The DA 04-05-2012

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”

da

Thursday April 5, 2012

Volume 125, Issue 132

www.THEDAONLINE.com

Board overturns claim against Golden party by mackenzie mays city editor

The Student Government Association Judicial Board ruled in favor of the Golden Ticket hosting a free concert on campus in a hearing Wednesday night after SGA administration claimed the event violated the elections code. SGA Attorney General Jason Junkin, Elections Chair Jason Butts and current president Jason Bailey said the event violated Article 2, Section K of the code,

which states the Elections Chair has the power to arrange for all necessary reservations involving election events such as banner spaces and other campaignrelated materials for candidates. All reservation requests must be submitted to the Elections Chair one week in advance, according to the code. Junkin said Devin Sears, vice presidential candidate for the Golden Ticket, did not officially go through Butts within the time requirement, merely suggesting it to him in passing, and that she

did not have the authority to reserve the Mountainlair Ballrooms for the concert because she did not represent a student organization – making the event “unethical.” Butts said he “very vaguely” discussed the event with Sears. However, Sears, who appealed the decision, said Junkin, Bailey and Butts met without her knowledge, and she was not informed that there was a code violation until it was too late and her event was in danger of being canceled.

“I never lied about anything. No one notified me about any problems up until I received a voicemail from Jason (Junkin) saying it had to be canceled. No one told me I was in the wrong until after the fact,” Sears told the board. Sears said Section K was ambiguous and lead her to believe she was following proper SGA laws. “I wanted to do this to benefit the community and bring positive press to the University – especially because of the recent

issues with the ‘I’m Shmacked’ video, and I was under the assumption that it was okay under the Chair to do so.” SGA Governor Ryan Campione also represented the Golden Ticket at the hearing and said that the Davisson Brothers band had already scheduled a concert in the Morgantown area, so Sears merely seized the opportunity to create a fun event for students. The “one week prior” requirement fell during Spring Break, meaning 2012 SGA candidates

by kelsey montgomery staff writer

the mills group

Addition to Farmer’s Market aims to provide better sense of community by carlee lammers staff writer

The Morgantown Market Place, located on the corner of Spruce and Fayette streets, has begun long-awaited construction on a new, covered outdoor pavilion. “I love the fact that we are finally going to have a roof over our heads,” said Lisa Lagana, the market manager. “People love to come to the market – even in the rain – but they just don’t look nearly as happy when it’s raining.” Plans for the pavilion include a rain garden, portable restroom, a donor wall with bricks recognizing the project’s top contributors and an outdoor kitchen for live cooking demonstrations. “We’re hoping to allow it to become an event pavilion, so that things other

by kelsey montgomery staff writer

Construction has begun on the Morgantown Market Place, which will be home to the Farmer’s Market.

Student group recognizes autism awareness month by carlee lammers staff writer

West Virginia University students are shining light and speaking out throughout the month of April in hopes to “unlock” autism. Members of the WVU Autism Speaks U organization kicked off Autism Awareness Month this April by sponsoring the “Light It Up Blue” campaign in an effort to raise awareness. “It’s our way to shine a light on autism,” said Autism Speaks U coordinator Kasia Bryant. “Autism is a bigger issue than people realize.” The organization posted flyers and balloons across cam-

pus, encouraged WVU students to wear blue in support and lit fraternity row up in blue Monday in support of World Autism Awareness Day. Autism consists of a group of complex brain development disorders, which occur in varying degrees, called the “autism spectrum.” The disorders influence social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and can spark repetitive behaviors. Bryant, whose brother is on the autism spectrum, said raising awareness and informing students about the disorder is something she’s passionate about. “Just two weeks ago it was announced that now one in 88

people are on the spectrum; before that it was one in 110. This is a way for us to provide awareness of things like this,” she said. WVU’s Alpha Xi Delta chapter has also dedicated time to raising awareness as a part of the sorority’s philanthropy. Philanthropy president Kendra Thalman said the cause hits close to home for many of the sisters. “It’s affected more people than you would think,” she said. “This year our sweetheart – his younger sister has autism, and we’re all very close with him.” Thalman said the sorority participates in various fundraisers, walks and benefits throughout the year to raise

awareness for Autism Speaks and the disorder. “Awareness is always important,” Thalman said. “It’s touching. So many of these little kids I’ve seen in our efforts still have heart and passion – it’s not a depressing thing.” Bryant said she also hopes this month will inform students and change popular beliefs about the disorder. “Most people hear someone is autistic and automatically think something is wrong,” she said. “I was actually just doing some research and found that a lot of people believe Einstein was on the spectrum. Some people are brilliant. It’s the ex-

see autism on PAGE 2

67° / 38°

SONGWRITER

THE DA IS HIRING EDITORS

INSIDE

Singer Daniel Knox to play at 123 Pleasant Street April 12. A&E PAGE 8

Inquire about paid positions at The Daily Athenaeum at DA-editor@mail.wvu.edu or pick up an application at our office at 284 Prospect St.

SUNNY

News: 1, 2, 3 Opinion: 5 A&E: 6, 7, 8 Sports: 9, 10, 12, 14 Campus Calendar: 5 Puzzles: 5 Classifieds: 11

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant will moderate the West Virginia University Student Government Association debate Monday. Tennant, a WVU graduate, will ask the candidates questions concerning their platforms during the debate, which will take place in the Mountainlair Commons at 7 p.m. “We are happy to announce that Tennant has volunteered to be the moderator for the debate,” said SGA Elections Chair Jason Butts. “The debate is going to be recorded, and we are working on possibly having it being streamed live online.” SGA also selected WVU’s Student Association of Public Administrators as the Student Organization of the Year. SAPA was awarded $500 toward their organization for providing excellence within the WVU community by organizing events such as “Create the Fix,” a public panel on remedying the national debt. The organization was among a total of three finalists selected for the honor. WVU organizations Colleges against Cancer and WVU Student Occupational Therapy Association were

also among the finalists that were chosen to represent themselves in front of the board. Both runners-up were awarded $100 to their organization as a consolation prize. “All three candidates were extremely impressive with their applications,” said SGA President Jason Bailey. “They’ve been beneficial to the WVU community and are all deserving of recognition.” SGA unanimously voted to include Constitutional Amendment 2012-02 on the upcoming elections ballot this month. The amendment states the new party elected will have the power to set time lines for the next upcoming election after the amendment takes effect on January 1, 2013. “I think that passing the amendment will help make the constitution have no loopholes and make sure that there will not be a conflict with election code and constitution in the future,” said SGA Governor Ryan Campione. Resolution 2012-03 was passed to further the SGA’s commitment to help the city of Morgantown work towards becoming an inclusive city. “Goal 3 of WVU’s 2020 strategic plan is to ‘foster diversity and an inclusive culture,’” said Director of Neighborhood

see sga on PAGE 2

Green Dot program encourages University to combat violence Sara Wise/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

see market on PAGE 2

see overturn on PAGE 2

W.Va. Secretary of State to moderate SGA debate

RAISE THE ROOF

Above is an artist rendering of the proposed marketplace which includes a covered, outdoor pavilion.

hadn’t even been named yet, he said. Campione said based on precedence, the accusation by SGA was unfair, saying parties in recent years never had to go through the Elections Chair when setting up similar events. “We assumed going through the Chair pertained to SGAsponsored events. There is nothing in the code that gives the Chair the ability to cancel, and if it did, it could open up doors

CONTACT US Newsroom 304-293-5092 or DAnewsroom@mail.wvu.edu Advertising 304-293-4141 or DA-Ads@mail.wvu.edu Fax 304-293-6857

INSIDE THIS EDITION The West Virginia tennis team is honoring its seniors in the final home match this weekend. SPORTS PAGE 10

Members of the Green Dot program don’t want your awareness – they want your action. WELLWVU: The Students’ Center of Health is encouraging West Virginia University students to speak up and act out through the month of April to identify and combat acts of violence with a new campus initiative. “I don’t care about raising your awareness, because, to me, raising awareness means that nothing has been done,” said Sam Wilmoth, a Green Dot representative. “I don’t care if anybody remembers a single statistic. I just want people to do something.” However, the statistics surrounding the issues could be enough to ignite a change. An average of 1.6 rapes happen at WVU each day, and Wilmoth said the victimization of college women is at a higher rate than any other age group. In addition, one out of 33

men have been victims of rape during their lifetime. The program’s name is derived from the red dot symbols that are typically used to represent danger ahead. For the Green Dot program, “red dot” situations can happen quickly and unexpectedly. “A red dot is the three seconds it takes to raise your hand and strike someone,” Wilmoth said. “It is a highrisk situation that could be stopped with your immediate actions.” In contrast, a “green dot” represents an immediate action that a bystander can take to prevent that kind of violence. “The green dot illustrates the solution as the reflection of the problem,” Wilmoth said. A green dot can be conducted through three possible strategies: direct, delegate or distract. A direct green dot requires taking the shortest distance

see green DOT on PAGE 2

SIDELINED FOR SPRING West Virginia junior cornerback Pat Miller’ s spring will be cut short after the team announced he broke his foot. SPORTS PAGE 9


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