August 23, 2011 by MSU Reporter

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Minnesota State University, Mankato

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WEDNESDAY

H 884 • L 56

THURSDAY

H 82 • L 61

photo by wale agboola, illustration by nick spaeth • msu reporter

inside: Voices. ......................... 6 inside: Voices................................6

A&E...........................15 Study Break......................6 World & Nation.................8

Sports........................ 20 Sports..............................13

Arts/Entertainment.......17

MSU FALL SPORTS GET READY TO KICK OFF ANOTHER SEASON - PAGE 20

Page 2 • Reporter

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

Serving the Campus Area

Buses, Shuttles, Expresses www.mnsu.edu/parking

Type of Service

Destination Points

Financed By

Academic Year Coverage Times Days of Week

REGULAR BUS SERVICE Off-Campus Express Minnesota State Mankato Campus buildings and Rt. #1

Minnesota State Mankato parking lots. Also services nearby apartment provides service using complexes. leased City Bus (22 minute run)

Parking Lot Shuttle On-campus "circulator" to campus buildings and Rt. #8

Minnesota State Mankato parking lots. (15 minute run) provides service using leased City Bus

City bus route which starts Rt. #6 City of Mankato provides at the Cherry Street Ramp area, goes through the link to city-wide University campus, and bus network ends up in the Madison East Shopping Center. (30 minute run)

Minnesota State Mankato Student Senate and activity fees, cash fares, ads, Federal transportation subsidy.

7:30 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.

Minnesota State Mankato Parking Programs funds, ads, cash fares.

7:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Monday - Thursday

7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Friday

7:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Monday - Thursday Friday (Doesn't operate during the summer months or breaks.)

(Doesn't operate during the summer months or breaks.) City of Mankato, cash fares, ads, Federal transportation subsidy.

6:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Monday - Friday Saturday (Operates throughout the 12 month year.)

SHUTTLES On-campus "circulator". Red Eye Shuttle Minnesota State Mankato Red Eye Shuttle will be provides on-campus van running on a bus-like pickup and drop-off service. schedule.

Minnesota State Mankato Parking Programs funds.

2 Shuttles: 6:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M. 1 Shuttles: 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. & 11:00 P.M. - 12:00 Midnight

Monday - Thursday Sunday (Doesn't operate during the summer months, holidays, breaks or interim.)

2 Shuttles: 5:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.

Maverick Shuttle On-campus "circulator" Minnesota State Mankato which will follow the Route provides on-campus shuttle #8 bus schedule. with handicap accessible capabilities.

Minnesota State Mankato Parking Programs funds augumented with some M&E state support.

7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Departs Gage on the hour. Minnesota State Mankato MavCARD ID holders ride free; others pay $1.50. and City of Mankato • Picks up at each of the Partnership residence halls. • University Square, College Station, Devonshire, Southridge Terrace • Walmart, Panera Bread, River Hills Mall

Partnership between the City of Mankato and Minnesota State Mankato. No student activity fees or Parking Program funds are being used.

6:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.

Late Night Express Pick-up only from City of Mankato Operated Downtown Cherry Street Ramp area and dropped off in the Highland Campus area apartment complexes. No one is driven from the campus area apartments downtown to the Cherry Ramp area. No residence hall service.

City of Mankato operated service with $1 ridership cost. No Minnesota State Mankato funding is provided for this service.

12 Midnight - 3:00 A.M. Saturday

Tickets sold at the Campus Connections to Minneapolis Hub 507-389-1866. For and Sioux Falls. more information go to www.jeffersonlines.com or www.mnsu.edu/parking.

Twin Cities departs in evening, Sioux Falls departs in morning. Times are subject to change.

Monday - Friday (Doesn't operate during the summer months, holidays, breaks or interim.)

BUS EXPRESSES Stomper Express

College Connection Destination Points and Jefferson Lines

St. Paul Airport & Twin Cities.

(Doesn't operate during the summer months or breaks.)

12 Midnight - 3:00 A.M. Sunday

Multiple Trips - by www.landtoairexpress.com reservation only. Reserve online at www. or call 507-625-3977. landtoairexpress.com.

Land to Air Express Connection to Minneapolis- For more information,

Monday - Thursday Saturday

Saturday A.M. Sunday A.M. (Doesn't operate during the summer months or breaks.)

For current departure times please check with Campus Hub or Jefferson Lines website. Picks up and drops off at BP Gas Station by Happy Chef on Hwy. 169. Kato Cab: 388-7433. Departs from Centennial Student Union Horseshoe Lot 11 by red "Waves" Sculpture.

A member of the Minnesota Colleges and Universities System. Minnesota State University, Mankato is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. SHOP48DO_0710

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Reporter â&#x20AC;˘ Page 3

Page 4 • Reporter

News

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

A Forbes Recognition

MSU ranks in highest quartile of ‘America’s Top Colleges’ MEGAN KADLEC

news editor

Minnesota State University, Mankato has recently been ranked in the top quartile of American colleges by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity exclusively for Forbes Magazine. Based out of Washington D.C. and founded by Ohio University economist Richard Vedder, the study focuses on the overall worth of the college degree. While multiple college ranking systems focus on the reputation of the university, the Forbes list relies on something less trivial. Forbes’ list focuses on the important aspects of a school that actually matter to students, including the quality of teaching, high graduation rates, low levels of debt and above-par career prospects. “I think you know that there is nothing particularly scientific about these ratings, as is the case for most national rankings of this sort,” said Richard Davenport, MSU President. “Saying that, however, I do believe the Forbes rankings are considered by most higher education institutions as being more reliable than most other national surveys.” Other than Princeton and Harvard, No.2 and six respectively, Ivy League colleges generally do not do as well as other lesser known schools. For example, Columbia University of New York City ranks a mere 42 on the list. This may seems relatively high, but, looking at Columbia’s reputation, one would assume it’d break the top-10. Out of the 2,363 public and private universities in America, MSU is ranked 599. This ranking secures MSU a place among the top quartile of American colleges and universities, an impressive feat for a state university. “I think we do a better job of providing those benefits to students than most other public institutions across the country,” Davenport said. “Also, we have been effective in telling our story through the media during the past several years.” MSU is one of the 19 schools recognized from Minnesota and is ranked 144 for Midwestern schools. What MSU lacks in prestige and elitist programs, it makes up for in low tuition rates, an 89 percent admission rate and a 23:1 student to faculty ratio. “We are much more affordable than those [elitist] schools, and we provide outstanding teaching and learn-

ing for students who can’t or don’t want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a private education,” Davenport said. Graduation rates can be affected by a multitude of factors, however one of the largest indicators of a high graduation rate is the quality of support services offered by the university. At MSU, for example, the Center for Academic Success offers on-site tutoring in both specific course and general study skills. “Academic success certainly plays a role in graduation rates and earlier graduation will lead to lower student debt,” said Director of Academic Success Jason Westman. “Our office provides free academic support to Minnesota State, Mankato students.” Due to the skills given to them while at MSU, graduates and alumni are serious competitors in the job market. “The personalized education here at MSU is of very high quality and the success of students after graduation provide proof that they compete very successfully in the job market and rise to the top of major organizations due, in part, to the focus on leadership, communication and analytical skills that are emphasized at MSU,” Davenport said. The quality of teaching has always been a topic of interest to MSU. While the university offers low tuition rates, that can’t be the only thing keeping students here. “Our faculty and staff provide personalized teaching, challenging assignments and guidance that can’t be found at many public institutions and we’re constantly developing new ways for students to engage in learning, research and service,” Davenport said. Though the Forbes ranking is an exciting feat for MSU, it doesn’t necessarily mean much. Those individuals who choose to attend MSU do so not based on a national ranking, but the feeling they get on a campus tour or the faculty and staff members they interact with. “More motivating, more satisfying, is the student who says that s/he learned a lot in my class or who chooses to major in my field because of something that happened in a class that I taught, or who comes back after graduating and offers to talk about their experiences to students or just to say ‘hi,’” said Department of World Languages and Culture Chair, James Grabowska.

2 3

WELCOME TO MSU! PROGRAMS OF STUDY: • Accounting • Finance • International Business

• Marketing • Management • MBA (Mankato & Edina)

For more information about College of Business programs: • Visit our website at cob.mnsu.edu • Visit the Advising Center in Morris Hall 151 • Email us at cob@mnsu.edu

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

News

Reporter • Page 5

77 killed in Norway remembered at service

A month of mourning for the victims of extremist attacks flew at half-staff as people lay flowers and children blew soap bubbles outside the cathedral. The ceremony included performances by some of Norway's top musical names, such as 1980s pop group A-ha, soprano Sissel Kyrkjeboe and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. The event in the arena, which also hosts the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, was broadcast live on national television and was attended by survivors of the attack, relatives of the deceased, rescue workers, government members, lawmakers and leading politicians and royals from neighboring countries. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt was noticeably moved when he met with the media after the ceremony. "This has been a powerful manifestation of solidarity," Reinfeldt said. "The feeling of loss becomes extremely evident in a hall where the relatives are sitting and the emotion of grief and expressions of tears move across the room as the names are read out." Firefighter Erik Norman, who was among the first to the scene after the bomb went off in Oslo, •internet photo said he really appreciated the ceremony. Oslo, Norway was devastated after two extremist attacks — a bombing and a shooting — left 77 dead. "I think it was great, it was fantastic just sitting there listenOSLO, Norway (AP) — Norforted, every rose has given hope. ing to the music," the 55-year-old way's prime minister urged his We are a small country, but we said. countrymen to look after each are a large people." "It was such a mighty cerother and be vigilant for intolerNorwegian singer-songwriter emony, both the music, words ance, as the nation concluded Susanne Sundfoer opened the and text. I cannot really express a monthlong mourning period memorial service with a heartfelt it with words," health official Eli with a candlelit memorial service performance of a popular NorweSemmerud added. Sunday to the 77 people killed by gian song "My Little Country," Online, people from around a right-wing extremist. which has taken on special signifthe world joined the comSpeaking at the ceremony in icance since the terror attacks and memoration of the victims by Oslo, Jens Stoltenberg said "we left many in the audience quietly participating in a campaign to need you. No matter where you wiping away tears. write Utoya "and shine a light for live, no matter which god you Addressing the somber democracy" on social networking worship, each and every one of gathering, Norway's King Harald site Twitter. Each time someone us can take responsibility and can said he felt for each person in the mentioned the name of the island guard freedom." country, but that he was certain on Twitter, the website www. Anders Behring Breivik, a Norway would surmount its pain. light4utoya.net added a light to a 32-year-old Norwegian, has "I firmly believe that we will world map. admitted to carrying out the July uphold our ability to live freely Breivik denies criminal guilt 22 killings — first detonating a and securely in our country," he because he believes the massacre car bomb that killed eight people said. was necessary to save Norway, outside government offices in Later, Norwegian rap group claiming it was aimed at purging Oslo, and then shooting dead 69 Karpe Diem performed a song Europe of Muslims and punishothers at a youth camp on the about tolerance. ing politicians who have emisland of Utoya, about 25 miles "I am a Muslim, Chirag is a braced multiculturalism. (40 kilometers) away. Hindu and our friends they are Breivik was arrested on Utoya The prime minister, who also different, but we have never 90 minutes after he began his received standing ovations from felt as Norwegian and we have deadly attack. Earlier this week, the 6,700 relatives, survivors and not felt as much togetherness an Oslo court extended his isolaofficials in the audience during before as we do now, after July tion detention by another four his speech, said "together we are 22," rapper Magdi Omar Ytreeide weeks. an unbreakable chain of care, Abdelmaguid said before perOn Saturday, about 1,000 democracy and safety — that is forming the song. survivors and relatives traveled our protection against violence. As the names of each one to Utoya, accompanied by police "Today time stops in order of the 77 victims were read out and medical staff, to face the to remember those who died," loud, some relatives broke out painful memories of the scenes Stoltenberg added. "We do it as in loud sobs while others sat in of the shootings. Their visit folone nation. Every candle has silence. lowed a similar one Friday by warmed, every thought has comElsewhere in the city, flags 500 relatives of the deceased.

One of the survivors, Stine Renate Haaheim, said her feelings ranged from emptiness and extreme grief to joy when she returned on Saturday to the island, used as a recreational center by Norway's ruling Labor Party. Most of those killed were teenagers and young adults at the party's annual youth camp. "We have lost 77 individuals who wanted to use their lives in the best way possible for the society of which they were a part," King Harald said. "We will honor their memory by continuing to work for the values that they held so dear." On Monday, many Norwegian

children go back to school after their summer break, many to face the empty seats of the friends they lost in the tragedy. The king urged Norwegians to continue caring for each other in the months ahead. "Those of you who have suffered a loss may find that things grow harder as the outpouring of national grief gradually subsides," he said. "That is when we as fellow human beings must make an effort to seek out those who are grieving and struggling with their lives. We must stand beside them as the spotlight of world attention fades."

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Voices

You can follow Kyle Ratke on Twitter @Kyle_Ratke or head to his Facebook page @ facebook. com/thekidstake.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 www.msureporter.com

BOOKS, BACKPACKS AND BEER The students are back and so is Editor-in-Chief Kyle Ratke. Each student has different feelings about the upcoming year ... Let classes begin! KYLE RATKE

editor in chief I’m writing this article right after filling out financial aid forms. I can’t describe to you how frustrating the financial aid process is. I’d rather be in a fantasy NASCAR league. This is horrible. By the way, welcome back to school. Some of you packed up your 1995 Buick Regal last night and hauled off to Mankato. Others of you have been in Mankato for the last three months and have gone on a nine-day binge before school started. “What should we get to drink?” “I don’t have any money.” “So, Karkov or Ron Diaz?” “Grab the mini shots of UV Blue, too.” Ahh, the glory days. Everyone has their own feelings going into the new school year, and if the Mayans are right, it will be the last full school year we ever have. (2012. They made a movie about it. It has to be true. John Cusack is only in factual movies. Just look at “Hot Tub Time Machine.”) I’m entering my senior year here at Mankato. I thought I’d be more mature. I also thought I’d have facial hair and a girlfriend. We can all dream. Here’s what’s probably going through your mind based on your age. As Marvin Gaye would say, let’s get it on! Freshmen You’re wearing your purple lanyard with your MavCard on it. Don’t take it off. It’s too late, we know you have it on. We’ve all been that person. You’re going to walk around with that lanyard on for the first two months and people will pick on you. That’s how it goes. How do you think I ended up locked in a vending machine back in the fall of 2008?

EDITORS Editor in Chief: Kyle Ratke (507) 389-5454 NEWS EDITOR: Megan Kadlec (507) 389-5450 sports editor: Lee Handel (507) 389-5227 Variety Co-EditorS: Brian Rosemeyer (507) 389-5157

So many Snicker bars. You’ll take the lanyard off around November. In April, the only one wearing the lanyard will be Stinky Pete who lives at the corner of your floor. He’s also still wearing the exact same clothes he wore when he moved in even though he’s put on north of 30 pounds. He also smells like a dead fish. The main things on your mind are: 1.) Will you gain weight? 2.) Can you trick people into thinking you were a really good high school athlete? 3.) You’re going to drink a lot and it will probably affect your grades, but that’s what college is about right? 4.) Will you ever find a significant other? I’ll do my best to answer these. 1. If you eat unlimited pizza and fries at the cafeteria and don’t work out, yes you will gain weight. It’s a scientific fact, friends. Also, start mixing your drinks with diet pop right now (if you drink that is). You’ll thank me in five years when all of the regular pop drinkers are 20 pounds heavier than you. 2. Yes. I’ve convinced people that I was an above-average baseball player in high school. Maybe I was. Maybe I wasn’t. You’ll never know! Muahahaha! 3. No comment. My rules for drinking: A.) Don’t drive. B.) Don’t puke on your roommate’s X-Box 360. C.) Don’t call your ex-girlfriend crying at 3 a.m. I hear it doesn’t end well. Good luck, you lanyard wearing sons-of-guns! (By the way, tell Lynell from the cafeteria” hi.” She’s the best.) Sophomores You’re old! You can finally get out of those dorms and move into your own place. You think you’ve got the four best roommates, until you realize one of them hasn’t

paid for rent or utilities in four months and you have no electricity. More than likely you’re not 21. I made the horrible mistake of living with guys a year older than me my sophomore year. Best year of my life, but they liked to go to the bar. I couldn’t. I played a lot of drunk X-box 360. Reason No. 483 why I’m still single. I honestly don’t really remember much from my sophomore year besides being really poor. You realize buying food and actually paying for your own place takes a toll on the good ol’ bank account. My advice is to take out extra money in student loans. Cover rent with it and have a little extra spending money. Sure, in five years you’ll hate me when you’re living in your parent’s basement making student loan payments, but you’ll thank me when you upgrade from Ramen noodles to Banquet TV dinners. Wait, that doesn’t sound like an upgrade at all. Maybe I’ve been doing this whole thing wrong. Juniors This will be the craziest year of your life. In part because you realize that you’re either going to graduate in a year or you’ll be around for another 18. Another reason is because everyone you know, and their mothers, are turning 21. (Okay, not their mothers. That wouldn’t be possible.) Thankfully my birthday wasn’t until April, so I didn’t get roped into going out for everyone’s birthday. Those who were born in September, good luck. You talk yourself into thinking everyone who’s turning 21 is your friend so you can go out with them. “Vinny? Yeah, not sure on his last name, but he lived by me in the dorms. Good dude. I’d feel bad if I didn’t go out. Wait, did he live by me? Screw it, I’m going out.”

You wake up 13 hours later full of mayo and tomatoes on a Jimmy John’s table not knowing what happened. And chances are, you didn’t see Vinny. This is the make or break year for academics. If you screw up, you can say goodbye to graduating in four years. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing. My motto is live the dream while you can. The longer you stay, the longer the dream goes, right? One would think. I’m set to graduate in the spring. I might fail a few classes this year. Also, if you haven’t found a significant other, you will be single your entire life. It’s a proven fact. Seniors You’re either graduating in the spring, or you’re going to be around for another few years. If you’re graduating, here’s what’s going through your mind: 1. What the hell am I going to do after I graduate? 2. Should I take out $20,000 in student loans in case I don’t get a job? 3. Will I ever find a girlfriend? Answers: 1. Work at Kwik Trip until you’re 30 and realize this isn’t at all what you wanted to do, but you do get half-off bread and there is no charge to the ATM, so you stay there. 2. YES!!!

3. Nope. Chances are you’ll be single the rest of your life. Especially if you get the job at Kwik Trip. If you’re not graduating, here’s what’s going through your mind: 1. This next year is going to be awesome. 2. Are freshmen too young to talk to? They were in 8th grade when I was in 12th. Is that weird? 3. I feel really bad for anyone who’s graduating. They’ll have to pay their student loans sooner. Response. 1. Yes, it will be. 2. Nope, not weird. Just compare it to one of your friend’s parents. “Well, Nick’s parents are seven years apart and they seem fine.” You can justify nearly any age problem like that – as long as everyone’s over 18, otherwise you’ll end up on “To Catch a Predator.” 3. I’m afraid to look at my student loans. Hell, I’m afraid to look at my bank account. I don’t know if any of this is right. I do know that while we are here to get an education, these are the best years of our lives. The degree is our goal, but it’s alright to make a few pit stops along the way to have some fun. I know I did. Enjoy your year, Mavericks. As always, thanks for reading.

SUPERVISORS

AD SALES

OUR POLICIES & OTHER INFORMATION

Business Manager: Jane Tastad (507) 389-1926

AD REPRESENTATIVES: Cami Hiller (507) 389-5453

ADVERTISING DESIGN/ TECHNOLOGY SUPERVISOR: Dana Clark (507) 389-2793

Jared Hensch (507) 389-5097

• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, call Editor in Chief Kyle Ratke at (507) 389-5454. 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, which can be contacted at (507) 389-2611.

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: Shelly Christ (507) 389-1079

Kelsi Magers (507)389-5451 SUPPLEMENTAL AD SALES: Amy Schultz (507) 389-6765 Megan Wahl & Natasha Jones (507) 389-5609

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a student-run 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 $35.00 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.

Centennial Student Union Room 293, Mankato, MN 56001 • (507) 389-1776

Minnesota Newspaper Association

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

News

Letter to the Editor

Why Minnesota’s corrections system is the best

Minnesota Department of Corrections Deputy Commissioner Richard Crawford discusses our state’s correctional system

Kim Weisner, a community supervision agent in Chaska, received something unexpected in the mail: a thank you card from an offender she recommended be sent to jail. In it, the man wrote that her recommendation to the judge to send him to jail was the best thing she could have done for him. Kim said that card was one of the few thank yous she’s received in seven years as an agent. As she put it, “I don’t think this is a job of thank yous, especially from the offenders.” Kim is one of hundreds of agents working to find the balance between focusing on enforcing accountability and helping offenders change their behavior to become law-abiding citizens. August 21-27 is Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week in Minnesota. It’s a chance for us to recognize the often unrecognized individuals all over the state who supervise offenders in the community – on probation, parole or supervised release – to make Minnesota safer for our families. Public perception of corrections

is of prison bars and hardened criminals. But the numbers show that prisoners are less than 10 percent of the picture: there are approximately 9,400 inmates in state prisons and more than 127,000 people being supervised in Minnesota communities. It’s a direction Minnesota has been moving toward for more than 30 years; and it is working. Research has shown that many offenders – from low-risk to highrisk – can be managed safely and held accountable in the community at lower costs and with better results than sending them to prison. Minnesota’s focus on using community-based resources to deal with offenders has resulted in a long-term strategy for budget savings. The Minnesota DOC has an annual budget of $456 million. In contrast, our neighbor Wisconsin incarcerates 23,000 offenders at an annual cost to taxpayers of $1.3 billion. Supervision agents like Kim have a duality of roles. At times, their duties require that they be highly enforcement oriented. At other times, they utilize skills

resembling those of social workers, counselors or addiction specialists. Within this dichotomy of roles, agents work tirelessly to motivate offenders to make positive changes, while holding them accountable for their actions. They create case plans to address specific offender needs, and connect offenders to community resources that help achieve goals such as sobriety, family reunification, treatment and work. A key measure of success in corrections is whether an individual commits another crime – known as recidivism. Recent statistics show that 85 percent of Minnesota probationers remain free of any felony conviction three years after completing their sentence. For offenders released from prison, 72 percent remain law-abiding during the three-year follow up period. If we have successfully turned these individuals into taxpayers, not only do we save money in the long-run, we have prevented other citizens from becoming victims. As we take time this week to recognized Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week, I want to express my thanks to Kim and all the agents across the state and wish them the best in the performance of their duties. My hope is that they all receive the hundreds of thank you cards they deserve, because they work every day to make Minnesota a better, safer place.

Welcome back students!

Reporter • Page 7

Editorial

Sound off, Mavericks

This space is for you to tell us what you think. Did you like an article? Did you hate it? Let us know. We hope to make this paper more about you and without feedback, it’s difficult. We are here to aid student journalists and provide them with valuable onthe-job experience, but our main role is to serve you, the student body. If you have a suggestion, complaint, story idea or anything else you’d like to tell us, send a letter to the editor. Don’t want it printed? That’s fine, just say so in the letter. Want to criticize us for our coverage of an issue or lack there of? Let us know. There’s a great chance that we will take your advice or criticism and act on it. The Editorial and Voices pages are where the Reporter staff and MSU students have the opportunity to sound off. Take advantage of them.

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Page 8 • Reporter

Social security, disability on brink of financial ruin

WASHINGTON (AP) — Laidoff workers and aging baby boomers are flooding Social Security’s disability program with benefit claims, pushing the financially strapped system toward the brink of insolvency. Applications are up nearly 50 percent over a decade ago as people with disabilities lose their jobs and can’t find new ones in an economy that has shed nearly 7 million jobs. The stampede for benefits is adding to a growing backlog of applicants — many wait two years or more before their cases are resolved — and worsening the financial problems of a program that’s been running in the red for years. New congressional estimates say the trust fund that supports Social Security disability will run out of money by 2017, leaving the program unable to pay full benefits, unless Congress acts. About two decades later, Social Security’s much larger retirement fund is projected to run dry, too, leaving it unable to pay full benefits as well. Much of the focus in Washington has been on fixing Social Security’s retirement system. Proposals range from raising the retirement age to means-testing benefits for wealthy retirees. But the disability system is in much worse shape and its problems defy easy solutions. The trustees who oversee Social Security are urging Congress to shore up the disability system by reallocating money from the retirement program, just as lawmakers did in 1994. If Congress does not act, the disability program will collect

only enough payroll taxes to pay about 85 percent of benefits after the trust fund is exhausted in 2017. Even if Congress does act, the combined retirement and disability trust funds are projected to run out of money in 2036, the trustees say. The new congressional report estimates the combined fund would run out of money in 2038. At that point, the combined programs would collect enough in payroll taxes to pay about three-fourths of benefits. Claims for disability benefits typically increase in a bad economy because many disabled people get laid off and can’t find a new job. This year, about 3.3 million people are expected to apply for federal disability benefits. That’s 700,000 more than in 2008 and 1 million more than a decade ago. “It’s primarily economic desperation,” Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue said in an interview. “People on the margins who get bad news in terms of a layoff and have no other place to go and they take a shot at disability,” The disability program is also being hit by an aging population — disability rates rise as people get older — as well as a system that encourages people to apply for more generous disability benefits rather than waiting until they qualify for retirement. Retirees can get full Social Security benefits at age 66, a threshold gradually rising to 67. Early retirees can get reduced benefits at 62. However, if you qualify for disability, you can get full benefits, based on your work

Social Security / page 12

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News

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

Find it for less Online websites provide cheaper textbook options

MEGAN KADLEC

news editor

The beginning of the academic year can be a stressful time for many students. Moving to a new city or apartment, trying to reconnect with friends or make new ones and attempting to figure out how to pay off that tuition balance. Not to mention, determining how exactly you are going to pay for those ridiculous textbooks you’ll probably only read twice before you give up for the semester. Campus bookstores offer more convenience with higher prices while online websites and off campus bookstores often have lower prices, but require more time and planning.

James Krewson owns the website FindersCheapers. com. The site is dedicated to displaying price comparisons on more than 55 million consumer products. The products range from used CDs to textbooks and can be used as a tool for the average college student to find the best deals on textbooks and other items. “I have devoted several years of engineering development to textbook pricing in particular,” Krewson said. “FindersCheapers understands ISBN codes, checks textbook prices in real-time, offers textbook coupons, has author, edition, publisher search filters, and in general has a price comparison structure that works very well with media items.” Krewson’s website is one of many options for finding textbooks at a lower price. For students who want used textbooks, Amazon offers deals from numerous private sellers as well as offering free two day shipping to students if you sign up for Amazon Prime. If a student is keen on either renting their textbooks or using e-books, Chegg is a great option as well.

“It is much cheaper to buy textbooks online,” Krewson said. “I recently performed a price survey where I compared textbook prices at campus bookstores to prices available online and I found that on average, a student can save about $237 each semester.” It may be simple to click one button on the university website to pre-order the books needed for scheduled classes, but you may also be throwing money down the drain, a thought that most college students dread. When asked why they continued to shop at the campus bookstore when prices are cheaper online, students generally agreed that it was easier to order their textbooks through the campus bookstore. “I think that if you search by ISBN number, buying your books online can be pretty easy because it takes out the uncertainty of purchasing the correct book,” Krewson said. Classes have already started, but for those students who haven’t purchased those dreadfully expensive textbooks yet, a quick online search might result in a little extra cash in your pocket.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

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Tainted vinegar suspected in 21 Chinese deaths

BEIJING (AP) — Vinegar tainted with antifreeze is suspected of killing 11 people and sickening 120 after a communal Ramadan meal in China's far western region of Xinjiang. Investigators suspect the victims consumed vinegar that was put in two plastic barrels that had previously been used to store toxic antifreeze, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday. It said the mass food poisoning occurred Saturday night in a village close to Hotan city in Xinjiang, a border region that abuts Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. The victims were Muslims who were sharing an evening meal after the daily fast observed during the holy month of Ramadan. Xinhua said children as young as 6 were among the dead. One person among the 120 sickened was still in critical condition. Authorities were still testing to confirm the source of the poisoning, it said.

China's food safety record has been battered by the rampant use of illegal or substandard additives by unscrupulous food producers. Milk powder laced with the industrial chemical melamine killed at least six children and sickened 300,000 in 2008. Producers added the nitrogen-rich melamine powder so their milk would seem higher in protein. Revenge attacks using rat poison or other chemicals are also common in China, where access to firearms and other deadly weapons is tightly controlled. In April, three children died and 35 others were sickened by milk tainted with nitrite. An investigation showed that a local dairy farmer had put the poison into their competitor's milk supply. But accidental contamination is also a problem, caused by low hygiene standards, particularly in rural areas, and weak quality control by regulators.

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Reporter • Page 9

Oil prices down as rebels capture most of Tripoli MILAN (AP) — Brent crude prices fell to near $107 a barrel on Monday as Libyan rebels captured most of the country’s capital, boosting hopes the OPEC nation’s oil exports could resume soon. Rebels overran a large part of Tripoli after a quick advance as defense of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime collapsed. Gadhafi’s whereabouts were unknown while two of his sons were captured by rebels. Prospects of an end to the Libyan civil war boosted hopes that production from the country would resume earlier than expected. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Monday that Eni were already working to restart oil and natural gas production from the country. Eni is the largest foreign producer in Libya, and most of the plants were built by its subsidiary Saipem. Frattini told RAI state television that Eni technicians have been called to Bengazi to reactivate plants and that there were technical consultations

already last week. Eni declined to elaborate on the comments, but noted that restarting production could take some time — a couple months for natural gas and even an year for oil. In London, Brent crude for October delivery was down $1.26 per barrel to $107.35 on the ICE Futures exchange by midday European time. The benchmark U.S. oil contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange, however, was up slightly — 50 cents to $82.76 a barrel. Brent has been at unusual premium to the U.S. crude futures contract for months, in large part due to the fact that Europe relies more than the U.S. on oil from Africa, including Libyan imports. “If the Ghadafi regime falls, Libyan oil production should gradually resume and European markets would directly benefit from that,” said Victor Shum, an analyst with energy consultant Purvin & Gertz in Singapore. “Having more supply while the global

economy is under threat should put downward pressure on oil prices.” Gas and oil production has been mostly halted in Libya since February. Although Libyan oil amounted to less than 2 percent of world demand, its loss affected prices because of its high quality and suitability for European refineries. Investors will be closely watching how smooth the transition to the new government will be and how fast oil production can come back on line. Carsten Fritsch, an analyst with Commerzbank, said that Libya should be able to resume output soon once Ghadafi is toppled, noting the rebels expect this to happen within three weeks. “In the coming days, the price could drop further towards $100 a barrel,” he said, referring to Brent crude. Fears of an economic slowdown in the U.S. and Europe have weighed heavily

Oil Prices / page 12

Page 10 • Reporter

News

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

Criticism grows against Hazare’s hunger strike

NEW DELHI (AP) — Criticism mounted Monday against an Indian activist’s hunger strike, with public figures saying it threatens democracy and verges on demagoguery, even as thousands crowded his protest demanding stronger anticorruption legislation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — whose government has been beset by scandal — appeared to dismiss Anna Hazare’s demands, saying “there is no magic wand that can solve the problem in one stroke.” But the diminutive 73-year-old Hazare remained undaunted. Encouraged by TV cameras and thousands of chanting supporters, he has vowed to fast indefinitely until authorities pass his version of a bill — instead of the government’s draft — creating a powerful anticorruption watchdog. He has faced little criticism since beginning his fast last Tuesday, but prominent activists have begun speaking out as his message gains traction in public debate. “The props and the choreography, the aggressive nationalism and flag waving ... signal to us that if we do not support The Fast, we are not ‘true Indians,’” Arundhati Roy, one of India’s bestknown writers and activists, wrote Monday in The Hindu newspaper. She bashed Hazare’s bill as “so flawed that it is impossible to take seriously,” saying that it ignores other prominent institutions like corporations and the media. Nevertheless, tens of thousands carrying signs saying “I am Anna Hazare” have protested across India to support the hunger strike. TV channels were giving 24-hour news coverage including urgent updates on Hazare’s weight, and TV anchors have declared “India is One.”

Hazare — styling himself after Indian freedom fighter Mohandas K. Gandhi — has clearly touched a nerve in a country wearied by rampant corruption. Everyone from poor rural farmers to urban middle-class professionals complain of having to pay bribes for basic services, including health care, school admission and registration of death. No one disputes Hazare’s essential message that corruption is harming India. But critics questioned his demand to give the proposed watchdog authority to investigate and prosecute top judges and the prime minister. In many democracies, judges and top elected officials have • internet photo immunity while in office to Hazare ‘s refusal to eat is catching the attention of protesters internationally. Indian officials believe the protect them from politically protest threatens democracy. motivated prosecutions. accusing a Hindu nationalist “people’s parliament” that Singh noted his reminiscent of rhetoric used group of stoking the is “higher than the nation’s government had only recently by then-President George W. Parliament.” tabled its ombudsman bill Bush in the run-up to the Iraq campaign. Representatives of India’s On Monday his aides for a parliamentary debate war, said Nandan Nilekani, bottom-caste dalits, or said Hazare wanted the that would “take time” as a former businessman now untouchables, said Hazare’s prime minister to send a lawmakers seek consensus. leading India’s mammoth bill ignored protections representative for direct He expressed frustration with project to give its 1.2 billion needed most by the poor. negotiations and complained the protests, saying: “I feel citizens ID cards. “It is an upper-caste, there were still no the complexity of the task is “I don’t buy this argument concessions despite nearly middle-class movement and not adequately appreciated.” that, just because you have seven days fasting. proposed a different path, it addresses their issues — Hazare’s insistence, such as bribes paid to the “None of our demands that means you are against through a hunger strike, that police or at passport offices. has been included,” activist us and therefore you are only his proposal can fix the Peasants, vulnerable sections, Arvind Kejriwal said. “There pro-corruption,” he told the problem has also unnerved don’t fall in their purview,” is no agreement between civil NDTV news channel. civic leaders who dispute Former parliamentary dalit activist Arun Khote was society and government.” the impression that Hazare quoted over the weekend as In the meantime, Hazare’s speaker Somnath Chatterjee and his team represent all of saying by Business Standard team said he had lost 11 told CNN-IBN television India. newspaper. pounds (5 kilograms). that the protest was become “Their distrust of Hazare seemed to be Authorities are required to a “crusade” against the Parliament is hazardous defying his critics when intervene if Hazare’s life is government and the prime and also unjustified by past he declared Sunday that at risk, as suicide is illegal in minister. “It sounds rather experience of free India,” India. his following represented a anti-democratic to me.” Harsh Mander, an activist More than 70 civil who sits on the National society leaders including Advisory Council that helps artists, students, doctors, set government social policy, lawyers and rights advocates wrote in the Hindustan sent a letter to the prime Times. minister accusing Hazare of Others said Hazare’s masquerading as the leader of demands smacked of an all-inclusive movement. demagoguery and trampled “Only the naive would democratic institutions. fail to notice the organized “This whole ‘Are you with forces that are behind Anna us? If you are not with us, Hazare’s campaign,” it said, then you are against me’” is

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Reporter • Page 11

Bachmann seeks to broaden appeal for her 2012 presidential campaign

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Pigeonholed as a right-wing disciple, Michele Bachmann is offering herself as a presidential candidate who can unite the GOP's disparate base and appeal to Republicans of all ideological stripes. "Fiscal conservatives — I'm one of those. National security conservatives — I'm one of those. Social conservatives — I'm one of those. And the tea party — I'm one of those," the Minnesota congresswoman said repeatedly in South Carolina this past week. The line, now standard fare as she visits early primary states, provides a window into her strategy of selling herself as more than just a social conservative crusader. Bachmann's ability to overtake rivals Mitt Romney and Rick Perry in the GOP nomination contest may depend on whether she can attract support beyond her core evangelical and tea party constituencies, which gravitate toward her strong stances on cultural issues. But this year, economic concerns clearly rate above many others with most voters. If she wins the party nod, she will have to court moderates and independents as well as conservatives. Throughout her political

career, Bachmann has fiercely guarded and worked to bolster her social conservative reputation. She has had a 100 percent rating from the influential American Conservative Union during her nearly five years in Congress, based on her voting record. Over the past few years, she rode the wave of the rising tea party and used her frequent TV appearances to stoke a national image as a favorite of the right. As a candidate, Bachmann isn't eager to revisit her past controversial statements even though Democratic and Republican rivals alike use them to paint her as a fringe Republican in the race to challenge President Barack Obama. During a recent debate, she deftly handled a question about a past remark cited the Bible as instructing wives to be "submissive to your husbands." In a measured tone, she explained it was about showing mutual respect. A few days later, Bachmann faced tough questions on the Sunday national news shows about previous statements, including a comment about the gay lifestyle being one of "personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement." Not addressing such issues directly, she relied on answers such as "I'm

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running for the presidency of the United States. I'm not running to be anyone's judge." Bachmann's typical campaign speech illustrates her efforts to broaden her appeal. Or as she put it in Florence this past week: "We are going to make the case that we're the unifying candidate who can beat Obama." She opened her remarks to conservative South Carolina audiences with a quick rundown of her stances on cultural issues. But she quickly pivoted to jobs, filling a whiteboard with numbers about tax collections and the nation's swelling deficit. "You cannot spend more money than what you take in. It's a simple fact of life, right?" Bachmann told a receptive crowd at the Greenville convention center. She promised to submit only balanced budgets as president even though critics say that's impossible. To national security conservatives, she said: "I won't step one toe out of this country and apologize for the United States of America," the rap that Obama's foreign policy approach gets from conservatives. She also plays up her role on the House Intelligence Committee, stressing how she's trusted with the nation's secrets and apprised of the most pressing threats. The broader pitch is a necessity given the times. Gail Randall, 54, is among those who showed up this past week to hear Bachmann and who

think social issues are fading. Said Randall: "It's all about the economy this year, I think, and job creation." Lois Ross, 42, said she appreciated hearing from Bachmann about foreign affairs, including illegal immigration and the economy because "they are the only issues I'm voting on." Bachmann's outreach also comes across more subtly. No matter where she travels, she emphasizes her birthplace of Waterloo, Iowa. She says it drives home her heartland sensibilities and bedrock values. She shares stories of growing up in a broken home after her parents divorced, sending a message that she can relate to people's personal and economic struggles. Wherever Bachmann goes, she blares Elvis Presley tunes from her campaign bus. It's not the first time Bachmann has tried to make such a pivot. She built a following in Minnesota as a state senator championing social causes such as a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage. But after dispatching GOP challengers in her first bid for Congress, she focused her fall campaign on financial issues. She hired a presidential campaign team that knows well the danger of being narrowly defined in a primary. Several top advisers, including campaign manager Ed Rollins, oversaw Mike Huckabee's 2008 campaign. The ex-Arkan-

sas governor is a former minister and a social conservative who harnessed the organizing ability of pastors, evangelicals and home-school advocates to win the Iowa caucuses. But he never grew his base of support before dropping out. His campaign had wanted to stress his economic record and sportsman background, too, but never was able to get beyond the caricature that was stamped into voters' minds. "There's this temptation always — and we're certainly seeing that with Congresswoman Bachmann — to try to make her into a one-dimensional candidate or a one-dimensional person," said Eric Woolson, who was Huckabee's Iowa campaign chief. "That clearly doesn't tell the whole story." Even if she wins Iowa, Bachmann could flame out in New Hampshire, where there already are doubts about whether her track record and excitable rhetoric are a good fit in the opening primary state. "I see very little oxygen left for Michele Bachmann in New Hampshire. Though she has some appeal, it is not very road," said GOP strategist Jamie Burnett, a former Romney backer unaligned with a candidate this time. "To win here, she is going to need to attract support from beyond the tea party in order to compete."

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Page 12 • Reporter

News

SOCIAL SECURITY The application process can be a nightmare for legitimate applicants. continued from 8 history, even before 62. Also, people who qualify for Social Security disability automatically get Medicare after two years, even if they are younger than 65, the age when other retirees qualify for the government-run health insurance program. Congress tried to rein in the disability program in the late 1970s by making it tougher to qualify. The number of people receiving benefits declined for a few years, even during a recession in the early 1980s. Congress, however, reversed course and loosened the criteria, and the rolls were growing again by 1984. The disability program “got into trouble first because of liberalization of eligibility standards in the 1980s,” said Charles Blahous, one of the public trustees who oversee Social Security. “Then it got another shove into bigger trouble during the recent recession.” Today, about 13.6 million people receive disability benefits through Social Security or Supplemental Security Income. Social Security is for people with substantial work histories, and monthly disability payments average $927. Supplemental Security Income does not require a work history but it has strict limits on income and assets. Monthly SSI payments average $500. As policymakers work to improve the disability system, they are faced with two major issues: Legitimate applicants often have to wait years to get benefits while many others get payments they don’t deserve. Last year, Social Security detected $1.4 billion in overpayments to disability beneficiaries, mostly to people who got jobs and no longer qualified, according to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress. Congress is targeting overpayments. The deficit reduction package enacted this month would allow Congress to boost Social Security’s budget by about $4 billion over the next decade to invest in programs that identify people who no longer qualify for disability benefits. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that increased enforcement would save nearly $12 billion over the next decade. At the same time, the application process can be a nightmare for legitimate applicants. About two-thirds of initial applications are rejected. Most of these people drop their claims, but for those willing go through an appeals process

that can take two years or more, chances are good they eventually will get benefits. Astrue has pledged to reduce processing times for applicants’ appeals, and he has had some success, even as the number of claims skyrockets. The number of people waiting for decisions has increased, but their wait times are going down. “It’s ludicrous to say that the backlog problem is getting worse,” Astrue said. “The backlog problem has gotten dramatically better.” Patricia L. Foster said she was working as a nurse in a hospital in Columbia, S.C., in 2005 when she was attacked by a patient who was suffering from a mental illness. Foster, 64, said she injured her neck so bad she had a plate inserted. She said she also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Foster was turned down twice for Social Security disability benefits before finally getting them in 2009, after hiring an Illinois-based company, Allsup, to represent her. She said she was awarded retroactive benefits, though the process was demeaning. “I have to tell you, when you’re told you cannot return to nursing because of your disability, you don’t know how long I cried about that,” Foster said. “And then Social Security says, ‘Oh no, you don’t qualify.’ You don’t know what that does to you emotionally. You have no idea.”

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

OIL PRICES Eni evacuated all of its personnel in Libya in March.

Construction

Zone

continued from 9

MEGAN KADLEC

on energy prices in recent weeks and are expected to remain key to market sentiment in the longer term, although the Libyan developments dominated trading on Monday. Eni evacuated all of its personnel in Libya in March, but has said no damage has been reported to the plants and pipelines and that it would be technically able to resume output close to pre-crisis levels once the situation had returned to normal. The head of Eni’s exploration and production unit, Claudio Descalzi, said last month that it would take two to three months to restart natural gas production and a year to reactivate oil production. Eni produced 273,000 barrels of oil and natural gas in 2010 in Libya, about 15 percent of the company’s worldwide production. Shares in the company were up 5 percent to euro13.10. Repsol, another big producer in Libya, was not reachable for comment. In other Nymex trading for October contracts, heating oil fell 1 cent to $2.89 per gallon and gasoline futures dropped 4 cents to $2.81 per gallon. Natural gas for September delivery sank 4 cents to $3.90 per 1,000 cubic feet.

When the Minnesota government shutdown in July, many construction projects were halted in their tracks. Two of these local projects are now being worked on and may impact weekend travelers and commuters to and from Minnesota State University, Mankato over the next few months. After a six-week delay, the Highway 4 bridge replacement was scheduled to restart last Monday. The project will replace the current bridge over the Little Cottonwood River near Sleepy Eye. Traffic will be detoured tho Brown Country Road 18,

| news editor

County Road 8 and County Road 24 through late October. Motorists using Highway 30 west of Darfur will be detoured to local roads while a bridge is being replaces using a box culvert. The traffic will be detoured to Cottonwood County Road 2, County Road 10 and County Road 1. Travelers can expect to be detoured an extra eight miles until the project is completed in mid-October. Motorists should take these traffic conditions into account and plan accordingly when planning their routes to and from Mankato.

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Reporter â&#x20AC;˘ Page 13

Page 14 â&#x20AC;˘ Reporter

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A&E

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Summer 2011

www.msureporter.com/arts-entertainment

pg. 18

pg. 17 “The record is a mix of a handful of great songs, a few good songs and one or two that don’t do much more than hold their weight.”

M u s i c

“Not strictly mournful, Bon Iver is at least the most wistful album of 2011, and one of the most quietly brilliant.”

pg. 18

“The beats are huge and elaborate, providing an intricate listen with old-school overtones.”

“The idea is 60s sugar-pop combined with modern production and packaging.”

R e c a p

pg. 17

pg. 16

“From top to bottom, You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks pleases with the elderly Steve’s energentic and genuine performance.”

“All said and done, Rave On looks spectacular on paper, but falls considerably short of expectations...”

“Maybe if they stopped trying so hard to be Gods, Jay and West would remember what it means to be good musicians.”

Page 16 • Reporter

Various Artists, Rave On Buddy Holly - June 28 BRIAN ROSEMEYER

a&e editor

What are The Black Keys, CeeLo Green, Paul McCartney, Florence And The Machine, Modest Mouse, Lou Reed, My Morning Jacket and about 12 more stellar acts doing on the same record? They’re all playing Buddy Holly’s legendary music. Holly made a huge impact on Rock & Roll history, so much so that his tragic death has been immortalized as “The Day The Music Died.” His songs were simple and sweet. Many artists attribute him as a major influence on not only themselves, but also music in general. Fantasy Records, along with Hear Music, decided to call upon some heavy-hitting names from the past and the present to celebrate the life and music of this iconic man. The music on this record is great, Holly’s songs are efficient and genuine, you can’t argue with his classic songwriting. The performances, however, are horribly inconsistent. Some artists chose to play straightforward renditions of the originals, while others decided to take new spins on the tunes. In general, most renditions fall short of anything interesting. Patti Smith’s version of “Words of Love” is brashly boring and uninspired. Lou Reed’s stab at “Peggy Sue,“ one of Holly’s most iconic songs, is almost embarrassing. Reed’s attempt at making the heartfelt song grungy and “hard” sounds muddy and bored, generically crunching away at distorted guitar and artsy vocals. There are a couple savers on Rave On. Modest Mouse does a fine job covering “That’ll Be The Day,” The Black Keys almost knock it out of the park with “Dearest” and Cee Lo Green nearly saves the entire mess with his brilliant rendition of “(You’re So Square) Baby, I Don’t Care.” All said and done, Rave On looks spectacular on paper, but falls considerably short of expectations and leaves a fair amount of disappointment dripping from listeners’ ears by the end of the record.

A&E

Seasick Steve, You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks - May 30

BRIAN ROSEMEYER

a&e editor “Dirty,” “down-home” and “nasty” are all prefixes appropriately attached whilst discussing new/old artist Seasick Steve’s latest release, You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks. The title is cliché, the music isn’t revolutionary, but that’s not what you listen to this record for. This record is full of one thing; gripping blues that hits as hard as all get out. Seasick Steve found his way into the heart of legendary White Stripes guitarist,

and recent record label owner, Jack White. White’s love for Steve’s exact brand of music seems unlimited, so it was a natural action to invite Steve to cut his new collection of songs onto Third Man Records, White’s own label. From top to bottom, You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks pleases with the elderly Steve’s energetic and genuine performance. The title track is pounding and footstomp inducing. More heartfelt songs like “Whiskey Ballad” swing with heartache and sincerity. No new ground is broken with this record, but what it does achieve is a cultivation of the rich roots of American delta

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T blues music, impressive slide work and all. Not to mention that very special guest John Paul Jones, of Led Zeppelin, joins Steve for some of the record. You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks is a stellar record for blues enthusiasts and beer drinkers alike.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch The Throne August 8

A&E

Reporter • Page 17

My Morning Jacket, Circuital - May 31

CHRISTIAN HAGEN

staff writer

It’s tough to pinpoint exactly when Jay-Z and Kanye West went from rapping about their lives to rapping about kings, queens, galaxies, the devil and gods. But gradually, Jay began turning out hits like “Big Pimpin’,” casually throwing money off the deck of a yacht in videos, building an empire, declaring himself a master of all things. Similarly, West moved from commenting on materialism in “All Falls Down” to bragging about it on “Good Life,” and slowly, as his public persona began to clash with his conscience, he was able to make My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, an album which placed him on a grander stage than his peers, rapping for his soul in a self-described struggle between heaven and hell. This inflation of self-importance has not detracted from the music, for the most part. That is, until now. Watch the Throne, the first official collaborative full-length from Jay-Z and Kanye West, aims higher and farther on almost every track than either of the performers have ever attempted before, and in almost all cases, the tracks either shoot too far into excess or stall and crash back to Earth. The songs here range from grating (the disappointingly misguided “Otis”) to laughable (“Niggas in Paris”), the whole production coming across as a slap-dash money grab rather than a statement of artistic or musical creativity. Maybe if they stopped trying so hard to be Gods, Jay and West would remember what it means to be good musicians.

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a&e editor

My Morning Jacket has been a hard-hitting act for in the alternative music community for nearly a decade now. The band has had its peaks and valleys under its belt going into 2011’s anticipated Circuital. Their fourth record, Z from 2005, accumulated a number of new fans and broadened their listenership and radio-play. However, the band nearly committed suicide with the widely criticized Evil Urges in 2008, losing much of their new and old fanbase. 2011 left all eyes on My Morning Jacket, fronted by Jim James, to redeem their status in alt-rock. Circuital achieves that redemption admirably, but doesn’t complete the task completely. The record is a mix of a handful of great

songs, a few good songs and one or two that don’t do much more than hold their weight. Listeners got a preview of the record with its first single, “Holding On To Black Metal.” The track is one of the best on the album, featuring a catchy-as-hell riff and huge chorus, with bits of a Japanese popsong laced throughout. Circuital is intimate, warm and carefully assembled. James’ songwriting is generally above par and original. What gives Circuital the extra kick is the band’s performance. It can be heard throughout the release that My Morning Jacket loves what they do; the group’s passion is evident in the songs. Other highlights include; “Outta My System,” “You Wanna Freak Out” and the fantastic “Wonderful.”

Page 18 • Reporter

Cults, Cults - June 7

A&E

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

Hail Mary Mallon, Are You Gonna Eat That? June 7 BRIAN ROSEMEYER

a&e editor

BRIAN ROSEMEYER

a&e editor

Pop music found a fine new voice with this fresh New York group of hipsters. Headed by guitarist, vocalist and percussionist Brian Oblivion and lead vocalist Madeline Follin, the band hasn’t created anything necessarily “new.” Rather, they went back to what worked, what hadn’t been explored recently, and made their own attempt at it, successfully. The idea is 60’s sugar-pop combined with modern production and packaging. The lyrics are fairly straight forward, mostly dealing with heartache and coming-of-age problems, presumably from Follin’s own dealings with the drags of being young. What’s really unique about this record is the production. The songs are very basic, infectious and the performance is nothing special. The way in which the songs are displayed accommodate for a thin hook to become much deeper. Initially, the ever-looming ethereal sounds heard from a bubbling synthesizer are unique and intriguing, but become a little tired as the album trails on. The record runs short, at just over 30 minutes. However, if Cults tried to add another one of their bittersweet compositions to the mix, the spiel would get exhausting. It’s doubtful that Cults will be able to ride their success for much longer. Unless Oblivion and Follin have more tricks up their sleeve, and can mature their songwriting, Cults is sure to be in their initial and golden era in 2011.

This summer’s releases feature strong outputs from well-established artists, groups trying to find their notch, and acts which force themselves into your headphones by producing solid debuts pre-packaged for success. Hail Mary Mallon’s debut, Are You Gonna Eat That?, is the latter of the three. The collaboration between hiphop royalty Aesop Rock and MC Rob Sonic, with scratching from DJ Big Wiz, raised the “underground” hiphop bar another inch or two. The group released a preview track, “D-Up,” on a Definitive Jux compilation before tackling a fulllength release for Rhymesayers Entertainment. The beats are huge and elaborate, providing an intricate listen with old-school overtones. The high point on the record is the fourth track, “Meter Feeder,” which features the smooth and biting delivery of Aesop complimented by the laidback silk styling of Rob Sonic. Other highlights include the backand-forth “Grubstake,” which provides metered phrases and top-notch scratches from Big Wiz, and “Table Talk,” with a wide beat and heavy drops from both MCs. The vocal chemistry between the two is something special. Rob Sonic sets his words on his tongue and rolls them out with effortless empathy. Aesop bubbles his words with appropriate emphasis on phrasing and flow. The layering and call-andresponse methods used on Are You Gonna Eat That? leave listeners’ ears running to keep up with the lyricists, and all the while DJ Big Wiz shoots out space beats from what sounds like the new hip-hop standard.

Bon Iver, Bon Iver - June 21

CHRISTIAN HAGEN

staff writer

Singer Justin Vernon has spent a lot of his spare time away from his band making friends with Kanye West, experimenting with auto-tune and living a rock star life (well, a rock star life for a folk singer). With Bon Iver’s stunning return, however, the high life has not wiped away Vernon’s fragile spirit. Though, compared to past efforts, the songs here are much grander and much more sweeping. Stand-outs “Holocene” and “Perth” combine the group’s noted veil of melodic wonder with an ever-present sense of impending turmoil, as emotions boil in rolling drums and tremendous vocal layering.

The album’s closer, “Beth/Rest,” may be the most startling thing Vernon has ever done, an outright 80s synth ballad. But as jarring as it might be, Vernon’s foray into corniness is still sprinkled with haunting melancholy. Unlike the group’s last fulllength, For Emma, Forever Ago, their self-titled release focuses not on the silence which evokes the cold of their world, but on the way the growing chaos of the world evokes a chilling feeling. Not strictly mournful, Bon Iver is at least the most wistful album of 2011, and one of the most quietly brilliant.

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A&E

Reporter • Page 19

Pavement Inspiration Returns to Malkmus on Mirror Traffic CHRISTIAN HAGEN

staff writer

It’s been eleven years since Pavement officially announced their breakup and singer Stephen Malkmus started working on his life as a solo musician. For young, wistful indie rock fans of today, the idea of hearing new Pavement material is one of those wonderful, impossible dreams. Imagine the feeling of hearing Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain when it was first released in 1994, or of slipping on your headphones in 1997 and hearing the first twangs of “Stereo” when it was fresh. It seems like it wasn’t that long ago, but as any casual glance at the web can prove, this generation has already turned the 90s into a time of distant nostalgia. Malkmus’s solo output has never before captured that revolutionary quality, his former band’s incredible ability to make slacker rock sound energetic and make fuzz rock that was extraordinarily catchy. On the albums he’s made since going solo, he’s alternated between tongue-in-cheek noise experiments, meandering psych-jams, and half-hearted stabs at pop-rock glory. At times he’s made something worthwhile. Mostly, he’s sounded like he’s just been screwing around, never quite reaching the level of inspiring rock brilliance that made his band so legendary to the youths of their time and of today. But it appears Pavement’s recent, all-too-brief reunion has sparked something great. With Mirror Traffic, Malkmus’ fourth release with his backing band The Jicks (fifth if you count Face the Truth, technically his only true solo album), the singer finally manages to make an album worthy of his legacy and his status as a true elder statesman of indie rock supremacy. From the opening strains of “Tigers,” it’s clear that Malkmus has crafted his laid-back guitar riffs back into stirring pop form. Every minute of Mirror Traffic feels like a flashback, like being transported to a time when cracking the seal on a Pavement record was a journey into the unknown. And yet, for all its throw-

back charm, it still feels vital, like the album the scene needs to shake away the doldrums and rock properly again. The aforementioned “Tigers” is upbeat, focused, and confident. “No One Is (As I Are Be)” sees Malkmus donning his Lou Reed sunglasses and expounding coolly about bourgeois money-grabbers as casually as if he were talking about the weather. “Senator” is the most engaged Malkmus has sounded in years, jumping out of the gate with a blast of chemical concerns and sprinting into a hilariously explicit yet endlessly catchy chorus. What makes Mirror Traffic so refreshing isn’t that Malkmus has done away with his jam-band meandering (still present on “Brain Gallop”) or his occasional treks of noise (still present on “Spazz” and “Jumblegloss”). What makes it so special is that these have been reigned in, leaving behind the perfect balance of Malkmus’s distinct identity and his abilities to craft great rock songs. To what should this achievement be attributed? Certainly some credit must be owed to producer Beck, whose firsthand understanding of the 90s alt-rock sound Malkmus evokes, as well as his knowledge of what lies beyond that sound, allows him to hear the finest ways to mix a classic rock album into a modern stand-out. But I don’t think an album as pristine and vibrant as Mirror Traffic would be possible had Malkmus not finally buried the hatchet and toured again with his old band. Because there is a great deal of Pavement present here, more than surely Malkmus would like to admit. Maybe somewhere deep inside of himself, Malkmus is just as longing as the rest of us for days gone by. Maybe the man who created those records the young indie kids of today so covet is the

man who most missed out on the phenomenon of what he made. In a way, getting back together with Pavement seems to have opened Malkmus’ eyes in the same way that Pavement opened the eyes of a generation of garage rockers, by reminding him, and allowing him to remind the rest of us, that even lo-fi can sound classic, lasting, and meaningful. Mirror Traffic is the best rock album of 2011 so far, one of the best regardless of genre. And it’s the best not because it makes us pine for days gone by but because it reminds us that the best days are right now. All it took was one faded rock star to learn the lesson and preach the only way he could: Through his music.

Sports Tuesday, August 23, 2011 www.msureporter.com/sports

FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT THE REPORTER SPORTS STAFF’S VIKINGS TRAINING CAMP COVERAGE BY HEADING TO THEMSUREPORTER.COM. YOU CAN ALSO SEARCH FOR THE MSU REPORTER OR THE KID’S TAKE ON FACEBOOK TO SEE INTERVIEWS OF YOUR FAVORITE VIKINGS PLAYERS. HEAD ONLINE TO THEMSUREPORTER.COM TO LISTEN TO THE LATEST EDITION OF THE KID’S CAST. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KYLE RATKE AND HIS CREW DO THEIR BEST TO PREVIEW THE UPCOMING FANTASY FOOTBALL SEASON.

Athletes of Fall Back In Business With two-a-days over, the football, volleyball and soccer teams gear up for regular season play. Coverage on pages 21-22

The MSU women’s soccer team runs some sprints on Monday afternoon at The Pitch.

Shannon Rathmanner • msu reporter

Baseball

Staff Ace Blake Schwartz Tells MSU He Is Transferring To Oklahoma City University LEE HANDEL

sports editor

After spending the past three years dominating the NSIC with the Mavericks, now former Minnesota State Mankato starting pitcher Blake Schwartz has decided to take his talents to the Sooner state. Schwartz informed his coaches and teammates last Tuesday that he had decided to transfer to Oklahoma City University to play his senior season. Schwartz was coming off a solid spring with MSU, as well as an outstanding summer with the local Mankato Moondogs of the Northwoods League. “We are not quite sure what

his reasoning was, but it was probably something he had been thinking about throughout the summer,” said head coach Matt Magers. The two-time All-American went 10-2 with a 2.11 ERA for the Mavericks in the spring and was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Year, as well as the Central Region Pitcher of the Year. In one of the toughest amateur leagues in the country, Schwartz compiled a 6-1 record and led the league with a 1.71 ERA this summer. He also struck out 75 batters in only 63 innings of work and was named the NWL’s 2011 Pitcher of the Year. Schwartz’s decision came

as a big surprise to his teammates and coaches, as the program is an annual contender to make the Division II College World Schwartz Series and rarely sees its big-name players go elsewhere. “We were all pretty surprised,” said Magers. “When we send guys out to play summer ball we obviously expect them to come back as a member of the Mavericks. This hasn’t happened to us in the past.”

The Mavericks have had players forego their senior seasons in the past because they were drafted by a pro team, but this situation is a bit puzzling. Schwartz did have a couple teammates on the Moondogs who currently attend Oklahoma City. The news caught Schwartz’s teammates off guard more than anybody. “First off, I’m happy for him. I’ve been good friends with him for three years,” said senior outfielder Ben Kincaid. “For the team’s sake it obviously sucks not having him here, but that just makes us want to work harder and will push us to do well in the spring.”

Schwartz went a combined 24-5 at MSU and will be greatly missed on the field, as he was supposed to anchor a young starting rotaton in 2012. Kincaid, along with sophomores Bryce Bellin and T.J. Larson, figure to be the main pitchers that will see more innings in 2012 due to Schwartz’s departure. “There are no hard feelings, we want the best for these guys and wish him the best,” Magers said. “It might be tough to swallow for his teammates, but we have to turn the page.”

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 Women’s Soccer

A New Chapter Set to Begin at The Pitch With just three seniors and 18 underclassmen on the roster, the MSU women’s soccer team is hoping its talent overcomes its youth.

Sports

Reporter • Page 21

Volleyball

Mavericks Set to Reach New Heights in ‘11

REECE HEMMESCH

staff writer

After a fantastic 2010 season, the Maverick volleyball team is heading straight for another great year in 2011; and with the squad only losing two “We have a very strong players from 2010, they’re hoping to JOEY DENTON get past their season ending loss to the freshman class,” said staff writer eventual national champion ConcordiaHenry. “We have nine St. Paul in the first round of the NCAA new freshman and two With last season junior transfers, and I am regional. not being the greatThe Mavericks come into this season very impressed with how est season for the ranked 16th in the country in the Amerthey have been playing. program, the Minneican Volleyball Coaches Association They fit in to our team sota State, Mankato pre-season poll, with their familiar foes very well.” Henry women’s soccer team from Concordia ranked as the top team McGahey is also very is very optimistic in the country. Though they are ranked excited about his new and excited to start its 2011 the best, Concordia is not the only team players. season. With only three seniors in the conference the Mavericks should “The freshman class is talgraduating last year and a very be worried about. ented. They’re dedicated,” said athletic incoming freshman Four of the NSIC’s 14 teams are rated McGahey. “They have come class, the Mavericks are set to ahead of the Mavericks in the pre-seain ready to help out the team. have another great season for son poll, putting MSU fifth in the NSIC I think it is always exciting head coach Peter McGahey. coaches’ poll. Concordia-St. Paul takes anytime you have the opporLast season, the team finthe first place vote, with Southwest tunity to add other dedicated ished 11-8-1 and 8-4-1 in the Minnesota State, Minnesota-Duluth and student-athletes to the MaverNorthern Sun Intercollegiate Wayne State taking the next three top ick family.” Conference, with some impresspots. The Mavericks will definitely The very talented group of sive wins against Southwest have their hands full with their conferincoming players includes Minnesota State, North Dakoence schedule. Emily Moris from Woodbury, ta, and Augustana. Their record “We are looking forward to playing Minnesota. In high school she earned them a spot in the NSIC those top four teams in our conference, was named to the all-state team conference tournament. in my time here we have had close her senior year and was a part Starting his fourth year as rivalries with all four of them. That just of their school’s 45 game win MSU’s head coach, Peter Mcmotivates us even more,” senior setter streak, outscoring opponents Gahey thought last season was Brittany Stamer said. 163-14 in those games. pretty good, but could have Expect Stamer to lead the MaverEvery season the team sets been better. icks on offense this season, as she will very high goals for themselves, “Last season we left a game already leave MSU with the all-time and with only three seniors or two on the table and our assists record. In her three-year tenure graduating, the team has been Wale Agboola • msu reporter season ended a little short for anticipating to succeed on the Junior Kayla Berning tries to block freshman Kaitlyn Braun at us,” said McGahey. Volleyball / page 24 practice on Monday. field, in the classroom, and Junior forward Brittany in the community. One of the Henry, the team’s leader in biggest strengths of the team is goals scored, agreed it wasn’t their team chemistry and how their best season. they work together to achieve “There were definitely areas their goals. we needed to improve on, “The team has set some and I can’t wait to show our fairly high on field goals for improvement this year,” said themselves. Some of those Henry. things are really motivating to Henry also agreed with players in that way. They set McGahey that the team should some very high academic goals have won some games they in terms of how they want to lost. compete for GPA and those “One of our weaknesses was things to demonstrate their we had a problem holding on dedication as student-athletes,” to the lead,” said Henry. said McGahey. Henry led the team with 12 This season has some key goals and 25 points last season. games on the schedule. No. With Laura Leber graduated, 1 ranked Grand Valley State junior Nicole Dooher is the comes to Mankato Sept. 4th, second best returning scorer and the always-tough Winona with seven goals last season. State will be in town on Oct. The Mavericks will also have 8th. last season’s starting goalThe Mavericks are hoping keeper, Brittany Cygan, back that their talent can make up in the goalie box this season. for their youth even though She led the team with 40 saves they know it will take some last year. time for everyone to mesh and The team took advantage of learn how to play with each the offseason and held extra other on the field. practices for their highly anticipated season. They came a week early and had a captain’s practice to enhance their team chemistry on and off the field.

Page 22 • Reporter

Sports

Tuesday, August 23, 2011T

Football

New Faces, Position Battles Mark the Beginning of Training Camp The starting quarterback position is one of the spots up for grabs, with senior transfer Jon Daniels and sophomore Jon Wolf the front-runners for the job. TIGE HUTCHESON

staff writer

With only 14 practices in the books, head coach Todd Hoffner is excited about the attitude and potential of his team. “I think everybody has been doing a fantastic job of doing that and we’re looking to impress a lot of people,” said Hoffner. “We want to play hard and compete and we’ll see what happens.” While many coaches refuse to admit any kind of confirmation about their starting lineup until the last minute, Hoffner freely admits that much of the roster has taken shape already. “We kind of have a pretty good idea of who we think we are going to go to battle with,” said Hoffner. “Obviously things like injuries and the elevation of guys behind them can change that, but as of now, the guys I’ve mentioned are the guys we’re looking to go to war with and represent Minnesota State and Maverick football, and we’re pretty excited about it.” One area coach Hoffner hinted at confidence in is the quarterback position, where the Mavericks have two options, both a little different, that have looked good early. Senior Jon Daniels will

probably receive most of the snaps early, but Jon Wolf, who earned the Mavericks’ Team Offensive Newcomer award as a freshman at both quarterback and wide receiver last season, has also been impressive early and will not only challenge Daniels for snaps, but should also give Hoffner a lot of options in a position of concern for many programs. Another important name to keep in mind will be offensive lineman Cordell Bell. Bell is coming off of an NSIC South Division Second-Team All-Conference selection and will be asked to continue to be a source of leadership as the only senior on MSU’s offensive line. Another early area of strength looks to be the Mavericks’ receiving core. “Our receiving core—Dennis Carter, LaMark Brown, and Adam Thielen—has done a great job so far,” said Hoffner. Thielen is coming off of a great sophomore campaign in which he was named NSIC South Division Second-Team All-Conference, while Carter was named an Honorable Mention All-NSIC South Division selection. Add in the exciting play early from Brown, a redshirt freshman who won MSU’s Offensive Scout Player award last

season, and the Mavericks seem to have plenty of early confidence in their arsenal of receivers. On defense, two players that have really stood out early are defensive end Chris Schaudt and linebacker Isaac Kolstad. Schaudt played all 11 games for MSU last year and totaled 42 tackles and has been named one of the 2011 NSIC Players to Watch. Kolstad, a Mankato East graduate who transferred to MSU after two seasons at North Dakota State University, has made an impact early and looks to be one of the Mavericks’ top prizes of the offseason. With so much to be excited about early in camp, it shouldn’t be a surprise that coach Hoffner believes team and senior leadership is at a high. “We have a lot of players that are taking on ownership of being great representatives of the football program,” said Hoffner. “I think [training camp is] going really well. I’m very excited for this team and very excited for our players. I’ve been very impressed with their leadership and attitude; both have been very positive so far. We hope that will continue throughout the season.”

Shannon Rathmanner • msu reporter

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sports

Reporter • Page 23

Professional Sports

Playoffs for Vikings: Wishful Thinking or a Possibility? LEE HANDEL

sports editor

The forecast for the Purple is more difficult than ever to predict heading into the 2011 season. Two years removed from an NFC Championship game appearance, the Vikings are coming off a roller-coaster 6-10 season that was high on drama and low on successes. Whether it was the daily Brett Favre sagas, the acquiring and dumping of Randy Moss, the firing of Brad Childress or the Metrodome roof collapsing, the Vikings stole headlines for just about everything except winning in 2010. Things are much different just one year later, as the national media has quit talking about the Vikings and has all-but written them off as contenders in the NFC. However, fans of the team have some reasons for hope. Or is that just post-lockout football fever acting up? Here are five reasons the Purple will make the playoffs.. and five reasons they won’t. WHY THEY WILL.

1. A Veteran Quarterback Actually Showed Up to Mankato As you probably already know, the Vikings prized offseason acquisition was the trade for 34-year-old Donovan McNabb. The 12-year starter and six-time Pro Bowler spent his first 11 seasons in Philadelphia, where he led the Eagles to a 92-49-1 record, five NFC Championships and a Super Bowl appearance. Even though last year didn’t go so well with Washington, McNabb has

something to prove this year in Minnesota and has brought a sense of calmness and stability to a position that has had nothing but drama the past two years.

2. He Has Weapons McNabb has a fair amount of talent around him, starting with running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson is arguably the best running back in the NFL and should be the focal point on offense again this season after Favre and Childress stole the show the past two years. Thirdyear wideout Percy Harvin heads a receiving corps that has the potential to succeed under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. After winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2009, Harvin posted solid numbers last season when he wasn’t sidelined by migranes, which he claims are a thing of the past. Fellow wideouts Michael Jenkins and Bernard Berrian are motivated and looking for bounce-back seasons after poor 2010 campaigns. Throw in veteran Visanthe Shiancoe and rookie Kyle Rudolph at tight end and the weapons are definitely in place around McNabb.

3. The Frazier Factor After taking over for Childress with a few games to go in 2010, Leslie Frazier begins his first full year at the helm with a completely different mindset than his predecessor, which seems to be welcomed by the entire organization. Like Dennis Green and Mike Tice before him, Frazier is

more of a player’s coach and has been building-up a lot of his players and has created nothing but positive energy since taking over. Despite a stressful end to last season, Frazier is starting fresh and is already making his mark as head coach with the hiring of experienced coaches such as linebackers coach and former San Francisco head coach Mike Singletary. He also made a statement by cutting former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie for showing up to training camp severely overweight.

4. Stingy Run Defense The Vikings were the best against the run for a couple years before finishing in the middle of the pack in rushing yards allowed last year. Gap-clogging defensive tackle Pat Williams has retired, but former Pro-Bowlers Kevin Williams and Jared Allen anchor a defensive line that wants its old reputation back. The linebackers are more equipped to stop the run than ever, as E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway are in the prime of their careers and are joined by E.J.’s brother, Erin, who takes over for Ben Leber. If the secondary can hold up, particularly if Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook stay healthy, the front seven should be able to do their jobs a bit easier and get back to being tops against the run.

5. The Whole Team Has Something to Prove Period. WHY THEY WON’T.

1. Too Much to Learn, Not Enough Time The lockout hurt the teams with new head coaches and coordinators the most, and the Vikings were one of those teams. With no minicamps or player-to-coach contact before training camp, Vikings players only have about a month to learn a wealth of new plays, schemes and other concepts before the games begin to count. Although Frazier, Musgrave and new defensive coordinator Fred Pagac look to be the right men for the job, it will be hard to have everybody on the same page by the opener at San Diego on September 11.

2. Weak Secondary Whether it’s a good thing or not, the Vikings have a bunch of youngsters in the secondary with little or no experience as starters in the NFL. Cornerbacks Griffin and Cook were both sidelined the majority of last season, but need to be on top of their games if the secondary has any chance of holding up against some of the best offenses in the league. Veteran Antoine Winfield can

tackle, but his coverage skills are diminishing. The safeties are a complete question mark, as Tyrell Johnson, Husain Abdullah, Jamarca Sanford, and Mistral Raymond are fighting for two starting spots. The Vikes have been porous in the secondary in years past, and this year could be worse.

3. The Division is Stacked The Packers are the defending NFL champions, the Bears are the defending NFC North champions and the Lions are looking like an above .500 team. All three teams added some key pieces and got healthier, as well as kept their coaching staffs primarily in tact. The Packers get a healthy Jermichael Finley back, who might be the best tight end in the NFL. They also get starting running back Ryan Grant back to split carries with James Starks, who performed well in the postseason last year. The Bears lost tight end Greg Olsen to the Panthers, but aquired two former AllPro’s from Dallas in former Minnesota Golden Gopher running back Marion Barber and wide receiver Roy Williams. The Lions get a healthy Matthew Stafford back and also drafted Nick Fairley from Auburn to play defensive tackle alongside Ndamukong Suh. Oh, they also all have

Vikings / page 24

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Page 24 • Reporter

Sports

Volleyball Continued she already has 3,435 assists. Stamer has twice been named offensive player of the year and was an all-conference honorable mention selection last season. Stamer accumulated 1,442 assists last year. Her main target will be to junior outside hitter Chelsea Fogarty. Fogarty was second in kills last season with 286, nothing even close to her performance as a freshman where she set a record for freshman kills with 413 and landed a spot on the NSIC all-conference team. On the defensive side of the ball the Mavericks will depend on senior Alli Rice to step up and be the leading digger. She recorded 256 digs last season and 480 the year before, putting her first on the all-time list for most digs in a season. On the front line, Fogarty and junior Courtney Steinhauser will be expected to step up as they are the returning two blockers from last season

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Vikings Continued strong offenses and love to throw the football (see: Weak Secondary).

with both of them posting over 40. “Our big thing we need to work on this year is our chemistry,” said Stamer. “We’re fairly young and it’s important that we incorporate the freshmen into the team. That’ll help us build on what we put in last spring.” The Mavericks open up their season taking on Alaska Fairbanks on September first to partake in the Nanook Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska. In this tournament they will take on the host team twice, followed by Grand Canyon State and Dallas Baptist University. They then travel to Bolivar, Missouri for the Southwest Baptist Purple Bash, where they take on four western schools in another tournament. September 13th marks the start of their competitive NSIC conference schedule, which opens up against Winona State right here in Mankato.

4. The Schedule is Difficult Although the NFL tries to accommodate teams that struggled one year by giving them an easier schedule the following year, the Vikings didn’t really luck out. They play the Packers, Bears and Lions twice. They also drew games against the other tough division in the conference, the NFC South. This means home games against New Orleans and Tampa Bay and a road contest in Atlanta. They also play the easier AFC West, but the two tough games are on the road at San Diego and Kansas City. This makes the road game at Carolina and the home contests against Oakland and Denver pretty much must-wins if the Vikings stand any chance to make the postseason. Many of these aforemen-

tioned offenses can rack up the points and although the Vikings offense should be decent, it will have a hard time keeping up with the likes of the Packers, Saints and Falcons.

5. Their Aging Big Names Have No Game Left McNabb is past his prime and could struggle with the loss of big-play wideout Sidney Rice. Berrian and Jenkins might be washed up and not capable of replacing Rice. Offensive linemen Charlie Johnson, Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera will have to coexist better with youngsters John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt or McNabb is in trouble. Allen, Williams and Winfield are also aging on defense and showed some signs of it last year. Kicker Ryan Longwell can’t hit a field goal from 50 yards out in a dome (He’s fine, I’m just bitter they brought him back instead of Rice).

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Reporter • Page 25

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Need to scrap your vehicle? $$ CALL US $$ Automotive

1996 BUICK SKYLARK V6 Good gas mileage, start all winter (sits outside), drive through snow (front-wheel drive), good tires. $ 1000 OBO cash only. Call 507-625-1764 8/25

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. 12/1 3 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR rent, downtown above Savoy Grill, prime location. (507) 351-2024. 9/1

For Sale

OAK PEDESTAL DINING TABLE with 2 leaves and 4 chairs $250. 2 lamps $10. Glass Top rott iron table $40. 2 end tables $10. 1 Bar stool $10. All items in excellent condition. Please call 507351-7829 or 507-351-7356 Jim & Sharon. 8/23

Help Wanted

S T U D E N T PAY O U T S . C O M PAID survey takers needed in Mankato 100% free to join! Click on survey. 12/1 EXPERIENCED BARTENDER needed, flexible hours, day & evening shifts. Call (507) 380 4774. 9/1

• Used parts, cars, trucks & repairables! • Purchasing all grades of metal! • 70' scale on-site! • Free Pick Up! • Friendly, Reliable Service • Top Dollar Paid • Online Parts Search

HOURS: Mon.-Fri., 8-5

* Oct. 1 - March 31 Closed Saturdays

507-524-3735

(12 miles south on Hwy. 22)

Help Wanted

bandrautotrucksalvage.com

BARTENDERS/ SERVERS evenings and weekends at Tucker’s Tavern, just off Highway 60 in Elysian, 20 minutes from Mankato, Apply in person or call 507-267-4025. 9/1

AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE EVENT

Wednesday, August 24

CSU Hearth Lounge • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fall Student Membership

Come view the teepee, listen, and learn native dance steps with Native Dancer and Storyteller

ail

+ Tax

Norman Benson

with Drummers Joe White Hawk, Sr. & Joe White Hawk, Jr.

With Current Student ID

Hwy. 22 South Mankato • 625-7665

Unlimited golf on regulation golf course and the Executive Par 3 for the remainder of the 2011 season!

Co-sponsored by the Centennial Student Union and American Indian Affairs

Welcome Students! Mavjobs.com

Grab your Future by the Horns!

Job & Internship Fairs

Going Global Online Career Guides

Your campus resource for choosing a major, planning your career and all things job-related!

Career Spots Videos

'What to do with a Major in...' Guides

& SO MUCH MOR E!! Visit www.mnsu.edu/cdc or stop during our QuickStop walk-in hours!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Reporter • Page 27

Save BIG BUCK$ and ensure gas hikes won’t affect your pocketbook.

Buy your Semester Bus Pass TOP FIVE REASONS TO BUY A BUS PASS: 1) Free pizza cutter with the purchase of a semester bus pass!

(While supplies last)

2) Avoid parking hassles and expensive parking permits! 3) Convenient service designed to get you to class on time. 4) Buses provide a quick, comfortable ride during inclement weather. 5) All bus passes are available on-line at mnsu.edu/parking.

BUS PASS PRICES

$45 Unlimited Ride Semester U-Pass or $16 Unlimited Ride 30-Day U-Pass Any U-Pass ALLOWS OWNER

FREE PASSAGE on all city routes

THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY STOMPER EXPRESS Free night bus service between Minnesota State University, Mankato, WalMart & River Hills Mall (with valid MavCARD)

Bus Passes are Inexpensive & can be purchased On-line at MNSU.EDU/PARKING, or at the Cashier's office (located in the wigley administration center). For bus route or schedule info visit: mnsu.edu/parking or ci.mankato.mn.us

Page 28 • Reporter

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Get Real...TAKE A BUS! • • • •

Convenient & Inexpensive Air Conditioned/Heated Fast: Every 12 Minutes Guarantee Purple, Orange and Dark Green Minnesota State Mankato Permit Holders each receive a bus tag to ride FREE between campus and lots 20, 21 & 22.

All Buses Travel Through the Campus Core, Gage Corner, McElroy, and Lots 20, 21, 22 & 23 on Class Days CAMPUS EXPRESS ROUTE 1............................... Runs to 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday - Devonshire, Southridge, Meadowview, College Station, College Town shelter, Heron Drive shelter and University Parking Lots 20-23. CAMPUS ROUTE 8 & MAVERICK SHUTTLE........................... Campus bus shelters on Minnesota State, Mankato property and College Park, Summit. CITY ROUTE 6...... Takes you downtown or to Madison East Center where you can transfer to other City Routes.

Do you need any of these? Groceries • Shoes • Clothes • School Supplies • Entertainment

Take a ride on the Stomper Express!

Thursday - Friday - Saturday 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM Picks up in front of Gage & McElroy Halls. Makes Stops at Wal-Mart, River Hills Mall, Mankato Heights Plaza and much more.

MavCard ID holders ride free; others pay $1.50.