Hot tea with Z: Handling half-truths

Written By Zarrick Plizga, Staff Writer • March 4, 2026

Is lying to protect a friend a bad decision? How can you differentiate between a damaging lie and a white lie?

COPA CORNER: The privilege of pursuing your passion

Written By Melissa Garlock, Staff Writer • March 4, 2026

In a country that feels increasingly unstable, it can feel strange to spend your days in a studio.

COPA Advice Column: Introduction

Written By Melissa Garlock, Staff Writer • September 10, 2025

This past year, the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) has undergone a massive expansion. Between the newly established School of Dance and School of Theater, Film and Animation, a large portion of the student population belongs to one or more of the various departments offered. 

Judging Java: IKEA

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Coffee Columnist • March 29, 2023

IKEA may stand for Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnayrd, but in my eyes, it stands for IKEA Keeps Everything Amazing. Every piece of furniture that I have bought and assembled from IKEA has been an amazing...

Judging Java: Shops that “Proudly Serve Starbucks Coffee”

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Editor-in-Chief • February 1, 2023

Stop saying that you proudly serve Starbucks Coffee. You don’t. Almost anytime I get coffee from a coffee shop that “proudly” serves Starbucks coffee, it is just a worse version of Starbucks. This...

Judging Java: Yinz Coffee

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Coffee Columnist • October 12, 2022

Oxford Dictionary defines yinz as “(in western Pennsylvania) you (used to refer to more than one person).” It gives the example of “how yinz guys doing?” I identify as a Pittsburgher. I was...

Judging Java: Point Perk Revisited

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Coffee Columnist • September 28, 2022

Two years ago, I wrote that “Point Perk’s coffee is so awful that it wouldn’t surprise me if it emerged as a frontrunner in the 2024 Republican primaries.” At the time of reviewing Point Perk, our university’s coffee shop, my one star out of five review was one of the most scathing reviews I had ever written.

Judging Java: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Coffee Columnist • September 14, 2022

Few things are as inescapable as time. No matter how hard you fight it, no matter how hard you deny it, time is going to pass. People will grow older, presidents will be replaced, new blockbuster film franchises will overtake old ones. The leaves will always change with the seasons and then fall. The roaring cold of winter will always overtake the brisk autumn, only to be replaced by the breath of springtime and the radiance of summer. 

Judging Java: Reflections on a Junior Year

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Coffee Columnist • April 20, 2022

As is tradition for this column at the end of a semester, I will be taking this space to offer reflections on the past semester as opposed to reviewing a coffee shop. I am, however, still writing this in a coffee shop (Delanie’s on Carson Street, for those curious), so it does still count.

Tracking New Music Releases with Zac Wittman: Kurt Vile, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Silvana Estrada, Soul Glo, Foxtails

Written By Zachary Wittman, Music Columnist • April 20, 2022

My final week of reviews has finally arrived, and the new releases are somewhat thin. Last week and next week house all of the high profile releases, so I decided to cover a few new releases as well as go back to round up a few I missed earlier in the year.

Tracking New Music Releases with Zac Wittman: Red Hot Chili Peppers, PUP, Meshuggah, Duster, Lobsterfight

Written By Zachary Wittman, Music Columnist • April 6, 2022

The wait is over for fans of bands new and old as many artists finally break lengthy gaps in releases, creating one of the most consistent weeks thus far.

Judging Java: Starbucks Baya Energy Drink

Written By Jake Dabkowski, Editor Elect • April 6, 2022

If you’ve been watching television lately, you’ve probably seen an advertisement for Starbucks’ new Baya Energy drink. The drink only comes in can form, it’s not something you can order in their stores but rather something at supermarkets and convenience stores.