November 15th Issue

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“Let the chips fall where they may.”

November 15, 2012

Vol. 135, No. 10

Since 1884

MRSA infection persists on campus Walker Nyenhuis

Staff Writer

See the signs, heed the warnings and wash your hands. Cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA (pronounced murr-sah) have been appearing on campus since the beginning of the semester. Student Health Services hopes to contain the infection by increasing student awareness and intervention. “Staphylococcus aureus, or ‘staph’ is a common bacteria that about 25 to 30 percent of the population carry on their body at all times,” Director of Student Health Services and Nurse Practitioner JoEllen Anderson said. “In a Luther population of [approximately] twenty-four hundred that means 720 students have staph. MRSA is just a different form of staph.” Similar to a staph infection, MRSA is typically spread through skin contact. An infected area looks like a pus-filled bump similar to a pimple or bug bite and feels firm and enflamed. “The problem comes when the bacteria gets under the skin either through little cracks, cuts or abrasions,” Anderson said. “Then an infection can appear.” An infection of MRSA can easily be avoided if Walker Nyenhuis/Chips students do not share personal care items such as Battling bacteria. Legends work study Libby Kropp (‘14) and her co-workers obey the signs by spraying and wiping towels and razors. However, the simplest and most down all equipment with disinfectant to aid in preventing the spread of MRSA to those exercising at the factility. effective method of prevention is frequent hand In May 2010, after noticing a red streak on her out there and I was being proactive. When you notice washing. “Just about everything that we contract or pass on to arm, her condition became serious enough that she that you’re not feeling right and there’s a rash or a somebody else can be greatly reduced if proper hand was hospitalized. The infection had reached her bump, go to the doctor and get it checked out. The bloodstream. sooner you get checked it out the easier it is to treat.” washing is done,” Anderson said. “I was surprised that I got it because I’m very germJessie Conley (‘13) has suffered from an infection MRSA Infection of MRSA twice since beginning her Luther career. conscious,” Conley said. “I knew that infections were continued on page 10

Senate amends their consitution Students mind Margaret Yapp local mining Staff Writer of Regents and how they are appointed. spring decided to change it to all three

Luther College Student Senate recently made alterations to their constitution, changing both the number of student representatives to the Board

“The constitution change is one that we didn’t catch in the spring,” Banta said. “When the committees to the Board of Regents were cut from four to three students, the Student Senate in the

Margaret Yapp/Chips

Discussing decisions. Sophomore Student Senate Representative Libby Logsden (‘15) confers with Senate Member Oketekyie Dakwa-Agyekum (‘13) about the most recent amendment to the Senate constitution.

of those positions strictly being voted in.” Luther College’s Student Senate is a group of 31 representative students from every nook and cranny of campus. Assistant Dean for Student Life and Student Senate Advisor Jane Hildebrand (‘74) and Student Senate President Charles Banta (‘13) lead the Senate. Meeting every Tuesday evening, the Senate discusses a variety of student issues, always keeping the well-being of the broad Luther community in mind. The change to the constitution is comparatively a small one, but it changes how students are represented in the Board of Regents. Not only was the number of students represented cut from four to three, they are now entirely voted in, rather than being annually appointed positions as they were previously. Representatives must also be from within the Senate and can be nominated by fellow senators or selfnominated. Senate changes

Tony Chase

Staff Writer

New Albin’s colloquially known “Sand Cove” has kicked up a storm with local environmentally concerned citizens. A recently proposed sand mine in the Cove, located in nearby Allamakee County, has spurred some to action on campus and in the surrounding communities. Luther’s Environmental Concerns Organization (ECO) presented “Gasland,” a documentary focused on the negative results of frac mining. Induced hydraulic fracturing is a technique to release petroleum, natural gas or other resources or substances for extraction, commonly known as “fracking.” Environmental Studies major Logan Langley (‘13) discussed how the future of the regional community could be affected by fracking. “With the mine proposals in Allamakee County, there is concern by some about the future of Winneshiek County and if it will face these questions in a few years,” Langley said. “The hope was to educate anyone who was Fracking

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