Sociology and political science students and township officials are collaborating with the Center for Applied Research and Rural Studies to conduct a survey for township residents.

“Students in the classes are gaining interviewing skills,” said Mary Senter, CARRS director and professor of sociology, anthropology and social work. “They are also becoming familiar with survey research, more generally.”

According to the agreement, CMU and the township wrote the computer-assisted phone survey and are administering it to a random sample of Union Township residents — including students — to determine their experiences with and opinions about township services and related issues.

“The questions are structured so that answers to earlier questions may determine subsequent questions,” said Union Township Zoning Administrator Woody Woodruff.

The information will be used to help with the making of the new master plan, including budgeting, planning and goal setting, and should be ready by end of the year, Woodruff said.

“The survey work should be completed in the fall semester, analysis in the winter semester,” he said.

Senter said the survey is being conducted with the help of students in assistant professor of sociology, Anthropology and Social Work Jean Toner’s SOC 350: Social Research Methodologies class and associate professor of political science Moataz Fattah’s PSC 280: Introduction to Empirical Methods of Political Research class.

“They will staff the lab for three-hour shifts, inviting people from randomly generated phone numbers to participate in the survey,” Toner said. “Toward the end of the semester, students will also facilitate focus groups with student residents of Union Township to gather their opinions and beliefs about services to students provided by Union Township.”

Collaborating with CARRS has resulted in savings for Union Township.

“Work such as this in the private sector would cost eight to 10 times the $8,000 cost,” Woodruff said.

“Given the economy, people aren’t adopting at high rates,” said Humane Animal Treatment Society Director Lee Fabiano. “It’s a struggle every year.”

The shelter, at 1105 S. Isabella Road, is full with 170 cats in its care.

“There are at least 70 cats in the shelter with about 100 more in the quarantine building,” said HATS Student Chapter President and Troy senior Megan Smith.

The cats have caused extra work for the shelter’s volunteers, Fabiano said.

Bond, a nine month old cat, is available for adoption at the Isabella County Animal Shelter, 1105 S. Isabella Road. The shelter projects three cats are arriving to every one dog. (Ashley Miller/Photo Editor)

In dealing with the number of animals, many kittens are sent out to foster care until they are ready to be spayed or neutered and adopted, she said.

A small market

One major reason for the high number of cats is owners not being able to afford to keep them.

“In owner release, for whatever reason, they say they can’t keep the cat. We try to find the problem and we encourage them to keep the cat and they often do,” Fabiano said. “We try to give as much assistance as possible.”

A lack of spaying and neutering is another reason for the high number of cats, said HATS Manager Emma Goodrich.

Part of the assistance HATS offers includes spayed/neutered vouchers to the owners, Fabiano said. All veterinary clinics in Isabella County honor the voucher, and HATS pays a portion of the costs.

“The owners can pickup information sheet at the shelter or veterinary and they send to HATS, and HATS sends out the certificate to owner,” Fabiano said. “For cats, we pay $20 for males and $30 for females and, for dogs, we pay $30 to neuter and $40 to spay dogs to assist people.”

Although there is not a maximum number they can hold, she said HATS does have to euthanize some of the cats.

“We are not a no-kill shelter,” Fabiano said. “It’s not pleasant. We have to practice euthanasia.”

HATS received about 3,300 animals at the shelter in the past year. When animals are turned over to the shelter, adoption rates stay higher than other shelters in mid-Michigan.

“Overall adoptions rate is about 43 percent – just dogs, probably 60 to 65 percent,” Fabiano said. “For a county shelter, it’s excellent. Midland County is at 13 percent.”

In July, four U.S. senators pushed a bill to ban texting and e-mailing while driving and cause states not approving text ban laws within two years to lose up to 25 percent of federal highway funds.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia approved anti-texting legislation, while others are considering it. Six states, including New York, banned cell phone use while driving altogether.

A survey by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute released in July showed drivers who are texting while driving are 23 times more at risk of a crash or near-crash event than non-distracted drivers.

“Texting is certainly far different. It involves someone taking one hand off the wheel and their eyes off the road,” said Anne Readett, communications manager of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

The push for such a ban reached Michigan two years ago, without any results. But it is back in the spotlight.

In 2007 and again last March, State Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, introduced Bill 402, a proposition to ban texting while driving.

“There is no need to be sending a text while driving your car — it’s one of the most dangerous things a driver can do,” Thomas said in a prepared statement. “If it’s really that important, pull over and send your message or just wait until you get to where you are going.”

The bill, which would making texting while driving a misdemeanor offense with a $100 fine, has not received any attention the past few months, but Thomas said this is the second session in which he introduced the bill. He said he hopes the Michigan legislature will realize the urgency and approve the bill.

Dennis Denno, Thomas’ chief of staff, said nothing significant has changed in the bill since 2007.
“We definitely get a lot of e-mails of support,” he said. “Nobody’s opposed to it.”

Enforcement

One of the main reservations about a ban is the difficulty in enforcing it.

“It would be up to the state legislators to make the law and decisions on whether it would be a civil infraction or misdemeanor, what the fines, costs, points on license and possible jail time,” said Mount Pleasant Police Department Information Officer Dave Sabuda. “We as a department would adapt our response to their decisions.”

Statistics in Michigan for cell phone use during crashes are still low. In 2007, there were 872 drivers involved in accidents while using a cell phone out of more than 324,000 accidents total, Readett said.

“One of the most frequently reported accidents in the city of Mount Pleasant is a rear-end type accident. When someone is texting, they are not looking at the cars in front of them,” Sabuda said.

Student support

While texting is popular among the younger generation, students support a ban on texting while driving.

“I’d say it’s a good thing,” said Muskegon sophomore Kilee Boyd. “Most people who are texting are going from class to home and they can wait a little longer.”

Anthony Scott-Buyck, a Detroit junior, said the issue comes back to the safety of the drivers.

“When you are driving, one is to drive for the other drivers as well,” he said. “However, if one is texting, that means that they are most likely going to miss something or someone.”

-Senior Reporter Hilary Farrell contributed to this report

The Charter Township of Union Board of Trustees approved the sale of the bonds at its meeting Wednesday.

“We had seven bids and did very well,” said Public Works Coordinator Kim Smith. “This will save the township $937,813 over the life of the bonds.”

Supervisor John Barker said the sale is like refinancing a mortgage. The township refinanced some of its old debt at current interest rates.

The savings will be seen over the life of the bonds, which run from 2010 to 2021.

“We’re paying a lot less interest,” he said.

The deal will be put in place Thursday, Barker said.

“The county was great to work with. They pushed it right through,” Smith said.

The Board unanimously approved the Bamber Road Park Street Light Agreement, which will bring three streetlights on Lincoln Road at the new Isabella County Department of Human Services building, 1475 S. Bamber Road.

“It’s $100 per light, and the cost of the power to run it will be added to the taxes on a yearly basis,” Smith said.

The Board also approved the use of an attorney and appraiser in a property tax appeal filed against the township in the Michigan Tax Tribunal by GFII/Bluegrass, LLC. The fees will cost the township $9,000.

“It’s in the best interest of the township to bring them back,” said Assessor Pat DePriest.

The Board also approved the recommendation of appointing Jennifer Turner to the east Downtown Development Authority board.

“I’m looking to get on board and stepping up to the plate and getting involved in local government,” Turner said.

The majority of CMU students live in the city of Mount Pleasant and the Charter Township of Union. Aside from contacting their landlords, students can take problems and issues to their respective governments.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant’s municipal government is a city commission in which registered voters within the city elect the seven members, said Julie Swidwinski, community information coordinator for the City of Mount Pleasant.

“With the best interests of the residents in mind, the commission acts as a legislative body that oversees the operation of the 7.9 square miles of the city, including taxation, appropriations, ordinances and more,” she said.

Westpoint Village, Polo Village, West Campus Village, Union Square, Southpoint Village, Park Place and the Forum, among other complexes, fall under this jurisdiction, along with street housing.

The city provides services that make the community livable, Swidwinski said, including police and fire protection, parks and recreation facilities and programs, public utilities such as water and sewer and maintenance of streets and sidewalks.

City Commission meetings are at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday on each month at the Borden Building, 320 West Broadway St.

Union Township

“Townships provide administrative services that support county process, such as tax collection,” said Woody Woodruff, zoning administrator for Union Township. “Townships also have the ability to provide many services a county might provide within its six-mile square, such as zoning, policing, fire protection and utilities.”

The township provides many of the same services as Mount Pleasant, including water and sewer, localized improvements in roads, street lighting and sidewalks.

“Union Township employs an assessor to value property and set taxes. The elected treasurer is responsible for collection of taxes,” Woodruff said. “We also provide zoning
authority which strives to preserve harmony and provide structure as the township develops.”

Union Township includes Timber Creek, Union Square, University Meadows, Deerfield Village, Jamestown, United on Deerfield, Lexington Ridge, The Village at Bluegrass and
Copper Beach Townhouses.

The Union Township Board of Trustees meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the township building, 2010 S. Lincoln Road.

Issues to address

People can take issues to their landlord, a zoning administrator or the building official.

“Issues relating to quality of life are typical issues for students and also number of residents in a rental,” Woodruff said. “Loud parties are addressed by the Isabella County Sheriff’s department under a Union Township ordinance.”

If there are problems with a student’s housing that cannot be worked out with their landlord, they can go to the local government to have them inspect the problem.

“Students who encounter issues with their rental, such as significant repair work needed, utility issues or inadequate parking, should contact their landlord first so that they
may be given an opportunity to correct the problem,” Swidwinski said. “If a student feels that the issue poses health and safety risks, the tenant can contact the fire department
at (989) 779-5105 or the Department of Building Safety at (989) 779-5302 to determine if the problem requires immediate attention.”

Both offices deal with issues that are not meant for the city or township to take care of.

“Issues that typically are raised that we have no control over are landlord-tenant issues, such as security deposits, subletting and leasing,” Woodruff said.

Fore more information, visit mt-pleasant.org or uniontownshipmi.com.

metro@cm-life.com

North Campus

North Campus features Robinson Residential Restaurant and the Northside Market.

Like all campus restaurants, Robinson Residential Restaurant offers all-you-can-eat dining in a comfortable dining room. The restaurant has a changing menu of specialties, including fresh entrees, pizza, grilled Panini sandwiches and ethnic cuisine.

Northside Market is a new addition for the fall. It will offer a variety of beverages, groceries, Java City brew coffee, household products and school supplies, said Nikki Smith, marketing manager for Central Michigan University Campus Dining.

South Campus

On South campus, students can head to the Merrill Residential Restaurant and Tidbits.

Merrill Residential Restaurant offers selections including pizza, fresh entrees and ethnic cuisine.

Tidbits snack store offers late-night meal options when Merrill Residential Restaurant is closed.

East Campus

Options on East Campus include the Fresh Food Company and Market.

“At the FFCo, all meals are prepared directly in front of the guests as there is no back-of-house kitchen,” Smith said.

“Guests enjoy everything from a gourmet salad bar that they’re greeted with as soon as entering the restaurant to international dishes prepared on a Mongolian-style grill, comfort foods, exhibition pasta, brick-fired pizza and more.”

The Market is the largest convenience store on campus and offers a variety of beverages, groceries, household products and school supplies.

“In addition, the Market features D-lish pizza, toasted sandwiches, appetizers as a mid-day grab and go option or late-night made to order meal,” Smith said.

The Towers

The Towers Residence Halls offer Real Food on Campus and C3 Convenience Store.

Like the Fresh Food Company, most of the meals are prepared in front of guests at the RFoC. The C3 Convenience Store is inside Kesseler Hall and offers a variety of beverages, groceries, household products and school supplies.

Bovee University Center

The UC offers the Down Under Food Court and Goodies To Go.

The Down Under Food Court, on the lower level of the Bovee University Center, features a variety of cuisines at eight different stations including everything from made-to-order sushi, sirloin hamburgers, Mexican selections, pizza, customized wraps, pasta stir-fry and a gourmet salad bar. The Down Under Food Court also features Starbucks-brewed coffee.

Goodies To Go houses Quiznos subs & salads and Freshens Energy Zone. Freshens offers a line of smoothies, frozen yogurt and soft pretzels.

Charles V. Park Library/Health Professions Building Java City

Both locations offer more than 25 specialty coffee beverages, a monthly drink special and grab-and-go-meals. The HP Java City also offers Fresh Market smoothies.

Education and Human Services Building/Pearce Hall/Student Activity Center

“Einstein Bros. Bagels will be opening very soon within the new Education and Human Services building, offering a variety of bagels and their famous schmears plus a full breakfast and lunch menu,” Smith said.

C3 Express is inside Pearce Hall and offers a variety of snacks and complete packaged meals.

Trackside is inside the Student Activity Center and features Fresh Market smoothies in addition to a product mix featuring beverages and snacks.

All locations accept meal plans, cash and credit as a form of payment. For hours of operation and more information, visit campusdish.com/en-US/CSMW/CMU/.

Sometimes, items as important as water can be a rarity.

But the members of Engineers Without Borders are part of a effort to make these items easily accessible.

“The student chapters carry out the mission of the national organization and work under the mentorship of professional engineers,” said Sara Rimer, a Constantine senior and project coordinator for the CMU chapter of EWB’s Madagascar program.

The mission of the organization is to partner with developing communities to improve their quality of life through the implementation of environmentally sustainable, equitable and economical engineering projects, Rimer said.

The chapter at CMU has two programs they are working on.

“We have a water project in Sainte Luce, Madagascar. We traveled there for two weeks last summer and will go for two weeks next summer to implement the program,” Rimer said. “In Gualindo Arriba, El Salvador, we have a bridge project that members are currently at assessing the area. We will continue on in these communities in the next few years in multiple projects.”

The chapter is not limited to just engineers — the organization spans all disciplines.

“It’s Engineers Without Borders, but we strongly press it’s not for only engineers. Almost anyone can get involved with it,” said Nolan Faber, a New Hampshire junior and vice president of CMU’s EWB chapter. “(It’s a) great way to help people in need that don’t have as much as we do.”

Throughout the year, Rimer said the group hosts speakers and works on fundraising to help educate people on sustainable design and developments around the world.

That engineering is just the design of the project and it is a chance for students to get involved in hands-on projects.

“The group has about ten members and is looking to grow,” Rimer said. “Get involved with a group that does good for other countries.”

For more information, contact chapter president Laura Halash at halas1lj@cmich.edu.