March 24, 2014

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Gymnastics earns fifth-straight MAC title

MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014 | MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. | ISSUE NO. 70 VOL. 95

LIFE IN BRIEF METRO

UNIVERSITY STREET HOUSE FIRE LIKELY STARTED IN GARAGE No one was seriously injured

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omen's contributions to Central Michigan University are immense and recognized as an important asset. When it comes to faculty pay, the divide between male and female professos is clear. Out of the Top 50 highest-paid faculty members, only five are women. Out of all full professors, only 28.9 percent are female. Administrators recognize the problem and they say they are working to adress the problem.

in a house fire at the corner of University and Wisconsin streets, Friday morning. Firefighters from the Mount Pleasant Fire Department were called to a burning house at 404 S. University St. around 11:30 a.m. Fire Chief Greg Walterhouse said one firefighter sustained a cut on his finger from debris, and was treated at the scene. “The fire started somewhere in the back,” Walterhouse said. “Right now we have no idea what caused it.” Walterhouse said he expected more information to be available later in the day, and a written report next week. The owner of the home Geoff Quick, an instructor at Central Michigan University’s Global Campus, arrived on the scene around 12:30 p.m. He said he was unaware of the cause of the fire. “I have no idea what happened,” Quick said. “It looks like it started in the back. I do have a car in there. I’m just glad the fire department got here so quick.” From his back porch, Mount Pleasant senior Billy Myler observed firefighters spraying water into a garage connected to the back of the house just East of his home at 407 S. Main St. “It looked like their garage caught on fire,” Myler said. “There is a car in there. It was definitely the garage that caught fire first.” MPFD said it will have its report prepared Monday.

w SEE THE FULL SALARY COMPARISON STORY | 7A

WOMEN AS TOP EARNERS Out of the top 50 faculty salary earners, only five are women.

THE GENDER GAP FOR FULL PROFESSORS Out of all full professors, only 28.9 percent are female.

Adrian Hedden, metro editor

CAUSE OF WMU STUDENT DEATH UNKNOWN A Western Michigan University

student was found dead in her campus residence Thursday. Alyssa Olafson, a 19-yearold Allendale freshman, was found unresponsive at 1:21 a.m. in her room by her Eicher Hall roommates, according to published reports. Kalamazoo Public Safety officials tried to revive Olafson, but were unsuccessful. The cause of death remains unknown, although WMU officials said a pre-existing medical condition might have led to her death. An autopsy was performed Thursday morning, but the results are still pending. Olafson was in her first year at WMU, studying pre-health and human services while making the Dean’s List. She is survived by her parents and two siblings. She graduated from Allendale High School in 2013. Orrin Shawl, staff reporter

LIFE INSIDE Students learn about Native American culture and traditions at CMU Pow Wow »PAGE 3A Students get a taste of law enforcement at Citizen’s Police Academy »PAGE 5A

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Same-sex marriage in Michigan left in legal limbo after weekend court orders By John Irwin Senior Reporter

When Brighton senior William Joseph learned of Friday’s court ruling finding Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, it came as a welcomed surprise. “The decision makes sense,” Joseph said. “If you look at what’s happened in other states over the past several months, it’s where the country is headed.” On Friday, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman found Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage, approved by voters in 2004, unconstitutional. It violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause he stated. “In attempting to define this case as a challenge to ‘the will of the people,’ state defendants lost sight of what this case is truly about: people,” Friedman wrote in his ruling. “No court record of this proceeding could ever fully convey the personal sacrifice of these two plaintiffs who seek to ensure that the state may no longer impair the rights of their children and the thousands of others now being raised by same-sex couples.” Following the order, Attorney General Bill Schuette filed an emer-

gency request for a stay in court. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay on Saturday, effective through Wednesday, meaning same-sex marriages are put on hold at least until then. “In 2004, the citizens of Michigan recognized that diversity in parenting is best for kids and families because moms and dads are not interchangeable,” Schuette said in a statement. “Michigan voters enshrined that decision in our state constitution, and their will should stand and be respected.” However, about 100 same-sex couples married in Michigan between Friedman’s order and the circuit court’s stay ruling. It is unclear if the state will recognize those marriages. The issue of same-sex marriage is likely to stay at the forefront of state politics over the coming days and weeks as the case moves through court and the 2014 elections. Joseph, a political science student, said he thinks the issue is likely to remain a “hot topic” this year. He said the legislation might give Democrats an advantage over Republicans in November. w MARRIAGE | 2A

Andraya Croft | Staff Photographer Michelle Harrast dances to the music during a free expression time in the Rose Center on Saturday.

Jump Rhythm Jazz Project leads community dance class, inspires students By Kate Woodruff Staff Reporter

As four members of the dance company Jump Rhythm Jazz Project began to shout, jump and move around the dance floor, it was clear their dance class would be unlike any other. The community dance class, open to both Central Michigan University students and community members

Saturday morning, was created to reach out to those interested in learning from this very knowledgeable and passionate group. The class, led by Jump Rhythm members Lois Snavely, Peter Hammer, Jordan Batta and Eva Carpenter, encouraged participants to use their hands, heads and voices to connect to the earth, themselves w JAZZ | 2A

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