Kaitlin R. Greenockle, News Editor
October 22, 2015
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Delta Chi President Austin Fassinger and Delta Chi Social and Relations Chair Zachary Juliano said a Sept. 30 Advocate article "Party shutdowns are not as frequent as perceived" about party shutdowns included reports from two students party attendees that were incorrect.

Campus Police officers did not shut down the Sept. 11 Delta Chi party, nor was there a fight upstairs in their house, according to Fassinger.

Delta Chi Brothers shut down the party themselves due to a rowdy crowd in line to get into the party, according to Fassinger.

The students and police had shut down the party and that they had heard there was a fight upstairs.
Fraternity officers said what they called incorrect information could reflect poorly on their organization.

READ MORE: Party facts are in dispute

Kaitlin R. Greenockle, News Editor
October 22, 2015

​Student Government Association members held an informational meeting Oct. 6 on how to budget for clubs and organizations.

Student Government President Shelby Smith had the idea to inform club and organization members before the actual budgeting process starts, so it would go more smoothly than in the past.
The only clubs and organizations with representatives in attendance were Time-Out Christian Fellowship, Phi Sigma Sigma and Kappa Zeta.

Smith said she had hoped to get more student organization members’ input on what they need from the budgeting process.

“I wanted to help ease the burden that clubs have of trying to map out how much money they will need for an entire year because we do understand it’s hard to plan that far in advance,” said Smith.
Smith said she had hoped for a bigger turnout but knew it might have been small because of insufficient advertising.

She plans to have at least one more meeting before the end of the semester, but, this time, Smith and Student Government Allocations Committee members will present the budgeting process and requirements along with taking suggestions from club and organization members, according to Smith.   

Student Government President Pro-Tempore Madison Nick said there has been discussion about budgeting process flaws.

Her advice to those who have to deal with budgeting is to provide allocations committee members with as much proof as possible. Also, to do as much fundraising they can because committee members take that into consideration when allocating money.

Time-Out Christian Fellowship President Jocelyn Hartman went to the meeting because she thought it would be beneficial to see how the budgeting process works.

“It wasn’t what I expected it to be. From the email, I figured there would be more organizations there and more discussion,” Hartman said.

She said, last year she was Time-Out Christian Fellowship treasurer, and she understands all that goes into the budget and how painstaking a task it is.

“I think they (Student Government members) could help clubs on campus by having more opportunities for clubs to attend meetings for budgeting in the spring,” Hartman said.

Hartman said that she thinks Student Government members make themselves available for any questions and concerns, but she doesn’t think club and organization members take advantage of what they offer.

She also said that she can understand why some club and organization members get upset about certain clubs and organizations getting much bigger allocations than others, but, after the meeting, she said she was able to learn more about how they budget and that it makes sense and is fair.
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“After being at the meeting, I am looking forward to some of the revisions that they will be making for the budgeting process and hope that it will help to resolve future issues,” Hartman said.

READ MORE: Budget news reaches few

Temperance Moore, Contributing Writer
October 9, 2015
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For 20 years, Mr. UPJ has been one of the more noteworthy events. It has been a contest for Pitt-Johnstown men including talent, formal wear and dance competition.

Alpha Gamma Delta sorority members have organized Mr. UPJ as part of the sorority’s charity fundraising, but university officials have suspended the sorority for two years.

“It was a fun way for everyone to be involved together,” Student Government President and former sorority member Shelby Smith said.

According to last year’s philanthropy coordinator Amanda Mudgett, the pageant was axed by default when university officials suspended the sorority.

“I think it was such a great event, and it’s upsetting that the campus would cancel an event that put in a lot of philanthropy hours,” Mudgett said.

Mudgett took part in putting last year’s event together. She said not only was it fun for the Alpha Gamma Delta sisters to put together, it was also fun for the contestants to take part in.

Former contestant Cameron Kohler said,  “I enjoyed coming up with ideas for the competition, it was a lot of fun,”

“I would definitely do it again, and I’m actually a little upset that it may not happen again.”

University officials have been discussing the idea of having Dance Ensemble members run the event, according to Student Affairs Vice President Shawn Brooks.

Smith said that she would love for the pageant to come back as long as it stays on campus for everyone to see.

Mudgett said that they think the event would be great regardless of who puts it on.
“I’m really proud of everyone in Dance Ensemble and Alpha Gamma Delta for putting in the effort to make this (Mr. UPJ) work,” said Mudgett.

READ MORE: Mr. UPJ contest unsure this year

Kaitlin R. Greenockle, News Editor
September 30, 2015

Security cameras have been installed on campus.
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Student Affairs Vice President Shawn Brooks said a total of four cameras have been acquired.
Of the four, three cameras have been mounted, but none of them are currently operational, according to Brooks.

Two cameras were placed in the North Lodges area and one behind the Engineering and Science building, he said.

“Upon learning about the camera installation, President Spectar made it very clear that this kind of issue needs to involve extensive student input,” Brooks said.

Brooks is in the process of meeting with Student Government members to get their input and feedback about the security cameras.

Under whose authority the cameras were placed is unclear.

President Jem Spectar said he will order that the camera operation cease until there is an opportunity for students to provide input.

One of the reasons for installing the security cameras is to have the capability of video review if an incident were to occur, according to Brooks.

Student Government Campus Development Chair Matt Christina said Brooks had told him about the cameras, and they are working on a decision that will benefit all students.

“As of right now, there is no formal decision on the cameras or how they will be used, if at all,” said Christina.

Sigma Tau Gamma brother Gary Swope said he was not informed by university officials about security cameras facing the fraternity’s home.

Swope said he is indifferent about the security cameras.

“I’m not used to it being there, so I forget about it. But, when I remember it’s there, I feel like I’m being watched by a prison warden,” said Swope.

He said he feels like he has to watch his every move now that the camera is there.

Since Swope was not informed about the cameras, he said it concerns him where else they might be.
“I’m pretty sure, by law, all students must be informed of the cameras before they are installed, which I was not,” Swope said.

Student Government Student Policies Committee Chair Arielle Sloss said she is upset that university officials didn’t at least send out an email.

“It shows that they don’t really respect the student,” Sloss said.

Sloss said she doesn’t mind them, and she can see how they can be helpful when it comes to issues of ‘he said, she said.’

“Now they can go back to check a tape to see if someone was there or not,” Sloss said.

She said, hopefully people will act better and the cameras may force students to behave when they are out.

Student Government Association Parliamentarian Nick DiGiorgio said he was not informed of the cameras being installed either, he discovered them himself.

“I do not have any negative feelings toward the new cameras. From my own observation, the cameras are placed in public places,” said DiGiorgio.

He said he believes people should act in an appropriate way in public spaces and the cameras shouldn’t be added anxiety to anyone.

DiGiorgio is curious as to how expensive the cameras were and whether that expense will influence tuition changes, said DiGorgio.

“I think the cameras are a technological step toward a safer campus … If you aren’t doing anything wrong, why should you be concerned if someone is watching?” said DiGorgio.

READ MORE: For some the trees have watching eyes