2008-04-04

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THE BG NEWS Friday

Save a buck, release a criminal

April 4, 2008

Volume 101, Issue 132

FORUM

NATION

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WWW.BGNEWS.COM

School of Music sponsors Indonesian music

Playing to a larger crowd than expected, Indonesian musicians Nano S and Rita Tila inspired students in the audience | Page 3

By Ray Henry The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE,R.I. —Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals. Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy. “If we don’t find a way to better manage the population at the state prison, we will be forced to spend money to expand the state’s prison system — money we don’t have,” said Jeff Neal,

Woman bites dog to defend her canine’s life

A woman from Minneapolis sinks her teeth into the nose of a neighboring dog to save the life of her own pet | Page 6

Forgiveness has many benefits

Columnist Ally Blankartz reflects on the power of forgiveness and challenges readers to do the same | Page 4

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a spokesman for Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri. At least eight states are considering freeing inmates or sending some convicts to rehabilitation programs instead of prison, according to an Associated Press analysis of legislative proposals. If adopted, the early release programs could save an estimated $450 million in California and Kentucky alone. A Rhode Island proposal would allow inmates to deduct up to 12 days from their sentence for every month they follow rules and work in prison. Even some violent offenders would be eligible but not those serving life sentences.

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PULSE SPORTS PEOPLE ON THE STREET WEATHER

CHRISTINA MCGINNIS | THE BG NEWS

GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE: Beta Alpha Psi’s Faculty Advisor Phillip Schurrer presents a collection of books to Kamau Mbuthiabio. The books will be sent to different colleges in Kenya.

Students donate books to Kenya

Beta Alpha Psi collected over 600 textbooks for business schools in the African country By Adam Louis Reporter

StudentsandfacultyattheCollege of Business Administration did not sell their old textbooks. Instead, the books are on their way to Kenya, as a gift to business schools in Africa. The student business organization Beta Alpha Psi collected 600 books over the course of two weeks, said Ben Schiller, vice president of communications for the organization. For two days

“I was hungry.” | Page 4

TODAY Cloudy High: 46, Low: 34

TOMORROW Partly Cloudy High: 59, Low: 36

BRIEF

Dean Nieman accepts new position

Donald Nieman, dean of the College of Arts Donald and Sciences, will Nieman be leaving the Dean of the University after 14 College of years. Arts and Nieman has accepted the posi- Sciences at BGSU tion of Dean of Harpur College, State University of New York at Binghamton’s College of Arts and Sciences. During Nieman’s tenure at the University, he has served as a professor and chair of the Department of History, contributed to developing BG Experience, played a part in planning the Wolfe Center for the Arts and led the University’s Scholarship of Engagement initiative. These are just a few among many of Nieman’s accomplishments. A reception in honor of Dean Nieman will be held later this spring. He will assume his new position in New York this summer.

By Russ Bynum and Mike Stobbe The Associated Press

International students add to BG athletics

SCOTT JOHNSON Senior, Sport Management

CAMPUS

Experts say kids would not have killed teacher

Members of fraternities work to set the record straight, addressing some of the stereotypes set against those involved with Greek organizations | Page 7

Why did you steal the cookies from the cookie jar? [see column p. 7]

See BUDGET | Page 2

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Debunkifying the stereotypical fraternity guy

The University recruits international student athletes, not only for their athletic abilities but because the students create a different dynamic which adds to the team | Page 9

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

during the second week, money was being collected to ship the books. To date, Beta Alpha Psi has collected over $300. This is the first year this project has been undertaken. The books were presented last night to biology instructor Kamau Mbuthia by Beta Alpha Psi’s faculty advisor Phil Schurrer. “The libraries [in Kenya] are very weak,” Mbuthia said. “These are invaluable resources. It’s truly an honor to recieve

these books.” Mbuthia said the books will be going to the Kenya Accounting National Exam Board and the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya. They will ultimately help Kenya compete better on an international scale by bringing accounting exams up to date, he said. Mbuthia read excerpts from letters of thanks from both institutions. Schurrer said he

See BOOKS | Page 2

Teen Central brings big benefits to community, presents space challenges By Andy Ouriel Reporter

It was always hard for teens to find a place to hang out after school with their friends, before the school year started. But now with Teen Central, or more commonly known as the BG Teen Center, there are many more students participating in the new program. The idea for the teen center came from Linda Dobb, executive vice president of BGSU wanting a place for teens to go and occupy their afternoons after school days. “It started with an idea with our teens in town wanting to go somewhere,” Dobb said. “Everything just fell into place when we got some grants and a couple of the young people who lived in Bowling Green got behind the idea.” Dobb did not realize the immediate success the teen center would have. Only open since September, the teen center has expanded

“Everything just fell into place when we got some grants and a couple of the young people who lived in Bowling Green got behind the idea.” Linda Dobb | Executive vice president of the University

from an initial seven members to now 90. More members occupying the teen center results in less space available. “One of the current obstacles is dealing with the space here,” said Niki Messmore, director of the teen center. “Some days with a lot of teens, it does impede the best we can be because it limits what we can do.” Bowling Green Junior High School student Jessica Partlow enjoys the afterschool program, mentioning how she likes to be with her friends, but notices it can get loud with the high amount of people in the room. Partlow, 14, said she would really like the teen center to implement sections where peo-

ple can lay down and get away from all the noise. But even with these requests, sometimes it’s just not possible to meet every demand. Although space is something everyone would like more of, it’s just not possible at the moment. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, along with the city, provided the building the teen center occupies in Veterans Park. Even though it’s a cheaper alternative to a building in the downtown area, the space is not ideal. “We don’t have another room,” said Michelle Grigore. “If they feel it’s too small, they may have

See TEENS | Page 2

WAYCROSS, Ga. — Allegations that third-graders hatched an elaborate plot to knock out, handcuff and stab their teacher were met with shock by neighbors and with doubt by psychiatry experts who said it is unlikely that children that young seriously intended to hurt anyone. Police say the plot at Center Elementary School began because the children, ages 8 to 10, were apparently angry after the teacher disciplined one of the students for standing on a chair. Students brought a crystal paperweight, a steak knife with a broken handle, steel handcuffs and other items as part of last week’s plot, police said Tuesday. They said nine students were involved, but prosecutors are seeking juvenile charges against only three of them. Experts said children that age are certainly imaginative and

capable of creating elaborate games. But Dr. Louis Kraus, a child psychiatry expert at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said he doubts they would have actually attacked. “The reality is it is highly unlikely they would have been successful at this,” Kraus said. “Even if it had begun, it’s unclear whether they actually would have followed through with it.” Most premeditated acts of student violence in schools usually don’t occur until high school, Kraus said. Younger children have been known to bring knives or other weapons to school, experts said, but often it’s more a matter of showing off or acting tough than part of a deliberate assault attempt. Police said the plot had been organized enough that some

See PLOT | Page 2

Zimbabwe’s president shows signs of possible violence Mugabe might use drastic measures in order to protect his 28-year rule as president By Angus Shaw The Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Intruders ransacked offices of the main opposition party and police detained foreign journalists yesterday in an ominous sign that President Robert Mugabe might turn to intimidation and violence in trying to stave off an electoral threat to his 28-year rule. Earlier, Mugabe apparently launched his campaign for an expected run-off presidential ballot even before the official results of Saturday’s election were announced, with state media portraying the opposition as divided and controlled by former colonial ruler Britain. Five days after the vote, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission still had not released results on presidential election despite increasing

See RULE | Page 2

AP PHOTO

CAMPAIGN: A pedestrian passes election posters of President Robert Mugabe in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

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