NEWS

N E W S

News Editor: Heather Bair – zzzx@iup.edu

(Kate Pompa/The Penn) White’s Woods offers maps to give direction on where to go while traveling (left) but trees that are marked with red spray paint or ribbons are in danger of being destroyed for monetary gain (right).

Money doesn’t grow on trees

Nature center may lose 250 acres of trees for monetary gain

HALEY BROWN Lead Culture Writer tbfx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

White’s Woods Nature Center (WWNC) is likely an area that many professors and students at IUP are at least vaguely familiar with, if not emotionally connected to, and this beautiful natural area is under threat. To clarify the dire situation for those who are unfamiliar with the area, WWNC is made up of 250 acres of beautiful naturally forested land in Indiana that is publicly owned by White Township.

The White Township has regarded this protected forested area as an opportunity for exploitation and a means to make a bundle of money through the deforestation of this area for years.

Luckily, there is an organization who’s sole aim is to save and continually protect this gorgeous nature center, and they call themselves Friends of White’s Woods (FWW).

This non-profit citizen’s organization formed 25 years ago in 1995 in response to White Township’s plans to deforest the area and turn the 250 acres of naturally growing trees into timber to make a profit.

Part of the mission of FWW is to preserve the nature center and allow the forest to achieve natural succession into a mature hardwood forest without disruption. This is important for many aspects of the environment which includes: the maintenance of the water quality of the surrounding areas through the prevention of erosion caused by deforestation and plant removal, to conserve the natural species of plants and animals alike that thrive in the nature center that prefer mature hardwood forests as their habitat range, and to maintain the carbon-filtering ability of the trees and plants there among many other environmental conditions of great importance.

FWW also aims to educate the public about how valuable all nature centers are to the environment as a whole and want to further educate the community about White’s Woods specifically. This requires the identification of the role that White’s Woods plays in the natural environment and the positive effect the area has on the community’s quality of life.

At a recent meeting of the White Township supervisors, the organization’s board of directors were asked what FWW has done to help White’s Woods?

They responded with the fact they believe their organization’s most important accomplishment is that 250 acres of trees are now 25 years older than they ever could have been if the 1995 deforestation plan had been implemented by White Township supervisors.

“This is Indiana's park, purchased with project 70 funds in the 1960's specifically for the purpose of conservation, recreation and historical preservation,” Sara King, president of the FWW said. “No other area forests were acquired in this way nor bordering directly on the borough.

“The White Township supervisors regard the park as a ‘cash cow,’ i.e. a timber farm, which directly violates the purposes of the land. This is their third attempt to timber (1995, 2007-08, and 2020).”

So far, FWW has succeeded in blocking their attempts.

They have taken many steps to ensure the protection of this land. Some of these accomplishments include spreading mulch on the forest’s trails, cutting wild invasive grape vines, planting native trees and wild flowers, with the approval of White Township, routinely cleaning up litter to maintain the nature park’s condition, repairing the bridge that needed attention, and reporting negative activities to the proper authorities, which includes the use of motorized vehicles within the nature center, campfires, partying and illegal dumping.

They have also been involved in a project to compile a set of steps in the nature center, taken surveys from used of WWNC and promoted the respectful use of the nature center by the community. They have keep the public informed by distributing yard signs and newsletters with up-to-date information, organized group woods walks and even began a “Story Walk” project.

The FWW organization has even gone so far as to hire legal counsel three separate times to research the Project 70 regulations, second class township codes and open government practices. There is no doubt that this organization has been responsible for White’s Woods successful survival many times over.

The White’s Woods’ website offers extensive information including a disturbingly recent development about the Township’s current plans for deforestation. The FWW website page explains how in April, trees in the nature center have been seen with green spray paint markings on them, which was presumed to be for deforestation purposes.

Over the course of the months following April, it was discovered that the Township’s supervisors had been planning to go through with a secret timber project since December of 2018.

Despite many challenges and the persistence of White Township in attempts to destroy this natural area, FWW is fully dedicated to the cause of bettering the natural environment and protecting the WWNC seemingly at all costs. Their success is encouraging, and they invite new members and urge further efforts to continue helping the cause of protecting the WWNC.

To join in the efforts of this organization, there are links to their membership form and their GoFundMe account on the FWW website. To contribute monetarily to their cause, checks can be sent to FWW, PO Box 1271, Indiana, PA 15701.

(Twitter / Indiana University of Pennsylvania) Members of the Student Government Association are doing their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 with President Alex Fefolt at the lead.

IUP’s student government still fighting for students to this day

OLIVIA CARBONE Staff Writer kxxw@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The Student Government Association (SGA) at IUP has a new plan for the Fall 2020 semester.

“The IUP Student Government Association’s history dates back to 1931,” Alex Fefolt (senior, history) said. “Students at the State Teachers College at Indiana came together March 6, in the college dining room for the first meeting of the ISTC Student Council.”

The school’s president at the time, Dr. Charles Foster, supported the organization.

“The Student Council was intended to promote in every way possible the best interests of the college,” Fefolt said.

“The Student Council was to regulate all matters of student conduct which do not all under the jurisdiction of the faculty and, in general, to serve as a means by which the needs of the students may be presented to the administration.”

As time passed, and as the (IUP) Alex Fefolt (left) is the president of the SGA with Hamzah Sammour (right) as the official student body representative.

ISTC expanded its academic scope, later becoming IUP, so too did the Student Council grow and change into the organization it is today. SGA now oversees many aspects of student life at the university, such as recognizing student organizations, representing students in the IUP University Senate, collaborating with the SGAs of 14 public universities in Pennsylvania and working closely with the IUP administration.

But, despite many changes, the core mission of SGA has always remained the same; to effectively represent the interests of the student body.

At the beginning of the spring semester last year, COVID-19 came into effect. With the start of the Fall Semester, SGA had to change the thinking and planning of what to do around IUP. “Student Government is aware of the importance of ensuring students are represented and their interests are promoted as the university continues to make decision regarding and in response of the current pandemic,” Fefolt said. “We continue to meet weekly on Tuesday evenings in person, but through Zoom. We have been able to ensure that students can attend and participate in our meetings and deliberations from home or wherever they may be. “It is important to us that students can contact us with concerns so that we may bring them to the attention of the university and advocate for courses of action that support IUP students.” SGA continues to work with university partners on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as ensuring students are informed and registered to vote in the 2020 upcoming election, and be counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.

“During the pandemic,” said Hamzah Sammour, the official student body representative, “we are looking at ways to build a stronger community at IUP. SGA strives to find solutions to help students gain the safest and best academic experience in continuing their education while on campus.”

One of the challenges that SGA had this semester was to promote safety measures among students.

“We are also working with the university senate and the administration to ensure we have the appropriate safety measures as we move along through the pandemic.”

If you’d like to participate in an SGA meeting, contact Alex Fefolt at gxxw@iup.edu and may join the Zoom Tuesday night meetings at 7:30 p.m.

(Julia Robins / Paul Marchwinski/The Penn) A survey based on the responses from 45 random students conducted by Julia Robins across the IUP campus (left) discovered that the majority of students are unsure of what the punishment for not wearing a face covering

Face coverings required on campus, no clear punishment

JULIA ROBINS Contributing Writer spxbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

There are 87 COVID-19 cases on IUP’s campus as of Sept. 15, with a jump of 64 new cases in the past week. In order to prevent more cases, face-coverings and social distancing are required.

IUP’s “returning to campus” plan states that in order to reduce the spread of the virus, “masks or other face coverings are required to be worn by all employees, students and visitors when in buildings and vehicles owned or leased by IUP. When outside, face coverings are required when social distancing (maintaining a minimum distance of six feet between you and others) is not possible.”

An online community standard reporting form was released Aug. 4, allowing students to report others for exhibiting behavior that goes against safety policies.

However, no information has yet been given as to what the punishment would be despite IUP’s plan stating, “details on how these guidelines will be enforced will be shared before the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester.”

Students and staff are confused as to how IUP is enforcing these rules and penalizing the students who break them since the plan also mentions that campus police are not to be called to enforce violations.

Upon surveying a random selection of 45 students across campus on the enforcement of mask and social distancing policies, 42 percent expressed total confusion, 26 percent said there is not any discipline, and masks are only “highly suggested” on a moral standard and 16 percent assumed campus staff would offer verbal warning or a reminder to social distance and wear a mask.

“I believe they are not giving any punishment,” Charish Page (senior, kinesiology health and sport science) said.

If students are not aware of the consequences for not wearing a mask, there is only a moral incentive to wear one. Although, not all students share that incentive. Even those who believe that IUP will punish those who violate the rules may still find ways around them.

Some students complained that masks are uncomfortable and believe the outdoors are safe. IUP requires masks to be worn outdoors “only if social distancing is not possible.” There hasn’t been further elaboration under what circumstances that applies to.

Staff members are also struggling with what to do when they witness someone violating safety rules.

“If a student comes in without a mask, I give them one,” Louise, a staff member that supervises the entrance of North Dining Hall, said.

While entering buildings without a mask breaks campus policy, Louise does not report the student. At least, she was not instructed to do so.

A similar lack of communication and confusion exists in the Co-Op store.

Cindy Bentley of customer service said if a student came into the building without a mask, she would try to find her manager and it “wouldn’t be her place” to say anything.

“Nobody has told [the staff] yet of how to deal with a situation besides maybe a verbal warning,” she said.

The university provides staff and professors the rules, but how they are enforcing it is based upon the professor’s discretion such as being kicked out of class, a report to campus police or a warning/verbal lecture.

“I’ll tell a student that they are required to wear a mask and offer them one of the university’s provided disposable masks in the classroom,” Assistant Professor of the Biology department, Dr. Sarah Emel said. “If they refuse to wear it, I would ask them to leave and join the class remotely instead.”

Giving someone a mask is no guarantee they would wear it. Without communication between staff, there is no way to know if it’s a one-time incident or consistent pattern of defiance. In the latter of these cases, the only way to enforce the rule is to issue punishment and make it clear that there are consequences.

Without clear and consistent protocol across campus on how staff must handle these situations and report students, any punishment cannot be fairly enforced.

The University of Pittsburgh, for example, has made it clear that any student who attends or hosts a party without masks and social distancing can be kicked out of

university housing or be suspended.

IUP has not yet clarified their plan with social distancing and mask violations. As of right now, university says it is holding students accountable through the Office of Community Standards and Student Support and action is taken in proportion to the situation.

(Josh Rupeka/The Penn)

Friday, tributes and honor were paid to those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks nineteen years ago.

Nineteen years later, IUP pays tribute to those lost in 9/11 attacks

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

It has been 19 years since America was shaken by the events of Sept. 11.

To remember the day and those who lost their lives, IUP and its surrounding community came together to host a program of commemoration Friday at 8:35 a.m.

The program was also live streamed in order for those in remote locations and those still trying to social distance to be able to watch. It also gave those unable to be there a chance to watch at a later time.

Lasting roughly one hour, those in attendance included members of IUP’s Reserve Officers’ Training Camp (ROTC), administration, members of the wind ensemble (who performed at the ceremony) and veterans.

The program took place at the edge of the Oak Grove near Stapleton Library.

“Nineteen years ago, we as a nation vowed we would remember the events of this day,” said LTC Dennis Faulkner, an ROTC professor at IUP. “I am pleased by virtue of your presence here; we have maintained that promise.”

Faulkner spoke of the men and women who risked their lives to save others during the collapse of the World Trade Center and the aftermath of the day’s events.

“That day we saw hundreds, if not thousands of heroes run to the danger,” he said. “Why would they do this? Why would they take that unnecessary danger upon themselves for others they likely don’t know or have personal cause to make such sacrifice?”

After a brief pause, Faulkner answered the question.

“They did it because they believed in their charge.”

After Faulkner’s speech, the wind ensemble played “America the Beautiful,” then dedicated four chimes to the four planes of that day: the two that hit the World Trade Center, the one that attacked the Pentagon and the one that crashed in Shanksville, PA.

President Michael Driscoll also spoke at the program to honor those who lost their lives. He recounted where he was and how 9/11 unfolded for him. He said he remembered his wife telling him something happened in New York.

“We do not have time to think, nor do we have to think very hard to put ourselves back into that Tuesday morning,” he said.

Driscoll said the day was “cloudless and beautiful,” but it did not stay that way.

“It became a day of horror, death and sadness,” he said. “It became one of the darkest days in our country’s history.”

After the events of 9/11, Driscoll said the country was scared and untrusting. Yet despite the months of agony, he said the country was able to unite.

IUP has commemorated the day in many different ways through the past 19 years, including a memorial made of debris from the World Trade Center. The piece was dedicated in 2002 and sits in the Oak Grove where the program took place. It can be seen in the livestream next to the podium.

During the Sept. 11 attacks, IUP lost three of its alumni. Those alumni are William Moskal (safety sciences, 1979), Donald Jones (marketing, 1980) and William Sugra (finance, 1993). The three were mentioned and remembered during the program.

“We will continue to honor them and their lives, which were cut short,” Driscoll said. “We owe it to the victims, their families and those who unselfishly fought to save others while putting their own lives in jeopardy.”

Sugra’s family has dedicated a fund in his name. Each year, they hold a golf tournament, which helps to fund almost $100,000 to various organizations according to an IUP student from Allentown who majors in finances.

Nadene L’Amoreaux, a professor of counseling, also spoke at the event.

“There are many reasons to keep this event alive in our memories,” she said. “Most particularly, to remind ourselves and others that this cataclysmic event and the people who lost their lives on that day matter.”

She also used the time to reflect on the current pandemic, reminding those in attendance that it is another time that the U.S. needs to come together.

“On this day of remembrance for those for whom we grieve on the anniversary of 9/11, I hope we will also choose to honor those precious souls by committing to a new normal that includes peace,” she said.

The program also honored the police, firefighters and EMT who were in attendance. Faulkner asked them to come forward. As they stood, bagpipes played in their honor.

Faulkner also asked to keep other first responders and military members in everyone’s thoughts as they continue to work across the globe.

Volunteers of the event were also recognized and honored by him.

The event closed with members of the ROTC retiring the colors.

The livestream of the program can be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=20wQNa_LWRA

Even though it has been 19 years, it is important to reflect on the attacks and educate future generations, as incoming freshmen are too young to recall Sept. 11

“As time passes, critical events become distant in our rearview mirrors,” Driscoll said. “It takes pride to bring them back from the depths of history. We cannot allow that to happen to Sept. 11th.”

(Case Marshall/The Penn)

The United States Post Office in Indiana is on 47 S. 7th St. (left) and on the IUP campus along Maple St. (right).

Students who vote decide on in-person, by mail voting

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

Election time always causes a lot of debate and controversy. While much of it usually stems from who people are voting for, the current election has a new issue- voting by mail.

Due to COVID-19, mail-in voting is being pushed more as a way to keep polls safer and more socially distanced. Despite this, many have shown concern about the possibilities of fraud from mailing in votes.

This includes President Donald Trump, who once stated that he thought voting by mail would cause votes to go missing due to biases of mail workers.

IUP students had their own opinions on the issue, but overall, most find it a safe option.

Charles Corrado (sophomore, political science) and Elizabeth Stash (sophomore, kinesiology) both dealt with voting by mail in the past.

“I think it’s safe. I’ve done it before,” Stash said.

Corrado was even able to give an insider’s look on the option due to helping during the 2018 midterms.

“Mail-in voting is absolutely safe,” he said. “I worked the polls for 2018 and hand counted the mail-in votes.”

When counting votes, Corrado said there was no chance that

anyone committed voter fraud, nor did they throw away anyone’s vote.

Some students who believe the option is safe also said they think not having the option to send votes by mail would cause an issue of privilege. One of these students is Rose Mazey (senior, graphic design).

“I'm voting by mail and so is everyone else I know,” she said. “People who say it isn’t safe just don’t want everyone to vote.”

Her statement comes from the basis that not everyone is able to get to polling places. Absentee voting was first enacted in 1902 for the 1903 election. Though fraud has been questioned before with this type of voting, it has been most controversial this year.

According to The Washington Post, the 2016 and 2018 elections had a rate of 0.0025 percent in mail fraud. A full report can be found at washingtonpost. com/politics/minuscule-numberof-potentially-fraudulent-ballotsin-states-with-universal-mailvoting-undercuts-trump-claimsabout-election-risks.

Alex Edmunson (political science) said it depends on what is most convenient.

“I think you should be able to vote however is most convenient for you. I send all my bills through the mail, I’m fine with sending my vote,” he said. “However, if it’s not going to be counted in time, I’d recommend voting in person.”

Though the majority of the IUP community who commented were all for mail-in voting, there were still those who had doubts.

“I believe that mail-in voting is absolutely not safe,” Al Fiedler said. “I will go to my polling location no matter what.”

Fiedler said there were enough controversies of past mail-in votes that made him sure of this decision.

“Look at what happened in New York this year. Look at all the places where they found boxes of uncounted votes.”

Despite its controversy, mailin voting has increased in the U.S. over time. It has risen from 7.8 percent in 1996 to 20.9 percent in 2016, according to Pew Research Center. Pew has also found that 70 percent of people believe others have the right to vote-by-mail if they choose, similar to what Edmunson said.

Absentee voting in Pennsylvania begins Sept. 14 and runs through Nov. 2. The deadline to request a absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. Voting in person will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3.

To find your polling place and to see if you are registered, visit www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/ Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication. You must register by Oct. 19 in order to vote.

Newspaper faces strike from guild

MARTY WEAVER Staff Writer zglz@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh voted 88–31 in favor of striking the Post-Gazette in early August.

The possible strike is the result of failed contract negotiations. According to the Guild, there have been 24 such bargaining sessions since 2017.

The NewsGuild’s executive council, “largest union of journalists and communications professionals in the U.S and Canada” according to its Twitter page, endorsed the strike authorization in a unanimous vote Monday.

Before any further actions are taken, the Newspaper Guild must have its plan accepted by the Communications Workers of America Executive Board.

“It was abundantly clear today that the @PittsburghPG does not want a peaceful settlement with the @PGHGuild,” Newspaper Guild President Michael A. Fuoco (@michaelafuoco) tweeted Sept. 8. “We tried. We offered concessions any company looking for a negotiated settlement would jump at. What we got was disdain

and disrespect.

“They want war, they’ll get it.”

Union members are fighting against many proposed changes by the company, including healthcare cuts, decreased vacation time and getting rid of dispute arbitration, per this article by TribLIVE: https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/post-gazettestaff-votes-to-authorize-strike/

According to NewsGuild’s Twitter (@newsguild), “numerous charges” have been filed to the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB “is an independent federal agency that protects the rights of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working conditions,” according to its website, nlrb.gov.

We should not stay silent during this time. We need to support the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s workers, push for their rights and not break the picket line if they do strike.

Nearly 50 percent of newsroom jobs across the country were cut from 2008–2017 according to NewsGuild. And in this time of misinformation, it’s more important than ever to stand with truth-seekers.

Opinion Hit pause and think twice about removing your cat’s claws

Did you know in 2011 that 55 percent of American households thought it was OK to declaw their household pet?

In many countries across the world this veterinary practice is actually illegal for being inhumane. I think the U.S. should be the next country to ban declawing for all the reasons below.

This practice is called onychectomy- and it means the cutting of bones that claws grow out of with a scalpel or laser.

To put this in better perspective, imagine cutting off the first knuckle on every finger, and trying to go back to a normal lifestyle in the amount of time we expect our cat back from the vet’s office.

In some instances, including infection and tumors should it be the only ethical option.

To a cat, these should be the only criteria for undergoing such a traumatizing procedure.

It’s sad to realize that most people are mutilating their cats to avoid damages to their furniture.

When the real solution to get your cat to stop scratching furniture is to buy scratching posts and to continually encourage good scratching behavior for your cat.

This will keep you happy, and your cat happy. It’s also encouraged to see if inappropriate scratching is an indicator or some other underlying condition.

It’s very important to note and understand that when you declaw your cat, you are also taking away from their ability to protect themselves if they were ever to get out. A common response to that is, ‘my cat is an indoor only cat’ well my (Steven Langdon Jr./The Penn) Declawing cats may save your furniture and mental state, it can drive your feline companion up the wall.

answer to that is, cats are typically sneaky little jerks and if they can run outside, they will.

Because, cats will continue to be the little independent divas they are.

Declawed cats have other related health problems such as aggression, depression, and certain anxieties.

Sometimes the procedures aren’t done correctly, which leaves your feline friend walking on bone fragments for the rest of its life.

Did you know that declawing actually causes a cat to have to adapt to a new walking style?

Think of your toes as a human, even though you think they don’t do much they actually bare some of their body weight and help evenly distribute it.

It’s sadly the same case for a cat.

Declawed cats also have a greater risk for being relinquished back to shelters, and possibly euthanized.

They gain behavioral problems such as refusing to use the litter box, and aggression related issues.

In my opinion, if you choose to declaw your cat over reasons as superficial as damage to furniture or getting a cat scratch you should never own a cat.

This should not be called declawing, it should be referred to it as what it actually is, first knuckle amputation.

If that doesn’t send a wave of disgust over your body then I don’t know if you should ever care for a feline.

Please let this article be a reminder to never amputate your cats lil’ murder mittens. Brought to you by: Kate Pompa Culture Editor

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