Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Squirrels are Temple tough LUCAS ROGERS The owl has been the symbol and mascot for Temple University since 1880, when the school was founded. However, there is another animal at Temple’s campus that is just as famous and recognizable as the owl. This animal doesn't have feathers, it’s not a nocturnal hunter and it's not represented at our school sporting events, but it's an animal that most students probably encounter on a daily basis. This animal is, of course, the squirrel. Squirrels roam around all parts of the grounds at Temple University. The squirrels interact with students in ways ranging from eating lunch with them to posing for photos. Occasionally, there might be a conflict between a squirrel and a student, but for the most part, everyone is able to coexist. Temple squirrels are truly unique; their bold and playful personalities contribute to the distinct atmosphere of the school. Several students speak very highly of these squirrels. They teach us lessons if we watch them,” said Stephanie Jaworowicz, a senior dance major. “They tell you how the weather will be because their fur changes color. We could learn a lot if we just slowed down to watch.” Temple students may have homework, projects, and midterms to worry about, but the squirrels at Temple have to deal with their own problems as well. Jaworowicz once came across a Temple squirrel with a wounded tail. I went to get my camera, and the squirrel stood straight up to have his picture taken,” Jaworowicz said. “And then I noticed that the squirrel only had half of a tail, and I thought: ‘that is the toughest squirrel I’ve ever seen.’ And then he proved me right because he scampered off and defended his tree that he was trying to climb, to get his own food.” The squirrels at Temple are often busy doing squirrel things, but they are generally easy to get along with and easy to make friends with. They’re actually pretty friendly, said Adam lezzi, a senior history major. “I don’t have a problem with them. They're not hurting me; they're not biting me, not yet at least.” lezzi also commented on the way that Temple students have influenced the squirrels’ friendly nature. The squirrels’ exposure to humans makes them so apt to interact with humans, he said, lezzi knows a student who used to feed a squirrel that she nicknamed ‘Balthazar.’ “It would sit on her lap, and she would get corn muffins and it would eat little crumbs of corn muffins, lezzi said. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Andrew Kelley, a junior who’s majoring in Information Science and Technology, credits the squirrels’ amiability to the fact that they’re dealing with college students rather than small children, which could be “a nightmare for the squirrels. Kelley said. “And as far as I know, there haven't been any squirrels mauling people lately, so that probably helps. I’ve also had my fair share of run-ins with Temple squirrels. It can be surprising just how fearless some of them are. One evening I was eating a steak and cheese roll at a picnic table outside the Samuel Paley library, when a squirrel hopped onto the table and began to approach me. After persistently running back and forth across the table, the squirrel eventually decided to leave, but there were a few moments when the squirrel seemed seconds away from leaping at my plate and scurrying away with my meal. Squirrels in other parts of Philadelphia behave quite differently than the squirrels at Temple. “In South Philly or Center City, squirrels run from you, if there are any squirrels at all,” lezzi said. “The Rittenhouse Square squirrels are assholes; you can’t get close to them.” Perhaps one of the reasons that Temple squirrels and Temple students have such interesting interactions is that they have more in common than it might seem. “They’re kind of mocking us, Jaworowicz said. Squirrels trying to get a nut, I think that’s parallel to every student trying to get a good education. As the years go on, Temple students will continue to pursue degrees while Temple squirrels gather nuts for the winter. There is a special relationship between the squirrels and the students of Temple University; both parties will always be welcome at this institution.

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SHANELL SIMMONS I While there have been an insurmountable number of disputes on Temple's campus, there is one ongoing fight in particular that takes the cake. The only way to solve the ongoing beef is to throw on the boxing gloves and let the punches be thrown. Without further adieu; in the right corner is the traditional three-story tall Samuel Paley library. In the left corner is the modern day two-story tall Tech Center. The entire student body is in attendance shouting words of encouragement for their prospective contender. The game faces are on. so let the fight begin! “Paley hands down has more resources. From the thousands of books in stock to the online databases. it's always my first choice to do work in. I only go to the Tech Center if I know I need a computer.'’ Nicole Goolsby, a junior human resource management major, said. Paley Library is centrally located on Main Cam- 1