BUS HARASSMENT
GRAND VALLEY’S STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER
Grand Valley Lanthorn WWW.LANTHORN.COM
M O N D AY , O C T O B E R 2 5 , 2 0 1 0
Rapid driver removed
INSIDE SPORTS:
Women’s soccer wins GLIAC title
Rapid bus driver Stan Gay reassigned from Route 50 after making ‘inappropriate’ comment to student passenger By Samantha Butcher GVL Senior Reporter
B1 ONLINE Restaurant Week Nov. 4 - 13
More than 50 restaurants will offer a special price-fixed menu, allowing patrons to sample food at an affordable price.
The Haunt
Lanthorn editor reviews ultimate Halloween experience with confusing mazes, creepy clowns, elaborate scenery, rattling chainsaws and fear-inducing freaks around every corner.
UPDATES Laker Life:
Apply for Alternative Breaks’ winter sessions by Nov. 5, and spring break sessions by Nov. 19. Each trip costs $275. For more information on Alternative Breaks, visit the website at www. gvsualternativebreaks. com.
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NEWS: Blackboard GVSU spent $402,192 on Blackboard in 2009 for the licenses and host servers, said Sue Korzinek, director of Academic Computing and Educational Technology. GVSU will bring the data to its own servers next summer, though the cost will remain the same.
Earlier this month, a Rapid bus driver was removed from Grand Valley State University routes after a student complained he made suggestive remarks to her while she was riding the Campus Connector. Karissa Dyda, a GVSU junior, complained to the Rapid on Oct. 6 after driver Stan Gay made a comment to her that she felt was “inappropriate.” Dyda, who was wearing flip-flops when the incident occurred, said Gay made the comment when she first boarded the bus. “I was getting on the bus, and I’d had this bus driver many times before,” she explained. “I was the first one to step on the bus, and he points to my feet and goes, ‘Who’s the lucky guy who gets to kiss and suck on those things? I wish I was him.’ I didn’t even know what to say.” Dyda filed a complaint with the Rapid because she was afraid Gay might harass other students. “I was nervous to say something, but I thought it could happen to other people too so I wanted to take care of it before it happened to somebody else,” she said. Dyda said she asked the Rapid to assign the driver to a different
GVL / Andrew Mills
Disturbing driver: Three Rapid buses wait for passengers outside the Kirkhof Center on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus. Rapid driver Stan Gay was recently removed from Route 50, the Campus Connector, after making inappropriate remarks to a GVSU student.
route. The Rapid opened an investigation into the incident, but Jennifer Kalczuk, external relations manager for the Rapid, said she could not comment on what that investigation process entailed. “We don’t discuss our internal procedures,” she said. “We investigate complaints and based on the
News Downtown Opinion
By Anya Zentmeyer GVL Assistant News Editor
At the fourth meeting in 2010 of the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees, the board resolved a newly-proposed Student Recreation Fields Project at an established budget of $8.3 million drawn from bonds sold from the recently completed housing project and university capital
development accounts. James Moyer, assistant vice president for Facilities Planning, said the Student Recreation Fields Project will reconstruct the area west of an existing soccer field into a 400-meter, ninelane competition track, a competition throws area, a lacrosse field and two softball fields. The softball fields will be changeable for three other playing fields. “This project proposes
the construction of a new student recreation fields,” Moyer said. “With this new space, student recreation, club sports and athletics will be afforded space necessary to support the needs of growing student recreation and intramural programs, student club sport programs, men and women’s track and field and women’s varsity lacrosse.” The proposed project
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The Meadows Maintenance Building
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GVL Archive
Rewards: Former nursing students review for a lab session. Physician assistant studies majors can apply for a $22,000 scholarship next fall.
Grants expand PAS program By Hope Cronkright GVL Staff Writer
rain garden
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previous complaints filed against Gay. Lisa Haynes, assistant vice president of operations on Pew Campus, said the issue was dealt with according to university policy. “If a student complains to us,
Athletics, Seidman to begin work on new facilities in 2011
flag football soccer
INDEX
determination, whatever seems appropriate from there happens.” The next week, Dyda saw the driver again and took her complaint to President Thomas J. Haas. Within days, Gay was taken off of Route 50. Kalczuk said she could not disclose whether there were any
24 November 2009
240' © 2009 Integrated Architecture All rights reserved No part of this document may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Integrated Architecture
Courtesy Graphic / GVSU Facilities Planning
Upgrade in progress: The plans for renovation of the fields west of the soccer field include the construction of a 400-meter, nine-lane track. The project is estimated to total around $8.3 million.
Grand Valley State University officials recently announced that a new scholarship will enter the picture next fall for physician assistant studies majors going into primary care. Students who are accepted into the 18-month program have the opportunity to apply for the scholarship, which, if received, would pay for $22,000 of their education costs for two years. It covers tuition and awards a small stipend for other expenses. The scholarship was
created after GVSU received two grants totaling more than $1.7 million. GVSU is one of the 28 universities that received the funding in the U.S. Nationwide, 149 college and universities applied for the grant. The funding will allow the PAS program to expand its limited enrollment by three students each year, increasing from 35 to 48 by 2014. The grants were designed to increase the number of individuals majoring in physician assistant studies and specializing in primary care. “Medical students and P.A. students are
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NEWS
Monday, October 25, 2010
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we address student complaints,” she said. “I believe that the Rapid addressed whatever complaint that student had.” Although Gay has removed from Route 50, Dyda said she is still uncomfortable riding the bus.
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will include facilities for public restrooms, lockers rooms, concessions, student activity support space and equipment storage. There will also be support facilities that include visiting team rooms, toilets, vending areas and maintenance facilities. For both the Seidman College of Business Building and the new Student Recreation Fields, the university selected Integrated Architecture LLC as the project architect and Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr and Huber, Inc. as the civil engineer. Triangle Associates will serve as the construction manager for the Student Recreation Fields project, which is scheduled to begin in March 2011 and to open for use by August 2011. It was resolved that the Seidman College of Business will begin its own construction in April 2011 and be completed and ready for occupancy in
“I feel relieved that it’s been taken care of, but I’m still kind of upset that I had to go to such an extreme to get something done,” Dyda said. “I feel like (the Rapid) should have taken into consideration what happened. It’s not that much to ask them to change his bus route. I wasn’t asking for him to be fired. I’d never felt uncom-
fortable before, but even now I don’t feel comfortable riding the bus because I don’t trust the Rapid. I still have this fear that I’m going to see him again.” Last year, 2.6 million people rode on GVSU buses, up from 2.4 million the previous year. A total of 20 buses run on five different routes. sbutcher@lanthorn.com
May 2013. The $40 million budget will be a blend of capital development funds, university fundraising, grants and tax credits, though there is no official breakdown of the dollar amounts yet. “If we could raise it all, we would,” Moyer said. Pioneer Construction has been selected as the project manager/contractor for the Seidman College of Business Building. Also at the board meeting, Matt McLogan, vice president of university relations, followed up his state appropriations request with the 2012 capital outlay budget request. The budget proposed a lab/ classroom/office development of 150,000-200,000 square feet on the Pew Campus with an estimated project cost of $55 million obtained from of GVSU capital and GVSU bonding paid off with General Fund Revenue Capital. Construction would begin in April 2011, and operation would begin in July 2013.
President Thomas J. Haas’ accountability report showed GVSU as the fastest growing institution in Michigan with an enrollment increase of 58.4 percent in the last 10 years. “Grand Valley is frugal, efficient, student-centered and is producing and shaping lifelong graduates for Michigan,” Haas said. Haas said the university is actively pursuing and achieving its goals of what he calls the three R’s; relevant, rigorous and return on investment. “I think what our main drivers here at the university are to provide, for student’s access, affordability and great quality of education and experiences here,” Haas said. “We’re becoming an institution that’s going to be much more relevant to the state than ever before and that’s an important responsibility that we have. We’re producing outstanding graduates and that’s a very noble calling.” assistantnews@lanthorn.com
Grand Valley Lanthorn
GVL Archive
Building a better GVSU: (From left to right) Board of Trustees members Daniel Aronoff, Noreen Myers and Kate Wolters listen during a previous Board of Trustees meeting in the Kirkhof Center’s Pere Marquette Room.
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migrating towards the specialty areas,” said Andrew Booth, a professor in the PAS program. “Only 40 percent of those who have been graduating from our program have been going into primary care.” The national grant program was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration as part of President Barack Obama’s health care reform bill.
“It will bode well for the community,” Roy Olsson, Jr., dean of the College of Health Professions, said. Scholarship applications will be reviewed by a committee and evaluated based on criteria such as GPA, Olsson said. The PAS program expects to receive $88,000 from the grant next year. The remaining portions will be awarded in a series of payments. The American Recovery grant will provide $300,000 for new equipment in the
Simulation Center. “The Simulation Center is designed to be a very interdisciplinary program, so all health professions and nursing students will be able to take advantage of this supportive technology,” PAS Director Wallace Boeve said. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last year that physician assistant is the fastest-growing career across the country. hcronkright@lanthorn.com
Former-first lady to promote book in GR
Former-first lady Rosalynn Carter will be in Grand Rapids Tuesday to discuss her new book “Within our reach: Ending the mental health crisis.” Held at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, the main presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a speech by Carter followed by discussion with a panel made up of other mental health experts. Carter served as an active honorary chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health during President Jimmy Carter’s administration, and she helped bring about passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.
A first lady from 1977 to 1981, Carter now continues her focus on mental health issues through a program at the Carter Center in Atlanta, which is dedicated to human rights, alleviating human suffering and improving health, according to the Carter Center website. The event is sponsored by Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center, the Gerald R. Ford Library, Museum and Foundation and Founders Bank & Trust. Attendees were urged to RSVP, and the presentation has reached capacity, though standing room will still be available.
However, Carter will be also be involved in events later in the day. Schulers Books & Music CARTER will host a book signing and reception for Carter from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. She will also be involved in a celebration for Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services 100th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Pine Rest Foundation. Carter will speak at a dinner for the occasion at 7 p.m., at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. editorial@lanthorn.com
Go There Who:
Former-first lady Rosalynn Carter
What:
Presentation of her book Panel discussion with: • Gregory Dziadosz, president and CEO of Touchstone Innovarè • Mark Eastburg, president and CEO of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services • Paul Ippel, executive director of Network 180, the mental health and substance abuse coordinating agency for Kent County
When:
1:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where:
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
RAVINES CONGRATULATIONS! This was the water reduction from last year in the month of November
28000 gal
Grand Valley Lanthorn Volume 45, Number 18 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
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief LAUREN FITCH Managing Editor EMANUEL JOHNSON News Editor CHELSEA LANE Assistant News Editor ANYA ZENTMEYER Sports Editor CODY EDING
Arts and Entertainment Editor ELIJAH BRUMBACK Laker Life Editor HALEY OTMAN Photography Editor ERIC COULTER Copy Editors CARLA LANDHUIS KARA DONALDSON
Layout Editor ALANA HOLLAND
BUSINESS STAFF
ADVERTISING STAFF
Layout Staff Advertising Manager KELLY GRANBACKA DANIEL DELAMIELLEURE KENDALL GILBERT Advertising Reps VALERIE WALDBAUER CHRIS ROWELL KAYLA KOENIGSKNECHT CHANTELL BOYD KEVIN HAUSFELD Multimedia Editor AMANDA VILLARREAL KARA DONALDSON Advertising Designers Web Team MATT TYNDALL JON ROOST VALENTINA VALDES CJ RAFTERY JOSH KOVACH
Business Manager ERIC LEE Assistant Business Manager BRANDON MERCADO Distribution ADAM RASHID JEFF DIMITRIEVSKI MICHAEL VASILOVSKI Receptionists KIM SANDER CARIAN WHITE Faculty Adviser LAWRENCE BEERY
The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published under the authorization of the GVSU Newspaper Advisory Board.
Corrections
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 of fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling (616) 331-2464 or by e-mailing editorial@lanthorn.com.
NEWS
Chelsea Lane, News Editor news@lanthorn.com
QUICK!
GV NEWS BRIEFS
1
Entitle Direct College Tips Scholarship Contest From now until Dec. 7, the Entitle Direct Group will hold a scholarship contest for Grand Valley State University students. Students should submit their best college tip – up to 100 words – for navigating the admissions process. A panel of judges will evaluate the submissions based on selected criteria including originality and effectiveness. Entitle Direct will award the winner of the contests its “signature” reduction of 35 percent off toward a semester’s tuition excluding room, board and ancillary expenses and up to a maximum of $7,000. To view the full contest rules and/or for students to enter, visit www.entitledirect. com/CollegeTips.
2
Health and Wellness Open Enrollment Due to new medical plan designs effective Jan. 1, 2011, all eligible faculty and staff members must complete the annual open enrollment process. Visit the Health & Wellness website for more details on the new plans at www.gvsu.edu/ healthwellness.
3
Lanthorn Literary Edition accepting submissions Until 5 p.m. Nov. 12, the Lanthorn will accept submissions for its Literary Edition. Faculty judges will name winners in the following categories: 1. Poetry 2. Creative non-fiction 3. Fictional short stories 4. Photography 5. Graphic Design Winners in each category will receive a cash prize. Lanthorn staff can enter but are not eligible to win. Students may enter up to three pieces in each category, and submissions with a title and complete author’s name may be sent to Emanuel Johnson at managingeditor@ lanthorn.com. The Literary Edition will be printed Nov. 29.
Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, October 25, 2010
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Educational Support Program receives $150,000 in federal funding achievement,” Selby-Theut said. ESP accomplishes this goal through academic, personal, career and financial advising, Student Support Grant scholarships, textbook giveaways and cultural trips, among other available resources. With the additional grant money, ESP has begun a financial literacy training course to help students By Lauren Fitch understand loan options, budgeting GVL Editor in Chief and establishing credit, and they also developed learning communities for For some students, seeking a college students and faculty in Math 110 and degree is not an automatic. For some WRT 150 classes. students, university life seems to be an “We tell students we’ll do anything overwhelmingly complex environment and everything to help them graduate,” of social, academic and professional Selby-Theut said. interactions. For some students, the cost Selby-Theut said students enrolled of tuition is an unaffordable expense. in ESP face unique barriers traditional The Educational Support Program at students may not deal with, such as a Grand Valley State University helps such lack of understanding of the university students. structure, lack of family members Currently serving 215 of GVSU’s who can relate to their experiences and students who meet federal income overcoming stereotypes. requirements for special assistance as “We’re fortunate Grand Valley is well as first-generation students, the ESP such a welcoming community,” she said. received an extra $150,000 of federal “They have systems in place specifically funding this year to better meet these for these students.” students’ needs for the next five academic It can still be a years. challenge to promote ESP is part of the an awareness of the national program You need specific needs of these TRiO, which is students, Selby-Theut those words of funded by the U.S. said. Though seeing Department of encouragement, ESP students graduate Education. In the past, well worth any extra those people who istime ESP at GVSU has and effort, she received $1.5 million added. believe in you and in federal grants, but “Watching our this year the grant are willing to help students graduate was increased to and go out in their you. $1.65 million, which communities and will last them the break the cycle of -REGINALD JONES next five years when poverty and fulfill their the program head GVSU grad student potential – I experience must reapply for the the joy and benefits of grant. their achievement,” Melissa Selbyshe said. Theut, director of GVSU’s ESP since The ESP employs three advisers who 2008, said the money will be used to are qualified to help students in area they enhance existing ESP services as well as made need assistance. Advisers meet with start new ones. students about three times a semester to “Our primary objective is to increase go over upcoming assignments, evaluate rats of graduation, retention and academic degree progress, inform students of
Program continues to provide assistance for first-generation, federally defined low-income students
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Courtesy Photo / gvsu.edu
Helping hand: Melissa Selby-Theut (pictured) has been the director of the Education Support Program since 2008. The federally-funded ESP currently serves 215 GVSU students.
scholarship opportunities and address any questions or concerns the students may have. ESP also plans about four cultural trips a year to cities such as Chicago and Detroit or to different events such as an opera or dinner at a Thai restaurant. The purpose is to give ESP students experiences they may not otherwise have, all free of charge. Reginald Jones, now a graduate student at GVSU, joined the EPS program when he transferred to GVSU during his junior year. For Jones, in his late 40s, ESP has made all the difference in his educational experience. “Without them (at ESP), I don’t think I’d be in grad school,” Jones said, who is now pursuing a degree in social work to follow his bachelor’s in sociology. Jones mentioned the extra tutoring, mentoring and cultural diversity of the group as some of the benefits of the program. He said the social aspect of belonging to such a group was also extremely important.
“You come in and don’t have a chance to really bond with the students,” he said. “I met students I otherwise wouldn’t have met and formed a social circle.” As a non-traditional student and a first-generation student, Jones said the social environment at a university can be a big challenge, but ESP helped him connect with other students who share a similar set of experiences. “You need those words of encouragement, those people who believe in you and are willing to help you,” he said. Jones said he especially enjoyed the cultural events organized by ESP. “I did things I didn’t have any idea I would even like,” Jones said. “It opened up my mind to things that I can do.” Students must apply to be included in ESP and can do so by downloading the form off the ESP website, www. gvsu.edu/esp. The program is currently equipped to serve a small fraction of GVSU’s student body, so there is a wait list for the program. editorial@lanthorn.com
Sustainability Initiative to host GVSU’s first TED event By Molly Waite GVL Senior Reporter
The open exchange of ideas is one of the most important parts of any liberal education. The Sustainable Community Development Initiative at Grand Valley State University has created another venue for such an exchange in GVSU’s first-ever TED event. The event, called TEDxGrandValley, will take place Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the CookDeWitt Center on Allendale Campus. TED began as an annual conference about Technology, Entertainment and Design, said Emily Martin, the graduate assistant with SCDI. It has grown to hold conferences with other organizations and created the TEDx program, which grants licenses to individuals to organize their own TED-like events. Norman Christopher, executive director of SCDI, said he is very pleased they were able to obtain a license to hold a TEDx event about sustainability for GVSU’s annual Campus Sustainability Week, and he has high hopes for the success of the event. “The TEDx event allows for more participants including faculty, staff, students and those from the local community to present their sustainability stories in a concise and conversational style that will be filmed and shared with others,” said Christopher. “I hope that the TEDx presentations and discussions will inspire others to pursue their own aspirations and feel empowered that they could make a difference in the world today. All of us who
GVL / Andrew Mills
Sustainable practices: GVSU junior Logan Short recycles a newspaper in the Connection Commons.
attend TEDxGrandValley can learn a great deal from others about sustainable lifestyle behaviors and trying to make the best decisions and choices both for today as well as tomorrow.” According to the event flier, 200 to 250 attendees and speakers will take part in the event. Currently, there are 18 confirmed speakers for Tuesday. Erik Nordman, an assistant professor in GVSU’s Natural Resources Management
Program, will present ideas on alternative energy. “Michigan residents, more so than residents of other Great Lakes states, feel a personal responsibility to protect the Great Lakes,” Nordman said. “It is important to understand how our energy choices affect the health of the Great Lakes and the vitality of coastal communities. We need to build an energy system that enhances the quality of the Great Lakes and enhances the quality of life in Michigan.”
The speakers are given an 18-minute limit, said Bart Bartels, project manager of SCDI. He said this time limit turns the event into a fastpaced, high-energy series of presentations because it forces the speakers to focus on what is most important and what they are passionate about. Bartels said he hopes with every new presentation, there will be an “ah-ha” moment for himself and the rest of the GVSU community. “I think it is important
for the GVSU community to attend this event because it will give us a chance to hear the stories of people within our community who are doing incredible things which we may not even know about,” Martin said. “I hope that people will have a chance to discuss how sustainable values challenge us all to live differently and I hope it will challenge all of our thinking and stretch us to go a little further in our journey towards a sustainable lifestyle.” Martin said for those who cannot attend the conference, the entire event will be streamed online and all of the talks will be posted on the TEDxGrandValley website, www.tedxgrandvalley.com, following the event. “We will bring together students, faculty and staff, along with community members, to share ideas across disciplines,” the event flier said. “Using TED’s unique format, a series of speakers will share short talks, followed by periodic breaks to facilitate conversation. Through TEDxGrandValley we hope to spark ideas that will lead to actions towards a more sustainable world.” mwaite@lanthorn.com
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DOWNTOWN
Monday, October 25, 2010
WGVU to host annual wine tasting event By Julie VerHage
ets soon. GVL Staff Writer WGVU works closely with GVSU, partnering on several Students and faculty looking projects durfor a night of jazz music, gourmet ing the year. foods and a sampling of domestic WGVU has a beer and wine need look no far- unique source ther than WGVU’s “Food, Wine, of funding in and all that Jazz” event on Friday. c o m p a r i s o n Plus the event allows attendees with other to support the university’s own c o m m e r c i a l broadcasting station. radio or televiWGVU, a broadcasting service sion stations, EERNISSE of Grand Valley State University, and this upwill host the annual fundraiser coming event from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the is one example of their fundraisGrand Rapids Public Museum. ing efforts. Each year, WGVU and D&W “As a 501©3 Non-Profit OrFresh Market hosts a premier wine ganization, we have supporters tasting event datdonate to us to ing back to 1991 keep us going,” From behind the when WGVU said Timothy hosted its first Eernisse, WGscenes in radio and wine event, then VU’s Developtelevision to named “Tastement and Marful Selections.” keting manager. engineering to They have seen “Seventy percent marketing and a steady increase of our revenue in attendance, comes from indidevelopment, we growing from viduals financialare always looking 600 to 900 atly contributing to tendees. WGVU, 9 percent for volunteers to Guests will from GVSU, 8 assist WGVU ... have more than percent from the 300 wine selecfederal govern-TOM EERNISSE tions to choose ment, 11 percent WGVU’s Development from, along with from business and Marketing manager sponsorships and 25 tables of select gourmet the remainder foods provided from grants and by D&W Fresh Market. Jazz mu- other revenue sources.” sic from Deb Alexander & Co. Faculty, staff, and students are will play during the event, which often found in the studio located includes a wine auction and dis- in the Meijer Public Broadcast counts on wines ordered through- Center on GVSU’s Pew Campus. out the evening. They also have individuals from Tickets to the event are $50 five separate departments aiding per person in advance or $60 per in the development of the WGVU person at the door and are non-re- Engage Committee, which will be fundable. Guests must be 21 years a leading resource for WGVU’s or older to attend. The event typi- Community and Outreach and cally sells out early, so guests are Engagement. encouraged to reserve their tickThere are currently 38 student
Grand Valley Lanthorn
SEE AND DO A&E Events
TODAY Clarinetist, composer and producer Michael Lowenstern will perform works from his new CD “Spin Cycle” today from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Sherman Van Solkema Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center. Lowenstern, one of the most respected bass clarinetists in the world, has recorded and toured with ensembles of all kinds as a soloist. Throughout his 20-year career he has written music for concert, film, dance and other new media. The concert is open to the public with free admission.
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TUESDAY What is Big History and Why Does it Matter?
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Courtesy Graphic / WGVU
employees at WGVU, along with six student interns and three GVSU Scholarship Recipients. Eernisse brought attention to the various opportunities for students to learn about broadcasting. “From behind the scenes in radio and television to engineering to marketing and development, we are always looking for volunteers to assist WGVU and to support students in anyway we can,” he said. Programs run all day, every day on all of WGVU’s channels. The channel focus varies from Laker Athletics to information on international programs around the world. This provides a variety to appeal to a broad audience, as their television broadcast area reaches from Mason County to LaPorte County in Northern Indiana. Tickets to Food, Wine, and all that Jazz are available by calling 800-4422771, and more information can be found at wgvu.org. The event is sponsored in part by Edward Jones, Ed Koehn Auto Group, the Grand Rapids Symphony, Northpoint Bank and Opera Grand Rapids. jverhage@lanthorn.com
Craig Benjamin, Grand Valley State University associate professor in the Department of History and Meijer Honors College, will lead a series of four lectures on Big History presented for the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. As one the of country’s leading experts on Big History, Benjamin has co-written a textbook to be published by McGraw Hill and was featured on the History Channel in the documentary “A Big History of Planet Earth.”The lecture series runs each Tuesday from Oct. 26 to Nov.16 at 7 p.m. in the Upper Donnelly Hall at Aquinas College.
FRIDAY Double Screening of GVSU Summer Film Projects The screening will feature 2008 project “Walter’s Wife,” written by GVSU Alumnus Joshua A. Kinne and directed by Alumnus Andy Fortenbacher. “The Darkroom,” a 2009 project written and directed by faculty film professor Z. Eric Yang, will also be screened. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, followed by a panel discussion featuring GVSU faculty, alumni and professionals who have worked on Michiganproduced feature length films. Screenings begin at 7 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew Campus.
OPINION
editorial@lanthorn.com
Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, October 25 2010
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EDITORIAL CARTOON
EDITORIAL
Laker Nation? Athletics offer central events for students to rally around with school pride, but sports beyond football should not be overlooked especially as those teams start to see a rise in success.
G
rand Valley State University hosts hundreds of different student subgroups from student organizations to musical groups, theater fans and professionally-based alliances. Every student can find his or her niche, and yet it is important to come together as Lakers. Sports typically offer a unifying factor, whether students are diehard fans or simply attend games for the social atmosphere. Traditionally, the football team has provided that common ground at GVSU, but other sports are just as deserving of a strong fan base. The Sept. 9 issue of the Lanthorn included an article highlighting the high level of fan support in the football team’s 34-31 victory over West Texas A&M University to open the season. More than 13,000 people turned out for that game, which still stands as the highest attendance total of the season. Since then the Lakers have moved on to the No. 1 rank in the country, an undefeated 8-0 record and prime positioning to vie for a NCAA National Championship. Because of that, Laker fans turn out in bunches to support them – the team averages 11,450 spectators per home game – but for other as-prominent Laker teams, it’s an uphill struggle to get 11,000 fans to come out in one season, let alone one game. Take the women’s soccer team for example. Last month the team dropped a conference game for the first time in 43 games with an overtime loss to Nothern Michigan Univeristy. But since then the Lakers have risen to a No. 3 national rank, earned eight straight shutout victories and avenged its loss to the Wildcats. The team has out-scored its opponents 64-5 so far this season and yet has only averaged 306 spectators through nine games. 306. Only 2,755 people have come to watch the Lakers play this season, a total that falls well short of the football team’s average game attendance. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team fresh off of its first ever NCAA National Championship. The volleyball team has had trouble getting people to come out as well. Although the team boasts a No. 22 national rank and a 16-5 overall record with 10 straight victories and 11 shutout wins on the season, it averages only 489 spectators through five home games this season. If this university wants to continue to be known as Laker Nation, then let it support all of the members of that nation rather than just one of its larger pillars. The volleyball team has five straight home games coming up before the GLIAC Championship tournament rolls around next month, and the women’s soccer team has a tough conference matchup against Ferris State University at home on Oct. 30. Let the nation come out and show each team at least as much support in one season as it does in one football game.
EDITORIAL CARTOON
GVL / Jacob Bowen
YOUR INSIGHTS
What teaching style do you prefer?
“If I had to pick one, I would prefer a lecture style, but I find it much more beneficial when a lecture style is joined with group discussions ... ”
“I like it when professors use a mixture of handson demonstrations and lecture and notes. That way I can really get a feel for the use of the subject ... ”
“I like when teachers get their students involved, not the typical lecture. It’s more interesting that way.”
“PowerPoints where the teacher gives their input on the information presented. I’ve also found it helpful when they use personal or real-life examples ... ”
“I prefer an involved, caring style, one where the teacher puts themselves into the shoes of the students ... ”
Lincoln Fox Senior Exercise science Berrien Springs, Mich.
Elizabeth Schmieding
Carol Blauwkamp Junior Political science Hudsonville, Mich.
Jared Host Junior Speech pathology Marne, Mich.
Jeffrey S. Linsell Senior Advertising, P.R. Traverse City, Mich.
Sophomore English/C.A. Milford, Mich.
GVL STUDENT OPINION
Fantastic Lakers left fan-less after half Chris Slattery GVL Columnist
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Full disclosure: I know less about football than I do about quantum mechanics. And while it’s common knowledge that the Everett Many-worlds Theory states the implication that alternative histories/ futures and the possibilities that thus derive can exist within the confines of reality, I still find two-point conversions confusing. But what little I know about football seems vast in comparison to my understanding of fan behavior. My question is why Grand Valley State University students tend to leave during the halftime show of all the home games. As a fan of the GSVU football team, I prefer to stay for the
duration of the game because, even though I may not fully grasp what is happening, I can at least comprehend when we are smothering another school into the turf. So it really begs the question: why does someone who can’t tell the defensive linesman from the goalie seem to care more about the Lakers winning than, say, the rest of the student population, who are smart enough to know that there’s no such thing as a defensive linesman. I say “I care more” because players notice a difference in their performance based on how much enthusiasm is behind them. Granted, the fantastic Lakers don’t have much to worry about, but let’s be real for a second; we had some close games early in the season. Even an athletically ignorant person such as myself can attest to that.
Do I blame the fans for those close calls? Not entirely, but I also don’t hold supporters of Christine O’Donnell entirely responsible for her lunacy. What could be so important that GVSU students feel the need to abandon the Lakers in the most important half of a game? I realize that there are reruns of “House, M.D.” on, but that’s what the Internet is for (er, wait, I just got an e-mail about this problem recently ...). The Lakers need the support of the student body they are playing the game for, just like Superman needs positive reinforcement from the people he saves and a Lanthorn columnist needs constructive criticism from readers rather than flaming bags of who-knows on his doorstep. For fans, staying for half of the game only guarantees half of the experience.
Assuming you leave prematurely, you will only see half of the dance moves in Louie the Laker’s dance repertoire. You will also miss half of the chances to jiggle keys in the air on a third down. You will also miss half of the game, which really is what you paid no money for in the first place. Football games are meant to be enjoyed, and not just at the tailgate before hand. Even if you are still confused at to what those yellow posts at each end of the field are for, Lubbers Stadium would likely appreciate it if you stayed for a whole game. That is, unless you’re interested in the theory that — once you leave and are unaware of the score — there may be two possibilities of reality, based on simple quantum physics principles. cslattery@lanthorn.com
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Fresh Food Company should offer better breakfast Being my first semester at GVSU I was oblivious to the campus dining experience. My financial aid paid for a meal plan just shy of a thousand bucks. After earning a job with campus dining I was granted three free meals a week, this would be plenty to keep me fed for the semester. Noticing the abundance of campus dining locations I started the semester optimistic. Breakfast being my go to meal I noticed a lack of hot food selections I’d occasionally get a Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwich at
the Lobby Shop in Kirkhof, but cutting into my valued debit dollars I needed somewhere to burn my abundant meals. I stumbled upon Fresh leaving Mackinac one day and I was drawn in. The first couple weeks was good eatin, I would make time before 11 every day to get a full hearty breakfast. In the last month I have noticed a steep decline in food service. I will get pissed off at least 10 times when I get breakfast, whether it’s no 2% milk at either station ... morale and food rations are down. If Fresh doesn’t
change something has to. We need more hot breakfast options, ones that meet the criteria of a “meal.” If only it were that simple. Fresh isn’t the only wrongdoer, Campus Dining as a whole is lacking. If something doesn’t change, especially at Fresh, I’m going to sock that next person that gives me one piece of bacon. Lance Timmer GVSU student
Additional Letters to the Editor >> See A6
A6
Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, October 25, 2010
OPINION
editorial@lanthorn.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Youth alcohol enforcement too strict at GVSU We get it, GVSU Police Department: You do not like it when we party. Well, I have a message for you, and I’m sure that a good deal of the student population will agree with me: We are not going to stop partying. Even with your oversized grants that allow you to crack down on us, the ludicrous amount of MIP’s given out and notions that you are doing us a favor, your efforts are futile. Undergraduates study endlessly, write papers nonstop, participate in grueling group projects, and at the end of the week the only thing we really care about is to crack open that can of Bud Light. GVSU police try to remind us, through their ominous presence every weekend and the occasional Lanthorn article, that this is a university and we are here to get an education. Duh! They don’t have to tell us
twice. We are the ones toiling week in and week out. Yes, I understand that underage drinking is illegal, that drunk driving is illegal and that the cops are merely doing their jobs to keep us safe. However, and correct me if I’m wrong, aren’t the chances of someone driving intoxicated greatly increased while they are attempting to make a getaway to avoid getting “mipped”? Show me someone who doesn’t have a MIP, and I’ll show you two of their friends who do. Besides, who’s driving to parties anyway? Most of the apartment complexes are in walking distance from each other. And if a student does dare to drive, good luck to them finding a parking space and avoid getting a neon orange “BOOTED” sticker on their window. Even when I’m in my own apartment with six of my sober friends,
I get a keen feeling that either security or the cops will come knocking on my door at 1 a.m. saying my music is disturbing the turkey farm down the road. Color me paranoid and I’ll color you a recluse. I’m sorry GVSU police, but we are in college. People party in college. It’s basically part of the American dream. Good luck trying to convince us to be unpatriotic. I’m not stupid; I know there are reasons for the law. But honestly, the extent to which those laws are carried out here on campus is disheartening. I’m so happy our tuition dollars are going towards cops who make us feel like we are living in Nazi occupied France ... not. Erika Witherspoon GVSU student
The Rapid offers more than ‘nightmare scenario’ While Mr. Slattery’s writing style is not exactly my cup of tea, more my cup of paint thinner, I must let it be known that his assertions about the Rapid, our beloved bus system, are pure poppycock. As an advocate of all transit which is public, including women riding on my bicycle’s handlebars, I must rise in defense of the venerable Rapid routes circling our crowded campus. Firstly the wait ... five minutes standing in the cold builds character and improves posture. Also, nobody said tailgating prior to the bus’s arrival was frowned upon. Let’s make the most of the situation and cook up some burgers and
tip a few sodas back. While the interiors of the 50, 48 and 37 may not resemble the daycare Mr. Slatterly’s mother still drops him off at after school it is certainly not a disappointment. Lively hues of myriad blues cover the walls while the charcoal grey floors always start their day cleaner than a soldier’s dress uniform. Colorful ads spot the ceiling urging passengers to fill out the census by April 10. On the exterior the Rapid is almost as attractive as the women Donald Trump dates. The bus’ sleek design is also kept cleaner than 99 percent of all cars driven by GVSU students. In Slattery’s nightmare scenario he neglects to
mention the Rapid’s environmental benefits. Even non-hybrid buses burn less fuel and spew fewer emissions than would be the case if all bus passengers drove their private cars. This is especially true when we count the men driving their deliberately mudded-up trucks whose exhaust note exclaims “I’m compensating for something.” So while Mr. Slattery is being chauffeured to class by his butler Winston the rest of us germ infested, personal space invading commoners will be taking the Rapid because of its practicality, environmental friendliness, and sanitary appearance. Andrew Justus GVL Columnist
Bottled water no more cleanly than tap water
In this our college community, bottled water is understandably popular for its professed clean, cold, portable, and affordable qualities, but Grand Valley, in reality, there is no real proof that it is cleaner than tap water (in fact, bottled water companies are not required to test their water as frequently as public water sources according to the EPA). Bottles of water are a fortune more than the free drinking fountains and the plastic remains and oil used to create and transport these bottles is damaging to our environment. Okay, to be honest, it is incredibly convenient to pick up a bottle from the C-store or P.O.D. on the way to class, I know the scenario; you come to class thirsty, with no reusable bottle on hand and you can’t carry the drinking fountain to class with you, so naturally wasting your hard earned money (or limited amount of debit dollars) on bottled water is the only option. Students are buying
bottled water every day, which makes it clear that there is a high demand for it. This comes as no surprise—of course there is a high demand! Water is our life source, our basic human need, and we all have the right to this resource. Buying a bottle from a conveniently located vending machine or store shouldn’t be our only reasonable option to obtain drinking water. While Grand Valley provides a lot for its community, there should be ways to get students and staff transportable, fresh, cold water for no cost at all. We have seen baby steps taken in this direction with the water machine at the Connection (students can fill their bottles or cups with room temperature, chilled or sparkling water!) and the machine in Manitou Hall that counts how many bottles we are saving! These changes are a great start, but so much more can be done! We need more fountains, more
water dispensers and even re-usable cups or bottles for those of us who forget to bring or simply do not have a bottle. This would be far superior to a vending machine around every corner of the building. The best part is that it can definitely be done and the GVSU Environmental Coalition is currently working toward this necessity for the benefit of us all. When this goal is accomplished, it will add to Grand Valley’s Green Image, save students countless dollars, and help the environment in a number of ways. If you are interested in helping reach this goal of more convenient, free, and environmentally friendly water consumption, then meet with us at 5 p.m. on Thursdays at the Student Organization Center on the lower level of Kirkhof. Come help us to help make Grand Valley a better place! Cassandra Beach GVSU student
SPORTS
Cody Eding, Sports Editor sports@lanthorn.com
Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, October 25, 2010
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BRIEFS! Women’s tennis wins GLIAC tournament GV SPORTS
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Volleyball team downs No. 15 Wildcats The Grand Valley State University volleyball team knocked off a pair of GLIAC foes during the weekend by defeating Michigan Technological University 3-1 Saturday and downing No. 15 Northern Michigan University 3-1 Sunday. Against the Wildcats, senior middle blocker Rebeccah Rapin led the way with 16 kills and three blocks. She was closely followed by senior Krysta Kornack, who chipped in with 13 kills and four blocks to help the Lakers down the second-best team in the GLIAC 25-15, 26-28, 25-16, 25-20. The win extended the team’s winning streak to 10 games – the longest streak by the Lakers since they won 22 straight matches in the fall of 2008. GVSU knocked off Michigan Tech. 24-26, 25-13, 25-16, 26-24 on Saturday afternoon. During the first set against the Huskies, the lead switched hands six times. The Lakers led 24-23, but Michigan Tech fought back with a block-kill combo to take the set 26-24. Both teams posted 54 kills in Saturday’s match. Rapin tallied a team-high 16 kills, while also adding five blocks. Catalano had 13 kills, eight digs and four blocks. Umoh had nine total blocks, and Scanlon had a team-high 26 assists. The team return home to face Saginaw Valley State University Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the GVSU Fieldhouse.
GLIAC STANDINGS FOOTBALL
1. GVSU (7-0, 8-0) 2. Hillsdale (5-2, 6-2) 3. Wayne State (5-2, 6-2) 4. Michigan Tech (5-2, 5-2) 5. Ferris State (5-2, 5-3) 6. Ashland (4-3, 5-3)
VOLLEYBALL
1. Hillsdale (14-0, 20-1) 2. Northern Mich. (13-1, 19-2) 3. GVSU (12-2, 16-5) 4. Tiffin (7-5, 11-11) 5. Ferris State (8-6, 12-9) 6. Northwood (8-6, 11-10)
WOMEN’S SOCCER
1. GVSU (11-1-2, 14-1-2) 2. Tiffin (7-3-2, 9-4-2) 3. Northern Mich. (7-4-3, 7-4-5) 4. Saginaw Valley (8-5-1, 9-6-1) 5. Ferris State (7-5-2, 7-7-3) 6. ODU (5-4-3, 9-4-3)
WOMEN’S TENNIS
1. GVSU (11-0, 15-0) 2. Northwood (10-1, 12-2) 3. Ferris State (9-2, 11-3) 4. Ashland (7-4, 9-5) 5. Wayne State (7-4, 8-6) 6. Ohio Dominican (6-5, 10-6)
GVL Archive / Andrew Mills
Freshman firepower: Freshman Lexi Rice hits a forehand during the ITA Regional Tournament. Rice won in each match she was involved in during the GLIAC tournament last weekend.
Lakers down Northwood University 5-1 to secure first GLIAC title in 30 years By Brady Fredericksen GVL Staff Writer
While every team strives to reach the conference championships, that representation of hard work and success is not the easiest achievement. For the Grand Valley State University women’s tennis team, however, the championship dream became a reality when the Lakers defeated defending champion Northwood University 5-1 in the final round of the GLIAC Championship tournament Sunday in Midland, Mich. In defeating Northwood, who had won every tournament since 2003, the Lakers earned the their first GLIAC Tournament Championship since 1980. The team also defeated Lake Superior State and Wayne State in the GLIAC tournament to reach the title match against Northwood. Against Northwood, the Lakers saw big contributions from their singles winners in junior Tara Hays (unfinished), freshman Niki Shipman (2-6, 6-3, 6-2), senior Chelsea Johnston (unfinished), freshman Lexi Rice (unfinished), senior Darylann Trout (6-4, 6-1) and junior Katelyn Schaffer (6-4, 6-3). The doubles team of Johnston/Trout defeated its opponent 8-1 while the Rice/Jackie Shipman duo won 8-2. After defeating the eighth and fourth seeds, respec-
tively, the team’s reward was No. 2 seed and defending champion Northwood. The Timberwolves, who fell to GVSU 5-4 in the regular season, had experience that the Lakers lacked, but GVSU did not lack confidence heading into the match. “Having beaten them in the regular season, I think everyone is confident that we can do it again,” said sophomore Allison Fecko. “It’s new for us to be in this position, but we’re all in this to win- the seniors really deserve it.” GVSU head coach John Black admitted many of the players wanted to meet Northwood in the title match because, “You want to beat the best team, and that’s been Northwood for the last decade.” Sunday was the biggest match in recent memory for the women’s tennis team. Hungry for a title, the Lakers looked to win their first postseason conference championship since 1980 and, in turn, end Northwood’s streak of seven straight championship wins. “I actually think we’re in better shape going into (Sunday) than Northwood,” Hayes said on Saturday night. “We’re undefeated, and we’ve beaten them. I feel like at the end of the day, we know we can beat them again.” The team, which came into the tournament as the No. 1 seed and regular season conference champion, defeated Lake Superior 5-0 in the quarterfinals on Friday and Wayne State 5-4 in the semifinals on Sat-
urday. In Friday’s match, singles winners included Hayes (6-3, 6-0), Niki Shipman (unfinished), Johnston (unfinished), Rice (unfinished), Trout (6-0, 6-0) and Jackie Shipman (unfinished). In doubles, the Lakers cruised to a sweep with wins by Johnston/Trout (81), Schaffer/Alyssa Lucas (8-3) and Jackie Shipman/ Rice (8-2). The win Friday pushed the Lakers into a semifinal match against No. 4 Wayne State, a team GVSU defeated 7-2 to open the season. Adversity hit the Lakers early when the usually strong doubles teams failed to sustain their dominant play from the regular season. Outside the team of Jackie Rice/Shipman (8-3), GVSU dropped two of its three doubles matches. “Wayne came out really strong today. We didn’t really play bad, but they outplayed us in some aspects,” Black said. “It was the first time we’ve had to dig ourselves out of a hole this year, but it didn’t get us down, and they regrouped and came back stronger in the singles.” After the slow start, the Lakers responded by winning five of six singles matches, led by winners Shipman (unfinished), Johnston (6-3, 6-4), Rice (6-1, 6-3), Trout (6-3, 6-2) and Fecko (6-1, 6-2). bfredericksen@lanthorn.com
Women’s soccer winning streak snaps Lakers tie Tiffin, defeat Findlay during weekend action By Greg Monahan GVL Senior Reporter
The Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team ended an eight-game undefeated streak this weekend by tying in a match against Tiffin University 1-1 before downing the University of Findlay 3-1. The first game featured the two top teams in the GLIAC with Tiffin University coming into the game atop the conference’s south division and the Lakers comfortably ahead in the north. The Lakers struck first when Erin Mruz netted her ninth goal of the season a little more than 18 minutes into the game, but the Dragons countered 10 minutes later by scoring a goal on Chelsea Parise and the GVSU defense, something none of the last eight teams before Friday could do. GVSU head coach Dave DiIanni said he was not excited with how his team performed against the GLIAC’s next-best team. “It was a very competitive, physical game that I don’t think either team liked how they played,” he said. “We’re a possession style team, both Tiffin and us, and I think there were a lot of mistakes. They’re in first place in their division, and we’re first place in ours, and it just didn’t blend into a good game unfortunately.” Tiffin entered the game riding a winning streak of their own, victorious in their last three games. The Dragons, who play on a smaller field
GVL Archive / Dylan Graham
It’s mine!: Senior Jaleen Dingledine battles an opponent in a past game against Michigan Tech. Dingledine tallied a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory over Findlay on Sunday.
than GVSU’s home surface, were able to hold down the powerful Laker offense. “It took us a longer time than usu-
al to make adjustments with our style of play,” said senior defender Jenna Wenglinski. “We let them dictate play rather than us dictating how the
game went, but their field was rough and their team was very aggressive, and we didn’t adjust as well.” Coming into the match, the Lakers had beat each of their last eight opponents by a combined score of 39-0. GVSU had scored at least two goals in each game and notched at least five goals in four of the eight during the team’s winning streak. Sophomore forward Ashley Botts said the team struggled to adapt to playing on the road after wrapping up a five-game homestand. “We had a really great week in practice, and that kind of didn’t reflect on how we did during the game,” she said. “We like to say we’re really good on the road, but yesterday just wasn’t a good game. It’s a hard field to play at with all the fans screaming. It’s a tough place to be in when you have a whole cheering section.” The Lakers played their final road regular season game on Sunday in a 3-1 victory over Findlay and will now focus ahead on the upcoming GLIAC playoffs. DiIanni said he expects more from his team as they hit the most important part of their season. “We’d like to see some more consistency and play our roles well,” he said. “No matter who we play, we have to start showing some more momentum as we head toward the playoffs. I’d like to see us win out, take care of our conference, and we have a good opportunity to do that.” The Lakers will wrap up their regular season at home on Saturday against Ferris State University. The GLIAC playoffs will begin three days later on Nov. 2. gmonahan@lanthorn.com
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SPORTS
Monday, October 25, 2010
Grand Valley Lanthorn
Swim, dive teams sweep at Hillsdale Men defeat Lewis while women top Hillsdale, Lewis By Garrett Pelican GVL Staff Writer
As Grand Valley State University’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams learned Saturday, not much difference stands between victory and defeat. After dropping their season openers to the University of WisconsinMilwaukee on Oct. 15, the Lakers hit the road to Hillsdale College where the men claimed a lopsided 177-46 victory over Lewis University. In a dual meet against Lewis and Hillsdale, the women’s teams cruised to two wins of their own, 193-46 and 205-32, respectively. GVSU head coach Andy Boyce said all that changed for the Lakers was their opponents. “We’re always looking for strong teams to go up against, and when we put Wisconsin-Milwaukee on the schedule, a strong Divi-
sion I team – they were Horizon League champs last year – we knew it was going to be tough, and that’s why we put them on there,” he said. “It’s nice to come back and get a win, but our times weren’t significantly faster than they were last week.”
“Across the board,
we’re looking pretty strong. We’ve got a big conference rival coming against Ashland ... we keep on plugging away in the pool and in practice, and good things will come. -Andy Boyce GVSU head coach
”
Men dominate Calvin Improving to a 1-1 record, the men’s swimmers
and divers got help from several contributors en route to their victory. The Lakers won 11 events, including five in which they commanded the top three times. Boyce praised the across-the-board success from the men with clutch performances coming from freshman Michael Griffith, who took first in the 50-yard freestyle (22.29), freshman Ben Scheurich, who snagged first in the 100-yard freestyle (49.43), and sophomore Derek Mead, who captured first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:45.15). Mead also took home a third-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (4:47.31) and helped Raphael Santos, Leo Dumbovic and Aaron Beebe to a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay (1:35.99). With the primary focus of the teams’ training on a mid-season meet, the Calvin Invitational, Boyce said it was encouraging to see them do well despite swimming and diving tired. “We worked a lot over the summer, and we’ve been working well so far this fall,” Mead said. “I think I’m just happy seeing that the training is paying off. I’d like to try to do this for every meet, so I don’t want it to be a great performance. I want it to be the standard. The training so far this year has definitely been better,
GVL Archive / Eric Coulter Pool power: The men’s swim team prepares for the backstroke. The team defeated Hillsdale College last weekend.
and we’ve gotten in a lot better workouts than last year. So I can tell a lot of people are working harder and working faster.”
Women overwhelm opponents The women’s program enjoyed a day for the books as junior diver Rachel Strom broke the school record for the 3 meter dive – tallying a score of 286.90 – and senior Kim Baughman, sophomore Kelsey Vermeer and juniors Lauren Dorsey and Carly Bush broke the record for the 200 medley relay (1:49.22). Strom, who is enjoying a breakout year after setting the school record for the 1 meter dive (254.03) in Milwaukee, said she credits coaching and staying relaxed with her success this season. “The more I have fun, the better I do,” Strom said. The women’s program captured 12 events on Saturday with standout performances from Bush, who won the 200-yards freestyle
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(1:57.82), the 200-yard fly (2:09.85) and helped the 200 medley relay team to its top finish, and junior Antonia Musto’s first-place finishes in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.77) and the 200 IM (2:13.16). The wins moved the women’s program to a 2-1 record. “I think we just have to keep on working hard,” Boyce said. “Across the board, we’re looking pretty strong. We’ve got a big conference rival coming up next weekend against Ashland – they’re looking strong than ever. We have Calvin College on Friday night to help prep us for that meet against Ashland on Saturday, but we keep on plugging away in the pool and in practice, and good things will come.” Teams look to Calvin Invitational While the wins lend the teams momentum in their upcoming home meet, the swimmers and divers know the importance of starting the season strong. “We all have some pretty big goals for conference and nationals,” Mead said. “Obviously you want to win conference, and we came in fourth last year at nationals, so we want to do better than that.” Until then, Boyce said there is plenty of work to do. “There are certain swimmers that are really rising to the challenge, and they’re above where I though they would be at this point and others that are a little beat up right now, a little tired, that aren’t quite where we thought they would be,” he added. “But I’m confident they’ll be there at the end of the season and at the Calvin invitational here in the first week of December.” The teams will compete at Calvin College on Friday before meeting Ashland University at home on Saturday. gpelican@lanthorn.com
SPORTS
Grand Valley Lanthorn
Monday, October 25, 2010
GV has no trouble against rival Ferris State Lakers earn first Bulldog shutout since 1989 By Cody Eding GVL Sports Editor
Best said through the words of the losing coach, the Grand Valley State University football team took a step forward Saturday afternoon. A week after surrendering 23 points and 494 yards of total offense to thenwinless Lake Erie College, the Lakers responded with the team’s first shutout since 2008 in the 41-0 blanking of rival Ferris State University Saturday. “You’ve got to give some credit to Grand Valley,” said Ferris State coach Jeff Pierce. “That’s a high-horsepower football team, and I think from last week to this week, I think they took a pretty huge step. You have to play your A-game; everything has to be clicking. You can’t drop footballs. You can’t miss this, or you can’t miss that to be able to beat a football team like that, and that just didn’t happen for us.” The Lakers (8-0, 7-0 GLIAC) dominated Ferris State in all facets of the game and held the Bulldogs to a season-low total of 118 yards of offense. Strong play from the defensive line led the way for GVSU. The Lakers totaled six sacks, the sixth-highest single-game total in school history, and had little trouble handling Ferris State’s spread offense. Sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Allen tallied 2.5 sacks while senior linebacker Justin Victor had nine tackles. “All the credit goes to the coaches,” Allen said. “They put us in perfect plays to make plays. It’s just our job to wrap up and make tackles when the opportunity presents itself. I mean, it feels good because the coaches have been on us, especially the d-line, to be dynamic and to have somebody that is making plays. It’s good to get the shutout — It’s always good to get a shutout.” The pressure from the GVSU front upset the timing of Ferris State’s offense, which led to many missed passes and blown-up running plays. Ferris State quarterback Tom Schneider left
GVL Archive / Eric Coulter
Dual threat: GVSU quarterback Kyle McMahon prepares for a snap in a past game. McMahon led the Lakers with 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Ferris State on Saturday.
the game with a head injury after senior defensive end Nick Lawrence leveled him shortly before halftime, further impairing the struggling offense. “We got a lot of pressure on their quarterback, which was key to the game,” said GVSU head coach Matt Mitchell. “Obviously, Nick had a big hit there before half which knocked Schneider out. Tom Schneider is their best player, and we just never really gave him a chance to get anything going running or passing the ball.” For one of the rare occasions this season, the GVSU special teams unit
did not disappoint. Redshirt freshman kicker Ryan Stokes was handed the field goal duties during the week and responded by converting all five extra point opportunities. He also hit field goals of 25 and 23 yards. “Ryan Stokes did a great job for us,” Mitchell said. “He rose to the occasion. We ended up making that move, put a lot of pressure on him this week in practice. He had a rough week, not in terms of kicking the ball, but a lot of me on him a lot. He came out here and he responded, so I’m happy about that.” Stokes’ field goals came after the
GVSU offense stalled in the red zone, which did not happen often. The Lakers converted on 10-of-14 third down attempts. “I was extremely excited today when I saw both of those kicks go through the uprights,” said senior quarterback Kyle McMahon. “It’s a great feeling knowing that he has confidence in himself. You could just tell today when he was kicking that he was really happy with what he was doing. He was able to make them. It does take a lot of pressure off of us.” The offensive line had another great performance as the Lakers racked up 242 rushing yards and kept McMahon and redshirt freshman reserve quarterback Heath Parling mostly free from pressure. “Our offensive line played great,” McMahon said. “Basically, we put the game in their hands saying that we needed to run the ball today, and they were able to do that. They came out. They were ready to go from the start. You could just tell in the pre-game warm up. You could tell in the locker room before the game that they were ready to go.” McMahon completed 11-of-15 passes for 182 yards and a secondquarter, 55-yard touchdown to junior wide receiver Jovonne Augustus. The senior quarterback also led the Lakers with 64 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. Also scoring touchdowns for the Lakers were sophomore running back Norman Shuford and Parling. Augustus’ touchdown catch immediately followed an interception by redshirt freshman cornerback Michael Hatcher and came on one of the best passes thrown by McMahon all season. “I just knew he’d go get it,” McMahon said. “They were in cover three, so I checked it to a go. I knew he could win on the corner. He was moving, so I just figured I’d get it out there as far as I could, and when he went up, I was pretty confident the way he went up that he was going to be able to make the catch.” sports@lanthorn.com
Men’s club soccer within reach of national tournament University. “We’re one of the few GVL Senior Reporter schools that don’t have a varsity team,” said GVSU head To be the best, a team must coach Jeff Crooks. “Purdue improve upon itself game af- doesn’t either, neither does Ilter game, season after season. linois. They’re all good teams. For the last three years, The national champion has Grand Valley State Univer- come out of our division in sity’s men’s club soccer team five or six of the last 10 years. has done just that while still We’re playing tough teams.” finding time to have fun toCrooks added the toughgether. ness of competing against a “It’s really laid back top-tier school makes enterbut competitive,” said se- ing postseason play quite difnior keeper Andy Stradtner. ficult. “We’re all good friends. We “We’ve never beaten all hang out, and we have a Michigan,” he said. “We had great time playto beat Miching together.” igan State to As the only get in. It was We took a men’s collegiate tied between step in the soccer team in the two of us. Allendale (a they had right direction All varsity squad to do was tie does not exist), when we beat or win and GVSU plays they would (Michigan) in the Midwest have been Soccer Allithrough and State. ance, considsent us home. ered by many -Jeff Crooks It’s the secto be one of the ond time in GVSU Head Coach eight years toughest club conferences in that we have the nation. even beaten “Our conference is really Michigan State.” challenging,” Stradtner said. Senior team co-captain “Only two or three losses and Nick Carlesso said defeating you’re out. It’s all about stay- the Spartan club team was the ing focused through the whole most significant victory of his season.” career and the team’s season. The 11-team conference “The biggest moment this is comprised of many big- year for the team was the win name schools within driving against State,” he said. “Whodistance, including Big Ten ever won that game was goConference teams Purdue ing to go onto the playoffs, so University, the University winning that game that was of Illinois, the University of the highlight so far this year.” Michigan and Michigan State Athletics aside, club play-
By Curtis Kalleward
“
”
B3
WHAT THEY SAID: “
Glad to get this on our belt. This is a big one. Ferris always plays us really tough and it was a big game for the conference. I thought our kids were extremely focused all week in practice. Like I said, probably our best game to date when you take into account all three phases of the football.” -Matt Mitchell GVSU head coach
KEY PERFORMERS Ryan Stokes, kicker The redshirt freshman converted all five extra points and hit field goals of 23 yards and 25 yards.
Brandon Allen, defensive line Allen, a sophomore, had 2.5 sacks and six tackles.
SCORING SUMMARY
Grand Valley State University 41 Ferris State University 0
GVSU FSU
1st 2n 3r 4th Final 10 14 10 7 41 0 0 0 0 0
First Quarter 7:02 GVSU – Kyle McMahon 4 yd run (Ryan Stokes kick) 1:38 GVSU – Stokes 25 yd field goal
Second Quarter 7:03 GVSU – Norman Shuford 1 yd run (Stokes kick) 2:13 GVSU – Jovonne Augustus 55 yd pass from McMahon (Stokes kick) Third Quarter 9:31 GVSU – McMahon 6 yd run (Stokes kick) 2:30 GVSU – Stokes 23 yd field goal
Courtesy Photo / gvsu.edu Rough division: The men’s club soccer team must beat Big Ten teams to reach the national tournament.
ers face difficult challenges off the playing fields. Club players pay dues in every sport, and coming up with the money to play is not always easy. The men’s club soccer team is sponsored by Mancino’s Pizza and also hosts many different fundraising activities in order to compete. “To pay dues, we do team sponsorships, we do some fundraisers, and we put on three-on-three tournaments sometimes, too,” Carlesso said. “Then everybody pays dues on top of that. It keeps going up every year. Traveling, referee fees, and less money received from the
school all add to the rising costs.” Now that a national tournament berth is within reach, the team thinks that, with the correct mixture of strong play and a little bit of luck, they can grasp onto it, Crooks said. “We took a step in the right direction when we beat State,” he said. “We put ourselves in position to get to the conference tournament. It’s been a struggle. Now, can we put ourselves in a position so that we can win one of those last two games and have a chance to go to the national tournament?” ckalleward@lanthorn.com
Fourth Quarter 5:15 GVSU – Heath Parling 2 yd run (Stokes kick)
B4
Grand Valley Lanthorn Monday, October 25, 2010
LAKER LIFE
Haley Otman, Laker Life Editor lakerlife@lanthorn.com
Expanding horizons beyond Allendale, Grand Rapids
Students learn Spanish through Mexican immersion By Haley Otman GVL Laker Life Editor
Courtesy Photo / Nicole Summers
German adventure: GVSU student Nicole Summers (pictured) was chosen as one of 35 U.S. students for a German ambassador program.
Student chosen as DAAD young ambassador By Brittney Mestdagh GVL Staff Writer
Previous young ambassadors have come from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, but Grand Valley State University boasts the first young ambassador from West Michigan. Nicole Summers is one of 35 students from the U.S. and Canada selected as a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschbienst, or a German Academic Exchange Service young ambassador. DAAD is a national agency that offers grants and scholarships for students interested in German higher education to study abroad students. Professor Regina Smith nominated Summers, who spent the summer at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen assisting in a government-funded research project. Young ambassadors give presentations and talk to students about studying abroad. However, they are not restricted to serving their universities, Summers said. They can also schedule presentations at other universities. “It is good for students to hear about study abroad from their peers, someone who has experienced this before,” Smith said. As a psychology and German double major, Summers was not only interested in German culture and language, but also in research. She worked with GVSU psychology professor Wolfgang Friedlmeier on various research projects, and he helped her locate a colleague of his in Germany, Professor Sabine Walper. At Ludwig-MaximiliansUniversitat Munchen, one of the top research universities in Ger-
many, Summers worked with Walper’s research team on a project to change child custody laws. Summers said more children are being born outside of marriages. Thirty percent of children in Munich and 40 percent of children in Berlin have unmarried parents. “People are not as traditional as they used to be,” she said. The mother has custody of the child, and there are no laws directing the mother to share custody. She can give permission to the father to see the child, but she can take the child away, as well. Unmarried mothers also get more governmental support, including more days off from work. Summers analyzed statistics, gathered literature and wrote reviews on the topic. Before she left Germany, the results were sent to the government to decide what action to take. Summers said researching in Germany is different from researching at GVSU as German students spend more time researching in large chunks while Americans spread the research process out over time. “I spent eight hours in a lab coding statistics,” she said. “I was required to contribute a lot more.” Friedlmeier said professors hold a higher position in Germany. They have assistants and doctoral students to manage different aspects of the research process. Summers saw Walper seldom but had an established chain of communication. At GVSU, professors work closely with students on a “face-to-face basis.” Summers said she hopes through her position to inspire students to embrace learning German culture and language. She added it was a shock when she arrived. Stepping out into a big, strange city, she had to learn how to move around in her daily routines. She did not know where to purchase daily necessities because Germany does not have a Meijer down the road, she said. “There is so much you learn from the social language and the culture that you do not get in the classroom,” Smith said. bmestdagh@lanthorn.com
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Mayra Fortes will return home to Mexico with a small group of students next summer to show them her country’s culture and language. Fortes, a Spanish professor at Grand Valley State University, will lead her first study abroad group to Mexico for a little more than a month. She will teach a Mexican culture course, and students will take Spanish language courses from Mexican professors at the Universidad de Guadalajara. Guadalajara is on the western end of Mexico near the Pacific Ocean and is one of the largest cities in the country. The city has an old-world colonial ambiance, Fortes said. “You get this mix of colonial and modern,” she said. Students are required to sign a waiver acknowledging the U.S. travel warning for Mexico, but Fortes said the warning should not deter students from studying in the country. She said the dangerous areas are in the northern areas of Mexico near the U.S. border, and her group will be in a much safer area where many GVSU students have studied in the past. She added GVSU would not allow its students and faculty to go somewhere unsafe. Katy Bode, a Spanish major, went on last summer’s faculty-led trip to Guadalajara and echoed Fortes’ sentiments that the GVSU students will be in a secure area. “I felt safe at all times,” Bode said. She took ordinary precautions that she also takes here in Allendale, such as not walking alone at night. “It’s very far away from any of the problems in Mexico.” Bode said she sees one of the most lasting remnants of her time in Guadalajara each week in her Spanish classes, when she can put what she learned to use. “I noticed I volunteered a lot more in class, and I feel a lot more comfortable speaking in Spanish,” she said. Fortes said a main attraction to studying abroad is the ability to be immersed in the language and culture, which will vastly improve speaking and listening skills. “They will have to communicate in Spanish because their families are not going to speak English,” she said. The students will not only live with a Guadalajaran host family but will also eat real Mexican cuisine provided daily for a total immersion experience. Bode said she Courtesy Photo / Katy Bode was scared the Hispanic happenings: Spanish major food would be too Katy Bode (pictured) went to Guadalajara spicy, but she ended on a faculty-led trip last summer. up really enjoying it. As for the stories about drinking Mexican water, she said she was told if a restaurant had tablecloths on the tables, she could drink the water. The rule worked for her, and she also got to drink from the Culligan water her host family kept in their house. Total culture immersion is what sparked the interest of Spanish minor Samantha Kraak in Fortes’ upcoming program. “I love the Latino and Hispanic cultures, but I’ve never had a firsthand experience with it,” she said. Kraak plans to apply for the program soon so she can add to not only her Spanish skills but also her knowledge as an advertising major. She hopes to learn what appeals to Mexican and Latino consumers. The trip will take place from May 8 to June 13, and applications are due on Feb. 1. The program fee of $2,397 includes round-trip airfare, staying with a host family, meals, textbooks and field trips. A notable expense not included is six credits of tuition to GVSU for the two classes students will take. To learn more, visit gvsu.edu/studyabroad. lakerlife@ lanthorn.com
MARKETPLACE
Grand Valley Lanthorn
Announcements Careerfest & Federal Opportunities Fair. Come out Wednesday October 13 from 2 pm to 6pm at the DeVos Place Convention Center 303 Monroe, Grand Rapids. For information on employers visit www.gvsu.edu/careerfairs Interested in Grad School? Come to the Graduate School Fair Thursday October 14th 10am-2pm in Henry Hall. For more information contact the Counseling and Career Development Center of the Office of Graduate Studies. Help save water and don’t leave sinks and showers running when you are not using them. For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices/ Catholic Campus Ministry. St. Luke University Parish. Your catholic connection at GVSU. Sunday Masses: Allendale Christian School 8:00 & 10:30 am Grand Valley Cook-DeWitt 5:30pm. Check out Biggby Coffee located in Allendale! Along with great drinks, Biggby offers free wi-fi and is conveniently located to campus. Stop in today! Help us save energy and switch to CFL or LED light bulbs. Standard light bulbs waste a lot of electricity and don’t last long. For more information visit. www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices/ Live your best life! Snap Fitness offers two convenient locations in Allendale and Grand Rapids. Stop in today and get your first month free! www.snapfitness.com We wash every car like it’s our own! Stop by Allendale Auto Wash today! Located _ mile west of GVSU campus. 616.895.5040. Check out this new homepage for Grand Valley students! Makes everything you use only one click away! www.thestudenthomepage.c om
Welcome back GVSU students! Motman’’s Farm Market is now open and has great deals for students and staff. Located one mile east of GVSU Campus! Weekend masses Saturday 4pm, Sunday 9am and 11am. 733 Bridge St, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504. (616) 458-3213. Visit www.stjamesparish.catholicweb.com. Welcome back GVSU students! Motman’s Farm Market opens September 8th and offers great deals to students and staff. Located one mile east of GVSU Campus!
Entertainment The Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival and Theater presents As You Like It. Performances: October 1-10. For tickets call 616-331-2300 o r v i s i t www.starticketsplus.com. For more information visit www.gvsu.edu/shakes Every Monday is College Night. Get in for just $5 with your College ID. Text KZOOVU to 68683 to receive discounts and coupons! Visit dejavu.com
Roommates Roommate Wanted in home in Grand Rapids, 10 minutes from Pew Campus. $370 utilities included. Call Marcie at (810) 610-5132.
Services Experienced Attorney 3 Miles from Campus. 616.895.7300. www.davidknoesterplc.com. Lake Michigan Dental has been supporting smiles for generations! Conveniently located one block west of Covell Street on the GVSU bus route! 616-453-8211 or www.lakemichigandental.co m Legal help for college students. We represent students with MIP and all other criminal charges. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation. 616-304-1414 or www.edudefense.com Legal help for college students. We represent students with MIP and all other criminal charges. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation. 616-304-1414 or www.edudefense.com
Opportunities Changing the world by changing theirs. TEACH. $30,000 Fellowship. Master Degree. Ongoing Support. Apply now – October 13 deadline. www.wwteachfellowship.org.
Housing Grand Valley’s best kept deal. University Townhomes & Apartments guarantees the lowest price per person. Enjoy a quiet atmosphere with a variety of home styles to choose from less than 2 miles from campus. Call Tim today 616-477-5511 2 Houses for rent. Side by side houses. 3-4 bedroom, 2 bath. Houses with garage. 3 miles from campus. Available May 2011. $1,100.00 per month. 616-886-8535
Duplex for rent. 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units available for May and August 2011. Call for details 616-886-8535 Subleaser needed for winter semester. Spacious 4 bedroom loft (need one more) 5 minutes from downtown GR. $393.75/month electric. American Seating Broadway. Free parking & Internet. clippara@mail.gvsu.edu
Internships Environmental research internship opportunity. The Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley is dedicated to studying the Great Lakes and offers great hands on internship opportunities. For more information contact www.gvsu.edu/wri
Employment Experienced bartender needed for expansion, apply at Mancino’s from 1-4 Monday-Friday. No phone calls.
Wanted Bartenders wanted. Up to $250/Day. No Experience necessary. Training provided. Age 18+ Okay. Call 1-800-965-6520. ext. 226.
Visit Lanthorn.com for Sudoku solutions
Monday, October 25, 2010
B5
B6
LAKER LIFE
Monday, October 25, 2010
Grand Valley Lanthorn
Alternative Breaks leaders recommend trip to all students By Susie Skowronek GVL Senior Reporter
For opportunities to volunteer, learn about social issues and meet new people, Alternative Breaks has a fully-loaded buffet. The organization sends groups of students on service trips around the U.S., and the deadline to apply for a spot on these volunteer voyages is quickly approaching. Alternative Breaks coordinator Cory Jackson said he encourages everyone, especially transfer students and freshmen looking for new friends, to go on a service trip. Jackson has gone on four breaks and led two. Trails – Spring Break 2010 Upon the GVSU group’s arrival at a state park for the Trails spring break trip, a ranger said they could not honk the horn of their vehicle because the act would violate the law. “The state rangers said we had to yell, ‘hooty-hoo,’” Jackson said. For five days, the Alternative Breaks students, yelling in a law-abiding manner, drove in a 15-passenger van to relocate to various places in the park. One of their tasks involved building fish habitats out of recycled materials. Jackson said his group tossed picnic tables into the water to create livable environments for the fish. At one point, they lugged a particularly difficult table to the edge of a pond. After they maneuvered the wooden structure into the water, it floated in circles for the rest of the week. The Alternative Breaks group from GVSU also helped paint and clean up the park. On the last day of the trip, the park ranger who greeted them on the first day said he lied
GVL / Susie Skowronek
Sign of change: The Delta Zeta sorority sits outside the clock tower as it teaches sign language to passing students.
Celebrating individuals with disabilities Courtesy Photo / Melissa Ostrowski
What a bite: GVSU student Melissa Ostrowski holds an alligator she caught during the River Restoration Alternative Breaks trip last spring.
about the no-honk law. “He told us he was just messing with us,” Jackson said. Youth and Education – Spring Break 2010 At an inner-city elementary school, public relations chair Ashley Peterle worked in classrooms, at recess and in afterschool programs. She played games with the students during breaks and helped them with their homework after school. “A lot of the students came from rough backgrounds,” she said. “A lot of their families probably didn’t graduate, and it was a hard time getting them to enjoy doing homework – or even to do their homework at all.” The elementary school students liked playing basketball or jumping rope at recess. The girls enjoyed braiding Alternative Breaks women’s hair. “They loved the feeling of the hair because it was different from theirs,” Peterle said. River Restoration – Spring Break 2010 Melissa Ostrowski, who will be a site leader for one of the winter break trips this year, spent last spring break shoveling empty oyster shells from restau-
rants into ecologically friendly, netted bags. The River Restoration team helped build an oyster shell reef at the edge of a river to prevent its erosion. “I don’t think this project has been used in other places,” she said. “We hope that the oysters start to use the man-made reef and make it bigger.” She said a man who lived near the river for 20 to 30 years had seen the shoreline by his house recede 10 to 20 yards. A group of college students stayed in the same housing as the Alternative Break participants from GVSU. Ostrowski said the other college students sometimes went out during the evening to catch creatures, including alligators. “Luckily the students would tape the mouth and arms, so they wouldn’t attack me,” she said. The deadline to apply for spring break trips is Nov. 19, and Nov. 5 is the deadline for winter break trips. Each costs $250. Details can be found at www. gvsualternativebreaks.com. sskowronek@lanthorn.com
>> SEE MORE
Visit Lanthorn.com to view a story on Alternative Breaks service days
GVL Archive / Eric Coulter
Creative standard: Students turn out for last year’s Creative Smackdown, which was renamed Yardsticks.
Ad designs to see how they measure up at ‘Yardsticks’ By Marcus J. Reynolds GVL Staff Writer
Yardsticks, formerly known as Creative Smackdown, aims to provide a competitive forum for West Michigan advertising and design students to see how they measure up to one another. The event allows students to display their work for critique by area professionals within the same field. Frank Blossom, a Grand Valley State University advertising professor, founded the event in 2002. Although the competition has been rebranded, the core remains the same. “Creative Smackdown had an aggressive name, which may have put some people off,” Blossom said. “Yardsticks is a better metaphor. How do you measure up?” Blossom said Yardsticks is the largest event of its kind involving Michigan students in the fall. Participants can enter one product into the contest in either the advertisement or the graphic design category. “The event is a great way to have your peers and professionals check out your work,” said senior Kendra Lokker. Eight professionals will judge the entries this year. The professionals represent companies such as Gordon Food Service, Palazzolo Brand Builders and Stegeman Creative. Entries will be judged on concept clarity, craftsmanship and creativity. “The judges are all well
known and carry some clout,” Blossom said. “If you get a good recommendation letter from them, others pay attention. The judges also use this event to prospect for new talent.” Each judge will pick three of the products from the displayed work to receive a professional recommendation and critique. One winner from each category will receive the “Golden Yardstick trophy.” Along with the name, the location has also changed, and the prize money has been removed from the competition. This year, the planning team wanted a less formal and expensive environment. The competition relocated to the newly opened ACTIVESITE, a studio located at 40 Monroe Center in Grand Rapids. With the new venue and format, the coordinators expect 50 participants and 200 observers to attend this year. “Every year it keeps getting better and better,” said Adam Flokstra, part of the Yardsticks promotions committee. “I volunteered for the past two years to gain experience from someone who is knowledgeable about the field.” Yardsticks will be held Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration is free, and the deadline is Tuesday. For more information, go to www.theyardsticks.com. mreynolds@lanthorn.com
By Susie Skowronek GVL Senior Reporter
The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act 20 years ago opened workplaces, educational institutions and other public entities for equal rights. Grand Valley Disability Advocates, a student organization that formed last year, celebrated its first Disability Advocacy Month this October with the campus department Disability Support Services. “The month gives an opportunity for offices like mine and advocacy groups to bring to light different information about disabilities so people can be more cognizant about disabilities,” said Director of DSS Kathleen VanderVeen. For a physical or mental impairment to qualify as a disability, it must affect a major life function, such as walking, learning, seeing or talking. VanderVeen said about 80 percent of students who use DSS have a hidden disability, such as a learning disability or ADHD. “Attention is a major life function,” VanderVeen added. “It qualifies because it affects the way a person learns.” Tiffany Korican, president
of the GVDA, has a hidden visual disability. After six corrective eye surgeries, she still has difficulty seeing from the back of classrooms. She sits at the front and sometimes asks professors to help her with notes. Korican said she has not had any problems with GVSU professors. She has not had to use DSS to advocate for her visual disability – professors readily accommodate. But she was not so lucky in high school. After her most recent eye surgery, a high school teacher refused to give her an extension on a paper, which was due the day after the surgery, Korican said. She could not see the computer to type. To prevent these kinds of miscommunications, DSS also provides faculty and staff training sessions. “Professors need to recognize some students have trouble keeping up with the fast pace of learning in college,” Korican said. VanderVeen said faculty members are introduced to DSS at their orientations. Faculty members learn the laws and regulations of the support services. “They are pretty well-informed of what is expected of them,” VanderVeen said. Not only have GVSU facul-
ty participated during October, but so have the student groups. Members of Delta Zeta stood under the Clock Tower on Oct. 18 catching students between classes to teach them how to sign their names and simple phrases in American Sign Language. By teaching students a bit of ASL, members of the sorority said they wanted to raise awareness for the hearingimpaired, Delta Zeta’s national philanthropy. “Sign language is the third most common language,” said Emily Larson, vice president of programming for the sorority. “But we feel the hearingimpaired are often an afterthought.” Early in the month, the GVDA members passed out candy secured to facts about disabilities – one in five individuals have disabilities. While GVSU does not see many hate crimes on campus, VanderVeen said at times discrimination can be involuntary. Advocacy and education is a good way to combat unconscious prejudice, she said. “If there is something that is inadvertently discriminatory, bringing things to people’s attention is how things will change,” she said. sskowronek@lanthorn.com