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PASSHE Chancellor Greenstein talks tuition freeze at IUP ABE ESHELMAN
Staff Writer A.Eshelman@iup.edu @DukeOfKalos
PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein returned to IUP Oct. 25 for his third presentation and open forum on campus. Greenstein spoke to a crowd of faculty, students, parents and community members gathered in the Great Room in Elkin Hall. He began with a joke at his own expense, criticizing himself always showing “depressing graphs and charts” whenever he comes to speak on campus. “I don’t get out of bed in the morning just to show graphs,” Greenstein said. He emphasized the importance of higher education. “I believe profoundly in the power of public higher education,” he said. “The state says that eventually 54 percent of jobs will require higher education, and virtually all new jobs and fields will require them.” “Jobs are gone, and they’re not coming back,” Greenstein said in reference to unskilled labor, mining and factory jobs in Pennsylvania. Despite this, Greenstein said that the school system has failed to serve several groups, including rural areas, low-income communities and people of color. “Universities are one of the few places left in society where people can come and hang out with people who are very different than them,” he said. “This is tolerance, something society is sadly lacking.” Greenstein then, after an anecdote ending in his recommendation for “CBD oil for your cat,” spoke about the shared system he envisions for PASSHE. He highlighted the need for academic program sharing across
News
(The Penn Archives) PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein held an open forum in the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex on Oct. 25. One of the main topics of discussion was the need for higher education in the work force in the future.
campuses and holistic advising and prioritizing students’ mental health and wellness. For the new system to work effectively, Greenstein had formed “new teams” for the many different ideas and branches of the shared system. Greenstein said that he was proud of the tuition freeze enacted in July to stop the rapidly inflating tuition costs in PASSHE schools, though it was a “tough decision” due to the pressure it puts on the faculties and facilities. Another priority for Greenstein has been accountability, and so, he pushed for change that would make individuals accountable for their decision-making in the school system. “It won’t stop us from making any bad decisions,” he said, “but it will stop anymore from making significant decisions without it being very visible and deeply discussed.”
Greenstein also said that he has been “trying to work with presidents and faculty” and having conversations about the connected system. “Unless we address the cultural strengths we can have, nothing will improve,” he said. Greenstein also wanted to highlight the importance of utilizing new technology and communication techniques. He used live word clouds and polls with submissions from audience members’ texts. In the polls, the audience stated that they felt a great sense of belonging to IUP and that the chancellor had effectively communicated his actions and intentions to the campus, but that the campus was ineffective,
47 percent effective, at challenging established traditions. During the open forum, audience members could ask Greenstein questions. The first question came from a man concerned about the high tuition prices. According to the man, his daughter, a Pennsylvania resident, pays less money to go to a state school in Ohio than she would at PASSHE schools, despite the out-of-state costs. Greenstein agreed that the tuition costs are a problem and said that legislature was upset about the rapidly increasing tuition prices. The state legislature was upset that “enrollment is down but tuition costs are up.” Greenstein said that reducing the high costs, tuition and otherwise, that students have to pay should be a priority, but that individual faculty and administration members. As an example, Greenstein said that “textbooks are expensive” and that that price is imposed on students by faculty for choosing to use those books. He said that he understands how difficult changing the curriculum could be, due to how integral books PASSHE Chancellor can be, but that in general, the choices of faculty, administration and PASSHE impact the students. “We make choices and have to consider those choices,” Greenstein said. Greenstein said that everyone can “do better,” and that everyone has to “fight for” potential students’ interest and work to “keep students.” “Are we able to say we’re doing everything we can?”
“Unless we address the cultural strengths we can have, nothing will improve.”
November 5, 2019
-Dan Greenstein,
One professor asked for more information on the shared system Greenstein mentioned and said that faculty feel unsure and uncertain of what the shared system entails, and she likened it to a commune. “Information is widely available at the system redesign website,” Greenstein said. More information on the system can be found at “The Source,” a monthly newsletter about the PASSHE changes, several other newsletters and the forum website at forums.passhe.edu. Questions can be asked on the forum or by emailing the chancellor at chancellor@passhe.edu. Greenstein said he has primarily focused on cultural shifts because he believes it’s more effective to bringing tangible change. “Top-down doesn’t work very well in higher education, I’ve discovered,” he said, “which is why I focus on culture. We have to learn to do work in a new way.” Greenstein said that the greatest strength of the PASSHE schools is the different universities, which will be utilized through “shared” resources and ideas, while still “preserving differences and qualities and cultures.” Despite that, Greenstein said that shared academics is in the “pretty early planning stages.” IUP President Michael Driscoll said that he signed an agreement with the Clarion president to share academics and resources. The biggest problem in the current PASSHE system is that the systems and campuses “don’t talk to each other,” according to Greenstein. “Money doesn’t flow the same way,” Greenstein said. “Enrollment isn’t recorded the same way. “Imagine what we could pull off if we could tap into the creativity of 5,000 faculty.”
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IUP encourages students to vote with on-campus polls ANNA MECHLING Staff Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
This article contains opinion. As November comes around the corner, so does election day. Election day this year is Tuesday. Individuals who are registered to vote can vote for positions and issues like citizen initiatives, mayoral races and other local elections. This general election will determine federal, state and local officials. In Pennsylvania, voting will be centered around county and city officials and judges and magisterial district judges (which are both elected in only odd-numbered years). Since it’s an odd-numbered year, it is a municipal election because there are no federal or state office on the election ballot. There are several qualifications and regulations enacted
in order to vote in the U.S. on election day. To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen at least one month prior to the election, a resident of Pennsylvania and the election district at least 30 days before the election and be 18 years of age on or before the day of the election. On campus, students and individuals can go to select places to vote. Where students reside on campus determines where they must go to vote. Voting locations vary per residence hall if students live on campus. Delaney Hall, Putt Hall, Suites on Maple East, Stephenson Suites and Ruddock Suites can vote at Zink Hall. Elkin Hall, Northern Suites, Suites on Pratt, Wallwork Suites and Whitmyre Hall can vote at Pratt Hall. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. A photo ID is not required in this election. But, if you’re voting for the first time in a
precinct, you do need to show ID. Some acceptable forms include: I-Card with or without an expiration date sticker, your voter registration card, a current utility bill showing name and address or a Pennsylvania driver’s license. To see a complete list, visit VotesPA.com. If you registered to vote on campus, you should have received a voter registration card at your mailing address. If you haven’t received your card, check to make sure you're registered to vote at Votes PA. The location for voting precincts is listed on your voter registration card. That determines where you can vote. You must vote in your own precinct. Students have easy access to vote since voting is on campus and should take advantage of this. Many students are aware of the elections, are ready to vote and believe it’s important to vote for a variety of reasons. “I think it’s important to vote because it determines the out-
VOTE ON CAMPUS
Pratt Hall - for students from: Elkin Hall, Northern Suites, Suites on Pratt, Whitmyre Hall
Zink Hall - for students from: Delaney
Hall, Putt Hall, Suites on Maple East, Stephenson Hall, Ruddock Hall
come of our country and determines ultimately what happens, our future and other things,” Eli Frailey (senior, communications media) said. According to The Best Colleges, a lot of key issues in the elections directly relate to students and young adults between the ages of 18 and 29. It is important for young adults to vote because there are many millennials and young adults that can be a powerful political force in the nation’s future. Despite what a lot of people think, every vote does count. It gives individuals the chance to be heard and have a voice in society. “I think it’s important to us college students because we have a voice,” Yasheka G. (senior, journalism/PR) said. “We are entitled to state our opinions and vote for people who share similar values and goals for communities and society. “Our votes should matter and be a part of the election.” IUP Student Government President Alex Fefolt (junior, history pre-law and political science) said he believes it is important to vote to directly
affect and influence our communities, especially in Indiana since most students live in Indiana for most of the year. “It’s really important to vote in the upcoming elections because we are voting for local officials who will directly affect the Indiana and IUP communities,” he said. If you don’t have your voter registration card, you can call the voter registration office in the county where you have registered to confirm which precinct to which you are assigned. The Indiana County Voter Registration Office is available to assist you. Call 724-465-3852 for information. An absentee ballot is also an option for voting, though it is too late to apply for one for the 2019 election. You can apply for an absentee ballot if you will not be in the location where you are registered. The absentee ballot application form is available online at VotesPA.com. The application deadline was one week prior to the election and the ballot must have been returned by the Friday before the election.
Police Blotter THEFT
• Alex C. Smith, 23, of Indiana was cited for retail theft after police investigated a report of theft of two cans of beer and an energy drink at 12:27 a.m. Oct. 31 at the 768 Wayne Ave. Sheetz, according to Indiana Borough Police.
Alcohol VIOLATIONS
• Connor Pasch, 23, of Cranberry Township was arrested for public drunkenness and harassment after police responded to a disturbance at 1:57 a.m. Nov. 3 in the 200 block of S. Seventh Street, according to borough police.
• Cameron Nusser, 18, of Bell Vernon was charged with consumption of an alcoholic or malt brewed beverage and retail theft. Indiana Borough Police responded to a male attempting to commit retail theft at 1:07 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Sheetz at 768 Wayne Ave., and Nusser was arrested, according to borough police.
Hours of operation - 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS VIOLATIONS
Photo ID is not required
and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in the 1000 block of Oak Street, according to borough police. The investigation is on-going.
• An unknown person damaged a deck spindle between 9:30 a.m.
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Rieg selected for clinical practice, partnership development program HEATHER BAIR Culture Editor H.Bair@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
A professor and dean’s associate at IUP has been selected as a clinical practice fellow with the Association of Teacher Education for the 2020 year. Professor Sue Rieg, dean’s associate for educator preparation and director of PDS Partnerships, has been selected from IUP to be a Clinical Practice Fellow, a group of nationwide educators interested in using clinical practice, as well as developing partnerships between schools and universities and teacher education programs. Educators, preschool to grade 12 school personnel, clinical field coordinators and others who have an interest in clinical practice also make up the clinical practice program. Rieg has been a part of the IUP family since 1977, when she began her freshman year as an elementary education major. She received her bachelor of science in elementary education in 1981 and a master of education in elementary mathematics in 1982. Upon graduating, she spent 19 years teaching elementary school
and serving as an elementary school principal in the Indiana Area School District. “I feel as if I have come full circle,” Rieg said. “My only goal when I was an undergraduate at IUP was to become an elementary education teacher. IUP prepared me for that role and I was blessed with a long career in public education.” Rieg credits a mathematics professor for helping her consider being a university professor. She attended Duquesne University and graduated in a few years with a principal certification and education doctorate degree in their Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Educational Leaders. “IUP has gifted me with so many opportunities,” Rieg said. “I am a professor of education in the department of professional studies in education and have taught at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.” Rieg was also the department’s chairperson for four years and is the director of professional development school partnerships. She was invited by Dr. Lara Luetkehans, dean of the College of Education and Communications to be dean’s associated for
(IUP Website) Sue Rieg, faculty and dean’s associate, was selected to participate in a nationwide program that focuses on clinical practice and developing partnerships among schools.
educator preparation. Rieg applied for the clinical practice fellow position in the summer and was notified of her selection in October. “I am thrilled and humbled to be selected as a 2020 clinical practice fellow,” said Rieg. “The application process was competitive. Once Fellows are selected, we are fellows for life.” The challenging process
consisted of writing a paper that explained the strengths, experiences and knowledge that applicants will bring to share with colleagues, a description of their successes and plans, hopes for learning and the takeaways from the Clinical Practice Symposium in February. At the symposium, Rieg will have the opportunity network with other fellows, share research and teaching interests, and hear from the top scholars in the field. They will also engage in a national dialogue, putting the clinical practice at the center of education preparation. They will also explore implicit perspectives on teaching and learning how to shape programs, ways to collaborate with school and community partners and the extent of the coursework and fieldwork required. “Every opportunity I experience in some way is life-changing,” Rieg said. “I am hopeful that I can bring ideas back to IUP that will make our educator preparation programs and school to university partnerships even stronger. “If I can bring ideas back that will make a difference in the lives and learning experiences of our
teacher candidates, students and professionals, it will be life-changing.” With a national teacher shortage on the rise, if anyone is considering a teaching profession, Rieg said now is the time to do it and IUP is the place to start. “In my opinion, teaching is the best profession on earth,” Rieg said. “Today’s children deserve highly qualified, passionate and compassionate teachers and educational professionals. It is my sincere pleasure to serve in the role of dean’s associate to help future educators meet their goals to become teachers and make an impact on students. “Thanks to the preparation, encouragement and support I received during my undergraduate and graduate years, and continue to receive at IUP, I am blessed with over 36 years of a rewarding career as an educator.” Rieg said she is committed to helping others have the same. “I love IUP and would never have had the opportunity to e selected as a clinical practice fellow without the strong educational background and plethora of experiences I have been awarded at this wonderful university.”
IUP Community Calendar (Week of 11/5)
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SLEB’S SELF-HELP COLUMN:
Senate bill requires California public LIFE SOLUTIONS universities to provide contraceptives A GUIDE TO PROACTIVE
Your non-cliche ways of overcoming stress
of stress, no matter how obscure it may be. One underrated but useful technique is relaxation videos and audio clips, such as AutonoThis article contains opinion. mous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). This weekend, I had the first Yes, I know, it’s odd, but that’s true weekend that I could relax the unique thing about it. It’s and put my worries about school effective for someone who is and work aside. While it was a great two days to looking to reach ultimate relaxation, as it has different genres spend with my dogs and family, a of ASMR, like soap carving, water rough few months preluded this sounds and eating break. noises (yes, I know Like many of that’s odd), to help you, my mind people like you. has been a But your relaxhornet’s nest of ation technique stress and concould be one that stantly dealing really gets your with deadlines blood flowing. both in school One example and work. To I’ve seen people give some conuse is listening to text, I have five heavy metal while classes on top taking their anger of three jobs out on a punching and two volunbag. While it’s not teer opportuni“relaxing,” it’s therties occupying apeutic and helps my life, as well My dog, Peanut, is one of my ways of as maintaining coping with the tremendous amounts of people destress in their own way. stress school and work bring on. somewhat of a The big thing social life. As you can see, my time is pret- to take away is that there is no requirement or structure as to ty much filled each day, but one necessary thing that I always make what you do to destress. To me, it’s whatever brings you joy and time for is rest and relaxation. aides you in forgetting that hell My safe haven from the stress on earth exists. is frequent McDonald’s trips and Consider what you’re dealing “Call of Duty” binges with my with in life. Becoming an adult roommates almost every night. while trudging through college is While it may not be everyone’s without a doubt one of the hardmetaphoric cup of tea, it’s the est things we must endure in life. meaning behind it that’s more But finding that thing that important than what I do. eases these challenges lightens As made famous in Billy Joel’s the headache. If you found your “Piano Man,” I sit around and source of relief already, great. If forget about life for a while. not, really take some time, anaNow I could write up cliche lyze what makes you happy and ways to cope with stress and what causes stress, but I’m not going to formulate a destressing plan that goes according to your personal beat that dead horse. Plus, we’ve taste. already done that. Stress may present itself as a But I’m going to be real here mountain, but it’s how we view it and say that you finding what and overcome it that determines makes you happy, is responsible whether you climb over the mounand what releases endorphins is tain or if you simply walk around it. what you should do to take care JAKE SLEBODNICK
News Editor J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu @Jake_WIUP
CARLI TEPROFF Miami Herald TNS
California will become the first state to require public universities to provide access to abortion pills on campus under a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday. Senate Bill 24 by state Sen. Connie Leyva, a Chino Democrat, will go into effect in 2023, with the University of California and California State University systems required to offer students medical abortions. A medical abortion is a nonsurgical way to terminate a pregnancy that involves taking two prescription pills hours apart during a woman's first 10 (TNS) Senate Bill 24 will make California state universities provide free abortion pills to students. weeks of pregnancy to induce a miscarriage. It is different than raised from private donors to each month. The average cost the morning-after pill, which pay for operating costs. Newof a medical abortion was $604 releases a high dose of a synand 62 percent of students were som's Department of Finance thetic hormone found in birth opposed SB 24, saying private more than 30 minutes away control pills that delays or stops from the closest abortion facility funds were likely to fall short the release of an egg. of what would be needed to when using public transporta"As other states and the offer services at the 34 public tion. federal government go back"The clinic closest to my cam- universities in the state. Stuward, restricting reproductive dent health centers at public pus was almost 11 miles away freedom, in California, we are universities in the state already and a 45-minute moving forward, bus ride one way," offer gynecological exams, birth expanding access “In a time when states said Zoe Murray, control, pregnancy counseling and reaffirming a other health care, but not a recent UC Santa woman's right to across our country are Barbara graduate and abortion services. choose," Newsom "In a time when states sought an said in a written rolling back women’s who across our country are rolling abortion three statement. back women's health care and "We're rehealth care and access years ago while access to abortion, California she was a sophmoving barriers continues to lead the nation to to abortion, California omore at the to reproductive school. "Not every protect every individual's right health – increasing continues to lead the student has a car to choose," Leyva said in a access on college statement. campus and campuses and nation to protect every on The bill was opposed by concertainly not every using technology servative and religious groups. student can afford to modernize how individual’s right In an open letter, Bishop Jaime to miss classes, patients interact Soto, president of the California their jobs or their with providers." to choose.” Catholic Conference, urged all families for that UniversiCatholics and other Christians much time." ty health care pray for SB 24 to be defeated Last year, thencenters currently -Connie Leyva, Gov. Jerry Brown to in order to protect "infants and refer students to California State Senator young college-age women from vetoed a similar off-campus facilithe scourge of abortion." measure, saying ties for abortion services when Newsom also signed legislathe bill was "not necessary" requested. Supporters of the tion that streamlines access to because abortion services were bill said students, particularly birth control medication provid"widely available" to students those without cars, have a diffied by Planned Parenthood, alat off-campus clinics. After cult time getting to off-campus lowing women to be prescribed Brown's veto, Newsom – then health facilities or paying for the drugs through an app on a the state's lieutenant governor the cost of the medication. smartphone. Prior to the signing A 2018 study published in the and in the midst of his gubernaof the bill, the assumption was torial campaign – said he would Journal of Adolescent Health that California law required have signed Leyva's bill. estimated that 322 to 519 stuuse of video conferencing for The bill requires the use of dents at California's public unilong-distance prescriptions. $10.3 million that has been versities seek medical abortions
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Sentences dealt for couple involved in college admissions scandal MATTHEW ORMSETH Los Angeles Times TNS
A couple who splits their time between New York City and Colorado were sentenced Tuesday to one month in prison each for conspiring to fix their daughter's college entrance exams, a scam they decided was worth the $125,000 cost if it boosted her prospects of getting into Duke University, her mother's alma mater. In choosing to incarcerate Gregory and Marcia Abbott for a month, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani stopped short of the eight-month penalty prosecutors had requested. But she also wasn't swayed by appeals from the Abbotts and their attorneys to spare the couple prison altogether. The Abbotts are the sixth and seventh parents to be sentenced in the college admissions scandal. Talwani will sentence another six parents in the next month. In letters to the court and a memorandum filed by their attorneys, the Abbotts described what they portrayed as the uncommon circumstances that led to their corrupt deal with William "Rick" Singer, a Newport Beach, Calif., college admissions consultant who has admitted rigging dozens of SAT and ACT exams and misrepresenting his clients' children as standout collegiate recruits for sports they did not play. In letters to the judge, the Abbotts said their daughter is severely ill with Lyme disease, a condition so grave it forced her to abandon a soloist role with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, withdraw from high school and enroll in an online curriculum, Laurel Springs School, a school with ties to Singer. The Abbotts' daughter – feverish, her muscles aching and sapped of energy – was struggling on her standardized tests, Marcia and Gregory Abbott said
(TNS) Gregory Abbott (left) makes his way to the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston before his plea case in the college admissions scandal.
in the letters. Marcia Abbott said she was introduced to Singer through a friend who, aware of her family's "fraught circumstances," recommended Singer as an expert who "did much of his college counseling in exchange for donations to a charity for underserved schools and youth programs." Singer did have a charity, although its true purpose was far from charitable. He used his Key Worldwide Foundation to launder five- and six-figure sums from his wealthy clients and, according to federal prosecutors in Massachusetts, parcel out bribes to a number of test proctors, college coaches and a university administrator. "Rick could be curt and even rude," Marcia Abbott said, "but I was grateful to have someone to guide us." After tutoring their daughter legitimately for a time, Singer proposed a scheme to guarantee she would receive a score of her parents' choosing, the Abbotts said. The girl would take the test at a private school in West Hollywood, Calif., where Singer would bribe
an administrator to allow Mark Riddell, his Harvard-educated accomplice, to correct the girl's answers once she was done. Riddell has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering; the administrator, Igor Dvorskiy, said last week he would plead guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering and cooperate with the government. Before founding a packaging company in 2000, Gregory Abbott pursued a career as a theater producer and novelist, according to a notice in The New York Times commemorating his marriage to Marcia Meighan in 1987. Marcia Abbott, the daughter of a former New York state senator, worked as a magazine editor and freelance writer, the notice says. Gregory Abbott, whose father built a successful lingerie company, also authored a 2006 romantic paperback, "Sheer Pressure,"
which tells the story of "Alex, the playboy son of a pantyhose magnate, (who) loves his father but loathes working for him," according to the book's summary on Amazon. Prosecutors say the Abbotts threw themselves into the scheme "eagerly" – not just once, but twice. They "exploited" their daughter's illness to secure permission for her to take her exams in West Hollywood, thousands of miles from her family's homes in New York and Colorado, wrote Eric Rosen, an assistant U.S. attorney, in a sentencing memorandum. Delighted with the score Riddell had fraudulently obtained for their daughter, they asked Singer six months later to fix her SAT subject tests as well, Rosen said, with Marcia Abbott telling Singer a score of 750 or higher out of 800 would be "fabulous." Marcia Abbott, however, said her understanding of the scheme was vague, although she knew it required "some kind of cheating" and that Singer couldn't have promised a particular score "unless he was going out of bounds." Gregory Abbott said he was aware his daughter "would be getting some kind of help that was outside the rules," but that he "didn't know exactly how and, frankly, I didn't want to know." Rosen described the scheme in his sentencing memo: Gregory Abbott wired $50,000 to Singer's foundation from his charitable trust in April 2018. Two days after the payment, the Abbotts' daughter took the ACT at Dvorskiy's West Hollywood school. Unbeknownst to the girl, her parents and prosecutors say, Riddell corrected her answers afterward. She received a 35 out of 36. Marcia Abbott called Singer about a month later with a ques-
[Gregory and Marcia Abbott] are the sixth and seventh parents to be sentenced in the college admissions scandal.
tion: Could he fix SAT subject tests as well? "Yeah," he told her in a phone call recorded by the FBI. "It's a little more expensive." Marcia Abbott told Singer that her daughter "loves the guy, Mark." "She said, 'He was so sweet, he let me walk around the hallway,'" Marcia Abbott went on. "She said, 'Can't I take my SAT subjects with him?'" Singer told her it would cost $75,000 to rig two SAT subject tests, in math and literature. "Yeah, that's fine," she replied. Duke, her alma mater, "told us they didn't want anything below a 750," she told Singer. In her letter to the court and sentencing memo, Marcia Abbott insisted she "never cared about getting (her children) into namebrand schools," noting her oldest son dropped out of Dartmouth before graduating to work for a fledgling coffee company, and her younger son briefly attended Bard College, which doesn't require applicants to submit standardized test scores. The Abbotts' daughter took her SAT subject tests at the same West Hollywood school in October 2018. Once again, Riddell corrected her answers. A month later, however, Marcia Abbott was scared, Rosen said in the memo. The College Board hadn't released the scores. Worried the scam was coming apart, she contacted the College Board and spoke with a customer service representative, who memorialized the call. Marcia Abbott was "extremely adamant" and is "filing a legal complaint," according to notes cited in the prosecution's memo. Her daughter is a "soloist in Metropolitan Opera in New York City," the customer service representative noted, and "the student has a chance to be offered scholarship award but she must apply early and the score is only missing on that application." Rosen, the prosecutor, blasted the Abbotts for threatening legal action to hold onto scores they had fraudulently obtained. Prison, he said, "is the only answer for such entitlement and criminality."
Opinion (Facebook) Christmas albums from artists such as Michael Buble and Elvis Presley are popular to listen to after Halloween.
Holidays should not be celebrated months early It is that time of the season once again: the season when everyone starts thinking about Christmas. Most people love the season of giving, but it is becoming a holiday that is forced down our throats too early. I enjoy processing all the holidays. I go through one and then move onto the next. I do not like planning too far ahead, though. The Christmas music is already playing in stores around the country. We haven’t even gotten to Thanksgiving. It is becoming apparent that Thanksgiving is turning into the time to shop and not the time to sit at the table with family to share a meal. This brings me to the disrespect that Thanksgiving receives. Stores should not be allowed to force people to come in at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving for
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people to shop. I enjoy Black Friday as much as the next person, but I like the holiday when it is actually Black Friday, not Black Thursday. The story of Black Friday is very interesting if you don’t know. It originated back during the Great Depression. The stores could not sell anything because people were so poor. The businesses decided to start a yearly sale when the day after Thanksgiving, items in the stores would have crazy discounts. I believe that stores should not be allowed to open on Thanksgiving. They should start opening at midnight just like it used to be several years ago. Anyway, now that I had that
tangent, why should I start thinking of Christmas when it is still in the 60s outside? It is still more than a month before the holiday, but if I go to the store you swear it was a week before Christmas. We should calm down a little. I believe that you could start planning for the holiday, but until it is December, Christmas is not even a thought. I do not know why Americans want to celebrate holidays early. Halloween is for only the weekend of Oct. 31. It should not be celebrated two weeks prior. Go buy your costume before, but do not wear it to celebrate for two weekends. Christmas is a spectacular holiday, but do not do this garbage where we play music all the time right after Halloween. I do not want to hear the same 10 songs by 20 different people for two months. Let’s take the time to pump the brakes for a hot minute. We should enjoy this time as just time. We could then start preparing for Thanksgiving in about two weeks. After midnight hits on Thanksgiving, then people could worry about Black Friday if that’s your thing. Finally, December is when
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the music and whatever people do could begin. After all, what way to celebrate a pagan holiday like playing Christmas music in Novem-
ber. God Bless everyone during the holiday season.
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Culture
Culture Editor: Heather Bair – zzzx@iup.edu
(Facebook) Sadie Spencer (left) is teaming up with the National Association of Music Education, whose symphony is presented on the right.
Music alumna helps shape music curriculums ANNA MECHLING Staff Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
A 2016 graduate was recently selected to participate as a member of a four-person committee to help shape the future of music curriculum in public schools. Sadie Spencer, an IUP music education alumna, worked in part with NAfME (the National Association for Music Education) to continue its work with the Library of Congress and the Institute for Composer Diversity to develop a curriculum and instructional units that lay specifically in the National Core Arts Standards. “The project will connect content and develop applying skills of new material from scratch,” Spencer said. “It is to create full instructional units, in particular in the area of harmonizing instruments that are found in the levels of notice, intermediate, proficient, accomplished and advanced. “It’s so important to develop a
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(Facebook) NAFME, The National Association for Music Education, helps shape curriculums.
curriculum that continues to meet the needs of our students and our everchanging society. Not only is it beneficial to their learning, but our kids deserve that in the least. Our students deserve content that meets their needs culturally and are relevant to their lives.” She was one of three individuals who began the development of the new curriculum. Her work took
place at the NAfME headquarters in Washington and at the Library of Congress. “Our students are our future, and they deserve everything we as educators have to offer them,” she said. “I am constantly thinking of how I can engage our kids, how I can make them feel they have an environment and content that they can connect with, feel safe
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and welcome and how I can best meet their needs. Spencer said the experience has been a rewarding one. “Having the opportunity to develop curriculum to be used for our students across our nation has been a humbling, and enriching experience,” she said. “I am blessed to be chosen as a teacher to our students. “I will always continue to expose myself to new learning, new ideas and new teaching as our job is never finished, and even more so, because my students deserve the best version of myself. “I am a servant to our amazing students, they all have a place in our world, and I hope to be a positive influence to shape them to be better than I ever was. I am humbled to have the opportunity to share content and new education to students across our nation.” Spencer is a music teacher at New Town High School in the Baltimore County Public Schools in Owings Mills, Maryland, where she was also a student. She also teaches at New Town High School
concert band, symphonic band, symphonic orchestra, percussion ensemble, guitar and CLS music for special needs students. At New Town, she oversees the after-school jazz ensemble, pep band, student government association and an ambassador organization. She is also the Approaches to Learning Coordinator (ALT) as New Town High School is trying to become an International Baccalaureate (IB) school. Spencer has been working on developing and editing the music curriculum for the Baltimore County Public Schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from IUP in 2016 and is currently enrolled at Loyola University in Maryland to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership. Spencer plans to further her education by earning a terminal in education and curriculum and instruction in the future. At IUP she was in the marching band, served as the pep band president and was in jazz ensembles, the pit orchestra and quintet ensembles.
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(Facebook) T.J. Maxx and L.L. Bean are two brands that offer cute, comfortable and affordable clothing options for college students on a budget.
Writer shares tips to stay warm, fashionable during colder seasons MEGAN DONNY Staff Writer M.Donny@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
This article contains opinion. During the cold winter months, it’s hard for students to dress fashionably but still stay warm while trekking to class. While it may be easy to throw on a pair of sweatpants and a large hoodie, it can also be easy to dress stylish and still stay warm. Some staple winter pieces that many students wear this time of year are thigh-high boots, teddy bear jackets and cropped puffer jackets. One of the most popular jacket trends that has resurfaced throughout multiple fall and winter seasons is the teddy bear jacket. The teddy bear jacket is a large, fluffy Sherpa jacket that is warm and cuddly to be in. When you wear it, it feels as though you are walking around snuggled up in a blanket. There are many different styles of this jacket. Some styles are cardigans while others have a zipper and a hood. To stay as warm as possible, the zipper and hood
(Facebook) Tommy Hilifger has many popular hoodies for students to stay warm with during winter.
version will definitely be your best choices. If you are looking for one of these super cozy jackets, T.J. MAXX, which is right down the street from IUP on Oakland Avenue, has tons of jackets to choose from. Another winter trend that keeps you extra warm in the cold mornings are hats. Hats can be a cute and warm accessory that you can pair with almost every outfit. Beanies and knitted hats with cute pom-poms on the top have been especially popular throughout
recent years. These hats are very easy to locate online and at stores like Kohl’s. They can be inexpensive too and very useful. A neutral color beanie or knit hat would pair great with any color outfit. A good pair of comfortable and durable winter boots can be hard to find, especially stylish ones. Lots of students gravitate toward wearing duck boots or Timberland boots in the winter. Not only are these boots comfortable, but they last throughout many years. While they may be expensive, they can
be worth the price if you get long wear out of them. Some brands many students wear are Timberland, Sperry and L.L. Bean boots. You can also find some of these brands occasionally at T.J. Maxx and other discount stores that carry name brands. If you are a serious bargain hunter, you can even sometimes find these brands used at local thrift shops. Many students like to pair these boots with cozy socks that match their outfits. Thick socks can help your feet stay warm and dry, especially when it is snowing.
A good, warm winter coat can be hard to find. It can be difficult for students to get a nice and durable winter coat when they have limited funds. While some students don’t believe that they need a sturdy winter jacket, once you have one, you’ll wonder why you ever thought you didn’t need it. Discount stores carry many winter coats in different lengths for cheaper prices than you would find online. Another way to get a new winter coat for a discounted price is through winter sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
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(Facebook) Daylight saving time ended Sunday, meaning we gained an extra hour of sleep that morning.
Daylight saving time ends, gives extra hour for sleep ANNA MECHLING Staff Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
Whether you remembered to set your clocks back an hour or stared at the clock in awe because you forgot, daylight saving time ended Sunday. For most of the U.S., people enjoyed an extra hour of sleep Saturday night, setting clocks back one hour before bed. Places like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, most of Arizona and a few other areas in the U.S. do not observe daylight saving time and do not need to change the clocks. The time shift will make the earlier morning lighter and the evening darker. The purpose of daylight saving time is to make better use of daylight and to save energy by moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Most people probably weren’t aware of the time change because they forgot or because their phones or clocks automatically are set to change when it is daylight saving time, or “spring forward, fall back.” Some people like daylight saving time since they get that extra hour of sleep and feel it helps them be more productive. “I always thought it was a good idea, especially in high school when I could get an extra hour of sleep,” Frank Owusu (sophomore, criminology) said. “It doesn’t affect me as much now that I’m in college because I’m a lot busier now, and I always feel that I don’t have much time regardless of daylight savings. “But when the clock went back an hour last night, I noticed in the morning I felt I could get more
work done just by having that extra hour, which was really nice.” Others don’t like daylight saving time and feel like it messes up the flow of things, especially with how earlier it gets light and dark out. “I don’t like daylight savings time because it gets darker earlier in the evening, and it impacts our circadian rhythms,” said Emily Risinger (sophomore, health and physical education and middle level education). “Our circadian rhythms are our physical, mental and behavioral daily changes that we respond to in our environments. “Daylight savings time impacts our circadian rhythms by telling our bodies when to be sleepy or awake or alert at regular intervals. It affects our sleep and wake cycles and sometimes affects us since we are in college, and especially as we get closer to the end of the semester and finals.” Some people like the extra hour of sleep daylight saving time gives them, but they don’t like the overall adjustment period it takes for them to get used to the change. It is also sometimes difficult and affects friends and relatives who live in other countries, creating a larger time difference between countries. “Daylight savings always seems helpful during the fall season,” Alaura Johnson (senior, criminology) said. “The extra hour of sleep is highly appreciated, but during the spring, it throws me off that we lose an hour of sleep. “Especially, because this is not common in other countries, so it creates a bigger time difference between my friends and family who are not in the U.S.”
(Facebook) Dunkin’ Donuts’ most popular drink during the winter season is its signature coffee, not hot chocolate.
Students choose best drinks to stay warm with during winter ANNA MECHLING Staff Writer A.Mechling@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
This article contains opinion. All college students have their favorite go-to drinks, and as the winter season approaches, there are many favorite hot drinks offered in stores. Hot chocolate is a drink that is often popular during the colder seasons. It often has a rich chocolate flavor to it and can be even more enjoyable with added things like marshmallows, caramel drizzle or mint flavoring. Some people prefer to get hot chocolate from the store in little individual packets, and others prefer to get it at places like Starbucks, Crazy Mocha or Dunkin’ Donuts. Overall, people enjoy drinking hot chocolate because it tastes rich and it’s an enjoyable holiday drink, especially in the colder nights. “I enjoy drinking hot chocolate over coffee and tea,” Amma Darkwah (senior, international business and computer science) said. “I’m not a coffee or a tea person. “Chocolate tastes nice, which is why I like it. I like the taste of hot chocolate because it’s sweet compared to coffee, which is bitter. If I do drink coffee, it’s in a form of frappuccino or caramel macchiato. I don’t drink tea.”
(Facebook) Starbucks’ signature Pumpkin Spice Latte is the best drink to get into the season with.
Tea can be hot or cold and has a variety of flavors offered. Peach tea, green tea, herbal tea and raspberry tea are a few popular ones. A lot of people like hot tea because it is good for your body and health. According to scientists, green tea has antioxidants that can improve muscle endurance. “I personally prefer tea because I’m not a sweet person, but it always provides good flavor without the need to add a whole bunch to it,” Cole Rygalski (senior, theater) said. “Tea has far more of a variety as compared to coffee or hot chocolate. “I like both hot and cold teas because they are both enjoyable to drink yet have such distinctive differences when they are hot or cold. There are so many kinds of teas available, too. Iced teas can be very refreshing and have a lot of different options available.” However, a typical favorite, especially for college students, is
iced or hot coffee. Like tea, there are a variety of coffees offered, both hot and cold, with many flavors and season specialties at different coffee shops. Some Starbucks holiday beverages favorites include the toasted white chocolate mocha, the peppermint mocha and the gingerbread latte, just to name a few. A few Dunkin’ Donuts specialty holiday beverages include the holiday eggnog latte, the gingerbread s’mores and the winter white chocolate coffee. “I like coffee, but I don’t really drink hot chocolate,” Ronald Inniss (sophomore, Asian studies) said. “Coffee makes me alert, and I need an energy boost every day. “Hot chocolate does taste good, but there isn’t as much of an energy boost property, so I often don’t drink it, especially while I’m in college. I prefer coffee over tea because I often need to stay up very late for school and tea will just put me to sleep.”
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(Facebook) Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” (left) and “The Irishman” (right) are two movies to binge during Thanksgiving break.
November brings binge-worthy shows, movies to streaming services LEVI DONALDSON
Staff Writer L.Donaldson@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
This article contains opinion. These are some of the new releases coming to Hulu and Netflix this November.
hulu: Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” This film is a creepy classic. It’s good for most ages and has a beautiful visual style. The incredibly detailed claymation sets it apart from most movies, and beyond just that, it has an aesthetic and noticeable art design. The voice acting also shines with fantastic performances by Christopher Lee, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Emily Watson. This all combines to tell a wonderfully creative macabre film that everyone should check out.
“Booksmart” This is a teen drama that is the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde. It’s about two girls who decide they’ve missed out on a lot of the high school experience and make
up for it all in one night. If you’re looking for a low budget movie with a personality, then look no further.
“Terminator: Rise of the Machines” & “Salvation” With a new “Terminator” movie coming to theaters, Hulu has your back if you want to catch up. These big energetic action movies are what you would expect, and if you’re looking for something like this then, I’m sure you know exactly what you’re in for. These are star-studded, high budget and ridiculous.
“Overlord” This is a supernatural horror film set during World War II. It’s high-octane and wildly intense. It carries a realistic setting with its more-than-normal elements to create a bizarre and special experience. This is the type of movie that is perfect for a movie night. If you aren’t sold, just watch the trailer.
“Creed II“ This is a continuation of the highly praised film “Creed,” which
in of itself continues the legacy of the beloved “Rocky” franchise. This is a modern boxing film that has an incredibly talented cast including Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stalone, Tessa Thompson and Dolph Lundgren.
“America’s Cutest: Complete” Seasons 2 & 3 This Animal Planet show is exactly what it sounds like: a showcase of adorable animals. Animal Planet shows are always wholesome, educational and beautifully shot, and this show seems like the perfect thing to destress to after an exam or just put on in the background while you’re folding your laundry. Either way, it’s a great addition to Hulu’s catalogue.
Netflix: The “Matrix” Trilogy Recently, the fourth installment in the “Matrix” series was announced. Netflix getting the rights to this classic kung-fu, sci-fi saga is a good move. It makes it easy for people to watch their favorite hackers in leather jackets
and sunglasses fight machines. The unique style, high energy and fantastic fight sequences easily mark their places in pop culture.
ous journey he takes toward the throne. The cast features Timothee Chalamet, Ben Mendelson and Robert Pattinson.
“The Crown” Season 3
“District 9”
“The Crown” is a highly acclaimed Netflix original about the royal English family during World War II. The series is known for style and fantastic biographical storytelling that captures the history very well. The series stars Claire Foy, Matt Smith and Helena Bonham Carter.
This sci-fi film tackles the idea of alien oppression in a gritty way that provides social commentary and a unique perspective. It turned director Neill Blomkamp into a sci-fi visionary and withholds its cult status for everything new it brought to the genre.
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” This somewhat controversial film is directed by Terry Gilliam, the man behind “Monty Python.” It is an incredibly stylized film that provides a psychedelic true story starring Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro, Flea and Tobey Maguire. It’s definitely a special experience.
“The King” This is another Netflix original that has a lot of people watching out. It is about a young Henry V and the political state and ardu-
“The Irishman” This is from legendary director Martin Scorsese and serves as a return to form. This gangster movie is Netflix’s most expensive movie to date because of the intense developments made in aging and de-aging actors digitally. The film stars longtime Scorsese collaborators Robert de Niro and Joe Pesci. This also marks classic gangster actor Al Pacino working with Martin Scorsese for the first time. It tells the true story of Jimmy Hoffa and has had stellar reviews. This is, personally, one of my most-anticipated movies this year, and everything about it has been marking it as a masterpiece.
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(Facebook) Prince, an American singer/songwriter, passed away in 2016.
Prince had problem with pop stars Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry CHRISTIE D’ZURILLA TNS Los Angeles Times
(Facebook) My Chemical Romance original members, from 2010. Left to right: Bob Bryar, Mikey Way, Gerard Way, Frank Iero and Ray Toro.
Popular punk band MCR reunites after six years of being on hiatus LEVI DONALDSON
Staff Writer L.Donaldson@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
This article contains opinion. Break out the eyeliner and ripped jeans because My Chemical Romance is coming back. My Chemical Romance is a pop-punk band that has left its mark on music. Through their theatrics, aesthetics and highly visualized, character-driven music and atmosphere, they have been highly influential and have maintained a cult fan base throughout the years. In 2013, they disbanded due to personal issues. The members of the band continued making music, and frontman Gerard Way became a comic book writer. Despite continuously providing fans with content, a lot of people were thrilled to hear they have come back together. The reunion was announced on Halloween, a thematically fitting date for a band with their gothic sensibilities. “Having it on Halloween is actually a cool thing to do,” Brielle Stephens (communications
media) said. “It labels how their music feels most of the time: spooky.” Stephens also went on to say that she’s very excited and in hopes for new music. She hopes the band retains its old sound since a lot of rock bands feel the need to update their musical style. This cultural impact is really apparent in fans of the band. “I mean, I didn’t listen to them really until after they broke up,” Violet Hayes (sophomore, speech pathology) said. “So it was kind of like listening to an old band, where you like it, but you’re not expecting any new music, so I mean it’s kinda cool that there’s a chance that could happen. “The band broke up when they had been together for 12 years and got together now on the 18th, so in a sense it fits their song ‘Teenagers’ because they kinda avoided what people would define as their teenage years. “I’m not positive about the age of the band thing, but I saw it somewhere and it seems accurate, which is funny to me. I think it’s kinda fitting they got back together on Halloween. A lot of
their audience would probably say Halloween is their favorite holiday.” “I think it’s very fitting for them to return on Halloween, naturally,” Maren Krizner (sophomore, psychology) said. “It’s cool because one of their albums was a concept album that took place in 2019, and so a lot of fans theorized that they were going to make a comeback this year. The fact that it’s so late in the year adds to the surprise; people had lost hope. I’m excited. “My inner teenager has never been so happy. I started listening to them maybe a month after they broke up, and so it’s kind of weird cause this is the first time I’ve been a fan of their music while they were together. I hope that it’s not just one show they do. I hope they do a tour or release more music; that would be awesome.” There is a lot of hype surrounding the My Chemical Romance news and fans new and old are interested in what the band has planned. They’ve maintained relevancy all these years and the Halloween announcement has helped cement their image.
Amid a mountain of musings, Prince took aim at a couple of fellow pop stars who’ve been getting heavy airplay for years now. “We need to tell them that they keep trying to ram Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran down our throats and we don’t like it no matter how many times they play it,” he wrote in a letter unearthed at his home after his death in 2016, apparently addressing the music industry in general. The notes are part of “The Beautiful Ones,” a collection of the artist’s notes, clippings, photos, drawings and more assembled by superfan Dan Piepenbring, who was hired by Prince before his death to co-write a memoir. The period after getting the assignment was a “bizarre, three-month detour in my life, a strange and voluptuous period. And so surreal,” the writer told the Guardian. Prince’s death changed the nature of the book, which came out Tuesday. Prince hadn’t decided on the format of the memoir, Piepenbring said, and the artist’s concept could change in the course of a single conversation. The pages Piepenbring was given access to, he told NPR, “were all alive with these cross-outs and revisions and erasures. ... They seemed the perfect testament to his creative process, which is something that he had wanted to bring across in the book.” The Sheeran and Perry comments were a tiny part of what sounds like an amazing collection of minutiae from Prince’s life. “The sheer quantity of paper
(Facebook) Ed Sheeran, a popular singer recognized by his ginger hair, was mentioned in the notes.
was surprising. There was no real method to the madness,” Piepenbring told the Guardian. “In one room you’d find something from 1979, and within arm’s reach there’d be something from 2002.” “There’d be these moments of intense intentionality - he’d gathered up all his handwritten lyrics from across his career, clipped them together, and kept them in one place,” he added. “Or he’d gathered artifacts pertaining to his father’s jazz band. It seemed very ad hoc and very personal.” Adding to the allure of Paisley Park’s vaults? Piepenbring had access to only some of the musician’s papers, which stretched back to his teen years, pre-curated by the estate. “There are known unknowns,” the writer told the Guardian of what remains hidden, “and there are unknown unknowns.”
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Nicolas Cage has no ‘Primal’ fears in new movie
(Facebook) Some of Nicolas Cage’s most popular movies, “National Treasure” and “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” (left) as well as “Face/Off,” (right) with John Travolta, feature him as the good guy.
RICK BENTLEY TNS Tribune News Service “Primal,” the new film starring Nicolas Cage that opens in selected theaters Friday was filmed in Puerto Rico shortly after a hurricane had passed through the area. It left the area painfully hot and muggy. It was an uncomfortable environment, but one that helped Cage with his acting performance. In the film, Cage plays Frank Walsh, a cranky and competent collector of rare and exotic animals. He finally cages his most precious cargo when he captures a priceless white jaguar that he intends to sell for big bucks. The problem is the ship he is using to transport the jaguar and a small animal menagerie has been commandeered by the United States government to transport a political assassin. The question becomes which is the most dangerous predator on the ship. Most of the action takes place in the cramped confines of the ship, creating extremely humid spaces to work. “We were in tight quarters in a place that was an oil rig that was falling apart that was made to look like a ship,” Cage said. “The claustrophobic feel helped all the
(Facebook) Nicholas Cage at the Telefilm Canada Festival for his film, “Color Out of Space.”
actors with their performances to be in those tight quarters.” Cage’s use of whatever he can to get his acting work right comes from years of experience. “Primal” is the latest in an extremely long list of credits for the Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning actor since he made his professional acting debut in the 1981 feature film “Best of Times.” Since then he has appeared in such productions as “Peggy Sue Got Married,” “Leaving Las Vegas,” “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance,” “Face/Off,” “Con Air” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Along with “Primal,” he has eight films either ready for release or set to begin
production. There are a set of guidelines Cage uses when picking the films he wants to do, whether he’s playing a character based on a comic book or a treasure hunter. The first thing Cage decides is whether he believes he can bring something to the part to make the character come alive. Secondly, Cage wants to make sure that he will be working with someone who can draw something more out of him, and with “Primal” that would be director Nick Powell. Cage and Powell previously worked together on the 2014 film “Outcast” so he knew that the director would help him make a film that would
end up being good entertainment despite the slightly absurd idea of being trapped on a ship with a group of wild animals and a terrorist on a killing spree. The role in “Primal” was so much fun for Cage to play that he would gladly take on the role again. “I like the idea of Frank Walsh being a loner. He’s been in the jungle for a long time. He’s not really a people person. He’s got a lot of edge to him,” Cage said. The place where he really got to show the inner workings of the character were during the numerous fight sequences with Kevin Durand, who plays the film’s villain. Cage was worried that Durand was so much bigger than him that the fight scenes would not look believable. He decided that Walsh would tap into his inner jaguar and that kind of feral energy would make the battles work. In a small way, his character in “Primal” is similar to his role of Benjamin Franklin Gates in the “National Treasure” movies. Both men are experts in their fields and collectors of unusual items. Cage says that’s where the similarities end, however. “Ben Gates is a more sophisticated person who is educated.
This guy (Walsh) is bit of a loose cannon. He is overdrinking. He’s more the jungle and he’s not really that erudite,” Cage said. The cast of “Primal” also includes Famke Janssen, LaMonica Garrett and Michael Imperiolib along with a cast of critters. The white jaguar was created using computers, but Cage who is a big lover of animals often found himself surrounded by real birds, monkeys and other animals. He laughs when talking about how the monkeys would tug at his clothes while the cameras were rolling and he would just go with it. Cage is so in love with acing he doesn’t care if his co-stars are humans or animals. “I have enjoyed all of the experiences I have had in cinema. I enjoy relying on my imagination and pretending there is a jag there,” Cage said. “I also enjoy the real contact. I have been blessed with terrific performers like Famke. All actors are my brothers and sisters and I love whatever they bring. That’s probably the best when you get to work with a great group of actors.” Along with opening in theaters, “Primal” also will be available through video on demand starting Friday.
Sports
Sports Editor: Elliot Hicks – E.Hicks@iup.edu Lead Sports Writer: Jeff Hart – J.R.Hart2@iup.edu
(IUP Athletics) Justice Evans (junior, business management) rushed for a career-high 175 yards in Saturday’s victory against Seton Hill.
Evans’ career day leads Hawks to blowout victory JEFF HART
Lead Sports Writer J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
The Crimson Hawks have done it again, ladies, gentlemen and others. IUP has come out victorious for the third-straight game. The Hawks took on the Seton Hill Griffins on Saturday and took the game 50–23. IUP was simply on fire during the game and could not be stopped. IUP had its second-best rushing performance of the season with 290 yards against the Griffins. Junior running back Justice Evans (business management) played a huge role in this dominant rushing performance with a career-high 175 rushing yards. Evans averaged 15.9 yards per carry on 11 carries in this matchup and notched two rushing touch-
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downs as well. IUP came out of the gates on a mission. Senior transfer Quinton Maxwell (business) connected with wideout Dom McNeil (redshirt senior, exercise science) on a 75-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the game. Receiver Duane Brown (redshirt sophomore, sport administration) continued his streak of good games with his ninth consecutive game with a touchdown. Brown punched the ball in the end zone off a 2-yard wildcat play. The offense was simply unstoppable and received production from just about every position. IUP dominated the first half 23–3 and continued its elite production into the second half. Along with IUP’s prolific offensive performance, its defense showed its proclivity toward stopping the
run. The Hawks limited SHU to a measly 13 yards this season, which was the second-lowest next to their -22 yards allowed against Lock Haven. Dondrea Tillman (senior, sport administration) got involved early and tackled Seton Hill’s running back Nick Valentino in the endzone for a safety. Along with this safety, Tillman put in major contributions defensively and had three tackles-for-a-loss and two sacks on the day. Seton Hill put up 366 yards through the air, which was the most by any opponent facing the Hawks this year. Many of these yards came in the second half when IUP already had control of the game. Even though the Griffins did put up respectable passing numbers, they only inflated the routing that they endured at the hands of IUP.
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After IUP had a sizeable lead on this squad, Jalen Reese’s (senior, business) services were utilized for the Hawks. Reese got in on the action and threw a 26-yard dime to Qashah Carter (sophomore, pre-athletic training) for a touchdown. IUP progressed to 8–1 on the season and 5–1 in the PSAC. Playoffs are coming ever closer for this team, and the Hawks are trying to do everything in their power to climb the rankings. As the conference standings sit currently, IUP would not be in the PSAC championship as Kutztown and Slippery Rock sit undefeated. Kutztown would represent the East and Slippery Rock the West. The Hawks really needed The Rock to drop their matchup against California (Pa.) on Saturday. Sadly for IUP, the Rock edged out the
Vulcans 31–28 with a game-winning field goal. With only one game remaining before the PSAC championship, IUP will not win the PSAC West. Slippery Rock’s last regular season game is against a struggling Gannon squad, and The Rock would still hold the tiebreaker over IUP even with a loss, so the Hawks will not get a chance at the conference title. IUP will push its focus toward its aspirations for a national title. The Hawks currently sit at 19th in the national standings and remain fourth in the Super Region One rankings, still on track to host a postseason game. With their next game against a gritty Edinboro squad, they’ll be getting ready to take on the Fighting Scots. Every game matters, and this one is no different.
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Crimson Hawks Roundup ELLIOT HICKS
swimmers to post PSAC-qualifying times during the meet. The Crimson Hawks will next compete at Cleveland State for the Magnus Cup starting Nov. 22.
Sports Editor E.Hicks@iup.edu @ehicks39
SOCCER: The IUP women’s soccer team rebounded from a midweek loss to defeat Seton Hill 4–0 Saturday in Greensburg. Mahogany Willis (sophomore, communications media) scored her PSAC-leading 15th goal and Taylor Karan (senior, speech pathology) added two of her own to put the Crimson Hawks four points to the good in their quest to qualify for the PSAC tournament. Gia Martyn (junior, marketing) scored the fourth goal to establish both a career high in goals (two) and points (six) in a single season. Madeline Smakulski (junior, communications media) earned her fifth shutout of the season by making seven saves. Overall, the Crimson Hawks outshot Seton Hill 19–12. IUP (10–6, 8–6 PSAC) still has a chance at earning the second or third seed from the Western division in the PSAC tournament,
Super Region One Rankings
VOLLEYBALL:
(IUP Athletics) Madeline Smakulski (junior, communications media) has five shutouts in 2019.
behind Mercyhurst by one point and Edinboro by six. The Crimson Hawks and Lakers will meet in the penultimate regular season contest in Erie on Wednesday.
SWIMMING: A dominant performance from
the IUP swim teams saw the Crimson Hawks defeat Saint Vincent in 18 of 22 total events and 17 of 18 individual events. It was the first victory of the season for IUP, winning the men’s matchup 108.5–89.5 and the women’s matchup 133–70.
This Day In Sports: Madden wins 100th game
1. Kutztown
Gabrielle Gironda (senior, nursing) won both the 100- and 200yard freestyle. Ryan Hartmann (sophomore, computer science) also won multiple events, taking home victory in the same events on the men’s side. Gironda was also among 10 IUP
IUP volleyball split its matchups over the weekend, sweeping Slippery Rock in three sets Friday and being swept in Clarion on Saturday. The win against The Rock was IUP’s third sweep of the season. Nicole Peterson (freshman, biology) continued her strong debut season as a Crimson Hawk by putting up a season-best .469 hitting percentage, making 18 kills on 32 attacks. Leah Henderson (freshman, nursing) added 43 assists in the victory. Jessica Ignace (senior, psychology) led the way in the loss with 10 kills and four blocks. Six games remain in IUP’s (6–16, 5–8 PSAC) season, and the final trio of home matches all take place this weekend, as the Crimson Hawks will face Mercyhurst, Edinboro and Gannon from Friday to Sunday.
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2. Slippery Rock 3. Notre Dame (OH) 4. IUP 5. Shepherd
@ThePennIUP
6. Urbana 7. West Chester 8. West Virginia St. 9. Tiffin 10. Ohio Dominican
(Facebook) On Nov. 5, 1978, John Madden won his 100th career regular season game while serving as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Madden, champion of Super Bowl XI with the Raiders, was the youngest coach to reach the 100-win plateau at the time.
The Penn
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Field Hockey Final Standings Top 6 qualify for PSAC tournament
(18–0) (16–2) (12–5) (12–5) (12–6) (12–6) (9–9) (7–11) (5–13) (3–15) (1–15) (IUP Athletics) IUP field hockey finished the 2019 season seventh in the PSAC.
Field hockey knocked out of playoffs with Kutztown loss JEFF HART
Lead Sports Writer J.R.Hart2@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
The Hawks have fought valiantly all year long, but the IUP field hockey team has played its final game of the 2019 season. In their final bought, the Hawks took on the No. 3 Kutztown Golden Bears and ultimately fell short with the final score being 2–0. Neither team could get on the board in the first half, and the Crimson Hawks came out hot offensively. IUP outshot Kutztown 3–0 in the
first half and appeared to have the upper hand early. This game turned into a tale of two halves when the Golden Bears came out and scored in the early goings of the second half. Kutztown outshot the Hawks 8–2 in the second half and ultimately came out with the win. With the top six teams in the conference making the playoffs, this was a must-win scenario for the Hawks. With this loss, IUP falls to 9–9 on the season and 4–6 in the PSAC. In the PSAC tournament, Shippensburg will host Millersville and
Mansfield will travel to Kutztown. Unbeaten West Chester and East Stroudsburg earned first-round byes for being the top two seeds. The Hawks did lose their bid to the PSAC playoffs, but their season was one of hardship and resilience. Saturday’s matchup with Kutztown was the seventh time this squad has had to face a top 10-ranked team this season. The Hawks have played well in the face of tough competition. They have held two top 10 teams to only one goal this season. The final record does not tell
the full story. There is more to sports than simply wins and losses. It’s about the journey that got you there. It’s about the memories, the camaraderie, the physical and mental grit. “I think this journey brought the team closer,” head coach Gary Agard said. “It was a roller coaster ride with highs and lows. I think how the team galvanized through the whole process was the most gratifying. “I think the confidence gained this season, knowing we can compete with the elite teams in the
league, will serve us well going forward.” In Agard’s words, sports are about “the process and the journey.” Sometimes in life, the journey can be more important than the destination. The Hawks may not have made the playoffs, but they accomplished more than that. They came together as a squad and fought the odds with valor. Even if this squad ultimately came up short against the competition, they want to make a point against all of their competitors.
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HOT TAKE JAKE Steelers’ victory makes statement toward playoff hopes JAKE TAYLOR
Staff Writer J.M.Taylor8@iup.edu @JakeTaylor8726
Here we go, Steelers, here we go! *clap clap* The Pittsburgh Steelers have just won their biggest statement game of the year. The 5–2 Indianapolis Colts came into Heinz Field looking for an easy victory. The Colts, who were 14–3 since Week 7 of last season, were on a hot streak coming into the weekend. Beating the Chiefs, Texans and Broncos is not an easy task. Indianapolis has a defense that shut down Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. The performance Mason Rudolph had last Monday didn’t have Steelers fans too confident in this game. Although, Pittsburgh was on a four-game win streak against the Colts with the average margin of victory at 15.8 points. It is safe to say if Big Ben was slinging the pigskin, the game
(TNS) Adam Vinateri’s missed field goal helped give the Steelers a victory Sunday.
would have been the same old same old. It is also fair to state Rudolph played a very good game. His 26 completions were more than the Steelers’ total rush attempts, which show the faith put into Rudolph as a result of James Conner’s injury. Unfortunately, he threw his only interception on one
of his best passes of the game. You may have trouble finding it on social media, but don’t worry. You can still find JuJu Smith-Schuster playing “Fortnite.” The biggest play of the game came from the defensive side of the ball. I have expressed my praise toward the defense and new
acquisitions in last week’s Steelers article. So, if you didn’t sit down, shut up and drink a beer to that article, go do it now. I can wait. OK, welcome back. Minkah Fitzpatrick’s 96-yard pick-six was the second longest in franchise history. It was a complete momentum shift and a certified game-changer.
Instead of going down 17–3, the recently acquired, team-leading pick-machine read Brian Hoyer’s pass and took it to the house. The Steel Curtain also made its presence felt with four sacks, the most that offensive line for the Colts has let up all season. Pittsburgh defense ranks fifth in sacks, eighth in yards against and 10th overall. This should be the biggest takeaway from the Steelers season thus far. The play of the defense has been showing on the W-L column. The six-time champs have won four out of their last five. The sole loss coming in overtime with the third-string quarterback against the team that just blew out the undefeated Patriots. The Steelers are on an impressive streak and are one fumble away from being on a five-game win streak. Granted, they face off against the reigning NFC champs, but this team of black and gold has shown great teamwork through all the season’s adversity.
Flyers fighting through roller coaster start to season AUSTIN SMITH
Staff Writer A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
This article contains opinion. The Philadelphia Flyers so far this season have been a little bit of a roller coaster. They started the season solid and then went on a losing streak and then gained some points and pretty much repeated that pattern. Great news for the Flyers fans is that James Van Riemsdyk has been producing more points recently, which is what was expected for him earlier on in the season, but he has finally been getting on the score sheet. Kevin Hayes has also been a factor. along with Oscar Lindblom and Travis Konecny, leading the team in points. Besides individual stats, team play has improved the last two games. After suffering a huge 7–1
(TNS) Claude Giroux and the Philadelphia Flyers are currently 6–5–2.
loss Tuesday to the Flyer’s Pennsylvania rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, they have turned things around somewhat. It started out with a 4–3 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. The powerplay for the Flyers has been solid so far this
season along with being one of the best teams in the faceoff circle in the NHL as well. These factors showed in their last several games besides the Pittsburgh game. Even though it took the Flyers into overtime to beat the Devils, they had solid second and third pe-
riods for sure. Yes, the Devils look bad in the standings right now, but the paper doesn’t show everything. The Devils have been in almost every game so far this season, but they kept blowing the lead they had. If the Devils played a complete 60-minute game every game,
they would have found themselves in the top of the standings right now. The Flyers did manage to steal a point against the tough and tricky Toronto Maple Leafs. Considering the team Toronto is, the Flyers should have been pleased with their performance because the Flyers also had another good second and third period along with a decent first period for once. If the Flyers can play closer games against teams of these caliber, then the Flyers should be a lethal team down the stretch. The Flyers are currently fifth in the Metropolitan division with a 6–5–2 record and 14 points on the season so far. The Flyers find themselves three points out of a wild card spot, and if they keep finding ways to improve their game, the Orange and Black will find a way to make the playoffs.
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College hockey stands to gain big from NCAA reform JACK HARRIS Los Angeles Times TNS All Blake Lizotte wanted was a jersey. Not for himself, and not one of his own game-used St. Cloud State uniforms either. A custom replica hockey sweater was all he desired, one with his last name across the back, that his family members could have bought and proudly displayed during his two-year collegiate career at a university only 45 miles from his Minnesota hometown. “My family just wanted to wear a ‘Lizotte’ jersey,” he said. But the bureaucratic red tape of NCAA regulations got in the way. The arbitrary rules of amateurism wouldn’t allow it. “No one would print my name on a St. Cloud jersey,” said Lizotte, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Kings last April. “They literally couldn’t.” Such a scenario might soon change. When the NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously Tuesday to permit college athletes to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness – with the caveat it occur “in a manner consistent with the collegiate model” – attention was immediately fixated on football and men’s basketball. Will Heisman Trophy candidates be allowed to sign endorsement deals? Will top basketball prospects finally be allowed to formally partner with shoe companies? Will the athletes that generate millions of dollars of revenue for their schools at last be allowed to profit themselves? Similar questions can be asked about the future of college hockey too. Though it pales in national prestige compared to its dryland counterparts, men’s ice hockey holds a unique place in the collegiate athletics landscape. Though there are only 60 NCAA Division I programs, including four in the mountain time zone and none along the West Coast, the sport is the biggest attraction on many of those campuses. Take the Buffalo Sabres’ Jack Eichel and Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar as recent examples.
(TNS) Current Buffalo Sabres player Jack Eichel could have benefited from earning money from his likeness in college.
Makar, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft, became a regional star the last two seasons at UMass-Amherst. “If they were selling Cale Makar jerseys at UMass last year,” said Joe Meloni, a senior writer for College Hockey News, “there would have been 2,000 of them in the crowd every game.” In 2014-15, Eichel reached even greater levels of notoriety during his one and only season at Boston University (he was drafted No. 2 overall behind Connor McDavid in 2015). That year, the school packed its intimate 6,000-seat arena for home games, turned away some media requests to make room for outlets such as the New York Times, and had several of its game broadcast by Canadian sports channel TSN. “There is celebrity for college hockey players,” Meloni said. “It’s muted in comparison to football and basketball, but at a school like BU that isn’t a basketball pow-
erhouse and doesn’t even have a football team, hockey is everything. There is a lot of opportunity for this.” This year, Kings prospect Alex Turcotte (the No. 5 overall pick in this summer’s draft) has similar star potential as a freshman with the Wisconsin Badgers. No other current college player was drafted as early as Turcotte, and Fox Sports West is airing 11 Badgers games in Southern California. “I mean, would Alex Turcotte be better off with a stick deal? With a skate deal?” said Todd Milewski, who covers Badgers hockey for the Wisconsin State Journal and is also the executive editor of college hockey outlet USCHO. “These are big questions that need to get answered. And how it works is the bigger question.” Indeed, it remains unclear exactly how the NCAA might reform its amateurism rules, a long-debated topic that was spurred earlier this year by the passage of California
Senate Bill 206. Still, at the very least, the sale of custom merchandise suddenly seems like a realistic possibility. Even on college hockey’s smaller scale, it isn’t difficult to imagine even greater opportunities in the future. “For the hockey part of it, there are some dominant players that have come through and probably could have been benefactors.” said Kings coach Todd McLellan, whose son, Tyson, is a senior on the University of Denver’s Division I team. “We couldn’t ask for anything over or above that (for Tyson). But there are some athletes that generate a lot of revenue for schools and other students that maybe should be allowed that opportunity.” Of the nine current Kings players who previously played in the NCAA, not everyone was as optimistic of potential widespread impacts. “I was never a part of a situation where we were bringing in such an
enormous amount of revenue,” said defenseman Sean Walker, who graduated from Bowling Green in 2017. “Personally, I was just happy to have my full scholarship and go to school, and if they were going to use my image, that was fine with me.” There is also a question as to whether more relaxed NCAA regulations would simplify the junior-hockey structure. Currently, players in the Canadian Hockey League (which is the top junior league in North America and allows players to participate even after signing a professional contract) are ineligible for NCAA play, thus preventing some of the game’s top prospects from enrolling at the collegiate level. But as the world of collegiate athletics, the hockey community included, braces for change, there is hope that the NCAA is headed down a positive progressive path. “It’s a step in the right direction for sure,” Lizotte said.
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(TNS) President Donald Trump has continued a recent tradition of inviting championship-winning teams to the White House.
Should championship teams still visit the White House? LZ GRANDERSON Los Angeles Times TNS This article contains opinion. They say history repeats itself and it’s hard to argue when looking at the events that have unfolded in this country over the past week. The Washington Nationals won the World Series and are scheduled to meet President Donald Trump on Monday. The first time the Washington Nationals went to meet the president was in August 1865 when they – along with the Brooklyn Atlantics – met President Andrew Johnson, in what is widely believed to be the first time a sports team was invited to the White House. Johnson ascended to the highest office following a president from Illinois. Trump, the same. Johnson would go on to become the first United States president to be impeached, avoiding removal by the Senate. Trump, as I’m sure you are well aware, has similar difficulties in the House and a Senate that is unlikely to remove him. Trippy, right? The only wrinkle is Johnson,
along with fellow impeachment-facing presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, dealt with bipartisan chastisement. In the case of Trump, not one of the 194 House Republicans who voted on Thursday’s resolution to formalize the impeachment investigation voted “yes.” It’s a clear snapshot of how the country is perhaps just as divided politically as it was when Johnson became president shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War. All of which leads to this question: When it’s all said and done, will the tradition survive? Over the course of the 154 years between the Nationals’ first visit and the pending one, teams would accept White House invitations if for no other reason than out of respect for the office of the presidency. Yes, we’ve always had players skip the celebration for a variety of reasons, but for the most part those reasons did not overshadow the occasion. That no longer feels true. Who declines the White House invitation – and more importantly, why – have become far more compelling than just some awkward photo ops.
From Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora choosing not to attend the celebration because of how the Trump administration handled Hurricane Maria relief to Puerto Rico to U.S. Women’s soccer star midfielder Megan Rapinoe saying she’s “not going to the (expletive) White House” in protest, we are inching closer to the point in which accepting an invite from the president is conflated with accepting the president. It’s an unfortunate but understandable development. Historically, sports was one of those aspects in American life in which fans from various walks of life could find common ground, if only for nine innings or four quarters. But now not even the euphoria of winning a championship appears powerful enough to overcome the divisive sludge that is oozing out of our smartphones, televisions and radios. It’s hard to paint Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle as anything other than a decent person. He volunteers to help displaced military veterans, he hosted Thanksgiving dinner for Syrian refugees and he listens to his mom and dad, telling The New York Times, “when I was a
kid, I remember my parents would say, ‘Baseball is what you do, but that’s not who you are’ – like that might be my job, but that’s not the end-all, be-all.” When Trump tried to characterize his infamous “grab (women) by the ... “ remark as locker room talk, Doolittle took to Twitter to say, “As an athlete, I’ve been in locker rooms my entire adult life and uh, that’s not locker room talk.” Yet despite these and other examples of his humanitarianism, his choosing to not visit the White House in protest of Trump’s rhetoric is going to place him in a bad light for a lot of people. They will view his actions as disrespectful, even unpatriotic. Maybe Trump will call him a son of a b*tch the way he referred to NFL players who were protesting police corruption as such. Again, this isn’t the first time an athlete has declined such an invitation in protest. But this is the first time in recent memory that the lines being drawn are authored by the president himself, thus posing a dilemma for his supporters – are you with me or with them? And now that this precedent
has been set, will we be able to recover? Regardless of what happens with the impeachment inquiry, the partisan hostility is requiring athletes, teams and universities to think beyond travel logistics with each White House invite. Now they must consider the message being sent. Once upon a time the message was about respecting the office. Increasingly it has become about the person in the office. Today team’s are skipping the visit because they don’t like Trump. Tomorrow perhaps teams skip because they don’t like the policies or rhetoric of the new guy. ... or gal. Remember there was a time in which the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was the hottest ticket in town. Three years of poisonous rhetoric and hostility later, it is barely an afterthought. That is the same trajectory the sports invitation is headed. It is becoming a PR nightmare for the White House and more trouble than what it’s worth for teams with vocal athletes – and that was before the impeachment inquiry. Face it, Doolittle’s absence for political reasons is the new normal.