September 25, 2012

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Sticking to Voter RightsBy Shawn Kellmer, Web Editor

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A valid photo ID is a necessity for all voters in Pennsylvania this November--if a lower court can verify that getting the necessary identification is not unreasonably difficult. The court’s latest action comes as a result of a challenge to the voter identification law, passed in March. The ID requirements may present problems for some MU students. The law states that a college photo ID is valid as long as

it includes the student’s birthday and an expiration date, but some students say they were unaware that their IDs have stickers containing the information and, therefore, provide the identifica-tion required for voting. An up-to-date semester sticker on a Misericordia student ID makes it a valid form of PA voter identification. Robert Zavada, Associate Director of Campus

Safety, said the state’s press officer sent an email that confirms that MU’s dated IDs will meet the new requirement. Zavada said that it is not cost-effective to have dates physically imprinted on the plastic ID cards each semester or school year. Additionally, he said using a four year expiration on student IDs presents the risk that a student might drop out and still have a current card.

Dr. Trisha Brady, pro rata profes-sor of English, recently held a voter registration drive with her students. “There’s mainly confu-sion because the students aren’t aware of the fact that if they were attending college at Misericordia prior to this fall, they could get a valid sticker for their school ID. That sticker allows them to use their MU photo ID at the polls.” Students can get updated stick-

ers at the student help desk or campus safety. Out-of-state students may need to use college IDs if they choose to vote in Pennsylvania instead of using an absentee ballot for their state. “If a student is out-of-state and has a New Jersey license but wanted to vote in PA, the student would have to use a passport or go get a PA voter ID at the DMV or have a Pennsylvania driver’s license to vote,” said Brady.

The current sticker will allow students without a PA ID to vote in Pennsylvania. “We want to make sure they can use their school IDs if they get that sticker. The voter ID law will not disen-franchise as many students here on this campus because the school is stickering the IDs for students who request them,” said Brady. The voter registration drive, which was held September 12 and

13, registered 130 students during its first day. Gary Samuels, Coordinator of Student Affairs/Community Standards, was planning a voter registration drive on September 25 for National Voter Registration Day but decided to take a differ-ent approach. He will hold an ID sticker drive instead. “I was very excited that this was happening, because I always think a student-led effort is always more successful than a University-led effort.” This drive will allow him to make the student body aware that they can have a sticker for their IDs, making it valid for voting. “I have already contacted IT services, Elizabeth Pedro, who does the university ID, overseeing the printing of them and puts the stickers on and I have Paul Zavada so I can try to get the stickers. That way I can try to do a push in Banks, on September 25 so stu-dents walking through right then and there can get their sticker,” said Samuels. Students feel it’s necessary to help and inform the student body of the ID opportunity. Chelsea Martin, a junior history major who assisted Brady in the voter registration drive, said she is having trouble getting some people to register. With the lack of a valid ID the process is harder for out-of-state residents. “With so many students being from New Jersey, New York, and just out of state I think [the problem] is the voter ID law. They’re not really sure what to do if they don’t have a PA state’s driver’s license.” Zavada understands the confu-sion and has worked to get the ID situation straightened out. “As with any new law there would be a time period for clarification and interpretation. If college IDs with semester stickers were not ok, we would do what we had to do,” said Zavada. Kellmers@misericordia.edu

John Meholic, senior, registers to vote with Caitlin Vitale as part of the registration drive that was held in the Banks Student Life center lobby by Dr. Trisha Brady, a prorata professor of the English department.

ALEXIS VASKAS /THE HIGHLANDER

SCAN FOR NEWS

“I didn’t know we were so high-tech that we had one of these. I think it’s good that we are getting into technology so students can access The Highlander no matter where they are,” said Mary Hawes, sophomore Occuptational Therapy Major.

MARY BOVE /THE HIGHLANDER

Continued on page 3

App a Day Keeps Desktop AwayHighlander Staff Reports

A new EMU app and upgrades to the Blackboard app provide infor-mation at students’ fingertips. The EMU app, which is available for iOS, allows students to access the same programs they would on their desktops. Students can find an academic calendar, Oasis, class schedule, meal plan status, student billing and grades by us-ing the new app. According to Alex Sergay, Manager of Online Learn-ing Systems, the app provides faster access to the data students need, like their class schedules, email, shuttle schedules and other student services. Junior Tamara Bradley uses the app to look for things when she is not able to access the information at her computer. “I think the app is really convenient and if I ever have a concern about anything school related the information is right here on my phone which is helpful.” The app allows users to access their personal information, such as items located on Oasis, and it keeps log-in information for a month at a time. First year Nick Delmar owns an Android and at press time the app was not available for that device. He looks forward to when the EMU app will become available for Android devices. “I would try the app on the Android because it would be very helpful,” he said. The only part of the desktop version of EMU not available on

the app is Blackboard, but stu-dents can download another app, Blackboard Mobile Learning to

access their courses or any posted assignments. In the past, the Blackboard app allowed only users with iOS to access its programs. Now, it is available for all phone types, and is free to download. More than 100 apple users rated the upgrade successful in user reviews on the app store site. Sergay said he would like to see a

chat featured added to the Black-board app so that students have the ability to discuss assignments.

Bradley had no idea Blackboard offered an app for her iPhone. She said she is interested in seeing how useful it will be and if it is worth the download. “A lot of my professors use Blackboard for assignments, but I don’t know how much of those assignments I would do on my phone.” Misericordia’s own website

has gotten a face lift on mobile devices. In the past, if mobile us-ers opened EMU in Safari, Firefox or another web browser they accessed the traditional desktop view. The site is slimmed down for mobile devices according to Sergay. “By going with the mobile ver-sion, it takes a lot of the naviga-tion out of it and makes it a lot easier for the students,” said Steve Filipiak, Web Content Coordina-tor. Now, by accessing the website through a mobile device, users are brought to a list of menus, rather than the full web page. Officials say it is easier for students to ac-cess their information. “We know what trends are do-ing. We tried to take a proactive approach and we thought it would be beneficial to make the website optimized for our students on the go,” said Filipiak. The website is optimized using a top tier approach. The options presented when opening up Mi-sericordia’s home page are: about, news, academics, future students, athletics, alumni, careers, giving and popular links. “We have the top pages mobil-ity optimized so people can find the most important information easier,” said Filipiak. Filipiak hopes to optimize the rest of the site in the future. highland@misericordia.edu

Students Take Break for Service Service, one of the four charisms of mercy, is the goal of Campus Ministry as staff plans fall break service trips. Twenty students have the chance to travel to either Benson, Vermont or Cumberland, Rhode Island to volunteer with the Sis-ters of Mercy over fall break. Both locations provide opportunities grounded in an eco spirituality, or Spirit of the Earth, philosophy. Chris Somers, Director of Cam-pus Ministry and trip coordinator is encouraging interested students to submit applications. Somers said the popular trips attract many students who have not taken part before. “These trips are beneficial because of the students desire to serve. I think that we attract students here that have a strong desire to help others,” she said. “And I think they end up helping themselves. They end up learning so much educationally and spiritu-ally that they end up impacting themselves.” Students can work outdoors helping to paint, clear land or feed animals at Mercy Farms in Ver-mont or New Dawn Earth Center in Rhode Island, which are run by the Sisters of Mercy. The three-day educational and spiritual experi-ence costs $75 per student. Somers said all service trips pro-vide students with an important educational experience. “I think one part is helping other people and serving them, especially agencies that need the volunteer help or they might need help with outside work and a lot of these agencies don’t have the money or the man power to be

doing this by themselves, so the volunteers really help the agency or the place that they’re going.” Organizations targeted for past service trips include Habitat for Humanity, and other inner-city organizations that serve with homeless people, the elderly and underprivileged children. Somers said students return to school with a greater awareness of social justice topics such as poverty and homelessness, which some group members have never seen before. “They really transform them-selves and they come back and they’ve learned something about sustainability or the earth or peo-ple that live in poverty. I think our students get transformed in the experience and they come back changed people, some of them.” Students also learn a sense of community. After traveling a great distance, sometimes without knowing anyone else on the trip, students are forced to interact. “I think the other important part of the trip is the sense of community that sometimes it’s ten strangers going on a trip to-gether and spending all that time together so people become really, really close friends and generally the groups get along really well,” she said. “I think at the end of the trip it’s hard to leave. It’s a great bonding experience for the students.” Junior Megan Lage traveled to Rhode Island last year and volun-teered at New Dawn Earth Center. “It’s a learning experience and you learn a lot about others as well as yourself on them,” Lage said. Lage participated in both the fall and spring service trips as a

Sophomore Gabriella Lengyel checks out the new EMU app on her iPhone. Lengyel finds emails, her class schedule and campus news with ease on the new app.

MARY BOVE /THE HIGHLANDER

By Ellen Hoffman, Editor-in-Chief

Readers of The Highlander are using the new QR code to access the paper’s online component, highlandernews.net. The QR code is an addition to the print edition and brings scanners to the highlandernews.net homep-age, where they can find articles and photo galleries. The code has become popular with those who may not have time to sit down and read the print edition.

Having access to high-landernews.net on a cell phone allows readers to be informed on the go and quickly find articles that interest them. Scanners must download a QR code scanner to their smart phones to access the features QR codes can offer. Editors of The Highlander hope to add QR codes leading to online ex-clusive content in the near future.

Continued on page 3

September 25, 2012highlandernews.net2

CONTACT US

STAFFThe Highlander is a free, biweekly publication produced in conjunction with

MU Communications Department. Any full-time student is encouraged to join the staff. We are a member of the American Scholastic Press Association,

Associated Collegiate Press and the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.

INTEGRITYThe Highlander works to produce up-to-date, clear, accurate reporting. If any information is inaccurate or not covered thor-

oughly, corrections and information will appear in this area. Opinions and views expressed in The Highlander in no way reflect those of Misericordia University or the Sisters of Mercy. The Highlander Staff welcomes students, faculty and reader response.

The Highlander reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical errors and length. All submissions must be signed. Letters to the Editor and/or materials for publication may be submitted by any reader. Items can be sent via e-mail.

Ellen Hoffman - Editor-in-ChiefMorgan Harding - Print EditorShawn Kellmer - Web EditorMary Bove - Multimedia Editor

Alexa Cholewa - Business Manager

Arthur Dowell - Web Master

Melissa Sgroi - AdvisorMisericordia University

301 Lake StreetDallas, PA 18612

kellmers@misericordia.edumsgroi@misericorida.edu

570-674-6400570-674-6737

hoffmae3@misericordia.eduhardinm2@misericordia.edu

CONTRIBUTORS

News

Bryce EdwardsPeter FalveyJosh HortonHeather Marsicano

Gia MazurDevaughn PattersonLeah SantucciMaryKate Smith

Alexandria Smith - Content Manager

Gabriella Lengyel - Social Media Manager

highland@misericordia.edu

Student leaders take officeBy Devaughn Patterson, Reporter

New Student Government As-sociation leaders look forward to upcoming learning experiences. Juniors Catie Becker and Dayna Richter are ready for their posi-tions as president and vice presi-dent of SGA, and they say they are prepared to make changes around campus. “I’m really excited about this position because I think we have a good basis to work from thanks to the previous officers. They worked hard in establishing a good foun-dation and now it’s our job to let students know what SGA is about and what we do,” said Becker. Richter said she considers Becker and herself the new faces of Misericordia who can represent students and work to meet their needs. “I’m just really excited to be able to voice students’ opinions to people who can make the changes on campus like the president of the university, people like that,” Richter said. Becker and Richter decided to run together for the top two posi-tions because they wanted leader-ship positions, and they worried when no one else on campus seemed to want to fill them. They count themselves very lucky to be in their positions. “I wanted to run because I started to notice things that stu-dents had a lot of concerns about and wanted them addressed,” Becker said. “The Mercy Leader-ship Program sort of jump started me into a leadership role. It’s our job to keep the students account-able and make sure they represent Misericordia in the ways that we think it should be represented.” Richter has similar feelings, which is what makes the pairing a good match. “I just see this as

a small campus that you can be a big fish in a small pond and get in-volved like you might not be able to at bigger schools,” she said. The duo will work to reach out to departments and groups on campus to ensure that all students know that they are at work for the student body. “We’re looking to work with more departments across campus so we can stay involved and use the resources available to us to best serve the students,” Becker said. “We want students to make us a resource.” Richter views the role of SGA as mediator and communicator. “Student government is like the middle man between student body and everything else that happens at the school, I think that’s our biggest job that we have to do.” SGA advisor Darcy Brodmerkel said the new leaders already have goals that they would like to achieve for the university. “I’m very much looking forward to working with them already. We’ve had several meetings and they are quick to get the job done,” said Brodmerkel. New clubs have already been ac-cepted through SGA, including the Photography Club and Physician’s Assistant Club. Sophomore Mary Bove came up with the idea to start a photography club because she noticed that a lot of students were interested in taking photos but didn’t really know how or have the right equipment. She thought the club would be a way for students with the same interests to come together and learn more about photography. “She found people and realized there isn’t a photography club on campus and they want to do a community service project for

either the school or local business were they can go around and take pictures of certain events, certain things, nature, people, whatever they want,” said Becker. Bove thinks students will show interest once word of the group spreads. She recently completed the necessary paperwork required to become an active club. “Everyone takes pictures. Even if it’s with a phone, everyone has taken a picture in their life and I know lots of my friends and lots of people are interested in photog-raphy so hopefully they’ll like it,” she said. Students interested in creating a club must first speak with Brod-merkel. If the student’s ideas are approved, coordinators need to se-lect officers, find an advisor, write a chart or a mission, and then submit it to the board. The officers are responsible for doing two service projects a year, fundraising and attend all the SGA meetings or leadership training days. “It’s not very likely that I would tell them no,” Brodmerkel said. “If they meet those requirements each semester they’re rewarded $50 each semester to that club from SGA.” SGA officers have responsibili-ties to the entire MU community, whether it is adding clubs, talking to faculty and staff or planning events, but their main concern is making sure the students have someone to talk to. Brodmerkel said SGA is the voice of the students. “[SGA officers] have a lot of power, and they have opportunities to make changes that they feel are necessary to benefit the whole student body.” Patterd@misericordia.edu

The 2012-2013 members of the Student Government Association posed for a group photo in the Shakespeare Garden.

MARY BOVE /THE HIGHLANDER

New campus policy saves recyclable items from landfillBy Morgan Harding, Print Editor

New green campus policies have already resulted in nearly 20 tons of recycled waste. “It’s just the right thing. We want to be as green as possible by taking products that can be reused and keeping them out of landfills,” said Paul Murphy, Director of Campus Safety and Facilities.

A new recycling contract with J.P. Mascaro, a trash hauler from Nanticoke, guarantees that plas-tics, glass, paper, cardboard and yard waste will be collected from the recycling dumpster located be-hind the Anderson complex. Card-board from the Metz Dining Hall is collected in a separate dumpster due to the quantity of waste. Material to be recycled is sepa-rated and taken to three different locations, according to Murphy. Paper is sent to a paper mill in Philadelphia where it is broken down and reused. Cardboard is bailed at Mascaro’s Nanticoke location and then sold to paper mills. Plastic and glass are sent to Green Star recycling of Allentown where materials go through the separating process. Yard waste is sent to a recycling center in New-port Township where it is made into mulch. The university does not receive any rebates for this program be-cause it is contracted to Mascaro,

which gave campus officials the lowest bid for the job. Fifty-three tons of garbage were thrown away during the first month of the semester. During the same time 1.28 tons of glass and plastic, 16 tons of cardboard and 140 cubic yards of yard waste were recycled. Close to 20 tons of

recycling would have ended up in a landfill had the recycling program not been in effect, according to Murphy. Officials have been working to recycle unused and excess paper for several years. For example, old College Misericordia letterhead

was recycled. Jim Sabulski, Manager of Print and Mail Services, hopes to reduce the amount of paper that needs to be recycled. “In the past what we would do is print MU envel-ops for a department, traditional offset. Then the departments would address them on their own and type up their own letters and mail them. There would be excess paper and envelops and therefore waste,” he said. A new machine allows Print Shop employees to only print what is needed. For example, computer software enables print jobs containing multiple compo-nents to be printed at once. “We will print everything at the same time so there is no waste and only things are printed that will be used,” Sabulski said. Murphy also hopes a new water recycling fountain will help cut down on the number of bottles being recycled. Students can refill bottles with filtered, cold water in recycling water fountains in the Metz Field House and the

Anderson Center. Nearly 9,000 bottles have been refilled since the installation of the fountains. “We are always looking for other ways to save,” said Murphy. Hardinm2@misericordia.edu

Students selected to leadBy Arthur Dowell, Web Master

Seven students nominated by members of the MU community plan to participate in the annual Intercollegiate Leadership Wilkes-Barre Program. The program helps student lead-ers learn personal leadership, arts and culture, communication and team growth. The selection process is a dif-ficult and time-consuming one for Patrick McKamy, Coordinator of Student Activities, and Dean of Students Kathleen Foley. Sixty students received a letter of nomi-nation and the application over the summer. Students returned roughly half of the applications, and McKamy and Foley chose the seven who would get the most out of it. The process does not require interviews, just a careful reading of all applications. Some appli-cants were already outstanding leaders on campus and therefore might not gain as much as others, according to McKamy. McKamy speaks highly of the impact the program has on participants. “We send out lead-ers and they come back stronger, more effective, and contribute to the university community. Year after year, they go out and when they come back I see how they step up and have the ability to succeed in the university campus and contribute to their peers, it’s

unmatched.” Junior Kirsten Fisher is on an emotional ride of both nervous-ness and excitement since she learned that she was selected for the program. She anticipates learning a lot about herself. “I hope to get better leadership strategies and use it in both the RA and teaching settings. I also want to pull away from my shy-ness and get better with my public speaking skills,” said Fisher, an education major. Students who have partici-pated in the program in past years encourage newbies to absorb as much knowledge as they can. Senior Adam Grzech partici-pated in the program last year and learned to reinvent himself and become a better leader as well as listen to others so he, too, can be led by others. He said he felt well rounded and gained the knowl-edge to handle situations that he would not have otherwise had. “I hope they come away with it learning something and finding themselves as leaders. I hope they find out how they work and accomplish things and apply it to what they find important.” The leadership classes meet six times during the school year. Each meeting is held at a different school with a different focus topic. Participants are asked to take full

advantage of the opportunity and attend all the sessions so they can take away the lessons and skills and apply them to life. Meeting topics include lead-ership skills, business attire, etiquette courses, peer evaluation and team building skills. Toward the middle of the program stu-dents become paired with a busi-ness professional in their field of study, and students shadow these professionals for at least a day to learn more about what they do. McKamy said the ultimate goal of the program is that students build their leadership skills and make connections with their peers and community members. The seven selections for this year’s Intercollegiate Wilkes-Barre program include Allison Bohonko, Michelle Bruno, Robert Barna, Christine Miller, Erica Hannon, Kirsten Fisher and Kathleen Lord. The program consists of students from MU, Luzerne County Com-munity College, Keystone College, Kings College, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, and Wilkes University. Leadership Wilkes-Barre has five programs run throughout the area including Core, Executive, Mas-ters, Junior, and Intercollegiate. For more information on the leadership organization visit their website,www.leadershipwilkes-barre.org.

MARY BOVE / THE HIGHLANDER

HEATHER MARSCANO / THE HIGHLANDER

Dowella@misericordia.edu

Autism is getting closer to home.

Today, 1 in 110 children is diagnosed.

Early diagnosis can make a lifetime of difference.

Learn the signs at autismspeaks.org

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© 2010 Autism Speaks Inc. "Autism Speaks" and "It's time to listen" & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

Alexis Vaskas

September 25, 2012highlandernews.net 3News

Test Your Mood Day!Wednesday, October 3rd 10:30 am until 1:30 PM

CAPS Center located in McGowan Hall lower level

Test Your Mood Day is an education program designed to help you, a friend or a family member, learn more about mental health.

GOALS OF TESTING MOODS:--- Call attention to the prevalence of mental health issues in our society.--- Educate people about the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and availability of treatment--- Connect those in need to mental health resources

Test Your Mood is open to all students on campus. We hope you walk-in and bring a friend! The event will in-clude a written screening questionnaire. This screening is anonymous and the feedback you receive is not diagnostic. It gives you the information and guidance you may need to

take the next step toward improved wellness. You will also have the opportunity to ask a trained coun-selor questions about yourself or someone you care about.

Please feel free to contact Courtney Burgess-Michak at cburgess@misericordia.edu with any questions.

CAPSCORNER

QR codes continued

“This is so 21st century- it’s crazy,” said Alexis Vaskassophomore communications major.

MARY BOVE /THE HIGHLANDER

“I think it’s easy and efficient,”said Ryan Hackett, sophomore IT major.

“The QR code is friggen sweet,” said Nikki Singiser, sophomore OT major.

“I think it’s a great way to get The Highlander to our tech-savvy students,” said Scott Woolnough, Student Success Center.

“I think it’s good because I don’t always have the time to sit and read the paper,” said Amanda Greene, sophomore sports management major.

Never too late for educationBy MaryKate Smith, Reporter

Students from throughout the region are discovering diverse course layouts, career-oriented programs and a history of com-mitment to adult education at MU, said Center for Adult and Continuing Education director Barbara Leggat. “What makes our program so attractive is our various formats,” Leggat said. “We have, of course, our accelerated evening format, where we have classes seven and a half weeks, we have classes five weeks, we have hybrid classes, weekend classes, and we have our online classes.” Leggat said that adult learners make up about 40% of the current student body so it is important for CACE to be there to work with them in managing their often-hectic lives. “They’re juggling work, they’re juggling family and soccer prac-tice, they’re juggling financial restraints,” she said. “So the typi-cal adult learner has to be focused, has to be motivated, and they’re often goal-oriented.” That goal goes beyond gradua-tion—it’s often focused on career preparation, said Leggat. “We also continuously try to find various programs that attract the adults, who are often career-minded.” Some of the most popular pro-grams for adult learners include the Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program, healthcare, busi-ness administration, accounting, and the new Occupational Therapy (OT) weekend program.

Leggat said students can work toward different masters pro-grams during weekends, so this program provides flexible schedul-ing. Many adult learners are also earning certificates in subjects after completing their undergrad-uate degrees. Some of the most common are diagnostic medical sonography, healthcare informat-ics, healthcare management, ad-dictions and nuclear medicine. Adult learners decide to go back to school for many reasons, said CACE student service coordinator Richard Akers. “There’s students who are re-tooling, maybe switching from one career to another,” Akers said. “And students who have put their family and their children through college, now that their children are grown, maybe it’s their turn.” Leggat has a personal connec-tion to the program: She was an adult learner herself. “A lot of adults [say], ‘this is my time now, where I can come back, and finish what I started twenty years ago, thirty years ago,’” she said. “That was me.” She also understands that students may feel hesitant to jump back into higher education, especially after several years. “Many of them will start with three credits because they’re a little apprehensive,” Leggat said. “And when they get their feet wet, they realize, you know, ‘I can do this.’ They’ll take six credits, nine credits in a semester.” Leggat once again points out the value in the accelerated course formats.

“With our formats, often times they can concentrate on one course only for five weeks, get done, get their A, and move on to the next course and so that’s a benefit of the accelerated pro-gram.” Misericordia is of the models that the Pennsylvania Depart-ment of Education uses to show other schools how to provide an accelerated course while ensuring academic quality and integrity, Leggat said. The key is awareness of the regulations and restrictions regarding such programs. Leggat said another challenge is ensuring adult learners become part of the Misericordia commu-nity. “That is a challenge, because we offer online, because we have classes offsite, how do we make them feel like they’re a part of the Misericordia family?” said Leggat. Akers said there are several ways for adult students to get involved. One event he noted is a dinner-dance held at the end of each academic year. He said this is a way they can meet with their professors and other staff mem-bers to put faces to names. There are other opportunities to make adult learners feel at home, such as induction and participation, if eligible, in Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society. Akers also encourages adult learners to inter-act with other students, and get a student ID to access all facilities. Leggat said she finds, however, that once adult learners are at Misericordia, they immediately become family.

Since the school was founded in 1924, adult education has been a crucial part of the community: Twenty of the 57 students in 1924 were adult students. Misericordia continued to be a pioneer in the field of adult learning, right up to present day programs, she ex-plained. “In the 1930’s we had our first off-campus sites,”she said. “We would have classes at area hospitals and schools” The first functional adult education office was opened at Misericordia in the 1970’s. “It was an office that was committed to serving adults and recognizing the importance of unpredictable schedules, advising, and providing ongoing service,” Leggat said.

Misericordia opened a degree completion site in Pittsburgh in the 1980’s, as well as the first ac-celerated evening program on the east coast. The program grew in the 1990’s to include the Expressway pro-gram, which is a degree comple-tion program in association with area community colleges, and continued to grow in 2000, when the first fully online graduate pro-gram was offered. Most recently, the adult education program began to offer doctoral degrees in 2010, and, according to Leggat, will continue to develop. “The administration has always supported the adult population,” Leggat said. “None of this is pos-sible if we don’t have the support of administration.” Smithm9@misericordia.edu

Library connects with studentsBy Bryce Edwards, Reporter

New technology available at the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library is providing students, classmates and professors with new ways to stay connected. The Mary Kintz Bevevino Library brought in four new Apple iPads, roughly 15 to 20 new laptops and all new computer units on the second floor, allowing students to use different forms of technology for their studies. The library’s electronic reserve specialist, Jacob Garner, said they are trying to stay ahead of the technological curve. “We are going where we think the technology is going,” Garner said. “If students want the iPad, then we will move towards the iPads.” More professors are suggesting

students use e-readers or iPads for classes now, and renting one from the library iPad can help students decide if the technology would be worth the large investment, since many tablets range in cost from $400 to $700. “Many Speech Language Pathol-ogy classes demand students to have e-readers to access eBooks, while other computer classes that are building applications for Apple products find the iPads very use-ful,” he said. Jacob notes that the sign-out process is quite simple and students should not be afraid to approach someone in the library to ask for help. To sign out a new product, students or faculty need to complete a release form stating that they understand the terms

and conditions. They also need to agree to the late fee charge, which starts at $10 per day late. Junior Cheyne Kulessa has already rented an iPad and thinks this was a great addition to the library. “It’s like renting a laptop from the library, except you can take it home for a week.” Since this is such a new service to the library, many students are unaware that they are able to rent an iPad for an entire week. Kulessa learned about the new technology from a friend and said he didn’t see the services advertised. If he had, he said he would have rented an iPad much sooner. Kulessa, a sports management/physical therapy major, hasn’t had much use for the iPad in an educational sense just yet, but has

used the iPad for his own enjoy-ment, playing games like Angry Birds and using popular apps like Facebook and Twitter. “I didn’t find much use for it in the classroom because of my major, but I know a lot of students in other majors might find use for the educational applications preloaded to the iPad.” Kulessa encourages all students to rent some of the new technol-ogy from the library. He said it would be a waste if students don’t. “I would absolutely rent one out again. With these services and everything else new on campus you can just see that Misericordia is taking huge positive steps into the future.” Edwardsb@misericordia.edu

sophomore and said the most ex-hilarating part, aside from volun-teering, is hearing peoples stories. As a member on the spring break trip to Schenectady, New York last year she said she would definitely return. “The spring break trip was all about communication and not judging someone before you get to know them,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind going back to New York because the people there were so nice.” Almost 80 percent of students on fall or spring break service trips are new faces that want to serve others. “There are a good number of students that are already involved here that are leaders and keep coming back but for the most part we always attract new faces for these trips.”

Somers said numerous people have asked why students travel so far away when they could serve others in their backyard of Luzerne County. She said local volunteer projects are a part of every day activity in Campus Ministry. “That happens around here daily. We serve right here as much as we can.” Campus Ministry sends students to nursing homes, soup kitchens and local Habitat for Humanity locations. Students also provide support in Noxen, a town that was hit hard by flooding last year. Volunteers provide tutoring for children and an outreach program for the elderly. Somers said applications will be available mid October. Hoffmae3@misericordia.edu

Service trips continued

Junior Cheyne Kulessa checks out an iPad from the Mary Kintz Bevevin Library.

BRYCE EDWARDS /THE HIGHLANDER

“Bringin’ The Highlander into the 21st century! I’m for it,” said Sean Vitale, senior psychology. physical therapy major.

Kulessa surfs the net on his borrowed iPad inside his dorm room.

Dowella@misericordia.edu

Crocuses, Coleuses, Coke cans on campus?By Gia Mazur, Reporter

On most mornings, President Michael MacDowell heads to the Anderson Center for his daily workout, which often includes picking up used McDonald’s wrappers, Coke cans and other garbage strewn along the grounds. Sometimes, he picks up the litter on his way into work. “Generally, I think this campus is immaculate. I am very impressed with the way [students, faculty and staff] take care of it, but it’s because we do a good job that the paper tossed out on the road or Coke cans look even more out of place.” Paul Murphy, Director of Facili-ties and Campus Safety, explained that since J.P. Mascaro & Sons be-came MU’s waste company in July 2012, 53 tons of trash on campus has been collected, in addition to a little over 17 tons of recyclable plastic, glass, paper and cardboard and 140 cubic yards of yard waste, like grass clippings, leaves and branches. The university paid $100,000 for garbage removal during the last fiscal year, accord-ing to Murphy. Murphy said the reduction of

campus waste can help the main-tenance staff to use time more efficiently. Two grounds staff members

empty 73 external trash bins on campus each day, said Murphy. It takes the ground staff two hours per day, five days per week to dispose of the garbage. Three additional staff members walk through campus and pick up the

litter an hour per day, five days a week. In the afternoon, grounds staff with pick up trucks collect recyclables. One staff member

picks up trash for approximately three hours each weekend “If we didn’t have to pick up litter on campus or if we could consolidate some of the cans, I can certainly put to good use those hours,” said Murphy.

Murphy said his staff could more quickly tend to work orders and repairs in campus classrooms and residence halls if staffers did not have to pick so much litter. Mur-phy said hundreds of work orders could be taken care of during that time. Keeping the campus clean is a way for students to show pride and encourage prospective stu-dents to choose MU, according to Murphy. “We want someone to pull up and go through those arches and just say, ‘Wow, look at this place,’” said Murphy. “If there’s litter, it is a reflection on the employees, the students and the university in general.” Sophomore commmunications major Mary Bove, feels that the campus is clean, for the most part. “Every so often i’ll see trash on the ground or cigarette butts on the sidewalk but generally we have a really clean campus,” said Bove. Bove thinks students should respect the campus because “you wouldn’t litter in your parent’s house”. Mazurg@misericordia.edu

A box is thrown on the ground next to a trash can near Banks Student Life Center.

LEAH SANTUCCI /THE HIGHLANDER

Continued from page 1

September 25, 2012highlandernews.net4 Sports

MU Exposure: Playing Daily DoublesLeft, Sal Saraniti and Nick Hershey play a match on the Anderson Courts on one of the warmer Sep-tember afternoons.

Lower Left, Nick Hershey serves the ball during a practice match to prepare for the upcoming matches.

Lower Right, The net at the Anderson Courts sits in the sun on a beautiful September afternoon as mens tennis practice com-mences.

Aiming for acesBy Josh Horton, Reporter

The men’s tennis team will no longer give away points before matches even start. “It’s huge for us,” tennis coach of both the men’s and women’s teams Justin Muthler said. “Num-bers were a big problem for us in the past, but this year we have a ton of guys and I am really happy with our roster.” The men’s team return five players who all had ample time on the court in addition to a wealth of incoming first year players and upperclassmen newcomers. Muthler takes over the team, replacing Allison Joanlanne as the head coach of both the men’s and women’s tennis teams. Muthler is no stranger to the program. He graduated from in 2011 and immediately joined the coaching staff for the 2012 season. Muthler brings experience to the squad and has been an important part of the program since he started as a freshman in 2008. He had solid careers in both singles and doubles and looks to use his knowledge of the game to make the program a contender. While it may take the men a bit longer to reach contender status, the number increase is enough to excite everyone. Senior Sal Sara-niti is pleases with the expanded expansion and said he’s especially encouraged that the team will not have to forfeit any matches. “Last year was tough,” Saraniti said. “We would be on our way to a match and already knew we had to forfeit the number six spot. This year we had a huge turnout and although it’s a lot of people’s first years, the fact that they are here is enough to pump me up.” He said the goal is to improve with each match. “Everyone is here because they

want to be,” Saraniti said. “We have a full team, now we just have to improve with each practice and so far we have.” The women’s team returns all of its key players from a year ago and Muthler believes they will be a force in the conference this sea-son. The women nearly won the MAC Conference last season, but dropped the Freedom Conference Championship match to Wilkes University. The women dropped the cham-pionship match 5-0 and finished the season with a record of 11-5. The Cougars return All-Freedom players Michelle Cameron and Breanne Phillips, as well as Emily Boro and Cassie Foy. Muthler expects the Cougars to be in the Freedom Conference title game this season as well. “Honestly, we should be the favorites in the conference,” Muthler said. “We return all of our girls from a year ago and I think anything less than winning the conference would be a disappoint-ment.” Muthler’s goals line up with the team’s goals. Phillips believes this year’s women’s team will be a real problem between the lines for opponents. “I’m so excited for this year,” Phillips said. “We have everybody back and we had a pretty good season last year. This year we want to win the conference champion-ships and we definitely have the team to do it.” The lone bad news thus far for the Cougars is Fred Hockenbury has graduated. The Dallas native was First Team All-Freedom just one season ago and was named the team MVP in 2011 and 2012. Hortonj@misericordia.edu

VIEWFINDER: Cougars drive toward success on field

Lady cougars field hockey players face off against Alvernia in a home match on Manglesdorf Field.HEATHER MARSCANO /THE HIGHLANDER

BRYCE EDWARDS /THE HIGHLANDER

9/25 Haverford A 4:30pm9/29 Manhatanville H Noon9/30 Catholic H 1:00pm10/3 William Paterson H 5:00pm10/8 FDU-Florham A 4:00pm

10/10 Franklin & Marshall H 4:30pm10/13 Eastern A 11:00am10/16 DeSales H 4:00pm10/19 Kings A 7:00pm10/23 Wilkes H 4:00pm10/25 Marywood H 4:00pm

Women’s Field Hockey Schedule

September 25, 2012highlandernews.net 5Sports

BRYCE EDWARDS /THE HIGHLANDER

First Game Draws Crowd, Enthusiasm

Top Row, Supporters of Cougar football tailgate in the science lot prior to the kick-off of MU’s first home football game.

Second Row, Cheerleaders build a pyramid to cheer on the Cougars.

Cougar football players take down a Widener Pride player who was running with the ball.

Cougar football players run through a play before the start of the game.

Third Row, Referees signal the direction of play during the second quarter.

Fourth Row, Two MU players observe the game from the sidelines during one of the final plays of the game.

Homecoming FestivitiesWednesday

Cougar Pride Pep Rally: 9 p.m., Anderson Sports Complex/Ampitheater

Thursday

Fancy Feet Shuffle Dance: 10 p.m.-1 p.m., Metz Dining Hall

Friday

Sports Hall of Fame Induction: 7 p.m., Anderson Sports ComplexMU All Stars Talent Show: 8 p.m., Lemmond Theater

Saturday

Fun on the Lawn: 10 a.m., McHale LawnTailgating Village, Preregistration required: 10 a.m., Science LotJohn & Mary Metz Field House Dedication: 10:30 a.m.MVP Picnic, RSVP Only: 11 a.m., Ampitheater LawnField Hockey vs. Manhattanville: 11 a.m.Mens Tennis vs. Alvernia: 11 a.m.Football Game vs. Stevenson: 1 p.m., Manglesdorf FieldWomens Soccer vs. FDU-Florham: 5 p.m.Mens Soccer vs. FDU-Florham: 7:30 p.m.Alumnae & Friends After-Party: 5-8 p.m., Metro BarWinners Circle Casino Night: 8 p.m., Metz Dining Hall

Throughout the day MU Spirit Tent will be set up on the McHale lawn with various contests and activities.

Sunday

Legacy Brunch: 11am-1pmPresidents’ Cup Volleyball Tournament: 1 p.m., Volleyball Court

Introducing the Cougar! After the Friday night talent show the Cougar

will finally have a name!Show your support for MU’s mascot and attend the talent show to learn his name!

PETER FALVEY, ALEXANDRIA SMITH / THE HIGHLANDER

September 25, 2012highlandernews.net6