Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Volume 44, July 8, 2009 - June 7, 2010 Lanthorn, 1968-2001 11-9-2009 Lanthorn, vol. 44, no. 22, November 9, 2009 Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/lanthorn_vol44 Part of the Archival Science Commons, Education Commons, and the History Commons Recommended Citation Grand Valley State University, "Lanthorn, vol. 44, no. 22, November 9, 2009" (2009). Volume 44, July 8, 2009 - June 7, 2010. 20. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/lanthorn_vol44/20 This Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Lanthorn, 1968-2001 at ScholarWorks@GVSU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Volume 44, July 8, 2009 - June 7, 2010 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Lakers take fifth- straight title, A6 Grand Valley State University www.lanthorn.com Monday, November 9, 2009 By Mark Couturier GVL Staff Writer The Michigan Senate is consid­ ering a bill that provides amnesty to underage drinkers who seek medical assistance for alcohol-re­ lated problems. The measure will also protect minors who seek help for friends suffering from such problems. The purpose of the bill is to prevent any deaths that might re­ sult from hesitation on the part Online classes option to combat H1N1 of intoxicated minors to get help for themselves or their friends be ­ With the seasonal Hu and H1NI virus closing in Notorious for being the university that never closes, the idea of Grand cause they are afraid of receiving on the population of Grand Valley State University ’s ^B Valley State University shutting its doors in the event of a widespread H1N1 a Minor In Possession citation. campuses, the need to create an emergency action plan ■ outbreak leaves many wondering what might occur in this rare event. The bill will not provide amnesty for a worst-case scenario has arisen. j* Questions arise of whether or not students will still have all of the to minors who drink and drive or Students are on high alert as any illness resembling amenities he or she is currently provided with on campus from laundry, use illegal substances. the seasonal flu could potentially be the H1N1 virus, and ^ security, food service and maintenance to whether or not classes will The bill enjoys support from still be conducted at all during these times. it is becoming common knowledge that monitoring a | a broad coalition of citizens and \s pan ol the emergence action plan set out b\ the Provost's person’s temperature is a good indicator of the virus. A groups in the state, including the ' ,!!k !,IC K ,l"n" IKV\ in leteience to shutting down the Prosecuting Attorneys Association While moderate temperatures are common with the university have been outlined. of Michigan, the Student Associa­ seasonal flu. it is the spikes ol temperatures m the in -I . I.miii* the uiuxcimIx i ilxx.ix-. uoinsome tion of Michigan .law enforcement hmidieds ih.,i max pn w to he imu h inou serious dvjvnd cntncls officials and lawmakers from both HHBHHH In ’-a P ai■ ■ |he anoci sit\ Is , to ol. IIOW senoiis the than what elm ken noodle soup and a dax s rest ‘ t political parties. ■ h;ltme,11- Ol the sw me lie iu.iv ! *e how piolessois an-1 When the bill came to a vote ■HHHrafR ill. .11 lioi . , h, S -e to omo: Ini •indents ei i.les It is m these extreme eases that max point in the House on Oct. 21, it passed to u ease ol lll\l and m those instances, it ' 'Ol! ol WOIIU' Iiiso. ' \ lee i’lesuleni !oi with 98 representatives in support \cademic \ttairs Ion lellema i- lev > mi mended ilie .atm led pei-on )v -wit and only seven representatives \\ Ink aie.t ti.iv not wo 1.1 lad m Im. - >i lie i hedioi >m until the lev et HHH opposed. The bill was sent to the ' •* Senate Judiciary Committee the following day. Once a person has been level tree well as when it would shut down. Ioi a dax Ml two without the use ol anx o • onti;-:, las: K x nus. With ■ 1 * he Ins her flu like sxmptoms ■ Anything the university deems necessary to remain max turn into MINI at anx moment, the % mBBBKBBBBM o|x*n would stux ()|VI1 " number ot absences in classes arc grow mg j 1 • o ,.i IIKM. Vital exponentially. 1 > ’ s W J, J HHHH :h. '.ini- a. Ill'll; the . ■ 'Mlme - o| the , la- m sun “If 25 percent of the student body ^^^B I WgaBBBBBm I 'in I.iiwersiiv would Jo. lasses becomes infected with the H1N1 virus, ] to i- i ‘ - ml ". ■: i:; die: the university may be forced to close,” said Jon Jellema, associate vice president ■- • JHF '••uied to Co ,rt III now 1 V oiisidered for Academic Affairs. most conducive for the classroom. However, some professors continue to state they will HH|| \ 11 tesis home Ac uk and pio|eets would also lx- submitted take points off for absences exceeding the attendance 'fiwjr !«’ Hi.u t Is Mid dill 11)0 the time in w Inch ( i\ SI staved i losed. policies initially WBBBB In the most extreme ol circumstances, .lellema said the GVl Archive set out for the class. The Provost’s Office continues to fight mgUm universitx has dc\clo|X*d some software based looselx oft DPS officer leaves for campus patrol. for more lenient classroom attendance policies than were of the |iopulai international messenger Skype. which would originally set out in course syllabi. With these concerns in allow students and prolessors to create a more classroom mind, the emergency action plan began to take shape. like atmosphere via the Internet. Drinking alcohol while under lellema -aid tlieo online classes and more eiaUnate There has not been a widespread canceling of classes the age of 21 is a misdemeanor across either the Allendale or the Grand Rapids campuses in Michigan. First-time offenders loi an uxluiiJ J |v :i.hI ol time to date, but if H1N1 cases at GVSU follow the trends of can receive a $ 1 (K) fine and be re­ » to the contamination risks ot 111 N I. quired to undergo substance abuse other universities, the number of infected students, faculty » || would lx- a lot less stress!ul since I think screening and treatment. Minors and staff will only increase. ^ I might lx* getting sick." said senior Kaitlyn who commit three or more offens­ “The numbers of H1N1 cases is rising,” said Ellen Gold ||t Braswell ot online classes. “(But) only two es can serve time in jail. of the Eastern Michigan University Health Center. “I don’t |§ ol m\ professors even use Blackboard so Capt. Brandon DeHaan, assis­ believe we’ve hit our peak yet. ” '^1111111^ I’m not sure if my professors know enough tant director of the Department of GVSU is monitoring the number of cases reported by M about technology to use it right now." Public Safety, said Grand Valley Ig lllliiii? Currently, no college or university the Campus Health Center, in addition to the number of State University has implemented im campuses in Michigan have had to close due the policy outlined in the bill for classes being canceled and flu-related absences being S|P '■milPF to the H1N1 virus. the last several years. See Preparation, A2 HF* - ^mU>kidworth@lanthorn£om “We will not give students in crisis an M1P as long as they have alcohol poisoning and call us for help,” DeHaan said. “Our concern is for their safety. However, if we March .1 unc 3 LktobiT Lktutm: happen upon a student in crisis or KCON Purell hand President GVSU Campus we get a call from housing staff GVSU WHO Michigan sanitizers Barack student Health Mexico teams with concerning a student in crisis, that cancels reports reports Housing appear in Obama John David Center begins to computer Prince. 33, student may receive an MIP.” faculty-led spread first death to help declares the begins report cases study abroad labs, dining dies from distribution ofHINl related on-campus 2009 H1N1 DeHaan also said his depart­ of HIN1 trips to areas and influenza complica­ ofHINl ment advocates responsible al­ virus to 62 to HIN1 GV students across tions with vaccines virus. Mexico. pandemic cohol use through the Alcohol countries. virus. avoid flu GVSU’s a national the H1N1 to priority viruses. campuses.emergency. virus. groups. Campus Education and Services program. Rep. Ken Horn, R-Franken- muth. who voted against the bill, said it will set a bad example. '4-l4‘Vi^j*' contest •••. •• :i searches for next on-air c “I don’t believe that you can justify rewarding somebody for contestants must be 21 or older and doing what is already the right gjget ft minute to persuade a panel of thing to do,” Horn said. “Letting £« ob why they should be the next underage drinkers off the hook in Mf. these situations is almost the same hoping to get a lot of charismatic thing as saying it’s okay to leave ws * Kadchcle said. the scene of an accident. That are selected from the aside. I’m not convinced the gov­ ijfthQpea cahs, the numbers will be ernor will sign the bill even if it advanced roynds that passes the Senate.” pyffiteFihe contestants’ ability to Horn also said education is gw ethers and their comfort level more important than legislation in mm?;*- this case. PijMlvedwesumfe remain, they will “My greatest fear is that we kifitthtfttp-to gain votes online and pass this bill and think that's the p fcemtB of a “celebrity panel ” end of it,” Horn said.