Shutdown Averted Michigan narrowly avoided a government shutdown which would have affected, amond other things, liquor and lottery sales across the entire state. Photo by Ben Kramer, Photo Editor

It was reported on mlive.com that early Monday morning, the Republican-led Senate voted to raise the state’s income tax from 3.9 percent to 4.35 percent.

“The income tax piece is key to a temporary budget fix that would help fill a $1.75 billion deficit in the fiscal year that began Monday,” mlive.com reported.

The first sign of the partial shutdown was made late Sunday. According to mlive.com, more than 1,000 people were asked to leave campsites in Michigan state parks.

It also became obvious if one was driving home on the highway and noticed that some highway rest areas were closed off.

The largest factor of all is the thousands of Michigan workers who were told to stay home Monday unless a deal had been made.

A list of questions and answers to what is going to happen was posted on the Michigan.gov website Saturday, Oct. 28.

A few main and notable effects students and community members will notice is the closing of all the Secretary of State Offices. For those with birthdays, license plate renewals and registrations needing to be updated, they will have to wait.

There will also be a shutdown of all lottery, cigarette and liquor sales. Businesses may sell what they have in stock as far as liquor and cigarettes but lottery will be shutdown and open only to those who have bought tickets prior to Sept. 30.

For those who began bow hunting on Monday, Oct. 1 it is legal and will continue. Hunting and fishing license sales online and retailers will function as long as the state’s computer servers remain functional.

All the road construction on state highways will cease during the shutdown and it will be similar to a major holiday shutdown.

For more information on any other question of what may affect you during the shutdown refer to the website listed above.

Many students are probably wondering about their education here at Ferris. Lucky for students, Ferris put out a campus update.

“Ferris State University will not experience any interruption in their education. Educators at Ferris and the other state universities very much hope that legislators will approve a budget that reinstates payments not yet made and restores funding that has been cut over the last several years,” states the campus update.

The update also assures students that they will keep students posted on how the agreement is likely to impact Ferris students in the long-term. Granholm briefed citizens on the status of the budget crises in Michigan and the negotiations being made last Thursday.

She addressed the citizens of Michigan with the facts of a possible partial shutdown that occurred Monday at 12 a.m.; the beginning of the new fiscal year.

“Under the partial shutdown, only those essential services necessary to protect the health and safety of Michigan residents will be maintained,” Granholm said.

According to the beginning of her address, she says that the constitution is clear. She remarks that without a balanced budget plan the state government cannot write a single check.

“Today, almost eight months after I submitted my budget plan to the legislature, state lawmaker haven’t put a balance budget on this desk,” Granholm said.

Granholm stressed that significant progress had been made, and she was working on achieving a budget agreement. “Operations that protect the public’s health and safety from immediate danger will continue, prisons will keep felons behind bars, and we will maintain vital services for our most vulnerable citizens,” Granholm said.

During Granholm’s State of the State address she urged lawmakers to unite and resolve Michigan’s fiscal crisis through a three-part solution.

The solution involved cuts, government reforms, and revenues; “it wasn’t a Democratic plan or a Republican plan, it was a Michigan plan,” Granholm stated.

Michigan's fiscal polices and trade policies make it difficult to recover in this century.

Granholm spoke of Republican representative Chris Ward who is willing to join democrats in a bipartisan solution.

“In contrast, some republican leaders in the legislature said they could solve our almost $2 million budget deficit with cuts alone, but even their own members refused to go along,” Granholm said.

The conclusion of her address spoke of not allowing those same leaders to put Michigan in more debt by demanding the adaptation of a continuation budget. The continuation budget would go for 30 days and would only continue to spend money Michigan doesn’t have.

Even after months of waiting, Granholm still feels hopeful that a compromise will be made soon. Until then, there is a list of things being affected by the partial shutdown.

For more information or updates keep your eye on the news and go to Michigan.gov.

The Take Back the Night committee is calling this year’s event a “March for a Community Free of Violence.”

The committee is a board of prominent individuals who planed the event, consisting of both faculty and community members. It is being organized through the office of Cindy Horn, director of student leadership and activities.

Horn said that this is the 17th year that a Take Back the Night event has gone on in this area. But it is only the third year that it has actually been directly linked to the University. Horn herself has been involved with the program since 2003.

Before the Volunteer Center of Ferris State University began helping out, the Women’s Information Service Inc. (W.I.S.E.) shelter bore most of the burden. The people there asked for additional help and so that more organizations and community members would get involved. W.I.S.E. has stayed involved as a strong supporter of the yearly event.

Campuses and cities across the United States participate in similar events. Some teachers are even asking their students to attend, “which is a great way for the academic classroom to support the mission of TBTN,” Horn mentioned.

“The purpose of the event is raise awareness about domestic violence and the impact it has not only on the family but also the community… to bring an end to domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Horn.

According to the organization’s website (www.takebackthenight.org), Take Back the Night is an opportunity for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to speak up on the issue and stand up against those things.

There is some debate over whether it was started in England in the 19th century or if the organization’s roots are more recent, but the purpose of Take Back the Night is not in debate.

The event offers an opportunity to show community support, stand against violence, and be empowered because of it. Horn said, it “provides an avenue for those who have been impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault to gather together, share their stories (if they choose), and find solidarity with others.”

This is also the first of the fall semester's Five Star events.

For more information on the event at Ferris State University, contact Ms. Horn by phone at 231-591-2606 or email her at cindyhorn@ferris.edu.

For additional information about the history and purpose of Take Back the Night, visit www.takebackthenight.org. A calendar of upcoming events, a store, and resources to help victims of violence are available on the website. There is also a link where people can read accounts of violence or share their own.

10-Year Anniversary The 10-year anniversary of the University College started Oct. 2 and will be celebrated all week long with various events. Photo by Ben Kramer, Photo Editor

When asked why the University College chose Dr. Cuseo to speak yesterday Nina Davis, administrative secretary to the dean of the University College responded, “We chose Dr. Cuseo because of his academic background. He has a work and research background that covers many University college programs.”

The University College is responsible for providing academic assistance to approximately 10,000 students a year. Tutoring provided by the Academic Support Center and supplemental instruction offered through Structured Learning Assistance together serve 2,500 students every year.

The TIP Scholars Program created this year is one of many organizations founded by the University College that promotes academic excellence.

The program focuses on helping students who receive scholarships from the Tuition Incentive Program become successful college students and take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the scholarships.

The University College artifact display, entitled “A Decade of Reflection,” began yesterday at 9:00 a.m. and will be available for viewing through this Friday, Oct.5. It showcases some of the awards and honors received by the college as well as statistics and information about program outcomes.

“Students should take interest in the events because our college affects all the students across campus,” said Davis. “Though they may not begin their academic career in the University College, they still may take advantage of the Academic Support Center, SCHOLAR Program, Educational and Career counseling, Structured Learning Assistance and other resource and support services.”

Dr. Cuseo holds a doctoral degree in Educational Psychology and Assessment from the University of Iowa. He is currently a professor of Psychology at Marymount College of California.

Dr. Cuseo is very familiar with the transition facing many new and non-traditional students and was the head of the first-year seminar at Marymount of California for 25 years.

He has also published numerous texts and articles on the first year experience. His newest work, titled, “The First-Year Seminar: Research-Based Guidelines for Course Design, Delivery, & Assessment” is currently nearing completion.

For more information on the services offered by the University College or their Anniversary Celebration visit their website at www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/university.

As of Sept. 27, 2007 a federal judge ruled that it is illegal for a police officer to administer a breathalyzer to a pedestrian suspected of drinking.

The Fourth Amendment guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.

“This is a tremendous victory for the civil liberties of young adults,” said Kary Moss, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan.

The law “is unconstitutional on its face because it is repugnant to the Fourth Amendment,” U.S. District Judge David Lawson said Wednesday in a 32-page decision that knocked down the 1998 law.

According to the ACLU, the law was a violation of pedestrians Fourth Amendment. ABC News reported that the ACLU sued on behalf of two Saginaw County women who were forced by Thomas township police to take preliminary breath tests even though they hadn’t been drinking in 2004.

According to the case, the two females, Katie Platte and Ashley Berden, both 19 years old, were at a going-away party when the police showed up. When the two woman refused to take the breathalyzer because they had not been drinking, they were informed that it was against the law.

They took the test and it showed they hadn’t been drinking; the two females were then released.

There is a catch. A year earlier Berden had attended a graduation party. She left the party, but when Thomas Township police showed up they found her purse. The police then proceeded to her home at 4 a.m., and demanded Berden take a test and said it was illegal for her to refuse.

Once again the test showed she had not been drinking. “You’re supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but in this case, young people were assumed guilty until they proved they’re innocent by having to take a breathalyzer test.” Platte said in an ACLU statement.

According to Michigan State Police, they are advising police agencies that they can still ask minors to submit to breath tests. The officers will not be able to threaten citations of a state civil violation that has a maximum fine of $100.

According to the ACLU website, similar problems have occurred in Isabella County. Two young men from Mt. Pleasant were attending a chaperoned graduation party in May 2003, when “party control” arrived and began taking students.

“The students were then placed in a circle and asked whether or not they had consumed alcohol. Stewart stated truthfully that he had not been drinking, but was nonetheless required to submit to a breathalyzer test,” according to the ACLU article.

The two young men were originally parties to the case, but settled with Mt. Pleasant and Isabella County for a total of $10,000 before Lawson ruled.

There was a ruling by U.S. District Judge David Lawson back in 2003 that was struck down. He stated the same reasons, that the law was in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

He reasoned that for one, the breath test is a search, two, the Fourth Amendment ordinarily prohibits searches without search warrants and the third reason is that there is no exception to the search warrant requirement.

“The ruling does not apply to drivers of a motor vehicle and the ACLU did not challenge the ability of officers to give breath tests to suspected drunk drivers without a warrant because driving is a privilege, not a right,” according to the ACLU article online.

“For years, police officers throughout Michigan have violated the rights of countless college students and others,” Moss said.

One thing for students to remember is that the police can still arrest minors with other evidence of underage drinking. This can be as simple as staggered walking, speech slur, falling down, plain few of alcohol and alcohol on their breath.

For more information about the case and the ruling visit aclu.com or visit abc.com.

The campus announcements released last month in bold print, “IS BIG BROTHER WATCHING YOU?” According to the flier, the speeches are to be “Either informing or persuading, on a topic of your choice, addressing the theme of ‘Technology and Democracy.’”

The preliminary competition is on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Starr Building. Finals will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Science Building, room 126. The speeches are to be either informational or persuasive.

The event is sponsored by Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society and Pi Kappa Delta National Forensics Honorary. Dr. Sandra Alspach, a communications professor in the Humanities department, is coordinating the event.

According to Alspach, the theme this year was chosen to coincide with the upcoming performance of the play “1984.” Additionally, it is the same theme as this year's Political Engagement Project (PEP). Previous years' themes were “Civil Engagement” and “Political Engagement.”

Cash prizes are offered for winners. Last year, the prizes were $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third. Alspach said, “We also hope to provide cash prizes totaling $600 as we did last year.”

For preliminaries, no outline or script is required for the judges. Speeches will be performed twice, in front of different judges each time. Three finalists will then move on to the final round where a panel of judges will watch the speeches and determine which they think is best.

Trophies that are in the shape of the Ferris torch have also been made for finalists. The trophies this year were made by Dave Murray and the welding program on campus.

Alspach further pointed out that extra credit was being offered in some speech classes for competing in this event.

“We hope other faculty will support their students as well. It takes time and initiative to research, write and practice,” she said.

Though this is the third year for a fall speech contest, the Ferris Communication Association has held a speech competition “for many years.”

For more information on registration contact Dr. Alspach at x2779 or in her office in JOH 127. Anyone who needs special accommodations to attend this event should call 231-591-2779 at least 72 hours prior to the event.

Alert When Needed Emergency phones, like this one between Bond and Cramer halls, are located throughout campus to contact DPS in the event of an emergency situation. Photo by Ben Kramer, Photo Editor

The last update for students was given on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. Ferris police had already had one alleged suspect in custody.

By Wednesday afternoon Ferris police announced they had two individuals in custody that had been identified in connection to the case.

“The individuals were identified as Ferris students who have been immediately suspended pending a disciplinary hearing and are not allowed on University property,” information from the news release from Ferris Police.

One of the subjects that had been in custody was released pending further investigation.

According to the release, Ferris police are continuing to follow up on several leads.

“One thing students have to tell themselves is, am I giving someone the opportunity,” Director of Ferris State Police Marty Bledsoe said.

According to Bledsoe it all boils down to opportunity; he mentioned the crime triangle.

The possible offender will first have to have desire to commit a crime. Next the possible offender must have the ability to commit the crime; and lastly the possible offender must have the opportunity to commit the crime.

“Don’t give potential criminals the opportunity to commit a crime,” Bledsoe said. There are many ways to avoid giving a potential criminal the opportunity. The first and most effective way is a buddy system. Walk with a friend to your dorm, or to the library late at night.

“Be careful in a dark place, take precautions,” Bledsoe said.

Now you ask what if I don't have a buddy? DPS solves that problem too. Call them and up until 2 a.m. they will provide a student on foot patrol to walk with you wherever you may need to go.

If it’s after 2 a.m., and you really feel unsafe walking from the library to Cramer dormitory, call DPS and ask for an officer to possibly escort you home.

If the officer is busy, your last option is the blue stations located all over campus. Use those stations and help will be there immediately to assist you.

One thing Bledsoe also mentioned is a cell phone. Have it handy, and then in an emergency it is right there for you to call 911.

Another option is to take a RAD class offered by Ferris State Officers. They can teach you the skills necessary in any situation you could find yourself in. The officers will teach you self defense moves and the safest ways to get to your vehicle, dorm, or even to the library.

Last, but not least be wise about your ID card. Many times students open the door for other students because they “forgot” their ID cards. Tell them to go to the front door, don’t let them in. You don’t know them and they could potentially cause someone danger.

These are just a few ways to avoid getting yourself in a situation that could potentially be very harmful. Keep in mind that there is usually an open opportunity for that person to commit a crime.

For more information on the ways to keep yourself safe and RAD Classes being offered, contact DPS at 591-5000.

“One group who is need for support is great is the teen population. Teens need to be remembered and receive our acknowledgement and support,” Project Starburst director Mary Doran said.

“Last year Mecosta County agencies, groups and churches served well over 2,000 children. This same hard working group also served hundreds of families with food, personal items such as toilet paper, laundry soap and other basic needs at the holidays and throughout the year,” Doran said.

“Toys for Tots, Salvation Army and Project Starburst give to children under the age of 14. But only Project Starburst gives to children over the age of 14,” Ferris AmeriCorps’ VISTA Volunteer Diane Griffin said. She organized the Dump and Run earlier this year to aid poverty in the area.

Teens can become eligible by being signed up by their parents at Salvation Army or Project Starburst. People can currently sign up for help at Project Starburst. For Salvation Army, they can start signing up on Oct. 29.

“Your help can make a positive difference in the life of a local family in need,” Doran said.For more information, call Project Starburst at 796-5342 or e-mail them at projectstarburst@sbcglobal.net.

“As a college student, these pieces of legislation both decrease the quality of education I receive through a lack of adequate funding,” Nelson wrote, “and increase the amount of debt that I will leave Ferris State University with due to tuition increases.”

Senate Bill 254 addresses how funding in Michigan is distributed differently between research and non-research universities. This causes some universities, such as Michigan State, Wayne State, and University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, to receive much more funding than Ferris. Nelson argues in her letter that Ferris should be financially acknowledged for their outstanding pharmacy and optometry programs, especially because it is the only college in Michigan with a college of optometry.

Senate Bill 253 is a bill created to distribute funding amongst the remaining 12 public universities in Michigan. As most college students know, tuition has increased due to lesser funding from the state.

“While we at Ferris State are obviously in opposition to funding cuts, it is vitally important for all of Michigan’s 15 public universities to be on a level playing field in the arena of Higher Education Appropriations funding,” Nelson declared.

Nelson hopes to have all of Student Government back this letter and send it out to State Senator Michelle McManus as well as other influential leaders. Their goal is to voice the concerns of the students about these issues and hope that they will be remembered by the recipients.