Remember 9/11 Over 2,900 flags were placed on the left side of the Quad on September 11 to remember the tragic day. Photo By Ben Kramer

Approximately 500 people were in attendance during the formal observance that evening. The diverse crowd included Ferris students, Big Rapids community members, military servicemen and their families, local law enforcement and emergency response team members, and a group of future soldiers. When asked why she had decided to attend the event, Junior Sherri Smith stated, “I came out because I haven’t forgotten what happened six years ago.”

The event began with the presenting of the United States and State of Michigan flags by a Marine color guard and the recitation of the Pledge og Allegiance. Opening remarks from Carnel Richards then followed. Richards, who spoke at the Virginia Tech observance ceremony last year, gave an impassioned and emphatic sermon. He urged those in attendance to support and thank the selfless service members who keep our country safe. This comment triggered immediate applause from the audience.

The next presenter, Student Government President Joe Viviano, evoked a more somber and reflective mood. He chronologically citied the exact events of the tragedy and urged the crowd to never forget the events of that day six years ago.

Following the singing of “God Bless America” led by student vocalist Brittany Robinson, Ferris State University President David Eisler took the stage. He spoke of the importance of coming together as a community to support each other in times of hardship. He later stated, “Each of us can make a difference. Working together with others we, can create even more meaningful change in our communities, helping others.”

When the candle ceremony began, the crowd dispersed into a massive circle the entire quad. The weather prevented any physical passing of the flame, but the sight of 500 people unified in remembrance and hope surely left an impact on those in attendance. Closing remarks were given by Ms. Lamira King, the Project Specialist of the office of Multicultural Student Services here at Ferris.

When asked about the purpose of ceremony, event coordinator Robbie Rankey stated, “I wanted students to remember 9/11 and our other national tragedies for what they were and not just as a date in history… this goal was more than accomplished.”

The success of the event was considered by all involved to be substantial.

“The flag memorial happened at a number of Michigan Universities and Colleges on this day, but none were larger than that at FSU,” commented Rankey.

This event was made possible with aid from various organizations, offices, and individuals within the University. Rankey cited contributions made by University President David Eisler, the College Republicans, various student volunteers, and the Offices of Alumni Relations, Student Services, Student Leadership and Activities, and Multicultural Student Services.

The ceremony has bolstered a considerable amount of discussion within the Ferris community and the large “We have no forgotten” banner is currently on display in Rankin center, covered in signatures.

Booze Versus Books Guest speaker Jim Matthews discusses the relations of booze and books in a student's life. Photo By Ben Kramer, Photo Editor

The presentation “Beer, Booze, and Books” returned this year. It took place last Thursday in Williams Auditorium at 11 a.m. and at 7p.m. This event was free for students.

The author of three books on college drinking, Matthews promised the audience they would take home at least ten pieces of information.

Matthews is from New York City and went to college in the 1960s. He admitted that he “indulged…quit heavily” as far as drugs and alcohol are concerned. However, he continued, “I’m not proud [of that].”

People get familiar with alcohol from a very early age. From cartoon movies to the family liquor cabinet, we know what alcohol is and what it does. To prove his point, Matthews showed clips from popular Disney movies and funny beer commercials showing people drinking and having fun.

Matthews warned that he would pick on the guys in the audience a little bit. “I know what it’s like to be a guy, because I used to be one,” he said. He then explained that when his daughter was born, it changed his life.

Matthews then addressed risks of alcohol abuse, which include hangovers, academics, and sex. He showed clips of interviews that were taken with college students who had experienced some of the downsides of drinking. He explained there is no good cure for a hangover, and the students testified what it had been like when they were hungover.

Many of these students mentioned not wanting to go to class, which may be one of the reasons that the more someone drinks in a week, generally the lower the grades that person is getting in their classes,

Matthews addressed sex in relation to alcohol from the romance and non-romance of one-night stands, to Beer Goggles, and sexual assault.

60 percent of women who acquired an STD were under the influence of alcohol. 50 percent of college students report engaging in sexual activity that they wouldn’t have if they were not under the influence of alcohol. And between one and eight college women will be the victim of assault or attempted assault.

Matthews showed a clip from the movie “About Last Night.” A group of men are mixing a bowl of spiked punch, calling it the “Leg-Opener Special.” When the audience laughed at the clip, Matthews put it into perspective for the audience, posing a question to the males of the audience as to how they would feel if someone tried to use alcohol to influence a female close to one of them to have sex with, like a girlfriend, a sister, or a future wife.

Someone in the advertising industry told Matthews “nothing happens by accident in the advertising world.”

He pointed out that beer ads that portray sexy women in submissive positions could be contributing to the 5-7 percent of college students to be fighting eating disorders. Matthews asked the audience to seek help as soon as possible if anyone had one of these problems or knew someone any of these problems.

Special emphasis was placed on getting help for someone who may have alcohol poisoning, no matter what the cost to popularity or friendship. Also, a person should always think HALT before they partake in alcohol consumption, never drink if they are: hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

Afterwards, cards were passed out that explained how to figure out a person’s blood alcohol level, the alcohol content of different drinks, and when to know to get help and recognize a problem when someone has been drinking.

More information can be found at beerboozebooks.com.

Soon information will also be available on studentwisdom.com, and drunkaintpretty.com.

What is sex? Dr. Robert Friar discusses information on sex with students for FSU seminar courses. Photo By Ben Kramer, Photo Editor

The most recent seminar took place in Science 126 from 11 to 11:50 a.m. There were over 200 students in attendance. The seats were packed and students were even standing. According to Dr. Friar, there have been approximately 1,000 students all together that have attended his seminar.

The main topics in his seminar included defining sex and what a college student defines as sex. “We discuss what causes sexual desire and how one’s culture affects the way one may express their sexual desires,” Dr. Friar said.

It is explained how sexuality affects the way people talk, walk, act, dress, career choices, how males and females are attracted to one another, how culture affects what is considered to be right and wrong, and so on.

The facts of premarital sex, unwanted pregnancy, birth control, and STD’s are discussed and what problems they can present.

One of the more underlined topics is relationships. Relationships are discussed by providing information on, “what is needed to make a relationship last, how to cultivate a loving, caring, kind, congenial, understanding, forgiving, harmonious environment,” Dr. Friar said.

Good communication is discussed and what essentiality it has in a relationship, as well as reducing the potential of conflict arising.

On the other side of the podium, Dr. Friar also discussed divorce and things that can be done to reduce divorce. One of his suggestions is for each person to wake up in the morning and do things that will enhance their partner's happiness, self-esteem and self-worth.

There is also a 16 page handout given during the seminar that includes tips on making and keeping friends, and being a better parent.

When asked what students would get out of this particular seminar, Dr. Friar replied, “Hopefully, they gain an insight into why we are sexual creatures and why so many people make mistakes in dealing with their sexuality and what they can do to avoid some of the common pitfalls.”

The hope is that student’s will think about what they want in a relationship and how to have and keep a happy, loving and caring relationship.

Dr. Friar has a Ph. D. in Physiology and Reproductive Physiology with special interest in how the brain functions. For the past 25 years, he has been a member of the society for the scientific study of sexuality (SSSS). Being exposed to cutting edge research and attending annual conferences he gets the opportunity to discuss their research and findings and then incorporate that into what he teaches.

If interested, there is another seminar being held tomorrow in Sci. 126 from 11 to 11:50 a.m.; or contact Shelly VandePanne at 591-2360 or e-mail vandepas@ferris.edu.

“The Academic Support Center will have an assessment for time management, memory, test taking, notetaking, and textbook reading,” Arlene Krellwitz, the Academic Support Center co-supervisor, said. “Also participating in the event are Scholar Program, FLITE library, Educational and Career Counseling Center, Disability Services, and the Writing Center.

“Students will be handed a passport when they enter the room and it will be stamped after the students take the study skills assessment and visit the other respective booths. Students may bring the passport back to class as proof of attendance.”

“The purpose of this event is to give students one-stop shopping for study skills across the curriculum. It will provide another arena for students to interact with faculty and staff. The Academic Success Fair will present students with resources of which they may be unaware,” Krellwitz said.

“Students may stop by the Dome Room any time during the day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.,“ Krellwitz said.

“The event is open to the campus community with several hundred people attending last year’s success fair,” Krellwitz said. “We anticipate an even larger attendance at this year’s success fair.”

“The Academic Support Center is located in Arts and Science Commons 1017,” Krellwitz said. “We offer free tutoring and study skills assistance to all Ferris students. Students can stop by the office or call 591-3543 to set up an appointment."