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Rebellion sparks new RSO
Documentary of Uganda conflict to be show Sunday
The Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda rebelled against the government for more than 23 years, abducting children
to make up 90 percent of its resistance force. Students from Central Michigan University have formed a registered Student
Organization, the Invisible Children Club, in the aftermath of the conflict and are showing the documentary "Invisible Children"
at 2 p.m. Saturday in Pearce 128. The viewing of the film will be the first act to spread awareness. Tara Hefferan,
sociology, anthropology and social work professor, is the adviser for the group, which formed this semester. "My students
who have seen the film have been profoundly moved by it," she said. "It's (about) children trying to survive where there are
forces working against their dignity." Southfield senior and club treasurer Alex Citron said the group has been planning
to show the documentary since February. "The biggest thing is to become aware before you act," he said. Merchandise
from the club and the national Invisible Children Organization will be sold during the event. Five road crew members of the
Great Lakes team from the national organization also will be available for questions about the current situation in Uganda. Emily
Nuss, Invisible Children Club president, said she hopes at least 100 people attend the viewing. "I can be optimistic,"
the Lansing freshman said. "I'm focused about getting people aware." Nuss said she felt completely changed once she
saw the documentary in high school, and it was important to create a group for the cause once she came to CMU. "I know
I couldn't live my life without doing something," she said. "This stood out because it involves children's rights ... Whenever
someone in our world has natural rights violated, we should want to stand up for it." Though Hefferan said she has
heard of no future plans to continue to spread awareness, Citron said plans are underway to raise funds for the Invisible
Children Organization's Schools for Schools cause, which brings educational resources to northern Ugandan children. Mel
Batie, Schools for Schools representative to the Great Lakes region, said since the beginning, there has been a call for a
sustainable program in education for children of Uganda. The viewing of the Invisible Children documentary, she said,
has been a large contribution to spreading awareness of this effort. "Over four million people have seen (the documentary),"
Batie said. There are more than 100 universities and high schools in the Great Lakes region. Since September 2000,
schools from the area have collected $1.7 million in funds. "Michigan has blown up," Batie said. "They've all been
great schools." news@cm-life.com
Students look to make career impact
Mariah Hanson hopes to discover a therapy for cancer in her future as a professional biomedical researcher working with
adult stem cells. The Freeland junior will get some help as one of 12 Central Michigan University students in the 2008
McNair Scholars program. "It's hard for women in science," she said. "I want to raise a family outside of my career
ambitions ... I'd heard really good things about what (the program has) accomplished." The McNair Scholars program
is an opportunity for first generation college students and members of underrepresented groups to receive training for graduate
school. The program was named in memory of Ronald E. McNair, who was killed in the space shuttle explosion of Challenger
in 1986. His career as an astronaut and his achievement in education serve as inspiration for objective of the program. Those
accepted into the program attend writing seminars, carry out research with faculty mentors through the Summer Research Institute
and examine areas of interest for graduate study. "There's a ton of benefits that come with it," said Lynn Curry, director
of the McNair Scholars Program. The cost of remaining on campus over the summer, the students conduct their research,
is deferred with a living allowance in addition to the $2,400 stipend scholars receive once they have completed their research
project. While there is some financial support, being a McNair Scholar does not mean students receive a scholarship.
Students who qualify for the program apply to participate in fall. Their applications are reviewed by a selection committee. "It's
always a competitive process," Curry said. "We find students who have a Ph.D. as a goal." These particular students
are brought in for an interview before the decision is finally made as to which are chosen to be a McNair Scholar. "It's
a very personal evaluation," said Heather Minkel, Six Lakes senior. "But it prepared me for interviews in the future." Planning
for the future and education are the main goals of the program. Minkel, like Hanson, plans to research in biomedical
sciences to experiment with potential cures for Parkinson's Disease. However, she also has a specific plan. "I
would like to teach in the university setting," she said. Royal Oak junior Eric Schulz has the same drive to achieve
his objective. "I've wanted to go to graduate school for a while," he said. "It wasn't feasible given my economic situation." Schulz
plans to research in international relations this summer, and to someday bring a peaceful transition to eastern countries
in Asia. news@cm-life.com
New building could be in CMU's future
Plans to construct a new bio-technology building on Central Michigan University's campus could start in a matter of years.
The
state House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a capital outlay bill regarding funding of various projects for state
institutions across Michigan.
There were 26 schools total included in the bill; the House approved building ventures
for all 15 four-year Michigan institutions. CMU is among 10 schools that could receive a capped $40 million for its proposal.
"We didn't want to have to pick and choose," said Rep. Morris Hood III, D-Detroit and Capital Outlay Committee Chair.
"We ended up including all universities and community colleges (that sought funding)."
Capital Outlay is a joint committee
of 10 state senators and 10 representatives, who gave a number of schools the opportunity to testify and propose their institution's
project.
Kathy Wilbur, vice president of government relations and public affairs, presented CMU's bio-tech building
proposal in late March.
"That was an opportunity that the House afforded us," she said. "I guessed ultimately they
would have this type of bill."
Now that the House has approved the bill, it will move to the state Senate for consideration.
Eventually, the bill will return to Gov. Jennifer Granholm as it had with her original $1 billion state budget proposal that
excluded projects for several Michigan universities and colleges.
Wilbur said the primary reason for the approval of
the bio-tech building is to enhance CMU's science research capabilities.
"I give a lot of credit to the House," she
said. "We're very pleased they passed our project."
Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, was present at both Wednesday's
floor hearing and Wilbur's testimony before the Capital Outlay Committee.
"There was a lot of discussion of what proposals
should be in the plan," he said. "Individuals have concern whether we should use this amount of dollars."
While concern for providing an amount of funds so close to the bond cap was a challenge, Hood said each institution's
building proposal would help educate and reeducate Michigan's workforce, providing a projected 29,000 jobs in the long run.
"We
realize we're in a unique time," Hood said. "To bring companies and businesses to be located in Michigan, we must have the
workforce."
Caul said CMU's plan proposed the possibility of developing a medical school for family practice physicians.
"A
bio-tech facility would enhance that program," he said. "It's in the way early stages."
Wilbur said there are no specific
plans yet for a medical school, but the building would offer a lot to students on campus.
"You'd have a new state-of-the-art
facility," she said. "The areas where experimentation's would take place, I think it would greatly benefit the students."
Currently
there is no exact time scheduled for the senate's consideration, according to the Senate's online agenda.
Though CMU's
plans may not be underway until a final decision is made, Caul said the bill includes more than just university funding, and
several transportation and infrastructure issues must be considered as well.
news@cm-life.com
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