BG News for 10.09.2013

Page 1

THE BG NEWS

A NEW SPACE Myspace relaunched its site in June with new features. See what the new social network offers to users and the full story in Pulse on Page 3.

ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Volume 93, Issue 21

TTYL,

Students discuss racially charged tweets Open forum hosted Tuesday night

WWW.BGNEWS.COM

I’M DRIVING

Signs, advertising to promote not texting while driving along highways

By Abby Welsh News Editor

By Alex Alusheff Managing Editor

Students from several cultural groups came together during an open forum Tuesday night in the Union to discuss the next step in response to the racially charged tweets. Because the Black Student Union was not the only group affected by the tweets, no student organization sponsored the forum, but instead it was ran solely by students. “We aren’t sure what the next step is from here, which is why we want student input,” said Kevin Lewis, BSU president. “It’s not our decision to make for everyone.” Around 200 students came to the open forum and shared personal experiences about dealing with racism. For those who didn’t feel comfortable enough to say something, a suggestion box was offered for ideas on what to do next. Senior Greg Gantt suggested a silent march when the administration get off work in order to push for change. “We are signing petitions and educating others, but I don’t think we are really getting to the right people,” Gantt said. “We are told to let these things go. People tell us ‘it’s just another tweet,’ but that shouldn’t be the case.” The Department of Public Safety is currently consulting with prosecutors to see if the racially charged tweets targeted at BSU are considered criminal. The tweets, sent from Twitter handle @PatFalcon,

The Ohio Department of Transportation is discussing adding “safe phone zones” to discourage distracted driving. Last year, distracted driving, such as texting, caused 416 crashes in Ohio, 16 being fatal, according to ODOT’s county fact sheets. Prospective signs and advertisements along highways and bridges would encourage drivers to stop at “safe phone zones” at rest areas, said Steve Faulkner, press secretary for ODOT. “Hopefully motorists will take into consideration their personal responsibility to the safety of themselves and others,” Faulkner said. Texting and driving has been banned in Ohio as a secondary offence since Aug. 31, 2012. Though it is banned, being a secondary offense limits enforcement. “If I pull up aside someone and see them texting, I have to back off and see if they do anything [else] wrong before I can pull them over,” said Lt. Jerrod Savidge, commander of the Highway Patrol’s Bowling Green post. Since the ban was initiated, only three people have been cited for the offense in the city, said Kathy Thomas, clerk of courts at the Bowling Green Municipal Court. It’s a minor misdemeanor offense that could result in $150 in fines, said City Prosecutor Matt Reger. Aside from warning drivers, the signs would also be a way to make revenue, Faulkner

See TEXT | Page 8

See FORUM | Page 2

DISTRACTED DRIVING BY THE NUMBERS

CITY

brief Three unidentified males commit robbery at gunpoint

400: Injury crashes in Ohio in 2012 16: Fatal crashes in Ohio in 2012

An armed robbery was reported at 524 N. Enterprise St. around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The suspects are described as three unidentified black males, who robbed a Heinzsite apartment at gunpoint, according to AlertBG. The unidentified men then ran northwest from the scene. The incident is still under investigation, according to the Bowling Green Police Division. People are advised to call 911 if they see the suspects. Check BGNews.com for updates.

9: Injury crashes in Wood County in 2012

EVAN FRY | THE BG NEWS

Fall concert expected to sell out on Sunday

A CLOSER LOOK

Tickets to Florida Georgia Line currently on hold, sales aided by Ticketmaster By Geoff Burns Pulse Editor

EMILY REITH | THE BG NEWS

STUDENTS FROM BGSU’s TOMS Club raise awareness for World Sight Day with fun and games.

LAST MINUTE HEARTBREAK Men’s soccer falls to Detroit University 2-1 in the final minutes. They will try to get back to their winning ways Saturday against Northern Illinois. Check the sports section for the full story on | PAGE 6

Students can expect to be welcomed back from fall break with a fall concert. The University Activities Organization is hosting this year’s annual fall concert at the Stroh Center. Florida Georgia Line will perform after being opened to the stage by Dallas Smith and Colt Ford on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. UAO decided to host a country artist this year to try something new as opposed to the previous artists who have performed such as Kid Cudi, Cobra Starship and 3OH!3, said

Jonathon Wray, co-director of the traditions programming team for UAO. “When we were looking at artists, Florida Georgia Line was within our price range and they were just starting to reach their peak and were even getting bigger during the summer,” Wray said. “We jumped on the opportunity as soon as we could.” Though there aren’t any tickets right now for people to buy, there are still some on hold for the band and UAO plans on the show being sold out by the day of the concert. Wray said this was the first time the organization sold tickets online with Ticketmaster. Although the transaction process was difficult for

ADVICE IS HERE

people to purchase their tickets at first, it went smoother than expected, he said. “Since the band is so popular, we knew there was going to be a rush for ticket sales and we didn’t feel like there would be enough room to do it on campus,” Wray said. “There would be a crazy long line on campus if we did it that way and we wouldn’t have had enough volunteers to take care of that.” UAO Adviser Mike Freyaldenhoven said the online purchasing of tickets was another

See FGL | Page 8

DO YOU TEXT AND DRIVE? WHY?

Advice Columnist Miss D answers her first question about a student’s relationship problem about her boyfriend’s love of bowling, what she should do about it and why she should do it. | PAGE 4

“No, I don’t want people to die.” Leeah Floyd Freshman, Nursing

MyBGSU has a new look Coming Oct. 10

Visit www.bgsu.edu/portal to learn more 14IT093 BG NEWS AD.indd 1

10/2/13 12:08 PM


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