THE BG NEWS
MARCH MADNESS For a chance to win gift certificates, enter The BG News’ March Madness contest by filling out a men’s basketball bracket located on Page 5.
ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Volume 93, Issue 76
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Kroger obtains liquor contract
Franchise made deal with BG Liquor Outlet By Alex Alusheff Managing Editor
Staff members of the Jerome Library dance on the staircase in the library lobby for the University’s video cover of Pharrell’s ‘Happy’.
PHOTO PROVIDED
DOIN’ THE ‘HAPPY’ DANCE University produces video cover of Pharrell’s ‘Happy’ for International Day of Happiness
A case of Miller Light, a shelving unit and the ability to sell high-proof liquor was sold to Kroger for $628 by the BG Liquor Outlet. The purchase agreement also included the transfer of all the outlet’s high-proof alcohol to Kroger. The outlet will continue to sell alcohol below 21 percent alcohol content, as it still owns a permit. The contract purchase was approved by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control on March 5 and Kroger was able to open a liquor store in the room near the pharmacy on March 11, said Jackie Siekmann, Kroger spokesperson. To purchase the contract from BG Liquor Outlet, Kroger had to buy an asset from the store, which is why a shelving unit and case of beer were bought. After Kroger and BG Liquor Outlet had signed the pur-
See LIQUOR | Page 3
By Danae King Editor-in-Chief
RUBEN KAPPLER | THE BG NEWS
Members of the BG Dance Team perform a routine for the video.
RUBEN KAPPLER | THE BG NEWS
This week, students, faculty and staff are getting “Happy” on camera. Marketing and Communications is producing a video of University groups and faculty members dancing and lip-syncing to Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” for International Day of Happiness on Thursday. The University is far from the first university to do this, as the movement to make videos has spread to universities across the country. Boston College, Howard University and the University of Toledo are a few examples of those who have come before the University. The idea just “came up” in a Marketing and Communications meeting during spring break, said Marie Dunn-Harris, social media specialist in the office. “We’re trying to include as many people as possible,” she said. The department is working on a short time frame. During spring break, Dunn-Harris and senior Telecommunications major Jonathan Keilholz filmed student groups, athletes and faculty members in different offices across campus. “[The alumni office employees] came downstairs and just let loose,” said Keilholz, who was brought on to help with the project. “This is not something you just see. [They were doing] whatever, dancing, lip syncing, they put on crazy clothes.” Cal Bowers, director of corporate and foundation relations, was involved in the video filmed in Mileti Alumni Center. He donned an orange tie, sunglasses and a University football hat for the occasion and said he even took the life-sized stuffed Freddie Falcon for a two-step spin during the song. “We love BG,” Bowers said about his co-workers in Mileti.
SIC SIC and Freddie and Frieda are also highlighted in the video.
See HAPPY | Page 2
Wood Lane seeks more volunteers
CAMPUS brief
University to host State of the State Conference on Thursday
The 18th Annual State of the State Conference will be taking place Thursday in the Union. Emily Monago, director of Multicultural Affairs, is chair for the conference. “The event brings together a broad coalition of organizations [and] health industries,” Monago said, “The topics are diverse just like the membership.” The conference has been around for 18 years, and has been hosted in various locations. This is the second year that the event has been hosted at the University. “It’s a unique opportunity to discuss diversity inclusion and opportunities,” Monago said. The event already has 250 people registered. There will be two keynote speakers. Matt Roloff, from the TLC show “Little People, Big World,” will speak during the luncheon. Baldemar Velasquez, president of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee in Toldeo, will give the closing address. The conference will last all day in various locations in the Union. The keynote speakers will be in the Union Ballroom. “This [conference] is really a collaborative effort from different areas of campus organizations,” Monago said. There is a $30 registration fee for students and $125 for faculty and non-students to attend the event. Target is offering scholarships to cover the registration fee for students who cannot afford it. Students should contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs for further details on how to apply. Registration for the event is closed. However, students who want to go can print and fill out the form on the website and take it or fax it to the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
FLUTTERING AROUND
Duties include spending time with residents; opportunity can create memories By Kristen Tomins Reporter
Wood Lane Residential Services is seeking volunteers to spend time and partake in activities with its residents and participating families. WLRS provides residential services to people with developmental disabilities throughout Wood County. Some services include 24-hour onsite support and drop-in services to families or individuals living in a group home or apartment. There are many different ways students can get involved, said Linda Brownell, WLRS program coordinator. Brownell said many students from the University volunteer in groups and do a one-day commu-
nity service, or some do a semesterlong service. “We get many groups but not nearly enough individuals,” she said. Individual volunteers are matched with a resident based on shared interests to ensure both parties have a genuinely enjoyable experience, Brownell said. Volunteers can do a variety of activities with residents, such as reading to or with them, going on walks downtown, watching sporting events, or spending time with them to talk and get to know one another. Brownell said their individuals and families are unique from one another. She said this year they are seeking a volunteer who can speak and understand Chinese to accommodate one of their Chinese-speaking
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR FALCONS The women’s basketball team did not make the NCAA Tournament but will play High Point Thursday at 7p.m. for their first game of the WNIT. Read more about their reaction to the decision on | PAGE 7
individuals. “Finding someone with a similar cultural background brings familiarity to that individual,” she said. Relating to the individuals and giving back to the community are just some of the rewarding aspects that come with volunteering, said senior Phil Martin. Some of the activities Martin and his assigned individual do together are playing Wii bowling and golf and watching TV shows like The Walking Dead. Martin said one of his favorite memories from volunteering for WLRS was when one of the individuals he frequently visits brought him back a necklace from their trip to
See VOLUNTEER | Page 10
ALYSSA BENES | THE BG NEWS
Elise Roy, graduate student, performs a flute recital at the Bryan Recital Hall on Tuesday night.
NEED FOR DIVERSITY
Columnist Arpan Yagnik talks about an increase in events for diversity and inclusivity along with the messaging within hosting events. Yagnik also talks about how to make these events better by on how to improve people’s understanding. | PAGE 4
WHAT SONG WOULD YOU DO A VIDEO COVER OF? WHY? “I Could Show You the World’ from ‘Aladdin’ because I believe in true love.” Alonso Southard Sophomore, Health Science
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