Tour de Mont Pleasant brings thousands downtown 5A
Strongman competition tests might, 3A
lawsuit | CMU has spent $212,174 on Guevara defense, 3A
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
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Mid-American Conference open to expansion No schools named but presidents talk ‘opportunities’ By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter
All of the talk in the sports world of late has been on changes to the Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac10 conferences. But that doesn’t mean other leagues aren’t getting involved. The Mid-American Conference is also open to expansion, Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said Monday in a telephone interview with
Central Michigan Life. “We are certainly open to looking at opportunities right now,” Steinbrecher said. “If we think there are institutions that will help elevate this conference, then we will explore those opportunities.” School presidents met Thursday night and Friday in Cleveland, Ohio, with the issue of membership the central topic. “We talked a long time on that,” he said. “I won’t talk about institutions right now, but we’re being aggressive and looking at opportunities that may be available to us.” Central Michigan Athletic Director Dave Heeke said Monday
that MAC presidents and athletic directors have held several meetings to determine a direction and focus of the league in case of fallout in other conferences. Heeke said the MAC wants to be ready if and when “all the dominos scatter.” “We’re a little bit of an odd league with a 13th member team in football,” Heeke said. “We’re a little unbalanced so we’ve talked about that – we need to be an even number in the future. So we’re interested in where other teams kind of shake out that may provide an opportunity for us to grow or do something different.”
Inside w Big 12 stops bleeding, 6A CMU President George Ross, who attended the meeting via telephone, confirmed the issue of membership was discussed. Should the MAC decide to expand, he declined the idea of looking at Division 1-AA and Division 2 schools and said the conference would seek other Division 1 schools. “The MAC is a Division 1-A conference so we would look for other Division 1-A schools,” Ross said. “I am supportive of expansion and I think it would
help to have an even number of teams. There’s an imbalance in the conference – with one less in the West – for football and I think it would strengthen the MAC.” However, Western Michigan University President John Dunn said he “didn’t see a great level of enthusiasm” for recruiting other schools at the meeting. “What I saw was a discussion of keeping our eyes open,” Dunn said. “We’re not in a sense of any panic.” Steinbrecher declined to name any specific schools the conference is looking at and said there is no timetable for a decision. “We could very well stay where
we’re at,” Steinbrecher said. “We (have to) come to a point where we identify institutions that fit with us philosophically and problematically and the institutions felt that we were the right home. I don’t think you can put a time frame on it. I don’t think what we would do is linked to what anyone else is doing.” Temple University is the newest member of the MAC, entering in a football-only role in 2007. “You sit there and you watch,” Steinbrecher said. “There’s a general sense of great unpredictability in the environment right A MAC | 2A
MPSERS gets 86 CMU employees to retire By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter
Central Michigan University has 86 employees retiring early as a result of the changes to the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System legislation Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law May 19. Jacqueline Pridgeon, interim director of benefits and wellness, said the results meet the original prediction of 60 to 100 employees retiring early. “It’s right in line with what we were projecting,” Pridgeon said. Under the legislation,
all active employees enrolled in MPSERS who do not choose to retire early will have a 3 percent pay deduction which goes toward retiree health costs starting July 1. She said Academic Affairs has 42 employees retiring, Financial and Administrative Services has 39, Government Relations and Public Affairs has two, the presidential division has one and University Advancement has two. Pridgeon said Academic Affairs has been impacted the most because it is the
A MPsERS | 2A
Chris bacarella/staff photographer
Mount Pleasant residents Nick Mullin, left, and Josh “The Legend” Sessink, right, laugh about motorcycle stories Thursday night at O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grill during the Central Michigan Riders club Bike Night. Both Mullin and Sessink are part of the club and come out to the local bike nights to help support local business and raise money for the Isabella County Youth Services Unit.
Fast friends Central Michigan Riders speed around town for charity, fun By Ryan Taljonick | Staff Reporter
R
iding motorcycles is one of John Drozd’s strongest passions. The only thing he likes more than tearing down the street on his 2006 Honda CBR600RR is riding it with a group of fellow motorcyclists. Drozd, tired of riding solo, decided to find others in the Isabella County area to saddle up with. About a month ago, he created Central Michigan Riders, an organized group of motorcycle enthusiasts. “Everybody’s willing to put something down for the group,” he said. “About 80 percent of us haven’t known each other for more than two or three months.” Drozd began by flagging bikers into the ABC Warehouse parking lot. He now
has more than 60 contacts involved with the group. CMR members meet every week to ride around town and raise money for various charities within Isabella County. “We get together, we have fun, we have sponsors that
get together and donate stuff,” he said. Drozd said the group meets every Tuesday for Cruise Night at 5 p.m. in the parking lot of ABC Warehouse, 1805 S. Mission St., to go for a ride. They also meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday nights for Bike Night, a social event where all are welcome to hang out, meet or join the group and participate in raffle drawings. This week’s Bike Night will be held at CoCo Joe’s Beach House, 855 E. Blue Grass Road. A portion of the raffle money is donated to benefit Isabella County’s Youth Services Unit. Raffle prizes are donated by CMR’s sponsors. “If we do anything that impacts anybody, I want it to impact the kids in Isabella County,” Drozd said. Bike Nights are hosted at
If you go... w w w w
What: Bike Night Where: CoCo Joe’s Beach House, 855 E. Blue Grass Road When: 6 p.m. Thursday What: Gathering of motorcyclists fundraising for the Isabella County Youth Services Unit
multiple venues owned by some CMR sponsors, including O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Low Rider, Recker Motor Sports and more. Flyers listing the monthly dates and locations of Bike Night events can be found at CMR sponsor locations. Not just bikes Though the members of A Bikers | 2A
Amelia Eramya/staff photographer
Brenda Freeman, 31, of Northville, admires Lon Ferguson’s photo on canvas, “Grotto of the Mighty Hermaphrodite,” at his memorial service in the University Art Gallery Tuesday.
Photo art professor Ferguson dies at 51 Colleagues mourn, recall fond memories By Maria Leone Staff Reporter
Michael Lon Ferguson is remembered as a good friend to both colleagues and students. Ferguson, 51, an assistant art professor at Central Michigan University, died from cancer at his home June 9. Originally from Texas, he
taught at CMU since August of 2001, said Larry Burditt, chairman of art and design. Ferguson taught photography and digital imaging courses in freshmen to senior level classes. Al Wildey, interim associate dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts said singling out one of Lon’s accomplishments was a difficult task. “Lon was deeply engaged in being a thoughtful and challenging contributor to those around him - whether A Ferguson | 2A
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2A || Wednesday, June 16, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
EVENTS CALENDAR Today
w Kay’s Day encourages women’s philanthropic interests from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Blue Gator. Seats are $35 per person. w The Bubbleman will demonstrate the art of bubble making and discuss the science of bubbles at 3 p.m. at the Faith Johnston Memorial Library.
Thursday
w A conflict resolution workshop will go from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Rowe 229. Participants will be taught about several different resolution styles.
Friday
w Opening performance of "The Wizard of Oz," begins at 7 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre. Tickets are $8.
Saturday
w The 19th annual women’s golf scramble will begin at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Hills Golf Club. Cost for entry for three-member teams are $60 per person.
MAC | continued from 1A
now. There’s a host of things we don’t know the answer to.� Heeke: CMU staying put Athletic director Dave Heeke confirmed CMU will not be moving conferences anytime soon. He said CMU has not been approached about joining another conference. “I think we’d always be listening to those conversations, but we’re pretty comfortable with who we are,� Heeke said. “We have like-minded institutions in our conference, a vision for what our conference should be and know how we want to grow. I don’t anticipate a lot of conversations about that.� A modest jump to even a Con-
bikers | continued from 1A
the group are primarily sport bikers, Drozd said anyone can join and there is no cost or commitment. Mount Pleasant resident Mike Jackson rides a 250cc mo-ped with the group. “I’m the tail end, I pick up the back,� Jackson said. “If somebody takes a spill and others don’t notice it, I’m willing to stick around until help arrives.� Jackson met Drozd after being waved into the ABC Warehouse parking lot. He said he enjoys riding with CMR. “If I get left in the dust, I
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Chris bacarella/staff photographer
More than 1,000 fans sat out on Thursday night on Broadway street in downtown Mount Pleasant to enjoy the musical performance of Brian Vander Ark, solo artist and lead singer of The Verve Pipe. The event marked the beginning of the 2010 Max and Emily’s Summer Concert Series.
know where they gather,� he said. “They’re having their fun.� Drozd said the only rule in CMR is that everyone has to ride smart. “When you’re doing something with the group as an organization, you don’t act stupid,� he said. Mount Pleasant resident Nicholas Haas saw the CMR group in the ABC Warehouse parking lot. He decided to check things out and has been a member of the group since then. “It’s definitely an experience,� Haas said. “You meet new friends real quick, it’s a passion everyone holds together.� metro@cm-life.com
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. Š Central Michigan Life 2009 Volume 91, Number 89
MPsERS | continued from 1A
largest division on campus in terms of employee count and covers all the faculty and staff in the administrative area for the university. She said out of the 86 early retirees, only eight are faculty, either being regular tenure track faculty or temporary faculty. The rest are staff employ-
ees including office professionals, service maintenance and professional and administrative employees, Pridgeon said. She said the feedback she has heard from employees has seemed positive. “It’s an opportunity for them to increase their pension in retirement,� Pridgeon said. Illegal? But not everyone is happy with the legislation. Five Michigan Education Association members filed a class action lawsuit Friday in the Michigan Court of Claims stating the three percent pay deduction is unconstitutional and illegal. The lawsuit is a threepart complaint including a breach of contract, said Arthur Przybylowicz, the general council for the Michigan
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
ference USA or Mountain West, Heeke said, would take a $40 million athletic budget – CMU’s current athletic budget is around $20 million – and larger stadium to reach minimum standards set by those conferences. In addition, Heeke said the number of season tickets would have to double, ticket prices would double and students would no longer get into games free. He pointed to Marshall, who left the MAC for CUSA in 2005, as a prime example of a school who made the jump and hasn’t been able to duplicate its success in another conference. “It’s very intoxicating and exciting to say we want to be bigger and go there,� Heeke said. “There’s not enough revenue from those leagues that would offset those investments.�
Education Association. Przybylowicz said a hearing on the issue will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, June 28. Pridgeon declined to comment on how the lawsuit could affect the university if successful. Provost Gary Shapiro said Academic Affairs plans on filling the positions of the retirees by hiring new employees. “We will lose some institutional memory because most of these people have been with us for many years,� Shapiro said. “There will be many qualified applicants for the positions we choose to fill.� Shapiro said each individual office and unit will carry out its own hiring and training. university@cm-life.com
Ferguson | ever it took so that what you needed to know stayed with you,� Fostoria alumnus Tony Todoroff said. Todoroff said Ferguson had a type of style that always put a smile on people’s faces. They once had a chat about how Ferguson wanted him to pursue his passion for photography instead of Todoroff’s focus on graphic design. “He made me feel really great about myself, that chat always stayed with me,� Todoroff said. Todoroff said the last time he spoke with Ferguson, he was trying to convince him to travel to France because he knew he had always wanted to visit. Ferguson protested because he was graduating and Lon just asked, “So what?� with a smile. “That’s just the kind of person Lon was. He had a one of a kind attitude, an amazing artistic mind and the abil-
continued from 1A
student, artist, or colleague,� Wildey said. “His contributions will be sorely missed.� Southfield alumna Cristina D’Aristotile said Lon was one of her favorite professors at CMU. She remembers his class like it was yesterday, especially all of his cheesy jokes delivered with his signature southern drawl. “Thinking about it now makes me both smile and tear up,� D’Aristotile said. “He was such an interesting person and an amazing artist.� He focused on what he was passionate about, and truly led an exciting life, she said. She said he inspired the students he taught, helping them to be the creative people they are today. “Lon was a really great teacher who always took the time to help out and do what-
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ity to make anyone smile,� Todoroff said. Southfield alumnus Robert Barrett said Ferguson was one of the most interesting people he has ever met. He said he was always curious about the work of his students and played a tremendous role in the department of art and design. Barrett said he looked forward to Ferguson’s class every time because it was so unique. He said Ferguson always went out of his way to help students that wanted to learn and improve, and even stayed late after class numerous times. “CMU has lost an insightful, talented, and caring professor with his passing,� said Barrett. CMU held a special memorial for Ferguson Tuesday night Services for Ferguson were held with his family at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas.
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[News]
Guevara case fees total $212,174
h e av y l i f t i n g
By Eric Dresden Editor in Chief
Amelia eramya/staff photographer
Mount Pleasant resident Shawn Allen, 30, competes in the light heavyweight class at the King of the Mountain strongman competition Saturday at Graff Chevrolet, 4580 E. Pickard Road. Allen lifted the 210 pound log nine times in one minute. “This is my third year competing,” Allen said. “It’s a neat community event.” Allen qualified for nationals which will be held in Reno, Nevada on Nov. 11.
Powerlifters perform feats of strength By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter
Shawn Allen enjoys lifting 300-pound Atlas stones when he is not working at Aunt Millie’s Bakery. The 30-year-old Mount Pleasant resident took first place in the light heavyweight class at the King of the Mountain strongman competition Saturday at Graff Chevrolet, 4580 E. Pickard Road. He will compete in the nationals with about 70 total competitors in Reno, Nevada on Nov. 11. “The biggest thing is to stay mentally tough,” the powerlifter said. “In competition, everybody is so
close. The only difference is a couple reps and a couple seconds.” Allen was one of 12 competitors out of about 50 that qualified at the local competition. The participants faced off against each other in events such as a 560-pound farmer’s walk, a two-inch axle dead lift, log press and Atlas stones, a group of five large stones that weigh up to more than 350 pounds. This will be Allen’s second year qualifying for nationals. Allen began weight lifting at age 13 and said he started getting serious about it at age 17. In high school, he would weight train for at least an
hour before school for football and has stuck with it ever since. “Strongman has been a neat way to bring glory to God,” Allen said. Several Central Michigan University students also qualified for the nationals over the weekend including Troy senior Matthew Brimer, who took third place in the super heavyweight class and is headed to nationals for the first time. Brimer said he is extremely excited to compete. “As long as I place somewhere high, I’ll be happy with that,” Brimer said. He said he has been lifting for about six years and his favorite lifts are the dead lift
and Atlas stones. Jake Webb, a 2010 CMU alumnus, took first in the 265-pound heavyweight class and will be competing for his third year. “It’s not too big of a deal, I went last year, so it’s not like I’ve never done it before,” Webb said. Harbor Springs junior Ron Shock already qualified after winning his weight class at the Motor City Strongman competition in April. He decided to compete in the KOTM competition anyway. “I just came here because this is a blast,” Shock said. “I came to have some fun.” metro@cm-life.com
City water supply to see reduced fluoride By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter
Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a series about fluoride in Mount Pleasant water. The Mount Pleasant City Commission Monday voted four-to-two to temporarily reduce the amount of sodium fluoride added to the city’s water supply to the lowest level possible, consistent with the language of the 2005 ballot. The temporary decrease will remain in effect until the Environmental Protection Agency releases findings from an ongoing study researching a safe level of water fluoridation. The reduction was recommended by the Fluoride Task Force, headed by Commissioner Kathleen Ling and consisting of four other city residents representing a range of opinions regarding water fluoridation. “The EPA is in the middle of doing a re-assessment,” Ling said. “It seems to us premature to go back to the ballot while we’re waiting for the EPA to fin-
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, June 16, 2010 || 3A
ish their study.” Ling said the task force was created to address whether water fluoridation is effective, safe and if its usage has any significant ethical or legal issues. The task force members spent nearly a year researching documentation from various experts and organizations regarding the effects of the ingestion of fluoride. “There do appear to be a number of possible health risks,” Ling said. “We now know it is not ingesting it that strengthens your teeth, it’s topical application.” Based on reports reviewed by the task force, overexposure to fluoride causes dental fluorosis, which includes symptoms like discoloration of the teeth. A National Research Council Report published in March 2006 linked fluoride to an increase in bone fractures and skeletal fluorosis, bone cancer, adverse brain development effects and decreased thyroid function, Ling said. However, she said the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control
continue to endorse water fluoridation. Mount Pleasant’s natural fluoride level in city water is 0.4 parts per million, or milligrams per liter. Currently, the city adds fluoride to reach 0.7 ppm, which is within current guidelines of 0.7 to 1 ppm as recommended by the ADA and CDC. Ling said she expects the fluoride levels to be reduced to somewhere between 0.4 and 0.5 ppm until the EPA’s study is released. Not all are happy However, some meeting attendants were disturbed by the commission’s decision. Carol Hanba, oral health coordinator for the Mid Michigan District Health Department and dental hygienist of more than 30 years, was frustrated. “I see first hand the disparities of dental health in our children. I think what you did tonight did harm,” she said. “Dentists go to college for nine years to learn what they know.” But Mount Pleasant resident Jeremy Hart was pleased with
the commission’s decision. “Fluoride affects so much more than your teeth,” he said. “If people want it, fine, but don’t force it on me if I don’t want it.” Sharyl Majorski, member of the Fluoride Task Force and chemistry lab coordinator at Central Michigan University, said more research is needed on the effects of fluoride ingestion. “Any chemical can be safe, any chemical can be dangerous,” she said. “This is one that deserves more attention.” The City Commission also appointed Nancy English to fill prior Commissioner Jeffrey Palmer’s vacant seat. English is currently a commissioner for the Mount Pleasant Planning Commission. metro@cm-life.com
Central Michigan University has paid $212,174.51 in attorney fees for the case involving women’s basketball coach Sue Guevara. According to documents obtained by Central Michigan Life through the Freedom of Information Act, CMU paid law firm Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis and Dunlap, P.C., the amount from February of 2009 through April 30, 2010. “For the Heike case, the university retained the services of attorney Michael E. Cavanaugh of Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis and Dunlap, P.C., a Lansing law firm, at the rate of $210/hour,” said Kathleen Kelly, legal assistant for general counsel, in an e-mailed statement to CM Life accompanying the FOIA information. The FOIA did not include a breakdown of the costs because they are subject to attorney-client privilege and are protected under Section 13(1) (g) of the Freedom of Information Act, Kelly said. CMU filed for sanctions against former women’s basketball player Brooke Heike and her attorney Cindy Rhodes Victor on May 28, asking for $174,294 from the pair. “(Heike) and her attorney violated ... numerous respects by filing and proceeding with this frivolous lawsuit, and defendants are entitled to an appropriate sanction, including their attorney fees,” Cavanaugh said in the motion filed through district court against Heike and her lawyer. CMU’s General Counsel
Manuel Rupe said the sanctions were filed because the university felt the lawsuit was frivolous, so they could only sue for the fees incurred after sanctions were placed on Victor on July 9, 2009, according to the motion filed by Cavanaugh. “The University has filed a motion for sanctions in the lawsuit originally filed by Ms. Heike, which is not a new or separate lawsuit,” Rupe said. “The difference between the total attorney fees incurred in representing the University and the fees that the University is seeking through its motion is due to the requirement under the court rules that a party be placed on notice before filing a motion for sanctions.” Rupe said some of the payment for the $212,174.51 attorney fees has been paid through the Michigan Universities Self Insurance Corporation but was not sure how much. The original lawsuit was filed on Feb. 6, 2009 against Guevara, Athletic Director Dave Heeke, CMU and its Board of Trustees and Assistant Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid Patricia Pickler alleging Heike was sexually discriminated against after she lost her scholarship following the 2007-08 season. A portion of the lawsuit was thrown out in September and the rest was thrown out May 3 on the basis that university officials were employees of the state and immune from such claims. university@cm-life.com
4A || Wednesday, June 16, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
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[News]
Student seeks certified deaf education program at CMU By Connor Sheridan News Editor
Getting through grade school is tough enough for kids when the student and teachers speak the same language. But for deaf children who are raised with American Sign Language as their primary language, keeping up with notes, interpretors and regular classroom work bring a whole new set of problems. Kelly Laatsch would like to help ease that concern for kids who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Freeland senior wants to become a certified deaf educator. She is deaf herself, with a cochlear implant in her left ear allowing her to discern speech, though she still uses an ASL interpreter in class to be sure she catches everything. “I’m kind of stuck right now,” Laatsch said. That is because Central Michigan University doesn’t have a certified deaf education program. Although she had accounted for this by planning to pick up her master’s at Michigan State
University’s prestigious deaf education program, MSU has decided to discontinue the program starting this year. Students currently enrolled in the program will have until 2013 to complete it. “(The e-mail back from MSU) said ‘Oh, sorry, we’re closing the program!’” Laatsch said. “Whoa, this is my future!” The program was closed partially because of budget concerns, a decision that gave rise to public protests from the deaf community. Harold Johnson, a professor of special education at MSU and co-director of the program, said the more than 40-year-old establishment had a unique role within the country in terms of identifying and implementing innovative enhancements for teaching deaf students. Creating a similar program at CMU could be possible, he said, but not easy. “One of the difficulties CMU would have is attracting faculty that would be qualified for the program and able to succeed professionally,” Johnson said. Laatsch said CMU’s respected
programs in education, special education, ASL and audiology all give the school a prime opportunity for a deaf education program. Renee Papelian, director of Professional Education at CMU, said a marked amount of student interest would be necessary before CMU could begin pursuing such a program. With enough student support, they could then confer with the Michigan Department of Education in order to ascertain what would be necessary to continue. “We have to align ourselves with those standards in order for students to be certified in particular areas,” she said. Unfortunately, Papelian said the current budget crunch in Michigan makes the prospect of adding new programs a particularly laborious one. Laatsch is remaining optimistic about its future possibilities at CMU. “I’m sure it’s going to be a long process, but I think it would be really beneficial for students,” she said. university@cm-life.com
Video-game convention gives taste of future releases By Troy Wolverton San Jose Mercury News (MCT)
LOS ANGELES - The Electronic Entertainment Exposition, better known as E3, got a big, if unofficial, kickoff on Monday as two of the video game industry’s largest players touted their latest wares. Microsoft showed off Kinect, formerly known as Project Natal, its add-on for the Xbox 360 that lets users play games, navigate menus and start and stop movies without the use of a remote control or game controller. The company also unveiled a new, svelte, “whisper quiet” version of the Xbox 360. Meanwhile, Electronic Arts showcased a collection of upcoming games. They include a new “Medal of Honor” game that is set in Afghanistan amid the current war there. E3, which officially started Tuesday, is the game industry’s biggest showcase in the United States. Game companies typically use the event to generate excitement about their upcoming products, both by showing off ones slated for release by the holidays and by giving glimpses of others whose release dates are further off. This year’s event comes at a rocky time for the industry. After initially seeming immune to the economic downturn, it has fallen on tough times. Retail sales of its products have fallen in 10 of the last 13 months leaving big game makers such as THQ, Ubisoft and EA struggling with declining results. At a breakfast talk on Monday morning, Mike Gallagher, president of the Entertainment Software Association, the industry’s trade group, tried to put a positive spin on the state of the business. While retail sales of games have been declining, those figures don’t include the industry’s newer sources of revenue, including the sales of games distributed digitally or to mobile devices, he noted. They also don’t include the sales of virtual goods in games on social networks such as Facebook. If you add up all those sources of revenue, the total is about $5 or $6 billion. Excluding those revenues, retail sales of game products in the U.S. were about $20 billion last year. “We have a technology that whatever screen a consumer has, they want to use our product on it,” said Gallagher. “That’s the wind in our sails.” The game industry may be moving into new areas, but E3 is still largely focused on the traditional game business of selling hardware and packaged games through brickand-mortar retail stores. Microsoft didn’t disappoint the crowd that attended its press event Monday,
when it showed off trailers for three role-playing games. They are the war-themed “Call of Duty: Black Ops;” “Gears of War 3,” which is set in a distant world where players fight off evil monsters; and “Metal Gear Solid: Rising,” which features a powerful sword that can slash through seemingly anything and at just about any angle. Microsoft spent much of its event talking about Kinect, which it previewed at E3 last year. Kinect is an accessory that includes a microphone and a camera system that can visualize
players and their movements in three dimensions. It allows players to interact with games using gestures and movements, much as they can with Nintendo’s motion-sensing Wii remote, but without the use of a handheld controller. Consumers also can use Kinect to interact with the Xbox 360. They can use voice commands to start and stop movies or play songs. And they can use the camera in the Kinect for video chat sessions with other friends who either have Kinect or are running Windows Messenger on their PC.
College of medicine second floor rendering courtesy of facilities management
College of Medicine to use new designs, technology By Seth Nietering Staff Reporter
New equipment and 21st century design will be available for students enrolling in Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine. The College of Medicine building, which has been in construction as an addition to the Health Professions building since May, was designed with a variety of different rooms and areas with specialized purposes. Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of facilities management, said the building will have 24 faculty offices, 10 small group study rooms, learning commons, quiet study areas, two lecture rooms, a large lecture hall, student affairs suite, a series of exam rooms, two anatomy labs, a small library and a simulator room. Lawrence said the simulator room will be one of the most impressive fea-
“We put out requests for proposals and then from there narrowed it down to the best project design teams. We then selected the team that we felt was strongest.” Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of
facilities management tures of the new building. It will give medical students the chance to practice what they have learned on specially designed mannequins. Central Michigan University chose URS Corporation to design the facility. He said there was a long and careful process in choosing the design firm. “We put out requests for proposals and then from there narrowed it down to the best project design teams,” Lawrence said. “We then selected the team that we felt was strongest.”
URS also designed the new Michigan State University medical facility in Grand Rapids. Lawrence said CMU has previous experience with the engineering and construction corporation. “URS was the company that we used to design the library,” Lawrence said. The company cooperated with planning and design firm Ellenzweig for the construction of CMU’s new medical building. university@cm-life.com
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[News]
Incoming freshman class could be larger than expected By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter
Freshman enrollment at Central Michigan University may be higher than expected this fall. The university has received about 18,000 freshmen applications this year, Director of Admissions Betty Wagner said. Wagner said the projected freshman enrollment is currently exceeding the goal of 3,600 students and will likely surpass last year’s projected 3,691 incoming freshmen. “It looks like a banner year for CMU,” Wagner said. “But it’s still a little early to tell.” She said next year should be the largest year for freshman enrollment since 2008, which had a record high of 3,864. photos by Chris Bacarella/Staff Photographer
East Grand Rapids pro bicycle racer Nate Williams holds up the number one as he crosses the finish line in first place Sunday afternoon at Le Tour De Mont Pleasant. Behind Williams in second place is Highland pro rider Ryan Cross. The gap between Williams and Cross was slim with Williams riding the 106-mile course in 4 hours, 7 minutes and 15.7 seconds and Cross just .3 seconds behind.
Cyclists speed through Isabella county By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter
Nate Williams’ year-round training all paid off on Sunday. The professional bicycle racer finished first place in Le Tour De Mont Pleasant’s 106-mile pro road race. “If the roads are clear, I’ll ride outside, if not I’ll do the trainer indoors,” the Grand Rapids resident said. The route weaved throughout Isabella county including Mount Pleasant, Blanchard, Weidman and Rosebush in a single lap. Williams rides for the Bissell/ABG racing team and has been racing for six years. He sprayed a bottle of champagne into the audience as he stood atop his first-place podium at the award ceremony following the race. Williams won $1,000 for finishing first. He said he plans to spend the money on paying for other races.
“It feels real good to finish,” Williams said. “It was awesome that the community came out to support the event.” More than 1,000 people attended Le Tour De Mont Pleasant and more than 300 people raced each day, said Lisa Hadden, president and CEO of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. Hadden said she was pleased because there were fewer injuries than last year. Last year there were three injuries, while there was only one broken collar bone during this year’s competition. Hadden said her favorite part of the event was watching the children compete at the kid’s race Saturday. It is the largest kid’s race in the state, she said. “It is so cute and so fun to see all these kids,” she said. “We put numbers on them just like the pros and they’re having the time of their lives. Hadden said she was im-
It has been more than 500 days since President Barack Obama was sworn into office. Stephanie Jaczkowski is more than 4,000 miles away from home, but that hasn’t stopped her from keeping up with President Obama’s administration. The Clinton Township junior has been studying abroad in Warsaw, Poland since January. She is not happy with many of Obama’s decisions. “His promises of transparency in government, one of the few things I wholeheartedly support, has been made a mockery in the passing of the health care and stimulus packages,” Jaczkowski said in an e-mailed statement. “Members of Congress admitted that they didn’t know what they were voting for, and if they don’t know, how can millions of Americans know what was truly in the bill?” She did not agree with him during his election campaign and said she does not think he has lived up to his promise of change. “He had many different policies that I disliked,” she said. “The biggest problem I had with Obama is his support of large government in all aspects of American life. However, I had hoped that he would come through with his campaign promises of change and transparency of government.” Bloomfield Hills senior Jasmine Crossland and Detroit alumna Sara Kirkland, however, both feel the president is on the right track. “I feel like people are criticizing him to the extreme,”
Kirkland said. “I’m sure he’s doing everything with a solid mind. I still trust him, I trust his policies. I think he’s doing a fine job as president for the amount of time he’s been in there.” Kirkland and Crossland supported Obama during his election campaign. “He came off as very genuine, somebody who really represented the people,” Kirkland said. “I liked his whole appeal. He seemed like a family man, he seemed knowledgeable. He seemed confident too, but humble.” She feels Obama is making progress and living up to his promises of change. As a recent graduate, Kirkland is grateful for the passing of the health care bill into law. “That will allow me to stay on my parent’s insurance until I’m 26. I don’t have a job right now, without that I’d be cut off now.” Crossland attended a
Still declining number Although next year looks promising for CMU, Wagner said Michigan is experiencing a smaller pool of graduating high school seniors. Michigan had 119,353 projected high school seniors in 2008 and that number is predicted to steadily drop to 103,411 by 2014 and is expected to continue declining until 2016.
Wagner said the number of Michigan high school graduates are declining because fewer are being born in the state and people are leaving to find work elsewhere. She said to keep freshman enrollment high at CMU the university has launched recruitment campaigns in Illinois, a state with a much larger pool of graduating high school seniors. Wagner said about 7,000 of CMU’s estimated population of 27,000 students comes from students enrolled in ProfEd and programs across the country. The university has also made shifts in financial aid and scholarships to make up for the Michigan Promise being dropped, Wagner said. Michelle Howard, director of academic advising and assistance, said more than 4,000 students are currently registered for freshman orientation, which is about 500 to 600 more than last year. “The prediction is very healthy,” Howard said. “CMU is a top choice for many high school students.” university@cm-life.com
“The prediction is very healthy. CMU is a top choice for many high school students.” Michelle Howard, director of academic advising
and assistance Riders race down Broadway street June 13 during Le Tour De Mont Pleasant. The event consisted of two days of bicycle racing with 11 categories for every style of racer, beginner to pro. Professional bicycle riders reached speeds of over 30 mph in parts of the races with only a few crashes the entire weekend.
pressed by the professional skill of the racers. To see guys keeping up at 26 mph after racing 100 miles is amazing, she said. Hadden said the racers in Saturday’s criterium race clocked in at about 37 mph. Professional racer Vince Roberge of Panther/RGF Cycling finished fourth in about
four hours and 15 minutes. Roberge’s teammate crashed during the race, leaving it up to him to finish the ordeal strong. “It feels good to be done,” Roberge said. “I’ll probably feel more tired tomorrow than today.” metro@cm-life.com
Students mixed on Obama’s performance By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter
Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, June 16, 2010 || 5A
“He came off as very genuine, somebody who really represented the people. I liked his whole appeal. He seemed like a family man, he seemed knowledgeable. He seemed confident too, but humble.” Sara Kirkland, Detroit alumna
speech by Obama in Detroit’s Cobo Arena in 2008. “When I went to see him, I thought he was well spoken,” she said. “I thought that the issues he was targeting in his campaign as far as education and health care and trying to fix the economy were good stuff.” She said she remains confident in the Obama administration. “There’s a lot going on in our society now,” she said. “When you look at the econ-
omy ten years from now, that will really tell if he did the job he set out to do.” studentlife@cm-life.com
6A || Wednesday, June 16, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
cm-life.com/categoy/sports
[Sports]
All 16 teams finish above NCAA benchmark in latest APR report
Sports roundup: Brown signs with Steelers; football schedule change
Men’s basketball makes cut, cross country first
Team APR scores
By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter
Bryan Anderson was cut by the New England Patriots on Friday.
w Baseball: 943 w Men’s Basketball: 926 w Men’s Cross Country: 1000 w Football: 941 w Men’s Indoor Track & Field : 965 w Men’s Outdoor Track & Field : 975 w Wrestling: 937 w Women’s Basketball: 975 w Women’s Cross Country: 991 w Women’s Field Hockey: 989 w Gymnastics: 963 w Soccer: 974 w Softball: 970 w Women’s Indoor Track & Field : 967 w Women’s Outdoor Track & Field : 967 w Volleyball: 986
FOOTBALL CMU’s scheduled game against Temple has been moved to Thurs. Sept. 9 in order to be televised on ESPNU, the school announced Tuesday. The team’s Nov. 5 rivalry game against Western Michigan will kick off at 6 p.m. Wide receiver Antonio Brown signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. The Detroit News reports a three-year deal worth $1.28 million. He will also earn a $73,075signing Antonio Brown bonus, according to ESPN. Brown was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.. Former CMU wide receiver
MEN’S BASKETBALL Sophomore walk-on Tyler Denike left the team following last season, head coach Ernie Zeigler confirmed last week. His departure opened up a spot for Brook Turson (Plymouth, Ohio, HS) to declare his intention to walk-on in the fall. In an effort to remain consistent with its other jerseys, CMU will don new gold uniforms next season with “Central Michigan” across the front. Zeigler said there are plans to add players’ names to the back of jerseys for the upcoming season as well.
By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter
In addition to graduating, statistics show Central Michigan student-athletes are staying eligible – and staying in Mount Pleasant. All 16 CMU athletic teams exceeded the benchmark score in the latest Academic Progress Rate report, released by the NCAA last week covering academic years 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. In addition to GPA and graduation rates, the APR serves as another component in measuring the success of an athletic program. The rate combines eligibility and retention of all athletes on scholarship. “We’re pleased we finished ahead of the benchmarks on all fronts,” said Athletic Director Dave Heeke. “Our goal is to always be sound academically. First and foremost, our studentathletes are here to receive their education and graduate.” Off all teams, the men’s cross country team finished the highest with a perfect 1000 score over the four-year period. The team earned praise from the NCAA last month for its achievement. The women’s team came in a
close second with a score of 991, including a perfect 1000 for the 2008-09 academic year. “We’re really excited about not only the student-athlete piece of it, but the student piece of it,” said Willie Randolph, cross country/track and field director. “We’ve very focused and driven on making sure these athletes are graduating. I think that with the reality of making sure you’re recruiting the right athletes – like every coach across the country knows you must do – that also makes a difference in how you develop them once they get into your program.” The football team finished fifth in the Mid-American Conference with a score of 941, falling just below the 944 Division 1 national average. The team scored 944 for the 2008-09 academic year. Men’s basketball continues to feel the effect of a large number of transfers and issues from past seasons, barely exceeding the benchmark with a 926. However, things appear to be improving for the team as it posted a 941 for 2008-09 and only suffered one scholarship departure from last season’s team. “We monitor that regularly and we’re very close because of the early transitional issues of really stabilizing the program,” Heeke said. “We’re trying to work really hard as we continue to move on so we do not fall
Covering 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09
under that level. It is one that’s in that grey-area that we’re concerned going forward.” Women’s field hockey and volleyball scored 989 and 986, respectively, to finish third and fourth. For the 2009-10 academic year, CMU student-athletes finished with a 3.03 overall GPA with a quarter earning a 3.5 GPA or better. sports@cmlife.com
Big 12 commissioner halts conference realignment Beebe: “There’s an understanding of how much we need each other” By Greg Logan Newsday MCT News Service
As Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe noted Tuesday, the media was “excited to see where the hearses were headed,” but Beebe succeeded in heading off the hearses at the pass. Despite losing Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the Pac-10 last week, Beebe received assurances from Fox and ABC/ESPN for the television money necessary to keep Texas and hold the 10-school league together. By convincing Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to reject overtures from both the Pac-10 and the Southeastern Conference, Beebe also succeeded in stopping the runaway train of college realignment. Had the Pac-10 formed the first 16-team “superconference,” the Big 12 would have fallen apart,
Big Ten expansion might have accelerated, and other conferences, including the Big East, would have been threatened by the domino effect. “So many people in the business felt it would not be good to have these ‘megaconferences’ that really are just business associations,” Beebe said in a national teleconference. “We landed in a good place, not just for the Big 12, but for the future of intercollegiate athletics.” Contrary to early reports, Beebe said the Big 12 has no new TV deals in place. However, ABC/ESPN, which has a deal running through the 2015-16 season, and Fox Sports network, which has a lesser deal over the next two years, told Beebe there will be no reduction in rights payments for the loss of Nebraska and Colorado. Further, both offered strong assurances of a hefty increase in payments that might be negotiated as early as next spring. Beebe declined to verify reports that Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma could receive $20 million per year from future deals with the other seven members getting
$14 million to $17 million. “In the spirit of having not negotiated deals and having just verified our value, I don’t want to limit what we might get,” Beebe said. “We might get a higher number... We will solidify these commitments through media contracts as we go forward.” Beebe confirmed that Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Baylor, the five schools that would have been left behind by expansion, have offered to give the penalty fees that Nebraska and Colorado must pay, which could amount to $20 million, to Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. The higher market value of those three schools will be reflected in future TV deals, but no details have been finalized. At the moment, the Big 12 has no expansion plans to fill its two vacancies, and Beebe said the possibility of a name change will be discussed later. As for any hard feelings about the nearbreakup, Beebe said, “Any exercise like this results in bruises that have to heal, but also there’s an understanding of how much we need each other.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Former assistant Bill Ferrara’s replacement, Heather Oesterle, officially began today. Oesterle’s contract, obtained by Central Michigan Life through the Freedom of Information Act, will pay
her $45,000 over next season. Ferrara was paid $41,700 during the 2009-10 season.
SOCCER Head coach Tom Anagnost added Stephanie Webb as the team’s graduate assistant coach on Tuesday. Before coming to CMU, Webb worked as an academy director of a soccer program in Palm Springs, Fla., and was on the Stetson soccer staff.
FACILITY UPGRADES Lettering reading “Central Michigan University” and a lit CMU logo will be installed on the press box at Kelly/Shorts Stadium before the 2010 football season. In addition, landscaping improvements will be made to Theunissen Stadium (baseball) and infield resurfacing to Margo Jonker Stadium (softball) for the 2010-11 season. sports@cm-life.com
8A || Wednesday, June 16, 2010 || Central Michigan Life
V i d e o g a me rev i e w
‘Red Dead Redemption’ an exciting ride By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter
Will Smith’s “Wild Wild West” adventure is nothing compared to the excitement of immersing yourself in Rockstar’s western sandbox-style game, “Red Dead Redemption.” The title takes place during the early 19th century in America’s rapidly shrinking western frontier where it offers some of the most beautifully detailed scenery to date. You take control of John Marston, a former outlaw trying to do right by the law to make up for his past sins and save the ones he loves. You’ll travel across the prairie via horseback, carriage and even train as you hunt down your former gang-mates. There is plenty do to in the game between the main story missions, side missions, challenges and exploration.
It’s astonishing how fun it is to just jump on your horse and ride around. You will obtain positive or negative fame and honor depending on how you complete mission objectives, and townsfolk will respond differently to you based on your reputation. You can even use your lasso to drag enemies around while riding on your horse at high speeds or leave them bound up on the train tracks to await certain doom. The gun play in “Read Dead Redemption” is a huge part of the game and is incredibly satisfying. Shooting a runaway bandit in the leg will realistically cause him to tumble to the ground. The soundtrack for the game is absolutely amazing, with each song blending perfectly with the scenery, making the experience even more engaging. “Red Dead Redemption” also
www.cm-life.com
[Vibe]
SUMMER FUN |
Red Dead Redemption w PS3/X360 w Rated M for Mature
HHHHH offers a variety of fun online multiplayer modes, including several competitive modes, such as multiple capture-the-flag variations, free for all and team-based matches. Though you will come across a few hiccups and bugs, the sheer awesomeness of the experience quickly outweighs the cons. “Red Dead Redemption” easily sets new standards when it comes to open world action games. There is no better Western in existence - this is a must-play title. studentlife@cm-life.com
Amelia Eramya/Staff photographer
Little Caesars baseball team member Jacob Robinson, 11, stands at first base waiting for the opposing team, Konwinski Construction Inc., to hit the ball at Pickens Field, 309 W. Pickard St., Monday. Robinson has been playing baseball for six years and continues to participate in Little League baseball.