2007-02-21

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THE BG NEWS Wednesday

BG to offer new engineering technology major

February 21, 2007 Volume 101, Issue 106

NOT NEWS

OPINION

CAMPUS

WWW.BGNEWS.COM

STATE

ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community

By Gina Potthoff Reporter

Government gives veterans a break in college Those who served in Iraq return to deal with financial, personal issues | Page 3

Let’s talk about vaginas, man The Monologues aren’t just for women, feminists; men can enjoy themselves, the issues too | Page 4

Students have a new and different major to consider come next fall. Starting in the 2007-2008 school year, the University is going to offer a new engineering technology major in the College of Technology. This new four-year program, introduced during Monday’s President’s Day open house, will be replacing the former manufacturing technology and mechanical design majors, and hopefully bringing a new perspective to the engineering field.

Although the University doesn’t have an engineering program of its own, engineering technology will prepare students for careers in that industry. They will be distinguished from engineers because of the technologist title, but both will have similar careers promoting technological advancement. Todd Waggoner, who is the faculty head of the program, says he is really excited about this new program, since it’s been in the works for at least three years. Students who enroll in this program should enjoy math, science, solving mechanical problems and hands-on experiences. This is an

Wayne Unsell Dean of the College of Technology opportunity for students to use both their minds and hands, said Linda Swaisgood, director of the College of Technology. According to Swaisgood, the engineering technology program promotes “theory into practice.” Swaisgood also thinks this new major will be a way to bring more women into the College

of Technology, since the current enrollment is 75 percent male. “Technology changes the world,” Swaisgood said, who is a firm believer technology makes a difference in our quality of life. She thinks this lack of women is leaving engineering and other majors in dire need of more diverse perspectives on different issues. Wayne Unsell, the dean of the College of Technology, has been actively researching the recruitment of women into the math and sciences professions. Unsell’s research has uncovered that the socialization of girls age seven and up is a major factor.

See MAJOR | Page 2

Putting the ‘human’ back into HIV

Lent brings out the guilt in most of us It’s that time when sacrifices are made ... and we’re not talking New Year’s | Page 5

Pianist shares heartache in autobiography

New program seeks to educate about HIV/AIDS

Frances Walker-Slocum discusses racism, love, loss and music in her memoir | Page 8

By Jessica Spies Reporter

Red isn’t just the color of passion, today it also represents HIV/AIDS. The Red Campaign, which seeks to educate and raise money for HIV/AIDS research, is marketing red iPods, red T-shirts and even red credit cards. “I love the color red; it’s my favorite color and to know that I can get red stuff to benefit AIDS patients is great,” said Amber Daniels, president of the American Red Cross Club. Although the red campaign and other programs seek to educate people about HIV/AIDS, there is still a strong stigma attached to those who have contracted HIV/AIDS. Daniels said people still think HIV/AIDS is a homosexual male disease. “People think that AIDS is really easy to get, like through a slight open cut,” she said. “People don’t even want to touch them.” Another misperception of those who have HIV/AIDS is that they are completely disease ridden and that it is the disease of those who live a horrible lifestyle, she said. Ashley Widziszewski, freshman, agreed there is still a stigma attached to AIDS. “If you have AIDS, people think that you’re subhuman. They think that they don’t deserve respect,” she said. She also thought this stigma is something society needs

Women’s track team works to go the distance Teammates prepare for MAC, look to take control of meet | Page 9

SPORTS

Math and science is shown in a negative light, causing girls to dislike the subjects, even though they may perform at better or equal levels to boys of the same age. Unsell thinks if more female teachers taught math and science, more women would get into the fields. “I think the key is role models,” Unsell said. The current U.S. population is 51 percent women, but enrollment in engineering and technology programs is only 10 percent women.

Women’s b-ball takes home win Team defeats Kent last night with 23 points to spare | Page 9

See RED | Page 2

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Three Americans were returned unharmed yesterday after being kidnapped earlier that day | Page 11 Do you prefer 2RIDE or the shuttle service?

HIV Diagnoses in 2005 Transmission Category DIFFERENCES IN DIAGNOSES HIV: spreads most often through: sexual contact, contaminated needles or syringes shared by drug abusers, infected blood or blood products and from infected women to their babies at birth or through breast feeding. People infected with the virus do not have AIDS until they develop serious symptoms. Many infected are apparently healthy for years. AIDS: a disease that weakens the immune system, gradually destroying the body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers. It is caused by HIV.

“2-RIDE, it’s faster.” | Page 4

TODAY Partly Cloudy High: 37, Low: 28

TOMORROW Flurries/ Wind High: 38, Low: 19

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49% Black 31% White 18% Hispanic 1% Asian/ Pacific Islander 1% American Indian/ Alaska Native

“Coming out” is helped by media By Kelly Metz Reporter

PORTIA MITCHELL Sophomore, Criminal Justice

HIV Diagnoses 2005:

“Mom, Dad, I’m gay.” These are the few words that most teenagers of the homosexual population are scared to say, and in some instances the parent is scared to hear, due to recent studies which have shown more and more gay teens are “coming out” at earlier ages. According to an article that appeared in USA Today, one major reason for coming out at an early age is due to “growing acceptance of gays and more supportive adults and positive gay role models in popular media.” These role models include many popular shows such as “Will and Grace,” which points out a more humorous view of the gay lifestyle. Eric Crumrine, president of Vision, a student organization which promotes the gay-straight

“We’re being exposed more in the news, TV and media earlier ... which helps people out there to relate.” Eric Crumrine | Vision President alliance, believes that the media has a huge effect on whether teens come out at early ages. “One thing about ‘Will and Grace’ that helps teens come out is that it shows people are surviving,” Crumrine said. “There is no discrimination; it is very lighthearted, which engages people. It shows that it is possible for everyone to be okay with it and everyone loves it.” Derrick Daggett, vice president

of Vision, believes that although “Will and Grace” does show a more lighthearted view of being gay, it is not completely accurate because it only represents a stereotype which is not necessarily there for gay teens. Not only do TV shows affect the morale of young teens but other prominent figures such as Ellen Degeneres, Elton John or John Amaechi, who became the first player in the NBA to come out as being gay, help gay teens to realize that they are not alone. “Acceptance levels of people in the culture add to visibility of the gay community,” Crumrine said. “We’re being exposed more in the news, TV and media earlier and earlier which helps people out there to relate.” Sophomore Mark Gardener also believes because of role models in television, more peo-

See OUT | Page 2

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49% Men who have sex with men 32% High-risk heterosexual contact 14% Infected through injection drug use 4% Exposed through both male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use 1% other

INFORMATION FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RACHEL SHIRK | THE BG NEWS

Loan cuts could hurt students By Sarah Colbry Reporter

President Bush just released his 2008 budget proposal and, if it were to become law, it would greatly affect college students. The proposal includes $19 billion in cuts to the federal family education loan program. Eighty percent of higher education institutions and students rely on this financial aid program, which is why concerns are rising. Sallie Mae, a provider of student loans, has voiced its concerns about Bush’s proposed cuts. The cuts are going to impact the discounts on the loans they offer and the level of support Sallie Mae can give to private loans, Conwey Casillas, director of public affairs for Sallie Mae, said. “The level of cuts in the president’s budget would also impact service levels,” Casillas said, while adding that face to face consul-

tations dramatically help families when working with loans. Casillas also said that the competition between student loan programs actually benefit students, but with the budget cuts there will be reduced competition, making loans more expensive. He said these cuts will force families to turn to much higher risk loans as well. Martha Holler, managing director of corporate communications for Sallie Mae, said Sallie Mae feels like it is time to increase higher education, not cut out financial aid programs. She said their goal is, and always has been, to increase access to higher education for all Americans. Casillas then commented that Sallie Mae has helped an excess of 21 million do exactly that. Included in this budget proposal is the cutting of the Supplemental

VISIT BGNEWS.COM: NEWS, SPORTS, UPDATES, MULTIMEDIA AND FORUMS FOR YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

See LOANS | Page 2


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