1981-05-04; Central Michigan Life

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University land a convention site?
bySANDY McHUGH
LIFE Staff Writer
The possibility of building a convention center
in Mount Pleasant and the feasability of locating
such a center on University land is being
discussed by several area businessmen.
The discussion centers around building a sort
of convention center where executives in the
petroleum business can gather, and local conventions  would  have a larger area than the
University Center.
However, nothing is definite, and according to
more than one person the project is only in the
discussion stages.
If the convention center is built, President
Harold Abel said he would like to have it built on
University property, although several
prospective sites are under consideration.
The property under discussion, in regards to
the University, is some spare land the University
owns on the south end of campus.
"There is a possiblity of building such a center.
There has been discussion by Michigan Oil and
Gas Association about building a kind of convention center that could perhaps have some
rooms attached, perhaps a restaurant—it would
be kind of a private club," Abel said.
The president added he was approached by a
representative of the group and asked if there
was any possibility of renting land from the
University.
In order for the convention center to be built on
University property, if it is to be built at all, there
would have to be benefits for the University,
Abel said.
Some of the benefits outlined by Abel are a
possible internship for hospitality students; a
possible co-operative program for geology
students, because of the petroleum interests; and
perhaps expanding the hospitality program to
include hotel management. In addition, some
recreation students may be involved if the center
were to include recreational facilities.
"I told them to bring me a proposal when they
decided, but I told them to forget it if they didn't
(See "Center"—page 9)
Central Michigan LIFE
Vol. 62 No. 88
,© 1981 CM LIFE
Mount Pleasant, Mich. 48859
18 pages
Monday, May 4,1981
CM LIFBJ. Kyh fCtww
Paint a smile
Sunday's sunny skies helped make Warriner Mall the perfect setting for the annual Fresh
Air Festival. Meg Shirley, age 6, of 1021 S. Washington, had her face painted as part of the
festivities, which included an art sale, live music and refreshments.
Markel recalls SA feats, failures
by SCOTTFOSGARD
LIFE Staff Writer
The Student Association
office was empty Sunday save
for Student Body President Jeff
Markel, who sat for perhaps the
last time in his president's chair.
His desk was empty of papers
and wall hangings, plants and
books were packed neatly on the
floor.
Nine months ago, the scene
was just the opposite. Markel,
Owosso junior, and Student
Body Vice President Kathy
Brooks were moving into their
respective offices, waiting for
the school year to begin.
As   the  months   passed,  SA
achieved some success with its
Drop and Add program, in
organizing the students to vote
against the Tisch proposal and
with the several forums they
sponsored during the November
elections.
SA also had its failures—not
putting out Faculty Evaluations,
getting only 9 percent of the
student body to vote in the SA
spring election, an awareness
drive    that    members    admit
started eight months too late
and missing any chance to
protest the tuition increases.
But whether the focus is
placed on success or failure,
some of the problems might be
outside SA's control.
Some of the problems are
inherent, according to Markel.
Awareness is a perfect example,
he added.
"I don't think it's ever going
(See "SA"—page 9)
County arrests
CMU student
by TOM HENRY
LIFE Staff Writer
The student accused of
assaulting a CMU woman last
week while giving her a ride
back to campus was arrested
Friday and released.
Larry Russell, 21, was
arrested by Detective Jerry
Timmons of the Gratiot County
Sheriffs Department and stood
mute at his arraignment in
Gratiot County District Court.
He was released on a $1,000
personal recognizance bond.
Russell, Flushing junior, faces
charges of assault and battery
May 12 in a Gratiot County
District Court pre-trial before
Judge Robert Sheldon.
Russell's charges are based on
an incident Janice Hurt claims
took place April 26 while he was
giving her a ride back from
Flint.
After Russell turned north on
U.S. 27, he drove three miles,
took a U-turn suddenly, headed
south and stopped on a gravel
road, Gratiot County police
report.
Hurt, Detroit senior, claimed
Russell grabbed her hair and
arm and assaulted her when he
stopped the car.
A struggle ensued and she
eventually managed to get out of
Russell's car.
From there, another driver
gave her a ride to a restaurant
and she called a friend. He drove
up from Flint, took her to the
sheriffs department to file
charges and drove her to CMU.
Hurt said she suffered a bump
on her head, deep purple bruises
on her left thigh and right
elbow, a sore back and neck, and
lost a considerable amount of
hair.
The   two   students   did   not
(See "Assault"—page 9)
Senate's contract
status under fire
by KIM CLARKE
LIFE Ass't. News Editor
The Academic Senate's Executive Board is preparing to advise
the Faculty Association the Senate would like to have continued
input into personnel matters, but the FA has indicated such issues
can only be determined at the bargaining table.
Senate Chairman Wayne Kiefer said he hopes to have a letter
drafted today, approved by the Executive Board, and sent to the FA
Board of Directors by Tuesday or Wednesday.
The letter will indicate the Senate's support of a paragraph of the
faculty contract which allows the Senate to make any changes
pertaining to tenure, promotion and reappointment. The changes
must be acceptable to the FA and CMU before implementation.
Current contract negotiations pertaining to the tenure,
promotion and reappointment article recently were tabled after
little movement on the issue.
When questioned about the Senate's role in personnel matters,
(See "Senate"—page 2)
Freshmen proudly display 'tacky' Towers homestead
by DAN DeMAY
LIFE Staff Writer
If awards were given for the "best decorated
dorm room," four students in the Towers would
probably make a clean sweep.
The freshmen, who asked not to be identified
because of the less-than-legal nature of some of
their room's decorations, proudly claim their
abode has a personality all its own.
"At the beginning of the year there was a drive
to make the room as tacky as possible," one of the
residents said.
Nonetheless, when the average passerby gets a
glimpse, he's usually a bit awe-struck. Perhaps
it's the genuine, operating pinball machine or the
six telephones including bathroom service, or
even the highway 69 mile marker.
Or it might be the two stereo systems with
sexaphonic sound, the citizens band radio, the
public address system, the' extensive lighting, or
maybe even the stolen picture of Giantway
Discount Department Store's  manager  which
make the room unique.
Whatever the reasons for the room's
uniqueness, the residents admit it's a reflection of
their own personalities.
"It's an outpost of insanity," one said. "We're
all easy to get along with. We just like to put our
fun and social lives in front of school, but we're
(See "Room"—page 9)
In Brief
With today's issue CM LIFE suspends
publication until May 20. The LIFE staff wishes
the University community a safe and happy
summer.
Campus
LIFE photographers
captured the events of a
picture-perfect Mayfest
on film.
page 8
Sports
CMU's baseball
team dropped into a
tie for first place in the
Mid-American Conference after a
disastrous weekend,
page 12
Index
Arts and Leisure 6
Classifieds 17
Comment 4
Doonesbury  4
Horoscope  17
Off the Wire 2
Sports 12
Spotlife 17
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