Feb. 24, 2014

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Central Michigan University’s premier news source and student voice since 1919.

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Life

SLIPPING AWAY

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Wrestling shows frustration, inconsistency in loss to MSU

MONDAY, FEB. 24, 2014 | MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. | ISSUE NO. 62 VOL. 95

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LIFE IN BRIEF UNIVERSITY

FREE SPEECH

Students react and call on the administration for a better definition of what and what not to wear to commencement.

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STUDENT LIFE

Photos by Katy Kildee | Staff Photographer The Rev. Wayne Nicholson prays alongside Pamela Dingman, who is assistant treasurer at St. John’s Episcopal Church, inside of the church in Mount Pleasant on Jan. 29. Wayne meets with a few members of St. John’s congregation every Wednesday afternoon for prayer.

EATING DISORDER AWARENESS WEEK

Inspired by the loss of a classmate, one student sets out to raise awareness of eating disorders with a week of supportive and informative events.

PRIDE & PRAYER Gay priest challenges faith, community

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ON A ROLL

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Adrian Hedden Metro Editor

is words were tinged with memories of his trying past as the preacher spoke from his alter. Calm, and sincere, the sermon washed across the pews and echoed off the back wall of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Mount Pleasant. Zachary Dearing was transfixed. The Central Michigan University sophomore watched and listened as his uncle, an openly-gay ordained priest, was changing the face of their faith. “He’s a gay priest,” Dearing said. “Most denominations do not ordain gay ministers of any sort. If I was breaking ground in a profession that has been traditionally hostile to me, I would have gone insane by now.” w NICHOLSON | 4A

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Chippewas won their second consecutive game for the first time since December, beating NIU 70-67 at home on Sunday. Check out how they used speed to compensate for their small stature. w 1B

HOW THEY WON

Harry Kelley leans in for a hug as his husband, the Rev. Wayne Nicholson, works on a weaving project in their Mount Pleasant home on Nov. 15. Kelley and Nicholson met in 2005 and were married at the church in 2008. Their marriage is not recognized by the state of Michigan.

CARDINAL CLASSIC

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LIFE INSIDE

Crashes cause US-127 shutdown Friday »PAGE 3A EDITORIAL: Legalize pot, grow our economy »PAGE 6A Gymnastics routes Ohio State, falls to Illinois »PAGE 4B Track and field splits events, finds success during weekend »PAGE 5B

An ongoing series about those who redefine society’s norms

Potholes a problem as parking lots, roadways experience freeze, thaw By Mark Johnson Staff Reporter

Softball turned up its bats this weekend at the Cardinal Classic, ending on Sunday with a 15-6 surge against IUPUI. See how top offensive performers have made the difference early this season.

#CMUnique

As the weather grows warmer, evidence of the harsh winter is becoming more apparent on and around campus. In a number of parking lots and on roads within Central Michigan University’s main campus, potholes are a persistent problem for drivers. One particularly bad spot for potholes this winter has been Lot 62, located on the east side of the Student Activity Center and Rose Center. Kara Smith, a Mount Pleasant sophomore, said the potholes in Lot 62 add an extra challenge to her morning routine. “With class in the morning, I always have to dodge them,” Smith said. “It’s kind of distracting with other cars coming toward you.” Crews will be out soon to start filling some of these holes. Stephen Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management, said the protocol for filling and repairing potholes is dependent on the winter’s changing temperature patterns. “Potholes develop over time during the freeze and thaw cycle,” Lawrence said. “We usually have to wait until it is warmer, usually above freezing, before we can begin patching.” The brutal and sporadic nature of Michigan winters has an impact on unpredictable freeze and thaw cycles, contributing to the number of potholes in streets and in parking lots throughout the season. Matt Weaver, CMU’s manager of Landscape Operations, said this winter has not been any worse than previous winters as far ice wedging

and pothole creation. Weaver said the continual chill is to blame. “It’s the fact that it’s been so cold with the amount of snow we’ve been getting, and we haven’t had a lot of sunny days to dry the pavement,” he said. Once the thaw begins, Weaver anticipates potholes to be a bigger problem. Landscape Operations is responsible for the maintenance of all streets, roads, courts and drives within the university. Maintenance and other repairs, including patching and resurfacing, is paid for by the Facilities Management deferred maintenance budget.

CLEANING MOTHER NATURE’S MESS

Rationale aside, unfilled potholes present a significant obstacle for student mobility. Dillon Fassett, a Gladwin senior, also ventures out to Lot 62 and said it’s not the size of the potholes that bothers him, but the number of them. “You can’t really avoid them, because there are so many of them,” Fassett said. “I’m sure it’s not good for any of the cars that are trying to pull in and park here.” With Lot 62 being as bad as it is, the parking area is a high priority for Weaver, who has his sights on Lots 22 and 33, commuter lots located west of Anspach Hall and east of the Music Building, respectively. Weaver said once they are able to begin patching, his team will use a pull-behind, asphalt patch unit they can tow around to fill the potholes. w POTHOLES | 2A

Adam Niemi | Assistant Photo Editor A car approaches potholes Sunday on East Campus Drive.

“If it’s a big hole, we will get out and take care of it right away. But to try to patch a hole on a cold, bad day, then you are really throwing your material away.” Robert Murphy, street superintendent for the city of Mount Pleasant


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Feb. 24, 2014 by Central Michigan Life - Issuu