The Merciad, Feb. 26, 2014

THE Merciad

EST. 1929 VOL. 87 NO. 14

MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Water torture

Repairs planned on persistent Rec Center leaking

By Will Bickelmann Staff writer

Mercyhurst maintenance plans to take steps to improve the conditions inside the Rec Center that are the cause of water dropping from the ceiling onto the basketball courts.

Students have complained often in recent weeks about the multiple areas on the ceiling that drip water onto the courts. While it may seem like the roof is leaking, the likely problem is something else: condensation.

“This is most likely condensation,” said Sue Johnson, Director of Administrative Services. “The harsh weather has worn the insulation on the ceiling down to almost nothing. This causes the condensation to collect on the ceiling and drop onto the courts.”

Johnson said that once enough warm weather days occur, maintenance crews will take steps to fix that.

Ken Stepherson, the head of maintenance at Mercyhurst, explained what he has found.

“Whenever I’ve been on the courts during a rainstorm, the court is completely dry. However, during the recent cold weather, the water drips from the ceiling, indicating that the problem is more likely poor insulation than a leaky roof,” he said.

If Johnson’s theory is correct, then as soon as the cold weather ends, the water dripping from the ceiling should stop as well.

“The repair is scheduled to take place in the spring. We can’t do anything about it until the harsh weather lets up,” Stepherson said.

“How we’re approaching the problem is to put insulation in the inside of the ceiling, and to coat the outside of the roof, just in case there is a leak adding to the problem,” he explained.

Maintenance has tried lowering the temperature and using fans to circulate the air and to lessen the amount of condensation collecting on the ceiling. “This has helped, but it hasn’t eliminated the problem,” said Stepherson.

According to Stepherson, the amount of sunlight also

plays a factor in how much the ceiling drips.

“When the sun hits the rec center the ceiling drips much more water than if it is overcast.”

According to Johnson, the entire project is likely to cost up to $160,000.

“We can’t afford to repair the ceiling too early and risk it being done incorrectly,” she said. The price of fixing the insulation should be covered within the maintenance budget.

She said further repairs are likely this summer when the center use is far less than during the academic year. @TheMerciad

Salina Bowe photo

(Above left, above) Students have recently complained about the leaks on the ceiling of the Rec Center, an issue that may be caused by the condensation

Lakers finish with first AHA season championship In a 3-2 victory Saturday night, the Mercyhurst Lakers, with help from several other teams in the Atlantic Hockey Association, secured their first season championship since joining the association. Next up for the men’s hockey team is at home on Friday against Robert Morris University.

See page 7 for complete story.

Casey Bleuel photo

Merciad Index Features Features News Opinion A&E Sports Laker Living

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Online Poll Results

How do you feel about the Springfest music acts?

25% Both are great bands.

17% Never heard of them, but MSG and SAC do a pretty good job of picking.

44% Hate them. 2008 called and they want their bands back.

14% We want White Panda back.

Read more inside & online

News: - Carpe Diem Academy integrates visual arts Features: - Mercy Month targets immigration Arts & Entertainment: - Beyond Words III features unique choreography

Be sure to vote in this week’s online poll: How are you preparing for the upcoming midterm exams?

merciad.mercyhurst.edu

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February 26, 2014

The Merciad

Features Mentalist amazes ’Hurst crowd

By Heather Swede Contributing writer

Mercyhurst students gathered Friday in Taylor Little Theatre to see the show “Beyond Belief: An Intimate Evening of Psychological Illusion,” and be amazed by mentalist, Joshua Seth.

Starting off the night, Seth had the whole crowd guess what number he was thinking of.

He then brought a person who thought of the number on the stage.

Seth then wowed the audience with various illusions.

A few of these illusions included him being blindfolded, and figuring out what an audience member had written on a white board.

As he wrote the word “ROWING” across the white board the audience was astounded, but Seth didn’t stop baffling Mercyhurst students there.

He went on to guess an audience member’s phone number and the entire audience gasped as called the student to confirm that he had the right number.

He figured out numbers, places, and names that people in the audience were thinking of without ever having met them before.

Seth made it clear that he

Alison Ockasi photo

Mentalist Joshua Seth performed in front of a crowd of students on Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Taylor Little Theatre.

wasn’t using magic, but psychological mind games to find these things out.

Before becoming a mentalist, Seth was a voice actor.

He lent his voice to many

popular anime cartoon shows, playing Tetsuo in “Akira” and Tai in “Digimon.”

He also was the announcer of various children’s cartoon

blocks for the former WB network.

Seth retired from voice acting in 2005.

Seth tours as a comedy hypnotist and formerly per-

formed as a magician.

Seth has also written a book on weight loss using hypnosis.

If you would like to learn more about Joshua Seth, his

hypnotist and mentalist acts, you may visit his official website at joshuaseth.com. @TheMerciad

Mercy Month targets immigration

By Nathan Turner Staff writer

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Catholic liturgical season of Lent, is a week away.

Many of the students here will be seen with an ashen cross marked on their forehead, symbolizing the beginning of this season of repentance and sacrifice.

In addition, Mercyhurst will also be celebrating Mercy Month, a month of activities designed to call to mind a current issue of social justice.

This Mercy Month’s theme is immigration.

“The theme came out of this year’s core value, which is compassionately hospitable,” said Colin Hurley, director of Service Learning. “When we think about

the roots of this country and how it began, there’s a constant misunderstanding about who are these people.

And if you look at the city of Erie, there’s a rising immigrant-centered population.

While the issue can be divisive, I think there is some civility we need to address and Mercy Month is something that brings together a lot of opportunities.”

One opportunity is examining how the needs of immigrant communities can differ from city to city.

Bethany Brun, AmeriCorps VISTA for Mercyhurst, is leading a group of students through Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit for Spring Break as part of a trip called “Just Mercy.”

“Some of these cities [in the Rust Belt], particularly Chicago and Cleveland, are definitely immigrant cities.

And within each city, there’s a specific population we’ve been called to be a part of,” she said.

There are different types of service in which students will be engaging over the trip.

“We’re kind of doing service that goes along with the city,” Brun said. “When the factory work left [the Rust Belt], we’ve seen each of the cities severely hurt by leaving factory work. And how each city dealt with is what we’re exploring.”

Brun gave the example of Cleveland’s turn to Education and Healthcare (“Eds and Meds.”)

“And the site where we’re

’Hurst Hospitality majors attend PCMA conference

By Melanie Todd Contributing writer

Six Mercyhurst hospitality students traveled to Boston last weekend to attend a leadership conference hosted by the Professional Convention Management Association.

The conference, titled “Convening Leaders,” brings together people from all over the hospitality industry. Hospitality Management Professor Daryl Georger accompanied the students.

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing last April, the conference featured discussions on safeguarding against potential disasters, according to senior Taylor Digiacomo.

She added that the conference in general focuses on a range of topics about the hospitality industry.

Students sat in on lectures and discussions which

expand their knowledge of the field at large.

Victoria Lewis, a senior with an events planning concentration, said school can only teach students so much.

“There is so much more than what your major says,” Lewis said.

But Digiacomo said networking is the key reason to attend. Catherine Costas, a senior with a hotel management concentration, agreed.

“It’s about getting your name out there,” Costas said.

Georger’s contacts in the field allowed the students to gain access to private after parties to further entrench themselves in the minds of potential employers.

Costas said this was an added benefit of attending the conference.

“We were the only students at the parties,” she said.

Lewis noted that the attendees of these parties were very willing to offer

advice to students, even if they did not have employment opportunities to offer.

Overall, Digiacomo said the personal touch afforded by meeting employers in person made the conference worthwhile, adding that an online job application “doesn’t mean anything” until employers read “the email you sent saying its so nice to have met [them.]”

If you would like to learn more information about the PCMA conference, or about the Hospitality Management department in general, contact Georger at dgeorger@ mercyhurst.edu or (814) 824-2340.

You may also contact Hospitality Management department chair Beth Ann Sheldon at bsheldon@mercyhurst.edu or (814) 7256318. @TheMerciad

serving is called MedWish.

And they live in the shadow of the healthcare system, collecting medical supplies for overseas communities,” she said.

Students will be sorting medical supplies and preparing them to ship overseas.

Another project in Detroit will take place at the On the Rise Bakery, where recently-released prisoners get a second chance, learning work skills in a bakery.

The project for Chicago is still in the works.

However, for those students who can’t go on a spring break trip or get directly involved during Mercy Month, Colin Hurley said they can still get involved. “...Whether they are here

or on trips, I think they can be involved. And I know students in clubs and organizations are doing things, but if they could be more open about sharing that, I think that spreads an image.

And creates a culture, that I think sometimes is lacking, because we have our silos and groups.”

Overall, the students who are involved should share what they’re doing, in order to help Mercyhurst spread a culture of service to others.

Other opportunities which fall during the season of Lent, but do not necessarily have any direct links with the liturgical season or Mercy Month, come through Habitat for Humanity. They will be having an event called “Rent-A-Habitater”, a fund-

raiser for the group.

The idea of it is to allow professors or Mercyhurst employees to have students help out with projects around their homes. Kathryn Adams, head of the campus chapter of Habitat gave a statement about the fundraiser: “Well this is the second time we are holding this fundraiser for our club.

Students will be assigned to work in 2 hour shifts in pairs…[the event] is a great way to meet people, network with professors, and help us as a campus chapter.”

The fundraiser will be April 12-13, and if any are interested, please contact Kathryn Adams (kadams29@ lakers.mercyhurst.edu). @TheMerciad

By Casey Bleuel

Casey Bleuel photo

Contrary to popular belief, knitting is not just an activity for old ladies. Several freshman girls have started a knitting club that gets together in Warde Hall. It’s nice to take time off from studying to relax and knit, especially with friends. Freshman dance major Alexis Nale is knitting “chemo caps,” hats for people undergoing chemotherapy, and who commonly lose their hair. She is donating them to a charity for chemotherapy patients. Tory Morris, freshman dance major, is knitting a scarf for her sister. It’s very rewarding to knit something. It is not hard and doesn’t take long to learn, either. It is amazing how many cool projects people make, such as blankets, sweaters, socks, and other types of clothing to keep warm during the cold winters in Erie. Knitting is known to relieve stress and calm the mind, something that college students need once in a while. However, be aware, because once you start knitting it becomes an addictive habit that is hard to stop.

February 26, 2014

Page 3

The Merciad

Features

Corbin heads Communication department

By Marcela Delgado Contributing writer

At the moment you come into Meghan Corbin’s office, you breathe positivism. On her board, to the right, you can read a message that says, “I choose happy.” This message inspires happiness to me every time I come into her office.

Corbin has taught communication, business, management and marketing courses at Mercyhurst University.

All the classes that she teaches are her favorite, but one that she enjoys teaching the most is Strategic Communication. This is a communication course that students take during their senior year, and students get to work with clients. “I think for me this is the first time I see this level of confidence from the students,” Corbin said.

Corbin has three children.

Ethan, the oldest is 12 years old, Rachel is 6 years old, and Madeline is 4 years old.

She gets to enjoy the things that she loves with them.

Her favorite classes are Public Relations, but she is also interested in interpersonal communication.

Corbin chose communication because it was fascinating to her that there was a science and a theory behind communication.

The weirdest thing that has happened in one of her

classes is when two alumni came back on her birthday and burst into the class singing happy birthday in the middle of the lecture. It took her by surprise but it was nice.

Teachers are also constantly learning from their students. Corbin has learned from her students their ability to balance work, school and life. She learned to see balance in life and the level of maturity of being able to handle that.

“I love the experience and application that students can bring,” Corbin said.

During her teaching career a moving moment she experienced was in a public speaking class. She had a student who approached her the first day and let her know that she was terrified of public speaking. When she had to make her first presentation, she got up and couldn’t present, and she started crying.

Corbin worked one-on-one with her to prepare her to get through this. Her second speech was better, but for Corbin the best was the third and final speech. She got up and was able to overcome her fear. The most moving experiences for Corbin are those when the student realizes and their light bulb goes on.

Another moving experience for Corbin is graduation. The students that mean the most for her are the ones that struggled at the begin-

ning and tried hard.

“When you see them walk across the stage it is such a sense of accomplishment,” Corbin said.

Those are the moments that make her keep coming back. She feels that more than a teacher she is a mentor for students.

The funniest thing she saw in class was when a student came in one day to class with a Hilary Clinton mask.

Corbin’s greatest motivation is her students.

“My motivation is the energy you students give me,” Corbin said.

She feels passionate and she enjoys teaching. Her whole demeanor changed when she interacted with students. She gets an experience that you would not get in the corporate world.

“I love to come to work everyday,” Corbin said.

Advice she gives to students is, “Hope is not a strategy.”

She also said that if you take one step at a time you’ll be shocked by what you can accomplish.

“You can do what you want to do but you have to be passionate about it, and put that passion in a plan and start working towards it. If you want to get somewhere get exited about it,” Corbin said.

@mddg0293

Jake Lowy photo

Meghan Corbin is the chair of the Communication department and teaches classes in it.

‘Mama Dee’ brightens students’ days at Laker Inn

By Ryan Kushner Contributing writer

Casey Bleuel photo

Denise “Dee” Pamula works in the Laker Inn and enjoys her job.

SAC plans ‘Relaxation Day’

By Dan Tarr

Features editor

Looking for a way to relieve yourself of stress during this busy time of the school year, right before midterms? If your answer is “yes,” then the Student Activities Council has got you covered.

This Saturday, March 1, SAC will be putting on a “Relaxation Day” in the Student Union. The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m.

Many things will be happening during the “Relaxation Day.” One of these things will be yoga. This will take place at 1:15 p.m. and will go until the end of the event. Yoga will be taught by Campus Ministry employee Betty Amatangelo.

Another thing that will take place is the Oxygen Bar. This consists of flavored oxygen tanks. This gives off a relaxing scent.

A therapy dog will also be brought in during the “Relaxation Day.” The dog will be brought in by Counseling Center Licensed Psychologist Judy Smith, Ph. D..

The dog, named Bailey, will help students relax by playing with them.

The final thing that will be given during the “Relaxation Day” event will be massages.

These will be given by the volunteers from the Athletic Training department.

Student Activities Council Programmer Allyson Gass thinks this event is a good thing for students.

“This event is not only a perfect way for students to relax before midterms, but also to enjoy time with their friends,” she said. “SAC wanted to find a way to help students take a few hours off from their weekend and utilize some of the resources on campus.”

Stop by SAC’s “Relaxation

Day” this Saturday at 1 p.m. and help relieve yourself of stress and any anxiety that you may have.

If you would like to know more information about the “Relaxation Day” event, or about the Student Activities Council in general, please contact Preston Reilly at preilly@mercyhurst.edu or stop by the SAC offices in the bottom of the Student Union.

If you would like to know more about yoga or the Athletic Training department, please contact Betty Amantangelo at bamantangelo@ mercyhurst.edu and Athletic Training program director Suzanne Gushie at sgushie@ mercyhurst.edu, respectively.

For more info on the Counseling Center, you may contact the Cohen Health Center at (814) 824-3650. @TheMerciad

It takes a special kind of person to brighten the day of a busy, sometimes stressed-out, college student. For many students who visit The Laker Inn, Denise “Dee” Pamula has been such a person.

A native of Erie and grandmother of six, Pamula began working as a Grill Cook at the Laker Inn in July 2013, taking up the position again after parting ways 13 years ago.

“I loved it here and I loved it here then, too, because I loved the kids,” she said.

Pamula, who taught children’s religious education on Sundays for 17 years, explained the positive experience she has had working

with students, stating that “If you respect the kids, they respect you back.”

“Some people like flowers, they’re into flowers, and that’s their ultimate job. Me, I love working with kids,” Pamula said.

Pamula is just as passionate about the quality of the food she serves.

“I’ve been in the food service all my life,” Pamula explained. “We like to produce food that looks good for everybody else. That’s the motto. If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t serve it. Do it [the order] again.”

Pamula enjoys working with students at the Laker.

“Some of the kids are goofy,” she said. “There are so many different personalities.”

Sophomore accounting and finance major Phong

Vu, who works with Pamula at Laker, said that “Dee is the kind of person who will go all over the dining room just to make sure everybody is OK. She likes to talk with people and is always giving out hugs and kisses.”

“We have our A-Team,” Pamula said speaking about her coworkers at the Laker, many of whom have affectionately nicknamed her ‘Mama Dee.’ “We have a good team of kids and they just rock everything out.

I think they work really hard… everybody supports each other…And it’s not just the kids, it’s the adults too.”

“And I’m not just fabricating,” Mama Dee added, “it is true. ...What you see is what you get with me.” @TheMerciad

MSG

Senator Spotlight

Hello, my name is Scott Christian and I am a Senior Intelligence major with a Business Administration minor. On MSG I serve as the Senator for the Senior Class and I am on the Facilities Committee. Aside from MSG, I am a member of the MCIC. My interests revolve around the basic constitutional rights of Freedom, Liberty, and Equal Rights; I love sports, bacon, and cheese. I enjoy Mercyhurst and have met some amazing people and I look forward to the rest of my final year here. If you see me walking the campus, approach me your concerns or just say “hello!” Remember “We’re Your Voice!”

Page 4

February 26, 2014

The Merciad

News

Carpe Diem Academy Annual fund gives integrates visual arts t-shirts to raise funds

By Amanda Moore Contributing writer

Mercyhurst’s Carpe Diem Academy after school program is implementing a unique way to teach students about art.

Visual Thinking Strategies, which helps teach children to use critical thinking by viewing art, will be implemented in Carpe Diem on March 5.

The program aims to provide under privileged children access to art education and is offered in poorer Erie school districts, according Mary Elizabeth Meier, Ph.D., director of Art Education at Mercyhurst.

The children, who are in kindergarten through second grade, look at famous artwork and are asked what they think is occurring.

There are no wrong answers, but it allows the

students to use critical thinking to evaluate a situation, Meier said.

Meier added that Carpe Diem students are also supplied a sketchbook in which to practice art.

Katie Cecchetti, a graduate student working at Carpe Diem, said VTS is helpful to those children of lower income families.

“Being at an inner city school they kind of get slighted with the arts,” Cecchetti said.

“It gives them a moment to relax.”

Samantha Strathearn, a junior working at Carpe Diem, explained how students learn through their own art in a hands on way.

“It’s different than just free drawing. They will get to work with paint and probably they haven’t done this before or at least in this way,” said Strathearn.

“They’ll be finding an image with something they make with the abstract painting design.”

In addition to sketching, students can get creative by coloring on top of pictures taken on provided iPads.

Carpe Diem was created for Mercyhurst University education majors in order to get classroom experience.

Strathearn is gaining practical experience by creating lesson plans to teach students how to make abstract art.

Cecchetti said the experience, while challenging, is ultimately rewarding.

“I had never worked in an inner city school before,” said Cecchetti.

“It’s a lot, but I think it’s benefiting me as much as it is benefiting them.” @TheMerciad

By Will Bickelmann Staff writer

Mercyhurst will giving out “Lucky to be a Laker” t- shirts to anyone who donates $15 to its annual fund.

“We do this as a way to build pride and morale for the alumni who donate to the school,” said Tamara Walters, director of alumni relations and annual giving.

“Each year, we try to do something new and fun so that we know our alumni and donors are representing us in their respective communities,” she said.

The Mercyhurst Annual fund goes towards many operations, including the expansion of the library and financial aid.

“Students don’t always realize what a big difference the annual fund can make. It is part of what allows us to give

Contributed photo

as much financial aid as we do,” Walters said.

The university hopes that they will achieve their goal of $400,000 through fundraising.

The university tends to target Mercyhurst alumni as

possible donors, but anyone who chooses to donate can receive a free t- shirt.

@TheMerciad

Police Log Thursday, Feb. 20 Theft, False ID, Liquor Law McAuley Hall Referred for discipline Friday, Feb. 21 Theft Off Campus Referred for discipline Sunday, Feb. 23 Liquor Law Violation Warde Hall Referred for discipline Sunday, Feb. 23 Liquor Law Violation Warde Hall (2) Referred for discipline

Sunday, Feb. 23 Criminal mischief 3810 Lewis Ave. Closed

HEY YOU! The Merciad

Are you interested in journalism, communications, sports, or news?

is now accepting letters of interest for Editor positions for the 2014-2015 school year!

Submit a one page letter of interest by March 21, 2014 explaining why you want to be a part of the staff and some ideas that you have for that position!

Editor positions include: Copy Editor Opinion Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Social Media Editor

Managing Editor News Editor Features Editor Sports Editor

Send letters of interest to:

editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu

February 26, 2014

Page 5

The Merciad

Opinion

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad Relay for Life successful or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Mercyhurst should address ongoing bullying on campus

By Cariel Lewis

Contributing writer

You would think that the people who have made it all the way to their tertiary level of education would not only have common sense but would have the maturity to know that bullying is wrong and should never be practiced under any circumstances.

The bullying of teens and children is like a cancer in society and has resulted in an ever increasing number of suicides.

You will see that this, in turn, has triggered the creation of numerous anti-bullying organizations as well.

While many are concerned about working to address bullying in the lives of children and adolescents, there has been less focus on having conversations with young people about bullying in college.

The CEO and President of Project Anti Bullying, Fabianna Pergolizzi said the belief that bullying goes away after high school is untrue. “Although bullying in college is not as talked about as bullying among younger people, it is still fully present.”

She adds that people commonly associate the word ‘bully’ with trivial implications. “We pair the word with adolescence and because of that we formulate it as a child experience,” Pergolizzi said.

“But bullying stays consistent throughout your entire life.”

Common types of bullying that college students experience can come from professors, hazing, roommates and peers, and it is especially prominent in the cyber world.

“This competitive field didn’t exist [in high school] where kids are trying to further their academic careers and use the internet to put other students down: taking bad photos at a party, making fraudulent accounts or pages,” Pergolizzi said.

Personally I was oblivious to bullying done in the college setting, it was after speaking to a Mercyhurst student about her experiences at school and with her roommates that I realized that it is real and happening right here on this very campus.

She told me of her encounters with her roommates and I could not help but feel furious that these types of people attend this prestigious institution. They treated her like she was an outcast and didn’t belong in the apartment. They went out of their way to leave her rude notes all over the apartment. They even went so far as to throw away her belongings. One cannot help but wish ill on bullies but these students need a serious wake up call.

They need to know that it is not OK to treat people like this and as such there should be dire consequences put in place for these actions. Her incident is not the only one that I have heard of. I think it is absolutely ludicrous that these people can

take advantage of a person in such an abominable manner and get away with it.

When students are ill-treated there are numerous repercussions namely the student taking their life, which has actually happened in the past. Also, the student may opt to be transferred from the institution which in turn will eventually give the school a bad reputation.

“

The bullying of teens and children is like a cancer in society.

Cariel Lewis

”

I am not, however, saying that everybody is sitting idly by when they hear of students being treated like this. Residence Life does an amazing job with handling these types of situations, but I am looking at the bigger picture.

Some extra advice to my fellow RAs, lend your support to students who come to you about an issue they are having with their peers and establish a sense of trust between you and your residents. You must reassure residents that they are not alone in whatever they are going through. Also if bullying is an issue, encourage your residents to collect evidence in case you need to move them out if you have proof to support the claims. In addition, advise them to only tell people they can

absolutely trust, for example you, their RA, and counseling services rather than people who can get sucked into the drama and spread rumors as well.

Mercyhurst is very focused on alcohol education, which is very important, but it is imperative that they consider including education on bullying in the college environment. I have simply heard of too many situations where this is happening.

The university should think about launching an anti-bullying campaign or have a program put in place to educate the student population about the effects of bullying on young adults because even if it’s not a “code red” situation, one time is too many times and this simply should not be tolerated.

As Pergolizzi says: “In order to combat bullying in a college setting, clear deterrence programs need to be put in place, students are prone to suicide, depression, eating disorders and drugs because they live alone and have the access to these things” she says. “We need to create an element of punishment, of not allowing it to happen in the first place. It needs to be taken more seriously.”

I believe Mercyhurst needs to step up and do something about this issue that should not even be an issue in the first place.

@TheMerciad

Uprisings in Ukraine and Venezuela leave us with important lessons

By Zachary Yost Staff writer

Online

As many of you probably know, certain parts of the world have been experiencing some shake-ups as of late.

After three months of protest the revolutionaries in Ukraine succeeded in ousting the thuggish president, but only after a week in which over 100 people lost their lives battling against the oppressive forces of the state.

In Venezuela people all over the country have been protesting the oppressive socialist government which, over the past decade, has succeeded in destroying the economy and currency.

While information is harder to come by as to what exactly is going on in Venezuela compared to Ukraine due to the government media blackout which has also shut down Twitter and the entire internet in some parts of the country, it is clear that the Venezuelan government has responded to the peaceful protests with overwhelming brutal force.

There are several important takeaways from both of these revolutions. The fi rst thing that needs to be recognized is that what the governments of Ukraine and Venezuela did and are still doing are nothing out of the ordinary.

You would be kidding your-

self if you believed that the United States government would not be bashing people’s skulls in if thousands upon thousands of people seized government buildings and fortifi ed themselves in downtown D.C. vowing not to leave until the corrupt ruling class stepped down from power.

All governments view the people who inhabit their geographic monopoly on terror as branded cattle in a pasture.

The only difference is that unlike Ukraine and Venezuela the U.S. government is much savvier about persuading the cattle to stay in the pasture and therefore does not need to beat them as much.

The second important take away is that the under class is powerful. It is quite clear that the expulsion of Yanakovich from office is not the work of the parliamentary opposition leaders, who floundered and flopped along trying to gain control over the revolutionaries for the past three months.

If the parliamentary opposition leaders had their way, Yanakovich would still be in office until early elections at the end of the year. That was the deal the parliamentary opposition leaders signed the day before Yanakovich was removed.

The revolutionaries, however, who completely lacked

any central leadership or control would not have it and vowed to stor m the government quarter unless Yanakovich resigned by 10 a.m. the next day. The police abandoned their posts and that was the end of Yanakovich who was removed by parliament later in the day.

Yet this simple and thankfully peaceful conclusion to this chapter of the struggle in Ukraine hides the courage of the revolutionaries. If one searches on YouTube one can find very graphic footage of the urban combat that happened in downtown Kiev throughout last week as the government forces gunned people down.

When the revolutionaries vowed to storm the government quarter they knew full well what to expect would happen when thousands of people armed with makeshift wooden shields and metal pipes faced off against the government’s AK-47 armed soldiers.

Yet they planned to do it anyway in order to bring about a better and brighter future for themselves and their children. What was going through the minds of the police and government thugs the night before they abandoned their posts?

They had already beaten people’s heads in, abducted and tortured activists in the

Read more at

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion

hospital, showered freezing water on them in sub-zero temperatures and finally just gunned them down in the streets and yet the people still planned to storm into their blazing gunfire.

It is likely that the police realized that they were not as strong as they thought they were when faced by a populace who no longer cowers before state authority.

T his leads to the most important point, and that is that a government is not necessary. The people of Ukraine and Venezuela who are risking their lives fighting against their oppressive governments are doing so to bring about a better future. A better future does not lie with a new government.

Having toppled one regime of the ruling elite, it is inevitable that it shall simply be replaced by another if you choose to remain under the governments yoke.

The people of Ukraine have already demonstrated they are stronger than the government and are capable of existing without it. Oppressed people of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!

@TheMerciad

The Good...

You can support the Erie Girl Scouts by stopping in Egan Dining Hall and buying their famous Samoa cookies for $4.

There’s a new smoothie bar at the Laker, this time permanently. Additionally, the Laker and the bookstore now have a brown bag special. For just one swipe you can get a sandwich, a fruit, a bag of chips and a drink.

The Bad...

We know we beat this one to death, but not only is there a lack of parking spaces, but the parking lots are now littered with massive potholes.

The Ugly...

A 7-feet-tall frog that decorated the entrance to St. Luke School on East 38th Street was stolen Monday, Feb. 3, and was the “guest of honor” at an off campus house rented by members of a sports team. The frog mysteriously appeared a few days ago on campus after word went out that the thief would be reported. That’s the ugly rumor. What makes it uglier is that the thief is rumored to be a Mercyhurst student.

The Weird...

Those Girl Scouts seated at Egan Dining Hall tell us they now accept debit and credit card payments. Now students don’t have excuse when they say they’re out of cash. Really? Girls Scouts taking credit cards?

The Merciad Editors Mathew Anderson Zach Dorsch Juan Mendez Daniel Tarr Samantha Bante Garrett Erwin Alejandra Zeron Leann Krysiak Jordan Power Nicole Lawrence Sami Rapp Ethan Johns Will DeFeo Bill Welch

Positions @mercyhurst.edu Editor-in-Chief editormerciad Managing Editor managingmerciad News Editor newsmerciad Features Editor featuremerciad Sports Editor sportsmerciad A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Copy Editor copymerciad Copy Editor copymerciad Graphics photomerciad Photo Editor photomerciad Web Editor ejohns89 Ad Manager admerciad Adviser wwelch

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via email at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Write for The Merciad, email editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Page 6

February 26, 2014

The Merciad

Arts &

Entertainment At the MUvies

We Steal Secrets WikiLeaks: gives details and secrets

By Ryan Kushner Staff writer

Salina Bowe photo

The Mercyhurst University Dance Department presents Beyond Words III, a mix of several styles of ballet dances that opens on Friday, Feb. 28, for a preview performance in the PAC.

Beyond Words III features unique choreography

By Megan Pacileo Staff writer

The Mercyhurst dance program will be holding a night of happiness, with dancers from the Mercyhurst ballet program and dancers from the SoMar Dance Works coming together in the newest show Beyond Words III. Beyond Words III is choreographed by George Balanchine of New York City Ballet, James Clouser of the University of Arizona, and Erie choreographers Lesley Bories-Scalise, Tauna Hunter and the collaborative duo of Mark and his wife, Solveig Santillano. The Santillanos are the co-directors, dancers and choreographers of

SoMar Dance Works.

SoMar Dance Works have presented around the Erie community for years including a performance of Beyond Words in 2011.

Choreographer Tauna Hunter says the dancers that are performing are top-notch. “These dancers are the cream of the crop,” said Hunter. “The program always showcases how extremely versatile our dancers are. And, as usual, we’re pushing boundaries. From the surreal to the silly, and the preposterous to the poignant, we like to keep our audiences guessing what’s coming next.”

This event will be benefiting SafeNet. SafeNet is an organization devoted to ending domestic violence by providing services

to victims of domestic violence and lending education, support and advocacy.

The pre-show reception and silent auction also benefits the Mercyhurst Dance Department’s Jenni-Lyn Watson Memorial Dance Fund, a fund that has been established since 2011.

Beyond Words III includes seven short dances with different themes of ballet.

Also included, is a special “Talk Back” segment which offers audience members a special opportunity to meet, talk with and ask questions of the dancers and choreographers following Friday’s and Saturday’s evening performances.

Beyond Words III will be showing in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on

Friday, Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m. The showing on Friday, Feb. 28, is a preview of the show, with only balcony seating available.

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , including ticket prices, visit the Mercyhurst Institute of Arts and Culture website at http:// miac.mercyhurst.edu. For more information on SoMar Dance Works, visit the SoMar Dance Works homepage at http:// www.somardanceworks.com/.

Tickets and information can also be accessed by calling (814) 824-3000.

@TheMerciad

The best documentaries are the ones that are able to tell such a compelling storyline that you completely forget that you are watching a documentary.

That is what you get with Alex Gibney’s compelling We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks, a 2013 film which intricately examines the ups and downs of the controversial WikiLeaks site, which has become one of the most complex and fascinating issues of the rapidly growing “information age” we live in today.

The narrative of the film focuses mainly on WikiLeak’s founder, internet cowboy Julian Assange. Gibney paints a picture of Assange from all perspectives, exploring his brilliance, as well as his inner demons.

He carefully follows Assange’s transformation from passionate activist and truth-seeker to paranoid, self-dedicated celebrity, which perhaps isn’t so much a transformation as it is a revelation of how he really is.

The ethics and morals of both WikiLeaks and the governments it exposes are put into question in a way that is both engaging and easy to follow.

Not only is it a culturally significant film for our times, but the honesty and clarity in the way in which it is presented is refreshing, especially to those cynical about documentaries.

http://www.beliefnet.com photo

We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks is a film from 2013 that examines the story behind the controversial WikiLeaks website.

The “black and white” picture the media always seems to try to draw is scribbled into question marks by Gibney, and in a story about the search for truth, the truth is muddled.

Make sure to check out We Steal Secrets in Taylor Little Theatre this Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m. and take advantage of the opportunity to view it in a real theatre with fellow students and movie goers.

Because there’s something magical about seeing a movie on the big screen, with the classic red flip-seats… the little leap your heart makes when the lights finally start to dim…even the occasional chatter and shushing.

It’s an experience you can’t get watching it on a computer. And with a film like We Steal Secrets playing, you can’t go wrong. @TheMerciad

Announcement

The Irish Rovers Saturday, Mar. 8, 2014 8 p.m.

Performing Arts Center

Announcement

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

(OFF)

Every Friday night, the Mercyhurst Sustainability Club travels around campus to turn off all of the lights that would have otherwise been left on over the weekend.

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Online

Meet at the PAC at 6 p.m.

Full list of events can be found on the PAC website

View upcoming performances: www.miac.mercyhurst.edu

www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/ arts_entertainment

February 26, 2014

Page 7

The Merciad

Sports

Men’s hockey wins first AHA season title

By Samantha Bante Sports editor

The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team won the program’s first-ever Atlantic Hockey Association regular season championship on Saturday night.

The Lakers needed a win or a tie at Niagara and then needed Air Force, Bentley, and Robert Morris each to lose. With a strong win over Niagara 4-2 on Saturday with ,Sacred Heart pulled off a weekend sweep of Bentley, defeating them 5-2 on Saturday night. Canisius doubled up Robert Morris, 6-3, and RIT edged Air Force, 3-2, in Colorado.

The Lakers finally claimed its first-ever AHA regular season championship.

The Lakers won three straight regular season titles from 2001 to 2003 as a member of the MAAC Hockey League, but, until now, had never finished on top in the regular season in the Atlantic Hockey Association.

With an overall record of1812-6 and a conference record of 16-4-5, the Lakers will take on Robert Morris in Erie on

Friday before traveling to Robert Morris for the second game in the series on Saturday.

When asked how the team is doing in their season senior Dan O’Donoghue said, “I think our team is doing very well.

We won our first Atlantic Hockey regular season championship in school history this past weekend which is a tremendous accomplishment and a goal that we had coming into the season.”

O’Donoghue has been a force on the team this year as the assistant captain. He is the second highest scorer on the team with a total of 11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points and 77 shots on goal.

“This weekend’s series against Niagara University was very tough. Ever since I was a freshman, Niagara has had a strong team and always played us well.

We were fortunate to come away with three out of four points this weekend.

Our guys really stepped up in key situations and were able to get a win on Saturday and salvage our tie with them on home ice Friday night,” O’Donoghue said.

Mercyhurst led 2-0 on Saturday night on goals by juniors

Casey Bleuel photo

The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team goes in for a face-off again Niagara’s offense during this weekend’s series at Mercyhurst University.

Nardo Nagtzaam and Ryan Misiak, until Niagara tied the game at 2-2 during the third period. Freshman Kyle Dutra scored the game-winner with 2:57 left in regulation and Nagtzaam added an empty netter to secure the Laker victory.

“Our series against Robert Morris is going to be tough.

They always play us well and it is a rivalry game which makes it even more intense.

We’re just going to prepare as we always do and that starts with a strong week of practice and then playing together as a

team on Friday and Saturday.

Same goes for the AHA tournament.

Every team is capable of winning so it comes down to working hard in practice and staying focused for the games,” O’Donoghue said.

The Lakers look forward to

taking on Robert Morris this weekend and proceeding to compete in the first round-Atlantic Hockey Association tournament beginning on March 7. @TheMerciad

Janiga named College Hockey American of the Week

By Carly Contraguerro Contributing writer

Emily Janiga of the Mercyhurst women’s hockey team was named College Hockey American Player of the Week for the fourth time on Monday, Feb 17.

“It’s an honor to be nominated for an award like this but it’s more of a team effort rather than an individual one,” Janiga said. “I would not have been able to succeed over the weekend without my team.”

The Lakers beat Penn State University twice this weekend with a 4-0 win Saturday and a 4-1 win Sunday.

Janiga scored tallied a goal and one assist on Saturday and three assists on Sunday.

Janiga is currently second on the team with scoring this season with achieving 38 points, including 15 goals and 23 assists.

The Lakers are 21-7-3 overall and 14-3-1 in the conference.

Dane Rimko photo

Mercyhurst University’s stand-out player Emily Janiga receives fourth time College Hockey American Player of the Week award.

The dual victories this weekend culminated in the team’s seventh straight win and clinched their 14th

straight regular season College Hockey American division.

“Our “motto” this year has been “you’re only better

than your weakest link” so we strive to push everyone to get better and play their best every practice. Pushing each other

hard during the practice week transfers to the games and to the weekend” Janiga said.

With Mercyhurst alumna Meghan Agosta playing in the Olympics for Canada’s women’s hockey team, Mercyhurst’s name has been said a lot on one of the biggest stages for hockey. Watching Agosta play so well, with scoring game turning points and helping the Canadian women’s hockey to win the gold during the Olympics is an inspiration to the players.

“Although I have not played with Agosta, it is amazing and inspiring to watch a Mercyhurst alumni be in the Olympics. She has represented our school and hockey program extremely well, and the team is driving off of that,” Janiga said.

When asked what one word to describe how she feels being a part of such a good team as well as hearing about Mercyhurst during the Olympics, Janiga said ‘exhilarating.”

“As a team we are thrilled

and honored to watch her [Agosta]. Especially around the playoffs, I think watching not only Agosta do extremely well, but both the U.S. and Canada play their best hockey ,is inspiring to our team to play the same as Olympians” Janiga said.

The Lakers are hosting the first round of playoffs at Mercyhurst Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8.

Game times have not yet been announced.

“Hosting playoffs was one of our goals this year and achieving it is a great feeling.

Having our school and fans cheering us on is motivational and a great atmosphere to play in,” Janiga said.

“We take pride in playing at our rink and do not want to let a team beat us on our ice.

We have the best fans in the league, and love when they cheer us on.”

@TheMerciad

Men’s basketball finishes regular season Wednesday

By Samantha Bante Sports editor

The Mercyhurst men’s basketball team secured the third seed in the Western Division and will host a first round PSAC Tournament contest on Saturday, March 1.

The Lakers will close their regular 2013-2014 season against University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center at 7:30 p.m.

If UPJ beats Mercyhurst and California (Pa.) loses to Seton Hill, the Lakers would host UPJ on Saturday.

Mercyhurst is 15-10 overall and 11-4 in the PSAC. The Lakers were able to beat Clarion 52-43 last weekend on Feb. 23.

Sophomore Jean Onana scored 22 points on 8-11 shooting.

Also, Mercyhurst ranks fourth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 60.3 points per game.

“I think we did really well, even though we wanted to finish at a higher rank for the playoffs,” senior Jonathon Ouegnin said.

Leading the Lakers in points is Jean Onana with 255 points and is scoring 10.2 points per game, followed by Jonathon Ouegnin with 220 points and 9.2 points per game.

Ouegnin is also being nominated for this years Dark Horse Dunker competition and was able to make an appearance for his dunking abilities on ESPN last year.

“It really nice to be nominated for that type of competition and to represent the school at a nationwide scale,” Ouegnin said.

The last time the Lakers and UPJ met on Jan. 25 and the Lakers won, 80-78.

Mercyhurst trailed, 46-38, at halftime before rallying to take a late lead.

They eventually tied up the score even at 78. But, sophomore Andy Hoying sank a 16-foot jumper with

1.9 seconds left, propelling Mercyhurst to victory.

When asked how the three-game road trip went this weekend, Ouegnin said, “It was good; we won 2 out of 3 games, one which was with a buzzer-beater by Anthony Lytle, which was pretty cool. Unfortunately we lost against IUP for the first place.”

The Lakers were tenth in last week’s NCAA Regional Rankings. The second edition of the rankings will be released on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

The top eight teams in each region at the conclusion of the conference tournaments qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

“The biggest challenge has yet to come I think. To have a successful season we have to make it far in the playoffs, which will start next Saturday,” Ouegnin said.

@TheMerciad

Salina Bowe photo

Senior Jonathon Ouegnin is nominated for this year’s Dark Horse Dunker competition.

Page 8

The Merciad

Laker

February 26, 2014

Living Geek Weekly: Amazon Prime gets pricier

By Zach Dorsch Managing editor

Amazon executives announced earlier this month that the price for the Amazon Prime subscription will be increased due to the increasing prices of shipping cost. This will affect tens of millions subscribers. The executives said that the now current price of $79 per year could increase by up to $40 per year, a 51 percent price hike.

The need for an increase was determined after Amazon failed to reach revenue expectations set by Wall Street of a half a billion dollars in its fourth quarter reports. This marks the first price increase of the service since it was launched in 2005. Amazon also increased the price of its “Super Saver Shipping” to $35, which offers free slower shipping for purchases over the minimum set price.

This service helped Amazon rise to the top by having customers buy more than planned so they could get the free shipping and by removing shipping caused more people to start shopping online as opposed to at a brick and mortar store.

Amazon is unsure of how this increase will affect it. It worries about suffering losses the same way that Netflix did in 2011 when it increased the price of its streaming service by 60 percent. It could also have no to little effect on the company as people realize that they order enough that the cost is still in their benefit.

Keeping customers to hold their membership is vital to Amazon. Researchers have estimated that the average Prime member spends more than twice as much as a non-Prime shopper. There is currently no set price or date for these increases.

dailyfinance.com photo

Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, plans to increase the current price of their Amazon Prime service by 51 percent. Whether or not this will negatively affect the company has not been determined.

@zdorsc22

Beauty Talks Mint Hair Rinse

By Leann Krysiak Copy editor

My hair has a mind of its own. I let it air dry and it slightly waves. If I go to bed with it wet, it’s never dry in the morning or it only waves on the side I didn’t sleep on. It’s a lovehate relationship.

Over the summer I learned how to scuba dive. Between the chlorine and the lake water my hair was in much need to a refresher.

This week’s recipe uses mint tea and apple cider vinegar to bring your hair back to life, but it’s not a miracle rinse. It will not reverse damage from hair dying or frequently straightening, drying or curling your hair. This week’s recipe comes from the book “Eco Beauty” by Lauren Cox:

Refreshing Mint Hair Rinse ½ cup boiling water 1-2 mint tea bags 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar Let tea bags steep in the hot water until cool. Remove tea bags, add the vinegar and stir together. To use, shampoo and condition as usual then pour entire mixture on your hair.

Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair. Do not rinse and dry as usual.

Need help finding the ingredients? Check out the ingredient guide on Fresh Face Forward’s Recipe page.

Did you like it? Love it? Tell me what you think on the Fresh Face Forward’s Facebook page or send your comments to freshfaceforward@gmail.com.

P.S. You could be the next face of Fresh Face Forward, send an email to freshfaceforward@gmail.com for more information!

@LeannKrysiak

Diffic

Prep

Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting

ulty: M

Time:

Total T

Yield:

40 mi

ime: 1

2 doz

edium

en

nutes

hour

30 mi

nutes

By Sami Rapp Photo editor

Ingredients 2/3 cup cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup boiling water 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 tsp salt 2 large eggs 2 large egg yolks 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 recipe Caramel Frosting, recipe follows Salted Caramel Frosting 1 cup salted butter, at room temperature 4 cups powdered sugar 3/4 cup Caramel Sauce (cooled completely) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large heat proof mixing bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and baking soda. Carefully pour in boiling water and whisk until bubbling subsides and mixture is well blended, allow to cool for 5 minutes.

In a separate large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on low speed, blend together melted butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, vanilla and salt until well combined (about 30 seconds).

Stir in eggs and eggs yolks, mixing just until combined after each addition. Blend in cocoa mixture then blend in heavy cream. Slowly mix in flour and blend until combined, while scraping down sides and bottom of bowl.

Divide batter among 24 paper lined muffin cups, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 - 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool in muffin tin several minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with caramel frosting, drizzle with room temperature caramel sauce (I poured the caramel sauce in a small Ziploc bag and cut a very small tip off end to drizzle) and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Store in an airtight container.

@srapp93