Jaunary 14, 2013

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Your independent cmu news source since 1919

NeW BuSiNeSS:

Union Township to review site plan for proposed Olive Garden Wednesday » PAGE 2A

mouNt PLeASANt:

Curtis R. Leachman to stand trial in March for November stabbing » PAGE 3A

cm-life.com

Monday, Jan. 14, 2013

COVERING THE CAPITOL

SISTERLY LOVE

CMU alums former editors Chad Livengood, Chris Gautz now covering same beat for separate publications » PAGE 3A

Petzolds compete together on gymnastics team » PAGE 1B

Report: Academic calendar change could cost CMU $3 million By Kyle Kaminski Senior Reporter

A report outlining the implications of the proposed academic calendar adjustment to begin classes after Labor Day revealed the change could cost the university around $3 million. Submitted by Provost Gary Shapiro in response to a request by the Academic Senate in October, the report includes

details about the impacts and costs a shorter calendar would have on university finances and student success. The report offers detailed information about faculty opinion and estimated costs at a departmental level. Every area surveyed, except for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services, found the proposed changes to have either a negative impact or no impact at all on student success.

As for the costs, the report calculates a very conservative estimation of around $3 million to change from the current calendar. “Overall, costs might be higher based on the limited number of responses and the inability to exactly predict costs, particularly increased labor costs for having to work over the Labor Day holiday weekend,” Shapiro said in the report.

However, two large questions remain unanswered: the impact on tuition rates and room and board rates. These questions are set to be answered by the Board of Trustees following more indepth calculations. In the athletics department, the proposed calendar would have a detrimental impact on the scheduling of home football

PROJECTED COSTS DePartMeNt AtHLeticS eNroLLmeNt FAciLitieS mANAGemeNt HumAN reSourceS iNFormAtioN tecH. ScHooL oF muSic

A REPORT | 2A

Killian Richeson resigns as SGA VP

aCaD e Mi C C a l e N Da r

Broadcasting, Leadership Safari oppose changes

Michelle Vanhala to be sworn in today

By Neil Rosan Staff Reporter

The results from Provost Gary Shapiro’s report on the proposed academic calendar change showed there is “significant and widespread sentiment” toward the proposed change, and the only department that could receive a positive impact on student learning is the Department of Recreation, Park and Leisure Services. The proposed change, which would move the start of classes to after Labor Day, was first introduced during the faculty bargaining agreement in 2011 and has been further pursued in this school year. The reasons for the change, as stated in the report, are so faculty and students with children will have time off when the local schools are on break and so students with summer jobs will get one more week of work. During an October Academic Senate meeting, Shapiro was charged with compiling a report outlining the potential effects of the proposed change. The proposed calendar could have academic consequences for the Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts department. Many BCA courses have production elements the students participate in. They reported the change would leave less time for the students and would impact how the programs are run. “The change will reduce the time that we are given to work. Sometimes, my classes meet one time a week, and one less week would hurt the learning process,” Fowlerville freshman and BCA student Brandon Craigie said. “The university should take into account the BCA program is one of CMU’s best programs and that reducing the amount of time on such an excellent program would reduce the quality of the program.” Craigie also mentioned the change would hurt the BCA program’s co-curriculars. “We have to put in a lot of hours as is, and removing a week would only hurt how much work we can do,” he said. The School of Music reported the damage the calendar change could have on marching band camp. If the early football games were

eXtra COst <$1 miLLioN $60,000 oVertime PAY HoLiDAY PAY $15,000 $127,500

By Ryan Fitzmaurice Senior Reporter

kaITlIN THoreSeN/StAFF PhotoGRAPhER

MAIN: 14-year-old Mount Pleasant resident Dominic Plachta, left, points where to shoot the ball, as demonstrated by volunteer Special Olympics coach Amanda Clifton on Friday evening at Mary McGuire Elementary School, 4883 Crosslanes St. Clifton enjoys donating her time to the organization. LEFT: Clifton, left, hugs Mount Pleasant resident Jessica Steink, 30. RIGHT: Clifton, left, a volunteer Special Olympics coach, laughs while stretching with Mount Pleasant resident Rachael Myers, 21.

Helping out Sophomores donate time coaching for Special Olympics By Katelyn Sweet | Staff Reporter

Sophomore Amanda Clifton said she has experienced some rough times while coaching Special Olympics sports teams. But, even though her honors program volunteer hours are long gone, she can’t seem to stop coaching.

“It’s literally the best experience I’ve ever had in my life,” the Cass City native said. “I hope to coach Special Olympics throughout my whole time here at Central Michigan University; even during graduate school.” Last year, Clifton was researching ways to get the required 120 volunteer hours for the CMU Honors Program and came across working for the Special Olympics. Clifton said she has always loved sports, and with a major in physical therapy, it seemed to all tie together. Troy sophomore Emily Herbon went with Clifton to research the Special Olympics program a year ago, and both

of them instantly fell in love with coaching and working with special needs sports teams. “They are all so genuine and just happy at all times,” Herbon said. “I can come to practice and my mood just gets so much better.” Herbon said her adviser told her, with the classes she was taking this semester, it would be hard to find time to coach basketball for Special Olympics. “I looked at her and basically said that’s not an option,” Herbon said. “I’m not doing this for my resume anymore; I’m doing it because I love it.” Clifton and Herbon started out helping with track and

A CHANGES | 2A

field last year but have also helped with the soccer program and are now coaching basketball. Last spring, Clifton was the head coach of the soccer team. “It’s a lot of planning and getting ideas,” Clifton said. “It can get complicated.” Gail Huber, area director of Mount Pleasant’s division of Special Olympics, said it takes about 200 volunteers to put on Special Olympics events each year. The teams are currently preparing for a tournament at Shepherd High School on Saturday against 22 other teams in the area. A OLYMPICS | 2A

A new Student Government Association vice president will be sworn in tonight after Killian Richeson resigned Wednesday citing medical reasons. Macomb junior and SGA President Justin Gawronski said Sunday he plans to swear in Big Rapids senior and current Senate leader Michelle Vanhala at Monday night’s SGA meeting. As Senate leader, Vanhala is in the order of succession to be the new SGA Vice President. Although not set in stone, Gawronski said SGA also plans to elect a new Senate leader Monday night. However, if the election is postponed, Vanhala will serve as both vice president and Senate leader until the latter position is filled. Richeson’s resignation marks the second time a vice president has stepped down in Gawronski’s administration. Alma junior Anna Dvorak, Gawronski’s initial vice president, resigned in late March, seven days after her inauguration, for personal reasons. Richeson was an integral part of Gawronski’s administration. In the fall semester, Richeson enhanced communication between the SGA and the Academic Senate. This led to Gawronski playing a key role in SGA passing legislation against the proposed academic calendar, which would have changed the upcoming fall semester from 16 to 15 weeks. The legislation caused the academic senate to charge Provost Gary Shapiro with reviewing the changes and preparing a report, which was released on Friday. Richeson’s resignation was his decision, Gawronski said. “This is something completely unexpected,” Gawronski said. “This is not the most ideal of situations. Just for the broader aspects, I don’t want anyone to think this kind of turnover is appropriate, and I don’t want anyone to lose confidence in the SGA because of this.” A SGA | 2A

Former professor William merrill arraigned in federal court By Justin Hicks Senior Reporter

FIle PHoTo By VICTorIa ZeGler

Attorney Daniel O’Neil looks toward the family of William Lord Merrill as Merrill appears via TV during his arraignment on Nov. 13, 2012. Merrill, a former CMU education professor, is charged with three felonies related to child pornography.

Former Central Michigan University Professor William Lord Merrill was arraigned in federal court in Bay City Thursday on child pornography charges. Merrill, 55, was arrested for one count of possession of child pornography and indicted by grand jury on two counts of receipt of child pornography on Dec. 19. Magistrate Judge Charles E. Binder upheld Merrill’s

$50,000 bond, originally posted on Nov. 21 allowing him to be released from jail, despite the U.S. Attorney’s office’s request to have it revoked. The U.S. Attorney’s office asked Binder to order an immediate detention hearing at Merrill’s arraignment in federal court based on new charges being filed, which would revoke Merrill’s bond. A bond review hearing was ordered to be scheduled, but no date has been set. “There will be a hearing for the prosecutor, as well as the

defense, to present an argument in regard to what bond should be,” said CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley, whose department has stepped aside from handling the case. “After both parties present their arguments, the magistrate will decide what’s appropriate.” Merrill was indicted in federal court after state charges were dismissed. “Typically, in these types of cases, after the bond hearing, there is a pre-trial set, and if there’s going to be any type of plea agreement, the prosecutor and defense would have those

conversations,” Yeagley said. “If not, a trial date is actually set with a trial. Evidence is then presented, and a magistrate judge or jury will render a decision.” Merrill’s attorney, Dan O’Neil, did not return calls as of Sunday. An investigation of Merrill began on Oct. 30 when CMU’s Information Technology staff noticed a large amount of data being transmitted from his computer. A MERRILL | 2A


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