Chippewas fail two-point conversion against Navy, lose 38-37 in final seconds, 1B
Central Has talent 100 students attend competition in Plachta, 3A
Central Michigan Life
Monday, Nov. 15, 2010
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
CMU stops paycheck option for new employees
board of trustees
Chairwoman to serve on Snyder team Comai to work through Jan. 1 inauguration
Most students, university staff use direct deposit
By Carisa Seltz Senior Reporter
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on cm-life.com Friday afternoon.
Board of Trustees chairwoman Stephanie Comai will serve on Gov.-elect Rick Snyder’s Transition Committee for State Management Issues. The announcement was made Friday on www.governorelectricksnyder.com. “She’s going to be helping coordinate all those efforts that deal with state government and the departments, and their role within the transition,” said Bill Nowling, spokesman for the Transition Committee. Snyder sought out Comai to help with the transition process because she has an understanding of how agencies work and how to manage them, Nowling said. “She just has a broad understanding of how state government is organized,” Nowling said. “She filled numerous (positions) under (former Governor John) Engler.” Comai, whose tenure as a CMU Trustee ends Dec. 31, served as the director of state government affairs for the Engler administration, worked in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Labor, according to the press release. She also worked for the Engler administration as a special advisor for information technology and as director of the e-Michigan office. In that position, she led the effort to make all the state’s online services and information available through a new web portal. According to Snyder’s website, the Transition Committee will help Snyder organize his office, begin the development of a budget proposal and brief him on state management issues, among other resonsibilities. The team will also help facilitate the transition of power between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the governor-elect, Nowling said. Kathy Wilbur, vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs, said Comai’s appointment is a great compliment and that she will do a terrific job for Snyder. “I think any time a member of your board of trustees is asked by the governor-elect to be involved for preparing for the new administration, it means good things,” WilA comai | 2A
[inside] NEWS w SUSO to discuss U.S. political party system, celebrate 10th year, 2A w Legality of marijuana dispensary unknown despite expired deadline for decision, 5A
sports w While in Hawaii, men’s basketball loses Sunday, picks up first win Saturday, 1B
CM-LIFE.com w Check out this week’s episode of SportsLine and a slideshow of last week in photos
By Melissa Torok Staff Reporter
gathered to support the cause and to enjoy another class during the week. Kim Klumpp, a Mount Pleasant resident who referred to herself as a Zumba addict, saw the fundraiser as an added bonus. “One of my friends recently had one of her breasts removed due to cancer so I’m out here supporting her and showing my love for Zumba.” Dancing and having fun while rasing money was a successful task for everyone who attended. “I love this idea because Zumba is so different than just regular exercising, you actually get to stand up and dance,” Ritchey said. “With all of the ladies out here, we are helping make a difference.”
The option to pick up checks in payments from the university is being phased out, starting with new employees. Student Account Services and University Billing will offer two payment options — direct deposit and the CMU Money Card Program, for all new employees starting today. New student and faculty employees will no longer be paid in the form of checks. Previous CMU employees will still be able to receive checks as a form of payment. Kimberly Wagester, manager of payroll and travel services, said direct deposit is popular with student employees. “Other companies don’t send checks. That’s the way a lot of businesses are going to electronic pay,” Wagester said. “It makes sense business-wise to eliminate paper and cut costs.” Direct deposit allows students to select a personal banking account to transfer CMU refunds and payroll. The program directly deposits financial aid, Student Account Services and University Billing refunds and payroll onto a Money Network MasterCard. The Money Card can be used on campus ATMs to withdraw cash and comes with free checks. Deposits transferred directly into a personal account can be split into checking and savings as well. Eighty-four percent of students use direct deposit as a direct source of payment. Ninety-eight percent of faculty use direct deposit. Wagester said the number of students using direct deposit went up from 70 percent in 2008. Freeland sophomore Ryan Johnson, who works in the athletics department ticket booth, enjoys the benefits of direct deposit. “It makes it easier to receive money,” Johnson said. “Because my credit union is at home, I don’t have to worry about cashing or depositing a check.” The new policy will save time and money for the university, Wagester said. “We have to send out letters if people don’t pick up their checks,” she said. “If they don’t after a long time, the money goes to the state.” Rebecca Haggart, assistant coordinator of payroll, said the new policy will be well-accepted among CMU employees. “I think they’ll be positive about it,” Haggart said. “It’s more convenient and better for everyone.” For more information, contact Student Account Services and University Billing Office at 774-3618.
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photos by jeff smith/staff photographer
Zumba instructor Melanie Strawn of Mount Pleasant leads more than 120 people during a a Zumba fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Sunday evening at Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road. “It’s great to see so many women get together for such a great cause,” Strawn said.
Zest for Zumba
Event draws 120, raises $800 for breast cancer in mid-Michigan By Rachel Dybicki | Staff Reporter
T
hree of Linda Bennett’s co-workers have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last eight months. The Mount Pleasant resident said this was her inspiration for attending Sunday night’s Zumbathon, a celebration focusing on the popular aerobic-exercising Latin dance. “I’m here to support them mentally and physically. We (co-workers) try to do as much as we possibly can to help out,” she said. “When we learned the money went straight to the women in mid-Michigan, we knew instantly this was a great idea.” The Zumbathon brought 120 participants and six instructors to Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road. Participants came for many great reasons, said Amy Perschbacher, a Zumba instructor. “Women were taught how important fitness is for their health,” she said, “and how they can prevent breast cancer.” Bennett teaches in the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District and many of her fellow teachers have purchased shirts to support their friends. On certain days, the whole staff wears their shirts to show the three ladies they always have helping and caring friends, Bennett said. She said everyone needs to be cautious about what their bodies are going through and even younger girls need to start checking themselves for breast cancer.
Shepherd resident Kim Klumpp dances during a Zumba fundraiser benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Sunday evening at Morey Courts, 5175 E. Remus Road. “I do Zumba two, three times a week, this (fundraiser) is just a bonus,” Klumpp said.
“I never imagined all three ladies having to go through this,” she said. “It just shows that breast cancer runs in families and it’s not something to ignore.” This was the third Zumbathon the instructors have put on, Perschbacher said. The event raised $800 for the Mid-Michigan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which directly supports women in the area. Mount Pleasant freshman Katrina Ritchey said seeing all of the women participating Sunday night was inspirational and fun. “Dance can bring so many people together,” Ritchey said. “Having a room full of supporters makes everything so much more fun.” Some Zumba lovers
Issue Day addresses different social topics 122 attend day-long conference By Ben Harris Staff Reporter
Whether their topic was the war overseas, censorship or other pressing concepts, people were excited to tackle the issues Saturday. Issue Day, a Volunteer Center-run program designed to cover issues on a broad scale and encourage participants to become more active in their communities, brought 122 people into Moore Hall throughout the day. “Issue Day is a great way to educate and empower the people that come and help them to be more passionate,” said Royal Oak graduate student Caitlin Cavanaugh.
The event commenced with keynote speaker Ben Falik in the Townsend Kiva. Falik cofounded his own nonprofit, Summer in the City, out of Detroit. Afterward, participants separated into sessions. The sessions were held in Moore Hall classrooms and addressed several different issues. The event was free for students, faculty and staff. This year marked Issue Day’s 10th anniversary. Some session choices included “The David Garcia Project,” “How the Hell Did We End Up in Iraq” and “Infrastructure in El Salvador.” “I’m a part of the Alternative Breaks program and we can learn more extensively about that program and it helps us learn more for when we start to work,” said Allen Park senior Luke Docherty, who attended Issue Day for the third year. The event began as a way to
assist students in the Alternative Breaks program, but has since expanded to cover a wider range of topics. “Issue Day really helps shine a light on important issues in the community,” Docherty said. “Learning about issues that I hadn’t known about before helps make me a better citizen.” The most important part about tackling the issues is educating people and encouraging them to be passionate about fixing problems in their community and the world, said Commerce Township senior Elizabeth Sullivan, student coordinator of the event. “We’re really excited that it keeps going and I wish more of our campus took advantage of it, because it’s a great opportunity and it’s free,” Sullivan said. university@cm-life.com
victoria zegler/staff photographer
Otisville sophomore Jordyn Kippe screws a nail into a patch of dry wall, securing it in place Saturday afternoon during her service project with the Habitat for Humanity of Isabella County. Kippe helped work on a new home being built on Fourth Street in Shepherd, as part of Issue Day at CMU. After a full day of learning, students choose a service project to complete at the end of the advocacy conference.