sports | lefevour steps into spotlight at senior bowl, 6A CMLIFE Is Twitter a beneficial social network, or a passing Internet trend? 1B about 1 hour ago from web
Central Michigan Life
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
University Campaign sets record, hits $832,788 Organizers not surprised despite economic struggles By Theresa Clift Staff Reporter
The most recent Annual University Campaign is one that will not be forgotten despite the struggling economy. Its final dollar amount totaled
$832,788, an all-time record for the campaign exceeding Central Michigan University’s dollar and donor goals. It also was $62,788 above a goal of $770,000. “I was not that surprised by the success of the campaign,” said Director of Annual Giving Bryan Griffin. “It seems like our faculty, staff and retirees really see the value in giving back to CMU, and how important it is to give back; therefore, we continue to surpass our goals.”
The final donor total was 1,019, just more than the 1,000 goal — another first for the campaign. Twenty-eight percent of the total faculty, staff and retirees gave to the campaign, also an all-time high. Griffin said there were a few changes from campaigns in the past. “The nuts and bolts of the campaign were very much the same,” Griffin said. “We did have a revamped Web site, and
revamped AUC logo and newsletters.” More for the dollar During the campaign, many gifts went to annual awards, endowments and student scholarships. “I think the fact that the university matches every $2 donated with $1 encourages more people to donate because they are getting more for their dollar,” said Barb Lindley, associate
registrar for undergraduate academic services and co-chair for the campaign. Also, AUC donors are advised of what department or area with its own account that their money goes. Many alumni who opted not to donate to the campaign in the past were inspired to do so this year — an additional surprise for some. But what could have been a setback was not, Griffin said, be-
cause donors knew their dollar would go farther. “We had more dollars and donors this year due to the fact I believe people who have the capacity to give, gave more this year,” Griffin said. “They knew their dollars would have a great impact on a student and/or department that really needed this funding during this tough economic climate.” university@cm-life.com
s tat e o f t h e u n i o n
Obama to address job market, health care By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter
Students may have a better idea of what to expect of the nation’s future job market after President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address at 9 p.m. today. Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics and a former Central Michigan University Griffin Endowed Chair, said he would be surprised if Obama does not spend the bulk of the address on job creation and reducing unemployment. Obama could discuss his plans to offer tax credits for parents with students enrolled in college, Ballenger said, though it is not Barack Obama known what the specifics of that legislation will be. “There couldn’t be anything that would be more relevant it seems, to me, to students at CMU, their parents and who’s paying for higher education than that,” he said. Ballenger does not believe higher education will be the major point in Obama’s speech because health care reform is still “the elephant in the room.” “The ramifications of what happens with health care will impact us in a variety of ways,” said Student Government Association President and Mount Pleasant senior Jason Nichol. “We as voters, not just students, but as voters, have the fiduciary responsibility to become, I guess, well appraised on these issues that will really impact our nation.” Other issues expected to be addressed include financial and banking reform, and a second stimulus package could also be in the works. Maxine Berman, Griffin Endowed Chair and Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s director of Special Projects, said it is too A Address | 2A
paige calamari/staff photographer
Ben, left, played by Holly junior Daniel Martin, and Gus, played by Clinton Township senior Scott Freeman, perform in a dress rehearsal of The Dumb Waiter Wednesday night in Moore Hall’s Theatre-on-the-Side. Double Take, which will include two separate plays, The Dumb Waiter and Vortex, will run Thursday through Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in Moore Hall’s Theatre-on-the-Side.
Dual threat
Two CMU students star in “Double Take: The Dumb Waiter and the Vortex” this week By Melissa Torok Staff Reporter
S
ometimes, all it takes is two great actors to truly bring a story to life. Holly junior Daniel Martin and Clinton Township senior Scott Freeman hope to do just that. The duo will star in “Double Take: The Dumb Waiter and the Vortex,” a macabre double-feature premiering at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Moore Hall’s Theatre-on-the-side. The show begins at the same time Friday and Saturday nights, and will wrap with a
matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday. Martin and Freeman will be the only two performers on stage. “Both are great actors,” said Jim Hickerson, coordinator of Marketing, Outreach and Education. “If anyone can pull off a two-person play, it would be them.” For The Dumb Waiter, Martin and Freeman transform themselves into a pair of professional killers from the 1950s. They find each other alone in a seemingly abandoned house, waiting for the identity of their next
“hit” to be released. Suddenly, a series of increasingly strange orders start arriving through a mysterious small elevator. The audience is taken then to Sedona, Ariz., for the second half of the double feature “The Vortex,” a mystery written by Wade Sheeler. Freeman plays an escaped gunman named Mark, who is running from his past. He meets a mysterious shaman played by Martin on top of a mesa. Weaving two plays Director Neil Vanderpool, chairman of the Commu-
If you go... "Double Take: The Dumb Waiter and the Vortex" w When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday w Where: Moore Hall’s Theatre-on-the-side w Cost: $5 for students, $7 general admission nication and Dramatic Arts Department, said the two plays are connected through underlying messages. Each presents ideas such as rein-
carnation and facing your fate. He said the feature will appeal to fans of movies such as “Pulp Fiction” and “Fight Club.” “They are entirely different plays placed uniquely together,” Vanderpool said. “There’s mystery and there’s suspense.” Both actors had to handle difficult language, adult content and violence for the play. Martin and Freeman are roommates and had no problem getting into
A theatre | 2A
‘Jersey Shore’ reality star coming to Wayside in February Look-alike contest also planned for 9 p.m. Feb. 20 By Jesse Ozimek Staff Reporter
One star from MTV’s hit show “Jersey Shore” is coming to Mount Pleasant. Jenni “JWoww” Farley is hosting a party at 9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the venue, 2000 S. Mission St.
Farley will do a celebrity style meetand-greet for VIP guests, and will be emceeing a party open to the pub- Jenni ‘JWoww’ lic later that Farley night. A Jersey Shore look-alike contest also is planned. Midland senior Alisha Garlow cannot wait for the event — she texted her
friends immediately after she learned of it. “I am so excited,” Garlow said. “I am going to make sure to be there.” New Fashion The Wayside also has a fashion show planned that will feature 15 Central Michigan University student models. The show will take place at 8 p.m. Feb. 4. “We are Heroes,” the winning dance team from the fourth season of MTV’s
“America’s Best Dance Crew,” is headlining the event. It is all part of “Komplique Swimwear Fashion Show: A Night of Glitz & Glam,” a show organized by James Pieron, a CMU alumnus who owns Kompliqué, a luxury swimwear company. “CMU girls are the most beautiful girls in the world,” Pieron said. “People think I am being political when I say that, but I am 100 percent serious.” Fifteen finalists were cho-
sen out of 1,800 applications in an audition process that started last fall. Rockford sophomore Caitlin O’Brien is one of the top 15 planning to model. “I am nervous, but I am excited,” O’Brien said. Her roommates talked her into trying out after she found a flier with information on her friend’s car. The favorite model of the evening, chosen by the celebrity tables, will be awarded a $5,000 CMU scholar-
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ship, said Pieron. He said the models who make it into the top ten will each receive $1,000 scholarships. Student models were required to hold at least a 3.0 GPA to apply. “The top ten girls and five alternates will radiate the runway in our first-ever black tie event,” said John Hunter, co-owner of Wayside Central. The girls will show off the
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theatre |
PHOTO OF THE DAY
continued from 1A
character. This will be the fifth CMU production they have been in together. “I hope to gain a better understanding of this type of theater,� Martin said. “It’s been the most beneficial acting experience.� Freeman also is excited. “Now I’m not nervous, but I
today w Working on the Underground Railroad, an art exhibit by retired CMU art faculty member Nedra Frodge is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday through Jan. 29 in the Multicultural Education Center.
JWOWW |
w A Sigma Tau Delta information night will take place at 8 p.m. in Anspach Hall Room 151.
continued from 1A
Komplique 2010 collection of swimwear and dresses. Hunter said the swimwear costs thousands of dollars and is sold in only the most
Thursday w An Alpha Kappa Psi information forum will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Grawn 100. w A filming of “Ghandi� will take place at 7:30 p.m. at The Wesley Foundation. w Pianist Anton Nel will perform at 8 p.m. in the Music Building’s Staples Family Concert Hall.
w Comedian Rob O’Reilly will perform at 9 p.m. at Real Food on Campus. On The Fly productions is hosting him. w The Safer Sex Patrol will promote safe sex in the residence halls and needs volunteers. The group will meet at 10 p.m. in the lower level of the Bovee University Center.
be on unemployment. “That is certainly an imaddress | will portant issue for students,� early to tell if proposals included in a second stimulus package would affect universities or if it would include initiatives directly benefiting college students. In addition to the myriad of issues she expects the president to address, Berman said Obama also may discuss his suggestions for reorganizing loan programs to help students. Like Ballenger, she anticipates Obama’s focus
Š Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 91, Number 49
Berman said. “I’m sure every single student ... at Central Michigan University would like to know if ... they’re going to be able to find a job when they graduate.� Ballenger said the president’s general aim will be to prove to the American public that he’s concentrating on what middle-class families care about most and is re-calibrating the mission of his administration to cater to their needs. metro@cm-life.com
WEATHER FORECAST High 24/Low 14 Snow Showers
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.
upscale designer boutiques. “I don’t think that everyone realizes it yet, but this will be the most sophisticated event that CMU has seen in a long time; maybe ever,� Pieron said. General admission is $20. studentlife@cm-life.com
Sarah Wilson, 4, grabs onto the shoulder of jazznastics instructor Allison Kreider, a 16-year-old Mount Pleasant High School sophomore, as she asks for help in doing somersaults across a mat Thursday night at Vision Studio of Performing Arts, 131 E. Broadway St. The class is for girls ages 3 to 5. “They’re so much fun,� Kreider said. “They have all the energy when the walk in and still have it when they leave, even though they dance and dance. I have fun dancing with these girls.�
Today
Corrections
studentlife@cm-life.com
jake may/staff photographer
continued from 1A
w An art appraisal with Roy Saper of the Saper Galleries in East Lansing will take place 7 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid -Michigan, 319 S. University Avenue.
probably will be when I go up,� Freeman said. Directing two one-act plays is a completely new experience for Vanderpool. He said he is excited to put it all together, but does not want to give too much away. “There’s mystery and there’s suspense,� Vanderpool said. The cost is $5 for students and seniors and $7 general admission.
Thursday High 18/Low 10 Snow Showers
Friday High 19/Low 10 Cloudy
30 percent chance of precipitation
30 percent chance of precipitation
Digital Roundtable Have a question about campus security or parking issues? Next week is your chance to let your voice be heard! Join us at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 for our second Digital Roundtable with CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley! Yeagley will talk with students, faculty and staff about concerns and sug gestions they have for the CMU community.
Check cm-life.com at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 to participate !
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inside life Central Michigan Life
3A
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
Duo ‘surprised’ by first year as CMU Trustees Pair kept busy with Rao leaving, budget reductions By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter
Sarah Opperman and John Hurd’s first meeting on the Board of Trustees started with a big challenge — and it did not get much easier from there. The trustees were welcomed at the Feb. 19 meeting last year — one day before former university president Michael Rao announced his resignation.
“It was quite a surprise,” said Hurd, who became interested in Central Michigan University because of Rao. “I was in a state of shock.” From that day, CMU has seen a growing list of challenges — finding a new university president, a tuition increase, vacancies in numerous administrative positions, the beginning of a medical school and budget cuts. Opperman and Hurd sat on the search committee for a new president, their first task as Trustees. “It’s been a whirlwind,” Opperman said. “I feel very good about the decisions the Board
has made.” Although tuition had to be raised 4.6 percent, Opperman said it was necessary since the burden had shifted as state John Hurd appropriation decreased. She said trying to match the needs of the university puts an enormous burden on CMU. But the tuition increase was one of the lowest in the state, Opperman said. “We pumped a lot of additional dollars into financial aid,” Hurd
said. “I think we certainly listened.” Hurd said he knows the concerns for the medical school, too. But in the long Sarah Opperman run, he thinks it will be beneficial to the school and the community. different perspectives Opperman and Hurd had a high learning curve as they took their new positions, said Interim University President Kathy Wilbur.
They were thrown into a situation filled with a lot of excitement. “Both of them bring to the table a different set of eyes and ears,” she said. “Two very different perspectives.” Opperman came from a communications background — she graduated from CMU in 1981 with a degree in journalism and business. “I’ve had a lot to learn on how the university works,” Opperman said. “I spent a great deal of time supporting (the university) ... And happily so.” A DUO | 8A
Cajun taste comes to Finch
By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter
The 26-year-old Weidman man accused of sexually assaulting a female earlier this month was charged with four more crimes Monday in Isabella County Trial Court. Daniel Danny Leonard is accused of assaulting a 24-yearold female after entering her Deerfield Road apartment in the early morning hours of Jan.
Event postponed
The Speak Up, Speak Out event, scheduled for today, was postponed to a later date to be determined. For further information, contact the Multicultural Education Center.
Transfer reports available
photos by matthew stephens/senior photographer
China freshman Jiao Liang, right, passes a message onto Flushing sophomore Matt Kohler, during a game of telephone Monday in the Maroon Room of the Bovee University Center. Group members had to play telephone with ear plugs to simulate the difficulties a person with a hearing disability faces every day.
new Perspectives David Garcia Project coordinator seeks to educate students on disabilities By Annie Harrison Staff Reporter
J
ennifer Jordan does not get upset when she sees students with frustration. In fact, the Bellevue senior sees it as the sign of a lesson beginning to grow and take root. As the student coordinator of the David Garcia Project, a program run through the Volunteer Center at Central Michigan University, Jordan helps others gain a better understanding of what it is like to live with a disability. She helped facilitate a session Monday — one of several throughout the year — for a group of about a dozen students. Each session includes activities for students to experience what it would be like to have a physical, learning, visual or auditory disability. “The most rewarding part is seeing the expressions on people’s faces when they’re frustrated because they realize they can’t do some-
thing they do every day,” she said. Promoting awareness David Garcia was a Sept. 11 victim who suffered from an incurable eye disease. The David Garcia Project began in 2003 after a CMU student wanted to start a program that promoted disability awareness, and named the program after Garcia. The project is sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Jordan wants students to keep an open mind about people with disabilities. “Most students are fortunate enough to not have a disability,” she said. “It’s important for them to step into (the disabled’s) shoes even if it’s just for an hour.” Although this is Jordan’s first year working with the program, she has had past experience working with the disabled while participating in the Alternative Break Disability Site at CMU. “I’ve always been passionate to work with disabilities,” she said. “I’m a
8. On Monday, Leonard waived his preliminary hearing under Judge William Rush, pleading not guilty to 10 felony charges. “The next step is the final pretrial,” said Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Risa Scully. Rush said with the examination waived, Leonard is set for arraignment Friday morning in circuit court. The charges include all 10 counts. Earlier this month, Leonard was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, firstdegree home invasion, criminal sexual conduct with intent to commit sexual penetration and assault with a dangerous weapon.
The additional charges stem from activity Leonard had the same day in January with an alleged second female victim. The charges include two counts of attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and carrying a weapon, up to five. Scully said a conference between herself and the case’s major parties will take place in about three or four weeks. She would not comment on the current condition of the victim. A Assault | 8A
Michigan Two-Year Institutions has released reports that provide a full five-year history of new transfer students by original institution, including average transfer GPA. They are now available on the Office of Institutional Research Enrollment Reports Web Site. See the cm-life.com version of this story for a link to the site. i r e s 2 . c m i c h . e d u /e n r o l l ment/transfers_gpa_by_ institution_2009.pdf.
Rob O’Reilly to perform
“America’s Got Talent” semifinalist and Comedy Central guest comedian Rob O’Reilly will perform a free show Thursday for students, sponsored by On the Fly Productions. The event will run from 9 to 10:30 p.m. in Carey Hall’s Real Food on Campus.
Fish N’ Chips auditions
Flushing sophomore Matt Kohler attempts to button a shirt with gloves on while Farmington Hills junior Jenna Eliassen tries to pin a diaper on a stuffed animal. The students wore gloves to simulate the difficulties of daily activities of individuals who have suffer from Cerebral Palsy or arthritis.
huge supporter of the Special Olympics. I coach a team from my hometown.” New Lothrop junior Amanda Wendling joined the project last year to understand what it is like to be disabled. “My boyfriend has a disability, and just being with him opened my eyes and made me want to learn more,” Wendling said. In addition to organizing the sessions and training the facilitators, Jordan said she looks for ways to bring the program to different areas of the campus and com-
munity as an educational tool. “(The David Garcia Project) has given me a greater appreciation for what I have, and it’s given me a greater patience,” she said. China freshman Jiao Liang said he thought the David Garcia Project was an interesting experience. “I’m just very lucky because I am healthy,” he said. The next open session for the David Garcia Project is Feb. 23. studentlife@cm-life.com
Four more charges for assault suspect 26-year-old waives preliminary hearing Monday
At 6 p.m. Thursday in Pearce Hall Room 327, the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures will screen the movie “¡Ay, Carmela!” The film is a Spanish production about a band of vaudeville performers traveling the country during the Spanish Civil War and, suddenly, find themselves in the Nationalist side of the conflict. Admission is free and open to the public.
A multimedia interactive presentation, titled “Is Everybody Stupid? Apathy, Disengagement and Ignorance through the Hip Hop Lens,” will start at 6 p.m. Monday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. Through a presentation, performer Ise Lyfe will tell a unique view of American attitudes. Using photographs, personal stories, statistics and official documents, Lyfe will attempt to offer a different perspective to commonly accepted doctrines of policy and perception.
By Jared Seymour Staff Reporter
studentlife@cm-life.com
Film screening
Black history presentation
Night features Grammy-nominated Pine Leaf Boys Are you ready for the flavor of Cajun? The 19th annual “Night of Louisiana” will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Finch Fieldhouse. Those attending can enjoy traditional Cajun food and drink, and relax with an array of Cajun and zydeco music and dance, beginning at 7 p.m. “If you like to dance, this music is pretty danceable stuff,” said John Sheffler, director of CMU Public Radio. “Or, if you are just looking for a great time, you should come.” The “Night of Louisiana” is a good way to “shake away the winter blues,” Sheffler said. Three-time Grammy-nominated Cajun music band, Pine Leaf Boys, and Lil’ Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers will perform. CMU Public Radio will record the event’s music. Sheffler said last year’s attendance was around 700 to 1,000, and the ages ranged anywhere from 18 to 70, with crowds hailing from all over the state. “There are some who drive from Detroit to ‘Night of Louisiana’ year after year,” Sheffler said. Sheffler has been part of the event’s production since it first took place in 1991. Rochester Hills sophomore Josh Lee attended last year’s “Night of Louisiana,” and said he had an enjoyable time. “I thought it was a pretty accurate representation of the culture they were attempting to replicate,” Lee said. “I definitely think the food and music were authentic. Obviously, you’re not going to get a truly authentic Louisiana experience at CMU in the middle of winter, but the effort was nice.” Dinner tickets are $9.95 each, only by reservation. Tickets can be purchased through Friday for $20, or for $25 at the door. Tickets can be reserved online at cmich.edu/boxoffice, or through the Central Box Office at 1-888-268-0111.
[Life in brief]
The all-male a cappella group Fish N’ Chips will hold auditions for men that sing bass from 8 to 9:30 p.m. in the upstairs level of the Music Building. There will be a sign showing where those interested can go. Those who wish to audition should bring a song they are prepared to sing a cappella.
Volunteers needed
People are needed to help at the Special Olympics Michigan 2010 State Winter Games. The games take place from Feb. 2-5 at Grand Traverse Resort and Schuss Mountain in Traverse City. Applications are available at the Volunteer Center, Student Activity Center, Finch Fieldhouse and the Special Olympics Building. Call Dan Ekonen at 774-3911 with questions.
Blood drive continues
Central Michigan and Western Michigan will come together for a three-day blood drive starting at noon today and ending at 5:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church on campus. Sweeney Hall’s basement will host the drive from noon to 5:45 p.m. Thursday. Finally, from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday, the last drive will take place in the Emmons Hall Lobby. The event is sponsored by the Red Cross and also will give participants the opportunity to win a 32” television, a Nintendo Wii console or an iPod Touch.
libby march/staff photographer
Sexual assault suspect Daniel Danny Leonard, 26, of Weidman listens with his attorney, William Shirley, to charges read by Judge William R. Rush, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree home invasion Monday in Isabella County Trial Court.
Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343
If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing news@cm-life.com.
voices
“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
Central Michigan Life
4A Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
[cm-life.com/category/voices]
Brian Manzullo, Editor
in
Chief | Will Axford, Voices Editor | Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | Eric Dresden, University Editor | Jackie Smith, Metro Editor
EDITORIAL | Charging students for sporting events won’t solve Athletic Department woes
Priceless games
T
he Central Michigan University Athletics Department is facing tough budget cuts — much like other departments. But in an attempt to raise revenue, Athletics Director Dave Heeke has suggested charging students a fee to attend all games and athletic events as a possibility. Charging students to attend sporting events should be used only as a last resort — only after the Athletics Department has made as many necessary cuts as possible. You would think with a budget of $21,907,364, the Athletics Department would have more than enough funding for students to go to the games for free. Students will scoff when they are asked to fork over $10 to see a football
game when the department is spending $5,875,725 for administrative salaries and $4,872,357 for scholarships. You expect a lot of students, who are the majority of the fan base, that are wondering where
they will scrounge up money for their next meal and books for classes, to pay to see a sporting event? Good luck. Other public universities around the state can afford to charge students for tickets. Michigan State University and University of Michigan have the advantage of an extensive fan base that goes beyond their universities, allowing them to make millions off of ticket revenue. CMU only has its 20,000 or so students and the residents of Mount Pleasant, a fan base hardly big enough to reach a significant profit. The Athletics Department has not necessarily been wise with how it has been spending money this academic year. Back in August, the department spent $500,000 on FieldTurf for the Indoor Athletic Department’s turf bay — a practice facility for most athletes. Was that a necessary purchase when a total like that could have been used elsewhere?
Two of CMU’s big selling points for prospective students were the CMU Promise and the free sporting events. With the Promise disbanded, the free games remain as one of the last advantages that Central has in attracting students. Forcing students to pay to see a football game will deteriorate both game attendance and school enrollment. At the very least, if the Athletic Department is insistent on charging students to see games, then it should be kept at a low price. Ticket prices should not be above $10 per game. Students also should be able to use their student I.D.’s to get into games and have it charged to their accounts, much like FLEX Dollars for the cafeteria. But there should not be a reason why tickets cannot continue to be free. The Athletics Department should look elsewhere for cuts — areas that are not as necessary.
CHRIS TAMLYN [CENTRAL SQUARE]
Jason Gillman Jr. Columnist
A corporate voice I absolutely love all the complaining about the outcome of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. First off, many of the complainers are hypocritical, especially the news commentators. After all, who enables them to reach the masses? None other than corporations. 2U.S.C.431(9)(B)(i) essentially states that political commentary is allowed through “the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other periodical publication, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate.” Keith Olbermann serves as a key example of these hypocritical commentators given the fact that “journalistic” outlets have been exempt from the same restrictions that he calls for when it comes to “other” businesses. This fine specimen of intellectual bankruptcy cried on his show that the ruling has “more dire implications than Dred Scott” and further went on to claim that the corporate world is going to be deciding elections. So wait a minute. Olbermann, amongst others, sits comfortably in his prime-time pulpit, enabled by a corporate entity to spew his tripe, and then proceeds to bash the ability for “non-news” corporations to have their say? As John Stossel would say: “Give me a break.” What’s the real concern? Is it that companies are going to run ads with untrue statements — which would certainly be countered by an opposing bankroll — or is it that some individuals and organizations are concerned with corporations who would run truthful ads that discredit their agenda? Do you believe that high-worth individuals should be prohibited from bankrolling ads advocating a particular political viewpoint? After all, Bill Gates or George Soros — real individuals — could easily buy prime airtime for their messages and “skew the facts.”
[our readers’ voice]
Graduation needs to be replanned I am very concerned about CMU’s 2010 May graduation plans this year. The commencement has two major flaws that should concern everyone participating. First, they are combining what is normally three ceremonies into one large ceremony. All undergraduate and master’s degree students will graduate in one outdoor ceremony at 2 p.m., rain or shine. Who knows if it will be cold, cool, warm, or hot? My graduation was on a day when it poured, but it didn’t matter because we were indoors. My daughter has to ask her three grandparents to plan to attend an outdoor ceremony. The grandparents have watched all of their grandchildren walk across the stage but, unless this event is moved indoors, it is unlikely they will make the 2.3-hour drive north
to see her graduate. My mom now uses a wheelchair and asking the three of these 80-year-old proud grandparents to sit outside regardless of weather for what could turn out to be a marathon-type three- or four-hour event is pretty much out of the question. I suspect a lot of grandparents may have to miss a very important event in the life of their grandchild. I have suggested to Interim President Kathy Wilbur that other plans need to be made even if it means renting a site off-campus. I am concerned that this could turn into a disaster if the weather is anything but perfect, and that is not fair to the students who have worked hard to get to this point and to the families that have sacrificed and supported them. I believe the university owes the students and their families more than this. John W. Husk Sterling Heights resident
Web comments on Supreme Court vote Caring Student says:
We should care because we all live in the United States, which is (last I checked) still a democracy. President Obama is absolutely right. Special interest groups should have no direct influence in government, and this decision allows for exactly that. Daniel says:
If politicians are going to decide how much to tax businesses, then it only makes sense that these businesses should be able to voice their support and concerns about these politicians. If politicians are threatened by corporations they are potentially mistreating, then good, hat is called checks and balances. Anyone who does not like criticism should not be a public servant. If I am paying your wages, I want to know what you are doing at all times!
C M Y o u | Who are you cheering for in the Super Bowl and why?
Central Michigan Life Editorial Brian Manzullo, Editor in Chief Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor Joe Borlik, Student Life Editor Jackie Smith, Metro Editor Eric Dresden, University Editor Andrew Stover, Sports Editor Ashley Miller, Photo Editor Will Axford, Voices Editor David Veselenak, Online Editor Chelsea Kleven, Lead Designer Advertising Lindsey Reed, Katie Sidell Advertising Managers Carly Schafer, Shawn Wright Multi-Media Marketing Coordinators Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life
“The Colts because my friend is their head chef.”
“The Saints.” Adam Johnson,
Lansing freshman
“The Saints. I think it’s great for the city of New Orleans.”
Rene’ Burks,
Keiondra Grace,
Niles junior
Lansing freshman
“I’m hoping to see the Saints turn everyone’s expectations upside down.” Stephen Repicky,
Grosse Pointe junior
PAIGE CALAMARI/staff photographer
Central Michigan Life is the independent voice of Central Michigan University and is edited and published by students of Central Michigan University every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and every Wednesday during the summer. The online edition (www.cm-life.com) contains all of the material published in print. Central Michigan Life is is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions
of CMU or its employees. Central Michigan Life is a member of the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association. Central Michigan Life’s operations are totally funded from revenues through advertising sales. Editions are distributed free throughout the community and individuals are entitled
to one copy. Each copy has an implied value of 75 cents. Non-university subscriptions are $1 per mailed edition. Copies of photographs published in Central Michigan Life or its online edition (www.cm-life.com) are available for purchase at http://reprints.cm-life.com Central Michigan Life’s editorial and business offices are located at 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, telephone 774-3493.
Brad Canze Columnist
Lame excuses Rothbury said to be canceled because of acts, not economy The Rothbury Music Festival has become an increasingly big deal the last two years. In 2008 and 2009, the festival attracted tens of thousands of concertgoers and featured hundreds of acts from Snoop Dogg and Modest Mouse to Bob Dylan and MSTRKRFT. It was a monstrous boon to local businesses in the village of Rothbury and surrounding Grant Township, was featured in a spread in July 2009’s Rolling Stone and was quickly becoming the next big thing in American concert destinations. But as reported in the Grand Rapids Press last week, event organizers Madison House Publicity and Anschutz Entertainment Group Live have canceled the fourday festival. “A contributing factor in our decision is that, due to various artists’ recording and touring schedules, we now believe that timing will not allow for us to assemble the cutting-edge roster that everyone has come to expect,” read a statement posted to the Rothbury Festival’s Web site by the organizers. The idea that out of the thousands of bands, big and small, that would be a potential fit for Rothbury, organizers could not find enough to fill out the festival is suspicious at best. Madison House and AEG expect the public to believe that, after successfully booking The Dead, Girl Talk and Femi Kuti at the same concert last year, absolutely nobody could come this year, and they threw up their arms in defeat? Although a proposed township ordinance would have set ground rules for music festivals, Township Supervisor Roger Schmidt was reported by the local White Lake Beacon newspaper as saying it was not a factor, and would not have put any further restrictions on Rothbury. Be that as it may, it is very unlikely that the only contributing factor to the event’s cancellation was the lack of a strong lineup. The easiest conclusion to draw is that AEG Live and Madison House, like many other large companies, are having money issues. AEG, in addition to doing Rothbury and several other festivals, books events for more than 70 venues worldwide — from the Royal Oak Music Theater to the Staples Center to the Shanghai Arena. Madison House does the publicity for at least five other music festivals. Whether their other ventures are indeed successful, it is easy to imagine that in this economic climate, the companies just cannot afford to maintain all of their ventures, and something had to go, so they dumped Rothbury. I honestly hope that AEG and Madison House told the truth, and Rothbury is canceled because of the worst confluence of scheduling conflicts known to man, and the festival returns as promised in 2011. Because if that is not the truth, the outlook for a 2011 return is dim. The more of a fiscal issue this is, the less likely the companies will recover in time for next year.
[letters to the editor] E-mail | voices@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805 Central Michigan Life welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Only correspondence that includes a signature (e-mail excluded), address and phone number will be considered. Do not include attached documents via email. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and commentary should not exceed 500 words. All submissions are subject to editing and may be published in print or on www.cm-life.com in the order they are received.
www.cm-life.com
[News]
Artwork suggested for Main, Washington By David Veselenak Online Editor
jeff smith/staff photographer
Freeland sophomore Emily Cook listens and takes notes at the REACH cover and thank—you letter presentation Tuesday in the Lake Huron room at the Bovee University Center. “I feel these documents are my weak points, so I came to strengthen my skills” Cook said.
REACH offers help for career path Workshop aids preparation of letters, resumes By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter
Central Michigan University’s Career Services developed a student group last spring called REACH: Recognizing Educational Aspirations and Career Horizons. Its mission is to assist students on a successful path through their academic journey and help them develop a career path and apply job acquisition skills. Jana Lewis, assistant director of Career Services, Room 215 in the Bovee University Center, said it is never too early to begin planning for a future career or even help soon-to-be graduates and alumni. “While at CMU, take advantage of the many opportunities to learn outside the classroom and gain hands-on experience,” Lewis said. “Join a registered student organization, be a leader on campus, get an internship, volunteer. These experiences will help you to develop transferable skills for your career, and they will help you grow and de-
velop professionally.” Because of a large number of students visiting Career Services, additional help was needed to assist students, said Peer Mentor advisor Jessy Rollston. “There were only three to five Career Service professionals there to help the entire student body at CMU and it’s not realistic to help everyone,” the Sparta senior said. To date, 20 Peer Mentor advisors give presentations on campus and hold walk-in hours to help relieve some of the Career Service staff’s workload, Rollston said. Tuesday workshop One of the REACH Peer Advising specialties is to assist students with making themselves more marketable. On Tuesday, two REACH Peer Advisor mentors spoke to a crowd of about 20 students in the Bovee University Center’s Lake Huron room about cover letters and thank-you letters, a couple topics among many the group discusses around campus. Megan Moser, a peer mentor, said the things they discuss not only apply to business professionals, but also to teachers, social workers and a variety of
career fields. “There is a degree of professionalism that is required throughout any field and these are the very basic things you can apply to your area and it can help you get a job,” the Comstock Park junior said. Lewis said as a job-seeker, it is increasingly important for students to represent themselves well in application documents (cover letters and resumés) and job interviews. “Our current economy has created an extremely competitive job market, and those entering the workforce need to be prepared,” she said. Students also can prepare by getting assistance with application documents, practicing interview skills and learning how to professionally network with employers. Career Services and REACH can help students with all these things, she said. Haslett freshman Jay Twichell attended Tuesday’s workshop and said he learned a lot. “I attended for future references to get positions at jobs I like,” Twichell said. “I have never been to Career Services, but I will go maybe later on when I am looking for a job.” studentlife@cm-life.com
Township police study recommends more officers to improve local law enforcement By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter
Concerns about the number of police calls to Union Township have sparked recommendations for how to improve local police efforts. Union Township hired Bob Parsons, a Ferris State University retiree and researcher, last summer to research police call volume and response time. Parsons analyzed three years worth of data on calls and response times. He presented his findings to the Union Township Board of Trustees this month. “What I was interested in is what volume of calls does the township demand,” he said. “It’s significant because this township does occupy a significant amount of law enforcement services.” The Central Michigan University Center for Applied Research and Rural Studies was brought on to survey township residents and the two surveys were considered in Parsons’ recommendations. The survey found police calls were higher on weekend nights, which Parsons said is not unusual in a college town. One key recommendation from his research is the consolidation of some area police
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 || 5A
agencies. “We are beyond the time when we can afford to have all these jurisdictions doing the same thing,” Parsons said. Survey says Isabella County is patrolled by five different police agencies — the Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant Post, the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Mount Pleasant Police, CMU Police and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Police. Union Township is largely covered by Isabella County. Many of the independent comments, which were separate from the CARRS survey, indicated a need for increased law enforcement in Union Township. The survey also showed that residents were split about the need for increased law enforcement. Another portion of the survey showed the current police forces are improving at their job. Parsons recommended eventually adding more officers that would service the township. Part of the system, because of the number of agencies in the area, is a high level of cooperation and collaboration throughout the
county. “Anytime a situation happens where you need additional officers, I just make one phone call and you’ve got extra help,” said Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski. Agencies collaborate now at key points such as with detective work and for large university events. Area detectives from all groups meet regularly to discuss and work on leads they may have. Area agencies also collaborate to form the Youth Services Unit, a group that works to prevent violence in schools. “There are officers assigned to that unit from every agency in the county,” said CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley. “It’s responsible for being in all of the local schools.” Mount Pleasant Director of Public Safety Tony Gomez-Mesquita said the area’s emergency support team, or SWAT team, also is multi-jurisdictional. The CARRS survey indicated very high satisfaction with the work of the police agencies. “I was very happy to see that not only the residents, but the students, see the office as professional and easy to work with,” Mioduszewski said. metro@cm-life.com
Mount Pleasant’s Director of Public Works told city commissioners Monday that having artwork along Washington and Main streets would increase the city’s visual appeal. “We’re trying to enhance the connection,” Duane Ellis said. “We could invite fraternities or sororities to make their own artwork.” The suggestion came during Ellis’ presentation to the City Commission regarding ongoing plans to develop a more defined connection between downtown Mount Pleasant and Central Michigan University’s campus via Main and Washington streets. The city’s Capital Improvement Plan has allocated $250,000 for the project and, already, Ellis said the city has applied for $115,000 in grant money.
“There’s nothing guaranteed at this point,” he said of the grant money. In addition to street work, Ellis said the city has been in contact with Central Michigan University’s art department and Art Reach, 319 S. University Ave., to help design artwork. The plan would make Washington Street a two-way from Bellows to Illinois streets and create bike lanes along Main. The city also is exploring an expansion to increase the street’s sidewalk width to 8 feet from 5 feet, and include some colored concrete to add visual appeal. Curb extensions could make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street. Added lighting also would be included in the redesign — something Ellis and Jeff Gray, director of Planning and Community Development,
said would make the connector more appealing. “That corridor is dark, and lighting makes people feel safer,” Gray said. The plans were crafted after Dan Burden of Walkable Communities, Inc. visited Mount Pleasant in October to give his insight on how the plan should be executed. “We had very good participation from a good cross-section,” Gray said. The plans for the connector will cost Mount Pleasant between $365,000 and $560,000, depending on what direction the city takes the project. Ellis also said Bellows between Mission and Lansing streets would see renovations, with angled back-in parking installed along the road. “That was CMU’s preference,” he said. metro@cm-life.com
sports Central Michigan Life
6A
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
Wednesday’s
Quick hits
SEnior Bowl Less than three weeks after leading CMU to a GMAC Bowl win and being honored MVP, quarterback Dan LeFevour is back in Mobile, Ala. Official measurement:
Cummings is CMU’s offensive coordinator
The senior quarterback proved his listed measurables were not fabricated. He was charted at 6-foot-3 (even) and 229 pounds. At CMU, he was listed at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds.
A source with ties to the football program said newly hired offensive line coach Mike Cummings, formerly of Marshall, also will be the team’s offensive coordinator.
Local coaching ties: LeFevour, on the North’s roster, will be coached by Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Scott Linehan. The South is coached by Miami’s staff.
Kater decommits, follows Jones WZZM TV-13 in Grand Rapids reported Monday that Montague quarterback Cody Kater (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) has decommitted from CMU and has decided to follow former CMU coach Butch Jones to Cincinnati. “The day (Butch Jones) signed his contract (at Cincinnati) he called me at 6 a.m.,” Kater told WZZM. “He told me that he wanted me there and he wanted me to go with him ... To go from a MAC school to the Big East school, you’re fighting to get into the top 25 or fight to win a national championship. Of course, I’m a competitor and that’s what I chose to do.”
Noted competition: LeFevour, Tony Pike (Cincinnati) and Sean Canfield (Oregon State) are the North QBs. The South QBs are Tim Tebow (Florida), Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State) and Jarrett Brown (West Virginia).
What’s being said: ESPN’s Todd McShay said has the North’s strongest in practice. Gerry Fraley of Dallas Morning News LeFevour shows the arm and mechanics of North quarterbacks. consensus is that Tebow struggled.
Pike arm the said best the The has
file photo by matthew stephens
Volleyball coach inks extension Sixth-year volleyball coach Erik Olson has been rewarded for compiling four consecutive winning seasons. Last Wednesday, he signed a four-year extension worth $73,000 per year. It marks the first time CMU has given its volleyball coach a multi-year extension in the program’s history.
Bitzer honored CMU senior guard Jordan Bitzer was awarded the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week. He averaged 22.5 points in two games and finished with a careerbest 28 in CMU’s 71-63 win against EMU Jan. 20 at Rose Arena.
Two more Spartans suspended Junior defensive tackle Orien Wilson and redshirt freshman Myles White have been suspended from the Michigan State football team indefinitely and face charges of assault and conspiracy to commit assault pertaining to an assault at a campus residence hall. A total of 11 players have been charged with assault and conspiracy to commit assault.
In-state classic (NCAA men’s) No. 5 Michigan State basketball defeated Michigan 57-56 Tueday at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. MSU’s Kalen Lucas made a jump shot with 3.5 seconds remaining to give the Spartans the one-point win.
Favre retirement watch Favre calls a return to football “highly unlikely” after the Minnesota Vikings’ NFC Championship game loss to the Saints on Sunday. The 40-year-old quarterback, who has retired and came out of retirement twice already, said the physical beating may force him to end his career — again.
Quarterback Dan LeFevour returns to Mobile, Ala., for the 2010 Senior Bowl less than three weeks after he won MVP honors at the GMAC Bowl, which is played at the same stadium, Ladd-Peebles.
Senior week LeFevour faces new type of spotlight at all-star game
M
uch of Dan LeFevour’s career at Central Michigan has been spent in the spotlight. In every sense of the phrase, LeFevour has been CMU’s “big man on campus” since his football career was made relevant early in his redshirt freshman year. But in Mobile, Ala., the scene of the 2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl, the annual pre-draft allstar game featuring many of the nation’s best seniors, the spotlight — at least in this sense of the word — has diminished. He is not near the hottest commodity in southern Alabama this week. Less than three weeks ago, the CMU quarterback was named the GMAC Bowl’s Most Valuable Player after leading his team to a 44-41 double-overtime win against Troy. On Saturday, he will play in Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the second time in a month. But this time, he doesn’t hold near as much name power as he did during his first visit. Florida’s Tim Tebow, one of three quarterbacks on the South squad, has two national championships and a Heisman trophy on his resume. Suddenly, and maybe for the first time in recent memory, LeFevour is in the shadows. Tebow sensation If you take the time to browse ESPN.com’s Senior Bowl coverage, or any national media for that matter, Tebow seems to be the only player at the game worth watching.
Andrew Stover Sports Editor While many people have prematurely called him college football’s greatest player ever, it also is a spectacle to watch him attempt to transform into an NFL-caliber quarterback — one who has a quick, over-the-top delivery, with zip on the ball and, just as importantly, knows how to properly take snaps from under center and drop back without too many false steps. Tebow struggled in his first day of practice on Monday, said ESPN’s Todd McShay. “He ended up looking very awkward (taking snaps under center),” McShay wrote. “He fumbled snaps, took false steps in his drops and had trouble setting his feet at the top of his drops.” And yet, at one time, LeFevour heard eerily similar comparisons with the Florida star. Once dubbed “Tebow-lite” by Sports Illustrasted, the word on LeFevour is mum at this point. McShay said Cincinnati’s Tony Pike had the strongest arm of any North quarterback. However, Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News noted today that LeFevour possesses the best throwing mechanics
and arm of any North quarterback. He surely has a cleaner delivery than the windmill-throwing Tebow. And his size? All but confirmed. While many universities fabricate their players’ heights and weights, LeFevour measured in at a clean 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds. But much of what is asked about Tebow will arise in conversation about LeFevour. Double the pressure LeFevour, who ran a spread offense under Butch Jones and Brian Kelly, has to transform his game to make it suitable for pro-style offenses. In the process — and unlike Tebow — he has to prove he belongs with top-tier talent. Many people who pay close attention to college football and the NFL draft process point to the NFL Scouting Combine and individual college pro days as the most vital stages for athletes to prove themselves. But for LeFevour, there is more to prove than running an adequate 40-yard dash time or excelling in strength and agility drills. LeFevour has to prove he can adapt, and that he belongs with the big boys. He has never seen such elite talent at every position on the defense. He has dominated the Mid-American Conference for much of his career and, in a few games against teams from BCS conferences, his production has
women’s basketball
Team looks to continue win streak Chippewas play first road game vs. East By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter
The CMU women’s basketball team looks to even its Mid-American Conference road record at 7 p.m. Wednesday when it travels to Kent, Ohio, to play East Division opponent Kent State. A win over the Golden Flashes, coupled with a Toledo loss to Buffalo, would catapult CMU (7-11, 4-2 MAC) into a tie for first place atop the MAC West. Given the team’s recent turnaround and four-game winning streak, coach Sue Guevara continued to express the need for consistent contribution rather than discuss its second-place standing. “I like the consistency that we are getting from some of our players,” she said. “Today, I liked the intensity and enthusiasm and the focus that we had in practice early. Consistency is repetition — over and over — and that is something we will continue to (work on).” Kent State (11-7, 4-2 MAC) is seeking its third consecutive win at home after wins against conference opponents Buffalo and Ball State last week. Taisja Jones The Golden Flashes are led by junior forward Taisja Jones, a junior college transfer from Grayson County College (Denison, Texas) who averages 14.3 points per game. “She’s just real strong, athletic and gets to the hole,” Guevara said of Jones. Junior guard Jamilah Humes (Saginaw Arthur Hill) averages 11.4 points per game.
Last meeting In the teams’ previous meeting — a 109-94 CMU win on Feb. 4, 2009 — both schools shot better than 50 percent from the field and 3-point range. Junior guard Shonda Long scored 25 points, while senior forward Britni Houghton added 19 to surpass 1,000 for her career. However, do not expect a similar game this year, Guevara said. “Will it be a shootout? I doubt it — I think both teams are playing better defensively,” she said. CMU is 21-28 all-time against the Golden Flashes. sports@cm-life.com
What’s on tap Up next: 7 p.m. Wednesday: @ Kent St. M.A.C. Center — Kent, Ohio
Who’s hot: Kendra Holman and Heidi Warczinsky have a combined 29 points off the bench in the last two games.
Who’s not: Freshman Jalisa Olive has two points in her last two games.
A stover | 7a
Gymnastics sees early-season improvements All four event scores spike in last meet from first two By Nick Conklin Staff Reporter
Less than two tenths of a point separated the CMU gymnastics team from victory last weekend. CMU finished with a season-high 194.025 — just .175 shy of No. 14 Denver, which scored a 194.2. Previously, CMU beat Utah State by five points and Illinois State by .175 in its first meet. The second-place finish last weekend — the team finished ahead of BYU (192.5) — moved its record to 3-1, and the score of 194.025 is
a mark Coach Jerry Reighard said he is pleased with at this stage of the season. “We were pleased with getting back on track,” he said. “I saw steady improvements from everyone, and it Britney Taylor was very satisfying to beat BYU.” The events that registered the highest improvements in points included the vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. The vault event saw the highest point boost with the team posting a score 49.2 points, 0.9 higher than the previous meet against Utah State, and a full 1.25 from the first meet. The Chippewas have not posted a score higher than 49 points since Feb-
ruary 2009 against Bowling Green, when they posted a 49.050 on the floor exercise. Top performers in the vault included senior Katie Simon, sophomore Kristin Teubner and freshman Britney Taylor, who all posted a 9.875. All three gymnasts increased scores from the first two meets, with Simon providing the biggest jump, adding .675 to her score. Teubner also improved her previous mark by a tenth of a point. “They know that one-tenth here or a tenth there is very, very important,” Reighard said. There also was statistical improvement on the uneven bars, with an addition of .475 from the previous competition. Simon posted a 9.775 against Utah State and improved that to a 9.850 against Denver and BYU.
Andrew Stover, Sports Editor | sports@cm-life.com | 989.774.3169
Meeting goals The tri-meet in Denver marked the second consecutive year CMU met its 194-point team goal in the third meet of the year. In 2008, it was not accomplished until the eighth meet, and it was met in the sixth meet of 2007. Simon said expectations rise as the season goes on, and the team will not be content with meeting its early goal. “We strive for that 194 but, toward the middle of the season, we start aiming for that 195, which is very doable,” she said. The one event Central failed to score as highly as the others was one the balance beam. Teubner (9.775) was the highest-scoring CMU athlete, leading the team to its 47.75 total. A SCORING | 7A
cm-life.com/category/sports
stover |
Men’s basketball
Thomas’ aggressive play sets tone
continued from 6A
been sporadic. This week in Mobile, LeFevour will be in the spotlight — but not the type he is used to — during every snap and every step of every practice. While many seniors can afford the opportunity to skip such a game because
SCORING |
Junior forward’s energy rubs off
continued from 6A
By Daniel Monson Senior Reporter
Jalin Thomas knows no other way to play basketball than to draw contact, dive for loose balls and sacrifice his body in numerous other ways. The junior forward’s ability to set the tone for the rest of the team has helped Central Michigan start 4-1 against the Mid-American Conference West Division, its best since 2003. The Chippewas begin their cross-division schedule at 7 p.m. Thursday against Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. “We’ve got to make sure guys stay hungry,� Thomas said. “That’s the reason why we’re in this position. Other teams are coming for this spot.� Thomas’ knack for aggressive play sometimes has its drawback, however. Near the end of the first half of CMU’s 80-72 win against South Florida on Dec. 13, he hit heads with teammate Robbie Harman while going for a steal on defense. Harman was unconscious for several seconds, but Thomas — who later was diagnosed with a concussion — felt the effects of the collision longer. “I felt perfectly fine when I got back up, brushed it off,� Thomas said. But soon after, Thomas was forced to leave the game with dizziness and nausea. He tried to play six days later at South Dakota State, but suffered a relapse of concussionlike symptoms after diving for a loose ball and was held out the next two games. He returned off the bench Jan. 9 in the team’s MAC opener at Toledo. “It’s such an individual, caseby-case deal,� said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler of assessing concussions. “There’s no MRI or test that tells you if ‘this guy is
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 || 7A
[Sports]
Although it was the only event CMU did not reach 48 points as a team, it did add .45
they have already proven what they can do against top talent, this is different for the Downers Grove, Ill., native. He will undergo the most important week of practices in his life. In a way, the transformation from college quarterback to pro-ready quarterback details everything wrong with how the college game is played. In any other occupation, college gets you ready for
professional life. Only in college football does the process impede your progress, at least for quarterbacks, thanks to spread offenses. And in LeFevour’s return trip to Alabama, he will have to fight through the transformation process while also attempting to prove himself against a level of competition he is not accustomed to.
to its total from the previous meet (47.3). Reighard said he was aware of some of the mistakes his team made on the balance beam, but improvement is usually slow on that event. “It was a great early-season
meet to learn some valuable lessons,� he said. “I would much rather be two-tenths behind at this point of the season, rather than two-tenths behind at the championships.�
sports@cm-life.com
sports@cm-life.com
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Junior forward Jalin Thomas missed more than three weeks this year with a concussion.
cm-life.com Check out the CMU-Miami (OH) menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball preview. over a concussion.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been really fortunate heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotten over that part.â&#x20AC;? But the transfer from Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College also has a back that is prone to spasms and stress fractures to worry about. The concussion restricted him from any activity for several weeks, which aggravated his back. Before every game, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s athletic trainer applies heat to Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; back to loosen and prepare it for the stress ahead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time I do any boxouts or press up against somebody else, sometimes there can be a little
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shock down my back,â&#x20AC;? he said. Thomas also attacks the rim on offense when matched up with a bigger power forward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m driving to the basket, instead of trying to avoid contact, I like to look for contact and hope that the refs give me a call,â&#x20AC;? he said. Thomas is the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secondbest free throw shooter at 75.6 percent and has attempted the third-most on the team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives us some balance offensively, particularly when we know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really dependent on Robbie and (Jordan) Bitzer being really good outside shooters,â&#x20AC;? Zeigler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jalin just embodies what our program is about and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really fortunate to have him here at Central Michigan.â&#x20AC;? sports@cm-life.com
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8A || Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
Michigan Main Street program withdrawal vote postponed Work session brings new questions for City Commission By David Veselenak Online Editor
The Mount Pleasant City Commission postponed a vote on the city’s withdrawal from the Michigan Main Street program at Monday’s regular meeting. Although the withdrawal was scheduled, commissioners decided after a work session with the Downtown Development Board that there still are issues that need to be sorted out before the city closes the door. “We weren’t quite aware of the expectations,” said Downtown Development Board member Kriss Roethlisberger. One of the program’s requirements made current Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller an employee of the Board and not the city. That move was not something the DDB wanted to do, Roethlisberger said. “We’ve never been in charge of Michelle,” she said. “As volunteers of a board, that was something we didn’t want to do.” The DDB recommended in October that Mount Pleasant withdraw from Michigan Main Street, a program designed to keep historic downtowns around the state intact, and attract younger residents and high-tech companies to Michigan. Commissioners also are concerned with fundraising. DDB members alleged the program required the board to raise $100,000 a year. Commissioner David McGuire said it seemed unjust for the DDB to raise that much money with the level of support downtown receives through tax dollars, especially from downtown
business owners. “You want us (to fundraise) money, but we’ve already been raising money,” he said. “We contribute over and above our city taxes to the principal shopping district.” $100,000 desired, not required Joe Borgstrom, director of the Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy Division at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, said the $100,000 figure was just desired and not required for membership. “It’s based off of a national model,” he said. “We weren’t saying $100,000 this year or the next year. That’s just a goal.”
Roethlisberger also complained to commissioners that it did not seem fair that only downtown residents could serve on the board, when other residents show interest in the position and pay taxes toward the downtown. “If we’re the people putting in the money, we should be able to sit on this board,” she said. City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said the city charter governs the size and membership of the board, which restricts members. She said an amendment to the city charter would be needed to change the criteria of membership. metro@cm-life.com
assault | continued from 3A
Leonard was arrested by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department hours after the alleged assaults occurred and was jailed at the Isabella County Jail with bond set at $2 million. Several residents living in Deerfield Road apartment complexes began contacting authorities around 4:30 a.m. the day Leonard allegedly attempted entry in several unlocked apartments. “I can tell you that he en-
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[News]
tered numerous apartments,” Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski told Central Michigan Life in January. Leonard served time in prison prior to the alleged sexual assault. He was sentenced to 15 months to 10 years in prison for possession of methamphetamine in July 2005, and was released in 2007. He also was sentenced to 18 months in November 2004 for attempted larceny, but was discharged in July 2005, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. metro@cm-life.com
duo| continued from 3A
Hurd, on the other hand, is a veteran of higher education. He was most recently president of Cabrillo Community College until his retirement in 2003. But even so, Hurd had some surprises in store as a trustee. Replacing Rao was the biggest challenge for the Board, he said. “If we don’t get that decision right, nothing else is going to work very well,” Hurd said.
Looking into the future A year into their tenure as trustees, Opperman and Hurd have plans for the next few months. Opperman said she has not yet had the opportunity to form a relationship with individuals in certain administrative positions. “With so many important administrative priorities to address, I have not had the opportunity to meet with and learn the perspectives of the provost and deans,” she said. “This will be a priority in 2010.”
Hurd wants to focus on keeping projects and goals on track for the next year. Hurd said he will do whatever he can to help President-designate George Ross settle in, move the medical school along, keep the quality of the programs and also keep building projects on track as he continues to sit on the facilities committee. “There is a lot to be done, and I think it will be done quickly,” Opperman said. “The university hasn’t missed a step.” university@cm-life.com
Band profile | Local rock group gains momentum, 3B
B
campus vibe Central Michigan Life
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
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140
What’s Happening?
Tweets or Twits? update As the social site skyrockets, is society replacing reality for cyber communication? By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter
I
s the future of communication 140 characters or less? Twitter.com, the text message-sized social networking site which emphasizes brief status and news updates as opposed to tagged photos and diverse applications, has grown in bursts since its inception in 2006. The site is now at 75 million users, according to some reports. But is that growth going to continue to skyrocket, perhaps threatening the dominance of the Facebook juggernaut? Or will it fizzle out like so many fads before it? Alan Rudy, a full-time temporary associate professor of sociology, considered using Twitter in his classes last fall. He hoped that students could use it to ask questions during and after class and to keep in communication with him. “It’s an incredibly flexible tool,” Rudy said. “The more of an exchange you foster between students that’s on topic and informed by the material, the more of it will stick.” But the class rejected the idea, as very few of his students showed enthusiasm about it. Rudy believes Twitter will be around for a while, although he doubts it will have as robust a user base this year.
Farmville App In a December press release, Facebook revealed that Farmville, its most popular application, has significantly more users than Twitter. w Monthly active Farmville users: 69,000,000 w Monthly active Twitter users: 18,000,000 (Sources: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg)
Do you tweet? Twitter allows users to “follow” other Twitter accounts and combine their updates into one feed, or even using lists of feeds. The site also counts how many users are following a person’s account and how many lists they are featured in. Many active Twitter users use applications, such as TweetDeck and Tweetie for iPhone, instead of logging into Twitter.com for more flexibility. But not everybody is buying into the craze — New Buffalo senior Ben Sorensen said Twitter is even more useless than Facebook. “It will probably die out,” Sorensen said. “It seems pretty lame, actually. I can’t believe it’s such a craze.” According to a study by RJMetrics Inc., only 17 percent of all Twitter users used the site in the last month, down more than 70 percent in early 2007. Sorensen did not mince
words about his distaste for the site and social networking in general. “I feel like it’s full of pretentious, narcissistic (expletive) holes,” he said. In some cases, keeping up on the news is exactly what students want from Twitter. Greenville junior Mike Mulholland is one such student and is majoring in online journalism. While he uses Facebook more often to keep up with friends, Mulholland uses Twitter to stay connected to the world, professionally and personally. It is how he first learned of the earthquakes in Haiti. “It’s changing the world, just like Facebook changed the world,” he said. Twitter is notorious for informing users about news before it breaks on prominent news sites. Examples include the deaths of pop star Michael Jackson and actress Brittany Murphy. Lori Brost, a professor of journalism, believes the tool is especially essential to those interested in her field. Brost requires students of her JRN 340: Intro to Online Journalism course to have Twitter accounts and follow several journalists, but she thinks it would be of interest for any study which undergoes rapid developments. “Right now, I think it’s one of the greatest social media tools we have,” she said. studentlife@cm-life.com
Inside w Tweets of the Week, 2B
review
Coupon Tweet seems neat, but needs larger following By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter
Coupon Tweet wants to be your guide to the wide world of savings available in the sea of information that is Twitter. The savings available range from large retailers such as Best Buy and Target to travel sites to individual brand savings. Almost any deal a company disseminates via Twitter will be caught and sorted on the engine. The Web site (coupontweet.com) uses automatic crawlers that scan for coupon or discount-related tweets and the findings of its “Coupon Tweet Team” to present users with an eas-
ily searched and categorized list. All a user needs to do to claim these deals is click the link contained in the tweet, then follow the instructions of the individual deal. Bargain hunters can then rate the saving’s effectiveness (i.e. whether it has expired or is not really a coupon or discount) so, theoretically, the cream of the money-saving “Twittersphere” rises to the top. Unfortunately, this usermoderated design relies heavily on having a large user base available to test each coupon and offer feedback. The site does not seem to have a large following, or at least not one that actively
rates many of the tweets presented on the site. Several expired discounts were actually at the top of featured coupon lists, and tweets that contained no actual mention of any special deals were displayed for some search queries. The idea and execution of the service are sound, particularly for an ambitious project still in its beta stage and, with a large population, it could become a useful tool for instant thriftiness. Until it catches on, however, most will likely be just as well served by following the Twitter feeds of retailers and services they are interested in. studentlife@cm-life.com
iCentral to become new portal By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter
Students are encouraged to offer feedback as The Central Michigan University Web Portal gets a facelift over the next few months. iCentral, a new web portal owned by University Communications, was made available to students as a beta version in December. A beta is a functional product released to users while still in development so it can be tested, bugs can be fixed and desired features added. “iCentral is going to be where any Web-based service for students, faculty, staff — that’s where it’s going to live,” said Roger Rehm, vice president for Information Technology. The new front page design for students includes a Blackboard listing of enrolled classes, a “My Account” frame which summarizes current University bills, personal financial aid available and several links to relevant services. iCentral will become the
new standard portal by the end of the semester and hopefully before spring break, Rehm said. A primary concern for the design of the new portal was that, while prospective students and those with a specific interest in CMU had special Web presences to stay informed, members of the CMU community did not, he said. “We realized that in trying to get so much information on the page, it was pretty useless,” Rehm said about the old portal design, calling the new one “user centric.” The beta can be accessed on the current Web portal through the “I want to try iCentral” link in the center of the page. Feedback can be submitted from each page and is highly encouraged. “There have been some really good ideas,” Rehm said about the feedback received so far. Several of the suggestions have been implemented. Duane Kleinhardt, man-
RE A E R E H W y a d Tues ING V I L YOU NEXT FALL? FEBRUARY 2
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ager of IT Communications, said the upgrade to iCentral is a necessary part of bringing CMU’s systems up to date with Microsoft SharePoint technology. The current portal received a minor update in July 2009 and has been in place since 2006, Kleinhardt said. “It should make things (like registration and bill paying) easier to do and more efficient,” he said. Student reaction to the iCentral switch has been mixed. “I think you should be able to decide whether you want to switch over or not,” said Peter Rechenberg, an Illinois freshman. He preferred the old portal’s familiar design, but found iCentral to be “a lot more 21st century.” Jared Wirth was more enthusiastic about the new way to access CMU online. “It’s more personalized,” the Westphalia junior said. “I like it.” studentlife@cm-life.com
Mt. Pleasant Community
2 0 1 0
HOUSING
F A I R
2B || Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
DVDs: 1. “Michael Jackson: This Is It” 2. “Lost: The Complete Fifth Season” 3. “Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred”
CDs: 1. “Animal” Ke$ha 2. “Hellbilly Deluxe 2” Rob Zombie 3. “Smile Kid” We the Kings
Video games: 1. “Mass Effect 2” (Xbox 360) 2. “MAG” (Playstation 3) 3. “Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars” (Nintendo Wii)
TOP FIVES 1. “Avatar” $34.9M 2. “Legion” $17.5M 3. “The Book of Eli” 15.7M 4. “Tooth Fairy” $15.7M 5. “The Lovely Bones” $8.42M
Singles: 1. “TiK ToK” Ke$ha 2. “Bad Romance” Lady Gaga 3. “Empire State Of Mind” Jay-Z + Alicia Keys 4. “BedRock” Young Money Featuring Lloyd 5. “Replay” Iyaz
Albums: 1. “Contra” Vampire Weekend 2. “I Dreamed A Dream” Susan Boyle 3. “Animal” Ke$ha 4. “The Fame” Lady Gaga 5. “The Element Of Freedom” Alicia Keys
Beach House’s new album basic, but transcendent By Ben Weissenborn Staff Reporter
“Teen Dream,” the third album from Baltimore dreampoppers, Beach House, finds the band sticking to its guns with its distinctive guitar-andorgan instrumentation. But the addition of a live drummer and tighter songwriting techniques result in a record more focused, yet just as enjoyable as the band’s past output. For those not aquainted, Beach House is a duo made up of guitarist Alex Scally and the syrupy voiced vixen, Victoria Legrand. The band nudged its way onto the indie rock scene in 2006 with its self-titled debut album, wooing music fans and critics alike. Its follow-up, “Devotion,” was released in 2008, again acquiring the praise of music journalists and the band’s relatively new fan base. On its past two records, Beach House has established a sound very distinctive and recognizable. The band’s use of organ, slinky slide guitar and Legrand’s beautiful voice results in a sound not only extremely pleasant to listen to, but also quite transcendent at times. “Teen Dream,” the band’s
third record, finds Beach House sticking with its distinctive sound, but demonstrating a tighter, more pop-oriented style of songwriting, resulting in some of its most enjoyable work to date. The album’s second track, “Silver Soul,” demonstrates this increased level of focus quite brilliantly. The song is a rather basic ballad, but packs a punch with its soaring chorus. Legrand channels Stevie Nicks, repeating the line “it is happening again” in her honey-soaked, sexy croon. Though melodically and rhythmically basic, the song succeeds in taking the listener someplace haunting and incredibly beautiful. The album also features a number of more straightahead pop songs, such as lead single, “Used To Be.” A subtle, warm organ drum sound sets the beat while Legrand’s voice follows a plinky piano line through a lullaby-like melody. “Don’t forget the nights/When it all felt right/Are you not the same as you used to be?” Legrand asks in the second verse, lovesick and broken. “Come home any day now,” she pleads in the song’s refrain, her voice sounding more fragile than ever before. While Beach House’s past
‘Teen Dream’ by Beach House
HHHH two records had a rather distinctively autumnal feel to them, “Teen Dream” sounds more like a warm summer night spent with a significant other, all sweet and wispy. “Teen Dream” may not find the band exploring any new sonic territory, but it certainly demonstrates a more mature and musically adept band than its past two albums. Stay in tonight with a blanket, your cat and a good book, put on “Teen Dream” and let Beach House take you away to a beautiful place you never knew you wanted to venture to.
By Brian McCollum Detroit Free Press (MCT)
DETROIT— Organizers have pulled the plug on this year’s Rothbury festival, the much-touted rock and environmental fest that drew thousands of camping concertgoers to western Michigan the past two summers. But they say they are moving toward the event’s return in 2011. Event producers Madison House Presents and AEG Live said a factor was difficulty in assembling an artist lineup.
Video games:
Music:
Mass Effect 2 (PC, XBox 360)
Graham Parsons & The Go-Rounds
Rising from the ashes of the nearly defunct Kalamazoo rock band, Toro & The National Guard, Graham Parsons & The Go-Rounds finds the musicians of Toro backing soulful songwriter Graham Parsons. Stylistically, there’s not a lot of difference between the two groups: a bit of country, rock and roll and a heavy dose of psychedelia. However, it’s Graham Parsons distinctive and surprisingly soulful voice that really provides the icing on the cake. A remarkable group of musicians (Adam Danis’s drum playing is something that must be witnessed in person) backing an extremely talented vocalist and songwriter; what’s not to love? - Ben Weissenborn
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Rothbury festival called off this year; organizers hope it can return in ‘11
BEAT WRITER PICKS
In space, no one can hear your moral dilemmas. Fortunately, they can’t hear the sound of improved firefights, a large lineup of celebrity voice talent, and expanded roster of weaponry, either, or they might call the police. “Mass Effect 2” continues two years after the conclusion of the original space epic and can use the first game’s save to present the further exploits of Shepherd and crew as they fight to bring order (or chaos) to the galaxy. Don’t miss BioWare’s newest big time mash up of space opera, role playing game, and gritty third person shooter. - Connor Sheridan
Tweets of the week
review
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“We are not able to move forward with the integrity and high standards that we demand from ourselves and for the festival,” said Jeremy Stein of Madison House Presents. The festival launched on Fourth of July weekend in 2008, garnering positive reviews for its music lineup and devoted green focus, including a progressive use of sustainable technologies. Rothbury embraced an unconventional music approach that assembled both rootsy rock bands (Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, Allman Brothers Band) and edgy electronic-dance acts. Organizers managed to reprise Rothbury last summer amid financial struggles for the Double JJ Ranch, the fest’s lush rural site 25 miles north of Muskegon. The 72-year-old ranch was purchased from bankruptcy court in July by a Pennsylvania resorts firm. After an initial embrace from residents near the Double JJ, rumblings of discontent began to emerge in recent months. Officials with Grant Township were considering ordinances that would have forced a 1 a.m. noise curfew, among other restrictions. Stein addressed the possibility of the fest’s return in 2011: “Our efforts are certainly not coming to an end.”
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Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 || 3B
Students act on the fly in ‘Saturday Night Improv’ By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter
Although its name may be off base, “Saturday Night Improv” works to be spoton with its lightning-quick antics. The improvisational comedy troupe performed Friday — not Saturday — to a room of roughly 80 spectators at “The Platform” in Moore Hall. “I don’t even remember shows, I get so in the moment,” said Ryan Selva, Sterling Heights senior and a member of the troupe for more than a year. He was engaged in the moment, as he was made to play a slouching, sidling, body odor-wracked boor who seemed ready to lose his lunch whenever he spoke in one of the night’s many games. That one was innocently called, “That’ll be Charlie.” Though many of the members of the group are theater majors, Selva is pursuing a
major in journalism with an advertising focus. He would like to continue with improv groups after he graduates in order to “keep it in my system,” he said. Inspirations Another member of the group has a dream of entering the former home of comedy greats like the late John Belushi and Gilda Radner. “I would love to be on Saturday Night Live,” Holly junior Dan Martin said. “If I can do any kind of improv, that would be awesome.” Martin auditioned for a spot in the troupe last spring after taking an improvisation course in the fall. Ohio senior Katie Meyer has been with the group for three years and said she learned everything she knows about improv. Her interest in the comedic art style was first piqued by a popular television show featuring Drew Carey as its host. “I always loved ‘Whose
Line is it Anyway,’” she said. The group has been a part of the theater department since 2005 and takes 20 to 30 auditions every spring semester, Martin said. The active members and understudies regularly practice together with various exercises, but Meyer mostly enjoys it for simpler reasons. “It’s all about being comfortable and having fun,” she said. The careful combination of planning and improvisation paid off when it left the audience in an uproar throughout much of the hour and half show. Upcoming attractions The next performance of “Saturday Night Improv” will be on Feb. 13 with shows at 8 and 10 p.m. A special treat came in the unexpected participation of three graduate members of the group, Bob Pantalone, Mike Veselinovski and Matt Hayes.
jeff smith/staff photographer
Holly junior Dan Martin, left, Ypsilanti senior AJ Patton and Battle Creek junior Anna Trupiano improvise a skit where one of them must be standing, lying down or sitting at all times Friday at Saturday Night Improv in Moore Hall Room 102.
“I really enjoyed that they were able to bring back the alumni,” Oxford senior Michelle Fifield said. studentlife@cm-life.com
Jetpack On! brings music to CMU Rock trio moves in together, shares influences By Michael L. Hoffman Staff Reporter
Jetpack On! hopes to fix what it believes Mount Pleasant needs. The power trio consists of singer and guitarist Ryan Hoger, a Commerce sophomore, along with Commerce Township senior Nick D’Agostino on bass and his freshman brother, Vince, on the drums. Nick D’Agostino was the first member of Jetpack On! to recognize the need for more music in Mount Pleasant. “(Nick) was always saying, ‘There’s stuff going on in Mount Pleasant, I’m sure we can play there,’” Hoger said. “So we said ‘(Whatever), let’s do it.’” Instead of playing sporadic shows in Commerce Township, Hoger and Vince D’Agostino decided to enroll at Central Michigan University and moved into the house Nick D’Agostino was living in. “We have a house together, so it makes it a lot easier,” Hoger said. Though the indie punk outfit has only been playing together for about six months, it
already has a self-released EP out, titled, “Where Do We Go From Here?” Hoger said he and Nick D’Agostino have been playing music together for nearly a decade. “Ryan bought a guitar, so I bought one, too,” Nick D’Agostino said. “But about four years ago, I started playing bass because circumstances called for it and, since then, I have played bass and he’s played guitar.” “I’m a guitar player at heart, and I play bass by necessity,” Nick said. “But now I (really) love it.” And thoughVince D’Agostino is the youngest member of Jetpack On!, he does not lack experience, having played drums since he was in the fifth grade. Vince D’Agostino also adds an interesting dynamic to the
band, being influenced by funk such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and hip hop music. “I listen to a lot of rap music because I like listening to the beats,” he said. The band blends the likes of Kings of Leon and the Arctic Monkeys with a dash of the Stereophonics. “It’s funny, because I listen to all that stuff, but I don’t think we sound like it. So it must somehow come out in the music,” Hoger said. Another key component in the band’s sound is the fact that Nick D’Agostino was originally a guitarist, and only picked up the bass because they needed a bassist. He also said he does not play bass like a bassist — instead, he plays “the bass like a guitarist plays guitar” by using distortion and playing chords.
Jetpack On! is not going to slow down as the semester wears on, but instead is going to be playing as much as possible. “I don’t really have a job,” Hoger said. “So I sit at my computer and find places to play and people to call.” Nick D’Agostino also said fraternity house parties offer an “untapped market” for bands to engage with. “You’d be surprised how many people pick up your CD at a party compared to a show,” Hoger said. The band’s next scheduled show is Feb. 26 at Finch Fieldhouse. studentlife@cm-life.com
4B || Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
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[VIBE]
Game Review: ‘Torchlight’ Student wins regional similar to ‘Diablo’ series theatre costume contest By Connor Sheridan Staff Reporter
If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, then the makers of “Torchlight” must bow their heads to the floor in the image of “Diablo.” But while the game is unquestionably derivative of the Blizzard classic from the days before “World of Warcraft,” it imparts just enough of its own quirky style and modern gameplay trappings to keep old “Diablo” purists and new fans alike tearing through its subterranean dungeons for hours. The game allows for a choice from three classes which have fairly distinct play styles, including the magic wielding alchemist, gun-fighting vanquisher and hulking swordsman destroyer. The classes play well without any feeling particularly more powerful than the others and, in higher levels, their many customizable abilities produce impressive fireworks as they devastate dozens of foes at once. The visuals are wonderfully vibrant and have a
S ta n d o u t
charming, coherent and cartoonish art style which emphasizes the scores of shiny equipment and weapons the player can use. In a refreshing move for a PC exclusive, “Torchlight” has surprisingly low system requirements, which allow it to look good while running on anything from a decent netbook to a true gaming rig. Story is rarely a focus for titles such as these, and this one doesn’t buck the trend. It spins an immediately forgettable yarn about a mysterious and ancient corruption threatening the titular innocent mining town which the hero must plunge deep into to destroy. Another area where it unfortunately misses the mark is the lack of a multiplayer component. Much of the “Diablo” series’ appeal comes from its easy integration of friends and rivals from the online community. Despite the quick development cycle on “Torchlight” and emphasis as a platform for “mods” from fans, it’s inexcusable for the game to lack support for even basic multiplayer. It is doubly impressive for
Torchlight
w System: PC w Rating: Teen w Genre: Action RPG
HHHH this fault that the game still has lasting appeal; the lure of ever more impressive loot to take from vanquished gigantic foes and the promise of ever increasing power keep it surprisingly addictive — the kind of addictive that had this reviewer looking at the clock in wee hours of the morning and saying, “just one more floor.” The game is available from torchlightgame.com, as well as on the popular Steam digital download service for $20. While the developers, many of whom are former members of the team which worked on the original “Diablo,” certainly never forgot their roots, they have produced a lightweight and fun package. It will keep you going until whenever “Diablo 3” finally emerges from its reclusive developers, at the very least. studentlife@cm-life.com
By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter
Costume design can be a tough, overlooked job. But for Natalie Loveland, a White Lake senior, a little recognition goes a long way. Loveland won two awards from the American College Theatre Festival, a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities. She won the Region 3 Costume Design for unrealized designs and received honorable mention for the National Barbizon Award in costume design. “I felt very honored to be recognized,” Loveland said. “It’s especially nice
that the whole department has been supportive and was there for me.” Ann Dasen, coordinator of costume designs for the College of Communication and Fine Arts, said it is not easy to snag an award. “We review almost everyone to make sure their material is up to the standards,” said Director of University Theatre Steve Berglund. Students can compete in two categories: unrealized, which is usually class projects or extra assignments that never make it on stage, and realized, which is any material for plays that is completed, Ann Dasen said. In the competition, Cen-
tral Michigan is part of a region that includes Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. “We’re one of the biggest regions. We have the most participants,” Dason said. Loveland chose “The Dancing Spider,” a children’s African folklore musical, for her unrealized project. “ACTF has design categories and they provide six shows that you can choose from. (The Dancing Spider) was one of options provided,” Loveland said. “I wanted to do it because it allowed me to be creative and colorful with my design choice.” studentlife@cm-life.com