The DA 10-24-2013

Page 1

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

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

da

Thursday October 24, 2013

Volume 126, Issue 47

www.THEDAONLINE.com

Off-campus housing prices soaring BY Evelyn Merithew Staff Writer @DailyAthenaeum

As the student population at West Virginia University continues to increase, so do rent prices at numerous apartment complexes and housing units in the Morgantown area. Rick Biafora, co-owner of Metro Properties, LLC, said the two biggest factors affecting rent prices across town are property taxes and health care.

“Property taxes went up significantly (in 2012),” Biafora said. “There are increased everyday costs associated with labor to operate. Increased health care costs, increased yearto-year expenses have gone up, and people are starting to calculate these prices.” Victoria Licata, a junior journalism student at WVU, lives in a two-bedroom apartment at Metro Property’s Glenlock apartments and said she currently pays $525 per month, not includ-

ing utilities. In 2014, she said, a two-bedroom will cost between $590 and $600 per person, but utilities will be included. “Even though utilities will be included, I think the rise in price has to deal with the fact that my apartment is located so close to (the) Downtown Campus,” Licata said. “Apartment buildings downtown can get away with raising prices because they know students would rather have the convenience at living close to

their classes rather than having to drive.” With the new health care law in place, Biafora said, students will surely see rent prices rise significantly. “Health care (cost) has gone up. Whether you operate a house or a business center, every year there are going to be increases,” he said. “Because of increasing taxes, it seems more significant this year.” Copper Beech, located off West Run Road, has raised their prices, as well.

A three-bedroom complex now ranges between $494 and $504 per person, depending on whether the residents want the complex unfurnished or furnished. Mike Gounaris, a junior optimal and nutritional science student, lived in a three-bedroom complex at Copper Beech his sophomore year. He and his roommates paid $469 a month at the time. “I’m surprised that Copper (Beech) is more expensive now,” Gounaris said. “I

didn’t think it was too expensive for how nice it is when I stayed there, but it was so far away from campus and my classes.” Gounaris said electricity was not included in his Copper Beech lease, and it was a big factor when he and his roommates decided to live downtown this school year. “Our electricity bills would reach the $300 range

see HOUSING on PAGE 2

LEGEND OF THE ‘LAIR

WVU’s Mountainlair recently ranked No. 2 student union in nation by Best College Reviews BY Hilary Kiney Staff Writer @DailyAthenaeum

West Virginia University’s Mountainlair serves as a pit stop for thousands of students to grab meals, to nap in comfort or to sneak in a few quick games of pool and pingpong between classes. It’s no wonder the ‘Lair has been ranked second on Best College Reviews’ list of “The 25 Most Amazing Campus Student Unions.” On any given weekday, the ‘Lair is buzzing with students visiting one of seven restaurants located on the ground floor including Sbarro, Chick-fil-A, Taziki’s, Hatfields, Saikou Sushi and more. However, there is also a much quieter spot to grab some grub that many do not know exists. Side Pocket, located near the bowling alley and billiards room, offers a more secluded place to catch up with friends with a menu fea-

turing hoagies, fries, sandwiches and basket meals. Ryan Fox, a social work student at WVU, said he meets with friends at Side Pocket a few different times throughout the day. “In the morning, it gets kind of crowded and louder upstairs. There’s usually always seating down here, and we can have conversations and not really be bothered,” Fox said. “It’s not so distracting; I was actually doing my homework here earlier.” Right around the corner, in the billiards room, education student Kristopher Lanham and a friend set up for a game of pool. Lanham said he has seen the ‘Lair evolve during his time at WVU. “The diversity is pretty great. A lot of stuff is being held here,” Lanham said. “It has actually expanded since I came. “They’ve added Chik-FilA, they’ve done more meetings here, (and) they’ve added more parties down

here.” The games area of the lower level also has a bowling alley, an arcade and a room with pingpong tables available for students to enjoy. Upstairs, near the main entrance, WVU graduate Meghan Smith relaxed in the Vandalia Lounge with a friend while students around her napped and studied. “I used to come here and get my ‘zen’ on in between classes,” Smith said. “That’s mainly what this area is for.” When the weather is cooperative, many students venture to the Mountainlair Green to have lunch or play football or basketball with friends. The Downtown campus location makes basketball more accessible than the Rec for students living in surrounding dorms. Kiana Turner, a sophomore basketball player at Morgantown High School, said she comes to the Mountainlair Green to improve her basketball skills

by playing with older, more experienced athletes. “If I went to my school to practice, I’d definitely be by myself,” Turner said. “When I come here, I have a chance to be with others, and usually, there are a lot of people playing.” The popular weekend events of WVUp All Night put the ‘Lair above the rest. “The Mountainlair is the hub of the campus, and we consider ourselves a living room for students to be here to take part in anything outside the classroom,” said Sonja Wilson, director of Up All Night. Up All Night shows movies each weekend in the Gluck Theater, which can seat 266 people. Up All Night works with Swank Motion Pictures to provide students with first run movies that have not yet been released to DVD. “We offer the movies multiple times throughout the weekend, and usually they’re very popular,” Wilson said.

WVU’s radio station, U92, is also located in the Mountainlair. The studio houses student DJs and directors who work 24 hours day. U92 Program Director Alec Berry said the studio’s location in the ‘Lair has been beneficial to the station’s success. “It peaks kids’ curiosity when they come into the Mountainlair and see this radio station,” Berry said. “We notice more traffic at the beginning of semesters when we’re hiring. “When kids walk through, they notice the signs on the door. We have clear glass windows, so they can look in and see what’s going on in here.” Berry added that U92’s home in the Mountainlair is a special treat for parents learning about WVU. “This is an active student organization, so when a parent is taking their kid on a tour, they can walk through here and get an automatic

example of something they can become involved in,” Berry said. When it isn’t playtime or time for work at the ‘Lair, a valuable resource is available to help students with last minute academic emergencies. The computer station nestled in a far corner near PNC Bank, often goes unnoticed by most students. This station is convenient for students who need to print a document or need to access a file for a class on short notice. With so many unique spaces available for use in a variety of ways and for different programs, the Mountainlair combines relaxation, positive energy, entertainment and a learning environment all under one roof. For more information regarding all the Mountainlair has to offer, visit http:// mountainlair.wvu.edu. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

SGA discusses Senate bill, Dominican factory workers student lounge, Livesafe app ‘promoting a fight for justice’ sam bosserman correspondent @dailyathenaeum

Multiple initiatives were discussed at Wednesday’s regular meeting of the West Virginia University Student Government Association. Among the topics discussed was Senate Bill 330, which was passed by the West Virginia legislature in 2011. According to SGA president, Ryan Campione, the bill will soon come into full effect and will have negative consequences for students, staff and faculty. “This is something I wanted to make sure stu-

44° / 29°

PARTLY CLOUDY

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

dents are fully aware of,” Campione said. “While the policy (regarding the law) hasn’t been entirely laid out, it’s definitely a concern for students because it affects tuition and experiences academically around the institution.” Campione said he thinks the new law was initially designed with good intentions, aiming to help those who are paid the least at universities around the state. However, Campione said a one size fits all approach to higher education throughout the state is not effective, and in the end will result in either higher tuitions or a lowering

HELPING HAND WVU graduate asks for help with upcoming album. A&E PAGE 6

of competitiveness. “On a smaller scale, the law is very practical and helps out a lot with some of the issues smaller institutions are facing,” Campione said. “The problem is when you shift up to a university the size of WVU, we don’t fit in the same model as these smaller institutions.” Campione said he encourages all students to read the law for themselves and to contact their representatives with feedback. Another topic discussed at the meeting centered on the first reading of a resolu-

see SGA on PAGE 2

by jacob bojesson staff writer @dailyathenaeum

Dominican workers, Yenny Perez and Davi Avelino, spoke to the West Virginia University community about their experiences working in a garment factory that lives up to fair trade agreements Wednesday evening. Avelino and Perez are both from the small town of Villa Altavista which has a population of about 10,000. In 2007, the local sweatshop BJ&B, closed its business after workers started to unionize, and the aftermath of the shutdown was devastating

for the community. “Everybody was left in a dire financial situation. People had to move to other towns to look for jobs,” Avelino said. “Then our town got what I would call, ‘a drop of water,’ which is Alta Gracia. They came at a moment when we needed it the most.” Alta Gracia Apparel is a fair trade garment company which specializes in supplying apparel to American colleges, including WVU. “We are only 130 workers. You have to keep in mind that when we lost the factories that we had before, we lost over 3,500 workers,” Avelino said. “All the other remaining work-

CHECK OUR SPORTS BLOG

Get the latest on Mountaineer sports in our WVU Sports Insider Blog at http://blogs.thedaonline.com/sports/.

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

ON THE INSIDE Sophomore men’s soccer forward Majed Osman is adjusting to life in Morgantown after growing up in England. SPORTS PAGE 8

ers are either without a job or just scraping by.” Alta Gracia offers its employees benefits well above minimum requirements. Among other benefits, workers at Alta Gracia are paid three times the minimum wage, are members of a union and have health benefits that extend to their families. “There are many businesses that say they have fair trade going on, and that they pay great wages, but to verify, you need to speak directly to the workers,” Perez said. “We have every reason to prove that what we are telling you

see WORKERS on PAGE 2

SOPHOMORE STARS Sophomore guards Terry Henderson and Eron Harris are looking to continue to their development this season. SPORTS PAGE 7


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.