May 26, 2010

dealing with turner’s syndrom, 3A

Brooks hall | Summary on renovation remediation expected soon, 2A

Clydesdales | Budweiser horses coming to Mount Pleasant Thursday, 3A

Central Michigan Life

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

[cm-life.com]

SUMMER

IN THE CITY

Mount Pleasant and CMU slow down for low-key summer months

By Ryan Tajonick Staff Reporter

The Mount Pleasant City Commission has until June 30 to find a replacement for Jeffrey Palmer.

Commissioner Palmer announced his resignation from the position to pursue other employment opportunities as a senior trust officer at a bank in Holland, Commissioner David McGuire said.

Palmer will be moving out of the area and can no longer serve as a member of the Mount Pleasant City Commission.

He has served on the city commission since January 2008 and his resignation will take effect May 31. Applications for his position are due

by May 28. Holton said qualified city voters can submit application letters and resumes to the city clerk’s office at Mount Pleasant City Hall.

Any legal resident of Mount Pleasant who can vote is eligible to apply. The applicants will be looked over by the appointments commit-

T

he streets around Central Michigan University have become eerily quiet.

You might even be able to cross Broomfield Road without causing a four-car pile-up.

The reason?

About 15,000 people have left Mount Pleasant in the last two weeks.

Registrar Karen Hutslar said there are about 6,200 students registered for both summer sessions compared to the 19,014 registered students from the previous spring semester.

The loss of all the students who move back home for the summer has both a positive and negative impact in Mount Pleasant, Mayor Jim Holton said.

“Losing 15,000 people is tough for any economic base,” Holton said.

He said the summer months are a time for city projects such as road and park improvement projects to begin.

popular in the area.

Softball and sand volleyball are the two most popular leagues, she said. Anyone interested in participating can sign up through the parks and recreation office.

A decrease for students Michelle Howard, director of academic advising and assistance, said summer means lots of preparation for the university.

“One of the most significant activities that occurs during the summer months is freshman orientation,” she said.

She said she expects a large

number of freshman and transfer students, typically around 5,000, to participate in the orientation process for the upcoming fall semester.

Tony Voisin, director of student life, said the summer months are mostly downtime.

“The first thing we’re doing right now is trying to wrap up the school year,” he said. “It’s not a busy time, but it’s an important time for us to get these things completed to hit the ground running come August.”

He said students remaining in Mount Pleasant during the summer will love it.

“The summer in Mount

Pleasant is very, very laid back,” Voisin said. “It’s a time when I think students have an opportunity to experience a small town and really have it all to themselves.”

William Owenby has attended Central Michigan University for four years, but has never stayed in Mount Pleasant during the summer months, until now.

“Places will be less packed, there will be a lot less traffic,” Owenby, a Clio senior, said.

“I’ve never been up here in the summer, I’m pretty excited.” metro@cm-life.com

High school soccer star remembered

By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter

Carolynn Ashley Cosan is remembered by her friends as full of life, having a great smile and always knowing how to make people laugh.

“Anyone that met her wanted to be her friend,” said Brittany Begres, who played varsity soccer for Mount Pleasant High School with Cosan for three

tee members Commissioner McGuire, Commissioner Jon Joslin and Vice Mayor Bruce Kilmer.

“Mr. Palm- Jeffrey Palmer er always did very thorough research on issues and provided us with thoughtful opinions,” McGuire said. “Mr. Palmer is a very bright individual and it was a pleasure serving with him.”

Mayor Jim Holton said the commission must appoint a replacement within 30 days of Palmer’s resignation.

“That will give the City Commission some time to announce the vacancy and hopefully get some good applicants so we can appoint somebody,” Holton said. “As mayor, I think it’s very important to appoint someone as soon as possible.”

They then recommend an applicant to be voted on by the commission as a whole.

Holton said every member of the commission is unique and brings something different to the table and Palmer is no exception.

“He had a certain way about

A city | 2A

Renovation of UC set to begin in July photo illustration by libby march/staff photographer

Services today for MPHS senior Carolynn Cosan

Mount Pleasant searches to replace city commissioner Applicants have until May 28 to seek position

By Ryan Taljonick | Staff Reporter

Holton said students who stay in Mount Pleasant over the summer months will find it very enjoyable.

“I would implore you to go out and try out our park systems.

We’ve put a lot of money in our infrastructure to make our parks probably the best in the state,” Holton said. “Stop to smell the roses. Life goes by really fast.”

Carol Moody, recreation and special events coordinator for Mount Pleasant, said she is going to be busy this summer.

She is putting together several adult and youth public sports leagues, which are

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

years. “She was one of the most fun people I’ve ever met.”

Cosan, 18, died in a car accident Friday afternoon. She was a passenger in a Corvette headed north on Vandecar Road that spun out of control and landed in a field.

Seventeen-year-old Cody David Weisenburger, the driver, was seriously injured.

Funeral Services take place at 1 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church, 1250 Watson Road.

Contributions can be sent to the Carolynn Cosan Soccer Memorial Fund at the Isabella Bank in Mount Pleasant.

Cosan was a senior at Mount Pleasant High School and was captain of the varsity soccer team.

Weisenburger Carolynn Cosan is also a senior at MPHS. She planned to play varsity soccer for Northern Michigan University and was the first woman from MPHS to ever receive a soccer scholarship at a Division I/II university.

Cosan also coached children and refereed soccer for the City

of Mount Pleasant.

Kristina Begres was teammates with Cosan.

She said Cosan was an incredible team leader and all the younger girls on the squad looked up to her.

“Whenever I have issues, she would always have the answer,” Kristina said. “She lived life to the fullest and never had any doubts that what she did was wrong.”

Brittany played with Cosan on the Vardar Premier Soccer Club and gave her rides to the soccer fields in Saginaw.

A Cosan | 2A

Renovations for Ronan behind schedule

By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

When Nicholas Parkinson heard about renovations on the Bovee University Center he was hoping it would be focused on one thing.

Students.

He said there is a lack of student-centered socialization buildings on campus.

“I think students have places to gather and socialize, but they don’t have that one place,” the Grayling junior said. “I think that’s what the UC could become.”

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Man-

agement, said renovations on the UC will begin in July, pending the completion of Ronan Hall renovations.

The renovations for the UC have a budget of $5 million.

“Students will have a lot more space at their disposal to relax and have a good time in,” Lawrence said. “I think we’re adding nine meeting rooms for their use. That was one of the things that was high on their list of requests.”

Most of the offices and staff currently located in the UC will be moving location to Ronan Hall to make room for all the changes.

The renovations in the UC can’t begin until Ronan Hall renovations, budgeted at $3.5 million, are completed.

“The Ronan Hall renovations

A Bovee | 2A

Victory | CMU baseball defeats MSU

sean proctor/photo editor

Freshman infielder Jordan Dean, center, is congratulated by teammates after a 3-run home run over the right field wall in the second inning to put CMU on the board against Michigan State Tuesday afternoon. Dean’s homer was not enough to help CMU, the Chippewas lost 16-9 against the Spartans.

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

VIDEO

SPORTS

facebook.com/cmlife TALK WITH US: What summer plans do you have in Mount Pleasant?

@CMLife Follow CM Life for all the latest news and updates.

Check the site for a video celebrating Carolynn Cosan, the 18-year-old high schooler that died Friday.

Check out cm-life.com for the for updates on the upcoming baseball series against Eastern Michigan University.

cm-life.com | News, sports, updates and multimedia all summer long!

2A || Wednesday, May 19, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

EVENTS CALENDAR

cm-life.com

Summary coming for disputed Brooks Hall renovations

By Seth Nietering Staff Reporter

Thursday

w Central Michigan University Baseball will play against Eastern Michigan at 3:05 p.m. at Theunissen Stadium.

Saturday

w A fundraiser for the Special Olympics will be at So Fine Hair Salon, 1031 S. University Ave. Fifty percent of the cost of each hair cut and 10% of retail sales will be donated.

Sunday

w “Finding Nemo� will be screened with free admission at 2 p.m. in the Faith Johnston Memorial Library, 4035 N. Mission Street.

Monday

w The Mount Pleasant City Commission meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 320 W. Broadway St.

Tuesday

w A fundraiser for the Special Olympics will be at Cottage Inn, 1639 E. Broomfield St. Twenty percent of food and drink prices will be donated.

Central Michigan University is preparing a letter to Wilcox Professional Services regarding several issues with Brooks Hall renovations last fall.

The issues included several fire code violations and problems with the heating and cooling systems. The university was forced to rush work in order to have the hall meet standards in time to open for

Central Michigan Life has a long-standing commitment to fair and accurate reporting.

It is our policy to correct factual errors. Please e-mail news@cm-life.com. Š Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 91, Number 85

finished this week and will summarize the issues and estimated costs for the problems.

Steve Smith, director of public relations, said the university will first discuss the problems with a mediator before they take the next step.

He said officials are hoping the issue will be resolved through these meetings but if resolution cannot be met, further action may be taken. “If mediation is unsuccessful, then CMU will consider

its next step,� Smith said. “CMU does not intend to use Wilcox for future projects.�

Smith said CMU and Wilcox are required under contract to first mediate their dispute and the meetings should happen later this spring or in early summer.

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, said mediations are required in every contract. Before a contract is signed CMU and the other party must agree to have me-

diator should there be disputes or issues later on. “Both parties have to agree to the mediation process before the contract is signed,�

Lawrence said. “When an issue occurs both parties are given the chance to state their position to the mediator.

Then they try to get both parties to agree on a number.�

Wilcox officials said they would not comment until they received the letter. university@cm-life.com

Class focuses on animals without a backbone

By Ryan Taljonick Staff reporter

Phil Mathias has been waiting for an opportunity to take a class on his main area of study.

The Ohio graduate student is studying invertebrates for his master’s program.

Now he and other interested graduate and undergraduate students can study the diverse species in depth through a new course at Central Michigan University. “If students are interested in the larger picture of the biodiversity of life, then I think invertebrates are where it’s at,� Dave Zanatta said. “Invertebrates kind of rule

cosan| Corrections

fall classes.

Further work was required as the year went on and some temperature-sensitive research being done in the building was potentially jeopardized.

The current total cost CMU is asking to be reimbursed is unknown at the moment. The university was forced to spend an additional $2,170,000 to fix the remaining issues in Brooks Hall last fall. This put the total cost at $7,840,000.

The letter is expected to be

continued from 1A

“The drives were awesome,�

Brittany said. “We would crank the tunes, laugh and enjoy the hour-and-ten minute drive.�

Brittany recalls once when her car had a flat tire and Cosan, who had never changed a tire in her life, eagerly got out the jack and attempted changing it herself.

WEATHER FORECAST 0 percent chance of precipitation

Today High 78/Low 50 Sunny

Thursday

30 percent chance of precipitation

High 81/Low 54 Sunny

Friday High 77/Low 58 Few Showers

30 percent chance of precipitation

the world. Without invertebrates, nothing would basically be here.�

Zanatta, assistant professor of biology, is teaching a relatively new course, BIO 597V: Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology, for the fall semester.

The course was offered once before during the spring 2009 semester. “It talks about the evolution and ecology of nonvertebrate animals,� Zanatta said. “We’re going to concentrate on invertebrates we find in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.�

He said invertebrates make up 97 percent of all animal species.

It includes a lecture and a

lab portion and requires an in-class commitment of six hours per week.

Zanatta said the class is capped at 18 students and he expects between 10 and 15 students to register.

The class size is intentionally kept small to allow for several field trips and a lot of interaction between the professor and students, as well as between graduate and undergraduate students.

Zanatta said the course will appeal to a variety of majors, especially those studying environmental studies and natural resources.

David Branson hopes the field trips will greatly supplement his invertebrate knowledge.

Bovee |

“Whether she knew how to do it or not, she would try,�

Brittany said. “We had amazing memories that I’ll never forget.�

Brittany was one grade ahead of Cosan but said they were so close it never felt that way.

Cosan was also a certified snowboarding instructor who gave lessons at Snow Snake Ski and Golf in Harrison.

She loved snow, and winter was her favorite season, Brittany said.

Matt Begres, Kristina and Brittany’s father, said Cosan was both a great soccer player and a great person. “She had heart and desire like you wouldn’t believe,� Matt said. “She would give everything she had on the field.�

Matt said Cosan was a joy to be around and anytime she entered the room it would brighten the mood. “Her laughter and personality just overflowed and you couldn’t help but join in the fun of her being herself,� Matt said. “She was never afraid to express herself.�

continued from 1A

are getting started later than we originally planned,� he said. “The majority of that has to be done before we can do very much with the UC.�

The UC renovations were originally scheduled to begin six months ago.

He said UC renovations are expected to be completed by July of 2011.

The lower level will be receiving the most work, Lawrence said.

Three large meeting rooms will be put in near where the diversity offices are located.

A game area containing several arcade and electronic games will be placed in a section of the Down Under food court. “A lot of walls are coming down in the lower level,� Lawrence said. “But new things will be going up.�

The main floor of the UC will also see some big changes.

A Starbucks coffee shop will

“I get most of my enjoyment out of classes in the field,� he said. “Just being out in the field and seeing organisms in their environment is more fun for me than sitting in a classroom.�

The Midland graduate student said he is studying limnology, the study of inland waters and the food webs existing in an aquatic environment.

His studies are specifically concentrated on the Great Lakes region. “The Great Lakes are open to transoceanic shipping, so we get a lot of animals dumped in the great lakes from Europe,� he said. “They have a lot of bad impacts on be placed near the current president’s conference room location.

Lawrence said students can also expect a post office to be added near the CMU Bookstore’s current location.

Study rooms, meeting areas, general seating and a new women’s restroom are included in the main floor’s renovation plans.

On the top floor, conference rooms will be modified into the new president’s conference room, Lawrence said. “I think it’s a good change,�

Parkinson said. “Ronan Hall is ancient and needs updating.

If they’re going to update the UC to something more student friendly and centered, I’m all for it.�

Grosse Pointe junior Lauren Seery is most excited for the addition of a Starbucks.

She is also happy she will not have to make a trip downtown for her post office needs. “It will be really useful for people on campus,� she said. university@cm-life.com

the Great Lakes. I’m unhappy about that, so I’m studying invasive species and what they do in the food web.�

Mathias said he is excited to have a formal course studying invertebrates in depth.

The course’s field studies will be useful for learning hands on identification and sampling techniques, he said. “I have a broad idea of what stuff is, but I hope we get into more detailed stuff,�

Mathias said. “I’m actually fairly excited to take it and actually get some formal resume quality training in this.� university@cm-life.com

city | continued from 1A

him,� Holton said. “He’s an all-around good, downto-earth, level-headed commissioner. He will be missed.�

Kilmer said Palmer is very intelligent, responsible and dedicated to his duties as a commissioner. “He had a unique philosophy of very limited government which often put him at odds with the rest of the commission,� he said. “Many votes were six to one, with him being the one.�

Holton said he hopes the individual filling Palmer’s soon-to-be vacant position on the board will provide thoughtful input on commission decisions. “We want to fill it with a person who’s qualified to help lead the city in a better direction,� he said. metro@cm-life.com

metro@cm-life.com

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Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, May 19, 2010 || 3A

[News]

Student groups could see changes regarding sexuality

By Amelia Eramya Staff Reporter

photos by paige calamari/staff photographer

After class, Shepard junior Kate Caszatt takes the Isabella County Transportation Commission bus back to her apartment. She is unsure whether she will be able to drive due to her inability to fully rotate her neck and her poor depth perception.

One of the girls

Student handles genetic disorder Turner Syndrome

By Paige Calimari Staff Photographer

At a small wooden table three best friends laugh as they reminisce about grade school.

At this table, there are no differences between the occupants.

At this table, Shepherd junior Kate Caszatt is just Kate: an ordinary college student dealing with the same trials and triumphs as the majority of individuals her age.

Away from this table, away from the laughter and the comfort, Kate is not always viewed as ordinary.

Born with Turner Syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by the partial or complete loss of one of the sex chromosomes, Kate’s physical appearance has drawn curious glances and erroneous assumptions.

Caszatt’s short stature, webbed neck, upturned fingernails, swollen hands and feet, and epicanthic eye folds, which give her eyes a more almondlike shape, are characteristics of Turner Syndrome.

“If anything was going to happen to anybody, something weird, Kate is the one it would happen to,” said Kate’s mother Christine Caszatt.

Though they’ve overcome some difficulties resulting from the condition, Christine said Kate’s always been able to do

Kate Caszatt relaxes after school in her Jamestown apartment in Mount Pleasant. Caszatt was born with Turner Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting physical development in women. Underdeveloped height is a common physical characteristic of those with the condition.

what she needed to do.

Christine said they raised her no differently than their other two children.

“When people see me I think they’re not sure what my capabilities are,” Caszatt said. “They can’t place their finger on exactly why I’m different.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, Turner Syndrome affects the physical and sexual development of 1 out of every 2,500 women.

Though infertility, heart and kidney defects are common in women with Turner Syndrome, Caszatt believes her physical appearance has been most af-

fected by the condition.

“In some ways (Turner Syndrome) can be debilitating,” Caszatt said. “But as far as limiting what you can and cannot do, I don’t consider it a disability.”

Whether using a stool to reach a book in the library or standing on the balls of her feet to twist the knob on the oven, Caszatt adapts to her environment.

“I am like everyone else. Girls with Turner Syndrome, like myself, are just like anybody else,” Caszatt said. “We can do anything.” studentlife@cm-life.com

Clydesdales coming to city

by Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

Beer lovers and equestrian enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to witness one of the world’s most famous team of horses in action this week.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to downtown Mount Pleasant Thursday.

They will begin pulling the iconic red Budweiser wagon at the corner of Broadway and Main Street at 4 p.m.

Downtown Development Director Michelle Sponseller said the eight-horse team will parade through University, Illinois, Broadway and Main Streets.

Participants will be able to pet the horses and ask the hitch team questions about the animals, Sponseller said.

The event is free of charge.

“It’s a great event to come on down, take some pictures and spend an evening downtown,”

she said.

Fabiano Brothers, a familyowned beer and wine company, booked the horses and decided to bring them to Mount Pleasant.

The Mount Pleasant area was the corporate home for the company for many years, Fabiano Brothers Retail Communicator Josh French said in an e-mailed statement.

The horses will pull their beer wagon in celebration of the Fabiano Brothers’ new beer and wine distribution center in Bay City, as well as their 125th year in business.

“It’s amazing what a team of great big horses will do. They’re iconic as far as animals go,” Sponseller said. “You put pictures of Budweiser Clydesdales up and people instantly know what it is.”

She said her office has already received a lot of positive feedback from the community.

“It’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime event,” she said. “The reality is the chances of us bringing them back in town are slim at best.”

French said the horses were booked more than six months in advance.

“Appearances from them are sure to be a first class event, from the perfect grooming of the Clydesdales to the family friendly showings for the community,” he said. “It really is top notch.”

He said the Budweiser Clydesdales are symbolic of the rich history tied to Anheuser-Busch.

“We are honored to be able to show our appreciation to the community by bringing them to downtown Mount Pleasant for this family friendly event,” French said. metro@cm-life.com

Student organizations at universities and state colleges could see some changes to policies regarding sexuality.

The United States Supreme Court heard a case April 19 on whether student organizations at universities and state colleges can deny students membership based on their sexuality.

The case could affect universities and state colleges across the country. A decision by the Supreme Court is expected in the summer.

“It has been going on for years,” said Tony Voisin, director of Student Life. “It’s a controversial subject.”

Voisin said the controversy began in the fall of 2003 when the Christian Legal Society chapter of the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law changed its policy excluding homosexuals and those who advocate or participate in pre-marital sex from membership.

This change violated the college’s all-comers policy, where any student group is entitled to official school recognition, as long as the group accepts everyone.

Since its change in policy, the chapter was not awknowledged on campus.

“We will have to revisit the policy,” Voisin said. “It’s up to the Supreme Court

“It’s a great violation of human rights, especially to students. If an organization chooses to deny someone based on sexuality, it will be controversial on campus.”

Matthew Darling, Holt senior to decide on what’s important.”

Holt senior Matthew Darling thinks it is preposterous for registered student organizations to base membership on sexuality.

“It’s a great violation of human rights, especially to students,” Darling said.

“If an organization chooses to deny someone based on sexuality, it will be controversial on campus.”

Student organizations at Central Michigan University may not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight, Voisin said.

However, there are a few exceptions. An RSO may limit membership based on beliefs.

“People have the right to associate with who they want to associate with,” Voisin said.

He said changes were made to the RSO manual a

few years ago allowing organizations to select members based on belief.

According to the RSO manual, “The University believes that students have the right to define the purpose of a group they wish to form. They have a right to operate that RSO consistent with these purposes.”

Coleman sophomore and Vice Chair of College Republicans John Porter said basing membership on sexuality is wrong.

“We don’t discriminate anyone for (their sexuality) because the Republican platform has nothing to with that,” Porter said.

“There’s going to be people who agree with it and people who disagree with it.”

Porter said College Republicans has not based membership by political ideals. Either the organization has two Democratic members and a few moderate students.

“It has not been an issue,” he said. university@cm-life.com

MSU expands med school reach Michigan State University announced plans to partner its College of Human Medicine with MidMichigan Health in order to extend into the Midland region.

The new program

will include the Gladwin, Alma, and Saginaw areas with a focus in Midland.

"We’re very excited to have more students receive excellent training in primary care," Dr. Aron Sousa,

senior associate dean for academic affairs at MSU’s College of Human Medicine.

3rd and 4th year MSU medical students have been training in Saginaw for 35 years, Sousa said.

4A || Wednesday, May 19, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

[Sports]

BASEBALL

cm-life.com/sports

Big Ten expansion all about money Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

SEAN PROCTOR/PHOTO EDITOR

Senior third baseman James Teas, left, and freshman pitcher Brock Guetzke close in on a infield fly ball hit by Michigan State’s Chris Roberts during the first inning of Tuesday’s game. Neither called the ball in time, and it fell to the ground, allowing Roberts to safely reach first base.

CMU loses final non-conference game at home against Michigan State, 16-9 Chippewas surrender 10 runs in first three innings

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

In the scheme of things it doesn’t matter, but it sure stings.

On Tuesday, two days before its biggest series of the season, the Central Michigan baseball team gave up 10 runs in the first three innings and lost 16-9 against Michigan State.

Redshirt freshman Brock Guetzke took the loss before a crowd of 316 at Theunissen Stadium after giving up 10 runs (six earned) on 12 hits in three innings pitched.

MSU (33-17) jumped on the Chippewas early, connecting on four hits and capitalizing off a dropped infield pop up to take a 2-0 first inning lead. The Spartans continued the scoring in the second as Seth Williams doubled down the

right field line and scored on a Torsten Boss single.

An error by senior Billy Anderson in center field extended the inning and MSU’s lead before a tworun home run by Chris Roberts made the score 7-0.

“We didn’t get off to a good start,” said coach Steve Jaksa.

“We let a couple balls fall in there the first two Steve Jaksa innings that set us back a little bit.

CMU (30-20, 17-7 MidAmerican Conference) would try and minimize the damage in the bottom half of the inning with a threerun home run from freshman Jordan Dean.

The Spartans’ scoring flurry continued when they added three runs in the third off Guetzke and two more in the fourth off junior right-hander Jake Sabol.

The Chippewas would show some heart and respond with two runs in the third, including a triple by

“We just need to forget about today and take it one game at a time this weekend (against EMU).”

James Teas, senior third baseman Anderson, and three runs in the fourth to cut the lead to 12-8. But that was as close as they would get as MSU would pile on three more in the sixth.

“We battled back in it but that point we couldn’t get all the way back,” Jaksa said.

“We got close three to four times but after the fourth (inning) we didn’t put up many runs and couldn’t cut into the gap. We thought we could drag our way into it but then they hit a couple home runs and kept us at a distance from getting back in the game.”

Sophomores Rick Dodridge and William Arnold and junior Matt Faiman rounded out the pitching for CMU, combining to allow one run on three hits in 3 1/3 innings.

“We gave up 19 hits, but not that all of them were hard,” said senior James

Baseball within reach of MAC West title

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

It all comes down to this.

For most of the season, the Central Michigan baseball team was on or near the top of the heap in the Mid-American Conference West Division.

Now, for CMU to achieve one of its pre-season goals and win the program’s first division crown since 2006, it must pull off its second consecutive series sweep this week … and get a little help to boot.

The Chippewas open their last series of the season at 3:05 p.m. Thursday against instate rival Eastern Michigan at Theunissen Stadium.

“It’s only a big weekend because we’re still in the race,” said coach Steve Jaksa. “The reason you are here is because you played a lot of other weekends well.”

Senior right-hander Jesse Hernandez (7-2, 4.52 ERA) will get the start in the important series opener, a must-win if the Chippewas want to stay in contention for a division title.

Hernandez began conference play 4-1 but cooled down a bit, taking a loss against Northern Illinois on May 1 and a no decision in CMU’s 9-8 extra innings loss in Toledo on May 7. He earned his first win in three outings on Friday in CMU’s 12-7 win against Western Michigan.

“I’m just going to stay with routine, but there’s definitely that extra motivation to want to go out there and win a game,” Hernandez said. “It

really just comes down to me staying within myself and not trying to do more than I’m capable of doing.”

EMU will send Kendall Lewis (5-1), who boasts the seventh-best ERA (2.91) in the MAC, to the mound.

OUTSIDE FACTORS CMU (30-19, 17-7 MAC) was forced to sweep the Broncos over the weekend to stay on pace with Ball State (18-6), which swept Northern Illinois to maintain its division lead.

To complicate things, the Cardinals begin a series at Toledo on Thursday. The Rockets (17-7) are tied with the Chippewas for second and could also finish the weekend with a division title.

For CMU to have at an opportunity to clinch a championships, they must first sweep EMU (25-27, 13-11 MAC). In MAC play, the Eagles enter the series ninth in hitting (.284 average) and sixth in pitching (5.50 ERA).

“I have a lot of confidence in our guys, they’re going to come out there and swing the bat well,” Hernandez said.

“They know what they got to do. It really just comes down to sound baseball and hopefully things work out for us.”

From there, all eyes will be on Scott Park in Toledo, Ohio.

A CMU sweep and Toledo series win against Ball State clinches the division for the Chippewas. However, a Ball State series win – it has won 11 consecutive series going back to last season – clinches the

division for the Cardinals.

“We need to go out and pitch well on Thursday and if we do that I feel good about our chances,” Jaksa said. “As you play every game, you just knock them off. You take it one a time.”

Toledo could win the division with a series win and CMU loss. sports@cm-life.com

Teas, who went 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

“But it’s tough to keep battling when they put up runs pretty much every inning.

We just need to forget about today and take it one game at a time this weekend.”

Junior Matt Faiman went 3-for-5 with a run scored.

Tony Weiber earned the win for MSU (33-17) after allowing no runs and two hits in four innings pitched. sports@cm-life.com

The college football landscape is about change, whether fans like it or not.

For weeks, rumors of a Big Ten Conference expansion have swirled within the sports community. Schools such as Missouri, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rutgers, Notre Dame and even Texas have been named as possibilities to increase the conference to 14 or 16 teams.

Some outlets have even thrown out larger numbers.

The Big Ten has said before it would like to form two divisions, paving the way for a December conference championship game.

Dating back to its formation in 1986, it has always determined its champion through regular season play while other major conferences, like the SEC, ACC and Big 12, hold annual title games.

But this isn’t just about adding an extra game to determine who gets to go to Pasadena, Calif., and play in the Rose Bowl every year.

Conference officials are also looking at this in a dollars and cents kind of way.

Expansion would mean increased footprint nationally for the Big Ten Network and, ultimately, more money for the Big Ten and its schools.

By admitting programs such as Missouri, Pittsburgh, Syrcause and Rutgers, the conference benefits with increased exposure and contracts in major TV markets through the Big Ten Network.

With these schools come the St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and New York media markets, additional moneymakers for Big Ten Network.

Last season, Missouri was believed to be paid anywhere from $7 to $10 million through television contracts the Big 12 has

with ABC/ESPN and Fox Sports. Members of the Big Ten will be getting $17 to $20 million a year through conference contracts with ESPN and BTN. With all of the expansion and ‘what’s in it for me’ talk, no one seems to ask the question whether or not this is the good for the game.

I don’t see much of an issue with adding 1 to 3 teams to complete the requirements necessary for two divisions, but rumors of the Big Ten plucking several teams out of the Big 12 and Big East to form a ‘megaconference’ and the remaining schools flocking to other conferences bothers me a little bit.

By bloating the conference with schools that hold rich history in their current leagues, you risk losing the current rivalries that make college football so great.

Take Missouri, the latest team to be mentioned as a possibility for the Big Ten expansion, for example.

Not only would its departure from the Big 12 force the program to enter a new neighborhood of schools, they would begin to lose historic rivalries with Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

If you were a fan of Missouri, would you want that?

If you are a Michigan fan, would you be willing to sacrifice a game every few years against Michigan State or Ohio State to play Missouri, Pittsburgh, Syracuse or Rutgers, teams you have no history against? sports@cm-life.com

6A || Wednesday, May 19, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News]

What you missed: Guevara case dismissed, CBA dean named

By Staff Reports

Editor’s Note: The following briefs were all taken from stories that first were published on cm-life.com over the past two weeks.

Lawsuit against Guevara thrown out After more than a year, the lawsuit against Central Michigan University and women’s bas- Sue Guevara ketball coach Sue Guevara has come to an end.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington dismissed the remainder of a suit filed by former CMU women’s basketball player Brooke Heike, who alleged sexual discrimination after her scholarship was revoked by Guevara following the 2007-08 season.

Ludington said university officials have immunity to such legal claims and threw a portion of the lawsuit out in September.

The rest, which included Heike’s claim of defamation and CMU Athletics Director Dave Heeke was negligent in his hiring and supervision of Guevara, was dismissed Monday under the same grounds.

“Central Michigan University is very pleased with Judge Ludington’s decision granting our motion for summary judgment and dismissing the claims against CMU and its employees,” CMU General Counsel’s Manuel Rupe said in an e-mail to Central Michigan Life. “The judge’s decision affirms CMU’s position since the commencement of this litigation that the lawsuit is without merit.”

In the original suit, filed Feb. 6, 2009, Heike alleged Guevara said on multiple occasions she wore too much makeup and was not her “type” of person because Heike is heterosexual.

Guevara revoked Heike’s scholarship in March 2008 following the team’s exit from the Mid-American Conference tournament, citing “struggles to understand key basketball concepts.”

Crespy named CBA dean Charles Crespy was named dean for the College of Business Ad m i n i s t ra - Charles Crespy tion and will begin on June 15.

Crespy is currently a professor at the University of New Mexico.

“I can tell you from my interview that I was impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the faculty,” he said.

Crespy was dean of the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management from 2004 to 2007 and was formerly the dean of the College of Business at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Crespy will make $250,000 annually.

College of Medicine associate deans named Two of the four associate deans for the College of Nehad El-Sawi Medicine have been named.

Nehad El-Sawi was named as associate dean of medical education and faculty development for the College of Medicine, while Deborah Biggs was named the associate dean of administration and finance.

Biggs is currently assistant dean for aca- Deborah Biggs demic affairs for the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina

in Chapel Hill.

El-Sawi is currently the president of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Institute for Medical Education Innovation.

El-Sawi will start at Central Michigan University on July 9 and make $200,000 annually.

Biggs will begin in mid-June and will have an annual salary of $210,000.

Taco Bell getting a facelift The Mount Pleasant Planning Commission on Thursday granted a special use permit to the WT Development Corporation to redesign Taco Bell.

The improvements include expanding the drive-through to hold 10 cars instead of eight, to avoid vehicles stacking up and more than doubling the restaurant seating from 40 to 97 seats.

70 percent of business comes by the drive-through, said Bill Beckett, a representative of WT Development Corporation.

The current 1201 S. Mission St. location spans 1,600 square feet and will encompass 3,600 after construction.

“Overall I think you’ll find the site very attractive,” Beckett said.

Beckett said the building would have a nice presence of glass; all four walls will be brick, good window usage, bike stor-

Libby March/staff photographer

Dave “Big Daddy” Peterson, 42, of Alma, left, Donna Vanorden, 49, of Mount Pleasant, and Michelle Trombley, 31, of Alma, share a laugh after awards were presents to participants in fundraisers for the Special Olympics Michigan 2010 Summer Games Friday in Bovee University Center’s Presidential Conference Room. Peterson, Vanorden, and Trombley are all competing in Special Olympics events this summer. Money raised for the Special Olympics Michigan 2010 Summer Games was counted Friday in the Bovee University Center’s Presidential Conference Room. More than $14,000 was raised.

age, decorative fencing and a patio area.

He said Taco Bell would remain open during its redesign.

Millage rate okayed The Mount Pleasant City Commission approved a millage rate of 15.75 mills in a fourto-three vote last week.

The rate was tentatively set in December and recommended

by Commissioner Jon Joslin.

City Manager Kathie Grinzinger said property values would decrease by at least $140,000.

Commissioner Kathleen Ling voted against the motion be-

cause she said the commission must return the millage rate to where it has been in previous years.

“The only reason it will work is because we’re cutting services,” Ling said.

Lori Hella named interim associate vice president of Human Resources Lori Hella, current director of benefits and wellness, will take over as interim associate vice president of Human Resources on June 1.

She will replace Maxine Kent, who is retiring after 34 years at