financial aid | money benefits 367 students, 3A | on the prowl Older women known as ‘cougars’ on the prowl in town, 1B
Music man| Student cannot read music, but teaches guitar lessons, 3A
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009
Central Michigan Life
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
No change in sight for tailgating procedures
Heeke disappointed with turnout Saturday in Lot 63 By Lindsay Knake Metro Editor
University officials remain committed to the new Central Michigan University tailgating procedures despite Saturday’s low turnout at Lot 63. Athletics Director Dave Heeke said he was disappointed more students did not attend. “They formed their opinions without actually visiting and seeing what the overall impact would truly be. I think it’s really shortsighted on their part,” he said. “I think we’re forgetting that there was the very real chance
that tailgating would not exist for students at all.” Heeke said misconceptions and sensationalism from Facebook and the media hurt the overall perception of the procedures. The tailgating policy limits students to six beers or one pint of liquor each, bans external sound systems, bans cars leaving before the third quarter and instates six pedestrian entry points, among other rules. “It seems like they took a couple of small pieces and rallied around those to de-unify the student body. I believe the students deunified themselves,” he said. “I think if you talk to people who were there, the level of enforcement was very reasonable.” A tailgating | 5a
Other area colleges have modified tailgating policies By Jake Bolitho Senior Reporter
While the new tailgating policies have many CMU students up in arms, other universities are modifying their own policies. Ferris State University decided to implement a special fundraiser for its Oct. 3 football game against Michigan Technological University. The university will sell alcoholic beverages during a tailgate before the “Battle at the Ballpark,” which will be held at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps minor league baseball team in Comstock Park.
“We needed to generate money for our football program,” said Jon Coles, FSU associate athletics director. “We’re splitting everything 50/50 with the ballpark.” The new procedures at Central Michigan University include a six-beer limit, a ban on external sound systems and five to six pedestrian entrances. An estimated total of 300 people were at last Saturday’s student tailgate at Lot 63. Coles said Ferris State’s game day atmosphere is not quite the same as in Mount Pleasant, and the fundraiser will help build it. “We can’t deny the fact that college students like to drink beer,” he said. “We’re not encouraging it... we do want students to congregate and enjoy each
Nonprofit opens job barriers
pick-up artists
MMI workers make campus cleaner one piece of trash at a time
By Connor Sheridan Staff Reporter
By Connor Sheridan | Staff Reporter Steve Niger walks determinedly along the sidewalk north of Rose Arena, clad in a bright orange safety vest with his trusty grabber in his grip. He and his four friends are there to pick up the little things other people leave behind and keep Central Michigan University’s campus green. It is not an easy job to pound the ground in search of wayward garbage from 10:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. five days a week. But Niger loves his work. “I like picking up litter,” Niger said as he deftly snatched a crumpled cup from the ground. Niger is one member of a crew usually consisting of six that moves around campus a day ahead of the facilities’ lawn mowers, making sure all the debris is cleaned up to prevent inconvenience, unsightly shredded garbage or even damage to the mower itself. A mmi workers | 2a
photos by libby march/staff photographer
Russ Attwater of Mid-Michigan Industries directs MMI workers to their next destination Sept. 15 behind the Student Activities Center.
A policiy | 2a
Philip Eldrige, left, and Mike Wernette of Mid-Michigan Industries take a break Sept. 15 in the back of the Student Activities Center.
Mid-Michigan Industries groud crews has worked to keep CMU pristine since 1988. MMI is a nonprofit organization formed in 1973 which arranges work for “individuals with barriers to employment.” “We have crews, so people can get job exposure, so they can get jobs on their own someday,” said Shad Welke, assistant director of community employment at MMI. “They like what they do.” Welke, a CMU alumnus, said the crew learns a lot, not just in working experience, but in social experience as well. “They learn the balance between speed and quality,” Welke said. “They get to interact with the grounds crew and the students.” Tom Prenkert, manager of Landscape Operations at CMU, said the work MMI does helps more than just make the school look clean. “The staff is great and the workers are great. They get a lot of the litter cleaned up, which helps my staff work on the other things they have to do,” Prenkert said. Russ Atwater, a coordinator with the work crew, said students and faculty usually are appreciative of the hard work the crew does. Atwater, a retired teacher from Hazel Park and job coach, makes sure the crew stays safe and on task. “It’s just awesome, it’s really awesome. We’ve never had a
A nonprofit | 2A
[inside] NEWS w Students lobbying to keep Michigan Promise, 3A
campus vibe w Students run gardens on campus, 5B
Sports wField hockey forward has had three major surgeries since coming to CMU, 6A
CM-LIFE.com w Check for a video interview with Trey Parker.
weather w Few showers High 79/ Low 52
Imposter employees targeting residents for information Men in red shirts seen at two different locations By Ryan Czachorski Staff Reporter
This story was first published Wednesday on cmlife.com. Check the Web site for breaking news updates. Imposter employees of Consumers Energy are attempting to solicit personal information from Mount Pleasant residents.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department received a complaint yesterday from WestPoint Village, 2222 S. Crawford Road, stating four to five males wearing red polo shirts were going door-to-door asking residents for personal information. The imposters also were spotted in West Campus Village, 1110 W. Campus Drive. “They were trying to get personal information like driver’s license numbers, dates of birth, social security numbers,” said MPPD
Public Information Officer Dave Sabuda. “All the things to commit fraudulent activity, like identity theft.” The imposters were wearing red shirts with what appeared to be a Consumers Energy logo on it, Sabuda said. The scheme did not work on any residents who filed complaints with the MPPD. “Sometimes, there’ll be an individual who doesn’t know they’ve been schemed, and don’t find out until later,” Sabuda said.
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The fake employees also could distract the owner of the home with questions while their partners search the house for money and other things to steal. “In some cases, it’s pretty obvious they have inside information,” said Consumers Energy Spokesman Terry DeDoes. “Some cases, they’re just playing the numbers game.” All Consumers Energy employees are required to have photo identification and will provide it if asked. If residents are suspicious of the employees or have
not requested any work, residents should not allow them in. Residents also should never pay for work they have not requested. “We do not solicit door to door for any of our programs,” said Consumers Energy Spokeswoman Mary Gust. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the MPPD. People wishing to verify the identity of a Consumers Energy employee should contact Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050. metro@cm-life.com
2A || Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
WEATHER FORECAST
EVENTS CALENDAR
Today
thursday
w Passport Applications are available from noon to 4 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Fireside Room. Cost is $100 and an additional $12 for passport photos.
High 77/Low 50 Partly cloudy
Friday High 74/Low 49 Partly cloudy
w New York Artist Michael Ferris will hold a lecture from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Wightman Hall Room 142.
w Marga Gomez will present Long Island Iced Latina from 7 to 9 p.m. in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. w A fiction reading will take place from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Park Library Barber Room. Hosted by professor, Michigan native and published fiction author Darrin Doyle.
Thursday
w An American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Mary’s University Parish. w Meet the Recruiters will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. w “Milk” will play from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation.
policy | continued from 1A
other’s company.”
Around the MAC While policies such as alcohol amount limits and bans on external sound systems are not specifically stated in some other Mid-American Conference tailgating policies, there are similarities. Western Michigan and Ball State have policies against tailgating after opening kickoff. At the same time, the University of Minnesota declared it will require certain students to submit to breathalyzer tests prior to entering the stadium. Students previously disciplined for drunken behavior at games will be subject to tests. The policy, modeled off a similar Wisconsin program, is different now that the university’s football team moved to a new stadium on campus, where alcohol is prohibited. However, the changes were met with only minimal complaints. There will be no limit on the amount of alcohol that can be purchased for FSU’s tailgate, Coles said. Students also will be asked for identification.
-The Associated Press contributed to this story. news@cm-life.com
Corrections Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting. It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com. © Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 91, Number 14
30 percent chance of precipitation
High 79/Low 52 Few showers
Today
w Study Abroad Scholarship Essay Writing Workshop is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Anspach Hall Room 003.
www.cm-life.com
[News]
CM-LIFE.COM online media VIDEO
20 percent chance of precipitation
Check the Web site for a video interview with South Park’s Trey Parker.
10 percent chance of precipitation
Give us your feedback on the new Web site!
PHOTO OF THE WEEK libby march/staff photographer
Jimmy Scully, left, gets a pat on the back from Mike Wernette as they walk Sept. 15 in Lot 64.
mmi workers | continued from 1A
A close group Niger and other members of the team are part of MidMichigan Industries, a local employer of many individuals with barriers to employment. Russ Atwater, the job coach who comes to help and pitch in to the garbage collection, said the group is close and knows one another on a firstname basis. Steve, Roy, Phillip, Mike, Jimmy and Randy all know campus and each other like the back of their hands. Atwater used to be a public school teacher at Hazel Park who assisted with handicapped individuals, but is keeping busy in his retirement, helping at MMI. Niger has been working with MMI since he moved to Mount Pleasant in 1982, so he knows the ins and outs of the group. “Steve does his own thing,” Atwater said. Because Niger has problems walking, he often lags
a bit behind the rest of the crew. But it is the perfect place to spot anything the others might have missed. Even though Atwater gives Niger a bit of extra flexibility to work with his ambulatory problems, the others do not feel slighted. “When I worked in the school district, (the students) used to complain about each other,” Atwater said. “These guys never have anything bad to say about each other. They’re great, they really are.” Charlie Brown But Niger is not just a workaholic. When he gets back after another fruitful day to his group home, he has his own interests to pursue. “I have a cat to play with,” Niger said. He has had Charlie Brown, which he named after the starring member of the ‘Peanuts’ comic gang, since he was a kitten. “It’s been 15 years since I had him,” Niger said. studentlife@cm-life.com
nonprofit | continued from 1A
bad contact with students,” Atwater said. But MMI work crews do not just pick up the litter around campus. They service many needs a large public university such as CMU has. “We have a crew that goes in (to Robinson Residential Restaurant) and buses tables,” Atwater said. Crews also pick up recycling all across campus and deliver Central Michigan Life
print editions throughout campus and the community. The MMI work crews assist with diverse tasks all over Mount Pleasant as well. “We do the recycling for the city,” Welke said. He said MMI has 80 contracts around town. “They feel useful and they make a little bit of money,” Atwater said. “It’s a big part of their day.” metro@cm-life.com
jake may/staff photographer
Interim University President Kathy Wilbur, left, shares a few stories with Trustee Stephanie Comai, right, SGA President Jason Nichol and SGA Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis after the Trustee-Student Liaison meeting last Wednesday afternoon. Nichol and the SGA discussed the Michigan Promise at Monday’s meeting.
IN THE NEWS
nicer housing luring students WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (MCT) — Inside this pricey new residence hall, Purdue University students enjoy maid service and private bathrooms. Each room has its own climate-control panel, and students don’t even have to confer about the settings. There are no roommates. The communal lounges — there are two on every floor — have 47-inch flat-screen TVs, entertainment centers
custom-designed by Amish carpenters, free Wi-Fi and kitchenettes with ceramic tile. For these amenities and more, students or their parents pay a premium of $5,000 per year above typical room and board costs. Yet in the depths of a recession, the 356 spots at First Street Towers residential hall sold out in two days, in part because of generational changes in parenting and in young adults’
expectations about privacy and privation. Increasingly, colleges are building their own luxury accommodations to keep students on campus, said James Baumann, a spokesman for the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. For the millennial generation — born between 1982 and 2003 — sharing space doesn’t always come easy. Privacy isn’t negotiable.
inside life Central Michigan Life
3A
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009
Increased financial aid money benefits 367 Only incoming students eligible for added funds By Sarah Schuch University Editor
This fall, 367 incoming students received extra financial assistance after the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a $700,000 financial aid increase in July. The extra money was aimed at helping students who do not quite qualify for Pell Grants,
but were in need of assistance, said Interim Provost Gary Shapiro. To be eligible for a Pell Grant, students would have to have an expected family contribution of $4,617 or less. Interim University President Kathy Wilbur said at last Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting that any extra aid is critical in today’s economy. “We recognize that the world has changed,” she said. Out of the $700,000 allocated for the extra financial aid money, $1,000 was given to 283 of 3,691 incoming freshmen (7.6 percent) and 84 of
1,160 incoming transfer students (7.2 percent). The aid was intended for new students and not previously enrolled students. It also is intended for each of the recipients to receive $1,000 in the spring semester, Shapiro said. “At this point, we targeted those new students,” Shapiro said. “We felt those people might have had the greatest need.” One reason is because a lot of current students are still under the CMU Promise, he said. The CMU Promise, which set
a fixed five-year tuition rate for incoming students, was awarded to students who enrolled before the fall of 2008. After the Board voted in July to approve the 4.6 percent increase in tuition, financial aid also was increased by the same amount. The $700,000 was an added benefit to help with the increase. “The over and above was wonderful,” said Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe. Trustee John Hurd said he would support any extra financial aid to be available for current students as well.
“I think if tuition continues to go up, we will have to correspond with financial aid,” he said. “I think it was painful for all of us to approve a tuition increase (in July).” Incoming students on the CMU Promise were paying $213 per credit hour. In 2005, $251 in 2006 and $304 in 2007. The rate increased to $324 in 2008 and $339 for 2009. The cost for a standard 15credit semester went from $3,195 in 2005 to $5,086 this year. university@cm-life.com
Students to fight for money promised
photos by Libby March/staff photographer
Algonac junior Ryan Lane plays his guitar Tuesday afternoon in his apartment on High Street. Lane offers guitar lessons and hopes to release a demo CD soon.
Learning by experience Student never learned to read music, but teaches guitar to others anyway By Mara Kieren Staff Reporter
If you go... w When: 8 a.m. to noon Thursday w Where: Real Food on Campus, Fresh Food Comany and Robinson Residential Restaurant, Bovee UC w Also: From noon to 2 p.m. in Merrill Residential Restaurant
A hobby, not a job Lane was inspired to begin giving lessons after he was offered an opportunity by the Downriver Recreation Commission to give guitar lessons for $10 per hour his senior year of high school. Although he gets paid for each ses-
sion, he does not consider giving lessons to be a job; it is more of a hobby that involves some extra cash. Lane believes he offers a unique education and style of teaching for students interested in playing the guitar. St. Claire Shores junior Charlie Kilcline takes lessons from Lane whenever he has the chance. “I like taking lessons from him ... it’s convenient because he will meet up whenever,” Kilcline said. Ironically, Lane does not plan to pursue a degree in music. Instead, he is majoring in sociology.
By Maryellen Tighe Staff Reporter
Assistant political science professors Jayne Cherie Strachan and Thomas Greitens believe the summer town hall meetings over health care are ineffective and may have actually prevented legitimate debate. “What’s the ultimate outcome of these town hall meetings?” Greitens said. “It’s not free speech, really — it’s just
Minority Student Services and Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs are co-sponsoring keynote speaker Marga Gomez at 7 p.m. today in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Gomez will talk about what is like to be the only brown girl in a white high school and other issues dealing with Latino identity.
Informal teaching Since Lane does not know how to read music, he teaches a mixture of songs, chords and everything else he knows about the guitar. “I have an informal type of teaching, and I like to pass on my imaginative aspect of guitar,” Lane said. Even though he cannot read music, he writes songs frequently and is hoping to record a demo in the near future. He also plans to do a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” soon.
you shouting.” Strachan and Greitens were panelists Tuesday for the Speak Up, Speak Out series that kicked off its tenth year with a forum on free speech and democracy. Tuesday’s forum, titled “Can We Talk? A Conversation with Tony Citarella,” was introduced by Citarella, the founder and editor of 2 Sides Magazine. The professors were joined by interim University President Kathy Wilbur and Traverse City senior Jonathan Tarrant. The forum debated whether free speech as exercised at the town hall meetings was effective in changing policy. Strachan said the U.S. lacks
Algonac junior Ryan Lane teaches St. Clair Shores junior Charlie Kilcline basic guitar chords. Lane does not read music, but is proficient at guitar and has been playing for years.
studentlife@cm-life.com
a model and practice communicating with people who have different viewpoints, which is why the town hall meetings turned into shouting matches. “Politics are supposed to be looking at an issue and effectively solving it,” said Milford junior Shannon Salk. Illinois graduate student Michael Kaye said the meetings have had some positive outcomes. “Instead of railroading a bunch of legislation the size of two phone books that no one bothered to read, it opened up a debate,” Kaye said. university@cm-life.com
On The Fly Productions is hosting Joe DeVito from 9 to 10 p.m. Thursday in Carey Hall’s Real Food on Campus. DeVito has been featured on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and was a semifinalist on Last Comic Standing. Devito also has appeared on“The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” Animal Planet and CNN, and regularly appears on FOX News Channel’s “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld.” For more information, e-mail onthefly@cmich.edu.
Recruiters
Beta Alpha Psi will host its 2009 Career Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Bovee University Center Rotunda Room. The Career Fair focuses on recruiting for finance and accounting positions, and there will be a few IT positions available also. Students will have the opportunity to make career connections, Even if a student is not interested in these positions.
50th Celebration
Speak Up, Speak Out forum discusses free speech Professors: Town hall meetings were ineffective
Keynote speaker
Comedian
Being musically inclined is a gift for some. Algonac junior Ryan Lane is one of those people. Despite the fact that Lane never learned to read music, he has been playing the guitar for the last seven years and began giving guitar lessons in 2005. “(Not being able to read music) makes no difference in my ability to effectively teach music,” Lane said. Lane said he cannot imagine learning any other way. “It’s not necessary to convey something on paper when you could convey it in action,” he said. “I think people pick up on it easier actually playing than trying to learn how to do it by reading it off a sheet of paper.”
A promise day | 5a
A blown transformer caused a temporary power outage Monday in Pearce Hall. A 200-watt amp tripped around noon, causing different locations around the building to lose power, which was restored just before 2:30 p.m.
The Creative Writing Interest Group will host a fiction reading by Central Michigan University English department faculty member Darrin Doyle at 8 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library Baber Room. Doyle is the author of “Revenge of the Teacher’s Pet: A Love Story” and has a second novel, “The Girl Who Ate Kalamazoo,” to be published by St. Martin’s Press in 2010. His short stories have appeared in Puerto del Sol, The Long Story, Cottonwood, Alaska Quarterly Review, Night Train and other journals.
By Amelia Eramya Staff Reporter
About the promise According to the Web site michigan.gov, to be eligible to receive funds in the Michigan Promise Scholarship program, students must take the entire Michigan Merit Exam (MME) and show valid test results for all MME components. The Michigan Promise Scholarship began in 2007 and provided as much as $4,000 to high school graduates who completed two years of post-secondary education. The Michigan Senate now is trying to eliminate the scholarship because of budget cuts.
Power outage in Pearce Hall
Darrin Doyle
SGA provides resources to contact Congress
Students can voice their opinions to state senators and representatives Thursday concerning the Michigan Promise Scholarship. The Student Government Association will set up tables between 8 a.m. and noon in the Real Food on Campus Cafeteria, Fresh Food Company, Robinson Residential Restaurant the Bovee University Center, and from noon to 2 p.m. in the Merrill Residential Restaurant. SGA will provide telephone numbers of senators and representatives and a “what to say” guide for participating students. Laptops also will be available to conduct research. Students can demand their scholarship back, said SGA Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis, a Garden City senior.
[Life in brief]
The Delta Delta chapter of the Sigma Kappa Sorority is celebrating its 50th anniversity on Central Michigan University’s campus from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. The Sigma Kappa Sorority is inviting all alumni to come and celebrate with it. Activities will include cocktails and appetizers at the Soaring Eagle Conference Center beginning at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a presentation at 7 p.m. Sigma Kappa will also be celebrating at 1 p.m. Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. It will tailgate in the parent lot before the game and go to the game together. Tickets for the game are not included when RSVPing. For more information, contact Amelia Grate at 248-802-8946.
Career Day
Alpha Kappa Psi Career Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the Finch Fieldhouse Room 110. This is the grand finale for career construction. Companies will be recruiting for a wide variety of internships and full-time positions. Dress nice, bring resumes and be ready to market yourself to employers. If students are not looking for internships or jobs yet, they are still encouraged to come and see what it is like. For more information, contact Jana Lewis at 774-3068.
If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing news@cm-life.com Jeff Smith/staff photographer
Grand Rapids senior Jack Buck gives his opinion on this summer’s town hall meetings to the panel at Speak Up, Speak Out Tuesday in the Bovee University Center auditorium.
David Veselenak, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343
voices Central Michigan Life
4A
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
[cm-life.com/category/voices]
Brian Manzullo, Editor
in
Chief | Will Axford, Voices Editor | Matthew Stephens, Presentation Editor | Lindsay Knake, Metro Editor | David Veselenak, Managing Editor
EDITORIAL | University should strive to bring names like Trey Parker to campus
Getting it done
C
entral Michigan University held one of its better events of the last two years when South Park co-creator Trey Parker came to visit Monday. And it did not cost a dime for the students or the university. Parker spoke to students in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium at 1 p.m. and at 7 p.m. in his first-ever campus visit. He came because he is related to former journalism faculty member Elliot Parker and has distant family around the area. CMU programming should take note of this. Students obviously wanted to see the co-creator of one of television’s most popular comedies.
They asked him questions, had a few laughs and overall enjoyed making the trip to Plachta Auditorium. Compare that to last Friday, when rapper Fabolous and band Day 26 came to Rose Arena. Long waits, a dreary turnout and a gaffe by Fabolous’ DJ (he greeted Michigan State instead of CMU) plagued what could have been a better planned performance. Program Board and On The Fly went from charging up to $22 to go
to the show to giving tickets away for free at Wares Fair last Thursday. And the price tag on that performance? $25,000, at least, for CMU programming. Compare that to Parker’s lowerkey visit, which consisted of him talking South Park and answering questions students submitted. Parker, who also had a hand in the film “Team America: World Police,” talked about his philosophy of South Park as a middle ground between extremists. “No topic is off limits to the show” Parker said. “For me, it’s all or nothing.” In short, the interaction was inspirational and personal with the students, and reached out to a much larger campus body. Reassessing the situation Elliot Parker deserves a lot of credit for bringing Trey to campus, and at no cost, for that matter.
Obviously, this is a rare occasion that happened to work out in the best interest of CMU. It would be farfetched to expect this to happen regularly. But it shows that someone associated with the university is thinking creatively and is capable of bringing in someone students want to see. Program Board and On the Fly Productions are more than capable of doing the same thing. They have done it before. T-Pain, Ludacris, Demetri Martin and Dane Cook are all testaments to the great acts students flocked to in the past. More people on campus should think outside the box like Elliot did and find other ways (and connections) to get appealing people on campus to talk to the students and faculty. Sometimes, as Elliot showed, it doesn’t take a single dollar.
ROSS KITTREDGE [SNAPSHOTS FROM COLLEGE]
Jason Gilman Jr. Columnist
Proper outburst The majority of the response I’ve seen or heard regarding the Joe Wilson outburst has either ranged from certain members of Congress pushing for some official admonishment by the House to people stating, “Well, I think we can agree that it was uncalled for.” But should Wilson’s paroxysm really be scorned? I initially thought I might have been the only person that thought Wilson’s statement was something to take pleasure in, but apparently I wasn’t the only one. I’m not saying that during the course of discussion or a debate, parties involved should automatically toss their rebuttals prior to the other person completing their sentence. There are situations in which I would say it’s not only appropriate to call out the other side prior to them completing their speech. More specifically, that other side being the President. “It’s the President! Have you no shame?” The fact that it’s President Barack Obama speaking is exactly why Wilson was appropriate in choosing the time and location for his call-out. Most of the time the President speaks, especially where a majority of the country will be watching, it’s one way. Obama’s speech to Congress sure wasn’t going to be question-and-answer time about his policies. Unless people such as Wilson call him out, the President can just stand in front of congress and the cameras and spread whatever he wants to the American people. The funny thing is that I’m sure many people scolding Joe Wilson were more than happy to boo Bush during the 2005 State of the Union address. We should revel in Joe Wilson’s calling out of the President, not chastise him.
[our readers’ voice]
Student input is needed for presidential search As the search for the next university president continues to unfold, I would like to urge the students to participate in this important process by offering valuable student input to the Presidential Screening Committee. Our university is in a transformational period and the selection of a president will impact our educations, careers and lives. At 7 p.m. Monday in the French Auditorium (Room 118) of the Education and Human Services building, the Student Government Association will sponsor an open forum where students, faculty, alumni and community members can voice their ideas, concerns and hopes for the next president of Central Michigan University. Members of the Presidential Screening Committee will be in
attendance to consider your input and answer questions. As an important member of the university community, we urge you to participate in the presidential search process by attending this open forum. Thank you. Jason Nichol Student Government Association President
Comments from CMU alumni on cm-life.com: Alum says:
I just canceled my $150 a night hotel room for homecoming weekend. Why would I spend that much and drive 6 hours to partake in an event that’s a mere shell of itself? These new rules are unbelievably dumb.
William Turner says:
Well, from an alumni perspective, this seems like a typical CMU move. Can you imagine being at that idiot convention? “Hey, what else can we ‘improve’ upon?” …“Tailgating.” A classic case of fixing something not broken. Oh well, another tradition gone, and I honestly can’t even think of a reason to visit the campus anymore. Brian says:
I encourage all alumni who donate to the university and enjoy supporting their school to seriously rethink your contributions. For the past decade, CMU has been changing policies to curtail fun on campus. How is CMU supposed to gain prominace on the national athletic scene if no one even wants to go there? The problem they will soon face with this strategy is students driving drunk to get to the other side of campus from Main St. C’mon, CMU!!!!
C M Y o u | What do you think of tailgating on Main Street?
Central Michigan Life Editorial Brian Manzullo, Editor in Chief David Veselenak, Managing Editor Matthew Stephens, Presentation Editor Eric Dresden, Student Life Editor Lindsay Knake, Metro Editor Sarah Schuch, University Editor Andrew Stover, Sports Editor Tim Ottusch, Assistant Sports Editor Ashley Miller, Photo Editor Will Axford, Voices Editor Caitlin Wixted, Lead Designer Advertising Lindsey Reed, Katie Sidell Advertising Managers Carly Schafer, Shawn Wright Multimedia Marketing Coordinators Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life
Chris Schanz Columnist
Angry views Death should not be a consequence of one’s opinion
A strong disbelief of one’s views on an extremely controversial issue does not warrant taking their life. And it never should. Ever. Early in the morning of Sept. 11, anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon was shot to death outside Owosso High School. He was holding up a photograph of an abortion across the street from the high school, attempting to speak to students and was shot four to 10 times. According to an article on MLive.com, Pouillon was known for publicly protesting abortion throughout the community by carrying graphic signs of babies and aborted fetuses. So because he was against abortion, he will never live to see his grandchildren grow old. Putting similar facts in a different scenario, will murdering someone still be the resolution to the conflict? Just a year ago, the nation was in the midst of a potential – and now an actual – historic political change in the White House. In the months leading up to President Barack Obama’s election, there were jabs exchanged back and forth between Republicans and Democrats alike. For some individuals in this lovely country of ours, politics are a very important issue. And the factors behind their decision to choose the next leader of the greatest country in the world they hold dear to their hearts – much like their stance on abortion. Now, if an extremist on the left is so fed up with the viewpoints, arguments and beliefs of an extremist on the right and killed that person, are they any different than the person who killed Pouillon? Let me answer that for you: No. Second scenario: Football player Michael Vick. I am by no means saying Vick’s involvement with dogfighting in 2007 was in any way acceptable. It is clear, though, he was not in the right frame of mind when he partook in those activities. There’s no denying animal rights activists, and even some individuals within the PETA organization, probably wished death upon Vick for the outrageous operation he was involved in and even bankrolled. And I am sure, if given the chance, some of those aforementioned people would have taken his life. Is that person (or people) any different from Pouillon’s killer? Again, no. The easiest way to resolve such differences is to leave them alone. Or, agree to disagree, value their opinion - even if it may be wrong according to what you feel is right – and go on your way. There is absolutely no justifiable reason to murder someone over their beliefs, no matter how poignant or misconstrued they may seem to be.
[letters to the editor]
“I would rather it be in the parking lot. It’s more of a tailgating experience.” Jordan Anderson,
South Haven senior
“It’s not very safe with people drinking on Main Street and then driving to the game.”
“Yes I do. It gives students a chance to hang out with friends and not have to feel restricted.”
Deneka Desousa,
Allen Gulley,
India senior
Auburn Hills freshman
Victoria Zegler/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Central Michigan Life is the independent voice of Central Michigan University and is edited and published by students of Central Michigan University every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and every Wednesday during the summer. The online edition (www.cm-life.com) contains all of the material published in print. Central Michigan Life is is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions
of CMU or its employees. Central Michigan Life is a member of the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association. Central Michigan Life’s operations are totally funded from revenues through advertising sales. Editions are distributed free throughout the community and individuals are entitled
“Yes and no. The new rules prevent people from having fun, but, at the same time, a tailgate is a tradition.” Mariely Velazquez,
Grand Rapids freshman
to one copy. Each copy has an implied value of 75 cents. Non-university subscriptions are $1 per mailed edition. Copies of photographs published in Central Michigan Life or its online edition (www.cm-life.com) are available for purchase at http://reprints.cm-life.com Central Michigan Life’s editorial and business offices are located at 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, telephone 774-3493.
E-mail | voices@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805 Central Michigan Life welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Only correspondence that includes a signature (e-mail excluded), address and phone number will be considered. Do not include attached documents via email. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and commentary should not exceed 500 words. All submissions are subject to editing and may be published in print or on www.cm-life.com in the order they are received.
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Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 || 5A
[News]
CMU to get Blackboard upgrade for next year Version 9 to cost university $90,000 with license, updates By Amelia Eramya Staff Reporter
The Office of Information Technology will introduce updates to Blackboard and other programs next year. Central Michigan University is using version 8 of Blackboard and will upgrade to version 9 next fall. Roger Rehm, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer, said at the Academic Senate meeting Tuesday it will be a substantial upgrade. The version is expected to hit students’ Portals next spring or summer, costing the university $90,000 a year to obtain a license of Blackboard and cover software updates and hardware. “It looks different and feels
different than the version we’re using now,” Rehm said. Chairman of the Political Science department Orlando Perez said upgrading to the newer version is a good idea. “Anything that improves the functionality of Blackboard is positive,” Perez said. According to Blackboard. com, tasks can be completed more easily with the addition of contextual drop down menus, allowing more to be accomplished from each page without clicking page after page of menu options. Students may set up notification alerts as to when a paper or assignment is due. It also includes social learning tools such as blogs and journals for students and staff. The newer version also will enhance the ability professors have on Blackboard. The enhanced grade center has inline grade editing and freeze frame capabilities to help professors spend less time on
tailgating | continued from 1A
Senior Associate Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe said the terms “checkpoints,” “restrictions” and “regulations” were never used. “We talked about this in terms of expectations,” he said. “The message has become this imposition of regulation.” Van der Merwe said students were represented at all committee meetings regarding tailgate and were supportive of the initiatives. Three of the 21 positions on the committee were students. The initiatives for student tailgating cost around $2,500 to $3,000 per game, which include restrooms, fencing, security, entertainment and food, van der Merwe said. “We want more students,” Heeke said. “I hope they’ll come back and give it a try to create a great atmosphere in the parking lot.” Game attendance A total of 18,323 people attended CMU’s 48-0 win over Alcorn State at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday. The stadium seats 30,255. Several comments from people claiming to be alumni
on Central Michigan Life’s Web site raised concerns that alumni attendance might suffer because of the new tailgating procedures, but Heeke is confident alumni will return. “If alums want to occupy space that’s been allotted for our student body, that in itself is concerning sometimes,” he said. “Is it really alumni’s spot to go into that tailgate?” Ted Tolcher, interim vice president of development and alumni relations, said he has not heard of any alumni cutting contributions to CMU over the tailgate procedure. The procedures did not seem to dampen student attendance at the game, which Heeke said was one of the best he saw in his four years at CMU. Even if game attendance drops, he said the university is committed to providing a safe environment. “I understand the picture that’s in the paper,” Heeke said, referring to the front page of Central Michigan Life on Monday. “That’s a difficult picture. I also have to make sure there’s not a picture of a dead student on the front page. We all have to keep that in mind because the environment was not safe and it was not conducive to
promise day | continued from 3A
“It’s very important that, when the state makes a promise to us, they follow through with it,” said Brighton freshman Colleen McNeely, chairwoman of the legislative affairs committee. Students are already enduring weak economic times, along with the rest of the state, so taking the scholarship away does not make sense, she said. “We’re encouraging five minutes out of your day. It can make a big financial difference in your future,” said SGA President Jason Nichol, a Mount Pleasant senior.
ARTY STORE
Giving a voice The issue was discussed Mon-
day at the SGA meeting, where Mouzourakis presented the resolution of the Michigan Promise Scholarship to SGA Senators and Representatives. The Legislative Affairs Committee researched and formed a resolution document. A voice vote was done, and every attendee of the meeting was in favor of passing the legislation to administration. According to the Michigan Promise Scholarship Resolution document, more than 3,000 CMU incoming freshmen and returning students were not awarded their earned scholarship. The amount that was expected to fund their education is more than $3 million. CMU has to pick up these
administrative tasks and more time on teaching. Final grades will be automatically posted from Blackboard at the end of the semester, so professors will no longer have to manually enter individual grades. Even though the version was already released, the OIT plans to wait until the end of the year to introduce it to students and faculty to resolve any possible bugs. “I’m extremely glad we’re waiting a year to update to the new version so that they have time to get more of the bugs worked out,” said Phil Squattrito, chairman of the Academic Senate. Squattrito uses Blackboard for his classes to post grades, make announcements and hand out assignments. “I’m hopeful that it will be an improvement,” Squattrito said. university@cm-life.com
keeping people out.” Tailgating in previous years was very dangerous, he said, and the number of injuries increased significantly over the last three years, said CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley. Heeke did not address whether tailgate procedures would be changed if attendance drops. Enforcement Yeagley said the expectations are not laws, and students cannot be subject to a ticket or arrest for not complying. Instead, students who do not follow the expectations will be asked to comply or leave. “If they’re coming in with a case of beer and it’s just one person, we would say you need to get rid of the beer or you have to leave,” he said. Overall, he said the atmosphere was what the university looked for — relaxed. “I would love the students to come try it. If you aren’t pleased, I’ll meet with anybody personally,” Yeagley said. “None of this was intended to drive people away. None of this was intended to ruin tailgating and I don’t think it needs to. I think we can still work within the expectations.” university@cm-life.com
debts of the state, and it is costing the university thousands of dollars, Mouzourakis said. “The legislation is to show that the Central Michigan University student body advocates for continued funding of the Promise Scholarship,” she said. Flint senior Sarah Lechota, an SGA senator, hopes the Michigan Promise is reinstated for students to further use. “I think it’s like Michigan saying that they don’t want college graduates because they’re taking away scholarships for people to go to college,” Lechota said. Mouzourakis is encouraging students to participate in Promise Day. “It has an adverse impact on our student body,” Mouzourakis said about the loss of money.
TAILGATE NEEDS AT...
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Authority to contact police in case of trouble By Joey Hamood Staff Reporter
People usually know they are in trouble when they find themselves in the back seat of a patrol vehicle with flashing lights on the roof. For most Central Michigan University students, this is a situation where they know they are safe. Safe Rides, which offers free rides on campus from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. each night, is well known to students on campus, but many might not know the drivers have more authority than just driving them around. Drivers also can call the police if they find people are out of line and are obligated to do so. “Normally, if a student is drunk, the drivers will just refuse to pick them up,” said Tom Giordano, lead dispatcher for CMU Police. “However,
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By Hilary Farrell Senior Reporter
Mount Pleasant will soon have 40 additional parking spaces downtown to alleviate parking concerns. Construction on the $40,000 project began Monday along Lincoln Street between Court and Main Streets and should be completed in two weeks, said Mount Pleasant Director of Public Works Duane Ellis. Lincoln Street will remain closed through the construction. Ellis said the parking spaces are necessary to provide ample parking downtown. Parking at the Isabella County Courthouse, 200 N. Main St., fills quickly, he said, which causes visitors
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and employees to park in “Jockey Alley” in the downtown business district. The businesses also face parking issues because the spaces provided for them and their customers are not as available. “( Jockey Alley) is a popular spot to be,” he said. “It’s centrally located.” Sidewalks along the parking spaces also will be replaced because they will be in the way of construction, Ellis said. The roundabout at Mosher Street and Main Street is almost complete, he said. “The plan is to do the final asphalt today (Wednesday),” he said. The 40 additional parking spaces will likely be three-hour parking, Ellis said, and meet the same
restrictions the city upholds in similar lots, such as overnight parking. Parking is prohibited in the Central Business District between 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., and from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. in the remainder of the city from Sept. 1 to May 1. The project is the last of five in the mini-stimulus plan meant to stimulate the local economy and improve the city for Mount Pleasant residents and visitors. The funding for the projects came from the 2009 budget and additional funds from the city’s undesignated fund balance. The City Commission approved $600,000 for the projects in April. metro@cmich.edu
We Want Your
Writing! The Central Review is once again accepting fiction, art,creative non-fiction and poetry submissions for the Fall semester magazine.
The Central Review is a student literary magazine published once a semester and is open to all CMU graduate and undergraduate students.
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Not a ‘drunk taxi’ Safe Rides is a service for students who are concerned about walking alone on campus in the dark, not for drunk students, Giordano said. Royal Oak senior Sarah Smith, a Safe Rides employee, said she sometimes has taken students as far as they can go on campus just so they can walk to their final destination. “Sometimes, people will have us drive them to a place on campus that is close to their actual destination, which is off campus,” Smith said. “On welcome weekend, we had a few students request a ride to the BCA build-
ing so they could walk to the Wayside — we knew what they were up to.” Bay City junior Andrew Wright, a Safe Rides employee, explained some of the rules for the drivers. “We are allowed to have three people in the back seat, but we do not pick up groups of three for safety reasons,” Wright said. “We definitely don’t service drunken students or people who are out of order.” The drivers have their share of interesting on-thejob stories. Saginaw freshman Amelia Cortez recently started working for Safe Rides, but already ran into some unique circumstances. “You definitely meet some interesting people who send you on wild goose chases,” Cortez said. “The best part about it is you get to meet all of the police on campus.” Cortez also said the working hours can be harsh because they conflict with some of the employees’ studying time, but it is still fun.
Increased parking coming to downtown
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if a student is dangerously intoxicated, or there is an issue like the one that recently occurred, the drivers are told to contact the campus police and we will take care of it.” The situation Giordano noted occurred last month, when two Safe Ride drivers called the police for harassment after they refused to drive three intoxicated students.
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will automatically be considered for our Student Writing Contest. There will be a $100 prize for poetry & prose.
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sports Central Michigan Life
6A
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009
[cm-life.com/category/sports]
The sharp shooter Jordan enters final season after three previous injuries
Volleyball on pace to lead conference in service aces
By Jacob Lougheed | Staff Reporter
K
elly Jordan was left to wonder if she would ever play again after undergoing three surgeries in her five years on the CMU field hockey team. “I had a very hard time,” the senior said. “I didn’t think that I wanted to come back, but I am the type of person that never wants to quit anything that I have started. I didn’t want my surgeries or injuries to become an excuse for me not to play.” Injuries did not play a role in her playing career until the spring following her freshman season. As a freshman, Jordan played in every game. In spring 2006, Jordan experienced pains in her calf. She found she had a stress fracture in one of her shins, and it led to compartment syndrome, which required surgery during her junior season. In the February following her junior season, Jordan had knee surgery. The procedure was followed by another surgery in August to repair her meniscus. Through her injury troubles, Jordan made a habit of proving people wrong, including her coach Cristy Freese. “I was very much a disbeliever in the idea that she would make it back onto the field,” Freese said. “She really proved me wrong and I am glad that she did. Kelly is someone that I can really coach because she understands that game.” Now that Jordan is healthy and on the field, she had an immediate impact on the Chippewas’ offensive game. She has three goals in the team’s first six games, and her motivation goes beyond simply trying to contribute.
“I want to beat Sam’s (Sandham) record of 16 goals last season,” Jordan said. “I know that I am already in the record book, but I really just want to better myself and go further.” In 2005, Jordan scored 11 goals, ranked second in the Mid-American Conference and earned her a tie for the top spot in goals on the team. CMU won the Mid-American Conference Championship that year, with the freshman Jordan leading the way in the MAC Championship game. She scored three goals in the win. “The high point of my career would definitely be (that game),” she said. “That is the best I have ever played and the best we played as a team.” Jordan has 29 goals and 66 points in her career. True scorer From day one, Jordan’s role has been to blossom into a powerful and productive scorer. Freese said she planned to plug Jordan and Sandham in the lineup, expecting them
By D.J. Palomares Staff Reporter
sports@cm-life.com
sports@cm-life.com
photos by jake may/staff photographer
to supply a nice one-two scoring punch. “She has had a difficult journey for sure,” Freese said. “When we recruited her and after the freshman year she had, we really thought that we were going to have a very good tandem in her and Samantha Sandham.” Jordan excelled in her ability to execute the penalty corner. Freese said she owns the hardest shot on the team, something several teammates agreed with. “She is one of our most efficient scorers and she probably has one of the hardest hits on the team,” said sophomore Paulina Lee. As expected with an injury-filled career, Jordan said she had regrets and low points. Jordan only has to think back to last season to remember her lowest day as a field hockey player. “The low point of my career was not playing senior day last year,” she said. “Everybody I came in (with) was graduating and I wanted to be out there playing with them, but I couldn’t even be out there practicing with them.”
After her junior season, senior Kelly Jordan had surgery on her shin, knee and meniscus to continue her playing career.
As for Freese, she said she is glad her player will get the opportunity to finish out her career the right way. “It is good for her to finish her career
South Carolina hosts Mississippi The South Carolina Gamecocks host the No. 4 Mississippi Rebels at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Williams-Brice Stadium. Led by coach Steve Spurrier, South Carolina looks to gain back the ground lost in the Southeastern Conference standings after losing to No. 21 Georgia 41-37 two weeks ago. Last week, the Gamecocks beat Florida Atlantic 38-16. Sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia completed 20-of-27 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown.He also added a rushing touchdown with four carries for 18 yards. Running back Jarvis Giles rushed for 113 yards
as a fifth-year senior rather than finish her career not playing at all,” she said.
The volleyball team has been the top team in the MidAmerican Conference in aces per set the last three years. Early indications suggest the Chippewas will be an aggressive serving team in the conference again. Their 2.03 aces per set is second-highest for the team in the last 15 years. The closest team in the MAC this year is Ball State, with 1.58. “Our philosophy is, I am not going to kill them if they miss,” said coach Erik Olson. “A lot of coaches give off the feeling of ‘don’t miss.’ Whereas, I am willing to take the errors along with the aggressive serves.” Senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Hurt leads CMU with 13 aces. “My serve is a floating jumper,” Hurt said. “I like to stare down a player of the defense and then try to serve it to someone who isn’t paying attention.” Hurt was named the MAC West Player of the Week Tuesday after her performance over the weekend in Texas. Hurt had six aces in three matches. “Kaitlyn Hurt probably has the toughest serve to return,” Olson said. “She has one particular serve that I won’t even let the other team see it until I know we need a point. I know it is going to be a guaranteed ace.” Senior setter Stephanie Budde found her aggressive serve last season. She totaled three aces through her first two years, but had 29 in her junior year. She is tied for second on the team with junior outside hitter Lauren Krupsky with 12 aces. “My serve is very fast, kind of like a bullet,” Budde said. “The speed it comes at makes it hard for the other players to make a decision. And the way it moves makes it difficult to return.” Krupsky’s serve was aggressive and hard to return last season, but also struggled at finding its mark with 33 errors and a percentage of .787. Her percentage this year is .898. “Our serve puts the other teams on their heels at all times,” Olson said. “A lot of times, they get stressed and focus on not getting aced rather than running their offense. It is a completely different mindset.”
Senior Kelly Jordan has three goals so far this season. She hopes to break the single season record for goals (16) this season.
T hu r sd a y ni g ht F oot b a ll
No. 4 Mississippi at South Carolina 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Chippewas implement aggressive serving
on 11 carries, including a touchdown. Wide receiver Tori Gurley caught four passes for 100 yards. Garcia leads the South Carolina offense and has completed 62.7 percent of his passes and thrown for three touchdowns. South Carolina may look to continue using two running backs as its offense goes against the defense of Ole Miss, which allowed 20 points in its first two games. Junior running back Brian Maddox carried most of the attempts in South Carolina’s first three games, running the ball 40 times for 99 yards and three touchdowns. On 10 carries against FAU, Maddox scored two touchdowns.
Ole Miss comes to South Carolina after winning its first two games by a combined 77 points. Led by Coach Houston Nutt, Ole Miss will look to remain near the top of the college football rankings. Snead has completed 28of-50 passes for 384 yards and five touchdowns, leading Ole Miss on offense. Sophomore running back Brandon Bolden has carried the ball 22 times for 176 yards and one touchdown. Against Southern Louisiana, freshman linebacker D.T. Shackelford recovered two fumbles and returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown, leading the Ole Miss defense. Compiled by staff reporter James Kuch.
OUTSIDE THE LINES | Meet volleyball’s Kaitlyn Hurt Staff reporter D.J. Palomares sat down with senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Hurt to find out her plans after graduation and what creeps her out the most. Hurt leads the volleyball team with 13 service aces this year. Last season, Hurt finished sixth on the team in kills (122) and second on the team in hitting percentage (.284). D.J. Palomares: Do you have any nicknames? Kaitlyn Hurt: Yeah, I have a few. One is G-Hop and it was given to me by Whitney Evers. I was her l i t t l e grasshopper and she was my master, while she was teaching me everything about the
GET TO KNOW
Andrew Stover, Sports Editor | sports@cm-life.com | 989.774.3169
middle. But people normally call me Hurt, my last name. DJ: Do you have Kaitlyn Hurt any phobias? KH: I really don’t like little babies’ drool. I have a fear of babies’ drool, it freaks me out. But, besides that, no real phobias.
memory from CMU volleyball? KH: I think I will remember having excellent dance parties in the locker room before games. We bust out some crazy moves. DJ: What makes you a good middle blocker? KH: I think I bring a lot of energy to the game. I am quicker than the majority of the other middle blockers. It gives me the ability to fake them out because I have such quick feet.
DJ: What do you plan on doing after you graduate? KH: My major is in entrepreneurship and my minor is in finance. Since my junior year, I have been more into finance, so I think I want to get a job in accounting or something with numbers.
DJ: Did you work any jobs while you were in high school? KH: I worked in a bakery my junior year. Senior year, I worked as a receptionist in a beauty salon. For the most part, I sat at a desk and booked appointments for people.
DJ: What is your favorite
sports@cm-life.com
garden | Student group cares for three gardens on campus, 5B
campus vibe
B
Central Michigan Life
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009
[cm-life.com/category/vibe]
New-Age
Cougar The
photo illustration by neil blake/staff photographer
A rendiition of the movie poster for the 1969 movie ‘The Graduate’ starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson.
Younger men, be aware — older women are on the prowl By Brad Canze | Senior Reporter
A
n older woman is sitting at the bar. She is wearing revealing clothing, designed for a woman half her age. Her obviously dyed hair is meticulously hairsprayed. She is eyeing all the college-aged men that walk into the bar. A cougar is on the prowl. But what is a cougar? “An older, good-looking woman who goes for younger guys, and uses her looks and age in her favor,” said Northville freshman Chris Kowalski. “A cougar, like the animal, is a predator. I guess a ‘cougar,’ when used that way, means an older woman who kind of hunts for a younger guy.” Commonly defined as a woman 35 or older who pursues men at least 10 years younger than herself, the term “cougar” has gained popularity in recent years. They “hunt” for younger men like a jungle cat, and women who fit the definition having a propensity for wearing animal prints. Hunting grounds Although bars are most commonly perceived as a cougar’s “hunting grounds,” they can be found in a number of social environments. Bellaire sophomore Brett Lirones said the social nature of the event, the demographic of people there and the availability of alcohol make weddings a prime situation for older women looking for younger men. “Weddings are huge for cougars,” Lirones said. “One time, when I was 17, I was at a wedding reception, and a bridesmaid kept asking me to go drive her Jeep with her, and said she would teach me to drive a stick shift. I was kind of shocked, and I politely declined and walked away.
“She was attractive, actually — I was just really confused, and I could tell she was intoxicated.” Lirones said the woman that pursued him was approximately 35, and that this was not the only wedding reception where an older woman pursued him. “This lady was one of my parents’ friends, which was even more strange, because she had met me when I was really young, and then didn’t see me for years. Then she kept asking me to dance with her,” he said. “The only way I got out of it was my mom came over and told her to leave me alone.” A cougar hunt | 3B
What is a cougar? w An “older woman,” typically no younger than 40, although sometimes women in mid- to upper 30s are included. w Actively pursues men at least 10 years her junior, either for a relationship or just sex. w Dresses in clothes typically reserved for younger women – tight jeans, low-cut tops, Victoria’s Secret Pink sweats. w May be married or unmarried.
w Sometimes are partial to animal prints on tops, dresses and bags. w Typically have all hair colors, but often are found as dyed blondes. w Can be found at bars, social gatherings, sporting events or out in everyday life. w Usually wearing red, acrylic finger nails. w Will start conversations at bars about or involving alcohol.
Local bars hot spot for hunt By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter
Cougars are not an uncommon thing in Mount Pleasant. Cougars, a term coined for older women who chase after younger men, find the bars are the best way to find what they are looking for. “We have a decent cougar population,” said Greg Brimmer. bartender and booker at Rubbles, 112 W. Michigan St.
“On the weekend, we have about two or three a night and we have some regulars.” O’Kelly’s waitress Shannon Lewis said she is always confused when she sees cougars with younger men. “When I first saw them come in, I was like, ‘Is that his mom or girlfriend?’” said Shannon Lewis, a waitress at O’Kelly’s, 2000 S. Mission St. A local bars | 3B
[inside] Meet trey parker
Fall fashion
monopoly & google
new facebook
w Co-creator of South Park” visited campus and sat down with Central Michigan Life, 3B
w Fashion runways offer some tips into what is in, this fall, 4B
w Now you can Monopolize” your hometown and even your own street, 4B
w Facebook Lite offers quicker, more user-friendly version of social networking site, 5B
being ‘dark knight’ w “Batman: Arkham Asylum” offers a chance to play as the “Caped Crusader.” 5B
2B || Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
CDs 1. “Daisy” Brand New 2. “Life Starts Now” Three Days Grace 3. “The Boy Who Knew Too Much” Mika Video Games 1. Halo 3: OSTD X360 2. Zombie Apocolypse X360, PS3 3. Katamari Forever PS3
TOP FIVES box office 1. “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” $30.3 million 2. “The Informant!” $10.4 million 3. “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” $9.8 million 4. “Love Happens” $8 million 5. “Jennifer’s Body” $6.8 million
singles 1. “I Gotta Feeling” Black Eyed Peas 2. “Down” Jay Sean ft. Lil’ Wayne 3. “Party in the USA” Miley Cyrus 4. “Run This Town” Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye 5. “Use Somebody” Kings of Leon
albums 1. “The Blueprint 3” Jay-Z 2. “The Time of Our Lives” Miley Cyrus 3. “I Look to You” Whitney Houston 4. “Only Built for Cuban Linx...Pt II” Raekwon 5. “#1s...and then some” Brooks and Dunn
Tweets of the week
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
NEW STUFF DVDs 1. “30 Rock: Season 3” 2. “Observe and Report” 3. “Star Trek: Motion Picture Collection”
cm-life.com/category/vibe
[campus collage]
gates charity funds go out as loans, too SEATTLE (MCT) — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gives away $3.5 billion a year in grants but, to stretch its dollars further, the nonprofit has begun making loans, equity investments and loan guarantees. Its investments so far include $20 million to a German company to expand banking services for entrepreneurs and low-income groups in Africa, $20 million to an international consortium to boost commercial micro-credit lending in Africa and Asia, and an $8 million equity fund to invest in health-related ventures, such as distribution of bed nets to protect against malaria in Africa.
RANT
Caitlin Wixted Lead Designer
Leggings as pants: DON’T! As the weather gets a little colder, I am starting to notice one of fashion’s biggest faux pas: tight leggings being worn in the place of pants. Now, I’m all for comfort, but come on! Instead of squeezing yourself into a pair of unflattering leggings, opt for some sweatpants or yoga pants. Now don’t even get me started on the patterened and leather leggings. Those look good on a select few, like Lady GaGa or Lindsay Lohan and, honestly, who wants to look like them anyway? So ladies, when it’s cold out, put on some pants, not leggings!
The Gates Foundation is also working on loan guarantees toward U.S. education. Known as program-related investments, or PRIs, such methods are meant to further the charitable mission of a nonprofit, not to make money. They also impose financial discipline on recipients to help them operate more like businesses, said Karen Haque, the Gates Foundation’s associate general counsel. “We’re going to treat these as business deals,” she said. Backing from the world’s largest private philanthropy also acts as a stamp of approval to help organizations raise other funds, she said. Last year’s stock-market plunge hit many foundations hard; it shaved 20 percent from the Gates Foundation’s $35.1 billion endowment, causing it to rethink spending plans. Foundations are looking for ways to maximize their impact at a time when as-
sets have shrunk and budgets have been cut back. As more managers move from corporations into philanthropy, they are also bringing business-world approaches with them. Program-related investments have been in the U.S. tax code since 1969, but only recently have begun to attract broad interest among charities, said LaVerne Woods, a lawyer and partner at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle. “They’re becoming a tool of great interest to a wide array of foundations,” said Woods, who specializes in the nonprofit sector. Since the money comes back and can be reinvested, “it’s the gift that keeps on giving.” With PRIs, nonprofits can make loans or equity investments in for-profit companies. One example is a Gates Foundation investment in a for-profit pharmaceutical company to develop vaccines for poor countries, Woods said.
BEAT WRITER PICKS fashion
Very versatile: The white tank
A white tank top is great for any outfit and easy to be creative with. There are many ways to spice it up by throwing on a chunky necklace or scarf. You can even pair it with a bright or vibrant cardigan or oversized sweater for a laid back look. Even a loose white tank paired with a white, black or navy blue blazer emits a nice clean cut look. Another way to spice it up is to throw on a patterned or sparkly belt on at the waist. -Rachel Mater
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RECIPE
video games
Satisfies fans: Halo 3: ODST
“Halo” fans can now experience the events of the second and third games from a whole new perspective. Players step into the metalplated boots of an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper investigating the whereabouts of his missing teammates in the midst of humanity’s war with the alien Covenant. With different weapons and less armor available to the ODST character than the erstwhile Master Chief, the game forces seasoned vets of the first-person shooter franchise to develop different styles of play and combat strategies. -Brad Canze
Join us at:
recipe and photo courtesy of recipezaar.com
Mom’s veggie wrap Ingredients:
1 tomato-basil tortilla 1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves 1/2 avocado, chopped 1/4 cup pico de gallo 1 ounce goat cheese 1 tsp. low calorie Italian salad dressing
Directions
Layer the ingredients on the tortilla exactly as listed. Wrap up, slice in half and enjoy!
Food and Music, and Games, Giveaways and Fun!
SATURDAY,
September 26 1:30 - 3:30pm On the Rose Lawn next to the entrance to the SAC • FREE FOOD Compliments of Mancino’s and Menna’s Joint
Alternative Tailgate Choice ALCOHOL FREE EVENT
• FIRST 100 FANS Get a FREE T-Shirt!
Fire Up Chips!
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[VIBE]
local bars |
Who killed kenny?
continued from 1B
Sean Proctor/staff Photographer
Trey Parker, co-creator of the animated series “South Park,” talks on Monday night to a filled Plachta Auditorium, answering questions submitted by students and others. The second half of the thirteenth season premieres on Comedy Central on October 7.
Picking the brain of South Park Co-creator Trey Parker sits down with CM Life Editor’s Note: Student Life Editor Eric Dresden and Senior Reporter Brad Canze got a chance to sit down with Trey Parker, co-creator of “South Park.” The following is an excerpt from the interview,. The full interview can be viewed on cm-life.com. Brad Canze: So have you done school talks before? Is this your first? TP: Yeah. I mean, we’ve done things like the Aspen Comedy Festival, where it’s the same kind of thing, so it’s not like I’ve never talked about the show before... And I was like, dude, I don’t know, I’ll just sit there and answer questions. I didn’t want to have to prepare for it or anything, because I’m definitely not a good teacher, I’m just a good (expletive, “BS’er”). BC: Word was that you paid your own way to get up here. Is that true? TP: Oh, yeah. And that was my big stipulation. Don’t charge any tickets, and I don’t want to take any money away from the school. I’ve got plenty of money, I don’t want to make a school pay for my plane fare. We actually had my dad and my two friends, these guys we work with, but they are also my friends and we hang out and do everything together. We actually just turned it into a big trip
cm-life.com See the video interview with Trey Parker online, along with coverage.
where we flew to Chicago, saw a game at Soldier Field, because we’re big football fans and had never seen a game there, and then flew out here for the day. So it’s a nice little trip. As a football fan, it was great to see a game a Soldier Field. Except for (“South Park” supervising producer) Frank (Agnone), because he’s a Steelers fan. Videographer Chris Slat: Have you been to Michigan before? TP: I don’t know if I’ve ever been to Michigan, actually. I don’t think so. Because I’m trying to hit every NFL stadium, but the Lions are definitely last on my list. Eric Dresden: So new seasons upcoming, where are you guys at with that? TP: We basically right now have maybe four scenes from two shows. What we do now, it’s basically our kind of research and development phase. We do a couple writer’s retreats, where we just get the six of us or whatever, and just go somewhere for a week and kick around ideas. BC: You seem to be involved in everything in the production of “South Park,” from the writing to voices, you’ve directed most of the episodes, you do the music for “South Park” and every
cougar hunt | continued from 1B
Then she kept asking me to dance with her,” he said. “The only way I got out of it was my mom came over and told her to leave me alone.” Lirones said he got out of these situations because the women were drunk, but he would probably avoid older women in any situation. “I would probably say no to it 99.9 percent of the time,” he said. “It just doesn’t seem right to me for women twice my age to be doing that. It’s just like, ‘What are you doing?’” IN THE GARDENS Bars and parties are not the only places where cougars may try to dig their claws into unsuspecting men. Bloomfield Hills freshman Matt Unitis said this summer, he had older women flirting with him on multiple occasions while working at the English Gardens nursery in West Bloomfield. “Working at English Gardens this summer, these older ladies would ask me for plant advice, and maybe a little more,” Unities said. “There was this one woman I was helping with a plant and, all of a sudden she was like, ‘You have gorgeous eyebrows ... My husband would be so mad at me for saying that.’ That was a little offputting.” Unitis said he feels as though a lot of older women resort to cougar-like behavior in order to affirm they still retain a womanly charm.
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 || 3B
“You gotta think, why are these older women hitting on younger men?” he said. “I think, some of the time, it’s a self-confidence thing.” Grayling sophomores Krista Feeney and Kim Dougherty said, as collegeaged women, seeing older women trying to pick up men the same age as themselves could be a bizarre experience. ”I think it’s weird. When
movie you’ve done. Is there anything you don’t do? TP: I don’t manage people. That’s what Frank (Agnone) does, manage all the schedules and the time, and who’s going to get done what, when? That’s a big job. We’ve got a great crew now, and we’ve got great artists. We love when we can do a show, like we did a parody of “Heavy Metal,” to show off what people can actually do if they don’t have to use my crappy template of drawings. But it really goes back to that thing of, how are you going to pull off a show in a week? You’ve got to have a few people doing a lot of things. ED: How long can you see “South Park” going? TP: I would have never guessed, none of us would have ever guessed we’d be sitting here, in our 13th season. Originally, we had an order for six, and we thought, “Alright, we’re going to do six episodes, and let’s make them really good, and we’ll always have this.” And then, two or three years in, we were like, “Wow, this has been a great run.” Then there was a time around the fifth season, where they were thinking about pulling it. Because these new guys came in to run Comedy Central, and were like “We got to get rid of them, they’re too expensive.” So we were like, “Okay, that was a great five-year run.” And we had a big five-year anniversary party. And then we did our 100th show party, then we thought, “Oh, hundredth show, okay, that’s it.” studentlife@cm-life.com
you’re in your early 20s, you probably don’t have much in common with someone that much older than you,” Feeney said. “Or if they had children the same age as the person they’re trying to pick up,” Dougherty added. Whether frowned upon or sought after, the cougar has become a part of the popular culture consciousness that does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. studentlife@cm-life.com
While Brimmer said more women go to meet younger men at Rubbles, Lewis said the situation is a little different at O’Kelly’s. “We have a small amount that come in,” Lewis said. “They usually come in together... already with a young man.” In recent years, the term “cougar” has increased in prominence in popular culture, defined as a woman usually older than 35 who goes after men at least 10 years younger. Even though the women are older, their behavior is relatively normal. “They don’t act too different from a regular college girl,” said Chad Miller, a bartender at The Cabin, 930 W. Broomfield. “They usually act really cool.” Younger after the older At Rubbles and the Cabin, the women do not have to chase after the younger men. “The men usually come after them,” Brimmer said. “It seems to kind of be the ‘in’ thing, I hear that a lot of guys like the older women, I don’t see it, but I
know of a few instances, it seems to be one of the hip trends.” Brimmer said he was not sure why some of the older women go after the younger men, but one reason could be to feel young again. “There’s a lot of things we try to do to stay young, it could be an underlying theme,” Brimmer said. Brimmer also said he may have another theory about why exactly cougars
are around. “I think it’s like the female equivalent of a midlife crisis. They might find themselves single and think, ‘Why not go after the younger guys?” he said. Whether it is the women may want to feel younger so they chase after younger men, or they do it for other reasons, sometimes it could just be that they happen to like the younger men. “You can’t help who you like,” Lewis said. studentlife@cm-life.com
“I think it’s like the female equivalent of a mid-life crisis – they might find themselves single and think, ‘Why not go after the younger guys?’” Greg Brimmer, bartender at Rubble’s
4B || Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 || Central Michigan Life
In this game of Monopoly, you don’t need to pass ‘Go’
fa s h i o n
Dark colors popular for fall
By David Veselenak Managing Editor
Corduroy back in style for fall men’s wardrobe By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter
The fall season has just begun which means new fall trends to add to your wardrobe. Black leather, dark and neutral colors and optical and animal prints filled the runway for the fall season. Metallic accessories, studded bags and shoes were also part of the designers’ collections. How to make this a part of your wardrobe? There are many ways to use these styles to help update your wardrobe. Trends people should know about are the shiny stuff, like sequins, and men should look for cleaner looks, said Detroit senior Camille McKelton. Some other ideas to brighten up your outfits are mixing pinks; try something new and different by mixing different shades of pinks for a feminine feel. Pair a dark pink cardigan with a light pink shirt or mix it up with a light pink blazer and a red top. Not a pink-loving person? Try to mix your outfits up with more gray. Gray is a neutral color that can easily match almost anything in your wardrobe. Black leather is also a good way to rough up your appearance; if that is the direction you are going for. Even so, there are many feminine pieces you can find that in-
staff Photo
Flint sophomore Quentrese Cole wears the latest fall fashion of the grey pallette and animal print Monday evening.
“Scarves, boots and knit caps — you can make them your own. They look good and keep you warm on those cool fall nights.” Quentrese Cole, Flint sophomore clude black leather. If you are into animal prints and other rich prints, a great way to dress it up is with a nice neutral piece. Try a leopard-print blouse with a tan pea coat or zebra print skirt with a gray top. There are many ways to mix and match and still dress to impress. Even corduroy is coming back. “Corduroy for men with jeans or a fitted/clean white tee,” McKelton said. Kick those peasant blouses, totes, washed out dresses, boleros, gladiator boots, and moccasins back into your closet. The fall season is full of great new pieces to dress up any outfit. Oversized & quilted bags, over-the-knee
Brand New creates a different sound on ‘Daisy’ By Tim Ottusch Assistant Sports Editor
Very few bands can pull off a song that talks about going to hell and eating your young and end it with an opera. But Brand New is one of them. Brand New released its fourth studio album, “Daisy,” Tuesday. It comes three years after its heavily praised third release, “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.” The band is one that seems to recreate its sound every time it makes an album. “Your Favorite Weapon” was very punk/rock, “Deja Entendu” transitioned the band into a more serious tone and “The Devil and God” put the band in almost its own genre of rock. Daisy is no exception to the band’s unusual transitions. While “The Devil and God” was a long, thorough and, at times, epic sounding record, Daisy is much more dense. It still packs a strong punch and, like previous Brand New records, “Daisy” takes numerous listens to comprehend everything going on in the songs and in the record itself. The album begins with “Vices,” which starts with a opera before switching abruptly to a breakdown and lead singer Jesse Lacey screaming, “We need vices, we need vices, well you took my hope and my marriage license.” The urgency in the lyrics (written mostly by guitarist Vincent Accardi) is a common theme in the edgier record. The third song, “At The Bottom,” and fourth, “Gasoline,” both follow in “Vices” with that tone. In “At the Bottom,” Lacey sings, “Well I carry this box to its proper place and, when I lower it down, I let you fade way.” The album’s closing song, “Noro,” is perhaps the album’s best. The closing song also features layered vocals with the bellowing of “I’m on my way to hell” and closes like “Vices” opened — with an opera. Like “The Devil and God,” Daisy features numerous refer-
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‘daisy’
HHHHH w Artist: Brand New ences to religion and death. In the album’s title track, a line in the chorus goes, “Or if the sky opened up and started pouring rain, like he knew it was time to start things over again.” It is not a preaching of whether people should be religious, but just Accardi and Lacey’s reflection on the subject. “Daisy” is not as good as “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.” Few albums will ever match that record but, with “Daisy,” Brand New was able to create a different sounding album. Despite not being the band’s best ever effort, is still perhaps the best album of 2009. studentlife@cm-life.com
boots, white blouses, bright colored coats, pencil skirts, gem rings, and studded accessories are hot new items to brighten up a boring wardrobe or create a new one. “Scarves, boots, and knit caps- you can make them your own, they look good and keep you warm on those cool fall nights,” said Flint sophomore Quentrese Cole. With all these new styles and colors for the fall season, you should have no problem adding onto your wardrobe. “I like the jewelry, like the feather earrings, necklaces and bracelets,” said McKelton. “I like it because it’s different and I’ve never worn anything like it before.” studentlife@cm-life.com
Ever wondered what it would be like to run Mount Pleasant? With “Monopoly City Streets,” you now can. The trademark board game from Parker Bros. can now be found online, but the stakes have grown. The free online game touts the fact you can play Monopoly and “own any street across the world and play to become the richest property magnate ever.” Using Google Maps, players can log on and purchases roads and streets anywhere in the world, including Mount Pleasant. Every day, rent is collected on every house built on the roads. The object of the game is to be the one in the world with the most value in their property. While the game is a great way to get through the day, the purpose of the game is slightly off-center. Parker Bros. launched the online game at monopolycitystreets.com as a way to promote Monopoly City, a new
‘monopoly city streets’
HHHHH w What? : A game of Monopoly on Google Maps w Genre: Board game board game in stores. The game became so popular when it originally launched on Sept. 9, it needed to be relaunched last Thursday to allow more people to play. Although the game was made for promotion, it is a fun spin on the classic board game. The pure nature of the game adds a personal touch, being able to localize competition to your neighborhood. Don’t want to play in your area? Play in New York City, Los Angeles, anywhere in the world that Google Maps recognizes. The game has a clean interface, color-coding the streets by who owns them. There are several options to build on the streets, ranging from regular green houses to the expensive Monopoly Tower. But the game-changers
are the Chance cards. Randomly during play, a Chance card can either grant a player money, cost them money, allow them to buy special structures or to sabotage another player’s property with a power plant or a prison so they cannot collect rent on that street. The random factor keeps the game interesting and exciting. Building until you get a Chance card keeps the game interesting, and building a hazard on an opponents property to block their rent is the most satisfying part of the game. You can even pull a Chance card to receive 10 percent off at the Hasbro toys store. While the game is designed to be played a short period of time per day, it’s a great way to pass time. Logging on for just a few minutes a day will suffice in developing streets and constructing buildings. While the map may be confusing for some, the game is simple, a benefit for people whose lives are always on the go. Except there’s no collection of $200 to go with it. studentlife@cm-life.com
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Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 || 5B
[VIBE]
No need to fear new Dark Knight game
SECRET GARDEN| Students can purchase lots to grow their own food
By Connor Sheridan Staff Reporter
Libby March/Staff Photographer
A variety of vegetation, including corn, tomatoes and sunflowers, are growing in a garden behind the parking lot of the CMU Police Station.
Campus garden provides organic food Staff Reports
Central Michigan University has its own set of ‘secret’ gardens. A garden can be sighted in front of the Print Services building, by Theunissen Stadium, and behind the Student Activity Center. The three vegetable gardens are cared for by a student organization called Campus Grows. The organization’s focus is to grow organic food better for the environment. The organization has four student members — Chris Venegas, Zach Robinson, Jessica Gibbons, and Josh Black — that participate in the program’s internship. The internships and garden project are sponsored by the Mount Pleasant Food Project, from which Campus Grows originated. “They basically said, ‘Here’s 30,000 square feet… go farm it,’” said Venegas, a Manistee senior, said about the opportunity the Mount Pleasant Food Project gave to start the program. Venegas helped start the Mount Pleasant Food Project and Campus
Grows. After receiving approval to cultivate CMU’s land, Venegas, along with the other three student members, got to work on the gardens. The team of four worked on the gardens more during the summer. Classes made tending to them difficult. “I try to swing by for an hour or two to water at least everyday,” Zach Robinson, a Blanchard senior, said. “It can be hectic at times. The four of us came together basically winging it this whole summer.” Campus Grows sells 10’-by-10’ plots of land to anyone who wishes to own a garden. First purchase costs $25, the second $15. In the future, Campus Grows hopes to sell the leftover plants and vegetables as compost. The money made will pay for necessary investments, such as fencing, to protect the gardens from animals, and seeds. Farmers and Mount Pleasant residents donate a great deal of seed, which is just as important as money to the organization. As a result of seed and plant donations, a variety of crops grow in the gardens.
Such crops include corn, onions, squash and kaele, a plant similar to lettuce. Campus Grows encourages students to stop by to pick some of the food. The crops are sold at farmers markets and at Kaya Coffee House, 1029 S. University St. Some of the food is donated to soup kitchens and food banks as well. Students and nonstudents are welcome to volunteer and do not have to be a member of Campus Grows or the Mount Pleasant Food Project to participate. Today, Campus Grows has high expectations and goals for the future. Such plans include using the garden for educational purposes and supplying fresh, organic and campus-grown food to CMU dining halls. Robinson said the experience has been quite enjoyable. “It’s self rewarding because it’s nice to be able to grow your own food and reaping the benefits of it,” Robinson said. studentlife@cm-life.com
Facebook Lite light on extras, heavy on simplicity By Darnell Gardner Staff Reporter
A few minutes into a library study session, students convince themselves that eliminating the urge to check Facebook now will be more productive than trying to push the thought out the mind while they study. What to do? Enter Facebook Lite. Facebook Lite is the faster, simpler version of the site that has gone relatively unknown since its release. It was designed for people in areas where Internet connections are slow, and who are new to the site and desire a less complicated experience. Facebook Lite became available Aug. 12, when a bug caused invitations to leak to some Facebook users. “It asked me if I wanted to be a beta tester, like it popped up on my homepage,” said Jean King,
a Fenton junior. “I opened it to see what it was, but I only did it the one time.” The site officially launched a public preview late last week for users in Canada, the United States and India. At first glance, Facebook Lite looks like Facebook did years ago. Home pages are neat and are organized around the news feed. “Once you get used to it, I think it would be a lot simpler,” King said. Photo and video uploading is still available, though there is no webcam support. You also can still leave comments on items posted by friends, search for people and send messages. “There’s not so much going on,” King said. “It doesn’t have the pictures and little notifications around the side.” The home page is missing the left sidebar that filters out specific elements in the news feed,
the highlights column on the right side of the page and the box above the news feed that allows you to quickly update your status among other things. The new site also sacrifices some of Facebook’s more advanced features for practicality. The bar that floats on the bottom of the window containing links to applications, the buddy chat system and notifications are gone, taking all three fea-
“Batman: Arkham Asylum” is the best Batman video game ever made. Granted, if you’re familiar with the Dark Knight’s patchy history with games, you know that isn’t saying too much. Fortunately, “Arkham’s” developer Rocksteady Studios has put together not only a sterling outing for the Caped Crusader but a remarkable contender for Game of the Year. The Batman’s moody blend of sleuthing, brawling, and scaring the pants off of surly street thugs is in remarkable form here, and it’s all set within a loving recreation of one of Gotham’s most recognizable landmarks: Arkham Asylum, intermittent home of nearly every supervillain Batman has come to blows with. The vast lineup of antagonists dating back to Batman’s 1939 debut is well represented here. Predictably, the Joker steals the show, though Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and several others all play important and appropriate roles. Even Bruce Wayne’s lingering guilt about his parents’ murder plays a profound role in the story. Fans of the comics, as well as of the films and TV series, will find much to be pleased with. Although Batman works with Police Commissioner Gordon and Gordon’s hackervigilante daughter Oracle, he finds himself alone on a sanitarium island filled with even more lowlifes than usual. “I work better alone,” Bat-
Batman: Arkham Asylum
HHHHH w System: (PC, PS3, X360) w Genre: Action
man says near the beginning of the game, and work well he does. The fighting system is exceptionally thrilling, providing a cinematic blend of visceral face pounding, reflexive counters and evolving strategies every time the Bat squares off with the Asylum’s inmates. New gadgets are acquired throughout the game, such as a zipline gun, which allows unreachable sections of the island to be returned to and satisfyingly explored. The game best captures the spirit of the comics when it presents large rooms patrolled by well armed guards. Tactical decisions are left entirely to the player. Will you sneak around and silence the ruffians by hand or swing from ledge to ledge, swooping up your victims then stringing them down from a gargoyle’s mouth? As the predation continues, “Detective Vision” reveals the skyrocketing heart rate of the remaining conscious enemies when they realize their imminent doom. While “Batman: Arkham Asylum” missteps initially with a few too many repetitive “beat up thugs, go through an air vent, beat up thugs” sections, it picks up a quite a bit of momentum by the second hour or so and doesn’t let up until the Knight is finished. studentlife@cm-life.com
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tures with it. Facebook Lite is not available on cell phones. Facebook Mobile’s SMS service and mobile Web site were created to satisfy the need for fast browsing on mobile devices. People with Facebook accounts can go to lite.facebook. com and log in with normal account information. studentlife@cm-life.com
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