Issue 34, Jan. 10, 2013 - Grand Valley Lanthorn

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CHILL OUT

WITH THE JANUARY MUSIC FORECAST

ONLINE AT WWW.LANTHORN.COM

DODGEBALL OFF TO 4-1 START

Lanthorn

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G R A N D VA L L EY

S T U D E N T- R U N P U B L I C AT I O N S L A N T H O R N . C O M PRINT . ONLINE . MOBILE T H U R S DAY, JA N UA RY 10 , 2 01 3

Realizing the dream BY LEAH MITCHELL GVL STAFF WRITER

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or the first time in the university’s history, Grand Valley State University will cancel all classes held on Martin Luther King Day to promote participation in King’s plan for peace and justice. Dwight Hamilton, assistant vice president for affirmative action at GVSU, said that in previous years when the holiday was observed a majority of the students were unable to attend the multiple events hosted by the university due to class being in session. “Because classes are adjourned, this enables all students to celebrate the

holiday and honor Dr. Martin’s legacy,” Hamilton said. “We now have the opportunity to expand the program and integrate greater community involvement with Grand Rapids and Allendale.” With ongoing events from Jan. 20-26, GVSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs has partnered with the Inclusion and Equity Division, the Student Senate and WGVU Public Media to create the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week of 2013. Associate Director of OMA Bobby Springer and Dr. Kathleen Underwood, associate professor of history and chair of women & gender studies, lead the GVSU MLK Executive Committee

of nearly 25 members. In order to make sure this week of commemoration runs smoothly, the committee consistently works to develop, facilitate and schedule events for this week year-round. The events kick off Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. with Saving Green and Eating Fresh. The program will be hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha, Theta Chi Omega and Nu Theta at the Richard M. DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium. These organizations will show students how to make their budget work for them and serve healthy refreshments. On the official MLK Day, Jan. 21, concurrent social justice activities will be held in the Russel H. Kirkhof Center starting at 10 a.m. with another session starting at 2 p.m. Also on Monday, Poverty Simulation, which requires an RSVP, will be held in the Pere Marquette Room and help participants understand what living in a low-income family would be like. Upcycling, which also requires an RSVP, SEE DREAM, A3

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMEMORATION WEEK 2013

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

3-4:30 p.m. “Saving Green and Eating Fresh” hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha, Theta Chi Omega and Nu Theta @ Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Grand Rapids Campus

MONDAY, JAN. 21

10-11:30 a.m. Social Justice Activities (Poverty Simulation, Marathon Reading, Upcycling and Film Series) @ Kirkhof Center | 10:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch and Viewing of Presidential Inauguration @ Kirkhof Center | 1 p.m. Silent March begins at Zumberge Library | 1:30 p.m. Keynote Presentation by Glenda Hatchett @ Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room | 2-2:30 p.m. Concurrent Social Justice Activities (Poverty Simulation, Marathon Reading, Upcycling, Straight Talk panel and Film Series)

THURSDAY, JAN. 24

5 p.m. Keynote Presentation by Majora Carter @ Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room

SATURDAY, JAN. 26

5 p.m. Keynote Presentation by Majora Carter @ Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room **All events are listed online at www.gvsu.edu/mlk ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO CAMPUS COMMUNITY & MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Law boosts transparency online BY LIZZY BALBOA GVL NEWS EDITOR

In accordance with Michigan Public Act 201 of 2012, Grand Valley State University updated its website Dec. 21 to include a comprehensive page of university reports. Budget and Finance Assistant Kay Klosowski assembled the webpage, but she said a few areas collaborated to compile the information. Vi s i t o r s to the site will find the university’s accountability report, univerMUSSLER sity performance report, annual audited financial reports, annual operating budget, summary of current expenditures, campus security policies and crime statistics, collective bargaining agreements, health care services benefit plans and a general fund position list. Jeff Musser, assistant vice president for university budgets, said almost all of the information on the website was available online prior to the passing of the law, but not in a convenient central location. One exception to the available material was the list of employee salaries, which has only ever been accessible in the library. Musser said he has not received or heard of any concerns about the online salary listing yet. He said he doesn’t think there are as many complaints as there are cases of people “just asking why.” The human resources department of GVSU has dealt with employee concerns, though. “The only reaction we’ve had—and we have over 3,000 people whose salary SEE TRANSPARENCY, A2

GV markets campus to prospective students By Sarah Hillenbrand GVL Senior Reporter

BO ANDERSON | GVL

School scouting: A group of prospective students take a walking tour of GVSU’s Allendale Campus.

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Between leading campus tours and giving prospective students the opportunity to speak with professional advisers on campus, the admissions office at Grand Valley State University has become busier marketing the university to an increasing number of interested high school and transfer students each year. Admissions has five different tour times a day and at least two groups go out at each tour time. On large tour days on campus, about 400 to 500 students visit GVSU. It is preferable that students call the office first to set up an appointment so the prospective student can

be better accommodated, but Jodi Chycinski , director of admissions, said that the office does its best to help every student who comes in. “We never want to turn anyone away from a visit,” she said. Chycinski said the number of incoming freshmen applications has been increasing, a trend that she attributes to the campus atmosphere that GVSU has as well as new developments in the university. “We’ve continued to see an increase, which speaks to the quality of the educational experience,” Chycinski said. “There are wonderful things happening on campus like the new library and business

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