April 12, 2012 by MSU Reporter

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Minnesota State University, Mankato

MSSA Budget Meeting

CHELSEA MILLER & ALLISON MATTHEWS | staff writers MEGAN KADLEC | news editor

Student activity fee appeals were the topic of debate at MSSA’s Wednesday meeting. Three groups of students appealed their budgets: Student Activities, Greek Life and the Reporter. Appeals made for Greek Life and Student Activities were minor arguments involving less than $2,000 each while the Reporter appeal was more substantial and required extensive debate. Associate Director for Student Activities Greg Wilkins appealed the budget recommendation for the Student Activities Committee. Wilkins wants approximately $1,906 more than what was proposed. The extra funds would go to salary benefits for the CEO as well as health insurance for staff. The senate asked if there was any other funds that Wilkins could pull from, since the student activity fund is nearing its cap. “I just don’t have any more dollars,” Wilkins said. The extra funding for Student Activities was approved by MSSA.

Assistant Director of Greek Life John Bulcock also came before the senate Wednesday to appeal the budget for Greek ife. Bulcock said the money would go towards a new program called, “Emerging Leaders.” The program has not been approved and is at a very early stage but a syllabus has been made. Greek life would use $500 towards the chartering fee for bringing the program to the University. “The remaining $500 would be for operational expenses that could be incurred,” Bulcock said. The appeal made by Greek Life was ultimately passed by the Senate. The Reporter is the studentrun newspaper on campus, and asked for a budget increase of $96,800, as opposed to the $62,000 they asked for the previous year. Editor-in-Chief Kyle Ratke presented his appeal in which he said the money being asked for would go towards directly funding a full-time ad sales manager. The full-time ad manager

Budget Hearing / page 7

chelsea miller • msu reporter Gregory Wilkins made his appeal for Student Activities in front of MSSA Wednesday. Greek Life and the Reporter also made appeals.

inside: Voices.........................................4 Sports.............................................9 A&E...............................................12 Classifieds...................................15

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FRIDAY

H 62 • L 48

SATURDAY

H 67 • L 45

The results are in: Shrestha and Schieler

megan kadlec • msu reporter Soyal Shrestha, left, was elected President for the 80th MSSA Tuesday evening. David Schieler, right, ran unopposed for Vice President. Voting took place Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ALLISON MATTHEWS

staff writer

It was students’ turn to express their voices Tuesday as they elected Soyal Shrestha and David Schieler as the new leaders of MSU’s own “Voice for Students,” the Minnesota State Student Association. The 80th MSSA will boast Shrestha as president and Schieler as vice president for the 2012-2013 academic year. Shrestha was not overly emotional when he heard the news, yet he gave maximum effort when it came to campaigning, he said. Shrestha, currently a College of Science Engineering Technology senator, garnered 811 votes while current Off-Campus senator Mike Ramirez got 562 votes. Schieler, currently an Allied Health and Nursing senator, drew 1,068 votes for the vice presidential seat. Approximately 11 percent

of students eligible to vote turned out at the polls. “It was obvious that we’re not going to get the voter turnout as big as last year,” Shrestha said. “Last year, we had three big parties with big number of candidates running for various senate seats as well as the athletic teams campaigning against the cutting off of their department.” Schieler said the Maverick Ticket party hung 450 posters, while Shrestha hung more than 400 posters as an independent party. He also said that despite an overf low of student emails, CSU tabling, open forums and social media efforts to engage students, voter turnout was still dismal. “I ran for student senate wanting to advocate for students, wanting to do what the students want me to do,” Schieler said. “But I’m concerned that regardless of the efforts of the student senate or its candidates, student apathy has set in.

I encourage students to be active and take a stance on anything at this point. Our ears are open, but students need to voice their opinion.” Shrestha hopes to engage with students as well continuing the transparent approach that the 79th MSSA has heralded as one of its biggest efforts. Some of the hot topics Shrestha says he wants to tackle for the 80th MSSA will surround prayer spaces on campus, extended learning and student participation in University sports. Schieler said his goals for the 80th MSSA involve clear leadership, enhancing school pride, development of student services and more community involvement. “I would like to thank everyone who supported me during this process, and I would also welcome any suggestions, criticism and ideas for the 80th MSSA to better the student life on campus and future of our students,” Shrestha said.

DID THE TIMBERWOLVES GIVE US FALSE HOPE EARLIER THIS SEASON? PAGE 4

Page 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Reporter

Thursday, April 12, 2012T

Thursday, April 12, 2012

News

Economics and society

ELISE KONERZA

assistant news editor Ostrander Auditorium encompassed the ideas and notions about modern humanity and the economist’s role in equalizing how the world functions Monday evening. Dr. Robert Simonson, the chair of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Economics Department, first introduced the question of benefit from the fight for a justice and moral society, or the equilibrium of economic efficiency. Simonson said that it is, in fact, perceived justice and morality that will trump every time in that specific debate. Simonson refers back to the time he took outside law classes. The professor proclaimed that law school teaches law; it is not concerned with justice. “Justice is just a phantom ship,” Simonson said. Economics studies calculus, general equilibrium and global stability. So, is economic efficiency inconsistent with justice and morality? Economists play a vital role in society to sustain a difficult environment for all of different conditions and backgrounds. Dr. Robert Murphy of the Von Mises Institute presented MSU with a lecture on current economic issues that are affecting American society. Murphy explained the role of

a regulatory government in society. He emphasized that the government doesn’t really have the ability to tell you what your job is going to be and that most people have a default. Murphy suggests that in any situation an economist needs to look at the bigger picture and needs to be able to identify the incentives behind behaviors omitted. For instance, there are restrictions on property rights, but there are also all these other considerations that trump property rights. Do abstract rights then trump morality? Murphy admits to being skeptical of government intervention. Murphy regards the first issue of rent control. He admits that the government will say the landlord owns the building, but there are still other issues that are involved and need to be examined. There must be a way to limit the landlord’s ability to charge exceedingly high rent rates. A cap or a ceiling was then put into place under an economist’s surveillance. The public concern for renters is to ideally live in affordable housing. The market price should be in equilibrium with quantity supply and quantity demand. In essence, the landlord can lower the per se

Econ Lecture / page 6

• web photo Robert Murphy gave a lecture Monday night sponsored by Omircron Delta Epsilon and the College Republicans.

Reporter • Page 3

Mentalist entertainer featured at APAC

• courtesy of tong lee Mentalist and ESP entertainer Alain Nu performed at the annual Asian Pacific American Conference last weekend.

STEVEN VANG

staff writer Asian Pacific American Conference 2012 was considered a success with student representatives from Augsburg, Concordia-Moorhead, UW River Falls and St. Thomas among the guest list. The conference opened with a banquet on Thursday night with dishes that include stir-fry curry, rice, egg rolls and tri-color dessert. Interim-Dean of Institutional Diversity Henry Morris, one of the special guests at APAC, told student coordinators, “The food was great.” Performances from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s students and the headlining act by mentalist and ESP entertainer Alain

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Nu closed the night with excitement. Audience members during Nu’s performance had multiple chances to get on stage and interact. While students like Brian Vang and Sean Thao were hypnotized, other participants like student Pathy Xiong got to watch up close as spoons got bent and twisted. Nu left audience members gasping, laughing, and ready for the next day of workshops and keynote speaker Dai Thao. “Our headliner Alain Nu was very successful in catching the attention of people, especially with this being his second appearance at APAC,” says Asian Pacific Student Organization President Tom Xiong. “We, the APAC committees, really appreciated

his willingness to advertise and to show magic tricks to people around campus earlier on the day too which brought a great turnout to our opening night.” This year, organizers of APAC utilized the renovated layout of the ballroom for the welcome address and as a focal point for workshops to reduce confusions and kept guests from getting lost if they were redirected all over campus. Many guests complimented on the decorations and utilization of the lighting in the ballroom. “It was more organized and since it was held just in the ballroom, it was more efficient than last year. Students from other colleges

APAC / page 7

NEED MONEY? The MSU Reporter is looking for Student Advertising Sales Representatives for next year. We need outgoing students who are comfortable meeting potential clients in person and maintaining communication with them on a weekly basis. Position requires 20 hrs./week during daytime business hours and must have access to a vehicle. Students from all fields of study are encouraged to apply. Stop by the Reporter Office (CSU 293) for an application or for more information.

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Page 4 • Reporter

News

Voices

Thursday, April 12, 2012

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

LIFE WITHOUT RUBIO: PUPS HAVE WORK TO DO www.msureporter.com

WITH OR WITHOUT RUBIO, THE WOLVES HAVE MAJOR WORK TO DO BEFORE NEXT SEASON

KYLE RATKE

editor-in-chief

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: As Timberwolves fans, we’ve learned that we don’t have as much as we thought we did. I know, Ricky Rubio is injured and guys like Michael Beasley, J.J. Barea and Nikola Pekovic have been hurt throughout the season, putting a lot of pressure on Kevin Love. But were we really relying on a rookie point guard to lead us to the promised land? Isn’t that asking a little much of a 21-yearold point guard? What we need to understand is that with Rubio, we were barely a playoff team. Did it seem like we were more? Hell, yeah it did. Bas-

ketball in Minnesota was relevant again. I didn’t feel like an oddball for wearing my Timberwolves headband from fifth grade to the gym anymore. We were effin’ exciting! People wanted to watch us play. We were on the cover of SLAM magazine! Yeah, that’s right: SLAM MAGAZINE! Now? I have season tickets, and I consider not going to games. With Rubio, you would have had to pay me not go. I love our base of Love and Rubio, but after that, we need to realize that we really aren’t that good and we might be setting our sights too high for next season. I don’t want to say it was good that Rubio got hurt, but it showed that we are a lot farther away than we thought. Pek has been a pleasant surprise, but Beasley, Martell Webster and Anthony Randolph will likely be gone. Wes Johnson is diseased and Derrick Williams didn’t pan out like we wanted him to. The Timberwolves are going to have to make some serious noise this offseason if they want to make a serious run at the four-through-eight seed next season. Here are the most probable options: 1. Jamal Crawford currently plays for the Blazers and has the choice to opt out of his contract. Look at his track record. The guy moves around more than Kim Kardashian. He’ll opt out. Crawford was nearly a TPup last season, but the Wolves signed Barea instead. If the Wolves don’t bring back Webster, that could open up a spot

for Crawford. David Kahn would be crazy not to offer a two-year/ $12 million contract with a player option after year one. 2. Ray Allen’s contract expires at the end of the season and it’s very unlikely the Celtics will bring him back. Allen is averaging 14 points per game this season and can still stroke the three. While he might not be the “future” for Minnesota basketball, he would be a great filler for a season until the Wolves either get Utah’s first-round pick, sign a free agent, or Wes Johnson rises from the dead. I think he’d be worth a one year/$9 million contract. 3. While the Wolves don’t have any major assets, they do have a few guys that are tradeable, along with future draft picks. The Portland Trailblazers have two lottery picks this season (one is top-3 protected via New Jersey Nets) and they may be willing to trade one in order to spread out their young talent pool. The Blazers need a point guard. The Wolves have 1,938 point guards on their roster. If the Wolves were to offer Ridnour and Utah’s future firstrounder, the Blazers would at least have to think about it. It would give the Wolves an opportunity to take an offensive threat like Harrison Barnes, Perry Jones or even Austin Rivers Or we could keep going on with our diseased “shooting guard.” Here’s where we’re at: Rubio, Crawford, Barnes/ Jones, Love and Pek (trade Ridnour and sign Crawford) OR Rubio, Allen, Barnes/Jones, Love and Pek (trade Ridnour and sign Allen) OR Rubio, Ridnour, Williams, Love and Pek (do nothing) What looks better to you? That’s what I thought. This all depends of course if we use the amnesty on a certain someone to

Editor in Chief:

Kyle Ratke....................................... (507) 389-5454

NEWS EDITOR:

Megan Kadlec.................................. (507) 389-5450

sports editor:

Lee Handel...................................... (507) 389-5227

Variety Editor:

Brian Rosemeyer.............................(507) 389-5157

STUDENT AD SALES MANAGER:

Megan Wahl......................................(507) 389-1063

AD sales REPS (Regular): David Rosencrance.........................(507) 389-5451

Erik Langsjoen............................... (507) 389-5097

Paul Vanden Heuvel....................... (507) 389-5453

AD sales REPS (SUPPLEMENTAL):

Roy Aker..........................................(507) 389-6765

Parker Riesgraf............................... (507) 389-5609

Business Manager:

Jane Tastad.......................................(507) 389-1926

ADVERTISING DESIGN SUPERVISOR: Dana Clark......................................(507) 389-2793 ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER:

Judy Beetch......................................(507) 389-1079

clear up cap space... keep reading. WHAT DON’T WE KNOW: Who will stay and go? We know Beasley is likely gone, along with Webster. If I had to trade a point guard, I’d love to trade Barea rather than Ridnour. Barea is either a spark plug or an effin’ nightmare. Ridnour is very consistent and rarely ever horrible, and sometimes even great. The bad thing? Every team knows that Ridnour is better than Barea. Side-note: There was a big part of me that thought Barea would be a great veteran leader on this team… Instead he plays like he is a 12-year old who drank too much Mountain Dew. I kind of missed that one… There’s a reason why the defending champs didn’t pay Barea a measly $19 million over three seasons. Whether or not we decide to go out and sign a big name shooting guard will depend on if we can get Darko’s contract off the books. He has two years and $10 million remaining and it appears as if Pek is the center of the future. We don’t need Darko, Rick Adelman hates Darko and Darko hates his life. Here’s what the Neighborhood Gang thinks about amnesting Darko (they also hate Darko…Talk about a rough day): “I don’t think it’s even a question anymore: he’s gone. Dude has the worst confidence I’ve ever seen. Plays when he feels wanted, not when he NEEDS to play.” – Brandon Crockett, Apex, North Carolina. “Hearing what Adelman has to say about Darko probably [yes to the amnesty], I don’t see us having a much worse waste of money in the next 10 years.” – dawolf1010 via Twitter

Odds are that the Timberwolves will use the amnesty on him, clearing him from the books. But unless Glen Taylor is convinced (like, 110 percent convinced) that the Wolves will be able to sign a big-time shooting guard, don’t expect him to be super excited to give $10 million to get rid of Darko, plus another $10 million to sign another player. Kahn will have to do a “Kahn” job… Get it… Kahn job? Okay, that was stupid.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

News

US counters drug smugglers in Mexican newspapers SAN DIEGO (AP) — The war on drugs is going to the classified sections of Mexican newspapers. Smugglers have long advertised work as security guards, housecleaners and cashiers, telling applicants they must drive company cars to the United States. They aren’t told the cars are loaded with drugs. Starting this week, U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement began buying ad space in Tijuana newspapers to warn jobseekers they might be unwitting pawns. “Why don’t we do the same thing that (cartels are) doing? It’s successful for them. Why wouldn’t it be successful for us?” Lester Hayes, a group supervisor for ICE in San Diego, recalls his agents telling him. There have been 39 arrests since February 2011 at San Diego’s two border crossings tied to the ads for seemingly legitimate jobs, according to ICE, which hadn’t seen such significant numbers before. Those arrests have yielded 3,400 pounds of marijuana, 75 pounds of cocaine and 100 pounds of methamphetamine — a tiny fraction of total seizures but enough to convince U.S. authorities that smugglers are increasingly turning to the recruitment technique. Drug smugglers always look to exploit weak links along the 1,954mile border, even if the window of opportunity is brief. In the past several years, they have turned to makeshift boats on the Pacific Ocean and ultralight aircraft in the deserts of California and Arizona. In the San Diego area, there has been a spike in teenagers strapping drugs to their bodies to walk across the border from Tijuana. Some suddenly popular techniques are limited to particular pockets of the border. ICE has not spotted significant spikes in newspaper ads outside of San Diego. Ads that authorities connect to drug smugglers appear innocuous. They offer work in the United States — an invitation that only people who can cross the border legally need apply — with a phone number and sometimes a location to apply in person. New hires are told to drive company cars across the border, typically to a fast-food restaurant or shopping center in San Diego, according to ICE. When they arrive, they are often told there will be no work after all that day and must leave the car and walk back to Mexico after being paid a small amount. The drivers are typically paid $50 to $200 a trip — much less than the $1,500 to $5,000 that seasoned smugglers are typically paid for such trips, Hayes said. The tactic lowers expenses for drug traffickers and also lures drivers who are less likely to appear nervous when questioned by a border inspector because they are never told they are ferrying drugs, said Millie Jones,

an assistant special agent in charge of investigations for ICE in San Diego. The drugs are stashed in the usual ways. Fifteen pounds of methamphetamine were found in a pickup truck’s phony exhaust pipe in November. More than 250 pounds of marijuana were discovered in a van’s overhead compartment last April. More than 200 pounds of marijuana were found in vacuum-sealed plastic bags smothered in grease. Drugs are typically mixed with mustard, ketchup and fabric fresheners to defuse odors and ward off dogs used by authorities. For years, U.S. authorities have bought newspaper space and broadcast airtime south of the border to deter illegal border crossings. The Border Patrol has a long-running media campaign in Mexico and Central America that includes musical “corridos,” short documentaries and public service announcements. The ICE ads that began appearing Sunday in classified sections of Tijuana’s Frontera and El Mexicano are nothing fancy. Bold black letters say, “Warning! Drug traffickers are announcing jobs for drivers to go to the United States. Don’t fall victim to this trap.” Mexican newspapers have faced online competitors but the papers’ classified sections are relatively robust compared to U.S. publications. Victor Clark, director of Tijuana’s Binational Center for Human Rights, doubts the ads will work without specific instructions on how to confirm whether a company is legitimate, such as calling an ICE telephone number. “It’s very difficult for someone who is unemployed to know whether it’s a trap,” Clark said. “I don’t think many people are inclined to investigate if they are desperate for work.” The cases can be challenging for prosecutors because drivers may not know they are smuggling drugs. Debra Hartman, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in San Diego, declined to say how many cases have been prosecuted or cite any examples. Rachel Cano, assistant chief of the San Diego County district attorney’s southern branch, said each case is different. “Just like any other case, a theft case, we look at all of the facts and if there are sufficient facts that meet the elements of a crime and we can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, then we file charges,” Cano said. Guadalupe Valencia, a San Diego defense attorney, said the ads by U.S. authorities might inadvertently help defendants. Attorneys will argue it is an acknowledgement that people are often tricked. “It has always been my opinion that there are many unknowing couriers,” he said. “The challenge for the prosecution is you always have to prove knowledge.”

Reporter • Page 5

Preparing for the MADELINE GREENE | staff writer

d l r o W l Rea

Questioning Yourself

The real world isn’t always going to be easy. I k now this for a fact. After applying for many positions, I was left without a job or an inter nship. I was ner vous. I had done ever ything possible to prepare for my f uture. Then suddenly, I was being called to set up inter views and meetings about possible jobs. After some really good interviews and some less than desirable ones, I found myself with a few different offers on the table. I was really conf used. I’m sure many college seniors f ind themselves here. They have decided to not car r y on and attend graduate school, and they are going to get a job or inter nship in their f ield right after graduation... (Well, that’s the plan, right?)

Then they inter view and get offered a job. All of sudden ever ything that once seemed so cr ystal clear is blur red with doubt and wor r y: Am I making the right decision? Should I take some more classes? Am I really ready to graduate? With all these thoughts r unning through your mind, it’s not hard to understand why the end of senior year is so bittersweet. Par t of you wants to experience the real world and get a job while another par t is thinking about how much you will actually miss going to school. Here are a few things to remember: You made your decision for a reason. You decided it was best to go into the real world and f ind a job. Your reason was valid enough then, so in the height of your conf usion, I imagine those same reasons stand tr ue. Tr y not to doubt your gut feeling... In the end,

it’s usually the best indicator of what you really want. Also, don’t think once you make this choice you are stuck forever. Graduate school will always be there, and if you really want to go back, there’s still that oppor tunity. And if you are going to Graduate school, you may decide it wasn’t the right decision and go out to get a job. Finding somewhere that you are happy is the most impor tant thing. A wise friend once told me that if I found a job that I loved doing and was passionate about, I would never have to work a day in my life. And that is my wish for you. See you next week, Mavericks. Until then, don’t let your conf usion lead you off the path. You are exactly where you need to be. Choose what is right for you. You’ll be glad you did in the end, I promise.

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Page 6 • Reporter

News

New coaching program at MSU LINDSAY PETERSON

staff writer

Faculty members of the Department of Human Performance at Minnesota State University, Mankato will transform graduate students into more prepared, confident and successful educators and coaches this summer. A new 15-credit program at MSU will only be offered during the summers online, making it so individuals do not have to take time off from teaching. Since the program is offered strictly online, graduate students can participate wherever they are and still receive in-state tuition. The Coaching Education Certificate Program addresses the developmental, physiological, administrative and psychological aspects of coaching while meeting state standards and the National Sport and Physical Education Coaching minimum requirements. “It’s important for future coaches to understand exercise science and the psychological aspect of coaching to help them become more acquainted with the needs of a player,” Garret Baldwin, a sophomore studying Business Management, said. Intensive professional training is demonstrated

through five courses. Students are expected to take three classes the first summer and then two the following, or vice versa, in order to complete the certification. Course material will cover multiple areas including exercise science, sports medicine, the philosophy of coaching, sport psychology and sport physiology. Graduate students will also learn how to teach mental skills in individual and group settings. The courses are designed to teach the prevention, care and recognition of injuries commonly associated with participation in athletic facilities. The projected goals for the program are to develop and enhance the quality of future or existing coaches for all levels, which impact youth, high school and collegiate level coaches and athletes. Interested individuals must submit an application to MSU directly to the College of Graduate Studies and Research, as well as official transcripts from the degree granting institution. In addition, applicants must include three letters of recommendation, a two to three-page statement of interest essay and a professional resume.

Thursday, April 12, 2012T

ECON LECTURE “People don’t have the right to be stupid on the tax payer’s dollar.” continued from 3 $1,000 rental fee to $800. One side will somewhat benefit more than the other, but the landlord can most likely spare the $200. “The economist points out insidious questions and comments,” Murphy said. In one case, if the originally signed renter decides to move out and charge an increased rent to another person for more profit, an economist needs to step in and make the appropriated strategies and decisions. The case can be identified as, “rugged capitalism” or “interventionism,” Murphy said. Murphy said that in exchange landlords become “slumlords” and begin to decrease the frequency of maintenance and general upkeep of the housing. Murphy proceeded to introduce the issue of the current drug prohibition. It is a social interest to put an end to it, but there is also liberty in doing what you want versus the general public’s health and welfare. When the alcohol prohibition was enacted in the ’20s, there was a causal correlation by the increase in deaths because gangs would fight about who got to sell liquor where. There is still a concern over drugs that are currently illegal; economists analyze the incentives involved with the business of drugs and why people are still involved if there are consequences. The explanation of systematic tendencies

because of policies that are put into place diverges the economist to believe that now because the drug is prohibited the benefits will go up, and the costs will go down. The underlying question an economist repeatedly analyzes asks is what is going to give you more benefits and less consequences in terms of profit and ultimately, what are the trade-offs? Murphy clicked with the issue of endangered species and if the welfare of the animal contradicts the narrow economic interest of the landowner. If a spotted owl just appeared in a tree in your newly bought land that you planned to develop and sell for $2 million, would you call up the government or shoot the animal and never talk about it? Thinking about the trade-offs for each response will lead to a decision made reflecting the choice with the largest amount of benefit. When seatbelt regulations first came into effect, there was some contradiction. It exemplified our abstract civil liberties versus the idea that “people don’t have the right to be stupid on the tax payer’s dollar.” Research quickly came into effect and results inferred that people who wore seatbelts drive more recklessly. People drive differently in different situations. The mortality rate was found to be the same.

Accidents increased but more passengers were wearing seatbelts so they were protected. However, pedestrian and bicyclist car collisions did increase. Murphy briefly touched on the issue of the Security and Exchange Commission in reference to Bernie Madoff’s private investing for the SEC in 1999. Ultimately, protection is needed for the average investor. Implementations of regulations on what they can do with your money, which is further specified by someone who is qualified to alleviate these things. Murphy received his PhD in economics from New York University. Murphy eventually wrote his dissertation on economics during his time at NYU. Murphy is now an independent consultant. Murphy has testified before Congress on economic issues and had given dozens of public lectures. He has written hundreds of articles and several books, including his most recent, “The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Great Depression and the New Deal.” His insight was largely regarded during the 30-minute question and answer session after the lecture was completed. Murphy conduced a deeper economic interest on issues that have impacted many and examined different causal reactions that create an imbalance in society.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

News

Reporter • Page 7

APAC “Learning about the organization process and bonding with members involved in the planning process was an eye-opening experience.”

BUDGET HEARING “MSSA discussed whether or not salaries should be set within individual offices.”

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• courtesy of tong lee PEACE Coordinator Megan Rae leads a workshop on theatre of the oppressed for the Asian Pacific American Conference.

also got a chance to mingle and network with each other,” MSU student Blia Xiong said. Workshops this year included theater of the oppressed; gender violence; negative effects on body image; empowering voices; higher education and myths of model minority, professional networking and racism. “I believe that there was a great turnout this year especially with the number of students from other universi-

ties and the ability to allow more of our members to attend the conference versus previous years where they had to facilitate behind the scenes and were constantly working,” Xiong says. The coordinators behind APAC were students from APSO and students who worked directly with the Asian American Affairs office. Each aspect of making the conference successful was divided into committees such as workshops, hospitalities,

advertisements and volunteers. In introducing the keynote speaker, Xiong mentioned the possibility of almost not having a conference due to a limited budget, but through the efforts of his board members and their fundraising committee, they were able to raise up to $3,000 to help cover the additional expenses that made the conference possible. Ref lecting on his experience in planning for APAC, Xiong said, “It was a great experience to have to go through a lot of stress. Learning about the organization process and bonding with members involved in the planning process was an eyeopening experience, which opened a lot of gateways for me to discover my voice and becoming a better leader.” Coordinators are already planning for APAC 2013. Xiong hopes that with the new executive board members and committees, the conference would be even more successful and attractive than this year.

would be responsible for training student ad representatives as well as making phone calls and visits to businesses in the community in order to sell ads. The budget increase is being asked after a difficult year left the Reporter struggling to fund the ad manager position. This is due, in part, to the fact that the Reporter’s ad manager quit at the beginning of the year and revenue dropped. Tyler Ulferts offered a rebuttal against the Reporter’s appeal. He said that SAC did not feel it was fair for the students to pay for the newspaper’s mistakes and setbacks. Currently, the Reporter has a circulation of 5,500 copies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and links MSU with the surrounding community, offering jobs to aspiring journalists, photographers, ad sales representatives and graphic designers. Senators David Rosencrantz and Michael Cain both said that the proposed budget increase would be beneficial to the Reporter. Ulferts also argued that the Reporter was not following University guidelines by pay-

ing their Editor-in-Chief more than the $12,000 maximum set by SAC. Chris Fredericks was in attendance and said that due to a change more than seven years ago, a decision was made that said the Editor-in-Chief and MSSA President were allowed to be paid the same amount as a graduate assistant. The Reporter adopted this salary increase while MSSA did not. MSSA discussed Wednesday whether or not salaries should be set within the individual offices. After the votes were tallied, the Reporter was given a one-time fund in order to pay for the full-time ad manager position for the upcoming academic school year. Unlike proposed budget increases, one-time fees are not reflected in the following year’s budget. Vice President Moriah Miles said that the onetime funding would give the Reporter an opportunity to see what happens next year. Next year, student fees will be increasing 17 cents per credit, or two percent overall.

Page 8 â&#x20AC;˘ Reporter

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sports Thursday, April 12, 2012

THIS WEEK IN MAVERICK SPORTS: NO. 11 MSU SOFTBALL VS. SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA ST. 1 AND 3 P.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MANKATO, MINN. NO. 11 MSU BASEBALL AT ST. CLOUD ST.

1 AND 3 P.M. SAT. AND SUN., ST. CLOUD, MINN.

www.msureporter.com/sports

MSU secures a pair of nail-biting wins, sweeps Wildcats REECE HEMMESCH

staff writer

The Minnesota State, Mankato baseball team used superior pitching and timely hitting in a mid-week doubleheader sweep on Wednesday, taking two games from Wayne State to improve to 23-5 on the season and 11-1 in conference play. The Mavericks used 10 hits to their advantage to steal game one from Wayne State, 4-3. Ben Kincaid started off strong on the hill for MSU until Luke Abkes of WSC delivered a solo home run in the top of the third to give the Wildcats the lead. The Mavericks would tie it up in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Cory Glieden led off the inning with a double, followed by a bunt single by junior Lucas Skjefte that was thrown into right field, allowing Glieden to score. The Mavericks then used back-to-back doubles from senior Matt Odegaard and junior Mike Eckhart in the sixth inning to give them the 2-1 advantage heading into the seventh inning. The Wildcats answered back in the top of the seventh with a couple of extra-base hits to tie the game; and MSU sophomore pitcher Bryce Bellin proceeded to walk in a run to give the Wild-

Wayne St. No. 11 MSU

3 Wayne St. 4 No. 11 MSU

cats the lead with one more shot for MSU to tie or win the game. Senior Matt Kuchenbecker led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple, followed by a walk to senior Pat Dockendorf. Freshman Nolan Johnson then hit a liner back to Wayne State’s pitcher Taylor MacDonnell, who quickly threw to first, allowing Kuchenbecker to score the tying run. The comeback was completed when MSU’s Todd Standish delivered a walk-off single with the bases Ockuly loaded and two outs to win the game. The ball looked to be fieldable for WSC’s second baseman Brett Kiem until it took a horrendous hop at the edge of the infield and bounced over Kiem’s head to give MSU the win. Odegaard led all MSU hitters in the first game, finishing 2-for4 with two doubles and a run scored, while Eckhart also tallied two hits and a double for MSU. Kincaid received a no deci-

0 1

sion in the first game, but threw well and ended with six and two-thirds innings pitched and two runs given up. Senior Nick Sutherland came out of the bullpen to get the final out in the seventh and receive the win for MSU. Game two was an all-out pitcher’s duel between MSU’s Tyler Ockuly and Wayne State’s Tadd Johansen, with the Mavericks coming away with the narrow 1-0 victory. Ockuly went all eight innings for MSU, scattering five hits and striking out eight batters. MSU would then call on Sutherland to take over the ninth inning, and he prevailed to pick up the save, making that his fifth of the season, good for the most in the NSIC. The Mavericks got their lone run in the fourth inning when Kincaid roped a single to drive in Dockendorf, which would later prove to be the gamewinner. Kincaid would finish 2-for-3 with a double on the day. MSU has won six straight games, and heads north to St. Cloud this weekend for a pivotal four-game series against the rival Huskies.

shannon rathmanner • msu reporter MSU senior first baseman Matt Odegaard went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the Mavericks’ 4-3 win over Wayne State in the first game of Wednesday’s double-header at the MSU Baseball Complex. The Mavericks improved to 23-5 overall and 11-1 in the NSIC with yesterday’s sweep.

Softball

Mavericks blank Golden Bears twice, prepare for weekend home tilt against SMSU JOEY DENTON

staff writer

With an impressive split against the No. 3 Winona State Warriors last weekend, the Minnesota State, Mankato softball team plans on taking care of business this weekend with Southwest

Minnesota State coming to town. MSU head coach Lori Meyer knows that opposing teams are circling her team on their schedules this season. “Teams want to come to our

Concordia No. 11 MSU

home park, and they want to take a game or sweep from us,” Meyer said. “What we need to worry about is just taking care of our own business.” And the Mavericks have been taking care of business these past few weekends, winning 14 of their last 15 games, scoring 108 runs while only allowing 26 runners to score. These wins consist of sweeps over Bemidji State, Wayne State, MSU Moorhead, University of Minnesota, Crookston, Augustana and Upper Iowa University and a split against No. 3 Winona. The Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State are coming into the doubleheader sixth in the NSIC with a 9-8 conference record and an 18-15 overall record. With the Mustangs hiring a new coach before this season, coach Meyer knows they will have a different look than in previous years. shannon rathmanner • msu reporter “Southwest State’s got a new Junior outfielder Lauryn Morris circles the bases after her home run in coach, so I think they are going MSU’s 6-0 win over Concordia on Wednesday afternoon.

0 Concordia 8 No. 11 MSU

to be a different-looking team,” she said. “Offensively, they do similar baserunning to what we do. They are going to try to take the extra base.” So far this season, the Mustangs have galloped to a conference-leading eight triples and currently have stolen 41 bases on 52 attempts. The Mustangs haven’t had too many problems offensively, with a team batting average of .302, averaging 4.44 runs per game. Senior centerfielder Christine Borowiak has been carrying the load offensively with a .389 batting average, three home runs and 14 RBIs so far this season. Whoever they are playing, Meyer is confident about her team when they go out and play the Maverick way, and that is all they should worry about. “We have to worry about our game,” Meyer said. “We have to have consistent pitching, then consistent defense.” And that is what they have done so far this season.

0 6 Senior pitcher Kendra Huettl and junior pitcher Courtney McKelvogue both have carried the pitching load this season, and they have developed into the most feared pitching duo in the NSIC. Huettl, a three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Week, has 15 wins and three losses with a 1.33 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 126.2 innings this season. Her teammate, McKelvogue, is matching her with a 1.54 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched. After a tough series against Winona State and yesterday’s double-header sweep of Concordia, it’s easy for teams like MSU to look at the mediocre conference teams and assume a win, but Meyer knows that if the Mavericks don’t play 100 percent against every team in the NSIC, they won’t succeed. “You overlook anybody in this league, you are going to get bit in the butt,” she said.

Page 10 • Reporter

Sports

Thursday, April 12, 2012T

MSU Baseball

MSU Golf

MSU golfers dominate Upper Iowa Invite Mavericks riding high heading into showdown with SCSU TIGE HUTCHESON

RYAN LUND

staff writer

The Minnesota State, first-place finish this season, Mankato men’s and women’s as well as their sixth top-two golf teams may want to start finish, a number that should traveling to Fayette, Iowa a bit put them in prime position for more often after both teams the NCAA tournament movput together strong perforing forward. mances at the Upper Iowa On the women’s side, Invite over the weekend. senior Samantha Bergmann The men’s team defeated led the way for the Mavericks, conference rivals St. Cloud shooting 157 through 36 holes State and Augustana to win en-route to a second-place the event with a combined finish. score of 609, while Promising freshthe women’s team finman Tabitha Kunst ished in second place, shot 162, good enough five points behind for fourth place, while first-place Augustana. sophomore Alyssa Senior Julian Kalthoff finished one Ramirez finished in stroke behind in sixth second place individuplace, shooting 163. ally on the men’s side, Rounding out Bergmann shooting 147 through MSU’s top-10 out36 holes. Junior Greg ings was freshman Werner was the only other Dani Selberg, who finished in top-five finisher for the Maveighth place with a score of ericks, finishing two strokes 164, while fellow freshman behind Ramirez at 149, good Taylor Post finished in 11th enough for third place. with a 166. Senior Lisa MoFreshman Ross Miller was line finished one shot behind the highest-ranking Maverick in 14th place. outside of the top-five, finishThe second-place finish ing in a tie for 19th place with continues a stellar season for a score of 156. a young MSU squad. The Sophomore Tyler Gross Mavericks have not finished finished in a tie for 23rd with outside of the top five in any a score of 157, while fellow event this year, doing so with sophomore Bennett Black six freshmen and two sophofinished with a 161 score, mores on the roster. tying senior Curtis Gruidl for The men’s team returns 35th place. to action this weekend at the Sophomore Parker Lee NSIC Spring Championrounded out the weekend for ships, April 13-15 in Lake the Mavericks, finishing in a City, Minn., while the women tie for 45th place with a score travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. of 164. on Friday for the Augustana The win is MSU’s third Invitational.

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After continuously challenging one another last season for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference crown, the Minnesota State, Mankato baseball team will hit the road this Friday and Saturday to take on the St. Cloud State Huskies in one of the NSIC’s most prolific rivalries. The war went back and forth in 2011. The Huskies bested the Mavericks three out of four games during the conference season, but finished with a worse regular season record and surrendered the NSIC Regular Season Championship to MSU. But after being awarded the top seed and the right to host the conference tournament, the Mavericks again fell to the Huskies, this time in a 2-1 stunner that eliminated MSU from the tournament following St. Cloud’s capitalization on walks in the ninth inning. St. Cloud would go on to win the NSIC Tournament and edge the Mavericks for the top seed and right to host the 2011 Regional Tournament. But the two teams weren’t quite done clashing. After close to 39 hours of rain delays, MSU claimed the final showdown with a 3-1 victory that kept the Mavericks’ playoff hopes alive while pinning the first of two losses on SCSU. And judging by the votes in the 2012 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll, the rivalry is expected to be as strong and nasty as ever. The Mavericks and Huskies were separated by only one point in the preseason standings, going

one-two and expected to once again be the favorites to win the conference. The Huskies are strong on both sides of the ball, boasting a very solid batting order as well as one of the best pitching rotations in the NSIC. On offense, the Huskies are led by outfielders Phil Imholte (.379 batting average, 36 hits, 18 RBIs), Brian Hansen (.351, 33 hits, 22 RBIs) and Garrett Fischer (.348, 23 hits, 12 RBIs). Senior outfielder and first baseman Joey Benke is also one of the most respected sluggers in the conference with Eckhart five home runs (tied for second most in the NSIC) and a .563 slugging percentage so far this season, while freshman outfielder Eric Loxtercamp has also managed to become an integral part of the team’s offense with 20 RBIs and a .327 batting average. But perhaps the reason the Mavericks and Huskies have matched up so well against one another in recent years is because both teams have understood the importance of both hitting and pitching. Not many teams in the NSIC can honestly claim to have the conference’s best offense and pitching, but the Huskies demand a lot of respect on the mound as well, and it all starts with junior right-hander Scott Lieser. Lieser (6-2 with a 1.66 ERA)

gave the Mavericks fits last season and has become one of the toughest aces to face in the NSIC. The rest of St. Cloud’s rotation is fairly solid as well, featuring right-handers Kyle Fischer (4-1 with a 2.43 ERA) and Logan Birr (5-0, 2.61), in addition to lefty Shawn Riesgraf (4-0, 1.30). The Mavericks are now 23-5 overall and 11-1 in the NSIC after yesterday’s home sweep over a contending Wayne State squad (18-12, 9-7 NSIC). MSU is led at the plate by freshman Nolan Johnson, who has surprised many and boasts a .427 batting average to lead the team. Junior Mike Eckhart has also stepped up big for the Mavericks this season, hitting .415 while starting in 17 games. Junior Lucas Skjefte has started every game for MSU in centerfield, and has set the table well for the middle of the order with a .398 average and .462 onbase percentage. With double-headers on Friday and Saturday marking the two teams’ only series of the regular season, both sides will be chomping at the bit to draw first blood and pick up where they left off last season: going punch for punch and trying to hurt each other in the standings as much as possible. With more hatred and pride at stake than in any other series of the season, this is the moment the MSU baseball team has been waiting for; a chance to do or die and prove itself against the NSIC’s other favorite.

Take a break from studying with a book from our Best Sellers collection on the 1st Floor.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sports

Reporter • Page 11

Major League Baseball

GM Ryan, Gardy and Twins fans need to wake up and be thankful Lee Handel • sports editor

After spending nearly the last 10 years reaping the benefits of playing in the AL Central, Major League Baseball’s “Triple A” division, the Minnesota Twins organization and its fans need to start being more realistic and undergo a major philosophical makeover. We were spoiled with six division titles in 10 seasons, but the Twins made the playoffs and inflated their record largely because they feasted on a mediocre Central. Save for 2002, the team was already ousted from October baseball before its fans’ “AL Central Champions” shirts arrived at their doorsteps. This was not because the New York Yankees simply had our number or because Phil Cuzzi was out to get us, it was because we were substantially worse than the Yankees even as a fellow playoff team. When it comes to the organization itself, upper management needs to realize that the art of doing things “The Twins Way” can be perfected by every breed of ballplayer. Yes, that includes pitchers that throw more than 92 miles-per-hour and walk one batter for every three they strike out. It also includes power hitters that have been known to occasionally jog to first on a weak grounder to the second baseman, only to hit a tape-measure home run their next at-bat. The Twins teams of the last decade did all of “the little things” better than their Central counterparts, but the squads they ran into when it mattered most, namely the Yankees, executed “the little things” as well, while also hitting the three-run homer and picking up the swinging strikeout. Just what exactly is “The Twins Way?” It’s timely hitting, solid pitching, making all of the routine plays on defense and smart baserunning right?

Don’t look now, but the Twinkies have company when it comes to employing that philosophy. After all, that’s what wins baseball games. If the Twins’ brass and its fans haven’t noticed, opposing organizations in the post-steroid era have stolen their small-ball mentality and combined it with players who can hit for power and pitchers who can light up radar guns. This isn’t just the Yankees and Boston Red Sox, but the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers as well. These squads have assembled powerhouse rosters from top to bottom, leaving our hometown club in the dust. If Twins GM Terry Ryan needs proof of how much things have changed since the last time he was in charge, he need look no further than the two-time defending AL Champion Texas Rangers. The Rangers could always hit the long ball, especially at the Ballpark in Arlington, but now they have become the model franchise in baseball and possess everything the Twins lack. Nolan Ryan has implemented a new philosophy that is organization-wide and begins in the minor leagues, where starting pitchers are stretched out to throw seven or more innings and exceeding the 100-pitch limit does not mean the manager must automatically pull his pitcher. This “stretching out” has also helped build the arm-strength of pitchers like Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Matt Harrison, raising their fastballs from the low-to-mid 90s. The Twins have gone about pitching the exact opposite way, and it is an organization-wide mindset that has resulted in the crippling of starters like Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin

Slowey in recent years. Manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson have preached pitching to contact and condemned not just walks, but damn-near throwing a purpose pitch out of the strike zone alltogether. In turn, if either of the aforementioned trio completes six innings and is at or nearing 100 pitches, they will put their warmup jacket on, kick their feet up and look puppy-eyed at the manager and pitching coach to remove them from the game. Anderson and Gardy usually oblige, and in turn we have a bunch of pampered, pitch-tocontact starters with a fastball in the low-90s. Their arms have not grown, and neither have they as MLB pitchers. Gardy and his philosophy have derailed Francisco Liriano’s career, as the former phenom is focusing so hard on getting a “quick result” that he has been stripped of his identity as a pitcher that we all fell in love with his rookie season. If Gardy would have just let Frankie be Frankie, Liriano would have been back to his ’06 form years ago. The Rangers, as well as the other AL contenders, have amassed bullpens filled with 95-plus arms. The Twins had current Ranger closer Joe Nathan and have Glen Perkins, but every other reliever they had in the past and have now is just another pitch-to-contact piethrower like current closer Matt Capps. Sticking with the Rangers theme, their power hitters can also pick it in the field and steal bases. Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton are two prime examples who can do all three. Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus can do two of the above three tools at an AllStar level. Even Mike Napoli has

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the second-highest paid player in baseball heading into last offseason primarily because he was considered the top backstop in baseball. But is he even the top catcher in his own division? Time will tell, but as of right now the Cleveland Indians’ Carlos Santana and Tigers’ Alex Avila seem to have both caught and passed “Hometown Joe” up. As for us fans, we need to realize that the Tigers are for real and will be for a long time. Staff ace Justin Verlander, Cabrera, Fielder and numerous other young All-Star-caliber players are locked up for the next handful of years in Mo-Town and have yet to even reach their prime. Twins fans need to sit back and just enjoy outdoor baseball at Target Field, and ask the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles’ fans how they have coped the last 10-plus summers, because our “Little Engine That Could” has killed and simply won’t be making the postseason anytime soon.

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become an above-average fielder in Texas to complement his power. Our Twins have a bunch of one-dimensional players that can’t do the multiple things well needed to win ballgames. That is why an argument can be made that Joe Mauer was less valuable to the Twins than Michael Cuddyer when Minny was raising Central banners. Twins fans are also finally starting to realize how much M&M boys Mauer and Justin Morneau lack production-wise at the plate compared to other three-four combos in baseball, such as Detroit superstars Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Morneau played at an MVP level before his concussions, so he has a reasonable free pass. Mauer, on the other hand, has an excuse about as solid as his “bilateral leg weakness” injury diagnosis. Mauer won his batting titles with few RBIs and a wealth of bases-empty singles. He won his MVP in a contract year, and was

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

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www.msureporter.com/arts-entertainment

Stompin’ at First Ave

Pert Near Sandstone does Northern Bluegrass right EMRE ERKU

staff writer

inneapolis is a city of which many of us hold true to our hearts. We walk its streets getting into wild and wacky adventures; bar after bar, restaurant after restaurant and show after show. The scene shall never bear to get old, and one of the main reasons for this can be simply put: First Avenue. And the main reason why First Avenue was so special last Friday night can, also, be simply put: Pert Near Sandstone. They’re folk music on crack, they’re a progression into a whisky picking rage, they’re anything and everything that can be defined as a sound that can ultimately compel someone into jumping up and down ecstatically while flipping a $7 Summit Pale Ale carelessly into the First Avenue air. Did I say $7? Yes, I did. The beer at First Avenue does cost a chunk of student loans in order to pay for, but for Pert Near Sandstone, everything is necessary. Even for all you Sour Diesel smokers out there, a few beers are necessary to accompany that $60 eighth you purchased from your dreadlock-haired pot dealer who was too lazy to go the show. And let’s face it, if you’re in the crowd, and you just rolled your last number, chances are it ain’t coming back. Regardless, even in a mind

state of sobriety, Sandstone’s performance had the power to entrance a Jehovah’s Witness. The artists on stage were so into their performances that it felt like they didn’t even realize that there was a crowd. There was a tap dancer, a guitarist, a banjoist, a violinist, and even a man playing a fiddle, all of which conducting themselves with the upmost folk flavor respect while eyes closed. And what about the crowd you ask? Many happy hippies enjoying their Pabst Blue Ribbons and pre-rolled joints, jumping up-anddown, then swerving from side-to-side as if their bodies wouldn’t allow them to keep straight. And if their beers ran out, they had

from more than six bars inside the venue to choose from to purchase a beer. First Avenue knows how to think ahead, huh? But, with all references to the over-priced beers aside, Sandstone represented the crowd’s background to the fullest extent. The band started off in St. Paul, Minn. that, according to their biography on their website www.pertnearsandstone.com, “originally formed by four friends from the same hometown, Pert Near Sandstone formed unintentionally over weekly, whiskey-fueled picking sessions.” From there, they have come a long way. Not only do they hit the legendary First Avenue from time to time, they also perform their progressive bluegrass ensemble from coast to coast. In the next three months their destinations include Montana and Utah to Nashville, Tenn. and all performances will, and already have, gained fans nationwide. If you missed the show Friday, it’s okay. Sandstone will be back performing in this great state of ours coming in July at the Paramount Theatre is St. Cloud, Minn. To prepare, though, make sure that the aforementioned lazy dealer of yours comes to the show, that way you can avoid paying for a critical component to a wonderful show. •web photo

The Walking Dead The Reunion Television at its deadest (in a good way) ANDREW SIMON | staff writer

The Walking Dead exploded onto the scene in October 2010 with a run of six critically acclaimed episodes that were an astounding ratings success. The dead had indeed risen, and audiences were engrossed in the story of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a cop who wakes up from a coma months later to find his world turned upside-down with zombies littering every street corner and his wife and child gone. Much of the first season was dedicated to Rick finding his family and acclimating to this new reality, as well as introducing a cast of characters, each with flaws and reactions to the zombie outbreak that continued to mold the story and create drama. In six episodes, The Walk

Pie crew returns to teen-raunch saga

“

The Walking Dead is still a series finding its footing, still searching for its characters and what works and what doesn’t.

”

ZOMBIES! / page 14

ANDREW SIMON

staff writer

merican Pie is a franchise that has spawned three theatrical films and four direct-to-DVD productions, and now a fourth helping of theatrical pie has been released to nostalgic audiences – and there’s a reason for that. The series is so endurable because it has heart. Beyond the raunchy humor and crazy sexcapades is a set of movies that don’t take their characters for granted and succeeded in telling very real, honest stories about growing up and the good and bad experiences that go along with that. Even the DVD productions (mostly) have a sense of heart and intelligence to them. That said, the most

PIE / page 13

•web photo

Thursday, April 12, 2012

A&E

Reporter • Page 13

PIE “Despite the film’s inherent pull in the script (and Chris Klein), the real draw of American Reunion is seeing the cast assembled together again, and in that regard, it doesn’t disappoint.” continued from 12 identifiable elements of the American Pie movies are gross-out humor, nudity, sex shenanigans, and a certain level of immaturity. American Reunion is a movie that’s stuck in-between these elements, and is unable to satisfy either of them, let alone find equilibrium, making for a disjointed but, still, fun experience. It’s 2012, and the guys of East Great Falls converge to their old high school yet again to participate in their 13th anniversary reunion. The gang got older, but as far as being wiser, that’s still up in the air. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are dealing with a married life with very little sexual sizzle; Oz (Chris Klein) has become a successful sportscaster with extremely lame catchphrases and an attractive girlfriend (Katrinda Bowden); Stifler (Sean William Scott) has repressed his inner monkey and works as a temp at an agency to a power-hungry boss; Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is happily married, but his personal life gets complicated with the arrival of first love Vicky (Tara Reid); Finch (Eddie Kay Thomas) appears to be an adventurous man off seeing the world, but has his own share of disappointments; and Jim’s dad (Eugene Levvy) is trying to get back into ‘the dating game’ as he comes to terms with his wife’s passing. Sexual hijinks ensue for all the characters, tough choices are presented and made, and Jim’s penis is dangling for all mankind to see (this is, after all, a natural progression, it seems, from one film to another – it was bound to happen). The strength of American

Reunion, outside of the obvious nostalgia factor for fans of the franchise, is the actors. With the exception of a few clunkers, everyone knows these characters so well, it’s second nature. Within the opening scene, it’s as if American Pie never left. Biggs and Hannigan still play the cutest married couple in all of time, and Sean William Scott is encouraged to play Stifler for another 50 movies because he’s that damn good and that damn fun to watch. Surprisingly, the biggest laughs come from • web photo Levvy and Jennifer The gang from the American Pie franchise gets together one more time with on-point acting, but Coolidge (Stifler’s little screenplay dynamic. Mom) as the two are paired up at a drinking the fourth film of a series that little personality that it’s hard to party. There is no understatement pushed the envelope back in ’99, care or be impressed by them. here: Levvy and Coolidge are a very mild affair. Writers and directors Jon hilarious in their scenes together, Despite the film’s inherent Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg very much the film’s highlight. pull in the script (and Klein), the clearly love this series and want As far as the weaker perto do right by honoring it, but Re- real draw of American Reunion is formances this time out, Klein union falls short. The voice of the seeing the cast assembled to(infamous for his abysmal outing gether again, and in that regard, it series is still very much intact, in Street Fighter: The Legend of doesn’t disappoint. It may not be and this is a great story to bring Chun-Li) seems awkward in the as clever as the trilogy, but audithe characters back in, but this is role he originated, and even when the wrong script. It fails to juggle ences get to see Jim and Michelle paired with his old flame Heather again making band jokes, Stifler’s these character arcs intelligently (Mena Suvari), the man can’t Shakespearean monologues of and doesn’t devote enough time conjure a real, genuine emotion to to any of them. The biggest exam- vulgarity, and several humorous save his career. That said, points cameos of old Pie stars. Reunion ple would be Kevin’s temptation go to him for filming a segment delivers on what it set out to do, for Vicky, a subplot that could be that imitates Dancing with the but is, ultimately, the weakest of very interesting to explore, but Stars – and it’s quite embarrassthe theatrical Pie films. is given no more than two scenes ing. The new cast of characters before it’s resolved and with little plays important roles in the movemotional investment. Character ie, primarily as objects of temparcs aside, the jokes aren’t as tation to the Pie crew, but they raunchy or extreme as they ought feature so little and have very to be, making American Reunion,

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Page 14 • Reporter

A&E

Thursday, April 12, 2012

ZOMBIES! “Where the show excels is at where it (arguably) matters most: the zombies. The makeup work on every zombie is meticulous and detailed - the work of marvelous craftsmanship.” continued from 12

ing Dead was clearly searching for its voice, boasting one of the most impressive series openings in history but also closing on an interestingly bleak note. In-between, however, were a batch of episodes that were simply poorly handled in every which way. Unfortunately, that’s about the status quo for an overwhelmingly large portion of season two. The Walking Dead brought the premiere gang – Rick, Lori, Shane, Carl, Andrea, TDog, Dale, Glenn, Carol, and Daryl – to a farm due to dire circumstances. There, the gang meets Hershel Greene, a vet who enjoys the seclusion of his farm, where he resides with his family. Next to cooling down and reeling from certain tragic events, Rick and the gang are on the search for the missing Sophia, daughter of Carol, scouring the forest and deserted highways for any trace of the girl. The search for Sophia dominates the first half of the season, and the ramifications of that search lead the characters to question, what now? Culminating in more than a handful of deaths, plenty of gore, fire, and a zombie scourge. From the sounds of it, the show has all the markings of a successful story, but ultimately, The Walking Dead fails to live up to its potential. There are two major problems: first and foremost, the writing, which ranges from good to intolerable, and secondly, the performances, which ring hollow and are rather lazy with few exceptions. It’s worth bringing up the tone change from the first to the second season. The pacing is wildly different from the first year, which moved at a breakneck speed. Here everything is moving at the slowest possible denominator, which would be fine if the characters were intelligently defined and the storytelling on the farm was something worthwhile – but it isn’t. Characters stand or sit around the farm talking about the lives they led and how far they’ve come, or they philosophize about the pros and cons of certain situations (e.g., starting a family in this apocalyptic world), or indulge in a ridiculous soap opera drama that has no place in this time of the story. None of this would be problematic if the writers gave some depth to the characters and the conversations, but whatever ‘depth’ they do provide, is by no means complex or original. These aren’t characters, they are caricatures. These are concrete plots, they are broad strokes of ideas poorly acted on. Andrew Lincoln, Noorman Reedus, and Steven Yeuns (as Rick, Daryl and Glenn, respectively) performances are, by far, the true

830 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001

• web photo The jaw-dropping (pun half-way intended) visual effects created by the make-up crew of The Walking Dead make for an enthralling experience throughout the season.

stars of the show, carrying a weight to their roles and transcending the written material to make memorable work. Rick is the tough guy, forced into a leadership role and neck-deep in a feud with his best friend – Lincoln brings the right amount of gravitas to Rick, making him vulnerable in seclusion but also strong in his resolve. Reedus plays Daryl as the Lone Ranger who just wants to shoot zombies, and Yeun is the risk-taking comic relief who is easily an episode highlight. Everyone else ranges from an episode-to-episode basis: Jon Bernthal cannot escape the blandness of his character Shane, nor can Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori, who ranks to the very top of Insufferable Television Moms. Laurie Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn and Irone Singleton are barely given any screentime, but when they do, it’s not for the better. Surprisingly, it’s the new season two cast that holds the show together the best. Lauren Cohan and Scott Wilson as Maggie and Hershel Greene bring enough nuance to their roles to make most of the series regulars look enormously inferior. Where the show excels is at where it (argu-

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ably) matters most: the zombies. The makeup work on every zombie is meticulous and detailed - the work of marvelous craftsmanship. Furthermore, each zombie has their own distinguishing features and mannerisms, making no two zombies the same. And what would a zombie series be without gore? Luckily unobstructed by television censors, the series features a surprisingly copious amounts of gore and bloodshed. This is the very nearly the zombie series fans of the horror genre have been waiting for. The Walking Dead is still a series finding its footing, still searching for its characters and what works and what doesn’t. Season two was quite the learning curve, and hopefully the writers take the lessons learned and improve the series when it returns this October. They can throw as many action scenes and zombies into an episode as they’d like, but if the characters and the story don’t work, then the show can’t work. As it stands, The Walking Dead works – but just barely. The series returns with a new locale, a new group dynamic and a threatening new character. Let’s see where this leads.

For Rent

Find a Place to Rent or Post Listings at RadRenter. com Southern Minnesota’s Rental Listing Website. 4/26 W W W . COLLEGETOWN MAN KATO. COM Brand new rental cottages, each bedroom has a full private bath. Clubhouse with all the amenities. 4/26 WWW.RENTMSU.COM 3-10 Bedroom houses, multiple locations, 65+ houses to choose from. 4/26 W W W . COLLEGESTATIONMANKATO. COM 1-5 Bedroom options. Affordable living, free parking, on bus route. 4/26

Classifieds

Help Wanted

For Rent

5 OR 4 OR 3 OR 2 OR 1 BEDROOM houses/apartments available right now. Some for next year. Many to choose from. Check out our website www. ottoH.com owner/agent or call 507-625-1010. 6/20 ONE ROOM @ JACOB HEIGHTS 2 car garage includes washer/dryer, internet and cable. $419 + utilities. Call 612-7239288. 5/23 LIVE ALONE: Apartment for 1 lady completely furnished in beautiful home near MSU, garage parking, owner pays all utilities. Available Aug. 1 2012 - July 31-2013 or longer. Rent $300, no smoking. Call 1-507388-7373. 4/19

BARTENDERS WANTED! $250/ day potential. No experience necessary. Training available. Age 18+ OK. (800)965-6520 Ext 170. 5/23 S T U D E N T P AY O U T S . C O M PAID survey takers needed in Mankato. 100% free to join! Click on surveys. 4/26 BARTENDERS + SERVERS, Apply in person at Savoy Bar & Grill 526 S. Front St. 4/26 MANAGER IN TRAINING WANTED at Hollister Co. at River Hills Mall. Full time position with benefits, 4 year degree required. Call 507-388-0787 to set up meet and greet. 4/12

VILLAGE 1

AVA I L A B I L I T Y F O R 2 012 -13 Next to Boomtown

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Notices

FREE SHOTOKAN KARATE classes offered Mon/Thurs 6-8 pm, Tues 7-9 pm, Room PH 102. Beginners are welcome. Need not be a MSU student to join. For info call Brad @ 507-388-5301 or lostgonzo@gmail.com or search MSU Shotokan on facebook or yahoo groups. 4/26

BEDROOM FOR RENT ASAP FOR male. Available until July. Price can be negotiated. Call 320-309-3791. UTN 2 BEDROOM APT FOR SUBlease! Located near campus at quads. $750/month plus heat & electricity. Free wireless internet. Available May 2012. Please call 507-626-1585 for showing. UTN

CLOSEST TO CAMPUS! Above U-Square Mall

UNIVERSITY SQUARE

SIGNING SPECIAL THIS WEEK!

4BR Remaining

Sublease

ROOMMATE MATCHING AVAILABLE!

VILLAGE 2

Thursday, April 12, 2012

4BR Remaining

VILLAGE APARTMENTS

507-385-7977 • CALL TODAY • WWW.USQUAREMANKATO.COM

Get Your Hands On the Gold! 2012-2013 Gold Permit Drawing

Applications Accepted: 4/12/12 thru 4/24/12 Drawing April 25th, 2012 Gold Applicants Notified via Email: Friday, April 27th, 2012 w

Apply: - Online - At the Cashiers Office - At the Campus Hub (after 4pm)

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Thursday, April 12, 2012