Joutent Editor Chris Jackett Copy Editor Jessica Slpperley (iopv Editor Steve Ova res Designers Emily Cowdrey, David Ingold, Jennifer Stuard .journalists ■/ Lakeeya Blue, Stephanie Defever,-Megan Hart, Kaitlyn Hinman, Kelly|jlouse|BethJjHouser, Amanda Kauffman, Kristy McCown, Brittney Moody, Madssa Nelson, Courtney Robinson, Hanna Roszczenko, Lisa Shaw Photographers - Caitjin Anderson, Krystal Birgy, Jason Chiou, Leah Godzina, Stephanie Heaton, Kara Kcfmenec, Brian LaskowskE Irida Mance, .,,/f Jeff Proulx, Aritnony Riva, Bryna Shields, Jacob Vink Vttrs ¿éi/ saiu/r 7YUÙ rioséio. ¿ÜlétlM/ly. O,'penmff 'périme^ 'périma 'penine^ Bryna Shields es. 10 m'pemncj Bryna Shields ÍBrian Laskowski t3 2) ance ö hitcaiiöeö Camihter ail aroand Rebecca Corry, a finalist on NBC's Last Comic StandKg, reaches out to the crowd at the International Center. Corry heallined the Last Spartan Standing set, comprised of student comedians. Professional comedian||have becSme an addijonal feature to the event. / 4 L___^Jaf( (Campus aCij Studentcomedianbàttle The international Center was all smiles and laughterlgn’ Sept. 15 and-16 as M1 students and two professionals from NBC's "Last Comic Standing" participated in Last Spartan Standing. The competition began Friday, when 750 people turned out to watch the studenjl compete, with a finale by "Last Comic Standing" finalist Rebecca Corry. "All of the MS® Students were extremely funny! Each one had th* own unique way of tellBg stories andllkes and, by the end of the night, the judges had a hard time narrowing it down," said Josh Preister, University Actlyitls Board chairperson."The winner, Jerome Crawford, really stood out because of his'Dance-off'skit, and Imhink that really sealed the deal for him to win because so many students related to it and found it hilarious." Subject matter was widespread among the comedians, ranging from FacebocSo relationships to Justin fflRberlake. Crawford, an interdisciplinary studies in social science - law and society junior; filled his act with jokes about bathroom etiquette, Facebook, Bluetooth headsets and Bill Cosby and Steve»/vin impersonations. Kfhe competition was much better this year than in previous years,"Crawford said. "It was just so amazing, especially since I seemed to have built up quite a following and many people were looking forward to my act... especially when we started to dan|p|They roared. It was electric!" Crawford noted that journalism seniorTom Keller, last year's champion, gave him a run for his money. In the end however; Crawford won over both the crowd and judges, and ¡¡aimed opening act honor for "Last Comic Standing" winner Owen Smith in front of 300 people on the next night. "It was trulyian honor and he walfeally ecstatic to meet me. He was a down to earth guy that offered advfce, and that motivated me even more,"Crawford said."I think, seeing him, I began to critique myself and tried to get even more comfortable." With more than!,000 people attending the Last Spartan Standing festivities between the two nights, the show has grown from a relatively small production in the past to a campusimown event that many look forward to attending. The popularity of the event was evident with the addition of professionalknown acts from television this year. ■Owen Smith was one of those comedians who made you laugh no matter what he said. He had the audience rolling the entire night," Prajjer said. "Rebecca Corry is one of the funniest comedians out theHfght now. She was so willing to be a judge and giye advice to the comics before taking the stage Friday night." Chris Jackett “0L competition was much letter this year Ian in preuioitS years. Jerome Cravuiord allait CCpartan ddtandinq \AJinner incj Jerome Crawford, an Interdisciplinary studies junior, performs at Last Spartan Standing. CrawfoBbeat out other comedic hopefuls during the two-day competition. cJiait Spartan Standing. 15 Every fai Greek formal rœrdftment Jas certain a|;th®e^m Jr tem^raturës propping and the leaved; changing colors on thArees.Ifeiger young adtilts pome I drO'Htb find » »out thewreek sBem and ' ledge to different fratanities and sortHies. llsoropy recruitrri^Sinterested girl like Alyssa Johnson, dor Jleek^skirts and fancy shirts in searcjof the perfect sorority match. Just running ar$uftl and see^® all the house J it was so muMfunfiaid Johnsoh:, a Janœs Madislpn freshman. "Some people got strSed put, but I thAght it was really organized. Iw'something I really wanted to do." Greek recrifiment, or rush, lasted frf* Sept. 10-17.Wie weei kicked off withj|pjfit Dly olsept. 10 at IM West.pledges were thrown into a world of iri'oths with information on all T3 sororities. Aftl selecting nine to pwsue, the pledges had to wait to see which housësjhose them. The girls viewed t||g mutual slection Jusës, or thl hcwses thjehose Ifid that «ose Philanthropy Day.This was arfwo-day event in which th&pledges coulclneet^nd gleet eurre AsAority sistery Johnson continfed rush by Joosing several sororitil, including Alpha ®ii Omega and Kappa lappa G»ma. "It's pretty much just what house yoffl feel at home inf Johnson Rid. Pledges whittled down their choice of soroHJes from nine tJlsix for the nexlstage of GreBecruitment: Video Day. Facimsorority created a video to advertise to their recruits, and each pledge recaved information aboumthe costs of becoming a member. Preference Dajggarked thetend of the regruitmerap^As. Each girl had to narrow down thjfihoices and rank her top three sororitia§, Frowthe top three, every pledge found out wSch sorority granted them a bid on Sept. 17 and, soc^SafteS the whole-campu^knew Flffijla new clasaof pledges had beeiApmecf, The celebration was&iarked with non-stop||ar hornHid traffic flowed with carlparified in fgreek letter^! Johnsonshose Alphjlhi Omega fjHamong her top three cJ&^hBrlill took a^out 3a^^morganizing thSMgbie and bringrp|: it to iampusj^Sording to DeAnne Hamilton, WKAR's general manner. Hi think that anyone who is a citizen of this country,should be able to hear what thlcandidates have to say, even ludentsf Bamiltogsaid. "TheyiaMVotep, too." The augomobile induMry',Huplel with!he state path cl Bonom! was^wiajor issue of thdMiebaH-Graipholm spdH of e.xpeiBncHs with improving Michigan'^ponomyiMid her economidjplans for th^Htur^Miano the!l stBnmrvlohl Fund. DeVos usld hR business background from wcSkfjjfg with Amway to str^Bs the need to bring j|abs,ffe thgJstate. ■IK fighting B emryday citizens," (Wnholm said. "My opponent hat; ||ipported mho* polices; that hatjl hurt MichigahiiltBzritical as t-§tatAspecpiy with our eSnomi! challenges, that we move forward together" ^BtVolHponded by^Sng voters t!pu!hH in he comartd;runrffi-rBr go]J|r to applying for a job. "I'm asking you to hire naso that togethl! w!can mm “JtL inh that anyone who is a ct >hi itizen oj^ this country shou LU e alle to h ear wha t th e candidates haue to Say, even students. ^Jhey are uoters, too. ^Jiamilton Wander 20 ..........^Jafl C^ampui cHij Www. G) Jennifer - M m Tk# John Cherry * * * _ Jennifer- Grannolm g_________ John Cherry I www.GranholmForGov.com Supporters for Gov. Granholm cheer before the gubernatorial debate on Oct. 2. Mem­ bers of the public who came out for both ’sides of the governor's race gathered on the sidewalks. The debate was broadcast live from WKAR studios. Jlffi'IBuB, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and challenger Dick DeVos briefly shake hands after the conclusion of the first gubernato­ rial debate. i|he candidates answered questions about the economy and the state judicial system. Tim Skubick mediated the debate. Ilff PrtHJx With Emit the Frog, of "The Muppet ff§ow,"as the gtffid marshal, homecoming week Mded another shade of green to the festivities. Between student Bom buildmg latijnto the nigh® green and wlme ice cream giveaway,/the parade, tHi football game and theiwarms of students, alumS and local residents, SepB2|»| becamfia; very Ixcitingifew days. Throughoufthe week, thS^peciil events: took plaSleidingpto the parade on Saturday. "The parade bringl thlcommunity together, while thlBntire homecoming WeelUnd remindmnem of why thelBcorning together,"said Kristi Joufflan, a journaBm junior vB srved^iRidge f(|f the parade, "All of the g»du®s come||ackto visit their alma mater and rem®c®3 bout good times while|Catching up with o;o friends, ■he parade* more of an eftntgeared toward kids." Thlhomecoming parade wil led byfvSiiSin a convlrtible that was trailed by a row of floats moil than a mile long. Lym* Briggs created an innova»e float featuring fellow Muppets Dr. Bunsin Honeydew and Beaker with d^fHaubbly^Sut of gifts vials. From Hannah Community Center on Abbott Road, down Grand River Avenue and Bogul Street, to IM East, stldentiand n'earbyBiclnts of all IpesHied the streets, excite! by the Spartan spint that had' Pneompa^Sthe^mmunity. "The paradeitMlf was very energeti« and there was! very large crowd," Jourfan Sid. "The cdfpmuninlslsrysupportive of the cffy of East llnsin^H ■eturday's football game against thelghting lllini of lllinoiiwas juslas exciting, as Kermit m^Beveral appearances onmhe big screen throughout tigaame. starting So i^en! Go White!"chants that rang throughoutSpalan S«d jm. ThBpartansMIed to come out of the game with factory how Jit. dropping afl^-2Cpec®n as Illinois kicked a field goal through the uprights:as the finalBeConds tiBld off thetfock. Senior quartBack Drew »antoB was sacked five times, fumbled twite and the offJsive linefailetJTofscoreon multiple redlone possessionsSarly in the game. "The.homecoming^am*| was, as usual, a fun tradition to bla part off said Andy Rufffigw, a pacmging jurmr/Evemihough wididn'tladat IllinoiS/m was stilla OTpp homecomlg despite the event." ^BhriM^ptt. e parade brings the community toyetber, u/bife tbe entire L omecommy weet ? k end reminds tb i em oj^ wby tbey re cominy toaetber. d^ridti d/out'di an dournaliim unior Kerr^Mie Frog«gives a shout to the crowd amhe papde trave||1down ¡ifand River AvenHstu dints an® city residentsHcked to the str®ts to take- part in the festivities. KerrHilrved asBand marshfi for the WBM 22______Jail (dampaä Jßij Brian Laskowski Paraderaarticipantl high-five students t|nd city residents watching the acSon. The tvfjB-person paradS bikes were ridden dawn Grand River Avenue fps part of the homfccoming parade. Bohnny Spirit," one of Spartan sports'most weBnownifans, rides along t|aparade, taking inrahe moment with hiscamcorder. The homecomingfplarade was just one of many e^« he was sees at this year. "Spirit"is: knwn for his undying suppoig; of Sp^pn athletics, guarding the Sparty IBije near Demojstration rflll and brav­ ing 40-degree game ternpaatures with n®iin|;:but shorts aftim>dy paint. Poli® and university marching band move down AbbottPtrMet to kick off the Homecoming parade: Sfudents, alumni, families and residents of nearby towns lined t;-«streets to participate in the festivities. 24-----3alt C^ampui cyCij Brian LagKwslI nornecorvunff- 25 Picket signs were not far from the pro-life rally, as pro-choice; students protested the event. The protestors supported a woman's right tlchoose whether or not tcrlweH Ibortifjfflwhen pregnant. campu6 JefBlSulx Protest for Choice Rally for Life Wire dangers bealnggiper s«ns with the message "Whilwomen choose wl|en they have no. ®oi(M'' hung from trees arSfenKl around ell pus the weeSHd|t. 16. Thi we® was Youlg Worn* Weik of Action for uB. and Global ¡feproducti# Rights, andiS«|al campus groups made students aware of reprodi||tive issuelsul| as aboBion and contr^atives'.;- '*• On Oct. |8, tnerBwas aBelly held «the R^Hjv^wOmen's right §f choice, which la campaign ¡¡§u|ffhe Women'^Couiffcil'^d Students for ChoiolKoth of which are prS:hojcl camfM groupslput on the rally, Stumntsllr Life, a pro-life group, Ibid: a silept protelto oBt the rally and djffend the utttor^M "They also h® gomethinolwherl they pMupligns and hangers, Ind we went and put up our signs neStothen||laid Nafalie Kuzminski, a communrcatlln fftnees an||dlordel|junior arffl/iHpresident of Students for Life. Abortion las been a hot fesuelfor years, and Students for Life intended to Bp studentSwiformed by organizing a BrcfMife rally atl the Rock on lept.M, iStudentslbr Life is agstudent organization vi|h The gol of promoting pro-life awareness and opting in regards to abortln'i'ssue^B "Wepknow* real* :im|Sprtant^ get a ware piss But, especiily around eleclon time,"said Natalie Kuzminski,a communication scienBp and disorder Mior and vice presidenpof the cliH'We wanteKp peak people's. int«st." Themally featuii® speeches by Jd.S. Rep. Mile Rogers, R-B«fhton, Mich.,( and Silent No MdreHgroup of five.people (both me,® and wemerw from around the^ate who spoke fmut their experlnces yvith abortion.The Da\$fl Boggs Band, a Christian wckg;rOup:iom Ohio, rarformed for the crowd apd East LansBg politician John Knowles madl an appeBnee|-|c Thl point of the rally was «inform students of the potential threats A|Supbf pro-choicefHentsffipm PlBined Parenthood protested on reproductH righB and way«© prot® tlfim. tp-e^ntfrom th^brid|Son Farm Lane. |Ete p h a n ie pefevar "Theylfyerefelling and chanting stuff. fS^HEln't wantBo'-iffe a microphone because the! didn't careAKuzminsB said. "He gave^ome- inspBiolwdvicl and talked over the protestors." Oh ri Backlit PpSi o3 st u d e nts sta ke^m fn Fm l®n||Th«tude|t|M were protesti ng th e pr&life rallini progress.: Periled Paénthwd sponsIHl the JèfliiiÈ&ìffl P^Bcfi^BrouP- TheDa'Cd gpggs Band performed at the pro-lBrally in support of Students forlife.The Christian rock band is from Ohio. Local politician John Knowles alsolmade an appearance at the rally. Jeff PrOlilx _Àlortion Galilei____ 27 Kara Kamenec Invincibl^performs for the audilnce during NationaËoming dut week in the "Speak Out" poetry slamlnvinlble is originally from Palestine an^spoke out about problems in the Middle East, as well as gay rights. 28_____^Jall (Campiti oCire ShattertHESILENCE Thiweikof Oct. 7 marked the beginning of NationaMZoming Out week on campus. Organized by the office of Lesbian, Bi, Gay and Transgender Concerns HGTlthe week consisted of several events, mdivwlually sponsored by other campus organizations as|well. The Oct. Id-maintevent, "Speak OiE" poary *m, fSured sp§|iab||hest Juan Reyna, an jctorfed hip-hop spofln word performance artillByna, better known as JJ, serves as an adv|^Mfor tHLBGT health centeSn&ewTork. JJtperformed vafeus pfem® on §| wide variety of topiHforB™ audience inside: the WonderiHill kiva. The intimae setting ofthe poetryslam saw the kiva decorated with signs displaying messagls of eluality and justice for gen^E Tights. JJ captilatesd thlaudiencland modernized the spofe worlgenre, giving it a hip-hop feel with beats to bS it up. After JJtiHSbrmanee, the flodllbepame open mic, and audience'members were given an opportunity to*rform some of their own work. ■. "I heardyhe poetryllam would bl open mic, and thoughtl to share my thoughts,"saw EricB Photiades, a it would be k music educationlenior. National Coming Out week wasn't limited to just performers Speaking th«r minds ©impressing issues. The West Wilson Hall lounge hosted an interactive panel of students called "Guess Who's GayT'fjon Q|t.'11. PRISM, the lesbian, bisexual, gay, tranSifendered (a|fd straight) ally||aucus|br south complex, and the Wilson Hall mentors sponsored the event. MThe maijagpurfese ofthe presentation was to break the gender stereotypes pejfple have, and to show that sexuality is fluid," sail ferny Pimira, a communications junior and Wilson Hall mentor. The 11 member! of the panE talked briefly about their feteresljhome lives and majors, before the audience guessed th perform in the Haunted iHYi.The event took place during Ha ¡©ween weekentllP A four-year-old boy dressed up as a pirate fills up hi Halloween bag with popcomliutside of Kappa Kappa !@amma'sirouse on M AC. The^Safe * Halloween event extents down MAC (Mitsidlof many sorority houses. “Jt waó a lot oß worb ßor aó to pat it together, bat JÌ tbinb we were all óatiólied wi tli tbe oat- come Jfdlaó, it waó pretty ßan to ócare people. NiM®|n'tamaro oCaura Ì/Yj orlanti ^y4rtò 2) ¿rector ^Jdalloween W..I end- 35 SiA annual Spartan *3~dolretinó tnótudentparticipation Jd alwatjó loue Spartan sin ecauáe working u/i tk 20new people y JL aue neuer met. reallu lile , I Shannon SloHman UÆ Spirit and Sraditionâ director Advertising’junior Al jtandra Vosotas performs her first song on thBBial night of the Spartan^ idol competition. Vosotas made it to thllfinal round; of the competition after beating out 60 other contestants.. Tie Spartan Idol competition seems» be just asfpopular at the university as American Idol ¡¡jin Apgrican household! In its sllth ye* Swtan Idol'; still draws; jfigh numbers of contestant a hi aulien^w|mbers. ¡¡¡he Un||erJiy Activities Board (UAB) sponsor!; Spartan Idol each y«The ferrii finals for this yeal'siompetition werj^heldon Nov. 10, with thEhighly anticipated final round fallowing the next day. All rounds of thelopjpetitibn w^Eheld in the Union Ball oom. More than 6<5|&tudentS:, tried ou® b® contestant foEthe pow. The judging panel, insisting of a committee formSthrough UAB,cShis down toBO panjfipants.Thesf' B'®stan|I;:vvent on to perform |t the semi­ finals on the fir« night of the ¡competition. After tSe semi-fijals, 15 contllttjH were leaving five for Eh* final night of cut, Competition. The 20 contestants Bchosen went through thiflSweeks of rehearsing to prepare theBtelves for the ccljpetition.The Eonestants wereludgiaon abilar, overall performance and the entertainment factor, /liter their final perfo»ance, the audience voted on their plks for thiwinner of Spartan Idol. "I really Eked having it in the Minion instea®bf the InternationaCenter, where we hpjd most of our events, because it lloked beautiful with the chandeliers," said Shannon HoffmanEpirit and traditions director of UAB andffournSm junior "Also, I always love Spartan Idol because I really like working with 20 new people I have never met and I become so proujlf each of them at the end of the competition." On thefirst night ofthe competition, there were about 400 people in the audience, and about 300 people came out to see the final night oil he competition. KristeSownsel, a marketing, freshman, fist place honors at this year's toll EoEi petition. Asjthe winner of Spartan Idol, Townsel received many gifts and opiortuilties, jhcRling a demo-recording contract at Lighthouse Recording Studio in Dingondale. This included 25 demo CDs and five hours of studio recording time. Kristy McCown ALENTSTHRIVE Brafgon Edwards, Alexandra Vosotaii® Sufna Gheylra and Mrahelle (fdinma applalidlthe winnir on stag! at sfartan Idol. Thepontestan^ B:c ¡¡Sod for varioul prizes, including a recording contr^^B IlwisH Townplp- Jacob Vink H|ten Ibvimel wows the crowd with her performance at Spaltan idol.Townsel was selected as the top performer by audience members in this year's competition. Spartan Jdol— 37 St udents protect Apartan ótatut1e from uandialiiám In 198A th^Bve Our Spaty la m pi g n Bio red f h Rig u||| b|jt by 2004, it was believSthatlihe tara iotta statue would Iasi between five and slw m®re yearslbefor® H would bBimB un-repairaiple, aK harsh Michigan \^RB| and vandalism had lakBtQpir toil. ThR originll .figurRpgjg mlved inside Spartan Sta,«um, away from th party Watih^Hway to bring notPnlRtheMids and the uplMrsfiy together, but to be truly greenfed whiiBand to findRut who we afe," added NattraMfffl's defiiitely a way to get pumped beforithe Michigan gamp for sure." ^HourtnOy Robinson] Students watch "Little Giants"during Sparty Watch.The annual tradition protects Sparty from vandalism before the football game against the University of Michigan. Various students come throughout the week to show their school pride. m arta parly w aicn lÁJatch is a wa^ to Irina not only the Lids and the uniuersity together, Lat to Le truly areen and w k ite and to pind out who we are. Pre -t/eterinaru an d 2oolo^y ddopliomore ìfìd ellóóa ty]attraói E! While the b:ron||B)ar«npti§ue typify kieps watch over pampuS symbolizing iporti andB)irit, thR std|pe rec^eiquardinq of its own during rivalry wlek. MemlMrs of the Spartan Marching Bar: 1 and student ¡¡olunteerf: watched over ¡§part|i t|]% statue'l nickltamelduring She wegk priceding thlifootB game with intrastate rival, the University of Michigan. Afterjthe vandalism ofRpart'y. in pastlyears, such a's bluMpiffy paintin« studints now pgtMit their icon from potjntial vandals with round theplock giifcij U of M holds,# similar event on thiir DiaS to pro^Bthe«"M." Melissa NattraSftartan Band member,Lf|id tha protjpni the statup is § matter of student pride. She said that thedpurpose of the! watch is "to hai| out Be [awthel from to defend Sparty Matue] vandalism, just beiausBve can." Nattrasllsaid that the Thursday prior to the! same is the biggest light of M)irt| Watch. Thi^Bpgn estimated 50 to 100'.|fartanjjkept guard that night alonS Thi event also featured a disc |pckei and karaokelmafhine, tfunded by the Tau Betaflfgma and Kappa Kappa" Psi fOroriS^B ¡¡he Bp:time thi original ttatue isuffer«i:.^B)lue bath" W:gM|)05. Aug.B®006, marked the unveilingj of the new Spartan statuRcllt from the original Sparty, whSh studeH planB keep protected. 38 ____Jalt (dampu-A cJlij Sparty stands tall as groups of Spartans protect him. Students staked out the area with lawn chairs and blankets for a week, bringing TVs, hot drinks and snacks.The march­ ing band coordinated the event that was also open to volunteers. Sparty WJalch_____ 39 Students watch Sparty before the University of Michigan rivalry game.The watch prevents vandalism of the bronze Spartan statue. "Johnny Spirit" (not,1 pictured) said he watched the statue for days. Goy Jen$ferl|ranholm|g8ps the mi­ crophone as she addresses the crowd. The Union Balroom was packSwith GranWIm supporters who cheered after man|«a^:m»tâ«re made dur­ ing her speeS.Th®g#ernQf's words bfjcame intense and moying asSe begin to taR about theyrHcal Blues of yhe upcoming eleclon. Mediators and volunteetis'sorBrough question proposals forthBrBonteg^M AfteSJa blef break in the heafed MCRi debate, the audience w||pisked to write down questions f« either spealær. Thgse paslng the qifick screening were prSëntOT tqth^speaKr^B Biff Prafe From debates to raleMp candidate forums, thBchool year brought the electBn tocampus.Sents kicpd Swiith a democratiqrally held by Gov. Jennif^Gsnholm and otheH fpemocflts, incMjding Attorney General candidate Amos Williams andlenate candidate Gretchen Whitmer on Sipt. 23m The candidates Republican gubernatorial candidate DlckDeVos on hi*rgB®tancepp|Ssiti»nlf stem cell res^aith-and universal health care ¡imiSves "If he had lvariel»e would fly to get an abortln/WhSmer said."[We want] to make sure ibortions arEspfe, legal anprare." With the battle for Michigan Governor well underway, Oct. IB brought the race for stall HousSseslto campus, «fh idlpjate letwJInXpandidates, Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East-Lanswig, and John Know®, a unRersity law alumnus;. The candidates c^H§d mucltimetothepontriv|Sal ¡Sue of Proppal 2, of the Michigan Civil Rights InitiayelMGRI). ■She timeTigs not