THE BG NEWS
BUZZER BEATER AT STROH Falcons came up victorious against Eastern Michigan on Saturday thanks to a 3-point basket from senior Jordan Crawford with 6.1 seconds left in the game on Page 5
ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Monday, January 14, 2013
VOLUME 92, ISSUE 54
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Crime rates fluctuate during break BG Police see decline in on-campus activity while city incidents increase By Alex Alusheff City Editor
Students returning to the city from winter break may find themselves a few belongings short. Usually the rate of theft rises when students leave because their apartments are unattended for weeks, said Maj. Tony Hetrick, deputy chief and public information officer for the Bowling Green Police Division. There were 20 reports of theft, burglary and robbery in December, 11 more than November, according to a summary report provided by Hetrick. Other crimes, however, decreased while students were home for break. “Less people in town means less activity,” Hetrick said. “A lot of different factors go into reductions.” Factors like cold weather may have convinced more people to stay home or indoors instead of making the trek downtown or elsewhere, he said. Liquor law violations are some of the crimes that lessen during breaks, Hetrick said. Police made 42 liquor law arrests in December, which is down from 72 in November, according to the summary report. While crimes may have fluctuated in the city, crime on campus dwindled. For campus police, there is usually a decline in calls for service because the majority of the 6,500 students who live on campus leave, said Capt. Michael Campbell. There is the possibility for a spike in crimes like theft, but campus police do not find out until the first few weeks of classes as students return and might discover some of their things are missing, he said. During break Campbell said campus police have time to focus their energy on tasks they normally can’t when classes are in session. “We have more foot patrol and are able to check buildings and have more visibility,” he said. Even with most students out of town, most bar stools stayed full during break. Banan Alkilani, general manager of Cla-Zel, said the bar was continually busy during break due to the fact that they hosted “Club KISS” on weekends and community members made up for the student attendance loss. Because crowds remained the same, Alkilani said there is no surge or loss of fights and sneakins, which he said are at a minimum anyway. Holidays also may have contributed to high bar attendance and crimes in the city. Some crimes spike at big party days like St.
powerof praise MOLLY MCFADDIN | THE BG NEWS
ASHLEY EDWARDS, senior, participates in the University Gospel Fest as the Gospel Choir sings backup.
Gospel Choir hosts 10th annual Gospel Fest in Union By Kendra Clark Web Editor
MOLLY MCFADDIN | THE BG NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY Gospel Choir sang Friday in the Union Ballroom.
See CRIME | Page 2
New Year’s resolutions falter with start of semester Faculty, staff encourage students to keep up with goals Faith Yingling
By Alex Alusheff City Editor
It’s only a couple weeks into the new year, and some students may find it hard to keep to their resolutions. This year, sophomore Brett Vermillion aims to be a nicer guy because “it makes people happy.” Vermillion said his resolutions typically last about a month. He believes it may be hard for people to keep resolutions for a few reasons. “You can’t be lazy,” Vermillion
HELPFUL GUIDES
For senior Ashley Edwards, singing gospel gives her a purpose. “I need to use the voice I was given to give God’s word,” Edwards said. Edwards, head of Publicity of Gospel Fest and Gospel Choir, was raised around the church and has been in the choir for four years. This past weekend, Edwards participated in the 10th annual Gospel Fest with her fellow Gospel Choir members. The fest involved university gospel choirs coming together to praise and worship. The University Gospel Choir hosted choirs from Cedarville, The Ohio State University, Wright State, Akron and Ohio University. Friday night, each university choir sang and then Saturday was the Worship Extravaganza. “There [were] high schools and two artists, Jonathan McReynolds and Amante Lacey coming,” said Ashley Lewis, senior and Gospel Fest coordinator. Lewis said the students in the University gospel choir were helpful in planning the event. “This was all planned by the students who are members of the choir,” Lewis said. “They did very well.” Edwards helped plan the event by hanging the fliers, and described
Director of Wellness
said. “You have to find time to make for it.” A common resolution he sees is to work out more, which he does every day. A past resolution to work out was a contributing factor to Vermillion’s routine.
The University’s Report It campaign offers studentsa way to anonymously report hate or bias related crime. Learn how it can help and how students are using it. | PAGE 2
See YEAR | Page 2
CAMPUS BRIEF
USG presents goals for spring semester At this week’s Undergraduate Student Government meeting, students will have a chance to learn what the organization has done this past semester, as well as what’s planned for the current one. USG President Alex Solis and Senate Speaker Melissa Dzienny will give the presentation. “Melissa and I thought it would be a good idea to not only state the goals, but map out how we’re going to get there,” Solis said. “It’s the first time something like this is happening.” The presentation is meant both to hold the organization accountable for its objectives and also to unify the senate and executive branch of USG. “It’s about coming together and realizing that we [the senate and executive branch] have similar goals,” Solis said. The presentation will not only inform stu-
GIVE YOUR SUPPORT Columnist Ian Zulick explores the idea that as humans we all feel the same thing when it comes to certain tragedies like the one at Sandy Hook. He implores people to simply be there for each other. | PAGE 4
See GOSPEL | Page 7
Alex Solis
USG President dents about what USG is doing, but also benefit the newer senators, who may be able to better familiarize themselves with the organization through watching the presentation, Solis said. “What better way to utilize general assembly time that to remember what we’re here to do?” Solis said. Matt Haschak, director of IT security and networking in the department of information technology at the University, will also give a report on AlertBG. Alert BG is a text message and email alert system, in which the campus police department sends messages to warn the campus community of situations., according to the University website. Right now, the program is opt-in for students, who can sign up on their MyBGSU page, but USG is looking to make it opt-out. Opt-out would mean students would automatically be signed up for the program. The weekly meeting will take place in 201 Union Monday at 7:30 p.m.
CAMPUS BRIEF
UAO to host Bo Burnham for LOL in February Comedian Bo Burnham will headline the third annual LOL with UAO event. Burnham will take the stage at the Stroh Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 7. Tickets will become available Jan. 17 and 18 at the University Activities Office, in residence halls and at certain athletic events on campus. Tickets are free to students and cost $5 for a nonstudent. While tickets are free, guests are asked to donate to the organizations Dance Marathon, Broadway Cares or Relay For Life. The student who donates the most will be offered the chance to meet Burnham at the event. There may also be other opportunities for students to meet Burnham at the event, said UAO member Cassie Utt in an email. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. will open for Burnham at the show in February.
HOW LONG DO YOU THINK YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION WILL LAST? “I don’t need one because I’m so perfect.” Raymond Szparagowski Junior, AYA Math