THE BG NEWS Tuesday
March 25, 2008 Volume 101, Issue 124 WWW.BGNEWS.COM
NATION
CAMPUS
Autism makes the grade
Universities across the country are adjusting standards to allow students with highfunctioning forms of the disorder to earn college degrees | Page 3
Alaskan fishing boat sinks, kills four Forty-two crew members aboard the Alaska Ranger were rescued after the ship sank for unknown reasons | Page 8
WORLD
Pakistan prime minister takes office
Shortly after being elected, Yousaf Raza Gilani freed all judges detained by his predecessor, President Perez Musharraf | Page 11
After hearing, struggle ends By Dave Herrera Senior Editor
Carlos Adams, the former ethnic studies instructor who was denied a new contract last April and has fought for his job since, lost his appeal to the Faculty Senate last week and says he doesn’t plan to take further action. Adams received the decision from the Committee on Faculty Personnel and Conciliation one week ago. His hearing was held before spring break. In an interview, Adams said he was resigned to the fact that “my time at Bowling Green is over.” “Next is moving on, trying to find a place that will hire me as a professor,” Adams said. Last week’s decision closed a nine-month struggle for Adams, his supporters and the University.
Carlos Adams
Former ethnic studies instructor The ethnic studies department last April told Adams, who had applied for a new instructor contract, he would not be rehired for this school year. Hundreds of students, faculty and community members signed a petition criticizing the decision within weeks. They created the “Justice for Carlos Adams at BGSU” committee, which continually worked on Adams’ behalf. Adams and the “Justice” committee argue Adams could not have received fair treatment because, among other reasons, he opposed the 2006 hiring of
See ADAMS | Page 2
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Fake IDs more serious than students may realize By Gina Potthoff Assistant Campus Editor
Though the number of fake identification offenses in Bowling Green is unknown, students should be aware there are serious consequences in place for those who break this law. Fake IDs are very common, Bowling Green police detective Justin White said. White, a member of the Bowling Green Police for almost seven years, said most students who get them don’t realize the ramifications. Faking documents is a very serious offense and has been taken more seriously since 9/11, White said. Using a fake ID is a misdemeanor in the first degree and violates a law under the prohibited acts, which carries a sentence of anywhere up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Specifically, the use of a fake ID is a misrepresentation of persons under 21 years of
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS WEST | THE BG NEWS
age, White said. Though the offense may not seem serious, it does go on a person’s permanent criminal record. Bowling Green Police and BGSU Police work together to crack down on student fake ID use, sharing information on cases on and off campus when necessary to carry out the law. In addition to legal consequences, a student caught using
a fake ID may also have to answer to the University. The Office of Student Discipline gets the police blotter everyday and looks for inappropriate student behaviors that warrant regulation. Underage drinking is the most common offense disciplined but public urination and indecent exposure offenses also come up
See FAKE | Page 2
SPORTS
Women’s b-ball loses to MSU in WNIT 74-66
In the second-round game of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, the Spartans proved too much for the Falcons | Page 9
As death toll hits new high, look through another’s eyes By Sharon Cohen The Associated Press
FORUM
USG presidential hopefuls speak up
The USG presidential and vice presidential candidates tell students why to vote for them | Page 4
How to deal with death
WEATHER
PEOPLE ON THE STREET
Columnist Zack Franks reminisces about deaths he’s dealt with and questions how others deal with the subject | Page 4
Have you ever considered gettng a fake ID?
The chaplains:
EDITOR’S NOTE — The U.S. military death toll in Iraq reached 4,000 on Sunday with the announcement that four soldiers had been killed in a roadside bombing in Baghdad. This story examines the grim milestone through military chaplains’ eyes. Chaplain Kevin Wainwright was preparing his Easter Sunday sermon in Iraq when there was a knock on his door. The news was grim: 1st Lt. Phillip Neel was dead. The young officer and fellow West Point grad had been a regular at the chaplain’s Sunday church services. Wainwright knew and admired him. Now he had to find the right words to honor him. Wainwright chose the legend of Sir Galahad, King Arthur’s noble knight, and the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson to salute Neel in a memorial. He spoke of his compassion, his devotion to his soldiers. But in trying to understand Neel’s death, the chaplain also posed
See CHAPLAINS | Page 2
telling life stories of the fallen in Iraq DANCE MARATHON | PART ONE
Students get on their feet and dance to raise money ‘for the kids’
MATT BUYER, Sophomore, Architecture
By Steve Kunkler Reporter
“No, because I’m a good boy with good morals.” | Page 4
One team. One dream. That’s the theme of the University’s 13th annual Dance Marathon, an event to be held on March 29 that brings together more than 1,000 students each year in the name of a common goal: to raise money for the St. Vincent’s Childrens Hospital in Toledo. This year’s theme was selected to exemplify the teamwork Dance Marathon brings out, Dance Marathon Director Erin Small said. “We like how the campus can come together as one and work together for an amazing cause,” she said. For this year’s event — and
TODAY Rain/Snow Showers High: 47, Low: 33
TOMORROW Partly Cloudy High: 47, Low: 31
“Dance Marathon can be just as rewarding for the people involved as it is for the kids.” Joseph Goree | Senior
many in the past — students have sponsored fundraisers, worked to get donations and made countless phone calls. On Thursday some of them will begin a four-day bike ride from Cincinnati to Bowling Green, and on Saturday, others will be dancing and cheering each other on for 32 hours. Last year, they raised $194,660.22. They hope to surpass that amount this year.
The money raised will be used to provide equipment, education, research and treatment of children in Northwest Ohio, said senior Mika Johnson, entertainment chair for the event. Ten area families with ailing children — to be introduced in a story in tomorrow’s BG News — serve to inspire the student fundraisers. Despite the 32-hour dancing session, Johnson said she hopes the community realizes what the large event is all about: the children. “I want people to know the money goes to a good cause, and FILE PHOTO | THE BG NEWS it goes for more than just toys or A COLORFUL DISPLAY: The Dance Marathon morale captains lead the party as they games it provides equipment for teach the participants the yearly line dance. The morale captains are the leaders of different the hospital, and rehabilitation color teams as well as the spirit of the event. Dance Marathon is a 32-hour dance-a-thon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and will occur this weekend. See DANCE | Page 2
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