During the cold and snowy weather of the winter months, by the time the sun disappears and the sky fills with hundreds of billions of stars, most students are quietly tucked away in the library studying or doing homework or in warm dorm rooms watching T.V.

Last Wednesday at 9 p.m. however, the quad was filled with a little more than giant mounds of snow as members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity- Zeta Beta chapter and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated-Zeta Rho chapter bravely took to the freezing temperatures to host the 17th annual “Freezing for a Cause” charity drive.

One of over two-dozen students who were fearlessly enduring the 3-degree Fahrenheit temperatures that night, vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha, Brandon Cole, said, “Basically, we’re collecting clothes for the homeless to turn into the Goodwill and to come out and socialize with other people who donate clothes.”

Everyone who participated gathered in the desolate, dimly lit quad where they all huddled closely around fire barrels and drank hot chocolate, ate s’mores, and enjoyed a little music while experiencing a taste of what it is like to live outside during this time of the year.

Even non-Greek students, like freshman Bryan Smith, participated in the event. Smith says that he chose to take part just for the experience and because it was a chance for him to get together with his peers.

The cold did not dampen the spirits of any of the students participating who eagerly talked amongst themselves and socialized for the three chilly hours.

Courtney Brock, president of Delta Sigma Theta, said, “I like the fact that it’s on-going tradition that people can come out and understand what the homeless feel this time of year. Sometimes people take for granted that they have places to go every night and clothes and things like that. We want[ed] the campus and community to come out and donate and get some kind of feeling of what’s like, even if it’s just for a short while. We’re out here in negative 10 degree weather, which some people go through every day.”

Brittney Rimmer, vice president of Delta Sigma Theta agreed with what Brock had to say, reiterating the fact that “[we] basically get a feeling of what the less fortunate feel this time of year. We sometimes take for granted that we have clothes and somewhere to go every night and there are people out there who don’t.”

The temperatures this winter have proven to be quite bitter and cold with the temperatures in the Big Rapids area during the month of January well below the yearly averages according to AccuWeather. com. Add in the wind chills and the temperature often gets pushed well below zero; and without proper shelter and clothing, a person cannot survive for very long.

Brock says that she is pleased with how things went. “We received a lot of clothes to donate to local shelters and we had great participation. We really appreciate the campus and community supporting our cause.”

In the past, items collected have been donated to local shelters, usually in the Big Rapids area. Collections have also been given to groups such as Project Starburst and WISE (Women’s Information Services Corporation), who then distribute the items to people in the area.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Alisha M. Baker of Mount Clemens and Arthur L. Tebo of Walloon Lake to the FSU Board of Trustees on Jan. 29.

Tebo, a 1972 Ferris alumnus and former businessman, had formerly been appointed to the board in 2001. The retired chief operating officer of Boyne USA Resorts began his career in 1970. While at the resort, Tebo become general manager of Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs and specialized in operations and management. Later, Tebo became COO of Boyne USA Resorts, where he remained until 2004.

Through his previous board chair, Tebo made many contributions to Ferris with his involvement with the campus, programs and planning efforts.

The business administration graduate and his wife, Joan, have two children, Kristen, an engineering graduate student at the University of Michigan, and Corey, a senior at Michigan Tech University.

In addition to Tebo’s experience at Boyne and the FSU Board, he served as a counter intelligence agent in Washington, D.C. Tebo also remains active as a senior advisor to resort owners and developers in Japan and Romania. He is also completing his second three-year term on the Michigan Travel Commission.

Baker, who will succeed Gary L. Granger of Byron Center, whose term expired in December, earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Baker College. She also has certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt, a data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects in any process.

After leaving Toledo, Ohio, Baker came to Michigan in 1992 to work for DuPont as a customer service manger of its automotive finishes division. She also chairs the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce Board, serves on the education and health care subcommittees of Focus Macomb and is a trustee for the Macomb Foundation.

Their terms will begin Feb. 20 on the board’s finance and academic and student affairs committee. Both terms will cease Dec. 31, 2016. Other members of the Ferris State University Board of Trustees are R. Thomas Cook of Fife Lake, vice chair; Patrick W. LaPine of Farmington, secretary; George J. Menoutes of Flint; Ronald E. Snead of Greenville; and Sueann L.Walz of Big Rapids.

The Ferris State University campus has two residents that many students may not know about. A pair of osprey, male and female, has lived on campus for nearly five years. The large raptors are protected because of their endangered status.

The ospreys were first noticed living on a light post at Taggart Field four years ago. They relocated when their nest had been blown away by heavy winds. Now living on the tallest lighting structure in parking lot two, next to the Swan Building, the osprey has flown to its winter home in Brazil.

FSU is currently working to install a camera mount to observe the protected birds of prey. Dave Murray, associate professor of welding engineering, was charged with producing a camera mount for the osprey.

Murray along with Paul Klatt, biology professor and lead interior project designer, collaborated a camera mount that was safe and effective. The camera will be positioned from an aerial view with a perch above the camera for the osprey.

Murray will install a griddled cage to ensure the nest stays in place this time. Their hopes are to have the camera mounted before March 1. The importance of that date is because the osprey occasionally returns to their nest to insure its location.

“The university has spent $6,500 to install a web camera on the nest,” said Director of Plant Operations Mark Eichenberg. “The camera is intended to be an educational tool for the campus and community.”

In addition to the camera project, FSU has done several things to further protect the osprey and the campus. The lighting structure that the osprey nests on was taken out of service to not disrupt the birds and their young. The entire lot was relit with several smaller lighting structures placed throughout.

The raptors make their nest out of large sticks and marshy materials. The birds typically make their nest on top manmade structures like bridges, buoys, and telephone and light poles.

“The nest looks like a beaver dam,” said Murray. “I’ve seen a two-by-four as part of the nest.”

The osprey generally mates for life and lays two to four eggs that hatch after 40 days. The young leave the nest after eight weeks and can weigh about two to four pounds with a wingspan of nearly six feet that carries them 20-80 miles per hour.

Spanning globally, the osprey has been spotted living in Australia, Argentina, Miramar, England, Africa, and across the United States. Osprey can live up to 30 years and typically return to the same nest.

Osprey populations began to decline between 1950- 1970. The pestiscide Dichloro- Diphenyl-Trichloroethane, or DDT was the main reason. The DDT interfered with birds’ calcuim metabolism and caused reproductive issues. Infertiles eggs and thin eggshells were the result of the pesticide.

Once DDT was banned, the population began to increase. There are 460,000 individual Osprey worldwide. The osprey populations are increasing, but the birds are still considered endangered.

Although the osprey is not dangerous, people are strongly advised not to park near the lighting structure supporting the nest as there have been several reports of falling branches.

Blood Drive
On Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 12 to 5:45 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center the American Red Cross will be conducting a blood drive. Remember to bring photo identification if you wish to donate. For more information contact Alana Herron at 734-306-6152 or by email at herrona4@fsuimail.ferris.edu

Grand Opening of First Lady’s Attic
On Thursday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Rankin 171 there will be a grand opening celebration for the First Lady’s Attic. Come and see the free business attire for students who need appropriate attire for internships, interviews, and class presentations. There will be tours, food, and a modeling show. For more information contact Patty Terryn by email at terrynp@ferris.edu

Second Annual Live Action Underground Railroad
On Thursday, Feb. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Brophy/McNerney lobby the Harmony Project will recreate a miniature Underground Railroad. This event is free to attend and open to all. For more information contact Tiffani Burr at x6688.

Stage M Presents Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap”
From Thursday, Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Crossroads Charter Academy Auditorium (215 N. State St.) Stage M will present Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students and can be purchased at Great Lakes Books and Supply, Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, Patterson’s Flowers, at the door, or by calling (231) 592-8499. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information contact Bruce Dilg at (231) 592-8265.

Preparing Tax Returns
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 12 the Accounting Association will be preparing tax returns for students. If you wish to have your taxes done drop by Business 216 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon until mid April. Prices range between $12 and $15 per tax return depending on the return’s complexity. For more information contact Tristan Ferris or Camille Kapala by email at ferrisaccountingassociation@ yahoo.com

The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble: “Dances from the Heart of Rock and Roll”
On Saturday, Feb. 14 from 8 to 10 p.m. in Williams Auditorium the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble will showcase contemporary dance to upbeat rock and roll music. For more information contact Williams Auditorium at x5600.

Mid-February Freeze-Out Snow Statue Competition
On Saturday, Feb. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. everyone is invited to the Karas Intramural Fields to view a spectacular display of snow statues with the theme “icy features of castles and creatures”. This event is free to attend any donations collected will go to the Mecosta-Osceola United Way. For more information contact Ian Nagy by email at nagyi@ferris.edu

Notice:
The Ferris Grounds Department has collected all bicycles around campus. If your bike was collected you can pick it up from the Campus Police.

Lot 29 Smash Up
On Feb. 4 at 8:30 p.m., there was a two vehicle accident in Lot 29.

Lock Up Your Bikes!
On Feb. 4 at 4:45 p.m., a student’s bike was stolen from the bike rack in front of Cramer Hall. No suspects.

Accident In Lot 37
On Feb. 4 at 9:10 a.m., there was a two vehicle accident in Lot 37.

Suspended License
On Feb. 3 at 11:20 p.m., there was a traffic stop on a vehicle for defective equipment. The stop took place at South St near Stadium Drive. Driver was ticketed for a suspended license.

It’s Too Noisy!!
On Feb. 2 at 12:05 a.m., there was a report of loud music from the South Campus Apartments. Apartment occupant was contacted and told to quiet down.

Vehicle Mishap in Lot 33
On Jan. 28 at 2:45 p.m., there was a two vehicle accident in Lot 33.

Stolen Mail
On Jan. 30 at 11:25 a.m., there was a theft complaint at Puterbaugh Hall. A mail package delivered to the hall was stolen from the front desk.

Don’t Drink and Drive!
On Jan. 31 at 12:15 a.m., officers located a one car accident at Sports Drive near Family Drive. The driver was intoxicated and lodged into the county jail for OWI.

Suspicious Activity in Lot 28
On Jan. 30 at 2:05 a.m., officers were contacted on a suspicious subject in Lot 28. Subject had possession of marijuana and was referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

Flee and Elude!!
On Feb. 1 at 2:20 a.m., officers attempted to stop a vehicle that failed to stop at a red light at Perry and 15 Ave. The vehicle eluded police and was later stopped lodged in the county jail for OWI and fleeing and eludeing.

Ticket Totals:
From Jan. 29 through Feb. 5 public safety identified 385 violators. Each violator was ticketed for a total of $6,810. Actual amount depends on whether the ticket was paid, voided, or reduced.

Many people travel for pleasure while others like Ferris professor William Smith travel for business and education. Smith has owned companies and led excursions in Russia, Africa, and Costa Rica.

Smith, currently an introduction to economics professor at FSU, has been a part of the teaching staff since 1985. What makes Smith so interesting is not what he does in the classroom, but rather his life beyond his career.

Smith began traveling through his military service when he served in a division of naval intelligence. His service led him to Europe and Vietnam where his love for travel surfaced. Upon returning from the war, Smith finished his master's in business administration at Michigan State University (MSU).

Smith, best known to colleagues and friends as Bill, then began political lobbying and research for an old friend, Michigan Gov. John Engler. Engler asked Smith to do a study to determine if there was a market for Michigan products in Western Africa.

Smith first became acquainted with Engler while wearing a football helmet. The pair had been on rival teams during high school and developed a friendship that would later develop into a political partnership.

Engler also asked for Smith’s help in a task force in 1994 that led Smith to Russia. During Smith’s first trip to Russia in 1994 he helped formulate a program in which business individuals from the U.S. would live in the homes of Russians with similar careers. This and other trips to Russia in the years that followed enabled Smith to make connections with a professor of economics at Moscow State University. It eventually led to a student international exchange between Ferris and Moscow.

Smith’s international involvement does not end in Russia. He also owned a freight ship that traveled the western coast of Africa. In addition to shipping, Smith sold used tires, shoes, clothes, coffee and to this day owns a taxi in Sierra Leone.

He also owns a coffee business in Costa Rica which he has tied to the Study Away program here at Ferris. This December Smith guided his second Study Away trip to Costa Rica which consisted of a group of 10 students. The two week trip took an in-depth look at the manufacturing of coffee in Costa Rica as well as the nation’s developing economy. Through his business relations Smith was able to get a behind the scenes look at the business and find homes for the students to stay in while on the coffee farms.

Isabel Harris, a business administration major at Ferris was one of the students who went on the trip. Harris said, “Bill was a helpful counselor with a great deal of knowledge concerning the coffee industry and the country of Costa Rica in general.”

Harris was continually surprised by Smith’s youthfulness when he went as far as to ride a zip-line with the students while on the trip.

In the years to come, Smith has plans to take groups of students to Russia, Sierra Leone, and Costa Rica. Smith said, “International travel has always intrigued me and although leading a group through a strange country is not my idea of a relaxing trip, I find it is worth the stress.”

Smith commented that he regrets not taking advantage of a trip during college to the Arctic. However, he has made up for the lost opportunity by traveling the world over to find his next business endeavor.

Student Government’s United Way committee is working hard to bring some midwinter festivities to Ferris by preparing for the Mid-February Freeze-Out, which will take place from Feb. 8 until Feb. 14.

The event is a snow statue contest, bringing in up to 25 different RSOs to create their masterpiece sculptures that must follow the event’s theme, “Icy Features of Castles and Creatures.”

Jenn Weesies, the event coordinator, says the event will jump start their fall 2009 United Way Campaign and will also create something exciting for students to do in the mid-winter.

The RSOs will be allowed to work on their statues throughout the week of Feb. 8 and then will put their statues on display beginning at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14 in the intramural fields.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three statues and the “Viewer’s Choice Award” will be awarded to the statue that is the crowd favorite. Donations towards the statue that wins the “Viewer’s Choice Award,” and all other proceeds from the event, will be donated to the Mecosta/Osceola United Way through the FSU Student United Way Campaign.

Student Government will be starting up its legal services again this semester for any students who need advice with legal issues. They work in partnership with Ferris graduate and licensed attorney Mark Miller to provide free legal advice to any Ferris State University students.

Meeting times with the attorney can be scheduled for Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by filling out a short information form that is available in the Student Government office in the Rankin Center and online at the Student Government Web site. Generally appointments need to be made a week in advance.

The BIG Event, Student Government’s community wide service project to give back to the Big Rapids community, will be taking place on Apr. 18 and is looking for students to sign up to volunteer their time. Volunteers come together to work on Big Rapids residents’ homes doing various odd jobs such as painting, washing windows and raking leaves.

Students will be able to work independently or with their student groups. Students who wish to participate will need to attend one of two mandatory informational meetings held at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 19 in FLITE 304. Student sign-up forms are due Apr. 3.

Last year the BIG Event brought in over 200 volunteers that worked on just over 20 houses. Event coordinator Claire Gould hopes to get more than 50 Big Rapids residents involved and bring in even more volunteers as well.