Oakland University professor Mary Stein has many roles.

To her family, she is wife, mother and grandmother. Married for over 30 years, Stein is the proud mother of four and spends as much of her down time as possible traveling coast-to-coast to visit her family, and “beautiful grandsons.”

“One son lives in Boston area and is a college student, my daughter lives on the opposite coast, in Seattle, and another son and his family live in Bloomington, Indiana,” Stein said.

In addition to her family responsibilities, Stein enjoys any activity that involves “invoking creativity.” From cross-stitch to cookie bouquets, she experiments in any hobby where she can channel her creativity.

Professionally, Stein’s role has just as many facets. 

An elementary education science professor at OU, Stein is the chairperson of the Institutional Review Board, overseeing research on human subjects at OU; and the School of Education and Human Services Dean Advisory Committee, leading the search for a new SEHS Dean. 

But Stein isn’t bothered by the workload that accompanies all of her titles. 

“These activities take a lot of my time and energy —  they are important responsibilities and I am honored to serve in these roles,” Stein said.

This year she added another role.

In January, the Board of Michigan Science Teachers named Stein 2010 College Science Association Teacher of the Year.

“I feel very lucky to have received this award because there are many who are worthy of receiving it,” said Stein. “I am also excited to have received it because it helps to bring statewide attention to the fine science teaching we have at Oakland University.”

The award, which is chosen through a teacher and student nomination process, recognizes innovative teaching methods, offering inspiration to students, and passion for both students and science. 

Stein, who plans her lessons with a “hands-on, minds-on, hearts-in” approach, believes that engaging students through interactive lessons relevant to their lives keeps things fresh and interesting.

“I design activities that will actively engage students in inquiring and critical thinking that generates genuine interest or enthusiasm because the lesson or topic is new to them and is relevant to their lives,” Stein said. “I also know that students learn a lot from each other as well. I build a lot of student interaction into each course session.”

Elementary education student, Katie Ziegeler, found Stein’s class to be informative and enjoyable.

“She is a wonderful woman,” said Ziegeler. “She is very kind and always willing to help. She always liked to make sure that everyone understood the material that was being taught.”

Stein’s love for science and teaching stems from her mother, Dolores Miller, who was Stein’s 8th grade science teacher and high school chemistry teacher.

“Once I became a chemistry teacher, I was calling her all the time to discuss how to approach teaching specific topics,” she said. “We went to science teaching conferences together and presented together for many years.”

In addition to her mother, Stein also found role models through her college years. At SUNY College at Buffalo, Stein’s science methods teacher, Dr. Joyce Swartney, taught her to always be “innovative and direct,” and never allow the subject to get dry. She said this is a goal she strives to work toward each day still.

Although the award is an individual recognition, Stein believes it will also benefit OU by putting the spotlight on an Oakland professor and students alike.

“It is the individuals who make up Oakland that set us apart,” said Stein. “We have dedicated, award-winning faculty who strive to make learning come alive.  We have students who work so hard, both inside and outside of the classroom, to achieve their dreams.”

 Others feel more secure in a smaller, more intimate classroom setting but still want to enjoy the typical on-campus social life.

 With both Macomb Community College and Oakland Community College nearby, many students opt to use community colleges as either a stepping-stone or in conjunction with their workload at OU.

 Junior psychology major, Elizabeth Tanalski, opted to take a lot of her general education requirements at Oakland Community College.

 ”I took classes in the summer there ‘cus it was far cheaper than OU and I could quickly get them out of the way,” said Tanalski.

 In addition to the monetary benefits, Tanalski also noticed a more diverse student body at OCC.

 ”The thing I noticed about the OCC is that there is a far wider variety of people who go there opposed to the university,” said Tanalski.

 Kaitlin Carnaghi, a freshman health science major, said the option to take summer classes at Macomb Community College would help to ease her financial burden.

 ”It is cheaper than taking summer classes at OU,” said Carnaghi about her decision to possibly take chemistry or physics at MCC.

 In addition to the option of applying and registering for classes at a neighboring community college, OU offers students a direct line to Macomb Community College through the Macomb 2 Oakland program.

 The program, which is available to students with less than 32 college credits, eliminates the legwork of applying as a guest student and transferring credits by allowing prospective students to submit one application to OU, which is then also processed at Macomb.

 ”The idea here is that the student can be concurrently enrolled at both establishments at the same time,” said Cheryl Rhodey, the academic coordinator for student success and advising at OU’s Macomb campus. 

“You can be working on an associate and a bachelor’s taking classes toward them at both schools, and they are automatically transcripted to the opposite school.”

 The program has seen a steady increase since its start in 2006. 

Now at 532 students, M20 grows by 20 to 30 percent each year, said OU director of enrollment outreach, Julie Dichtel.

 ”The M2O program gives the best of both worlds,” said Dichtel. “You are an Oakland University student but you can take classes at Macomb for less money … Students are able to enjoy the university experience from day one.”

 However, the Macomb 2 Oakland program offers more to students than cheaper classes at Macomb and coordinated financial aid. Concurrently enrolled students also have access to both schools resources including advising, library facilities and a more expansive course selection.

During Monday’s address to faculty and staff, OU President Gary Russi said enrollment is up for community colleges, which could affect OU both positively and negatively. 

While it may initially take away from OU enrollment as more students go to community colleges, most of them transfer to larger schools, including OU.

Russi also suggested that a program similar to the M2O program with OCC may be in the works. 

Students interested in the Macomb 2 Oakland program, can visit the M2O site at http://www.oakland.edu/m2o/.

The zoning ordinance, although not directly addressing medical marijuana laws, states that “uses for enterprises or purposes that are contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances are prohibited.”

While Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act legalized marijuana use for medicinal purposes in 2008, federal laws still prohibits what Livonia city attorney, Donald Knapp calls, “marijuana businesses.”

“The ordinance doesn’t even say anything about medical marijuana … If you have a valid Michigan medicinal marijuana card and you are in possession of it (marijuana), you’re not in violation,” said Knapp. “However, if you’re a caregiver attempting to distribute or sell it in a storefront, that would violate federal law.”

Knapp said that Livonia residents have not voiced any objections to the new ordinance.

However, Oakland University electrical engineering student, Anthony Leo, while not a resident of Livonia, would not be in support of such laws in his community.

“I think that it’s kind of a lame attempt at a community just trying to sit on the fence on the issue,” said Leo, who voted against the Medical Marijuana Act. “If you can go to a neighboring community and get it, then still use it in your community, then it’s still in your community whether you ban distribution or not.”

Other communities, including Royal Oak, have started to look at how to manage medical marijuana shops.

“The planning commission is currently considering what kind of amendment to make to the zoning ordinance considering medical marijuana … we’re taking a look at both side of the story,” said Royal Oak city attorney, Dave Gillam.

According to Gillam, while no final decision have been made, Royal Oak Chief of Police, Chris Jahnke, recommended the commission follow Livonia’s example of banning dispensaries from operating within the city.

Knapp also stated that Livonia’s legislation came about in part because of confusion about what the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was targeting and voters not fully understanding the law.

“The law (Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act) was poorly written and does not address the right issues,” Knapp said. “Frankly, we’re not interested in these type of businesses operating in Livonia.”

On a campus of over 18,000 students, it can be hard to imagine ensuring safety to every individual.

Over the past decade, threats at universities have made headlines, and while Oakland University has been fortunate to keep most dangers at bay, it does not come without great effort and personal responsibility.

OUPD Lieutenant Mel Gilroy believes that concentrating on preclusion is key to keeping it that way.

“We’re always focusing on prevention and deterrence,” said Gilroy. “… We’re never going to tell you that nothing can happen to you, but we can demonstrate this is a safe community.”

According to the Oakland University Police Department’s website, Oakland has one of the lowest crime rates in Oakland County.

Many students agree that Oakland’s campus is safe and at most times feel secure when attending classes.

“I do feel safe on campus, but it’s mostly because I’m not here during the night,” said freshman Nasihah Barlaskar. “All of my classes are in the daytime, and Auburn Hills is in general a safe city.”

In 2008, OU became one of 13 universities nation-wide to receive a federal grant called the Emergency Management for Higher Education, which was established to fund development and implementation of new programs for preventing and combating on-campus violence and other disasters.

Although guaranteed safety is unattainable, there are still numerous resources available for students to better protect themselves and their property while on campus.

Text Message Alert System

Introduced in the fall of 2008, the text message alert system allows students and faculty to register their phone number with OUPD to receive alerts about on-campus emergencies.

“The text message system is designed to quickly alert community members who are not sitting in front of a computer or desk phone,” said Oakland University Police Chief Samuel Lucido in a press release in August 2008, when the system was first implemented.

Sophomore Angelica Barich-Kwolek remembers the text messaging system being very convenient during prior emergency incidents.

“It was nice to be aware of what was going on instead of being clueless like most students. I was able to continue my normal routine because I had confidence it was being dealt with … it’s very helpful, so I really like it,” said Barich-Kwolek.

Senior Jim Sardelli II agreed.

“When there was a threat last year and everyone in the room got them (the text messages), we told the teacher even before she knew,” said Sardelli II.

To register, students should visit the Emergency Notification website at https://www2.oakland.edu/secure/grizzid/oualert/.

Reverse Text Messaging System

In addition to students being able to receive text alerts from OUPD it is now possible for them to send them as well.

By texting 911@oakland.edu, students can send a text to OUPD dispatch if they are involved in, or are witnessing something that they are unable to or uncomfortable with discussing over the phone.

Emergency Loudspeaker System

Said to be the “latest in OU’s arsenal of mass communication to the community,” by OUPD Captain Mark  Gordon, the Emergency Outdoor Loudspeaker system allows OUPD to activate one or many of the loudspeakers on the blue light emergency phones to alert the campus community.

“We can give out emergency information, guidance, or instructions, what we want people to do during the emergency, where we want them to go, or where we want them to avoid,” said Gordon.

Rape Aggression Defense Classes

Offered at OU since December 1998, RAD classes have now succeeded in teaching self-defense to roughly 2,000 women. The key to these classes, “simply put: empowerment,” said OUPD Sergeant Terry Ross. “RAD offers a toolbox of options for women to use should they find themselves in an abductive or assault situation.”

A combination of lecture and simulation, RAD is an international organization and the only course of its type endorsed by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.

Basic RAD openings are available for January and February. Students can register or get more information at http://www.police.oakland.edu/rad.

“Women leave the class with a new sense of awareness and confidence about their personal safety. We have heard from numerous past students’ success stories,” said Ross.

OUPD Escort Service

For students who stay late on campus, OUPD offers an escort service where an OUPD cadet or officer supervises a student walking to their car, dorm or apartment when they may feel less than comfortable.

“It comes back to crime prevention and deterrence,” said Gilroy. “You’re vulnerable when you are isolated and alone. We have always talked about safety in numbers.”

Students can call OUPD at 248-370-3331 and request an escort any time during fall and winter semesters.

Blue Light Phones

Prevalent around campus, OUPD’s blue light emergency phones first began to be installed in October 1994.

With a total of 13 phones now installed across campus, OUPD can field a call from a phone, gather information and respond to an emergency in as little as 90 seconds.

Placed in both high-traffic and dimly lit areas of campus the phones are easily accessible to students.

“The blue light poles are efficiently placed close by everywhere on campus,” said freshman Roberto Morales, who said he generally feels safe on campus.

In addition to the outlined programs, OUPD encourages students to report anything suspicious.

“Everyone has instincts to know what ‘normal’ looks like … we rely on the community to let us know what sticks out to them,” said Gordon.

For more tips on how to stay safe on campus, please visit http://www.police.oakland.edu/safety.

Over 30,000 spectators flooded the streets of downtown Rochester Monday to take part in the annual Lagniappe and Big Bright Light Show.

Celebrating its 37th birthday in Rochester, the Lagniappe, which is Creole for “a little something extra,” is a chance for local business owners to give back to the community and the people who shop there year round.

Many stores have special offers or free gifts during the Lagniappe, as well as extended shopping hours.

“It really stretches across the board,” said Stacey Keast, event coordinator for the Rochester Downtown Development Authority. “I saw light up necklaces, cookies, sandwiches, some people even did in-store entertainment.”

Cupcake Apparel and Gifts, a boutique that sells women’s fashions, as well as a variety of accessories and gifts, thanked customers by handing out free cupcake bonbons to the first 150 customers.

In addition to local deals, the evening included the lighting of the 4th annual Big, Bright Light Show.

This year’s show is the biggest in the town’s history. The lights stretch from the bridge on Main Street all the way north to Romeo Road.

At 7 p.m. on Monday, over one million lights in almost every color imaginable were turned on, lighting up every shop front along Main Street.

“It’s always my favorite part to hear the excitement and cheers of the crowds when we turn all the lights on for the first time,” said Keast.

Event-goers also traveled down Fourth, Walnut and Water streets to see more light displays, including the Snowflake Spectacular at the Rochester Mills on Water Street.

Most businesses on Main Street had lines out the door.

“It’s been busy all night,” said Dessert Oasis owner, Charlene Hamood, of business at the restaurant during Laginappe.  “But people are being really patient, so that’s nice.”

Oakland University student, Nick Bolinger, stopped at Gus O’Connor’s for some food and drinks with friends.

“Lagniappe was a lot of fun,” Bolinger said. “The streets were packed as well as the bars.”

While he enjoyed being able to look at the lights, walk the streets and see some familiar faces downtown, Bolinger was slightly disappointed with certain aspects of the night.

“The lights downtown are cool because no other city does something like that, but the ceremony is lame,” Bolinger said. “There isn’t even a countdown. The only down side was the disappointing beer specials.”

For those who missed Monday night’s celebration, it is not too late to take part in the downtown festivities.
The Hometown Christmas Parade is on Main Street Dec.  6 at 2 p.m. The town also has an Old-Fashioned Christmas celebgration Dec. 12 at the Rochester Hills Museum from 1 – 4 p.m.

Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland County, and the Oakland County Parks organize the winter festival and, according to Keast, it is a “really great time for everyone who comes out.”

The Big, Bright Light Show will continue every night from 6 p.m. to midnight until Jan. 3 and Keast, along with the rest of the DDA, encourages the community to come check it out.

“You have to see it to believe it,” said Keast. “Come see what it’s all about.”

For information on upcoming events in Rochester, visit the DDA homepage at downtownrochestermi.com.

Hector Jackson and Alexa Van Vliet, along with help from the Gender and Sexuality Center, the Gay-Straight Alliance and the Sociology Club, have organized a week full of events to remember, spread awareness, and educate students on issues surrounding the transgender community.

On Monday, Jackson and other members of the GSC discussed transgender issues in Lake Superior Room B while the names of transgender individuals who were killed as a result of hate crimes, looped in the background.

“Shot to the head” and “stoned to death” were described as causes of death on the screen, depicting just how brutal some of the crimes could be.

“The importance of these events is to remember people who have been killed. We also ask that in this week people examine their own prejudices,” Jackson said. “These events are targeted to everyone, not just the trans or LGB community. We want everyone to reflect on these problems.”

Wednesday, the Sociology Club is sponsoring a showing of “For the Bible Tells Me So,” a documentary that examines the intersection of homosexuality and religion in the US and its effects on the gay community. The GSC will also host a drop-in discussion Thursday at 11:30 a.m. during their normally scehuduled “That Time of the Week” program.

The GSC is also sponsoring a petition which asks OU to include gender identity and expression in the Oakland University non-discrimination policy against bias-based discrimination, violence and harrassment.

“We have a chance at Oakland University to reject; to reject discrimination, to reject prejudice and reject the violence that comes from them by being inclusive in a policy that would protect everyone,” said Melissa Pope, coordinator of the Gender and Sexuality Center.

Events on campus conclude on Thursday night, with a 7 p.m. showing of “Boys Don’t Cry,” in Lake Superior Room A, Pope also encourages students to attend the Nov. 20 Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial at the Drayton Avenue Presbyterian Church in Ferndale, to listen as the names of all the victims murdered last year because of transgender identification.

“It’s extremely powerful especially when you see how many murders are unsolved. It’s an eye-opening experience” said Pope.

Students can drop by the GSC on the bottom floor of the Oakland Center across from the student lounge and speak with both Pope and Jackson.

Grothe is the vice president and director for outreach programs at the Center for Inquiry. His lecture is titled “Darwin Made Me Do It!”

It is an investigative look into secular versus religious ethics, and whether it is possible for non-believers to be ethically and morally good.

“There is nothing wrong with a religious morality, if it’s moral,” Grothe said. “Unfortunately, there are a lot of religious moralities that are simply immoral.”

Grothe is also the associate editor at Free Inquiry Magazine, as well as host of the nationwide radio and podcast show, “Point of Inquiry.”

“When you do something that you think is right because God says, how do you know it is right?” Grothe said. “As an atheist, I believe the best way to see right from wrong is to look at your conscience and the consequences.”

The audience will hear Grothe’s ideas on secular ethics. Lecture topics will include how it is possible to be a good person without belief in a higher power, and how he thinks religious ethics could be to blame for many of the world’s problems.

“Being good for the sake of God is not being good at all,” said Grothe.

Mary Taylor, atheist and employee of the Center for Inquiry, hopes the program will not only enlighten members of the secular community, but will also benefit those with religious beliefs.

“So many people, when confronting the nonreligious community, claim that if you don’t have religion, you can’t possibly be ethical,” said Taylor. “What I am hoping is that students and other people will come away with the realization that indeed secular ethics are quite possible, that you can find your ethics based in care and love of your fellow men.”

Grothe agrees, and feels that there is no better time than the college years, for people to examine religious and ethical beliefs.

“Universities have as a goal to ask big questions where nothing is off limits, nothing is taboo. The idea is free unfettered criticism and inquiry,” Grothe said. “You shouldn’t conform education to your preconceived ideas. Ideas should follow education where it leads.”

The Center for Inquiry has student organizations on six different college and university campuses across Michigan, including Michigan State University and Ferris State University.

Admission charges will be waived for members of “Friends of the Center.” People of all religious and secular views are welcome to attend.

The Center for Inquiry is a nonprofit education organization that promotes the scientific study of religion and ethics.

The lecture will be at 7 p.m. and admission is $6.

For information on “Darwin Made Me Do It!,” as well as the Center for Inquiry, visit www.cfimichigan.org.

However, for thousands of Michiganders, home may be nothing more than an abandoned building or a public park.

According to the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, there are 86,189 homeless people living in Michigan.

In 2008, Michigan saw an 11 percent increase in the homeless population, after numbers seemed to previously be decreasing.

November 15 kicks off Michigan’s annual Homeless Awareness Week, coordinated by the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness.

“In the last year, we were walloped,” said Jason Weller, executive director of the Coalition. “The amount of unemployment paired with the number of foreclosures creates a vacuum. These things feed off each other, which is why we have seen such a huge rise in homelessness.”

Throughout the week, Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, along with other local community outreach programs, will be putting on a number of different programs in order to both raise awareness about local homeless populations and aid those in need.

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Detroit, the Coalition is sponsoring one of many Project Homeless Connect programs that will take place across the state.

Project Homeless Connect provides a variety of services to the homeless and “at-risk” community, including free medical consultations, barber services, and food giveaways.

“All services are donated labor. It’s a way to begin to educate the community, because it impacts the community as a whole,” said Weller.

In addition to the Project Homeless Connect programs, there are a number of other events to raise awareness, including Macomb County’s poverty simulation on Wednesday, and Kalamazoo’s candlelight vigil on Friday.

“The poverty simulation is great. It’s for people who might be at risk who aren’t familiar with the system. It walks them through the tough daily decisions you have to make when homeless, and where to go for resources,” said Weller.

In addition to the Coalition’s events, there are a number of alternative ways that students can get involved.

Oakland University nursing student, Alaina Matteson, along with other students in the nursing program, volunteered at Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac for a class project on homelessness.

“We found they needed more men’s clothing and business attire for interviews, so we are going to donate clothing and make a brochure on hypothermia,” said Matteson.

On campus, a number of student organizations are sponsoring “All for One,” a food/dollar drive that donates all proceeds to Gleaner’s Food Bank.

Gleaner’s provides for a number of families, as well as several homeless shelters across southeast Michigan.

To donate, students can drop off cans to one of the 30 marked boxes around campus or make monetary donation to “All for One” sponsors. Donations of canned goods, dried pasta, cereal, and household items are all welcomed.

For information on Homeless Awareness Week and ways to help, visit http://mihomelessweek.org.

A revolutionary fashion photographer, Avedon spent the greater portion of his life dedicated to reshaping couture photography.

He set himself apart by uncovering unconventional beauties, such as ’60s Portuguese/Chinese model China Machado, who broke the mold by being the first non-Caucasian cover girl in the Western world and emphasized the importance of the model, as no longer just a prop for the clothing, but rather an equally important facet of what he called “the fashion essay.”

For the first time, roughly 180 of Avedon’s masterpieces are on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The collection, titled “Avedon Fashion Photographs 1944-2000″ is a comprehensive study of Avedon’s 50 years of work in what was a continually changing fashion scene.

It follows his humble beginnings as an advertising photographer in the post-World War II era at “Harper’s Bazaar,” to his final works with top models including Kate Moss and Gisele Bunchen.

“It’s like a walk down memory lane,” said Pam Marcil, the public relations director for the DIA. “The photos start in the ’40s and the fashion is fascinating. You’re able to see how fashion has evolved and some fashions have come back.”

The exhibit, which features photographic prints, magazine features, and never-before-seen contact sheets, is a little different than previous exhibitions at the DIA.

When patrons enter the first room, stark white walls, high ceilings and a large screen await them.

Within moments, Graham Beal, director of the Detroit Institute of Arts, appears on the screen, and welcomes you to what will be the DIA’s very first cell phone tour.

The audience is told to turn their phones to vibrate, and watch for the small signs with phone numbers next to certain photos.

After dialing the number, the caller is greeted by a woman’s voice who gives background on the particular photograph, as well as insider details about Avedon’s creative process and development as an artist.

In what Marcil calls, “keeping up with the times,” the DIA is also allowing their followers to become involved in the arts by offering free VIP tickets to the Avedon exhibit to the winners of its Fashion by the Decade contest.

In honor of Avedon, the DIA is asking the community to send in their fashion photos in order to create a fashion-by-decade online yearbook.

The site, which asks for photos to be sent to fashion@dia.org, solicits all types of photos, stating, “Show us your fashion evolution! Send pics of yourself, your family and friends throughout the decades. The good. The bad. The ‘what was I thinkings.’”

People who submit photos are automatically entered into the weekly drawing for VIP tickets to the Avedon exhibit, which runs through Jan. 17.

“People will enjoy this as something different, everyone likes fashion. To see how it’s done throughout decades is so interesting,” Marcil said.

Murray Grondin, local photographer and associate creative director for Detroit advertising agency Team Detroit attended the exhibition and felt the photo display represented Avedon “remarkably.”

“Richard Avedon’s breadth of work is staggering, and the exhibit at the DIA is an exhaustive collection spanning a remarkable 50 years. He defined fashion photography, setting the bar, and all of his iconic shots are represented: Dovima with Elephant and Suzy Parker in Dior,” Grondin said.

Not only were earlier Avedon photographs moving, but Grondin also found the more recent photos to have a similar, astounding effect.

“Amazingly, his later work was just as fresh as his earlier ventures,” Grondin said. “A campaign for Versace, and work with Stephanie Seymour show that he is the master of fashion photography bar none.”

Avedon died October 1, 2004, as the result of a brain hemorrhage while shooting an assignment for The New Yorker. Even in his last days, Avedon was still striving to break down the barriers in traditional photography and capture couture fashion in innovative ways.

He is revered as a master by many, and his groundbreaking work in the fashion and photo industry remains unmatched.

Go to dia.org for more information about this exhibit.

The National Association of Schools of Dance extended both accreditation and full membership to the OU dance department.

Greg Patterson, director of the dance program, was unavailable for a comment, but was quoted in a press release as saying, “Attending a dance program that is fully accredited with NASD reassures students that they will receive high professional training that is a necessary step towards becoming a professional dancer.”

The NASD prides itself in establishing a national standard for dance programs across the country. Currently, roughly 74 programs have received such recognition.

The NASD has strict criteria for the institutions which are welcome into association. The process, which Patterson described as grueling, involves NASD members observing classes, reviewing curriculum and interviewing a variety of university officials, including Patterson and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Ron Sudol.
For more information on how to get involved in the OU dance program visit www.oakland.edu/mtd.