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BASKETBALL Keno Davis hopes added size and strength in the CMU front court results in more wins this season
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FRIDAY, OCT. 18, 2013 | MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. | ISSUE NO. 24 VOL. 95
Ross rallies audience at State of the University
LIFE IN BRIEF FOOTBALL
By Malachi Barrett Staff Reporter
CMU FACES HUGE CHALLENGE AGAINST NORTHERN ILLINOIS The Chippewas welcome quarterback Jordan Lynch and No. 23 Northern Illinois for homecoming on Saturday at 3 p.m. w 5B
METRO Courtesy | J.D. Sterba Troy sophomore J.D. Sterba and sophomore Michigan State University student Brett Kast receive a check April 19 from CMU fraternities and sororities for $22,206.21 written out to The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation for $22,206.61 during Greek Week.
BUSINESS OF THE WEEK Read about what sets Midori Sushi and Martini Lounge apart from others. w 5A
STUDENT LIFE
Believe
Believe in Miracles Foundation lives up to name By Adeline Meachum Staff Reporter
TALKING DEAD CMU panel discusses why pop culture loves zombies so much. w 3A
STUDENT LIFE
The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation has earned its namesake, as it has brought miracles to the lives of 66 children across Michigan. Founded by two 11-year-old boys in 2005, one of those co-founders, J.D. Sterba, is now one of Central Michigan University’s own. Sterba, along with co-founder Brett Kast, were close friends throughout elementary school. In 2002, Kast’s younger sister, Jenna, was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor. She was only three years old. Believe in Miracles was born out of the battle Jenna fought against the brain cancer. According to Sterba, Kast would accompany his sister to the Detroit Children’s Hospital during her treatments. “He saw a lot of suffering,” the Troy sophomore said. “Even though it was designed to be a happy place for the kids, he still saw a lot of suffering.” Courtesy | J.D. Sterba On more than one occasion, Kast took notice of one Shown here in 2005, Troy sophomore J.D. Sterba and specific boy being treated at the children’s hospital. sophomore Michigan State University student Brett Kast receive w BELIEVE | 2A their first shipment of Believe in Miracle bracelets to raise money
Central Michigan University President George Ross cited reasons for optimism despite troubling enrollment and budget figures at his State of the University address in Plachta Auditorium on Wednesday. In the midst of a year that has seen a 4.9-percent decline in on-campus undergraduate enrollment, Ross used his speech as a way to discuss with the packed audience things that are going right for CMU. He spent much of his speech commending students, acknowledging academic achievements with a video that featured the deans of each college and Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services Steven Johnson. “I often think we don’t see ourselves as leaders,” Ross said. “I think we forget. I think we’re too humble sometimes.” President George Ross Ross said that CMU should recognize itself as a national leader in academics in order to pave the way for future success. He also tried to put the current state of affairs into the context of the history of CMU, citing its growth from a small teaching college to becoming one of the top schools in Michigan. “Just as we’re moving forward today despite economic challenges, President Charles Anspach took our campus from seven buildings to more than 40,” Ross said. “Those efforts started in 1939 at the end of the Great Depression, lasted throughout World War II and continued until Anspach’s retirement in 1959. We, too, must keep moving forward.” Ross announced several plans for the university, including restructuring financial aid to include students with a 3.0 GPA and the addition of a living wall, or a vertical garden, to the planned Biosciences Building. The address came at a crucial time for CMU, allowing Ross to tackle some of the problems causing uncertainty about the condition of the university. Ross wasted no time in bringing up the enrollment issue, dedicating a sizable amount of time to deflating concerns. w ROSS | 2A
for sick children.
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Delta Chi four-year suspension remains after final appeal By Nathan Clark Staff Reporter
The four-year suspension levied against Delta Chi will remain in place after the fraternity exhausted its last means of appeal through the Office of Student Affairs. After several weeks of studying evidence in the case, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services Steven Johnson determined, as of Oct. 11, that the four-year suspension against the fraternity was fair and justified. Asking Johnson to review the case and make a final ruling was the fraternity’s last shot at changing the university’s decision after it had already lost its initial disciplinary hearing and its appeal in August. “Delta Chi appealed the sanctions against them, not the violations,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Tony Voisin. “A four-year suspension is not out of the normal for
handling code of conduct violations.” Voisin compared the suspension of Delta Chi to another fraternity, Sigma Pi, which was suspended in 2008 but returned to Central Michigan University and officially colonized February of this year. “The punishment seems unreal and too extreme,” said Carleton senior Andrew Clark, president of CMU’s chapter of Delta Chi. “It’s like being given a death sentence for speeding.” Clark said the fraternity has been in good standing for years without any disciplinary action taken against the fraternity aside from the recent suspension. “We’re in constant contact with our international headquarters and plan on looking into university policies and how it runs its student code of conduct,” Clark said. Despite the suspension, Clark said Delta Chi will continue to operate normally and plans to dedicate time to
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philanthropy and community service regardless of the lack of university backing. “We are very thankful of the Greek community,” he said. “Everyone has been very supportive of us during this time.” The susFile Photo by Jake May pension was Delta Chi fraternity was also suspended from intramural activities in originally May of 2012. brought about The fraternity will be allowed to ofby a party that took place April 19, ficially colonize again in Fall 2017, but it when there was an incident of a minor is up to Delta Chi’s national headquardrinking alcohol. ters to work with CMU to come back. There was no police involvement in the incident. It was strictly an internal studentlife@cm-life.com investigation by the university.
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