Central Michigan University students found themselves embarrassed after using their creativity to fuel a successful show on campus Wednesday night.
Well-known hypnotist Tom DeLuca is no stranger to CMU’s campus. He made his annual appearance and chose 25 volunteers from the audience to join him on stage.
DeLuca hypnotized the entire group by playing soft music, while teaching them to breathe a certain way with their eyes closed. Soon after, heads lowered and DeLuca was ready to entertain.
He started by making them believe they were driving Ferrari’s, while speeding away from police and avoiding a dog in the road. Their reactions were believable.
DeLuca chose specific individuals to perform various tasks. “The person’s head I’m tapping right now, deep, deep asleep,” he said. “When you hear me say Mt. Pleasant, you’re going to think you’re Central’s ultimate cheerleader.”
CMU sophomore Matt Loomis got the audience involved with various cheers and movements.
Loomis only remembers being summoned onto the stage and “waking up at the end.” His friends revealed the humorous acts he performed.
“I really did that,” Loomis said. “I wish someone had it on video.”
Two men were hypnotized to be professional ballerinas and they danced their way around the stage and with each other.
The entire show lasted almost two hours and drew continuous laughter and amusement from the audience.
CMU junior Kristen Hales described her experience as “dream-like” and said mentally she was full of energy, but her body was exhausted.
“I have no idea what just happened,” Hales said. “I’m going to wear a bag over my head to classes.”
Hales was probably tired after dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” when she did an impressive moon-walk dance.
“Keep your eye on her, she’s dangerous,” DeLuca said.
Another woman was dubbed “Chief of Fun Police” so anytime the audience laughed she reacted angrily.
CMU junior Audrey Martin was in the audience and was caught off guard when the woman spoke directly at her for “having too much fun.”
“She threatened she’d put me in jail,” Martin said. “It kind of scared me when she was yelling right at me.”
On The Fly Productions hosted the annual event, which was free to the public.
Nearly every seat in Warriner Hall was filled and no one left disappointed.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Stresses Rise Finals Week
By: Nick Baker
The school year is filled with homework, tests, projects and quizzes, all which cause pressures to rise in college students, but it’s the week of finals that anxiety levels reach their peak.
Finals tests usually encompass an entire semester’s worth of information, forcing students to go back to information they learned months ago. This idea of having to remember such a vast amount of information can be daunting to a person, and in many cases, seems overwhelming.
Tommy Keegan, a senior from Berkley MI, is facing four tests with cumulative questions on them and he is having a hard time handling them.
“All my tests in my biology and chemistry courses have me remembering stuff from the start of the school year,” said Tommy, “I have to study for hour’s everyday just to prepare and I probably still won’t do very good on them.”
This stress can be health damaging and lead to a lack of sleep in many students and many have to deal with the anxiety in different ways.
“I try and watch TV to get my mind off of it,” said Tommy, “or I’ll play video games or hang out with friends, anything to stop myself from worry and think about something else.”
That’s not the only way to relieve your stress here in Mount Pleasant; many of the dorms bring in therapy dogs meant to release the pressure of finals. Jessica Wilt, a freshman from Berkley MI, in particular felt the dogs were very helpful.
“I loved the dogs,” said Jessica, “They really helped me get the tests off my mind. I’ve never taken a final in college before so I don’t know what to expect, it’s been really hard for me. The therapy dogs just really helped me relax a little.”
Even with pressure building up this time of year, many of those who feel the stress on the rise find a way to bring it back down. There are many options available for college students to relieve the anxiety that finals cause, all of which should be used if you feel the demands of the tests are getting to you.
The school year is filled with homework, tests, projects and quizzes, all which cause pressures to rise in college students, but it’s the week of finals that anxiety levels reach their peak.
Finals tests usually encompass an entire semester’s worth of information, forcing students to go back to information they learned months ago. This idea of having to remember such a vast amount of information can be daunting to a person, and in many cases, seems overwhelming.
Tommy Keegan, a senior from Berkley MI, is facing four tests with cumulative questions on them and he is having a hard time handling them.
“All my tests in my biology and chemistry courses have me remembering stuff from the start of the school year,” said Tommy, “I have to study for hour’s everyday just to prepare and I probably still won’t do very good on them.”
This stress can be health damaging and lead to a lack of sleep in many students and many have to deal with the anxiety in different ways.
“I try and watch TV to get my mind off of it,” said Tommy, “or I’ll play video games or hang out with friends, anything to stop myself from worry and think about something else.”
That’s not the only way to relieve your stress here in Mount Pleasant; many of the dorms bring in therapy dogs meant to release the pressure of finals. Jessica Wilt, a freshman from Berkley MI, in particular felt the dogs were very helpful.
“I loved the dogs,” said Jessica, “They really helped me get the tests off my mind. I’ve never taken a final in college before so I don’t know what to expect, it’s been really hard for me. The therapy dogs just really helped me relax a little.”
Even with pressure building up this time of year, many of those who feel the stress on the rise find a way to bring it back down. There are many options available for college students to relieve the anxiety that finals cause, all of which should be used if you feel the demands of the tests are getting to you.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
CMU Board of Trustees makes end of year business deals
By: Michael McArthur
CMU’s Board of Trustees met last Thursday to conduct end of the year business and to begin planning for next year. One aspect of business that was conducted was the increase of President Michael Rao’s contract and salary.
President Rao’s contract was extended to the year 2016 and he will also see a 3% salary rise going from $293,550 to $302,357. Rao is currently in his 8th year as the President of CMU making him the third longest serving university president in the state of Michigan.
While it seems that Rao has put in the time and effort to warrant such a raise, there are those who are skeptical about the extension and salary hike. Flint senior LaMarcus Howard represents those who are skeptical.
“Granted President Rao has put in the years to warrant the money, but we are just coming off the threat of a faculty strike,” Howard said. “If he was given a raise just because the Board thought he deserved one at this time, I find the timing very interesting.”
Along with the salary rise, the board also approved an increase in the president's retention bonus from $80,000 to $100,000.
Howard also went on to say that with big salary increases comes more responsibility and that he believes President Rao should take a more hands on approach with the university now that he has been granted a larger contract.
In addition to the extension of the president’s contract the board said goodbye to chairman Jeffrey R. Caponigro and vice chairman John G. Kulhavi. Both men’s trustee terms expire at the end of the year, but they will stay on board until Governor Granholm names their successors.
CMU’s Board of Trustees met last Thursday to conduct end of the year business and to begin planning for next year. One aspect of business that was conducted was the increase of President Michael Rao’s contract and salary.
President Rao’s contract was extended to the year 2016 and he will also see a 3% salary rise going from $293,550 to $302,357. Rao is currently in his 8th year as the President of CMU making him the third longest serving university president in the state of Michigan.
While it seems that Rao has put in the time and effort to warrant such a raise, there are those who are skeptical about the extension and salary hike. Flint senior LaMarcus Howard represents those who are skeptical.
“Granted President Rao has put in the years to warrant the money, but we are just coming off the threat of a faculty strike,” Howard said. “If he was given a raise just because the Board thought he deserved one at this time, I find the timing very interesting.”
Along with the salary rise, the board also approved an increase in the president's retention bonus from $80,000 to $100,000.
Howard also went on to say that with big salary increases comes more responsibility and that he believes President Rao should take a more hands on approach with the university now that he has been granted a larger contract.
In addition to the extension of the president’s contract the board said goodbye to chairman Jeffrey R. Caponigro and vice chairman John G. Kulhavi. Both men’s trustee terms expire at the end of the year, but they will stay on board until Governor Granholm names their successors.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Plowing the Streets of Lake Isabella
By: Nick Baker
Snow storms are now almost a daily occurrence in Mid-Michigan and that means more problems for drivers on slippery roads.
For cities like Mount Pleasant, the road commissions handle the plowing of streets. They use their allotted funds, salt supplies and plow trunks to clear the way for people to safely drive to their destinations.
The village of Lake Isabella though doesn’t have a road commission though and has to find someone else to plow their streets for their local residents. That hasn’t been a problem for Village Manager Tim Wolff, who has found the perfect solution.
The Village of Lake Isabella employs Wilcox Excavation to clear the snow off their streets and according to Tim they have been doing business together for close to a decade.
.”They do a great job,” said Tim, “We haven’t got any complaints and have been very happy with the job that they do.”
With the price of Diesel still fairly high, even after the drastic drop in fuel prices, an increase in Wilcox’s fee might sway Tim’s decision to stay with them. Instead, Wilcox lowered their prices from the following year.
“Their prices are based on fuel prices,” said Tim, “this year they went down. Last year we paid $115 per hour and this year we are only paying $90, which is their standard fee.”
Even without a road commission, Lake Isabella manages to make their streets safe for its residents, which is especially important with the snowy start we have had this winter.
“We aren’t going to change businesses anytime soon,” said Tim, “and they haven’t given us a reason to think otherwise.”
Snow storms are now almost a daily occurrence in Mid-Michigan and that means more problems for drivers on slippery roads.
For cities like Mount Pleasant, the road commissions handle the plowing of streets. They use their allotted funds, salt supplies and plow trunks to clear the way for people to safely drive to their destinations.
The village of Lake Isabella though doesn’t have a road commission though and has to find someone else to plow their streets for their local residents. That hasn’t been a problem for Village Manager Tim Wolff, who has found the perfect solution.
The Village of Lake Isabella employs Wilcox Excavation to clear the snow off their streets and according to Tim they have been doing business together for close to a decade.
.”They do a great job,” said Tim, “We haven’t got any complaints and have been very happy with the job that they do.”
With the price of Diesel still fairly high, even after the drastic drop in fuel prices, an increase in Wilcox’s fee might sway Tim’s decision to stay with them. Instead, Wilcox lowered their prices from the following year.
“Their prices are based on fuel prices,” said Tim, “this year they went down. Last year we paid $115 per hour and this year we are only paying $90, which is their standard fee.”
Even without a road commission, Lake Isabella manages to make their streets safe for its residents, which is especially important with the snowy start we have had this winter.
“We aren’t going to change businesses anytime soon,” said Tim, “and they haven’t given us a reason to think otherwise.”
Conference Gives New Students First College Experiences
When one signs up for a leadership conference they expect to hear from great speakers and possibly enjoy a couple of nice meals. With Central Michigan University’s Leadership Safari, one can expect those two things and a whole lot more of the unexpected.
Established in 1997, CMU’s Leadership Safari is a guided experience created by residence hall students to help incoming and transfer students learn more about leadership and other leadership opportunities at CMU, according to the Leadership Safari website.
Leadership Safari places students in groups ranging from 10-12 people and assigns them a safari guide. The safari guide is an experienced CMU student who has been trained on facilitation and how to lead small groups.
“The Safari guide is really crucial to the Leadership Safari program, said Dani Hiar, Leadership Safari Coordinator, The guide takes the group through various character building and group building exercises throughout the week of the conference.”
One of the more popular group building exercises is the “trust falls” activity. In this activity the students must stand approximately 5-7 in the air on wooden blocks and fall backwards into the waiting arms of their group. This activity is used to build trust and confidence in the group and usually brings the groups together.
“My teams seem to always become closer to one another after the all the trust activities each year, especially the trust falls”, said Andarius Taylor, Safari guide for the past two years.
Becoming a safari guide is a long and intricate process. One interested must apply by the middle of November. Once past the application process, one must go through a series of trainings and cuts before they are selected. Hiar states that although the process for choosing guides is a long one, it is vital in choosing the group of students who will welcome the new students on campus.
Not only do students take place in team building activities they also have the privilege of hearing different motivational speakers. IN the past students have heard from speakers such as Jud Laipply, Michael Miller and David Coleman. Students are also entertained each night with magicians, comedians and slam poets.
“Hearing David Coleman was amazing, it was really great to hear relationship advice from the original date doctor, said Kayla Carson 2007 Leadership Safari participant.”
Popularity in Leadership Safari was grown over the years. In 1997 the conference began with only 65 participants and in 2007 there were over 1,400 students who took place in the week long conference.
Not only do student have the chance to see great speakers, take part in character building exercises, and see some great entertainment, they also have the chance to move in earlier then all of the other freshmen who chose not to attend the conference according to Hiar
“Leadership Safari is a really fun way to get accustomed to campus, meet great new people and learn about getting involved”, said Miranda Crawford Leadership Safari Staff assistant.
For more information on the Leadership Safari conference you can visit them at cmuleadershipsafari.org.
Established in 1997, CMU’s Leadership Safari is a guided experience created by residence hall students to help incoming and transfer students learn more about leadership and other leadership opportunities at CMU, according to the Leadership Safari website.
Leadership Safari places students in groups ranging from 10-12 people and assigns them a safari guide. The safari guide is an experienced CMU student who has been trained on facilitation and how to lead small groups.
“The Safari guide is really crucial to the Leadership Safari program, said Dani Hiar, Leadership Safari Coordinator, The guide takes the group through various character building and group building exercises throughout the week of the conference.”
One of the more popular group building exercises is the “trust falls” activity. In this activity the students must stand approximately 5-7 in the air on wooden blocks and fall backwards into the waiting arms of their group. This activity is used to build trust and confidence in the group and usually brings the groups together.
“My teams seem to always become closer to one another after the all the trust activities each year, especially the trust falls”, said Andarius Taylor, Safari guide for the past two years.
Becoming a safari guide is a long and intricate process. One interested must apply by the middle of November. Once past the application process, one must go through a series of trainings and cuts before they are selected. Hiar states that although the process for choosing guides is a long one, it is vital in choosing the group of students who will welcome the new students on campus.
Not only do students take place in team building activities they also have the privilege of hearing different motivational speakers. IN the past students have heard from speakers such as Jud Laipply, Michael Miller and David Coleman. Students are also entertained each night with magicians, comedians and slam poets.
“Hearing David Coleman was amazing, it was really great to hear relationship advice from the original date doctor, said Kayla Carson 2007 Leadership Safari participant.”
Popularity in Leadership Safari was grown over the years. In 1997 the conference began with only 65 participants and in 2007 there were over 1,400 students who took place in the week long conference.
Not only do student have the chance to see great speakers, take part in character building exercises, and see some great entertainment, they also have the chance to move in earlier then all of the other freshmen who chose not to attend the conference according to Hiar
“Leadership Safari is a really fun way to get accustomed to campus, meet great new people and learn about getting involved”, said Miranda Crawford Leadership Safari Staff assistant.
For more information on the Leadership Safari conference you can visit them at cmuleadershipsafari.org.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Eye on Central: Youtube
Students answer the question: How do you use the internet video sharing website, youtube?
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