April 23, 2010 by Central Michigan Life

margo gets win no. 1,000, 1B

What’s on cm-life.com On

Drag show full of fun for students, 3A

Friday, April 23, 2010

Twitter

Video

@CMLifeSports Don’t miss live updates of the status of CMU players in the NFL Draft this weekend!

Strutting across town Men walk through Mount Pleasant wearing high heels to raise awareness.

Central Michigan Life

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

Staff, senior officer wages frozen for 2010-11 University cites economic outlook, appropriations By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter

Central Michigan University will not raise salaries for professional and administrative staff and senior officers for the 201011 fiscal year. According to Thursday’s P&A Communicator, a newsletter sent to Professional and Ad-

ministrative staff and senior officers, the decision was made “after a thoughtful and considerate assessment of the economic outlook, the perpetual decline in state appropriations and the necessity for modest tuition adjustments.” Maxine Kent, associate vice president of Human Resources, said it was spurred by the high level of financial uncertainty in Michigan, especially at public universities. “(We) have looked at a number of things to help,” Kent said.

About 70 percent of CMU’s budget costs go toward the salaries and benefits of CMU employees, she said. More than 700 employees make up the professional and administrative staff, which includes academic advisers, resident assistant directors and heads of major units on campus. Senior officers on campus, such as vice presidents, associate vice presidents, deans and associate deans, include about 40 employees across campus. Kent said several higher education institutions are freezing

salaries to help employees in difficult financial times. She said CMU will not implement budget-related layoffs for professional and administrative staff and senior officers, assuming the budget scenario does not worsen. “(We) will not need to lay off employees in order to balance the budget,” Kent said. Benefits Professional and administrative staff and senior officers will see a small increase in medical coverage costs.

CMU is a self-insured institution, and the employees and their families are using preventative services and wellness activities to keep themselves healthy, Kent said. “(Our) rates for medical went up a very small amount,” she said. “Prescription drugs and dental plans went down, which is very unheard of.” Currently, professional and administrative staff and senior officers pay eight percent of medical, prescription drug and dental coverage. Employees can choose be-

tween two medical coverage plans — a base plan and a less coverage plan. The base will increase 3.2 percent and the less coverage plan will increase 1.2 percent for active employees. Kent said fewer people select the plan with less coverage. She said CMU’s self-insured premiums are 15 percent lower than premiums of comparable coverage at other universities in Michigan. She said CMU was moving toward getting employees to A Wages | 2A

CMU to enforce computer lab printing limit

$10 worth of free pages for students per semester

By Connor Sheridan Senior Reporter

The days of printing 20page PowerPoint presentations in Central Michigan University’s computer labs may soon be numbered. A new student printing service will launch during the Summer II semester and will allocate $10 worth of free pages to each student, equal to 250 black-and-white or about 31 color pages per semester. Per page, it equals out to paying four cents for black and white or 32 cents per page for color. Additional print credits can be purchased in $2 increments — 50 black and white pages — at a time. “We’re not looking to make a profit on this,” said Roger Rehm, vice-president of Information Technology and chief information officer. “We’re looking to make people responsible about what they need to print.” Rehm said electronic methods of submitting assignments, such as through Blackboard, will be encouraged. He said the 250-page print limit likely will not be a permanent solution but, instead, the first of many steps toward updating the student computing situation around campus. This could eventually include students being allowed to print from home and pick up documents from on-

How much to print? Starting this summer, CMU is limiting each student to $10 worth of free pages to print on campus per semester. w Black-and-white pages: 250 w Color pages: About 31 campus computer labs. “I think, in a few years, we’ll find far less reliance on those big public labs,” Rehm said. Rehm said graduate students often need to print out much longer documents or assignments than undergraduates and may need to be given special consideration based on the service’s results. The 250-page quota was inspired by data from the print labs suggesting about 75 percent of students print out no more than 250 pages per semester. Saginaw Valley State University uses the same limit, Rehm said. While the issue may mean big changes for students who rely on the print labs, Clarkston senior Angela Zott approves of the measure. “I think it’s a good idea, because a lot of people waste paper,” Zott said. Last semester, CMU cut hours in the previously 24-hour Grawn and Woldt computer labs, cutting an estimated $80,000. The university budgets about $350,000 per year on the public labs. university@cm-life.com

photos by libby march/staff photographer

Freeland junior Kelly Laatsch watches her Sign Language Interpreter, Jennifer Libiran, while working on a group project in EDU 345: Science Methods in Elementary Education class Thursday morning in the College of Education and Human Services Building. Laatsch is studying to become an elementary teacher to work with deaf children.

life in monaural Student thrives in ASL community By Connor Sheridan | Senior Reporter Laatsch talks with her sign language interpreter, Jennifer Libiran, on the way to print a paper Thursday morning outside Fabiano Hall.

elly Laatsch is a citizen of two worlds: one of sound and one of sign. She is a deaf person with a cochlear implant, a small device implanted in her left ear which allows her to hear sounds and voices. The 20-year-old Central Michigan University junior from Freeland wants to teach deaf children after she graduates. “It’s not a challenge — it’s just their life,” she said. Laatsch was born deaf, and her parents, Tom and Lori Laatsch, started teaching her American Sign Language around 18 months after she was born. Her entire family can hear, but are extremely supportive, she said. Lori Laatsch even took a community college course

EARTH DAY | See page 5A for the story

in ASL when Kelly started to learn it. Tough decisions As their first child, Kelly said things would have been tough enough without the necessary extra considerations. She was only nine and

matthew stephens/senior photographer

best option. “I’m actually really happy — if they waited, I wouldn’t hear as well,” Laatsch said. The issue of cochlear implants in children is so contested because it involves balancing the deaf communal

A asl | 2a

Provost Shapiro drops interim title; pay increases by $56,000 By Eric Dresden University Editor

Rockwood sophomore Kim Donoghue holds up a shirt to see how it looks on her boyfriend, Mason sophomore Jared Clapsaddle, Thursday during CMU’s Earth Day celebration at Warriner Mall.

not yet old enough to be responsible for her own welfare when she received her first cochlear implant, an extremely controversial issue in the deaf community. Laatsch is glad her parents gave her time to grow and develop before they ultimately decided it was the

Gary Shapiro is officially Central Michigan University’s second-in-command after serving two stints as an interim. University President George Ross named him provost on Thursday afternoon, nine months after Shapiro took the job temporarily. “I felt I could contribute to the university,” Shapiro said. “I’m just delighted. I’ve been successful at this university … (I’m) hoping to help students, faculty and staff.” Shapiro the former dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Be-

havioral Sciences, took over for Julia Wallace, who left to become provost at Saint Cloud State University last July. He also served as interim provost in 2007 before Wallace took over. Gary Shapiro Director of Public Relations Steve Smith said Shapiro will make $253,000 annually — $56,000 more than the $197,000 he received as interim provost. Wallace made $200,000 annually before she resigned. Smith said the provost search was conducted internally.

“Personally, I think it’s a great hire,” he said. Shapiro said he is happy to continue working with Ross, whom he worked alongside while serving as interim provost in 2007. Shapiro said he knows the two work well together. “(Ross) has always been very honest and forthcoming,” he said. Shapiro said he has been at CMU for 31 years. He said the next focus will be on replacing interims in the near future. “Early in the fall, we want to conduct searches for interim positions,” he said.

A shapiro | 2A

2A || Friday, April 23, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

EVENTS CALENDAR Today w “The Big FAT Lie: Fats, Oils and the Cholesterol Myth,” an event discussing questions about cholesterol and heart disease, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Naturopathic Community Center, 503 E. Broadway St. w The Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exhibition takes place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in Finch Fieldhouse 110. The event is a display of student research.

Saturday w The Mount Pleasant Music Studio’s School of Rock will hold a concert at 7 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St. w Orchesis Dance Concert takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Bush Theatre. Tickets are $5.50 for students and $7.50 for the general public. The show also takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Sunday w The Central Michigan University Choirs performs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Music Building’s Staples Family Concert Hall.

cm-life.com

wages |

EMU elects to freeze costs for its students Burdette: CMU unaffected, will make own decision By Amelia Eramya Senior Reporter

It is like the Central Michigan University Promise — only in simpler and shortterm form. Students at Eastern Michigan University will face no tuition increase for the 2010-11 academic year. The university’s Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a $280.9 million budget along with a 0 percent increase in tuition, fees, and room and board. David Burdette, CMU’s vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, said that will not change things for students in Mount Pleasant despite the school’s similarity in size to EMU. “(Central Michigan University) is going to make its own decision on what is best for CMU,” he said. Geoff Larcom, EMU’s executive director of media relations, said EMU made the decision out of a desire to help students financially and educationally. “The key was that, given the economic conditions,

it’s the right move at the right time for students in Michigan,” he said. Last fall, tuition for instate students was $238.25 per credit hour for courses up to the 499 level. EMU students are required to pay other student fees — general, technology and student union fees — not included in the tuition rate. “EMU had the lowest tuition increase — 3.82 percent — among public universities and colleges in the state last year,” Larcom said. With no increases in tuition, student fees, and room and board, he said, an in-state EMU undergraduate student taking 30 credit hours will pay $8,377 for tuition and student fees. Room and board for a standard 18-meal and double occupancy room will remain fixed at $7,786, he said. Burdette said what EMU is doing is interesting, but University President George Ross has repeatedly stated tuition is not the answer to all financial problems on campus. “(We) will be modest to very modest in what we propose,” Burdette said. Public Relations Director Steve Smith said CMU will

continued from 1A

CMU vs. EMU Cost comparison for 201011 in-state undergraduate students taking 30 credit hours a year: w w

EMU: $8,377 tuition and fees; $7,786 room and board (18-meal-per-week plan) CMU: $10,170 tuition and fees*; $8,092 room and board (unlimited meal plan)

* - Does not include possible increase in July. set a rate to maintain academic integrity. He said the university aims to prepare students for success once they leave campus, and it must do so in its own fashion. “(We) have our own priorities and mission here,” Smith said. He noted students who were enrolled at CMU before the fall of 2008 are still paying the Central Promise rate. “More than 20 percent of (our) students returning to CMU will still be paying that rate,” Smith said. “They will not experience an increase.” university@cm-life.com

pay up to 15-percent premium share. CMU was expected to increase employees’ premium share by 1.5 percent for 2009-10, but instead froze the premium share because of the uncertain economy and the delayed decision relative to the 09-10 salary adjustment, Kent said. “(We) decided to not do that this year,” Kent said. “(We) know many people are struggling.” Professional and administrative staff and senior officers may choose from several plans — single, two-person or family coverage. Kent said professional and administrative staff and senior officers have the opportunity to change their plans on May 3. “It’s a cafeteria plan,” Kent said. “(Employees) go through and they pick a plan.” Assuming the related employees do not change their health care plans, there will

Shapiro | continued from 1A

According to a statement issued by the university Thursday, 36 percent of CMU’s senior officer positions are held by interims, 33 percent of which are in academic affairs. The situation is one which puts academic leadership under “tremendous strain,” Ross said. Ross said Shapiro is the right fit for the position and has his priorities straight. “Having continuity of leader-

be a very small increase, she said. For individual medical coverage, there will be a 50-cent increase in monthly payments. For two-person medical coverage plans, the monthly payment will increase $1.06. For family coverage, that cost will increase $1.07. There are no changes for prescription drug coverage. The monthly plan premium for active employees for both prescription drug plans will decrease by 4.5 percent. There also are no changes for dental coverage. Monthly plan premiums for active employees for the base plan, which the majority of employees have, will decrease by 8.4 percent. The higher plan, which includes orthodontist coverage, will decrease by 2.4 percent. The monthly premium for long-term disability will decrease by 6.25 percent. Life insurance rates will stay the same, Kent said. university@cm-life.com

ship, paired with institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of our academic infrastructure, is critical during this period of transition,” he said in the statement. “Provost Shapiro and I have a history of working well together, and I have a high degree of confidence and comfort in his ability to continue driving our academic agenda in his role as Provost.” Shapiro said his focus is still on students. “The key is preparing students to be successful,” he said. university@cm-life.com

COMMUNITY EVENT isabella county

what’s your personal best?

Millage proposal up to voters Eight-year request heading to Aug. 3 ballot By Edward Schutter Staff Reporter

Isabella County residents will vote on another millage this year. The county Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the Chippewa River District Library’s request for a proposed 1.75 mills over the next eight years to aid out-ofdistrict library branches. This marks the second millage request approved for the Aug. 3 ballot within the last few weeks. Also on the ballot will be a two-mill increase for the Isabella County Road Commission to be earmarked for maintenance of county roads. Commissioner George Green, who voted against putting the library’s request on the

asl | continued from 1a

identity with giving the child as many options as possible, she said. Laatsch will receive a second cochlear implant in her right ear in May at the University of Michigan, with the same doctor who did her first operation. This time, it was entirely her decision. She is nervous, but looks forward to an improved ability in singling out voices in noisy environments and localizing sounds. “Life is short, I want to be able to experience what I can,” Laatsch said. Love as a language Kelly met her boyfriend, Joe Flattery, at Delta Community College. She transferred from there last year.

ballot, said he has not heard residents back it up. “I haven’t got any support for this in my district,” Green said. “We are in really hard times right now.” Green and Commissioner John Haupt were the only two who voted against putting the request on the August ballot. Haupt agreed times were tough and referred to a story he heard of a man losing his job recently. “I don’t want to be responsible for passing the millage and kicking someone out of their home,” Haupt said. Commissioner James Moreno said he did not see any problem with placing the library millage request on the ballot. “I’m willing to respect the will of the people on this and at least place it on the ballot,” Moreno said. “I realize it’s tough times, but I also realize that people have to pay for things.”

Flattery, a Chesaning junior, transferred to CMU this year; but not before brushing up on a different sort of language — love. “We’d been dating for about one or two months, then school started up, so I ended up taking sign language class at Delta,” he said. The two are active members of the American Sign Language Society at CMU. Gaylord graduate student Matt Pearson befriended Kelly after meeting her through the RSO, of which he has been a long-time member. He said they and many other members of ASLS often go out for coffee or a few frames of bowling around town. “We try to be a normal group of people who happen to talk with their hands,” Pearson said.

If the millage request is approved by voters in August, it would cost taxpayers about $150 to $200 each year. The board said it is in no way supporting the request one way or the other. “All we have is indicate the willingness to put this on the ballot,” Ling said. “This allows people to voice an opinion.”

6K RUN/WALK FOR CHARITY

April 24, 2010 NOON - ISLAND PARK MT. PLEASANT

Corrections Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting. It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com.

High 65/Low 39 Mostly Sunny

0 percent chance of precipitation

60 percent chance of precipitation

Sunday High 52/Low 42 Rain

Zeta Tau Alpha

Crown Classic powered by:

RUN FOR WATER

LIVE EARTH

Sponsored by:

s d a e r who cm life? acebook us... or email RUNFORCHARITY2010@GMAIL.COM for details

studentlife@cm-life.com

Saturday High 63/Low 46 Thunder Storms

14th Annual

Central Michigan Life

y be... a m n o ti s e u q r e tt e b The

WEATHER FORECAST Today

ﬁnd out at the:

lk a W / Run OD + FOIZES–– +–P–R––––ER! – INN =W

metro@cm-life.com

ERNIE ZEIGLERach Head Basketball Co

CM Life reader for 4

Who Doesn’t?

ay in tune “I read CM life to st with our with what is going on ity.” students and commun

acebook and

years. IN PRINT

•

ONLINE

CM-Life.com

•

OUR READERSHIP GROWS DAILY!

Central Michigan Life

436 MOORE HALL • CMU • MOUNT PLEASANT

•

(989) 774-3493

inside life Central Michigan Life

3A Friday, April 23, 2010

CMU Trustee appointments in jeopardy Lawmakers feel next governor should make appointments By Sarah Schuch Senior Reporter

Recent appointments to the governing boards of eight Michigan universities are getting a second look by state lawmakers. The State Senate announced a proposal to block Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s recent trustee nominations. Central Michigan University is among the schools affected by the proposal, spearheaded by Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop. The Senate Gov. Jennifer Republican Granholm Caucus tried to move on it Thursday, but had procedural issues, said Matt Marsden, press secretary for Bishop, R-Rochester. However, Bishop hopes the proposal will move forward within the next week. “We think it is the next governor’s right to pick who he or she wants on the board of the higher education,” Marsden

A George W. Bush-era policy was repealed Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education to better ensure equal opportunities for male and female athletes. The new policy requires schools and universities to adhere to more stringent criteria to prove officials comply with provisions of the federal Title IX gender equality law. The policy enacted in 2005 allowed a school to prove it met the interests and ability of female athletes by distributing a survey to gauge student input. But because a non-response to the survey is considered a lack of interest in sports, according to the survey’s criteria, results were widely misinterpreted to prove disinterest in starting new women’s sports among students, which critics say hampered opportunities for female athletes. Marcy Weston, a senior associate athletic director at Central Michigan University, said failures to respond should not automatically be associated with disinterest in starting new women’s sports because it’s possible respondents just did not take the time to fill out

Be My Neighbor Day

“Be My Neighbor Day,” takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Down Under Food Court in the Bovee University Center. The day is dedicated to volunteering at different places around Mount Pleasant. Students can sign up at volunteer.cmich.edu.

said. “They wouldn’t take positions for nine months. If we approved them, they would sit for eight months.” The two appointees to Central Michigan University’s Board of Trustees are Ronald C. Edmonds, vice president and controller of the Dow Chemical Co., and Kevin F. Kelley, Wayne County’s director of senior and veterans services. Aside from CMU, about 17 members were nominated by Granholm for governing board positions at Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Oakland, Ferris State, Michigan Technological, Northern Michigan and Grand Valley State universities. Marsden said the decision has nothing to do with the qualifications or party affiliations of the candidates. It is just not how the process is historically done, he said — if there were vacancies open now, this would not be an issue. Appointments bipartisan? Public Relations Director Steve Smith referred comment to Granholm’s office. Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for the governor, said because Trustees Gail Torreano and Stephanie Comai have terms ending Dec. 31 and Granholm will wrap her term Jan. 1, 2011, new trustees would be in during her governorship.

Dog wash

Students can get their dogs washed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1435 Ridge Road. Cost is $7 per dog, or 2 dog washes for $12. All proceeds will benefit various events and conferences hosted by Pre-vet members. For more information, e-mail Tonya Neuman from the Pre-Vet Club at neuma1tm@cmich.edu.

A cappella concert

The Central Michigan University a cappella groups On The Rox and Fish N Chips will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Admission is $5 in advance or $6 at the door. For more information, e-mail On the Rox President Nicole Bouman at bouma1na@cmich.edu.

Film Production Showcase

photos by jeff smith/staff photograher

Drag Queen Eva Angelica performs on stage during Pride Week’s Drag Show Wednesday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. The show featured dancing and lip-syncing to popular artists such as Miley Cyrus and the Black Eyed Peas.

Queens

A trustee | 4a

Title IX stronger with policy repeal By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter

[Life in brief]

the survey. “I am comfortable with the change in this policy because I feel the survey took a default position, meaning ‘no answer’ indicated the respondent was satisfied with what is in place,” she said. “(No) comment doesn’t necessarily mean an affirmative response.” Schools and universities will now be required to show stronger evidence that they offer equal opportunities to athletes and will not be able to rely on the survey method only. Derek van der Merwe, a CMU senior associate athletic director and a member of the Gender Equity and Diversity Committee on campus, said CMU uses the survey method to prove compliance but, because of the new policy, will look to other traditional ways. “With this methodology off the table,” he said, “we will have to explore other available methodology to substantiate compliance.” He said in addition to the survey, schools and universities can prove they are in compliance by proving their female athletic participation rates are proportionate to rates of enrollment by showing a history of expanding opportunities for A policy | 7a

on Campus GSA hosts drag show for Pride Week in front of 1,300 By Heather Hilman | Staff Reporter

aughter rocked Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium on Wednesday night as students crowded in to watch drag queens strut their stuff. About 1,300 were packed into the auditorium within five minutes after doors opened for the 5th Annual Drag Show. The show, a part of the Gay Straight Alliance’s Pride Week, had no limits — from foul language and 4/20 jokes to sexy dances. And no audience member, straight or gay, male or female, was safe from the sharptongued host — Sabin, who walked the aisles searching for the next participant of his act, willing or not. “The reason I called out the straight people is because walking through those doors is the biggest compliment you can give us and others in the gay and lesbian communities,” Sabin said. Pride co-chairwoman Stasi Russell said she was happy to

see the queens return to CMU for another year. “Pride is about being proud of who you are,” said the Hartland student, who has a Master’s Degree and is working on her second undergraduate. “That’s what a queen does.” Alex Barill was one of Sabin’s targets. The Grosse Ile freshman caught the eye of the drag queen, who was highly disappointed to learn Barill’s sexual orientation. “She seemed disappointed that I was straight,” Barill said.

Clarkston senior Ana Allingham dances on stage with drag queen Delicious during Pride Week’s Drag Show Wednesday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Delicious went into the audience and gave several people lap dances.

“It is not what I was expecting at all — in a good way. I’m really glad I came.” From the heart Barill was not the only audience member heckled by the diva. Sabin enjoyed making attendees talk about everything, such as when they lost their virginity and the possibility of them coming backstage after the show. A Drag | 4A

Relay for Life fundraiser to offer sports, massages $42,000 raised thus far for American Cancer Society By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

file photo

The annual Relay for Life takes place from 4 p.m. today to 7 a.m. Saturday in the Student Activity Center’s Large Sports Forum. The event is a fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Andrea Wight wants students to acknowledge the struggles of those affected by cancer. The Newport senior, along with other students, helped organize a Relay for Life fundraiser from 4 p.m. today to 7 a.m. Saturday in the Student Activity Center’s Large Sports Forum. “The Relay for Life is the

largest cancer fundraiser that the American Cancer Society offers,” Wight said. “It is offered in over 20 different countries now.” Students can do more than just walk around the track. The event will include massages, tie-dyeing Tshirts, sumo wrestling and sports tournaments including dodgeball, basketball, soccer and volleyball, said Auburn junior Meagan Kravat, event chair for Relay for Life. Each event requires a specific donation, which varies in cost. Students can pledge donations throughout the event, but will have to pay

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

If you go... Relay for Life w When: 4 p.m. today to 7 a.m. Saturday w Where: The Student Activity Center’s Large Sports Forum w Cost: Free with required donations, $10 after 10 p.m. today a $10 donation to enter the SAC after 10 p.m. Wight said she expects around 1,500 participants. From 24 hours to 15 The event is hosted by A relay | 4A

F1rst Post Entertainment’s Film Production Showcase takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium. This showcase features work from the past two years. This no-cost event is open to all students and the public. F1rst Post is a student group focused on filmmaking and video production, with collaboration and sharing knowledge and ideas at the core of its beliefs. For more information, e-mail koszt1sn@cmich.edu.

NASCAR party

CMU’s NASCAR Kinetics group hosts a viewing party at 12:30 p.m. Sunday in Pearce Hall 127. The group will watch NASCAR and offer free food and prizes.

Alpha Sigma Tau barbecue

Alpha Sigma Tau hosts its 10th annual barbecue from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Island Park, 331 N. Main Street. Tickets cost $4 from a member and $5 at the door. A raffle and silent auction are included. All proceeds support Pine Mountain Settlement School and Habitat for Humanity.

Bill Caul to speak Tuesday

State Representative Bill Caul will speak to the College Republicans at the group’s Tuesday meeting from 9 to 10 p.m. in Anspach Hall 169. Caul represents the 99th district which includes Mount Pleasant.

Final exam stress relief

Dog Tales, a nonprofit group, will bring therapy dogs to the CMU residents halls during final exam week. The dogs will be in Larzelere Hall from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday before visiting the other halls throughout the week.

Maple Syrup Festival

The Maple Syrup Festival in Shepherd takes place today, Saturday and Sunday. The event features pancakes, pony rides, a tractor pull and amusement rides. For more information, call Pete Alexander at 828-5422 or Robert Courter at 828-6844.

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

4A || Friday, April 23, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News] union township

Officials approve plans to expand two businesses Master plan for land preservation also evaluated By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

Nathan Kostegian/staff photographer

Kathy Beebe, coordinator of the advisory committee for the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation, talks about the new Access Adventure Trail that runs from Chipp-A-Waters park approximately one mile south. The trail was made possible by a $419,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Trail for disabled opens June 26 Soup and Substance discusses ‘flexible’ pathway By Ashante Thomas Staff Reporter

A new Access Adventure Trail in Mount Pleasant will aim to help people with disabilities. The pathway opens June 26 and will extend from Chipp-AWaters Park one mile south. Some of the trail’s amenities include wheelchair accessible benches and picnic tables, textured kiosks and signage displaying GPS location coordinates. The Access Adventure Trail bridge will be eight feet wide and 150 feet long. Kathy Beebe, the coordinator from the Mount Pleasant Community Foundation, presented the project during a Soup and

trustee | continued from 3a

“The bottom line is the (Michigan) Constitution doesn’t put a time limit on the Governor’s authority,” Boyd said. She said it is tradition the leav-

Relay | continued from 3A

the Colleges Against Cancer registered student organization, which has pledged $65,000 to the American Cancer Society. “All of the money that is raised goes toward the American Cancer Society,” Wight said. “Each team brings a fundraiser to the event to try and raise money, plus they raise

drag | continued from 3A

One male attendee kissed Sabin on stage. “It takes a real big man to get up here and play my games,” Sabin told the audience to thunderous applause. Between Sabin’s charades, he and fellow queens Eva, Cheetah Jameson and Delicious performed seductive dance routines to songs including Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the U.S.A.” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “Imma Be.”

Substance discussion Thursday in the Bovee University Center. Beebe said the goal of the project is inclusion. “Everyone can use it,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how disabled you are. It’s flexible.” There are approximately 8,613 people with a disability living in Isabella County, and the new adventure trail is considerate of people with cognitive and physical disabilities, Beebe said. Equal access in recreation is not something siblings Emily and Andrew Clairmont have previously thought about. Livonia sophomore Andrew Clairmont said people usually try to make sure access is available in buildings like supermarkets, but not parks. The trail is made possible by a $419,000 grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation to the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation in partnership with the City of Mount Pleasant Parks

and Recreation Department. The City of Mount Pleasant contributed $200,000. Beebe said CMU is doing its part to spread awareness about the trail and the importance of inclusion. The university is creating a virtual tour of the trail for potential visitors to plan their visit, and members of the Volunteer Center’s David Garcia Project are presenting at local elementary schools. Every second grader in Isabella County also will receive a copy of “Bear’s Friends Find a Way,” a book written as part of the Access to Recreation program to promote awareness and empathy for people living with disabilities. The grand opening will include a ribbon cutting, races, food and giveaways.

ing governor would fill many open positions before leaving office. The same thing happened with former Gov. John Engler, Boyd said. Engler appointed A. Douglas Rothwell to Michigan Technological University’s Board of Control in 2002 before he exited as governor. Boyd said she feels Gra-

nholm’s trustee appointments were bipartisan and there is not any reason for them not to be confirmed by the Senate.

money before the event.” Kravat said the group has raised $42,000 and hopes to raise the additional $23,000 needed to reach its goal. There will be three ceremonies addressing cancer awareness during the event. The Celebrate Ceremony begins at 4 p.m. and recognizes student and community cancer survivors. “We have 22 survivors this year,” Wight said. “They take the first lap of Relay.” The Remember Ceremony

takes place at 10 p.m. to honor those lost to cancer. Participants can decorate luminaria bags with the names of loved ones. Glow sticks will be placed inside the bags. The Fight Back Ceremony is scheduled for 3 a.m. and will promote cancer prevention awareness. In previous years, the event lasted 24 hours, but Wight said it was shortened to 15 hours to encourage participation.

The drag queens worked the stage in stilettos, dresses, jewelry and full make-up. Members of the audience stood by the side of the stage with dollars in their hands to show the queens their approval. Amid all the fun, things turned serious when Sabin emotionally told audiences the story of the struggles he faced. The 27-year-old said he almost did not make it past 19 because of depression after an injury ruined his dance career. Sabin told the crowd it was due to the love he received while performing at Central

Michigan University that he is still here today and loving what he does. “We stand up here and dance and joke, but it’s not just a dress — sometimes, it means something more to people,” Sabin said. “It’s because of people like you I’m still here.”

studentlife@cm-life.com

-University Editor Eric Dresden contributed to this report. university@cm-life.com

studentlife@cm-life.com

Union Township officials approved site plans for expanding two businesses Wednesday at a Planning Commission meeting. Dane Clark received permission to expand his machine refurbishing business with a 7,000-square-foot building at 1215 S. Mission Road. There is a 3,000-squarefoot building on the property that Clark, owner of Doerr Heating and Cooling, plans to remove once the new building is completed. “Eventually, I’d love to see that structure not be used, maybe taken down,” Clark said. “Right now, there are a few things in disarray … but right now we’re in that construction phase.” Clark will not need to install sidewalks until the township installs sidewalks on adjacent properties. Sandy Howell received permission to continue with her plans for an expansion at 2120 E. Remus Road. “It used to be Prime Meats,” Howell said. “My goal for that building is to turn it into a sewing school.” The school, Dream Key Designs, will offer sewing, fashion design and CAD design classes, she said. The building will be reworked inside to contain classrooms. She was given the goahead to extend the building 41.5 feet and pave around the outside. “That will put us about even with the gunsmith shop and the Isabella Credit Union drive-thru,”

Howell said. “We wanted to take the building out close to the road because it is almost invisible.” Howell also does not need to plan for sidewalks, but will be responsible for their installation once there are other sidewalks put in. Master Plan Discussion Continues Township officials also evaluated a master plan Wednesday to encourage agricultural land preservation. The township is seeking input from agricultural property owners in two meetings, at noon May 18 and at 5:30 p.m. May 19, before making any final decisions. The meetings will be held at Union Township Hall, 2010 S. Lincoln Road. Land owner responses are unpredictable, said Planning Consultant Cindy Winland. They may feel the township is overstepping its bounds by removing their right to sell their property to whoever they want, she said. In some parts of the state, she said property val-

ues have gone up once the property was protected. Other farmers receive fewer complaints from neighbors because of the restrictions placed on residential areas. “The greatest impact would be on industrial development or commercial development through zoning,” Winland said. “In practices, I don’t know that most people would even realize it.” The most effective way for the township to limit growth would be to limit the extension of services such as sewer and water into designated agricultural areas, Winland said. Township officials expressed concern this may limit growth opportunities, especially in tough economic times. “With the Michigan economy in the shape it’s in ... (there is a) necessity to stay flexible,” trustee John Dinse said, “to not let master plans constrain economic opportunities.” metro@cm-life.com

www.cm-life.com

[News]

Stress Out Day features food, massages and yoga By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

matthew stephens/senior photographer

Menominee sophomore Kelsey Anonich tie-dyes a T-shirt with her friend Thursday afternoon at Warriner Mall during CMU’s Earth Day celebration.

Warriner Mall goes green, gets creative for Earth Day By Ryan Czachorski Senior Reporter

A “plastic bag monster” visited campus Thursday. It was created by Central Michigan University’s recycling program and unleashed during an Earth Day celebration in Warriner Mall. Dorr senior Brian Zerfas covered himself from head to toe in old plastic bags and spent the day at CMU recycling’s booth and venturing around campus. He said he wanted people to know the harmful nature of plastic bags. “It’s just to get people’s attention and care about Earth Day,” Zerfas said. “It’s going quite well.” Zerfas got the idea from a YouTube video of a similarly dressed man roaming the streets of San Francisco. Here’s to Earth Students filed in and out of

Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 23, 2010 || 5A

“It’s just to get people’s attention and care about Earth Day.” Brian Zerfas, Dorr senior

The feeling is one that unites all college students this time of year: That familiar tug of stress before the school year comes to a close. The Active Minds registered student organization at Central Michigan University wants students to relax. The group is hosting “National Stress Out Day” from 1 to 3 p.m. today at Warriner Mall. “It’s a few hours to just relax and to relieve stress from the end of the semester, from exams approaching,” said Shelby Township junior Katie Strong, the group’s president. “College life in general can be very stressful.” Participants can expect free food in addition to stress-reducing activities including caricature drawings, sidewalk-chalk art, bubble-blowing and making stress balls, Strong said. There also will be free pizza,

students.” After checking out the various booths, some students stuck around Warriner Mall to enjoy the weather and listen to Karma Yoga, a local band that played at the event. Phillip Medina, a Mount Pleasant senior, represented the American Indian Science and Engineering Society booth. He said he felt the event helped spread the group’s message of increasing Native Americans in the science and engineering fields. “We’ve given out a lot of information and talked to a lot of good people today,” Medina said. studentlife@cm-life.com

If you go... w w w w

What: National Stress Out Day When: 1 to 3 p.m. today Where: Warriner Mall Cost: Free

Angela Stader, the group’s treasurer and secretary, has been involved with the RSO since her freshman year. She first learned about the RSO from a flyer in a classroom. “The topic of mental health issues is really important to me,” the White Lake junior said. “I wanted to help.” She said one of the goals of Active Minds is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. “(We’re) trying to normalize mental illness and have it okay to talk about it,” Stader said. “A lot of people experience stress in college.” studentlife@cm-life.com

517 sign banner to salute troops By Rachel Mater Staff Reporter

Warriner Mall during the seven-hour event. It featured interactive booths where students could make notebooks out of recycled boxes and learn about the green movement on campus. One such booth informed students on new energy-saving measures Facilities Management used in building the Education and Human Services Building. Montague junior Karlee Cederquist said she appreciates the measures the university is taking to become greener and save money. “It was really cool to see what people are doing to take care of our Earth,” she said. “Anything they can do to help us save money will help us as

cookies, pop and water and free massages. A group yoga session begins at 2 p.m. Strong said this is the second year the group has hosted the event. About 40 students participated in last year’s stress-out day activities, she said. Strong said Active Minds at CMU strives to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The national Active Minds organization is an advocacy group for mental health and has run National Stress Out Day for five consecutive years. “40 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety disorders,” Strong said. She said 1,100 college students commit suicide every year. Strong hopes to promote the Active Minds cause in addition to relieving stress. “It’s a great time for (students) to become more aware of mental health and the stigmas surrounding those illnesses,” she said.

A banner bound for Afghanistan is full of signatures from well-wishers. College Republicans held the second “Salute to the Troops” event Wednesday in Central Park, next to the Charles V. Park Library. A banner was supplied for students to sign and send to the Michigan Army National Guard’s 125th Infantry Division’s Company C of Wyoming, stationed in Afghanistan. “I think people should always support the troops; some people don’t support the cause, but people should always support the troops,” said Canton freshman Richard Peters. The CMU Bookstore donated 150 shirts and donations

were accepted to help cover the shipping cost of the shirts. “I know lots of people in the military — I’ve got family in the military and friends right here at CMU who are about to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan,” said Travis Faber, Battle Creek senior and member of the College Republicans. Faber said only part of the unit is there now, so some not stationed stopped by and signed the banner. Kevin Cotter, Republican candidate for State Representative of the 99th District, attended and said he knows someone recently out of the military. He said he thinks the banner will mean a lot to the troops. “I think it also is good to bring awareness to the students here on campus as they see this and sign — it brings it

to the forefront of their mind the sacrifices that others are making to protect our freedoms,” Cotter said. Faber said he thinks students need to do more to support the troops. “It takes half a second to sign your name to something that will hopefully bring a lot of joy to somebody that’s over in a country really far away from here,” Faber said. The total amount of money donated was $23.91 and about 517 signed the banner. Cotter said the troops’ efforts are very noble. “They are putting their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Without our troops we would not have those freedoms,” he said. studentlife@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, April 23, 2010

[cm-life.com/category/opinion]

Brian Manzullo, Editor

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

EDITORIAL | State Senate smart to wait for the next Gov. to approve Trustee members

A new board

ov. Jennifer Granholm’s two nominations to the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees are under the magnifying glass of the state Senate. Granholm attempted in March to fill two term-limited seats — those of Trustee Gail Torreano and Trustee Stephanie Comai — but state officials are not about to accept the choices without further questioning. Senators say they would rather see the next governor make the decisions since Granholm’s term ends in December. We applaud the Michigan Senate for stepping up and approaching the nominations with caution. A university’s board of trustees is extremely influential, dictating

all major decisions. From tuition rates to budget cuts to holding the university president accountable, no action goes into motion without the approval of the board. To simply accept any nomination made by Granholm without a second guess would be irresponsible on the part of the Senate. Keeping students in mind is crucial to improving the economic climate of this state. Granholm appointed Ronald C. Edmonds and Kevin F. Kelley to the board.

The Senate would rather see the nominations made after the next governor is elected; it has nothing to do with the nominees’ lack of qualifications. This logic makes perfect sense. Why would students and lawmakers want trustees that weren’t appointed by a current governor? Decisions made for the university would be more cohesive with current events in Michigan if the nominations were made after the gubernatorial election this fall. Granholm’s nominations seem rushed, as if she’s trying to make choices for the simple sake of ensuring her say over who steps into the positions. We can’t recall a time in the recent past when decisions on trustees were made this far in advance. In fact, Granholm chose replacements for former trustees John Kulhavi and Jeffrey Caponigro in January 2009, almost a full month after their terms

ended the previous December. The next governor will need to take an extensive look at higher education funding, as it will continue to be an ongoing issue of concern. It will take years for the state’s economy to emerge from the tangle it is currently in. At the very least, the next governor should have a say in the people he will work with in leadership positions of the state’s public institutions. CMU needs leaders interested in students getting the best education possible while making budget cuts that won’t lower academic standards. The Senate should continue to be on guard and carefully think through the nomination process. The board affects thousands of students who will eventually graduate and pour their talent into our economy. Proceed wisely, and approve trustees that will keep students as a primary concern.

DON WRIGHT [CARTOON]

Jason Gillman Jr. Columnist

Snipping it at the border The Arizona state legislature recently passed SB 1070, the bill which would allow local and state law enforcement to stop anyone suspected of being an illegal alien. If the suspect doesn’t provide documentation, they get turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In theory, I would say I support open borders. However, the problem remains that there are many people that should not be admitted into the country. So what should be done about the border problem? My take on the issue somewhat correlates with my take on capital punishment. Certain crimes deserve the punishment; yet, I also realize that any errors made are irreversible once the sentence is carried out. That’s one reason why I’m a strong supporter of firearms ownership. Not only does it mitigate the chances a violent crime is going to be carried out, it can help make sure the proper person (or people) get what they deserve as it would be used at the scene. You’re probably wondering how the above example could possibly analogize to the border problem. Having constant observation on the border is the best way to make sure that the real border hoppers are caught. Although improperly detaining someone permitted to be here because they didn’t produce identification isn’t permanent as improperly convicting someone of a capital crime and carrying out the execution, it’s still something that should be avoided. The implications of allowing such things to happen under the guise of “security” most likely won’t lead you down a slippery slope, but rather, off the face of a cliff in regards to civil liberties.

[our readers’ voice]

Students shouldn’t worry about CMU Another academic year is coming to a close. For those of you who are graduating, we offer our congratulations and best wishes. For our returning students, hopefully your plans for the summer months are complete and you’re looking forward to having some time for yourself. Whether your plans involve classes, work, an internship or a study abroad program, your faculty, the members of the Central Michigan University Faculty Association, want to extend our heartfelt wish for a safe, enjoyable and successful summer. During this academic year, we have all been affected by the continuing barrage of negative news about the national and state economy. Perhaps this news has made you nervous about what lies ahead for CMU. Will CMU be seriously impacted by decreased state appropriations next academic year? Will any of my classes be cut? Will my professors still be here? All of these questions are legitimate

concerns given the uncertainty of the state’s economic future and the legislature’s traditional inaction on the budget. In spite of recent economic reports, we do want you to know that CMU remains strong and in sound financial shape, just as President Ross recently said. Indeed, CMU’s bank account (or fund equity as many K-12 districts call it), when compared to its total operating budget, is the highest of any university in the state. Even with cuts in state appropriations for next fiscal year, we are assured CMU will remain financially sound and continue to offer quality academic programs taught by its best faculty – your faculty. Enjoy the summer. Be safe. And come back to campus in August refreshed and ready to learn. CMU faculty will look forward to welcoming you back. Tim Brannan President, CMU Faculty Association

Comments from cm-life.com on Trustee nominations Ben Greene said:

The way the Democrats went about this today was a little disgusting. Through a “surprise” early adjournment in session, they used a procedural block to avoid the confrontation. Lt. Gov. Cherry passed the motion to adjourn amidst much objection from the Republican caucus. This move came quickly after Sen. Whitmer and Sen. Prussi accused the Republicans of blocking these appointments for partisan political gain. Avoiding the issue in the middle of the debate is no way to get business done in State Legislature. Bueller said:

So it’s okay when Republicans do it, but not Democrats. Got it. Tom DeWayne said:

Great move, Sen. Bishop. These games by Gov. Granholm are what got Michigan into this mess anyway.

Cm You| Do you have an internship or a job lined up for the summer?

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

“I’m a graduate assistant.” Dulitha Hewadikaram,

India graduate student

“Yes, I do. I’m going to be a summer bank teller at Chemical Bank at home.”

“Yeah, Coldstone Creamery in Lansing.”

Kylie Wellman,

Concord junior

Nichole Humes,

Lansing sophomore

“I do have a job. I work at Frank’s Meat Market in Grand Haven.”

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

Dead noise Preachers and other visitors on campus not worth the time It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air, the grass is green, the birds are chirping and a message of “You’re going to hell” is gently floating in the breeze. That’s right — the Soulwinners were back on campus last week. As they do every time they visit Central Michigan University, Michael Venyah and his followers were telling students that they are going to hell for drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, being homosexuals, eating too much food and a whole long list of other things. While many Christians would question whether certain things on the Soulwinners’ sin list really are sins, Venyah is adamant that he is not wrong about the things students are doing will damn them to hell. So where does the gospel, the “good news,” fit into this? Venyah will mention that he is doing the work of Jesus Christ, and he will make a statement that we all need to turn to Christ and repent, but the majority of his message is focused on what we are doing wrong that condemns us. That is not the message of the gospel. Jesus and his disciples did not go around pointing out people’s individual sins. Instead, they simply taught that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and need to turn to God and accept Christ’s sacrifice in order to avoid eternity in hell. Nowhere in the message of the gospel will you find condemning people for drinking, something that would be completely hypocritical since the Bible says Jesus himself drank. So what does Venyah say about people who claim to be Christians? He says they are not true Christians because they are still sinning. He claims on a brochure on his website that “you cannot be saved from sin while you are committing sin.” And what about Venyah? He will tell you that he has not committed any sins. That’s right, Venyah never does anything wrong, and he labels his judgment of CMU students as spreading the gospel. The Soulwinners are a prime example of people who give religion a bad name. While extreme, the general “holier than thou” attitude that is too often shown by Christians is a turn-off from Christianity for many people, and it is absolutely not what the gospel was intended to be. The Soulwinners may claim to be a religious group, but their hypocritical judgment and mindset that they do not commit any sins is completely opposite what the Bible teaches. What is the best method of dealing with the Soulwinners? Ignore them. Talking to them, smoking cigarettes, blasting rap music and reading Harry Potter as forms of protesting only gives Venyah more ammunition and more energy to continue preaching. So when they come back in the fall, do what I usually do; just walk by and continue with your day.

[letters to the editor] E-mail | voices@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805

Zack Koeller,

Muskegon freshman

libby march/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

Nathan Inks Columnist

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.

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

Art Reach facility changes hands By Maryellen Tighe Senior Reporter

The Art Reach Center of Mid Michigan has finalized plans to sell its University Street facility to a local church group. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Michigan has met at 319 S. University St. for nine of the 10 years the group has existed. “It’s been our long-term goal since the very beginning to have a full-time minister and a permanent building,” said Guy Newland, former UUFCM president. “We were able to find a way to raise some money to buy it.” Art Reach Director Kathy Hill said it has been discussing the change since February. “This week, Monday, we reached an oral agreement on principal,” Hill said. “The transfer of property will take place mid-July.” Both groups plan to meet to sign the contract early

Central Michigan Life || Friday, April 23, 2010 || 7A

[News]

next month. About UUFCM UUFCM is a group dedicated to helping each other in their spiritual walks and accepting all faith groups, Newland said. “It’s kind of a spiritual community of supporting each other in our own spiritual quests,” he said. “We consider ourselves a liberal church and we don’t have a dogma or a doctrine that people have to believe in.” The 60-member fellowship will be able to expand its community outreach after they move in to the building, Newland said. The choir group, adult education classes and movie series will be able to meet in the building rather than in members’ homes. There is not a large student population, but Newland expects the congregation to grow. The group will have more visibility with a building.

“This is ideal for us; its been our home for so many years already,” Newland said. “This will put us on the map. A lot of people don’t know about us because we don’t have a building, so we don’t have a sign.” The group supports an AIDS orphanage in Malawi, but some of its efforts are more locally focused. It sponsored a food drive in January and supports the John H. Goodrow Fund, which provides financial aid to community members. Social justice also is a tenant of the Unitarian Universalist belief. It looks to be open to all types of people, especially members of the transgender, gay, bisexual and lesbian communities, something Newland said the local congregation wants to improve on this year. “The main thing we are involved in right now is becoming a welcoming congregation,” he said. metro@cm-life.com

policy | continued from 3a

the underrepresented sex, and that they fully accommodate female interest. The survey, van der Merwe said, was the most cost-effective way for CMU to prove the third option. He said that, per the most recent survey results, CMU is currently in compliance with Title IX. “We surveyed the entire campus population in the spring for fall enrollment,” he said. “We are meeting the interest of those on our campus community.” Out of 2,217 respondents, van der Merwe said 907 were male and 1,310 were female. In 1998, he said women’s soccer was added at CMU. Now, CMU has nine women’s sports teams and seven men’s. -The Associated Press contributed to this report. metro@cm-life.com

CM Life editors tabbed for summer, fall 2010 Central Michigan Life’s editorial staff for the summer and fall was selected this week. The Student Media Board of Directors chose Merrill sophomore Eric Dresden for editor in chief this summer and Livonia junior Jackie Smith for the fall. Neil Hopp, director of student publications, said Smith will be the first female editor in chief since the 2001-02 academic year (Sarah Leach). “I have every confidence that Jackie has the skill level, the mental toughness and the dedication to lead the staff next year,” Hopp said. “She will have tough shoes to fill given what outgoing editor in chief Brian Manzullo has accomplished.” Smith will begin as editor after the last summer edition of CM Life is published. During the summer, she will work

at the Buffalo News in Buffalo, New York as a news intern. Smith is the current metro editor and has been working for CM Life since January 2008. Smith said her vision is to facilitate the professional growth of CM Life’s new staff and to produce specialized, targeted content for the paper’s readers. “I’m a huge supporter of specialized content and giving people a reason to pick up the paper and go to the website,” she said. “CM Life is a place where we can give people the product they deserve.” Dresden will serve as managing editor in the fall. He is now the university editor and has worked for CM Life since fall 2008. Dresden officially begins his duties as summer editor in chief after the final spring edition publishes April 30. He said his job will entail posting stories online in a

CM Life fall 2010 staff w w w w w w w w w w w

Editor in chief: Livonia junior Jackie Smith Managing Editor: Merrill sophomore Eric Dresden Metro Editor: Midland junior Maryellen Tighe University Editor: Clinton Township junior Jake Bolitho Student Life Editor: Rochester sophomore Connor Sheridan Sports Editor: Redford sophomore Aaron McMann Photo Editor: Grand Haven junior Jake May Assistant Photo Editor: Waterford junior Sean Proctor Video Editor: Troy senior Adam Kaminski Voices Editor: Midland junior Brad Canze Lead Designer: Chesterfield junior Chelsea Kleven

timely fashion and composing interesting material into the print edition that is distributed once a week. “Everybody coming together

PARTY STORE

By Carisa Seltz Staff Reporter

is really going to boost what we put out week after week,” he said. studentlife@cm-life.com

Storytelling class offered for summer ART 397L has no prerequisites By Sherri Keaton Senior Reporter

Graphic novels can be much more than simply comics. For assistant art professor Benjamin Mepham, they are a way for artists to share their passion through visual narratives, writing and designing. Mepham decided to create a class at Central Michigan University dedicated specifically to graphic novels. ART 397L: Graphic Storytelling is a threecredit class offered Monday through Friday from noon to 3:50 p.m. this summer. “I think they are a challenge,” Mepham said of the genre. “By the time (students) get done, they have an ability to tell a story in a way that doesn’t really happen in other courses that I am aware of.” Mepham said he wants others to share in his passion by taking the class to learn the art of telling stories through graphics. As of Thursday, 22 of 31 seats were taken. Today is the final day to register. Mepham said the course is broken into two primary com-

ponents: reading and analyzing the formal structure and narrative approach of graphic novels, and completing a number of studio projects combining pictures and words to tell a story. Students interested in enrolling do not need to take any prerequisites; the class is open to all students. Mepham said CMU is not the only school to offer such a class. “I taught it at Alma College, and it was really successful,” he said. “People really enjoyed it and there is really nothing else like it.” Larry Burditt, art and design chairman, said the class was approved by the department because it seemed like a strong concept. “Our goal to give students alternatives to make their educational experience as diverse as possible,” Burditt said. He said students would have to tell a story visually, a different skill set than many students have developed. “I work with people at their level and give them tools to combine pictures and words,” Mepham said. “People won’t be graded on drawing ability, but gaining the ability to tell stories.” studentlife@cm-life.com

BILL PAYMENT CENTER AT Bottle & Barrel PARTY STORE 773-6652

773-3331

Pickard Party Store 773-6448

hours:

M-W 9-12am Th-Sat 9-1am Sun 12pm-12am

1635 E. BROOMFIELD RD. BROOMFIELD MALL

M-W 9-12am Th-Sat 9-1:30am Sun 12pm-12am

Miller High Life Light 24-pk bottles

.......

Labatt Blue & Light 18-pk cans

.........

5114 EAST PICKARD

10.99*

Busch Light 18-pk cans

. . . . . . . . . . $8.99*

222 SOUTH WASHINGTON PBR Tallboy 12-pk , 24 oz. cans DOWNTOWN

M-Th 8am-11pm Fri-Sat 8am-12am Sun 12pm-10pm

BOTTLE & BARREL

Miller Light 20-pk bottles

. . . . . $ 10.99* ......

13.99*

57.99!

Half Barrel $ only

Keg - Reserve Only!

track and field | Men, women competing in separate meets this weekend, 3B

Sports Weekend Central Michigan Life

Friday, April 23, 2010 | Section B

Jonker wins 1,000th career game

Coldren hits home run, sets single-season record in win vs. MSU By Justin Hicks Staff Reporter

CMU Softball Coach Margo Jonker stood by her team as she received a standing ovation Thursday in front of more than 1,000 fans at Margo Jonker stadium. The team’s 5-1 victory against Michigan State marked a career milestone for Jonker, as she won her 1,000th

game, just the 10th coach in Division I softball history to reach the mark. Jonker was the second coach to reach the milestone this year, following California coach Diane Ninemire, who did so April 7. “(Jonker)’s a great coach,” said junior pitcher Kari Seddon. “She deserves every win that she’s had and I’m glad to be on her team.” Sophomore shortstop Molly Coldren also said she feels honored to play for Jonker. “To help out with that 1,000th victory is just great. She’s a great coach and she inspires us to play as hard as we can,” Coldren said.

Coldren reached a milestone of her own in the sixth inning, hitting her ninth home run of the season. The homer broke Elizabeth Barnes’ record for most home runs in a single season, with at least 10 more games to play. “I just told myself to be a tough out and find a way to get on,” Coldren said. “I didn’t think it was going over at first, but to see it went over, I got real excited.” The Central shortstop came into the season with just three home runs in her first year. She has tripled that this year. She said her confidence has improved

Matthew stephens/senior photographer

A 1,000 | 2B

Coach Margo Jonker holds a commemorative ball after winning the 1,000th game of her coaching career at CMU. She is one of 10 active coaches to earn the feat and 11 all-time.

s e c o n d/ t h i r d r o u n d : 6 : 3 0 p. m . f r i d ay, e s p n ROUNDS 4 -7: 1 0 A . M . SATURDAY

is today

the day?

first round 1. Rams - Sam Bradford (QB) 2. Lions - Ndamukong Suh (DT) 3. Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy (DT)

4. Redskins - Trent Williams (OT)

Baseball plays for first against BSU over weekend

NFL Draft hopefuls Dan LeFevour, Antonio Brown await mid-round selection

5. Chiefs - Eric Berry (S)

Top two teams in West play series at Theunissen

6. Seahawks - Russell Okung (OT)

By Aaron McMann Staff Reporter

When wil Dan be taken?

7. Browns - Joe Haden (CB) 8. Raiders - Rolando McClain (LB)

ESPN’s Mel Kiper:

Quarterback rank: 4 — third round to Carolina.

9. Bills - C.J. Spiller (RB)

Behind: Jimmy Clausen, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy

10. Jaguars - Tyson Alualu (DT)

Quotable: "He’s got all the intagibles you’d want, it just depends on what team wants him and when they want to draft him ... He’s a diamond with some rough edges." — QB Coach Zeke Bratkowski after CMU’s pro day.

11. 49ers - Anthony Davis (OT) 12. Chargers - Ryan Matthews (RB) 13. Eagles - Brandon Graham (DE) 14. Seahawks - Earl Thomas (S) 15. Giants - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE) 16. Titans - Derrick Morgan (DE) 17. 49ers - Mike Iupati (OG)

Dan LeFevour

PROJECTED: THIRD ROUND

18. Steelers - Maurkice Pouncey (C) 19. Falcons - Sean Weatherspoon (LB)

20. Texans - Kareem Jackson (CB) Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was selected second overall by the Detroit Lions. Suh is the highestselected defensive tackle since 1997.

21. Bengals - Jermaine Gresham (TE) 22. Broncos - Demaryius Thomas (WR)

o n c m - l i f e .c o m Check our Web site for upto-the-minute coverage of this weekend’s NFL Draft, including all CMU picks!

23. Packers - Bryan Bulaga (OT) 24. Cowboys - Dez Bryant 25. Broncos - Tim Tebow (QB)

Antonio’s next stop?

26. Cardinals - Dan Williams (DT)

College Football News:

Wide receiver rank: 22 — projected fifth-round pick.

27. Patriots - Devin McCourty (CB)

Scout:

12. Dolphins - Jared Odrick (DT)

25th-ranked wide receiver

CBS Sports:

29. Jets - Kyle Wilson (CB)

37th-best wide receiver — will go undrafted.

Quotable: "I feel like if I go no later than second round, teams are getting a steal. I bring so much to the table." — Antonio Brown after his pro day on March 26.

30. Lions - Jahvid Best (RB) 31. Colts - Jerry Hughes (DE)

Antonio Brown PROJECTED: FIFTH ROUND

32. Saints - Patrick Robinson (CB)

Home-field advantage has certainly been kind to the CMU baseball team this season. The Chippewas bring a perfect 10-0 record at Theunissen Stadium into a three-game home series against Ball State beginning at 3:05 p.m. Friday. CMU (21-13, 10-2 Mid-American Conference) maintains a one-game lead ahead of BSU in the MAC West, giving the series more importance in terms of conference standings. “The most important thing is just to go out there and play like we have been and continue to do the things we’ve been doing,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “Most of that has been, as a team, everyone doing their part — it’s just one thing after another. When you do that, somebody else doesn’t feel like they have to do the whole thing — everyone does their own little part to make us a better ball club.” Senior right-hander Jesse Hernandez (5-1, 4.26 ERA) gets the call Friday, likely against Ball State’s Perci Garner, who holds a 5-0 overall record and 1.57 earned run average in MAC-play. Ball State (17-20, 9-3 MAC), predicted to finish first in the West in the preseason, comes in having lost two of its last three games, including a 10-5 loss against Butler on Wednesday. The Cardinals lead the MAC in hitting during conference play with a .338 average and rank fourth in pitching with a 4.29 ERA. “At this point, when you’re halfway through the season, where you were predicted to be and how you’re to be is not as important as you really are,” Jaksa said. “Everyone will look to take care of their own situation and Ball State looks at this as an opportunity for them to come in here, do a good job against us and be at the top. We’re looking to do the opposite — we’re looking to take advantage of our situation.” CMU’s success in conference play correlates with its successful hitting. Seniors James Teas and Ricky Clark have lead by example as of late. Teas leads the team with a .369 average, while Clark has increased his average to .329 after combining to go 4-for-6 over the past two games. “Hitting is contagious,” Teas said. “If we struggle during a game, after seeing a pitcher one or two times, we make our adjustments and do what it takes to get on base.”

IN-STATE WIN CMU evened its season series against Michigan State with a 6-3 win Wednesday at Dow Diamond in Midland. After four scoreless innings, MSU scored three runs in the fifth inning off starter Bryce Morrow to take a 3-0 lead. The Chippewas responded with four hits in the bottom half of the inning and capitalized off two MSU errors to post a five-spot of their own. Freshman reliever Dietrich Enns earned the win (4-0), giving up two hits in 3 and 1/3 innings pitched. sports@cm-life.com

COMMUNITY EVENT

14th Annual

Zeta Tau Alpha

Crown Classic

6K Run/Walk for Charity April 24, 2010