THE BG NEWS
Putting a ban on blood
Friday
April 6, 2007
Volume 101, Issue 132 WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is back on campus
CAMPUS
ESTABLISHED 1920 A daily independent student press serving the campus and surrounding community
Sexual preference can get in the way of blood donations
The fraternity that was kicked out of BG in 2000 is back | Page 3
By Quentin Kilpatrick Reporter
Ways to have fun without burning too much cash There are many food and entertainment options in BG | Page 3
“Ask Me Why I Can’t Give,” read one rainbow-colored sign. Two dozen students braved the cold yesterday afternoon to protest what they see as discrimination against gay men by the Red Cross. “I’m not willing to lie about who I am,” said Michael Lambert,
organizer of the protest. “I get tested regularly; I know I’m safe.” The students staged the event to coincide with the Red Cross’ “Give A Pint, Get A Pint” blood drive on campus. One sign read “Please Give Blood Because I Can’t.” The Red Cross policy currently states, “You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have
done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.” Those considered at risk, and thus ineligible, include males who have had sexual contact with another male — even once — since 1977, and women who have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with any male who has had sexual contact with another male.
Lambert and his supporters spent the afternoon asking students to sign a petition to the Red Cross, requesting they remove the clauses from their blood donation questionnaire. “We certainly understand,” said Kathy Smith of The Red Cross’s Western Lakes Region’s Donor Services. But Smith noted they
See PROTEST | Page 6
USG ELECTIONS
PULSE
Rockin’ and rollin’ past Ohio venues
Many popular bands are skipping Ohio on their tours this summer | Page 7
Statue solicits Bowling Green motorists A man dressed as Lady Liberty acts as the mascot for Liberty Income Tax on Main Street | Page 7
Lewis, Gamero victorious over Georgetti, Caligiuri
Indians fall to the White Sox
By Kelly Day
Senior Reporter
After Chicago’s catcher was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning, the Sox took the victory | Page 9
Two presidential candidates, two running mates and 2,222 votes casted by undergraduate students have made Johnnie Lewis and Nick Gamero two big winners. Lewis and Gamero will serve as the next president and vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government, surpassing opponents Gino Georgetti and Ryan Caligiuri by 118 votes. About 13 percent of BG undergraduates voted in the elections. USG Chief Administrator Tony Wagener announced the win yesterday in the Union as an anxious crowd awaited the news. Former president Bernard Little lead the group in a drum roll just before Wagener announced the winners. When their win was announced, Lewis and Gamero were flooded with hugs and handshakes. Their opponents Georgetti and Calgiuri were the first to offer their good wishes. Lewis said he was “excited, relieved and a plethora of other emotions that could not possibly be put into words.” Gamero jokingly said he was “kind of disappointed,” but said he was glad their hard work paid off.
SPORTS
Orr takes over as coach
He becomes the 15th men’s basketball coach in University history | Page 9
See USG | Page 6
WEATHER
PEOPLE ON THE STREET
OPINION
PHOTOS BY JORDAN FLOWER | THE BG NEWS
Dorm residents need to heed to fire safety issues
TOP: John Lewis (left) and Nick Gamero celebrate after winning the USG elections yesterday afternoon. MIDDLE: Former USG President Bernard Little congratulates the new USG President (left) John Lewis after the announcement that he had won the election yesterday.
Monday’s fire in Rodgers shows the need to be concerned with safety in the dorms | Page 4
BOTTOM: Nick Gamero is congratulated by Tony Wagner after winning the USG vice-President election yesterday.
Do you vote in the USG election?
ERIN LILLIE, Sophomore, International Studies
“No. I have no contact with anything related to USG.” | Page 4
TODAY Snow Showers High: 37, Low: 24
TOMORROW Snow Showers High: 35, Low: 27
Sophomores face residency dilemma By Johnny Payne Assistant Pulse Editor
Most University students are subject to a residency requirement that obligates them to live in an on-campus building for the first two years of their college careers. As hoards of sophomores begin looking ahead to their third year as Falcons, they are faced with deciding between another semester in the dorms and signing a lease on an off-campus apartment or house. Roughly 3,700 juniors-to-be presumably are weighing the freedoms afforded by an off-campus residence and the conveniences provided by the dorms. But most students primarily have their minds on their money and their money on their minds. Melissa Ickes, a junior who lives across the street from the McDonald dorms, made up her mind by taking out her calculator. “I did the math, and I’m saving $600 every semester,” she said, although she misses the socially invigorating atmosphere of the dorms. Her dining-buddy, junior and Enclave resident Brittany Stricklen, agreed, adding that while apartment life might be cheaper, it’s a bit more complicated. Juggling utility, cable and Internet bills with the responsibilities of paying rent and shopping for groceries is quite a feat compared to the University’s bundled residence fee. Most multiple occupancy dorms including Rodgers, Kreischer, Kohl, Harshman, Conklin and McDonald cost $1,950 per semester, which averages out to $114,70 per week. A suite in Founders costs $2,654 per semester, or $156.11 per week, the maximum price of any multiple occupancy room on-campus. Compare that with the least expensive rate on a single bedroom apartment rented from John Newlove Real Estate: $310 per month, or about $77 per week for one occupant. The maximum rate is $420 per month, or $105 per week. There is a clear-cut difference in price, but Associate Director of Residence Life Nick Hennessy urged students to keep in mind that extra charges abound in offcampus units. “You can calculate cost on a dollar-to-dollar basis, sure, but it ought to be included that in the dorms you get 24-hour custodial service,” Hennessy said. “You get a clean bathroom every day. You also get high-speed Internet, cable with channels like HBO. You’ve got a free phone line. There’s also the computer labs, with printers and free paper. There are lots of benefits to consider. There are many convenience factors.” While the debate on the cheapest choice ultimately varies on individual wants and needs, Denise Pickerel of Newlove Real Estate looks at moving into an apartment as a part of a student’s maturation, although she insisted an off-campus pad is cheaper.
See LIVING | Page 2
Local Taco Bells open their doors to the breakfast crowd, new menu items By Freddy Hunt Reporter
Taco Bell is grilling, crunching, wrapping, stuffing and serving breakfast for the first time ever. Yesterday morning 33 Taco Bells in the Toledo area, including the one in Bowling Green, opened their doors early to put their breakfast menu to the test. But not everyone in America will get the opportunity to try the new breakfast menu. According to Don Unruh, franchisee, only the Toledo, Fresno, Calif., Tucson, Ariz.,
and Omaha, Neb., areas have been selected as test markets. “They try to pick test market all across the country,” Unruh said. “Taco Bell believes [Toledo] is a good representation of middle America.” Avid Taco Bell customer Shelly McConahy, a University alumna, ordered every item on the breakfast menu and had nothing to complain about. “I’m lovin’ it, even though that’s McDonald’s phrase,” McConahy said. “I think McDonald’s stuff is too greasy, and this isn’t that greasy at all.”
Although no nutritional information is available yet, Gregory Kelly, general manager of Taco Bell in Bowling Green, said their breakfast is healthier than McDonald’s “hands down.” Unruh believes Taco Bell’s new menu will thrive because people are growing tired of the breakfast sandwiches featured at McDonalds, Burger King and other fast food restaurants. “You can get a bagel or croissant and egg sandwich anywhere — our menu is unique anddifferentiated,”Unruhsaid.
See BREAKFAST | Page 6
Nuisance party ordinance just used on occasion By Kelly Metz Reporter
Students may enjoy parties but some city residents see them as a nuisance. That’s why, in June 2004, Bowling Green City Council adopted the nuisance party ordinance in an attempt to quell disruptive parties. It allows police to shut down parties and cite the hosts for offenses such as underage drinking, disorderly conduct or littering. Two Ohio college towns roughly the size of Bowling Green — Oxford and Athens, which house Miami University
and Ohio University — provided the model for Bowling Green’s law. According to the law, a nuisance party is a social gathering or party within the city that results in the following: disorderly conduct, open container of alcohol, public urination or defecation, unlawful sale or dispension of alcohol, property damage, unlawful traffic by pedestrians or vehicles, party goers holding up traffic, loud noise or any actions that could result in injury or cause alarm in the area. To be cited, offenders must be accused of six of
VISIT BGNEWS.COM: NEWS, SPORTS, UPDATES, MULTIMEDIA AND FORUMS FOR YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE
See PARTY | Page 6