THE BG NEWS
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ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Students can learn to sift through their time and money demands as exam week creeps up by checking out In Focus on Page 3.
Wednesday, November 30 & Thursday, December 1, 2011
Volume 91, Issue 43
www.bgnews.com
Tip line is available for use
New EthicsPoint service aims to deter campus corruption By Alissa Widman Managing Editor
TOM NEPOMUCENO | THE BG NEWS
BYRON MACK | THE BG NEWS
BYRON MACK | THE BG NEWS
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Mary Ellen Mazey, ‘honorary coach’ for the women’s basketball game Tuesday, mentored the team on the sidelines.
MAZEY ROLLS ALONG TO 1-0 Student support, new University president as ‘honorary coach,’ cheer women’s basketball team to victory By Courtney Keenan Reporter
President Mary Ellen Mazey is celebrating her inauguration this week with many campus events. Tuesday night she served as ‘honorary coach’ at the women’s basketball team for the game against Western Kentucky University. “I love it,” Mazey said about being honorary coach. “I’ve never done anything like this before.” As honorary coach, Mazey participated in team activities, including pregame talk, time out huddles, locker room talks and sitting on the bench with the
players during the game. Head Coach Curt Miller said because of Mazey’s busy schedule she was unfortunately not able to fully experience all of the game day activities. She was unable to attend the morning cheer or the pregame meal. Before t he ga me, Mi l ler sa id he ex pected t he players would be extra motivated w ith the Universit y president on the bench. “We’re really excited we were included in the inauguration events,” he said. Students had the opportunity to catch a ride to the Stroh Center on two special shuttles;
the Falcon Frenzy shuttle picked up students at the Union pay lot, while the Campus Life shuttle picked up from Conklin North. The first 250 students who took part in the offered ride received a commemorative T-shirt and free popcorn. Students were also given a raffle ticket to win prizes that included a Falcon swag bag, University Bookstore gift card and two iPads. Freshman Caitlin Merz had the winning raffle ticket for the drawing of a Bookstore gift card. “Well, I just won a $125 gift card, so that will make me want to come to more games,” Merz said.
Sophomore Robert Gerlach, a University baritone player, said he was unaware of the game and Mazey’s honorary coaching until 20 minutes before riding the shuttle to the Stroh. Gerlach said he didn’t think Mazey’s presence would significantly impact the game. “We already have such a high spirit,” he said before the game. “We’ll still play a great game … [her presence] may be a confidence booster, but I don’t think we’ll need it. We’ll dominate no matter what.”
See MAZEY | Page 2
A new outlet is available for whistle-blowers and watchdogs to report wrongdoings and keep University practices in check. The University recently hired EthicsPoint, a phone and Internetbased reporting system, to “help create and foster the best possible work environment for all employees,” according to an email statement from University President Mary Ellen Mazey. The anonymous compliance and tip hotline will help community members address issues, ask questions or offer suggestions for improvement, said Jim Lambert, director of Internal Auditing and Advisory Services. Anyone can use the service at any time by calling 1-866-8790426 or visiting the EthicsPoint website. The caller will then be given password-protected access to the case, so it can be followed through to resolution. “Whether someone is trying to understand a policy or address a concern ... we want to give them a voice,” Lambert said. “An effective hotline system allows people to be more comfortable in an ethical workplace, so a lot of positives will come from it. We’re excited.” EthicsPoint costs $5,100 and all funds are allocated from Internal Auditing. The University has had a similar anonymous hotline service for several years, but decided to hire EthicsPoint in October because it offers anonymity and more efficient services, Lambert said. “EthicsPoint is an industryleading, third party managed hotline that offers us a better way to
See ETHICS | Page 2
Fact Line offers quick answers on campus New dining halls on campus Many students are unaware of decades-old service, which answers 20 to 30 questions daily By Abby Welsh Reporter
Fact: Fact Line is available for quick question-and-answer services at the University. Fact Line was founded in spring 1971. Its main purpose was to control rumors on campus, according to a Fact Line representative. The service was inspired by the Kent State shootings in 1970, when the United States went to war with Vietnam, said Steve Domachowski, assistant director for Information Services. “Students and parents were concerned for their safety on campus and needed information on their safety,” Domachowski said. “Therefore, Fact Line started a year later as an information line to basically provide information to students, family and faculty on safety on campus.” Fact Line has evolved from an emergency line to a service that is now provided to anyone with any
kind of question. “Fact Line used to be a secretive service through the mid-90s,” Domachowski said. “It is still considered the University’s hotline, but now we get all sorts of questions.” Anyone can use Fact Line by calling 419-372-2445. The service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fact Line is also available during breaks, but will have shorter hours. It is housed with the Information Center and the Parent and Family Help Line. “The Information Center works through the Office of Marketing and Communications to make sure any information we release is accurate,” Domachowski said. Fact Line’s most commonly asked questions usually pertain to sports, “but we also get a lot of randomly asked questions,” he said.
IN FOCUS Make new friends, keep old Balancing new and old relationships can be difficult, but the Counseling Center offers several strategies to improve and maintain friendships | Page 3
“It varies with how many questions Fact Line receives each day,” Domachowski said. “But we do receive at least 20 to 30 questions each day, though.” Fact Line’s busiest times during the year vary and include the beginning of the year, move-in day, breaks, midterms and end of the year, he said. Although Fact Line receives many questions each day, many students are unaware of what it is or that the University provides its services. “I have never even heard of Fact Line,” sophomore Kirsten Heckman said. Heckman wasn’t the only student who hadn’t heard of the service. “I’ve never heard of Fact Line, but it sounds like a useful thing to use,” freshman Baily Simon said. There are some limitations to what questions Fact Line representatives can answer. They will not answer questions that are “medical, legal or opinion based,” Domachowski said.
FORUM Greed prompts early Black Friday Columnist Matthew Thacker discusses the increase of shoppers from 6 million to 28.7 million and the 10 p.m. Thursday starting time for this year’s Black Friday | Page 4
decrease traffic to older locations Mike Paulus
By Simone Jackson Reporter
The University may soon change how and where students can eat on campus. Dining Services serves about 20,000 to 25,000 meals a day, and with the addition of Carillon Place and the Oaks, it is experiencing notable challenges in efficiency. “This year we are assessing the viability of all of our locations,” said Michael Paulus, director of the University’s Dining Services. “It is nice to have a variety of facilities on campus, but if students aren’t patronizing them, it is costing us money.” The Sundial, the Bowling Greenery and Founders dining halls have experienced a significant decline in business this semester, Paulus said.
SPORTS Falcons take down Western Kentucky The BG women’s basketball came up with a big win Tuesday night, defeating Western Kentucky 86-62. The Falcons had five players put up careerhighs in points scored | Page 5
Director of Dining Services “Our job is to keep costs dow n while providing students with the greatest variety,” he said. “Efficiency is the main goal.” The cost to operate dining facilities directly affects student tuition and fees. No facilities will close and hours of operation will not change this year, but Dining Services will consider these options if necessary, he said. “We didn’t really know what the cause and effect would be when we built these new facili-
See DINING | Page 2
PEOPLE ON THE STREET If you could ask the University anything, what would it be? JACKLYN WILDS Freshman, Interior Design
“Can we get a pet falcon?” | Page 4
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