THE BG NEWS
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Volume 104, Issue 1
COUNTING THE
CONTENT 10
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The BG News lists the top 10 things students should know about the University and the upcoming school year
CUTTING EDGE: University Dining Services options have been given a facelift this year. PAGE 8
NEW COACH, NEW SEASON: Falcon football is gearing up for an exciting year with new head coach Dave Clawson. PAGE 17
BRIGHT IDEAS: Finding good eats and best-kept secrets in Bowling Green is easy with the Pulse’s guide. PAGE 10
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SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: No need to worry about the wind, rain or pressure of freshman year. The BG News has advice for first-years in Forum. PAGE 4
FITTING IN: Being involved on campus is fun and easy. Peek inside Campus for stories on Greek Life and general involvement. PAGE 3
SAFETY FIRST: Campus police are gearing up for the new school year. Find their plans, the University parking lot map and more. PAGE 13
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PENNY PINCHING: University bills and
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refund checks have gone green. More Bursar information is inside. PAGE 14
FEARLESS LEADERS: Want to know who represents your voice on campus? Find student government bios inside. PAGE 2
NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES: See who’s making the big decisions and the big bucks on campus. PAGE 6
Celebrations planned throughout the school year for the University’s centennial Today the freshmen will begin a new chapter of their lives and become a part of the shared history of the University’s 100th birthday. Founded on Nov. 10, 1910, the University plans to make next year’s 100th birthday a huge celebration. Larry Weiss, co-chair of the Centennial Anniversary Celebration, has been planning many events to celebrate the Centennial, with the help of his seven subcommittees. “There is only going to be one Centennial Celebration and next year is it,” he said. “It’s not just going to be a day or a week or a month, there are going to be many celebration events throughout the year.” The 2010 celebration will begin with three kick-off events in January, one of them being a concert on Jan. 10 when students get back from winter break. Stephanie Wilson is a student mem-
First-year student enrollment continues decline from last year However, University sees increase in transfer students, while Firelands campus increases in overall students By Kate Snyder Managing Editor
This year, enrollment of incoming freshmen is the lowest it’s been in the last 10 years. Gary Swegan, director of undergraduate admissions, said freshmen enrollment has been dropping since 2007. Before then, from about 1999 to 2006, enrollment experienced a surge when the average number of incoming freshmen hovered around 3,650. Swegan said since 2007, some University scholarships were revamped to benefit a wider range of students. Prior to the changes, more money went to fewer students, but now, less money is going to more students. “Changes surrounding aid and scholarships definitely cost us a few students,” Swegan said. Swegan also said the economic problems sweeping the country this year affected people’s decisions. “The impact the economy seemed to have on us was we had fewer applications for freshmen,” Swegan said. But while freshmen enrollment is down, transfer students are up from last year at 625 students enrolled as of Aug. 18. Enrollment at Firelands campus has also increased this year. Deb Divers, director of admissions at Firelands, said so far this year 406 freshmen have enrolled, along with 115 transfer students. “We’ve grown over 1,000 students in the last 10 years,” Divers said. In 1999, Divers said 259 freshmen and 75 transfer students enrolled. Overall, about 1,200 students were enrolled in 1999, she said. This year, 2,432 students
“Changes surrounding aid and scholarships definitely cost us a few students.” Gary Swegan | Director of undergraduate admissions overall are registered for fall, which Divers said was up 133 from last year’s 2,299. According to enrollment reports on the Firelands Web site, enrollment has been increasing overall since about 1998. Divers said she thought more students were looking at Firelands as an option to start a new career, or to just save money. “The economy is really helping our enrollment,” she said.
BY THE NUMBERS Fall enrollment of freshmen and transfer students over the past 10 years ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
1999 - 3556 freshmen, 606 transfer students 2000 - 3431 freshmen, 661 transfer students 2001 - 3636 freshmen, 667 transfer students 2002 - 3630 freshmen, 701 transfer students 2003 - 3557 freshmen, 647 transfer students 2004 - 3929 freshmen, 698 transfer students 2005 - 3654 freshmen, 675 transfer students 2006 - 3656 freshmen, 631 transfer students 2007 - 3295 freshmen, 682 transfer students 2008 - 3198 freshmen, 608 transfer students 2009 [as of Aug. 18] - 3150 freshmen, 625 transfer students
Let your voice be heard through your student-run newspaper
A century of history By Becky Tener Campus Editor
www.bgviews.com
ber of the Centennial Anniversary committee. She said the concert is still in the planning stage but the committee plans on hosting a well-known performer for the celebration. “The concert kick-off really gives us something to look forward to,” she said. Along with the concert, students are invited to attend all other activities put on by the committee. Wilson also encouraged students to buy a new Centennial Celebration T-shirt, designed by Michael Metzger, a former student of the University. Wilson said she hopes that everyone on campus attend events and learn about the University. “This is BG’s 100th birthday; it’s really exciting and is definitely a reason to celebrate,” she said. Dean of Students Jill Carr said she also hopes students will get involved and get excited about the upcoming celebration. She said the Centennial is a great opportunity to learn from the past. “We are asking all student organi-
zations to take a look at their history. When and where they started, how have they changed and what has stayed the same,” she said. “It is so important for our current students to have the sense of tradition that comes with a Centennial and there is no better time to display it.” Nov. 9, 2010 will be the Anniversary Convocation where former presidents alumni, students, faculty and staff will be invited back to celebrate. Weiss said the Centennial Celebration will help develop a sense of appreciation of why Bowling Green is the place it is today and the 100 years of history that came before. “This is not just Bowling Green State University today; it’s 100 years in the making,” he said. “We hope students understand that their four years here is part of our next 100 years. They’re going to be contributing and making Bowling Green what it is.” For more information: Check out the University home page and click on the Centennial link.
GINA POTTHOFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Few moments rival the experience of going away to college, so choosing the right fit is vital for survival. In all honesty, BGSU was the last school on my list. It was too close to home, too much of a party school and, of course, too full of STDs for my taste over three years ago. But what my ignorant mind failed to initially consider were actual facts. Students create their own college careers. BGSU is the perfect midsized University with no shortage of options. If you want smaller classes, you got it. If you’d rather mingle with hundreds in a lecture hall, sign yourself up. Pick a major that’s already been done or create your own. Freedom of choice is the biggest perk of being in college, so congrats to all of you for already choosing a great university.
“Fill us in on how we can better serve you because The BG News is, in fact, your paper.” This is where The BG News also fits nicely into the equation: we’re here for you. Over 100 students are working to cater to your needs, concerns, wants and, sometimes, outlandish requests. We’re here to ask the tough questions so you don’t have to. We’re keeping the University and administration accountable for what matters most to you, especially in a time when the economy is emptying everyone’s pockets. So here’s another choice for you: decide what you’d like to know more about and let us know. We’re a newspaper run by students for students. Fill us in on how we can better serve you because The BG News is, in fact, your paper.
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