October 13, 2020

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

TUESDAY • OCTOBER 13, 2020

Campus Dietitian Helps Create Balanced Diets for Students JULIA BARTON STAFF WRITER Understanding food, the human body and how they work together is the domain of the dietitian. Here on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus, dietitians work everyday to help students stay happy and healthy The jobs of a registered dietitians and licensed dietitian include many responsibilities.

Dietitians help in a variety of ways regarding food allergies and how to maintain a well-balanced diet.

The four main areas of practice are clinical, food service, community, and research. RDs can work hospitals, kitchens, research labs or at schools and college campuses.

“Helping students with special dietary needs is my main job here on campus,” Holly Ellison, MNSU’s RD and LD, said in her Exploring Health Careers presentation. “I am here to talk with students about anything regarding diet or nutrition. I do one-on-one

ASHLEY OPINA STAFF WRITER

Photo courtesy of the Campus Dietitian’s Facebook page

counseling, presentations about health and nutrition, conduct tours in the University Dining Center for students with special allergens, and I help with campus events such

as Mindful Week and Stress Less during finals.”

“Also, I help with the dietetics program here at MNSU and some of the classes. I play a little role in many different

areas, I also work with the athletic teams, Health Services,

DIET page 3

Alpha Chi Omega Sorority Big on Philanthropy, Bonding BAILEY BRENDEL STAFF WRITER Greek organizations on college campuses are known for their philanthropy. And for Minnesota State University, Mankato junior Brianna Pietsch, the reputation at Alpha Chi Omega was part of the reason she joined.

“I love the girls, and the philanthropy is just amazing to see especially when we can see it ourselves,” she said.

Every chapter in MNSU’s Greek life has a philanthropy, or a charitable project, and for Alpha Chi Omega that is Domestic Violence Awareness.

The groups hold events to spread awareness of those impacted by domestic violence, and work to help survivors of domestic violence.

“I joined Alpha Chi to meet new people,” said Payton Decker. “Freshman year I met a group of Alpha Chi’s for coffee and walked away

A Day in the Life: Zoom Classes, Coffee Runs and Part-Time Jobs

knowing this chapter was the right place for me. This is my last year in the chapter, and I can say that it was the right decision for me because I am walking away with so many lifelong friendships and leadership experiences to use on my resume.”

Alpha Chi Omega holds many events including sisterhoods, where all the girls get together for a bonding day, Greek Week and Homecoming activities. One of the most memorable events every sorority participates in is Big Little Week.

During this week, all the new members are given a Big, or an older girl, who serves as a mentor during their time in the sorority. Throughout the week, Littles receive presents and clues to try to guess who

GREEK page 3

IN THIS CYBERSECURITY MONTH ISSUE:

Photo courtesy of Alpha Chi Omega

Alarm clocks, meditation and coffee on the go are just a few things Minnesota State University, Mankato junior, Maddy Loch begins her day with.

On days where she’s scheduled to work, her day starts around 9 a.m. But on days she allows herself to sleep in, Loch rolls out of bed around 11 a.m. Shortly after waking, she meditates.

“It’s something I’ve been trying to get into,” Loch says.

“It’s a good way to start the morning.”

She also believes in the power of a good skin care regime.

“I love my skincare routine,” she says. “I always stick to that every morning.”

Once she has completed her morning rituals, Loch keeps it moving. During the week, she attends class either in person or virtually through Zoom.

Due to COVID-19, only one of her classes is held in person Monday mornings. The rest of her classes are online.

Loch says the coursework is straightforward and repetitive.

“It’s a lot of weekly discussion posts and quizzes on D2L,” says Loch. “It’s hard to retain information that way. … I wish I had more classes in person because I learn better that way.”

She finds being in a classroom setting helps her learn because it forces her to pay attention through interacting with her professor and fellow students — especially as a communication studies major, where her discipline revolves around interacting with others. The lack of an established schedule with online classes also causes her to procrastinate, which she says rarely happens when her classes are in person.

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2 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

University Reminds Students to Prioritize Cybersecurity COLIN HANKE STAFF WRITER October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Minnesota State University, Mankato is ensuring that cybersecurity is a priority for students and faculty.

Taking active measures to ensure computer devices are secure can minimize risks of viruses, malware, theft, and fraud.

Michael Menne, MNSU’s chief information security officer, is hosting a free webinar from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Oct. 28. The webinar will feature social media safety and other cyberthreats such as identity theft. The event will feature live experts and guests. Students can enter for a chance to win a free fingerprint lock with a retail value of $49.99.

Through the entire month of October, security tips and videos will be provided on the MNSU website and through their Facebook, Twitter and MavLife accounts for students to access.

On Oct. 19 there will be a video on passwords. On Oct. 26 there will be a video on general device protection.

According to IT Solutions at MNSU, some of the most important cybersecurity tips

are keeping technological devices up to date on software.

Old software and old apps on devices essentially open the doors to cyberthreats.

Another tip is to be aware of suspicious emails, messages and phone calls that aim to steal your information. It is a good idea to verify the senders and not to open any sort of links that are perceived to be suspicious.

Also, anyone who asks you for personal or financial information over the phone is usually a scam. Another tip from IT Solutions is to never share passwords with others. Passwords should also be complex, and the same password should not be used for every platform that prompts a password.

“I think that cybersecurity is important, and especially as a future teacher because a lot of people are unaware of how you can leak your information to hackers,” said Amanda Gunderson, elementary education major and third-year student at MNSU. Third-year pre-med student Ornella Malm agreed.

“With the transition to a lot of online learning this semester, I am grateful that our IT department is taking cybersecurity seriously,” she said.

IT Solutions also encourages students to keep devices

AP photo

in close proximity on campus.

Leaving devices in the open with personal information up can be harmful. Also, it is encouraged to double check old devices that are no longer be-

ing used to make sure old information is not being stored on them.

Students who have university devices they no longer use should contact IT Solutions so

the information on that device can be disposed of before the device gets passed onto the next user.

2nd COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Paused Over Unexplained Illness SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) — California’s chief elections official on Monday ordered Republicans to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes from churches, gun shops and other locations and Attorney General Xavier Becerra warned those behind the “vote tampering” could face prosecution.

Republican refused, saying they are taking advantage of California’s liberal ballot collection law that allows anyone to collect ballots from voters and deliver them to county election offices.

“As of right now, we’re going to continue our ballot harvesting program,” California Republican Party spokesman Hector Barajas said.

Due to the coronavirus and concerns about health safety at polling places, California for the first time mailed ballots for the Nov. 3 election to all active registered voters — more than 21 million people.

The ballots come with prepaid envelopes for voters to mail back, free of charge.

State law also allows county election officers to set up drop boxes throughout the county where people can drop off their ballots in person. The

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, left, and Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley hold a news conference on Orange County’s comprehensive plans to safeguard the election and provide transparency in Santa Ana, Calif.

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

secure boxes can sometimes weigh more than 600 pounds and are monitored frequently by local election officials.

Republicans have set up their drop boxes at churches, gas stations and gun shops in at least three California counties. Some are identified as “secure ballot dropoff location,” while others say “approved and bought by the GOP.”

The party declined to say precisely how many boxes have been distributed and where they all have been placed.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat, said state law only allows county election officials to set up official ballot drop boxes, with rules for how often the ballots are retrieved. He said these un-

official drop boxes lack those protections, making them vulnerable to tampering.

Padilla had his chief legal counsel send Republicans a letter on Monday ordering them to remove those boxes

by Thursday. He also ordered them to provide the state with the names, addresses and birthdays of all voters who have already dropped off bal-

lots.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra, also a Democrat, went further, threatening to prosecute “anyone who knowingly engages in the tampering or misuse of a vote.”

“We hope that the message goes out loud and clear to anyone who is trying to improperly solicit, obtain, and manage a citizen’s vote that they are subject to prosecution,” Becerra said. “I’m trying to be careful with how I say this, but the reports we are hearing are disturbing.”

Padilla declined to speculate on why Republicans would be collecting votes via unofficial drop boxes.

“Our interest is in protecting the integrity of this election,” he said.

Barajas said the party’s drop boxes just provide voters with “another opportunity” to cast their ballots.

In a news release, the California Republican Party said state law does not specifically ban them from collecting ballots in a box. They say the law only prevents tampering or forging ballots and that people collecting the ballots cannot be paid for doing it.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

News

MSU Reporter • 3

DIET

DAY Continued from page 1 Aside from school, Loch spends most of her days working at downtown Mankato’s Union Market.

“I’m there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m,” Loch said. “I usually pick up coffee from River Rock Coffee before work since it’s right next door.”

Although she works long hours, she says she enjoys her job. The environment she works in is down to earth and laid back, which is reflective of Loch’s personality.

Her employer also allows her a flexible schedule and rarely interferes with her other obligations such as school and photography gigs.

“Sometimes, I have shoots afterwards,” Loch said, referring to the photo shoots she holds after her shifts at the Union Market. “I’ve been trying to plan more of them on Sunday’s or Monday’s when I don’t work so it fits my schedule better.”

Loch has been a photographer for three years and has been honing her craft ever since.

When not working, Loch spends her time catching up with friends.

“I have my three roommates who I hang out with,” Loch said. “We have movie nights and hit up the mall.”

Loch also spends time with her close friend, Molly Gruszynski. “We go to the park or we’ll go for walks or find something random to do to get out of the house.”

“I also attend the Her Cam-

Continued from page 1

Photo courtesy of Maddy Loch’s Facebook page

pus meetings and socials,” said Loch. As the Associate Editor for Her Campus Magazine, a recognized student organization at MNSU, she spends time with the other members every week.

However, she currently keeps her interactions with people to a minimum in order to protect her health and the health of others.

As for hobbies, Loch tries to incorporate reading, painting, playing the ukulele and learning about crystals throughout her day. At night, her guilty pleasure has been watching “Love Island” to unwind. Af-

ter a full day, she prefers to watch something lighthearted.

“It keeps my mind occupied but I don’t have to use much brain power to do it,” said Loch.

Res life, disabilities resources, dorms, campus rec, and the list goes on. I’m all over the place within the campus so I get lots of steps in during the day which I really like.”

In the University Dining Center you’ll find a dietitians choice of the month, which introduces a new food that students can try. What’s for Lunch Wednesday is also a special dietitian choice feature that is a new menu item every week that isn’t typically served. MNSU Mindful Meals are dietitian-approved meals that meet required health guidelines as well approved by the executive chef as delicious and filling.

“I think the simple servings area is a fantastic addition to the dining center. I think it has healthier options as well as more options for those who need different food options,” Abbie Gustafson, freshman at MNSU said.

“I think it’s really good that the university provides these types of options, because at my high school you would

have to fill something out to get a gluten free version of the foods, which typically were not all that tasteful. I enjoy the simple servings area, they have really good food,” Gustafson continued.

To see the school’s dietitian, all that is required is a meal plan or a minimum balance of $25 dining dollars in your account.

Although some might use the terms ‘dietitian’ and ‘nutritionist’ interchangeably, they are not the same. A nutritionist is anyone who has an interest in diet or nutrition, anyone can call themselves as such.

A registered dietitian must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university program and complete a criteria set by the governing body of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. By Jan. 1, 2024 all dietetics students must have a masters degree to qualify for their RD board exam.

You can find Ellison’s office at Student Health Services located at the lower level of Carkoski Commons.

VOTE FOR NICK FRENTZ FOR STATE SENATE BY NOVEMBER 3RD!

GREEK Continued from page 1 their “big” is. At the end of the week, there is a fun activity that leads up to the reveal.

“My favorite memory so far has to be the Big Little Week when I got my Little,” said student Mackenzie Jackson.

“Giving her special presents and then the reveal that I am her big was such a great feeling.”

Because of COVID, this year’s recruitment will be a little bit different. Greek Life will be doing informal recruitment. This means that instead of doing the formal rush week, chapters can, throughout the semester, hold recruitment events for potential new members, and hand out bids informally.

According to Chelsie Bath, senior VP of recruitment, Chelsie Bath, “It’s more intimate I would say because the COBs that we can have in person are limited to attendance, so it would be five members to one potential new member.”

This recruitment method allows potential new members to fully get to know the soror-

ity they are joining in a more intimate setting.

Within the past month, Alpha Chi Omega has hosted many events, including a pumpkin-painting event, and they also have many events planned for the remainder of the semester.

“We are having our sisterhood retreat this coming Wednesday, and I think we’re just doing a projector movie outside. So we’re still trying to keep everyone in touch but also following the CDC social distance guidelines,” says Bath.

If you are thinking about joining but you may have doubts if a sorority is the right fit for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the Greek Life members.

“You don’t want to look back and think about what you could have done,” says Bath.

If you are interested in joining Alpha Chi Omega, contact Bath at 920-680-7925 or at chelsie.bath@mnsu.edu.

VOTER REGISTRATION

The deadline to register to vote online or on paper, is October 13th.

However, you can still register on Election Day at your polling place.

EARLY VOTING

Early voting is now available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm at the following locations: Blue Earth County Residents: Blue Earth County Historic Courthouse & Nicollet County Residents: Nicollet County Govt. Center.

NOVEMBER 3RD POLLING LOCATIONS

Depending on your street address, you can find your Polling Place location at: https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ PREPARED AND PAID FOR BY NICK FRENTZ - FRENTZ FOR SENATE 151 ST. ANDREWS COURT, BUILDING 1010, MANKATO, MINNESOTA 56001

4 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

FALL 2020 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN

Columbus Day: Why We Shouldn’t Celebrate It Editorial

For centuries, more specifically since 1792, October 12 has been known as Christopher Columbus Day. People across the Americas have celebrated Columbus exploring this land by holding religious ceremonies, hosting parades and teaching about the history of Columbus in schools.

In recent years, however, people have challenged this national holiday due to the lasting harm Columbus has left this country in.

In 1990, South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day to Native Americans’ Day in order to celebrate and honor the Indigenous tribes who have lived here long before the settlers.

So now poses the question, “Why not celebrate Columbus discovering the Americas and why change this innocent holiday?”

It’s simple. Columbus did not discover the Americas and, despite what has been taught in schools for years, he was not a good person.

A main argument for the idealization of the 15th century explorer is the idea that he was the first European to discover the Americas. This claim has been proven recently as Viking Leif Ericksson was the first European to discover the New World, about 500 years prior to Columbus’ famous journey.

The motivation behind the 1492 voyage was a contract between him and the King and Queen of Spain, with wealth and riches backing up this unethical exploration.

When Columbus did sail over, the Indigenous people were there to help him and the other settlers survive. In return, the Indigenous people were given diseases they couldn’t fight off, and many died because of it. Those who survived were forced into a colonized life that was contradictory to their own, a life that

supported the ideas and beliefs of the settlers.

While it’s important to note the ways in which Columbus harmed indigenous people, he also hurt their culture. By forcing them into a new lifestyle that wasn’t seen as ‘savage’, Columbus was ripping away the ways of life that were once known to the Indigenous

people and taking away parts of their identity. This form of abuse has been rippled into today’s society.

Throughout history, Indigenous culture has been whitewashed and forgotten. This

COLUMBUS page 8

Leif Ericksson Wants a Parade Too...

“I know is that he wasn’t the first to discover America.”

“I’’ve seen Indigenous People Day instead of Columbus Day on social media.”

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

NEWS EDITOR: Jenna Peterson jenna.peterson-3@mnsu.edu WEB/PHOTO EDITOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu

Yasir Wedatalla 507-389-5097 yasir.wedatalla@mnsu.edu Logan Larock 507-389-5453 logan.larock@mnsu.edu BUSINESS MANAGER: Jane Tastad 507-389-1926 jane.tastad@mnsu.edu ADVERTISING DESIGN/ PRODUCTION MANAGER: Dana Clark 507-389-2793 dana.clark@mnsu.edu

Compiled by Julia Barton

RACHEL PIERSON, FRESHMAN

MADISON DIEMERT

ADVERTISING SALES: Anna Lillie 507-389-1063 anna.lillie@mnsu.edu

“What do you think about the celebration of Columbus Day?”

ERIN BASSETT, FRESHMAN

maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

MAXINE GERKE, FRESHMAN

MADDIE DAHL, FRESHMAN

“I don’t think it should be a thing, or at least they should change the name.”

“I don’t think Columbus Day should be celebrated.”

AUTUM WARDSHODIN, FRESHMAN “I think they should educate kids on the real history.”

• 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.

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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.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

News

MSU Reporter • 5

Fall Colors Hit the MNSU Mankato Campus

Fallen leaves cover the campus with fall colors during the early weeks of autumn in Mankato. Some students took advantage of the scenery to meet outdoors while remaining socially distant. (Photos by Kjerstin Hall/The Reporter)

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6 • MSU Reporter Tuesday, October 13, 2020

7) You Might Not Be BEST Friends, and That's Okay: Be pleasant and friendly with your roommate, but respect each other's space. Trying to force a best-friend relationship will only cause strain and discomfort for both of you. Be friendly, but make sure you each have your own life and your own social circles.

6) Lock Up: Imagine your roommate steps out for a moment to grab a snack, and forgets to lock the door. Locking the doors and windows is important for keeping you and your property safe. Remember: it's not just your own stuff that you're protecting, it's your roommate's as well.

5) Be Cautious About Inviting People Over: You might be an extroverted socialite who thrives in a group, but that might not be true of your roommate.

Talk to your roommate about this, and make sure you don't overstep any boundaries when inviting others over.

Don't just assume he won't mind if you finish off his leftovers; he probably will.

Always ask for permission before borrowing or using anything that belongs to your roommate!

10) Treat Your Roommate How You Want to Be Treated: When in doubt, follow the Golden Rule, and treat your roommate how you would hope to be treated. That way, no matter what happens, you'll know that you treated your roommate respectfully, and you'll have no regrets.

9) The One Constant is Change: College is a time for learning and growth, and both you and your roommate will likely change a lot during your time together. Be aware of the changes as they come, and don't cling to the past. New challenges will arise, and you may need to address new issues or come to new agreements. You may start out close and slowly grow apart, or the opposite may be true. Be open to this change, and go with the flow!

8) Keep an Open Mind: Your roommate may have a background VERY different from yours. He or she may be from another culture, and may have an entirely different lifestyle, ideology, and perspective than yours. Be open to this new perspective, and respect the differences between you. If you do, you'll find the diversity this experience brings into your life to be very rewarding.

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4) Your Roommate's Stuff is Your Roommate's Stuff: It seems obvious, but this is probably the most common problem that arises between roommates.

3) Don't Wait - Solve Big Problems Immediately: Maybe you tried to follow step #2 and solve the problem when it was small, or maybe a huge problem just seemed to explode out of nowhere.

Whatever the case, don't procrastinate, don't wait to see if it'll just go away.

Address the situation immediately.

2) Nip It in the Bud: Solve problems while they're still small; don't wait until the problems are enormous! Is your roommate doing something that's bothering you? It's much easier to solve a problem when it's small than when it's become a big, entrenched habit.

1) Clear Communication from the Get-Go: Probably the most important tip for any relationship of any kind! As roommates, you'll be sharing a small space for a long time, and you'll need to respect each other's needs and preferences. Don't assume that your roommate will just figure all this out; communicate these needs, preferences, and expectations as soon as possible! This will save you both a lot of conflict.

10 TIPS FOR A GOOD ROOMMATE RELATIONSHIP

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8 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Column: Electoral College has Stood the Test of Time CHRISTIAN LOHRENZ COLUMNIST The electoral college, while much debated, had been a key piece of American elections since the ratification of the constitution. The basic principle seems to inherently be a staple of a solid democracy, with each state getting one vote for each Senate seat and then one for each member in the House of Representatives.

This seems to be a way of keeping smaller states represented, as was the goal of the initial Continental Congress when the decision was made.

I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called “Whose Vote Counts?” The documentary, part of Vox’s “Explained” series, discusses some of the reasons there is opposition to this system.

One primary objection is that it may indeed overrepresent rural states, thus making it possible for a president to be elected even after losing the popular vote. While the left experienced this phenomenon in 2016, it seems there is a growing push on that side to either abolish or amend this system to avoid this from hap-

Temporary election worker Joseph Banar, center, disinfects voting stations as a precaution against the coronavirus while a steady stream of voters participates in the first day of balloting in New Mexico, at the Santa Fe Convention Center on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, in Santa Fe, N.M. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

pening again. The outcome of an individual winning election while losing the popular vote seems to dictate that perhaps the “popular will” of the American people may be able to be overlooked.

Another key piece in the imbalance of the electoral

college and the imbalance in Congress has been the process of gerrymandering. If you aren’t familiar, gerrymandering is basically the process of drawing district lines to better elect people from their own party.

What that means is that ev-

ery 10 years, the party in power looks at a state and decides where certain districts, and the people in those districts, will be. This process is beneficial for whichever party is in power.

Both parties have benefitted from this process over the

course of history. In the beginning of the 90’s there were more states in the south that had districts gerrymandered to benefit the Democrats.

Since then, however, Republicans have shifted those seats back to the Republican party to guarantee them more seats.

There have been several propositions to try to fix both gerrymandering and the electoral college. One proposition is for intendent agencies to do the redistricting every 10 years to take power out of the parties’ hands.

This would be helpful for the house, despite the fact that, inevitably, people are essentially gerrymandering themselves. Cities have over the course of the last 20 years been predominantly liberal, while rural counties tend to fall in the category of more conservative.

All this in mind, the electoral college passed the test of time. It definitely has flaws worthy of discussion. It will be interesting to see if, after districts are redrawn over the next few years (being that we are at a new decade) things change, or if there will be more of the same.

Barrett Vows Fair Approach as Justice, Democrats Skeptical WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett presented her approach to the law as conservative and fair on Monday at the start of fast-tracked confirmation hearings, while angry Democrats, powerless to stop her, cast her as a threat to Americans’ health care coverage during the coronavirus pandemic.

With her husband and six of their seven children behind her in a hearing room off-limits to the public and altered for COVID-19 risks, Barrett delivered views at odds with the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat President Donald Trump nominated her to fill, likely before Election Day.

“Courts are not designed to solve every problem or right every wrong in our public life,” declared the 48-year-old federal appeals court judge, removing the protective mask she wore most of the day to read from a prepared statement.

Americans “deserve an independent Supreme Court that interprets our Constitution and laws as they are written,” Barrett told the Senate Judiciary Committee, laying out her judicial philosophy, which she has likened to that of her conservative mentor, the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

The Senate, led by Trump’s Republican allies, is pushing Barrett’s nomination to a quick vote before Election

COLUMBUS Continued from page 4

comes in numerous forms, including the removal of the Indigeous languages and their history to better fit modern history books.

You can also go more in depth with the ways in which the government takes care of reservations in the United States, which is poorly. There are issues pertaining to education, substance abuse, gambling, and women who are

missing that need to be addressed and handled.

Instead of praising a man who only caused harm to this group of people, we need to be supporting Indigenous people and listening to their stories.

It’s a lot of information to unpack, but it’s important to educate yourself on this history and recognize the harm the Indigenous people have experienced their whole lives.

Day, Nov. 3, and ahead of the the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, which the Supreme Court is to hear a week after the election.

Republicans also hope to seat Barrett quickly enough to hear any legal challenges after the election. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut was among several Democrats demanding that Barrett pledge not to take part in any election case. She has made no such commitment.

Barrett will face questions Tuesday after a day dedicated to opening statements.

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is sworn in during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/ Patrick Semansky, Pool)

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Tuesday, October 13, 2020

MSU Reporter • 9

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

Maverick Spotlight: Quarterback JD Ekowa DE’VONTE BRADLEY STAFF WRITER The Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks football team is cherishing the time it still has with team leader and senior JD Ekowa.

Ekowa has given his all in the last four years playing for MSU. It has been a long journey and he looks forward to moving on with all the special memories he will take with him.

Ekowa is from Plainfield, Illinois, and before college he has never been to Minnesota.

Luckly, the “Minnesota nice” saying was something he was able to experience throughout his college years.

According to Ekowa, coming to MSU for his football career and education is one of the best decisions he has made.

“I had a wonderful experience.

The people I have met, the people who have guided me, being nationally recognized, being with my teammates, it all has been incredibly special,” he stated.

The people in the communi-

File photo

ty are what he likes the most, especially on campus. “The people, the faculty, the staff, the coaches, how people communicate here is what I like the most. You cannot get people like that everywhere,” he com-

mented.

Ekowa has had remarkable success over the years playing for MSU. For the past two seasons he has been named to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Academic

Team/Team of Excellence. According to him, one highlight of his athletic career was going to the national championship last season. “It was a new experience for me. National coverage made it much more

special.”

Ekowa has received high praise from some of his current teammates. Senior Ty’Shonan Brooks says, “JD is a vocal leader for our team. A great person for the younger guys to look up to. He is always happy with a smile.”

To add onto this, senior Hunter Toppel says, “As far as JD is as a teammate, I’d say he’s the perfect one. He’s a guy that’s always working hard and setting an example.”

Though Ekowa is graduating soon, he still has a long journey ahead as he plans to head to graduate school. He says, “I want to be a doctor, I’ve always wanted to be in the position to help people.”

With the pressures from both school and football, Ekowa notes that it has not been easy at all. “A lot of things inspire me. People around me, parents, friends, teammates, myself all have inspired me to do better.”

Ekowa plans to take all of what he has experienced and learned here at MSU and apply it to his everyday life.

The Best Places on Campus to Study Amidst Pandemic AMANDA FILREIS STAFF WRITER At this point in the semester, many students have already picked out some great spots for them to study and get their homework done. After asking around, one of the most popular study locations on campus is the Centennial Student Union, and it’s a favorite for numerous reasons.

“I like that it’s close to the food for when I get hungry,” said Minnesota State University, Mankato student Sam Ladendorf when asked about why it’s a favorite.

Fellow student Jack Wolbaum, when asked the same thing, stated, “It’s comfy and the scenery helps keep me motivated.”

Another great reason for studying in the CSU is because of the subtle noises in the background. “There’s a good amount of sound so that it isn’t distracting but also helps keep me alert,” said student Ellie Sass, who also commented on how the CSU is a strong choice since you can catch the bus when needed. This, however, is just one of the many locations that was selected.

Another student favorite

is the campus library located just across the walkway from the CSU. There are numerous spots that draw students to this specific spot.

“I like the second floor of the library for the silence. It helps me focus and get work done,” said student Molly Hill when asked why she tends to study in the library.

With the four levels in the library, it’s easy to find a location that works for you. Each floor holds a different noise level, allowing students to choose what kind of environment they want to work in.

“I like the quieter levels, since that’s how I’m able to study,” stated Bonnie Monindi.

This particular sector also offers the study corrals, which are sectioned off rooms for groups to study in, for those who are interested.

While studying on campus is good for convenience, there are many other options that are a bit further away from campus, but are well worth the trip.

It isn’t always easy to travel around. Not everyone has a car and the buses can only take you so far. There is also the fact that the weather might not be ideal for travel. For

The CSU is a student favorite for studying and socializing on campus.

(Muhammad Ibrahim/The Reporter)

those who do venture off campus, the most popular areas to veer towards are the plentiful coffee houses in the area.

Caribou and Starbucks are two such places where students like to get their caffeine and get to work on their studies.

“I like the change in scenery and the selection of refresh-

ments to help keep me focused and alert,” MSU student Emely Lopez stated.

More local and small-business locations include Fillin’ Station Coffeehouse, located on South Front Street.

“I think that it’s cute and the atmosphere helps to keep me motivated,” stated MNSU student Kennedee Weber.

Getting through school is not always easy, and some study environments work better than others. For some students, it takes time and trial and error to find a perfect place for them to study, and that’s normal. The important thing is that we do whatever is best for while staying open to new experiences.

10 • MSU Reporter

Variety

Student Pick Dining Hall Faves DESTINY KEMPF STAFF WRITER When it comes to cafeteria food, everyone’s got their favorite. For Minnesota State University, Mankato student Becca Walsh, it’s the ice cream.

“This is probably my favorite,” the MNSU student said.

“It kind of slaps.”

Multiple other students agreed with her.

With two different ice cream and two different sherbet flavors — all occasionally rotating — the ice cream station always seems to be hopping. Some students make an

ice cream run at every meal.

With constant long lines, it’s easy to tell the deli is a favorite for students to get a quick meal. A sandwich or a wrap is so customizable with the varying meats, vegetables, and sauces, and an easy go-to when nothing else looks appealing.

MNSU student Zach Sheinman said his favorite meal option is the grilled cheese, as did many others, some specifying that it was best with the tomato basil soup. As a simple comfort food, the grilled cheese seems to be an easy draw for many students when it comes

around on the rotation every week.

Another popular dish among students tends to be any “fun” cut french fries.

Whether waffle, curly, smiley, or thick cut, students tend to gravitate toward different fry cuts that they don’t see every day. Not to say that the regular cut fries aren’t enjoyed, as MNSU’s fries are always cooked well and enjoyed by many students, but a “fun” cut is almost guaranteed to draw

FOOD page 11

Photo courtesy of the University Dining Center Facebook page

How Students Decorate Their Dorms SYDNEY BERGGREN STAFF WRITER When it comes to decorating a dorm room, students at Minnesota State University, Mankato used a variety of methods and ideas to bring some feeling of home into a smaller space while also making sure it fit their personal preference.

“I basically placed everything around my plants and the fact that I wanted my desk to be by the window,” says freshman Tava Wrage.

Other people, such as freshman Rachel Wall, approached the situation differently.

“When I first moved in, the room had to be rearranged to fit the things my roommate and I brought. We kind of came up with a layout to fit the bulky stuff like the fridge, microwave, Keurig, TV, and futon.”

Some students simply said they left all the furniture the way it was when they first ar-

rived.

“I moved my loft over so I could plug my phone in easier, but I left everything else here the same,” freshman Mariah Frank said.

For many students, their favorite decorations are their photos of friends and family, which they placed or hung up around their room. For Wrage, her favorite decorations are her plants and Columbian flag.

Sophomore Sophia Lee also gave a different response stating her favorite decoration was her setup for where she does Zoom classes.

“I put little Christmas lights, the white ones, around my desk area so it’s a little bit easier to see my face when I’m in Zoom calls,” Lee said.

To bring more light into the room, Lee also mentioned how she placed another set of lights in a zigzag pattern on her wall to fill up more space.

“I had a lot of wall space and I didn’t know how to use it exactly,” Lee said, “and I

wanted to make my room feel a bit more comfy.”

Thankfully, the way people decorated their dorms was one thing that was not altered for students because of COVID. Every student interviewed stated they were still able to organize and decorate their room how they originally planned.

Many students have also decorated the outside of their dorms as well. Students have already started spreading Halloween vibes across campus by hanging various spooky decorations on their doors. Other decorations found outside students’ dorms include “Where am I?” signs, dry erase boards, personal artwork, and bags full of little gifts such as candy for people passing by to take.

Students have been very creative with their windows as well. Many of them are either also decorated for Halloween or filled with sticky notes arranged in words to communicate with one another.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Vikings Fall in Seattle After Late 4th-and-Inches Stop The Minnesota Vikings were running hard, the rain in Seattle was falling harder, and a few more inches on fourth down for Alexander Mattison would’ve handed the Seahawks their first loss.

That last yard proved to be the hardest to get.

Russell Wilson then sent the Vikings home with yet another wrenching loss in Seattle.

“That was a great situation to just end the game, and it’s on us as an offense,” wide receiver Adam Thielen said after the 27-26 defeat. “We need one yard, and we’ve got to get that done, to end it with us as the offense on the field.”

After watching their 13-0 lead vanish after Dalvin Cook left the game with a groin injury, the Vikings delivered a remarkable response to the 21-13 deficit they faced late in the third quarter. Kirk Cousins connected with Thielen for two touchdowns to retake the lead with 7:13 remaining.

Five plays later, an interception by linebacker Eric Wilson, who had the game of his career, gave the Vikings the ball back at midfield. Mattison smashed his way through the Seahawks on four straight carries for 39 yards.

As the 2-minute warning arrived, the Vikings faced fourth-and-inches at the 6.

With no fans at normally raucous CenturyLink Field, coach Mike Zimmer opted to go for the first down rather than kick an easy field goal that would have pushed the lead from five points to eight.

“We came here to win, so I’m not going to second guess any of that stuff,” said Zimmer, whose decision to try a 2-point conversion that failed late in the third quarter and left the Vikings trailing 21-19 wound up being the one that made more of an impact.

Mattison, who had a career-high 112 rushing yards on 20 carries, plus three catch-

es for 24 yards, followed Pro Bowl fullback C.J. Ham on the fateful fourth-down play and was stuffed at the point of attack by Bobby Wagner and Benson Mayowa.

“One more play. One more yard. One more stop. Things like that. It’s just we’re so close, and that’s probably why it’s so disappointing, it’s so frustrating, it’s humbling, honestly,” Thielen said.

Had Mattison veered slightly to the right of Ham, he likely would’ve scored untouched.

“Good backs, you don’t question them too much,” Zimmer said. “You just let them do what they do, and he’s a good back.”

Then Wilson engineered a 94-yard drive the other way for the win with a pair of fourth-down conversions, including the go-ahead 6-yard toss to D.K. Metcalf with 20 seconds left.

The Vikings fell to 0-7 against Wilson since he entered the league in 2012, with five of those losses coming under Zimmer. This was their third loss at Seattle in three years, this one by far the most crushing.

“You’re helpless at that point just watching,” Cousins said, adding: “You hate to put it in the defense’s hands like that, because as an offense you want to be able to make the plays and not ask them to have to get that stop. We’d love to be there on the field making it happen at the end.”

The momentum shift in the third quarter was about as sharp as the rules of the sport could possibly allow, a 21-0 surge by the Seahawks that took only 1:53 off the clock.

The Vikings picked right up on defense by forcing a threeand-out on the first possession, but Cameron Dantzler was penalized for an illegal block during the punt return that pushed them back to their 15yard line.

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is brought down by the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Variety

MSU Reporter • 11

With ‘Dreams’ and Juice, Idaho Man Finds Online Fame Warehouse worker Nathan Apodaca is enjoying the ride of online fame from a 22-second TikTok video in which he chugs cranberry juice and sings along to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” while cruising down an Idaho highway atop a longboard.

The video has racked up more than 33 million views and counting since he posted it last month, with thousands of others posting their own versions, including politicians and even Mick Fleetwood.

“I’ve just been getting flooded with everybody, even just a little boy drinking juice,” he said from the RV where he lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho. “I think I’ve even seen a dog on a skateboard rolling around with some juice taped to him or something. It’s insane.”

Apodaca, 37, said his vehicle broke down Sept. 25, so he skated to work, singing, filming and drinking as he went.

He almost didn’t post the clip, but broke into a smile when all the views and likes started to roll in — more than a million after he’d ended his shift that day.

“I’m just happy that I could bring everybody just a chance to smile, just in all this chaos that’s going on right now,” he said. “I’m glad I can just let everybody just take time out and just breathe.”

Ocean Spray, whose cranberry juice Apodaca is seen swigging in the video, latched

This Oct. 6, 2020 photo released by Ocean Spray shows Nathan Apodaca holding his skateboard while standing in the back of a truck with Ocean Spray products in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Apodaca is enjoying fame from a 22-second TikTok video in which he chugs cranberry juice and sings along to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” while cruising down an Idaho highway atop a longboard. The video has racked up 28 million views and counting since he posted it last month. Ocean Spray, whose juice Apodaca is seen swigging in the video, gave him a new truck stocked with juice this week. (Wesley White/Ocean Spray via AP)

on to the moment as a marketing opportunity. This week the company gave him a new truck filled with as much juice as he could drink. His daughter, who had been helping him track interview requests and online donations, knocked at the door.

“I go outside and yeah, there’s just all these camera people everywhere. I was just like, ‘What the heck! This is like Publishers Clearing House!’ I’m like ‘Did I just win a check?’ Yeah, the truck and the juice was wow, that was just amazing,” he said.

Streams of the 1977 Fleetwood Mac track have soared, and band co-founder Mick Fleetwood posted his own video emulating Apodaca’s. The 73-year-old drummer wrote on TikTok: ”@420doggface208 had it right. Dreams and Cranberry just hits different.”

Apodaca says he’s hoping for additional partnerships with Ocean Spray but doesn’t have a grand plan to capitalize on his newfound fame.

“I hear of things coming up,” he said. “But if this just stops right now, I’m fine with it.”

The day they were served, Oct. 4, was National Taco Day, and the dining hall served many types of “tacos,” including dessert tacos at creations.

Many students were also

fans of the mashed potatoes, reiterating that they would eat most any meal that included mashed potatoes.

The Dining Center has many options, many of which

are widely enjoyed by students. There are, however, a handful that many seem to drift towards when they are available, some common comforts enjoyed holistically.

FOOD Continued from page 10 in more hungry students.

Another popular answer among students was the chicken nuggets from the grill line, which visibly rings true on nugget days; that line tends to

be a long one.

Student Alec Gullerud mentioned the gyros hosted at Classics a week or so ago, stating they “slapped,” which was echoed by fellow students.

Answers for Last Week’s Crossword!

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12 • MSU Reporter

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Tuesday, October 13, 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