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DAILY KENT STATER Thursday, October 21, 2010 • The independent student newspaper of Kent State University • Weather: Rain, HI 52, LO 36 LATEST UPDATES AT KENTWIRED.COM Sign up to receive breaking news updates from Kent State student media at KENTWIRED.COM Kent State residents and students can expect delays on East Summit Street due to asphalt repairs, according to a City of Kent press release. Expect traffic delays between Loop Road and state Route 261 are until Friday from 7 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. East Summit Street will be closed Saturday from 7 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. Motorists are asked to avoid the repair area and leave ample time to get to their destination, but normal traffic patterns will be maintained for most of the work, according to a memo from engi- neering technician Patrick Hoffman. — Laura Lofgren Asphalt repairs delay traffic on Summit street this week “It’s time for a change,” Latour said. “Pete’s Arena pizza has been here for a long time.” She said the change is not because of low profits, but because Kent State wants some- thing new for students. Dining Services will keep Pete’s Arena employees and train them before Damon’s Grill opens next semester. Spencer Molnar, freshman visual com- munication design major, who is an employ- ee at Max & Erma’s, said the change will mean an opportunity for him to transfer on Pete’s Arena to close, make way for Damon’s Grill Kyle McCallum [email protected] Daily Kent Stater Renovations to replace Pete’s Arena with Damon’s Grill in the Rathskeller will begin during Christmas break, according an Office of the University Architect statement. Damon’s Grill will be open to students in the basement of the Stu- dent Center by the start of spring semester, Kent State Dining Ser- vices manager Ashley Latour said. See PIZZA, Page A4 campus since both restaurants are owned by G&R Acquisitions Inc. “I’m down for that,” he said. “It sucks driving 45 minutes to work. I mean, I like the food at Pete’s, but I’m not emotion- ally attached.” Some students said they were looking forward to the change. “I like me some Damon’s,” said Ryan Woidke, freshman criminal justice major. “I could go for some ribs.” SARAH K. HAYNAM | DAILY KENT STATER Elliana Campbell, freshman public communications major, waits for her pizza at Pete’s Arena pizza with Laurne Harkless, junior early childhood education major. Campbell said she is open to change but she is sad to see Pete’s go. “It’s just sad that this pizza won’t be here anymore. It’s so good,” Campbell said. Jake could not be any happier. Four people are petting him, rub- bing his belly and commenting on how cute he is. The Student Center’s lobby was host to a dog therapy session Wednesday, where Jake, a 6-year- old golden retriever, and his fellow therapy dogs helped some local stu- dents to unwind. Tails wagged and tongues flapped as small crowds gathered to enjoy the company of dogs specially trained to make peo- ple feel better. Dogs on Campus, a dog therapy program designed with on-campus students in mind, has been active at Kent State for three years. Kathleen Adamle, assistant professor in the School of Nursing and the mind at the helm of Dogs on Campus, said the program is meant to allow stu- dents who had to leave pets behind when moving to college to experi- ence the company of loving dogs once more. “Since they can’t bring their dogs to campus, we’re trying to fill that gap,” Adamle said. Adamle conducts research through this program that shows the benefits dog therapy can have on healthy adults. “These dogs go to hospitals, nursing homes, cancer centers and hospice centers, and my research says that I can bring that same phi- losophy to people who are not ill and get the same results,” Adamle said. “Students cope with things, especially freshmen. They’re cop- ing with leaving home, leaving their friends, meeting people, trying to get involved, going to school, trying to manage their money and trying to get their projects done.” The four cuddly therapists appear to have been just what the doctor ordered. The dog therapy ses- sion attracted dozens of students and passers-by in the span of an hour. Students receive therapy from canine companions PHOTOS BY HANNAH POTES | DAILY KENT STATER TOP: Cristina Mazzone, a junior public relations and international relations major, rubs Jake, a 6-year-old golden retriever. The Dogs on Campus program held a pet therapy session in the Student Center lobby Wednesday afternoon. BOTTOM: Freshmen Jackie Merritt, Chelsea Miller, Thomas Catron, Joelle Umstead and Megan Woide pet Jake, a 6-year-old golden retriever. Jake and three other therapy dogs came to the Student Center Wednesday afternoon to interact with students as part of the Dogs on Campus program. Tony Lange [email protected] Daily Kent Stater Pollsters indicated a lead swing in the Ohio’s governor’s race Wednesday. Thirteen days before the election, CNN and Time poll- sters found Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio) taking a narrow lead over his challenger and former representative, John Kasich (R-Ohio), by a 48 to 47 percent margin of likely voters. The survey has a 3.5 percent mar- gin of error. But Strickland did not mention the poll during his stop at Akron Polymer Systems Inc. in Akron on Wednesday. The small busi- ness has a unique expertise in high-performance poly- mers toward the develop- ment and commercialization of innovative technologies and products. Strickland leads polls Many students expressed their joy at seeing dogs on campus. “I love it. I love that they’re here for this. These dogs are phenomenal. They’re definitely approachable, and they’re here to be petted,” said Nicole Hulet, a graduate student in the School of Library and Information Science, as she held Bucca, a 5-year- old Cavalier King Charles spaniel in her arms. “We miss our animals when we’re here at school. I live off campus, and we’re not allowed to have dogs, so this is great.” Steve Tupperman, handler of Cayenne, a 7-year-old Australian shepherd, commented on the suc- cess of the dog therapy session. “It’s really amazing how many students come up. Every time they see a dog there’s a big smile on their face. It’s pretty neat,” Tup- perman said. “We get as much out of this as the students do. It’s really gratifying to see how the students interact and really appreciate the dogs being on campus.” Tupperman was aware of the way some people were hesitant to touch the dogs at first, usually asking permission from the handlers. “A lot of people are just reserved about dogs because they’re not quite sure how they’ll react,” Tup- perman said. “Some dogs can be a little bit mean or aggressive and so I think they (students) are just a little standoffish about that, and they’re not used to seeing dogs on campus because dogs aren’t allowed in resi- dence halls.” As the hour wound down and the crowds began to disperse, Jake, Cay- enne, Bucca and Reggie, a 4-year-old Great Pyrenees recovered from the onslaught of affection they received. Adamle said the dog therapy session went wonderfully. “There’s just magic in the human/ animal bond,” Adamle said. One of the new products Strickland learned about dur- ing his visit was a decomposable bag used for gathering autumn leaves. “I am someone who cares about this state very deeply. I work very hard,” Strickland said after tour- ing the polymer lab located on Gilchrist Road. “I work in col- laboration with local leaders and the business community, and I don’t want to turn this state over to someone who represents Wall Street values. “ Matthew Graham, Vice Presi- dent of Business Development, said Akron Polymer Systems has been very successful and has had offers to move the company out of state. Strickland, Summit County and Akron kept the business in Ohio, he said. See STRICKLAND Page A4 NEED TO BLOW OFF A LITTLE STEAM? CHECK OUT TODAY’S ALL SECTION FOR SOME CREATIVE WAYS TO DO SO
