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THE BG NEWS ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Parking Services responds to commuter complaints by calculating walking times By Brian Bohnert Reporter
University senior and commuter Alex Bahret can easily get from his car to his morning shift at ITS inside Hayes Hall in roughly five minutes; but if he makes the decision to grab a quick bite to eat, his easy-tofind spot in Lot 5 will be gone, forcing him to park in Lot 10 near the Ice Arena. The 10 to 15-minute trek from the lot to Hayes is often a nuisance when trying to find a convenient spot to get to work on time, Bahret said. But, according to t he Universit y’s new interactive tracking tool, the average walking time of 10 minutes, 15 seconds is right on schedule. Parking Ser v ices calls the new tool the Online Walking Times map. Aaron Kane, Shuttle and Pa rk ing Ser v ices ma nager, came up with the idea for the interactive map as a way to help commuters plan their days when they need to walk from a commuter parking lot to an academic building in the shortest time possible. “[Park ing Ser v ices] worked with Marketing and Communications, along with Design and Construction for
See MAP | Page 2
LEVAS, an ensemble of University students, sang songs about AfricanAmerican culture on Tuesday. See photos on
CAMPUS on PAGE 3.
VOLUME 91, ISSUE 76
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 & THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012
New online map helps track time
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c e n R o i t n e t e R
Spring break, withstanding New Year’s Resolutions contribute to increase in Student Recreation Center patrons By Tyler Buchanan Reporter
Two mont hs a f ter ma k ing f itness New Yea r’s Resolut ions, st udents a re keepi ng t hei r prom ises. Wit h t wo mont hs dow n and just ten more to go, the Student Recreation Center saw a boost in visitors during Januar y, with nearly 34,000 student sw ipes t he f irst month of the new semester. I n Febr ua r y, t he t rend cont inued.
“Typically what we see is for the student population ... Februar y is one of our busiest months,” said Faith Yingling, director of Recreation and Wellness. As student attendance at the Rec rises, the need for fitness classes stays constant, Yingling said. “We’ve actually had to add some spinning classes due to demand,” she said. New Year’s Resolutions are not necessarily the only reasons for high turnout.
Colder weather keeps students from exercising outside, forcing them to the Rec during winter months, Yingling said. Also, students may exercise at the Rec in preparation for spring break. Megan Nolan, a sophomore center manager at the Rec, agreed that break contributes to the rise in student numbers, because students planning to go on vacation may go
See REC | Page 2
REC CENTER VISITORS ■■ August: 16,435 ■■ September: 32,940 ■■ October: 27,481 ■■ November: 24,384 ■■ December: 12,726 ■■ January: 33,841 ■■ February: 35,139
*Note: Numbers depicted for August are for swipes between August 22 and August 31 only. Information provided by David Hollinger, assistant director in the department of Recreation and Wellness
Students swarm Blackboard to register for fall 2012 classes
SOLIDARITY FOR SURVIVNG STUDENTS
Officials say process is ‘going smoothly’ this semester By Tyler Buchanan Reporter
ALYSSA GANNON | THE BG NEWS
JESSICA LASH, junior, and Kristen Kilger, sophomore, sign a board for Angelica Mormile, one of two sorority sisters who survived the Interstate 75 crash on March 2. Five boards were set up in the Falcon’s Nest in the Union so students, friends and faculty members could send their thoughts to the women and their families.
BGNEWS.COM
What’s on the menu?
@
Visit our website Thursday to read about research from the University’s Nutrition Association.
SPORTS
Postseason play begins
The men’s and women’s basketball teams begin their postseason play this week. The men play in the CIT and the women play in the first round of the WNIT. | PAGE 6
Days a f ter returning f rom spring break, many students are already looking towards next semester. Class registration for the 2012 fall semester officially began Tuesday. Like a virtual “Black Friday,” hundreds of students scrambled on Blackboard this morning, hoping to secure spots in classes next fall. “Re g i st r at ion is goi ng s m o ot h l y,” s a id Dave Kielmeyer, University spokesperson.
FORUM
Financial aid system falters Managing Editor Alissa Widman addresses flaws in the federal financial aid system, arguing students who work hard should be assisted more in avoiding debt. | PAGE 4
Seniors and graduate students made up the 4,716 students eligible to register for classes on Tuesday, he said. Not all students, however, are quick to register for classes. Of the 4,716 possible registrants, only half usually enrolled on the first day in years past, Kielmeyer said. Using Blackboard with class registration can be problematic for many students, from remembering to check their
See CLASSES | Page 10
What brings you to the Rec? I go there for the eye candy.
ANTHONY ARENA Sophomore, Accounting/Finance