March 19, 2010

sga | Two presidential candidates begin their campaign, 4A Wrestlers out of NCAA championship bracket, fight for All-America status, 1B

opera | Theatre and music combined for weekend performances, 3A

census promotion on campus, 5A

Central Michigan Life

Friday, March 19, 2010

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

Police find body behind Sam’s Club A body was found around 7 p.m. Thursday behind Sam’s Club, 4850 Encore Blvd. No further information was available at press time.

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st. patty’s

See the Web site Friday for breaking updates on this story.

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Area police see ‘average’ amount of activity for midweek holiday

A State | 2A

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A look at what you can find off the printed pages

TALK WITH US: Are you going to participate in MeatOut Day? Why or why not?

Don’t miss live updates from this weekend’s NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb.

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Video See one lucky student win $25 to the CMU Bookstore from the SGA Spirits and Traditions Committee.

3PTF $FOUFS r .U 1MFBTBOU See page 2B for more information

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March 20-21, 2010

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THIS WEEKEND!

Encouraging healthy eating Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for the Governor, said the Granholm Administration did not see the proclamation as belittling to farmers, hunters or meat-eaters.

The proclamation promotes a “habit of healthy living by consuming a diet that is rich with vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, and by staying active.� It also delves into why eating meat can sometimes be unhealthy and encourages using fresh ingredients to make unique recipes.

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21ST ANNUAL POW WOW

Some are fuming mad and seeing red over Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proclamation to encourage Michiganders to eat healthy greens.

Michigan’s hunter and meat communities promptly responded to Granholm’s decision to make Saturday “Michigan Meatout Day,� saying it is demeaning to Michigan’s entire agricultural industry and proves her willingness to cater to special interest.

The proclamation encourages Michiganders to forgo eating meat for one day to promote a healthy diet. It was referred to as “unconscionable and an insensitive slap in the face to Michigan’s livestock and dairy farmers� by Michigan Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood, in a press release. “It’s inconceivable to us that the governor could stoop to this level of telling people what they should and shouldn’t eat based on the philosophies of ‘food elitists,’� Wood said in the statement.

Not only was the governor’s rationale for encouraging residents not to eat meat in her proclamation “misleading and incriminating,� Wood said, but it’s “unbelievable� that the governor decided to declare Meatout Day on the same day as National Agriculture Day. “Her action is blatantly degrading to Michigan consumers and farmers, and is destructive to Michigan’s entire $71.3 billion agriculture industry,� Wood said.

GE

Officials say health initiative a ‘slap in the face’

By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter

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Life Life

said Ellen Jeffries, deputy director of the Senate Fiscal Agency. “These are not decisions that I enjoy making,� said State Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, of cuts to appropriations. “When your revenues are down 25 percent ... the universities are probably already making decisions on what they are going to have to do.�

If the House and the Senate’s bill drafts have differences, the next step will be conference meetings to come to an agreement, Caul said.

The hope is to have budgets final by the end of June, he said.

But whatever the final decision

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Photos by jeff smith/staff photographer

Central Michigan University Police Officer David Coffman gives a student driver a sobriety test during a traffic stop Wednesday night on West Campus Drive. The student was arrested after failing the test.

cm-life.com

Celebrating

SVSU - $894,000 EMU - $2,451,900 CMU - $2,584,400 WMU - $3,535,200 MSU - $9,149,200 U of M - $10,199,600

Farm Bureau finds beef with state Meatout Day

CMU Police Officer David Coffman checks a driver’s license on his computer during a traffic stop Wednesday night on East Bellows Street. The department had four cars on the road to handle St. A st. patty’s | 2A Patrick’s Day complaints.

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Proposed 3.1 percent cuts for universities

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four MIPs.

By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter

Central Michigan University officials are breathing a slight sigh of relief after learning cuts to state appropriations next year may be smaller than expected.

The State Senate Appropriations Committee approved a 3.1 percent cut on Wednesday to state aid for public universities.

For CMU, that means a cut around $2.5 million in state appropriations, taking into account what has come in during the current fiscal year.

David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, said the university is prepared for the potential cut. Last year, the cut was about was the same, except there was about $2.4 million in stimulus money to help. “I think we are right where we need to be,� Burdette said Thursday of the proposed 3.1 percent cut. “For today, that’s good news.�

The bill will go to the Senate floor next week. If approved there, it will go to the House,

By Ryan Czachorski Senior Reporter

he steps in a field sobriety test might seem simple to some.

But when the individual Central Michigan University Police Officer David Coffman suspected of drunk driving Wednesday night lifted his leg counting one-one thousand, two-one thousand, those steps were a challenge.

The driver was arrested around 10 p.m. after a preliminary breathalyzer test and, for Coffman, St. Patrick’s Day had reached its peak. “This’ll probably be as good as it gets,� Coffman said. “They start to drink so early, this is their 3 a.m.; It’s just the dynamic of the night.�

Coffman describes Wednesday night’s atmosphere as “like a busy welcome weekend, but it’s only one night.�

Despite the night’s party atmosphere, CMU Police had their normal load of four cars on the road. Coffman said the department would have enough vehicles to handle complaints, and Mount Pleasant police would more likely be overloaded.

Mild weather conditions contributed to increased partying in the city of Mount Pleasant, with many people staying outside as opposed to going to bars, said Dave Sabuda, public information officer for the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

The MPPD arrested four people for operating under the influence of alcohol and handed out one ticket for a minor in possession. It also received seven calls for loud parties, with the earliest coming in at 7:55 a.m. “For the amount of people you had in the area,� Sabuda said, “it was average.�

The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department saw even less action, arresting only one drunk driver on a motorcycle after the bars closed at 2 a.m. The department also handed out

Proposed state cuts less than expected

Life

A body was found behind Sam’s Club around 7 p.m.

Thursday, the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department said. “We’re still doing the investigation,� Sheriff Leo Mioduszewksi said. “We’re just processing the scene.�

cm-life.com

The sheriff’s department, along with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department, were investigating the scene as of 11 p.m.

Thursday. No further information was available at press time.

Stay tuned to cm-life.com for more information as it becomes available.

Celebratin g

By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter

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2A || Friday, March 19, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

EVENTS CALENDAR Today w “Have a Heart for Haiti,” a 90-minute cardio class, takes place at 5 p.m. in Student Activity Center MAC Gym No. 1. There is a $3 minimum donation charge.

Saturday w Natural Health Layman’s Course “A Foundation in Natural Health” takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Naturopathic Community Center, 503 E. Broadway. The cost ranges from $89 per class to $499 for the series of si x classes. w Mary Ann Beckwith Gallery’s grand opening takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Education and Human Services Building, in the hallway adjacent to rooms 115 and 117.

Sunday w “Slammin 4 Soldiers,” an evening of slam poetry, takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kaya Coffee House, 1029 S. University Ave. The $10 registration fee includes a T-shirt. Admission is $5 for students with I.D. and $7 for others. Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. A cash prize will be awarded to the best slam poet.

Corrections In Monday’s paper, the story "Alumni return to town for rock band reunion" should have stated The Leonards will perform at 11 p.m. Saturday at Rubbles. Mark Slocum is no longer part of the band; the other member is Greg Arvanigian.

meat | continued from 1A

“It’s a national group that organizes the great American Meatout Day and the Michigan office requested a proclamation for the state of Michigan,” Boyd said.

She said the governor’s office receives hundreds of requests per year for proclamations and said no one should read too much into the politics of Meatout Day. “We will also be declaring Saturday Agriculture Day in the state of Michigan to coincide with National Agriculture Day, which is on Saturday,” Boyd said, noting

State | continued from 1A

is, the outcome will not take effect until Oct. 1.

The amount cut could change depending on whether revenues change in the near future, but the committees now are going off of assumptions, said Jennifer Bowman, chief of staff to State Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland.

The state’s revenue essentially could go up or down, she said.

“At this point, I don’t think anyone sees revenue going up,” Bowman said. “There will be, I believe, cuts in every budget. I think we are just going off of data we have right now. There are a lot of moving parts.”

cm-life.com

the Michigan Department of Agriculture requested that proclamation.

In the Michigan Agriculture Day proclamation, Granholm encourages Michiganders “to help celebrate this day with meals made with a variety of local Michigan ingredients, including but not limited to meat, vegetables and dairy products.”

College Democrats President Brad O’Donnell said the outrage that ensued from the governor’s proclamation is ridiculous.

“It’s another controversy that powerful lobbies decided it’s in their best interest to throw a fit about,” the Clinton Township junior said. metro@cm-life.com

If the amount stands, Burdette said CMU is ready, but it could change next week. He said it is still too early to tell if the cut in appropriations will affect tuition rates. This is only step one of the budgetary process, Caul said. The final outcome is yet to be determined.

The state needs to make sure the budget comes out balanced, he said. And at the very least, the state is looking at a $1.7 billion deficit.

The 3.1 percent is consistent with what Gov. Jennifer Granholm thought would be needed last year, Caul said, noting the only difference was last year cuts were offset with stimulus money.

“I’m hopeful that we can keep the cuts to a minimum,” Caul said. university@cm-life.com

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St. Patty’s | continued from 1A

Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski was surprised with how the holiday went.

“It wasn’t bad at all,” he said. “Typically for us, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t that bad.

We’re very happy with the results.”

Coffman pulled over four other cars during the 9 p.m. hour for simple violations such as rolling through a stop sign and turning from

the wrong lane.

One car he pulled over had seven people riding in it, and Coffman said a few had been drinking.

But he let them go because the driver was sober and trying to bring his friends home.

“You’re looking for the general good of people,” he said.

“You can sit and pick people apart with violations. You have to weigh that stuff.” metro@cm-life.com

CM-LIFE.COM online media VIDEO Check the site for a video from Thursday’s Census tour on campus.

Follow us on Twitter at @CMLIFE for the latest news!

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inside life Central Michigan Life

3A

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bill could increase funds available for Pell Grants Effort could save up to $67 billion

By Heather Hillman Staff Reporter

Katie Austin was once denied a Pell Grant when she applied.

The Livonia senior is one of many students nationwide who could benefit from a student loan bill expected to go before the U.S. Senate within the next several days.

The bill could raise the maximum amount of money available through federal Pell Grants, allowing more students to be eligible to receive the loans.

“Every dollar that I get comes from financial aid or student loans,” Austin said.

“I’m definitely in favor of the bill.”

According to previous reports, 6,275 students enrolled at Central Michigan University as of last fall hold a Pell Grant.

The maximum amount of

loan money available through a Pell Grant is $5,550. The new legislation looks to raise that maximum to approximately $6,400.

Reps. Joe Courtney, D-N.Y., and Tim Bishop, D-Conn., held a phone conference with college reporters Wednesday to discuss the bill, which will be an updated form of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act passed by the U.S. House in September.

The bill was initially thought to save $87 billion in taxpayer

money over the next 10 years by making all college loans direct lending with the government, rather than using private lenders to distribute the funds.

However, after a reanalysis, congressional Democrats now believe the bill will only save $67 billion because of universities making the transition to direct lending on their own.

When this happens, Bishop said, the money saved cannot be used toward increasing Pell Grants’ maximum.

As more universities continue to make the switch, Bishop and Courtney said it is crucial the bill be passed quickly in order for students to benefit.

“This is a very hopeful time for those who care about helping students,” Bishop said.

“I’m very optimistic that we’re going to get this passed.”

Financial job loss?

Many private student loan lenders, such as Sallie Mae, A Loans | 7A

7,000 state jobs promised $742 million being pumped into projects

By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

Michigan’s job climate could be heating up.

On Tuesday, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation said it would pump $742 million into business projects statewide with a series of tax credits over the next 10 years to create around 7,000 jobs.

The investment will benefit 13 business projects, affecting numerous industries from life sciences to homeland security.

“It’s going to be localized to where those companies are investing,” said Brian Anderson, president of the Middle Michigan Development Corporation. “I think it provides an excellent opportunity for any educated workforce.”

Fortu PowerCell, an international developer of rechargeable batteries, will receive about $12.6 million in tax credits to start operations in Muskegon, and Masco Cabinetry Co., a manufacturer of kitchen and bath cabinets, will get $5.7 million for job retention, among others.

Anderson said Michigan lacks a workforce to fill specific skills and said it is not unreasonable to predict job creation from the tax breaks.

The state Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth recently released a prediction of “Michigan’s HOT 50” jobs, pegging health care as one of the fields expected to see the most growth in the next seven years.

“I think it’s a good outlook in Michigan,” said Burton graduate student Desirae Delbridge. “If we all stayed in Michigan, we would all have jobs lined up by the time we graduate.”

Delbridge is studying to be a physician’s assistant­, one of the strongest jobs, with more than 20 percent job growth predicted before 2016.

There are a record number of jobs that require bachelor’s and associate degrees on the job forecast, DELEG economic analyst Bruce Weaver said.

“It’s just a sampling of some of the occupations in Michigan that are expected to have above average growth,” Weaver said. “Growth in occupations like heath care and tech jobs, and less jobs available in manufacturing ... Those trends are similar across the country.”

Michigan jobs may be overall a little heavier in engineering and manufacturing than other states because of investments in the car industry, he said, but most places require similar techniques and skills to get a job.

Dennis Dunlap, director of Alma Michigan Works, said 50 percent of the jobs attained are because of networking, A Jobs | 7A

Ulana Klymyshyn cannot recall missing any of the powwows held at Central Michigan University.

“I like sitting in bleachers and looking down at dancers because there is a swirl of color and movement; it’s really wonderful,” the director of the Multicultural Education said.

The 21st Annual Pow Wow will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Saturday’s

Staff reports

Four deans were named finalists for the College of Business Administration and will hold open forums.

Charles Crespy, currently a professor at the University of New Mexico, will have his forum from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Monday in Grawn Hall’s Pierpont Auditorium.

Gary Koppenhaver, a professor of finance and chairman of the finance, insurance and law department at Illinois State University, will have a forum from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Pierpont Auditorium.

R. Edward Bashaw, dean of the College of Business at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, will have a forum from 2:30 to 3:30 Thursday in Pierpont Auditorium.

Shawnee Vickery, professor and co-director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship at Michigan State University, will have a forum April 7 with a time and location to be announced.

Tom Moore, Dean of Libraries and chairman of the search committee for the CBA dean, said the goal is to name a dean by the end of this semester. “(The finalists) have fine credentials and are good prospects for becoming an excellent dean,” he said. university@cm-life.com

Photos by jeff smith/staff photographer

School of Music students Allendale graduate Paul Melcher, left, Munger senior Zach Krieger and Rochester Hills senior Thomas Walkenhorst perform a rehearsal of ‘Don Giovanni’ on Wednesday in Staples Family Concert Hall.

The old song and dance Student opera “Don Giovanni” set for weekend performances

By Connor Sheridan | Senior Reporter

A

ngela Gawne dreams of someday traveling across Europe performing in historical opera houses.

The Flint senior said she loves the way opera demands perfection.

“It combines everything, and it’s more challenging,” she said. “You get all aspects of different cultures in just one thing.”

Gawne is just one of many students preparing for “Don Giovanni,” an opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart that takes place at 8 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Music Building’s Staples Family Concert Hall.

During rehearsals, the cast and crew have turned the Music Building’s green room into an otherworldly place.

It is a realm of purgatory for men in 18th-century blouses and tights to check Facebook pages and women in decorated gowns to text their friends and do homework.

Jack Eikrem paced about,

grand entrances are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday’s is at noon.

The event is free for CMU students, $7 for the public and $5 for children and elders.

Colleen Green, director of Native American Programs, said the powwow is a way for people to gather and make friends.

“It’s like a big reunion, also a place where you can meet people,” Green said. “In our culture, we like to have these big reunions where we can come together and meet new people

listening to the baritones and sopranos on stage during a Wednesday night performance.

The Mount Pleasant freshman hopes to someday perform at to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. “(Opera is) the most beautiful music ever written,” he said.

Eikrem is the son of James Eikrem, temporary faculty of communication and dramatics arts at Central Michigan University.

Jack grew up with opera often playing in his house.

Though he always had a love for it, he was halfway through high school before he felt called to the art form.

“At some point, I considered it a legitimate career, which is something I’d never done before,” he said.

He said the melodies, orchestration and soaring drama of opera are what attracted him to the performance style.

“What’s not to like?”

Eikrem said.

Saginaw senior Joe Leibin-

If you go... w

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What: "21st Annual Pow Wow" When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Rose Arena Cost: Free for students, $7 for the general public and $5 for elders, children

as well as see old friends and family.”

Green said the powwows are invitations to the community

[Life in brief] Wild ‘N‘ Out

The Delta Sigma Theta sorority hosts “Wild ‘N’ Out,” a night of comedy and improv, at 6:13 p.m. today in Pearce Hall 127. The event is $1. For more information, contact Sara Kirkland at (313) 806-4450

Annual Equity Conference

Coldwater junior Chelsea Hart and Allendale graduate student Paul Melcher perform a rehearsal of Don Giovanni Wednesday in Staples Family Concert Hall.

ger wants to conduct opera orchestras at a university.

He is drawn to the art by the unique connection it forges between its performers and the composer — in this case, a man from more than 200 years ago.

“It’s the communication of notes on a page actually meaning something to people,” Leibinger said.

Gawne caught her breath backstage Wednesday and adjusted the period dress she rented from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

It was very intricate — and heavy.

She enjoys all aspects of

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What: "Don Giovanni" When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday Where: Staples Family Concert Hall Cost: $10 for public, $7 for students, seniors

opera, including the vocal performance.

“Not everyone can get to the Met (the Metropolitan Opera House),” Gawne said.

“But you can get to Grand Rapids.” studentlife@cm-life,com

Powwow celebrates Native American life, culture

By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter

FOUR DEAN CANDIDATES FOR BUSINESS COLLEGE

to explore Native American culture. The event will include dancers, drummers and vendors selling Native American crafts.

“When you go to a powwow, we have an emcee (who) will talk about the different dances that we have, and who will give an explanation of what kind of dances there are,” Green said.

Josh Hudson, president of the North American Indigenous Student Organization, has attended powwows throughout his life and said they are great social gatherings.

Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343

“To me, it’s a really beautiful experience,” the Mount Pleasant junior said.

The event will include a dance and drum contest, Green said.

“I think it is very important for the community because we live in such a diverse society now sometimes we forget about the different cultures, so it is a way for us to give back and say, ‘We’re still here, we’re still strong,’ and we invite you in to share in our culture,” she said. studentlife@cm-life.com

The 20th Annual Equity in the Classroom Conference takes place from Sunday to Tuesday at the Soaring Eagle Inn and Conference Center. The conference focuses on strategies and development retention for impacting equality for targeted students.

The theme is “Increasing the college graduation rate of underrepresented students.” Hosted

by Central Michigan University, the featured speakers are Ms. Brandy Johnson-Faith, Dr. Bryan Cook, and Dr. Carlos Cortes. For additional information, contact the Multicultural Education Center at 774-7319.

Volley For A Cure

Students can compete six-onsix in a co-ed volleyball tournament from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Student Activity Center.

The team fee is $30 and pre-registration is required. The winning team will receive a Volley For A Cure Championship T-shirt. A raffle also takes place to raise funds for cancer research. The raffle prizes include golf rounds at Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye Golf Course.

Admission is free for the general audience, but donations will be accepted. To register, contact Nicole Kress at (313) 525-0158 or e-mail volleyforacure10@gmail.com

Sidewalk Committee

Union Township is looking for residents to join the Sidewalk Prioritization Committee. The committee meets yearly to discuss sidewalks in Union Township, said CMU Biology Professor Philip Hertzler, a commissioner on the committee. “They’re gonna be looking at the needs for sidewalks in the township and recommending the priority for construction of those,” Hertzler said. Students are encouraged to run for the two-year position, he said. Those interested can contact Woody Woodruff at 772-4600 ex. 241.

If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing news@cm-life.com.

4A || Friday, March 19, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News]

SGA presidential candidates begin their campaign

By Tony Wittkowski Staff Reporter

The Student Government Association Presidential Election will feature a familiar face and a new one.

Current Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis and Troy junior Evan Agnello are running for the position. The two will square off in a debate at 7 p.m.

March 30 in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.

Agnello will be joined by vice president hopeful Jessica Richard, a Highland junior. The two jointly have three years of experience in SGA, though they are

not participating currently, and are focusing on SGA funding and restoring tailgating.

The pair is using the slogan, “We Deserve Better.”

“Student budgets are going up while everything else is going down,” Agnello said. “Everybody’s hurting — we’re just trying to lead by example.”

Agnello said there needs to be a new face leading SGA. “We think there should be new leadership,” he said. “We also feel we are up for the challenge.”

Mouzourakis, a Garden City senior, is campaigning with Muskegon senior David Breed

Brittany Mouzourakis

Evan Agnello

as her candidate for vice president. Breed has three years of SGA experience, currently as membership officer and academic liaison to the senate.

Their mission statement is “Unrivaled SGA experience, coupled with a proven commit-

ment to students.” Mouzourakis intends to focus on student advocacy, making strategic alliances with administration and a dedication to diversity.

“We want to help protect the campus programming fund and look into using renewable energy,” she said. “By having solar and wind energy, the state recognizes the benefits and the funding will go up.”

Both candidates made light of student stipends, which pay for SGA members’ salaries.

“These bonuses come out of student fees,” Agnello said.

“We’re hoping to give back to the students by forming a

‘Vagina Monologues’ performances on tap tend because of the message.

“I feel like it is a great way to celebrate being a woman,” McDaniel said. “Being a woman means embracing our femininity with pride.”

By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter

Jolie Masters is rediscovering her “vagina.”

And on Friday, the Kentwood sophomore and a group of women will “look” at their private parts and come to understand how beautiful they are.

It is all part of “The Vagina Monologues,” a stage performance taking place at 7 p.m. today and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.

“A lot of women don’t really look at it,” Masters said of vaginas. “They’re like, ‘That is weird or gross,’ and then they realize, ‘I’m a woman. I have a vagina and it is beautiful.’”

The production features 23 females and is focused on ending violence against women.

Masters said the production is freeing and relates to every woman.

“I have become a lot more open — I say ‘vagina’ in normal conversations. To be this free is awesome,” Masters said.

Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for the public and $10 at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Central Box Office.

The event is sponsored by the Organization of Women Leaders and proceeds benefit Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates.

Kentwood senior Mara

studentlife@cm-life.com

file photo

“The Vagina Monologues” had three shows last February. The monologues focused on women from around the world and how they view their womanhood.

If you go... w What: "The Vagina Monologues" w When: 7 p.m. today and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday w Where: Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium w Cost: $5 for students, $7 for non-students and $10 at the door.

D’Amico, president of OWL and co-director of the show, said the purpose is to raise money and awareness, an idea that began from the Monologue writer, Eve Ensler.

D’Amico said the message of womanhood is one many of the actresses are passionate about.

“They brought something

really special to the show and I think it is going to be a great performance because people will experience a wide range of emotions. They’re going to learn a lot,” D’Amico said.

One of the performance pieces, “The Memory of Her Face,” focuses on the differential treatment of women across the world.

This is a message Griffin McMath, an actress and Troy sophomore, said was hard, but necessary, to convey.

“It took me a lot of strength the first time I read it,” McMath said. “I had to stop my audition; I bawled my eyes out. It’s a moving role, and I have been able to open my eyes to issues I didn’t know about.”

Bay City senior Holly McDaniel said she wants to at-

MMCC building expansion OK’d by Union Township “All requirements have been met. We Committee also will be relocating some of the created to address landscaping that was done in the signage regulations

By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

Construction of an addition to Mid Michigan Community College was approved Wednesday by the Union Township Planning Commission.

The Herbert D. Doan Center for Science and Health Technologies, on the corner of Broadway and Summerton roads, is set to host the 15,000-square-foot addition.

Gwladys Austin, MMCC’s vice president of Institutional Services and Technology, said the addition will house the bookstore and student services.

“All requirements have been met,” said Stacie Tewari, project engineer from Rowe Professional Services Company, the group in charge of the project. “We will be relocating some of the landscaping that was done in the last phase.”

Some of the landscaping will create a screen on the property line shared with Toni’s Dance Studio, 5920 E. Broadway St., Tewari said.

The commission agreed the screening would only be needed on the south property line.

“I don’t see the view really changing that much to the east or the west,” said Zoning Administrator Woody Woodruff. “For some people, it is a relief to finally know what is going to be in that big field.”

The project should not require an expansion of MMCC’s parking lot, Tewari said, and it has been approved by the Isabella County Transportation Commission. There also is tentative approval from the Mount

last phase.”

Stacie Tewari, Project engineer from Rowe

Professional Services Company Pleasant Fire Department based on slight parking and fire hydrant movements.

The MMCC Board of Trustees first approved the expansion, which will cost $3 million, in December, college spokesman Matt Miller said in January.

This building will include sidewalks to allow for potential expansion of Broadway and Summerton roads, Tewari said.

The commission did not require an extension of the sidewalk to the south edge of the property, Commissioner Alex Fuller said, as it is considered unnecessary.

“We either do it now or wait until there is sidewalk to hook up to,” he said.

Other business Township officials created a committee of Woodruff, Commission Chairman Philip Squattrito and Commissioners Fuller and Betty Wagner, Central Michigan University’s director of admissions. The committee will recommend revisions to the current signage ordinance.

The ordinance encompasses all road-side signs.

Commissioners on Wednesday specifically discussed signs off of Pickard Road.

“We (the Zoning Board of Appeals) are getting a lot of requests now for LED lighting, and there’s nothing in the ordinance to reference wattage or illumination,” said Commissioner Sara Spencer-Noggle, who sits on the ZBA. “The other

question is if they are even appropriate for residential use.”

Signs are already up that rotate numbers and letters and they are working fine, Woodruff said. There are many state regulations for signs that will serve as examples for the township’s revisions. metro@cm-life.com

Use your voice Student Government Association presidential election: w Voting takes place April 5 through April 11. w Connect: vote.cmich.edu scholarship with the money.”

For Mouzourakis, the decision is not that easy.

“The members who are economically challenged wouldn’t be able to do anything,” she

said. “Stipends will be trimmed down, but we won’t get rid of them.”

Both candidates can spend up to $350 of their own money to campaign, through methods such as signs, chalk, T-shirts and tale tents in the cafeteria.

Campaigns started Monday.

Voting takes place April 5 through noon April 11. Students can vote at vote.cmich.edu and will be asked to use their global identification in order to vote. A winner will be named April 12. university@cm-life.com

www.cm-life.com

PAINT

[News]

| Volunteer marks Greentree anniversary

Central Michigan Life || Friday, March 19, 2010 || 5A

Census tour makes stop Thursday at Bovee UC

By David Veselenak Online Editor

Libby March/staff photographer

Stockbridge senior Jacqueline Upshur works on a window painting Thursday at Greentree Cooperative Grocery, 214 N. Franklin St. It is Greentree’s 40th year in business, and Upshur is volunteering to make art for the occasion.

Angela Hernandez said volunteering for the United States Census is her way of saying “thank you” to Mount Pleasant.

“I’ve lived here for four years,” the Allen Park senior said. “It’s kind of my way of giving back.”

Hernandez was one student volunteering at the Census tour that came to campus Thursday. Students, city and Census Bureau officials dispersed bags filled with items such as coffee mugs and mini footballs as a reminder to mail in census forms.

The tour is one of 13 of its kind going across the country to promote participation in the census.

“This is phenomenal we’ve had this kind of coverage,” said

Tucker scholarship goes to two this year

University forgoes ceremony to free award money Seth Nietering Staff Reporter

Two journalism students will receive the Lem Tucker Scholarship this year instead of one.

The scholarship, which gives high school students full tuition funding for four years and a supplementary award for room and board, is traditionally given to one student at a dinner and awards ceremony in Detroit.

But CMU decided to forgo the ceremony this year.

Odille Parker of Holland and Logan Patmon of Southfield are this year’s recipients. Steve Smith, director of Public Relations, said the time came to make changes in accordance with the struggling economy.

“The decision is a reflection of economic conditions,” Smith said. “The uni-

versity decided the money would be better spent awarding a second scholarship to a deserving student.”

The cost of the dinner and ceremony for 2009 was $50,000. Smith said removing the dinner would allow a second scholarship to be given out.

“The value is $80,000 each,” he said.

The Lem Tucker Scholarship is named after CMU alumnus Lem Tucker and was created 14 years ago to encourage and promote success for minorities in journalism.

The winners Parker and Patmon had to stand out in many different areas of the application process to earn the award, Smith said.

He said there are several requirements, including a persuasive essay, letter of recommendation and copies of their work.

Patmon is editor in chief of the Southfield Jay, his school’s newspaper.

“The decision is a reflection of economic conditions ...

The university decided the money would be better spent awarding a second scholarship to a deserving student.”

Steve Smith, Director of Public Relations

“I have been on my school paper for 2 years,” Patmon said. “I have a radio personality on my school radio station. It’s a political and news show.”

He said he plans to double major during his time at CMU and explore the legal side of journalism.

“I want to double major in journalism and political science,” Patmon said. “I’d like to become a specialist in international law. I want be one of those people who are called in as specialists and interviewed as an expert.”

Parker said she plans to

focus on print journalism.

“I like feature writing,” Parker said. “I’m interested in traveling all over to different places and writing about what I see. Of course, I also wouldn’t mind writing in a magazine about fashion.”

Parker said she has been involved in several aspects of the journalism field while in high school.

“I was the editor of my school yearbook and I write for La Community Voice/La Voz. It’s a bilingual newspaper in the area,” Parker said. studentlife@cm-life.com

Alfie Kohn speaks on education reform Wednesday

By Emily Pfund Staff Reporter

Alfie Kohn is not happy with the current education system.

Kohn, an author and activist, spoke of education reform and progressive education Wednesday to a packed French Auditorium in the Education and Human Services Building.

“Whoever said we couldn’t get a crowd out on Saint Patrick’s Day?” said Kathryn Koch, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Services, when introducing Kohn.

Kohn, featured on the “Today Show” and the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” has written 11 books on the subjects of human behavior, education and parenting, and signed books at a reception after his presentation.

He criticized the “traditional” education system in place for the majority of the country, which he said leads to low quality of learning, increases the gap between rich and poor, creates more behavior problems and causes students to lose their curiosity and intrinsic motivation for learning.

He also criticized the MEAP and other standardized tests, which he said “dumb down learning even as scores rise.”

Learning, Kohn said, should be based on understanding rather than simply being able to regurgitate facts.

“The progressive classroom is focused on sense and meaning, not the ‘right answer,’” Kohn said.

An ‘educational hero’ Kohn encouraged the audience, which included many students from Central Michi-

gan University’s education program, to use more progressive discovery-oriented methods in their classrooms and to put less emphasis on achievement and standardized tests.

He also had harsh criticism for America’s “No Child Left Behind” system and the educational system at large.

Kohn’s presentation was lightened by his use of humor and sarcasm and often broke into humorous anecdotes.

His speech was part of the T.R. Johnson Speaker Series put on by the education program.

Professor of teacher education and professor development Norma Bailey suggested Kohn for the series.

“I’ve read his books for years,” Bailey said.

Bailey called Kohn her “educational hero” and credited his books with helping her

grow as an educator.

“I’ve known about him for about 20 years. He was the first person I recommended (for the series),” Bailey said. university@cm-life.com

Paige Calamari/staff photographer

PRSSA chapter president Angela Hernandez, an Allen Park senior, passes out promotional bags during the 2010 Census Road Tour Thursday morning in front of the Bovee University Center.

cm-life.com Check the Web site a video from the Census tour.

Zaf Khaja, a partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau. “The response has been overwhelming.”

Khaja said the tour has focused especially on college campuses because this age group, especially, may be confused as to where they count.

“You are the young folk and you will define what we are as a nation,” he said. “If you don’t define it, who will?”

Where the money goes Students are required to fill the census out in the place where they live a majority of the year. On-campus students will get a form from their resident assistants and return it to them. Off-campus students can mail their forms back, or return them to the Bovee University Center or City Hall, 320

W. Broadway St. Census data is used to apportion more than $4 trillion in federal funding over the next 10 years, as well as reapportion congressional and state legislative districts, said Mike Price, media specialist for the Census Bureau.

“Representation in Congress is what makes democracy work,” he said. “We want every state to have their representation.”

Farmington Hills junior Zac Cohen, who lives off-campus, said he has not gotten his census form yet, but said the information at the tour was helpful.

“Once I get mine, I will (fill it out),” he said.

Jeff Gray, director of planning and community development for Mount Pleasant, said the city will eventually be able to track how many forms have been returned.

“Our goal is to keep that response rate up there,” he said. university@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

6A Friday, March 19, 2010

[cm-life.com/category/opinion]

Brian Manzullo, Editor

in

Chief | Will Axford, Voices Editor | Heidi Fenton, Managing Editor | Eric Dresden, University Editor | Jackie Smith, Metro Editor

EDITORIAL | State should do background checks before doling taxpayer money

‘Short’ sighted

S

tate government officials on Wednesday announced a $9.1 million tax credit for Richard Short thinking his fledgling company, Renewable and Sustainable Cos., would bring 765 jobs to Flint.

Hours after Gov. Jennifer Granholm made the announcement, news surfaced that Short, 57, is a convicted scam artist with a long history of jail time and embezzlement. He was on parole in Genesee County and building the business out of the bedroom of his friend’s mobile home.

Background checks seem like a simple and effective way to make sure incidents like this don’t happen. Yet somehow, officials failed to take such protective action.

For a state that had to temporarily shutter government work to balance an overdue budget last year, it’s baf-

fling that millions of dollars would be given away without so much as a simple check and balance. This is a huge embarrassment, and state officials need to be 100 percent sure of where taxpayer money is going.

Short’s criminal record is atrocious. According to the Detroit Free Press, he has a long history of embezzlement and serving jail time, including a 6-year sentence for stealing money from a Muskegon County business. He has been in and out of prison since then for multiple parole violations and owes the state nearly $100,000 in restitution for the dam-

age he has caused.

So while our elected officials are giving tax breaks to felons, the state’s educational level is brutally on the decline, families are literally living off unemployment and young people are leaving the state as soon as they can for lack of work.

Instead of putting the money where it needs to go, government officials are blindly giving money away without as much as a second thought.

The real kicker in the situation is that Short was discovered by Flint city process server Patrick Clawson and not the government officials that made the initial mistake.

“I unraveled this guy’s past in 15 minutes with an Internet connection.

Why in the hell couldn’t anyone in the state do this in months of negotiating a tax credit with this fellow?” he questioned in the Free Press article.

It’s a good question that our state’s bumbling leaders can’t seem to answer.

If the government is planning to dole out millions of tax dollars to individuals in the state, they should first check into where the money is actually going. State officials who approve the tax breaks should perform comprehensive background checks.

The government needs to check all current businesses that have received huge tax breaks and government funding. With this big of a debacle, it’s not farfetched to think other companies or people are scamming money as well.

This is another sore eye for Michigan. Politicians in Lansing shouldn’t have to be reminded how to do their jobs but, apparently, that’s not the case. Stop being inept and think before you spend.

The promise of new jobs and growth in Michigan is always heartwarming.

But if this is the state government’s approach of hoping for the best, citizens can only expect the worst.

CHRIS TAMLYN [CENTRAL SQUARE]

Will Axford Voices Editor

At the end of it all Graduation.

It’s the cheese at the end of a long maze known as college, the holy grail earned after years of sleepless nights and countless assignments.

But as I find myself bustling through my last semester of college, there’s a schizophrenic panic that’s slowly overtaking me. Where will I go? Can I find a job? The world may be wide open in front of me, but the infinite horizon is every bit as terrifying as it is exciting.

Truth be told, I’ve never really thought much past graduation.

What’s occurred to me after 5 years of strain and constant learning is that college isn’t about getting that perfect job. It’s not about working for the coveted 4.0 GPA or reaching a level of elitism.

It’s about growing up, working your way out of new and confusing situations. It’s about using tools you are given to make the world a better place. It’s about meeting complete strangers and turning them into friends.

Professors have warned me how tough the job market is. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment at 10.4 percent at the end of February, news that expecting graduates don’t want to hear.

What most professors fail to tell their students, though, is that they have the upper hand. Technology is moving at a blistering pace. My generation is right there moving along with it, learning about new skills before they are even implemented in the classroom.

Compound that with the social and adaptive skills that every college student needs to earn a degree, I’d wager that recent grads have more to offer than they’re told.

So when I walk down that long aisle after my name is called out, when I look out over the crowd of my fellow graduates, there will be comfort in knowing that I made it through and learned more than just what’s written on a piece of paper.

The past five years have given me enough experience to know I can make it in the real world, even if I don’t get that perfect job.

[our readers’ voice] government cutbacks. If they were Administration is overpaid to eliminate the outrageous bonus amounts (maximum $70,000 for amid CMU budget cuts I am writing in regard to the recent salaries awarded to the University President and the new Dean of the Medical College.

It is hard to believe that a dean of a specific college of the university will be making a total of $35,000 more than the president of the university in base salary. I do not believe that a dean’s salary should exceed that of the presidents.

Taking other medical school dean salaries into consideration should not have been done. It should have been what the university can afford.

The salary of President Ross is far too high of an amount of money.

Why is it that the six-letter word “interim” can cause a pay decrease of nearly $150,000? Kathy Wilbur did a much more than adequate job for the university in the time she served, and she did it on nearly half the salary of President Ross.

The university seems to be complaining that they are going to be losing money because of all of the

President Ross, and a maximum of $150,000 for Yonder), and somehow create a lesser salary amount for the faculty, it would help.

If the university truly wants to help its students with fiscal management and the cost of college, they would come up with a way to help keep tuition at lower rates. One of these solutions could be to lessen the salaries of the administration of the university.

Tanner M. Parmentier Commerce Township Junior

CMU Faculty Association welcomes Ross back On behalf of the more than 630 members of the Central Michigan University Faculty Association, I want to welcome President George Ross back to campus.

We all recognize the economic and political challenges facing our campus, state and nation.

We hope that President Ross can provide the stable leadership the campus needs in order to chart the immediate and long term future for CMU. Over its 40-year history representing a diverse faculty of scholars, teachers, artists, coaches, librarians, and counselors, the Faculty Association has built a foundation of mutual respect and collaboration with the administration.

We are committed to continuing this culture of cooperation so as to ensure a bright future for the students, faculty, and staff at CMU. We are hopeful that we can build a strong relationship with President Ross and his administration to assist in designing constructive ways to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

So along with the entire campus, the CMU Faculty Association wishes to welcome back President Ross and his family upon their return to the Mount Pleasant community.

Timothy Brannan, President CMU Faculty Association

C M Y o u | Where is you favorite place to go out in Mount Pleasant?

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

Brad Canze Columnist

Stinkin’ it up Deodorant is your friend, especially with warmer weather

Michigan has received something this year that has been very rare in recent years — a warm, pleasant mid-March.

However, as the weather warms up, there is one thing every last person who will spend an extended period of time in a college classroom must remember to do daily.

Wear deodorant.

It seems simple, it seems silly, and most people do it every single day. However, in a warm classroom, it only takes one sweaty nonconformist to ruin it for everybody.

This is a good rule for all year round, but it becomes more important when the heat and the humidity get the sweat glands pumping, and that lecture hall slowly turns into a pressure cooker.

This soon after spring break, I’ve already noticed that certain ripeness during a class.

Someone who does not wear deodorant indicates many things about themselves by their choice not to do so. It says they can’t spend $2.50 and 10 seconds a morning to take a step toward personal hygiene.

It says they have too little consideration for the people around them to prevent a sweaty stink from reaching their nostrils.

It also tells you things about that person based on what they will not be doing. They will not be making new friends. They will not be trying to win over a romantic interest. They will not be going to a formal event or a job interview.

As mentioned earlier, most people simply apply deodorant after they get out of the shower as a part of the morning routine. Deodorant is cheap and easy to apply, and there is no reason to not wear it. Sadly, my nostrils often tell me this is not the truth.

In a class of 40 people on a warm day, it is guaranteed that 39 of them will have put on deodorant that morning. But there’s always that one guy.

I don’t understand That Guy’s reasoning. Does he just have no regard for personal health or hygiene? Is he protesting or making a statement?

Does he hate people?

That Guy is a difficult creature to understand, and he rarely takes the time to explain himself.

Whatever the reason, his stink is indomitable and it overpowers everybody within a 10-foot radius.

But it’s just deodorant. There is no good reason not to wear it.

That Guy has no reason to exist.

As easy as it is to actually apply deodorant, it’s just as difficult to walk up to somebody and tell them, “Homeboy, put on some deodorant.”

But a little thing like that is the kind of thing that can really stifle and taint the college education process.

So if That Guy is reading this — and I hope he is — homeboy, put on some deodorant.

[letters to the editor]

“Island Park. I can relax over there and play sometimes.”

The library. It has everything: Food, comfort and friends.”

Suneth Kalapugama,

Lynn Lee,

Sri Lanka graduate student

Korea freshman

“My apartment, actually. 40s are much cheaper than buying beer at the bar.”

John Klein,

Reed City senior

Coco Joe’s.

It’s a nice environment.

Very good food.

It’s just a nice setting.”

Sabreen Sharrief,

Inkster senior

jake may/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.

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

Central Michigan Life || Friday, March 19, 2010 || 7A

[News]

University launches CMU Connect for Apple devices App cost Central $4,300; could expand to Android

By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter

Central Michigan University has an app for that.

It unveiled “CMU Connect” on March 4 as a new application for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, intended to inform users of happenings on campus.

The application is available for free on Apple’s “App Store.”

It includes access to CMU news, campus maps, weather and opinion polls among other features.

“It was a main goal for us to connect current students, prospective students, faculty, staff, alumni and overall fans of CMU to the institution in a unique and dynamic environment,” said

jobs | continued from 3A

and 60 percent are never advertised and are filled through network connections.

He recommended incoming students look at the list of jobs and figure out which

Loan | continued from 3A

have voiced concern about the new legislation possibly resulting in job loss for those in the financial industry. Bishop and Courtney agree these claims hold no validity as the bill does not eliminate private

Steve Smith, director of public relations, in an e-mailed statement.

The app’s design was contracted to Straxis Technology

by University Communications for $4,300 annually.

The Campus News section of the app features news from CMU’s Media Channel.

It also links to Central Michigan Life’s sports stories, but not its news stories.

Smith said CMU Connect is the school’s first iPod Touch or iPhone app, and he believed it is the first among the Mid-American Conference schools.

Paw Paw senior Jaimie Pineda tried the app on her iPod Touch and said she was impressed.

“I really like the setup,” she said. “It’s very Apple.”

Pineda said she enjoyed the news, videos and polls.

It allows people to stay more up to date with everything going on around campus, she said.

Pineda hopes future versions will include even more

interaction between individual users of the program and the university, such as moderated blogs.

“It would give the university a better idea of what students want,” she said.

one they are interested in.

“Be specific in your training, start building your job network ... Those are keys,” Dunlap said.

“When you do that, if you can do that, then you’ll get a job in Michigan.”

Central Michigan University physician’s assistant students are generally not worried about finding jobs

in Michigan or anywhere else, Eric Rocker said.

“I don’t think anyone of us would have a problem getting a job anywhere,” the Newberry graduate student said. “Most of last year’s students had two to three job offers before they graduated.”

lending, but merely directs taxpayers’ dollars toward students and their families rather than banks.

“The direct student loan program will still rely on private contractors to service loans,” Bishop said. “There’s no question that the benefit to students will make up for it.”

Courtney said they hope

to use $40 billion of the $67 billion savings exclusively to raise the maximum amount of money given by Pell Grants.

To accelerate the process, the bill has been partnered with the health-care reform bill to spare funds. That, Bishop said, was the intent all along.

Expanding University Communications is looking to release the application for Androidpowered devices, Blackberry phones and Apple devices.

Though CMU Connect does not currently interface with CMU’s information technology systems, Roger Rehm, the vice president of Information Technology and chief information officer for CMU, said he anticipates building on it.

“We’re certainly planning to make more services available through mobile devices,” Rehm said. “The app’s a good first step.”

Though the features that may make their way into the app or similar spaces need to be evaluated, some possibilities include course

schedules and bill pay, he said.

He said iPhone apps specific to universities are still fairly rare.

According to its press release, University of California, San Diego was the first public university to release a mobile app that gives access to course information.

“I really like the setup. It’s very Apple.”

Jamie Pineda, Paw Paw senior That school’s app emerged on the technology scene in June 2009.

In February, Grand Rapids Community College intro-

Pita Pit Mount Pleasant

The

duced an application which is integrated with Blackboard, the release stated. studentlife@cm-life.com

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cm-life.com | The softball team competes in the IU Classic over the weekend Central Michigan Life

Sports Weekend Friday, March 19, 2010 | Section B

First Round

Games

THURSDAY

Midwest 1. Kansas 16. Lehigh

inc.

3. Georgetown 14. Ohio

83 97

6. Tennessee

11. San Diego State

inc.

8. UNLV 9. Northern Iowa

66 69

West 2. Kansas State 15. North Texas

82 62

4. Vanderbilt 13. Murray State

65 66

5. Butler 12. UTEP

77 59

7. BYU 10. Florida

GMAC Bowl costs CMU Athletics Dept. $188,903 Team had to meet certain guidelines set

by Mobile-based game

By Lindsay Knake Senior Reporter

Central Michigan University and the Athletics Department spent $188,903 to send the football team to the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6 in Mobile, Ala. Total game costs were $561,133, which included lodging and transportation, but CMU received a $350,000 travel allocation from the Mid-American Conference and earned $22,230 in ticket sales, which helped offset the costs.

Football team transportation was $153,288 and lodging was $113,735.

15. Robert Morris

73 70 (OT)

3. Baylor 14. Sam Houston State

68 59

6. Notre Dame 11. Old Dominion

50 51

7. Richmond 10. St. Mary’s

71 80

6. Marquette

11. Washington

inc.

9:35 p.m.

7. Oklahoma State 7:15 p.m.

10. Georgia Tech

9:30 p.m.

16. Vermont 3. Pittsburgh 14. Oakland

2:45 p.m.

6. Xavier 11. Minnesota

12:25 p.m.

8. Gonzaga 9. Florida State

7:10 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

16. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 4. Purdue 13. Siena

2:45 p.m.

5. Texas A&M 12. Utah State

4:45 p.m.

8. California 9. Louisville

9:45 p.m.

East 2. West Virginia

Record: 24-4 (two pins)

James Knox (Maryland)

2

No. 8 Matt Steintrager (CMU)

3

Won 2010 MAC Championship at 125

“It was a little demoralizing at times, but I constantly picked myself up.”

Matt Steintrager, senior

photo illustration by Matthew stephens and Andrew Stover

CMU senior Matt Steintrager looks for a third place finish at the NCAA Championships in Omaha, Neb., after going 1-1 on Day 1 of the tournament. This is Streintrager’s first year as a starter.

9:40 p.m.

5. Michigan State 7:20 p.m.

12. New Mexico State

South 1. Duke

Round of 32

78

80

15. UC Santa Barbara

West 1. Syracuse

A gmac | 2B

inc.

FRIDAY

4. Maryland 13. Houston

Steintrager file Losses to: w Andrew Long (Iowa State) w Zachary Sanders (Minnesota) w James Nicholson (Old Dominion) w Brad Pataky (Penn State)* * Match today

100 16. East Tennessee State 71

Midwest 2. Ohio State

Extended value Heeke said the true value of the bowl game could not be measured to the Athletics Department.

senior First-year starter wrestling for third-place finish

East 1. Kentucky

8. Texas 9. Wake Forest

night, we did a couple of small donor functions,” Heeke said. “A very minimal entertainment expense.”

The department ran print and radio ads to spur ticket sales and printed media.

Money also was necessary to extend the season an extra month, which included 20 more practices.

“We’re ordering more tape, more medical supplies, any equipment repairs that had to be done,” Heeke said.

Bowl requirements also necessitated applying different logos to the players’ uniforms.

game and stayed one night.

“That’s all outlined in the bowl agreement that’s negotiated ahead of time between the league, which is all of our 13 schools, and the Dave Heeke bowl,” Heeke said.

All staff, players and band left immediately after the game to save money.

The non-team official travel party included staff members, university personal, the president, fund-raising staff and radio crew. Their transportation and lodging totaled $16,288.

Other expenses included $6,163 in entertainment, $3,000 in promotion and advertising and $54,600 in equipment and supplies.

“We took the team to a movie one

99 92 (2OT)

South 2. Villanova

3. New Mexico 14. Montana

The football team and coaches spent five days and four nights in Alabama, said Senior Associate Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe.

“All that is required,” he said. “They require you to stay in a certain hotel, they require you to stay there five days, four nights, require you to attend certain events.”

Band transportation was $176,211 and both the band and cheerleaders’ lodging cost $37,848.

The GMAC Bowl required CMU to bring the cheerleaders and the Marching Chippewas to participate in bowl events.

“The band is not an Athletics Department unit, so ... the university provided the dollars necessary to take the band to the game,” said Athletics Director Dave Heeke.

The band flew in the day before the

12:15 p.m.

15. Morgan State 4. Wisconsin 13. Wofford

2:50 p.m.

5. Temple 12. Cornell

12:30 p.m.

7. Clemson 10. Missouri

2:35 p.m.

Searching for Glory Senior strives for All-America honors at first NCAA tourney

By Matthew Valinski | Staff Reporter

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att Steintrager came to Central Michigan University with plenty of accolades — but it has taken him longer than most to add more in college.

Along with being a state champion his senior year in high school at Detroit Catholic Central, Steintrager also placed second at Senior Nationals and Junior Nationals.

Like most Central wrestlers, he took a redshirt his first year to get acquainted with collegiate wrestling.

However, after a rather successful season competing unattached, Steintrager was unable to secure a starting spot in the Central Michigan lineup with Luke Smith competing for the team at 125 pounds.

A year later, Steintrager again was not able to get into the starting lineup, despite taking fifth at the Michigan State Open. His only two losses in the tournament came to Angel Escobedo of Indiana and Michigan State’s Franklin Gomez, both wrestlers who would later win national titles.

After three years of not crack-

Central Michigan

INTERNATIONAL

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ing the starting lineup, Steintrager took his Olympic redshirt and went through a rough patch academically.

“It was a little demoralizing at times,” he said, “but I constantly picked myself up.”

While Steintrager had seen others around him quit the team because of lack of matches, wrestling to him was too important.

“It crossed my mind, and I thought, ‘Why am I doing this?’” he said. “But it was never as strong as the drive to continue. It was never that close.”

Coach Tom Borrelli has seen wrestlers like Steintrager — wrestlers who have great accomplishments coming into college, but cannot quite get into the starting lineup.

“If someone really enjoys the sport and feels that they can accomplish big things regardless of how much they get the opportunity to wrestle, I think it is those guys that stick it out,” he said. “It is the guys who get frustrated about not being the A starter | 2B

CMU wrestlers have shot at bronze finish in Omaha Sentes out; rest still alive for All-America finish over weekend Staff Reports

No CMU wrestlers will have a chance at a national title after Day 1 at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb. After picking up first-round wins to advance in the championship bracket, seniors Matt Steintrager, Conor Beebe, Tony D’Alie, Steve Brown, Tyler Grayson and redshirt freshman Ben Bennett all lost in the Round of 16.

Sophomore 133-pounder Scotti Sentes was eliminated from the tournament after losing 5-0 in Consolation Round 2 to Oklahoma’s Kendric Maple. Sentes defeated UC Davis’ Brandon Low 8-3 in his Consolation Round 1 match after getting pinned in his pigtail match to start the day for the Chippewas.

CMU went on a seven-match winning streak following Sentes’ opening round loss to tie for third place overall as a team with 15 points.

OPENS TODAY! FEATURING 2010 OSCAR NOMINATED

Beebe, D’Alie and Grayson all pulled upsets against seeded wrestlers to advance to the second round.

Junior 184-pounder Mike Miller advanced to the first round by beating No. 10 Mike Puccillo (Ohio State) in the pigtail match, but lost to Chattanooga’s Jason McCroskey 5-2 to fall Mike Miller to the consolation bracket. Results of his Consolation Round 1 match against Nebraska’s Josh Ihnen were unavailable at press time.

Senior 197-pounder Eric Simaz and No. 7 heavyweight Jarod Trice also fell to the consolation bracket with losses. Simaz wrestled American’s Daniel Mitchell while Trice faced Oklahoma’s Nathan Fernandez in Consolation Round 2. Results were unavailable as of press time.

Check cm-life.com for updates throughout the weekend and join the live chat at the start of tomorrow’s action at 9:30 a.m. on the Web site.

Sat., March 20 @ NOON Sun., March 21 @ NOON

Celebration! Cinema MT. PLEASANT

For a complete list of films, see page 8A

2B || Friday, March 19, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

Brown back in Mount Pleasant on eve of Chippewas’ pro day

baseball

Team looks to solidify rotation for MAC

Former CMU player focuses on speed, agility

By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter

Four-game series precedes start of conference games

By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter

starter right away and don’t really believe in the benefit of hard work that usually end up quitting.”

the Intrasquad match and the other at Midlands. Steintrager took fourth among heavy competition.

Steintrager said this season just proves why he believed all those years of waiting for his time.

“Sometimes, it was hard, but I pushed through and proved it this year,” he said.

Be sure to drop off your completed census form at City Hall 12pm – 6pm on March 23 - 25, or at CMU’s Bovee UC 11am – 5pm on March 30-April 1 for your chance at winning a

$ 250 OR 500 CASH GIVEAWAY!

$

www.mt-pleasant.org/2010census

21st Annual Pow Wow March 20-21, 2010 Rose Center

Grand Entry Saturday 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday Noon Head Veteran: George Martin MC: Sonny Smart Head Dancers: To be picked daily Arena Director: Dave Shananaquet Host Drum: Tha Tribe Admission Prices General public $7 Elders and children $5 Weekend pass $12 CMU students and SCIT tribal members FREE with I.D. Sponsors Central Michigan University Native American Programs North American Indigenous Student Organization

For more info: Native American Programs Bovee 125, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 989-774-2508 cmich.edu/powwow

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College Student Budget Allocation Committee Three Fires American Indian Science and Engineering Society IN

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This season The senior quickly moved up the rankings as the season wore on and, after dominating the Mid-American Conference competition while going 8-0 (including a firstplace showing at the MAC tournament), Steintrager was given the eighth seed entering the NCAA tournament.

Streintrager won the first round of the tournament Thursday morning. And despite losing in the second round to Penn State’s Brad Pataky, Steintrager is still vying for a third-place finish.

“I always knew that I was good enough to do it (wrestle collegiately),” Steintrager said.

“If I would’ve just fallen apart, I would have always been that guy who knew he could have done it, but didn’t.”

sports@cm-life.com

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A chance to start While Streintrager admits it was not the best of times for him through the first three seasons, he still wanted to be a part of the CMU wrestling tradition for his last year.

However, just like in previous years, if he wanted to wrestle, he was going to have to earn it.

Senior Conor Beebe had switched places in the lineup with Scotti Sentes at 125 pounds, and Steintrager was going to have to beat out the three-time and now four-time NCAA qualifier for a spot.

Borrelli said nothing was given to Steintrager this season.

Everything had to be earned.

“He had to really make the varsity because Conor made the decision to go down to 125,” he said. “I really didn’t know who the starter would be.”

But Steintrager took the starting spot and beat Beebe twice in the process, once at

sports@cm-life.com

Charity Brown will sign autographs and take pictures with all proceeds going to benefit Mount Pleasant’s Partners Empowering All Kids program.

“My goal is to give back to the kids and make sure they’re happy,” Brown said.

“The community gave me a great opportunity to play football. As a walk-on, I earned a scholarship, and one of the reasons I’m in the position I am is because of the community.”

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Jones’ contract When former football coach Butch Jones left CMU to take the head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati, his contract required that he pay $700,000 to the university for leaving early.

“The contract outlines that he’s responsible to pay that to the university,” Heeke said.

Although CMU has not received the money, the Athletics Department has been in contact with Jones and Heeke fully anticipates Jones will pay the university by the May 16 deadline.

he said of LeFevour. “I’ve been friends with him ever since I got on campus and our relationship became really, really tight. I worked out with him every summer and it’s a blessing and I’m glad I will have him.

“It’s great to see both of us reap the same benefits and doing the same thing.”

CMU is an AA/EO institution (see cmich.edu/aaeo) UComm 8296

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on the whole university.”

The GMAC Bowl helps inspire alumni to be connected to CMU and donate back to the university, and generates pride among the staff faculty and students, he said.

“That, I think, is what bowl games are all about,” he said.

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“Bowl games are not profit.

It’s the extended value that helps grow a university,” he said.

The GMAC Bowl was a tremendous reward for the team and an opportunity for CMU to be exposed in a different geographical market, he said.

Additionally, the GMAC Bowl was the only game that evening and received one of the largest viewing audiences of the bowl season. Aside from the five Bowl Championship Series games, the GMAC Bowl was one of the most watched bowl games, drawing an audience of 3.52 million, van der Merwe said.

“You just can’t measure that exposure,” Heeke said.

“It’s also a chance for us to celebrate the excellence that is occurring in our program.

We believe that helps reflect

Wednesday win Senior third baseman James Teas went 4-for-5 with three RBIs to help CMU beat Concordia 13-3 Wednesday, its second win in as many days.

Teas hit a two-run home run in the first inning that gave CMU the lead after falling behind 1-0 early.

“It’s good to get the bats going early,” Teas said. “I was happy to get some runs on the board.

It’s always key when the other team scores to answer back as soon as possible.”

CMU maintained a 2-1 lead before Concordia scored a run in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game. The Chippewas answered with three runs, including a two-run double from senior first baseman Tyler Kipke (3-for-5, 4 RBIs).

The Chippewas had a fiverun, two-out rally in the seventh inning highlighted by a two-run home run from catcher Jordan Adams (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) to seal the win.

“We had a few innings there

where we kind of stood still,” Teas said. “It was good to get a lot of runs at the end.”

Junior Matt Faiman (1-0) got the win in his first career start, allowing one earned run on four hits in five innings pitched.

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opportunity to solidify some things and get guys playing together that haven’t played together.”

Check Monday’s issue for an update on the CMU football team’s start to spring practices.

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Freshman left-handed reliever Dietrich Enns pitched two innings of relief and struck out three, while giving up one unearned run and walking three.

Antonio Brown is returning to Mount Pleasant on the eve of CMU’s Pro Day. The former CMU wide receiver returns to the town he called home for three years at 2 p.m. Saturday for a charity event at O’Kelly’s Sports Bar & Grille, 2000 S. Mission.

Brown, a junior, declared his intentions to enter the NFL Draft after CMU’s 44-41 double-overtime win against Troy at the GMAC Bowl on Jan. 6 and moved back to Miami to begin training. He is represented by nationally renowned sports agent Drew Rosenhaus.

“I’ve been doing the same thing I have been doing, preparing for the NFL Combine,” he said. “I’ve been working on the little things and working on my (football agility training) and a lot of speed work right now. Right now, it’s just maintaining my eating habits and continuing

Spring Practice

taking protein.”

W h i l e B r o w n would not speculate on the specifics of his draft projec- Antonio Brown tion, he said he feels he will leave the board early. Scout.com ranks Brown as the 27th best available wide receiver in the draft.

“I stand in a really good position,” he said. “I went to the combine and hit the bench press 13 times and weighed in really well. I think I really separated myself from a lot of guys on the big stage.”

Brown caught 301 passes for 3,176 yards and 22 touchdowns from 2007-09 for the Chippewas. He also returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns and was instrumental last season in leading CMU to a 12-2 overall record and a No. 23 Associated Press ranking.

Brown joins quarterback Dan LeFevour as the two most touted CMU players to enter the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 22-24 in New York.

“That’s a true blood to me,”

Celebrating

With Mid-American Conference play less than a week away, CMU baseball coach Steve Jaksa looks to finalize lineups and a pitching rotation this weekend when it travels to Normal, Ill., for a series with Illinois State.

CMU (6-6) plays four games in three days, beginning with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. today.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, the doubleheader was moved in anticipation of inclement weather.

“Baseball’s a game of getting yourself ready to play every day, a little different than some,” Jaksa said. “You have to have some consistency in your approach to playing the game.”

Senior Jesse Hernandez (1-1, 7.56 ERA) gets the start in Game 1.

Hernandez allowed six earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings Jesse Hernandez in the team’s 7-3 loss against North Dakota State on March 13. Sophomore Trent Howard (1-1, 5.68 ERA) starts Game 2.

The Chippewas follow up with junior Jake Sabol (2-1, 3.10 ERA) Saturday and sophomore Rick Dodridge (1-1, 1.93 ERA) Sunday.

“This is a weekend we want to look at our rotation and the lineups we have,” Jaksa said. “(Robbie) Harman’s back in, so that throws a little different mix into it. This will give us an

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Central Michigan Life || Friday, March 19, 2010 || 3B

men’s basketball

Zeigler: Someone will emerge after departures DM: You have commitments from four players — 6-foot-10 center Nate VanArendonk (Grand Haven), 6-foot-3 guard Derek Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio), 6-foot-8 forward Colin Voss (East Grand Rapids) and 6-foot-8 forward Jevon Harden (Detroit). You also have two scholarships remaining. What can you tell me about those guys and the recruiting situation?

The CMU men’s basketball team was eliminated in the Mid-American Conference tournament quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season last week with a 6960 loss against rival Western Michigan.

Senior Reporter Daniel Monson talked with coach Ernie Zeigler about the team’s 15-15 finish, the program’s status and its future.

Daniel Monson: After having time to put it in perspective, was this a successful season?

Ernie Zeigler: Overall, when you look at our season, we accomplished a lot of things and continued making steps forward. It’s kind of hard to say when you look at us getting the second road win against a BCS conference team in the program against South Florida, and probably the best non-conference win in the conference.

And we were the MAC West champs and finished over .500 in conference play, and the seasons Bitzer and Jordan Bitzer Harman had, those were definite things for us to feel good about.

At the same time, one of our goals was to have a winning season, and I think our team knows and we’ve talked about it in our team meeting (Monday), that was something that we came up short on. It was somewhat of a bittersweet season in that we accomplished some good things, but definitely left some things on the table.

DM: The last time you had to replace seniors like you have to next season was when the five departed two years ago with Giordan Watson leading the way. Next season, you have five juniors coming back, but how

file photo by Matthew Stephens

CMU coach Ernie Zeigler led CMU to two consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division titles and a 15-15 record in 2009-10.

“It was somewhat of a bittersweet season in that we accomplished some good things, but definitely left some things on the table.”

Ernie Zeigler, CMU men’s basketball coach do you replace two guys like guards Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman?

EZ: I don’t think you replace those guys. Those two, just like Watson and that first senior class, those guys were part of turning the culture around. Now you’re losing Robbie and Bitzer and (Chris) Kellermann and (Brandon) Ford, and those guys were a part of putting our program in the position to do something it’s never done before, which was to win back-to-back division titles since the league has gone to divisional play.

They established another milestone in our program. I think it is somewhat déjà vu in that when Watson graduated and that class graduated, everybody was kind of wondering who was going to step up. The seven guys who are returning, the challenge is now on them. If you were to ask that answer right now, I’d probably have to try to give you the win-

ning lottery numbers.

At the same time, I have a strong feeling that we’re going to have someone emerge.

DM: Junior Jalin Thomas said Saturday he would consider next season a disappointment if the team doesn’t reach Jalin Thomas the NCAA Tournament. Do you feel the same way?

EZ: I love the fact Jalin feels that way because that means he already has in his mind he’s going to be very determined to help improve our team next season. But I think it’s a little early to talk about team goals when the team hasn’t been fully assembled as of yet. My expectations are to continually raise the bar. The next thing to do is to have a winning season.

EZ: I think all of them enhance our athletic ability.

Colin Voss is a very multiskilled, athletic, physical power forward who can score inside and out. He’s also a good rebounder and a physical player. He’s going to have an opportunity to come in and compete right away for a spot in the rotation up front.

Nate VanArendonk is another very athletic post player who is just starting to play his best basketball. He’s another very agile, athletic post player who has good hands. He’s going to have the opportunity to come in and compete up front as well.

Jevon Harden is a 6-8, extremely athletic defender, rebounder, shot blocker.

He’s raw offensively at this point, but he’s going to give us another athlete similar to Marcus Van in terms of his ability to make plays around the basket and change shots.

I’m really excited about what those three bring to our frontcourt.

Derek Jackson is a very skilled combo guard who has the ability to play the point and off-guard position. Very good scorer, extremely tough leader, very athletic and very good on the ball defender as well. With the departure of Robbie and Bitzer, he’s going to have every opportunity to compete right away for a spot in our backcourt.

They’re all going to have great leadership from our five returning seniors. sports@cm-life.com

file photo by matthew stephens

Freshman Emily LaFontaine scored a meet-high 9.8 on the uneven bars last week and a 9.775 on the floor exercise last weekend against Ball State.

Gymnasts have last tune-up for MACs Reighard looks for healthy, confident finish

By Nick Conklin Staff Reporter

CMU gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard said the team is seeking perfection as the season nears the Mid-American Conference Championship on March 27.

But for now, the team looks to stay healthy and confident in the regular season finale against Bowling Green. The Chippewas face the Falcons at 2 p.m. Sunday.

“I feel pretty comfortable,” Reighard said. “The time off helped them be ready for this week. We are really stressing perfection, and this is when we find out who can stand up and who cannot.”

The health of the team was a question mark early in the year with injuries affecting senior Jessica Suder and junior Andrea de la Garza. However, Suder returned in the fourth week of the season to help lead the team on the beam, and she ranks second in the conference with a 9.875 high. de la Garza has been able to compete throughout her injuries and scored higher than a 9.8 in

all her events against Arizona State.

Senior Katie Simon said the team can only worry about what it can control.

“We’re trying to stay healthy,” she said. “It’s just little things you can’t do anything about, because we still have a lot of work to do this season.”

Reighard said the mental state and confidence — especially of some of the younger gymnasts — have improved.

One of his examples was freshman Emily LaFontaine.

“I feel like Emily has gained a lot of confidence, and she believes she can compete at this level ... she has really come a long way,” he said.

LaFontaine has excelled on the uneven bars and the floor exercise. Her highest bars score came last weekend against Ball State, where she posted a meet-high 9.8.

Bowling Green The Falcons enter the meet tied for first in the MAC with a 4-0 record. However, their four league wins have come against teams in the bottom of the league, all of which CMU (10-2, 3-1 MAC) previously beat.

Breanne Guy leads BGSU with an all-around high score of 38.875 (Northern Illinois). sports@cm-life.com