THE BG NEWS Wednesday April 16, 2008
Volume 101, Issue 140
CAMPUS
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Tax Day reminds gay couples of unmarried status Gay couples typically pay higher taxes than people who are officially married because of the government-mandated benefits | Page 3
WORLD
Adolescents top global news for drinking habits
Teens in Europe are starting to abuse alcohol at increasingly younger ages, according to a European Union commission report. How are authorities battling this ‘phenomenon’? | Page 13
SPORTS
Baseball crushes Tiffin 16-8 in Toledo yesterday Powerful hitting led the Falcons to another win, bringing their overall record to 16-13 on the season | Page 9
FORUM
School spirit is multifaceted
Columnist Levi Wonder reflects on the ways he’s shown loyalty to BGSU — none of which include Greek life or sports | Page 4
PEOPLE ON THE STREET
Clash of construction Students, faculty express concern over funding priorities By Kelly Day Campus Editor
The University’s plan to build a new convocation center has left some students and faculty questioning the school’s priorities. Though many students and faculty are excited about the facility, some are wondering why the University isn’t focusing on restoring academic buildings like University, Hanna and Moseley halls. This concern was expressed at last week’s Faculty Senate open forum, where Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Shirley Baugher and Chief Financial Officer Sherideen Stoll fielded questions about the University’s financial situation in front of a packed audience in the Union Theater. Faculty members told Stoll and Baugher that buildings like South Hall and Moseley, University, and Hanna halls had “distasteful” environments with broken chairs and leaky roofs. Though these problems have been important issues to students and faculty for several years, three of the major capital donations in the last few years have gone to athletic and arts facilities. University Alumni Kermit and Mary Lu Stroh of Wapakoneta, Ohio, presented an $8 million gift to the University March 1 to help fund the new convocation center, which will house graduation ceremonies and sporting and cultural events. The University also constructed the Sebo Athletic Center last year, and work is scheduled to begin this year on the Wolfe Center for the Arts, which will house a new theater, studios and classrooms. In reaction to an article about the University’s most recent endeavor, some students voiced their concerns through The BG News Web site by leaving anonymous comments. “BGSU is a joke. It has always been a joke, and it will always be a joke. This convocation center won’t change that. If anything, it will tie up funds that could have been used to improve the inadequate academic, residence, dining, and parking facilities all over campus,” one comment said. Another anonymous poster sarcastically wrote, “It’s so good that the University is
New facilities on campus attract prospective athletes By Alison Kemp Reporter
New buildings are more than spaces for classes, activities and events. They are also recruiting tools. In addition to having quality faculty members and coaches in a warm atmosphere, new facilities help draw prospective students to the University, said Doug Smith, vice president of university advancement and chief executive officer of the BGSU Foundation. The newest planned addition to campus is the Stroh Center, which will be partially funded by an $8 million donation from Kermit Stroh and his family. The center will be the new home for basketball and volleyball programs. “The convocation center is a very, very needed building and structure on our campus,” said
What campus building do you think needs renovated the most?
Stroh, who made the donation with his wife, Mary Lu, and children. Other new or planned buildings include the Wolfe Center for Performing Arts, the Sebo Athletic Center and Ice Arena renovations. “The convocation center will bring a greater awareness to our community,” Stroh said. “It not only brings a great place to sports, but it brings to the students a place for graduation and concerts.” Smith has worked with Stroh for the past 10 years to talk about and structure the donation Stroh wanted to make. Smith said the foundation’s goal is to “raise money to provide that margin of excellence.” The Stroh Center is “a real resource that will allow us to do things we currently can’t do,” he said. Stroh’s relationship with BGSU began in the early ’60s when he did radio broadcasts of high school basketball games
“Mac. I saw roaches the other day the size of cicadas.” JO LEE, Junior, Psychology
“The education building could be more up-to-date.” JESSICA ANGEL, Junior, Sports Management
“Moseley Hall. It doesn’t even have an elevator.” R.J. HINES, Junior, Marketing
“University Hall.” STEPHAN WISNIOWSKI, Freshman, Political Science
See RECRUIT | Page 2
See FUNDING | Page 15
Guest writers sound off on bake sale event
Lots of people wrote columns in response to the College Republicans’ ‘anti-feminist bake sale.’ Find out what they had to say | Page 4
WEATHER
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
What did you think about the College Republicans having an ‘anti-feminist bake sale’?
GARRET BODETTE, Junior, Graphic Design
“I thought it was ridiculous.” | Page 4
TODAY Sunny High: 66, Low: 44
TOMORROW Mostly Cloudy High: 72, Low: 49
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRIAN BORNHOEFT | THE BG NEWS
Latino Issues Conference skirts stereotypes, focuses on gender By Steve Kunkler Reporter
Every year, the University invites faculty and staff from around northwest Ohio to its Latino Issues Conference. This year, the 14th annual conference will focus on a wide variety of issues surrounding gender and empowerment, and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in the Union Ballroom. Included in the day’s events will be keynote speaker Diana Marinez, from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, who will discuss Latinos in science. The speech will be held at noon. The conference is free to attend, but there is an $8 fee for lunch. For Manny Pomales, a senior associate director and research consultant for Univ 120: Learning-Behavior Assessments, the goal of the conference is not only high attendance, but also to teach as many people as possible about Latino cultures from the speakers’ perspectives.
“This conference helps others become more educated about Latino issues.” Manny Pomales | Senior Associate Director for University 120
For Pomales, there is a feeling in the Latino Community that they are being left out. “Sometimes Latinos are viewed as being illegal, although they have been here generation after generation,” Pomales said. Pomales added that with the theme focusing on women in science, the conference will go against the usual depiction of Latino culture being maledominated. Farrah Garcia, a secretary for the Latino Student Union, said the conference will help create an open frame of mind. Garcia added that the stereotypes result from not being aware of the issues going on.
“They should be more aware of the things going around them as far as Latino issues go, and this conference helps others become educated about Latino issues,” Garcia said. Members of the Latino Student Union said they hope the conference will disconnect from topics that show stereotypes of Latinos and focus on immigration laws. Nathaniel Olmeda, a junior majoring in human development and family studies, said even though the conference will pay attention to stereotypes and immigration laws, these issues will not be the focal point of the event. Olmeda also mentioned that the conference will be a way for students on campus to learn more about Latino issues. “The conference is a good way for the student body to recognize the faculty and the University who is trying to continue to promote cultural awareness in anyway [they can],” Olmeda said.
DRAGAPELLA SERENADES IN UNION
RACHEL RADWANSKI | THE BG NEWS
SINGING PARODIES: The Kinsey Sicks perform one of their accapella numbers in the Union Multipurpose room. Winnie (in pink), Rachel (in purple), Trampolina (in green), and Trixie (in yellow) sang parodies of popular songs including “You’re Scarious” to the tune of “Summer of Aquarious.”
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