THE BG NEWS ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Volume 93, Issue 46
A DIFFERENT ROUTINE Inside Joke Productions no longer hosts comedy night at One49 North. However, Grumpy Dave’s is revamping it’s own comedy. See why on Page 4.
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Bookstore to triple number of rentable books By Danae King Editor-in-Chief
ALYSSA BENES | THE BG NEWS
rachelle Muckensturm (far left) and Brenna Smith (mid left) collect donations to raise awareness of the war in Congo at the Falling Whistles event on Tuesday night in the Union Ballroom. The two are members of Golden Zonta, a campus organization for the empowerment of women.
keeping their innocence
Net Impact hosts Falling Whistles event to help child soldiers in Congo By Seth Weber Web Editor
ALYSSA BENES | THE BG NEWS
A BOUNCy castle was a popular attraction to visitors of the Falling Whistles event.
Students who rent their books from the University bookstore will now have almost three times as many books available to rent. Sta rting spring BY THE BOOK semester, more than • 80 percent of textbook 80 percent of book titles will be available to rent titles will be available for spring semester to rent, while only 30 • 30 percent were available percent are available fall semester • 3,800 students rented text- now. “Students always books for fall semester • 6,000 books were rented want to know, ‘is it fall semester available for rent• Students will be able to rent al?’” said Jeff Nelson, books using kiosks for spring director of t he semester University Bookstore. • Renting a book can save 50 percent or more than buying “We can read the disappointment [on a new or used book their face when we say it isn’t], the more rental books we can provide the better it is for students.” Renting a book can save students 50 percent or more on average than buying a new or used book,
See BOOK | Page 7
Accidents increase during holiday travel
Buying the latest iPhone may be a form of contributing to war in the Congo. In the Congo, factions fight for rare materials in mines, which are later used to make electronics and other devices, which Net Impact tries to raise awareness for, said sophomore Chelsea Burbridge. Net Impact hosted a Falling Whistles event to raise awareness of the war in the Congo on Tuesday in the Union Ballroom. Burbridge, president of Net Impact, said the war in the Congo is the deadliest war today. Activists for Falling Whistles wear whistles around their necks to show solidarity towards young children in the war who blow whistles in order to get the enemy’s attention, which usually leads to their death. Burbridge says she feels passionate about Falling Whistles because she wants to make a difference in the world. “I’ve always told myself if I can help one life, one little kid ... to keep their innocence, then I think it’s worth it,” she said. Some of the money from the Whistles goes towards helping positive influences in the Congo to promote peace, such as businesses, Burbridge said. The event had booths, which included photos and TOMS shoes, as well as live music and a bouncy castle.
When senior Hannah Berry makes the two-hour drive home for the holidays, she knows what she’s going to do to make it a safe journey. “I’ve never really had troubles going home,” Berry said. “It’s pretty smooth.” Berry said driving under the speed limit and being aware of her surroundings are how she drives safely, though not every driver is as sure as Berry when driving home for the holidays. The National Safety Council estimates this past Thanksgiving alone had 436 traffic fatalities and 46,600 injuries that required medical attention. While people might think accidents are more often the result of poor conditions, Sgt. Shawn Robinson of the Bowling Green post of the Highway Patrol said that isn’t necessarily true. “It’s not so much that traffic accidents increase,” Robinson said. “There’s more traffic on the road. So any time you have more traffic on the road, there’s a greater chance for a traffic crash.”
See CONGO | Page 7
See TRAVEL | Page 7
Students choose majors based on security, not passion
Law enforcement, students offer safety tips By William Channell Reporter
SO HUNGRY I COULD EAT A HOUSE
Money is a factor when students plan for future; still important to enjoy career By Blake Howell Reporter
Students face tedious decision making while in college. One of the biggest decisions students make is declaring a major. However, according to a study from ACT, students are not choosing majors that align with their interests. The study suggests t hat out of 1.2 million high school graduates in 2013, only 36 percent chose a major they want to pursue. Junior Scott Schnitzler is one of those people.
COLLEGE MAJORS WITH HIGHEST STARTING SALARY
1. Petroleum Engineering - $96,200. 2. Computer Engineering - $70,300 3. Chemical Engineering - $66,900 4. Computer Science - $64,100 5. Aerospace/Aeronautical/ Astronautical Engineering - $63,900 Information from Forbes.com
Schnitzler, a computer science major, said it is for two different reasons: “future financial security and parental guidance.” When he came to the University in fall 2011, he started
CLAWSON OUT SCHEIER IN BG football appoints Adam Scheier as its interim head coach for the rest of the season and the Little Caeser’s Pizza Bowl. Dave Clawson takes head coach position at Wake Forest. | PAGE 6
as a film production major. “I chose film production because it was my passion,” Schnitzler said. “It’s still my passion. But a degree in film, especially at BGSU, just wasn’t practical.” Though computers have always been an interest for Schnitzler, he said it is not his passion, just a stable job career. Andrea Gutierrez, the assistant director and liaison of the Career Center, suggests that job security is a large reason, but it is more complex than that.
See CAREER | Page 4
STEVEN W. ECHARD | THE BG NEWS
Sam Krantz, sophomore, and Catherine Freed, freshman, came out to decorate gingerbread houses in the Sweet Shop at the Oaks. Krantz said he came because he is interested in baking while Freed wanted to build her first successful gingerbread house.
WORK, SCHOOL, LIFE
Copy Chief Dylanne Petros talks about how her first semester living on her own and supporting herself by working part-time, another job and going to school. | PAGE 5
WHAT ARE YOUR TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS? “Don’t rush to get home, don’t text and drive and no horseplay.” Aaron Loconsole Sophomore, Physical Education