Field hockey loses both games at MSU Champions Invite, 1B
FOOTBALL | N.C.
assisting with haiti relief, 3A
State coming to Mount Pleasant in 2014, 1B
Central Michigan Life
Monday, Aug. 30, 2010
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
[cm-life.com]
Sexual harassment tops list of civil rights complaints Numbers have remained steady in past decade By Carisa Seltz Senior Reporter
Sexual harassment cases top the list for discrimination and harassment cases filed throughout the decade at Central Michigan University. Racial discrimination cases follow in quantity, though numbers have, in general, remained
stable. According to reports from the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity for 2010, there have been 13 sexual harassment cases, five sexual orientation harassment cases and six “gender/sex” cases thus far. Last year, there were 28 total sexual harassment cases, 11 sexual orientation cases, six gender/sex cases and one gender identity/ gender expression case. “They’re pretty steady, which is surprising to a lot of people because we have an expectation that society and our university
community is very respectful to each other,” said Matt Olovson, assistant director of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity. “But really, we see about the same number of complaints every year.” Of the 100 total harassment and discrimination issues reported in 2009, 46 complaints dealt solely with sexual/gender issues. There have been 22 racial discrimination cases reported so far in 2010. Last year, there were a total of 20 racial discrimination cases reported. Since 2005,
racial discrimination cases outnumbered sexual harassment only one year — 18 to 14 in 2007. Olovson said the data from his office does not include complaints handled by other departments, so the overall number of complaints is higher. That does not mean CMU is a hotbed for discrimination, he said. “People will report more complaints if they feel like there’s going to be some type of resolution and the university is going
By the numbers... w w w w w w w w w w
2010/2009 Sexual Harassment: 13/28 Other/Misc: 5/1 Race: 22/20 Gender/Sex: 6/6 Gender Identity/Gender Expression: 0/1 Disability: 8/8 Color: 5/1 Sexual Orientation: 5/11 Workplace: 0/5 National Origin: 5/4
w w w w w w w
Age: 6/3 Religion: 4/3 Retaliation: 1/5 Weight: 0/1 Veteran: 1/1 Political Persuasion: 0/2 2010 Total: 81/100
*There were no complaints filed for genetic information, sexual assault, height and marital status in both 2009 and so far this year.
A rights | 6A
Approaching health care law to affect students Regulation changes start at September’s end By Jordan Spence Staff Reporter
Students covered under their parent’s health care will find two major regulation changes starting Sept. 23. Under the Affordable Health Care Act, the new changes will include the age at which students will be covered and the number of credit hours a student has to be enrolled in. A notable difference is students will no longer have to be enrolled full-time with 12 credit hours to be covered. “There will not be a required number of credit hours students have to be enrolled in anymore,”
said Lauren Phillips, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, RMidland. “We think this will alleviate some stress students have about health insurance.” Students also will be eligible until they are 26. The regulations apply to all new employer plans, existing employer plans and individual plans. The changes could relieve the pressure some students face while being enrolled full-time along with working or taking part in student organizations, said Angela Smith, assistant director of business operations at University Health Services. “I can’t say whether students will choose to reduce their credit hours, but it does offer more flexibility for students who may need another year to finish their degree,” Smith said. “Or for stuA health | 2A Leah sefton/staff photographer
Honors class blends theory with practice New program asks students to challenge themselves to grow By Mike Nichols Staff Reporter
Phame Camarena wants his students to look at the world around them and to dissect the way they think about everything. He wants them to take the red pill. Camarena, the new director of Central Michigan University’s Honor Program, began his HON 100B: Introduction to Honors class with a metaphor of choice taken from the film “The Matrix.” In the film, a red pill was used to wake up the protago-
Bejing senior Bohan Liu throws down Ionia senior Ernie Peterson, president of the Judo Club, during Tuesday night’s meeting. Liu was practicing “Seoi Nage,” one of the first throws beginners learn. Judo Club meets three times a week.
nist from a dream world. “The more you do something, the harder it is to think critically about it,” Camarena said to students. “When you come to this university, you’re taking the red pill.” This year, Camarena and Associate Director Judy Idema have come together to teach the Honors course. Idema will lead the volunteering and philanthropy focused half of the class during her 11th year in the honors program. Two years ago, her Honors freshmen class worked with the CMU student group “Chip-Away-Malaria.” Their donation was the largest ever made by college students to the United Nations-sponsored “Nothing But Nets” A honors | 2A
throw down Judo Club challenges students physically, mentally By Heather Hillman | Senior Reporter Figure skaters, gymnasts and other athletes train their entire careers to avoid falling down. Ernie Peterson, on the other hand, has spent his time mastering the art of falling. Peterson is president of the Judo Club at Central Michigan University, a type of Japanese martial art specializing in throwing techniques. However, these martial arts experts don’t throw fists or objects — they throw each other. The Ionia senior said there
are 67 traditional throws in judo and the average student of the art knows anywhere from 15 to 20. “My favorite part is the fact that there’s a lot to it,” Peterson said. “The discipline is meant to lead into your personal life and help you develop as a person. Once you get your black belt, that’s when you really start learning. It gives me something to work toward and really improve on.” A Judo club | 2A
Commerce Township graduate student Sara Woelfel demonstrates proper technique with Newberry senior Megan Fair for first-timers during Tuesday night’s Judo Club meeting. Woelfel is the assistant coach of Judo Club, which meets at 8 p.m. three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday in the Rose Wrestling Room.
Swing Kids showcases old school moves Group coaches lively dance to students By Joe Borlik Staff Reporter
Victoria Zegler/staff photographer
Troy freshman Kevin Brown, left, and Flushing resident Rebeccah Woodke practice their spins during swing dance lessons on Sunday evening outside Finch Fieldhouse. “My favorite thing would have to be the nature of the dance,” Brown said. “It’s very flirtatious.”
Kevin Nevorski describes swing dancing as being similar to a whole new language. The Chesterfield senior was one of four instructors Sunday night to teach abotu 100 students how to
sing dance at Finch Fieldhouse. “You can be up there with someone you’ve never met and you both communicate with each other through your moves,” the he said. Swing Kids holds regular meetings at 7 p.m. Sundays in Finch Fieldhouse 113. Lessons and dance sessions are free and open to the public. The students learned the East Coast Swing by practicing in pairs, trying to master
moves such as the rock step, inside and outside turn and the cuddle step. It was Croswell junior Sarah Sly’s first night as group president. She said she loves swing dancing because of the high energy pace and the opportunities it gives to meet new people. “It’s actually really easy,” Sly said of the dance moves. Lapeer freshman Logan Smith also attended for the first time after taking the
advice of some friends. “I have no dancing experience, so it’s kind of hard,” Smith said. Kate Burchett has been swing dancing for five years. “I like following because it takes talent to follow the lead,” the Niles senior said. She said swing dancing is one of her favorite dance styles. Burchett also taught ballroom dance in high school and did hip-hop
A swing | 2A
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