March 25, 2021

M avs prep for championship page

TODAY

9

52˚

‘Desdemona’ hits

Partly cloudy!

the stage page

30˚

STUDENT RUN NEWS SINCE 1926

13

MSUREPORTER.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021

BUDGETS DECIDED

full story on page 3

Student Gov’t determined the funding for Theatre, Campus Rec, Reporter among others

A person who is sexually assaulted while intoxicated does not fit the designation for a more serious charge if he or she consumed the alcohol or drugs voluntarily, the Minnesota Supreme Court said in a ruling released Wednesday.

The opinion stems from the case of Francois Momulu Khalil, a Minneapolis man who was convicted of third-degree criminal sexual misconduct because the victim was drunk and considered by the jury to be mentally incapacitated. The woman met Khalil after she was refused entry to a bar because she was too intoxicated.

In a unanimous decision written by Justice Paul Thissen, the state Supreme Court said the lower court’s definition of mentally incapacitated in this case “unreasonably strains and stretches the plain text of the statute” because the victim was drunk before she met her attacker. To meet the definition, the alcohol must be administered to the person under its influence without that person’s agreement, the high court ruled.

Some are worried about the ruling’s ramifications.

Democratic state Rep. Kelly Moller said it shows the urgent need to update the state’s criminal sexual conduct statute, including by closing what she calls the intoxication loophole. She has introduced a bill to amend the statute.

“Victims who are intoxicated to the degree that they are unable to give consent are entitled to justice,” Moller said. “Minnesotans who experience unthinkable trauma deserve to see the Legislature take action on this immediately.”

The justices granted a new trial for Khalil. His attorney declined to comment on the decision.

By BAILEY BRENDEL Staff Writer Anyone who uses a parking permit, take note: There will be no changes to permit costs, but big changes are coming for next year’s parking and transportation methods.

The changes come after the annual Public Hearing on Parking Policies, Budget, and Capital Movements, where the Advisory Committee decided to move forward with several proposed changes.

The new changes mean no increases in student parking permit fees. It would also introduce the new option of allowing the purchase of permits per semester -- they’re currently available in 9- or 12-month timeframes -- for buyers of the purple, orange, green, blue, and silver parking privileges.

They will also be providing windows of opportunity to purchase gold passes. There will be no drawing for these passes; it will be on a first come, first served basis.

Another major change will be the switch from plastic hanging permits to a system that relies on scanning vehicle license plates.

When someone purchases a parking permit online they’ll plug in license plate numbers.

Plate numbers can be changed as needed. Security vehicles equipped with cameras and Cardinal License Plate Recog-

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Changes coming to parking on campus in fall

nition software will monitor parking lots.

Lot 23 will remain the “free lot,” as the MNSU Student Government pushed to keep it that way. MNSU’s administration wants to use a registration system to better identify who is parking within this lot, including whether people who are not a part of the campus community are parking in those spots.

To help solve this issue, the committee has decided to require registration to park in the free parking lot.

The administration also plans to proceed with the million-dollar plan to conduct the massive repairs needed in Lot 1 (between the track and

softball field). They also plan to update bus routes back to the version they had in the Fall of 2019 to make bussing around the Mankato community more efficient.

They’ll also be supporting round two of the plan to bring electric scooters to campus.

Cowan says the changes will enhance efficiency.

“Today I went into one of the security vehicles and it (Cardinal LPR) can scan the vehicle plates pretty fast, amazingly fast, and we can determine quickly who has parking privileges for that a lot and is in a proper place, and who does not,” said Cowan. “We don’t have to go through 5,400 stalls with

somebody walking in all kinds of weather. This way the security vehicles, which have the special cameras on them, are able to record the images pretty quickly.”

“I feel like MNSU should have gotten more student input on this new update. This was the first time I have heard about this, and I’m not a big fan of it,” said freshman Hailey Bacon. “With COVID-19, the situation is so unpredictable that I thought I would be using the pass more, but because I never went on campus the plastic permit made it easier to resell. I believe more transparency on something that impacts students on and off campus is needed.”

GreenSeam talks agriculture, new program at MNSU

By JULIA BARTON Staff Writer In honor of National Agriculture Day on Tuesday, GreenSeam shared this year’s State of Agriculture Report that focuses on the state of agriculture in our region while also expressing the importance of educating students about agribusiness.

This is GreenSeam’s second year conducting the State of Ag survey that is used to better understand how business, or-

ganizations, and leaders view the opportunity and challenges facing agriculture in Minnesota.

GreenSeam says its mission is to elevate our region as the world-class food and agribusiness epicenter as well as shape the future of agriculture, business and communities in the region.

During the presentation GreenSeam shared the results of the survey data collected

FARMS on page 5

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Justices: Drunk rape victim was not ‘mentally incapacitated’

Thom Petersen, left, commissioner of Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and Sam Ziegler, president of GreenSeam spoke at this year’s State of Agriculture.

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Brighter outlook for US as vaccinations rise and deaths fall ASSOCIATED PRESS More than three months into the U.S. vaccination drive, many of the numbers paint an increasingly encouraging picture, with 70% of Americans 65 and older receiving at least one dose of the vaccine and COVID-19 deaths dipping below 1,000 a day on average for the first time since November.

Also, dozens of states have thrown open vaccinations to all adults or are planning to do so in a matter of weeks. And the White House said 27 million doses of both the one-shot and two-shot vaccines will be distributed next week, more than three times the number when President Joe Biden took office two months ago.

Still, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, said Wednesday he isn’t ready to declare victory.

“I’m often asked, are we turning the corner?” Fauci said at a White House briefing. “My response is really more like we are at the corner.

Whether or not we’re going to be turning that corner still remains to be seen.”

What’s giving Fauci pause, he said, is that new cases remain at a stubbornly high level, at more than 50,000 per day.

Nonetheless, the outlook in the U.S. stands in stark contrast to the deteriorating situation in places like Brazil, which reported more than 3,000 COVID-19 deaths in

CURTIS COMPTON • Associated Press Anita Shetty, left, vaccinates Doris Lucas with a Pfizer vaccine March 23, 2021 in Atlanta.

a single day for the first time Tuesday, and across Europe, where another wave of infections is leading to new lockdowns.

The gloom in Europe is compounded because the vaccine rollout on the continent has been slowed by production delays and questions about the safety and effectiveness of AstraZeneca’s shot.

Public health experts in the U.S. are taking every opportunity to warn that relaxing social distancing and other preventive measures could easily lead to another surge.

Dr. Eric Topol, head of the

NICK'S CAR CARE IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF MAVERICK HOCKEY

507-345-6425

251 W. Mabel Street • Mankato www.nickscarcare.com

Scripps Research Translational Institute, sees red flags in states lifting mask mandates, air travel roaring back and spring break crowds partying out of control in Florida.

“We’re getting closer to the exit ramp,” Topol said. “All we’re doing by having reopenings is jeopardizing our shot to get, finally, for the first time in the American pandemic, containment of the virus.”

Across the country are unmistakable signs of progress.

More than 43% of Americans 65 and older — the most vulnerable age group, accounting for an outsize share of the

nation’s more than 540,000 coronavirus deaths — have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. The number of older adults showing up in emergency rooms with COVID-19 is down significantly. Vaccinations overall have ramped up to 2.5 million to 3 million shots per day.

Deaths per day in the U.S. from COVID-19 have dropped to an average of 940, down from an all-time high of over 3,400 in mid-January.

Minnesota health officials on Monday reported no new deaths from COVID-19 for the first time in nearly a year.

And in New Orleans, the Touro Infirmary hospital was not treating a single case for the first time since March 2020.

And Fauci cited two recent studies that show negligible levels of coronavirus infections among fully vaccinated health care workers in Texas and California.

“I emphasize how we need to hang in there for just a little while longer,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday.

That’s because “the early data are really encouraging.”

Nationwide, new cases and the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 have plummeted over the past two months, though Walensky remains concerned that such progress seemed to stall in the past couple of weeks. New cases are running at more than 53,000 a day on average, down from a peak of a quarter-million in early January.

That’s uncomfortably close to levels seen during the COVID-19 wave of last summer.

Biden has pushed for states to make all adults eligible to be vaccinated by May 1. A least a half-dozen states, including Texas, Arizona and Georgia, are opening up vaccinations to everyone over 16. At least 20 other states have pledged to do so in the next few weeks.

Also, states such as Michigan and New Jersey are seeing rising cases.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

News

MSU Reporter • 3

SAC decreases budgets for some, increases others

By MAXWELL MAYLEBEN Editor in Chief Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Student Government approved a slight student fee increase of .34% at its meeting Wednesday, and also approved funding levels for student organizations that receive student fees.

The Student Government voted to cut funding to some organizations’ requests, such as the university’s Department of Theatre and Dance, and add funding to other organization’s requests such as The Reporter.

Last year, the Student Activities Fee was $8.94 per credit, and $107.28 per term for anyone taking 12-18 credits in a semester. This has been increased to $8.97 per credit, or $107.64 for anyone taking the 12-18 credit band.

This meeting was the Student Government’s time to deliberate on recommendations posed to them by the Student Allocations Committee, and to decide how much money to allocate to each account funded from student fees.

Before this annual budget-setting meeting the Senate is allowed to invite any accounts/organizations to answer questions referring to their budgets. There is also time allotted for organizations to appeal to the Senate to have their funding changed.

This year, Theatre was the only organization invited

for questioning, while Student Events, Campus Recreation Sports, Campus Recreation-Sports club, Maverick Adventures Trip & Travel, Campus Recreation Repair and Replace Fund, and The Reporter.

Theatre asked SAC for $82,000, which was then recommended to the Student Government.

The Theatre department has asked for and received the $82,000 for several years, until last year, when their funding was decreased to $68,000 due to their alternate streams of income.

The Student Government voted to reduce the allocation to $68,000, continuing their position of last year.

The Student Events Team requested $115,220, with an allocation recommendation from SAC of $110,000 which was then appealed.

Their appeal was honored by the Student Government, with reasoning from Student Government President Andrew speaking to the unfairness of budget cuts due to the pandemic.

“COVID-19 cuts are bad cuts,” was a repeated slogan from Trenne during the meeting.

All Campus Recreation related accounts received approval for their appeal except their Repair and Replace Fund, having their $20,000 request lowered to $10,000.

The Reporter’s budget was

Via Student Government attacked head on in attempts to prevent further deficit spending which would take from the SAF reserve fund.

The request made from the Reporter was for 90% of its two state employees’ salaries covered by the fee funding.

This would be an increase from last year’s funding of $66,637 to $114,910. SAC decreased the program’s funding to $95,000 in its recommendation, which was appealed.

Trenne put forward a motion that would fund the Reporter’s two state salaries

fully, increasing funding to $129,100, with stipulations that the Student Government would receive budgeting updates as well as tools to prevent further deficit spending.

This motion was passed by the Student Government.

The topic of the Veteran Service Programming from the Veteran’s Center offered debate over funding being the SAC recommended $5,000 or the program request of $6,000. The Student Government voted to fund the full program request.

Finally, there was a contentious debate over the issue of reopening discussion for the funding allocated to Theatre.

After several roll call votes to reopen discussion, it was not reopened, and the funding remained at $68,000.

The budget approved by the Student Government still needs approval from the President’s office, with University President Davenport having the final say.

The budget is rarely changed at that level.

GOOD LUCK TO THE MAVERICK HOCKEY TEAM! FROM

MEMORIAL LIBRARY REGULAR HOURS Monday - Thursday............................... 7:30AM - 10:00PM Friday..........................................................7:30AM - 4:30PM Saturday...................................................................... CLOSED Sunday................................................... 11:00AM - 10:00PM The Ask a Librarian online chat service is available 24/7 at https://libguides.mnsu.edu/ask

http://lib.mnsu.edu

GOOD LUCK

MAVERICK HOCKEY! FROM YOUR FANS AT

4 • MSU Reporter

News

School survey shows ‘critical gaps’ for in-person learning

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Senator Spotlight: Catherine Nelson

JAE C. HONG • Associated Press

By BAILEY BRENDEL • Staff Writer

ASSOCIATED PRESS Nearly half of U.S. elementary schools were open for full-time classroom learning as of last month, but the share of students with in-person instruction has varied greatly by region and by race, with most nonwhite students taught entirely online, according to a Biden administration survey.

For the White House, the results of the national survey released Wednesday mark the starting line for President Joe Biden’s pledge to have most K-8 schools open full time in his first 100 days in office. But they also show that he never had far to go to meet that goal.

Among schools that enroll fourth graders, 47% offered full-time classroom learning in February, while for schools that teach eighth-graders, the figure was 46%. The results

suggested that at least some students weren’t opting in.

In total, about 76% of elementary and middle schools were open for in-person or hybrid learning, according to the survey, while 24% offered remote learning only.

The percentage of students spending at least some time in the classroom has probably increased since February, when coronavirus rates were just coming down from a national surge.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the findings, while encouraging, also showed “critical gaps” for in-person learning, especially for students of color.

“While schools continue to show what’s possible as they work to open doors and meet students’ needs, we know that we still have a lot to do,” Cardona said.

Off-campus Senator for Minnesota State University, Mankato Catherine Nelson is a fifth-year law enforcement and pre-law major. Outside of the Student Senate, she is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega, member of the Order of Omega Greek honors society, and the Law Enforcement club.

Nelson says she ran for Student Government to help people.

“I joined to advocate for others as well as help them with whatever they need,” Nelson said. “I wanted to use my passion for government and legislation to ensure students’ rights for being protected with off-campus housing.”

While this is Nelson’s first year in Student Senate, she is working on some big projects.

Currently, Nelson is tackling the issue of providing safe housing options for students.

“My biggest focus right now is working on the safety of student housing,” she said.

“I want to help students recognize good questions to ask, red flags to look out for, what to do if a landlord is not maintaining building code, or if there’s a safety hazard on a property that the landlord’s not taking care of.”

Nelson said she’s already learned many lessons about Student Government and the functionality of it.

“If you have the drive and the passion you can make a difference,” she said. “If there’s something you see as an issue within the school, you have the power to change that.”

Despite COVID-19 taking away a normal school year Nelson has been able to create amazing memories while working in the government.

“Normally when they release the election results all of the campaign parties will be together in person, but because of COVID-19 we did a zoom call together. Just being able to celebrate that victory with everyone in my party was really exciting,” Nelson said.

Courtesy photo Following graduation, Nelson says her experience so far will help her down the road.

“With my plan of going to law school, which pertains lots of reading legal documents and cases, Student Government gave me the exposure to the legal language I need.

As well as being a part of the government, I’m on the Student Allocations Committee.

With this, I get to experience working with budgets, whether it means how to look at them properly or managing them.”

Nelson highly recommends getting involved with the Student Government in any way if possible.

“I would reach out to the Senators that currently hold the positions you’re interested in, and if it sounds like a good step for you just go for it,” she said. “This organization is a great way to advocate for the student body and to help the University become a better place.”

GOOD LUCK MAVERICK HOCKEY!

DEPARTMENT OF

sociology & corrections AOS COURSES: SUMMER 2021 DEPT. AOS AOS

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 301 1 3 Intro. to Applied Organizational Studies 488 1 2 Professional Studies Portfolio

1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION Other Other

FORMAT Online Online

FACULTY DATES Mollenkopf-Pigsley 6/1-7/23 Mollenkopf-Pigsley 6/7-7/30

FORMAT Online Online Online/Synch Online Online Online Arranged Online

FACULTY DATES Thomas Truesdale 5/17-5/28 Vaughan Dennis Dennis Thomas McLaughlin Truesdale

CORRECTIONS COURSES: SUMMER 2021 DEPT. CORR CORR/SOC CORR CORR CORR CORR CORR CORR

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 106 1 3 Introduction to CJ Systems 255 1 3 Juvenile Delinquency 310 1 3 Corrections Research Methods 441/541 1 3 Social Deviance 442/542 1 3 Criminology 485/585 1 3 Topics: Community Reentry 496 1 10 Field Practice 497 1 2 Capstone

1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION 1st Other Full 2nd 1st 1st Full Full

NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP COURSES: SUMMER 2021 DEPT. NPL

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 273 1 3 Introduction to NP Sector

DEPT. SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC SOC

COURSE SECTION CREDITS COURSE TITLE 101 1 3 Introduction to Sociology 101 2 3 Introduction to Sociology 150 1 3 Social Problems 202 1 3 Social Statistics 307 1 3 Sex and Gender in Contemporary Society 351 1 3 Social Psychology 409/509 1 3 Family Violence 446/546 1 3 Race, Culture and Ethnicity 466/566 1 3 Program Planning 497/697 1 1-12 Internships, Practicums UG and Grad

from your fans at

AUSTIN'S AUTO REPAIR CENTER INC. 1620 Commerce Drive, North Mankato 507-387-1315

1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION 1st

FORMAT Online

FACULTY Rendahl

DATES

FORMAT Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Arranged

FACULTY Anwary Hoy Anwary Islam Epplen Boyd Hunter Posas Glasser Islam

DATES

SOCIOLOGY COURSES: SUMMER 2021 1ST, 2ND, FULL SESSION 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 2nd Full

Thursday, March 25, 2021

News

Asian Americans seek greater political power after shootings ASSOCIATED PRESS Speaking on the floor of the Georgia state Senate last week, Michelle Au implored her colleagues to “stand up” to the hatred aimed at Asian Americans that’s increased during the pandemic. A day later, a gunman shook the Atlanta area by killing eight people, including six women of Asian descent.

For Au, who joined the state Senate in January as its first Asian American woman, the attack was a heartbreaking validation of her fears. It’s also spurring her and other Asian Americans to push for greater political influence in Washington and other power centers.

“People in our communities are hungry for representation that looks like them,” Au said in an interview. “I don’t think people can see problems if they haven’t lived it in the past.”

There are at least 160 Asian American and Pacific Islanders in 33 state legislatures nationwide, according to the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. A whopping 51 of those sit in Hawaii’s legislature. And, out of the 535 members of Congress, just 17 are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, according to the Congressional Research Service. There are

also three nonvoting delegates who are Asian American and Pacific Islanders.

President Joe Biden and his aides have been repeatedly pressed to include Asian Americans in his Cabinet. On Tuesday, two Democratic senators, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, threatened to oppose any upcoming nominees who don’t enhance the administration’s diversity.

“I’ve been talking to them for months and they’re still not aggressive,” Duckworth said. “I’ll be a no on everyone until they figure this out.”

Later, the two senators set aside their blockade after talks with the administration. White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced late Tuesday the addition of a senior-level Asian American Pacific Islander liaison “who will ensure the community’s voice is further represented.”

Biden did pick Katherine Tai, who is Taiwanese American, as his top trade envoy. She was confirmed last week, becoming the only Asian American to hold a Cabinet-level post in the new administration.

Vivek Murthy, the son of Indian parents, Biden’s nominee for surgeon general, a sub-Cabinet position, was confirmed Tuesday.

MSU Reporter • 5

FARMS continued from page 1 pertaining to agribusiness. Included in this survey were farmers, manufacturers, food processors, professional services and more.

Agriculture is currently the largest business industry segment within the southern Minnesota region with more than $15.3 billion in sales annually according to the GreenSeam website.

Voicing the importance and need for an influx of people going into the agriculture business was one of the key issues discussed in the presentation.

A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture study suggests that, on an annual basis, they’re going to need around 59,500 individuals entering the Ag industry to maintain production levels.

Brad Schloesser, Dean of Agriculture at South Central College and Director of the Southern Agriculture Center of Excellence, said educating students is critical to the industry.

“We need to recognize the limited talent in today’s reality,” he said. “We see less individuals growing up on a farm today, which is a valuable asset and experience. One of the things that we need going forward is to expand the awareness and career exploration in agriculture, food, and other natural resources.”

With Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Agribusiness and Food Innovation Program, students are able to explore the variety of career pathways that you can dive into through the agribusiness.

The Henze Ag Innovators program is one of the programs offered at MNSU

1ST 3 T S 1 H C R A M

LAGER’S CHRYSLER WORLD Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

307 Raintree Rd., Mankato, MN 56001

GOOD LUCK MAVERICK HOCKEY!

that allows students to explore agribusiness and other careers in the food industry.

Some activities this program offers are participating in Ag-related events and trips, engaging with industry leaders, leadership development activities, and conducting a research project with a company.

MNSU has a full Ag program which could help in attract more students to this field.

“We need to attract more people into the industry whether that be through company tours, internships, or speaking to classes directly,” Sam Ziegler, President of GreenSeam, stated.

Within the survey 65% of the participants said that talent and employees is one of the top three main issues threatening their business’s ability to grow.

Other key issues that are facing the Ag industry according to the survey were policy and regulation (69%) and taxes (41%).

Minnesota is a huge player in the food and agriculture business; some of the top businesses in Minnesota are food/Ag related.

“There are so many jobs within agriculture careers that are so abundant right now,” said Thom Petersen, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Agriculture. “One thing that’s interesting is that one farmer generates almost $1 million per business at their farm.

Whether it’s in machinery, seeds, or R&D, there are many support systems and jobs for a farm. There are tremendous opportunities within Ag companies and I really encourage students to see what’s available.”

6 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, March 25, 2021

SPRING 2021 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

The pandemic isn’t over; protect yourself for normalcy

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Editorial

NEWS DIRECTOR: Jenna Peterson jenna.peterson-3@mnsu.edu

MATT ROURKE • The Reporter

As students are getting back in the swing of things post-spring break, it’s important to remember the safety precautions set in place to keep Minnesota State University, Mankato students and the Mankato community safe and healthy.

Our positive COVID-19 cases here on campus are relatively low, with the MNSU website stating there are currently 13 as of March 24.

We are so close to having zero cases on campus and there are numerous ways to help lower that number.

The best chance of stopping the virus spreading around is receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, whether it be the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson and Johnson. Each vaccine differs slightly and will give you different side effects, meaning it’s worthwhile to research which one would work best for you.

As always, you should be getting tested for the virus if you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed by someone else. If you went on a trip, whether it be solo or with friends, it would be smart to follow through with a test.

Even though the University provided free testing on campus earlier this week, there are other places you can get a test at. If you are a patient through them, the Mayo Clinic is a great place to start.

Some other places include the old Gander Mountain store on Adams Street, Walgreens, and HyVee. Free test-

ing can be available if you’re not covered with insurance.

While on campus it’s important to continue wearing your face mask and social

tecting ourselves and others.

A normal semester consists of numerous elements that will help students live through their Maverick pride.

“We are so close to having zero cases on campus and there are numerous ways to help lower that number.” distancing when possible.

Although President Davenport has announced how close we are to having a normal semester in the fall, it won’t happen if we stop pro-

President Davenport explains in his email the importance of getting back into the classroom and holding events for students to experience that desired college lifestyle.

As listed in the email, some activities that will make a reappearance this upcoming semester include concerts, athletic events, homecoming and most importantly, lectures.

There will still be class options for students who still need to take as many precautions as possible. When signing up for classes within the next week or so be sure to look out for FlexSync and online-only courses and to talk with your advisor for more information.

Mankato has been opening up more places that offer vaccines. You can register through your workplace, or throw your name in to the MN Department of Health to be randomly selected.

“How can we make the campus COVID-safe for fall?”

Compiled by Samuel Adjidjonu

LINDA RAMIREZ, SENIOR “Staying away from people and keeping 6 ft apart until you’re certain its over.”

MADISON DIEMERT

LANKESHA SUDASINGHE, SENIOR “Wear masks and follow the safety protocols.”

ARIANA SMITH, FRESHMAN

ANTONY KOSGEI, FRESHMAN

PARAS LUITEL, SENIOR

“Hybrid classes, have half go in and the others stay at home in order to keep the distance.”

“Wear masks and sanitizers should be available.”

“Still following the protocol and guidelines and not drifting from it.”

MEDIA/DESIGN DIRECTOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Daniel McElroy daniel.mcelroy@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING SALES: Anna Lillie 507-389-1063 anna.lillie@mnsu.edu Logan Larock 507-389-5453 logan.larock@mnsu.edu Baylee Sorensen 507-389-5097 baylee.sorensen@mnsu.edu Olivia Haefner 507-389-1079 olivia.haefner@mnsu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MANAGER: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, contact Editor in Chief Maxwell Mayleben at maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu.

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.

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a studentrun 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 $55.00 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.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE MSU REPORTER ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OR STUDENT BODY.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

AP journalist released from detention in Myanmar ASSOCIATED PRESS Thein Zaw, a journalist for The Associated Press who was arrested more than three weeks ago while covering a protest against the coup in Myanmar, was released from detention on Wednesday.

Visibly thinner than before his arrest, Thein Zaw waved and smiled to photographers as he left Yangon’s Insein Prison, notorious for decades for holding political prisoners.

His brothers and best friend took him home, which is an area of Yangon that has been placed under martial law. He told the AP that his mother told him through tears: “We thought we’d never see you again.”

Thein Zaw had earlier said that the judge in his case announced at a court hearing that all charges against him were being dropped because he was doing his job at the time of his arrest.

He said that while in prison he was “worried every day,” and last week he marked his 33rd birthday behind bars.

Despite his relief, he said he was concerned about the many journalists who remain imprisoned.

“Thanks to all who tried so hard for my release,” he said. “But one thing that upsets me is that there are some people who are still inside, and I hope that they can get out as soon as possible.”

Thein Zaw’s father, Ba Win, greeted him with shampoo because it is local custom that people returning from prison must wash their hair before entering the house. His parents prepared pork curry and fish curry for his first meal at home.

His release was also emotional for lawyer Tin Zar Oo, who said she cried and jumped for joy when the judge announced the charges were being dropped.

“I was so happy. Thein Zaw looked at me, and I was even at a loss for words when they asked me if I had anything to say,” she said.

News

MSU Reporter • 7

Relative of Colorado victim: A void that ‘won’t be filled’ ASSOCIATED PRESS A relative of a grocery worker who died in the shooting that killed 10 people at a Colorado supermarket said Wednesday that he and his family were trying to take in that she’s gone.

Rikki Olds, 25, was slain inside the King Soopers store in Boulder on Monday. Her uncle, Robert Olds, told reporters that she was an ebullient soul who wanted to be a nurse. Her backup plan was to work her way up to store manager.

“Rikki lived life on her own terms,” Robert Olds said, recalling how she constantly changed her hair color or sported a new tattoo. “It’s sad in that she didn’t get to experience motherhood. She didn’t get to experience marriage. ... There’s a hole in our family that won’t be filled.”

Portraits of Rikki and others who were killed emerged as multiple law enforcement agencies pressed ahead with what they say will be a monthslong investigation into why the attacker opened fire at the supermarket. They revealed no new details Wednesday but said a statement would be issued later in the day.

The 21-year-old suspect, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, is in jail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Thursday. He will be advised at the hearing of the murder charges he will face and his rights. He won’t be asked to

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI • Associated Press A mourner places a rose amid bouquets in tribute around a police cruiser for Boulder, Colo., police officer Eric Talley, who was one of 10 victims in Monday’s mass shooting at a grocery store.

enter a plea until later.

No lawyer was listed for Alissa in court records. Public defenders usually represent people who do not have an attorney at their first court appearance, but defenders’ office policy prohibits them from speaking to the media.

Meanwhile, hundreds have paid their respects to the victims at a growing makeshift memorial near the supermarket, adorning it with wreaths, candles, banners reading “#Boulderstrong” and 10 crosses with blue hearts and the victims’ names.

Several community vigils

were planned this week to honor the victims. The Boulder Police Department invited the public to show support for Officer Eric Talley, who was killed responding to the shooting, during a procession Wednesday as his body is transported from the coroner’s office to a funeral home.

Talley, 51, was the first officer to arrive at the shooting.

He had seven children, ages 7 to 20.

The other victims are Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney,

61; Lynn Murray, 62; and Jodi Waters, 65.

Along with Olds, Leiker and Stong worked at the supermarket, former co-worker Jordan Sailas said.

Kim Cordova, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents more than 30 store employees, said they did their best to get customers to safety.

“They grabbed everybody they could and they brought them to the backroom or to other areas of the store to hide or got them out through the back dock,” Cordova said.

Good Luck Mavericks!

FROM YOUR FANS AT

Make Great Moments.

Commercial and Industrial Buildings Office: (507) 849-7429 • Fax: (507) 849-7430 131 Torgerson Lane • Jackson, MN www.tristategc.net License No. BC760623

STORE HOURS: MONDAY SATURDAY 8AM-10PM SUNDAY 11AM-6PM

507-625-2420

BELLE MAR CENTER | MANKATO, MN

MGMWINEANDSPIRITS.COM

LARGE SELECTION! LOW PRICES! NEW ITEMS WEEKLY!

8 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Women’s soccer stars join Biden to promote closing pay gap ASSOCIATED PRESS U.S. President Joe Biden is making the case Wednesday that the pay disparity between men and women has hurt the economy, bringing members of the U.S. women’s national soccer team to the White House to help set new goals for equality.

Wednesday marked “Equal Pay Day” — which is how far into the year women must work on average to make up the pay disparity between what men and women earned the prior year. The Census Bureau estimates that a woman working full-time would earn about 82 cents for each dollar paid to a man.

Biden and his wife, Jill, will host a roundtable with Margaret Purce and Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, which most recently won the World’s Cup in 2019 and has challenged the U.S. Soccer Federation over wage discrimination.

“It’s really amazing,” Rapinoe said ahead of the meeting.

“Both of us feel honored to even be invited and continue

MANUEL BALCE CENETA • Associated Press U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team member Megan Rapinoe visits the White House briefing room before an event to mark Equal Pay Day, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Washington.

the fight that we’ve had for a long time.”

The pay gap impacts the entire economy in ways that exacerbate other issues such as racial inequality. The Na-

tional Women’s Law Center found that Black women earn just 63 cents for a dollar paid to a non-Hispanic white man, while Hispanic women make only 55 cents. That difference

translates into a loss of roughly $1 million in income over a lifetime.

“These aren’t simply women’s issues,” Cecilia Rouse, chair of the White House

Council of Economic Advisers, said at Wednesday’s press briefing. “They affect all families, the ability of our economy to recover, and our nation’s competitiveness.”

The Biden administration is pushing several policies to help narrow the gap. It backs the Paycheck Fairness Protection Act, which would enhance a 1963 law by improving employer’s transparency on wages, require employers to show that any discrepancies are because of job qualifications and prevent employers from retaliating against workers who express concerns about pay disparities.

The administration also supports paid family leave and greater access to child care. A February research paperfrom the San Francisco Federal Reserve found that the pandemic caused mothers to disproportionately leave the job market, as many lacked in-class school and child care options.

The paper noted that a flexible work schedule would likely make life easier for mothers with jobs.

LENTEN SPECIALS TRY A SHRIMP PIZZA AT COSTANZA’S! 507-304-7010

DELIVERY AVAILABLE! (Fee based on distance)

UNIVERSITY SQUARE MALL • 1600 WARREN ST. • MANKATO, MN

TRY ONE OF CULVER’S LENT SPECIALS! 2 Piece North Atlantic Cod Dinner

$10.49

1856 Madison Ave. Mankato 507-344-1554

6 Piece Shrimp Dinner

$9.29

1680 Commerce Dr. North Mankato 507-345-1680

Thursday, March 25, 2021

MSU Reporter • 9

Mavericks set sights on goal: Pittsburgh

By DANIEL McELROY Sports Editor

ship game earning the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament following a 5-8-2 regular season.

Just one day after the 3-2 overtime championship win for SLU and the day of the NCAA Selection Show, St. Lawrence administered a positive COVID-19 test, disqualifying them for the NCAA tournament, and handing over their automatic bid to Quinnipiac.

The 2021 season will be the Bobcats’ seventh NCAA tournament appearance, and their sixth appearance since 2013. Their last appearance in 2019, the Bobcats made it past the first round in a 2-1 win against Arizona State, but lost to the eventual tournament champions, Minnesota-Duluth.

The Quinnipiac squad is led by forward Odeen Tufto, the leading scorer in the ECAC with 7-3845. In Tufto’s last five games, he scored three goals and seven assists, including a goal and assist in the championship game against St. Lawrence.

The Bobcats also administer great goaltending in Kieth Petruzzelli. Petruzzelli has started all 28 games for QU, holstering a 17-74 record. The senior goaltender has also recorded a .928 save percentage and 1.83 goals against average, both good for top 10 in the NCAA. MSU will challenge Quinnipiac’s efforts with the depth of their roster, having contributing members all the way down to the extra

Photos by MANSOOR AHMAD Media Director

The Mavericks are headed to Loveland, Colo. this week, where they will take on the No. 10 Quinnipiac Bobcats.

Minnesota State (20-4-1), who dropped to No. 5 this week in the USCHO poll, will play in their first NCAA tournament game in almost two years. The last time they played in a tournament game the Mavericks fell to eventual Frozen Four participant Providence by a score of 6-3.

Quinnipiac (17-7-4) finished atop the ECAC regular season standings with a conference record of 10-5-4. Due to COVID-19, the only other participants in the ECAC this season were Clarkson, St. Lawrence, and Colgate.

The Mavericks were selected into the field by the committee after Lake Superior snagged the automatic bid for the WCHA, whereas Quinnipiac had a bit of a different road to the tournament.

After Clarkson’s season was cut short the week prior to the ECAC tournament due to a violation to COVID-19 protocols, just three teams remained in the conference, giving Quinnipiac a bye straight into the finals. St. Lawrence and Colgate battled it out in the semifinals, with St. Lawrence taking the 5-4 overtime win. SLU went on to beat Quinnipiac in the ECAC Champion-

Dryden McKay (above) led the WCHA in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts. Julian Napravnik (below) leads the Mavericks in points with 25

PUCKS on page 11

By KOLE BUELOW Staff Writer The Minnesota State baseball team prepares for their upcoming double header on Thursday, March 24 against Minnesota-Duluth, in hopes of extending their five game win streak.

The Mavericks have started their season off strong, holding a 6-1 record while 3-0 in conference play. The Mavs have been dominant so far this year, averaging over 10.5 runs scored per game while only allowing an average of three runs against.

The Bulldogs, however, have started their season off with an average start. Duluth is 3-3 through their first six games, and are 1-2 in confer-

ence play.

Minnesota State has been great against Minnesota Duluth in the team’s history, currently holding a 48-15 record against the Bulldogs all-time.

The Mavericks have also won seven of the past eight meetings with the Bulldogs.

The Maverick team has been a complete force to be reckoned with this season, hitting a great .327 batting average to go along with 17 home runs. Teddy Petersen and Joey Werner continue to show their dominance in this batter’s box, tacking on a combined five home runs and 16 RBIs in their previous three game series against Bemidji State. The two seniors will look to continue their hot batting streaks against the Bulldogs this week.

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Mavs attempt to keep win streak alive in doubleheader against UMD

Ross Indlecoffer has four home runs in 17 at bats this year.

Werner was recognized for his offensive performance this past weekend, earning NSIC Baseball Player of the Week after his three home run and eight RBI performance against Bemidji State. Werner is batting .440 on the season with a

.920 slugging percentage, while maintaining a .469 onbase percentage.

Ross Indlecoffer also continues to make noise in the batter’s box for the Mavericks, still leading the team in home runs with four in only 17 at

bats, which is tied for the third least by a Maverick starter so far this season.

Outside of batting, Jon Ludwig has continued to be great for the Mavericks in their bullpen this season. Ludwig in just three starts is 3-0 overall and boasts 32 strikeouts in 55 at bats. He also holds a 1.13 ERA through 16 innings pitched.

Alongside Ludwig, Cam Kline has also performed great in his two starts, allowing a mere .152 batting average to opposing batters and three total runs.

Minnesota State has now reached the top of the NSIC standings, and will look to add two more wins to their 3-0 conference record to remain first in the standings against Minnesota-Duluth Thursday.

10 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Tatis feeling better, could return soon to Padres lineup

SUE OGROCKI • Associated Press TYLER KAUFMAN• Associated Press Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher is shown after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020.

Lower cap leads to more cuts in NFL ASSOCIATED PRESS If it seemed as if NFL teams have been shedding contracts nearly as fast as signing them in recent weeks that’s because it’s almost true.

With a shrinking salary cap in a sport with few contracts that are fully guaranteed, teams have spent the weeks leading up to free agency and the first few days of the new league year getting out of deals signed in recent years when there was more money available to spend.

Whether it was Kansas City getting rid of banged-up and expensive starting offensive tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, the Raiders cutting ties with Lamarcus Joyner and Tyrell Williams after building their free agent class around them, or Tennessee shedding starting defensive backs Adoree Jackson, Malcolm Butler and Kenny Vaccaro, veterans around the league have been sent to the chopping block.

In all, according to transactions data from SportRadar and contract information from Spotrac and Over The Cap, teams have released players with a combined total of approximately $600 million left on the deals they originally signed between the Super Bowl and the end of the first week of the league year. That figure excludes players who were on rookie or minimum level deals.

The cuts have come after the salary cap was reduced from $198.2 million in 2020 to

$182.5 million in 2021 in response to the reduced revenues resulting from mostly empty stadiums last year because of the coronavirus.

“I think the unprecedented part being, for the first time in modern era, the cap decreases instead of increases,” Rams general manager Les Snead said. “But again, I think many people on this planet, not just us in NFL football, have had to make sacrifices, some probably harder than others over the past year.”

Cutting high-salaried players is nothing new in the NFL where most free agent contracts have teams often committing to paying lucrative signing bonuses and guaranteed money in the first couple of years of a deal and then deciding whether to keep the player or get rid of him to create salary cap room.

But the rate of it increased substantially this season because of the lowered cap with the total amount of contracts cut in the same time period equaling about $445 million in 2020 and $227 million in 2019.

One of the teams in a cutting mode was the Raiders. Coach Jon Gruden bragged in 2019 about the free agent haul he brought in after trading away stars Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper instead of giving them big extensions.

He said at the owners meeting that year that the Raiders wouldn’t have been able to get players such as Antonio Brown, Trent Brown, Williams and Joyner without those deals.

GOOD LUCK MAVERICK HOCKEY!

ASSOCIATED PRESS Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was feeling better a day after coming out of a game due to left shoulder discomfort, leaving the San Diego Padres and their fans breathing easier.

“He’s feeling really good today. In fact he was lobbying to get in the lineup today, so I thought that was very encouraging,” manager Jayce Tingler said Wednesday during a videoconference from Peoria, Arizona.

“He’s going to have a good work day today and we’ll kind of see where it goes. I think everybody’s kind of ex-

pecting him to be back in the lineup in the next day or two.

Very encouraging news,” he said.

The sight of the electrifying 22-year-old suddenly leaving Tuesday’s game after making a backhanded play was a jolt to the Padres, who have high expectations for this season coming off San Diego’s first playoff appearance in 14 years.

“He felt it during the reach coming across right there,” Tingler said. “I don’t know if it was a little bit of a stinger or what the deal was but just had a little bit of shock right there.”

FIND A PLACE TO RENT AT

M A N K AT O ' S R E N TA L L I S T I N G W E B S I T E

BUFFALO WINGS & RINGS 1861 ADAMS STREET, MANKATO, MN 56001 507-779-7999 BUFFALOWINGSANDRINGS.COM

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Sports

NHL ref fired after hot-mic call ASSOCIATED PRESS Tim Peel’s career as an NHL referee is over after his voice was picked up by a TV microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Nashville Predators.

The league on Wednesday announced Peel “no longer will be working NHL games now or in the future.” The 54-year-old Peel had already made plans to retire next month.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring the integrity of our game,” NHL vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell said in a statement. “Tim Peel’s conduct is in direct contradiction to the adherence to that cornerstone principle that we demand from our officials and that of our fans, players, coaches and all those associated with our game expect and deserve.”

The NHL determined it was Peel’s voice that was heard on the TV broadcast of the Predators home game against the Detroit Red Wings after Nashville forward Viktor Arvidsson was issued a minor tripping penalty five minutes into the second period.

“It wasn’t much, but I wanted to get a (expletive) penalty against Nashville early in the,” the unidentified official was heard saying before the microphone was cut. Peel worked the game with referee Kelly Sutherland.

“There is no justification for his comments, no matter the context or intention,” Campbell said.

The Predators won 2-0 and were called for four penalties, compared with the Red Wings’ three. Nashville’s Matt Duchene on a local radio appearance Wednesday wondered aloud what would have happened if Detroit scored on the power play, won the game and the Predators missed the playoffs by a point.

“The crazy part is he was talking to (teammate Filip) Forsberg in that clip, and he told our bench that. Really bizarre,” Duchene said.

“I don’t think there’s a place in hockey for that. you’ve got to call the game. I’ve always been frustrated when I’ve seen even-up calls or stuff like that. If one team is earning power plays, you can’t punish them because the other

DERIK HAMILTON • Associated Press Referee Tim Peel is shown during an NHL hockey game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Islanders in Philadelphia.

team is not.”

Duchene and other players around the league cast doubt on “make-up calls” being a regular part of hockey, though he acknowledged “there’s definitely nights where you’re skeptical of it.”

“Some of the good refs definitely have a feel for the game and they know the ebbs and flows and they know to try to keep the game as even as possible unless the play dictates otherwise,” New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome said. ”But as players, all you can ask for is that they try to call it as fair as possible.”

Washington center Nicklas Backstrom, a 14-year veteran, said the incident was a first for him.

“I’ve never heard anything like that,” Backstrom said. “I think it’s maybe unfortunate that it happened and came out that way, but at the same time, the league had to do what they had to do.”

Most players and coaches expressed respect for on-ice officials and lamented how difficult their jobs are keeping track of the fast-paced game. Buffalo interim coach Don Granato said he has “full faith” in the people who work for the NHL. “(Peel) made a mistake, but unfortunately you don’t want make-up calls to be part of the game,” Edmonton’s Adam Larsson said. “I don’t think it’s right. I think if it’s an obvious one I don’t think it should be made up for.”

GOOD LUCK

MAVERICK MEN’S HOCKEY!

MSU Reporter • 11

PUCKS Continued from page 9 skaters.

The Mavs have four skaters above 20 points, and another eight skaters above 10.

Julian Napravnik leads the effort with 10-15-25 and 69 shots on goal.

Dryden McKay is looking to avenge himself after his last showing against Northern Michigan in a very uncharacteristic night.

McKay led the WCHA in goals against average with 1.07, and save percentage with .945. Following the Mavericks loss to the Wildcats, McKay fell to 1.40 goals against average and a save percentage of .930. The Hobey Baker top ten finalist and three-time WCHA Goaltender of the Year has recorded nine shutouts on the season and 23 across his

career, the second most alltime in the NCAA, just short of Ryan Miller’s 26 shutouts at Michigan State.

“We’re excited,” head coach Mike Hastings said shortly after the field was announced on Sunday.

The other regional matchup consists of the third seed University of Minnesota Gophers against the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

For the first time ever, the field consists of all five NCAA Division I hockey schools with Minnesota State, Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud, and Bemidji all earning bids to the national tournament.

The Mavs will play their first match Saturday, at 4 p.m. in Loveland, Colo.

YOUR IT SOURCE FOR COMPUTER SALES, REPAIR & SERVICE New & Refurbished Computers iPhone & iPad Screen Repair Virus & Malware Removal Tune-Ups for Slow Computers • Networking Websites • Email • Business Intelligence Business IT • Data Recovery • Digital Signage

Veteran Owned

507-345-4335 • www.Geeks2uMN.com 620 N. VICTORY DRIVE • MANKATO • GALLERIA EAST

GOOD LUCK MAVERICKS!

FROM YOUR FANS AT

1671 E. Madison Ave. • 507-388-4895 • www.jerrysbodyshop.com

12 • MSU Reporter

MLB steps up ball monitoring ASSOCIATED PRESS Major League Baseball is increasing its monitoring of baseballs in an attempt to suppress any use of foreign substances by pitchers.

Mike Hill, executive vice president of baseball operations and disciplinarian, wrote in a memorandum to team officials on Tuesday that “players are subject to discipline ... regardless of whether evidence of the violation has been discovered during or following a game.”

“Examples of prohibited conduct include, but are not limited to, handling foreign substances, advising a pitcher how to use or otherwise mask the use of foreign substances, interfering with the collection of game-used baseballs and failing to report observed violations of these rules by players or staff.”

In a two-page memo to owners, CEOs, team presidents, general managers and mangers first reported by ESPN and the New York Post, Hill outlined three new enforcement components.

Gameday compliance monitors and electronics compliance officers will check for violations in dugouts, clubhouses, tunnels, batting cages and bullpens, and they will file daily reports to the commissioner’s office.

Umpires, equipment authenticators and compliance personnel will submit baseballs that come out of play to the commissioner’s office for inspection and documentation, both suspicious equipment and randomly select balls.

A third-party lab will be used for examinations, and suspicious balls will be traced back to pitchers.

MLB Statcast data will be reviewed by the commissioner’s office to analyze spin rate changes among pitchers suspected of using foreign substances, comparing game data with career norms.

“As a reminder, all club personnel are prohibited from assisting players in the use of foreign substances and also will be subject to discipline by the commissioner, including fines and suspensions,” Hill wrote.

Sports

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Michigan reach Sweet 16 for first time, beat Tennessee ASSOCIATED PRESS It’s been a season of firsts for Michigan, and now the Wolverines can add a trip to the Sweet 16 to that list.

Leigha Brown scored 23 points and Naz Hillmon added 19 to lead No. 6 seed Michigan to its first regional semifinals appearance with a 70-55 win over third-seeded Tennessee on Tuesday in the women’s NCAA Tournament.

“It’s amazing, we’ve been having a lot of firsts on our team,” Hillmon said. “For our program, this is another one. We drenched coach in the locker room.”

The Wolverines had been 0-5 in the second round before pulling off the victory over the Lady Vols. As the final buzzer sounded, the Michigan players jumped into a group hug at center court and sang “it’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine.”

“It’s great for our university, great for the state of Michigan. It’s great to see Michigan is not only a football and men’s basketball school, but also a women’s basketball school,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said.

Leading 18-16 with eight minutes left in the first half, Michigan (16-5) held Tennessee to just one field goal the rest of the second quarter and built a 28-19 halftime lead.

The Lady Vols missed their final seven shots of the period and ended their drought 1:18 into the third quarter. The Lady Vols’ deficit grew to 17

CHARLIE RIEDEL • Associated Press Michigan center Izabel Varejao, left, gets past Tennessee center Kasiyahna Kushkituah (11) to put up a shot during the first half of a college basketball game of the women’s NCAA tournament.

points as Michigan went on a 22-7 run spanning the quarters.

Tennessee (17-8) trailed by 15 heading into the fourth quarter and was able to cut its deficit to 54-44 with under 5 minutes left before a 3-pointer

by Danielle Rauch and a steal and layup by Brown restored the 15-point cushion. Tennessee couldn’t get closer than nine the rest of the way.

Hillmon, the Big Ten Player of the Year, also had 15 rebounds as the Wolverines more than held their own on the glass against the Lady Vols, outrebounding them 42-40.

“Their average height is like

6-foot-2,” Hillmon said. “It’s something we emphasized.

They are one of the best in the nation. We put it on ourselves tonight to make sure we rebounded. ... Took efforts to rebound. all of us crashing the boards. It was a huge emphasis for us coming into the game.”

A trip to the regional semifinals was just another first for the Wolverines this year. The team started 10-0 for the first time in school history. They were also in the rankings all season for the first-time, as well as having Hillmon be the first female player to earn All-America honors as a second-teamer.

Tennessee, which has a long storied NCAA tradition with eight national championships, fell to 28-3 in the second round.

Rennia Davis scored 12 points to lead the Lady Vols, who were playing Michigan for the first time.

“I’m proud of the growth that our team had as women, as basketball players, as teammates. I thought we made some unbelievable strides forward. I’m proud of that,” Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said. “We just came up short today with our execution.”

GOOD LUCK MAVERICKS! C&S Supply Co., Inc.

1951 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato, MN | 507-387-1171

GOOD LUCK

MAVERICKS!

Centennial Student Union Room 167

220 Centennial Student Union 507-389-2224 csu.mnsu.edu Centennial Student Union

CSUSerendipity

csu_serendipity

Thursday, March 25, 2021

MSU Reporter • 13

Women-led production retells “Desdemona”

By SYDNEY BERGGREN Staff Writer The Minnesota State University, Mankato Theater Department is back with “Desdemona: a Play About a Handkerchief”, an retelling story of the women in Shakespear’s “Othello”, as stated by the programs website.

“What we’re really trying to do with this production,” says director Sarah Honerman, “is speak to how women need to work together to lift each other up.”

The plot of this show may come familiar to some. “Desdemona’’ is the story of Shakespear’s “Othello” but told from the female perspective.

Featuring haunting voice overs of lines from the original show, along with dynamic light production to highlight the plights of the three lead women, the show pleads for the audience to consider Desdemona’s plight, and whether she ultimately deserved her fate.

“There are multiple sides to every single story, and this one is about how just because you aren’t actively hurting someone, if you aren’t stopping it but you’re aware of it, you are still a part of the problem,” says MNSU junior, McKenna Prill, who plays Desdemona in the show.

Prill spoke about the amazing experience she had working with other women on this show, a sentiment echoed by both other leads and director Honerman.

“It’s an all-woman cast with a female director and even a female stage manager, so it’s just been this really beautiful, safe space to create theater together,” Honerman said.

Grace Ricard, who plays Emilia in the production, remarked, “It’s a story

Photos by FABIO CASTEL GARCIA • The Reporter Desdemona, played by McKenna Prill (right), and Biana, played by Allyson Bryson, perform in the Theatre Department’s production of “Desdemona”.

about women, led and made by women. I’ve never been in a show like this before.”

“Desdemona” is one of Honerman’s first collegiate-level shows.

“I’ve been directing for seven years now, but only ever in the high school sector, so this experience has been really fun in terms of actors who are a little bit more seasoned and are willing to try new things without feeling like they look silly,” Honerman commented.

While Honerman was excited to work the show, the actors were equally as excited to have her there.

“When this show was announced, I really had my eye on it, especially knowing who the director was. Working with her has been amazing,” said Ricard.

“Desdemona” is a double-casted show, meaning all three leads having understudies who play working women when not leading. Via Logan understudies Emilia, Isabella Fox understudies Desdemona, and Hannah Sayler understudies Bianca.

“It’s been amazing watching them [the understudies] perform and seeing the world that they create because it’s so different from ours,” remarked Allyson Bryson, the show’s principal Bianca.

Continuing off this, Honderman remarked, “They have worked so hard, and they will have their own performance on Saturday for the Matinee, which is really cool.”

Desdemona runs March 24-28 in the Andreas Theater and tickets can be purchased online.

“Everyone in this show has created such an amazing atmosphere, and it’s just been an absolute joy to work on,” said Bryson.

Cooking in the Kitchen with Sydney: Overnight Oatmeal

By SYDNEY BERGGREN • Staff Writer I am always looking for cheap and easy meals to make in my dorm room, especially for breakfast when I’m running late for class. Something I have been preparing more recently is overnight oats.

Overnight oats are a great way to make oatmeal without needing to cook it, whether it’s out of laziness or just not wanting to microwave something for 3-4 minutes. For me, it is juggling six classes, writing articles and trying to maintain a social life throughout all of this craziness.

Making overnight oatmeal allows me to throw a couple small meals together on a weekend when I have some time and then having them when life gets hectic during the week.

There are a multitude of ways to dress up your oats and make them a little more exciting.

My favorite thing about these oats is how customizable they are. For an apple pie oat jar, all you need is a handful of diced apples, chopped pecans, a spoonful of maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon. For a peanut butter banana jar, you need 1/2 sliced banana, a spoonful of peanut butter, and chocolate chips.

SYDNEY BERGGREN • The Reporter

Overnight Oatmeal: • • • •

1/2 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup milk of choice 1/4 cup yogurt A spoonful of sweetener of choice

Combine the base ingredients in, ideally, a glass container and mix until well combined. Add in the extra ingredients, mixing again.

Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap.

Place in the refrigerator for 3 hours to overnight.

Uncover when ready and add more toppings if desired. Thin with more milk if needed. Enjoy!

The oats only really need to soak for 2-3 hours, but they can also be stored overnight for convenience.

The following morning, you will wake up to a ready-to-eat, delicious jar of oatmeal. It makes for a filling breakfast with more of a dense, porridge-like consistency than regular oatmeal.

This meal is also great if you are on the go. I tend to keep mine in mason jars, which are compact, lightweight, and seal well with a lid.

This recipe fits almost perfectly inside a mason jar, and it is great to take as a meal between classes if you are going to be unable to hit your dorm or the dining hall.

Also, for an extra boost of protein, a small scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or peanut butter protein powder could easily be mixed in.

14 • MSU Reporter

‘Nomadland’ wins PGA Award, cementing front-runner status ASSOCIATED PRESS Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” cemented its Oscar front-runner status Wednesday, winning the top award at the 32nd annual Producers Guild of America Awards.

“Nomadland,” Zhao’s recession-era portrait of itinerant people in the American West, is only the second film directed by a woman to win the producers’ Darryl F. Zanuck award for outstanding producer of a motion picture. The other was Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” in 2010.

In a delayed, virtual and very long awards season that has marched along during the pandemic with little of the usual pomp, declaring a clear front-runner has been challenging. But if any film could claim that mantle, it’s “Nomadland,” winner of the Golden Globe best picture award for drama.

Zhao, too, is considered the favorite for best director. If she does win, she would only the second female director to do so, again after Bigelow.

“Nomadland,” made for less than $5 million and with many nonprofessional actors, is an unusually low-budget winner for the PGA honor, which has traditionally gone to larger-scale productions.

“In a year where we have been all been leading such isolated lives and movies felt so vital, we are proud to have produced a film about community and what connects us,” said producer Peter Spears, accepting the award in a taped message.

The PGA Awards are watched especially closely as an Oscar bellwether. The producers use the same preferential ballot as the film academy, and their best-picture fields often nearly mirror each other.

This year, the producers nominated a few movies the academy passed over for best picture while skipping one that landed the Oscar nomination: “The Father.” In the 11 years since the Oscars expanded the best-picture category, the two groups have picked the same winner eight times.

Variety

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Twyla Tharp, nearing 80, isn’t slowing down. Next question?

ASSOCIATED PRESS The new PBS documentary on dancer-choreographer Twyla Tharp is called “Twyla Moves.” In retrospect, that sounds a bit weak.

It really should be called “Twyla Moves And Won’t Stop As Long As She Has a Detectable Pulse,” a title that might perhaps begin to capture the fierceness with which Tharp, who turns 80 this year, approaches both work and life.

It’s a fierceness that led her at one point to take boxing lessons with Teddy Atlas, who trained Mike Tyson, to get in the best possible condition for a piece she was doing. “I eventually had to stop boxing because I got hit and broke my nose,” she recalled in an interview this week. “I said, ‘OK, your boxing days are over.’”

It’s also a fierceness that greets you the minute you begin a phone conversation with Tharp, whose words tumble out with striking speed and rarely a second of hesitation. She doesn’t need long to formulate fully developed thoughts -- nor does she seem to enjoy wasting time. In a recent Zoom group event, she was asked why she hadn’t done more movies. She proceeded to quickly list those she’d done -“Hair,” “White Nights” and “Amadeus” among them -with just a hint of impatience.

Given all that, it would seem obvious that something like a global pandemic wouldn’t force Tharp off course, or keep

Via Associated Press This image released by PBS shows choreographer Twyla Tharp instructing at Pacific Northwest Ballet in a scene from the documentary, “American Masters: Twyla Moves,” premiering on March 26.

her on the sofa binge-watching Netflix. On a recent afternoon, Tharp began a conversation by explaining why she’d had to postpone a few hours: Since 4 a.m. that morning she’d been choreographing a new work with ballet dancers in Düsseldorf, Germany. Choreography via Zoom, she noted, “is very strenuous — very limited from a sensory point of view.”

And perhaps especially for a choreographer like Tharp, who doesn’t simply sit and instruct dancers — she teaches by showing, even now. To be in that kind of shape approaching one’s ninth decade on earth is a challenge that

Now Hiring Seasonal Employees.

40+/- hours a week.

View website for job openings and fill out an application. www.greencare4u.com

would elude most of us. Part of Tharp’s physical regimen involves sticking to 1,200 calories a day.

“I don’t like carrying extra weight,” she says. “I like feeling what I call ‘on the bone,’ literally very close to the bone.

For one thing the feet have suffered a certain amount of abuse, and I like to keep as much weight as possible out of them.”

It’s shocking she hasn’t permanently damaged those feet. Billy Joel, who collaborated with Tharp on the 2002 Broadway hit “Movin’ Out,” set to his music, speaks of being in rehearsal and watching

dancers “throwing themselves around the stage — I was worried about people getting injured! I felt like, ‘Take it easy!

Watch out for the end of the stage!’ They were risking life and limb every night.”

Musician David Byrne, with whom she worked on an earlier show, “The Catherine Wheel” in 1981, felt the same. ”These were top-notch dancers and she was pushing them to the limits of what they could do physically,” he says in the film.

Tharp explains it simply: “Part of the adventure for me has always been a physical challenge.”

GOOD LUCK MAVERICKS!

507-344-8314

MICROSOFT MARCH WEBINARS Learn about Microsoft Office 365 apps and tools in a special webinar series throughout March hosted by IT Solutions! Explore resources, watch past webinars, and register for upcoming webinars online at mankato.mnsu.edu/microsoftmarch.

• Microsoft Teams, March 25 @ 11:00 AM • Apps You Have, But Haven't Heard Of, March 30 @ 10:00 AM Microsoft and Office 365, OneDrive, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Microsoft March (and associated training webinars) is an independent seminar and is neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Microsoft Corporation.

Centennial Student Union Room 280

Thursday, March 25, 2021

‘Virginia Woolf,’ ‘Goldbergs’ star George Segal dies at 87 ASSOCIATED PRESS George Segal, the banjo player turned actor who was nominated for an Oscar for 1966’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and worked into his late 80s on the ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs,” died Tuesday in Santa Rosa, California, his wife said.

“The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery,” Sonia Segal said in a statement. He was 87.

But his most famous role was in a harrowing drama, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”, based on Edward Albee’s acclaimed play.

He was the last surviving credited member of the tiny cast, all four of whom were nominated for Academy Awards: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton for starring roles, Sandy Dennis and Segal for supporting performances.

The women won Oscars, the men did not.

To younger audiences, he was better known for playing magazine publisher Jack Gallo on the long-running NBC series “Just Shoot Me” from 1997 to 2003, and as grandfather Albert “Pops” Solomon on the “The Goldbergs” since 2013.

“Today we lost a legend. It was a true honor being a small part of George Segal’s amazing legacy,” said “Goldbergs” creator Adam Goldberg, who based the show on his 1980s childhood. “By pure fate, I ended up casting the perfect person to play Pops. Just like my grandfather, George was a kid at heart with a magical spark.”

In his Hollywood prime, he played a stuffy intellectual opposite Barbra Streisand’s freewheeling prostitute in 1970’s “The Owl and the Pussycat;” a cheating husband opposite Glenda Jackson in 1973’s “A Touch of Class;” a hopeless gambler opposite Elliot Gould in director Robert Altman’s 1974 “California Split;” and a bank-robbing suburbanite opposite Jane Fonda in 1977’s “Fun with Dick and Jane.”

Variety

MSU Reporter • 15

Review: In ‘Tina,’ the final word from a legendary survivor ASSOCIATED PRESS In the opening moments of the HBO documentary “Tina,” Tina Turner doesn’t just command the stage as she’s belting out “Ask Me How I Feel” for a giant stadium of fans. With heels stomping and her hair waving, she owns the stage to such a degree that you half expect bank lenders to materialize by the footlights to sign over the deed.

Few if any could ever match Turner as a performer. Both regal and raw, she was one of the supreme vocalists of the 20th century — a model of inspiration for Mick Jagger and countless others. And, at least in scenes like that 1980s concert, her power was a testament of reclamation. As a newly solo singer removed from more than a decade of abuse, she was taking back her life, her story, her voice. Her proper debut, she says, came not as a teenager with Ike Turner, but

as a 50-year-old woman finally on her own.

The story has rightly taken on the shine of legend. The remarkable arc of Turner’s life has already been the stuff of a best-selling autobiography (1986′s “I, Tina”), a Hollywood biopic (1993′s “What’s Love Got to Do With It”) and a Broadway show (“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”).

So why more? Well, partly because music documentaries have proliferated during the streaming era. Everyone from Billie Eilish to Linda Ronstadt has recently gotten in on the act.

But there’s a better reason for “Tina,” Dan Lindsay and T. J. Martin’s new documentary, premiering Saturday on HBO and HBO Max. The film, as you would expect, walks us again through the tremendous upheavals in Turner’s life. But it’s ultimately about Turner telling her story — why she struggles having to

FROM

PHONDA GRAAM • Associated Press This image released by HBO shows Tina Turner performing in 1973, from the documentary “Tina.”

tell it; why she needs to tell it, anyway; and why she wants to be done with it. Turner may be the protagonist of a drama with great swings between oppression and liberation, but it’s not a role she has any natural affinity for.

“I just really don’t want to play the part,” she says in

an earlier interview heard in “Tina,” referencing the 1993 movie. “It was just so unlike me, my life.”

That gives “Tina” an unusual tension. In a way, Turner rejects her own biography. Not the facts of it, but the emphasis on certain chapters.

GOOD LUCK MAVERICKS from your fans at

507-386-8463 1712 Commerce Drive • North Mankato

507-354-8634

133 Zieske Road, Courtland, MN 56021

www.ssmotors.com

GOOD LUCK

MAVERICK HOCKEY!

from your fans at

BLK ELECTRIC 1990 Lookout Drive North Mankato, MN 507-388-1173

507-524-3735

(10 miles south on Hwy. 22)

BANDRAUTOTRUCKSALVAGE.COM

16 • MSU Reporter

Advertisement

FROM YOUR FANS AT

www.msureporter.com

Thursday, March 25, 2021