Ferris supports charter schools

By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor

Ferris State University President William A. Sederburg recently received the "Spirit of the Future" award from the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA).

The award, in honor of Leonard E. Plachta, the former president of Central Michigan University, recognizes individuals who show extraordinary determination in pursuit of improvement in Michigan's public schools.

"Like Leonard Plachta, President Sederburg deserves enormous credit for exhibiting strong leadership in support of charter schools and children," Dan Quisenberry, MAPSA President, said.

"Many people in traditional education are threatened by charter schools. Ferris State, CMU and the other university authorizers deserve tremendous applause for their determination to give desperate parents new options in education," Quisenberry said.

Ferris is a key authorizer of charter schools in Michigan. It oversees and supports 16 schools across the state, according to MAPSA. These schools serve approximately 4,500 students in grades K-12.

A charter school or public school academy is a public school of choice that has the autonomy to make decisions concerning structure, curriculum and educational emphasis. They are held accountable for academic achievement of the students and receive funds for every child enrolled.

Charter schools are different than traditional public schools because they are run by a board of directors, who hire the administration. They offer a wide variety of curriculums and educational philosophies. They often have at-will contracts for employees and hire non-union teachers. Parents have a strong voice in the running of the school through spots on the board and volunteering their time in the classroom. Some even require parents to volunteer a certain number of hours.

Anyone can enroll in a charter school, and each school has its own policy on admission. Most have either a lottery system or a waiting list policy. They cannot give admission tests or screenings.

According to the University Center for Extended Learning, many state universities are responding to Governor Engler's call to establish charter schools in Michigan. The process of establishing a school is quite complex, but it begins with applying to an authorizing body, such as a local school district, intermediate school district, community college or state university.

Once a contract has been established and the school is operating, it is the duty of the authorizer to oversee the school.

Ferris' Charter Schools Office has the responsibility of overseeing the operation of the academies to ensure that they are complying and making progress towards meeting their stated goals. This is accomplished by announced and unannounced visits to the academies and their board of directors meetings, examining records, observing operations, requesting reports and visiting classrooms in session.

Ferris, as well as all authorizers, has the power to revoke a charter if an academy is not operating under its contract.

The Michigan Association of Public School Academies is the statewide voice for Michigan's 187 charter schools. It exists to support the schools through legislative support, public relations efforts, training and services.

For more information about Ferris' charter schools, call 591-5803.

Senate makes changes to meet student needs

By Laura Chene
News Editor

Along with creating a new position, the Student Government of Ferris State University admits that student voices are still needed in order to improve the school.

Student Government's Vice President of Public Relations Tony Aloia said that the student body has been busy acknowledging necessary changes and meeting them. Recently the senate opened up a new position, the vice president of technological advancement.

"The new vice president will be a helpful tool to assist student government in handling computing and technological issues around campus," Rocky Byington said in a press release. "Student government is here to help the students, and we all feel that this area, technology, requires a person with advanced technical understanding to do that. This is a very progressive step, and I am excited about it."

According to a press release, the new member will be responsible for serving as the communicator between the organization, RNS and Campus Pipeline. The member will clearly communicate technology issues in understandable terms, as well as handle the student government website.

Despite the addition of a few new members, Aloia said that the body is still striving for increased attendance at the meetings. "Student Government represents students," Aloia said. "Either student life is perfect at Ferris, or students aren't going through the proper channels to express their concern. I expect the latter."

Changes to the by-laws and the constitution are also in the works to make the senate's decision process more efficient. The senate is also working on clearly defining the positions within the body. Safety and lighting concerns are being looked at as well.

Vice President of Governmental Relations Mircea-Ioan Cotosman added that student government members keep in close contact with the Board of Trustees and other administration members.

As a voice representing the whole student body, student government members attend meetings with the administration to give input and to remain up-to-date on many issues. For example, senate members gave input on their perception of how Ferris students as a whole were handling the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Cotosman also said that he has learned many new things about the school by attending the meetings. Referring to one recent meeting with the Board of the Trustees, he said, "If I was to tell you what most impressed me . . . we actually are a national leader in several fields. Dining Services was recognized nationally in two ways."

Cotosman learned that Ferris' dining services was honored nationally for having the website of the month, and the concept of Ferris' Mascar Grill was recognized in a magazine article. "…Things you wouldn't think of," Cotosman said.

Another issue concerning international students, which was brought up to the student senate about one month ago, was brought up to the administration and will hopefully be looked at towards the beginning of next semester. "The matter was brought up to the Board of Trustees, and they will look at it," Cotosman said.

Currently international students do not receive credit for the Intensive English program some of them must complete, which is not the case at other colleges. "They pay twice the money you pay, and they don't get any credit," Cotosman said.

Cotosman does not want to see the students leave to attend another university due to this fact. "International students are a great value," Cotosman said. "The international students are part of the educational process of Ferris State." They bring different perspectives to the campus he said.

The body is also looking at a way for students to leave college with an official Ferris document that would state their extracurricular activities. "They can present an official paper", and so we're working on that

As part of his job description, the vice president for governmental relations tries to make a link between the student body and the public. He meets with state House and Senate representatives, as well as city officials. For example, he participated in a legislative lunch with the Chamber of Commerce. He feels it is important that the university and city work to improve and maintain a strong relationship.

"I strongly believe that the community forgets how important we are," Cotosman said. "We're a big asset to the community."

For inquiries about the new position or student government in general, contact student government at 591-2611.

Grant to improve underage drinking laws

By Afzal Memon
Ferris State Torch

With the current enrollment of Ferris State University at 9,847, the student body is an important segment of the Big Rapids community.

In an effort to lessen consumption of alcohol by minors, the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety applied for a grant to ameliorate the enforcement of the underage drinking laws.

"Safety of these students is an important concern of the Big Rapids DPS," Director of Public Safety Kevin Courtney said.

"Ferris State University holds a significant population of the underage community of Big Rapids. The FSU Department of Public Safety (DPS) will also work in accordance to utilize this aid," Courtney said.

The grant will also help the Mecosta County Sheriff Department, as well as the city police with their operations against illegal drinking activities.

"The grant is a part of an overall statewide effort called the Stoplight Program," Courtney said.

This program is designed to restrain minors from consuming alcohol and deter those people who help them to acquire such beverages.

"The purpose of the program is to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. We will concentrate more to limit the sources of alcohol for underage minors," Courtney said.

"We may get our officers behind the liquor store counters, so when a minor tries to buy beverages, they deal with the officials directly."

The $9,977 grant will be utilized by three departments, and it is almost worth 100 hours of overtime. "The grant is not very big. We will have to utilize it strategically," Courtney said. "We may continue relevant activities for a couple of weeks and after a gap we may start it again."

"Hopefully it will help to keep the violators away from finding loopholes in the process," Courtney said. "Our objective is to make the underage population conscious about the laws."

"Sending a consistent message from the areas that focus in helping students succeed here at Ferris can do nothing but create a win-win situation when students consistently hear the reinforced message about what is safe, healthy and responsible," FSU's Director of Judicial Services Celeste Belcher-Girard said.

State funding remains due to lobbying efforts

By Laure Chene
News Editor

Despite Michigan's rough economy, Ferris is able to maintain its current funding level due to lobbying efforts, which Student Government supported.

On Nov. 6 the Joint Appropriations Committee of the Michigan House and Senate decided to leave the increases for higher education institutions that were approved earlier in the fall, according to the Big Rapids Pioneer.

This year the university received a 1.47 percent, rounded to 1.5, appropriation increase to the fiscal budget, which is a lower increase than the amount Ferris has received in the past.

Sally Depew, director of Budgetary Planning and Analysis, said, "For last year it was five percent." The year before that the university received a 4.3 percent increase. "So the 1.47 is very low." Increases are distributed in 11 equal monthly payments.

The state budget has to be balanced by Oct. 1. The school is notified of their increase whenever the legislative leaders reach an agreement. Generally Ferris is notified in June, according to Depew.

According to Student Government Vice President of Governmental Relations Mircea-Ioan Cotosman, the state government had considered taking back five percent of the money it had previously allocated to Ferris but decided against it as a result of Ferris representation at the state capitol.

As a result of powerful lobbying by Vice President of Governmental Relations Scott Hill-Kennedy and his lobbying staff, Ferris will continue to keep the previously approved state increase. Student government stated its support for Ferris' lobbying in a resolution it had passed.

Referring to the administration's actions, specifically lobbying, Cotosman said, "There's a lot of work behind the scenes. We need to be very grateful."

The state's idea to take back already allocated money was considered as a way to fix the unbalanced budget, which is a reflection of a poor economy. Revenues and expenses must equal each other at the state level, which is unnecessary at the federal level. Higher education is considered an expense for the government.

In a press release, Governor John Engler issued Executive Order 2001-9 and a spending strategy for bringing the 2002 budget into balance. "These are challenging times. This executive order takes the action necessary to provide for the growing number of low-income, seniors and disabled people in need of assistance. It also protects funding for public protection and shields higher education."

Cotosman said that a Republican governor, Republican house and Republican senate decided to not take the money back. "I think that's a very strong message they sent."

When asked what problems would occur if state allocations were taken back, Cotosman said that although Ferris receives about 50 percent of its budget each year from the government, that money does not actually cover every expense. This is due to factors such as inflation and rising gas prices, and so the government gives increases every year. "It looks complicated, but it's very simple," Cotosman said. Cotosman said that it would be difficult to cover costs such if the money was taken back.

Depew said that Ferris has two major funding sources to cover its budget. Those sources are tuition and funds from the state of Michigan.

"So the state really uses an incremental approach," Depew said "It allocates increases so that the university can run despite any economical changes. The increases are hoped to keep up with the rate of inflation, but this year's increase will most likely not."

Depew also added that it is possible that the state may take back appropriations in the future. "We think that in the future we are going to see some kind of callback," Depew said. "We're developing some general principles as we're preparing to deal with state callback."

Depew also noted that students would not be asked to make up the callback in tuition during the next 2002-2003 school year.

As the budget office begins to look at tuition rates for next year, she said that the budget office uses student input as part of the planning process. "Student fees committees are open, and we'll be asking [Student Government] President [Rocky] Byington to name some student to sit [on the committee] after the first of the year," Depew said.

DPS warns not to joke about anthrax

By Canjivaram Muralidhar
Ferries State Torch

With the threat of anthrax appearing throughout the nation, including on university campuses, students are urged to take the virus seriously.
The deadly anthrax virus began to show up at universities. Traces of anthrax spores were found in Haward University's mail room and had caused concern for many other United States universities.

According to FSU Director of Public Safety Stanley A. Dinius, Ferris is following the guidelines provided by the U.S. Postal Department in identifying and handling the suspicious mail. In addition, the university has a local emergency planning group and a campus emergency planning group, which coordinates with Federal Investigation Agencies to handle such crises situations.

In his message to the student community, Dinius wanted students to be alert in informing public safety officials if they happened to find any such suspicious mail. He also informed students to be responsible by not involving themselves in any gimmicks, such as planting false mail, which actually can result in criminal prosecution.

Words cannot describe how deadly the anthrax virus can be. It is such a threat that in recent weeks the anthrax virus was sent to US Senator Thomas Daschle by mail on Oct. 15. Although the virus was small in quantity, half a spoon size, it could have easily killed approximately 2 million people within a short time period, according to CNN.

Only three countries in the world produce these deadly virus spores. These include the U.S., Iraq and Russia, according to CNN. The recent news of biological warfare that was heard all over the world has just started to unleash its devastating effects.

The Federal Investigation Agencies are still in the dark in trying to find the individual(s) or organization responsible for this devastating virus. The investigation has even directed suspicion at some of the local extremist wings. It has been speculated that Islamic extremist groups carried out these acts after the United States decided to wage a war against them after the Sept. 11 attacks.

This fear turned into reality on Oct. 2 when American Media Inc. employee Robert Stevens tested positive for anthrax and later died on Oct. 5. From then on, the list of infected individuals has risen sharply. This incident has not spared even the highest places, such as the Supreme Court of America, Capitol Hill, the Pentagon Substation, Defense establishments, Media Centers and Postal Services. It appears as though the U.S. postal workers have become the target of this deadly virus, which has made it tough for employees to carry out their duties.

The clinical features of human anthrax has three main forms: cutaneous, inhalation and gastro-intestinal anthrax, according to CNN. The cutaneous form of anthrax is a result of the spore penetrating through the skin. The inhalation form spreads through the respiratory tract, and the gastro-intestinal form is acquired by ingestion.

Although officials are claiming that the anthrax virus is not transmitted from person to person, the vast speed at which it is spreading has cast doubts on such claims. Local medical officials in Mecosta County are well equipped to deal with these kinds of extreme situations. The officials of the Medical Health Dep. have formed protocol to coordinate and assist the Federal Agencies in meeting such crises situations, according to the Mecosta Medical Health Center. In this way, they will provide maximum safety to ensure that public health will not be compromised.

Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor

Bass player Eric Bovac for the band Exit 139 jams for a crowd of nearly 50 people during a concert held in Merrill/Travis Hall last Thursday.

Take 131 north to Exit 139

By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief

It took a lot of time for classic rock n' roll bands such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Kiss and even more modernize bands like Pearl Jam and Staind, to make it big in the music industry. Every musical act has something in common: a beginning.

Ferris State University has an upcoming band that not a lot of people have heard of. For the five members of Exit 139, with a small following on-campus, the future is bright. Lead Singer Tom Steimel thinks that the band can go places.

"We just started playing together over a month ago, but we already have people talking," Steimel, a Rockford, Mich., native, said.

The five band members of Exit 139 are Nick Briggs on rhythm guitar, Eric Bovac playing the bass, Nate Zaremba on drums, Jerrad Reickard with vocals and Steimel. All five members are freshmen at Ferris State.

"Nick, Jerrad and I all went to the same high school together in Rockford. We met up with Nate and Eric because they live in the same dorm as us," Steimel said. "Nick and I are roommates here, and we both came to Ferris because of the music industry management program. It was either here for me, or I would have gone to U of M or Notre Dame."

"I have been playing drums for over four years now, but I have never played with anyone else," Zaremba said. "When it comes to actually knowing music, I don't know much about the technical aspect of it, but I am a quick learner."

Exit 139 got its name due to the exit number drivers heading north on U.S. 131 have to take in order to get into Big Rapids. According to Steimel, the band sounds like a mixture of Tantric ("Astounded" and "Breakdown,") Staind and Pearl Jam.

"Our biggest influences vary among the members of the band," Steimel said. "I personally listen to a lot of blues with artists like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Vaughan's version of Jimi's 'Little Wing' was the first song I learned how to play."

"Nirvana and Blink 182's drummer were the biggest influences in my life," Zaremba said. "When I was playing drums by myself, I listened to a lot of these two bands among others."

Exit 139 recently played two gigs at Ferris including last Thursday's Freshmen Rally and later that night, a concert held in the lobby of Merrill/Travis Hall. The concert set featured a total of 12 songs, 11 written by Exit 139 and their one cover, "Machinehead" by Bush.

"We threw the Bush song in because we all liked it," Reickard said during the concert. Exit 139 jammed to the crowd of approximately 50 students with a wide variety of song-styles.

The first song played had a Pearl Jam's "Rearview Mirror" feel to it. Later they played a song, according to Reickard, was for the ladies. It started with a methodical, soft feel to the song with powerful Staind-like lyrics.

"Jerrad has that Aaron Lewis look and voice with a twist of Vedder (Eddie) in him," Steimel said. Overall, Exit 139's performance on Thursday night gave a feel of a veteran professional rock band that has been performing on-tour for a few months straight.

After playing at the Freshmen Rally, Exit 139 received an offer to play at Star Shooters and possibly another show at the RiverRock.

"It would be nice to play around the town so that people can see us. Sometime, we have to get a clean demo tape ready and submit it to radio stations," Steimel said.

"There is the possibility of these guys playing at RiverRock, but we will have to wait and see," Exit 139's Promoter Marquay Smith said.

Now that the band has formed and practiced together for nearly two months, they have learned to work together when creating the music.

"It's a mutual collaboration when we write our music. Usually with Jerrad's great voice, he seems to come up with the good lyrics," Steimel said. "Nick and I hash out the guitar-riffs. This band is really getting to know each other."

According to Steimel, the band has already written a total of 12 songs. He also said that Exit 139 has another 10 songs waiting.

"At the pace we are going, anything can happen. We need to concentrate on what we have already written and hopefully as we get better, we will be able to record," Steimel said.

Steimel also credits the band member's history of sports. The band members were involved in wide variety of sports in high school including football, cross-country and swimming.

"Playing sports give you the dedication and practice skills that you need. This has been incorporated into Exit 139's practices," Steimel said. The band practices three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.

"Our work ethic is a credit to our success and good pace so far," Steimel said. "It helps to have people who support you as well. We have our friends and now followers who have been coming to all the practices and both shows."

Courtesy photo

Skateboarder Tony Hawk walks on air, and after playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, you will want to also.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 rocks da house!

By Matt Cherry
Assistant A&E Editor

Tony Hawk 3: The Legend Continues. This could easily have been the new title for Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3.

The series started off at the top, and it is only continues to keep rising.

THPS3 (THPS being shorthand for the title of the series) brings in some new features, but it also keeps the best features around.

Also, it should be noted that I am working off of the Playstation 2 version of the game.

So, instead of me just ranting on and on about the game, let's get into the nitty gritty, sound good?

First off, the gameplay. I can only think of one word to describe this, and that word is "awesome." The first two games in the series left me stunned for their ease of play, and this game left me stunned for it's not only better, it's outstanding!

The controls are just as easy to learn as always. The additions to the game's repertoire make it that more enjoyable. One such addition, the hidden combo/trick, is a great way to spice up gameplay. When you're playing, and you have lots of air, try hitting the heel/kickflip buttons two or three times. That's just one of many hidden tricks in the game.

Another great addition to THPS3 is the chance for online play. This means that you and three of your buddies can rip, grind and more through the levels at the same time. And while the PS2 network adapter won't be available until sometime next year, THPS3 is set up to use third party USB modems/Ethernet adapters.

Another thing of beauty in this game is the including of bystanders. You'll have to react to these people in the career mode, as some goals for the level will include impressing people, helping people and more.

Also, your favorite skateboarders are back. Hawk, Bucky Lasek, Chad Muska, Rune Glifberg, Elissa Steamer, Kareem Campbell and more invade your home.

As for secret characters, beat the game a few times and you can play as Darth Maul, Wolverine, Officer Dick, Private Carrera, Ollie, the Magic Bum and many others.

Also, for those of you that like looking at yourself, THPS3 includes a Create-A-Skater feature with more options than you can shake a stick at. You can have your guy, or gal, choose from a plethora of clothing options including (other than the normal shirt/pant/shoes) sunglasses, backpacks, hats, facial hair style and so much more.

With all of the features available, it's easy to create a character that looks pretty close to you. Using the features, I was able to make Luke Skywalker from Star Wars. Try some options and see whom you can make. The games almost worth it to buy just for the Create-A-Skater options!

Now for a personal favorite in this game, the graphics. THPS3 looks like it was designed to be on PS2. The visuals are absolutely spectacular, and aside from a few minor glitches, are nearly perfect.

The levels are incredibly detailed and extremely large. This allows the skater to have some major fun, but with only a two minute time limit on the career mode, this means that getting all of the goals for a level completed takes a couple of runs to do.

On the bright side, the characters are unbelievably detailed. They look very realistic.

However, the game can be a little too real. If you don't like the sight of blood, even digitized blood, you may not like THPS3 as when you bail, you may just leave a trail of blood behind you.

The sound for this game is awesome. The effects are very realistic and can be used with surround sound. And as for the music, well, it's incredible. Tracks from bands like The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alien Ant Farm, Motorhead and more will keep you rocking for a good long time.

If you don't want music, you can laugh your head off by listening to the background noise. For example, in the "Airport" level, you can hear an overhead announcement saying, "Flight 666 now leaving for Las Vegas" and many more interesting phrases.

THPS3 really keeps the feeling of the series alive in a next-generation system. The coolness of Hawk shows through in this game, and it can only leave one drooling over what Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 is going to look like.

Photo Courtesy of wildernessjournal.com

Avid outdoorsman Kyle Randall hosts the weekly show Wilderness Journal. Randall tries to get as many people involved with the show as possible.

Shhh...I'm hunting for???

By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief

The three main rules to living, according to Kyle Randall, are, "You have to dance like can't nobody see you, sing like can't nobody hear you and every chance you get, drive it like it was stolen."

With deer hunting season underway, a lot of Ferris State University students will be watching outdoors shows including Wildlife Journal hosted by Big Rapids area-native Kyle Randall.

"We have been doing this show for five years now. During the course of the year, we film 30 half-hour episodes," Randall, who has lived in the area since 1985, said. "The show has a total of 52 episodes because we do a best-of-series during the summer. We are out in the field approximately 221 days of the year."

The biggest advice given by Randall for college students is to start early and develop relationships with farmers around Mecosta County. For information about public land to hunt on, he thinks students should contact the local DNR biologist Jeff Green, who has maps and information.

"If students want to hunt on private land though, they need to contact area farmers and develop a relationship. Students might have to do some farm work, but at least they will have a solid contact and good land to hunt on," Randall said.

He also advised students to contact the farmers in the late spring or early fall. "These are the best times to get this done. Students shouldn't start contacting farmers in October and November or they won't have a place to hunt," Randall said.

Randall started filming his show after his grandfather died. "I complained about outdoor shows to him and when he died, he told me to either shut up or do it better," Randall said. "That's some good advice for life in general no matter who you are."

According to Randall, the show features roughly 70 percent hunting and 30 percent fishing.

"It is easier to film a fishing show. The problem is trying to make it diverse," Randall said. "With hunting, there is so much out there to possibly cover. Having live animals on the show also adds character. You can see deer walking around before the kill, but it is obviously hard to see what fish are doing."

Some of the places Wildlife Journal has been includes New Zealand, Montana, Mexico and parts of Canada like Saskatchewan. "Anything that crawls on four legs, that is what we like to hunt," Randall said. "It doesn't matter what the animal is. We have hunted for bear, turkey in Mexico, deer, elk, red stag and many other types of animals."

With a yearly budget of around $100,000, Randall says that the show has been growing. This past year, Wildlife Journal gained four new stations in Michigan. Wildlife Journal is almost considered a nation-wide broadcast. Along with all over Michigan, six other states are able to view his show.

"Currently, the show is at a 7.4 on the Neilson

Prime-time ratings," Randall said. "We hope that within the next five years, it will be a national hit."

The amount of guests Randall invites on his shows are endless. Over the past five years, Randall's biggest concern is getting as many people involved with the show as possible.

"My three daughters (Ember: 22, Erica: 21 and Erin: 18) have appeared on the show a lot, and we have done special episodes with people," Randall said. "During the summer, we have camps that teach kids hunter safety courses. Out of 50-60 kids, we take the top and they appear on the show."

Randall tries to take people who are willing to learn and generally enjoy the outdoors.

Randall has appeared on Fred Trost's show Practical Sportsman, Wildlife Point Blank and on the Outdoor Channel. "Most outdoor shows are usually based on one person's point of view. We try to get everyone involved," Randall said. "One of the most memorable moments that I have had was when my daughter Erica shot her first deer on opening day rifle season last year."

Before Randall hosted Wildlife Journal, he worked for some time as the executive director of the Michigan Sportsman Congress. This organization is designed to create laws that promote fishing and hunting rights for participants. Randall also helped develop anti-fisherman harassment laws.

For those people who watch his shows, the music is wild. It's a mixture of rock, country and rhythm and blues. Randall has his own music guru, Dave Dalton from Frankenmuth, Mich., who writes the music on demand.

"Music either helps hurt or build a mood. Dave and I get together every spring to come up with the music for our show," Randall said. Along with the music, the show is put together in digital format.

"It is the only show in the country that uses all digital. Wildlife Journal is moving towards HDTV as its format," Randall said.

Five years ago, Randall approached Ferris State's Television Production Department. "I talked to Fred Wyman, the director of television production at FSU, about co-producing the show, but he turned us down. It would have been beneficial for his students to help with the show," Randall said.

Students can catch Wildlife Journal ever Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. on Central Michigan's public channel and on Saturdays at 4 p.m. on WGVU in Grand Rapids.

"This show has been pretty blessed for the past five years. With a little luck, 10 years from now, everyone across the nation will be watching our show," Randall said. "The outdoors is an absolutely equal opportunity environment. The animals don't care what race, age or sex you are and anyone can enjoy the outdoors."

Photo by James Bednarick, Photo Editor

Charity Smith, a worker at the Big Rapids A la Mode restaurant, gets ready for the next customer to bring her the bill. Smith is the daughter of co-owner Mary Smith.

Great cooking like no other

By Shannon Vesper
Ferris State Torch

Nothing can say home say cooking like eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner from a restaurant that looks like a log cabin.

Owners of Ala Mode Café, Mary Smith and Pamela Panek, have been doing business for the past 15 years. Opening and then closing for two years due to city parking regulations, business is gradually picking up.

Smith is a long time resident of Big Rapids, as well as Panek. Smith has previously worked as a baker at Westview Dining and The Rock here at Ferris. Panek currently works as a custodian at the Allied Health building.

These two ladies have done everything they can to provide customers with outstanding service and loyalty. Each customer gets personal service, which is comfortable for those who dine.

Ala Mode is committed to serving their customers as best they can. On Thursday, opening day of deer hunting, Smith opened up early for a few of the dear hunters.

Keeping loyal customers mean giving them what they like. Smith's daughter, Charity, is also the main server at the café.

Sunday special includes breakfast served all day, which is great for the college students. If you're looking for the most popular item, you can usually see customers eating pasties, which is what Smith refers to as an "U.P. thing." The meal consists of a homemade pastry shell stuffed with roast beef, carrots, onions, potatoes, celery, rutabaga, parsnips, a side of deep fried mushrooms, gravy and their "Apple Betty", which is baked apples. Upon order, a vegetarian version is offered.

Dinner platters include French fries and homemade coleslaw on the side. From the Hemingway, a grilled tuna sandwich, to the Elvis platter, a chicken tender meal, each meal is filling and delicious.

If a real meal is more your style, friend chicken, liver and onions, or pork chops may make your mouth water. Each of these is complemented with fresh vegetables and a roll.

Breakfast fries up, scrambles, and poaches your eggs, but includes a wide variety of other items as well. Belgium waffles with fruit toppings, oatmeal, or "special potatoes", potatoes with onions and garlic blanketed in cheese.

Served on a regular basis is fresh quiche, which always comes in a meat selection, or vegetarian is available upon your taste.

If your out in the afternoon and your sweet tooth is calling, Ala Mode offers several pies. From apple to pumpkin and rhubarb, they have just about everything.

"We'd like to see students come in. It's really a great place," Smith said.

The unique log cabin café, located at 9999 Maple Street, seats 34 customers. The hours of business are Sunday through Tuesday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. These are new hours that began only last week. Ala Mode has extended the hours for the convince of all customers.

"Some customers come in here three times a day! We have our regulars," Smith said.

With questions regarding location, specials, or hours, feel free to give a ring at 796-MODE (6633).

Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor

The Bulldogs used their physical style of hockey to sweep Alaska-Fairbanks this past weekend. With the victories, the Bulldogs improved their chances of hosting a first round CCHA playoff series.

Warm Up the Sled
By Jeffrey Mier
Ferris State Torch

It was a good weekend to be a goalie. Unless you were from Alaska. The Ferris swept the visiting Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks by the score of 4-1 in both Friday and Saturdays contest.

Friday night's contest pitted Alaska's junior goalie Lance Mays verse one part of Ferris Freshmen Goalie Duo, Mike Brown. Ferris played physical, which caused them to place their goalie in some bad situations.

As the first period moved along, Ferris picked up two infractions that eventually caused them to be two men down (5 on 3), but Brown stepped up to the challenge and stopped all 16 shots he faced in the first period. Ferris did successfully kill the penalty, which added to the team's momentum. With only two minutes left in the period, sophomore forward Derek McIver slide one between Mays and the cross bar making it a 1-0 Bulldogs lead. After the first intermission, the Nanooks had more intensity and stronger play, while the Bulldogs lacked something. Again, Ferris State got itself into more penalty problems, only to kill those off.

Later, Nick Field set up junior Chris Kunitz for a goal. Kunitz skated around the defense of Fairbanks and fired one past Mayes making it a 2-0 game. The Nanooks got a goal at the opening of the third period when Scott Farrell took a slap shot that bounced off Browns pads and rolled in making it a 2-1 game.

With just over nine minutes left in the contest, McIver fired one again, however it was deflected by Simon Mangos giving the Dawgs a 3-1 lead. Mangos then sealed the deal with his second goal of the night off of a Trevor Large and Phil Lewandowski pass at the 14:37 mark of the third period. Brown finished the game by saving 34 of 35 shots.

In Saturday night's action Alaska received the chance to face the second half of the two-headed monster, in the form of freshmen Jon DeCaro. DeCaro stoned 31 of the 32 shots he faced. While the Bulldogs saw a new net minder for the Nanooks too, this time in the form of sophomore Preston McKay.

Chris Kunitz was in the right place to get the rebound goal during a Bulldog power play giving Ferris State a 1-0 lead at the 16:56 mark. In the second period, both teams worked hard and where physical. Several whistles were sounded and several penalties were called that even caused a rare three on three situation.

However, the Bulldogs were the only ones that could capitals on that situation. With senior forward Rob Collins drilling one home at the 9:54 mark making a 2-0 game.

The third period was physical, but a questionable goal killed any hopes of a Alaska comeback. Derrick McIver pushed the puck towards McKay but it bounced lose and McKay almost seemed to have it for a fraction of a second.

However, Phil Lewandowski was there to clean up the trash and slide it in for the 3-0 lead. Much to the Nanooks and McKays dismay, the goal was counted. However, Fairbanks did get one pasted DeCaro at the 9:16 mark. Scott Ferrell shot towards the net but it was deflected in for the goal by teammate Ryan Lang.

The night was capped off by Kuntiz picking up his eleventh goal of the season as he flipped the puck over a defensemen and scored on a open net.

The Bulldogs are off to the University of Nebraska-Omaha this weekend, where they will take on the Mavericks (7-4-1) who are coming off of a loss and tie this past weekend against the Spartans of Michigan State.

Game time for both nights action is 7:05 p.m. at Omaha Civic Auditorium. Ferris fans that want to escape their families and listen to the game via the internet can go to http://www.kkar.com, which is 1290 AM KKAR.

The Bulldogs are back in action at home with a home and home weekend series against the Wolverines of Michigan the last weekend of the month. The Bulldogs will play U of M at home on Nov. 30 at 7:35 p.m., then travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines on Dec. 1 at 7:35 p.m.

Photo by James Bednarick, Photo Editor

Clarence Coleman (#1) makes one of his 323 career receptions in a game earlier this season. Coleman is one of nine finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy. The top three vote-getters will be announced on Monday and invited to a special awards ceremony.

Next stop, the NFL?
By Nick Wasmiller
Sports Editor

Ferris State senior wide receiver Clarence Coleman headlines the list of nine national finalists in regional voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. The top two players from each of the Northeast, South, and Midwest regions advanced through regional voting, while three players advanced from the West due to ties in the voting.

The finalists were selected by the NCAA Division II sports information directors in regional voting and will now be placed on the national ballot where all 156 of the division's SIDs will select the award's sixteenth winner.

Of the nine finalists, Coleman is the only receiver still in the running for the top Division II post season award. The list of 2001 finalists, which includes two players who were finalists for the award in 2000 including last year's winner, is comprised of seven quarterbacks, a running back and Coleman.

Coleman, a senior from Miami, Fla., led Division II in all-purpose this season with an averageof 238.0 yards per game. He was also fourth nationally in pass receptions per game (98.5), third in receiving yards per game (122.4) and sixth in punt returns (15.9). He set Division II records for career pass receptions with 323 and receiving yards at 4,983, and closed his career ranked second in all NCAA divisions in receptions, third in receiving yards, sixth in all-purpose yards (8,009), ninth in receiving yards per game (118.6), tied for 13th in receptions per game (7.7) and tied for 16th in touchdown receptions (42).

Four of the finalists have helped lead their teams into the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs this weekend. Advancing from the Northeast region are quarterbacks Curt Anes of Grand Valley State University and Coleman. Finalists from the South region are the 2000 Hill Trophy winner Dusty Bonner, quarterback from Valdosta State (Ga.) University, and Presbyterian College (N.C.) quarterback Todd Cunningham. Quarterback Eric Howe of Truman State (Mo.) University and running back Josh Ranek of South Dakota State University advanced from the Midwest region, and quarterbacks Scott Mitchell of the Western Washington, J.T. O'Sullivan of the University of California-Davis and Matt Strand of Chadron (Neb.) State were selected from the West region. The award is sponsored nationally by Coca-Cola , the Florence Gas Department, The Real Yellow Pages from BellSouth and Northwest AirLink.

Candidates for the 2001 Hill Trophy were nominated by the sports information directors at their respective schools and those nominations were then reviewed by the Hill Regional Advisory Committees, which trimmed the list of candidates to no more than six per region.

National voting will conclude on November 26 and the top three finishers will be invited to the Shoals are by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced at the Harlon Hill Trophy and Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, December 7 in Florence, prior to the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game on Dec. 8.

Anes, a junior from Kentwood, Mich., led Division II in both passing efficiency and total offense this season, completing 189 of 271 passes for 3,086 yards and 48 touchdowns, while being intercepted just three times. In the process he led Grand Valley State to a perfect 10-0 record and into the Division II playoffs. He led the Lakers to set a Division II record for points scored in a season (584) and a No. 1 ranking in team total offense at 600.8 yards per game.

Bonner, a senior from Valdosta, Ga., won the 2000 Hill Trophy and has quarterback the Valdosta State Blazers to a perfect 11-0 record and No. 1 national ranking this season, entering the Division II playoffs. He has completed 231 of 319 passes for 3,214 yards and 43 touchdowns this season and has 98 TD passes in just two years at VSU. He finished second nationally in passing efficiency this season and ranked eighth in total offense.

Cunningham, a senior from Irmo, S.C., became the Division II career total offense leader this season with 11,235 yards. This season alone he completed 302 of 483 passes for 3,514 yards and 32 touchdowns, ranking second in the nation in total offense at 361.6 yards per game. In a single game against Tusculum he completed 50 passes, which is second best in Division II history, and also posted the division's best single-game passing total this year with 560 yards against West Georgia. He ranks among the division's all-time best in virtually every career category.

Howe, a senior from West Des Moines, Iowa, threw for more than 9,000 yards during his career at Truman State, including throwing for 2,838 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. He ranked among the division's leaders in passing efficiency and total offense and closed his career as the second most prolific passer in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association history. This season he completed 228 of 357 passes with just 13 interceptions.

Ranek, a senior from Tyndall, S.D., is in the running for the Hill Trophy for the third time, and finished fourth in 1999. he finished third in Division II in rushing this season with 1,804 yards, second in all-purpose yards with a 237.1 yard average, and tied for fifth in scoring with a 12.5 point per game average. Ranked finished second on the all-time Division II rushing list with 6,794 yards and rushed for more than 200 yards in a game 13 times in his career, including four times this season.

Mitchell, a senior from Kennewick, Wash., threw for 2,778 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, finishing ninth nationally in passing efficiency (154.2) and 12th in total offense (279.0). He also rushed for five TDs. Mitchell led Western Washington to a school record 77 points in one game this season and holds numerous school records, including the career total offense mark at (7,877).

O'Sullivan, a senior from Folsom, Calif., was a finalist for the Hill Trophy in 2000, finishing fourth in the voting. He has led UC Davis to an 8-2 record and back into the Division II playoffs, completing 191 of 297 passes for 2,854 yards and 26 touchdowns. He ranks fourth nationally in total offense (316.7) and sixth in passing efficiency (165.2). He also holds numerous school records, including career passing yards (9,773), TD passes (90) and career total offense (10,514).

Strand, a senior from Imperial, Neb., quarterbacked Chadron State to a perfect 10-0 record and into the Division II playoffs this season. he completed 175 of 313 passes for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for five more TDs. During his career at Chadron he has thrown for 6,340 yards and 49 touchdowns.

The initial Harlon Hill Trophy was won by North Dakota State quarterback Jeff Bentrim in 1986, followed by Texas A&M-Kingsville runningback Johnny Bailey - in 1987, 1988 and 1989. Another North Dakota State quarterback, Chris Simdorn, claimed the 1990 award, followed by Pittsburg State receiver Ronnie West in 1991, Pittsburg State running back Ronald Moore in 1992, New Haven running back Roger Graham in 1993 and Valdosta State University quarterback Chris Hatcher in 1994. North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon became the first defensive player to win the award when he claimed the Hill Trophy in 1995.

Truman State University running back Jarrett Anderson won the 1996 award and Bloomsburg University running back Irvin Sigler claimed the Hill Trophy in 1997 award. Running back Brian Shay of Emporia State won in 1998, followed by Northern Colorado quarterback Corte McGuffey in 1999 and Valdosta State quarterback Dusty Bonner last season.

Basketball starts on a low note

By Adam Gasper
Ferris State Torch

The men's basketball hit the road for the opening weekend of the season, playing on consecutive nights in Highland Heights, Kentucky on the campus of Northern Kentucky in the John L. Griffins/Lions Club Classic.

The team lost a one-point halftime lead and fell 79-71 to the host team, Northern Kentucky, on Friday night. The Bulldogs played Christian Brothers (Tenn.) in a consolation game on Saturday night and let a tie at halftime slip away, losing 87-79.

Jonathan Bowers led the scoring attack on Friday night, scoring 21 points, shooting a near perfect 10 of 11 from the field. He also pulled down a team high eight rebounds to go along with a block and a steal. Adam Anderson and Marcus Wallace each pulled down seven rebounds and scored in double digits. The starting five, Bowers, Anderson, Wallace, Brian Manahan, and Carlton Epps, combined for all but four of the teams 71 points.

The team shot 44.9% from the field, making 7 of 22 three-pointers, and shooting a mere 2-7 from the line. Northern Kentucky shot 59.3% in the second half to lead their comeback after a 34-33 halftime deficit. Craig Sanders led NKU in scoring with 19.

On Saturday night, the Bulldogs met up with Christian Brothers (Tenn.) in a consolation match-up. Bowers was the standout player once again, picking up a double-double with 14 rebounds, five of them offensive, and 12 points. Marcus Wallace was the offensive standout with a team high in points with 25 and assists with four. He also pulled down seven rebounds and made eight of nine from the line.

The team shot 49.1% from the floor, 80% from the line, but made only three of 11 from beyond the arch. Christian Brothers, led by Joshua Moses' 24 points, shot 54.9% for the game.

The team will return home for a game on Tuesday at 7:30pm against Aquinas before traveling to Findlay to kick off the GLIAC season on November 29th.

Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor

Freshman goaltender John DeCaro (pictured above) has led the Bulldogs to 3-1-1 record in games that he has started, while allowing only 1.78 goals per game.

Freshman duo is on fire!

By Nicholas Wasmiller
Sports Editor

Bob Daniels and crew can recruit goalies. With some of the top goaltenders in Bulldog history (Vince Owen and Phil Osaer) leaving this past season for the professional ranks, two newcomers have filled in nicely between the pipes for Ferris State.

Freshmen John DeCaro and Mike Brown have helped the Bulldogs to sixth place in the toughest league in college hockey, the CCHA. With a 4-1-1 record in the last six games, the freshman duo seem to be more than holding their own in their rookie campain.

DeCaro has started five games for the Bulldogs, usually the second half of the weekend series and has led Ferris State to a 3-1-1 record so far. The freshman from Marysville, Wash. currently ranks second behind only Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller this season in the CCHA with a 92.7 save percentage and has only allowed 1.78 goals per game. Miller was awarded the ------- trophy this past season as the top player in Division I hockey.

DeCaro, who played last season for the Langley (B.C.) Hornets, has only allowed nine goals this season and has also recorded a shutout.

Mike Brown is the other half of the freshman goalie due. Brown has earned a 3-3-0 record this season, while allowing 2.52 goals per game. Brown played last season for the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

Although some people would think that it would be difficult to share the goaltender duties, Brown said that it hasn't been a problem for each goalies.

"We support each other a great deal," Brown said. "We're best friends on the team and push each other to get better. Not many freshman goaltenders get the chance to play as much as we do, so we are actually greatful."

Brown currently holds a 2.52 save percentage, while also recording one shutout. Brown has also had a great season and ranks among the veterns of the CCHA in goaltenders statistics. He currently ranks fifth in the league statistically.

Although many would think that young goaltenders would be attracted to the Bulldogs because of an opportunity to learn from a vetern goaltender like Osaer, according to Brown, that was not one of his main reasons for joining Ferris State.

"We play in a great division and (Ferris) was very interested in me," Brown said. "It probably would have been a great opportunity to learn from Phil, but it wasn't a main reason for coming here."

Brown is also 2-1-0 with a 2.01 goals against average (six goals allowed) and a .928 saves percentage (77 saves) in three home games. He is 1-2-0 with a 3.02 goals against average(nine goals allowed) and a .907 saves percentage (88 saves) in three road appearances.

The two goalies have turned a season that looked like it was doomed from the start with the leaving of Osaer and made the Bulldogs look like a real contender in the CCHA. With Ferris State having two solid young goalies on their roster this season, the present and the future looks promising for the Bulldog hockey team.

Photo by James Bednarick, Photo Editor

Andrea Bucher and the other 14 members of the FSU Dance Team prepare for the home basketball season at this past Sunday's practice.

All she wants to do is dance

By Jason Nelson
Assistant Sports Editor

Since the time she was born, Andrea Bucher has wanted to dance. Today, her dream is becoming a reality, even though her real goal lies about 1,167 miles away, deep in the heart of Dallas, Texas. Yes, Bucher's dream is to become a Dallas Cowboy's cheerleader.

Before you snicker, consider this: Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are at the top of their profession. They are basically the Yankees of cheerleading. Andrea got her first crack at the big time this past summer, when she was a cheerleader for the Grand Rapids Rampage.

This next season she hopes to be able to move into more of a dancing role with the team, and join the Rage. The Rage are the Rampage's dance team and performs at halftime of the Rampage games, while also dancing in the endzones during competition.

Bucher also has a back-up plan in case the cheerleading thing fall through. Bucher is majoring in pshcology, with a minor in communication. After graduating from Ferris, she plans on attending Western Michigan for graduate school. But for now, Bucher is happy being at Ferris and being a dancer.

Many people get cheerleading and dancing mixed up, however, Bucher says there are a few big differences.

"There is no stunting on the dance team, and no sharp movements like their are in cheerleading. In dance it is more of a fluid movement," Bucher said. Another big difference between the dance team and cheerleading is the competition involved. In cheerleading there is often competition and bickering, however, on the dance team such things have never been a problem.

"Everybody just wants to have fun, I have never experienced any competition, everyone is having fun for themselves," Bucher said.

Bucher also enjoys the dance team's clothing.

"We also get to wear rad, sexy outfits," Bucher said. Surprisingly, the girls really don't think of performing for anyone but themsleves.

All the girls on the dance team have a common interest in dancing that helps link together their passion for it.

"Some of our main goals are to memorize our dances, have good facial expressions and good showmanship. Basically the same goals as any entertainer," Bucher explained "We want to look like one team. We practice over and over, we are constantly thinking about the routine, I think that help us to succeed in our goals,"

If Andrea Bucher and the rest of the dance team continue to practice their goals and work as hard as they do, they may find that their dreams may come true.

Women's Cagers have mixed results

By Jason Nelson
Assistant Sports Editor

The Ferris State women's basketball team made a trip to Savannah, Georgia this past weekend in search of a couple victories. What they found in Georgia, were two good basketball games and half of their initial goal. The Lady Bulldogs opened up their season last Friday against Presbyterian College. In a closely contested first half, the Bulldogs held on to a slim 31-28 lead at the half. The Bulldogs shot a sterling 46.7% from the field in the first half on 14-30 shooting. The only thing keeping PC in the game in the first half was their foul shooting, as they converted nine of their fifteen attempts.

In the second half, the Bulldogs almost doubled the output of shots that PC had, yet struggled from the field as they went 11-35 for 31% in the second half. PC, on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities hitting on 12 of their 19 shots for a 63% clip. The difference in shooting allowed PC to squeak out a 65-60 victory, as they outscored the Bulldogs 37-29 in the second half. Each team played good defense as each team had over 20 turnovers. Leading the way for the Lady Bulldogs was Bridget Horowitz, who scored 18 points on 9-14 shooting and also pulled down 14 rebounds, four of them offensive. Debbie Killips chipped in with 14 points to keep the Bulldogs close. Stephanie Benear also played a strong game collecting 10 points.

Redemption was only a day away for the Bulldogs as they were able to comfortably take care of Armstrong Atlantic State University 76-65. The story of the game very well could have been the free-throw shooting of the Bulldogs. For the game, the Bulldogs hit on 14-15 free throws, compared to 19-36 for AASU. Each team shot a respectable number in the first half, as the Bulldogs connected on 43% of their shots compared to 45% for AASU. Despite the closeness in shooting, the Bulldogs were still able to take a 44-33 lead into half-time.

AASU came out firing in the second half. Fortunately for the Bulldogs they were not very accurate. AASU shot a porous 26.5% from the field in the second half due to great defense and poor execution. The Lady Bulldogs did not exactly light up the scoreboard, but they did shoot good enough at 39% to keep AASU at bay and hold on for the 76-65 victory. Leading the Lady Bulldogs in scoring was Jennifer Brogger with 17 points. Molly Potvin added 15 points, including 5-5 from the charity stripe. Bridget Horowitz turned in her second straight double-double as she scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. The win evens the Lady Bulldogs mark at 1-1 as they continue to prepare for the conference opener.

The Bulldogs open the GLIAC season on Thursday, Nov. 29 at Findlay. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.

Read it and weep

By Brian Van Steenkiste
Opinions Editor

I've noticed an alarming trend that's being supported on multiple fronts. No, I'm not talking about people supporting our no-good, deceptive, war-mongering, midget Texan, psychopath of a president. I am speaking of honest, good-intentioned Americans swallowing everything the weak-kneed mainstream media suggest to us.

In this article I'd like to point out the power of the media (specifically in their choice of words) and their perpetuation of a double standard. Christian missionaries being held by the Taliban were recently released and news agencies jumped on the story like Bill Cosby jumping on a pudding pack. What they failed to do was cover the story reasonably and objectively.

In identifying these idiotic women, CNN called them something like "rescued aide workers." They didn't call them missionaries saved from execution, they called them aide workers. This infers that they were in Afghanistan providing something to aid the people. What they were providing was Christianity, and I'm pretty sure a lot of Afghani citizens already had a religion and weren't interested in these people's "aid."

The controversy arises from the Taliban, Afghanistan's government, and their policy of executing people who teach their countrymen anything other than Islam. These women, who have less clout in Afghanistan than men to begin with, CHOSE to go to Afghanistan to teach the people Christianity, knowing full well that it was against the law, and that the penalty for it was death.

These people made a conscious decision to go to a country and to break its laws. When they were inevitably caught and detained, their plight became a sensationalist story for foreign media to latch onto to help illustrate how evil these "foreign devils," the Taliban, are.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this? What we're saying is that it's OK to go to a country and discredit their laws because they're not the laws we abide by when we're home. This is ridiculous. When you go to another place, whether it be another person's home, a different state or a different nation, you have to abide by their policies and wishes. Besides being illegal, it's just plain rude and arrogant to think you can get away with acting in any other fashion.

Forget that once these women were captured, they were treated great. When they were turned over they weren't bruised, battered, dirty or bearing any other signs of abuse. They waltzed right out, heads held high, newly appointed representative of an exclusive criminal elite, totally exempt from following the law.

That's like saying it's OK for a Canadian (from Ontario) to come to Big Rapids and drink in a bar if he's only 19. Hey, it's legal back home isn't it? Or the analogy could be stretched further to say it's OK to steal and murder for an immigrant because he got away with it in his country. Americans would stand up and go crazy protesting anyone let off for such abuses in this country, but when it's us somewhere else, it's all good.

Now more than ever, people need to take a close look at the media and the stories they present us. Through subtle word choices, leaving seemingly insignificant details out of a story and through other such tactics, the popular media is getting away with representing topics unfairly. Propaganda, sensationalism and other evils are deeply ingrained in corporate "reporting" entities' practices.

People need to be aware when obvious plays to their emotions are presented (like the first EVER weekly presidential radio address delivered by a First Lady HAPPENED to be on the poor women and children suffering under the Taliban). Everybody knows that everything on TV and in the newspapers isn't true, but they periodically forget this and tend to give our media the benefit of the doubt.

The media and what they spew needs to be looked at with more scrutiny, and while you're at it, consider all the things they're not reporting while focusing on redundant, patriotic filler. Even Omar changes his subject matter more than CNN.

Corporate sponsorships at our school

By Aaron Hatfield
Ferris State University

With all the different technologies in our world and their related price tags growing by the second, our nation's colleges are having a hard time keeping up. Through the use of sponsorships, many colleges are able to receive money and services to help them with this ever-growing financial need and Ferris counts itself amongst those using this "fund raising" technique.

In 1998 Ferris took advantage of an extraordinary sponsorship that gave them a nice advantage. Ferris signed a contract with Coca-Cola. This contract provided the school with $700,000, some very nice internships, updates to our vending machines and equipment, commercial time and giveaways.

In the contract's first year, Ferris was handed $200,000. Half of this went to the athletic department along with sponsorship for athletic events. This $100,000 helped pay for a Coca-Cola scoreboard and other equipment along with it. After necessary expenses, the athletic department still had some money to spend on some other needed items.

The remaining $100,000 was given out in the form of scholarships that provided students with the aid necessary to help take on the various financial burdens associated with attending college. Every following year, Ferris has received $50,000 which has gone, and will continue to go, towards scholarships.

The internships provided by Coke are also a nice asset. These internships are two-year, twelve-week internships through the summer where students will receive experience in Coke's industry. These are paid for by Coke and are a very nice experience for students at Ferris to take advantage of.

Originally, Ferris was looking at Coke and Pepsi and a possible joint sponsorship. Pepsi was unable to beat Coke's amazing offer. Coke estimated their offer with money and other valuables at $1 million. This was a great asset to the college.

Another great sponsorship was offered by Barnes and Noble bookstore. With Ferris operating their own Lundberg bookstore it became quite a costly operation and a hard to compete with the growing rise in technology. By allowing Barnes and Noble to operate the store themselves, Ferris was able to bring in a much better profit and provide students and community services that were unable to be offered before the takeover.

With Barnes and Noble, students are able order their books and other needs online with the click of a button and have it delivered to their door-step. Some students no longer want to leave their room, so now they have the option of checking the bookstore online for certain items. By adding Barnes and Noble to the Ferris family, students no longer have to leave their room for these necessities.

When considering which company would takeover the Lundberg, Ferris looked at the College Bookstores of America, Follettes, Wallace and Barnes and Noble Bookstores. Wallace is now out of business and the others were unable to compete with what Barnes and Noble had to offer.

Ferris also leases the space of the bookstore to Barnes and Noble. They have a five-year lease, which includes a yearly payment of 8.5 percent of the stores' sales up to $3.5 million, after which they receive ten percent. Barnes and Noble was also able to pay for a much-needed renovation of the bookstore. The Barnes and Noble sponsorship has turned out to be a good thing for the school and will more than likely continue to positively benefit the university in the future.

Ferris also needed a bank on campus to meet the ever-growing needs of students. The bank for the job turned out to be Huntington. Ferris sent out 20 different requests for proposals and two banks came forward, with Huntington beating out the competition. The other banks did not seem to have the technology (which took a year to set up) that Ferris needed.

Before Huntington came along, students had to come to the individual financial offices to pick up their various checks and the college also had to manage and produce all of these checks. When Huntington stepped up, they took over most of this work. Students can now have their financial aid deposited directly into their Huntington account. Student workers and faculty on campus can also have their paychecks direct deposited into their Huntington accounts.

Another thing Huntington did was take over the financial side of the Bulldog Card. Before Ferris had a debit system where students would have to put money on their card. This can become quite a hassle after a while. Students can now link their Huntington accounts to the new student ID cards, letting them act like debit cards while at the same time offering the same services the old student ID cards did.

Like the bookstore, Ferris also leases the office space in the Rankin Center to Huntington, which gives Ferris an extra $400 a month. The college also receives a $1200 quarterly fee for the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) on campus which are located in the Rankin Center, the ice arena and in the Student Recreation Center. Ferris also receives 50 cents of the $2 fee charged to transactions made by non-Huntington members at these on-campus ATMs. Along with this 50cents, Ferris gets 25 cents for every active student Huntington account, which number around 3600, equating to approximately $900.

The need for sponsorship is enormous with the expenses that a college must meet. Because of these sponsorships Ferris has been able to offer many top-of-the-line services to its students and get funding for scholarships and its athletic department. Without these sponsorships, Ferris would have a harder time keeping up with the technological needs of the 21st century.

Sure, students may complain because of high bookstore prices and other minor things due to these sponsorships, but many students do not understand the positive elements of allowing corporations to influence campus services. Prices may be a little high in the bookstore, but these cost increases must be weighed against the services Barnes and Noble brought with them. Ferris is trying hard to keep up with today's advancements, and in order to do so, we as students need to support sponsorship on campus as much as possible. These sponsorships make our lives easier and far less stressful.

Ferris is doing a very good job of keeping up with technology and other advancements in today's world. Though I might have some disagreements with certain things, overall, they are doing a wonderful job. If we as students did not like Ferris than we would not be here. You chose this college, so let's try to back it in as many of its opportunities as possible, including sponsorship. I can guarantee that as Ferris grows and the world advances, the college will continue to step up to the plate to meet any challenge that comes its way.

It's time to vent on everything

By Mike Domerese
Ferris State Torch

Greetings and salutations, fellow students and people of Big Rapids. I have returned from sabbatical to my post here at the almighty Torch. While away on my week-long vacation I didn't manage to take a journey merely over land, but of and through the mind. The world as I see it is a pretty screwed up place right now.

So maybe I'm a little pissed off in general and this just happens to be my humble ground upon which to vent. The purpose of this article is merely to get that brain of yours to function and manipulate thought processing parts of said cerebral mass to come up with theories of your own. I know some of the reader's brain cells may be overly saturated with alcohol and/or some kind of herbal supplement (and I don't mean the over the counter type), but give it a try.

First off, I'm sick of people telling me what is bad for me. Have you taken into account how many times a day you hear something is bad for you? It's just plain ridiculous that in today's society we have to put up with all of this. I think we should be able to make our own decision on what is bad for us and what isn't.

Smoking. Smoking is so bad, but yet the American public continues to buy and sell cigarettes. Personally, I love to smoke. I think smoking is good because it helps relax you. Of course there is always someone around that is just like "Eew, you smoke, that's gross." To that, I simply say this, did I ask for your opinion? No, I didn't think so.

They always say it's going to kill me. Now it seems like everything is going to kill you. Why is it that smokers are forced outside under miserable conditions to smoke? Do people not realize that this only puts us at a higher risk of getting sick? Isn't it also being somewhat prejudiced?

The next order of business has got to be meat. There is nothing better than a great big juicy char-grilled steak. Throw a bunch of potatoes into the mix and you have one delightful meal. I'm sick and tired of hearing how red meat is so bad for you. If I want to clog my arteries, let me do it in peace. I love all kinds of greasy foods as well. French fries are a totally amazing food that seem to go great with a hamburger.

Then there is the ever-popular motorcycle theory, that we are bad evil people when we ride. Motorcyclists have been getting the short end of the stick for years and years. Every year they are huge contributors to charities. The money that motorcyclists and their respective clubs have raised is in the millions. Another misconception about us is that we wear leather and black to primarily look cool. People couldn't be more wrong. The main reason leather is worn by fellow bikers and myself, is for protection from the wind and the road.

How many times a week do you drink? I'm not talking about getting completely wasted, just in general, a couple of drinks or whatever. First you hear that drinking is bad for us, and then you hear that one drink a day is good for you. If I want to have a couple of cold frothy ones with my friends, I'm going to. Look at George Burns. He smoked and drank and lived to be 100 years old!

Music has got to be another point that has got to be made. People far too often outside of many clubs, concert venues and halls are telling you that the concert you're going to see is bad. You know the people I'm talking about, the bible beaters with all their little leaflets. Look, I'm a religious guy and all, and I don't need you telling me what is bad for me and how it's leading me down a dark road.

Basically what I'm trying to say is, let me make my own decisions about what is bad for me and what isn't. If you think something that I'm doing is bad for me, keep it to yourself. We have enough warnings and labels on everything about everything that I don't need to hear it from every Tom, Dick and Harry. Basically to all those people who feel that you must watch everything that you say, do, and eat, I'm sorry. Life is too short to worry about every little thing that may be bad or not. To sum it up in one short phrase "Get Off MY CLOUD!"