NEWS

N E W S

News Editor: Heather Bair – zzzx@iup.edu

(Heather Bair/ The Penn)

Sanitizing Stations are available around campus, as well as in buildings, such as the Humanities and Social Sciences building.

School year begins, pandemic changes way classes are taught

EMILY LOOSE Staff Writer E.D.Loose@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

As COVID-19 continues to spread over the world, many aspects of daily life have been changed. This includes the way in which colleges are reopening their doors. While some have decided to go fully online, the administration of IUP has taken a different route.

“With cases of COVID-19 on the increase locally and in PA, we’re updating our plans to reduce the number of students on campus this fall by about two thirds,” IUP’s response said.

The list of students staying on campus include students under 30 credits, ones that require faceto-face classes, most graduate students, international students in the U.S. and ones with special circumstances.

The announcement was made via IUP’s website a few days after its decision to hold the graduation for May and August 2020 online, as well as two weeks before the first day of the semester.

It was also shared on IUP’s social media pages with a flood of responses.

Student and parent opinions have been mixed upon this release. Generally, there is some criticism toward the decision coming from both those wanting on campus learning and those who prefer online.

Bethany Bailey (sophomore, nursing) is glad to return to campus, but said there should be more options.

“I honestly think we should be having more in-person classes, but also have the option for online,” she said. “Leave it up to the students whether they think it’s safe to attend class or not.”

For others, students coming back to campus will raise more problems.

“I honestly don’t think it’s worth coming back,” said Taylor Nissly (sophomore, biology).

Nissly’s opinion stems from what she has seen from other universities.

“A couple schools went back to school just to go back home, so who knows what IUP is going to do next.”

Malloreigh Yingling (senior, international studies) was most upset by the school’s treatment of seniors and upperclassmen. She said the school was choosing money over education as its reason for preferencing freshmen.

“I am so disappointed with my university and the place I’ve loved to call home for the past three years,” she said on IUP’s post about the decision. “We have worked so hard to get where we are at now, and you are going to allow freshmen to partake in activities and face to face classes?

“If you’re going to make this decision to go completely online, it needs to be for everyone.”

Some students focused on the timeliness of IUP’s response, in comparison to other state universities.

“It’s kind of disappointing how little most universities are taking this seriously,” said Lewis Dominguez (mathematics) on the same post. “We needed this response in early June, not weeks before opening.”

Those against IUP’s decision have also cited off campus apartment leases that have already been signed and are non-refundable.

IUP responded by offering ways to assist students who are bound to housing agreements.

“Off-campus leases are agreements between the tenant and the landlord, so we are encouraging students to contact their landlord to find out what options are available. The Student Cooperative Association can provide legal guidance for renters:”

Safety measures IUP is taking include all students receiving a safety kit and a lot of extra cleaning. Sports and some clubs have also been put in null for the semester.

Dining services will also be under change. Food will be mostly takeout, and students are urged to use GrubHub in order to lower lines. Though the Hadley Union Building (HUB) and North Dining will remain open, everywhere except Starbucks will be closed in the Crimson Cafe.

Students who have housing leases on campus, but who will no longer be staying, can get out of their contract through StarRez without penalty.

A list of in-person classes can be found at www.iup.edu/WorkArea.

Though there is no predicting what will happen this semester, President Michael Driscoll remained pleased with the IUP community. Despite the mixed response, he showed gratitude for the students and staff.

“I remain extraordinarily proud of how the IUP community has worked together to plan, plan again, and rebalance plans and how it now stands ready to execute that plan,” he said. “In the worst of times, even though challenged and disappointed, Crimson Hawks never disappoint.”

(Heather Bair/ The Penn) Theta Chi’s symbol consists of the rattlesnake, the swords, the Coat of Arms and the Badge.

Fraternity finds new home on campus

EMILY LOOSE Staff Writer E.D.Loose@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

One of the fraternities at IUP has a change in its home starting this semester.

Theta Chi Epsilon Eta’s new house is located on South 8th St. behind Pratt Hall. Though it was originally just a rumor, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Betsy Sarneso confirmed the news in an email Friday.

The original house was located at 228 South 7th St.

Chapter President Matt LaBarbera was reached for questioning on why there was a change in housing but had yet to respond at the time of this article.

Originally established at IUP in 1957, the goal of Theta Chi is to establish its brothers as upstanding men in society. Members tend to be from the ROTC community, as well.

The original fraternity was founded in 1856 and is one of America’s oldest fraternities.

Despite its long history, the chapter had its recognition withdrawn in 2011 by IUP, but was reinstated Nov. 2014. Over the past six decades, over 1,000 brothers have been initiated into the chapter.

While many fraternities at IUP have been caught in scandals due to hazing, Theta Chi has no known instances of such behavior at this time. GreekRank.com

gives the chapter a rating of 70.2%. Many who rated list the brothers as being friendly with good brotherhood.

Another member of the website, “Al,” said that the brothers were helpful.

“All of the men in this chapter seem to care not only about the safety of those inside but the safety of all involved.”

This concern for safety may also be seen through its social media posts regarding the COVID-19 epidemic and the riots after the death of George Floyd. These posts can be found on its Twitter, @thetachiiup.

In the past, the fraternity has been involved in a lot of community work, including helping clean up after homecoming and IUPatty’s. They were also one of the fraternities involved in raising over $4,000 for the Salvation Army last year.

Though COVID-19 has caused IUP to lower the number of students staying on campus, it is unknown how the pandemic will change fraternity housing life. Because freshmen are still required to live on campus, a change in rush numbers is less likely to be affected.

A recruitment open house for Theta Chi and other Interfraternity Council chapters start Tuesday, Sept. 5. The full list of Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters can be found at https://www.iup.edu/ greeklife/chapters-and-councils/.

August 24, 2020 News

Annual book sale happening with safety precautions, distancing

HEATHER BAIR News Editor zzzx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The annual Newman Used Book Sale is happening despite COVID-19 pandemic.

The book sale usually happens in the parking lot of the St. Thomas More University Parish during the summer, right before school returns. However, this year, things are a little different.

Rather than the white tent set up in the parking lot filled with paperbacks, hardbacks, textbooks and any and all genres you could think of, this year the Newman Used Book Sale will be held as a Drive-Thru Sale. The sale will take place Saturday, August 29, 2020 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or until supplies last.

The book sale. which typically lasted all weekend, will now be one day only. The way it works is you must wear a mask and stay in your vehicle. You’ll receive an order from a masked volunteer on which you fill out and complete your form, being sure to mark what categories you prefer, such as adventure, mystery/suspense, romance, science fiction or westerns.

The masked volunteer will take your order and will place bags of books in your vehicle. The payment for books must be in cash only and change will not be given.

The books in bags have been in quarantine themselves for two weeks prior to the book sale.

“We understand that people like to pick their own books,” said The Newman Used Book Sale at St. Thomas More University Parish Facebook page. “However, under the current COVID-19 regulations and guidelines, we could not see a way to hold our normal sale.”

The hope is to return to the normal way of holding the book sale in 2021 and they are currently taking donations for the 2021 Newman Used Book Sale.

“Our drive-thru sale is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety while allowing people to get books in the categories that they prefer,” said the Facebook post. “While you may not be able to pick the exact books you would like, you may receive a book or author that you would have not normally picked but end up enjoying.”

The Newman Book Sale also offers children books starting at pre-readers, early readers, chapter books and teen/young adult. The bags are $5 per bag.

Whether you’re looking for new books to add to a collection or are looking for something new to read while in quarantine and stuck at home, the book sale is your place to go. It takes place 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or while supplies last.

News August 24, 2020 5 HUB changes looks amid pandemic with signs, arrows

(Paul Marchwinski/ The Penn) The Hadley Union Building (HUB) has transformed their look to offer safety and precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The food court has doors that are specifically for entrances and exits and social distancing is in full effect. The signs around help people know where to go and how to navigate the “new normal” on IUP’s campus. Textbooks must now be pre-ordered or purchased online through the Student Co-Op.

7

Local theater shows classic movies in private showings

(Facebook) MovieScoop Cinemas, located in the Indiana Mall, had closed its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with specific health regulations in places, the theater is open again to give customers a way to escape the quarantine blues.

MARTY WEAVER Staff Writer zglz@iup.edu @mrweavs

The MovieScoop Indiana Mall Cinemas offers private showings of “classic” movies for up to 20 people.

Guests can visit the MovieScoop website, find a date and time, purchase one ticket for $40–$100 and choose a movie, according to the director of marketing and strategic communications, Liz Harper.

Then, all there’s left to do is invite your “pandemic pod” or “quarantine crew,” Harper said.

“Private shows before 4 p.m. boast a $40 ticket price; after that time, the price for a private show is $70, and newer films can bump the ticket price to $100,” said head manager Jonathan Langham.

MovieScoop is also open to the public – with lots of safety measures in place. Films like “16 Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park” are on the table for movie-goers. Family movies like “Shrek” and “How to Train Your Dragon” are also offered weekly. MovieScoop will be “mixing things up” in the fall lineup with newer films like “The Avengers” (2012) and “Inception,” Harper said.

A new film called “Unhinged” just premiered Friday.

All guests are required to wear facial coverings to enter the building and traverse the lobby and hallways, though guests may take off the coverings to eat and drink in the auditoriums. Disposable masks are also sold for $1 each.

(Marty Weaver/ The Penn)

The back room in MovieScoop Cinema is prepared for cleaning. Facial coverings are required for travelled in the past 14 days?” and all staff. “Has anyone you know started

The fee for online purchases showing symptoms?” has been waved temporarily to “The wellness check is not perencourage contact-free ticket sonally invasive,” Harper said. buying. “I’d rather overkill than be

The theater “lowered the criticized for not doing enough,” seat counts by 50 percent in all Langham said. auditoriums so customers can MovieScoop is still offering easily practice social distancing, weekly specials. The Mighty Movie as recommended by local health Monday special is $5 tickets and a officials and the CDC,” according free 32-ounce popcorn. Tuesday to the MovieScoop website. So, nights are student nights – student guests can sit with the people tickets are $7.25 (evenings only). they came to the theater with, City buses stop at MovieScoop, but should stay away from other and the last bus leaves the theater movie-goers. at 10 p.m. The last movies get out

Each auditorium has a separate around 9:30 p.m. each night. ventilation system, Harper said. Though many films have been

Every other row in each auditoreleased directly to streaming rium is blocked off, and on busy services amid theaters closing, nights, staff will help seat guests Harper isn’t worried about the to abide by CDC guidelines, Langfuture of movie theaters. ham said. Each seat is wiped down “I think theaters are going to be with soap and hot water after it is thriving,” she said. used. Seeing a film in a theater is

“We’re cleaning harder than we different than seeing one at home, ever had before,” he said. and studios understand that,

All staff members are required Harper said. to fill out a private online survey “In a movie theater, you’re every day they have a shift. Survey committed to being sucked into a questions include “Have you different world,” she said.

(TNS)

Kamala Harris (left) and Joe Biden (right) responded to President Trump’s attacks before the National Republican Convention on Sunday.

Biden, Harris reply to Trump's attacks before convention

JANET HOOK TNS Los Angeles Times

Joe Biden, girding for a week of attacks at the Republican National Convention, previewed his response Sunday by laughing off questions about his mental acuity, denying he supported defunding the police, and leaping to defend his running mate, Kamala Harris, against President Trump's attacks.

In the Biden-Harris ticket's first joint television interview since being formally nominated at their party's convention last week, Biden said his selection of Harris was not a response to pressure to pick a Black woman as his vice presidential nominee. "I didn't feel pressure to select a Black woman," he said in an interview with ABC, according to video excerpts released in advance of its broadcast in full. But he added: "The government should look like the people, look like the country." "I think that there is so much about what comes out of Donald Trump's mouth that is designed to distract the American people from what he is doing every day," she said. "That is about neglect, negligence and harm to the American people."

Biden jumped in to add that Trump was incompetent and that his attacks were out of bounds and unpresidential. "The idea that he would say something like that, no president – no president – has ever said anything like that," Biden said. "No president has ever used those words."

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the fourth day of the DNC

The interview gives voters the first unscripted, extended look at the dynamics between the running mates, a historic pairing between a 77-year-old white man who, if he wins the presidency, would be the oldest person to assume the office, and a 55-year-old who is the first Black woman and first Asian American on a national party ticket. Biden and Harris have made joint campaign appearances, and they sat for a joint interview with People magazine last week. But ABC was granted the first broadcast interview, which was conducted by David Muir and Robin Roberts.

Despite their differences of background and generation and their sometimes-bitter competition during the 2020 presidential primary, Biden and Harris have a relationship of some warmth and affection because Harris, while serving as California's attorney general, had been close to Biden's late son, Beau, then the attorney general of Delaware, who died of cancer in 2015 at age 46.

In the interview, sitting at a significant distance from Harris and the interviewers in accordance with health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden said that choosing Harris as his running mate was "an easy decision to make." "I cannot understand and fully appreciate what it means to walk in her shoes," he said. "What we do know is that we have the same value set."

It remains to be seen in the coming weeks exactly what role Harris will play in the campaign. For now, both nominees are sticking to virtual campaigning and lying low while the spotlight turns to Trump and his party during this week's GOP convention. The ABC interview gives Biden and Harris a chance to answer some of the criticisms that Republicans are expected to highlight.

When asked about Trump's questions about his mental acuity, Biden laughed and welcomed the comparison to Trump's fitness. "Watch me," he said. "Mr. President, watch me. Look at us both, what we say, what we do, what we control, what we know, what kind of shape we are in."

Trump hailed his own mental acuity by boasting he "aced" a cognitive test, although the test questions are mostly rudimentary. Biden has brushed aside Trump's suggestions that he should undergo such testing.

When Biden was asked about statements the former vice president made that he was a transitional figure in the Democratic Party, he denied that meant he intended to be a one-term president. He said he "absolutely" would consider serving two terms.

A central GOP line of attack is that Biden is not the political moderate that he claims to be; Republicans sometimes portray him as a Trojan horse for the party's extreme left wing. In the interview, Biden denied – as he has on many occasions – that he supported defunding the police, which is a rallying cry of many Black Lives Matter activists and other progressives who believe that public resources should be shifted from armed law enforcement to social services. Biden's criminal justice plan actually calls for increasing funding for community policing. "I don't want to defund police departments," he said. "I think they need more help; they need more assistance."

Much of the Democratic convention spotlighted criticism of Trump's handling of the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 176,000 people in the U.S. and led to economic calamity. Trump for months insisted that the outbreak would "eventually disappear" and pressured governors to lift stay-at-home restrictions. In the ABC interview, Biden said he would take far stricter actions – even imposing severe quarantine restrictions on the country – to contain the virus' spread if scientists said it was necessary. "I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to save lives because we cannot get the country moving until we control the virus," Biden said. "That is the fundamental flaw of this administration's thinking to begin with. In order to keep the country running and moving and the economy growing, and people employed, you have to fix the virus, you have to deal with the virus."

And if scientists said it was necessary to shut the country down to do so, Biden said, "I would shut it down; I would listen to the scientists."

Opinion

CARTOONS

(Heather Bair/The Penn) This is the office located upstairs of the Hadley Union Building (HUB), above the food court. The Penn’s plans for Fall 2020

Welcome to The Penn, the IUP student newspaper since 1924. There has been a lot that has happened since then and COVID-19 is just another thing to add.

What we have is a legacy that I know the staff and myself will live up to. I am not going to guarantee anything because we would prefer to show you what we are capable of producing.

Since school shut down last semester, there has been a lot that has happened. The pandemic has continued to spread at unprecedented numbers, and protests have swept across the nation.

These protests could be seen locally as well. On June 3, a peaceful protest took place in Indiana for the Black Lives Matter movement. We as a staff decided to put out a special issue detailing the protest, which could be read on our website.

There will be another special issue coming out Wednesday as well. This will detail what it is like to live on and off campus as a black student in Indiana. It will be part of a series of articles split-up that will be exclusively on our website.

Since COVID-19, our staff has been working remotely to ensure that we continue to produce content. That will continue into the fall semester.

There have also been a lot of tough decisions not only for the university but for ourselves. We, like the university, would love to be back to normal but are forced to live out in the new normal. It is our duty to keep our staff as safe as possible during these times.

One of the changes we are making is that our issues will be coming out once a week and will be produced on Wednesdays. You could find the link to our website and all of our social media.

We promise to give the most accurate information in all of our articles. We may be students, but that does not mean we should not follow all the guidelines and rules we have as journalists. That is our duty to you the reader.

As a staff, we love IUP and everything it has to bring. There is a lot of good that comes from this school, and unfortunately at times there is some bad. Over the course of this year The Penn will bring both in a timely manner.

If you are interested in reading every issue, I would suggest subscribing to our newsletter. We also post information on our social media platforms located on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If there are any questions throughout the year, you may send us an email at the-penn@iup.edu

I hope everyone stays safe and remembers to listen to the health experts during the pandemic. We look forward to producing content for everyone and making sure to get all the facts right throughout the year.

Brought to you By: Steven Langdon Jr. Editor-in-Chief