As Americans, it is valuable to stay up to date with conflicts happening outside of our border that our country is involved in. Just because the fighting is not in our town does not mean that we are separated from the events.
The Student Government Association (SGA) wrapped up its spring 2024 executive leadership committee election March 1. Of a student population numbering more than 4,000, only 49 ballots were submitted, according to SGA administrative assistant Lisa Laughlin. This equates to roughly 1% voter turnout from the student body. Only one name was on the ballot for five open officer positions. Several candidates did, however, run successful write-in campaigns.
Higher education is on track to receive a massive overhaul. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro introduced in January his vision for a new system of higher education that unites Pennsylvania’s community colleges with PASSHE under a new umbrella. The Slate sat down with Shapiro and Shippensburg University President Charles Patterson in recent weeks to discuss the proposed changes and what they would mean for Shippensburg’s campus community.
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey was labeled a “man of inaction” by Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick Friday as McCormick spoke during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
Shippensburg University’s selection process for on-campus housing suffered severe technical hiccups, leaving many students irate. The selection initially opened on Feb. 13, but server overload caused the process to shut down partway through and was reopened on Feb. 22.
The 2024 spring semester’s first public Shippensburg University Council of Trustees meeting was held on Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Ceddia Union Building MPR. Topics discussed included budgetary updates, student affairs updates and a presentation on the “Landscape of Teacher Education at Shippensburg University.”
Shippensburg University welcomed Theresa Runstedtler, a professor at American University as well as the author of the book “Black Ball,” on Feb. 15. Runstedtler began her journey with the National Basketball Association in 1995 as one of the Toronto Raptors performers, which allowed her to closely observe “a lot about the racial labor dynamics of the NBA” and how it has gotten to where it is today.
The 36th Annual MLK March for Humanity in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a cherished tradition at Shippensburg University. This year marked a special occasion for the event as the campus community was joined by Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton.
The Select Diner, located in downtown Shippensburg, closed its doors on Jan. 14. The diner, which until recently was open 24 hours a day, is temporarily shuttering its doors for renovations. That process is expected to take 3–5 weeks according to Anita Peters, a manager who spoke to The Slate on Jan. 14. The restaurant will reopen with a new name, refurbished interior design and an updated menu.
Shippensburg students, staff and faculty gathered in Stewart Hall last Tuesday evening to participate in the fifth Ship Caucus. Attendees huddled in groups to support their favored candidates in the 2024 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump received the most support, with 41% of the vote. Cornel West took second place with 38%, beating out President Joe Biden’s 21%. Twenty-three of the caucus’ 56 delegates were awarded to Trump, with West receiving 21 and Biden the remaining 12.
If there is one thing I am good at, it is being myself. That sounds like a no-brainer, but it has taken me a solid decade to truly work out who I am in relation to my own nature, those around me and my role in society. Having a deep knowledge of who you are is key to having a good relationship with other people, whether they are strangers, romantic partners or friends. You should take the time to evaluate who you are to yourself, especially with a certain, semi-painful holiday coming up next Wednesday.
Welcome back! I hope you had a restful winter break filled with joy. As we start the new year, I’m excited to see us all back at school. As we enter this semester, SGA is driven to work on all tasks needed and to continue to represent all voices on campus.
