A complaint filed with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education last week questions Central Michigan University's decision to charge Campus Conservatives and Young Americans for Freedom for the cost of having security at an upcoming event. Dennis Lennox II, a Topinabee senior and spokesman for Campus Conservatives, filed the complaint after receiving notification that YAF will be charged $220 for having two uniformed officers at David Horowitz' presentation Oct. 14. "CMU is imposing unconstitutional restrictions on the right of students to freely express themselves and exchange ideas," Lennox said, explaining his views that students should be able to convene and discuss important issues without worrying about safety. FIRE responded to Lennox' complaint by sending an e-mail to University President Michael Rao on Friday." .Steve Smith, director of media relations, said the university will be further investigating the letter today.

Hot dog!

Eating contest registration today

RPL 430: Recreation Programming students are registering contestants for their Top Dog Challenge, a hot dog eating contest that will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Pixie, 302 N. Mission St. Registration is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday in front of the Bovee University Center. Competitors will be judged on how fast they can eat three hot dogs. The entry fee is $10 and includes a T-shirt. Proceeds from the contest will benefit Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 South Adams St. Check cm-life.com for the full story.

Classic concert

Wind Ensemble performs Tuesday

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble starts its season Tuesday with a concert. The concert will take place from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Music Building's Staples Family Concert Hall. The ensemble is conducted by John E. Williamson and will perform works by Jan P. Sweelinck, Ingolf Dahl, Joaquin Rodrigo and music professor David Gillingham. They will close the concert with three marches composed by Mariano San Miguel, Davide Delle Cese and Henry Fillmore. The event is open to the public.

Effective lecture

Author to speak at 7 p.m. today

Author Rick Shenkman will lecture about the election and voting from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium. Shenkman's lecture, "Election 2008: 7 Habits of Highly Effective Voters. How will you decide?" is open to the public. Shenkman is the author of "Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth about the American Voter." The event is sponsored by Program Board.

Disability awareness

Games to be played in wheelchairs

The Volunteer Center will host Wheelchair Games today as part of Disability Awareness Month. The games are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in Finch Fieldhouse. Participants will have the opportunity to try such sports as wheelchair basketball, hand cycling and wheelchair hockey. Admission is open to the public.

Flowers, landscapes

Photo exhibit to be displayed

Psychology associate professor Rachel Foster-Lifson's photos will be on display starting today until the end of the month. "Portraits, Flowers and Landscapes" will be on display from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays in the Multicultural Education Center in the Bovee University Center.

If you have an interesting item for Life in Brief, let us know by e-mailing Brian McLean at news@cm-life.com