Crashes | Slippery roads, fast drivers, damaged lightposts, 3A
MAYOR | Kilmer takes over as head of Mount Pleasant, 1B
Central Michigan Life
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
Ross revamps leadership team Significant modifications, new appointments announced By Maria Amante Senior Reporter, and Brad Canze News Copy Chief
University President George Ross made several significant changes Tuesday to senior leadership positions effective Monday, Jan. 17. The development and alumni
relations, and government relations and public affairs offices were consolidated into one division. Kathy Wilbur, current vice president of government relations and public affairs, will become vice president of development and external relations. The move eliminates the vice president for development and alumni relations position, currently held by Ted Tolcher in an interim capacity. Ross said the move, determined after assessing operational efficiencies and cost improvements, was in part a testament to Wilbur, who previously served as interim univer-
sity president. Her salary will increase to $215,000 annually. Her success with fundraising efforts, her skill set and experience with the university’s relationships in government, corporate and the business community contributed to the appointment, Ross said. “Kathy is key … I’m happy and lucky enough to have that person in the university,” Ross said in an interview with CM Life. Wilbur said her new title will make the university more effective. A leadership | 2A
Heeke gets ‘security’ with contract extension
June 30, 2014. In accordance with a wage freeze among senior officials issued in April, Heeke’s salary will remain at Dave Heeke $163,909. Included in the new agreement, however, is a multitude of “incentive opportunities” based on various aspects of performance during competition and in the classroom. “We’ve got what you call an agreement in principle and finalizing signatures,” Heeke
By Aaron McMann Sports Editor
Director of Athletics Dave Heeke no longer has to worry about working on a 1-year contract as a part of a mass of reorganizations and changes announced Tuesday. Central Michigan University gave Heeke, 45, a 3-year contract extension, keeping him at the school through
said Tuesday afternoon. “Dr. Ross and I have had several conversations since he came aboard about putting together some type of multi-year arrangement.” He has been working on a yearly contract since June 30, 2007. His last raise came in July 2009. Among the performancebased incentives in the new agreement include meeting academic progress rate measurements, appearance in bowl games, Mid-American Conference division and conference
A Heeke | 2A
Percent of tenured professors on campus remains consistent Figure hovers around 40 percent By Theresa Clift Staff Reporter
Editor’s note: Every Wednesday, CM Life will publish an indepth piece, examining different issues. Tenure status translates to higher job security for faculty members, but the process can be confusing for students to understand. Position categories range from tenured, to tenure-track, to fixed term or non-tenure eligible. The percentage of tenureeligible faculty at CMU who have acquired tenure status is 69.7 percent. “(It) has been at that roughly 70 percent figure for the past 4-5 years,” said Robert Martin, associate vice provost of Faculty and Personnel Services, in an emailed statement. He also said the percent of total faculty who are tenured,
roughly 40 percent, has been relatively consistent in recent years. Martin said there are roughly 425-450 faculty members at CMU out of the 1,067 total faculty members who are not tenure-eligible. At least two comparable public universities have a higher percentage of tenured faculty members. As of fall 2009, 78 percent of professors at Western Michigan University were tenured, according to the “Bargaining Unit Faculty Headcounts by Department and Tenure” report. At Saginaw Valley State University, 63 percent of all professors are tenured, according to recent data provided by university officials. Martin said there are several key differences between tenuretrack and tenured faculty members. “What comes immediately to mind is that with tenure comes a legal interest in the position,” he said. A tenure | 5A
By Ariel Black | Senior Reporter
T
he renovation process of the fitness center in the Student Activity Center has run into some problems over the past few weeks. CMU discovered asbestos and a high concentration of lead in the old wrestling space, said Stan Shingles, assistant vice president of University Recreation. sean proctor/staff photographer
Stafford takes over as new women’s soccer head coach Less than two weeks in and the search for a new head women’s soccer coach is over. Central Michigan University named Neil Stafford the program’s head coach Monday during a news conference at the CMU Events Center. Stafford signed a 3-year deal that will pay him $60,000 per year plus bonuses based on performance. Stafford said he was informed of the decision at 8:30 a.m. Friday by CMU Athletics Director Dave Heeke and Senior Associate Athletics Director Marcy Weston. “Dave and Marcy asked me to reflect on what my visions
SAC renovation project still on schedule despite asbestos, lead findings Construction to be completed in March
Neil Stafford was named the new head coach of the women’s soccer team Monday afternoon, less than two weeks after former coach Tom Anagnost announced his move to the University of Miami. Stafford signed a three-year deal, earning $60,000 per year. A national search began last week for a second assistant coach, Stafford’s former position.
By Aaron McMann Sports Editor
photos by Victoria zegler/staff photographer
Central Michigan University students exercise on gym equipment Monday afternoon in the Student Activity Center. The majority of the gym equipment has been relocated downstairs to MAC Room 2 due to renovations taking place in the SAC until March.
were for the program,” Stafford said. “We had an hour and a half meeting one day that I thought went really well.” His vision? To keep a program that has won back-to-back MidAmerican Conference championships and made a pair of NCAA tournament appearances on track. “Not too much is going to change. If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” Stafford was named interim head coach on Dec. 29 after Tom Anagnost resigned from CMU to accept the vacant coaching position at the University of Miami. In a telephone interview with A coach | 9A
The issue was discovered two weeks ago, but there was a 10-day waiting period before abatement could occur. Shingles said it is being taken care of this week. Despite the setbacks, Shingles said the construction crew is working ahead on other areas of the fitness center renovation, and therefore will not be far behind with the plans in the long run. The renovations are due for completion in March. “The new fitness center, which is the most popular area of the SAC, is being built now as well as total renovation of the existing fitness center,” Shingles said. “The entire new fitness center will be separated in two by glass sliding doors, similar to those in the library, making the space very flexible.” The original Rose Center was built in 1973 and, because of a load-bearing wall built where the mirrors in the old fitness center were,
support is still needed. The sliding doors will take the place of the old mirrors and the cost is $150,000 for the renovations on the old section. The new section is being built where the old wrestling room was and the new wrestling room will be moved to the Events Center. The new fitness center space will almost double the size of what it was previous to construction. “I’m definitely looking forward to the size increase,” said Flushing sophomore Brandon Hilsabeck. “Before, I never went at certain times because I didn’t want to deal with the crowd.” While the renovation is taking place, three-fourths of the equipment and machines from the old fitness center were moved to one of the multi-activity centers in the SAC, where students can work out until the construction is complete.
Lake Odessa senior Nick Clancy finishes the last of his core exercises Monday afternoon in the downstairs MAC Room 2 of the Student Activity Center.
Spring Arbor sophomore Tyler Allen, left, and Lansing sophomore Erin Smith, right, focus on each other’s technique during an ab workout Monday afternoon downstairs in MAC Room 2 of the Student Activity Center.
“I was confused at first, but because it’s temporary, they’re working with what they have,” said Muskegon senior Sarah Burling. “I’m looking forward to the space being bigger and having
90 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice
more equipment.” The renovations are affecting intramural sports, including soccer, floor hockey and drop-in events, Shin-
A sac | 2A
2A || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
WEDNESDAY w Accommodating Students with Disabilities presented by Susie Rood and Jim Therrell will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at Charles V. Park Library room 413
THURSDAY w CMU alumnus Les Johnson will speak at 11:45 a.m. in Anspach 113 to inform students about seeking internships with the federal government. w The CMU School of Music presents Guest Artists: Third Coast Percussion will take place at 8 p.m. in the Staples Family Concert Hall. Tickets are $5 for the public and $3 for CMU students. w A Department of Art and Design Barstow Lecture by Dylan Miner will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium. w A B.B. King concert will take place 8 p.m. at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort at 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd. w A Graphic Protest Reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the University Art Gallery.
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 2010 Volume 91, Number 44
leadership | continued from 1A
“I’m very excited, it’s a great combination of existing organizations,� she said. Ross said Wilbur will become chief development officer of fundraising across all the colleges, corporate and foundation fundraising, and all alumni affair relationships while maintaining all of her current responsibilities. Tolcher said he is pleased with the appointment of Wilbur, and will continue his responsibilities as assistant vice president of major and planned giving program. “I was doing two jobs at once: (assistant vice president of major and planned giving program and vice president of development and alumni relations) and I enjoy doing that (the assistant vice president position),� he said. “I get more donor contact and that is my forte — more personal contact.� Ross also created a vice president position for enrollment and student services, which will be subject to a nationwide search to fill the opening. The new vice president will report directly to the president and is responsible for student enrollment goals, student retention and graduation rates, marketing responsibilities and keeping the university competitive, Ross said. CHSBS dean chosen After twice acting as the in-
heeke | continued from 1A
championships in all sports and reaching fundraising goals. “I was part of the first committee that brought him, an assessment that continues through this process,� said CMU President George Ross. “Dave is a consummate professional and a very valuable asset to this university. I wanted to offer him and this university security and I want us to become a stronger athletics program.� Since taking over the role in January 2006, Heeke has hired
football coaches Butch Jones and Dan Enos, men’s basketball coach Ernie Zeigler and women’s head coach Sue Guevara. He has also led projects to install permanent lights and a new scoreboard at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, as well as the $22.5 million Events Center renovation. He was named athletics director on Dec. 6, 2005, by thenPresident Michael Rao and given an annual salary of $146,000. Before coming to CMU, Heeke spent 18 years at the University of Oregon as senior associate athletics director and chief of staff. He served as assistant athletic events coordinator at Michigan State University in 1987.
WEATHER FORECAST
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High 24/Low 6 Snow showers
gles said, but this is minimal compared to the potential repercussions of not having a fitness center at all. Along with complete renovation, planning has taken into account issues such as lighting and air flow improvement. “We have increased air exchange in the new building plans for comfort levels,� Shingles said. Also, the Fitness Assessment Center will move from the lower level to upstairs. Singles said it is one of the “hidden jewels� of the project. Shingles said although the temporary placement of machines during the construction phase may be a hassle for students, the end result will be well worth it. “People tell us this every day,� Shingles said. “This is going to change the fitness facility as a whole with the plans of unbelievable design and aesthetics.� university@cm-life.com
terim dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Pamela Gates has been named the permanent dean of the college. Gates was the CHSBS associate dean from 2001 to 2006, served as interim dean in 2007, served again as associate dean from 2008 to 2009, and has again been interim since July 2009. Ross said the ability for the selection committee, which included Provost Gary Shapiro and himself, to evaluate Gates in action as the interim helped color their decision. “We’ve had the opportunity to observe her: Her leadership abilities, the respect she has from the faculty ‌ her ability to lead the college,â€? Ross said. “She cares about students and student learning.â€? Gates said her responsibilities will remain the same as they have been as interim dean. She said the main change will be her ability to make longerlasting decisions. “You never make permanent decisions as an interim, because you work with consideration for the next dean,â€? Gates said. “We can move the college forward in a way the staff is excited we are doing.â€? The appointment follows a national search to fill the position. “The search produced a number of fine candidates and Dr. Gates was the clear choice,â€? Shapiro said.
Thursday High 25/Low 16 Snow showers
Friday High 25/Low 16 Mostly cloudy
$
30 percent chance of precipitation
30 percent chance of precipitation
20 percent chance of precipitation
PHOTO OF THE DAY
jeff smith/staff photographer
Mount Pleasant Police, Fire and Mobile Medical Response members tend to an injured man Monday afternoon after they removed him from his vehicle at the intersection of Preston and Mission Streets. The man was traveling southbound on Mission Street in a purple Chrysler Town and Country when he was rear-ended by a blue Mitsubishi Spyder around 1 p.m.
General Counsel General Counsel Manuel Rupe will now report directly to Ross instead of David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services. “At most higher education institutions, the general counsel reports directly to the president, so the reorganization is really intended to bring CMU in line with best practices in higher education,� Rupe said Tuesday in an e-mailed statement. “The “Dr. Ross and I are on the same page and we both share the same vision for our program,� Heeke said. “And that’s to be successful and to provide an experience for our student-athletes that’s very positive. From my standpoint, I’m very appreciative of the confidence that the university has shown. “I look forward to continuing to serve the university and doing my best to lead the athletic program to even better and bigger things.� -Senior Reporter Maria Amante contributed to this report.
general counsel represents the university and its board of trustees, so it makes sense for the general counsel to report directly to the president.� Ross said previous to 2002, the general counsel answered to the president, but former University President Michael Rao moved the general counsel to underneath the vice president of finances and administrative services when Ross took the position. Ross said although Rupe will
answer directly to him, he will still continue to have regular conversations with the vice presidents. “The reporting of Dr. Rupe to me rather than the VP ‌ is a structure that is common,â€? Ross said. “I’ve assessed the university (and) looked at the structure. Given the role of general counsel, given the number of conversations we have ‌ it was appropriate.â€? university@cm-life.com
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inside life Central Michigan Life
3A
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011
‘Facebook-like’ system to replace Reggie OrgSync unveiled by Student Life By Maryellen Tighe Staff Reporter
Registered Student Organizations have a new system to adjust to with the new year. The previous Reggie system has been replaced with OrgSync, a “Facebook-like” RSO system, said Assistant Director of Student Life Tom Idema. Reggie was built in 2002 or 2003 to manage the RSO system. It was state of the art then, Idema said, but the system
aged quickly. “We asked our developers of Reggie if they think we should update the system or if we should go shopping and they told us to go shopping,” he said. OrgSync was the system the Office Student Life found, Idema said. One Facebook-like feature is the event scheduling and confirmation system, he said. RSOs can schedule events and people can confirm their attendance online. It also allows members to enter their phone numbers so the RSO president can send mass
text message cancellations if there is inclement weather, Idema said, which is more instantaneous than e-mails. “Somebody said it was a lot like Facebook when they sent it to me and I agree with that,” said Newaygo sophomore Melissa Musa. “There’s obviously a lot more you can do on it, because you can message people and do posts and stuff like that.” Musa, Common Ground Dance Team president, said her only complaint so far is the difficulty of getting all her RSO members to register. Once they do, she thinks the system
will be much more convenient than the old Reggie. Central Michigan University is not making registration mandatory because OrgSync said allowing students to optin would yield higher participation, Idema said. “We asked them and they suggested to have an opt-in option for students because then they are much more likely to use the service as opposed to being forced to use it,” he said. The only organization students are automatically entered into when they join OrgSync is the Fire Up Club, which
will update students on campus events, Idema said. The Student Accounting Society is considering making OrgSync registration mandatory for their members, said President SeanPaul Cottone. “We just recently became an RSO,” said the Frankfurt senior. “The big difference is being able to form an online resume and keep track of all your volunteer gigs.” Idema described it as building a student’s “non-curricular transcript,” because they can post when they are at an event.
Idema hopes to build more onto OrgSync as more students use it. One addition will be a marketplace allowing RSOs to sell T-shirts and other merchandise. “We are in the beginning stages of what we can and cannot do,” Idema said. “Eventually we hope one day to hold SGA elections on OrgSync because we already have the option to put polls on the site.” -Student Life Editor Michael L. Hoffman contributed to this report studentlife@cm-life.com
FrugalTree gives platform for students to market skills By Michael L. Hoffman Student Life Editor
-University Editor Carisa Seltz contributed to this report
Do you have a skill you would like to market but don’t know how? Mount Pleasant natives Ryan Meier and Beau Arlt might have a solution for you — FrugalTree.com Arlt, a Mid Michigan Community College sophomore, and Meier, a CMU senior, designed FrugalTree.com as a way for students to market skills that might not get them a job, but could be a way to make extra money. “We wanted to give students a platform to trade services,” Arlt said. “We wanted to keep it reasonable, so people never have to pay more than $10 for a service.” He said he and Meier originally pitched the idea in an entrepreneurship contest on campus last year and came in third place. Arlt said he wanted to supply a way for students to find work to compensate for the state’s depressed economic climate. “What this does is allow for students to have their own business and to market that business,” he said. Meier said he hopes the site will spur commerce amongst college students. He hopes people will begin posting on the site and it will have enough success to spread to other campuses. “We are hoping it takes off a little bit because we want to start marketing it at other schools like (the University of Michigan) and (Michigan State University),” he said. As of 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday the website boasted 10 posts, ranging from exercise advice to cookie recipes to an offer for online marketing services. One poster war Zach Felton, a Mount Pleasant High School senior, whose post offered to teach buyers how to run a 5-kilometer race. “I am a cross country runner and thought that it would be a good thing to offer,” he said. Felton said he thinks FrugalTree.com has the potential to take off, but could use some tweaks. “It should be interesting, but I think it could use some refining,” Felton said. “I’m sure it could be very effective on campus.” Matt Monroe, a CMU alumnus, also uses the site. His post offered “I will tell you a hilarious joke” for the price of $3. He said he hasn’t submitted anything serious because he is still deciding what to offer, but he thought it would be funny to offer joketelling as a service. “It is a really cool design and idea overall,” Monroe said. “It is a cheap way to get online and get your service there.”
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paige calamari/staff photographer
Brighton sophomore Amanda Peterson looks for a textbook Tuesday afternoon at Student Book Exchange. Peterson opts to rent her textbooks because of the low cost.
Textbook rentals a success By Kurt Nagl Staff Reporter
One thing tends to stress students out the very first week of classes — buying textbooks. Neal O’Connor took a new route last semester to beat the stress. The Dearborn sophomore opted to rent his books from the CMU Bookstore. “Why would I buy a $300 book and sell it back for $10 when I can just rent it for half the price,” he said. About 9 percent of books sold at the CMU Bookstore last semester were rented. The store debuted the book rental system in August. “We rented over 7,800 units,” said CMU Bookstore Director Barry Waters, in an e-mailed statement. “For our first shot at it, I think it was very successful.” Book rentals already commenced for the spring semester and will run until Feb. 12. Waters said 523 titles are available to rent. Students renting books pay a
lower price and return them at the end of the semester. Highlighting and underlining are generally allowed in rentals, but students could have to pay full price for excessive damage. Waters said the large student body prompted a good book rush. “I expect similar numbers (this semester) to last semester,” he said. “It seemed to be very popular last time around.” The Student Book Exchange, 209 E. Bellows St., saw success with its new book rental system, said General Manager John Belco. Students can rent books from SBX the entire semester, he said. Belco said renting offers many benefits for students and the store. “It’s better for the store because it’s better for the students,” he said. “Students who rent don’t have to worry about whether or not a book will be bought back.” SBX offered more than 450 titles for rent last semester; Belco would not release specific figures
Farmington Hills sophomore Amanda Martlock, right, takes a break from finding textbooks to talk to Cedar Springs sophomore Geana Greiner Monday afternoon in the CMU Bookstore. Ashley Miller/ Staff photographer
on how many books were rented. E-book influences Livonia freshman Ryan Gabrish curtailed buying hardcopy textbooks altogether. He found it cheaper to rent e-books online from Barnes and Noble. “My Psychology book was $50 for about nine months of use,” he said, noting the same textbook costs nearly $200 at CMU and SBX. Waters said the bookstore increased the selection of digital
titles available this term. “We have offered digital textbooks for the last two years, but there has been little demand,” he said. “Clearly electronic versions of books are becoming more of the mainstream. Of course, not all textbooks are available digitally (so) our list will be around 300 titles.”
Snow-covered roads lead to multiple accidents Maria Amante Senior Reporter, and Michael L. Hoffman Student Life Editor
An accident outside Beddow and Thorpe residence halls will leave Broomfield Road temporarily short of one lamp post. Krystle Crandall, a Wayne sophomore, lost control of her 1995 black Ford Ranger truck at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and crashed into a street light. “I was turning and lost control,” Crandall said. “My car has really bad traction.” Crandall was not injured, but her car’s rearview mirror and front end were damaged. The light fell onto the roof of her vehicle. She was not traveling with passengers. Mount Pleasant Police blockaded Broomfield Road in both directions in vehicles in the block between South Washing-
ton and Celani Hall. Officer Nate Kontz was at the scene and said the traffic will be closed for an unknown period of time. There was also an accident involving a yellow Volkswagen Beetle on East Campus Drive near the marching band field. CMU Police Sgt. David Coffman responded to the call and said the cause of the accident was weather-related. “It was just snow-roads,” he said. “Driving too fast for conditions.” He said there were no injuries, just damage to the car’s right front fender. “There looked to be a good deal of damage,” he said. Safe driving tips Officer Mark Smoker, who was also at the scene, said it is imperative that drivers remember to reduce speed when the roads get bad. “First and foremost, slow
photos by Andrew Kuhn/staff photographer
An accident outside Beddow and Thorpe residence halls left Broomfield Road temporarily short of one lamppost. Krystle Crandall, a Wayne sophomore, lost control of her 1995 black Ford Ranger truck at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and crashed into a street light.
A Volkswagon Beetle slid into a lamp pole near Jack Saunders Field Tuesday night on CMU’s campus. According to Sergeant Coffman, the accident was called in at 10:10 p.m. and was caused by driving too fast for conditions.
down,” he said. “Speed limits mean nothing when the roads are slippery. It is important to drive at a speed that allows you
cars is also crucial, as well as having a way to maneuver out of the way if necessary. “You need to give yourself an
to maintain constant control of your vehicle.” Smoker said that leaving space and time to stop between
Connor Sheridan, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343
out and be aware of your surroundings,” he said. university@cm-life.com
4A || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
c e n t r a l m i c h i g a n c o m m u n i t y h o s p i ta l
By Maria Amante Senior Reporter
sara winkler/assistant photo editor
New CMCH MRI scanner bigger By Josh Simmet Staff Reporter
A new, more comfortable MRI experience has come to the Central Michigan Community Hospital. CMCH recently installed a 1.5T Vantage Titan scanner from Toshiba. The new MRI scanner offers a larger open bore, with more space, lights and a much quieter run. “The open bore gives people more room and it’s not closed off so people shouldn’t have as much trouble with claustrophobia,” said Cathy Moreno, a certified radiographer and MRI technician. “That’s the biggest benefit from the new scanner.” The machine is also capable of making most scans with the patient going feet first, which further eases the problem of claustrophobia. The machine is also quieter and faster than
other MRI scanners. “Other scanners can take up to 45 minutes but ours only takes 15 to 20 minutes for most scans.” said Chris Bellanca, also a certified radiographer and MRI technician, “That also helps keep the patients calm while in the machine.” Satellite radio and a CD player are available to patients while they are going through the machine, as well as lights that line the inside of the bore. A vacuum seal and dampening materials also help the machine be 80 percent quieter than other scanners. “This way it’s less like dropping into a black hole. it’s easier on the patients.” Moreno said. The new machine offers other benefits such as the ability to scan patients who weight up to 440 pounds as well as offering patients the opportunity to raise their legs or do scans while on their sides. The large bore also provides a better and clearer image faster.
“We also don’t have to use contrast to view blood vessels, this makes it easier for patients who can’t use contrast solutions because of their kidneys or some other condition,” Moreno said. Moreno and Bellanca said they will train to perform breast MRIs and breast biopsies in the next month or two. The new MRI scanner is located in a recently remodeled and renovated portion of the hospital. “We want the patients to feel relaxed and comfortable when they are getting an MRI,” said Nicole Sanders, marketing and community relations specialist for CMCH. The new MRI is open for appointments 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. “The staff tries to be as accommodating as possible,” Sanders said, “So if a patient needs a weekend scan, the staff will try to get them in on the weekend.” metro@cm-life.com
CMU working with architect to design graduate housing Preliminary plans to be presented to board in February By Ariel Black Senior Reporter
Preliminary plans for graduate housing facilities now include a scope, layout and cost estimate. But many details must be filled in before the February board of trustees meeting. “At this time, we are evaluating the possibility of constructing graduate housing on the north end of campus along Bellows (Street), but it is not yet an approved project,” said Linda Slater, director of plant engineering and planning. Plans to construct additional graduate student housing on CMU’s north campus first emerged as a serious possibility at the
New tax legislation could allow $4,000 deduction Filing deadline will be delayed to April 18
Cathi Moreno, right, and Chris Bellanca, left, demonstrate a scan on Central Michigan Community Hospital’s new MRI machine. Both Moreno and Bellanca are registered technicians in MRI and radiology. Moreno says that increasing the size of the machine is one of the most important improvements they’ve made. “The biggest thing is the size, how open it is,” Moreno said. “That’s huge for claustrophobic patients. It’s more comfortable.”
Better experience for claustrophobic patients
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Sept. 24 board meeting. John Fisher, associate vice president of Residences and Auxiliary Services, said the university is working with an architect in design development, but a better estimation of how many students will be housed must be determined before concrete plans can be made. “I know a lot of people are commonly referring to this as housing just for College of Medicine students, but it’s more than that,” Fisher said. “It will not be 100 percent for medical students, but for other graduate students as well, possibly from the health professions field.” Further development of the design will indicate the costs, he said. When looking at other universities and what they provide for graduate housing, most of them are substantially larger apartment-style homes, said Dr. Ernest Yoder,
founding dean of the College of Medicine. “This is about creating a space for further-along students who possibly have families and are more interested in their studies,” Yoder said. “If Central does not have this type of living, we could lose high-quality students to those other universities.” Fisher also said the university is concerned with providing housing for temporary faculty and new staff who come into the area without a pre-arranged place to live. Currently, Kewadin Village is used as temporary living for these faculty members. “It will be a little more upscale in accommodation and will also replace a number of units we have lost in the last three years with the construction of the Education and Human Services Building,” Fisher said. university@cm-life.com
Students and parents may receive a $4,000 tax deduction as part of the new Higher Education Tuition and Fees deduction, which was included in tax legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama in December. To use this deduction, taxpayers must wait for the Internal Revenue Service to create the appropriate tax forms before preparing their tax documents in February. Consequently, the IRS extended the tax-filing deadline to April 18, three days later than the standard April 15 deadline. James Neurath, a temporary accounting faculty member, said the deadline’s extension is unusual, but also coincides with a Washington, D.C. holiday. “It is April 15, almost 100 percent of the time unless it
falls on a Saturday or Sunday,” Neurath said. Sage Eastman, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, said the new laws create broader tax rates, which changed the timing of completion for people’s W-2 forms. Congress extended the life of lower tax rates created in 2001 under former-Pres. George W. Bush with the new tax laws. As a result, they also extended the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which Camp helped create. The AOTC allows for up to $2,500 of maximum annual credit per student and is determined by annual income. Camp supports the extension of the tax cuts, Eastman said, but he “is obviously concerned it was a short-term extension of the (AOTC),” which would have expired in 2010. “They (the previous tax credits and deductions for students) would have been less lucrative had they expired,” Neurath said. Neurath said a tax credit is almost always more beneficial than a tax deduction, which usually only benefits the higher income brackets, the high-
est of which get taxed at 35 percent. “Almost categorically, a credit, if you have a tax liability (any money still owed to the government while filing) is better than a deduction,” Neurath said, adding the AOTC could be redeemed through a tax refund. “Forty percent is potentially refundable, with zero tax liability.” Eastman said the AOTC has been simplified and expanded with the renewal. The main differences between the tuition and fees deduction and AOTC, Eastman said, is the deduction may only apply to tuition and fees, whereas the AOTC is geared toward lower-income students and may go toward any educational costs. “(Camp) has been a strong proponent of all tax credits and deductions for education,” Eastman said. Eastman said taxpayers may want to search online for the appropriate forms so they can begin filing sooner. metro@cm-life.com
Program Board putting final touches on spring 2011 schedule Maryellen Tighe Staff Reporter
CMU’s Program Board is working on putting the finishing touches on its 2011 spring schedule, but is waiting for confirmation for nine events. It has 14 events scheduled throughout the semester, but has not finished scheduling events closer to the end of the semester, said Program Board President Steve Lewis. The movies are something students recognize, said Ithaca senior Cody Skinner. He usually goes to a couple Program Board events a year, but has a tough time attending with his
schedule. “I like it,” he said. “It seems like there are diverse events. There are a lot of events which is also good.” Program Board selected its other acts this semester based on a conference they attended in October, Lewis said, and several others. “(Jarrod Mahone) could beatbox and sing at the same time and I have no idea how he did that,” Lewis said Program Board is particularly excited about working with more diverse groups this year, said Student Activity Coordinator Damon Brown. The board is partnering with
Minority Student Services this year for Black History Month and will also work together for sibling’s weekend, he said. “One of the things I’m excited about this year is the students and the diversity of the events,” he said. “We’re working with the fashion and design department (for the first time) and bringing in a speaker.” Mason senior Emma Jackman said she used to go to more Program Board events when she lived on campus. “I think the poetry slams are fun,” she said, “but I don’t really recognize the other artists.” studentlife@cm-life.com
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cm-life.com/category/news
[News]
CM-Life.com | Read the full story on the website
andrew kuhn/staff photographer
Center for Charter Schools could add more schools Accepting applications through February By Kurt Nagl Staff Reporter
CMU will likely add to their list of 54 charter schools after reviewing applications for 2011. Phase one of the open application cycle began Jan. 3 and will run until Feb. 1. Phase two runs from the end of March until September. “The competitive charter application is developed to identify applicants with a promising vision, a sound business plan, a quality educational plan and the ability to implement,” said Vicki Bott, data analyst of the New School Development for the Center for Charter Schools. “We expect charters authorized by CMU to be the best of the best, pillars of the community and provide quality educational options for the children of Michigan.” The phase one application cycle determines whether the school has a solid strategy, sound plan and ability
tenure | continued from 1a
The U.S. courts determined tenure confers a property interest on the faculty member. Martin said this is a considerable advantage for tenured faculty members. “The track is a period of time where one might say the faculty member is kind of on trial, or assessment, to see whether one’s colleagues and administrators believe that the quality and quantity of one’s achievements earn one the tenure award,” he said. The Faculty Association helps professors achieve tenured status by ensuring department bylaws and standards are used primarily for making decisions about tenure promotion, said Faculty Association President Tim Connors.
CMU teams up with MSU to expand supercomputer By Logan Patmon Staff Reporter
Eric H. Tucker sings with accompaniment from Zhihua Tang on piano during the Faculty Artists performance Tuesday night in the Staples Family Concert Hall in the Music Building. The performance was put on to showcase what the faculty can do. “You have to feel these pieces together,” Tucker said.
to implement. Phase one applications are reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Successful applicants move on to the more rigorous, comprehensive application of phase two. The board of trustees considers chartering schools who pass both phases. CMU received 49 applications last year, though only three passed the application process for consideration. Chief Deputy Director of the Center for Charter Schools Cindy Schumacher said the number may rise or fall this year. “With the launch of the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers common application cycle in January and the new legislation enacted in January 2010, applicants have a number of authorizers to apply for a charter,” she said. “It all depends on how many applicants choose to apply with CMU as an authorizer.” CMU issues contracts to the charter schools depending on performance, Schumacher said. An ideal performance usually elicits a seven-year contract, whereas a struggling school might receive only one year.
CMU did not renew charters for five schools in Detroit last year. Still, it charters more schools than any other university in Michigan. “In addition to the legally-required oversight of the schools, we provide support, expertise, resources, data analysis and evaluations to assist in their success,” Schumacher said. “In the event that the school authorized by CMU cannot fulfill its obligations and perform to the standards required of the charter contract, the contract is not approved and the school is not reauthorized.” CMU become the nation’s first university to charter a public school in 1994. The university has strived to improve education and provide more options for families since then, Schumacher said. The Center for Charter Schools will award an annual $2,500 CMU scholarship to a Detroit student who graduates from a charter school authorized by the university, with the Dr. Leonard E. and Louise A. Plachta Charter Public School Scholarship.
“We do this so that, for instance, the dean or provost couldn’t simply apply their own particular criteria,” Connors said. The Faculty Association outlines through private contracts the general areas in which the faculty will be assessed. Also, it ensures each department sets their own standards. “What may be important for me in theatre may not be important for someone in biology,” Connors said. “If we have a single set of standards, no one will ever be happy.” The process is outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the university and the Faculty Association. To achieve the prestigious tenure status is difficult for some professors, and somewhat easy for others. For Timothy Boudreau, professor of journalism, the tenure process was simple. “There were no major surprises for me,” he said. “The first
couple of years were pretty difficult making the transition with the expectations the department had, but once I made that transition, things went pretty smoothly.” The process was also fairly simple for Brigitte Bechtold, chairwoman of sociology, anthropology and social work department. “For me, it was relatively easy, because I have numerous publications, do a lot of university service and I am an innovative and rigorous professor,” Bechtold said. Boudreau does not believe that tenured status is an excuse to get lazy on the job. “I still think you should still produce research, you should work on your teaching and classroom work,” Boudreau said. “You still have to hold yourself to a high standard.”
university@cm-life.com
university@cm-life.com
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || 5A
CMU and Michigan State University have collaborated to add a new cluster to a high performance computing center located on MSU’s campus. MSU’s Institute for Cyber Enabled Research invested $750,000 for the new cluster; CMU contributed approximately $130,000. Jane Matty, interim dean of the College of Science and Technology, said the partnership will make supercomputers more accessible to students, professors and researchers from all across Michigan. “The partnership with MSU will give CMU accesses to computers with lots of computing power which is not currently available at CMU,” she said.
“Students and faculty in the fields of meteorology, physics, engineering and the science of advance materials are in a new field that will benefit from the supercomputers.” The new cluster of computers and expansion was opened Dec. 1 at MSU’s College of Engineering. The initiative will expand iCER’s capacity by 1,500 processor cores, 14 trillion floating point operations per second, 48 terabytes of disk storage and a high-speed network fabric with a capacity of more than 960 terabytes per second. Wolfgang Bauer, chairman of the physics and astronomy department and founding director of iCER at MSU, said the system upgrade alone has more than 1,000 times the processing power, 4,000 times
more memory and 1 million times more bandwidth compared to a typical desktop system. “The supercomputers will be used mostly by graduate students,” said Alan Jackson, chairman of the physics department. “Central just received access to the computers within the past month so we haven’t had too many students get a chance to use them.” According to published reports, recent projects at the center include research in the areas of chemistry, biology, aerospace, computing and climate modeling. The mission of iCER is to coordinate and support multidisciplinary resources for computation and computational sciences. university@cm-life.com
New EHS lab to help students with technology needs Initiative the first of its kind By Kyle Kaminski Staff Reporter
Staying ahead of new technology seems to be a more difficult challenge every year. Setting up calendar applications to keep track of a busy spring semester, learning how to cut out Adobe Photoshop images for the fifteenth time, or making the impossible switch from PC to Mac — a lot of stress is put into figuring out the software, let alone doing the work. CMU is stepping up to the challenge of helping students figure out these problems with the addition of the Center for Applied Learning Initiative at the Education and Human Services building. “There isn’t really a place on campus to figure out how to use technology,” said Specialized Technology Coordinator Marcus Jackson. “The EHS building was a great place to house the initiative because we’re training teachers to use technology for the future.” All students and faculty have access to the lab, as well as the laptop synchronization feature. With the technology, computers can be instantly connected to a big-screen display to help coordinate a variety of technological needs. “I’m really interested in learning more about the lab,” said Webberville freshman Taylor Perkins. “I’ve been wanting to learn a little more about PowerPoint than I do. If I have the time this semester, I’ll definitely be checking it out.” The idea for the lab itself was created primarily by Technology Director Michael Reuter. Many other schools have support departments and labs, but in terms of technology and purpose, this initiative is
the first of its kind. “Different schools like Georgetown and Penn State offer digital commons, but this lab is unique to CMU,” Jackson said. “Contractors were hired using the building opening funds to work according to our specifications. We also put a great deal of work into the lab ourselves making sure everything was connected the way it needed to be.” While no specific classes are being taught in the lab at the moment, students and
faculty can expect to have the lab fully operational after the results of upcoming surveys are reviewed. The surveys are designed to gauge where people want the most help and to base a schedule around student demand. “Once the lab is fully set up to handle all of the student needs, we’ll then start taking faculty requests for courses and seminars,” Jackson said. university@cm-life.com
voices Central Michigan Life
6A
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 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/voices]
Editorial Board: Jackie Smith, Editor
in
Chief | Connor Sheridan, Managing Editor |
Carisa Seltz, University Editor | Jake Bolitho, Metro Editor | Aaron McMann, Sports Editor | Michael L. Hoffman, Student Life Editor
EDITORIAL | Giffords’ shooting a distasteful place for political posturing
Political much?
I
n the wake of Arizona Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords’ attempted assassination, it has been insinuated that America’s harsh political climate was part of shooter Jared Lee Loughner’s motivation for the shooting. This is not a debate that should be had.
When Loughner opened fire 31 times into a crowd at a Giffords town hall-style meeting, he killed six people, seriously wounded a U.S. Congresswoman and injured 13 others. This tragedy should not be politicized by the media on either side of the aisle. What Loughner did was inexcusable and was most likely the result of
his own thinking, not the ramblings of pundits on the left or right. A lot has been made of Sarah Palin’s target map, which had cross-hairs over the districts of 20 members of Congress who voted for the Affordable Health Care Act. Among those in Palin’s sights was Giffords, and while distasteful, it was just an attempt to get a rise out of her base. Nothing more.
The trend of using violent hyperboles in politics is on the rise, but it is of paramount importance to realize it is always meant to act as an attentiongetter. To accuse Palin of actually wanting American citizens to bear arms and fire on U.S. Representatives is as absurd as blaming the FBI for President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Also, there is no evidence that Loughner ever saw Palin’s map. In fact, based on his MySpace profile, he was more in line with the writings of Karl Marx and Adolf Hitler than Sarah Palin. CBS conducted a poll Sunday through Monday asking 673 adults whether the “recent harsh political tone had anything to do with the Arizona shooting” and 57 percent said it did not and 32 percent said it did. It is crucial that people take heed of these results. Instead of throwing grenades from one side of the aisle to
another, the focus should be on how to better prevent actions like this in the future and how to better protect our elected officials. Giffords has been hailed by members of Congress on both the left and the right as a hardworking politician who is willing to work across party lines. While people like Loughner may be influenced by America’s intense political climate, it is both unfair and unscrupulous to solely attribute his actions to that climate. Members of Congress and the media should be supporting Giffords, the other victims and their families. It is shameful for one side or the other to take an act such as this and transform it into a political spear. The political swords drawn in the aftermath of Giffords’ shooting should be sheathed. There are plenty of arenas for political fighting, but this is not one.
KIM PATISHNOCK [CENTRAL SQUARE]
Ashley Kennett Columnist
Parents need to come out to reality Most heterosexual female twenty-somethings, even the attentionseeking few who have occasional make-out sessions with other girls at crowded bars, don’t face too much scrutiny concerning their sexuality. If they date guys, they are straight. End of story. But for some, their sexuality is under the microscope for reasons completely unbeknownst to them. When my mom wanted to see the movie “Black Swan” I complied. When I told a friend I was going to go see it, she warned me it might be an awkward film to see with my mom because of scenes featuring lesbian sex and masturbation. “Figures,” I thought. “May as well text mom and give her a heads up.” “Are you sure you want to see this? I heard there is lesbian sex. Which is fine for me, because I am a lesbian and all,” I sent jokingly. “Did you just come out of the closet?” she replied. I immediately face-palmed. I was brought back to a few days ago, when she and I were spending time at my aunt’s house with my sister Rachel. I heard these words came from my mother’s mouth as she spoke loudly to my aunt in the dining room while I was in the kitchen: “I think Ashley’s a lesbian.” What reason(s) did she have to question my sexuality, you may wonder? Absolutely none. Sure, I have had some gay friends, my relationships with guys have been somewhat short-lived, but none of this was indicative of my apparent attraction to women. While it’s nice to know my mom has already prepared herself to deal with my alleged lesbianism, I have no choice but to disappoint her with my continued heterosexuality. Something tells me that if I do ever marry I may still be accused of being a closet lesbian in denial. Thanks, ma.
[ Letters to the editor]
Intense political discourse a necessary part of democracy In response to the tragic shooting in Arizona, several news sources like the New York Times, Time magazine and our very own CM Life have published articles that put political rhetoric on trial. These articles cite an ad produced by Sarah Palin’s campaign that places a number of U.S. representatives in crosshairs. Political discourse like this, the argument goes, incites a culture of fear and violence. Before we get swept up in concerns about a new era of McCarthyism propelled by throngs of Palin followers, we might remember that factional discord has been a staple of politics. Plato, still upset about the
death of Socrates, wrote a scathing critique of democracy, alleging that the struggle for power corrupts the most well-intentioned politicians. More recently, James Madison, in his Federalist 10, warned that differing opinions in democratic societies lead to animosity, oppression and violence. In politics, there will always be passionate disagreement; each side will always believe that it is right. This is not meant to dismiss political discourse as “just talk” or “mere rhetoric.” Political discourse clearly matters; I’d be out of a job if it didn’t. Rather, I wish to point out that “rhetoric” is not inherently a dirty word or
a plague upon our democracy. We, the citizens of this country, are not involuntarily fueled by the flames of fiery discourse. When we blame others for the actions that individuals take, we ignore our own power to extinguish the efforts of those who would reap discord. Just as people use rhetoric to tear us apart, so too can (and do) people use rhetoric to create unity and resist the temptations of division and hatred. It is fitting that I write this less than a week prior to our national celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., a person who employed a rhetoric of unity at one of the most volatile times in our history.
As we search for meaning in this political climate and in response to the violence, we might heed the call he advanced the eve of his assassination: “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.” Through our own communication, we can improve the nation. Jeff Drury Assistant Professor of Communication and Dramatic Arts
C M Y o u | What is your least favorite class this semester and why?
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 Advertising Shawn Wright, Paige Winans, Anne Magidsohn Advertising Managers Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life Central Michigan Life, the independent voice of Central Michigan University, 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 CMU’s summer sessions. The newspaper’s online edition, cm-life.com, contains all of the material published in print, and is updated on an as-needed basis.
Maria Amante Senior Reporter
CMU needs to take the best
I’m surrounded by people who are perfectly content with adequacy — or worse, mediocrity — and it is no longer acceptable. We need to be more competitive. Michigan’s current upper-echelon universities, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, need some competition. Average is no longer acceptable for this university. This university has a great deal of potential — several millions have been spent on new buildings and numerous other improvements that grab headlines. While those additions are exciting, and they attract warm bodies, what do they do to actually improve this university’s reputation and supposed first priority: education? I dream of a university that is competitive, not just in celebrity appearances, illusory medical schools or dusty trophy cases. This university, with the amount of money injected into it by student tuition payments, alumni donations, and state appropriations, has potential to be a top-tier school. Our rapid expansion needs to cease, and we need to redirect that money into something not necessarily visual or for an admissions catalogue. Our admissions standards are devastatingly low and noncompetitive. Our focus should be on quality students, the best and brightest. Quantity, while profitable, should no longer be our priority. The new buildings exist, and they aren’t going anywhere. With them, the university has an opportunity to rebrand itself, but those opportunities should be available to those who deserve it. And as our tuition rates grow, what are we getting with that money? Our faculty isn’t known for its research and it would be difficult to argue this university is an educational gold standard for any of our programs. My point is, the university could absolutely survive if it made some cuts — both with the lackluster student population, and also in the impressive but futile additions they insist upon. CMU could be attractive for something besides entertainment — something legitimate and spectacular: education. Therefore, I challenge the university to accept a significantly smaller, more impressive freshman class, hand out more scholarships, and thereby make CMU an attractive place for students who want to be something other than mediocre. We need to hire more full-time professors, put a bit more focus on research and make the programs stronger. I want to say “I graduated from Central Michigan University,” and have it mean something. All that needs to happen is for students, faculty, and administrators alike to desire higher achievement. After all, they do call it higher education.
E-mail | voices@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805
“Intro to Visual Art. I’m not interested in it, I’m just taking it to fulfill the UP.”
“Physics lab, because it’s a lot of work for a one credit class.” Shelby Francis,
Mark Cody,
Clinton Township sophomore
Alma senior
“Cloud Physics, because an A- is an 80 percent, so it’s going to be pretty hard.’ Erica Smith,
“My philosophy class, because it has nothing to do with my major.” Kris Stenglein,
Jenison senior
White Lake senior
jeff smith/staff photographer
Central Michigan Life serves the CMU and Mount Pleasant communities, and is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Neil C. Hopp serves as Director of Student Media at CMU and is the adviser to the newspaper. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Central Michigan University. Cen-
tral Michigan Life is a member of the Associated Press, the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press, College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association, the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Central Michigan Home Builders Association, Mount Pleasant Housing Associa-
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cm-life.com/category/sports
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || 7A
[sports] men’s basketball
Struggling CMU hosts Toledo By Andrew Stover Senior Reporter
file photo by jeff smith
Sophomore wide receiver Cody Wilson is one of several key players returning next season for the CMU football team. In an interview with CM Life, head football coach Dan Enos said he has the plan and vision to turn the program around. “We’ve been focusing a lot everywhere,” Enos said. “We’re trying to address needs.”
Enos: ‘I did a 3-9 job’
Part 2 of Sports Editor Aaron McMann’s sitdown interview with CMU football head coach Dan Enos. Part 1 appeared in Monday’s print edition. The full interview can also be viewed at cm-life. com.
AM: What do you contribute to that stretch in the season where the team played poorly? DE: “It was a little bit to do with everything. We got to play better and coach better. I look at our season, we were last in the league in turnover margin and 11th in our league in field goal kicking. If you moved us up, not even to first in our league, but halfway in the league in (both), we would have went to a bowl game. We’re 3-9, but lost 5 games by (close margins), we made 19 players make their first college start this season. We have new people playing, and that’s an issue, but we’re going to benefit from that next year. But also, we can’t turn the ball over like we did. We turned the ball over too much, and on defense we didn’t get any – we had four interceptions all year. If we just take those two areas in the spring and fall camp and come up and take some of the other things and improve on those, we’re going to be a much better football team. Why did we turn the ball over too much? We had a young quarterback, there’s the interceptions, and we fumbled too much. On defense, we have to find a way to get the ball out. There’s not really one thing where you can say, ‘hey, let’s go out and do this drill in turnovers.’ We have to create more interceptions by putting more pressure on the quarterback. Our (defensive) line has to play better, our (defensive backs) have to be in better position. All of those things come into play. We have to get better in a lot of areas, we know that. But we also know that we don’t have a (big) margin to make up, we have a small margin to make up, and we think we can do that.” AM: What are the strengths of this football team going into next season? DE: “Our strength is going to be experience. We get a lot of guys back.
“I have a vision and plan to get this back to where we want it.” Dan Enos, CMU football head coach
Cody Wilson had 83 catches, the quarterback threw for over 3,000 yards, Zurlon Tipton played and got better. David Blackburn’s back. Mike Repovz ended up starting three or four games last year – what a great thing for him to be able to do that. Jerry Harris played some. Jordan McConnell played some in the last game. Offensively, you got a lot of guys returning. On defense, Avery Cunningham, Jahleel Addae, Kenny McClendon played as a freshman. Mike
file photo by sean proctor
Petrucci got a lot of great experience. I know it was a bad thing Nick Bellore got hurt, but the silver lining is that he played a bunch. Armond Staten, our best defensive player. Our staff voted him best defensive player. Those guys are back. Joe Kinville, who’s never played defensive line in his life, started for us this year. We put him on scholarship and he’s back. We got a lot of guys who played last year – some of them under fire, learning a little bit – but I’m hoping that experience that we have will help us. We redshirted 18 of the 21 freshmen, and we think the future is bright for some of those guys. This class this year, we’ll sign 24 or 25 guys and will hopefully 20-22 of those guys. To me, that’s how you build a foundation for a program that lasts. That’s what we’re trying to do here, is build consistency so that when guys leave, there’s a guy ready to go that has experience and is a little more mature. David Harman’s back kicking, and I don’t know of any teams last year that had their only two kickers on scholar-
ship miss (most) of the season with injury. Hopefully, if we can get Paul Mudgett and Richie Hogan healthy and David Harman in there to kick and compete, we can make that part of our game a strength rather than what it was. We lost confidence in it and our entire team did. I thought Harman did a good job at the end of the year, and I give him a lot of credit for stepping in there for us.” AM: Without going into too many details, obviously, is there a certain area you’re focusing on with recruiting? DE: “We’ve been focusing a lot everywhere. We’re trying to address needs. I look at it like I’m the general manager – we’re trying to address needs immediately and for three years down the road. Part of (being in charge of ) a program is to be proactive, rather than reactive. We want to get us to a point where we don’t have to have a young guy come in and play, but work himself into playing and learn from older players. I’m always going to have our program look ahead. We’re going to have a need 3-4 years from now, let’s address it now rather than address it a year before it happens. That’s going to take us a little time to get there, but we’re working on it. We’re really addressing the defensive line, defensive backs – we’ve got a couple linebackers committed that we really like, we’ve got an outstanding quarterback. Alex Niznak’s a guy we feel really great about, maybe not this year but down the road. The tight end position – when we got here, there was one tight end on scholarship and we could hardly practice in the spring. And thank God he did not get hurt. I used to go to bed at night and pray that David Blackburn (didn’t) get hurt. A.J. Westendorp, God love him, he was our backup tight end and the guy’s our thirdstring quarterback. He went in and battled and caught A enos | 8A
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If offensive basketball whets your appetite, tonight’s Central MichiganToledo game may leave you unsatisfied. The Chippewas, who host the Rockets at 7 p.m. at McGuirk Arena, are in dire need of an offensive infusion. Check that: They are in dire need of wins. CMU (3-11, 0-1 MidAmerican Conference) has won just one game since the start of December — a 6360 home win against NAIA Division II Cornerstone on Dec. 22 — and blame can be dispersed on each end of the spectrum. CMU coach Ernie Zeigler said the team’s defense was subpar during the non-conference portion of the schedule. But offensively, CMU’s 59.4 points per game ranks second to last in the MAC, only ahead of Toledo’s paltry 57.5 average. Zeigler put the solution in simple terms. “You can’t let the last game, games or shot affect how you’re going to prepare yourself to take the next one,” Zeigler said. That may directly apply to senior forward Jalin Thomas. It’s not that Thomas is an offensive liability for Zeigler — or anything close to that, for that matter. But the Chippewas’ second-leading scorer with 14.9 points per game faced serious struggles in Sunday’s 63-56 overtime loss at Western Michigan. His 3-for-18 shooting performance prompted him to call it his worst shooting performance of the year. “It was such a horrible shooting night,” said Thomas, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound power forward. “It’s not an easy one to let go. It’s something you kind of hang on to a little too long.” Thomas likely will rebound offensively, if his season statistics give any inclination. It’s his defense that could play an even bigger factor tonight against the Rockets. Toledo (3-12, 0-1 MAC)
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fore commending Thomas on how he seems to minimize the height difference with sound play. Despite his offensive struggles against WMU, Thomas held the Broncos’ leading scorer, Flenard Whitfield, to 6 points. He averaged 12.7 points going into the game. Thomas’ defensive efforts led the charge for what Zeigler called his team’s best defensive performance of the year. Thomas seems to buy his coach’s defensive philosophy. “Both teams are coming in struggling, and we know it’s going to be a complete battle,” he said. “We just got to do what we can; we just got to keep being grimy.”
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is plagued by youth and inexperience, with three freshmen starting — center Delino Dears, forward Hayden Humes and guard Reese Holliday — and a fourth, guard J.T. Thomas, averaging more minutes played than junior starter Jay Shunnar. What the Rockets do have is length, and that creates a mismatch in the frontcourt. Humes, at 6-8, 220 pounds, wil likely match up with CMU’s Thomas. Zeigler said he constantly is aware of the pressure his 6-4 forward faces. “The way we’re playing and starting Jalin (Thomas) at the four (power forward), that’s going to be something that we have to continue to be concerned about probably gamein, game-out,” said Zeigler, be-
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8A || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
Women travel to EMU
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through our winter conditioning program. During spring ball, we want to develop a toughness and great work ethic. And to address the turnovers, getting them and not giving them (up). Other areas we had shortcomings was that were (near the bottom) in rushing offense and rushing defense. We want to make those areas better. Long-term goals: we want to get back to playing in bowl games and competing for the Mid-American Conference championship. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not going to change, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be our goal next year as well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m already getting texts and calls from our players that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like going home for Christmas. I told them that when you go home for Christmas, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bad year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a good year. Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun to be home for Christmas when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in high school, but when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing college football, you hate to go home and have all your buddies asking (how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing). You want to be at a bowl site somewhere or you want to be coming back from one. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never know how this is going to turn out, but I hope this is a nice, juicy wakeup call for every person in our program to get back to what got us there in the first place. Last year, everyone had a big mark on their calendar as to when they played Central Michigan. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live up to that challenge. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t step up and measure up to that challenge, and we have to have that mindset going into next year that people are going to have to measure up to us.â&#x20AC;? AM: Assess your job in your first year as head coach. How do you think you did?
continued from 7A
By John Manzo Staff Reporter
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a slow-paced beginning to Mid-American Conference play for the Central Michigan womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team. In-state rival Western Michigan tried to play â&#x20AC;&#x153;stall ballâ&#x20AC;? last Wednesday against the MACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-rated offense in its attempt to slow it down. The Chippewas prevailed 72-62 in Kalamazoo, and were faced with a similar defense a few days later as Northern Illinois tried the Broncosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approach. But once again, CMU fought through, winning 67-61. At 7 p.m. tonight in Ypsilanti, the team hopes to see a change of pace form its first two games. It will see a similar product to itself on the court against Eastern Michigan (11-5 overall, 2-0 MAC). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eastern Michigan wants to play like we want to play,â&#x20AC;? said head coach Sue Guevara. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They love to shoot the 3-ball.â&#x20AC;? The Eagles will look to their leading scorer Tavelyn James, a junior guard, to carry the bulk of their scoring. She is averaging 17.5 points per game and has had at least a share of the team lead in scoring in five of the past six games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to rebound and take away their (Eastern Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) 3-pointers,â&#x20AC;? said freshman forward Taylor Johnson. James has a team-high 32 3-pointers, but EMU has other long-ball threats. Senior guards Sydney Huntley and Deâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ja Wills have combined for 37 3-point field goals of their own. CMU (10-4 overall, 2-0 MAC) had one road win in the conference last season, but with the win last week in Kalamazoo, it can surpass last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mark at the Convocation Center. Both Guevara and Johnson said rebounding will be the key factor in winning its second consecutive MAC road game and extending its win streak to
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[sports]
paige calamari/staff photographer
Junior forward Skyler Miller drives to the basket Saturday against Northern Illinois. Miller is averaging 6.9 pointers per game for the Chippewas, who travel to Ypsilanti today to play Eastern Michigan.
three. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to control the boards and get to the free throw line more than they do,â&#x20AC;? Guevara said. The Chippewas are a team that likes to run and shoot 3-pointers, but lately have struggled. They went 4-for-20 against Northern Illinois, but found other ways to win the game. Guevara said shooting the mid-range jumper will help get her team out of the 3-point struggles. CMU is 42.4 percent from the field for the season, including 33.7 percent from beyond the arc. Knowing when to take a quality shot something she has been preaching in practice as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to do a better job with our shot selection if we want to continue winning,â&#x20AC;? she said. The Chippewas continue their road trip with a game at 4
p.m. Sunday against Ball State in Muncie, Ind. Guevara gets transfer A familiar face will join the team next season. Freshman forward Jordan LaDuke, a Flushing native, originally signed a letter of intent with Florida Gulf Coast but has decided to transfer to CMU, She must sit out two semesters before she is eligible to play in games due to NCAA transfer rules and will not be eligible to play until the spring semester of 2012. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jordan is our Christmas present,â&#x20AC;? Guevara said Monday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jordan is a pretty special player, and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big guard.â&#x20AC;? She was recognized as the 2010 Flint Journal Player of the Year in her senior year at Flushing High School, where she averaged 18.8 points per game.
(some) balls the last two games. We redshirted Joey Sawicki, Jared Fleming and Caleb Southworth. All three of those guys are going to have a chance in the spring and fall to develop and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to bring in two more tight ends. Players like that serve in more roles than being a tight end. They serve on special teams. Those bigbody athlete types are guys we want to get into this program. Really, with this recruiting class when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all said and done, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be addressing everything. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a punter in it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bret Hartmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gone, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nobody here. We want to get to a point where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re being proactive so that when this punter is a junior, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to bring in another punter that we can redshirt and learn for a year. When he graduates, we got one and getting ready to go. This year, we may have to have a couple young guys play at certain areas, but hopefully every year that can be less and less. This recruiting class, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see a wide range of position groups. We really, really like this recruiting class right now.â&#x20AC;? AM: What are some short-term and longterm goals for you and the program? DE: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Short-terms goals are that we want to make this football team much more tougher and physical and get a great mental toughness mindset
Members of the gymnastics team are already dealing with injuries before even competing in its second meet of the season. Sophomore all-around competitors Emily LaFontaine and Kari Dieffenderfer are out for the rest of the season. LaFontaine landed wrong during practice on Jan. 2, tearing her ACL, MCL and meniscus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was tumbling on floor while attempting a front-double twist, and now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m done for the year,â&#x20AC;? LaFontaine said. She has been icing and going through therapy regularly. In four to eight weeks she will undergo surgery, barring her MCL heals in time. LaFontaine competed in every meet last season, scoring a season-best 9.800 on floor against Western Michigan and at MAC Championships. She also scored a 9.700 or higher 11
times and a 9.800 or better three times last season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is a very steady performer,â&#x20AC;? said head coach Jerry Reighard. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hole we are going to have to build and replace.â&#x20AC;? Kari Dieffenderfer will be redshirted after having surgery in October to repair a torn labrum. She is rehabbing right now and providing support for her teammates during practice and meets. Dieffenderfer competed in every meet last season after recovering from an ankle injury before the season started only then to have surgery after the NCAA Central Regional Championships. Dieffenderfer scored a season-high 9.875 on bars, finishing fifth at NCAA Central Regional Championships last season. She earned a 9.775 on vault twice and a 9.700 or better on bars in 10 meets. Redshirt freshman Meaghan McWhorter returned to competition last weekend for the
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first time since spraining her MCL and tearing her meniscus in 2008. McWhorter rode the elliptical and tried running a bit to test it out at Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to stay off it so I can compete this weekend,â&#x20AC;? McWhorter said. Sophomore Bailey Brumbach has a stress fracture in her left shin. She returned to practice on Monday after being in a boot and conditioning for the last two weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has bothered me all of preseason, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what was wrong until I visited the doctor two weeks ago,â&#x20AC;? Brumbach said. She is expecting to compete in vault this Friday. Brumbach competed in five meets last season. The team will compete in the second meet of the season on Friday when they travel to Muncie, Ind., to compete against Ball State.
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Two gymnasts out for season By Matt Herrod Staff Reporter
DE: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think I did a 3-9 job. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how I feel. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m disappointed, but I never once lost confidence or lost confidence in our players. I never once lost confidence in our coaches, and I never once lost confidence in myself. I will never do that. I have a vision and a plan to get this back to where we want it, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do a good enough job and every single day I wake up, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re addressing that. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for ways I can get better and looking at ways I can make our coaches better. Our coaches are looking at ways we can make our players better. We will critique everything in this program and look at ways we can make it better.â&#x20AC;? AM: You have Michigan State on the schedule next year. Are you looking forward to playing against your former boss, Mark Dantonio? DE: â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Laughing) I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they won 11 games this year and got a lot of guys back. To be quite honest, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only thought about it a little bit. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure as we go into the summer and prepare for them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll prepare for our first four opponents like we always do in the summertime â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll become more of a reality. I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thought much about it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talked to Mark a lot and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve told him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on with you because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re 3-9 and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m trying to get this thing backâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. But he understands and says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got his own problems to deal with. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so much focused on this recruiting class and our players to come back. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all very anxious to get back to work.â&#x20AC;?
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Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || 9A
[sports]
baseball
2010-11 schedule released MSU, Notre Dame highlight nonMAC games
2010 CMU baseball schedule BOLD denotes home games at Theunissen Stadium
CM Life Staff Reports
Feb. 18-20 vs. Florida Gulf Coast (Fort Myers, Fla.) Feb. 25-27 at UNLV. March 4 vs. Illinois, 1 p.m. (Deland, Fla.) March 5 vs. Columbia, 1 p.m. (Deland, Fla.) March 6, 8 vs. Stetson, 4 p.m. (Deland, Fla.)
The 2011 Central Michigan baseball schedule was released on Dec. 10. CMU opens the season against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 18 in Fort Myers, Fla., as the start of a three-game series. From there, the Chippewas travel to Las Vegas to play a fourgame series Feb. 25-27 against UNLV. The team returns to Florida for spring break (March 4-13), playing eight games in 10 days, including four in the Russ Matt Tournament in Winter Haven, Fla. CMU, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mid-American Conference regular season champions, will play its first home game at Theunissen Stadium on March 15 against NAIA opponent Madonna. MAC play begins March 23 against Bowling Green. The Chippewas meet MAC tournament champion Kent State for three-game series April 15-17 in Mount Pleasant. They will also play in-state schools Michigan and Michigan State in non-conference action.
Russ Matt Tournament (Winter Haven, Fla.): -March 9 vs. Lehigh, TBA -March 11 vs. Pittsburgh, TBA -March 12 vs. Indiana, TBA -March 13 vs. Navy, TBA
photo by sharron ellman/FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/MCT
San Diego State head coach Brady Hoke was named head coach at Michigan, ending a coaching search that included Stanfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jim Harbaugh and LSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Les Miles. Hoke will be officially be named to the position at a press conference this afternoon in Ann Arbor.
Hoke better than fans think
March 15 vs. Madonna, 3:05 p.m. March 18-20 at Missouri March 23 vs. Bowling Green, 3:05 p.m. March 25-27 vs. Miami, 3:05 p.m. March 29 at Notre Dame, 5:05 p.m. March 30 at Michigan State, 5 p.m. April 13 - at Ohio April 6 vs. Michigan, 3:05 p.m. April 8-10 at Akron April 15-17 vs. Kent State April 20 vs. Michigan State 6:35 p.m. (Dow Diamond, Midland) April 22-24 at Ball State April 27 at Oakland, 3 p.m. April 29-May 1 vs. Northern Illinois May 6-8 vs. Toledo May 11 vs. Michigan State, 3:05 p.m. May 13-15 at Western Michigan May 17 vs. Oakland, 3:05 p.m. May 19-21 at Eastern Michigan May 25-28 MAC tournament (Chillicothe, Ohio)
coach |
success. We like to promote from within at CMU whenever the opportunity presents itself. Over the last two years, Neil has played a significant role in how high our soccer program has ascended, and he has all the qualifications we were looking for in a head coach.â&#x20AC;? Stafford served as Anagnostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary assistant for the past two seasons, during which the Chippewas went a combined 33-9-4. Before coming to CMU, he was head coach of Assumption College in Worchester, Mass., going 72-61-5. Stafford said he plans on retaining assistant coach Stephanie Webb, while a na-
continued from 1A
Central Michigan Life on Dec. 30, Stafford expressed interest in becoming the permanent head coach â&#x20AC;&#x201C; going as far as to say heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d â&#x20AC;&#x153;move onâ&#x20AC;? if he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t chosen for the job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Neilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head coaching experience, along with his knowledge and dedication to this program, made this an easy decision,â&#x20AC;? said Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Continuity and consistency are two very important factors we look for in building a program that can sustain its
By Michael Rosenburg Detroit Free Press/MCT
Brady Hoke is not what you think he is. You see him and you see a heavyset schlub who has never won his conference, and you think Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon has lost his mind. At least, most of you do. You might think Hoke was hired because of who he knows instead of what he knows. (Hoke was an assistant under Lloyd Carr.) You might think Brandon is so caught up in the past that Hokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news conference should be televised in black and white. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine. In December of 1968, a lot of people mocked this Bob Shlemblekawhat fellow, and when Carr got the fulltime job in November of 1995, most fans were unhappy. And those hires worked out pretty well, as I recall. The more you watch Hoke do his job, the more you will like him. In fact, the more you look at him right now, the more you will like him. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start with his record. Yes, Hoke is 47-50, and if you can block out the crying in Ann Arbor, you might hear the laughter in Columbus and East Lansing. Michigan hired a coach with a losing record! But that record is misleading. Hokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 34-38 record at Ball
tional search began on Friday for a second assistant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize how important great chemistry between the coaching staff was until I really got here,â&#x20AC;? Stafford said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt like Tom and I really complemented each other well, and I will miss that a lot. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be that same chemistry, probably different, but if we can complement each other, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in good standing.â&#x20AC;? The team met with their new head coach for the first time Monday. Stafford is the third head coach to guide the program in the last three years. sports@cm-life.com
Will your CMU RSO win the...
State, for example, included a 1-16 mark against teams from the major BCS conferences. Thirteen of those 17 games were on the road, and one was a neutral-site bowl. Realistically, how many of those games can a school like Ball State win? There isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that much football talent in Indiana, and Ball State is behind Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana in line at the recruiting buffet. In his last three years, he was 18-5 in the Mid-American Conference. That was the Cardinalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best three-year league record since the late â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s. By any reasonable standard, Hoke did a very good job there. Hoke then went to San Diego State, which has a long, storied history of being in a great city. The football hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gone so well. The last three coaches before Hoke left with losing records. Before Hoke arrived, SDSU had had 10 straight non-winning seasons, and in the three years before Hoke showed up, the program won nine games, total. Hoke went 4-8 in his first year and 9-4 this past year. His 5-3 conference record this season (which included a 40-35 loss to Rose Bowl champion TCU) was the Aztecsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; best league record since 1998. Fans and the media tend to get caught up in schemes (especially offensive schemes)
and in-game decisions, because that is fun, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we see. And of course that stuff matters a lot, and Hoke had better handle it well. But Hoke has a reputation for being an excellent recruiter and motivator, and at Michigan, that is most of the battle. Schools tend to hire the opposite of what they just fired. That is absolutely true in this case. Rich Rodriguez was the hot coach with no Michigan ties. Hoke is not a hot name, but he worked at the school. Rodriguez is known for being an offensive innovator. Hokeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s background is on defense. And then there is this: Hoke doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to learn about Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditions and rivalries because he has been a part of them. He reveres the school. He has spent a lot of time working Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional recruiting areas, so he has an advantage there that Rodriguez did not have. And former players speak glowingly of him. As I wrote more than once, I thought Jim Harbaugh was the best candidate. But Harbaugh chose to coach in the NFL -- a career decision he was entitled to make. Brandon had to find somebody else. Most fans are not pleased. But Brandon does not need to please people today. He needs to be right.
t i r i p S & s n o i Tradit
The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Traditions and Spirit Torchâ&#x20AC;? will be awarded to the RSO that has the highest attendance at select â&#x20AC;&#x153;Traditions and Spirit Torchâ&#x20AC;? games held within McGuirk Arena. The torch itself, with a multi-tiered, â&#x20AC;&#x153;piano maroonâ&#x20AC;? finish, and elaborate torch is a concept designed by CMU students for CMU students, and will be THE exclusive trophy for competing RSOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for years to come.
! H C R O T
This semesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first â&#x20AC;&#x153;Traditions and Spirit Torchâ&#x20AC;? match will be held this Sunday, January 16 at 2 p.m. in McGuirk Arena for Wrestling vs. the University of Michigan! Sign-in for your RSO as well as the very first large-scale display of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Traditions and Spirit Torchâ&#x20AC;? will take place in the atrium of the CMU Events Center, just past the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chippewas Kids Clubâ&#x20AC;? booth. Look for signage and direction inside of the atrium on the day of the game for the sign-in table!
ES RCHâ&#x20AC;? GAM D SPIRITMicTO 0PM 2:0 IONS ANWR â&#x20AC;&#x153;TRADIT., Jan ESTLING vs. higan uary 16 7:00PM Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 Game 8*
* Trophy Game
Sun Thurs., January 20 Sun., January 30 Sat., February 12 Sat., February 12 Sat., February 19 Fri., February 25 Sat., February 26
ois MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL vs. N. Illin Dominion Old vs. S STIC NA WRESTLING & GYM t State WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL vs. Ken Green ng wli MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL vs. Bo stern WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL vs. We et Me ad GYMNASTICS Qu te MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL vs. Ball Sta
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10A || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
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B
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011
[cm-life.com/category/news/metro]
Police report nearly 20 break-ins over break Student-housing complexes were targeted By Gabi Jaye Senior Reporter
Several student-housing areas throughout Isabella County were victim to breaking and enterings over the holiday break. The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department reported 14 burglary offenses from Dec. 10 through Jan. 11. Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said eight of
those incidents occurred in areas along Deerfield Road where many student-housing complexes are located. “This number is a little higher than what we’ve normally seen,” he said. Mioduszewski said the intruders target places where there are not a lot of people around and the chances of successfully breaking in are higher. He said many electronic items like video games, DVDs and an Xbox unit were stolen. Two suspects confessed to the crimes, Mioduszewski said, after they were located
Break-ins reported by Police Departments w Isabella County: 14, 8 within student housing w Mount Pleasant: 4 w CMU: 1 and arrested. Most of the property stolen was recovered and returned to owners. “The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, Mount Pleasant Police, and CMU police were all instrumental in locating the subjects that broke into those apartments,” Mioduszewski said.
“There was a good law enforcement effort here in the county.” The Mount Pleasant Police Department reported four student housing breakins during the winter break period. Their number of burglarA break-ins | 2B
cm-life.com Keep up with police and court news by checking cm-life.com’s police log, located under the “Extras” tab at the top of the home page. The log is updated weekly.
Few local businesses to sell alcohol Sunday mornings Owners say there is little demand Jordan Spence Staff Reporter
Law and Politics Although he has served on the City Commission for five years, Kilmer never thought of joining local government until his wife, Cynthia, urged him. Cynthia was on the commission for nine
It may be legal to sell liquor between the hours of 7 a.m. and noon on Sunday mornings, but many local businesses are not itching to get their Sunday-morning drink on. The sale of alcohol was previously prohibited during the wee hours of Sunday but a permit can now be acquired to dodge the prohibition. The permits cost an extra $160 a year for business owners. Communities have the option to opt out of the law and continue to prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sunday mornings. Mount Pleasant City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said the City Commission does not plan on prohibiting the sales. “There is every indication that the commission is not interested in taking special steps to make Sunday morning sales illegal in the community,” she said. “They would just rather not get involved and let the new law stand as is.” Grocery stores such as Meijer, 1015 Pickard St., and Kroger, 4080 East Blue Grass Road, have purchased the licenses needed to sell alcohol on Sunday morning. Dave Devine, owner of The Store, 218 S. Mission St., said he doesn’t expect many party stores to purchase a license to sell during those hours. “Sundays are already slow for stores like us in Mount Pleasant because college kids are usually recovering from the rest of the weekend,” he said. “There’s just no value out of it.” Divine said it is understandable for grocery stores to get the permits. He said it would be convenient for people to purchase alcohol while they are grocery shopping Sunday mornings. “It would make sense for party
A Mayor | 2B
A sunday | 2B
Paige Calamari/staff photographer
Mount Pleasant Mayor Bruce Kilmer, right, and his wife Cynthia laugh with one another as they count the number of plays they have acted in together Tuesday night at their home on North University Avenue. The couple met in 2002 when they played a husband and wife in the performance, “You Can’t Take It with You,” at Broadway Theatre. “It’s our hobby,” Cynthia Kilmer said. “Our escape from everyday life,” Bruce Kilmer added.
Mayoral moment Kilmer moves up City Commission ladder By Jake Bolitho | Metro Editor
A
fter announcing his departure from the mayor’s chair at the last Mount Pleasant City Commission meeting of 2010, Jim Holton immediately turned to the man three seats to his right. For the local businessman and city official, it was a no-brainer who should replace him at the turn of the calendar. Bruce Kilmer, the second-year vice mayor, had stepped in multiple times for Holton at events in and out of town. The commission agreed, voting unanimously to approve Holton’s nomination of Kilmer at the new year’s first meeting.
“It was the best preparation, because I got to be in all the meetings,” Kilmer said. “I was able to watch Jim (Holton), and in the two years he was mayor, he did a wonderful job.” Holton stepped down from the position to focus on family and business matters, including the expansion of his Mountain Town Station restaurant, 506 W. Broadway St., set to begin in the spring. In addition to a new budget that includes some cuts to spending, Kilmer is faced with several looming decisions the city must make, including the future of the Mount Pleasant Center. The city has until April 25 to complete an assessment of the property. “In the midst of all that, I want to keep attracting businesses and families to Mount Pleasant,” Kilmer said. “I’m excited. I think we’re going to come out of this economy well — Mount Pleasant has weathered it a lot better than other
cities.” That feeling is shared by Kathleen Ling, who was appointed vice mayor by the commission upon Kilmer’s nomination. Ling said she hopes to further address continuing concerns in the community of making Mount Pleasant more pedestrian-friendly. “I’m happy to have the opportunity to serve in the position,” Ling said. “I would like to see us continue to work close to CMU, especially to create the walkable, bikeable route between CMU and downtown. There are lots of advantages.”
Parks offer numerous activities during cold-weather months By Gabi Jaye Senior Reporter
Local county and city parks offer numerous winter-related activities for those spending time in the area during the frigid season. Isabella County Parks and Recreation Marketing Coordinator Katrina Stock said people camp at Deerfield Nature Park on 2425 W. Remus Road despite the cold and snow. “It’s about a mile hike back to the campground,” she said. “People will bring a sled or wagon and load up their supplies to transport them to the site.” The campground offers a water pump and toilet. Campers are able to use wood at the
campsite in order to build a fire. The fee for a one-night stay and a vehicle pass is $20. There is a $6 fee for a daily pass into Deerfield without an annual pass. Stock said there are about five to six groups a year that camp at Deerfield during the winter. “Campers need to bundle up and make sure that they bring enough warm items,” she said. “Deerfield is a great option for both skiing and sledding.” Stock said the park also has miles of snow-filled trails. People often use them for crosscountry skiing and snow shoeing. Campers are also invited to
ice fish, walk their dogs and hike. County Parks and Recreation Director Sue Ann Kopmeyer said Deerfield will also be the host of the second annual Frigid Doe Ice Bowl Disc Golf Fundraiser Jan. 22. Proceeds go toward EightCAP. “There’s a local disc golf group here that puts that on,” Kopmeyer said. “EightCAP provides financial assistance to those in need.” Kopmeyer said the parks and recreation department provides discounted annual passes to those using EightCAP. Chris Bundy, director of Parks and Public Spaces, said all of the city parks are free to access during both the summer
and winter. Mission Creek Woodland Park is a popular location for sledding, he said. “There’s quite a large hill that a lot of folks come out to,” Bundy said. “It’s a quick drive, especially if we have a big snowfall.” Many of the nine Mount Pleasant parks offer paved trails that people use to walk their dogs. Bundy said people also take their kids out in strollers on them. Bundy said people continue to kayak and canoe even during the winter through the parks’ many meetings with the Chippewa River. metro@cm-life.com
Jake Bolitho, Metro Editor | metro@cm-life.com | 989.774.4342
Erica Kearns/Staff photographer
Six-year-old Ally Tupper, of Mount Pleasant, and her five-year-old sister Zoey play in the snow Thursday at Island Park, 331 N. Main St. “The best part of winter is being around all my family,” Tupper said.
2B || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
cm-life.com/category/news/metro
[community]
Tribal water park, hotel construction set for spring Demolished property still vacant By Jake Bolitho Metro Editor
Work to construct a new water park at the still-empty site of the former Soaring Eagle Inn and Conference Center is still on track for the spring. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has contracted with Horizon Construction Group to begin the project off Pickard Street once weather heats up. The planned 45,000 square-foot facility will be renamed the Soaring Eagle Inn and Water Park. The project will last about 15 to 18 months with completion expected by the summer 2012, said Lisa Darnell, business systems analyst for Mi-
gizi, the tribe’s economic development entity. Demolition of the original building at 5665 E. Pickard St. was completed in October. “It’s meant as a family destination,” Darnell said. “It will be great for the tribal community and the rest of the community.” The tribe proposed the water park as one way of attracting more tourists to the area. It will include a swimming area, water slide, activity pool, lazy river and a “kiddy-dump station.” Construction of the adjoining hotel will include 224 rooms, a restaurant and lounge. A fitness room is also planned as part of the project and a conference room will have a seating capacity of 50. “The new water park is going to be a great addition,” said Union Township Super-
Break-ins | continued from 1B
ies were reduced by half compared to the 2009-10 break. “These numbers show that both our educational campaign is working and that our prevention patrols are working,” said MPPD Public Information Officer Jeff Browne. MPPD published safety tips the week before break to educate students about how they can keep their residence secure. Browne said there may be groups of individuals that wait for students to go on break. He said this could be
one of the contributing factors to break-ins in student housing. “There could be people who prey upon that,” Browne said. Browne said from past experience, many break-ins have occurred because students do not secure their doors and neglect to take small safety precautions. He said he wants students to be aware that things like this do happen in Mount Pleasant. “The more people we can touch upon and talk to will help reduce the number of break-ins,” he said. The number of student housing breaking and enter-
visor John Barker. “I can see myself taking my grandkids there.” Union Township will provide water for the park’s operations, Barker said. Employment opportunities for the park will include lifeguards, marketing and hospitality workers. “Any time we can have jobs created in our community, that’s tremendous,” Barker said. “When the tourists aren’t there, the community will also get to enjoy this.” The Green Suites, 1900 Summerton Road, has been kept open for Soaring Eagle Casino guests since the demolition of the former inn. The project cost for the inn and water park is not being disclosed, Darnell said.
mayor |
metro@cm-life.com
continued from 1B
ings was also low in CMU’s campus housing. Lt. Cameron Wassman of the Central Michigan police department said there was only one incident over break. An individual broke into a Barnes Hall kitchen on Dec. 19. “There was approximately $50 of food items stolen,” Wassman said. “But the items were later recovered.” Wassman said no arrests have been made at this time and the incident is still under investigation. He said break-ins are typically reported by students the week after classes have started, but he does not anticipate many. metro@cm-life.com
sean proctor/staff photographer
Bruce Kilmer, the newly appointed mayor of Mount Pleasant, poses for a portrait on Jan. 4 in his office at the Borden Building. Kilmer, formerly the vice mayor, steps in after Jim Holton made the decision to step down to focus on his business efforts. “I was humbled and thankful for the confidence the other commissioners placed in me, and I’m excited to work for this great city.”
years and also served as mayor in 2006. “I knew that some day he would become mayor,” Cynthia Kilmer said. “He’s smart and will handle it well.” Before his tenure with the city, Bruce Kilmer was an attorney for a private practice firm. Kilmer currently serves as a regional administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court. The new mayor spent his first week in Lansing instructing newly elected judges, but is now back in Mount Pleasant for his first full week in the position.
“He’s a perfect fit for the job. He stepped into several occasions where I just couldn’t.” Jim Holton, former mayor “I’m really looking forward to my interaction with the residents and the other officials,” Kilmer said. Union Township Supervisor John Barker said he has always enjoyed working with the City Commission and sees that relationship continuing. “I hope that Bruce and the new vice mayor will be as cooperative as the former mayor and vice mayor,” Barker said. Holton will remain on board as a commissioner
through 2011. He said the long hours eventually became somewhat cumbersome for him. He said although he believes Kilmer can handle the position well given his past experience, he looks forward to offering the new mayor advice if he needs it. “He’s a perfect fit for the job,” Holton said. “He stepped into several occasions where I just couldn’t.” metro@cm-life.com
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Darryl Johnson of Suttons Bay walks down the liquor isle Tuesday night at Ric’s Food Center, located at 903 East High St., in Mount Pleasant. Johnson recently started working at Central Michigan University as an assesment coach in the academic office.
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Sunday | continued from 1B
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stores to sell if we lived along the lake or in a touristy area,” Divine said. “I would think many stores up north will purchase the permits for that reason.” Andy Senni, who works at The Mission Store, 1022 S. Mission St., said because there isn’t a huge demand in
the community to buy alcohol that early they don’t plan on getting a permit. He said it would most likely cost more to pay staff working those hours than the profit they would receive from sales. “We open at noon already on Sunday and that seems early enough,” Senni said. “I just don’t think there would be any value to it.”
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cm-life.com/category/news/metro
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || 3B
[Community]
Local municipalities begin year with tighter budgets By Jake Bolitho Metro Editor
photos by erica kearns/staff photographer
Dyan Stensrud of Mount Pleasant serves patrons Thursday at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 S. Adams St. It was her first day working at the kitchen. “I heard about it and decided to volunteer,” Stensrud said.
Soup kitchen sees heavy traffic over break Volunteers offer help to community By Melissa Beauchamp Staff Reporter
With all of the holiday season’s hustle and bustle, it is sometimes difficult to find time to give a helping hand. But that didn’t stop the Mount Pleasant Community from providing support to those in need with efforts through the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 S. Adams St. Genny Sobaski, the executive director of the soup kitchen, has made it her mission to alleviate hunger for over 17 years. At 8 a.m. the doors are opened for patrons to a continental breakfast with no ques-
tions asked. It is a warm haven from the cold in the winter months, Sobaski said. “Seven days a week we serve breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. we serve hot lunches,” she said. “On Sundays the kitchen is run by Mount Pleasant Community Church.” “We average on a daily basis 85 to 120 meals … it varies,” she said. “If the weather is bad we end up with a ton of people.” The kitchen had an increase in patrons all year because of the economic downturn, and a special increase more during this holiday break than last, she said. More children came in with their families for a meal because they were off from school, Sobaski said.
Pat Spence of Mount Pleasant eats an apple crisp Thursday at the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 S. Adams St. Spence also takes care of the recycling for the kitchen.
The soup kitchen collects items for care packages for patrons as they pass through the lunch lines during the week of
Natural gas suppliers expect lower winter heating bills By Theresa Clift Staff Reporter and Ryan Czachorski Contributing Reporter
Off-campus students may rejoice as both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy agree natural gas prices will be lower this year. “We expect heating bills to be about $15 to $20 lower this year compared to last year,” said DTE Energy Spokesman Scott Simons. “That’s due to a reduction in the wholesale price and because of that reduction we’ve been able to reduce our natural gas rates by about 20 percent.” This process is called the gas recovery factor. Simons offered some tips to save money and be efficient. “Make sure you’re not heating the outside, keep all windows and doors closed.” Simons said. “For every three degrees you turn your thermostat down, you can save 3 percent on your energy bill.”
He also recommended simply dressing warmer while inside as a way to keep the thermostat set lower. Simons said anywhere between 55 and 60 degrees is a good temperature to leave an apartment or house over a long period of time like spring break. This will prevent the pipes from freezing. Consumers Energy is expecting to charge a $5 less from last year per bill, and $8 less from two years ago. “We’re expecting natural gas prices should be about 3 percent lower this year than last,” said Consumers Energy spokeswoman Debra Dodd. Dodd said the market has dropped in general and that they have very disciplined strategies. “We can buy gas in the summer when it’s cheap and then store it in underground storage systems,” Dodd said. These systems are naturally occurring. The companies are not al-
lowed to mark up the price of the gas itself. “Whatever we buy the gas for, that’s what we sell it for,” Dodd said. Dodd said people will pay around $148 on average for winter months, but the number varies. “It’s going to depend on the size of the place you’re living in and how well-insulated it is, and a lot of other factors.” Grand Rapids junior Audrey Johnson is coping with high heating. She said her residence has poorly circulating electrical heat and one of her bills was already over $200. Johnson and her roommates tried not to turn on the heat until November. “We keep it kind of low, not where your hands or feet are freezing, but we found a happy medium.” metro@cm-life.com
Christmas, she said. “We have tons of CMU A soup | 4B
Residents of Mount Pleasant and Union Township can expect some increased fees and reduced services as a result of newly approved budgets. The plan for Mount Pleasant calls for nearly $960,000 in reduced spending, while Union Township’s total budget remained about the same. Cuts to the city budget will affect areas such as public safety, but most spending was reduced through employee attrition, said City Manager Kathie Grinzinger. “The City Commission took input from the public and made the very best decisions they could in a difficult economic environment,” Grinzinger said. “The dive in state revenue sharing has been an extreme factor.” Mount Pleasant eliminated one detective position, one records professional and one fire prevention officer position. Any reduction in personnel is significant, said Police Capt. Tom Forsberg. The number of detective positions was reduced from three to two and will have an impact on crime solvability, development and training of
patrol officers in investigations and the timely completion of investigations, he said. The work performed by the records position included direct support to the police administration. Those duties have been absorbed by the remaining staff and the timeliness of the completion of those tasks has been diminished, Forsberg said. Public Safety cuts also include reduced overtime hours and education and prevention spending. “The reductions in overtime have been somewhat offset by changes in the scheduling of the work and some reduction in assignments to special events,” Forsberg said. City residents also now must pay more for services with the newly adopted budget. Residential bag-and-tag prices for trash pickup have risen 50 cents per bag. Rental housing licensing and inspection fees rose 10 percent and new fees for non-residential usage of parks and recreation were established as well.
Union Township Union Township’s 2011 budget is set at $6.9 million and
A budget | 4B
4B || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
cm-life.com/category/news/metro
[community]
ICTC expands road service Route goes from Tallgrass to campus By Theresa Clift Staff Reporter
PHOTOS BY PAIGE CALAMARI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department firefighter Kyle Smith prepares to hose off a portion of a roof during a structure fire caused by an electrical short in the wall behind a refrigerator Tuesday afternoon at 285 E. Freemont Rd. in Shepherd. According to Chief Don Brown of the Shepherd Tri-Township Fire Department the winter season often brings on fatigue more quickly due to wet clothing and freezing water hoses. “The cold creates extra issues we have to deal with,” Chief Brown said.
Winter firefighting brings ‘unique challenges’ to Mount Pleasant dept. Extra gear, special materials a necessity By Jordan Spence Staff Reporter
Just because the nights are cold and the snow is plentiful doesn’t mean fire is any less of a serious threat for the Mount Pleasant Fire Department. “Winter definitely provides some unique challenges for the fire department,” Lt. Rick Beltinck said. Firefighter safety and protection is imperative when dealing with icy surfaces and the cold, he said. Equipment such as gloves and extra coats are kept on hand for when firefighters get wet. They also have bags of sand and salt on hand to prevent slipping, Beltinck said. A constant concern must be to avoid freezing and burst pipes. Beltinck said there are several heaters across the fire engines to prevent this from happening. Hydrants must also be regularly serviced to ensure water is available at the site of a fire at a moment’s notice. “There are around 800 hydrants in the city and we have a hydrant-checking program to make sure water didn’t freeze in the barrel,” said Water Systems Operator Andy Keehbauch. “If the water does freeze we steam
soup | continued from 3B
students that volunteer,” Sobaski said. “Because of finals and Christmas break we will be missing the volunteerism and support.” Monroe sophomore Kara Waldecker has volunteered at the kitchen and enjoyed it. “You get a chance to interact with a variety of people,” she said. “You also feel very
budget | continued from 3B
includes several changes. “It’s about level with last year,” said Township Manager Brian Smith. “There was a decrease in $800,000 from the general fund.” Road funding made up a significant portion of the cuts to the general fund. Union Township spent a considerable amount of money on roads last year because a survey
it to thaw it out.” Though the city shovels out hydrants on main roads, it is helpful when pedestrians clear hydrants near or on their property, Beltinck said. The fire department is also prepared for driving on iceand snow-covered roads. Beltinck said chains can be released to provide more traction for the trucks. He said other drivers on the road are pretty good about getting out of the Mount Pleasant Fire Department firefighter Phil Nartker checks way, even when a fire alarm during a home inspection in a vacant apartment it’s slippery. Tuesday afternoon on North Main Street. Nartker joined the People must MPFD in August. “You want to help your neighbors and compay attention munity,” Nartker said of his position. to heating units like space heaters or fireplaces, According to a 2010 study by as they start the majority of fires, the United States Fire AdminBeltinck said. istration, an estimated 108,400 “A lot depends on the mainte- winter residential building fires nance of space heaters or wood- occur annually in the United burning stoves and fireplaces,” States. They result in an average Beltinck said. “The worst calls to 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries and get are house calls and life safety $1.7 billion in property loss. calls, especially with the impact on the residents of our commu- metro@cm-life.com nity.” useful because they can always use more help. It is a rewarding experience.” Waldecker said the kitchen only had four volunteers on Saturday instead of its regular 10 to 12. In the winter months the soup kitchen is fortunate to receive food from local businesses that donate leftovers from banquets or social gatherings, Sobaski said. With taxes in mind, people respond by donating this time of year, she said. Recently 5,500 pounds of
canned goods were donated from Mount Pleasant Public Schools. Because of Michigan’s economy, the kitchen has seen many more people needing its services the past couple years, and they are thankful for more donations, Sobaski said.
conducted by CMU indicated they were a high priority for residents, said Township Supervisor John Barker. Much of the road project spending came from the reconstruction of Isabella Road north of Pickard Street. With that project now complete, road spending has returned to normal levels, Barker said. The township will also spend $400,000 more on water and sewer funds. Residents voted last election to allow an increase in the fire
protection millage. The 1.9 percent property tax rate was adjusted to 2 percent in response to declining property values, Barker said. State revenue sharing was a factor in Union Township as well as Mount Pleasant, Barker said, but employment remains comparatively strong. “We’re probably in one of the best shapes a township can be compared to the rest of the state,” he said.
-Staff reporter Jordan Spence and senior reporter Emily Grove contributed to this report metro@cm-life.com
metro@cm-life.com
Icy windshields can go unscraped and snow pants unworn since the addition of a new route to public transportation in Mount Pleasant. The Isabella County Transportation Commission added a Tallgrass/Mission route, which combined with other routes allows riders to access retail stores, South Mission Street and Blue Grass Road. “This is our attempt to expand what is working for students to get to campus and also give them access to a number of other retail and governmental services, banking and all of the other things they need to get by at CMU,” said Dennis Adams, ICTC’s director of marketing and public relations. ICTC added a new stop at Save-A-Lot, 1721 S. Mission St., and buses will stop on request at all businesses “We decided to pick up community members also, now that we are going into
town anyway,” Adams said. One of the main reasons for the addition of the Tallgrass route was the section of Mission Street between Preston Road and Broomfield Road, which contains several destinations previously not covered, Adams said. The campus bus service has seen 15 percent growth since the service started in 2004, which provided 127,000 rides to three apartment complexes, Adams said. ICTC provided 223,000 rides to nine apartment complexes over the last school year. Some students are already enjoying the benefits of the new route. “It’s great for getting to class and into town,” said Ohio sophomore Jacob Rhoad. “The best part is that it’s free because I would never use it if I had to pay.” Tallgrass Apartments were the first to have a bus stop, followed by Lexington Ridge. “It took a while for people to start realizing what the real value was,” Adams said. In the future the campus shuttle could cover the east and west areas of town and look for potential partners, Adams said. Mejier and Mid Michigan Community College have shown interest in
the program. The routes will run regularly on special days like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, exam week and spring break. There will be a modified version of the schedule in the summer. Adams said ICTC may be able to take over school bus routes if they are ever eliminated. “We could develop community routes that would serve that function,” Adams said. Sterling Heights sophomore Audrey Rozell said the service has been very helpful for her. “It is a good idea because a lot of people either don’t have cars or just don’t feel like driving in the winter on Mission because it’s so crazy,” she said. Adams anticipates there will be timed-stop routes that people can walk to in almost any city location in the next five years. “Our partnerships with these apartments and with the university have been the key to having this thing started and moving forward,” Adams said. Route schedules, locations and details can be accessed at ictcbus.com. metro@cm-life.com
Duane Ellis retires from Public Works director position City temporarily contracts with engineering group By Emily Grove Senior Reporter
Duane Ellis’ time as director of Public Works in the city ended with the new year after 27 years on the job. Throughout his career, Ellis contributed to numerous projects in an effort to better the area. “He was devoted to the city and residents,” City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said. “Above all, he always attempted to do the right thing in the right way.” Some of Ellis’ accomplishments include the expansion of the Mount Pleasant airport, the development of the wastewater treatment facility, his work on city bridges and the walkability standards-focused design of several newer streets, Grinzinger said. Ellis also worked to eliminate gravel streets within the city limits. He constructed an engineering program to have the ten miles of gravel streets paved in 1985 and 1986. “The roads were poor and this was another thing that improved the quality and presentability of the city,” he said. Ellis decided to step down about three or four months ago when his term was winding down. Though his job in the Public Works department is done, Ellis plans to earn a new degree. After retirement, Ellis is going to focus on being a full-time student and work on finishing his counseling degree. “Through the church, my wife and I have been counseling married couples dealing with marriage and family issues,” Ellis said. “I want to finish my degree and continue working with the church.”
The search is on With the director of Public Works position vacant, Grinzinger will soon begin the search process for Ellis’ replacement. The director of Public Works oversees the activities of the department, which include wastewater, water, street construction and maintenance, motorpool, engineering, the airport and all other right-ofway activities The search process for the position will take several months, Grinzinger said. Instead of rushing the hiring process, the City Commission
allowed Mount Pleasant to contract with Spicer Group of Saginaw. “In these months, we didn’t want to leave the Public Works Department without the support it needs to continue its vital activities,” she said. Spicer will have two employees stepping in and taking over the roles normally filled by a full-time public works director on a part-time basis. “Their contract is month to month,” Grinzinger said. “The hiring process is going to take as long as it takes to do it well.” metro@cm-life.com
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WINTER REPAIRS | Father, son replace heater hose in broken down vehicle
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || 5B
mount pleasant
$75,000 grant issued to area police agencies New traffic crash report system purchased By Gabi Jaye Senior Reporter
Local police agencies are looking to put a $74,428 technology award from the Office of Highway Safety Planning to use in modernizing their forces’ reporting. The grant will be used to buy an Electronic Crash Capture system, which will be used countywide and builds on the Justice Assistance grant attained in October 2009. “This system is more efficient because officers can spend more time in patrol sean proctor/staff photographer
Mount Pleasant resident Troy Latzko, 24, looks down at his dad, Terry, 54, as he works on propping their Chevy Cavalier up in preparation to remove the heater hose, which had blown out in another car last week. “They always break down when it’s cold, storming — basically when it’s inconvenient,” Terry said.
Local ice rink relieves cabin fever Location a popular winter destination for kids, dates By Jordan Spence Staff Reporter
It might seem counterintuitive to escape winter blues on top of a thin sheet of ice, but that doesn’t stop crowds from heading to a Mount Pleasant ice rink. Over the past 13 years the ICE Arena, 5165 E. Remus Road, has been a popular place for people to skate and compete. Young skaters such as Sara Nitscke, 6, and Rachel Bigelow, 8, take advantage of the rink as much as possible. The Shepherd residents said they both started taking lessons a year ago after a friend went through the program. “We knew we would have a good time with friends,” Bigelow said. “I wanted to take lessons so I could be good all year long.” Rachel’s mother, Jennie Bigelow, said she likes tak-
ing her daughter to the rink because it is a supervised activity that gets her out of the house. Rob Flynn, manager of the ICE Arena, said it gives kids and adults the opportunity for great recreation. “It’s an alternative to just sitting around the house,” he said. “It can be for fun like open skates, or people can join the various hockey leagues.” He said the arena is in the middle of its peak period from November through February. During this time, he said the arena is full of families, children and college students. The rink is popular around the holidays and as a Valentine’s Day date. Lauryn Lehmen, a Mid Michigan Community College freshmen, said she came with her friends because there was nothing else to do in town. “It was my first time here and we had fun,” she said. “It’s something to do other than going to the movies.” After working at the arena
By Randi Shaffer Senior Reporter
Steven Hartunian shuffled through two inches of snow one day last week in a hood and a baseball cap outside of a local bar — thin curls of smoke twisting from his mouth and the cigarette between his fingers. Hartunian, a West Bloomfield sophomore, is one of many Michiganders facing the cold impact of the smoking ban since its inception May 1. The smoking ban prohib-
its patrons from smoking in public places and food service establishments. As a result of the ban, Michigan residents have had to endure the cold and use patios and outdoor sidewalks to enjoy their nicotine breaks. Hartunian said even the cold won’t discourage his smoking habit. “Taxes went up on cigarettes and I paid $7 a pack,” he said. “If I want to smoke, I want to smoke and if people don’t want to smoke, I understand that. I’ll go outside.” Business sales at Blue in the Face, a smoke shop at 217 S. Main St., indicated Mount Pleasant residents have the same mentality about the ban as Hartunian. Manager Jon Wardin said
“This system is more efficient because officers can spend more time in patrol units by finishing a crash report in their car.” Jeff Browne, Mount Pleasant Police Department
Public Information Officer
sara winkler/assistant photo editor
Mount Pleasant resident Rachel Anderson, left, helps her daughter Lucy, center, and the family’s new friend Lily Stewart, right, off of the ice after they finished skating during the open public skating time on Jan. 5, at the Isabella County Events Arena, 5165 E. Remus Rd. Anderson met the Stewart family during her family’s first visit to the public skate. “I love it,” Anderson said. “We will be back and might bring a helmet or two.”
for more than a year, MMCC sophomore Amber Hall said she gets attached to the regulars that come in. “It can get crazy on the rink,” she said. “It’s a fun place for people to come and it can keep kids out of trouble.”
Public skating tickets cost $4 and skate rentals are $2.50. Open skating times are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. metro@cm-life.com
Residents out in cold from May smoking ban Local cigarette sales mostly unaffected
Browne said. “This new system will allow local police agencies to send their information sooner.” The new system will not upload a crash report if it contains any errors. Browne said it eliminates the use of paper crash reports. The ECC system will also allow officers to swipe a driver’s license and the driver’s information will automatically be uploaded to the report. A traffic ticket can be printed on the spot with the new system. “If I issued you a ticket today, the information would automatically go to the court,” Browne said. CMU Police Lt. Cameron Wassman said the ECC system will make it easier for
business sales weren’t impacted by the smoking ban at all. “We weren’t really affected by it because we don’t allow any smoking in the building as it is,” he said. Wardin himself continues to smoke despite the ban. “I think the smoking ban is a little bit ridiculous because there’s still plenty of people (that smoke,)” he said. “It’s unconstitutional.” Mount Pleasant resident D.J. Baker also said the ban is unconstitutional for Michigan residents, though it did help him end his long-term smoking addiction. Baker gave up smoking three months ago. He said not only did the ban play a part in his decision to quit, but his
mother and son also played a role. “I found out my mom had cancer,” he said. “Realistically, I have a 12-year-old son. I’m trying to set an example for him, and you’ve got to lead by example, so (I) quit.” Baker said he transitioned from regularly smoking, to using electronic cigarettes to nothing at all since the start of the ban. “I think (the ban) will be good in the long run,” he said. Hartunian said, ultimately, smoking in the cold plays no part in discouraging his tobacco use. “I’m fine with it,” he said. “It’s my addiction. I do what I can with it.” metro@cm-life.com
units by finishing a crash report in their car,” said Mount Pleasant Police Department Public Information Officer Jeff Browne. The grant will cover the whole cost of the purchase of the software, licensing, training of personnel, software configuration, maintenance and installation of the system. The MPPD, CMU Police, Isabella County Sheriff ’s Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, Shepherd Police and the Michigan State Police will all be able to electronically submit traffic crash reports to the state of Michigan. Browne said all of the local police forces share the same record system and they all work cooperatively. “The report uploads to the computer system and sends a copy to the state system once the sergeant reviews the report,”
both the driver and officer to file a crash report. “The system is an improvement in efficiency,” he said. “It allows us to better share information with other agencies.” According to a MPPD press release, Isabella County submits about 3,176 traffic crash reports a year to the Michigan State Police. Wassman said the new system will make it more efficient to integrate other department databases. “Once the ticket is written, the data will be available for all other agencies right off the bat,” he said. Browne said the new system will be installed and officers will be trained no later than Oct. 1. “We’re trying to stay in the game, making a real push to get all the technology grants we can get,” Browne said. metro@cm-life.com
6B || Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 || Central Michigan Life
McGuirk Arena scoreboard installed Will show some BCA-student produced content By Seth Newman Staff Reporter
PAIGE CALAMARI/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Daktronics employee and Grand Rapids resident Tim Balzeski helps align a panel of the new scoreboard as it is prepared to be raised Thursday afternoon in the McGuirk Arena.
movie review
‘Country Strong’ well acted, more convoluted than country By Garrett Tanner Staff Reviewer
I must admit that I am not a huge fan of country music. I do appreciate a good story even if it is about such a subject, but “Country Strong” does not ever seem to make up its mind about what story it is telling. What is initially a story of redemption becomes a story of the demands of fame becomes the story of true love, none of which are ever fully unfolded on the screen. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Kelly Canter, an alcoholic country star removed from rehab a month before her official discharge by her husband and manager James (Tim McGraw). McGraw does a very convincing job portraying something; I’m just not quite sure what that “something” is. While McGraw acts very well alongside Paltrow, who truly brings her A-game, the writing never seems to allow McGraw to make up his mind whether he is her manager, husband or both. With a disintegrated marriage and a baby who died in utero due to Kelly’s drinking, James is given ample reason to be angry. However, he is the driving force behind getting his wife back on the stage; he continues to push
cm-life.com/category/vibe
[VIBE]
her yet is unwilling to show her any affection. These are both portrayed very well but cause the audience to feel like they are watching two different characters without any real payoff for either one. The major secondary plot involves Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund) and Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester). Beau is a country singer at local bars and one of the workers at Kelly’s rehab clinic. He is in love with Kelly but finds himself slowly falling for Chiles who is the next big thing in country due to her beauty and new manager James. Both characters are wellacted but Hedlund does a particularly fine job being the only character that has any clearlydefined motivations. They seem to be the younger versions of James and Kelly. While Beau loves Kelly he does not seem to feel too bad about quickly developing a relationship with Chiles, which seems to destroy his otherwise solid performance as a very dedicated lover. Much like 2009’s “Crazy Heart,” this film takes a stance against the commercialism of modern country music in favor of the more traditional and soulful songs reminiscent of Patsy Cline or Merle Haggard.
‘country strong’
HHHHH w Rating: PG13
But much like the rest of the plot, the film defies this ideology with one of the songs performed by Kelly toward the end of the film. And while “Country Strong” has some very fine acting, especially from Paltrow and Hedlund, it convolutes itself with too many unearned twists just for the sake of spicing up the story. studentlife@cm-life.com
McGuirk Arena and its brand new Events Center are not the only feathers in Central Michigan University Athletics’ cap this winter. The facility also boasts a state-of-the-art scoreboard. Chris Rodela, director of electronic media, said the scoreboard has high-definition video, new programs, new show controls, a threeangle instant replay system and can show live content. “The old scoreboard could only show previously-made content so the fans should get a lot of new views,” Rode-
la said. Senior Associate Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe said the scoreboard will enhance the experience of sporting competitions and campus events for fans. “It has all the amenities that a scoreboard should,” he said. “With a large screen, full video, graphics and student-produced content, this is a great way for fans to experience game-day environment.” Van der Merwe said the scoreboard will not just be used for sporting events in McGuirk Arena. “Central Michigan can use it for a lot of things,” he said. “Concerts, movies and graduation are just a few things that it can be used for.” Van der Merwe said the scoreboard would not have become a reality without the
help of the broadcasting department. “They will have between 30 and 40 students producing sports content that we can send across the state of Michigan to get fans, alumni and recruits excited about Central Michigan,” he said. “It’s part of building a program.” Rodela said the scoreboard also will help with recruitment when potential players get to see it firsthand. “That’s the type of stuff that impresses them,” he said. Van der Merwe said Daktronics, a company that creates scoreboards and deals with video and sound, helped install the scoreboard. Daktronics is commonly used among colleges to handle scoreboards and advertising, he said. university@cm-life.com
music review
Diamond Gloss’ debut effort solid, but not for everyone By Jay Gary Staff Reviewer
Diamond Gloss’ debut album “Bears” is a fresh take on the usual dark, droning styles of post-rock and ambient IDM. The record showcases a more lighthearted take on the genres and is able to find a unique identity in two genres that are quickly becoming harder to find a voice in. Diamond Gloss is the alias of Portuguese postrock musician Gonçalo Pereira (not to be confused with the guitar virtuoso of the same name) who established himself as a solo musician after fronting the band How Comes The Constellations Shine. His solo work features many of the set-piece calls of a post-rock/ambient IDM album with its slow, passionate piano work, droning background sweeps and glitchy electronics, making for an album that easily showcases its influence from acts like Helios, Secede, Sigur Rós and Múm. From that basic starting point however Diamond Gloss adds these very happy and high-pitched in-
struments like music boxes and glockenspiels. The inclusion and use of these instruments take the usually serious emotional tone of post-rock and inverts it into an almost innocent and nostalgic, emotional style. It’s hard to describe through words alone how this transition is accomplished but this sound is strong and striking when experienced. Songs like “Walnut and Trees Tables” invoke the thought of taking a nap in a kindergarten music room as an autumn evening breeze chills the air outside; it’s peaceful, serene, and calming. While the majority of the album maintains its almost gleeful sound, Pereira is not afraid to show his serious side. “Fawns,” the album’s closing track, takes a different turn than the rest of the album. It drops the joyous tones of earlier tracks and creates a song that brings the album’s theme of accepting that we all grow up full-circle. For as much praise I have given so far for its emotional sound work, “Bears” isn’t for everyone. With no vocals, a non-linear songwriting style and half of
‘Bears’
HHHHH w Artist: Diamond Gloss w Genre: Post-Rock, ambient
the tracks reaching over 10 minutes in length, people who do not actively listen to this style of music may be deterred from it. It has other problems as well; tracks like “I Am Black and Blue All Over” and “Step Piece” are too short to craft a song that can compete with the other tracks off the album. Regardless of what type of music fan a person is, when “Bears” stands on its own it is a beautifully crafted escape through a trail that post-rock and ambient IDM do not normally travel. With its innocent and emotional pull, it is an easy recommendation, even if this may not be your musical cup of tea. studentlife@cm-life.com
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