Volume 39 Issue 11 by University Times

inside this issue:

Newspaper editor shatters dorm entrance

Details on p. 10

University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 39 Issue 11

Wind turbine to be dismantled

Details on p. 4

Journalism for Northern Maine

APRIL 1, 2011

SPECIAL EDITION

Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu

UMPI to Change Class Cancellation Policy Jacquelyn Lowman CONTRIBUTOR

After consultation with university administration, faculty, staff and students, U MPI Presi de nt D on Zillman has announced a change in campus policy on th e ca n cell ati on o f classes and campus activit y b ec au se of weathe r. Zillman rolled out the slogan “In with the Bad and Out with the Good” at a press conference last week. Quite simply, Zillman explained, the new policy means that bad weather

will no longer be grounds for cancellation. “ We a r e e i t h e r n a t i ve A ro o s t o o k e r s o r a d o p t e d sons and daughters of t h e C o u n t y. We c a n h a n dle tough weather and, f r a n k l y, t h e r e i s n o b e t ter time to learn that when the snow is pouring down and the wind chill i s 1 0 b e l o w z e r o . We have Olympic quality s n o w m ove r s i n o u r p hy s ical plant team. Fro m hereon out, CLOSURE I S N OT A N O P T I O N. ” Z i l l m a n we n t o n t o

ex p l a i n t h at c o t s wo u l d be set up in Gentile Hall fo r c o m mu t e r s u n a bl e t o g e t h o m e. T h e p o p u l a r Hawaiian luau night at the Commons will also be a mandatory feature of “weather nights” and open at no cost to all U M P I c o m mu n i t y m e m b e r s. S h o r t s, f l i p - f l o p s, a n d H aw a i i a n s h i r t s w i l l b e o bl i g at o r y we a r. Dean of Students Christine Cor sello, Academic Vice President Mike Sonntag and Finance and Facilities Vice President Charlie Bonin endor sed Zillman’s plan. They also emphasized the “Out with the Good” portion of the new program. Dean Corsello summarized: “Any time the temperature hits 70 deg rees, the sun is out and a gentle breeze is blowing, classes are OUT. “ Vice President Sonntag ag reed: “Who wants to study then. We all have better things to do.” Vice President Bonin noted: “We

hope that UMPI’s leadership will per suade those ‘weather wimps’ the Norther n Maine Community College and School Administrative District 1 to follow suit.” G ove r n o r Pa u l L e Pa g e expressed his enthusiastic support for the UMPI

l e a d e r s h i p. “A s I ’ve s a i d m a ny t i m e s, w h a t i s g o o d for Mardens is good for M a i n e. O u r P r e s q u e I s l e store will be open in the worst of weather and all UMPI Nordic skiers of a ny a b i l i t y j u s t h ave t o g l i d e o n ove r t o g e t f a bu l o u s b a r g a i n s. ”

University Times

ampus

April 1, 2011

Letters From The Editors

The University Times Staff Editor Lanette Virtanen Assistant Editor Ben Pinette Sarah Graettinger Kayla Ames Stephanie Jellett Staff Writers Kayla Ames Stephanie Corriveau Naima deFlorio Martha Franklin-Wight Sarah Graettinger Jordan Guy Kathi Jandreau Stephanie Jellett Steven McKenney Michael Mink Angelic Nicholson Mika Ouellette Angie Paul Henry Pelletier Ben Pinette Derek Smith Taylor Ussery Lanette Virtanen Brianna Williams Martha Franklin-Wight Contributors Chris Corsello Dick Harrison Ralph McPherson Jim Stepp Don Zillman Adviser Dr. J The U Times welcomes submissions from the campus campus. Send digital versions of articles, photos, etc., to utimes@maine.edu and jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu

Dear readers, As you may know, Iʼve had a few bad days lately. After I found out about not having enough classes to graduate this May, I also had a slight accident while delivering the papers around campus. Due to these unusual circumstances, Iʼve decided to take a break from school and maybe finish my degree next year. Iʼm going to take this time to recoup and decide what Iʼll do with my future. Times are hard in this area for job hunting, and Iʼve been thinking of moving back to my family home in Canada. I just wanted to take this time to say how much fun Iʼve had since coming to UMPI and that Iʼll miss everyone. I would like to thank a few people whoʼve helped me. First, Erin Benson for all her help and patience with me: without her, I would have never come to UMPI or joined the newspaper. Second, I would like to thank Dr. J. for letting me become much more involved in the newspaper than I ever planned on being. To all my other professors, I would like to say that I never dreamed that learning could be so much fun. Iʼve enjoyed all my classes and have met the most interesting people. My art classes have been my favorite and Iʼll miss them the most. Iʼm leaving the paper in very capable hands and Iʼve made some great friends while I was here. Take care, Lanette Dear readers, After many months of staying in Normal Hall well past dark, then waking up and going straight to Normal Hall without any sort of break, I am officially moving my possessions into the U Times office (102). Not only would I save a fortune in room and board here at UMPI, but I would be literally two steps away from “work.” There would be no need for a car or roommate at that. I have a cot already set up with a TV. I recently bought a hot plate to cook food, so Iʼm all set there. I move in April 4! What a way to save a few dollars! Iʼll send the open invite here, the U Times room, to come visit me anytime. Iʼll leave the light on for ya. -Ben Greetings, I recently traveled to Iceland with Professor McCartney and the UMPI geology-ecology club. We spent five days exploring nearby towns, studying geology and simply enjoying ourselves. All in all, it was a very beneficial experience. So beneficial, in fact, that Iʼve decided I want to return, and not just for a few days, but long enough to fully immerse myself in the culture. As a result, Iʼve decided to become an Icelandic exchange student! I plan on leaving UMPI for a while to spend an entire year in Iceland, I hope near the capitol of Reykjavik. I will miss my friends, of course, along with my family and everything that has become familiar here on campus, but I look forward to learning a lot and meeting new people. As Gerald Gould writes in “Wander Thirst,” one of my favorite poems, “I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are/ But a man can have the sun for friend, and for his guide, a star…” Wish me luck! Thank you (or takk fyrir, as they say in Iceland), Kayla Ames Hi all! Hope break treated you well, I know I enjoyed it. Hereʼs my tip of the week: everyone should avoid the Preble Hall first floor bathroom. Why? Because the excessive amount of Christmas trees that they had in the bathroom caught on fire due to a short in the wiring and burnt all the trees and furniture. Why were there Christmas trees and furniture in a bathroom? I am not quite sure, but there certainly are none now! Enjoy the issue everybody! Stephanie Jellett

D at es fo r S u b missi on s to t h e U T i me s

April 11

April 25

Any submissions recieved after a deadline will be published in the following issue. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Lowman at 768-9745.

Univer si t y T im e s ! CAMPUS ! A p r il 1 , 20 11

Steven McKenney STAFF WRITER

It was quiet the shock for the student senate president to walk into his office last week to find that the awardwinning art piece that had been on his wall was missing. What disturbed the student senate more than anything, though, is how masterful the theft was. Investigators have come up with no significant signs or evidence for who stole it or how they did it. The student senate has had immense discussion about how further investigation should be executed. What all members agreed on is that it was most likely one of their own. A recent interview with a n i nve s t i g at i ve re p o r t , Burnham McKlowski, revealed a few points of

Masterful Theft from the Student Senate President

i n t e r e s t t h at t h e s e n a t e considered. “All they can say right n ow i s t h at i t c o u l d n’t have been one of the regular students,” McKlowski s a i d . “ T h e p re s i d e n t ’s office is locked up every night with a special security code. The only problem is that he has been downstate all weekend.” When asked what firm and solid evidence they had that the president actually was downstate, McKlowski answered, “We know that he was staying at one of the Hampton Inns in Portland. He was out on a family related note. Later on that night on the day he left, he called us from what we thought was a Portland number. When we called the number back, the secretaries at the hotel were able to patch us through to him.

Brianna Williams STAFF WRITER

He hasn’t been available for further questioning, though. He is a very busy man.” Cur rently, M c K l o w s k i remains vigilant and is doing his ver y best to crack the case behind the stolen piece of art. It’s been a rough patch of work for him. In fact, M c K l o w s k i noted that it’s been one of the tougher cases he’s worked on in a long time. Still, the student senate has faith that he is one of the best in his field. Let’s hope he wil l succeed.

Itʼs Time to Fix Whatʼs Broken

The university has put many hours and many dollars into the wind turbine. This opportunity has done wonders for the college and the community combined. Yet the wind turbine has unexpectedly broken. On a windy day the blades were not working as well as they should. This is when faculty and students knew something was wrong. Dr. Henry Martin, a leading expert on wind technology called in to help with the problem said, “People would look at the wind turbine, but it wasn’t moving as fast as it

should have. That worried the community. The wind turbine is supposed to move on windy days. When it doesn’t move as fast, there is less power for the campus and the community.” The UMPI faculty immediately got to work to think of ways that they could find out what was wrong. At first they tried asking the science teachers what could be the problem. They, in turn, called Dr. Martin. Eventually there was a solution to the problem. Martin said, “The town was noticing that there was not much power coming from UMPI’s wind turbine. One of the main issues is

that the turbine is connected to a weak grid. This causes flickering of light bulbs. All over the campus, people have been noticing that lights have not been working as well as in the past. So this was our big problem.” To save money, the school began to look into ways to fix the turbine for a better price. Instead of bringing in a full crew to fix the issue, the school thought it would be a great idea to have the science majors fix the turbine themselves with the help of their advisers and teachers. The group will be looking at what is the main problem. They will look at how

they will address the issue can fix the turbine. The turbine can be fixed mechanically and electronically. The faculty felt that it was a great idea for the students to learn how to use machinery to fix something so important to the campus and the community. Even though the wind turbin e is bro ken , th e cam p us hopes to get i t ba ck and r unn in g like never before. It wants the turbine to be running as good as new. Let’s hope that our students and faculty c an fix it! UMPI wants to go green, and it wants to stay green.

Uni ver si t y T im e s ! CAMPUS ! A p ril 1 , 20 11

Chris’ Corner What Goes Up, Must Come Down: Wind Turbine to be Dismantled

For those who pay attention, you will have noticed for the last week or so that the blades on the wind turbine have not been spinning. Wondering why? President Zillman is so broken up, and unable to talk about it, he’s asked me to explain. Let me begin with a little refresher on the project. In November 2004, the first step of the project began with a 20-month wind measurement survey by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Renewable Energy Research Laboratory to see if the idea would even fly. The assessment process continued until April 2007, when the university made its final decision to move forward with the project. In the fall of 2008, the university signed a contract with Lumus Construction Inc. to install a 600 kW wind turbine adjacent to its athletics fields at the southern end of campus. The contract established UMPI as the first university in the state and one of only a handful in New England to install a midsize wind turbine. The $2 million project included the cost of the turbine and its installation. The turbine tower was manufactured in the U.S., the nacelle and rotor

blades in Chennai, India. In late 2008, crews began drilling and excavating to put steel and concrete into the ground to complete the turbine base. In 2009, the installation process began, placing the 65-meter turbine tower on the base, and then assembling the turbine nacelle and rotor blades and placing them atop the tower. The turbine was completely assembled and generating electricity by late spring 2009

ating more than $100,000 in annual energy savings and keeping an estimated 572 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, or the equivalent of removing 123 cars from the road. From the onset of the project, two local residents, Willy Winer and Nancy Negative have been considerable and vocal opponents to the project. Along each step of the process, Winer and Negative have filed

UMPI is the first university in the state to install a mid-size wind turbine on campus. The 600 kW wind turbine has produced 680,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year, cre-

petitions, organized and conducted protests and simply threw up hurdle after hurdle for the university to overcome. According to Winer, “The turbine is a nuisance, distrac-

tion and eyesore for all who pass through northern Aroostook County and residents here should not have to suffer such an injustice.” Negative claims the turbine “infringes upon her ability – and right - to see the clear sky and stars and pure beauty of northern Maine.” Both residents have repeatedly stated they would not stop fighting until they saw the turbine project ceased or the tower taken down. It appears that Winer and Negative have won the battle. President Zillman, Vice President Bonin and Facilities Director Dave St. Peter, the three who worked tirelessly to see the turbine erected, are dismayed, dejected and devastated by this breaking news. For the last month, they have attempted to keep the workings of Winer and Negative out of the headlines and under wraps, fully expecting that this entire matter would blow by. After several court filings, however, it has been deter-

mined that an error was made when surveying the UMPI property. The courts have ruled that the land upon which the turbine sits does not actually belong to the university, but rather the citizens of Presque Isle. As such, Winer and Negative immediately filed a petition to have the tower removed from “their property.” City and state officials have deliberated the matter, but have no choice but to grant Winer and Negative’s petition and have informed UMPI officials that “the turbine must come down immediately.” As such, contracts are being signed to have the tower dismantled piece by piece with the expected completion date of May 7 – just one week prior to the 102nd commencement ceremonies. President Zillman, holding back tears and with his voice cracking, stated that he’s simply in shock and can’t believe that the turbine will be gone in a few short weeks. “I can’t believe that years of hard, but joyous, work will now be in pieces.” Campus officials also mentioned that a “goodbye party” may be in the works on the day the turbine is disassembled. More details to come.

Students Send Smoking Gazebos Up in Smoke Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER

This past Thursday, Dr. Jacqui Lowman’s Business Communication class destroyed all of the smoking gazebos on campus. As a project, the class had been working on a petition along with Healthy Aroostook to make the UMPI campus smoke-free. After their petition did not work, the students took desperate measures.

During their Thursday class, the students walked out and groups headed to each smoking gazebo on campus. The students then pinned down the smokers and asked for their lighters. The smoking people complied and gave them up without a fight. “I didn’t know what was going on with all of these people that were asking for lighters. I just gave them up and let the other students have them,” said

a smoker. The Business Communication students then used the lighters to set fire to all of the gazebos on campus. Authorities are going around gathering up the suspects. Smokers are up in smoke about what happened. “Now that all of the gazebos are gone, I can smoke anywhere I guess,” one smoker said. The class teacher is all upset that people did this. “I can’t believe that people

would do this for a healthier living. There are better ways to get information spread with out using arson,” Lowman said. Now students all over campus are aware that this happened and want the people responsible to be punished. “The students that were responsible are not going to jail, and are still going to college classes,” the police said. In the end, the students and teachers know that this hap-

pened, and are taking precautions against anything like this happening again.

Univer si t y T im e s ! CAMPUS ! A p r il 1 , 20 11

UMPI Student Strikes Gold!

Kayla Ames

STAFF WRITER

Half a dozen students stood in the stream, bending then straightening, wet gravel scratching against the bottom of wide, shallow pans before dropping back into their place of origin. Waterproof gloves and rubber boots were all that kept them from feeling the full effect of the chilly stream rushing past. Suddenly, one student, a female of 19, looked down at her pan and felt her eyes widen. Something was glistening. Bending again, she scooped more gravel, shook the pan and stared in amazement. Stunned and hesitant, she walked over to the professor. “I think…. Is this gold, Professor McCartney?” Sarah Ames asked. Kevin McCartney, professor of geology here at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, said that he wasn’t comfortable making assumptions but there was a good chance that what she’d found was, indeed, gold.

Ames nodded, unsure of how to react. She had half a pan of gold, and she thought there might be more waiting for her in the turn of the stream. The geology-ecology club of UMPI went gold panning Wednesday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They spent more than a month planning the excursion, communicating back and forth with the cousin of a member associated with the club and waiting for the weather to improve. Following the storm, the week of March 16 was pleasant and sunny, the best weather the club expected to see for a while. “We thought it would be better to go gold panning now than wait for the weather to cooperate and have the trip delayed even more,” Gary Parent, vice president of the club, said. So the group set out, eager to spend several hours up to their shins in a cold stream, bent over in search of flecks of gold or other interesting finds related to geology. If the opportunity to observe or learn something more about ecology pre-

sented itself, the group hoped to take advantage of that as well. What they didn’t anticipate, however, was one of their members finding $2,000 dollars worth of gold. “When I saw all that, I thought I must be imagining it or something. I really didn’t know what to think,” Ames said. After separating as much gold as they could find from gravel and other material, the group took it to be appraised. That was when they discovered that Ames’ find was worth much more than any of them had imagined. When asked what she planned to do with the $2,000, Ames said: “I think I’ll use it to pay for books this semester. Maybe I’ll donate some to UMPI, too, and especially to the geo-eco club since it was only because of them that I found that gold. Either way, I think I’m really lucky, and I hope to spread the wealth, as they say.” While panning is the easiest way to sort gold, the activity isn’t very popular since most places known to contain deposits have long since been depleted. Unless gold traces are said to be substantial or labor costs are low, the majority of people don’t bother with it. More often than not, gold panning is a tourist attraction and the chance of finding a significant amount is unlikely, to say the least. That cold, sunny day in Maine, however, the geo-eco club wasn’t after money, but rather something much more valuable: knowledge and e x p e r i e n c e. Fortunately for all of them, they walked away with both.

UMPI for Tropical Tourism Naima deFlorio STAFF WRITER

Has the cold of northern Maine winters left you dreaming of a tropical vacation or cruise? Looking to get away from the frozen winter palace of the northeast to catch intense sun in a warmer clime? Look no further than the University of Maine at Presque Isle. That’s right: Presque Isle, Maine. UMPI won a grant for the most innovative green initiative business plan. As a result, the grant has been authorized in the amount of $3.1 million from the United States Department of Conservation. UMPI President Don Zillman said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity, long overdue.” This grant will be funding the first wind powered tanning bed facility in North America. Blueprints of the building plans are available for viewing online at UMPI.com. Additionally, there will be an updated blog of the progress from the groundbreaking ceremony to completion. Speaking of groundbreaking, that ceremony is set for May near the UMPI wind turbine at 11:30 a.m. Expected to be in attendance are a number of Maine public officials and members of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. There will be a reception following with windmill shortbread cookies and coffee. All are welcome: bring a friend, bring the family. It’s going to be

an all day celebration with events including sack racing and more. Check the upcoming issue for the list of events. A grassroots organization on the campus is looking to get this entirely wind turbine powered tanning bed facility to be entered into the National Register of Historic Landmarks. If this site were to be accepted into the National Register, it would be listed alongside such popular places to visit as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Maine Center for Economic Development of Innovative Business Practices projects that once this facility is listed in the National Register, the number of tourists likely to visit the area to see the only wind turbine powered tanning facility is upward of 200,000 visitors within the first year. Students and faculty members at the university will be able to get reduced rate tanning bed memberships. As the completion of the facility nears, feel free to stop into the business office to get your ID card validated. In UMPI’s vision to create a greener campus, the new facility will have this motto: “Promoting Green for a Tanner You.” Think about what the facility should be called. Your suggestions are welcome. Look for the Naming Contest rules and regulations in the next issue, and then submit your best idea. The winner gets a $1,000 Wal-Mart gift card.

Uni ver si t y T im e s ! CAMPUS ! A p ril 1 , 20 11

Kathi Jandreau STAFF WRITER

It is an honor for the University of Maine at Presque Isle to introduce a new instructor this coming fall in the science department as a new permanent fixture in the school. Former NASA aerospace engineer Dr. Jonathan Eichman will be joining the faculty next semester as an astrophysics instructor. He has some very interesting topics and his broad range of experience to share. At the age of 16, Dr. Eichman, a child prodigy, was excited to learn that he had been accepted to Princeton University. By the age of 18, he had graduated summa cum laude, earning his Doctor of Philosophy in Astrophysics. By

New Instructor to Teach Astrophysics at UMPI This Fall

the time he had reached 20, he had already been working for NASA for two years. Now, at the age of 24, he is prepared and willing to teach others the knowledge that he has gained over the years. One of the most interesting topics he will be discussing during the year will be the planned manned mission to the outer solar system. Dr. Eichman, who has planned to team with NASA, will select a number of interested students from his class to accompany him on this mission. Dr. Eichman has already made several trips to outer space. “Some things on planet earth are more beautiful when seen from space, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the

Great Wall of China, the UMPI Wind Turbine and the Australian Great Barrier Reef,” Eichman said. He went on to say, “When I was originally asked what I had thought of these manned missions, I was more than a little skeptical. After being told that they would be sending a probe to Uranus, however, I immediately volunteered. I understood that it would be dark, cramped and crazy ride. But I knew all too well that it was not only my destiny, but the destiny of all humanity.” Students will be given more information about Dr. Eichman’s classes and special mission as registration for next fall begins. The safety precautions and

ethical ramifications of such a trip are still being reviewed by the board of trustees. Funding would be provided by a grant through NASA, which Dr. Eichman has already set up through his connections. This is a great opportunity for those who are interesting in this particular science and great way for UMPI to make it into the eye of the media and gain a bigger name in the United States and all over the world.

Dr. Jonathan Eichman

New Parking Lot Coming to UMPI Sarah Graettinger STAFF WRITER

We all know what a nightmare parking is during the winter. Well, have no fear! A brand-new parking lot is being built. In the soccer fields, right next to the turbine, construction is going to start soon. With the plans all laid out, parking will be easier all over campus. Richard Bates, a math student, was willing to help out with the planning. “I am so excited to see that something is going to be done about this parking problem. People will be able to park right under the turbine if they want! It would be so great to be able to get some shade during the summer months,” Bates said. One thing that won’t be a problem anymore is parking stickers. Students and faculty will be able to park there for free. The tuition that you pay to the university will take care

of all of your parking needs! No more standing in lines in the beginning of the year! “Man, I am so pumped that the parking fee is gone now! I don’t have to worry about my car breaking and taking someone else’s without a sticker. That saves so much time and money!” Bates said. This new parking area will bring new students to campus. People need to see that their cars won’t be hit because of a bad driver. People can count on enough space to relax and take their classes in peace. “It’s so exciting that people won’t have to worry about accidents in the near future. When the construction takes place, there will be hordes of students eagerly waiting for the grand opening!” Bates said. Overall, the student experience at UMPI will be so much better with this new parking lo, and no

parking fee. Many students will be so ecstatic when it’s all finally done. “I can’t believe that this wasn’t done sooner. Many people were always wondering what would occur if something happened to their cars on campus. I can’t wait for this to be in place! I am going to tell all of my friends!” The university president is getting ready for the ribbon cutting ceremony when the parking lot is finished. Underneath the turbine there will be Proposed a BBQ for

students to see what the parking lot looks like. “ G a m e s a n d p r i ze s w i l l b e g i ve n o u t t o t h e s t u d e n t s wh o c o m e. Pa p e r s will be handed out all ov e r c a m p u s s o p e o p l e know about the new

IN G PARK W E N

p a rk i n g a n d t h e s t i c k e r p o l i c y, ” B at e s s a i d . L e t ’s h e a r i t fo r a more organized UMPI, and a great system for parking in the future! Out with the old, and in with the new!

AREA

new parking lot would place it behind existing Folsom/Pullen parking lot.

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Moose Meat Found in University of Maine System Cafeterias

Martha Franklin-Wight Maine System. STAFF WRITER “When they (Morisette Inc.) offered to supply all Meats, The University of Maine the meat for the campuses at an System has been in a financial crisis since 2008. Trying to find 80 percent savings, there was no ways to save money without way we could turn the opportuhurting the overall quality of nity down,” Haims said. Morisette Meats is based in life for students can sometimes Ontario, Canada. Because the be a very difficult task. Food and Drug Administration “To keep the current faculty rules for acceptable type of and staff employed, we needed to cut where we could,” Samuel meat do not apply to meats Haims, a University of Maine processed in a foreign country, System spokesperson said. the alternative meats slipped “One of the areas that had under the radar. “We do have every packbeen cut back was the vendor age of hamburger tested for the hamburger meat,” when it comes into this counHaims said. “We had no idea that the try,” Roger Blackenship, of Food and Drug vendor supplying the meat was the Administration, said. “But substituting moose for the beef and other meats. We just article two of the meat packassumed that the hamburger ing code just says to check for freshness. There is no clause was hamburger,” Haims said. Morisette Meats, Inc., is the in the code that says to check vendor of all the frozen meat for types of meat…just for and freshness,” products for the University of quality

Blankenship said. “When we found out that they were switching the meat, technically there was nothing we could do. As long as the meat is good quality, we have to pass it,” Blankenship said.

“The processing of moose for commercial use is not illegal in some parts of Canada,” Roger Wilcox, of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said. We can’t

push our views on foreign countries. If they want to process whatever kind of game, we can’t do anything about it,” Wilcox said. “For all we know, they could be selling any number of foreign meat types, and we can do nothing to stop it. As long as it passes the quality test, meat vendors can sell or do what they want with their products,” Wilcox said. And sell they did. The University of Maine System bought more than125,000 pounds of the meat over the last 12 months. At a cost of $58,000, the meat has saved the system $263,552 in the course of a year. But a savings at what cost? “I believe it is unfair to the students,” Mable Pepper, a cafeteria worker at UM, said. “The students believed they were eating hamburger, and now their

confidence has been betrayed,” Pepper said. The website for Morrisette Meats, Inc., posted a response to this controversy. The website reads, “Hamburger is not really made from ham.” The University of Maine System has stopped all orders from Morrisette Meats, Inc., and has looked into filing possible criminal charges. “Unfortunately for the students and the university, not much can be done since they are a foreign entity, and their meat did pass inspection when entering the country,” Roger Rynewood, of the office of the Maine Attorney General, said. Vegetarian support groups at the various system campuses are being set up at the university for all interested students. Look for fliers in the cafeteria starting April 2, 2011, for date, time and place.

Rolling Up a New Car Brain Donation Angie Paul

STAFF WRITER

Many people who drink coffee on a regular basis, or even on a semi-regular basis, have been buying their coffee at Tim Horton’s these days, rolling up their rim and hoping to win one of the fabulous prizes. The most wanted of the prizes is one of the five vehicles up for grabs. You almost never hear of anyone around here winning anything more than a free coffee or free doughnut. Now the rim luck has finally hit close to home. Over the weekend, one of the UMPI staff members won one of the five new cars. Eddy

Ruiz rolled up his rim and found the tab said “win a car.” Ruiz said, “I’m very happy to be the winner of a big prize. I don’t know if I’ll be giving up

my old car: I love her. But I sure will be driving the new one around!” Ruiz‘s wife tells us a different version of the future, explaining

with a chuckle, “I think he’ll be driving his old car. I’ll be the one with the shiny new wheels.” With one car already won in the area, are everybody else’s chances over? Tim Horton’s management reassures the coffee drinkers of Presque Isle that just because one car has been won, there is no reason that one of the four cars left can’t be won here as well. So keep buying more coffee than usual. Keep rolling up those cups. You may also roll up the rim to find it says “April Fools!”

Michael Greaves STAFF WRITER

Have you donated blood to the local Red Cross lately? If you have, you might be in danger of losing your mind. A startling discovery has been made that when they insert the needle into your bloodstream to take your blood, they also insert a tiny microchip that makes its way to your brain and takes it over so that you will return to the Red Cross again and again to make donations… as well as follow other commands. It is also said that the military is planning on using this technology to get kids to enlist in the military. The U Times talked to Dr. Fred Griffin, director of the Presque Isle Red Cross, who had this to say about the matter: “The Red Cross has never injected such devices into

donors. If we did, then there probably would not be a blood shortage.” But don’t worry, scientists have been working on this problem and might have a solution. If you’ve gone to the Red Cross and feel that they might have inserted something sinister into your body, then you can go down to the local hardware store and pick up a stud finder. You scan it across the area that you think they inserted the microchip into. This is also the way veterinarians use special metal detectors to find chips in animals when they get lost. So just remember that if you donate blood at the Red Cross, you’d better bring a stud finder to make sure that the nurses who take your blood don’t try to insert mind control chips into your bloodstream.