THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”
da
Thursday November 29, 2012
Volume 126, Issue 67
www.THEDAONLINE.com
Transit authority adds new charge by lydia nuzum editor in chief
The Mountain Line Transit Authority plans to eliminate free service in a portion of the downtown Morgantown Area. The route affected by the intended changes will include points between the courthouse square on High Street, the Downtown Garrett Street Depot near the Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park and Unity Manor on Willey Street.
A special meeting was held Wednesday by the Citizens Advisory Committee to allow public comment on the changes. Maria Smith, marketing officer for the Transit Authority, said the decision was a result of declining use of the routes in question, as well as increased options for seniors and students to ride for free. “Prior to the year 2000, our main hub was at the courthouse downtown,” Smith said. “In 2000, we
moved it to the depot where it is now – down by the river – and at that point in time, there weren’t any crosswalks, the lights weren’t as good – it was difficult for people to walk from the courthouse to the depot. In order to ease that move, we made any shuttle trips that were between the courthouse and the depot free.” Transit along the route will be set at the regular fare rate of 75 cents. Many riders – including senior citizens with valid Senior Monon-
galians, Inc. (SMI) bus passes, West Virginia University students with valid student IDs and high school students will still be able to utilize the service for free. The service to the depot from downtown is most often utilized by senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Both groups are eligible for free or reduced fare passes that can be utilized on any route offered by Mountain Line. “I think that most of the people who have been rid-
ing who are also clients of Senior Mons know about the senior bus pass and know that they’re eligible for that for free,” said committee member Deborah Layman. “I think that if the outreach is there and the education is provided to them, I don’t see that having a negative impact on them, because with the SMI bus pass it’s still a free service; it’s just taking the card out and showing it one more time, so I’m very hopeful that there won’t be a nega-
by shelby toompas staff writer
Wythe Woods/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
WVU Young Life holds water walk to raise awareness for global poverty by bryan bumgardner associate city editor
In some parts of the world, people living in poverty must walk miles each day to access the most basic human resource: water. Volunteers carrying five-gallon buckets walked from the Mountainlair to the Monongahela river Wednesday. In an act of solidarity with people living in poverty, they filled the buckets with river water and walked back to the Mountainlair. The event, known as the Nuru Water Walk, was organized through Young Life College, a Christian student organization. “This is our way of helping out any way that we can,” said Jasmine Russell, a sophomore involved in YLC. “Young Life is a Christian organization, and this is one way of spreading our love.” The act of solidarity is part of a fundraiser by YLC for Nuru International. YLC has raised about half of its $4,078 goal in an effort to aid Nuru in its attempt to end poverty around the globe by empowering rural communities. “I think if we all pitch in, we can help people,”
by lacey palmer staff writer
Wythe Woods/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
WVU students take part in the water walk which raise awareness for global poverty
Campione, Seebaugh announce SGA bid City Editor
During Wednesday’s regularly scheduled West Virginia University Student Government Association meeting, Board of Governors member Ryan Campione announced his intent to run for Student Body President for the 2013-14 school year. During the meeting, Campione challenged current SGA members and those in attendance to continue to push and to serve as a voice for students on
campus. “Obviously, we’re all here because we want to be involved in the University; we want to make a difference, and we want to give a right to the student body. I want to challenge you, though, to continue to give more of a representative, and a stronger voice than maybe we’ve already done now,” Campione said. “Don’t let that voice be weakened by political drama out of SGA influences and other such corruptions that will always tear down the student
books. For that reason, tonight, it is in full transparency – I want everyone to know here, now, all at once – everyone together – that for next semester, I will be seeking the intention to run for Student Body President.” Campione also announced his running mate for vice presidential candidacy, political science student Benjamin Seebaugh. “As students, Ryan and I love this University; we love these people and we want WVU to be the best it can be,” Seebaugh said. “Unfor-
tunately, we still see problems. These problems are not set in stone; they can be fixed.” Seebaugh said he believes the problems can be overcome – no matter how daunting they may seem. “We know that such changes cannot happen in a day. We know that no one can perfect this school in a year, but by gosh, we’ve been working since the first day we got here, and we have shown what kind of changes can happen in
see bid on PAGE 2
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MINE OVER MATTER
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INSIDE
Another wrinkle has unfolded in the UBB debacle. OPINION PAGE 4
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PARTLY CLOUDY
News: 1, 2 Opinion: 4 A&E: 3, 6 Sports: 7, 8, 10 Campus Calendar: 5 Puzzles: 5 Classifieds: 9
As the longest-standing nonprofit rehabilitation and long-term care facility in Morgantown since 1958, Sundale Care kicked off the holiday season with its 20th annual “Light up the Night” celebration. “Light up the Night” is part of Presents for Patients, a program that connects community donors with nursing home residents throughout the area. During the holidays, donors buy presents for the elderly residents. The event began with lighting of the luminaries outside to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Admissions and Marketing Director Donna Tennant welcomed everyone who came out to the event and introduced the musical group Keeping the Faith. “It was a pleasure to have everyone here, and it’s just a fun time for everyone,” Tennant said. All-female acapella group, Sapphire Sound also performed three Christmas songs for the residents and guests. Many of the residents who attended the event enjoyed listening to the music and having refresh-
ments with their family and other visitors. Resident June Douglas said she was born and raised in Morgantown and enjoys living at Sundale. “I don’t really have a favorite holiday, but I enjoyed the music, and it was a really nice event,” Douglas said. Tennant said each resident receives a calendar in his or her room that explains when each event takes place. “This event is a kickoff to the holidays and to the ‘Presents for Patients’ program,” Tennant said. “We have 95 residents in house, but we match up residents from this facility as well as other facilities from the area to make sure they get a gift on Dec. 21 when Santa visits, or on Christmas Eve.” Tennant also said Presents for Patients originated in Pittsburgh, but Sundale is the West Virginia Headquarters for the Program and has been for 20 years. “Their wishes go anywhere from bedroom slippers, peanut butter fudge or pizza,” she said. “It doesn’t really matter what you get them, though, they’re just excited.” Luminaries were $3
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SGA hosts students to share campus ideas
see water on PAGE 2
By Carlee Lammers
see transit on PAGE 2
‘Light up the Night’ brings holiday cheer
BUCKETS OF HOPE
Cameron King, a campus staff member with Young Life, organizes a group of students taking part in the water walk to raise awareness for global poverty.
tive impact.” Riders with comments and concerns who were not present at the meeting may also contact the transit authority by phone or in person or by visiting the contact and comment section of the Mountain Line website, www.busride.org. The committee will vote during its next regular meeting Dec. 12, and the change will go into effect Jan. 3. Mountain Line also
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At its meeting Wednesday night, The West Virginia University Student Government Association allowed a group of students to present ideas and issues to the board of governors as a part of their first-year experience course. WVU Animal Science professor Hillar Klandorf has been incorporating this project into his Animal & Veterinary Science 105 course every year for about 10-12 years. Groups of three or four students organized a final project concerning issues they believe need to be addressed at WVU. Topics ranged from healthier options in cafeterias on campus to placing a crosswalk near the law school to building a downtown recreation center and adding restrooms to the PRT stations across
ON THE INSIDE Senior running back Shawne Alston is one of 22 seniors on the West Virginia football team who will play his final game at Milan Puskar Stadium Saturday. SPORTS PAGE 7
campus. “Things like this get students involved and should be incorporated into more first-year experience courses,” Klandorf said. Klandorf believes by presenting their ideas and making a difference, the students will be more involved in the future. Klandorf was a Resident Faculty Leader at Towers for some time, and through this, he met numerous individuals involved with SGA. He has been involved with SGA ever since. “I really respect this organization,” Klandorf said. Also during Wednesday evening’s meeting, SGA Vice President Jarred Zuccari discussed the recent trip he and three other SGA members took to the Big 12 Student Government conference at Oklahoma University. WVU will host the annual conference in 2016,
see sga on PAGE 2
RUNAWAY VICTORY The West Virginia men’s basketball team returned to its winning ways with a 94-69 victory against VMI Wednesday night. SPORTS PAGE 7