September 29, 2020

S T U DE N T RU N N E WS SI NC E 1926

TUESDAY • SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

University to host virtual homecoming JULIA BARTON STAFF WRITER Most years, Minnesota State University, Mankato’s homecoming event is a festive celebration that packs nearly 7,000 people into Blakeslee Stadium.

But this year, like everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed homecoming into the virtual environment.

With revenue down because of COVID-19, MNSU Athletics is offering several virtual ticket options for homecoming, ranging in price from $10-$100. Some will include added perks.

Some ticket packages include the Sideline Pass ($100) which includes an opportunity for a virtual “Tailgate” with head coach Todd Hoffner and other Maverick student-athletes. Buyers are eligible to enter a drawing for a tailgate spot in Lot 7 for the 2021 season and receive a commemorative game ticket.

“Homecoming is the cor-

BAILEY BRENDEL STAFF WRITER

Hip-hop artist KYLE performs during the 2019 homecoming concert at the Myers Field House Oct. 4, 2019 in Mankato, Minn. (File photo)

nerstone of the football season,” said Scott Nelsen, director of marketing and community engagement for MNSU athletics. “So we are trying to engage students and

fans as much as we can during COVID-19 and raise money for Maverick athletics.”

Other ticket packages perks include being able to enter a drawing to receive one of five

$100 gift certificates to the official MNSU Sideline Store.

Also scheduled is a Virtual Garage Sale from Sept. 15-

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Student group endorses DFL candidates including Dan Feehan COLIN HANKE STAFF WRITER Election Day is just around the corner and Democrats are trying to ensure that progressive candidates are elected into office this year.

To aid in their efforts, many students are involved with a group called Indivisible, a political organization that works with the Blue Earth County DFL to endorse democratic candidates and advocate for political change. Indivisible has branches across the country.

Margarita Ruiz, a Minnesota State University, Mankato third-year sociology major and Indivisible volunteer, said, “In Mankato, we are doing a lot of phone banking, text banking, putting out lawn signs and making sure that people know what candidates stand for. Obviously, the hope is that we get as many democratic candidates in office, especially Dan Feehan.”

IN THIS ISSUE:

What’s on Wednesday: weekly dorm activities

1st Congressional District DFL candidate Dan Feehan walks with the crowd during the Mankato Pride Parade Sept. 12, 2020 in Mankato, Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/The Reporter)

Rep. Jim Hagedorn, who currently represents Minnesota’s First Congressional District, reportedly refused

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to talk to some Democrats last year. According to news reports, Hagedorn banned a group, presumably Democrat-

STUDENT GOVERNMENT UPDATE

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What’s on Wednesday, the program developed by Residential Life to add programming for dorm residents, is back with new events this week.

A County Fair is in store for student at Stadium Heights from 6-7:30 p.m. at the volleyball court lawn. Come get your popcorn bags and cotton candy sticks and participate in relay races, pie-ing a community advisor, fair games and more.

“I have been to a couple events before and they were super fun! I can’t wait to hopefully attend this week and try all the fair food,” says Freshman Abby Johnson.

In McElroy this week they will be playing Macs Minute Mission starting at 7 p.m. in the dorm lobby. In this activity, students will play “Minuteto-Win-It” style missions to get the chance to win the ultimate trophy. If you are a quick thinker and fast on your feet, this event is the one for you.

Preska will be doing tie dye and snacks this week. According to Freshman Noah Schnettler, “I’m looking forward to hopefully attending the upcoming tie dye event since I haven’t been able to attend an event and I am looking forward to trying something new.” At this event, you can let your artistic skills shine through.

Crawford students can engage in a volleyball tournament. Teams will be bracketed into playoffs and compete all the way until the finals. Many students are excited to get into the competitive spirit.

According to Crawford D4 Community Advisor, Junior Mady Frey, “This week for the WOW, we [Crawford] are going to be playing in a volleyball tournament! D4 is very

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BASKETBALL SPOTLIGHT: NOAH HART

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2 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Mavericks react to supreme court nomination battle before election MICHAEL MCSHANE CONTRIBUTING WRITER With the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the country was put in a state of déjà vu as it’s now the second time in a row a Supreme Court justice has passed away during an election year. While the event itself is very reminiscent of Justice Antonin Scalia’s vacancy on the court, the Republican-controlled Senate seems adamant on having a different result.

President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, upon learning of Justice Ginsburg’s passing, made it clear there was going to be a nomination and appointment to the high court before the 2020 election in November.

On Saturday Trump officially nominated Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ginsburg.

Many in the political world see Barrett as a tough nominee for the Democrats to go up against, and her confirmation is all but inevitable.

This has led many to call out some Republican lawmakers as hypocrites; Republicans were quick to denounce for-

mer President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, saying a Supreme Court vacancy during an election year should go unfilled until after the election.

This sentiment is shared with many MNSU students who believe the country should wait until after the election before placing someone on the Supreme Court.

“I definitely think that they should wait until after the election,” current MNSU student Louis Ikponmwosa said. “Especially with the Supreme Court right now, how it’ll swing so far to the right, and how it seems like the Republicans control the Senate and Congress too, then they should definitely wait until it’s balanced out.”

Grant Casperson, a graduate student at MNSU, said he believes it is too soon for the Senate to consider a replacement for Ginsburg, and that it is disrespectful to Ginsburg to use her seat as another political power-play.

“I think we need to give time for the country to mourn at the loss of Ruth Ginsburg and to also make sure we go about this the right way,”

FILE - In this June 11, 2011, file photo, then-University of Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett gives the commencement address to Trinity at Greenlawn graduates at the Trinity People of Praise Center in South Bend, Ind. (Barbara Allison/South Bend Tribune via AP)

Casperson said.

While some students wish for the Senate to wait until after the election, many have accepted that a third Trump appointed Supreme Court justice is almost certain.

This belief is shared with MNSU faculty as well. Pro-

fessor Fred Slocum, who is the director of MNSU’s Political Science Program, sees this as a quick win for the Republican Party and its base right before the election.

“If Mcconnell wills it then I think they’ll just ram it through,” Prof. Slocum said.

“Whoever Trump appoints will get rammed through.”

With Trump adding his third Supreme Court justice, he will very well cement a conservative supremacy with-

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Student Government talks structure, mental health, and civic engagement BAILEY BRENDEL STAFF WRITER On Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 at 4pm, the Minnesota State University, Mankato student government held a meeting in the Ostrander Auditorium. After roll call,

they called up presentations.

The first to present was Maddie Barrett to talk about spirit month. With COVID-19, unfortunately, MNSU is not able to have a homecoming celebration. However, the student government and the student events team want to keep

Student Government president Andrew Trenne leads a meeting in Ostrander Auditorium Sept. 16, 2020 in Mankato, Minn. (Prasad Pol/The Reporter)

the school spirit alive. According to Barrett, “MSU”s spirit month will start next week on September 29th and it will go through the end of October.”

This spirit month will have numerous events including the Maverick Round Up carnival on September 29th, a free farmers market on October 1, a food eating contest on October 13, a car smash running from October 13-15, and many more. In hopes to keep students enthused and in the homecoming spirits, the student government and events team hope that everyone will participate in spirit month.

The next presentation was given by John Wilcock, the student government advisor, about the University structure. Wilcock described his job as trying to, “Help make sure that students understand a little bit about University structure, how some things work around here and some of the titles.”

Throughout his presentation, Wilcock explained who everyone in the university administration is from the president all the way to the committees. He explains who each person is, what their position at the university is, and why their position is important to the student government.

The next to present was Cathy Hughes on IT and tech

support. “We have new this year, live tech help kiosks in a couple of different places on campus in the administration building near the cashier’s office, on the 1st floor of the library, and also in the IT solution center you can simply walk up to the kiosk, and one of our staff is on the other end like almost like a live zoom call, and they can help you with whatever your problem is,” Hughes said.

This is a new tool this year for students, so it relieves the stress of having to have face to face contact, but still gets

you the direct tech help you need. She also brought up the complaints on the Wi-Fi in the dorms, and their plans to fix the issue in the next few weeks.

After presentations they moved to reports. The first to report was President Andrew Trenne. He talked about how Students United is looking for delegates. Delegates can be any student, not just senators.

Delegates meet twice a year and discuss their ideas with

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

News

DFL

HOCO

Continued from page 1 ic supporters from coming into his office when they expressed concerns about his policies.

Ruiz says she is passionate about getting progressive candidates into office and has worked on voter registration at MNSU. She wants to support candidates who advocate for marginalized communities.

Democrats are typically the ones who strive to lower

MSU Reporter • 3

Continued from page 1 the cost of a college education, who are going to work toward addressing climate change, lobby for raising taxes on billionaires, support reproductive rights and funding of Planned Parenthood, support undocumented immigrants and support same-sex marriage.

Ruiz also added, “We are mainly just concerned about making sure that people can

vote safely during this time.

Making sure that people are aware that they can vote in person, early, by mail, or even on Election Day.” Ruiz stressed the importance of voting, especially among college students because, for many of them, this is the first time they’re able to vote and use their voice.

move, and that could give Joe Biden the boost he needs to win in November. Some say conservatives were inspired to vote in 2016 due to former Justice Antonin Scalia’s open seat.

“Perhaps in 2020 if they push this thing through, which constitutionally speaking they are able to, perhaps we’ll see an uptick in Democratic turnout,” MNSU Assistant Professor Josh Berkenpas said.

But while party control over the Senate and White House may very well change this upcoming election, with a

lifelong tenure on the Supreme Court, another appointment

by Trump could make the Supreme Court a conservative leaning court for decades with very little the liberal wing of the court can do.

“What adding another ‘conservative judge’ will do is increase that majority to 6-3,” Prof. Berkenpas said. “So, it may embolden any more conservative elements on the court to be less collegial, and less willing to negotiate with a much smaller minority.”

changed in the past months and things could continue to change too before Election Day,” said the senator as he talked about his plans to increase the number of voters on campus.

Weinzierl also talked about a few plans he has in motion involving the gaming community and streamlining student access to electronics. Senator Swancutt also gave a report on helping students in a housing crisis, with more information to come in the next couple weeks.

The last piece on the agenda was announcements. During this time they brought up the new swipe out hunger program that allows students 10 free swipes to the university dining center if you have food insecurities or are struggling to eat on campus. As well as,

the new FloBird app that you can use to reserve your parking spot on campus.

The next student government meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. in the Ostrander Auditorium.

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Continued from page 2 in the high court that will last for decades.

“It will delight conservatives and depress liberals to no end,” Slocum said. “There probably will be a Supreme Court with the votes to overturn Roe v. Wade, to give a blessing to voter suppression laws around the country and render decision after decision favorable to corporations and against organized labor.”

Some say such a move by both the president and Senate may be a double-edged sword.

Democrat and liberal voters may feel emboldened by the

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Continued from page 2 the higher ups. If you are interested in having your voice heard contact andrew.trenne@ mnsu.edu.

Trenne also talked about the mental health initiative that passed last week, and that there will be more info about how that works in the following weeks. Vice President Maltare also gave a report and talked about the Chipotle fundraiser for Campus Kitchen, and the senate events they will be having soon.

The next report was from Senator Andrew Weinzierl, who works with civic engagement. “We’re working directly on strategically planning how we’re going to increase voter turnout, and voter registration. We’re making sure people are aware of their voting location because of the current pandemic. Many things have

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Continued from page 1 excited to come show off their volleyball skills.”

Students are also excited to be able to see and meet people from all the other floors.

“I’m really looking forward to being able to play against other people from different dorm halls and really be able to actually meet them,” Kayane Childs, an MNSU freshman says.

If you are looking for a competitive spirit and team

building, make sure to sign up for the tournament.

Lastly, in Julia Sears they will be doing Booze Facts and Yummy Snacks. At this event they will be talking about alcohol awareness, including the issues related to drinking alcohol and the dangers of alcoholism. Head over to Sears for some good food and great information on how to stay safe in college.

Tau Kappa Epsilon’s float in the homecoming parade on South Front street at Mankato State College Oct. 31, 1961 by Mankato, Minn. (Photo courtesy of University Archives)

Oct. 3. This store is open to the public and fans that are able to bid on Maverick gear.

“It is hard working out with the masks on,” said Luke Werike, a freshman on MNSU’s football team. “And it is so weird not having normal fans.”

Since MNSU students using their MavCard get free admission to most sporting events, Maverick athletics will be honoring their students at the River Hills Mall this Friday. There, you can expect a Maverick Athletic representative promoting and fundraising this year’s sports from 11 a.m-1 p.m.

“I’m sad that there’s no traditional homecoming game

this year,” MNSU sophomore Emma Welter said. “I feel bad the freshmen now are going to miss out on all the activities.

With COVID-19, I can tell there’s a huge lack of school spirit compared to last year as it’s harder for students to get together and support the school.”

Although Maverick Athletics and homecoming will look drastically different during this year, virtual homecoming and free events are planned throughout the month of October to keep the Maverick spirit alive. The virtual tickets can be purchased at http:// msumavericks.com/Sellout.

4 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

FALL 2020 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

#SayHerName: Continuing the discussion on Breonna Taylor

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Opinion CHRISTIAN LOHRENZ COLUMNIST Last week, charges were against Sgt. Brett Hankison in Louisville, KY in connection with the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.

The charges, however, were for “wanton endangerment” of the neighbors during the raid that resulted in Taylor’s death. The incident has led to a whirlwind of protests and continued calls for police reform.

Upon reviewing the case the grand jury ruled the officers had been justified in protecting themselves, which essentially did not allow them to be charged with criminal charges.

Earlier this month Taylor’s family came to a settlement with the city of Louisville, ending a civil suit, in which the city awarded the family a $12 million payout and agreed to a handful of police reforms, such as a clearer process for executing search warrants. This settlement does not admit any wrongdoing on the part of the police or the city, however, and prevents the family from pursuing legal action in the future.

Meanwhile, demonstrations have lasted in the city for over 100 consecutive days.

Many are calling these charges and settlements not enough.

The death of an innocent black woman at the hands of the police comes during a summer already fueled by discussion of police reform following the death of George Floyd. These

NEWS EDITOR: Jenna Peterson jenna.peterson-3@mnsu.edu WEB/PHOTO EDITOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING SALES: Calli Seston 507-389-5451 calli.seston@mnsu.edu Anna Lillie 507-389-1063 anna.lillie@mnsu.edu Kali Andriano-Allard 507-389-6765 kali.andriano-allard@mnsu.edu Yasir Wedatalla 507-389-5097 yasir.wedatalla@mnsu.edu

demonstrations have called for strong reactions to the officers involved in the killing of Taylor and are calling for murder or manslaughter charges.

While in many cases it appears individual departments and state and local governments are going to be responsible for creating any kind of legislative reforms within police departments on a state level, there has been a lack of movement from the federal government so far. While there is a limit to their power

on a state level, there is inevitably a point of vocal power that federal officials have in helping sway the opinion of the public and state officials.

Currently, there are bills in congress working to ban using chokeholds and “no knock” search warrants during drug cases. These bills have some support on both sides of the aisle and have called for a limit or prohibition of federal grant money to departments unless they adopt the proposed changes.

The presidential candidates have weighed in on the case as well. President Trump hailed the Louisville decision and voiced support for the Kentucky Attorney General who appeared at the Republican national convention recently. Trump has been regularly tweeting the policy of “law and order,” calling himself the law and

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“How do you feel about the virtual homecoming?”

Compiled by Julia Barton

HUNTER HEDLUND, FRESHMAN

NICK BERGSTAD, FRESHMAN

“At least they’re doing something.”

“I haven’t even thought about it honestly.”

TOMMY WALSH, FRESHMAN “There’s a virtual homecoming?”

GRACE MOSENG, FRESHMAN

OLIVIA CHIAPPETTA, FRESHMAN

“I’m glad they’re at least doing “I’m disappointed that we won’t be able to experience a something for homecoming.” normal homecoming.”

BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MANAGER: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

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

The Reporter will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names in this space. Formal grievances against the Reporter are handled by the Newspaper Board.

• The Minnesota State University Mankato Reporter is a studentrun newspaper published twice a week, coming out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Reporter generates 78 percent of its own income through advertising and receives approximately 22 percent from Student Activities fees. The Reporter is free to all students and faculty, but to start a subscription, please call us at 507-389-1776. Subscriptions for the academic school year are $55.00 and subscribers will receive the paper within three to five days after publishing.

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

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

News

Letter: Sports dome explained Letters

In response to the Op/Ed piece titled “Why is the Sports Dome Still Inflated” published on September 22, 2020, I would like to provide the following information.

The Maverick’s All-Sports Dome is not intended only for athletic training. The use of the facility is a split of approximately 1/3 time for athletics, 1/3 time for campus student recreation and 1/3 time for community rental with the rental income intended to support the long term operations and maintenance of the facility.

As we moved into 2020 and

began the process of soliciting vendors to take down the dome for the summer we plunged into the current COVID-19 pandemic. While it may seem a simple thing to “deflate and put away” the dome, in fact it takes a crew of approximately 60 people about a week to fold up and store the 8 fabric sections weighing 8,000 pounds each and the 10,000 plus feet of steel cabling, all of which needs to be repeated in reverse to re-inflate the dome in the fall. The cost for this set up and take down is budgeted into the operations and maintenance for the facility, however the pandemic cut short the projected rental revenue stream as outside use of

campus facilities has been suspended. The pandemic also created significant difficulties for the vendors proposing on the project as group sizes were limited to less than 100, then 50 and then 10. As a result, only 1 of 4 vendors submitted a proposal of approximately $197,000 for the work. After much discussion, the decision was made to leave the dome up and unoccupied. The resulting cost to the facility budget was approximately $20,800 in electricity and heating bills for the 6 month it was left up.

Also it should be noted that a number other seasonal dome facilities across the state made similar decisions, including the City of Savage and RCTC. As we have welcomed students and staff back to campus for the fall semester and are still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant discussions have taken place on how to best utilize all of our facilities and still protect the campus community.

At this point the Maverick’s All-Sports Dome is available for use for campus recreation and student athletics with no current community rental use.

Nate Huettl Director of Planning & Construction

Kjerstin Hall/The Reporter

MSU Reporter • 5

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Continued from page 4

Daniel Marshall, left, and Jasmine D’Avilar participate in a demonstration on the Veterans Memorial Bridge after announcement regarding Breonna Taylor’s case Sept. 23, 2020 in Mankato, Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/The Reporter)

order president. This phrase was previously coined and used by the Nixon administration in the late 1960s.

Democratic candidate Joe Biden has been quot-

ed saying Americans “must continue to speak Breonna Taylor’s name.” Biden and Harris’s campaign has often voiced support for police reforms around excessive force and no-knock warrants. The Biden ticket is also calling for criminal justice reform, trying to reduce the number of people incarcerated on drug charges, and restructuring a system they

see as rooted in racial and income-based disparities.

In the wake of the decision discussions rage on.

Discussions like this are of the utmost importance in American politics. To be the best country in the world, we must continue to discuss with each other and work to better ourselves in ways that we see fit.

Breonna Taylor may not have received the justice that her or her family deserved, but the movement does not appear to have given up and has continued to #SayHerName.

e Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils congratulate these Fraternity & Sorority Community members on their academic achievements during the Spring 2020 semester.

Pie for Pi — All Fraternity & Sorority members listed below earned a 3.14 GPA or higher during the Spring 2020 Semester.

Fraternity and Sorority Life has acheived its highest ever GPA. Sororities had an average GPA of 3.46. Fraternities had an average GPA of 3.21. The Fraternity and Sorority Life Community overall was an average GPA of 3.41.

It's not too late to join

Fraternity and Sorority Life!

Check out our social media pages and website for more information.

@maverickfsl www.maverickfsl.com

Dean’s List Recognition — Fraternity & Sorority members listed below with a bullet aer their name earned Dean’s list for Spring 2020.

Alpha Chi Omega Jenna Anderson* Lauryn Anderson* Alexis Ashton* Sabrina Beres* Brynn Berg* Cassandra Borwege* Gensyn Bosquez Erica Cronk* Laura Daly* Payton Decker Alissa Donlan* Kayla Dorshak* Isla Ekstam* Annika France* Cortiney Galuska Jianna Gellhaus* Alexandra Gromacki Jenna Hayworth* Hayley Hillman* Kelsey Hubbell* Alexis Johannessen* Baily Kaas* Alexis Knudson* Mary Nemeth Jenna Nevonen* Alyssa Parson* Mika Pedro* Lara Peterson Brianna Pietsch* Lily Pokornowski Jordan Quam* Sophia Ricci* Lynsey Rohlfing Skylar Samples* Celeste Schildgen* Camryn Schiro* Nicole Schluck Genevieve Scholler* Delaney Sperl* Madison Stone* Paige Tiefenthaler* Grace Ulrich* Isabelle Ulrich* Lindsay Wagner* Tessa Williams* Molly Winter* Angelah Wood*

Alpha Sigma Alpha Sarah Benson* Erin Born* Nicole Dee* Mackenzie Ehlers* Natalie Horn Minahil Khan* Lauren Lindmeier* Ashley Maier* Taylor McNulty* Megan Miland* Courtney Myers* Deena Oberlander Amanda Rhoades* Kayla Rimer* Morgan Rusler Anna Thevenot Emily Vieth Hope Wickert Eryn Zuiker* Gamma Phi Beta Katie Baumann* Chaise Benjamin* Lauren Bern* Mikayla Brooking* Alexandra Carlson* Callie Cleaveland* Abigail Culhane Addie Erickson* Alyssa Etzler* Anna Freemark* Mitzi Guizar Kjerstin Haeny* Olivia Hagen* Maria Haley* Evelyn Hoge* Hanna Jack Stefanie Jensen* Averee Johnson* Sophia Jones* Grace Jorgenson* Lauren Kaufman* Kipperly Keesling* Megan Kelly Kelly Kowal Alexa Lacher* Ryann Lake* Chelsea Landis* Megan Liddle* Patricia Marin*

Lyndsey Marquardt Hollie McLaughlin* Abigail Moe* Josephine Neuenfeldt Molly Nhean Sarah Novak Nicole Oberding* Taylor Perrin* Anna Peterson Renae Raustadt* Allison Reeder* Emily Rogers* Emma Rosen Alexis Rost* Ellie Rundquist* Mercedes Saltou* Josephine Sandford* Emily Schumacher* Myles Schwartz* Ashleigh Sullivan* Sara Swan* Shelby Swenson* Michaela Thole* Emilee Thomas* Natalie Turkowski* Maria Tushar* Taryn Van Heel* Paige Vancura* Abby Wenz* Madeline Youngstrand* Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Bill Busuri* Greg Ikanih* Lambda Chi Alpha Griffin Ahrendt* Samuel Graves* Chasse Heiskala Ian Hjerleid* Brian Kelly Hunter Koesters* Jesse Kontz* Carson Lesher* Kyle Mickelsen Mark Pettinger Samuel Pfingsten* Brent Prodahl* Joel Rains Jarrett Rogers*

Jarrett Rogers* Christopher Ross Jonthomas Saari* Matthew Schmuck* Logan Welch* Dylan West* Phi Delta Theta Andrew Bravo* Ryan DeRoo* Grant Good Tyler Guggisberg Devin Harding* Joseph Harvey Greysen Higbe-Harrah Samuel Hovick* Tylar Larson Tyler Lorbeski* Preston Lyon* Seth Nilsen Patrick Norris* Benjamin Perry* Jack Ritacco Phi Kappa Psi Adam Klotz* Barr Brady* Brandon Gustafson* Cal Capra Drew Brown* Hunter Kelsey* Isaac Stinson James Erickson* Joseph Casey* Matthew McDavid* Maxwell Mahoney* Nash Brambilla* Reece Podgorski* Zachary Wickman Sigma Chi Patrick Beake Jack Dufresne Mitchel Goheen Austin Johannes* Nicholas Lucke* Vandy Manyeh* Drew Pearson* Bradley Phillips Tyler Shafer Matthew Werner

Jack Wheeler* Sigma Nu Dawson Altringer* Alexandros Bakritges Hunter Brings* Will Bucheger* Kyle Buttweiler Jackson Campbell* Carson Davis* Keegan Gilbert Sari Halabi* Jordan Kimmet* Alexander Klawitter* Gage Langum Jesse Lease* Janusz Lukasik* Jack Lutz* Ryan McCormick* Jacob Meyer* Samual Miller* Steven Miller* Karter Mohs* Jacob Nadeau Tyler Nadeau* Thomas Radziej* Luke Romness* Lucas Schimek Samuel Squires* Carl Gunnar Sunden Waleed Tashtoush Sigma Sigma Sigma Kristyn Aarestad* Laine Aeilts* Catherine Allmann* Kaitlyn Bannwarth* Laura Bautch* Gracie Blackburn* Alison Bloom* Jadin Brue* Jazmin Brue* Ariana Caddell* Samantha Delain Grace Draeger* Ivy Enerson Kiersten Hanisch Ellie Hansen* Jessica Hansen* Kayla Haugen* Joniesha Hayes*

DeNae Henning* Katherine Hetzel LaRen Holtman* Madison Johnson* Emma Kiger Morgan Kingsley* Erin Kromminga* Lexie Kromminga* Meghan Larson* Kristin Leimer* Chaise Light Presley Lindemuth* Lisbeth MagdalenoGarcia* Brianna Manderscheid Maggie Manning* Reagan McCurnin* Morgan Metcalfe* Alyssa Miles Samantha Miller Kylie Morton* Emily Pangerl* Courtney Peper* Olivia Rivers Madelyn Ryan* Sidney Schriever* Britney Schubert* Victoria Schulmeister* MiKayla Smit* Hannah Smith Emilie Staeffler* Kaitlin Stankey* Alana StCyr* Chelsea Swanson* Julia Vyleta Keanna Wakefield* Emily Wehling* Sarah Weis* Tau Kappa Epsilon Matthew Aaker Alexander Arcuri* Jacob Genia* Joseph Hillenbrand* Trevor Schmidt* Derek Springis Timothy Tuchek Nathan Varley* Joshua Vicchiollo* Bryce Wilson*

6 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

ART, MUSIC, FOOD, MOVIES, SPORTS, GAMING, & ALL THE REST

Men’s basketball Noah Hart keeps shooting amidst pandemic DE’VONTE BRADLEY STAFF WRITER Minnesota State Mavericks basketball team has been looking to turn things around for the last few years. With the season possibilities still in the air, they hope to show they have become a better team over the summer. MSU is constantly looking for key pieces for the team that will only enhance their chances of winning basketball games. They have a valuable player in Sophomore Noah Hart. He is looking to play a more prominent role on the team for the upcoming season.

Unfortunately, Noah was not yet able to make his firstyear debut due to injury. Despite this setback, it did not take away from learning different things on the court. “I felt like it was a really good deal. Especially being able to get a feel for college coming from high school,” Noah stated. “Speed of play is different too. Players’ IQ is much better.

The guys that I am around really want to play, they work

Minnesota State guard Noah Hart shoots a free throw during a team practice at the Taylor Center Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in Mankato, Minn. (Mansoor Ahmad/The Reporter)

hard, they make this a big part of their life.” Being surrounded by these things, that he believes is special, has given him great motivation to be a part

of the team.

He has great plans to help his team. “This year, if we do have a season, I am looking to be a vocal leader for the team.

Work hard every time I am out there on the floor on the offensive and defensive. Also, just doing whatever the coach wants me to do”. He noted

that defense is important to him. “I take great pride in my defense.” It is safe to say we should see some remarkable things from him on the defensive end.

Injuries played a key role in the team’s lack of success last season. “We were not able to get into a real good rhythm,” Noah said. He has great confidence that things will be different this year. After losing last year in the NSIC tournament championship game, he feels last year’s struggles tough battle have helped them for this upcoming season. “The tournament last year helped us build some really good momentum that we carry to this season.” That momentum can get them a great deal of success.

With fall sports being canceled this year due to COVID-19, we must know that basketball, if played, will look different than it has before. We should all still hope to see our Mavericks score some buckets in our home, the Taylor Center.

‘Mavs in Action’ tackles Rasmussen’s buckthorn DESTINY KEMPF STAFF WRITER Eleven Minnesota State University student volunteers met up at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to remove invasive buckthorn plants at Rasmussen Woods.

The event replaced the annual cleanup at Sibley Park put on

by Mavs in Action.

“We got connected with Mankato city,” said Alex Trewatha, graduate advisor of community engagement. “Because of COVID restrictions, we needed something closer, so the city got us connected with the Rasmussen Woods.”

The project aimed to remove buckthorn plants. Buckthorn is an invasive species that outcompetes many other plants, leaving essential native species to die from lack of nutrients, sunlight and space.

The group met at the red statue to sign in, then walked together to Rasmussen Woods.

Once there, they were met

by Department of Natural Resources employee Randy Schnidle, who brought the group to an area with an extreme buckthorn outbreak and taught them proper buckthorn removal.

Kjerstin Hall/The Reporter

Students split into three groups of four — to follow social distancing guidelines — and worked together to remove buckthorn. One person would cut the plant, another sprayed the stump to prevent even more buckthorn from

growing back, and the other two dragged the cut plant back on the trail for the city to pick up and properly dispose of.

Students at the event had various motives for volunteering.

“I’m using this as an oppor-

tunity to get credit for a class as well as a chance to meet new students,” first-year student Jacob Sparrow said.

“I just really care about the environment,” fourth-year student EmmaLee Krosch said.

“And I’ve pulled buckthorn

before so I know all about how it’s an invasive species.”

Both Sparrow and Krosch said this was not a new experience for them, as they had done similar buckthorn removal events while enrolled in their respective high schools.

When asked what their favorite part about the experience was, Sparrow said, “ I really enjoyed the conversations I had with my group.”

Krosch later added, “I liked being able to see how much we cleared, because during it you’re like ‘Oh my god we’re doing nothing,’ but then you look and it’s not so bad.”

After three hours of work and multiple 5-feet-high piles of buckthorn, the group embarked on the long walk back to campus up the steep hill on Stadium Road.

Students interested in being a part of future volunteer activities can sign up for events on the Engage website (mnsumankato.campuslabs.com/ engage). Mavs in Action is an organization that creates, plans, and discusses various volunteer events, such as the Rasmussen Woods Project.

They meet every Thursday at 4 p.m. in CSU 238.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Variety

Jefferson’s breakout not enough as Vikings fall

MSU Reporter • 7

Billboard announces nominations for 2020 Awards SYDNEY BERGGREN STAFF WRITER

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson celebrates after a 71-yard touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Minneapolis. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Jefferson blew by the closest man in coverage to make a wide-open catch, sprinted parallel to the sideline and broke through two tackle attempts around the 20-yard line before veering toward the end zone.

The last part of Jefferson’s first NFL touchdown was so easy he took the opportunity to slow down and tap dance across the goal line, giving the Minnesota Vikings a 12-point lead over Tennessee midway through the third quarter.

If only Jefferson and the

Vikings found the end of the game so trouble-free.

Stephen Gostkowski made his career-high sixth field goal of game, a 55-yarder with 1:44 left that lifted the undefeated Titans to a 31-30 victory over the winless Vikings on Sunday.

“It doesn’t really matter how many yards or catches or touchdowns I had, we still lost,” said Jefferson, who had seven receptions for 175 yards.

“We still have some things to fix.”

Only two Vikings rookies have had more receiving yards in a game: Sammy White

(210) against Detroit on Nov. 7, 1976, and Hall of Famer Randy Moss (190) on Oct. 5, 1998.

The Vikings, who were outscored 37-13 in the first half over their first two games, produced six drives of 50-plus yards and led for 32:07, including 30-25 with 10:17 remaining when Kirk Cousins hit Kyle Rudolph for a one-handed, toe-tapping touchdown.

After the Titans responded with a field goal, all that work over the first 55 minutes was negated by an unraveling that left coach Mike Zimmer upset.

The Billboard Music Awards, originally set for April 29 but postponed due to COVID-19, are to take place on Oct. 14 and are going to be hosted by Kelly Clarkson.

Garth Brooks is set to succeed last year’s Icon Award winner Mariah Carey and perform for the event.

Post Malone, who is MNSU freshman Josephine Hatlevig’s pick for the Top Male Artist award, is leading the nominations with 16, followed by Lil Nas X with 13, and Billie Eilish and Khalid who tie at 12.

BTS seem to be a popular choice for the Top Duo/ Group award, which would make them the first group to win two years in a row since former boy band One Direction. The South Korean musical group is also MNSU junior Kelsey Swanson’s favorite.

The Jonas Brothers were also nominated for the same award, having done quite well since their comeback over a year ago.

Taylor Swift is nominated for six awards, including Top Artist and Top Female Artist.

She made history this year when she dropped Folklore as a surprise this summer and topped the Billboard 200 for nearly two months. However, most of her award nominations are due to her release of

Lover in August of 2019.

Justin Bieber is nominated for four awards, two of which are collaborations with other nominated artists. He is nominated Top Country Song for “10,000 Hours,” a collaboration with country duo Dan + Shay who are also up for Top Duo/Group. The second nomination being for “I Don’t Care,” with Top Male Artist nominee Ed Sheeran.

Kanye West received nine nominations throughout different Christian and Gospel awards for his album Jesus is King and songs from it. He holds four out of the five nominations for the Top Gospel Song award, the one remaining nomination being Kirk Franklin’s with Love Theory.

Post Malone’s Sept. 2019 album Hollywood’s Bleeding, which debuted on top of the Billboard 200 charts, gained him many of his nominations.

Hollywood’s Bleeding sported the songs “WOW” and “Sunflower” featuring Swae Lee, which was a popular song for the Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack. These songs collectively won him four of his 16 nominations.

If these are some of your favorite artists, or if you’d like to find out if your favorites are nominated for any awards, the Billboard site has a comprehensive list, and opportunities to vote for any or all categories.

Opinion: TikTok users increasingly taking sides Opinion

JENNA PETERSON NEWS EDITOR TikTok, one of most influential and more controversial apps out there, uses different communities to serve the best content to each user on the app. This is done through hashtags, liked videos and videos that users interact with the most. The top two sides of this creative app are Straight and Alt/Elite TikTok, with the latter having numerous sides branching off from this.

What exactly are Straight and Alt TikTok? The first is where new dance challenges, popular trends, and top creators, such as Charli D’amelio and Zach King, are well known. Some of the dances consist of the “renegade,” the “Say So” dance, and the “savage dance,” among many others. On this side, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot taking place, and in all honesty seems pretty happy.

On the other hand, Alt TikTok is known for having more crazy and bizarre content.

This side holds many differ-

ent branches, including, but not limited to, Prison TikTok, Beans TikTok, and Deep TikTok. The Alt side of the app also makes fun of those who are on the opposing side because of their lack of creativity and for being unoriginal.

Although some people would oppose this, I am personally on the Alt side of TikTok. Since I’ve been on the app for over a year (I know, I have a problem), I have been to numerous different sides. All of the sides I’ve been on consists of prison, bean, frog, retail, roller skating, “The Hunger Games,” “New Girl,” Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy TikTok. Recently, my whole ‘For You Page’ has been filled with Harry Potter-themed videos and ones that romanticize Draco Malfoy, one of the ‘villain’ characters in the Harry Potter series. This has re-sparked my obsession with the books and movies, and the same thing happened with “The Hunger Games” series when video creators would compare the United States to the book and movie franchise with how social injustices are being handled.

This photo shows the icon for TikTok in New York. The video app said it will wage a legal fight against the Trump Administration’s efforts to ban the popular, Chinese-owned service over national-security concerns. (AP Photo)

One of the bigger sides of the app that causes controversy, especially with President Donald Trump, is the political side of TikTok. Here, people share information and raise awareness about what is happening in the country when it

comes to politics.

Following the killing of George Floyd, it seemed as if the whole app was consumed with this tragedy and ever since then there has been conversation about Black Lives Matter. People would make

videos to spread knowledge of protests, any policies being put in place, and any changes to cases brought to light.

While Trump has announced a number of times about the app being banned, it seems as if it’s here to stay.

8 • MSU Reporter

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

remiNders from your campus bookstore:

If you ordered books, PLEASE PICK THEM UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! BARNES & NOBLE AT MINNESOTA STATE Located on campus in the Centennial Student Union building 620 South Road CSU 144 | Mankato, MN 56001 | Phone 507-389-1649

www.mnsu.edu/bookstore