SCULPTURES AROUND CAMPUS GET MASKED FOR SILENT PROTEST

(Teddy Jeannette/The Penn) Sculptures around campus were covered with blankets, tarps and sheets as a way of a silent protest at the dismissal of the fine arts department.

Sculptures around campus get masked for silent protest

RACHEL FOOR Staff Writer myjv@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Early Monday morning, students armed with bed sheets, duct tape, maps, signs and tablecloths met at the loading dock behind Sprowls Hall to put a demonstration into motion.

These students covered artwork all over campus to protest the consolidation of the College of Fine Arts and College of Humanities and Social Sciences because of the restructuring of the college’s programs and retrenchment of numerous faculty that was announced Oct. 14.

“Each sheet will have a message attached that will say something like ‘by order of President Driscoll, since fine arts don't matter’, ‘because it's not in the plan for student success,’ etc.,” co-founder of the IUP Arts Initiative Kaitlyn Carey (senior, art) said. “Certain pieces will also have statements from the artists who created them, or the families or foundations that donated them to IUP that express their permission to be covered and their frustrations with IUP's reconstruction plan.”

The phrases “shame on IUP,” “a preview of what’s to come,” “result of IUP’s retrenchment plan” and “find another way so our professors can stay” were also written on the sheets covering the (Teddy Jeannette/The Penn) A statue by Sprowls with a sign that reads “By order of Chancellor Greenstein since fine arts don’t matter #shameonIUP.”

artwork.

“IUP is failing an open note test,” David John (senior, art) said. “Schools that don’t invest in the arts are doomed to fail. Especially when the niche fine arts majors are what drove many of us to come here in the first place.”

John said that by covering the art on campus, they hope to make themselves known as an organization and let President Driscoll know that they are fighting for professors, future students and their own futures as working artists.

IUP’s restructuring and retrenchment plans include cutting 128 faculty, many of which are from the College of Fine Arts. The college’s programs would also be seriously affected.

“The goal of the covering is to deprive the university of art before they can do it to us,” Carey said. “To give them a preview of what to expect if they slash the College of Fine Arts in half.”

She said that she co-founded the IUP Arts Initiative because the art department at IUP is her life.

“Every time I think about the potential five out of 13 faculty members who are slated to lose their jobs…I cannot even imagine an art department without even one of the professors who have helped me to get where I am now,” she said. “Our professors, faculty and staff mean the world to all of us and they have been nothing short of supportive in the 3.5 years that I have been here.”

The students from the IUP Arts Initiative hope that covering the art on campus, much of which was created by students, will demonstrate the widespread effect of cutting arts programs at the university.

“Indiana has certainly grown into more of an arts town in the short time that I have been here,” Carey said. “The artists, visual and performing at IUP have formed relationships with the artists in this community. For example, my art education professors have formed a relationship with the Artists Hand Gallery, and part of our classes at IUP revolve around teaching preschool art lessons at the Gallery.” She said there are families that depend on the art education program at IUP for quality lessons for their children.

“The Indiana community and IUP's Art department are so closely intertwined that this devastating blow to IUP will be equally devastating to the borough of Indiana.”

The Initiative’s cause has received support from much of the IUP student body.

“It's always the first thing cut because it's supposedly less important,” Kortnee Flood (senior, sociology and psychology) said, “but what would a world without any art look like? Art isn't my main path, but it's still a very important part of my time at IUP.”

She said she doesn’t blame IUP for wanting to focus more on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but there needs to be more of a balance.

“IUP isn't the kind of place that's meant to be nothing but science and math. Without the richness of the departments that they're cutting drastically or erasing completely, IUP is going to lose its appeal for many students,” she said. “I know if I were a younger student, I would seriously be considering leaving.”

“The arts are essential to everyone, not just the students in the field,” said Carey. “What did we all turn to during the months of quarantine? It surely wasn't calculus problems or frog dissections. We turned to TV shows, movies, Hamilton, books and music.

Our local artists and crafters hand-stitched us all masks to wear. Now that we're out, I've seen so many people going to breweries and wineries, and they are ecstatic that there are live performers there.”

Monday afternoon, the coverings had been removed. By Tuesday morning, they were replaced on the art once again, only to be taken down by noon.

“Art is all around us and is integrated into our everyday lives. Our lives would be dull without it.”

News October 28, 2020 5 Rare manuscript finds new home at IUP

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

A rare item is now on display at IUP, and it dates back almost 400 years ago.

The “Spanish Illuminated Manuscript” is one of the many rare books that is in IUP’s collection. Part of the IUP Special Collections and University Archive, it is rarely seen by the public and cannot be checked out of the library.

Dr. Harrison Wick, an associate professor and special collections librarian and university archivist, said the document was first donated to the school before Stapleton Library had even been built in 1980.

“It was donated by William Lafranchi who served as director of the library and media services,” he said.

Lafranchi was director from 1953 until 1986.

The manuscript is one of the archive’s examples of unique book binding. It provides a look at royal history.

“The ‘Spanish Illuminated Manuscript’ is a compilation of handwritten documents, bound and written on vellum,” Wick said.

It was written between 1635 and 1637 by a scribe in the court of Spain’s King Philip IV, who reigned Spain from 1621 to 1665.

King Philip IV is widely known for his rule during The Thirty Years War and for being a patron of the arts. He reigned over both Spain and Portugal, the latter he reigned between 1621 and 1640 when he was ousted from the position by nobles in Lisbon.

Aside from writings, art can be found within the first few pages of the book depicting the king.

Though similar writings were done in the Spanish royal court, this manuscript owned by IUP is the only copy that there is. This, according to Wick, makes it a unique document.

It is also important for the library when it comes to student research.

“This manuscript demonstrates how diverse and important library resources can be,” he said.

Over time, the document has been enjoyed by various students. It has also given the

The “Spanish Illuminated Manuscript” is over 400 years old and speaks about royal history.

possibility to garner some of their involvement with the library archives, specifically those who work with other languages.

“We are striving to encourage students to help us translate and transcribe this important document,” Wick said.

There has been no transcribing done with student help yet, but Wick said it is a possible project in the near future.

Though it is not able to be circulated, the full manuscript is available online through the archive’s webpage at libweb1. library.iup.edu/depts/speccol/.

Other books in the archives include “Homage to Catalonia,” written in 1938 by George Orwell. This copy contains Orwell’s notes and corrections within the pages. There are also many first editions and limited copies of books in the collection, which has seen an uprise in donations over time.

As stated on the IUP webpage for the archives, these books serve as “an integral component for research, scholarship and doctoral programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.”

To be able to view these books and other works, the archive is able to be visited through scheduled meetings Monday through Friday. Contact Special Collections and University Archives by

(Courtesy of Dr. Harrison Wick)

phone at (724) 357-3039 to set up an appointment.

News

Students protest changes with silent concert

JULIA ROCKWELL Contributing Writer mbdx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

IUP fine arts students stood in silence to protest IUP NextGen and faculty retrenchment at 5 p.m. Monday at Fisher Auditorium.

Everyone who participated in the Silent Concert dressed in black and wore stickers describing why the music department was important to them. Some students carried instruments, choir binders and conducting batons. Alumni and other students attended via Zoom.

Despite the rain, over 100 students participated in the concert. Thirty-five others watched, professors included, as a student held a sign that said, “This is a ‘student-centered’ approach,” in reference to IUP’s academic restructuring plan.

Jennie Jones (senior, music) planned the concert. Everyone wore masks and stood 6 feet apart. The concert was 20 minutes. Jones concluded the concert by saying it was a preview of what the arts would look like with IUP NextGen.

Jones said that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is important,

STEM and the arts are intertwined and both should be funded and supported.

“The music students have been looking for some way to advocate for the arts since IUP announced the faculty retrenchment,” Jones said in an email. “I heard about the plan the art students came up with, and the idea of IUP without the arts inspired me to come up with the Silent Concert. What does the world sound like without music? Silent.”

Jess Teter (senior, music) described the music department as her home. Teter’s main reason for attending IUP was for the faculty. She attended the Silent Concert to show her support for the music faculty.

“It gave me a sense of a home away from home,” Teter said. “I would not be where I am today without the music department. I feel like I’ve grown as a person and as a musician because of the music department. My friends are like my family.”

“The IUP music department, especially the faculty, make it feel

(Julia Rockwell) The Fine Arts department of IUP performed a student protest Monday, dressing in all black and providing a silent concert. like home,” Dureena Pierce (junior, music) said. “Never once have I been turned away when I had an issue. Never once did they tell me, ‘No, I don’t have to help you.’ They make time to help you and make you feel welcome.”

Maranda Garwood (senior, music) is angry with IUP’s NextGen plans. She urges IUP leadership and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) administration to see the classrooms they are “dismantling.”

“Cutting the faculty that have built IUP’s success, while saying this is for our own good, is a danger to the university as a whole,” Garwood said. “You cannot speak of our resilience if you are the ones carrying the knife.”

Take a second and picture life without the arts, Jones said. It’s nearly impossible.

“Art is so much a part of daily life that cutting the arts cannot be an option,” she said. “No, one school will not be the end of the arts everywhere. It isn’t just one school. It’s happening all over the country.”

Jeremy Galloza (junior music and theater) had one thing to say to IUP President Michael Driscoll and the PASSHE Chancellor, Daniel Greenstein.

“Michael Driscoll and Dan Greenstein, shame on you.”

To vote or not to vote, that is the question IUP students wonder if voting is worth it in 2020

OLIVIA CARBONE Staff Writer kxxw@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

This is a year of many changes and disappointments, and now we’re faced with perhaps the most important election of our lives.

A lot is at stake for the U.S. that could make or break our nation. This upcoming election has shown that young voters need to start using their voices at the polls now more than ever. Between COVID-19, racial divides and much more, this year has taught us what our country needs to work on in order to become stronger than ever.

Some students expressed their thoughts on whether or not they plan on doing their part in this election.

“I’m choosing to vote because women have literally died for that privilege and we should always honor that,” Jordan McLay (senior, psychology) said. “No matter if you don’t like the candidates at the time, CAIO GOMES Staff Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden faced each other in a final debate Thursday before the 2020 presidential elections.

The debate’s topics were similar to the ones addressed in the first debate, and they ranged from current issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic to more atemporal issues such as the changes in the environment and global warming.

Noticeably less interruptions were made this time. This, however, has nothing to do with whether or not either of the candidates decided to express themselves more politely. Instead, the reason behind the sudden change was the introduction of a “mute button.”

The mute button allowed the moderator to shut off a candidate’s microphone whenever it was the opponent’s time to speak.

The mute button was well received by most. The Washington Post’s Senior Critic-at-large, Robin (Case Marshall/The Penn) Voters can mail their ballots in using the post office.

always exercise that right whether it is voting third party or even writing someone on the ballot. Plus, it’s your home, why not have a say.”

Mason Carothers (junior, health and physical education) explained that it is crucial to vote because people have died for our right to vote, similar to what McLay said.

“We must honor that,” he said.

Angela Plazio (junior, nursing) agreed that it is important to vote because everything we experience in life is impacted by the government.

“Education, healthcare, human rights, the economy, etc. are all impacted by voting,” she said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t get to have a say in how the country is run, which (Facebook) can affect you personally or your family and friends.”

Additionally, Gina Biancarelli (senior, nursing) said it is our duty to vote as U.S. citizens.

“We have the right to help in choosing who holds positions in office,” she said. “We must voice for what we believe will create a better future.”

However, not all students plan on voting in this election, and Aundria Stouffer (senior, early childhood/ special education) explained her perspective on why that is. “[Some] students are uncomfortable with voting and don’t know the right steps to take to register,” she said. “Political beliefs could be different from their parents, which could cause tension, and students are not educated enough to even know who to vote for.”

Unlike many other countries, the U.S. gives us the opportunity to have a say on who is elected into the public offices. So, as many students have said, it’s important to exercise our civic duty and practice our right caused some controversy among debate watchers. To many, it didn’t sit well that he said he was the “least racist person in the entire room,” especially considering that Kristen Welker, the moderator, was a person of color.

“I feel disgusted by his ignorance,” John Kroh (freshman, biology/pre-med) said. “I don’t think his privileged self understands how little he has done for minorities.”

Others felt particularly annoyed at the president’s claim considering how it contradicts his previous statements that could be deemed as racist.

“Trump made a pretty audacious claim about his track record on race,” late-night comedian Stephen Colbert said before mocking the president on his show. “There are all kinds of black people and Mexicans hiding out there in the dark — could be, I don’t know — plotting and planning, waiting to pounce, and I wouldn’t even know because I’m so not racist.”

Still on the matter of race, Trump accused Biden of calling black Americans “super predators.” A rather serious accusation, which to vote.

Many women and minorities sacrificed their lives for this right, so it’s only fair to them if we continue to fight for what they started.

Also, Pennsylvania may be the state that makes or breaks the election. This is why it’s extremely important for young Pennsylvania voters to get to the polls on Nov. 3.

This is a swing state. What this means is that every election is different, and it can be a blue state in one election but red in another. This is very important because it will likely determine who wins the popular votes.

Before voting, please make sure you do a lot of fact checking on each candidate. One thing we’ve learned over the last four years is that things get taken out of context to fit a certain media agenda. Social media shouldn’t be your only source for election information. The best way to get information is to check unbiased sites and pick your candidate from there.

Final debate leaves voters more concerned than before

The final presidential debate happened Thursday. Givhan, said that the mute button the mute button like they said they was a godsend. A stance that the would,” Emily McAninch (freshman, Brookings Institute’s writer, John speech pathology) said. “However, Hudak, agreed. He called the mute I feel that if they used the mute button a gift to the president and button correctly, then the debate to Americans. would be less entertaining.”

Ironically, Trump was one of the Other IUP students agree with people who criticized the decision that position. to use a mute button. “I think the mute button was

“I just think it’s very unfair,” needed way more,” Winter CunTrump said. ningham (freshman, interior design)

Others criticized the moderator said. “Everything Trump said about for not muting the microphone race should be muted.” enough times. Trump’s comments regarding

“I feel like they didn’t really use racism in America have indeed

Happy voting, Hawks. also happened to be false. According to ABC’s fact checker, it was former first lady Hilary Clinton who had used the expression, not Joe Biden like Trump said.

This is not to say that Biden walked out of the debate free of fact-checkers. His claim regarding Trump’s evolvement with Russia was also fact checked by ABC.

“And to the best of my knowledge, I don't think the president has said anything to Putin about [election interventions],” Biden said. “I don't think he's talking to him a lot. I don't think he said a word. I don't know why he hasn't said a word to Putin about it."

This is not true. In the 2019 Group of Twenty (G20) summit, a premiere international forum for global economic corporation, Trump told Russian’s president Vladimir Putin not to interfere in the 2020’s election.

This debate was the last time Trump and Biden will face each other before the election Tuesday.Students over the age of 18 who have registered to vote can do so either in-person or by mailing in the ballot.

Opinion The Penn editors share their opinions on Halloween

1. Editor-in-Chief, Steven Langdon Jr. Personally, I never was too keen on Halloween. I never liked dressing up and never thought of it as a holiday. It is more of a day to sit in complete darkness inside the house to avoid people trick-or-treating. 5. Sports Editor, Jeff Hart For me, Halloween is a day that holds special memories of trick-or-treating. As an adult, it is really just a day that I buy candy with my fiance that is on sale. I do enjoy the holiday, but not as much as when I was a child.

2. Managing Editor, Jake Slebodnick Like all major holidays, I only see Halloween as one that lost its original meaning. Instead of having authentic, celtic culture behind it, its now a cesspool of people being obsessed about getting wasted at a frat while wearing the most scandalous clothing or going to “haunted” houses where actors do a mediocre job at scaring people. Thanksgiving is still the best holiday, in my opinion.

3. News Editor, Heather Bair I didn’t really celebrate Halloween growing up and thought it was a holiday with a lot of negativity surrounding it. As I got older, I loved the myths and stories surrounding Halloween. The history and legends seem to come to life in the month of October, making them all the more interesting.

4. Culture Editor, Kate Pompa What I like most about Halloween is seeing how excited and proud people are to show off their costumes. It reminds me of when I was a kid because I loved to dress up as something else. It was kind of like I was living as my childhood icon for the day, and not to mention all the free candy. 6. Copy editor, Alexis Loya

As a choco-holic, Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. Whereas others are centered around spending quality time with family and friends, Halloween can be spent doing whatever you want, and it’s never the same. Whether it’s going crazy, dressing up, getting spooky or watching horror movies - it’s up to you to decide. It’s the only holiday with creative freedom (and candy, of course.)

7. Graphic Designer, Teddy Jeannette Halloween’s pretty cool. I’ll take any excuse to dress up, eat candy and watch scary movies.

8. Video Editor, Sean Seaman I’m a big fan of Halloween. What I like most about it are the scary stories and horror films that come along with the holiday. I also think it’s a fun part of the year that allows people to be creative and allow people to embrace and celebrate their fears.

9. Photo Editor, Autumn Dorsey Forget Halloween, bring on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Culture

Culture Editor: Katelin Pompa – xzgw@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Haley Brown – tbfx@iup.edu

(Pixel2013/Pixabay)

Carving pumpkins is a great way to get in the Halloween spirit.

How are the students celebrating Halloween?

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

Although the allure of having a normal Halloween is especially strong because of the sheer lack of normalcy lately, many students are changing plans to protect themselves as well as others.

Many students are expected to party regardless of the ongoing threat of the pandemic. Others are deciding that keeping their usual plans this Halloween just isn’t worth the risk of being exposed, and they are changing up their traditions from years past.

Limiting your participating friend group to a few people who you know, being cautious and following all CDC recommended procedures is the best way to avoid being exposed yourself.

Though virtual mediums have become a go-to during COVID-19, they aren’t exactly the most viable option for Halloween-themed festivities. Even the most cautious students are still considering spending the spooky holiday in-person among friends.

“For Halloween, a group of my friends might just get together for a small party,” Thea McCullough (senior, fashion merchandising) said.

She said that they will all dress up, take pictures and then just simply hang out.

“I changed my plans because of COVID,” she said. “I would have gone out to the bars. Now the bars will probably be crowded and a risk for being exposed. I feel like a lot of people this year have no idea what to do. We all are looking to each other to figure out what the move is.”

Students expect that the number of “open” parties will be reduced greatly even though certain areas will more than likely be participating in “closed” parties that only allow well-known individuals. Many fraternities are only allowing members and their associated sororities to participate in their parties.

Despite slightly limiting the partygoers, the odds of a spike in cases at IUP are high.

“I do not think there will be as many ‘open’ parties this year,” McCullough said. “Usually, anywhere you walk, you could stumble across a party. This year, a lot of fraternities are having closed parties the night of Halloween.”

Many students’ plans have been completely canceled, and they are unsure what options they have for celebrating this year. When the usual go-to plan is going to all the parties and showing off your costume, there is little left to do when the smaller personal parties have been canceled and the usually huge parties, hosted by fraternities, are expected to be closed to the general student body.

“I don’t have any plans for Halloween this year,” Cassidy Newman (junior, biology) said. “I usually go to my friend’s house for a Halloween party.”

Many students have changed their plans, not because of cancellations or expectations of no festivities to attend, but because of health concerns, the threat of being exposed and of exposing others. Students are deciding to limit their interactions as much as possible while still trying to enjoy the companies of others.

“My [Halloween] plans are to hang out with my friends and have a small get together,” Isabelle Jabbour (junior, political science) said. “I have had to change my plans due to COVID. If there was not a pandemic, my plans would be different.”

She believes there will definitely be big open parties, but maybe not as much as a usual school year.

“I think [COVID] cases will definitely spike after Halloween,” she said. People care more about partying than they do their health or social distancing.”

Some students are insistent that not much will change. Many agree that even though the risk of attending parties are still high, many frequent partygoers will disregard the risk and attend the larger celebrations anyway. Since COVID-19 is considered “old news,” students might be disregarding the usual health and safety policies encouraged by the CDC.

“All I know is there’s going to be a couple parties going down even if COVID is here or not,”Aaron Hoda (senior, criminology) said.

“If you look at homecoming, [Halloween] will probably be similar to that. Everyone still partied, but a lot of people knew how to get away with it,” he said “The smart thing to do is just keep it contained in your own house.”

Hoda said he definitely thinks COVID-19 hasn’t stopped any festivities.

“People don’t really care about COVID anymore because it’s not really the main issue we are facing right now in the world, whereas now we’re trying to focus on the election and trying to vote.”

If you plan to carry out your Halloween as usual by partying or going to bars to celebrate, there are plenty of options that can still allow you to keep yourself safe and have your fun at the sametime. Choosing a costume with a CDC approved face mask that you can wear behind or with it is an inarguably smart option.

You can find facemasks online that are Halloween themed and can be worn with a clown costume, a jack-o’-lantern costume, and even a witch costume, among many other choices.

If you choose to go out for Halloween, remember to stay safe.