July 21, 2010

Trustees | CMU signs deal with dow chemical, 3A

Central Michigan Life

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

[cm-life.com]

shooting at the cabin

Kim “Kemp” Luchie was murdered after being shot multiple times July 13. It was a case of ...

MISTAKEN IDENTITY “We do not have any information at this time that the suspect and the victim knew one another.”

Anthony Gomez-Mesquita,

Mount Pleasant Director of Public Safety

photos by Libby march /staff photographer

ABOVE: Elizabeth Nelson holds her hands to her face and stands with her friend, Camille Ramsey, at about 11:45 p.m. after the shooting on July 13 at The Cabin, 930 W. Broomfield Street. TOP: Anthony Gomez-Mesquita, Mount Pleasant Director of Public Safety, makes an official statement regarding the shooting on July 14 during a press conference held by the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Television and newspaper reporters photograph weaponry found in the car of Justin Joel Luckhardt, 32, of Shepherd, including a Glock semi-automatic .357 handgun, bottom, and an SKS 7.62 x 39 caliber assault type weapon and two fully loaded magazines.

Answers still sought after shooting and suicide

By Eric Dresden | Editor in Chief

M

Courtesy photo

Kim “Kemp” Lerene Luchie, 25, poses for a team photo when he played for Olivet College. He played running back for the team for two seasons in 2003 and 2004.

Luchie was shot six times and murdered in Mount Pleasant on July 13.

ount Pleasant Police are still searching for answers after a fatal shooting at The Cabin on July 13.

“At this point, I’m not sure we will ever get a clear answer,” Jeff Browne, Mount Pleasant Police public information officer, said.

“Detectives have been interviewing people, though.”

He said police are still attempting to acquire text messages sent and received that night by Justin Joel Luckhardt, 32, of Shepherd, after police said he entered The Cabin and shot to death Kim “Kemp” Lerene Luchie, 25.

Police have said Luchie was shot after a case of mistaken identity by Luckhardt.

Luckhardt entered The Cabin bar at least three times during the evening and on the third time, at about 10:45 p.m. shot Luchie about six times, killing him, said Anthony Gomez-Mesquita, Mount Pleasant director of Public Safety.

He said officers do not see any evidence connecting the two. Luckhardt later shot himself after a police chase that ended when he crashed his car on Crawford Road near Millbrook Road.

“We do not have any information at this time that the suspect and the victim knew one another,” GomezMesquita said. “We do know the suspect was having marital problems and that at The Cabin bar, within one of the booths were four

individuals. These four individuals were friends and work associates. One of the females at the table was the suspect’s sister-in-law.”

He said police currently think the motive for the shooting was marital problems for the suspect as well as marital problems for the sister-in-law.

Luchie, a Grand Rapids resident, spent one season on the CMU football team’s practice squad after transferring from Olivet College for the 2005 season.

Gomez-Mesquita said when Luckhardt entered the bar before the shooting there was interaction between the four people at the table.

“In fact we think there was A Cabin | 2A

Students will pay $7 more per credit hour this year

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees approved Thursday a 2.065 percent undergraduate tuition increase for the 2010-11 academic year.

Students not covered by the CMU Promise will pay $346 per credit hour in the fall. About 28.5 percent of returning students remain on the Promise.

“I’m pleased with the board’s action and it’s signaling to our students that we’re going to try and provide access,” said CMU President George Ross. “We talked about being modest for

our students and families. It positions us to move forward and do some planning and move strategically forward.”

David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services, introduced options of a 2.065, 2.95 and 3.54 percent before the board settled on the lowest proposed rate.

Before the Trustees voted, Ross interrupted and recommended adopting the 2.065 increase. He said the school continues to model its budget based on a 20 percent reduction in state appropriations, but stressed the need to invest in students and academics.

Trustee Sarah Opperman made her support known for the 2.065 percent increase immediately and Trustees Gail Torreano and Sam Kottamasu followed suit. No trustees voiced opposition.

“It keeps pressure on everyone to make the right decisions financially,” Opperman said.

The increase puts CMU fourth among tuition for the 15 public universities in the state.

Burdette said the average yearly cost of attending CMU will be approximately $19,000.

Last month, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor voted to increase tuition 1.5 percent

‘10-’11 state tuition cost per credit hour for in-state resident undergraduates w w w w w w w w w

Central Michigan University - $346 Michigan State University - $371 U of M-Ann Arbor - $395 U of M-Dearborn - $308 U of M-Flint - $287 Eastern Michigan University - $279 Wayne State University - $300 Northern Michigan University - $256 Saginaw Valley State University - $244

and Michigan State University announced a 2.5 percent increase. Eastern Michigan University continues to tout its 0 per-

90 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice

w w w w w w

Michigan Technological University - $401 Grand Valley State University - $303 Oakland University - $324 Western Michigan University - * Ferris State University - $331 Lake Superior State University - $292

*has not set 2010-2011 tuition rates

cent increase.

Trustee Stephanie Comai said providing access and being sensitive to students and their

families’ economic situations was key in setting the rate.

A Tuition | 2A

2A || Wednesday, July 21, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

EVENTS CALENDAR Thursday w A farmers market selling locally grown produce takes place in the morning at Island Park, 331 N. Main St. w The Zydeco rock band the Saucecats perform at 7 p.m. in downtown Mount Pleasant. The event is part of Max and Emily’s Summer Concert Series.

Friday w A blues festival featuring Larry McCray, Laith Al- Saadi and others takes place from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Main Street in downtown Mount Pleasant. The concert also takes place from 1 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and is part of the 2010 Downtown Mount Pleasant Street Festival. w "Reality Dating: A Series of One Act Plays," occurs at 7 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre, 216 E. Broadway St. The performance includes five separate plays, each with the theme of dating. Tickets are $5. It also plays Saturday at the same time and place.

Saturday w "American Indian Dance – Awaken Your Spirit," takes place at noon, 2 and 4 p.m. at the Ziibiwing Center, 6650 E. Broadway Road. The program will feature dancing with symbols of nature including animals and trees.

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 94

cm-life.com

cabin | continued from 1A

a photograph by a cell phone taken there,” he said. “Then (Luckhardt) left, he returned a short time later and once again left the bar, then came in. When he came in the third time he walked directly to the table and opened fire on the victim.”

He said Luchie was the only target and Luckhardt left in his car immediately after the shooting.

Gomez-Mesquita said Luckhardt brought a Glock semi -automatic .357 handgun into the bar with him but also had a SKS 7.62 x 39 caliber assault type weapon and two fully loaded magazines in his car, as well as a Kevlar vest.

He said currently police are operating under the assumption that Luckhardt had other plans after leaving The Cabin but it is still under investigation.

He said it is believed that alcohol was a factor for Luckhardt.

Fleeing from The Cabin Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said county officers had responded to a call earlier when Luckhardt had struck a sign with his newer model white Nissan Maxima.

He said Luckhardt lost his rear-right door in the accident and an officer was just leaving the scene of the hit-and-run when the officer heard about a similar car speeding away from The Cabin.

The first responding officer spotted the vehicle and followed it until it crashed into a ditch on Crawford Road near Millbrook Road, Gomez-Mesquita said.

“He pursued it approximately two miles south on Crawford Road at which time there is a hairpin curve, the vehicle being pursued failed to negotiate that curve, went off the roadway and then crashed into a wooded area,” he said. “Officers also traveling at a high rate of speed needed to turn around as they had overshot the curve.

When they positioned themselves to approach the vehicle, they found the suspect laying on the ground injured from a

Photos by libby march/staff photographer

Daniel Goodar, 22, of Illinois, lays his head in his hands following a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Kim “Kemp” Luchie on July 14 at The Cabin. Goodar knew Luchie through his brother, Nate Goodar, and has known Luchie for almost three years. “He never hurt nobody,” Goodar said, “He was a good guy; got his head on straight. I just hope his family and his girl can stay strong through this.”

Mount Pleasant Police Officer Jeff Browne displays a Kevlar vest on July 14, which was found in the car of Justin Joel Luckhardt, 32, of Shepherd, after Luckhardt crashed the vehicle heading south on Crawford Road. Luckhardt was found dead on-scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.”

The scene Gomez-Mesquita said Luchie got immediate help after being

shot because several off-duty, unarmed police officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department were at The Cabin.

“As the incident unfolded they responded as we would

expect our officers to respond, they administered aid to the victim and assisted in identification and pursuit of the suspect,” he said.

He said there were no other injuries to patrons inside The Cabin.

Lisa Kidder, a Cedar Springs senior, said she and her friend Jericca Lawwill, an Alto junior, had just entered the building from the patio and were about 5 to 10 feet away from where the shooting occurred.

“We booked it outside,” Kidder said.

Lawwill said at first she didn’t know what was going on as the shots were fired.

“It didn’t register,” she said. “I thought it was fireworks, honestly.”

The aftermath For family and friends the event brought grief and questions about that night.

Irv Sigler, former head foot-

cm-life.com Visit the site for a slidehow and video coverage.

ball coach at Olivet College, said Luchie was a talented, positive person.

“He was just a guy that you loved to coach,” Sigler said. “He was fun to be around and made the world better.”

Luchie was remembered by hundreds with a candlelight vigil in front of The Cabin on July 14.

“He was one of the only people I knew who could walk without a care in the world ever,” said Luchie’s cousin Mike Inge, a Grand Rapids junior. “I’m going to miss him forever.”

-Senior Reporter Aaron McMann contributed to this report. metro@cm-life.com

Mount Pleasant area deals with :K\ 'RHV ,VDEHOOD &RXQW\ summer time of crime, troubles 1HHG D 5RDG 0LOODJH" Crime statistics within the Mount Pleasant city limits:

By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter

Some Mount Pleasant residents are shocked by the amount of crime the area has experienced in the past two weeks.

The community has seen two murders, two pedestrians killed after being hit by cars, a jail suicide, a student charged with unlawful imprisonment, four kids struck by lightning in neighboring Montcalm County and a police standoff in downtown Shepherd.

All this has occurred within less than two weeks.

“I think part of the issue is that we’re not used to these types of tragedies,” said Jeff Browne, Mount Pleasant Police public information officer, referring to the two homicides.

“Since we’re not used to it, it’s shocking.”

On July 10, 25-year-old Iva Joy Fuller’s body was found in a field off W. Remus Road near Nottawa Road in Deerfield Township on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation.

Her brother, Daniel Lawrence Fuller, is awaiting federal indictment for her murder.

It was the same weekend Ronald Ian Bryant II, 42 of Mount Pleasant and Makayla Currier, 14 of Crystal, died after being hit by cars.

Ronald William Ross, 44, of Spring Lake, was also found dead in the Clare County Jail from an apparent suicide the same weekend.

The following Tuesday, Justin Joel Luckhardt, 32, of Shepherd shot and killed Kim Lerene Luchie, 25, at The Cab-

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2006: 32 aggravated assaults, 120 burglaries, 0 murders, 28 sexual assaults, 225 simple assaults (including domestic violence) 2007: 39 aggravated assaults, 187 burglaries, 1 murder, 36 sexual assaults, 278 simple assaults (including domestic violence) 2008: 43 aggravated assaults, 156 burglaries, 0 murders, 35 sexual assaults, 248 simple assaults (including domestic violence) 2009: 52 aggravated assaults, 151 burglaries, 0 murders, 18 sexual assaults, 245 simple assaults (including domestic violence) 2010 to date: 17 aggravated assaults, 58 burglaries, 1 murder, 19 sexual assaults, 117 simple assaults (including domestic violence)

in bar. Luckhardt then killed himself shortly afterwards.

The Cabin incident was the forth homicide in Mount Pleasant in the past 15 years, said Anthony Gomez-Mesquita, Mount Pleasant director of Public Safety.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Jim Holton said he has been in Mount Pleasant since 1989 and cannot remember a time when such violent crimes have come in such quick succession.

“Everyone in the community is stunned,” Holton said. “If we could prevent it we would.”

Holton said the crimes have brought a realization that anything could happen in any small town.

He said the economy may have an affect on crime in some parts of the state, but in Mount Pleasant there is no excuse.

“It’s just unfortunate it had to happen here,” Holton said.

“We have to move forward as a

Tuition increase | continued from 1A

“We have to balance that with maintaining the quality educational opportunities we offer here,” Comai said.

“If we just cut our way into balancing our budget as opposed to increasing tuition, we would be denigrating the academic experience that

students have here, and we just can’t do that. We have to maintain our academic integrity and maintain the infrastructure we have here.”

A similar 2.065 percent increase, approximately $480,000, in financial aid was also approved Thursday. The school will work

community together.”

Browne said there is no reason for people to be afraid to live in Mount Pleasant.

Overall reported crime statistics within the city do not suggest an increase in crime from previous years.

The last murder within city limits was in 2007 and before that 2004.

Browne said murders in the area usually occur once every two to three years.

In 2009, the city had 52 reported aggravated assault cases. This year there have been 17.

Mount Pleasant has seen 19 reported cases of sexual assault so far this year, up one from 18 in 2009. This is still lower than the 28, 36 and 35 reported in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively.

“I still think we have a great community with great public safety,” Holton said. studentlife@cm-life.com

with an operating budget of $417,903,423.

“I want again to say to our employee groups who have taken a zero (percent) increase to help mitigate the tuition increase that I’m grateful to them,” Ross said.

“Operationally there’s nothing that we won’t be able to get accomplished.” university@cm-life.com

*(7 7+( )$&76 Learn more about the Isabella County Road Millage – and how quality roads support ents eshm d! r f e public safety and a vibrant economy – R ide Prov at the following public meeting: 6 p.m., Thurs., July 22 at the Wiedman Community Building, 5398 Bridge St., Weidman, MI

For more information contact: Isabella County Road Commission (989)-773-7131 www.IsabellaRoads.com

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www.cm-life.com

[News]

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, July 21, 2010 || 3A

CMU partners with Dow for business training

By Connor Sheridan News Editor

photos by chris bacarella/staff photographer

Clinton Township resident Nathan Snowden skates out of a quarter pipe Sunday during Skate Wars at the Soaring Eagle Casino. Snowden could be seen doing a mix of elaborate tricks and technical grinds during the inline skating competition.

Skate or die

By Maria Leone Staff Reporter

The Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort was full of decks this weekend, though these had wheels instead of playing cards.

Skate War III, a competition for inline skaters and skateboarders took place Friday to Sunday in the casino’s parking lot.

Dozens of street rails were brought in as well as half pipes and a mini ramp to allow the skaters to take flight across the lot in front of more than 500 attendees.

Todd Levitt, owner and founder of Skate War, Inc. said its first competition was in 2007, but was nowhere near as large as it has become today.

“We strive to provide skaters of any age the opportunity to grow and enjoy the sport of skateboarding and inline skating,” Levitt said.

Levitt said the ultimate goal from the beginning was to allow both skateboarders and inline skaters the opportunity to compete and network with professionals in the skate community and industry.

Chynna Weierstall, an inline skater, skated to prove herself just as capable as her male competitors. She placed second in her division and will be one of the competitors on July 30 at the Warped Tour in Detroit.

“Girls can do anything that guys can do,” she said.

Weierstall, 18, from Roseville, has been skating for almost

Central Michigan University will begin training Dow Chemical Company employees as soon as January of 2011.

The Board of Trustees approved a contract with Dow to develop an online learning program for Six Sigma Green Belt project leaders Thursday.

The contract will allow up to 1,500 Dow employees to be trained in the program yearly in exchange for a $1.5 million payment to CMU over five years.

The program could be the first step in similar efforts between CMU and the international corporation based in Midland.

“I could see that expanding if the right opportunities come around,” University President George Ross said.

Andy Paquet, director of Enterprise Development for CMU, said the course uses Dow’s proprietary materials based on the Six Sigma system

of business management strategy.

“It’s a tactical level course, people are taught to use data to make the best possible decisions to resolve those problems,” Paquet said.

He said the program will train Dow employees to be efficient project leaders operating at a somewhat higher level than most other Six Sigma Green Belts, the second level of certification in the Six Sigma system.

“Dow has modified it, they’ve actually made the green belt level a project leader level, although the complexity of those projects may not be as great as the complexity a black belt or a master black belt would do,” Paquet said.

Kevin McCarron, Six Sigma Service Leader for Dow, said the university’s long standing relationship with the company was not the only factor in choosing the partnership.

McCarron said the logistics of training an international base of employees in the pro-

gram when they need it and not just when there is enough demand for a physical class contributed to choosing an online training service.

“CMU’s got a good solid program around distance learning, with their expertise in distance learning and our ten years of proven Green Belt project leader training, we thought it would be a good combination,” he said.

CMU will also receive access to Dow’s Six Sigma materials, which may be considered for integration into the university’s College of Business Administration programs, Paquet said.

The online learning materials, which will be hosted on Blackboard, will also be branded with both Dow and CMU logos, providing exposure for the university.

“Maybe some of those Dow parents or students will see it and consider CMU as an option,” Provost Gary Shapiro said. university@cm-life.com

Accused killer Daniel Fuller awaiting federal indictment

By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter

Detroit resident Luke Naylor does a stall on a mini ramp Sunday during Skate Wars at the Soaring Eagle Casino. Naylor is a Modern Skate and Surf team member.

seven years. She became a professional skater at 16 as part of the Amateur Inline League.

She said when getting dressed in the morning, her inline skate pendant is something she never forgets to put on.

A favorite memory of hers is placing first in the Super Girl Jam, a female skating competition held in California, she said.

Diana Ward, Weierstall’s mentor, said she enjoys watching her progress because she has come so far.

“She hasn’t succumbed to the stereotypical skater,” Ward said. “She doesn’t smoke, drink, do drugs, or even cuss and she doesn’t want to.”

Al Dolego, a close friend of Weierstall’s said he thinks of her as a personal video game. He said if a new trick ever seems too

cm-life.com Visit the site for a photo slideshow and video coverage. hard, she can most likely nail it.

Dolego said Weierstall always has an optimistic attitude no matter how hard something may be for her.

“Keep trying and don’t give up, even when it’s hard,” she said.

Levitt said he was very thankful for Raul Venegas and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for allowing them to use the space for the competition.

Weierstall and nine other finalists qualified for the opportunity to skate at the Warped Tour in Detroit, he said. metro@cm-life.com

LIFE IN BRIEF CMail NOW ONLINE Central Michigan University’s new e-mail service, CMail, launches today.

The service is currently only available for students and alumni, with faculty and staff to be migrated to the system in coming weeks.

“For any student familiar with any modern interface, Google, Yahoo, this will be like falling off a log,” said Roger Rehm, vice president of Information Technology.

The new e-mail service offers a “Web 2.0” inspired interface as well as a significantly increased ten gigabytes of storage.

E-mail service was unavailable from

roughly midnight to 8 a.m. during the migration.

2010 Downtown Mount Pleasant Street Festival Downtown Mount Pleasant will host a sampling of sidewalk sales and blues musicians from tomorrow until Sunday.

Arts and crafts, performers, interactive art events and downtown businesses will all be available for visitors at the event.

The event was combined from the former arts and festival, 57 years of sidewalk sales, and a new element of blues music.

A 29-year-old Isabella County man accused of murdering his sister is awaiting federal indictment.

Daniel Lawrence Fuller remains incarcerated in Isabella County Jail on a parole violation.

Frank Cloutier, spokesman for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, said a grand jury is being assembled for Fuller’s indictment.

“As soon as a grand jury convenes, they’ll formally charge him,” Cloutier said.

He said a grand jury was

supposed to assemble last week and is unsure how long it will take.

Daniel Fuller is Daniel Fuller awaiting formal charges for killing his 25-year-old sister Iva Joy Fuller.

Iva Fuller’s body was found July 10 in a field off W. Remus Road near Nottawa Road in Deerfield Township on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation.

Daniel Fuller was paroled

from prison July 6 after serving a sentence for assulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer starting in Nov. 2006.

The FBI is leading the investigation, with assistance from the tribal police, Mount Pleasant police and the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department because the crime occurred on tribal land and involved Native Americans.

Cloutier said Daniel Fuller could face the death penalty because the case is in federal court. metro@cm-life.com

voices Central Michigan Life

4A

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

– The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

[cm-life.com/voices]

Editorial Board: Eric Dresden, Editor

A tough, good decision

I

n April, Central Michigan University President George Ross said the school would not significantly increase tuition to address its financial challenges.

Ross followed through on Thursday, recommending the CMU Board of Trustees adopt a 2.065 increase in tuition, the lowest of the three proposed options, for the 2010-11 academic year.

Thankfully, the board listened.

With the increase students will pay $346 a credit hour, a $7 bump, and give CMU an operating budget of $417,903,423.

It’s difficult to swallow any tuition increase, but this one was a smart move for the school.

While it is still not unreasonable to think CMU could have avoided raising tuition at all — similar to what Eastern Michigan University did — it made the right move and should be praised. While schools such as Saginaw Valley State University and Michigan Technological

in

Chief | Connor Sheridan, News Editor | Aaron McMann, Senior Reporter

University raised tuition nearly 6 percent, others such as the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Michigan State University kept it under 3 percent.

CMU followed suit and did what it had to do to remain affordable for students and their families given the continued economic conditions in the state.

Not only would a 5 or 6 percent increase been a nightmare for current students, it would have driven away potential freshman, a number CMU expects to be one of its highest on record.

The board approval was a good sign that CMU officials are keeping their word and minds on students, not themselves.

Employees and faculty should be praised, too, for accepting pay freezes to help curb an increasing budget.

Now focus needs to go elsewhere, toward helping retention.

As of March, CMU had a retention rate of 76.1 percent which places CMU at fourth in the state in retention.

Now that CMU could get a record number of incoming freshmen the retention number needs to grow in kind.

All the students in the world will unfortunately do little good if they only stay (and pay) for one or two of the eight semesters most require to graduate.

Now is the time for the university to re-evaluate academic programs, classes, and student services. It will require a significant investment to propel CMU onward instead of just treading water.

With more freshman flooding the school with fresh pocketbooks and clean slates, now is the perfect time for the university to position itself as a stronger and leaner institution than ever.

[DON WRIGHT]

Conner Sheridan News Editor

I’ll take the leg lamp

Award shows are the kudzu of television.

Like the invasive vine that’s quickly devouring the American south, they seem to be spreading ever faster across television listings.

They uproot decent shows and destroy the fertility of the land, annually robbing more intellectually fulfilling programs, like salad dicer infomercials, of precious time slots.

The subject matter itself doesn’t mean squat – so obviously we should have a vote and give the best widget-maker a pile of broken glass glued to a board.

One of the more egregious examples is the Spike Video Game Awards.

I don’t necessarily agree with Roger Ebert’s long-held and muchdebated opinion that video games should not be considered art.

But as a gamer myself, I felt like a significantly worse person after viewing the first VGAs in 2003.

Any hopes I had of games elevating themselves above the realm of schlocky war shooters featuring marvelously thick necked protagonists who grunt focus-group derived “urbanisms” over the sound of gunfire is continually shattered by that program.

A never ending lineup of clueless, yet attractive, celebrities spout off about how many “newbs” they have “pwned” on the “internet.”

By the time they turn the microphone over to any figure with actual significance to the gaming industry, he or she is obviously so uncomfortable to be there that they can at best power through their lines in a desperate bid to return to a world of reason.

What’s the point? What is gained from this or any of the numerous other hedonistic tributes to overpriced entertainment?

Well, now we know that “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” was a better film than “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” according to the Nickelodeon viewers of North America.

Oh. Good.

Central Michigan Life Editorial Eric Dresden, Editor in Chief Connor Sheridan, News Editor Chelsea Kleven, Design Editor Libby March, Photo Editor Aaron McMann, Senior Reporter Joe Borlik, Senior Reporter Advertising Paige Winans, Advertising Manager Professional staff Rox Ann Petoskey, Production Leader Kathy Simon, Assistant Director of Student Media Neil C. Hopp, Adviser to Central Michigan Life

[ letter to the editor] I am writing in support of Kevin Cotter for State Representative.

The people of Midland and the State of Michigan know we need a change in our government. Tweaking the system is no longer enough. There needs to be a major overhaul. Our survival depends on it. Kevin Cotter will be a part of the change we need.

Kevin is a young, creative, energetic, caring person. He is not a politician but has become involved out of disgust with the current condition of Michigan.

As a small business owner and an attorney who advises small business owners, he understands how difficult it is do business

in Michigan. State government should work with businesses to help put struggling citizens back to work instead of constantly being an obstacle to those who risk and take chances to create jobs.

Too many politicians feel that they must fall in step with their party or they will risk political fallout. Witness the mess we have on both the federal and state levels when this happens! Those elected need to represent us, the people, and what we want rather than rule us with what “they think” is best for us. Kevin is not afraid to cast the unpopular vote if that is what is best for our district and our state, even if it may shorten his elected term

in Lansing due to lack of the “big party machine” support. We need new ideas, new energy, new direction, new representation.

Kevin Cotter can best meet that objective for us.

For those of you who would like to meet Kevin Cotter, I will be hosting an open house at my office at 4800 N. Saginaw Road from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27th. I hope you will come and see for yourself that Kevin Cotter, a Republican candidate for State Representative, is running in the primary this August for the right reasons ... to represent you.

John L. Pfenninger, Midland

C M Y o u | How reasonable do you feel the tuition raise is?

“I can see both positive and negative sides to it. I think it makes it more affordable for students, (but) it puts the college in a crunch with the economy.”

“It makes me mad because I have to pay more and it takes more away from my scholarship and loans.”

Theresa Doty,

“They shouldn’t have increased it at all. The reason is clear: economic reality.”

Ikeh Onyemauche,

Nigeria graduate student

Shepherd sophomore

Adam Agosta,

“In view of the other universities, it might be too much of an increase. It might hinder some, but if it’s a good school, people will still come.”

Janay Bower,

Mount Pleasant graduate student

Muskegon senior

Amelia Eramya/staff photographer Central Michigan Life, the independent voice of Central Michigan University, is edited and published by students of Central Michigan University every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall and spring semesters, and every Wednesday during CMU’s summer sessions. The newspaper’s online edition, cm-life.com, contains all of the material published in print, and is updated on an as-needed basis.

Central Michigan Life serves the CMU and Mount Pleasant communities, and is under the jurisdiction of the independent Student Media Board of Directors. Neil C. Hopp serves as Director of Student Media at CMU and is the adviser to the newspaper. Articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of Central Michigan University. Cen-

tral Michigan Life is a member of the Associated Press, the Michigan Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press, College Newspaper Business & Advertising Managers Association, the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Central Michigan Home Builders Association, Mount Pleasant Housing Associa-

tion and the Mount Pleasant Downtown Business Association.

The newspaper’s online provider is College Publisher.

Central Michigan Life is distributed throughout the campus and at numerous locations throughout Mount Pleasant.

Non-university subscriptions are $75 per academic year.

Back copies are available at 50 cents per copy, or $1 if mailed.

Eric Dresden Editor in Chief

The king is dead To start this out, I’m a Los Angeles Lakers fan.

I’ll be completely honest, I’ve always been a Lakers fan and always will be.

I literally had so much stress built up for the Lakers – Celtics game 7 this year that I made myself sick with excitement after the Lakers won.

But last week all the excitement and happiness the NBA had put into me only a month ago vanished with a onehour special about LeBron James and his “decision.”

I’m not a fan of LeBron. Never have been. I think he’s arrogant and conceited.

That being said he has the most talent out of any player ever in the NBA — even Michael Jordan — and could have easily been the best player.

Notice the words “could have” in the above sentence.

Because with his decision to play in Miami on a star-studded team he ruined his opportunity to be the best ever.

Admittedly, whenever the debate about LeBron goes on I’m the first to put out the “he has no rings” point, but I never deny the fact that the man has talent. More talent than any other player, ever.

Yes, he will win championships with this team. Maybe not this year but very soon this team will come together and win.

Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and James all made concessions to come to this team and win, so attitudes should not factor against them.

However James gave a clear answer to anyone who enjoys sitting at work having the “Kobe vs. LeBron” argument because James showed everyone he doesn’t have “it.”

He doesn’t have the dedication to stay in his home state and win a championship.

He doesn’t have the guts to go to New York, Chicago or Los Angeles and play on the biggest stages in the county.

He doesn’t have the ability to lead a team by himself to a championship.

He had to piggyback off of two other stars in order to win a championship.

That’s clear, he admitted that with his decision.

LeBron teamed up with two other superstars (one who has won an NBA championship) to go after rings.

While the biggest argument for LeBron fans is always “Kobe has Pau Gasol and Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen,” the argument can’t even be compared because both Scottie Pippen and Pau Gasol became better players because of Bryant and Jordan.

Nobody talked about Gasol when he was playing for the Grizzlies, similar to how Pippen never had any success with the Houston Rockets or Portland Trail Blazers after Jordan retired.

My favorite quote about the entire process still is from Jordan himself, who said, “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry (Bird), called up Magic (Johnson) and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team.’”

Because Jordan’s a competitor. He had “it.”

LeBron will look back in 30 years, when he has all kinds of championship rings and realize he could have been the best.

[letters to the editor] E-mail | letters@cm-life.com Mail | 436 Moore Hall Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Fax | 989.774.7805 Central Michigan Life welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Only correspondence that includes a signature (e-mail excluded), address and phone number will be considered. Do not include attached documents via email. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and commentary should not exceed 500 words. All submissions are subject to editing and may be published in print or on www.cm-life.com in the order they are received.

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[News]

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, July 21, 2010 || 5A

Students from Flint experience college life

By Kristyn Woll Staff Reporter

Students from inner-city Flint are getting an opportunity to enhance their lives through a program called GEARUP–College Day. The program involves any seventh to 11th-graders enrolled in Flint public schools who are interested in higher education.

The program is a partnership between Central Michigan University, Flint public schools and the Charles Mott Foundation, as well as the U.S. Department of Education.

The students participate in various activities throughout a span of six weeks, including an education program and an on-campus program at CMU. “The purpose is to help students become aware of a higher education, whether that be to prepare for college, a trade school or apprenticeship,” said Tina Natale, the program’s academic adviser. “It doesn’t matter what, just something beyond what they’re already doing and help give them a plan for success in their life.”

While the students spend time at CMU, they attend

classes similar to the courses they would take in college, including math, science, and English. They stay in the residence halls to get acquainted with college life and learn to live with others.

“Even though it’s summer, the kids are really excited to learn about things they’ve never even heard of,” said temporary faculty member John Graveratte. “Especially science. We had a great experience where I taught them about air currents and the oceans, then they listened to a news broadcast on NPR about plastic trash vortexes in the ocean.”

The program started in 1999 when CMU partenered with Charles Mott Foundation initially and Flint public schools joined in shortly afterward.

“This is my fifth summer doing the program, I love it,” Flint student, Anganette Haggard, 16, said. “It keeps me out of trouble, because during summer when you’re sitting at home bored, that’s when your mind starts abrewing.”

Haggard is going into 11th-grade and after graduating will start an internship at University of Michigan hospital for the university’s

Amelia Eramya/staff photographer

Judy Pamp, Assistant Director of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Ziibiwing Center demonstrates how to make a dreamcatcher to Kenosha Frost, 15, and Mykel Thompson, 15 of Flint. “It’s different,” Thompson said. “You get to learn about new cultures.”

medical program, which will give her an associate’s degree, along with the college courses she is already taking already.

Natale said the students will make resumes including volunteer experience they have participated in through the program.

“This program really makes me step outside of my comfort zone and chal-

lenge me to make goals for myself,” said Kenneth Scott, a 15-year old who wants to become a pediatrician. He plans to attend CMU for a Bachelors’ degree and then pursue his doctorate at the University of California ­- Los Angeles.

“The GEARUP–College Day really gives students hope when there isn’t much out there for them,” Natale

“Even though it’s summer, the kids are really excited to learn about things they’ve never even heard of.”

John Graveratte, temporary faculty member said. “They’re all city kids that need people to push them to make the best out of their lives and help them to

see what else is out there.” university@cm-life.com

College of Medicine may shun big pharma funding

By Ryan Taljonick Staff Reporter

Central Michigan University may not accept pharmaceutical industry funding for its upcoming medical education programs.

Though no official decision has been made, Ernest Yoder, dean of the College of Medicine, said it is highly unlikely CMU will accept such funding to avoid conflicts of interest with those companies.

When a school receives funding through companies in the medical industry, students are often provided company pens, pads of paper and other gifts, Yoder said.

“Research verifies that we are affected by those contacts and by the friendliness and the provision of resources,” he said.

Traditionally, funding for medical education programs

has been obtained through tuition and research dollars, through clinical work done by physician teachers and through funding from pharmaceutical medicine and device companies, Yoder said.

He said the portion of funding received through industry donations does not account for a significant amount of total medical education funding, however.

U-M’s decision The University of Michigan recently stated in a press release that pharmaceutical industry funding will no longer be accepted for their medical programs.

The university said the decision was made to dispel the risk or appearance of conflict of interest and the change will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

“The methods, vehicles, venues and funding models

may change, but as an academic medical center, it is our responsibility to hold ourselves accountable and fulfill our educational mission to our physician colleagues’ continuing professional development,” the press release stated.

Yoder said it is likely CMU will follow U-M’s decision.

“I do believe that the principle that U of M is housing is correct,” Yoder said. “On the other hand, I do know that when we graduate our students, and they go into residency and they go into practice, that they’re going to come in contact with representatives from pharmaceutical and device companies, so we need to teach them about that.”

Right from wrong Through vignettes and examples, medical students at CMU will be taught the ethics of working with industry

Brooks Hall water damage will cost $975,000 to fix

By Joe Borlik Senior Reporter

Central Michigan University hopes to have the damage from the water leaks in Brooks Hall repaired by Aug.13.

The repairs were approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees at Thursday’s meeting and will cost about $975,000.

The damage is from faulty piping on the third floor of Brooks which started leaking on June 4.

Work that still needs to be done on the building includes drywall, insulation, ceiling tiles, flooring and carpet and electrical repairs, said David Burdette, vice president of Finance and Administrate Services.

“We clearly want to be ready for Fall classes,” Burdette said.

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, said about 90 rooms were affected by the leak.

Trustee Brian Fannon said 40,000 to 50,000 gallons spilled in the building and compared the amount of water to that of a “hotel swimming pool.”

“If you can imagine that much water on top of the building then letting it out the bottom,” Fannon said.

Lawrence said the wall next to the leaking pipe was

completely damaged.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the completion of the repairs,” Lawrence said.

CMU hired Coach’s Catastrophe Cleaning and Restoration Services in Midland to clean the building after the leak.

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

ducts.

Fannon said at Thursday’s meeting that the person at fault for the leak will be discussed later.

The damage was also inspected by insurance agents from Mid-State Plumbing and Heating, 111 W. Pickard St. and an insurance agent from Victaulic, a manufacturer of the pipes used in Brooks. university@cm-life.com

representatives, Yoder said.

“If a representative from a pharmaceutical company, for example, comes to a physician’s office and provides lunch and leaves them with pens and equipment to help them run their practice and with information about

the medications that their pharmaceutical company produces, it is likely that those medications would be prescribed preferentially to those medications from another company,” Yoder said.

He also said an educational institution needs to teach

physicians that medical decisions should be based purely on the needs of the patient, not on industry influence. university@cm-life.com

6A || Wednesday, July 21, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

Men’s basketball to play in Hawaii’s Rainbow Classic Tournament marks first of several CMU looks to participate in

By Aaron McMann Senior Reporter

The Central Michigan men’s basketball team will get to experience a taste of paradise this season.

The team will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, to participate in the annual Rainbow Classic Nov. 12-15 at the Stan Sheriff Center Nov. 12-15.

“Our goal is to start playing in some tournaments where we can have some n e u t ra l - s i t e gamesbecause of how hard it is to schedule (non-conference) home games,” said head coach Ernie Zeigler.

Ernie Zeigler C M U rounds out the four-team tournament that also includes host Hawaii, Cal State Fullerton of the Big West Conference and the Big Sky’s Montana State.

The Chippewas open play with Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 12 and continue on Nov. 13 against Montana State. They are 1-1 all time against Cal State Fullerton after splitting games against the Titans in 2007 and 2008.

CMU’s game against Montana State will be their first meeting in almost 37 years. The Chippewas beat MSU 102-75 on Dec. 29, 1973, in the only meeting between the two schools.

Players will have the day off Nov. 14 before CMU closes out play on Nov. 15 against host Hawaii in the first-ever between both schools.

“I think they’re (the players) are excited,” Zeigler said.

“Whenever you get a chance to play in a prestigious event like this, it can only have everyone

really excited about starting the season.”

CMU Athletics Director Dave Heeke said the tournament will compensate CMU $18,000, while the school will pick up about $11,000 for the remainder of the trip.

“We’re always anxious to play in those exempt tournaments where you can play additional games on the year and also an opportunity to play other teams in other parts of the country and gain experience,” Heeke said. “We also have to balance that with the costs of doing those trips so we look for those that provide guarantees that don’t increase our expenses. “We need to absorb those expenses in the athletic budget – there’s no resources for us to do that – so we have to be careful of that as well.””

“If we take a flight to a normal game, say Missouri, it’s going to cost us between $10-$11,000, so it falls within what our normal travel allotment is for away games in the non-conference season.”

The Chippewas will spend much of November on the road while work on the new Events Center is complete. In addition to the Rainbow Classic, Zeigler said the team will play at South Alabama on Nov. 20 and travel to Illinois-Chicago on Nov. 24 before the home opener against Temple on Dec. 1.

The Chippewas will make their second trip to Chicago on Dec. 5 at DePaul and travel to LSU on Dec. 11.

CMU will host South Dakota State (Nov. 20) and DetroitMercy at the Events Center and travel to UNLV on Dec. 30. sports@cm-life.com

cm-life.com - Former CMU pitcher Josh Collmenter promoted to Triple-A Reno - CMU baseball head coach Steve Jaksa signs four-year contract extension

cm-life.com/category/sports

[Sports]

SCREEN SHOT COURTESY OF IGN.COM

CMU junior quarterback Ryan Radcliffe drops back to pass in EA Sports’ NCAA Football ‘11. The screen shot appeared on the front page of Yahoo.com on Thursday.

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

NCAA Football ‘11 gives ‘real-life feel to game’

By John Manzo Staff Reporter

EA Sports’ NCAA Football ‘11 has a new look and feel in contrast to years past.

NCAA ‘11, which hit stores July 13th, removed the speed burst button, which is a branch off from NHL ‘10 and its overwhelming success.

This year’s game focuses on agility and moves; speed comes within the player’s own abilities. Athletes now gang tackle, move more fluidly and even attempt to keep feet inbounds on receptions towards the sidelines.

It has greatly improved on details in all facets, making previous NCAA games look unrealistic. Tunnel entrances have evolved into a show, especially if your favorite university has a “signature” entrance.

Michigan runs out of Michigan Stadium and jumps up to the ‘Go Blue’ banner. Notre Dame explodes through the locker room for their traditional touching of the “Play Like A Champion Today” sign.

Each team is equipped with its actual offense. Michigan State runs a pro-style offense, while some such as TCU run a spread formation. This feature gives gamers the ability to imitate their favorite school

HHHH almost to perfection.

On a local standpoint, CMU is rated an overall C+ on the game, ranking among the top half of the Mid-American Conference. In a simulated season the Chippewas went 5-7, but to their credit they have a difficult schedule and still defeated rival Western Michigan.

The offense drops off to a C after losing key players Dan LeFevour, Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson, but the defense improved to a C+ with the top two rated athletes on the team. The highest rated CMU player is senior middle linebacker Nick Bellore at a 91 overall, followed by senior linebacker Matt Berning, who received an 86 from EA Sports.

Kelly/Shorts Stadium looks more real than ever before.

It is covered in maroon and gold, the signature flying C is embedded into the center of the field, and even outside the stadium looks realistic. When taking a look at replays, the residence halls, Student Activity Center and Indoor Athletic Complex can be seen in the distance in true, realistic detail.

NCAA ‘11 gives college

football fans a real-life feel to the game, perfecting visuals, traditions, and game play as

closely as possible. sports@cm-life.com

8A || Wednesday, July 21, 2010 || Central Michigan Life

www.cm-life.com

[News]

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Youth academy teaches policing skills

By Maria Leone Staff Reporter

chris bacarella/staff photographer

Sylvania sophomore Andrew Coutts and Farwell resident Aaron Mester laugh with friends while admiring a Subaru WRX at a local car gathering Monday evening at the ABC Warehouse parking lot, 1805 South Mission.

Students from around the area are learning what it is like to take on the duties and responsibility of a police officer.

The Youth Services Police Academy began a four-week summer camp on July 6 which will conclude July 29, Sgt. Cary Murch, Mount Pleasant officer and supervisor for the camp said.

Murch said 35 students enrolled in the camp all ranging from sixth–grade to eighth– grade. He said some of the activities they have done include investigating crime scenes, traffic stops and building searches. The kids also get the opportunity to partake in physical training, just like actual police officers do.

“It puts the fire in their belly,” Murch said.

He said it would not surprise him if some of the chil-

“We got to see stunt cars smashed into each other and then become involved with the duties of responding to the accident.”

Haley Fox, Fancher Middle School student dren ultimately became police officers.

Haley Fox, 11, a Fancher Middle School student, said she wants to be a police officer. She said her favorite activity at the camp was participating in the investigation of a mock accident. It took place in the First Baptist Church parking lot on High Street, Murch said.

“We got to see stunt cars smashed into each other and then become involved with the duties of responding to the accident,” Fox said.

She said she has enjoyed meeting new friends, as only one of her classmates was en-

rolled in the camp with her.

“It’s a fun experience and I like doing all of the police stuff,” Fox said.

Zack Kujat, 12, a seventhgrader at Sacred Heart Academy said his favorite experience was climbing up a 80-foot ladder on a fire truck.

Kujat said his dad is a firefighter for the Shepherd Fire Department. He has seen pictures of his father helping at emergencies and it sparked an interest for him.

“After my dad joined, it’s definitely been a goal of mine,” Kujat said. university@cm-life.com