Allocation cut for many clubs
Andy Hsiao Chung, Copy Editor
April 17, 2013
Some Pitt-Johnstown organization officers said they were surprised April 1 to see they were allocated only a fraction of what they requested. Role-Playing Game club president Stefan Giconi was among the disappointed members. His club received only $200 out of the $2,000 the members requested. Giconi... (more...)
SGA decides monetary fate of clubs
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
April 12, 2013
The Pitt-Johnstown 2013 budget was approved April 1 by Student Government Association members. President-elect and current allocations chair Noam Berns said that his budget evaluations were fair and unbiased because they were based on proofs such as invoices and receipts. He also said that... (more...)
Canoe to be launched for competition
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
April 10, 2013
Concrete canoe team members have gathered in classroom 126 in the Engineering and Science building to work throughout the year. The classroom isn’t like other campus classrooms with their yellow painted walls and carpeted floors. It is a workshop, with a gray concrete floor and tools laid... (more...)
Campus outage causes inconvenience
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
April 3, 2013
A campus power glitch March 22 caused a confusion with malfunctioning telephone lines and cash registers. Students were limited to pay only in cash; and some, who did not see the piece of paper hung on the register that said Sodexo workers weren’t accepting credit cards, were confounded.... (more...)
Students plead to retake
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
March 6, 2013
The Student Government Association members have drafted a plea for Pitt-Johnstown administrators to allow students to retake classes in which they have received a grade of C or above. The issue was first brought up in a student government meeting in February and were widely discussed by student... (more...)
Woo chosen as new VP
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 26, 2013
Student government Vice President Marcus McGuire resigned Feb. 18. Though he was not present at Monday’s student government meeting, his resignation letter was read by President Cliff Maloney and approved by student government members. “My time in student government has been a great learning... (more...)
Officials seek to fill position
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 26, 2013
For the past two weeks, university officials held three interviews — each with one candidate — for the Vice President of Student Affairs position. The three candidates, James Parker, Bryan Valentine and Shawn Brooks were openly interviewed in Q-and-A sessions by attendees. All students... (more...)
Info lack strands some
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 20, 2013
Student leaders are calling for the university to better inform students about parking lot closures. A parking lot near Krebs Hall, according to a Feb. 1 campus email, was supposed to close for less than 24 hours for utility pole installations. The email was sent two days before the closure. However,... (more...)
Many mark a new year
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 13, 2013
Steven Zhang and Jackson Hao were smoking premium Chinese cigarettes awaiting their friends. It was a bit past 3 in the afternoon. Their rides were to arrive at 3 p.m. to pick them and 16 other UPJ Chinese students up in front of the Student Union, as most of them would be performing at Pitt-Oakland’s... (more...)
Threats made, rumors allege
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 6, 2013
The Engineering and Science building was placed on heightened security last week, apparently due to an alleged threat made by a former student. A police officer was stationed in the building’s lobby area all of last week. According to UPJ senior math major Christopher Greenhow, the officer... (more...)
Hickory rape case filed
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 6, 2013
Former UPJ student Kyle Timothy Pucci, 21, of Friedens, Somerset County, has waived his right to hear the evidence against him in a preliminary hearing in an alleged 2010 campus rape. Pucci is accused of raping a woman in a Hickory Hall room, according to the Tribune-Democrat. After the preliminary... (more...)
C’s get degrees, keep campus honest
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
February 6, 2013
Pitt-Johnstown students may know that he or she may not retake classes in which the grade received was a C average or above, but Pitt-Oakland does not have such a rule. During the Pitt-Johnstown Jan. faculty senate meeting, the issue was brought to discussion, and most agreed with having such... (more...)
Film choices welcomed
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
January 30, 2013
Students who would like to see a film on the campus movie channel can now send in a request to a number of windows. During a Student Government Association meeting last semester, President Cliff Maloney said that any requests could be sent to his emal address. However, some students may feel... (more...)
International students seek early exit
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
January 30, 2013
In 2010, Pitt-Johnstown officials admitted 11 international students, and, as of 2012 Spring Semester, only five remain enrolled, according to international Services Director Jennifer Kist. Pitt-Johnstown maintains a steady increase of international students since it started its program, but... (more...)
Chinese mark new year
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
January 30, 2013
The Pitt-Johnstown Chinese Student Association is to be a part of a two nights Chinese New Year celebrations: at UPJ and another at Pitt-Oakland. UPJ Association President Tom Cao said that he initially contacted Pitt-Oakland’s President, and expressed his interest in a joint celebration. “(UPJ... (more...)
Worker dies in fatal fall
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
January 23, 2013
A man suffered a fatal fall on Dec. 10 while working at the Nursing and Health Sciences building construction site. The incident happenedat 8:30 a.m., University officials sent out an email about the incident approximately one hour afterward, saying the man was not a Pitt-Johnstown employee. The... (more...)
Nursing Building work beats schedule
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
December 5, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown’s Alumni and Community Relations Robert Knipple said progress on the Nursing and Health Sciences Building is going smoothly. “As of last week, we are actually two days ahead of (construction) schedule,” Knipple said. “If we have a mild winter we should continue to make... (more...)
Parkers move not welcomed
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
November 14, 2012
An increasing number of Pitt-Johnstown students are parking in Penn Highland’s parking lots, Campus Police Chief Eric Zangaglia said. “Administrators (from Penn Highlands) called and said they have seen (the number of UPJ students parking) increasing.” Zangaglia said Penn Highland administrators... (more...)
Parking meters run out of time
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
October 17, 2012
Student Government Association President Cliff Maloney and Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar Tuesday agreed to remove a row of 16 parking meters along Student Union Drive. Student government officials broke the news on a student-government Twitter page. However, as of Friday, university... (more...)
Gamers heed Call of Duty
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
October 2, 2012
Luke Trotz complained while untangling an intricate knot of Xbox and computer-cords just taken out of a long-forgotten box. It was only 10 minutes till seven; Trotz, along with his Delta Chi brothers, rushed to set up for a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tournament, advertised to begin at seven. Some... (more...)
Low demand keeps Buckhorn vacant
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
October 2, 2012
Across from Hemlock Hall and the Physical Plant building, Buckhorn Lodge has seen better days. The former wrestling house – a denomination coined by wrestlers –was a place for frequent gatherings for carousing, but also a wrestling brotherhood. However, it has been, and is to remain,... (more...)
Library hours disputed
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
September 26, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown Owen Library hours took an unprecedented reduction, from the previous school year’s midnight closing, to 10:30 p.m. Though Pitt-Johnstown is Pitt’s largest regional campus, it beats only Titusville and Bradford with longer total weekly library hours. Pitt-Titusville is also... (more...)
Jem Spectar apologizes
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
September 26, 2012
University president Jem Spectar apologized last Wednesday at a Faculty Senate meeting for the university’s failure to notify the community, Sept.13 that there had been a shooting incident nearby at the Richland Municipal Building. “We made an error,” said Spectar, “We should have made... (more...)
Internship chances assured at Oakland by graduation time
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
September 19, 2012
Pitt-Oakland officials announced Aug. 27 that the university is to guarantee all students opportunities to prepare for internship experience before they graduate. The press release issued by the university however, emphasized that the program applies only to the Oakland campus. “Starting... (more...)
Dig this: nursing building underway
Andy Hsiao Chung, News Editor
September 12, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown administrators broke ground on the Nursing and Health Sciences Building Aug. 27, with close to a hundred attendees, including dozens of nursing students in ivory white medical coats. Attendees included Pitt-Oakland Facilities Management Joseph Fink, Greater Johnstown Regional... (more...)
UPJ’s Spectar on UMass list for chancellor
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
April 3, 2012
UPJ President Jem Spectar is among six finalists in a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth chancellor search. Several New England news outlets and The Associated Press reported the story. The finalists’ names have been forward to UMass President Robert Caret, who is to recommend one to the... (more...)
Engineers construct togetherness
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
March 28, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown civil engineers March 20 led off a week to celebrate engineering with a banquet hosted by the Altoona Section American Society of Highway Engineers. A society member had contacted Pitt-Johnstown’s civil engineering faculty member Brian Houston, expressing the group’s interest... (more...)
Dancing dudes duel in pageant
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
March 21, 2012
Light in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center dimmed Thursday as the 29th Annual Mr. UPJ competition commenced. Several young Alpha Gamma Delta sisters in black dresses – who were posing for a photo – quickly found their seats. The balcony audience bellowed jauntily while their bottom-floor... (more...)
Jazzman’s expansion a possibility
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
February 17, 2012
Having just journeyed through a chilling morning breeze, a crowd of students stumbles into Biddle Hall — the smell of caramel and hazelnut greets them at it, makes its way to each dozy passerby. Jazzman’s Café is a destination, serving many either their daily dose of caffeine, or a... (more...)
Committee maintains restrictions
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
February 17, 2012
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has been approved by student senate officials to become an official Pitt-Johnstown school club. The committee may now receive student activity funds; an unprecedented opportunity committee members have longed for. However, the club restricts its members... (more...)
Game zone pool zupplies can’t handle the torment
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
January 31, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown game room pool cues have seen better days as they were reportedly vandalized Jan. 20 – three days after they were replaced. To some Pitt-Johnstown game room regulars, it was nothing out of the ordinary as room equipment is regularly mutilated, then replaced, most usually... (more...)
Pepsi loses its fizz for some customers
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
January 25, 2012
It is growing late as biology major Shoja Rahimian shuffles toward a Pepsi vending machine. He is anxious and uncertain what to expect as he gouges his pockets for change. Every drop from the machine is a gamble, but a risk that Rahimian is willing to take. “Expired again,” Rahimian thought... (more...)
Despite reluctance, religion classes enlighten
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
January 17, 2012
Light materialized in a classroom once again along with strident sounds of papers and books being hastily put away as a class was dismissed. Students shuffled out, many overwhelmed by what they had just absorbed and astounded by the instructor’s knowledge of their own religions. This class... (more...)
Pool access gets lift
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
December 6, 2011
Pitt-Johnstown’s Zamias Aquatic Center now has a hydraulic lift chair—an instrument allowing physically challenged people a more convenient means of getting in the center’s pool. “We are required to put it in,” said lifeguard supervisor Dudley McNitt, “because the state requires... (more...)
Transgender student claims discrimination
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
November 16, 2011
Seamus Johnston trudged toward locker rooms for a shower after a Monday weight-training class, just like it was any other Monday at the Sports Center. This time, however, he did not make his regular left turn to the men’s locker room. Instead, he was to shower alone in a solitary locker... (more...)
WUPJ-TV rises with new funds, determination
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
November 8, 2011
Two computer monitors illuminate a humbly sized office as James Capps and Eric Douglas focus their attention on the next show segment. This is Pitt-Johnstown’s television station’s, WUPJ-TV’s, digital studio, where many have devoted themselves to improving footage in front of monitors. Capps... (more...)
Canoe rivalry commences
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
November 2, 2011
Water splurges as a paddle strikes in a coordinated rhythm, drenching a canoe’s sides while momentum takes it on a brisk dash around the 25-by-10 yard pool. The canoe slows as it nears the poolside. Eric Giancatarino, an engineer student, climbs out, trudges to a row of chairs and sits. This... (more...)
Residents search for working washing machines
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
October 5, 2011
In the darkest hours of the night, pacing through a breezy chill of a Johnstown October, a faint presence can be seen carrying a basket of worn apparel wandering into oblivion – a Pitt-Johnstown student on their way to do laundry. With Pitt-Johnstown’s laundry service, in which... (more...)
Martial arts teacher says skills may save lives
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
September 28, 2011
Pitt-Johnstown martial arts enthusiasts may not be aware that there is a way to receive professional training on campus, and has been for the past 20 years. Koa Beam has been UPJ’s martial arts club instructor since 1995. Beam teaches Tang Soo Do, a Korean style of martial arts with Chinese... (more...)
Budget cut imposes strict enforcement of 900-page student limit
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
September 21, 2011
Due to a concern over possible budget cuts, over the summer faculty members were informed via e-mail to cut back on the amount of printed materials distributed in class. “The limit is set by the main campus, (in the computer services divisory). It has been 900 sheets per semester for as long... (more...)
Biddle hallways and some stairs get a makeover
Andy Hsiao Chung, Staff Writer
September 14, 2011
Robert Blaschak, Pitt-Johnstown Physical Plant director, described Biddle Hall summer renovations as cosmetic. The first floor underwent renovation in the lobby areas, corridors, and staircases. There were also upgrades in furniture, ceiling lightings and the heating system. The second floor... (more...)