June 9, 2010

Special olympics Athletes participate in the state summer games, 4A

Central Michigan Life

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

Michigan State House adopts Higher Education budget Bill keeps funding as is, but Caul opposes spending

By Connor Sheridan News Editor

The Michigan House of Representatives voted 55-51 Tuesday to keep higher education funding stagnant. “I did not vote to support the bill, right now, because the increase is from general funding dollars that are not designated,� said State Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant.

Caul said he is in favor of increasing funds to education but is unwilling to agree to increase spending when a deficit already exists in the state budget.

The Higher Education budget was modified from a previous Senate budget that proposed to cut funding by 3.1 percent.

The original Senate budget would have cut almost $48 million from statewide public universities.

The only way to free up funds to compensate for the tightened budget would be to reduce spending in another area first, he said.

“Unless you do that you can’t just print the money to say we’re going to give it to higher education,� Caul said.

The state House Appropriations Committee voted May 26 in favor of keeping the funding stagnant.

He said he believes the budget will most likely not be approved by the Michigan state Senate when it receives the budget within the next week or so, and will likely sent to conference committee along with several other state budgets. “I expect the bill will go to conference committee, and at that time I expect it will be decided where the additional dollars will come from,� he said.

State Rep. Joan Bauer, DLansing, voted in favor of the new budget revisions. “(Education cuts are) not the way to build a stronger Michigan,� Bauer said in a press release. “Investing in higher education will help create the world-class workforce we need to bring new businesses and new jobs here to Michigan and keep bright, well-educated young people in our state.�

By Amelia Eramya Staff Reporter

Charles Novitski couldn’t teach his BIO 315: Human Genetics course in Brooks Hall Monday due to a water leak.

Pipes on the third floor of Brooks began to leak around 2 p.m. Friday. “There was a coupling where two 90 degree elbows were joined together and it failed,� said Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management.

Novitski, associate professor of biology, was scheduled to teach in room 203, but water leaked through the ceiling tile, wetting desks and the floor. “While much work was accomplished on Friday, Sat-

Vicious cycle CMU student taking part in Le Tour De Mont Pleasant

By Joe Borlik | Senior Reporter

metro@cm-life.com

Leak starts on third floor of Brooks Hall Damage may have resulted from previous mistakes in renovation

Chris Barcarella/Staff photographer

Blanchard senior Trae Bott rides through the campus of Central Michigan University Tuesday while training for Le Tour De Mont Pleasant. Bott has been cycling for the last three years and racing competitively for one and a half. Bott cycled to a 4th place finish in last year’s race.

urday and Sunday to clean up the water present, my classroom was permanently moved to (Dow Hall) for my course,� Novitski said. “It was only because of quick response of people present that the damage wasn’t much worse. If it had gone overnight before noticed, it would have been enormously more serious.�

Central Michigan University hired Coach’s Catastrophe Cleaning and Restoration Services in Midland to clean the building. “We had crews working on it all weekend,� said Steve Smith, director of public relations. “The immediate need was to stop the water flowing and clean up the building.�

Wilcox Professional Services made errors in the original renovations in August 2008, including installation of underground water pipes and air conditioning ABROOKS HALL | 2A

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rae Bott can hit speeds exceeding 40 mph on his Ridley Noah pro team bicycle. “The fastest I’ve ever gone was in the high 40s and maybe 50s,� the Blanchard senior said. “It’s a pretty good rush. To think about it is one thing, to actually do it is quite different.�

Bott will compete one race of the second Le Tour De Mont Pleasant on Saturday and Sunday in downtown Mount Pleasant.

Bott’s criterium race, a faster and relatively short event, starts at 8 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Broadway and University streets.

The multi-sponsored event features professional cyclists, live music, a book signing, a children’s race and a family fun

ride, said Lisa Hadden, president and CEO of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. A European-style classic road race takes place Sunday.

Hadden said thousands of people will attend the event and she expects at least 350 racers. “We work for this all year,�

Hadden said.

She said the 106-mile race takes the riders about four hours and 15 minutes to com-

w w w

What: Le Tour de Mont Pleasant When: 8 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday Where: Downtown Mount Pleasant at the corner of Broadway and University streets

plete as they travel an average of around 25 miles per hour.

The course weaves throughout Isabella county including Mount Pleasant, Blanchard, Weidman and Rosebush in a single lap.

Hadden said there will be tents set up for the racers with water, fruit and baked goods. “It’s Lance Armstrong level racing,� Hadden said. “These people are pro.�

Bott has been preparing for the race by riding an average of 27 miles a day and 68 miles on weekends.

He raced in the event last year independently and placed fourth out of 40 in his race.

Bott has also participated in similar treks, biking from Grayling to Oscoda for the Avita Wa-

ter Black Bear Bicycle Tour last year.

This year, Bott is competing on a team with eight other racers sponsored by SC Bicycles of St. Clair. “We’re all at the same level and we’re a pretty good group of guys,� Bott said. “There’s a lot of teamwork involved.�

Bott has been riding for three years and competing for a year and a half.

He said he loves the competitive nature of racing and would some day like to go pro.

He also wants to introduce racing to younger generations. “I’d like to try to get the younger kids active and grow the sport,� Bott said. metro@cm-life.com

Verve Pipe lead singer performing downtown

By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

Downtown Mount Pleasant will gets its first big taste of summer with a free concert featuring Brian Vander Ark this week.

Vander Ark, lead singer of Michigan band The Verve Pipe, is headlining the first concert hosted by Max and Emily’s Bakery Cafe, 125 E. Broadway St., and a part of the venue’s second Summer Concert Series. “We think that in these difficult times, it’s hard to find fun things to do in town that are inexpensive,� said Chris Walton, a manager at Max and Emily’s. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for people to get out of their homes and enjoy what Mount Pleasant has to offer.�

The stage will be setup in front of Max and Emily’s on Broadway Street, which will be closed off from University to Main Street. He expects a crowd of 1,000 to 1,200 people.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m.

Donations of diapers, baby formula, food and money will be accepted for the Brian Vander Ark Central Michigan Red Cross Baby Pantry. “Every new parent knows the struggles that go on with becoming a first-time parent and not knowing what you’re doing, not having enough supplies,� Walton said.

Walton said the concert is funded by Isabella Bank and other downtown Mount Pleasant businesses as well as Max and Emily’s.

A second round This is the second year Vander Ark is performing for the series and he’s excited to come back to Mount Pleasant. “It’s a nice little street party,� he said. “I’m so glad they booked me, it was so much fun

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What: Free concert accepting donations for Central Michigan Red Cross Baby Pantry Who: Brian Vander Ark, lead singer of The Verve Pipe When: Thursday, June 10, 7 p.m.

Where: In front of Max and Emily’s, 125 E Broadway St.

last year.�

American Red Cross, said he Vander Ark said he’s im- appreciates the support from pressed with the venue’s desire Max and Emily’s. to help the Mount Pleasant “We’re the only baby pantry community. in our chapter area, which is “Anything that has to do with Isabella County,� he said. “We any kind of charity, especially need all the help we can get to when it’s charity at home, it’s keep it stocked.� tremendous, wonderful,� he Weston said it’s important said. for community members to Vander Ark will play an get involved and give what acoustic set, with a mix of they can. songs from his solo work in ad“It allows the people to dition to Verve Pipe numbers. have a great time and help “It’s a whole different vibe,� people out, help babies out,� he said. “It’s a little bit mellow- he said. “A community that er. There’s an intimacy to it that comes out and does things you don’t get with a full band, together is a community that for sure.� takes care of themselves and Dave Weston, commu- stays together.�

0W 3OHDVDQW $UHD &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH nity coordinator at the CenVB M tral Michigan Chapter of the metro@cm-life.com OE $ O O

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2A || Wednesday, June 9, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

EVENTS CALENDAR

Brooks hall | continued from 1A

Thursday w A farmers market will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Island Park. w An ice cream social will take place celebrating the Festival of Banners from 6 to 8 p.m. at Art Reach of Mid Michigan, 319 S. University Ave.

Friday w Comedian Wanda Sykes will perform at 8 p.m. at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 2395 S. Leaton Road.

Amelia Eramya/Staff photographer

Dana Johnson, an incoming freshman from Concord, plans her Fall 2010 schedule in the Charles V. Park Library Tuesday during orientation. Johnson, who is undecided on a major, is receiving two scholarships from Central Michigan University. “The more I come here, the more excited I get,” she said.

WEATHER FORECAST Today High 73/Low 56 AM Showers

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. © Central Michigan Life 2010 Volume 91, Number 88

30 percent chance of precipitation

ducts.

Smith said it is too early to tell if those renovations made last year by Wilcox Professional Services could be the source of the pipe leak.

CMU’s Board of Trustees approved hiring a mediator to seek refunds from the company at its February meeting.

Smith said attorneys are currently working on the mediation letter for the company.

“That letter is still being drafted,” he said.

Insurance agents from Mid-State Plumbing and Heating, 111 W. Pickard St. inspected the damage Monday. An insurance agent from Victaulic, a manufacturer of the pipes used in Brooks, also inspected the damage Monday.

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EFI Global, an investigative and consulting firm, and a technical consultant from LWG Consulting inspected the building Tuesday.

Lawrence said before the pipes can be removed, the cost of the damage needs to be determined through inspections.

“Once that happens, we’ll remove it,” he said.

Drywall, ceiling tile and carpet was damaged from the leak.

Lawrence said damages will be reviewed by insurance companies to determine the level of damage done and the cost of replacing and repairing damages.

He said results from the inspections should be complete by the end of the week. university@cm-life.com

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[News/Sports]

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, June 9, 2010 || 3A

MPSERS changes could give extra time to retiring employees

By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter

Chris Bacarella/Staf Photographer

Classic cars line up Saturday morning at the eighth annual Soaring Eagle Cruise’n Car Show. People from all over Michigan and surrounding states fired up their classic cars and hot rods to show off their retro-rides. Cars at the show ranged from a 1930 Essex Super Six to a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle with dozens of participants in between.

Hot rods hang out at car show Classic car owners gather to swap stories, appreciate automobiles

By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

For Joe Delaney, car shows are about more than just showing off some rare vehicles and ancient autos.

They give him an opportunity to share a piece of his family’s history with onlookers.

Delaney’s 1930 Essex Super Six was purchased by his grandfather in 1930 and has remained in the family ever since.

“Grandpa had it and he drove it to work until he died,” the Grand Blanc resident said. “Then my dad took it for five years and he started to restore it.”

Delaney’s vehicle was one of more than 300 registered automobiles at Soaring Eagle’s eighth annual Cruise’n Car Show on Friday and Saturday.

The show was open to a variety of vehicles which ranged from makes and models built in the 1920s to 1985.

Delaney said his Essex runs like a champ, but he has never put the pedal to the metal to test out its speed.

“I’ve put too much money into the engine to see how fast it can go,” he said. “It’s really important to me. I’ve kind of put a lot into it to get it going.”

Tonya Bardy, customer service supervisor at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, helped head the car show.

Bardy said there’s a good turnout each year, but attendance is highly dependent on favorable weather conditions.

“People pay a lot of money for these cars, so they’re not going to put them in the rain,” she said. “When the weather’s great, they come out in droves.”

The Cruise’n Car Show provided live music, prize raffles and even a performance by “Megasaurus,” a machine with the appear-

ance of a fire-breathing dinosaur that destroys cars.

Bardy said the event is a big draw for Soaring Eagle.

“We have people from across the bridge, Ohio, Indiana.” Bardy said. “It’s kind of more intimate, a friendly environment where everyone gets to know everybody.”

Clinton Township resident Paul Abraham said he has attended the car show for six consecutive years.

He loves being around other auto enthusiasts and has made several friends.

“When I started coming out here, there were two rows of cars,” he said. “Now there’s two parking lots full.”

Abraham drives his 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS to several car shows each year, but he really enjoys the Soaring Eagle show.

“You can let your hair down and have a good time,” he said. “You get to see different cars when you’re up here.” metro@cm-life.com

Changes to the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System legislation will allow the university to extend the effective retirement date of up to 16 eligible Central Michigan University employees.

The decision to request an extension will be finalized by the president, provost and vice presidents by June 11, according to an email by Lori Hella, interim associate vice president of Human Resources.

The university found out about the eligibility early last week from Michigan’s Offices of Retirement Services, said Jacqueline Pridgeon, interim director of benefits and wellness.

Pridgeon said some employees are retiring as early as June 30.

“It’s such a short time frame, some departments have to make relatively quick decisions on how to handle their services knowing they have employees that will be retiring,” Pridgeon said.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation reforming the MPSERS into law May 19.

Starting July 1, 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.

Pridgeon said she was not sure how long it took to find out about the 16 eligible positions.

She said they were trying to get the information out as soon as they could to the schools.

“The normal retirement process may take several months and, with only having 30 to 90 days to prepare, departments may feel like they are under a time crunch,” Pridgeon said.

Hella sent out an e-mail on May 26 stating some

ME N ’ S B A S K E T B ALL

Spica departs, team adds pair of walk-ons

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

The Central Michigan men’s basketball team will be without a returning senior for next season.

Marko Spica has opted to return home to Serbia and will not play during his final year of eligibility, head coach Ernie Zeigler confirmed on Monday.

“Marko has gone back to Serbia and is looking to pursue some professional interests,” Zeigler said. “He’s graduating here this summer and is going to complete his degree. He’s been an invaluable part of our program and we wouldn’t be where we are right now without his contributions.”

Regarded as one of the top post players in Europe out of high school, the 6-foot-9, 250pound forward was recruited by Zeigler while he was an assistant coach at UCLA in 2005. When Zeigler took the head coaching position at CMU in June 2006, Spica followed him.

Spica averaged 7.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during the 2006-07 season and was named in the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team.

His production, however, fell the following year when he averaged 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds. A pre-season injury sidelined him for the 2008-09 season.

Expected to have a major impact this past season, Spica proved to be inconsistent. He played in all but one game, starting in three - while averaging just 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

Roster additions Zeigler has added a pair of walk-ons for the 2010-11 season, bringing the total number of new players committed to playing for the Chippewas to nine.

Brook Turson, a 6-foot-4, 185pound guard from Plymouth, Ohio, committed to CMU after recently signing a National Letter of Intent to play at Robert

Morris.

Austin Barnes, a 6-foot-7-inch small forward from Lansing Waverly High School, also signed to play for CMU last month.

“Austin’s a kid who is just starting to scratch the surface in terms of his potential,” Zeigler said. “We’re looking forward to him coming in and being (in) a developmental role as we look to improve his strengths and skills.

CMU’s 2010 recruiting class is ranked first in the Mid-American Conference and was recently named second in espn.com’s “Best of the Rest” (non-power conference) category.

Returning home According to a post on the team’s Twitter account, CMU is scheduled to play its first exhibition game of the 2010-11 season on Nov. 4 against Cornerstone at Mount Pleasant High School. Zeigler confirmed the announcement but said an opponent is still not confirmed.

“It’s somewhat out of neces-

Stan Shingles gets assistant vice president promotion

By Eric Dresden Editor in Chief

Director of University Recreation Stan Shingles will have a new position starting July 1.

Shingles, who has worked at Central Michigan University since 1989, will be promoted to assistant vice president of university recreation, events and conferences, said David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services.

Burdette said the job was created as a part of a consolidation and Shingles will be in charge of the operations of the events center, University Events and the office of camps and conferences. He will also be in charge of University Recreation.

Shingles said the new additions to Rose Arena will enable

him to do a lot more in his new job.

“I’m extremely excited to start, the events center has a great vision by the board and university administration,” Shingles said.

Shingles stayed at CMU last year despite getting a job offer for himself and his wife at their alma mater of Illinois State.

He said he plans to work to bring events and conferences to CMU as well as continue to work with athletics after the additions are made to Rose Arena.

“My job is to facilitate, I’m fortunate to have a ... staff who will be experts,” he said.

Burdette said Shingles will report to John Fisher, associate vice president of residences and auxiliary services.

Shingles said he will focus on making sure camps and confer-

ences will be held in the fall and spring as well, rather than just the summer.

Burdette said he is happy with the decision to put Shingles in the new position.

“He’s the right person at the right time,” Burdette said.

Burdette said no jobs will be cut as a part of the consolidation and no jobs will be added.

Steve Smith, director of public relations, said Shingles’ pay will increase from $89,535 annually to $92,221 with the promotion.

Despite being the first to hold the new position, Shingles said he really does not think of it that way.

“I see it as less about me and more about us, and by us I mean CMU,” he said. university@cm-life.com

sity more so than anything,” Zeigler said. “We want the first game in the new Events Center to be a game of great magnitude, which we hope it will be with Temple on Dec. 1.”

Zeigler said there were options of trying to play the game at Finch Fieldhouse, but the cost of getting a new floor wasn’t feasible.

The game will serve as a homecoming of sorts for CMU’s biggest recruit, Trey Zeigler, who spent most of his prep career playing at MPHS. “He’s going to have some fun with it,” Ernie Zeigler said.

“For all players, you reminisce and you have those moments thinking ‘this is the last time I’m warming up, this is the last time I’m getting ready to play.’ Now he gets to play another game there.” sports@cm-life.com

departments are going to feel very constrained preparing for early retirements given such short notice.

“Departments may face difficulty supporting employee’s requests to use their vacation balances down to the 160 vacation payoff maximum prior to their retirement date,” the e-mail states.

A four-step process for requesting an exception is also

detailed in the e-mail.

The email states if departments are unable to grant an employee extra time before retirement, the employee then must request for their supervisor to grant an exception.

Pridgeon said they have not been receiving many calls about the changes in legislation. university@cm-life.com

4A || Wednesday, June 9, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News]

Photos by Libby March/Photo editor

Sarah Peterson, 15, an Area 11 Special Olympics athlete, dances to music during the Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies Thursday in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Grasping olympic glory

Special Olympics Area 8’s modified volleyball team, coached by Penny Pickett and Wendy Mater, rallies together before competing Friday in the lower level of the Student Activities Center.

Amelia Eramya/Staff photographer

Area 3 Special Olympics athlete Tera Marquardet of Alpena sits at a desk in Herrig Residence Hall before leaving for dinner Sunday. Marquardet said this is her tenth year competing in the Summer Games. “It’s a worthwhile experience for the athletes, the chaperones and everyone involved,” said Joelynn Marquardet, Tera’s mother.

Special Olympics Summer Games inspire, entertain thousands

By Maria Leone Staff Reporter

Dominic Lilie, 11, of Alma, takes a nap during the Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies Thursday night in Kelly/Shorts Stadium. Dominic is an Area 7 Special Olympics athlete who competed in the softball throw.

Heather Beltowski, 21, hugs her boyfriend, Matt Janego, 18, during the Special Olympics 400-meter dash at the Central Michigan University track. Beltowski and Janego are both Area 27 athletes later competed against each other in the 50-meter dash.

Tara Marquardt enjoys getting to know everyone.

That’s what she aimed for this weekend at the Special Olympics State Summer games.

“People, I like meeting all the people,” said Tara Marquardt, of Alpena, who has been competing for 10 years for Area 3. “That was fun.”

Her mother, Joelynn Marquardt said it is a worthwhile experience for the athletes, chaperones and everyone involved.

“Some will win, some will lose, you just do the best you can do,” said Joellyn.

About 5,500 athletes, coaches, and volunteers came to the 2010 games, said Kim Purdy, public relations director for Special Olympics Michigan.

Purdy said the athlete and volunteer percentage increased by 6 percent since last year.

The games went wonderfully thanks to the hard work of athletes and volunteers, she said.

Vacation time An interesting experience for many of the athletes was staying in one of the many residence halls opened up for the games.

“Leisure time is spent and friendships are developed,” said Lorell Whitscell, Area 3 director. “The athletes really enjoy their time away from home because sometimes this is the only time they get to travel.”

One night several athletes collected water bottles from each room and set up bowling in the halls, she said.

Area 11 athletes Dan Sell and Brian Hustoskoi, of Grand Rapids, both agreed they enjoyed the food provided and sleeping in.

“We get to have a good experience,” Hustoskoi said. “I enjoy that the most.”

The next summer games at CMU are June 1-3, 2011.

“All of the employees are rewarded by the happy faces and stories of each athlete’s success that year,” said Cal Seelye, director of camps and conferences.

Purdy said attendees can look forward to seeing new performances and special events as the years continue, and new ideas are always being discussed.

“Thank you to everyone who worked hard and the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers,” Purdy said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without you.” university@cm-life.com