"And now the envelope, please!" Uh?

WINONA, Minn., March 21, 2004 -- When Winona State University student President Michael Hofland opened a sealed envelope Sunday night so election judges could check the results from a student constitutional referendum, they weren't there. Somebody had put the wrong information in the envelope. What to do? Hofland asked election judges Justin Jelinek, Ezra Kazee and Aubrey Shermock to join him at 2 p.m., Monday, by which time he hopes he has the right envelope. Hofland had declared Friday after 96 hours of online balloting that the proposed new constitution had been ratified but he declined at that time to announce the numbers pending a review for mismarked ballots by the judges. MORE

HOFLAND WSU student president Constitutional referendum results delayed until Monday afternoon

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS AND SCHEDULES
ST. MARY'S	SOUTHEAST TECH	WINONA STATE

New rules govern WSU spring elections

R.I.P.: Albert F. Krage

Mismarked WSU ballots being assessed

WSU task force begins dialogue

Ojibwe scholars to lead class, tour

J-scholarship, job applicants sought

"Women's Voices" recital at SMU

Colloquium set on math education history

WSU students ratify new constitution

Faculty's "diverse views" on task force

WINONA, Minn., March 19, 2004 -- The much-talked about flag task force at Winona State is without history prof Colette Hyman, perhaps the most vocal critic of the College Republicans’ project to place an American flag in 120 university classrooms. Faculty President Mary Kesler said that no profs were excluded from the task force because of their personal beliefs. She said that an e-mail message was sent to all faculty members and anyone interested was asked to respond. More profs volunteered than there were faculty slots on task force, she said. Kesler would not identify those who were not selected. Kesler said that the Faculty Senate has "fair representation" on the 18-member task force through its members' "diverse views." The flag task force includes one university administrator, seven student representatives, seven faculty members and one representative from each employee bargaining unit at the university. At the first meeting, said university Vice President Jim Schmidt people will share their goals for the flag project. The task force will meet at 3 p.m., Friday, in Somsen 213. Reporter: B.J. Puttbrese Background: Task force empaneled Background: Task force members Background: An ugly exchange Background: First Amendment issue?

KESLER WSU faculty leader TASK FORCE PROFS Ruth Charles Darrell Downs Kelly Herold Vernon Leighton Dan Lintin Joyce Quella Mark Wrolsta

Palm: WSU health care needs funding

WINONA, Minn., March 19, 2004 -- A runny nose or an ear ache may cost Winona State University students 10 percent more at the campus nursing station next year. A proposal from Health Services director Diane Palm calls for a 10 percent increase in the student health fee plus an additional $7 co-pay. Students currently pay $34.80 per semester and $5 co-pay every time they use the service. Testifying before the Student Senate, Palm said that the health services can do just about anything besides sutures and x-rays and is still cheaper than going to an off-campus clinic or the hospital. Palm said that her office had to cut hours last year after not being denied a request for a 3 percent increase. "One physician has gone eight years without a raise," said Palm. Some senators asked about the possibility of 24-hour service. Not without a substantial increase in funding, Palm said. Reporter: Laura Gossman Background: Student senators delay vote

PALM Chief nurse

Military recruiting bill makes progress

WSU street banner ban unconstitutional?

On WSU menu: Brazilian xinxim what?

Flag task force empaneled: Now what?

WSU referendum turnout seems sure

Mayer pins Congressional bid on energy

ROCHESTER, Minn., March 18, 2004 -- The only announced Democrat for Gil Gutknecht's seat in Congress, Joe Mayer, said he has no funds of his own going into the election. He's relying on the people of the First District to help, Mayer said. Mayer acknowledged that obstacles in going against Gutknecht are Gutknecht's incumbency, funding, and name recognition. Mayer is currently working on getting out into communities and attending county conventions and events. If he is unable to attend a convention, one of his representatives will, he said. In an interview, Mayer said Democrats in the First District are energized and interested in getting involved. Democrats have increased their turnout two-fold and three-fold for caucuses, he said. Currently, he said, 20 people are helping him campaign. He does not have a campaign manager yet. Mayer said as he and his representatives attend conventions they are getting more grassroots people to join in the campaign. Reporter: Lindsay Bauer Background: Mayer declares for Congress

MAYER Rochester Democrat

Teacher licensure alt passes hurdle

Higher WSU athletic fee wins OK

Scheevel heads WSU dorms

Student senators delay health fee vote

At Mullligan's, the Irish came, stayed

Bit o' Eire upriver at the Monarch

"About that scholarship, sorry"

Tuition reciprocity change considered

WSU hosts men's volleyball tournament

MEN'S CLUB VOLLEY- BALL

WINONA, Minn., March 17, 2004 -- The 10th-ranked Winona State University men's volleyball team is host for the Northern Intercollegiate conference championships Saturday and Sunday at McCown and Talbot gyms. Sixteen teams will compete. The conference will mark Winona State's team last home matches before national championships in Charlotte, N.C.

No where to go, WSU gymnasts seethe

WINONA, Minn., March 17, 2004 -- The elimination of the Winona State University women's gymnastics from regional and national competitions has team members frustrated and upset. "I can't even put it into words how I feel," said Leah Kindem, a senior who had been team captain. "I have regrets of even coming to this school." The team was eliminated from the competitions after coach Rob Murray missed a deadline for required documents. For Kindem and other seniors, this was the last year to compete. Team members did not find out they wouldn't get into regionals until two weeks after their last scheduled meet of the season. Kindem said the team confronted assistant coach Beckie Rolbiecki, who responded that she had no idea the team had been eliminated. MORE Murray and Larry Holstad, the university's athletic director, met with the team on March 5 to discuss the elimination -- two days after the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association had made its decision. Kindem said that Holstad said he had done his part to ensure that the team could participate in the competitions. Holstad said, also, that Murray did do his part, but that it was too late. Kindem said that coaches of other teams told her that the athletic department did not help Murray out. "It's hard to believe that we got the whole story or that everything everyone has told us is true," Kindem said. The team is penalized because of a failure by the coach, Kindem said: "I don't think it's acceptable." MORE Kindem said the team is frustrated with Murray. Of the six women with whom Kindem started as freshmen, four have quit. "A program should not be losing people like that," Kindem said. Senior Nicole Terbilcox said she quit in January because of Murray. "He lies about things being done when they are not," Terbilcox said. "And he was not showing up to practice." Terbilcox said the team did as much as it could without Murray at practice. She said she learned to do a lot of her skills on her own. Terbilcox said that Murray was "awesome" when he was at practices: "He knows so much about gymnastics." Terbilcox said she does not know why Murray chose not to hand in the appropriate paperwork for competition. "I think he's just behind in everything," Terbilcox said. "He's so busy trying to catch up that he keeps missing deadlines." Terbilcox said Murray does not have a good reputation for completing his work. Kindem too said that Murray is overextended: "I think he's just taking on too much at a time." MORE "I know that the people I've talked to are really mad," Terbilcox said. Terbilcox said Murray did not hand in the paperwork in 2001 either. In 2002, Terbilcox said, she pressed Murray to hand in the paperwork so the team could compete in the regional and national competitions. The team competed in the competitions that season. Terbilcox said the Murray is a good coach, but other things are frustrating. "He's a good guy who does bad things," Terbilcox said. Reporter: Anne Jungen Background: Coach blames e-mails in part Almanac: Gymnasts roster

KINDEM "I have regrets of even coming to this school." TERBILCOX "I know that the people I've talked to are really mad."

WSU admissions search down to three

Lakota men to explain summer learning

Cold winter boosts WSU heating bill

WSU national anthem nod to senior

WINONA, Minn., March 17, 2004 -- The National Anthem singer has been chosen for this spring's Winona State University commencement ceremony. Donovan Germain, a music education major, is the first man to sing the anthem for commencement in six years said the university bands director, Donald Lovejoy, who made the choice. The purpose of the singer is to lead the audience instead of overpower them, Lovejoy said. Germaine is a fifth-year student who transferred two years ago from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. "It is an honor to perform at commencement especially because I haven't really performed here before," Germain said. "I did musicals until I was in eighth grade when my voice changed," Germain said. His voice cracked while up on stage and it was very embarrassing, he said. Germain expects to be graduated himself in December. Reporter: Katie Lokker Background: WSU wind players delay sunmer

GERMAIN Music senior

Test find WSU students exceed norms

Why WSU musicians delay their summer

WINONA, Minn., March 17, 2004 -- While most Winona State University students are bailing out after their last final exam, 100 members of the university's Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be sticking around for a final performance -- commencement. It's their choice. Bands Director Donald Lovejoy used to required the ensemble to stay until after graduation to receive credit for band class, but this year, his enrollment swelling, he made it voluntary. Why will 100 music students delay their start of summer? For one, there's the honor. Lovejoy asked only his 100 best students to play. Also, there is the audience. "They get to have 4,000 to 5,000 people to listen," said Aaron Bosch, a graduating music major. He called playing in the band a "good experience." Bosch, a clarinetist, said, too, there is loyalty to Lovejoy, who he said will "help students any way he can." Said Bosch: "Lovejoy is a great man. He is a very caring individual who expects a lot out of his students, but they respect him for that." Lovejoy has taught for 17 years, three at Winona State. When he arrived at Winona the band had 50 musicians. Now it has 121 Reporter: Katie Lokker Background: Grainger, Joio chosen

LOVEJOY Music prof

Gym coach: E-mail contributed to fiasco

WINONA, Minn., March 17, 2004 -- The Winona State University women's gymnastics coach, Rob Murray, accepts responsibility for his team members all being eliminated from regional and national competitions. "It's a situation I sure wish would never happen," Murray said. "This situation was totally accidental." Murray failed to turn in documents required by the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association by the deadline. MORE How did this happen? Murray said the original deadline was missed by a majority of the NCGA participants, noting it came in the middle of the season when coaches are busy. The deadline passed without his knowledge, he said. After Murray had missed the deadline, Rick Suddaby, chair of the NCGA, sent him an e-mail to turn in the documents immediately. The NCGA gave Murray a two-week extension. Extensions are rare in the NCGA because most teams are eliminated automatically if they miss the first one. Murray said he spoke to people other than Suddaby in the NCGA about the extension. Suddaby was not in the loop, it turned out, and Winona State was eliminated. Murray said there were numerous e-mail problems and he was not receiving e-mails telling him what to do. He said he e-mailed Suddaby explaining the e-mail problems. He appealed the decision of the elimination via e-mail on March 1. "It was my impression that it was a hasty decision," Murray said. He was notified that the committee would not change its decision on March 3. MORE Murray said that he does not feel it is fair for the NCGA to punish the athletes for his mistake. "I can't imagine a tougher situation for those girls," he said. "I can't say enough positives about the athletes on that team." MORE Even so, there were bad feelings among Murray's gymnasts, who did not learn about the elimination from him. When the team confronted him, Murray's first response was that he did not know about the elimination because, he said, at that time the appeal was in process. "I did not say right away that it was a done deal because it actually was not," Murray said. When he was notified that his appeal was denied, he told his team. MORE How did the players get word about the elimination before Murray? "They are all a sharp bunch of kids," he said. "They track their rankings and averages tighter than anybody." MORE Murray said that it would have been challenging for the team to qualify as a team for the regional and national competitions. Some athletes are recovering from injuries and new freshman are developing in the sport, he said. He noted, however, that individual athletes would have qualified. "It is not so much that the team was a shoe-in, but qualify or not qualify they had an opportunity to do it on their own merits," Murray said. Murray said that the team's season average score placed the team at the bottom of the qualifiers for the competitions. The team would have had to put on a strong performance at the regional competition to qualify for the national competition. "It's not at all a given that we would have definitely qualified," Murray said. MORE Murray said that the university gymnastics program, which has 13 participants, is challenging for him to manage. "I don't think it's beyond my capabilities to operate, but, it has become a little more single-handed that I had desired," he said. Besides his full-time faculty coaching position, Murray owns River City KidSport Center, a gymnastics center, at 223 Center St. At the center, Murray runs and coaches the recreation and competitive gymnastics programs. Reporter: Anne Jungen Background: Coach admits lapse Almanac: Gymnastics team members

MURRAY WSU gymnastics coach "This situation was totally accidental." GYMNAST SENIORS Kristin Crouse Leah Kindem Nicole Terbilcox JUNIORS Emily Brys SOPHS Amy Bickler Sammi Solheid Jessica VanDenHeuvel Alisa Patsche FROSH Katie Crouse Lindsey GreerBria Magnuson Laura Peterson Allyson Thelen

Two WSU sociologists retiring

WSU referendum needs 755 voters

Audience chooses "Pappy's" scenes

Story wrong on grocery closing

Another WSU count finds flags aplenty

WSU choses newscaster for media job

WINONA, Minn., March 16, 2004 -- Television newscaster Lisa Klein Scholl, of CBS affiliate WKBT in La Crosse, Wis., was hired as the Winona State University media relations director. She succeeds Joe O'Keefe, who resigned in November for a job at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Scholl's most recent work at WBKT has been the noon news program. She is a masscom graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.Her Winona State salary: $40,300. Background: WSU seeks media relations director

KLEIN Newscaster

WSU's Maria dorm to have male floor

Hoch's "Gothic Nights" on new album

WSU dorms open for off-campus students

Solarium on state trustees' agenda

Grainger, Joio chosen for graduation

Housing Authority award to SMU prof

WSU gymnastics coach admits lapse

WINONA, Minn., March 16, 2004 -- The gymnnastics coach at Winona State, Rob Murray, accepted responsibility for the university's disqualification from regional and national competitions. Murray confirmed that he had missed application deadlines. In an interview reported in the Daily News he said he was less attentive than he should have been to learning the rules for his team members to compete in events sanctioned by the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association. Winona State is relatively new to the association, he said. Murray said he hopes to remain as coach despite the snafu. Reporter: Anne Jungen Background: WSU barred from meets Background: WSU new to NCGA Almanac: Gymnasts roster

MURRAY Job on the line?

In WSU flag showdown, the city blinks

KRYZSKO ADDITION View from the Quadrangle

WSU solarium gets Krueger nod

SO MUCH WINDOW The glass face of the solarium opens into the Quadrangle Construction completion target: Fall 2006

WINONA, Minn., March 15, 2004 -- A proposed $2.4 million solarium addition to the Smaug in the Kryzsko student union building has been approved by Winona State University President Darrell Krueger. After a presentation to Krueger on Monday, student activities Director Joe Reed said: "We got it. I'm on Cloud Nine." Reed and architect Tom Marcella from Partners & Sirny, of the Twin Cities, laid out the plan to Krueger, student affairs Vice President Cal Winbush, university financial officer Scott Ellinghuyse, and campus facilities manager Dick Lande. Reed said Krueger was impressed that the solarium would be built over the current patio pit that Reed believes is unsafe and not a good utilization of space. Reporter: Katie Slater Background: Columbia inspiration

WSU dorms chief: These places are safe

WINONA, Minn., March 15, 2004 -- The Feb. 20 fight in the Morey dorm was an unusual occurrence, said Winona State University dorms chief Michael Porritt. In an interview, Porritt, who has been at Winona State four years, said: "I hope that people understand that this is the first fight that has happened in the dorms since I've been here." In the fight, frosh Phil Capuzzi and soph John Fitzgerald got into a late-night knock-down brawl that sent Fitzgerald to the hospital. Capuzzi was less hurt. Porritt called the fight "an isolated incident." The dorms, he said, are "still a safe place to be." On the all-male third floor of Morey, the only indication that the fight had occurred was a white board on Capuzzi's dorm room door: "No Reporters! By RA's orders." Third-floor tenants seemed unconcerned with safety. Said tenant Matt Gurney: "It was just a fight, and people can fight anywhere." Campus security Director Don Walski said about three assaults occur on campus a year. The last on-campus assault occurred Dec. 14, a domestic incident, in a parking lot. No one was seriously hurt, Walski said. Reporter: Teresa Woodall Background: No criminal charges

THE FITZY BEATING The campus judicial system, mainly disciplinary officer Shirley Mounce, has yet to decide on punishments for Capuzzi and Fitzgerald. Both have been evicted from the dorms.

Police close books on Morey fight

WINONA, Minn., March 15, 2004 -- No criminal charges will be filed against Winona State University sophomore John Fitzgerald or freshman Phil Capuzzi for a fight in Morey dorm on Feb. 20. "It was mutual combat," said Tom Williams, deputy police chief. Williams said the case is closed. On campus, security Director Don Walski said: "It's hard to prove guilt on one party or the other. It’s like a bar fight downtown. If one gets charged the other is also." Walski said charges at their most severe would have been misdemeanor assault." Walski said population density in the doms was a factor: "It's alcohol, egos and men living together closely. Something will happen eventually." He added, however, that only Fitzgerald had admitted to drinking but that Capuzzi was suspected to have been drinking too. Reporter: Teresa Woodall Background: Football not all bad boys

THE FITZY BEATING

CAMPUS FLAGS Legislator blasts WSU flag delay ROCHESTER, Minn., March 15, 2003 -- In an e-mail message to fellow Republicans in the Legislature, State Rep. Carla Nelson of Rochester bad-mouthed Winona State University about the U.S. flag dialogue on campus as "an appalling issue on one of our taxpayer subsidized" campuses. The message was not intended for a general audience, but a Nelson associate leaked a copy to a reporter. In the message, cryptic and not carefully edited, Nelson said: MORE "Colleagues, "Please take a moment and read about an appalling issue on one of our taxpayer subsidized university campus! MORE "In a nutshell: "Recognized student group on campus voted to raise money for flags in every classroom. They earned about ? the money amidst rumors of professor objections. Veterans completed the missing funds. President Krueger said the University would pay for the installation of the flags in each classroom. The student senate voted to approve the project. The IFO (Faculty Union) objected, filed a grievance against President Krueger. President Krueger put a hold on the project. MORE "Just a reminder of my conversation with President Krueger. A professor sent him a letter stating that, "The flag reminds him of the Republican party that took away our domestic partner benefits." Also a grievance has been filed against President Krueger in regards to this project. "Thank you for your interest. MORE "It is a sad day when American flags donated by college students and veterans on our taxpayer funded campuses are not welcome but are considered a "sign of oppression" or "may make our international students feel unwelcome" or "only if we place American flags alongside those of other countries. The attached documents record the sad saga of the flag project at WSU." MORE Nelson included a file of correspondence on the issue with her message. This included messages from Nick Ridge, College Republicans chief at Winona State at the time; Parker Hjlemberg, Ridge's successor; and Wayne Stillman, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1215, Rochester. MORE The tone of Nelson's message fueled speculation on campus, so far unsubstantiated, that she had pressured university President Darrell Krueger to give his go-ahead to the College Republicans' flag plan, to which he acceded. Later, when the Faculty Senate filed a grievance that charged that campus procedures were not being followed, Krueger slowed down the flag project and created a task force to deal with many unanswered questions. Krueger has denied feeling pressured by Nelson. Reporter: B.J. Puttbrese Comment: Vets don't own the flag Background: Will their true colors show? NELSON Rochester Republican KRUEGER Denies feeling pressured

Lewis and Clark scholar at WSU

WINONA, Minn., March 15, 2004 -- A scholar on the Lewis and Clark Expedition that defined the recently acquired Missouri River drainage and the Pacific Northwest in 1803 to 1805, Albert Furtwangler, will speak at Winona State University. Furtwangler's topic: "Empires in the Louisiana Purchase: Claims of Lewis & Clark and Other Intruders." Furtwangler is a retired professor from Mount Allison University and a long-time member of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Association. Furtwangler is the author of "Acts of Discovery: Visions of America in the Lewis & Clark Journals," published in 1999 by the University of Illinois Press. Date: Thursday, March 25 Time: 7 p.m. Place: Somsen Hall Auditorium Cost: Free

FURT- WANGLER His works include articles on the expedition's Indian guide Sacajewa

Hofland has wish list for future

WINONA, Minn., March 15, 2004 -- When Michael Hofland is graduated from Winona State University, there will be unfinished business he hopes his successor as student president pursues. Hofland hopes that the Veteran's Day ceremony, which he initiated, becomes an annual activity. He also likes the Inaugural Gavel Passing ceremony and the idea of State of the Senate addresses. Among his disappointments was the turnout for Lobby Day, at which students travel to St. Paul to make the case at the Capitol for student causes. This year 60 students made the trip. Reporter: Dana Zuhlke Background: No hats in the ring

HOFLAND Will initiatives become traditions?

WSU hires digital media expert

Will WSU student apathy still rein?

LATIN FUSION Percussion Ensemble director Rich MacDonald, center, joins Andrew Haupt on vibraphone and Cassie Lynch on the bells to tone up for the Ensemble concert on Friday.

WSU percussionists await guest artist

Winona street tax gets negative review