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THE BG NEWS
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Campus group kicks off Coming Out Week events
Tuesday
October 20, 2009 Volume 104, Issue 40 WWW.BGVIEWS.COM
CAMPUS
TRAIL.
Cartwright visits USG meeting
By Richard Autry Reporter
Tie-dyeing in the Union Oval yesterday kicked off events for the University’s annual Coming Out Week, orchestrated by the University’s LGBT student group, Vision. Vision hosts Coming Out Week each fall in hopes of spreading
President Carol Cartwright made an appearance at yesterday’s USG meeting to address recent issues at the University | Page 3
awareness about the LGBT community. “We put on events that would allow all participants to grow from it,” Vision publicity chair Janelle Williams said. “It allows people to understand our culture and who we are as individuals.” Vision President Robert Koob believes the week is very impor-
tant for the student population on campus. “It promotes awareness among people on campus,” Koob said. “It’s important for the LGBT community to talk about coming out and promote awareness about CHRISTINA MCGINNIS | THE BG NEWS issues that affect the community PREPARING: Vision members senior Erik Sowers and sophomore Janelle Williams tie up a as a whole.” banner that reminds students that this week is Coming Out Week. See VISION | Page 2
French House to host events embracing French culture
FORUM
‘The Office’ wedding an event for fans Columnist Marisha Pietrowski comments on the hype and the delivery of NBC’s “The Office” wedding | Page 4
Capitalism not to blame for the economy
By Megan Woodward Reporter
WASHINGTON
Columnist Andrew Dehnhoff argues that individual greed, not capitalism, is responsible for current economics | Page 4
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALAINA BUZAS | THE BG NEWS
HAZARDS OFF THE
First-class mail prices not increasing In an internal memo, the Postal Service has announced there will be no increase in the price of first-class mail for next year | Page 8
Roadside hole at University golf course could leave
Two top MAC quarterbacks to face off
some drivers and pedestrians fearful of flying golf balls
GOLF COURSE
Falcon quarterback Tyler Sheehan and Central Michigan University’s Dan LeFevour will compete this Saturday | Page 6
SPORTS PEOPLE ON THE STREET
See GOLF | Page 2
USG member cited for obstruction of official police business over weekend
What deeply held secret would you like to share with the world?
“I have nightmares about snakes on a regular basis.” | Page 4
A hole at the Forest Creason Golf Course is close enough to the road that golf balls are ending up in the street. Hole 17 at the Forrest Creason Golf Course is within a few feet of Mercer Road, which could pose a danger to people driving or walking in the area. Golf Course Director Kurt Thomas said that golf balls rarely end up in the street, and the course has no plans to deal with this problem. “It’s not an every day occurrence,” he said. Chris Lorenzen, a clubhouse
See FRENCH | Page 2
By Ella Fowler and Andy Ouriel The BG News
GREG BUNN Sophomore, Middle Childhood Development
By Tim Naida Reporter
Though French House residents are required to speak French on the first floor, they are encouraging those interested in the language and culture to join in their upcoming events. La Maison Française, popularly known as the French House, was founded in 1971 through a $50,000 gift from the Honorary French Consul in Cleveland. Located near the Union, the house hosts a group of 12 girls. “It allows girls, because it is an all girl house, to come and reside here and live in a French culture environment,” Cultural Director Tiffany Le Roi said. “La Maison Française has now become a living-learning community where students interested in French can live surrounded by the language and cultures of the Francophone world.” Every Thursday, the French House has Café Conversation to promote the language. “I try to organize games around where we can practice the language and still learn the vocabulary. We play Scattergories, telephone,” Le Roi said. “We also play
An Undergraduate Student Government member was cited Saturday night for obstructing official police business. According to the city police blotter, Justin Albright, USG’s Internal Affairs Committee chair, was at a party the Bowling Green Police Division was attempting to stop. When officers tried to enter the residence, Albright allegedly informed them the home owners were not there and then tried to force the door shut on the officers, blocking their entry. According to reports, there were four other people cited or arrested at the party along with several underage persons. “Although I feel I didn’t do anything wrong, I understand my actions, as a leader, hold a responsibility,” Albright said. “I apologize to my fellow senators and constituents.” Albright is head of a committee that reviewed USG’s bylaws. His committee accepted an amendment stating all members will be under stricter regulation on conduct both on campus and in the
CHRISTINA MCGINNIS | THE BG NEWS
city. The clause was an effort to combat past misconduct by USG members. According to a Sept. 22 BG News article, the amendment was not passed because it needed to be reworked to fit with constitutional laws, but has now been accepted within USG’s bylaws. The clause states if a student is convicted they will be either censured, which is a formal declaration of someone admitting they did wrong, or impeached from USG.
Albright’s court date is set for Oct. 28. “He is 100 percent innocent right now,” USG President Sundeep Mutgi said. “That is how our country works. I can’t speak to innocence or guilt.” Mutgi said Albright’s actions will not affect USG’s ultimate responsibility in representing the undergraduate student body. College of Education and Human Development Sen. Joe Edens said its “extremely detrimental” to the organization any time an incident like this occurs to one of its members. “I’m very disappointed in Sen. Albright’s lapse in judgement,” he said. “It’s unacceptable for any member to conduct themselves in such a way.” Edens added he feels one of the goals of USG is to create and maintain ties with the community. “For a senator to allegedly treat police officials that way is not conducive in achieving that goal,” he said. Editor’s note: USG reporter Matt Liasse contributed to this report.
CHRISTINA MCGINNIS | THE BG NEWS
BOWL-ING GREEN: The Global Village and the Arts Village are sponsoring the Empty Bowls Project which involves selling tickets to a luncheon on Oct. 26.
Learning communities sell bowls to feed hungry By Morgan Addington-Hodge Reporter
Family Consumer Science Building. Sophomore Lauren Rex, The Global Village and the head of publicity for the event, Arts Village are putting on the said last year the event raised second annual Empty Bowl about $900, which was split Program to help fight and into three parts to be donatspread awareness about world ed to different organizations fighting hunger. This year, one hunger. With the help of the School of the organizations they plan of Family and Consumer to donate money to is Heifer Sciences, residents of both vil- International, along with a lages are selling empty bowls soup kitchen in Toledo. Rex said a lot of Americans for $5 for students and $10 for faculty and adults, who can are hungry, so they want to then use the bowls for a lunch keep part of the money in the of soup, corn bread and dessert See BOWLS | Page 2 that will takes place Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the
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