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THE BG NEWS Monday
Group celebrates rich black legacy this month
February 1, 2010 Volume 104, Issue 91 WWW.BGVIEWS.COM
CAMPUS
Please steam that extra hot
By Anthony Phillips Reporter
A coffee bar run by binkini-clad girls have some rolling their eyes, but claim the focus should be on the product | Page 3
FORUM
Obama’s speech outlines 2010 issues Faculty columnist Patrick Saunders gives his thoughts on President Obama’s State of the Union speech , comparing Obama’s careful choosing of issues to a military strategy | Page 4
Across campus, University departments and facilities, as well as student organizations are coming together to celebrate a rich legacy — black history in the United States. This year’s campus theme is a “Celebration of a Rich Legacy.” The events include seminars in “blackenomics,” movies about race issues, discussions on black history, and much more promoting the value of
Dean Bryson
This week’s events:
President of Black Student Union
Today through Feb. 28, celebration of a Rich Legacy of Service and Empowerment display, Jerome Library, first floor lobby COURTNEY STELLAR | THE BG NEWS
Today: Black History Month Kickoff, 4-8 p.m. Union Falcon’s Nest ■ Tomorrow: “Blackenomics,” 7 p.m. Olscamp Hall room 111 ■ Wednesday: Social Seduction, Drawn to Similarities, 3:30 p.m. Olscamp Hall, room 120 ■
black history. Senior Dean Bryson, president of Black Student Union, said he is excited about this year’s celebration because the
See HISTORY | Page 2
Prohibited Pets
Budget awaits approval NATION
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
High unemployment becomes focus of Obama administration after another $100 bill is endorsed to help fight the recession | Page 5
Pole vaulter breaks record Sabrina Forstein broke the pole vault record at the Tom Wright Classic this past Saturday | Page 6
PEOPLE ON THE STREET
SPORTS
Tennis team takes 5th victory BG ‘s tennis team continues winning streak this weekend after winning their fifth straight match and beating Youngstown State | Page 6
What would you want to harbor illegally?
DEAN BRYSON Senior, African studies
“Immigrants.” | Page 4
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN PIROG | THE BG NEWS
Many students admit to keeping, rescuing pets in the residence halls By Kathleen Kirk Reporter
Most students on campus would say it’s easy to leave their parents and siblings to head for college. However, when faced with a question of leaving their beloved Muffy, those same students have difficulty comprehending. Those big, innocent eyes, those fluffy ears — for many, it’s heartbreaking. Many students avoid the pain all together and bring their pets to campus. This illegal option is a particular favorite amongst dorm residents. A former dorm resident who wished to be identified as Amanda said she kept two mice and a small lizard in her dorm for her entire sophomore and part of her junior year. Though she constantly feared discovery, the Resident Advisor only found the animals on the day Amanda moved out to begin a semester abroad. She said eventually most of the people on her floor except for the RA knew about the pets and routinely came to play with them. Amanda, who emphatically
disapproves of the pet policy, said she believes, “something small, like mice, can make the transition from home,” and that small animals in the dorms could be beneficial to some students who are not very social. Associate Dean of Students Michael Ginsburg said last semester seven students were found with illegal pets in their dorm. However, given Amanda’s situation, it’s likely many more have illegal pets. Some of those animals are not as lucky as Amanda’s were. Maryann Gibson, owner of the Flower Basket downtown, said many students can discover how difficult it is to care for a pet in a dorm. Instead of finding a good home for the pet, they usually dump them in the country, where, as socialized creatures used to careful care, they don’t have the skills necessary to survive. Gibson said that about four to six weeks after the fall semester starts, every year without fail, one or more abandoned animals shows up. In recent years, it included a terrif ied k itten so
accustomed to indoor life that she kept attempting to get inside Gibson’s home, much to the chagrin of her two Great Danes. Geneva Hodgson, a senior 2D art major, discovered a pair of socialized, domesticated mice stranded atop one of the concrete slabs of the fountain in front of the Business Administration building. “They were just stranded on top of the block,” she said, and they were able to find a home with her commuter friend and were good pets. Hodgson herself kept two gerbils in Kohl Hall for nearly a year before they were discovered during a fire check. Her boy friend, a commuter, housed them for several months until the academic year ended and she moved out of the dorms. University Housing mandates fish are the only acceptable pet to have in the dorms. Failure to comply with this rule results in immediate removal of the animal and disciplinary action. Ginsburg said he expects there to be at most twelve illegal pets discovered this academic year.
CENTENNIAL DINNER: Bowling Green’s Chamber of Commerce hosted their Annual Meeting Dinner Dance in the Union Ballroom Saturday evening. The Chamber honored the 100 year partnership with the University.
Community kicks off University’s centennial with annual dinner By Jason Henry Assistant City Editor
In honor of the centennial, the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Meeting Dinner Dance in the Union Lenhart Grand Ballroom on Saturday. The shindig, which began with a bit of socializing, featured three speakers who spoke about the University’s past and future. The crowd was made up of community members, select student leaders and University administrators. “I think it is important for those of us here tonight to really realize that without the predecessors of the chamber of commerce, we wouldn’t be here,” said Mayor John Quinn, the first
speaker of the night. The focus of his speech in the crowded ballroom was on the history of the town. Quinn said that in 1880, the census reported there were 1,537 people in the village of Bowling Green. It was not until 1886, when oil was found in Wood County, that the town began to grow rapidly. By 1890, there were 3,467 people. “We were growing rapidly, the town burnt down a few times, but we were growing rapidly in spite of that,” Quinn said. “By 1900, the census said we had 5,063 residents and we could become a city.” Quinn said the predecessor of the Chamber of
See DINNER | Page 2
University honors faculty and staff for 100 year commitment By Shaina Smith Reporter
KICK OFF
Un iversit y Humanities University Troupe, honors its w h o Faculty and staff kicked birthday: were the off the Centennial Friday Centennial Centennial morning reflecting on how Service chalL i v i n g they have helped shape the lenge direct link Newspaper, University. is http://www. The morning began with bgsu.edu/offices/ display ing past, refreshments and music service-learning/ the played by the University page76045.html p r e s e n t and future Steel Drum Ensemble, as a c c o m approximately 150 faculty and staff packed the Union plishments of the University, Grand Ballroom Friday and the BGSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble. morning. Board of Trustees Chair J. “The room looks great and the people really seem to Robert Sebo and University be coming out,” said Union President Carol Cartwright Marketing Coordinator got up to make a few remarks Aronda Thomas. “I think and wish the University a the kickoff is just to get us happy anniversary. “Today we launch the year excited about the 100 years’ long celebration of Bowling celebration.” “We don’t get together Green State University’s year birthday,” often during the academic 100th year and I think the tim- Cartwright said. “A cening of this is a great chance tury is a grand milestone to catch up with people,” that should be cherished, said Joe Oravecz, associate revered and celebrated.” Faculty and staff reflected vice president for Student Affairs. See CENTENNIAL | Page 2 The hour-long program had performances by the
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