By: Alexander Landen

When most people hear the word “Forensics” they think of CSI.

However, when this word filters through Quirk Theater Building and the Communication Department, it means something different. The word “Forensics” is rooted from a term meaning the “search for truth.” This is how it relates to the Eastern Michigan University Forensics Team, one of the most successful and competitive speech and debate teams in the United States.

Almost every weekend of the academic year the EMU Forensics team travels around the country, anywhere from Ohio to Texas or Florida, competing in Speech and Debate tournaments against other Universities and Colleges.  The students competing on this team concentrate on three genres of speaking which are interpretation, public address and limited preparation.

In total these three genres encompass 11 competitive events. Interpretation includes Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry, Prose, Dramatic Duo and Program Oral Interpretation. Public Address includes Informative, Persuasion, Rhetorical Criticism and After Dinner Speaking. Finally, Limited Preparation includes Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking.

All of these events have different guidelines and styles of speaking that the student are judged upon and awarded for their success. The reason the EMU Forensics Team is worth mentioning is because it provides a strong tradition of excellence to our University.

Eastern Michigan is home to the only collegiate forensics team that, in 40 years of competition, has never fallen out of the top ten teams in the country. Over recent years, the team has continued to produce excellent team results as well as producing an individual finalist in every one of those 40 years. However, awards are not the only great thing that forensics provides to the students who take part in it.

It is also an excellent way for students to express themselves mentally and emotionally. This allows them to expand their thoughts and develop excellent public speaking. It is often joked in the forensics community that public speaking is the number fear of Americans and the competitors attack that fear every weekend.

By: Sarah Orr

In a galaxy far, far away also known as EMU, there’s an ID card who saves the day on a regular basis:

1)     Are you hungry?

2)    Do you want to get into an EMU sporting event?

3)    Do you want to work out?

4)    Want access to your residence hall and room?

5)    Want to type a paper at 3 a.m. in the morning and need access into the 24-hour computer lab?

6)    Want to check out books at Halle Library?

Well guess what? You can satisfy all of your needs with the all-powerful EMU ID card!

For food, you can use your ID card at the Commons, the Eateries or the other food options on campus. For sporting events, you ID card will get you into Rynearson Stadium, the Convocation Center and the other stadiums where home games are located. The REC/IM building swipes this magical card in order to allow you to work out until your heart’s content.

The 24 hour computer lab is accessible from outside of the Student Center which your ID card will also gain you access to. The FYC and the other dorms on campus require an ID card to gain access during certain times, but also the FYC requires an ID to open the door to your room. Finally, need books to read leisurely or for classes? The Halle Library staff just need your EMU ID to check you out.

What adventure have you put your EMU ID card through this semester?

By: Rachel Burford, Major Events Coordinator

My name’s Rachel and I was, and still am, just your average small town girl.

I grew up in a (you guessed it) small town about an hour away from Eastern Michigan University and I thought I was set right where I was. As a home body, the thought of moving away to a big school with big buildings and thousands upon thousands of people scared the living daylights out of me.

However, I pulled up my britches, remembered that my education was important and I moved myself into EMU. My first week here, I cried myself to sleep every night; feeling so lost as a small town girl in this great big university.

I suddenly had work, classes all over the place, piles of books and living with strangers. I felt like what a cold water wake up must feel like: Lying in bed all warm and cozy, when someone throws an ice cold bucket of water on you. Shocked, startled and almost painfully made aware of the fact that I was thrown head first into a vast world that I was completely unfamiliar with. Now, I sit here, three and a half years later, looking back and almost laughing at how silly I was to be so frightened and bewildered by something that has grown to be very dear to me.

All I know is that, when I use to picture “home,” I would picture a small town with a general store, grandparents right down the road and family dinner at 8 p.m. Now, three and a half years later, when I think of “home” I think of EMU.

By:  Margaret A. Beccavin
Office Coordinator, Admissions Welcome Center

Almost every professor tells you on the first day of class to make a friend who you can rely on in case you miss class. Let’s be honest, people skip class in college all the time. I’ll say with confidence that a high majority of students don’t take their professor up on this because it feels awkward turning to the stranger sitting next to you and giving them your number.

I know this because three and a half years ago I was that nerdy and outgoing person who did turn to someone to see if they would be my “classroom buddy.” A majority of the time, I wouldn’t find someone I could rely on until the second or third person I picked to ask.

It is now my last semester of college and I noticed that in almost all of my classes, I know at least two-thirds of the students by name and probably a little bit about them.

You know who these people are? These are the students who I shared contact information with a few years ago. These are the students who wanted to succeed as much as I did. These are the students who make class interesting because they actually voice their opinion and have input on classroom discussion. These are the students who make class fun and interesting. These are the students who have helped me to succeed.

By: Brooke Maggard

Is it raining on campus? Don’t let the poor weather put you in a poor mood. Embrace it and start checking off these five items from your list:

1. Play in the rain:  Let’s start with the obvious. Yes, we may all be over the age of it being acceptable to have this urge. With this being said though, that does not mean we cannot. So go! Go right now! Play in the rain!

2. If it’s Friday, go to Friday Movie Night: Do you like to watch a good movie? If you answered no, go anyway! Campus Life puts on fabulous movies every Friday and if it’s raining, it is a great way to get out of the rain and do something! If it’s not Friday, grab your roommate, make some popcorn and voila (insert day of the week here) Movie Night!

3. Share an umbrella with someone:  Awkward? You betcha! Don’t let that stop you though! It will keep someone else semi-dry, give you an entertaining walk to class and hopefully you’ll meet someone new.

4.  Paint your nails:  Most people put painting their nails close to the bottom of their list. When it’s raining though, you try to stay in your room more. What a perfect chance to move the bottom of the list to the top of the list and fix those nails! Guys, feel free to skip this one but also feel free to give it a try! Rainbow, blue, green, clear or black! Paint away.

5.  Sit in a building you’ve never been in on campus: Some of you might have read this and said, “Well, I’ve sat in every building on campus.” If that’s the case, sit in one you rarely sit in. Or better yet, sit in your least favorite! Find something you love about it instead of getting soaked outside. Or be extra productive seeing that you hate the building and won’t be distracted. Either way, something good will come out of it!

By: Kerri Musick

No matter how likable you are, there is ALWAYS going to be someone out there whose personality just doesn’t mesh well with yours. You like basketball, they like basket weaving. You’re an environmentalist, they’re a lumberjack. You use Google, they use Yahoo.

Nine out of 10 times, that person will end up being your roommate. Heed my warning! I beg you to learn from my mistakes to make your residence hall life Facebook worthy.

Set boundaries: There’s no need for written contracts, but don’t leave shades of gray either. If you don’t like their significant other being over every weekend, eating your box of Lucky Charms and using your razor, tell them! It’s easier to set those limits earlier rather than later.

Be inclusive: You may be as well-suited for each other as Kim Kadashian and Kris Humphries, but inviting them to Depot Town can break the ice.

Don’t get mad (or even). Instead, COMMUNICATE: Passive-aggressive notes can be funny, as can superglue in their shampoo, but only when it’s not directed at you. Seriously, man up and talk to them. If you think you’ll hurt their feelings, waiting longer will only intensify it. If you don’t like the person to begin with, who cares?

Resident Advisors: If all else fails, the university hires Resident Advisors to help you work out problems, or potentially move to a different room.

Don’t spend “the best years of your life” walking on eggshells. Be proactive to get the most out of your EMU experience!