On Tuesday, Feb.19, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Zeta Beta Chapter) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. sponsored the 16th annual “Freezing for a Cause” charity drive.

Members of the organizations, along with friends and donators, stood outside of the Rankin Student Center in the quad from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. The group took donations of non-perishable foods as well as clothes and other items.

When asked why she had donated clothes, Shantele Snyder said, “It was just stuff that didn’t fit anymore. I wasn’t using it so I want to give it to people who can.” Snyder is a freshman and was there representing Students Taking Action & Nurturing Diversity (S.T.A.N.D.).

The event was organized by the Ferris chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. The group provided music, fire barrels, and more for participants and visitors. Hot chocolate was provided by dining services to help keep everyone warm and in good spirits.

Brandon Cole, secretary of Alpha Phi Alpha and a sophomore in the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) program, explained how the items collected go to a different shelter every year.

In the past, items have gone to local shelters, usually in the Grand Rapids area. Collections have also been given to groups like Project Starburst and WISE (Women’s Information Services Corporation). Project Starburst and WISE then distributed the items to needy people in the area.

Cordarryl Thomas, the president of Alpha Phi Alpha, said that this year the food and items collected will be going to a shelter in the Detroit area. One of the members of the fraternity had a long conversation with a homeless man who described the need of the shelters in the area and promised the man that Alpha Phi Alpha would help.

When asked if people actually stayed the whole four hours, Thomas responded, “Some people do. Most people just stop by for a little while to donate clothes and stuff and chill for a little bit.” With the temperature that night at 8 below zero degrees fahrenheit, “chill” they certainly did.

The event was not all business though. The music, s’mores, and an occasional snow ball fight helped to keep participants warm and awake.

Ferris State University President David Eisler recently wrote a memorandum to faculty and staff regarding Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2008.

“This is an education-friendly budget with an overall budget increase to higher education of 3 percent,” wrote Eisler.

“This (increase) would be distributed through a threepart funding formula that helps low-income students, supports university research efforts, and rewards good graduation rates.”

The proposed budget includes a minimum increase or “funding floor” of 2.3 percent, ensuring that each of the 15 listed universities’ budgets would receive at least that amount. The proposed increase for Ferris State is 3.15 percent, putting it seventh on that list. The institution with the highest proposed increase is Lake Superior State at 6.22 percent; the lowest is Northern at 2.30 percent.

Ferris’ proposed increase amounts to $1,567,100. It is just a proposed amount, not a promise.

“There will be considerable debate over the funding formula, especially from institutions that would receive less than a 3 percent increase, which is why I spend one day a week in Lansing working with state leaders,” said Eisler.

“This early in the process there are likely significant changes before a final budget is produced. However, the good news is that the starting point is a funding increase rather than the 10 percent reduction we have struggled with over the past seven years.”

Eisler testified before the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Monday, Feb. 25, in Grand Rapids. He stressed that the governor’s focus on tuition alone misses the point of the effect of several years’ reduced state funding.

“In 2001 we received $6,094 for each student; today that figure is $4,324. Had state funding for each student increased at the rate of inflation we would now be receiving $7,247. This is a stunning reduction of $2,923 per student.”

That reduction amounts to a 48 percent decrease per student. Despite the monetary challenges, the university has moved forward at an impressive rate.

“During this period, Ferris enrollment has increased 19.73 percent. Full year equivalent students have increased by 23.51 percent and the number of degrees awarded has increased by a remarkable 43 percent,” he said.

Ferris State will remain on the forefront of the legislature’s agenda. The university is scheduled to host one of the House’s subcommittee sessions on the main campus in Big Rapids. Eisler is optimistic about this year’s budget planning process.

“There is a long way to go with this budget and the legislative session, but the challenges pale in comparison to the obstacles of last year’s budget,” he said.

To read President Eisler’s memo in its entirety, visit the President’s Corner section on the “My FSU” home page.

A “Kick-Off” meeting was held last week for the newly appointed library committee to find out what the community wants in its library and the challenges it faces trying to make everyone relatively happy.

The meeting took place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Luanne Rothstein opened up the meeting at City Hall with an explanation of the purpose of the meeting and the purpose of the committee. Rothstein said there were three questions that needed to be answered. The first question deals with whether Big Rapids needs a community library.

Even though FLITE is open to the public, the committee and community seemed to be unanimous. They do feel that a library is necessary.

The second and third questions were concerning where the library would exist and where the funds will come from to build a new one or to fix up the old one.

The second and third questions must be answered less than a year from now. The library committee was appointed by the mayor of Big Rapids to have a report done in January 2009 on what actions need to be done.

Located on the corner of Michigan and Oak, the Big Rapids Community Library sits aging. Some community members fear safety problems that could exist while others want to preserve the building for its historical significance. The committee, though, cannot even address those issues until true diagnostics tests have been performed.

Instead, the committee wanted to focus on what people desired in a library, rather than what may be done about the building.

A brief history of the library was given by Big Rapids Community Librarian Gaylynn Rorabaugh. A library of sorts has existed in Big Rapids since the late 1800s. In 1961 the City Charter established the Library Board.

Marlies Manning, a consultant at Manning Design, LLC, organized everyone into focus groups.

“Your opinions,” Manning said, “are an important part of our study.” She proceeded to break the audience up into four groups to go over what they wished they could have in a library and what challenges they saw that were in the way of making those wishes come true.

City Manager Steve Sobers praised Manning for the job she was doing as facilitator. Sobers said that the city has hired her for consultant work in the past, but Manning was at this meeting purely as a volunteer.

A committee member sat at each of the four tables and helped draft the lists. On the top of the wish-lists for community members were things like more hours available, more parking, and updated technology.

On the top of most of the lists for challenges, on the other hand, were things like funding, safety and marketing.

After all of the lists were read, some time was given for questions. So, there was a little bit of debate over what best to do. But the committee reinforced the earlier statements and tried to focus on what was accomplished.

Sobers was excited about the 50 or more people who showed up from the community for the meeting. “If you are going to build a library that will cost $2 to $4 million,” Sober said, “you’re going to need some citizen support.”

Library committee meetings will be held twice a month, though the specific date or day of the week will not always be regular. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 8 a.m. in the Michigan Room of the city library. In order to find out when meetings after that will be held, call or go to either the library or City Hall.

In Case You Missed It…

For your information:

Coming Soon! All credit card payments will soon need to be made through Ferris e-bill system. The new change is to protect your personal information. Credit card payments over the phone or through the mail will not be accepted in the near future.

1098T notifications for 2007 were mailed to students' permanent addresses. If additional copies are needed they can be obtained from MyFSU.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I pay my bill online through the e-bill system?

To pay your bill online, log into MyFSU, click on the MyServices tab, click on E-bill and then make your payments. Be sure to log in under the “Login Links” tab using your student ID and password. Parents can be authorized users on the student’s account. Payments can be made by electronically debiting checking or savings accounts or with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.

Reminders:

Next bill due is on March 17, 2008. Late payments will be charged a 2 percent late fee and there will also a Summer/Fall registration hold.

Timme Center is open Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Student ID cards are always needed when visiting the Student Service Center.

Presented by Student Government, the Women Involved in Leadership and Learning (WILL) Conference will take place on Thursday, March 27, at 6 p.m.

Professionalism is the theme of this free event to be held at the Big Rapids Holiday Inn. Organizers suggest women in attendance dress in business attire. The speakers, according to the promotional posters, are going to use the event to present “their story of overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of success.”

Since the event is about a month away from now, it is a little early to know what to expect. However, plans are well on their way. With the new budget approved and a great deal of work already accomplished, Committee Chair Amber Balmer said, “Everything is pretty much in place.”

Last week, Student Government granted an amended budget for the WILL Conference. The increased allocation provided her and her committee with the chance to celebrate a new step in getting goals for the conference attained.

Though this is the first time Balmer has directed this event, she attended last year’s conference and feels strongly about its success. In a recent e-mail interview, she said that she thinks the conference will provide young women with positive examples for their lives. That is why she is fighting so hard to do a good job.

“With the extra money,” Balmer said she feels that the organization will make this year’s WILL Conference “the best ever.”

Balmer highlighted the things that her committee was doing to make that happen. “This year we will be doing some things that have never been done before,” Balmer said, “including our campaign for breast cancer and adding more personal touches to the event.”

The “personal touches” that Balmer referred to include both changing the menu from just hors d’oeuvres to a light meal and providing attendees with pink M&Ms to emphasize the campaign to fight breast cancer. Money raised at the event will go to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation.

The majority of the costs involved represent the purchase of the food and the charges from the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Thanks to a $1,700 donation toward the event from Dr. Daniel Burcham, the additional funds that Balmer requested came to $1,812.17. Balmer presented a full budget to Student Government last week.

Though the changes implemented to the original budget may cost the organization more money than the previous year, Balmer and her committee are responding to complaints that there was not enough food. The meal consisting of soup and salad, Balmer pointed out during the discussion with Student Government, will cost less than ordering more of the finger foods that were originally going to be provided.

During the meeting held on Feb. 19, Student Government approved the newly amended budgeted amount.

In the discussion on whether to allocate the additional funds, Student Government President Joe Viviano called the conference “one of our cornerstone events.”

One Student Government member expressed the importance for the event to be “professional, inviting and representative of student government” and that the members of Student Government must be prepared to view and review the plans for all of the upcoming events in this same way.

Having made posters, placed ads, booked speakers and sent out mailings for donations for the fundraiser, funding was the last big obstacle. “Our biggest challenge was the budget,” Balmer said later, “and now that is resolved. So, I think we are well on our way.”

If there are any questions,, Balmer can be contacted by e-mail at balmer124@yahoo.com and by phone at (573) 529-0898.

Fire trucks, police cars, and a crowd of curious students were on scene Monday Feb. 11, at 12:20 p.m. near FLITE library after the building had been evacuated due to a water pipe breakage.

The evacuation started at 12:17 p.m. when flashing lights went off and an alarm sounded advising people in the building to “…calmly head towards the nearest emergency exit.”

Water could be seen spilling from the ceiling into the vestibule of the western entrance to the extended hours study lounge while Ferris employees rushed in with equipment to repair the leak and minimize the damage. The western entrance faces the circle drive and is topped with a glass pyramid.

According to Mark Eichenberg, assistant director of plant operations and project management, the break occurred in an elbow pipe of the fire suppression system that had froze and expanded.

Eichenberg said that the superficial damage has already been taken care of but that, “There is extensive drywall damage around the area of the mural and throughout the lounge.”

The mural covers a large portion of the lounge, spanning the whole of the serpentine wall on the southern side of the room.

The exact extent of the damage was determined Friday, Feb. 22 when Eichenberg and an assessment team, including an architect, evaluated the area and made primary repair plans.

These plans, collectively called a construction package, “…will go up to bid and probably be picked up by outside independent contractors,” according to Eichenberg.

As of yet, the exact date that the lounge is expected to reopen is not known. The computer room and vending area are still accessible through a side entrance on the main floor of the library, but they are subject to the normal library hours available online at the library’s Web site: ferris.edu/library.

Students waiting until the last minute to write papers and do projects will have to go to the computer lounge in Bond hall to burn the midnight oil.

But according to Bond hall desk employees, these facilities will only be available to students that live on campus.

Off campus students will have to start planning ahead because as of yet there are no late hour facilities for their use, even if they are Ferris students.

The event took place in Rankin Center Dome Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19. It was presented by Gordon Food Service (GFS) and Ferris State University Dining Services.

“This is awesome, ” student Brad Costa said, “even if some of this stuff ends up on the menu, it would be great.” Costa, a senior, expressed anger about previous experiences with Ferris Dining Services. “I’m sick of seeing Hot Pockets,” he said.

Although he did say that he was content with the selection of cookies at the various oncampus eating establishments, Costa would like to see a larger selection of other dishes. “Fish, yes!” Costa exclaimed, “health-food, please.”

Dining services has been gradually implementing healthier foods. Whole-wheat pizza crust is one example. According to Ferris State Dining Services Dietitian Brenda Walton, the wheat pizza crust may be a little larger than the regular crust but it has three times the fiber than the traditional white.

Also, one of the “healthy” choices that venders brought was whole-wheat french-toast sticks that are already served in campus cafeterias.

Students Ben Stadler and Amber Porter also indicated that they were having a good time and enjoying the food. Originally planning on eating at Quizno’s, the pair happened to glance down the hallway and saw what was going on.

Porter, a vegetarian, said about the normal selection on campus, “there isn’t a lot…if you don’t eat meat.” Michael’s & Associates and Kashi had tables with products that Porter praised for their sensitivity to her needs. Silk soymilk was on one of the first tables as participants walked around the room.

“I absolutely love soymilk,” Porter said.

“It’s great that they are trying to change their menu,” said Stadler, “I’m not complaining about (dining services') selection. But more variety wouldn’t hurt.”

That is not to say that all of the food was equally desirable for the students participating. Porter said that she didn’t like the Bosco Sticks that were served. Stadler said that he didn’t care for the basil tomato soup, “because it was cold.”

As to why the event is important to dining services, Gary Schneider replied in the way that anyone would about his or her customer: “This was an opportunity for us to showcase a number of new products that our customers could taste,” said Schneider, the business manager for dining services, “and then respond to us with what they liked best.”

Participants were given a product sampling survey in which they had to write whether they would like to see an item in Ferris cafeterias, yes or no, and then rank their top three products overall.

The idea for the event came about after other schools did similar events. Because GFS had been a part of those schools’ presentations, Ferris State University’s Schneider asked Scott Nelson at GFS to get involved. Ferris State Dining Marketing Representative Julie Modene did a lot of the organizing for the event.

Eventually, the topic was brought up to Lori Helmer, the director of dining services.

“We all decided it was a great idea,” said Schneider.

Although this was the first time that an event like this was ever hosted by dining services, the organizers are already talking about making it an annual event citing good feedback.

Attacker Caught

On Feb. 14 at 9 p.m., a female reported being sexually assaulted in Clark hall by an acquaintance that was a nonstudent. The female was assisted by health professionals. The suspect was identified and an investigation continues.

Be Gone

On Feb. 15 at 1 p.m., there was a hit and run in lot 6 reported. The damage was to the driver-side mirror of the vehicle.

Too Drunk To Walk

On Feb. 16 at 4 a.m., officers were dispatched to an injured student in Pickell hall. The student had fallen and sought his/ her own treatment. The student was also cited an MIP.

Watch Where You’re Going

On Feb. 16 at 1 p.m., there was a vehicle reported as damaged in lot 5. The damage was to the front bumper of the vehicle.

Give Me the Money

On Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m., a civil complaint between two students was reported. The incident was concerning money. The two individuals worked out their differences with the assistance of the hall director.

Get Some Common Sense

On Feb. 17 at 12:05 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle for speeding on Ferris Drive. The driver was found to be intoxicated and lodged in the county jail.

This is Different

On Feb. 17 at 6 a.m., there was a report made of a harassing e-mail received by a student in Cramer hall. The e-mail turned out to be just spam.

Lock Up

On Feb. 17 at 5:50 p.m., officers received a theft complaint made in Hallisy hall. The victim reported leaving his/her door open and returned five minutes later to discover several X-Box games had been stolen.

Damaged

On Feb. 17 at 9:30 p.m., there was a vehicle reported as damaged in lot 24. The damage was to the hood of the vehicle.

Take Responsibility People

On Feb. 18 at 2 p.m., there was a hit and run in lot 61. The damage was to the driver side front bumper.

It’s Called Insurance

On Feb. 18 at 5 p.m., there was a hit and run in lot 6. The damage was to the driver side rear quarter panel.

You Live in A Dorm

On Feb. 18 at 8:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to help resident advisors in Pickell hall with a loud party. Three individuals were cited an MIP.

People Steal

On Feb. 18 at 11:40 p.m., officer received a theft complaint. The theft occurred at the Student Recreational Center. The student had left the locker unlocked.

That’s Just Not Intelligent

On Feb. 19 at 1:15 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle on State Street for no headlights. The driver was found in possession of marijuana and lodged in the county jail.

Ticket Totals

These reports were from Feb. 14 to Feb. 19. There are no ticket totals to report this week due to no school.

Islamophobia
Today from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Rankin Center Dome Room Dawud Walid will give a presentation on the unfounded fears of Islam. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact Michael Wade at x5029.

FSU National Organization for Women
Today from 8:00 to 8:50 p.m. in FLITE 304 FSU National Organization for Women will hold a meeting. Everyone interested is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Mallorie Cooper at coopem10@fsuimail.ferris.edu.

International Students
On Thursday, Feb. 28, from 11:00 a.m. to noon in FLITE 214 there will be a career workshop for international students. For more information, contact Shana Beisiegel at x2824.

Purse Party
On Friday, Feb. 29, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. YBBW will host a purse party. All items are 20 percent off. It will also be collecting personal hygiene products for soldiers. For more information, contact Rachel Stewart at rachelnstewart@aol.com.

Vagina Monologues
On Friday, Feb. 29, from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. in Williams Auditorium Ferris students will present the Vagina Monologues. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Nichole Wheelock at x2140.

Y.B.B.W. Fashion Show
On Saturday, March 1, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Williams Auditorium YBBW will host its annual fashion show. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Rachel Stewart at rachelnstewart@aol.com.

MYSKI
On Monday, March 3, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Rankin 155 MYSKI will hold their weekly meeting. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Ebony Holland at (248) 943-3693.

Entertainment Unlimited
On Monday, March 3, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Rankin Center Centennial Dining Room Entertainment Unlimited will hold its weekly meeting. All are welcome to join. For more information, contact Cari Scholtens at eu@ferris.edu

Childhood Night
On Tuesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran School there will be an informational for preschool and kindergarten enrollment. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact David Truog at 796-1186.