The Cheboygan freshman waited in line solo starting at 3:30 p.m., playing games on Facebook to pass his time.

“I do not plan on sleeping (tonight),” Scott said.

Tickets for the Ke$ha concert go on sale 8 a.m. Friday. He said he loves Ke$ha and was excited when he found out she was coming to CMU.

“I was jumping up and down screaming, ‘Ke$ha is coming,’” Scott said.

Not far behind Scott sat Woodland freshman Kayla Bite and Grand Ledge freshman Dan Pelfrey.

The duo brought homework and computers to entertain themselves. They began waiting at 4:30 p.m.

“We had nothing else to do,” Pelfrey said.

Both Bite and Pelfrey said they were excited for the Feb. 25 concert.

At 7:20 p.m. Thursday, Program Board President Steve Lewis said there were about 42 people already waiting in line.

“We are expecting about 1,000 people (before 8 a.m.),” Lewis said.

Macomb sophomore Mike Greene sat about halfway down the line, playing cards with five of his friends.

“(I’m) having a good time with friends,” Greene said. “We are waiting on two more to get here.”

He said he was surprised CMU is supporting Ke$ha’s visit, especially since the name of her tour is the “Get $leazy” tour.

Lewis said there was a little concern about Ke$ha coming at first, but both University President George Ross and Stan Shingles, assistant vice president of University Recreation, were ultimately on board with the idea.

He also said the majority of RSO presidents said they would like to see Ke$ha perform at CMU.

“Ke$ha was the number-one choice,” he said.

There are 4,300 tickets to be sold for the concert, Lewis said, and the Program Board plans to sell out.

“We are hoping to be able to sell tickets to the public, but if it is sold out by students, that’s great too,” he said.

Celebration Cinema, 4935 E. Pickard Road, sold out of tickets the Saturday prior to the midnight showing of the seventh movie in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” said operations manager Greg Howell.

“We were just shy of 1,500,” Howell said.

The first group to get to get to Celebration arrived around 2 p.m., Howell said. The main groups of movie goers did not start lining up until about 8 that evening.

Clare resident Alyssa Venable, 16, said she and her friends waited in line for about a half hour before being let in.

Venable came to the movie dressed in a cape and striped scarf.

“Our Homecoming theme was ‘Harry Potter,’ so I had it picked out for about two months,” Venable said.

She received tickets the first day they were available and said she hoped Deathly Hallows would be the most epic thing she ever saw.

St. Clair Shores senior Lauren Hicks said she read the books since she was little. Her favorite character is Lupin.

“He is very down to earth,” Hicks said.

She said she liked the books more than the movie but it made sense to split it into multiple films.

Among the die-hard fans at the movie theater were members of the Harry Potter Alliance registered student organization.

The  group is dedicated to using Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore to help spread love and fight the dark arts in the real world.

“(We) promote social justice issues,” said Livonia sophomore Nick Armes.

Sterling Heights senior Alyssa Chrisman said the group helped to put on events and set up games at the theater for the opening of the movie.

“We had trivia (and did) dueling,” Chrisman said.

The group came to the theater at 8:30 p.m. to get ready for the movie.

A third member, Muskegon senior Michelle Kordecki, said she was happy the movie was split up because it will allow more material to be taken from the book.

“(The other movies) missed a lot of sub-plots,” Kordecki said.

The Mount Pleasant sophomore said he started his college career out at MMCC because it was a lot cheaper than CMU. He has since transferred to the university.

“I transferred from MMCC to CMU because I wanted the feel of a university more than a community college,” Rowe said.

Matt Miller, executive director of college advancement at MMCC, said the exact number of students who transfer from MMCC to CMU are not counted, but of the 7,000 students who took classes last year, more than 900 are now at CMU.

Miller said there are a variety of reasons why students transfer between the institutions.

“Some start at MMCC and then transfer to CMU because of cost or convenience,” Miller said. “Others may not know exactly where they want to go after high school so they start at their local community college until they decide.”

Rowe said there are good and bad aspects to both the community college and the university.

Although MMCC was cheap, had smaller classes and was more similar to high school, there were less classes to pick from and less preparation, he said.

“(CMU) has a greater selection of classes to pick from, greater diversity amongst students, chances to meet people and (a student) has to really take responsibility of themselves,” Rowe said.

He said the downsides to CMU are cost of attendance and if a student is not disciplined they can fall behind easily.

“I am going back to MMCC because I messed up this semester,” Rowe said. “I have to get myself back on track academically.”

Miller said a lot of students transfer from CMU to MMCC for academic reasons.

CMU does not track why student leave the institution, said Mary Meier, assistant director of institutional research. Students may go to another four year college, a community college, take a semester off, or drop out of school entirely.

“We don’t have any data on students who leave CMU,” she said. “We don’t do exit surveys.”

Miller said students may have been struggling at CMU and need to transfer to a different institution to improve their grades.

“MMCC’s academic support services can help these students with tutoring, small group instruction and study skills training.”

MMCC has a great relationship with CMU, Miller said. The institutions work together to make sure that transferring is a simple and relatively seamless process.

“Going from MMCC to CMU, I simply filled the application out and went to orientation,” Rowe said. “Going from CMU back to MMCC, I just had to meet with the counselor and pick my classes.”

The Title III grant will be dispersed to the college over the next five years and is designed to enhance student advising, developmental math and career advising, said an MMCC press release. The grant will also improve financial aid literacy and encourage the use of educational development plans.

“For example, students will be assigned specific advisers who will guide them through their program of study,” said Matt Miller, executive director of college advancement. “Using an educational plan, students will clarify their goals and the steps needed to achieve those goals.”

Miller said MMCC was one of four community colleges in the state to receive the grant. Concordia University Ann Arbor, Jackson Community College and Kirtland Community College also received the grant.

The grant is very competitive, Miller said.

MMCC submitted a good proposal and was hopeful, Miller said, but no schools know if they will get the grant until the notifications are sent out.

“The application is quite intense,” he said. “Even with a basic foundation of information in place, our grant team works long hours for weeks to complete the application.

Of the 38 community colleges in Michigan, MMCC receives the least revenue per student contact hour, according to the press release. Contact hours are the hours faculty and staff spend with students inside and outside the classroom.

As state funding per student has decreased, enrollment has increased.

Over the last 10 years, the number of students attending MMCC has grown 122 percent — from 2,371 students in fall 2000 to 5,252 students in fall 2010.

“This is a historic moment for MMCC and our students,” said Carol Churchill, president of MMCC. “These grants are significant not because of the dollar amount, but because they allow us to take a fresh look at how we serve students and then provide the resources to take those services to an entirely new level.”

The college’s local millage revenues are also the lowest in the state.

“The grant comes at a time when we have record enrollment and imminent shortfalls in state and local funding,” Miller said. “With the Title III funding, we can now implement those services and programs to support student success.”

Alumni will seize control of 91.5 WMHW during Central Michigan University’s Homecoming starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and ending at Midnight on Saturday, said Bill Thompson, takeover coordinator and audio news editor for Michigan radio network.

“It’s our first year doing 48 hours straight,” Thompson said.

This will be the 11th year experts from across the country have descended upon the station to take over its operations.

This year there are about 25 alumni coming back to do the takeover.

Broadcast and Cinematic Arts instructor Trey Stohlman will come back for his third takeover.

“I think it is important for alumni to come back and share their stories and support from the industry with the new generation of students heading into the industry in the next couple of years,” Stohlman said.

The tradition started in 2000 when Thompson and other alumni had the idea to come back and take over the station. Thompson said since then, the Alumni Association has become involved to help organize the event.

“Alumni from all across the country come back,” Thompson said. “We are trying to get some of the newer alumni as well.”

Thompson said the alumni are not just from radio but are also from television, web, public relations and more alumni from all across the board.

“We have been calling it CMU’s new Homecoming tradition and it seems to be sticking,” Thompson said.

This year’s Alumni Takeover is being dedicated to associate professor Jerry Henderson, who retired after 35 years.

“We felt we should have a tribute to him because he has helped thousands of students over 35 years,” Thompson said.

The Alumni Takeover was thought of for alumni to come back and just have fun, Thompson said. He said many of the alumni are on the BCS advisory board and they return to help out the university.

“It’s a way to give back,” Thompson said. “(Alumni) give back to the university by helping out the department and help advise classes.”

He said the alumni will talk with the departments and keep update them regarding curriculum aspects with what is in use or has fallen out of favor in the ‘real world’.

Stohlman said it is a great opportunity for students to start networking and planning their careers.

“This is the largest gathering of individuals currently in the industry all in one place,” he said.

Stohlman will host The School of Rock from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. He said it is a great time for the station to play classic rock and just have a great time with friends and alumi with some fantastic music.

Stohlman said he plans to stay active in the takeover as long as he is in the area.

“Seeing old friends and alumni come back, enjoy themselves and share with current students (are my favorite parts),” Stolhman said.

The Mount Pleasant City Commission approved construction at their Monday night meeting.

Mount Pleasant City Commissioner Jon Joslin spoke up on behalf of tubing companies who are worried they will not have access to the park during their busiest month.

“Tubing companies obtain permits to have access (to the park),” Joslin said. “Will they have access through the constructions?”

Chris Bundy, director of parks and public spaces, said that the construction would only leave one weekend during their busiest month where there would be a problem.

“We can provide access for companies during the last weekend (of September),” Bundy said.

Joslin was the only commissioner who voted against the construction.

Updating the city meters from 25- to 50-cents per hour took place over a period of two weeks to meet the Sept. 1 deadline, said Brian Kench, city building official.

By making the rates go up 25 cents, he added, they are now consistent with Central Michigan University campus parking.

“There two primary reasons for the increase,” said Finance Director Nancy Ridley. “To make (prices) consistent with what CMU was charging, but the other is to generate revenue because of some reductions from the state.”

The city expects to see a $15,000 increase in revenue from the program, Kench said. It will go back into the program and into the general fund.

The change was too recent see how close to that estimate they will be, he said.

Ticketing has not increased at the meters within the city, Kench said. He expects that most people who are looking for parking will seek out parking in close proximity to CMU.

“Given the limited parking on campus, individuals will still have to rely on city parking,” Kench said.

Mount Morris senior Amanda Babcock said she has not noticed the increase in meter prices throughout Mount Pleasant, but she is not surprised.

She said it is one more thing students have to deal with when it comes to the financial aspects of college. Just when students think they have found a little bit of a break, in this case 25 cents each time they parked in off campus meters, she said, the increase ends up being one more thing on top of everything else students have to pay for.

“I usually park in those meters when I go to places not on campus,” Babcock said. “I assumed it was only a matter of time before they would be increased to match the campus price.”

Since the prices now match what the campus is charging, she said she will continue to look for and wait for parking on campus rather than parking off campus.

“Why wouldn’t students want a better or closer parking spot if the prices are the same,” Babcock said.

When it comes to raising the prices, Babcock said she is not sure she agrees with theory to generate revenue because it is mostly students who park there and not actual members of the community.

She said that students are being taken advantage of by the city since there is nowhere else to park.

“Students are going to park there if they need to no matter what the cost is. They are using us (students) to make up for their budget cuts,” she said.

The Mount Pleasant City Commission makes frequent decisions that impact student life, both on and off-campus. Its plan with the most student impact recently is the Campus Connector, which would connect downtown and Central Michigan University, this fall to make downtown more accessible.

The connector is a network of wide pathways and lighting, said Vice Mayor Bruce Kilmer. The first phase of the connector is expected to be done by November.

Phase II of the Campus Connector will consist of changing Washington and Main street from one way streets back into two way streets and adding bike lanes. Phase II has been tabled indefinitely due to the price tag that came with wanting to complete it, said Commissioner Jon Joslin.

“We are going to wait until the budget improves,” he said.

This year the City Commission is discussing putting art on the sidewalks to liven up the city of Mount Pleasant. Joslin said the city commission would like to partner with art programs to have this project come to life.

Some ideas for the art include paint, tiles, etchings and more.

“We are keeping the downtown vibrant,” Kilmer said.

Joslin said for now the bigger projects such as redoing streets or adding to parks are done or in the final steps.

The City Commission is looking for ways to get students engaged and involved in the community, Commissioner Nancy English said.

“We’re working on land development and even quality of life issues — pathways and downtown,” she said.

They are also are focusing on maintaining current services, such as police and firefighters, Joslin said. With the decreasing budget they are working to maintain adequate services.

Kilmer said the City Commission will be working on economic development and trying to attract business to the city of Mount Pleasant, while keeping a close eye on the budget.

One of the big goals before the end of the year is to generate a balanced budget, English said.

MEET THE MEMBERS  (B.O.B)

Mayor Jim Holton has been a member of the City Commission since May of 2006, and is term expires on December 31, 2011.

Holton is also the Owner of Mountain Town Station Brewing Company and Restaurant.

Vice Mayor Bruce Kilmer has been a member of the City Commission since January of 2007. His term expires on December 31, 2012.

Kilmer is the regional administrator for the Michigan Supreme Court.

Commissioner Nancy English has been a member of the City Commission since June 2010 with her term expiring on December 31, 2010.

English is a business development liason at Central Michigan Community Hospital.

Commissioner Jon Joslin has been a member of the City Commission since January 2001, and his term expires on December 31, 2012.

Joslin is a bookkeeper at Mount Pleasant Supply and Co-Owner of Heart Strings and Fun Things.

Commissioner Kathleen L. Ling has been a member of the City Commission since January 2008. Her term expires on December 31, 2010.

Ling is a retired teacher.

Commissioner David F. McGuire has been a member of the City Commission since January 2007 with his term expiring on December 31, 2012.

McGuire is president of The McGuire Companies.

Commissioner Sharon Tilmann had been a member of the City Commission since January 2009. Her term expires on December 31, 2011.

She is has served on the Mount Pleasant Commission.

The Mount Pleasant City Commission approved the transfer in a 5-1 vote on Monday.

Commissioner Jon Joslin voted against the proposal and Commissioner Sharon Tilmann was not present.

Some commissioners cautioned transferring the money to the EDC because once the money is moved the city commission has no control over what the EDC does with it.

“I’m in favor of economic development,” said Commissioner David McGuire. “The taxpayers elected us to spend money responsibly.”

Due to concerns about fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers, parameters were formed for the EDC to follow in relation to how the money is spent.

The money must assist area non-retail companies and the EDC must provide quarterly reports to the city commission detailing the total cost and project progress. It also must develop criteria for the allocation of funds and report criteria to the city commission.

After one year, the EDC must return the unused money unless the city commission decides otherwise.

Originally the proposal would require the transfer of $250,000 from the Brownfield Redevelopment Finance Authority to the EDC, but the commissioners amended the proposal so $100,000 would be transferred to the general fund and would be available to the EDC if the entity determined the extra amount is necessary.

The city commission requested the EDC let them know if additional funds are needed within a couple of weeks.

“I’m not here to tie the EDC’s hands,” Joslin said. “Giving them some flexibility to go out and do what they are supposed to do—which is to go out and create incentives for economic development in our community—is what we should do.”

Other business

The city commission set a public hearing for Sept. 27, for the proposed conditional rezoning of properties located at 1116 E. Pickard, 1202 E. Pickard and 802 N. Brown to rezone the south 50 feet of the property from R-3 residential to C-3 general business.

Another public hearing is set for the same date to discuss a proposed ordinance amendment that would require residential buildings, such as duplexes in office districts, to have a permit to be used as residential buildings.

There are many coffee houses in Mount Pleasant to go and get away from everything, suck down the espresso and cram for those tests.

Lonnie DeRosia, store co-manager of Biggby Coffee, 210 S. Mission St., said students are a big part of their business.

“Students like to come in and do homework,” she said. “During exam week, we have extended hours.”

DeRosia said students are now able to sit out on the patio with their laptops because Biggby has added power to the outside of their building.

University Cup Coffee Company, 1027 S. Franklin St., is another coffee house where students like to go to study and relax.

“We offer a relaxing atmosphere that is perfect to study in whether you’re a student or a professor,” said Sara Bohan, an Indiana senior.

They specialize in coffee, espresso, cappuccino, scones, muffins, sandwiches, soups and over 50 flavors of lattes, she said. The coffee house has been in Mount Pleasant since 1995 and calls itself the “Original Coffee House of Mount Pleasant.”

Kaya Coffee and Tea Company, 1029 South University Ave., is also popular among students.

“There are high school students and college students and people just hanging out,” said Mount Pleasant senior Meghan Borland. “We have featured artists and we have music here two nights a week.”

George Tijerina, store manager of Starbucks, 5655 E. Pickard St., said students like to go to Starbucks because it is just far enough away to get away from everything.

“Friday and Saturday are our biggest days in terms of students,” Tijerina said
He added Starbucks now has free internet access, which reaches to the patio.

Starbucks will also be adding an exam cram during finals weeks, where they will be open extended hours.