Black Student Union welcomes new members
FEATURES 6
Luther meet
hosts
All-American
cross-country SPORTS 12
LUTHER COLLEGE
CHIPS
“Let the chips fall where they may.”
SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
Serving the Luther College community since 1884.
VOLUME 137, NO. 2
Faculty accept retirement incentives EMILY CROWE STAFF WRITER
“AS PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS.” Sheila Radford-Hill addresses students at the Diversity Center’s annual New Student Welcome Dinner. Will Heller / Photo Bureau
Faculty and staff discuss race issues MAGGIE STEINBERG STAFF WRITER The recent shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. has sparked debate across the nation concerning racial profiling, police militarization and the state of racial minorities in America. While it seems a shooting in neighboring Missouri is removed from Luther, professors and faculty across campus sense a real need for open discussions on race. Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and History Lauren Anderson and Executive Director of Diversity Center Sheila Radford-
Hill both discussed issues regarding race at Luther and in Decorah. In class, Anderson sees students fall into “ruts” when trying to discuss African American history or the civil rights movement. She attributes this mostly to a sheltered upbringing and a lack of information. “Many Luther students grew up being taught it was unacceptable to use the term ‘black,’” Anderson said. “It’s denying an essential component of someone’s identity. It’s equating race to racism.” She commented on the difficulties of facilitating discussions when students are uncomfortable even saying the word “black.”
Twelve Luther faculty and staff have decided to retire at the end of the year, President Paula Carlson announced during her opening speech. The administration offered a retirement incentive plan to those eligible to retire, according to Associate Professor in Library and Information Studies John Goodin. “I was thinking about when to retire already, which made the retirement plan worth serious consideration,” Goodin said. “The incentive worked.” Timing played a significant role in Goodin’s decision-making process. “I have a wife and four kids, as well as two grandchildren now,” Goodin said. “You talk about this kind of situation, but now that I have grandkids, I really want to see those kids again!” Carlson has adopted the retirement plan but did not create it. According to Professor of English Nicholas Preus, the plan was offered before she took office (‘69). “The plan came from the administration, but of course [Carlson] will be here during the retirement year,” Preus said. Retirement incentive plans can benefit the retirees and the college as a whole. “These kinds of things are in many ways healthy for the college,” Preus said. “You get some new people in shortly out of graduate programs who are doing cutting edge stuff.” RETIREMENT, PAGE 4
RACE, PAGE 2
Students report off-campus thefts NOAH LANGHOLZ STAFF WRITER
Luther students have reported several instances of burglary and break-ins both on and off campus in the last month. According to Eli Klosterboer (‘15) and Ryan Readinger (‘15) intruders entered their off-campus house on Saturday, Sept. 6 between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The intruders stole possessions from two of the house members including an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and a backpack. The stolen items were taken from rooms that had been left unlocked.
Some students feel that there is an element of personal betrayal in these crimes. “It’s sad because we have been so trusting,” house resident Erik Anderson (‘15) said. “Now we can’t just have the door open so a friend can come in.” Klosterboer also experienced a theft over the summer at another offcampus house. In both instances, valuable electronics were stolen. Members of Luther staff note that convenience and practicality often coincide in matters of safety THEFTS, PAGE 4
Graphic by Bjorn Myhre