Mia Mattingly and Andrew Plunkett, Staff

via WHYY

On Sat. Nov 6, La Salle Students were fortunate enough to attend the Philadelphia grassroots event at Temple University’s Liacouras Center. Here, they spent their afternoon hearing from local, state, and federal leaders discuss the Democratic Party and their beliefs this election season. Some of these political leaders included La Salle alumni State Rep. Joanna McClinton and Rep. Dwight Evans, Lieutenant Governor candidate Austin Davis, current Governor Tom Wolf, incumbent Senator Bob Casey, and many other prominent leaders of the Democratic Party. A common trend among the speeches was the main goals for this midterm election. These include: creating pro-choice policies, funding public education, allowing the unionization of workers, combatting gun violence, and ensuring democracy for the future of our country.

While there are several tight races across the nation, Pennsylvania is again at the center of the political world. In the race for United States Senate, John Fetterman hopes to solidify a Democratic majority in the Senate over Republican Dr. Memhet Oz. The campaign between the two has been tight and has featured a ruthless political advertising campaign. Fetterman has criticized Oz’s allegiance to the commonwealth and personal character, while Oz has labeled Fetterman as a radical liberal and has attacked his health following a stroke Fetterman suffered this summer. Consequently, most polls find that the race is virtually tied heading into election day. 

Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro is running against Republican state senator Doug Mastriano at the state level . Mastriano, who was present at the January 6th insurrection and has been recently criticized for his antisemitic comments, faces a severe disadvantage. Shapiro holds a lead over Mastriano in both the polls and fundraising. An article from Penn-Live finds that Shapiro has outspent Mastriano by a margin of 6:1 and a recent Marist poll finds that Shapiro is leading Mastriano by 14 points (54%-40%). Nevertheless, the races in Pennsylvania are some of the most contentious in the country and have caught the eye of political leaders from around the country. 

As such, on Sat., both Democratic and Republican candidates made stops around the state to gain some last-minute traction and votes for their parties up and down the ballot. Mehmet Oz and Doug Mastriano traveled to rurals areas with former-President Donald Trump, where they called for stricter abortion laws and policies that is tougher on crime and immigration. It is also worth noting that Trump was adamant about the past presidential election being “rigged and stolen” and that he does not want to see that happen in Pennsylvania. On the flip side for the Democrats, John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro visited cities like Philadelphia, with President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama joining them on stage. 

After various state leaders made their case to the crowd, President Biden, former-President Obama, Fetterman, and Shapiro walked out on stage to encourage voters to get out to the polls on Nov. 8. Biden emphasized his legislative accomplishments, including the Inflation Reduction Act and the PACT Act and encouraged the crowd to vote for Fetterman and Shapiro. 

Shapiro promptly followed Biden, who commanded the room and was an engaging and passionate speaker. He emphasized being a governor for all the people of Pennsylvania, not just the ones who voted for him. On top of this, he reiterated the previously mentioned ideologies of the party and vetoed any anti-abortion law that was to come across his desk. 

Fetterman, who recently made headlines for having a stroke, engaged the audience with humor and confidence in his speaking. La Salle students admitted they were nervous to see him speak so publicly. However, the students who attended explained that Fetterman was concise and, quite honestly, if one did not know he had just suffered from a stroke, one would have had no idea by the way he spoke at that rally. In addition to a few zingers about Oz, Fetterman committed himself to protect reproductive rights and being the 51st vote in the United States Senate.  

After Fetterman and Shapiro spoke, Obama echoed Biden’s sentiments and encouraged the crowd to utilize their voices to enact real policy change. He was his usual charismatic self and captivated the room with his public speaking. Obama spoke about the importance of these elections and urged the crowd to get family and friends out to the polls. 

Writers’ Note: 

At the end of the rally, we left with a sense of pride and optimism toward the election. Not only were the candidates passionate about their stances, but the crowd was too. Josh Shapiro stated, “if you show up for me in two days…I’ll fight for you every day these next four years as your Governor,” and this sentiment stuck with us. 

These candidates are running to ensure democracy in our state and country and equality for all, which is something that is worth voting for. So, be sure to head out to the polls and vote on Tue, Nov. 8th, and vote for the future that you want to see, not only in Pennsylvania but in our country. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor

President Daniel J. Allen, Ph.D.’s inauguration weekend began on Thursday, Oct. 27 with mass at the Miraculous Medal Shrine just a few minutes away from La Salle. Mass was celebrated by our very own Father Frank, and La Salle students participated in mass by singing in the choir, being altar servers, reading and handing out programs. In addition to students, there were La Sallian brothers, parents, Dr. Allen’s family and alumni in attendance. After mass, there was a reception in Founders Hall where attendees mingled.

The next morning the official inauguration ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. A live stream recording is available on Facebook. Provost Shivanthi Anandan, Ph.D. opened the ceremony with a few words about the importance of a university’s presidential inauguration and introduced Brother Robert Shieler, FSC who is the former superior general of the brothers of the Christian schools. Then, Brother Robert Shieler offered an invocation for the ceremony. Following this prayerful invocation, Anandan offered a thank you to president emeritus Brother Michael McGuiness, FSC, Ph.D. for the leadership he provides to the university. 

Chair of the Board of Trustees of La Salle University Ellen Reilly then offered her thoughts to the university and Dr. Allen. Reilly discusses her time at LA Salle, its 160-year history, and the future  to be explored through the leadership of Dr. Allen. The archbishop of Philadelphia Nelson Perez offered a written greeting and later celebrated mass on Sunday. Sister Mary Persico IHM Ed.D, president of Marywood University, brought greetings on behalf of our commonwealth institutions. Various other notable individuals including State senator Art Haywood, Philadelphia mayor and La Salle graduate Jim Kenney, Victoria Ketz, Ph.D. president of the faculty senate, dean of students TiRease Holmes, MBA, Robert. and Christine Mancini, parents of four la salle students/alumni, and Joseph Markmann Ph.D., MBA, president of the alumni association. 

Then a video of students was shared during the inauguration. Students in this video offered congratulations, personal anecdotes, excitement, and messages of hope to Dr. Allen. Following this video, Student Government Association president Michaela Craner offered a greeting to Dr. Allen as well. 

James Collins, president of Loras College which is Dr. Allen’s alma mater, formally introduced Dr. Allen as La Salle’s 30th president. Collins shared stories of his relationship with Dr. Allen while he was in college from his time playing college basketball to his meeting his wife. 

Finally, Dr. Allen opened his speech with a joke about shooting three-pointers and continued with a light-hearted but genuine speech. Dr. Allen then pivoted to a more emotional and serious thank you to Collins. Dr. Allen continued to encourage the community to embrace the unknown while thanking the people around them. Dr. Allen then thanked some of these special people in attendance. Allen reflected on his catholic education that began when he was in first grade and continued through each of the degrees he received. Allen spoke about his call to come to La Salle as well as St. John Baptist de la Salle’s call to educate. President Allen then discussed a few goals of La Salle University and hope for a successful future for the community and students including discussions of new graduate degree programs and the launch of the $10 million initiative called the Charter Challenge. La Salle students were extremely. Ending his speech in a light-hearted, but kind way like how he began, Dr. Allen put on a Philadelphia Phillies hat. 

The inauguration ceremony ended with a closing prayer by brother James Gaffney and the alma mater. The La Salle Community then enjoyed a celebration on the Hansen Quad with music and lunch. On Sunday evening, Archbishop Perez celebrated mass in the day la salle chapel to end the weekend. 

Editor’s note: I would be remiss to not offer my personal excitement and congratulations to Dr. Allen. I wish Dr. Allen both success and the best of luck in this role. I hope he continues to find this LaSallian community here the way I and so many others have. I have been lucky enough to have spoken with Dr. Allen a few times and I can truly tell he is a Lasallian and will do great things for this community. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor

On Thursday, Sept. 29, Philadelphia Museum of Art workers who are members of AFSCME DC47, Local 397 continued a strike to protest “unfair practices” because executives at the Philadelphia Museum of Art have not addressed the alleged unfair labor practices at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The union formed in 2020 and has been in contract negotiation with the Philadelphia Museum of Art since October 2020. During this strike and another on Friday, Sept. 16, union members did not report to work at the museum. The strikes began because of a vote that passed by 99% on Aug. 30 by union members authorizing the call of strike. 

Additionally, on Oct. 2 @PMA_Union posted on Twitter about a pay-what-you-wish day. The Tweet read “We’re outside picketing in heavy rain. You can donate to our strike fund here: http://tinyurl.com/397strikefund” The tweet also included a flyer encouraging visitors to either visit the Barnes Foundation instead of the Philadelphia Museum of Art or pay one cent for their pay-what-you-wish visit so that they do not support a Museum that does not support its workers. 

Since the vote to strike, Philadelphia Museum of Art management has not tried to remedy unfair practices. DC 47 President Cathy Scott says “Museum management needs to stop union-busting and make serious offers that improve workers’ wages, healthcare, and parental leave. Our membership would not have authorized a strike if they were not united in these demands. We cannot accept a status quo that subjects workers to violations of federal law, wages well below the national average for art museums, and benefits that do not allow workers to support their families.”

As Scott explains, these unfair practices impact the Philadelphia Museum of Art workers’ lives like Adam Rizzo, a Museum Educator who explains “we take this very seriously. If museum management does not remedy the Unfair Labor Practice charge and come to the bargaining table ready to make real progress, we are prepared to take further action. We have made it very clear what PMA Board Chair Leslie Anne Miller and COO Bill Petersen can do to avoid the disruption of museum operations.” These unfair labor practices impact many departments at the Philadelphia Museum of Art including visitor services, retail, education, installations, curatorial, conservation, marketing and development. Additionally, many employees report not receiving raises in years in accordance with peer institutions such as the nearby Barnes Foundation or to keep up with inflation or higher costs of living. Amanda Bock, an assistant curator of photography, explains that she had not received a raise on her $56,000 salary in three years. Philadelphians, tourists and La Salle students alike all enjoy the Philadelphia Museum of Art and this situation can impact these visits. 

Keri Marable, Staff

On Sept. 30, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Students  Government Association (SGA) will run elections via email for the elected representative positions. These positions can vote on issues during meetings. These positions include five Freshman Class Senators, three Sophomore Class Senators, four Junior Class Senators and three Senior Class Senator positions. Other voting positions available via application include three School of Business College Senators and three Nursing/Health Sciences Senator positions. 

The SGA is the official representative of the student body to the administration. One of three student governing bodies on campus, SGA advocates for a better student experience on campus through various events, activities, policy change/creation and initiatives. In the past, they have pioneered initiatives like the Period Pilot Program that provided free feminine hygiene products on campus as well as petitioning for the Pass/Fail option. They consider any full-time student at La Salle a member of SGA and welcome anyone to join them at the general assembly meetings on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. in the Union room 301.

A position students can run for this semester is Class Senator. Any full-time student can run as a class senator. Election voting for Class Senators is Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  via email. Class Senators vote on bills, legislation, money allocations, and various other items at General Assembly meetings. Elected by their peers, they represent and advocate for the ideas and needs of their respective class. 

The required qualifications for Class Senators include having a GPA equal to or greater than 2.50, must not be on disciplinary probation, form a petition (25 signatures) due Sept.25, election posters, a campaign video, and be a full-time student.

SGA also has another voting representative position available by application only. This includes the College Senators, who represent each one of the academic colleges on campus. Three College Senator positions are available in each of the School of Business and the Nursing/Health Sciences. The deadline for these applications is Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m.. The College Senators represent each of the colleges at La Salle (Arts and Sciences, Business, and Nursing and Health Sciences) as well as advocate for problems and ideas for certain colleges rather than class. They are voting members chosen by application.

College Senator requirements for qualification include having a GPA equal to or greater than 2.50 and must not be on disciplinary probation. College Senators must submit the application found on SGA’s Instagram (@lasallesga) on Google Forms by Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m.. 

Any full-time student at La Salle can be a member of SGA and are highly encouraged to attend general assembly meetings on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. in the Union room 301 or via Zoom. Any member of SGA, regardless of holding a voting position or not, can take part and help SGA’s different task forces, currently including: Social Media, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Monthly Open Forums, Homecoming, Thanksgiving Can Drive, Volleyball Tournament, and Walk to End Alzheimer’s. If any individuals or groups on campus would like to help and collaborate on these task forces, SGA would love to hear from you and include you in their future communications.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Michaela Craner, the SGA President, at cranerm1@lasalle.edu. Be sure to follow SGA on all social media (@lasallesga) to keep updated with the election process, as well as future events and meetings for SGA! 

Kylie McGovern, Editor 

Hispanic History Month at La Salle began on Sept. 15 and will continue until Oct. 15. This month was created in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover 30 days starting on Sep. 15 and ending on Oct. 15 to celebrate histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The celebration begins on Sept. 15 because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. 

La Salle is celebrating Hispanic History Month at the Connelly Library with La Salle Special Collections and University Archives that relate to Hispanic students and the Christian Brothers’ presence in South and Central America. In addition, La Salle’s Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) has been hosting various events to celebrate. On Sept. 22 OLAS hosted Millennial Loteria on the Hansen quad with games and prizes. In addition, on Sept. 29 Treetops Cafe had an assortment of Hispanic foods for dinner. 

Plenty of businesses and organizations in Philadelphia are also celebrating Hispanic History Month. The Puerto Rican Day Parade occurred on Sept. 25 and youth groups, community organizations, schools, corporate sponsors, and popular artists gathered on the Benjamin Franklin parkway. Many of these events are free including the Puerto Rican Day Parade and Bachata dance classes by Controlla Dance Academy to learn a social Dominican dance at Frankford’s Pause Park. In addition to free events in Philadelphia, Club 90s is hosting a Bad Bunny-themed dance party to celebrate the Puerto Rican rapper. 

Dine Latino Restaurant Week ran from Sept. 19-23, 2022, at over twenty establishments. This week is designed to drum up business at Latino-owned restaurants in Philadelphia. Edward Garcia, owner of Queen and Rook Game Cafe, a board game cafe with a full restaurant, a full bar, and a full retail game and puzzle store explained to 6 ABC “a lot of our small businesses don’t have the marketing budgets of chains or even restaurant groups, so getting people to find out how amazing this food is how amazing the experiences are at these Hispanic-owned businesses is really great and really important.” Both La Salle University and the City of Philadelphia will continue to celebrate Hispanic History Month with extraordinary events through Oct. 15.  

Kylie McGovern, Editor

On Aug. 25, La Salle University welcomed back residential students and kicked off Explorientation for freshmen and transfer students. Explorientation is an opportunity for these new students to settle into their new lives as Explorers by attending campus-wide activities, like Club Quad, soccer games, and performances at Dan Rodden Theater. In addition, new students spent the weekend learning important information related to their academic success, safety, wellness, and involvement on campus. This is the first Explorientation conducted 100% in person since 2019, so students truly had an opportunity to connect with and meet classmates and have some fun before the first day of classes.

On Saturday, Aug. 27th sophomores, juniors and seniors began to populate campus and the residence halls. A lively spirit filled 20th and Olney as students reunited with friends and said goodbyes to their families. In addition to the friendships that welcomed students back to school improvements in residence halls did as well including new furniture and necessary maintenance work, within St. Basil Hall, St. Teresa Court, and St. Miguel Townhouses. 

On Sunday, Father Frank welcomed students with the first mass of the year. After mass, President Dan Allen, faculty, and students gathered on the quad for a treat of water ice and pretzels. Classes began on Monday and students were greeted with changes around campus regarding a relocation of dining halls from the beloved Blue and Gold dining commons to Treetops Café which has not been enjoyed since prior to COVID. However, some students air their grievances, saying that the new location is “just B&G, but a further walk.” This location is prime for first-year students who are residing exclusively at south campus in Saint Basil and Neumann residence halls. 

On Thursday, Sept. 1st, La Salle hosted its involvement fair at the Trumark Financial Center which featured student organizations ranging from Greek Life to OLAS and everything in between. In addition to this, and new to the fair, on-campus jobs were also advertised. 

The second week of school continues welcome week activities with yoga, Stuff-a-Bear Kit activity, bingo, and improv 101. 

Editor’s note: We look forward to a happy, healthy,and successful year here at La Salle and we wish our readers the best of luck in their endeavors this semester.