Trustees spurn last-ditch NewU plea

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 20, 2005 -- The newly installed president of Winona State, Judith Ramaley, was not allowed to speak on the New University reform plan at state college trustees's meeting in St. Paul-- despite a move by one trustee for Ramaley to make a last-distch argument for a tuition surcharge. Board chair Robert Hoffman said that comments from Ramaley would have been better suited in the finance committee, whosed recommendation against the surcharge was decided the day before. New testimony at the board level was not appropriate at the board level, Hoffman ruled. MORE Trustee Duane Benson, a NewU advocate, had asked for Ramaleyto speak on his budget amendment to exempt Winona State from a 7 percent cap on tuition at all of the colleges and universities in the state. The amendment would have given Winona State an extra 2 percent tution that university admininstrators had implied would be earmared for as wide range of program upgrades they dubbed the New University. "We as a board cannot be creative, but the institutions can," said Benson. He called on fellow trustees to support innovation with funding. MORE In opposition trustee Will Antel said that favoring one university from the rest of the system was a "bad precedent." While he agreed that the New U was a good idea, trustee Ivan Dusek called it ridiculous to get funding directly from the students. Benson's priposal for a Winona State surcharge failed 14-3 with only Benson, David Olson and Cheryl Dickson voting in favor. MORE About 100 people attended the hearing, nearly half of them students from Minnesota colleges and universities. MORE Although Ramaley did not addreess the trustees, she waS recognized by state colleges Chancellor James McCormick for her appointment to the presidency of Winona State. Also attending from Winona State were academic Vice Presidents Steve Richardson and public relations Vice President Jim Schmidt. Faculty President Mary Kesler, sciednces Dean Nancy Jannik and geoscience prof Kathy Summa. MORE Earlier in the day, Ramaley attended a meeting of the ad-hoc work group of the board on strategic planning.

NEW UNIVERSITY a.k.a. The Winona Experience

Trustees resist Pawlenty pressure for NewU

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 20, 2005 -- The decision of state college trustees against giving Winona State authority to create new tuition revenue for high-visibility reforms, called the New University, came despite an 11th-hour push by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to exempt to Winona State from the trustees' 7 percent cap on tuition increase on other campuses. Before the 14-3 vote to hold Winona State to a statewide 7 percent cap, trustee Wilfred Antell said the governor's office was unreasonable in pressing for Winona State to get special treatment. It is incorrect for the board to single one institution out, said Antell MORE Trustee Michael Boulton made the same point, that increasing Winona State tuition by an additional percentage would be unfair to the other six MnSCU system universities. None of the other universities had sought a waiver from the cap. "It's contradictory and a slap in the face for the other presidents," Boulton said. MORE Gov. Pawlenty had been won over to the NewU concept early. A year ago Winona State's president, Darrell Krueger, pitched the plan to Pawlenty, including the case for a series of four $250 annual tuition surcharges on students. Krueger caught Pawlenty's attention with the pithy line: "Give us more to do more." Pawlenty repeated the line in traveling southeast Minnesota the next several months. Pawlenty's critics saw the governor's support as trade-off for Krueger to acquiesce on Pawlenty's plan, hatched about the same time, to replace Winona State's off-campus curriculum in Rochester with a new separate university. In the meantime, Krueger has retired. MORE At the MnSCU trustees meeting in St. Paul on Wednesday, board chair Robert Hoffman expressed concern with divisiveness at Winona State over the New University. "Students have been very concerned with the consultation process," Hoffman said. Trustee Clarence Hightower said Winona State had done a poor job selling the New University concept not only to students but also to MnSCU trustees. In an oblique reference to recently retired university President Darrell Krueger, who staked the reputation of his finale two years on the New U, Hightower said: "This is not a reflection on the new presidency, but I don't think Winona has done a good job preparing for this change." Krueger's successor, Judith Ramaley, has endorsed the New University reform package but, only a week on the job, she has not been as closely linkled to the intiative. About student objections to incremental tuition surcharges to fund the NewU, Highhtower said: "Student after student has said this was not a collaborative process, and I have tremendous concern." MORE Major problems for the NewU appeared last fall when Krueger and a team of advocates were unable to explain definitively to trustees how tuition surcharge revenue would be spent. Trustees never got a firm feeling for the proposed reforms despite glowing descriptions from the Krueger team of more experiential learning through internships and study abroad. MORE Several trustees noted that several other institutions within the MnSCU system are also trying to shift to more experiential learning but without a tuition surcharge. Said trustee Ivan Dusek: "Other universities are making these creative advancements as well. I'm in favor of innovation but not in favor of that being taken from student tuition and fees." Trustee Cheryl Dickenson suggested that Winona State continue working at innovation but within the same budget constraints as other MnSCU institutions: "Many university presidents are innovative and creative without us nudging things along. They are all working to make things better. But we cannot allow everyone to go forward because we don't have the funds." Noting that the 7 percent cap on tuition increases exceeds the 5 percent needed for escalating Winona State operating expenses, Dickenson said: "See what you can do with the extra 2 percent." MORE Several board members said Winona State's next step must be to repair campus relationships that have been damaged by dissent over the NewU. The message: Students must be convinced that the changes are worth the extra money before going any further. MORE The 7 percent tuition increase, effective for fall classes, will put Winona State tuition at $4,940, not counting mandatory fees that for many students run close to $2,000. MORE In debating the proposed Winona State tuition surcharge, trustee Duane Benson, a NewU enthusiast, said that the board of trustees cannot encourage innovation and creativity and then not fund it. Benson said that holding Winona State to the 7 percent cap would be denying funds that the university needs to be innovative and creative. Trustee Phillip Davis responded that it is the responsibility of campus administrations to be innovative and creative but not at the expense of students. Campus presidents need to use the funds available to them to implement plans such as the NewU, said Davis. MORE As the debate clearly shifted against any special NewU tuition, incoming Winona State President Judith Ramalay sat showing no expression. Darrell Krueger was not present. MORE Following the board's decision, Winona State student President Flynn wore a smile from ear to ear. "This is a huge victory for students," he said. "Our first step will be to make priority lists, and discuss them with Dr. Ramaley," Flynn said in an interview. "I'm so pleased with the outcome. It really will push us towards a compromise." MORE The chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association, Hal Kimball, called the 7 percent tuiton cap a powerful message that the MnSCU trustees care about their responsibility to students. Kimball said the cap isn't a perfect solution to tuition problems but is one that the both students and their university administrators can live with. Travis Reese, vice chair of the state student group, said that after two consecutive years of double-digit increases in tuition, the 7 percent cap is an enormous victory for students. MORE The trustees' decision followed a recommendation developed by the board's Finance and Facilities Committee, which met more than three hours Tuesday. Trustee Cheryl Dickson said the committee ultimately came down to looking at the absolute numbers rather than concentrating on percentages. Seven percent, she said, was enough new tuition to cover needs at every campus. The MnSCU system comprises seven universities, 21 two-year campuses, and 34 technical school campuses.

NEW UNIVERSITY a.k.a. The Winona Experience

WSU expects foreign student surge

UPCOMING EVENTS
ST. MARY'S	SOUTHEAST TECH	WINONA STATE

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WSU students: We caught trustees' ears

WINONA, Minn., July 20, 2005-- Student leaders at Winona State claimed victory in the decision of state college trustees against a $250 tuition surcharge sought by university administrators. Senior Sen. Ryan Predmore, called the trustees' decision "a good balance of affordability and quality." The trustees, meeting Wednesday in St Paul, approved a 7 percent cap on tuition increases at all MnSCU campuses, including Winona State, and voted down the proposed extra surcharge for Winona State. Predmore said the MnSCU trustees had clearly heard Winona State students objections to a surcharge for the so-called New University project. MORE Students, Predmore said, had been systematically bypassed at key steps in New University planning. "We are happy to see the MnSCU board has encouraged student consultation on tuition increases by correcting the lack of consultation that has occurred at Winona State concerning the New University," he said. MORE Predmore called the 7 percent tuition cap a victory for the Minnesota State University Student Association. The statewide association had lobbied for a tuition freeze, but the Legislature didn't pony up enough funds. The 7 percent cap is a "good balance," Predmore said, noting that the cap breaks repeated years of double-digit tuition hikes.

NEW UNIVERSITY a.k.a. The Winona Experience RYAN PREDMORE Senior senator

Gordon hearing delayed to October

WINONA, Minn., July 20, 2005 -- A pre-trial evidentiary hearing was for October in the case against Paul Allen Gordon in the December murders of former Winona State University student Stacy Smith, her unborn child, and her 10-year-old daughter. The hearing, referred to as an "omnibus hearing," is set for 9 a.m., Oct. 25 will give the defense a chance to object to evidence and challenge the grand jury. In an interview county prosecutor Chuck MacLean said he is "very confident" about the evidence. "Law enforcement did a tremendous job," said MacLean. MORE

PAUL ALLEN GORDON Accused in Winona strangulation murders

Obscene e-mails cost Baptist seminarian

Trustees refuse WSU's NewU funding

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 20, 2005 -- In a setback for proposed curricular and extracurricular reforms designed to distinguish Winona State from other colleges, state college trustees voted to keep Winona State to the same tuition cap as other MnSCU campuses. The trustees explicitly rejected funding for the so-called New University project, also called the Winona Experience. The trustees, however, approved tuition increases at MnSCU campuses up to a 7 percent cap for fall. This means, in effect, that Winona State will have an additional 5 percent for salaries and inflation-jacked operating expenses and can divert the extra 2 percent for New University projects. MORE Judith Ramaley, university president, said she expects 35 percent of New University projects that had been planned for the coming year could proceed. Ramaley had hoped the trustees would approve a 10.7 percent increase for Winona State, including the first of four proposed annual $250 tuition surcharges for the New University. MORE Over the past year, Ramaley's predecessor, Darrell Krueger had lobbied hard for the surcharges to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, MnSCU trustees, state colleges Chancellor Jim McCormick, and legislators. Also Krueger had lobbied students but met strong resistance. In his last week before retiring as university president, Krueger was embarrassed at a trustees meeting in Winona by incoming student President Ryan Flynn, who charged heavy-handed pressure by Krueger to silence student opposition to any NewU tuition increase. Flynn quoted repeated Krueger statements that, he said, left students feeling intimidated -- and angry. Flynn also said that students had been inadequately folded in the NewU planning process even though they would be funding the bill. MORE At the trustees' meeting on Wednesday, trustee Duane Benson of Lanesboro, whom Krueger had courted for NewU support, asked the board to exempt Winona State from the statewide 7 percent tuition cap. The Benson motion, for 9 percent for Winona State, failed. A spokesperson for Chancellor McCormick, who had supported the NewU, explained that the trustees had not wanted to single out Winona State. The spokesperson, Linda Kohl, said she was unable to comment on the impact of Ryan Flynn's attack on Krueger's tactics at the trustees' meeting a week earlier in Winona. MORE In Winona, Ramaley said that administrators would refine the New University plan within the new budget realities. NewU plans includes new studies-related campus jobs for students, more support for internships, new study-abroad programs, and a higher-level of student support. The project, a major last hurrah for Krueger's 16 years as Winona State president, had been in discussion and research for two years supported by a $761,000 planning budget.

WSU TUITION HIKE 7% NO NEW-U TUITION SURCHARGE NEW UNIVERSITY a.k.a. The Winona Experience RYAN FLYNN His role in NewU setback? DARRELL KRUEGER His last hurrah hits critical obstacle JUDITH RAMALEY Her challenge: Picking up the pieces

Taking a bite out of WSU crime

WINONA, Minn., July 20, 2005 -- Winona State University has recruited McGruff as part of a creative approach to crime prevention this fall. Don Walski, campus security chief, said dorm students can expect a big push for crime prevention." We're using a lot of gimmick-type things," he said, explaining: "If you give students brochures, they're not going to read them. But if McGruff the Crime Dog comes to your room and chews you out for leaving your door open, that experience is more likely to stick." Other gimmicks include 3-inch by 5-inch yellow "sticky fingers" cards with a red handprint and the printed message: "Within the last 10 seconds someone could have stolen something from your room. Remember to lockl= your door when you leave your room." MORE The push comes after a spring semester during which nearly 50 computers were reported lost or stolen, mostly off campus, said Walski. Most of the thefts, he said, could have been prevented easily. Cards with theft prevention tips are being printed. The cards will be distributed with laptop computers and bookstore purchases and in dorm mailboxes, said Walski. MORE He plans at least one visit from McGruff, who will roam the dorms reminding students to lock their doors. Another novel yet functional, safety reminder will be plastic purple keychain whistles with the campus security phone number. The whistles will be handed out free, he said. MORE Walski plans to add a second full-time person to his staff by fall. The additional person is not in response to higher campus crime rates but a recoignition that Winona anopther MnSCU campuses have been operating with far less security than comparable universities elsewhgere. Walski said that 95 percent of public universities in the country with about 2,500 or more students havefull-time police officers. Until this spring Walski was Winona State's only full-time security employee. The rest were part-time student workers. Most student security guards do a good job, he said, but "an 18-year-old with 40 hours of security training" cannot offer as much as a full-time professional.

MCGRUFF He'll be wandering the campus

A Rochester university? Talks start Friday

Montana law prof cleared to teach constitution

WSU Democrats eye 2006 victories

WSU technology veep salary unchanged again

Judge Roberts' higher-ed record troubles some

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2005 -- President Bush's nominee for a pending U.S. Supreme Court vacancy, John Roberts, is known mostly as a lawyer and judge for activities symathetic to big business, but he also has a higher-ed record of cases unfriendly to students and faculty. When he was with the law firm of Hogan & Hartson, Roberts, now 50 and a federal appeals judge, represented Gonzaga University against students who sued under a federal law that protects the privacy of student records. To the U.S. Supreme Court, Roberts' argument prevailed prevailed 7-2 that federal law does not give individual students the right to sue colleges that divulge confidential student information. MORE In another case, Roberts represented the National Collegiate Athletic Association in arguing to the Supreme Court that the NCAA should not be bound by Title IX of the Education Amendments just because it received federal funds through dues from member colleges. Roberts argued that only the direct recipients of federal funds should be covered by Title IX. The Supreme Court accepted Roberts' arguments. MORE In 2001 Roberts represented two administrators at a Kentucky college who had been sued by a part-time faculty member they had fired for slurs against women, blacks and gays. The instructor claimed his violated First Amendment right to free speech had been breached. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case. MORE As a federal judge Roberts wrote the majority opinion favoring LeMoyne-Owen College in Tennessee, which was fighting a faculty-unionization drive. Roberts found the National Labor Relations Board had failed to adequately explain why it had not followed the precedents cited by the college. The court sent the case back to the board for further review.

JOHN ROBERTS President Bush's choice for Supreme Court

Trustees, WSU students on same page?

WINONA, Minn., July 19, 2005 -- The student president at Winona State University, Ryan Flynn, is optimistic that state college trustees have the same doubts as students about the proposed New University project that has divided the campus in recent months. Flynn said he believes the trustees, meeting Wednesday in St. Paul, will delay a decision on the New University package of reforms, including a proposed $250 tuition surcharge, until fall. Flynn noted that the trustees have called several times for more details and show exactly how the New University money would be spent. Students have been adamant against additional tuition for the plan, which was the centerpiece of President Darrell Krueger's final two years at the university. Krueger retired last week. In effect, that would mean a 7 percent increase in Winona State tuition. MORE Although Flynn sees a delay on the New University surcharge, he expects the trustees on Wednesday will place a 7 percent cap on basic tuition statewide for the coming year. MORE About the New University, Flynn said, the trustees are looking for accountability, knowing exactly what the project is to accomplish, and how additional funding will be spent. Accountability is exactly what the students have been asking for as well, he said. MORE Flynn has been a leading opponent of the New University as vaguely conceived and costly. He also has criticizedd Krueger as heavy-handed in tactics to steamroll the project into reality. Up to this point the administration has been work at selling the students on the New University but not wanting or allowing for student influence, said Flynn. Administrators have taken a "champion ideology," the person who talks the loudest wins, he said. MORE Despite student opposition, Flynn acknowledges that the New University project, which has little opposition from the faculty, is going to happen. If the trustees vote to delay the project, Flynn said that the Student Senate would work towards a compromise, asking for set goals based on student needs and for the financial burden on students to be decreased, said Flynn. Flynn said that compromise between the students and new university President Judith Ramaley, who has endorsed the project, is still possible. Flynn said he feels optimistic that Ramalay will help bring students and the administration back together. MORE The meeting of the MnSCU Board of Trustees a will begin Tuesday with standing committees reproting on their assigned issues. The meeting will conclude on Wedensday with amendments to the state college system budget -- and tuition and fees. Students will meet at the MSUSA office, 108 Como Ave. in St. Paul, by 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday to be shuttled to the board meeting, said Flynn.

NEW UNIVERSITY a.k.a. The Winona Experience RYAN FLYNN WSU student president

Uncertainties cloud WSU foreign enrollment

WSU wants levee dock for river studies

WINONA, Minn., July 18, 2005 -- The City Council tentatively approved a Winona State University plan to take over the delapidated tour-boat dock on the Mississippi River Levee and dock a 60-foot houseboat there. The dock would be painted purple and white, the Winona State colors. MORE The next step is for City Manager Eric Sorsensen and the university to work out a contract that would include repair and maintenance of the dock. MORE The houseboat would be in and out with students in a variety of projects coordinated through the university's new Center for Mississippi River Studies. The boat has an enclosed classroom with an open-air classroom and observation area on the upper deck. The boat, certified fro 30 passengers, could also be used for university entertaining, including alumni evenings and V.I.P cruises. MORE The houseboat, yet unchristened, has been leased from Living Lands and Waters. The three-year lease is for $25,000. MORE Biology prof Mike Delong, whose scholarship focuses on the river, told Council members that the floating classroom would be the centerprice of the emerging Semester on the River. The program is an interdisciplinary approach to the river with history, biology, sociology, art and other components. The boat has storage for kayaks and canoes for forays into backweaters. MORE The boat's presence at Levee park would be "a constant reminder" of Winona State's commitment to the river, DeLong said. It also would be a recognition of the river as an education resource, he added.

MIKE DELONG A river scholar in his element

Kruger salary levels at $113,000

R.I.P.: Norman D. Doty

RECENT DAYS IN THE CITY POSTED JULY 18, 2005 NEW CLINIC. A walkin, urgent-care clinic, Cornerstone Health, opened at 52 E. Third St. for minor emergencies and illnesses. An investor group headed by John Harrington of Fountain City, Wis., created the clinic. MORE COLUMBUS HERE? A replica of Nina from explorer Christopher Columbus' 1492 fleet will dock in Winona on Thursday for five days of on-board tours. Cost: $3 to $5. NINA 1492 replica MORE SPORTS BAILOUT. The Morrie Miller Fund, which conducts an annual golf fundraiser, gave $120,000 to the schools to keep winter and spring sports programs going another year. The programs had been in jeopardy after voters rejectecd a school-tax proposal in 2004. MORE WIRELESS COPS. Nine squad cars will be equipped with wireless laptops to hook into information networks on site, the City Council decided. New cell towers made the wireless connections possible, said Police Chief Frank Pomeroy. The laptops will cost $75,000 with $13,000 for annual support. MORE MUSEUM SUPPORT. The City Council approved $300,000 to lay utilities to the proposed Martime Museum upriver from the Interstate Bridge. The river dredge Thompson and a 16,000-square foot museum will be centerpieces of the project. EARLIER NEWS IN THE CITY

WSU interviews for second professional guard

Could Stacy Smith have saved herself?

WINONA, Minn., July 17, 2005 -- Family and friends of Winona State University student Stacy Smith, who was murdered with her 10-year-old daughter and unborn child in December, keep asking whether anything could have prevented what happened. Tamara Berg, a Winona State prof who studies domjestic violence, has no clear answers. Berg calls it "very difficult to predict what the victim could've done." According to Berg, the chances of a woman being murdered by her lover are highest when she attempts to leave the relationship. It is clear from text messages identified by police that Smith, 29, had wanted to terminate her ties with Paul Allen Gordon and be "rid of each other forever." Gordon, 22, is charged with the murders. MORE At a rally to raise awareness of domestic violence last spring, Smith's family said that she had sought help from the Women's Resource Center, which helps women facing domestic violence. Berg, a co-chair of the center, isn't sure whether Smith was taking full advantage of the center. "It might have been difficult to take advantage of some of the options available from the WRC, such as a relocation effort," Berg said, noting that Smith, a Winona native, had a handy family support network. Too, said Berg, "She probably never imagined that she faced that kind of danger or she would've asked for more help." said Berg. She said the odds were against Smith. "Her situation was compounded by poverty, and lack of education or a good job, and being a single parent. Stacy was caught in a cycle of violence that is extremely difficult to break." MORE Berg called the case an energizing "lightning rod" for this community: "It is a call to those of us who are in the profession, as well as students, to use that energy." Berg has worked up proposal for a peer-based advocacy program at Winona State. The program, in cooperation with the Women's Resource Center, would offer supportive, confidential, around-the-clock individual advocacy by trained students available. Additional links to professional counseling and court services, such as restraining orders, would be offered by the peer-support center, Berg said. MORE "Women in Stacy's position often feel that they are the only ones experiencing this type of situation," Berg said. "They feel like a cop won't understand them. Especially when drugs are involved, they are reluctant to go to the police." Because of the barriers inhibiting many women from asking for help, Berg said the best way to reach out to college-age women is peer-based advocacy and education. MORE Berg is seeking a $27,500 grant for peer-adviocacy this coming academic year. The project includes a violence-prevention education program, a crisis intervention protocol, and a student-centered health advocacy website. In the grant proposal, Berg cited a 2004 campus health survey that found more than half of Winona State students knew "very little" about violence on campus or about campus violence prevention services. Even so, Berg noted, the survey found more than 80 of the students surveyed reported being in an abusive relationship in the past year.

PAUL ALLEN GORDON Accused in Winona strangulation murders

Student press freedom takes blow

CHICAGO, Ill., July 17, 2005 -- A federal appeals court reversed itself and ruled that college administrators can censor campus newspapers that are subsidized with college funds. Judge Frank Easterbrook, writing for the 7-4 majority, seemed unfazed by the traditional argument of First Amendment protection for college newspapers under the free-press clause. Easterbrook chose, instead, to emphasize academic freedom: "Academic freedom includes the authority of the university to manage an academic community ... free from interference by other units of government." MORE The case originated at Governors State University in Illinois, where the dean of students, Patricia Carter, had instructed the printer for the student newspaper that a university official had to approve the content first. MORE The decision drew on the 1988 Supreme Court's Hazelwood decision that high-school administrators may review and censor student publications. It had generally been thought that college newspapers were in a different category. In fact, the U.S. District Court that first heard the case and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit orginally had found in favor of the student editors at the Governors State Innovator. Those rulings, on review, now have been overturend by full appellate court. MORE In the new ruling, Judge Easterbrook said "that Hazelwood's framework applies to subsidized student newspapers at colleges as well as elementary and secondary schools." Even so, Easterbrook did not get into whether Carter had violated the free press rights of student editors by censoring the paper. The decision leaves loose ends. At one point, Easterbrook seems to accept the student argument that the Innovator was "a designated public forum" and then says Carter was entitled to qualified immunity from damages because she was not "bound to know" that the paper could be considered a public forum. MORE At the Student Press Law Center in Washington, executive director Mark Goodman called the decision a setback. "A school that is looking for an excuse to censor and wants some legal principles to hang its hat on will use this ruling as a justification," Goodman said. The decision, he added, muddies the issue. Background: Censorship in Keys' past: His role? About censorship, Keys' memory vague

PAUL KEYS WSU presidential hopeful from Governors State The Governors State cenorship became a Winona State University issue when it was learned that Paul Keys, chief academic officers at Governors State, had made the list of five finalists for president at Winona State. MORE Keys was part of the Governors State administrative team that had engaged in the censorship and defended the action. MORE Although a defendant in the federal suit by Governors State student editors, Keys had not made mentioned his role in the case in applying at Winona State. MORE When confronted, he said he didn't know much about the case. That seemed a stretch of credibility for some Winona State campus people. MORE Keys was dropped when the search was narrowed to three candidates.

Ceremonies mark Krueger 's last day

Reporter: Ryan Richardson

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NEWS AND COMMENT WINONA MEDIA WATCH 150 YEARS LATER The Daily News is 150 years old. On Nov. 20, 1855, the first issue of the WDN's predecessor, the Republican-Herald, appeared on the dirt streets of the new Mississippi river town of Winona. MORE Lots has happened since. In noting the 150th anniverary, editor Darrell Ehrlick put it this way: "This newspaper carried the news of Minnesota becoming a state, every major battle of the Civil War, the assassination of four U.S. presidents, two world wars, two wars fought in Asia, two in the Persian Gulf and the Spanish-American War. That's just what happened outside Winona." MORE To celebrate it all, the paper is throwing a cookout for the community at 5 p.m., Wednesday, at Lake Park. A concert by the Municipal Band follows. MORE Happy birthday, WDN. MEDIA WATCH ARCHIVE

YOUR COMMENTARY TOO IS INVITED TRY TO STAY WITHIN 300 WORDS

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WSU SECURITY REPORT WEEK ENDING JULY 16, 2005 July 12: A Prentiss-Lucas dorm supervisor reported having problems with an irate person at 9:40 p.m. July 12: A dorm supervisorm reported that a person had taken some items from the Tau dorm near the end of the school year.

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Firefox endorsed over Microsoft Explorer

GAINESVILLE, Fla., July 16, 2005 -- The University of Florida's physics faculty is advising students to replace Microsoft Explorer as their computer web browser and go instead with Mozilla's Firefox. Firefox is widely regarded as more secure than Explorer. Explorer has been dogged with security problems. In a pitch to students to make Firefox their priority browser, profs put this on the department web site: "Remember what the Internet was like before pop-ups, and when your privacy mattered? Get that feeling back!"

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Firefox, an open-source program released last year by Mozilla, an open-source software project that is an offshoot of Netscape. At Florida, Mozilla and a suite of related software programs and tools are being made available free to students. At Winona State, students with leased Gateways are issued Explorer. Winona State students with Macs get Apple's Safari browser.

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COURT CONVICTIONS WEEK ENDING JULY 15, 2005 IN WINONA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT UNDERAGE CONSUMPTION Meghan Nicole Fergason, 19, Lakeville, Minn., $297. Timothy John Pfeffer Jr., 18, Cocharane, Wis., $177. ALL BOOZING CONVICTIONS ALL NOISY PARTY CONVICTIONS

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Missouri dean demoted for plagiary

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 15, 2005 -- The arts and sciences dean at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, Bryan Le Beau, has beeen placed on administrative leave after admitting he lifted passages from someone else's work for a commencement address. Le Beau wias assigned to the history faculty pending the appointment of a new chancellor, who will decide the case. His salary was cut from $157,500 to $128,500. Le Beau plagiarized from a commencement speech delivered by Cornel West, a widely published prof at Princeton University, and from another commencement speech by the author Russell Baker of the New York Times.

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Second season Bardfest tickets at record

BARD FEST June 24 premier "Much Ado About Nothing" "Richard III"

WINONA, Minn., July 14, 2005 -- The goal of 7,000 tickets for this summer's Great River Shakespeare Festival will be met, said co-producing director Mark Hauck. Sales passed last season's 6,000 this week, with two weeks still left on the current run. The plays, on the Winona State University main stage, have included two sell-outs this season. Hauck said there has been new interest from La Crosse, Wis., and Rochester, Minn., Shakespeare enthusiasts this second season.

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After "Much Ado" about everything

WINONA, Minn., July 13, 2005 -- After a tension-filled state college board hearing on tuition, retiring Winona State University President Darrell Krueger and his successor, Judith Ramaley, had an evening of Shakespeare. They attended the Great River Shakespeare Festival production of "Much Ado About Nothing" at the campus theater building. Neither bore scars nor appeared affected by the afternoon of testimony, which included student arguments that Krueger had spurned meaningful student input in trying to ramrod through changes that could cost a $1,000 in extra tuition over four years.

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At the "Much Ado" intermission, Krueger and Ramaley chatted and shook hands with townspeople attending the play. Also at the play were profs Cathy Summa and Joan Francioni, who had appeared in the afternoon on behalf of the Krueger plan, called the New University. Also at the play was academic Vice President Steve Richardson.

Reporter: Erin Feger
Background: Ramaley carrying New U torch
Background: Charge: Krueger treated students rudely
Background: College trustees list tuition witnesses

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NEW UNIVERSITY

Ramaley carrying New U torch

WINONA, Minn., July 13, 2005 -- The incoming Winona Stated University president, Judith Ramaley, reaffirmed her commitement to outgoing President Darrell Krueger's New University reforms. In an interview after a state college trustees' hearings on tuition, including tuition increases to fund the New U, Ramaley obliquely acknowledged strudent student opposition. "Whenever you have any new person in the mix it gives you the opportunity to listen with fresh thinking," she said. MORE "My hope is to spend some time with the leadership to find out what the source of their concerns really is, without trying to reconstruct history, which I think would not be as useful as looking forward into the future. What's important, she said, is "working out the questions people have about this development." Ramaley, who takes over as president this weekend, told an interviewer that the New University plan, now officially dubbed the Winona Experience, is a good step forward. "Implementing the tuition increase would not be an unreasonable thing to do," she said. MORE "All the MnSCU institutions are investing in their future. They're calling it different things, they're focusing on different aspects of their mission, and they're starting out with particular ideas that are specific to their campus. But the Winona Experience is not different in character from what the other campuses are doing. What distinguishes it is how comprehensive it is and how thoughtful the process has been over the last two years." MORE In addressing the trustees, Ramaley said that Winona State is an institution that is willing to change itself to be a model of success for other institutions. She pledged to hold herself, the university and the students all accountable for that success. To the trustees, she said: "Invest in our institution." Ramaley said the New University plan is what attracted her to Winona State. "It inspires me and fills me with hope," she said. "What impresses me so much is that this university is willing to examine and change itself," said Ramaley.

NEW UNIVERSITY Krueger reform package JUDITH RAMALEY WSU president- designate

Reporters: Tess Beckman, Ryan Richardson and Teri Root
Background: Flynn: Krueger rude in his New U zeal
Background: Citizen plea: Don't overprice college
Background: College trustees list tuition witnesses

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Legislators move to unlink grades, views

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 13, 2005 -- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to investigate student claims that professors graded them unfairly because of their political views. About 50 students have claimed discrimination. In creating an investigatory committee, the House called from protection from "the imposition of ideological orthodoxy." Students should be "graded based on academic merit, without regard for ideological views," the House mandate said. Rep. Gibson Armstrong, R-Lancaster, expressed concern about a lack of intellectual diversity on campuses.

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The Pennsylvania investigation is part of a campaiogn by Republican lawmakers in several states, including Minnesota, to pass what they call an "academic bill of rights" that, they say, would add to intellectual diversity on campuses. Critics, including faculty groups, argue thet the measure would give government officials control over academic freedom and professorial judgment.

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College admissions reforms slights Asians

PRINCETON, N.J., July 13, 2005 -- The federal policy designed to create room for blacks and Hispanics in colleges, called Affirmative Action, has indeed succeeded, according to Princeton University researchers Thomas Espenshade and Chang Y. Chung. Writing in Social Science Quarterly, they said that acceptance rates for black applicants at elite colleges would fall to 12.2 percent from 33.7 percent if Affirmative Action were abandoned. Rates for Hispanic applicants would drop to 12.9 percent from 26.8 percent. Espenshade and Chung said admission rates for whites would be unaffected. A surprise in their statistical study was that eliminating Affirmative Action would significantly raise the number of Asian-American admissions. Asian-American students would fill nearly 80 percent of the spaces not taken by black and Hispanic students, they concluded.

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NEW UNIVERSITY

Citizen plea: Don't overprice college

WINONA, Minn., July 13, 2005 -- A Winona State University grad, Steve Schild, urged state college trustees against approving a proposed tuition surcharge to finance reforms proposed by outgoing Winona State President Darrell Krueger. The surcharge, beginning at $250 in the fall and escalating to $1,000, would preclude some students from college, Schild said. "I attended Winona State because of the great value." he said. "I was able to afford an education at this institution. If it becomes more expensive to attend, then you are shutting the door on deserving students." In an age when financial aid is becoming based on merit rather than need it is already too difficult for students from low-income families to attend college, he said. MORE Schild noted that Winona State already has increased tuition by 70.2 percent in the past four years. This past year tuition and fees were $5,325 for Minnesota residents and $9,271 for non-residents. MORE Schild was the only witnesses who spoke as a citizen at the trustees' sourthern Minensota tuition hearing. Other witnesses were almost all pro-tuition increase adminstrators and anti-increase students. Schlid holds an English master's from Winona State and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. He chairs the media studies departmetn at St. Mary's University.

NEW UNIVERSITY Krueger reform package STEVE SCHILD WSU grad

Reporters: Tess Beckman and Ryan Richardson
Background: Flynn: Krueger rude in his New U zeal
Background: College trustees list tuition witnesses

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Been busted? Yes, fed aid available

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2005 -- The U.S. Education Department, whose web site incorrectly said that college students with drug convictions were inelgible for federal aid, has fixed the error after weeks of foot-dragging. The site's aid application section now for refers students to a "drug-conviction worksheet" to figure out if convictions affect their eligibility. When the error was reported in June, the department said a correction would not be posted until July 24 when the contractor that controls for the site was next scheduled to do site maintenance. A spokespersonm now says that there was a misunderstanding and that the contractor could make minor content adjustments any time and would.

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NEW UNIVERSITY

Flynn: Krueger rude in his New U zeal

WINONA, Minn., July 13, 2005 -- The student president at Winona State, Ryan Flynn, told state college system trustees that university President Darrell Krueger had been unfair and abusive in roughshod bullying in attempts to quiet student dissatisfaction with a campus reform project that will require an extra $1,000 tuition in the coming four years. Flynn, an opponent of Krueger's project, called the New University, didn't hold back. MORE In two years of pushing for the New University, Krueger used intimidation on students leaders time and again, Flynn said: "President Krueger made two things very clear. The first was that, as president of the university, he had power -- not us. And he believed as students, we lacked any ability to understand what any of us needed from the university. This was expressed through a statement similar to 'You are students, you don't know what you need.' The second thing he made clear was, and I quote, 'I am good at politics. If you try and play any politics against me, I will win, I will win.' This last line was not spoken but shouted to a newly elected Student Senate." MORE On one occasion, Flynn said, when students had asked Krueger about skyrocketing tuition, he responded, "If you want affordability, go to Southeast Tech." MORE Flynn said his point was that Krueger hadn't taken student concerns seriously. "I have been involved in student government only two years, and yet in those two years I have seen such discouraging things," Flynn said. "I have witnessed faculty members calling students stupid and accusing them of lacking foresight, all because we asked questions that they didn't want to answer." In short, said Flynn: "The consultation process was atrocious." MORE While Flynn was testifying, Krueger occasionally shook his head in disbelief. Academic Vice President Steve Richardson, Krueger's point person for the New University project, squirmed uncomfortably in his auditorium chair, crossing and re-crossing his legs and also shaking his head. Faculty President Mary Kesler, a New University advocate, glared as Flynn testified. MORE Krueger followed Flynn to the podium but didn't address Flynn's criticism. MORE After the hearing, former Student Senate Vice President Tim Donahue, who lost to Flynn for president in a campus-wide student election in April, said Flynn had been honest in his testimony to the board of trustees. "I think he accurately described what has been going on," Donahue said. " I was happy to see a lot of the things [Krueger] had done were presented to the board, and I think that took a lot of guts." MORE The board of trustees, which sets tuition at Winona State and other public colleges statewide, conducted the hearing on proposals from administrators at all MnSCU campuses for more tuition. The session went three hours. At issue was the state chancellor's proposal to increase tuition an average of 6.5 percent next year -- less than recent double-digit increases. At Winona State, with the New University surcharge, the increases would be 9.8 percent, not counting an already in-place $1,000-a-year laptop fee. MORE The New University project, on which the university spent $716,000 for planning, would entail a $250 tuition surcharge in September with further $250 increments until the surcharge totals $1,000 a year. In two referendum elections this past year, students registered overwhelming opposition. The Student Senate was unanimously opposed in two votes and lopsidedly opposed in a third. As student opposition grew during spring semester, Krueger authorized a new name for the initatives, dropping "New University" and going instead with the "Winona Experience." The project remained the same, however -- to fund curricular and other changes, most of them career-oriented. Changes also would include more foreign studies.

NEW UNIVERSITY Krueger reform package RYAN FLYNN WSU student president

Reporters: Tess Beckman, Erin Feger, Ryan Richardson, and Teri Root
Background: College trustees list tuition witnesses

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Setback for anti-immigration group

TOPEKA, Kan., July 13, 2005 -- On a technicality a federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that had sought to overrule a Kansas law that makes some illegal immigrants at state colleges eligible for lower in-state tuition. Judge Richard Rogers ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the law because, not being foreigners, they hadn't been harmed by the immigrant-tuition law. The suit had been organized the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which wants to restrict immigration. The year-old Kansas law allows immigrants to pay in-state tuition if they attended a Kansas high school for at least three years.

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College trustees list tuition witnesses

WINONA, Minn., July 13, 2005 -- These are witnesses that state college system trustees have scheduled for a hearing at Winona State University on Wednesday:

1 p.m.			Clarence Hightower Committee chair Darrell Krueger President Winona State
1:10 p.m.			Keith Stover President South Central College Rick Straka Finance, operations vice president South Central College
1:20 p.m.			Anne Weyandt President Anoka Technical College John Cacich Academic, student affairs vice president Anoka Technical College Wendy Meyer Chief financial officer Anoka Technical College
1:30 p.m.			Ryan Flynn Student president Winona State Derek Hudyma Former vice chair Minnesota State University Student Association
1:40 p.m.			Darrell Krueger President Winona State Judith Ramaley Incoming president Winona State University
1:50 p.m.			Nancy Jannik Science and engineering dean Winona State
2 p.m.			Mary Kesler Faculty president Winona State
2:10 p.m.			Steve Schild Winona citizen
2:20 p.m.			Wilson Bradshaw President Metropolitan State
2:30 p.m.			Marilyn Hansmann Chief finance, facilities officer Rochester Community and Technical College
2:40 p.m.			Brent Glass Executive director Minnesota State College Student Association Pat Christner President Minnesota State College Student Association
2:50 p.m.			Amy Dothun Student Rochester Community and Technical College
3 p.m.			Hal Kimball State chair Minnesota State University Student Association
3:10 p.m.			Adam Weigold Student president MSU-Mankato Minnesota State University Student Association Nolan Pitlick Student president Bemidji State University
3:20 p.m.			Billy Holmes Student president MSU-Moorhead Krishna Jah
3:30 p.m.			Jim Johnson President Southeast Tech Mike Kroening Finance and facilities director Southeast Tech
3:40 p.m.			Doug Fraunfelder Finance, administration vice president Southwest Minnesota State Deb Kerkaert Business manager Southwest Minnesota State
3:50 p.m.			Richard Davenport President MSU-Mankato Dean Trauger Finance, administration vice president MSU-Mankato

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Sales tax hike passes hurdle

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 13, 2007 -- The Legislature's joint sales tax committee voted for a Winona city sales tax increase to be put on the local ballot. If the whole Legislature agrees, Winonans would vote in 2006 on whether to increase the sales tax by one-half percent to fund street projects. Proposed projects include a Huff Street railroad underpass near Winona State University. The underpass is one of 10 projects on a city wish list. The $20 million generated by the tax increase, however, would not cover all the proposed projects. Before the 2006 election, the Council would prioritize the projects.

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Student jailed for hacking into grades

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., July 11, 2005 -- A University of California at Santa Barbara student, Nancy Ramirez, was sentenced to jail for six months for breaking into the campus computer system to change her grades. Police said Ramirez stole professors' passwords in her off-campus job at an insurance agency. She then logged into a campus grading database.

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No snow? Better change the sign

WINONA, Minn., July 11, 2005 -- By mid-morning, the mercury already in the 80s, a Winona State University campus worker replaced a sign at the Pasteur parking lot at Winona State from "Closed for Snow Removal" to "Closed for Maintenance." The lot being used by construction crews that have begun remodeling Pasteur.

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Pi Kappa house shuttered at Berkeley

WINONA, Minn., July 11, 2005 -- BERKELEY, Calif., July 11, 2005 -- The University of California at Berkeley has closed the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity for a hazing incident in which a pledge was shot and wounded repeatedly with a pellet gun, the dean of students announced. n the incident, which occurred in April, the pledge was stripped and then shot at least 30 times. The student was treated for welts and bruises at a hospital. The fraternity's national organization has suspended all members of the Berkeley chapter. The university has fined frat members $4,000 and ordered them to develop a seminar on the dangers of hazing, and to participate in an alcohol-awareness program.

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Snow storm due at WSU?

WINONA, Minn., July 11, 2005 -- The Winona State University parking lot at the Pasteur science building was barricaded for construction. A sign explained: "Closed for Snow Removal." The forecast was for 90s.

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ELECTION 2006

Who will run this time?

WINONA, Minn., July 11, 2005 -- These are the 2006 races that Winona campus people will watching:

U.S. SENATE Mark Dayton (Democrat): Not seeking second term Mark Kennedy (Republican): Seeking nomination Amy Klobuchar (Democrat): Seeking nomination Patty Wetterling (Democrat): Seeking nomination Kelly Doran (Democrat): Seeking nomination MORE GOVERNOR Peter Hutchinson (Independence): Has formed a campaign committee Steve Kelley (Democrat): Has announced his candidacy Tim Pawlenty (Republican): Expected to seek second term Bud Philbrook (Democrat): Has announced his candidacy MORE U.S. HOUSE Gil Gutknecht (Republican): Announced for seventh term Leigh Pomeroy (Democrat): Considering candidacy Tim Walz (Democrat): Exploring possible candidacy MORE MINNESOTA SENATE Bob Kierlin (Republican): Expected to seek third term MINNESOTA HOUSE Gene Pelowski (Democrat): Expected to seek 11th term MORE CITY COUNCIL (2nd Ward) Jim Kahl: Expected to seek re-election CITY COUNCIL (4th Ward) George Borzyskowski: Expected to seek re-election

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