SPECIAL ISSUE: MONEY MAT TERS
Lanthorn
GV FOOTBALL FALLS TO OHIO DOMINICAN AT HOME OPENER
G R A N D VA L L EY
SEE A7
ST U D E NT- R U N P U B L I C AT I O N S / / P R I N T . O N L I N E . M O B I L E / / L A N T H O R N . C O M
VO L . 49
MO NDAY, SEPTEM BER 15
NO. 8
STUDENT HIT BY CAR ON 48
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ARTS AT NOON SERIES BEGINS ITS 37TH YEAR AT GV HIT AND RUN:
SEE A10
A Grand Valley State University student was hit by a car on 48th street on Sept. 6. The car that struck her didn’t stop, but instead she was helped by several other people who pulled over to call for help. Police are now looking for the person responsible.
WOMEN’S SOCCER LOSES FIRST GAME SINCE 2012 SEE A7
KEVIN SIELAFF GVL
sore muscles and bruising,” Tomcsik said. “Sitting through my two 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. classes and daily activities are really hard right now.” Tomcsik cannot remember much about the car that hit her except for the fact that the vehicle had circular tail lights and, based on the impact of the accident, front bumper damage. Working with the Ottawa County Sheriff ’s Department, news of the accident has been posted in hopes of finding a lead on the accident. “The weird thing is that I’ve already forgiven the person who did this, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want justice,” Tomcsik said. “If the driver would have stopped, I wouldn’t have personally pursued this so hard. They just need to think about the fact that this is a human life in jeopardy.” One of Tomcsik’s biggest concerns is keeping future students walking down the roads safe.
With limited lighting and visibility in an area where many students walk, it causes a concern, especially if students have been drinking. “I want to try and turn this into a positive lesson for others,” Tomcsik said. “There’s a lesson to be learned here about driving responsibly. To all drivers, do the right thing and think about the kind of person you want to be.” The case is still under investigation by the Ottawa County Sheriff ’s Department. “I know God and my brother were looking over me,” Tomcsik said. “I, and my family, are forever grateful for that and the help from the cars that stopped to help me.” Though the accident took place under Ottawa County surveillance, the Grand Valley Police Department feels passionately about
Secretary of State office comes to GV
GV waits to inform student body of sexual assault
BY HANNAH LENTZ HLENTZ@LANTHORN.COM
rooke Tomcsik, a student at Grand Valley State University, was walking home when she was struck from behind by a motor vehicle near the intersection of 48th Avenue and Pierce Street on Sept. 6. After the accident, the car drove away without hesitation, making Tomcsik a victim of a hit and run. Shortly after the accident, several cars stopped to help Tomcsik, putting a blanket over her and contacting emergency services. After arrival at Spectrum Health hospital, X-rays and examinations revealed that Tomcsik had bruises covering her body, lacerations, mild elbow injuries and extreme discomfort and body aching. “I’m really lucky I only walked away with
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GV MOMS EXCHANGE ADVICE THROUGH CAMPUS GROUP SEE A3
Co l lege Students Resgistered To Vote In 2010 HISPANIC
42%
SEE HIT & RUN ON A2
BY AUDRA GAMBLE NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
WHITE
56%
BLACK
A
55%
EXERCISING RIGHTS: In 2010, many college students did not register to vote, either because
GVL
| KATIE ZIOLKOWSKI
they didn’t know how, missed the deadline or said they were not interested.
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for many years and has always found it to be a popular resource for students. Stoll said the main goal is to help get students connected so they can be active as engaged citizens. “I would encourage students to be knowledgeable about the election process,” he said. “Everyone should be informed and educated about the issues so they’re able to make good personal decisions.” He also said students should remember to bring their driver’s license and other necessary doc-
uments if they wish to take advantage of the office. Political science professor Donald Zinman said he is glad the office is returning because it can make voting easier for students, especially those who are registered to vote at their permanent address instead of their current one. “Getting young people to the polls is more of an effort, though not impossible,” Zinman said. “Part of the problem is the off-year elections, when the voter turnout SEE SECRETARY ON A2
25%
of students reported
| MARISSA DILLON
he Grand Valley State University Student Senate is collaborating with the Office of Student Life to bring a mobile Secretary of State office to the Allendale Campus this week as part of the 2014 mobile office college tour. Madelaine Cleghorn, vice president of external relations for Student Senate, is working with the mobile office and student organizations to publicize the event. Cleghorn said the office will give students, faculty and staff in the area an opportunity to register to vote in time for the midterm elections on Nov. 4. “By giving students an accessible way to register, they will be more likely to vote in the November 2014 election and in future elections as well,” Cleghorn said. “Also, there have been issues in the past with fraudulent voter registration, so we intend to eliminate that possibility by having people register directly with the Secretary of State mobile office.” In addition to voter registration, Cleghorn said the mobile office “can do anything a tradi-
tional Secretary of State office can do.” These services include renewing a driver’s license or changing an address. Information about absentee ballots will also be provided. Cleghorn added that the office is also there to answer any questions people may have. “We want to ensure their voices are heard,” she said. Bob Stoll, associate dean for student life, has been conversing with Cleghorn as well as the mobile office in preparation for this event. Stoll said he has helped bring the mobile office to GVSU
in 2010 that they did not register to vote because they did not know where or how to register or missed the deadline.
GVL
BY STEPHANIE BRZEZINSKI ASSISTANTNEWS@LANTHORN.COM
INFORMED: The Secretary of State mobile office is coming to
GVSU, a collaboration between Student Senate and the OSL.
NEW PERSPECTIVES Every Week To share your perspective with the Grand Valley Community #Lanthorn
Grand Valley State University student was raped in her apartment on Sunday, Sept. 7 just before 4 a.m. The student’s apartment in Country Place Apartments was broken into, and then the student was sexually assaulted. Though the GVSU student reported the incident to the police directly after it happened, GVSU students were not notified of the assault “Crime can until Thursday afternoon, nearly five happen any days later. place. It’s The sexual assault took place off cam- one of those pus, and as such, the situations investigation is unthat we’re der the jurisdiction of Ottawa County always police, rather than trying to the Grand Valley Police Department. stay aware.” However, GVPD says they are doing all BRANDON they can to assist with DEHAAN the investigation. GVPD CAPTAIN “We work with the sheriff ’s department often involving Grand Valley students and non-students as well,” said GVPD Capt. Brandon DeHaan. “If it’s on our campus or around the area, we’ll assist them.” While the safety notice was not sent out through GVPD, DeHaan said that his officers are aware of the situation. “Our officers have been made aware of this, but at this point in time, our officers are on patrol and we ask our officers and students to be aware,” DeHaan said. “Crime can happen any place. It’s one of those situations that we’re always trying to stay aware.” While DeHaan and other GVPD officers had to defer to the Ottawa County police, some students were unhappy with the slow SEE ASSAULT ON A2