THE BG NEWS ESTABLISHED 1920 | An independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Friday, October 31, 2014
VOLUME 94, ISSUE 30
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Students votes
Matter
Discussion panel led by keynote speaker Randy Gardner educates voters on election issues By Emily Johnson Reporter
A group of student organizations hosted a panel to discuss local issues and the 2014 midterm ballot Thursday, Oct. 30. The goal of the panel was for students to be inspired vote and to inform students to make educated choices when voting Nov. 4. The panel was done as a personal discussion with a town hall setting, with a circle of the panel and audience. The panel was brought from a broad group of individuals to create a non-partisan discussion. The panel was comprised of senior Kasie Durkit; University professor and founder of the Women’s Center, Mary Krueger; special events coordinator for the Toledo mayor’s office, Alan Bannister, Chairman of the University’s psychology department and chairman of the Democratic Party for the Wood County Board of Elections, Mike Zickar; and executive committee chair of the Wood Country Republican Party, Matt Reger. Keynote speaker Senator and University Alumnus, Randy Gardner spoke to the audience about the importance on students’ voters. “There are more at stake for young voters than there is for others because the decisions are made are going to affect life 5-10 years from now, job opportunities, education opportunities,” Gardner said. “Even
though voter participation is lower with students it isn’t logical, because there is so much at stake there is a grater for students.” The panel covered many issues facing college students, issue of importance of a college vote, students who think that their vote doesn’t count, what they can do to help promote students voting in the face of dwindling student votes, students who don’t know what political party they should vote with, and opened up the panel to the audience. “Students getting behind in certain issues has had a dramatic affect Wood County … and has affected the city just because students have gotten excited about an issue,” said David Westmeyer, University Undergraduate Representative to the Board of Trustees. “These midterm elections, in my opinion, are going to have as much of an effect on them (students) then the presidential election.” The panel event also provided different activities available for students, focused in educating students over issues and what is on the ballet. The panel played videos from BG Votes and the Turn Out for What campaign. Booths were set up for to hand out information on general election candidates, voter registration, precinct and voting location with the help of BG Votes, College Democrats, College Republicans, NAACP, Vision and students of service learning.
See POLITICS | Page 5
New Hatch students to be announced Nov 20
Who Did It?
Third year of program begins, gives students chance to fulfill their dreams By Natasha Ivery Reporter
SHEILA HOEGLER | THE BG NEWS
TWO STUDENTS perform at the Victorian Masquerade Murder Ball that took place Thursday evening.
FALCONS KEEP ROLLING BG hockey returns home to defend their 4-1-1 record. The Falcons will look to do so on the efforts of the nations leading scorer, Kevin Dufour. | Page 6
A program based off of the TV show “Shark Tank” offers University and Firelands students the opportunity to get their ideas funded by a professional entrepreneur. The Hatch program is in its third year at the University and is sponsored by the College of Business. It allows students to apply and pitch an innovative product they believe is marketable. Once accepted into the program, they are matched with a mentor and endure a 10 week process leading up to the night of the presentations. “This is the third year for the Hatch at BGSU,” said Kirk Kern, director of the Dallas-Hamilton Center in the College of Business. “The idea came when the Dean [of the College of Business] and I sat down and talked. We wanted students to have an opportunity to have experience in a co-curriculum outside the classroom to be an entrepreneur and start their own
LIONFACE THEATRE
This local community theatre group will put on “Dog Sees God”, a play about the “peanuts” characters in high school. | Page 3
companies, so we came up with the Hatch.” The Hatch program gives students the chance to have their product funded by an alumnus, providing not only investment opportunities but educational opportunities as well, with students being able to earn three credit hours. The way the students present their ideas is set up the same as the NBC show “Shark Tank.” Kern and his team recently presented the Hatch to a conference in London. The Hatch program at the University is one of the only ones structured not only in the U.S. but the world. “The application process is very simple, with a form and essay,” said Kern. “Once chosen, we match the student with an alumni mentor and they go through a rigorous 10 week process talking about developing their idea into market analysis, pricing/financials, blueprint and building a quasi-business plan. They have assignments due each Friday and a 24 step online process called ‘Incubation.’”
STEREOTYPES
Columnist Erika Heck talks about a recent shooting that took place in Seattle, Washington. She discusses how the shooter didn’t fit the stereotype, leaving many baffled. | Page 4
The Dean of the College of Business, Dr. Raymond Brown, said that the Hatch is one of the best programs to be featured at the University. “I came to the school a little over two years ago,” said Brown. “I wanted a program that focused on student entrepreneurs and that’s where the Hatch was born. The first year, the actual presentation night of the Hatch was standing room only. Last year the ballroom was filled and this year we hope to pack the Stroh. We had some cool entries the first year-one guy had a food truck called Bueno Vita and a girl had Cribs on Campus, where students can order microwaves and dorm items in one package and have them delivered to their dorm. The first year we had 83 applicants. Nine were chosen and three were funded. Last year we had 100 applicants. 12 were chosen and 10 were funded. We had 67 watch parties all across the country and we trended number two on
See HATCH | Page 2
WHAT IS YOUR HALLOWEEN COSTUME AND WHY? “A common white girl— to be funny.” Cody Myers, Gerontology, Sophomore