Feb. 7, 2014

Page 1

Life

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

LOADING THE BASES

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FRIDAY, FEB. 7, 2014 | MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. | ISSUE NO. 54 VOL. 95

LIFE IN BRIEF METRO

STUDENT ARRESTED FOR FIRING GUN AT VEHICLE A CMU student was arrested

Wednesday after police said he fired a hunting rifle at an occupied vehicle at a strip mall on S. Mission Street. Mount Pleasant Police responded to the call at 11:30 a.m. According to MMPD, a female employee at a nearby J.C. Penny was pulling into the parking lot when her back window was shattered by the bullet. The driver was not injured and the bullet was embedded in her dashboard. Police estimated the shot was fired from 175 feet away. “She pulled in to go to work, and her window broke out,” said Jeff Thompson, Mount Pleasant Police public information officer. “At first she thought someone threw a rock.” After canvassing the area, and receiving information about a prior unrelated harassment complaint involving the suspect, police were able to identify the suspect, and were led to Dunham’s Sports where the weapon was purchased earlier that day. It was a rifle with an attached scope, Thompson said. The suspect, whose name was not released, is a resident of Union Square Apartments, police said. He faces weapons and larceny charges.

Key returners give the team a strong roster for the 2014 season »PAGE 1B

CMU could see additional $5.8 million Snyder proposes 6.1 percent funding increase for state’s higher education in 2015 fiscal year By Ben Solis & John Irwin University Editor & Senior Reporter

Gov. Rick Snyder announced Wednesday he would raise state appropriations for public universities by 6.1 percent for the 2015 fiscal year. The total higher education appropriation equates to $80.3 million in funding for the state’s 15 public universities, according to the budget

proposal published on the state of Michigan website. The increase is a step toward restoring university appropriations since funding began to decrease more than a decade ago. During Snyder’s inaugural year in 2011, state appropriations were cut by 15 percent. Snyder’s proposal could mean a 7.8-percent increase in one-time state appropriations to CMU, result-

ing in a total of $79.3 million in funding. Last year’s appropriations totaled $73.5 million. Kathy Wilbur, vice president of development and external relations, said the funds are welcome and are important for the 2015 budget cycle. “It’s a very nice increase, we’re obviously pleased,” Wilbur said. “I think you know, too, this is just the beginning step in our budgeting process. We need to make sure we hold on to that during the legislative process.” Other appropriation increases to education were announced in his address to Lansing lawmakers,

including a 2.3-percent increase for K-12 schools and a 3-percent increase for community colleges. Snyder also proposed $10 million in emergency relief funds for financially strapped school districts. Although the increase has been applauded by both lawmakers and university officials across the state, the funds come with a few caveats. Public universities can only receive the full amount if those universities keep tuition increases below 3.2 percent. w SNYDER | 2A

Niznak on exit: ‘It was a business decision’ QB leaves CMU with two years of eligibility remaining By Dominick Mastrangelo Assistant Sports Editor

-John Irwin Senior Reporter

By playing various festivals around the state and allowing high school jazz bands to perform before them, the group makes learning the rigors of swing seem fun and far less imposing. “It’s a different kind of education,” Lindahl said. “It gives them the chance to play and listen. To have the opportunity to listen to a really good band.” The three men, who formed their group about five years ago, have more than 75 years of jazz-

Alex Niznak’s career as a Central Michigan quarterback has ended. CMU football head coach Dan Enos announced Wednesday the redshirt sophomore is leaving the program to graduate a semester early. “It was a business decision,” Niznak said. “As much as I loved the team and the guys I was with, I knew I had to take an opportunity to graduate and keep my dream of playing football alive.” Enos offered little comment on Niznak’s departure. “Alex is no longer with us and he plans to graduate this semester,” Enos said. “I don’t want to talk too much about players that aren’t here anymore, but something you learn in the recruiting process is that things change daily.” The announcement came during Enos’ annual National Signing Day press conference where CMU made public the addition of 18 recruits starting fall 2014. Two of those players are quarterbacks – one a true freshman from Osceola, Ind. and the other a transfer student from California – making for an interesting spring camp for CMU quarterbacks. “You have to be flexible and you have to have a plan when it comes to those types of things when it comes

w JAZZ MEN | 2A

w NIZNAK | 2A

UNIVERSITY

Katy Kildee | Staff Photographer Japan senior Haruki Hakoyama plays with professors John Nichol, center, and Robert Lindahl, right, during a sound check before performing on Thursday night in the Staples Family Recital Hall.

ROSS TO TESTIFY IN LANSING ON BEHALF OF CMU University President George

Ross will be traveling to Lansing next week to testify on behalf of Central Michigan University before the Senate Higher Education Committee. His testimony is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday in the Lake Huron Room of the Union Building at Michigan State University. Ross’ testimony will focus on CMU’s achievements, as well as lobbying for the restoration of state funds cut from CMU’s budget in 2012. He will request the state make continued investments in higher education. During the 2011-12 fiscal year, CMU’s state appropriations totaled $68.1 million. That number rose to $71.35 million in 2012-13. -Catey Traylor Senior Reporter

Jazzin’ it up

Music professors highlight Michigan jazz scene, inspire younger performers By Sean Bradley Senior Reporter

Drooping trombone, bright keys and a wailing saxophone. All three sounds produced countless jazz tunes, including the classic standard “All of Me.” It’s a sound three Central Michigan University professors hold close to their hearts. When jamming with their fellow professors, they are just the backbone to the School of Music’s Faculty Jazz Ensemble. But as a trio, they are one of CMU’s most

Closing campus no easy task for university officials By Rachael Schuit Staff Reporter

LIFE INSIDE

Extreme couponing: One graduate’s focus on savings »PAGE 3A Men’s basketball gets first MAC win »PAGE 2B CMU hires new director of football operations »PAGE 4B

formidable horn sections, and they are on a mission to make music education more than a mere jam session. “In a way, the trio was put together in Midland to promote jazz music and jazz education in Michigan,” said Bob Lindahl, who plays trombone. Between teaching at the university and performing during the annual CMU Jazz Weekend, Lindahl, Jeff Kressler and John Nichol have been promoting the arts to foster an appreciation for jazz in young musicians.

Making the decision to close Central Michigan University during inclement weather is not as straightforward as most students think. “Every situation is different,” said Barrie Wilkes, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services. “We determine if the campus is in a condition where we can safely hold classes.” At CMU, the decision to close campus rests on the shoulders of Wilkes, along with CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley and Stephen Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management.

If inclement weather looks menacing, Wilkes will receive a call from Lawrence at 5 a.m. This phone call acts as an update from Lawrence about the condition on campus. “A delay might occur if campus is not ready to hold classes at the start of the day, but can be ready to hold classes later in the day,” Wilkes said. Lawrence then assess which type of inclement winter weather could most affect the efficiency and safety on campus: Ice, snow, or in the case of CMU’s last closing, the temperature.

Arin Bisaro | Staff Photographer Full-sized bull dozers clear the snow off of the sidewalks on campus. Facilities Management crews have been tested thoroughly by recent snow storms.

w CLOSINGS | 2A

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