IUP KICKS OFF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK WITH VIRTUAL EVENTS

(Facebook) IUP’s International Education week kicked off Monday and will continue until Oct. 21, giving students a way to learn about studying abroad.

Where in the world are IUP students?

RACHEL FOOR Staff Writer myjv@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

IUP’s Office of International Education will host virtual events for International Education Week from Oct. 12 to Oct. 21.

According to the Office of International Education, International Education week “is a joint initiative between the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education to promote cross-cultural awareness, prepare students for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the U.S.”

The office held several events already this week including Europe Monday, International Radio Hour, a Six O’Clock Series and studying abroad information. If you missed any of these events, there are still more to come.

Wednesday will be dedicated to opportunities in Asia. Participants will learn about studying abroad at IUP’s Asian partners and hear from IUP staff. This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Zoom information is iupvideo.zoom.us/j/94560687580.

On Thursday, participants will learn about where and how to study abroad with IUP’s faculty-led programs during the Let’s Go Together! event. Staff will also be available to answer questions. The Zoom information for this event is iupvideo.zoom.us/j/95781025917.

Additionally, International Poetry Night will be held at 7 p.m., offering a different look into other cultures. Participants will read poetry, which will be shared in their original language and English. This event’s Zoom information is iupvideo.zoom.us/j/96254636928.

Oct. 16, will feature dinner and an international film. Everyone is invited to get an international-themed to-go dinner from North Dining Hall and watch “Freaks – You’re One of Us.”

This is a 2020 German film about people being treated for mental illnesses discovering that they have superpowers. The film will start at 8 p.m. and registration is required. To watch the film, participants will need to have a Netflix account or sign up for a free 30-day trial. More details will be provided after registering for the event.

The week’s final event will be held at noon on Oct. 21. It will be a virtual lunch and learn titled “Voting Around the World” sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement.

At this event, a panel of faculty and students from Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand and U.S. will share an examination of politics in their countries as well as what the process of voting is like compared to the U.S. The Zoom information for this event is iupvideo.zoom.us/s/91720792308.

A new episode of the Office of International Education’s new streaming podcast “Tales from Abroad: Celebrating the Student Journey” will be released each day during International Education Week. The podcast will feature stories from IUP faculty, friends, staff and students about their time spent abroad. The shows stream on anchor.fm/ tailsfromabroad, Apple, Google, Spotify or other podcast providers.

The funds for the week’s events are provided by the Office of International Education and IUP Student Cooperative Association. According to the Office of International Education, IUP has more than 400 international students from 53 countries this year.

For more information students may contact the Office of International Education at (724) 357-2295 or email at Intl-EducaHEATHER BAIR News Editor zzzx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Thirty-two years after an

IUP student was found dead on campus, justice has still not been served.

Jack Alan Davis Jr., a 20-yearold sophomore at IUP, was found at the bottom of the stairwell outside Weyandt Hall

Oct. 22, 1987. He had been missing since Oct. 17 according to friends and professors.

The cause of death was discovered and then disputed by two separate medical examiners; Dr. Thomas Streams and Dr.

Cyril Wecht. Streams theorized that Davis had been drinking heavily, went to the stairwell to urinate, blacked out and fell, choking on his own vomit.

Wecht disproved that theory when he performed his own autopsy three years later. In 1990, Wecht discovered Davis had clotting in his brain, and the previous theory of Davis choking on regurgitated food was not possible as he had no food particles in his lungs and tion@iup.edu. Events also are listed on the webpage: iup.edu/

Remembering a student 32 years later

international/iew. his blood alcohol level was all but non-existent.

Davis had been missing since Oct. 17, yet in the days that led up to the discovery of the body five days later, there had been heavy rainfall in Indiana. There is no roof on the stairwell, yet Davis’s clothing showed no signs of weather damage. Even more puzzling was that Davis had been cleanshaven at the time of his disappearance, but he had a full face of stubble upon the discovery of his body.

In 2014, Marlene Gentilcore published a book called “Justice Wanted: The Kid in the University Stairwell,” after investigating Davis’s death with his family. The case was also on season 7 of the show “Unsolved Mysteries.”

As stated in the book, Davis’s mother hopes that one day, someone will come up and tell her the truth of what happened to Jack all those years ago. The family and Gentilcore are convinced someone out there knows the truth on what happened that night.

5

New scholarship available for students in Sutton Scholarship Program

EMILY LOOSE Staff Writer e.d.loose@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Another scholarship is available at IUP thanks to a 1971 alum.

The John R. and Dorothy J. Lauderman Sutton Scholarship was established in honor of the experience that John had had during his time at IUP. It was a time he said he “cherished.” “At this point in my life, I felt it was time to give back to my alma mater and help other students to fulfill their dreams,” Lauderman said in a previous newsletter.

The scholarship also acted as a way for Lauderman to honor his professors and friends.

He majored in business management. He went on to work 35 years as a certified public accountant.

Originally from Harrisburg, he and his wife, Dorothy, now reside in Conway, S.C.

The scholarship is available to students who qualify for the Sutton Scholarship Program. However, there is a preference toward students who are part of Eberly College of Business and Information Technology.

Eberly has over 25,000 alumni, and many of them continue to pay it forward with donations to IUP.

Executive Director of Media Relations Michelle Fryling spoke on behalf of IUP about the scholarship, showing thanks in its honor.

“IUP alumni are so generous and so appreciative of their IUP education,” she said. “They are amazing in their commitment to giving back to students for now and for the future.”

The scholarship is one of many donations and funds created that help take part of IUP’s Imagine Unlimited Campaign. At approximately $75 million dollars, the campaign helps push IUP as one of the country’s leaders in aiding student experiences through scholarships and grants.

Scholarships are important not only to students, but also to the administration. This is especially apparent during trying times such as the pandemic according to the Vice President of University Advancement Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna.

“Fortunately, the IUP family continues to be incredibly gener-

While the Lauderman Sutton Scholarship is available to anybody, there is a preference for those in the Eberly College. (Facebook)

ous through scholarships like the one funded by the Laudermans,” she said.

Osseiran-Hanna said that IUP was honored by every donation, no matter how big or small.

“We appreciate each and every gift; donations like this help to ensure that students today and tomorrow will have the resources to thrive,” she said.

IUP is also helping its students through its Emergency Relief Fund, which now holds $250,000. It was put together with donations by over 600 alumni, faculty and students.

As mentioned before, the John R. and Dorothy J. Lauderman Scholarship was available to students who are accepted by the Sutton Scholarship Program. Students qualified for the Sutton Scholarship Program are incoming freshmen with “outstanding academic credentials,” according to the IUP website.

The Sutton Scholarship Program is already accredited to students when they enroll.

Though it may preference Eberly students, students of any college are able to apply for a chance at the Lauderman Scholarship.

To learn more about this scholarship as well as other ones that are available, students can visit iup.edu/supportiup/where-weneed-help/scholarships/ for more information.

Information on how to support and donate gifts toward funds and scholarships are also available.

For questions on donating gifts, please email The Office of Giving at iup-giving@iup.edu or call (724) 357-5555.

6 October 14, 2020 News IUP celebrates National Coming Out Day 2020

(Paul Marchwinski/The Penn) National Coming Out Day was celebrated Monday on the IUP campus. The day brings awareness to those in the LGBTQ+ community and is observed in order to support those who have yet to “come out of the closet.” The day was first celebrated in the U.S. in 1988. At IUP, the IUP Haven Project offered information on healthy relationships, information and safe places. Drew Booth (middle) and Tori Campbell (right) were present in the Oak Grove to offer information to people about the LGBTQ+ community.

News October 14, 2020 7 Confederate flag discouraged in Indiana after Penn series

MARIAMA MANSARAY Contributing Writer myjv@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Indiana Borough Council took a stand against the confederate flag, approving a resolution Sept. 22, stating that public display is inconsistent with community values.

Inspired by a series documented in The Penn about “Living Black in Indiana,” and in a show of solidarity to the Black community in the borough, the council voted and passed a resolution to “denounce” the use of the confederate flag within the community to intimidate residents or visitors to the borough Oct. 6.

“This particular resolution makes sense to me in that it is a statement of intent from the council,” Gerald Smith, council vice president, said. “It tries to communicate that despite the fact that these overt symbols of racism are around, they don't represent our community. This community rejects symbols of hate like the confederate flag, and they are inconsistent with our values.”

(HuffPost) The confederate flag has been a topic of debate across the country as many are calling for it to be taken down in communities.

As described in the resolution’s text, “In order to achieve our aspirations for a more perfect Union, Indiana Borough wishes to join with communities, organizations, and corporations across the U.S. to discourage racism, intolerance, and any form of intimidation based on race or ethnicity…”

Though the resolution was passed, it was a divisive decision among council members. Opposition to the resolution cautioned against the consequences, effects and the reactions the resolution will “stir” from residents

in the community.

“I think this is going to have the opposite effect of what we think it will have,” Council member Kaycee Newell said. “This resolution is going to produce more confederate flags. People are going to go out and buy more flags.”

The flag, Newell said, is a bigger part of the community than people would like to admit. Though she sees the benefit of this resolution, she cautioned council to be careful of not becoming “some sort of moral police” to the community it serves, especially based on past experiences with the community regarding the mask ordinance that was passed in August.

She wants the council to know the effect this resolution will produce in people in the community.

“We need to make sure that our actions produce the results that we want, which is fewer confederate flags,” Newell said.

In the light of these cautionary advice, Council President Peter Board had a different view.

“I cannot in good conscience concede positive values to the people who will oppose this,” he said.

Newell was not the only member to warn council against possible “retaliation” tactics from residents opposed to the ban of confederate flags. Council member Poom Sunhachawi-Taylor agrees with the cautionary points.

“If we are in the middle of a hornet nest over a mask ordinance, don’t you think we are going to kick the hornet nest again over this confederate flag issue?” Sunhachawi-Taylor said.

What is the point of a resolution, she said, if it does nothing, and there’s not teeth behind it? Why pass resolutions if they are not worth doing anything?

While some council members did not openly agree with these warnings, they still felt “torn” about the passing of the resolution.

Despite these warnings, majority of the members said they felt differently because this resolution will show that the Borough of Indiana formally denounce hateful or violent speech directed at any individual or group based on their race or ethnicity.

During the meeting, the council also covered the issues of public safety, especially train safety and current road constructions in the borough.

Discussions about partnering with IUP to build a sidewalk by 13th, Maple and Oakland Street was tabled for next month’s meeting due to funding.

The council plans on working on more plans for this year’s Halloween festival. Mayor George Hood will announce the official date for the Borough’s Halloween celebration Wednesday.

October 14, 2020 News

Editor shares ways to stay safe online at home, school

JAKE SLEBODNICK Managing Editor J.C.Slebodnick@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

October has many interesting aspects to look forward to.

The main one being Halloween and the start of the holiday season; another being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

But most people often forget one that could save your online profile: Cyber Security Awareness Month.

We, as a society, are logged onto our mobile devices and social networks more than we are in our own reality, which leaves people vulnerable to having their information hacked, stolen or sold on the dark web.

In addition, the internet is the epicenter of malicious content and spyware that can track your every move online or, even worse, give someone unauthorized access into your banking or other personal information.

In a university-wide email from Amanda Marshall, coordinator of user services for IUP’s IT Services, we are more vulnerable to social engineering attacks since “these attacks are made easier during a time of change and confusion, such as COVID-19, when learning and working remotely has become a social norm.”

This attack is a form of psychoMARTY WEAVER Staff Writer zglz@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh members, joined by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, have been picketing the Post-Gazette since Sept. 18.

A popular rallying cry in the guild (@PGHGuild) is “Stop the Blocks,” which is a bit of a play-on-words. The Post-Gazette’s editor-in-chief, John Block, has essentially “blocked” efforts to negotiate fair contracts.

“...I am calling on the Blocks to do the right thing, the moral thing, the decent thing, not – especially for all of you, but also for Western Pennsylvania because this paper is an asset that belongs to all of us,” Fetterman said to the picketing crowd outside the Post-Gazette newsroom Sept. 18. “We need this in western Pennsylvania. Your contribution informs us all. You deserve to be compensated fairly and justly for those efforts.”

The Block family also owns The Blade in Toledo, Ohio. According to the Blade Guild (@bladeguild), Sept. 22 marked the 18-year anniversary of workers’ last pay raise.

On Sept. 25, the Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council (@AlleghenyLabor), which “represent[s] 100,000 workers in western PA” according to its Twitter bio, joined the guild at the Post-Gazette newsroom in a show of solidarity.

The labor rally at 358 N. Shore Drive saw dozens of supporters, most if not all wearing masks. The cherry on top was a plane that flew (Facebook) overhead, tugging a sign that “Fair Contract Now. #NoPGWithoutMe.”

Fetterman again joined the rally and so did Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto.

“...The first word of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is ‘Pittsburgh,’” Peduto said to the crowd. “And we believe, as elected officials, that Pittsburghers respect workers. And that is what makes us special as a city.

“The labor movement was created here, on this ground, by people like my grandfather. And we have an obligation to respect that, and

(Facebook)

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. logical manipulation that gains financial information.” trust from users in order to allow One concern that’s raised from hackers access to personal infor- this is what the difference is bemation through baiting, phishing, tween phishing and spear phishing. pretexting, scareware and spear In layman’s terms, when one phishing. physically goes spear fishing, a

Marshall said phishing is the certain fish is targeted since only more prevalent form of social one spear can be used per throw. engineering since it asks for per- With that being said, online spear sonal information like a cell phone phishing is targeted toward one number or credit card/banking user, where generic phishing is sent information and passwords. to a group of people.

She says those emails will Marshall also introduced two convince users to click a link, open new forms of phishing in her email: an attachment, or other form of smishing and vishing. performing a certain task, and will Smishing is using SMS (text) appear as if they were sent by an messaging to provide social engiauthorized source. neers with personal information,

“Phishing messages are be- and vishing uses the same concept, coming more sophisticated and but over voice calling. harder to detect,” Marshall said in Scareware aims to do as the her email. “[They] can trick you into name suggests: scare users into running malicious software that purchasing meaningless software could allow cybercriminals to take that hacks into one’s device to control of your computer, log your access personal information. keystrokes or access business-re- According to Norton, the fifthlated content and/or personal or best antivirus software program per U.S. News and World Report, scareware often comes in pop-up ads that warn users to act fast and download their bugged products before they have a chance to think about it.

Norton also says that getting rid of scareware is difficult to do since clicking the “X” button on the ad will more than likely open up more scareware. An example of pretexting is when a hacker contacts a user under the guise of someone of higher power, like a CEO or director, to obtain confidential information about a bank, major corporation, etc.

Normally, if a social engineer can tell a user the name of an organization, details about it or enough evidence to gain a user’s trust, they will obtain confidential information about an organization that could possibly be detrimental to it.

Lastly, baiting attracts a user’s attention since it promises them an item or good if they complete a task or click a link. This form piques one’s curiosity to see if they will get whatever is promised in return even if the offer seems “too perfect.”

One type of baiting is if someone finds an unattended USB drive laying around with “COMPLETE MUSIC LIBRARY” written on it, another person is bound to pick it up, see what they believe to be to make sure that one thing is held true: negotiate a fair contract.”

Just two days later, the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh’s President, Michael Fuoco, resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct, originally reported by Mike Elk of PayDay Report: https://paydayreport.com/ahead-of-strike-pittsburgh-newsguild-prez-accused-ofsexual-misconduct/.

“The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh is fully committed to upholding the policy, which opposes all forms of discrimination,” the Guild said in a statement found at https:// pghguild.com/2020/09/27/newspaper-guild-statement-on-the-resignation-of-michael-a-fuoco/.

The actions of a few shouldn’t be used to discredit the entire movement, though.

The Guild came back swinging Oct. 3, picketing directly in front of John Block’s house.

“Hey hey! Ho ho! Richard Lowe has got to go!” the crowd chanted while pacing in front of Block’s palatial residence in Shadyside. the world’s music collection in their hands and plug it into their laptop or computer to see if it has the music promised, and not realize the drive contained malware that is now downloaded to their device.

One way to prevent falling for a baiting scam is asking yourself if the opportunity presented to you seems “too good to be true.” If it seems too good, it most likely is.

The golden rule of maintaining a secure online profile is to never provide personal information, such as account passwords, usernames, bank or credit details, etc. through messaging.

Another detection method is if an email says to click a link or your account will be deleted, or if an email has an attachment that is unrecognizable. Lastly, if an email prompts you with an email that begins with “Dear User/Customer” or if it asks you to purchase a type of gift or pre-paid credit card.

Marshall warns students to stay vigilant when viewing and responding to any forms of communication, remain cognizant of fake login pages and to look at email addresses when responding to emails and not just display names.

Students that experience phishing attempts should forward them as attachments to abuse@ iup.edu, and any questions or concerns regarding antivirus software for students or cyber security tips should contact IT Services at

Pittsburgh paper picketers still fighting for fair contracts

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers started picketing Sept. 18.

(724)357-4000.

The aforementioned Lowe is the lawyer from Tennessee that the Blocks hired to delay negotiations.

Bringing us back to the present, the Guild spent Saturday picketing a rather unorthodox location.

“Today we’re in front of John Block’s 1%-er club, the Duquesne Club in Downtown Pittsburgh,” the Guild tweeted. “It costs thousands of dollars per year to be a member here, yet Block continues to slash our health benefits and deny us a contract.”

“A couple of local legends joined @PGHGuild members downtown today to support our call for a fair contract,” tweeted Steve Mellon (@ stevemellon412), a Post-Gazette worker.

Those “legends” were activist, guitarist and “World’s Grievance Man” Mike Stout and IUP’s own Charles McCollester, a retired professor of industrial and labor relations. McCollester was the director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Study of Labor Relations, which closed in 2010.

Opinion COVID-19, social injustice and sports: A review

The sport’s world experienced plenty of hardship in 2020.

From COVID-19 almost dooming every major sport and teams facing backlash from fans because of political views, this has to be considered the most troubling year in sports history.

However, through all the chaos, there were some good features.

The Good

We’ll begin with the good side of sports.

Starting with the biggest note of all, the National Basketball Association (NBA) managed to resume its regular season and finish with no COVID-19 cases in the Orlando bubble. Commissioner Adam Silver, while widely criticized for allowing players to share social views on the court, developed a plan to maintain player safety while leading the resurgence of professional sports in a panic-stricken world.

According to a tweet by Front Office Sports, Silver also informed league employees that they “will receive a $1,000 bonus and four Fridays off beginning Oct. 30 as well as Thanksgiving week as a ‘thank you’ for their work this season.”

No matter how you look at the NBA this past season, it should be no doubt Silver won over sports fans everywhere for devising a secure plan that saw an exciting conclusion to the 2019-20 NBA season.

The National Hockey League (NHL) also adapted efficiently to the pandemic by introducing fans to the Stanley Cup Playoffs as soon as sports resumed.

Some may say the 24-team playoff brought the validity of qualifying teams into question, but it’s a temporary solution for the problem at hand. In addition, it gave more teams a chance to qualify for the Cup following months of inactivity.

In all honesty, it seems that the NHL gave every ounce of opportunity to worthy teams, and in the end, we were treated to a fantastic Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and

(Wikimedia Commons/The Conversation) Both MLB and NFL dealt with issues during the unusual sports year. Tampa Bay Lightning. League Championship Series (LCS) alongside them.

The National Football League stage of its 2020 postseason. MLB found itself in a pit of (NFL) came in as the metaphoric MLB expanded to a 16-team COVID outbreaks, criticism from final Jenga block where the future playoff tree that allowed 8 teams fans when its 60-game season of sports would either crumble or from both the American and began and injuries. stand strong. National Leagues to contend for Rumors circulated that MLB

While a few teams, notably the a playoff spot. We saw teams like would cancel its season after Tennessee Titans, experienced the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins outbreaks occurred in the MiCOVID complications, the season and Toronto clinch playoff spots, ami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds is going strong heading into week where they normally wouldn’t organizations, as well as rumors of 6. In addition, fans continue to be smell playoff aspirations if a nor- outbreaks in the New York Yankees treated by stand-out performances mal season happened. and Philadelphia Phillies organiby rookies on all teams. In addition, the last place team zations. Fans thought the rush for

Alongside the NFL, NCAA foot- in the league would clinch the No. a season came at a cost of little ball is finding its balance as more 1 overall draft pick with a record plans to neutralize outbreaks and conferences resume activities and that doesn’t look as bad as op- how to handle schedule adjustplan to play games with an adjust- posed to a normal season. ments because of them. ed schedule. Major League Baseball (MLB) The Bad The next factor was the amount of injuries seen from all around the completed its abridged 60-game As always, when something league. One of the affected clubs, regular season and is in the good happens, bad things are the Pittsburgh Pirates, dealt with a slew of injuries that shelved a majority of its starting roster.

Because of this, the Bucs were forced to recall prospects from their alternate training site in Altoona almost every day due to the mass amount of injuries.

Other clubs also dealt with the injury bug, and the main reason for this is the lack of preparation time for the season.

Prior to July 23, players only had routine training in the early parts of March in Spring Training before operations ceased. If players had more time to prepare for the season, injuries could’ve reduced by 25 percent.

The NFL and NBA saw their issues spread to the realm of social justice.

Due to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, stars from each league utilized these platforms to spread racism awareness and unity among all players, and while this isn’t the issue, the main problem was the revolt of fans.

Fans provided major backlash when athletes like LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes took moments either before or after games, or wore apparel spreading social justice awareness saying that professional sports are becoming more of a political platform instead of an escape from the troubled world around us.

What they fail to remember is that these athletes are humans too and they deal with the same social issues as we do on a daily basis. If anything, they’re smart for using said platforms to voice their opinions because they know they’ll be heard due to their valor.

The final issue with COVID-19 throwing a wrench into the sports world is the cancellation of IUP football. Now we don’t have the IUP and Slippery Rock rivalry this year nor do we have the Coal Bowl.

Let’s hope 2021 brings better fortunes in sports.

Brought to you by: The Penn Staff

Culture Culture Editor: Katelin Pompa – xzgw@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Haley Brown – tbfx@iup.edu IUP virtual homecoming parade ‘A Walk Down Memory Lane’

A car cruises down Philadelphia Street for homecoming (left) and a group of friends poses together for homecoming (right).

RACHEL FOOR Staff Writer R.G.Foor@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 IUP homecoming live parade was replaced with a virtual one Oct. 10.

The virtual parade, titled “A Walk Down Memory Lane,” was a video montage that featured photos from the past 50 years of IUP homecoming parades set to music by the IUP Marching Band. This video was live streamed on IUP’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. The video has since been viewed over 200 times.

“I think homecoming – the meaning behind it doesn’t go away even when things have to be different,” Julianna Weddings (senior, music), commanding officer in the IUP Marching Band, said. “So, even though we’re going through all these different things and following different guidelines this year, you know it’s still IUP. It’s still homecoming. It’s still the

celebration. So, I think the aspects are still there.”

Despite the circumstances, the IUP Marching Band was still able to perform for homecoming. On Oct. 3, they began the homecoming festivities by holding a concert in Miller Stadium. Tickets to the performance were limited to guests of the band members, however, because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

The event was live streamed on IUP’s Homecoming Facebook event page. The concert included the recognition of senior band members.

“When all of this broke out, there was a bit of concern about whether or not we would be able to have our season,” Weddings said. “Especially being a senior, it was concerning because this is our last chance to be a part of ‘The Legend’ and perform as a part of ‘The Legend.’”

Isiah Buzdygon (senior, music), assisting officer in the IUP Marching Band, gave his take on the on this years parade.

“I mean, we obviously still have to abide by all the CDC guidelines, and that’s not something we’ve had to do in the past,” he said. “So that’s definitely different. That arises some different challenges in a lot of our ensembles, but we’re definitely working around it. Just being able to do it at all and have our performance be part of the alternative homecoming festivities this year – I’m really excited.”

The homecoming celebrations ended Oct. 10 with “The Coach’s Show Special: IUP Homecoming.” The video, which has been posted on IUP’s YouTube channel and athletic’s Facebook page, featured legendary coach Frank Cignetti and Sports Information Director Ryan Rebholz discussing the 2005 IUP vs. Slippery Rock homecoming game. Following “The Coach’s Show,” the entire game was shown with the 2020 band hosting the halftime show.

To view the videos of IUP’s 2020 virtual homecoming events, you can visit their Facebook page and YouTube channel. (Courtesy of IUP YouTube Page)

October 14, 2020

Professors update their progress regarding Zoom classes

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

With universities across the country switching to a remote-style learning, students aren’t the only ones who have struggled to adapt in these trying times.

It has been six months that students and professors have struggled.

The faculty of IUP has seen a lot of shortcomings in the fall semester due to most classes going remote.

Since many classes are taking place through Zoom, a virtual semester has forced professors to learn technology that they normally were not used to. It has also meant trying to find new ways to teach course material that was easier when classes met in person.

“I have seen a lot of professors get frustrated,” Austin Dukes (senior, criminology) said. “It seems to be taking a toll on them.”

IUP’s Executive Director of Media Relations Michelle Fryling has not heard another specific conversations or complaints from faculty, but she is aware that the semester has been tricky.

“I think every faculty member is having their own unique experiences and are working out best ways to

teach during these unusual times,” she said.

Not only has remote classes been a struggle, but professors are also facing the possibility of retrenchment. It would see the loss of approximately 120 members of staff.

These changes have already affected some now former professors. Dr. Stacey Patrick was a professor in the geography department until the end on last semester.

“I was one of the many adjunct faculty who were laid off at the end of the spring 2020 semester,” she said.

Patrick had been a professor at IUP for 13 years before being let go.

“My position was already vulnerable due to the decreasing enrollment at IUP,” she said. “But the COVID-related housing refund really put the budget into crisis.”

Despite no longer working with the school, Patrick still wishes students and faculty the best through the difficult changes.

“Having been through the extraordinarily difficult last half of the semester we all endured in the spring; I know how terribly challenging it is right now.”

However difficult remote learning may be, not all professors find themselves facing problems.

Dr. Stanford Mukasa is a journalism professor. For him, the semester has been met with “smooth sailing.” Since 2002, Mukasa has been teaching students via online classes at both IUP and universities around the globe.

“My online courses are designed to simulate the face-to-face teaching environment by posting video recorded lectures on D2L and taking ‘virtual’ attendance during class times,” he said.

The biggest issue Mukasa has faced is through internet issues some students have encountered, and he had seen this issue especially with international universities.

Mukasa said he believed, overall, students had enough understanding of technology that made it easy to teach remotely.

“Shifting to online learning was natural for them.”

Professors and students alike will have more of a chance to get used to learning and teaching remotely as spring 2021 approaches. As of Oct. 6, it was made official by the IUP administration that the next semester will be set up the same way.

As for retrenchment, there is no say on which professors will be facing the loss of their job, but those who do will find out starting at the end of the month.

Culture

Netflix releases new show with

all deaf cast

Heather Bair schools, grew up together and have News Editor zzzx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP money. The ‘elite’ bully Cheyenna’s feedback centers around her videos being more inclusive of the hearing

This article contains opinion. community when the hearing community needs to be inclusive of

A new reality series hit Netflix the Deaf. Oct. 9 that gave the hearing world In her videos, Cheyenna enuncian insight to a different type of ates well and puts closed captioncommunity. ing (subtitles) on them. Tessa, the

“Deaf U” follows four students apparent leader of the ‘elite’ group, enrolled at Gallaudet University in is the main one upset. Washington D.C. The first season is In a quiet meeting with Alexa, only eight episodes long with the who is a member of the ‘elite’ episodes lasting roughly 28 minutes group but is also finding her own each. Each episode ends on a way, Cheyenna explains how atcliff-hanger type ending, and you tacked she felt. will become invested in the story by Renate and Tayla are dating and the end of the first episode. are very outspoken about human

While the cast is Deaf, 50 percent rights such as LGBTQ+ issues and of the behind-the-scenes crew is women’s rights. They go to a poDeaf as well. The other half is either etry reading, and Renate gets very hard-of-hearing or hearing. Nyle provocative during her performance DiMarco, an actor, activist and mod- of a poem she wrote for Tayla. el, is the executive producer. He’s Dalton, DQ and Rodney are been promoting “Deaf U” since close friends. Rodney invites DQ September when the first trailer home with him for a family dinner. dropped. DQ, who grew up without a family,

The first season focuses on eight wants nothing more and feels loved different students and gives an and accepted at the dinner table. It insight into their lives as members appears that Rodney’s father knows of the Deaf community. ASL, but his mother and sister are

It centers around Rodney Burford hearing. who has a cochlear implant and As a Child of a Deaf adult uses both American Sign Language (CODA), I found the show to be a (ASL) and verbal means of commu- perfect example of what college nication; Cheyenna Clearbrook, a is like, not only for a Deaf student. Deaf influencer and YouTuber; Tessa The show incorporates the ups and Lewis, a member of the ‘elite’ group downs of relationships prior and at Gallaudet; Alexa Paulay-Sim- during the college years, as well as mons, another member of the ‘elite’ the peer pressure we all feel to fit in. group who has multiple relation- Each episode seems to focus ships throughout the show; Renate on a specific person, but it also Rose, an outspoken activist who includes the others. In the show, it’s is dating Tayla, another student; stated that the Deaf community is Daequan “DQ” Taylor, a hard-of- so small that everyone knows everyhearing football player who was one, and if one person knows that born into a hearing family; and Dal- something happened, the entire ton Taylor, no relation to Daequan, community will know it happened. who is also a football player. Also, the Deaf community does not

Throughout the show, the hide anything from anyone. They audience learns about the differ- are very open with every topic out ent lifestyles that are not all that there. different than those in the hearing “Deaf U” brings representacommunity. tion to the table with the different

Cheyenna receives negative stories and experiences all the stufeedback from Tessa and other dents have gone through. It ends members of the ‘elite’ or popular on a cliffhanger, almost like a plot group at Gallaudet. The ‘elite,’ she twist, that you never saw coming. explains through ASL, are members If you’re looking for a differwho were born into Deaf families ent show to binge while learning who have been Deaf for genera- something new, definitely check out tions and. They went to all Deaf “Deaf U” on Netflix.