The DA 09-18-14

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

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

da

Thursday September 18, 2014

Volume 127, Issue 24

www.THEDAONLINE.com

Internship program begins at SGA by alexis randolph correspondent @dailyathenaeum

The first round of the West Virginia University Student Government Association internship program began at the organization’s weekly meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Hatfields B. The program matches candidates who are interested in getting involved with SGA and the University to members already serving in SGA. Students were given the chance to fill out an in depth application, which would identify interests and personalities to better match the candidates with those in SGA. Samantha Shimer, direc-

tor of student connections for SGA, said she believes this is an important part of retention for the program, which is in its third or fourth year. “We just want to make sure that people mesh,” Shimer said. “It is my belief that whenever you get an intern that is interested and passionate in what someone is working on, they are going to stick around. We wanted to make sure that applicants were put in the right place.” In the past, the program has had one defined application process at the beginning of the academic year. This year, a second chance will be given based on the attendance and participation of interns during the first

semester. Shimer said she hopes this change will help the program become more fluid and increase retention of the interns in the program. “They are a lot of students who came into WVU and had no idea what SGA is, so say someone later asks how to become involved, it would be too late for them,” Shimer said. “My goal this year, is to after the first semester, we will look at attendance points and kind of weed out people who aren’t attending things, so that next semester we can open up a second pool.” Following the meeting Wednesday, interns had the chance to mingle with current members of SGA to bet-

ter understand their interests and platforms. “I wanted to make an impact on campus, and this is a good way to do it,” Rachel Elkins, a junior television journalism student and SGA intern, said. “Here we are working directly with students and you get to bring your ideas into the mix as well.” Elkins said she wants to make a productive change for students, especially when it comes to academics. “I just wanted to be able to make a positive change for the campus. I applied for positions involved with academics and advising,” she said. “We haven’t been matched yet, that will be someday next

week.” Board of Governors member Joy Wang said she believes the program will be beneficial for both parts. “I feel like it is a mutual benefit for both the governor and the interns. Of course, we as governors get so much help form the interns,” Wang said. “Personally, I just like having an extra friend in SGA and whatever we can do for them, I am in full support of this program.” Also at the meeting, the BOG awarded more than $3,600 in grants to student organizations including WVU Younglife, women’s club basketball, Colleges Against Cancer/Relay for Life, Plant and Soil Sciences Club and Alpha

oh the places you’ll go

Phi Alpha. The board also awarded a sponsorship for a National Tutoring Appreciation Week Recognition Reception. A sponsorship includes the use of the SGA logo, as well as some financial and moral support from the organization. Several members of SGA also stressed the importance of good sportsmanship during the football game against Oklahoma this Saturday. They encourage students to reach out to opposing teams’ fans in a positive and friendly manner and stress the importance of safety and good decision making on game days. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

WVU lands spot in top 100 public university ranking SEE THE FULL RANKING

To see the full list of the top 100 public universities in the country, visit http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings by jennifer skinner correspondent @dailyathenaeum

Nick Jarvis/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Students at the Study Abroad Fair check out Adventure WV’s booth that includes trips to New Zealand, Chile and Fiji. The fair allowed students to learn which study abroad opportunity would complement their major.

Students explore educational opportunities at Study Abroad Fair by victoria madden correspondent @dailyathenaeum

West Virginia University held a study abroad fair in the Mountainlair Ballrooms Wednesday to show the different options available for students who want to broaden their horizons by traveling. Tara George-Jones, the director of Study Abroad Strategic Planning, said the world is a large place for students. There are a range of programs to explore, and students can decide which destination is best for them based on countries they’re interested in visiting or just finding a location through a specific major. “This is a wonderful op-

Nick Jarvis/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Natalie Lorenze, a junior journalism student, checks out The Education Abroad Network with an interest in New Zealand. portunity to see the world and see how the rest of the world teaches,” GeorgeJones said. George-Jones said the Study Abroad Office holds

seminars with 10 to 12 students at a time. “They will talk to one of the advisers to have the face-to-face experience,” George-Jones said. “There

is also a one-on-one session where we talk with them about what their goals are and what options

see FAIR on PAGE 2

According to U.S. News and World Report, West Virginia University tied for 93rd among the top 100 public universities and tied for 168th of all public and private universities in the country. These numbers show consistency with last year’s rankings of 94th among public universities and 170th among all public and private universities in the country. Other U.S. News and World Report standings rank WVU as 55th among top universities for veterans, 133rd among top business programs for undergraduates, 109th among top engineering programs for undergraduates and 228th among high school counselor rankings. WVU student leaders are happy to see their school place competitively among universities across the nation. “In terms of the value of the education here, the quality of the facilities and the overall experience in Morgantown, WVU is top notch,” said Chris Nyden, Student Government Association. “We meet the land-grant mission that

was established 100 years ago.” Kartik Motwani, Director of Academics, believes that WVU is “moving forward in its academics right now,” particularly with university-wide developments such as the WVU Foundation’s A State of Minds Campaign and the upcoming changes in general education. “There’s definitely a push for progress in the liberal arts and professional education,” Motwani said. “The Faculty Senate has resolved to be more inclusive with General Education Curriculum requirements, especially for transfer students.” Starting next fall, the current GEC will shift to the General Education Requirements, which will comprise seven broader categories that will make a “depth of curriculum,” Motwani said. “The new provost’s (Joyce McConnell) vision and attitude is going to help us take our academic programs to new heights,” Nyden said. WVU students will see progress in University academics in the next few years. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

Rich Baseball Operation asks for professional team name input by jennifer skinner correspondent @dailyathenaeum

Rich Baseball Operations is asking fans to submit name ideas for the new New YorkPenn League professional baseball team coming to Morgantown next June. The Name the Team Contest encourages local baseball fans to show spirit for their new hometown team. Fans can send in team name suggestions online at http://morgantownprobaseball.com or on paper ballots at Morgantown United Bank or Morgantown Clear Mountain Bank. Submissions will close at noon on Sept. 26, and fans will vote for their favorite name out of the top-10 submissions between Sept. 29 and Oct. 3. Rich Baseball Operations announced the arrival of a Morgantown professional baseball team at a press conference in the Coliseum. Following the press conference, West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences professor Dallas Branch reached out to involve four of his sport management students in the marketing process. “I’m not sure any sport management student in the country has an opportunity like

this,” Branch said. “It’s a great project, and I am thrilled to see students involved this way.” Along with team captain Andrew DiPietrantonio, the team consists of graduate students Brett Ervin, Kristen Furlong and Manuel Garcia-Oronoz. They began this project by pitching the idea to the Monongalia County Commission. “We all bring a different aspect to the team,” DiPietrantonio said. “We wouldn’t be able to do this individually.” Branch said this unique opportunity will be beneficial for the students and community alike. “They’re able to contribute to something that will be lasting. They can always point to this project and say, ‘I had a hand in that,’” Branch said. “I’m a big believer in experiential education.” As part of Branch’s SM 646 Sport Marketing class this semester, the students developed the Name the Team website, a Facebook page and a Twitter handle. They have also worked to spread the word by advertising through multiple media forums, including local newspapers and television stations. “It’s an opportunity one can’t really pass up,” DiPietrantonio said. “It’s a step in the right direction that gets CPASS on the map,

72° / 49°

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INSIDE

“The Year of Magical Thinking” continues at M.T. Pockets Theatre. A&E PAGE 6

In addition to our print coverage, The Daily Athenaeum posts videos on YouTube at http://youtube.com/dailyathenaeum.

SUNNY

News: 1, 2 Opinion: 4 A&E: 3, 6 Sports: 7, 8, 10 Campus Connection: 5 Puzzles: 5 Classifieds: 9

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

Nick Jarvis/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

The new professional baseball team will play at this baseball stadium currently being constructed at the University Towne Centre. and, hopefully one day through this rela- four season tickets. tionship, we can work with (Rich Baseball Some name ideas include the MorganOperations).” town Miners, the Morgantown Hillbillies and Rich Baseball Operations provides incen- the Morgantown Wonder, which Branch said tives for fans to submit names: the first 500 “capitalizes on the wild and wonderful West submissions will receive a complimentary 2015 game ticket, and the winner will receive see BASEBALL on PAGE 2

ON THE INSIDE The WVU Women’s Soccer team holds their opponents to a strong defense and doesn’t let them score. SPORTS PAGE 7

GEE’S HIGH EXPECTATIONS Gee has high expectations for WVU teams in the Big 12 Conference. SPORTS PAGE 7


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