:Sports On Page 7: :Features on Page 4: Arts & Entertainment on Page 5: Kelly Vitt conquering on Sustainability office Mercyhurst Theatre program the volleyball court issues challenge to goes to the “Cabaret” students Read more inside & online HE EST. 1929 VTOL. 88 NO. 5 MerciadEDNESDAY CTOBER MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY W , O 15, 2014 Gamble to retire By Nathan Turner Mercyhurst has plenty of time he mentioned the transition News editor to conduct a search, select a to university status, the con- new president, and have that struction of Warde residence At an all-school gath- individual be available here on hall and the Center for Aca- ering on Oct. 13 in the campus to take the helm.” demic Engagement, and the Performing Arts Center, Pres- Gamble plans to return to transition to the 4-1-4 aca- ident Thomas Gamble, Ph.D, “teaching, researching, and demic calendar, as well as the accompanied by Marlene writing” as a member of the establishment of many other Mosco, Chair of the Board of Mercyhurst faculty, after he programs. Trustees and two other board completes a “short sabbati- There were negative aspects members, announced that he cal.” of his tenure as well. Recent would be ending his term as The Board of Trustees years have seen a decline in Mercyhurst University presi- has begun the process to enrollment, as well as the uni- dent at the end of the 2014- find a new university pres- versity being given a warn- 2015 academic year. ident. Mosco has chosen ing in January by the Middle Mosco said that when Gam- Mercyhurst alumni and trust- States Commission for Higher ble’s contract was renewed in ees Richard Lanzillo, ‘83, and Education for not completely 2010, he was insistent that Joseph NeCastro, ‘78, to lead meeting the commission’s “2005 was the Alpha of his the search. standards for accreditation. presidency, and 2015 would Gamble will remain in office Prior to serving as univer- be the Omega of his presi- until the end of his contract, sity president, Gamble was dency.” or until the board selects a Vice President of Academic Gamble, after Mosco’s new president, whichever Affairs, and served as a pro- introduction, said that while comes first. fessor of criminal justice and Zach Dorsch photo “it might seem early to make Gamble’s tenure as pres- psychology. From left: Vice Chair of the Board Richard Lanzillo, University President Thomas Gamble, Vice ident was marked by many an announcement like this,” @TheMerciad Chair of the Board Sister JoAnne Courneen, RSM, in the Performing Arts Center. he wished to “make sure that changes. During his speech, Students react to Gamble’s retirement “He’s done a lot for the school standards. “When [the Com- the resignation did not come that she “thought it might The reaction of Jacob Ochs, By Nathan Turner for his tenure,” Latta says. mission] came through last as a surprise. “Mercyhurst have been a sex scandal.” a senior, may then effectively News editor “He’s done a lot of change.” spring, we were awarded six has gone through so many Anna Wills, a senior, was stand for a great number of Even in the negative aspects letters of commendation,” he changes over the last few “happy to be part of his time the students: “Meh. I don’t Students’ perceptions of of Gamble’s presidency, said. “We may have been in a years, so this isn’t necessarily here.” However, she also really care about bureaucratic Thomas Gamble, Ph.D, were Latta found some positive. warning situation at first, but something that shocks me.” stated that she did not interact politics. It doesn’t really affect varied, as well as their reac- He spoke of the university’s he helped pull us into a situ- Becky Malaga, a senior, much with Gamble himself. me.” tions to the announcement of response to the warning from ation where we’re above the called the resignation Gauging the opinions of the his retirement. the Middle States Commis- rest of the curve.” “sudden.” “You send an email student body was difficult as Nick Latta, Mercyhurst Stu- sion for Higher Education for Other students’ reactions to at 8 a.m., then you announce many people questioned said dent Government President, failing to completely meet the Gamble were more lukewarm. you’re retiring at 10 a.m.” The they did not have an opinion spoke highly of Gamble. commission’s accreditation Kirsten Mueller, a senior, said situation happened so quickly on the matter. @TheMerciad Mercyhurst makes standardized tests optional all aspects of the applicant as their school district, home “another letter of recommen- guidance counselors, Gary guage barrier,” Kitchen said. By Nathan Turner into account. life.” dation … and a graded writ- Froehlich and Emily Craw- The location of Mercyhurst News editor Despite the decision to go ing sample from a class, and ford. However, it would offer also allows them to attend a “The goal is to ‘identify test-optional, the majority of probably an on-campus inter- an increased chance of entry four-year program without Mercyhurst University at applicants are likely to still view,” Beyer said. to students from urban area having to worry about room, the end of 2014-2015 aca- students that may be submit their test scores as part schools within Erie, particu- board, and transportation to demic year will no longer in school districts that of their application, Beyer larly East High School. and from campus, as well as “You’re opening the require applicants to submit don’t have the proper said. “This is definitely going allowing them to maintain the standardized tests as part of “Eighty-five to 90 percent doors to many other to have a huge impact,” said tight-knit family units with testing or training to the application process. of the schools that are on this urban high schools Rob Kitchen, guidance coun- which they currently live. The decision to no longer take the exam.’” plan, the students still submit selor at East High School in “You’re not just open- require standardized tests their scores,” Beyer said. The and giving students Erie. “A lot of our students ing the doors to East High,” come after deliberation within Christian Beyer goal of this push is not to a chance to succeed have good grade point aver- Kitchen said. “You’re open- the school and in the wake “We do require a transcript, increase acceptance rates, but in life.” ages, but they struggle on the ing the doors to many other of many other colleges and SATs or ACTs, letter of rec- to “identify students that may assessments.” urban high schools and giving universities, a total of 850 ommendation, and an essay,” be in school districts that do Rob Kitchen The decision to go test-op- students a chance to succeed schools, taking the step to Beyer said. “If we see stu- not have the proper testing or The decision to go test-op- tional also offers increased in life.” Giving students that become “test-optional.” dents who have a GPA or a training to take the exam.” tional is unlikely to have an opportunities to the refugees chance is the reason for the Christian Beyer, Direc- test score lower than our stan- Students who choose to not effect on the numbers of stu- who attend East High and decision to go test-optional. tor of Admissions, said that dards, we’re not going to com- submit their test scores are dents coming to Mercyhurst consider English their second Mercyhurst has not regarded pletely dismiss that applicant. not necessarily taking the easy from private schools, such language. the tests as “a true indication We’re going to look a little way out. The decisions will be as Mercyhurst Preparatory “This is going to open up of success” at Mercyhurst. He deeper…look at the circum- made by committee, and stu- School, or county schools, doors that they’ve not been said the admissions process at dents who don’t submit test able to have that college expe- stances around them as far such as Fairview High School, @TheMerciad Mercyhurst is“holistic,” taking scores will be asked to submit according to the respective rience because of the lan- Merciad Index Online Poll Results News 1-2 What are your plans for this fall break? Features 3-4 46% Contemplating my life choices 27% Sleeping for four days A&E 5 15% Celebrating Oktoberfest Opinion 6 12% Playing Destiny Sports 7 Be sure to vote in this week’s online poll: Laker Living 8 What are your thoughts on Gamble’s retirement? merciad.mercyhurst.edu Page 2 The Merciad October 15 , 2014 News Erie region receives Advertisement $3 million jobs grant cans” for “ready-to-be-filled- at-risk kids, they’re generally By Catherine Rainey jobs.” not as motivated and that Staff writer This job training opportu- makes it harder for complet- nity has the potential to boost ing employment.” Earlier this month, the the Erie region’s communi- For people looking to enter Northwest Pennsylvania ties in areas such as poverty the workforce as a way to turn Workforce Investment Board reduction, if it is implemented their lives around, motivation received a $3 million federal strategically. is key, he said. grant to use toward job train- “The training would need “Workers seeking these pro- ing in the Erie region. to be focused on building grams are going to be more The WIB, which serves Erie, skills for jobs that there will successful if they’re moti- Clarion, Crawford, Forest, be a demand for, and that pay vated.