THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”
da
Wednesday September 14, 2011
Volume 125, Issue 18
www.THEDAONLINE.com
Univ. launches United Way campaign by mackenzie mays city editor
West Virginia University Provost Michele Wheatly will serve as this year’s United Way campaign chair, with hopes of raising $305,000 for the organization. The eight-week campaign is centered around the theme “Picture This: One Contribution, Countless Results” and will allocate its total proceeds to 31 organizations in Monon-
galia and Preston counties. WVU’s donations will help provide shelter for local homeless, prescriptions for the uninsured, child care for working families and hot meals at the Salvation Army. “This has been a difficult time in the life of the nation in the last couple of years with the downturn of the economy,” Wheatly said. “There are a lot of people who find themselves in circumstances they didn’t expect.”
ADVANCE Program kicks off diversity lecture series by jessica lear staff writer
The West Virginia University ADVANCE program will host Dr. Linda Sax in the Mountainlair today as part of a “Why Diversity Matters” lecture series. Sax will discuss the role of gender in higher education and the role of women in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. The lecture will be part of the ADVANCE program’s “Why Diversity Matters” lecture series that aims to understand and promote gender diversity and inclusion around campus. “ADVANCE is a program at institutions across the US run by the National Science Foundation to support women faculty in science, engineering and math fields at universities and colleges,” said Dr. Kasi Jackson, an assistant professor of women’s studies at WVU. Sax is an associate professor of higher education and organizational change at the University of California Los
Although this is Wheatly’s first time heading the University’s 29th annual campaign, she’s been a contributor to the United Way for years and believes in its mission to help the organizations that need it the most. “It’s important we support our local community,” Wheatly said. “I’m sure many of our students walk down High Street and see folks sitting on park benches who look like they’re in need of services, and it
probably makes them wonder where they sleep at night. The United Way helps answer those questions and connects the dots.” Wheatly said she hopes this local connection will help motive people to become more involved with the campaign. “With this, you can see a tangible outcome,” she said. “People can often appreciate the outcome if they see what’s happening in their community. Think globally – act locally.”
The campaign is the only charitable fundraising initiative legitimized through the University, Wheatly said. She hopes student volunteers will take their experiences from the campaign with them in the future. “We’re hoping we can educate the donors of tomorrow. It’s all about giving back and paying it forward,” Wheatly said. “Learning about it now, as students, they will think about it in years to come and take it
with them wherever they go.” To help raise money for the campaign, students will sell $10 “Gold Rush” T-shirts for the annual “Gold Rush” football game Sept. 24 against Louisiana State University. A four-mile faculty and staff run/walk called “Mountaineers Run United” is also planned for Oct. 29 in support of the campaign. “Clearly the competition
see united on PAGE 2
WVU RANKED NO. 164 U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANK west virginia university No. 164 of national universities, no. 89 of public schools
Angeles. Sax will focus on gender differences in college student development, specifically how institutional characteristics, peer and faculty environments and forms of student involvement may differentially affect male and female students. Throughout the day, Sax will also be meeting with small groups of students and faculty to talk about studentfaculty relationships and how they differ between men and women. A luncheon will benefit the ADVANCE program and discuss the gender gap in selecting STEM field majors. The ADVANCE program hopes that with diverse faculty, female students will be more likely to explore a STEM field as a possible career option. “ADVANCE focuses on ensuring that these women consider academia as a viable and attractive career option,” Jackson said.
see diversity on PAGE 2
Construction begins on new WVU greenhouse Mallory Bracken/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Woodburn Hall, one of West Virginia University’s most well-known structures, resides at the center of Woodburn Circle and contains both classrooms and offices.
Univ. improves national ranking from 2010, still focused on using strategic plan to shape future By John Terry Managing Editor
Mallory Bracken/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
The old West Virginia University greenhouses stand behind the construction zone on the Evansdale Campus where a new greenhouse is being built. The facility is expected to be completed by spring of 2012.
by jessica lear staff writer
The West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design will celebrate the start of construction on a new greenhouse facility tomorrow with a “Greenhouse Celebration.” “The Plant and Soil Sciences Greenhouse is an essential space for teaching, research and outreach for WVU and the Davis College,” said David Welsh, public re-
lations manager for the Davis College. The greenhouse, which will be located on the Evansdale Campus, is expected to be completed in the spring of 2012 and is estimated to cost $8.8 million. The greenhouse is the first phase of the $159.5 million Evansdale Campus building project slated to take place through 2014. “The new greenhouse is
West Virginia University is ranked No. 164 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2012 “National University Rankings” category – 12 spots higher than last year. Harvard University took home the top ranking, while Princeton University and Yale University followed tied for second. The rankings are compiled by the U.S. News & World Report each year and are based on things such as admissions standards, faculty salaries, student retention, graduation rates, financial resources and peer surveys. “We’re moving in the right direction,” said University spokesman John Bolt. “As we continue to move forward, the strategic plan will continue to drive us.”
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INSIDE
The rapper offends military with latest song. A&E PAGE 6
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News: 1, 2 Opinion: 5 A&E: 3, 6 Sports: 7, 8, 10 Campus Calendar: 5 Puzzles: 5 Classifieds: 9
SGA President Jason Bailey said the improved ranking is a product of a bigger focus on academic programs and student retention. “It says a lot about where the University is headed and how confident people are in what we’re doing,” Bailey said. The national university ranking groups West Virginia with Ivy League schools, private universities and other public land-grant universities, but not necessarily peer institutions. Bolt said West Virginia is similar to a handful of schools across the
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19. University of notre dame
8,442
22. Georgetown University
7,553
58. University of connecticut
17,345
58. University of pittsburgh
18,371
62. SYracuse university
14,201
68. rutgers university
30,351
82. marquette university
11,806
132. depaul university 132. Seton hall UNIVERSITY
16,052
143. university of cincinnati
22,449
152. st. john’s university
15,270
164. university of louisville
15,644
5,031
164. West virginia university
22,303
181. University of south florida
30,914
UR Villanova university*
7,146
UR providence college*
4,371
The numbers on the right indicate the numbers of students enrolled at that school. *Villanova University and Providence College are unranked in the national ranking. Villanova is ranked No. 1 for regional universities (north), while Providence is ranked No. 4 in the same region.
see greenhouse on PAGE 2
77° / 59°
THUNDERSTORMS
SEE PAGE 2 FOR MORE INFO about the rankings
How the Big East Conference stacks up in the rankings
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ON THE INSIDE Sophomore wide receiver Ivan McCartney got some valuable advice from his cousin Chad Ochocinco. ON PAGE 10
WEEKEND HOMECOMING West Virginia freshman running back Vernard Roberts is excited to return home this weekend against Maryland. SPORTS PAGE 7