Last weekend the city of Big Rapids, along with Ferris State, played host to the Michigan Energy Conference, Michigan Energy: What is our Future?

The conference, which was sponsored by the university, ran from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon.

Students, educators, government officials, and industry professions who attended the event had a chance to attend guest presentations, expert panel discussions, and numerous educational workshops that dealt with the economic issues of supplying energy while being mindful of the great lakes state’s unique ecological position.

“This is hopefully the first of many conferences to come on energy, energy renew-ability, and sustainability here at Ferris State University,” said Doug Zentz, an assistant professor in the HVAC program at Ferris.

The conference began at the Holiday Inn Conference Center with short words from Ferris President David Eisler, followed by a presentation from the conference’s keynote speaker, Gordon Holness. Holness is the Treasurer of the ASHRAE, The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He serves in an advisory capacity on many panels and projects throughout the United States and Great Britain.

Following the keynote speaker, George Erickcek of the W.E. UpJohn Institute spoke on the Michigan perspective on energy concerns and an expert panel discussion was held. The panel was seated by various authorities in the fields of energy policy, utilities, renewable energy, manufacture and supply, and economics. The panel also covered such topics as the affects of architecture and engineering on the environment, and the national view on Michigan’s role in energy policy and usage.

Student poster board projects were also exhibited throughout the day on Friday. The poster boards were related to various energy concerns in Michigan and were entered into competition by individual students or small groups for a $500 top prize in each category.

From the conference center, the convention moved oncampus to the Wink Arena for the special guest presentation by Dick DeVos. “The challenge we face throughout the nation, but especially here in Michigan, is to be good stewards to our economy and our ecology,” He began.

DeVos then went on to discuss the problems with future plans for Michigan energy policy and to cautioned against “trendy, new-age” energy solutions saying, “Michigan can’t afford to waste time and energy chasing the latest trendy idea. We need to stay grounded in scientific fact, and economic reality.”

DeVos went on to evidence that, although ideas like wind power are gaining in popularity in some states that have the resources to use them, Michigan is in the position to take advantage of the technology.

Focusing heavily on economical concerns as well as environmental ones, DeVos cited the need to keep the Michigan business environment and economy in mind while still being mindful of the ecological impact that energy production and consumption has on the state.

The Michigan Energy Conference was the fist of its type to be held at the university.

Zentz hopes to see many more events at Ferris with similar concerns and ideas brought forth in the years to come.

The big announcement at last week’s Student Government meeting was the official election results of Amber Balmer as the choice for president for next school year.

When it came time for her report, Director of Internal Assessment Samantha Biros passed out a sheet with the exact numbers of voters turning out and where their vote was cast.

In the popular vote, representing all Ferris Students, Balmer received 269 votes out of a total of 526 students who voted. Twohundred and twenty-seven students voted for Robbie Rankey and 14 voted for Jessica Nelson. Sixteen other votes were cast, which was just over 3 percent of the total.

Balmer also won 30 out of 39 electoral votes.

A recent amendment to the Mandate of Internal Assessment requires all write-in candidates who win be confirmed by a two-thirds vote in the General Assembly. Balmer was unanimously confirmed during the meeting in a role call vote.

She will be sworn in at the end of the semester and will be ready to take over the role in the fall.

Originally from Colombia, Mo., Balmer is one of five children. She says that her parents have been the biggest positive influence in her life. They taught her life wasn’t always easy, but it was worth working hard to achieve one’s goals.

Balmer is a member of three on-campus organizations. She is the vice president of the Ferris chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). She helped start a spinoff organization to PRSSA called SWOT Public Relations that is designed to help other RSOs and campus groups deal with public relations.

Balmer says SWOT is currently working with EU on an upcoming project, but couldn’t discuss the details.

Balmer is also the recruitment director on the executive board of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority.

Being ‘Greek’ is one advantage that Balmer attributes to her winning the election. In addition to the Greek vote, though, Balmer said she went to a lot of meetings to discuss the issues that are important to student groups. “I think that’s what put me over the top,” Balmer said.

As far as how happy she was with her win, she was a little disappointed with the low percentage of voters. “Overall, I think I did well,” said Balmer, “I just wish we could have seen a better turnout.”

Balmer ran for Student Government president because she wanted to do more. “I’ve done a lot of things on campus,” said Balmer, “I decided I wanted to make a bigger impact.” When she was approached about possibly running for Student Government’s highest office, she didn’t want to rush into anything or make a big deal at the time.

As she is preparing to take charge, Balmer said that students can expect to see a slightly different tone to Student Government. Balmer said, “I’m a bit of a different kind of leader than Joe (Viviano)”

She continued to explain that she will be working hard in the areas of budgeting and promoting Student Government. Balmer said she wants to fix a “disconnect with students” and Student Government.

In order to do this, Balmer plans to work hard in order to continue programs for students such as free legal counseling.

Other programs that help the community she would like to see continued include the Big Event, which is forthcoming, and the Holiday Food Drive, which supplied around 2,500 pounds of food to a local food pantry.

For the students who didn’t vote for her, Balmer asks to be given a chance. “I know I wasn’t their first choice,” she said, “I really hope that they’ll at least offer constructive criticism.”

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and Zeta Xi Delta, in conjunction with WISE, has been raising awareness on Ferris State campus for the past two weeks.

The sorority set up tables with pamphlets, bookmarks, posters, and other items to help educate students as they walked by. Teal ribbons were also given to those who took a minute to stop at a table. The color teal is the symbol of identification and prevention.

“It’s kind of exciting to see people take the ribbons and not throw them away but actually see them being worn,” Zeta Xi Delta president Keriann Wilson commented.

Women aren’t the only ones working to end sexual violence. The White Ribbon Campaign, started in 1991 by a group of Canadian men, is men working together to end men’s violence against women on a national level.

According to whiteribbon. ca “Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls. Wearing a white ribbon is a way of saying, “Our future has no violence against women.”

The sorority is hoping to recognize sexual assault in April annually. It is planning more programs for next year and hope to give the campus something to look forward to while raising awareness.

The idea is to work with a fraternity to bring a national program on campus titled “Walk a Mile In Her Shoes.” Men will volunteer to walk a mile in high-heels as they learn about sexual assault. Zeta Xi Delta hopes this program will be as big as the annual Take Back The Night Rally.

The month was kicked off with the "Voices of Men" play in William Auditorium at the end of March.

“I really think it will make a difference if we take a stand on this campus,” said Wilson.

For more information on sexual assault or about how you can become a volunteer and help people of sexual assault, contact WISE at 231- 796-0358, Alpha Xi Delta at deltasigmazis.cabanova.com, or FSU Counseling Center at x2000.

Ferris State’s faculty-led Feature Photo study abroad programs began in May of 1999 when Dr. David Noren, a professor in the language and literature department, and Dr. James Walker, a professor in humanities, took students to Martinique and Italy, respectively. Since then, Ferris students have traveled with FSU faculty to countries around the globe.

In addition to facultyled trips, students can apply to study for a few weeks, a semester, or a full academic year through different aspects of the program. Many types of financial aid are available to apply to program expenses. The university also has an international student exchange program.

Ferris has nearly 100 approved programs in dozens of countries that are sponsored by other universities and organizations In addition the university holds affiliation agreements in a number of international locations including Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The study abroad program gives students the opportunity to take classes in a variety of subjects in other countries and earn FSU academic credit. Although learning a foreign language can be one aspect of the program, many classes are taught in English.

The program gives students an on-site understanding of international culture that cannot be learned through textbooks. An example of this hands-on learning happened on one of biology professor Mike Ryan’s trips to Italy.

“The class is called ‘Applied Fermentation,’ and is a biochemistry course taught through the study of wine and cheese making,” said Ryan.

Along with the serious study of how fermentation can occur through yeast or bacteria processes, Ryan provides his students the opportunity to taste the results.

“Most of our students have not had much experience in cheese. They learn how different kinds of milk are used, not just cow’s milk. Goats, sheep, even buffalo milk is used. Their buffalo are not like ours; we’re talking water buffalo. It’s used to make one kind of mozzarella.

“I bought a variety of cheeses for the students to try so they could taste the differences that different kinds of milk produce and rank them. One student said until then the only cheese he’d ever had was on a cheeseburger. Now he can tell the difference between sheep and goat cheeses.”

This May, Ryan and John Caserta, professor of Language and Literature, will again lead students on an adventure to Italy. The trip offers up to six academic credits. Students may choose between “Italian for Business and Travel,” “Contemporary Poets,” or “Applied Fermentation.”

“The course is more than just the trip,” said Ryan. “We spend several weekends preparing to go and the students have papers due when we return. The trip is sort of the lab portion of the class.”

The Study Abroad program Web site has useful features for anyone planning an overseas trip. The site has information on how to apply for a passport, travel tips for health and safety, survival language, and links to sites that provide up-to-date international security information, currency exchange rates, and much more.

Monday’s Study Abroad Fair, held in Rankin Center’s Dome Room, gave students the opportunity to speak with representatives from Japan Center for Michigan Universities and Academic Studies Abroad.

Ferris faculty were on hand to discuss upcoming short term excursions to China, Costa Rica, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Martinique, Mexico, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Turkey and Vietnam.

Anyone desiring more information on the Study Abroad program can contact their office at ext. 2340 or visit their Web site at studyabroad@ferris. edu.

To quote Ricky Ricardo, a character played by Desi Arnaz on the "I Love Lucy" show, “Ai yi yi.” This election year is exhausting. Poor Hillary (you understand by this point I feel I am on a first-name basis with our candidates) was so jetlagged, she had false memories of sniper fire.

Barack, no doubt weary from having to contend with his fiery pastor’s indictment of our country, found himself in hot water from comments about a bitter working class clinging to guns and religion. Of course, he didn’t mean it like that…

And jovial John is secure in the knowledge that at least his party picked a person to run instead of dragging out the process.

If much of the following sounds as if you’ve heard it before, you probably have. This has been a record-breaking campaign for rhetoric and I think I caught the bug. Just skip over the parts you already know by heart.

Personally, I don’t blame Hillary for hanging in there. How many of us believe that if their positions were reversed, Barack would quietly step aside? What kind of president would a quitter make? I sort of resent the idea that Hillary’s continued efforts are divisive to the Democrats. Excuse me, but I believe that party has been split for a long time. Even if they do take until June to decide on one or the other (and I’m no longer taking bets on who that will be), the remaining four months will be plenty of time for the “Demos” to gather the troops and charge in with guns blazing. (Sorry, Barack, I didn’t mean it like that.)

In the meantime, politics make great theater. Even the minor players are getting fresh play. Last week, speculation on the reflection in Vice President Dick Cheney’s sunglasses brought more attention than his unfortunate hunting accident back in February of 2006. In the interest of journalistic accuracy, I viewed the enlarged photo of said image and determined it to be as the sane people said, a reflection of an arm and hand holding a fishing rod. How anyone saw a naked woman in that photo is beyond me, but then I don’t spend a lot of time looking for them.

What I have spent a lot of time looking for are the pluses and minuses of each candidate in a determined effort to choose the person who most deserves my vote. I don’t know why I care so much. Apparently the only votes that are really going to count are those of the almighty superdelegates. (Do they wear capes and tights?)

Still, it is supposedly my civic duty to do my research and visit the polls. And I have. I have been reading Newsweek and Time and listening to National Public Radio and watching the TV news nightly and thinking and praying. I’ve been doing lots of praying.

I also voted in the primary. Too bad our state is being punished for wanting to “go first.” Sounds like preschoolers, doesn’t it? “Me first, me first!”

“You little states settle down or you won’t get to go with the other little states to the convention.”

Good grief.

It’s hard to stay serious in a campaign that is so often a comedy of errors. I’ve only really paid attention to the last two presidential campaigns. Are they always like this? It reminds me of contact sports. Everyone starts out nice and civil, showing respect for their worthy opponents, even shaking hands. Then it’s “game on” and each team does whatever it takes, hopefully within the confines of the law, to win.

So here we are six and-a-half months away from The Big Day. Billions more will be spent in that time in the effort to sway the powers that be (the superdelegates?) to vote for A, B, or C.

Hillary probably has the toughest row to hoe, being a woman with you-know-who for a husband (my apologies to his fans) and her unconvincing regrets over inaccurate statements. However, she is very smart, very determined, and very Washington-savvy. I wouldn’t count her out just yet.

Barack seems too good to be true. Extremely articulate, eminently professional (the man even has great posture) he has been accused, among other things, of being an elitist who is out of touch with the working class. I need to know more about him.

John is my sentimental favorite. There, I said it. I would love to see a war hero in the White House. I am concerned with his age because I have seen what four years in that office does to our presidents. Before you pounce, yes, of course I am more concerned with a candidate’s policies than his age. As with Barack, I am still doing my homework.

Each candidate has his/her own answers to the big issues of the war in Iraq, our economy, and health care. I don’t pretend to know who is right or wrong on any of that.

What I do know is that nobody ever really wins a war. Everyone always loses something, or someone. Our economy has always been a mystery to me. I just know that it’s changing too fast for us to keep up. I believe health care in the U.S. will remain a political hot potato for at least one or two more presidential campaigns.

So the three-way battle continues. Hillary, Barack, and John will log more frequent flier miles and lose more sleep planning the next day’s speeches.

As for the rest of us, we may not have the candidates’ jetlag and sleep deprivation, but we’re all getting tired.

I’m going to hold on to the idea that, imperfect as it is (and as hokey as this will sound), we still have a pretty good system. Remember, Arnaz/Ricardo was from Cuba. I don’t think he had to vote a lot.

This Friday, April 18, a group of students from colleges and universities around Michigan are meeting to participate in “Lansing Protest vs. War on Drugs.”

The group will meet at 12 p.m. in front of the Union Building on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing.

In a Facebook group put together to advertise the event, organizers say they want to end the “so called war on drugs and mass incarceration” in this state.

The organizers behind this event feel that the financial resources restricting the buying and selling of illegal drugs could be used in better ways. People with drug problems, they assert, should be treated medically rather than through our judicial system.

“I feel that it is our responsibility as citizens,” supporter Emily Harper said, “to take action to stop the injustices of the war on drugs.”

A Michigan State University student, Harper is one of two original organizers of the event. Max Kantar was another organizer. Harper said that she felt that there is a lack of participation in all political demonstrations by people in her generation. “If we don’t speak out,” Harper said, “then we have no one to blame but our selves.”

Harper’s father, she said, grew up in the 1960s and 1970s during a time of social and political activism. He then told Harper and her siblings stories about the protests of college students that happened back then. That is why Harper says she wants to be a part of that kind of action now, dealing with issues that mean something.

“It is our responsibility as college students to challenge the system,” Harper said. She continued by saying that every college student is affected by the war on drugs, either through someone they know or personally.

Harper said her primary goal in organizing this group is to create awareness in the overall population and encourage them to take action for things that affect them.

Harper is hopeful about the turnout on Friday. “There will be a lot of different people there,” Harper said. She said these people will be from many different backgrounds, “old, young, leftists, conservatives, students, workers, etc.”

Harper said that Michigan politicians and policy makers should be focusing on issues such as health care, jobs, education, and housing. With the state of Michigan’s financial struggles, said Harper, it should not be spending money fighting what she says is “an expensive and inhumane war on (certain) drugs.”

According to Harper, the 51,000 prisoners cost the state a large percentage of its total budget.

Most online state and academic sources put the percentage of corrections at 20 percent of the total state budget. According to David Eggers with the Associated Press, about a third of the State of Michigan’s employees work for the Corrections Department.

Anyone needing a ride or other further information can send an email to maxkantar@gmail.com.

Trespassed
On April 6 at 8:20 p.m., two previously trespassing persons were found inside Mascar Grille. The two persons were issued tickets and escorted off campus.

Found Necklace
On April 6 at 2:55 p.m., a necklace was turned into the police. The necklace was found a Vandercook hall. D.P.S. asks, “Please come and claim your necklace.”

Defective
On April 6 at 1:25 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle for defective equipment. The passenger was found to be intoxicated and issued an MIP.

Stolen Purse
On April 4 at 3 p.m., officers received a report of stolen purse from a W. Campus apartment. The purse was last seen on April 1.

Stolen Keys
On April 4 at 11 a.m., there was a report of keys stolen from an office at Williams Auditorium. The keys had been stolen sometime within the last three days.

Attempted to Steal
On April 4 at 4 a.m., officers located a handicapped sign near West Campus apartments that had been pulled from the ground.

OWI
On April 4 at 1:20 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle driving recklessly near W. Campus Drive. The driver was arrested for an OWI and lodged in the county jail.

Smell of Weed
On April 3 at 10 p.m., officers assisted McNerny hall staff. There was a reportedly the smell of marijuana. The incident was turned over to the the hall staff to do a referral.

Destructive
On April 2 at 3 p.m., there was a malicious destruction of property complaint. A vehicle in lot 4 had scratched paint damages.

Harassment
On April 2 at 3 p.m., there was a harassment complaint reported. The incident involved a disgruntled employee. The incident was sent to the prosecutor’s office for a warrant request.

Vehicle Damaged
On April 1, there was a hit and run accident in lot 29. The person parked at midnight and returned at 2:30 a.m. to discover the vehicle's passenger side had been struck.

Unwanted
On April 1 at 5:15 p.m., officers received a report of an unwanted sexual encounter between and male and female who were dating. The incident occurred in January. The incident is under investigation.

Received Larceny
On April 1 at 3:40 p.m., officers received a larceny complaint from a student in Vandercook hall. The student reported that he/ she returned to his/her room and set a few items in the hall while unlocking the door. The student returned 15 min. later to find an X-box game had been stolen from the hallway.

Shoe Damage
On March 28 at 1:30 p.m., officers received a vehicle damaged complaint in lot 4. An unknown person had damaged the hood of the vehicle with a shoe.

Side Note
Several bikes are in the impound; the bikes were removed from campus in December. Claim your bikes before they are put in auction.

Ticket Totals
From April 1 to April 8 public safety identified 395 violators. Each violator was ticketed for a total of $6980. Actual amount depends on whether the ticket was paid, voided, or reduced.

Rap Battle
Today in Williams Auditorium from 8 to 11:00 p.m. the Music Industry Management Association will host the Rap Battle Competition. For more information, contact Christopher Howarth at 616-308-0522.

Confessions
On Thursday, April 17 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Williams Auditorium speaker Brad Karsh will share confessions of a recruiting director. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Denise Smaglinski at 598-0135.

Certification Training
On Thursday, April 17 sign-up for CPR and AED recertification training will begin. Anyone looking for a refresher course is welcome to attend. To sign-up call x2150. For more information, contact Mike McKay at x2150.

Professional Convention Management Association
On Thursday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. in Business 111 PCMA will host a meeting planning seminar. There will be speakers and open discussion. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Jennifer Lizbinski at jlizbinski@yahoo.com.

Annual Conference
On Saturday, April 19, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn YBBW will host their annual conference. There will be presentations and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Andrea Beck-Jones at x2617.

The Big Event
On Saturday, April 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Student Government will sponsor a community service project. For more information, contact Claire Gould at x2611.

Card Wildlife Education
On Saturday, April 19, at the Holiday Inn Conference Center the Card Wildlife Center will host an evening of dinner, drinks, and entertainment. For more information, contact Joe Lipar at x5387.

Free Massages
On Monday, April 21, from noon to 3:00 p.m. in Rankin Center 125/127 there will be free ten minute massages. To reserve a spot contact the SCHOLAR Office at x5976. For more information, contact Melissa Holman at x5976.

Bulldog Radio
On Monday, April 21, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in FLITE 135 Bulldog Radio will hold its weekly meeting. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Autumn McClellan at x2912.

Ferris Fest
On Tuesday, April 22, from 5 to 5:50 p.m. in Rankin 239 there will be a meeting for those wishing to volunteer with this year's Ferris Fest. For more information, contact David Stevens at x2610.