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Friday, March 1, 2013 | VOL. 116 NO. 94 | MARSHALL UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER | marshallparthenon.com
Pi Kappa Phi pedals for Push America THE PARTHENON The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity hosted its third annual Pedals for Push fundraising event for Push America. The event is a 24-hour bike-athon at the Memorial Student Center. Pedals for Push is an event to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. Push America is a nonprofit organization that helps support people with disabilities, and developing members of Pi Kappa Phi into leaders. Push America displays four core values: abilities, teamwork, empathy and integrity. Push America strives on portraying these core values through their mission and programs that they provide. Push America’s mission is, “Building Leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today.” Push
America’s vision is to change the way society views people with disabilities and fraternities. “This is my favorite time of the year,” Zach Morris, fraternity member, said. “Push America is what our fraternity is all about, and Pedals is our main outlet to show that to expose Marshall students to that.” The event started Thursday and will end Friday with a special after party at 12:30 p.m. Participants signed up for a one of the four Pedals For Push bikes for one of the 24-hour time slots. Participants were asked to talk to family and friends to help sponsor their riding time. Organizations on campus were also asked to participate in the bike-a-thon. Each organization that participated had a donation jar, and
people donated to Push America as a member of the organization rode a bike. During the 24-hour event, Pi Kappa Phi had a Pedals for Push movie marathon. Some movies included “The Notebook,” “We Are Marshall” and “The Breakfast Club.” Drinks, popcorn and other refreshments were available to purchase during the movies. Starting at 10:30 a.m. Friday, there will be a live performance by “Mountain Station.” “Mountain Station” is a local bluegrass band that brings a new sound to bluegrass music. “After spending my summer traveling across the country with Push America, it makes me so excited to share my passion and the mission of the organization with the community of Marshall University,” Morris said.
ANA WILKER | THE PARTHENON
Despite the rainy weather, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams participates in the “Pedal for Push event Thursday.
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Student Government elections begin By KIMBERLY SMITH
BRANDON HATTON | THE PARTHENON
THE PARTHENON The Marshall University Student Government elections are officially underway. Wednesday, all students planning to run for student body president and student senate filed for candidacy at the Memorial Student Center. Every spring, elections are held and students vote for a president and vice president. According to the SGA website, the requirements to become student body president include serving a full term, which is two semesters. Students file for office, elections are two weeks after that and then the elected officials take office in April. Ray Harrell Jr., who is graduating in May, has been a part of the SGA for the past four years and served as president for the past two. Harrell said it will be bitter sweet for him to leave office, but he is hopeful for the future SGA leaders. “Overall, I’m very satisfied with the progress that we made over the past two years,” Harrell said. “At inauguration last year, Dr. Kopp said himself that he’s never had such a strong relationship between his office and student government before,
and I think that really speaks to how effective we’ve been and how effective the organization can continue to be in the future.” Ray Cousins, election commissioner, said the candidates can expect a hectic two weeks of campaigning. He said they are planning to have two debates and a meet and greet for the candidates. Harrell said the most important thing for future SGA staff to remember is keeping constant communication with the student body. “I’m hopeful that the next administration really adheres to the principle of connecting to the students,” Harrell said. “Regardless of who wins, I know all three of the tickets personally and I feel like the student body will be in good hands.” Harrell said being part of student government has helped to define his college career and has become his identity over the past four years. “I think that’s definitely something the future student body president can look forward to,” Harrell said. Students can stay up to date with the election by visiting the SGA website. Kimberly Smith can be reached at smith48@marshall.edu.
Career Services Plans College Possible tuition increase not settling well with students By MARLA NOWLIN of Education Educator Expo By HAYLEE ROBERTS
THE PARTHENON The Marshall University Career Services will host an Educator Expo for students in the College of Education and others who plan to have a career in the education field. Education professionals from around the state and out of state will attend the Educator Expo and search for current students who are looking for jobs after college. Debby Stoler, assistant director of development and outreach in Career Services, said the expo is different than a regular expo.
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“School systems, who have signed up to attend, will be conducting informational interviews to students for ideas on jobs that are out there after their graduation,” Stoler said. “Students are expected to bring resumes and will actually talk to school system faculty about being hired for a job after graduation.” Students will sign up for 20-minute interviews with different school system professionals.
See EXPO | Page 5
THE PARTHENON The prospect of higher tuition caused by the proposed state budget cuts has raised concerns among Marshall University students. For the second time in two years, Marshall tuition could rise if Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s proposed state budget is implemented. Marshall President Stephen Kopp told the Board of Governors Monday that the university is facing a possible 8.94 percent cut in state funding, which would amount to $6.5 million for all Marshall operations. As a result, tuition
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might have to increase $700 to offset the cuts. During the 2011-2012 school year the cost of tuition went from $2,824 to $2,965 for instate students. The thought of paying more is not something current students are accepting with welcoming arms. Bria Armstrong, a sophomore pre-pharmacy major from Beckley, W.Va., said she does not feel students are being thought of in the proposals. “It’s unfair to current students at Marshall because they, their means of finances and education are being disregarded,” Armstrong said. “Students
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already work and earn scholarships to meet the minimum costs of tuition.” Other students are already feeling the pressure of possibly paying more out of pocket for their education. Khiry Starghill, sophomore performance theater major from Logan, W.Va., said students are already under stress with education costs in general. “I’m supporting myself and this is going to put me in a bind,” Stargill said. “We are already struggling the way it is.” Starghill said he feels Marshall students deserve an explanation of where the extra tuition money is going.
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Cheryl Vanscoy, forensic chemistry junior from Chesapeake, Va., said she is going to have to search for more scholarships to cover tuition if the proposal passes. “I’m going to be in debt the rest of my life. I’m serious,” Vanscoy said. Kopp told the Board of Governors, Monday, that he thought there were other ways for the state to save money than to cut funding for higher education. The state Legislature is expected to approve the state budget by April. Marla Nowlin can be contacted at nowlin7@marshall. edu.
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