Issue 6

Page 1

Family Weekend

Find out what on-campus events GVSU has planned >> See Page B5

Grand Valley Lanthorn

Grand Valley’s student-run newspaper

www.lanthorn.com

GVL Archive

Vol. 45 issue 6: Sept. 13, 2010

FUTURE CITIES Courtesy Photo / mlive.com

Political policy: State Rep. Brian Calley earned his master’s at GVSU.

Snyder picks GV alumnus for running mate By Garrett Pelican GVL Staff Wrier

Photo Manipulation / Alana Holland

GreenTown draws local leaders for sustainability summit today using the triple bottom line of social, environmental and economic impact,” said GVL Staff Wrier Norman Christopher, executive director of the Demonstrating the importance of sustainability in West GVSU Sustainable Community Development Michigan, leaders from the public and private sectors conferred Initiative. “What we’re doing is using that lens at Grand Valley State University’s Eberhard Center in downtown to make a better decision that we’re passing on to future generations.” Grand Rapids for “GreenTown: The Future of Christopher went on to give Community” on Thursday and Friday. can safely tell examples of the triple bottom line. Marking the second time the event has visited “Environmentally, that could mean Grand Rapids, “GreenTown” invited its attendees you that at GVSU ensuring that we’re not polluting the HEARTWELL to share ideas and set goals in order to promote the I’m surrounded by environment or using resources that development of sustainability in the local community. are not renewable. Certainly meeting economic vitality students that are “There’s a wonderful quote that’s attributed to Chief Seattle who said, ‘We don’t inherit the Earth from our concerned about means having jobs and creating efficiency. Socially, parents, we borrow it from our children,’” said Grand the environment. it could mean having social impact, improving social justice, or it could mean just having a greater social Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. “As a grandfather, I take that quite seriously. I’ve got to be a steward of this They want to serve responsibility,” he added. One of the event’s planners, John Harris, said working world for the generations that are going to follow after and make a toward sustainability can be done in many simple ways I’m long gone.” that include recycling, purchasing hybrid vehicles or diff erence. As a result of Heartwell’s “green” agenda since traveling by foot or bicycle. -NORMAN taking office, Grand Rapids now receives 20 percent of “I think most people have to choose what they’re CHRISTOPHER its power from renewable resources – a figure the city passionate about,” he said. “For some, it may be public SCDI executive director has pledged to increase to 100 percent by 2020 – and service like helping the homeless, whether it’s raising plans to affect sustainable change using a triple bottom money to mitigate or eliminate line of environmental, economic and social development. See GreenTown, A2 “I view sustainability as a framework for making a better decision homelessness or volunteering at a

By Garrett Pelican

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Former network correspondent fulfills teaching goal at GVSU By Chelsea Lane GVL News Editor

From local TV reporting to a national CNN correspondent to professor, Keith Oppenheim’s life in broadcasting has taken him around the country and back. After trading in television for textbooks, Oppenheim is tackling his latest assignment: assistant professor of communications at Grand Valley State University. One of GVSU’s newest tenured professors, Oppenheim is originally

LGBT Resource Center introduces new programs New resources, programs focus on freshmen, leaders, social justice

By Samantha Butcher GVL Senior Reporter

OPPENHEIM

from Massachusetts. He received his bachelor’s in psychology from Brown University in 1982 and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University in 1985. From there, he worked as a general assignment reporter at television stations in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, California and Michigan. Oppenheim eventually made the jump to cable news in 1997, working for CNN in both Chicago and Atlanta. During his 11-year tenure at the

INDEX

Grand Valley State University alumnus and State Rep. Brian Calley (R) discovered his initial interest in politics at a young age. Watching President Ronald Reagan’s farewell address with his father, Calley recalled his inspiration, but it was decades before he would fulfill his passion for public service. After campaigning successfully for the 33rd District Seat in the Michigan Senate and winning the Republic primary, Calley decided to bow out of the race at the request of Rick Snyder to join his SNYDER gubernatorial campaign. “It was a decision based on merit,” Snyder said of his request to run with Calley. “The thing that impressed me most about Brian was his depth of knowledge. Even though he’s a relatively young guy, he’s already worked on some of the most complex legislative issues out there. I also like that he’s repeatedly demonstrated his ability to work with both Republican and Democrat lawmakers to find solutions - that’s something we need more of in Lansing.” Often praised for his ability to go beyond party lines to push public policy forward, Calley attributed this quality to an obligation to his constituency. “When I got into politics I made myself, my family and my community a promise that I would just do what I believe to be the right thing for my district, regardless of whether or not that fell along any particular party lines,” Calley said. “Beyond that, I’d say often times in order to make progress it doesn’t really require as much See Calley, A2 compromise as you

See Faculty, A2

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GVL / Rane Martin

Inclusion: Greek students are trained to support the LGBT community during the Greek Allies and Advocates Certification Program. It was held at the LGBT center.

News......................................................A3 Downtown.......................................................A4 Opinion.........................................................A5 Religion.............................................................A6

The LGBT Resource Center on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus is extending its programming this academic year. In addition to its ongoing LGBT conferences, support groups and student organizations, the center is introducing the following three new programs: the Freshman Queer Alliance, a support group for first year students, Pipeline, an LGBTA leadership program, and Change U, a social justice training series. Colette Seguin Beighley,

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the center’s assistant director, said the programs were created based on student demand. “Freshman Queer Alliance and Pipeline were developed directly from our focus groups and online surveys we did last year,” she said. “Our ongoing conferences were based off of students’ interests as well.” Freshman Queer Alliance will meet weekly throughout the fall semester on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m and begins on Sept. 22. The registration deadline for the program is Sept. 20. “It’s really sort of a safety net, welcoming program for freshmen on campus,” Seguin

See LGBT, A2

Sports...........................................................B1 Laker Life................................................................B5 Marketplace................................................B7

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