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cm-life.com
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
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Colin Powell, former military general, Secretary of State to keynote MLK Jr. week By Aaron McMann Managing editor
Former military general and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will speak at Central Michigan University on Jan. 24. Powell, a four-star military general and Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush, will serve as keynote speaker for Martin Luther King Jr. celebration week, according to a release
sent out by the university Monday afternoon. The event is scheduled for 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the CMU Events Center. Tickets will be free and made available beginning in midNovember. A specific date has not been determined. Political science professor James Hill characterized Powell as the “ideal person” to come to campus to talk politics. “He represents the political middle in society. He speaks
with great authority,” Hill said. “He shows an idea that you can be broadbased and not marginalized. He’s done ev- Colin Powell erything with both sides admirably well and shows that you don’t have to be pro-military or pro-civilian.” A respected and well-known
for the Office of Institutional Diversity. Powell will be paid $125,000 for his appearance, $65,000 of which will come from the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series fund, Guinn said. Additionally, $40,000 will come from CMU’s Speaker’s Series fund, $12,500 from Multicultural Academic Student Services and $10,000 each from the Office of Institutional Diversity and
statesman with more than 35 years of military service, Powell rose to captain status within the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and earned more than 10 separate medals for his duty, including a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and two Legion of Merit awards. His speech, “Taking Charge,” addressing passion, service and leadership, issues important to Martin Luther King Jr., said Traci Guinn, interim associate vice president
Program Board. Guinn said Powell’s name was suggested by the College of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences. “Colin Powell is a man of high character and great integrity who has much wisdom to offer the students, faculty and staff of CMU, as well as residents of the surrounding region,” University President George Ross said in the A POWELL | 6A
committee to reexamine Academic calendar
fYe cut for 2013-14 year; enrollment blamed
By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
The discussion for a new 15-week academic calendar isn’t over after the Academic Senate voted Tuesday to have a committee look at the pros and cons. Student Government Association Vice President and Hesperia senior Killian Richeson read the motion to A-Senate, which charges a report from the provost providing costs and benefits of the academic calendar change to A-Senate, so senators can have all facts to determine whether to proceed or rescind their vote for the academic calendar change. Donna Ericksen, co-chair of the Academic Calendar Committee and professor of mathematics, said the Academic Calendar Committee was formed in response to students wanting to start the academic year after Labor Day. Students were invited to express their support or concerns for the calendar through a survey, and students who did not have an opinion on the calendar did not answer the survey. She said SGA never invited the chairs of the committee to hear both sides of the issues. “This motion should be defeated, because it is asking the provost office to answer questions that can’t be answered,” Ericksen said. Vincent Cavataio, Shelby Township graduate assistant for communication and dramatic arts and former SGA president, said the academic calendar committee was invited to meet with SGA when he was president.
The First Year Experience class will be suspended for the 2013-14 academic year, Provost Gary Shapiro said at Tuesday’s Academic Senate meeting. Shapiro told A-Senate a study conducted over the summer from the Institution of Research Office indicates the one-credit course is not meeting its attendance goals. The course is offered to first-semester students as an extended orientation to the university. Students are encouraged to participate in university events and registered student organizations through active learning strategies and explorations of services, resources and programs at CMU. Shapiro said the university will appoint a committee to study the FYE course, and he will have a written charge for the Nov. 13 A-Senate meeting ordering A-Senate to elect two faculty members to the committee. The faculty members do not need to be senators. In addition, Shapiro said Director of FYE Jason Bentley has put in his resignation after six years of service. Bentley’s resignation will take effect Thursday. During an interview with Central Michigan Life before the A-Senate meeting Tuesday morning, Bentley said he knew nothing about the FYE course being eliminated. “I have not heard of anything that suggests (the course) is taking cuts,” he said. “We are always looking forward and are always in discussion of how we could make the program better.” Bentley will continue work with CMU as assistant director of residence life. “The program has always been taking three-year terms. Phame Camerana served three years, and (before him), Jack Logo Marnino served three years. I’ve served six years, which is two terms, so I will return to my home department.” Shapiro said the main reason for developing the FYE course was to acclimate students to campus and improve their academic performance. If CMU does resume a FYE course, he said the committee will discuss what the course should look like and what the university should do to help freshmen and transfer students. -Staff reporter Neil Rosan and University News Editor Catey Traylor contributed to this report.
A SGA | 6A
ROBeRT dUYOS/SUN SeNtINeL/MCt
CHRiS KLePONiS/CNP/MCt
President Barack Obama speaks at the Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C., about ongoing relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Tuesday.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney speaks during a presidential debate with President Barack Obama at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida on Monday, Oct. 22.
Race to the finish Where Obama and Romney stand just before the election By John Irwin | elections Coordinator
The heated but remarkably stable presidential race between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney has entered its final week, and both candidates are making their final cases for election. Most polls show a very close race between Obama and Romney nationally, with Obama holding small but notable leads in most swing state polls. “The advantage belongs to the president,” Central Michigan University political science Professor James Hill said. “The electoral college math, incumbency advantage for media coverage, good ground game and swing state edge gives him a very strong upper hand that will be exceedingly difficult for Romney to overcome in the few days
remaining.” Much is at stake for both parties and their candidates on Tuesday Nov. 6. For Obama, re-election would mean, if nothing else, his legacy will be secured as reforms he signed in health care and the financial sector, among others, remain in place. A loss to Romney would almost certainly mean the end of many of his signature programs and a diminished legacy. A Romney win would likely be taken as a mandate for smaller government following two straight Democratic
election losses. A Romney loss, however, could force the Republican Party to re-evaluate its voter coalition following two consecutive presidential race losses. Traditionally, Democratic voting blocs like Latinos are growing in key swing states, meaning the GOP might have to reach out to them and other groups to compete in 2016. Both campaigns and their super PAC allies have pledged to spend millions of dollars in advertisements in crucial states like Ohio, Virginia and Colorado to try and win over the few remaining undecided voters. “The advertisements are targeted at a very small percentage of swing voters who are truly undecided,” CMU political science professor J. Cherie Strachan said. “In a race this tight, however, these swing voters are the ones who may very well decide the race.”
polITICAl SToRIeS IN THIS ISSUe Absentee ballots......................2A City charter amendments.............3A State House race.........................3A U.S. House race.........................3A U.S. Senate race.........................5A City commission.......5A Many of the claims made in the advertisements are likely to be controversial or misleading, so it is important for voters to be able to cut through the spin in order A ELECTION | 2A
What to know on Tuesday about Michigan’s six ballot proposals By John Irwin elections Coordinator
Speaking about Proposal 6, Canadian Consulate General Roy Norton told a crowd at Central Michigan University Monday night that the opponents of the proposal are misleading voters. Proposal 6 seeks to halt construction of a second bridge from Detroit to Windsor. The proposal is being spearheaded by the owner of Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge. “You should believe nothing that is said in those TV ads, because none of it is true,” he said. Proposal 6 is one of the six proposals on Tuesday’s ballot, the most Michigan voters have faced since 1996. Millions of dollars have been spent on often mislead-
ing advertisements by special interest groups supporting and opposing the proposals, and the voting results could have longlasting impacts on the state and how it operates. Here’s what voters need to know about the proposals:
PROPOsAL 1
Proposal 1 is a referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011, a law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder last year that granted new powers to emergency financial managers appointed by the governor. P.A. 4 gives EMs the power to take over the governments of financially struggling communities and school boards, acting in place of elected officials. Supporters of the proposal, including Snyder and state Republicans, argue that the law finally gives EMs the power
they need to do their job and get struggling communities and schools back on track. Opponents, including a coalition of labor unions and grassroots activists that successfully brought forward the referendum, say the law is a government power grab that endangers democracy in the affected municipalities. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of P.A. 4, while a “no” vote is in favor of repealing it.
PROPOsAL 2
Proposal 2 would guarantee collective bargaining rights for public and private employees in the state constitution. In addition, the proposal would override existing laws and prevent future laws from limiting what is subject to collective bargaining.
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VOTE IN UNION TOWNSHIP ON NOVEMBER 6TH Paid for by the Isabella County Democratic Party. Not authorized by any candidate committee.
Dr. Sarjit Chowdhary
JeFFReY SmiTH/Staff PhotogRaPheR
Consulate General of Canada Roy Norton speaks about Proposal 6 and the benefits of the New International Trade Crossing Monday evening at the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium. “It’s a no-brainer to vote ‘no’ on Proposal 6,” Norton said.
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