Their new Web site cmugreeks.com was started Monday to update their older Web site which Tom Idema, assistant director of Student Life, said wasn’t easy to deal with.

“We just needed a new Web site. We are now able to make changes and updates (quickly) that keeps everyone better informed,” he said.

Idema said with this new Web site not only greeks but perspective greeks can reap the benefits.

“It’s a functional, usable in the center of Greek life,” Idema said.

Lauren Elias, Greek Life assistant, said she is happy with the new Web site.

“It’s very updated, more than the old Web site,” she said. “It’s organized and much cleaner.”

Idema said as soon as the fall semester starts the Web site will be constantly working with updates on events as well as general news for Greeks.

“We will be able to do spotlights, news articles on certain chapters and students,” Idema said. “There is a lot of functionality which is great.”

Idema said the Web site was created by a group that created a Facebook application for sorority recruitment.

The Web site has everything from lists of Greek organizations as well as pictures of their houses, information for parents as well as alumni.

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The second annual Grandparents U, a three-day summer camp, brought 111 CMU alumni and their grandchildren ages eight to 12 to share and experience college life.

“We think everything is going good,” said Anne Galgoczi, assistant director of Alumni Relations. “Everyone is impressed with the residence halls and the dining commons. They are a lot different from when the grandparents were here.”

The residence halls can be a big change from the children’s rooms at home.

“My room is empty and nice,” said Kelsey Linkous, a 9-year-old from Rossford, Ohio.

The camp lets grandparents and grandchildren experience many highlights of CMU’s campus, including activities at the SAC, the rock climbing wall and 24 hands-on educational sessions put on by faculty members.

“I took ‘The Joy of Chemistry.’ It was fun,” said Nick Bills, 11, of Fenton. “We made liquid nitrogen ice cream and elephant’s tooth paste.”

Zachary Post, 11, of Fenton, participated in ‘Get Wet! Fish Sampling Techniques.’

“I was the first one to catch a bullhead,” he said.

Many of the children checked out the SAC and the rock-climbing wall on their first night on campus.

Kelly Leavy, a 9-year-old from Petoskey, climbed the wall five times.

“The best part about it is getting to the top,” she said.

Post went swimming and plans on going bowling.

The staff of CMU has had to prepare for these new arrivals on campus. Galgoczi said that the staff has been very accommodating and it’s been a good experience for everyone.

Getting that full college experience is the goal of Grandparents U, but it is also about the time shared between the grandparents and grandchildren.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my grandma,” Leavy said.

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Revisions include moving several projects up to 2009 as a part of the city’s mini-stimulus package, according to the meeting. Several other projects were added and moved, such as a downtown parking study in 2011 and moving Michigan Street and Fancher Street construction dates.

Michigan Street will now be designed in 2009 and built in 2010, and Fancher Street reconstructions will be moved to 2011.

Other projects now slated for 2009 are Lincoln Street and Mosher Street improvements as well as the addition of downtown roundabouts and constructing mini circles in community neighborhoods.

Mosher Street can look forward to additional parking improvements for additional long-term parking spaces, according to the city’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Lincoln Street will also be looked at for long-term parking additions to “alleviate long-term parking strain around the Isabella County Courthouse,” the plan stated.

The need for additional parking arose because area businesses owners, employees, customers and the Isabella County office employees and visitors all share a single parking lot, according to the plan.

The Public Works and Community Services department is now looking to build a roundabout in a downtown intersection to eliminate the need for a traffic signal. Two likely targets, according to the city plan, are Main Street and Mosher Street or Broadway Street and Washington Street.

Neighborhood mini circles will also be constructed, beginning in 2009.

According to the packet, the city plans to add a mini circle to Mosher Street and Fancher Street, as well as mini circles on Washington Street, Main Street, and University Street.

Mini circles have been tried in areas such as Seattle, Wash. and were shown to reduce motor vehicle crashes by an average of 90 percent, according to the City Improvement Plan. The circles have also been recommended to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The downtown parking study in 2011 will cost $20,000 and will evaluate current parking conditions, as well as a possible need for a parking structure in the area.

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Board of Trustees Chairwoman Gail Torreano said she has not completely formulated a vision yet, as the presidential search Web site and forums will offer insight in coming weeks of what the campus community hopes to see. She said the Board can not understand every aspect of the university, so faculty, community and student opinions are important in coming weeks.

“We are a community. It’s not top-down, it’s bottom-up,” she said. “I don’t want it even to be a passive thing where there is this internet site and you can go on there, I want us to go seek information from these various stakeholder groups and bring that down.”

She said a common topic brought up at an open forum Wednesday and in meetings with others on campus related to the search was transparency and involvement.

“People want to have the opportunity not just today in this process but that they want to in the future … they want to have an opportunity to bring value to the table.”

Added community support on the screening committee versus added at-large faculty members

Torreano said she chose to include added community members on the screening committee because these people are positioned to interact with faculty and students who are in the community, but also with those who are Mount Pleasant residents.

Tim Brockman, the owner of Max & Emily’s Bakery Cafe, she said, was chosen for the committee because he is routinely in conversation at his restaurant with people from all three groups. Brockman graduated from CMU and is married to Elizabeth Brockman, professor of English language and literature, Torreano said.

“He has the historical perspective,” she said. “He understands (CMU) from living and being married to a faculty member. He has perspective that I wouldn’t have.”

Torreano said she sees screening committee members as “gatherers” to draw feedback from the campus community. Aside from the opinions members have, she said, the people they reach out to are more important.

“If I thought this was a very sequential process and that the screening committee was a finite group of people that were going to provide information among one another, I would be concerned,” she said. “This process is much bigger than them.”

Torreano said Jason Nichol, a Mount Pleasant senior and president of the Student Government Association, will seek input from students in ways that are flexible for them.

Should Nichol hold his own open forums, she said, screening committee members may attend, but only if he sees it as an added benefit.

“That’s our mission to educate students and they need to understand that we want to hear what they have to say,” Torreano said. “They look at this from a totally different angle than I do.”

What position do you see the interim president having especially with the hotel project and several interim positions open?

In order for the university to move forward, Torreano said, the interim president must have freedom to take action as she sees fit, in whatever areas need attention.

“They have authority to act. You really need that,” she said. “I believe that Kathy Wilbur, she’s been around here at this university … and I think she has worked very closely with Mike Rao. I trust her.”

Torreano said while the search process for a permanent president is on-going, the interim must have freedom to continue to make decisions and move forward.

“I don’t plan on micromanaging,” she said. “I’m not that kind of Board member.”

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The week often means stress and lots of studying for many students at Central Michigan University, but business on and off campus are trying to minimize the impact of finals.

For late night studiers, the Charles V. Park Library is extending its hours from today through Wednesday. The library will be open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 1 a.m. on Sunday through Tuesday.

The library opens at various times throughout the week.

The extended hours study room will stay open until at least 2 a.m. from Friday through Wednesday of next week.

Michael Lorenzen, the head of references services at the Park Library, said the extended schedule gives students more opportunities to study during finals.

“People want a good place to study,” he said.

Farmington sophomore Susan Komrosky said the library staying open late is a relief and that she stayed there until it closed Tuesday night to get a head start on studying.

“I usually don’t use the library,” she said. “But I live in an apartment and I can barely get stuff done.”

The Student Activity Center also has extended hours during finals week, remaining open until midnight for most of the week.

Other campus departments with extended hours include the Writing Center and Supplemental Instruction.

To keep students motivated, University Recreation is partnering with the Park Library, CMU Bookstore, Papa John’s Pizza, Red Bull, University Recreation, Central Michigan Life, CMU Campus Dining, Minority Student Services, Campus Program Fund Committee, the Office of Information Technology and the President’s Office to give away prizes and food to students throughout the week.

The event is called Finals Focus, and information is available on URec’s Web site, urec.cmich.edu.

Other local restaurants trying to fuel students’ study habits are Cottage Inn and Dominos Pizza.

Gordon Smith, general manager of Dominos Pizza, said his store offers specials throughout the week to build a rapport with students.

“We know they’re going to be up all night long,” he said. “We’re just trying to offer them a mean at a reasonable rate. We try for a good price point, and at the end of the school year, a lot of them are looking for a break.”

Jessica Zimmerman, a Springfield, MO. graduate student, said she will be utilizing some of the pizza deals while she works on her final papers.

“Everyone’s running out of money now that the semester’s over,” she said. “So I think it’s nice that they’re offering a break.”

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As residents begin moving out, many items that are still in good order are being left for charities through the Residence Hall Charity Drive.

Though the Residence Hall Charity Drive doesn’t officially begin until May 1, donations are already pouring in said Calkins Residence Hall Director Cathy Warner.

“We have eliminated I bet about 85 to 90 percent of stuff that would have been thrown away,” Warner said.

Donations will be collected and distributed through Community Compassion Network. Local charities including Goodwill, Commission on Aging, Women’s Aid Services and Habitat for Humanity will receive items. Donations will also be distributed internationally to Orphanage Outreach. Orphanage Outreach serves the people of Monte Cristi and Jaibon, Dominican Republican.

Students are encouraged to donate nonperishable food, appliances, furniture and household items.

“Half eaten box of cereal, we can’t do anything with it,” Warner said. “Go feed it to the squirrels.”

However, individually packaged foods, such as bags of popcorn or granola bars, are okay.

Detroit sophomore Henry Hammond said the charity drive is a great chance to unload unneeded clothes while helping a good cause.

“It’s better that someone get some use out of it, instead of them sitting in my closet and dry rotting,” he said.

Barnes Hall Director Luanne Goffnett said Campus Dining helped along with Residence Life.

Residence Life provides transportation of the items to Mount Pleasant Community Church, where the items will be sorted and distributed.

“I’m just really proud to be a part of a community that cares bout these kinds of things, ” Goffnett said.

She said the idea the underprivileged are disadvantaged by choice is completely untrue.

“Anybody that will humble themselves to come to one of our events has a need,” she said.

Students interested in volunteering with the charity drive can sign up at volunteer.cmich.edu or by visiting the Community Compassion Network Web site: ccnhome.org.

For those interested in donating large items, such as carpet, furniture or lofts, pick up will begin Tuesday through May 9. Starting at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., large items can be picked up by calling in advance 989-773-0043 or 989-506-2320.

For north and south campus residence, donate items to the lobby. For East Campus donate items to the shared lobby. For the Towers, donate to the Troutman Hall lounge.

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After three years, Walsh was faced with the tough decision of staying at CMU or leaving to Lansing to take a different public relations position.

“It was a difficult choice,” Walsh said. “I am still committed to Special Olympics. Personally and professionally, it was a good move for me.”

Walsh, former public relations director for Special Olympics Michigan, knows firsthand about the hard work that goes into it. Walsh also knows the benefits of being a part of such a program.

On April 20, Kimberly Purdy became the new public relations manager for Special Olympics Michigan.

“The position was intriguing and a growing opportunity,” Walsh said.

Special Olympics Michigan gives athletes all over, regardless of their ability level, a chance to train and compete in a variety of sports. It offers over 16,000 athletes a chance to compete in 23 different sports and events. Special Olympics occurs year round, several times a year.

Walsh was a part of Special Olympics Michigan at Central Michigan University for several years. Through her time working for Special Olympics she was able to make a big difference.

“I was there for just under three years,” Walsh said. “Not only was it a wonderful position, but I was involved in the Special Olympics movement to change lives.”

Walsh is not leaving Special Olympics behind, however.

“Anything I can do as a volunteer I will,” Walsh said.

Purdy spent 13 years as a news anchor and reporter for the 9&10 News in northern Michigan. She has been a part of Special Olympics since 2005.

“I had previously volunteered,” Purdy said, “and I was a MC (Master of Ceremonies) for Special Olympics in Traverse City.”

Purdy is stepping into the position with a lot already on the table. The summer Special Olympics are quickly approaching here at CMU. Purdy, however, is not worried.

“I think my background, experience and contacts will help me out a lot,” Purdy said. “I bring a lot to the table and I feel that’s helping me get up to speed quickly.”

Purdy is excited about her current position and said she hopes people will come out to the games and support those who compete.

“I encourage everyone to attend and become a fan in the stands,” Purdy said.

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Melton, an Auburn Hills democrat, has introduced legislation aimed at targeting failing schools in Michigan. If the schools do not make the grade, they could face state takeover or increased competition from new charter schools.

“We need to demand more,” he said. “Who is not for more accountability in schools?”

The bill will target schools that are not making 35 percent Adequate Yearly Progress. AYP is the cornerstone of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It measures year-to-year student achievement on the Michigan Education Assessment Program for elementary and middle schools, or the Michigan Merit Examination for high school, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Melton’s legislation would include bringing in review teams to look at the schools. He is not ruling out any type of reforms, including extending school days and the school year.

In the case of a state takeover, state officials would replace existing school board members, Melton said.

Joe Pius, superintendent of Mount Pleasant Public Schools, said he is not worried about his district.

“The district is doing fine. Mount Pleasant schools doesn’t have a concern in this regard,” Pius said. “If this is just a policy to get more charter schools in Michigan, we do not support it.”

The alternative to a state takeover is putting a new charter school in the area to give parents another choice.

Scott Ray, director of external relations for the Center for Charter Schools, said the center and the university is ready to help out where needed.

“The Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University shares the House Education Committee’s desire to transform the public education system in our state,” Ray said. “CMU currently authorizes 58 charter public schools, educating some 30,000 Michigan children and the center is always ready to share its knowledge and experience with anyone who is seeking to improve public education in order to better serve students and families.”

Melton said the bill is not targeting any specific area but will look at areas with high dropout rates and poor academic results. Melton said he feels better academic results in urban areas could help keep people out of jail.

“We have a prison population of 50,000 and 70 percent of them are dropouts,” Melton said. “Schools are not living up to what they should be doing.”

Melton said these schools would not be traditional charter schools, as they would not count towards the state’s cap of 150 charter schools and would take students based on academic results. Students would have to reside within the school district where the school is placed.

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Currently, Michigan’s unemployment rate, at 12.6 percent in March, is the highest in the country, leading many graduating seniors to look outside of the state’s borders for jobs.

Paul Natke, chairman of the economics department, said the trend is not a new one, and that for decades Michigan has shipped its college graduates to neighboring states.

Natke said Michigan’s reliance on manufacturing and industries that do not require higher education degrees has been the cause of the exodus in the past. But now, another factor plays a role.

“Of course, the recession that affects everyone, and also we’re going through a major economic restructuring,” Natke said.

Director of Career Services Julia Barlow Sherlock said her department has seen an increase in the number of students looking outside of the state for employment.

She said the days of students moving back to their hometowns are over and that a shrinking world makes bigger moves seem more feasible.

“I think with the use of technology and all the second, third and fourth level networking like Facebook and Twitter, their world has shrunk and they see other opportunities outside of the state of Michigan,” Sherlock said.

She said the poor economy also is encouraging people to look for opportunities wherever possible.

“Whether it’s permanent or temporary, they’re looking for the best opportunity for them” she said. “Sometimes it’s in state. Sometimes it’s out of state.”

John Morelli is graduating in eight days, and has found a temporary job in Florida to keep him busy over the summer.

The Warren senior plans to move to Orlando and work for Sea World, but says he will come back to Michigan to find a more permanent job with one of the state’s professional sports teams.

“Majoring in sports studies, I think this will help me long-term if I want to work for an NFL team or something like that,” Morelli said. “But growing up in Michigan, I’ve become accustomed to Detroit sports.”

Natke foresees more jobs being available for college graduates like Morelli, after the state undergoes economic restructuring, however, he said it is impossible to know which sector those jobs will fall in.

“If it’s the state government trying to the lead the restructuring, it will depend on whatever jobs or industries they feel will do the job,” Natke said.

However, Natke hopes entrepreneurs will take the reigns and work out practical solutions.

“(The government should let) market and industry entrepreneurs make those choices,” Natke said. “A lot will fail, but others will find solutions that work.”

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But, for some, sleeping through a lecture happens more often than not, and maybe not by accident.

There are many ways to gather information for those that have missed a class or are just wanting to further their education in a subject of interest.

AcademicEarth.org advertises that they are an online education for free, and helpful to those who need to brush up.

With videotaped lectures from prestigious universities such as Berkeley, Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton, Stanford and Yale, the public Web site hopes to do its part in helping to educate the world.

“I could use it. Everybody misses class and sometimes people don’t take notes and their not willing to share,” said Mount Pleasant freshman Sam Wildey. “I’d love that Web site.”

Founded by former Yale University student Richard Ludlow, the Web site states it is “an organization founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education.”

Though Central Michigan University instructors are not included on the Web site, Bay City sophomore Aaron Wiley said a Web site could still be helpful.

“I think it would be a great thing for students,” he said. “You don’t always have to take your own teachers opinion of the subject. You can see outside opinions and get information that might not have been shared originally.”

Sharyl Majorski, the lab coordinator in the chemistry department, said there are chances that would give students an excuse to not come to class.

“I teach pre-lab lectures and I encourage them to be there, because I want them to see and be able to ask questions,” she said. “To me it’s a matter of safety. If they have a question, if you’re just watching it, they really can’t easily answer it.”

Though she also thinks it would encourage students to skip class, Stevensville sophomore Jennifer Ziolkowski said seeing the lecture again could help some people learn.

“I could definitely see the benefits as long as people were willing to put the effort forward,” she said. “Especially if it was the actual professor, who taught the class.”

Though he said watching online videos is no substitute for coming to class, Physics chairman Koblar Alan Jackson sees potential in posting lectures online.

“The potential advantage of recording lectures and having them available to students is so that you can practice your presentation and you can work on it so that video tape lecture is perfect,” he said. “If you do it once really well, then you’ve got it, and the students can look at it. In fact some people use a kind of hybrid system where they will perform demonstrations and they will do that part of the lecture, record it and then have that available to students before class.

“Students can look at it and then if they have questions, that can be discussed in class.”

Dearborn freshman Margaret Humenik said she recently used a Web site to help her study.

“I just used YouTube the other day for looking up a section for my macro-economics class. It was extremely helpful,” she said “I did well on the test. I think partially because of the stuff that I learned from the video.”

With all of the technology out there, some people may worry that the videos were taken illegally. But broadcasting and Cinematic Arts instructor Trey Stohlman did not seem to think that there is anything to worry about.

“I would assume that if the lectures are still up there and the instructors are aware of the content being there then the instructors gave their permission for it being there,” he said. “My guess is that not only did they get their instructors permission, (but) the instructors may have actually instigated the whole thing.”

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