CARROLL UNIVERSITY
Fbook : Hot topics and debates on the ever-changing social networking site. PAGE 6
Last Hurrah: McInnis to rock out at Carroll and close out the semester. PAGE 4
DECEMBER 7, 2010
Swim Team: Mishun point totals are a new Carroll record. PAGE 11
Volume 34 Issue 8 http://www.thedigitalnp.com http://www.facebook.com/thedigitalnp © 2010 Carroll University, Waukesha, WI
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Rent-a-bike alternative Amanda Palczynski Editorial Staff
The Carroll University Administration as well as Student Senate have been hard at work bringing a bike rental program to campus that would not only impact how the student body travels, but Waukesha itself as a bicycling community. Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima and county officials met last week with the Carroll administration to discuss the possibility of bringing a bicycle transportation program to the school. Brand Manager for Trek Bicycles, Krista Retting, facilitated the meeting, and had much to share about the benefits of bikes as an alternate form of transportation in the community. Retting has traveled to
Europe and found the efficiency brought to communities through bicycling. Amsterdam stands as the bike capital of the world, with 40 percent of all traffic movements done by bicycle according to Virgin Vacations. Dean of Students Dr. Theresa Barry noted that students have expressed consternation over parking situations repeatedly, which led to the interest in a bike program. During the meeting, Scrima said he had a portion of the city’s budget to contribute towards a proposal to make Waukesha more bikefriendly, such that would include paving wider streets and appropriating bike lanes. “Next year, freshmen won’t be able to bring cars to campus, so we’re looking into alternate forms of transportation,” said Barry. “We aren’t
going to get a lot more parking anytime soon.” Luke Bennewitz, President of Student Senate, said that the administration is looking into doing business with either the Trek Bicycles or the modernized bike-sharing system B-Cycle. When asked about the possible dangers of seasonal crossovers, Barry responded that it is more than feasible. Cities such as Denver and Minneapolis have successfully incorporated bike transportation into their city culture despite rough weather. Although Waukesha gets icy in the wintertime, bikes wouldn’t be inappropriate. As an instance of success that’s closer to home, Ripon College has initiated a BICYCLING continued on Page 2
Photo courtesy of Barbara Piancastelli
Fair trade fair, forums this winter Preston Pugmire captivates Carroll
Preston Pugmire performs in the PIT for Mix-It-Up Monday, an event sponsored by C.A.B. Pugmire uses electronic floor pedals that allow him to record anything he plays live and layer multiple sounds on top of it to create an entire song from scratch, right in front of the crowd. Photo by Kristina Ljujic
Shop with a conscience at the Plowshare Center Annemarie Bold
Staff Writer The Plowshare Center is a business that sells handmade merchandise, while promoting environmental friendliness. Located in downtown Waukesha, this store is hidden cozily near the Divino Gelato Café. The business provides both crafted gifts and education. This year, the Plowshare Center will contribute their time and information to Carroll University’s Fair Trade Fair on Wednesday Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.-2.p.m. in the Campus Center. It is free and open to the public. Plowshare will team up with several vendors to host holiday shopping. Four Corners of the World in Milwaukee, Trails to Bridges in Hartland, Rishi Tea in Milwaukee, New Vizzion, and Mt. Meru Coffee in Waukesha will be offering tea, coffee, and a varied of fair trade gift items. Some samples of tea and coffee will be available. This event is part of Carroll’s Food theme for the 2010-2011 academic school year. It’s a campus initiative to raise awareness of the broad range of food-related issues, including fair trade or cultural life and travel.
Fair trade is a system of international exchange that seeks out goods which promote equity, empower producers, and positively impact farmers and artisans. These products support fair trade, environmentally friendly production, independent artists and organic farming. On Feb. 5, Plowshare will offer another forum at Carroll. They are calling it “The Human Face of the Environment: We Are the Earth.” Panelists will be there to open and support a discussion about ways in which we can all help our environment and each other. “We love coming to Carroll because our forums have a great mix in the audience. Our forums encourage multi-generational discussions,” said Sally Michalko, president of the Plowshare Center. Michalko explained that the Plowshare Center sells products from over thirty countries. Their fair trade basis consists of building relationships with artisans who sell their work through them. Businesses like the Plowshare Center offer steady income to those in less fortunate situa-
tions with families to support. Women and men are paid equally in terms of the art they contribute to and sell from plowshare. The steady income also assists families in other countries who must pay for their children to go to school. “Plowshare is a good place to shop with a conscience,” Michalko said. Students at Carroll University are warmly welcomed into the Plowshare Center. Students can find journals made with recycled paper, handcrafted and hand painted sculptures, as well as instruments. “I like all of the unique merchandise there. My favorite items to look at are the handcrafted instruments,” junior Julia Roeder said. Roeder continued to explain that she would recommend this store to anyone who has a love for anything fun and unique. Plowshare continues to provide a forum that encourages members of the Carroll and Waukesha communities to discuss ways to better communities, our social problems, and ourselves.