THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”
da
Tuesday January 25, 2011
VOLUME 124, ISSUE 85
www.THEDAONLINE.com
HSC professor found dead Saturday by erin fitzwilliams associate city editor
A professor was found dead at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center Saturday. Dr. Michael Morissette, 38, assistant professor of exercise physiology, was found in his HSC laboratory at approximately 1 p.m. Preliminary investigations led by the University Police Department concluded there was no foul play, but the death was
accidental, said University Police Chief Bob Roberts. Roberts said cause of death has not yet been determined, and the police are waiting for the medical examiner’s report to continue the investigation. 911 dispatched medical examiners to the scene at 1:34 p.m. on Jan. 22, according to the Monongalia Emergency Centralized Communications Agency. Angela Jones, Health Sciences public relations specialist, said in a statement the
community is saddened by the death of Morissette. Jones said he was a valuable faculty member and an accomplished scientist who will be missed greatly, especially by his colleagues in Exercise Physiology and the Center for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences. “These tragedies are extremely painful for us as individuals and as a community of scholars and health professionals. It cuts to the core of our sense of self and underscores
our vulnerabilities,” Jones said in a statement. “It also reinforces our need for mutual support, not only in our daily work, but as fellow travelers in this life. We extend our sincere condolences to Dr. Morissette’s family.” Health Sciences Chancellor Christopher Colenda said in a statement that Dr. MaryBeth Mandich, Division of Physical Therapy Associate Dean, is working with those most directly affected by the death in the department and is reaching
out to the family of Morissette. “I don’t say this enough, but thank you for what you do every day,” Colenda said in his statement. “Let us learn from this tragedy and provide comfort to Dr. Morissette’s family.” Morissette leaves behind a wife and two children, a daughter and a son. He joined the WVU School of Medicine faculty in December 2008 as an assistant professor of Exercise Physiology.
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www.hsc.wvu.edu
Michael Morissette, Ph.D.
Greeks discuss Wake up and smell the coffee issues at SGA Speak Up forum by Charles Young staff writer
Members of fraternities and sororities at West Virginia University discussed hazing and Greek life’s image on campus during a Speak Up event hosted by the Student Government Association Monday. SGA Govs. Megan Callaghan and Omar Wazir headed a panel that included University administrators; members of SGA; Ron Justice, the director of Student Organizations Services; and Bob Kent, program advisor for SOS. The panel fielded questions from an audience of more than 75 students who included representatives from various fraternities and sororities. After two incidents of alleged hazings on campus in 2010, some students ex-
pressed concern for the image of Greek life on campus. “I think there are a lot more good things that go on in Greek life, and that often gets overshadowed,” said Allison Jarrett, a member of the Chi Omega sorority. Justice said he is working on promoting the good things Greeks accomplish. Greeks should focus on more community outreach, he added. Katie Pappa a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, asked about the possibility of Greeks-only seating at sporting events. The idea was supported by both Callaghan and Justice. “When I went to school, which was many years ago, we had this, and it was a nice touch,” Justice said. “It has not to my knowledge been
Second Student Organizations Fair more successful than first by lydia nuzum Correspondent
More than 150 students at West Virginia University attended the second Student Organizations Fair held for four hours in the Mountainlair Monday. Student Government Association Gov. Jason Bailey, who coordinated the event, said 54 of at least 200 organizations reserved spots, and around 50 organization attended. He said it was an improvement from recent years. “The process with the organizations was much more successful,” he said. “A lot more were participating from the organization themselves.” The fair gave students an opportunity to learn about various on-campus organizations. Some new clubs and orga-
Chelsi Baker/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Customers line up to order from the WVU College of Law Cafe at its grand opening Monday.
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nizations were added to the fair this year such as the WVU Marketing Club, the Role Playing Club and different clubs from the Health Sciences Campus, Bailey said. WVU Marketing Club president Elizabeth Richter, a senior marketing major, said although her organization has existed for several years, she recently joined the mailing list for the fair. Jamie Chapman, the executive director of student organizations for SGA, said the event was promoted as much as possible through fliers, banners and Facebook. The event was successful and had a constant flow of students coming in to visit between classes, Chapman said, and Bailey agreed.
WVU College of Law opens first Starbucks Cafe to low turnout BY TRAVIS CRUM CITY EDITOR
Less customers attended the Starbucks Cafe grand opening than expected at the West Virginia University College of Law, but Ashley Steed, Starbucks Cafe supervisor, said she is optimistic the numbers will increase soon. Starbucks Cafe, in partnership with Barnes & Noble Bookstores, opened in the College of Law Monday, making it the first store in the College to offer coffee and pastries. “The thing about classes at the Law School is that they last all day,” Steed said. “I expect it to pick up once people figure out how to work getting their coffee into their schedules.” She said she wants the cafe to be as profitable as the Starbucks located on the Downtown Campus, where she used to work. “Being downtown, there is
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“Here, everyone will be regulars, and I expect quick service by the end of the month because we will learn what everyone is having.” Ashley Steed
Starbucks Cafe supervisor
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a bigger population with everyone coming and going,” she said. “Here, everyone will be regulars, and I expect quick service by the end of the month because we will learn what everyone is having.” Brenna Halesey, coffee barista and sophomore accounting and financing major, said the customer flow was slow when she started at 1 p.m. The grand opening was
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Chelsi Baker/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Cafe employee Kevin Beck prepares a beverage at the grand opening of the WVU College of Law Cafe Monday afternoon.
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Group raises money for Nicaraguan co-op BY EMILY SPICKLER CORRESPONDENT
Kristen Basham/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Anthony Battistella, left, a junior public relations major, helps Molly Kartman a sophomore public relations major, sign up for the Public Relations Student Society of America at the student organizations fair in the Mountainlair Monday.
40° / 29°
TUDOR’S IS HERE
INSIDE
Residents came out for a sample of a state favorite. A&E PAGE 10
SNOW SHOWERS
News: 1, 2 Opinion: 4 Sports: 3, 5 A&E: 7, 10 Campus Calendar: 6 Puzzles: 6 Classifieds: 8, 9
A student group at West Virginia University is raising funds from coffee sales to aid a loan that will help a co-op in Nicaragua buy supplies. Fair Trade 2.0, the student group, was formed at the beginning of last semester to aid the co-op in San Ramon, Nicaragua. The money goes to forming a “micro-loan” for the co-op to invest in cows, chickens and to start a garden market, said
Amanda Rivera, senior geography major and campaign organizer for the group. During finals week of last semester, the group raised approximately $1,000 by selling coffee during events called the “Cafe con Leche Campaign.” They ordered and sold about 100 pounds of coffee, Rivera said. “We gave away free coffee in the first floor of Brooks Hall and asked for donations,” she said. “We handed out order forms and told our friends and pro-
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INSIDE THIS EDITION The West Virginia women’s basketball team heads on the road tonight to play Georgetown University. SPORTS PAGE 3
fessors about it.” They are also planning another sale this semester with the option of buying online, she said. The group’s other goals are to look at food issues within West Virginia, said Bradley Wilson, professor of geography. “We’re linking up with West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, because we’re interested in sustainable food issues within our state. We want to work with farmer’s markets, food deserts and nutrition efforts,” Wil-
son said. “We’re curious about West Virginia University’s goals in relation to sustainable agriculture.” Evan Chapman, a junior geography major and sales coordinator for the group, explained the idea of “fair trade” as a more direct means of buying and selling. “A fairer amount goes to the people who actually put in the labor,” Chapman said. Chapman said the group
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WVU’S RED HAS CHANGED High school players in the Primetime Shootout have changed their perceptions about the West Virginia men’s basketball team. SPORTS PAGE 3