News - The Eastern Echo

Regents approve four percent increase in residence hall budget

By Samantha Snell · Sunday, March 29, 2015

A four percent increase in the budget for residence halls and a four percent increase for meal plans were both approved by Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents at its regular meeting on March 17. These budget increases come in the wake of some major population growth on campus, with more than 3,800 students living on campus at the start of the fall semester – the second-highest number since 2007. The standard, platinum 19-meal-a-week plan for 2015-16 academic year will cost $4,911, and the academic year rates for a standard double room in the residence halls will cost between $3,950 and $5,094.

Eta Sigma Gamma works to promote health, well-being

By Sarah Lewis · Sunday, March 29, 2015

Eastern Michigan University’s Beta Delta chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the national professional health education organization, promotes the health and well-being of the EMU community with fun, health-related activities. The organization is open to graduate and undergrad students studying health and health science.

1Girl event covers gender equality, empowering women

By Rachel Raupp · Sunday, March 29, 2015

“Agentic” and “communal” were etched on the chalkboard, two opposite leadership styles: agentic being aggressive, ambitious and dominant, and communal being compassionate, collaborative and teamwork-oriented. “Which gender is primarily associated with which?” Jacqueline Goodman, department head of women’s and gender studies, asked the audience.

Cole-Martin ticket wins the Student Government presidential race

By Mona Beydoun · Thursday, March 26, 2015

The Steven Cole-Anjali Martin ticket won the Student Government presidential race with 40 percent of votes cast, 931 of the 2,323 votes cast in this election. Cole, the current vice president of Student Government said he pledges to make student life at EMU better. “I believe that all Eastern students, whether they voted for me, or one of my opponents, or didn't vote at all, deserve good representation in Student Government.”Cole said.

Presidential impeachment hearing set for April 7

By Nora Naughton · Thursday, March 26, 2015

The impeachment hearing of student body president Desmond Miller has been set for Tuesday, April 7 at 8 p.m., according to an email sent out by vice president Steven Cole Thursday. "I looked carefully at the calendar and concluded the 7th was best because it does not conflict with Excellence Week or Student Government elections (both this week) or SG committees and Greek Week (both next week), and gives the parties ample time to prepare their written materials and presentations," Cole said in the email. All written materials intended for use during the hearing will be handed in to judicial sergeant David Konarske. Konarske and Cole have recused themselves from presiding over the hearing and rom presiding pursuant to Student Government bylaws, speaker Kiera Fegan will instead preside. Elections for the next student body president are still ongoing, but a winner is set to be announced at 9 p.m.

Confusion surrounds election violation allegations

By Nora Naughton · Thursday, March 26, 2015

Complaints filed against three of the four candidates running for student body president are mostly requests for “rule clarifications,” according to the election commissioner and adviser to Student Government. The allegations stem from reports made by students to the Student Government election commission and not from incidents witnessed by the commission. Election commissioner Jacob Butterfield said he has not personally received any complaints or violation allegations against candidate and current vice president Steven Cole or anyone in his campaign. Adviser to Student Government Perry Francis said that the commission will only act on issues that come to the commission’s attention in writing with a name attached to the complaint or allegation. Complaints and allegations can be directed to Butterfield (jbutterf@emich.edu) and Francis (pfrancis@emich.edu) via email. “We want a paper trail,” Francis said.

Three out of the 4 presidential candidates facing allegations of violating election policy

By Nora Naughton · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Three out of the four candidates' campaigns for student body president are facing allegations that they have violated election policy, according to the Student Government election commissioner. The allegations stem from reports made by students to the Student Government election commission, and not from incidents witnessed by the commission. At the moment, Steven Cole, the current vice president, is the only candidate not accused of breaking this rule. Candidates Sabrina Ford, Jessica Howell and Aimee Frey were all contacted by The Echo to comment on the allegations.

SANS showcase profits will go toward funding a food pantry at EMU

By Allie Tomason · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The Student Artists for a New Society Showcase will be held in the Eastern Michigan University Student Center Auditorium, Monday, from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of one nonperishable food or toiletry item to benefit the EMU Mentorship Access Guidance in College Program's pantry. The showcase, co-produced by EMU’s own performance group I.M.A.G.E., is a part of EMU student, Lydia Seale’s, Honor’s College senior thesis. “I recently met the director of the MAGIC Program, which serves students who have no familial support while here at EMU as a result of homelessness, emancipation, or aging out of the foster care system,” Seale said in an email.

Harsh words on social media spark debate, shut down Honors College course

By Allie Tomason & Nora Naughton · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

A new Honors College course was thrown out after students took to social media with angry posts directed at the class and professors. “What started off as grumbling amongst classmates on the Internet, turned into an anonymous mob of harassment, with a lot of comments about body parts and sexist slurs passed around like it was nothing,” said Honors 179 undergraduate fellow Shelby Hallenbeck.

PRSSA to hold Talent Forum

By Kenneth Bowen · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Eastern Michigan University’s Eleanor Wright chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America will host the first PRSSA Talent Forum at 6 p.m.

Associate director in advising and career development selected for MIACADA's Advising Administrator award

By Mona Beydoun · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

The associate director in Eastern Michigan University’s University Advising and Career Development Center has won an advising award. Molly Weir, a licensed profession counselor in the state of Michigan, was nominated and selected for the Advising Administrator award by the Michigan Academic Advising Association (MIACADA). “I’m really honored that people would think to nominate me,” she said. Molly Thornbladh, an Academic Advisor at the UACDC, helped nominate Weir.

EMU student accepted into prestigious Marines officer candidate course

By Mona Beydoun · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

An Eastern Michigan University senior from Brighton has been accepted into the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Course. Amelia Jendrusina, 23, a major in history and minor in criminal justice, will earn a commission as a Marine Officer upon completion of the ten-week course.

Former local leaders address the future of Washtenaw County

By Drew Saunders · Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Previous mayors of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and the journalist who watched their every move sat on a panel in Pray-Harrold Tuesday for the third and final installment in the Future of Urban Michigan series. “My colleague and I had the pleasure of serving during the worst fiscal time since the 1930s,” said John Heiftje, the former and longest-serving mayor of Ann Arbor.

EMU celebrates national walking day April 1

By Allie Tomason · Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Eastern Michigan University in conjunction with the American Heart Association is celebrating National Walking Day, April 1.

MSA hosts Fast-a-thon to kick-off Ramadan

By Drew Saunders · Sunday, March 22, 2015

The Muslim Student Association hosted its annual Fast-a-thon in the student center, Wednesday night.

EMU students have rolled out plans for a food pantry at EMU

By Allie Tomason · Saturday, March 21, 2015

Eastern Michigan University may institute a food pantry soon. Haley Moraniec and Lynn Nybell presented the initiative at the Board of Regents Student Affairs Committee meeting March 17. “I work really closely with Earthworks urban garden in Detroit and that kind of sparked my inspiration and passion,” Moraniec, vice president of the Social Welfare Action Alliance, said in an earlier interview.

EMU Political Science department hosts discussion on Urban Michigan

By Mona Beydoun · Saturday, March 21, 2015

The political science department will hold a paneled discussion, Reflections from the Trenches, 7-8:30 p.m.

Students organize for Syria host tea with a Syrian

By Mona Beydoun · Saturday, March 21, 2015

Eastern Michigan University’s Students Organize for Syria chapter held their first event, Tea with a Syrian, Wednesday afternoon in the Student Center. Thirty-five students stopped in to drink tea and eat cookies, and listen to the story of a Syrian affected the the Syrian crisis. “Our main goal and mission is to raise awareness about the events taking place in Syria,”Senior Ahnas Alzahabi, president of SOS, said. In March 2011, the Syrian government responded with open fire to peaceful protesters who were asking for democracy.

Arianna Huffington speaks on well being during live broadcast

By Drew Saunders · Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Arianna Huffington's live broadcast, Thrive, was hosted by the Campus Life and the National Society for Leadership and Success, St.

Eagle on the Street

By Allie Tomason · Wednesday, March 18, 2015

IIt seems like America has a holiday for just about anything, from Christmas to Talk Like a Pirate Day. The Echo asked students: “If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be and why?”