Paul Shirley
talks about life as a ‘vagabond’ see SHIRLEY on PAGE 8
February 3, 2010, Volume 204 >> Number 92 >> 40 cents >> iowastatedaily.com >> An independent newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890
WEDNESDAY
Ag Career Fair
Missing
Police discourage student-formed search parties
Students talk with prospective employers during the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Ag Career Day held Oct. 21, 2001, in the Memorial Union. The 2010 Ag Career Fair will feature more than 80 companies. File photo: Iowa State Daily
‘The glass is half-full’ Internships, employment in store for motivated, persistent students
Opportunities to meet employers ■■ The Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club will host a chili luncheon for industry reps, faculty, staff and students 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Curtiss Hall rotunda. Cost is $3. ■■ The Monsanto Mobile Technology Unit will visit the ISU campus Feb. 3–5. The exhibit will be parked on Stange Road between Kildee and Lagomarcino Hall and is open for visits 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
By Bethany Pint Daily Staff Writer Students who haven’t found jobs or summer internships yet are in luck. The third annual Ag Career Day takes place 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Memorial Union. More than 80 employers are scheduled to recruit students for internships, and parttime and full-time positions, said Mike Gaul, director of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services — although some
employers might just offer information about their companies and not be hiring. Gaul said that despite the “doom and gloom” students hear about the job market, it’s important to stay persistent and keep looking. “The glass is half full versus half empty; you just have to stay motivated and commit yourself to the job search,” he said. “Is it going to take longer? Probably. But in the end good
help is always in high demand, and we’ve got great students at Iowa State.” Gaul said it’s important for students to check out the list of employers and research the companies before heading to career day. “There’s nothing worse than walking up to a company and not knowing anything about them,” he said. “Take the time to re-
see FAIR on PAGE 14
Ames Community
Board approves termination Possible dismissal of superintendent decision awaits legal matters By Alexander Hutchins Daily Staff Writer The Ames Community School Board voted on and approved a Notice of Consideration of Termination for Superintendant Linda Beyea. The notice contains a list of 25 items cited as Beyea’s failures to uphold her duty to the district. Members of the school board are unable to comment in-depth on the issue.
“It’s a personnel matter,” Francis Todey, school board member, said. Todey said that other than the fact that the school board has voted on the issue it is improper for school board members to comment on it. Beyea was unable to be reached for comment on the issue. Paul Sodders, president of the Ames school board, said that the motion will be treated like any other district business. “It’s a process like anything else,” Sodders said. Beyea has been placed on paid administrative leave, Sodders said. The decision is a motion to terminate Beyea’s contract but has not actually removed her from office.
Sodders said the dismissal procedure will follow administrative contract law in Iowa. Beyea has five days to launch a hearing on the school board’s notice of termination. “We absolutely respect [Beyea’s] rights in this manner,” Sodders said. Beyea’s filing for the hearing is the next step. A judge would review the notice for contract termination and the case for Beyea’s removal and issue a ruling. After the judge makes a ruling, the case is returned to the school board, Sodders said. At that point the school board can vote to retain or dismiss Beyea regardless of the judge’s ruling. “It’s legally still a personnel issue,” Sodders said.
U.S. Bank
Robbery suspect apprehended By Alexander Hutchins Daily Staff Writer Cindy Ann Davis, 38, of Ames, was arrested Tuesday morning on the charge of second-degree robbery. Cmdr. Mike Brennan of the Ames Police Department said the police received a call from U.S. Bank in downtown Ames at around 9:46 a.m. Tuesday. The call gave a description
of the suspect that was relayed to the responding officers. As a train passed the Davis downtown area, a plainclothes officer noticed Davis walking from the scene of the robbery. Though the officer had previ-
ously been situated in his vehicle, he opted to give chase on foot — after having had difficulty turning his car around — and apprehended Davis. Davis fit the description given by the bank staff and had the bag from the robbery when the officer arrested her. “Officers respond quite frequently to bank alarms, most of which are mechanical or human error,” Brennan said.
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Brennan said officers were more attentive in this situation due to the call from bank staff. “It was very heads-up work on behalf of the bank employees,” he said. Brennan said Ames sees two or three bank robberies in a year, and the fact that the suspect was a woman is unusual. Davis was subsequently transported to the Story County Jail.
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ISU students are still discouraged from organizing volunteer search efforts in the case of missing ISU student Jon Lacina, who has been missing for 11 days — but there are other ways to help. A release from the ISU News Service encouraged students to post flyers off Lacina campus and use social networking tools to spread the word about Lacina’s disappearance. Flyers were made available in the Dean of Students Office and in the Student Services Building Feb. 2. It can also be downloaded here: www.news.iastate.edu/images/2010/jan/ lacina.pdf. ISU Police encourage the continued distribution of flyers; however, they strongly discourage the organization of physical searches on a volunteer level. This is for “protection of evidence, as well as personal safety,” said ISU Department of Public Safety Director Jerry Stewart. Raising awareness in communities throughout Iowa and the Midwest is a priority, Stewart said. This can be done by posting flyers in convenience stores, truck stops, rest areas and major thoroughfares, along with notices online — especially on Facebook and MySpace. “Students are very good at electronic networking,” Stewart said. “We would like to capitalize on that and use that talent to more widely distribute information.” Dean of Students Dione Somerville also stressed the importance of online outreach. “We’re trying to encourage the dissemination of information where it will have the most value,” Stewart said. This includes posting information about Lacina in places that might be popular with online gamers. “We know that Jon has an interest in online gaming,” Stewart said, adding that they are trying to raise awareness in those communities. Investigators are still inspecting Lacina’s electronic devices and conducting interviews in search of clues to his whereabouts since Jan. 22. Stewart said 10:57 p.m., the night Lacina
see MISSING on PAGE 14
Student Government
Purchase prospects continue for theater By Paige Godden Daily Staff Writer The Government of the Student Body Senate may vote on a bill that would take the it one step closer to purchasing the old Varsity Theater. “We haven’t decided if we will be voting on it yet or not,” said Tom Danielson, GSB finance director and member of the Varsity Danielson Task Force. “We have a chance to meet with the Board of Regents on Thursday morning and have one last number to finalize yet.” Danielson said it may vote on it anyway, because the members have been looking at the proposal for more than three weeks now, and he wasn’t sure if finalizing one number would have a large effect on the decision. If the bill is passed, the Board of Regents will vote at its March 24 meeting whether or not to sign its name to the fiveyear lease. Members of the GSB have differing opinions on the proposal to buy the theater.
see GSB on PAGE 14
Technology
Wimba programs opens new horizons for WebCT By Abigail Barefoot Daily Staff Writer With budgets cuts and less money being spread further, new technology is helping ease the tightening of resources. Wimba is a set of new tools that works together with information provided by WebCT. There are three components of Wimba: Wimba Classroom, Wimba Voice Scofield and Wimba Pronto. While the program began with distance learning and online classes at Iowa State, the Web features are slowly being incorporated with the general student population. “It brings students to closer to campus without being on campus,” said Gaylan Scofield, director at the Brenton Cen-
see WIMBA on PAGE 14