Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
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Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) has set up a fund that is available to non-RSCOs. If these groups raise money for a nonprofit organization, they can request that the funds be matched through the philanthropy fund, and MSG will match up to $350 per year. This started after receiving philanthropic inquiries from clubs not funded by MSG, said MSG President Meghan Hess. Treasurer Killian Bowe and the Senate approved this new program upon returning from Christmas break. Visit msg.mercyhurst.edu to access the philanthropy request form.
News Briefs Priority registration for athletes gets first big test
NEWS
By Spencer Hunt
Sports editor
As the end of the winter term approaches, students are beginning their adviser meetings for spring term. This term, like last, athletes of all four years will receive the opportunity to register with seniors on Monday, Jan. 30. The early registration is designed to alleviate problems with scheduling around practices and games for athletes. It is necessary to do because our practice times are set before we register, and we need to work our classes around the practice times, senior lacrosse player Ally Keirn said. Even so, spring term could have a few more issues than winter. Only five athletic teams are in-season during the winter term. There are 11 teams that have the priority registration option for spring term. There will be between 150 and 170 underclassmen-athletes registering with the senior class. A little less than 90 athletes were eligible for priority registration for winter term. The athletes will be put into a pool with the other seniors eligible to register, and they will be randomly assigned times to register during that day, Michele Wheaton, assistant vice president of academic services, said. As athletes go through the process of registration, the new times are considered extremely helpful. It is completely necessary to register early, softball player Sydney Cuscino said. When you include travel days it is even more difficult because leaving class isnt an option. Athletes and professors already have to deal with missed classes because of games, but with the extended class times it is more complicated. It is tough to leave the same class every Friday when we travel for games. Its really stressful, Keirn said. Even though these athletes have the option to register with seniors, it does not mean they will. During the winter registration period, it was estimated that 20 percent of the eligible athletes did not register early. Once the time for the athletes has passed, anyone who hasnt registered is put back into their respective class registration times. Additionally, winter sports teams will not be able to register early this term. Teams are only allowed to register early during their season of play. Even if a teams schedule spans past a given term, they are still not eligible for priority registration. The change in athlete registration is because of the change in class times before winter term. The challenge athletes have is
their ideal schedule is different than other students, Dean of Faculty Brian Reed, Ph.D., said. With so many more athletes registering early this term, will there be more of a problem getting into classes? We carefully watch the number of seats left in classes, and thats something we did even before the early registration this year, said Wheaton. We want to make sure all our students get the classes they need to earn their degrees. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) is still gathering information on the early registration to determine how helpful it is and whether it is worth doing next year. We havent committed to anything yet for fall term, said Andrea Barnett, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs. We have only had one term to implement this system, and it is too early to make a judgment. Spring term will be a big test to whether early registration will continue next year. The spring represents the largest group of athletes registering with seniors and will be an indicator of just how much it affects the rest of the student body. To date, OAA has received only one complaint about the new system. Barnett and OAA are hopeful that despite more athletes registering, it will go over as smooth as the winter term.
NEWS
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The history book for Mercyhurst explains about the Sisters of Mercy and how they founded the school. It goes into detail about the changes that occurred over the years and how the sisters were leaders who educated the students. The book includes huge changes such as the decision and importance of going co-ed in 1969 and the impact that had on the school. It describes student life over the years and the addition of sports teams once the school became co-ed. I think its great that Dr. Strausbaugh is digging deeper into the history of our college. We have such a rich and interesting history, but unfortunately not many people know about it, junior history major Garrett Stolz said. A large portion of discussion in
Professor of History Roy Strausbaugh, Ph.D., is in the process of writing the history of Mercyhurst dating from 1926-2000. The book will be the first of its kind for Mercyhurst.
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NEWS
Mercyhurst has been one of the top feeder programs in the last decade.
Mercyhurst Colleges Class of 2013 will be the first class to benefit from this arrangement, which has been in the works since last spring, with the official agreement between the two schools being signed this past fall. Associate Director of Student Services of the University of Pittsburgh, Michael Rizzi, addressed a group of political science students
Underage consumption Saturday, Jan. 14 Underage consumption Sunday, Jan. 15 Public drunkenness Sunday, Jan. 15 Harassment Tuesday, Jan. 17 Loitering Friday, Jan. 20
McAuley Hall College discipline Duval Apartments College discipline Lewis Avenue College discipline 745 East 40th St. College discipline 4117 Briggs Ave. Erie Police Department incident
Mercyhurst students have already been getting involved in the process as well. History Department Chair Chris Magoc, Ph.D, had his public history class create historical pamphlets and storyboards to launch the brainstorming of the historical aspect of the project, focusing on ideas like Dan Rice and Civil War Era as well the areas history of commerce. A variety of wayside markers would likely outline different historical facts at landmarks throughout. While it could cost a bit of money, the positive opportunities it would offer in a motor vehicle dependent society are too great to pass up, senior Patrick Bresnahan said. The trail would bring residents a completely new outlet for physical activity and develop a better consumer relation with local farmers markets. Thats a great idea, said senior Victoria Gricks. Promoting exercise and healthy living is necessary in todays world, and if it helps local farmers then its even better. The proposed trail would not only promote healthy living early on in life, but local businesses could also take advantage of the opportunity for tourism.
FEATURES
at school. The Learning Differences Program has been helping students for more than 20 years, and in 2008 it launched the Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM). Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst received a federal grant for $10,000 from the Verizon Foundation for Technology on Jan. 18. The check was presented to Mercyhurst College President Thomas Gamble, Ph.D., and Learning Differences Director Dianne Rogers by William Carnahan, vice president of external affairs, Midwest Division. We are very excited about the opportunities and training this will provide for our students living with Aspergers Syndrome, AIM coordinator Brad McGarry said. This grant brings a whole new dimension to our program and what we can accomplish. The grant will be used for equipment that will benefit students with social skills training, time management and executive functioning. The equipment will include iPads and other applications geared toward this purpose. Working on this program are Rogers, McGarry, and adviser Kenneth Schiff, Ph.D., as well as others within the Learning Differences Program. Schiff explained that Aspergers Syndrome is considered to be high-functioning autism. Those with Aspergers Syndrome are particularly at risk in the school setting, not because of a lack of academic or even verbal skills, but because of difficulty in negotiating the complex social world of the university, said Schiff. In fact, many of the students who fit this profile are especially gifted in certain academic areas and could, therefore, bring great honor to their schools and benefit to the larger community, but because of their lack of social skills, they require unique support services in order to succeed. AIM focuses on social skills as well as academics to ensure AS/ASD students have all of the right tools in order to succeed in school. The Asperger Support Planning Committee worked for a few years on ways to create a program that will best help students at Mercyhurst.
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FEATURES
have a knee-high leather or suede pair for dressing up. North Face, Eddie Bauer, Dicks and Burton provide a wide variety of winter coats to choose from that are both fashionable and warm. The key to looking stylish and staying warm during winter is layers. Wearing a camisole under your shirt is a good tip for women. For men, layer by wearing T-shirts under your sweaters, henleys and dress shirts. Who said women cant wear skirts and dresses in the winter? But, combine this outfit with a pair of tights or leggings to keep your legs from frostbite. I know it may seem nearly impossible to look cute and stay warm during the wintertime, but it is possible. Make sure you have the basics, and then you can add your personal style to your outfit. Like Tim Gunn from Project Runway says, Make it work. You can be trendy while staying warm.
This is the recipe that I used to make the cookies: Ingredients: 2 eggs 1 package cake mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil I took 3 tablespoons of the cake mix out before I mixed it, just to be sure the dough would not be too runny. This made it the perfect consistency. Directions: Mix together cake mix, eggs and oil in a large bowl. Make little balls with the dough and set on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for seven to 10 minutes. Once the cookies were cool, I simply filled a plastic bag with the frosting, cut the end off of the plastic bag and spread the frosting thickly onto the cookies. I then made them into sandwiches and packed them up to send in the mail. It was so easy and very delicious. For more DIY ideas, visit lavendersbluee.blogspot.com. DIY College Style is be a weekly column featuring two college students blogs on quick and easy tips about crafts and food.
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i <3 musica is a music blog written by Max Rivera. He chooses a song each day with music including international genres, new and older songs and both famous and lesser known artists and bands. The word musica is Spanish, Italian and Portuguese for music. It derives from the Greek term art of the Muses.
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Dooce.com photo
John Vernon is the talent behind the indie folk band Bon Iver. The singer/songwriter founded the band in 2007 after a bad breakup with his girlfriend and former band. Other band members include Michael Noyce, Sean Carey and Matthew McCaughan.
Festival-cannes.fr photo
B Omid Didar will screen in the PAC on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.
OPINION
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
base I admire, has pushed him to perform exponentially better in this presidential contest than the last, still has no real political shot of getting the GOP nod. The Republicans need find only one of their shining stars (where are Chris Christie or Marco Rubio when you need them?) to run and the election would probably be over before it even began, with a new president being inaugurated next January. Dont get me wrong, Im sure the general election will be remarkably close and absolutely bitter. But this dismal array of candidates has Democrats cautiously thanking their lucky stars and remains Barack Obamas one saving grace.
The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376. The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via email at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
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OPINION
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Students are once again plagued by potholes that have taken over East 41st Street near the top of Lewis where the streets intersect. With possible substantial snow and ice, the potholes will soon be worse. Will the city ever solve this problem?
Opinions from additional student athletic advisory board members can be found online at merciad.mercyhurst.edu.
The womens hockey team lost 3-2 to Robert Morris, ending their winning streak and leaving the Lakers 29-1.
Online
Feminism misunderstood
by Faye Clark Staff writer
merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion
Sports
Following a 15-15 record during the 2010-11 season, the team is showing great signs of improvement this season. Unlike years past, we dont have one person that stands out. Everyone is stepping it up. It is not one person, everyone contributes. Were a stronger, more cohesive team, said Richard. We all play together. The girls play as a unit more now. The Lakers are practicing hard, doing a lot of repetition and defensive drills, and their key strategy is having their defense run the offense. Were confident in ourselves now; we have a well-conditioned team and its showing, Richard said. We are taking big shots, and we wear on other teams. We dont play a big line-up, so other teams are usually mismatched trying to compete with our girls because theyre smaller and faster. Our point guards are doing a tremendous job. We are getting a lot more opportunities on offense now, she said. The Lakers are currently tied for
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Junior Dana Banda is the floor leader for the Lakers. She has started all 16 games and leads the team with 4.6 assists per contest.
leadership and confidence that made the change, said Coach Deanna Richard. When you feel good, you play good. This team is
different. They just keep fighting. We have a lot of heart and passion, and its changing the culture of the team.
Senior Kelley Steadman is on pace to garner serious Patty Kazmaier Award consideration. She is second in the nation with 26 goals scored.
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Sports
We lift a lot, almost every day in the summer. That training consists of cross training, strength training, kettlebells, ropes and yoga. We also enjoy mountain biking, which helps our cardio. We try to get on the mat one to two times a week, along with mixed martial arts training and jujitsu to mix things up, Jordan said. The two have the advantage of training with each other, because they wrestle at two close weights. Jordan wrestles at 157 pounds, while Josh wrestles at 165 pounds. The two believe that being able to wrestle together has contributed to their success. I have been blessed throughout my wrestling career, not only to have a brother who pushes me, but to be around great coaches my entire life, Josh said. Jordan also credits much of his success to his brother. Josh has always motivated me. I love beating my older brother, and he is a stickler for technique and maximum effort, Jordan said. Their work ethic has brought them to the top of Division II wrestling. Josh is a former national champion and a three-time AllAmerican. Jordan is coming off a fourth place finish at nationals. With this being the last season left to wrestle together, the two are looking to do something that hasnt been done in Division II wrestling: two brothers winning a national title in the same year. That would be a great day for the Shields family; Im looking forward to it, Josh said. To accomplish such a feat, it will take more than physical skill, because as any wrestler knows, the sport is more mental than physical. I believe what separates a good wrestler from a great wrestler is their mental toughness. Wrestling is a grind; you have to be more mentally tough than physically gifted to be an elite wrestler, Josh said. Jordan agreed. Wrestling is a sport built off mental toughness. Thats what separates it from any other collegiate sport. We are training for a battle versus one single opponent; it doesnt get any more intense than that, he said. So far, both brothers are having stellar seasons for the Lakers. Jordan has a 13-2 record while Josh is 7-1. When it is all said and done, the goal for these two brothers is to win a national title; anything else would be seen as a failure. Jordan and Josh know that this is most likely the last time the two will ever wrestle together competitively. Josh sums up his goal this season in one sentence. I am coming back to school to win a national title. Anything less than that will be a disappointment, Josh said.
Jordan Shields, on top, is currently 13-2 on the season. He ranks third nationally and first in Region 1 at 157 pounds.
Josh Shields, right, has a stellar 7-1 record in his final season for Mercyhurst. He is currently ranked second in Region 1 and fourth national for the 165 pound weight class.