News – Page 4

New SGA President and VP Q&A (extras)

You may have already seen Joey Dearduff (JD) and Alessandra Varelis’s (AV) interview in the current issue of “The Pulse” (go and pick up a copy if you haven’t yet!). Here a couple of extra questions that didn’t make it past the editing and cutting down process.

The Pulse (TP): What are some of the main goals you want to accomplish as president and vice president?

JD: Our slogan for the campaign and what it will be for SGA as a whole next year, is “Believe, belong, beyond.” Those three words encapsulate what we want to continue on campus and what we want to push for even more next year. Believe is Alessandra’s and my rootedness in Christ’s transformative power and the university’s desire to pursue Him, love Him and serve Him. Our belief in that empowers us to belong and to go beyond. What we desire for this campus next year is to belong, to build support among and between communities. Like Alessandra mentioned, empowering the people who feel as though their voice isn’t heard. To let them know that it is heard. So, belonging. Having people on campus know that they’re loved and taking that fellowship and that love we have for each other and having it transcend outside of these boundaries, outside of the Spring Arbor bubble into the world around us. That looks like service and worshipping not just in Chapel, and inviting the community here and going out and loving the community.

TP: Have Ty and Holly given you guys any advice on what to expect?

AV: We’ve talked a lot with them. They’re great and very encouraging. They’ve said if we have any questions we can call, email or text them; even next year, when they’re gone, if we need any help or advice. I’ve met with Holly and she told me the beginning of the year is super busy so make sure we take the summer and plan and think through things, which is helpful because a lot goes on in the beginning of the year.

JD: Ty has been very encouraging but also very real. He mentioned the campaign and how exhausting it would be and how taxing. When I was elected, he pulled me aside and congratulated me and said, “Hey man, just know that when times get rough, and they will get rough, I’ll be here for you.” I’ve been communicating with Steven Hlatky, who was the student body president my freshman year, and we built a relationship my freshman year. Even Ben Frederick here and there a little bit. It’s been really cool how encouraging, how supportive, and how real current and past presidents and vice presidents have been for us.

By Amber Cekander

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Student created petition against trafficking gains support

You might not have noticed it, or ever thought anything of it. But when driving on Interstate 94 heading towards Spring Arbor, it’s almost impossible to miss certain billboards that advertise peculiar services.

Bold yellow and pink letters over a solid black background promote an Oriental Health Massage parlor. While seemingly innocent enough, the strange part comes further down the billboard where it says they are conveniently open seven days a week…until 1 am. Many people in the Jackson and Spring Arbor area know this as blatantly promoting human trafficking.

Currently, a petition with over a thousand signatures on it is being enforced through Change.org. When enough people have signed the petition, Michigan Representative Tim Walberg will receive a letter asking him for the removal of these billboards in Jackson.

“Every time I drive on I-94 I’m reminded that Jackson is a safe place for human trafficking,” said Dr. Matthew Hill, Spring Arbor University (SAU) professor of philosophy. “That sign is a physical reminder that the political leaders in the city of Jackson and Jackson county (many of whom claim to be Christian) are too scared or impotent to do anything about such depravity.” Opinions like these were expressed during one of Dr. Hill’s Ethics classes, which actually sparked the idea for the petition in the first place.

Josh Riddick, Lindsey Fluharty, Caleb Smith, Quinn D’Ascenzo, and Nikki Bonnema pursued the idea in Dr. John Hawthorne’s Spirituality, Faith, and Justice course as an “action” project. According to Riddick, his group was struggling to get things done with their other project ideas until the subject of the billboards came up in Ethics class and they decided to do something about it.

While there is currently no lawful proof that human trafficking takes place in these parlors, there has been questionable activity. Senior Lindsey Fluharty, as part of the action project, tried calling the phone number on the billboard to make an appointment, but reported that they wouldn’t let her do it and insisted she should make an appointment “for her husband” instead.

During further research of the subject, it was also discovered that the massage parlor has a profile on “Naughty Reviews.com.” A website who’s tagline is “Find naughty girls near you.”

o[1] — A picture of the parlor’s entrance

In past interviews, SAU sociology professor Jeremy Norwood has said “There is no reason that a massage parlor should be open at 1 a.m.; nobody wants to purchase a massage at 1 a.m.”

At the time of this writing, the student-led petition currently has 1,157 out of the 1,500 signatures needed to continue the petition process. Dr. Hawthorne said he has started introducing the action projects to his class because his students said they “wanted to actually do something.” This is exactly what this group of students is doing, and if others continue to sign the petition, they will be too.

To look at and sign the petition, visit this link

By Nate Bortz

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Have You Heard About SAU’s German Club?

Wir laden Sie ein, Deutsch zu entdecken! (We invite you to discover German!)

A recent addition to Spring Arbor University’s World Languages Department is Deutsch club (or German club) led by Prof. Kim Bowen, which was officially recognized last semester. Students can look for the German flag outside Ada’s Kitchen (in Poling Lobby) on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. to practice their conversational German and discover more about the culture.

Events

In April, the club will be putting on a German festival. There will be opportunities to eat German food, study a bit of the language, practice some German dances, and practice Scherenschnitte, an art form similar to making paper snowflakes.

“We are excited to see the campus get involved.” says Bowen.

On April 25, students will be traveling to Ann Arbor based German restaurant Metzgers for lunch. There students will receive an entree and drink, have the opportunity to taste a variety of side dishes and eat dessert for only $13.95, including tax and tip. At 3 p.m. they will be back on campus to watch the award winning Das Wunder von Bern, which tells the story of Germany’s soccer team after World War Two. History professor Dr. Correll will be guest speaking.

Events are open to all students and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Past events included visiting the Christkindlmarket, an outdoor German Christmas market, in Chicago. There students had the opportunity to practice conversational German with the vendors and sight-see in the Windy City.

Additionally, last semester students spent a night taste-testing different German foods, including Spätzle (macaroni and cheese), Bauernbrot (German bread), and Apfelschorle (sparkling apple soda). They then watched Lilo and Stitch in German with English subtitles.

“Generally Germany doesn’t get a lot of attention. This club is just bringing more to the World Languages Program.” says Allie Herkenroder, president of Deutsch club.

Education

Spring Arbor University students have the option to take two years of German classes. During this time students learn about the basics of the language and culture. Prof. Bowen begins every class with a German scripture.

Games are often played to keep the students engaged. “I want my classes to be interactive.” Bowen explained.

A German business class is also available for students who want to be able to use the language in their careers. Half of the class is devoted to German business language, while the other half focuses on the culture. This is beneficial, since there are over 200 German companies in Michigan and over 1000 German companies in the midwest.

Finally, both a study abroad and cross cultural experience is available in Germany. Both of these opportunities are available to students who do not speak the language. The University of Regensburg will be hosting their first Spring Arbor University student next fall, with two more planning to attend in the spring. There the students will have an opportunity to travel throughout Germany and the rest of Europe, including studying art in Rome and politics in London. The program is designed for Christian universities. Students will also have opportunities to do mission work.

“So much of American culture comes from Germany,” says Herkenroder “there is so much going on in the world and it is important to see how other cultures play with each other. Being able to see other country’s perspectives and the relationships between countries can help in a time of crisis.”

By Courtney Applebee

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Small College Invitational Art Exhibition

SPRING ARBOR, Mich.—Spring Arbor university art students have 42 works displayed in the Small College Invitational Art Exhibition that opened February 8 in the Ganton Art Gallery. The exhibition includes Spring Arbor University, Sienna Heights University, Hillsdale College and Cedarville University. Spring Arbor University students won the award in the painting, sculpture, graphic design and drawing/printmaking categories. A Sienna Heights University student won the award for photography.

Out of 207 pieces entered, 77 were accepted into the show. The juror was a professor of photography from Michigan State University, Peter Glendinning. An awards reception was held February 8 where Glendinning made comments about the winning pieces. Kerri Conrad, winner of the graphic design award, said he noted the quality of her work and that it was portfolio-worthy.

Professor of 3D design J.D. Garn said he is biased but SAU’s art program is impressive, especially compared to other schools the same size. The schools competing in this exhibition are about the same size and focus their art programs on good ideas, good technique and good design. Together, the schools donated $1000 to the exhibit. Glendinning decided to divide the money amongst the five categories, with $100 going to each winner and $50 to each honorable mention. Shannon Bardwell, winner of the painting award, said she spent her cash prize to buy another book about painting.

Kim Bigos won the sculpture award for her life size wheelchair made out of little green army men. She said she wanted to convey the concept that veterans sacrifice much when they serve and we honor them for their service, but we don’t really think about the effects. Bigos used more than 1000 army men, spending 60 hours on the sculpture. Bigos said, “I get asked a lot if I have a family member in the military and I do, but that wasn’t what I was thinking of when I created this piece.”

Amelia Harris won the award in the drawing/printmaking division for her illustration of a fairy escaping from a jar. She tried different drawing techniques before deciding on stippling, which means it is created with tiny ink dots. Harris said she was thrilled to be accepted into the show and shocked when Glendinning called her name to receive the award. She said, “I was just really honored that he chose my piece, because there were so many good pieces.”

Kerri Conrad said, “We have a close-knit community at the SAU art building, and I appreciate the ability to comfortably approach other artists for their opinions.” She said it is constructive to receive criticism and she values others’ critiques. Shannon Bardwell said the encouragement of her peers motivated her to keep working even when she felt her painting wasn’t going to turn out or when she thought she ruined the painting with a brushstroke.

By Jenny Croizer

Bomb Threat at Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church

Around 9:00am on Monday morning, students at Spring Arbor University (SAU) received an email explaining that because of a bomb threat at the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church (SAFMC), Chapel had been cancelled.

Early in the morning, SAU students reported seeing caution tape and police vehicles in the SAFMC parking lot. Damon Seacott, Chief of Staff at SAU, said, “Our campus safety folks saw a sticky note on the door that said there was a bomb at the church.”

Campus Safety Director Scott Krebill said that the threat was likely the work of a student or the relative of one. The note was a threat to the SAFMC rather than the Spring Arbor campus, but the time indicated was that of SAU’s Chapel hour.

Krebill said that this threat could be related to some earlier campus vandalism, including destruction in White Auditorium several days previous and defacing of trash cans the night before the note was found.

“The impact on campus was minimal,” said Krebill. The incident had far more of a repercussion for the church and the preschool meeting there. “I don’t think this person knew what they were doing,” said Krebill. “They probably just wanted to cause some trouble for the university. They didn’t think about how this would affect those kids in the preschool.” Some of the children’s parents still have concerns about whether the church is safe, he added.

According to Seacott, “The local and state police are handling it, if they do find out who did it, it’ll be very serious. Once they find out who, it’s no longer a school disciplinary issue.”

SAU students were informed of an alternative Chapel service that would take place in the Ralph Carey Forum (RCF) on campus. “We only had an alternative service because it was an Arbor Day,” said Seacott.

The prospective students visiting SAU’s campus and a small gathering of current SAU students gathered in the RCF at 10:00am for worship to hear SAU Chaplain Ron Kopicko speak.

“Still having chapel speaks louder than whatever this person meant to say,” said Krebill. “The bomb threat created an opportunity for the university to overcome adversity. And they succeeded.”

By Amber Cekander and Heather Clark

SAU Budget Cuts: What We Know

Facts:

Spring Arbor University (SAU) has laid off 21 full-time staff members in the wake of a five percent budget cut due to decreased enrollment.

In addition to the 21 full-time positions, several open positions will also not be refilled and some current positions have had hours reduced.

Ellis said over the last five years there was a 10 percent decline in credit hours produced and a six percent reduction in SAU’s net tuition revenue.

In a letter to the student body, Student Government Association (SGA) president, Benjamin Frederick, said there has been an 11 percent drop in revenue over the past three years.

He attributed this drop largely to “SAU global which drives 65 percent of the University budget.”

SAU Global encompasses a variety of online and remote classes. At its creation a statement was released by the university saying, “SAU Global will play a significant role in our service to traditional and nontraditional students seeking face-to-face, online and hybrid educational pathways to their personal and career goals.”

Questions:

A lot of questions have been raised in the wake of the cutbacks and we at “The Pulse” would like to address as many as we can with what we know.

1) Why are we having cutbacks right after building things like the globe statue and new tennis courts?

When people donate to the university there are multiple ways to allocate funds. Creations such as the globe and the new tennis courts came from donations specified for these constructions; essentially the donor said, “I’m giving the school X amount of dollars to build tennis courts.” In such instances it is illegal to use those funds for other purpose.

2) Are those laid off getting severance pay?

Yes, those laid off are being provided with severance pay in accordance with state law and SAU policy.

3) What was considered in deciding who to lay off?

When we at “The Pulse” asked Damon Seacott, SAU Chief of Staff, how the decisions of who to lay off were made he said, “Decisions of cuts were made strategically by the administration. We considered: How can we continue to serve our students at the highest level?”