THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929 FEATURES SPORTS ‘Hurst writer Men’s hockey agrees with Pink player heads to the NHL Page 6 Page 14 Vol. 79 No. 19 Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546 April 12, 2006 THE MERCIAD Lurking in the shadows An unidentifi ed ‘fl asher’ spotted repeatedly near Duval, Briggs By Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-chief Mercyhurst College has a new visi- tor on campus and he has no problem revealing himself. The unknown suspect, nicknamed the “fl asher,” is reported masturbating while peering into women’s apartments on Briggs Avenue, along with nearby Katie McAdams/Photo editor Duval apartments. Flanagan was sworn in on April 10. According to police and safety special investigator Dennis Donovan, three instances were reported within 10 days since the fi rst week of March. Flanagan Donovan stated that police and safety has concentrated patrol efforts in those areas, but cannot place an offi cer in the wins area 24/7. Some victims, said Donovan, were election walking through the garage to Briggs Avenue at night when they saw the By Staff reports suspect. Donovan noted the unidentifi ed man Mercyhurst Student Government is naked from the waist down. (MSG) held its Executive Board elec- One victim, Amanda Kaiser, said tions April 5-6. that police and safety warned her of Senior Megan Flanagan emerged the the “fl asher” after noticing the man was gazing into her window, fondling winner of the election, edging out fresh- himself. man Christina Coovert and sophomore “They (police and safety) said there Jeff Allen. has been a man who has been seen Katie McAdams/Photo editor Flanagan has been on MSG for the relieving himself up in the parking lot,” Sightings of the “fl asher” are in the areas around the Duval (above) and Briggs apartments. past three years, the last two of which she said. “They also stated he has long, she served as the Residence Life Com- dark, shaggy hair and informed us to said she saw a police and safety offi cer reported at night. “We have narrowed dent or an outsider,” said Donovan. mittee chairperson. She also received keep our blinds closed...It was freaky.” sitting in a car in the parking lot watch- down the area and the time frame,” Police and safety Chief Ken Sidun honors as MSG’s Sophomore Represen- Kaiser noted, however, that she has ing the area,” she said. “That made us he said. said the incidents are under current tative of the Year in 2004-05, and most noticed increased patrol efforts. “My all feel a lot better.” Police and safety, however, have no investigation. “We are actively investi- recently as Junior Representative of the roommate, when she went to her car, Donovan said that all instances were suspects. “We are not sure if it is a stu- gating,” he said. year in 2005-06. “Megan Flanagan has proven herself for the past three years as an MSG rep- resentative. She is extremely qualifi ed for the position of secretary and I am History department receives high honors confi dent that she will do a fantastic job in her new role. I am excited about next son College, Slippery Rock University, year’s MSG Executive Board and am By Corrie Thearle Thiel College and Juniata College. looking forward to a great year,” said News editor Each institution had an average of MSG President Dan Schuler. three to fi ve students attend the con- “I will better the Executive Board On April 1, Mercyhurst sent four ference. by incorporating new and innovative students to the Regional Undergraduate Participants were divided into groups ways for MSG to succeed by gaining History Forum and Phi Alpha Theta by their papers. Each participant pre- more direct contact with the student Conference at Juniata College in Hunt- sented their paper before a moderator, body,” said Flanagan when asked for ingdon Pennsylvania. judge and their fellow peers. her immediate plans for offi ce. “I also Seniors Eric Buetikofer and Greg Buetikofer presented his paper, want to work to improve the Student Stelter both returned with awards for “Asbury Woods: A Living History in Directory, including the possibility of best presentation in their respective Action” in the Undergraduate Student obtaining more advertisements to help groups. Panel section. offset the cost,” she said. Juniors Bethany Canfi eld and Rachael Buetikofer won the award for best “I am also very pleased with the Hofmann also attended the confer- presentation in this group. enthusiasim and professionalism of ence. Other papers in this section included Christina Coovert and Jeff Allen,” said Around 70 people participated in titles such as, “Communism in Texas” Schuler, “They are part of a dedicated the conference from universities and and “Murder, Coal, and Corruption: and hardworking group of underclass- colleges throughout Western Penn- The Legend of the Molly Maguires.” men on MSG and will help to ensure sylvania. Another top winner, Stelter came that MSG will continue to strive to help Some of these institutions included away with best presentation in the Early the students we represent.” Edinboro University, Gannon Univer- Modern and Modern Europe group. The MSG Body elections take place Contributed photo sity, Carnegie Mellon University, Saint this week, April 12-13, in the Student Mercyhurst students won best paper and presentation in two groups. Vincent College, Washington & Jeffer- Please see Top on page 3 Union. Students encourage and foster social skills through dancing young adults with special needs come everyone and the excitement that fi lls By Sarah Sheehan together and socialize. the room.” Contributing writer It was erected by Joyce McDon- Dances are held every other month, nell who is affi liated with the Barber and volunteers for the events come The Expanding Sociability Oppor- National Institute and has a daughter from Gannon, Penn State Behrend, tunities (ESO) dance was held in the with special needs. Edinboro, as well as Mercyhurst. Student Union on Friday evening, Events like the dance help people with Along with the guests and volunteers April 7. special needs to socialize on a regular parents, guardians, supervisors and It was a mismatched clothing theme basis. ESO is a part of the Council for group home care-takers were offered where everyone did not match their Exceptional Children (CEC). the choice of also participating in the clothing. Elishia Gnage, a senior this year, is the event. This dance is held for young adults ESO representative for CEC and was a When asked about the turnout of the with special needs between the ages of major organizer of this event. event, Elisha replied, “Our organization 18-30 years. Around 50 guests attended When asked about the dance she has been growing and expanding so the event and another 75 volunteers replied, “The thing that I most enjoy rapidly because the word has gotten showed up to help out. is just looking around the dance fl oor Elizabeth Lindsay/Staff photographer ESO is an organization that helps and observing all the smiles from Please see ESO on page 2 Bayley Detar and Cassie Powers are all smiles at the ESO dance. PAGE 2 THE MERCIAD April 12, 2006 NEWS To contact: [email protected] Uncovering past mistakes World Briefs Forensic anthropology professor travels to Mexico to identify victims International news between the ages of 16 to 18. By Zoe Contes He was slightly disappointed Contributing writer with the results that he found Compiled by Indian fi re inferno because many of the individuals Jessica Kocent Mercyhurst College forensic examined showed no defi nitive At least 45 people have been anthropologist Dr. Steven Symes, cause of death. killed in a fi re that swept through spent March 26-31 in Ciudad Like many forensic anthro- a crowded trade fair in the north- Juárez, state of Chihuahua, pologists, Symes often fi nds his ern Indian city of Meerut, on Mexico. job frustrating when he is unable Monday. Symes was examining the re- to contribute to every suspicious Police say at least 80 more mains of dozens of women death. people were injured, some seri- which were among the hundreds “We just have to be patient and ously, in the blaze before it was who have been murdered there experienced enough to realize brought under control. since 1993. that that is just part of the game,” Hundreds of people were in- Many of the female homicides he said. “We have to keep our side three huge tents at the fair that have occurred in Ciudad ego in check, so as to not go out complex when fl ames engulfed Juárez have remained unsolved, on a limb,” Symes said. the tents. causing a growing dissatisfaction He points out that accuracy is vital as a forensic scientist Bodies are still being recovered among human rights workers. Contributed photo because every statement could from the site. The majority of the murdered Two female assistants aided Symes with his work. Many victims were burned women are students or factory contribute to judicial proceed- workers between 15 and 25 years ings. beyond recognition. Symes became involved with than the Mexican government of age. “One mistake could put the in- At least 20 firefighters were the team around fi ve years ago fi ndings, this will be very con- According to Amnesty Inter- nocent in jail, or allow criminals called in to tackle the blaze as when co-founder, Mercedes troversial,” said Symes. national, as of February 2005, to walk the streets,” he added. ambulances ferried the injured Doretti, asked him to help with However, Symes said that his 370 bodies have been found and Symes feels that he and his to nearby hospitals.