The Kent Inquisitor

Story by James Kopniske Photos by Alex Capaldi
	Mystery No. 1: The black squirrel Is it really a product of twisted animal love?
	The Truth... The black squirrel was brought to Kent State on Feb. 16, 1961, according to the Admissions Office. Larry Wodel, superintendent of grounds, thought it would be cute to have a new breed of squirrel on campus. Wodel went through the Davey Tree Company in Kent to acquire 10 black squirrels from Ontario, Canada. Nearly 40 years later, they've taken control.
	Mystery No. 2: The Tunnels Were they part of the Underground Railroad?
	The Truth... Thomas Dunn, assistant director of energy for campus environment and operations, sets the age-old debate to rest. "The tunnels, despite popular opinion, allow for utilities such as steam, condensate, electricity, telephone, fiber optics and data communications to be distributed to all those buildings attached to them," Dunn says. "These tunnels are very dangerous for those without experience." The tunnels are not for trains, buses, janitors or students to travel in. Dunn says the tunnels make maintenance easier and help the campus look better by hiding everything below ground.
	Mystery No. 3: The Student Center Was it really designed as a wind tunnel?
	The Truth... Thomas Euclide, director of the office of the university architect, says the windy environment of the Student Center was not intentionally designed. "I believe the combination of the 12-story library and the curved front of the Student Center have caused the wind tunnel effect," Euclide says. "But this was not planned. We have had many comments on the wind, and we added trees to the planting beds to try and buffer the wind effects."
Mystery No. 4: The 10-minute late rule How long is too long to wait for that late prof?
The Truth... Jerry M. Lewis, emeritus professor of sociology, has a simple answer to this one. "It is a rumor very rampant at the regional campuses," he says. "I tell my students to wait: I'll be there. Too many students believe it's real, but it's not a policy at the university."
Mystery No. 5: The dead roommate Is this the easiest route to the perfect 4.0?
The Truth... Lewis explains the formation and invalidity of urban legends. "It's called an academic myth," Lewis says. "Urban myths are another term for a rumor. Urban myths really are something that captures the urban, or big city experience." Lewis says no university policy would ever allow this. The grading system of universities is up to the professor. But he can understand how this myth came about. "People begin to believe them," Lewis says. "You may not necessarily want your roommate to commit suicide, but the A's are desirable."<B> Claudia Kovach contributed to this story.