Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Bye, bye ballroom Major renovation now underway
nate brennan • msu reporter The ballroom renovation began with asbestos removal over spring break. Construction will continue until September. renovated ballroom in the year, which has caused date AVERY CROPP Centennial Student Union. As changes, relocation, and some
staff writer
Fall semester students should expect to have a brand-new
of spring break the space is no longer available for use for events that occur there every
creative logistical planning for many offices on campus. The Career Development
Center, which usually holds the two-day Career and Internship Expo and employer speaker panel in the ballroom in the fall, will be impacted by the renovation. According to Assistant Director Deenna Latus, the CDC also works closely with the First Year Experience Office to organize the major fair, which usually takes place in the ballroom in the fall. According to Latus, the Career and Internship Expo date has been moved to a one-day event on November 3, 2011. A full three weeks later than usual. The speaker panel, which educates students about what employers will be looking for, is expected to be moved to Ostrander Auditorium. “It’s unfortunate that our expo has to be moved later, but the benefits will be great after the renovation is complete. We’ll just deal with it and we look forward to the experience of the new ballroom,” Latus said. “Lighting in [the ballroom]
has been unfortunate in the past. We’re looking forward to the audiovisual sound and improved technology which will be something that employers will be very excited about.” Director of Academic Advising Sara GranbergRademacker, who works in the First Year Experience Office, is in charge of organizing the major fair. “We have adjusted the date for the major fair, hoping that by the end of October, the ballroom will be available,” Granberg-Rademacker said. “If it’s not available then, we’ll have to make a decision whether to go with our November 2 date or try to host the major fair in the spring.” She is hoping that the ballroom does get back online by September so the major fair can take place during its usual time. “We like our October date because it seems to fall during a time when students aren’t
Renovation / page 6
Fulbright scholar uses techniques learned in U.S. to help in native country Youssouf Magassouba starts English program for students in Mali
GRACE WEBB
staff writer
Youssouf Magassouba may look like a regular student pursuing his master’s degree at Minnesota State University, but really, he’s a man with a mission. Magassouba, who is from Mali, West Africa, came to the U.S. to learn ways to better teach English at the English program he initiated in his home country. Magassouba started the program, called, “Hey, English Will Help You (HEY),” in 2003 while he was working for a major mining company in Mali. He spoke very good English because his bachelor’s degree
was in English, but many people from Mali don’t speak English well or at all, since the country’s primary language is French. However, Magassouba said he thought teaching English to Mali students would give them more opportunities later in life. “I am a real believer in education,” Magassouba said. “I think that the education is the right social equalizer.” Magassouba started by giving motivational speeches at schools and donating supplies and funds to his old school. Then he branched out, working with his superiors at the mining company to develop an English program where high school students could learn English and
see what it was like to work at the mine. Working at the mine is a very good job in Mali, but mine work requires education, Magassouba said, which is why he wanted to teach students English and help them in other subject areas. Eventually, Magassouba worked with government officials to be allowed to teach an after-hours English program at three public schools in Mali. Magassouba said it’s a simple teaching program, but he said he believes the best programs are the ones that get to the point without needing tons of resources or rules. “Those simple but effective
INDEX
inside
Voices..............................4 Study Break.....................5 Arts & Entertainment......9 Sports............................12 Classified.......................15
A BABY WHO IS A BABY DADDY (4) GREEN LOT GONE, NOW WHERE TO PARK? (4) TAKE A TOUR THROUGH HISTORY, ONE SIP AT A TIME (9) GET INSIDE THE HEAD OF MAN’S BEST FRIEND (9) BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY RESULTS (12) THE REPORTER GIVES AWAY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS (13) WRESTLING COMES TO A CLOSE (14)
programs have more impact on the communities than more expensive programs,” he said. Magassouba must be on to something, since HEY has grown in numbers and success with more than 600 students enrolling every year. The program is offered to kids in elementary and middle school, and, when they leave it to go to high school, their new teachers often ask them where they learned such great English. “This has happened to be a very successful story,” Magassouba said. However, not everyone was pleased with Magassouba’s success. “I met with a lot of
difficulties,” Magassouba said. “Some people do not want change. It caused me a lot of animosity.” Magassouba said some people tried to ruin the program by interfering with it and with his work. People tried to get his superiors to cause him trouble. But Magassouba said he persevered because of the support from his manager and his community. “Because of the support of some people and my belief in what I was doing, I had to continue,” he said. The program has been going strong for eight years now, and Magassouba is always making
Magassouba / page 3
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