Michigan voters approved Proposal 2 on Tuesday.

The stem cell ballot was approved 53 percent to 47 percent with 55 percent of precincts reporting as of midnight today.

Proposal 2 allows stem cell embryonic research. Embryonic stem cells are early forms of human life. People can donate embryos left over from fertility treatments for scientific research. Embryos not donated would have been thrown away as medical waste.

Woodhaven senior Kelly Pearcy voted “yes” on Proposal 2.

“They’re just going to throw them away. It’s wasteful otherwise,” Pearcy said.

Research is done through embryos that develop from eggs fertilized in an in-vitro fertilization. Embryos will be donated for research purposes with a consent from the donor.

The embryos that are donated are not from eggs fertilized in a woman’s body.

Andrew Neal, 26, an attorney in Washington state who is originally from Mount Pleasant voted “yes.”

“I don’t think that life begins when the sperm hits the egg,” Neal said. “I don’t think we’re playing God.”

Amanda Worsley, 28, a 2003 CMU alumna, works for an oral surgeon in Mount Pleasant and voted “no.”

Worsley said there needs to be more research on the topic. She was not swayed by the television ads and did her own research.

“I’m just really against getting embryos just for testing,” Worsley said.

Hastings senior Zachary Allen voted “yes.”

“They’re just going to throw the embryos away. Why not?” Allen said. “Let’s see what we can do with them.”

Wyoming sophomore John Klumpp, vice president of Campus Conservatives, said Proposal 2 will benefit health care but would cause the federal government to help out too much.

“If the funding is there, you don’t know the outcome of it,” Klumpp said. “If you find cures, how much will it cost and will it be accessible to certain people?”

Klumpp said Proposal 2 could potentially create jobs, but it would depend on management.

“It depends on how the programs are set up and ran,” Klumpp said.

Rev. Will Prospero of St. Mary’s University Parish said in an e-mail to Central Michigan Life that this approval marks a sad day for Michigan and humanity.

He said the destruction of innocent human life of one group so that another might benefit is not good for humanity.

College Democratic President Karl Bouwhuis, a Lowell senior, said Proposal 2 will allow for advancements in finding cures for horrible diseases.

“This is a step forward for health care,” Bouwhuis said. “This will have an effect on diabetes, Parkinson’s and other diseases.”

Bouwhuis said Proposal 2 will not only enhance the health care field, but the economy.

“Proposal 2 is not publicly funded and will not raise taxes. This will bring more high-tech jobs into Michigan,” he said.

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Bill Ballenger, former Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair, said the margins for both proposals are narrowing and the election will be close.

PROPOSAL 1

If approved, proposal 1 would allow physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients who are severely ill.

Ballenger said supporters of Proposal 1 believe it will be an aid to people suffering from severe diseases and will not damage society. Opposers, primarily law enforcement, are concerned about the gateway affect of drugs being prescribed to people.

Port Huron sophomore Jessica Bryce said she does not see a problem with Proposal 1.

“I think it’s OK as long as it is strongly regulated,” she said.

Ballenger said opposers of the medical legalization of marijuana argue legalization may cause the rise of “pot shops.” He said supporters may argue Rhode Island did not have an increase in pot shops after marijuana was passed for medical use.

If Proposal 1 passes, patients would register with the state and could legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms, according to The Associated Press.

“To achieve constant pressure lowering, which is what glaucoma patients need, they would need to smoke eight to 10 (marijuana) cigarettes a day,” Joshua Stein, assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center, told The Associated Press.

“Since smoking marijuana can affect cognition, memory, heart rate, blood pressure … the thought of asking a patient to smoke continuously just to (lower) pressure just doesn’t make sense from our perspective,” Stein said.

Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes would not affect the federal ban on the drug for recreational uses.

PROPOSAL 2

If approved, proposal 2 would allow stem cell embryonic research.

Ballenger said it has been difficult for Michigan to engage in medical purposes that can lead to breakthroughs in cures.

“Restricted law makes it difficult for medical schools to engage in stem cell embryo research,” Ballenger said.

Ballenger said opponents say it does not protect human rights to life. Opponents question whether taxpayers will have to pay for stem cell research in the future.

“Supports see (Proposal 2) will benefit in future movement to take Michigan away from heavy industry,” said Chris Owens, a political science assistant professor.

Supporters believe Proposal 2 could be an economic catalyst for new jobs that cannot be pursued now because of the restricted laws, Ballenger said.

Bryce said she has mixed feelings about Proposal 2.

“It’s not an issue of if it should be used, but who is using it,” Bryce said.

The Associated Press

contributed to this report.

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Editor’s note: This is the third story in an occasional series on local businesses that have established themselves as hallmarks of the Mount Pleasant community.

Downtown Mount Pleasant is home to a restaurant with a big-city atmosphere but a small-town feel.

A darkly lit smoke-free restaurant with live music, full bar and dinning room, The Brass Cafe and Saloon, 128 S. Main St., offers the opportunity to enjoy two atmospheres in one building for a night out with friends, a romantic date or celebrating a special occasion.

“A number of students come here who miss this type of environment from back at home,” said Owner Susan Paton Pyecroft.

The Brass has a lunch, dinner and bar menu with more than 60 craft beers – microbrews and imports – and a wine list with more than 75 bottles.

The restaurant opened nine years ago in December in the 120-year-old building after the previous restaurant closed.

Paton Pyecroft moved from outside of Philedelphia to Mount Pleasant 22 years ago at CMU for her doctorate in history.

Paton Pyecroft and Chef Owner Emma Currie both found their passion for catering while attending CMU.

“I love it and find a lot of value in it, so when the restaurant closed I thought to give it a try,” Paton Pyecroft said.

They decided to create a way to make The Brass have a unique appeal to the public.

“We are new American cuisine, with an old Mount Pleasant feel,” Paton Pyecroft said.

The menu changes with the seasons to offer new, fresh and different types of entrees, she said.

A new menu for the fall will be coming out next week. The menu will be focusing on comfort foods.

Currie said the restaurant constantly looks to contribute to the community.

“Being a small restaurant we’re able to focus on local needs and food,” she said.

Pork and beef come from sustainable farms and are all natural and hormone free.

The Brass features specials and events to create a warm, welcoming environment.

“We offer great options for community-based events that are limited outside of the college,” said Jamie Pyecroft, bar manager.

Currie said The Brass strives to have a friendly environment with the best quality food. She said the kitchen staff have a passion to get things right.

“We’re not a corporate face – I’ll go out to the table and talk to (the customers) if something is wrong,” she said.

Currie said she loves to be able to look into the restaurant and know more than half of the customers. It’s great to be able to know customers enough to have their drink on the table when they come in, she said.

Human environmental studies associate professor Tanya Domina said The Brass is a great place to go and relax in a friendly environment with colleagues.

“By 8 p.m. for dinner a lot of professors come down here,” Domina said. “About 80 percent are CMU administration people.”

Paton Pyecroft said The Brass is also a great atmosphere for college students and encourages students to give the restaurant a try.

“We’re not super formal. We’re a great place to have a special date or just a night experience with burgers and beer,” Paton Pyecroft said.

People may think The Brass is pricey, but it has affordable lunches and the bar menu all day, she said.

The Brass is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays

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Restaurants and hotels across the city are staffing up, ordering more supplies and opening early for Central/Western Weekend.

Lil’ Chef General Manager Jamie Markin said the restaurant, 1720 S. Mission St., has been open for 15 years and is aware of what the game brings for business.

“We’re ordering more food, scheduling more staff and having a security guard for the night shift,” Markin said.

Markin said he foresees this as the busiest weekend for the restaurant.

Lonnie DeRosia Jr., assistant manager at the International House of Pancakes, 5255 E. Pickard St., said this game will bring lots of business and potential sales, which are important to have in the current economy.

He said the restaurant plans to excel in every aspect of business for the customers.

“Without people, product and equipment, we can’t run a successful business,” DeRosia Jr. said.

He said the restaurant seeks ways to continually support CMU at the restaurant.

“We will be wearing CMU shirts to show our support and bring the atmosphere to the restaurant,” DeRosia Jr.,said.

Allison Melvin, assistant manager of O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grille, 2000 S. Mission St., expects to be busy as soon as the doors open.

O’Kelly’s will open at 10 a.m. Saturday for tailgating.

Buffalo Wild Wings, 1904 S. Mission St., will open at 9 a.m. It will offer beers of the month and usual late-night drink specials.

Jeff Boughner, general manager of Buffalo Wild Wings, said he is excited for the weekend. Spectators will be able to travel into town, relax and have a good time.

Several hotels in Mount Pleasant have reached their capacity for the weekend.

“We filled up a week after the schedule for the game came out,” said Starr Prussner, the front office supervisor for the FairField Inn and Suites, 2525 University Park.

Prussner said there will be security at all times in the parking lot and inside the building of the hotel.

This game will overall help the economy of Mount Pleasant, Prussner said.

“The game will help promote businesses in the future for activities (visitors) may not have known about,” she said.

Prussner said most visitors will stay for a night but will spend two days participating in local activities and events.

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A new CMU Counseling Center group aimed at students in controlling relationships called “Don’t Lose Yourself In the Relationship” will meet 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday’s beginning Oct. 1 in Foust Room 103 of the Counseling Center.

“This support group is not focused around telling students what to do; it’s to give them choices and give them back some control,” Stefanski said, Counseling Center faculty and Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates dedicated counselor.

Stefanski said several students have come into the Counseling Center with identified unhealthy relationships but do not know if their strong enough to leave them.

The group sizes will be designed for eight to 10 people.

“This is a way for students who have become isolated from family and friends, or people reflecting back on past relationships, to meet with other people who have been through controlling relationships,” Stefanski said.

SAPA mentor Matt Campbell said there are currently no groups directed toward controlling relationships.

“This is going to be another outlet to help assess relationships to find out where they stand and where they want to be,” Campbell said, a Troy senior.

Mary Peters, SAPA graduate assistant, said the group is not going to tell students what type of controlling relationship they are categorized in.

“Students find it easier to talk about their boyfriend and girlfriend being controlling when all around they are in an abusive relationship,” Peters said.

Male students are also victims in controlling relationships; however, it is harder for them to classify what type of controlling relationship they are in, Campbell said.

“As a guy, it would be harder to classify it as abuse. I would want to say that it would be more of an annoyance,” he said.

Stefanski said on average a person will leave a controlling relationship eight times before they leave successfully, that is if they ever leave.

Ways to identify controlling relationships is if they get involved quick, accept no responsibility for their actions, isolate the victim or make the victim want to change themselves to meet their expectations, Stefanski said.

“Many people ask why the victim does not leave the relationship,” she said. “What should be asked is why is the other person acting so aggressive?”

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Central Michigan University is the 65th largest public university in the nation by enrollment, but one of the few without a medical school.

The Undergraduate Medical Education Program would change that.

In addition, the Board approved a $1.5 million budget to design additions to the Health Professions Building, where the program will be housed.

Doctor shortage

Rao addressed the issue of physician shortage in northern Michigan.

“This region will suffer disproportionately when that physician shortage hits, and it is definitely going to hit,” he said.

There is a population of two million people sparsely distributed around mid and northern-Michigan, where most regions this size in the United States would have a medical school, Rao said.

Jeff Caponigro, Board of Trustees chairman, said this is a great public service to Michigan.

“When we look at the shortage of 6,000 physicians by the year of 2020, somebody has to step up and help fulfill that need,” Caponigro said. “From this moment on we will be seen in a different light nationally.”

Claudia Douglass, proposed curriculum coordinator for the medical program, said the university has just starting to plan the details.

A $15 million budget will be used to renovate the Health Professions Building while making building additions.

Douglass said the additions with have labs, a large lecture hall, examination rooms and tutorial rooms.

“This could be the bridge between a prospective medical school and the existing and successful programs in the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions,” Rao said.

Funding for medical school will be a tuition-based revenue structure with no intent to absorb ongoing or existing operating dollars, Rao said.

“Some money that has to be invested that is one time, the school will have to pay back. But what that amount will be is subject to modeling right now,” he said.

Accreditation

Top priority is to have academic affiliations with hospitals. Potential affiliation partners are MidMichigan Health, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Michigan Community Hospital, Covenant HealthCare, St. Mary’s of Michigan and Ascension Health and Synergy Medical Education Alliance.

Official accreditation of the university’s medical education program would come with the proposed graduation of the first class in 2015, Rao said.

The accreditation is through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which has a joint effort with the America Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. Together they created standards that constitute medical education programs that lead to physicians degrees.

Rao said the university can prepare for an Liaison Committee Medical Education preliminary accreditation visit.

“It is not just our decision – it’s their decision, so once they tell you they approve you in a preliminary way for an accreditation, so you can begin to recruit your charter class, that to me is when this all becomes very real,” Rao said.

Douglass said in the first two years the school will hire faculty and staff, put together a curriculum planning committee, secure hospital affiliation, plan additions to the HP Building and plan the procedure for admission into the program.

“We’re looking for students who are going into medical practice as a physician,” Douglass said.

The Program

There will be 100 students enrolled yearly into the program.

The first two years of the curriculum, the students will take basic sciences at CMU coupled with clinical examples. Students will also be able to work with patients in the community.

“We can’t model right now until you know faculty or … leadership what the curriculum is going to look like,” Rao said. “We’re looking to faculty to be leaders for problem-based learning. Here, students will get together and study a case learning anatomy, emergency, internal medicine, physiology.”

Caponigro said the Undergraduate Medical Education Program will become a part of CMU.

“There shouldn’t be any doubt about it – we’re moving ahead with it. There will be a medical school here; we will get accredited. I can’t imagine that we wouldn’t. We will have affiliation with someone. It will happen,” he said. “We’ve done our homework and we know what we’re getting into. We’re ready to take on the challenge and we’re perfectly suited for it.”

Rao said he finds the diverse area of hospitals in the mid-Michigan area a plus for the program.

“You got an opportunity now to not just have this be in any way one city’s university, but a region’s university and I think we have to keep moving in that direction,” he said.

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SAPA adviser Stephen Thompson said the organization only had $6,000 to fund the program at the beginning of the year.

“This really eased my stress because on the outside students may have noticed little disruptions with the program, but internally we were scrambling,” he said.

SAPA, a nationally-recognized student program and support group of survivors of violence, received the grant from the Department of Justice.

“I was shocked when we got it,” Thompson said. “It’s like putting icing on an already decorated cake when some universities don’t even have the recipe.”

Thompson said the federal grant will be used to have a salaried dedicated counselor, bring speakers and continue joint support with nurse examiners from Women’s Aid Services.

Susanne Stefanski, associate director of sexual aggression for SAPA and Counseling Center faculty member, said she is excited to have the chance to work directly with SAPA the next three years as the salaried dedicated counselor.

“Having a dedicated counselor for sexual aggression at any college where these issues are prevalent is a huge gift,” Stepfanski said.

She was hired previously by SAPA in 2005 with the first grant they received.

The grant will allow the SAPA program to have the ability to reach out to other universities.

“By receiving this grant, we’re able to show other universities the level we’re at and the level they should strive for,” Thompson said.

Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe said the SAPA program is one of the leaders in the nation.

Roscoe said he hopes the program will be able to focus on innovative and creative things instead of merely external activities.

The grant is currently funding a trip to Orlando for the 2008 National Conference on Sexual Assault in Our Schools. At this conference SAPA members will present “Spoken: Painted Photographs and Testimonies of Sexual Aggression Survivors.”

“Spoken” is an exhibit of distorted photos of eight female victims and two male victims with featured audio testimonies.

Thompson said the grant is being used to help CMU students.

“This grant is for you and your peers,” he said. “This program is for CMU students to help CMU students.”

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