Students at Central Michigan University will soon have the option to pay their tuition in monthly installments rather than one lump sum.

Seeking to broaden payment options for tuition, the university receivable accounting office is offering an interest-free installment plan starting with the 2009 summer session.

“I think the main goal is just to offer more payment options to our students and parents, especially with the way the economy is looking,” said Amber Loomis, manager of receivable accounting at the Student Services Court.

Students who sign up for the plan can have installments automatically deducted from their checking or savings account on the 5th of each month.

Payments can also be charged to a MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card only. However, a convenience fee of 2.75 percent will still be charged for all payments made by credit card.

The plan is currently available to all off-campus students to begin payments for the summer semester. It will be made available to on-campus students starting May 1, in time for fall semester.

In order to be eligible, students must be enrolled for the semester covered by the plan, have no unpaid balances, and have not defaulted on a prior payment plan.

Loomis said the receivable accounting office implemented the plan on April 1 and 24 students have already signed up. A frequently asked questions page is linked off the CMU Portal.

“So far, we’re getting quite a positive response from it,” said Cherie Kunkel, a student service adviser.

The plan comes with a $25 non-refundable enrollment fee to be assessed each semester. Loomis said the old payment plan is still an option, but it is no longer mandatory.

The questions page on the portal suggests that spreading tuition over the course of several months can minimize student loans, resulting in a decrease of interest payment, and a decrease in student debt.

The plan is available to study abroad and international students. Students can sign up online through the portal.

The plan is adjustable, as a student’s balance shifts to monitor changes to account charges, including the dropping or adding of a course, bookstore purchases, or financial aid.

“There aren’t any complications that we can anticipate,” said Kunkel. “We anticipate it to be a pretty positive process.”

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Former Arizona congressman Barry Goldwater Jr. will appear on campus Thursday for a speech called “The Economy, The Recovery, and The Politics.”

“The speech is going to cover a couple different topics, but mostly the economy,” said College Republicans Vice Chairman and Coleman freshman John Porter.

“It’ll talk about the politics inside Washington, and how to get back to prosperity in this current economic turmoil,” he said.

Goldwater, a Republican, will speak at 6 p.m. in Brooks Hall room 176.

Goldwater is the son of the late Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee who ran against Lyndon B. Johnson for president during the 1964 election.

The College Republicans of CMU and the Young America’s Foundation are co-sponsoring the event.

Clinton Township sophomore and College Republicans spokeswoman Stephanie Jaczkowski is excited for the speech.

“He’s going to be addressing some of the ways that we can work together to make our economy better,” she said.

Jaczkowski stressed the importance of political diversity at Central Michigan University.

“We think it’s important to have people of all political beliefs speaking on campus, and he was a good choice for the current economic situation we’re in,” she said.

Goldwater served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 until 1983. After leaving the house, he helped campaign for Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul in 2008.

“I think it’s going to be a great speech. He’s got a lot of insight,” Porter said. “I think it would be foolish to miss it really, no matter if you’re a Republican or Democrat.”

Although just a speech has been planned so far, Porter said that there could possibly be a question-and-answer session, as well as a meet-and-greet.

“We will be having a social afterwards for the county candidates,” Porter said.

In addition to the speech by Goldwater, other upcoming College Republican events include a scholarship essay contest and a salute to the soldiers overseas.

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Central Michigan University encourages the safe celebration of a student’s 21st year with a birthday card program.

Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe said the program began with an idea from Michigan State University.

“We started looking into it in 2001,” he said. “At that time, a number of schools started sending out cards.”

The idea began at MSU when a student died as a result of alcohol abuse. The school provided money to start a foundation, and the birthday card program began.

The program initially was known as BRAD – “Be Responsible About Drinking” – after the late student’s name.

CMU began purchasing several of these BRAD cards, but then put their own spin on the concept.

The cards are now printed on school stationary, with a note from the Office of the Dean of Students on the inside encouraging students to celebrate safely.

Included with the birthday card is a small laminated slip containing information about alcohol poisoning and taking care of friends.

The slip also provides a list of phone numbers, such as those for taxi companies and campus and emergency services.

The card comes with a Java City coupon for a free cup of brewed coffee, redeemable on the student’s birthday from Goodies to Go.

Java City employee and Macomb sophomore Mike Weiss sees the Java City coupons on a regular basis.

“I’ve seen a couple a week, at least,” he said. “I think it’s good that the university is recognizing the fact that people should make wise decisions on their 21st birthday, rather than just sweeping everything under the rug.”

Ingalls senior Amber Marklein agrees.

“You’re not going to stop drinking, so you might as well promote doing it safely,” she said. Marklein received a birthday card, a notecard, and a Java City coupon on her birthday.

Roscoe said that CMU spends about $1,100 annually on postage for the cards.

“This money comes from the Parents Fund, rather than students tuition

dollars,” Roscoe said.

In addition to using the Java City coupons, several students keep their note cards with safe drinking tips.

“I’ve heard stories about people pulling out the card,” Roscoe said. “We always hope that people use this,

or are at least aware of this. We hope that it can impact at least one person’s life, maybe more.”

This program is one

element of CMU’s Take Care Initiative, Roscoe said.

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What to pack? What to eat? How to pay?

These were several topics that Doug Lansky covered during his “Get Lost” presentation Wednesday night in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.

“I love traveling. It’s something I’m passionate about,” Lansky said. “I want to change the way that you look about traveling.”

After a brief presentation on Central Michigan University’s Study Abroad program, Lansky told stories of his adventures and gave advice about traveling to the about 100 students in attendance.

Lansky, a self-proclaimed “travel writer,” has visited more than 100 countries, returning with photographs, stories and memories from each different location. His accounts have been published in magazines like Esquire, Men’s Journal and National Geographic.

“Go find the adventure,” he said. “Instead of thinking about what you want to see, think about what you want to do.”

Lansky began traveling during his college career. However, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for him, which prompted him into traveling even more.

“I had such an awful junior year abroad, and I knew it could be better than that,” he said.

Lansky began traveling more, starting with his next spring break, and continuing from there.

“After awhile, I felt like I could conquer the world,” he said.

Lansky presented a slide show packed with photographs, maps, and Web sites for any future travelers to reference.

Allegan senior and Program Board president Matthew Burza, who had a large part in organizing the event, figured that the presentation would be a good way to kick off spring break.

“Doug really shows you how much is out there,” he said. “You don’t really get to see it until you do it yourself.”

Canton freshman Jack Distel enjoyed the presentation.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” he said. “I think we should have more events like this.”

Distel especially enjoyed some of the fun stories Lansky had to share.

Many of Lansky’s stories are about the voyages he made to get to his destinations, rather than visiting the actual destinations themselves.

Lansky explained some of the voyages he made while traveling on yachts, camels, cars, buses and even ostriches.

“Don’t think of it as, ‘oh, wait till we get there,’” Lansky said. “Getting there is the trip.”

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Underage students who get into legal problems with alcohol have somewhere to turn.

Community Counseling Associates, 500 S. Main St., offers services for students who have received a minor in possession citation.

“We’re a private practice,” said spokeswoman Lisa Carpenter. “We focus on college age, college life – a realistic twist on MIPs. We have quite a few Central Michigan (University) students that call here for MIP counseling information.”

Services include MIP assessments, individual counseling and group meetings for college students.

The first step in counseling is assessment, Carpenter said.

“The purpose of the assessment is to take a look at a person’s issues and history to determine what would be appropriate. If we find problem issues, we would recommend individual counseling,” she said.

After assessment, Community Counseling Associates decides what would better fit the individual, either one-on-one counseling or group sessions.

Assessment fees vary based on individuals insurance rates and income. Rates start at $72 for students, who receive a 10 percent discount.

Cost for the MIP group is $65. Individual counseling is billed to a student’s medical insurance. If insurance will not cover the cost of counseling, fees are charged on an income-based sliding scale.

MIP groups on average run once a month; dates depend on when clients are able to attend. Community Counseling Associates specialize in emotional counseling, but can refer clientele to lawyers for legal advice in some cases.

Flint junior Jonathan Pavelich said he does not have a problem with MIPs and would not use the program.

“It’s a little much to ask for something like that,” he said. “You could talk to your parents, join a church group, use different alternatives. I don’t have a problem with MIP’s anyway.”

Ypsilanti sophomore James Latini said he would only use the service if it was required, because he wouldn’t want to spend the extra money.

“You’re already paying all that money with the MIP,” he said. “Why pay more?”

Latini thinks the services offered by Community Counseling Services do have a lot to offer to Mount Pleasant’s community members who may be in trouble with MIPs.

“If I did drink and there was an MIP service, I would take advantage of it. I think it would be beneficial,” said Lake Isabella freshman Kelsey Fogal.

Staff Reporter Sarah Johnson contributed to this report.

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Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and Cascada “performed” on campus as a part of the Drag Show.

The singers were parodied by students and professionals that danced and lip-synced to their songs, like “Sexyback” by Justin Timberlake and “Disturbia” by Rihanna.

The Gay-Straight Alliance co-hosted the bi-annual Drag Show at 8 p.m. Friday in Pearce Hall Room 126 as a part of Coming Out Week.

Mount Pleasant junior Amelia VanOrden was pleased with the performances.

“I thought the show was pretty good. I enjoyed the emcee. I always like the student performances; it’s good that they show support. I can’t wait for the spring show,” VanOrden said.

Warren sophomore Heather Erdodi agreed.

“I thought it was great and entertaining,” she said.CMU’s first Drag Show was held in 2005. Since then, it has been a bi-annual event, with occurrences in the fall and spring semesters.

The event was full.

Students were entertained by the event, applauding the performers throughout the entire show. The performers interacted with the attendants, hugging students and cart-wheeling down the aisles of the lecture hall.

Student performer Kaitlyn May enjoyed acting in the show.

“It’s really nice to get up on stage and see like, a million people. It’s nice to perform when you have an interested audience,” said the Traverse City freshman and Public Relations co-chair of GSA.

She said the Drag Show needed acts, and she was more than willing to perform. May did an imitation of Justin Timberlake for the show.

“I like to dance. Some people say I’m good at it,” May said.

Jason Gagnon, an Alma freshman, organized the event for GSA.

“I think the event was a success. There were a lot of students, and I think that everyone had a great time,” he said.

Gagnon said the Drag Show is a window into the gay and lesbian culture.There will be another drag show held during the spring 2009 semester. No dates have been announced yet.

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Congressman Pete Hoekstra will discuss current issues involving the upcoming election in a townhall forum Tuesday.

A variety of topics has been planned to be covered at the forum, which is sponsored by Young Americans for Freedom and Campus Conservatives.

“Congressman Hoekstra will cover a variety of issues that pertain to the upcoming election. Some of these will include the economy, terrorism, energy crises and national security,” said Dennis Lennox II, Campus Conservatives spokesman and Topinabee senior.

The townhall forum is at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Lake Michigan Room.

The forum focuses as an open-ended debate, with expected participation from attendants.

“We encourage all to attend and ask questions,” Lennox said.

No numbers were given as to the expected number of attendants and participants.

Hoekstra was first elected to Congress in 1992. He graduated from Hope College with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He later earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan in 1977.

Hoekstra is the only Dutch-born member of Congress, having immigrated from the Netherlands earlier in his life. Most recently, Hoekstra was co-chairman of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in the state of Michigan.

Becca Hodson, a Manistee freshman and member of Campus Conservatives, is volunteering on Tuesday to help with the townhall forum.

“I’m really excited,” Hodson said. “I think that Pete Hoekstra is a really good guy. I’ve worked on his campaign before.”

The forum is open to the public.

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