9.24.21 by The Penn

The Penn

NEWS | PAGE 3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

RAINN DAY 2021 AT IUP: EVENT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS

CULTURE | PAGE 10

VOL. 114 NO. 9

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NEWS

News Editor: Benjamin Brumbaugh – msqy@iup.edu

RAINN Day 2021 at IUP

Event raises awareness about sexual violence on campus MOLLY CUNNINGHAM Staff Writer kydy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Haven Project through IUP held an event for Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Day in the Oak Grove on Wednesday. On Tuesday, there was a “Chalk the Walk” event also for RAINN Day. RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. According to https://www.iup. edu/events/haven/2021/09/chalkthe-walk-for-rainn-day-2021.html, “RAINN Day is an annual day of action to raise awareness and educate students about sexual violence on college campuses.” The event featured a setup of umbrellas with messages about sexual violence and survivors. The umbrellas have been collect-

ed over a period of several years. IUP has a tradition of speaking out against sexual violence. On Sept. 16, the Haven Project had an umbrella-making workshop for students to paint statistics, facts or supportive messages. Elizabeth Bryant (second-year graduate assistant, clinical psychology) is with the Haven Project and was at a table in the Oak Grove. She was able to talk to students and give resources to them. There was also a sign-up sheet for the Haven Project for those that wanted to get involved. “If we don’t talk about it, nothing changes. We’re letting students know that resources and support are available to them,” Bryant said. “We believe them and we’re

here to help them.” Bryant said that the Haven Project does not tolerate sexual assault on campus, and the organization hopes to reduce the rates of sexual assault. Between the beginning of the fall semester and the November break, Bryant said this time period is when more than 50 percent of sexual assault incidents happen on college campuses. “We call it the ‘Red Zone,’ and we want to reduce that rate on [the] IUP campus and bring awareness to it,” Bryant said. At the event, the Haven Project was handing out resources and engaging with students. Its purpose is to let people know that the organization is there for students that need it and provides confiden-

(rainn.org) According to rainn.org, RAINN has helped 3.7 million survivors and their loved ones in its 27 years of operation.

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tial counseling services with the counseling center. “It’s great to see all organizations participate in creating awareness on sexual violence and assault,” Nicholas Lane (senior, regional planning) said. “Of course, it’s sad to see the numbers and stats, but I believe that making it aware to everyone is the first step to results. “Phi Mu Delta (PMD) supports RAINN at all costs. We believe in consent to the highest degree and tolerate nothing less,” Lane said. RAINN statistics report that, among graduate and professional students, 9.7 percent of females and 2.5 percent of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. “I think the event is a good overall idea to bring awareness to what happens quite a lot amongst

females and even males as well,” Yasmin Tuzcu (sophomore, biology) said. “The resources are another amazing thing provided to people who have experienced sexual assault and even survivors of rape.” “IUP stands against sexual violence,” Bryant said. According to RAINN, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. In addition, every nine minutes that victim is a child. For more information about RAINN Day and the organization, visit www.rainn.org/rainnday. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, help is available. You are not alone. The Alice Paul House has a 24/7 hotline at (724) 349-4444, the Haven Project’s number is (724) 357-3947 and the IUP Counseling Center can be reached at (724) 357-2621.

(Molly Cunningham/The Penn) Each year, campuses around the United States hold RAINN Day events to show support for survivors of sexual violence and to raise awareness.

September 24, 2021

News

RAINN Day events in Oak Grove

(Molly Cunningham/The Penn)

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Day at IUP was held in the Oak Grove Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, there was a “Chalk the Walk” event where people could write messages in support of sexual violence survivors and that promote awareness of this very serious issue. The RAINN organization’s mission is to support survivors of sexual violence. According to https://www.rainn.org/about-rainn, “RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online. rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.” The organization has been a leading voice promoting awareness of sexual violence since its inception 27 years ago. It is important for survivors to remember that they are never alone, that there are resources available 24/7, and people who are willing and able to help you in your time of need.

News

September 24, 2021

News

Six O’Clock Series continues Grooming is more than just looking good RACHEL KOVACH Staff Writer rsrbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP “The benefits of grooming far exceed looking good and impressing others,” Donovan Daniel said. “Grooming helps to promote the healthiest you possible and enables you to experience joy.” On Monday, Daniel, the co-owner of Hair 4 Everyone, was the presenter for IUP’s Six O’Clock Series. His presentation was all about grooming, but it was not completely focused on appearance. It concentrated on aspects of grooming that extend past physical care and into lifestyle choices.

The multicultural hair salon on Philadelphia Street was the first business Daniel ever invested in and helped to launch. “You’ll see that a lot of my businesses involve hair, appearance or grooming, or having a healthy and positive image of oneself,” Daniel said. The business is based out of Indiana, Pa., and Daniel touched on the reasons for his connection to the location. “I’ve lived in Indiana, Pa., longer than I’ve lived anywhere else in my life,” Daniel said. “I am a two-time graduate of this university. “I actually studied exercise science here, specifically physical education and sports with an emphasis on exercise science, and

(Rachel Kovach/The Penn) In addition to co-owning Grizzled Teddy Co., Daniel is IUP’s assistant director of Admissions for Multicultural Recruitment.

I also had the privilege of earning my master’s here at IUP in Adult Education and Communications Technology.” Daniel speaks very highly about his time at IUP and the university as a whole. “I work at the university, so it’s safe to say that I’m biased about IUP,” Daniel said, “and I think it’s amazing, though I know it’s not perfect.” Though Daniel has been a part of the IUP family for quite some time, this was his very first time doing a Six O’Clock Series by himself. “I’ve had the opportunity of attending many of these Six O’Clock Series,” Daniel said. “This is actually my third time being a part of the facilitation of a Six O’Clock Series, but my first time riding solo.” Daniel is a very active member of the Indiana community. “Now, tonight, I am not coming as an admissions’ counselor, I’m not coming as an IUP [alumnus], though I hold both of those hats,” Daniel said. “Today, I’m coming as the co-founder and CEO of the Grizzled Teddy Company.” The Grizzled Teddy Company (GTC) is “a health and wellness brand that helps men to groom their hearts, minds and beards,” according to its website. “Over the course of the two years that I’ve run this business, I’ve learned quite a bit about grooming,” Daniel said. “What I’ve learned most of all is that grooming is not simply about physical appearance and looking good, grooming is about far more.” GTC’s definition of grooming according to its website is “the process of removing decay, repairing damage and revitalizing the remains.” Daniel went on to explain some personal situations that he went through that involved grooming his life in other ways that did not relate to his appearance. In college, he had an unhealthy dating life that involved going to parties and bringing a girl home but not enjoying or appreciating her presence. To help with this situation, Daniel found that the people he was hanging out with and the music he

(grizzledteddy.com) According to grizzledteddy.com, “Grizzled Teddy Co. (GTC) is a health and wellness company dedicated to helping men groom their hearts, minds and bears.” was listening to perpetuated the views that they had on women and how they should be treated in a relationship into his lifestyle. After getting rid of those playlists and stepping back from that friend group, Daniel found that he had made a change in his life that put him on a path better suited for him. The catalyst for starting this company came in March of 2019 when Daniel found out that he had hair breakage in his beard. He was appalled when his barber, now a close friend, told him the news. It was the care and consideration that that barber took to repair and revitalize his beard that

made Daniel want to help others by giving them proper hair care tools and products as well as other content to better their lives in other ways. “I probably wouldn’t be a business owner if I hadn’t had that barbershop experience, and I wouldn’t have understood the value of grooming from a physical perspective; let alone understanding it in any other way,” Daniel said. “I have had so much self-discovery and self-improvement since that conversation because I learned that somebody pointing out something deficient in you doesn’t make you deficient.”

News

September 24, 2021

IUP SGA working hard for students

New president leads the group this semester Dante Zottoli Contributing Writer jkqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The Student Government Association (SGA) held a meeting on Tuesday in the Great Room of Elkin Hall. The SGA is IUP’s student senate. It holds the power to recommend changes and policies brought forth through the members and the students it represents directly to the desk of university president Dr. Michael Driscoll. President Steven Lomax made it clear that he wanted everyone’s voices to be heard. “I just want you all to have fun with this,” Lomax said. “Please do not feel intimidated at all.” As the president of the SGA, it was his job to make sure that every voice got their own time to be heard. There were 20 SGA members in person with five that participated via Zoom in attendance at Elkin Hall. The organization hosts its meeting there every Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. Valerie Baroni is the director of both housing and dining at IUP. Baroni was this week’s guest of honor at the meeting, and she talked about the success of the bento pilot program. “Between Wednesday (Sept. 15) and today (Thursday) we have sold over 500 trays of sushi,” Baroni said. The program seems to be a success so far with full implementation expected to be finished by mid-November of this year. Baroni brought up another new program for upper-division housing. This is a new program where the upper levels of Putt Hall dorms are being sanctioned for non-freshmen and transfer stu-

dents only. The program allows the moderate use of alcohol for those of 21 years and older. After that, SGA started going through upcoming IUP events. SGA’s Chief of Justice Noah Gentle (senior, general management) brought up the Oct. 6 blood drive. Graduate advisor Jenna Kappel (graduate student, student affairs) reported that this year’s Homecoming late-night party is from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. There (iup.edu) will be bingo, Steven Lomax (right) started his tenure as Student Government Association (SGA) president this semester. Jessica Poley karaoke, board games, free food (left) is the SGA senator for the College of Arts and Humanities and is a former vice president of the SGA. and door prizes. nior, criminology/pre-law) talked “Come help, about how she met with the win some cool prizes and hang College of Arts and Humanities out,” Kappel said. new dean, Dr. Curtis A. Scheib. Assistant Director of the In this meeting, Scheib talked Center for Multiabout how he would like to get cultural Student to know all of his new students Leadership through a possible event and Kevin Foster even the formation of a council wanted evcomprised of different memeryone to bers from different departments know that within the College of Arts and Sept. 28 Humanities. is Voter As the meeting was nearing Registraits conclusion, Dmitri Woods tion Day (freshman, social studies) nomifrom 9 nated himself for and achieved a.m. to 4 the position of Student Advop.m. cacy. Sept. 28 Lomax would like it to be is also when known that the SGA is always student organiseeking new members and zation reregistrawilling to listen to IUP students. tion is due. If an organiIf you would like to sit in or join zation does not reregister, it will a SGA meeting, the meet time be declared inactive by the SGA. (iup.campuslabs.com) is every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Senator for the College of Arts Elkin Hall. IUP’s student government dates all the way back to 1931. and Humanities Jessica Poley (se-

September 24, 2021

News

Opinion (The Penn Archives) According to Botanical Gardens Conservation International, there are about 60,000 species of trees in the world. By protecting our planet, these trees can be protected and preserved for generations to come.

Environmental changes are needed to protect planet It is often said that the Earth is in danger. This could not be more accurate. The planet is currently, as it has been for a long time, under immense strain from the human population. The disparity comes with who is responsible as well as how can people band together to fix the problems that we have caused. The first step is to discuss the responsible party. It is easy to simply say that everyone on the planet has the responsibility to make sure the Earth is taken care of, but a deeper analysis of this reveals a lack of consideration. For example, if there is someone who lives their life recycling everything, why should they be under pressure to do more when there are individuals with more influence that do nothing. Look at massive companies like Amazon for one. Mass production and factories with very little concern for the environment can be found everywhere. These factories pump tons of air pollution into the sky and dump toxic materials in water ways.

Opinion

Another issue are vessels like oil tankers. How many times has there been a massive oil spill that has killed tons of sea life? Simply put, it has happened more than it should have. Whether it is the rather infamous BP oil spill that still continues to harm wildlife, the more recent Pemex gas pipeline rupture that resulted in a part of the ocean catching fire or the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, that caught fire in 1969, the Earth continues to suffer the effects. Even if one were to ignore bodies of water catching on fire, there are so many other examples that can be pointed to that show the negative impacts that companies are having on the Earth. One that is very close to the working people of states like Pennsylvania is the fracking business. Fracking is the practice of shooting high pressure water underground in order to expose gas and oil lines. This tends to lead to issues with areas surrounding where the fracking has

taken place that threaten wildlife and pollute groundwater. While the action of banning fracking has been rather controversial in the recent months with former President Donald Trump being steadfast in saying that it would remain and with Democrats being in opposition to it, the negative effects are not worth the risk to the environment just to gain more fuel. If humans were really in such a desperate need of more fuel, there are alternatives that do exist as well as solutions that can be figured out if people were to work together. While wind and solar power are the more conventional methods to start paving the way to renewable resources, there are a plethora of other potential options that need to be explored. One example is the beginning of the trend of electric cars. These vehicles, while they are doing good for the time being, are only the start, and there is a lot more innovation that can be done. Whether that innovation is longer battery times, more charging

September 24, 2021

locations or faster charging, the changes that could be brought on would not only revolutionize the car-based society that we have created, but it would be able to put less pollution into the air. There is a lot of potential with electric cars in companies like Volkswagen and Tesla starting the development that will bring about more and more electric capabilities in cars. The potential just needs to be expanded by research, development and innovation. The changes that are listed above are needed now more than ever. Global warming being a very real threat could result in higher ocean waters that put coastal societies at risk. If you are someone who has little regard for that of wildlife, then surely human life is something that carries more weight. There is a potential risk for human life and swaths of wildlife that would be put in significant danger. Now the question becomes what everyday people can do about it. For one thing, be aware of the waste that you produce. At

the end of the day, you are only in complete control of yourself. Making sure you recycle, or, at the very least, do not pollute is a surefire way to keep yourself in check. Another thing to do is hold companies and institutions in check. Most of the major waste is produced by larger institutions that have very little regard for how they impact the environment. That role can be filled by politicians and political processes, so assuring that the environmental interests of a candidate are in the interest of preserving the environment is important. Ensuring you are aware of yourself and aware of the world in of itself is crucial. Staying informed of the state of current events and staying on top of your own waste production will help keep the Earth beautiful for longer. We only have one Earth, so we can not mess this up.

Brought to you By The Penn Editorial Staff

Culture

Culture Editor: Lane Lannan – ffpcc@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Caio Gomes – hysbc@iup.edu

(Caio Gomes/The Penn) Fall began on Wednesday and was marked by cooler temperatures and a cloudy sky.

‘All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray’

IUP students speak about beginning of fall season Alyssa Minerd Contributing Writer nnrz@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The weather is getting cooler and the sun is setting earlier; it is evident that fall is just beginning. The official start of autumn was Wednesday. IUP students, after their anticipated return to campus this semester, were filled with mixed emotions about summer ending. “It’s hard to choose my favorite season,” Amber McClure (sophomore, nutrition/dietetics)

said. “As much as I enjoy fall, I’m just not quite ready for summer to be over. I don’t like the cold – I’m going to miss the warm weather most of all.” The weather has been difficult to predict since the beginning of classes. Students will be able say goodbye to the 80-degree days as much cooler days are here. While some students may not want to give up

the warm temperatures, others were impatiently waiting for the fall season. “I’m so ready for fall,” Madison D’Hert (sophomore, psychology) said. “I like to go on hayrides with my friends and cousins, especially the haunted ones; the spookier, the better.” Along with haunted hayrides, other seasonal activities include fall festivals, tractor parades and pumpkin carv-

September 24, 2021

ing. When it comes to a highly favored IUP event specifically, Homecoming is typically thought of when anticipating the fall semester. The parade, football game and live concert are just a few highlights of the fun-filled day. The variety of activities are often enjoyed by not only the student body, but also the IUP alumni and residents from the entire community. Since the IUP Homecoming did not happen last year, there are groups of students who are looking forward to attending

their first-ever homecoming on campus. Freshmen and sophomores especially, who may not be familiar with this university-wide event, are finally able to participate on Oct. 2. “This is my first semester living on campus,” D’Hert said. “I’ve never been to Homecoming at IUP before. I’m most excited for the football game and concert.” Aside from attending events as the fall season begins, another way students may get into the spirit includes trying out fallthemed drinks, especially coffees. Continued on Page 11

Culture

IUP students on beginning of fall season Continued from Page 10 Conveniently on campus, Starbucks began rolling out its seasonal flavors during the last week of August. The variety of menu options allows students to indulge in these delicious beverages for whatever mood they are in. A popular fall choice is the Pumpkin Spice Latte. If you are not a coffee drinker, there are several other beverages to enjoy that are nostalgic of the fall season. “Apple cider is definitely my all-time favorite fall drink,” MacKenzie Baker (freshman, safety science) said. “I tend to enjoy it while at the pumpkin patch with my family and friends.” Drinks like apple cider and pumpkin spice beverages are both ways that can immediately get students in the fall spirit. Although there are numerous seasonal activities to participate in, fall can also be seen as a great time to relax. No matter what your favorite season may be, fall semesters at IUP offer ways for everyone to enjoy themselves.

Stormy weather hits IUP Weekly event baffles students

(Caio Gomes/The Penn/The Penn Archives) The rain at IUP may not seem odd, but its seemingly planned schedule is weird to some students.

The Crimson Hoax EVA TILLICH Managing Editor jxsbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP CAIO GOMES Lead Culture Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Crimson Hoax is a weekly column detailing satirical stories from the IUP community.

(Caio Gomes/The Penn) Leaves in places like the Oak Grove will start changing colors as the season progresses.

September 24, 2021

You know it is a Monday because everyone around you seems tired, you know it is a Friday because everyone around you seems excited and you know it is a Wednesday because it is raining on campus. Since Welcome Week, the start of the academic year, it has rained on campus every single Wednesday. While this could be chalked up to some incredible weather phenomena, something larger could be at play. Some students suspect that Indiana, Pa., is stuck in a wormhole, and we have

been repeating the same week over and over again. This may be hard to believe because our regular lives continue to play out as normal so we do not notice that time has stopped. “Well, there are many reasons to believe that we are actually repeating the same week on a loop,” Matt Smith (junior, Earth and space science education) said. “Just think about what classes you took this week and compare it to last week; they are the same. This Monday, I had the exact same classes as last Monday, the same goes to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It’s crazy.” Other students believe that it has something to do with IUP’s Punxsutawney campus. The branch campus is known for its culinary arts program. As some may or may not know, the iconic documentary “Groundhog Day” exposed a serious issue taking place in the town of

Punxsutawney, Pa. According to the documentary, Punxsutawney has its own way to teach people valuable lessons by forcing everyone to live a specific amount of time in a loop; however, everyone but the “punished” person is unaware of the loop. Some students believe that the “Punxsutawney curse” might have been extended to every IUP campus by mistake. “My new boyfriend goes to IUP Punxsutawney, so maybe the magic knows that students are connecting with each other,” Amelia Pond (sophomore, criminology) said. “If you think about it, it makes sense to extend the curse to all of the IUP campuses because the curse is not a logical person to know that this IUP is different than the other IUP. “The moment the curse finds out about this IUP campus, the curse would consider here part of Punxsutawney.” Another possibility might be

that a transfer student brought the curse from IUP Punxsutawney to IUP’s main campus. Some students might switch majors, qualifying to attend Indiana’s campus as opposed to Punxsutawney’s. Sources say that if a student were in Punxsutawney during the loop and somehow managed to escape the town, the student would possibly be bringing the curse to wherever they went to. “It is not yet known any case of a person leaving Punxsutawney during a ‘cursed loop,’” Isa Joek, director of the York-Indiana-Kutztown-Erie Statistical Institute (Y.I.K.E.S. Institute), said. “Usually, a person stuck into the loop cannot leave town, but it is a possibility that if someone manages to escape the town, they could bring the loop with them. “That is why we don’t have a location in Punxsutawney; we do not wish to risk expanding the curse throughout all of Pennsylvania.” It is not yet apparent how the curse can be broken, but a team from Y.I.K.E.S. Institute is currently investigating the situation. If any student has information about the phenomenon, they are encouraged to contact Joek or email the investigation at jxsbc@iup.edu.

September 24, 2021

Culture

September 24, 2021

STATIC plans to rock IUP's boat, homecoming with Lil Yachty STATIc CAIO GOMES Lead Culture Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP My name is Caio and I won’t be static when it comes to covering STATIC’s many events. The Student Activity Committee (STATIC) is going full work mode arranging the final details for Homecoming next week. Currently, there are no STATIC events taking place before Homecoming weekend. That is for a good reason. Homecoming is one of the biggest and most traditional events that happens not only at IUP but at every single university, so STATIC is putting all of its hard work towards making a memorable homecoming concert. This year’s concert will be headlined by Lil Yachty. Lil Yachty first rose to fame in 2016 after his debut single “One Night” was featured in a video named, “When Bae Hits You With ‘So What Are We?’” As the video went viral, so did the song, which eventually charted within the top 50 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and was certified Platinum for over one million units that were consumed in sales plus streaming (SPS). Lil Yachty’s opening act at the Homecoming concert will be with Pittsburgh’s duo Social House, popular for producing Ariana Grande’s

hit single “7 Rings.” “Most of our work right now is going towards the Homecoming concert because that is one of the biggest events STATIC is responsible for,” Kendall Gomez (sophomore, Spanish/political science), STATIC’s events chair, said. While STATIC works on the concert, other organizations are also doing their share of work to ensure a fun Homecoming. As the name suggests, Homecoming is an event in which many former students (alumni) come back to IUP to cherish their memories of the place. For that reason, it is natural that the Office of Alumni and Friends along with the IUP Ambassadors have been doing their own work to guarantee that alumni feel welcome on campus during Homecoming. “The IUP Ambassadors were founded in 1993 under the direction of the IUP Alumni Association for the purpose of serving as a link between prospective students, current students, administrators, faculty members, alumni and friends of IUP,” according to the IUP Ambassadors website. One of the events taking place during Homecoming that will be aided by the IUP Ambassadors is a fireside chat with the Black Experience Alumni Committee (BEAC). The BEAC is an alumni committee advocating to improve Black students’ academic success and social experience at IUP. The event will take place in the Great Room of Elkin Hall and the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement (MCSLE) building. It will happen on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m., a few hours

before the Homecoming concert. The fireside chat will be open for all students to attend regardless of ethnicity or cultural background. It is recommended that students wear IUP attire to show school pride. Other opportunities for students include a bingo; a happy hour open only for students of drinking age; a huddle in which IUP welcomes students and guests to a full buffet of tailgate favorites, an assortment of drinks, great entertainment and a chance to win IUP prizes; the Homecoming parade which will be announcing the 2021 IUP Crimson Court; and, of course, the Homecoming game. This year’s game will be against Gannon University and will take place Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. After the game, starting at 9 p.m., there will be a late-night party at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Center (KCAC). According to IUP’s website, this year's program will feature trivia, bingo and karaoke. There is no fee to enter. The fun does not end after the game day is over. On Oct. 3, students looking to complete volunteer service hours or who enjoy volunteer work will join several organizations including IUP Fraternity and Sorority Life to clean up parts of Indiana Borough that were affected by Homecoming. Whether it is through a STATIC-sponsored event such as the concert, through a school-sponsored event such as the Homecoming parade, or through a non-IUP affiliated event such as fraternity or sorority parties Homecoming can be a lot of fun. The Penn wishes all students, staff, alumni and members of the Indiana community and safe and fun homecoming.

(IUP) The KCAC will be the spot for a late-night party after the Homecoming football game.

(Rebecca Walker/The Penn) The night was marked with games and conversations about Tolkien’s books.

Creative Writing Club celebrates Hobbit Day REBECCA WALKER Contributing Writer blddc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Creative Writing Club celebrated National Hobbit Day in recognition of J. R. R. Tolkien’s work. Club members and those interested in joining attended the party on Wednesday at Folger’s Dining Hall at 8 p.m. Tolkien is a well-known author of the popular book series “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”. For those unfamiliar with this national holiday, it is representative of the birthdays of two fictional characters from Tolkien’s work. The characters are the two hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and are often regarded as the most heroic and lovable of all Tolkien’s characters. The Creative Writing Club had a great turnout of about 30 people. Attendees set up tables and chairs together and got to know one another a bit. Most enjoyed being able to socialize with a community of people that share a common interest. “I thought it was really fun getting to meet people who have similar interests in writing. I liked playing the board games and getting to know everyone a lot better,” Hailie Hearn (sophomore, English) said. The club provided a stack of board games and card games to choose from to make it easier for everyone to relax and get comfortable together. They played some music in the background and had tables set up with snacks and drinks for all who attended. The students broke up into smaller groups to play multiple games. Games included popular

favorites such as “Uno”, “Cards Against Humanity” and “Werewolf.” It was a great way to get everyone talking, laughing and acquainted with one another. Not all students were familiar with National Hobbit Day, but the celebration was successful and fun for all who attended. Students reported having a great time and looking forward to more events from the Creative Writing Club. “I would love for more events like this one. When you get a bunch of creative people together and have us all play games, it’s so much fun,” James Saylor (freshman, cyber security) said. The club was open to all and was able to recruit a few new people. While some were unsure of what the party would entail and how the hobbits would be celebrated, it was quickly apparent that it was an event that welcomed everyone and not just fans of Tolkien. Many are looking to make new friends with those they encountered at the party. “I thought that this event was very sincere and genuine. I didn’t even remember the names of certain people, but they have definitely made me want to get to know them and even become friends,” Jasir Dash (freshman, English) said. The club did not celebrate in the typical hobbit celebratory ways, such as walking around all day barefoot, having a movie marathon or baking Lembas bread, but they had a great time together. Those who are still interested in joining can do so by visiting the IUP Crimson Connect page and contacting the president of the Creative Writing Club to inquire about joining. All writers are welcome.

September 24, 2021

Culture

Why do students join Greek Life KELLY BLANKENBICKER Staff Writer svcy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Rush and recruitment season in full effect makes many possible new members question why they should go Greek. “The reason I went Greek was to make lifelong friendships and be a part of something during my college experience,” Kelli Rose (senior, criminology) said. “It has been the best decision I’ve ever made because being a part of Greek life can open opportunities after graduation, and that is something that I will cherish forever.” There are about 750,000 fraternity and sorority members in the United States as of July 2021. There are more than nine million alumni. “I wanted to be a part of something more on campus, and the guys I met at Kappa Sigma were

welcoming and genuine,” Brody Rife (sophomore, cyber security) said. “My mission was to join something I would be proud of. I have found a brotherhood that I couldn’t be happier with.” Every Greek chapter has a designated philanthropy that they raise and donate money toward. “The reason why I joined Greek life was to get more involved in the IUP community as well as joining a brotherhood that will last a lifetime,” Benjamin Baggott (junior, business and technology education) said. “When I first came to IUP, I never considered joining Greek life. The more I was on campus, the more I saw the impact it has. I came out to the rush events and instantly saw how close the brothers were and knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. “Being in Greek life also opens

many opportunities, such as networking opportunities, through alumni and various other organizations such as the Inter Fraternal Council (IFC) and the Haven Project. As a brother of Sigma Chi, I have found a second family for life.” More than 1,000 undergraduate students are a member of Greek life at IUP. “My reason for joining a sorority was to meet new people and to step out of my comfort zone with something I’d never planned on doing,” Tabitha Corwin (senior, safety science) said. “I am grateful for how many connections I’ve made within my chapter and especially throughout the entire community. My goals are for the stigma around Greek life to lessen or go away if possible. I hope those who have preconceived notions about fraternities and sororities consider how much time and effort

(IUPFSL/Facebook) There are a lot of reasons to join Greek life like the new opportunities and social connections. gets put into our organizations and the events which we host.” There are 11 sororities in the Panhellenic Council at IUP, and there are 10 fraternities in IFC. There are nine chapters in the National Panhellenic Council. “I have had the same group of friends since my childhood so, when I came to college, I wanted to find friends that felt like brothers,” Mark Phillippi (junior, criminology) said.

“One of my friends brought me around Kappa Sigma and I just felt accepted. I went Greek to find a close group of friends, and my mission is to use this brotherhood in my future endeavors.” Fraternities and sororities provide several leadership opportunities. Members can take on positions within their chapter. Several of those positions can match members’ personal and professional goals.

(Twitter) The Emmys took place Sept. 19. The pictured cast of “Ted Lasso” was one of the shows that won big.

2021 Emmys return with big wins, mild controversies LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP As award shows go, there are few that carry as much interest and prestige as the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys). Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, the Emmys have returned to a more in-person event for the 2021 cycle. This is in contrast to the virtual events that were put in place during the 2020 Emmys. Despite the fact that the event took place physically, there were still some perceived issues with the venue. As comedian Seth Rogen pointed out towards the beginning of the event, there seemed to be an apparent lack of concern on the part of the event organizers over the issue of COVID-19 safety protocols as there were about 600 people all

in one closed-off location. Despite this being refuted by the organizing staff stating that there were measures in place to ensure safety, some think the event could have been better planned. “It was kind of irresponsible on the part of the organizers,” Gabrielle Probst (sophomore, early childhood education) said. “I am not sure that it was worth putting people at risk in a closed space just for the awards.” Probst went on to say that, despite the apparent lack of safety features, she did recognize the rebuttal made by the organizers. While she agrees that the safety measures like vaccination and testing everyone in attendance were good things, Probst said that she still thinks there was a better way to host the Emmys in person with less risk. For example, the event taking place in a completely outdoor setting would have been an alternative to prevent the

spread of COVID-19. In spite of the concerns that Rogen brought up towards the start of the event, the awards show was still exciting for the many nominees, particularly for the show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” which saw the head of the show, RuPaul, make Emmys history for most wins by a person of color. A multitude of different shows and movies made their appearances at the event. From Bo Burnham’s “Inside” to “WandaVision,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Hamilton” and “Ted Lasso,” the Emmys were packed with so many different shows for fans to cheer on. “Considering the popularity that ‘Inside’ had, I am honestly pretty surprised that it didn’t win,” Riley Hays (sophomore, software engineering) said. “That being said, I was not too surprised to see that ‘Hamilton’ beat it. It has been a pretty strong force in terms of musicals for a while.”

Seeing as “Inside” has been featured all over social media apps like Instagram and TikTok, it is surprising that it did not win in the category of Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). Some other entries in that category were “Friends: The Reunion” and “David Byrne’s American Utopia”. The winner of the category was the wildly popular “Hamilton” which has seen somewhat of a resurgence in popularity since it was put up on the streaming service Disney+. Of course, one can not talk about the 2021 Emmys without mentioning the biggest winner of the night, that being the drama series “The Crown”. “When I saw how many Emmys ‘The Crown’ had won, I was a bit shocked honestly,” Delilah Rivera (sophomore, finance) said. “It was pretty cool to see a show take that many wins even though I have no real interest in the show.”

(Twitter) Bo Burnham’s “Inside” was popular on Netflix upon its release over the summer. “The Crown” managed to walk away from the awards with seven total wins. Another big winner was the comedy-drama series “Ted Lasso” with four wins. Whether you are interested in the concept of awards shows or not, it is always satisfying to see a show that you enjoy win an award. Students can go to websites like Entertainment Weekly to see the complete list of winners at the event.

Culture

September 24, 2021

Sports

Editor-in-Chief: Jeff Hart – J.R.Hart2@iup.edu

Pouring down wins, IUP remains undefeated amid poor weather JEFFERY HART Editor-in-Chief J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP “Hey, welcome to Indiana,” Gary Agard, IUP’s field hockey head coach, said. It was an unpredictable-Indiana-weather type of night for the IUP field hockey team on Wednesday. While the weather may have been a mild distraction, IUP’s Hawks did not make any excuses for themselves. “My teammates know that the game stays the same [despite the weather], and we are getting ready for playoffs,” Blaise Cugini (junior, early childhood and special education) said. Despite heavy rain and a weather delay to start the game, the Hawks came through victorious in a strong 4-0 shutout. IUP dominated on both sides of the field and made a case to be nationally ranked. It was a matchup between teams with different trajectories in their seasons. The Hawks came in looking to extend their undefeated season while the Mercyhurst Lakers came in looking to get their first win of the year. IUP was impressive on both offense and defense. The Hawks were able to control the flow of the game and take 19 shots on goal while also limiting the Lakers to only two shots on the night. It was another great outing for veteran star Cugini as she helped lift her squad offensively with two goals on the night. “We have been really focusing on circle play and capitalizing on taking shots,” Cugini said. “I think that my whole team played really well and helped put me in a position to be successful.” Georgianna Chiavacci (graduate student, human resources) got in on the action and put up one goal and assisted on two others. This game was helpful to prepare the Hawks for the upcoming stretch of tough games as they enter the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) portion

(Contributed by Kaylee Wenderoth) The IUP field hockey team has only allowed four goals in its first five games. of their schedule. After the Hawks were up with a four-goal lead in the fourth quarter, Agard rested his experienced players and was able to get some of his younger players some valuable field time in the final quarter. The young talent on this squad proved its medal and did not allow a single Mercyhurst goal to finish the game. “I felt we did a really good

job,” Agard said. “I think that it was an all-around effort, and everyone contributed; our intensity never changed and never stopped.” IUP will need to keep up this intensity going into its next game against the undefeated No. 6 Millersville Marauders. This matchup will give IUP a chance to change the narrative against Millersville as the Hawks

September 24, 2021

have a 3-8 against the Marauders going into this game. The last time these two programs played each other in 2019, IUP lost but was able to hold Millersville to only one goal. Agard is all too aware of the stretch that is coming up for IUP. “I know that going forward is not going to be easy,” Agard said. “We have a really big game this weekend against an unde-

feated team.” This will be a true test of the Hawks’ medal as the team will have to travel to Millersville and try to give the Marauders their first loss of the season on the road. Two teams are going into Saturday undefeated; only one will leave with a perfect record. The Crimson Hawks are ready for the tough test that lies ahead.

Sports

September 24, 2021

Football looking to get back in the win column Hawks set to take on the Lakers AUSTIN SMITH Staff Writer A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The No. 24 Crimson Hawks will look for redemption and to get back into the win column against Mercyhurst on the road this Saturday. The last time IUP matched up with Mercyhurst, it was a good day for the Hawks as they went on to win by a score of 56-24. Justice Evans (senior, business management) and Duane Brown (junior, sports administration) brought strong games for the Hawks and helped them put up 21 points in the first quarter. This will be the first road game of the season for IUP, and the team always looks forward to playing on the road a bit more. “We actually like playing on the road; [there are] a lot less distractions and [we] have been very successful as the visiting team,” head coach Paul Tortorella said. The Hawks were on the road when they won 5624 back in 2019, so IUP will look to repeat the same success. Mercyhurst will be the first opponent that is not ranked as high as the Crimson Hawks’ first two opponents of Kutztown and Shepherd. “We treat every game the same [and] play to win that Saturday no matter who the opponent is,” Tortorella said. Like any team, some are better on the running game and some are better in the passing game. The Hawks will look to get their running game going a bit earlier than what they did against Shepherd on Saturday.

“We definitely need to establish our running game early on Saturday,” Tortorella said. Along with Evans being in the run game, it will be good to see Malik Anderson (senior, school of continuing education) as well. Anderson did put up 56 rushing yards on five attempts against Shepherd. Both teams are capable of putting up points as well as stopping their opponents from moving the ball. The Hawks will look to improve on their numbers this week. “I can’t say one way or the other; I just expect us to play better this week in all three phases: offense, defense and special teams,” Tortorella said. The most points IUP put up this year offensively was 29 against Kutztown, and Mercyhurst’s highest scoring game was when it put up 18 in its season opener against Alderson Broaddus, so IUP will have the upper hand on offense. On the defensive side, IUP allowed 37 in its game against Shepherd last week. Mercyhurst allowed 56 to West Chester. So even on the defensive side, IUP has had better success keeping opponents from blowing open the box score. Every game is different, but, like Tortorella said, every game should be treated equally. The Hawks will look to mix things up against Mercyhurst to throw its defense off. “Both screens and play action are good ways to keep the defense off balance,” Tortorella said. The Hawks will be ready to travel for their first road game of the season this Saturday in Erie, Pa., and look to pick up a second win of the season to get back to their winning ways.

September 24, 2021

Sports

IUP tennis is ready to get back to business ‘I am excited about every player in our lineup and their potential for success’ MATT GLOVER Staff Writer htpcz@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

The IUP tennis team enters this season with an ace up its sleeve that will help bring home more championships: experience. “I’m super excited about the team,” head coach Larry Peterson said. “We’ve had a lot of success and have our starting lineup back.” The last Pennsylvania State Ath-

letic Conference (PSAC) Championship was held in 2019. “We have the last PSAC champion, Joanna Stralka (junior, biology pre-med), on our team,” player Karolin Kirchtag (senior, sports administration) said. “We definitely want to keep that trophy at IUP.” Stralka won singles as a freshman. “She’s a very strong player,” Peterson said, “and she certainly has the ability to go in and dominate the draw. She spent a lot of

time over the summer trying to get herself ready.” The addition of a graduate-student transfer with Division I (D-I) experience will also make us stronger on and off the court, Peterson said. Natasha Munday (graduate student, sports management) transferred from New Mexico and was an All-Mountain West Conference (MIC) selection in doubles. She has an overall record of 40-36 in singles and 59-36 in doubles. “I’m excited about every player in our lineup and their potential for success,” Peterson said. As the team continues to warm up for the start of the season, the players are still cooling down from last year’s strong finish where they went 15-4 and 6-0 in the conference. The goal is to pick up where we left off in the spring and have some good matches, Kirchtag said. The team reached the Elite Eight last season in the 2021 NCAA Division II Championship. “I am ranked second in the doubles draw with my partner, Lydia Vlachou (sophomore, public health),” Idoia Huerta (senior, cell and molecular biology) said. “It looks promising, and we are ready to give everything we have to fight for the tournament.” Huerta was part of the doubles team that made it to finals in the 2019 PSAC Championships. The Hawks also had three All-

PSAC singles selections for the 2021 season and two doubles pairings earn First Team All-PSAC West honors. With such a strong showing last year, the team was hard at work this summer getting ready for an even stronger showing this year. “The off-season is very different because we all go home,” Huerta said. “The first weeks are non-tennis weeks where the focus is recovering from any possible injury during the season and starting strong with fitness.” We got a training program from our coach for the last two months, Kirchtag said, that prepared us physically for our season. “We have a summer workout packet for our players that focuses on movement, agility and cardio,” Peterson said. “It’s a fairly comprehensive program that should help them be prepared when they get back.” “I worked specifically on building my confidence in my game to bring out the best version of myself,” Huerta said. Being entirely composed of international students, the team going home for the summer and coming back every fall further strengthens the bond of the players. “We understand how each other feels about home,” Huerta said, “and the upperclassmen help the new ones deal with those feelings and utilize the experience. It was

(IUP Athletics) The IUP women’s tennis team is comprised entirely of international players which helps this team greatly with its bonding and on-thecourt chemistry.

never easy to leave home when I was 17 years old, and a united team makes the experience easier.” “I think it’s nice because you get to know different cultures,” Kirchtag said. “Everyone contributes to the team.” Peterson loves the opportunity he has to build relationships and spend time with kids from all over the world. “They bring their home culture to our program,” Peterson said, “so we have a very diverse group that helps them learn, grow and develop. “It’s a pleasure for me coach the team at IUP and spend time with them.” The players all adapt together to being away from home, but the real bond they share is their love for tennis. “Tennis is so much more than just a physical sport,” Kirchtag said. “Through a match, you must overcome many obstacles and situations.” Every point is different, and you have to adapt, Kirchtag added. “This is what I’ve asked my parents to drive me to ever since I was four years old,” Huerta said. “It teaches me life lessons that I use in everyday situations and helps me prepare for the future.” Their bond creates a competitive nature on and off the court. “I think our team GPA last spring was over a 3.8,” Peterson said. “They’re responsible kids.” “It’s very gratifying when we play a good team and win,” Huerta said. “It creates more confidence in us that we use to fire ourselves up in the next round.” “Any matches are good matches,” Kirchtag said. “I think Inercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regionals and PSAC Championships are the most important ones. “There never was an individual player or doubles team who won regionals, so winning it is definitely on our radar.” Speaking of regionals, the team will open its season this weekend at the ITA Regional Championship in Millersville. The Hawks will face 13 schools including PSAC rivals Bloomsburg, Edinboro, Mercyhurst, Millersville, West Chester and Slippery Rock whose doubles team knocked IUP out of the finals back in the 2019 PSAC Championship.

Sports

September 24, 2021

Sports

Hawks lose tight 1-0 game against The Rock BEN SPRIGGS Staff Writer dzbbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

IUP women’s soccer returned to the field of play on Wednesday evening. The weather was not perfect. In their most recent game, the Hawks tied the Gannon University Knights 0-0 on Saturday. The team is actively searching for a conference win. Its last one came against Cal-U on Sept. 8. This week brought a familiar opponent and rival. The Hawks, led by Coach Adel Heder, hosted a pivotal Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup against Slippery Rock University at South Campus Field on Wednesday.

IUP entered the game with a record of 2-1-1. The last time both teams met occurred in October of 2019. IUP lost a close game by a score of 2-1. The Rock went on to win the PSAC Championship that fall. Slippery Rock is led by head coach Jessica Giegducz and leading scorer Rachel Edge. Edge had scored six goals already this season. Predictably, she would go on to play a pivotal role in this game. Entering the matchup, The Rock posted a 4-1-1 overall record. Its first loss of the season came last weekend against Mercyhurst University. The Hawks looked to hand The

Rock a second straight loss in less than a week. Heder spoke pregame regarding the matchup and what it would take to come out victorious. “[It] always is a big game with Slippery Rock,” Heder said. “We just need to play our game, start strong and score first.” The Hawks gave it their all. The match was very evenly fought throughout the game, but, in the end, IUP women’s soccer fell to Slippery Rock 1-0. In the first half, both teams competed well, but the Hawks were unable to generate much offensive momentum. IUP was held to only one shot

on goal in the opening half of play. That shot came from Cloe Thoericht (sophomore, exercise science). Starting goaltender Samantha Gildner (junior, athletic training) also had three saves. Both teams entered halftime scoreless. Things stayed the same for most of the second half until the scoring barrier finally broke. Opportunities were exchanged by both teams, but neither were able to capitalize. Gildner came up big once again with a pivotal stop on a go-ahead penalty kick in the 70th minute. Offensive points came shortly thereafter unfortunately from The Rock. Slippery Rock scored with just five minutes remaining in the

game. The goal came from senior forward Edge. This left IUP with very little time to respond. The Hawks were unable to tie the game and send it into extra minutes with a score. The remaining schedule for IUP are all conference games. The Hawks are still scheduled to play both Seton Hill University and Clarion University twice. The team will have an opportunity for redemption for the meet with Slippery Rock University again on Oct. 23. The Hawks will travel for that matchup. IUP women’s soccer will return to the pitch on Saturday afternoon at South Campus Field as the team continues to search for a conference bounce back win. Gametime is set for 1:30 p.m. against Pitt-Johnstown.

Volleyball drops conference opener against Gannon JAY McGARY Staff Writer fwtz@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The IUP women’s volleyball team met its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent at home court on Tuesday, and, for some, it was a wake-up call. IUP lost 3-0 in its match against the Gannon University Golden Knights, but the team did stay strong the whole time, pulling out more points in each set than the previous. Because of this loss, IUP now sits at a .500 record with seven wins and seven losses. Though the team would have hoped to begin the in-conference competition with a win, every game is a learning experience for the team whether it ends victoriously or not. “The Gannon loss showed me where we need to be to win the conference,” head coach Julie Torbett said. “They set the standard of excellence in this league and that is the bar we will work toward getting over.” Gannon is as good of a team to emulate as any team in the PSAC. The Golden Knights have won the Northwest Division every year since its 2016 inception. They have also appeared in two PSAC Championships; one of which, they brought home the title. But, as any good team does, it is

important to take your lumps and just keep moving forward. The next step is a Seton Hill team that IUP just played no more than a week ago. That game ended in favor of the Griffins, 3-1. As IUP is now 0-1 on the season in PSAC competition, it is important to remember the implications of such games in terms of a prospective playoff appearance. That is not to say IUP does not treat every opponent with the same kind of vigor, but in-conference head to head matchups may offer an extra bit of motivation. Not to mention the extra bit of preparation provided via interconference game film. “Conference matches are better because we have video and we know those teams and have established some rivalries,” Torbett said. “I just want us to play good volleyball and play hard no matter who the opponent is. “We always prepare the same for every match because the goal doesn’t change. We are working to get better every day which is within our control.” Preparing the same for each and every match is usually described in terms of physical preparation each day, but the scouting report for each team varies. For this competition against Seton Hill, IUP has already had a chance to see how the Griffins plan. That plan is to attack the middle,

something Torbett mentioned directly after the game, and something she is looking forward to capitalizing on; though, it will take a deft execution. “Our middles are quick and hit low which is hard for teams to defend,” Torbett said. “It really all depends on our passing if we can utilize this strength of ours.” We will see if that game plan can come to fruition when the Hawks travel to Greensburg this Friday to the Katherine Mabis McKenna Center at Seton Hill University for their rematch against the 5-4 Griffins. A livestream of the game will be offered, starting with the game at 7 p.m. which can be found on Seton Hill’s athletics’ page.

(Alexa Giger/The Penn) The IUP volleyball team set a record for attendance in its conference opener against Gannon with 852 people in attendance.