Central Michigan University’s premier news source and student voice since 1919.
cm
Life
DON’T DOZE OFF
Catch yourself daydreaming in class? You’re not alone
cm-life.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18, 2013 | MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. | ISSUE NO. 11 VOL. 95
»PAGE 9
LIVING BOTH LIVES
LIFE IN BRIEF SPORTS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Enrollment tops board’s busy agenda By Kyle Kaminski University News Editor
Enrollment and the resultant budget deficit are paramount issues facing the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees as it prepares for its formal session tomorrow morning. The budget is facing an $18 million deficit which stems from an on-campus enrollment decline of 4.9 percent this year. Under the banner of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services Steven Johnson will give a presentation on strategic enrollment management. “All of us can make recruitment a personal goal,” Johnson said in a news release.
TOUCHDOWN TITUS Junior wide receiver Titus Davis leads inconsistent offense. w5
VIBE
Steven Johnson
w BOARD | 2
HOW MUCH DO YOU DRINK? Caffeine can be a doubleedge sword for most students w 10
STUDENT LIFE
Photo Illustration by Taylor Ballek | Photo Editor Grandville Freshman Adam Roelse is a Central Michigan University student, rugby player and National Guard solider.
From the classroom to the battle field and back again
AN APPLE A DAY... Students hope to open fruit stand on campus. w3
UNIVERSITY
MONEY MATTERS We break down what both VP of Finance candidates have to offer. w6
LOOKING AHEAD
of
Board Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Check Friday’s edition for full Board of Trustees coverage, and follow us @CMLIFE to keep up-to-date during Thursday’s meeting!
Inside Life SGA held first committee meetings Monday
»PAGE 3
EDITORIAL: Congress must act on background checks »PAGE 4 Tips for restful sleep »PAGE 7
By Nathan Clark Staff Reporter
Enlisted soldiers in the active Army, reserves and National Guard live knowing there is a very good chance they might be deployed to some far off land to fight. Adam Roelse, who is a Central Michigan University student, rugby player and National Guard soldier in Michigan’s 1461st Transportation Company, never expected to go to college, only to leave for Afghanistan and come back to college as if nothing happened. “I got called up shortly after my first semester here. This is only my second (as a student),” Roelse said. “Deploying didn’t bother me. I knew it was going to happen eventually.” The 21-year-old joined the National Guard in 2010, shortly after earning his high school diploma. He signed up as not only a way to help pay for college, but to uphold family tradition. “My uncle was in the Marines and my dad was in the Navy,” Roelse said.
“Deploying kind of sucked, but I wouldn’t mind being deployed again.” Adam Roelse, Grandville freshman While in Afghanistan, Roelse drove Heavy Equipment Transports, extremely large and powerful trucks used to move enormous equipment such as tanks and artillery up and down Afghanistan, logging more than 200,000 miles during his deployment. After his deployment was over, Roelse returned home to continue his college education. Returning back to school was relatively smooth for Roelse, as he was also returning to his friends and his other passion in life — rugby. “I love rugby. I’ve been playing since high school,” Roelse said. Roelse plays on CMU’s intramural rugby team with some of his friends from high school who
now also attend CMU. He joined the team during his first semester, before being deployed. “It was weird seeing him go,” said rugby teammate Sagar Sharma, a Grandville senior. “There were times when I didn’t hear from him for a few weeks and I would get worried. I just had to hope he was alright. It was a relief when he finally came back.” Sharma and Roelse have been friends since their freshman year of high school where they played rugby together. Brighton senior Cory Mueller didn’t go to the same school as Roelse, but has also known him since high school. w ROELSE | 2
Gender-neutral housing available for CMU students By Shawn Tonge Staff Reporter
Student government at Michigan State University passed a pair of bills in support of flexible housing and gender-neutral bathrooms last Thursday. The flexible housing bill allows Associated Students of MSU to advocate for a campus-wide housing policy that would permit students in residence halls to choose their own roommates, regardless of their gender. Central Michigan University offers similar housing options, but only in select cases. Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals who would prefer genderneutral housing can apply for them with the Office of Residence Life. “If someone is in a situation they feel warrants gender-neutral housing, they can talk to someone in the office,” Residence Life Director Joan Schmidt said. “If it’s something that will work to their benefit and helps them stay here, we will work individually with them.” On occasion, gender-neutral housing has been arranged for transgender students. The graduate housing on campus also has a flexible housing policy. w UNISEX | 2
One-month check-up: CMED students buckle down after first month By Adrian Hedden Staff Reporter
Housam Tahboub has already begun witnessing the rigors of medical school firsthand. Now, one month into the first semester of CMED’s inaugural class, he’s begun to work harder than ever before. After the initial exam last week, Tahboub, who completed his undergraduate at the University of Michigan-Flint, was optimistic despite the culture shock of the program’s vast material.
“Everybody had a scare,” Tahboub said. “Obviously it’s tough, but you don’t realize how much work it actually is. This is stuff we’ve never seen before.” He was wary of being the first group of students accepted into the medical school, unable to rely GET THE SCOOP. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to on advice from a previous class. “As the first class, we don’t get keep up withGET theTHE latest entertainment, giveaways! SCOOP. Like us on promotions Facebook or and follow us on Twitter to very much guidance as to what to expect,” Tahboub said. “There are keep up with the latest entertainment, promotions and giveaways! no students above you.” Arin Bisaro | Staff Photographer w CMED | 2 Students go in and out of the CMED building September 4th, 2013. This year is the college’s inaugural class, with a total of 64 students. GET THE SCOOP. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep up with the latest entertainment, promotions and giveaways!
Join us for a BINGO experience like no other.
Drink Specials, Thumpin’ Music, Black Lights, Wild Party Games and More! Ages 18+ Stay Connected with Soaring Eagle
is
BACK!
Sept. 28 & Oct. 26! Stay Connected with Soaring Eagle
Mt. Pleasant, MI • 1.888.7.EAGLE.7 • SoaringEagleCasino.com
SoaringEagleCasino.com
Mt. Pleasant, MI • 1.888.7.EAGLE.7 • SoaringEagleCasino.com Stay Connected with Soaring Eagle Mt. Pleasant, MI • 1.888.7.EAGLE.7 • SoaringEagleCasino.com