THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”
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Thursday April 12, 2012
Volume 125, Issue 135
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WVU discusses potential fall break by mackenzie mays city editor
West Virginia University administrators are discussing plans to implement a fall break for the upcoming school year. In a faculty senate meeting Monday, a proposed 2013-14 academic calendar did not feature a fall break and was subsequently rejected, said Faculty Senate Chair Lesley Cottrell. Now, the calendar commit-
tee is weighing the pros and cons and has the next two weeks to decide how to rearrange its regular calendar days to make it work. “Everyone wants a fall break, including WVU faculty, staff and students. I think we are all hopeful that we can get it, and everyone understands the need for it,” Cottrell said. “But, the options are not great for where these extra days would come from so that’s the tricky part.”
The proposed break, which would be an extended weekend falling on the ninth week of classes just after midterms, cannot impose on the required 15 weeks of instruction. “People don’t want to sacrifice their Thanksgiving break time, and classes that require lab courses would be affected because they need that full week, otherwise students are missing a whole week’s worth of work just because they’re off that one day,” Cottrell said.
University honors professors for outstanding teaching by bryan bumgardner staff writer
For some professors, teaching is more than textbooks and curriculum – it’s about changing students’ lives. West Virginia University has honored six professors with the 2012 WVU Foundation Award for Oustanding Teaching. The recipients are from a wide range of disciplines, but all have made an impact on their students. “I’m not afraid to go above and beyond in the classroom,” said Gina Martino Dahlia, award recipient and assistant professor in the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. Dahlia has a reputation for being demanding and tough, but also for bringing out the best in her students. “If there’s a kid that doesn’t show up for class, I’ll call them,” she said. “For some, it’s the first time a teacher has ever called on them, asked what they’re doing – and actually cared.” Dahlia said that personal interaction drives students to want to succeed, and she
pushes even the most discouraged students to do their best. She said seeing her students succeed fuels her passion for teaching. “It says a lot about the power that teachers have to shape somebody’s life and help them be all they can be,” she said. Award recipient Mark Schraf started his teaching career with an idea. “I remember thinking, I was gonna be as animated as possible, to try and be the kind of chemistry teacher I never had when I was an undergrad,” he said. Schraf said he discovered a style of teaching that makes chemistry accessible to everyone. “I go over the top and be animated and bring in tons of metaphors, so then everyone can laugh and relax,” he said. Schraf is a teaching assistant professor in the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry. His casual style of dress and high energy lectures capture
see outstanding on PAGE 2
“Things like that keep popping up. We can do this, but people might need to give something up.” Cottrell said she thinks joining the likes of local schools such as Virginia Tech and the University of Pittsburgh could benefit the student body as a whole. “Right after midterms, everyone needs to take a mental break. People just reach their peak, and we’ve seen some issues come from that,” she said.
“Studies show a break like this could help decrease behavioral problems and even keep students motivated and stay in school longer.” The largest option that’s been discussed is a MondayTuesday period or ThursdayFriday period, Cottrell said. Student Government Association President Jason Bailey serves on the calendar committee and said students need a break from classes and exams before Thanksgiving break.
“Physical and mental burnout is common among college students today amidst their workload, and not providing students any relief surrounding midterms almost guarantees increased stress levels that could lead to poor academic performance and a slippery slope that ultimately causes a student to leave the University,” he said. Bailey said it is the duty of
see break on PAGE 2
‘MAKE KONY FAMOUS’
Kristen Basham/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Odong Kizito, a native of Uganda, speaks on behalf of Invisible Children in Brooks Hall at WVU Wednesday.
Invisible Children Roadies help bring awareness to Kony 2012 movement
First lady recognizes Autism Awareness Month
by carlee lammers staff writer
Kristen Basham/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Kizito speaks on behalf of Invisible Children to a packed room in Brooks Hall at West Virginia University Wednesday.
The Invisible Children roadies visited West Virginia University Wednesday to empower students to take “informed action” in the effort to open the eyes of millions and “Stop Kony.” WVU sociology professor Daniel Brewster hosted an Invisible Children Roadies presentation to bring awareness to the longest-running war in Africa, led by Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army. According to Invisible Children, Kony has abducted nearly 30,000 children from central Africa and forced them to serve as soldiers in the LRA and as wives for LRA soldiers.
see kony on PAGE 2
Cassia King/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
WVU First Lady Beth Clements speaks to students about the challenges of special needs children, including her own experience with her daughter, Grace.
by Lacey Palmer staff writer
For West Virginia University first lady Beth Clements, the issue of autism and other developmental disorders is one that hits close to home. The WVU chapter of Autism Speaks U invited Clements to speak during the organization’s last meeting of the semester as part of its Autism Awareness Month celebration. Clements, wife of WVU President James P. Clements, said the couple noticed early that their daughter, Grace, was not developing normally. The doctor continued to tell the Clements’ Grace would catch up, but Beth said her maternal instincts left her questioning.
“Gracie is perfect in my eyes, but the reality of the situation was less than perfect at first,” she said. Grace was diagnosed with Apraxia, a neurological disorder limiting her ability to speak. Beth said she was angry, in denial and upset when she first learned Grace’s diagnosis, and worried Grace would never get to experience certain things, but eventually learned to accept her daughter’s condition. She formed a support group with other mothers who have children with disabilities. “We read ‘The Purpose Driven Life,’ bonded, laughed more and cried less,” Beth said. Grace is now 12 years old,
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SGA nominates three governors for annual awards by kelsey montgomery staff writer
The West Virginia University Student Government Association nominated three members for its annual Governor of the Year Award Wednesday for their accomplishments during the 2011-12 school year. Governors Ryan Campione, Allison Rollins and Benjamin Seebaugh were nominated by multiple members of SGA to receive the honor and will speak at the SGA Inauguration Saturday, April 21 at the Erickson Alumni Center. Campione was endorsed by Seebaugh at the meeting. See-
baugh said Campione’s ambition to achieve all his proposed platforms, including being a force behind the addition to the Evansdale campus, showcased his loyalty to SGA. “Ryan has never made a promise to the student body that he couldn’t keep,” Seebaugh said. “I do not even think he sleeps. He has accomplished everything that he said he would last year and I think that alone speaks volumes to why he deserves this honor.” Rollins was endorsed by Governors Bridgette Boyd and Taj Rohr. The two governors praised Rollins for her dedication and leadership to orga-
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ON THE INSIDE West Virginia freshman cornerback Karl Joseph has a chance to make an impact next fall in his first season. SPORTS PAGE 7
nize various SGA events and meetings. “Governor Rollins has shown excellent leadership this year that I believe deserved to be commended,” Rohr said. Boyd said many people do not get to witness firsthand the effort Rollins puts into the organization. “Rollins does so much behind the scenes that deserves a lot of credit,” Boyd said. “She is always so helpful and I always see her in the office working away on whatever needs to be done.” Seebaugh was given three endorsements by the board. The recent Truman Scholar has
been significant in social justice causes on campus, including LGBTQ equality and antibullying campaigns. “What makes Governor Seebaugh so outstanding is his character and humility,” Boyd said. “He has done so much and still expects nothing in return.” Governor Ray Zane said Seebaugh’s platform should be enough to earn him the honor. “We all have our own platforms and causes, but he is accomplishing social justice,” Zane said. “He has made the biggest change among all of
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SHUTOUT ON THE ROAD The West Virginia baseball team lost to Maryland 3-0 Wednesday night in a one-game series in College Park, Md. SPORTS PAGE 8