Students spend time playing hockey-like game, 5B
Friday, April 29, 2011
Downtown for a pint | Rain brings event inside, 3a All-star team | check out cmu athletic’s best, 1b
Central Michigan Life
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
A c a d e m i c P r i o r i t i z at i o n
Program review on schedule, Provost says By Maria Amante Senior Reporter
Provost Gary Shapiro said the process of prioritizing all academic and service programs on campus is “right on target.” Academic Prioritization, a comprehensive review of academic programs, is being conducted to determine how the university can better focus on advancing academic excellence and quality, according to the initiative’s website. Shapiro said the program is something CMU should engage in consistently. “This will give an opportunity for the university to make choices and use what are limited resources and ... spend our resources in a manner that best helps our students and best helps move our university forward,” he said. Shapiro said all department heads have submit-
ted their self-evaluations and are now being reviewed by advisory committees composed of faculty members in each college. Each college’s dean will receive the reports from the advisory committees by the end of this month, and the deans will then submit their analysis of those reports to Shapiro. Shapiro said he is waiting for reports from each dean before making any decisions. “I’m not making any premature judgments that this needs to be strengthened or this program needs to be eliminated … if I had those, then there would be no need for the prioritization,” he said. Salma Ghanem, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, said the departments in her college did a very thorough job with their reports, but
Kaitlin Thoresen/staff photographer
Kentwood senior Josh Fisher dances with Ashley Jurick, 22, during the Special Education Field Day Thursday afternoon at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
love of the game
A ACADEMIC | 2A
Volunteers promote culture of inclusion
One-third of Isabella bridges in need of repairs Lack of funding puts county, MDOT in difficult position By Emily Grove Senior Reporter
While some roads in Isabella County are in dire need of repair, more than one-third of county bridges are also in rough shape. Of the 114 bridges in the county, 39 are on a critical bridge list. Isabella County Road Commission Manager Tony Casali said there are two classifications of issues for bridges on the list — structural and functional. The functional classifi-
By Hailee Sattavara | Staff Reporter
cation means something is insufficient, such as the road may be too narrow for the traffic volume, he said. The structural classification is more serious and often requires more time and effort to fix. “Structurally could mean the beams are in rough shape or fatigue of the bridge itself,” Casali said. “In that case, we would start imposing things like weight restrictions where we don’t let trucks with loads over a certain weight access the bridge and they have to take an alternate route.” Last year a weight restriction was placed on a bridge over the Chippewa River on Lincoln Road between Broomfield Road A bridge | 2a
The smiling faces of children filled the Indoor Athletic Center Thursday for the first special education field day hosted by CMU professors and student volunteers. Judy Chandler, associate professor of physical education and sport, was instrumental in organizing the event, which allowed area children with mental disabilities the chance to play games. Children with mental disabilities do not tend to get included, so this is the first time many of them have had a field day, she said. “All of the volunteers for the event were physical education majors and minors for teaching,” Chandler said.
Jason Upshaw, 11, runs underneath the lifted parachute during the Special Education Field Day Thursday afternoon at the Indoor Athletic Complex.
Hart junior Jena Schaner volunteered to work at the event, which brought in 109 students from Gratiot and Isabella counties. The students rotated between 12 activities: an obstacle course, scooter hockey, parachute, bowling, kickball, dance, hoppity hop/bunny, veggie station, think your drink, desert alternative, plan a meal and fruit and veggie mystery. The event took place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Throughout the course of
students graduate that they should be able to organize and plan, with the help of administrators, an end of the year field day for the entire school,” Thorn said. Thorn contacted the regional education district of Gratiot and Isabella counties to find children with special needs to coordinate so the students could attend CMU’s special education field day. The event was planned to take place inside and outside, but because rain ev-
the day students would visit each station once, Schaner said. “I think it’s a great way to show a student with a mental disability that they don’t have to be treated differently,” she said. Jennifer Thorn, assistant professor of physical education, also helped organized the event. Student volunteers were crucial to the process and learned key skills through the experience, she said. “It’s important that when
erything was moved inside, Schaner said. The theme of the event was sports, so coordinators contacted the Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Pistons, she said. The Pistons donated a Tshirt for each participant, and a signed picture of Lions running back Jahvid Best was submitted for a silent auction held during the event. Proceeds will be toward next year’s event. metro@cm-life.com
Group amping for annual maple syrup fest Event planned this weekend in Shepherd By Perry Fish Staff Photographer
Shepherd resident and retired assistant professor Arnie Hammel has been volunteering his time for the Shepherd Sugar Bush for 20 years. Hammel helps make maple syrup for the annual Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival during the months of March and April with other volunteers from the area. They came together to collect sap from more than 1,600 trees, making more than 2,005 gallons of syrup
for this year’s festival, taking place from today to Sunday. Hammel came to CMU in 1965 to start his career as a math professor, and became involved in the Sugar Bush after moving to Shepherd in 1973. He thought he would take maple syrup and ice cream into class for his students to teach them about the ties between mathematics and the sugary tapping. “There are a lot of numbers associated with it,” Hammel said. Hammel said producing maple syrup involves equations which determine the sugar content and how many gallons of sap one tree will produce from one spigot. After retiring, Hammel
“It’s a miracle when you think about what that tree is giving.” Arnie Hammel, Shepherd resident
said he had more time to volunteer at the Sugar Bush and enjoy the process of making maple syrup. “It’s a miracle when you think about what that tree is giving,” said Hammel. He became interested in helping after seeing volunteers tubing the maple trees across from his house. Hammel said he enjoys working with the other volunteers at the Shepherd Sugar Bush.
“It’s a great group of guys,” he said. Shepherd resident Steve Sandel said he has been volunteering at the Sugar Bush for about ten years now. “We do it for the money,” Sandel joked. Shepherd resident Sue Sandy said her family has been involved in the event for 43 years. “I like picking up the sap,” Sandy said. “Actually, it’s good exercise.”
perry fish/staff photographer
Shepherd resident Arnie Hammel carries buckets full of maple tree sap to a holding tank for transport back to the Shepherd Sugar Bush March 31. Hammel has volunteered at the Shepherd Sugar Bush for twenty years. “It’s a miracle when you think about what this tree is giving,” Hammel said.
The money raised from the festival goes back to the Shepherd community through programs and the schools.
91 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice
“It’s a community-wide project — that’s for sure,” Sandy said. metro@cm-life.com
2A || Friday, April 29, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
EVENTS CALENDAR today w JuYeon Kim’s Barstow Artist-in-Residence exhibition will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the University Art Gallery’s West Gallery. w Gentle Friday will be held from noon to 5 p.m. in Fnch Fieldhouse.
SATURDAY w Putting for a Cure will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Student Activity Center’s Small Sports Forum. w There’s No Excuse for Child Abuse Walk 2011 will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in the Bovee University Center’s upper and lower lobby. w A Gus Macker basketball tournament will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Finch Fieldhouse. w The 22nd Annual RockN-Reggae Bash will take place at Salt River Acres Campground, 926 Greendale Road, in Shepherd from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 in advance. For more information contact Salt River Acres at (989) 631-0817 or email info@saltriveracres.net w Comedian Rodney Carrington will perform at 8 p.m. at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort , 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd.Call 1-800-585-3737 for more information.
Sunday w A Saxaphone Studio Concert begins at 5 p.m. atthe Music Building’s Chamichian Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
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. Š Central Michigan Life 2011 Volume 91, Number 86
Central Michigan Life Editorial Jackie Smith, Editor in Chief Connor Sheridan, Managing Editor Michael L. Hoffman, Student Life Editor Jake Bolitho, Metro Editor Carisa Seltz, University Editor Chelsea Kleven, Lead Designer Aaron McMann, Sports Editor Jake May, Photo Editor Sara Winkler, Assistant Photo Editor Adam Kaminski, Video Editor
bridge |
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
continued from 1a
and M-20, he said. Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman Anita Richardson said bridge deterioration is common across the state. Most bridges are reaching the end of their lifespan at 50 years and reduced funding has put MDOT in a difficult position when it comes to them, she said. “We are using most federal bridge money not to build bridges, but to maintain and repair bridges,� Richardson said. The longer MDOT does maintenance work, the more likely bridges will need to be rebuilt eventually, she said. “Right now we are trying to help by matching the reduced funding as efficiently as possible, but it’s more and more difficult as highways age,� Richardson said. The county has to apply for critical bridge funds three years ahead of time to help local jurisdictions also come up with funds to pay for the reconstruction, Casali said. “To even qualify, a bridge has to span 20 feet or longer
to receive funding for any reconstruction,� he said. MDOT is looking at doing business differently with several ways to manage transportation, Richardson said. Right now there are different presentations on MDOT’s website outlining ways to change how they are funded, she said. Some examples found on the website are ways to revamp the registration fee for cars and airplanes, looking into toll roads and gas tax revenue and what is being done with it, Richardson said. When it comes to bridges, Richardson emphasized the goal is to keep them all safe and passable by inspecting each bridge every two years. “If a bridge is deemed structurally deficient, that does not necessarily mean it’s unsafe, it just needs repair work,� she said. “But if it is unsafe we are willing to do whatever possible to keep people safe, including closing the bridge.�
BETHANY WALTER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dearborn freshman Elizabeth Cundy pets Molly during the Rent-A-Puppy fundraiser held by Phi Sigma Pi on Wednesday afternoon near Wesley Center, 1400 S. Washington St.
From religion to reality, meet the real Jesus. • Healing for the whole person.
metro@cm-life.com
ACADEMIC |
April 27-May 1*
continued from 1A
“The next six months are going to be fairly interesting in terms of what actually happens.�
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
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was unable to predict what the final outcome would be. “I haven’t come up with any conclusions,â€? Ghanem said. “It’s a lot of work ‌ It’s an opportunity to determine what programs might need more funds. It’s a good process.â€? Phil Squattrito, professor of chemistry and Academic Senate president, said the Senate has not taken a position on Academic Prioritization, but had several questions when the program was first proposed. Right now, a lot of the efforts are behind-the-scenes within the departments and colleges, and after the Provost has released his recommendations, the Academic Senate will have more input, Squattrito said. “The next six months are going to be fairly interesting in terms of what actually happens,â€? he said. Academic Senate has begun eliminating some pro-
grams at the suggestion of Claudia Douglass, interim vice provost of academic affairs, separate from the Academic Prioritization process, Squattrito said. The difference between those eliminations and the Academic Prioritization process is the Academic Senate-eliminated programs were already inactive. “You might call it housekeeping, which is very different than academic prioritization,� Squattrito said. Squattrito said the prioritization is not a new concept for the university as departments have reviewed their programs periodically. This time, though, he said the review is more comprehensive. “There has been a history of evaluating programs, and I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing,� he said. university@cm-life.com
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inside life Central Michigan Life
3A
Friday, April 29, 2011
Event promotes sex education Sextival planned by Parenthood, attracts 500 By Jessica Fecteau Staff Reporter
paige calamari/staff photographer
Laingsburg junior Kelsey Turek decorates a condom box Thursday afternoon during the Sextival in Finch Fieldhouse. The festival was held to raise awareness about sexual health. Turek attended the event because she is majoring in public health and plans to work in sexual health education.
Meagan Dullack spent part of her Thursday afternoon competing against other students to see who was the fastest at applying a condom to a plastic penis. The race the Commerce Township freshman par-
ticipated in was part of Sextival, an event hosted by Voices for Planned Parenthood, or VOX, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday in Finch Fieldhouse. The goal of the event was to educate CMU students about sexual health. Dullack went to the Sextival to test her knowledge of the topic. “I came with friends for something fun to do and to learn more,” she said. “I learned I am fast at putting a condom on and I learned a lot about different cul-
tures and sexuality.” St. Clair freshman Ericka Gaffney said the races were held because practice makes perfect. “We want people to know it’s okay to play around with a condom before having sex for the first time,”she said. “We have people racing to put the condom on a plastic penis and I explained what they did right or wrong and how to take it off.” Muir senior Elizabeth Powers coordinated 18 tables for more than a dozen different organizations at
the event, where more than 500 people were expected to attend. “Many different community and campus organizations came together to raise awareness and educate the community about sexual and reproductive health issues,” Powers said. “We are providing a fun and positive atmosphere for people to come together and raise attention.” Libby Aldrich said other colleges helped inspire this
A SEXTIVAL | 5A
mount pleasant
Downtown small businesses still succeeding Economy not hurting many new ventures By Jordan Spence Staff Reporter
Mount Pleasant has remained a thriving community for small businesses despite Michigan’s hardships and economic downturn. Over the past several of years a variety of small businesses have cropped up downtown, challenging the notion that Michigan is not a growing state, said Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller. Because areas like downtown Mount Pleasant are already established, Sponseller said, it is the perfect place to begin a new business. “With inventory they can watch closely with what sells and what doesn’t, and then change it accordingly,” she said. “It’s a lot harder for larger stores to track these things.” Restaurants, clothing boutiques and grocery stores are just some of the businesses that have helped expand the growth of the area. One way of keeping small businesses strong is introducing new items to customers. June Bonstelle, owner of June’s Boutique, 201 1/2 E. Broadway St., said her business has been doing well. The store, which sells clothing and accessories, has been open since December. “We started carrying baby items about three weeks ago,” Bonstelle said. “It has done really well. We sold
over half of it in the first week.” People seeking a natural way of life can find products and classes to help them at Crystal Mountain Lotus Moon, 206 S. Main St. The store has a small, regularly growing customer base since opening, said co-owner John Marsden. “We’re trying to get the body work moving right now,” he said. “That includes massage and energy work. Our classes, such as belly dancing, are also busy.” For businesses to grow, many make the move to a new location, such as Emma’s Boutique and Four Seasons Floral. Kim Lovejoy, owner of Emma’s Basement Boutique, 111 S. University, said business has increased 30 percent since the store moved into a new building. “Now that I’m in a bigger store I can keep aisles big and clear, and all kinds of customers can come in, like moms with strollers,” Lovejoy said. “Now people drive by and are interested in the pink storefront, which draws them in.” The boutique now offers a larger variety of products, such as maternity wear. The increased space also helps create a more pleasurable shopping experience, she said. Katie Ellis, manager of Four Seasons Floral, said the new location at 2223 S. Mission St. has helped increase the number of customers coming in. “Business has been running smoothly with the second store,” Ellis said. “It has really helped being right off campus.” metro@cm-life.com
“We started carrying baby items about three weeks ago. It has done really well. We sold over half of it in the first week.” June Bonstelle, June’s Boutique owner
Kaitlin Thoresen/staff photographer
Junior Sara Hicks dances while the Satin Peaches perform on stage during Downtown for a Pint Thursday night at Rubbles Bar, 112 West Michigan St.
A beneficial pint Third-annual event brings students downtown for Red Cross By Randi Shaffer | Senior Reporter
Three years after Downtown for a Pint’s inception, funds are still being raised, music is still playing and friends are still sharing food and drinks on a late spring night. The event began as a mere hot dog stand, but grew into the successful three-year fundraiser, which benefited the American Red Cross. LeRoy junior Wayne Blanchard developed and coordinated the event. He was given the challenge by his co-ed professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, to put on a service event to benefit charity. “By the end of the brainstorm session we were thinking, ‘so why are we having this hot dog stand?,” Blanchard said. “‘Why aren’t we just having bands?’” This year’s event featured four artists. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. of Detroit headlined the concert. Elliot Street Lunatic of East Lansing, The Satin Peaches of Detroit and Jetpack On! of Mount Pleasant all performed short sets throughout the night. Originally scheduled to be held at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Street in down-
perry fish/staff photographer
Alumnus and Jet Pack On! bass player Nick D’agostino plays to a full audience during Downtown for a Pint Thursday evening at Rubbles Bar, 112 West Michigan St. Jet Pack On! was one of four bands who played at the Red Cross benefit concert put on by Alpha Kappa Psi. “It’s kind of a big party,” D’agostino said.
town Mount Pleasant, the concert was moved to inside Rubble’s Bar, 112 W. Michigan St. Cheboygan senior Crystal Korn said though the move was planned last minute, it did have its positive aspects. “The inside (setting) is giving it more of a close feel to the bands and the people around you,” she said. “And now since it’s in a bar, people can drink and listen to music at the same time.” Mount Pleasant sophomore Amanda Leksche said it was the first time she attended Down-
town for a Pint and she came to see The Satin Peaches play. “I heard one of their songs on the radio and I started listening to them and I really like their music,” she said. The Satin Peaches have performed at every year of the event. “We had so much fun the last two years, we wouldn’t miss it,” said George Morris, guitarist and vocalist for the band. Morris said The Satin Peaches played in the first Downtown for a Pint after they were approached by Central Michigan
University alum Justin Rydzewski, who was working with Blanchard. Rydzewski was looking to put on a benefit concert and asked Morris if his band would perform. The Satin Peaches agreed, and the event was put together three weeks later. In addition to his love of performing, Morris also supports the cause. “I can’t say anything bad about the Red Cross,” he said. metro@cm-life.com
Art exhibit raises awareness for sexual aggression survivors Event features inclusive art in Bovee Center By Sherri Keaton Staff Repor ter
Sara Shawano’s perspective changed after she looked into the the photographed eyes of a sexually abused woman. “It was a very big eyeopener — the struggles that some people have to go through,” the Petos-
key senior said. “At first I wasn’t expecting ... some of the content that was in (the painting).” In Bovee University Center room 125, art and abusesurvival met to create the Spoken Word Exhibit where nine painted photographs and testimonies of sexual aggression survivors were displayed. The exhibit features the painted picture with an MP3 player and headphones telling the survivor’s story. Sexual Aggression Peer
Advocates hosted the exhibit, which will run until the end of the April, as part of Sexual Aggression Awareness Month. Sexual Aggression Services and SAPA Director Stephen Thompson said the exhibit stemmed from one originally made out of plaster molds of the faces of people with AIDS. “We saw that and (the artist) expanded it a little bit to sexual aggression,” Thompson said. Alumnus Kyle Butler created the designs — a
project that has taken four years and is nearly complete. Thompson wanted viewers to receive the message directly from the survivor. “They can hear the voice of the survivor and get a little more of an understanding of who that person was at the time and who they are now,” Thompson said. “Hearing the voice is something that is really important for people.” The exhibit has been on the road at Wayne State University and in Florida
on display at a national conference. SAPA member and Davison graduate student Nick Varner said the exhibit shows that anyone can be the survivor of sexual aggression. “Everyone has their own stories and their own experience, and Spoken shows survivors that they are not alone,” Varner said. Even though all the stories may be different, the common thread is they survived and are able to still be successful, he said.
Connor Sheridan, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343
“Spoken shows that sexual violence doesn’t always end your life, it is just part of your life,” Varner said. When looking at all of the exhibits and hearing their stories, Shawano said the stories were all big eyeopeners for her. “There is always a story behind everybody,” she said. “I think a lot of people need to understand that sometimes one person can’t deal with (abuse) — they need help.” stud entl i fe@c m-l i fe.com
voices Central Michigan Life
4A
Friday, April 29, 2011
“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]
Editorial Board: Jackie Smith, Editor
in
Chief | Connor Sheridan, Managing Editor | Brad Canze, News Copy Chief
Carisa Seltz, University Editor | Jake Bolitho, Metro Editor | Aaron McMann, Sports Editor | Michael L. Hoffman, Student Life Editor
EDITORIAL | Snyder misunderstands the true importance of education
Educational rhetoric
His plan will do little to improve a public school system already bending toward a potentially catastrophic breaking point. The only way Michigan will ever move toward an economic recovery is through education. Snyder said, “To see our students succeed, we must expect the best, and we must provide the tools, support and environment students need to reach the high expectations we have set,” and he’s absolutely correct on all fronts. However, the proper tools for increasing the likelihood of more positive educational outcomes are not cuts and regulations, but a serious push for greater funding. The “Michigan Promise” scholarship promised to current college students for high MEAP scores was a promise broken — many students never saw a penny of the money earned — and funding for college
G
ov. Rick Snyder proposed massive reform to the funding of all levels of education in the state during a Wednesday speech in Lansing.
While the efforts appear to be aimed at increasing “efficiency,” it is more than likely they will simply make it easier for Snyder’s administration to make further cuts to a crucial component of so many Michigan residents’ lives. The move to combine funding for both primary and university education will simply make cuts to funding appear smaller than they actually are. Hypothetically, a 3-percent cut to state education will appear statistically insignificant and appeal to taxpayers, yet will make a larger impact on
every student in Michigan. Snyder’s plan is simply disingenuous at best and cynical at worst. Though it is clear he cares deeply about the future of this state, particularly the collapsed economy, it is hard to understand how his plan will move us toward a lasting recovery. An increased emphasis on charter schools, a reduction of funding to both primary and university students and refusing to allow school districts to limit the enrollment of students from outside their border will not help in any way.
students has since been reduced in many other ways at both state and federal levels. It is clear Snyder wants to see Michigan students succeed, but his policy only vaguely resembles his rhetoric. The charter schools and out-of-town schools combined with funding cuts will likely make the financial crisis facing school districts, particularly in urban areas, even worse. College students are often seen as lazy leeches on the edge of the American economy, spending their days spray-tanning and drinking cheap vodka, but in reality, we make up the backbone of the future American tax base. We are facing a future where there will be little to no unskilled labor employment, and it is crucial to the state and national economies that all levels of education be given financial support, rather than offered lip service and budget cuts.
KIM PATISHNOCK [CENTRAL SQUARE]
Sherri Keaton Staff Reporter
A farewell to CMU
This is an emotional moment for me right now. As I am sitting here in my pajamas, not having to go to any more classes for the rest of my life: a, foreign notion to me, still. As a graduating senior, I am declaring this column a pseudograduation speech: an informal goodbye letter to CMU, my peers and whoever else decides to read this. Thankfully, you can’t see me tearing up. In writing this, I had the opportunity to wax eloquently about my past endeavors, groups I’ve led, awards I’ve won and lifelong friendships I’ve made. But I won’t do that. I want to talk about how even as a senior, I get scared at times, asking the universal question most 20-something-year-olds want to know: “Am I prepared for the real world?” It seems that my adulthood snuck up on me quickly and that complete feeling of “a true adult” never really sinks in like it does in the movies. But there are no cameras. It is my life. And since I stepped through the maroon and gold doors, I knew I would be leaving faster than I came here three years ago as a transfer student. I can tell I have grown up in these short years but there is still so much I want to do. My classes have only created a deeper desire in me to be a lifelong student. In my cultural anthropology class, I learned about the study of present-day human cultures while discovering what I love, turning this class into my minor. The little kid in me still wants to discover the world through a paper-towel telescope lens. In my class on African cultures, I learned new routes my ancestors have gone through to get me to where I am today. Even in French I learned to love the intricacies of a new language, and love the country’s cheese. But outside of the classroom, I received at least 50 percent of my education. Learning about cultures from places I never thought about, covering events that still leave me scratching my head, I’m thankful I was able to experience it. And then there was connecting with a community such as Mount Pleasant where I could call home. I have learned that being a senior isn’t about being finished, but just starting. Being a real adult with bills and an education, I will never take for granted. Henry David Thoreau once said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Since I have come to CMU I have lived and imagined so much within this campus. I won’t forget my dreams and I will go forth with confidence. Goodbye CMU. You taught me well. Central Michigan Life is the independent voice of Central Michigan University and is edited and published by students of CMU every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and on Wednesday during the summer term. The online edition (www.cmlife.com) contains all of the material published in print.
[ Letter to the editor] Throughout the year it has been our pleasure to collaborate with CM Life and reporters from a wide range of media outlets in their coverage of university news. We take seriously our role of assisting CMU administrators and staff in working with reporters, which has prompted this response to Wednesday’s CM Life editorial. Professional journalists will attest to the fact that working with public relations is a regular part of doing business. They utilize PR services as a resource to help them navigate through a complex organization and to gain access to individuals who have accurate and relevant information. CMU administrators who refer reporters from a variety of media outlets to University Communications do so for many reasons. Some are simply uncomfortable dealing with reporters. Others have schedules that
don’t allow for a timely response under a journalist’s deadline and ask for public relations assistance. However, most comment that they are reluctant to deal with CM Life because of past experiences in which factual errors were included in the story, their comments were presented out of context or they were misquoted. We are pleased to read that, “in recent weeks, an open dialogue between CM Life and CMU has taken promising strides forward, leaving CMU staffers optimistic it will continue.” CMU always has been and remains committed to a positive working relationship with the media. Such a relationship is built upon understanding and trust. University Communications will continue its proactive efforts to engage all media, including CM Life, in
editorial board meetings and media availabilities following major events, to coordinate access to administrators and staff, to assist with news coverage, and to ensure that information is accurate, timely and relevant. CM Life’s editorial team has demonstrated on several occasions this past semester that, by keeping an open mind, listening to the facts and making tough decisions, a positive working relationship can exist and is beneficial to all parties involved. Congratulations on a successful and award-winning year. To the CM Life staff and all of our students, have a safe and memorable summer.
I applaud Mr. Inks and you for not censoring the comments on his “tasteless” article concerning the 9/11 Truth Movement. It is too bad he did so little research before writing the piece but hopefully the replies will inspire him to seriously investigate topics before betraying the trust of his readers again as so many “journalists” in this nation have become accustomed to doing. Had he attended the Richard Gage, AIA presentation at Lawrence Technological University on April 18 (I was there), I am certain he would not have been so quick to dismiss
the unified professional opinion of almost 1500 licensed architects and engineers who all agree only explosives could have caused the level of destruction we witnessed in NYC on 9/11. You are likely too young to remember, but 30-plus years ago the most respected journalists were the ones who told their readers what they needed to hear and were applauded as heroes for exposing corruption in the Government and private sectors. Now, the only journalists with decent jobs are the ones who tell their readers what they and the corporate
media CEOs want them to hear. I am a registered nurse who took an oath to place the safety and rights of my patients above all other concerns. Too bad there is no oath for journalists in this country to investigate without bias (as best they can) and then report what they have learned. Maybe your generation will once again make honest reporting the norm rather than the exception.
Sincerely, Renée T. Walker, APR Associate Vice President/ University Communications
Sincerely, Jack W. Heginbotham RN Miamisburg, Ohio
[your voice] Comment in response to “Presidential Forum discusses CMU’s future” Michmediaperson - April 28 I get a kick out of George saying “Face to Face.” He loads up the in-person meeting with staff and union people so they won’t ask him tough questions. Yep, if I wanted a friendly meeting, I’d do a local “Face to Face” with these folks. George, how about having a session with the alums nationwide and taxpayers throughout the state of Michigan. And, we’ll have the Detroit Free-Press in there, too, asking tough questions. We’d like to ask you about that 50 percent tuition hike over the past four years and those lucrative pay raises for staff and union people. Invest???? Invest in IT and other Central Michigan Life 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,
courses and departments where the jobs are at....and can quickly turn Michigan’s economy around. We don’t need to invest in Shakespeare, multiculturalism or ancient history.
umbrarchist - April 28 The 9/11 decade is going to go down in history as idiotic. But whose? By the 10th anniversary of 9/11 we will have passed the 42nd anniversary of the Moon landing. Can’t most Americans and especially our physicists figure out what it takes for a skyscraper to hold itself up? The building was more than 400,000 tons. The plane was less than 200 and had only 34 tons of jet fuel. It was not FULLY
LOADED it only had 40 percent of the maximum fuel capacity. The south tower deflected a mere FIFTEEN INCHES when it was hit by a plane doing 550 mph. How is it our physicists have not been demanding to know the tons of steel and tons of concrete that were on every level of the buildings in nearly TEN YEARS? Let’s see our brilliant physicists build physical models that can be completely collapsed by dropping the top 15 percent on the rest. If they can’t do it then what does that say about what happened to the north tower? How much steel was on each level to supposedly weaken due to fire in less than two hours? 9/11 is the Piltdown Man Incident of the 21st century. Our physicists have spent ten years making fools of themselves
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Comment in response to Nathan Inks’ column “9/11 Truth pointless at best, tasteless at worst”
Cajetan Iheka Graduate Student
Student essay promotes civility
Civility, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, entails an “observance of civil order; orderly behavior; good citizenship.” In other words, acts of civility are those that promote order in society. From the above, one notices that civility is an important characteristic expected of citizens of any stable society. In fact, Sam E. Ezeanyika has written that the level of civility exhibited by members of a society “determine the degree of stability and order in such a system.” Beyond the theoretical postulations of scholars like Ezeanyika, a particular CMU experience has also shown me that civility fosters social harmony. I came to CMU from Nigeria in the fall of 2009 and I had the experience in the spring and fall of 2010. Like other international students, I received an email message from CMU Health Services in spring 2010. According to the e-mail message, it was compulsory for all foreign students to purchase a CMU health insurance policy beginning this fall. I was worried about the high cost of the CMU insurance policy and decided to mobilize other students to express our grievances to the appropriate quarters. We held meetings that culminated in a protest rally in September 2010. Of course, we had to meet with President Ross and other university officials to protest against the seeming insensitivity of the directive from the University Health Services. At the end of negotiations, the university accepted our case, which allowed us to purchase any policy of our choice so far that it meets the minimum requirement set by the university. Also, we were permitted to purchase such a policy every semester as opposed to the one-year coverage earlier requested. In all of these, I was impressed by the civility of the university officials who found time to listen to our grievances and to make the necessary concessions. The more interesting thing to me was that several international students avoided our meetings and rally, and when I inquired about their non-participation in our activities, I learned they were afraid the university could victimize us since we are foreign students. In fact, an Asian student warned me to be careful because my assistantship could be withdrawn by the university. In the end, concessions were made and nobody was victimized. Overall, that experience showed me how civility could engender peaceful co-existence in a society. By adhering to civil procedures, the university and its international students were able to negotiate an acceptable compromise. The other thing I learned from that experience was that the use of force or other acts of incivility would have negatively affected the relationship between the university and its international students.
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p r e s id e n t i a l f o r u m
Ross speaks to 200 students, faculty about budget, transition By Mike Nichols Senior Reporter
University President George Ross said a personal forum is necessary to help keep transparency at the university — online posts and emails sometimes are not enough. About 200 people attended a presidential forum held by Ross from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Bovee University Center. The forum was broadcasted online via Wimba where approximately 100 people viewed online. “We’re attempting to keep the information out there,” Ross said. “But every once in a while it’s good to communicate face to face.” The forum agenda covered the university mission statement, presidential transition team, strategic planning team, assessment and prioritization update, the budget and a state economic update. Ross said administration went to outside professional sources who gathered data and helped them process the information. He said the mission is student success. Ross said the 80-member transition team has concluded its reports, which are now available online. “There’s some pretty hard stuff to read in there about our university, but we need to read it,” Ross said. “What we plan must be integrated into where we want to take this university.” Regarding strategic planning, Ross said the 14-member team, co-chaired by Claudia Douglass, interim vice provost of Academic Affairs, and Barrie Wilkes, associate vice president of Finan-
SEXTIVAL | continued from 3A
festival. “I went to a rally in Lansing for VOX and that’s where I first heard the term ‘Sextival,’” the junior said. “MSU and U-M both had thrown a couple and we thought it sounded really interesting.” As part of the environment, activity and game tables along with free snacks and live entertainment were available. Students could also engage in a game of STI vs. antibiotic dodge ball. Aldrich said the Office of Gay and Lesbian Services
cial Services and Reporting, will guide the university’s strategic planning process. Provost Gary Shapiro said each strategic unit is reviewing its program, and submitting a report by May. Shapiro also discussed the importance of online education formats. About 96 percent of the students that attend CMU are from Michigan, the majority of which are directly out of high school. However, recent numbers show a 7.02-percent decline in CMU’s Michigan high school student intake and a 4-percent decline in first timers in any college. The international and offcampus students are the ones CMU will start trying to reach. Emphasis will be placed on online education, which means trying to limit the size to increase the quality, Ross said. “We have to broaden our base
Jean Prout still has a large workload ahead of her, but is hoping to have her bed and bistro open in time for Summerfest in June. Prout is converting an old Victorian house at 309 N. Main St. into The Ginkgo Tree Inn featuring the Riverbluff Bistro. Demolition began in November, but actual construction has taken longer. Prout just received her building permit last month. “Anything with a hammer and building things needs a permit so we were waiting, waiting, waiting and now we are going full speed,” Prout said. Prout is also the owner of Centennial Hall, 306 W. Michigan St. She said she likes to keep busy and decided she needed a new venture. That is when the idea for the bed and bistro was born. “I was bored and went to Rich Morrison (Mount Pleasant director of Community Services) and asked if he had a project for me to do because everyone knows Jean Prout is always busy,” Prout said. “He said, ‘Let me show you this house’ and the minute I saw
it I knew it had to be a bed and breakfast.” Morrision, Mount Pleasant’s director of community services, said after showing Prout the house, things just took off. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “I think it’ll be great for downtown.” The house will have new furnaces, plumbing, fireplaces and new wallpaper. Prout plans to keep the old wooden floors and have them re-stained. The biggest work will be the addition of a kitchen and a turret. Aside from all the work on the actual house, Prout plans to do a makeover of the land in the backyard. The house sits on the river and trains used to be parked behind the house in an old train bed, Prout said. The CMU art department will be coming out to clean up wood along the area to use for their kilns. Prout wants to eventually build steps to the bank and be able to eat on the river. She said the Riverbluff Bistro will serve homemade breakfast, soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch and will look into a dinner menu later if it is needed. “We’re trying be organic and
of where we recruit,” Ross said. Kathy Wilbur, vice president of development and external relations and co-chair of the transition team, addressed the budget. Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed to cut the university budget 15 percent. CMU could also receive a 23.3-percent cut if it raises tuition above 7.1 percent. The dashboard system is very different than a funding formula, Wilbur said. The current year appropriations were $80,132,000 and the proposed state appropriations are $68,108,900, meaning CMU’s spending needs to be reduced by $12 million. Ross said the best thing for the budget is investing. “We’ve got to figure out how we’re going to invest,” Ross said. “We cannot (continue) planning by how we’re going to cut the budget.”
condoms and abstinence candy with fellow SSP members. Powers hopes to see this event happen again because of its strong purpose and message. “We want to see it grow and have more organizations get involved,” Powers said. “It is important for everyone to be educated so people are aware of the situations they are in and they know what can happen from being in those situations.” studentlife@cm-life.com
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farm fresh with down-to-earth cooking that’s very healthy,” Prout said. “We hope to attract people who like to sit and enjoy food and conversation.” Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller thinks the project will be a great attraction and positive attribute to Summerfest this year. “It can certainly be a draw for people who want to stay close to the action of our downtown events,” she said in an email. “With such a short walk to downtown and our parks system, it’s a terrific location in the center of the city.” There is only one other option for overnight accommodations near downtown — the Pleasant Dreams Bed and Breakfast at 400 E. Wisconsin St., Sponseller said. Prout aims to attract a variety of clients once she opens the inn. “I’m hoping to draw in CMU alumni back for football games, locals and CMU employees and students,” she said. “Once we start a website we can hopefully draw in B&B lovers too.”
donated Sextival T-shirts for the event that were sold for $10 a piece, with proceeds going to the Women’s Aid Services. During the Sextival, Grant senior Carly Davidson represented Safer Sex Patrol. “SSP works to reduce the amount of STIs and STDs on the CMU campus and the community by distributing abstinence kits and condoms to many local Mount Pleasant bars,” Davidson said. While educating students on STDs and sexual health, Davidson passed out free
CA$H
sean proctor/staff photographer
University President George Ross checks his watch before speaking with faculty and students during the Presidential Forum Wednesday afternoon at the Bovee University Center Auditorium.
Bed and bistro aims for June opening By Emily Grove Senior Reporter
Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 29, 2011 || 5A
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