listen to my music predictions playlist.
Review: The ‘Harry Potter’ franchise from the eyes of someone who never wanted to watch the movies Hannah Pollock Editor-in-Chief
I somehow managed to make it to age 21 without ever sitting through an entire “Harry Potter” movie. A 10-year-old version of Hannah attempted to read the series; I read Book 1 and part of the second book during one summer but was not intrigued enough to continue. This book and film franchise consumed my peers (and the world) during my adolescence, although I never understood why. My mom would watch a movie or two when ABC Family would show the entire franchise backto-back over a weekend, but I never made it more than 15 minutes. Now as a young adult, my boyfriend is forcing me to watch all of the movies. He is arguably a Harry Potter nerd, but not to the extent that he’s wearing a cape and waving around a wand. So far, we have watched all the movies through “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” I enjoyed the charms of the first couple movies where the exposition focused on Harry returning to Hogwarts from his awful Uncle’s home. This may be a very muggle thing to say, but where is Child Protective Services? And why does Dumbledore and Hagrid send Harry back to these people when they quite obviously do not care for the boy? Anyway, I liked the consistency of the movies starting out with the trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione reuniting on the journey back to school. This disappeared as directors changed and the franchise developed. As a newspaper gal, I love The Daily Proph-
et, the wizarding newspaper. It is this aspect and the other little touches the directors put into the movies that make them unique and entertaining to the audience. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, is my favorite of the franchise so far. The storyline and action were excellent compared to the other movies. As someone who is not obsessed with wizardry, I rely on the other story elements to keep my attention. The cinematography and special effects were also much better. Spoiler alert ( is a spoiler alert really necessary 11 years after it happened?): After Dumbledore’s death at the end of the sixth movie, I am curious to see how the movies continue. Yes, the movies are about Harry and his fight against “He who must not be named,” but Dumbledore was incredibly involved in the plot — even when the audience did not always see. The worst movie by far is “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” This movie’s plot seemed to drag, and the action never really came. The lack of action and the whiny “Moaning Myrtle” deterred my interest away from the movie. We have the final two installments of the series to watch — which my boyfriend vehemently says, “are not Harry Potter movies.” This is not encouraging, and I will be disappointed if these movies do not live up to the ones we’ve watched. I would say I will not watch the last two, but I am in too deep now. And maybe I will like them, (a little)? My advice to those who are being forced by their friends to watch this franchise: Make sure you have lots of snacks and agree to watch one movie at a time.
Image courtesy of Facebook @LuciferNetflix
Tom Ellis, who is the main character in Netflix’s “ Lucifer” stands on a balcony overlooking a made up version of Los Angeles in Season 5 Episode 1.
Commentary: Netflix’s ‘Lucifer’ Season 5 Part 1 preps fans for one heck of a ride Ryan Cleary A&E Editor
The anticipation is finally over for “Lucifer” fans as Season 5 of the popular show was just released this past Friday. I started watching “Lucifer” back in 2018. I was behind, of course, considering Season 1 started streaming on Netflix back in 2016. I started watching from Season 3, since my friend was on that season. From that point forward, I started binge watching the series on my own time, starting from the very beginning. Tom Ellis, who portrays Lucifer Morningstar, ultimately takes a vacation from his job in hell. He visits the city of angels, Los Angeles, and meets detective Chloe Decker, played by Lauren German. I found it ironic that Lucifer visits the city of angels, considering he was originally an angel in heaven until his father banished him into the fiery pits of Hell. Throughout the first season, Morningstar runs into secondary characters like detective Dan Espinoza (Kevin Alejandro), Linda Martin (Rachael Harris) and Ella Lopez (Aimee Garcia). Also, during the first season, other characters that are related to Morningstar come down from heaven or hell to try and convince Lucifer to go back to his job. Those roles consist of Amenadiel, played by D.B. Woodside, and Mazikeen, potrayed by Lesley-Ann Brandt. In Season 2, we are introduced to more insane plot twists and characters. I will not go into detail, since I do want to spoil who comes in Season 2. My overall reaction when starting to binge watch “Lucifer” was that, in the beginning, it was difficult to get into since it seemed like the same plot from the previous episodes I had already watched. However, every episode actually adds more of a twist to the story line. The popular TV show is known for playing with your mind and forcing you to keep track
of two separate plots happening at the same time. The internal and external plot. The internal plot would be Lucifer and his family’s problems and his disconnection to his family. Lucifer is upset that his father banished him into hell, therefore Lucifer is not the happiest whenever Amenadiel or Mazikeen try and convince him to go back to hell. The external plot is of him and the society of Los Angeles. Lucifer goes on to own the nightclub “Lux” and holds a record-breaking amount of parties. While holding these parties, he starts to form a relationship with detective Decker and his powers start to wear off whenever he is around her. Overall, I really enjoy this series. I’ve only seen the first episode of Season 5, since I am busy with school and such, but I’m excited to find some time to continue with the season. While it has yet to win any awards, it has been nominated 10 times for numerous categories including best fantasy television series for the Saturn award. I hope that in the future, the series will win well-deserved awards and continue to make more episodes. “Lucifer” is currently approved for a season renewal. Discussions about a seventh season have not been released yet. “Lucifer” is currently streaming on Netflix.
Trending on Netflix now: 1. “Cobra Kai” 2. “Lucifer” 3. “I Am A Killer Released” 4. “Million Dollar Beach House” 5. “The Frozen Ground”
What has The Slate staff been watching? We asked staff members what TV shows they have been watching
Interested in wrting for the A&E section? Asst. Ship Life Editor Morgan Barr is watching “Jeffery Epstein: Filthy Rich” and “Criminal Minds” on Netflix.
Asst. Ship Life Editor Chaela Williams is watching “Selling Sunset” on Netflix.
Email slateae@gmail.com
Editor-in-Chief Hannah Pollock is watching “Selling Sunset” on Netflix and the NHL playoffs.
Copy Editor Jacqui Cavalere is watching “Lucifer” and “The Umbrella Academy” on Netflix.
Opinion Columnist Chase Slenker is watching “Hamilton” on Disney Plus.
News Editor Noel Miller is watching “Haikyuu” and “Parks and Recreation” on Netflix.
To be featured in the newspaper! No experience needed!
Asst. PR Director Paige Shope is watching “Criminal Minds” on Netflix.
Asst. Sports Editor Christian Eby is watching the NBA playoffs.
E1
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Sports
Basketball, E1
Volleyball, E1
SU’s Gabriella Johnson PSAC’s nominee for 2020 NCAA Female of the Year Award Christian Eby
Asst. Sports Editor
Former Shippensburg University twosport athlete, Gabriella Johnson is the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s (PSAC) nominee for the 2020 NCAA Female of the Year Award. Johnson is one of 161 women across the United States up for the nomination and is just one of 39 NCAA Division II athletes officials announced. In her four-year tenure at SU, Johnson flourished in both swimming and volleyball. However, swimming was Johnson’s calling as she holds two school records in the 200 and 400 medley relays and boasts the second-best times in school history for the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. Additionally, she is a two-time PSAC champion, nine-time PSAC place-winner and six-time All-PSAC award winner in individual competition. Her PSAC relay awards are just as impressive as she is a 10-time PSAC place-winner and a four-time All-PSAC award winner. When it comes to volleyball, Johnson was a reliable six-rotation player. Over her career, Johnson compiled a noteworthy statline which includes 1,570 digs, 1,139 kills and 1,363.5 points. Johnson’s 195 career blocks also cemented her as a defensive staple for the Raiders. Despite the bevy of awards and jaw-dropping career numbers, Johnson said she is surprised and honored to be nominated. “It means a lot to me that not only the administration at Shippensburg thinks I am worthy of this award, but the PSAC staff as
Photo courtesy of Bill Smith/ SU Sports Info.
Johnson holds multiple school records in the pool and was a key member on the volleyball team in her SU career. well,” said Johnson. “I am amongst many other great student athletes and am honored to represent Shippensburg and the entire conference.” While Johnson credits her hard work ethic and dedication to much of her success, she said that the people that surrounded her at SU played a major role in shaping her exceptional career. “I could not have done it without my teammates, staff, and coaches throughout the years,” she said. “I am truly grateful for
all that they have done and owe a lot of my success to them.” In the end, Johnson said she misses being a student athlete but has a lot of memories she can hold on to for years to come. She also said that she will miss the tight-knit community that SU has to offer the most. “What I miss the most about Ship is the family atmosphere that it provides,” Johnson said. “Everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed and works hard to create the best environment possible.”
The next step in Johnson’s path to the NCAA Woman of the Year Award is all conference-level nominees will be forwarded to Woman of the Year committee, according to ncaa.org. From there, the selection committee will choose the Top 10 honorees from each division, which will eventually be slimmed down to three selections, leaving nine total finalists. The recipient of the award will be decided this fall, with an exact date to be announced in the coming days.
Sleva set for third season with Paris
Photos courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.
Former Shippensburg forward Dustin Sleva is a steady pro player in France’s second division. Sleva averages 9.2 points and 3.5 rebounds off the bench. Christian Eby
Asst. Sports Editor
Former Shippensburg University forward, Dustin Sleva cemented his name in the SU record books and is now entering his third season of what looks to be a promising career in professional basketball overseas. The 2018 SU graduate is set to begin his third season as a member of Paris Basketball in France’s second division, Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B, within the next few weeks. In his tenure as a Raider, Sleva was a force to be reckoned with. His monumental four-year career consisted of various accomplishments, including becoming SU’s all-time leading scorer (2,071 points) and rebounder (1,140 rebounds). Additionally, he is only one of four players in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) history to total 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. Sleva’s transition from college to pro ball has been a smooth one. While he is not totaling the same numbers as he did at SU, Sleva has been a reliable option off the bench for Paris. He has started in 18 of his 49 games played. Sleva ultimately credits his smooth transition to his playing days at SU. He said Coach Chris Fite’s game plan is similar to that of a European team. “Since Coach Fite played overseas for close to 10 years, I feel his experiences over there transitioned to his coaching
Sleva is Shippensburg’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder sitting at 2,071 points and 1,140 rebounds. Sleva was also a two-time First Team All-PSAC East player and was the 2016-17 PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Year.
style and I think that has really helped me,” Sleva said. “European style basketball is more team play than individual play and since we ran that at Ship, I already had some prior experience with it.” Through his two-year professional career thus far, Sleva is averaging 9.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. On top of that, his .497 shooting percentage and his .405 three-point percentage have made him a valuable scoring option. Despite his dynamic offensive capabilities, Sleva noted there are areas in which he is looking to improve on going into this season. His main area of focus is to remain healthy. He played all last season on an injured ankle. In addition to his health concerns, Sleva said he is looking to improve on his defensive presence. Sleva has always been known for being dominant on the boards; however, he is searching to have a stronger defensive mentality. His improvements paid off as he earned defensive-team honors in the Pro-Am this summer. With few struggles on the court, Sleva said the move from Pennsylvania to Paris has been the toughest part of his time overseas, but not for the reasons you may think. Sleva credits himself for being an outgoing person, so getting acclimated with the French culture has not been an issue. However, living alone in a different country caused simple tasks to become major headaches.
Sleva recalls tasks such as getting WIFI, setting up bank accounts, and signing up for his mail service, to be daunting and confusing. He is grateful that he had teammates who were familiar with those items. “I’m doing better now since I’ve been here for a while, but at first, things were really difficult,” he noted. “Since I didn’t know the language well, I had to ask my teammates for help, and I honestly felt bad doing that. That’s stuff you want to be able to do on your own.” With his third season just weeks away, Sleva said he is eager to be back out on the court with his teammates, especially with COVID-19 coronavirus cutting last season short. Paris was only able to compete in 15 games. Sleva said he saw the cancellation coming before it was announced. “After seeing Italy go on lockdown, I knew we were next,” he said. “I kept telling my teammates it was going to happen and sure enough, it did.” As of right now, Sleva said the league will be back to its normal routine for the most part. A decision on fan attendance has yet to be determined. Either way, Sleva said he is prepared for anything. “Whether it be no fans, some fans, or all fans, I’m ready to go,” he said. Sleva kicks off his season with Paris on Sept. 15 and will look to build-off his already impressive young career.