December 2013

wSU TAKES a HOLIDAY SEE NEWS, page 5 SEE NEWS, page 5

DETROIT TREE LIGHTING page 9

KRISTIN SHAW/THE SOUTH END

noel night page 10

HOLIDAY FRAUD page 12

DECEMBER, 2013 | WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1967 | THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU | DETROIT, MICHIGAN | FREE

NEWS Hunting show star takes shots

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Melissa Bachman slammed over photo of lion she hunted, killed

The Current CHRISTINA CLARK Staff Columnist Hunting is indeed important — it helps to keep the population of various animals under control, gets people outside into nature and provides an entertaining and challenging activity to some.

Both parties, however, do not know that they are participating. One party has the advantage of a high-powered, long-range gun and the element of surprise while the other party doesn’t even have the advantage of knowing their role in the game.

Regardless of whether hunting is a sport, there are people out there that have

CORRECTIONS

The South End corrects all factual errors published online or in print. Please email eg4659@wayne.edu.

turned the “game” into an entertaining and challenging activity. Sometimes, however, their fun and entertaining activity turns into controversy.

One hunter, Melissa Bachman, has taken some shots from unhappy social media users after she posted a picture of herself, grinning ear to ear, sitting on the back of a dead male lion she shot.

According to an article published by National Geographic, Bachman is a big game hunter and Outdoor Channel TV personality from Minnesota. Bachman has made a career out of hunting animals around the world, according to her website.

She shot the lion in the picture on a hunting trip in South Africa.

Meat from animals shot on the conservancy that hosted Bachman’s hunt are given to local villages for food, the conservancy said.

The lion hunt that Bach-

man partook in was legal.

The conservancy that had originally hosted Bachman, the Maroi Conservancy, does not have lions on their grounds, as lions do not naturally occur in that area.

The conservancy, however, arranged a lion to be transported from another hunting outfitter after Bachman expressed that she wanted to hunt the animal. The Maroi Conservancy did not benefit financially from the hunt and does not intend to apologize for facilitating it, according to the National Geographic article. Hunts like this help to fund the conservancy.

Melissa Simpson, director of science-based wildlife conservation for the Safari Club International Foundation, wrote in an essay featured by National Geographic News that “wildlife officials need funds more than anything else to save lions from their big-

gest threat, poaching. That money can be best supplied by controlled hunts.”

There are between 32,000 and 35,000 wild lions living in 27 African countries. In recent months, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been debating upgrading the lion’s status to endangered, according to the National Geographic.

Even if the money conservancies make from hunts help to fund the conservancy, what happens when there are no more animals to conserve?

Some populations need to be controlled, but lions and at-risk animals are not those populations.

Making sure animals don’t die out is not a game and shouldn’t be treated as one.

When the lions are gone, we will have no one to blame but the people with the big guns that desire adding a lion to their list of “achievements.”

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All complaints, comments and suggestions concerning the student newspaper should be directed to doso@wayne.edu.

Monday. December 2, 2013 7:00 pm Wayne State University—Gullen Mall Giant Menorah Lighting  Jelly Donuts  Cider  Give-aways

2 I DECEMBER, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU

Keynote speaker: WSU Provost, Margaret Winters Music by WSU Male Vocal Ensemble

NEWS Student Senate discusses administrative concerns WSU President, BOG seek feedback on smoke-free campus, Chick-fil-A

JON ADAMS/THE SOUTH END

LYNN LOSH Features Correspondent The Wayne State Student Senate met Nov. 21 to discuss the WSU Advising Management System (WAMS), general education competencies and student evaluation of teacher forms.

WSU President M. Roy Wilson and WSU Board of Governors members Kim Trent, David Nicholson and Eugene Driker were in attendance.

Dr. Wayne Raskind addressed the Senate about WAMS. He said students have indicated concern about the availability of advising appointments and the lack of standardization in the system.

“The students said, in certain terms, that they weren’t very happy with the student services,” Raskind said.

WAMS allows students to make on-demand appointments and change their major online. It will be fully live in the winter term.

The senate also discussed the general education requirements of critical thinking and computer literacy.

The concern for CT is that there aren’t enough available classes to fulfill the requirement. WSU staff will now be watching to see if the current options are enough to allow students to fulfill this requirement in the future.

Raskind said students can now take the CL competency placement exam twice in a semester, rather than only once. He also mentioned the call for better questions on SET forms and student access to these class evaluations.

Next, Wilson and Community Affairs Committee Chair Rohit Anand discussed the smoking ban. The problems with the enforcement of the smoking ban, a rule that students cannot smoke within 25 feet of a building, were discussed.

Although the university can’t have campus police enforcing the ban, Wilson did speak with someone about getting more enforcement.

Senator Anand said the anti-smoking committee, called Smoke Free, is creating a survey and hopes to ban smoking completely in the long term. There are currently 30–35 members of the committee.

Wilson asked the senators how the student body feels about the possibility of Chick-fil-A coming to the new Student Center.

“There’s a large group of students against the opening of Chick-fil-A for a few reasons,” said Senate President Adham Aljahmi.

The same-sex marriage controversy, not serving hallal options and being closed on Sundays were issues raised concerning Chick-fil-A. Aljahmi also mentioned that there are students who do want Chick-fil-A because it’s so good.

“I think it’s a matter of are we making a business decision and making profit or are we respecting the students that we have on campus, especially the LBGT community here,” Aljahmi said.

Another senator mentioned that any future controversial comments by Chick-fil-A could bring negative light to the university. Wilson said he would bring these concerns to the next Board of Governors meeting.

Before leaving, the visiting governors gave closing comments, vowing that the board will work more with stu-

dents. Gov. Driker urged students to write “the folks in Lansing” about the lack of state funding for education.

After the president and board members left, members of Alpha Gamma Delta requested help from the senate to make their involvement in the “Gift of Life” campus challenge campuswide.

The challenge is a national competition broken down by states to see which university can get the most volunteers for organ donation. The sorority began participating after losing one of their members while waiting for an organ donor.

This will be their third year participating in the challenge after winning the previous two years.

Other things discussed were the SAM conference that will be held from Dec. 6-8 at McGregor Memorial Conference Center, the Smart Check program and the Undergraduate Research Fair.

The Student Senate meets the first and third Thursday of each month in Hilberry A, on the second floor of the Student Center. Meetings are open to the public.

THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I NOVEMBER 20 - 27, 2013 I 3

NEWS

Students hold vigil for slain Detroiters Over 1500 people world wide show support MICHAEL LEWIS II Contributing Writer During the month of November, metro Detroit experienced a series of violent killings.

On Oct. 30, 2013, authorities found the body of Tiane Brown, a Wayne State law student who had gone missing the day before. A few weeks later, Renisha McBride was gunned down while seeking help after a car accident. To wrap it all up, a gunman opened fire on a barbershop wounding six and killing three.

To honor the victims, WSU students Grover Easterling and Desiree Jennings dedicated a vigil to the deaths of their peer and the victims of reckless violence in Detroit the night of Nov. 19.

“People feel like it’s OK to kill,” said Easterling, a sophomore journalism major at WSU. “By doing this, we showed them that it is unacceptable and that we stand for something.”

Promotion for the vigil started on Nov. 12 with a Facebook page entitled “Wear all black for Renisha McBride on November 19!” From there, Easterling and Jennings embarked on a successful social media campaign to get the word out about their cause. The message spread to over 1,500 people all over the world including in places like Britain, Portugal and South America. It even reached Grammy award-winning singer Maxwell, who spoke of their cause via Twitter Nov. 18, writing simply, “Wear all Black tomorrow for Renisha McBride.”

“I feel like through promotion we really got a lot of attention,” said Jennings, a senior public relations major at WSU. “With the tweet from Maxwell and the Facebook page, we were able to reach a lot of people.”

The event began with a poem read by Easterling. It spoke about the violence in the city of Detroit and called out those who stand by and do nothing.

Then Easterling, Jennings and other members of the crowd took turns sharing their thoughts on the situation.

Others spoke about their takes on race and the uplifting of people through love instead of violence. To end the memorial, Jennings commenced a candle light and a moment of silence was held for the victims at the end. Those in attendance felt the positive energy from

Jennings and Easterling.

“It felt good,” said WSU freshman Jason Wellons. “It felt productive to get around other people and speak up about what’s going on.”

In addition to taking their stand against senseless violence, Jennings and Easterling also sought to inspire others to share their passion. The two friends feel that others can do things to make a difference in the world.

“A lot of people are scared to do something,” Jennings said. “You can do the smallest thing and stand for something.”

“By doing this, we showed people who kill that it’s not OK,” said Easterling.

“We showed them that they should feel uncomfortable with what they’re doing.”

Tiane Brown investigation continues JILL LUBAS The South End It’s been a month since the body of promising WSU law student and mother of three Tiane Brown, 33, was found shot to death in her SUV on Detroit’s east side.

While police are still searching for answers, more information has started to come forth regarding this tragic event.

Detroit police say that it was likely Brown knew her killer.

“At this point, we believe that the victim knew the suspect,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said. “We don’t believe this was some random attack.”

Two homeless men, who were found in possession of Brown’s cell phone and arrested as people of interest, are not thought to be connected to the murder, according to police.

Brown, who held degrees in biomedical engineering, business administration and biology, will receive her law degree posthumously in May 2014, when she was scheduled to graduate.

Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson announced that a fund is being established by the university to assist Brown’s children.

If Brown’s children choose to attend Wayne State, they will be offered full scholarships.

If anyone is interested in donating to “The Tiane Brown Fund,” they can do so by credit card by calling the Wayne State Fund Office at 313-577-2263 or 577-2275 or by clicking the “Make a GIFT” tab at giving. wayne.edu. Checks can be mailed to Wayne State University, Beecher House at 5275 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich., 48202.

4 I DECEMBER, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU

COURTESY FAMILY OF TIANE BROWN

NEWS

Warriors give hope this holiday season WSU student organization competes to increase donations

KRISTIN SHAW/THE SOUTH END

JEFFERY ADKINS Contributing Writer The Public Relations Student Society of America at Wayne State is competing with fellow chapters at three other local universities to increase online donations for The Salvation Army among students at each respective school. The competition runs from Nov. 1 – Jan. 31.

A nationally influential organization, The Salvation Army works in

121 countries and helps more than 20 million people in need each year. The organization has been serving Detroit since 1887, and each year it gives hope to those in need all across the area by providing food, shelter and clothing.

The Salvation Army puts $.85 of each dollar donated toward programming and services, and all donations made through the Red Kettle campaign stay in Detroit.

Last year, The Salvation Army was involved in providing help and hope for people all across metro Detroit through

more than 3.3 million meals, 737,000 nights of shelter and 87,000 Christmas gifts for children and seniors in need.

“Even a small donation can go a long way. A gift of $10 helps to feed one person for a month, and $25 buys a winter coat for a child who doesn’t have one,” said Michele Najor, director of the WSU public relations program.

“When the community comes together to support a cause, a couple dollars from each person can add up quickly.”

The competition is an extension of The Salvation Army’s “Red Kettle”

campaign. First introduced in 2008, the online option of donating to the Red Kettles is relatively new. Thanks to donations and support from the metroDetroit community, The Salvation Army saw a 10 percent increase in food and shelter assistance last year.

Those interested in donating can do so by texting “WSUGives” to 71777 or by visiting www.onlineredkettle.org/ WSUPRSSA. To learn more about The Salvation Army and how you can make a difference this holiday season, please visit www.salmich.org.

BOG approves charters, renovations Meeting details renewed programs, contracts SYDNEE THOMPSON The South End The agenda was sparse at the Wayne State Board of Governors meeting Nov. 22, with WSU President M. Roy Wilson presiding for less than 15 minutes before the proceedings were adjourned.

In that time, Wilson and his fellow governors approved all of the recommendations set forth by the Academic Affairs and Budget and Finance committees, which met earlier that day.

Among them, the BOG renewed the charters for the Developmental Dis-

abilities Institute and Center for Urban Studies. The mission of the DDI is to “contribute to the development of inclusive communities and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families” through education, support and services, according to the institute’s website.

The BOG also approved the Student Center Building Renovation project, which will overhaul the basement through third floors of the building at a cost of no more than $26.5 million.

Construction is expected to begin in April 2014 and finish by August 2015, according to The South End.

Wilson began the meeting with his president report. On Nov. 15, WSU participated in World Prematurity Day, an annual, international observance meant to bring awareness to the issue of premature births throughout the world. According to media.wayne.edu, one in 10 babies is born premature, for a total of some 15 million each year.

Wilson said the university recently received a second 10-year, $166 million Perinatology Research Branch contract that will allow researchers to continue groundbreaking and vital training and programs that deal with high-risk pregnancies and related

complications. Overseen by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Washington, the PRB is housed in the Hutzel Women’s Hospital at 3990 John R. “The director of NHICD, Dr. Alan Guttmacher, toured the PRB … he told us he was very impressed,” Wilson said. “He acknowledged the breadth of really first class research being done here and acknowledged that the kind of research being done here couldn’t be done intramurally at the NIH ... that’s really the kind of impression we wanted him to leave with.”

THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I DECEMBER, 2013 I 5

NEWS

Heidelberg burns twice in 9 days Police suspect arson in house fire

KRISTIN SHAW/THE SOUTH END

TIM CARROLL A&E Correspondent The smell of smoke still hung in the air the morning of Nov. 21, at the corner of Mt. Elliott and Elba on Detroit’s east side.

It’s a smell all too familiar to residents of this area. Like many neighborhoods in Detroit, fires have been engulfing homes at an alarming rate, but this neighborhood is different. This area is The Heidelberg Project, and these homes are works of art.

The Penny House caught fire early in the morning Nov. 21, making it the sixth art house to burn, according to the Project’s twitter feed. A resident noticed the blaze and called the fire department, but it had already spread to most of the building, which was partially designed by Heidelberg creator

Tyree Guyton himself.

The art house given its name for the pennies painted by Guyton and other artists that covered it. The pennies could be found lying around the house after the fire, some still intact.

Police suspect arson, and have a person of interest in custody.

Students at Wayne State are upset by the destruction of Detroit’s most popular destinations.

“It’s such a shame to see all the hard work that was put into it to be destroyed,” said freshman Spencer Genrich, who visited the Heidelberg Project often. “It’s upsetting because Detroit already gets such a bad rep and this site is like one of its hidden treasures.”

Genrich feels sympathy for Guyton, who put his all into “art unlike any other.”

This is the second Heidelberg fire in nine days, according to a Detroit

6 I DECEMBER, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU

Free Press article. On Nov. 12, a house just down the street from the Penny House, titled House of Soul, burned to the ground. The House of Soul was covered in old vinyl records. Two other homes were also affected by fires, the Obstruction of Justice house and the Numbers house. The Numbers House did not see much injury, but the Obstruction of Justice house was badly damaged. What was left of that house was destroyed by a second fire on Oct. 5.

“There were seven (homes), and we’re down to four,” Heidelberg spokeswoman Katie Hearn said in the Free Press article. “It’s disheartening obviously, but it doesn’t seem final or tragic because it’s part of it all. Tyree is always talking about how you can’t fully enjoy the positive if you don’t have the negative.”

The Heidelberg Project began in

1986 when Guyton saw how poor his childhood neighborhood had become.

The artist began painting houses and installing art to promote creativity in the area, and the project is now internationally known draw for tourists and Detroiters alike.

After the first fires, the Heidelberg Project started a campaign on indiegogo.com to raise money for better security in the neighborhood. The fundraising effort has seen a lot of support. Contributions and information at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ art-from-the-ashes-securing-a-legacy The latest fire comes on the eve of one of Heidelberg’s biggest annual fundraisers, Encore. The fundraiser supports development and programs at the Heidelberg Project.

To find out more about the Heidelberg Project and Encore, visit http:// www.heidelberg.org/.

NEWS

PHOTOS BY KRISTIN SHAW/THE SOUTH END

THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I DECEMBER, 2013 I 7

A&E

Secret Someones revealed New band releases debut EP JESSICA FREEDLAND Contributing Writer Pop-rock band Secret Someones released the third and final single from their self-titled debut EP on Nov. 19.

Singer-songwriters Lelia Broussard, Bess Rogers and Hannah Winkler and multi-instrumentalist Zach Jones only started the band in June, and they’ve already finished their first tour.

The dynamic of the band is the first thing that struck me about Secret Someones. Rogers, Broussard and Winkler trade places singing lead and back up for each song, essentially ridding the group of the typical “lead singer” title and making the level of talent these ladies possess even more obvious.

While Secret Someones’ performance

dynamic is unique, the themes of the EP’s three songs will be familiar to any rock music fan. Each tune is a little different, but independence and strength in love are what these ladies are talking about.

The first song on the album, “I Won’t Follow,” with lines like “If you pulled me out to sea / I would drown in what you wanted me to be” and “It’s okay to be alone / No, I’m not afraid of the unknown,” is about choosing to end a problematic relationship on your terms rather than continuing to be held back. Winkler’s vocals have a great folk-rock quality but easily stands up to the synthesizers.

“Surrender” starts with a catchy “Mmha / Mm-ha” intro, setting a steady beat in sync with Zach’s drums, before Rogers takes the first verse. Like “I Won’t Follow,” “Surrender” also deals with relationships. Lyrics like “I try to replace to

you / But it’s so hard to let you go / I try to erase you / But I just can’t forget you” speak to the difficulties of letting go after ending a serious relationship. Broussard and Rogers share lead vocals on “Surrender,” their silvery voices matching the synth piano and contrasting beautifully with the electric guitar and drums.

The last track on the EP, “Quit Pulling Me Down,” was the first song I ever heard

by Secret Someones, and while both the live and acoustic versions are great, I’m excited to finally hear the polished studio recording.

“Quit Pulling Me Down” sounds busy but isn’t overwhelming. Like Secret Someones’ two other songs, it’s extremely catchy but also well-arranged and aurally balanced (thanks to Ryan Geller who mixed and mastered the record) with beautifully-harmonized choruses and

Broussard and Winkler’s vocals heard clearly over a consistent and steady drum beat and powerful guitar. The title of the song speaks for itself, really, contentwise: it’s a declaration of independence and these girls refuse to be held down.

With poetry like “You hold me so tight / And I can’t breathe / And you still feel so far / And you keep pulling me down,” “Quit Pulling Me Down” is definitely one of my favorite Secret Someones tunes.

In short, Secret Someones is definitely a band to keep your eye (and ears) on. I am extremely impressed with their debut EP and very excited about this stellar new group. I can’t wait to hear more from Secret Someones in the future.

“Secret Someones” by Secrets Someones can be listened to and purchased at www.secretsomeones.bandcamp.com.

Campus Martius lights up Detroit tree lighting ceremony draws thousands KATE ADDY Contributing Writer The Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony, presented by DTE Energy Foundation, celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Friday, Nov. 22 at Campus Martius Park.

This year, as is customary, thousands of people turned out to watch the tree become aglow for the first time this season.

The ceremony featured rink performances

by Olympic athlete and international figure skating champion, Kimberly Meissner, with supplemental performances from the Detroit and Arctic Figure Skating Clubs. All visitors were able to take carriage rides through the city at the price of $5. In addition, children from all over were able to visit and take photos with Santa Claus in the Compuware Atrium.

A multitude of musical performances engaged guests as they prepared for the big moment, including the Michigan Philharmonic Brass Quintet and Michigan Opera Theatre Soloist, Bradley Wish, among others. The festivities lasted from 4 p.m. until midnight; the tree lighting took place at 7:30 p.m.

The tree this year, a 60-foot Norway spruce, nestled on the top of the Campus Matrius fountain, was harvested from Sherman, MI, according to a report by Mlive. com. Fans cheered thunderously as the tree was lit with 19 thousand LED lights.

“The tree lighting is by far one of my

favorite events that takes place in Campus Martius Park,” said Shelby Caverly, tree lighting ceremony production coordinator, “Being able to help spread cheer to this spectacular city is extremely amazing to witness. My favorite part is watching thousands of Detroiters celebrate downtown.”

Cadillac Square was lined with dozens of market and food vendors including a Beer Garden and a “Family Fun Tent,” sponsored by the Salvation Army. In the wake of the recently announced bankruptcy, this type of activity is exactly what the city needs to remind people just how much Detroit has to offer.

A $10 donation was necessary for admittance to the preferred viewing section in the rink-side lounge during the tree lighting ceremony; the proceeds benefited Campus Martius Park. However, businesses in the surrounding area also reaped the benefits of having so many people pour in the heart of the city.

“It’s so great to see people coming together to celebrate something positive in the city,” said Rachel Ezell, who was at Campus Martius for her second tree lighting ceremony, “This is exactly the type of thing that helps everyone see what we already know about Detroit: it’s beautiful.”

The VIP area offered patrons an opportunity to be the first to skate on the newly finished rink and front-row seating to the main events of the night, including up close and personal views of the twinkling tree.

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A&E

Noel Night to brighten season Festive fun returns for 41st year

JON ADAMS/THE SOUTH END

TIM CARROLL A&E Correspondent The weather is getting colder and the radio is playing more and more holiday music, which means that Noel Night is right around the corner.

Noel Night is an annual neighborhood open-house holiday celebration held on the first Saturday of December. Going into its 41st year, the event has established itself as a Midtown and Wayne State tradition.

The event features all kinds of different shows, music, games, activities, vendors and holiday cheer. From museums to restaurants to local businesses to corporations, everyone

comes out for Noel Night.

Midtown Detroit Inc., a company that is devoted to improving Midtown neighborhoods, now operates the festivities.

According to Midtown Detroit Inc. Special Project Manager Annmarie Borucki, Noel Night has much to offer. Some of the musical acts scheduled for the event are William Close and the Earth Harp Collective, Martha Redbone, Breathe Owl Breathe, Thornetta Davis and the Corktown Popes.

“Noel Night provides a platform for local artists, musicians and other entertainers, as well as many church and school groups, to share their talent with a large, regional audience,”

CONTACT DESIGN/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR, JON ADAMS, FOR MORE INFORMATION! 10 I DECEMBER, 2013 I THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU

Borucki said.

There will also be holiday shopping at local boutiques and artisan sales, plus family activities like appearances by Santa and arts and crafts for both children young and old.

There is even a holiday scavenger hunt, called the Reindeer Run. The hunt, which is sponsored by TechTown and the WSU College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, sends teams of four or more to different Noel Night destinations in search of holiday-themed items. The first team to cross the finish line wins a prize.

Food vendors and restaurants, which are usually closed at night, open their doors to the public and of-

fer many special deals.

“Though Noel Night may only be a one-night event, the significant economic impact it generates is felt area wide,” Borucki said. “Participating restaurants and businesses on average report records sales this evening.”

WSU also has a strong presence during the night, showcasing the university’s many talents from dance to theater to music to the fine arts.

The dance department will be showcasing their talents with “Jazz Made in America,” presented by ONSTAGE! Dance Theatre for Youth. The 50-minute performance will begin at 6:30 p.m. and repeat at 8 p.m. in Old Main.

A&E

Audiences will be “Catching Fire” ‘Hunger Games’ sequel leaves fans burning for more

COURTESY LIONSGATE

SHAWN BOHN Contributing Writer “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” picks up the story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), winners of the 74th annual Hunger Games. T The circumstance of their survival has sparked the beginnings of a rebellion in the 12 districts of Panem. With pressure from the Capitol and President Snow (Donald Sutherland), Katniss and Peeta embark on a victory tour through the 12 districts.

Rather than temper the rebellious feelings, as President Snow would like, Katniss and Peeta unwittingly fan the flames of discord.

Snow and his new Head Game Master, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), therefore devise an all-star matchup for the 75th annual Hunger Games, once again pitting Katniss and Peeta in another fight for survival against fellow tributes.

There might be temptation to think this is just a retread of the same story. Never fear though., this time around the games are bigger and the stakes are that much higher.

No longer is the survival of Katniss the only thing driving the plot forward.

The oppressed districts of Panem finally feel fully realized, rather than just existing as disconnected backdrops for tributes. The dystopian vision feels real this time around, as we witness the dirty streets and hunger,

the public executions and beatings. The first film had us rooting for Katniss to survive.

This film will have you questioning what exactly is she surviving for.

While Katniss looks to live through another Hunger Games, the 12 districts regard her as a symbol of revolution, and they suffer horribly for it. This is the big leap from the original. We truly care about the districts.

We care about the world Katniss occupies, and the people that occupy it with her.

While much of the action in the first film centered on the tributes facing each other, this film sees them face a number of very dead environmental dangers at the hands of the new head game master. Poisonous fog, tidal waves, raging baboons — it’s all here.

Not to say that the tributes aren’t still ruthlessly murdering each other, that’s still very much happening.

The new arena creates a level of suspense unmatched by the original. Even with the action neutered to fit the PG-13 rating, you’ll be cringing and wanting to turn your head, especially during one particularly brutal flogging scene.

The film is not without its problems. Katniss continues to try to make her relationship with Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) work, but their few scenes together seem disconnected from the rest of the story.

Unlike Katniss and Peeta’s always evolving romance and shared trauma, Katniss and Gale are utterly unconvincing. This is underscored by the lack of chemistry between

Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth, who often seem like cardboard cutouts next to each other.

You’ll often wonder if their subplot was simply left in to appease fans of the source material. Perhaps he comes to have a bigger part, but for now Gale seems like dead weight to the story.

The franchise continues to have a problem developing characters other than its two leads. Little is ever learned about Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) other than he is a former tribute and alcoholic.

Is President Snow really just a one dimensional, sadistic autocrat? Or is there something else behind him?

The tributes facing Katniss receive just as little attention. It’s very difficult to care about any of them. Quite a bit of the film is dedicated to showing us that the tributes are people, with loved ones and communities that grieve for them. However, without ever developing them as characters and simply showing most of them as brutal killing machines in the arena, the point is lost.

Shouldn’t we care that they are cannon fodder in a sick and twisted game? Unfortunately, we really don’t unless their name is Katniss or Peeta.

Despite its few flaws, “Catching Fire” is absorbing, suspenseful and wildly entertaining. It builds off of everything good from the original and makes it better. It will have you already waiting in line for the next one.

THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I DECEMBER, 2013 I 11

FEATURES

Don’t get grinched Be aware of holiday scams

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SHAWN BOHN Contributing Writer The holidays are here. It’s a time for giving gifts, reuniting with family, giving to charity and just being all around cheerful and nice.

Unfortunately, it’s also a time for thieves to prey on the unsuspecting. As you innocently shop, cyber and identity thieves are out in full force to take your hard-earned money. Here are a few of the most common scams to be aware of to keep you safe this holiday season.

Gift Card Scams: A favorite of scam artists everywhere. The days are counting down. You still haven’t found a gift for that cousin that you never talk to but your mom forces you to buy a gift for anyway. You decide to take the easy way out and buy a gift card. To make it even easier, you purchase it online from your couch. Problem solved, right?

A few weeks later you receive an awkward text from that cousin asking why you gave them a dummy card as a gift. That sinking feeling in your stomach as you realize you’ve been had, it’s never a good thing.

With billions of dollars spent of gift cards during the holiday season, they are increasingly becoming a target of fraud. The most common scams, according to scambusters. org, include used, counterfeit and fraudulent cards being sold on auction sites, sellers overstating the value of real cards, and stolen credit cards being used to buy gift cards, which are then sold for cash.

Stay ahead of these swindlers. ScamBusters has a few very useful tips. Don’t buy gift cards from auction sites, only buy them directly from the store issuing the gift card.

Always ask the cashier to scan the card in front of you so that you can be sure the card is valid. Keep your receipt as long as there is money on the card, and if possible, register your card on the retailer’s website.

Mock Websites: This time of year, everybody is looking

for a deal. Crooks like to take full advantage of this. You’ve been waiting and waiting for a deal on that perfect gift. During your usual everyday search, you come across that miraculous deal. You’ve never heard of this retailer. But hey, you think, it can’t be any worse than buying off eBay, and at 75 percent off, it’s too good to pass up.

Next thing you know, not only do you never receive what you ordered, but now your card is purchasing drinks for everybody at a bar in the Bahamas.

Don’t let these thieves make a fool out of you. ScamBusters advises that if you don’t know the name of the business or the site, check it out thoroughly before buying. One old adage works quite well for this. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Phishing: Ever notice your email account piling up with spam more than usual during the holidays?

Much of it is just innocent junk. Some messages, not so much. One minute you’re emailing Aunt Annie to make sure she doesn’t forget to bring her famous cookies to the Christmas party. The next you’re unsuspectingly clicking on what you think is an innocent spam message, but turns out to be a link directing you to a site where your computer is promptly infected with spyware and malware to harvest your personal information. Or maybe you get what appears to be a legitimate email from your bank, asking for your urgent reply to fix a problem with your account. Do as it says and you’ll have a real problem.

One of the more clever scams in this category is the bogus shipping notification.

You’ll receive an email seemingly from a major shipping company asking you to verify your information. This is a big one this time of year, as many people are expecting packages to be coming and going. Thinking nothing of it during your busy day, you might just go along with it. Now you’ve just given the crooks all of your information and the only thing you’ll be delivered are notices for bills

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for things you never charged.

These scams might seem like the most obvious and easy to avoid, but during the holiday season when things are hectic, and spam messages flood in daily, it can be difficult to stay vigilant. Don’t let these crooks take advantage of you.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has a few tips. Don’t respond to spam messages and especially avoid clicking on links or attachments from unsolicited emails.

Don’t fill out forms of personal information on third party sites, log on directly to the official site of businesses.

Charity: Some scammers just have no shame.

You’ve bought that cousin you never talk to a really nice gift, even though it was your mom that made you, but hey, you did it. You’ve emailed Aunt Annie, ensuring she’ll bring you those famous cookies of hers.

You feel great. You’ve got a little extra money in your pocket to give to those less fortunate. You answer a knock at your door.

It’s a professional looking young man. He spins you a nice yarn about selling magazine subscriptions to help pay for college. Well, you think, I don’t really read any magazines.

But hey, somebody will read them and I’ve got money to help. You happily take a two-year subscription of Don’t Be Scammed Magazine.

You give the lad your credit card number. You’ve done good. When your card is declined a few days later at the supermarket, and that confusion turns to a knot in your stomach, you realize you’ve been had.

These scammers will do anything to play on your heartstrings, even using kids. Don’t let them do it. ScamBusters has some advice.

If you don’t have time to check if the charity you’re giving to is genuine, don’t give. If you want to donate, find the charity and donate directly. The simplest way is to drop some money in the Salvation Army kettle when walking out of a store. And remember, never, ever give out information over the phone. No matter how sad the story on the other end

sounds.

Social Network Scams: Many people use Facebook or Twitter to stay connected or reconnect with friends and family, especially during the holidays. Crooks on the other hand like to use it to steal your hard-earned money. You innocently browse the mutual friends page of Aunt Annie’s Facebook, hoping to find a gift clue on your cousin- you- never- talk- to-but-have-buy-agift-for’s Facebook page.

On the margins of the page, you notice a link telling you that you can win a new iPad for liking a page. Well, you think, if I can win a new iPad by liking a page, why not? Click.

Well now you’ve done it. You’ve unwittingly downloaded malware, spyware or subscribed to some bogus subscription if you’re using your mobile phone.

Twitter is also rampant with these types of scams. Many people feel a false sense of security while on social networking sites.

In these cases, follow the same rules as you would with your email. Be wary of suspicious links or deals that seem too good to be true.

The list of scams is too vast to cover completely, but being mindful of these few can put you ahead of the game and keep you safe this holiday season. During a time meant for good cheer and bringing people together, it can be easy to forget to look out for yourself.

Don’t let the scammers steal your holiday.

Here are a few catchall tips to help you stay vigilant: •Review your credit card statements each month.

•Never give out your social security number. Retailers will never ask you for this when making a purchase.

•Dump unsolicited emails in the trash where they belong.

•Change your passwords with retail sites regularly.

•Only shop on secured websites.

•As always, stay away from sites that seem unfamiliar and offer too good to be true deals.

FEATURES

WSU Americorps reduces Midtown crime 1.6 million grant spreads to troubled communities MICHAEL LEWIS Contributing Writer Since its arrival at Wayne State in 2010, the WSU Americorps Urban Safety Project has helped reduce crime in Midtown by 40 percent.

Now, thanks to a $1.6 million grant from the state government, the Americorps project will spread to five new troubled communities.

“We’re pretty excited,” said Ramona Washington, director of the Americorps project at WSU’s Center for Urban Studies. “It’s good to be able to replicate some of the efforts we’ve had here in the Midtown area in other communities.”

Americorps involves 80,000 American citizens in volunteer efforts every year. In addition to urban safety, Americorps takes part in forms of education and veteran sup-

port. Founded in 1994, Americorps has contributed more than one billion hours of community service.

The organization works through nonprofits and universities to obtain federal funding for community enrichment. In Midtown, Americorps aids the WSU Police Department using the crime prevention program known as COMPSTAT. COMPSTAT uses mapping to identify crime hot spots and plays a huge role in Midtown’s safety improvements.

“I think it’s great that one of the reasons we got that grant is that they looked at areas we were currently in and saw the amount of success we’d had,” said Jeffrey Spangler, supervisor of the Atkinson Euclid area.

The neighborhoods being added to the project surround schools with troubling environments. Schools like East English Village, Clark Elementary, Bates Academy, Cody High

School and Osborn High School are all being targeted. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is planning major improvement projects to these areas; Americorps is just the beginning.

“He is (adding) demolition and community schools projects, meaning making twelve hour school days for recreation for kids, so there is a lot of other improvements coming,” Washington said.

The new areas are places that may have been left behind had it not been for Americorps success. Federal grants are rarely awarded to projects outside the improvement of the downtown area. Most of the funding is pumped into the Midtown and downtown areas to improve heavily populated areas.

“When people get grants or money here in the city, it usually goes to the areas where young transplants are,” said Mary Killeen, who monitors the

Morning Side neighborhood. “It’s not really the parts that are really struggling to survive, so I think it’s great that we can expand to forgotten places.”

The energy among Americorps members seems to be positive as they set out to improve the rest of the city. With an enlarged budget, they will be able to hire more help and get feet on the ground to tackle community issues. Eight more employees have been hired to their team since the grant was awarded.

With more help at their disposal, the Americorps initiative is looking forward to big improvements in public safety.

“Our goal is to have double digit crime loss in each sector,” Spangler said, “but I think the overall goal is to help get people a better sense of community and to look out for each other.”

DSO announces Soundcard All-access pass allows students affordable classical, pop, jazz tickets LIZ SCUTCHFIELD Contributing Writer It’s hard to imagine there are so few students who can afford to attend the Detroit Symphony Orchestra regularly, but thanks to the DSO Soundcard, that no longer has to be true.

The Soundcard is for students only. It costs $25 and covers tickets for all Classical, Pop and Jazz performances held at Orchestra Hall — roughly 60 percent of all performances of the 2013-2014 DSO Season.

The only catch is that tickets must be ordered no earlier than two weeks prior to the event. This can work well for students who often have busy, unpredictable schedules; on the other hand, it means no tickets to high profile shows that sell out early.

The season runs through winter and spring, with the exception of an “Indigo Girls with the DSO” performance in July. That’s just a hint of the diverse concerts scheduled for the season.

In December, there are a variety of holiday-themed perfor-

mances that include something for everyone. They kick-off Dec. 8 with “Patti’s Swinging Christmas” featuring Grammy award-winner Patti Austin, who will be, according to the DSO website, “paying homage to jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.”

The Soundcard is the brainchild of DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin. “One of his largest interests is increasing awareness of classical music among young people and making it accessible to them,” said Gabrielle Poshadlo, patron communications manager for the DSO. “He knows students would be most interested and, also the most challenged financially.”

The schedule for the 20132014 season reflects that desire to draw more young people to Orchestra Hall. Performances include “A Tribute to Led Zepplin,” billed on the website as “performed by the DSO, backed by a full rock band”; “The Cocktail Hour: Mad Men Era,” an evening of popular music from the 1960s; and “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony.”

The Soundcard is available to students of all ages. “You could be a 70-year-old college student, or a 5-year-old kindergartener,” Poshadlo said. “All students are welcome.”

Performances of Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Dvorak are just a few of the classical performances that dominate the season.

While the Soundcard is specifically for the Classical, Pop and Paradise Jazz series, other opportunities do arise.

“There are exceptions to every rule,” Poshadlo said. “Sometimes Soundcard holders will get an email for special concerts and events.”

Seating for card holders is limited to Main Floor B and the mid and upper balconies. A seating chart and season schedule can be found on the DSO’s website.

Formal wear is no longer the expected attire, which makes it easier for students to attend.

“There is no dress code. The wide perception is, to come to the symphony, you have to wear your fanciest outfit,” Poshadlo said.

“That’s not true. A lot of people

come after work and they’re wearing business attire. I’ve also seen people wearing blue jeans, and some people who bust out their furs and finery.”

Soundcards can be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office on Woodward in Detroit. They can also be purchased online at dso.org/soundcard, but the card will then have to be picked up at the box office by the student with their student ID. Tickets for performances must be purchased at the box office by the student. Students will need their Soundcard and student identification to pick up tickets.

Both will also need to be shown to ushers at the time of performance. Tickets cannot be used by anyone except the DSO Soundcard holder.

The Soundcard benefits the DSO by helping to fill seats for shows that aren’t selling out while cultivating future full price-paying patrons. This is the third season for the discount program for students, and as of late last week, 658 DSO Soundcards had been sold for the current season.

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FEATURES

WSU employees compete for health Wellness Warriors aim to create health culture on campus DEBANINA SEATON Contributing Writer Wellness Warriors, Wayne State’s Department of Human Resources healthyliving program, was created in 2007 to prompt full-time WSU employees to get fit in the body as well as in the mind.

“We want to create a culture of wellness on campus,” said Sofia Dollar, the Wellness Warriors coordinator.

Though the program is only for full-time employees, there are those who can get the benefits of the program that don’t work at WSU. “Their spouses or partners are allowed to come to the recreation center for 50 percent off, but we don’t offer services to the public, students or part-time employees,” Dollar said. “We are focused on full-time employees.”

Though students and part-time employees cannot participate, Dollar said in the future there might be a possibility for that to change.

To get into the program, Dollar said there is a screening and questionnaire of 60 questions based on an applicant’s lifestyle habits, and from that evaluation, a risk level is determined. Dollar said there are three risk levels — low, medium or high – assuming that those with a higher risk level require more services than those with a lower risk level. Participants receive services throughout the year based on that

level, Dollar said.

Next year, those who are low risk will receive three incentives, those who are in the medium range will get four incentives and those who are at high risk will receive five. These incentives allow for free sessions with a personal trainer, but anyone in the program can receive the incentives throughout the year, she said. Other opportunities participants can receive with these incentives include unlimited phone consultations with wellness coaches and points in another part of the program; Wellness Bucks, that can be cashed in for gifts like Tshirts, sweaters or more personal training.

The program also holds seminars and health fairs throughout the year for more Wellness Warrior extravagance.

“It’s really fun,” Dollar said. “We get a lot of good feedback about it.”

Wellness Warriors is not a new thing — neither are wellness programs. Dollar said they are popular because keeping the employees happy and healthy would make them better employees, help them enjoy their jobs more and create a better workplace environment. The main goal, however, is to lower healthcare costs.

This year, the Wellness Warriors have about 1,200 participating but Dollar said she’d like to see 1,500 employees participating next year.

Usually there is something about a health or wellness program that differentiates it from others. But what is the difference between Wellness Warrior, a university pro-

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gram, compared to mainstream programs like Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers?

“Wellness Warriors’ program is different because these programs that you can join off the street are focused on weight loss,” Dollar said. “We don’t think everyone needs to lose weight. Not everyone necessarily needs to go to the gym. We don’t want to be so fitness focused; we are more of a well-rounded program.”

Dollar said this program offers something for every walk of life that looks at the whole person.

“I don’t just want to convince unhealthy people to join,” she said. “We have something to offer everyone. People have this assumption that if they’re healthy they don’t have to join but I think it’s good for everyone.”

She said the program offers stress management, financial planning, better sleeping habits and ways of eating more fruits and vegetables.

“We hit on a lot of different topics, not just losing weight, although that’s a part of it,” Dollar said.

Each year, the program hosts various events. It hosts a health fair that Dollar called “a big screening extravaganza” and a variation of “The Biggest Loser,” The Greatest Loser, where twice a year employees work out for three times a week for six weeks to see who can lose the most weight.

There is also another challenge called Colorful Choices, where participants are

encouraged to eat fruit from every color of the rainbow, and a walking program in the spring.

Nannette McCleary, a university counselor in Career Services, has been in the program for at least five years and said she enjoys the program and what it offers.

“The main incentive is the extra money that goes into one’s paycheck for maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “There are other incentives in which you get to participate like great exercise programs and great educational programs … that you can take for professional and personal development.”

McCleary said the more active one is in the program, the more points they can earn. When she first began, she did it to earn extra money but eventually came to enjoy the program for more than the money.

Administrative Assistant for Academic Personnel Veronica Williams has been in the Wellness Warriors program for four years and said her experience has been very uplifting.

“I’ve taken advantage of some of the workout programs,” she said. “I’ve established goals that I work towards and talk with the coaches on a regular basis.”

Williams said over the years she has lost weight while in the program.

“I’ve met with a nutritionist,” Williams said. “At the markets they have chefs that come and do cooking demonstrations, so it’s good.”

SPORTS WSU Athletics announces 2014 Hall of Fame class COURTESY WSU ATHLETICS

JEFF WEISS WSU Athletics Department Six former Wayne State student-athletes have been selected for induction into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

The class of 2014 includes diver Erika Barczak, softball player Sarah Berry, men’s tennis student-athlete Sebastien Foka, men’s basketball player Kris Krzyminski, swimmer

Christer Tour and women’s basketball player Ebony Vincent.

“This class represents the first of a new century each of whom excelled at WSU after 2000,” said WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier, according to wsuathletics.com. “The group defines some of our most successful programs in our recent history. Tour and Barczak were the building blocks for a succession of GLIAC championships and national finishes in swimming

and diving, Berry continues a long line of softball standouts that have defined the Gary Bryce era, Sebastian connected two successful eras in tennis, and Ebony and Kris are fitting examples of our basketball programs that have long and storied histories. Each represents individual talent, but more importantly, is their contribution to building winning programs.”

The official induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22 at His-

toric St. Andrews on the WSU campus.

The reception begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at noon and the program starting shortly thereafter.

Tickets for the luncheon can be purchased at the Matthaei Complex for $35 and advance reservations are required. The public is invited to attend.

In addition, the class will be introduced during the Feb. 22 basketball games vs. Grand Valley.

Warriors earn All-GLIAC honors FUAD SHALHOUT The South End Six Wayne State football players have been selected to the All-GLIAC football teams.

In a vote of the league’s head coaches, senior linebacker Ed Viverette was named to the All-GLIAC First Team, while senior punter Stefan Terleckyj was selected to the All-GLIAC First Team for the second consecutive season.

Senior middle linebacker Moe Davenport, sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Hankins, senior defensive end Greg Hasse and junior left tackle Ben Walker were named to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention team.

Viverette had a special year for the Warriors, leading WSU with 92 tackles and finishing tied for third in the GLIAC with seven sacks, while his 61 sack yards ranked second in the league. Viverette also tallied

48 assisted tackles, three forced fumbles and a fumble return for a TD. Terleckyj was almost automatic at the kicker position. He led the GLIAC in punting average (42.9) along with having 13 of his 50 punts land inside the 20. He finished his collegiate career third in scoring (behind Joique Bell and Toney Davis with 286 points), while setting school records for career field goals made (39), career PATs made (169) and highest career punting average (40.4).

Davenport was second on the squad in tackles with a career-high 73.

Hankins started the first seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. He totaled 27 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Hasse, bouncing back from a injury riddled 2012 season, led all WSU defensive linemen with 39 tackles.

And Walker’s play was steady at left tackle, helping the Warriors rush for over 190 yards per game.

COURTESY WSU ATHLETICS

THESOUTHEND.WAYNE.EDU I DECEMBER, 2013 I 15

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