THE BG NEWS
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ESTABLISHED 1920 | A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community Thursday, February 24, 2011
Volume 90, Issue 108
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Students are still at risk to catch influenza By Danielle Rice Reporter
She shivers as dripping sweat runs down her face. Blankets are tightly wrapped around her as the runny nose, achy muscles and fever persist. She is certain of one thing — the flu has returned. “I knew it was more than just the common cold,” freshman Patricia Ferber said. Influenza activity is increasing in the United States. Ohio, along with 36 other states, reported widespread influenza activity according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s important to get the vaccine because the strain of influenza that is most common among people changes from year to year, according to the CDC. The CDC recommends a yearly influenza vaccination as the first and most important step in protect-
“The flu is spread through germs and is contracted from person to person ... ”
Two professors take a closer look at life forms on Lake Erie’s icy surface
Faith Yingling | Director
ing against flu viruses. “Everyone over the age of six months can be vaccinated,” said Faith Yingling, director of Student Wellness Connection. Yingling urges students to get the influenza vaccination. “Students can get the flu vaccination at the Student Health Center by calling and making an appointment,” she said. Yingling said it is important for students to practice daily sanitation in order to prevent influenza.
By Bri Haller Reporter
Two University professors launched an investigation into an anomaly in the surface ice of Lake Erie. When Michael McKay and George Bullerjahn of the biology department were invited to come aboard a Canadian Coast Guard ice breaker in February 2007, they boarded the ship without a concrete agenda in mind. “We had no expectations, for us I think it was more just an adventure.” McKay said. “Just an opportunity to see what was going on in the lake during the dead of winter.” The adventurers became analysts when both professors noticed strange brownish patches on the lake’s surface. “Our first observation was the ice looked stained in places.” Bullerjahn said. The Coast Guard, which uses ships to plow the ice for commercial vessels, has been observing these ‘stains’ for decades, McKay said. When samples of the discolored water were tested, it was found that 80 to 90 percent of them consisted of cold water diatoms, according to an article by Stacy Brannan of the Ohio Sea Grant Communications. “This was just high abundance, high density diatom biomass, and
See FLU | Page 2
CITY BRIEF
Traffic commission approves four-way stop
The city will be installing a four-way stop at the intersection of Clough and Troup streets after the Bowling Green Traffic Commission approved the measure Wednesday night. The Clough Street stop sign was originally supposed to be moved to Troup Street in September, but the change was stopped by the commission in October after concerns about pedestrian safety were raised. According to a report submitted by Brian O’Connell, the city engineer, the concern revolved around sight issues due to the sharp curve on Clough Street before the intersection.
Though O’Connell found the site distance of the intersection to be adequate, he said he recommended a four-way stop to avoid confusion because it was discovered that the stop sign used to be at Troup before it was switched to Clough. “It is not good practice to constantly switch these back and forth, back and forth,” he said. O’Connell said the intersection meets one of Ohio’s requirements for a four-way stop because it had five preventable accidents in 2009. John Fawcett, the municipal administrator, said the four-way stop will likely be installed within the next two weeks.
CAMPUS BRIEF Faculty Association approves ratifications
Officer nominations will begin in the next few days, he said. FA members can then nominate other members for officer positions The Faculty Association approved a revised for a “set number of days” by contacting Vice constitution Wednesday night and will soon President Geoff Howes. begin officer nominations. FA members will then vote for officers on a Out of 137 members, 44 attended a meeting date to be determined. in Olscamp 117 to discuss the ratifications. The Faculty members interested in voting can revised constitution passed with 43 “yes” votes join the FA through the American Association and one abstention. of University Professors at http://tinyurl. “There were a lot of good comments and com/6khbbb4. ideas,” FA President David Jackson said. “We’re obviously very pleased to get the vote, and now we’re one step closer to negotiating.”
HOT CHOCOLATE ON A COLD DAY
not only is it abundant, these things seem to be thriving in that environment.” McKay said. “Not only are [the diatoms] there and abundant, there are a number of tests we did to show that they’re very healthy and they’re very well adapted to the low light levels.” Bullerjahn said. While discovering this Lake Erie diatom had been unexpected, neither professor found the idea of an organism living in the ice surprising. “As scientists, we know that organisms can survive in almost any extreme environment.” McKay said. “If there’s liquid water, there’s got to be life.” Bullerjahn said. Further studies of these diatoms have shown they are photosynthetic and unable to swim. They have the ability to form ice crystals in relatively warm temperatures, and one theory suggests they do this to become buoyant and wait for ice to form around them, McKay said. However, the diatoms appear to be contributing to the summer dead zone that forms in Lake Erie’s central basin. “This is something that has held the interests of scientists for easily a decade. There have been concerted efforts to look at
See ERIE | Page 2
SXC.HU
Sororities host fundraisers for two students By Danae King Reporter
MAX FILBY | THE BG NEWS
WARM: Sergio Hairston, Jennifer Clark, Jane Bailey, Bernadette Wiggin and members of H2O hand out free hot chocolate Wednesday outside Founders.
WORLD Libya freed from Gadhafi Citizens and army officers of the country celebrate after they win the struggle against their former leader, Moammar Gadhafi | Page 3
FORUM ‘Kings Speech’ delivers
Kappa Kappa Gamma, a University sorority, exemplified true sisterhood when they donated money to a girl in another chapter who had been diagnosed with cancer. Both Kappa Kappa Gamma and Alpha Xi Delta have a member who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Kappa Kappa Gamma hosted a fundraiser for senior Kate Doney, the member of their chapter who was diagnosed with cancer, and donated half of the proceeds to junior Shay Galley, a member of Alpha Xi Delta who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during winter break. “We thought it would be cool to
Columnist Dylan Corp believes “The King’s Speech” and its actors should receive the top awards during the Oscars on Sunday evening | Page 4
BYRON MACK | THE BG NEWS
EAT: Students attend fundraiser for sorority members living with cancer on Tuesday night.
branch out to a different sororKappa Kappa Gamma has hostity and show them that we’re all ed a total of three fundraisers for a Greek community and we’re all Doney, one for each time she has here for each other,” said sophoSee KAPPA | Page 2 more Katelyn Binkley, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
SPORTS Men’s basketball team falls to Ohio
The Falcons lost to Ohio Wednesday night 70-60. Jordon Crawford paced the Falcons offensively with a double-double, 10 points and 10 assists in 31 minutes of action | Page 6
PEOPLE ON THE STREET What band would you like to see on vinyl? AMANDA VANDERCOY Sophomore, Psychology
“Arcade Fire.” | Page 4
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