Thursday, March 25, 2010
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Sitting down with Pres. Davenport The Reporter meets with Davenport for a Q&A to get to know the man in charge at Minnesota State
REPORTER STAFF
NICOLE SMITH | editor in chief
R: What are the main challenges or problems facing MSU, aside from the obvious budget crisis? D: We have a very ambitious number of strategic priorities for the institution and one of my concerns is that that will be slowed down as we try to deal with the budget issue. And naturally it would take a back seat to the budget issue until it is solved ... We are also working on building the campus for the future and that involves creating a campus we envision as the most beautiful Midwestern campus. [We want to create] a pedestrian campus with new buildings.
Making the campus a global university is the other thing. How do we become a global university? We haven’t quite figured it out, but we are working on it … We don’t want to just provide information about the international world we live in, but what are the problems worldwide and how do we build into the curriculum so every student who graduates here is wellversed in world issues and problems as well as regional, Minnesota issues.
MSU cuts summer work-study
dan moen • msu reporter Minnesota State Pres. Richard Davenport spent Tuesday in the office of the student senate meeting with students. Some came in to ask serious questions, while others came in to chat with the president.
R: What are your top three goals for the university in the next year?
problem is the main priority. Then I would say enhance enrollment management. What I mean by that is that we want to be a little more aggressive in recruiting, enrolling and graduating students and that means retaining students.
D: [To] solve the budget
R: Do you think MSU does
a substantial job of being a diverse campus? D: I would say we are the leader. I think we might be one of the exemplary leaders in diversity in the entire [MnSCU] system.
President / page 9
Work-study will not be available for students in the summer 2010 term. This year students who received workstudy have used more money than has been used in the past, creating a large deficit. For fiscal year 2010, Minnesota State received $1.9 million for work-study funding, but a recent projection shows that work-study earnings through June 20 will amount to $2.2 million. By eliminating summer term work-study, the projected deficit will be reduced from $270,000 to about $150,000. The economic recession has had a larger impact than expected which has caused this situation to occur at multiple universities including MSU. Departments are advised to work together to seek alternative financial solutions and resolve staffing needs. Many students are also expected to experience the monetary consequences of this decision. The information came from an email on behalf of Rick Straka, vice president of finance and administration.
FOR MORE COVERAGE ON THE PRESIDENT’S DAY WORKING IN THE MSSA OFFICE SEE PAGE 4
Learning from experience MSSA discusses Journalist and PR panel held Wednesday ERIN ROHRER
index
staff writer On Wednesday, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) sponsored a speaker panel free to students in Ostrander Auditorium. More than 100 people were in attendance, including students in the mass communications department, professors, faculty and professionals. The panel was made up of six professionals from Mankato and the Twin Cities area who shared their knowledge with students interested in related fields. Students were Editorial...................................6 Voices......................................7 Variety......................................9 Sports....................................11 Classifieds.............................19
weapons policy ELENA SHUFELT
assistant news editor
wale agboola • msu reporter Six media professionals gathered as panelists Wednesday to offer insight to students, including Robb Murray from the Mankato Free Press,
given the opportunity to ask the panel questions about their experiences as well as
meet one-on-one with the professionals for questions
Learning / page 8
Looking for a place to live next year? See ads inside to check out housing options in the area.
The Minnesota State Student Association is looking into possible changes in the weapons and firearms policy on campus. Currently, MnSCU policy states that anyone associated with Minnesota State is not allowed to carry a concealed weapon on campus, but guests of the university have the right to. MSSA plans to request that MnSCU examine research about the safety of carrying legal weapons on campuses and update the policy accordingly. “It is basically a request to
keep up with what research is showing,” said senator Abby Knott. Senator Brett Carpenter said presently research shows that campuses are no safer without students carrying concealed weapons. He believes the policy should be updated according to what accredited research says is the safest option. The senate is in no way stating that MSU students should be or should not be allowed to carry concealed weapons. Route 1 of the Mankato Transit System could be
MSSA / page 9