april 15th

THE OAKLAND POST O A K L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

Volume 35, Number 28

April 15, 2009

YOU

Four-legged Mr. Ford, a hard-working service dog, helps with one student‘s mobility Page 16

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April 15, 2009

THIS WEEK 4.15.09 Perspectives

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page 10 Local Former Detroit Tiger Mark Fidrych “The Bird” dies in apparent accident.

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After a long semester, students talk about their plans and how important a graduation ceremony really is.

YOU

Meet Mr. Ford, a leader dog who helps one Oakland University student maneuver across campus.

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The Oakland Post sports staff provides an analytical look at the future for the Grizzly fall sports teams.

the

Scene

Lindsey Wojcik Editor in Chief oakposteditor@gmail.com (248) 370-4268

Brooke Hug Photo Editor oakpostphoto@ gmail.com (248) 370-4266

John Gardner Web Master (248) 370-4266 COPY EDITORS Katie Jacob Donna Lange-Tucker oakposteditor@ gmail.com (248) 370-2849

Amanda Meade Scene/Mix Editor oakpostfeatures@ gmail.com (248) 370-2848

SENIOR REPORTERS Sean Garner Joe Guzman Rory McCar ty oakposteditor@ gmail.com (248)370-2849

Masudur Rahman Campus Editor oakposteditor@ gmail.com (248) 370-

STAFF REPORTERS Kay Nguyen Mackenzie Roger

Tim Rath Web Editor oakposteditor@ gmail.com (248) 370-2848 Thomas Rowland Multimedia Editor oakposteditor@ gmail.com (248) 370-2848

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Sports

EDITORIAL

Dan Fenner Spor ts Editor oakpostspor ts@ gmail.com (248) 370-2848

Library renovations add new resources and mobility in time for finals. Page 7

The M x

O A K L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

Colleen J. Miller Managing Editor oakpostmanaging@gmail.com (248) 370-2537

The Oakland Post’s editor in chief says “no thanks” to the idea of newspapers receiving a federal bailout. Page 5

Campus

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Journalist Steve Lopez discusses the movie adaptation of his written work about a homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers in the film “The Soloist.”

Mouthing off page

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Backseat drivers are more of a block in the road than a helpful navigation system.

The Point-Counterpoint returns for this debate.

Nation | World

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North Korea said Tuesday it will restart its rogue nuclear program.

Cover photo by BROOKE HUG/The Oakland Post

Sexy Chic Stilettoes, skirts and spunk hit the runway at the ABS Fashion Show last Wednesday.

See what looks made the cut.

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Perspectives www.oaklandpostonline.com

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April 15, 2009

Staff Editorial

Same-sex marriage, Mich. should be next It’s legal in Massachusetts and Connecticut. It will be legal in Iowa and Vermont by the end of 2009. It was legal for almost six months in California. Gay marriage — c’mon citizens of Michigan, all the cool states are doing it.

April has been a triumphant month for equality in marriage. Vermont’s legislature overrode a veto by Gov. Jim Douglas and voted to allow same-sex marriage.

The vote came on the heels of a unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision striking down a 10-year ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional.

The vote by the Vermont legislature diminishes one of the main arguments used by opponents of same-sex marriage, that rulings on marriage have been made by unelected court officials.

Justice Mark S. Cady writing for the seven-member Iowa court wrote, “We have a constitutional duty to ensure equal protection of the law.”

The American Civil Liberties Union said the Iowa Court decision is the third court case to treat governmental discrimination against gay people as a serious constitutional problem. The ACLU said in an April 10 newsletter that the main argument in opposition to gay marriage is for religious reasons, but pointed out that the Iowa court said that state government can have no religious views.

Remember that little thing called the separation of church and state? Religion should not justify a law excluding gays from marrying. The Iowa opinion should serve as an eye-opener for Michigan: “The statute at issue in this case does not prescribe a definition of marriage for religious institutions. Instead, the statute declares, ‘Marriage is a civil contract’ and then regulates that civil contract ...

Thus, in pursuing our task in this case, we proceed as civil judges, far removed

from the theological debate of religious clerics, and focus only on the concept of civil marriage and the state licensing system that identifies a limited class of persons entitled to secular rights and benefits associated with marriage.”

In 2004, Michigan, along with 10 other states, passed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. The proposal that passed 59 to 41 percent said that “the union of one man and one woman in marriage shall be the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose.”

At least we can be proud of our state for finding a convenient loophole for equality. When we are that afraid to live and let live, let’s write it into the state’s constitution.

Historically, cultural norms evolve. At one time, issues like women’s rights or civil rights were hotly debated, but today, acceptance is commonplace. We are at a historical moment where once again we are debating an issue of discrimination, this time on gender.

In a posting on a legal blog, Andrew Koppelman, a law professor at Northwestern University, said that the same-sex marriage movement must now be acknowledged as “one of the most rapidly successful social movements in the history of the United States, revolutionizing the law in an enormous part of the country in less than 10 years.”

Michigan’s 2004 amendment is a nasty stain on our reputation and credibility as a forward-thinking state. Five years ago most of us weren’t registered to vote.

But we are now and it’s time for another vote.

This time when we fill in that bubble we should consider the importance of equality and pursuit of happiness over our fears and prejudices.

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Lindsey Wojcik Colleen J. Miller • Tim Rath Amanda Meade • Katie Jacob

comments, concerns, questions: oakpostmanaging@gmail.com

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MIKE KEEFE/The Denver Post, Cagle Cartoons

hat do you think? Send your comments to The Oakland Post or stop in the office, 61 Oakland Center.

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Corrections Corner • In the article “Lack of faculty input prompts lawsuit” on the April 8 issue, the article incorrectly stated that The Oakland Post tried to contact Oakland University trustee David Fischer for comment. While the reporter did try to contact Fischer, he is not currently on the board of trustees.

The Oakland Post corrects all errors of fact. If you know of an error, please e-mail oakpostmanaging@gmail.com or call (248) 370-2537. You can also write us at 61 Oakland Center Rochester, MI 48309.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

– The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States

April 15, 2009

The views expressed on this page of Perspectives do not necessarily reflect those of The Oakland Post.

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PERSPECTIVES/5

Bailouts for newspapers? No thanks It started with the drama on Wall Street. Months later it progressed to the Motor City. The banking industry had a hard time keeping money straight. (Tell me how that works again.) And the auto industry struggled to make efficient cars for a reasonable cost.

Problems arose and the government’s solution to the equation was to throw money at the problem. What’s a few billion dollars here or there?

It’s not like we’re in a recession or anything.

However, the impact of these industries on the global economy is widespread and printing extra money at a time where the U.S. dollar is decreasing in value seemed like a good solution.

That brings us to April 2009, nearly 10 years after the dot-com boom. The growth of the Internet and technology has suddenly snuck up on the media industry and guess what — they don’t know what to do about it.

Welcome to what some coin the “death of print.”

Newspapers are focusing much of their efforts toward developing an online staff that can update content to the minute, upload slideshows and video content of the latest breaking news, along with blogs and podcasts.

“Right, so let’s as journalists, watch dogs of the government, ask for a federal bailout. Doesn’t that blur the lines a bit?”

The problem is no one is making money from online advertising revenue.

The transistional phase of journalism (as I call it) has created a stir among industry elite. How will we solve this problem? Advertising revenues are down, newspapers are cutting back on home delivery or essentially cease to exist. These factors have some in the industry suggesting that journalism should be the next industry to get a federal bailout.

Los Angeles Times columnist Rosa Brooks thinks it’s time. “If we’re willing to use taxpayer money to build roads, pay teachers and maintain a military; if we’re willing to bail out banks and insurance companies and failing automakers, we should be willing to part with some public funds to keep journalism alive too,” she wrote in her final column for LAT. Others have offered up ways for this bailout to work: “In an article in the April 6 Nation, John Nichols and Robert McChesney offer some ideas on how to bail out the news industry. They suggest, for instance, eliminat-

ing postal rates for periodicals that get less than 20 percent of their revenues from advertising, a tax credit for the first $200 taxpayers spend on newspaper subscriptions and a substantial expansion of funding for public broadcasting,” according to Brooks’ column.

Right, so let’s as journalists, watch dogs of the government, ask for a federal bailout. Doesn’t that blur the lines a bit? The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics states that journalists should act independently. The SPJ Code of Ethics states journalists should: Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.

It’s a journalist’s job to cover the government as part of their regular beat. In the 70s, was it not two relentless journalists who busted open the Watergate scandal? What would the city of Detroit be like if the Detroit Free Press had not discovered the misconduct of a sex-texting mayor? Taking a government bailout would damage the credibility of the news media — not aid it.

As the shift from print to online continues and the worries about making money for online content persists, journalists must be responsible for solving the problem on their own. Journalists should utilize the skills they’ve obtained from reporting on hard-hitting news.

We’re resourceful when we need to find the perfect source to get that front page news story. We should continue to use our resources and skills in order to solve our own problems.

A government bailout? Thanks, but no thanks.

A little self pity won’t hurt anybody With all do respect to those who are less fortunate, I would still like to say that everyone has their own problems. Some maybe worse than others, but does that mean we should all suffer with them?

No, it doesn’t. We can pity those who have experienced sad and tragic circumstances and lend a hand, but there is no use in purposely bringing yourself down just to make a point.

I am writing this in response to the column published in the April 1 issue about the website fmylife. com. Although I completely understand the writer’s point of view about unfortunate real life situations, what about the rest of us with our pitiful drop your head and laugh-it-off problems?

Not one person I know has saved up all their money from their past six birthdays or saved up their Christmas gifts to send off to the needy, even though we know they are less fortunate. Maybe the real issue isn’t not laughing at ourselves and others, but possibly helping out the less fortunate.

Sometimes things happen to us that are just so completely ridiculous that there’s nothing left to do but shake our head at the situation and then tell a friend to get a good laugh.

Also, when you’re the person experiencing these minor problems, wouldn’t knowing that other people have just as ridiculous problems as you be somewhat comforting? I can say that I believe there is a level of comfort and understanding. When I read the things that happen to some of these people on this website, of course I feel bad for them, but come on now, it’s

pretty darn funny.

Take these postings from the website for example: “Today, I handed the keys to my Mustang to my mom so she could go car shopping. As she pulled away, I remembered the condom wrappers, sex toy packaging, and empty bottle of rum that was in the passenger’s seat of my car. I’m twenty. FML.” Now couldn’t pretty much anyone relate to that on some level? We’ve all bordered that line of fun and age limits, but wouldn’t it suck to get caught? Maybe you’re one of the people who did and can really get a laugh out of this situation.

There are some postings about situations that really do suck, but they can be thoughtful and we could all laugh about them. That’s what keeps us sane. Purposely posting our minor problems is what keeps the tension off.

We have to find humor in these situations to keep our heads up over the little things through stories like the ones posted on fmylife.com. From what I know, nobody is using that site to make anybody else’s problems seem less important than their own, but rather connect with others when having a bad day and find the silver lining.

I get it. We shouldn’t be complaining about the minor problems we have, but why not post them up full-well knowing it’s for good humor?

EDITOR’S NOTE: You can read the original column referenced here in the Perspectives section of the website “If that’s the worst thing that happens to you,” as well as a related satire column “How browsing can screw up your life,” in the Mouthing Off section at

Oaklandpostonline.com

Campus

Russi on the record 6

By Colleen J. Miller and Lindsey Wojcik Managing Editor and Editor in Chief

The Oakland Post met with Oakland University President Gary Russi Wednesday, April 8 to check in on the status of ongoing and new initiatives.

Russi spoke positively about the successful fundraising efforts of the university, the expanding affordability campaign and the growth of the university.

The Capital Campaign The goal of raising $110 million has been exceeded and it has been done a year ahead of time. The exact amount will be announced at a ceremony Wednesday, April 15 in the Fireside Lounge in the Oakland Center.

“To tell you what, in these economic times this is remarkable, absolutely remarkable to raise that kind of money,” Russi said.

“The money is being used as we speak. But the money is not money that is at discretion. The donors typically tell you what they want you to do with the money. It is a variety of donor-driven projects and initiatives and it starts with scholarships, programs, capital, operating — you name it, it’s in the campaign.”

In light of the success of this capital campaign, another campaign will be initiated in the near future.

“We’re going to close this capital campaign, celebrate it, and then launch another one,” Russi said. The next campaign will focus on raising funds for the medical school, a performing arts center on campus, as well as the traditional scholarships, support for students and programs.

‘You can afford this’ OU’s affordability campaign, “You can afford this,” is designed to provide affordablity and access to a college education for new and existing OU students.

“This is our effort to respond to the economic times,” Russi said, and as a result, the university has seen a 35 percent increase in applications for fall.

The campaign already has multiple components: no fees, the $250,000 emergency fund (of which only about $31,000 was used over fall and winter), a guarantee not to have to take loans for need-based incoming freshmen (as determined by the federal government), more merit based scholarships, and an alumni ambassadors program designed to mobilize alumni (who have committed $1 million for scholarships )to recruit students.

Additional features such as three-year degree programs and full-time OU jobs are also in the works.

“Soon it will be announced we will have a summer employment corps,” Russi said. “For those students who need a full-time job, they will have a full-time job. And it will be in meaningful work … something that will help your portfolio. It’s $10 an hour, it’s full time it’s all summer.” Russi said there may be 35 such positions.

One reason why college can be so expensive is the length of time it takes to complete. But Russi said that

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three-year degrees are strongly being considered.

“The deans and the department chairs are working on this right now. Obviously it only works in those programs in which there aren’t requirement for beyond four years,” said Russi.

“That’s a huge affordability issue too because you only have three years of cost and then you get out on the job market a year early.”

April 15, 2009

they’re in the process of hiring faculty.” Russi said that they are looking for the best in the country, as they usually do, focusing on quality. The progress on the medical school is also on schedule.

“At this point we see no barriers to getting this done on time.”

Budget, tuition and stimulus

Photo courtesy of Oakland University

Oakland University President Gary Russi speaks on the record about affordability, fundraising and more.

Graduation ceremony changes Addressing rumors that the administration is going to change commencement ceremonies, Russi said that’s an affirmative.

“We’re outgrowing our commencements,” he said.

After looking at other universities around the country, Russi said the commencement coordinator, Stephanie Lee, has narrowed it down to two possibilities: 1. There would be one commencement ceremony. No names would be called and nobody would walk across the stage. However, each individual college or school would be able to have their own celebrations.

“It’s a lot more intimate than what we do right now.

The school will add their own awards, their gifts,” Russi said. He said that this is the preferred option.

“If we’re going to do something, let’s make the student experience and recognition more intimate and more powerful for the family,” Russi said.

2. The other possibility would be to have separate ceremonies for graduates and undergraduates.

Undergraduates would continue to have a similar experience to what is currently being done for graduation, where the commencements, an all-day affair, are broken down by colleges and individuals walk across the stage.

The graduate students would have their own celebrations by unit. “[This] scenario is only short term. Because you continue to grow, you have the same problem,” Russi said.

The new graduation procedure will be decided on before the next commencement ceremony at the end of the fall 2009 semester.

Med School update While the changes to the commencement ceremonies are high on the priority list for the administration, keeping the OU William Beaumont School of Medicine on track is Russi’s number one priority this summer.

“That’s going exceptionally well,” he said. “Now

Russi said that they fight the budget every day and may have to create a contingency budget before the state makes any decisions about stimulus money and state funding.

“The volatility of the state is just enormous right now,” he said. “That’s a concern for us because families have to know what the cost is.”

Russi explained that OU is waiting to hear from the state of Michigan before deciding on next year’s budget, which may affect tuition: “The budget bill starts with [Gov. Jennifer Granholm and she] said cut higher education three percent, freeze tuition, and move forward. That’s just a recommendation. Ultimately where it’s played out is in the legislature ... The House just came out and just essentially reinforced the notion of cutting 3 percent, took out the language to freeze tuition and now the bill moves into the Senate,” he said.

Russi will be giving a testimony before the Senate on May 5, presenting OU’s case for state funding. OU is also waiting to hear about the appropriations of federal stimulus money.

“If the governor accepts stimulus money, she’s got to hold K-12, community colleges and universities harmless in cash flow,” Russi said. “[If Michigan] were to cut us the three percent or [Gov. Granholm] does an executive order for five percent, she’s got to take some of that stimulus money and make it whole.

“That’ doesn’t solve any problems because that’s patchwork. You’re using one-time money to solve base problems. At the end of the day you’ve got a worse problem down the road because you’re going to have multiple cuts that they fill with stimulus money.”

As for the five capital projects that OU submitted to the state for stimulus funding — including a biomass/ wind energy plant, new buildings and an engineering center — Russi said that those are going to be determined later after the state goes through the budget process.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Read what Russi said about the lines of communcations between faculty, the board of trustees and the administration online.

Follow the developments of these stories with The Oakland Post in the summer issues and on the website.

April 15, 2009

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CAMPUS/7

Kresge Library adds resources, versatility

by KAY NGUYEN Staff Reporter

The week of final examinations is approaching and the thousands of sleepdeprived Oakland University students buckling down to write papers and studying at the Kresge Library may find some new resources.

Many changes have been made at the library over the past year as part of its ongoing initiative to go from a traditional library to a technology learning center.

Intended to support student research and study needs, two of the three planned projects have been completed and are currently available to students.

The library’s Government Documents collection was moved from the second floor to the first. It’s still accessible and features new compact movable shelving.

The move was made in order to make room for the brand new Information Commons, which is to the left of the library entrance.

The Information Commons integrates the concepts of computer labs, research space and group study areas.

“Our goals are to provide students with a first-class information commons and a first-class research and study space,” said library systems manager Eric Condic.

Hardwired desktop computer workstations are available for student use on theh second floor, as well as laptops that can be checked out. The laptops and computers were moved from the first floor.

Three mobile carts with large screen monitors can be used to practice giving presentations and large whiteboards can be checked out and hung around the Commons area for group study purposes.

“We realize that students need this,” said Library Dean Julie Voelck. “We want students to use [the library] and we want to support the kind of research and study they must do now.”

The new space is designed to give students more mobility while working.

Furniture can be moved and arranged to accommodate students’ needs.

“Students need to rediscover the library,” said Library Assistant Dean Brenda Pierce. “There is always a place you will feel comfortable with because there are spots no matter how you like to study.”

Located adjacent to the Writing Center, reference desk, University Technology Services helpdesk, and a computer lab assistant, the Information Commons tries to give students convenient access to the tools necessary for research or study purposes.

The campus computing helpdesk has

GSA’s drag show thrills

AMBER DIETZ/The Oakland Post

The Gay Straight Alliance held its 6th annual Drag Show in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center Friday, April 10. Shown is “Sabin,” one of the performers. The show, co-sponsored by the Women’s Issues Forum, featured dancing and singing, with a theme of “Old Hollywood Drag.”

Visit our webstie to see a video of the Xpos’d Fashion Show on Wednesday, April 8, hosted by OU’s Association of Black Students, as well as more photos from the Drag Show.

also been moved to the second floor of the Library. A student-staffed helpdesk assists students with computer problems.

“We are trying to look for ways to expand research technology and information access,” said Condic. “We try to constantly keep in touch with [students’] latest needs.”

Students had differing opinions about the changes made in the library. Some thought the changes were needed.

“Kresge’s renovations are a positive thing to give our beloved library a nice, needed update,” said Jordan Twardy, former student body vice president.

“Hopefully they will improve conditions of the restrooms and study rooms as well as main area aesthetics.”

According to Voelck, the renovations cost $1,437,000.

One student thought these changes shouldn’t have been funded by tuition.

“I use Kresge Library to get books for research,” said freshman Jared Carlson, a general studies major. “It is a good place for research purposes, but I am indifferent about the library using tuition money for the project.”

Another student thought the changes were unnecessary.

“I just use the library as a quiet place to study,” said freshman biology major Ken Lewis. “I think [the new projects

are] a big waste of money.”

Oakland University E-Learning and Instructional support will be moving into the fourth floor of the library from its current office in Varner Hall on the week of May 4. The new office space is currently still under construction.

“We are trying to get all of the student and faculty help resources centralized,” said Assistant Vice President of E-learning and Instructional Support Catheryn Cheal. “It will make it more unified for all of us.”

The library is also acquiring Netbooks for the future. Currently they have Macintosh and Windows desk computers, as well as laptops. They have individual study rooms, group study rooms, as well as floors for quiet study and group study.

Kresge Library is planning a grand opening celebration in the fall.

Visit our website to read about attempts to keep Kresge open 24 hours a day and add a cafe vending machine. And check out an interactive floor plan of the newly designed library.

See Rejects at Meadowbrook

by KATHLEEN QUANDT Staff Intern

In the middle of typing up papers and finishing final projects, Oakland University students will get a chance to see the All American Rejects in concert on campus Thursday, April, 16 at 7 p.m.

The Student Program Board is bringing the concert to Meadowbrook Music Festival with a ticket price of $10 for students and $20 for guests. Tickets are available at the Center for Student Activities ticket window in the Oakland Center and at ticketmaster.com.

Amanda Vanderford, student program board chair, said SPB received $5,000 from Student Video Productions, $7,000 from OU Student Congress, $10,000 from Student Affairs and approximately $23,000 from the Special Projects Fund, in sponsorships for the concert.

The concert is expected to cost about $120,000, Vanderford said. She said SPB will contribute about $35,000 and the rest will come from ticket sales.

“The concert was put together with the help from a lot of support from the campus,” Vanderford said.

SPB wanted to bring the All American Rejects to campus in February for Homecoming, but they were not avail-

able due to the Grammy Awards.

“We felt that they were a popular band, with a chart topper hit. We felt that they could appeal to a wide variety of people and of all different ages,” Vanderford said.

At closing time on Tuesday, a worker at the CSA ticket window said there were still over a hundred tickets left.

Melissa Brode, a freshman business major, is going to the concert.

“I think it’s a cool opportunity. We get to go for a really cheap price and get to see them,” she said.

Some students wanted to go, but had scheduling conflicts.

“It’s great. I just don’t have time,” said Alex Wolicki, a junior finance major.

Travis Smith, a sophomore electrical engineering major, is not going, but is glad the band is being brought to OU. “I know a lot of people that really like them,” he said. “That’s a really good thing that Oakland University did for the students.”

Before the concert, SPB is hosting Spring Fest, which will offer inflatables, a rock wall, remote controlled car races, inflatable skee ball, music and free food and drinks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Oakland Center near O’Dowd Hall on Thursday, April 16.

8/CAMPUS

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April 15, 2009

Senior artists go on full display

All photos are courtesy of their respective artists

The exhibit “idée fixe” will feature the work of ten different Oakland University student artists on display at the OU Art Gallery in Wilson Hall April 17-May 17. The artists will discuss their work Friday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Art Gallery. Opening reception is Friday, April 17 from 5-7 p.m.

Among the pieces featured are Amy Abdelnour’s series of charcoal drawings, titled “im|personal” (left), Ali McClure’s series of photographs titled “press play” (above) and Lauren Morey’s pastel series “Drosophilia Melanogaster” (right).

Go to www.oaklandpostonline.com for a video preview of the senior art thesis, including comments from all ten artists featured in the showcase.

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April 15, 2009

POLICEFILES

On April 7, OUPD responded to a fire alarm in the Science and Engineering Building at 9:59 a.m.

By 10:25 a.m., they cleared the building and let people re-enter.

At 11:02 a.m., they responded to another fire alarm in SEB. After checking the building again, they let people re-enter at 11:18 a.m.

On April 7, a Communication and Journalism Department employee said an older computer monitor was missing from 306 Wilson Hall.

The employee said numerous people from various departments had access to the room.

On April 8, OUPD reported to an incident at the WXOU radio station in the Oakland Center. An OU student in WXOU said his cellphone

had been on the thermostat by the entrance door. The student said a group of high school students came into WXOU to tour, and after they left, his cell phone was gone.

The OU student said that after he accused the group of high school students of taking his cell phone, the leader of the group became upset.

On April 10, a student reported his cell phone was missing. He said he was napping in his girlfriend’s dorm room in South Hamlin Hall and set his laptop and his cell phone on his girlfriend’s roommate’s bed, but when he woke up, the cell phone was missing, and the laptop was moved. He believed his girlfriend’s roommate or her friend may have taken the cell phone.

Campus briefs

Athletics budget not approved yet

After a special meeting of the board of trustees on April 8, the Oakland University Athletic Department still has not finalized a budget for the fiscal year 2010.

The athletic department was the only campus entity that did not get its proposed budget for the upcoming year, which begins June 30, passed at the formal board meeting on April 1. The budget was tabled for a special discussion a week later, after which the proposal was tabled again to an undetermined date.

Members of the board expressed dissatisfaction with the athletic department’s amendments to its previous proposal. The board had asked for details about the salaries of coaches and staff, for which the athletic department requested nearly $400,000 in increases from the 2009 budget of just over $3 million. The athletic department is asking for just over an 11 percent increase from the 2009 fiscal year.

Salaries of all university staff are public record, and Athletic Director Tracy Huth said it would be reasonable to assume that the 13 percent increase in compensation could be applied to each individual coach.

The board said they felt the additional information provided by the athletic department was inconsequential and insufficient.

SIFE wins regional award

— Sean Garner, Senior Reporter

Ten members of OU’s Students in Free Enterprise brought home the organization’s ninth straight regional title on April 2. The team qualified for and will now attend the SIFE national convention that will be held in May in Philadelphia.

— Kay Nguyen, Staff Reporter

New student congress officially starts The new student body president, vice president and OUSC legislators were sworn in on Monday, April 13. The new administration announced its proposal for the OUSC summer 2009 budget. In the proposal, of the projected $58,000 budget, $24,480 is to be used for OUSC e-board members’ stipends, $2,350 for leadership training, $400 for committee facilitation, $1,050 for students handouts like scantrons and newspapers, $4,950 for operational expenditures, and the rest for other costs. OUSC will vote on the budget before the spring semester starts.

— Masudur Rahman, Campus Editor

CAMPUS/9

Chartwells revamps menu

by RORY MCCARTY Senior Reporter

A little over a semester after Oakland University Student Congress first brought student complaints against Chartwells in October 2008, Chartwells made changes to their catering menu and pricing that seems to reflect a successful ongoing dialogue with students.

For student organizations that host events in the Oakland Center, all catering must come through Chartwells due to an exclusivity arrangement with OU. Chartwells’ new catering menus, which include both regular student catering and international catering, provide more choices to student organizations.

Andrew Willows, resident district manager for Chartwells at OU, said that collaborating with OUSC so far through the focus group has been “wonderful.”

“Every single question or concern we had for them, they addressed it,” said Danielle Fallis, chair of Student Activities Funding Board said.

However, some still would prefer to have non-Chartwells catering options for events they hold in the OC. Chartwells offers waivers to bring in outside food to their catered events that have specific requirements.

The Indian Student Association got a

waiver to bring in outside food for their recent Indian Night. ISA President Krishna Gummadi said they got Indian food through Chartwells in the past, but were unsatisfied with it.

“We wanted to showcase food that authentically tastes like Indian food,” he said.

Gummadi said that Chartwells effectively made smaller amounts of requested food, but not for groups of 50 or more.

Though they haven’t worked with OUSC yet to voice their concerns, Gummadi said that they planned to soon and he’s optimistic about Chartwells continuing to make changes, but that they’d rather make it easier to get waivers.

Melissa Bukowski, a Gay Straight Alliance member, said their organization has fewer concerns with Chartwells providing specific kinds of food, and they are generally happy with its quality.

But she said that she would still prefer it if student organizations had the option to more easily get catering from off campus for events they host in the OC. “Chartwells isn’t bad, but we don’t really have a choice,” she said.

Students interested in seeing the new menu and the menu prices can contact Chartwells at 121 Oakland Center.

Visit www.oaklandpostonline.com to see the new menus.

Local

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

10

Mark Fidrych found dead at 54

By HOWARD ULMAN AP Sports Writer

BOSTON — Whether he was dominating hitters or hauling asphalt, Mark Fidrych had fun.

The colorful pitcher talked to baseballs, smoothed the mound with his hands and high-fived teammates in the middle of the diamond.

He had one terrific season in 1976, and after injuries curtailed his career — just five years in the majors with the Detroit Tigers — he lived on his farm in Northborough, Mass., where he enjoyed driving his truck and using it for building projects.

On Monday, Fidrych was found dead beneath a 10wheel dump truck by Joseph Amorello, a friend and owner of a road construction company who sometimes hired Fidrych. He was 54.

“Everybody wanted him on their crew,” Amorello said in a telephone interview. “He was a hard worker, but, at the same time, he always had a smile on his face.”

Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said Fidrych was found at about 2:30 p.m. Monday in his hometown about 35 miles west of Boston, the victim of an apparent accident. He appeared to have been working on the truck, Early said. His office declined to release further details.

Amorello, owner of A.F. Amorello & Sons, said he had stopped by the farm to chat with Fidrych.

“We were just, in general, getting started for the [road building] season this week and it seems as though his truck was going to be needed. It looked like he was doing some maintenance on it,” Amorello said. “I found him under the truck. There’s not much more I can say. I dialed 911 and that’s all I could do.”

Fidrych was a curly-haired right-hander who was nicknamed “The Bird” because of his resemblance to the

Big Bird character on the Sesame Street TV show.

He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA and 24 complete games in 29 starts.

Stats only told part of the story that season. The Tigers weren’t very good then, and were barely drawing 10,000 fans per game when Fidrych made his first start on May 15.

His antics and success quickly made him a local sensation, and huge crowds started showing up at Tiger Stadium to see him. A complete-game win on ABC-TV’s “Monday Night Baseball” against the Yankees in late June made him a nationwide phenomenon, with teammates rushing to greet him after the last out and fans calling him back from the clubhouse for a final salute.

Less than three weeks later, he started the All-Star game for the American League in Philadelphia. Though the likes of Pete Rose, Catfish Hunter and Johnny Bench had accumulated far greater career statistics, no player created more interest that night at Veterans Stadium than Fidrych.

Injuries, however, limited him to 58 major league games with a 29-19 record and a 3.10 ERA. “The entire Detroit Tigers organization was saddened to learn of the passing of former player Mark Fidrych today,” the Tigers said in a statement. “Mark was beloved by Tigers fans and he was a special person with a unique personality. The Tigers send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

Fidrych attempted a comeback in 1982 and 1983 in the Boston Red Sox organization. He pitched for their Triple-A team in Pawtucket, R.I. But he never played in the majors after 1980 and retired in July 1983.

The Worcester, Mass., native later owned a trucking business. State police detectives are investigating the circumstances of his death, Early said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO In this Oct. 3, 1976 file photo, Detroit Tigers’ pitcher Mark Fidrych delivers a pitch during a playoff game with the Brewers, in Milwaukee, Wis. Fidrych was the American League rookie of the year in 1976 when he went 19-9 with a 2.34 earned run average.

Local news briefs: Higher gas prices, fewer newspapers Gas prices increase by 3 percent

Rochester Eccentric among others to cease publication

AAA Michigan said gasoline prices have risen 3 cents per gallon over the past week to a statewide average of $2.03.

Several non-daily newspapers owned by Gannett Co. Inc. in Oakland County have announced they will cease or merge publications May 31.

The auto club said Monday the statewide average is $1.40 per gallon lower than last year at this time.

Of the cities it surveys, AAA Michigan says the cheapest price for self-serve regular fuel is in the Traverse City area, where it is $1.96 a gallon. The highest average price can be found in the Ann Arbor area at $2.05.

Howard Yanes/Associated Press

Gas prices returned to above $2 this week.

The statewide average for biodiesel is $2.25 and $1.88 for ethanol.

The Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Troy and Rochester editions of the Eccentric will close. The Southfield edition and the Observer & Eccentric group’s Mirror newspaper will merge into a multi-community Sunday newspaper called the South Oakland Eccentric.

The company says it will cut 44 jobs as a result of the closings and consolidations.

The newspaper company will continue to publish the Observer Newspapers and Hometown Weekly Newspapers in western Wayne and Oakland counties.

The Observer & Eccentric and Mirror newspapers, which had been part of HomeTown Communications Network Inc., were sold in 2005 to Gannett Co. Inc. Source: The Associated Press

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

LOCAL/11

Legislation passes for more benefits

New bill extends state unemployment pay for seven more weeks

by KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN Associated Press Writer

Greg DeRuiter/ AP Photo/Lansing State Journal

Gov. Jennifer Granholm with Lansing Community College student Zabrina Lechner as she tells her story as a she tries to get ahead during tough economic times in the state of Michigan at an event Thursday, March 26. Granholm held a town hall meeting in Lansing to discuss the federal Recovery Act with local residents.

LANSING — Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed legislation Monday extending unemployment benefits for seven weeks.

The governor said during a bill-signing ceremony at the Capitol that jobless workers can now receive benefits for up to 79 weeks while they look for work.

“This was a bipartisan effort to step forward and help those in need,” Granholm said of legislators passing the bill quickly.

Michigan has the nation’s highest unemployment rate at 12 percent.

Jobless workers already were eligible for 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits, 33 weeks of federal help and 13 weeks of extended benefits. Those extended benefits will now be available for 20 weeks. They’re being paid for by the federal Recovery Act. The state estimates more than 200,000 Michigan workers will have received

extended benefits by year’s end, with 70,000 qualifying by the end of April.

About 584,000 people were unemployed in February, the most recent month’s data available, although not all were collecting unemployment benefits.

Last month, Michigan’s maximum weekly unemployment benefit was raised temporarily from $362 to $387 with help from the federal Recovery Act. The extra money will disappear in July 2010.

The governor urged lawmakers to pass two more bills that would expand unemployment benefits to more people. The first would let the unemployed get job training without having to prove they’re looking for work, and the second would allow some part-time workers to get unemployment checks.

If those pass, the state could get an additional $140 million to cover the cost of the expanded benefits, Granholm said.

Both measures have been introduced in the House but haven’t passed the House or the Senate.

12/LOCAL

www.oaklandpostonline.com

April 15, 2009

Detroit budget plan seeking 334 total layoffs As the city faces difficult financial times, nearly $42 million in salary and wages are cut “We’re at a situation right now where we’re already running pretty lean government.”

cases.

Cockrel and Detroit businessman and professional basketball Hallof-Famer Dave Bing are pitted in a DETROIT — Faced with May 5 runoff election to complete a bulging budget deficit, Kilpatrick’s second term in office.

Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. The eight-member council on released a budget Monday Monday asked Cockrel questions that calls for 334 layoffs and about his plan and will review the slashing 509 vacant jobs. budget for approval. The new fiscal The cuts would trim the Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. year begins July 1. city’s budget for the next To cut down on the number of fiscal year by $42 million in layoffs, Cockrel has also proposed salaries and wages.

The proposed layoffs are the result of failed efforts to get a retirement incentive to city employees with 30 or more city unions to agree to a 10-percent wage cut, Cockrel said. years of service. The one-time offer will include a payout of 85 percent on banked sick days, up from 60 percent.

“For every position that we reduce or eliminate I know That plan will be put into effect in May, he said. that it does not just affect one individual, it affects an The job cuts are across a number of city departments, entire family,” he told the Detroit City Council. “That is Cockrel told reporters following the presentation. why I have asked our unions to work with the city in pre“We’re at a situation right now where we’re already runserving jobs by making joint sacrifices.” ning pretty lean government,” he said. “If we had to really Cockrel’s budget presentation came at a difficult finanhit a particular department very hard, it would probably cial time for the city. After moving up from city council be a question at this point of cutting bone, and we tried to president to take over for ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick avoid doing that.” in September, Cockrel inherited jumbled and incomplete Some unfilled public safety positions will be cut, but financial records and a deficit pegged at upward of $300 there are no planned layoffs of police officers or firefightmillion. ers, Cockrel said.

Kilpatrick resigned as part of plea deals in two criminal

By COREY WILLIAMS Associated Press Writer

CARLOS OSORIO/Associated Press

Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel said failed efforts to get the city’s unions to take a 10 percent wage cut will result in 334 layoffs.

“I have asked our unions to work with the city in preserving jobs by making joint sacrifices,” Cockrel said.

www.oaklandpostonline.com

April 15, 2009 the M

12

x

September 17, 2008

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Are female celebrities giving women a bad name?

“No. Young girls look at them and know they shouldn’t behave like that.”

Jarvelle Paschall Junior, Political Science

Angelina Jolie

The Oscar-winning actress has taken a deep interest in international charitable projects. She donates a third of her income to charity.

“No. They’re just having fun.”

According to www.imdb.com

Oprah

Chelsea Ledesma Freshman, Undecided

“No. You’d have to assume she represents all women and they only represent a small group of women.”

Peter Piccirillo Senior, Communications

They aren’t all bad

Some of Hollywood’s ladies are more productive with their money and time.

This TV personality and philanthropist started the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa in 2007. The school is for gifted girls who wish to receive an education and decrease the numbers of poverty.

According to www.oprahschool.com

Pamela Anderson

The model and actress actively participates in the PETA organization. She is also working on her own line of eco-friendly body products.

According to www.pamelachannel.com

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THE OAKLAND POST

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8/CAMPUS

February 4, 2009

The Scene

(Left) Meadow Brook Ball attendees dance to Cupid’s “Cupid Shuffle” at the 2009 dance. (Below) A living statue greeted ballgoers as they entered Meadow Brook Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1. The human statue was among many of the entertaining activities the ball provided for OU students.

O A K L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

March 11, 2009

January 7, 2009

New president rocks 89X show

By Colleen J. Miller Managing Editor

He wears an Italia T-shirt to the office, but Oakland University’s new Student Body President Dan Evola and his bandmates dressed in slacks, button downs and ties for their New Year’s Eve concert.

The Madison Opera took the stage just after 8 p.m. as partygoers were just starting to trickle into the massive ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn.

The opening spot for the 89X New Year’s Eve Rock ‘N’ Roll Bash was up for grabs to local bands. But first, The Madison Opera had to battle it out at 89X Battle of the Bands held at TNT’s Bar in Clinton Township. The Madison Opera made it through all three rounds, spanning three Saturdays in December.

“There were several really good bands [battling],” said Evola, the band’s guitarist, singer and OU’s newest student body president. “I thought we played one of the best shows we’ve ever played. We were spot on. I don’t think there was one mistake and we had a great crowd there.”

Evola said TNT’s was packed on the final night of the battles and about a third of the people there were Madison Opera fans. The crowd was much thinner during their early set on New Year’s Eve, but Evola said it was cool just to say they played such a big event.

In addition to running the show on the local rock circuit, Evola succeeded Steve Clark as student body vice president in late November after Clark resigned to pursue his soccer career. Evola has big plans for his new position and for his burgeoning band.

Photo courtesy of Ronda Evola

A band of friends

oakland University’s new Student Body President Dan evola per-

forms with his band The Madison opera at St. Andrews Hall.

The Madison Opera has been together in its current form almost a year and is releasing its first EP in mid-January. With six tracks, it will be sold for $5 old bands called Opus Podunk … That didn’t work out online, at shows and in some local stores. “Stinger,” a and we brought in [Trombley] from my old band who track off the new EP, hit the airwaves Sunday night on I’ve been playing with since I was 13 years old and it’s the 89X Homeboy Show as the bands’ radio debut. been going great ever since,” Evola said.

Their style is eclectic; described by Evola as “radio“I’ve been [playing music with Evola] six years now friendly rock,” with tastes of pop, blues and reggae. and I love every second of it,” Trombley said.

They play mostly original music, but have been known Schram found Evola online last year after his brother to do covers. saw Evola perform with the Links.

“We tend to do covers that are kind of funny,” Evola “He wrote me an e-mail and we got together and said. For example, they covered “Umbrella” by Rihanna things kind of clicked,” Evola said. at the last couple of shows they played and used to do Megan Avery, a senior elementary education major at “Baby one more time” by Britney Spears. The CD may Detroit Mercy was front and center at the New Year’s only have six songs, but Evola said that they actually Eve show. A good friend of Schram, she goes to most of have more material than they can play right now.

The Madison Opera’s concerts.

Evola describes The Madison Opera as a power trio “[Schram] found Dan and Ryan and it was like the with Ryan Trombley on drums, Stefan Schram on bass greatest thing,” Avery said. and vocals, and himself on guitar and vocals.

She credits the band’s recent success to the way the Trombley and Evola were in another band together, three of them work together. “I honestly think that Dan the Links, and reunited for Madison Opera. has a lot more drive than the guys that [Schram] used “We initially used a drummer from one of [Schram’s] to be with,” Avery said

O A K L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

By AMANDA MEADE

The new film “Watchmen” might just look like another superhero movie. That is, if you haven’t read the graphic novel from which it was adapted.

After opening Friday, March 6, “Watchmen” came in No. 1 at the box office in its opening weekend, raking in $55,655,000, according to boxofficemojo.com.

The movie is based on the graphic novel that is about as old as most Oakland University students. Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, the novel is set in 1985 and follows former vigilantes and the conspiracy they find themselves in.

The Oakland Post was included in a conference call on Thursday, March 5 with the director of “Watchmen,” Zack Snyder.

Several attempts have been made to re-create the graphic novel on the silver screen, yet all were unsuccessful, with none making it to final production. “Watchmen” has been referred to as the “unfilmable film” by cnn.com.

“When they first called me, there was no way I could do it, figure it out,” Snyder said.

But, Snyder said he feared that if the movie was made without him, it would be too much of a PG-13 “sequel-able” film.

Snyder said he wanted to keep the film from becoming a typical superhero movie.

“In the studio’s mind, that’s a safe and cool idea, a formulaic superhero movie,” he said.

Snyder also said he worried that if he wasn’t involved in the movie it wouldn’t be as graphically violent, which was essential to the film version of the graphic novel.

“The violence in ‘Watchmen’ is specific in a way to provoke thought,” he said.

The director said that he feels the novel talks about how superhero politics and power are similar.

“The movie asks who polices the police or watches the watchers or gods gods,” Snyder said. “I think it takes on American pop culture from a distance. The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

Snyder said it’s difficult to accept as a society that the way our stories are told are from comics.

“It’s all about the culture accepting that this is our mythology. I think that’s the biggest turn the culture has to make,” he said.

“I think that’s pretty obvious that this is a mythology.”

The director said he felt there was nothing intellectually lacking about superheroes.

An ‘enchanted’ night Nearly a year after Annie Johnson’s fiance Dan Driscoll proposed to her, the couple returned to Oakland University’s annual Meadow Brook Ball.

“It was a ‘this is where it all began’ kind of moment,” Johnson said about returning to the ball. “The mansion will now have a special place in our hearts and memories.”

Although there were no proposals this year at the ball Saturday Feb. 1, the theme was “Everything Enchanted: A Night of Endless Dreams.”

Students were offered a glimpse into their futures by a psychic palm reader.

Johnson said the palm reader was the highlight of her night. “Both our palms stated that our marriage will be long lasting with no divorce,” she said.

One of the mood-setting feature was the living statue who startled students

(Above) Face painting was among many of the activities students could participate in at the 2009 Meadow Brook Ball. Other activities included a psychic palm reader and Texas Hold ‘em tournament. (Right) After getting engaged nearly a year ago, OU students Annie Johnson and Dan Driscoll return to the annual Meadow Brook Ball.

Johnson said that Meadow Brook Hall will always be special to the couple.

“We also had our engagement photos taken on the meadow brook property around the mansion back in November since we couldn’t get any inside photos of Mr. Wilson’s study,” she said.

All photos by BROOKE HUG/ The Oakland Post

Hello Mr. President His new position as student body president has added to Evola’s responsibilities, but his band and co-workers alike seem confident in him.

“He’s definitely matured a lot with his position and he’s stepped into it,” said Amanda Vanderford, student program board chair. “He’s going to be a great leader.”

Janelle Arbuckle, a public relations agent for OUSC, has been working with Evola since May. “It’s a lot of hard work and he expects a lot out of us.

He’s humorous, but knows when to work too. I love my job because of who I get to work with,” she said.

His bandmates can even picture their guitarist as a student leader.

“He’s a leader and yet he’s a really friendly guy,” said Trombley. There’s no question for him that Evola is student body president material. “Of course, I mean it’s Dan Evola.”

by suddenly moving after standing stonestill.

The ball lasted from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and other activities included a tour of the mansion, a Texas Hold ‘em tournament, a body painter and a caricature artist.

But for a large number of attendees the DJ did not add to the enchantment.

Guests, like senior Lauren Tenney, said last year’s DJ was better, but didn’t let that ruin anything.

“We had a lot of fun dancing,” said Tenney, who was with her date, senior James Olekszyk.

First time attendee, junior Josh Beaghan agreed. “It was a fun night here with friends,” he said.

— Contributing Reporter Daniel Stecher and Editor in Chief Lindsey Wojcik contributed to this report.

Meadow Brook Ball attendees bring down the pace for a slow dance.

A ‘club’ sport gets students wielding and swinging foam weapons

A student shops for dates and mates on matchmaking websites

YOU page 15

SPORTS page 18

MOUThing Off page 22

Local 12

www.oaklandpostonline.com

GOPs visit ‘Smalltown’

First ‘Brooksie Way’triumphs Thousands of area runners participate in the inagural event

By Katelyn StaniS Contributing Reporter

An estimated 4,000 people participated in the first Brooksie Way Half Marathon and 5K Race/Walk last Sunday, in Rochester Hills. The races began at the corner of Walton and Adams at 8 a.m. and ended at the Meadow Brook Hall.

Named in the memory of Brooks “Brooksie” Stuart Patterson, the son of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, the race gathered more runners than expected.

According to Patterson, the event was only expected to host 1,000 participants and four times that came out for the event. Patterson said most of the participation was derived through word of mouth and the association people had with his son who wanted to show their support.

“It started out as a quality of life event in Oakland County,” Patterson said.

His daughter-in-law and grandchildren participated in the event and Patterson said they were all extremely proud of and excited about the race.

The music of Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty” played as runners and walkers began the half-marathon and 5K race. The Brooksie Way was created to promote healthy and active lifestyles for Oakland County residents.

Citizens Bank employees volunteered at the event by setting up and maintaining water stations. The employees wanted to be involved with a wellness awareness program, especially with the youth of today not always being active.

“Play games with your arms and legs and not your fingers so much,” said Bob Peterson, Auburn Hills branch manager.

Medical teams stood by to provide medical assistance if needed. Exhaustion and dehydration are the main health risks associated for participants in races said the POH medical team — Dr. Todd Brown, Dr. Maybel Chu and Dr. Mike Remley.

“Health and fitness is something that the American population in general needs to focus on,” Remley said.

“Diabetes and high blood pressure are diseases exercise can help take care of.”

The Oakland County Police Department helped to block off streets

and maintain security and safety around the event.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard said he thinks Oakland County is working to create a community that is aware of and active in health and fitness.

“We have built athletic facilities in buildings like the main jail and administration headquarters,” Bouchard said.

Bouchard said through wellness incentive programs at work, employees who pledge to exercise are eligible for a $100 credit card.

To fight against youth obesity, Bouchard said getting more wellness programs into schools is fundamental.

Todd and Beth Delano with their toddler daughter Annabella heard about the event from friends who knew Brooksie and decided to make the 5K a family event.

“Annabella was ready. She woke up this morning and asked, ‘Which team am I on?’” Beth Delano said.

As a teacher in the Oxford School District, Delano is familiar with the rising issue of child obesity and said she and her husband are always playing with Annabella in the yard and trying to be an active family.

Scott Stanto was both a participant and training leader in The Brooksie Way. After undergoing three knee surgeries and one knee replacement, Stanto said he loves being involved in the race.

As training leader, Stanto prepared participants for the race by gradually walking up to ten miles.

Judy Marvin got involved with Crim Fitness Foundation, the co-sponsor of The Brooksie Way, when she retired.

“You set your own pace and own goal,” said Marvin. “It’s just wonderful.”

Along with runners, four handcyclists participated in a half marathon race.

Fourteen year old Adam Rose and has completed 18 races as a hand cyclist since he began competing at age 12. He took first place with a time of 1:01:33.

“I saw a hand cyclist at a Crim race my dad was in,” Rose said.

His father Don Rose said, “I said to KATELYN STANIS/The Oakland Post

See “Brooksie” on page 13

Water and sports drinks were available (top left) in large quantities to runners like tracy Rizer (top right). Rizer and other runners were handed foil at the end of long races in order to prevent the body from losing heat too rapidly. Hanson’s/Brook’s runners Brian Sell and Mike Killburg (bottom) finished second and fourth respectivley in the half marathon.

yOU ( )

THE OAKLAND POST

October 15, 2008

your stories your words your style your health

O A K L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

February 11, 2009

Volume 35, Number 19

YOU/15

Presidential candidate speaks at Freedom Hill shortly after RNC

At Freedom Hill Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights on Friday, a rally was held for supporters of John McCain.

McCain and his recently announced running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, gave speeches at the rally along with a host of McCain’s allies, including Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. When the staff at Freedom Hill began letting people into the rally at 3 p.m., the line already stretched out into the parking lot and weaved back around the outside of the amphitheatre.

Also outside of the venue, protesters held signs with sayings like “Support Our Troops, Not the War” and “Out of a Job Yet? Vote McCain” on them. Cars that headed to the McCain rally honked and shouted at the protesters in disagreement.

Rev. Rich Peacock, organizer for the group 11th Hour for Peace, was amongst the protesters. He said he thinks that America has had enough of war.

“If the escalation is going so well, why aren’t we bringing troops home faster?” said Peacock, regarding the military surge.

The times have been particularly tough on Michigan, Peacock added. “For seven years Michigan has had no help from Washington D.C.” Leigh Fifelski, of Ferndale, representing the protest group Progress Michigan, said that having McCain as president would be bad for Michigan’s economy.

Progress Michigan wants to educate people about McCain’s record on outsourcing.

“We’re also afraid that McCain will affect the jobs of the future for Michigan students,” Fifelski said. As she spoke, a car of people shouting at the protesters drove by holding a G.O.P. banner out its windows, albeit holding it backwards.

By the beginning of the rally, the crowd inside of Freedom Hill was already overflowing with excitement. Rows of people filling the seats began chanting the candidates’ names, waving “McCain/ Palin” signs and hitting together noisemakers. It was a true pep rally, complete with high school cheerleaders and

...an Erebus actor

New ‘Day in the Life’ series: We don’t just write the story, we live the story.

By Jared Purcell

Most people use Saturday evenings to escape the clutches of work or stress from the prior week. Many choose to hit the bar scene or maybe catch a movie with a group of friends.

However, I spent my Saturday night in a crude, dimly lit room wearing a black robe and a ton of makeup while screaming for people to die. Yes, ladies, I am single.

At Erebus haunted house, I was just one of 85 people on staff that Saturday night, working to make the Guinness Book of World Records largest indoor walk through haunted house a success.

The Ambition

The Arrival

12

Photos provided by MARY BONSER

ed Terebus and I share a laugh as we talk about my experience scaring people in erebus. My hair matted and my makeup running from sweat, I could only think of one thing: “Mission accomplished.”

The Big Daddy While I was waiting on my turn in the makeup chair, Terebus shared some of the history of his business with me.

Terebus and his brother, James, founded Erebus in 2000. In fact, Ed said that they got more than they bargained for.

“We looked for a building for 10 years and we finally found this one in downtown Pontiac,” Terebus said. “It didn’t have to be Pontiac but we wanted two stories and plenty of parking. This one is four stories — three up, one down — and we have a 3,000 car parking garage across the street.”

When it was time to get in the chair, Terebus gave me a preview of what I was going to be doing and a bit of advice.

“We are going to put you in a spot — it’s

the M

going to be relatively easy. We’re going to give you some props to work with, some things to do and buttons to push.”

Props! I thought I’d just be standing in a corner and jumping out at people. Things had gotten even better.

The Transformation I was introduced to Lee Hagedorin, the makeup artist. Hagedorin is also a prop and set designer and helps out with other things around the house.

Painting 45-50 faces a night, Hagedorin has his work cut out for him.

“This time of year, it’s pretty much 24/7,” Hagedorin said about the workload. “There is just so much to do.”

Luckily, he is fast at what he does. He said it usually takes six to 12 minutes to get someone made-up depending on how visible they will be in the house.

Hagedorin began dabbing a base layer of blue paint on my face and it actually felt pretty nice. I told him that it felt pretty relaxing and he said that was a common thing.

“A lot of people say that actually,” Hagedorin said. “I’ve had a couple kids

x

start to fall asleep in my chair. They literally just mellow out and almost nod off.”

In less than 15 minutes, I was painterd and ready to dress up.

He left to go get me a robe and I leaned closer to the mirror for a better look.The reflection I saw was so unfamiliar that I practically scared myself.

He came back with a big, black, ratty looking robe that I accidentally put on backwards at first and then tore a bit when trying to turn it around.

“It’s OK,” Hagedorin said about the tear, “It happens.”

The fact that I can hardly see without my glasses and it being pretty dark in the house made it extremely difficult to see.

Still, I had to play my role. I was a dungeon master who gets to pull a lever that releases a bed of spikes right up to the noses of innocent people. Awesome.

I found a voice I never knew I was capable of producing to help lure unsuspecting people into my death trap. The pure adrenaline rush I got from the screams of terrified strangers felt strangley incredible.

Girlfriends grasping boyfriends; boyfriends grasping girlfriends. I was racking up scares like I invented them.

After 30 minutes, I was sweating bullets, my makeup was running and my vocal chords were screaming uncle.

Lee came to retrieve me from the house and complimented me on my last scare of the night. I felt like a million bucks.

I met up with Terebus again and thanked him for the experience. But his generosity didn’t end there. I got a free walk-through of the haunted house.

After walking through the house, I realized how much of a rookie I was. Actors were popping out at every turn from all different directions.

I hopped into my car and headed towards home — with my makeup still on.

I caught one driver off guard at a stoplight and then they laughed it off.

With my adrenaline finally lowering, and my throat hurting, I felt like I had gotten the full experience of what it was to spend a day in the life of an Erebus actor.

April 1, 2009

Here I am at the beginning of the makeup process. Lee Hagedorin was my makeup artist and has been working with Erebus for eight years. He tries to come up with a new idea each time someone sits in the chair. I was wearing a hat so my hair wouldn’t get in the way. Lee quickly dabbed on a base layer of blue. The paint was very cool to the skin and actually felt really good. I could almost feel my skin exfoliating.

“Positive. Allows you to stay in touch with old friends and make new ones with the same interests. It’s also good for future job opportunities.”

Kevin Swift Sophomore, information technology

“Positive, because you can interact with other students who go to OU and other schools.”

Valentina Yousif Senior, elementary education

“It has a positive affect over all. Makes it easier to keep in touch with people.”

www.oaklandpostonline.com

October 22, 2008

SPORTS/21

Which basketball game are you most looking forward to?

AMBER DIETZ/The Oakland Post

Midnite Madnezz rocks O’Rena

By Tim RaTh Sports Editor

The lights went down, smoke filled the entryways and the screeching vocals of AC/DC’s Brian Johnson were heard throughout the O’Rena as Oakland University students were introduced to the men’s and women’s basketball teams at an event that lived up to its name.

OU hosted Midnite Madnezz Friday at the O’Rena with the help of the Detroit Pistons Flight Crew, Hooper, Grizz and the OU dance and cheerleading teams.

An after party ensued at P-16 in surrounding parking lots in front of a large crowd of students and fans.

The event, based on a tradition which began in 1970 with Maryland head coach Lefty Driesell, the first official time that college basketball teams are allowed to hold practices according to NCAA regulations (midnight on Oct. 18), drew wide praise from those who participated.

“It was exciting and fun,” said freshman Ilija Milutinovic, a center on the men’s basketball team who came to OU

from Serbia after a national recruiting process. “I’ve never been a part of an event like this. We have families coming over with teammates, we have some laughs and tell jokes. It’s all fun.”

Men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe said that the talent brought on by a much-heralded freshman class brings new challenges to the team.

“We’ve got to figure a way to mesh the veterans with the young guys and get the young guys some experience, but we’ll be fine,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a big year.”

Women’s basketball head coach Beckie Francis said that a key to a hot start would be sustaining the momentum from Midnite Madnezz.

“We’re just trying to stay excited,” she said. “It’s easy to be excited now, we have to keep that going for three weeks.”

Both teams began full practices over the weekend. The men’s basketball season begins on the road at Cleveland State Nov. 15, while the women host an exhibition game Nov. 9 against Western Ontario.

“Michigan and Michigan State at The Palace.”

Jermaine Conaway Freshman, business

AMBER DIETZ/The Oakland Post

Red-shirt junior women’s basketball player aubrey Freshour greets the near-sellout crowd after being introduced at midnite madnezz to a soundtrack of ‘80s heavy metal.

“Rochester. I’m going to go and watch OU win.”

Rosalyn Calvaneso Senior, English

“I just transferred over here, so I’m looking forward to them all.”

Haylie Kujawa Junior, English

AMBER DIETZ/The Oakland Post

above, Oakland University basketball fans party amidst a cloud of smoke in the P-16 lot prior to midnite madnezz Friday. at right, junior John Kast gets some serious hangtime before a dunk.

THE OAKLAND POST

THE OAKLAND POST Volume 33, Number 60

June 11, 2008

Volume 35, Number 10

Photos on this page provided by Mary Bonser

After only a minute or two, Hagedorin brought out his paint brushes and began to start the main part of my transformation into a zombie-like executioner. What I found interesting is how he used his hand as his color pallet. The paint is washable and skin-safe so don’t use your hand as a pallet for your oil landscape painting — it could get messy.

Creating a Monster Cover photo by Dustin Alexander

Getting deeper into the transformation process. Hagedorin told me that the essential guideline to creating a good character: “It’s making people not look like people,” he said. “As soon as somebody looks human, they associate it and the scare is gone.”

Mouthing Off Anatomy of a bus accident The views expressed in Mouthing Off do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Oakland Post

Do you feel the increased reliance and use of social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook is positive or negative?

Angelina Bray Sophomore, nursing

next to me.”

She talked of her own record as a political maverick by getting rid of things that were unnecessary, like the governor’s private jet and chef.

When, at last, it was time for McCain to take the stage, he said of Palin, “I’m so happy to be introduced by her, and I can’t wait to introduce her to Washington D.C.” Among McCain’s talking points were his plans to take on pork barrel politics and special interest groups in Washington. “Never again will we spend $3 million to study the DNA of berries in Montana.”

McCain also laid out his plans to have energy independence from foreign oil within ten years. Among his energy plans were those to get cheap nuclear power and oil from offshore drilling.

McCain concluded with a final bit of straight talk: “I need to win the State of Michigan.”

He added, “I will never let you down, and I will always put my country first.”

I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeVille.

A little hair dye (even on my beard) and I’m ready to scare the living daylights out of anyone who dares approach me.

Eat your heart out Freddy and Jason, there is a new fright master on the block.

www.oaklandpostonline.com

November 12, 2008

www.oaklandpostonline.com

“Positive, because Facebook isn’t like MySpace, people usually don’t friend strangers and I think it’s easier to find people from your classes.”

return home from the prison camps until all the other soldiers could come home as well. He went into detail about McCain’s time being tortured and put in solitary confinement.

“They may have broken a few bones, but John McCain was never broken,” O’Dell said.

O’Dell said that he trusted McCain to lead so much that, “If he told me to go jump off that building because there’s a logical reason to do so, I might just go do that.”

After much anticipation and fanfare by the captivated audience, McCain and Palin finally arrived at the Freedom Hill stage accompanied by the song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. Palin was the first to speak.

“We went straight from the convention to Smalltown, USA,” Palin said.

Palin used much of her speech to attack Barack Obama’s record on things like the war in Iraq. “Our opponent has said that the surge has succeeded in ways no one predicted, but there is one man who predicted it and he’s standing

The final touches are being made as Lee adds fake blood to my face. There can never be enough blood, right?

Throughout this whole process, even though I’m facing a mirror, I can’t see myself because my sight is terrible without my glasses. I’m really anxious to get a closer look in the mirror.

The Mission

Terebus, one of the founders of Erebus.

Terebus, a 28-year veteran of the haunt business, took me upstairs to the staff break room where actors and workers go to relax or get ready to head into the house.

On the way up the stairs, screams echoed through the dim stairwell as people walking through the house became victims to one of the many scares Erebus has to offer.

marching bands working up the audience.

Cox was the first speaker to take the stage and began speaking about his time as a marine and how he looked up to McCain as a hero. He repeatedly honored the sacrifices made by war veterans throughout his speech.

“There are those who talk about peace, and those who actually make peace,” Cox said, “and there’s no one in the world who’s ever made more peace than the armed forces of the United States of America.”

He criticized Barack Obama for not being supportive enough of the war in Iraq and not voting for the military surge. “Those who worship at the false god of peace only lead to appeasement,” he said.

Lt. Col. Digger O’Dell, a retired marine and Vietnam prisoner of war, took the stage later, but joked that Cox had stolen his speech. “He is probably more knowledgeable on John than I am, and I was in the prison camps with him.”

O’Dell talked about McCain’s refusal to

The Post asks

O A K L A N D U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

You/Local Editor

From my house, Woodward gives me a straight shot to my destination. When I was five miles away, I noticed the bright spotlight at Erebus shining in the sky. I felt like the three wise men following the Christmas star — except my destination was far less peaceful.

When I arrived at Erebus, the line to get in was five people wide and wrapping around the exterior of the building and beyond. Luckily, I wasn’t waiting in line.

I met up with fellow Oakland Post staff member Rory McCarty and Mary Bonser.

They volunteered to assist me in documenting the evening and to get a chance to walk through Erebus — and hopefully make it out alive.

We walked in through the back doors and met a security worker who radioed Ed

ub

Stephan Savoia/associated press

McCain addresses the crowd at Freedom Hill amphitheatre in Sterling Heights on Friday. He said “I will never let you down” to his supporters.

October 15, 2008

A day in the life of...

So, how and why did I get myself into such a position?

Well, I’ve always enjoyed the Halloween season. The decorations, the candy, the costumes, the scaring — all of it makes for a great holiday.

This year, I wanted to take my scare tactics to a new level. That is when Erebus came into the picture. Four stories high, proclaimed as the largest haunted house in the world — there aren’t many other places with better credentials for me to try, right?

11

Senior Reporter

November 5, 2008

www.oaklandpostonline.com

14

www.oaklandpostonline.com

www.oaklandpostonline.com

By RoRy McCaRty

As we wrap up production for the winter semester, The Oakland Post would like to thank readers for making this another memorable year. We hope you have enjoyed our coverage.

Stay with us throughout the summer on www.oaklandpostonline.com. Plus, stop by campus to grab our summer print editions.

October 8, 2008

“Dumbing ourselves down by making superheroes — I don’t believe that’s true.”

Snyder had to adapt many different superheroes from the graphic novel to the film.

“I think the most difficult character to realize is Dr. Manhattan, but in some ways it’s more rewarding,” he said. “I discovered Dr. Manhattan is a super emotional character. He’s a dark and sad god.”

The director read “Watchmen” in 1988.

The conflict in the end of the novel between Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach especially affected Snyder.

“When I read it in the graphic novel I was so overwhelmed with philosophy. That scene for me was emotional, these characters coming to this conclusion,” said Snyder.

“That’s no longer philosophy, it’s two characters, a different emotional feeling.”

Snyder said he wanted a cast to reflect the ideas he had when reading the novel.

“They’re not different characters from what I had in mind,” he said. “It was just about trying to find characters that reminded me of the graphic novel.”

“Watchmen” is now in theaters.

Local

An Oakland Post Retrospective Student, Army specialist ships video games overseas for troops’ morale

Photos courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures

Above, “Watchmen” hit theaters Friday, March 6 and is currently No. 1 at the box office. Below, director of “Watchmen” and “300” Zack Snyder.

September 10, 2008

2008-2009

Volume 35, Number 5

23

Scene/Mix Editor

“I’d have to say that this [band] feels a little more right. I actually feel like they’re my brothers. It’s pretty strange because I’ve known them shorter than the other guys [from other bands],” Schram said.

While driving to the New Year’s Eve show, stopped at a red light, the guys “had a moment” when they heard their band name in an advertisement for the party on 89X. “We heard our name on the radio, that was really weird,” Schram said. “It seriously felt like we were family. We did a little jumping in the car.”

For Evola, it all started at a young age with the help of his parents. According to his mom, Ronda Evola, his music career got a slow start.

“We bought him a guitar because he really wanted it and he thought he would pick it up and play it. When he realized it wasn’t instant gratification, that he had to actually work at it … he was like, ‘I don’t like this, I want to sell it,’” she recalled. “I said to him, ‘One day you’re going to want that guitar so if you put it in your closet, one day it’s going to call to you and you’ll never put it back.’ And that’s exactly what happened and had I sold that guitar life would be different. Truly, he got it out one day when he was bored and he never put it down.”

With a show booked for January, radio play, a CD on its way and the positive feedback from fans, Evola is optimistic about the band’s future — but practical.

“I’m always hoping that the music thing takes off but obviously I do have another plan which is why I am here in school,” he said. “To be successful in anything you need an education. I think that’s just as true for music, music is an industry, it is a business.”

If stardom doesn’t pan out for the band, Evola said he’s interested in going into broadcasting, which is why he is majoring in communications at OU. One thing is certain though for Evola, “I know I don’t want to be a doctor or a lawyer.”

THE OAKLAND POST October 1, 2008

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Don’t flunk the Rorschach test

Volume 35, Number 12

November 19, 2008

www.oaklandpostonline.com

10

13

by aManda Meade & cOlleen Miller Scene/Mix Editor & Copy Editor

Twitt•er•ati: Similar to the paparazzi, known as the “Tweet Elite” post random tweets from prominent Tweeters.

Many Twitter accounts are created for fake people, or people pretending to be celebrities. A man from Michigan recently made a Twitter account for Dina Lohan.

News organizations like the Free Press and The Oakland Post utilize Twitter for posting up-to-date news and events.

Max Simler Freshman, undecided Mugshots/AMBER DIETZ Graphics/TWITTER.COM/AMAZON.COM/ BROOKE HUG

What are the odds of being in a bus while it rails into an SUV? We have no idea, but we are sure it’s so slim that we should feel very, very special.

Actually, in 2006 there were 12,362 buses involved in crashes according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. They are still counting the buses for 2007. We guess that the odds of us being in a bus crash, on our round trip bus ride to the shopping center, were much higher than dying in the round trip plane ride to Kansas City for the National College Media Convention, almost two weeks ago.

1.

The moments before

at least we were sitting down on the way back or our managing editor would have realized one of his worst fears for the trip: his employees splattered on Main Street. We were standing right in front of the windshield on the way to our shopping extravaganza that included stops at a crayon store, a toy store and a store that only sold glittery stuff for 11year-olds. Thankfully, between the two of us we bought two Wizard of Oz shot glasses, cheap sun glasses

2.

and a hideous orange necklace on clearance — otherwise the whole experience would have been completely fruitless.

We were in the front row behind the driver talking about how weird it would be if we got in a bus accident. With a perfect view out the windshield, you could see a vehicle accelerating through the upcoming intersection. Yes, the same intersection we were about to truck through at about 35 mph.

3.

25

The wait

Economy?

2. Iraq?

A. Withdraw one or two brigades per month until they all are out by 2010 B. Troops should stay until Iraqi forces can defend the country on their own

5.

3.

More waiting

The smell of ammonia from the man’s pants across the aisle was starting to get to us, and text messages from our fellow staff members wanting to know when we were going to dinner bombarded our phones. Sorry you guys were hungry, but have a little compassion, we just escaped our deaths.

Paramedics had to beg a few passengers to be taken to the hospital, even though they weren’t critically injured. The semi-hurt people were reluctant. We actually considered lying about an injury to go to the hospital just to get the hell off the bus.

The walk

Health care?

A. Americans could keep the insurance they have or buy into a government health care plan for people who can’t afford it B. Provide tax credits to make health insurance more affordable

4.

Taxes?

A. Lower taxes for low and middle income families; raise taxes for families making $250,000/ year; repeal Bush tax cuts B. Don’t raise any taxes and make Bush tax cuts permanent

Campus Editor

5. Energy?

Mandatory cap and trades, reduce dependence on foreign oil, tougher fuel efficiency standards and: A. $150 billion to promote wind, solar and biofuel B. $2 billion in clean coal technology and 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030

6. Economic crisis?

A. Immediate tax cuts for low income homeowners and seniors and a 90-day freeze on foreclosures B. Purchase troubled mortgages from financial institutions and restructure them at a reduced price

7.

Education?

A. Free community college; $4,000 in tuition tax credits in exchange for 100 hours of community service B. Simplify higher education tax benefits and fix student lending programs

8.

Abortion?

A. There should be comprehensive sex education and women should have the right to choose B. Overturn Roe v. Wade; teach abstinence

9. Death penalty?

A. States should decide; narrow, limited, welldefined circumstances where the death penalty is applicable B. Expand the federal death penalty and limit appeals

If you answered ...

The impact

We did the “Woah” yell several seconds before the bus driver hit the brakes, and braced ourselves and watched as the bus t-boned the other vehicle and listened to the windshield pop and shatter. even though everybody was sitting, one woman was too distracted by her phone conversation and went flying down the aisle. Too bad her ass wasn’t as stuck to her seat as her phone was to her hand, because she hung onto that celly the entire time.

Waiting to see whether our bus driver was actually still alive, we were surprised to realize no one seemed critically injured. The driver of the SUV stepped out of the vehicle, along with a small child and a woman, which we could only guess was his family. Glad to know that the lives of loved ones and a bus full of random strangers weren’t worth the two-minute stop at a red light.

By Sean Garner

What should we do about ...

A. Invest in America’s infrastructure; give tax credits for research & development; tax big oil companies B. Lower corporate tax rates from 35% to 25%; cut government spending; extend Bush tax cuts

4.

Finally, after about a half an hour, we were released from our close call. The driver offered the passengers another bus to board, but we preferred to hoof it. For some reason, our insisting to walk offended the bus driver, and the men sitting behind us joked and asked “what are the chances” this would happen again. Funny, we were just asking ourselves what were the chances of being in the first bus accident.

ELECTION FEATURE/17

oaklandpostonline.com

October 29, 2008

oaklandpostonline.com

Which Candidate Suits You? Where the other candidates stand See if you are closer to Obama or McCain on the issues in this election 1.

instantly, the bus driver notified us that we were all going to have to stay on the bus until a police officer came and took all of our names and information. Yes, because all we wanted to do was remain on the transportation that had just smacked into another vehicle. Who knows what types of explosives were spewing out around us while the engine kept running. after three different officials made their way around the bus, each asking our names, ages and addresses, we still weren’t free to go.

—design and illustrations by nick degel —photos by colleen Miller and dustin alexander

16/ELECTION FEATURE

Mostly A, you are leaning democrat

Somewhere in between...

Based on your responses, you may want to vote for the Obama-Biden ticket.

You still have time to decide, but not much.

10.

Gay marriage?

A. Allow civil unions, leave gay marriage licensing up the the states B. Oppose gay marriages and civil unions

11. Immigration?

Secure the borders and: A. Crack down on employers, promote employment in Mexico B. Electronically screen for work eligibility in real time; eliminate the family backlog.

12.

Second Amendment?

A. Ban semi-automotic and automatic firearms; leave gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed with firearms B. Safeguard the Second Amendment and protect gun manufacturers from civil lawsuits

When voters reach the part of the ballot on Nov. 4 where they are asked their choice for the next president, the first two choices they see will likely be very familiar. The rest might not be so recognizable.

There will be several presidential candidates on the ballot in Michigan, and while they are virtually guaranteed to lose, that does not mean they cannot make an impact. Since the formation of the modern two-party system before the Civil War, no candidate not endorsed by the Republican or Democratic parties has ever won the election. However, several candidates have pushed members of the two major parties into embracing some of their views, and a few have even affected the results of the election.

Both Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt once ran for the presidency as third-

party candidates, and in recent elections, third party candidates have been a compelling variable. Many people say Green Party candidate Ralph Nader cost Al Gore the staggeringly close 2000 election, claiming he extracted enough votes from liberal voters to allow George W. Bush to win office. Ironically, many claim Bush’s father, George H.W., was the victim of a similar fate eight years earlier when Reform Party candidate H. Ross Perot might have played a hand in Bill Clinton’s win.

This year, there are four third party candidates who will be on the ballot in most states. Nader will be running again, this time as an independent. The other major third party candidates include: former Georgia congressman Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party, Baptist minister Chuck Baldwin of the Constitutional Party, and former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney of the Green Party. All of the information on the candidates’ views was interpreted from their campaign websites and ontheissues.org.

The issues

13. Trade?

A. Renegotiate NAFTA and other trade agreements that undermine American competitiveness and to include stronger labor and environmental standards.

B. Expand NAFTA to other countries and expand free trade —Information compiled by Katie Jacob from the candidate’s websites, New York Times, Washington Post, Readers Digest, AP, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal and CNN.

Ralph nadeR

The waR in iRaq/ afghanisTan

enviRonMenT/ eneRgy

Mostly B, You are leaning Republican

eConoMy

Based on your responses, you may want to vote for the McCain-Palin ticket.

healTh CaRe —Design by Colleen Miller, Margaret Grace and Brittni Carter

Believes both wars are illegal and morally wrong. Wants all soldiers removed as soon as possible.

Opposes offshore drilling and favors initiatives encouraging the development of alternative energies.

Strongly opposes using explosives to alter the surface of the earth for the purpose of mining.

bob baRR Has long attracted the ire of fellow conservatives with his vocal opposition to Iraq. Wants an orderly withdrawal but thinks publicly announcing a timetable would threaten troop security.

Opposed to regulating energy companies. Favors exploration of domestic petroleum resources.

ChuCk baldwin

CynThia MCkinney

Would bring the troops home from Iraq using advice from commanders on the ground to set a “realistic” time table.

Wants to immediately remove troops from both countries. Proposed articles of impeachment against George W. Bush while in Congress.

No opinion available

Very Strongly opposed to the $850 billion bailout. Thinks it is indicative of a cozy relationship between corporations and the federal government that is dangerous to democracy.

Is opposed to almost all forms of government regulation or assistance to private industry. Believes every area of the federal government should have its budget cut.

Believes American economy is hurt by unfair trade policies which reward companies for exporting American jobs. Favors a tariff-based revenue system.

Strongly favors a universal healthcare system with the government being the single payer. While he wants the government to finance the system, he would prefer delivery be left to private non-profit organizations.

Believes programs like Medicaid and Medicare are unsustainable and says nationalized healthcare leads to rationing of medical care.

Says government intervention is unconstitutional and dangerous.

Opposed to further development of both petroleum and nuclear energy.

Wants to implement all the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol.

Believes the US has enough money but too much of it is being spent on unwise special projects. Thinks there need to be more worker unions to protect jobs from being outsourced.

Supports a single-payer insurance system with every medical treatment covered.

14

the

Mx

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

What does summer mean to you?

“It means going up north and enjoying the nice weather, meeting new people, experiencing new things, living life freely as much as I can and spending time with family.”

Edwin McLeod Senior, studio art/new media

What are you most excited for this summer?

“I am excited for my cousin’s wedding this summer, and a kid’s camp I work at for my church.”

“A break from homework and more sleep.”

Tyanna Moore Freshman, finance

Ligia Buia Freshman, undecided

“Woodstock ‘09 because it’s peace and love for three days in the wild and you get great music too.”

“Summer is kind of a time to relax and catch up on stuff you didn’t get to do over the year.”

Mirjana Tomovski Freshman, business

The concert season is approaching...

Yeah, you may not have extra cash to spend on entertainment, but why not splurge on a good show?

DEMF

May 23-25 @ The Hart Plaza www.demf.com

Michael Sawalha Freshman, nuclear medicine

Rothbury Festival July 2-5 Rothbury, Mich. www.rothbury.com

Warped Tour

July 31 @ Comerica Park www.warpedtour.com

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Would you rather...

“Receive it, because I want to get out of here as soon as possible, I’ve been here too long.”

Carrie Patterson Senior, studio art/new media

THE MIX/15

Attend your graduation ceremony or grab your diploma and run without a commencement?

“I’d rather walk because it’s the hyperness of people cheering that makes me feel like I did something.”

“Personally, I’d probably rather just get my diploma, it’s just walking across a stage and not that big of a deal to me.”

“I guess I’d rather just receive my diploma because I am really anxious about doing that sort of thing.”

Diana Taib Sophomore, physical therapy

Nick Rashid Freshman, undecided

Alexandra Allen Sophomore, English

yOU ( ) your stories your words your style your health

www.oaklandpostonline.com

16

April 15, 2009

Dog on duty Service pet helps blind student get to class and around campus

He started using a courtesy title for his dog to control kids who often come up and want to pet his furry guide. “Do not pet me, I am working,” reads the yellow After finding a chair for his owner sign attached to Mr. Ford’s harness. and tapping it with his nose, Mr. Ford Barber, who moved from Ohio to laid down and put his head on his paws.

Michigan in 1993, hasn’t always been The big German shepherd with thick blind. “For the first 12 years of my life fur belongs to Dave Barber, a junior I could see. Due to an inherited genetic Oakland University student. disorder, I lost my sight over time,” he Barber is blind and Mr. Ford is his said. leader dog. When Barber began studyAs a teening social work ager, Barber at OU in the learned to fall semester of find his way 2008, Leader around with a Dogs for the cane. Gregory Blind provided Grabowski, him with a president and mobility orientaCEO of Leader tion on campus.

Dogs for the The non-profit Blind, said organization that having with headquarexperience with ters in Rochester a cane helps Hills celebrated — Dave Barber those interested its 70th year in getting a of service this leader dog.

April and “The accelerated orientation mobility has trained nearly 14,000 leader dogs, class that we do with the white cane who are placed with blind or visually training — just to really kind of simplify impaired people. it down — potentially is a prerequisite Mr. Ford is one of them, and became to getting the leader dog, ‘cause you a leader dog and guide for Barber nine have to have good orientation mobility years ago. skills to start with before you get a dog,” “His job is to bring me from one point Grabowski said. to the other safely,” said the 52-yearold who graduated with honors from Oakland Community College last year with an associate degree in applied sci“Many times you will see the both of us ence, mental health and social work. He running across campus pulling my school also has an associate degree in applied bags on wheels,” said Barber about himscience, radio and television from Ohio self and Mr. Ford who guides him confiUniversity. dently from one building to the other.

Mr. Ford became Barber’s second offiWhile Mr. Ford helps Barber around cial service pet in 2000, after he retired campus, his wife, classmates or friends his first leader dog Mr. Brutus with give him a ride to school. whom he spent 12 years.

“Ford is such a good dog. He is so “I put Mr. in front of Ford because that excited [about] being at school, he doesn’t makes him more formal,” Barber said.

By WIBKE RICHTER Web Intern

“Many times you will see the both of us running across campus pulling my school bags on wheels.”

Getting around

BROOKE HUG/The Oakland Post

Oakland University student Dave Barber is one of 13,854 people that have benefited from Leader Dogs for the Blind, a Rochester Hills-based organization. His service pet, Mr. Ford, is one of the resources he has available to him to get around campus and enjoy a full college experience.

even say goodbye to me,” said Deirdre Barber, 48, about dropping off both Mr. Ford and her husband at OU. Barber also uses cab services or public transportation like the SMART buses to get to campus. “A nice bus shelter for those who have to wait in bad weather,” is his suggestion for an improvement on campus.

OU’s Office of Disability and Support Services has been another resource for Barber and other students with disabilities. Some of the services they offer are scanning and digitizing text books, computer stations with screen readers,

alternate testing, door openers, advising and campus orientation.

Barber takes notes on a talking electronic data assistant and audio records lectures with a cassette machine. For researching online and reading web sites, there is JAWS, a screen reading software. An application called Kurzweil 1,000 is available at Kresge library.

“This combination of hardware and software allows me to scan printed text and read the printed paper document via

See Mr. Ford on page 17

www.oaklandpostonline.com

April 15, 2009 Continued from page 16

About the Organization

Mr. Ford

Leader Dogs for the Blind was founded in April 1939 by three members of a Detroit area Lions Clubs who were unable to obtain a dog guide for a friend from any other source. Since then, the non-profit organization with headquarters in Rochester Hills has grown into one of the largest institutions of its kind. It has raised, trained and graduated 13,854 Leader Dogs which were placed with clients from 39 countries worldwide.

speech,” Barber said.

On the day of an exam, he takes the same test like all other students of his class. The only difference is that he uses different tools to prepare for it.

“It’s not ‘look at the poor blind person, we need to treat him differently’, it is ‘they have availed themselves to all these tools and so now, they are equal footing,’” said Grabowski about blind or visually impaired college students.

Leader Dog puppies are raised by volunteer puppy raisers for approximately one year in preparation for their lives as dogs guides. Volunteers who would like to raise a puppy, as well as the clients who want to be placed with a guide dog, have to apply.

Outside help

Even though Barber and Mr. Ford make a strong and harmonious team, sometimes situations occur when they need the support of others. Barber said he appreciates help, but asks people to approach him by saying who they are because their voices are the only way for him to remember them.

“Sometimes a person should come up and say ‘Hi, excuse me, do you need assistance?’ or come up to me and say ‘I see you’re traveling here, are you aware of where you’re at?’ Because the key is making sure to let the blind person as much as possible do for themselves,” he said. “It must be a dialog process between myself and the person providing assistance.”

Barber lives with his wife, his cat, Mr. Ford and a Shih Tzu. Barber’s mother-in-law calls the dogs “the elephant and the mouse” because of their size difference.

When the couple goes for a bike ride on their tandem,

YOU/17

Photo courtesy of Rick Smith

Greg Grabowski, president and CEO of Leader Dogs, with a student.

the animals stay at home, including Mr. Ford.

“There’s a lot of things I’d love to do if I could have my sight back, a lot of things I used to do when I had sight,” said Barber. However, he doesn’t necessarily miss the time when he could ride a bike by himself because now, he and his wife have the tandem.

“Well, it would be nice to have my sight back. It would be nice to have it back, because I once had it.

But, you know, when you’ve been doing this as long as I have, see ... relationships with people are more important than having sight back.”

There is also the possibility to adopt a dog who didn’t pass the training to become a leader dog. Leader Dogs refers to them as “career changed.” Due to the high interest in adopting career changed dogs, applicants can expect up to a two year wait.

For more information about Leader Dogs for the Blind, visit their website at www.leaderdog.org.

Source: Leader Dogs for the Blind website and brochures

Watch a video about Barber and Mr. Ford, plus read the stories of two other blind students at OU only on oaklandpostonline.com

Campaign Celebration It’s tIme to Celebrate — We reaChed our Goal!

Together We Made a Difference Join President russi, university leadership, the ou Golden Grizzlies band and fellow students, faculty, staff and donors for a brief program, video presentation and reception to celebrate the conclusion of the university’s first-ever comprehensive campaign.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 1:45 - 2:45 p.m. immediately following the Faculty recognition luncheon oakland Center Fireside lounge dessert and refreshments will be served.

INNoVatIoN aNd oPPortuNItY — The Campaign for Oakland University url-2868 4.09

Engineered for success www.oaklandpostonline.com

18/YOU

By Joe Guzman Senior Reporter

If there is one major most affected by the downfall of Detroit’s automakers it would be engineering. Continued downsizing is forcing engineering majors to compete with the laid-off masses.

Alex Pawlowski, an Oakland University senior majoring in mechanical engineering, is optimistic about finding a job when he graduates despite layoffs.

“I myself have no problem going out of state for a good job, but I am confident that I can find something right here.”

A member of the Oakland Robotics Association, Pawlowski said most of the talk within the department concerns the eventual upturn of the economy.

“Even though there are many layoffs at the car companies, many other companies are hiring engineers. As long as the country makes things there will be a need for engineering,” said Pawlowski.

Positive outlook

According to Pieter Frick, dean of OU’s School of Engineering and Computer

Science, employment opportunities for engineers almost always remain good.

“The engineering world tends to do well in bad times, always has and always will,” Frick said.

Thinking outside the auto

Engineering students are working toward a diverse degree. According to the Kathy Livelsberger, assistant director for OU Career Services, students might think that automotive is all there is in engineering, and not realize the extent of opportunities in energy or with the government.

Career Services works closely with companies such as General Dynamics, Techcom and DTE energy. Livelsberger said that DTE uses a co-op program as a feeder; using the time the student is an intern to judge how they fit and offer them a position if one becomes available.

In the last couple years Livelsberger has witnessed students who have joined their co-op program and transition into full-time employment. She said that 19 students were placed there in 2005-06, 25 in 2006-07, and 17 the following year.

“We actually met with them recently and they expect that trend to continue, even in these times,” Livelsberger said.

“They anticipate that they will continue to have needs because working with energy requires a specific skill set, mostly due to the safety issues when dealing with gas and electricity.”

Frick said the department has stressed to its students to look outside the automotive industry, and seek avenues that they may never have considered before the industry began to fall.

“Intensively, over the last six years, the department has revised the core of the engineering curriculum and to virtually remove the dependence of the automobile business,” Frick said.

Frick said that they changed the focus of almost all of the undergraduate education to be more innovation driven, with the introduction of senior and sophomore design projects.

“The focus and message to students and parents alike is that the purpose of the exercise is to prepare undergraduates to practice engineering anywhere in the world,” said Frick.

This is done through two philosophies:

April 15, 2009

a basic science core made up mostly of mathematics and physics, and an engineering core.

“The two cores cover the spectrum in a sense that a practicing engineer will have to reeducate him or herself at least four times within a 40-year career, and that base knowledge of the engineering core and science core forms the basis to do that,” he said.

Today, there is no particular focus on the automotive business anywhere in the curriculum, as it has developed a strong relationship with the military. The alternative fuel industry is also emerging as another option for engineers to pursue.

Get started

Although an internship and co-op are not required for engineering students, Livelsberger said that they are imperative to gain a competitive edge.

“If a student was to say that they want to stay in metro Detroit, they’re competing with all these people with experience and that could be a very hard road, seeming like an uphill climb,” Livelsberger said.

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Sports

Looking ahead to the fall April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

19

With past performances in mind, the outlook for 2009-10 sports

ANALYSIS

By THe oakland post sports staff

Men’s Basketball

Not very often is a single Summit League team found on ESPN’s top 10 plays in March, but Oakland University was featured twice. Unfortunately, it was the team on the losing end of the highlights, as the year’s milestone highs would be outmatched by heartbreaking lows, witnessed by a national audience.

Celebrating his 25th year with the team, Head Coach Greg Kampe had one of the more talented rosters at his disposal during his tenure.

The team enjoyed a successful regular season, but its disappointing losses in postseason play will be remembered most.

Forward Derick Nelson, just the second Grizzly to score 1,000 points and grab over 600 rebounds in a career, broke his foot Nov. 13, 2008, two days before the season began. His absence would be missed all season, and Kampe would often praise his team for overcoming the loss of one of the league’s best players.

The team opened the season with nine road games across eight different states.

OU went 4-5 in those games. The signature win of this stretch came Nov. 17 against Oregon in overtime.

Kampe picked up his 400th career victory with an 84-78 win over the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dec. 4, and Erik Kangas scored his 1,000th career point the very next game.

OU finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak, and cruised their way through the first two rounds of the Summit League Tournament. The team looked poised to make its second appearance in the NCAA tournament with 10 minutes left in the final game against North Dakota State. But that dream disappeared as Summit League player of the year Ben Woodside hit a game-wining jumper with three seconds left, to defeat the Grizzlies, 66-64.

OU was selected instead to the inaugural CollegeInsider.com tournament.

They had a first-round home win over

BOB KNOSKA/The Oakland Post

Forward Keith Benson will be counted on in 2009-10 as one of the returning starters from last season.

Kent State before losing on a controversial buzzer-beating shot in the second round against Bradley.

2009-10 outlook: With the trio Nelson, Jones and Benson returning, the team is poised for another strong run toward a Summit League Championship.

The team is losing senior starters Erik Kangas and Dan Waterstradt, but there are more than enough capable, young players ready to step in and fill the void.

A bid to the NCAA Tournament is not out of the realm of possibility, and a repeat of last year’s results would appear to be the minimum expectation.

Women’s Basketball

The 2008-09 campaign saw the Grizzlies return to the postseason for the fourth time in three years, finishing with a school-record 26 wins.

The team entered the year looking to redeem itself after falling in the second round of the 2008 Summit League tournament, and missing out on a third straight post-season appearance.

OU began the schedule by winning the first two games before suffering a tough, three-point defeat at the hands of Georgia at the O’Rena. They lost their next game by 28 points to Purdue in

West Lafayette; this was the only time the team lost consecutive games during the regular season.

The Grizzlies went 22-3 the remainder of the season, racking up several big wins along the way. Their 67-51 victory over highly-ranked South Dakota State Jan. 5 was only the third time in school history that they had beaten a Top 25 team.

SDSU would return the favor three weeks later though, with a 88-75 victory of its own. OU’s 79-69 loss to the Jackrabbits in the Summit League championship game would bookend a Grizzlies 10-game winning streak.

Their appearance in the conference championship game earned them a WNIT berth, but a 70-55 first round loss to Dayton ended their season for good.

Overall, the 2008-09 season saw the women set a new standard of excellence.

And under head coach Beckie Francis, the team has proven that OU women’s basketball is ready to be considered a perennial Summit League contender.

2009-10 outlook: The outlook for next season is not helped by the loss of arguably the team’s two most valuable players, seniors Jessica Pike and April Kidd.

Pike averaged 15.5 points per game and shot nearly 48 percent from behind the 3-point arc.

Guard April Kidd averaged 10.4 points and 3.4 assists per game, while swiping 107 steals. It will be very difficult to fill the hole she will leave behind, with the poise she exhibited as the team’s offensive director and unparalleled intensity as the defensive spark plug.

Oakland returns 1,000-point scorer Melissa Jeltema, who was named to the All-Summit League team for the second consecutive year. Also returning is the team’s force in the paint, center Brittany Carnago, who finished the season averaging 5.3 rebounds per game and swatted 89 blocks for the season.

Freshman Sharise Calhoun was named to the All-Newcomer team for last season.

Fans can probably expect much more of the same for this team this fall.

See Outlook on page 20

www.oaklandpostonline.com

20/SPORTS Continued from page 19

Oakland University’s club hockey team had a disappointing season in 2008-09.

They finished with a record of 13-17-4 (wins, losses, overtime and shootout losses), and failed to make the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I national tournament for the first time in nine seasons.

The team was led by sophomore forward Kevin Kranker, who had team highs in goals (14), assists (20), and points (34) this season. Cody Austin and Jesse Worrell each contributed 13 goals.

Senior defenseman Jarrett Samp was named to the ACHA Division I All-Star team in March.

2009-10 outlook: The reasonable expectation is that the team will rebound next season with a more experienced roster. Fourteen freshmen saw playing time last season, so with another year of preparation, bigger contributions will likely follow. Also, the top six scorers from a year ago are expected to return, along with goaltender Alex Pikunas, the recently named OU Hockey Rookie of the Year.

8-1 in conference play. OU advanced to the Summit League Championship game but lost 1-0 to South Dakota State University.

Senior midfielder Jessica Boyle was named the Summit League’s Offensive Player of the Year in addition to being named to the All-Summit League First Team. She led the team with 10 goals and 29 points on the season. Other players who had qualified were seniors Kristi Evans and Kristi Smith. Sophomore Meghan Hartwig and freshman Sarah Lynch, who were second and third on the team in goals, respectively, were also named to the All-Summit League second team. Lynch and fellow freshman Deanna Colarossi were named to the newcomer team.

The team ended the regular season on a five-game winning streak.

Despite entering the Summit League tournament as the No. 1 seed, Oakland lost in the final game. They advanced to the Championship game in a double overtime win over Southern Utah in the semifinals.

2009-10 outlook: While OU will lose scoring leader Boyle, the gap looks to be adequately filled by many of the team’s younger players. Also graduating is starting netminder Kim Herbst, who will likely be turning over her goaltender duties to returning sophomore Shannon Coley.

Volleyball

Men’s Soccer

Outlook Hockey

The 2008 Oakland University volleyball team finished the season with an 8-21 record, which matched their 2007 results. Their eight victories equaled the school record since making the switch to Division I competition. The team finished the season on a high note by winning back-to-back matches for the first time all season.

Senior Leah Dupuie led the Summit League with 108 total blocks on the season, while also finishing in the top 10 in hitting percentage. Senior Amy Golem and redshirt junior Adrienne Leone ranked third and eighth in the league in kills per set. Lauren Duquette ranked first in the Summit League with 5.34 digs per game. The team also received significant contributions from their freshman class, specifically Jenny Jones and Ashleigh Slemmer. Both players will be expected to fill more significant roles next season.

2009-10 outlook: With five seniors moving on, the success of the team will depend on how well the younger players perform in new roles this season. Head coach Rob Beam will be entering his third season with the team and further improvement can be expected, though it may not necessarily reflect in their record at season’s end.

Women’s Soccer

The Oakland University women’s soccer team finished their season with an overall record of 9-9-2. They went

The men’s soccer team finished the 2008 season with a 14-4-2 record. And like the women’s soccer team, the men finished the regular season on a long winning streak, having won six straight matches. Oakland University advanced to the final of the Summit League Tournament but lost in the final in a shootout to the University of MissouriKansas City. Oakland’s season did not end there, however, as they played Ohio State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. But just like their previous game, the game went to a shootout following overtime and the Golden Grizzlies lost again.

Seniors Steve Clark, Ian Daniel and Piotr Nowak were named to the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Association AllMidwest Region first team. In addition, senior Martin Sandell and junior Stefan St. Louis were selected to the third team.

St. Louis led the team with eight goals on the season, while goalkeeper Clark allowed just 10 goals in 19 games all season.

2009-10 outlook: It will be a season of transition as head coach Gary Parsons stepped down during the offseason after 28 seasons at Oakland. Assistant coach Eric Pogue, who spent seven seasons as an assistant was named to the new head coach. The Golden Grizzlies have a long history of success in men’s soccer, so as long as a capable replacement for the departed Clark is found in net, expect another winning season in the fall of 2009.

April 15, 2009

BOB KNOSKA/The Oakland Post

The OU hockey team will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2008-09 season.

BOB KNOSKA/The Oakland Post

The men’s soccer team will be looking to play their way back into the NCAA Tournament once again.

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

SPORTS/21

History aside, quarterback a must By dan fenner Sports Editor

Column The Detroit Lions need a better quarterback. This may be the understatement of the year but it’s a truth that bears repeating.

Ripe for the picking at the NFL Draft later this month is Matthew Stafford, the former University of Georgia signal caller with a cannon for an arm and all of the intangibles you look for in a quarterback at the top of the draft.

It would seem to be one of those rare moments when opportunity meets necessity as the Lions find themselves in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and also happen to have the first overall selection this year.

But what seems like the entire state of Michigan, from its football fans to the sports media, is in lockstep agreement that the team would be better served to take someone else with the selection, and put the dire need for a quarterback on hold for just one more year.

History tells us that this is precisely what the Lions will do. Since the infamous trade of Hall of Famer Bobby Layne in 1958, the Lions have struggled mightily to maintain any sort of stability at the position, a problem that is perhaps more troubling now than ever before. In fact, only one Lions quarterback has been

selected to the Pro Bowl since Layne — the inconspicuous Greg Landry in 1972.

Deep down, every fan has to admit that a quarterback is precisely what the Lions truly need, first and foremost. It’s about time that we put the Joey Harrington debacle behind us and chalk that selection up as just another misguided step in the Matt Millen era.

Stop living in the past.

The Lions can not continue to conservatively go about stocking their roster with reclamation project quarterbacks like Daunte Culpepper. They shouldn’t take solace in the hope that one of their young backups will somehow morph into the second coming of Tom Brady either.

Choosing Stafford would go a long way toward boosting a franchise so totally devoid of hope as Detroit.

And we’d be talking about real hope, not the type that former coach Rod Marinelli once claimed to see when digging in his metaphoric tunnel.

It’s no coincidence that a quarterback has been selected first overall in seven of the past 10 years. The top pick in the NFL draft is a rare opportunity that, if used correctly, can set a struggling team on a straight course to contention.

Which leads us back to Stafford. He was highly productive throughout his college career, leading his Bulldogs to three bowl victories in three seasons. Also, he had the increasingly-rare benefit of playing in a pro style offense that will translate easily to the NFL.

The alternatives to Stafford are not very appealing.

Tackles Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe would only present moderate upgrades over incumbent tackle Jeff Backus.

Aaron Curry, while immensely talented, would be an unconventional choice since linebackers are very rarely selected in the top five, let alone first overall. The Lions would probably be best served to avoid innovative drafting techniques as they are hardly the model franchise for decision-making and progressive thinking.

One way or another, the Lions will need to find a starting-caliber quarterback before they can legitimately expect to contend for anything other than last place.

Of every position on the field, the quarterback handles the ball the most. Maybe this is why the Lions have found so little success with their string of marginal signal callers in the last half century.

Of course the risk of a top quarterback becoming a bust is significant, but the potential reward is undeniable. Great quarterbacks bring Super Bowls. And the quarterbacks the Lions currently have will bring agony, disappointment and apathy toward the team.

The realization last December that a winless season was truly possible makes it even more imperative that the Lions take bold steps to ensure that this dismal season is an aberration rather than the continuation of an alarming trend.

Draft Stafford and, by all means, cross your fingers, Lions fans.

Coming attractions Remaining Home Games for April and may Women’s lacrosse

4/18 WCLL Championship at the University of Toledo

men’s lacrosse

4/18 vs. Aquinas College 2 p.m.

(Notre Dame Prep)

Women’s Tennis

Track and Field

4/16 OU vs. UDM Dual Meet in Detroit 4/17 EMU Invitational in Ypsilanti 4/23 - 4/25 Hillsdale Gina Relays in Hillsdale, Mich.

5/1 - 5/2 Jesse Owens Track Classic in Columbus, Ohio

Softball

4/17 vs. Oral Roberts 9 a.m.

4/17 vs. SDSU 2 p.m.

4/18 vs. UMKC 1 p.m.

4/19 vs. Western Illinois 1 p.m.

4/15 vs. IPFW noon * 4/17 vs. Centenary College 3 p.m. * 4/18 vs. Centenary College noon 4/19 vs. Rochester College 1 p.m. * 4/27 vs. Detroit 3 p.m. * * doubleheader

Men’s GOLF

Baseball

4/17 - 4/18 Titans’ Invitational in Plymouth

Women’s Golf

4/20 - 4/21 The Summit League Championship in Rochester, Mich.

4/15 vs. Bowling Green 3 p.m.

4/29 vs. Toledo 3 p.m.

5/5 vs. Eastern Michigan 3 p.m.

5/6 vs. Olivet 3 p.m.

5/8 vs. Oral Roberts 3 p.m.

5/9 vs. Oral Roberts noon 5/10 vs. Oral Roberts 1 p.m.

www.oaklandpostonline.com

22/SPORTS

GRIZZ OF THE WEEK Michael Coriasso Men’s Golf Year: Freshman

Photo courtesy of OU Athletics

Coriasso led the way for the Oakland University Men’s Golf team at the Hoosier Invitational in Bloomington, Ind., last weekend. The freshman had a three-day score of 221 (+8), finishing 23rd in a field of 85 participants.

13

SANDWICHES

UNDER

April 15, 2009

Be sure to visit our website at www.oaklandpostonline.com and check out our newest blog, written by Golden Grizzlies outfielder Dan Gliot, who gives an exclusive insider’s perspective to the Oakland University baseball team all season long.

The basketball season may be over, but the awards continue to come in Oakland University’s Jessica Pike was named the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year Thursday, April 19. She was also named to the D I-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete Team for the second time in her career.

Pike finished her college basketball career as the eighth leading scorer in the history of the school. This past season, the senior guard averaged over 15 points per game and was instrumental in the OU Womens’s historic season.

—Dan Fenner, Sports Editor

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The Scene

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

23

Inspiring columns transform to film

of framing the relationship, the issues, my conflicts, so I’m really pleased with that,” Lopez said.

Lopez talked about the different ways the film could have been made, and that the producers shared their vision of the movie, and it came out exactly as they had planned.

“I’ve become very passionate about all of the themes, the friendship and the redemptive power of music, and just the simple power of human connection — the way two people could come upon each other from different walks of life entirely and have an impact on each other and a lasting change that results from it,” Lopez said.

“The movie gets that, and it’s just a great movie,” Lopez said.

While Lopez said he had no part in the casting of the film, he was pleased with the choice of actors to portray himself and Ayers.

“I’ve seen the movie a few times, and to see Robert Downey calling himself Steve Lopez is a little bit strange. But I’m flattered by the portrayal and very gratified by what they did with this movie,” Lopez said.

By Amanda Meade Scene/Mix Editor

A man named Nathaniel Ayers attended the Juilliard School in New York on a scholarship, but suffered from schizophrenia his third year at the school. He became homeless and was forced to live on the streets of Los Angeles.

In 2005, journalist Steve Lopez met Ayers and began writing a series of columns in the Los Angeles Times about his relationship with the musician.

The columns Lopez wrote turned into a book, which is now being transformed into a film. “The Soloist” stars Robert Downey Jr. as Lopez, and Jamie Foxx as Ayers. It will be released in theaters on Friday, April 24.

The relationship

The author said he had never gotten so emotionally invested in a subject he had written about until he met Ayers.

“We’re taught as journalists to keep some distance and to not become advocates, even as a columnist, to hold on to some of your impartiality but this was a special circumstance,” Lopez said.

“I think that it was kind of cool for readers to see a writer become so involved, so maybe I’ve re-thought a little bit my history and tradition of keeping so much distance from the subject.”

Lopez first met Ayers on Skid Row in Los Angeles.

“There is no question that Skid Row is a different place then it was when I met Nathaniel four years ago, there is no question that far fewer people are sleeping on the streets. The question though, is where did those other people go?”

Lopez said.

One reason Lopez said he got involved in this project was to not only show the struggles of Ayers, but others in similar situations as well.

“One of the points I’ve been trying to make since this adventure began was it’s not as if we don’t know what works to help people, especially those with a mental illness, come in off the streets, the problem is that we haven’t made a commitment to what does work,” Lopez said.

The inspiration

Lopez said he was very inspired by Ayers’ fight and the things that he was passionate about.

“One of the things that I found so

Advice for future journalists Photo courtesy of François Duhamel

Robert Downey Jr. (left) portrays journalist Steve Lopez (right) in the upcoming film “The Soloist.”

captivating about Mr. Ayers was most people would look at him and see a bum; most people would look right past him, not even make any kind of a judgment about him, and when I got to know the man, I became captivated by this passion,” Lopez said.

Lopez said prior to meeting Ayers, there wasn’t anything in his life apart from his family that he felt so strongly about as Ayers did with his music.

“It was all about having found his purpose in life and having found passion, and I don’t know a lot of people in the world who ever find that, who ever get to where they really want to be, and in some ways, Mr. Ayers, although he’s not in an orchestra and would like to one day teach music, he’s not there,” Lopez said.

“But when he is in the moment with the music, he’s about as passionate and as successful and happy as any of us can ever expect to be. And he finds that every single day,” Lopez said.

The writer said he started to doubt his

job and the journalism industry when it began to change, and it was Ayers who helped him realize how to appreciate his career fully.

“It was Nathaniel through his passion who opened my eyes to the fact I had my own [passion] and that I would never be happy doing anything other than what I do,” Lopez said.

“The form might change because the information industry is changing. I might not be a print columnist, but one way or another I want to tell stories, and I think that knowing that about my career, about my purpose was quite revealing,” Lopez said.

To the silver screen

The book has twice as many pages as the screenplay for the film, but Lopez said the film did a great job of touching on all of the most important aspects.

“The film is by necessity a reduction, but the film is true to all essential themes [of the book]. It does a great job

Lopez had a lot of advice for hopeful journalists in an industry that is definitely changing.

“If you’ve decided that you really do want to do this, if you’re committed to it, if it’s your dream, if nothing else will make you happier, go ahead,” Lopez said.

“If you don’t feel that way, then now is the time to look into something else. But if you do want to do it, the reality is that there are more opportunities rather than fewer,” Lopez said.

Lopez also suggested journalism students study every subject other than journalism, from economics to medicine.

“Try to stay as versatile and as interested in as many different fields as you can possibly be, because it makes you more attractive to employers,” Lopez said.

“I think it’s going to take some time before we know how [the journalism industry] settles out, and maybe it won’t ever settle out — maybe the revolution will go on for decades,” Lopez said.

The Oakland Post was included in a college conference call with Lopez on April 1.

24/THE SCENE

April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

By AMANDA MEADE

By BRAD SLAZINSKI

By AMANDA MEADE

“Adventureland”

“The Venture Brothers”

I See Stars “3D”

Movie Review Attention: “Adventureland” is not a comedy. While Kristen Wiig (Paulette) and Bill Hader (Bobby) can’t help but add a bit of hilarity to the mix, this is a romantic flick. That’s fine in its own right, but not when you expect to be falling out of your seat laughing.

Given the lack of extreme humor, the story is very real. Kristen Stewart (Em Lewin) sheds her “Twilight” vampire image and creates a character many women can relate to. Jessie Eisenberg (James Brennan) is not to be confused with “Superbad’s” Michael Cera, but he does a great job playing the slightly nerdy boy with a crappy summer job who’s in love with the beautiful rebellious girl. An added plus — Ryan Reynolds as Mike Connell, the musician/amusement park handyman.

The film is set in 1987, so every ‘80s fan will fall in love with the hairstyles, outfits and of course, the tunes.

The soundtrack is killer.

DVD Review “The Venture Brothers” is a show for those who are pop culture junkies, enjoy over-the-top violence, obscure movie references, esoteric music or hilariously-named characters like Herr Trigger. Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim has released the third season of this show on DVD, which originally aired in 2008.

This season is more in-depth and contains an even deeper plot, which might confuse new viewers if they have not seen the previous seasons. The other thing that makes the show’s humor different is the clever pop culture references, some of which the viewer might have to look up in order to understand a joke. Brock Samson is at his usual best beating people up, along with Dr. Girlfriend, The Monarch, and the Venture family being their usual outrageous selves. New characters such as Sargent Hatred gain more prominent roles and bring many laughs.

Scene/Mix Editor

Staff Intern

Scene/Mix Editor

Album Review Finally, a local band has gotten it right. Straight out of Warren, I See Stars’ new release “3D” is nothing short of incredible.

Labeling this band as a specific genre is close to impossible. These guys mix genres ranging from hardcore to techno, and possibly better than anyone else can.

At times, “3D” gives the poppy and catchy sounds that everyone can love, and then a track like “Sing This!” brings a slight rap sound into the mix.

Each song on the album is unique from the others, which is unusual in itself for any album. Even more unique — all the members of I See Stars are barely out of high school.

I See Stars have created an album that you can sing, dance and bang your head to — what more could one ask for?

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April 15, 2009

The views expressed in Mouthing Off do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Oakland Post

Road trippin’: I gotchahome

25

Backseat driving isn’t as navigational and helpful as one might think

us, on the beach directly outside of our hotel, slathering each other in suntan lotion, sucking Jello shots out of our belly buttons, ignoring Joe Web Editor Francis of Girls and Senior Gone Wild Reporter fame as he incites The end stoned of the wincoeds to ter semester take off means many their spardifferent things to different people. kling tops.

For some, it signifies the beginning That is so of an arduous journey of summerwrong. specific work, for others, the fireworks The glory of of studying abroad. Still, finals week the quest does not come as the result is the kick-start to the majesty of the of aberrations, rather, it is in the road trip. absence of them. When we’re picking However, the road trip isn’t based up a hitchhiker who’s still wearing in exact, uniform emotions for all the a straightjacket, weighing the car at participants. Some see the road trip the weigh station with ourselves still as encompassing the entire journey, inside or stopping for ice cream cones whereas for others it’s all about the that will most assuredly end up on destination. For those wayward souls the floor of my dad’s BMW, we’re not caught in the wind-like plastic sacks, making real road trip memories. It the unpredictability of the open road BROOKE HUG/The Oakland Post is in the trip that we’ve paid for, the blinds them to the distant goal. For Senior reporter Joe Guzman knows a thing or two about backseat drivers. He was recently the driver for a those driven by destination, the end of road trip to Ohio. Web editor Tim Rath enjoys demanding the driver of what turns to make or what exit to get trip that we’ve planned, the answer to the question of what we’re doing this the drive actually signifies the beginoff at. For him, it’s a right of passage that every passenger in the car should have. summer. Tim, if you didn’t want to ning of their trip. do anything of real worth, you should The backseat driver represents a You don’t need to respect my authority, of our plan only exists in our minds is a have stayed at your summer job with roadblock for the actual driver. In his just fear that I have the wheel and realfruitless endeavor.

Dairy Queen. I think you’ve got a real urge to the voyage, the backseat driver ize that at any moment the car could go You’re missing out on all of the future in banana splits. shoves disease-ridden needles into the flying off an overpass. fun from your seat on “the Tim: Joey, I think that finals neck of the actual driver with every piece Road trips are not coke trips. I am not throne” up front. You will week got you wound too tight. of unwarranted advice as the actual booking a hotel days in advance, packing never know the feeling of With every mile we pass driver attempts to remain focused on the up a bag full of clothes, or scheduling the satisfaction that comes comes a bong hit of the infiroad like a hawk on Ambien. time to leave point A and arrive at point from filling up each cup nite, the windows of possibiliThat will be the topic of a point-counB for the sake of clearing my head. The holder in a vehicle with a ty expanding at 10 miles over terpoint debate, with web editor Tim open road is simply an obstacle toward cup, nor the sweet stroke the limit. The rigid structure Rath taking the pro-backseat-driver my destination, so Tim, spare me the of a blistering wind as you of APA formatting has left point and senior reporter Joe Guzman cooing of your hippie prose from the lean out of a window at you sterile and internally cavtaking the anti-backseat-driver counterbackseat. It just adds to the pain of corn- 90 miles per hour. Go back ernous. This is our time to color point. fields and roadkill. to math class and leave the outside the lines, we are due for a Tim: Joey, I realize that the spring breaking to a pro. bong-hit of the impossible and let’s not Joe: It’s obvious, Tim, that open road isn’t all fun and Joe: First off Timmy, the name’s Joe, waste this time stuffing Rand McNally’s backseat drivers are the games. I’m not tossing and use it, remember it, and never forget fat wallet. scourge of the road. Driving turning like a crack baby it. Second, I apologize. My idea of fun In conclusion, it is apparent that the is not a democracy, it is a in a cold hallway as I try doesn’t consist of being the bitch, sanddebate of whether true glory is to be dictatorship. We’re not here to sleep in the backseat wiched in the middle of the backseat for found in the journey or the destination to get everyone’s vote on how for my own amusement. god-knows-how-long, sitting knee-to-knee is one that will be continued as long as fast to go, what direction to Road tripping is an invest- with some “buddies,” or crushed against the act of summer vacation itself. In the take, when to stop and eat, or ment, a test of our endurthe window being used as a pillow. For meantime, let’s chill out, kick back and which AC/DC album makes ance, and to pretend that me, the glory comes with the results of remember that at least we’re not in class. the best open-road soundtrack. such a time-consuming part the established system. That is to say,

By tim rath and joe guzman

www.oaklandpostonline.com

26/MOUTHING OFF

April 15, 2009

Set your BlackBerry to end your dates Quick dating services could enhance meeting your next potential relationship

By Katelyn Stanis Guest Columnist

I waited in line for 15 minutes at Subway in the Pioneer Food Court in the Oakland Center today. I then waited another five minutes in a separate line to pay. At this point, I had 15 minutes left to eat. But after taking into account the 10-minute walk I still had back to class, I realized I really had only five minutes to scarf down the $5 footlong I had just purchased.

As college students, we’re constantly busy — bustling our business from school to work, separating our social lives from study time, and flipping out over finances.

In the midst of all the mayhem, there appears to be little time for dating. So when my girlfriends thought that speed dating would be both fun and fast, I decided to join.

Traditional speed dating is when a woman sits alone as the single men take turns talking to her every eight minutes.

We, however, were able to endure this rapid review session with a partner during a double speed dating event.

The sidekick scenario turned out to be beneficial for all parties involved.

Whenever there was an awkward lull in conversation, you had a nearby buddy to bail you out.

This was especially convenient when bachelors one and two who spoke mostly of the medical industry, sat before my friend Sarah.

With her knowledge and interest of medicine, my partner took the floor and kept the two ER doctors talking while I, on the other hand nodded my head and smiled — while knowing nothing about what they discussed.

Now, I know what you are thinking.

There are ER doctors at speed dating?

Sign me up!

Not so fast, ladies. Let me introduce you to bachelors three and four.

The duo worked from a checklist. They frequently took notes on me and Sarah

during our eight-minute date while we answered very specific questions like, “If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?” and “What is your dream car?”

Answering “Travis Tritt: It’s a Great Day to be Alive” and “Um, a Jeep Wrangler?” put my score in the negatives.

But I think what really earned me an “F” was refusing to answer No. 4’s final question: “And what is your cup size?”

At this point, I leaned back and finished my second glass of wine. I waited and hoped to hear the infamous bell ring that would ultimately end this eightminute date and queue the next one.

As I sat in the middle of the pub and men took turns talking to us at the ring of a bell, I realized this was not the cliché many would believe. Instead, it was just another avenue to what could be your

“But I think what really earned me an “F” was refusing to answer No. 4’s final question: “And what is your cup size?”

next great date or kiss.

Bachelor No. 2 talked about being new to the area, working a lot, being overwhelmed by people at his job, and wanting to experience new things.

Soon, it became apparent that we are all functioning to the set schedule of a bell.

Alarm clocks beep to signal the start to our day, and BlackBerries ring to trigger calendar pop-ups and the fate of our future. Now, a simple bell ring was determining the ending point of a date.

Was this a more convenient way for busy singles to meet people? Or are we all just so determined to meet someone that we add it to our “to do list” and chalk up finding love as another task?

As we walk through our daily lives, we run on routine. And without breaking the mundane mold, how are we supposed to meet anyone new?

I didn’t meet anyone special that night but I realized that sometimes we need to stop programming our plans. Because when we do, we just may have time to hear something other than the bell ring, or at the very least a little more time to enjoy a $5 footlong.

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April 15, 2009

www.oaklandpostonline.com

27

Poor sales report halts stock rally

By TIM PARADIS

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Wall Street shifted into reverse Tuesday after a surprisingly weak retail sales report punctured investors’ optimism about the economy.

The poor sales data, combined with a sharp drop in wholesale prices, came just as the corporate earnings season, usually a volatile time in the market, got under way. The Dow Jones industrials lost nearly 140 points.

Underscoring the market’s sensitivity, shares in Intel Corp. fell sharply in after-hours trading Tuesday after the chipmaker reported weaker results after the bell and didn’t offer a forecast for revenue.

Investors are already braced for bad earnings but are highly anxious about

N | W Briefs 04-10|President Barack Obama asked Congress for $83.4 billion for U.S. military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, pressing for special troop funding that he opposed two years ago when he was a senator.

04-11| A ton of explosives in the Iraq city of Mosul kills five American soldiers in the deadliest attack against U.S. troops in more than a year.

04-12| Thailand announces state of emergency in Bangkok amid wild protests.

04-13| Mexican officials claim that 90 percent of the weapons seized there can be traced to the U.S.| Pope Benedict XVI gives a speech on St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday to victims of wars, poverty and financial turmoil, saying it was urgently needed to overcome the miseries that are plaguing the globe.

forecasts from companies that could indicate a weaker economy. Poor outlooks in the last earnings season in January derailed a 20 percent rally, and some fear the market’s current five-week rally could be vulnerable as well.

Financial stocks tumbled after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. announced strong profits but said it would raise $5 billion to repay government bailout money. Investors speculated that other major banks might follow suit, which would put pressure on their stocks.

Citigroup Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are also due to report results this week.

The Dow closed down 137.63, or 1.7 percent, at 7,920.18.

Broader measures also lost ground after three days of gains. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 17.23, or 2 per-

cent, to 841.50, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 27.59, or 1.7 percent, to 1,625.72.

Tuesday’s selling was orderly and extended a give-and-take pattern the market has followed since halting a steep slide over the first two months of the year. Stocks have risen from 12-year lows since then on hopes that banks are getting through the worst of their problems and the economy might be bottoming out, though both the Dow and S&P 500 are still below where they started the year.

The unexpected 1.1 slump in retail sales in March undermined the market’s brightening outlook for the economy. The drop was far worse than the increase of 0.3 percent that analysts polled

by Thomson Reuters expected and marked the biggest fall in three months.

N. Korea boots Obama family dog makes debut U.N. inspectors

By JEAN H. LEE

Associated Press Writer

CHARLES DHARAPAK/Associated Press

President Barack Obama walks his 6-month-old Portuguese water dog Bo on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 14. Obama had promised his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, a puppy during the presidential campaign.

Gingrich eyes possible White House run

By SHANNON MCCAFFERY Associated Press Writer

ATHENS, Ga. — More than a decade after he stepped down as speaker of the House into what seemed like almost certain political oblivion, Newt Gingrich is back and seemingly more relevant than ever.

Gingrich seems to be everywhere these days, headlining an endless circuit of GOP dinners, popping up on TV news shows, authoring yet another best-selling book and acting as a policy guru to out-of-power congressional Republicans

NG HAN GUAN/associated Press

A Chinese paramilitary police officer on duty stands outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing Tuesday. North Korea vowed to restore nuclear facilities it had been disabling to protest the U.N. Security Council’s condemnation of the country’s rocket launch.

on how to do battle with the Democratic White House.

As beleaguered Republicans look for a standard bearer after last year’s disastrous election, they’ve been tossing around the names of new stars like Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the 2008 vice presidential candidate, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, young and Indian American in a party that’s increasingly identified with older white men.

But could the GOP’s savior instead be a wonkish throwback to the fiercely partisan Republican revolution?

Gingrich has managed to keep himself in the public eye since leaving the House,

but the blitz of public appearances in recent months is reminiscent of the runup to 2007, when he toyed with a presidential run only to abandon it before the primaries began. Now, some are speculating that the former congressman from Georgia is laying the groundwork for a White House bid in 2012.

Grover Norquist, a prominent conservative and president of Americans for Tax Reform, said Gingrich is on nearly every Republican short list of possible White House prospects.

“One of the ways you judge these guys is how hard they’re working, and Newt is out there hustling,” Norquist said.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea said Tuesday it was restarting its rogue nuclear program, booting U.N. inspectors and pulling out of disarmament talks in an angry reaction to U.N. Security Council condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch.

Pyongyang ordered U.N. inspectors to remove seals and cameras from its Yongbyon nuclear site and leave the country quickly, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

North Korea told the IAEA it was “immediately ceasing all cooperation” and “has decided to reactivate all facilities and reprocess spent fuel,” according to a statement from the U.N. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs condemned the decision, saying the international community will not accept North Korea until it abandons what Washington calls its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The North must “cease its provocative threats,” he said.

Russia also deplored the move and urged its neighbor to rejoin six-nation talks, which have been held since 2003 in an attempt to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program in exchange for aid and other concessions. Britain’s Foreign Office said the break with the IAEA was “completely unjustified.”

China — Pyongyang’s main ally and the host of the talks — called for calm.

Despite its defiance, analysts say North Korea, one of the poorest countries in the world, is unlikely to abandon the talks altogether.

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28

April 15, 2009

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