September 2, 2021 by MSU Reporter

TODAY

Football opens season tonight! page

72˚

61˚

Really hoping the sun comes out in time for the football game.

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Vaccines available for students on MNSU campus

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

SCOOT SCOOT

By JULIA BARTON Staff Writer

Minnesota State University, Mankato students are back on campus, creating a significant influx of students compared to last school year. To no surprise the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the number of students on campus as well as the social and sporting events that occurred at MNSU. Although with more students on campus, that also means there will potentially be an increase of COVID cases, despite requiring masks in all indoor MNSU buildings regardless of vaccination status. Starting Sept. 8, “All Minnesota State employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status or participate in weekly testing for COVID-19 ” in an announcement issued Aug. 27 by MNSU President Edward Inch . As for students, those who work on campus, live on campus, or participate in campus programs and activities must also abide by the same policies starting Oct. 4. “I feel like if you’re someone who goes out a lot you should get tested for covid,” Anna Dvorak, freshmen at MNSU, said. “I got it so I can be on campus and in-person for my classes without having to worry about it,” Hailey Hoernemann, freshmen at MNSU shared. Although some think otherwise, “I think it’s up to the student to decide if they wanna get tested or not,” Jack Fridges, junior at MNSU, said. The reason for this is so that MNSU will remain in-person as well as allow students to participate in various events throughout the year. Natalie Schuette, MNSU’s COVID-19 Case Manager, shares the variety of COVID-19 resources and options for students on campus. “This year we do offer the vaccine to students and staff on campus as well as free saliva kits for testing at the Student Health Services,”

VACCINE on page 3 u

Photos by MANSOOR AHMAD • Media Director Student Government President Reauna Stiff rode one of the newly introduced Bird scooters on campus Tuesday afternoon. Also taking a scooter for a spin was Facilities Services Director David Cowan, who worked with Student Government to get the scooters on campus.

Students have mixed feelings about scooters on campus By JENNA PETERSON • News Director On Tuesday, the highly anticipated electric scooters arrived at the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus, giving students another mode of transportation. Junior Ryan Leistikow is one of many students who have hopped onto the newest trend on campus. “I’ve used them only once so far, when I rode from the campus mall to the Clinical Science building, and I really enjoyed it,” Leistikow commented. When weighing in on the pros and cons, Leistikow brought up some points of concerns some may have. “I definitely think the scooters will get a lot of use, but that will go down when the hype surrounding them goes away. The price students have to pay to use them isn’t unreasonable, but it adds up.” To use the scooters, riders must pay a $1 activation fee, and every minute after that they pay 39 cents on an app. To access this, simply scan the QR code on the parking posters next to the scooters. Other students have yet to take the scooters for a spin, as they haven’t had the time or resources to do so. MNSU freshman Lovinnia Jepchirchir hasn’t utilized them, but plans on doing so in the future. “I don’t know how to use the scooters, but once I figure out how to, I might

use them. It would be beneficial to move from one class to another,” Jepchirchir explained. Some other students who haven’t tested out the new scooters are freshmen Kenneth Kiprotich and Heiz Mwathi. Both students have given some thought to using the scooters in the future, as there are some benefits that come along with them. “They’re useful

to move quickly from point a to point b. I’ll probably try them while it’s still warm out,” Mwathi stated. Alternatively, freshmen Ava Corey-Gruenes and Trapper Wetzel have not ridden the scooters and don’t plan on doing so. “I don’t think I’ll use them, as I don’t know much about them. I’m also not a huge fan of students having to pay to use them, making them not accessible to everyone,” Corey-Gruenes stated, with Wetzel agreeing. One interest with the scooters is how much use they will get throughout the next couple months, while the weather is still warm enough, and in the years to come. Leistikow believes the scooters will stay around, as long as there is still a need for them. “I think they will be used more for enjoyment purposes rather than practical uses, but as long as they keep up with maintenance and upkeep, then the scooters will stay on campus.” The winter months are another concern brought up by students, as it would be difficult to ride around in the cold weather, if they are still out and available to use. Whether the scooters are a craze that will fade away, or their hype will stick around, they can be found throughout the campus.

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Milley: US coordination with Taliban on strikes ‘possible’

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Texas bans most abortions, with high court mum on appeal

JAY JANNER • Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SUSAN WALSH • Associated Press Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley speaks during a briefing with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, about the end of the war in Afghanistan.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday that it’s “possible” the United States will seek to coordinate with the Taliban on counterterrorism strikes in Afghanistan against Islamic State militants or others. Milley did not elaborate, and his comment did not appear to suggest immediate plans to work with the Taliban. U.S. military commanders coordinated daily with Taliban commanders outside the Kabul airport over the past three weeks to facilitate the evacuation of more than 124,000 people. But that was a matter of convenience for both parties and not necessarily a sign that they will pursue, or even want, a regular relationship in the future. The U.S. military ousted the Taliban from power in the fall of 2001 and fought against them for the 19 years that followed. The extent and nature of a U.S.-Taliban relationship, now that the war is over, is one of the key issues to be worked out. The U.S. diplomatic presence in Kabul has been moved to Doha, Qatar. President Joe Biden has noted several times recently that the Taliban are avowed enemies of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, suggesting a shared interest with the United States. At a Pentagon news conference with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Milley called the Taliban “ruthless” adding, “Whether or not they

change remains to be seen.” He suggested that the recent cooperative arrangement with the Taliban at Kabul airport was not necessarily a model for the future. “In war you do what you must in order to reduce risk to mission and force, not what you necessarily want to do,” Milley said. Biden has promised further targeting of the IS group in Afghanistan in response to the IS suicide bombing last week at a Kabul airport gate that killed scores of Afghans and 13 American service members. On Saturday the U.S. military carried out a drone strike in Afghanistan that it said killed two IS planners. On Tuesday, Biden said, “To ISIS-K: We are not done with you yet,” referring to the IS group. Targeting Islamic State militants or other extremist groups, such as al-Qaida, will be more difficult with no U.S. military forces on the ground and no friendly government forces with which to share intelligence on extremist networks. But the Biden administration asserts that it can contain these groups by monitoring and potentially striking with assets based elsewhere in the region. Although the Taliban oppose IS, it’s far from clear that they will be inclined to work with the U.S. military or the Central Intelligence Agency now that they have regained power in Kabul. Milley has recent experience with Taliban leaders; twice last year, most recently in December, he met face-to-face with them in an attempt to slow their

attacks on the U.S.-backed Afghan government, which collapsed in mid-August, triggering the frantic U.S.-led evacuation. Austin sounded at least as skeptical as Milley regarding the possibility that the coordination in recent days at the Kabul airport suggests a future relationship with the Taliban. “I would not make any leaps of logic to broader issues,” said Austin. Both Austin and Milley commanded troops in Afghanistan during the 20-year war and their comments at Wednesday’s news conference largely focused on tributes to those who served in Afghanistan, including those who died or were wounded. They also thanked all who contributed to the final airlift, which Austin called the largest evacuation of civilians in American history. Milley and Austin urged war veterans to view their service as worthwhile and appreciated by the American public, while acknowledging that the memories can be painful. “War is hard. It’s vicious. It’s brutal. It’s unforgiving,” Milley said. “Yes, we all have pain and anger. When we see what has unfolded over the last 20 years and over the last 20 days, that creates pain and anger.” With the U.S. involvement in the war over and all American military out of the country, Biden is grappling with the prospects of a new relationship with the Taliban.

The nation’s most far-reaching curb on abortions since they were legalized a half-century ago took effect Wednesday in Texas, with the Supreme Court silent on an emergency appeal to put the law on hold. If allowed to remain in force, the law, which bans most abortions, would be the strictest against abortion rights in the United States since the high court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. The Texas law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May, prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually around six weeks and before most women know they’re pregnant. It’s part of a broader push by Republicans across the country to impose new restrictions on abortion. At least 12 other states have enacted bans early in pregnancy, but all have been blocked from going into effect. What makes the Texas law different is its unusual enforcement scheme. Rather than have officials responsible for enforcing the law, private citizens are authorized to sue abortion providers and anyone involved in facilitating abortions. Among other situations, that would include anyone who drives a woman to a clinic to get an abortion. Under the law, anyone who successfully sues

another person would be entitled to at least $10,000. “Starting today, every unborn child with a heartbeat will be protected from the ravages of abortion,” Abbott said in a statement posted on Twitter. “Texas will always defend the right to life.” But protests were quick. President Joe Biden said in a statement that the law “blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe v. Wade and upheld as precedent for nearly half a century.” He said the law “outrageously” gives private citizens the power “to bring lawsuits against anyone who they believe has helped another person get an abortion.” Likewise, the American Medical Association said it was deeply disturbed by “this egregious law” and disappointed by the Supreme Court’s inaction. The law “not only bans virtually all abortions in the state, but it interferes in the patient-physician relationship and places bounties on physicians and health care workers simply for delivering care,” said a statement from Dr. Gerald E. Harmon, the AMA president. In a call with reporters, Marc Hearron, a lawyer for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said the abortion providers his group represents were still hoping to hear from the Supreme Court but “as of now, most abortion is banned in Texas.”

Thursday, September 2, 2021

News

Questioning a catchphrase: ‘Pandemic of the unvaccinated’

EVAN VUCCI • Associated Press In this Feb. 11, 2021 file photo, President Joe Biden visits the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md.

ASSOCIATED PRESS This summer’s coronavirus resurgence has been labeled a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” by government officials from President Joe Biden on down. The sound bite captures the glaring reality that unvaccinated people overwhelmingly account for new cases and serious infections, with a recent study of government data showing that hospitalization rates among unvaccinated adults were 17 times higher than among those fully vaccinated. But the term doesn’t appear to be changing the hearts and minds of unvaccinated people. And it doesn’t tell the whole story, with some breakthrough infections occurring among the fully vaccinated. That recent twist led health officials to recommend a return to masks and a round of booster shots. “It is true that the unvaccinated are the biggest driver, but we mustn’t forget that the vaccinated are part of it as well, in part because of the delta variant,” said Dr. Eric Topol, professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California. “The pandemic clearly involves all people, not just the unvaccinated.” Topol points to Louisiana, where data from the state suggest that nearly 10% of hospitalized patients are vaccinated. Branding it “a pandemic of the unvaccinated” could have the unintended consequence of stigmatizing the unvaccinated. “We should

not partition them as the exclusive problem,” Topol said. Instead officials should call out vaccine disinformation, said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. A sketchy stream of dubious arguments continues to undermine public confidence. “We can say that the virus has reemerged in the southern United States, primarily among unvaccinated people, but it doesn’t mean we have to blame the unvaccinated,” Hotez said. “The people we have to target are the purveyors of disinformation, and we have to recognize that the unvaccinated themselves are victims of disinformation.” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has tried to call attention to the damage done by misinformation and disinformation. But for many vaccine opposition has become ingrained. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in July found that 45% of adults who had not yet received a vaccine said they definitely would not get it. Nearly 2 in 3 (64%) unvaccinated adults said they had little to no confidence the shots are effective against mutations like the delta variant, although data show vaccination dramatically reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death. Just 3% of unvaccinated adults said they would definitely get vaccinated. Calling it a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” is “just provocative,” said Robert

Blendon, who follows public opinion on health care at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “The unvaccinated have an opposition toward Washington, and the more you stir the opposition, the more it convinces them ‘I’m not going to give in to those people,’” Blendon said. Yet top officials don’t seem to be ready to retire or amend a favored catchphrase. “As I’ve said before, the pandemic of the unvaccinated is a tragedy that is preventable,” Biden declared in a recent remarks on his administration’s COVID-19 response. Asked Wednesday whether the sound bite still accurately reflects the evolving pandemic, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said unvaccinated people continue to account for the “vast, vast majority” of those hospitalized. “So it hasn’t changed our messaging,” she added. The term caught on before breakthrough infections among vaccinated people became a worry. During a mid-July media briefing, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, underscored the troubling rise in cases and hospitalizations, saying “there is a clear message that is coming through: This is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Until very recently, Biden’s handling of the pandemic was seen as a solid strength. But the August edition of the AP-NORC poll found flashing warnings for the president.

MSU Reporter • 3 VACCINE Continued from page 1 Schuette shared. “We’re really pushing for vaccines this year, while also making sure students stay off campus if they’re not feeling well since we all want to go back to normal as soon as possible. The more vaccines and healthy people we have on campus the more normal our school year will be.” Student Health Services offers all three vaccine options to students as they also offered walk-in appointments during the Campus and Community Fair at the campus mall on Wednesday. MNSU is strongly encouraging everyone who is able to get the vaccine to do so, especially those who wish to participate in MNSU athletics. “I’m fully vaccinated since I play football here and that was also a big reason why I got it,” Cayden Lovette, freshman at MNSU said. However, the NCAA falls under a more strict umbrella of policies regarding athletes vaccination status. Makayla Jackson, MNSU student athlete, shared her

thoughts on the different COVID-19 policies pertaining to athletes. “My thoughts on MSU athletics pushing for all athletes to get vaccinated is a bit in the middle. I can understand both sides and I can understand why some athletes, including myself, don’t want to get vaccinated,” Jackson said. MNSU athletes do get tested once or twice a week if they do not provide proof of vaccination as well as have to pay to get tested. “The pricing of getting covid tested every week is $30. That’s a bit absurd to me because some people don’t have the money to pay $30-$60 out of pocket every week for an entire season,” said Jackson. Paying upward of $30 every week can add up quickly, especially for those still in college. “My guess is the majority of athletes are going to get vaccinated. I think every athlete is deciding to get it and save themselves the discomfort of being tested every week as well as potentially not being able to travel with their team due to not having the vaccine,” Jackson stated.

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FALL PRODUCTIONS: I Am a Camera September 15 - 18

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September 23 - October 3

Good For Otto October 7- 17

Hay Fever

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Slasher

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Fall Dance Concert December 3 - 4

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4 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, September 2, 2021

FALL 2021 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

What does it mean to be a Maverick?

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Editorial It’s been almost two years since the conclusion of our last “normal” semester. Since then, two classes of students have moved on to bigger and better things, while another two classes of students have begun their journey at our university. As people come and go, so does culture. With half of the university not being able to live a typical college experience, the new classes of students don’t necessarily know what being a Maverick is all about. There are several things that make our university unique, but what is the best way that captures the essence of being a Maverick? Something to ask ourselves is what is the defining factor that drew you to Minnesota State University, Mankato? For some, it might have been the major that was offered. For others, it might have been the successful athletics program that MNSU offers. Over the last few years, MNSU sports teams have been going lengths that our university has never seen before. From our Division I men’s and hockey program, who was a national semifinalist, and the national finalist football team, all the way to our club sports and our Varsity Esports program, sports has always been an integral part of our university’s student body. Understandably, athletics isn’t for everyone. Food is always a hot topic on cam-

NEWS DIRECTOR: Jenna Peterson jenna.peterson-3@mnsu.edu MEDIA/DESIGN DIRECTOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Daniel McElroy daniel.mcelroy@mnsu.edu

Reporter Archives

pus with the likes of chicken nugget Friday at the University Dining Center, Chet’s and the grill in the dorms, and Weggy’s right across the street from the Taylor Center. Food has always brought people together on campus and will always spark a conversation and give students something to bond over. On campus, getting involved and joining an RSO or some other organization can really show what it is like to be a Maverick. When you join a club on campus, you become a representative of MNSU and whatever club it may be that you’re joining. There are so many different ways that can describe what

being a Maverick is all about. We need to take this year in stride and redefine what Maverick spirit is and how we should reignite it. Not only does campus reopening make it the perfect time for the MNSU campus to find itself again, but a new presence in leadership has revealed itself in President Inch taking on his first year as a Maverick. A huge contributor to this new sense discovery of our culture is the introduction of the new university president. President Inch has exhibited himself getting close and personal with MNSU students and is on a quest to figure out for himself what it means to be a Maverick.

As we enter into a year with two classes with very little on campus experience, we are posed with an amazing and unique opportunity of which we are essentially left with two classes that are new to the in-person aspects of our campus that truly makes us a community. In the past year alone, we’ve seen our campus shutdown, several protests, running side by side with our athletics programs breaking barriers that they’ve never knocked down before. If there’s a time to focus on what it means to be at Minnesota State University, Mankato, it’s now. And there’s no time to waste.

“What Mavericks games are you planning to go to?” Compiled by Emily Lansman

CADYN KRMPOTICH, FRESHMAN “I’ll go to the football and hockey because the student sections there are always fun.”

RILEY CLYMER, FRESHMAN

GRACE SCHLOEDER, FRESHMAN

MARLO PASCHKE, FRESHMAN

KARLENE KLUGE, FRESHMAN

“Football games because the student sections are fun and an exciting experience.”

“Soccer because I used to play so it’s the only sport I really understand.”

“Football because it’s cool to see all the students come and support the team and cheer.”

“Volleyball games because I used to play and it’s so fun to watch.”

ADVERTISING SALES: Baylee Sorensen 507-389-5097 baylee.sorensen@mnsu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MGR.: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would like to point out an error made in the Reporter, contact Editor in Chief Maxwell Mayleben at maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu. The Reporter will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names in this space. Formal grievances against the Reporter are handled by the Newspaper Board. • The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a studentrun newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at 507-389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $55.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing. • Letters exceeding 400 words may not be accepted. The Reporter reserves the right to edit letters to fit space or correct punctuation. The Reporter reserves the right to publish, or not publish, at its discretion. Letters must contain year, major or affiliation with the university, or lack thereof. All letters must contain phone numbers for verification purposes.

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

Thursday, September 2, 2021

News

Effort underway to rescue girls soccer team from Afghanistan

AP Photo

ASSOCIATED PRESS They move from place to place at a moment’s notice in a desperate bid to evade the Taliban — girls whose lives are in danger simply because they chose to play a sport they loved. An international effort to evacuate members of the Afghanistan national girls soccer team, along with dozens of family members and soccer federation staff, suffered a crushing setback last week after a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members during a harrowing airlift. Now, frightened and desperate, the girls worry whether a far-flung coalition of former U.S. military and intelligence officials, congressmen, U.S. allies, humanitarian groups and the captain of the Afghanistan women’s national team can get them and their loved ones to safety. “They’re just unbelievable young ladies who should be playing in the backyard, playing on the swing set, playing with their friends, and here they’re in a very bad situation for doing nothing more than playing soccer,” said Robert McCreary, a former congressional chief of staff and White House official under President George W. Bush who has worked with special forces in Afghanistan. “We need to do everything that we can to protect them, to get them to a safe situation.” Most members of the Afghan women’s team, formed in 2007, were evacuated to Australia last week. But the girls, ages 14-16, and their families also could be targeted by the Taliban — not just because women and girls are forbidden to play sports, but because they were advocates for girls and active members of their communities, said Farkhunda Muhtaj, who is captain of the Afghanistan women’s national

team and lives in Canada. “They are devastated. They’re hopeless, considering the situation they’re in,” said Muhtaj, who keeps in contact with the girls and urges them to stay calm. There have been at least five failed attempts to rescue the girls in recent days, as they were moved around for their safety, McCreary and Muhtaj said. They were “footsteps from freedom” when the suicide bombing occurred, Muhtaj said. Complicating the rescue effort is the size of the group — 133 people, including the 26 youth team members as well as adults and other children, including infants. Many don’t have passports or other necessary documentation to board flights from Kabul. McCreary said the mission — called Operation Soccer Balls — is working with other countries, with the hope the girls will eventually settle in the U.S. He said Australia, France and Qatar have expressed interest in helping. He also urged the Taliban to ease the exit for the group, saying it would create goodwill. “If we can put a protective bubble around these women and young girls ... I really believe the world will stand up and and take notice and have a lot of offers to take them in and host them,” McCreary said. Former U.S. women’s national soccer team captain Julie Foudy, a two-time World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, said the rescue efforts “raise the visibility of these young women and their importance to equality and democracy and all these things that we value in this country.” “As many of us who can stand up as female athletes — as humans — and say, ‘This is a moment we need to come together and do what’s right,’ then we absolutely should,” she said.

MSU Reporter • 5

Trails where California family died closed ASSOCIATED PRESS Federal officials closed a portion of trails at a national forest in Northern California where a family and their dog mysteriously died last month, citing pending toxicology reports on nearby water. There was no clear cause of death, prompting authorities to treat the area as a hazmat scene. Investigators are considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths and are awaiting the results of water tests taken from the area where the family was found. The area north of Fresno in the Sierra National Forest will be closed until Sept. 26 to “provide for public safety due to unknown hazards found in and near the Savage Lundy Trail,” according to the order. Rangers can reopen the trails if conditions change, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday. John Gerrish, his wife, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Miju, and their dog were all found dead on Aug. 17 on a hiking trail near the national forest’s Hite’s Cove. A family friend had reported them missing. The remote area where the bodies were found had no cellphone service. The FBI is trying to access Gerrish’s cell phone, which was found in his pocket, the newspaper reported. “We are uncertain of the

CRAIG KOHLRUSS • Associated Press This Aug. 18, 2021, photo shows a remote canyon area northeast of the town of Mariposa, Calif., that is reported to be the area where a family and their dog were found dead.

causes of death. We still haven’t gotten the results from the case,” said Leak Pen, assistant recreation officer at the Bass Lake Ranger District, which oversees that portion of the Sierra National Forest. “So, as a precaution, let’s go ahead and close it because we know there’s some form of hazard to the public.” Toicology reports are still pending, leading investigators to wait to list a cause of death, but last week they ruled out any weapons being used or dangerous gases from a mine along the trail. Pen said one water test has come back positive for harmful algae bloom. Others have turned up no toxic substances and still other tests are outstanding. Officials had already warned hikers of such blooms a month before the deaths along the south fork

of the Merced River, so that result is not a surprise. Such freshwater blooms are not known to kill humans. “Because of the heat there’s a chance they may have drank the water or tried to treat the water, but we don’t know,” Pen said. “It’s very mysterious, and we’re all just waiting for the results.” The closure affects nine trails, six picnic sites and the dirt Forest Road that leads to the Hites Cove trailhead. The district took two weeks to close the trail to figure out the logistics of shuttering such a large area and when they realized answers for the deaths were still far off, Pen said. The Sierra National Forest closure coincides with a statewide shutdown of all 20 million acres of national forestlands in California.

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6 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, September 2, 2021

TAILGATING at MINNESOTA STATE Minnesota State University permits tailgating that includes consumption/possession of alcohol in designated parking lots only. Lot 7 (located directly west of Blakeslee Stadium) requires a season long permit (or paid one-day permit when available) and is a reserved pregame area for Maverick fans. Limited handicap parking is also available free of charge in the same lot. A free, general public tailgate experience is also available on game day in Lot 20 just east of Blakeslee Stadium. Alcohol will only be allowed in the designated area of Lot 20. Tailgating activities without alcohol, such as grilling and games will be allowed in areas outside of the designated area. TAILGATING IS RESTRICTED TO THE FOLLOWING TIMES: Tailgating may begin three (3) hours before game time. Tailgating must end within (1) hour following the completion of the game. Once admitted to the stadium, there will be a “no pass out and return” policy during halftime or at any other point in the game.

ALLOWED IN LOT 7 & BARRICADED AREA OF LOT 20:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed but must conform to MSS 340A.503 legal consumption permitted for individuals over 21 years old.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is only allowed in designated areas (Lot 7 & Lot 20A).

Gas grills with a maximum propane cylinder size of 20 pounds, as well as any outdoor fire pit/heater that runs on propane.

Tents and awnings that do not require the use of stakes, block adjacent parking spaces, or impede drive aisles.

Smoking or open pit fires (Minnesota State is a smoke-free campus). Glass containers of any kind, including bottles and drinking glasses. Kegs, party balls, drinking game accessories that promote excessive alcohol consumption or large quantities or common source containers of alcoholic beverages. Couches or large furniture items that cannot be easily set up or taken down. Promotional or marketing activities without prior and appropriate authorization from Minnesota State Athletics. Sale of products, food or beverage without prior and appropriate authorization from Minnesota State Athletics. Occupying more than one parking space (unless approved by Minnesota State Athletics). Obstructing adjacent parking spaces, drive aisles, or reserved spaces.

Portable outdoor furniture.

Portable generators.

SPECIAL NOTE: For Lot 7 only, no vehicle traffic (in or out) is permitted within 60 minutes of game time (exception for handicapped parking access). *All guests must obey State of Minnesota Statutes, Mankato City Ordinances, and University policies while on campus or will be subject to eviction and/or arrest.

TAILGATING IS ONLY ALLOWED IN: BARRICADED AREA OF

LOT 20

< < < < < MSU STU DENT ACCESS

NOT ALLOWED IN LOTS:

(FOR STUDENTS) &

LOT 7

*requires a season long permit (or paid one-day permit when available) and is a reserved pregame area for Maverick fans.

MSU STUDENT ACCESS > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Tailgate/Permit Holders Only Tailgate/General Public & MSU Students

< < < < < MSU STUDENT ACCESS

Thursday, September 2, 2021

MSU Reporter • 7

RAISE YOUR HAND ...if you’re excited to see Maverick football again!

By SAM LEIBEG • Staff Writer Tonight the Minnesota State Mavericks begin their 2021 season by taking on the Northern State Wolves at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato at 6 p.m. The Mavericks last appearance on the football field took place at the national championship in 2019. Where they fell short in a 48-40 point game. This devastating loss was followed by the 2020 season being suspended due to COVID-19. With everything going against them, this team is far from giving up and are ready to show the world what redemption looks like. During a past interview, starting quarterback, JD Ekowa stated, “There is going to be a lot of pressure put on us this season, especially as we enter the season ranked No. 2 overall. But a little pressure does not scare us.” Pressure plays a factor in every game for every position, however, the quarterbacks undoubtedly receive the most. The Mavericks are led by senior quarterback, Ekowa. In the 2019 season, Ekowa played in all 15 games, including two starts. He completed 81 passes for 1,352 yards and 10 touchdowns, as well as 428 total rushing yards and three touchdowns. Ekowa was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team/Team of Excellence and received an NSIC Honorable Mention. Graduate student, Hunter

MANSOOR AHMAD • Reporter Archives Senior Mavericks starting quarterback JD Ekowa begins his final journey at a national championship tonight against Northern State.

Trautman will be the starting quarterback for the Northern State Wolves. Trautman Started all 11 games at quarterback in the 2019 season and tallied 2,132 yards passing with 13 touchdowns, earning him a 56.3 pass completion percentage. On average, Trautman completed 193.8 yards passing per game. Trautman also rushed for 210 yards with seven touchdowns. He was named to the NSIC All-Conference Honorable Mention team following the season. These two veteran quarterbacks will both be fighting the pressure as the clock counts down to zero. With only one coming out on top. In 2019, the Mavericks averaged 47.5 points per game, while the Wolves averaged a total amount of 21.1 points. Although earning points is an important part of the game, being able to stop the offensive side is usually what makes a team victorious. Minnesota State completed 49 sacks resulting in the loss of 300 opponent yards. They were also successful in intercepting the ball 23 times for a gain of 273 yards. The Northern State Wolves recorded 14 sacks, taking away 103 opponent yards. Their total number of defensive interceptions was 14 with the gain of 156 yards. Ready to make an impact on the 2021 season, both teams come together today to face head to head.

How to host a successful tailgating party By ASHLEY OPINA • Staff Writer From eating Ramen on a daily basis to finding your favorite spot on campus to cry, there are many things college students should experience before graduating. One event in particular that is a little more enjoyable than the two previously mentioned is the classic tailgate. For those unfamiliar, a tailgate is not just the door on the back of a truck, although that is where the name for this event came from. It is also an outdoor party often held before, and sometimes even after, a big sporting event, typically on the grounds where the sporting event is taking place. People park their cars next to one another, pop open their trunks that hold the coolers with food and beverages in them, and start mingling. For many, the tailgate itself is just as important as the big game happening right after (and it is arguably way more fun). In order to have a successful time at

one, there are three things you should consider and follow. First and foremost, you have to represent your college. Showing up to a tailgate on game day without proper spirit wear can start you off on the wrong foot. What you wear says a lot about you and on gameday, wearing your college’s gear at the tailgate with pride actively says that you support your college’s team. After all, you have to show what side of the student section you will be standing on once the tailgate is over and the game begins. Next, don’t forget to chill out, grill out, and eat some good food. A tailgate is not a tailgate without the smell of roasted hot dogs and burgers lingering in the air. Follow that smoaky trail all the way to the nearest grill that it’s coming from and indulge in some sweet, savory goodness. Chances are, it will taste better than the arena food and it will also save you from overspending on a hotdog later on. If you’re over 21 and you’re craving some adult

MANSOOR AHMAD • Reporter Archives Tailgating was permitted for students beginning in 2019, and will be back for the first time since then.

beverages before a Maverick football game, make sure you’re in the right place. All Natty Lights and White Claws must be consumed in designated areas of lots 7 and 20A. TAILGATING on page 9 u

8 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Fantasy football approaches even quicker than the NFL

ED ZURGA• Associated Press

With the NFL season approaching within the next week, many students on campus involve themselves even deeper into the NFL season than just watching their favorite team play. One very popular way: Fantasy football. Fantasy football is a week to week statistical competition between two “fantasy” teams where you are the general manager. The team to score more fantasy points in a particular week is the winner. Winners are decided by many factors in which a team can total up points. A general fantasy football roster includes one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, one flex position, a kicker, and a defense. Each position earns points based off of their production in a particular week’s NFL games. Quarterbacks earn points based on yardage thrown, touchdowns thrown, yardage ran for, and touchdowns rushed. Running backs and wide receivers earn points for touchdowns, yardage run and caught for, and number of catches (in a point per reception league, or, PPR). If you are looking to get more involved and get to know people on campus, a fantasy football league would be a great way to share interests and have some fun this fall. Starting a league is very easy, and there are several

websites that offer a fantasy football platform. Two of the fan favorites are Yahoo and ESPN, who both offer mobile apps to make it easier to follow your team. So what’s next if you are ready to make a team? Once you gather enough members to have a full league, you will be prompted to make a time for your fantasy football draft. Draft day may be daunting, but all fantasy football platforms help you understand a player’s projected stats and average draft position from all other leagues on their platform. From there, all you need to do is draft the players for your team and once each NFL week rolls around, you can watch your players compete. It is important to note, though, that there are a few different types of scoring systems you can use throughout the season that may change when and where you draft your players. The main three scoring systems are standard, half PPR, and full PPR. Make sure you know which scoring system your league will be using so you draft the players that will give you the best chance of winning this season. Fantasy football is a great way to get to know more people on campus. Whether you do it with a group of people you just met, or with your floor in your dorm hall, there will always be people willing to play fantasy football!

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Senior Spotlight: Libero Mara Quam By KOLE BUELOW Staff Writer

An interview conducted on Wednesday with Mara Quam, a senior on the volleyball team. Kole: Tell us about yourself. Quam: I’m from Kenyon, Minnesota. I am a fifth year student. Without COVID, I would have been done last year, but I took my next year that I had available just because I needed to graduate. I’m graduating this fall as well. My major is sports management and my minor is marketing. K: What are three words you use to describe yourself? Q: Hardworking, kind and coachable. I can adapt to things that people are telling me, pick up and learn things easily. K: What are some of the most important things to you in life? Q: My family. I have a few little and older siblings. And my parents are super special to me. Another thing, I would say school is super important to me. I want to get a good education so I have a good future ahead of me. And then one other thing I would say, probably spending time with not just family, but people that mean the most to you. That’s been super important to me, I think, since COVID, we went so long without seeing people that kind of made me realize how important

DAVID FAULKNER • SPX Sports via Maverick Athletics

those other people are to me. K: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself? Q: I would say my parents, but mostly my mom, she’s Super Woman to me and I look up to her. She’s always there for me. She always has been. She’s the most supportive person in the world. I hope to be like her. K: What is your favorite part about playing volleyball and your favorite part about being on the volleyball team here at MSU? Q: I would say my favorite part about playing volleyball is how competitive it is. I am a super competitive person and I always have been. I think that’s a big trait I have and people see me as that. I love how it’s a team sport, but it’s also very personal because you need to do your job in order for your team to score. At MSU, I love the girls. Our team is so close. And those are

some of my lifelong friends for sure. K: When did you start playing volleyball? Q: I started in the third or fourth grade. K: What made you stick with volleyball? Q: I had to choose between doing gymnastics and getting to play my school sports, volleyball, basketball and track. One thing that stuck out was my parents could tell I missed my friends because when I did gymnastics, I had to go to a town 30 minutes over so I didn’t have my friends at all. And then once I got to high school, my team ended up being really good. We were ranked one in the conference or one in the state my senior year. And we had a few of my best friends on the team, that’s what kept me going. And I honestly think that last season is what made me want QUAM on page 9 u

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Sports

Mets GM Scott arrested on DUI charge ASSOCIATED PRESS New York Mets acting general manager Zack Scott was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, hours after attending a fundraiser at team owner Steve Cohen’s house. Scott was arrested on a DUI charge around 4:15 a.m. Tuesday in suburban White Plains, New York. Police found him asleep at the wheel of his SUV at a traffic light and determined he was intoxicated, White Plains police Capt. James Spencer said. He said Scott refused a breathalyzer test. Scott, 44, was booked and released and is due in court Thursday morning. The arrest was first reported by the New York Post. The Mets on Wednesday confirmed an ESPN report that Scott was at a fundraiser for the team’s Amazin’ Mets Foundation at Cohen’s house in Connecticut on Monday night, which was also attended by players. Scott left when the event ended around 8:30 or 9 p.m., the team said. “We were surprised and deeply disappointed to learn this morning about an alleged DUI involving Zack Scott,” the Mets said in a statement. “We take this matter very seriously. Zack will not be traveling with the team for our upcoming road trip while we learn more and determine next steps.” Scott was hired as the Mets’ assistant general manager last

COREY SIPKIN • Associated Press

offseason to work under close friend and former colleague Jared Porter. Scott was promoted to acting GM in January after Porter was fired following revelations he sent sexually explicit text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 while working for the Chicago Cubs. Scott had spent the previous 17 seasons with Boston, where he worked alongside Porter under former Red Sox and Chicago Cubs baseball boss Theo Epstein. Porter and Scott were brought in during a reshaping of New York’s front office under Cohen, a hedge fund manager who had been a minority owner of the team since 2012. Cohen purchased the club from the Wilpon and Katz families in November. Mets fans celebrated Cohen’s ascendance to majority owner, but his first year in charge has brought about

the same sort of embarrassing controversy and drama that plagued the club under the control of Fred and Jeff Wilpon. Porter was fired 38 days after he was hired as general manager. A string of seemingly endless injuries hindered the team early in the season. Star slugger Pete Alonso was brought to tears when popular hitting coach Chili Davis was fired in May, and the offense has continued to struggle. Despite all that, the Mets led the NL East for nearly three months before collapsing in August and falling out of playoff position. Scott has publicly criticized players for not following injury prevention protocols provided by the training staff. Cohen tweeted on Aug. 18 that “it’s hard to understand how professional hitters can be this unproductive.”

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MSU Reporter • 9 QUAM Continued from page 8 to play in college. That’s when I realized at my last game, I didn’t want it to be my last game. K: So what are your goals for this upcoming volleyball season? Q: I think our goal this year is to have a fresh new start. We went through a year of trying to find a new coach and lost a few players, and we got two new grades. Now, I think our goal this year is to surprise everyone with what we have. K: What are your goals for yourself as well this season? Q: My goal is to maintain my starting spot I had last season. We have so many good girls that are my age and younger in my position that we compete every day. So it’s not my spot. And my coach tells me that every day. That’s something that I really want and I’m excited about. Another goal I have is to be the best teammate I can for my last season. I want to leave a good lasting impression on the people that I played with. K: What is your dream sit-

TAILGATING Continued from page 7 Lastly, crank up that speaker of yours and play some good tunes. Similar to other college parties, a quiet event is a lame event. Pull up the playlist that you so carefully curated to use and play DJ for the day. You might even attract a crowd of potential

uation coming out of college? Do you want to continue your future with volleyball or are you looking to start something else? Q: My dream situation coming out of college would be to be able to play pro volleyball, but that is out of the picture. I’m probably just going to pursue my major. I might go get my masters, but I am going to move on. My body is ready for a little break. I’ll always stay in touch with the sport and obviously all my other sports, too. So it’s not like I’m going to go missing and never play the game again. But I’m not thinking of playing competitively anymore after this season. K: So you kind of talked about trying to stick with it. Do you think you’d maybe do some type of assistant coaching at a high level or try and actually coach a high school team? Q: I’m definitely open to coaching. That is something that I possibly would like to do in the future. I think I would just need to get more experience to see if that’s really something I would like to do. friends because you all share the same taste in music. There are worse ways to network in college, that’s for sure. At the end of the day, a tailgate is a party that is meant to be enjoyed like any other. Whatever you have to do to enjoy it, make sure you come prepared to do so. Whether your team wins or loses, at least you won at tailgating.

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Thursday, September 2, 2021

McCormick introduced as new Good Thunder director By SYDNEY BERGGREN The Minnesota State University, Mankato Good Thunder Reading Series has a new, impassioned director at its head. Chris McCormick, Associate Professor of creative writing at MNSU, and author of “Desert Boys”, an award-winning short story collection. McCormick hails from California, where he attended Berkeley as a music major, before discovering a passion for writing. He then attended the University of Michigan to receive his MFA in Creative Writing, before starting his position at MNSU in 2017. McCormick is directing Good Thunder with the help of third year MFA student Eimile Campbell. Robyn Katona, another MNSU MFA student involved in Good Thunder, stated, “I’m quite excited that Chris is leading Good Thunder. He has a way of looking and understanding text that focuses on the heart of stories.” Both McCormick and Campbell credit their joy surrounding working with Good Thunder to their own experiences during their undergraduate years. Campbell was involved with the Iowa Writers Workshop while attending the University of Iowa, and McCormick sat in on author readings presented by the writing community. McCormick commented on the joys of this experience with, “It was the greatest gift. I couldn’t believe that this writer, who is living and breathing and creating art, was spending time with a kid. I felt very lucky.” The Good Thunder Reading Series is a group of events that brings in authors from all around the country to the University to share their writing tips and tricks with students through workshops, as well as read some of their own work later in the day.

PAT CHRISTMAN • The Free Press

Staff Writer

Chris McCormick poses with his novel, “The Gimmicks”, in his MNSU office.

“Something that we want to stress is the value that we provide for the community and for the school in general,” said Campbell. “Yes, the University allows us to do this work, but it’s not university specific, it is also for community members and really people all over southern Minnesota.” This year is Good Thunder’s 40th season, and McCormick is looking to maintain the legacy he has been left

with while also making room for new involvement and decisions. “I want to see the most exciting voices in world literature show up to the community. The biggest thing is getting our dream writers to show up, which we’ve been really good at so far,” said McCormick. The director wants to bring in writers who can also be viewed as artists. He stated how the ripple effects of

community outreach, visibility, and representation, can be achieved by bringing these voices into the campus community. Campbell spoke about keeping events accessible to everyone. “We want it so that people who have access to campus or not are still able to attend,” Campbell stated. Katona will be one of the authors reading their stories this season and discussed the benefits of hosting the events in-person and online. “With such an accessible format that live recording provides, I am looking forward to my family being able not to drive all the way down five hours to hear a twenty-minute reading,” Katona explained. A goal that McCormick is stressing for this season is increasing community engagement. “My goal is to promote it in such a way that everybody wants to come to this no matter who the writer is. I want this program to be the most diverse reading series in the region. I want a wide range of experience from writers who have written twenty books to the debut authors who you know are changing the game in some major way, making it unpredictable. This year, due to COVID-19 related issues, grant funding, and a new focus on getting writers the community wants, Good Thunder will be hosting four events as opposed to their usual six. There will be two sessions in the fall semester and two in the spring. McCormick expressed his excitement for the first author, Jaquira Diaz, who will be in Mankato on Sept. 16 to read sections from her award-winning work. “I want the experience to be viscerally engaging,” McCormick said. “I’m just excited about the possibilities.”

Review: A strenuously woke ‘Cinderella,’ for the #MeToo era ASSOCIATED PRESS Their love declared, their fairytale kiss accomplished, Cinderella has an urgent request for her Prince. Can she get a lift to her business meeting? And so, as princes are wont to do, he scoops his new love off her feet to carry her to his horse. But, like, she’s in a rush. “No, I can walk, it’s faster,” she chirps. “But thanks!” It’s a throwaway moment but perhaps a nice example of both the assets and flaws of this new, decidedly woke, pop-music infused “Cinderella” for the #MeToo era, written and directed by Kay Cannon (and co-produced by James Corden, who doubles as a mouse). A feminist recasting of the familiar story is welcome, of course, but the screenplay focuses so insistently on its female-empowering message that it feels at times like we’re just getting hit

over the head with it. Thankfully there are also moments that are rescued by playful chemistry between our appealing leads: ebullient pop singer Camila Cabello as Cinderella, and newcomer Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Robert. Supporting roles are given a playful workout by pros like Pierce Brosnan as the king — going all in for the comedy — and a touching but underused Minnie Driver as his stifled queen. There’s also a reliably eye-popping turn by Billy Porter as the fabulous fairy godmother, but alas, it’s only one scene plus a bit of narration. As always, Porter knows how to make an entrance, but for the most effective use of a star here, look to Idina Menzel, who lends texture to the usually onenote “evil” stepmother. And, of course her clarion singing voice — which we can objectively say is the finest in the

KERRY BROWN • Associated Press

land. The most obvious problem in updating “Cinderella” for a 2021 audience is, of course, its premise that for a

woman, marrying well is the only goal; Life is lived through your man, whether you’re Cinderella, stepmom Vivian (Menzel), stepsisters Malvolia and Narissa (Maddie Baillio and Charlotte Spencer) or even the queen (Driver). Cannon addresses this by having Cinderella — she calls herself Ella here, because why define a girl by the cinders on her face? — dream not of marriage but of business success, as a designer. In an early number, the servant girl comes face to face with her imagined future self, and she’s no royalty — she’s the owner of “Dresses By Ella.” But that’s a dream too far. In this kingdom, women don’t run businesses. Everyone says this, especially Vivian, who once also dreamed of being more than a wife. We get a sense early on that Vivian’s cruelty — less cartoonish than in other versions — stems from deep personal disappointment.

Thursday, September 2, 2021

MSU Reporter • 11

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Thursday, September 2, 2021