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3.5% hike in student sports fee OK'dWINONA, Minn., Jan. 31, 2007 -- The Student Senate unanimously voted to increase student funding of Winona State University varsity athletics by hiking the mandatory student athletic fees 3.5 percent. Athletics Director Larry Holstad had sought 5 percent. The Senate didn't want to go that high. To a motion for a 4 percent increase, Vice President Kari Winter objected: "Students do not want, from my discussions, an increase in their fees." Senior Sen. Caitlin Powers moved to lower the amount to 3.5 percent, saying that the benefits of the money "aren't tangible things that every student is going to receive," Three-point-five percent, she noted, is the U.S. inflation rate. Powers' downwardly revised motion passed 17-0.
The increase, if approved by university administrators, would go to road-trip expenses of all 15 varsity teams next year. Holstad said his original request, based on what coaches said they needed, had been "realistic." But he added: "This is not to say they get everything they want, or wouldn't like to have more, but I believe they are making the most out of what they received."
During debate, Powers questioned why the football team would receive $5,000 of the $19,880 to be raised by Holstad's originally proposed increase. Holstad cited new helmets as the major reason.
Holstad made the case that Winona State makes its varsity budget go a long ways. Accomplishments last year, he noted, included a second consecutive all-sports conference championship, a second-place track and field national champion, and a men's basketball national championship -- all with an operating budget that ranked fifth or sixth among the schools in the Northern Sun conference. "My promise to the committee is to continue to be frugal with the funds allocated to us," he said.
Reporter: Lynn Unze
Background: Sports wants bigger chunk of student fees
Background: Comment: Reaching Ramaley through sports budget
 | BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
WSU 79, Clarke 52 |
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WSU finds Clarke easy preyWINONA, Minn., Jan. 31, 2007 -- The Winona State University men's basketball team scored 44 points in the first half against Clarke College en route to an easy 79-52 non-conference victory. Trailing only momentarily in the opening minutes, Winona State piled on the points, led by freshman David Johnson, who contributed 19 points, including five 3-pointers.
Junior John Smith, the Northern Sun conference player of the week, notched a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Quincy Henderson contributed 10 points, with five rebounds.
Excitement built in the beginning of the second half when Smith dunked a perfect pass to open the lead for Winona State.
Winona State shot 46.9 percent from the field. Clarke managed only to shoot 26.7 percent from the field in the first half, and 30 percent overall. Winona State was a perfect 7-for-7 in free throw shooting. Clarke made 10-of-12 free throws.
With the victory, the Warriors, the defending NCAA Division II national champions, continue their record-setting winning streak -- now 42 in a row. At home it was the 22nd straight victory. For the season the team is 20-0.
Junior DeMonte Bynum led Clark with 20 points. Clarke, an independent member of NCAA Division III, is now 5-17. |
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| PHOTOGRAPHER: PAUL SOLBERG
DOUBLE-DOUBLE. John Smith, a Winona
State junior, reaches for the jump ball against
Clarke's John Heavens. Smith 13 points and 15
rebounds. Freshman David Johnson led
the Warriors 19 points, including five 3-pointers. |
Reporter: Mitch Weegman
Background: Statistics
King named league field athlete of weekST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 31, 2007 -- Winona State University senior All-American Emily King was named the Northern Sun conference women's field athlete of the week after shattering her own school record in the weight throw with a toss of 61 feet, seven inches at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational on Saturday. Not only does King's mark stand as the best throw in Division II this year, but it also automatically qualified her for the Division II indoor track and field championships for the second consecutive year. King finished in second place in the event at the national tournament a year ago.
 | BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
St. Olaf 63, SMU
57 |
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| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
St. Olaf 66, SMU
61 (overtime) |
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Alliance calls for student visa reformWASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2007 -- Students are still finding U.S. visa-approval procedures needlessly slow and unfriendly, according to a report from the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange. The report called for reforms, chatting that the government has failed to follow through on revsions promised last year by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. Current policy, according to the report, is "plagued by serious disconnects":
"The very positive vision articulated by the secretaries -- truly balancing security and openness -- has not been achieved at the operational level."
The report called for the State Department to be allowed again to waive personal interviews as a visa requirement. Although most interviews take only a few minutes, most students need to travel great distances to a U.S. consulate, and then wait in line for hours. The report also called for a fully electronic application process so consulates can conduct screening before interviewing applicants. Staffing at consulates should be adjusted to meet the changing flow in visa requests, the report said.
Australia colleges pass lagging foreign studentsSYNDEY, Australia, Jan. 31, 2007 -- Australia is admitting students whose English-language skills are so weak they should never be granted study visas, according to a study by Robert Birrell, a demographer at Monash University. More than a third of all foreign students who obtained permanent-residence visas after completing a degree in Australia are so dismal that they should never have been given visas to study in the country in the first place, Birrell said. He drew in data from a newly requirement that checks applicants for permanent visas to demonstrate "competent" spoken-language skills. Thirty-four percent failed, he said. Birrell was blunt:
"How is it that those who could only achieve 'vocational' English at the time of their test, gained entrance to a higher-education course in the first place? How did these students pass their university examinations?"
Bus fight leads to arrest of 13-year-oldWINONA, Minn., Jan. 31, 2007 -- Police arrested a 13-year-old boy whom they said pushed and choked a 13-year-old girl on a school bus and then fled. Police were dispatched about 4 p.m. to Ninth and Ronald streets on the far West End, where the fight occurred, Deputy Police Chief Paul Bostrack said in the daily police briefing to reporters. The boy, from suburban Minnesota City, was charged with fifth-degree assault. He was later released to a parent with his citation in hand. Although the bus driver could not get control of the fight, only a few scrapes, bruises and a bloody nose resulted.
Reporter: Amy Hill
Herpes scare grounds Minnesota prepstersBROOKLYN CENTER, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 -- Minnesota high school wrestling programs have been suspended because of a widespread herpes outbreak. The Minnesota State High School League decided to halt all wrestling competitions and direct contact between wrestlers in practice until Feb. 6 after 24 cases of herpes Gladiatorum were reported by 10 teams. The suspension, intended to control the outbreak, allows time to detect and diagnose new cases and to help prevent skin-related disqualifications at the section or state tournaments. The suspension caught Winona high school Athletic Director Mark Winter off guard. "I was surprised," Winter said in a phone interview."I heard of the outbreak just before Christmas, but I didn't realize that it was spreading like it is."
Winter, athletics director at Winona High six years, said that he isn't aware of any outbreaks in Winona but is conducting daily skin checks of his wrestlers as mandated by the state league. Winona High and Winona Cotter participate in a co-op, where both schools form one wrestling team. The virus, caused by herpes simplex Type 1, the same strain that causes cold sores, is spread by skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms include lesions on the face, head and neck. Officials first became aware of the outbreak following a tournament in Rochester the last weekend in December. "It's a pretty drastic measure, so it's obviously pretty serious and pretty severe for the high school league to come down and put a block on all wrestling for a little over a week," Winter said.
He said that the suspension has put a burden on athletics directors who are frantically trying to reschedule matches and tournaments before the sectional tournament begins Feb. 15. "There's one conference match that we can't find a date for," Winter said. "But if we can't get it in, there's not a whole lot we can do about it."
Reporter: Matt Huss |
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| NO WRESTLING
AT WSU, SMU
Neither Winona State nor St. Mary's universities has wrestling as a varsity sport. The Tuesday women's basketball game scheduled between Mount Mary and Winona State was cancelled not because of herpes but because Mount Mary didn't have enough players.
WHAT IS
HERPES GLADITORIUM?
Diane Palm, student health services director at Winona State, said that Herpes gladitorium can appear along a nerve near the eye and lead to blindness. Once the virus is in the body, the recurrence rates are 30 to 40 percent for the first five years, Palm said. The virus never completely leaves the body, she said. Because the virus can be spread before lesions appear, only a portion of individuals who are infected may be caught, she said.
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Feds seek new accrediting, aid linkageWASHINGTON,Jan. 31, 2007 -- The U.S. Department of Education created two new committees on using accredtation agenceis as screeners for colleges to qualify their students for federal aid. The committees,in addition to an existing rule-making committee, will consider two new federal grant programs for high-achieving, low-income students, the Education Department said, These are the Academic Competitiveness Grants and the Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants programs. Named to the committees were individuals from groups with an interest in the rules.
Speaker to tackle campus sustainablityWINONA, Minn., Jan. 31, 2007 -- A visiting professor at Carleton College, Suzanne Savanick Hansen, will discuss campus sustainability at Winona State University.
Date: Monday, Feb. 5
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Stark auditorium
Cost: Free
Contact: Deb Cumberland at (507) 457-5444
Michigan State sets up gaming degreeLANSING, Mich., Jan. 31, 2007 -- Michigan State University is creating a master's program that will let students chart a course in what it calls "serious gaming." The curriculum is designed for students with bachelor's degrees in design, computer science, art, psychology, education, advertising, journalism, music, interactive media, environmental science, medicine, and political science.
WSU prof discusses electronic portfoliosWINONA, Minn., Jan. 31, 2007-- A Winona State University communication prof, Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest, presented a paper, "Student Growth from the Ground Up: Connecting and Acting to Develop Electronic Learning-Professional Portfolios" at the National Communication Association annual convention in San Antonio, Texas.
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Pawlenty keeps pair on interstate agencyST. PAUL, Minn., Jan.31, 2007 -- Gov Tim Pawlenty today reappointed David Laird, chief executive of the Minnesota Private College Council, and James McCormick, chancellor of the MnSCU state college system, to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.
Their terms go to 2011. The Compact represents 11 Midwest states to advance education.
Profs perfrom Spanish songsWINONA, Minn, Jan. 31, 2007 -- Winona State University music profs Suzanne Draayer and Deanne Mohr performed songs from "Canciones de Espa–a, Songs of 19th-Century Spain," by Draayer, at the Thursday Musical in Bloomington, Minn.
REPLACING
THE INDUSTRIAL MIND
Wes Jackson, a botanist and environmentalist, spoke to 400 students and faculty at Winona State University. |
| PHOTOGRAPHER: PAUL SOLBERG
 |
Background: Land Institute speaker at WSU
First choice for WSU rock event: CakeWINONA, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 -- Alternative rock band Cake is the choice of the student amusements committee at Winona State for an April concert. By a show of hands the University Programming Activities Committee voted to place a $45,000 bid to book the band. The decision followed an online survey in which 1,200 students responded about general musical interests and specific bands and artists. The UPAC committee, which coordinates the annual spring concert, compiled a list of 20-plus potential acts from the survey. Twenty-seven committee members narrowed the list until a majority vote gave the nod for Cake.
Cake, formed in 1991, has produced six albums. A live album is expected this year. Because this band has the longest career and discography collection of the that bands UPAC was considering, Cake has a strong fan base, which means the committee should be able to charge more for tickets than for a lesser-known group and recover its expenses, said Kristin Schumacher, UPAC adviser.
Pop-punk band Bowling For Soup headlined the spring concert last year with tickets at $10. About 1,200 people attended. The goal for the concert, held in Memorial gym, is a sell-out 3,500, Schumacher said. If Cake falls through, UPAC is prepared to place a bid on the country duo Wreckers. Cake beat Wreckers as first choice in a 12-11 vote. Backups will be piano-rock soloist Ben Folds and OK Go.
Mike Paul, UPAC concert chair, said that Cake could cost as much as $50,000. To start bidding at $45,000 seemed prudent, he said. Nick Zastrow, the committee's account manager, said that the budget is tight and it might not be wise to bid the full $50,000. There was agreement that Cake might end up higher than the committeeÕs budget. The bid does not include production, which will cost another $1,000 or $2,000, according to Joe Reed, another UPAC adviser.
Reporters: Shannon Lippke and Mai Lor
Background: All American Reject for WSU concert? |
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| FIRST
CHOICE
Cake
SECOND
CHOICE
Wreckers
THIRD
CHOICE
Ben Folds
FOURTH
CHOICE
OK Go
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Trial ordered in La Crosse student deathLA CROSSE, Wis., Jan, 31, 2007 - A suburban Onalaska man, Irwin Ramirez, 24, accused of murdering a college student in La Crosse two weekends ago, has been assigned to court for trial. Judge Ramona Gonzalez bound Ramirez over after concluding there was sufficient evidence for trial. At the hearing Ramirez pleaded innocent to first-degree intentional homicide, attempted second-degree sexual assault and robbery. Danielle Gorectke, 23, in La Crosse for the weekend from her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, disappeared from the downtown bar district about closing time Jan. 21. Her body, badly mutilated, was found several miles away a few hours later.
Backgroun: Toxicologist: Slaying victim very drunk
Democrats introduce Pell grant increasesWASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2007 -- The Democratic leadership in Congress proposed comparatively large increases for the maximum Pell Grant awards for needy college students. The bill would increase maximum grants to $4,310, a 6 percent hike. The max has been at $4,050 for four years, its purchasing power eroded every year by inflation. The bill, introduced Monday, came from joint session of the Democrat-controlled Senate and House appropriations committees. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure Wednesday. Raising spending for the Pell program was a priority of Democratic candidates in the fall elections.
Background: Stene notes lapses in fine print
Background: Democrats win GOP support, cut loan costs
Deja vu for G-Bone: Back in Winona jailWINONA, Minn, Jan. 30, 2007 -- Chicago gang member Donald "G-bone" Perkins, 35, out of prison on probation for a 1998 drive-by shooting at a downtown bar parking lot packed with college students at closing time, is behind bars again. Perkins was arrested late Saturday morning when police stopped a car for speeding and spotted Perkins as a passenger. Deputy Police Chief Paul Bostrack said Perkins was arrested on a warrant for parole violation. Police foud a zip-lock see-through pounch with 0.45 gram of cocaine in Perkins' pants, Bostrack said. At jail police found a second pounch with marijuana, he said. Perkins was charged and ordered held in lieu of $7,500 bail.
At 350 pounds Perkins wasn't hard to spot. Also, many officers knew him from the Winona drug scene in the 1990s. He also was the defendant in a 1997 sex-party case in which he challenged whether he had been afrrested lawfully -- and appealed all the way to the state Supreme Court. The case began when police were called to a noisy party in a hotel room and found a two girls, 12 and 17, both naked, and several men including Perkins. Perkins had two rocks of crack cocaine in his hatband.
The arrest Saturday was at 11:10 a.m. on East Broadway near Carimona Street. Boistrack said an officer had clocked the car, driven by Jeffrey Kujak of Winona at 42 mph in a 20 zone. There was no resistance.
G-Bone's Winona saga since 1997:
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G-BONE
PERKINS
In his prison blues |
"Smokey Joe's" concert features rock classisWINONA, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 -- Rock 'n' roll music is the feature of "Sokey Joe's Cafe," a revue with dseeserts being sponsored by the Winona State University Concert Choir . The revue features 30 classic rock 'n' roll songs from the songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, including include "Hound Dog," "Love Potion #9," "Yakety Yak" and "Stand by Me." Music profs Harry and Lauren Mechell are co-producing the revue, which is choreographed by Cory and Kelley Franson.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 8, Saturday, Feb. 10
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Student Activities Center, Kryzsko Commons
Cost: $12 to $30
Contact: (507) 457-5235
More arrests in Alabama campus thievery caseMOBILE, Ala., Jan. 30, 2007 -- Seven more persons have been arrested in the theft of $56,000 in scholarship and sports funds from Mobile's Bishop State Community College, bringing the total to 13. Of the latest arrests, three of the individuals are current or former college employees, including women's basketball coach Elston Turner. The others are students, including relatives of individuals who were arrested on similar charges last fall. Some thefts involved federal financial aid and money from the National Youth Sports Program to help children between 10 and 16 with sports and academic skills.
Last year Alabama's two-year college system reported the suoervision of Bishop State's financial aid system was "virtually nonexistent." sThe U.S. Department of Education has put the college on "heightened cash monitoring" and demanded the return of $150,000 in aid money. An accrediting agency as put the college on probation, cirting inadequate academic and administrative leadership. The Bishop cases are among numerous problems identified in the Alabama commuity college system in recent months.
Background: Feds want chancellor's house forfeited
Background: Report: College leader had fingers in pot
Thieves flees with porn flicksWINONA, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 Š Three men ran out of Downtown Book and Video to the Third Street exit, apparently after stealing porn videos, police said. Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said store clerk Lincoln James Theis, 24, yelled to the men to stop. The last man out the door held up his palms to show no stolen objects and continued running, Theis said. Theis discovered that a combo DVD pack and a single DVD were missing from their cases. Bostrack said thst security tapes are being reviewed to identify the men. The incident happened about 8 p.m., Sunday.
Reporter: Ezra Firkins |
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| 
PORN SHOP
72 E. Third St. |
Trial upcoming in Schyde's stabbingWINONA, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 -- A man accused of stabbing an off-duty bouncer at the college bar Schyde's, Jonathan Hans Minor, is scheduled in court for a pre-trial hearing on March 7. In documents filed by Minor's attorney, Rich McCluer, the option has been left open for pleading self-defense and not being responsible for what happened due to intoxication. Although neither the defense nor prosecution will discuss it, plea-bargaining is common at this point in judicial procedure. Short of a change of plea, the trial is scheduled for March 21. Minor, who will turn 22 on Feb. 8, earlier filed a request for a speedy trial. In the meantime, he held on $100,000 bond.
According to police reports, Minor, from Anoka, came down to Winona with a friend on Feb. 7 to celebrate his "power hour," between midnight and 1 a.m. on his 21st birthday, which, although now against the law, was still legal at the time. After drinking at Brother's Bar and Grill on Third Street, he entered Schyde's and sometime later was removed for what eyewitnesses described as "belligerent behavior," police said. He later re-entered through a different entrance, and removed again, this time by Steve Adams, the off-duty bouncer, police said. After Adams didn't return immediately, friends and co-workers went out to check on him, only to find Minor on top of Adams and Adams bleeding from several wounds in his back.
Minor is charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and one count each of assault in the first, second and third degrees. At a hearing in June, McCluer challenged the admission of statements made by Minor during questioning while was held in detox after his arrest. The court denied the motion. The ruling was that officers followed appropriate Miranda guidelines and Minor was cognitive enough to make statements of his own volition. |
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| JON HANS MINOR
Trial in March |
Reporter: Jon Jacob
Background: Stabbing victim, others recount what happened
Cancer fund-drive seeks $65,000WINONA, Minn, Jan. 30, 2007 -- Organizerrs of the fourth annual Relay for Life, which raises money for the Ameirican Cancer Society, have increased their goal to $65,000. Last spring the relay, sponsored by Winona State and St. Mary's universities, raised more than $50,000. The overnught event, scheduled April 21-22, in the Winona State has teams of as anny a 15 walking around a path of lit luminarias decorated to honor the lives of those touched by cancer. This year's theme: "A Night With The Stars." Organzier Meghan Mace said activities include live bands
Toxicologist: Slaying victim very drunkLA CROSSE, Wis,, Jan. 30, 2007 -- A University of Wisconson-Stevens Point student was highly intoxicated the night she was slain, according to a toxicology report. Alcohol comprised 0.29 percent of her blood Danielle Gorectke, 23, died, the report said. The intoxication level under Wisconsin law is .08 percent. Gorectke's body was found Sunday morning last week -- about six hours after she disappeared from the downtown La Crose bar district. Accused of first-degree murder is Irvin Ramirez, 24, of suburban Onalaska. Police have not found any earlier connection between them.
Asked about the toxicology report, prosecutor Scott Horne said that a high level of alcohol does not mitigate the crime. Intoxication can render someone more vulnerable but shouldn't be a death sentence, he said.
Background: Murder suspect extradited to La Crosse
Background: UW-Stevens Point student slain in La Crosse
WSU speaker questions post-9/11 policiesWINONA, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 -- A former 9-11 Commission staff member, Daniel Byman, will speak at Winona State University on the prospects for democracy in the Bush administartion's counterterrorism initatives. Byman said he will focuses on sending prisoners abroad to be tortured as part of interogation. Byman is the director of the Center for Peace and Security Studies at Georgetown University. He has been publsihed in the Washington Post, Foreign
Affairs magazine and slate.com.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 1
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Science Lab Auditorium 120
Cost: Free
Contact: (507) 457-5009
Burglary reported, $2,800 in goods goneWINONA, Minn., Jan. 30, 2007 -- A burglar made off with a Gateway swivel laptop and charger purchased from Winona State University, a Cannon digital camera valued and jars of change from a house at 719 E. 5th St., police said. Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said the loss was reported at 4:27 p.m., Friday, by Amanda Jo Serum. She reported returning home to find two empty change jars, one with $30 to $40, another with $160, then saw the computer and camera were missing.. A housemate had slept through the burglary, Bostrack said. There are no signs of forced entry, he said.
Reporter: Amanda Gliva
R.I.P.: Mildred Katherine (Von Wald) McCabeMESA, Ariz.,Jan. 29, 2007 -- A Winona State Teachers College alum, Mildred McCabe, died at age 92. She taught in Durand, Wis.
WSU's Smith named conference player of weekST. PAUL, Jan. 29, 2007 -- Winona State University junior John Smith was named Northern Sun conference player of the week for his efforts in leading the No. 1-ranked Warriors to conference victories over Northern State and the University of Mary last weekend. Smith, a 6-foot-8 center, recorded one of his best all around games of the year in Winona State'ss 80-63 victory over Mary, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and going 8-of-10 from the free throw line. He scored 19 points. Smith also grabbed 15 rebounds, blocked four shots and recorded three steals.
For the weekend, Smith averaged a double-double as he scored 34 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in the two road games. He also totaled seven steals, five blocks and three assists in 73 minutes of play. Not only did he connect on his first 3-pointer of the season on just his second attempt all year, but he shot an astounding 73 percent (8 of 11) from the field and converted on 74 percent (17 of 23) of his free throws.
This marks the second time that Smith, the Northern Sun conference coachesÕ pick to earn player of the year honors in the conference, has taken home player of the week honors.
Background: WSU 80, Mary 63
Background: WSU 76, Northern State 66
RECENT DAYS IN
THE CITY
POSTED JAN. 29, 2007
PARSONAGE SEX ALLEGED. Ten felony counts were filed against the Rev. Donald Dean Budd, 62, of McKinley United Methodist Church, alleging sexual encounters with a parishioner over a period of two years. Budd denied the charges. His attorney, Rich McCluer, attributed the charges to "a troubled parishioner." The woman reporetdly had been seeking spiritual guidance. Six incidents, according to the charges, occurred in the bedroom of Budd's daugter in the church parsonage.
|
 Ria Billeck and Holly Portinga
from Dancescape 2007 |
| 
Jenny Sau and Nai Li Lin
from Dancescape 2007
SUNDIN
PHOTO EXHIBIT
Student photographer Doug Sundin is exhibiting images from Dancescape performances over the past five years at Winona State University . The exhibit, in the Magnus Theater at the Performing Arts Center, opens at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 15 and 16, and 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., one hour ahead of this year's performances. |
COMMENT
NO TIME TO DALLY
DEFIBRILLATORS NOW
A university that can spend thousands of dollars on silly hallway dispensers for anti-bacterial scrub solutions all over campus certainly can find the money for defibrillators that, by jump-starting the heart, can save a life. President Judith Ramaley must immediately dig into her discretionary funds for defribrillator purchases. Ten or so would run about $20,000. The campus needs more, but let's not wait for a study to get started.
It's too late, of course, for senior Oliver Todryk who, his brain starved of oxygen in a campus gym last month, will never see commencement. But the clock is ticking on the next incident in which a defibrillator could make a difference.
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Background: The Oliver Todryk tragedy
College discovers grade-selling plotPLEASANT HILL, Calif., Jan. 29, 2007 -- Students working in the records office at Diablo Valley College have engaged in a cash-for-grades scheme, said campus Police Chief Charles Gibson. The case will go to county prosecutors for criminal prosecution, he said. Gibson declined to guess how many student employees have been implicated but said the scheme involved "a substantial number of grades" over several years. Administrators discovered the plot last year from a student tipster. Gibson then set up an anonymous tip line for more information. In the meantime, the college is contacting univeristies that were sent doctored transcripts for transferring students.
| THE OLIVER TODRYK TRAGEDY |
WSU defribillator request turned downWINONA, Minn., Jan. 29, 2007 -- A $15,000 grant proposal for more defibrillators at Winona State University, which might have saved heart-attack victim Oliver Todryk, was turned down last fall by the WSU Foundation. The grant would have purchased 11 defibrillators, one probably being assigned to Memorial gym. That's where Todryk, 22, collapsed in December during Frisbee practice and whose brain, as a result, was deprived of oxygen for more than 10 minutes. He's now in a Twin Cities nursing home, never expected to regain his faculties.
It was several weeks before Todryk was stricken that campus health services Director Diane Palm and health-exercise prof Shellie Nelson submitted their grant proposal. The request was accompanied with a study on how many defibrillators were recommended for a campus of Winona State's size. Two WSU Foundation sources, both speaking on a background basis, said the grant-awards committee liked the Palm-Nelson grant proposal. But with only $50,000 available for awards and roughly $180,000 in requests, they said, it was turned down. "We thought the need was real, but available funds go only so far," said one of the Foundation sources. The Foundation is a fund-raising arm of the university that invests donations from benefactors and uses income from the investments to finance a wide range of projects, mostly student scolarships but also projects. About $50,000 a year is earmarked for special projects. It was from that money that palm and Neklson made their request.
A request for a single defibrillator from health-exercise prof Brian Zeller was granted in 2002. The Foundation sources said this fall that Palm and Nelson were encouraged to seek funding for additional defibrillators from the regular university budget.
Automated external defibrillators, AEDs for short, are computerized medical devices to check a person's heart rhythm. The devices can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock and inform a rescuer when to administer a shock. The defibrillator uses voice prompts and lights to guide even a novice rescuer on the steps to take.
"The brain at most has about four minutes without oxygen before brain damage can occur, and that is why having automated external defibrillators placed within a three-minute response time is important," said Palm. At Winona State, whose facilities stretch three miles from the old College of St. Teresa campus to the East Lake dorms, there are a total of three automated external defibrillators. Nursing Dean Tim Gaspar noted that Winona Senior High School, in contrast, has seven defibrillators.
At Winona State, one defibrillator is located at the campus security base station. When it's needed, a security guard will take it to where it's needed, said campus security chief Don Walski. A second defibrillator is located at student health services office in Wabasha Hall. It was purchased out of the student health services budget. A third defibrillator, also at Wabasha Hall, is in an office in the fitness center for cardiac-rehab students. None is closer than 2-1/2 blocks to Memorial Hall's gym, where Oliver Todryk collapsed.
Walksi recognizes the problem: "It is a good idea to have an automated external defibrillator in every building and to have all staff and faculty trained in on how to use it." Palm said that security gaurds should take their unit with them on calls because even the defibrillators in Wabasha Hall are not accessible for all emergencies. Also, Palm said, her staff people are not first-responders nor available around-the-clock.
"My recommendation is that the university put money in the budget this next year for adequate automated external defibrillators," said Palm. There really should be 20 defibrillators in order to fulfill the three-minute response time for the entire campus. Defibrillators cost $2,000 each.
Gaspar, the nursing dean, underscored the need for a defibrillator in gyms and elsewhere on campus:. "Young people drop too," he said. "We need this."
Reporter: Alisha Kruger
Background: Funds collected for
sticken Frisbee player
Background: Frisbee player in coma
after heart attack |
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OLIVER
TODRYK
Could WSU senior have been saved? |
PUBLIC
POLICY
NOTES
POSTED
JAN. 29,
2007 |
NO "SWEETHEART" DEALS. Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, went on record against a proposed $2.3 billion federal loan for the Minnesota, Dakota & Eastern Railroad to extend its line into Wyoming. Armey now represents the low-tax advocacy group Freedom Works. Armery raised questions about "sweetheart" provisions of the loan, inckluding delayed repayment.
"BIG BROTHER" CONCERN. State Rep. Steve Murphy, D-Red Wing, said a statewide smoking ban in the workplace, including bars and restaurants, smacks too much of "big brother." Murphy said he favors communities making their own decisions.
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WS prof assesses film "Making Love"WINONA, Minn., Jan. 28, 2007 -- A Winona State University commuciatin prof, Daniel Lintin,presented a paper about the 1982 film "Making Love" at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities in Honolulu. His presentation was entitled "Making Love: A Fairy Tale for Our Times."
University fixes sites linked to outside pornTUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2007 -- People opening the philosophy department web page at the University of Arizona got a dose of raunch. The site opened to pornography. University officials blamed hackers. There also was porn on the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory site. A university computing technician believes that hackers, probably from outside of the country, broke into the system through a vulnerable program called Twiki and automatically redirected links to the porn. Both sites were shut down until a fix could be patched in.
Colleges seek students through black churchesST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 28, 2007 -- To increase the number of African American students preparing for college, the MnSCU state college system is joining with African American churches in the Twin Cities to reach out to parents and young people in their congregations. Chancellor Jim McCormick and presidents of some Twin Cities-area colleges and Metropolitan State University spoke during worship services at six churches. McCormick called the outreach MnSCU Super Sunday. African American students comprise 7 percent of MnSCU enrollment.
SMU choir to Oshkosh, BavariaWINONA, Minn., Jan. 28, 2007 -- The 24-voice St. Mary's University Chamber Singers will perform in Oshkosh, Wis., and in Germany as a spring concert tour, said direcor Patrick O'Shea. Performances include:
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oshkosh, Wis., Feb. 11Johanneskirche, Zolling, Bavaria, Feb. 16Laurentiuskirche, Haag am der Amper, Bavaria, Feb. 17Liebfrauen Munster, Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Feb. 18.
The repertoire will include a cappella works by Victoria, Arcadelt, Marenzio, Woollen, Guerrero, and Shea's world premiere of his "Drei Rilkegesange."
| BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
WSU 80, University of Mary
63 |
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Warriors cruise to victory over MaryBISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 28, 2007 -- The Winona State University men's basketball team shot a scorching 66 percent from the field in the second half en route to an 80-63 victory over the University of Mary in Northern Sun conference play. How hot were the Winona Stae shooters in the second half? Six-foot-8 center John Smith opened the half by making his first 3-pointer of the season on only his second attempt, giving the Warriors a 36-28 lead. Mary stormed back to take a 41-40 lead with 13:50 to play, but the Warriors answered with a 23-3 run to take a 63-44 lead. They never looked back.
Smith, who was projected to be Northern Sun player of the year by coaches in the preseason, shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. Also, Smith went 8-for-10 from the charity stripe to score 19 points. The junior also grabbed 15 rebounds, blocked four shots and recorded three steals. Freshman guard David Johnson made 5-of-6 from beyond the arch in coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 21 points. Jonte Flowers added 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor.
The No. 1-ranked Warriors, now 19-0 oveall and 11-0) in the conference, extended their overall winning streak to 41 games. Their Norther Sun winning streak is 23. Their Northern Sun road winning streak is 20.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
Sudents protest Duquesne spesker banPITTSURGH, Pa., Jan. 28, 2007 -- Law students at Duquesne University started a petition urging the university president to reconsider his opposition two likely presidential candidates, Sens. Barack Obama, a Democrat, and John McCain, a Republican, as spring commencement speakers. The petitition also urges that U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Pa., be restored to a list of possible speakers. Law Dean Don Guter had nominated the three, but university President Charles Dougherty has called them inappropriate because their political views might offend people. Further, said Dougherty, their beliefs might be contrary to Roman Catholic teachings. Duquense is a Catholic institution.
In a letter to faculty, Dougherty said:
"A high-profile partisan political figure is inappropriate for a commencement speaker. Anyone of that description, including all three proposed, is sure to offend large numbers in the audience. Even if such a speaker steers clear of political content, it makes a political statement that we provided them an occasion and a platform -- and one in which there is no possibility for dialogue or the expression of alternative points of view."
Doughety said he had problem with politicians on campus to discuss controversial ideas in forums in which different sides could be aired.
| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
University of Mary 72, WSU
66 |
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Warriors fall short againBISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 28, 2007 -- The Winona State University women's basketball team lost its second consecutive game in the final minutes after a late rally fell short in a 72-66 loss to the University of Mary in Northern Sun conference play. Trailing by nine points with 3:59 remaining, the Warriors fought back to cut the deficit to two after an Amanda Reimer layup made the score 68-66 with 1:15 left in regulation. Mary answered with a jumper to push its lead to four. The Warriors were forced to send the Marauders to the free-throw line after a Kayleigh Lutz 3-pointer missed the mark. The situation was eerily similar to Saturday's 60-57 loss at Northern State, when the Warriors trailed the Wolves by two with 1:15 left before committing a costly turnover and theh going scoreless. The loss dropped the Warriors to 11-8 overall and 7-4 in the conference -- to a fourth place tie with Bemidji State.
"We were frustrated with our defensive effort in the first half," coach Scott Ballard said. "We came back twice, but we couldn't hit that one shot or get that one big stop. It was a frustrating weekend to say the least." An Anna Wurtz 3-pointer gave Wiona State its only lead of the game at 14-12 with 14:35 left in the first half. The lead lasted just 18 seconds before the Marauders put together a 23-9 run en route to taking a 37-21 lead with 3:08 left in the half.
Reimer and Jamie Majerowicz each scored 16 points for the Warriors. Lutz added 15 of her own. Molly Anderson rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11, but the Warriors got just eight points from their bench players.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
Elevator safety a new campus issueCOLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 28, 2007 -- -- Over three years, repair crews were summoned 1,100 times to Ohio State University to tend to elevator problems, according to an Associated Press review of hundreds of pages of elevator service reports. Most of the calls involved stalled cars, including 230 reports of trapped passengers. Ther alspo were calls for cell phones and keys that fell down shafts. The campus, enrollment 52,000, has 29 regularly used elevators.
Norman Martin, chief state elevator inspector, blames student abuse of elevators in part, especially in high-rise dorms. "It's not playground equipment, he told the AP. Martin said abuse includes everything from kicking buttons instead of pushing them and jumping up and down.
The AP study began after freshman Andrew Polakowski suffocated Oct. 20 as he tried to leave a car that was stuck between floors. The elevator moved and he was pinned. An investigation reported that 24 people had crowded into the elevator, exceeding its 2,500-pound weight capacity perhaps as much as 1,100 pounds. Nationally, on campuses an elsewhere, 70 elevator-related deaths were reported from 2001 through 2006. About 8,800 elevator-related injuries occurred in 2005.
Responses to the Ohio State death have taken numerous forms. Indiana University is installing rope brakes on 24 elevators, which costs as much as $8,500 per car. Some campuses have posted warnings against over-crowding.
COMMENT
ALL MONEY ALL THE TIME
OUR PAWLENTY PROBLEM
Greed is capitalism goes berserk. Periodically in U.S. history, the capitalists whose genius has made the country an economic powerhouse lose their sense of balance. In greedy egocentricity they see everything, including public policy, revolving around their ability to amass wealth. It happened a century ago in the Gilded Age with the robber barons. It's happening now with their attempt to subordinate education to their self-aggrandizement agenda.
The current movement to hijack higher-ed is not new. In Minnesota, commercial interests began the earnest push more than 10 years ago. Through mostly Republican legislators, congentially more inclined to business interests, but with a few Democrats thrown in, like Roger Moe, they campaigned for the merger of vocational schools, two-year colleges and four-year universities into a single system. Efficiency was their mantra.
Then came the notion of universal transferability of courses, as if basic English skills for carpenters and welders are the same what freshmen need in starting a four-year liberal-arts curriculum. The capitalists' concept was misconceived -- unless you accept the simplistic premise that learning is learning is learning and must be job-related or career-related. To hell with the humanities and creativity and fresh thinking, according to this line of thought. Rote is fine. Industry and commerce, according to this model, need a trained and skilled workforce, not an educated one.
We have seen this mindset in five years of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, our Republican governor. His latest budget emphasizes rewards for college programs that dovetail curriculum to the state's economic needs. Nothing else gets rewarded. There is no question that Pawlenty is right that the state needs nurses. But at what cost? Starving curriculums in fields that are not neatly tied to jobs that industry and commerce have identified as serving their capitalistic goals. Pawlenty's vision is indeed a sterile future -- all money all the time, a culture without culture.
The greed of the new robber barons, with Pawlenty carrying their water, is to steal what's most precious in the American soul, which can't be counted in dollars.
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Background: Governor seeks $16.4 million college hike
Background: Lobbyist: Pawlenty ignores basic budget need
Background: WSU exec: Reform or lose accreditation
Background: Comment: The Johnstone hysterics
Native Voices series begins with filmsWINONA, Minn., Jan. 28, 2007 -- A series of American Indian films, including "The Business of Fancy Dancing," mark the Native Voices spring series in Febuary at Winona State University. Other films, one every Tuesday, include "Nokomis: Voices of Anishinabe Grandmothers," "Edge of America," and "American Indian Homelands: Matters of Truth, Honor and DignityŠImmemorial."
March brings a series of speakersm including Eastern Cherokees Mark and Sherry Finchum, author Diane Wilson, and author Kent Nerburn. In April, speaker Ramona Stately will discuss Indian education. Carlos Nakai, a flautist of Navajo and Ute heritage, will perform with the Winona Symphony.
Series coordinator Cindy Killion, a masscom prof, said the goal to raise awareness of native issues: "We tend to forget there are still native people in the world." Killion said she hopes to develop a native studies program at Winona State with the support she gains from the Native Voices series. |
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| 
CINDY
KILLION
Foresees WSU native studies program |
COURT
CONVICTIONS
WEEK
ENDING JAN. 27, 2007
IN WINONA COUNTY DISTRICT
COURT
UNDERAGE BOOZING
Kaitlin Breanna Anderson, 256-1/2 W. Fourth, $177.
Rachel Elizabeth Becher-Cortez, 19, Hugo, Minn., $177.
Sherry Aileen Brutt, 20, Shakopee, Minn., $30 days and $602.
Logan Drew Burke, 20, 960 W. Seventh, $177.
Brett John Dennis, 19, 1052 W. Seventh, 45 days and $77.
Danette Marie Gunther, 2, 165-1/2 W. Broadway, $277.
Nicole Marie Hanson, 20, 406 E. Seventh 3, 30 days and $277.
Jacob David Hering, 19, 177 W. Sixth, 30 days and $602.
Jake David Hoeppner, 20, Byron, Minn., $30 days and $754.
Stephen John Lavalla, 20, 279 Sioux, $177.
Deanna Lee Ledebuhr, 20, Minnesota City, Minn., $277.
Ann Frances Marolt, 19, 725 W. Sixth, 30 days and $502.
Krysta Lynn Meyer, 20, 1585 Homer Road 103, $177.
Kaylee Ann Nelson, 18, Owatonna, Minn., $177.
Bradley Allan Pruka, 19, 163 E. Fifth 1W, 30 days and $477.
Kristin Ashley Spahr 19, 36184 Old Homer Road, 45 days and $277.
Corey Austin Statler, 19, Champlin, Minn., $177.
Rose M. Zeller, 21, Goodview, Minn., $205.
Rose M. Zeller, 21, Goodview, Minn., 45 dys and $405.
LOUD PARTY
Nathan Robert Baer, 20, Ettrick, Wis., $277.
Chad Walter Erandson, 25, 576 E. Third, $277.
Brandon David Harris, 20, 170 Third, $177.
Matthew David O'Brien, 22, 170 E. Third, $177.
Tyler Jason Perkette, 21, 560 E. Sixth, $277.
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WSU SECURITY REPORT
WEEK ENDING JAN. 27,
2007
Jan. 27, 2007: Security guards, police and an ambulance crew responded to the Maria dorm at 12:15 a.m. concerning a student who reported to be highly intoxicated. Emergecny-medical personnel concluded that the student would not be transported and remained on campus.
Jan. 27, 2007: Security guards cited several students for an alcohol violation in the Lourdes dorm at 12:50 a.m.
Jan. 27, 2007: Security guards responded to the Quad dorm for an alcohol violation at 12:15 a.m.
Jan. 26, 2007:
Jan. 26, 2007:
Jan. 26, 2007: A student was cited for alcohol in the Quad dorm at 12:11 a.m. when checking in.
Jan. 26, 2007: A student was cited for attempting to bring alcohol into the Prentiss-Lucas dorm at 2:20 a.m.
Jan. 26, 2007: Security guards cited a student at the East Lake dorm for marijuan at 1:47 a.m.
Jan. 26, 2007: A dorm supervisore reported that she was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance in the Lourdes dorm on Jan, 13. The complainant did not wish to pursue the matter.
Jan. 25, 2007: Security guards and an ambulance crew and EMS responded to Watkins Hall at 12:36 p.m. concerning a student in a seizure. The student was taken to the hospital.
Jan. 23, 2007: Security guards were notified of an accident at 10th and Johnson streets at 1:40 p.m. Police were notified. No injuries.
Jan. 22, 2007: Security guards and an ambulance crew responded to Memorial Hall at 8:35 p.m.regarding a student who injured his ankle. The student was transported to the hospital.
Jan. 22, 2007: Security guards and the police responded to a hit-and-run complaint at 4:53 p.m.in front of Wabasha Hall on Seventh Street. Police were notified.
Jan. 21, 2007: Security cited several individuals in Prentiss-Lucas with an alcohol violation. Referred to the Hall Director.
Jan. 21, 2007: A dorm supervisor reported an alcohol violation at 1:03 a.m..
Jan. 21, 2007: Several students were cited for an alcohol violation in the Lourdes dorm at 2:10 a.m.
Jan. 21, 2007: Security guards and an ambuklance crew responded to Lourdes Hall at 12:36 p.m. concerning a student experiencing abdominal pains. The student was transported to the hospital.
Jan. 21, 2007: A fire alarm was activated in the Prentiss-Lucas dorm at at 1:43 a.m. The bulding was evacuated. False alarm.
Jan. 21, 2007: Security guards and an ambulance crew responded to 10th and Main streets at 11:50 a.m. concerning an individual who fell. The individual, not a student, was transported to the hospital.
Jan. 20, 2007: Security guards cited several individuals with an alcohol violation in the Prentiss-Lucas dorm at 10:30 p.m.
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COMMENT
VARSITY TRAVEL
REACHING RAMALEY
THROUGH THE SPORTS BUDGET
The governors of the Northern Sun athletic conference, including Winona State University's president, voted a year ago to admit far-away Fayette, Iowa, and Bismarck, N.D., colleges into the league. The Winona State Student Senate was never consulted about the decision, not even a heads-up. Now university President Judith Ramaley's athletic director, Larry Holstad, has come hat-in-hand to the Student Senate for money to finance the additional travel. The Senate must say no and make it clear to Ramaley that her commitments that affect students, especially student fees, must first be run by the Senate for consultation.
It's unfortunate that varsity athletics should take a hit for Ramaley's negligence at consultation. But the Senate must be firm in stepping up its pressure on Ramaley to comport with the spirit of the state college system reauirement for campus presidents to be in continuing and meaningful contact with student leadership on issues affecting students. Not yet having gotten the message about the consultation requirement, Ramaley can be expected to continue her authoritarian approach to the university presidency. Stduent senators can't Senate roll over puppy-like again.
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Background: Sports wants bigger chunk of student fees
Background: Comment: Ramaley's imperial presidency
Wisconsin reciprocity deal in questionMINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The University of Minnesota said a recriprocity agreement that allows Wisconsin students to pay their home-state tuition at the university has become a financial burden. Craig Swan, vice provost, said the university is losing $6 million a year because Wisconsin tuition has risen less sharply than Minnesota tuition over the past several years. Swan said the university may dscontinue reciprocity unless Wisconsin ponies up funds to offset what's become a Minnesoat subsidy of Wisconsin students. Statewide, about 14,000 Wisconsin students are at Minnesota colleges and universities. The reciprocity agreement dates to 1969.
| BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
WSU 76, Northern State
66 |
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Warriors roll in front of national audienceABERDEEN, S.D., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The Winona State University men's basketball team dominated the second half en route to a 76-66 Northern Sun conference victory over Northern State University in a game that was televised nationally on College Sports Television and locally on Fox Sports Net North. The No. 1-ranked and defending NCAA Division II national champion Warriors, whose record noe is 18-0 and 10-0, built a 16-10 lead in the first half. Then Northern State (13-6, 6-4) answered with a 20-2 run to takd over 30-18. The Wolves led 33-28 at halftime.
Winona State, which played sloppily and committed 12 turnovers in the first half, fought back in front of a raucous crowd of 6,213 to outscore the Wolves 48-33 in the second half. After Northern State took a 63-62 lead with 5:19 left in regulation, the Warriors finished on a 14-3 run and held the Wolves to just 10 points in the final 10 minutes.
David Johnson scored a game-high 20 points on 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Zach Malvik scored 17 points. John Smith posted 15. Jonte Flowers added 14 as the Warriors pushed their overall win streak to 40 games, their Northern Sun winning streak to 22 and their road winning streak to 19.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
Northern State 60, WSU
57 |
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Warriors fall again to WolvesABERDEEN, S.D., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The Winona State University women's basketball team came up just short for a second time this season against Northern State, losing 60-57. Winona State, which suffered a 73-71 loss to Northern in their first meeting this season, was outscored 8-5 this time by the No. 22-ranked Wolves in the final four minutes of a key game featuring two teams tied for second place in the Northern Sun conference coming in. After Northern took a two-point lead with 1:15 remaining, the Warriors turned the ball over and were forced to foul when a jump ball was called after a Wolves miss. Noelle Hall, a Lewiston-Altura High School grad who wasn't recruited by Winona State, made 1-of-2 free throws with 15 seconds left to seal the deal for Northern. Hall finished with a game-high 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Warriors, whose overall record now is 11-8 and conference 7-3, led much of the first half before the Wolves (15-4, 8-2) went on an 11-3 run to tie the score at 31-31 at halftime. Molly Anderson, who scored the first nine points of the game for Winona State, finished the half with 10 points but was held scoreless for the rest of the game. Jamie Majerowicz and Amanda Reimer each had 11 points for Winona State. Anna Wurtz added eight.
Northern State held an impressive 41-28 margin in rebounding. For the Wolves the game was a fourth straight victory. They have won all eight homes games this season. The defeat marked just the first road loss in conference play of the season for Winona State. With the victory, the Wolves moved into a first place tie in the Northern Sun conference with MSU-Moorhead. Moorhead suffered a loss at the hands of Concordia of St. Paul on Saturday.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
Call widens for NCCA cap on coaches' salariesWASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2007 -- Panels at a meeting of the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics tackled the high pay of football and men's basketball coaches, fueling a movement for a cap on salaries. Talk focused on Alabama's $32 million eight-year deal with Nick Saban and a prposal for the NCAA to seek a federal antitrust exemption for college sports. Such an exemption could help universities cap coaches' salaries but not necessarily their overall compensation, which often includes money from boosters and shoe companies. It was disclosed that the NCAA has hired lawyers to determine whether it should pursue an antitrust exemption.
Coollege settles coach's suit for $725,000DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The University of California-Davis wrestling coach who was fired after supporting female wrestlers who sued the university for gender-discrimination has been paid $725,000 to settle his unfair dismissal lawsuit. The university denied tat Michael Burch was fired for taking a position against the university in the players' suit. The settlement, said the university, was to stop further litigation costs. Burch, however, called the settlement a vindication. The issue began when Burch eas ordered to take women wrestlers off the university wrestling rister even thugh they had practiced alongside men for a decade. The women lodged a federal gender-bias complaint, which Burch publicly supported in campus demonstrations. He was fired.
Student association delegates gather at WSUWINONA, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The Minnesota State University Student Association opened a conference at Winona State University with delegates from the seven state unversities. The agenda iuncluded academic freedom and the process for appointing state college system. Members will also be training for lobbying for legislators.
Reporter: Jessica Wineke
E-textbooks sales lagMIAMA, Fla., Jan. 27, 2007 -- Downloadable versions oftextbooks, some half pthe prize of hard copies, are not not catching on. Bill McKenna, director of digital products at Follett, which runs more than 700 college bookstores, offers about 1,000 titles in digital form, but, he said, sales have been slow. Digital sales make up less than 2 percent of B& text sales.
WSU student rebuilds frat WINONA, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- Winona State University students have taken steps to re-charter the Alpha Phi Omega, which poromotes leaders and friendship through community service. Organizer Davyion Crossland, a junior in chemistry and pre-med, said the club's mission fits Winona State's goal to become more involved in the community.
COMMENT
FLIPPING 'N' FLOPPING
WILL THE REAL NORM COLEMAN
PLEASE STAND UP
In the 1960s Norm Coleman was an antiestablishment Vietnam protester. Later, close-shaven, his hair clean-cut, he ran successfully for mayor of St. Paul. In the transition, he switched from being a Democrat to a Republican -- not an easy transition politically. But it worked. In 2002 he ran for the U.S. Senate, an unabashed supporter of President Bush's Iraq war. Yes, Norm Coleman was now a war supporter. It might be said he conveniently was putting those youthful indiscretions behind him. Little wonder, Coleman became one of President Bush's Golden Boys on Capitol Hill. Some would say lackey.
Now Coleman hass shifted again. THis month he broke ranks and turned against the Bush troop build-up in Iraq. Cynics would say he's maneuvering himself for re-election in 2008. Minnesota, after all, is clearly a Blue State where Bush and the war are out of favor. It might be said, charitably, that Coleman honesty has seen the light. But again? He's like an off-on switch. Does Norm Coleman have no central principle guiding his politics? Or is he as chameleon as they come?
It seems such. Coleman this week tried to clarify his Iraq positionl He said he's against more troops in Baghdad but not elsewhere in Iraq. Uhh? At home in Minnesota, Coleman is facing targeted pressure to reconsider. Anti-war televison commercials are going on-air against the buildup. Which way will Coleman go when next week when the anti-war message sinks in even deeper among the home folk?
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Background: Coleman backs alterative Iraq resolution
Trial scheduled for November break-inWINONA, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- A Winona State University freshman majoring in law-enforcement is learning the law from the inside out. Andrew Kenton Klinghagen, 19, goes on trial March 14 on seven criminal counts from a November break-in and robbery. On Nov. 12, police arrested five men, including Klinghagen, at an apartment at West Fifth and Sioux streets that was being sacked as the tenants looked on. Also arrested were fellow Winona State freshman Corey Michael Wise, 19; Calvin Corey, 21; Hugo Hernandez, 19; and Travis Jacobson, 17. In court documents, one of them is quoted as breaking in and shouting: "This is a robbery! Calvin wants his money, and if you donÕt have it there are five guys here to beat you up." According to documents, Calvin Corey wanted collateral for money he was owed. The intruders had attempted to steal an Xbox, two Xbox controllers, CD player and 45 CDs, an amplifier, five DVD movies, a bottle of E & J brandy, incense sticks and a telephone, police said.
Reporter: Teresa Wiebusch
Background: Two WSU men in accused in burglary, assault
Alabama hosts dozens of diploma millsMONTGOMERY, Ala., Jan. 27, 2006 -- Many online colleges operating in Alabama are cheap diploma mills because of lax state requirements, according to state education officials. Greg Fitch, executive director of the Alabama higher-ed commission, estimated that more than 300 online institutions are operating in Alabama. Only about 70 have the schools have gone through full program review, he said. Some simply buy a license from the Department of Education and register as an Alabama corporation. Many campuses are post office boxes or motel rooms, he said.
Trial set in Gordon plea-bargain follow-upWINONA, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- A Detroit-area man, whom convicted murderer Paul Allen Gordon implicated in a plea-bargaining his own way to reduced sentence, has been scheduled to go on trial Feb. 7 for numerous counts related to the murders. Jackson, 34, faces three counts of murder, two of aiding an offender, one racketeering charge and two drug charges. Jackson is being held on a $5 million bond. Jackson has been described as Gordon's cocaine wholesale supplier for Gordon in 2005, when he murdered Winona State University student Stacy Smith and her 10-year-old daughter.
Reporter: Paul Solberg
background: Court dates set for Michigan drug dealer
Cops being paid to crack down on partiesSATA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The University of California-Santa Cruz gavea $25,000 for overtime pay for more offices o target college parties that are a threat to public safety or "the quiet enjoyment of residential property." Chancellor George Blumenthal said that one officer is patrolling on patrol in the neighborhood late at night. About half of the university's 15,000 students live off-campus in the neigborhood.
Speakers explore Rockwell Kent's Winona timeWINONA, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The spring
series Celebration of the Book series begins with a lecture by Taff Roberts and Mark Peterson, "Rockwell Kent in Winona." Kent was an artist, printmaker, illustrator, book designer, architect, author, political activist, carpenter, sailor and navigator who arrived in Winona in 1913. He had explored the waters around Tierra del Fuego in a small boat. In Winona he oversaw the building of two Georgian mansions at Briarcombe Farm for the Prentiss and Bell families. He died in 1971.
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: County Historical Society
Cost: Free
Contact: Celebration of the Book
Also in the series:
Chuck Ripley, Winona State English prof, Feb. 14, "William Blake and Comics: The Visionary Power of the Word and Image."
Anders Shafer, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire prof, Feb. 21:
"Making an Illustrated ChildrenÕs Book."
Betty Bright, suthor and curator, Feb. 28: "A Change in Dimension: Book Art in America, 1960-1980."
Ladislav Hanka, printmaker and bookmaker, March 14: "The Printmaker and the Book."
Cheryl Jacobson, of the University of Iowa Center for the Book, March 21: "Calligraphy and the Book."
Panel discussion, March 28: "The Rise of the Graphic Novel."
Vera Wong, artist and educator, April 4: "Visualizing Nature: A Collaboration Between Art and Science."
Drake Hokanson, Winona State photo prof, April 11: "An Evening on Photography and the Book."
| SWIMMING
(MEN'S)
SMU 147, UW-River Falls 126 |
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| SWIMMING
(WOMEN'S)
UW-River Falls 149, SMU
111 |
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| BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
SMU 84, Hamline
70 |
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| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
Hamline 57, SMU
56 |
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| HOCKEY
(WOMEN'S)
Hamline 6, SMU
1 |
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| HOCKEY
(MEN'S)
Hamline 4, SMU 2 |
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Iowa profs' retirement benefits under scrutinyIOWA CITY, Iowa, Jan. 27, 2007 -- The Iowa Board of Regents launched an investigation into emeritus professors and staff member benefits given to retired profs. The investigation follows news reports that a retired director of hospitals at the University of Iowa was enjoying the pers of employees. Benefits included an office, a secretary paid with state dollars, and parking privileges.
Tuition freeze on Maryland budget proposalANAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 27, 2007 -- Newly elected Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, put $200 million in his first budget to pay for a tuition freeze tuition in the state university system.
COMMENT
A BETTER UNIVERSITY
WILL JOHNSTONE PUT MONEY
WHERE HER MOUTH IS?
The new Winona State academic vice president is accurate about the fraud in which many academic departments engage in their periodic external reviews. The review process, required by the state college system, is designed to encourage improvement with honest evaluations from outside experts. It hasn't worked well. Departments have been allowed to self-select their evaluators. Friendly reviews usually result: Everything is perfect or almost so. What about occasonal recommendations for reforms that departments find inconvenient? As Vice President Sally Johnstone pointed out to the Faculty Senate, the recommendations are shelved and forgotten.
Who's to blame? It's more than just being profs who are happy in the convenience of the ruts they've grooved for themselves. The deans who supervise academic departments, all overworked with insufficient staff support, have give low priority to serious reviews and follow-throughs. If Johnstone is as serious about doing reviews right, she must face the reality that deans are too short-handed to do all that's expected of them. Some tasks go undone or poorly done.
The staffing issue was illustrated last week when Barbara Nemecek, the business dean from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, visited campus. Her business college has 28 faculty members. The dean who has an associate dean, a program assistant, a dean's assistant, and a university services associate. At Winona State, with 50 business profs, the dean has a secretary -- no more. At Winona State this kind of short-staffing exists university-wide. In masscom, as anothe example, the department chair shares a half-time secretary. This is in contrast to a roughly parallel program at the University of North Dakoat with a director, two associate directors and a secretary.
The question for Johnstone: Will she unearth the resources to transform Winona State academics into the university she envisions.
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Background: WSU exec: Reform or lose accreditation
Background: WSU vs. UW-River Falls contrast
Absence delays WSU activities fund decisionsWINONA, Minn., Jan. 27, 2007 -- The Student Activities Fund Committee found itself unable to vote on budget requests from Winona State University clubs because of an absent committee member. For want of a quorum as defined in the bylaws, a decision on 10 funding requests was put off for a week. Student Senate Treasurer Lindsay Stelpflug, who chairs the committee, said that in her memory there has never been a time that the committee was unable to vote due to an absence. At a hearing last week, the committee listened to requests from 10 clubs, which ranged from 200 for supplies to $3,000 for a large community celebration. Committee members agreed that most of the clubs probably will receive funding. The committee is especially busy this time of year, with campus clubs vying for money from the special request funds tat becomee available at the beginning of spring semester. Special request funds allow organizations to seek up to $1,000 instead of the $200 that is possible from normal funding.
Reporter: Joe Kruger
Tuition tax break proposed in HawaiiHONOLULU, Hawaii, Jan. 27, 2007-- Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican, proposed a $20,000 a year tax deduction for parents for tuition at instate college tuition.
Speaker: Schools better for peace than warWINONA, Minn., Jan. 26, 2007 -- A tiny fraction of U.S. war spending in Iraq could transform the world if it went instead to improve illiteracy in impoverished areas of the world, peace advocate Greg Mortsenson told a Winona State University audience. "Education brings hope, and when you have hope, anything can happen," Mortenson said in explaining his work to build schools in remote Pakistan and Afghan villages. He said $6 billion to $8 billion would alleviate illiteracy in many regions that are at risk of becoming homes of international terrorism.
Mortenson explained he fell into his passion to bring education to Himalayans after his sister died at a young age due to epilepsy. A climbing expedition in her memory brought him to Korphe, a village which, he said. changed his life. In Korphe, he met people young and old who were illiterate simply because they were never given the opportunity to be educated. He promised the children, who were hungry for schooling, that he would build them a school. Back in the United States he collected money, sometimes just pennies from school chidlen. Eventally he returned to Korphe and built the school as he promised.
Now Mortenson'ss organization has built 55 schools, mostly in the Himalayas, despite obstacles of tradition, authoritarianism and, yes, ocassionally terrorists. Mortenson emphasized the importance of schooling for girls. In much of the world, he said, women are the managers of households and the key to changing cultural values.
Reporter: Lauren Spinelli
Background: Himalayan school-builder at WSU
"Natural Woman" initiation irks Yale gaysNEW HAVEN, Conn., January 26, 2007 -- Yale University administrators have received a complaint that men's varisty tennis players escorted two freshman players dressed in women's underwear into two campus dining halls and made them stand on tables and sing, "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman." Gay students called the "show" hazing. Reportedly the players had homophobic slurs written on their bodies. "I'm a faggot" written on them in marker and an arrow down their backs with the words "Insert here." Brandon Wai, captain of Yale's tennis team, has apologized. The action was inappropriate, but no harm was meant, he said.
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JAN. 26,
2007 |
WHERE ARE YOU? State Sen. Dan Sparks, D-Austin, and State Rep. Joe Atkins, D-Inver Grover Heights, proposed requiring customer call centers to identify the country they're located if a caller asks, Customers then would have an option of being trahserred to a U.S. call center. The bill is aimed at curbing identity theft and communication annoyances resulting from languagee and cultural barriers.
IRAQ TWIST. U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., voted against a proposed Senate resolution against the major troop increase that President Bush has proposed for Iraq. Coleman favors an alternative to allow more troops to western Iraq, where al-Qaeda has strongholds.
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Profs push for vote on Bush InstituteDALLAS, Texas, Jan. 26, 2007 -- A petition signed by 170 Southern Methodist University profs calls for a faculty vote, a showdown with administrators, on whether the campus should be the site of a partisan Bush Institute. The institute would be part of a proposed George W. Bush Presidential Library complex, for which Southern Methodist administrators have been courting a Bush selection committee. A petition leader, former faculty Presdient Dave Freidel, said that nobody oposes the presidential library but that there are concerns that its director would report to a private Bush foundation rather than the university or the National Archives and Records Administration. Freidel said the arrangement would lend university's name and credibility to a partisan institute over which the university would not actually exercise oversight.
Background: Dallas campus drops bid for Bush library
| 2007 MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE |
Legislators propose 16 voting ageST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 26, 2007 -- Perennial bills have been introduced in the Minnesota Senate and House to allow 16-year-olds to vote in school elections. Sen. Sandy Pappas, D-St. Paul, and Rep. Phyllis Kahn, D-Minneapolis, said their goal is to get high-school students more involved in democratic processes. The current monimum voting age is 18. The bill would exclude high-schoolers from voting on shool-tax issues.
R.I.P.: Georgine H. (Norton) AndersonONALASKA, Wis., Jan. 26, 2007 -- A Winona State Te
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