Tuesday, January 12, 2010
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Restructuring results in unexpected loss Michael Fagin’s diversity VP position eliminated Friday JOHN FRITZ
staff writer
Minnesota State President Richard Davenport’s administration is shaking up the division of Institutional Diversity, beginning Friday by replacing Vice President Michael Fagin with a newly created dean of diversity. This marks Institutional Diversity’s shift into the division of academic affairs, where it is overseen seen by Provost and Vice President Scott Olson.
Fagin will remain at the university, where he began in 1970 as the first director of the Minorities Groups Studies Center, to teach and take on special assignments handed down by Davenport. This restructuring, according to Davenport, is part of a wider effort by MSU to integrate the missions of academic and student affairs, providing a more comprehensive learning experience to students. That process began in March, when the division of student
affairs was also absorbed into academic affairs. “I’ve done the same thing with this,” said Davenport. “We have the dean of diversity sitting on the [President’s] Cabinet and on the [Academic Affairs] Council. … It’s really a lot about how we bring our forces together to have the greatest impact on students.” “I try to remind people: ‘It’s not about you, it’s about the students.’ How do we better address the
Loss / page 10
msu reporter archive photo It was announced Friday that Vice President of Institutional Diversity Michael Fagin’s position would be the second vice president position cut because of restructuring. Former Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Swatfager-Haney’s position was cut in March.
Former MSU professor dies
A winter welcome
Dr. Truman Wood passes away at age 77 LYNN ZASKE
staff writer
wale agboola • msu reporter Minnesota State students bustled to and from classes in the snowy setting Monday, the first day of spring semester. To welcome students and celebrate the winter weather, various events will take place on campus throughout the week. Dog sled races and dodgeball are among the many festivities taking place.
index
See page 10
Editorial...................................6 Voices......................................7 Variety....................................13 Sports....................................17 Classifieds............................ 22
Longtime faculty member at Minnesota State Dr. Truman Wood died Dec. 21 in Mankato at age 77 after years of actively supporting young scholars throughout his career and in his retirement. Wood, a native of Delavan, Minn., taught political science at MSU from 1961 to 1991. He held a bachelor’s degree from then Mankato State Teachers College and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Iowa. Wood had been hospitalized shortly after Thanksgiving with complications from diabetes, which he had for 62 years. “My father valued few things more than his association with the university,” said Truman’s son, Jeff Wood. During
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submitted photo Truman Wood taught at MSU for 30 years.
his father’s last days in the hospital, Jeff sang the university’s fight song to Truman, reliving the cold Saturdays they spent together in Blakeslee Stadium, wrapped in blankets and
Professor / page 11
Page 2 • Reporter
BUSES, SH U T T L ES & E X PR ESSES
SERVING THE CAMPUS AREA!
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
Regular Bus Service Type of Service
Destination Points
Financed By
Academic Year Coverage Times Days of Week
Campus Express Route #1 Minnesota State University Mankato provided service using leased City bus
Minnesota State Mankato Campus buildings and parking lots. Also services nearby apartment complexes. (22 minute run.)
Minnesota State Mankato Student Senate and activity fees, cash fares, ads, Federal transportation subsidy.
7:30 AM 10:00 PM
Campus Circulator Route #8 Minnesota State University Mankato provided service using leased City bus
On-campus "circulator" to campus buildings and parking lots. (15 minute run.)
Minnesota State Mankato Parking Program funds, ads, cash fares.
7:30 AM 6:00 PM
Route #6 City of Mankato provided link to city-wide bus network.
City bus route which starts at the Cherry Street Ramp area, goes through the MSU campus, and ends up in the Madison East Shopping Center. (30 minute run.)
City of Mankato, cash fares, ads, Federal transportation subsidy.
7:30 AM 4:30 PM
7:30 AM 4:30 PM
6:30 AM 5:30 PM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM
Monday - Thursday Friday
(Doesn't operate during summer months)
Monday - Thursday Friday
(Doesn't operate during summer months)
Monday - Friday Saturday
(Operates throughout the calendar year)
Shuttles Type of Service
Destination Points
Financed By
Red Eye Shuttle Minnesota State University Mankato provided on-campus van service
On-campus "circulator". Red Eye Shuttle will be running on a bus-like pickup and drop-off schedule.
Minnesota State Mankato Parking Program funds
Maverick Shuttle Minnesota State University Mankato provided on-campus van service
On-campus "circulator" which will follow the Route #8 bus schedule. The Maverick Shuttle is also equipped with a cell phone allowing curb-to-curb service.
Minnesota State Mankato Parking Program funds augmented with some M&E state support.
Academic Year Coverage Times Days of Week 6:00 PM 12 Midnight 5:00 PM 11:00 PM
12:30 PM 8:00 PM
Monday - Thursday Sunday
(Doesn't operate during summer months)
Monday - Friday
(Doesn't operate during summer months)
Bus Expresses Type of Service
Destination Points
Financed By
Academic Year Coverage Times Days of Week
Stomper Express Minnesota State University Mankato and City Partnership
Departs Gage on the hour. MavCard ID holders ride free; others pay $1.50. • Picks up at each of the residence halls • University Square, College Station, Devonshire, Southridge Terrace • Walmart, Panera Bread, River Hills Mall
Partnership between the City of Mankato and Minnesota State Mankato. No student activity fees or Parking Program funds are being used.
6:00 PM 11:00 PM
Late Night Express City of Mankato Operated
Pick-up only from Downtown Cherry Street Ramp area and dropped off in the Highland Campus area apartment complexes. No one is driven from the campus area apartments downtown to the Cherry Street Ramp area. No residence hall service.
City of Mankato operated service with $1 ridership cost. No Minnesota State Mankato funding is provided for this service.
12 Midnight 3:00 AM Saturday
Saturday AM
12 Midnight 3:00 AM Sunday
Sunday AM
College Connection Jefferson Lines
Destination points and connections to Minneapolis and Sioux Falls.
Tickets sold at the Campus Hub (507) 389-1866. For more information, go to www.jeffersonlines.com or www.mnsu.edu/parking.
Twin Cities departs in evening, Sioux Falls departs in morning. Times are subject to change.
For current departure times please check with Campus Hub or Jefferson lines web site. Picks up and drops off at BP Gas Station by Happy Chef on Hwy. 169. Kato Cab: 388-7433.
Land to Air Express
Connection to Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport & Twin Cities.
3:00 PM Mon.-Fri.
College Express
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, Twin Cities & U of M.
For more information, www.landtoairexpress.com or call (507) 625-3977.
Departs from Centennial Student Union.
6:00 PM Daily
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
(Doesn't operate during summer months)
(Doesn't operate during summer months)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
News
Reporter • Page 3
(Mars) roving robotics
MSU engineering alums design award-winning mars robot MATT SAUER
staff writer
Two graduates from Minnesota State’s engineering department are kicking off the new year with swagger, having come hot off last fall’s American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ (ASME) International Student Design Competition with a second place trophy for their design of a remotecontrolled Mars robot vehicle. Spring 2009 engineering graduates Andrew Scalzo and Michael Trombley tasked themselves during their final semester with completing the 2009 ASME Student Design challenge for designing and building a Mars robot. The annual student design competition, whose project changes each year, was sponsored by Boeing, a leading manufacturer for NASA projects. Past projects for the competition include a robotic window washer that would assist disabled people in keeping their homes clean. “We actually submitted designs for the last two years’ competitions,” said Scalzo, a manufacturing engineering technology graduate from New Berlin, Wisc. “Competition rules are released each fall, so a lot of students start working early on. We had ideas before we started working, but we didn’t start until maybe three weeks before the competition.” According to the official competition rule pamphlet, ASME’s idea for a Mars robot design challenge for 2009 came after the success of their Phoenix Mars Lander, which made it to Mars in May, 2008 to continue chemical analysis of the Red Planet’s surface and sediment features. “We went over a few different designs before we settled on a final one,” said Trombley, a mechanical engineering graduate from Woodbury, Minn. “We built a working model out of heavier parts early on, but replaced it with lighter parts later, since weight was
a concern for the competition. We were allowed to use whatever materials we wanted, as long as [the robot] was of weight and size regulations.” Applicants, including Scalzo and Trombley, were tasked with designing and building a vehicle that could retrieve small to moderate sized rocks from uneven surfaces, as well as traverse potentially hazardous terrain, then return to its original location and repeat the process. According to official rules, the vehicle must have been powered by standard rechargeable batteries, been controlled by a tethered (attached to a cord) or radiotransmitted remote device, have used a standard circuit wiring and switch system and have fit completely assembled within a box measuring 16.6 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches. Vehicles were designed so they could potentially be controlled by a remote from Earth or from a manned spacecraft on Mars. “Ours was tethered,” Trombley said. “There were a lot of interesting designs — like tanktread wheels or Wii controllers as the remotes — but we tried to keep things simple and reliable. Points were deducted if the robot had problems during the [trial].” The competition itself involved teams driving their respective vehicles across a standardized, barrier-divided course with likewise standardized rocks weighing between 10-80 grams. Teams were to retrieve as many rocks as possible before returning it to the robot’s “parking zone” then repeating the process until all rocks were acquired. The final competition, which took place last November during ASME’s 2009 International Congress and Exposition in Buena Vista, Fla. involved 15 different
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submitted photos Top: Andrew Scalzo and Michael Tronbley are both alum of MSU. They entered the competition twice before they created this year’s winning robot. Left: This is the award-winning robot , designed to pick up and transport small rocks. It is based on the Pheonix Mars Lander.
teams from schools across the world, including representatives from India, Egypt and Lebanon. “It felt pretty good to have our design come out as one of the top designs,” Scalzo said. “We beat out teams from the University of Minnesota and Purdue [University]. MSU’s not really a nationally known school and it was a good feeling to put it out there.” A point system was used to determine the winners for the
international competition, in which points were added for categories such as the number of rocks acquired, the speed at which the course was completed, the weight of the vehicle, and the efficiency of the battery used. Scalzo and Trombley qualified for the international competition by winning first place in the regional design contest in April 2009. Aside from the second place medal awarded at the competition, the
pair were given commemorative plaques as well as a $1,000 prize for their efforts. Further, MSU’s ASME chapter, advised by mechanical engineering faculty member Jin Park, received $500 for the team’s achievement. The final design cost approximately $150 to complete, however since MSU programs do not provide funding for the competition, all expenses were paid out-of-pocket by all applicants.
Page 4 • Reporter
News
Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
Resolving to change in the new year MSU students discuss what they want to do differently this year LAUREN MEYER
staff writer
As the new year approaches we often reminisce about the past year, only to think about things that we could have done a little differently. January first often represents a date to make a small change in our lives. Attempting to lose a little weight, cutting the caffeine out of your diet or becoming more punctual are popular resolutions. Sticking to resolutions for the year is the real challenge, however. Since we usually only hold ourselves accountable, the promises we make to change for the better are often broken. “I have made resolutions in the past but then I can never seem to stick to it.” said senior Troy Mayer. According to CNN, experts say that people often make the wrong resolutions. Keeping a resolution small and tangible has become key for success. Minnesota State students say that resolutions are great thing but taking the time to improve one’s self has been on the back
burner because it often interferes with their social lives. Students agreed that when they go out they often end up finding themselves ordering that triple chocolate dessert or lighting up that cig they planned to give up. “I am going to try to go out less and study more,” sophomore Sara Kasten said. It was no surprise that an end to procrastination was the most popular resolution among MSU students. “It’s all about personal goals and what people want to accomplish,” Kasten said. New Year’s resolutions are often short lived, and most students agree that their resolutions only last a couple of weeks. “I often don’t follow through with my resolution due to lack of motivation or [because it’s] hard to reach goals,” sophomore Beau Illikainen said. Still, it’s no surprise that Illikainen didn’t think he could reach his goal when he admitted his resolution was to take country singer Taylor Swift on a date. Some students have decided
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that they are going to make a more altruistic resolution for 2010, like to help others or give blood. “I think it just comes down to commitment and how much you want to make a change,” Mayer said. A survey conducted by the Washington Post concluded that the success rate of New Year’s resolutions were higher in those people that made a day-to-day goal for the year instead of one large yearly goal. “It just takes time and patience, I guess” Illikainen said. For those pessimists out there, some students have said that resolutions are a waste of time and are made up of ridiculous far-fetched goals. Research has concluded that while 52 percent participate in making a yearly goal, only 12 percent actually succeed. Men are more likely to stick to and follow through with their resolution.
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1 p To • • • • • • • • • •
New Year’s
Resolutions
for college students
Clean dorm room Get sleep No all nighters Get organized Make it to early morning lectures No junk food Study Complete reading assignments Cut your credit card in half Call home Courtesy of Associated Content.com
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
News
Reporter • Page 5
The new age of movie night Netflix and Redbox take over the movie rental business, one DVD at a time ADAM PULCHINSKI
staff writer
A night staying in, at home or the dorm is not the same as it used to be. Whether it’s a romantic date night, family time, or hanging with friends, renting a movie has always been a mainstay. The way in which to rent those movies, however, has changed dramatically over the last decade. It used to be that a person would walk into the local video store and peruse the selection for something interesting or get that hot new release. Now, with the advent of Netflix and Redbox, consumers have the option of not leaving home at all. Netflix was founded in 1997 and opened its online doors the following year. At the time the company started, the DVD format was fairly new and less than 1,000 titles were in circulation. Renting a DVD was not a certainty as many video
outlets had very little selection and few in quantity, much the same as Blu-Ray today. Now there are more than 20 regional shipping stations to ensure that movies arrive in the mail one to two days after they are requested by a Netflix member. Netflix’s business has seen enormous growth since it started, surpassing 1 million subscribers in 2003. It is one of few companies that has seen growth in the recent economic troubles. Netflix memberships vary in price and by how many DVDs are recieved each month. Redbox was the brainchild of McDonald’s Ventures, LLC, in 2002 as a way to get more traffic into its restaurants. The concept behind Redbox is simply a kiosk that can hold up to 500 DVDs that can be rented and returned at any Redbox location for one dollar a night. The DVDs consist primarily of new release titles and are updated weekly. The
Minneapolis/St.Paul area of Minnesota was one of the first five markets. Mankato has 11 Redbox kiosks. Coinstar, Inc. has since purchased Redbox from McDonald’s and expanded the red kiosks to include WalMart, Walgreens, some 7-Eleven stores, and other grocery chains. The question as to what these services mean for the local video store has been in debate over the last few years. Last October, Hollywood Video closed its doors in Mankato. Zach Gabrielson, a freshman at Minnesota State and former employee of Mankato’s Hollywood Video, said that employees were given only three days notice. “I am unsure as to the reasoning why the store was closed,” Gabrielson said in an e-mail. “I do know that we were evicted by the landlord and given three days to move everything out of the store.”
Representatives for the landlord and Hollywood Video or its parent company could not be reached for comment. While there is still a Blockbuster outlet in Mankato, the chain closed 282 stores nationwide in 2008 according to an Associated Press article. The closings were an attempt to beef up the chain’s online business. Blockbuster announced last year that it will close approximately 960 stores in 2010. A representative at the Mankato Blockbuster declined to answer questions for this article. If Gabrielson is any
indication of a trend in declining video stores in the area, it may be a good sign for the alternatives. “I now have Netflix,” Gabrielson said. “Mostly because I have an X-Box 360 and can stream the Netflix live onto my TV.” Others, like Minnesota State English major and also former Hollywood Video employee Kerensa Morrison, may still pine for the good old days. “I no longer rent movies anymore,” Morrison said. “I’m not big on Redbox. I don’t watch enough movies to go through Netflix. Since Hollywood Video’s closing the only way I really watch movies anymore is when friends offer me the DVD.”
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Editorial reporter-editor@mnsu.edu
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Diversity reorganization comes as a shock
The impending budget shortfalls of 2012 have been looming overhead for sometime and Friday’s announcement appears to be an effort to soften the blow. The decision to eliminate Michael Fagin’s position as vice president of Institutional Diversity was unexpected, to say the least. In times of a budget crisis, no one can really be sure that their jobs are secure. Cutting Fagin, who has served Minnesota State for more than 38 years, puts this grim reality into perspective. Fagin has led the university through many advancements over the years and has paved the way as a leader and educator. He is also the first African American vice president at MSU. The loss of his position has
stirred up controversy that had been brewing for some time. Based on outcries from the Mankato chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (MNAACP), it seems that not everyone believes Fagin’s job loss has to do with budget turmoil or restructuring the diversity division. Rather, some people blame the decision to elminate his position on the recent College Access Program (CAP) controversy. However, administration denies this as the reason for the reorganization and argues that it will provide enhanced services to students. This wasn’t the first time in recent history MSU released news about a vice president position being cut. In March, the position of vice president of Student Affairs, held by Patricia
Swatfager-Haney, was removed, which was an equally unexpected move. According to MSU President Richard Davenport, Friday’s decision was made as part of a restructure of the division of diversity. Although the dean of students will likely be paid a salary similar to the eliminated position, the cuts in support staff should create substantial budgetary savings. While we regret the loss of Fagin as vice president, he will continue to benefit students through his work as a professor. Ultimately, the decision should help to create savings and harbor a more efficient learning environment for students.
The Reporter is looking for your opinions, thoughts, comments and concerns regarding on- and off-campus issues, current events, or anything else you want to get off your chest.
(507) 389-5454
compiled by Wale Agboola
What is your New Year’s resolution?
Lindsay Johnson • Sr • Marketing “Stop cracking my knuckles.”
Andrew Yokiel • Jr •El. Edu. “To be a better student.”
Contribute your thoughts today by submitting a letter to the editor online at www. msureporter.com, via e-mail to reporter-editor@mnsu.edu or in person at CSU 293. This is your space — fill it.
Alicia Johnson• Sr •Marketing “Stop going on Facebook during class.”
Keith Ludi • Sr • Photography
Minnesota State University, Mankato
“To quit smoking.”
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OUR POLICIES & OTHER INFORMATION • If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, call Editor in Chief Nicole Smith at (507) 389-5454. The Reporter will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names in this space. Formal grievances against the Reporter are handled by the Newspaper Board, which can be contacted at (507) 389-2611. • The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a student-run newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at (507) 389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $35.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing. • Letters exceeding 400 words may not be accepted. The Reporter reserves the right to edit letters to fit space or correct punctuation. The Reporter reserves the right to publish, or not publish, at its discretion. Letters must contain year, major or affiliation with the university, or lack thereof. All letters must contain phone numbers for verification purposes.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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Fast food foil One writer thinks the fast food industry misleads consumers with weight loss marketing Loser”. At this point in pop culture I’d be If you pay attention closely to the surprised if everyone who partakes myriad of disclaimers on the bottom in fast food doesn’t know who Jared of the commercial, you will find is. His last name doesn’t have to be that these results are not typical, a uttered because most people probably person must (gasp) exercise, too, wouldn’t even know it if they heard his last name. Instead, he goes simply and that these options are not in fact low calorie. They are just by “Jared from Subway.” lower in calories than the rest of the Jared was a success story for the restaurant’s menu. Pardon me, sub sandwich chain years but that’s like saying an 800 lb. ago by eating at Subway on elephant sat on you as opposed a daily basis and exercising, to its 1000 lb. cousin. Is there leading to an incredible that big of a difference? weight loss. Creating a brand image is Subway has since shaped difficult, especially when you their brand into the healthy have such a strong one to alternative to fast food begin with. My immediate burger joints and rightly trepidation to this healthy, so. The fresh ingredients ahem, healthier, menu is alone are argument enough a very good example of to excuse Subway from even being considered fast food (I Adam Pulchinski this. Unless the chain puts treadmills in their have never really considered restaurants and prepares the food it such). from scratch in front of me I doubt Now, another food retailer has decided to try the same, but it’s a little I will ever see them as being good for me or my body. hard to swallow (yup, puns are fun). Many fast food restaurants A new would-be “Jared” comes on have tried the same thing with the television, flashes an unflattering picture of herself in a bathing suit and “healthier” burgers, but I don’t recall having seen them advertised then proceeds to tell viewers she lost in recent memory. The only thing 54 pounds by reducing her calorie intake and choosing the fresco options I see people sucking down for food, folks and fun is the ever at this particular taco chain. popular cheeseburgers with a side This lady can have her new “diet” of clogged arteries. all she wants. If she wants to really At the risk of being caught in the be impressed with herself, she needs act at one of these establishments to cut the fast food out all together. and being accused of hypocrisy, Taking two years to lose 54 pounds let me say that I enjoy a tasty just doesn’t seem like a viable treat from fast food joints on program to me. Folks have lost more weight on one season of “The Biggest occasion. I do not, however, have
any illusions as to the content of those meals and the fact that they contribute to the sagging of various body parts. I’m all for fast food entities bringing their health standards up, especially where kids’ meals are concerned. But don’t half-ass it, please. And definitely don’t advertise it if it seems a half truth from the getgo. I’m not going to tell people what nutrition choices to make but I doubt these healthier menu options are going to yield any results if it was a person’s New Year’s resolution to lose weight and eat better.
Page 8 • Reporter
News
Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
KMSU wins arts and cultural grant MSU’s radio station will use money to produce Spanishlanguage dramas, audio documentaries, free concerts GRACE WEBB
staff writer
Listeners who flip their radios on and tune into KMSU 89.7 “The Maverick,” can hear great programs such as the Shuffle Function Morning Show, the BBC News, jazz music, blues music, and Latino music. Now, thanks to a state grant from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, they’ll be able to hear even more. And that’s not all KMSU 89.7 plans to do with the $238,500 it received at the beginning of the 2010 year. James Gullickson, general manager of KMSU, was aware of the grant right from the start. In fact, he was highly influential in opening the door for radio stations to be able to apply for the money. As president of the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations (AMPERS), he testified before the two legislative committees in charge of the Arts and Culture Heritage Funds and helped secure $2.65 million for AMPERS for the biennium (July 2009-June 2011). MPERS’ money was equally divided between eleven qualifying radio stations. In order to qualify, KMSU had to submit an application and write up a contract with the Minnesota State Department of Administration. They were selected and awarded the funds at the end of October 2009. There is a chance for renewal after two years; in order to do so,
KMSU will need to give a report to the State Legislature on how the funds were spent. One thing Gullickson said he is sure KMSU is going to do with part of the grant money is continue helping out with the MSU Good Thunder Reading Series. The series, which has been a yearly event for 28 years now, includes interviews with visiting writers and also recitations by the authors. KMSU broadcasts “Authors in Transit,” 15-20 minute interviews with visiting authors and poets. This year, the station is working with Richard Robbins, director of the Good Thunder Reading Series, once again and Robbins couldn’t be happier. “KMSU, as far as I’m concerned, is one of MSU’s crown jewels,” Robbins said. “KMSU’s commitment to our region and its audience translates into locally produced programming with universal appeal, mixed with a modest set of offerings from elsewhere in the country and around the world. It’s a good balance.” Aside from the reading series, KMSU will also produce a series of Latino Radio Dramas to better serve the growing Latino population of Mankato. These dramas will be voiced by local Hispanic volunteers. Each of the projected twenty dramas will deal with a real health or public affairs issue in the regional Hispanic culture, such as sexually transmitted diseases or family problems. KMSU
hopes to offer listeners both entertaining stories and clear, good messages about important topics. KMSU also plans to collaborate with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra to professionally record every live performance. These recordings will be played the Sunday following each performance for listeners. But KMSU is going to offer much more to its listeners. In the past, KMSU has offered free live concert events, but not with frequency because of lack of funds. With the new grant funds, KMSU can now offer three free live concert events each year. Besides its own concerts, it will support two or three concert events by the Bothy Folk Club and the Rock Bend Folk Festival. It will also expand its “Grand Fu Cinema” (a free movie theater for the Mankato Community) films, no longer restricted to public domain movies, and is working to create an audio documentary about the Dakota Conflict of 1862. This 59-minute documentary, plus web-based presentation complete with archived photos and maps, will hopefully be completed by the sesquicentennial recognition in 2012. While many of these changes benefit mostly adults, KMSU has plans to benefit the younger community of Mankato as well. In summer of 2010, it is hosting a Youth Radio Camp. This
Mankato launches online crime map HEATHER MOELLER
staff writer
The Mankato Department of Public Safety launched an online “crime map” in December. According to the City of Mankato Public Information Director Shelly Schultz, Mankato desired the map, which shows calls for police service, for several years. Schultz said the electronic map replaces a paper map and stick pin system, which limited communication about trends to people in the room. “Technology affords us many opportunities to communicate that we did not have the tools for in the past,” Schultz said. According to Schultz, once the tools to create the map were available, it took approximately six months
to extract the relevant data and format it for the map. The map shows 25 different types of calls for service, including burglary, social host violations and suspicious person/circumstance. Schultz said making the map available for public viewing was the idea of Public Safety Director Jerry Huettl. Schultz also said the Mankato City Council and City Manager Patrick Hentges supported the idea. According to Schultz, it is the hope of the people involved in producing the map that it will help the public be aware of trends in their neighborhoods and help the Department of Public Safety identify suspicious occurrences. They also hope for comments and input from the community. “We hope to expand
offerings. Examples may be fire calls for service and parking tickets,” Schultz said. While the new map sounds like a useful tool, security at Minnesota State advises that students continue to follow safety practices. “While the map does provide information on where incidents have occurred, it is important to remember that they can happen anywhere,” said Carol Jensen, assistant director of security at MSU. “Just because the map doesn’t show an incident has happened doesn’t make that location a guaranteed safe place.” The map can be found at http://secure.mankato-mn.gov/ maps/Police-Service-Calls. html.
camp will be five days long and aimed at youths interested in learning more about or becoming a part of their local radio. There will be four hours a day of instruction, including information about audio production, storytelling and the importance of public radio. KMSU volunteers will help with the camp as instructors. The goal of the camp, according to KMSU, is for the youths to “gain a greater appreciation of radio and audio production, they will gain the ability to tell a story with sound, and the
community will benefit as more Minnesotans become engaged with their local non-commercial radio station.” There are many other things KMSU plans to do, from buying better station equipment to developing a comprehensive AMPERS website. Gullickson said he is excited with all the potential and eager to get started. “We are so privileged to have this new funding,” the general manager commented. “It allows us to do things we never would have dreamed possible a year ago.”
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Page 10 • Reporter
News
Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
A warm welcome to shed the winter blues MSU to offer Mount Kato discount, free dog sled rides ELENA SHUFELT
staff writer
Winter break has quickly come to a close, but Minnesota State is making January a little less bleak with the sixth annual Winter Welcome Week. “It gives students an opportunity to meet new people and have some fun before students have a lot of school obligations again,” said Kelsey Andreen, a Winter Welcome Week committee member. The book opening for Sheka Mansaray’s second book “Desert Rose: Words for Thought” will take place tonight at 8:30 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium. The event will include readings and performances of Mansaray’s poems. A video will also be shown from Mansaray’s elementary to high school years. Mansaray and others will perform his revised version of “The Death of My Father” which appeared in his first book “The Tears of My Father: My Gift to the World.” Mansaray is a 20-year-old junior at MSU. He started writing in seventh grade and was inspired to create his first
book after the death of his father. After the passing of his grandmother, he started writing the poems included in “Desert Rose.” “This is my way of giving back my respect to them,” Mansaray said. This event doubles as a fundraiser for Mansaray to travel to Africa to see his family. His books will sell for $20 and a portion of that will go toward financing his trip. This is a free event, and food and drinks will be served. The week of events will end Saturday at Mount Kato with tubing, skiing and snowboarding. From 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. students with a valid MavCard will receive a discounted rate of $10 for tubing and $15 for skiing and snowboarding. The price includes admission, shuttle and equipment, though students are allowed to bring their own. The first shuttle begins at 9 p.m. outside Gage, McElroy and the Centennial Student Union and will continue to run throughout the event. Space is limited, so interested students should sign up by Friday at the Student Activities
office, Student Health Services or the Intercollegiate Activities office. Winter Welcome Week kicked off with polar skating at the All Seasons Arena Monday. Free dog sled rides start on the south side of Julia Sears at 12 p.m.today. Students can win prizes at a dodgeball tournament at 8 p.m. in Meyers Field House. Teams must have six to eight players to enter, and the first and second place winners will receive a Buffalo Wild Wings prize. What’s On Wednesday will have doormat decorating at 9 p.m. in the residence halls Wednesday. Materials to make doormats along with warm drinks will be provided in the residence hall lobbies. Comedian Adam Ace will perform his act at 9 p.m. in the CSU Ballroom Thursday. His high energy routine includes everything from improv to physical comedy. Maverick Spirit Day will wrap up the first few days of school on Friday, so wear Maverick colors to classes, then attend the Winter Tailgate at the CSU Bullpen from 4 p.m. to
LOSS “We’re trying to enhance diversity more than
6 p.m. Winners of the tailgate games can collect tickets for $200 worth of prizes including tickets to a Minnesota Wild hockey game. Nachos, popcorn and snow cones will be available along with free billiards and bowling. After tailgating students are invited to attend sporting events that evening including men’s and women’s hockey, basketball and women’s swimming. Though the idea for the week was originally created by Residential Life, event ideas wale agboola • msu reporter have expanded to include many Sheka Mansaray will read from other departments in the last his second book, “Desert Rose: two years according to Anna Words for Thought” tonight. Hammerschmidt, Student Success Coordinator and Activities, Impact, Mavericks Conduct Officer for Residential After Dark, Maverick Bullpen, Life. This year’s Winter Health Education, Intercollegiate Welcome Week was created by Athletics and Campus groups from the Department Recreation. of Residential Life, Student
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continued from 1 needs of all of our students, both on the academic side and on the student side? They should be working together, not separately. And the same applies to diversity.” Davenport said he’s concerned that MSU’s message isn’t reaching students outside the classroom. “When students come to campus and live on campus … and avail themselves of student services, they aren’t getting hit very hard with diversity … and what some of the problems are that come out of that.” Like all students, firstgeneration collegians can have a difficult time with finances and academics. At MSU, the College Access Program (CAP) helps students of underrepresented groups deal with these issues. Last semester, a fracas ensued after CAP was relocated from under the supervision of Fagin to the college of education. At the time, CAP students charged the administration with racial discrimination,
bringing in a Twin Cities civil rights activist to voice their concerns to Davenport. These still-raw sentiments may have provoked the Mankato chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s acerbic reaction to Fagin’s reassignment. In a press release, the MNAACP said it is “outraged and questions the creditability of the decision to remove a civil rights pioneer and minority leader from [MSU],” further suggesting that “this decision is retaliation driven and based partly on pay equity for VP Fagin.” “There were a lot of statements in [the NAACP press release] that led me to believe they didn’t really understand what we are trying to do,” Davenport said, “because we’re trying to enhance diversity more than anything.” He added that the NAACP might be more concerned with the status of Fagin than with the restructuring itself, but “when I visited with him he was very supportive
about it. He we still remain as an important part of this institution.” In addition to teaching, perhaps in the ethnic studies department he helped to create, Fagin will work on special assignments, including the nationally recognized Pan African Conference he started at MSU more than 30 years ago. In the future, Davenport said, CAP could be moved into academic affairs since its students come from all of the colleges. The restructuring will continue in a month or two, with other divisions potentially falling under the academic affairs umbrella. With Linda Duckett, co-chair of the President’s Commission on Diversity, serving as acting dean of diversity, an interim dean will be picked from MSU in the coming weeks. A nationwide search for a permanent dean should fill the post in six or seven months, Davenport said.
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Reporter • Page 11
PROFESSOR “Dr. Woods connected the disclipline of
political science to the community through his commitment to service.” continued from 1 cheering on the Maverick’s football team. In 1992 Truman and his wife, Reta Hoover Wood, established the Wood Community Leadership Scholarship for undergraduate majors in political science. Reta Wood taught for 25 years at Kennedy Elementary School and currently resides in Mankato. The annual Wood Scholarship recognizes community involvement, academic excellence and leadership and has been awarded to more than 30 students. It is supported through an endowment fund created by Truman and Reta Wood. The fund is now worth more than a quarter of a million dollars and is overseen by an advisory board composed of former
Wood Scholars and former students. Wood was active in Centenary United Methodist Church, serving as a lay speaker throughout southern Minnesota for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Mankato Planning Commission for 22 years, as well as many other community and university organizations. In his retirement Wood also edited a weekly e-newsletter on politics called Woodchips, which always began with a quote from George Orwell: “If liberty means anything at all, it
means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” The last issue he edited was Nov. 26, in the ninth year of Woodchips’ publication. “Dr. Wood connected the discipline of political science to the community through his commitment to service,” said MSU President Richard Davenport. “The service that he and Reta have given to us not only made our community better, it nurtured future community leaders through the Wood Scholarship. We will sorely miss his vibrancy, his optimism and his deep desire to give back.”
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patients, told The Associated Press after filing the initiative Monday that it would remove all state penalties for adult possession of pot. Criminal penalties for juvenile possession and for providing the drug to juveniles would remain in place. Marijuana would also remain illegal under federal law. Hiatt says volunteers are lining up to collect the signatures needed to get the issue on the November ballot.
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Variety Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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Franken rocking the The quick fix boat in Washington Vampire Weekend “Contra”
msu reporter archive photo Al Franken made several visits to Minnesota State during his candidacy (such as this one in the fall of ’08) with promises that he would go against the mold and be a pro-active member of the Senate in Congress. Now he just may be living up to his promise after engaging in a few controversial debates with fellow Congressmen. SAM CAMPBELL
staff writer
It was only after supporting the long debated health care bill, that Sen. Joseph Lieberman took his final opportunity to oppose it, taking the piece of legislation hostage in a 10-minute rant of demands. When he politely requested more time, as is custom for senators running past their 10 minutes, Sen. Al Franken provided the down-to-earth perspective
he asserted he would be bringing to Washington D.C. — “In my capacity as senator from Minnesota, I object.” Although this motion does next to nothing legislatively, it says boatloads about our new freshmen senator — he can ball and he is there to play. Opinions after the incident were mixed with democrats and pundits alike, applauding what all too many were considering an independent’s drawn-out power
play. Some conservatives were not so ecstatic. Longtime friend of Lieberman, John McCain, found Franken’s comment in bad taste. According to Slate Magazine, McCain said “it harms the comity of the Senate not to allow one of our members at least a minute.” Whether someone finds Franken’s comment in bad taste or not, this is the bed Minnesotans have made for themselves July 7, 2009,
Franken / page 16
matt mueller • 2009 DW Studios L.L.C.
Peter Jackson discusses filmmaking, the challenges of adaptations and his newest film, ‘The Lovely Bones’ Page 14
Indie darlings Vampire Weekend return strong with their sophomore album, “Contra,” released nationwide today. Fans of the band certainly won’t be startled by what they hear on the album as it is very familiar territory, but the 10-track, 37-minute LP builds on their unique island-tinged pop sound, including, among other elements, auto-tune and big vocal harmonies. From the hyper single “Cousins” to the calm clap of “Taxi Cab” however, the LP, a supposed contrast to the Clash’s “Sandinista!” (1980), is as beautiful and catchy as its certified-Gold predecessor. For Fans Of: Paul Simon, The Clash, great pop music
Will Stratton “No Wonder”
The Sufjan Stevens collaborator and 22-year-old minimalist folk phenom is little-known to most, but in indie music circles, he has created quite a buzz with his second release, “No Wonder.” The New Jersey native gathers inspiration from fellow folk pioneers, notably the aforemention Stevens and the Brad Pitt-beloved Nick Drake, to create a soothing journey of an album, one that weaves in and out of minimalist songwriting and multi-instrumentalism to depict a calming landscape of American life. This is no more apparent than in the contrast between the slow and sweet album-opener and single “Who Will?” and the jangly bass guitar and violen-driven “You’re A Real Thing.” For Fans Of: Nick Drake, Sufjan Stevens, road trips
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The first LP release by the Montreal-based electronic artist and American Apparel employee CFCF (Michael Silver) is nothing short of dreamy. Primarily instrumental, the album could be cast aside as background or elevator music. And maybe it is in a sense, but that doesn’t mean Silver doesn’t produce a quality record that is as pretty as it is head-bobinducing. Keeping a listener’s attention on an instrumental is a difficult task in the hussle and bussle of the modern age, but Silver doesn’t seem concerned with getting serious attention, instead creating electronic melodies that decorate the background of our lives rather than interrupting them. For Fans Of: The Postal Service, A Sunny Day in Glasgow, musical dreams
CHIEF “Mighty Proud” single
The Santa Monica, California band CHIEF has been getting a lot of love from indie radio recently. Yesterday, Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current named this single its song of the day and with good reason. The single, “Mighty Proud,” and its subsequent B-side, “Stealing,” give off the same raw rock n’ roll sensibility and emotion of the early Modest Mouse releases, something that listeners should be excited about in anticipation of the bearded, long-haired-fellows’ debut album, set to be released this spring under the direction of Grammy-award winning producer Emery Dobyns. For Fans Of: Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, storytelling
— Nate Brennan, Variety Editor
Page 14 • Reporter
Variety
Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
Jackson and his ‘Lovely Bones’
matt mueller • 2009 DW Studios L.L.C. On the set with Oscar winner Peter Jackson (right), director/producer/co-screenwriter and Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan of DreamWorks Pictures’ “The Lovely Bones,” a Paramount Pictures release. NATE BRENNAN
variety editor
Seemingly everything Peter Jackson did in the past decade was lovely. From writing and directing “King Kong” and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which earned numerous awards including “Best Film” and “Best Director,” to producing the aforementioned films as well as the breakthrough Neill Blomkamp sci-fi flick “District 9,” each project he touched in the 2000s was an overwhelming success with critics and moviegoers alike. It should be only fitting then that the last project of the
decade for Jackson would be called “The Lovely Bones.” “[Alfred Hitchcock] said that ‘some people’s movies are slices of life, mine are slices of cake,’ and I’ve always thought that’s a really terrific quote,” said Jackson. “I have no interest in seeing movies about people like me or you or people that have regular jobs, or live a regular life.” Jackson defined that what attracts him to the projects he becomes involved in is the element of escapism. “I like being swept away into an adventure that I know I’m never going to have in my real life, seeing and meeting characters that I’m never going
to meet, because they’re so outrageous, and they’re never going to be part of my real life,” Jackson said. “In a number of different ways, the films I’ve made have been very different to each other, but they have that sort of thread of the fantastic through them.” “The Lovely Bones,” based on the Alice Sebold novel of same name, follows the life and afterlife of 14-year-old Susie Salmon, a suburban Pennsylvania girl who is murdered by her neighbor. The story is told through Susie as she acclimates herself to the afterlife and watches over her family as they deal with the grief and unanswered
questions left after her killer is never identified. “The emotion of ‘The Lovely Bones’ is really the purpose of making the movie, because we read the book, found it to be a very emotional experience,” Jackson said. “Because it touches on all sorts of themes and things that we recognize in our own lives, and once you’re emotionally affected like that, you try to hang on to that feeling, or that emotion.” Driving that emotion is the Academy Award-nominated 15-year-old Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (“Atonement”). Described by Jackson as a young Cate Blanchett, the up-and-coming young actress portrays protagonist Susie Salmon. “She was 13 years old, I think, when we first met her, and cast her in the film,” Jackson said. “And she has the qualities that I think a great actor needs.” Jackson described those qualities Ronan possesses as being “ferociously smart” and “incredibly brave” and having “an incredible sense of humor.” “She is incredibly gifted, and natural,” Jackson said. “And she’s courageous, because the acting is never about pretending, it’s about making it real. And when she’s crying on screen, she’s really crying, because she’s thinking about things that are making her cry.” “The world of show business, and especially acting, can get out of control very quickly
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and can go to people’s heads very fast,” Jackson said. “I can just see Saoirse going on to make many films in the future and have a long, illustrious career.” While still an adaptation, “The Lovely Bones” is a giant step away from the leviathan-sized concepts that were “The Lord of the Rings” and “King Kong.” Naturally, this produced different challenges toward the filmmaking process. “Every time you make a movie, it’s going to film school and you go to class at film school every day,” Jackson said. “So, one of the challenges that we’re discovering now is that, when you’re adapting, you’ve got to realize that you’re only going to get half the book into the movie, and you’ve got to start making decisions about what the most important aspects of the book are.” Much to the chagrin of diehard fans of adapted novels, sometimes elements of a work of literature get cut in favor of maintaining certain plot lines and fluidity. “It’s making those decisions and it’s seeing passages of the book that you really liked, that you assumed you’d put into the movie, but you suddenly haven’t got time for them,” Jackson said. “And it’s having to say goodbye to characters and to scenes that you were looking forward to doing.” “The Lovely Bones” hits the Carmike Stadium Cinema 6 theatre Friday.
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Variety
Reporter • Page 15
Cameron sparks new era in filmmaking
web photo With stunning new 3D special effects on a new world, James Cameron’s “Avatar” is blowing viewers away. JACOB BOHROD
staff writer
Watching James Cameron’s “Avatar,” one starts to understand how its main character, Jake Sully, must feel when splitting himself in two. Just as Cameron has his protagonist jacking into a new world, a place he could never experience to the fullest without this link, he has audiences plugging into their own separate reality: a new type of cinematic experience. A film made strictly as a catalyst for the 3D movement, “Avatar” was destined to be either the messiah of a new wave or the biggest Nelson-style “haha” to the technophiles of the film industry of all time. Now nearly a month after its
release, Cameron’s “Avatar” has grossed more than $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the secondhighest grossing film of all time. Sorry, Nelson. Starring Sam Worthington as a soldier assigned to an experimental task force on the planet of Pandora, the film gives a new take on a played story, especially when it’s applied to the meaning the film has in regards to the future of the industry. In order to avoid a conflict between the native Na’vi and the human colonists, Jake is assigned to gain the trust of the Na’vi and convince them to abandon their homeland. In order to do that, Jake is mentally linked with a Na’vi stand-in, his “avatar.” If “The Matrix” and “Pocahontas” met at a bar one
night and ended up going home with Cameron and his endless supply of money, this is what would ensue. The first 30 minutes of the film are barely B-grade material. It’s obvious Cameron’s sense of action is much keener than that of exposition. It is all too clear when we are being spoon fed back story and at some points Cameron underestimates his audiences’ sense of technology. Yes, the future will have touchscreens, big whoop. But once the story catches up to itself and breaks off into the wilderness of Pandora, the film hits its stride. The strange, new planet is marvelous and creative, a place that viewers will crave more of even after the film ends. Cameron does a spectacular job diverting our attention
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away from the primary set up and truly immersing us in Jake’s experience. This tactic is effective when things take a turn for the worse in the second half of the film, when suddenly the place that we have come to know (or, rather, the place that Jake has come to know) is threatened with destruction. The most awe-inspiring thing about “Avatar,” however, is not what happens on screen, but what happens outside it. Cameron has created for us our own avatar program, where we can divide ourselves between physical and mental, tapping our minds into an imaginative new realm, leaving our bodies emptied shoulder-to-shoulder in our local Cineplex. Granted, this does not infer that every experience is destined to be a great one, that the fundamentals of filmmaking will fall to the wayside once this new technique takes hold. In order to complete a puzzle, one must consider all the pieces at hand; it’s only that Cameron has created another piece. Cameron’s use of the technology as an intrinsic and essential element of his film is what gives the start to the new era of film history such promise. To strip “Avatar” of its three dimensions or its high-end computer generated imagery would be to erase the film (quite literally), akin to stripping “The
Descent” of its color or “Moulin Rouge!” of its song: however watchable, they are not the same films. Like it is Jake’s destiny to unite the separate worlds of his two selves, Cameron’s film aims to link the two worlds of film, one rooted in traditional and the other an emerging, mechanized powerhouse. An avatar acting on behalf of this new technologically inclined philosophy, the film wants to convince us that the two worlds do not have to live in disharmony, that tradition and technology can become one. While “Avatar” nearly suffocates the old in representing the new, the merger is successful. “Avatar” is something great. Its ingenuity and success is undeniable, agreed upon by all who see it, and even its flaws, in a way, give it depth, providing us with more to talk about, to discuss, to hypothesize on. As the topic of conversation “Avatar” is unrivaled, and aside from a few poor cinematographic choices and a narration that is 95 percent unnecessary, I believe it has the legs to stay that way, provided that popular technology can catch up to it any time soon. For an out-of-body experience like “Avatar,” $10.50 is a steal. See this movie.
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Page 16 • Reporter
Variety
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
FRANKEN The Minnesota Senator hasn’t stayed quiet in his first year, engaging in continued from 13 altercations with long-time Congressman such as Sen. John McCain when Franken was inaugurated as the Democrats’ 60th Senate vote. An issue since his narrow and drawn-out defeat of incumbent Norm Coleman, Franken’s career in comedy and controversial tongue have led democrats to cross their fingers in anticipation. And these criticisms were not alone. Rush Limbaugh had accused Franken of “stealing” the election. Rumors had been spread about Franken having out-of-state tax problems and conservative Democrats were so nervously grinding their teeth Joe Biden had actually stopped smiling. Needless to say, Franken had an uphill battle. Then came along Franken’s first initiative: service dogs for injured veterans. According to Franken service dogs were the answer to many of veteran’s mental and physical problems including the rising suicide rate. In the Star Tribune, Franken explained his bill “is enough simply to improve the lives of those of whom we ask so much.” “This program isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. This is win, win, win, win,” Franken said. Franken’s second piece of legislation was even more winwin. Inspired by Jamie Leigh Jones — a 20-year-old computer technician hired by defense contractor KBR — after she was drugged, gang-raped and placed in a shipping container for 24 hours by her coworkers. When she attempted justice through the courts she was abruptly stopped by an arbitration contract she had signed upon being hired that kept her from taking assault charges to
msu reporter archive photo Franken made one of his first candidacy speeches at Minnesota State in the Winter of 2007.
court. Instead she would have to settle her case within the same business that had neglected her previous complaints. The bill Franken proposed would restrict federal funding from reaching those defense contractors that require such arbitration contracts. Claiming that this legislation fit well between the boundaries of conditions for federal funds, Franken argued that this same reasoning of law was used in lengthening the drinking age to 21 by restricting federal funding of state highways. Attaching his previous service dog legislation to the defense contractor amendment, the bill was passed by the Senate 68-30, less than six months into his first term.
“Franken is doing exactly what Minnesota elected him to do, to protect and promote our interests,” said Minnesota State student and D.F.L. volunteer Abby Hager. “I am impressed with how he jumped right in on day one and is fighting hard for our rights … that he is protecting the rights of future women in the amendment that he wrote is just amazing.” Along with his crowd-pleasing bill, Franken has become a contributing factor in the healthcare debate. During mid-December, in a response to a speech on proposed healthcare reform by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Franken aggressively pursued the senator in questioning the details of his presentation.
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“We are entitled to our own opinions,” Franken said. “We’re not entitled to our own facts.” Arguing that Thune neglected to mention any benefits that started the following year, Franken went on to imply the junior senator had not even read the bill. In an interview with MSU’s political science department, professors Joseph Kunkel and Frederick Slocum discussed how they found the freshmen senator’s first six months in office. “The jury is still out on this,
but somewhere between impressive and average,” Slocum said. Slocum explained that it’s difficult to gauge his progress considering he wasn’t granted his seat until last summer. “I think he has strived to keep a generally low profile with a ‘new boy in school’ attitude in the Senate, learning its procedures and behavioral norms,” Slocum said. “He has had some success coming across as a serious and hardworking new senator, which is something he has sought to do since his background as a comedian and author of some controversial writings were issues during the election campaign.” Kunkel found Franken to be on similar ground. “Average, he hasn’t been in office for even a year. It will take him awhile to get started.” When asked about the former professional comedian’s largest hurdle as a politician, there was no surprise from Slocum’s response. “Since he took office, I think he has avoided any glaring slips of the tongue, and he has quite deliberately come across as serious and intentional in moving beyond his controversial past.” Slocum elaborated that Franken’s campaign ads resonated this when he looked into the camera and said “It's time to get to work (on pressing national issues).”
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Sports Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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Mavericks take third in National Duals Behind a 36-10 win over Gannon State, MSU turns heads in Iowa
take this group until January to show what kind of team they staff writer are going to be. The MaverThe Minnesota State wresicks proved they are a resilient tling team saw their season group but still have a ways heat up over the weekend to go before they can match when they had with a team like their first dual MAKING A NATIONAL Nebraska-Omamatch of the ha who handed IMPACT season. The MSU their only No. 12 ranked defeat of the 125 POUNDS Mavericks tournament. traveled to Ce“Omaha dar Falls, Iowa ANDY has a great to compete in FORSTNER program,” said the NWCA Makovsky. “We FOURTH IN National Duals have a great NATION where they rivalry with would take on 5-4 RECORD them.” If the Mavfour opponents. ericks are going MSU was to contend with able to come 285 POUNDS Nebraska-Omaaway from the ha this year they tournament BRADY with three team will need to imWILSON victories leadprove at many ing to a third key spots. The FIRST IN place finish in middle weights NATION the tournament. struggled Mavericks 7-4 RECORD against Nebraska-Omaha loscoach Jim ing five straight Makovsky said The Mavericks (4-1) are ranked matches. One of earlier in the year that it may No. 12 in the nation the few bright PAT DELANEY
dan moen • msu reporter Senior Brady Wilson had a 2-1 victory against third-ranked Elijah Madison in MSU’s third place match.
spots of the match was the performances by Seniors Travis Elg and Brady Wilson. The two returning AllAmericans continued to show why they are among the country’s best. Elg won
at 149 pounds getting the Mavericks their first points. Wilson defeated No. 3 ranked Elijah Madison 2-1 to close out the match. Wilson is the top ranked heavy weight and is making a strong case that
this could be his year to be a National champion. Despite a tough loss, the Mavericks showed they can bounce back after losing their first match of the season and
Wrestling / page 19
Two teams, two different places
The men’s basketball team is undefeated, while the women have dropped four of last five KYLE RATKE
sports editor
Last season at this time, Maverick basketball fans were likely raving about the undefeated women’s basketball team. It now looks as if the men are the topic of the conversation with their 14-0 overall record and current No. 7 ranking in the nation, especially after not appearing in the pre-season rankings. “We knew coming in we had the talent. It’s not a big deal. Regional rankings are more important for us,” said senior point guard Jesse Clark of not being ranked ealier in the season. “Being undefeated puts us in the driver’s seat to host regionals.” Clark is speaking of getting homecourt advantage starting the NCAA tournament instead of possibly having to travel to a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival, such as
Winona. Since the rest of the student population has either left campus or left town, the Mavericks have gone 7-0, averaging an impressive 86.5 points per game, while allowing opponents to just 69 points. MSU currently leads the NSIC and are on pace to host regionals with 13 games remaining on the schedule. Not only did the Mavericks survive the dreaded two-weekend road trip — traveling to Crookston, Moorhead, Upper Iowa and Winona — they thrived during it, ending it with a 76-71 win over Winona State, a place where MSU hasn’t won at since 2005. “It was nice just to get it over with,” Clark said. “Since I have been here, we haven’t won at Winona. They have all been tough games. It was nice to finally get that done and hopefully start a new trend.”
MBB / page 19
MIDSEASON REPORT Men’s basketball 14-0, 7-0 in NSIC (first place) No. 7 in nation Points - Travis Nelson (16.8) Rebounds - Jefferson Mason (8.4) Assists - Jesse Clark (4)
Women’s basketball 9-5, 4-3 in NSIC (sixth place) Not ranked nationally Points - Jennie Noreen (15.8) Rebounds - Liz Trauger (6.3) Assists - Tiffany Moe (5) * All stats are per game
DEREK WERHWEIN
staff writer
Minnesota State women’s basketball coach Pam Gohl can’t do much about her young team’s inexperience. Only time will take care of that. But Gohl can do something about her team’s poor rebounding, which also played a role in the Mavericks’ 1-4 record during winter break. Opponents are, on average, out-rebounding the Mavericks by a 42 to 39.3 margin, making MSU one of the worst rebounding teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. In conference games, MSU is getting out-rebounded 41.9 to 37.3. The problem became particularly apparent in an 82-74 loss to Minnesota State, Moorhead, on Jan. 3, when the Mavericks gave up 17 offensive rebounds and were out-rebounded 41-27. “We do some really good things on defense, but if you don’t close it out with a defen-
sive board then you have to play defense another 30 seconds,” Gohl said. The solution? An increased emphasis on boxing out and rebounding drills during practice as the Mavericks (9-5, 4-3) prepare to host Concordia University on Friday. Friday’s game marks the first time since Dec. 12 that MSU plays at Bresnan Arena, where the Mavericks are still undefeated this season. They entered winter break with an 8-1 record, but Gohl indicated the recent road swing highlighted not just the Mavericks’ rebounding deficiencies, but also their inexperience. They dropped three straight to Bemidji State, Minnesota Crookston and MSU Moorhead before blowing out Upper Iowa 97-64 on Friday. Their last game, on Saturday, was a 77-64 loss to Winona State. “We’re a young team,” Gohl
WBB / page 19
Page 18 • Reporter
Sports
Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
Ups and downs for MSU over break
Mavericks hope to make improvements over second half of season
went downhill from there, as the Mavericks received a delay of game penalty before As the Minnesota State the puck had even dropped on women’s hockey team begins the second period. The Lakers their second half of WCHA took hold of the momentum conference play, they hope and rolled to an 8-2 victory to maintain their effort while from there. improving their place in “We played an awesome the conference first period, standings at the MIDSEASON REPORT but then same time. The the delay of team has had Women’s hockey game sort their fair share of set the 4-11-5 overall of bad bounces mood and this season and 2-9-5-3 in WCHA (7th place) it just went has had trouble downhill stringing wins from there,” Points Ashley Young (14) together. They said senior have played forward Goals - Emmi Leinonen (8) competitive Christina hockey and Assists - Young, Lauren Smith Lee. beaten some (9) Head quality teams, coach Eric but can’t seem to Saves - Alli Altmann (415) Means find the winning noted that formula. Mercyhurst After being swept at home was “the best team talent-wise” by the Wisconsin Badgers in that the Mavericks had played mid-December, the Mavericks all year. The Mavericks could had some down time to not find their offense the rest recharge their batteries and of the weekend, getting shut get ready for the 2010 portion out by the Providence Friars of their schedule. Greeting 2-0 the following afternoon. them on the other side of the “We just aren’t scoring New Year was No. 1 ranked and can’t put the puck in the Mercyhurst at the Easton net,” said Means. “We counted Holiday Showcase in St. 28 quality opportunities in Cloud. the two games and had some The team definitely looked breakaways and scoring prepared to start the game, chances, we just couldn’t taking a 2-0 lead into the capitalize on them.” locker room after an inspiring Playing two highly ranked first period of hockey. Things teams from out east offered LEE HANDEL
staff writer
the Mavericks a change of pace from the WCHA style of play that could come in handy down the road. “They play a little different,” Lee said. “Teams in the WCHA play a more rough and grind-it-out style and these two games had more skating and flow to them.” The Mavericks resumed WCHA play last weekend, traveling to Bemidji State to take on the Beavers. The Mavericks lost a heartbreaking shootout to the Beavers at home in early November and had revenge on their minds. They managed to completely turn the tables on the Beavers with a dramatic come-from-behind shootout victory of their own. After falling behind 2-0, the Mavericks rallied to tie the score on goals from junior forward Lisa Edman and freshman forward Lauren Smith. The game remained tied until Smith and senior captain Kala Buganski netted goals to win the shootout 2-1. However, the Mavericks failed to get the sweep they desperately needed, getting blanked 3-0 Saturday afternoon. dan moen • msu reporter “Our goals for the weekend Senior captain Christina Lee is confident the Mavericks are better than were to win a game in they’ve played lately. regulation and get four points,” will begin to go the Mavericks into victories. Means said. “We’ll take the way. It will be up to them “We need big wins and we two points, but we need to start to take advantage of their know we can get big wins,” moving up in the standings.” opportunities and convert them Lee said. At some point, the bounces
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sports
MEN’S BALL Mavericks keep undefeated record over winter break continued from 17
The Mavericks started the break without one of their key players in transfer junior guard Cam Hodges, who was out until early January with a dislocated right index finger. Thanks to Joe Drapcho (eight points per game, who started for Hodges, and is currently in the starting five rotation) the Mavericks haven’t missed a beat. Drapcho is a prime example of the depth the Mavericks bring to the table, having players such as Marcus Hill (11 points per game), Taylor Morrow (five points per game, 20 steals on season) and Stephen Kirschbaum (43 percent from three-pt line) have given the Mavericks an extra spark this season. It’s well known that these players could start for other programs, the Mavericks know their success rides on whether players accept their role.
MSU recently put in Drapcho and Jefferson Mason into the starting line-up, replacing Hodges and senior forward Curt Greeley. Coach Margenthaler has said earlier in the season that he is not looking to always play the five best players at one time, but the five players that play best together. Hopefully for MSU, the return of the rest of the student population or the start of classes doesn’t throw the Mavericks off their win streak. “That’s the nice part about being here on break,” Clark said. “We spend quite a bit of time together. And with the new guys on the team, it’s good for the moral of the team.” The Mavericks are scheduled to play St. Paul - Concordia on Friday and St. Cloud State on Saturday. Both games tip-off at 8 p.m.
WOMEN’S BALL continued from 17
msu reporter archive In her first year starting, sophomore Jennie Noreen is leading the Mavericks with 15.8 points per game.
msu reporter archive Senior point guard Jesse Clark is one of the most efficient players in the nation, ranking third with a 4.0 assist-turnover ratio.
WRESTLING “I want to develop all 26 guys in the room.” continued from 17 they did so with a The Mavericks convincing victory will now return home over Gannon in the for the first time in third-place match. two months when The Mavericks got an they welcome in Wisearly win from junior consin Eau Claire. Andy Forstner and MSU will look to never looked back. start making a run as each match will MSU was able to start becoming more hold off Gannon for Makovsky crucial. Continued the rest of the match improvement among and capped off the tournament with another Brady other weights will be vital if the Mavericks want to move Wilson victory.
Reporter • Page 19
back among the top teams in the country. “I want to develop all 26 guys in our room,” Makovsky said. MSU will have this week to improve before their match Thursday.
said. “Against Crookston we didn’t play with our best effort, but otherwise we just didn’t execute or get defensive stops.” On offense, however, several players continue to shine for MSU. Liz Trauger posted a career-high 21 points against Winona State and is averaging 13.1 points per game. Jennie Noreen continues to lead the Mavericks with 15.8 points per game and is fifth in scoring in the NSIC. Tiffany Moe is second on the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game.
Perhaps just as importantly, MSU is third in the NSIC in points scored and leads the conference in turnover margin and assists to turnovers ratio. The key, said Gohl, is for her team to maintain confidence, which is why the victory against Upper Iowa was so critical. “It was important to get a win on the road,” she said. “Upper Iowa’s a team that’s a little down this year, but with a young team like we have, it’s importance to get confidence.”
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Page 20 • Reporter
Sports
Tuesday, January 12, 2010T
Mavericks sweep twice over break weekend. The Mavericks cut the deficit to one courtesy of a Ben Youds After the type of winter break power-play goal with assists from the Minnesota State hockey team Geoff Irwin and Zach Harrison. had, the Mavericks had plenty It was Youds’ first goal of the to look forward to when they season. jumped back into its WCHA Gregoire and Knight each schedule this weekend. scored second “We had a lot MIDSEASON REPORT period goals to of momentum goice the game for ing into the weekthe Sioux. Chris Men’s hockey end,” said senior VandeVelde and captain Geoff 11-11-2 overall Derrick LaPoint Irwin. "Playing at each finished North Dakota is 5-10-1 in WCHA (8th place) with two assists. kind of a benchSaturday mark for the Points - Zach Harrison, Ben began much season to show us Youds (20) like Friday, as where we're at as Gregoire and Goals - Jerad Stewart (1) a team." Michael Cichy The optimism scored a minute Assists - Youds (19) was warranted apart and UND after MSU went jumped out to Saves Austin Lee (414) 4-1-1 in three another early nonconference two-goal lead series after finals five minutes into the game. week in December and before Irwin scored late in the period this past weekend’s series at on a power play assisted by North Dakota. The stretch was Youds and Kael Mouillierat. highlighted by a sweep at then After a scoreless second, GreNo. 4 Bemidji State. goire added his fourth goal of the But lowlights were the theme weekend to make it a two-goal for the Mavericks at fifth-ranked game. Channing Boe cut the lead UND, which swept MSU 4-1 and to one late in the game for the 3-2 Saturday at Ralph Englestad Mavericks. Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. “We just didn't show up FriThe Fighting Sioux jumped on day night and we didn't capitalize MSU with a pair of goals by Coron opportunities Saturday night,” ban Knight and Jason Gregoire Irwin said. in the first seven minutes of the Mavericks take on No. 13 game Friday. Minnesota-Duluth at 7:37 p.m., MSU’s starting goaltender Friday at the Verizon Wireless Phil Cook left the game after the Center. The teams will meet second goal with a back injury again at 7:07 p.m. Saturday. and didn’t return the rest of the
TYLER BUCKENTINE
staff writer
SKIS & SNOWBOARDS
Youds nets first goal He was at the top of MSU’s scoring list for most of the season, assisting on 18 goals going into the UND series but Youds, a junior defenseman, was still looking for his first goal. Youds finally got over the hump when his wrist shot from the top of the circle beat Eidsness on the power play at 10:13 of the first period in Friday’s loss at UND. “It felt good, it was dan moen • msu reporter nice to get the monkey The Mavericks split with the Gophers, winning at Mariucci 3-1, while losing at the off the back,” said Verizon Center 2-6. Youds, who went all season without a goal tied for the team lead in points a better option than Cook to rein 2009-10. "It was nice to get a with Zach Harrison and is second open the WCHA season. notch in that lefthanded column in the WCHA in scoring by “I don’t know that we’ll ever but i wasn't really thinking about defensemen. have a No. 1 goalie. I’ll play the it. I would happen eventually." Don’t forget, Youds added kid who’s working hard and is Youds scored his only other an assist Saturday night to keep having success," Jutting said. ''All career goal as a freshman on Feb. his scoring streak alive at four three are capable. We’ll see how 1, 2008 against Denver. He had games. practice goes.” twenty combined points in his Lee filled in when Cook went first two seasons. Questions in the crease down in the first period Friday “Last year was a disappointMavericks coach Troy Jutting and looks to be the Mavericks’ ment for me, I wasn't really has said throughout the season top goalie for now. He leads the playing my style,” Youds said. the Mavericks don’t have a “No. Mavericks in games played (15) "This summer I really focused on 1” goalie and that Cook, Lee and with a 7-7 record, a 2.63 goals what I needed to work on. I came Kevin Murdock are all capable against average and a .914 save back and worked hard to play the and have a shot at starting in percentage. brand of hockey I knew I could net any given weekend for the “You're always ready to go, play." Mavericks. whether you're on the bench or in In just 24 games this season, But with a 0.87 goals against practice,” Lee said. "When Coach Youds’ 20 points match his career average and a .967 save persays you gotta go in, you have to point total coming into the season centage after his Jan. 2 shutout be ready.” (20 points in 69 games). He is against RIT, it was hard to find
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sports
Reporter • Page 21
Bleacher Banter
It’s been almost a year since we’ve done it so we figured, as rookies, we would give Banter a try. Hell, we can’t get much worse than Buck and Berhow, right? ... Right? Okay, maybe not. Here goes nothing. Kyle Ratke: I am actually kind of nervous to do this. It’s like the feeling that I would imagine someone would get before kissing a girl. This is the famous banter. I don’t really see this going all that well, being we are probably to of the biggest smart asses on this campus. This could end with blood. Any first words for the readers? Nate Brennan: Well ever since being replaced as starting kicker for my high school football team by a freshman, I’ve felt that I am the most qualified person on the planet to give an opinion on the world of sports. How’d you even get this sports editor job anyway, Ratke? You don’t even look like you played sports in high school. And if the beastly John Clayton has taught us anything, that characteristic is the determining factor toward being a quality sports journalist. Ratke: I don’t know how I got this job to be honest. I must have won them over with my great personality and stunning charm. You should have seen me bench this morning. A guy
the size of Snooky from Jersey Shore went up to the bench I was using and took weights OFF ... and then added 45’s replacing the 10’s I had on. Then he winked at me. I don’t look very manly do I? Enough of my body, what did you think of the playoff action this weekend? I think we already talked about how I gambled my money away again (tips for gamblers: A parlay bet looks great, but it almost never EVER works out. Trust me.) I mean, really Patriots? Joe Flacco beat you throwing the ball ten times. Sidenote: Nobody with the last name Flacco should be a starting quarterback. Brennan: The last time Brady lost in the playoffs was the 2008 Super Bowl when Manning did the Pats in with 255 yds., 2 TDs and 1 INT through the air. Flacco did it with 34 yds, 0 TDs and 1 INT. Lesson: J. Flacco > M. Jacko. Does anyone even get that reference? Something in the NFL I am fairly confident I know more
Kyle ratke
nate brennan
about than most in the Arctic Circle state is the Philadelphia Eagles. And boy, did they look awful. But in the back-to-back matchup, it wasn’t so much Philly’s poor play, but the Cowboys playing uncharacteristically well. Unless the Vikings can bring Jessica Simpson back into the picture, they might be in trouble. Ratke: I agree. I have always been tough on the Vikings, and if Bryant McKinnie keeps playing like Snooky (yeah, I just made two references to Snooky in one article, get over it), the Vikings will be in huge trouble. DeMarcus Ware is probably the last guy in the NFL I want to see in an alley right next to Ray Lewis. Being Lewis murdered someone and all and eats grass on national television. Name the last sane player to kill someone and then eat grass on TV. Don’t worry I’ll wait.
My pick is Vikings 38, Cowboys 30. I hope I am right. If not, I might have to sell my car. P.S. I mean, if we have to bring in Jessica Simpson, I am for it. Brennan: Don’t you mean Jessica Blimpson? Damn, I should have saved that gem for my future career at US Weekly. Well I completely disagree with your prediction. Peterson is going to have a hell of a time trying to find holes against that Cowboys run defense and with only one or two exceptions, the Vikings have shown that when Peterson can’t be let loose, the rest of the team falls. But let’s say you’re right and the Vikes make it through with the help of Jamie Moyer, I mean Brett Favre. Who do they play in the NFC Championship? Ratke: Simpson or Blimpson, she could sing, “These boots are made for walkin’” to Romo while eating a crabcake from the beard of Brad Childress. I am fine with that.
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I have to pick the Saints. I was thinking maybe the Cardinals could beat them, but their pass defense looked brutal against the Pack and it won’t get any easier against Drew Brees. It really is a shame that Peterson didn’t have the year he was supposed to have. Great yea number wise, but when watching him this year I felt like we were both hungover (I probably was). He just didn’t look right to me. But I run a 5.4 40-yard dash, he runs a 4.4. I will shut up now. I think the AFC goes to San Diego. Even though the rest of America is fondling themselves while thinking about the Jets, they aren’t that good. The Ravens don’t get me excited at all. And as long as the Colts have Peyton Manning, you can’t rule them out. Superbowl prediction: San Diego 34, New Orleans 31. That doesn’t sound right at all. Give me yours. Brennan: The Toronto Argonauts 15, Ryan Leaf 15 years. Kyle Ratke is the Reporter Sports Editor. Nate Brennan is the Variety Editor. They claim to be the best looking male editors on staff.
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Students & Staff get an additional discount if they mention our ad with Expires 2/28/10 MavCARD!
For Rent
DOWNTOWN MANKATO Devine Towers. 4-5 Br units. Wa s h e r / d r y e r / f i r e p l a c e / disposale/DW. Available August 1. Call Gary 952-4515793. 2/25 ROOM FOR RENT $320 + 1/5 of utilities, next to campus available now. Jim at 507345-2049. 1/28 HOUSE FOR RENT 3 + BEDROOM. $995 + utilities. Available now. Jim at 507345-2049. 1/28 UNITS AVAILABLE NOW! Short Term Leases, Rent by the Bedroom or the Unit. Some pets allowed! ALL DOWNTOWN MANKATO! Call for more details! 507382-1517. 1/26 3 BR APT $750 ALL UTILITIES included. Off Street Parking, Central Air/ Heat. Rich 507-420-1579. 1/28
Help Wanted BARTENDERS WANTED! $250/day potential. No experience necessary. Training available. Age 18+ OK. Call (800) 965-6520 Ext. 170. 4/29 STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM PAID survey takers needed in Mankato. 100% FREE to join! Click on surveys. 1/12 YAEGER BUS SERVICE IS NOW hiring PT school bus route drivers and sports drivers. Excellent pay and performance bonuses. Hours work well for college schedules, homemakers or a second job. Training provided. Call 507-345-5470. ACTORS NEEDED TO READ For playwrights in Mankato. Free lunch. See: www. berWorkshop.com for details. 3/4 EARN $20/HOUR. REFEREES needed. Knowledge of ice hockey rules needed. Flexible scheduling. Please email mankatohockey@hotmail. com. 1/26
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(507) 389-1776
Miscellaneous
IF IT’S BEEN 3+ YEARS SINCE your last dental cleaning you may qualify for a free one at the MSU Clinic! Call Amy 651-263-4888. 1/26
Notices
FREE SHOTOKAN KARATE
Classes offered M/T/TH. 6-8 pm. Dance room (HN 225) Beginners are welcome. Need not be a MSU student to join. For info call Brad @ (507) 388-5301. 4/22 ALL TYPES OF LEISURE reading. Bring in filling Station coffee from across the street receive $1 off book purchase with student I.D. Once Read, 629 S. Front. Mon-Sat,10-5. 4/29
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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Reporter • Page 23
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Get Real...TAKE A BUS! • • • •
Convenient & Inexpensive Air Conditioned/Heated Fast: Every 12 Minutes Guarantee Purple, Orange and Dark Green Minnesota State Mankato Permit Holders each receive a bus tag to ride FREE between campus and lots 20, 21 & 22.
All Buses Travel Through the Campus Core, Gage Corner, McElroy, and Lots 20, 21, 22 & 23 on Class Days CAMPUS EXPRESS ROUTE 1.................................Runs to 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday Devonshire, Southridge, Weimert Properties, Quads, Highland Hills, Meadow View, Homestead, College Park, Summit, and Stadium Heights. CAMPUS ROUTE 8 & MAVERICK SHUTTLE........................... Campus bus shelters on Minnesota State, Mankato property and College Park, Summit. CITY ROUTE 6...... Takes you downtown or to Madison East Center where you can transfer to other City Routes.
Do you need any of these? Groceries • Shoes • Clothes • School Supplies • Entertainment
Take a ride on the Stomper Express!
Thursday - Friday - Saturday 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM Picks up in front of Gage & McElroy Halls, Julia Sears, Devonshire & Southridge. Makes Stops at Wal-Mart, River Hills Mall, Mankato Heights Plaza and much more. MavCard ID holders ride free; others pay $1.50.
www.mnsu.edu/parking