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Within walking distance

Mini-mall could lead to new ties between campus, community.

The number of residential housing units may stay the same this year, but list of things to do for campus residents is growing.

After three years of negotiation between SVSU, Kochville Township and a group of investors, plans to construct a building district on Pierce Road between the Cardinal Townhomes and 7-Eleven are officially under way.

While the space will serve both SVSU and the community, John Leuenberger, an investor in the project, said the development will be especially beneficial for students living on campus.

Courtesty Photo | Designhaus Architecture

Plans to construct a mini-mall near 7-Eleven on Pierce Road are underway. Flip to A8 to view more artistic renderings of

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June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Scoping out the best deal on books

The start of classes can be nerve-wracking, but perhaps the biggest headache of all is shelling out cash for textbooks.

Terry Blake, business management junior, said the bookstore’s prices always overwhelm him.

“The books are so expensive,” Blake said. “Sometimes financial aid doesn’t cover everything.”

Eligible students can get a $600 loan for books, which Blake said is not always enough.

Blake’s money-saving tip is to wait until the semester starts to ensure each professor actually uses the books required for his or her class.

Jeremy Frye, assistant store manager at the campus Barnes and Noble, said book costs are out of the store’s control. Instead, publishers set them.

Frye said popular textbook websites charge less because they need fewer … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

With tuition on rise, university seeks ways to stay affordable

Students will be reaching a bit deeper into their pockets to pay for tuition this fall.

The SVSU Board of Control approved a budget that included a 3.9 percent increase in tuition for the 2012-2013 school year, bringing the cost per credit hour to $270.65, a $14 increase from last year. Undergraduate students taking 30 credits will now pay $8,120 for a year’s tuition compared to last year’s cost of $7,815.

With the increase, SVSU is still expected to remain the least expensive public university in Michigan.

The university received an 8.2 percent increase in funding this year, adding an extra $1.9 million to the budget, and because SVSU met Gov. Rick Snyder’s incentive to keep tuition hikes below 4 … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Growing an eco-friendly community

As green cardinal initiative leaders, SVSU Greenhouse volunteers work to give back to the campus and community and be “green” in the process.

Students and staff at the greenhouses are working to provide for the future.

According to Gretchen Roekle, biology senior and four-year greenhouse volunteer, the SVSU Greenhouse takes university waste and actually does something with it.

Vanguard Photo | Sean Dudley

Located only one mile away from SVSU, on Michigan, the SVSU Greenhouse offers products for the local farmer.

Instead of throwing Starbucks coffee grounds and overripe foods from Dining Services and the Marketplace in the nearest trashcan, the greenhouse reuses it.

According to the University Fun Facts, 4.5 tons of food waste from Dining Services is diverted … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Social work prof will be missed

The social work department was forced to say goodbye to a one-of-a-kind professor.

Stephen Yanca, who taught at the university for more than 19 years, recently lost his battle with cancer.

Lucy Mercier, associate professor of social work said Yanca was always willing to help out.

“If we needed something done, he would be the one to step up and do it,” Mercier said.

Yanca was active in the faculty association and also took over co-authorship of some commonly used social work textbooks.

He was chair of the social work department when he died.

Donald Bachand, provost and vice president for academic affairs and one of Yanca’s close friends, said the position suited him well, although it didn’t particularly strike … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Summer activities and hotspots: exploring mid-Michigan

Dow Gardens Cart Tours

Students looking to take the scenic route have a chance to see the Dow Gardens on a guided cart tour this summer.

Tours are offered at 12:45 p.m., Monday-Friday, and each tour can take up to five passengers.

Located in Midland, it is close to Saginaw and Bay City, and costs $2 per person.

Besides relaxing and enjoying nature, visitors on Wednesday, June 20, can take part in the annual Summer Solstice Stroll from 6-10 p.m. Celebrating the longest day of the year, visitors can stroll though the gardens listening to music, meet some of the artists and end the night with a lighted walk.

6-8 p.m. Haley Ann Dorion will perform easy listening music

7-9 … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Baruth named head basketball coach

Taking his first head-coaching job, SVSU’s new head basketball coach is looking to bring consistency, success and a winning culture to campus.

Randy Baruth was hired May 17 after the resignation of former SVSU head basketball coach Frankie Smith.  Smith had led the Cardinals for five years before resigning due to personal reasons.

Looking to continue his success, Baruth said the primary focus in the off-season is going to be building a winning culture and groundwork from which to recruit and work from.

“We need to find out who we’re going to be and who we’re not going to be,” Baruth said.

In laying the foundation for the program, Baruth said that focusing on consistent success is critical to the … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Cardinals ace drafted by Cincinnati Reds in 24th round

For junior pitcher Mike Saunders, waiting was the hardest part.

After dominating the GLIAC with a school-record 1.23 ERA, the lowest in the conference and the second lowest in the country, the Mount Morris native waited to hear from the major league scouts who had been attending his games to watch him pitch all season.

Vanguard File Photos

Saunders won seven out of his ten starts, posting a school-record 1.23 ERA while striking out 72 batters in 73.1 innings pitched. Both the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers showed interest in the Cardinal pitcher before and during the draft.

“I had almost three weeks after the time our season ended,” Saunders said. “I was playing catch, throwing full bullpen sessions … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

New building district good for expansion, beneficial for both campus and township

Vanguard Vision

For years, the common complaint among underclassmen residents has been the statement that there is “nothing to do” on campus. Of course, this isn’t completely true. SVSU puts a great deal of work into keeping residents engaged with speakers, events and activities throughout the year in addition to providing them with plenty of opportunities to get involved. There are more than 100 registered student organizations on campus and an intramural recreation program that grows every year. As a campus newspaper, the Vanguard prides itself not only on covering these activities and organizations, but in raising awareness of them, as well.

Still, the complaint does exist, and you don’t have to look much further than the freshman parking lot … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink

Summer more than just a countdown to fall

As a cool and gentle breeze sweeps by on a beautiful sunny morning, I am reminded that once more the time of the year is upon us when most Saginaw Valley students have fled all concerns of term papers and final exams and are comfortably at home, enjoying their summer vacation. Days and nights pass by like a blur as we enjoy barbecues, reconnecting with old friends who attend distant universities, and the beautiful lakeside beaches that offer us a refreshing dip on a hot day.  It is strange how these days are so easily ignored. In fact, up until last week, I was already treading on that old familiar path so many of us go down: the fall semester … Read More…

June 18, 2012 | Permalink