Resigned members include: President Kirstin Miller; Secretary Officer Evan Lyons; Membership Director Christian Genesky; Prospective Membership Director Peter Melnik; and Parliamentarian Adam Walker.

Miller, a Vassar senior, said there were a number of reasons that led to her stepping down from her presidential role.

“Some being personal,” Vassar said. “It’s also my last semester and the organization is filled with a ton of incredible student leaders and a lot of them being sophomores and juniors that are definitely more than capable of running things smoothly.”

Vassar said there’s not really any negativity or bitter feelings toward the situation.

“It could’ve gotten to that, but I don’t think feel that it did,” she said. “I felt that it could be better managed by other individuals, so any harsh or bitter feelings that may have been were not my reason for my decision.”

A lot of thought was put into the decision, Vassar said, but she said she can’t speak for all of those who resigned.

“I think that the people that left were supporting me, but that’s not the only reason they left,” she said. “A lot of them cited their own personal reasons for leaving as well.”

Because of a busy academic schedule, Peter Melnik said he was unable to devote the time needed to make the fraternity run smoothly.

The Pickney junior said his role was overseeing and creating Phi Alpha Delta’s curriculum for prospective members.

Once he heard Miller decided to resign, Melnik said his decision became solidified as well.

“I had already been thinking about it to begin with, and with my academics and stuff, I decided it was probably best right now anyway,” he said.

With 55 members in the organization, Melnik said they have a strong future.

“I have full faith that the organization is going to run just fine without us,” he said.

Vice President Christopher Armelagos, a graduate student, now holds the president title, in accordance with chapter bylaws.

Armelagos appointed the following members to E-Board positions: Secretary Officer Jonathan Schuler; Membership Director Shannon Hollenbeck; Prospective Membership Director Joey Soyad; and Parliamentarian Nick Kastros.

“The Interim Executive Board members who I appointed are more than qualified to carry out the duties of their respective offices,” Armelagos said in an email. “I am confident that our chapter is under the direction of strong student leaders.”

Spring 2012 recruitment efforts are going well as expected, he said. There are no intentions to make major changes to their semester plans.

Tony Voisin, named interim Dean of Students in August, said Thursday that he has “full confidence” in Cavataio’s ability to juggle SGA president and a public relations internship.

“I think his schedule at this point very much will accommodate this type of experience for him,” Voisin said. “It’s right along the lines of his degree, and I don’t know how much he sees it as a job.”

Cavataio, a Shelby Township senior studying public affairs and integrated public relations, was recently hired for a public relations internship with CMU Facilities Management and will be tasked with promoting sustainable energy on campus.

On Tuesday, he told Central Michigan Life he has no plans to step down as SGA president and said he expects to have just as much time, if not more, for SGA. The internship is a part-time job — he plans to work about 20 hours per week — with pay, and he is only taking this internship and a seminar class. Cavataio declined to reveal his pay and Steve Lawrence, vice president of Facilities Management, has not returned an email and phone call requesting comment.

Voisin said the number one responsibility for students is academics and there is no university policy against an SGA president holding a job on or off campus.

“We’ve had SGA presidents who have been RAs before,” Voisin said. “I would just advise a president make sure he or she can handle everything. He knows what’s expected of him, and he handles it very well.

“You can’t downplay the fact that he’s in a semester he doesn’t have any classes to deal with. It’s something he can handle, and he’ll do it well.”

Spectrum President Justin Gawronski, a Macomb junior and SGA representative, said Cavataio proved himself last semester during the faculty contract dispute with CMU.

“I don’t think his position will do anything to change that he stands up for students, as requested as SGA president,” Gawronski said. “I don’t see it as a conflict of interest. It’s a good opportunity (for him), and I don’t think he’ll take any sort of side because of it.”

With 273 registered student organizations on Central Michigan University’s campus, there are many options for students to find their niche, no matter what it might be.

Tom Idema, assistant director of Student Life, said every organization welcomes new members.

“Groups aren’t exclusive and they all want new members,” Idema said. “Students should all get involved in something. An RSO will allow you to get the best out of your college experience.”

To join an RSO, students can log on to OrgSync and peruse the entire list. Each group has a brief description and contact information to find out more about activities and requirements.

With over 1,200 students in a sorority or fraternity, Idema said Greek life is the most popular form of RSO. The Volunteer Center, Program Board, traveling club sports and political and religious organizations are among other top picks.

“By getting involved you learn skills that you can apply to other stuff,” Idema said. “It’s a great way to get connected, learn how to work in a team and build on to your resume.”

Hailey Uribe is involved in various Greek Life RSOs. The St. Louis senior is part of Phi Mu Fraternity, the Panhellenic Council and a Greek Life Intern.

“In terms of RSOs, don’t judge a book by its cover,” Uribe said. “Go for it and give a few a try. You never know who you’re going to meet and what you’re going to get. There are a ton of opportunities and it will make your college career a whole lot better.”

Saginaw junior Nicki Rowlett has made the most of her CMU experience by participating in 10 different RSOs. Rowlett said she became involved to increase her leadership skills and make new friends.

“I have learned more being heavily involved on campus than in any other classroom,” Rowlett said. “Through an RSO, you can make new friends, learn new things and actually experience situations that can prepare you for the real world.”

If students do not find a group that meets their needs, they can create their own. All that is needed is a minimum of three students, a faculty advisor and constitution, and Student Life will help put the rest together.

The waiting list system, which was designed to prevent upperclassmen, who can register earlier, from saving class slots for underclassmen, is now in effect for health sciences and physical education and sport classes for a test run.

“Our Office of Information Technology developed it and did a good job,” said Registrar Karen Hutslar. “Right now, it is in review with colleges and other departments.”

Hutslar said when a course has filled up the new system will ask the student trying to register for the course if they would like to be put on the waiting list.

“The spots open up, and the students on the list go in,” she said.

There is no restriction on how many students can be on the waiting list for one specific class, she said.

No incidents of students abusing the system have occurred this semester among the two departments using the list. Students violate the provision in the student bulletin, which explains students must register for their own academic classes, when they save courses for other students.

“So far, we have not received any referrals from the Registrar’s Office for possible violations of this policy,” said Tony Voisin, director of Student Life.

If Student Life were to receive a case, the student would likely face a sanction of disciplinary probation for their actions, he said, though it would be dependent on the situation.

Freeland senior Jon Eaton said he thinks the new policy is fair because saving classes for underclassmen was a way to beat the seniority system of class registration. He said he occasionally had classes saved for him while attending another university.

“I (saw) it when I went to Saginaw Valley (State University),” Eaton said. “My brother had done it for me before I transferred.”

The waiting list has not been well received among some underclassmen.

“I feel like we get the dull selection of classes,” said Indian River freshman Michaela Wright. “I think it is unfair and there are other people who are still going to do it.”

The waiting list will likely be back next semester.

“Overall, I think it went well and only requires some small changes,” Hutslar said.

The West Bloomfield senior’s car is wrapped in vinyl printed with the “Take Care CMU” logo and a dotted pattern. She is the first person to try out the car wrapping.

“I love driving my car because I am so proud to be able to show the initiative and promote it,” Klager said. “But at the same time, it is embarrassing to have my car wrapped in it.”

Take Care is a message for students to respect one another, take care of each other and be responsible. Klager said she loves the message because of its subtle reminder.

“I think it will be in people’s heads more or it will be brought up in discussion,” Klager said. “Even if they’re mocking (the car) they are at least discussing it and they are acknowledging the fact that it is important for them to take care of people around them.”

Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe said the Take Care initiative is to educate people they do have the right to get involved. The wrapped car provides that extra emphasis on what the program promotes.

“The more we promote it the more people associate that sense of taking care with who we are and what we value,” Roscoe said.

As apart of the wrap, Klager has had to go to different Central Michigan University events such as Tailgate Central, a non-alcoholic tailgate and the Homecoming parade.

Tony Voisin, assistant dean and director of Student Life, said Klager’s car was chosen because it was in decent shape, she can drive the car for at least eight months and is interested in the cause.

“Lisa was really familiar with the Take Care concept,” Voisin said. “She is someone who was very interested in the concept. She is excited about it.”

Voisin said the car is the latest of many opportunities for the initiative that CMU has been doing for the last three or four years.

Roscoe helped form the idea of Take Care after a murder in 2004.

“What was of real concern in addition to that were there was a lot of people around who watched this happen and no one came to his assistance,” Roscoe said. ”Nobody pulled out their phone and called the police.”

Klager said driving the car delivers a simple and plain lesson and it gets the message across.

She remembers stopping at a stop light when two men simultaneously pulled up on both sides of her car. She at first thought they were staring at her, but it turned out they were just reading her car.

“They turned and they were staring at me, even after the light turned green,” Klager said. “I counted 10 seconds.”

Throughout the past year, I have witnessed some major developments in the advancement of the university that I believe have drawn so many students to campus. The great triumphs of the football team, the groundbreaking of one of Michigan’s exclusive medical schools, and the overall affordability of CMU during this pressing fiscal era have all helped mold the university to fit the form of a larger and more reputable institution of higher learning.

For these reasons, more students made the sound decision to accept their admission than was ever expected. The consciousness of CMU’s desirability that has swelled substantially in recent years should be an indicator to CMU’s administration, faculty, staff, and, of course, its student body as to the direction of this institution and its great potential for advancement.

I believe that maintaining and increasing CMU’s prestige should be a prime focal point in future university decisions in every avenue, from our admissions to our architecture.

More specifically, increasing selectivity so as to attract students of high academic quality and bridging the current achievement gap prevalent among students should be made a priority in line with CMU’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Communication between CMU and its student populace is at its zenith, and there are more opinions to consider than ever. Now is the time to focus on the missions, goals, and values of the university as its metamorphosis continues, right alongside the changing seasons.

Colleen McNeely

Brighton sophomore

That thought process changes quickly when I am faced with closed doors from university officials in authoritative positions who seem to be out of reach for students.

Now before everyone gets his or her panties in a bunch, I want to make clear this is my observation based on my time here at CMU.

I guess what I am trying to say is please let me learn.

I came to CMU for the journalism program. This program fit me best in what I was looking for in the field I wanted to major in.

Now, I am questioning this decision. I feel I am losing out on the whole education experience.

In classes that require reporting on the university, participation from university officials can make or break many assignments, exercises and learning experiences.

I feel individuals are controlling who I can talk with. When I need someone for an interview, whether the story is for Central Michigan Life or for a classroom project I feel it is a major hassle and it is discouraging.

It has been increasingly difficult to speak to anyone in authority of departments on this campus.

However, I would be wrong to lump the university as a whole in this. But as a student if my education and learning experience is at risk, then I feel the whole of the university and myself are responsible to do something about it.

As a student, my first responsibility is academics before anything else. So let me learn. Let me meet with people without these huge hoops to jump through which compromise what I am learning in the classroom.

Let me learn without sending my questions in for review. Let me learn by meeting officials face to face in a timely matter. Treat me with the same respect you do professionals in my field.

I understand the workforce outside the education atmosphere has hoops to jump through, obstacles to overcome and sometimes people will not speak to you, but let me remind you I am not paying over $4,000 a semester in the workforce.

What do I have to do to have access to the public officials on this campus? I am not asking to CMU to make a special exemption for students to speak with officials. What I am asking of CMU is not to hinder learning for anyone on this campus.

Students should have the right as individuals to have questions answered, concerns addressed and the education process fulfilled to their expectations when paying for it.

I feel somewhere in the leadership of CMU they have become too concerned with the public face of this institution.

I feel this is distorting the message to students about being an environment of learning.

Tiffanie, who got married Saturday, is a great friend of mine. We met five years ago at Red Lobster in Grand Rapids. Tiffanie came into my life shortly after I came back to Christ. She never knew the person I was before my decision to follow Jesus.

We worked together as servers at the “Slobster” as we call it The Slobster is gossip central and Tiffanie heard about my wild past from co-workers.

At that time I was struggling as a new believer and trying to live as an example of my faith.

Tiffanie took notice of me. She saw me trying to understand who I was and we became close friends.

Tiffanie moved to Kalamazoo few years back to live with her future husband Matt. We stayed in touch off and on through Facebook and phone calls.

Tiffanie listened to me often last year while I was attending CMU. Hearing my struggles of adjustment. Encouraging me to stay strong. Reminding me of my faith and my trust.

I have always believed God places people in our lives for a reason. Tiffanie was no exception.

When Tiffanie called this past June to ask me about being a part her wedding, I was a little stunned at first. By no means have I thought my life would have made an impression on anyone. It was inconceivable to me that someone who knew what I was capable of at one time would look up to me in this way.

Tiffanie asked me to marry her and Matt. She wanted me to be the dude in front with the bible. The question was asked via voicemail, but that gave me a chance to think about it. Basically pray about it.

I was uneasy about doing the ordination online. I even questioned myself about whether this would make God angry? But in my heart, a friend needed me. I did it for that reason. She trusted me enough as a friend that I would do my best for her wedding. So I went online and got ordained.

They called me Pastor Lonnie and I wrote the ceremony and performed the wedding. At the reception some of my old co-workers congratulated me on the service and were a bit in shock I was still doing “the Jesus thing,” as they would put it.

I am still on this journey. I will never be perfect. This wedding taught me a lot about the love between two people. I am glad I was part of their celebration of love. I may not have what they have but I do have a perfect loving God full of mercy and grace.

Grace is something I definitely need.  I may be ordained on paper but I am not sure I should be in a pulpit on Sunday mornings or any day of the week.

You have heard of “Bad Santa.” The wedding party called me Bad Pastor.

The year saw 65 incidents within residence halls which resulted in a fine — a 132 percent increase from 2007-08.

However, alcohol violations have decreased annually with 409 reported last year, which is down from 517 in 2006-07, said Director of Student Life Tony Voisin.

He said about 50 alcohol violation referrals have been reported since the first two weeks of the present school year, which normally hovers around 30 referrals.

“It’s been a pretty busy couple of weeks for us,” Voisin said, noting it will take at least a month to process the pending alcohol referrals.

Most of the university code of ethics violations pertaining to controlled substances and alcohol stem from the residence halls, he said.

Voisin said the statistics do not include instances where a student was found in violation of the policy, but was not reported to university officials by their residence hall director.

Bill O’Dell, residence hall director for Cobb and Troutman halls, said resident assistants are required to stop behavior violating the university policy once drawn to the situation. The instance is then documented and sent to the hall’s RHD.

O’Dell said the RHD meets with each person documented in the report to ensure accuracy and get their point of view.

Minor infractions like noise or trash violations are usually handled by Residence Life, O’Dell said, but more severe situations are referred to the Office of Student Life where a conduct proceedings officer determines the best course of action.

“We try to maintain a level of civility and community in our residence halls,” O’Dell said, “and that’s why we try to stop behavior that’s violating policy and then refer that over.”

Police involvement

In cases where drugs are involved, Residence Life contacts CMU Police. Conversely, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities handle alcohol violations.

After a referral is reported, Voisin said the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities reviews the report, consults with the student or students involved in the incident, and takes further disciplinary action if required.

The fine for a first-time offense is $150.

Although the numbers are about evenly spread throughout the residence halls, Wheeler had the most reported alcohol and drug violations where police were involved with 10, while the other halls all had violations in single digits.

Voisin said alcohol violations on campus aren’t always reported to the police because CMU’s policy is to route the student through the university’s disciplinary process.

“We are not a court system,” he said.

Because the university handles alcohol violations, Voisin said they educate students to make better choices. The number of students who violate alcohol policies on campus for a second time is very low, Voisin said.

CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said he’s comfortable with this arrangement.

“I think Residence Life has a very good track record on campus of making the decision of contacting the police and when not to,” he said.

According to year-to-date statistics from CMU Police, the department responded to 45 controlled substance cases and 33 alcohol cases at residence halls in 2010.

Yeagley said the statistics are slightly higher than normal, but the increase is not substantial.

Though the dollars keep shrinking, the bottom line for campus programming remains the same.

Program Board, Greek Life and registered student organizations will not have the luxury of increased funds for the new school year.

The campus programming fund, which is formed from student’s tuition, will be $826,000 for the 2010-2011 academic year; the same amount it was last year.

“We have the same demand for programming but as inflation continues to rise those dollars don’t go as far,” said Brittany Mouzourakis, Student Government Association president. “The trends that we are seeing are that, as the years are going by and CPF is not increasing, we’re seeing less and less money left over at the end of the year.”

The CPF provides money to a wide variety of organizations on campus including Program Board, SGA, the Office of Student Life, Greek Life, the Leadership Institute, the Volunteer Center, University Recreation and almost all registered student organizations.

Last year, the SGA made a push to increase the CPF to $1 million. Though that effort was unsuccessful, Mouzourakis, a Garden City senior, said the SGA put in an application for a decrease in funding so more money could be freed up for other projects.

“We kept our promise to promote more fiscal responsibility with student’s dollars by asking for about $1,000 less than the year before,” Mouzourakis said. “We also decreased our stipends by 20 percent.”

History

The CPF was created in 2001 and was originally called the Campus Programming Fee, said Tony Voisin, director of Student Life. Voisin said the amount of money each student contributed to the fund was determined by the amount of credit hours they were taking that semester.

That year Central Michigan University’s roughly 18,000 students’ fees resulted in a CPF of approximately $860,000, depending on total credit hours taken that year.

When the CMU Promise was created in 2006, it eliminated all fees. Therefore the name was changed to the campus programming fund and the amount was flatly defined at $800,000, Voisin said.

“The costs for things have gone up dramatically since the fund’s creation, yet the amount of money in it has gone down,” Voisin said. “It makes it especially hard for groups like Program Board to bring entertainment to campus.”

The amount of money placed in the fund changes from year to year. Each July, the main 13 selected organizations that fall under CPF (including the Student Budget Allocation Committee which allocates finances to nearly all of the 270 RSOs on campus) present proposals to a committee in July requesting the amount of money they feel will be needed for the upcoming school year.

Dean of Students Bruce Roscoe approves the final list of the amounts each organization will receive.

Reductions

Voisin said the Leadership Institute took a large hit this year, losing $15,000 of funding due to a loss of employees. Program Board also endured a budget reduction, from $300,000 to $293,000 this year.

Steve Lewis, president of Program Board, said while the organization hoped to receive about $10,000 more than they did, they also planned on receiving the lower figure.

Despite the decrease in funding, the Allegan junior said they were able to bring musical group We the Kings to campus on Oct. 10.

“We really wanted to focus on getting big name people to campus, but a show like that usually costs at least $100,000 or more,” Lewis said. “I think we’ll still be able to bring good events to campus. We’ll just have to be even more conscious of the budget than normal and more creative with how we use the money.”

Any money leftover in the CPF remains within the fund and is rolled over into the next year. In the early-to-mid 2000’s Voisin said the CPF would sometimes have around $50,000 left over. Last year, Voisin estimated that number to be around $5,000.

He said each group basically used all of the money allocated to them. While that number varies from year to year, Voisin said it is always their goal to have money left over.

Retention

SGA Vice President Dave Breed, a Muskegon senior, said the CPF can influence the retention rate at Central Michigan University.

“CPF dollars go toward the events that keep students around,” he said. “The more that students feel engaged on campus, the more likely they are to stay. If there weren’t enough opportunities for them to get involved they could choose another university.”

Breed said while SGA will continue to push for an increase in CPF, they remain realistic it may not happen right away due to the current economic climate.

“The university and the state are in a world of hurt right now,” Voisin said. “It’s going to be a tough task to get (CPF) increased dramatically.”