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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Hoffner Relieved of Duties Embattled ex-coach relieved of administrative position
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
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THURSDAY FRIDAY
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SATURDAY FRIDAY
Walking For A Cause Three MSU students walk to the state capitol to raise awareness for education funding
Web Photo Sam Wilmes
news editor
Web Photo Lucas Ryan
staff writer
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s former head football coach Todd Hoffner has been fired. MSU Media Relations Director Dan Benson has confirmed that Hoffner is no longer on the university payroll. Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) who are representing Hoffner confirmed the former head coach was terminated from the university’s staff. The decisions were based on the events that took place last summer. Last August Hoffner was placed on paid administrative leave after it was
discovered by a MSU employee that his phone contained alleged videos of his children that were considered inappropriate. Shortly after the videos on the phone were discovered, Hoffner was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. Hoffner pled not guilty to the charges in court. The dispute was presented to Blue Earth County District Court Judge Krista Jass, who dismissed all of Hoffner’s charges. Jass found that the videos were protected by the First Amendment. Jass found no probable cause for the charges.
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Three Minnesota State University students walked from Mankato to the state capitol building to raise awareness to funding tied to the University. David Schieler, Michael Hanson and Trevor Granberg participated in the 97-mile walk. Minnesota State University Student Vice President Chris Collins accompanied the walkers in a car. The walk, which took place over a three-day period (Saturday, May 11- Monday, May 13) left Schieler in a tired state. Due to the stress of the walk on his legs, Schieler fell, injured his knee, and required a brace to continue on. This is the third walk to the capitol by MNSU students- the first two were in 2010 and 2011. The trip began with the students walking from Mankato to Faribault- walking through the Sakatah-Singing Hills Trail. Madison Lake, Elysian, Waterville and Morristown were passed. After a 12-hour journey Saturday, students resumed their trek towards the capitol on Sunday- walking to Lakeville,
and staying at the Holiday Inn. Monday brought the final leg of the walk- concluding with a stay at the Kelly Inn in St.Paul. Tuesday brought about the conclusion of the trip- the students met with Governor Mark Dayton and other legislators before heading back that afternoon. The trip ended up being a success in the most important aspect, as halfway through the trip the state legislature ended up agreeing to a $250 million increase in higher education funding, a dramatic increase for a state that currently pays two-thirds less of the average student’s tuition than they did a decade ago. The decrease in funding at not only the state level, but nationally has left students across the country swamped in more than a trillion dollars of debt- more than credit card debt. The students involved in the trip did not want a tuition freeze. They are willing to pay more. According to an article published by The Mankato Free Press, State chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association Moriah Miles is actually willing to pay more than $200 more a semester- granted the
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money be put to the best use. Miles classified best use as the university providing better equipment, providing more internship opportunities and increasing professors salaries. Opportunities abound with more funding. According to the article, students would receive a $1,500 stipend on an internship, of which the school and employer would split the cost. MSU provost Linda Baer expressed her appreciation for the student walk. “I am very supportive of the student walk. It is critical that legislators realize the reality of what their decisions mean for students, citizens and the state,” Baer said. “Adequate funding for public higher education is a requirement for the state, regions and communities to be strongly competitive in the global marketplace. I was very proud of the students for their huge and very visible commitment to support the higher education bill. They are living what they believe through these actions and reflect the best in what citizens do in strong democracies,” Baer concluded.
SPORTS A&E
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INDEX: SPORTS A&E
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CLASSIFIEDS
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