The Dad Vail Regatta Finals will be aired on ABC 6 in Philadelphia, but more helpful for most Marietta College Crew fans will be the live stream on ESPN3.com.  That coverage will be available starting at 1 PM, and will run through 5 PM.  Chances are good that the Dad Vail website will stream semi-final coverage prior to the TV broadcast.

If you want to know when to tune in to the action, here is the full menu of races Marietta boats will or may be in!  All times listed are EST.

7:48 AM – Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Four+ (Division Two & Three)
Semi-final #3 – Top Two Advance to Final – Race 108 – Lane 5

10:10 AM – Men’s Junior Varsity Heavyweight Eight
Semi-final #2 – Top Three Advance to Final – Race 131 – Lane 1

10:40 AM – Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight
Semi-final #3 – Top Two Advance to Final, 3rd & 4th to Second Final – Race 137 – Lane 6

1:03 PM – Men’s Varisty Lightweight Eight
FINAL – Race 149 – Lane 2

1:23 PM – Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight (Division Three)
FINAL – Race 151 – Lane 4

*1:33 PM* – Women’s Varsity Heavyweight Four+ (Division Two & Three)
FINAL – Race 152

*3:30 PM* – Men’s Junior Varsity Heavyweight Eight
FINAL – Race 160

*4:23 PM* - Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight
Second Final – Race 169

*4:33 PM* – Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Eight
FINAL – Race 170

*Astrix means that Marietta needs to race their way into the race*

Also remember that the ‘Etta Express will be playing in the Ohio Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament Championship Saturday at 1 PM.  WMOA will have a live stream available to listen to.

With new dorm construction starting in March, a major portion of Marietta College parking spaces will be destroyed near Mills and McCoy Halls.  At the same time, proposed legislation in the City of Marietta would require parking permits for street parking on the North side of Campus.  Wondering how that’s all going to play out?  Check out the map below!  You can click on the colored boxes to find out what type of parking it will be, and where temporary and new parking lots will be.

More to the story below map!

Color Codes:

White = Lost parking spaces
Light Blue = Temporary Parking Lot
Purple = New Parking Lot
Green = Faculty and Upperclassmen Parking
Blue = Upperclassmen Only Parking
Yellow = Faculty and Staff Only Parking
Red = Freshmen and Commuter Parking

Mills and Lower McCoy parking lots will be lost completely, while the College will maintain about 12 parking spots in the Upper McCoy lot (two of which will be handicap spots).  Temporary lots will be placed on either side of the old Miller Welding building on 4th Street, near the Commuter Lot across from the College’s tennis courts.  Demolition of Parsons Hall will yield a new parking lot on its location, with part of Parsons Field being paved as well.

Across the street from campus, if approved, homeowners would be eligible to purchase up to two parking passes for street parking spots near their home.  This is according to the Parkersburg News-Sentinel, which has been reporting on the issue more so than the Marietta Times of late.  As part of the proposal, parking spaces would be reserved for Sorority members living in the Chi Omega and Alpha Xi Delta houses.  Spaces would be restricted to pass holders between 7 AM and 6 PM, but would be available to anyone outside of those hours.  Fines for violating the parking restrictions would range from $25 to $50.

So how do you feel about this huge parking mess?  Let us know in the comments!

The process started with a survey to students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community.  It was followed up with meetings with focus groups and meetings with various administrators.  The consulting group then studied the results and issued the PDF file you see below.  But to save you from reading through 20 pages of statistics and findings, we’re providing you with the highlights.

The study finds that there are five primary areas for improvement:

• Campus Climate
• Organizational Structure and Strategy
• External Community Building
• Multicultural Enrollment Management
• Faculty and Classroom

Here are some of the things that caught our eye as far as their recommendations go:

• “Include as a focal point of a new student and staff Orientation, a community-building program that addresses the relational challenges likely to be encountered. Invite families.”
• “Mandate a school-wide “active listening skills” workshop for campus”
• “Conduct a campus-wide conversation on fostering a safe and inclusive environment for GLBT students and staff.”
• “Appoint a senior level advocate for diversity and aggressively make that known to the campus community and beyond. The Chief Diversity Officer provides overall strategic direction to Marietta College and would report directly to the President. As Chair of the “President’s Diversity Committee,” (currently known as Campus Life & Athletics Committee), he/she would collaborate with key departments and constituencies across campus and beyond.”
• “Appoint a person to be the leader/coordinator for an External Cross-Cultural Community Building initiative. Perhaps a student or faculty member as part of a service learning project/Civic Engagement through the McDonough Leadership Program.”
• “Appoint a Minority Student Success Task Force charged with developing and overseeing implementation of Minority Student Retention Plan.”
• “Increase visitation from Marietta College staff to targeted schools/organizations with high ethnic minority prospective student population.”
• “Provide training for all faculty members in order to establish a common framework from which faculty can define, understand, and infuse “diversity” into their lives and respective areas of teaching.”
• “Facilitate faculty workshops to help adapt their current classes/curriculum to accommodate “diversity” content.”

The full document below includes all of the observations and recommendations, along with results from the survey that was conducted on campus.

Executive Summary Marietta CCC Assessment-1

We are hearing that a transformer has blown near North Hill Bowling Alley, and that may be the cause for what seems to have peaked out at over 1,500 customers without power, according to AEP.  Also, a tree has fallen on Colgate Avenue, but I did not hear if that tree took out further power lines or not.

Students I have talked to confirm that a bright green flash was seen throughout the sky, quickly followed by the power outage.

What does the outage means for Marietta College students?  We are hearing that only McCoy Hall and Parsons have power. Specialty housing has also been affected, as Fourth Street has also lost power.  Most academic buildings have lost power, and students have said that emergency lighting appears to have been switched on in facilities that have them.

We’ll keep things updated as we can.

According to the Marietta Times, residents around the College have been complaining about students, faculty, and staff members taking up parking spots near their home.  After looking for a solution, they are planning to implement a residential parking pass system for areas around campus.  According to that plan, residents would be guaranteed a spot during specific periods of time with that pass, while others could park outside of that time.

Tom Perry, the College’s public relations director, mentions in the article that campus has plenty of parking for all of its pass holders.

But while parking is plentiful, it is typically in places where people do not want to hike.  Examples would be Mills Hall professors that might have to park in the lot near the Physician’s Assistant training facility.

Marietta students can get parking much cheaper than many other schools.  When I was at The University Akron (briefly) it cost around $180 for a parking pass, and there was typically only one parking spot for every three passes (that may be an exaggeration, but it’s what it felt like).  These numbers are different now, mostly because transportation costs and parking passes are covered in student fees for every student.   Here at Marietta, though, you can buy a parking pass, and be guaranteed a spot on campus somewhere, for $45.

Now, your immediate parking concerns should not be worried, as the proposal is nowhere near completion.  Residents are working with the council to modify legislation used in Oxford, OH for  parking spots near Miami of Ohio University, and they are not expected to present the finalized ordinance to all residents in the block until December.

We’ll follow-up this afternoon with more coverage and student reaction, hopefully.

Browns Excursion for Marietta College Students

College Union Board is taking a busload of students up to Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 3 for their division match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals.  A $20 ticket can be purchased in the Student Activities office in Andrews Hall.  The ticket will get you on a charter bus up to the game, a ticket to the game itself, and transportation back to Marietta when the game is complete.  Bus leaves at 9 AM on the 3rd.

This is a great opportunity for MC students to go see an NFL game for a very low price.  Instead of paying anywhere between $30 and $50 in gas for your car and anywhere between $40 to $60 for a ticket, you are only paying $20.  Take advantage while you can.  Tickets are going fast.

Student Rush at Penguins and Blue Jackets

The NHL has really embraced the world of cheap tickets for college students  The two franchises nearest to Marietta have very different ways of handling the tickets, but that also goes with the fact that the Pittsburgh Penguins are awesome and the Columbus Blue Jackets are still a young, up-and-coming franchise.  Please note that these offers are good for both College and High School students.

For Pens fans, only specific games are marked as Rush nights.  You can sign-up for text message alerts by texting RUSH to 32623, or visit their website here.  They’ll let you know how many tickets are being released for the RUSH that night, and where to go to claim them.  Typically, the tickets are $25 (specifically cash only), and the seats are better if you are there earlier.  Lines will wrap all the way around the building, as tickets are sold in-person, with no ticket being sold until an hour before the game starts.  Most importantly, only one ticket per ID.

The Pens have their next Student RUSH night on September 28 at 7:05 PM in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Students attempting to “Carry the Flag” and watch the Blue Jackets have a much easier time getting cheap tickets this season.  Their “Rush CBJ” program  offers up both upper and lower deck tickets for $15, and $25, respectively.  Each student ID is good for two tickets at either price point.  Tickets can be purchased online starting at Noon the day of a game, or at the Nationwide Arena box office within one hour of game time.

“CBJ Rush” tickets are available at every home game this season.

Indians Internship Fair

The Cleveland Indians are offering a killer deal for those looking for a summer internship in the region on Tuesday, September 28.

Their now-annual event costs $30, but includes a panel of speakers discussing the prospects of their respective industries, a dinner during batting practice, and lower reserved seat for the Indians game against the Detroit Tigers.  All of the Cleveland Indians affiliates will be there, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Lake Erie Monsters, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and more.  To register, fill out an application at the Cleveland Indians website, and buy a ticket for the event.

I was able to attend the event last season, and found a lot of value from attending.  You get a chance to get your name (and resume) out there for plenty of different folks to see.  Also, you can network with other college students just like you from all over the region.  There was plenty of swag handed out last year (I know the Indians had a lot of giveaway items to hand out from the previous year).  And plus, you can see a Major League Baseball game and get good food (and snacks).

Blockbuster Adds Games To “By Mail” Plans

While the company that used to be a behemoth in the rental industry flirts with bankruptcy and tries to compete with Netflix, it is trying to differentiate itself.  Blockbuster By Mail, their DVD rentals at home program, announced today that games would also be included.  So users can rent movies, games, and TV series at their home via the mailbox.  $9 a month will get you 1 DVD or vide game at a time, with plans going up to $17 a month for 3 DVD’s or games at a time.  The Total Access plans are only worthwhile if there is a Blockbuster in the area (the nearest stores are in Belpre and Parkersburg).

If you’ve been tempted by this deal, consider the major points between Blockbuster and Netflix.  Sure, you get to rent games with Blockbuster.  But at the same price point ($9) you could stream movies to your computer, XBOX 360, Wii, Playstation, and eventually, mobile phones.  Online streaming is separate with Blockbuster, and costs vary from rental to outright purchase (but offers streaming to computers, mobile phones, and TV’s).  So the question is, which do you value more?  Online movie streaming, or Video Game Rentals?

Netflix Gets More Online Movies

Speaking about the whole online streaming universe, Netflix announced today that it’s increasing their streaming library in a huge way.  New movies from Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate will be able to be streamed online 90 days after their DVD release, starting September 1st.

This also means that their back catalogues will also be available, starting that same day.  According to the press release, this could mean nearly 3,000 new movies available for streaming via Netflix.  Like I mentioned earlier, $9 will get you one DVD at a time, and unlimited movie and tv streaming.

Hulu Plus Coming

Most students don’t have TiVo’s or DVR’s on campus, and with busy lives away from the TV, yet great shows on every day, it’s hard to keep up.  Hulu fixes that problem, for the most part, but if you were looking for more, it’s here.

Hulu Plus gives you access to previous seasons of shows, and unlocks a back catalogue of many other shows not available to the typical Hulu user.  It also allows you to stream Hulu Plus content to your TV, Playstation 3, iPhone, and iPad (supposedly more devices are coming soon, including the XBOX 360).  Costs $10 a month, but is currently in a limited preview, so you have to apply for the privilege to use the service at the moment.

Even with the monthly payment, you’ll still be forced to watch ads during the shows.  And don’t worry, free Hulu will still be around.

The threat was allegedly made by Ronald Scott Science, who according to sources made pizza at Gilman Dining Hall.

A quick search of the suspect shows 33 items, which lists mostly traffic violations, but does include an assault charge.  This was confirmed by a 2004 notice from the Washington County Sheriff.  Also, he was charged with domestic violence in 2007.

Here is the full release from the College’s Timely Notification report.  You can also listen to the notification, which mentions Science’s name, at this link.

Marietta College Police were notified late this afternoon that a former food service employee has allegedly issued threats against his former co-workers and could be contemplating a return to campus with the intent to do them harm.

The College Police are working with the Marietta City Police to locate the suspect, Ronald Scott Science.

All Marietta College students, faculty and staff are asked to be alert to this threat and report any suspicious or erratic behaviors to campus police immediately.

Please do not attempt to intervene should you witness a dispute between food service employees and, once again, notify campus police immediately.

Please stay tuned to Writing on the Mall for the latest news regarding this case.

You can read the full article here.

There is a $5,000 reward for information in the case.

To report information about the arson,  contact the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau at 800-589-2728 or the Marietta Police Department at 376-2007