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Issue 12, October 3, 2011 - Grand Valley Lanthorn

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T H E S T U D E N T - R U N N E W S PA P E R S AT G R A N D VA L L E Y

M O N D AY, O C TO B E R 3, 2011

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Soccer

Media piracy slowly sinking at GV

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By Derek Wolff GVL Senior Reporter

GVL / Allison Young

Volleyball

GVL / Allison Young

Football

GVL / Allison Young

he new song that just permeated your eardrums and has been playing on repeat in your head all day may be free now, but it could wind up costing thousands of dollars in the long run. That was the message that the Information Technology department at Grand Valley State University sent out on Sept. 20 in its annual email addressed to all registered students, warning them of the dangers of illegal downloads of music and movie files, especially over GVSU’s network. The email clarifies that downloading or sharing audio or video files from the Internet without the artist’s expressed legal consent and without paying the artist, unless they have made their art available for free, remains illegal and is considered theft under Title 17 of the United States Code under the U.S. copyright laws. Despite a slight rise in illegal downloading at GVSU that can be attributed to a growing student body, those figures decrease heavily each year following the email,

GVL / Rachel Iturralde

High price: On-campus Internet privileges can be revoked if students use the Web to illegally download audio or video files.

said John Klein, associate director of academic systems. “Over the past three years we have several hundred cases, all of them being pretty minor,” he said.

“We have never gotten to the point where any legal action has been taken by anybody. We feel the email message gets the point across. We haven’t seen drastic increases and

Online videos Dueling Pianos

Less take 16 credits after change By Stephanie Deible GVL Intern

GVL / Allison Young

Football

GVL / Allison Young

What’s Inside

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A2 News A4 Opinion A5 Photo Page B1 Sports B4 Laker Life B5 Marketplace

Last year, Grand Valley State University reduced its tuition block to a maximum of 15 credits in an effort to generate $3 million for the university and limit tuition increases during the 2011-2012 academic year. Prior to Fall 2011, the block tuition rate allowed students to take 12 to 16 credits, but this year it only permits students to take 12 to 15 credits. While the reduction is producing money for GVSU and keeping tuition hikes at bay for students taking less than 16 credits, it has caused students who want to take more than 16 credits to pay a fee of $412 to $609 for each credit that exceeds the block rate. According to data released by the Office of Institutional Analysis, there has been a 5.88-percent decrease in the number of undergraduate students taking 16 or more credits this semester compared to Fall 2010.

GVL News Editor

GVL / Amalia Heichelbech

Decisions, decisions: GVSU student DeVaughn Gist accesses his schedule through the MyBanner program. Students now have to pay more to take 16 credits in a semester.

“My fear is that there are a number of students who may want a way to remain active and learn a new lifelong fitness skill but may not have the means to do it,” said Brian Hatzel, the head of the GVSU Movement Science department, who is among others who

GVL Staff Writer

Please Recycle

GVPD firearms training results in accidental shooting

By Anya Zentmeyer

By Chelsea Lane

GVL / Kate Kaurich

See Downloading, A2

Sheriff investigation still pending

have expressed concern that lowering the tuition block would impact enrollment in majors that offer a variety of one-credit physical activity classes, as well as majors that require four-credit laboratory courses.

See Tuition Block, A2

Campus climate results released

Climate talks: Sue Rankin delivers the results of the myGVSU campus climate survey Thursday.

we did see an initial drop when we sent the messages out.” The standard procedure at GVSU when the university is noti-

Sue Rankin, a senior research associate at the Center for Higher Education, visited both of Grand Valley State University’s campuses on Thursday and Friday to deliver the results of the myGVSU campus climate survey to the GVSU community. The myGVSU survey, conducted earlier this year, is the university’s fourth campus climate study and is designed to explore what it is like to live, learn and work at GVSU. “Climate is very amorphous,” Rankin said. “It changes on a daily basis. We find that climate has an

increasing impact on student learning and student development… We need to think about climate as a variety of things, not just diversity or equity.” Overall, 7,571 individuals responded to the survey, and 6,110 respondents contributed comments to one or more of the survey’s openended questions. Approximately 29 percent of the GVSU community, including students, faculty and staff, participated in the climate survey. Following the presentation of the survey results, GVSU will form a sub-committee of the Inclusion and Equity Advisory Board to determine the best courses of community action and how to address some of the issues

See Campus Cilmate, A2

A 30-year-old Grand Haven man reported a gunshot wound to the arm to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department at 9:55 a.m. Thursday after a Grand Valley State University Police Department-related accidental shooting. In a news release, the Ottawa County Sheriff Department reported that the bullet was fired at the North Ottawa Rod and Gun Club, where the GVPD was conducting firearm training. The Grand Haven man reported sustaining the wound while working on a residence on Acacia Street in the Cutter Park subdivision, east of the North Ottawa Rod and Gun Club by about half a mile. The incident is currently under investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff Department, but is believed to be an accident. A press release issued by GVSU News and Information states, “the Grand Valley State University Police Department and officers who were at the firearms range are cooperating fully in the investigation.” Capt. Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of the GVPD, said the department will refrain from making any comment until the outcome of Ottawa County’s pending investigation. news@lanthorn.com


A2 NEWS Campus Climate continued from page A1

highlighted in Rankin’s report. “We are going to look for those action items; shortterm things we can do,” Vice President of Inclusion and Equity Jeanne Arnold said. “We probably have enough data to look at for the next several years.” Rankin said many unique statistics stood out while surveying GVSU. For instance, GVSU has one of the highest rates of LGBT students she has seen reported at any campus surveyed by her consultant firm, Rankin and Associates. But out of the total respondents, Rankin said LGBT people and persons of color were the least comfortable and least satisfied at GVSU overall, with “significant” differences between satisfaction rates of whites and people of color. In addition, she noted that many black students felt they do not have enough role models on campus. The LGBT population and people of color were also reportedly the most common victims of harassment. Eleven percent of all respondents, or around 830 people, said they had experienced harassments, with most identifying it as “subtle,” such as receiving rude looks or feeling isolated from others. Students who reported observing harassment said it was most commonly derogatory remarks about another student’s sexual orientation or religion. Rankin said that GVSU’s harassment rate is comparably lower than

other universities surveyed, where the typical reported harassment rate is 20 to 25 percent. “It doesn’t mean it’s not important,” Rankin said. “Those little things that happen over and over and over again, it’s one little thing and then they blow. So you’re wondering, ‘Why is this person so mad? Why are they so upset about one little thing?’ But it’s not one little thing.” One harassment statistic that is unique to GVSU, however, is who is allegedly perpetrating the harassment. Rankin said, typically, university harassment takes place between “co-horts,” such as student-on-student or staff-on-staff. But the most common form of harassment at GVSU is reportedly faculty-on-student harassment, a statistic that surprised Rankin. “That’s the only time I’ve seen that in all of my work,” she said. Also of concern to Rankin was the number of sexual assaults occurring at GVSU, which she said, while comparable to the percentage of sexual assaults from other campuses surveyed, still displayed some disturbing trends. One-hundred and fiftyfour students, most commonly undergraduate women, said they were victims of sexual assault while at GVSU. Most of the incidents occurred in the first six weeks of the student’s freshman year. The majority of offenders were other students known to the victim. Eighty-eight percent of victims said they told a friend about the sexual assault, but many did not report the sexual assault to police or a counselor. “The most common response was, ‘I didn’t report it because I was drinking too’ or ‘I didn’t report it

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011 because he was my friend and I didn’t want him to get in trouble,” Rankin said. “So that’s very serious… We have a rape culture at college campuses. This is not unique to GVSU.” Rankin said some of GVSU’s key future challenges will be defining academic success and addressing racial tensions, homophobia, heterosexism and gender disparities. However, the survey also revealed some encouraging statistics. Rankin said the GVSU community is a deceptively diverse one. “You’re a primarily white institution, but you have a number of people identifying themselves outside of the choices you give them on the application,” she said. “But that’s a good thing. You’re a very diverse campus, despite the fact that you think you’re all white.” In addition, 88 percent of students and 90 percent of faculty said GVSU is committed to inclusion and diversity. Sixty-eight percent of students said GVSU employees were genuinely concerned about their welfare. 88 percent of respondents said they felt the campus climate was welcoming, 76 percent felt comfortable in GVSU’s workplace environment and 86 percent felt comfortable in the classroom. The survey also revealed a few amusing statistics. “I will tell you that one of the students reported they have been here for 20 years,” Rankin said. “So we need to try and get that student graduated.” Additionally, 669 respondents identified themselves as being asexual, meaning they experience no sexual attraction to either gender. According to a study by The Journal of Sex Research, only about one percent of the adult population is asexual. Rankin attributed this unusually high number of allegedly asexual students at GVSU to students wrongly believing asexuality means they are celibate or abstinent. An executive summary of the survey results is available for public viewing at www. gvsu.edu/mygvsu. clane@lanthorn.com

Downloading continued from page A1

fied that illegal downloads are occurring by the Recording Industry Association of America or the Motion Picture Association of America is to find the students responsible and make them aware that their network privileges will be shut off if the downloading continues. If there is the potential for major copyright infringement, then the university seeks outside help to resolve the issue, as fines starting at $3,000 begin to come into play. For junior Chris Haggerty, a disc-jockey by profession, illegally downloading on campus was crucial to finding a balanced supply of music for his job. However, at the beginning of last year Haggerty was caught by the university, which proceeded to warn him about losing his network connection privileges on campus. Since then, Haggerty has moved away

from illegal downloads. “Now I definitely see the pros of not doing it,” he said. “I found a website that gives out their music for free and if it’s some better known artist, if you actually buy the music, I’ve noticed that the quality on music is a lot better than when you illegally download it. So for me, the pros don’t outweigh the cons.” There are many options for students to listen to music for free without downloading or sharing it, such as YouTube, Grooveshark and Pandora, all of which offer listeners free plays. “We just want people to be aware that it is not illegal to stream music on sites like Pandora, those are perfectly fine,” Klein said. “It’s only when you copy that content to your computer that is illegal. There is a boatload of freeware out there and the best recommendation I have is to go to the site and download the free copies for you.” dwolff@lanthorn.com

vice president for academic affairs, said since the new tucontinued from page A1 ition block has taken effect, Hatzel said there has been there has been no change a slight drop in the number in curriculums and said he of students enrolled in some hopes academic advisers are of the movement science not changing scheduling. courses this year compared Additionally, Godwin is to last year, but it is impos- optimistic that lowering the sible to say whether the de- tuition block rate will not crease is solely because of prevent students from graduthe tuition block change. ating in a timely manner. He “ We l l , said ecothe change nomically, has made it pushing Before the pretty hard graduachange it was for me to tion back finish in would not hard... to finish four years be benifiwithout it in four years and cial to costing me now it’s just that students extra each since tuyear,” said ition is not much harder. sophomore the only art major cost that Chris SmyChris Smyka c o m e s ka. “Before GVSU student along with the change attending it was hard school. for art ma“The jors, including myself, to lowest cost education is the finish in four years and now one that’s done the quickit’s just that much harder.” est,” said Godwin. “I think However, for students students would be wise to like Smyka, the reduction still take all the classes that of the tuition block has they can and still perform at made many more aware of a level that they are comforttheir academic road map, in able with. [It] is a matter of terms of scheduling courses people wanting to make use and paying close attention of the time that’s available to to how many credits they them to move toward gradushould take each semester. ation, and they should.” Joe Godwin, associate news@lanthorn.com

Tuition Block

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NEWS BRIEFS GV calls for nominations for ‘I am Grand Valley’ The Office of Student Life is asking Grand Valley State University faculty and staff to nominate students who have leadership skills that affect the GVSU community. Students nominated must be enrolled during the Fall 2011 and the Winter 2012 semester. The Office of Student Life will distribute 1,000 “I am Grand Valley” T-shirts and certificates to the students who are nominated. Nominations by faculty and staff are due on Dec. 9 and can be submitted at gvsu.edu/iamgv. For more information, contact Kate DeGraaf by email at degrakat@gvsu.edu or by phone at 616-331-2345.

Representatives talk about balancing budget and Social Security In a visit to Grand Valley State University on Sep. 26, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin spoke to a crowd of about 130 at GVSU about jobs and the economy. Amash spoke to about 50 students in Kirkhof Center and Levin spoke to about 80 students in Lake Huron Hall. Both Levin and Amash spoke about social security and the economy before addressing questions from the audience about gas prices, jobs, alternative energy and the conflict in the Middle East. Amash, a freshman Republican, told GVSU students his first priority is bringing a balanced budget amendment to the constitution.

Pedometer Challenge starts today The 6th annual Pedometer Challenge walks out of the starting gates today, literally. The Pedometer Challenge between Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University records the total steps taken by each institution, and the institution with the higher step count wins. Teams can be made of students, faculty or staff members with late registration open through Oct. 7. Winning teams and institutions will be announced during the GVSU vs. SVSU football game on Nov. 12. CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICARTIONS At the Lanthorn we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com

Lanthorn

Volume 46, Number 12

EDITORIAL STAFF

ADVERTISING STAFF

BUSINESS STAFF

Editor-in-Chief EMANUEL JOHNSON

Laker Life Editor HALEY OTMAN

Layout Editor VALERIE WALDBAUER

Advertising Manager KEVIN HAUSFELD

Business Manager ALEX HOUSEMAN

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published twice-weekly by Grand Valley State University students 62 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, please contact our business offices. POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to Grand Valley Lanthorn, 0051 Kirkhof, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401

Managing Editor SAMANTHA BUTCHER

A & E Editor BRIANA DOOLAN

Asst. Advertising Manager KIMBERLY VERELLEN

News Editor ANYA ZENTMEYER

Image Editor ERIC COULTER

Layout Staff KENDALL GILBERT KAYLA KOENIGSKNECHT

Receptionists SHANTI COLLINS ANGILEENA GIBSON

Assistant News Editor DAN SPADAFORA

Assistant Image Editor RANE MARTIN

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published under the authorization of the GVSU Newspaper Advisory Board.

Sports Editor BRADY FREDERICKSEN

Copy Editor HALEY OTMAN

Web Team JORDAN JANKOWSKI THOMAS LEE ERIC MATCHETTE TY BAILLIE DANIEL HODGES

Account Managers MICHELLE SCHEFFERS RENAY SCHOENMAKER ERIKKA SIMPSON Ad Designers RANDI FORD LAUREN PURDY

Distribution THOMAS LEE STEPHEN PRATT STEVEN MERDZINSKI


A3 NEWS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

NEWS EDITOR ANYA ZENTMEYER news@lanthorn.com

GVPD: Graffiti acts increase tuition By Lizzy Balboa GVL Staff Writer

Some may think of graffiti as a means of artistic expression, but few institutions condone such acts. The Grand Valley State University Police Department is working to remove graffiti around the university, but those efforts translate to costs. Recently, the university came across permanent personal statements on its property that the school must pay to remove. Capt. Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of the GVPD, reported that police are currently investigating four accounts of graffiti that he believes have been committed by the same person or group. Because of this, the university must pay to repaint one wall near Lubber’s Stadium and sandblast three sidewalk areas to replace the vandalized sections. The damage, costing $200 each and $800 total, will be incorporated into student tuition next year if the culprit is not found and held accountable. “The sidewalks, buildings and infrastructure are inappropriate canvases for artistic and political views,” DeHaan said. Although graffiti is seen as an art form by some, defacing public property violates federal law.

“The First Amendment does not protect the creation of graffiti on public or private property. GVL / Andrea Baker

Inappropriate art: A student designes graffiti on a highway underpass. There have been four recent reports of graffiti at GVSU this year, and damages will cost a total of about $800 from student tuition.

Move to Outlook requires Mac users to upgrade By Brian Ledtke GVL Staff Writer

After Grand Valley State University began the conversion of the university’s employee email system from Groupwise to Outlook in June, potential difficulties have surfaced for Mac users, who now must update all of their Microsoft Office programs in order to use the new system. The update could cost independent users about $150. “We’ve used GroupWise for the past 11 years and it’s served us well; however it’s an older product that’s no longer being enhanced by the vendor and its future is uncertain,” said Bill Fisher, associate director of technical services for GVSU’s Computing and Technology Support. Fisher said the switch has been a long time coming. “About a year and a half ago, we established a committee to review replacements for GroupWise, and after lots of review, we decided Microsoft Exchange using Outlook for the client was the best option,” he said. “It’s very feature-rich and the cost is reasonable, since it’s included in our Microsoft campus agreement.” On the GVSU website, IT has compiled information about the switch for users to utilize, including conversion issues, shared folders, calendars, inbox, tasks and notes created in Groupwise. Share-by-proxy rights with others as well as frequent contacts, however, will have to be recreated in Outlook once the switch is finalized. Despite those minor ob-

stacles, Fisher said he is confident in Outlook. “It’s always hard to change email and calendaring platforms, because we all spend so much time using them and they all do things a little different,” Fisher said. “Most people really seem to like Outlook once they get used to it, but it does take some time to learn how it works, since it is different from GroupWise.” Fisher added that there some differences between the Mac and Windows clients, but those differences are minor. The website also includes a section about frequently asked questions, how to prepare for the conversion, training guides and a list of new Outlook features that GroupWise lacked. Though there still is the issue of Mac users having to upgrade, Fisher said the change is mainly for faculty and staff and on any GVSUowned computers, Office 2011 is a free upgrade. “We recommend that Mac users upgrade to Office 2011 as part of the switch to the new mail system, but they don’t have to,” he said. “Outlook has a nice Web client that they can use and it is compatible with Entourage and other email clients. We feel that in the end, they will have a much better experience if they take the time to switch to the version of Outlook that’s included in Office 2011, so we really encourage it, but we don’t require it.” For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/it/outlook-gvsu-240.htm. bledtke@lanthorn.com

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Mark Richards GVSU associate professor

“The First Amendment does not protect the creation of graffiti on public or private property,” said Mark Richards, an associate professor in GVSU’s political science department. Richards said the definition of property includes natural objects such as trees and plants, but most of the graffiti found on campus is on buildings and other structures. DeHaan said the university does not necessarily have a problem with the statements that students made with the paint, but it does not condone the destructive method the culprits used to get their point across. He said he discourages students from doing graffiti because it “detracts from the beauty of the university” and takes money from student tuition to repair the damage. “What we’re trying to do is decrease damage to the university and keep tuition low,” he said. DeHaan said the crime would appear on the offender’s criminal record as a high court misdemeanor, and that person would be required to make a court appearance. This case of graffiti is not the first that GVSU has seen. DeHaan said the university had a problem with graffiti in the public bathrooms last year. “In the past, students have used spray paint, ink pens and carving,” he said while adding that no specific technique is particularly worse than any other. “Damage is damage. If there is a cost to repair, it’s considered damage.” Because the methods are of equal severity, the consequences for any type of graffiti are the same for students who are caught. Although students are prohibited from creating permanent art with paints and pens, the university does permit the use of watersoluble chalks. The GVSU chalking policy allows registered student organizations to chalk messages on certain sidewalks to advertise upcoming events. ebalboa@lanthorn.com


A4 OPINION LANTHORN OPINION ONLINE

Visit LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

READ THE BLOG

VALLEY VOTE

“Chasing the Sky”

Does President Obama owe the Bush administration an apology as Dick Cheney says?

By Kevin VanAntwerpen GVL Columnist

Vote online at lanthorn.com

EDITORIAL

Last issue’s question: Should weathy people be given tax breaks as “job creators”?

YES 12% NO 88%

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON I BY DAN SILLS

Illegal expression With ArtPrize just down the street, no one should have a reason to vandalize public property at Grand Valley State University.

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s the largest art-based competition in the world, ArtPrize brings some of the most creative minds in the world to the heart of Grand Rapids. This year’s competition features more than 1,500 works spread across almost 200 venues in and around Grand Rapids, and ArtPrize plans on giving away 10 cash prizes totaling out at about $450,000 with a grand prize of $250,000. So with all of that opportunity waiting just down the street, it puzzles us that a person would still choose to deface public property at Grand Valley State University in order to release their creative expression. Rather than enter ArtPrize for a chance to take increase their artistic publicity and potentially take home a cash prize, vandals recently defaced a wall near Lubbers Stadium and three areas of sidewalk on GVSU’s Allendale Campus, all of which will cost the university a total of about $800 to repair. If the vandals are not caught, then the money to repair the defacements will come from student tuition. Listen guys, we students already have enough trouble trying to pay our ways through college. We’re already dealing with a state government that refuses to give the university the floor funding per student it is supposed to get, tuition rates that have steadily increased in recent years and a block scheduling change that forces some of us to pay an extra $412 to $609 just to take language classes that put us one credit over the set rate – we don’t need to throw an unnecessary $800 in because you got the impulse to spray-paint on the side of the stadium. Don’t get the wrong idea – we’re all about creative expression in West Michigan. Again, ArtPrize is just down Lake Michigan Drive, and, again, it is the largest art-based competition in the world. You could turn yourself in and save the rest of us the headache, but we’re not naïve enough to believe that you will. But the next time that you feel the urge to express yourself, please do it in a way that doesn’t cost everyone else around you.

Lanthorn The student-run newspapers at Grand Valley State University

EDITORIAL PAGE BOARD EMANUEL JOHNSON SAMANTHA BUTCHER ANYA ZENTMEYER KEVIN HAUSFELD

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Advertising Manager

GVL OPINION POLICY

The ultimate goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn opinion page is to stimulate discussion and action on topics of interest to the Grand Valley Community. Student opinions do not reflect those of the Grand Valley Lanthorn. The Grand Valley Lanthorn welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three vehicles of expression for reader opinions: letters to the editor, guest columns and phone responses. Letters must include the author’s name and be accompanied by current picture identification if dropped off in person. Letters will be checked by an employee of the Grand Valley Lanthorn. Letters appear as space permits each issue. The limit for letter length is one page, single spaced. The editor reserves the right to edit and condense letters and columns for length restrictions and clarity. All letters must be typed. The Grand Valley Lanthorn will not be held responsible for errors that appear in print as a result of transcribing handwritten letters or e-mail typographic errors. The name of the author may be withheld for compelling reasons. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by nor necessarily represent those of the university, its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty and staff.

Q:

dsills@lanthorn.com

Should student Internet privileges be revoked for downloading illegal files on the GVSU network?

“No, I don’t think students’ privileges should be revoked because downloading music has been happening for years and there’s no signs of slowing down.”

“Many students at Grand Valley are downloading files illegally, so revoking internet privileges would hinder the ability for work to be done for many students. It is just too common of a problem to punish a large group.”

“I think they should get a warning for the first time, but anytime after that, their privileges should have the option to be revoked. They know the policy and should have to be given the consequences.”

“This depends on the severity of the illegal files being downloaded. If the person is downloading ip child porn, then definitely, but if the person is just downloading music or movies, then no.”

“Yeah, if the university is liable for our Internet uses, it’s their punishment to give. Water board in water fountain is my idea.”

David Morey Senior Athletic training Eastpoint, Mich.

Megan Kafka Freshman Photography Iron Mountain, Mich.

Jennifer LeBeau Sophomore Political Science Wyandotte, Mich.

Amanda Pabst Junior Wildlife Biology Shelby Twp, Mich.

Jeff Nordquist Senior Occupational Safety and Health Mgmt. Kalamazoo, Mich.

A year after the LipDub, what’s next?

By Chris Slattery GVL Columnist

It’s been a year since the Grand Valley LipDub hit the web and changed the way we look at lipdubs forever. As a participant in the video, I got my 13 seconds of fame outside of the Student Services building, and ever since, people have approached me asking, “Were you in the LipDub?” I always say, “Yeah, but, y’know, I do this column for every issue of the Grand Valley Lanthorn—” “Yeah, whatever,” they say. “That was so awesome!” I agree that, yes, it was so awesome, and follow

with the inevitable awkward silence. Eventually, some people ask, “So, what are you guys doing next year?” Suddenly, “next year” turned into “this year” and people are still curious. The question always takes me off-guard. I can’t speak for everyone involved, especially the talented production team behind the video, but I always assumed that the video was a one-time deal — a great premise that accentuated GVSU’s 50th anniversary. It was a chance to show how much this school meant to us by making umbrella formations and running over the school mascot. Doing something this year almost feels cheap. But because I am not above being cheap, I have come up with a few ideas for videos that, if GVSU cared to back them up, could make

our university YouTube superstars yet again: • Campus Dining “Epic Meal Time”- Sure, every so often Campus Dining does something interesting like a cupcake baking competition, but where is the scale? Cupcakes are so small. A 50-pound hamburger casserole covered in bacon is not. We could have our own version of the Internet phenomenon happening at Fresh to go the extra mile. And add more bacon. • Rube Goldberg Machine. Like the LipDub, but with hundred of hours of engineering and planning behind it, a GVSU Rube Goldberg machine could show that we are the coolest, hippest school around, and we don’t actually care about putting our talents to practical uses. • Our Drunk Campus.

The popularity of online series like “Drunk History” and “My Drunk Kitchen” is difficult to ignore, so why not capitalize on the trend with our own version? What’s more appropriate in showcasing our dry campus than a video of students getting tanked and discussing GVSU’s history. We’ve been around for 51 years, so we have a lot of history to drunkenly talk about. • Something with kittens. Some people may ask why we don’t just do another LipDub this year? Besides the fact that I’m too afraid to attempt to top it, I like to take my mother’s advice and try something new. We have plenty of creative minds wandering (and wondering) around campus who have some visionary ideas we could use. cslattery@lanthorn.com

Looking to make some extra cash?

Kevin Vanantwerpen GVL Columnist

Have you been told by your significant other that you’re “too possessive” and you need to “chill out”? Do you commonly find yourself trying to keep people in places they don’t want to be? Do you enjoy ruining the lives of men, women and children who have done absolutely nothing to harm you in any way – all the while laugh-

ing maniacally and twirling your mustache between your thumb and pointing finger? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you may be a perfect fit for the world of privatized prisons. Last Wednesday, The New York Times ran an article titled “Companies Use Immigrations Crackdowns to Turn a Profit” – an in-depth look at the world of private detention corporations used in countries like the U.S., Australia and Britain. These companies maintain facilities where immigrants seeking asylum are detained “indefinitely.” There’s no reason that you can’t make a profit in such an

industry as well. With hostile situations in the Middle-East and elsewhere, the need to imprison those who flee for their lives is more important than ever. With few competitors, you can easily build a company from the ground up. To make sure you’re the lowest bidder at the table, you can build a homemade detainment kit from scratch – all you’ll need is some chicken fence, duct tape, some peanuts in case they get hungry and probably a little bleach to burn out what’s left of your conscience. Additionally, running a private prison is a worry-free job. Is a prisoner pregnant?

It’s OK – just let the child spend the first nine years of her life in that prison with her mother – it’ll build character (this actually happened). Got an immigrant waiting in solitary confinement until you can find him some other suitable country to ship him off to? It’s okay – he can wait until you get back from the golf course. Oh no – had too much wine at the golf course? Got too busy chatting with your pals about the best brand of yacht? Forgot to file that detainee’s paper work? Not a problem. Someone will remember in six years or so. It’s not like had a place to go anyway, right? kvanantwerpen@lanthorn.com


A5 photo page

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

family weekend 2 0 1 1 Grand Valley State University parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and other family members stormed onto the Allendale and Pew campuses during the weekend for Family Weekend, visiting the place students call home and taking part in exciting activities. Families got their fill of wenches and swords at the Renaissance Festival, ate pancakes served up by GVSU President Thomas J. Haas, cheered on the Dueling Pianos in the Kirkhof Center and more as they got their first tastes of fall on campus.


A6 NEWS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

Stolen golf cart crashes

Courtesy Photo / Google Images

Space for all: Religious groups are permitted to rent space in the CookDeWitt Center if they are members of the Campus Ministry Counsel.

GV allows religious office renting By Lizzy Balboa GVL Staff Writer

Even as many U.S. citizens fight to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance and religious resources out of public schools, Grand Valley State University hosts the headquarters of religious organizations right in the center of the Allendale Campus. Christian and Catholic campus ministries occupy most of the office space in the Cook-Dewitt Center, and they have for some time. Since the construction of the center in 1991, the Christian organizations have nurtured and supported the Christian lifestyle of a number of students on campus. Despite its hosting of the religious groups, GVSU retains its public identity and separation of church and state by leasing the office space to the Christian organizations. Campus Minister Chris Pieters said the university does not fund the presence or activities of the group, which is contracted to pay the university to rent the space. “We are not employees of the university,” said Pieters, who is hired by the Reformed Church of America. “Our finances and our salaries are all supported by the local churches and donors. Campus Ministry has a relationship with the university where we lease this office space, and that’s existed ever since the Cook-Dewitt Center was created.” The minister said the contract allows the organizations to function with a solid presence on campus for five consecutive years, at which time the contract may be renewed for another five-year term. However, while Christian and Catholic Campus Ministries function in oncampus office space, other religious organizations do not have on-campus space. Dean of Student Services Bart Merkle said he thinks

the process to acquire space and the cost to retain it have turned some groups away from pursuing offices. Merkle said that, in order for religious groups to engage in a lease contract with the university, they must first be a member of the Campus Ministry Counsel. The counsel, which welcomes representatives from formal organizations of all faiths, has attracted primarily Christian groups. Of those sects, only the Catholic Church, the Reformed Church of America and the Christian Reformed Church expressed interest in leasing office space, Merkle said. He added that other faith groups have explored the idea of joining the counsel, but decided not to get involved financially. The dean said that the presence of Christian and Catholic campus ministries is somewhat of a tradition for GVSU. “The university has had a long relationship with Campus Ministry,” he said. “They had done programming on campus and that sort of thing [in the past] so, when we built the CookDewitt Center, we sort of more formally established the lease arrangement.” Merkle said the lease is a legal formality, since the public university must honor the country’s separation of church and state. He also said the CookDewitt Center was built with money from private fundraising and the state did not contribute to its construction. If other religious organizations wish to acquire office space, they must be groups formally affiliated with particular religious sects and be represented in the Campus Ministry Counsel. “There are some limitations just in terms of resources that we will clearly have to grapple with,” Merkle said, “but we certainly would [work to accommodate groups].” ebalboa@lanthorn.com

GVL / Eric Coulter

Shank: Grand Valley police officers respond to the scene of a stolen golf cart that was abandoned after being crashed into the northern side of the Little Mac Saturday. Witnesses reported three males driving around in the cart and hearing a crash, followed by the suspects fleeing the scene.

Former Lakers design GRCM exhibit By Dan Spadafora GVL Assistant News Editor

Children who visit the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum will have the chance to play with a whole tower of bubbles during their visit. The GRCM is now home to a life-sized bubble tower designed and constructed by two former Grand Valley State University engineering students. Users of the bubble tower stand in the middle of the educational toy and pull a rope that raises a human-sized bubble around the user. The GRCM had a 10-year-old bubble tower in use before the new tower was constructed. It was finished in August. Jan Stone, exhibit and community relations manager for the GRCM, asked the School of Engineering last year to find students interested in taking on the project of designing a new tower for the museum. “We have more than 150,000 visitors each year and most of them use the bubble tower, so it was time to find a new one,” Stone said. “A lot of engineering calculations go into making these devices so I contacted Grand Valley.” Besides the fact that the old bubble tower was 10 years old and a popular exhibit at the GRCM, one additional reason for wanting a new bubble tower constructed was to make the tower wheelchair-accessible. “This could very well be the first bubble tower in the na-

GVL /Eric Coulter

Blowing bubbles: GVSU student Alyssa Beck demonstrates the bubble tower that was designed by GVSU engineering students.

tion that is wheelchair accessible; I’ve never seen one before,” Stone said. “The students had so much knowledge of materials we didn’t know existed. They knew what they were doing.” In January of last year, engineering professor Wael Mokhtar was approached by Stone with the project request. Mokhtar assigned the project to former GVSU students Michael Ritsema and Matt Van Slooten. Mokhtar said the key to the project was understanding how to communicate with Stone and others from the museum in layman terms then receiving feedback and translating that feedback back into technical terms. Mokhtar said this was a challenge for Ritsema and Slooten. “That’s what it is like in the working world,” Mokhtar said. “So it was a great opportunity to experience what it’s like to work with a client.” Ritsema and Van Slooten did not immediately return requests for comment. All comments from Stone and Mokhtar are from a GVNow article on Sep. 26. assistantnews@lanthorn.com


B SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

SPORTS EDITOR BRADY FREDERICKSEN sports@lanthorn.com

SPORTS

SHORTS BRIEFS W. GOLF Women’s golf records second player of the week

A week a f t e r teammate S a r a h Hoffman captured GLIAC Women’s Golfer of BEARD the Week honors, Grand Valley State University women’s golfer Ashley Beard has also been honored for her play by the conference. Beard’s play, specifically at the Bulldog Invitational hosted by Ferris State University at Katke Golf Club on Sept. 24-25, earned her the honor. The junior captured medalist honors after shooting a oneover 145 two-round total to help lead the Lakers to the tournament victory. GVSU returns to the course on Oct. 9-10 when they travel to Findlay, Ohio to compete in the Big Beall Classic.

FOOTBALL

Dragon SlayeR

The Haunted Trail to be held on campus

The Student Athlete Advising Committee will be putting on “The Haunted Trail” Oct. 19 and Oct. 20. The event will run from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. both nights, and will cost $3 per person. All proceeds go towards the program’s MakeA-Wish Foundation fundraiser. “The Haunted Trail” will be located in the Grand Valley Arboretum, which is across the Little Mac Bridge right before AuSable Hall.

GLIAC STANDINGS

GVL / Eric Coulter

Back in black: Sophomore running back Hersey Jackson carries the ball past the Dragon defense in Grand Valley State University’s 70-7 victory over Tiffin University Saturday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak dating back to Sept. 10. The Lakers will next see action on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they take on Northern Michigan University.

Lakers thrash winless Tiffin to snap three-game losing streak

L

By Brady Fredericksen GVL Sports Editor

Football Ferris State Michigan Tech Saginaw Valley Indianapolis Northern Mich. GVSU Northwood

3-1 3-1 3-1 2-2 2-2 1-3 0-4

Soccer GVSU Northern Mich. Ferris State Saginaw Valley Northwood Michigan Tech

8-0 4-2-2 4-2-2 3-4-1 3-5 2-5-1

VOLLEYBALL Ferris State Northern Mich. Saginaw Valley Northwood GVSU Lake Superior Michigan Tech

9-1 6-2 6-3 4-4 4-6 2-6 0-8

ooking to get back on track after a three-game skid, the Grand Valley State University football team demonstrated explosive potential Saturday in a 70-7 victory over Tiffin University. Saturday’s game was the Lakers’ largest win since beating Wayne State University 77-12 in 2002. GVSU (23, 1-3 GLIAC) put together its best efforts on both sides of the ball as the offense out-gained Tiffin (0-5, 0-4 GLIAC) 629 yards to 218. But despite being on the right side of a lopsided victory, GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell said there is still work to be done. “It’s one of those deals where the score is 70-7, but I told the guys in the locker room, I don’t think anyone should be breathing a sigh of relief like we’re back or anything like that,” he said. “I thought that our guys had a good approach … anytime you can get a win, you take a win.” Offensively, the Lakers burst out

KEY

PLAYERS Heath Parling Quarterback

Coming off a three-interception game in the loss to the University of Findlay, the sophomore bounced back against Tiffin, accounting for six touchdowns five passing - and 311 total yards.

Brad Howard Linebacker

The senior left the game with a stinger at halftime, but his play in the first was a big reason for the GVSU defense’s success. His seven tackles were tops for the Lakers.

of the gates, taking a 21-0 lead after the first quarter. The 21-point margin was the team’s largest lead since its season-opening 44-20 victory over Western Oregon University. Three first-quarter touchdowns from sophomore quarterback Heath Parling - including a 19-yard touchdown run - put GVSU in the driver’s seat early, and the Lakers never looked back. The offense used a variety of long plays - highlighted by three passing plays of 38 yards - to put together its best game of the season. Parling finished the game with 298 yards and six touchdowns. “I thought we played well offensively, and we knew they were going to challenge us with a lot of man coverage on that side of the ball,” Parling said. “Our wideouts did a good job running routes, and definitely our offensive line protected me enough, and as you can see we capitalized on a lot of those opportunities.” Junior receiver Charles Johnson grabbed eight passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns while freshman

Keontre Miskel recorded the first three catches of his career, including a nine-yard touchdown in the third quarter. “It’s always good to get a win, but we still have three losses,” Johnson said. “We played pretty well, but there’s still things to clean up - there’s always things to improve on.” The running game continued its recent roll as well. Emerging sophomore Hersey Jackson, coming off a 124-yard game last week, rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown on only eight carries. Tiffin tried to mix the running game into its pass-heavy offense early on, but the Lakers defense put pressure on the quarterback, recording four sacks and knocking quarterback James Capello out of the game. GVSU held the Dragons to 51 percent passing. “I think we played pretty well, we had a lot of guys running to the ball,” said sophomore linebacker Luther Ware. “A lot of guys were finishing on the tackles - it wasn’t just one guy. I think the team flew around a lot bet-

ter.” GVSU was led by senior Brad Thomas and the rest of the linebacking group. The trio of Howard, Ware and sophomore Reggie Williams recorded 16 total tackles, and handled the Tiffin running and passing games A 63-point deficit also gave coaches a chance to see some of the team’s backups in a live-game situation. Along with Miskel’s game, freshman Antonio Hutchins also played well defensively, recording six tackles and 1.5 for a loss. “Our philosophy is we’re not just going to go in there and run the ball, when we put our second group in, we’re going to run our offense,” Mitchell said. “We had a lot of redshirt freshmen out there, and I think that’s valuable for short term and for long term of this program.” Coming off their first win in a month, the Lakers will return to practice this week before going on the road to Marquette, Mich. to take on Northern Michigan University on Saturday. sports@lanthorn.com

SCORING

SUMMARY 1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

08:52 GV Norman Shuford 38 yd pass from Heath Parling (Ryan Stokes kick)

10:57 GV Charles Johnson 22 yd pass from Parling (Stokes kick)

13:20 GV Augustus 26 yd pass from Parling (Stokes kick)

14:55 GV Michael Ratay 1 yd run (Iaderosa kick)

05:55 GV Parling 19 yd run (Stokes kick)

06:45 GV Hersey Jackson 5 yd run (Stokes kick)

00:54 GV Jovonne Augustus 1 yd pass from Parling (Stokes kick)

00:15 GV Johnson 34 yd pass from Parling (Stokes kick)

07:19 GV Keontre’ Miskel 9 yd pass from Isiah Grimes (Marco Iaderosa kick)

08:53 TU Obadiah Dykes 19 yd pass from Dan Pitts (Seth Pekoe kick) 03:31 GV Billy Seiler 4 yd run (Iaderosa kick)


B2 SPORTS

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

W. SOCCER

M. TENNIS

Botts’ four-goal weekend powers team By Stephanie Deible GVSU Intern

At the start of the 2011 season, the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team used defense and timely scoring to come away with victories, but this weekend the Lakers had the offense rolling, thanks in large part to junior forward Ashley Botts. On Friday, the Lakers outscored Northwood University 7-1 before hitting the road Sunday to put away Ohio Dominican University by a score of 1-0. “The last of seven or eight games we’ve played a little bit better soccer as we’ve gone on, and some the goals that we’ve been scoring in certain games have given us a little more confidence going forward,” said GVSU head coach Dave DiIanni. “I think it’s no surprise that Ashley and Kayla Addison are getting on the score sheet, and that’s helping our team [because] scoring goals is all about confidence.” Botts has been on a tear as of late, coming off two straight GLIAC Player of the Week honors. She has scored seven goals in GVSU’s last six games, including four goals against the Timberwolves. “I was just trying to connect for my team, they did work getting it up there to me, and I was just trying to finish it off,” Botts said after the victory over Northwood. The first of seven Laker goals against Northwood came in the 20th minute from Botts, who knocked the ball in the center of the net after receiving a pass from junior Kayla Addison. Less

GVL / Archive

Game face: Senior Marc Roesslein gets ready to return a shot in a previous men’s tennis match.

GVL / Robert Mathews

Goalmaster: Junior forward Ashley Botts fights for possession during the women’s soccer game against Northwood University.

than two minutes later she struck again, this time on a pass from senior midfielder Erin Mruz. There is no denying that GVSU fans in attendance were witnessing a Botts highlight reel, but Alyssa Mira, Addison and Maria Brown chipped in with goals to add as well. Before the first half ended, junior Mira kept momentum on GVSU’s side and joined Botts in the scoring parade by taking a ball right outside the 18 box and guiding to the back of the net. The goal gave the Lakers a 4-1 lead. Di Ianni said GVSU carried energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the game plan into the second half to score three more goals. On Sunday, GVSU traveled to Ohio Dominican University to take on the Panthers in a game where the Laker defensive effort was relentless, allowing the

Panthers to get off only two shots in 90 minutes. Sophomore Kayla Kimble said going from an offensive battle on Friday to a defensive game takes a lot of mental engagement, communication and organization to keep the game in front of them. “We just have to stay in control and relax and play our game,” Kimble said. GVSU was held scoreless for just over 52 minutes until freshman Charlie Socia used a header that scooted by the Panther goal-keeper to score her second goal of the season. “I would rather have an ugly win than a pretty loss,” Di Ianni said. GVSU is now 9-0-2 on the season and 9-0 in GLIAC play, and will be back in action at 7 p.m. Friday at Northwood University. sports@lanthorn.com

Lakers win big at the GVSU Fall Invitational By Jon Van Zytveld GVL Staff Writer

During what is typically considered tennis’ off-season, the Grand Valley State University men’s tennis team showed that, even now, it is preparing for the upcoming spring season. Last weekend, the Lakers hosted the area’s top tennis players for two days of friendly competition at the GVSU Fall Invitational. In attendance were Calvin College, Cornerstone University, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Community College and GVSU. The Lakers dominated the opposition, winning every flight it had players entered in, which included A, C and D flight singles as well as A and B doubles flights. Friday was exclusively doubles, and Lakers tried several different combinations, looking to find successful groupings. “The fall season is geared toward individual competition, tournaments, and finding doubles combinations sets that work,” said GVSU head coach John Black. “This year, we have two new freshmen, and last year we were a relatively young team with one senior. Now, we have three seniors, so we’re looking for the upperclassmen leadership to help guide the two younger players. We help them as best we can to adjust to college sports.” Freshman John McDonald, who had a strong weekend and won the C singles draw of the invitational, said the team did very well overall in doubles, as did his duo with sophomore Bryan Hodges. “We had a good day in doubles, we won our first match, but we lost to Calvin,” McDonald said. “Individually, I just want to play my best, and win some matches for the team and hopefully that will turn the whole team around.” Saturday was a day full of singles, and the Lakers managed to bring their best to the court. While competitors from Davenport and Calvin played well, Andrew Darrell, John McDonald, and Zac Felice fought back, earning the players wins in A-flight singles, C-flight singles, and Dflight singles, respectively. Senior Josh Kazdan, who won B flight doubles with partner Zac Felice, said the fall season is not a time to lay back and wait; rather, it is a time to improve and prepare for things to come. “This is a great practice tournament to get us prepared for the season,” Kazdan said. “There are always things to work on, we’re still messing with our lineup. We’re going to switch

GVL / Archive

Offseason prep: Josh Kazdan serves in a past match. The Lakers hosted and won the GVSU Fall Invitational this past weekend.

“This is a great practice tournament to get us prepared for the season.

”

Josh Kazdan Senior tennis player

some things up to get the best possible doubles teams.” With confidence arising from the wins, the Lakers are looking to learn and improve in the period between now and their regular spring season. With success now, the team believes that they can improve upon last year’s ninth place regional ranking. “Our goal is to win our conference this year, as well as to win as many regular season matches as possible,” Kazdan said. This weekend’s GVSU Fall Invitational was the last event of the fall season for the Lakers, but the team will return in the spring with their sights set high. jvanzytveld@lanthorn.com


SPORTS B3

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

VOLLEYBALL

Lakers drop third straight match

FOOTBALL

Don’t get too excited

By Zach Sepanik GVL Staff Writer

Home court was no advantage for the Grand Valley State University volleyball team this weekend as it lost two straight matches Sunday. The loss to No. 17 Ferris State University took place in straight sets: 25-15, 27-25 and 25-22. It was the Lakers’ third straight, all at home, and second to the Bulldogs this season, both in straight sets. It also brings the team’s record to 7-7 overall and 4-6 in the GLIAC. “It’s not a good feeling,” said freshman setter Clair Ruhenkamp. “We expected to do better. I think every team overcomes adversity and if we can get through this and stick together as a team it only makes us stronger.” To begin the third set against Ferris State, the Lakers’ starting lineup, comprised of two freshmen and four sophomores, looked to stage a possible comeback. Freshmen Christina Canepa and Clair Ruhenkamp and sophomores Abby Ebels, Megan Schroeder, Sacha Gill and Lyndsey Holt did all they could to keep the Lakers within striking distance. Recent struggles have forced GVSU head coach Deanne Scanlon to implement a simplified offense in an effort to help develop her young squad. “It’s like raising a young child,” she said. “You don’t just tell them once and they get it. You have to simplify things. We are vanilla right now. That is what our offense needs to be like. We might add some sprinkles a little later on, but right now we need to be vanilla and do certain things well.” GVSU fell into a quick 10-5 deficit in the final set that left it reeling, but the Lakers scrambled back and eventually took an 18-16 lead before falling 25-22.

BRADY FREDERICKSEN GVL SPORTS EDITOR

GVL / Allison Young

Battle between Valleys: Junior Eno Umoh and freshman Abby Aiken go up for the block in their Friday loss against Saginaw Valley State University.

Freshman outside hitter Abby Aiken led the Lakers with 15 kills while Schroeder and junior middle blocker Eno Umoh each had eight. Schroeder also led the team with a .375 hitting percentage. However, a season low three blocks and Ferris State .294 hitting percentage proved to be the Lakers kryptonite. “I didn’t feel like we had a lot of fire in us,” Scanlon said. “I thought we got down on ourselves a little bit too much and weren’t ready to make the next play. Our decision making has to be better but that comes with maturity.” Friday, the Lakers fell to the visiting Saginaw Valley State University as SVSU won sets two, three, and five in the 20-25, 25-18, 27-25, 12-25, and 16-14 victory. The Lakers stayed right with the Cardinals throughout the entire match. They held an edge in hit percentage, .181 to .159, and also tallied more blocks and assists. SVSU totaled more kills, 5857, aces, 9-8, and digs, 94-91, not really outshining GVSU on paper, but found a way to get the win on the court. “It is getting down to crunch

time so we do have to start putting wins on the board,” Scanlon said. “If we are competitive enough to go five games with some of these top teams, then we should be able to win. There are no moral victories here. We are by no means writing this season off.” While the team was resilient, strong individual performances across the board helped the determined effort. Aiken notched a double-double, leading GVSU with 17 kills and adding 18 digs. McCotter more than doubled her previous career-high with 15 kills. Ruhenkamp dished out a career-high 51 assists and Canepa’s 26 digs were also a career best. “We are just looking to get some wins and play hard every game, no regrets kind of thing,” Aiken said. The Lakers now prep for Ashland University, who is tied for first in the conference, on Oct. 7. GVSU will head to Ohio hoping to rebound and looking to continue to garner experience for the young roster. zsepanick@lanthorn.com

So, what does a 70-7 win mean to you? Yes, I’m talking to you, Grand Valley State University football fan reading this column. Does it mean the Lakers are oh-so-stereotypically back or does it mean that a flawed team took advantage of a not-so-good team? GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell said it on Saturday and I’ll say it here: Tiffin is a program that’s working toward improvement, but they just aren’t there yet. Sure, a 70-7 win looks great in the Lanthorn, but you’re mistaken if you assume this game means everything is going to be alright. Right now, if I had to blindly guess the team’s playoff chances, I’d say they have a 10.5 percent chance of making the postseason - and that might be high. Delta State University, last season’s Division II runner ups, lost three games and made the playoff, but two of their losses came to Valdosta State University and the University of North Alabama - a pair of teams that also made the postseason. Right now, the team’s biggest hope is that they run the table - in turn, defeating three of the top five teams in the GLIAC - while the three teams they lost to need to make legitimate postseason runs of their own. So basically the team’s postseason fate is in four teams’ hands. Really though, this team isn’t bad, they’re just flawed. You shouldn’t be calling to fire Mitchell

after less than two seasons, and you shouldn’t call for anyone to be benched - the biggest flaw is that this team is stricken with the disease of inconsistency. Despite that, they’ve seen improvements on both sides of the ball. Offensively, quarterback Heath Parling has been inconsistent this season - and a six-touchdown performance Saturday is the highest of highs - but he’s also had multiple interceptions in three of five games this season. At this point, he’s a sophomore, a young quarterback taking his lumps. Last game you saw the potential, but at other times this season you’ve seen a guy who only has a few career starts. The way this team has played in the early part of the season will not be reflective of how this team will play at the end of the season. The emergence of the running back duo of Hersey Jackson and Norman Shuford has given the offense balance, and the receivers are still dangerous on the outside. On the other side, the team is about to get a big addition with the return of suspended defensive back Zach Breen. The senior, who was suspended five games for testing positive for a banned substance, will bring stability to a secondary that has struggled to force turnovers. If the opposing quarterback plays well, the Lakers have lost. It’s not a coincidence, it’s a trend, and the return of Breen should help to curve that. There’s a lot of football left to be played, and if you saw these guys practice you can tell they aren’t worried. They know they’ve lost three games - they know you’re not happy - but at this point they don’t care. This is a team free of pressure, and they’re just playing football. As long as they continue that trend, the other aspects should come around as well. sports@lanthorn.com


lakerlife

B4

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

LAKER LIFE EDITOR HALEY OTMAN lakerlife@lanthorn.com

GVL / Eric Coulter

Girl power: (Left to right) Simonne Horman, Brittani Hudson, Jenny Lopez, Devon Cross and Brittani Lovin pose in Kirkhof. The events throughout the week are meant to encourage leadership and confidence in women at GVSU.

This week to celebrate women’s empowerment By Kendal Pektas

L

Women’s Empowerment Week events

GVL Staff Writer

adies, gather ‘round — Grand Valley State University is about to celebrate all of you. The Panhellenic Council, Women’s Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, National-Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council are making Women’s Empowerment Week happen, beginning today and ending on Saturday. The purpose of this week-long celebration is to encourage women to be strong and confident leaders. The organizations behind the event are striving to tell women they can achieve greatness and success. “There is a need on campus for women to celebrate being strong,” said Jenny Lopez, adviser for the Greek Life Council. “We are in a point in society where women are taking control, and women are here to stay.” The idea for Women’s Empowerment Week emerged last semester when the Panhellenic Council was looking for different methods of showing support and encouraging leadership in women at GVSU. The celebration is to promote self-esteem in women and encourage them to love themselves. Different events will take place every night throughout this week. “This entire week is meant to be educational and empowering,” said Simonne Horman, president of the Panhellenic Council. “We are trying to show GVSU women that they have the power to be stronger women.” Although it is not a national movement, Women’s Empowerment Week is full of enriching speakers and presentations that will teach females how they can be strong, empowered women in today’s age. It also demonstrates the struggles other prominent women have dealt with and shows they have come out on top. The events include presentations about empowering women through character, art performances and healthy lifestyle and eating habits. Tables will also be set up in the Kirkhof Center, where T-shirts with the word “beautiful” printed on them backwards will be available for purchase. The shirts are meant to be reminders to women when they look in the mirror.

Today

Empowering women through character Kirkhof Center, Room 2263 4 p.m.

Tuesday

“Tres Vidas” performance Cook-DeWitt Center 2 p.m. GVL / Eric Coulter

Spreading the word: Junior Devon Cross and Seniors Brittani Hudson and Brittany Lovin hand out flyers for Women’s Empowerment Week.

“I strongly believe that every woman should have an equal right to lead,” said senior Brittani Hudson, who also serves as the vice president of public relations on the executive board for the Panhellenic Council. “I also believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way and nobody should be able to tell them differently.” Despite the fact that the main focus of Women’s Empowerment Week is on females, males are also encouraged to attend. “I think it is going to open men’s eyes to a different aspect of women that they do not usually see,” Lopez said. “Women leaders are not going anywhere.” Everyone is welcome, and all events are free to attend. “Students should attend Women’s Empowerment Week because each day offers different topics that may be relevant to a specific student,” Hudson said. “It is also a great opportunity to meet people.” kpektas@lanthorn.com

Wednesday

Women of the Future presentation Kirkhof Center, Room 2215/2216 5 p.m.

Thursday

Healthy Habits and You Kirkhof Center, Room 2215/2216

Friday

T-shirt sales Kirkhof Center All day

Saturday

Athena Leadership Conference Open to all sorority members Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room 9 a.m.

HSGV lends a paw to furry friends

Humane Society of GV volunteers, fundraises for animal welfare

By Kendal Pektas GVL Staff Writer

While going meatless can be a component of helping animals, members of the Humane Society of Grand Valley extends their efforts far beyond their diets. “There are people who think our organization is just for vegetarians,” said Alexis Croswell, president of HSGV. “We talk about the betterment of all animals. You do not have to be a vegetarian to join.” The purpose of the group is to not only raise awareness in the community about important animal welfare issues, but also to participate in hands-on activities as advocates for animals by volunteering at various organizations, as well as having events on campus. “We mainly participate at Carol’s Ferals,” said Kristina Pepelko, who is the political action committee leader. “This semester, we are holding fundraisers for the Farm Sanctuary, Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary and Furs to Feathers Rescue.” Last year, HSGV introduced two large initiatives

GVL / Robert Matthews

Beyond borders: Students crowd into a room in the Kirkhof Center to listen to Danny Ha’s presentation on understanding cultural differences.

Diversity Brown Bag emphasizes tolerance By Rachel Melke GVL Staff Writer Courtesy Photo / HSGV

For the cause: HSGV members protest the Grand Rapids circus outside of Van Andel Arena downtown. In addition to protests, the club organizes events such as the Compassion in Fashion fashion show.

through Campus Dining, collaborating with them to switch to cage-free eggs and provide more meat-free options for students on Mondays. “Campus Dining monitors what gets bought,” Croswell said. “If people are eating less meat, then dining will provide that for them. People are choosing more meatless options on Mondays.” Many businesses and organizations have also incorporated going meatless on Mondays in order to improve the health of their employees and to reduce their impact on the planet. “By cutting out meat once a week, we can improve our health, reduce our carbon footprint and lead the world in the race to reduce climate change,” said Beth Smyth,

HSGV vice president. “I really think that going meatless on Mondays is a simple way to not only improve your health, but to contribute to the planet as well.” All last week, the HSGV had a fundraising table at Kirkhof center for the Walk for Farm Animals, which takes animals from factory farms, rehabilitates them and allows them to live on regular farms. The club also hosts Compassion in Fashion, a partnership with the Fashion Club. Models wear fur-free and animal byproduct-free clothing from local stores in Grand Rapids. As a whole, HSGV strives to be involved with the community. Recently, they attended a protest against the circus in Grand Rapids in

hopes of raising awareness about the animal cruelty issues. Smyth said she believes people would live differently if they knew how their actions affected animals on a day-to-day basis, such as where the food on their plates or their pets come from. “We want to help better the lives of animals in West Michigan and elsewhere in the nation,” Pepelko said. “We also want to help by influencing public policy through grassroots advocacy because real, long-lasting changes must happen at the legislative level.” The group meets Tuesdays at 9 p.m. at Lake Ontario Hall Room 164. For more information, visit hsgv.weebly.com. kpektas@lanthorn.com

On Wednesday, Grand Valley State University students piled into the Office of Multicultural Affairs to view and participate in discussion based on the film “Understanding Our Differences: Mexicans and Americans,” part of the OMA’s Diversity Brown Bag series and Hispanic Heritage Month. The event was packed, with students sitting or standing to attend after the available seating was filled. “Our hope is that we can continue to satisfy this curiosity by providing wellrounded awareness centered programming,” said Oliver Aguilera, a Multicultural assistant in the OMA. The 25-minute film tells the story of neighbors, one from the U.S. and one from Mexico, who have little contact with each other because they don’t feel they have much in common. As more immigrants have

come from Mexico than any other county, it is important that both heritages learn to understand each other. “People who have perceptions [about a race] never have asked a question,” said Danny Ha, program coordinator in the OMA. Language and immigration were other sensitive subjects broached in the film and following discussion, which focused on tolerance and cultural sensitivity. “America is seen as a place of opportunity,” a student in the film said. She saw this phrase to be contradicting, as some people in the U.S. don’t approve of immigrant workers. “We should all look within, not without,” a student on the film said. “Out we’re all different, in we’re all the same. We’re all human beings.” For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations or other Diversity Brown Bag events, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma. rmelke@lanthorn.com


B5

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

Announcements Living on campus? GVSU Facilities Services asks you to please do your part to help conserve water and electricity. Help us keep costs low!

Entertainment Get set for the spooky season at Halloween Palooza hosted by your local Goodwill Store. Saturday October 8 from 10am-2pm. Halloween merchandise,cider, and fun for all ages!

Premium student housing at Meadows Crossing apartments the place to be. Enjoy full furnishings, private bathrooms, individual leases, swimming pool, and much more! Call 616-892-2700 or visit www.meadowscrossing.net Today! The first 99 people to apply at 48 West will receive $25 off their rent for each month! *restrictions apply. Call today! 616-895-2400 or e-mail leasing@48west.info

Services

Internships

Legal help for college students. We represent students with MIP and all other criminal charges. Renovo Law, PLLC. (616)209-8770.

Grand Valley State University Job Title: On Campus Web/ Internet Internship in Intercultural Competence Location: Allendale, MI Salary Level: Unpaid For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Employment Looking for a job? Now hiring Accounts Receivable/Payroll and Bookkeepers! NO experiencce necessary. Send Resumes to distributionscompany@gmail.com

Housing Have More Fun for Less Money at Campus View. Super Early Bird Special! Sign a 2012/2013 lease and get a $200 discount! restrictions may apply. Call Today! 616-895-6678 or visit www.campusviewhousing.co m Lease at Copper Beech! Be entered in a drawing for an IPAD with all new leases available. Call Today! 616-895-2900 or visit www.copperbeechtownhomes.com

Oliver-Tolas Healthcare Packaging Job Title: Intern Chemist Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: $11-$12 depending on class status Hours: 20-40 hrs. For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey Club Job Title: 2011-2012 Night Operations Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 10-15 hrs. For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

College Pro Job Title: Summer 2012 Management Internship:Franchise Manager Location:Grand Rapids,MI Salary: Paid Internship Email David at dleveque@collegepro.com or visit www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. Job Title: Disney College Program Internship Location: Orlando, FL or Anaheim, CA Salary Level: Stipend For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Highlight Industries, Inc Job Title: Electrical/Mechanical Engineer Intern Location: Wyoming, MI For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Montabella Community Schools Job Title: 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach Location: Blanchard, MI For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ The Stow Company Job Title: Engineering Intern Location: Holland, MI Hours: 40 hrs. For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Betten Baker Chevrolet Buick Job Title: Website Social Marketing Location: Coopersville, MI Hours: 15-20 For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Youthworks, Inc! Job Title: Graphic Design Intern Location: Comstock Park, MI Salary Level: Paid Hours: 20 hrs. For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Perrigo Company Job Title: Summer 2012 Operations Database Internship Location: Allegan, MI Salary Level: Unpaid Hours: 40 hrs. For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Meijer Inc. Job Title: Multiple Summer 2012 Internships Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Paid Hours: 40 hrs. For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

Opportunities

Spectrum Health Job Title: Film and Video Intern Location: Grand Rapids, MI Salary Level: Unpaid For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Muskegon Community College Job Title: TV Production Assistant Location: Muskegon, MI For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/ Muskegon Community College Job Title: Communications Intern Location: Muskegon, MI For more information visit http://www.gvsu.edu/lakerjobs/

5K Run/Walk Allendale Campus, Saturday October 8th 11am. Student price $15 with shirt. Find us on Facebook, Keywords “Running for Hope� Prizes for winners Bartending. High income potential. Training courses and equipment available. Call 1-800-965-6520 ext. 226 Free To Good Home. A male and female Vet checked English Bulldog puppies for adoption, if interested, contact me at rbradley987@hotmail.com Looking for a job or internship? Check out the GVSU Career Fair. Tuesday, October 11. from 1-5pm., Devos Place Convention Center. Visit www.gvsu.edu/careerfairs for more information


B6

Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

ADVERTISEMENT

Campus View gives you more for your dollars By Emanuel Johnson GVL Editor-in-Chief

When it comes to keeping in competition with some of the other offcampus housing options around Grand Valley State University, Brian Gardner, owner and operator of Campus View Apartments, said his strategy is simple. “What I realize is that we just do a lot more for our tenants — a lot more,” he said. “Anything anyone else has, we have – like Meadows Crossing has a pool, and so do we – but we have things that nobody else does.” Among those things that no one else has is Campus View’s own bus shuttle service, which runs from the apartment complex to the south entrance of the Kirkhof Center and is available free of charge to all tenants. Other features unique to Campus View include indoor basketball and volleyball courts, an expanded community center and a dance studio where the center offers yoga and pilates classes. The use of these facilities, as well as the services Campus View offers within them, are all free of charge to tenants. Campus View leadership is also in the process of installing heated bus shelters at its Rapid bus stop. Pending zoning approval from Allendale Township, Gardner said he plans to have the shelter installed by November of this year. The complex also features a newly-installed swimming pool, hot tub, game room, movie theater and tanning room. “Anything that anyone else has, we have, and we have everything that anyone else has,” Gardner said. And yet for all of the extras that Campus View offers its tenants, it still has to be able to keep its prices competitive. Tenants who prefer smaller living spaces can rent a two-bedroom apartment unit for as little as $285 per month or a one-bedroom apartment unit for $280 per month. Tenants seeking more space can rent a four-bedroom two-bathroom townhouse, which is one of the more popular choices, for as little as $340 per month on a 12-month lease. Campus View is also flexible in its leasing options. It offers full-year leases of 12 months, school year leases of nine months and short term/summer leases of three months, all at relatively low prices, Gardner said. “We’re among the least expensive, and certainly the least expensive of the ‘border communities,’” he said. “Our prices are competitive with everyone and are significantly less than Meadows Crossing – we’re about $1,500 less than Meadows Crossing, 48west and Copper Beech, and yet we do way more for our tenants.” Gardner said Campus View hosts about four community events per school year, which typically include a welcoming social and a Super Bowl party. At this year’s luau-themed welcoming social, about 300 tenants attended. About 15 to 20 spots are still open for the winter semester this year, and all spots are still up for grabs for next year. Campus View is also sponsoring a promotion for student going on mission trips who sign up for a new lease next year. editorial@lanthorn.com

GVL / Eric Coulter

Amenities galore: Campus View’s townhouse units (pictured) go for as little as $340 per month for a four-bedroom two-bathroom unit on a 12-month lease. In addition to plush living space, Campus View also offers sports facilities, a swimming pool, a movie theater and more to its residents free of charge. It also plans to add a heated bus stop by November.


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