Your CMU independent news source since 1919
ONLINE VIDEO: SOCCER
Monday, Aug. 27, 2012
Check out CM Life’s women’s soccer preview » PAGE 1B
cm-life.com POLICE PRESENCE
WELCOME WEEKEND
Patrols net MIPs, other citations over weekend » PAGE 3A
Freshmen, seniors reflect on first, last welcome weekend » PAGE 3A
Frey says problems of the past not forgotten
Error on alum’s diploma could cost her
By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
By Cecilia Erwin Staff Reporter
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series examining issues on campus from the 2011-12 academic year. Last fall, problems between Central Michigan University Administration and CMU Faculty Association came to a roaring boil. This fall, relations have calmed significantly, but a tension continues to simmer the groups relations. FA President Laura Frey said there are issues between faculty and administration that have not yet been resolved. “On behalf of CMU FA, it is important that the administration is aware that problems continue to exist with communication, transparency, and equity of support to faculty. The fundamental issues present throughout the 2011-12 academic year have not yet been made right by the administration,” Frey said in an email to Central Michigan Life. “There were inequities in terms of treatment to faculty as well as violation of faculty constitutional rights demonstrated by this administration in early fall 2011. “If the administration has a commitment to a positive campus community, there is a lot of ongoing conversation that has to continue throughout the next academic year.” The FA is entering the first full academic year of the 201114 contract that was ratified in January. Frey said the FA will continue to work to make sure that all aspects of the contract are implemented according to the terms of agreement. “We continue to hope that the administration will adhere to the contract, and we will work with members as issues come up with them,” she said. Philip Squattrito, FA Grievance Committee member and professor of chemistry, said while it is possible there won’t be a lot of fireworks between faculty and administration in the upcoming academic year, it is uncertain how remaining issues will be resolved. A FA| 2A
Students moving in
EVAN SORENSON AND MARIAH PROWOZNIK/ONLINE COORDINATOR AND LEAD DESIGNER
Will work for food National youth unemployment rate at 12.7 percent By Arielle Breen | Staff Reporter
Despite any advances in the current economy, the national youth unemployment rate sits at 12.7 percent for those between the ages of 18 to 29. According to the non-profit organization Generation Opportunity, a poll surveyed more than 1,000 American youth in five days at the end of July. In their poll, results highlighted not just youth unemployment but differences of gender and race unemployment and changes to government practices the youth wished to see.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated Michigan’s Not Seasonally Adjusted unemployment rate was 10.3 percent; Isabella County’s was better at a lower 7.7 percent; and Mount Pleasant’s unemployment was 8.2 percent. ‘Now Hiring’ signs in fast food restaurant windows tease Mount Pleasant senior Lisa Otani. For her and other job — seeking youth, these signs are a bittersweet reminder of a job opportunity, and also trigger memories of previous rejections. Otani has been job searching for steady employment since April. “It’s been hard,” Otani said. “There (are) so many people unemployed.” Having earned her associates degree, one would think it is a nice way to dress up a resume, but she said that isn’t always the case. “I’ll get a call back (from places like fast food restau-
rants) saying that I’m overqualified because I have my associates degree,” she said. Mid Michigan Community College student Josh Stone, of Remus, works as a gift shop clerk at the Ziibiwing Center of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, and while he currently has a job, he hasn’t forgotten the difficulty in finding one. According to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s sagchip.org website, the tribe is the largest employer in Isabella County. “I was searching for a job as soon as I got out of high school,” Stone said. “(It) was difficult and I was frustrated. Most of my friends seemed to already have jobs, and the ones that didn’t were having just as much trouble as I was. I didn’t have any job preference at the time, and I just wanted something.”
When CMU alum Courtney Tornga picked up her cap and gown and got in touch with the Undergraduate Academic Services office in preparation for her graduation in May, she discovered a mistake on her diploma and final transcript. At the beginning of Tornga’s last semester at CMU, the Grand Rapids native’s cumulative grade point average was 3.89, giving her an honors designation of Magna Cum Laude, she said. At the end of her last semester, her grade point average rose to 3.91, giving her Summa Cum Laude status. According to the undergraduate bulletin issued by CMU to all students, the honors designations of graduating students are determined by their total cumulative grade point averages prior to the beginning of their last required semesters. “My diploma, as well as my final transcripts, do not reflect that designation,” Tornga said. CMU Registrar Karen Hutslar said a student’s honors designation is determined by a student’s grade point average at the start of his or her final term, and that is what is printed on the diplomas. “It is not that diplomas are printed early,” Hutslar said. “That is the only GPA we can go with, because grades are never due until the week after commencement.” Tornga said she did not want to suggest that student graduations should be delayed until their final grades are known. “I understand the time dilemma that the university faces,” she said. “Although it’s unfortunate for the students on the ‘bubble’ like myself, I really do not have a proposal to rectify the incorrect designation assigned at the time of graduation.”
A UNEMPLOYMENT| 2A A DIPLOMA| 2A
5,000 MSU football game tickets distributed to students at MAINstage Sunday By Melissa Beauchamp Senior Reporter
Despite the heat, long lines and eventually rain, more than 5,000 students stood in line at Sunday’s MAINstage to be one of 6,000 to ensure their spot for the Central Michigan University versus Michigan State University football game. Five students started the line at 11 a.m. An hour later, the line wrapped around parking lot 62 east and extended to Broomfield Road. Athletics Marketing Intern Beau Kingsbury kept count of students as they received tickets. “I expect it to sell out,” he said. “Everyone is really pumped.” West Bloomfield freshman Brooke Buffmyer said when she arrived at 1:30
p.m., she was intimidated by the line, but that didn’t stop her from getting tickets. Two hours later, she was around the 1,000th Chippewa to receive a ticket. “I was planning on coming anyway, but when I heard about the MSU versus CMU tickets, it was just an incentive to come,” she said. But not all students were as motivated—Traverse City senior Collin Hall wasn’t going to wait. “I saw that line and had no idea where it even began and ended,” he said. “I’ll try to get one at the first football game.” An additional 5,000 remaining tickets will be given to students at the first home game on Thursday against Southeast Missouri State. Associate Athletic Direc-
tor Nick Williams said Sunday marked the first time CMU has had a pick-up for advance tickets. In the first hour, Williams said more than 900 tickets were given. “It’s unbelievable to see all the support,” he said. “It’s exciting to see students get excited about it.” Senior quarterback Ryan Radcliff said when he arrived to MAINstage, he didn’t know what the line was all about. “It’s crazy sweet ... I was so surprised,” he said. Radcliff said the football team is fired up for the State game, and the student support is motivating. Houghton Lake junior Jordan Oster said she wasn’t impressed with the organization of the event. ZACK WITTMAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A TICKETS| 2A
Yale Sophomore Caetlen Mandeville attempts to grab flying coupons blowing in a tent to earn a prize at MAINstage Sunday evening. The tent and prizes were provided by the American Entrepreneur Association, a new RSO on campus.
Will You Get a Ticket? cm-life.com
<–– Sorry. Theres no app for that... but for everything else CMU –– >
Download the CM Life App!