THE BG NEWS Monday
‘Education isn’t a multiple choice test’
February 5, 2007 Volume 101, Issue 94 WWW.BGNEWS.COM
WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
Friday
Ribeau speaks on economics and education to a low student turnout
Two students are arrested on suspicion of using MySpace.com to post threats against their high school
By Jessica Spies Reporter
Every day, Bowling Green State University students unintentionally view an advertisement for the University: a black and white slide show with the words “explore,” “inspire” and “achieve” over images of smiling students on the University’s Web site. The Web site and television commercials for the University convince the viewer that an education is more than what happens inside the classroom. The slogan for these com-
Saturday Four-year-old boy gets foot amputated after being attacked by pit bull
Sunday A Ford Motor Co plant worker was killed after falling into a machine For more information: www.bgnews.com
mercials is “BGSU and You. Changing the world by degrees.” These commercials were shown at the State of the University address given by President Sidney Ribeau Friday morning. Ribeau, however, takes a different stance on the commercials and said education is more than getting good grades. “Education is not a commodity, it’s an active process of selfdiscovery, it shapes your way of interacting with the world,” Ribeau said. “Education isn’t a multiple
Sidney Ribeau President of Bowling Green State University choice test, like the ACT.” He added, “It’s not grades that you get. Students only want degrees, they think that this world is all about who you know. But time will tell what you do or don’t know in the universe.” Ribeau also addressed budget issues for the upcoming year.
CAMPUS
Fair offers opportunities for the summer
He spoke in detail about the priorities Ohio’s new governor, Ted Strickland, has, including economic growth and job development because of the state’s struggling economy. Although higher education is important to Strickland, there isn’t always room for it on the budget, Ribeau said. “State support for higher education is not adequate for students, and as a result, tuition is high,” the president said. “But we can’t forget the issue of quality — more students from Bowling Green State University go on to be successful in their
Summer options include classes, workshops and education abroad | Page 3
Graphic design alumnus offers students tips
Campus escorts show students the way home By Freddy Hunt Reporter
Colts defeat Bears in rainy Miami at Super Bowl Despite early turnovers, the second half belonged to the MVP Manning | Page 6
Women’s basketball keeps streak alive Toledo gave the No. 16 team in the nation a run for its money | Page 6 PHOTOS BY JORDAN FLOWER | THE BG NEWS
If it’s cold, late and scary outside, why not call campus escort and hitch a ride? For more than 20 years, the campus escort service has been transporting students around town for free. Sgt. John Shumaker, who has been in charge of the service for the past six years, said safe transportation of the students is what the service is all about. According to Shumaker, more than 5,000 students were escorted around town last year alone. Student escort Jordan Poynter, junior, said the amount of runs in a night depends on the weather, and on a cold Friday night, the van is always running. “Runs have increased a lot this year,” Poynter said. “A lot more sororities and fraternities are using us now. International students that work in the Union and don’t have cars are our most frequent users.” Douglas Kiteki, a student from Kenya, said he relies on the escort service to get him to and from the library and work. “They drive safely, they take care of you and they don’t want to rush you all around,” Kiteki said. “They are good guys because when they tell you they are going to be there in five minutes, they will be there in five minutes.” Escorts run all night except for Saturdays
WEATHER
PEOPLE ON THE STREET
OPINION
See ESCORTS | Page 5
Suspicious ads and games cause panic A columnist argues people should alert police before engaging in questionable activities | Page 4 How cold does it need to get for the University to cancel class?
TOP: Allan Jones waits in the Campus Escort Office located in the police building. Along with a van, the escort service has walkers that will walk with students from location to location. BOTTOM: Driver Andy Martinez ferries two students to their late-night destination.
“Seven degrees without windchill.” | Page 4
TODAY Few Snow Showers High: 8, Low: 0
TOMORROW Snow Shower High: 12, Low: 5
See RIBEAU | Page 5
Richardson: ‘Lifting as we climb’ By Kyle Reynolds Reporter
Overcoming obstacles, achieving dreams and helping others along the way dominated the discussions of Saturday’s fifth annual Black Issues Conference. The keynote speaker of the event, called “Lifting as We Climb,” was Elaine Richardson, an author, lecturer and associate professor at Pennsylvania State University. Richardson gave an intimate view into her life as a drug addict and prostitute before she got her doctorate and straightened out her life. As Richardson took the podium, she praised God for giving her the strength to persevere through the hard times and turn her life around. “I never thought I would be able to clean myself up enough to be here today talking to everyone about ‘Lifting as We Climb’ or about elevating the status of black people,” Richardson said. “Your life is going to mean something to somebody… your life is going to be an example for somebody, whether you want it to be or not, good or bad,” Richardson said. In Cleveland, Richardson started at a disadvantage, living in a place where the educational system was weak, and crime life was strong. “The schools were funded inadequately and could not effectively address the myriad of issues posed by economic disadvantage such as emotionally troubled students, low teacher expectations and prob-
See LIFTING | Page 5
Victims and supporters struggle to cope after a tornado hits Florida By Kelli Kennedy The Associated Press
JANELLE WATTS, Sophomore, Biology
chosen careers.” Those who have graduated from the University know students are getting a practical education. “Tuition will always be high at every university,” said Jack Lewis, a Bowling Green alumnus. “At least at Bowling Green, you can get a quality education and know that what you’re learning will have an impact on your future.” To express his point of the importance on higher educa-
There and back again on campus
Brian Hock urges graphic designers to network, join groups | Page 3
SPORTS
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
LADY LAKE, Fla. — Tornado victims and their supporters turned out for Sunday service at a church that was demolished in the killer storms that waylaid central Florida, trying to stay optimistic about the long recovery ahead. The cleanup that began not long after Friday’s destruction took a brief pause as the faithful and others gathered under bright sun and clear skies at what was the Lady Lake Church of God. Its splintered remains have become a rallying point in this rural area hit hard by the three tornadoes that killed 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. A gospel choir sang and
MATT SOWERS | AP PHOTO
FAITH: Pastor Larry Lynn of the Lady Lake Church of God in Lady Lake, Fla., holds his hands in the air while the choir sings during the Sunday morning church service. The 31year-old church was destroyed Friday morning by deadly tornadoes.
clapped on a makeshift stage where the church’s broken cross was propped up next to an American flag. “It’s sad, because you know, you think, ‘Next Sunday, I’m going to go to church, but it’s
not there any more.’ But the building can be replaced. We still have the family of people,” said Joy Newton, 53, whose home in The Villages retire-
See TORNADO | Page 5
American leads NATO forces Gen. Dan McNeill
By Jason Straziuso The Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. Dan McNeill, the highest ranking U.S. general to lead troops in Afghanistan, took command of 35,500 NATO-led soldiers yesterday, putting an American face on the international mission after nine months of British command. The transition comes after a year of sharply increased violence following the alliance’s push into the Taliban’s southern heartland, and military officials said privately they expect McNeill to take a harder line with militants than his predecessor, Gen. David Richards. Richards backed a peace deal in the southern town of Musa Qala that crumbled in his last days in command when an estimated 200 Taliban fighters overran the town on Thursday. NATO said a
Commander of NATO-led soldiers in Afghanistan targeted airstrike yesterday killed a key Taliban leader causing the upheaval. One American military officer who labeled McNeill a “warfighter to the bone” said his arrival likely signals the end of such deals, saying they would go under “much greater scrutiny.” The official asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. A senior Afghan military official, meanwhile, said the Defense Ministry expected McNeill to implement a policy of “strong military action.” Other American officials said they expected a stronger approach under McNeill without specifying what that would be.
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