Grand Valley State University ScholarWorks@GVSU Volume 43, July 10, 2008 - June 7, 2009 Lanthorn, 1968-2001 1-8-2009 Lanthorn, vol. 43, no. 33, January 8, 2009 Grand Valley State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/lanthorn_vol43 Part of the Archival Science Commons, Education Commons, and the History Commons Recommended Citation Grand Valley State University, "Lanthorn, vol. 43, no. 33, January 8, 2009" (2009). Volume 43, July 10, 2008 - June 7, 2009. 32. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/lanthorn_vol43/32 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 43, July 10, 2008 - June 7, 2009 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@GVSU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. wmmm I Starbucks on trial Winter 2009 Sports at Lanthorn.com Preview, B1-B3 Valleyllantljom Grand Valley State University www.lanthorn.com Thursday, January 8, 2009 Former student pleads guilty to false terrorist threats Out-of-state Blaine Cronn, 19, made threats against GVSU in October; trial now set for Feb. 16 in Circuit Court students make By Lauren Fitch The Grand Rapids Press and other set for Feb. 16 at the Ottawa County prison according to the Michigan GVL News Editor individuals on GVSU’s campus on 20th Circuit Court. Anti-Terrorism Act. up 3 percent Oct. 14,2008. The plea bargain offered to Cronn, Due to the circumstances of the A former Grand Valley State He is charged with a false threat of Cedar Springs, Mich., included charge, it is unlikely he will be given By Ellen Hensel University student pled guilty to of terrorism because subsequent no federal charges and no other state the maximum punishment. GVl. Assistant News Editor false threat of terrorism at 2:30 p.m. investigations showed he had neither charges beyond the felony if he pled David Dodge, Cronn ’s attorney, Monday in Ottawa County Circuit When sophomore Jenny Meinke the means nor intent to carry out the guilty. was unable to comment beyond the Court. first moved into the dorms more than threats. If found guilty at the sentencing, trial proceedings, Blaine Cronn, 19, made his false a year ago, one detail regarding most Cronn ’s sentencing date has been he could receive up to 20 years in news @ lanthorn .com terrorist threats through e-mail to of her tl(X)r mates was apparent. They were all from Michigan. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Meinke chose Grand Valley State University because she was majoring in accounting, a flagship program at the Gas prices predicted to continue increasing school. Meinke is one of 803 out-of- state students according to the 2008 Accountability Report, constituting OPEC cuts production of crude about 3 percent of the total student oil by 4.2 million barrels per population of 23,892. “It was hard at first because it day; students see effects seemed as though a lot of people knew each other from highschool and 1 really By Paul LeBlanc had no one, ’ Meinke said. GVl. Staff Writer when “Beyond After almost six consecutive months of falling that, there you are the prices, the cost of gasoline began to climb upwards are certain only one who once more beginning New Year's Eve. things that Monday marked the sixth-straight day of price doesn't know, people from increases, with the average cost of a gallon of the same area you stick gasoline rising 1.4 cents to $ 1.672. share, such The cumulative price increase was more than 4 out. "* 1 as knowing a cents per gallon from New Year’s Day to Monday, certain food or according to research conducted by AAA Auto JENNY MEINKE place. I mean, Group. GVSU SOPHOMORE I know it After reaching record highs of more than $4 per doesn ’t seem gallon last summer, gas prices have nose-dived in like a big deal, but when you are the response to shrinking demand and a tumultuous only one who doesn ’t know, you stick financial crisis, downgrading the prominent out. ” position prices had in public discourse for much of In the past 10 years, GVSU’s last year. enrollment has increased 49.7 percent, Nevertheless, some consumers believe action the highest increase in the state. must be taken at all times, even if the price seems Yet, the gap between the percentage low, to avoid potentially high prices once more. of in-state and out-of-state students does Justin Minor, a senior sociology major at not seem to change. Grand Valley State University, spoke of the wide- Gayle Davis, provost and vice ranging consequences that high gasoline costs president for academic affairs, said have for consumers, even those who use public although geographic diversity is good transportation. for the school, it is not necessarily a “Even bus fare is affected by high gas prices main focus. because (vehicles) are all based on the same “1 wouldn't say it is a priority,” energy source, ” Minor said. “The sooner we find Davis said. “We do want to have some alternatives (to gasoline), the better, so that when / geographic diversity in our student gas prices go up again, public transportation won ’t body because it makes for a more be as greatly affected as well-rounded population, but it is not a it was before by the price priority over in-state students. ” People who hikes.” Director of admissions Jodi The current price Chycinski said her office recruits work minimum increase arrives as outside Michigan, primarily in Illinois, members of Organization wage jobs Indiana and Ohio, and has several of Petroleum Exporting can't afford programs in place to help attract those Countries enter the new students, but in-state students remain their own cars, year with an agreement to the first priority. decrease their production let alone auto “We have found that students within of crude oil, the raw a five- to six-hour drive to campus are insurance or substance that serves as most likely to consider GVSU if they the chief ingredient in gas. are looking at going to college out of gasoline. state,” Chycinski said. “We do have a At a meeting held Dec. recruiter in Illinois that works to build JOI DUPLER 17, 2008, representatives relationships in that area. The university GVSU JUNIOR from OPEC nations agreed has viewed geographic diversity as an upon a resolution to cut the important way to enhance the experience production of crude oil by for all students on our campus. ” 4.2 million barrels per day compared to September Recently proposed legislature echoes 2008 levels. GVSU sentiments by giving in state Scaled-back production is intended to increase students even more incentive to stay the price of crude oil. which has fallen dramatically within state borders. from a record high of $147 per barrel in July 2008 Last April, Rick Jones, R-Eaton down to as low as $32.40 on Dec. 19, 2008. County, proposed the Michigan House According to OPEC, the falling price of crude of Representatives implement a plan to oil could endanger the ability of member countries automatically admit the top 10 percent to make investments to meet worldwide demand. of high school graduates into any An OPEC press release called the production cuts Michigan university. necessary “for the future well-being of the market The proposal was mostly aimed at and the good of producers and consumers alike.” the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Aside from OPEC, the recent price increases which has the highest percentage of out- also correspond with instability in oil-producing of-state students at roughly 33 percent. regions. “(Almost) one-third of freshmen GVL / Nicole Somerville The instability stems from increasing violence in students at the University of Michigan Up again: GVSU senior Rachael Egglesfield pumps gas at a Speedway gas station. Egglesfield, along with many other students at GVSU the Gaza Strip, as well as a recent attack on an oil are from out of state and foreign pipeline in Niger by unidentified assailants. are concerned that rising gas prices will bring about a repeat of the $4 per gallon prices seen at the pumps last year. Still in recession, students are not the only ones worried about the impact another spike in gas prices could have on the already unstable Michigan and countries, ” said a representative for As of Monday, crude prices settled at $48.81 per U S economy. Jones. “I think we could do (the 10 barrel. percent plan) in Michigan. We need to Though gas prices are rising, they remain a explore everything we can to accept far cry from the record high of $4.116 per gallon students from Michigan before other ■■ reached on July 6. 2008. states and countries." GVSU junior Joi Dupler, secretary of the GVSU However, for most students, the real College Democrats, shared Minor ’s sentiment. barrier for traveling out of state is not “When gas prices went up this summer, bus admission, but finance. fare increased by a large amount to accommodate UNLEADED For the 2008-09 school year, in ­ them,” Dupler said, referring to Grand Rapids ’ PLUS PREMIUM state students paid $8,604 in the upper public transportation system. “The affected people division of credits while out-of-state are high school students who attend Grand Rapids students paid $12,932. about a $4000 Public Schools, because they do not have free public difference annually. transportation - they have to pay for bus fare out of The cost, however, did not stop their own pockets.” freshman Julia Nowak who moved Dupler also emphasized the effect that bus fare from Racine.