On today’s episode, an overview of several decisions made by the EMU Board of Regents last Thursday, and a generous donation from alumni group GameAbove. Also this week, students have the opportunity to give to people who are in need. I’m your host Liz Hornyak and you’re listening to the Eastern Echo Podcast.

Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents met on Thursday and voted on several changes that will affect students and faculty in the near future. 

First of all, several programs in the World Language Department will be phased out over the coming semesters. The programs include Language and International Careers - French, Language and International Careers - Spanish, Secondary Education French, Secondary Education German Language and Literature, and Secondary Education Spanish Language Teaching. The decision was made as a result of low enrollment in teacher education programs.

The regents have also approved a new program for a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. The program will require 85-86 credit hours in courses related to civil engineering materials, soil and fluid mechanics, construction management, transportation engineering, and concrete and steel design. Students will also be required to complete a capstone design project experience. The program’s first graduating class is expected to have 15-20 students by April 2023.

In other news, alumni group GameAbove recently announced the first round of funding for faculty projects as part of their “Faculty First” initiative. 14 faculty members were granted funding totaling $47,950. A total of $2 million has been set aside for the “Faculty First” initiative overall. GameAbove was founded last year by a group of EMU alumni. The group has since made millions of dollars in donations, including a $500,000 donation to Ozone House, and $8 million toward a new golf training facility. 

You can find full-length articles covering each of these news stories at easternecho.com.

Today in room 250 of the Student Center, therapy rabbits Flurry and Urszula will be available to interact with students. The event runs from 2-4 p.m. This February installment of “Happiness Hop” is free to students but not LBC approved. 

From 4:30-5:30 p.m., campus dietician Callie Gavorek will be hosting another Teaching Kitchen. All participants in this interactive cooking class will create their own whole grain salad. This event is free and LBC approved. You can register via the link on our website.

At 5 p.m. in room 101 of Strong Hall, a registered yoga teacher and clinical psychology doctoral student will be leading a free Mindful Yoga class. A free yoga mat is being offered to the first 20 attendees. 

Later in the afternoon at the Student Center Intersection from 6-9 p.m., the Latinx Student Association, Center of Race and Ethnicity, and the African Student Association will host “¿Que es Afro Latinx?” This event will provide an overview of the history between African and Latin cultures, as well as the issues that Afro Latinas face as a minority. This event is free but is not LBC approved.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18 in room 204 of Pray-Harrold, students will have the opportunity to learn the history of black American business from 5-7 p.m. This discussion will be led by author and filmmaker Anthony Brogdon. For more information about this event you can contact Dr. Victor Okafor at vokafor@emich.edu or you can visit Africology and African American Studies webpage. This event is free, open to the public, and LBC approved.

If you love poetry, then you don’t want to miss the Poetry Society’s open mic night at the Riverside Arts Center on Feb. 18 from 6-9 p.m. They’ll be collecting donations to help fund their trip to the Cupsi poetry slam. This event is free and open to the public, but is not LBC approved.

On Wednesday at Roosevelt Hall from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., EMU’s ROTC program will be hosting a blood drive. Visit the link on our website to register to donate. This event is open to the public and LBC approved.

On Thursday, the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan will host its 2020 Research Conference in the Student Center. Tickets are being offered at a discounted rate of $15 for undergraduates. Purchase yours via the link on our website. For more information, you can contact Eleah Sunde at esunde@emich.edu. This event is LBC approved.

On the same day from 7-10 p.m., the Unity Ball will be held in the McKenny Ballroom. The Unity Ball celebrates the closing of Black History Month and aims to unify students of all ethnicities and backgrounds. This year's theme is Mardi Gras. Students who plan to attend are encouraged to wear formal attire. This event is exclusively for EMU students and is not LBC approved.

On Friday from 7-11 p.m. the School Daze Step Show will be taking place in Pease Auditorium. This show is a step competition between the sororities and fraternities that represent the Divine Nine. The link to purchase tickets is on our website. 

On Saturday, Feb. 22 the Triple Goddess Tasting Room will be hosting karaoke from 7-10 p.m. The Tasting Room is located on 93 Ecorse Rd. For more information, you can find The Triple Goddess Tasting Room on Facebook, or you can access a link to the event on our website. 

On Sunday, the 2020 Winter Jam Spectacular will be taking place at the Convocation Center from 6-9 p.m. The concert will feature performances from Hillsong Young, Crowder, and other artists. Admission is $15, and doors open at 5:00 p.m. VIP doors open at 3:30 p.m. Visit the link on our website for more information.

In sports news, the EMU men’s basketball team defeated Central Michigan University last Tuesday 73-70. The men's team also faced Western Michigan University on Saturday and won scoring 69-51. The team is back on the court on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center to face the Kent State Golden Flashes. The team will then travel on Saturday to face Ball State.

The EMU women’s basketball team defeated the Bowling Green Falcons on Wednesday 70-58. The team lost to the Akron Zips on Saturday 53-64. The team will be back in action on Saturday against the Ball State Cardinals at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

Both the men’s and women’s track team traveled to Grand Valley State University. The men’s team concluding their indoor track season with a pair of event titles in the 200m dash and weight throwing. The women’s team had 8 top 5 finishes and took first in the high vault. Both teams are preparing for the MAC Championships over the winter break, and the women’s team will conclude their indoor season on Feb. 21 at the Silverston Invitational at the University of Michigan. 

The EMU gymnastics team traveled to the University of Georgia to compete against the bulldogs and the Ball State Cardinals. The team placed 3rd in the Georgia Triangular scoring 194.700 points overall. 

It is now baseball season, as the EMU baseball team played a double header against the Austin Peay State University Governors on Saturday. In game one the team was victorious over the Governors 16-8, but fell short in game two with a 7-6 score. The team also lost in yesterday's game against the Governors 6-13. The team is back in action on Friday against Pittsburgh.  

Don’t forget to tune in this Thursday for a special Black History Month episode! We’ll be back with your regularly weekly news briefings after the break. This is Liz Hornyak, signing off.

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