merciad.mercyhurst.

edu
Vol.83,No.13/1/27/10/Free

What’s in a
name?

’Hurst sets sights on university status

News Features A&E Sports
Hurst to Peace Corps PAC holds first Basketball
install locker recruiter comes ‘Brew and View’ takes on PSAC
rooms in Rec to campus challengers
Page 2 Page 4 Page 5 Page 8
Page 2
College seeks transition to university status
By JoEllen Marsh
Editor-in-chief
The Mercyhurst College com-
munity is taking a serious look at
becoming Mercyhurst University.
Mercyhurst College President
Dr. Tom Gamble announced
Monday that the Board of Trust-
ees unanimously approved his
plan to research the feasibility of
gaining university status.
“We have come to believe that
we will be better able to grow...
once we accept an organizational
structure that both clarifies and
is more consistent with what we
already are,” Gamble said.
US News & World Report
already lists Mercyhurst under
“master’s universities.”
Explaining the differences,
Gamble said, “A college tends
to do one thing (the one thing
generally is offering four-year
baccalaureate degrees), while
a university does many things,
including awarding graduate
’Hurst to install locker rooms in Rec Center
By Kelly Luoma
News editor
Answers to a student govern-
ment survey showed students
want a locker room in the Rec.
The Board of Trustees
responded by approving the plan
to build locker rooms with show-
ers in the Rec Center at their
meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Last spring, MSG sent out a
survey asking if the Rec needed
improvements. Of 560 students
voting, 434 replied ‘yes,’ MSG
President Dinorah Sanchez said.
The students who answered
‘yes’ were then asked what
improvements were needed. 329
of the 434 said a locker room was
needed, according to Sanchez.
Separate men’s and women’s
locker rooms will each have four
degrees.”
The college has already created
several degree programs more
characteristic of a university.
“In so many ways we’re func-
tioning as a university....In a
certain sense it’s really an oppor-
tunity for us to become who we
already are,” Mercyhurst Student
Government (MSG) President
Dinorah Sanchez said.
Gamble and his staff plan
to travel to Harrsiburg to meet
with the Pennsylvania Depart-
ment of Education and discuss
the requirements for becoming a
university.
“It’s really confusing to have
a traditional college that has
1,000 associate degrees and 400
graduate students and alternate
locations in northern Virginia,”
Gamble said. “Being a part of
a ‘college’ weakens the identity
of (these) other academic initia-
tives.”
Losing the college’s identity
is a main concern for many stu-
dents. “I think we should stay a
showers, two toilets and three
sinks, in addition to roughly 160
half lockers.
Vice President for Student Life
Gerry Tobin explained the incon-
venience of not having showers
in the Rec. After working out,
for example, “Commuters don’t
have an apartment to go back to,”
Tobin said.
Even so, commuters are not
the only ones who are inconve-
nienced by the lack of showers.
Many students work out
between classes and don’t have
the opportunity to shower, and
employees would work out if
they had a place where they could
change and shower, Tobin said.
The locker rooms will go
where the current changing space
and two offices are now. This area
is about 1,300 square feet.
“Since the Rec was built, men
NEWS
good Catholic college and keep
up with our morals and heritage.
It seems like universities are more
public and secular,” freshman
Kahla Wilson said.
One of the administration’s
focuses is to preserve “Mer-
cyhurst College” as the main
campus four-year baccalaure-
ate program that would operate
under the umbrella of the Univer-
sity. ‘Mercyhurst College’ would
retain its enrollment, class sizes,
trimester system, student-fac-
ulty relationship and core values.
The ‘College’ would no longer
administrate other institutional
initiatives and would be able to
focus on improving undergradu-
ate education.
“The college can develop
the way it chooses to develop....
It really gives us all the freedom
to be who we really are,” Vice
President for Student Life Gerry
Tobin said.
But what would the change
really mean for students? Most
of them have no clue.
and women have had to share the
changing space,” Tobin said.
According to Tobin, the
need for locker rooms has been
increasing. Last summer, the
changing space became smaller
due to two offices being built.
“When the changing space we
had was lessened, it really just
magnified the need that was pres-
ent,” Tobin said.
Tobin and Sanchez discussed
the benefits of locker rooms.
“Students will now have the
option to change, work out and
shower, or they can do what they
have been doing,” Tobin said.
“Regardless of whatever behav-
ior students choose, it will be
much better for students to have
their own privacy to change.”
Sanchez said this project will
help attract students. When pro-
spective students see the chang-
Gamble and college Provost
Dr. James Adovasio said they
believe the change wouldn’t really
impact students’ everyday lives.
“Probably you wouldn’t notice
until you walked into the book
store and saw ‘Mercyhurst Uni-
versity’ on a sweatshirt,” Adova-
sio said.
The real changes to the col-
lege would be strategic. Due to
the college’s small endowment,
tuition revenue is crucial for the
college’s operations. New growth
will likely occur in the graduate
programs, adult education pro-
grams and associate programs at
Mercyhurst’s other campuses.
Transitioning to university
status would help Mercyhurst
market these programs, espe-
cially in regions unfamiliar with
Mercyhurst’s reputation and in
other countries, where a ‘college’
is more like high school.
“Outside of Mercyhurst there
is a way in which ‘University’ has
more cache,” Tobin said.
Creating an overarching Mer-
Locker rooms will be built where the current changing area is.
ing room in the Rec, “I can see
the letdown in their faces,” San-
chez said.
“This is a project that really
came out of student interest and
desire,” Tobin said. “It will be a
really, really nice facility.”
“It would be nice because then
you could just shower and go to
class or go to dinner,” freshman
January 27, 2010
cyhurst University to include all
of the smaller entities would help
“brand” the college, according to
Adovasio.
Branding is especially impor-
tant for master’s degrees. “We
can’t market graduate programs
from a college,” Gamble said.
According to Adovasio, under-
graduates would benefit from
the growth of these programs
as well, with access to things like
improved science facilities, and a
learning environment enhanced
by the presence of more gradu-
ate and faculty research.
The timeline for gaining uni-
versity status depends mostly
on student and faculty support,
Gamble said.
“I think really the students
should be 100 percent in favor of
this. They have nothing to lose
and a lot to gain,” Gamble said.
Read the full version
of this story and watch
Gamble’s speech online.
Tyler Stauffer photo
Beth Henry said.
“It would make things more
convenient,” freshman Tawney
Johnson said.
The cost will be about $215,400.
The college will fund this project
through the capital projects fund.
Construction is expected to start
over summer and finish by the
beginning of fall term.
January 27, 2010 NEWS Page 3

Students compete Trustees vote to improve

in game show
By Chelsee Callahan
Staff writer
college entrance-way
By Jennifer McCurdy
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College’s Student Activities Council (SAC) hosted
’Hurst Feud, which was based on the popular family game show
Family Feud, on Friday, Jan. 22. The Mercyhurst College
SAC member Meghan Hess was the host. Board of Trustees decided on
’Hurst Feud followed the traditional Family Feud rules. The teams Thursday, Jan. 21, to proceed
tried to guess the most popular answers to questions such as: “What with the Front Entrance Land-
are colors you don’t find in the rainbow?” or “What can a girl leave scaping Renovation Project.
lipstick on?” “The front entrance is a spe-
If the team failed to guess correctly, the other team got a chance cial area of Mercyhurst College.
to steal and win the points. The gates, the stately trees lining
The final round of the game came down to EJ Klawender against the driveway, Old Main and the
The Sandbox. Tower—these are majestic first
The Sandbox won the competition. The team members were and lasting impressions of the
seniors Adam Olszewski and Adam Kessler and sophomores Kayla College,” Tom Billingsley, vice
Clark, Shane McCabe and Claire Hogan. president executive of adminis-
“In the end we rallied the troops together to win, and it was a tration, said.
good time had by all,” Olszewski said on behalf of The Sandbox. “This project will restore and
The team won $250 and the Family Feud board game. enhance the landscaping beauty
“It seemed like everyone had a good time,” Hess said. “It was of the front entrance, which has
very fast paced and a good competition.” aged and suffered significant
winter storm damage over the
years,” Billingsley said.
Over the next several weeks,
the college administration will
conduct site analyses while The
Buildings and Grounds Com-
mittee, an advisory group of the
Board of Trustees, works with
college personnel to select a
landscape architect and designer
to develop design and construc-
tion documents for the project.
The front entrance area
includes the main entrance
gates, guardhouses and walk-
ways from East 38th Street to
the area between the Hammer-
mill Library and Egan Hall.
New walkways from East
38th Street will allow students to
walk through the guardhouses
rather than walk on the roadway
underneath the main gates.
“I will be glad to see walkways
down to the entrance gates but
hope that the beauty and tra-
dition of the main gates and
entrance is not compromised
by this renovation,” freshman
Chelsea Schermerhorn said.
Walkways will be improved
with benches, pedestrian light-
ing and new tree plantings “that
can stand the test of time,” Bill-
ingsley said.
The gates, which Billingsley
described as “a cherished histor-
ical feature,” will not be altered.
“I don’t feel that new walk-
ways are completely necessary,
but from a safety point-of-view,
it is understandable,” freshman
Kaylee Mowery said. “The most
important feature of these new
walkways would be the new
lighting that would be installed.
Something needs to be done
about how poorly lit that area
is.”
The anticipated timetable
places the completion of the
final design in the spring, fol-
lowed by construction plans
and a final bidding by May. Con-
struction will take place from
June to August.
“We’ve got it set up now for
a successful project,” Billingsley
said.

Chelsee Callahan photo

Students competed in ’Hurst Feud, a game based on the show
Family Feud. The event took place on Friday, Jan. 22.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Chili Bowl” Cook-Off

Wednesday, Feb. 3,
in the Student Union 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
To enter your chili, contact the Human
Resources Department
for an entry form.
For more information, contact Betsy Frank
at bfrank@mercyhurst.edu.
Page 4 FEATURES January 27, 2010

Peace Corps recruiter to present information session

By Carolyn Carlins
Staff writer
A recruiter from the Peace
Corps will be present on Tues-
day, Feb. 2, and answer questions
from those interested in joining
the Peace Corps. The informa-
tional session will be held from
8:30-9:30 p.m. in Zurn 114.
The Peace Corps is a program
for people with diverse back-
grounds and a commitment to
service overseas.
It incorporates skill sets such
as biology, information tech-
nology, teaching, business and
and leadership while benefiting
individuals through interna-
tional work experience.
Peace Corps volunteers have
served in 74 countries in Africa,
Asia, the Caribbean, Central and
South America, Europe and the
Middle East. Volunteers engage
in local communities to make
beneficial developments.
The application process for
the Peace Corps can take 8-12
months to complete.
Junior Lindsey Smith, presi-
dent of the Project Abolition
club, said, “I know that they
have a long and very selec-
tive process, and to learn more
Most who join the Peace
Corps wish to make a real dif-
ference in the lives of others,
but being a member of the
Peace Corps can enhance the
education of the individuals
volunteering through first-hand
experience.
Sophomore Christy Moore
said she believes that the Peace
Corps may be able to offer her
invaluable experience in the field
of peace psychology.
“I want to learn more about
how the Peace Corps could
practically benefit my education
through incorporating others’
world-views,” Moore said.
in which individuals can practice to attend the two informational
the mission of service through sessions.
outreach and community devel-
opment.
“It is a real commitment to
the people you are helping,”
sophomore Laura Quinn, who
has relatives in the Peace Corps,
said.
The Peace Corps recruiter
will also hold a special meeting
only for educators. This session
on education will take place
Monday, Feb. 1, from 5-6 p.m.
in Zurn 314.
If you are interested in learn-
ing about the Peace Corps, visit
their Web site at http://www. PeaceCorps.org photo

more into a mission of service about it would be beneficial.” The Peace Corps offers a way peacecorps.gov/ and be sure

Students network
thanks to PRSSA
By Andrea Conlon
Contributing writer
There is a new organization
on campus designed to con-
nect students with professionals
practicing in the public relations
field.
PRSSA, the Public Relations
Student Society of America, was
established in 1968. This orga-
nization is not only for Public
Relations majors; it can also
help students in other majors.
This organization has chap-
ters throughout the nation. The
chapter is set up under the Erie
and Pittsburgh PRSSA Chap-
ters. This means that our chapter
here at Mercyhurst will be able
to network and connect with
professionals in both regions.
“I’m looking forward to the
events we can attend. I would
like to hear from other pro-
fessionals in the field,” junior
member Jen Mieczkowski said.
“I am hoping to find an intern-
ship for this summer on the job
center Web site.”
If you are interested in join-
ing PRSSA, contact president
Brittani Devore at bdevor25@
mercyhurst.edu.
Read the full version of this
article online.

Video Game of the Week:

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An Erieite Appetite:
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Merciad.Mercyhurst.
edu/Features
January 27, 2010
Brew and View offers
triple advantage
By Alaina Rydzewski
A&E editor
Want to get some free beer
and have a good time? Or rather,
who doesn’t? If you’re over 21,
here is the new event on campus
for you: Brew and View.
Mary D’Angelo Performing
Arts Center (PAC) Director
Michael Fuhrman and Assistant
Marketing Manager Michelle
Ellia came up with this novel
idea called Brew and View.
“(We) have been kicking
around the idea of doing an
event like this for some time
now. It was really a joint effort,”
Ellia said.
She went on to talk about how
larger cities such as Los Ange-
les, Chicago and even Cleveland
serve alcohol in movie theaters.
A&E online
merciad.
mercyhurst.
edu
‘My Dinosaur
Life’ shows fun
personality of
band
Motion City Soundtrack
recently released their
fourth album, which
includes their irst
attempt at a love song.
International
novelist
ventures home
Berniéres’ novel, set
in his homeland of
England, is a change
from previous works set
around the world.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The PAC soon ran into
issues, including the fact that
the PAC is a concert hall and
does not allow food or bev-
erages inside the venue, and
Mercyhurst does not have a
liquor license allowing it to sell
alcohol.
After much deliberation, they
met with a representative from
Erie Beer who was able to secure
samples from microbreweries
all over the county. The Cor-
nerstone Bar & Grill will also be
providing free food.
They also decided to have the
‘brew’ part of the event before
the movie showing in the Cum-
mings Art Gallery. The movie
will follow in the PAC.
The movie being shown is
the classic comedy “Animal
House,” with movies from
other genres to follow, includ-
Dancer Q&A: Alarcon mixes dance
major with religion minor
By Emma Rishel
Staff writer
Erin Alarcon is a senior dance
major with a religious studies
minor.
1. What originally attracted
you to Mercyhurst?
I had never really heard of
it and my mom suggested that
I look into it. So I went to the
Web site and realized what a
great dance program it has.
2. I know that you dance a
pretty equal mix of modern
and ballet. Do you have a
preference?
Well, I started ballet when
Page 7
Johnson &
ing “Death at a Funeral,”
“Brazil” and “Fresh.”
The first Brew and View will
Johnson
be held tonight at 6:30 and 7:15
p.m.
Ellia said, “The whole pur-
Properties
pose of Brew and View is to
provide an event where people
can enjoy some drinks, food and
have conversation about some Rental Houses
good films.”
Brew and View will continue
on the last Wednesday of each
available
month for the rest of the year,
and is free to students.
for next year - call now
Only those over 21 years of
age will be allowed into the beer to lock yours up!
tasting, but everyone can go to
the film as long as they have a
ticket.
Tickets are available in the
PAC Box Office. Tickets are
free for students with Mercy-
814-860-8817
hurst ID.
I was about six years old. I order to help the others.
hardly had any modern until
I came here. I do not have a 4. Are you interested in
preference because each helps teaching?
the other. My first experience Well, it was really fun to
with modern was freshman year teach modern open class in the
with Mark (Santillano). I loved it fall, but I want to teach further
and I have been very interested down the road when I am done
in it ever since. That class really dancing.
opened me up to another dance
form that I now really enjoy. 5. Do you have a minor and
if yes, why did you choose
3. Why did you choose a
college dance program?
it?
Yes, religious studies. I had a
I wanted to get solid class with Dr. Von Thaden my
dance training, as well as an junior year and I loved it. He is
education. I knew I could a great professor and I thought
experience the different forms the class was so interesting.
of dance here, which was Tyler Stauffer photo
what I wanted. I now have the An unabridged version of this Erin Alarcon studies dance
background in other forms, in interview can be found online. and religious studies.
Page 6
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Accepting and embracing others
By Victoria
Gricks
Staff writer
It was Friday afternoon: Class
just ended and I had a lot to
do before leaving for Holiday
Valley. I grabbed my things and
rushed out of Hirt.
Walking faster than usual, I
made my way to Egan. I kept
my head down and pretended to
text on my cell phone, because I
didn’t want to get stuck having
to talk to anyone. Don’t judge
me – I was in a hurry.
After a minute or two, I had
already reached to the windows
of the cafeteria. It was busy. I
didn’t worry, though, because I
planned on doing take-out.
I started to get antsy as I
waited in line, but it only took a
few minutes for it to be my turn.
Once my card had been swiped
and the clear boxes were in my
hands, I took off.
I beat the record for least
amount of time spent in the
cafeteria during the lunch rush.
It took me less than 10 minutes
to get two sandwiches and a
Problems increase with student loans
By Thomas
Kubica
Staff writer
Ever complain to a counselor
about tuition hikes? The typical
answer you get is: “You can just
get a loan.” This type of thinking
is hiking up rates horrendously.
As unemployment rates
continue to rise, they’re rising
particularly rapidly among
teenagers, bringing teen
unemployment nearly to a
staggering 28 percent. The rate
is, as journalist Steve Thomma
says, “the highest ever recorded
since the federal government
salad. Once I was done, I left
for Warde.
When I got to the building, I
took the elevator to the fourth
floor. Somehow, I managed
to swipe my card to unlock
the doors to my wing without
dropping anything. I was just as
successful with unlocking the
door to my room.
I took two steps inside when
I noticed my friend’s Nike shoes
on the floor. (I had asked her
earlier in the day if I could wear
them later. She told me she was
going to take them home, but
she changed her mind.)
With a smile on my face, I
strolled over to my bed and set
all of my belongings on it. I
took my salad out of the plastic
bag I had used to carry it home,
but just as I was about to begin
eating, I decided to wash my
hands.
While drying them, I noticed
some writing on the mirror
above the sink. After reading it,
I laughed – my roommate had
left me a note before leaving for
the weekend.
You may be wondering why
I am telling you all of this
began tracking it, and it’s almost
triple the 10 percent rate for all
workers.”
True to form, it seems as
if the government has every
intention of not wasting this
crisis. The proposed solution
is nationalizing the student
loan industry to send all those
unemployed teenagers to college
instead. Sounds great, right?
Wrong. This is a nightmarish
prospect, as most government
“solutions” are. The bill is
guaranteed to harm students
and there will be no fiscal
responsibility in it. Students
have been screwed by ‘student
aid.’ So-called “aid” to nearly
OPINION January3, 27,2008
September 2010
information, so here we go.
Online Opinion Articles...
You would never be able to
guess it, but there was a point
when my roommate and I didn’t
Hiding behind technology
Jordan Zangaro, a cell-phone using,
get along. Besides when we had
Facebook-addicted individual, has had
to, I’m pretty sure we didn’t talk
to each other for a week or so. enough of what technology is doing
As time went on, however, to our generation. Read about how she
I realized that I couldn’t live believes technology is crippling people’s
like that, so we talked about ability to handle tough situations.
the tension between us. Well,
that was the greatest decision I
could have made, because ever
since then, we’ve been the best
of friends.
So here comes my advice for merciad.mercyhurst.edu
the week. You’re in college now,
and that means that you have to
start growing up a bit.
Not everyone in this world is
going to be exactly like you or
share your opinion on certain
issues. But this is a good thing.
Can you imagine what life
would be like if everyone was
the same? I’ll tell you. It would If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
be boring!
Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
For once, try a little harder at JoEllen Marsh Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
accepting others and embracing
Kelly Luoma News Editor newsmerciad
the differences between you. Javi Cubillos Features Editor featuremerciad
Sure, you aren’t going to get
Jordan Zangaro Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
along with everyone you meet. Nick Glasier Sports Editor sportsmerciad
But, it makes life interesting. Alaina Rydzewski A&E entertainmentmerciad
Sam Williams
Tyler Stauffer
Graphics
Photographer
photomerciad
photomerciad
anyone helped drive up the cost Ethan Magoc Multimedia Editor emagoc80
of college education. Students Ethan Johns Web Editor ejohns89
are now reaping the “benefits” Gaby Meza Advertising Manager admerciad
of that aid: They still can’t get Kyle King Copy Editor copymerciad
jobs, but now they’re faced with Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
paying off their hundreds of Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
thousands of dollars of debt.
Government needs to get out The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
of the aid business. It screwed College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
up housing with “affordable finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is
housing” programs and it (814) 824-2376.
screwed up education with
student “aid.”
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
Being against student loans is
being for the student. College and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
kids don’t get the money; they letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
get the bills. are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
Read the unabridged version at letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
merciad.mercyhurst.edu.
January 27, 2010 Sports
Interested in writing
sports articles?
Prior sports writing
experience or proficient
writing skills preferred.
If interested, e-mail:
sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.
edu
Mercyhurst College junior assistant captain Neil Graham made one of the
Lakers’ two goals in their 4-2 loss to Bentley University last Friday.
Men stay in the hunt
By Steve Bukowski
Contributing writer
In Atlantic Hockey play this past
weekend, the Mercyhurst College Lakers
split a two-game series with the Bentley
University Falcons at the Mercyhurst Ice
Center.
With the win and loss, the Lakers are
still sitting in third place in the Atlantic
Hockey standings with 26 points, behind
the Rochester Institute of Technology
and the Air Force Academy.
Sitting in third place, and despite the
recent slide, Mercyhurst is still prov-
ing itself to be a contender for Atlan-
tic Hockey’s top spot this season. The
team’s success may be attributed to
many things, including strong goaltend-
ing by senior Erie native Ryan Zapolski.
He leads Atlantic Hockey in number of
saves, with 768. He also ranks second in
save percentage, at .915.
Another component of the team’s
success has been the balanced offensive
contributions by the team. Several players
have amassed double-digit points, as well
as near-even numbers in goals scored.
Junior Brandon Coccimiglio leads Mer-
cyhurst with 14 goals, while junior Steve
Page 7
Etthan Magoc photo
Cameron has netted 10 and junior Mike
Gurtler is third on the team with eight
goals. Several players have between five
and seven goals, as well.
In Friday’s game, the Lakers fell to the
Falcons by a 4-2 tally, snapping a win-
ning streak on home ice that had been
intact since November. After two peri-
ods, Mercyhurst led by a score of 2-1.
Even so, Bentley’s three-goal surge in the
third period proved to be too much for
Mercyhurst.
The Lakers got revenge for the loss,
and doubled up Bentley in a 6-3 win on
Saturday powered by senior Nick Van-
denbeld’s first career hat trick.
Mercyhurst takes a break this upcom-
ing weekend and travels west during the
first weekend in February to take on
third-ranked Denver University and the
eleventh-ranked University of Colorado
at Boulder.
These games will be by far the tough-
est tests the Lakers have faced all year.
“We certainly know how good both
Denver and Colorado College are. Our
preparation really comes down to our
overall game. We need to be able to do
the things that make us a good team, so
we are working on all of those aspects,”
head coach Rick Gotkin said.
 January 27, 2010

Laker Sports
Visit merciad.mercyhurst.edu

Money well spent

Allocating money to sports will
help college admissions grow
By Nick Glasier
Sports editor
Over the past few weeks much of the news about Mercyhurst
College has centered around plans to improve many of the facili-
ties across the campus. The new plans include a spectacular new
entrance-way and a new academic building.
While the academic building makes sense, the gate seems to just
ooze of perception build-up. This money could be better spent
improving the athletic facilities and building up a healthy and com-
petitive athletic program. This program would be able to compete
at the national level, bringing recognition to Mercyhurst.
A successful athletic team can noticably raise admissions at a
college or university.
Evidence of this effect on enrollment has occurred at many
universities over the years. Many people classify this increase in
enrollment stemming from sports success as the “Flutie Effect.”
The “Flutie Effect” reflected an increase in applications at Boston
College after Doug Flutie’s “Hail Mary” to beat the University of
Miami in 1984. Ever since this “Flutie Effect” was first detected,
there have been many compelling studies done to prove or dis-
prove it.
Despite those who doubt the direct effect athletics play on
admissions, it is rather hard to ignore this phenomenon when it
occurs at other universities. George Mason University’s 22 percent Ethan Magoc photo
increase in admissions after its 2006 Final Four appearance or the Mercyhurst College sophomore Megan Hoffman drives into the lane in the Lakers’ 70-65 vic-
steady rise in admissions at Gonzaga University since its rise to tory over over Edinboro University last Wednesday.
NCAA basketball prominence are two notable recent examples.

Taking the PSAC challenge

Doubters will argue that other factors contributed to the rise in
admissions and enrollment. They will cite new dorms, increases in
financial aid and new programs as the main contributors. This is
partially true, I agree, but to deny the effect that athletics can have
on enrollment and admissions is a product of delusional, intellec- “This is the first time Mercy- winning these games means a
By Kathryn Dinunzio hurst women’s basketball has chance for the Lakers to make
tual snobs who fear losing funding for their educational programs.
Contributing writer had a winning season since the it to the NCAA tournament in
The correlation of exposure derived from athletic success to a
rise in admissions and enrollment is a concept easy to understand. late 90s, and they haven’t made March.
The more a college is on TV, in newspapers or magazines, the 11-5. To say that the current an appearance in the NCAA Mercyhurst’s Gannon Uni-
more the college is exposed to a broader and even local audience. record for the Mercyhurst Col- tournament since 1995.” versity and Edinboro Univer-
Who honestly ever heard of Gonzaga before its success in basket- lege women’s basketball team is It means a lot to the team to sity, are very good teams and
ball other than the people in the surrounding areas? impressive is perhaps an under- change things around for the the Lakers know they must
The one aspect to this that is often ignored when discussing statement. And still, things are women’s basketball program at prove themselves against both
athletic effect on admissions and enrollment is what it gives the about to pick up even more as Mercyhurst. in order to get to where they
students while they are at college. A good athletic program gives the women have entered com- “We have the potential to want to be.
students something to do. There is only so much studying and petitive Pennsylvania State Ath- change that perception and the Last Wednesday, the women
reading a student can take before insanity sets in. letic Conference (PSAC) West conference games are going to were able to make steps toward
In order to relieve this stress, students must have something to play. Not only do the Lakers prove this,” Banda said. their goal by defeating Edin-
do. Athletic events provide the students with something to do. It want to win games, but doing The PSAC conference games boro with a 70-65 win at home.
allows them to go out with their friends and cheer on their college. well in the conference means a will be intense. Getting into Junior Amy Achesinski led the
This provides a safe way for students to have a good time and lot to the team. PSAC play is a lot different team with 22 points.
builds up school spirit. Mercyhurst College needs to expand the “We’re part of a special than regular season games. For the rest of this article,
opportunities for students to partake in this excitement. Honestly, program here at Mercyhurst,” The teams are competitive, go to merciad.mercyhurst.
how will a long row of trees and benches help retention rates? freshman Dana Banda said. the games are challenging and edu and click the sports tab.