THE BG NEWS
NO VACANCY Read about how commencement weekend leads to increased business for hotels and local shops in the Bowling Green area on Page 5.
ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Volume 93, Issue 94
Censorship alleged in tabled USG resolution
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ROAD HAZARDS
Student government seeks to address student concerns about The BG News By Alex Alusheff Managing Editor
Some University experts question whether a resolution brought to an Undergraduate Student Government meeting Monday threatens student media’s first amendment rights. USG introduced a resolution, after previously hearing student concerns about The BG News, requesting administrative action. The resolution, which was tabled, calls for public election of an editor, a system of checks and balances and for the administration to take action if published news is negative to student groups or the University as a whole. “[The fact that] USG is advocating that media be a public relations arm for the University and support values that would make everyone feel good ... is exactly the reason why we have a free press,” said Mike Horning, assistant professor in the department of Journalism and Public Relations. T he concer ns prompted USG members Nadia Oehler and Aeden Timbrook to w rite the resolution. Though senators had mixed feelings— postponing a vote— USG President Brian Kochheiser said he supports some sort of resolution being passed. “When students come and voice concerns, it’s our duty to represent them,” he said. Oehler said she is looking for more transparency because some students don’t know how the election process is run. The public election of an editor is a form of prior restraint, which may cause an editor to be too afraid to report anything negative or controversial because it might upset the administration or student government, Horning said. Looking back at the draft, Timbrook said the public election was not feasible. “What we’re suggesting is an open forum of sorts or a way of making the process of electing the editor-in-chief more open to the students,” Oehler said. “That way they trust the system.” Currently, the Board of Student Publications oversees The BG News’ operation. The board is comprised of two USG members, two undergraduate students, four faculty members, one journalism department faculty member, two members of the professional press and one member of Graduate Student Senate, said Kelly Taylor, chair of the board.
University cautions drivers to be mindful of stray golf balls during season, accidents not too frequent By Stevon Duey Reporter
Drivers traveling on local roads near the University golf course shouldn’t worry about errant balls. As the Forrest Creason Golf Course, located near Interstate 75, approaches the end of its first month of operation of 2014, no incidents have occurred due to flying balls. The course, managed by the Department of Recreation and Wellness, will gradually experience an increase of student and public golfers in the coming months, but that doesn’t mean that there will be a rise in golf ball-related incidents. “Occasionally balls come from out of bounds,” said Kurt Thomas, director of the course. Thomas said accidents do happen, just not as often as many might think. He estimated only one or two loose balls cause damage any given year. At the course located on the northeast corner of campus, four holes run parallel to roads. Hole 17 runs adjacent to Mercer Road; holes 10 and 18 are adjacent to Poe Road; and hole 14 runs along Stadium Drive.
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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
EXAM TIPS SERIES 2: STAPLES OF STUDYING Library to be extend hours of operation during final two weeks Once again, exam week is fast approaching, causing many students to stress about their final grades. Luckily, students can enjoy the benefits of Jerome library being open 24/5 during the last week of classes as well as exam week as they prepare to take their finals. The University has been promoting this policy since the spring of 2013, said Cynthia Jones, a resource desk employee. “A student from the Learning Commons conducted a gate count to find out when people were using and leaving the library,” Jones said. “During these last two weeks, we noticed that students were staying here up until close.” In order to allow the students full access
RETURNING HOME
Donation options available during move-out Students can give food, clothing, furniture to charities during final week of class By Amber Petkosek Social Media Editor
to the library and provide them with a study space, the library’s extended hours will continue until the end of the year and during these weeks in the years to come. Sunday through Thursday, the library will be open 24/5; that is, 24 hours a day/5 days a week. With exams quickly approaching, the library employees had a few tips for students. 1.) Make use of the Learning Commons. Help is available if you need it. 2.) Choose a quiet place to study, away from distractions 3.) Take frequent breaks - you need them. 4.) Come into your study session prepared - do not come hungry, tired or without your materials 5.) Even though the library is open 24 hours, sleep is key to success
University alumnus Steve Sanders gave a motivational speech to students Monday afternoon. His book ‘Training Camp for Life: Developing Champions in Sports and in Life’ will be released soon. | PAGE 3
When students move out of their residence halls and off campus apartments, instead of throwing out the things they don’t want, they can choose to give some of their things to charity. This year and for the past 12 years, students could donate clothes, nonperishable foods and other items to charities when they moved out of their residence halls and off-campus apartments. The amount of things collected from the students and faculty is enough to provide items to more than three dozen charities, Sustainability Coordinator for the University Nick Hennessy said. The program When You Move
Out, Don’t Throw It Out was available beginning Monday and will run through finals week. There are drop off boxes located in each residence hall, each Greek unit, Outtakes locations and in the Union. Hennessy said although the program is aimed primarily at students living in the residence halls, it is also available for students who live off campus and faculty. Students and staff can drop off nonperishable food items, clothing, electronics, kitchen supplies, school supplies, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies and more. “Laundry detergent would be a huge thing. A lot of people will just throw it away if there’s just a little bit of laundry detergent left, whereas the shelters and the charities we work with that’s the number
YOU ARE A FEMINIST
Columnist Ashley Hardwick talks about how someone can be a feminist without realizing it. Ashley also talks about an experience in which this was apparent with her parents. | PAGE 4
one thing on most of their lists,” Hennessy said. “They will literally come and look at that first — that is the most expensive, the most important thing to be able to provide to their clientele that are in need.” The WYMO program is not for students to get rid of their trash, but to donate to the various charities, Hennessy said. Other than trash some of the only things unable to be used is perishable food. Some of the charities the items go to include the Cocoon Shelter, First Step Family Violence Intervention Center, BG Christian Food Pantry and the Perrysburg Heights Community Center. This year, because of the Greek housing units being demolished,
See WYMO | Page 2
What are you going to do with unneeded belongings when you move out? “Donate to the dumpster and keep the rest.” Sean McGavin Senior, Telecommunication