12-3-14 Statesman

UMD FOOTBALL ADVANCES WITH OVERTIME WIN B1

THE STATESMAN WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH

WWW.UMDSTATESMAN.COM

A week without technology A writing class was told to put the phone down, then tweet about it

BY MAKAILA MILLER Staff Reporter

Students in Rob Wittig’s New Media Writing class went a whole week without technology while tweeting about it the whole time.

Ironic, don’t you think?

The class participated in #1wknotech, one of Wittig’s creative netprovs, where they had the chance to have fun with the hypocrisy of their task along with exploring the more serious implications and consequences of technology.

ters” in the netprov and pretend to be doing something, but tweet about it as though it is really happening.

“Everyone collaborates to build a big, beautiful, new complete stream that consists of so many voices and ideas which are contradicting each other, and supporting each other,” Marino said about netprovs.

Wittig’s goal with netprovs is to create literature in a form that’s relevant to our time by taking something people use every day and applying it to fiction.

“It is basically a fictional, funny,

A netprov is a networked improv narrative centered around collaboratively building stories on available media such as Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr, according to Wittig, an assistant professor in the departments of art and design and writing studies at UMD. In making a netprov, Wittig teams up with Mark Marino, a professor at the University of Southern California, to create an overall framework or concept people can contribute to. A core group of writers are clued in and then portray the mindset of “charac-

collaborative and creative game,” Marino said. “People can play and go deep. In the act of storytelling they can explore ideas while being silly, but also profound.”

For the #1wknotech assignment Wittig’s students spent one hour with technology in a place where they would generally use it. Additionally, students posted on social media as if they were not using technology for the entire see #1WKNOTECH, A4

If these Professor’s innovative teaching lands him award couches could talk

BY AISLING DOHENY Staff Reporter

Abram Anders, UMD business communications professor, won the 2014 Pearson Award for Innovation in Teaching with Technology in late October. Anders was honored with the award at the 79th Association for Business Communication Annual International Conference in Philadelphia. The award highlighted the intensive work he carries out, specifically with his Finance and Management Information Sciences course, Business Communications.

Anders, who has taught Business Communications at UMD since 2009, revolutionized traditional teaching in the classroom.

“In today’s fast moving world, people need to be familiar with technology and different communication styles,” said Anders.

Anders and 10 to 15 other professors in the University of Minnesota system were accepted into an 18-month program through the University of Minnesota where he proposed to renovate his course by incorporating technology.

Anders then reformed his Business Communications course into what it is today — a technology heavy and community involved experience targeted at preparing students for the workplace.

Anders conducts research with technology and communication. He studies things that happen in the work environment and is interested in Abram Anders poses with his Pearson Award, which he received how technology see INNOVATION, A3 for his innovative teaching techniques. ALEX GANEEV/STATESMAN

The couches outside of Romano Gym have been through a lot over the years

BY SAM STROM News Editor

The ancient sectional couches outside of Romano Gym have seen better days, both literally and figuratively.

The faded maroon seating, which we know dates back to at least the 1980s, has stains that predate the births of most graduating seniors.

Half of the seats appear newer, perhaps refurbished, but even those show signs of wear and tear.

What have these seat seen and experienced over the years? What shiny metal and plaques have been added to the trophy cases in the Sports and Health Center since they have rested here?

Sweaty athletes, exhausted from another practice filled with zingers, killers and other forms of conditioning, have used these relics for a place to catch their breath. All the see COUCHES, A3

Student entrepreneur opens restaurant An undergrad opened Dickey’s Barbeque Pit on Miller Trunk Highway in October

Twenty-one-year-old Landon Wiser stared out across Miller Trunk Highway, hands in pockets, in front of the soon-to-be-open Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. He just so happens to own this restaurant.

“That Kwik Trip is the best thing that ever happened to me,” Wiser stated with a laugh. It seems like a crazy thing to be thankful for, but when he started on the process of opening up Dickey’s about a year ago, it was next to an empty, sad-looking lot. The finished gas station was a welcome sight.

The Kwik Trip also serves as an

INDEX:

“

BY KRISTIN GOOSEN Statesman Correspondent

“

inspiration. “That’s why I love Dulu- massive, industrial structure in the th,” Wiser said. “You see companies back used to smoke all the meats to like Kwik Trip come in and put up perfection. eight stores and there’s The cooker made its such a big market, it debut for the Halloween ...It’s like works.” weekend opening, which Inside the restaurant, Landon lives was complete with givealmost all the work was aways that included gift finally completed for the here. I swear he cards, koozies and candy grand opening. Most of never leaves. for the kids. the construction guys Since the opening, Wiswere out on lunch, leaver is a new kind of busy. ing behind dusty messes. spent the last year -Lee Bandrup, He’s “It’s a lot farther along planning and building, employee than it looks. Well, it betand is now faced with the ter be. We’ve got to pull it task of running Dickey’s. together in two days,” Wiser said.

For a person under so much apparHe boasted about the cooker — a ent stress, he still has a calm demeanor.

News: A1 - A4 | Sports: B1 - B2

| Arts & Entertainment: B3 - B5 | Opinion: B6

He admits the business has taken up his life for the moment and that, along with school, leaves little spare time.

All the work is worth it to Wiser.

He’s never seen himself as someone who would work for the man. Growing up with parents that ran multiple Schneider Drug stores, it’s what made sense.

His mom has been a key factor in this new business venture, as he endearingly calls her “the money behind the operation.” She relocated to Hermantown to be closer to her son and her investment and even went to see DICKEY’S BARBEQUE, A4

STATESMAN CENTRAL PHOTO OF THE WEEK

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

A2

FINALS

BY SARAH STAUNER

The Statesman Contact Newsroom

Phone: 218-726-7113 E-mail: statesma@d.umn.edu URL: www.umdstatesman.com

Business/Advertising

Phone: 218-726-7113 Fax: 218-726-8246 E-mail: statesmanad@d.umn.edu

Editorial Staff Joe Fraser

Editor-in-Chief fras0199@d.umn.edu

Sam Strom

News Editor strom444@d.umn.edu

Satya Putumbaka Opinion Editor putum003@d.umn.edu

Nicole Brodzik Sports Editor brodz006@d.umn.edu

Aprill Emig

Student Life Editor emigx005@d.umn.edu

Leah Rodgers Multimedia Editor rodg0063@d.umn.edu

Sarah Stauner Photographer-in-Chief staun009@d.umn.edu

Alex Ganeev

Staff Photographer ganee001@d.umn.edu

Melissa Peterson Staff Photographer pete8959@d.umn.edu

Taylor Jensen

WE NEED YOUR HELP Do you have an idea for our weekly Top 10 list?

Send your ideas and photos to the Statesman at

statesma@d.umn.edu -or-

message us on Facebook

Top10

Staff Reporter jens1362@d.umn.edu

STATESMAN TOP TENS OF THE SEMESTER

Makaila Miller Staff Reporter mill5869@d.umn.edu

Joseph Labernik

2. Forgotten fads

Head Copy Editor janc0020@d.umn.edu

3. Movies to watch with your roommates 4. Statesman Top Tens of the semester

6. Commercial jingles 7. Discontinued cereals 8. Childhood toys 9. Finger foods 10. UMD professors

SUDOKU

/UMD.STATESMAN

Staff Reporter dohen021@d.umn.edu

1. The Statesman sandwich creations

5. College myths

FOLLOW THE STATESMAN

Aisling Doheny

@TheUMDStatesman

@UMDStatesman

Head Copy Editor labe0104@d.umn.edu

Brilynn Janckila Jade Golen

Head of Graphic Design lenda001@d.umn.edu

Marisa Schoen Graphic Designer schoe533@d.umn.edu

Malinda Porter Online Editor porte539@d.umn.edu

Business Staff Nickcole Thomas Business Manager thom4079@d.umn.edu

Victoria Prasek

Advertising Representative prase006@d.umn.edu

Birra Hussein

Advertising Representative husse049@d.umn.edu

Advisors

Chris Etheridge Editorial Advisor

Jessica Eaton Business Advisor

Additional Info The Statesman is the official student newspaper of the University of Minnesota Duluth and is published by the UMD Board of Publications weekly during the academic year except for holidays and exam weeks.

The editorials, articles, opinions and other content within the Statesman are not intended to reflect University of Minnesota policy and are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty, or the University or its Duluth Campus.

The Student Service Fee dollars the Statesman receives covers printing costs for the academic year.

The Statesman and the University of Minnesota are equal opportunity employers and educators.

The Statesman promotes responsible activities and behaviors. Advertisments published in The Statesman do not represent the individual views of the newspaper staff or those of the University of Minnesota Duluth community.

News Editor / Sam Strom / strom444@d.umn.edu

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

A3

BY SAM STROM News Editor

n On Wednesday at 11:31 a.m., the report of a property damage hit-andrun was reported to the UMDPD. An officer responded to 1036 University Drive where he found the hit-and-run driver. The driver was cited for leaving the scene of an accident. n At 4:59 p.m., a student requested assistance as they were locked out of their building at 1049 University Drive. An officer responded to open the door and advised the student. n At 8:45 p.m., a water leak at 1117 University Drive prompted an officer response. The officer contacted UMD Facilities Management about the leak and filed it as a matter of record. n On Thanksgiving Thursday, at 12:04 a.m., a UMDPD officer made a traffic stop after a report of suspicious activity on East 8th Street and Garden Street. A person was arrested for fourth-degree driving while intoxicated. The driver’s vehicle was towed. n At 2:19 a.m. on the 800 block of Woodland Avenue, another report of suspicious activity was reported to the UMDPD. A driver was pulled over and arrested for fourth degree driving while intoxicated. The driver was also driving with a suspended license. n A report of a hold up on the 2000 block of London Road was received at 11:28 p.m. An officer responded to the call and determined that it was an instance of employee error. n On Friday morning at 7:32 a.m., the UMDPD

escorted the UMD football team to the airport. n At 10:18 p.m. an officer assisted a person with a disabled vehicle at 638 Niagara Court. The officer gave the person a ride to their house when they could not start the vehicle. n On Saturday and into Sunday between 7:19 p.m. and 12:49 a.m., UMDPD officers pulled over 11 vehicles. Of those vehicles, two drivers were cited after they were unable to provide proof of insurance. n On Sunday at 1:07 a.m. an officer assisted a person on the 300 block of Kenilworth Avenue. The officer transported the person to their residence. n At 9:12 a.m. a fire alarm went off in 1220 Village Lane. An officer responded and found that it

was set off because a student had burned food. The area was given the all okay, but the food was not. n At 6: 51 p.m., a student in need of medical care at 618 Oakland Circle was transported to the hospital. n Just three hours later, at 9:55 p.m., another student was in need of medical assistance. The student was transported from 513 Niagara Court to the hospital. n On Monday at 1:58 p.m., a report of a missing vehicle was reported to the UMDPD. An officer responded to 1207 Kirby Drive to assist the student in locating their vehicle. The car was located at 2:01 p.m.

Shelter-in-place, remain calm confused Safety message sent to student during emergency situation unclear

BY HANNAH BROADBENT Statesman Correspondent

On March 6, 2014, this text message and email alert was sent to students and faculty: “UMD Alert: Police on the scene with a person with a weapon call which originated at Kirby Plaza. Police have taken individuals into custody. Shelter-in-Place. Stand by for further information.”

Shelter-in-place is the standard procedure for incidents that involve armed or violent intruders.

When this message is received, students should find immediate refuge and remain there. Students are encouraged to turn off lights, silence phones and electronic devices, as well as block entry to their place of shelter and, if it is safe, call 911.

The reaction from students and faculty was confusion and panic when they received the alert because no one knew what shelter-in-place meant. Sophomore Abby Christensen said, “I would be confused

Innovation

“

“

Continued from A1

because I wouldn’t know what to do, then alarmed because I don’t know what to do.”

Unfortunately, there is someone on campus that is not surprised by this information. UMDPD Chief Law Enforcement Officer Scott Drewlo said that now more than ever he is doing everything he can to lessen this confusion.

Officer Drewlo has a number of ways to keep people informed. For immediate notification, there are the text messages and email alerts. UMD also had tone alert radios and emergency alert sirens placed around campus to alert students, staff and faculty about potentially dangerous situations.

Students, staff and faculty can use the UMDPD website to educate themselves on what to do when a shelter-in-place alert is sent out. The website also has videos to show you what to do with an active shooter on campus. UMPD can also provide active threat training to classes and departments and send informative emails to the campus.

One of Drewlo’s goals is to make informing the campus community a part of everyday life. For example, he wants to give information on shelter-inplace in the mandatory freshman seminar classes.

Right now, only two classes have requested his presentation. According to Drewlo, that is not enough.

Drewlo hopes to build a connection between students and officers. “We are in a unique situation,” he said. “We can work as partners. We want to be a positive first contact for students.”

Drewlo says that there are a number of emergencies in which evacuation is not the best solution. In that case, one should shelter-in-place.

Other important things to do in these situations are to be aware of your surroundings, remain with people if you can and stay calm.

“Students should definitely not go and see what’s happening.” Drewlo said.

Couches

Continued from A1

These days companies hire people that they know or they know about -Abram Anders

is changing the way people communicate. He is also on the chair of the technology committee at UMD and helps professors learn to work with technology. Anders has found that many corporations are using blogs, wikis and collaboration tools.

Anders used his conducted research as an inspiration in the redesigning of his Business Communications course.

As a way to get recognized, Anders also has his students work with both community and private blogs.

“I try not to assign work that isn’t valuable for students beyond the course,” he said. “The Business Communication course, with the use of technology, offers a job application unit, a written correspondence unit and a professionalism unit.

Students leave this class with a portfolio and connections.”

Anders dedicates class time towards students working on and improving their professionalism. Students work on resumes, conduct mock interviews, write cover letters and learn to network.

He makes networking a focal point in the classroom.

“There are studies that suggest that an upwards of 60 to 70 percent of jobs are filled with some form of networking involved and that 80 percent of students’ time on the job search should be spent networking,” he said.

“These days companies hire people that they know or they know about.”

Anders says that this course is meant to help students be more proactive in being self-focused and motivated with their own learning.

The course has gone through several revolutions, but this current version has been running since fall of 2013. Anders’ research with his current course shows that students who take his class gain confidence in their networking skills. It is this type of success that earned Anders the Pearson Award.

Anders is the first person ever to win the Pearson Award, which is offered through the Association for Business Communication. He was nominated for the award by fellow professors and former students. Anders will deliver keynote addresses in Seattle next October.

The sectional seating outside of Romano Gym in the Sports and Health Center. Despite their age, they remain a popular place for UMD students to rest between classes. SARAH STAUNER/STATESMAN

while, the cushions slowly absorbed their perspiration, changing the smell of the seat temporarily and fading the color permanently. Word of advice: watch out for the most faded couches.

These seats have been the unofficial napping spot for UMD undergraduates since the day they were put in. Dirty, drooling college kids have crashed on the chairs before their Exercise Science tests, for the hour they have before work after school or when they played in a pickup basketball game that was just too strenuous. Apparently they don’t have the same athletic ability as they did in high school and these couches pay the price.

They’ve been on the outside of the gym as Bulldog volleyball crushed opponents in recent years. They’ve been around for the men’s basketball program’s resurgence in the early 1980s as George Fisher took over the coaching helm, just as they were there to see Hibbing native Dave Thompson’s All-American basketball career in the late 1980s.

They’ve experienced the thunderous roar of UMD fans as the good guys sink a buzzer-beater or make a game-saving block. But they’ve also experienced the opposite feeling, the groan of a crowd as a lastminute lead slips away. The borderline antique seating has heard the uproar after a bad call, just as they have heard the chants of “Let’s go Bulldogs” and “Defense.”

During halftime of basketball games or between sets of volleyball games, fans flood into the lobby

and pack onto these couches. The high school playoff games bring even more traffic to Romano. As the vendors sell ice cream and hot dogs, these messy foods inevitably drip onto the seats, and even if the guilty party quickly wipes up the stain, the damage has been done. One more stain on the collage that are the seats.

The couches, ever guarded by the statue of Champ, watch students walk by on their way to the RSOP and weight room. Do the couches get jealous of the newer, hipper seating that looks over the ice rink? The young bloods seem to use those seats, drastically cleaner and less faded, more often to study.

Even still, on a cold Tuesday morning, seven UMD students, most of whom are waiting for class, put their feet up on the quarter-circle tables that accompany the sectional couches. The tops of the tables have scuffmarks and the edges are worn, but they still function as well as they did when they first arrived. And when they arrived, no one seems to know.

“I have no idea,” senior Katelyn Sticha said as she sat on the couches. “I don’t even know who you would ask.”

“I don’t know,” junior Gretchen Klinkner said.

After a long pause she added, “I just honestly don’t know.”

Junior Ryan Herbel was stabbed by a wire poking out of one of the seats last year. Thankfully he was up to date on his tetanus shot. When he was asked how old the sectional seating is, Herbel simply said, “Too old.”

News Editor / Sam Strom / strom444@d.umn.edu

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

A4

#1wknotech

Continued from A1

week, according to Jessica Cohen, a member of Wit� tig’s class.

Throughout the week students portrayed a perso� na and wrote tweets every day, then commented on other people’s tweets to build an interesting dialogue.

“While this is a difficult feat, it made for a very interesting assignment,” Cohen said. “This assign� ment provided a new understanding of how much technology has consumed our lives — we are com� pletely obsessed with it.” #1wknotech provided students with the opportu� nity to reflect on our society’s dependence on tech� nology and how it impacts our daily lives.

Wittig chose technology to be the topic of this net� prov because of how present it is in students’ lives, and of how this presence can negatively impact people. As his students reflected after #1wknotech, people’s feelings get hurt all the time over technology and social media. If people don’t text back right away you feel unimportant; if you see how much “fun” oth� ers have on Facebook, you feel unaccomplished.

Screenshots taken from Twitter.

Dickey’s Barbeque Continued from A1

Dallas with him for training. She is now a mom and a business partner, creating a new dynamic between the two that didn’t exist while Wiser was growing up. ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� Before deciding on opening his own restaurant, Wiser was a three-sport ath� lete in Eden Prairie and self-proclaimed math nerd.

Working on cars and listening to country music are just a few of the things Wiser likes to do in his limited free time. He has a pair of ’67 Pontiacs in Per� ham, Minnesota that he can hopefully start working on again once Dickey’s is up and running smoothly.

Wiser’s work schedule may mean the Pontiac’s will have to wait. “It’s a great place to work for me, but it’s like Landon lives here. I swear he never leaves,” employee Lee Bandrup stated. The big joke around Dickey’s is how Wiser should just set up a cot in the back and sleep there.

This would make sense since the meats take overnight to smoke, and he’s usu� ally watching over it anyway.

It’s all worth it for that great flavor that brings customers back.

“It’s so good and I’m glad we’ve got more variety in town now,” said Duluth native Madison Anderson between bites of her pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese. “Between Dickey’s and Qdoba, I’m going to go broke.”

There have been a lot of new restaurants opening but none of them with the unique barbecue flare.

Wiser is pretty proud of this fact.

Before barbecue became his life, Wiser frequented the Cars and Coffee event in the cities. If you want to see him outside of work and in his element, it’s a good place to find him.

Wiser chose UMD because it was close to family, though he barely knew the city.

Wiser began as a prospective engineer but he decided that wasn’t what he wanted. Management Information Systems is his new path and he’s stick� ing with it. “MIS is still technical, but also business. It’s the perfect love child between IT and business.”

“I know it sounds weird, but education is almost a backup plan,” Wiser said.

Although Wiser plans to stay in school, Dickey’s is his main focus right now.

“If it (school) takes seven years, it does,” Wiser said.

Wiser wants Dickey’s to serve as his seed money for his ultimate dream: property development. He’s seen places like BlueStone and Campus Park pop up and be owned by the same guy. Wiser wants to be that guy.

Wiser’s ambition has led him to the finish line in his Dickey’s endeavor. As he runs the barbecue pit he’s been working so hard for, the real fun begins.

UMD student elected Duluth’s NAACP President

BY SAM STROM News Editor

Classie Dudley, a UMD senior, was elected president of Duluth’s NAACP chapter, according to the Duluth News Tribune.

Dudley beat out incumbent Claudie Washington, who had been presi� dent of the NAACP for over 20 years.

Pick up the Statesman next week to read an interview with Dudley and her plans for the NAACP moving forward.

Holiday Sale % 25 off

December 3 - 9

UMD Wear & Imprinted Gift Items Art Supplies General Books

Visit us at our temporary seasonal location at 201 W. Superior St! Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm.

umdstores.com

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

Sports Editor / Nicole Brodzik / brodz006@d.umn.edu

B1

VOLLEYBALL

Historic season for Bulldogs, Rainey draws to a close

COMEBACK KIDS DO IT AGAIN

Aaron Roth helped the Bulldogs make it back from yet another deficit as they took down Ouachita Baptist last Saturday in overtime. CATHY ROTH/ SUBMITTED

BY JIMMY GILLIGAN Statesman Correspondent

After two comefrom-behind wins, the stage is set for No. 2 UMD football to meet top ranked Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Minnesota State Mankato in the quarterfinals of the 2014 playoff tournament.

As if last week’s 19-point, fourth quarter comeback victory over the 2013 champion Northwest Missouri State wasn’t dramatic enough, it took overtime for the Bulldogs to come out on top of Ouachita Baptist University. Playing with poise and determination, UMD made timely plays and took advantage of mistakes from their opposition.

Looking ahead, they want more of the same. “(For) all of the seniors on the team, this is our last go-round,” senior defensive back Daryl

Brown said. “We’re willing to do anything to pick this team up.

We want all these guys to have faith and understand that we’re gonna win every game whether we’re up or down.”

In the two backand-forth contests, the outcome depended on late fourth quarter touchdown drives. Surprising to their playoff opponents — but not to those who have followed them all season — the Bulldogs were best when the pressure was on.

To eliminate the Northwest Missouri State, Drew Bauer led UMD on a 70-yard touchdown drive, using his legs for 39 rushing yards and the gamewinning score in the 25-21 victory.

Finding their team in a similar scenario against Ouachita Baptist, the Bulldog offense drove 74 yards downfield in the final minutes, taking the lead on Zach Zweifel’s team-

leading 48th reception.

However, the touchdown came in overtime, when the roles were reversed. Zweifel connected with Bauer on a nine-yard touchdown pass to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

“We knew our guys were tired, and (that) we needed to make a play to win the game,” Curt Wiese, head coach, said. “I had my doubts late in the fourth quarter, but again our guys found a way to get it done.”

Just as the offense converted on big plays when needed, the Bulldog defense made crucial stops in both wins. From forcing a field goal in overtime against Ouachita, to a fourth down goal-line stand kept the Bulldogs in the game against Northwest Missouri State, the defense looks to have continued success in high-pressure situations. see FOOTBALL, B2

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Bulldogs split in Bemidji

BY NICOLE BRODZIK Sports Editor

While most students at UMD were headed home to spend time with their families over Thanksgiving break, one group of women was spending their break together trying to take down the Bemidji State University Beavers.

The Bulldog women’s hockey team spent Thanksgiving on the road as they traveled to Bemidji, Minnesota for a pair of WCHA match ups in a weekend where they would split even with BSU. Bemidji showed off their skilled offense Friday night —

one that helped them sweep a talented North Dakota team and go undefeated against No. 2 Minnesota in the previous weekends by putting four pucks behind junior netminder Kayla Black. The Blyth, Ontario native made 21 saves as she backstopped a team who couldn’t seem to connect in the first match of the weekend. “(Black) was one of the players who did play really well on Friday,” senior captain and defenseman Emma Stauber said.

“She did what she could that night, but us skaters couldn’t get our jobs done.”

The offensive spotlight fell on see WOMEN’S HOCKEY, B2

Quarterfinal by the numbers n 15: the number of touchdown receptions by MSU’s Dorian Buford this season. If the Bulldog secondary can shut down their top target, they will force Mankato to go at UMD’s rushing defense, which is No. 8 in the nation. n 73: percent, that is. UMD’s offense has been highly successful on fourth down conversions in 2014 (19/26), including going 2/3 against Ouachita Baptist. The Bulldogs have performed well under pressure and they need to keep this up against Mankato.. n 30: minutes. Both teams are ball hogs. UMD averages 34:53 in possession time per game; Mankato averages 32:53. Time of possession alone won’t decide the outcome, but in a matchup with two powerful offenses, whichever team eclipses the 30-minute mark and gets more chances on offense has an advantage. n 7: Running back Logan Lauters is averaging seven yards per carry, and if he can approach this mark against a Mankato rushing defense that allows 105.4 yards per game, the Bulldog offense will difficult to stop — considering quarterback Drew Bauer has also been successful running the football.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Bulldogs dropped a pair of close games against Northern Michigan and St. Cloud State this week, losing by a mere three points on both nights.

MELISSA PETERSON/ STATESMAN

Captain Julie Rainey (left) and the Bulldogs finished their season with a 33-2 record. MELISSA PETERSON/ STATESMAN

BY JAKE PRZYTARSKI Statesman Correspondent

After a hard fought season, the Bulldogs’ historic year came to an end last Sunday.

The Bulldogs were on fire to start out the NCAA tournament, but couldn’t get past the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs.

Coach Jim Boos couldn’t be prouder of his team and the mountain of achievements they made during their thrilling season.

“The fact that we came off of a year where we lost arguably the best player in our program’s history and to be able to come back the next year and have the best record this program has ever had, says a lot about what this team was able to accomplish,” Boos said.

Just a few days prior, the Bulldogs kicked off the regional tournament by taking on Arkansas Tech in front of UMD faithful in what would end in a drubbing. The Bulldogs were in complete control from the opening set and were able to finish their opponent in three straight sets.

Captain Julie Rainey was all over the court, keeping the crowd fired up with a few jaw-dropping digs. She would finish the night with 14. Sydnie Mauch provided the support needed up front with 12 kills to lead the team and hit .526. All Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Player Ashley Hinsch finished with 38 assists to add to her impressive season total. The Bulldogs were ready for their next opponent, who happened to be their conference rival Wayne State.

The Bulldogs had every reason to be confident going into their Friday night game against Wayne State. UMD seemed to have their number all season, finishing 3-0 against them during the regular season and defeating them in straight sets in the NSIC tournament championship. It was a major case of déjà vu as the Bulldogs beat Wayne State by the same score and at the same place. Mariah Scharf and Monica Turner carried the load up front — each registering double-digit kills. Hinsch would be the difference maker, finishing with 40 assists to help lead the Bulldogs to victory.

The Bulldogs next test would be against Southwest Minnesota State to decide who would make it out of their region. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Bulldogs’ night as they fell in four sets in their final game of an almost perfect season.

In front of a sold-out crowd, the Bulldogs fought until the final point but could not get past the surging Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State. The Mustangs got hot at just the right time and knocked off three top-five teams in the process of winning out their region. Rainey gives all the credit to Southwest Minnesota State for their win while admitting her team wasn’t quite able to get into their system.

“I think it was a combination of both,” Rainey said. “I think they played great and we just weren’t able to make some big plays.”

It was the last game that Rainey suited up for as a Bulldog. However, it’s unlikely see VOLLEYBALL,, B2

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

Sports Editor / Nicole Brodzik / brodz006@d.umn.edu

Upcoming Schedule

B2

MEN’S HOCKEY

Bulldogs to take on Tigers

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY n Dec. 6th: @ NCAA Division II Championships, @ Louisville, Kentucky, 11:15 a.m.

FOOTBALL

nDec. 6th: @ Minn.- State Mankato in NCAA Division II Quarterfinal, 12 p.m.

BY NICOLE BRODZIK Sports Editor

University of Minnesota Duluth

Colorado College

RECORD: 9-5, 5-3 NCHC

RECORD: 3-8, 0-3 NCHC

NATIONAL RANKING: No. 8

NATIONAL RANKING: Not Ranked

LAST FIVE GAMES: 4-1-0

LAST FIVE GAMES:1-4-0

OFFENSE:

OFFENSE:

MEN’S HOCKEY nDec. 5th and 6th: vs. Colorado College AMSOIL Arena, 7:07 p.m.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY nDec. 5th and 6th: @ Ohio State, 6:07 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL nDec. 5th: vs. Minn.Crookston, 6 p.m. nDec. 6th: vs. Bemidji State, 4 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL nDec. 5th: vs. Minn.Crookston, 8 p.m. nDec. 6th: vs Bemidji State, 6 p.m.

MEN’S TRACK nDec. 5th: @ The Opener, 5 p.m., St. Scholastica nDec. 6th: @ The Opener, 10 a.m., St. Scholastica

WOMEN’S TRACK nDec. 5th @ The Opener, 5 p.m., St. Scholastica nDec. 6th: @ The Opener, 10 a.m., St. Scholastica

Finding a way to put the puck in the back of the net by any means necessary has aided the Bulldogs this season, as has their ability to get scoring from all lines. Top scorer Dominic Toninato has registered nine goals so far this season but 16 different Bulldogs have found the back of the net this year, making every line a lethal one for the opposition to face.

DEFENSE:

Allowed 17 shots in their last game against Omaha and only 22 in the previous matchup. The Bulldog blue line has been key in keeping UMD on top and supporting rookie goaltender Kaskisuo.

VS.

GOALTENDING:

Kasimir Kaskisuo: 8-4-0, .924 save percentage, 2.09 goals against average-- The freshman netminder has taken over between the pipes for the Bulldogs thanks to his stellar numbers and calm demeanor on the ice. He’s been the solid starter for UMD through most of the year and has been a major part of the Bulldogs’ success.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

UMD is currently drawing the second most penalties in the NCHC, spending approximately 17 minutes per game down a man. They’re penalty kill percentage sits at 81 percent right now and while they have scored five short-handed goals, they sit at sixth in the conference on penalty kill percentage. Their power play, on the other hand, has excelled after lackluster results last season, holding down a 21 percent success rate when up a man.

Football

DEFENSE: The Tigers have allowed five or more goals on five different occasions this season, putting them in a bad position to try to crawl back from.

GOALTENDING:

Chase Perry- 1-3-0, .883 save percentage, 3.73 goals against average, freshman. Tyler Marble- 2-5-0, .854 save percentage, 4.77 goals against average, sophomore-Marble started the year out for the Tigers but after suffering some hard losses against Boston College, the University of New Hampshire, Miami University and Denver University the Tigers have been sticking with Perry as of late. He helped the Tigers to their third win of the season over the University of Wisconsin on November 21st.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Not surprisingly, the

Tigers power play and penalty kill sit at the bottom of the pack in the NCHC, just as they sit at the bottom of the pack in the conference rankings. This is not a team to be taken for granted, however, as they went 1-2-1 with UMD last season.

Volleyball

Continued from B1

Despite allowing season highs in rushing yards (281) and total yards (576) in the 48-45 win over Ouachita, the Bulldog defense never allowed UMD to trail by more than seven points.

Brown preserved a tie with a third quarter interception in the end zone. He forced and recovered a fumble in the win, and will be called upon along with Darion Fletcher to help contain MSU’s passing attack.

Like UMD, the Mavericks needed overtime to come out of the second round with a win. But that isn’t all they have in common both are undefeated, and the teams share the 2014 overall NSIC title.

“We’re very similar football teams, both of us like to run the football, both of us have really good run defenses and perimeter games that are dangerous enough to beat you,” Wiese said. “This is, for all intents and purposes, a conference championship game.”

UMD and MSU average 290.1 and 257 rushing yards per game, respectively.

Their offenses spread the football around, but always protect it. UMD has a plus 17-turnover margin, while MSU is close behind at 14.

Led by NSIC Defensive Player of the Year Josh Gordon, MSU’s defense has allowed an average of 12.5 points per game. The defensive end is No. 3 in the nation in sacks (16.5).

Minnesota State ranks No. 1 in the polls, but the Bulldogs, who rank No. 2, aren’t star struck.

“It doesn’t matter what number is in front of your name,” Brown said. “It’s all about how we play and how we prepare.”

The Bulldogs have not played in Mankato since 2006 and have never faced MSU in the playoffs before. Since falling 21-17 to MSU last season, UMD has only lost one game a loss they avenged two weeks ago against Northwest Missouri State.

Opening kickoff is set for 12 pm in Mankato.

The Tigers have struggled to get offense, scoring a goal or fewer in five of their 11 games this season. Forward Cody Bradley has been a bright spot on the CC front line with five goals and eight points on the year, while Aaron Harstad leads the team in power-play goals with three. The Tigers rank dead last in scoring for the NCHC.

Continued from B1

Forward Demi Crossman and her team dropped their first game in 10 to Bemidji Friday night before coming back for a 2-0 victory Saturday. ALEX GANEEV/ STATESMAN

Women’s hockey Continued from B1

defenseman Brigette Lacquette who tallied the first goal of the night six and a half minutes into play. That spotlight would be short-lived as BSU came roaring back 4:35 later to tie it up and eventually put the Bulldogs to bed with a 4-1 final score.

“It was one of those nights that everything that could have gone wrong, did.” Stauber said.

UMD made an effort to turn things around Saturday and play a more cohesive game in front of Black, who shined in her sixth shutout of the season.

UMD would again put themselves on the board first, but this time around there was no offense to be had for the Beavers. Senior captain Zoe Hickel put her team on the board less than three minutes into the start of the game for what would be the eventual game-winning goal.

Hickel’s line mate and fellow senior forward Meghan Huertas would not only earn an assist on the gamewinning goal, but also add a second and final goal on the empty net with less than a minute left in the final period. The Bulldogs ended the night with a 2-0 win and a much better feeling about the upcoming games.

“Saturday we hit the reset button,” Stauber said. “We stuck to our game plan a lot better and were able to execute, which was great to see.”

Next up for UMD are the Ohio State Buckeyes. The two teams have become well acquainted with one another after facing off in three consecutive first round playoff series. The Buckeyes are 1-4-1 in their last six games, and the Bulldogs will look to add a few more losses to that record before the weekend is up.

that this will be the end of Rainey’s volleyball career.

“I will always continue to play volleyball in leagues or just wherever I can,” she said. “I think eventually I will coach something, I just don’t think I will be in the near future.”

Boos couldn’t say enough about what Rainey has meant to this program, and all the things that made her one of the best captains this program has ever seen.

“I just think she’s so relatable, not only is she relatable to the players but to the coaching staff, to the media, parents,” Boos said. “She has all the qualities you need of someone to be not

only successful on the court but also successful off the court. She led by example by working hard and doing all the little things you need to do to put yourself in a position to be successful.

She’s the prototypical leader.”

It’s evident that the next captain and libero will have very large shoes to fill for next season, but Boos makes it clear that you simply can’t replace a player like Rainey.

“We certainly can’t expect someone to be Julie Rainey next year, because I think she’s the best in the country for what she did this year and is probably the best at her position in this program’s history.”

&E

Arts

ntertainment

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

B3

Arts & Entertainment Editor / Aprill Emig / emigx005@d.umn.edu

What, like it’s hard?

Legally Blonde: The Musical brings Harvard Law to UMD’s main stage

E

Senior Elise Benson will play the lead of Elle Woods. “It’s always kind of been my dream role,” Benson says. She will take the stage alongside five other seniors who fill all the other lead roles. Director Ann Bergeron says this cast is “super enthusiastic and just hyped about the show.” UMD THEATRE/SUBMITTED

lle Woods and Legally Blonde: The Musical friends are about to take Dec. 4-6 and 10-13 UMD Theater’s main 7:30 p.m. in MPAC Tickets: stage on Dec. 4. Get Adults $19 | Seniors ready for the bubbly $14 blonde and the color UMD Fac/Staff $14 pink to take over Har- Student $8 | UMD vard University in a Student $6 musical production of “This particular company has been super enthusiastic and just hyped about the show,” Bergeron said. the movie.

The cast is made up of talented individuals with all Senior Elise Benson plays Elle Woods. For Benson, playing Woods is a dream come true.

Benson’s mom encouraged her to make her vision of being Elle Woods a possibility. As soon as Benson knew that the theater department was thinking about doing the musical, her mother went out and bought her the musical script so that she could practice.

“It has always kind of been my dream role,” Benson said.

“

BY TAYLOR JENSEN Arts & Entertainmnet Reporter

“

You fall in love when you least expect it with this musical.

That’s what happened to me.

-Director Ann Bergeron

According to director Ann Bergeron, the story behind the musical is foundationally the same as the movie everyone knows.

Initially, Bergeron was unsure if she wanted to direct the play after watching the movie. But after reading the musical versions script, she decided it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.

“You fall in love when you least expect it and with this musical, that’s what happened to me,” Bergeron said.

The cast rehearses about 26 hours a week.

five leads played by seniors.

Colleen Lafeber — who plays Elle’s best friend Paulette — explains why her character is so crucial to the play.

“Paulette is really the first one to see Elle’s heart and Emmett is the first person to see Elle’s mind,” Lafeber said.

Jayson Speters, who plays Elle’s mentor and later boyfriend Emmett, explains why Emmett is also an extremely important character.

“Emmett is really the first person who shows Elle how smart she can be,” Speters said.

Speters also talked about the ensemble in the play and how important they are to the success of the musical.

“Truly there has never been an ensemble so strong,” Speters said.

Joslyn Danielson, part of the ensemble, explained what an ensemble is and how they participate in the musical.

“Basically, as part of the ensemble, you fill any smaller role that needs to be filled,” Danielson said.

Danielson also said that as part of an ensemble in a musical you fill smaller roles and are often in larger dance numbers.

“Even if you didn’t like the movie, you will like the musical,” Danielson said. “Get your tickets now because tickets will sell out.”

Speters couldn’t agree more.

“It is one of the funnest evenings that you’ll have at UMD theaters,” Speters said.

Tickets are $6 for UMD students. The show runs from December 4-6 and 10-13.

B4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

Arts & Entertainment Editor / Aprill Emig / emigx005@d.umn.edu

Stress-Less Week Events

| DESIREE HARPER |

December 2014 Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thur.

Fri.

Sat.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26 27

28

29

30

31

Sun.

Monday, December 8 8:30 a.m. Coffee with Champ in the library

Ceramic flowers displayed in Harper’s show. DESIREE HARPER/SUBMITTED

What is your year and major?

Senior, General Studio BFA.

How did you choose the pieces you will be displaying?

I have been working with the flower motif since my Ceramics II class at UMD a few years ago. The flowers have evolved drastically since then. The pieces that are featured in the show have been specifi-

What would you like people to know about your show?

I want people to experience an environment when entering my show and I would like people to notice the amount of detail and texture of each piece.

What is one piece of advice you have for incoming art students?

Don’t limit yourself to one medium of art — explore while you’re in school. You may never get another chance to experience and experiment with the mediums offered at UMD.

3:00 p.m. Yoga in Library 119

Tuesday, December 9 11:00 a.m. Pet Away Stress in the Kirby Lounge 2:00 p.m. Massage in the library, second floor

FINA L

ILLUSTRATION BY JADE GOLEN

What is your favorite medium to work with and why?

My favorite medium to work in is ceramics because I enjoy working with my hands and the malleability that clay has allows for unique textures.

cally designed to fit the space.

9:00 a.m. Stress Reduction Workshop in Health Services

EDITI ON

habits.

MOVE OF THE WEEK: SPLIT SQUATS | TARGETS: HAMSTRINGS Ending position: Bend

Starting position: Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart. Legs should be slightly bent.

back knee, jump and switch legs in the air. Land with a bend in the knees. The workout comes from bringing the body up from the landing position. Start again with the opposite leg.

BY BRANDON PETERSON AND APRILL EMIG PHOTOS BY SARAH STAUNER

Brandon Peterson is a senior exercise science major. He hopes to become a physical therapist.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

Arts & Entertainment Editor / Aprill Emig / emigx005@d.umn.edu

B5

What’s up, Duluth?

Wednesday, December 3 Self Defense

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sports and Health 135 (Spin room) This is an intro to self-defense class in preparation for a 3-session class during the spring semester. This class will be taught by campus police officer, Chris Shovein.

Cost: Free

Sunday, December 7 Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers Concert

3:00 p.m.

Weber Music Hall Cost: Adult $10 | UMD Faculty/Staff $5 | Senior $5 | Student $5 | UMD Student $3

Legally Blonde: The Musical

2:00 p.m.

MPAC Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this playfully upbeat new musical comedy. Based on the original movie, Legally Blonde: The Musical celebrates friendship and the spirit of self-discovery.

Cost: Adults $19 | Seniors $14 | UMD Fac/Staff $14 | Student $8 | UMD Student $6

Thursday, December 4 Homelessness in Minnesota

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

LSBE 118 A panel discussion hosted by the Center for Ethics and Public Policy.

Cost: Free

Legally Blonde: The Musical

Monday, December 8 Art Enrichment Workshop

Friday, December 5 Vocal Jazz Concert

Resident Artist Woodwind Concert

7:30 p.m.

MPAC Cost: Adults $19 | Seniors $14 | UMD Fac/Staff $14 | Student $8 | UMD Student $6

7:30 p.m.

Weber Music Hall Featuring UMD vocal jazz groups.

Cost: Adult $10 | UMD Faculty/Staff $5 | Senior $5 | Student $5 | UMD Student $3

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

KSC 268 Come and join Susan Meyer in an art enrichment group for students, staff, faculty and community members who are victims/survivors of intimate partner violence, family violence and PTSD, regardless of creative experience or ability, who wish to use art as a healing tool in a safe setting.

Cost: Free

7:30 p.m.

Weber Music Hall A special concert performed by Woodwind faculty.

Cost: Adult $10 | UMD Faculty/Staff $5 | Senior $5 | Student $5 | UMD Student $3

Saturday, December 6 Sounds of the Season

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Come experience Holiday cheer with performances from faculty and students of the UMD Department of Music. Featuring jazz, choral, band and orchestral ensembles from UMD, it is a winter treat for the whole family!

Cost: Adult $15 | UMD Faculty/Staff/Student $5 | Senior $10 | Student $7

Tuesday, December 9 Jazz Ensemble Concert

7:30 p.m.

Weber Music Hall Featuring UMD jazz combos and ensembles.

Cost: Adult $10 | UMD Faculty/Staff $5 | Senior $5 | Student $5 | UMD Student $3 DEPARTMENT of MUSIC SM

DECEMBER TUESDAY, DEC 2 | 7:30 PM UMD Percussion Ensemble Concert FRIDAY, DEC 5 | 7:30 PM Vocal Jazz Concert SATURDAY, DEC 6 | 7:30 pm DECC Symphony Hall

SUNDAY, DEC 7 | 3:0 0 PM Concert Chorale & Chamber Singers Concert TUESDAY, DEC 9 | 7:30 PM Jazz Ensemble Concer t Friday, dec 12 & 13 | 7:30 pm Opera Scenes All concerts in Weber Music Hall, unless otherwise noted.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. tickets.umn.edu | 218.726.8877

Late Night Happy Hour Every Night 10pm - Close

$3 $3 $4 PIZZAS

www.tavernduluth.com

SHOTS

DRAFTS

1/2

1/2

OFF OFF

MOONSHINE

MARTINIS

OPINION

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2014

Opinion Editor / Satya Putumbaka / putum003@d.umn.edu

B6

COLUMNS

THE POLITICS OF

GIFT GIVING

ADDICTION

BY CINDY VU Columnist

ILLUSTRATION BY MARISA SCHOEN

Recently, a writing studies class at UMD had an assignment: go one hour without technology during a time when you would be using technology. They documented this through tweets — a fun hypocrisy — and made personas to pretend as though they weren’t using any technology at all for the entire day. When I first heard it, the one-hour limitation seemed light — was it really a challenge? And certainly, it doesn’t need to be. For instance, as an English major, my hour without technology could easily be an hour I would spend reading.

But upon a little bit of thought, it became clear why the assignment was limited to an hour.

If the assignment were what it sounded like — one full week, no technology — then as a student, the challenge would be impossible without a major sacrifice in my grade point average. Technology isn’t just a resource for most of my classes, but a requirement.

And even if it wasn’t, one hour is enough to indicate the subtleties of technology reliance.

I attempted my hour on Monday night, casually, just to see what would happen. I hadn’t consulted the teacher to replicate the assignment, but did a loose experiment on my own. I left the living room where there’s a television, and left my laptop and cell phone in my room. I took a book and went to the basement and I admit, it took me a while to realize that the light I was reading under might count as technology. That realization was a major blow to my plans. So I spent about ten minutes without technology (I daydreamed in darkness) and for the rest of the time I used the light, but still left behind all screens.

The differences, even in that hour, were incredible. The idea of avoiding screens just for an hour was so fun because it revealed how much of a habit technology was. Even when I had an activity lined up that didn’t need any technology at all, I still felt the hindrance of being without it. I reached for my phone instinctively more than once just to see the time and check texts, and felt the pain of not bothering to bring a dictionary in print to college.

Technology is such a huge word as it is, so I considered this scenario of having no tech for one week using the definition of technology as “screens” — just to focus in on one problem of overuse, and to avoid even imagining a life without plumbing or electricity. This meant no computer screen, no television screen and no phone.

It was enough to make me admit that I would be a little lost without technology, even just for one week. I’m not sure how I would spend all the hours if I can’t browse the internet when bored, or how much information I wouldn’t have at my fingertips.

Whenever any sort of factual argument arises, the immediate

Phone: (218) 726-7113 Fax: (218) 726-8246 E-mail letters to: fras0199@d.umn.edu Web site: www.umdstatesman.com

response is to check who’s right via the Internet. There are too many things I don’t have without technology — I don’t have encyclopedias to replace Wikipedia (or magazines, etc.).

And if I were to limit the experiment even more to just reduce the use of my phone, so many of my daily patterns would be interrupted. There’s nothing I do without my phone, save for cleaning.

I keep it on me when I’m cooking, sleeping, doing homework or talking to friends. I wouldn’t even shower without my phone on the sink counter. It didn’t take long to realize I’m totally addicted — but is that necessarily a problem?

The idea of going a little while without technology was great in revealing the extent of my dependence on technology. But I’m not sure it made me see what’s wrong with it. It’s absolutely unnecessary to need my phone with me at all times, but what’s inherently wrong about that? My tiny trial isn’t enough to make any statements, but the flaw of even my miniature version of the experiment is that while it reveals dependence, there isn’t much reasoning for why dependence is a bad thing.

“

EVEN IF OUR GENERATION IS PLUGGED IN AT ALL TIMES, WE HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THAT. THERE’S MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING WHEN SO MUCH INFORMATION IS ONLINE, UP-TODATE AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE.

“

BY SATYA PUTUMBAKA Opinion Editor

Even if our generation is known to be plugged in at all times, we have benefitted from that.

There’s more opportunity for learning when so much information is online, up-to-date and easily accessible. Certainly, there are real health risks that our generation is the guinea pig for. Whether technology is directly related to the rise in rates of ADHD, depression or even cancer is contentious and important to consider. But those are not problems inherent to using technology — they’re possible side effects. Technology is made for our convenience. It might not be a natural thing, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Going days without a hint of technology is like a cleanse. Sure, it can be great to reboot the system and there might be a few people who’ll commit to a similarly limiting diet for their lifestyle, but it’s not a necessity for health. Our generation might be obsessed with technology, but it doesn’t need to be seen as an addiction.

Why can’t it be considered the new lifestyle?

Letters and columns to the editor 130 Kirby Student Center 1120 Kirby Student Drive Duluth, MN 55812

As exciting as Christmas can be (it’s one of my favorite holidays of the year), it’s also my most stressful. It’s my fault, though; we have all year to find gifts for people, friends and family who we spend a lot of time with. When I go shopping with my friends or hang out with my sisters there is always some item that’s brought up: “I want...” And it’s those moments I wish I could go back in time and remember what they were trying to say because once I hit the stores, everything is overwhelming.

It’s not always easy to just pick something and wrap it up as a gift for a dear friend. As I get older, the impulse to count the boxes with my name under the tree becomes less and less important. I like to pride myself on being a thoughtful gift-giver.

It’s always a good feeling when you see someone light up when they open your present — the one you save for last so that it triumphs over all the other ones.

But gift giving can be a little more complicated than simply buying something nice for somebody. One of the first things on my checklist when picking a gift is to consider what they have gotten me in the past because I’ll have to buy something of equal value. It seems fair that the friend who bought me the expensive sweater I wanted for a whole year should get the same care in her next present, as opposed to the one who buys everyone random miniature bath and lotion sets that comes in a generic flowery scent.

It seems very shallow, but sometimes we unconsciously characterize our friendships based on the value of the material gifts we receive from people. Generally speaking, the more we know about someone, the more we want to spend on them. But with expensive gifts also emerges a complex relationship. Gift giving should never be obligatory, but it starts feeling that way. Once when a friend got me a luxury birthday present, I freaked out — mainly because I didn’t know how I was ever going to get her something that nice. She did it out of a good intention and she didn’t expect me to get her anything extravagant in return, but I certainly felt the need to do so.

It’s always harder to pick out

EDITORIAL BOARD: Opinion Page Editor___________ SATYA PUTUMBAKA Editor-in-Chief______________________ JOE FRASER

a gift when the price tag must be higher because we wonder whether the money would be better spent on somebody else.

College students are working around a very limited budget and it’s hard to pick something really nice for our significant other, best friends and siblings.

You want to save enough money to get a great gift for your best friend but at the same time, you don’t want to compromise

“

“

MY HAPPY

BUT WITH EXPENSIVE GIFTS ALSO EMERGES A COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP. GIFT GIVING SHOULD NEVER BE OBLIGATORY, BUT IT STARTS FEELING THAT WAY.

the number of people you can get presents for and there isn’t always room in the budget for both.

When I decide to participate in exchanging gifts, it can be stressful to find something really meaningful because not all of my feelings can really be translated into material items — whether they are expensive or not. I love to give gifts solely for the purpose of Christmas, to celebrate the holidays and the idea of giving.

The atmosphere of the holidays definitely makes presents more meaningful than if we were to just give our friend a sweet surprise on some random day.

Gift giving is unavoidable during the holidays. Nowadays, people shop the whole week before Christmas, have a special day with their families and then rush out the door the next day to the nearest mall for all of the season’s markdowns. Even now, Black Friday was just a week ago and yet the majority of the population is waiting for more sales. But even with all the complications, the materialism and the obligations, I think we should embrace the Christmas tradition of giving gifts. It’s a time to spoil the people you really care about, even if your wallet becomes empty in the process.

ILLUSTRATION BY MARISA SCHOEN

All letters must include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification, not to publish. The Statesman reserves the right to edit all letters for style, space, libel and grammar. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length. Readers may also submit longer guest columns. The Statesman reserves the right to print any submission as a letter or guest column. Submission does not guarantee publication.