imm PIATES JQ LADIES DOWN UIC 66-64,14 FRIDAY, J A N U ARY I6, 2009 Valparaiso University's 2007 & 2008 Indiana Student Newspaper College Weekly of the Year Coffee CENTERPIECE quandary Grinders shortens hours to encourage use of new union Franceses Sagala Torch Staff Writer • More space, new dining op­ tions, a more central location - all of these things and more are what make Valparaiso University's new Harre Union a welcome addition to the school. For some students, however, not everything about the new union has been positive. Beginning this semester, Grinders, the cafe located on the first floor of the Christopher Center, has changed its hours of operation. Due to the opening of Perks, a new dining spot located in the union, Grinders will now be closed from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mon­ day through Thursday. Grinders will also close after 2 p.m. on' Fri­ days and will not open at all on Saturdays. Linda Burmylo, an employee of Grinders, cited money as the main reason for the sudden de­ crease in hours.' "It's financial reasons," Burmy­ lo said. "They can't run this all day Kyle Whitgrove / The Torch Students gather together for lunch in the new Harre Union, which opened up its doors to the community at the beginning of the semester. For more about student See Grinders, page 4 reaction to the union's opening, turn to page 9. Railways to extend services to Valpo Valparaiso and Lowell are not Randolph Street Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Commuters to ,yan Buren Street the only Indiana towns expected to .Roosevelt Road West Lake Corridor New Start Studies benefit from the railroad extensions. Lake benefit from new According to Parsons, the Lowell Michigan alignment would access Hammond, transportation Munster, Dyer, St. John and Cedar Lake while the Valparaiso align­ Maddie Szrom ment would also access Hobart and Torch Staff Writer Gary. Although plans are underway, Public transportation in Val­ Parsons cautioned that not every­ paraiso and surrounding areas may thing is a sure bet. st not be easily attainable for those Considering the current state Joseph without access to a car, but a new of the economy, funding for these railroad extension should change projects may be difficult to obtain. this situation relatively soon. "Given the downturn in the kiuysbury Plans are in the works to develop economy, it may be difficult for the railroad extensions in both Lowell General Assembly to secure fund­ and Valparaiso. ing," Parsons said. "In-addition, According to John Parsons, there is little enthusiasm in either spokesman for the Northern In­ Lake or Porter counties for new diana Commuter Transportation taxes." District, the extension plans are Despite a few downfalls, the currently in the beginning stages of construction of the railroads would Alternative 1 Valparaiso/Lowell to Chicago - Commuter Rail -+®«-NICTD South Shore Line authorization. bring many advantages to people •=s=*»Metra Electric District "Our plan at this time is to pre­ living in northwest Indiana, includ­ <x ji^New Passenger Rail Service =*= =5=Shared Metra/NICTD Track pare documentation by August ing saving money on ever-fluctuat­ "COSaNew Rail Service/South Shore ——- Interstate Highways 2009 to request that the Federal ing gas prices. =zz c=New Rail Service/Metra/South Shore '•-——U.S. and State Routes 'Study Area Boundary Transit Administration (FTA) ad­ "Our commuters last year drove Jasper _JCounty Boundaries vance the Lowell alignment to PE/ 91 million fewer miles by taking the 3 Miles Environmental," Parsons said. "This train, saving roughly $52.8 million e will be followed by completion of an in gas and wear-and-tear on their Graphic provided alternative analysis of the new Val­ Valparaiso may soon have access to rail services as the NICTD develops plans to extend railroad lines throughout northwest po alignment by December 2009." See Railroad, page 5 Indiana. Index A&E.... 10 Features 8 Opinions ....6 The Torch "We will strive increasingly to quicken the public's sense of Announcements. 2 Flicker 6 Sports 14 On Guard for 94 Years civic duty." - The Athenian Oath Classifieds............. 13 Harre Union 9 Weather 13 Volume 102 :: Issue 15 4 The Torch | Friday, January 16, 2009 Campus News Campus Announcements We've got The Lighter accepting submissions VU covered. The Lighter is currently accepting submissions for the 2009 spring edition. Students can e-mail written work and digital artwork to [email protected]. Any physical art can be turned in at the union dropbox. SALT planning spring mission trips SALT, Valparaiso University's Social Action Leader­ ship Team, is currently looking for students interested in page participating in spring break mission trips. SALT is currently planning trips to eastern Kentucky, Missis­ sippi and New Orleans. Prices range from $100-150. Contact [email protected] for more informa­ tion. Free vision screenings offered Free vision screenings will be conducted between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday in Ballroom C of the Harre Union. The screenings, conducted by certified vision screeners through Prevent Blindness America in conjunc­ tion with MLK Day activities, take about 15 minutes and include tests for near- and farsightedness, decreased ability to focus on nearby objects and visual field changes. Results are provided at the end of the screening along with rec­ ommendations for any further follow-up with an eye care professional. Last chance for senior portraits Senior portraits will be taken on Jan. 22 and 23 in the Harre Unions Victory Bell room. This is the last chance for graduating seniors to have their portrait tak­ en. Appointments for photo sessions must be made at www.myseniorportrait.com. Those sitting for portraits are asked to wear dress clothing from the waist up. Campus job opportunities avaiiable Students looking for jobs on-campus are asked to visit the financial aid web site for open positions. Visit www. valpo.edu/fmancialaid/studentemployment/index.php for job opportunities as well as important pre-employment details and payroll information. corrections clarifications The Torch corrects its mistakes. If you see something you believe is a factual error, contact Tim Stride / The Torch Editor in Chief Brad Anderson at [email protected]. Members of the VU men's basketball team Nick Shelton (left) and Howard Little express their excitement as they prepare to take on the University of North Carolina. The game, which took place at the United Center in Chicago, resulted in a 85-63 Crusader defeat. report December 14 A suspicious male w; officer on patrol in th< Hall. A computer che the male was given a t An dfftcer and the Va responded to the Chr response to a studen out. The student was ported to Porter V< Campus. Later that c fire rescue responded topher Center in rel student that had passe was" transported to Hospital Campus. An officer observed northwest corner of The solicitor did not be on campus and w< warning. 4 The Torch | Friday, January 16, 2009 Campus News Suspension lifted for basketball player Simpson approached the vehicle. are also subject to any other reper­ Jones returns to Simpson reported he was "over­ cussions deemed appropriate by the whelmed by the smell of burnt head coach of the team. team after sitting marijuana" when Jones rolled down "The team may have additional the drivers seat window. Jones ad­ discipline, but that is between the out two games mitted that he had been smoking athlete and the coach," LaBarbera marijuana but claimed he did not said. "(Jones) has served his penalty Kathryn Kattalia have any remaining with him in the from the department." Torch News Editor vehicle. He also admitted to hav­ Jones was suspended for seven ing consumed alcohol earlier in the days, sitting out two practices and Returning to Valparaiso Univer­ evening. missing two games against North sity after Christmas break was no Jones registered a blood alco­ Carolina and Central Florida before small relief for freshman basketball hol concentration of 0.023 during a returning to his position as guard player Logan Jones, who was arrest­ portable breath test. He was arrest­ against Purdue on Dec. 28. ed on Dec. 14 for minor consump­ ed and incarcerated for the night at "There were a few requirements tion of alcohol. Porter County Jail. and deals I had to make, and if I "I didn't know The two other stu­ keep meeting those I should be what would hap­ fte knew he made dents were released alright," Jones said. "I think the pen," Jones said. "I and not charged. whole situation was handled very didn't know what a mistake and Jones' arrest fairly." the final decision has accepted the directly violated LaBarbera said that while such would be." consequences the VU athletic violations are regrettable, any After facing an department's code disciplinary action should ulti­ uncertain seven-day and we've really of conduct, which mately be viewed as a learning ex­ suspension from moved on. deems any viola­ perience. the men's basket­ tion of "laws per­ "What we try to do in situations ball team following taining to alcohol like this is what we try to do with his arrest, Jones re­ Homer Drew and hazing" a cat­ any student," he said. "We're try­ ceived a Christmas Head coach egory II miscon­ ing to make mature, responsible present he won't duct. Any student adults." soon forget-rein- athlete found in Drew agreed. statement by head coach Homer such infringement is immediately "When young people make a Drew. required by the department to sit bad decision, I want them to learn "Logan sat for two games and out a minimum of five percent of from that bad decision so they did not attend practice while those their team's NCAA championship hopefully don't do it again," Drew two games were going on," Drew season segment or sit out one con­ said.