Issue 10

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Archaeology Week | Laker Life B4

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T H E S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S PA P E R S AT G R A N D VA L L E Y M O N D AY, S E P T E M B E R 26, 2011

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MAREC to collaborate with U of M, MSU in Lake Michigan research

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MEKIK

General Ed. program top concern for new UAS chair

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By Anya Zentmeyer

Archaeology Week

GVL News Editor

Chasing the Sky Lanthorn columnist Kevin VanAntwerpen discusses his life as part of a moderately successful indie rock band.

Courtesy Photo / MAREC

Innovation: A research platform like the one pictured is en route to the Muskegon-based Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center at GVSU. The platform will collect data for a multi-university effort to determine whether off-shore wind is a viable energy source.

Buoy will collect data on wind, water quality, bird and bat flight Kevin Vanantwerpen GVL Columnist

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GVL Managing Editor

s part of a unique collaboration between Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center and researchers at the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI), Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, a new research platform intended for Lake Michigan is on

schedule to arrive in Muskegon tonight.

The 17-by-17-foot buoy will help researchers collect real-time data on a number of factors, including information on wind, water quality and the flight paths of birds and bats over the Great Lakes. The platform, which will spend a week in Muskegon Lake for trials before moving into Lake Michigan for data collection, will help determine whether off-shore wind farms are a

viable energy source.

“There’s significant interest in off-shore wind energy for the future, but the question is, is that viable?” said Arn Boezaart, director of MAREC. “We have a lot of statistical data from satellite modelling, but little real time data. What we’ll be doing is real scientific research.”

The research platform will employ LiDAR, a new laser technology that works by aiming a beam

See Research, A2

SEC, Athletics partner to collect recyclables during games

Courtesy Photo / Bart Bartels

Please Recycle

Green scene: Student Environmental Coalition member Andy West (left), SEC President Vince Panozzo and SEC member Cassandra Beech volunteer at Saturday’s football game to collect recyclables. Fifteen volunteers filled 17 large garbage bags with plastic water bottles during their time at Van Andel Arena, which lasted from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. In addition to water bottles, the group collected soda cans and bottles, cardboard and compostable materials such as pizza boxes and paper cups.

The new academic year brings a new chair and fresh goals for the University Academic Senate at Grand Valley State University.

The UAS serves as the connecting body between faculty and staff and the administration, voicing and acting on the concerns of faculty, staff and community members at GVSU. As of April, the Executive Committee of the UAS elected professor Figen Mekik to serve as chair, along with Cory DiCarlo as vice chair of UAS. Mekik, who is in her 13th year as a professor in the geology department, said the senate’s largest focus will be the revision of the General Education Program.

“This is just really important because we’ve been working on it for a long time and it does affect almost everybody on campus, so that’s a big thing on our plate,” Mekik said.

The General Education Committee, headed by writing professor Roger Gilles, has been hard at work on a proposal for revised General Education goals, holding frequent workshops and forums with faculty.

The GEC’s workshops are currently focusing on three new goals — collaboration, ethical reasoning and problem solving. Gilles said members of the GEC, including Student Senate representatives, have been working on this choice of goals for the past four years, basing selections on what other colleges and universities are doing, the academic literature on the aims and values of the general education programs and a variety of surveys and conversations on GVSU’s campus.

“The GEC is convinced that these three goals — collaboration, ethical reasoning and problem solving — are crucial to what it means to be a generally educated person,” Gilles said.

The GEC will submit its proposal closer to Thanksgiving. From there, the UAS will hold a forum on Dec. 2 to get feedback from members before acting.

“The workshops are very collaborative — it’s not like people come in and tell you, ‘This is the goal and this is what it’s going to be about,’”

See UAS, A2

A2 NEWS GV to enforce new federal financial aid codes

By Lizzy Balboa GVL Staff Writer

Grand Valley State University is changing the way it responds to students who fail to comply with eligibility standards for federal financial aid.

This summer, the federal government altered the terms and conditions of financial aid in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, which outlines the academic standards for students to remain eligible for financial aid, as well as the consequences for failing to meet the standards.

Michelle Rhodes, director of the Office of Financial Aid, said the academic requirements have not changed, but the process for regaining eligibility has. Previously, students who were not scholastically eligible only had to submit an appeal to explain why they could not meet the requirements. If the appeal was approved, the student would remain on indefinite probation and continue to receive aid if they met specific standards per semester.

“The regulatory changes now specify that students must provide an academic plan along with their ap-

UAS

continued from page A1

Mekik said. “It’s more like faculty contributes to creating those goals.”

Both Gilles and Mekik said faculty participation is critical to getting a solid proposal together.

“The issue here is, if you’re teaching a general education course, then there are some guidelines that you need to follow,” Mekik said. “It’s defining those guidelines. The guidelines are things you actu-

peal to ensure that students are aware and able to be successful in regaining and maintaining SAP standards rather than continue on probation indefinitely,” Rhodes said.

She added that officials in the Financial Aid Office are still working on a plan for communicating the change to students reliant on federal aid, but they will give probationary students time to submit their required documents to remain eligible.

Currently, the scholastic requirements for receiving aid include maintaining a certain GPA and completing and passing at least two-thirds of all attempted credits, both at GVSU and at previous institutions.

Students must also “complete all degree requirements within 150 percent of the minimum number of credit hours required to graduate,” according to the guidelines listed on the Financial Aid website.

Those who meet the requirements will notice no change in the policy.

More information will be provided at a later date. ebalboa@lanthorn.com ally have to be doing in your class. Like, I’m a science professor so it’s hard for me to talk about a social conscience, for example, let’s say. So if it’s something that you actually can’t bring into your class, then those guidelines have to be revised.”

She said so far, the GEC has been doing a good job of getting faculty input on the revised guidelines.

More detailed information about the GEC’s proposal as well as a “backgrounder” can be found on the General Edu-

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Research

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of infrared light vertically, to measure the direction, speed, temperature and strength of the wind at multiple heights simultaneously. The platform is also unique in its mobility, a significant benefit compared to stationary wind towers, which Boezaart said tend to be expensive, politically unpopular and technicallydifficult “eyesores.”

“This is very innovative,” Boezaart said.

The $3.3 million research platform was funded through a number of grants: $1.3 million from the Michigan Public Service Commission, $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, $260,000 from the Phoenix Energy Institute at the University of Michigan, $250,000 from Wisconsin Energy and $30,000 from the Sierra Club.

The Muskegon Lake trial will help ensure the device’s accuracy. Because the technology is new and largely untested, the research platform will first be anchored near one of MAREC’s wind towers in the lake and the two devices’ data will be compared.

Boezaart said that while cation website at www.gvsu. edu/gened.

The other big issue facing UAS this year is the potential reduction in summer salaries; however, Mekik said no new information has been released by the Faculty Salary and Budget Committee, who has been in discussion with administration.

“We have the Faculty Salary and Budget committee working together with our Provost, and they’re in discussion,” Mekik said.

he doesn’t expect the two readouts to be identical, they should be similar.

After the trial ends, the buoy will be moved to Lake Michigan, where it will be anchored about four miles off the shore until mid-November, or when the icy season hits.

Once winter thaws, the device will be placed back into Lake Michigan, this time on the Michigan side of the mid-lake plateau, a more shallow area in the center of the lake, where it will remain for the season.

“This is a very unique comprehensive research project,” Boezaart said.

“It’s significant in that it’s a multi-university effort. ...

Our role is to gather the research and collect the data, and others will determine if the research indicates a viable industry.”

Although MAREC is coordinating and managing the project, the undertaking is a collaborative effort. In addition to the AWRI, University of Michigan and Michigan State, the Padnos College of Engineering at GVSU and We Energies, a Wisconsin-based energy company, will also assist in the collection and interpretation of data.

Boezaart said that while wind patterns are the priMore information will be released as developments are made.

Mekik said as the senate heads into this next year, she looks forward to more transparency and accountability within UAS. “I have an open door policy for faculty,” she said. “I would like them to come tell me what they’re thinking, because anybody in our community can bring an issue to the senate, and if it seems like an issue the senate can deal with then I

NEWS BRIEFS Students targeted in sustainability survey BOEZAART mary focus, the avian studies coming out of Michigan State also have significant implications.

“There’s always concern about flight paths and patterns of flight as bird migrate, because that can be impacted if people build wind farms,” he said. “Especially in regards to bat studies, we know very little about their behavior over water, especially the Great Lakes. We think they fly over the water — we know they fly over smaller, inland lakes — but we don’t know for sure, and that can impact things.”

Boezaart said that the earliest that meaningful results would be available would likely be June.

For more information, visit the MAREC website at www.gvsu.edu/marec. managingeditor @lanthorn.com would like to take that to them.

But I’d like to have it so that whatever we do, everybody knows about it, that we’re open – and that’s a two way street, obviously. So transparency, and with that comes accountability — to say that we made this decision, here’s why we made this decision.“ With the goal of a strong liberal education program at GVSU, Mekik said she will continue to work with the GEC, faculty and administration to push the revisions.

“If that’s something we can pass through this year and get it started, because it’s not easy,” Mekik said. “...In order to do this, we need to expedite it a little. That’s something I would consider a success – if we had a really good proposal, and we could discuss it well and have the process start. I think that would help the faculty and that would help the students.” news@lanthorn.com

Beginning this week the Sustainable Community Development Initiative is initiating their survey about student understanding of sustainability at Grand Valley State University.

This survey is oriented with the goal of educating students about sustainabiality at GVSU. All students will receive an email from the SCDI this week with a link to the survey. Results from the survey will help the SCDI plan for future sustainable projects and discover what issues GVSU students are passionate about.

To learn more about the SCDI log onto www. gvsu.edu/sustainability or find the SCDI on Twitter and Facebook.

Sen. Carl Levin coming to GV U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) is making a visit to Grand Valley State University Tuesday.

Meeting in Room 132 of Lake Huron Hall at 4 p.m., the sixth term U.S. senator will hold a meeting free and open to students, faculty and staff.

For more information, contact GVSU News and Information Services at 616-331-2221 or the political science department at 616-331-2320.

U.S. Rep. Amash to discuss federal budget U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Grand Rapids) will visit Grand Valley State University today to discuss the debt ceiling and federal budgetary policy.

The event is at 4:30 p.m. in Room 2266 of the Kirkhof Center. After his talk, Amash will take questions and comments from the public.

Amash’s visit is sponsored by the Kappa Phi Chapter of The Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society at Grand Valley.

It is free and open to the public.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICARTIONS At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible.

If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com

Lanthorn

Volume 46, Number 10

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A3 NEWS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

NEWS EDITOR ANYA ZENTMEYER news@lanthorn.com

16 years and counting High value, low cost keeps GV on list of America’s Top 100 College Buys

By Derek Wolff GVL Senior Reporter

In the 51 years of Grand Valley State University’s history, the university has never seen a growth rate as great as it has experienced in recent years. In the past two decades, GVSU went from a relatively small school of about 11,000 students to a university of more than 24,000 students.

A major contributor to this growth comes in the university’s value — GVSU has now been named as one of America’s 100 Best College Buys for 16 years in a row.

The list of 100 schools, published annually by Intuitional Research and Evaluation, Inc., in Rome, Ga., uses costbenefit analysis when creating the list, focusing mainly on schools that provide high academic performance coupled with low costs. GVSU has met those requirements year after year, said Lewis T. Lindsey, Jr., IRE president.

“The facts speak for themselves,” Lindsey said. “We can’t create the figures, the facts are the facts. Over time, it has been proven that the consistency of Grand Valley, amongst others, that the quality is there while the cost remains so reasonable.”

The list is compiled after roughly 1,449 colleges are analyzed and given the potential to be on the list, pending that the college or university responds to a survey given out by the IRE. This year, 1,069 schools responded to the survey, qualifying them for consideration in a spot amongst the top 100.

While GVSU’s student body ranks in the middle of the pack, Lindsay said the list offers a chance of recognition for smaller schools as well.

“Every college and university can be compared, not necessarily by size, by the

GV professor awarded $1.1M grant for Target Inquiry program

By Bre’Anna Tinsley GVL Intern

GVL / Eric Coulter

Bang for your buck: The arch crowning GVSU’s Lake Michigan Drive entrance welcomes students to one of the Top 100 College Buys in the U.S. GVSU made the list for the 16th year in a row.

academic profile of the most recent freshman entering class and can be compared by cost,” Lindsey said. “Those two things allow you to compare schools. That’s what this list does, it gives some respect to schools that maybe are not as well known as others but have high expectations for the students and produce a product for the price that nobody else can beat.”

Since the university has been on the list for so long, Lindsey began working relations with Arend D. Lubbers, president emeritus of GVSU. For current President Thomas J. Haas, remaining on the list for so long is a great honor.

“To be named one of America’s best 100 college buys, an institution must have both quality and value,” Haas said. “I’m very proud that Grand Valley has been named a best buy for 16 years in a row — the only Michigan campus so honored.”

Haas cited the dedication and commitment of GVSU’s trustees and administration to seek high quality academics and

operating efficiency to keep tuition costs low while offering high academic performance.

“Our academic performance data place Grand Valley in the top four of Michigan’s 15 campuses while our tuition is below the state university average,” he said. “This is why I say that Grand Valley is a grand value.”

The official list will be released to the public Saturday. GVSU is joined by Hillsdale College as the two Michigan representatives. New York leads the list with nine schools. There is no formal ranking.

The high expectations that come with attending GVSU have led to the university’s placement on the list year after year, Lindsey said.

“We’ve seen that every year with Grand Valley, and it speaks well of the students, it speaks well of the faculty, and the administration,” he said. dwolff@lanthorn.com

Volunteer group goes nonprofit in time for holidays

By Stephanie Deible GVL Intern

Grand Valley State University junior Christine Colleran knows firsthand what it’s like to be in the hospital for Christmas.

When she was younger, Colleran battled a kidney infection that kept her in the hospital during what would normally be a much more festive season. “[A] hospital is a place way beyond your years, a place filled with stress, sterility and caution,” Colleran said.

Inspired by the kindness of a stranger who brought her a gift during a difficult holiday season, Colleran decided to pay the kindness forward, starting a volunteer group called Holiday Helpers, which delivers toys to children who are in the hospital over the holidays.

Due to legal restrictions that prohibited them from handdelivering toys to patients, Holiday Helpers has made the steps necessary to become an official nonprofit organization, run with the help of five GVSU students, one Eastern Michigan University student and one Penn State University student.

“It’s huge being able to deliver toys ourselves,” Colleran said. “The minute you give a toy to a child it can turn their whole day around and get them on the road to recovery.”

Now that Holiday Helpers is a nonprofit organization, its goals are loftier than ever. Currently, the group works with hospitals in the metro Detroit area but is hoping to expand and start working with more hospitals in Grand Rapids.

“We’re hoping to get wish lists from hospitals this year so we can give [children] what toys they want,” said Kelly Stratton, a GVSU junior.

In order to reach as many hospitals as possible, the organization is looking for volunteers to help with delivering toys and fundraising, as well as monetary or toy donations.

Colleran said since the organization was started from scratch, the usual sources of family and friends who often donate are depleted.

Holiday Helpers is currently seeking both volunteers and donations. Even if people have one free day to give, whether it’s delivering toys or volunteering at a fundraiser, the group would appreciate it, Colleran said.

The organization is full of opportunities to learn and give. Volunteers involved in Holiday Helpers are taking the

Courtesy Photo / John Heider

Holiday spirit: Holiday Helpers (pictured from left to right) Kyle Richard, Christine Colleran and Alissa Bailey package gifts for hospitalized children.

skills they are learning within their individual majors and applying them to the organization.

Anyone looking to make donations can send items to Holiday Helpers, P.O. Box 140414 Grand Rapids, Mich., 49514. For those looking to volunteer, visit the organization website www.holidayhelpersmi.org or email them at holidayhelpers.mi@gmail.com.

Colleran and the rest the Holiday Helpers staff hope to make the holiday season a little bit better for children in the hospital, and maybe provide them with some inspiration in the process.

“It has taken a lot of time and we’ve had to sacrifice a few nights out with friends, but so far it’s been worth it and I expect it to continue to be worth it,” Stratton said. news@lanthorn.com

A $1.1 million, fiveyear grant was awarded to Deborah Herrington, a principal investigator of Target Inquiry and associate professor at Grand Valley State University, to expand the Target Inquiry program.

In 2006, Herrington worked with chemistry professor Ellen Yezierski to design Target Inquiry, a 2.5-year graduate program that helps improve the inquiry-based instruction in science classes in high schools surrounding GVSU, and to get the initial funding.

The classes are held at GVSU and taught by the faculty, though the program itself reaches high schools as far north as Montague, Mich., and as far south as Bloomingdale, Mich. The program allows teachers to improve their teaching and understanding of inquiry instruction, as opposed to the classic form of lecture/ discussion instruction.

Inquiry instruction refers to the practice of building models that help students create textbook questions and conduct experiments that actual scientists do, as opposed to lecturing the students and having them conduct an experiment to verify what was said.

The grant given will go toward the expansion of teachings for chemistry teachers to other disciplines in science, such as biology, physics and geology, bringing in faculty in different disciplines of science to teach the courses.

It also pays for the development of the new courses and provides the teachers with the ability to travel and present their research

HERRINGTON at conferences for educators.

Grant monies will also go toward collecting data to study the effectiveness of the program itself.

“Grand Valley is doing a great service to all the teachers in the area,” Herrington said.

The program helps the university build partnerships with the teachers.

Herrington said that the program spreads awareness of the school and could potentially get more students into GVSU in the future.

“The program challenges us to constantly improve our teaching,” she said. “We also involve undergraduate students in the research… they learned a lot about inquiry instruction.”

Professors are using the same activities with GVSU graduate education students as with the high school teachers. Herrington said through this program, GVSU is producing highquality teachers because they had the experience working with the program.

The next cohort of Target Inquiry will begin in January 2013 and will be expanding to Miami University in Ohio of 2013 as well.

“It is beyond what we envisioned, being able to expand… it just opens the doors to more exciting outcomes,” Herrington said. news@lanthorn.com

A4 OPINION LANTHORN OPINION ONLINE

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READ THE BLOG “Chasing the Sky”

By Kevin VanAntwerpen GVL Columnist

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

VALLEY VOTE

Should Palestine be allowed to claim independent statehood with the U.N.?

Vote online at lanthorn.com

EDITORIAL

Last issue’s question: Did the U.S. Supreme Court make the right decision in the Troy Davis case?

YES14% NO 86%

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON I BY DAN SILLS

Don’t lose hope yet

Although the football team has lost three straight conference games, now is not the time for football fans to lose hope for this season.

T

radition. Excellence. Success. Those are the words that come to mind when one thinks about athletics at Grand Valley State University. Those three words constitute the way GVSU projects its athletic and academic prowess to its students, other universities and surrounding communities.

And in the university’s recent athletic history, it’s been difficult to argue against that image. Since 2002, GVSU has garnered 11 NCAA national championships (four of which were in football), six straight NACDA Division II Director’s Cups and 11 national runner-ups. The GVSU football team won the GLIAC Championship eight times in the last 10 seasons and has made the playoffs in each of those 10 seasons.

But after a rocky start to this year’s football season, the Lakers have had to cope with a new description, one with which the Lakers have not identified in more than a decade: vulnerability.

The football team lost its third straight game in a row Saturday in a 26-20 loss against the University of Findlay.

The loss marks the team’s largest losing streak since losing three straight in 2000, before any of the university’s national championships. It also leaves the Lakers winless in GLIAC play through four games this season.

It’s been unsettling — to say the least — to see this team struggle in recent weeks, especially in turning the ball over six times against Findlay. In the past, GVSU used discipline and play execution on both sides of the ball to win a great deal of its close games. So far in GLIAC play this season, the Lakers have not been able to sustain its play on offense and defense at the same time, instead relying on one or the other to keep the team afloat.

But while these have definitely been tough times for the team, it is not the time for GVSU fans to give up on this football season. Two of the team’s three losses came on last-second scores, the latter of which — a 34-33 loss to the University of Indianapolis — came right after sophomore quarterback Heath Parling engineered a drive to take the team’s first lead of the game with 36 seconds left. It’s not as if the Lakers have been playing terribly in these past few weeks (outside of Saturday’s game, which was terrible), they just haven’t been able to pull it together in clutch situations. Had just a few things gone differently, we wouldn’t even be talking about the team since success has become the standard at GVSU. At three losses, GVSU no longer “controls its own destiny,” as so many sports analysts continually say, but four three-loss teams did make the playoffs last season.

One of which, Delta State University, made it all the way to the NCAA National Championship game before losing 20-17 to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, who ended the season undefeated. Another loss for GVSU would be cataclysmic, but until that happens, let’s not be bandwagon fans. This team is very young and will have a bright future, so let’s give these players the support they need to make it through these tough times.

Lanthorn The student-run newspapers at Grand Valley State University

EDITORIAL PAGE BOARD EMANUEL JOHNSON SAMANTHA BUTCHER ANYA ZENTMEYER KEVIN HAUSFELD

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Advertising Manager

dsills@lanthorn.com

Q: Is it time to press the panic button for Laker football?

“No, because every team has their ups and downs, some sooner in the season than others.”

“If there is still a chance we can make the playoffs, I would say yes.”

“Yeah, a 1-3 start does not meet the standards and tradition of Grand Valley football.”

“At this point I’d say panic is a strong word. However, ...every game from here on out is a must-win if there is any hope for the playoffs this season.”

“No, I have complete faith in them. A comeback is on the horizon.”

Trevor Nordberg Freshman Business Chicago, Ill

David Kendall Senior Statistics Hastings, Mich.

Jacob Campbell Junior Accounting Traverse City, Mich.

Cain Larkins Senior Advertising Breckenridge, Mich.

Chelsea Messier Senior Nursing Romeo, Mich.

U.S. can’t handle doling out capital punishment

By Kevin VanAntwerpen GVL Columnist Between the thunderous applause for Rick Perry’s execution record at the Republican presidential debates and the civic outrage at the execution of Troy Davis last week, the idea of capital punishment has been excessively thrust into the public eye lately.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m as much a fan of hardcore retaliation as the next guy.

Like when the server at Subway messed up my order with a footlong Italian sandwich (you wouldn’t

Mr. Davis could have been guilty. Mr. Davis could have been innocent. Do I claim to know? The egomaniac in me would like to say “Of course I do. I know everything,” but the truth is no, I don’t. And judging by how many re-examinations of the trial were performed, I’m not convinced anyone else does either.

I understand the notion of capital punishment — of closure, of revenge, of setting an example that says, “If you touch our innocent loved ones, you will be punished and it will be severe.” All of these things are human. If someone were to harm my parents, my siblings or my friends, I would sure as hell want them dead.

There are certain people who don’t deserve to live.

But I don’t believe the

U.S. government, nor the individual state governments, are competent enough to handle such a harsh decision. If they’re wrong, what more can they do but say, “Oops, we’re sorry”?

This is an institution that can’t get road construction right, that can’t get its financial spending in order and can’t even get past its own political grudges in order to do what’s best for the country as a whole.

I love my country. I love what we stand for. But I don’t believe we have the efficiency or the right to make drastic decisions with something so valuable as a human life.

I’d much rather pay higher taxes into the penitentiary system than gamble that an innocent life be lost. kvanantwerpen @lanthorn.com

Some don’t have the heart for art

GVL OPINION POLICY

The ultimate goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn opinion page is to stimulate discussion and action on topics of interest to the Grand Valley Community. Student opinions do not reflect those of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three vehicles of expression for reader opinions: letters to the editor, guest columns and phone responses.

Letters must include the author’s name and be accompanied by current picture identification if dropped off in person. Letters will be checked by an employee of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

Letters appear as space permits each issue. The limit for letter length is one page, single spaced.

The editor reserves the right to edit and condense letters and columns for length restrictions and clarity.

All letters must be typed.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn will not be held responsible for errors that appear in print as a result of transcribing handwritten letters or e-mail typographic errors.

The name of the author may be withheld for compelling reasons.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by nor necessarily represent those of the university, its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty and staff.

think those things are dangerous, but believe me — they are).

But I think there are some things the government should not be allowed to do.

Take the case of Troy Davis, a man who was convicted of killing a Georgia police officer more than two decades ago. Much of his trial was shrouded in mystery, allegations of improper conduct and supposedly dishonest witnesses.

After the trial, some of the jury claimed they felt pressure from the local police to convict Davis.

Despite several appeals to the Supreme Court and what felt like a million-anda-half rescheduled execution dates, Davis was finally executed Wednesday. He stood by his innocence until his very last breath.

By Chris Slattery GVL Columnist

Chances are that if you live in the Grand Rapids area, you have heard mention of something called ArtPrize.

Like you, I don’t have favorable opinions about art, let alone prizes, so the fusion of the two could only lead to one of the most detrimental things to happen to the city of Grand Rapids since the recession.

It’s not that I hate “art,” per se. Rather, I just don’t get it. If I am getting my hemispheres correct, I am a very left-brained person. Art is made for all of those fluffy

artsy people who can see horses in the clouds instead of tiny droplets of water.

People argue that art is subjective, that we make what we want out of it, and if I can make anything out of art at all, it’s crap.

What is “art”? More importantly, what is “love”?

(Baby, don’t hurt me…)

“Art” itself is such a big word, encompassing everything from murals to dance to sculptures to one-half of famous ‘60s folk groups.

With something so broad, it’s no wonder that I can’t find anything that I like when going to ArtPrize. I don’t “get” the vibrant colors or the grand scale of the crafted metal.

I mean, “Steam Pig”?

What the hell is that?

Grand Rapids is already a pretty beautiful city already without cluttering it with the

pipe dreams of inspiring artists. (And if anyone tries to make a sculpture of a dream made out of metal pipes, I want in on the cash profits.) The sides of buildings should be left bare and uninteresting and street corners should be void of any types of creativity.

That is the world I wish to live in one day…

Of course, I will be going to ArtPrize. Just because I don’t understand anything that is happening, doesn’t mean I won’t be attending.

Instead, you will see me standing in the middle of the city, silently mocking every pretentious art fanatic that passes by. I will be having my own fun, instead of trying to figure out the point to a giant statue of a fish made out of millions of pieces of silverware, or a painting made entirely from ketchup

and mustard.

So if you want to join me in scoffing such a worthless event that brings thousands of people and millions of dollars to the city of Grand Rapids each year, meet me by something ridiculous (which, honestly, doesn’t narrow it down much).

Whatever you do, don’t go “just to go” or to look at all the cool stuff.

It ends Oct. 9, so that’s how long you need to avoid the Grand Rapids area if you wish to pass up on a citysized competition. So many people have painstakingly put together their pieces of art to be viewed and judged this year, so why not do them a favor and let them know how much time they wasted.

They might as well have just looked for shapes in the clouds. cslattery@lanthorn.com

A5 your space

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Your creative outlet at Grand Valley

Meatless Mondays at GVSU: Starting the school year right

By Alexis Croswell President, Humane Society of Grand Valley

and Vince Panozzo

President, Student Environmental Coalition

What national movement is getting almost as much media coverage as Lady Gaga’s drag performance? Bill Clinton’s doing it daily, Oprah Winfrey is encouraging her staff to do it and hip-hop icon Russell Simmons is telling his fans to do it. The “it” in this case is reducing the amount of meat in your diet.

At GVSU, we too have the opportunity to take part by participating in Meatless Monday, an international campaign that

dozens of colleges and universities around the world are signing onto to improve student health, reduce our carbon footprint and improve animal welfare.

Meatless eating is gaining widespread popularity, with about 20 percent of college students saying they’re limiting their meat consumption. GVSU signed up to take part in Meatless Monday last year. Even though Campus Dining offers meatless options daily, it offers even more on Mondays.

By now, most of us know that the majority of the meat, milk and eggs produced in the U.S. come from animals packed in factory farms where they are unable to engage in basic natural behaviors. Unable to even turn around in some cases for months on end, these animals’ lives bear no

resemblance to the way most of us envision life on Old MacDonald’s farm. By choosing meatless options even just one day a week, we can all help prevent an enormous amount of animal suffering.

ly linked to lower rates of obesity, along with lower blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

If it’s the health of the planet you’re concerned about, reducing your meat consumption is a

carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of U.S. roads.”

Participating in Meatless Monday can make a big impact on the lives of animals — and

“Unable to even turn around in some cases for months on

end, these animals’ lives bear no resemblance to the way most of us envision life on Old MacDonald’s farm By choosing meatless options just one day a week, we can all help prevent an enormous amount of animal suffering.

”

Pledging to go meat-free on Mondays can help stave off the dreaded Freshman 15, too: A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and nuts, along with regular exercise, is consistent-

good way to lighten your carbon footprint. The Environmental Defense Fund put it simply: “If every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetables and grains … the

the environment, and our health.

Our school is doing its part – let’s support that effort. You can get easy recipes and tips on meat-free eating at www.humanesociety.org/ meatfree.

Photo of the Issue: “Leo”

Anya Zentmeyer

“

Chatter box:

The following comments were taken from a news story, “Gender neutral housing passed at GVSU,” on the Lanthorn website, www.lanthorn.com.

A sad day. GVSU should not have caved in to the demands of this small but very vocal minority.

— 3:46 p.m.

Sept. 22, 2011, by Disappointed

Don’t like gender neutral housing? Then don’t sign up for it. It’s as easy as that. If having appropriate housing accommodations helps more students succeed academically at GV (whether that’s two students or two hundred), then I think it’s a great policy change.

— 8:41 p.m. Sept. 22, 2011,

by Pete

Want to see your work here? >>Email submissions to editorial@lanthorn.com

The Lanthorn is now accepting art, photos, short poems, faculty columns, letters to the editor and other reader-generated content for our Your Space page.

A6 DOWNTOWN

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

GVL / Eric Coulter

Telling his story: Former Vice President Dick Cheney (right) promotes his memoir, “In My Time,” with his daughter and co-author Elizabeth at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Cheney visited the city as part of his book tour.

Cheney visits Grand Rapids to promote memoir Former U.S. vice president shares memories of his rocky road to politics, the White House

By Dan Spadafora GVL Assistant News Editor

Former Vice President Dick Cheney did not begin his political career on Capitol Hill; it began in a jail cell in Rocksprings Wyo. “I was sleeping off a hangover in Rocksprings jail,” Cheney said. “I can smile about it now but at the time it suddenly dawned on me this was the second time in less than a year when I had found myself in similar circumstances …

I really needed to clean my act up and see if I could make something of myself, so I did.”

Highlighting a political career that includes becoming the youngest chief-of-staff in U.S. history and serving as

U.S. Vice President for two terms, Cheney found himself seated with his daughter, Elizabeth, in the Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids sharing memories of his political career, miles away from his past in Rocksprings.

In front of a select audience on Wednesday, Cheney and Elizabeth stopped in Grand Rapids as part of a national tour to share stories and promote his new biography, “In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir.” His daughter Elizabeth was the primary author for the memoir.

“It has been a tremendous blessing for me to work on this project with my Dad and not at all difficult to listen to his stories because he’s got so many and they are very interesting,” she said. “It gave me the excuse to probe and ask questions about things he had not wanted to talk about before.”

Some of the stories Cheney has been hesitant to address are examples of what has helped cast a dark shadow over his tenure in Washington. Cheney says he hopes these events and his autobiography will help dispel some of those notions.

“I also thought about it in terms of wanting to leave behind a historical account for my kids and grandkids,”

WGVU releases mobile app for iPhone, iPad, Android

By Bre’Anna Tinsley GVL Intern

WGVU Real Oldies 1480/850AM and WGVU 88.5/95.3 FM have launched two new apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Android.

The apps allow you listen to the stations live, as well as pause and rewind the live feed and view the programming schedule.

“We decided that we needed to have a mobile app for streaming our radio stations and had the opportunity to have it developed for us,” said Ken Kolbe, assistant general manager at WGVU. When the app is launched, it will automatically start playing the user’s favorite station. The multi-tasking app also functions as an alarm clock and allows you to browse the programming block or the web as the radio plays in the background. An On Demand feature lists individual story segments.

The app also allows you to access any station in the world and add them to your playlist. It can be accessed by anyone who can find the app.

“We have listeners in Russia and Germany and other folks who stream us on their phones as well,” Kolbe said.

The app is compatible with the Radio Bookmark device at the website www.radiobookmark. com.

It was developed by Listener Interactive, located in Indiana. It is free to all users and can be found on the Android Marketplace or iTunes. news@lanthorn.com

GVL / Rane Martin

Radio on the go: GVSU student Kurt Willert listens to WGVU broadcasting through their new iPhone application. The newly developed app is also compatible with iPads and Android devices.

“We decided that we needed to have a mobile app for streaming our radio stations and had the opportunity to have it developed for us. ”

Ken Kolbe Assistant general manager WGVU

Cheney said. “At 50 years from now if a child or one of my decedents were curious about how I spent my life they could find those things.”

Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies says people need to try to understand the human person who represents our country.

“So often we are tempted to turn our presidents and vice presidents into cardboard caricatures,” Whitney said. “The value of these book tours is they should help us see the human person behind the office and that helps us better evaluate their triumphs, their tragedies, their frustrations, their achievements.”

Cheney’s memoir is available for purchase online and at retail stores nationwide. assistantnews@lanthorn.com

B SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

SPORTS EDITOR BRADY FREDERICKSEN sports@lanthorn.com

SPORTS

SHORTS GV LAKERS

BRIEFS GOLF Hoffman named GLIAC Golfer of the Week After a strong showing at last week’s Michael Corbett Fall Classic at Gannon University, Grand Valley State University golfer Sarah Hoffman has been named the GLIAC Golfer of the Week. The senior notched a 148, good enough to finish in second place at the invitational.

The Lakers won the event with a 603 in their 13-stroke victory.

RED WINGS HOCKEY Detroit Red Wings to play at Van Andel Arena Are you a Red Wings’ hockey fans starving for the NHL season to begin?

The regular season is still 11 days away, but tomorrow’s Red-White game at Van Andel Arena will give GVSU students a taste of the NHL. The game, which starts at 6 p.m., is the first time the Red Wings have played an exhibition game in Grand Rapids since they played the Red-White game at Van Andel on Sept. 18, 2003.

STANDINGS Football

Saginaw Valley Ferris State Michigan Tech.

Northern Mich.

Indianapolis GVSU Northwood

Soccer

GVSU Ferris State Northern Mich.

Northwood Saginaw Valley Michigan Tech.

Volleyball

Ferris State Northern Mich.

Saginaw Valley GVSU Northwood Lake Superior Michigan Tech.

3-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-2 0-3 0-3 5-0 4-1-1 3-2-1 3-3 2-4-1 1-4-1 7-1 5-2 5-2 4-4 3-4 2-5 0-7

see LANTHORN.COM to view an online video >>Laker Football

Oil spill at Lubbers 20 LAKERS vs. 26 OILERS

Six turnovers lead to third-straight loss for GV

Williams gave the Lakers fits throughout the game. Their execution of the option GVL Sports Editor choice — a play in the shotgun where the Forcing turnovers will normally win you quarterback either hands to the running back a football game, but turning it over yourself or keeps it himself — gashed the GVSU defense throughout. will lead to problems.

Belton finished the game with 210 total Grand Valley State University’s football team found that out the hard way, turning yards, 60 on the ground, while Williams put it over six times in Saturday’s 26-20 loss together a 109-yard game to go with a pair of touchdowns. against the University of Findlay.

On the other side of the field, GVSU’s ofThree interceptions by sophomore quarterback Heath Parling along three accompa- fense — which had been the team’s strongnying fumbles stymied the GVSU offense suit in recent weeks — struggled. Along with Parling, the passing game throughout the night struggled, as the sophomore and gave Findlay plenty only threw for 140 yards, of chances on offense.

I didn’t give while junior receiver Charles “We started getting Johnson’s third quarter fumble to the point where you our team a led to a Findlay touchdown. get five, six turnovers, “I never got in a rhythm that’s going to shake chance to win. and never felt comfortable anyone’s confidence I have a sick about there throwing the ball,” out there,” said GVSU Parling said. “I didn’t give our head coach Matt Mitchfeeling in my team a chance to win. I have ell. “At that point, peostomach right a sick feeling in my stomach ple start getting a little right now — it feels terrible.” tense about ball security now...

Junior running back and you don‘t play free Heath Parling Hersey Jackson put together and easy at that point.”

Those turnovers led GVSU quarterback his best effort of his career in the loss, rushing for 127 yards to only seven Findlay and a pair of touchdowns. points, which came on “He ran like a man, he was really running an Isaiah Ballard 39-yard return to start the second half, but despite the offense’s short- hard,” Mitchell said.

Despite their success in the first half, it comings, the GVSU defense was key in was the defense that was unable to put tokeeping the Lakers afloat.

“It was just, we knew we had to keep on gether one last stop of the Findlay offense fighting — that’s the mentality of our de- in the fourth quarter. Findlay, in a third-andfense, keep fighting through all diversity,” three with a little over a minute left, got a first said senior defensive lineman Andre Thom- down on a four-yard run by Williams, sealing a third-consecutive loss for the Lakers. as, who finished with eight tackles.

“There’s some irony in this thing because Thomas and the defensive line played well in some passing situations, but strug- last week I told the team, defense, not good. gled against the run. GVSU’s defense also Offense, good job, but not good enough,” took a potentially devastating hit late in the Mitchell said. “This week, offense, obvisecond quarter when senior defensive line- ously turning the ball over six times, you‘re man Danny Richard left the game with an never going to win one of those games; defense, good job, not good enough in order apparent knee injury; he did not return.

“Preliminary report is not good, but I‘ll for us to win the ball game.”

GVSU returns to the practice field lookwait until I see what the doctors say,” Mitchell said. “Our sideline test was worst case ing for answers before taking on Tiffin University Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lubbers Stascenario.”

The Findlay backfield of quarterback dium. sports@lanthorn.com Clay Belton and running back Monterea

By Brady Fredericksen

“

”

GVL / Eric Coulter

Last ditch effort: GVSU head football coach Matt Mitchell turns back to his team after a bad play. The Lakers lost Saturday after offensive mistakes.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROUNDUP

LAKER FOOTBALL

SCORING SUMMARY 1st 12:18

8:39

2nd 13:43

8:11

1:07 3rd 14:02

10:50

1:18 4th 5:42

Zack Housholder 30 yd field goal Hersey Jackson 2 yd run (Ryan Stokes kick) Monterea Williams 7 yd run (Housholder kick) Williams 24 yd run (Housholder kick) Stokes 21 yd field goal Isaiah Ballard 39 yd fumble recovery (Housholder kick failed) Jackson 11 yd run (Stokes kick) Housholder 23 yd field goal Stokes 19 yd field goal

IMPACT PLAYERS

Hersey Jackson RUNNING BACK

Monterea Williams RUNNING BACK

After a solid effort against the University of Indianapolis, the powerful running junior put together the best game of his career Saturday despite the loss, rushing for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The GLIAC’s leading rusher showed his worth in the Oilers’ 26-20 victory, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns, including a 24-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

GVL / Eric Coulter

Fumbled away: The Lakers look on the game with dismay as they watch the game. The Lakers lost to the Oilers 20-26, the most recent in a string of three straight losses. The loss gives them their largest losing streak since 2000.

B2 SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

VOLLEYBALL

GVL / Eric Coulter

Prepared for battle: Sophomore Sacha Gill and freshman Christina Canepa take a defensive stance in Sunday’s match up against Hillsdale. The Lakers fell to No. 10 Hillsdale and Wayne State University but bested Findlay.

GV struggles to 1-2 record over weekend

By Zach Sepanik GVL Staff Writer

Three games in three days this weekend for the Grand Valley State University volleyball team were capped off Sunday by a loss to No. 10 Hillsdale University in a threeset match, 25-20, 25-23 and 25-21.

The Lakers (7-5, 4-4 GLIAC) were led by sophomore outside hitter Stacey Catalano, who tallied 30 attacks, nine kills and three assists, and freshman outside hitter Abby Aiken, who had a solid game with 23 attacks and nine kills.

Going up against a veteran Hillsdale squad, the young Lakers battled and had a very impressive offensive contest.

However, their mistakes proved costly in the end, especially a .167 hit percentage in the third set.

“I think we played a high level of volleyball today, but we didn’t sustain it for a long enough period of time,” said GVSU head coach Deanne Scanlon. “Hillsdale does not make a lot of mistakes. They sat back and waited for us to do that. We played competitively today.”

A big Catalano ace cut the deficit to 14-12 in the second game, putting some life into the Lakers. Yet, the Chargers held their ground and squeaked out the set with a couple late points.

To start off the third set, GVSU went on an 8-2 run thanks in part to sophomore Megan Schroeder’s two big blocks. A bad rotation by the Chargers gave the Lakers an ace in the scorebook to cap the run before Hillsdale made a comeback and won in straight sets.

“I feel like today we played a lot better as a team,” Catalano said. “We need to focus on the basics like working together and communicating with each other more and I feel like we will be fine.”

Meanwhile, on Friday, the No. 20 Lakers fell to Wayne State University in a five-set thriller, 25-14, 25-20, 14-25, 19-25 and 15-13. With their backs against the wall, GVSU

came back to win the third and fourth sets and tie the fifth at 13-13 before Wayne State notched the final two points of the match.

The Warriors dominated play early, but GVSU became the aggressor later, pushing Wayne State to a fifth set where they jumped to an early 4-0 lead.

GVSU had a hit percentage of .117 in the match and also notched 49 kills. Wayne State was held to a .099 hit percentage and had 53 putaways. The Lakers totaled more blocks, but Wayne State gathered more assists, digs and service aces.

The Lakers also had some well-rounded individual performances as Catalano produced team-highs of 17 digs and 13 kills, while junior Olivia Kohler dished out a teambest 20 assists and picked up 13 digs.

On Saturday GVSU tallied 14 blocks and defeated the University of Findlay in a five-set contest; 21-25, 25-22, 1325, 25-23 and 16-14; coming back from an early 2-1 set deficit.

The five-set match was the fourth this year for GVSU. Even with the win, GVSU struggled all match long on the offensive side, hitting only .060 in the victory. Strong individual performances were evident again as Aiken had a team-high 12 kills while Catalano had 11 kills to go with 20 digs.

With such a young team, the improvements keep coming.

As the weather cools and seasons turn, however, there is little time until consistency has to develop.

“This week at practice we will be a lot more focused than anything,” said junior middle back Eno Umoh. “We need to hold ourselves accountable by giving ourselves our own punishments for mistakes because right now it is almost October, and soon it will be November, and we can’t make those little mistakes anymore.”

The Lakers are now 7-5 overall with a 4-4 record in the GLIAC on the season. They face Saginaw Valley State University on Friday at home. zsepanik@lanthorn.com

GVL / Eric Coulter

Spike it: Senior Courtney McCotter spikes the ball against Hillsdale.

After their 1-2 weekend, the Lakers are now 7-5 for the season.

W. SOCCER

Lakers trounce opponents in Ohio sweep

By Joe Maher-Edgin GVL Staff Writer

Grand Valley State University’s women’s soccer team enjoyed decisive victories in its two-game away trip to Ohio over the weekend, thrashing Lake Erie College and Ashland University, 4-0 and 5-0, respectively.

“I thought that we played some good soccer,” said GVSU head coach Dave DiIanni. “We found chemistry on the field, our ball movement was really good, and we looked like we were having fun. When you’re playing hard and you’re having fun, good things will happen.”

The Lakers, keen on extending a 24-game

unbeaten run since September of 2010, put Lake Erie on the ropes Friday, firing 22 shots while allowing just 2 shots against.

Lake Erie goalkeeper Megan Baldacci stopped 10 of GVSU’s 14 shots on goal.

Senior forward Kayla Addison marked a “really big” return from suspension against Indianapolis last week with GVSU’s first goal against Lake Erie on Friday.

“I was upset that I couldn’t play on Tuesday so I focused all of my energy on this weekend,” Addison said. “I knew I had to play good and come out with a lot of energy.”

Foward Alyssa Mira set up junior Ashley Botts who gave the Lakers a 2-0 lead before halftime. GVSU

doubled their score in the second half with a pair of unassisted goals from forward Maria Brown and midfielder Jessica Trost.

Goalkeeper Chelsea Parise, who shared time with sophomore Abbey Miller in GVSU’s fourth shutout this season, attributed the team’s success in both games to defensive specific training in the week.

“We have focused on team defending this past week, with our defense starting with the forwards,” Parise said. “We limit the amount of opportunities for our opponents as a backline and our chemistry is beginning to bring us on the same page.”

GVSU then traveled to Ashland University on Sunday.

Botts found senior midfielder Erin Mruz on a cross from the right side to the back post nine minutes into the game. Mruz comfortably found the net seven yards outside goal and opened the scoring for the Lakers.

Botts then continued her scoring streak to five games, dribbling the ball through the middle of the Eagle’s defense and scoring an unassisted goal to put GVSU up 2-0.

GVSU netted a third before halftime after Addison headed a deflected free kick three yards outside of goal.

Courtesy Photo / Tom E. Puskar

Ball hog: Sophomore defender Tayler Ward guards the ball from Ashland University players during Sunday’s game against Ashland. The Lakers defeated Ashland and Lake Erie to bring their season record to 6-2-0.

Maria Brown volleyed from 3 yards out after being picked out by Mruz’s cross from the far side of goal to give GVSU a 4-0 advantage.

Addison then scored for a second time off a through pass from sophomore defender Kayla Kimble.

Addison’s strike to the near

post sealed the 5-0 victory for GVSU. “We didn’t over think anything and we had a lot of fun,” Addison said.

GVSU will host Ferris State University (4-1-1 GLIAC, 4-4-1 Overall), who currently hold second place in the GLIAC, on Wednesday at 6 p.m in

Allendale.

“Since it is a mid-week game the transition from the classroom to the field will be important,” Parise said. “The keys will be to worrying about ourselves, playing with consistency, and staying hungry.” jmaheredgin@lanthorn.com

SPORTS B3

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

W. TENNIS

Team closes in on No. 1 after strong weekend

By Jon Van Zytveld GVL Staff Writer

The Grand Valley State University women’s tennis team picked up several home wins against major competitors over the weekend, finishing 6-1 overall and 5-1 in GLIAC play.

Friday afternoon, the Lakers swept Lake Superior State University at home, 9-0.

During the GLIAC match, Anne Marie Morin, who is 5-0 in conference matches, defeated Lake Superior’s Holly Daniel, who was previously undefeated at her No. 5 singles spot. No. 4 singles Alyssa Lucas also had a strong game, defeating the competition 6-1, 6-2 and continuing her 7-0 undefeated record this season.

Lucas, a senior, said tennis is a collaborative sport, even when playing singles, and emphasized the aspect of team camaraderie.

“The main thing is that we’re all there supporting each other and cheering for each other, because I know that helps a lot,” Lucas said.

“I think the matches all went really well.”

At the first of their two Saturday games, the Lakers faced off against the Michigan Technological Institute Huskies, finishing 7-2.

Top singles players Niki Shipman and Tara Hayes fell to the competition, but the rest of the team claimed victory in straight sets.

In the afternoon, the Lakers swept Davenport University, handing the Panthers their second loss of the season.

The Lakers won 9-0, all in straight sets except for No.1 singles Leah Dancz, who managed to pull off a conclusive win in the third set with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 10-5.

Freshman Kali Phillips, who partnered with Dancz for the No. 3 doubles game, played particularly well, earning the duo an 8-0 victory.

“Everyone played very well and all the doubles players did really well working together

Courtesy Photo / www2.gvsu.ed/~waterski

Unknown successes: A member of the water ski team carves during a practice on Lake Placid in West Olive, Mich.

Water ski club brings new flavor to GV sports

By Brady Fredericksen GVL Sports Editor

GVL / Rane Martin

Serving up success: Sophomore Anne Marie Morin serves the ball during a past match. The Lakers picked up key wins, going 6-1 for the weekend.

and using what we’ve been working on in practice,” said Phillips. “If we continue to play this well, I’m confident we’ll finish top three in our conference.”

Sunday morning, the Lakers ended their sweep by defeating Hillsdale College, 7-2.

Losing only the No. 1 singles, and the No. 1 doubles matches, GVSU dominated the Chargers in five shutout set games. In her No. 5 singles slot, Kali Phillips pulled off another strong win, owning the court with a solid 6-0, 6-0 win.

The game, which was played at Ramblewood Tennis and Health Club due to rain, was yet another conference victory for the Lakers, who are quickly closing the gap on No. 1-ranked Northwood University, who they play next week.

“We’ve had a lot of freshmen playing this weekend,” said GVSU head

coach John Black. “I think our freshmen went undefeated in singles and doubles this weekend, which is a good sign, not only for right now, but for the future of the tennis program. We need our younger players to step it up, and we need the upperclassmen to lead the way.”

Black says that this weekend’s matches were all about perfecting the blend of skill and teamwork that is tennis.

“We picked up three conference wins, and we’re moving towards the top of the conference,” he said.

“Hopefully we can challenge [Northwood]. We’re playing a little bit better each of our matches, which is a good sign that we’re getting closer to our goals.”

The Lakers play next on Tuesday against Northwood at GVSU. The matches begin at 4 p.m. jvanzytveld@lanthorn.com

W. SOFTBALL

GV uses fall season to keep game fresh

By Dan Spadafora GVL Assistant News Editor

The NCAA calls the fall softball season a “non-traditional” one, but don’t tell Miranda Cleary and the Grand Valley State University women’s softball team that these games don’t matter.

“A lot of it is being able to work with the team but also it’s just to see what we need to work on as a team and individually,” said Cleary, last season’s GLIAC Freshman of the Year. “So it is pretty relaxed but still fairly competitive if not really competitive.”

Before the snow returns to GVSU and the winter offseason begins, the team is practicing and playing during the fall. The NCAA allows 24 practices during a 45-day period during this non-traditional season.

The games are played on Saturday and Sunday and are longer than usual, normally lasting 10 innings.

“I think a lot of it, it helps if you get new players coming in, it helps the team come together and work together,” Cleary said. “Also it helps you see where you are at in the fall and you can work out.”

During a regular spring season, the NCAA allows a total of 56 games to be played, and if a program wants to participate in a fall season, the games played during the fall must be deducted from the spring total, thus limiting the regular season.

Head coach Doug Woods said although these games reduce the overall spring total, the games are a good barometer for seeing where his team stands before the off season.

“You can practice but you really like to see them in game situations against other competition,” he said. “You get a true evaluation of how your players do.”

This past weekend the Lakers hit the diamond against Lake Superior State University.

GVL Archive

Early start: Senior Andrea Nicholson throws a pitch during a past match. The team plays fall games as well instead of restricting themselves to the normal season.

“We’ve done fairly well,” Woods said. “Our defense has been very good, our pitching has done well, our hitting is not up to where we were last year but it’s still real early.”

GVSU was scheduled to play Central Michigan University at home last Saturday, but the game has been rescheduled to this Sunday at 1 p.m. due to weather conditions In the future, Woods said he would like to see more games played during the fall, but for now GVSU has to abide by the Division II rules.

“They already had a rule in place that you could not miss a class to go to a game and we are not missing any class time to play games and there’s enough schools close enough where it’s not a big expense to play those games,” Woods said. “So I’d like to go to the Division I rule where they can play eight games.” assistantnews@lanthorn.com

When it comes to unique clubs across Grand Valley State University’s campus that students are not aware of, the club water ski team ranks near the top of that list.

The student-run team, which has been on the club sports menu for seven years, has been putting together a successful season on the water this season. After nearly making it to the national tournament last year, the team began this season strong, taking a second-place finish in a tournament at the University of Michigan-Flint and winning the MSU Collegiate Rip Fest the weekend of Sept. 17.

“We just encourage each other, that’s what we do mainly,” said sophomore skier Jenna Gibbs. “We’re the kind of team that‘s not all that competitive. We like to do good, but this is the first year we‘ve ever been mentioned

by USA Water Ski, so this is the first year we have a shot at nationals — we’re excited.”

Throughout the season, the coed team of 20 riders practices its craft four times a week at Placid Waters, a small group of lakes in West Olive, Mich.

The team competes in three events: slalom, jump and trick ski/wake boarding. The club requires no prior experience, so anyone with an interest in learning one of the three events is free to come to practice.

“I was looking for a way to meet people and coming from the University of Missouri, I wanted to find something I liked to do,” said sophomore skier Karlee Davis, who has been on the team for two years. “I liked water skiing, and I went to one practice and I’ve been a part of it ever since.”

While the team is still in its infantile stages, the efforts to expand and make the club more well-known across campus have been seen in their recruiting efforts.

“We had a booth at campus life night, and we just talk to friends,” said sophomore skier Mary Anolick. “We pretty much spread info about the club through word of mouth.”

The team participates in tournaments during each of the first four weekends of the school year, starting with two regular-season tournaments. Then, the team progresses to the Great Lakes Conference tournament, and finally to the Midwest regional tournament where they compete for the chance to go to Nationals.

All of the team’s events are overseen by USA Water Ski, the sport’s governing body.

This past weekend the team competed at the Great Lakes Conference Championships in Van Wert, Ohio. “It’s really good competition and it pushes us harder - it make us want to do better,” Anolick said. “They’ve been around longer than us and they’re more competitive, but that’s what pushes us.” sports@lanthorn.com

lakerlife

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

B4

LAKER LIFE EDITOR HALEY OTMAN lakerlife@lanthorn.com

Breaking the mold Senior Kyle Legant molds a pot out of clay as part of Archaeology Week.

Sharing is caring Senior Megan Greenfield and junior Kelsey Shaw attempt to rebuild smashed pots duirng the Paleo-olymics.

GVL / Eric Coulter

The art of weaving

Courtesy Photo / Google Images

Archaeology Club president senior Hillery York and former president Ashley Taylor construct a basket together during the Paleo-olympics .

ar·chae·ol·o·gy noun

GVL / Eric Coulter

The scientific study of historic or prehistoric peoples and their cultures by analysis of their artifacts, inscriptions, monuments, and other such remains, especially those that have been excavated.

Care

www.dictionary.com

HANDLE WITH

Archaeology Week allows students to take history in their own hands and explore ancient crafts as part of the Paleo-olympics GVL / Eric Coulter

By Kendal Pektas GVL Staff Writer

I

f there is anything that comes close to time-travel, it is archaeology. The study itself can say something real about the ancient world through material remains.

Archaeologists collect data on the ancient worlds and study human history. They can also specialize in pottery and learning about ancient animal bones and human remains.

“Archaeology integrates work in the humanities, the social sciences, the physical sciences and the arts,” said Melissa Morison, classics professor at Grand Valley State University.

Last week, the Archaeological Society of GVSU, a student organization, hosted the third annual Archaeology Week at GVSU. Archaeology Week is an opportunity for the whole campus com-

munity to engage in a conversation about interdisciplinary connections.

Morison, the Archaeological Society of GVSU’s adviser, said it is designed to allow students from all majors to make connections and participate.

Both staff and students celebrated the week through various events, lectures and demonstrations.

“Archeology is very scientific,” said Mark Schwartz, associate professor of anthropology. “One of the misconceptions is that archeologists work with very little information, when in fact, archeologists recover huge amounts of it.”

On its first day, Archaeology Week started with a dinner reception.

Other activities included a movie night, faculty presentations, student presentations and, to end the week, the Paleo-Olympics.

“Paleo-Olympics is the largest event and is kind of like a field day for archaeology students,” said Hillery York, Archaeology Society president. “It includes large group games,

“Archaeology

is very scientific.

One of the misconceptions is that archaeologists work with very little information...

”

Mark Schwartz Assistant professor of archaeology at GVSU as

Courtesy Photo / Google Images

GVL / Eric Coulter

Decode mode Former Archaeology club president Ashley Taylor draws hieroglyphics

and I think it gives people a better well as small table group activi- perspective on the modern world.” ties.”

Through Archaeology Week, the York is a history major who is mi- events help raise awareness about noring in archaeology. As the presi- the classes available for students and dent of the organization, it is her job about the Archaeology Society. It also to coordinate all Archaeology Week gives them an idea of some of the opevents. She believes it is important portunities available on campus if for students to understand how ar- they are interested in archaeology. chaeology can influence their majors, Morison assisted students in the too. club with any concerns they may “It is a way to bring us together have had during the course of planbecause we all use archaeology in ning the different events for the week. our fields,” she said. “Through Ar- For the most part, however, students chaeology Week, people have the op- in the club planned the entire week’s portunity to meet other people who programming by themselves. are pursuing the same interests.”

“The students in the group are enDuring the Paleo-Olympics, ergetic, committed and truly inspirSchwartz demonstrated an atlatl, an ing,” she said. ancient spear-thrower that was used To learn more about the Archaeoall over the world for thousands of logical Society, contact Hillery York years. at yorkh44@gmail.com.

“Students seemed to enjoy it,” he kpektas@lanthorn.com said. “Without a sense of our own history, it is really hard for people to see LANTHORN.COM understand their place in the world to view the photo gallery today. Everything has a big picture >>Archaeology Week

Sex Week opens discussion at GV

By Rachel Melke GVL Staff Writer

Look out, Shark Week — Grand Valley State University’s LGBT Resource Center is bringing something even more exciting to the table: sex.

Sex Week, which runs today through Friday, will feature a number of discussions about sex and sexuality, as well as a film showing.

The LGBT Resource Center will present the film “Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She” at 1 p.m. Thursday in Room 2201 in the Kirkhof Center. Milt Ford, founding director of the LGBT Resource Center, will facilitate a discussion afterward.

“Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She” is a documentary that focuses on the blurring of gender and the social and family problems faced by those who lie somewhere between the two definitions of male and female. The film also examines how different cultures out of the U.S., such as those in Europe, Asia and South America, handle the issues of gender blurring, sexual identity and sexual orientation. “Middle sex” includes those who identify as transgender, intersexual, and bisexual.

Although transgender and bisexual individuals now have a good visibility socially, Ford said they did not when he first started the LGBT center in 2008. Today, intersex individuals are still invisible because it is a biological problem, and those individuals almost always identify as either male or female. Because of this, Ford said he sees intersexuality as the biggest issue discussed in the film.

Intersex is a condition where the baby is born with either malformed genitalia or has male and/or female secondary sex characteristics. Intersex affects one in 100 babies born in the United States with one in 1,000 babies requiring surgery. Because it may be difficult to detect whether the child is genetically male or female, the doctor must choose one or the other.

Some adults that were born with the condition often say they do not identify with the gender the doctor had decided, something Ford sees as a significant problem.

“It’s an important issue at GVSU because it affects many more people than one would think,” Ford said.

“It’s more to do with how people feel in an environment than how many

people it affects.”

At GVSU, the LGBT Resource Center works to encourage students and give them guidance. Outside of the center itself, a number of student groups also provide outlets for students seeking support or more information about the LGBT community.

“I have gotten support for being transgender from Transpectrum, a group that endorses transgender education and supports gender variant students on GVSU campus and in the surrounding community,” said Kyden Robinson, a GVSU sophomore. Robinson said the showing of “Middle Sexes” is a good start for the LGBT Resource Center to address the issue.

Although people often shy away from events such as these, Ford wants them to keep in mind that the center is for everybody, not only those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Although the LGBT Resource Center holds events throughout the year outside of their office, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday, they are holding many additional events this week.

“The first two days are devoted to

SEX WEEK EVENTS Born This Way?: The Social Construction of Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Presenter: Laurel Westbrook, GVSU sociology professor 4 p.m. Monday Room 2204, Kirkhof Center

Beyond Binaries: Identity and the Sexuality Spectrum GVL / Kate Kaurich

The full spectrum: Milt Ford (pictured), author of the book “Middle Sex,” will lead a discussion on middle sex and intersex.

pulling apart the often-unexamined threads of gender, sex and sexuality,” said Colette Seguin Beighley, director of the LGBT center and organizer of the “Middle Sexes” showing.

For more information on GVSU’s LGBT Resource Center, visit the website at www.gvsu.edu/lgbtrc. rmelke@lanthorn.com

Presenter: Robyn Ochs, bisexuality activist 6 p.m. Tuesday Room 2204, Kirkhof Center

J-Spot: A Sex Educator Tells All Presenter: Jay Friedman, sex educator 4 p.m. Wednesday Cook-DeWitt Center

B5

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Announcements

Housing

Catch up on campus events with The Lanthorn photo galleries at Lanthorn.com

Female roommate needed for house in Standale. Rent is $375/month (utilities included). Please contact Amy at sturrusa@mail.gvsu.edu if interested.

Check out the coupon connection this week for deals on Pizza and Nights of Fear Haunted House!

Check out videos of events on campus at The Lanthorn YouTube Channel! Search gvsulanthorn for the channel Interested in a service fraternity that is Co-ed? Join us on our facebook page to learn more about the great opportunities. GVSU Alpha Phi Omega Lakers it’s time to join the party! Check out new student resource www.lakerparty.com. Read housing reviews by actual GVSU students and meet new friends.

Looking for a good deal on GREAT pizza’s downtown?

Check out Vinny’s Pizza and Sub Shop located at 1220 W. Fulton (next to JohnBall Park-Zoo). Bring in the coupon from this issue for a 14” pizza for only $7.42! Call (616) 235-7255 for more information.

Entertainment Tarot readings and Palmistry.

Monday & Wednesday, 3-4:30, under Fresh Foods, in Lower Commons area. $3 for 1 service, $5 for both. For entertainment only.

Roommates 3 male roommates seeking 4th roommate. No gender preference. For Winter 2012 semester. Campus West Apts. Will pay sub-let fee and deposit.

Contact delagans@mail.gvsu.edu

Employment Looking for a job? Now hiring Accounts Receivable/Payroll and Bookkeepers! NO experiencce necessary. Send Resumes to distributionscompany@gmail.com

For Sale 1997 Pontiac Bonneville 157,000 original miles, one owner, dark purple, tan leather, $2000. Call/text (231) 225-6704 or email mcdonahe@mail.gvsu.edu Futon for sale $50. Nice Thick Mattress. Only a couple years old. If interested, contact Kirstin, claytonk@mail.gvsu.edu Got something to sell or a lease to get rid of? GVSU faculty and staff get FREE classifieds in print and online with The Lanthorn! email classifieds@lanthorn.com Motmans is now open serving the Allendale area. Come enjoy the great tasting apples and great prices. Students and Staff receive 10% off wiwth GV ID. See a picture you like in The Lanthorn? You can buy that and many more at the Lanthorn Photo Store, buy prints, t-shirts, mugs with the picture! Just click the photo store tab at Lanthorn.com

Have More Fun for Less Money at Campus View. Super Early Bird Special! Sign a 2012/2013 lease and get a $200 discount! restrictions may apply. Call Today!

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The first 99 people to apply at 48 West will receive $25 off their rent for each month! *restrictions apply. Call today! 616-895-2400 or e-mail leasing@48west.info

Internships Oliver-Tolas Healthcare Packaging Job Title: Intern Chemist Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: $11-$12 depending on class status Hours: 20-40 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ TheCelebrityCafe Job Title: News Writer Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 10 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ United States Attorney's Office for West Michigan Job Title: Law Enforcement Coordination/Training and Victim/ Witness Assistance Interns Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ T.E.A.M Job Title: Fraternity or Sorority Campus Manager Location: Newport Beach, CA For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ The Stow Company Job Title: Engineering Intern Location: Holland, MI Hours: 40 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Advantage Health Physician Network Job Title: Human Resource Internship Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 10-20 hrs.

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93.1 Doug-FM/96.3 WDVD Radio J o b T i t l e : Communications/Public Relations/Radio Broadcasting Intern Location: Detroit, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 15-20 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Meijer Inc. Job Title: Multiple Summer 2012 Internships Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Paid Hours: 40 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Nestle Purina Job Title: Audit Internship Location: St. Louis, MO Salary Level: $18/hr.

Hours: 40 hrs.

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Meijer Inc. Job Title: Multiple Summer 2012 Internships Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Paid Hours: 40 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Nestle Purina Job Title: Audit Internship Location: St. Louis, MO Salary Level: $18/hr.

Hours: 40 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Job Title: Aquatics Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Licensing Resource Group Job Title: Accounting Intern Location: Holland, MI Salary Level: $10-13/hr. depending on qualifications For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

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Oliver-Tolas Healthcare Packaging Job Title: Intern Chemist Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: $11-$12 depending on class status Hours: 20-40 hrs.

Muskegon Lumberjacks For more information visit Hockey Club http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerJob Title: 2011-2012 Night jobs/ Operations Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 10-15 hrs.

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Job Title: News Writer For more information visit Salary Level: Unpaid http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerHours: 10 hrs. jobs/ For more information visit The Stow Company Job Title: Engineering Intern Location: Holland, MI Hours: 40 hrs.

For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

93.1 Doug-FM/96.3 WDVD Radio J o b T i t l e : Communications/Public Relations/Radio Broadcasting Intern Location: Detroit, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 15-20 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

United States Attorney's Office for West Michigan Job Title: Law Enforcement Coordination/Training and Victim/ Witness Assistance Interns Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ T.E.A.M Job Title: Fraternity or Sorority Campus Manager Location: Newport Beach, CA For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Miscellaneous Do you play Go or Chess?

Join the Go and Chess Club!

Mondays and Fridays, 5 PM in the Kirkhof southeast lounge.

Stay up to the minute with Lanthorn social media.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & RSS Feeds!

Opportunities Become a bartender. High income potential. Training courses and equipment available.

Call 1-800-965-6520 ext. 226 Free To Good Home. A male and female Vet checked English Bulldog puppies for adoption, if interested, contact me at rbradley987@hotmail.com

B6

lakerlife

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

LAKER LIFE

briefs

Student Leader Networking Reception The Student Leader Networking Reception will take place Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Pere Marquette room of the Kirkhof Center.

“The Student Networking Reception is an opportunity to directly connect with other students from across campus and explore new ways to collaborate,” said Kate Tippett, of the Office of Student Life, in a news release.

Students are asked to dress business casual.

Biggest Loser coming to GV GVL Archive

Family fun: President Haas flips pancakes for Pancakes with Presidents during a past Family Weekend. This year’s itinerary features dueling pianos and a carnival in addition to old mainstays.

Family Weekend to feature more than 40 events Thursday through Sunday events include dueling pianos, Kirkhof Carnival, research cruise

By Haley Otman GVL Laker Life Editor

Laker families will find a plethora of activities for both the young and the old all over campus this weekend.

Family Weekend, an annual fall event at Grand Valley State University, will take place Thursday through Sunday on both the Allendale and Pew campuses, in addition to some off-campus locations.

Although the weekend is not geared toward any specific group over another, LeaAnn Tibbe, assistant director in the Office of Student Life, said one nice aspect of Family Weekend is that freshmen students can show off the campus to their families now that they know it better.

“When the first-year students were dropped off by their parents, they were not familiar with campus and they were nervous and excited, but now this is like home to them,” she said.

Danielle Weaver, a GVSU sophomore, said her family plans to visit for Family Weekend as it did last year.

“I am looking forward to ArtPrize the most, and just showing them more of the campus, especially the downtown campus,” she said.

Many of the weekend’s events are free, but some require advance registration.

The weekend will commence with Family Fun Night in the Fieldhouse Arena, presented by the Women’s Center.

It takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday and focuses on children, with hands-on activities including a bounce house, stick-on tat-

toos, raffles and food. Attendees are asked to RSVP to the free event at gvsu.edu/women_cen

by Tuesday.

Friday will feature some never-before-seen Family Weekend events, such as the free Dueling Pianos Lounge in the Kirkhof Center’s Grand River Room from 8 to 11 p.m.

“These are the same group of performers who do the dueling pianos lounge at Mojo’s downtown,” Tibbe said. “If people have never been to a dueling pianos event, I think they’ll find it very interesting.”

Saturday, Laker families can enjoy what Tibbe calls the “anchor events” that take place each year. These are the Family Weekend 5K Run/ Walk, Pancakes with Presidents, where GVSU President Thomas J. Haas and other presidents on campus will serve up breakfast for $5, and the newly-renamed Kirkhof Carnival.

The Kirkhof Carnival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., includes activities hosted by GVSU student organizations and “Lunch Under the Big Top,” a new name to go with the carnival theme in which Campus Dining has created a special carnival menu featuring elephant ears and pulled pork.

“We have a clown, and we have a yo-yo performer and some other walking entertainment that will be there,” Tibbe said.

During the same time on Saturday, the Annis Water Resources Institute at GVSU will take students and their families on a cruise upon the W.G. Jackson Research Vessel.

“The family cruises are a way for students and their parents to see the special setting that GVSU has close to Lake Michigan — the Lake Michigan Center, home of the Annis Water Resources Institute,” said Janet Vail, associate research scientist at the AWRI. “It is a great networking event for students and parents to meet others in the GVSU ‘family’ while on the water.”

There will be three cruises that each take two

GVSU community members have began the GVSU Biggest Loser challenge and will work to see who can get the healthiest in seven weeks.

The participants are able to meet twice weekly with trainers to participate in challenges and workouts, review their eating habits and track their progress.

The winner will be announced after the challenge ends Nov. 10.

Writing submissions of all genres wanted “Running Out of Ink,” the publication made by the GVSU Writers’ Club, is accepting submissions for their Fall 2011 edition.

They accept submissions in all writing genres that are no longer than three to four pages. Email submissions by Nov. 10 to gvsuwritersclub@gmail.com.

GVSU World Quiz Game Competition

GVL Archive

Start the day off right: Parents and students wait in line for breakfast during last year’s Pancakes with Presidents.

hours on Saturday, and tickets are $15 each.

To see a complete list of the more than 40 Family Weekend events, visit www.gvsu.edu/ familyweekend. lakerlife@lanthorn.com

The first GVSU World Quiz Game Competition will take place on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in room 107C of the DeVos Center.

GVSU student clubs will fight against each other to see which one knows the most about political/current events, foreign countries, international sports, cross-cultural blunders, business etiquette and GVSU study abroad.

Project helps students through service, marketing

By Rachel Melke GVL Staff Writer

A new student group on campus is working to create collaboration and opportunities for skill development for students interested in public service.

Called “The Project,” this group focuses on collaboration between students in Grand Valley State University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program and their peers in the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration to increase their marketability.

The Project is an academic-based collaborative that aims to engage all students committed to public service. The group focuses on four main objectives: learning, management, service and sustainability.

“The Project began as a means for students in grant writing to send their fellow classmates to conferences and student learning experiences during the Winter 2009 term,” said GVSU professor Diane Kimoto.

Kimoto said almost 50 percent of Michigan’s undergraduates leave the state for career and professional advancement. To better enhance the skills of GVSU students and to allow students to showcase the skills they have acquired, they decided they needed The Project.

Along with a group of students and nowpresident of the group, GVSU senior Cory Jackson, Kimoto saw the need of this group and formed it in its current form during the end of winter semester 2011.

The learning projects helps to provide students with access to leadership and pro-

“My greatest passion

is doing service work, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to do service with fellow students in the College of Community and Public Service.

”

Courtesy Photo / Cory Jackson

Service learning: The Project president Cory Jackson, a GVSU senior, volunteers in Baltimore during an Alternative Breaks spring break service trip.

fessional development opportunities, which includes attending conferences and submitting work for publications, while the service projects aim to bring out cultural awareness,

Jenna Carrigan VP of Service Learning for The Project

communication skills and an understanding or learning outside of a classroom environment. Students this year will travel to Joplin, Mo., to help provide service to those affected by the tornado earlier this year.

“My greatest passion is doing service

work, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to do service with fellow students in the College of Community and Public Service,” said Jenna Carrigan, vice president of service learning.

The sustainability projects allow students to plan and implement a system of events such as golf outings and restaurant nights.

The management projects promote insight into navigating the administration of public, non-profit, and health systems. Students will travel to Washington, D.C., and meet politicians that are GVSU alumni to create strong networks. This will promote job shadowing and advocacy opportunities.

Although the group is aimed toward students in the College of Community and Public Service who participate in the entire program, all students are welcome to become involved with The Project’s monthly service days.

Jackson said he believes The Project offers something more than many of the other GVSU student organizations.

“Student organizations do a great job of motivating students around a cause, but they often lack the outcome of marketable skills needed to further academic and professional careers,” he said.

Kimoto said that it is the role of students to learn their voices whereas the role of faculty is to be their mentor and supporters.

“I believe in our students,” Kimoto said.

“Our students work two jobs, have student loans, and still find time to practice what they preach – service. I am their constant supporter and cheerleader. All we ask is that you hear the message of The Project.”

To learn more about The Project, email theproject@gvsu.edu. rmelke@lanthorn.com