Sept. 28, 2011

LIFE CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Students spend spare time dancing on campus, 3A

Central Michigan University

| Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011

Students experience a day living in life of the homeless, 1B

[cm-life.com]

CMU to open 2013 football season at Big House First time in Ann Arbor since 2006

By Matt Thompson Assistant Sports Editor

Central Michigan football will play at the University of Michigan Aug. 31, 2013 to open the season.

The last time the teams

played in 2006, CMU lost to No. 10 Michigan 41-17. It will be the fourth meeting between the two schools.

The Wolverines are 3-0 against the Chippewas.

“This is a great opportunity to compete with the University of Michigan again,” said CMU director of athletics Dave Heeke in a press release. “There are

Scoreboard Year 1931 2003 2006 2013

U-M CMU 27 0 47 7 41 17 August 31, 2013

many benefits to playing on a national stage, and when we can do that with the partners in our own state

we give our alumni, fans and student-athletes something very special to look forward to.”

Both CMU Athletics and U-M Athletics did not comment further about the schedule.

CMU also recently announced it will travel to Clemson in 2014 in the nonconference schedule.

Cenral Michigan Life has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to find more information on the contract with Michigan, Michigan State (2011-12), Kentucky (2011) and Clemson (2014).

Stay tuned to cm-life.com for more updates later in the week. sports@cm-life.com

CMU RESERVES INCREASE THIS YEAR w Increase of $31.3 million - Capital projects w Increase of $1.6 million - Capital balances for departmental & auxiliiary enterprise activities w Increase of $7.5 million - Debt stabilization & insurance reserves w Increase of $5.9 million - Endowment w Increase of $15.2 million - Unrealized gains $17.7 million total w Decrease of $13.2 million - Contractual commitments - $21.6 million total w Added to fund : Central Health Advancement Solutions - $500,000 total w Total increases: $47.8 million

w Mardi Gras hits downtown Mount Pleasant Friday, 3A w High Adventure Club travels across country, 4B

Shapiro writes open letter to faculty and staff before fact-finding

By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter

A BUDGET | 5A

w Midwest Fest begins today, 3A

CMU, FA stuck at ‘impasse’

CMU adds nearly $50 million to unreserved funds Central Michigan University gained $47.8 million in unrestricted funds from last year, up to about $276 million on June 30.

The increases are composed of capital projects in various stages of planning.

The reserve balances include funds from operational activities that have not been restricted by donors, grant agencies or other parties external to the university.

It includes funds that have been designated by the governing board for specific purposes and amounts that have been contractually committed for goods and services not yet received.

According to the financial report, on June 30 there was about $31.3 million more in unrestricted net assets than 2010 that related to capital projects in various stages of planning; $15.2 million relate to unrealized gains; $7.5 million related to debt stabilization and insurance reserves; $5.9 million more related to endowment; $1.6

[ INSIDE ]

By Mike Nichols Senior Reporter

PHOTOS BY ASHLEY MILLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Coleman freshman Dakota Burch, who is partially blind, taps his walking stick three times before stepping into the street Monday afternoon while walking to class from his Kesseler dorm room.

barrier free

Student Disability Services maintains accommodations for blind students, students in wheelchairs

By David Oltean | Senior Reporter Dakota Burch is one of 572 Central Michigan University students enrolled with Student Disability Services this fall.

The Coleman freshman is blind and has used the help of Student Disability Services to scan his textbooks into computer software that reads the text aloud.

Burch worked in Kalamazoo for a Commission for the Blind program this summer, and said CMU’s compact campus makes getting to classes much easier than some of Michigan’s other universities.

“Getting around at CMU is a heck of a lot easier than (in Kalamazoo),” Burch said. “It helps quite a bit that all my classes are close to the Towers. I just hope that next semester will be as easy.”

Milford sophomore Lauren Presutti uses an electric-powered wheelchair and, with the exception of days with poor weather, she said making her way around campus is no trouble.

She said she hopes to have a better experience with her wheelchair this year than in

her freshman year, when her chair broke down four times.

“The only time it can be difficult is in the winter with snow and ice,” Presutti said.

“Wherever I go, there’s going to be that issue though.”

Presutti said SDS has been very accommodating and quick to help with any prob-

Coleman freshman Dakota Burch laughs with his geology professor, Andrea Bair, and holds his headphones before starting an exam Monday afternoon in Brooks Hall.

Burch uses a laptop that recites words to him.

lems she may encounter.

“Student Disability Services is great and I definitely would encourage anyone to take advantage of it if they feel they need help,” she said.

Among the students enrolled, many need accommodations in the classroom,

psychological help or academic assistance.

One of the biggest priorities for SDS Director Susie Pletcher-Rood is maintaining an accessible and navigable campus for blind students and students in wheelchairs.

Central Michigan University’s administration and Faculty Association have reached an “impasse,” Provost Gary Shapiro said in an “Open Letter to the CMU Community.”

He sent the letter to faculty and staff at about noon Tuesday, saying the administration is waiting to use fact-finding as a basis for a new contract. It is unlikely the two sides would reach agreement without the outside perspective of the independent fact-finder, he said.

“One side believes the university has adequate resources and should use these resources to increase the compensation of faculty,” Shapiro said. “The other side believes the important issue is whether faculty compensation is appropriate in relation to comparable universities.”

Shapiro who said he was trained as a social psychologist with a dissertation on the different forms of justice, said the two sides’ different perspectives of “rewards” have led to the impasse.

“Interestingly, I believe this same dynamic has brought us to where we are today — far apart on a handful of key issues because the two sides fundamentally see things differently,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro said the major remaining differences revolve around compensation — principally the size and timing of salary increases for faculty (the university is not proposing any reduction of salary) and the amount of university contributions to medical insurance.

Shapiro said many would agree the inability of the two sides to reach a contract has become a major distraction and created an atmosphere

A FA CONTRACT | 2A

Visit CM-Life.com Check out the website Monday for a one-on-one interview with Faculty Association President Laura Frey.

A DISABILITIES | 2A

Stupak addresses intergity issues in politics

By Octavia Carson Staff Reporter

“I believe we have become a government by the corporations, for the corporations and of corporations,” said former U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak.

Monday night in Anspach Hall room 161, Stupak, who represented Michigan’s first district from 1993 to 2011, gave an address about integrity in politics.

He said politicians make decisions based on how it would affect their donors.

“I believe the huge influx of money within our political system is jeopardizing and compromising leadership at all levels of our government,” Stupak said.

Stupak said politicians are raising millions of dollars for campaigning from corporations.

“Legislators seem more intent in finding more ways to raise money than finding solutions to our problems,” Stupak said.

He said the average amount raised to conduct a campaign for a house senate

seat is $3.4 million.

Stupak said he is still concerned about the U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited, non-disclosed campaign contributions from corporations, unions and individuals.

“I believe the decision, if not changed, will destroy our democracy,” Stupak said.

“Without campaign finance reform many talented individuals would be discouraged from running for office.”

Stupak said he questions the leadership of current politicians.

“I often wonder who are today’s leaders, who will inspire public service, what about tomorrow’s leaders, who will inspire them and lay the foundation for their leadership?,” Stupak said.

Stupak’s visit is sponsored by the Hart-Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics and he spent time in his speech talking about the former Michigan politicians.

Philip Hart was a U.S. Senator and William Miliken was a former governor of Michigan.

PERRY FISH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A STUPAK | 2A

Troy senior Greg Taylor shakes hands with Former U.S. Representative Bart Stupak after a question and answer session Monday evening in Anspach 161.

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

2A || Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 || Central Michigan Life

w A Silent Lunch will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the field between the Health Professions Building and Finch Fieldhouse. The lunch will move to the Health Professions Atrium if it rains. w A meeting for the Central Michigan District Board of Health will take place at 5 p.m. in the Roscommon County offices in the Central Michigan District Health Department, 1015 Short Dr., Prudenville. w A Hispanic Heritage Month Food Taster and Capoeira Demonstration will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bovee University Center’s Rotunda. w Deaf Games will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Indoor Athletic Complex, Track Bay.

THURSDAY

w A Deaf Blind Simulation will take place at 11 a.m. and at 11:45 a.m. in the Health Professions Building, room 1257. w A session on Basic Video Production on a Mac will be held from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at the Charles V. Park Library, room 413. w Walter Beach, former NFL player and Central Michigan University alumni, will be speaking from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Powers Ballroom, second floor. w ASL Rocks will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Pearce 127.

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 2011 Volume 93, Number 17

COLLEGE STUDENT, 6 HIGH-SCHOOLERS ARRESTED IN SAT SCANDAL

By Geraldine Baum Los Angeles Times

NEW YORK — A 19-yearold college student was arrested and charged Tuesday with taking college entrance exams for six Long Island high school students in exchange for payments of up to $2,500.

Sam Eshaghoff, a 2010 graduate of Great Neck North High School and second-year student at Emory University in Atlanta, faces charges for scheming to defraud and criminal impersonation that carry a sentence of up to four years in jail. The six current students at Great Neck North were arrested on misdemeanor charges.

Eshaghoff, who prosecutors say used the money he raised as a test taker to pay for a gym membership, was

led in handcuffs Tuesday afternoon into a Long Island courtroom, where he pleaded not guilty and was held on $1,000 bond or $500 bail.

His mother left court without commenting.

The six high school students, whose names were being withheld because of their ages, were arraigned in a closed courtoom Tuesday, leaving without comment and with coats draped over their heads, according to The Associated Press.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in a statement that teachers at Great Neck North, considered one of the best schools in the U.S., had heard rumors earlier this year that someone using fraudulent identification was taking the SAT for students.

FA CONTRACT | CONTINUED FROM 1A

counterproductive to the mission of CMU. Most students are more concerned about attending classes, earning degrees and participating in campus life than they are about who is right or wrong, he said.

FA President Laura Frey re-

sponded to Shapiro’s email with concern about his statements.

The FA is not okay with waiting until mid- to late-November for any forward progress, she said.

“I do believe that in addition to being concerned about at-

DISABILITIES | CONTINUED FROM 1A

Pletcher-Rood oversees the students enrolled in SDS at CMU by making accommodations for the 27 students in wheelchairs and 17 blind students on campus. Pletcher-Rood credits the flat, compact campus for making her job easier.

“We encounter quite a few

issues, but the nice thing about CMU is that none of them are malicious,” Pletcher-Rood said. “We get a number of students and they usually do very well here. The students we tend to specialize in, because of how our campus is laid out, are generally blind students or stu-

CHARLOTTE BODAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Houghton Lake sophomore Jim Dunn, member of Dogma Free Society, gives out high fives, hugs and hand shakes at the south entrance of the Charles V. Park Library Tuesday evening. “We are Dogma Free Society, just spreading the love,” Dunn said.

tending classes, students are very concerned that there is an administration on this campus that does not treat faculty fairly, does not treat any employees fairly,” she said. “The students can see the link between unfair treatment to faculty and a lack of quality in recruiting and retaining faculty and the connection that can have on their education.” university@cm-life.com

dents who use wheelchairs.”

Both students said they had plenty of experience getting around before college life and CMU is no different than experiences in the past.

“I don’t really think about the chair — it’s just how I get around,” Presutti said.

“I’m just like any other student trying to get where they’re going.” studentlife@cm-life.com

Central Michigan Life

“We need the likes of Phil Hart and Bill Milliken to come forward and restore our faith in our leaders,” Stupak said. “We need public servants with honesty, integrity, faith and courage.”

Grand Haven freshman Ashlee Shelley said she agreed with Stupak on many issues and complimented him as a leader.

“I really liked how involved he was in congress,” Shelley said. “He is more for the people than the money.”

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Coleman freshman Dakota Burch, who is partially blind, laughs as he pranks his roommates, Swartz Creek sophomore Drew Knickerbocker, front, and Linden sophomore Phillip Taphouse, by slowly walking in front of the television where they play Call of Duty Monday afternoon before class in his Kesseler dorm. Dakota said he can walk fine around his dorm, but couldn’t pass the opportunity to joke with his roommates.

However, not everyone in the audience agreed with Stupak.

“I didn’t agree with him on the health care reform,” Ann Arbor freshman Catherine Bernard said. “However, I agree that it is important we have leaders who care about the people, not the money.”

Stupak said Central Michigan University is one institution teaching future politicians to have integrity.

“Here at Central Michigan University your dedication to restoring integrity to politics keeps me optimistic about our future,” Stupak said.

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EDITORIAL Eric Dresden, Editor-in-Chief Ariel Black, Managing Editor Andrew Dooley, Student Life Editor Emily Grove, Metro Editor Theresa Clift, University Editor Amelia Eramya, Lonnie Allen, Designers John Manzo, Sports Editor Matt Thompson, Assistant Sports Editor Jeff Smith, Photo Editor Andrew Kuhn, Assistant Photo Editor Adam Kaminski, Video Editor Connor Sheridan, Jackie Smith Online Coordinators

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INSIDE LIFE Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011

Ariel Black, Managing Editor | news@cm-life.com | 989.774.4343 Andrew Dooley, Student Life Editor | studentlife@cm-life.com | 989.774.4340 Emily Grove, Metro Editor | metro@cm-life.com | 989.774.4342 Theresa Clift, University Editor | university@cm-life.com | 989.774.4344

| cm-life.com

RAs suffer from lack of space to work in

By Mike Nichols Senior Reporter

PHOTOS BY ERICA KEARNS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Grand Rapids sophomore Evan Schulz stalls on his head during a dance practice Tuesday outside of the Market on west campus. Schulz has been dancing for three years and got involved in Grand Rapids with the dancing community. “It clears my head and makes me feel more free,” Schulz said.

bu s t a m o v e Students spend spare time dancing on campus

Central Michigan University has not suffered a loss in resident assistants, despite losing the perk of having their own bedrooms.

Normally, RAs receive their own bedroom for personal space as well as a place to speak confidentially with residents, said Merrill Residence Hall Director Lizandro Tremolada.

Because of the record number of freshmen last year, most RAs have not had their own bedrooms last year or this year.

Tricia Henry, a junior from Chicago, is going into her second year as an RA. She had to share a room last year, but this year she was able to move her extra roommate into another room, giving her more space.

“It’s hard to have a roommate and not have a space to talk to our residents,” she said.

“Coming into it, my expectations were let down.”

Henry decided to stay because she said her care for her residents outweighed her need for space. But she still feels the tight living conditions are not fair to residents or the RAs. Vermontville junior MacKensye Ancona said when she became an RA last year, it was part of the understanding that a benefit would be having your own room. She said the close living quarters caused problems among residents and she even tried transferring to get her own room.

Other RAs feel the same way, she said.

“We’re all about having incoming residents succeed, but

when you’re moving around to different rooms, that affects a lot of different things,” Ancona said. “I don’t think the university thinks about that.”

Ancona said her passion is to be a resource for students, and she feels she cannot adequately do her job without her own space. When her second year of being an RA is completed, she plans to move off campus.

Most RAs spend their last year off campus, she said, but for her, the cramped living condition was a factor in the decision.

“We don’t want to be selfish and say, ‘You didn’t give me my own room, so I’m quitting,’” she said. “But at the same time, it’s not fair.”

“I haven’t noticed any difference in our turnover numbers with regard to that specific issue,” Tremolada said.

Assistant Director of Residence Life Kimberly Voisin said the number of RAs hired for this year remained average despite the overcrowding, at around 72 new RA and MA staff members.

Based on a recent survey of the retention rate of RAs by Residence Life, the amount of RAs leaving their positions for off-campus living has stayed the same.

“I’m sure it bothers some people, other people, not so much,” said Saxe Residence Hall Director Faye Reber. “I’ve had seven of my nine-person staff return from last year and they had been living with extra residents. I didn’t notice a huge change.” studentlife@cm-life.com

By Logan Patmon | Staff Reporter

Blasting music, pumping feet and flinging made the scene Tuesday afternoon in east campus.

A group of students, with no specific name or designated meeting time, spend their time four days a week freestyle dancing near the water fountain outside the Market in the east area complex.

The students’ hobbies simply brought them together.

Two of the students knew each other from their hometown of Grand Rapids, but the remainder of the group met in a hip-hop dance class they took at Central Michigan University in the fall of 2010.

“Before we danced in front of the fountain, we used to dance in the studio in Larzelere Hall,” said Junior Ashleigh Kline, a native of Grand Rapids. “Now we just meet out here and dance until we are too banged-up and bruised to dance anymore.”

Kline said “breaking” is the main type of dance they do. It is a style of dance that was started back in the 70s in clubs when DJs would extend breaks in music and dancers would freestyle.

The group does popping, locking, krumping, footwork and more commercial dances such as the “Dougie” and the “Cat Daddy.”

The group dances to a variety of different music such as hip-

hop, pop, Motown and mixes.

On Friday, when they aren’t dancing in front of the Fountain, they go to Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St., and meet up with other dancers from the area to show their moves.

“I started dancing about three years ago in the Grand Rapids original ‘Swing Society,’” said sophomore dancer Evan Schulz.

“When I dance, it’s like the best feeling a person could ever have,

Midwest Fest begins today at Rubble’s Bar

By Jamie Favazza Staff Reporter

Detroit junior Sarah Felton dances to a mix of pop and rap music Tuesday outside of the Market on the west side of campus. Felton has been dancing for 6 years and got involved on campus through a class that was offered last year.

times two. I get to clear my head about so many things and that helps me focus on other stuff.”

Many students stop to watch the dancers as they perform.

“They are really dedicated and they are out there for a good two to three hours every day,” said Detroit Sophomore Tamika Williams. “It’s good to see people so passionate about their craft.”

Kline credited living and performing in Grand Rapids to her

interest in dancing near the fountain at CMU. “Before I came to CMU, I used to dance with Evan and my exboyfriend in Grand Rapids,” Kline said. “We danced in (the) Rosa Parks circle for four to five hours in July and August until we couldn’t move anymore. It was sort of similar to dancing out here in front of the fountain.” studentlife@cm-life.com

The music scene will be flooded with more than 20 bands from the Midwest as they come to Mount Pleasant for a weekend of local music.

Midwest Fest, a four-day long festival, is in its fourth year and is organized by Corey Densmore, owner of Diamonds in the Rough Promotions. It begins tonight and ends Saturday night.

“This year is similar to years past, where you can enjoy everyone coming, regardless of what you like,” Densmore said. “You might not know about the bands, but you’ll probably follow them after seeing them.”

Each band is set to play at Rubble’s Bar, 112 W. Michigan St., and tickets cost $7 to $10 nightly and $20 to $25 for a pass for all events.

The 24-year-old Mount Pleasant resident had a panel of major local music scene media select the lineup, while he selected the headliners.

“I’m excited for headliners Frontier Ruckus,” Densmore said. “Any time you can see them, it’s a treat.”

Frontier Ruckus is the headliner for Saturday night

and will play with local act Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers.

“I’m excited for my band to play with Frontier Ruckus because they’ve always been a huge influence on my music,” Hertler said.

He said he’s also excited to see headliner Chris Bathgate on Wednesday, and Stepdad, another headliner, on Thursday.

“Midwest Fest is a great way to show your support for Michigan arts,” the Lake Orion senior said. “It brings quality musicians from around the state every year.”

Novi senior Patrick Kochyan said he heard about the festival through Facebook.

“I think it’s a pretty good lineup that gives us a chance to see a lot of Michigan artists in one place, which is cool,” Kochyan said.

Kochyan said he’s looking forward to seeing the Crane Wives on Friday and Chris Bathgate on Wednesday.

“I’ve never been in years past, but I’ll probably go to a few nights,” Kochyan said.

A complete lineup and tickets are available at midwestfest2011.com. metro@cm-life.com

Mardi Gras coming Friday to downtown Mount Pleasant Annual event includes music, rock climbing

By Orrin Shawl Staff Reporter

Jon Joslin has spent a lot of time in previous years decorating downtown Mount Pleasant in preparation for Mardi Gras, but this year he took on a larger role.

Joslin, chairman of the Mardi Gras committee, is in charge of the entire setup this year’s event, taking place Friday.

“Mardi Gras is basically an opportunity for the community of Mount Pleasant to welcome Central Michigan

students to the downtown community. There’s a wide variety of activities going on,” Joslin said. “The big event will be at 6 p.m. which is the parade with the CMU marching band. Once the parade is done, the CMU marching band comes back around for a performance for the community at the Town Center, along with the cheerleaders.”

Several community groups will have the opportunity to promote their groups by setting up on the sidewalk during the parades. The Mardi Gras parade is the biggest of the season and will start at 6 p.m. and feature multiple sports teams and local businesses.

Activities and entertain-

ment such as mask-making, rock climbing, clowns and live music performed by Mount Pleasant Music Studio students will go on from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. A Teen Foam Dance Party will be held from 5 to 9 p.m.

Sacred Heart Academy High School’s homecoming parade will begin at 4 p.m. before the Mardi Gras parade. The day will conclude with Acoustic Brew, with live music and coffee at the Grace Church, 218 S. Main St. Joslin said the biggest part of this year’s event is the giveaway of a free round trip ticket to New Orleans, provided by Capitol City Airports.

“There’s actually quite a few new things,” Joslin said.

“The parade is bigger this year. The mask-decorating contest with Art Reach is new this year. We put the same effort into it every year, we just add new stuff.”

Blue Gator Sports Pub & Grill, 106 Court St., will add an extra outdoor bar on its Broadway Street side of their entrance where people can watch the parade.

“We haven’t done outdoor seating in years past, so this is our first year doing that,” said Manager Leah Hetherington. “We are far busier during the Mardi Gras parade than any normal Friday night. We staff extra people for the separation of the crowd.”

A EVENT | 5A

FILE PHOTO BY JOE TOBIANSKI

Steven Harren of Clare kisses his daughter Sydney in October 2010 evening at the Mardi Gras parade. “The kids really enjoy dressing up and watching the parade,” Harren said.

4A

VOICES Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011

“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

Editorial Board: Eric Dresden, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Ariel Black, MANAGING EDITOR | Connor Sheridan, ONLINE COORDINATOR | Theresa Clift, UNIVERSITY EDITOR | Andrew Dooley, STUDENT LIFE EDITOR | Brad Canze, STAFF COLUMNIST

Andrew Dooley Student Life Editor

The perks of being a grown-up I went to classes and occasionally saw a guest speaker, but I never felt like a part of the student body.

Freshman year I got into the very bad hobby of taking pictures of my poop and sending photos of it in text messages to my friends.

I thought this was hilarious; they blocked my number.

I spent most of my free time sophomore year watching cartoons on Adult Swim and (illegally) drinking cheap whiskey.

It took me two full years to get involved on campus, and those years could have been spent volunteering or turning my resume into something vaguely employable.

Since I decided to stop competing against myself to set new records in cereal consumption every single night, I was able to join a writing RSO, edit an awesome magazine, work as a consultant at the Writing Center, draw cartoons for money (I know) and somehow talk my way into a job editing this paper.

I am not exaggerating when I say all of this came from simply taking off my Snuggie and just trying to apply myself a little bit.

Now that I have only a couple hours a week of time that’s not already spoken for, I find myself enjoying them a lot more. Now I savor the time I have to sunburn with my friends, cook meals and spend quality time cuddled up with my Netflix account.

The couch still calls to me, sure.

There are some days when I would like to do nothing more than eat a pound of Reese’s Pieces and watch reality shows about fascinating gas stations until my eyes bleed.

But, after the fact, it always feels much better to put on non-elasticized pants and show up to meetings.

Working at places like the Writing Center and Central Michigan Life has helped me make friends with people who do more than go to the bar or go to the other bar.

I find myself at the twilight of my college career with a resume longer than a roll of public bathroom toilet paper. This is a good thing.

Just by showing up to RSOs or working a cool job on campus, you build a network of people who will last the rest of your professional life, make friends and polish your resume.

I’m not saying that you have to throw down your Xbox controller, swear off going out on the weekends and suddenly devote yourself to a life of service. I certainly didn’t do that.

Try attending a single meeting for a group whose flyer caught your eye. You don’t need to join a monastary – the Harry Potter Alliance people seem to have a pretty awesome time while doing good deeds.

So put aside an hour. I promise you’ll also come to savor the time you spend doing absolutely nothing at all.

E-mail | editor@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 cm-life.com in the order they are received.

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.

EDITORIAL | Congress needs to rejoin the real world

Capitol Hill Capers A

merican politics have become so toxic they no longer can accomplish even the most basic functions of government.

With the memory of the fierce debt ceiling standoff still fresh in voters minds, this week congress came close to the brink again.

Republicans made clear their willingness to put the federal government into a partial shutdown over a funding bill that includes emergency relief funds.

While limiting government spending is an admirable goal, is FEMA funding really an issue worth scuttling government operations over?

We have come to a point in our national debate where ideology has made grandstanding significantly more important than ensuring our country operates safely.

While both sides argue over whose policies offer the best plan for getting our country out of a rut, grandstanding in the name of scoring meaningless points with pundits has led to inaction. It’s not as if these gestures do anything to bring hope to a shell-shocked country.

The public, left disgusted with congress and underwhelmed with a president who promised to be transformative, has no real option other than to support the diametrically opposed sides whose policies brought us into this mess.

The fact remains that government, especially the government of the third most populous country on Earth, is expensive.

While the importance of spending on certain programs is debatable, and the impact of certain social programs can depend on perspective, funding for infrastructure and programs like disaster relief are necessary for our system of government.

It has become sickeningly clear that Congress no longer exists to serve the interests of the people, but instead to provide a taxpayer-funded battlefield for two sets of ideals that are only realistic in a parallel dimension of red-versus-blue idiocy.

The U.S. needs change, and not the kind promised on posters printed by one party or the other. It needs more than inevitable ideological shifts, but instead systematic revision that can ensure this sorry state, where two squabbling sides nearly shut our government down because they don’t like each other, never happens again.

KIM PATISHNOCK [CENTRAL SQUARE]

[LETTER TO THE EDITOR]

Open letter to CMU Board of Trustees Yesterday, I presented information to the board regarding the failure of leadership we are currently suffering through at Central Michigan University. I ended with questions for the board. The evaluation you made of George Ross’s performance as President of CMU for the past year made VERY clear what the answer to my questions are. You are telling us through your actions that you DO like the path CMU is going down, that you DO endorse the manipulative, dishonorable and indefensible actions of George Ross, and that you, too DO NOT value the work done by the faculty at this university. You are complicit in lies made to the court, complicit to outrageous comparisons of our actions to Hurricane Katrina, complicit to the manipulation of our promotion timeline in order to not have to pay people for promotions they have already earned, complicit to the manipulation of the media and complicit to the poisonous environment that

has been created on this campus.

George Ross’s actions this year should have brought forth a strong public rebuke from the Board. Instead, he is given a positive performance evaluation. As a group, you have been given the responsibility to guide CMU to a successful future. You have instead put us on a future toward failure. I urge you to come out publicly and state what your actions state so clearly for you: 1) we as the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University view our faculty as replaceable parts, no better than cheaper replacements we could find, 2) our primary concern is to minimize institutional costs by crushing the faculty during negotiations thereby reducing those costs; 3) the money we save will be spent more fruitfully on the new Medical School, and 4) we are willing to endorse tactics to achieve these goals that include

a) lying to a court; b) cheating faculty out of raises they have earned; c) bullying and intimidating unions on campus to accept our will; d) lying to the press CONSTANTLY in order to minimize support for the faculty; and e) hiring a union busting law firm who have helped us lay out a plan to lead us to the ability to impose a contract we like on our faculty.

Do you have the guts to say this?

You are already saying it through your silence, and through your positive evaluation of Ross, so why not be up front? Why not tell everyone where you stand? The campus community deserves much more than the silence we have received from you. It has been, and continues to be a shameful mismanagement of your duties as trustees.

When will it end?

Bryan Gibson Professor of Psychology

[YOUR VOICE] Comment in response to “COLUMN: Football seasons don’t end in September” X5invader, Monday Question’s for Dan Enos – 1. Can you stop the losing streak?

2. What makes you think this type of offense will work in this conference?

3. Do you have the “coaching, and leadership” ability to motivate and turn this team around?

If you do not have an idea on what to do, just look at some first year game tapes from the BK era. A wide open, 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-

spread offense, attack the defense mode is what turned things around, you are not doing that.

You can blame your players for not taking a leadership roll, but what are you accountable for? student, Monday Enos must go! When he first arrived I was forced to hear how great of a recruiter he is; it doesn’t take a genius to realize that doesn’t translate into a “good” head coach. Even in recruiting he has not made a splash, signing a large handful of recruits that had no 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-

other D-1 offers! Last year he had a team that saw 6 players picked up in NFL free agency along with 2 going in the CFL draft. Could he do anything with that? NO! This year he has moved even further away from the spread, to run a Big Ten/ Pro Style offense. WE DO NOT HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO RUN THIS! Undersized Tim Phillips is not meant to pound the ball up the middle. 21 rushing yards, get a clue!

Until Dan Enos is gone I will not waste any more money traveling to away games to see the humiliating defeats I have witnessed first hand over the last two weeks. tion and the Mount Pleasant Downtown Business Association.

The newspaper’s online provider is College Publisher.

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Non-university subscriptions are $75 per academic year.

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

Letter to CMU community Gary Shapiro Executive Vice President/Provost

I am writing today to offer my perspective on the current state of negotiations — the impasse between the university administration and the Central Michigan University Faculty Association.

I was trained as a social psychologist, and my dissertation was on the topic of different forms of justice. It focused on how two parties, both motivated to be fair, can come up with a Gary Shapiro very different division of rewards because they used different principles of justice. Interestingly, I believe this same dynamic has brought us to where we are today – far apart on a handful of key issues because the two sides fundamentally see things differently. Fortunately, a process (fact-finding) is in place to help bring us to a timely resolution.

I believe most people in the university community would agree that the inability of the two sides to reach a new contract has become a major distraction and created an atmosphere that is counterproductive to serving the mission of this institution. Likewise, few would question the quality or commitment of our hard-working faculty and staff.

It is also my personal belief – and I am sure that many share it – that most of our students are more concerned about attending classes, making progress toward their degrees and participating in campus life than they are about who is right or wrong at the bargaining table.

Likewise, I believe the vast majority of our faculty and staff have a vested interest in CMU’s continued success.

Despite recent rhetoric on campus and in the news media, I also believe strongly that the university is fortunate to have excellent high-level administrators, starting with President Ross, who care deeply about CMU and are working hard to make it a better place for our students, faculty, staff and community.

Although consensus has eluded us so far, both the university administration and the FA have worked very hard to reach a new collective bargaining agreement. It is important to understand how we got to where we are today and what lies ahead: Beginning April 29, the parties met 23 times and reached tentative agreement on many issues. However, significant areas of disagreement remained, and both sides realized that little future progress would be made without the intervention of an outside mediator.

The two sides met with the state-appointed mediator five times and were able to resolve a number of additional issues.

On July 14, both sides and the mediator recognized that the university administration and the FA remained far apart on fundamental issues. Both sides petitioned for fact-finding; the mediator certified these petitions and called for a fact finder to be appointed by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

The university administration and FA met with the fact finder four times and presented their positions and supporting facts. The fact finder’s report is expected in late October or early November.

While there are other issues, the major remaining differences revolve around compensation – principally the size and timing of salary increases for faculty (the university is not proposing any reduction of salary) and the amount of university contributions to medical insurance. The two sides are not only far apart on the amount of dollars involved in the competing proposals, but also have different positions on what should be the basis of an agreement. One side believes the university has adequate resources and should use these resources to increase the compensation of faculty. The other side believes the important issue is whether faculty compensation is appropriate in relation to comparable universities.

Given these fundamental differences in perspective, I believe it is unlikely that the two sides will be able to reach agreement without the outside perspective of the independent fact finder.

The university’s administration awaits the fact finder’s report and recommendations and looks forward to using those recommendations as the basis for a new contract. In the meantime, I ask everyone on campus to focus on the things that brought us all to university life – helping students, advancing knowledge and providing service.

Photocopies of stories are 25 cents each. Digital copies of photographs published in Central Michigan Life are available upon request at specified costs.

Central Michigan Life’s editorial and business offices are located at 436 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, telephone 774-3493 or 774-LIFE.

cm-life.com/category/news

Best selling authors: 45% of students don’t improve during two years in college

By Sammy Dubin Staff Reporter

VICTORIA ZEGLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students watch “Mooz-lum,” a film portraying a different perspective on Muslims and Islam through different religions, cultures and nationalities Monday night in Plachta Auditorium.

Director tells story of growing up Black Muslim at movie showing

By Ben Harris Senior Reporter

Oasim Basir wanted to create a movie that represented him.

“I was born and raised Muslim in America,” he said. “I have seen films that portray Muslims, that portray African Americans, but never seen a movie that represents me.”

About 200 people attended the showing of “Mooz-lum,” a movie Basir directed and wrote, Monday night in Warriner Hall’s Plachta auditorium. The event was hosted by Program Board.

“I’m trying to offer people a perspective of life, of cultures that people have not really seen before,” Basir said.

The movie is about a young black Muslim boy whose life and the life of his family is changed by the 9/11 attacks and aftermath.

“This film deals with the human aspect of people in this country who, for the last decade, have been on the other side of this demonization, and I’m try-

EVENT | CONTINUED FROM 3A

Cathy Smith, owner of Basketree, 112 E. Broadway St., said she has been participating in the Mardi Gras events

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 || 5A

[NEWS]

ing to say something on behalf of that people,” Basir said. “And I hope you took something from that.”

Basir encouraged the audience to stand up and make a difference.

“I want you to consider what you’re doing,” he said. “Not that you have to make a big movie or a big song, but there are a million different things you can do to help this world. I’m not asking you to do any particular one, but I’m asking you to do something.”

Hart senior Jena Schaner, who works with Program Board, said the people she talked to after the movie had enjoyed it.

“Our adviser, Damon Brown, thought it would be a great idea to have Qasim Basir come here because it would get people to think about 9/11 and how other peoples’ lives were affected,” Schaner said.

Northville sophomore Makis Eatmon said he was not expecting what he saw.

“I thought it was a pretty good

movie. Before I saw it I didn’t know what it was all about, but it had a really deep message,” Eatmon said. “I didn’t know the 9/11 attacks were a part of the movie. That was a surprise to me. I can see myself in his spot, feel how he felt.”

The film was shot in a variety of places including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and areas between Monroe and Detroit. It has mostly been driven by social media, premiered in select theaters, and it is now available on DVD, Netflix and iTunes, Basir said.

Basir said one of the main goals of the film is to put a human face on the story of Muslims in America.

“Most of the scenarios in the film were based on things that happened to me, including the beating,” Basir said. “Stuff is moved around and dramatized, but for the most part the story was based on my life.” studentlife@cm-life.com

Forty-five percent of students show no significant improvement in learning during the first two years of college, according to Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa’s findings.

Arum and Roksa, co-authors of “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses” will speak to the Central Michigan University community Monday.

The first presentation will be at 1 p.m. in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium and the second will be in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium at 7 p.m. Arum, a professor at New York University and Roksa, an assistant professor at the University of Virginia, will discuss their findings of academic performance.

Merlyn Mowrey, associate professor of religion and an event organizer, said this will benefit students and help them understand how this problem of students not learning has evolved.

“This isn’t a problem of a bunch of lazy students … the problem is a small part

BUDGET | CONTINUED FROM 1A

million related to working capital balances maintained for departmental and auxiliary enterprise activities; and about $500,000 related to Central Health Advancement Solutions.

The unrestricted fund also had a decrease of $13.2 million from con-

this year because they’re doing a little bit more with the events.”

Joslin said it is an important event.

“It gives us something to do in the fall, other than watching football,” he said.

Mowrey said the earlier presentations will be geared specifically toward students. “(It will) look at what’s been happening with students and what the problems are and what some solutions would be,” she said.

Taylor said students can see where they should be demanding more from their courses and institution.

“I hope the event sparks a conversation that continues,” she said.

Mowrey said in the evening the co-authors will look at the overall impact of their findings in the book.

“That will address things like larger cultural issues, administration priorities, faculty, students and social life on campus,” she said.

“It’ll be a much more complex mix.”

Along with TLC and the Provost’s office, the event’s sponsors also include the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching, who both promoted the event.

tractual commitments.

According to the independent audit by Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC of Saginaw on Aug. 29, about $29.2 million is required to complete construction projects already in process as of June 30.

These construction projects include $10.7 million for the College of Medicine addition to the Health Professions Building, $3 million for the Bovee University Center renovation,

$800,000 for the Events Center, $500,000 for Anspach Hall renovation and $500,000 for the graduate housing project.

About $8.9 million will go toward other projects, including maintenance and remodeling.

From 2009 to 2010, the unrestricted funds increased by $37.8 million, mainly for construction projects.

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There are a lot of families downtown, which helps attract more customers, she said.

“The main goal is to bring students down here. I know lots of students don’t even know about it,” Smith said. “There should be a better turnout with students

of a larger problem,” Mowrey said.

Arum and Roksa’s findings also show after four years, 36 percent of college students show no significant improvement.

The Teaching and Learning Collective initially got the plan going for the presentation on campus, Mowrey said. Co-founders of the TLC include Mowrey and English professor Marcy Taylor.

The Provost’s office provided the finances for the event and is one of the co-sponsors.

Provost Gary Shapiro said the two authors are being paid $3,500 each.

“I believe this is a topic of interest to the campus community and (I) anticipate a large turnout,” Shapiro said in an email.

He also said he wanted to thank the faculty in TLC who brought the topic to his attention, and was happy his office could help facilitate it.

Taylor said the findings from the book will be used to localize the topic to CMU to improve student learning.

“We need to change the culture of the university,” she said.

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cm-life.com/category/sports

[SPORTS]

Football looks for better third-down conversions against Northern Illinois

By Matt Thompson Assistant Sports Editor

FILE PHOTO BY JEFF SMITH

Senior defensive specialist Kelsey Detweiler bumps the ball during a November 2010 game against Ball State.

Volleyball plays Eastern Michigan, Kent State in first games at McGuirk

By Kristopher Lodes Staff Reporter

This year the Central Michigan volleyball team will make its first ever appearance in McGuirk Arena.

The game starts at 7 p.m.

Thursday against Eastern Michigan (13-3) and at 7 p.m.

Saturday against Kent State (7-10).

“It’s going to be awesome,” said head coach Erik Olson. “I wish it was week one, but here we are five weeks later.”

The Chippewas (7-6) will have to work to defeat a team that’s defensively sound.

“They have a very good libero (senior Haley Stein), who cleans up the left half of the court very well and an outstanding outside hitter (junior Rachel Iaquaniello),” Olson said. “Eastern is always known for their defense.”

EMU is coming off a big win against a Northern Illinois team who beat the Chippewas in three straight sets.

“Eastern (Michigan) is playing very well right now after catching Northern (Illinois) on a bad night,” Olson said.

KENT STATE The Golden Flashes are below .500, but Central understands it needs to concentrate and not overlook its opponent.

“We expect to win both matches every time,” said senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Schultz. “We just need to take it one match, set and score at a time.”

CMU has had some trouble with all the injuries it has faced, but it looks to be close to full strength with junior outside hitter Val DeWeerd and Schultz competing throughout practice.

Junior right side hitter Jocelyn VerVelde participated in practice, but is not cleared to play in games or scrimmages quite yet. She is doubtful for the weekend. On the other hand, Schultz and DeWeerd look to start.

With this being the first time the team will play a regular season game at McGuirk Arena, there is a lot of excitement after playing at Finch Fieldhouse for all of last year.

“We’ve had our Maroon and Gold Match in here and it’s a great atmosphere. With the bleachers pulled out, everyone

is so close,” Schultz said. “There is more energy here then Finch, where everything was far away.”

There is added excitement because the team doesn’t have to travel.

“It feels amazing to not have to travel this weekend,” Schultz said. “We’re finally going to be in our home arena with our fans. It’s a great feeling.”

CMU expects its fans to come out and support the team while they open up its new arena. The team looks for the fans to play a big role.

“We have an amazing beginning to the match, so the fans should be there for warm-ups,” Olson said. “Volleyball is generally a rowdier atmosphere and is not a very polite sport.”

The Chippewas couldn’t ask for a bigger match to open up the new arena.

With the Eagles off to a hot start and CMU dropping its first two matches, a win on Thursday night could give them the momentum to continue past the Golden Flashes Saturday night and throughout the rest of Mid-American Conference play.

First-down problems are crippling the Central Michigan offense Head coach Dan Enos talked about it following practices as well as post game interviews on how his offense needs to “stay on schedule.”

The team needs to gain at least some yards on first and second down to create third and manageable situations.

CMU was 2-for-12 converting on third downs last week against Michigan State where it finished with a 45-7 loss. The average yards to go on third down was 9. CMU only had two attempts with third and short, converting one.

Eight possessions were situated in third and longs because of incomplete passes on first down.

“We had how many balls batted on first down today?”

Enos asked after the MSU game. “The defensive line was getting a push. We had wide receivers open on sev-

eral occasions and we need that to make yards and be on schedule.”

CMU (1-3) plays Northern Illinois (2-2) Saturday at Kelly/Shorts stadium. The Huskies defense was exposed on first downs last week against Cal Poly. The Mustangs ran it 27 times on first down, averaging 5 yards a carry.

Cal Poly scored two rushing touchdowns on first down and had a 23-yard gain. However, NIU still won 47-30.

On defense the Chippewas will have to be sharp on first down, since that’s when NIU seems to be most efficient. Last week, the Huskies ran it 31 times for 242 yards and two touchdowns on first down. Quarterbacks were also 9-for-9 with 99 yards and a touchdown in those situations.

Meanwhile, the Spartans racked up 23 first downs to only eight by the Chippewas on Saturday.

Offensive line issues were also exposed during the MSU game for the Chippewas as CMU ran the ball six

times on first down and averaged 1.67 yards per carry.

Enos pointed out problems with the passing game that the offensive line could’ve avoided.

“We got balls batted, or (the quarterback) is getting hit as he lets it go,” Enos said. “We got overmatched in there at times.”

Against Western Michigan two weeks ago the Chippewas had a more balanced attack on first down. They ran it 17 times, averaging five yards a carry. Meanwhile, quarterback Ryan Radcliff was 7-of-11 for 87 yards, all on first down. That first down success helped lead to 20 CMU first downs and 362 total yards on offense.

“If we’re running on first down, we got to get 3, 4, 5 yards,” said CMU quarterback Ryan Radcliff. “We don’t want to be in second and long, that’s what gets us, that’s what gets any team. If it’s a pass play, we got to get that completion and stay on schedule.” sports@cm-life.com

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3B — OWLs: Women leaders volunteer across community

Section B

| Wednesday Sept. 28, 2011

| cm-life.com

[ INSIDE ] w Active Minds: RSO committed to Mental Health, 3B w COLUMN: Romance Advice from Jordan Spence, 4B w Music Review: Blink 182’s new CD Neighborhoods doesn’t meet expectations, 4B

Harry Potter group summons volunteer spirit

By Catey Traylor Staff Reporter

PHOTOS BY VICTORIA ZEGLER/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students sit in a circle sharing stories of their travels to both Uganda and Haiti during Heart Cry International’s fundraiser for street kids on Sunday night outside the Charles V. Park Library. The students slept outside for 12 hours to represent the millions of street children who sleep on the hard ground every night of their lives. All of the events’ proceeds went to help street kids in Uganda’s slums and the streets of Haiti.

Street students Group spends night outside to raise awareness of homeless children

A

By Odille Parker | Staff Reporter

bout 20 people sat in tents through cold and rain, representing and raising money for homeless children worldwide.

Heart Cry International’s ‘Street Night,’ was hosted from 8 p.m Sunday to 6 a.m Monday next to the Charles V. Park Library.

Carla Ives, founder and CEO of HCI, said the event was created to raise awareness of the organization and raise funds to help kids in Uganda’s slums and Haiti’s streets.

“We want to get CMU students involved,” Ives said. “Students have to be aware of the need and we want to mobilize in making a difference.”

Ives said the event raised a little more than $1,000 through pledges said 100 percent of the proceeds will go to HCI’s bases in Haiti and Uganda.

HCI was established 19 years ago, and its Mount Pleasant head-

quarters is at 221 E. Bellows St., next to the Student Book Exchange.

Its stated mission is to help children in impoverished areas across the U.S. and overseas.

“Heart Cry International is a Christian organization that wants to bring a real change in children’s lives worldwide,” Ives said.

The organization offers internA STREETS | 2B

Grand Rapids senior Jamie Geurkink creates a sign for passers-by on Sunday night outside the Charles V. Park Library. “Once you arrive in the country, the needs become more apparent,” Geurkink said. “This summer when we traveled to Haiti we didn’t plan to build a boys’ home, but since the kids congregating on the streets only had a few months, it was clear what our goal was.”

A student removes his socks and shoes after taking a seat on the pavement during Heart Cry International’s fundraiser for street kids on Sunday night outside Charles V. Park Library. Students brought garbage bags and blankets to sleep on during the fundraiser to show support for the millions of street children who sleep outside.

Look past the wands, sorting hat and occasional game of Quidditch, and add volunteerism, citizenship and a sense of community.

Central Michigan University’s Harry Potter Alliance is one of hundreds of campus chapters nationwide.

Focusing on volunteerism, the 25 members of the alliance aim to incorporate Harry Potter into a fight to change the world for the better.

“The Harry Potter Alliance is an organization that uses parallels from the books that relate to real life to inspire people to act against social injustice,” said President Alyssa Chrisman, Sterling Heights senior.

Chrisman has been president of the organization for two years and plans volunteer activities for members such as book drives and bi-weekly visits to the local animal shelter.

“When we do service events, we name them in a way that relates to the books,” said secretary and Holland senior Amanda Shepard. “For example, when we go to the animal shelter, we call it ‘Care of Magical Creatures.’”

Livonia junior Nick Armes has been involved in the organization since 2009 and now serves as vice president.

“The great thing about the Harry Potter Alliance is that we use Harry Potter to help our charity work,” Armes said. “We are a modern-day ‘Dumbledore’s Army’ and want to do good in the world in the name of Harry Potter.”

The organization was recently involved in a seven-month campaign focused on a different social issue each month.

“November was mental health month,” Chrisman said. “We drew a connection to Harry Potter by relating mental illnesses to dementors, which are found in the books. We sponsored events on campus and promoted the importance of mental health to students.”

Now that the books and movies have ended, Harry Potter Alliance members turn to Pottermore, an interactive website that offers members total access to a virtual Hogwarts, to keep connected to the Harry Potter world.

“Pottermore gets us excited again,” Armes said. “There are new releases and components to the books and movies that we’ve never seen before.”

Armes said he is not discouraged by the ending of the series.

“The books may be dead, but the essence of the characters and the impact they’ve made in all of our lives will live on forever,” Armes said. studentlife@cm-life.com

Students see perspective of Muslim women

By Octavia Carson Staff Reporter

Before this week, Cadillac freshman Charly Loper could walk through the halls unnoticed. “(Now) I feel like some people stare at me from a distance, then quickly turn away,” Loper said.

Loper has decided to wear a hijab, a traditional Muslim head covering, for a week. She has been participating in Hijab Week for her class, HON 100: Introduction to the Honor’s Program.

Clinton Township junior Amanda Jaczkowski has been coordinating the project and assisting the other women involved. “(The) Hijab is a very misunderstood part of Islam and I wanted to help the girls understand better what it means,” Jaczkowski said.

Throughout the week, about 25 women have been participating in Hijab Week. Jaczkowski created the event this year and said it is only taking place on CMU’s campus.

Clarkston junior Hannah Grimaldi said she has experienced discrimination since putting on the hijab.

“I started on Friday and went to Meijer with my friend, and she told me people were staring at me,” Grimaldi said. “I’ve gotten a lot of rude comments. I realize this is not the inclusive environment I thought it was.”

Grimaldi said she comes from a predominately white area and had little to exposure to other cultures.

“You get a chance to be in someone else’s culture,” she said.

There are three different levels the participants can choose to engage in for the week.

The first level requires them to change their physical appearance by covering their skin and hair.

They also cannot show public displays of affection or consume alcohol.

The second level encompasses the first, as well as eliminating the consumption of pork.

The third and final level includes the requirements from the first two, but also removes any sexual relations for those who are not married, in addition to forbidding the women from being alone with men.

“I thought it would be interesting to live with a hijab on and see

CHARLOTTE BODAK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Clinton Township junior Amanda Jaczkowski walks to Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium Monday to watch the film Mooz-lum with Mount Pleasant freshman Katelyn Maylee and Byron Center freshman Luke Lubbers. “The hijab is a very misunderstood part of Islam,” Jaczkowski said, “I wanted to help the girls better understand what it means.”

how people would treat you,” Loper said.

Loper said she is quickly finding that wearing a hijab is drawing unnecessary attention from people around her.

“I feel like some people don’t know how to treat me,” Loper said.

“I can tell they are uncomfortable.”

Before the event, Loper said she did not think it was right for someone to wear a hijab.

“I always thought it was degrading for women to wear them, but now I feel like it is not restraining,” she said. studentlife@cm-life.com

2B || Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/vibe

[VIBE]

Batting Zero| By Tracie Sivek and Erin Batt

Balancing act

PERRY FISH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dorr sophomore Ben Cardenas tries to keep his balance while slack-lining Monday evening outside of Woldt Hall. Cardenas has been slack-lining for almost a year now. He connected with Woldt Resident Assistant Ryan Cooper when they found out they share an interest for the activity. “It’s about balance and focus,” Cardenas said.

STREETS | CONTINUED FROM 1B

ships and volunteer opportunities at any of their four bases in Nigeria, Guatemala, Haiti and Uganda. People interested must apply and complete a skills assessment to get a trip that best fits their abilities.

Opportunities overseas and in the states range from anything in medical and dental work to teaching at schools or working in disaster relief.

Grand Rapids senior Jamie Geurkink first became involved with HCI when Hurricane Irene hit Haiti. She has since taken a trip to Uganda and said she hopes to use her

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education degree to spend time teaching overseas.

“It has been a life-changing experience,” Geurkink said. “Heart Cry is unique as opposed to similar organizations. They have a consistency, building trust and relationships with the people. They’re conscious about people and preserving their culture.”

Geurkink said she sees the organization taking off and hopes more people become involved, both individually and with funding.

HCI is in the process of forming a registered student organization, called World Changers, and will focus on increasing HCI awareness by seeking continuous support and getting more

By Andrew Dooley

Ron Swanson’s mustache is one of the best characters in an ensemble cast that includes Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari and Rob Lowe.

Though his mustache is great, his beard in last week’s season four premiere was somehow better. “Parks and Recreation” came steaming back into primetime last week with an episode that included Ron hiding from his first wife in an isolated cabin, spending his days drinking liquor, shooting fish and growing a caveman beard more lush than virgin rainforest.

While Leslie managed to work through a nasty breakup with Ben, Ann (Rashida

studentlife@cm-life.com

Census original count flawed on gay couples

By Curtis Tate McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday sharply revised downward its estimate of the number of same-sex households across the country, reflecting confusion over how to accurately count gay and lesbian couples that have gained varying degrees of legal recognition of their partnerships over the past decade.

Unlike with factors such as race, gender and household income, the Census Bureau doesn’t attempt to count gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. Only in the 2000 census did it start to count same-sex households, and demographers say the wording of the forms may have led to an unusually high number of inaccurate responses.

The bureau said there were

PICK OF THE WEEK Parks and Recreation

people involved.

Gina Wymore is the president of World Changers.

The West Bloomfield junior worked with children in Haiti through HCI and said her heart ached to continue helping as she witnessed the living conditions for Haitian children. “(The opportunity) is beneficial for everyone involved,” Wymore said. “I have never met more mature kids that are so grateful for what they have.”

World Changers meetings begin Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. in the HCI headquarters. Meetings will then take place the first Monday of every month.

Jones) dealt with a plague of cell phone pictures of genitalia sent to her by concerned city employees. It was amazing.

The show continues to move further away from “The Office,” which it was supposed to be spun-off from originally.

It’s now a regularly absurd festival of punch lines delivered by actors talented enough to be human when the script calls for genuine emotion.

Ben, played by the pitchperfect Adam Scott, has become the straight man the show badly needed. Scott’s new character is good enough that I’m almost ready to forgive him for leaving “Party Down.”

“Parks and Recreation” can be viewed at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on NBC.

approximately 646,000 samesex households in the U.S. in 2010. It originally counted more than 900,000 same-sex households in 2010, but then estimated that as much as 28 percent of that count was actually opposite-sex.

“I applaud the bureau for trying to provide the most accurate information,” said Gary Gates, a demographer at the University of California-Los Angeles who specializes in the gay and lesbian population and reviewed the Census Bureau’s revisions. “The problem is, people can make mistakes.”

In spite of the downward revision, Gates said the census might have actually undercounted same-sex couples.

“I’ve been one of the voices saying to the bureau that ‘the way you’re measuring has serious problems,’” he said.

He suggested changing the wording from husband/wife or unmarried partner, combined with sex variables, that the form currently uses. He suggested using the simpler categories used in Canada and Great Britain for couples: Opposite-sex husband/wife, Same-sex husband/wife.

“It’s a way to get much more accuracy,” Gates said. “Unless they do that, they’re never going to fix this problem.”

But, he said, there could be political problems with that wording because of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages, though it doesn’t prevent individual states from recognizing them.

Experienced Provider Specializes in Adult Medical Care Adult Nurse Practitioner Helene Vossos, R.N., M.S.N., A.N.P.-B.C., is now welcoming college students and adults of all ages to her new practice at 211 S. Crapo Street, Suite J, in Mt. Pleasant.

Helene has more than 20 years of experience in the health care industry and joined the MidMichigan Health family in 2005. She is currently on the medical staff at MidMichigan Medical Center–Gratiot and has also held nursing positions at MidMichigan Home Care and MidMichigan Medical Center–Clare. Helene received her associate nursing degree (RN) from MidMichigan Community College and completed bachelor of science and master of science degrees in nursing at the University of Michigan – Flint, where she received the clinical excellence award. She is dual board certified as a nurse practitioner in adult medicine and psychiatric mental health. Helene is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and chronic medical conditions. Appointments may be made by calling her office at (989) 773-6218.

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Join our community. facebook.com/ CMUsocialnorms

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cm-life.com/category/vibe

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, September 28, 2011 || 3B

[VIBE] M E N T A L H E A LT H

Active Minds aims to promote advocacy, how to be healthy

By Ben Harris Senior Reporter

ERICA KEARNS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kalamazoo junior Kelsey Bourbeau, social chair of Organization of Women Leaders, discusses upcoming events during one of their meetings Tuesday in the Bovee Center Chippewa room. “I saw a bag (advertising the group) and thought it sounded cool and I knew some people in it and it really sounded great, “ Bourbeau said.

Organization of Women Leaders volunteers, spreads awareness

By Ben Harris Senior Reporter

When the members of the Organization of Women Leaders aren’t volunteering, they are raising money for women’s issues and advocating for empowerment.

The group provides an opportunity for women leaders across campus to come together and network, said Farmington junior and OWLs President Grace Stevenson.

“A lot of people think of us as a feminist group, and we are, but we don’t go out to hate men or anything. I think people tend to think we aren’t the group that we actually are,” Stevenson said.

“We stand for gender equality and women empowerment.”

OWLs has volunteered with the Isabella County soup kitchen and raised money for the women’s aid shelter in Mount Pleasant and the Mobile Food Pantry through the Community Compassion Network, Stevenson said.

The organization has about 30 members, including the inactive members, and takes new members every semester.

She said OWLs aims to make itself more well-known on cam-

pus and educate people about gender issues in the community.

“We’re here to network together as leaders, set the foundation for younger women to come and make a difference in the world and improve women’s rights, whether it’s on campus, in the community or out there in the world,” Stevenson said.

Portland senior Annalise Kransz, though inactive this semester, said the organization is useful because it is a place for women in different majors to meet, network and bounce ideas off one another.

“I think it’s a great opportunity because we’re serious about what we do on campus, but it’s like going to a social every Tuesday, Kransz said. “It’s so much fun.”

A lot of the women belong to other organizations, she said.

“You really become friends with the other women in the group,” Kransz said. “It isn’t just a Tuesday thing. We all really connect.”

Kalamazoo junior Kelsey Bourbeau is the social and recruitment chair and said OWLs is a great place to be passionate about women’s issues.

“It really taught me the importance of recognizing the

benefits of being a woman, such as becoming aware of women’s issues and being a role model for other women who aren’t strong leaders,” Borbeau said.

The group takes new members every semester, but there is a process to go through before being accepted, Kransz said.

“There’s a minimum GPA requirement and an application to fill out, which is looked at by the e-board,” she said. “But there are no qualifications for major or class standing.”

St. Charles senior Tiffany Reinke said she is inactive this semester, but said OWLs encourages women to get involved.

“You find out a lot about campus you wouldn’t find out otherwise,” she said. “It’s known that women have fallen behind men in leadership roles, so we’re trying to get more women leaders.

If they want to become involved in the organization, then we can help them and guide them.”

Reinke said the group has officer positions so members have the opportunity to see what a leadership role is like. studentlife@cm-life.com

Active Minds of Central Michigan University is trying to change the views of mental health issues on campus.

The group is focused on increasing membership after losing a large chunk of its members to graduation last year, said Gary Silker, a counselor at the Foust Hall Counseling Center and one of the group’s advisers.

“We’re hoping to totally rebuild because we lost a lot of members and we lost our president last year to graduation,” Silker said. “We’re looking into doing a focus group or something like it with Alma because Alma has a very large chapter.”

Silker said the meeting times are in the process of changing.

“Recruitment is a huge objective right now. We’re saying no commitment, no fears. Try it, and no shame if you never want to come back,” said professor Arshia Ebrahimi, the group’s other adviser who is also a counselor at the Counseling Center.

The group is working on putting out a Facebook page for news updates, she said.

“We really want people to post what they want to see from us,” Ebrahimi said.

Middleville junior Jackie Hodges, vice president and public relations chair of the organization, said she had one specific reason to get involved with the group.

“I wanted to do something that involved mental health and advocacy about getting rid of the stigma against mental health,” Hodges said.

One of the purposes of Active Minds is to refer individuals who seek help to the proper facilities, she said.

“The goal is to promote awareness on how to be healthy,” Ebrahimi said. “We want to get students connected to the campus to help students to be proactive about things.”

Recent data indicates an increase from 1,200 to 1,350 students across the nation

“We’re saying no commitment, no fears. Try it, and no shame if you never want to come back.”

Arshia Ebrahimi, Active Minds advisor who commit suicide each year, Silker said.

“We know that 80 percent of those who die by suicide don’t seek help. There can be multiple reasons why they don’t seek help, like being concerned about stigma.” Silker said. “The result is that groups like Active Minds serve as the channels for others who might be having temporary emotional distress and link them to campus resources.”

Silker said it is important for people to know they shouldn’t isolate themselves if they are

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having problems.

The group is now planning Oct. 3 as a national day without stigma, where the group will share handouts about symptoms of depression to educate people on the illness as more than a temporary emotional upset, he said.

That day also begins suicide prevention week at CMU, and other events will be held every day that week. studentlife@cm-life.com

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Collegiate Scholars gets national recognition Group will give scholarship after being chosen

By Chad Mitchell Staff Reporter

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars will now be able to give out a $250 scholarship after receiving the Gold STAR Award this year.

Central Michigan University’s chapter of NSCS was notified of the award on Sept. 19. The chapter was chosen to receive the Gold STAR Award at the 2011 NSCS Convention held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Scarlett Valdez, NSCS chapter president and Cass City senior, said she was very excited about the scholarship.

The chapter chooses the scholarship recipient and Valdez said she wants it to go to their most active member from 2010. They are now trying to determine who will receive the scholarship.

NSCS is a registered student organization on campus dedicated to recognizing and elevating first and second year students.

The Gold STAR award is one of four NSCS offers to its chapters annually, including bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The CMU NSCS chapter received a Silver STAR in

2008 and 2009 and a Gold STAR in 2010.

Janine Deegan, outreach communications manager for NSCS, said the Gold STAR is one of the more exclusive awards given to chapters. “(It is) an award only given to the most active and engaged chapters in NSCS,” Deegan said.

Coordinator for member engagement at NSCS, Rachel Thornton said she believes the CMU chapter truly deserves the award.

“The members of Central Michigan University’s chapter are amazing,” Thornton said. “They have gone above and beyond by creating innovative programs and expanding and improving ex-

TWO MINORS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

By Orrin Shawl Staff Reporter

Two minors were taken into custody at the Chiddy Bang and The Cool Kids concert on Sept.

23 on charges of disorderly conduct, minor in posession and a count of obstructing police.

The first minor, age 19, was charged with disorderly con-

duct and MIP after being observed having trouble standing at 8:40 p.m., according to CMU Police Lieutenant Cameron Wassman.

The second minor passed security and did a stage dive.

The minor was intoxicated and officers attempted to arrest him for disorderly conduct, at which point he pulled his hands

away and ran away from the officers.

After officers caught up with the minor, he continued to resist, so a CMU Police officer pepper-sprayed him.

“There was an ambulance already on scene that medically cleared him,” Wassman said. metro@cm-life.com

isting programs, and have provided an exceptional experience for their members.

They have truly embraced the ideals of NSCS.” To reach the Gold STAR, NSCS chapters must hold an induction ceremony for new members, create a student mentoring program, hold campus-wide events that support the NSCS integrity initiative, create an on-campus membership recruitment campaign and engage a campus office in a chapter event.

Membership is by invitation only, and is determined by grade point average and class standing.

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4B || Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/vibe

[VIBE]

High Adventure Club promotes ‘extreme’ travel

LOVE ADVICE COLUMN

‘How can I be less awkward?’

By Logan Patmon Staff Reporter

The High Adventure Club tries to give its student members an adrenaline rush.

The 75-member club engages in a number of extreme activities that get the blood pumping and the adrenaline rushing, including rock climbing, whitewater rafting and skydiving.

The club goes on two big trips a year — one to Gauley Festival in West Virginia in the fall and another to Michigan Ice Fest in Munising in the winter.

“Gauley fest was very intense — we did things that I’ve never done before, said Grant senior Mara Kieren.

‘We went whitewater rafting down the Gauley River. It’s my second time and it was kind of scary. We also did other things such as rock climbing, I had never gone rock climbing on a wall besides the one in Finch.”

Between the two big annual trips, the club goes on many other adventures.

“We go backpacking, skydiving and stuff like that.

Jorden Spence Senior Reporter “My girlfriend and I have been together for about 2 years, and we’re considering incorporating role-play into our sex lives to spice things up a little. Where’s a good place to get supplies for that kind of stuff?”

COURTESY PHOTO BY SARAH ROWE

Members of the High Adventure Club pose outside a bus Sept. 16 in Summersville, W. VA.

These trips are usually weekend trips so we are usually gone for days at a time,” said club President Sarah Rowe, a senior from Gland Blanc.

She said they range in price and the most expensive ones are the two big trips, which cost about $150. The in-between trips are free or cheap, usually under $30, she said.

The club meets every Thursday in Finch Fieldhouse room 108. Rowe said members are allowed to come and go as they please and can join anytime during

the school year.

The members have to pay a $10 membership fee each semester if they plan on attending either of the two big trips.

“One of my friends told me about the whitewater rafting trip that they went on, and that made me want to join,” said Brielle McDougall, a Pinconning senior. “I actually quit my job so I could take time to go on the trips. It was really fun.” studentlife@cm-life.com

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

‘Gears of War 3’ is fastpaced, with numerous options, modes

By Jordan LaPorte Staff Reporter

There is a possibility that “Gears of War 3” may be the last game in the “Gears” series to be released for quite some time.

Fortunately, there is abundant of content to play through.

The campaign overall is fastpaced and extremely fun.

While the general objective of the campaign is to shoot all of the locust monsters that cross your path, the game provides a variety of gorgeous settings to do it in, along with interesting weapons.

The story is surprisingly engaging as well, answering some questions that have been raised throughout the series, while also leaving some things a mystery to keep it interesting.

For those unfamiliar with the story of the past games, there is a “Previously on Gears” video which gives some context for the campaign.

Outside of the campaign there are a huge number of multiplayer options in the game, both cooperative and competitive.

The campaign has cooperative play through split-screen or on Xbox Live, and there is also an arcade mode for the campaign as well, which is all about getting the highest score in each level.

Horde mode returns in “Gears 3,” but with a few tweaks. Players can now build and upgrade defenses like barriers and turrets between each wave of enemies. Guns and ammo now cost money

to pick up as well, taking some inspiration from the zombie mode in “Call of Duty: Black Ops.” A brand new mode for “Gears 3” is “Beast mode,” which gives the option to play as a locust while trying to destroy waves of human soldiers in the shortest time possible.

Finally, there is the competitive multiplayer. There are six different game types to choose from. The multiplayer is fun and there is little downtime between matches, so there are no long waits after a match. The learning curve can be a little steep with the skill of some players online being so high, but it is still a very enjoyable experience overall.

‘GEARS OF WAR 3’

HHHHH w System: Xbox 360 w Genre: Third Person Shooter w ESRB rating: M for Mature There are huge amount of fun content experience into “Gears of War 3,” with more on the way in the form of downloadable content.

Fans of earlier “Gears” games or those who enjoy a great shooter won’t regret picking up “Gears of War 3.” studentlife@cm-life.com

It depends on what kind of role-playing you want to do. If it’s something as simple as a naughty schoolgirl outfit, that could be cheap and easy to find. All you need to do is find a short plaid skirt and a white button-up blouse and you’re finished.

Now that it’s the Halloween season, stores will be full of costumes you can use. Try the bigger stores like Meijer, Target or WalMart first because they are cheaper than a specialty costume store, which can get quite expensive.

Figure out what kind of role-playing situation you want to do and start buying bits and pieces for it. I think the important part about role-playing is the scenario, not the props.

Talk to her more and find out which ones you want to try; employee-boss, student-professor, then base it off of that.

I’m not exactly a shy person, but I seem to have trouble approaching guys I find attractive and striking up a conversation without being extremely awkward.

Is there anything I can do to be less awkward?

If you say you aren’t a shy person, that’s a good thing and you should use that.

Many guys like to see a

woman with confidence as well as a carefree attitude.

Whenever I’m just being myself and having fun with friends, I seem to attract more attention from guys.

Don’t over-think things.

The best thing to do if you’re at a party or a bar, is to introduce yourself. Skip the cheesy lines, or the subtle hints like smiling from across the bar — most guys don’t get subtle hints. Just walk up to him and introduce yourself, or if you’re standing next to him at the bar waiting for a drink, all you need to do is say “Hi.” If he’s not interested, that’s okay, and hey, that just means you made one more friend.

Be yourself, be genuine. Don’t agree with everything he says

or likes just to please him. If he likes baseball and you like hockey more, talk about that.

If he likes Nickelback and you hate them, don’t hide your opinion — although someone liking Nickleback should be a deal-breaker, and you should just walk away.

All those kinds of differences are good ways to continue the conversation and getting to know someone better. It’s when you try too hard or aren’t being yourself when things get awkward.

To submit questions anonymously, you can send them to my formspring account, at formspring.me/JordanCSpence.

You can also send them to my email, spenc1jc@cmich.edu.

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cm-life.com/category/vibe

Central Michigan Life || Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011 || 5B

[VIBE]

MUSIC REVIEW

MUSIC REVIEW

Girls’ brings back good classic rock Blink-182 album painfully safe

By Jamie Favazza Staff Reporter

Hop in a Delorean time machine and head back to the goodness of classic rock with Girls’ latest, “Father, Son, Holy Ghost.”

Hailing from San Francisco, Girls’ follow-up to 2009’s “Album” is a magnificent mixture of classic and indie rock.

Frontman Christopher Owens hopelessly confesses his want for love and lack-thereof because his “bony body,” among other things, over 54 minutes of music.

Despite the simplicity of his lyrics, which consistently tell of his longing for love, sex and girls, they are more of a melodramatic reminder to stay optimistic rather than whiny.

Owens’ vocals remain calm, cool and collected throughout, while sounding a bit like Elliot Smith. Though his voice lacks any impressive diversity, bulky guitar riffs help cushion tunes, resulting

in a complete sound.

The album echoes sounds heard before in bands like The Beatles, Deep Purple and even The Beach Boys, except they’re all in one place — which is awesome.

“Honey Bunny” is the upbeat intro to the album that features rockin’ beach-like guitar riffs that fade into an elongated, dreamy guitar waltz that’s padded by backup vocals. “How Can I Say I Love You” is also delightfully surf-rock and poppy, yet more like indie-pop today.

“Die” is a song that could be on the next Guitar Hero as fuzzy and quick guitar riffs intro the classic rock jam that feels as if one has somehow entered “Almost Famous” as a progressive Penny Lane.

Long periods of pure instrumentation fill songs like “Die,” “Vomit” and the almost eightminute long “Forgiveness” with self expression and juxtaposition of classic pop-rock and current indie-rock.

‘FATHER, SON, HOLY GHOST’

HHHHH w Artist: Girls’ w Genre: Indie Rock Contrary to the title, “Vomit” is a wonderfully romantic, dynamic tune that begs the girl to “come into my heart.”

Organ, guitar and soulful vocals turn this seemingly disgusting song into a smooth and sometimes fuzzy embrace.

Slower, calmer songs include serenading guitar grooves and softer vocals like in “Just a Song,” “Myma” and “Jamie Marie,” which are beautiful.

Even though sounds are oddly identifiable, Girls managed to place a modern spin on a long-time celebrated sound — and it works. studentlife@cm-life.com

Coming Out Week shows LGBT issues during homecoming

By Danielle Cywka Staff Reporter

Spectrums’s goal it is to improve conditions for not just those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

President Justin Gawronski, a Macomb sophomore, said Spectrum works to create visibility for the LGBT community on campus and educate students on issues to decrease ignorance.

This year during Homecoming Week, Spectrum will play an important role in Coming Out Week, which Gawronski said is a time to provide extra comfort and support for those trying to find and bring forth their sexual identity.

The week will include events like queer monologue performances, poet Andrea Gibson, drag queen bingo and coming out at Kaya Coffee and Tea Co., 1029 S. University, where students can share their story.

“We want to create more visibility for the LGBT community and put it out there that Spectrum exists and we’re here for any support needed, or if you want to become an advocate, become more tolerant, ask questions, promote tolerance or just make CMU a safer place,” Gawronski said.

Formerly the Gay-Straight Alliance, Spectrum changed their name because they felt it was too exclusive, and

their mission is to be inclusive with everyone.

“It better represents what we are, including those who identity with LGBT and allies as well,” Gawronski said.

Jon Humiston, adviser for Spectrum and Student Ombuds officer, President’s Office Assistant, has been involved in the LGBT community since his undergraduate studies in 1992. Humiston said he believes the club makes a positive influence on the community “They help raise awareness about the LGBT community, and they’re a big part in making campus safer,” he said. studentlife@cm-life.com

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By Jay Gary Staff Reporter

When Blink-182 reunited, people were most likely thinking “Oh my, the band from my childhood is back together! I can’t wait to hear more great pop-punk music from them!”

With both melodic hardcore and easycore, genres that owe a lot to Blink, taking the world by force, the stars seemed perfectly aligned for a return to form by the iconic three-piece.

However, it would seem that Blink-182 had other plans. With the release of “Neighborhoods,” it’s safe to say Blink has decided to grow up and become a boring alternative band.

Gone are the fast power chords and speedy drumming and in their stead comes a Space Rock atmosphere and synthesizers.

Spoiler alert: it sounds terrible.

The music just sounds confused, everything has a muddled sound, and the atmosphere it presents is uninviting and honestly, quite ugly. It only takes one listen to the verse of “Natives” to know exactly how bad everything sounds when put together.

The sound of Tom DeLonge’s guitar is amazingly unattractive for almost the entire album, and it sounds as if he blindly packed on a ton of delay, reverb and maybe tremolo or phaser to create some random Frankenstein’s Monster of a spacey guitar tone.

To be fair, the first half of the album isn’t entirely all that bad. Songs like “Snake Charmer,” “Ghosts On The Dance Floor” and the lead single “Up All Night” are catchy enough to mask the fact that Blink is sounding like the world’s worst The Killers rip-off.

Even “Natives,” the verse of which may be one of the worst parts of this album, has a really solid chorus that actually sounds like old Blink.

However, “Neighborhoods” totally poops the bed when the second single “Heart’s All Gone” shows up.

For starters, the song is preceded by “Heart’s All Gone Interlude,” a spacey two-minute instrumental that makes you fall asleep faster than a Coldplay ballad.

Once the song actually starts, listeners are greeted by an ugly guitar tone, an

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abysmal chord progression and unwelcoming vocals.

“Heart’s All Gone” is Blink’s one attempt to write a pop-punk song on this album and they completely and utterly botch it.

From here, the rest of the album is a straight descent to hell. Songs like “Kaleidoscope,” the ‘80s new wave influenced “This Is Home” and the so-ugly-it-couldbe-a-modern-art-masterpiece, “Love is Dangerous,” are so astoundingly bad they make people kind of embarrassed to be listening.

This review isn’t done by some bitter Blink-182 fan that is salty that he isn’t getting “Enema Of The State, Part 2.” It’s literally that bad of an album, regardless of the band name attached.

To somberly quote Mark Hoppus, “I guess this is growing up.” studentlife@cm-life.com

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