2008-02-01

Page 1

THE BG NEWS

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

Friday

February 1, 2008 Volume 102, Issue 95 WWW.BGNEWS.COM

WORLD

CAMPUS

Condom club comes to campus

In response to the fact that 80 percent of students have had a sexual encounter in the past year, the newly formed group is spreading awareness | Page 3

One of America’s most wanted dead

Al-Qaida member, Abu Laith al-Libi, was killed in Pakistan when a missile hit the facility he was in, according to a militant Web site | Page 12

FORUM

PULSE

Lose yourself in “Lost”

With the fourth installment of the show “Lost” underway, fans can reacquaint themselves with the cast of characters and plots | Page 8

Columnist Jess Hylton encourages everyone to consider all angles when attempting to discuss political issues | Page 4

WEATHER

PEOPLE ON THE STREET

SPORTS

After losing twice to the Buckeyes last year on Falcon ice, the team looks to return the favor tonight and tomorrow | Page 9

Men’s basketball looks to stretch streak to four

Facing Western Michigan this Saturday, the Falcons are trying to keep up the good work as they look ahead at the nine games left before the MAC tournament | Page 9

Are you more excited about the Harlem Globetrotters playing in BG this weekend, or about the Super Bowl?

KARLEE BAUMAN Sophomore, Journalism

“The Harlem Globetrotters, because I want to learn how to spin a ball on my finger.” | Page 4

TODAY Wintry Mix High: 31, Low: 23

TOMORROW Cloudy High: 33, Low: 25

Olscamp 101A 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Black Issues Conference Kickoff

Black History Month a time for celebration

Back your facts for politics

Hockey heads to Columbus to face Ohio State

Feb. 1 Black History Month Luncheon

The University has several events planned to honor the contribution of African Americans

Story by Steve Kunkler | Reporter

Globetrotter magic comes to Anderson Arena tonight

Throughout February, the University is celebrating Black History Month with a wide variety of activities and events to honor the accomplishments of African Americans in the United States. In 1926, February was announced Negro History Week. The weeklong celebration was later expanded into an entire month in 1976 and renamed Black History Month. Keeping the memories alive of the struggle which African-Americans faced through most of American history remains a vital part of Black History Month. This effort includes Tim Hall, an active member of the Black Student Union, who recognizes that remembering where the United States has come from is important for all young people regardless of race. “The importance of remembering is being thankful,” Hall said. “I think we all need to be thankful for the opportunities and privi-

By Tim Sampson City Editor

See HISTORY | Page 2

It’s one of the longest and most heated rivalries in sports history. No two teams have ever played each other so often, with an outcome so predictable. The Harlem Globet rotters will be taking on their old foes, the Washington Generals, in a noholds-barred basketball game of trick-shots, ball- “Hot spinning and ref- Shot” eree-taunting at Branch Anderson Arena Fifth year tonight. The Globe- Guard for trotters are look- the Harlem ing to add another Globetrotters tally to a win column that already boasts more than 22,000 victories over the course of an 82-year existence. Bowling Green is the latest stop on the team’s 2008, “Magic as Ever” World Tour. Like any other season for the Globetrotters, the team will be playing about 500 games over the course of eight months this year – a grueling schedule that has them taking to the hardwood almost every night. “Every single day you’re traveling and playing a game,” said “Hot Shot” Branch, a guard for the team. “It’s like any other job, but we get a chance to have fun.” Tonight’s game promises to showcase the same showboating, over-the-top antics that have made the Globetrotters famous the world over. During their games, players like “Special K” Daley and “Showtime” Gaffney typically lead the their team to victory over the Generals, while mocking the refs, mooching snacks from the audience, and occasionally pulling down the shorts of rival foul shooters. Their comedic riffs helped turn the team into cultural icons. The Globetrotters have had

See TROTTER | Page 2

at 8 o’clock room 7 - 11 p.m.

Black History Month Events

Feb. 2 Black Issues Conference Olscamp 101 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Feb. 4 Get Healthy with Black Student Union - Rec Center 7-9 p.m. Feb. 7 Fade to Black w/APA 308 Union 7 - 9 p.m.

Feb. 12 Black Tuesday: Wear Black in Remembrance 228 Union 7 - 9 p.m. Feb. 14 BSU Executive Meeting TBA Feb. 15 BSU and SMART quiz bowl 201A Union 7 - 9 p.m.

Feb. 18 “White Man’s Burden” Union Theater: BSU and NAACP 7 - 11 p.m.

Feb. 21 Stand Up Black Man pt.2 308 Union 7 - 9 p.m.

Feb. 27 All We Need is One Mic BTSU Pub 7 - 11 p.m.

Feb. 28 BSU Executive Meeting Paint the Rock w/ BSU TBA 7 - 11 p.m.

Power plant converts corn to fuel for vehicles By Adam Louis Reporter

Northwest Ohio is getting greener, and it has nothing to do with the melting snow. Poet Energy, LCC, the largest ethanol producer in the world, opened the first ethanol plant in Ohio in Leipsic. Poet plans to build two more plants in Marion and Fostoria. There are no plans to build in Bowling Green at this time. Village administrator Jim Russell said the ethanol plant would provide a significant economic boost for the community. “21 million bushels [annually sold to Poet] is going to change the price on corn,” Russell said. “That’s going to mean 10 or 15 more cents per bushel than [farmers] would have received otherwise. It’s a win-win situation.” The $105-million plant

will provide about 42 jobs for the community. “It’s important to have good reception from the community,” Director of Site Development Bob Berens said. “We couldn’t be happier from a company standpoint.” Ohio Corn Growers Association board member Mark Schwiebert said in addition to a new and large corn market due to the ethanol plant, some farmers have invested in the plant as owners, producing more income. Before the ethanol plant, about 95 percent of Ohio’s corn was shipped to the southeastern states as livestock feed, Schwiebert said. Ohio, although sixth in the nation for corn production as of 2006, is a late newcomer to ethanol production. Not

ETHANOL PLANTS

Leipsic Lima

Coshoctan

Marion

Greenville Bloomingburg

completed under construction

See FUEL | Page 2

New service helps students better budget money By Gina Potthoff Assistant Campus Editor

Students now have a place to turn for help before filling out another loan or credit card application. Student Money Management Services has come up with a new Web site and program for students interested in financial education. And Director Duane Whitmire thinks students will really appreciate the new program, which allows students to schedule sessions designed to improve their financial situations. “President Ribeau decided there was a need for finan-

“President Ribeau decided there was a need for financial education last year.” Duane Whitmire | Director of Student Money Management Services cial education last year,” Whitmire said. He said the need might have resulted from the $129 million that was borrowed by University students last year to pay for their higher education expenses. A 45-member committee made up of faculty, students and others met last year to see what different universities had done to financially educate their students.

After visits and conference calls, the University decided to go with a program similar to ones at Texas Tech, the University of Iowa and the University of North Texas. Melinda Grooms, a student volunteer and junior majoring in long-term care administration, was a member of the committee that looked at the different options and said the program was needed to promote student

financial awareness. The program allowed students to sign up for appointments last fall at student events, such as Campus Fest, and 107 students signed up. The program staff, which includes four financial professionals and eight volunteers, currently holds about 12 appointments a week, since seven of the eight volunteers are students. Whitmire said once they’re able to pay the student volunteers, they’re hoping to hold 25 appointments a week and his

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

See MONEY | Page 2


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.