A recent study shows undergraduate students are working fewer hours per week, and the economy is most likely to blame.

The National Bureau of Economic Research reports student employment hours have dropped from 11 hours in 2000-08 to only eight hours from 2009 on.

Many students are simply unable to find jobs in the hurting economy, and others are often more busy with school and other commitments, the State News reports.

Keeping up with the demands of both school and a job is not only manageable, but helpful, said Michigan State University freshman Arnett Morgan.

“Students who do work 10 to 15 (hours) could actually be at a better sweet spot because they have better time management,” Morgan told the State News.

Michigan passes pro-bullying legislation

Michigan legislators began working on a law last year in an attempt to help reduce the number of bullying-related suicides. Unfortunately, “Matt’s Safe School Law” — named for a student who took his life after being bullied at school — does little to prevent harassment, the Western Herald reports.

The new law states that bullying behavior is justified if the student’s actions are based on a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.”

Critics of the law say this addendum will render the law useless, as it will allow gay students to continue to be victimized by bullies.

Gov. Rick Snyder, who has spoken about his own torment by bullies during his time in school, signed the bill into law on Nov. 29.

Students consider leaving Michigan after graduation

Students are finding more reason to leave the state following graduation from college, the Grand Valley Lanthorn reports. Students’ decisions to relocate often include family, friends and even Michigan’s infamous weather indecision, but are most frequently a result of the poor economy.

Next Generation Consulting, a Wisconsin advising firm for professionals, reported that only 11 percent of college students believed Michigan to have enough job opportunities for their needs. Fifty-nine percent still considered staying in the state after graduation, and 30 percent were unsure of their future plans.

Educations that offer realistic career experience and opportunities are the key to keeping graduates in the state, the Lanthorn reports.

Michigan will only continue to hurt economically if it is unable to retain jobs and educated people to fill them.

Stricter state guidelines for failing students

With the growing national debt constantly posing problems for the national government, new guidelines are being enforced at universities in order to cut down on national spending. The newest of these policies will take both federal and school-funded financial aid out of the hands of students who are failing in school, the Grand Valley Lanthorn reports.

Each university is handling the policy differently, but most agree that it boils down to be mostly an attendance issue. If students attend class, there really is no worry that any financial aid will be lost, the Lanthorn reports.

Universities are not looking to kick students out, and only extreme cases of failure are currently being considered under the new policy.

A degree from Michigan State University has lost value as federal education funds decrease and tuition fees increase, according to a recent report published in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine.

According to a report in the State News, MSU ranked in the top 100 public universities in the country based on cost and quality. MSU came in at No. 49 for in-state students and 61 for out-of-state students, lower than it had been the previous year.

University quality played a greater role than cost in the rankings, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine Senior Editor Jane Bennett Clark told the State News.

“(For) our first sweep of colleges, we start with the criteria such as student-faculty ratio, consider admission rate and yield and the test scores of incoming freshmen,” Clark told the State News.

Although MSU has seen increases in university quality, it still can’t compete with the increases made by other universities, said Clark.

Small businesses rely on social networks

Small businesses are finding new means to reach potential customers in today’s crippled economy, and social networking sites seem to hold the key to success for many.

Sites like Facebook and Twitter are convenient for small businesses because of the minimal costs and potential to a broader customer base.

“Social network marketing is grown to such a height that today many businesses can’t earn without it,” Andy Brautigam, owner of A+B small business marketing in Kalamazoo, told the Western Herald.

Businesses have been forced to change to keep up with the demands of customers with an increasing internet presence. Using social networking effectively can essentially “make or break a business,” according to the story.

GVSU buys .xxx domain to protect university

Grand Valley State University recently reserved the GVSU.xxx domain name, following similar actions made by other Michigan universities. GVSU will not make use of the domain, but only wish to block it from the use by others, the Grand Valley Lanthorn reported.

Central Michigan University recently bought three domain names for similar reasons, and the University of Michigan currently owns 21 URLs.

Purchasing these domain names is important in keeping others from abusing the names of the universities, infringing on their copyrights or associating the schools with adult content.

Michigan State University and others did not to reserve .xxx domains, opting to closely monitor the internet for any infringements or abuses instead, according to the report.

U-M to begin new capital fundraising project

The University of Michigan is looking to begin its new capital fundraising project, an endeavor that is organized for every decade.

The Michigan Difference capital campaign of 2004-08 succeeded in raising $3.2 billion for the university. The campaign funded 1,969 new scholarships and 185 new professorships, as well as the construction of 22 new campus buildings, according to a report in the Michigan Daily.

The new campaign may not be launched for a few years to come, but specific goals are being established in order to start the process, according to the report. It is likely that the new project will overlap with the 2017 celebrations, marking the 200th anniversary of the university.

Brimhall, a Ph. D candidate at Western Michigan University, said she once thought all poetry was about fields and flowers.

“On some level, all our decisions are conscious,” Brimhall said. “…I decided to talk honestly in my poems.”

She said she always loved to write and studied creative writing as an undergraduate student but did not pursue graduate degrees until she later realized she was unhappy.

Brimhall moved to New York, took workshop classes and worked odd jobs. She said she loved poetry enough to change her life.

“Teaching keeps the light on and poetry keeps me alive,” Brimhall said.

Brimhall said she likes to remind her students at WMU she is a practicing writer too, but with more experience. She said she does not like an imbalance of power in the classroom.

Professor of English language and literature Jeffrey Bean said Monday’s reading was the first time he heard Brimhall’s and Jajuga’s work.

“The whole event was moving,” Bean said. “I felt emotionally connected with the poems.”

Robert Fanning, assistant professor of English language and literature, introduced those who would perform: Brimhall, Jajuga and Jamie Fiste, associate professor of cello at the school of music.

Fanning said Brimhall’s work was complimented by Jajuga’s work by way of moods, tones and themes.

“There is a powerful voice in Leigh’s poetry, a deep spark, a bravery with language and a traveling inward — into memory,” Fanning said. “She goes into the mines and works hard to chisel her gems.”

Jajuga is the president of Central Michigan University’s Poets’ Collective, an assistant editor of the Central Review, Open Palm Print and Greatest Lakes Review.

Fiste is an active recitalist, chamber musician, orchestral player and teacher.

Brimhall’s first book, “Rookery,” won the 2010 Crab Orchard Series in Poetry’s First Book Award, and her forthcoming book, “Our Lady in Ruins,” was selected by Carolyn Forche for the 2011 Barnard Women Poets Prize.

“It was terrific to hear great birds that are Traci’s poems released from their cages and flying around the room,” Fanning said.

The Chippewas had hopes for a third-straight bid into the NCAA Tournament dashed on Monday when they were left out of the field of 64.

CMU appeared to be on its way to what would have been a Mid-American Conference record third-straight tournament appearance, but its 1-0 loss to Western Michigan in the MAC Tournament semifinals turned out to be enough to exclude the Chippewas.

“I think we struggled a bit getting going,” said head coach Neil Stafford after the loss. “I thought Western Michigan had great energy and they really controlled parts of the game.”

The Chippewa’s rival from Kalamazoo had their number this season, being the only MAC team to defeat CMU. WMU also won the regular season meeting on Oct. 14.

“Full credit to Western,” Stafford said.” But I feel like this is one that got away from us with all the pressure and opportunities we had.”

Even with the loss, CMU still had a chance to make the tournament as an at-large team. The Chippewas had wins over power conference teams such as Pittsburgh, Louisville and Wisconsin.

CMU finished the season ranked 53rd in the country.

If the Chippewas would have made the tournament, it would have been the first at-large bid the MAC has ever received. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.

“We have had a quality program the last couple years,” Stafford said. “You could say we have had a great year, but it all comes down to conference play.”

CMU finishes its season with a record of 15-3-3.

On Friday, the Central Michigan women’s soccer team was unable to beat Western Michigan goalkeeper Michelle Watson as the Broncos defeated CMU 1-0 in overtime.

“I think we struggled a little bit getting going today,” Stafford said. “I thought Western Michigan had great energy and they really controlled parts of the game.”

Junior Anina Cicerone scored 4:31 into the second overtime, heading the ball into the goal off a free kick.

“I guess you would like to get beat on another play, but fair credit to Western Michigan,” Stafford said.

This time, the Chippewas inability to score proved costly.

“It’s one that I felt got away from us with all of the pressure and opportunities we had,” Stafford said.

Watson made four saves in her shutout performance, including a key diving save on junior Ashley Mejilla.

CMU junior goalkeeper Stefanie Turner made a season-high eight saves in the loss.

“She was fine,” Stafford said. “She didn’t really have to make a big save or anything, but I thought she played good.”

The Chippewas were outshot by the Broncos 14-13 — the first time it was outshot by a MAC opponent all season.

Both teams received a yellow card foul as emotions were elevated throughout the game.

Sophomore Kaely Schlosser had one for the Chippewas and senior Nikolette Rivera for the Broncos. On Sunday, Toledo defeated WMU in the MAC Championship
game, claiming the title.

Rachel Macleod scored at the 68:01 mark off a corner kick to give the Rockets the only offense they needed, winning 1-0.

UT’s defense held WMU to just one shot on goal in the win.

This turns out to be a favorable outcome for the Chippewas as their season relies on a possible bid to participate in the NCAA Tournament.

With the Bronco loss, CMU’s chances of a tournament bid slightly increases because Toledo earned the only automatic bid from the MAC.

A WMU win potentially meant the Rockets would receive an at-large bid. Now, the Broncos are most likely eliminated from receiving a bid because both Toledo
and CMU have posted better overall records.

Boasting a 15-3-3 record with quality non-conference wins against Wisconsin, Louisville and Pittsburgh, the Chippewas seek to become the only MAC team in conference history to receive a possible at-large bid.

The selections will be announced Monday afternoon.

Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will be participating in the fall blood challenge to see which school can donate the most blood.

The two-week long event is set to kick off at noon Monday in the Emmons Hall lobby and will run through Oct. 20.

During the spring 2011 challenge, which ran from Jan. 18 to Jan. 28, CMU donated 223 units of blood, falling short of the 387 units donated by WMU.

Despite WMU coming out on top, the schools worked collectively to give as much blood and save as many lives as possible.

Several students said they felt adding the element of rivalry is a great way to get people motivated about donating blood.

“Any time there’s a competition-based event, especially with Western, I think students will participate,” said Kalamazoo senior Michael Babineaux.

Babineaux said he feels the blood drive will give CMU a chance to redeem itself not only from past blood drives, but from defeats in sports as well.

Jet’s Pizza, 2308 S. Mission St., will provide free pizza to all donors. Participants will also have a chance to win gift cards from Meijer, free food from Subway and other prizes.

“Donating blood is about saving lives and I think everyone gets that message, but it’s great to have food and prizes as the organization’s (Red Cross) way of thanking people for coming out,” said Grosse Point senior Jessica Montgomery.

She said people will be more willing to donate if they feel like they are getting something out of it.

Anyone wishing to donate blood must bring their Red Cross donor card or another form of identification when going to donate.

To make an appointment or find out more about the drive’s locations and times, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

CMU’s crest motto, “Sapientia, Virtus, Amicitia” translates to mean “wisdom, virtue and friendship” and is designed to serve as a concise mission statement for the university, said Clarke Historical Library Director Frank Boles.

“Reduced to only a few words, the crest shares what values are those which the institution wishes to demonstrate through the behavior of its faculty and staff, and hopefully instill into those who have the opportunity to attend the school,” Boles said.

Other major Michigan university mottos are generally similar. University of Michigan’s motto reads, “Arts, Knowledge, Truth,” and is the only other university which has retained the original Latin.

Michigan State University’s motto is “Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives,” and Wayne State University promotes “Industry, Intelligence, Integrity.”

Boles said CMU’s choice to use “friendship” is representative of the college experience as a whole, rather than only what is learned in the classroom.

“Including ‘friendship’ on the crest undoubtedly was meant to remind us that our institutional mission includes sharing and helping others to share lasting interpersonal values that will continue to be important long after many of the facts learned in the classroom are revised or forgotten,” Boles said.

Virtue, also known as moral goodness, is included to further encourage the message that college is about more than just gaining an education, said Andrew Blom, assistant professor of Philosophy.

Not only moral goodness, but also the building of character are important values for all CMU students, Blom said.

“I believe that a quality university education is not just about developing the intellect and getting marketable skills, but also about enlarging one’s capacities for empathy and engaged citizenship,” Blom said. “Cultivating virtue is as much a matter of becoming knowledgeable, critical, judicious and skillful as of becoming kind, courageous and fair.”

Western Michigan University does not and has never had a motto on its university seal. WMU Director of University Relations Cheryl Roland said a motto is unnecessary for the purposes of the university.

“Our seal, which is used for formal and ceremonial purposes, has several graphic elements that characterize the university’s principles and stature,” she said.

Detroit freshman Deonte Rodgers said he believes friendship is the most important value represented by the CMU.

“Once I came to Central, everyone was so friendly and helpful,” he said. “With the friendly atmosphere, the transition to the college standard was easier to make, since I felt more comfortable.”

Grand Ledge sophomore Lindsey Schiller said she believes the motto’s priorities should play a bigger role in the university’s public perception.

“CMU is always just seen as a party school,” Schiller said. “We should be promoted more for our academics and intelligence, which are really important aspects of the school.”

Unlike Rodgers and Schiller, Streamwood freshman Stephen Lokos knew what the crest meant.

“I believe CMU pursues their motto by emphasizing the value of hard work, determination and community,” he said.

Boles said he encourages all students and faculty to really reflect on the meaning of the university’s motto.

“As aspirational goals, wisdom, virtue and friendship are three values by which any person can live a happy and productive life,” he said. “One could certainly do worse than (using) these three values as guide stones.”

This statement, made by Provost Gary Shapiro in a letter to staff and faculty and published in Central Michigan Life, outlines what he sees as the main conflict between the university and the Faculty Association in coming to a contract agreement.

If Shapiro or anybody else thinks the compensation faculty are getting is “appropriate in relation to comparable universities,” they have not done adequate research.

As reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education, CMU had 787 full-time faculty for 27,247 enrolled students, 34.6 students per full-time faculty member, in 2009-10. The average salary for a professor was $98,400 and $75,000 for an associate professor.

Western Michigan University, possibly the most comparable public university in the state by size, had 862 full-time faculty for 24,576 enrolled students, which is 28.5 students per faculty member, in the same time period. Professor salary averaged, $100,800 and $75,500 for associate professors.

Professors at WMU are getting slightly more money for a slightly lighter load of students on each faculty member.

While CMU is striving to be a more prominent university, it’s unfair to think payments should stay the same for faculty and staff because CMU is anticipating a lack of funding after spending money on general projects.

It is also the reason average annual tuition, as reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2010, was $10,380, a mere $800 less than the average annual tuition of Michigan State University.

If compared to MSU, the university it could be argued we are striving to be, the compensation to CMU professors looks even worse.

Professors at MSU get an average of $125,200 a year and associates get $87,000, respectively $27,100 and $12,000 more than their peers at CMU, according to the Chronicle for Higher Education article.

Yes, MSU is a much larger university by enrollment, but even larger by faculty. In 2009-10, there were 47,071 students enrolled at MSU, but 2,623 full-time faculty, meaning there are only 17.9 students per faculty, compared to 34.6 students per faculty at CMU.

This paints a pretty clear picture — if we want to be like our “big brother,” we need to treat our professors better.

EMU’s Board of Regents announced a 3.65 percent increase Monday, and the other two universities’ were determined last week at their respective board meetings. U-M raised tuition 6.7 percent while MSU raised tuition 6.9 percent.

Each undergraduate resident will pay $306 more at EMU, $797 more at U-M and $788 more each year at MSU.

CMUwill determine its own tuition increase at the July 14 board of trustees meeting.

The Wayne State University Board of Governors will meet Wednesday to determine its tuition rate, but university officials have already stated a 7.1 percent increase is necessary to balance the school’s budget.

Thus far, all of the state universities to have set rates have avoided a tuition restraint penalty which would result in a further loss in state funding. If schools exceed the 7.1 percent tuition increase, they will see additional losses in state funding beyond the 15 percent they will already lose in the state’s budget.

Saginaw Valley State, Oakland and Western Michigan universities have also set their tuition rates.

With a 15-percent cut, CMU is set to receive $68 million in state appropriations next year.

University President George Ross has said to expect to see a “modest” tuition increase. Tuition rates were already raised 2.5 percent for master’s and doctoral tuition, and a 3 percent increase to ProfEd tuition.

Barrie Wilkes, associate vice president of Financial Services and Reporting and university controller, previously said the final decision on tuition will be made at the July board meeting.

He said the board is shown a comparison of how other schools handled their tuition increases, but the board ultimately makes the decision independently.

“There’s a comparison provided, but that is not key to developing the university’s budget,” Wilkes said.