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PAGE 2 NEWS Wednesday, December 8, 2021 Puerto Rico service trip to be held in 2022
By Laren Reesman Staff writer
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Mercyhurst will host a service trip to Puerto Rico this Spring with Techos Pa ‘Mi Gente, or “Roofs for My People,” an organization similar to Habitat for Humanity.
The trip will last 10 days from May 18-28 in the Spring semester and can count toward the Beyond the Gates requirement.
Sherez Mohamad, Ph.D., began planning this trip at the conclusion of her first year at Mercyhurst last spring into summer.
She feels passionate about providing the world, especially those in poverty, with “decent, clean, affordable housing” and is eager to regenerate the study abroad programs as they were pre-pandemic.
Non-profit Techos Pa ‘Mi Gente seeks to provide “the construction of decent roofs and housing rehabilitation in communities affected by natural disasters.”
They also offer basic training on house repair techniques and other skills to promote resilience.
Techos Pa ‘Mi Gente reflects the core values of Mercyhurst, working in solidarity, empathy, transparency, volunteer care and diversity.
The group offers six main areas of service—ceiling evaluations, roof reconstruction, housing rehabilitation, construction workshops, security workshops and roof-disaster relief referrals.
“The trips can provide students with a new form of community through the memorable experiences of living, traveling, serving, learning and eating together with a team sharing a common purpose,” said Colin Hurley, executive director of Community Engagement.
Students going on this trip will have a wide range of experiences with different house projects.
Mohamad thinks the physical work and emotional satisfaction will be life-changing for participants because they will have their eyes opened to issues rarely seen in the United States.
She claims we can never fully understand what other people experience as long as we “stay in our own bubble.”
Those with a genuine interest in helping others in need without anything in return, Mohamad said, “can be hard to find sometimes.”
Mohamad also encourages students to gain international service experience if they already participated in domestic service.
She said the way both experiences impact and the type of impact they have are different internationally versus domestically.
“Helping locally brings attention to local matters that you may have been unaware of,” said Mohamad, “but an international service trip raises concerns on a global scale.”
Mohamad stresses that both experiences are “very impactful and beneficial.” They can also show the similarity of issues both local and international societies face.
Cross-cultural connections through service is essential to also teaching students “diverse perspectives and the complexities of the relationship between U.S. and Puerto Rico,” said Mohamad.
For anyone seeking an opportunity to make a difference in the world and start the summer with a life-changing experience, a service trip to Puerto Rico might be the route to take.
Sign-ups closed on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m., and Mohamed is looking forward to the trip.
The Sisters of Mercy and their global orientation should encourage Mercyhurst students and faculty to participate in more service projects like these that aim to bring cultures, communities, and kindness together.
Students are truly the pillar of these opportunities; they have the capacity to make Mercyhurst known for its service on both a domestic and international scale.
Hurley said, “while at first the university team members attending an international or domestic trip may believe they are attending to give some sort of tangible help to another individual, group or community, what we often find is there is a richness in the community and an intangible benefit received that helps to reshape how someone sees and defines poverty, for example.”
This Puerto Rico trip may be a discerning moment for Mercyhurst’s future in service abroad in addition to the established involvement it already has in the Erie community.
Sociology students present on stopping modern-day slavery
By Nadine Fox Staff writer
On Dec. 7 in the Mercy Heritage Room from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., 30 of our Mercyhurst students presented their research from this semester and an advertising campaign on human trafficking. These students are currently taking the Human Trafficking 350 course taught in the Applied Sociology and Social Work Department.
For the presentations, the class was split into six groups and the time was divided into six presentations.
Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world that affects millions of people. Research and studies indicate that human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry. No country is exempt, nor does one’s geographical location or environment eliminate the risk of victimization.
Students in the course taught by Nicole John-Danzell, Ph.D., are exploring human trafficking within the broader globalization context.
“My passion for exposing students to this course is to offer them tools to better understand the complexity of this problem, to see it more than a course and the salience context in reducing human trafficking occurrences around the world,” said John-Danzell.
They are learning not only how
Students presenting their final projects about human trafficking around the world.
Contributed photo
widespread modern-day slavery is, but also how we are exposed to the nuances in experiences of all forms of slave-like practices, theoretical frameworks that explain why this crime persists and the role of various social actors in addressing this growing problem among other topics.
“Students are often shocked to learn about the pervasiveness of Trafficking in Person (TIP), that it happens in their own back yards and how much more complex this crime is than they originally thought,” said John-Danzell. This year, John-Danzell’s students presented their human trafficking awareness posters along with an ad campaign called “STOP MDS—Stop Modern-Day Slavery.”
They event was open to everyone from the Mercyhurst community to attend, and even included visits from Erie News Now and high schoolers from Mercyhurst Prep.
Each of six groups presented research on a selected region of interest, such as Asia, Latin America, the U.S., Europe and Africa, analyzing the problem of human trafficking globally to raise awareness on the issue.
The posters the class created take on a comprehensive lens covering elements such as the larger historical, socio-political and economic context in which human trafficking is conducted, condoned and facilitated; theoretical explanations why actors participate human trafficking; notable forms of trafficking within their regions and consequences; exploration of the justice system particularly prosecutorial practices, trafficking rings and perpetrators in that region; the audience would be informed on micro and macro initiatives and recommendations from governments, in general, and the FBI in particular, as well as non-governmental organizations, private sector/companies, individuals, and social movements aimed at mitigating the problem of human trafficking.
“I hope my course and students’ presentations bring heightened visibility to the problem of human trafficking, the role consumers and consumer culture play in human trafficking, such as consumption of seafood products, chocolate and the plethora of everyday products that is tainted by the hands of trafficked victims via the production and supply chains,” said John-Danzell.
If you missed the presentations, but still want to see the work the students did, you can check out the Mercyhurst Social Work Instagram page and check out their post for the event.
Alpha Phi Sigma hosts holiday food drive
By Vydalia Weatherly Contributing writer
Mercyhurst’s chapter of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma (APS), is hosting a donation drive this holiday season.
The donation drive began on Nov. 11 and will continue to run through Dec. 16.
This is the first year Alpha Phi Sigma has done a donation drive.
When the current president of Alpha Phi Sigma, Katherine Leonard, a senior with a major in criminal justice and a minor in the psychology of crime and justice in the 4+1 program, was asked why it was important for APS to finally do a donation drive, she said, “Alpha Phi Sigma has been working for the last two years to create more of an active presence on campus and in the community. We have emphasized the importance of giving back to others and helping those in our community.”
For the donation drive, Alpha Phi Sigma is partnering with the Erie City Mission.
Adam Saeler, Ph.D., who is a professor in the criminal justice department and serves as the faculty advisor for Alpha Phi Sigma said, “The Erie City Mission is a local non-profit that supports residents of Erie that are in need. The ECM provides free public meals, ministry to men, women, and children, and a clothing thrift shop among other support services. The ECM is always looking for food or clothing donations to support their efforts”.
There are hopes that Alpha Phi Sigma will work with the Erie City Mission on future donation drives after this partnership.
“This is the first year that APS has partnered with the ECM, but as the faculty advisor of APS, I would like to see the relationship continue with an annual donation drive either around the holidays or even during months when donations may be down slightly,” said Saeler.
Leonard reflects on how ser-
Katherine Leonard
vice has affected her, “After working within my community over the summer, I realized how grateful and impactful a donation drive could be for people. The facility I worked at over the summer was always so grateful and excited to receive donations from other community members. When I pitched the idea to the other officers and the club members, they agreed that it would be a great new service idea for our club and provide a way for us to interact with the community more.”
While Alpha Phi Sigma does not have a donation goal in mind, the drive appears to be off to a great start.
“After speaking with Dr. Saeler, we have had a great turnout so far! We have filled about two boxes with items to donate and are continuing to advertise and spread the word about what we are doing” said Leonard.
The donation drive will be going on for a few more weeks.
“APS is collecting rice, pasta, toilet paper, napkins, plastic cutlery, pop tarts, granola bars, cereal, mac and cheese and really any other items that have a long shelf life. Any donation at all helps out,” said Saeler.
All donations can be taken to the drop-off box in front of Dr. Saeler’s office in Preston 120 now until Dec. 16.
“We all agreed that the holiday season is a great time to give back and is the time of year that everyone can use a little extra help. Hopefully, the holiday donation drive can become an annual event for APS to sponsor and donate to different organizations throughout Erie each year,” said Leonard.
If any student or faculty member has any questions about Alpha Phi Sigma’s donation drive, can email Dr. Saeler at asaeler@mercyhurst.edu.
Merciad IN A MINUTE
Bookstore Christmas sale
From now until Dec. 17, the Mercyhurst bookstore will hold its annual Christmas sale.
Everything in the bookstore is 20% off during the sale. For Mercyhurst employees, it is 30% off.
Items are selling fast, so be sure to check out the bookstore sale before school lets out for the holidays!
Immaculate Conception
Mass took place earlier today at 8 a.m. in Christ the King Chapel for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
This is considered a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics.
If you missed the mass earlier but would like to attend, there will be another mass held at 7 p.m. in Christ the King Chapel.
Ice skating on Sunday
On Dec. 12, Mercyhurst men’s hockey will host Miami University (OH) at 3:05 p.m.
After the game, fans will be invited to skate with the hockey team and Santa! Fans will also be able to get autographs and pictures with the players.
Skates are limited. Tickets can be purchased online or the day of.
MU Christmas cards available
Mercyhurst’s Office of Marketing and Brand Management has a limited amount of blank Mercyhurst Christmas cards for the use of any department who needs or wants one.
To get a card, drop by Old Main 204 or email Kristian Biega at kbiega@ mercyhurst.edu.
This is a first come, first served operation, so get yours as soon as possible.
By Vydalia Weatherly Contributing writer
Winter break is only a few days away. When you are packing up your suitcases to return to campus after winter break, consider spending extra time looking through your closets. Mercyhurst’s Professional Clothing Closet is in need of donation items. The Professional Clothing Closet, located in Preston 121, works to provide Mercyhurst students in need with professional business attire.
Students have the opportunity to take one full outfit from the closet, completely free of charge. When students take an outfit from the Professional Clothing Closet, they are not obligated to return the outfit to the closet. However, the Professional Clothing Closet does rely on generous donations from students and faculty members.
Inside the Professional Clothing Closet, Mercyhurst students can find men’s business attire. Female, male and non-binary students can browse the Professional Clothing Closet every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, students unable to make it on Wednesday can also browse every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am to 2 p.m.
However, for several years, the university has partnered with Mercy Center for Women’s Dress for Success program, also known as DFS. At zero cost, females and non-binary students will be able to be provided access to business attire.
The Professional Clothing
Closet accepts new and gently used business professional clothing items. The Professional Clothing Closet is currently in need of male and non-binary business attire. This includes, but is not limited to shoes, suits and ties. Items can be dropped off every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Preston 121.
The lists of benefits for students who wear professional business attire is long. When interviewers meet with a job applicant, they are not only looking at the applicant’s resume.
According to NBC News “Professional presence at work: appropriate clothes, first impressions and more,” said executive
coach, Liz Bentley.
“As the competition in the workplace rises, standing out and looking like you know what you’re doing is more critical than ever. Often it starts with a first impression when you walk in the door. Your appearance, grooming, and even etiquette are game-changer,” said Bentley.
How one dresses also impacts their confidence levels. According to the LinkedIn “10 Reasons to Dress for Success” by Gerard Devine, owner of Different Class Menswear “your self-perception has a great impact on how others perceive you. When we feel good on the outside, we are more likely to feel good on the inside, which boosts our attitudes and self-confidence leading us to trying our best which in turns brings results.”
Productivity levels have been proven to be higher in work settings that require professional business attire.
“It’s easy to become comfortable wearing sport trousers and a t-shirt, however, once you are in your comfort zone that is when you’re the laziest. But when you are dressed to impress, you look well, feel good and you’ll be more motivated to get things done and in turn be more productive. If there’s a big day ahead of you then why not dress sharply, you won’t be able to help yourself from getting out and showing off,” said Devine.
Any students seeking more information on the Professional Clothing Closet or wishing to book an appointment outside of walk-in hours can email Maria Garase, Ph.D. at mgarase@mercyhurst.edu.
Travel restrictions return in America
By Bella Lee Staff writer
It has officially been two years since the existence of COVID-19 was first noted.
The world is far from defeating this virus, with nearly 265 million cases and over 5 million deaths worldwide as of this writing.
Unfortunately, a pandemic would not be a pandemic without yet another variant, which is what we are facing right now.
The Delta variant was first detected in India in late 2020 and named in May 2021. The Lambda variant was first detected in Peru in August 2020 and named in June 2021.
Now we are faced with the Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa and, like the others, spreading like wildfire.
The main concern with the Omicron variant is that it is more resistant to the vaccine.
As more Americans are receiving their booster shots to combat the Delta variant, the threat of the Omicron variant leaves many wondering if we will need yet another booster soon.
However, the side effects of the Omicron variant are not as aggressive, so those who are affected by the variant are less likely to die from it.
The new variant has already made landfall in the United States, with the first reported case being in California and reports of cases being found in Maryland and Pennsylvania just a few days ago.
In an attempt to mitigate the spread of the Omicron variant, the United States has imposed a travel ban from 8 African countries that are seeing a sharp rise in cases.
Besides South Africa, travelers from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi will be barred entry into the United States.
President Joe Biden made this announcement on Thanksgiving weekend, saying, “As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries.”
United Airlines stopped their nonstop flights to and from South Africa on Dec. 1, and more airlines, such as Delta Airlines, which also have nonstop flights to and from the area, are slated to follow.
Sadly, this comes not even a month after the United States, on Nov. 8 lifted travel restrictions from most countries, including South Africa, China, much of Europe, India, Brazil, Ireland, Britain and Iran.
In addition to the travel restrictions, all inbound international travelers are now required to be tested for COVID-19 within one day of returning to the U.S. This new testing mandate is required for all fliers regardless of vaccination status.
There is no quarantine period for those reentering the U.S., but Biden has issued a federal mandate of mask-wearing while in airports and on planes.
In the wake of the Omicron variant, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he considered making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for certain places and activities.
Despite a sufficient number of vaccines, only a quarter of South Africans are fully vaccinated due to problems getting the vaccine out to rural areas as well as vaccine hesitancy and apathy.
“We have... been undertaking engagements with social partners and other stakeholders on introducing measures that make vaccination a condition for access to workplaces, public events, public transport and public establishments,” Ramaphosa said in an address to the nation.
If the country does not consider the option of a vaccine mandate, it will “continue to be vulnerable to new variants and will continue to suffer new waves of infection,” he said, adding that vulnerable people might also be offered booster shots.
Currently, only a handful of North American and European countries have access to booster shots, so there is hope that other countries, especially third-world ones, will gain access to them soon as production for the booster shots keeps increasing.
If you do not want to learn the entire Greek alphabet this way, get vaccinated or get the booster shot as soon as possible.
To keep everyone safe, be sure to continue to follow the CDC guidelines and stay up-to-date with the latest news surrounding COVID-19.
Melting glaciers reveal Mongolian artifacts
By Eva Mihelich Staff writer
Climate change is a hot topic today, with the sea level rising to a new high and the past seven years being the warmest on record. This is a cause for concern for future generations as these levels are climbing at an alarming rate.
Glaciers have been melting recently due to the higher temperatures, which if continued will cause sea levels to rise too high. They have been melting at a faster rate than usual over the past 50 years, and some predict that most glaciers will melt away completely sometime soon. This will result in habitat destruction, coastal erosion and flooding along with other issues.
The discussion of climate change is strangely controversial and politically divisive, but to its core, it is based on scientific facts. The temperature is rising each year, pollution is posing as a health risk, multiple animal species have been wiped out and the sea level is rising.
Although climate change is destructive and currently rampant, the one unusual benefit of the melting glaciers is that they are revealing ancient artifacts that were frozen many years ago.
The effects of climate change are currently being observed in Mongolia as the summer ice loss harms the health of domestic reindeer and pastures become less viable.
The National Museum of Mongolia and partners are working to identify and preserve ancient materials that are emerging from the melting ice in Mongolia. These materials have given historians much insight into how people, specifically ancient Mongolians, have lived in the past.
According to news sources, one of the first discoveries to emerge from a melted glacier was a finely woven piece of animal hair rope. Archaeologists believe this to be from a bridle or a harness, and its condition made it appear as if it had just been dropped in the ice the day before. However, after a thorough evaluation, archaeologists found that it was over 1,500 years old. This finding revealed things about the lifestyle of ancient Mongolian people, such as their herding practices.
In addition to the bridle or harness piece that was found, archaeologists are finding skeletal remains of many animals that do not even exist anymore. Among these remains are argali sheep, spanning a period of more than three millennia.
Hunting artifacts were found with these skeletal remains which reveals a vital piece of information about the lives of ancient Mongolians: they were not just herders, but also hunters.
As stated on The Conversation, a nonprofit news organization, “these finds demonstrate that big game hunting on mountain ice has been an essential part of pastoral subsistence and culture in the Altai Mountains for thousands of years.”
Climate change has been getting worse over the years and is having visible effects on the world around us. Although finding artifacts hidden by ice is interesting, that ice is not supposed to be melting in the first place.
We all need to band together in order to begin to save the earth. Try to save energy, walk or ride a bike when accessible and help the environment in any way you can.
Rabbits read the Merciad
By Hannah Brooks Features editor
The fall semester is officially coming to a close. Courses are wrapping up, finals week looms overhead and clubs are preparing for a break between semesters.
Not excluded from the end-of-semester wrap-up festivities, the Merciad is preparing for the end of the semester as well.
An accumulation of newspapers leftover from the semester has collected in the studio, and it is time for them to either be donated or picked up. The newspapers are available to any interested student, and they can be picked up at the Merciad studio in Hirt L10. Any additional newspapers will likely be donated to the Erie Rabbit Society.
Mercyhurst students will have the first pick of the newspapers. Old newspapers can be used for a variety of things, such as to line animal cages, wrap Christmas ornaments once the time comes to take down the tree and can also be used for a plethora of crafts and other do-it-yourself activities.
Additionally, the newspapers will make great reading material, highlighting the hard work of Merciad writers and editors over the past semester.
Any newspapers that are not picked up by students after the semester ends will be donated to the Erie Rabbit Society. The newspapers will be used there to line the bottom of the rabbits’ cages as they await adoption.
The shelter, also known as “the bunny bungalow,” is located at 2316 W. 38 St in Millcreek Township. Per the Erie Area Rabbit Society (EARS) website, the shelter
currently has over eighty rabbits awaiting adoption. The Merciad chooses to donate unused newspapers in order to support the Erie Rabbit Society, but there are also many other ways that the shelter can be supported.
Students can volunteer to help at the shelter, apply to be a foster or donate to the shelter with either a cash donation or by purchasing items on the shelter’s Amazon Wish List which can be found on their website.
Additionally, you can sponsor a rabbit for as low as $45 for 3 months and $180 per year. The shelter also offers many exciting events throughout the year, including Bunny Palooza, Erie Gives Day and many more.
For any student who has a pet rabbit, you can also go to the shelter to receive services such as a “bunny spa day” to get your rabbit’s hair brushed and nails trimmed for a small donation fee.
The shelter can also refer rabbit owners to veterinary care, whether it be a local vet or twenty-four hour emergency veterinarian. For more information, you can visit the EARS website at www. eriearearabbitsociety.org.
Though there are many newspapers left over, rest assured that they will be going to a good cause one way or another. Whether you choose to pick them up for personal use or they go to a shelter, the overwhelming stacks will certainly fall into good hands.
Feel free to pick up a stack or two, as the Merciad staff would love for you to check out some of our works that have been put together throughout the fall semester!
Any newspapers that are not picked up by students after the semester ends will be donated to the Erie Rabbit Society. The newspapers will be used there to line the bottom of the rabbits’ cages as they await adoption.
-Hannah Brooks on the status of old Merciads STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Campus events during the week
