Nile Young

The 1990s were a prosperous time for the nation, and the student journalists laboring in the basement of Anspach Hall saw the paper through the transition from word processors to the rise of the Internet.

“There was no Internet, no PCs. We had machines called VDTs … they were basically word processors,” said Todd Schulz, managing editor of CM Life in 1991 and 1992, now working in corporate Communications at Consumer’s Energy.

As the managing editor, Schulz was responsible for the design and layout, which was still done by hand on copy paper.

Leonard Plachta assumed the university presidency in January 1992, and Schulz said a big story was the debate over whether to use the Chippewa name as mascot.

Stories were published about an Adam Sandler appearance at CMU, and an investigative piece on underage alcohol sales.

“We sent out underage reporters to see where they could buy alcohol,” said Bryan Bosch, a photo editor for CM Life in 1997. “We had enough beer and liquor to have a party.”

The story was printed with photos of the establishments that sold the alcohol.

According to Bosch, neither students or the establishments were happy about the story.

Bosch remembers the change to color print pages during his last year, and the extra work it created.

Bosch said the CM Life office was in the basement of Anspach Hall, showing the signs of wear and tear by his time.

“I remember the dingy dark room. It was like this cave with a labyrinth of different rooms,” he said.

The photographers would develop film and scan the photos into the computer.

“I basically spent my four years on campus in the basement of Anspach,” said Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, who works at the Grand Rapids Press, and was an editor for two years in 1996 and 1997.

“I had a unique experience and had a chance to grow into the job by the end of the first year so I kind of knew what I was doing for next year,” she said. “We made mistakes, goofed stuff up, but we were proud of what we accomplished.”

Ackerman-Haywood said a controversial story was the privatization of dining services.

“There was protesting on campus. Several people on campus lost their jobs,” she said. “Students didn’t know what was going on.”

Even though she was busy as an editor, Ackerman-Haywood always found time to write.

“I was always covering stuff. I couldn’t keep my hands off of reporting,” she said.

Bosch remembers having little free time when he worked at CM Life.

“I just remember being extremely busy trying to juggle all the things we tried to,” the current chief photographer for the Monroe Evening News said. “We had high expectations… What helped us was that everyone helped each other.”

Schulz said the competition within the staff was fierce to get beats and move up to editor positions.

“You really had to be good and earn the spots,” he said.

Ackerman-Haywood said she has seen major improvements in CM Life since she left, including embracing new technology and beefing up the Web site.

“I feel like we’re 200 years old. We were just getting started on the Internet,” she said. “It’s a scary time for newspapers, but I feel good about CM Life.”

HEADLINES FROM THE 1990s

“52 arrested at 3,000-person ‘party’”
Oct. 15, 1990
Western Weekend parties turned to riots. At least five police officers were injured.

“Class Schedule Adjustment: ‘The worst day we’ve ever had.’”
Jan. 9, 1991
Many students waited more than four hours to register for classes.

“Twice as Nice”
Sept. 12, 1992
CMU football team beat MSU for the second consecutive year.

“Plachta appointed president”
Oct. 4, 1993
The CMU Board of Trustees unanimously approved Leonard Plachta into the presidency.

“Vegas Bound”
Nov. 14, 1994
Central clinches MAC championship and bowl bid in victory over Bowling Green.

“New UC food court opened for special ’sneak preview’”
Nov. 3, 1995
The Down Under Food Court opens its doors for the first time.

“Last week’s arrests spark protest at basketball game”
Feb. 5, 1996
Around 15 students displayed signs in support for three students who alleged police used aggressive force during their arrest.

“Music building opens Thursday”
Sept. 10, 1997
School of music chairman Edward Kvet said technologically, the facility is the finest in the state

“Petition against smoking ban being circulated”
Feb. 18, 1998

news@cm-life.com

E-mail the author: Lindsay Knake