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LAKERS WANDER THROUGH PRESIDENT BALL ‘WONDERLAND’ FRIDAY
M. HOCKEY WRAPS UP SEASON WITH FERRIS STATE VICTORY
SMARTPHONE APPS HELP STUDENTS STUDY, KEEP TRACK OF GRADES
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Primary season hits Michigan
Republicans look to mobilize student voting bloc despite historically low turnout BY Krisy Force GVL STAFF WRITER
M
ichiganders will cast their votes for the Republican presidential candidate in the Feb. 28 primary, but based on previous voter turnout, few college students will be visiting the voting booths. Don Zinman, a political science professor at Grand Valley State University, said many students do not vote in the general elections, let alone the primaries. Zinman said primary voters tend to have stronger political convictions than those who vote only in the general election or not at all. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, only 58 percent of U.S. citizens between ages 18 and 29 voted in the 2010 midterm election. “Students who show up for primaries are students who are very politically engaged,” he said. “In the November election you will have more passive voters.” However, the professor said primaries are important and should be taken seriously. “If Republicans are going to be a majority party in the future they will have to at least draw parity with the Democrats among 18 through 29-year-old voters,” he said. “The decisions voters make today can shape a lifetime of voting habits. Primaries are the venue for voters to choose the leaders of their parties. Primaries can energize a party’s voters for the general election in November.” Both Zinman and GVSU’s College Republicans president, Eric Bassett, said voting in any election is important. “It is one of the most democratic things we can do as citizens,” Bassett said. “It is especially important
for students to vote and have our voices heard if we want politicians to listen to issues important to us.” Kristin Mahn, president of GVSU’s College Democrats, agreed with Bassett, adding that it is vital for students to vote despite party affiliation. “People in our age group do not vote enough,” Mahn said. “This is really disappointing since we are the ones that will have to deal with the consequences of whoever is elected for decades to come.” To encourage students to get involved in the government and vote, the College Republicans are using word of mouth tactics and tabling to inform students of the election and the importance of voting. The group has also invited all the candidates to speak at GVSU, but have yet to receive any commitments. The College Democrats are also holding a voter registration drive that will take place in April. For now, though, Zinman said Republican students should embrace the opportunity to voice their opinion in the primary about which candidate they want to progress to the presidential election. He added that voting in this primary, if Republican, is key because it will be a very competitive election. “(Everyone) thought it was going to be a Mitt Romney walk-away but now he is going to have to fight for it,” Zinman said. “I don’t think his home state advantage is all it is cracked up to be.” Bassett said students can have a great impact on which candidates are chosen for leadership positions. “If we want to change the leadership in the White House then we need all Republican students to vote and be engaged,” Bassett said. kforce@lanthorn.com
Background: Former governor of Massachusetts, declared his candidacy on June 2. Primary victories: Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, Nevada Key issues: For the death penalty (after special trials) and tax cuts. Against the legalization of marijuana and stimulus spending. Secured delegates: 91 Total primary votes: 1,119,307 (38.9 percent)
Mitt Romney
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Against the current: Despite a growing trend at universities to require students to purchase insurance plans, GVSU will not mandate student health insurance, said Mike Doxey.
Background: Former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, declared his candidacy on June 6. Primary victories: Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri
Uninsured at GV will not have to buy insurance
Key issues: For tax cuts, strict immigration reform and the death penalty. Against same-sex marriage, birth control, abortion and stimulus spending. Secured delegates: 4 Total primary votes: 430,827 (18.7 percent)
RICK SANTORUM
BY Samantha Belcher GVL STAFF WRITER
Following Michigan State University’s move to mandate health insurance for students who do not already have it, controversy is stirring up on college campuses about how much students can afford to pay while also dealing with the perpetually rising cost of college. Though many private Michigan colleges like Albion, Alma and Hope already require students to be insured, Michigan State was the state’s first public institution to apply the mandate, though a university spokesperson said about 25 percent of universities nationwide require students to have health insurance. Mick Doxey, director of Risk Management at Grand Valley State University, said GVSU has not considered mandating health insurance. “We recommend that (students) look at their own coverage before coming,” Doxey said. As a result of the new mandate, students at Michigan State will be enrolled in the Aetna plan, requiring them to pay $940 for the spring semester and $1,500 in tuition costs for the entire year if they are not insured. State Rep. Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant) told the Detroit Free Press that the costs
Background: Former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives from Georgia, declared his candidacy on May 11. Primary victories: South Carolina Key issues: Supports lighter gun control restrictions, tax cuts and prison reform. Against legalization of marijuana and abortion. Secured delegates: 32 Total primary votes: 838,366 (27.5 percent)
NEWT GINGRICH Background: U.S. Representative from Texas, declared his candidacy on May 13. Primary victories: None, came in second in Minnesota and New Hampshire Key issues: For the legalization of marijuana and tax cuts. Against abortion and stimulus spending. Secured delegates: 9 Total primary votes: 305,864 (11 percent)
RON PAUL Delegates needed to secure nomination: 1,245 (2,488 total)
SEE INSURANCE, A3
Ash Wednesday begins 40 days of fasting BY Liz Garlick GVL STAFF WRITER
GVL Photo Illustration / Rachel Iturralde
Resisting temptation: For students of Catholic faith, fasting is an important part of Lent, which begins Wednesday.
Under the stress of rigorous courses, relationship maintenance and the dynamic college lifestyle, many students find comfort in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and a bag of Lay’s potato chips. But for some Catholic students at Grand Valley State University, the season of Lent is almost upon them, and fasting is undertaken as
a challenge to improve one’s life spiritually and socially. Though the season of Lent varies from year-to-year, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Sunday, the traditions remain the same: many Christians, and some nonChristians, take the time to rid their lives of vices to better themselves and remind themselves of the important things in life.
Although Catholics are only encouraged to abstain from food on two days during the 40-day celebration, they engage in a fast of their choice for the entire season. The Rev. Donald Andrie, associate pastor at GVSU’s St. Luke’s Parish, said Lent is a perfect opportunity of finding self-discipline and fasting in order to focus more on God SEE FASTING, A3