Presently, Ferris State University is participating in the Gift of Life Campus Challenge, which is a life-saving organ donor drive, sponsored by Gift of Life Michigan.

Ferris is one of almost two dozen different public and private universities around the state that is participating in this event.

The Campus Challenge is a six-week contest to see which college or university can get the most people to sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Two winning schools will be chosen and the campus with the greatest number or registrants and the campus with the greatest percentage of registrants will prevail. The winners receive a travelling trophy for their efforts.

Gift of Life Michigan is asking any university students, staff, faculty, and alumni, and any community members to sign up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. The challenge began on Jan. 15 and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Signing up is very simple, anyone interested simply needs a driver's license number and can register at giftoflifemichigan.org by clicking on organ donor registry. Anyone willing to register can credit the school of their choice.

A full list of participating colleges and universities and the current standings are displayed on the Web site as well. The event also has a Facebook group that participants can join as well.

Ferris will be hosting an informational session about organ donation on Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. in Rankin 252. Guest speakers will include the mother of an organ donor and an organ recipient. Everyone is encouraged to attend this event and any questions or concerns they have about organ donation will be addressed.

This is the sixth year that the Gift of Life Campus Challenge has taken place and it has had over 19,500 Michigan residents sign-up on the states Organ Donor Registry.

Every Michigan resident that signs up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry will receive a red heart donor sticker from the Secretary of State.

The Campus Challenge is one of the most successful organ donation college outreach programs in the entire United States and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its accomplishments.

Gift of Life Michigan is the state's federally designated full service organ and tissue recovery organization, and works in collaboration with the Michigan Eye- Bank to provide all necessary for organ, tissue and eye donation.

This year the Student Leadership and Activities Office is doing an RSO challenge to see which RSO can recruit the greatest number of people to register for organ donation.

Last year the Office of Student Leadership and Activities met with Crystal Dykema whose mother, Marion Sue Levickas, was an organ donor after a fatal motorcycle accident. Dykema has donated a bulldog trophy from her mother’s art store and the winner of the RSO challenge will receive the traveling bulldog trophy from the art shop.

Ferris recently received a grant from the state for $24,896 to improve energy efficiency on campus.

Funded by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), the grant is one of five grants designed to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy use on campus. The conservation ideas include solar and wind energies.

DLEG’s vision is to stimulate economic growth and innovative technologies through energy conservation. DLEG is responsible for the Green Lodging, Clean Cities, and Rebuild Michigan programs. With a more energy efficient campus, FSU could save money that will be able to be used on other endeavors.

The grant will use collaborative efforts from the city of Big Rapids, DTE Energy, Mecosta County, Mecosta Area Chamber of Commerce, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (MMCAA), and FSU to enhance Michigan energy conservation awareness.

MMCAA will be conducting energy audits for five low-income families to spread energy efficiency throughout the community. Ferris will conduct walk through energy audits for 10 middle-income families and host public education sessions on understanding energy bills.

The public seminars will also include renewable energy workshops. The workshops are intended to not only educate interested parties, but also industry professionals.

The DTE foundation also contributed a $30,000 grant along $12,500 provided by MMCAA. DTE will provide passes for professionals to attend the second annual Michigan Energy Conference held this spring at Ferris April 16-17.

Prior to the grant, Ferris has made several efforts to increase energy conservation. The College of Engineering Technology also hosted the first Michigan Energy Conference during Spring 2008. The conference was designed to promote open dialogue on using energy effectively and efficiently to create sustainable environments at home and work.

Students in the HVACR program learn better ways to save energy through coursework. During the fall, some students annually participate in the Heat the Country program, where students provide cleaning and replacement of furnace parts to low-income family. HVACR students also conduct commercial energy audits as classroom projects.

More information will be available by the end of January ferris. edu/energy.

Freezing for a Cause
On Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the quad to freeze for a cause. Clothing donations will be accepted at this event for the Homeless Shelter in town. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Brandon Cole at 313-622-1265.

Spring Job Fair
On Thursday, Feb. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Ewigleben Sports Complex there will be a collection of employers who will meet with Ferris students concerning jobs. Students are encouraged to dress in professional attire and bring a resume with them to the fair. For more information contact Carrie Adams at x2682.

Snow Bowling
On Thursday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the campus quad Ferris Idols will hold ice bowling. $1.00 gets you one frame of bowling, $3.00 gets you five. Strikes and spares will enter you in a drawing for some great prizes. For more information contact Ian Nagy by email at nagyi@ferris.edu.

Icy Foursquare, Bag Toss, and Ladder Golf
On Thursday, Feb. 5 from 8 to 10 p.m. in the West Campus Community Center there will be a collection of free games for you and your friends to enjoy. There will also be icies served for your refreshment. For more information contact Cory Wainwright at x7721.

Image Awards
On Saturday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 11 p.m. in the Williams Auditorium the Image Awards will be held for your viewing pleasure. This event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Andrea Beck-Jones at x2617.

International Student Tax Workshop
On Monday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. in FLITE 133 there will be a workshop held to help international students who worked last year file their taxes. Participants are asked to bring their W-4 and the tax forms will be provided. For more information contact Shana Beisiege at x2824.

Bowling for Kids’ Sake
Starting Monday, Feb. 9 there will be a bowling event held at The Gate Entertainment Center to help raise funds for the local Big Brother Big Sister organization. Pre-registration for this event can be done at the Student Leadership & Activities Office in Rankin 164. For more information contact the Student Volunteer Center at x2140.

Flab to Fab February
On Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 8 to 8:45 p.m. in the West Campus Community Center there will be a group of students getting in shape for the summer. Each Tuesday in February a different workout session will be offered, ranging from TurboJams to Pilates to Yoga. For more information contact Carly Root at x3781.

Check Yourself
On Jan. 21 at 4:59 p.m., there was a civil complaint from a subject to the Department of Public Safety. The subject had outstanding warrants of his own from another jurisdiction and was arrested.

No Parking
On Jan. 22 at 2:54 a.m., officers spotted a subject parked in a no parking area. Investigation reveals that the subject was driving while intoxicated. Subject in vehicle was cited an MIP and was arrested.

Lock Your Windows!!
On Jan. 21 at 12:41 a.m., Officers were called to Brophy Hall. An unwanted subject was trying to gain access in Brophy Hall from the lower floor window. Subject wasn’t authorized to be in housing and was trespassed for five days.

Theft Complaint
On Jan. 19 at 7:25 p.m., there was a larceny complaint. Subject advised that his vehicle had been broken into on Cramer Circle. Items were stolen from it. Suspects unknown.

Lock your Lockers!
On Jan. 28 at 9 p.m., there was a report of theft from the women’s locker room in the Student Recreation Center. A bag with numerous of items was stolen from the unlocked locker. The Department of Public Services reminds everyone to lock your lockers!

Harassment Complaint
On Jan. 29 at midnight, there was a harassment complaint at McNerny Hall. The female suspect was arrested for outstanding warrants and lodged into the county jail.

Blinded by the Frost
On Jan. 28 at 10:45 p.m., there was a report of a single vehicle accident in Lot 17. A student ran into a stop sign because his windows were frosted. Student was ticketed.

Finders Keepers..
On Jan. 27 at 4:50 p.m., there was a theft complaint in the Business Building. The victim left his jacket in class. When he returned to the classroom his jacket was gone. It was not returned to the lost and found.

More Money More Problems!
On Jan. 26 at 8:55 p.m., there was a threats complaint in the West Campus Apartments. Two subjects had a dispute over money. The subjects were separated and advised to seek assistance in civil court. They were also referred to the Office of Student Conduct for their behavior.

Hit and Run 1
On Jan. 26 at 7:05 p.m., there was a hit and run accident in Lot 23.

Stolen furniture
On Jan. 24 at 12:30 p.m., officers received a report of larceny complaint at the G Building in East Campus Apartments. Victim reported their furniture, clothing, and personal property had been stolen from the landing on the inside of the apartment building. Anyone with information please call the campus police.

Hit and Run 2
On Jan. 23 at 3:30 p.m., there was a hit and run accident in Lot 37.

Leave the children out of it
On Jan. 24 at 10 a.m., officers received a report of threats complaint in the West Campus Apartments. The two parties had a dispute over a minor child they had in common. They were separated and referred to civil court.

Hit and Run 3
On Jan. 5 at 2:40 p.m., there was a hit and run accident in Lot 62.

Check Your Checks!!!
On Jan. 16 at 11 a.m., officers received a fraud compliant. Suspects were attempting to pass a fraudulent on Ferris State University disbursement checks. Suspects identified. Investigation continues.

Swiping Purses
On Jan. 14 at 4:15 p.m., there was a larceny compliant in the Starr Building. Victim left her purse in the classroom and when she returned ten minutes later it was gone. Suspects unknown.

Ticket Totals:
From Jan. 15 through the 29 public safety identified 658 violators. Each violator was ticketed for a total of $1,970. Actual amount depends on whether the ticket was paid, voided, or reduced.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Northwest Missouri State University students started spring semester classes Monday, but many aren’t lugging thick textbooks around campus.

Instead, most students are carrying a lightweight electronic device that can fit in a coat pocket and hold the textbook material for all their classes. Some students will download their text information onto their laptops.

At Northwest, textbooks - at least the bound kind _ are fast becoming a thing of the past. Besides taking a load off students’ backs, going textbookfree can save them a lot of money.

The pilot electronic textbook program began in the fall with four classes and about 200 students. This spring, roughly 4,000 of the school’s 6,500 students will use electronic textbooks.

“I think that it’s the way the world is going,” said Dean L. Hubbard, Northwest’s president, who is retiring in July after 25 years at the Maryville, Mo., university.

Textbook publishers say many colleges are moving toward using some electronic textbooks, but Northwest’s plan to eventually eliminate all bound textbooks makes it a leader in the movement.

“Right now, digital products account for a small percent of our higher education business, but it is growing at a rate that is breathtaking,” said Jeffrey Ho, a product manager for McGraw-Hill Education.

But Northwest can only move toward a bookless campus as fast as the availability of e-books allows, Hubbard said.

“Publishers don’t have all textbooks online yet,” he said. “But I would think as a realistic measure we could be totally out of the printed textbook business in three years.”

That idea pleases sophomore Mike Jenkins.

“I think the whole concept is pretty cool,” said Jenkins, 19, of Lee’s Summit, Mo. Jenkins used e-books in his history class during the fall semester.

“I would like it if we didn’t have textbooks at all anymore,” he said. “You wouldn’t have the hassle of messing with books. The e-book is so convenient, and you don’t have to carry all those books around.”

Plus, unlike printed textbooks, e-books have pop-up interactive quizzes and the ability to search the full text within seconds for key words. New electronic reader technology also will allow students to take notes in on-screen posted notes.

Jenkins found a few “minor” problems with the e-reader gadget that he and his classmates used.

“You can’t look at a whole page on one screen, and it doesn’t have a backlight to light up the screen, so you have to be somewhere that is well lit,” he said.

Not all students were as comfortable with the electronic textbooks.

“I always worried that something would happen, like it would crash on the night I had to study for a test,” said Jennifer Martin, a 22-year-old Northwest senior from Liberty, Mo.

“It’s a good concept, but I didn’t like it that much. I would rather flip pages back and forth in the textbook when I’m studying. Maybe it would be better to start this with freshmen who haven’t yet gotten used to studying using a regular textbook.”

Students who want a traditional textbook could still get one.

But the cost savings are hard to ignore, even at Northwest, a school that already is unique because of its textbook rental system and its history of giving every student a laptop.

A textbook-free campus would save the university about $400,000 a year. Currently the university spends about $800,000 a year to keep an inventory of about 50,000 to 80,000 textbooks that are rented out to students. Northwest students pay about $80 to $90 a semester on books, a fraction of what students at other schools pay.

Northwest will continue to charge students just a rental fee. But once the e-book program goes campuswide, Hubbard said, Northwest students’ book fee will be cut in half.

E-books are less expensive than bound books, which are updated every few years and then have to be repurchased by the school. E-books can be updated at no cost.

Even at schools without a rental system, students would pay far less for texts on e-books than they would for bound books.

Nationally, the cost of textbooks has soared in the last decade. The average college student spends nearly $1,000 a year on textbooks, according to the National Association of College Stores.

Northwest will purchase the electronic readers and then load them with the e-books each student needs. The student would pick up their loaded e-reader at the university bookstore or have their electronic textbooks loaded on their laptop.

(c) 2009, The Kansas City Star.

Visit The Star Web edition on the World Wide Web at http:// www.kansascity.com.

Distributed by McClatchy- Tribune Information Services.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - What’s that ringing? If you’re in a college dorm room, it’s probably not a landline telephone.

Most university residence halls simply don’t have them anymore. Some may still have a phone jack in the walls, but in many cases the jack is not activated.

Officials at campuses in the Kansas City area said that, for the most part, landline phones in campus housing have gone the way of typewriters.

It is another sign of more people cutting the cord to traditional phones and relying strictly on cell phones and the Internet.

Roughly one in six - 17.5 percent - of U.S. households in 2008 didn’t have a landline, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Some colleges aren’t stopping at dorm rooms, either. About 75 employees of Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Ga., went wireless earlier this month, the school’s chief information officer recently told USA Today.

It is another way colleges and universities facing a difficult economy can cut costs.

The University of Missouri- Kansas City disconnected the landlines in its residence halls in 2007, a savings of $75,000 a year.

For the second year, Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., is not providing landline phones in all its dorm rooms. They do have hookups, “although very few are utilized,” said Heidi Templeton, a university spokeswoman.

Like Truman, the University of Missouri in Columbia and many other campuses have kept at least one landline phone in a hallway or main lobby for emergencies.

Last year, UMKC opened new student housing that included landline connections. Out of 850 students with residence hall rooms, only four hooked up landlines.

Darby Peoples, the dean of students at Avila University, said that at a conference last year many campus housing officials said that if they were building new residence halls they were not including landline hookups.

One of the exceptions may be the University of Kansas, which still offers active landline jacks in each residence hall room.

“We cannot guarantee every student will arrive with a cell phone or want to use it for every call,” said Jill Jess, a KU spokeswoman. “The landlines do get used.”

But not much, students said.

Libby Johnson, a KU sophomore from Lawrence, said that when she lived in Oliver Hall she didn’t know of anyone who had a landline.

“We all had cell phones,” Johnson said. “I got used to putting my cell number down for all my professors.”

A survey earlier this year by College Parents of America found that of the 900 parents who responded online, only 25 percent said they use landline phones to communicate with their child away at school.

Campus officials rely more on cell phones to communicate with students, too.

After the deadly shootings in 2007 at Virginia Tech, colleges and universities across the country began installing emergency e-mail and textmessaging systems to alert their campus populations of breaches in security.

School officials concluded that e-mail and text messaging were the best ways to reach students anywhere at any time because colleges know that for nearly every student on campus their cell phone is practically a body appendage.

(c) 2009, The Kansas City Star.

Visit The Star Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.kansascity.com.

Distributed by McClatchy- Tribune Information Services.

In the tight economy in Michigan it can be very easy to focus simply on meeting our own needs, let alone the needs of others.

The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan and the Grand Rapids Public Schools however, will not be forgotten this year thanks to the project that Phil Biggs and Michael Crittenden created called Standing Together.

The project began in early 2002 to raise funds for the Grand Rapids Public Schools Arts Programs and this year has been expanded to include the local Ronald McDonald House. The plan utilizes various events and promotions to raise funds for these programs.

This year one of the components of the Standing Together plan is a CD featuring the vocal and musical talents of 17 of Michigan’s talented local artists. The songs on the CD were all written specifically for this cause and relate to living in Michigan.

Megan Priester, Marketing and Fund Development Intern within the West Michigan Ronald McDonald organization described the musical style as one that mirrors John Mayer or Matt Nathanson. Priester is a junior at Calvin College majoring in business and psychology and said she believes that the music on the CD would be very appealing to college students as well as other age groups.

The first event that the CDs will be available for purchase will be at a lounge party at the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids on Feb. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The party is a VIP party of sorts open to anyone who wishes to attend; according to Priester. The board of directors for the West Michigan Ronald McDonald house, as well as a number of other distinguished guests, will be present at the event.

All of the proceeds from the music sales and any donations collected at the event will be directed for the Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Ronald McDonald House.

Priester noted that groups from five college campuses in West Michigan have already partnered to promote the event on their campuses.