Point Park Globe Fall 2019 Issue 8

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@PPUGlobe October 16, 2019

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Pioneer Public: Alum Allissa Logsdon creates faith-inspired music Dennis McDermott shares an open response to last week’s Opinions content Sophomore Alyssa Campbell takes first place at CMU Invitational ppuglobe.com

Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967

Issue 8

Pittsburgh adopts PUMPKIN PATCH IN THE PARK UN Sustainable Development Goals Students react to news of Pittsburgh as second city to incorporate new sustainability plan Amanda Andrews Co-News Editor

The city of Pittsburgh and the state of Pennsylvania have unveiled a variety of new announcements related to climate action and other social causes in the last two weeks. Mayor Bill Peduto attended the United Nations Climate Summit as a representative of the nation’s mayors and met with New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio. On Oct. 4, Peduto announced in a press release that Pittsburgh would be striving toward the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and were looking to see improvements by 2030. Pittsburgh is the second city to follow the SDGs, and New York City was the first. “The UN SDGs provide a framework for holding Pittsburgh accountable to a common set of goals that will make it a better and more resilient city for all. Working with stakeholders across the city, these goals will allow us to aid the residents who need our help now and the future generations of Pittsburghers to come,” Mayor Peduto said in the press release. In the press release, the Mayor’s office said that it will be working with “a partnership network of local, national and international organizations that are working to help measure progress against the Sustainable Development Goals” to achieve the goals. This includes a key partnership with OnePGH, an initiative from the Mayor’s office started within the last few years. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), The University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University and the Pittsburgh Foundation, a local non-profit, have been considered leaders in regional sustainability projects. The SDGs include ending poverty, ending hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and pro-

duction, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice strong institutions and partnerships to achieve the goal. Freshman BFA acting major Samson Allen was surprised and slightly skeptical of the announcement.

“I’m glad there’s some social activity towards ending poverty and world hunger.” Samson Allen Freshman Acting BFA major “My opinion is that I would not have expected this from Pittsburgh,” Allen said. “I’m glad there’s some social activity towards ending poverty and world hunger. I’m going to be intrigued to see what announcements they make.” Junior Broadcast Reporting major Elean Troia said she felt that by striving for the SDGs, Pittsburgh was responding to global pressures and that she was glad for it. “I’m not from here...I’m from Venezuela. Knowing where I’m living now can influence [what Pittsburgh is doing],” Troia said. The SDGs stems from groundwork laid out by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, first created in 2000. The eight goals, to eradicate poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and global partnership for development, were set to be achieved by 2015. The Millennium Goals did increase primary education from 83 to 91 percent worldwide and greatly improved access to piped drink-

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Emma Federkeil | The Globe

Freshman information technology major Maddie Mitchell paints Handsome Squidward on a pumpkin during CAB’s Pittsburgh Pumpkin Patch event in Village Park on Oct. 14.

SSDP leaders hope to educate New club offers info on drug policy Hayley Keys Co-News Editor

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is a new club on campus aimed at drug education. Their mission statement is to provide an unbiased, safety-focused education on drugs and drug policy. Christian Ferraro, a junior psychology major, is the president and founder of SSDP. He said he wanted to create a club that brought awareness and education to a subject that is normally neglected due to its taboo nature. “I googled drug activism because I wanted for so long to do for drugs what drugs have done for me,” Ferraro said. “Then I found a petition made by Pitt’s chapter [of SSDP] and I was like, why don’t I just start a club at Point Park?” According to Ferraro, there was minimal resistance from the administration. However, he did have to work hard to get the club approved for the fall semester. “Everybody had the same questions, they were like, is this going to be a club where people put up posters that say, ‘let’s go to the wharf

and smoke weed’,” he said. “I was like, ‘no we’re gonna get together in a room and talk about how we can go there, and smoke weed legally one day’. I mean people are gonna have their opinions about it, but there was not a lot of pushback.” Vince Rugani, the University’s Alcohol and Drug Educator, said he was worried at first, but after talking with Ferraro, he felt more confident. “I was hesitant because I didn’t know exactly what the club would mean for Point Park,” Rugani said. “When we were having the initial conversation, I just wanted to make sure that it was clear that the University could not go against federal law because we receive federal funding for student aid. But after we talked and I understood their perspective, I felt better.” Rugani explained that any university that receives federal funding for student aid is required to follow federal law or students could risk losing their federal aid. He said the clubs who promote activism do not affect this policy because they are not breaking the law.

“I believe [SSDP’s] approach is more of an activism standpoint, and that’s something I’m very proud of,” Rugani said. “If a student believes in something, absolutely go with your gut and your heart and voice your concerns. That is the only way change is going to occur.” Chris Newell is the treasurer of SSDP and Ferraro’s roommate. He said he was drawn to help the club after witnessing his friend’s passion for the organization. “I’ve seen [Ferraro] work really hard to get this whole thing approved, and I’ve seen his work ethic and his mannerisms in helping SSDP become a professional club,” Newell said. “It’s interesting and its definitely unorthodox, but it’s really good what he’s doing in general.” While some up-andcoming clubs might struggle to get recognition or even proper branding, Ferraro and Newell aren’t alone in their efforts. Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an international non-profit advocacy and education organization focused on ending the war

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Weather Forecast

Today: AM Showers H 56, L 43

Thursday: AM Showers, H 50, L 42 Friday: Partly Cloudy, H 56, L 37 Saturday: Mostly Sunny, H 66, L 45

Sunday: Partly Cloudy, H 70, L 54 Monday: Showers, H 73, L 57 Tuesday: Showers, H 66, L 49

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