2011-3

Student columnists share humble feelings and the power of adapting

Introducing a new student organization, Hope Within U

Privately funded scholarships available to students

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METROPOLITAN THE

The

Metropolitan

State

University

Student

BY TORLEIF SORENSON Sorensto@go.metrostate.edu

Newspaper

Volume 19 Number 7 March 2011

The State of the University

Dr. Sue K. Hammersmith, president of Metropolitan State University, offers students and staff a look at the current and highly-anticipated future of the University.

“This is a really significant period of development for the University,” said Hammersmith. “On so many fronts, we’re just taking things up to the next level. We’re doing a lot on the student affairs side to provide better services for the students applying to come in and we’re looking at how to enhance enrollment management. This is because our applications for fall are up another eight percent and our enrollments this spring are up over five percent. This fall, 97 percent of our enrolling students are transfer students,” said the president, echoing a statistic she noted in her inaugural address on Oct. 2, 2009.

The University’s online classes are becoming more popular—Hammersmith pointed out that Metropolitan State now has online students from almost all of Minnesota’s 87 counties, including those involved in a degree-completion program offered in cooperation with Schwan’s Food Company in Marshall.

“Every single semester we keep seeing that what we offer is what more students want,“ said Hammersmith. “That’s a challenge because you have to keep providing good services while facing the enrollment growth, both geographically and in terms of the growing needs for adult learners.”

Across Sixth Construction on the extension to St. John’s Hall is expected to be complete by the time fall classes begin in August. In addition to

St. Paul Campus construction from Seventh Street.

Photo by Torleif Sorenson

more classroom and office space, the extension will also provide new small-group seminar facilities and an at-grade connection to the skyway over Seventh Street. Now that construction is well underway and the last remnants of the old St. John’s Hospital are gone, Hammersmith said she is “absolutely ecstatic” about the construction.

Next on the priority list is a new science classroom building across Sixth Street from Founders Hall. The University already owns the vacant land on that block and the purchase of the adjacent postal workers’ union

New Dean of Students, new approach

BY REBEKAH PAHR

filed the “Not-so-Fine Arts Studio” in The Metropolitan’s July-August 2009 edition; available online at http://TheMetropolitan.metrostate.edu/July2009/072009009.html.

Growing pains The University’s leases on classroom and office space at both the ETC building on Energy Park Drive and Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) have been renewed until 2013, but Hammersmith

University

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Egypt: then and now

BY RENEE NOREN Norere@go.metrostate.edu

Pahrre@go.metrostate.edu

The role of Dean of Students at Metropolitan State University has not been officially filled for over three years. Cecilia Stanton was recently appointed to the position and has confidently stepped into the part. She identified and defined some of the goals that she hopes to accomplish for Metropolitan State students.

Stanton says she was initially attracted to the position because of the non-traditional nature and diversity of Metropolitan State students. She identifies with the unique challenges that most students face who are juggling multiple priorities in addition to their education goals.

“When I was a student I was also a young mother and obtaining my degree required lots of multi-tasking and balancing additional responsibilities,” Stanton said. She claims she would not have accomplished what she has without the support of faculty and staff during her journey. The first in her family to get a degree, Stanton initially earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and later obtained two master’s degrees— one in sociology and the other in industrial sociology with a specialty in diversity.

Providing a strong support system for students resonates with Stanton because

building should be complete within a couple of months. The plan is to build the new science classroom facility by 2015, complete with a skyway bridge to Founders Hall.

“The addition of this building will enable us to provide science education for students far beyond what we can do now—and that’s very important in this economy and in the Twin Cities,” said Hammersmith.

She also noted that replacement of the Center for Community-Based Learning and the dilapidated Fine Arts Studio are highly desired and anticipated. Patrick Loch pro-

she feels it is a crucial feature for student success. “[I am] focused on expanding and improving the services and programs that are available to students at Metropolitan State,” said Stanton.

Stanton’s most aggressive challenge is to increase the student population at Metropolitan State by 20,000 students by the year 2020. Stanton is optimistic that she and her team can meet this goal. “Metropolitan State is in the unique position of being both in an urban location and an accessible option for many students—it’s actually growing in almost all enrollment categories,” said Stanton. Some of these categories include returning veterans as well as rapidly expanding numbers of international students.

Unfortunately, Stanton added, the resources that are available to the University are not increasing in relation to student growth. Facing state budget cuts and shrinking allocations for programs, her team has been forced to be more creative while building and strengthening resources for students.

New approach

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Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak was President of Egypt for almost thirty years. He succeeded President Anwar Sadat—who was assassinated in 1981—setting Egypt on a path that ultimately led to the revolution which resulted in Mubarak’s resignation on Feb. 11.

Mubarak’s rule, described by many as a dicta-

Egyptians celebrating after Mubarak’s resignation.

Photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

torship, ultimately led to the dissolution of basic civil rights for Egyptians. In 1958, the Emergency Law was established and was reinstated in Mubarak’s first term. This law restricted many basic rights provided in Egypt’s constitution and gave the government authority to torture, mistreat, and detain persons at will.

According to the U.S. Department of State (USDOS), “... hundreds, perhaps thousands, of persons have been detained administratively in recent years under the Emergency Law on suspicion of terrorist or political activity.” Egyptian Penal Code’s definition of terrorism included “spreading panic” and “obstructing the work of authorities.” Victims reported that Egyptian police subjected them to methods of torture including being “stripped and blindfolded; suspended from a ceiling or doorframe with feet just touching the floor; beaten with fists, whips, metal rods, or other objects; subjected to electrical shocks; and doused with cold water.”

The Emergency Law also empowered the government to place wiretaps, intercept mail, search persons or places without warrants, and restrict freedom of assembly. The Egyptian government also restricted religious practices that conflicted

Egypt

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The Metropolitan

BY ALEXANDRA HEDIN

http://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu

Free money available for academic expenses

Hedial@go.metrostate.edu

Each year, the Metropolitan State University Foundation offers approximately 25 scholarships for enrolled students. Last year alone, the Foundation awarded over $200,000 in private funds. Starting Tuesday, March 1, the Foundation will begin accepting applications for a wide variety of privately funded scholarships to be used during the 2011-2012 academic year. Students should act fast and apply, as the deadline is noon on Friday, April 22. Late applications will not be accepted.

Taking the time and effort to apply for these scholarships can benefit the student in many different ways. “Scholarships are automatically applied to tuition and fees, first,” says Debra Vos, Foundation associate director. “That generally takes care of the awards, but if there is anything left, we first try to roll them over to the following semester.” Vos also explained that excess funds can be applied to other educationrelated expenses.

Each scholarship has different criteria re-

garding requirements and who can apply for them. Typically, students will need to write an essay with their application. Students who are not necessarily strong writers need not be afraid. “The Writing Center is willing to assist students if they need help with their essays,” says Kendra Bakken, office manager of the Metropolitan State Foundation.

A transcript and résumé are common items that need to be submitted with a scholarship application. Metropolitan State students with an established g.p.a. can submit an unofficial transcript with their application. If a g.p.a. has not yet been established at Metropolitan State, an official transcript from the previously attended institution is required.

“It benefits the student that they really take the time to put the effort into it, to make sure that they do it right the first time,” says Vos. “Students should make sure that the essay actually addresses the questions that are being asked in the application, and that

it’s not just a cookie-cutter essay that is being sent out with several applications.”

Students can easily apply for these scholarships online at the Metropolitan State Web site. “Students can go to the Financial Aid Web site and click on scholarships,” says Bakken. “My recommendation is that students always leave the fields that are denoted there, as ‘All,’ so they can see all options.” This way, students can also see available scholarships from external sources.

Hard copies of applications can be mailed or delivered to the Foundation/University Advancement Division, located on the second floor of Founders Hall.

Students will need to make sure that their student records are up-to-date as well, especially regarding addresses and contact information. The Foundation needs a way to contact finalists for interviews or if additional details are needed. Some scholarships also require a student to live in a certain geographic area. “We do pull from the Integrated State-wide Records System(ISRS),

to get verification of g.p.a.s, majors, and addresses,” says Bakken. “If ISRS doesn’t reflect the same information as the student notes on their application, we need to go with ISRS information.”

If the scholarship is for majors in a particular academic area, students also need to make sure that they have actually declared a major, which can be done by working with a student advisor. “All of this is time very well spent,” says Vos. “Most applications are not that complex and the application process is not as daunting as it seems.”

International students can also apply for these scholarships, unless the application says that the student must be a resident of the United States. International students seeking assistance can take their application to Kamal Elbasher, Metropolitan State’s international student advisor. “The resources are there, if in doubt,” says Vos. For more information, e-mail Kendra Bakken at kendra.bakken@metrostate.edu or Debra Vos at Deb.Vos@metrostate.edu.

New approach

continued from page 1 The biggest day-to-day challenge for Stanton is to make sure that students have a holistic approach to their education. “All the factors involved in a student’s life are considered and given equal weight,” said Stanton. “While career goals are significant, it’s also important that the other pieces are acknowledged. Students may work full or part-time, or juggle families and caretaker responsibilities—it’s not enough to discuss one goal.”

Stanton says this approach can be achieved by “talking about everything that impacts your life and creating a space for your academics.” This often means taking on non-traditional ways of meeting the challenges that students may face in a given day. Stanton said that the opening of the Vet Center this past semester is one example of meeting this challenge. The Veteran’s and Military Student Services Center increased student connectedness and provides a network of resources to ease the veteran-tostudent transition.

Another project that Stanton is working on is the issue of overall student health and wellness. She is looking into opportunities for Metropolitan State to assist students towards taking care of themselves. “For many busy students, health often becomes their last priority,” Stanton said. Metropolitan State will be conducting a health survey to find the best ways to offer health and wellness resources to students.

Stanton says it’s especially important to take a unique approach to cultural programs by involving students, staff and faculty to participate and learn how diversity impacts multiple areas of study. One program in February (in partnership with the Diversity Learning Task Force) is the Anti-LGBT Bullying initiative—which includes a film viewing and panel discussion that students in the urban teaching program can attend to create learning experiences and interactions that happen outside of the classroom.

For more information, contact Cecilia.stanton@metrostate.edu.

For information regarding upcoming programs, contact Cultural.events@ metrostate.edu.

Reminder: We’re online!

Visit http://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu to view archived articles, see staff information and check out our new calendar!

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The Butterfly Initiative

BY RANDI JOHNSON

Johnra01@go.metrostate.edu Say goodbye to the outdated e-mail system and the slow-moving environment that students are currently accessing; Metropolitan State University is beginning to spread its wings.

With the current environment being “fragile” and “prone to frequent outages,” the Information Technology (IT) Services department at Metropolitan State has taken on an aggressive tactical plan to update the IT infrastructure. In October 2010, the Butterfly Initiative was approved.

The Butterfly Initiative takes its name from the stage of metamorphosis that a caterpillar goes through to become an adult butterfly.

According to the executive summary of the Butterfly Initiative, the IT environment will become a “modern and more agile environment by way of a period of rapid and profound transformation.”

At the time of proposal, the cost of the Butterfly Initiative ranged from $150,000$300,000 for a nine-month plan of implementation; the funds were already allocated in Fiscal Year 2011 to pursue work. The completion date for The Butterfly Initiative is scheduled for June 30, 2011 for a complete migration from Novell to Microsoft.

In nine months, IT Services expects to have three project groups completed.

The first is to replace the existing Novell platform with a Microsoft solution. Microsoft is the (market-leading) platform for directory services and e-mail infrastructure and the most logical choice for a new, stable platform. In fact, most schools within Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) have already migrated away from Novell to Microsoft. In addition, a Microsoft platform will allow better integration of Apple products, which many members within the University community use.

This new platform includes a user account database, a new e-mail services for faculty and staff and a new e-mail service for students. The database will replace the existing Novell eDirectory Services with Microsoft Active Directory. In January 2011, Dell was selected as the contractor to assist with the migration to Microsoft.

On Dec. 17, 2010, the Student Senate

This visual representation of the Butterfly Initiative shows how the University community can measure progress.

voted to select Microsoft Live@edu (http:// my.liveatedu.com for more information) as the e-mail solution for student e-mail. Cited as due to extreme cost, student mailboxes will not be migrated. By late spring of 2011, students will begin using Live@edu; by fall semester, all students will be using the program for e-mail and calendars. The service also provides 25GB of Web-accessible file storage that can be used both on-and offcampus.

The second project listed by IT Services is to replace the web platform into a public

Back home to my people Student essay

BY JAMES JONES

Joneja@go.metrostate.edu The day came to board the plane to arrive in San Diego, California for the 2010 National Indian Education Association (NIEA) conference. Anxiety, curiosity, and the need to be around our own people were overwhelming. The officers for VOICES (Voices of Indian Counsel for Educational Success), including Lynn Braveheart, Deanna Rae Standing Cloud, Natchez Beaulieu and myself were feeding off the energy we were giving back to the earth. We had agendas in our hands, time frames, schedules and unmatched love for our student organization, our school and our families.

As we arrived at the hotel to settle in, I could feel a difference in the air.

Time and space came to a standstill.

We call this Indian Time. It means the work will get done; we’ll be where we need to be, as soon as we feel like it. The beauty of California, Native Peoples, different clans, and legendary tribes surrounded us. We each carried a story in the depths of our eyes.

I arrived early to check in for the conference. Excitement and nervousness filled my blood. I keenly gazed to see if maybe—just maybe—there was anyone from my tribe in attendance. But, no luck.

Jim Yellow Hawk stopped me suddenly on my way to the first conference. He asked me if we had met before. I stared for what seemed like an eternity and remembered he came to one of my high schools to lecture in 1996. He asked me

to sit me down and tell my story. As I explained to him in detail, I could see he was a story collector, like me. We listen to our stories to learn from them.

He pointed out quickly the opportunities I passed, but never recognized.

He helped me understand that I was very lucky to be there with him and that point in time. I was at home. It was like having a father for a brief second. My whole painful past was blown away in a deep breath as Jim told me that I have power but I use it in the wrong ways.

He then proceeded to teach me the ways of a presenter. I was dumbfounded. He taught me that it is vital to be approachable and understood as a leader or diplomat.

Over the course of the conference, Jim asked me to join him from presentation to presentation. He took me under his wing. I learned so much about leadership qualities from this man. In less than a day, I processed information differently, and my eyesight was clearer than ever before. It was like seeing for the first time. I was awakened by something I couldn’t explain.

I felt I was part of something I lost or ran away from as a young man.

The NIEA conference not only changed events in my history, but it gave me faith and hope that I, as a leader, can change someone else’s history.

Web management. The existing solution, Serena Collage, is cited as “dead-ended,” as it is no longer being sold and there is no longer any support available. This infrastructure system manages and presents Web pages for Metropolitan State’s public Web site. Another complaint among students is the constant problems with the NetDirect Web portal.

The final project is to upgrade the desktop systems. Desktop management will be moved from Novell ZenWorks to Microsoft Systems Center Configuration Manager

(SCCM), which is a server–based deployment of applications.

Metropolitan State will also be migrated from Windows XP to Windows 7, dependent upon all previous projects and combined with the transition to Microsoft Active Directory. Along with this upgrade is the upgrade to IE 8 or 9 and from Microsoft Office 2007 to Microsoft Office 2010.

The Metropolitan will follow these changes in the IT Services department to see how they impact students. Look for an update on the Butterfly Initiative each month.

Ireland: the creative migrant

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Metropolitan State! James Rogers, from the Center for Irish Studies at the University of Saint Thomas, will be on campus to speak about the Irish Diaspora and how it has expressed itself in literature, music, politics and religion—as well as in families and neighborhoods.

This presentation will consider how the

people of a small island on the western edge of Europe came to be historically and genealogically written into the history of many other lands, especially the United States.

The event will take place on Wed., March 16 in the Library room 302 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP to cultural.events@metrostate.edu or (651)-793-1507. The event is open to the public.

MSVN and its VP recognized for outstanding contributions to Metropolitan State The Metropolitan would like to congratulate the Metropolitan State University Veterans Network (MSVN) and its new vice president, Alex Kempe, on being named Outstanding Student Organization of the Month and Outstanding Student Leader of the Month for March of 2011.

MSVN was practically a nonexistent group on campus until a group of Metropolitan State students came together to revive the organization. Recently, MSVN opened the new Veterans Center and hosted a kickoff dinner featuring the original Tuskegee Airmen. MSVN was also honored by the Postmaster of St. Paul, District 5 commander of the American Legion, and the National Guard for their help in the Shop, Ship, and Share event that distributed 50 of the 680 boxes collected to deployed Minnesota military members.

Kempe was instrumental in the success of

Shop, Ship, and Share by helping make sure that each campus had a location to collect items. He also volunteered to help lead the way in boxing donated items at the Rosedale Mall. Kempe is an advocate for new veterans by assisting during breakout sessions held during new student orientation at Metropolitan State.

The Outstanding Student Leader and Student Organization of the Month Award program is done for the year and will start up again in the fall. The winners of February and March will automatically be put into nomination for our 13th Annual President’s Student Leadership Awards Banquet. Nominations will be accepted for the annual banquet from February 21 until noon on April 4.

Contact Student Life and Leadership Development for nomination forms either by phone (651) 793-1551 or by e-mail at student.life@metrostate.edu.

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http://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu

New student organization offers hope News in Brief Your information destination for Metropolitan State’s student organizations.

Photo courtesy of http://hopewithinu.weebly.com

BY DIANA NEUERBURG

Alcohol and Drug Counseling Student Club (ADC) ADC will be meeting several times in the coming months. Meetings are provide opportunities for networking with fruture co-workers, learning the steps to earning your license, discussion of class materials, community service work and more. Challenges in the field regarding self care, record keeping, professional demeanor, ethics and referrals will also be discussed. Spring meeting dates are: • March 17 • April 21 • May 19 Meetings will be held in Library room 301 from 4:30-6 p.m. on the dates listed. A light dinner will be provided. For more information, email Alex Davis at davial@ go.metrostate.edu.

Alumni Association President Sue Hammersmith and Al Uniacke invite alumni to attend a live broadcast performance by the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday, March 19 at the Marcus Oakdale Theatre. $18 per person. For more information, contact Maureen Acosta at maureen.acosta@metrostate.edu.

Also, next fall begins the celebration of Metropolitan State’s 40th Anniversary and the Alumni Association is gearing up. To help, nominate a graduate who has made a difference in their community or career. The deadline is April 30, 2011.

Finally, the Alumni Association will be publishing two special anniversary issues of the alumni magazine this year. Each issue will feature interviews with faculty, staff and alumni who were key to the history of the University. The AA wants to hear your opinions about someone who played a role in our history. To share their name, e-mail alumni.relations@ metrostate.edu and tell us why you consider them person a key person in Metropolitan State’s history.

Muslim Student Organization The Muslim Student Organization invites you to their upcoming event about Islam and the environment.

It will be featuring speaker Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, author of the acclaimed book, “GreenDeen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet”. The event will be held on Monday, March 21, 2011 in the Library’s EcoLab, room 302 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://mso.metrostate. edu.

Neuedi@go.metrostate.edu

On Jan. 28, the Student Senate approved the start-up of a new student organization called Hope Within U. The organization’s goal is to promote the physical and mental well-being of the students at Metropolitan State University. Mohammad Zafar, the tentative president of the organization, says that many students, young and old, have bad habits (or “triggers,” as he calls them), and as we get older, these tend to stay with us. Hope Within U aims to help students of all ages learn healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life on an individual and academic level.

The three main ways in which Hope Within U will accomplish these goals include: “Students Empowering Students,” where students with experience in yoga, sports, motivational speaking, etc., can help other students who wish to live healthier; “Circle of New U,” which would create support groups of people experiencing the same health issues (cancer patients, for example); and a third which would utilize guest speakers, workshops, trips, etc.

For example, Dr. Gary Carlson, an herbal M.D. at the Allina medical clinic in Northfield, is expected to speak on March 14 at the St. Paul Campus in library room 302 at 4:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Hope Within U and is sponsored by the Psychology Club. Zafar says he believes that student organization collaboration is beneficial to the overall experience of every student attending Metropolitan State University.

Zafar, a current graduate student in com-

munity psychology at Metropolitan State, came up with the idea after being inspired by a letter he received from an elderly student.

The letter was written in response to the Fall 2010 issue of the alumni publication Buzz Magazine, in which Zafar wrote: “None of us were here 100 years ago and none of us will be here 100 years from now… Be humble and be proud to be alive, and if you really want to be proud of something, then leave something behind that all can benefit from.” (to see the rest of Zafar’s interview, visit https://db.metrostate.edu/webapps/drep/BuzzFall2010.pdf ). The elderly student informed Zafar that she is an 81-year-old graduate and “it’s never too late.”

This experience (along with several others—including his own experience as a veteran) inspired Zafar to start Hope Within U. He hopes to leave something behind that every student can benefit from now and in the future. Zafar also works in Disability Services and TRio, offering a veteran’s perspective at Metropolitan State. He says he’s often wondered how students with disabilities experience the school’s environment. “No one really talks about it,” Zafar said. “They just want to make sure they [students with disabilities] have equal access and are accommodated with things like wheelchair accessibility… but how is this person feeling?”

With help from Nancy Walter, president of the psychology club and an acting officer of Hope Within U, Zafar began recruiting help from other University staff. Both Dr. Mark

Stasson, professor of psychology, and Dr. Ellen Schultz, advisor to the Nursing Student Organization and professor of nursing, have been recruited to serve as Hope Within U’s advisors. Vice president of Student Affairs Trenda Boyum-Breen, Dean of Students Cecilia Stanton, and director of Counseling and Career Services Vesna Hampel-Kozar, also offered Zafar feedback during the creative process. Veteran Student Network President Lisa Ghylin assisted in editing the Web site.

As president of the Muslim Student Organization, Zafar says he realizes that longevity is an important aspect of any student organization. “The door is always open, you just have to fight to find it,” said Zafar. “We had an option to stand up and do something. I knew that a student organization would be successful in the long-run.”

All Metropolitan State students are encouraged to participate in Hope Within U’s activities and events. In March, Hope Within U will be hosting a “kick-off” event that will feature Metropolitan State’s social science professor Monte Bute as speaker. Hope Within U also plans to host a health expo on the St. Paul Campus on April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m in the Great Hall. Zafar says his future goal is to hold a free clinic where the University’s counseling and health services can get involved in assisting students with life issues and stress management.

For more information on Hope Within U and upcoming events, visit http://hopewithinu. weebly.com.

Strengthen Your Success Skills Workshop Series The Success Skills Series is a collaboration between Counseling and Career Services, TRiO and Disability Services. For more information call (651) 793-1528. Persons with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in this event must call Disability Services at (651) 793-1549 or (651) 772-7687.

February 28 - April 18 Sessions are from 4-5:30 p.m.

St. John’s Hall, Room L11 This workshop is open to all students. In each session there will be students with strengths in the topic, others who are okay but could use a few tips and others for whom this is a struggle. We will provide helpful info to students at all stages.

Session 1: February 28 - Learn about your values and learning styles and how they impact your motivation and academic abilities.

Session 2: March 14 - Learn about your interpersonal style and how to communicate better with others. Also, learn energy management tools for improving your academic performance.

Session 3: March 21 - Now that you know more about your personal style, learn how you can use your time in a way that works for your style.

Session 4: March 28 - Bet you didn’t know there are better ways to take notes and read books that work for your style.

Session 5: April 4 - Learn more about tests, how to study for tests and take tests better, including how to reduce your test anxiety.

Session 6: April 11 - Learn tools for collecting information for projects and papers, and how to avoid plagiarism.

Session 7: April 18 - Follow-up session for students who attended three or more sessions. Ask questions and fine-tune your new skills. Pizza will be provided. Students who attend all seven sessions will get a new USB drive.

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Scots bring arena rock to 7th Street Entry

DAVID JARNSTROM Jarnda@go.metrostate.edu

I first heard Biffy Clyro in 2005 while I was on tour in the UK with my old band, Gratitude. The Scottish power trio played the Reading and Leeds festivals at the same time as we, and I heard snippets of their set as I roamed the grounds. Their jagged, quirky sound caught my ear and I filed their bizarre name away for future inspection.

Six years later, Biffy Clyro has achieved the level of arena-rock status in much of Western Europe. If you’ve never heard the band, imagine a potpourri of Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and fellow British brethren Muse. But while the latter opts for a rather accent-neutral (albeit operatic) vocal style, Biffy Clyro singer/guitarist Simon Neil lets his raw Scottish voice rip without apology— maybe more so than any popular rock band since 80s powerhouse Big Country.

I was shocked to find that “The Biff” had achieved such mass appeal, being that their songs tend to be extremely quirky. But it’s evident on their latest release (2009’s Only Revolutions) that the band has graduated to a bigger, poppier, and more triumphant sound—one that may finally pave the way for American crossover success.

Unfortunately, on Sunday Feb. 20, Biffy Clyro played to a half-full 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis. This was partially due to their cultlevel of fandom in the States, but also because of a day-long blizzard that laid waste to the metro area. A quick Twitter check revealed that several ticketholders were stranded at home (I barely made it myself, getting stuck a couple of times on my way to First Avenue).

Even opening act Moving Mountains cancelled due to the dangerous travel conditions.

Those who braved the trek were treated to an almost two-hour Wembley Stadium-sized rock concert crammed into the cozy confines of one of the smallest clubs in town. The Biff—comprised of front man Neil and twinbrother rhythm section of Ben (drums) and

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The Metropolitan

James (bass) Johnston—ripped through their 23-song set with the urgency of a band playing their last gig on Earth.

Any concerns I had of these guys mailing it in for such a small show were erased from the first note of “The Captain,” the swinging, stomping opening track from Only Revolutions. The shirtless, tattooed trio played nearly all of their latest release, including standout track “Bubbles,” an upbeat, tension-building tune that exploded into a half-time sing-along chorus reminiscent of a European soccer chant.

A friend of mine exclaimed, “I can’t believe there’s just three of them making all that sound!” I agreed. I kept listening for hints of pre-recorded backing tracks or perhaps an off-stage guitar player (they use a second guitarist—Mike Vennart of Oceansize—for live gigs across the pond), but I could detect no sign of cheating.

Neil was especially fantastic. The front man played his high-strung axes with flawless fluidity and dynamic control—seamlessly shifting from precise, note-ridden fretwork to meaty riffs. Bearing a slight resemblance to Charles Manson (it’s the hair and the beard) the svelte Scotsman also delivered a pitch-perfect vocal performance whilst spastically contorting and flailing about the tiny stage.

The two Johnstons were locked in airtight unison (must be handy to have twins on drums and bass). Much of Biffy’s signature sound revolves around the brothers’ tricky rhythmic tendencies. Equally impressive was how well the two harmonized and complemented Neil’s vocal. On the soaring “Mountains” (which reached #5 on the UK singles chart) the whole band belted out the mighty chorus: “I am the mountain, I am the sea, you can’t take that away from me!”

I got to thinking, “If this is how these guys bring it for 100 people on a snowy Sunday night in Minneapolis, how much energy do

reviews Staff

Shirtless Scotsman Biffy Clyro play to an intimate crowd in Minneapolis.

Photo by David Jarnstrom

they give when playing for tens of thousands at an outdoor festival in Glasgow or London?”

The Biff weren’t always cranked up to eleven, however. The band showcased a more vulnerable side with acoustic songs like the heartbreaking “Folding Stars” and “Machines,” both off of 2007’s oft-somber effort, Puzzle.

With the decibel-level down to a whisper, Neil’s earnest, sorrow-filled singing revealed a band that is capable of much more than just tricky math-rock and raucous sing-alongs.

There was little stage banter, though Neil

did offer up the obligatory “So where is Prince anyway?” query. The only mention of the snowstorm came late in the set. “Last time we played here the bridge fell because it was so hot,” said Johnson (the bass-playing version). “I swear we’re not bad luck!”

On the contrary, Biffy Clyro brought good vibes and broad smiles on a day when there was much to be annoyed by in the Twin Cities. Those in attendance will likely remember the intimate performance for some time, as The Biff will surely be playing a much larger venue the next go-around.

health

of it

For the

Love Your Body week encourages positive self-image

BY RANDI JOHNSON

Johnra01@go.metrostate.edu It’s a startling, yet eye-opening statistic: over 200,000 Minnesotans aged 10-65 struggle with an eating disorder.

Eating disorders—defined here as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder—affect an estimated 46,067 adult men and 99,044 adult women in Minnesota.

An estimated 38,996 adolescent females and 18,250 adolescent males are equally affected by eating disorders.

From Feb. 21-25, the counseling and career services department, the Universities Activities Board (UAB) and Culture Vulture at Metropolitan State University recognized Love Your Body week. Besides providing helpful information regarding making proper food choices, these departments also covered the climbing fee at Vertical Endeavors in St. Paul for some free rock-climbing in an effort to encourage exercise.

The dean of students office also took advantage of social networking sites to present weekly videos addressing topics related to body image, health and global issues of hunger and obesity.

Love Your Body week is part of the National Eating Disorder Awareness week (NEDA). For more information about NEDA, visit http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.

The Emily Program offers support and treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders.

In honor of Love Your Body week, The Emily Program shares eight essential facts about eating disorders:

They do not discriminate. Eating disorders affect females and males of any background, from preteen to senior. They disrupt the health and well-being of individuals, their families, and their communities.

They manifest across a wide spectrum of behaviors. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are not the only eating disorders. In fact, Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), compulsive overeating and binge eating disorders are more common than anorexia or bulimia.

They are prevalent. Conservative estimates suggest that approximately 3 percent of males and 6 percent of females struggle with an eating disorder. Among adolescents, the prevalence is 14 percent among females and 6.5 percent among males.

Their prevalence far exceeds treat-

ment resources. Eating disorders are as or more prevalent in the U.S. than breast cancer, HIV and schizophrenia. All deserve timely treatment. However, treatment and other resources for eating disorders are far less available than those for breast cancer, HIV and schizophrenia.

ing disorders can have multiple and sometimes irreversible physical consequences.

They are often accompanied by other issues. People with eating disorders sometimes struggle with other conditions, like chemical dependency, PTSD, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety disorder, morbid obesity, and other problems.

The hallmark of The Emily Program is personalized care for any individual struggling with eating disorders and related problems. “We think like people with eating disorders think,” says founder Dirk Miller, Ph.D., L.P. “We ‘are’ our clients. We know the changes people need to make to live through an eating disorder’s destructive patterns of thoughts and feelings. We know how to restore people to whole and happy lives.”

For more information about The Emily Program, visit www.emilyprogram.com or call (651) 6455323.

They have no single origin. Eating disorders are affected by, and affect in turn, biological, psychological, emotional, familial, cultural, spiritual, sexual, gender, and social factors.

They are deadly serious. Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. All eat-

Recovery is possible. Eating disorders don’t have to be a life-long struggle. With adequate support and treatment, people can recover.

Page 6 March 2011

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University

Egypt

continued from page 1 plans on vacating both facilities after that.

“We’re spending two million dollars per year on leased facilities—money we’ll never see again—and we cannot expand our offerings beyond what we’re doing because of limitations on those leases,” said Hammersmith. “In Midway, for example, most of the 40 classrooms cannot be used during the day because we don’t have parking privileges then. The lease agreement only permits us to use all those classrooms after 5 p.m. So we’re paying for space we can only partially use.”

2013 may seem far away, but for the University, it is practically tomorrow. Hammersmith’s first priority—replacing Midway and MCTC and becoming more physically visible and accessible by night and day—could be summed up by Horace Greeley’s most famous quotation—“Go West.”

Go West By 2013, Metropolitan State’s plan is to have permanent classroom and faculty office space in the highly-populated western suburbs, possibly in St. Louis Park. This is particularly important because no other four-year universities have a base west of downtown Minneapolis.

“The west-metro campus is very exciting,” said Hamersmith. “Initially we will be looking to lease, but the ideal would be a lease with the option to buy, although the MnSCU system has never done that before.

Historically the University has offered mostly evening and online classes, but our experience has been that when we expand daytime offerings, the students come. If we take the investment we’re already making, put it in a new location where we have the same number of classrooms—but can use them morning, afternoon and evening—we gain tremendous capacity.”

Another possibility is additional classroom space in Bloomington, perhaps in the area of the 28th Avenue light rail/park & ride station near Mall of America. This could appeal to Metropolitan State’s sizable number of students living south of the Minnesota and

continued from page 1 Mississippi Rivers.

Ahead of the game “Academically, we are also looking to expand the online options and graduate programs,” said Hammersmith. “The University faculty, staff and administrators are really finding new ways to work together and develop synergy, and I’m really pleased to see that. There’s a real commitment to becoming more transparent and more evidencedriven across the university.”

Another sign that Hammersmith is not just a run-of-the-mill university administrator is her understanding of Metropolitan State’s place in Minnesota’s education landscape. “We have a 250-year-old model of universities built for a certain purpose that is out of sync with what’s needed today,” said Hammersmith. “Your typical university is out in a small town or rural area with hundred-year-old buildings and that’s not where the students are anymore. Your typical university has almost all tenured faculty, which is a wonderful asset but doesn’t make it as easy to bring in new expertise that’s developing out in the field. The typical university still operates with print-based knowledge; that isn’t how knowledge develops or is disseminated anymore.

“If you look at the way Metropolitan State University operates, we are the answer to those problems,” Hammersmith continued.

“In our model, we have tenured faculty who do the things we need from tenured faculty,

and also community faculty who are bringing developments into the classroom and to our academic programs. By being, literally, a university without walls that is savvier about using Internet-accessible resources, we’re ahead of the game.”

The possibilities are endless Metropolitan State has a long history of establishing educational program alliances with companies and organizations, ranging from Schwan’s Food Company and Travelers Insurance, to the Peace Corps and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. Many medium- and large-sized companies have major offices and operations in the western Twin Cities suburbs.

Beyond the obvious potential to attract more students from these areas, a prominent, visible and easily accessible Metropolitan State campus there might make it easier for the University to develop alliances with private-sector companies. In turn, this may make developing additional professional and technical baccalaureate, graduate-level and doctoral programs more affordable and financially feasible.

With the economy still struggling and real estate prices lower than average, this might be the best time in a long time for the University to get some choice west-metro property and build a solid strategic and economic base for the future, while maintaining the well-developed plans for expanding the main campus in St. Paul.

with Islamic law, right to fair trial, and plays and films that did not meet censorship requirements.

They also controlled what was preached at over 82,000 mosques, convicted journalists for expressing their views on political and religious issues, and allowed marital rape to occur.

A USDOS report on human rights practices in 2004 stated: “Citizens did not have the meaningful right to change their government [because] the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) dominated the 454-seat People’s Assembly, the 264-seat Shura Council, local governments, the mass media, labor, and the large public sector, and controlled the licensing of new political parties, newspapers, and private organizations to such an extent that, as a practical matter, citizens did not have a meaningful ability to change their government.”

With Mubarak’s resignation and the dissolution of the Egyptian constitution and parliament on Feb. 13, there is widespread anticipation for the September parliamentary elections. Next is the process of rebuilding that comes after any revolution.

There is much speculation in the media that the U.S. played a key role in Mubarak’s resignation. Metropolitan State University Professor Thomas O’Connell (Ph.D. in political sociology) explained, “It will take a while to know what impact the U.S. had on the military and the Egyptian regime behind the scenes. As many of the demonstrators pointed out, however, this was an Egyptian movement. It’s the people of Egypt who made it happen and should get the credit.”

As far as how the revolution will affect American politics, O’Connell claimed that it’s still too early to tell. “If the military does turn over power and there is a relatively smooth transition to a more democratic system, I think that [will be] good for President Obama and much more importantly, the people of Egypt,” said O’Connell.

“As for its impact on American citizens, I think the example of a Muslim nation peacefully accomplishing a democratic revolution should lead to a more positive view of Muslims in general and people in the Middle East more specifically.”

Want to write for The Metropolitan?

Submission Guidelines In addition to being compensated for published works, submitting articles for publication in The Metropolitan student newspaper is an excellent way for you to build your portfolio of professional samples to show to prospective employers. Submissions from all students are welcome and encouraged.

You can submit works such as: • News writing • Student, faculty or alumni profiles • Reviews • Photography All article submissions should: • Be e-mailed as attachments to the editor • Be completed and submitted by the fifteenth of the month.

• Be submitted as a Microsoft Word Document.

• Be checked thoroughly for correct spelling of names.

• Be single-spaced • Be in paragraph format (indent three spaces).

• Include the author’s name and student email • Have only one space after each period.

• Students can only be paid for articles that exceed 350 words.

All photo submissions should be emailed as .tif or .eps attachments with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and include a description of the subject matter.

Submissions that do not meet these requirements may be rejected or returned to the writer or photographer for correction.

Compensation Requirements Metropolitan State University students are eligible for compensation for the following contributions: • $45.00 per published news article of at least 350 words.

• $15.00 per published photo.

• $15.00 per published cartoon.

For more information, visit the Web site at http://themetropolitan. metrostate.edu or e-mail Randi, The Metropolitan editor at johnra01@ go.metrostate.edu.

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Dental Hygiene department upcoming activities

Meet the first class of dental therapy students nearing completion of the master of science in oral health care practitioner program on March 25, 1–4 p.m. This session will be at Normandale Community College, Activities Building, room A2566. The discussion will include opportunities to learn about the new role of dental therapists and advanced dental therapists, professional goals and plans, and practicing with dual licensure as both a dental therapist and dental hygienist. Learn more about the exciting dental hygiene and oral health educational programs: • Baccalaureate degree completion in dental hygiene; • Post-baccalaureate certificate in collabora-

tive dental hygiene practice; and • Master of science in oral health care practitioner.

Web-based information sessions are 1 p.m. on April 15 and June 3. Register to attend by e-mailing betty.blazer@normandale.edu.

Internet and a landline phone are required.

Webcam is not needed. On-site information sessions are 6 p.m. on March 28, April 25, May 24, June 28 and July 26 in the Jodsaas Science Building, Room S2401, on the Normandale Community College Campus, 9700 France Ave. South, Minneapolis. For additional information contact Christine Milbrath, director, health science programs and associate professor, at (651) 793-1403.

Human Services career fair is March 31

The 5th annual Human Services Career Fair is Thursday, March 31, in New Main, Great Hall from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

There will be 30 exhibits from human services and addiction counseling agencies across the Twin Cities area. Included will be a light lunch and lots of networking.

This is open to students and alumni free of charge. It is an open house format so attendees may come and go as necessary.

New focus for psychology program The Masters Degree Program (M.A.) for the Psychology Department at Metropolitan State University now includes a focus in applied social psychology (in addition to its focus on community psychology).

Applied social psychology involves the systematic application of principles, theories, intervention techniques, research methods and research findings to help understand, prevent and treat existing social problems.

This new focus in the Psychology M.A. can prepare students for careers in research, evaluation, prevention programming, consumer behavior or various jobs in government and non-profit sectors.

This program does not prepare students

for licensure in mental health services.

Students who are interested can apply now for admission to start the program in fall of 2011. Well-qualified students will have earned a Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA(or higher) by August, 2011, an interest in applied social psychology, academic or work references that highlight relevant knowledge and skills, and previous courses in general psychology, statistics, research methods and social psychology (or equivalent areas).

Request application materials by calling (651) 999-5820; please ask for the M.A. application and provide your name and address.

Learn about staff meetings, writing resources or events happening on campus.

Search “The Metropolitan” on Facebook and stay in contact with staff and writers!

Mark your calendars now for Spring 2011 Writing Workshops APA Style Workshops The Metropolitan State University Writing Center welcomes you to participate in workshops on APA style. These workshops are for the competent, the curious and the confused. No reservations are necessary; just come ready to work.

• •

Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. - noon, Midway Center 32 Monday, April 11, 4 - 6 p.m., New Main L209

APA Drop-In Clinics on Citations and Formatting All members of the University community are welcome to the Writing Center drop-in clinics on APA style citations and formatting. Bring your documents to these lab sessions and the staff will help you polish them. Attend as many sessions as you wish.

Note that there are no lab sessions during spring break.

These clinics take place in computer labs, so bring your work saved to a portable device or your H drive. The staff will help you with printed documents.

• •

Wednesdays, Jan. 26 through April 27, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Library 312 Thursdays, Jan. 27 through April 28, 4-5:30 p.m., Midway Center 36

Driving, Not Ditching: A Writing Center workshop on how to write effectively to enhance learning and avoid plagiarism In this workshop, experienced, friendly writing center consultants walk students through each step in the academic writing process, from understanding your assignment to comprehending sources, dialoging with them in your writing and citing them correctly.

Students will take away a reliable step-by-step method for finishing a paper on or before the deadline and feeling confident it is their own good work. The method is transferable to any writing project; students will use it in every college course taken. Bring questions, assignment instructions and any other writing concern.

• • •

Thursday, Feb. 10, 3-5 p.m., Library 306 Thursday, March 17, 3-5 p.m., Library 306 Thursday, April 14, 3-5 p.m., Library 306

All workshops are open to students, faculty and staff of Metropolitan State.

More questions? Contact the Writing Center at centerfolk@metrostate.edu, (651) 7931460. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations may call Disability Services at (651) 793-1540 or (651) 772-7687 (TTY).

March 2011 Page 7

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Get published!

The Metropolitan welcomes article submissions from all current students.

Writing for The Metropolitan is an excellent way to enhance your professional writing credentials.

E-mail johnra01@ go.metrostate.edu to share your article ideas or to submit your article for publication consideration.

The best buy in town, classified advertising is also available. Contact the business manager at themetropolitan@ go.metrostate.edu for rates.

Editor Randi Johnson Associate Editor David Jarnstrom Production Manager Renee Noren Copy Editor Diana Neuerburg Online Editor Jeff Sear Staff Writers Torleif Sorenson Linda Williams Alex Hedin Cat Usher Faculty Advisor Laura McCartan Contributing Writers Asna Khatoon James Jones Feel free to stop by our office on the lower level of Founder’s Hall near the elevators.

Founder’s Hall L113 700 East 7th Street Saint Paul, MN 55106

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The Metropolitan

Expressions Sports, sports, sports

BY DAVID JARNSTROM Jarnda@go.metrostate.edu

“Forgive me Lord, for I covet my neighbor’s football team.”

I tried to avoid it. I turned off ESPN. I didn’t read the sports section or check my fantasy football Web sites. I immersed myself in other endeavors. But try as I might, I can no longer ignore the rather large green and gold elephant smirking at me from across the Mississippi.

You see, I went to college in Milwaukee, Wis. from 1998–2001. During that time, the Minnesota Vikings were better than the Green Bay Packers and I ran my mouth accordingly.

After moving back to the homeland, I stayed in touch with several friends back East.

I even joined an all-Sconnie fantasy football league (where the trash talk was extremely intense). When Brett Favre donned a purple jersey in ’09, I reveled in my cheese-loving pals’ misery, taunting them at every opportunity.

A year later the Packers are world champions. Obviously, this perturbs me—mostly because of the bitter Favre-related irony and the ridicule I set myself up for by rubbing it in all last season. But from a purely objective standpoint, I simply can’t dismiss just how great this 2010 Packer team was (yuck—I can’t believe I just typed that).

Yes it’s cliché, but Green Bay really did overcome a ridiculous amount of adversity this season. They placed an unbelievable 15 players on injured reserve—including key starters Ryan Grant (running back), Nick Barnett (linebacker), and Jermichael Finley (tight end). The Super Bowl itself was a microcosm of the Packers’ MASH unit-like season. They

Green with envy

lost all-world defensive back Charles Woodson and receiving corps leader Donald Driver in the first half, yet still hung on to beat the more-seasoned Pittsburgh Steelers 31–25.

While the Packers only went 10–6 during the regular season, they never once trailed any team by more than 7 points. That’s crazy.

They also won three consecutive road playoff games en route to becoming the NFC’s first six seed to hoist the Lombardi trophy—not a cakewalk by any means.

Much of this success was due to the Jedi-like play of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Take out his ho-hum performance in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears and the dude was flat-out flawless in the postseason. For Green Bay to have transitioned from 16 seasons of Favre to this stud is just ridiculous (especially considering the bevy of band-aids the Vikings have slapped on the quarterback position over that span). Even the Packers’ backup (Matt Flynn) appears to be more capable then several starting signalcallers in the NFL. The most disturbing fact (if you’re a Viking fan) is that this team is young. Rodgers is just entering his prime. Two of his top weapons in the passing game—wideout Greg Jennings and the aforementioned Finley—will be around for quite awhile. Defensive stalwarts Clay Matthews and B. J. Raji are entering their second and third seasons, respectively. It could be a long decade…

Forgive me Lord, for I covet my neighbor’s

The Student Science Association (SSA) is a newly formed organization on campus. In the cartoon below, the organization is officially introduced to the Metropolitan State University community.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

football team.

At least the Brewers still suck.

David Jarnstrom, The Metropolitan’s associate editor, is majoring in professional writing at Metropolitan State University. Growing up in the shadows of Vikings training camp in Mankato, Minnesota, David has been an avid sports fan all his life. He is three time-little league baseball all-star, and three-time fantasy football champion.

Want to contribute to Expressions?

Send us your original artwork, poetry or designs and we’ll publish it.

By Asma Khatoon

Interested in becoming a student columnist?

E-mail the editor at johnra01@ go.metrostate. edu with your column idea.

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March 2011 Page 9

The Metropolitan

I literally cannot say that this “stinks”

Life, liberty and the pursuit of a degree

BY CAT USHER

Campca@go.metrostate.edu

Veterans Corner

BY RICHARD DOWNS Downri@go.metrostate.edu

The Veterans and Military Student Services Center hosted a meeting for the Metropolitan State Veterans Network (MSVN) on Feb. 7, 2011, where several events of recognition took place. MSVN began by presenting the American Veterans (AMVET) Post 5 Commander Ray Rangel with a certificate of appreciation for their generous donation of a refrigerator for the Center.

In turn, Rosemary Campos, third Vice Commander of AMVET Post 5, present-

I’m sure that most of you are already avid readers of this column, but for those six people who are just joining us, you should know that I fell down my basement stairs and broke my skull four months ago. I therefore cannot guarantee that the following statements will make sense, but now you have a better shot at picking up what I’m putting down.

The only lasting physical problem caused by my injury is a little-known affliction known as anosmia. Translation: I’ve lost my sense of smell, which (on the up-side) comes in handy many times per day, especially after my husband has consumed his usual two chili cheese chilitos with extra cheese and sour cream from Taco Bell.

On the down-side...I CANNOT SMELL CHILI CHEESE CHILITOS WITH EXTRA CHEESE AND SOUR CREAM FROM TACO BELL, which I happen to know smell quite pleasant on the front end.

Imagine, if you can, living a life without your sniffer. Camp fires merely burn your eyes, effectively diminishing your love of toasting marshmallows and making you vulnerable to death via burning building (check

those smoke detector batteries, baby). Bacon no longer drags you from a Saturday morning slumber, but once you’re up, it splatters in the pan and ruins your favorite Zeppelin t-shirt. Then you spend the next four hours vomiting because you can no longer judge rancidity by the color of its skin. Let’s not even talk about how much you miss the smell of flowers, coffee, baby skin or body wash. It’s almost more than you can bear, so you turn to aromatherapy for relief.

Wait...dammit. That’s pointless, too.

Hey honey, do my armpits stink? I just “crop dusted” the entire plumbing aisle at Home Depot... how bad is the fallout?

“Imagine, if you can, living a life without your sniffer.”

How’s my breath? Is this milk still good?

My loss of smell was a painful blow, but I should suck it up, right? It’s something I can (technically) live without.

But what about my sense of taste?

What of it, indeed.

Did you know that your sense of smell largely controls your sense of taste? Have you considered that without the use of your sniffer, bananas and chocolate cake are indistinguishable? That rubbing alcohol and Patrón tequila are identical? That meatloaf and Meatloaf taste the same?

Consider it, my friends. And hug your bacon extra tight today.

Do it for my sake.

Cat Usher is majoring in English and minoring in Creative Writing at Metropolitan State University. While still an active student, Cat is rightfully taking time off this semester to recover but has graciously agreed to continue her column to help flex her creative muscle. To read more of Cat’s writing, visit her Web site at www.zipbagofbones.com. Extra points if you throw in a Stephen King reference in her guestbook.

ed the MSVN with a plaque that bore the AMVET Post 5 emblem and the statement: “Compliments of POST 5 St. Paul, Minnesota, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.” The plaque was affixed to the front of the donated refrigerator. AMVET Post 5 also recognized the achievements of MSVN for all the help they provided with the grand opening of the Veterans and Military Student Services Center in November of 2010. AMVET Post 5 Officers Ben Quintero (1st Vice Commander) and Salvador Lopez (Treasurer), were also present during the presentation.

Next, the Postmaster of St. Paul, Mike Larson, presented the Veterans and Military Student Services Center and MSVN with a plaque honoring their involvement with the Shop, Ship, and Share event that sent over 680 boxes of letters and donated items to deployed Minnesota military members overseas. MSVN volunteered with the packaging and shipping of the boxes at Rosedale Mall. MSVN would like to thank the University community for donating enough items to fill approximately 50 boxes.

Representing the American Legion, District 4 Commander Teresa Ash also presented the center with a certificate of appreciation for their involvement in the

same event.

Lastly, Chief Master Sergeant Steve Campos, National Guard (ret.) presented MSVN and Veterans and Military Student Services Center with a Chief’s Coin, thanking them for their volunteerism and all the hard work that went into making the Shop, Ship, and Share event successful.

Metropolitan State student veterans, representing all five branches of the military, including the National Guard and the Reserves, attended the event. The AMVET Post 5 had many members who also came to show their support. The veterans were from the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam eras.

Following the speakers and presentations, attendees visited for a short time and final group pictures were taken by Anne Hodson of Metropolitan State University Advancement Division Foundation. Afterward, refreshments were served, including cake and ice cream.

Those interested in viewing photos of the Shop, Ship, and Share event, can go to http://www.facebook.com/msvn1, click on the photos tab and then click on “MSVN assists sending Care Packages to soldiers.”

To view pictures of the Feb. 7 event, click on “Recognition Event – February 7,

2011.”

Current Updates: One of MSVN’s subcommittees is the women’s veteran group. This subgroup is just getting established and is looking for women veterans, spouses, or mothers of veterans who are interested in becoming active in this group. Those interested in taking part should contact MSVN president Lisa Ghylin at lmghylin@gmail.com.

Memorial Day is approaching fast, and to honor past and current veterans MSVN has reserved the pavilion at the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp (DVRC) in Washington County, Minn., on Big Marine Lake. The event will be on Saturday, May 21—one week before the holiday weekend. There will be hot dogs, burgers, and soft drinks provided by the MSVN. For everyone’s entertainment, a large pontoon boat (that can hold up to twenty people) has also been reserved. The lake has a nice beach and is also known to have excellent fishing. All students and student veterans at Metropolitan State and their families are welcome to attend. Please RSVP by May 14 to Lisa Ghylin lmghylin@gmail. com or Alex Kempe alexpkempe@gmail. com.

Come one, come all. Let’s make it a Saturday to remember!

Last-Ditch Effort

By John Kroes

Arts &

Page 10 March 2011

BY DAVID JANSTROM

The Metropolitan

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Ta-Coumba Aiken—“In the Spirit” and in the zone

Jarnda@go.metrostate.edu

The Gordon Parks Gallery at Metropolitan State University’s St Paul Campus hosted a reception on Feb. 3 for “In the Spirit,” an exhibit featuring the work of Ta-coumba Aiken. The showing includes mixed media paintings by the St. Paul artist who is perhaps best known for his public murals and mentoring work with area youth.

Aiken describes “In the Spirit” as being in the zone, so to speak. “When I get into my paintings, I’m into something else besides myself.” Aiken said. “I’m there—with all my knowledge that I can possibly bring— but when I get in the spirit I’m something greater than when I’m trying. The best thing I can do with a painting is try not to try… then it flows.”

The works on display indeed flow—within each individual piece as well as around the room. Aiken greets visitors with two brightly painted blown glass vases on either side of the entrance. He then uses the left and right walls to house collages of smaller canvas paintings, which are tied together by a large, loose cloth painting spread along the back wall. The result is a sort of “stream of consciousness,” according to Aiken.

“I call it my DNA,” said Aiken. “Because I paint a certain way—from top to bottom and side to side, even upside down—these [paintings] line up really well.”

Aiken’s style for “In the Spirit” draws upon pattern and repetition. He hints at human imagery—faces and bodies that blend into abstraction within multiple layers of line and color. Aiken draws from his rich heritage (which includes African, Irish and Hispanic roots) for inspiration.

“My ancestors just jump in there,” said Aiken. “I’ll start drawing and all of a sudden I’ll just see something I’m not familiar with so I’ll trace it… there’s a whole array of people moving towards a village. I don’t

BY TORLEIF SORENSON

During the reception at Metropolitan State University on Feb. 3, artist Ta-coumba Aiken shows his work.

Photo by David Janstrom

know if they’re African or Native American or Asian or Mexican but they’re different and they’re well developed indigenous cultures—more sophisticated probably than we are. I don’t know if it’s future or past.”

Aiken is asking for help in deciphering

the mystery that he has created. The exhibit is meant to be an interactive exercise— notebooks are available throughout the room, and visitors are urged to write down what they see and how they feel about Aiken’s work. “I only give you one percent,”

said Aiken. “No matter how much I talk to people about these paintings, it’s still only one percent. I want to hear their stories.”

To read one of these stories, look on the next page for a Metropolitan State student’s experience at “In the Spirit”.

High-level Haydn

Sorensto@go.metrostate.edu

Some people may think the phrase “free concert” equals “cut-rate” or lesser-quality entertainment, but the Minnesota Sinfonia and guest cellist Dmitry Kouzov disproved this on Feb. 11

at Founders Hall on Metropolitan State University’s St. Paul Campus.

Haydn at the highest level I am a classically-trained musician and was once a classical music host on the ra-

Cellist Dmitry Kouzov acknowledges a standing ovation during a Minnesota Sinfonia concert on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Sinfonia conductor Jay Fishman and other members of the orchestra are also seen applauding.

Photo by Torleif Sorenson

dio. I have heard many different recordings of Franz Joseph Haydn’s D-Major cello concerto. Not since the great Jacqueline du Pré’s EMI recordings have I heard Haydn played with as much enthusiasm, sensitivity, or authority as Dmitry Kouzov did on Feb. 11. His intonation was almost criminally proficient in double-stops both in the lower registers and up high on the fingerboard, while his dynamics with the Minnesota Sinfonia were impeccable; neither overstepped the other sonically. Kouzov’s ability to “get inside” the music intellectually and emotionally—plus his ability to convey this to the audience—genuinely outshines performances from some famous cellists I’ve seen described as “virtuoso.”

Not just a conductor…

Music director Jay Fishman had a direct hand in two of the other three compositions in Friday’s program. Antonín Dvorák composed his Slavonic Dances for a large orchestra, but Fishman’s rather deft arrangement of the third dance in A-flat Major for his 26-piece group turned out quite well (without losing much of the sonic power). Part of the success of this arrangement was due to

percussionist Kory Andry successfully doing the work of two or three of his large-orchestra counterparts.

Composition is also quite personal to Fishman; his Jewish Sketches—dedicated to Fishman’s mother—was premiered by the Sinfonia on Feb. 11. Trumpeter Chris Volpe was fittingly forceful but not overbearing in the opening “Song of the Shofar,” while in the deeply evocative “Kaddish” movement, Fishman wove the music rather seamlessly between the strings and winds, concluding with several dramatic, ear-catching chords. In the final movement, “L’Chaim,” Fishman made considerable and satisfying demands equally among his string and wind players, peppered with colorful auxiliary percussion ably delivered by Andry.

On the Web: The Sinfonia’s upcoming concert schedule, their education programs (which includes a return to Founders Hall on April 1), is available from their Web site, where you can also make a taxdeductible contribution. For more information on the Minnesota Sinfonia, visit www.MNSinfonia.org.

http://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu

March 2011 Page 11

The Metropolitan

Entertainment In the Spirit: an interpretation

BY ASMA KHATOON

Old sci-fi is as relevant as ever

BY JEFF SEAR

Khatooas@go.metrostate.edu

Searje@go.metrostate.edu

In Feburary, the Gordon Parks Art Gallery do what we do and why we did what we did. had the honor to showcase “In the Spirit”, an exWhy do we work five days a week? Why do we hibit by St. Paul artist Ta-Coumba Aiken. Aiken go through grade school, middle school, high started painting when he was three years old and school and then finally to college? How did this practices mixed media art, incorporating paint, start? Who set the rules? paper, buttons, fabric, clay, ink, and collage.

Aiken depicts hope to encourage us to “beStepping into the gallery, as you glance at the lieve in [ourselves]… because you never know canvases, one notices faces—faces and figures in which way the wind will blow. Within your own motion on a familiar path. It is a path of everyworld, you can create an industry or business.” day life—waking up everyday and driving or takAiken finds this positive energy from his aning the bus to work hard until the evening. Then cestors and mother. These are inspirations that arriving home (after making a quick stop at the bring out the healing message which he shares grocery store) and making dinner. Then trying with us and the Twin Cities community. to clear your mind before going to bed. This is We are honored to be in the spirit with Aiken. the flow of the path in Aiken’s paintings.

The message in his strokes is hope—simply hope. This is symbolized in the swirls of Aiken’s paintings and the circle of life from waking everyday and coming back home (and starting all over again with the sunrise). This is a path the figures perform with hope—and nothing else.

On the canvas it is hard to determine where this path starts and where it terminates.

Similarly, The Gordon Parks gallery on the third floor of the library features “In the there are many times Spirit”, an exhibit by St. Paul artist Ta-Coumba Aiken. we wonder why we Photo by David Jarnstrom

Neuromancer is the iconic debut novel by bestselling science fiction author William Gibson that pioneered the sub-genre “cyberpunk.” Released in 1984—during a decade when movies like Blade Runner were immersing audiences into dystopian visions of the future—Neuromancer introduced readers to a meticulously imagined near-future Earth— a world so twisted that it seemed more like parody than fiction.

Gibson’s crafting of the demented, conflicted characters and the reality that torments them is vivid. He leaves unforgettable images in your mind as you immerse yourself into the life of Case—an ex-hacker who has lost his will to live, and his partner Molly—a girl with razors surgically implanted in her fingertips. Along with the mysterious Armitage and the shadowy computer A.I. Wintermute, the group catapults through an action-packed series of events as they try to pull off the largest data theft scheme ever imagined. Clashing with culture, drugs, media, technology, and street life, what they find at the end of their journey is something that leaves both the characters and the reader questioning reality.

Many of the ideas presented in Neuromancer were revolutionary at the time. Gibson has been said to have coined the word “cyberspace,” a term he uses to describe the virtual reality that Case uses to perform corporate espionage. Cyberspace has a glaring resemblance to what we call the Internet. Also, Neuromancer introduced technology such as pocket-sized computers and concepts in biotechnology and genetics that were mere stretches of imagination in the mid-’80s (but are real now). Neuromancer feels just as relevant now, if not more, than it did when it was released.

Not all science fiction fans will appreciate this book. Neuromancer is not a very classy, difficult sci-fi novel. It’s more of a a casual read than complicated epics such as Frank Herbert’s Dune or Neil Stephenson’s The Diamond Age. Gibson himself is rumored to have said that he feels his writing in Neuromancer is “juvenile” (which, in comparison to his most

It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is.

And when you’ve got it, you want - oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

-Mark Twain

recent novels, rings true). But potential readers should not let that discourage them from giving Neuromancer a try. The book still packs quite a punch with its supremely detailed settings and characters. Those looking for something unique, something heavy in slang and street culture (as well as readers who have a lust for technology) will love Neuromancer’s grimy, noir edge.

As great as this book is, it is not without its flaws. There are some plot holes and pacing problems but they barely make a difference to the story and are easily overlooked. Gibson succeeds in creating an immense world full of questionable characters, over-populated cities, conflicted cultures dealing with identity issues, and new street philosophy. There is no questioning that Neuromancer is a true cyberpunk novel and William Gibson is the pioneer and king of the genre.

Intermediate Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Book 8

Sudoku #1

Photo courtesy of www.vxheavens.com

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2 4 Wabasha Deli, located in the lower level of New Main, offers daily specials ranging from American to Asian to Mexican... and everything in between.

Check out Wabasha Deli’s Mexican Tuesdays (typically enchilads or tacos with sides) and Italian Thursdays (a delicious pasta dish with breadsticks)!

Want to start the day off right with the most important meal?

Try a breakfast burrito, guaranteed to stop the mid-morning stomach growls. This burrito is loaded with hashbrowns, peppers, bacon, sausage, eggs and salsa and is a staff favorite at The Metropolitan. As always, orders can be customized in case you’re not a fan of some of the ingredients.

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4 2 7 9

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6 2 © 2010 KrazyDad.com

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

When it grows up, it's always a cat -- Ogden Nash.

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Did you know?

Page 12 March 2011

theFrom editor Prepare for change.

In the 2010-2011 school year alone, The Metropolitan has taken on more challenges than in the entire 19-year history of the newspaper. And we’re not done.

This year is all about connecting with the University community and re-branding the newspaper. It is an exciting, albeit stressful, time and I am honored to be a part of it.

If you were a reader of The Metropolitan in the past, you’ll definitely notice the changes in this issue. Besides the obvious shift from an eight-page to a 12-page layout, we’ve also varied our content. We’ve added an “expressions” section, a staff review question, a campus employment section, a health and wellness section and an overall redesign. All of these were done to engage readers more directly and to encourage participation throughout the campus.

Keep an eye on our Web site, http://themetropolitan.edu. We will soon be doing a complete site overhaul to make the site more interactive and interesting to viewers. Look for contests, more pictures and a better archive system.

The year of 2011 is definitely one of change. As the staff prepares for the paper’s 20-year anniversary in the fall, I look forward to meeting more potential writers and staff members.

P.S. Never be afraid to stop by the newspaper office in FH L113. You may need to shout over Poison or Train, but we will always make time for you.

Randi

Randi Johnson Editor

http://themetropolitan.metrostate.edu

The Metropolitan

BY RANDI JOHNSON

Writing the right way

Johnra01@go.metrostate.edu On Friday, Feb. 11 the staff of The Metropolitan met in downtown Minneapolis for the Best of the Midwest convention sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press.

The convention was held at the Mariott City Center and lasted from Feb. 11-13.

The convention offered over a dozen breakout sessions ranging in topic from layout design to editorial content to managing a newsroom. The staff chose from each session depending on personal interest and relation to operations of The Metropolitan.

On Friday, Jay Weiner, a journalist with experiencing writing for MinnPost.com and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, spoke at the keynote address. Weiner spoke of what he has learned from covering both the

sports beat and politics beat as well as why journalism in general is still so important.

The editor and associate editor also attended a newsroom management session on the psychology of management and how to apply it. This session taught the editors how to create a good working environment and increase motivation at the office.

A large part of the convention was networking with other newspaper staff. The Metropolitan staff spoke with schools from around the midwest to share ideas, critiques and resources. In fact, The Metropolitan staff is currently beginning a journalism partnership with The City College News, the student newspaper at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

The Metropolitan staff at the ACP conference.

Left to right: Jeff Sear, Alex Hedin, Randi Johnson, DianaNeuerburg, Rich Downs, Renee Noren, David Janstrom, and Rebekah Pahr. Not pictured: Torleif Sorenson and Linda Williams.

The second day of the convention started with the staff separating to attend several sessions on news writing, using WordPress, working on print page design and copyediting. At least one staff member attended each session. The sessions were run by professional journalists and journalism professors, such as representatives from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, the director of the Minnesota Newspaper Association, the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communication and more.

The second keynote address was given

by Joe Grimm, visiting journalist at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism and creator of JobsPage, a journalism career site (www.jobspage.com). Grimm shared the seven journalism trends that aspiring journalists should take note of, as well as encouragement on the future of journalism.

On the third and final day of the convention was the closing keynote address on the importance of journalism by Gail Rosenblum, metro columnist for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. The awards ceremony took place after the keynote. Universities, newspapers and individual staff were awarded and recognized for their outstanding efforts.

The Metropolitan did not submit any material to be judged for an award; the staff is currently in the process of doing a complete overhaul on the layout and content. By attending the convention, the staff’s ambitions were reaffirmed when compared to other college newspapers. Change to The Metropolitan is necessary to create an upto-date publication worthy of membership in the Associated Collegiate Press.

The entire convention taught The Metropolitan staff how to run a better newsroom and to better implement design theory in the layout. Since 1992, the layout and design have remained relatively consistent. The staff is taking the year of 2011 to update the newspaper to remain current with other colleges and with journalism in general. Look for major changes in the coming months; a new student newspaper will be revealed in 2012.

Student Job Postings

More information can be found at http://metrostate.edu/msweb/choose/hr/studentjobs/studentjobs.cfm. If you have further questions, please e-mail student.employment@metrostate.edu.

Resident Advisor for TRIO Upward Bound - All students may apply The Resident Advisors (RAs) will develop positive and supportive relationships with Upward Bound students and will mentor them on academic, personal, social and college/career matters.

General Information: Work Schedule: Weekdays Start Date: Training prior to start date, week of June 13 End Date: July 1 (possibilities to stay on past July 1) Pay: $10.38 starting Position Openings: 4 Job Qualifications and Experience Applicant must be currently enrolled in college, and in good academic standing.

Must posess strong leadership qualities and have the ability to function as a team player. Also important:

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Must be able to communicate constructively and effectively Must be sensitive, respectful, and understanding of the needs of economically and academically disadvantaged and ethnically diverse high school students Must be able to establish and maintain a trusting and productive working relationship with program students and staff Must possess the commitment , stamina, and flexibility to participate constructively in potentially stressful personal interactions and situations

Major Job Duties Through this position, RA’s will enhance their leadership, organization, problemsolving and communication skills in a safe, educational environment, while enhanc-

ing their ability to establish and maintain meaningful student relationships. Resident Advisors will lead students in enrichment activities with a social skill-building focus during a residential experience at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. RA’s will: • Develop positive and supportive relationships with Upward Bound students, mentoring them on academic, personal, social, and college/career concerns • Assist in establishing and maintaining a positive and safe environment in the UB residence hall for students and staff (this position is a live-in position for three weeks--one week of training on campus and two weeks with students) • Create an atmosphere that appreciates the diverse cultures, traditions, lifestyles, and beliefs of all students

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Take primary responsibility for students in his/her group, by monitoring personal and social progress and updating other staff as necessary Develop, lead, and participate in freetime and structured evening activities that are engaging and age appropriate Maintain appropriate, professional boundaries with students--safety being your primary concern Monitor areas where students gather to ensure the safety of all students Serve as a positive role model Attend staff meetings and summer events as requested by the Upward Bound professional staff Maintain student confidentiality as appropriate Perform other tasks as reasonably assigned by the Upward Bound professional staff

Student Public Relations Coordinator (UAB) for Student Life and Leadership This position is responsible for marketing, communication and public relations of the University Activities Board (UAB) and assisting in the coordination of UAB sponsored events.

General Information: Work Schedule: Variable Start Date: ASAP End Date: Renewable Pay: $9.01 starting Position Openings: 1 Job Qualifications and Experience This position is responsible for marketing,

communication and/or public relations of the University Activities Board as well as assisting in the coordination of the student programming and all UAB sponsored events. Experience in Student Activities, event planning and promotions as well as abilities in most of the job duties listed below is desired.

Necessary skills: • Excellent analytical writing and research skills • Exceptional skills in Microsoft Office Suite • Interpersonal and team skills • Consultation, graphic arts, and training

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skills Ability to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines in a high-quality manner with attention to detail and organization Ability to work in dynamic environment Ability to work independently

Major Job Duties: • Assist in the development of all promotional and publicity material for programming; consult with student organizations and university departments in developing promotion for other student-centered activities • Serve as the primary point-of-contact for

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the dissemination of information to UAB participants and others. Responsibilities include developing systems for tracking requests from participants and responses Maintain database of contacts Promote student involvement by attending orientations and other special events Assist with the development, implementation, and coordination of various activities and projects associated with the Student Life and Leadership Development Office.

Other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Life and Leadership Development or designee.