6
OPINIONS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
’S
POINT
Point Park deserves kudos for creating a progressive campus As a university, Point Park has made a concerted effort to be inclusive, especially in engaging the University’s significant LGBTQ community. It also tries to be generally sex-positive, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to engage in productive conversations about identity and safe sex. The University should be applauded for its efforts to solve problems before they become problems as it actively becomes a progressive-minded space. Student organizations also play a significant role in Point Park’s progressiveness, and they too should be praised for all the work they do. The Condom Carnival is a yearly event put on by the Campus Activities Board. The purpose of the carnival is to give students an easy way to practice safe sex by using condoms in fun games where you have the chance to win even more condoms. Other organizations from around campus are the ones stepping up to provide the games. This is a fun and unique way to get the message of safe sex out to the student population, and it proves to be pretty popular as the event is held annually, with more organizations and students getting involved every year. But there’s only so much a school organization can do to prevent unsafe sex. It’s always a well-attended event, and behind all the giggles and snickers that inevitably accompany sexual references, CAB also provides tools and information that are valuable to the student body.
Additionally, the University has recently decided to establish some on-campus bathrooms designated for transgender students. It’s a small step, but it’s vital to making daily life at Point Park easier for its transgender students. In a time in America when some people are doubling down on their resistance to change and their difficulty in accepting others, Point Park is working to establish safe spaces for its marginalized students. While it’s sad that the standard for trans inclusivity in America is so low, Point Park nonetheless is ahead of the curve with its policies. Having a University that’s on the right side of history on social issues is a comforting thing. It’s great to know that our University acts to stay current by listening to where conversations on inclusivity are headed. It’s also great to know that organizations such as CAB go the extra mile by trying to keep people from doing something they’ll regret in such a simple and interesting way. Like many other aspects of college life, in the end, it is upon the student to practice safe sex and use their own judgment. So far, it seems to be working, as students are organizing entire carnivals dedicated to a little latex device that symbolizes safe sex. So kudos to you! Now get out there and throw some condoms!
The Globe can be reached at globe@pointpark.edu.
Rideshare services should be legalized and regulated By Iain Oldman Staff Writer
Legislation that would certify and authorize ridesharing services is currently being held up in the House Consumer Affairs Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity since the two companies began operations in Pittsburgh two years ago. It’s about time that the House recognizes their legitimacy and legality. According to a tribLIVE.com article written last June, Uber alone claimed to have 20,000 drivers operating in Pennsylvania last year, collecting over $100 million in net earnings. Even the traditional taxi service Yellow Cab has created its own ride app, zTrip. Lyft and Uber have operated inside of Pennsylvania on temporary permits for the past two years, and that has come with some legal trouble for both of them. In Oct. 2014, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) proposed a $7 million fine against Lyft for conducting business in defiance of the PUC’s cease-and-desist order. In Nov. 2015, the PUC proposed a $50 million fine against Uber for beginning its operations in Pennsylvania before its permits were granted. Senate Bill 984, sponsored by
Washington County Republican Camera Bartolotta, would replace these ridesharing services’ temporary permits with licenses to operate. Of course, those licenses come with regulations that contain safeguards for driver backgrounds. Safeguards included in the bill state that each driver has to be over 21 years old, must possess a valid driver’s license and an up-to-date state inspection and valid insurance for coverage. Perhaps most importantly to consumers, the bill also requires a criminal background check for all drivers. Any driver that has been convicted Iain Oldman of a sexual offense, Staff Writer, burglary, robbery, The Globe violent crime or a vehicular felony would be prohibited from working as a driver for the rideshare companies. Potential drivers that have been convicted of DUI offences or felonies involving theft, fraud or drugs would be required to have a
“Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity since the two companies began operations in Pittsburgh two years ago.”
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clean record for seven years before employment. Vehicles would also be subject to regulation under the new bill. Vehicles could be no older than ten years old, with the exception of hybrid vehicles, which may be as old as 12. No car may have more than 350,000 miles on it. While this bill was created in the name of consumer protections, the question has to be asked if these regulations are truly necessary for the ridesharing services’ operating licenses. Services such as Uber and Lyft assert that the two companys’ rating systems, generated by the users, are a self-contained way of weeding out bad drivers. The argument has merit. If drivers have made customers uncomfortable or unsafe in the past, their reviews and ratings make it unlikely they will continue to do business in the future. But a police group in MassaJosh Croup, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Mendicino, Co-News Editor Alexander Popichak, Co-News Editor Karly Rivera, Co-Features Editor Eddie Trizzino, Co-Features Editor Johanna Wharran, Co-Opinions Editor Laura Byko, Co-Opinions Editor Michael Richter, Co-Sports Editor Matt Petras, Co-Sports Editor Dominique Hildebrand, News Photo Editor Chloe Jakiela, Features Photo Editor Liz Berie, Sports Photo Editor Julianne Griffith, Layout Editor Alex Grubbs, Co-Copy Desk Chief Emily Bennett, Co-Copy Desk Chief Kayla Novak, Copy Editor Carrie Reale, Copy Editor Beth Turnbull, Copy Editor Quinn Baumeister, Copy Editor Nicholas Fischer, Copy Editor Isabelle Opsitos, Copy Editor
chusetts thinks that is not enough, and is asking Uber to require fingerprint checks on their drivers to run through criminal databases. Uber is not enthusiastic to concede to the requirement, though, as the fingerprint check would be a hindrance to getting potential drivers in its system. Groups like the NAACP and ACLU are apprehensive about the measure as well, asserting that fingerprints are taken at a disproportionate rate for minorities even though they may have not been convicted of a crime. While it is necessary to enact some safeguard regulations in order for rideshare services to become licensed by the state, invasive procedures like running fingerprints seems unnecessary and partially discriminatory. Rideshare services have squarely cemented themselves as legitimate businesses and are popular enough with consumers to earn their licenses to operate within the state. The licensing is necessary to ensure that rideshare companies can continue to run their business in the state without fear of penalty fees.
Iain Oldman can be reached at idoldma@pointpark.edu. Dana Bohince, Online Editor Gerri Tipton, Online Editor Sabrina Bodon, USG Beat Reporter Brianna Murray, Social Media Editor Alexa Yanyanin, Social Media Editor Emily Yount, Graphic Designer Arianna Khalil, Graphic Designer Kariann Mano, Business Manager Iain Oldman, Staff Writer Dr. Steven Hallock, Faculty Adviser
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