LA VIE COLLEGIENNE LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1924 VOLUME 86, NO. 1 | SEPTEMBER 20, 2018
Cuts coming to LVC CASSANDRA BARRETT ’19 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Executive Committee of the Lebanon Valley College Board of Trustees directed the administration and faculty to work cooperatively to achieve the goal to reduce $1.6 million from academic and organizational costs specifically. Two faculty members from each academic division of the College were selected to serve on a faculty task force charged by the Board to compile a list of preliminary spending recommendations to be reviewed and approved by the faculty. This task force includes Patrick Brewer, associate professor of actuarial science; Treva Clark, associate professor of business administration; Deanna Dodson, professor of psychology; Christopher Heffner, associate professor of music; Jennifer Kanupka, associate professor of education; Walter Patton, associate professor of chemistry; and Grant Taylor, professor of art and visual culture. The task force is led by Michael Green, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
The preliminary recommendations were established by the faculty task force over the summer after it had analyzed data, reviewed faculty input and met with faculty representing every academic department. These recommendations were presented to the faculty via email on Aug. 23. A survey will be sent to the faculty to determine what the preliminary findings may have overlooked and to assess the potential ways in which these recommendations may adversely affect students. Academic departments and faculty currently have the opportunity to meet with the task force to discuss the recommendations before the final report is submitted for an endorsement vote by the faculty, slated to occur at the Nov. 29 faculty business meeting. When finalized and endorsed by a faculty vote, the final report of the recommendations will be presented to the Executive Committee of the Board on Dec. 5. The full board will vote on the recommendations at its Feb. 8 meeting. No final decisions have been made concerning what will be eliminated
as a result of the findings of the task force, but majors and minors could potentially be discontinued and nontenured faculty and adjuncts could be terminated. The faculty task force reviewed majors and minors using a variety of guidelines to determine which may potentially be cut. Majors with firsttime, full-time enrollment less than 10, upper-level course enrollment below seven and completions below five have the potential to be discontinued at the College. Similar criteria will be used to determine which minors may be eliminated. The preliminary report recommends the discontinuation of French, German, philosophy and religion majors. If these preliminary recommendations are voted on and approved, courses in at least some of the eliminated disciplines will still continue to be offered, although the major would no longer be available. The preliminary report proposed the consolidation and restructuring of international business and global studies into a new major. It also recommends the restructuring of the art and visual culture major to
focus solely on studio art and the consolidation of majors and minors within the digital communications program. No final decisions concerning these majors have been determined. If a student’s major were to be discontinued, LVC would ensure that current and incoming fall 2019 students with an eliminated major would still be able to complete their degrees. LVC is not able to ensure that courses in eliminated minors will continue to be offered, but assures that academic advisers will work with students to find solutions and alternatives. Dean Green met with the members of Student Government at their meeting on Sept. 10 and will continue to be in close communication with the organization throughout the remainder of this process. Student Government will coordinate an open forum in collaboration with Dean Green and members of the faculty task force to answer student questions and concerns. The date and location of this forum has not been determined.
Life-changing decisions RYAN GILROY ’19 STAFF WRITER Former NFL player Brian Banks spoke at LVC in early September about making the right choices and how a false accusation permanently changed his life. His presentation, “Justice for All and the Power of Choice,” stressed
the importance of self-love and how to handle daily situations along with his grueling experience of social injustice. “No one will work harder for you than you,” Banks said. “It’s not what you go through that defines everything, it’s how you deal with it that defines everything.” That mindset did not come by
choice, and Banks told his story of a wrongful conviction and how he worked towards an opportunity that did not yet exist. In 2002, while attending Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, Banks was arrested and charged with sexual assault. Banks faced 41 years to life in prison. He was 16 years old.
With limited options, he was tried as an adult and eventually accepted a plea deal which included five years in prison and five years of probation. He was ordered to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet and register as a sex offender. Life-changing decisions continued on Page 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF LA VIE
SAY NO TO PLASTIC PAGE 2
COMICS UNSTRIPPED PAGE 2
SAFE SPACE PAGE 3
NEW COACH PAGE 4
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September 20, 2018
NEWS
La Vie Collegienne
Metz takes steps to become greener lost or stolen, he or she can purchase
EMILIE VICARIO ’19 STAFF WRITER Students at LVC now have the option to assist sustainability of resources. Metz Culinary Management, in cooperation with LVC, is distributing reusable coffee cups for students. “We are providing these to be more sustainable and do our part to help Lebanon Valley College’s commitment to sustainability,” Timothy Hartlieb, Metz operations manager, said. Metz will replace the paper cups with plastic lids that were previously found in the cafeteria. The Peet’s branded cups are white and brown and include a sip lid. Each student will get a cup free of charge. There is a distribution list, so if a student’s cup is
another one for $5. “This benefits the school because it will eliminate the use of the paper and plastic cups in Mund Dining Hall and will cut down on the amount of cups used in retail to reduce our waste,” Hartlieb said. The cups are currently available to all students. Interested students can pick them up in the Mund Dining Hall. In addition to using the cups in the Mund Dining Hall, students can also use them at Bishop Brews and ABOVE: The new reusable Peet’s coffee cup.
Photo by: Emilie Vicario Intermezzo for $0.99 refills of regular
coffee.
Say no to plastic MY HO ’21 STAFF WRITER The food industry has begun to shift away from single-use plastic – a trend that is taking place in restaurants around the world, and LVC’s dining services is no exception. In recent years, the Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) has cooperated with Metz to promote an eco-friendly scheme including the use
of reusable containers and programs to reduce food waste such as Mom’s Clean Plate Club and Weigh the Waste. This year, the school’s sustainability team decided to ban the use of plastic straws in the dining hall. “Now we are getting rid of all the plastics,” Timothy Hartlieb, Metz operations manager, said. “Not many people need straws to drink out of the regular cup so if someone requests
one, we still have them.” According to Hartlieb, this plan will be initiated only in the dining hall since other food places on campus still need straws for drinks like iced coffee and smoothies. For some LVC students, this policy is great news to celebrate. “I like the policy, I think it’s necessary,” David Campbell, a freshman international student, said.
“It’s a busy place so it could make a difference.” For the time being, the attitude is positive as students and the College’s
administration
aim
for
a more sustainable place and the introduction of “straws upon request” marks a big milestone in the progress.
Gallery unstrips comics COURTNEY MENGEL ‘19 STAFF WRITER
ABOVE: Framed comic art is displayed at Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery.
A new exhibition has opened at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery. In conjunction with the spring 2018 curatorial projects class, cocurators Dr. Barbara McNulty, director of the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, and Michael Pittari, professor of art and visual culture, present “Comics Unstripped” to the public. “It was an original exhibition using the talents of LVC students, faculty and the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery staff in its creation,” McNulty said. The exhibition consists of a collection of vintage American comics and not only examines the historical development of comics as an art form, but also explores comics as visual communication. Photo by: Sierra Force The title of the exhibition, “Comics Unstripped,” was proposed by Sylvie
Gibson-Gingrich, an art and visual culture major. “’Comics Unstripped’ references how these comics are stripped of the common misconceptions of simplicity and crudeness surrounding this complex mass medium,” Rebecca Worhach ’16, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery assistant, said. “The Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery seeks to highlight the importance and complexity of comics through this exhibition.” “Comics Unstripped” will run until Oct. 21 at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, admission is free from 5 to 7 p.m. College President Dr. Lewis E. Thayne and Dorothy Thayne will host the opening reception for the exhibition on Friday, Sept. 14 in Zimmerman Recital Hall in the Gallery. The reception is free and open to the public, and guests can dress up as their favorite comic character.
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September 20, 2018
NEWS
La Vie Collegienne
Life-changing decisions (cont’d.)
ABOVE: Banks spoke to more than 500 students on Sept. 6.
Nine years later, Banks’ accuser, Wanetta Gibson, friend requested him on Facebook and sent a message to say she wanted to “let bygones be bygones.” After Banks received Gibson’s friend request, Banks called private investigator Freddie Parish and asked for help. Through a series of interviews, Gibson confessed to Parish that she lied about the assault and Banks never sexually assaulted her, nor did he kidnap her. While on probation and after serving a total of five years and two months in prison, the confession proved Banks’ innocence and his case was overturned a decade later on May Photo by: Ryan Gilroy 24, 2012. The dismissed charges also released Banks from his sex-offender
status and allowed him to continue his football career. He initially tried out for the Seattle Seahawks but did not make the team. After considerations and tryouts from other NFL teams, he eventually signed with the Atlanta Falcons in April 2013. To this day, Banks doesn’t know why everything went so wrong, so fast. “She never admitted to why she made the lies up,” Banks said. Banks
told
students
to
love
themselves first. “It’s not a test, it’s life,” he said. “What you do in this moment will determine what happens afterwards.”
Safe space for students KAYLA HEISERMAN ‘20 STAFF WRITER At Lebanon Valley College, Stonewall House is a special interest community which houses 11 students committed to educate others and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community. Leo Thomas, a junior digital communications major, began living in the house this year and views it as a sanctuary. “Living in Stonewall has allowed me to be more expressive,” Thomas said. “I don’t think about how I present myself as often as I would in a ‘normal’ living space. I’m much more open.” The residents of the house include students who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies alike. Ethan Schultz, a junior psychology major, identifies himself as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I think if people aren’t hurting anybody, they should be able to live in the way they choose without being judged for it, you know,” said Schultz. “If you see something that’s not fair or right, even if it doesn’t necessarily affect you directly, it’s important to stand up for what’s right.” Supporting students who feel unsafe or unsure regarding their sexuality or gender is a responsibility of those in Stonewall House. This is done through community hours and events open to all LVC students both in the house and around campus. Stonewall House is open for community hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day as a “safe space” for students. It is located in Centre Hall, right in the middle of campus next to the Peace Garden. If anyone feels uncomfortable and needs a safe space,
or has questions regarding LGBTQIA+ leaders, Virginia Graham at vrg001@ issues, they are welcome at Stonewall. lvc.edu or Heather Riutzel at hmr002@ For more information about Stonewall House, contact the house lvc.edu.
Photo by:Kayla Heiserman ABOVE: Stonewall House is a safe space on campus supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
Administrative changes in student affairs MARTIN KEMPER ’19 STAFF WRITER LVC promoted a new Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Inclusion, but she’s no stranger to the college. Renata Williams, previously the director of intercultural affairs and inclusive programming, will assume the role of assistant dean in addition to her previous duties. Williams will coordinate and organize diversity and inclusiveness initiatives and programs across campus.
“We are really trying to engage students and expose students to a wide variety of what diversity means, not just here at LVC, but what it’s going to mean at the spaces that our students grace beyond LVC,” said Williams. “We want to engage students with regard to diversity inclusion, whether that’s cultural, ethnicity, ability or orientation.” LVC is an institution that promotes inclusive excellence as a core value in its mission statement and attempts to create a more socially aware
and equitable campus through educational curriculum, symposiums and workshops. Williams believes there’s work to be done. “There’s always more that we could be doing,” Williams said. “If you ask a professor when their research is done, they will probably tell you never, there’s always more research to be done. That’s the same view that I take on working towards inclusiveness and working towards diversity.” Williams said she’s not alone in her work.
“It really is the task of every single person on our campus,” Williams said. “It should be weaved into our syllabi and weaved into our conversations with students. It should be weaved into the work that we do every single day, and I think that is critical for folks to understand and really to embrace.” As the new year at LVC is underway, students will have many opportunities to engage in thought - provoking activities. Look for Renata Williams to lead the way.
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September 20, 2018
SPORTS
La Vie Collegienne
New coach brings excitement
Photo provided by: LVC Athletic Communications
ABOVE: Fester comes to LVC from Johns Hopkins University.
change in leadership occurred during the offseason. Although LVC’s baseball season This summer, head coach Keith Evans does not officially start until spring, retired after 15 seasons. The College players are eager to get started as a hired Jonas Fester to serve as the 33rd
Spencer Paterick ’21 STAFF WRITER
Head Coach of LVC’s baseball team. Fester served as an assistant coach at Johns Hopkins University from 2008 to 2010 and from 2012 until 2018. “I am looking forward
to preparing, developing and competing with our players on a daily basis,” Fester said. “The combination of our talent, dedication and character have the makings for a special season.” Fester is excited for the upcoming season and looks to embrace any challenges that may arise. “Baseball players spend an incredible number of hours at the field for games,” Fester said. “Balancing a rigorous course load and other onand off-campus activities with a competitive baseball schedule is always challenging.” Not only does Fester want his players to succeed on the field but also in the classroom and in daily life. He wants his players to improve both on and off the field this year. “If we can put in the time and energy to get the most out of our baseball skills, challenge ourselves in the classroom and be a model citizen then we will have a successful season,” Fester said.
Election results CASSANDRA BARRETT ‘19 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Student Government recently welcomed nine first-year students to serve the organization. Students interested in joining the government submitted nomination applications which were reviewed by Jen Evans, Student Government adviser and director of student activities. An electronic ballot was emailed to the class of 2022 to vote and elect nine
first-year students to Student Government. The elected representatives are President - Brandon Kemmery, computer and data science major; Vice president - Dawsen Miller, biology major; Treasurer - Brody Johnston, computer and data science major; Secretary - Ryan Dennehy, applied history major; Commuter representative - Amanda Peters, music and music education double major;
Equity representative - Pierce HunterKysor, exercise science major; Class representative - Julia Resele, early childhood education and special education double major; Class representative - Amberly Eisenhuth, digital communications major; Class representative - Taylor Laliberte, biology major. The newly-elected Student Government representatives joined the full government at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 17, and Student Government
president Casey Burke is eager to collaborate with the incoming first-year representatives. “I’m excited to work with a new group of student leaders and to watch them grow through Student Government,” Burke said. The elected representatives will serve for the entire 2018 - 2019 academic year and will be eligible for reelection in April.