Following two days of voting on April 14 and 18, Ryan Deasy has been named United Student Government (USG) president for the 2009-2010 school year, defeating his opponent, Joe Adams, by more than 150 votes. Sidnie Stevens was selected as Deasy's vice president after defeating Jana McLeod by less than 20 votes.
This year, the housing selection process for Point Park University students began on April 7, however unlike other years, this year seemed to cause more concern among the freshmen and more inconvenience. On average, 52 percent of students stay on campus. This year, the number jumped to 60 percent with 460 students turning in a contract.
During the 2007-2008 school year, nine Point Park University students were deemed so drunk they needed medical assistance. This year, Drug and Alcohol Education statistics show that number has been reduced to six. The dangers of drinking are apparent when looking at these numbers of hospital visits due to intoxication.
After a year of transition, the journalism and mass communication department is prepared to officially become the School of Communication next fall. Two key elements to this change are a departmental move to a central site and the addition of a dean. "It's an evolutionary process," Helen Fallon, acting dean of the School of Communication, said.
Jeanne Claypoole, a sophomore English and photojournalism major, accidentally spilled water on her laptop and it would no longer turn on, so she took it to the Center for Information Technology (ITS) Help Desk to see if it could be fixed. After they said they could not help Claypoole, they offered her some advice.
Point Park University's campus TV channel, U-View, recently submitted a charter to be recognized and supported by United Student Government (USG), and is eagerly anticipating a positive result. While the program grows in popularity around campus, members of U-View want to take the station to the next level.
Amber Nagy and Nikkitta Sanders are among the 78 percent of Point Park University students who pay $150 a year, or $75 a semester, for the Student Activities fee, only to attend less than five of the 50-plus events staged at the school each year. What is worse, while Cayla Tulick said she may have attended daytime events or movies, she is one of the 54 percent of students who said they did not even know the events were happening.
Jamie Grady, a presenter for Point Park University's first summer business program, helps students learn how to handle their finances at a seminar called, "Managing Your Money and Your Future." International Summer Dance Director Michael Shahen helps coordinate a program that gives high school and college-aged dancers a chance to work with national and international instructors.
As new and returning students begin their journey, some face the decision whether to live on campus or venture out and find his/her own place. Some students agree living off campus is more beneficial for them because it is cheaper, convenient and because they enjoy the recreational opportunities living off campus presents.
