Low involvement hurts student senate
 
By Laura Chene
News Editor
 
Student Government was unable to pass a number of resolutions, as well as expand its membership due to a lack of voting members at last Wednesday’s meeting.
 
This was the second time this semester in which an absence of quorum has negatively impacted student government, according to Vice President of Public Relations Tony Aloia. Quorum is the total number of members needed to conduct certain business, including making motions, passing resolutions and appointing new members. Quorum for student government is 12, just over half of the 22 voting members.
 
Some resolutions were read at the Feb. 6 meeting and were tabled until last Wednesday’s meeting due to insufficient quorum; those same resolutions were unable to be voted on again for the same reason as the previous week.
 
Furthermore, four students seeking senate positions were unable to gain membership at last week’s meeting. For a couple of the students, this was their fourth meeting. In many cases, a student is appointed to the board after attending three meetings and completing other requirements.
 
According to Aloia, although the senate has experienced participation problems in the past, it just recently began experiencing problems with not having quorum to vote.
 
In other news,
 
- A few weeks ago, Chad Miller was appointed to the new vice president of Technology position created last semester. “He’s already come up with three resolutions to help students on campus,” Aloia said.
 
One resolution proposes to extend the hours of the computer labs in the College of Business. The labs will open at 8 a.m. during the week instead of noon.
 
Another resolution deals with standardizing the FLITE computers. The resolution will allow all computers to have the same programs that many students need to complete assignments. As it is now, only some computers offer some programs. “They’re missing several important programs and access to certain drives,” Aloia said.
 
The third resolution allows FLITE to open at 7:00 a.m. during the weekdays, which is one hour earlier than the current opening time. This allows students who have classes at 8 a.m. to work on the computers if needed before their classes.
 
- Dan Frusciano was appointed Vice President of Student Life before Christmas.
 
- A senator from Allied Health Sciences was impeached on Feb. 4. The position has not been filled. Vice President of Rules Kaci Baars, along with Student Government Advisor Daniel Burcham, followed Robert’s Rules of Order to carry out the impeachment process.
 
After charges were brought forth, an investigative committee was formed.
 
“The committee was obligated to see the charges in the most truthful light,” Baars said.
 
On Monday, Jan 28, a meeting with the senator under investigation, the cabinet and the advisor took place in which the charges were presented. She had until Wednesday to decide whether she would resign or go through the trial. “She did have the opportunity to resign,” Baars said. “She chose not to.” She decided to go through the trial, which took place on the following Monday, Feb. 4. On that day she was officially impeached. “She was indefinitely removed,” Baars said.
 
- At its past meetings the senate has been discussing privacy issues related to credit card solicitation on campus. “Some [solicitors] can actually go door to door in dorms,” Aloia said.
 
- Elections will be held Feb. 26 - 27. Applications are available at the Rankin Center Student Information Desk.
 
- A few members will be leaving shortly for the COSGA conference to be held Feb. 23 - 26 at Texas A&M University. “We’re sending four delegates to represent Ferris State,” Aloia said.
 
Aloia ended with a reminder: “We still encourage people to come to meetings every Wednesday at 5 p.m.”
 
 

 
Woody’s says goodbye
 
By Jessica Wortley
Ferris State Torch
 
The famous Woody’s Restaurant in the Big Rapids Holiday Inn will no longer exist, beginning the week of Feb. 25. Upon completion of a two-month renovation period, patrons will find in its place a Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern.
 
Bennigan’s, scheduled to open in mid-April, is the result of an agreement between Ferris State University and LaBelle Management, Inc., which assumed operational duties of the Holiday Inn in July, 2001.
 
“LaBelle is quite committed to partnering with the university on a number of projects,” Ferris State President William Sederburg said. “From a university perspective, it is nice because LaBelle Management is financing the improvements to the restaurant.”
 
Sederburg also said much of the credit goes to Vice President Rick Duffett for “quarterbacking the improvements to the Holiday Inn.”
 
According to a news release issued by LaBelle, the company originally had a three-to-five year plan to convert the restaurant; however, due to positive feedback from the Big Rapids community, it decided to speed up the renovation project.
 
“I am very excited about helping improve the eating options in Big Rapids,” Sederburg commented. “Bennigan’s brings a proven successful formula for meeting the needs of the university population.”
 
Besides just providing students and residents with another place to eat, the restaurant will also be a learning place for Ferris students.
 
According to hospitality professor Julie Doyle, students in her Beverage Management class will have “the opportunity to work in the lounge bar setting, analyzing standards and procedures, customer service and making cocktails.”
 
Doyle, along with the restaurant hotel and resort management programs, is “very excited about Bennigan’s coming to our community.”
 
She mentioned that LaBelle works closely with the hospitality programs in providing internships and on-site working experiences. “We are in support of this new image and look forward to a continued working relationship with Labelle Management,” Doyle said.
 
As stated in the news release, the extensive renovations will include re-designing the interior seating area and banquet facilities, along with adding an exterior entrance. Upon completion, Bennigan’s will have seating for approximately 220 guests.
 
If anyone is interested in working for Bennigan’s, the restaurant will begin hiring the week of March 17. It is looking for around 60 to 70 new people to join its team.
 
According to the news release, Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern is “a leading casual restaurant brand famous for its Irish-American hospitality, extensive menu of great-tasting American food and a world-class tavern.”
 
All of Michigan’s Bennigan’s restaurants are owned by LaBelle Management in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. and are franchised by S & A Restaurant Corp. in Plano, Texas.
 
 

 
It’s Hollywood night at Holiday Inn
 
By Afzal Memon
Ferris State Torch
 
Ferris State University is one of the most happening places in the region. Various organizations and departments organize diverse activities throughout the year. Once again, the department of hospitality programs has organized the Gala, which will take place on March 2 at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center.
 
“We have been arranging this event for 11 years now,” Brandon Dewald, marketing chairman of the hospitality programs, said.
 
“Every year we follow a theme for the program,” Dewald said. “This year, we have chosen Hollywood as the background.”
 
“According to Dewald, there are many plans to support the theme. “We are hoping to simulate an environment like an awards ceremony or a grand dinner for Hollywood stars, Dewald said. We have also arranged for a limo.”
 
“This will be a real fun [experience] for our guests,” Dewald said. “We will try our best to entertain them. We have guest chefs to show their culinary talents. We will have an ice sculptor, Steve Berkshire, to help us decorate the dining area.”
 
According to Dewald, the evening is scheduled to begin with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Drinks will be served at 5:30 p.m., and the Gourmet Extravaganza will start at 7 p.m. The auctions and recognitions will follow at 8:30 p.m.
 
“We will serve various appetizers and sherbets as part of a six-course meal,” Dewald said.
 
The tentative menu of the main course is chicken breast stuffed with cherry chutney, herb-crusted beef tenderloin with brown ale sauce, gorgonzola polenta and julienne vegetable medley.
 
“We will have live entertainment for the guests throughout the evening,” Dewald said. “We have a jazz band named Dave Collee Quartet from Grand Rapids for live entertainment, and of course, the dance will follow the program.”
 
“Currently we are anticipating 250 guests. We have sent invitation cards to the anticipated guests,” Agbeh Anthony, program coordinator at hospitality programs, said. “Our final list will be made once we get response from the invitees.”
 
According to Anthony, the auctions and recognitions are planned as post-dinner activities. The guest list includes parents of the students, program alumni, members of the Big Rapids community and people from the industry.
 
“The event is intended to raise funds,” Dewald said. “The raised money is used for various student-related activities, for example, student travel, scholarships and software for the program.”
 
For more information call the hospitality program’s office at 591-2382.
 
Although special attire is not required, the guests are encouraged to dress up like Hollywood personalities or in formal attire.
 
 

 
Board renews agreement with CMU
 
By Laura Chene
News Editor
 
Several people attended the Board of Trustees meeting last Saturday, when Ferris renewed its memorandum of understanding with Central and carried several other motions.
 
The board voted to extend the university’s memorandum of understanding with Central Michigan University through June, 2003. The agreement was initiated in July, 2000 and expired this past January. Ferris has an agreement with CMU to “offer cooperative extended-learning opportunities in the Detroit region and nationally. Under the agreement, Ferris State University programs could be offered to students using a central extensive network of off-campus and out-of-state sites.”
 
“This sort of collaboration between public universities is both unusual and necessary,” President William Sederburg said in a press release. “Too often, universities view themselves as competitors. Cooperation showcases each institution’s unique strengths to the benefit of place-bound students and employers.”
 
Ferris Faculty Association President Mike Ryan also spoke at the beginning of the meeting. “Speaking on behalf of the FFA negotiating team, I assure you that we are prepared and approach this round of bargaining with enthusiasm,” Ryan said. We come to the table in good faith and are resolved to solve all issues before us.”
 
The faculty members employed at Ferris “are equally committed to the achievement of a fair and equitable contract that includes salary, benefits and professional working conditions that will retain and attract the high quality faculty necessary to continue the teaching excellence that our Ferris students deserve,” Ryan said. Several faculty members attended Saturday’s meeting as well to show support.
 
The board also “agreed to lease space in the Michigan College of Optometry to the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center to establish a satellite clinic,” as stated in a press release. The clinic will provide eye care to veterans and increase the number and variety of patient encounters for Ferris optometry students.
 
The next board meeting is scheduled for May 10.
 
 

 
Screenings help recognize eating disorders
 
By Laura Chene
News Editor
 
The counseling center recognizes National Eating Disorders Screening Day by offering free screenings on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Ranking Center.
 
According to Paul Sullivan, director of the counseling and health centers, the center will have a table in the Atrium with screenings and other information about eating disorders available.
 
The screening is a one-page, question-and-answer, fill-in-the-blank sheet that takes a few minutes to complete. “ This is just screening, not really counseling,” Sullivan said. “It’s very easy to do.” Two rooms are also available to privately discuss the results.
 
“[It’s] very, very confidential,” Sullivan said. “Eating disorders are a very common problem for college students across the country. This is an opportunity for the counseling center to kind of reach out and talk with the [students] . . .There will be brochures and pamphlets full of information on eating disorders.
 
Topics include managing eating disorders and defining them.
 
“ . . . Everything you could imagine about eating disorders,” Sullivan added.
 
Sullivan said that eating disorders are a problem nationwide and a big problem for colleges. Many factors lead to the development of eating disorders, such as social advertising.
 
This will mark the third screening the center has put on this year.
 
The two held earlier dealt with alcohol and depression. “I think students have been fairly receptive,” Sullivan said.
 
Sullivan said he eventually wants students to be able to complete all three screenings online.
 
He is hopeful that the alcohol screening test will be available to complete via the Internet in April. “Then it’s completely private and confidential,” he added.
 
Sullivan also said that students can call the counseling center to set up a time to take any one of the screenings, if that would be more comfortable for them.
 
“Some of these issues are very hard,” Sullivan said. He commented that students are sensitive to many issues, and the counseling center treats them with sensitivity as well.
 
For more information, call 591-5968.
 
 

 
Not the typical spring break
 
By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor
 
More and more conversations these days are including a college student’s two favorite words . . . spring break! With the break just around the corner, Ferris students find themselves discussing each other’s plans for that one week of freedom.
 
Some students head far, far away, immersing themselves in the tropical sun and warm waters of places further south. Some travel abroad and discover a new culture. Some head to their parents’ home for a week of relaxation or a week at work, and still others stay right here, in the city that occupies most of their time year round.
 
The campus of Ferris State University will be running, although it probably will not look as lively as usual. Some services students might want to take advantage of while others are away vacationing are Career Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Racquet and Fitness Facility or even FLITE.
 
University employees keep things running while students are away, and most will admit that they do appreciate the break from the normal hectic schedule this campus runs on. It is a week to catch up and a week of silence for most.
 
Ferris student James Gebert will spend his break with friends climbing the Agawa Canyon in Canada. The senior in welding engineering will travel north for a four-day camping trip through the snow and ice.
 
“It is kind of odd that we’re going north when most students go south,” Gebert said.
 
Another group of Ferris students will head to the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean on a cruise from Miami to Cozumel Island off of Mexico.
 
“We booked the trip on Expedia.com,” Jill Panetta, a junior in marketing, stated. According to Panetta, the Internet offers good rates for those wishing to get away from life at Ferris for the week.
 
International students are experiencing a different feeling for spring break.
 
Most cannot afford to go home for the short week and are looking for host families to stay with; since the residence halls close during break. This problem arises each time the residence halls close, and the Office of International Affairs is always looking for people to offer the students homes over the short breaks.
 
Some international students will travel across the United States to visit friends or explore new territory, but most use the time to relax and catch up with schoolwork.
 
Another option for spring break is engaging in community service work. Some students from the College of Optometry will head to Haiti to work with optometrists, giving eye exams and prescribing glasses. Optometry students have the chance to go on mission trips throughout the school year to help those who are less fortunate.
 
The Habitat for Humanity International organization hosts a program called the “Collegiate Challenge: Spring Break 2002.”
 
According to materials from the organization, “an estimated 10,000 students from more than 450 colleges, universities and high schools are leaving their books behind – not to head to the beach, but to pitch in at the construction site.”
 
The Ferris State chapter of Habitat for Humanity is not actively involved with this program over spring break, but it does complete projects throughout the year, according to Panetta, a member of the Ferris group.
 
“Habitat for Humanity is community-service oriented. You don’t have to have a background in construction,” Panetta said. “They help teach you what to do.”
 
“During Collegiate Challenge, construction on a work site ranges from building trusses and framing houses, to landscaping and renovating homes. On-site construction supervision is provided, and building experience is not necessary,” stated a brochure on the Collegiate Challenge program.
 
Any person interested in joining Habitat for Humanity can contact the Ferris chapter through the Leadership SPOT in Rankin, or log on to the web site habitat.org for more information.

University Photo Services

Courtesy Photo
Comedian Brad Sherwood, from television shows such as “Who’s Line is it Anyways?,” is tentitively rescheduled for April 3, after recently canceling tonight’s performance. 

 
Big euchre tournament
 
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
 
Ferris State University’s first annual Euchre tournament started near the end of January in Henderson Lobby, thanks to the Residential Hall Association (RHA) and FSU Housing. Since then ,there have been seven additional tournaments in various halls around campus.
 
The Euchre tournament is open to any student who is attending classes at FSU.
 
At least one person per team has to reside in the hall during the current tournament. Each hall has their own specific champions of the tournament, who all receive prizes. Due to the fact that each hall has their own winner, there is no overall grand prize winner for the university.
 
Previous first, second or third place winners are asked not to play again so that others will have a chance at the prizes.
 
The order of the remaining tournaments is as follows: Feb. 19 in Masselink Study Room, Feb. 21 in Travis Lobby and Basement, Feb. 28 in Miller Lobby and Ward Basement, March 5 in Clark Lobby, March 7 in Puterbaugh Study Room, March 19 in Vandercook Lobby, March 21 in Helen Ferris Basement and Carlisle Basement and March 26 in Hallisy Lobby.
 
Sign up is at the front desk of each hall for the tournaments. Students are asked to remember to bring a Ferris ID card at check in. There is over $1500 worth of prizes available to the winners.
 
Euchre is a game of teams trying to win the most tricks in order to receive points. Ten points win the game. Score is kept by using cards from the deck not used during play, the most basic being the fives.
 
A basic euchre deck contains 24 cards; nines to aces. There are four people playing who sit with their partner facing them and the other team sitting beside them.
 
Each player is dealt five cards. The remaining four are left in the middle with the top card facing up. The person to the dealer’s left has the first option of choosing the top card as trump, or the special suit, for that round.
 
Depending on the cards in the player’s hand, this person may choose to play it or pass, after which the person on their left now has the same option. If the choice goes to the dealer, dealer may either pick it up or turn it down.
 
If it is turned down, the player to the dealer’s left has the option of choosing a suit other than what was turned down. The player may pass it to the next person and so forth until suit is either chosen or the round if forfeited.
 
Once the suit is chosen, the hands are played out with the team receiving three out of the five tricks earning the points. If the dealer calls the suit and only makes two tricks, that is called a Euchre and the other team gets two points for the won round.
 
Points cannot be lost during a game. For placing the bid and making three or four tricks, that team makes one point. If all five tricks are taken, that team gets two points. Each player making the bid has the option of going solo to win five points.
 
The order of the cards from strongest to weakest is, using Hearts as an example, Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, Ace, King, Queen, Ten and Nine.
 
Following color scheme, if Spades were to be trump, than the Jack of Clubs would be the left bower, or the second highest card to the right bower, Jack of Spades. Jacks are called bowers for they are the two highest cards in the deck.
 
Having both of these bowers guarantees two tricks to the player holding them.
 
Although not often allowed or used in euchre, no trump has a specific suit as special.
 
All aces would be a good hand for this.
 
With a little practice and a good partner to help in assisting or leading, the euchre tournament can not only be a good time but you could walk away with a prize.
 
 

 
St. Valentine and other thoughts
 
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
 
The story of Saint Valentine dates back to the late 200s under the rule of Claudius II of Rome. St. Valentine was a priest of Rome who had assisted murders committed under Claudius the second. For his crimes he was sentenced to be beaten by clubs and then beheaded.
 
However, a few variations of this story that have been passed down. A second version is that Valentine was imprisoned for helping others and then converted to Christianity while in prison.
 
Valentine was also said to be a Christian who was imprisoned for refusing to believe in the pagan way of life. While in prison he befriended a jailer’s daughter and before they beheaded him sent her a letter stating, “Your Valentine.”
 
Before he was beheaded, he wrote messages to his friends and fellow prisoners stating, “Remember your Valentine,” and “I love you.”
 
The date of Valentine’s death is said to fall upon Feb. 14, now called Valentine’s Day.
 
According to the Catholic encyclopedia (www.newadvent.org/cathen/15254a.htm) birds begin their pairing and mating at this date, which led to the widespread belief that it is also a good time for human lovers to come together and celebrate.
 
To most modern believers of love and romanticism the idea of Valentine’s Day is to tell/show the person you admire how much you care about them.
 
The usual gifts consist of a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a dozen red roses, jewelry, a brightly colored stuffed animal holding a heart or a romantic dinner.
 
Throughout the last few centuries, more and more unusual ways of saying “I love you” have come about from the imagination.
 
Crystallized dolphins with their noses touching a heart is one way to express feelings. Most people, especially children, have opted for the Valentine’s Day cards that can read anything from, “Be my Valentine,” to “I like you.”
 
These cards often have imprints from television series like Blues Clues to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, each one with some unique ways of spreading the love.
 
There are also couples who have done the “Gone on Vacation,” for their romance.
 
A cruise, warm weather, skiing or just a hotel room have served for this occasion a number of times over, although it can be rather pricey.
 
Even technologically gifted people have a tendency to spread their love or interest for a person. Yahoo displays various e-cards, or electronic cards, and has taken a large leap into the romance business. The cards can feature just a picture and caption, or animation and sound.
 
Valentine’s Day is also a major day for phone companies because long-distance lovers spend time saying “I love you” on this day over the phone.
 
Don’t forget to check the mail! Some students on campus received special packages from their loved ones such as flowers, candy and little charms.
 
All day long, every radio station played love songs for those couples who called in and ask for requests. “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith is one popular song; plus the more recent hit “How You Remind Me,” from Nickelback.
 
Valentine’s Day has become the second largest holiday for retail stores, right behind Christmas for cash income. However, most of the customers who are single like to go shopping the day after Valentine’s Day because most of the stock is on sale.
 
This is called wallowing the Valentine’s Day Blues in all the Valentine’s Day leftover candy. For the couples who don’t mind a little wait, it is actually more profitable to them because of the sales.
 
Valentine’s Day started off with a beheading and now it ends with couples wishing each other love and single people waiting for those discounted goodies.

Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor

File Photo

Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Coach Edgar Wilson advises his young team during a game earlier in the year. The Bulldogs are now 4-20 overall and 1-15 in the GLIAC.  

 


DeMartin dismantles GVSU, SVSU
 
By Jason Nelson
Assistant Sports Editor
 
It sure seems like whoever the Torch talks to about their respective team, they blow up for a monster game in their team’s next effort.
 
When Marcus Wallace was interviewed, he blew up for 30 some points the next game. We talked to Lucy DeMartin a few games ago when she was in a rut.
 
Nothing like talking to the Torch to break out of a slump.
 
DeMartin exploded for a career high of 30 points last week in the Bulldogs pivotal victory over Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Grand Valley State University.
 
The game started poorly for the visiting Bulldogs as they trailed at the half, 35-28. Part of the reason for the seven-point halftime deficit was the horrific shooting the Bulldogs displayed in the opening 20 minutes. The Bulldogs connected on eight of 30 first half shots, including 0-6 from behind the three-point arc.
 
GVSU shot nearly 50 percent from the floor in the first half connecting on 14 of 30 shots.
 
Perhaps the Bulldogs’ saving grace in the first half, and maybe the game, was their free throw shooting.
 
The Bulldogs hit on 12-15 first half free-throws to help keep them in the game.
 
In the second half the Bulldogs began their comeback, spearheaded by the play of sophomore guard Lucy DeMartin. DeMartin hit from everywhere on the floor, connecting on 8 of 14 shots from the field, including 2 of 5 from behind the arc. However, where DeMartin really excelled was the free-throw line, where she was a perfect 12-12 on the night.
 
The career-high 30 from DeMartin was enough to offset the play of GVSU guard Laurie Rehmann, who terrorized the Bulldogs all day, scoring 26 points on 10-20 shooting. Other players leading the Bulldogs to victory were senior Debbie Killips with 14 points, sophomore Bridget Horwitz with 12 points, and junior Jennifer Brogger with 10 points respectively.
 
In the most recent action, the Bulldogs dominated Saginaw Valley State University coasting to a 75-55 blowout win. The Bulldogs bolted to a seven-point halftime lead which easily could have been more, considering the Bulldogs’ lead bounced between 10 and 14 points in the first half.
 
In the second half, the Bulldogs poured it on offensively eventually outscoring SVSU 42-29. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Killips who paced the Bulldogs with 20 points on seven for 13 shooting.
 
Lucy DeMartin continued her recent assault of GLIAC foes with an 18-point performance. Also having a big game for the Bulldogs were Horwitz with 16 points and Ann Platz with 12 points.
 
The final two games remaining before the GLIAC tournament are against Northern Michigan (Feb. 21) and Michigan Tech (Feb. 23). Both games will be held in the Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.
 
 

 
Intramural controversy evaluated
 
By Shannon Vesper
Ferris State Torch
 
Intramural sports are a great way to get friends together on one team to battle for a winning position. Playing with your friends and beating your rivals is a great thrill.
 
For years, Ferris has offered broomball in the intramural program. When it first began, sororities and fraternities were allowed bunker points. Once they stopped offering the points, however, the enrollment of broomball teams declined, and the event was removed from intramurals.
 
Over the past few years, broomball has been getting an increase of students taking to the ice once again. A slight problem has been the amount of games that are played, when these games are played at and the cost of playing.
 
Currently, for $65 you can play four games of broomball, and the game times range from 10 p.m. to midnight.
 
Last year, however, six games were offered to the students. The reason for less games depends on the amount of teams this year.
 
“This year we started off with eight teams. Now we are down to six. The other two dropped out because they wanted more games. Once they did this, the other teams were able to pick up a game. So each team will play four games,” Bob Miller, director of Intramural Sports, said.
 
The cost of playing each game contributes to a number of things. For instance, with broomball, ice time is $105 per hour.
 
“The price is a good deal, because the $105 is actually for a half sheet of ice. A full sheet is $140, which is what is offered to anyone outside of Ferris,” Michelle Lyons, Ewigleben Ice Arena coordinator, said.
 
The times at which the games are played also depend on what is available and student recreation schedules. When the ice arena managers schedule games, they follow a specific pattern in which games and practices are filled in.
 
“When we schedule, we do Ferris hockey first, then the high school, and then the outside users,” Lyons said.
 
As Lyons explained, when schedules are done, events are scheduled at the same times as the previous years. Since the arena first opened figure skating times have been Sunday, Monday and Thursday. The outside hockey clubs have met on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
“It’s history that these teams get the same times. We cannot change the times they practice at. Therefore, the intramural teams play at later times,” Lyons said.
 
Lyons also said that students do not care to play before 9 p.m. because students are in class, and that they all want equal time to play the ice games.
 
Another reason outside teams are given times to play earlier is because the ice arena is not funded by Ferris State University. Several community groups including figure skating, junior hockey clubs and the high school hockey team make the facility function by providing the main source of income.
 
Without these teams, no money would be provided for the facility.
 
The renting out of the facility is also very popular because of the lower prices. It will cost a non-student group $140 to rent a full sheet of ice time for one hour. In Grand Rapids, the cost of ice time is $265 per hour.
 
Besides broomball’s price being a controversy, ice hockey seems expensive, yet it is a low cost when it comes down to figuring out numbers.
 
“It costs about $6,000 for intramural men’s ice hockey. Each player pays $45; therefore they are only paying half of the cost,” Miller said.
 
Miller also commented that Ferris sports are rather cheap, when compared to other Michigan universities.
 
Numbers from the University of Michigan show that each sport costs $75, with a base guarantee of three games for each team. Both U of M and Ferris have four fields for flag football. U of M, however has 350 teams playing, and Ferris has 77. Ferris students are offered a better deal because they get more games and more competition.
 
Eastern Michigan University only offers four games to their students who play flag football.
 
Western Michigan University offers a five-person basketball team with a four-game maximum. At Ferris, the basketball teams are guaranteed at least seven to 10 games.
 
Also, at Michigan State University the softball teams only get five games apiece, which may be altered by weather.
 
At Ferris, softball games may be canceled three days in advance because of a rainfall, but the teams are ensured at least seven games.
 
Miller does not make the call of canceling a game-the ground crew has jurisdiction of determining the ground condition. Games are not made up because of time consideration, except for tournament play.
 
If students have any questions concerning joining an intramural sport, they may get a form from the Student Recreation Center. Any questions can be directed to the Student Recreation Center at 591-2679.
 
 

Courtesy Photo

Stealing attention from deserving parties
 
By Mike Domerese
Ferris State Torch
 
Here we are, a couple of days into the 2002 Winter Olympics, and we already have a little controversy.
 
When everyone’s eyes and emotions appeared to be focused on the U.S. hockey team and the heightened security efforts stemming from the threat of more terrorist attacks, figure skating felt its participants needed a little more attention.
 
Many people, including myself, don’t even really consider figure skating a sport. The country as a whole has been getting all geeked up with the thoughts, hopes and dreams of the men’s hockey team trying to duplicate the gold-medal-winning effort put forth by the 1980 men’s team, when they upset the Soviet team.
 
The fact that the NHL players are getting to play again for their respective countries, which adds to the excitement of Olympic hockey, has also been gaining a lot of attention.
 
Now the figure skating world, often widely scrutinized as to not being a sport or being controversial in their decision process, has gone and really outdone themselves this time.
 
As if the whole Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding debacle wasn’t enough, now we have this latest mess involving judges in figure skating.
 
According to CNN, the International Skating Union has suspended Marie-Reine Le Gougne for supposedly altering and or voting unfairly in the medal competition. She has since left Salt Lake City, like a dog with her tail between her legs.
 
She allegedly she and scored the Russian performance better than the Canadian performance to buy favoritism for another competition coming up later in the week. To make a long story short, it was highly believed in the skating world that she awarded the Russians the gold medal in return for a French gold later in the week for the ice dancing competition.
 
The IOC (International Olympic Committee), under recommendation from the ISU (International Skating Union), awarded the Canadians a gold medal today.
 
According to CNN, “This is the second time the IOC has made such a move in modern Olympic history to correct a judging error.”
 
The first also involved a Canadian athlete and happened after the 1992 Summer Games. My thoughts are this: that’s all great and nice and fun now that the Canadians have the gold, but its still not the complete solution.
 
If the performance was so flawless, why didn’t they get it out right and give the Russians the silver, righting the wrong that was done? Now, to add to that, does this make it all right for teams to not give their best performance? Or, if you give your best performance but somebody does better, it’s OK, we’ll still give you the gold. Right.
 
Through all this controversy, a lot of people are not finding out all of the information until it’s too late. First of all, there are 11 judges for skating. If the score comes out as a tie or if there is an problem similar to what going on right now, you have the 11th judge to take care of it.
 
There have also been lots of accusations flying around about how the media, including NBC, were being biased and really talking up the Canadians.
 
When you have a major network that’s going into millions of households all over the world talking someone up, when that person/ group doesn’t win, of course there is going to be public outcry. There is also discussion going on right now about how long Le Gougne is going to be suspended.
 
Suspended? She should be banned from judging for life. She had a very prestigious position and not only abused it, but embarrassed herself, her country and the Olympics in general. It’s also a known fact that the Winter Olympics are starting to get stiff competition from the Winter X Games, so they really didn’t need something like this. Of course, controversy always generates interest.
 
I offer up a solution to all this-who should handle it, who should have the final say, etc. They need to come up with someone almost like a commissioner of baseball, football or hockey.
 
There needs to be someone who is going to stand up to some of these committees and be the big dog who can’t be influenced by different countries and or committees.
 
Personally, I think this is a complete debacle. It’s not like the IOC hasn’t had enough problems to deal with in the last couple of years dealing with its committees, financial status, etc.
 
I also think this was a ploy gone wrong because the skating world has not had very much attention this year, being largely overshadowed by the U.S. hockey team story.
 
It really upsets me is that on top of all this we still have major problems going on around the world and this is really not what society needs in general. Oh well, what do you do? It’s just the normal everyday world we live in. They (the IOC) claim that there are still more in-depth investigations going on. Stay tuned...
 
 

Whose history is it anyway?
 
Mircea-Ioan Cotosman
Ferris State Torch
 
The history of any people is of crucial significance for the present and future of that nation. First of all, if nothing else, it is a list of errors and successes of that nation throughout time. It’s like a stop sign that helps people know what mistakes to avoid in the future.
 
The history of a nation is also of great significance in determining the national identity. The more glorious a country’s history is, the easier it is for the people find a national identity. Many countries that used to be great empires make constant references to those distant eras even if now they are reduced to a small country. It is only natural to do so.
 
I was always told that the U.S. has no history; that it is a young nation without much history behind it. The American writer Alvin Toffler even talks about it in his book “The Change of the Global Order.” It says how America is a lucky nation that has no problems with its own history; how it’s a young society, liberated of the history’s weight that would pull her down.
 
I would not necessarily agree that America is not concerned with its past! The American people today are going to great lengths to repair mistakes of the past such as slavery. Sensible issues like these are being talked about in schools at all levels, and they are being dealt with.
 
Alvin Toffler was comparing America to the European countries which “are incapable of talking about the future because the future does not excite in them the passion their past brings.” While I fully agree that this is the case with countries in Europe, I have noticed that the American people are just as (appropriately) passionate about their past as they are about the future.
 
The Pilgrims, the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers, the great Presidents, the Civil War, the two World Wars and other important events and historical figures are a vibrant part of the American psyche.
 
But none of this surprised me because I was expecting such a natural link to the national history. Since I arrived in America, I have come to realize that America has a history much older than just a couple hundreds years. I have come to understand the shared history the U.S. has.
 
When any immigrants came to America, whether in the 17th century or in 2001, they brought with them a history from their homeland. This constitutes part of the greatness of American diversity. America has always welcomed everyone with open arms, and more importantly, allowed them to bring along their own culture and civilization. Thus the U.S. has a shared history that is older than any other nation on this Planet.
 
Although some civilizations might have disintegrated with time, one can find traces of all civilizations as parts of the U.S. history. This shared history is unique in the world; other cultures assimilated, but they did not integrate, effectively blocking any additions from the newcomers.
 
As a non-citizen, and not part of this shared history, I wish that people would make a strong effort to keep the US moving. This country’s present and future determines the fate of many other nations across the world.