THE BG NEWS
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Volume 90, Issue 116
www.bgviews.com
N O H G U A L HANNAH SPARLING | THE BG NEWS
TEACH-IN: Nse Ufot, from the American Association of University Professors, addresses the crowd at the BGSU Faculty Association’s teach-in on Tuesday. Ufot spoke against Senate Bill 5, which she said is only protecting CEOs and corporate tax breaks. “This is about more than just unions,” she said. “This is an attempt to protect the middle class.”
Speakers against Senate Bill 5 host teach-in By Alissa Widman Assistant News Editor
Before spring break, a “walkout” protest against Senate Bill 5 filled the Union oval. Tuesday, the opposition stayed in to examine the bill and educate others about it. The Faculty Association hosted a teach-in from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Union Multipurpose Room. Topics addressed included the basics of Senate Bill 5, the legislative process in Ohio, a history of unionization and tips for contacting legislators. “We intend the day to be one of critical thinking and dialogue about this legislation which, if passed, will have a big impact on BGSU,” the FA said in a statement via e-mail Monday. The event featured several faculty members and students from the University and surrounding community who spoke in opposition of the bill. Nse Ufot, a lobbyist from the American Association of University Professors, traveled from Michigan to speak at the teach-in. “This is what we want to get happening with students all around the country,” she said. “Bowling Green is at the forefront of getting the word out right now.” Ufot is a public university graduate and said Senate Bill 5 is a personal issue for people like her who “work for a living.” “It’s a direct attack on the working class,” she said. “It makes me angry ... I applaud the AAUP
HANNAH SPARLING | THE BG NEWS
JOKES: Comedian Josh Sneed performs in front of a crowd in the Falcon’s Nest Tuesday. Sneed has appeared on Comedy Central, opened for members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and is a regular on The Bob & Tom Show.
University Activities Organization hosted comedian Josh Sneed Tuesday By Max Filby Assistant Web Editor
Laughter echoed throughout the Falcon’s Nest on Tuesday as comedian Josh Sneed took center stage.
The University Activities markets. “Most of my stuff comes Organization hosted Sneed, who has toured with comedi- from everyday life,” Sneed said. ans like Daniel Tosh and Larry “The best kind of material is the Cable Guy. Sneed put a See COMEDIAN | Page 2 comedic spin on topics such as health care, road signs and flea
PATTY MURPHY AWARD
BYRON MACK | THE BG NEWS
NATION Bus crashes on NJ turnpike Police examine the wreckage of the bus in an attempt to determine the cause of the accident, which occurred Monday night | Page 5
FORUM Disaster victims need aid
In the wake of earthquake and tsunami catastrophe in Japan, columnist Dylan Corp urges students to participate in relief efforts they can afford | Page 4
See BILL | Page 2
CAMPUS
STATE
Faculty Senate to address strategic plan
BG NEWS WIRE SOURCES
BRIEF
CEREMONY: The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fratermity escorts an empty casket through campus as a ceremony for the Patty Murphy Award on Tuesday afternoon. The Patty Murphy award is an unsung hero type of award and this year’s recipient was Sigma Alpha Epsilon first year member Austin Griffith.
chapter here for bringing this kind of coalition of people together because these are the kind of people that are going to be affected if Senate Bill 5 becomes law.” The Ohio Senate approved the bill 17-16 on March 2 and the House is currently reviewing it. If passed by the House, the bill would eliminate collective bargaining and striking rights for all public sector employees. The bill would also ban binding arbitration — when an impartial third party helps resolve contract disputes. David Jackson, president of the new faculty union at the University, said specific language in Senate Bill 5 harms university faculty statewide by defining them as “management” and ineligible for collective bargaining. The language was amended by the Inter-University Council of Ohio, an association which represents the state’s 14 public universities. “We view this as an excrescential threat,” Jackson said. Proponents of Senate Bill 5 have praised it as a budget-balancing measure. The University administration is in favor of the bill and the council’s position, according to a statement released Tuesday by Dave Kielmeyer, senior director of Communications. It will monitor the bill as it moves forward. “In the meantime, BGSU will be following the existing laws governing collective bargaining and is pre-
BRIEF
The Faculty Senate is hosting a moderated forum titled “Planning for Change” March 22 at 2:30 p.m. in the Union theater. The forum will feature presentations from President Carol Cartwright, Provost Ken Borland and Chief Financial Officer Sheri Stoll. Topics will include priorities of the strategic plan and effects of budget planning. Questions will be taken from the floor and can also be submitted prior to the forum via e-mail at facultysenate@bgsu.edu. The event will be streamed live and archived for later access on the University’s website.
SPORTS Steffen excels on basketball team
Sophomore Chrissy Steffen, who averages 10.2 points per game, is a vital player on the Falcon women’s basketball team as the NCAA tournament approaches | Page 6
House clears abortion parental consent bill
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio House has approved new requirements before a minor can be allowed to have an abortion without her parents agreeing to it. Under a bill passed on a 64-33 vote Tuesday, a judge considering whether to let a girl bypass the parental consent requirement would have to collect evidence that she understands the impacts of having an abortion. The judge also must ask the girl if she was coached on how to answer such questions. Republican Lynn Slaby (SLAY’-bee) of Akron co-sponsored the legislation and says the state must make sure young mothers are of sound mind when they decide to have an abortion.
PEOPLE ON THE STREET What would your book be about? EMILY BIGELOW Junior, English
“Pandas. And zombies. Pandas fighting zombies.” | Page 4
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