Thursday, November 5, 2009
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
H1N1 and other flu strains widespread on campus Many MSU students have suffered from H1N1 LAUREN MEYER
staff writer
wale agboola • msu reporter Human biology junior Michelle Nelson keeps healthy by using hand sanitizer, which the university has made available to students at various spots around campus.
MSSA discusses Latino Center and CAP MATT SAUER
staff writer
Wednesday’s Minnesota State Student Association meeting was another controversial one, with continued discussion regarding the proposed Latino Center in the CSU and the department location of MSU’S College Access Program. Also on the agenda was a motion to draft the process for setting student course fees, and a campus magazine for feminist students. Yesterday’s meeting began with a lengthy discussion by Vice President of Institutional Diversity Dr. Michael Fagin, who spoke of his involvement
with the CAP program. “[CAP] is one of the leading access programs in the nation,” said Fagin. “We’ve succeeded in taking underprivileged and under recognized students and helping them to become successful. Most universities are built to serve middle America, and this brings challenges to first-generation college students, students of color, and lowincome students.” CAP is a program created to work with under represented high school students of various ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds by providing college preparation, planned activities directly related to
academic pursuits, and support for students. In a related motion during Wednesday’s meeting, the senate voted to recommend that the CAP program be moved from its location in the College of Education to a spot in the Student Support Services Department. This decision comes in the face of past controversy regarding the program’s department location. CAP’s current location implies to some that students in the program are receiving preferential treatment. “[The college of education] is
The H1N1 flu pandemic is rapidly affecting students, staff and faculty at Minnesota State. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recently confirmed that H1N1 flu is in all 50 states and the majority of reported cases have been from those ages 25 and under. More than 1,000 deaths have been reported since June in 46 states, and in Minnesota there have been 611 confirmed H1N1 hospitalization cases as well as 11 deaths to date. President Obama recently declared H1N1 a national emergency, and MSU President Richard Davenport sent an e-mail
to all students. MSU is doing all it can to mount efforts to contain and protect its students against the dangerous flu pandemic. This week the on-campus Health PRO’s organization teamed up with Student Health Services handing out free “sniffle kits” to students to keep when they start feeling symptoms of the cold or flu. The kits include Kleenex, cough drops, Tylenol, ibuprofen, hand sanitizer wipes, and a thermometer. “We just want to help out students and give them products and resources to help them feel better,” said Kristi Rolek, a fifthyear student at MSU finishing her
H1N1 / page 3
Creamed for a good cause
MSSA / page 4
Assaults have some students on edge NICOLE SMITH
editor in chief
index
Two sexual assaults have occurred in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Mankato, each incident about a month apart. The most recent incident, which occurred during the early morning hours on Oct. 25 on the 100 block of Grove Street had similarities to the Editorial...................................6 Sports......................................9 Variety....................................12 Classifieds.............................15 ...................................................
previous incident. In each, the suspect was identified as a Hispanic male in his late 20s estimated to be around 5-feet-9-inches and 160 pounds. The incidents also occurred during the early morning hours in the same area of town. The victims of both incidents were women in their early 20s. The police have not confirmed that these cases are
related and are investigating each case separately. “There’s nothing new to report,” said Detective Cmdr. Matt DuRose of the Mankato Police Department. “We are still trying to piece together the evidence and talk to people in the neighborhood. We treat them as separate instances until
Oscar Meyer Weinermobile cruises through campus
In-depth look at MSU football receiving court
Open forum to be held Monday
Underground emcees play at What’s Up Lounge
Variety, page 12
Sports, page 9
News, page 5
Variety, page 12
On edge / page 4
submitted photo Lori Woodward, director of the Centennial Student Union, agreed to be pied in the face Tuesday at the United Way’s “Pie your Senator” after vending machine contractor Mike Lavigne offtered to pay $100 to throw a pie at a member of the administration.