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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 revisions 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 agencies 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 arrested 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 "Smokey 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 supervision 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 flee 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 that 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. |
|
| 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 -- Organizers 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 universities 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 communication prof, Dan 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 also 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 February 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 speakers, 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.
PUBLIC
POLICY
NOTES
POSTED
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 Teachers College grad, Georgine Anderson, 78, died at a hospital of breast cancer. She taught English and social studies at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Red Wing.
| FREE INQUIRY / FREE EXPRESSION |
Grambling shuts down newspaper, relentsGRAMBLING, La., Jan. 26, 2007 -- Administrators at Grambling State University shut down the student newspaper, the Gramblinite, whose editorials have charged corruption within the university. Administrators said they acted agaunst the newspaper because of plagiarism and bad grammar. In any event, administrators reversed themselves when off-campus media reported the shutdown and a First Amendment lawsuit was threatened. Senior Darryl Smith, the editor, confirmed that an article from the Monroe, La., News-Star, another from the Associated Press had been picked up through oversight. Immediately, he said, he contacted the paper and the AP.
A university spokesperson, Ralph Wilson, said that the Gramblinite was closed because of bad journalism.that was embarrassing. To have all these stories in there that just are not so. And things that are not grammatically correct. Why would you just want to continue," he said. Smith said the administrators had never contacted him about inaccuracies.
| HOCKEY
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SMU 2, Hamline
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SMU 5, Hamline 4 (overtime) |
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| 2007 MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE |
Senate, House OK tax breaksST. PAUL, Jan. 26, 2007 -- The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill unannimously for qualifying taxpayers to claim new education income-tax deductions. The bill, which carries a $24 million price tag, includes tax breaks for college costs. The House unanimously approved the bill earlier. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he will sign the bill. The bill would allow deductions as much as $4,000 in college tuition costs and related expenses. In addition, teachers could deduct as much as $250 for classroom supplies. Also, military personnel could put tax-exempt combat pay into retirement accounts without penalty.
WSU business profs told to publishPHOTOGRAPHER: PAUL SOLBERG
BARBARA NEMECEK
The candidate's answers about new accredtation for the WSU business program were tough: You're not ready for prime-time yet. Search committee members, mostly business faculty, listened a bit glumly. To Nemecek's left: profs Marzi Astani and Edward Duplaga.
CHARACTERS
IN DEANSHIP SAGA
1998
Ken Gorman, business dean, was named acting academic vice president of the university.
JoEll Bjorke became acting business dean.
1999
Steve Richardson was brought in as academic vice president, and Gorman returns as business dean.
2005
Richardson resigned, and Gorman again was named acting academic vice president.
Gabe Manrique was named acting dean of business.
2006
Sally Johnstone brought in as academic vice president.
Gorman was named associate vice president for global studies.
Search launched for business dean.
Doug Grider on Arkansas-Fayetteville was the sole candidate brought to campus for interrviews for a new business dean.
Grider was offered the position but turned it down.
2007
Barbara Nemecek of Wisconsin-River Falls was sole candidate brought to campus for interviews in a second-round of the search for a new business dean.
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| WINONA, Minn., Jan. 25, 2007 -- The candidate for the Winona State University business deanship, Barbara Nemecek, put an unequivocal message to business profs. If you don't engage in research and publish, you won't be accredited. At a forum, which was part of the interview process, Nemecek listed standards and procedures for accreditation that the College of Business is under pressure from university President Judith Ramaley to seek.
Nemecek, currently dean at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, talked lengthily about research and publication. The standards all state significant publication is required, Nemecek said. She cited the accreditation manual of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which runs 80 pages, that individual teaching faculty members must keep their own knowledge current with the continuing development of their teaching disciplines. The prime measure of this, she said, is research and publication.
Nemecesk suggested that the Winona State business faculty has created a culture that undervalues the role of research in teaching. It is difficult to change the culture of institutions and persuade professors that research is important, said Nemecek. Faculty need to understand that research and publication is good for their teaching because it will come back to strengthen their teaching, she said.
Nemecek said that Winona State faculty are here because they like to teach and they are good teachers. But although they have credentials that suggest research potential, most faculty have not been involved in research, she said. Nemecek acknowledged that profs at teaching-oriented instiutions, like Winona State, have class loads and other impediments that squeeze their time for research productivity and for writing peer-review journal articles. It's been the same at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and Montana State University, where she's also served as business dean, as well as at UW-River Falls.
At UW-River Falls, which now has AACSB accedtation, Nemecek said she created incentives for profs to publish. She dispersed certificates of accomplishment in specific research areas, instituted a peer-selected research award, provided funding for conventions, increased salaries after recognition, and awarded a higher stipend salary for summer research than for summer teaching. Nemecek said she created publicity for published works. Also, she said, she provided faculty more time for research by rearranging schedules to increase efficiency and productivity.
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On other issues at the forum, Nemecek said she created a foundation at UW-River Falls to raise money for her business faculty to attend research conventions and also to raise salaries. The curriculum has been beefed up on professional skills, ethics and team work, all of which are musts for accreditation, said Nemecek.
Winona State has been talking accreditation for a long time and at this point some profs are ready and some are saying, "I'm not sure it's worth it," said Nemecek. Nemecek said a new dean would need to bring faculty, staff and students up-to-speed as to why accreditation is important and how Winona State can go through it and be successful.
She emphasized a student role. At UW-River Falls Nemecek said she met with a student advisory board every week to talk about accreditation and discuss curriculum issues. Nemecek co-created a newsletter for students and a webpage to keep them up to date on accreditation and business college issues, with a message board to provide input. "I have an open door policy," said Nemecek -- something thaty the Winona State Student Senate is looking for.
Strange as it seems, no students showed for the forum Thursday. Nor are any students on the search committee. Students who were appointed by the Student Senate to the committee have been inactive in the process, said search co-chair Bill Murphy.
Nemecek said accreditation would be impossible without more staff. She noted that the UW-River Falls business college, which has 28 faculty members, has not only a dean but an associate dean, a program assistant, a dean's assistant, and a university services associate. At Winona State, with 50 profs, the dean has a secretary and no other administrative support. An accrediting agency would notice this, she said. Asked if she would take the Winona State position without an associate dean, Nemecek responded that she had not made up her mind.
Besides accreditation Nemecek said a dean has many responsibilities: to raise money, develop curriculum, and provide input in the vision for the college. It is important to ask where do we want to go and are we getting there, she said.
Nemecek arrived at UW-River Falls five years aho to start a new college and take it through accreditation, both of which she has done. She said she applied at Winona State after receiving a letter from the search committee.
Reporter: Sarah Dotta
Background: Dean candidate eyes accreditation
Steger, other speakers warn of global warmingWINONA, Minn., Jan. 25, 2007 -- Arctic explorer Will Steger warned a capacity Winona State University crowd tyat the world already is seeing detrimental effects of global warming, which will worsen, he said, unles siomething is done. Steger showed photos of vast ice shelves melting, particularly the Larsen B in Antarctica and the Ward Hunt ice shelf in extreme North America. The melting increases global sea levels, Steger said, reducing costal properties. The melted ice then flows over the remaining frozen water, creating an erosion effect, and ultimately, a cutoff of thousand-year-old ice into the ocean, Steger said.
Wildlife is affected, he said. Polar bears, are unable to scavenge for their primary food source, seals, with reduced ice across the Arctic Circle, Steger said. Most recently, a local polar bear population which migrates to Alaska each spring in search of food from the North, is unable to make the now 200-mile swim to remaining ice in September. The bears, Steger said, are capable of swimming only miles. In addition, he said, local Inuit Indian populations, who rely on hunting as their primary source of food, have had their hunting season reduced from eight months to four months because they are unable to cross the growing open ocean. With half the opportunity to hunt, the Intuit culture is at stake jeoopardy. Steger blamed global warning on polluters in the United States and around the globe.
Not all is doom and gloom, however. Janet Drake Hamilton, of Fresh Energy, a Twin Cities-based organization solely dedicated to improving awareness of global warming, listd how concerned citizens can help out. Hamilton recommended thaty everybody think critically of carbon dioxide, the main pollutant causing global warming, and emissions produced when purchasing a new car. In addition, houses can be run on more energy efficient programs provided by power companies, she said.
James Hansen of the U.S. Institute for Space Studies explained that to curb global warming, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 80 percent by the year 2050. Although a difficult task, Hamilton, Hansen, and Steger agree it can be accomplished.
Reporter: Mitch Weegman |
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WILL
STEGER
At WSU before departing for a four-month, 1,200-mile dogsled expedition of Baffin Island to examine effects of global warming |
WSU frosh's break-in trial scheduledWINONA, Minn., Jan. 25, 2007 -- Trial for a Winona State University freshman accused of felony burglary, Corey Michael Wise, was scheduled for March 14. Judge Jeff Thompson set the date, as well as a pre-trial hearing that will be March 1. The case stems from a break-in at a Winona apartment last November to settle a debt that has been related to a drug deal. Five men, including Wise, were arrested at gunpoint as the heist was under way. A woman at the apartment had called 9-1-1 as the robbery was going on.
As the hearing for the trial date began, Wise appeared nervous. He chewed on his fingers as Judge Thompson reviewed the case. For a while Wise was there without his attorney. When the attorney arrived, Judge Thompson chastised him and promised to hold him in contempt of court if he is late again. Attorneys agreed to retract a statement by Wise taken shortly after the crime in order to move forward the judicial process. Wise faces three felony charges and four misdemeanors, including felony burglary, and damage to property.
Wise has followed all interim conditions set by the court on Nov. 14, according to court documents. The conditions include having no contact with co-defendants or anyone present the night of the crime, abstaining from contact with those under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He was released on $30,000 bail.
Reporter: Joe Kruger
<Background: Two WSU men in accused in burglary, assault
WSU revamping campus master planWINONA, Minn., Jan,. 25, 2007 -- The master plan for Winona State campus growth is being updated, according to university Vice President Scott Ellinghuysen. The current plan, created in 2004, was ordered by the state college system to reflect changes that have evolved since Judith Ramaley assumed the university presidency 1-1/2 years ago. Among changes has been a proposed $40 million College of Business building that doesn't show on the 2004 plan. Ellinghuysen described the update as minor. The Rochester architectural firm of Holabird & Root, which is designing the new business building, is also doing the master plan update, Ellinghuysen said.
The current master plan, by Paulien & Associates of Denver, raised a town ruckus in 2005. The plan showed aggressive long-term, property acquisition to extend the campus all the way to Lake Winona and take out the mansion-studded neighborhood south of Sarnia. That plan had been conceived in secret, making the revelation, when uncovered by CyberIndee reporter B.J. Puttbrese, all the more shocking. This time, Ellinghuysen said, the plan is being run through the Space Utilization Committee, which has members from numerous campus constiencies. Holabird presented a preliminary plan in November. The final update should be completed by the the end of February, Ellinghuysen said. |
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WSU'S 2004
MANIFEST DESTINY
Will the new master plan be more restrained about acquirng 30 square blocks for expansion?
Background:
WSU eyes major southward expansion |
Reporter: Jon Jacob
Background: WSU eyes major southward expansion
Prof offers interpretative WSU historyWINONA, Minn., Jan. 26, 2007 -- In a presentation next week Winona State historian Peter Henderson will explore five themes in the history of the university's leadership, both presidential and faculty. Henderson has titled the presentation: "Her Star Shall Not Dim: The History of Winona State." Henderson, a former dean of liberal arts, said he will include 1984 to the present, "when the university regained its sense of direction, mission and motivation." He said he will examine how the values of faculty and students have changed over time.
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 31
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Second floor, Krueger Library
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PETER
HENDERSON
Five themes in university's story
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Confederate-flag states can keep championshipsINDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Jan, 25, 2007 -- Colleges in the two states that still fly the Confederate flag, Mississippi and South Carolina, will be allowed to continue hosting National Collegiate Athletic Association championship events. The NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee voted down a proposal to stop allowing championships in the states. The committee was persuaded by arguments that colleges and universities have no control over their states' practices. Defenders of flying the flag of the Confederacy say it honors Southern heritage. Opponents argue that it glorifies slavery and segregation.
PUBLIC
POLICY
NOTES
POSTED
JAN. 25,
2007 |
KLOBUCHAR ON IRAQ. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, R-Minn., called President's Bush's State of the Union address more of the same on Iraq. Klobuchair saiud, however, she concurred in the president's call for energy conservation.
WALZ ON IRAQ. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said he heard little from President Bush's State of the Union address to convince him that the president will listen to views of Congress and the American public on the Iraq war.
KLOBUCHAR ON MINIUM WAGE. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobachar, D-Minn., said in a spech on the Senate floor that she favors raising the federal minimum wage. The time is right to begin increasing the wage from $5.15 and hour to $7.25 cents an hour, Klobuchar said. The purchasing power of the minimum wage is at the lowest level in a half century, she said. Klobachar spoke out against a move in the Senate to force tipped employees to include their tips as part of their minimum wage.
SMOKING BAN. State Rep.Sharon Ropes, D-Winona, a registered nurse, said she wikll support a bill to ban smoking in bars and restaurants statewide. Ropes said tehre seems to be sufficient support in the House and Senate to pass the ban.
DEMOCRATIC DINING. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., will keynote a $25-a-plate Presidents' Day banquet, sponsored by Winona County Democrats on Feb. 18. Chef Matt at Signatures said he will feed the Democrats well -- a choice of mozarella and basil-filled chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto or a mushroom, artichoke and spinach lasagna.
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Reward posted for Elba House burglar ELBA, Minn., Jan,. 25, 2007 -- Sheriff Dave Brand still is on the hunt for whoever burgled the Elba House Restaurant. A reward has been posted, Brand said. On Dec. 3 about $3,000 was taken from the restaurant. Entry was gained by going through the back door in the early hours of the morning.
Reporter: Ezra Firkins
WSU prof examines child sex abuseWINONA, Minn., Jan. 25, 2007 -- A Winona State Universuty nursing prof, Jacqueline Hatlevig, wrote a research article, "Children's Life Transition Following Sexual Abuse," in the Journal of Forensic Nursing. The article runs nine pages in the winter issue.
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Overnight traffic stop leads to chargesWINONA, Minn., Jan. 25, 2007 -- An 18-year-old La Crosse, Wis., man was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a Minnesota drivers license after police pulled him over. Police Sgt. Gary Hoeppner said the stop was at 10th and Olmstead streets at 2:05 a.m.
Reporter: Amanda Gliva
Backing for in-state immigrant tuitionWINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- The Winona State University Student Senate voted unanimously to support offering in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants with Minnesota high school diplomas. The proposal, called the Dream Act, short for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, failed in the 2006 Legislature and has been opposed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The proposal has the backing of the Minnesota State University Student Association, of which the Winona State Student Senate is a member. Business Sen. Candice Rempala called the legislation "a positive thing in that it gives everyone a chance to further their education." The bill also would allow students to apply for legal status after completing a degree, serving in the military, or completing a certain number of community service hours. Senior Se. Caitlin Powers, who introduced the proposal said: "We will lobby for students who are under-represented and need to get to higher education."
Background: Lynn Unze
PHOTOGRAPHER: PAUL SOLBERG
 | MLK
REMEMBERED
Xavier Wilson, the Quad dorm director at Winona State University , delivers Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech to students and faculty in celebration of Martin Luther King. |
Emotions mark King birthday celebrationWINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- As the Nigerian national anthem was sung, tears ran down the face of Alexander Hines, director of cultural diversity at Winona State University. For many of 25 individuals at the a campus celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Hines was seeing the event as a personal ofcelebrate their own heritage. There was also a quiet disappointment andanger. Political science professor Fred Lee, himself a man of color, said: "Where Winona State University is now and where we need to be in terms of diversity are still very far apart." Addressing the group Hines concurred. he blamed he university's administration for the recent 7 percent decline in diversity. Hines said that the small decline in diversity is normal when a university changes administration but should still be observed. University President Judith Ramaley, whio was not at the ceremony, was later asked about Hines' comment. She declined to respond.
Both Lee and Hines said that cultural diversity is a topic of great importance for Winona State. In an interview, Hines said, "I think that we have let you down as students. We, the administration, need to teach you how to be leaders. We need character-based, ethical-based leadership.Ó" Hines said that he is working with administrators to increase diversity. He is putting together educational seminars that will increase the number of students who are considering Winona State for college.
"Being in diversity is a tough gig," Hines said. "I am forced to look to inspiration from teachers like Martin Luther King Jr. to motivate our campus to focus on the importance of culture in our school and society."
Reporter: Teresa Wiebusch |
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FRED
LEE
Polysci prof
ALEX
HINES
Cultural diversity director
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Macalester 64, SMU
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Sports wants bigger chunk of student feesWINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- Varsity athletics wants a 3 to 5 percent increase in funds from the Winona State University student activity fee. Athletics director Larry Holstad said the new funding, $10,000, would help with travel now that the Northern Sun conference has expanded to include more distant teams. In addressing the Student Senate, Holstad noted that the University of Mary of Bismarck, N.D., is a 10-hour trip. Also, Holstad said, some football equipment is older than its 10-year useful life and needs to be replaced. The Senate took no action, delaying a decision to next week.
Asked about the pending expansion of the Northern Sun by four additional schools, Holstad minimized the financial impact of the new travel. Holstad said the new expansion, which would add Augustana, Minnesota State-Mankato, St. Cloud State and UM-Duluth for Fall 2008, would make games more interesting and popular and generate new revenue.
About travel, Holstad said some teams have done many fund-raising events for trips, but rising tuition has put a squeeze on athltes who, more needful of part-time jobs, have less time for fund-raising. Also, he said, less money is available for athletic scholarships. The bind is especially serious for football, he said. With 52 percent of active athletes being women therefore, to comply with federal requirements, 52 percent of his budget goes to women's sports, which has cut into recruiting for men's sports, Holstad said.
Reporter: Ashley Kirkman
Background: Northern Sun considers expansion
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SMU 60, Macalester
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Hike sought in WSU tech feeWINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- The Winona State University technology program is asking students for a $2 a semester increase in mandatory fees to, among other things, phase in a new ID card that will serve as a key to get into campus buildings and someday even serve as a debit card at pop machines. The Student Senate heard the request, which was put on next week's agenda. The increases would also go to maintain servers and to upgrade and the campus wireless system. The increase would be calcuoated ona basis of class, 25 cents oper credit hour, which works out to $2 a semester for a typical student.
Reporter: Ashley Wastart
Rockers Cake, Ben Fold for WSU concert?WINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 --Based on student survey, the Winona State student amusements commitete is considering Cake or Ben Folds Five for the university's annual spring concert, the Student Senate was informed.
Reporter: Wendy Haller
Background: All American Reject in running
COMMENT
ATTACK ON HIGHER-ED
THE JOHNSTONE HYSTERICS
The people who brought us the disastrous No Child Left Behind, the federal attempt to coerce K-12 education reforms, have shifted their attention to higher-ed. The George W. Bush crony who runs the U.S. Education Department, Margaret Spellings, has glommed onto the idea of pressuring college accrediting agencies to force higher-ed reforms. At Winona State, academic Vice President Sally Johnstone keeps up with these things, as she should. But Johnstone has gone too far in wielding the spectre of draconian budget cuts from Washington in her pitch to the Faculty Senate for more sensitivity to political forces. In addressing the Senate the other day she was an unabashed alarmist.
The fact is that Margaret Spellings is burnt toast. George Bush is a lame duck. The No Child Left Behind program is discredited. Spellings' suggestion that U.S. higher-ed isn't working is a Last Hurrah destined to fade -- and soon. Even if Republicans retain the White House in 2008, which seems unlikely, you can bet the new president will be loathe to clone failed Bush ideas.
Johnstone is to be commended for being abreast of the political winds, but it would be better if her instinct was not to bow to the winds. The Spellings initiative has been motivated by a sorry model that college should turn out job-ready technicians to meet the needs of business and industry. It's a model that misses key distinctions between vocational schools, whose mission is job training, and colleges and universities, whose mission is education. Not all learning is the same.
Were Spellngs to have her way, there would be no Aaron Coplands, Ernest Hemingways, Frank Lloyd Wrights, Greg Mortensons or Toni Morrisons -- just techno-managers of the nation's business enterprises. This, needless to say, is neither the traditional model of a liberal education. Nor, thank goodness, is it the view held by most college faculty.
Rather than throwing hysterics at the Winona State faculty, Johnstone as academic vice president should be pouring her energy into resisting the Spellings mind-set.
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Background: WSU exec: Reform or lose accreditation
Backgrund: Education secretary wants firmer accreditation
WSU baseball ranked No. 10 in regionSLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. Jan. 24, 2007 -- The Winona State University baseball team has been ranked No. 10 in the North Central Region by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The Warriors, who finished with a 28-20 mark a year ago, join fellow Northern Sun conference members Wayne State and Concordia of St. Paul in the top 10. Wayne State at fourth and Concordia at eighth.
All American Reject for WSU concert?WINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- The band All American Reject is on the radar of planners for the annual Winona State University spring concert, but a lot remains up in the air. At this week's meeting of the University Programming and Activities Committee, it was reported that a date had not been decided. The concert usually is in April.
Reporter: Mai Lor
Lobbyist: Pawlenty ignores basic budget needST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposed increase in state higher-ed funding is not as good as it looks, according to the lobbyist for the statewide profs' union. Russ Stanton said a preliminary analysis shows the proposal is "not such a rosy picture." Pawlenty's proposa would increase funding by for the MnSCU system, which includes Winona State, by 16.4 percent hike. But Stanton said Pawlenty, a Republican, has ignored inflation, which has severely cut campus budgets in real-dollar terms during recent lean times. Stanton noted that none of Pawlenty's proposed money would cover inflation. "It would be very hard under the governor's proposal to get cost-of-living increases unless they were paid by increases in student tuition," said Stanton.
In delivering his budget recommendations to the Legislature, Pawlenty was silent on a tuiton freeeze being pushed by students. Tuition hikes averaging in the double figures for several years have left students reeling in debt from growing loan burdens. The MnSCU system has been pushing 4 percent tuition increases in each of the enxt two years.
In a report to members of the Inter-Faculty Organization, the union representing MnSCU university profs, Stanton criticized the lack of a long-term commitment in the Pawlenty proposal. Pawlenty's performance bonus and technology infrastructure money, he said, would be one-time money that would end after one year. "Although we would see an increase in funding this biennium, we would retreat to a smaller base to start the next biennium," Stanton said.
Whether the Pawlenty plan is accepted by the Democrat-controlled will be determined between now and the Legislature's adjournment in May. The Legislature final decision, unless vetoed by Pawlenty, would go into effect in July.
Reporter: Elizabeth Adams
Background: Governor seeks $16.4 million college hike
RESIGNATION EPIDEMIC
40% OF SENATE SEATS EMPTY
WINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- The Winona State University Student Senate entered spring semester with its ranks significantly reduced by the resignations of 10 senators. The losses have been especially hard on committees, said Senate Vice President Kari Winter. "It's hard when everyone has to pick up the extra slack," Winter said. "There are fewer people but the same amount of work." The resignations have left the academic committee short three members; diversity committee, two; legislative committee, one; public relations committee, one; student fee committee, one; and technology committee, one.
Winter said the resignations were mostly due to scheduling conflicts and academic obligations. One resignation, that of at-large Sen. Kaleb Lindsey, was forced by excessive absences. There was no connection among the resignations, Winter said. Other resigned senators: Tonya Balow, Rick Howden, Yao Hua, Melinda Schuck, Gerald Strauss, Dustin Tino, Paul Warzecha and Alex White. A graduate position that was never filled makes the 10th vacancy.
Winter, who runs Senate election, said student President Carl Soderberg has given top priority to restoring the Senate to full strength. An election committee was appointed last week. The members: Liberal arts Sen. Jared Stene, at-large Sen. Phasuthorn Viryasiri, sophomore Sen. Lydia Olsen and junior Sen. Theresa Strahota. Winter said she expects the Senate to appoint frosh Sen. Justin Vasel to the committee also.
After nomination applications become available on Jan. 29, the Election Committee will announce voting information. Winter said. She plans posters around campus, an all-student e-mail announcement, and dorm walk-throughs to promote voting. Winter hopes for contested elections, which she said would improve the poor 2.6 perceng turnout in SeptemberÕs election, the lowest in four years.
Reporter: Shannon McGraw
Background: Howden resignation leaves 7th vacancy
WSU BUSINESS DEAN CANDIDATE
ON ACCREDITATION
"NOT ENOUGH TIME"
| FORT SMITH, Ark., Jan. 24, 2007 -- Accreditation of the Winona State University business college would take more time than he has left before retiring, said an early candidate for the deanship. Doug Grider, who declined the job, said, "My belief of the time required to accomplish the things that are necessary to satisfy the accreditation standards at Winona State extends beyond the time horizon in which I plan to continue working full-time." The college of business at Winona State has not yet been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is a goal of the university's administration that Judith Ramaley has been assembling since becoming president in 2005.
In an interview Grider, a management prof at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, said he got the impression that the new Winona State administration was supportive and open to suggestion for changes that are needed for AASCB accreditation. Grider said he had mixed feelings in turning down Winona State's offer. The prospect of attempting to move the business college to a new level of accomplishment was exciting, he said, but added that he wouldn't want to leave the task unfinished.
Grider has offered to work with Winona State administrators to help facilitate progress towards accreditation. He praised the faculty and staff he met in campus interviewing and said that he sensed a commitment to develop the business college's potential for growth and development. On the downside, Grider said, the business facilities in Somsen Hall are dated and need technology updating for current-day teaching approaches. Overall, Grider said, "I came away from my visit very impressed with Winona State on various levels." |
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DOUG
GRIDER
Turned down WSU deanship |
Reporter: Sarah Dotta
Background: New WSU business dean candidate to visit
Background: WSU exec: Reform or lose accreditation
Background: Arkansas management prof a finalist
PHOTOGRAPHER: PAUL SOLBERG
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| OPEN
FOR BUSINESS
Transactions are back
to normal after database
problems led to two
shutdowns |
Database hitch shuts down WSU bookstoreWINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- A server problem caused a shutdown at the Winona State University bookstore Tuesday morning and then another hitch later in the day. Karen Krause, store manager, said the server, operated jointly by the campus technology staff and Nebraska Book Co. of Lincoln, Neb., refused access to a database containing, among other things, textbook prices. The problem erupted during the start-of-semester student crush to buy textbooks. The bookstore opened between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. after the Nebraska Book Co. downloaded software onto a Winona State portable register. A second shutdown occurred for another download of the database at 3:30 p.m.
The portable register presented problems, Krause said. Postings of credit and debit card transactions may be delayed, she said. Also, students should watch for account discrepancies. Krause called students very understanding.
Reporter: Jon Jacob
Fitzy back in court Feb. 8WINONA, Minn., Jan. 24, 2007 -- Former Winona State University student John Michael Fitzgerald, 22, who was charged with brutally beating a Winona couple with a pool cue-stick in March, will be arraigned Feb. 8. Fitzgerald's case reached a standstill in October when defense attorney Richard Bowen contested a police interrogation of Fitzgerald. Bowen had argued that Fitzgerald's rights had been violated when police continued questioning him after he said, "I don't want to talk about it." On Jan. 2 Judge Margaret Johnson denied Bowen's Miranda-rights argument. "Probable cause exists to make it fair and reasonable that the defendant stand trial on the charges outlined in the complaint," the judge said.
Fitzgerald faces four counts of kidnapping, three counts of burglary, and two counts of assault for the attack on the Winona couple, in their 50s, in their house. Fitzgerald could face as many as 234 years in prison and $333,000 if found guilty and given the maximum sentences.
The brutal beating of the couple took place just before 2 a.m. on March 28. Police says that Fitzgerald and a buddy broke into the couple's house through a ground floor Plexiglas door. The wife, hearing the noise, went downstairs and was attacked by one of the intruders, who had been hiding in the closet. After hearing his wife scream, the husband came downstairs and was ordered to the ground by the intruders. The couple was beaten for nearly an hour with a pool cue. Throughout the ordeal, the couple was restrained with towels from their house and were also verbally harassed and threatened by their attackers. Court documents stated that the men had threatened to kill the couple and also said their youngest son was illegitimate and that he had stolen money from the men. After the assailants left, it took the couple 20 minutes to untie themselves. The wife called 9-1-1 at 2:45 a.m. The couple was flown to La Crosse, Wis., and treated for head and neck injuries. The wife's eyes were completely swollen shut. Neither suffered fractures or broken bones.
According to statements from Fitzgerald and Steinquist in court records, the couple's youngest son had stolen a safe containing drug paraphernalia and money a few days earlier at a party. Fitzgerald had gone to the couple's house earlier in the week looking for the son but was told by the husband that the son no longer lived there. The son had left town a couple days before and was picked up by police in Texas on unrelated charges. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald, of St. Paul, Minn., is free on $250,000 bail. |
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JOHN
MICHAEL
FITZGERALD
Faces possible
234 years prison,
$333,000 fine
CHARGES AGAINST FITZGERALD
WITH MAX PENALTY
1. Kidnapping to facilitate a felony and not released in a safe place
40 years prison and $50,000
2. Kidnapping to facilitate a felony and not released in a safe place
40 years and $50,000
3. Kidnapping to terrorize another; not released in a safe place
40 years and $50,000
4. Kidnapping to terrorize another, not released in a safe place
40 years and $50,000
5. Burglary (first-degree assault; person in building or on property)
20 years and $35,000
6. Burglary (first-degree assault; person in building or on property)
20 years and $35,000
7. Burglary (first-degree; dwelling occupied; non-a present)
20 years and $35,000
8. Assault (second-degree; dangerous weapon)
Seven years and $14,000
9. Assault (second-degree; dangerous weapon)
Seven years and $14,000
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Reporter: Elizabeth Adams
Background: Hearing delayed for Steinquist
Background: Arguments in Fitzy case being drafted
WSU dean candidate eyes accreditationRIVER FALLS, Wis., Jan. 24, 2007 -- The candidate for business dean at Winona State University, Barbara Nemecek, has accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business on her mind. That would be a goal if she is appointed, Nemecek said in an interview before leaving for campus interviews at Winona State. AACSB accreditation is not easy, Nemecek said. Fewer than one-third of business colleges nationwide and only 15 percent worldwide are hold AACSB endorsement, she said. At the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where Nemecek founded the college of business and economics and now is dean, she worked for five years for AACSB accreditation. With Winona State academic Vice President Sally Johnstone pushing accreditation issues, Nemecek could be what Winona State needs.
Nemecek, formerly dean at Montana State University-Billings and University of Nebraska-Kearney, said she is prepared to keep the university informed on progress regarding accreditation. First, Nemecek said she would establish goals that tie to the college's mission, outline a strategic plan, and then schedule periodic assessments to measure progress.
She noted that she has worked in academic environments to create new programs and centers and in creating and changing curriculum. Recently, Nemecek has been working to expand the retail curriculum at UW-River Falls. In the past five years, Nemecek re-positioned the university's center for economic research and added a small business center for small business research. In addition, Nemecek is working with faculty from the Minneapolis metropolitan area to establish a new center for urban-rural transition. For this project she is working with several colleges within the university: agriculture and environmental science, education and art and sciences.
Prior to her academic experience, Nemecek put together an out-placement package for a starting business: Tremmel and Associates.
Nemecek is scheduled to address faculty, staff and students:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
Time: 2 p.m.
Place: Purple Room 106, Kryzsko Commons
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BARBARA
NEMECEK
On very short list, she's the only business dean candidate scheduled for campus interviews |
Reporter: Sarah Dotta
Background: New WSU business dean candidate to visit
Background: WSU exec: Reform or lose accreditation
SMU's Weinmann named athlete of weekWINONA, Minn., Jan. 23, 2007 -- For the second week in a row, St. Mary's University senior Amanda Weinmann was named Minnesota Intercollegiate conference field athlete of the week. At the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Open last Saturday, Weinmann broke her own school record in the weight throw with a toss of 15.64 meters. Weinmann, a qualifier for both the indoor and outdoor national championships, also improved her National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III provisional qualifying mark in the shot put with a throw of 13.01 meters.
WSU hires new Annual Fund chief| WINONA, Minn., Jan. 23, 2007 -- A veteran college fund-raiser, Cindy Jokela, has been appointed director of the Winona State University Annual Fund. Jokela's priority is to design and implement a comprehensive plan for seeking donations from a variety of sources for areas of the university with immediate needs. Jokela, who holds Yale degree in language and literature, has been assistant director of development at Vanderbilt University; director of alumni relations at St. John's College in Santa Fe, N.M.,; and associate director of the alumni annual fund at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. |
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CINDY
JOKELA
New fund-raiser |
 |
| WHAT'S
NEXT?
The park-like University
of Dallas plan is now
history, which opens
space for a new sports
stadium. Features had
included 43 oaks, 50
cascades. Forty-three,
43rd, get it? Fifty for 50
states. |
Dallas campus drops bid for Bush libraryDALLAS, Texas. Jan. 23, 2007 -- The University of Dallas dropped out of the running to be site for the George W. Bush presidential library, narrowing the likely sites to Southern Methodist and Baylor. The city of Irving, a Dallas suburb where the University of Dallas is located, had pledged $50 million toward proposal. But the Bush selection committee has sent signals it favors Southern Methodist. The president of the University of Dallas, a 3,000-enrollment Roman Catholic school, Frank Lazarus, was upbeat in announcing the withdrawal: "This process has propelled us onto the national stage, and our university is now characterized by a new vision and a very bright future."
The University of Dallas proposal included a library, museum and public policy institute that the library selection committee had specified -- plus a 250-acre park. Features included a crescent-shaped trail lined with 43 oak trees, one for each president, and a fountain with 50 cascades, one for each state.
Originally eight cities and universities sought to be the site for the library. The selection committee later narrowed the contenders to three. Although the committee has said it now is continuing negotiations only with Southern Methodist, faculty objections have emerged there. Baylor says its proposal remains alive and well.
Background: Profs wary of Bush library intentions
No injuries in WSU car smashWINONA, Minn., Jan. 23, 2007 -- A two-car accident blocked Howard and Johnson streets at Winona State University about 30 minutes Tuesday afternoon . An Eagle Talon and a Honda Odyssey minivan collided about 1:45 p.m. No one was injured. Police decided against issuing a citation because the accident was at an uncontrolled intersection with numerous visual obstructions.
Reporter: Jon Jacob
WSU president calls off town-hall meetingWINONA, Minn., Jan. 23, 2007 -- A campus town-hall meeting with university leaders available for questions Tuesday afternoon was cancelled less than six hours ahead of time. Although sponsored by the Student Senate, the cancellation was announced by the office of university President Judith Ramaley. The explanation: "Unforeseen circumstances." There was no elaboration, although one report was that Ramaley had come down with laryngitis. The cancellation note said that the session would be rescheduled later spring semester.
Student Senate President Carl Soderberg, who was scheduled to be on the panel, said the cancelation made sense because many of the questions were probably going to be directed to Ramaley, including a few prepared questions. Soderberg noted, too, that Ramaley has other speaking obligations later in the week. Nobody wanted to aggravate her ailment, he said.
Reporters: Jon Jacob and Shannon Lippke
Background: WSU leaders to take audience questions
Car chase ends after passenger jumps outWINONA, Minn., Jan. 23, 2007 Š After a short but woolly police chase in which one passenger tried unsuccessfully to jump out of the vehicle being pursued, police issued five citations. Karl John Matson, 25, of Phoenix, Ariz., was charged with fleeing, vehicular injury, second-degree drunken-driving, obstructing with force, and driving without a license. Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said officers spotted a Ford Explorer northbound on Olmstead Street crossing the center line about 12:47 a.m. Bostrack gave this account: Despite the officers' flashers and siren, the Explorer continued to Second and Main streets, where a passenger, Joshua Gibbs, 22, of Stockton, Minn., attempted to jump out. Gibbs was dragged a short distance with one leg out of the vehicle before falling and injuring his hip. Gibbs was conscious and talking with officers before an ambulance took him to the hospital. Meanwhile, the officers stopped the vehicle and took a struggling and kicking driver into custody. The driver registered a 0.26 percent blood-alcohol level, Bostrack said. That's more than triple the allowable maximum for driving under state law.
Reporter: Ezra Firkins
RECENT DAYS IN
THE CITY
POSTED JAN. 23, 2007
BOGUS MONEY. Police warned merchants that a phony $20 bill turned up at Winona National Bank with weekend deposits. The bill was slightly smaller than normal and had no water marks or other security features.
RIVER TRAFFIC. The Army Corps of Engineers reported a 24.2 percent increase in vessels locking through Dam 5 upstream from Winona this past season. The total: 7,113 vessels with nearly 9 million tons of cargo. Of the vessels, 914 were commercial. The last tow, the Melvin R. Todd locked through Nov. 28.
WILKIE DEADLINE. The City Council voted unanimously to give Julius C. Wilkie Paddleboat Inc. one year to raise money to renovate the Wilkie steamboat on the levee. Background
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WSU exec: Reform or lose accreditationWINONA, Minn., Jan. 22, 2007 -- Periodic external audits of Winona State academic programs need to be taken seriously, the university's new academic vice president warned faculty. Unless program reviews are used to improve the quality of education, the university will not earn reaccreditation in 2011, Sally Johnstone told the Faculty Senate. Johnstone took broad swipes at past disregard of the advice of external reviewes. There hasn't been a culture of using information to allocate resources, Johnstone said. She warned that if Winona State is not accredited in 2011, when a regional acceditation agency is scheduled for its every 10-year review, the university could lose eligibility for federal funding and other grants. Johnstone pointed to recent recommendations from the U.S. Secretary of Education commission for stricter accountability of colleges and universities. New rules have been given handed to accrediting agencies for greater clarity and consistency, she noted.
Johnstone expressed dismay at what she's found in her first few months at Winona State. The institution needs to be able to explain how rules are established, said Johnstone. "At Winona State it is difficult to explain how decisions are made because they aren't made on real information," she said. "For example, 'Oh well, we did this before' or 'Somebody liked the way that was done.'"
Times are changing, Johnstone said. Five years ago a trustee would never ask, "How is our investment translating directly into our workforce." Now learning outcomes are being demanded. The answer, she said, is to use evidence to improve the way outcomes are met.
Johnstone said her alarm is based on a report due to the U.S. Education Department by 2009. Action needs to be taken immediately because the new criteria will be more stringently enforced than ever, she said. |
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| 
SALLY
JOHNSTONE
Academic vice president |
Reporter: Sarah Dotta
Background: Education secretary wants firmer accreditation
Himalayan school-builder to speak at WSUWINONA, Minn., Jan. 23, 2006 -- Peace activist Greg Mortenson, who dedicated his life to promote education and literacy in remote, mountain villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan, will speak at Winona State University. Mortenson is the founder of Central Asia Institute and of Pennies For Peace, co-authored the best-seller "Three Cups of Tea." In Pakistan and Afghanistan he has set up 58 schools for more than 24,000 children.
Date: Friday, Jan. 26
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Somsen Auditorium
Cost: Free
Contact: Mortenson site
Governor seeks $16.4 million college hike
Murder suspect extradited to La CrosseLA CROSSE, Wis., Jan. 22, 2007 -- An Onalaska, Wis., man, Irvin M. Ramirez, 24, was jailed in La Crosse for the early Sunday slaying of a college student. Ramirez agreed to be returned to Wisconsin jurisdiction from Minnesota, where he had been arrested Sunday morning on a drunken-driving charge. Speaking through an interpreter, Ramirez agreed at a hearing at the Houston County Courthouse in Caledonia, Minn;, to waive extradition . He was immediately transported to La Crosse.
Ramirez is charged in the death of Danielle Gorectke, 23, a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student who was visiting a sister in La Crosse for the weekend. She disappeared from the downtown bar district about closing time Sunday morning. Her body, partially clad and snow-covered, was found face down at the bottom of the steps of a church near Onalaska. There was a pool of blood, police said. Police reported multiple bruises and cuts to her head. Her upper lip appeared to have been partially torn off, police said. An autopsy concluded that blunt force head trauma caused the death. The blow was not administered with a weapon, the autopsy said. |
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| 
IRVIN M.
RAMIREZ
Accused of intentional homicide |
Background: UW-Stevens Point student slain in La Crosse
| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
St. Benedict 65, SMU
49 |
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| BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
SMU 66, St. JohnÕs
63 |
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Lender off hook for $278 million in overchargesWASINGTON, Jan. 22, 2007 --The U.S. Department of Education will cut off loan subsidies to the National Education Loan Network, a major for-profit student-loan provider, following an audit that uncovered $278 million in overcharges. The department said it will not seek to recover the excess payouts -- despite a recommendation for the U.S. Office of the Inspector General, which conducted the audit, that the government should demand the money back. The Education Department claims that reclaiming the money from Nelnet would trigger recovery of overcharges from small nonprofit lenders, putting them out of busienss and reducing student loan options. Said Sara Martinez Tucker, undersecretary of education: "In some parts of the country, these small not-for-profits are the only option they have." Tucker said, however, that in the future that federal payments to lenders at the highest subsidy rate will be allowed only after audits confirm the legitimacy of the charges.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., who had requested the Nelnet audit, called the Education Deparmtent decision an outrage: "The administration should have settled for nothing less than the full recovery of Nelnet's ill-gotten proceeds from these loans." Kennedy has been in the forefront of Congressuional Democrats in claiming the Bush administration has been soft on the student-loan industry, which has been a major donor to Republican campaigns. Nelnet gave at least $153,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2006. In the House, Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the education committee, promised a review the Nelnet settlement. The issue, Miller said, is whether taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively.
Mugshots opens with band, guitaristWINONA, Minn., Jan. 22, 2007 -- The Winona State girl-band Worthy Adversary will perform at the Lourdes dorm Mugshots coffee house on the university's West Campus. The group, comprising Jacqui Boyum, Teresa O'Neill and Cassie Meyer, opens for acoustic guitarist Megan Nelson. Mugshots, designed as alternative to off-campus boozing, is calling the semester-opening performance Ladies Night. Two-for-one bottomless cups will be offered the first 25 women and their friends.
Date: Thursday, Jan.Ź 25
Time: 8 p.m.
Place: Lourdes dorm
Cost: Coffee, desserts available
Contact: Mugshots
Ruckus goes to free listening; downloads costLOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 22, 2007 -- The legal download service Ruckus, whose music archive had been offered only at susbcribing campuses, now has opened access to college students nationwide. Sudents with .edu e-mail addresses can listen to Ruckus' 2 million songs free, although there is a fee for downloads to MP3 players. The new policy is a change in the Ruckus business plan, which has shifted to advertising as a revenue stream. .Ruckus also has introduced Facebook-like social networking component for personal profiles, messages and pictures.
University offers tuition on eBayBARTLESVILLE, Okla., Jan. 22, 2007 -- Bids are open at the online auctin site eBay for one year of tuition at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Bidding starts at a penny. Robert Myers, the university's executive vice president, said the deal is worth $23,000. Why? "To create a buzz,Ó Myers said.
| FREE INQUIRY / FREE EXPRESSION |
Brandeis turns away film directorBOSTON, Mass., Jan. 22, 2007 -- Brandeis University put a campus visit by former President Jimmy Carter off limits to movie-maker Jonathan Demme. Logistics are too complicated, the university said. Demme, who is making a documentary about President Carter, had wanted to film at Brandeis, where more than half the students are Jewish, to widen the range of reactions to President CarterÕs controversial new book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."
Expert sees depression, suicide as football riskPITTSBURGH, Pa. Jan. 22, 2007 -- Head injuries from football may have figured in the suicide of a former professional football player Andre Waters, according to forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu of the University of Pittsburgh. Waters, an 11-year NFL veteran, suffered brain damage that caused him to slide into a depression, Omalu said. Tests, he said, sowed that Waters's brain resembled that of an octogenarian AlzheimerÕs patient. The NFL responded by ordering a study of retired players for a connection between concussions and depression.
Librarian quits over wi-fi "buzz"SANTA FE, N.M., Jan. 22, 2007 -- Library director Rebekah Azen at Southwestern College resigned, claiming that insomnia and a buzzing feeling in her body came from electromagnetic energy from the campus wireless network. She had been on the job six weeks. Azen sad she asked the college to shut down its wireless network, but administrators refused. "Students want it," they said. Azen is a supporter of the California-based Council on Wireless Technology Impacts, which is concerned about health and environmental dangers of electromagnetic radiation. The Council opposes wireless networking in public libraries.
Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., has prohibits wi-fi. The Council on Wireless Technology Impacts said, also, that Frankfurt, Germany, has banned wireless networking in schools.
Background: College taking no health risk on wi-fi
CHRIST COVENANT CHURCH
Sunday services cancelled after body found |
|  |
| DANIELLE
GORECTKE
Body found on church steps |
|
| IRVIN RAMIREZ
Accused in murder |
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UW-Stevens Point student slain in La CrosseLA CROSSE, Wis., Jan. 22, 2007 -- A student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, in town visiting her sister for the weekend, was slain after the bars closed Sunday and her body dumped outside a church. Police said the body of Danielle Gorectke, 23, was found by a snow-plower about 8 a.m., Sunday. There were face and head injuries, police said. Gorectke's sister, a student at Viterbo College in La Crosse, said they have been out for the night on the downtown bar strip. The last her sister saw Gorectke was at the Helm Bar about 2 a.m. The sister reported to police at 6 a.m. that they had become separated.
A 24-year-old man, Irvin M. Ramirez, from suburban Onalaska, was charged Monday with first-degree murder. Ramirez was being held by authories across the river in Minnesota. Ramirez had been arrested about 4 a.m., Sunday, on the Minnesota side after a convenience-store clerk called police about an intoxicated, argumentive driver with blood on his clothing. Police said that a purse and credit card belonging to Danielle Gorectke were found in Ramirez's car. At the time authorities were unaware that Gorectke was missing. Ramirez was arrested for intoxication. Four hours later Gorecktke's body was found at the bottom of the stairs of Christ Covenant Church on the far northeast side of La Crosse. |
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Martin Luther King program scheduledWINONA, Minn., Jan. 22, 2007 -- A series of speakers have been lined for a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. at Winona State University. The theme: "Where Has the Dream Gone?" Speakers include politial science prof Fred Lee, on "Where Do We Go From Here?"; English prof Chuck Ripley, "Social Impact of Civil Rights 70s, 80s & 90s"; and Xavier Wilson, Quad dorm director, on "I Have a Dream."
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: East Hall, Kryzsko Commons
Cost: Free
Contact: (507) 457-5595
Cops say blood-alcohol at .24; driver arrested WINONA, Minn., Jan. 22, 2007 -- A 21-year-old man was arrested at 1:35 a.m., Saturday, for drunken driving after he backed into a parked car on Center Street, police said. His alcohol level was .24, three times the legal limit. Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said the man was also cited for marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Reporter: Amy Hill
Princeton freeze tuitionPRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 22, 2007 -- For the first time in 40 years Princeton University won't raise tuition. In September ubdergrad tuition will be $33,000, the same as this year. Princeton said that strong investment returns on its endowment made the tuition freeze possible. The university's trustees, however, have increased ees for room and board 4.2 percent so attebding will rise to $43,980.
Weaving leads to drunking arrestWINONA, Minn., Jan. 22, 2007 -- Police arrested a 22-year-old woman at 2:38 a.m., Saturday, for drunken driving on Huff Street after they pulled her over for excessive weaving, police said. The woman failed a field sobriety test with a blood-alcohol level of .12 percent, said Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack. The allowable max is 0.8.
Reporter: Amy Hill
WSU seminar focuses on "critical whiteness" WINONA, Minn., Jan. 21, 2007 -- A web seminar for Winona State University faculty and staff on white privilege will start a spring series on the subject this week. Jacob P.K. Gross, associate director of research at the Indiana Project on Academic Success, will discuss "Beyond White Privilege: A Professional Development Workshop for Student Services." The workshop is designed to encourage reflection and to challenge white privilege "through a stance of critical whiteness," Gross said.
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Purple Rooms 105-106, Kryzsko Commons
Cost: Free
Contact: Reservation only
| GYMNASTICS (WOMEN'S)
Hamline 174.225, WSU
173.15 |
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WSU poet publishes two poemsWINONA, Minn., Jan. 21, 2007 -- The Winona Stat University grants director, Nancy Peterson, wrote two poems, "Ghosts" and "One of Those 'For Worse' Days," published in the journal Remark.
CAUTIONARY NOTE
LOAN LEGISLATION'S FINE PRINT
WINONA, Minn., Jan. 21, 2007 -- A bill passed by the U.S.House to lower the interest rate on student loans is a "good first step" but doesn't cover enough students, according to Student Sen. Jared Stene of Winona State. University Also, he said, the lower rate is neither immediate nor permanent. Stene, a junior representing liberal arts, who is serving his second Senate term, noted that the lower interest is only for 5.5 million Stafford loans. Students with other loans would receive no help, he said. Stene noted that the original House bill provided more support for students through more federal money for Pell grants and by vutting all students loan interest, not just the Staffords. Despite this, teh bill would provide "some relief for us," said Stene. He is chair of the Senate Student Services Committee.
The bill still faces hurdles. It next will be considered by the Senate. Also it will need a signature from Presdient Bush, who has has said he opposes the bill. If the bill survives, the interest rate would drop in half on Stafford loans for college students whose families make between $26,000 and $68,000.
Stene noted that current college students wouldn't receive the full benefit of the legislation. The cuts would phase in over five years, not reaching the target 3.8 percent until 2012. And then, he pointed out, the low rate would be in effect only only six months. The interest rate would then return to its current 6.8 percent unless Congress re-enacts cuts.
Although the bill was sponsored by House Democrats, it picked up Republican support. Stene said that it was great to see the "both parties talking."
Democrats have urged colleges not to rely on the bill as an opportunity to charge more tuition and suck up the interest-rate savings from students. Stene, himself an active Democrat, urged colleges to work harder at lowering the tuition on their own. Stene said colleges can keep tuition rates in check by spending money that will help their institutions as a whole and not just benefit a small group. It isn't only Congress and the colleges that can bring about change but students themselves, he said. Stene urged students to become active in voicing tuition concerns. He noted upcoming rally and lobby days. |
| 
JARED
STENE
Liberal arts senator |
Reporter: Elizbeth Adams
Background: Democrats win GOP support, cut loan costs
Background: Student lobbyists renew Lobby Day
Row v. Wade birthday plannedWINONA, Minn., Jan. 21, 2007-- A birthday celebration for the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion-rights decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has been organized by the campus chapter of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League and gender studies at Winona State Ubiverity.Ź The film "If These Walls Could Talk" will be shown, followed by a discussion.
Date: Monday, Jan. 22
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Minne 238
Cost: Free
Contact: Nursing Students for Choice
WSU leaders to take audience questionsWINONA, Minn., Jan. 21, 2007 -- A town hall-style meeting with Winona State University executives, faculty and student leaders has been set up this coming week. Participants: Judith Ramaley, university president; Sally Johnstone, academic vice president; Nancy Jannik, associate vice president for research, graduate s and assessment; Mary Kesler, faculty president; and Carl Soderberg, student president.
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Second floor Anthenaeum, Krueger Library
Ads tell prepsters "know how to go"WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2007 -- The Ad Council, through which leading advertising agencies produce free campaigns for non-profit causes, has released a series of public-service announcements aimed at low-income and minority students on how to prepare for college. The campaign, "Know How to Go," is targeted at students in eighth to 10th grades. The Council said many ypung students have no idea how to go about getting into college, that it's more than good grades and dreams.
Some samples from the campaign, which is expected to run two years:
RADIO: A student dreams a college dean comes to his door to invite him to college. While he considers the offer, a pep rally in the background cheers his name. A voice-over says: "Wake up. You can't dream your way into college. There are actual steps you have to take."
TELEVISION:Entertainer Diddy Combs, formerly Puff Daddy, raps about the college-application process.
POSTERS: "Diddly Squat: What most kids know about preparing for college."
The ads wer created by the agency Publicis. Most Ad Council camaigns receive $28 million to $30 million worth of donated newspaper and magazine space and broadcast time.
RECENT DAYS IN
THE CITY
POSTED JAN. 21, 2007
FASTENAL EARNINGS. Sales of Winona-based Fastenal, a construction and industrial supplier, grew almost 19 percent in the final quart of 2006. The company opened 246 stores in the year, bringing the total to 2,000. For 2007vthe company said it plans to open 260 to 360 more stores.
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Illinois trims global for-profit plan CHAMPAIGN, Ill.. Jan. 21, 2007 -- A plan by University of Illinois President Joe White to create a quasi-independent, profit-making online global curriculum within the university has been scaled back. It's still global but no longer a stand-alone corporate unit. White also has dropped plans to seek independent accreditation for his proposed unit -- a move that would have allowed Global Campus to create and adjust curriuclum and staff to meet student demand in a more precise way than current higher-ed practices. White's revised plan now is an online academic unit within the university, rather than his original separate corporate entity. The original plan had met resistance from faculty and trustees/
Prof-student contact shifts to e-mailMINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Jan. 20, 2007 -- Three of four students prefer e-mail rather than face-to-face office meetings with their instructors, according to a survey at the University of Minnesota by the student newspaper the Minnesota Daily. English prof Thomas Augst was quoted that the nature of being a professor is deteriorating as a result. Students now seem to expect their profs to be seated at their computers, e-mail accounts open, Augst said. "All of us, I think, as faculty, recall in the not-so-distant past when students used to act as if their professor deserved a certain amount of respect," he said. "Somehow these basic tools of the education road are being thrown out the window for the sake of students having this hyper-convenient access to their professors."
COURT
CONVICTIONS
WEEK
ENDING JAN. 20, 2007
IN WINONA COUNTY DISTRICT
COURT
UNDERAGE BOOZING
Jacob Michael Dunn, 19, Galesville, Wis., $177.
Matthew Soulavanh Phetsomphou, 20, St. Charles, Minn., 30 days and $502.
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Folk dances open WSU global concertsWINONA, Minn., Jan. 20, 2007 -- An international music series schedule has been announced by the Winona State University Residential College. These concerts, all free, are at 7 p.m. in the Tau Center rotunda.
Jan. 25: Winona International Dancers, performing folk dancesFeb. 1: Diane Jarvi, performing music from FinlandFeb. 8: Light From Heaven, performing traditional music from CambodiaFeb. 15: Gao Hong, performing Pipa music from ChinaFeb. 22: Sowah Mensah, performing African music and drumming
March 22: Nirmala Rajeskar, performing music from South IndiaMarch 29: Sandip Burman, performing music from north IndiaApril 5: Amwaaj, performing traditional Arabic musicApril 12: Korean Percussion Ensemble, performing music and drumming from KoreaApril 19: Calle Sur, performing music from Latin and South American
U.S. university to help rebuild AfghanSAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 20, 2007 -- San Diego State University has been awarded a nearly $2 million contract to assist Nangarhar University, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in re-establishing higher education programs in the country. The contract, funded by the World Bank, is for a three-year project. The goal: To train train faculty in English language instruction, develop a four-year English language program, create an International Learning Centerm and expand information technology resources.
NEWS
AND COMMENT
WINONA MEDIA
WATCH |
WHITHER
THE STAR TRIBUNE?
Financial analysts are scatching their heads over the pending purchase of the Minenapolis Star Tribune by a New York investors group. What does Avista Capital Partners see that everybody else is missing?
Certainly, the group now has a highly respected newspaper in its portfolio, but these people are investors -- not journalists nor Minnesotans nor engaged in public service. Their goal: Make money.
Whether the paramountcy of profit motive is good or bad for Minnesota is the issue. The Star Tribune long has been the state's dominant newspaper with a history of significant journalistic contributions to our commonweal. A lot is at stake for us.
Are their prospects for profit in the fading newspaper business? The Star Trib's circuation fell to 358,900 in the latest reporting period, down 4.1 percent from a year earlier. That left the Star Trib as the bottom-most performing newspaper in the McClatchy chain. Revenue last year was off 6 percent.
It seems no wonder that McClatchy wanted to unload the Star Trib -- even at a huge loss. McClatchy, based in California, paid $1.2 billion for the Star Trib in 1998. The Avista offer -- half that, $530 million.
By one measure that figures heavily in buyouts, the Star Trib was a bargain -- 6.5 times over the newspaper's cash flow.
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| AVISTA WHO?
Avista Capital Partners is a leveraged buyout company. It's in the business of borrowing money to purchase companies that it seems as likely to score well as an investment. The company, only 1-1/2 years old, has focused on energy, health care and media acquisitions, 11 in all. The Minnespoalis Star Tribune is its first newspaper. Avista was created in 2004 by Thompson Dean and Steve Webster. Their primary expeience was with a buyout unt of Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette. |
These are the largest U.S. dailies by paid circulation for the third quarter of 2006, compared to a year earlier.
USA Today
Wall Street Journal
New York Times
Los Angeles Times
New York Post
New York Daily News
Washington Post
Chicago Tribune
Houston Chronicle
Newsday
Arizona Republic
Boston Globe
Newark Star-Ledger
San Francsico Chronicle
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Atlanta Journal-Const
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Philadelphia Inquirer
Detroit Free Press
Portland Oregonian |
|
| 2,269,500
2,043,200
1,086,700
776,600
704,000
693,400
656,300
576,100
508,100
410,600
397,300
386,400
378,100
373,800
358,900
350,200
337,000
330,600
328,600
310,800 |
|
| -1.3%
-1.9%
-3.5%
-8.0%
5.1%
1.0%
-3.3%
-1.7%
-3.6%
-4.9%
-2.5%
-6.7%
-5.5%
-5.3%
-4.1%
-3.4%
-0.6%
-7.5%
-3.6%
-6.8% |
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So what can we expect in the Star Trib under new ownership?
The Avista people, although they lack newspaper experience, may turn the corner on profits at the Star Trib and find happiness rolling in dough and keep the paper and strengthen it journalistically and as a business. Already they have installed Chris Harte, a former executive from the Knight-Ridder chain, long-time owner of the St. Paul Pioner-Press, which now in McClatchy hands, to head the Star Tribune's holding company. The Star Trib's cash flow is so strong that a minor uptick in advertising could put the paper in black ink again and cover Avista's loan payments.
Of course, Avista could reduce the Star Trib's hemmorghing and perhaps accelerate a turn-around by cost-cutting. Buyout companies are notorious for staff cuts, which with newspapers almost always means a diminished newsroom and less journalistic enterprise and quality. Cuts, of course, are risky because they can diminish the value of a property -- and, make no mistake about it, most buyout companies are in the business of selling their acquisitions at profit.
It may be that Avista will be a transient owner of the Star Trib. A pattern seems to be emerging of chain newspapers reverting to local ownershop after falling on bad times. This has happened at the Philadelphia Inquirer, now in the hands of a Philadelphia real-estate mogul. Hollywood money, including David Geffen, have been eyeing the Tribune Co. of Chicago, which is for sale, in order to acquire the company's Los Angeles Times.
Key to the prospects for the Star Trib is whether the newspaper industry's decline plateaus out or goes into a free fall. Depending on which way it goes, Avista may end up with a gem in its portfolio -- or a clunker.
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Legal query into dealsALBANY, N.Y,, Jan. 20, 2007 -- Several student-loan providers have been asked by the New York attorney general's office for information about the deals they have struck with campus financial-aid administrators to win student-loan business. Lenders have been under criticisn for offering incentives to campus administartors to push their products.
Background: Report: Probe needed into college loans
Background: Charge: Colleges, lenders in cahoots
| TRACK AND FIELD
(WOMEN'S)
Blugold Indoor Open
UW-La Crosse 223 (1st), UW-Eau Claire 119 (2nd), WSU 107 (3rd), Bethel 47 (4th), St. Thomas 44 (5th), SMU 25 (6th), Concordia of St Paul 17 (7th), PrimeTime Timing 4 (8th) |
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Magnuson breaks WSU pole vault recordEAU CLAIRE, Wis., Jan. 20,
2007 -- Winona State University senior Bria Magnuson broke the Winona State pole vault record by reaching a height of 11-feet, 10-inches in helping the Warriors place third in the Blugold Indoor open held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. MagnusonÕs vault was an NCAA provisional qualifying height, and placed her third in the competition. Winning for the Warriors was senior Nicole Lonning in the shot put, and senior Emily King in the 20-pound weight throw. Jessica Devine finished for the Warriors in the 55-meter dash at :07.50.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
Students supportive of ousted SMU leaderWINONA, Minn., Jan. 20, 2007 -- Random interviews with St. Mary's University students by the Daily News found surprise and sadness that university President Craig Franz had been removed from office over Christmas break because of a sexual relationship at his previous college. Franz resigned at the instructions of the university's governing board in mid-December. The board delayed announcing the decision until Dec. 20, after students had left for winter break. Information about the matter, 1-1/2 years ago at St. Mary's College in Monaga, Calif., had been kept closely guarded. Only after students ahd returned home did they learn skeletal information about Franz's departure in a message from Robert Figliulo, chair of the university baord of trustees. Provost Jeff Highland, who was named acting president, followed up with a letter that the university was in good shape. Meanwhile, students have created a page on the Facebook social networking site to support Brother Craig.
Background: SMU president leaves in sex scandal
Background: California inquiry ongoingBackground: A Christian Brother president ever again?
Background: What next for Brother Craig?
| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
SMU 59, St. Thomas
50 |
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| BASKETBALL
(MEN'S)
St. Thomas 73, SMU
46 |
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Study: Firmer rules needed for college boardsWASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2007 -- Colleges can expect new government intrusion into their operations unless college governing boards improve standards for fiscal integrity and trustee performance, according to the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. An association report pointed to rising concerns about accountablity from government policy-makers, faculty and the public. Otherwise, the report said, expect "rigid external regulation." Among recommendations was an annual assessment of university presidential performance. The report also recommended that presidential compensation be based on benchmarks from within and outside the institution. The report focused on expectations for members of governing boards. Needed are codes of conduct and clear conflict-of-interest policies, the report said. Importantly, the report said, board members need to be agttentive to rising costs at universities and to presidential compensation.
| HOCKEY
(WOMEN'S)
SMU 4, Concordia of St. Paul
0 |
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| HOCKEY
(MEN'S)
SMU 7, Concordia of St. Paul
1 |
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| FREE INQUIRY / FREE EXPRESSION |
College sued for denying Minuteman accessCOMPTON, Calif., Jan. 20, 2007 -- An organization that opposes illegal immigrant, Minuteman Project, accused Compton Community College of refusing to allow the group a forum on campus because of its beliefs. In a lawsuit the organization claimed violations of its rights to free speech and assembly. The suit noted that the college has opened its facilities in the past to special-interest groups, including Louis Farrakhan supporters and peace avocates. Minuteman asked the court to force the college to give it access to campuds facilities imnediately. A college official was quoted in the suit as denying the request to maintain order and peace on campus. At Columbia University in October a student protest degenerated into fighting when Minuteman founder Jim Gilchrist was scheduled to speak on campus.
R.I.P.: Robert G. RayfieldWINONA, Minn., Jan. 19, 2007 -- A 1973 Winona Vo-Tech grad, Robert Rayfield, 55, did at a nursing home. He was a tool and die maker.
Mission done, Colorado president steps downBOULDER, Colo., Jan. 19, 2007 -- Former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, acting president of University of Colorado system, announced he will step down now that a flood of scandals has abated, Brown replaced Elizbeth Hoffman in 2005 amid scandals that included allegations that the vaunted Colorado football program had lured high-school recruits with sex and alcohol. Brown had been expected to serve only one year, but it will be almost three hears before he leaves. He has won wide praise for cleaning up the host of messes he inherited.
| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
WSU 67, Bemidji State 66 |
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Warriors beat buzzer, BemidjiWINONA, Minn., Jan. 20, 2007 -- Amanda Reimer beat the buzzer and Bemidji State with less than a second remaining to lead the Winona State University women's basketball team to a 67-66 Northern Sun conference victory. Trailing 66-65 with less than 15 seconds remaining, a shot by Winona Statw guard Shelby Krueger fell short before being knocked out of bounds by a Bemidji State player as the buzzer sounded. However, the officials decided to allow one second to be put back on the clock, leaving just enough time for Krueger to inbound the ball to Reimer under the basket for the winning layup.
Reimer recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Krueger scored a team-high 17 points for the Warriors, and Jamie Majerowicz added 13 in her third game since replacing the departed Leslie Ross. Freshman guard Nikki Fleck provided a spark off the bench by scoring all 11 of her points in the second half.
Continuing a recent trend, the Warriors again started off sluggish -- going scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of the game and allowing Bemidji to jump out to a 14-0 lead. But the Warriors responded with a run of their own en route to taking a 37-34 lead at halftime. The dramatic victory marked the sixth straight game for the Warriors that was decided by four points or less. The Warriors are 4-2 in their last six games and are currently tied for second place in the Northern Sun with Northern State and Concordia of St. Paul, each a game behind leader Minnesota State-Moorhead. The Warriors are 6-2 in the conference and 10-6 overall.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
Background: Why Ross left: "Personalities"
Northern Sun considers expansionST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 19, 2007 -- The governing board of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has agreed to accept application from four Division II schools to join the league. Augustana College, Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State -- all now in the North Central Conference -- will each be considered within the next few months. Each school must host a site visit as part of the application process. A decision on expansion is expected no later than April 23 by the board, comprised of presidents and chancellors of Northern Sun members, including Winona State.
The four North Central schools' applications came on the heels of an announcement in November that South Dakota, a North Central member, would be leaving to become Division I. The departure of the Coyotes will leave the North Central Conference with only four members after the spring 2008 season. To be recognized by the National Collegiate Athetics Assocaition and to receive bids to national tournaments, a conference needs at least six members. It is expected that the conference will fold after 57 years in existence. Since 2004, North Central has lost five members. In 2004 North Dakota State moved to Division I, and Morningside opted for the NAIA. Last June, North Dakota announced it would move all sports to Division I. In November, Augustana was the first to seek membership in the Northern Sun.
If all four applications to the Northern Sun were to be accepted, the league would expand to 14 teams -- making it likely that the conference would be split into two divisions. The University of Minnesota-Crookston, which had considered moving to Division III, announced last week that it would continue to compete at the Division II level as a member of the Northern Sun.
Reporter: Matt Huss |
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NORTHERN SUN MEMBERS
Bemidji State
Concordia of St. Paul
Mary
MSU-Moorhead
Northern State
Southwest Minnesota State
Minnesota- Crookston
Upper Iowa
Wayne State
Winona State
APPLICANTS FROM NORTH CENTRAL
Augustana
Minnesota-
Duluth
MSU-Mankato
St. Cloud State |
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| BASKETBALL (MEN'S)
WSU 82, Bemidji State 37 |
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Warriors cruise to victory over BemidjiWINONA, Minn., Jan. 20,
2006 -- The Winona State University men's basketball team recorded its 38th consecutive victory after cruising to an 82-37 victory over Bemidji State in Northern Sun conference play. Winona State, the No. 1-ranked team in the country, shot an astounding 63.8 percent from the field, including 10 of 18 from 3-point range. The Warriors the Beavers to just 26.8 percent from the floor en route to improving its winning streak to 20 games in Northern Sun competition.
John Smith recorded a double-double by scoring a game-high 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Zach Malvik added 12. Travis Whipple and David Johnson each scored 11 off the bench.
After coming off a pair of dramatic three-point victories over Concordia of St. Paul and Minnesota State-Moorhead last weekend, the Warriors scored the first 13 points of the game Friday night and held the Beavers scoreless over the first five minutes before taking a 30-point lead into halftime. The Warriors, now 18-0 overall and 8-0 in the conferencem extended their road winning streak to 17 games. Winona State has not lost since falling at home to Bemidji State on Jan. 7 a year ago.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Statistics
Architects open ears for wellness projectWINONA, Minn., Jan. 19, 2007 -- Architects working on the proposed Winona State University workout gym and wellness complex will be both drawing and listening at two campus sessions this coming week. Jeff Reinardy, campus workout gym director, called the open sessions an opportunity for students, faculty and staff for input into the design and also see what Holabird & Root architects have designed to this point. The project, budgeted at $15.2 million, is high on the university's construction priorities.
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24, and Thursday, Jan. 25
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Place: Student Activity Center, Kryzsko Commons
Contact: Jeff Reinardy
Background: WSU claims $3 million in gifts for construction
Purse stolen at downtown bar
WINONA, Minn., Jan. 19, 2007 - A purse belonging to Kayla Ann Schultz, 22, was reported stolen off a table at Schydes' bar Thursday around midnight, police said. The theft was called in from 460 E. Sarnia at 3:07 a.m. By then the purse had been found in a garbage can in the women's bathroom, Deputy Chief Paul Bostrack said. Missing was a Minnesota driver's license and a Nokia cell phone, he said. Schultz did not put a value the loss.
Reporter: Amy Hill
| GYMNASTICS
(WOMEN'S)
Wisconsin-Oshkosh 171.875, WSU 165.300 |
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WSU engineering program has open houseWINONA, Minn., Jan. 19, 2007 -- The Winona State University composite-materials engineering program announced an open house to present an overview of the program and a tour of the facility. Two $100 scholarships will also be awarded to incoming engineering majors.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 17
Time: 1 p.m.
Place: Stark Hall 103
Contact: (507)457-5685
Study: Frosh becoming more politicalLOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 19, 2007 -- College freshmen are becoming more partisan, both on the liberal and conservative sides, according to an annual survey of attuitudes and values. A record proportion, 23.9 percent, consider themselves conservative. The percentage of liberals, now 28.4 percent, is the highest since 1975. More than one-third of those students said they talk about politics regularly. In 2004, the last presidential-election year, only a quarter of freshmen said they had frequent political discussions.
Seventy-three percent say they support a national heath-care plan. Eighty percent say the federal government should do more to control environmental pollution. Nearly half say affirmative action should be abolished in college admissions. Nearly half oppose access to public education for undocumented immigrants.
The survey found growing interest in community service. Two-thirds classified "helping others in difficulty" as a very important or essential personal goal. More than one-third percent said the same of "becoming a community leader." Almost three of four rated themselves as above average in drive to achieve.
| HOCKEY
(WOMEN'S)
Concordia of Moorhead 6, SMU
3 |
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| HOCKEY
(MEN'S)
SMU 6, Concordia of Moorhead
3 |
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WSU employee charity gifts: $19,200WINONA, Minn., Jan, 19, 2007 -- Winona State University people pledged $19,200 to the recent state Combined Charities Campaign, campus coordinator Robin Delong said. The total almost doubled 2005 contributions, which were $9,500.
Lid put on chancellors' outside board jobsSAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2007 -- The University of California governing board has voted to limit campus chancellors and other executives from serving as board members of more than three for-profit organizations. The policy follows criticism of UC-San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox for sitting on seven paid boards, including boards of four corporations. Fox's outside commitents have been called excessive and excessively enriching. According to corporate filings, proxy statements and tax returns for nonprofit organizations, Fox's compensation as a member of outside boards earned her at least $410,000 last year. Her UC-San Diego salary is $373,500. Fox has countered that her board commitments help raise the profile of the university.
Background: WSU president named to bank board
VERBATIM
THE CYBERINDEE IS YOUR NEWS SOURCE OF
RECORD |
Congressman favors Stafford rate cutsWASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2007 -- U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., offered this floor speech in the House on Wednesday in support of the the College Student Relief Act:
Last week this body passed important legislation to improve homeland security, further scientific research, and expand economic opportunity for Americans nationwide. This body did the crucial work the American people asked it to do. Today it is my great honor to speak in support of a bill that will continue this work by cutting interest rates in half for college students with subsidized federal loans. This legislation will benefit 5.5 million student borrowers every year. These are students that come from predominantly low- and middle-class families; hardworking Americans who might not have otherwise been able to attend our public institutions, which have witnessed a full 41 percent tuition increase since 2001.
In fact, at Minnesota State University Mankato in my district, 5,941 students took out subsidized student loans during the 2004-5 academic year. After we cut the interest rate in half with this bill, the average MNSU student would save $3,990 over the life of his or her loan.
This is crucial legislation for millions of Americans, Madame Speaker. I know this personally. At 17, I enlisted in the Army National Guard both because I wanted to serve our country and because my father's unsuccessful battle with cancer had exhausted our family's financial resources. At an incredibly difficult time in my life, the government helped me to pull myself up by the bootstraps, work my way through college, and become a public high school teacher and now a member of the United States House of Representatives. With the help of this government in Washington, I was able to achieve what I set out to do with my life.
However, I spoke often during my campaign about this generation of young people; a generation that believes for the first time in American history that the American Dream is out of reach. A generation that has never seen the kind of investment in their future that my generation saw; a generation that believes their government in Washington is out of touch with average Americans and especially with the needs of our youngest Americans.
The good people of Minnesota's 1st Congressional District sent me here to do my part in changing the priorities of this government. They sent me here to look out for this next generation of Americans who want to attend college and become hard working members of their communities.
And so, Mr./Madame Speaker, with this legislation we have the capacity to make the American Dream just a little more attainable for 5.5 million American college students every year. These are students I taught in the classroom, coached on the football field, and trained in my National Guard unit. These students are my priority, and with the passage of this bill, they will once again know that they are the priority of their government in Washington. |
Background: Walz praises bill to cut student loan rate
Florida Gulf president quits over affairFORT MYERS, Fla., Jan. 19, 2007 -- The president of Florida Gulf Coast University, William C. Merwin, admitted to an extramarital affair with a faculty member and resigned. Merwin issued a statement that he had faltered in his duty: "I will not set a different standard for myself than I would for others because of my position." He had been president since 1999. The university's governing board ordered an audit of accounts as part of determining a severance package. His salary: $298,000.
Wesleyan ex-prez left with sweet dealLINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 19, 2007 -- The former president of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Jeanie Watson, walked away with a $810,000 severance package, according to documents. There has been controversy about the deal, which prompted students to stage a sit-in protest outside a closed-door meeting of the university's governing board last spring. The student newspaper reported the package was negotiated with Watson so she would speak positively about the university on her way out.
Details on the severance package appeared on the university's 990 tax form, a public document requires nonprofit organizations. The form shows nearly $1 million compensation for Watson in her last year, including her $155,000 salary plus and benefits.
Responding to critics, the chair of the university's governing board, Larry Ruth, said the severance money will come from a combination of donations and reserve funds. Apparently the money hasn't been paid in full. Ruth said the money will not come from tuition or alumni gifts except those earmarked by donors for the transition. The provost under Watson, former Winona State University Dean Joe Gow, remained above the fray. He was put in as interim president to replace Watson. Gow, however, was passed over for the permanent job. He since has been named chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Background: WSU ex-dean confirmed to lead UW-La Crosse
PUBLIC
POLICY
NOTES
POSTED
JAN. 18,
2007 |
ENERGY VOTE. U.S. Tim Walz, D-Minn., voted to accelerate a move toward U.S. energy independence with federal funding for renewable fuels with a simultaneous repeal of subsidies for Big Oil. Walz, who represents largely agricultural southern Minnesota, called the vote "a victory for farmers, consumers, the environment and our rural communities." The bill passed 264 to 163.
DM&E PLAYER. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., was named to three subcommittees of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, including the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Highways and Transit Subcommittee. Walz said would use his new seat to pursue a solution to the conflict over the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern railroad expansion project.
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Student sues over Taser-gun incidentLOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 19, 2007 -- A UCLA student who was stunned with a Taser gun last fall, Mostafa Tabatabainejad, filed a suit against the university that his civil rights were violated. Tabatabainejad, an Iranian-American, said campus security guards had singled him out for his Middle Eastern appearance at the campus library and demanded to see his ID. He refused. In the suit Tabatabainejad said the guards used excessive force. A cellphone video of the incident shows Tabatabainejad screaming while being shocked repeatedly by the guards. The video has been posted on YouTube.
Background: WSU police prof: Tasers
need more study
| FREE INQUIRY / FREE EXPRESSION |
Expert: Censorship violated school policyWASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2007 -- A legal consultant at the Student Law Center, Mike Hiestand, said the principal at St. Francis High School, north of St. Paul, Minn., violated the school's own policy in censoring a picture in the Crier student newspaper. The school's written policy: "Official school publications are free from prior restraint by officials except as provided by law." Principal Paul Neubauer ordered the deletion of the picture, a simulation of a U.S. flag being ripped. The principal called the photo offensive.
Instead of the picture, the editors ran a large blue box with this message: "Originally a photo was to be placed here but was censored by the administration." The photo had been taken by student editor Eric Sheforgen during a school play about a fictional Soviet take-over of a U.S. school. The principal's action was described as inexplicable, considering that the scene was from a play that had already been staged for live audiences. Also, the photo had hung in a school hallway. That photo, however, was also ordered removed by the principal during the flap over the newspaper's plan to publish it. |
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FORBIDDEN
PHOTO
Student editor Eric Sheforgen took the image of a scene in the fall play "The Children's Story" at St. Francis High School. The depiction used bunting, not a flag. |
Virginia ponders bonus for junior-college transfersRICHMOND, Va., Jan. 19, 2007 -- State legislators are considering a financial bonus to students who start out at community colleges after they transfer to a public four-year institution. The goal: Reduce the stress on four-year colleges caused by the state's growing college-age population. The bonus: $2,150 a year.
New WSU business dean candidate to visitWINONA, Minn., Jan. 18, 2007 -- The lone candidate to survive a new round of screening for the vacant business deanship at Winona State University, Barbara Nemecek, who now is marketing dean at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, will visit the campus for interviews next week. Business prof Bill Murphy, search committee chair, acknowledged a paucity of candidates. The lone candidate in an earlier round of the search, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith management prof Doug Grider, declined an offer. Nemecek, before assuming the UW-River Falls deanship, was dean of marketing at Montana State University-Billings and before that dean of business at University of Nebraska-Kearney. Earlier she was coordinator of continuing education and extension at the University of Minnesota marketing school. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Wisconsin-Stout and a doctorate in business administration from the University of Minnesota.
An open interview session with Nemecek:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
Time: 2 p.m.
Place: Purple Room 106, Kryzsko Commons
Background: Arkansas management prof a finalist |
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BARBARA
NEMECEK
Next WSU business dean? |
Land Institute speaker at WSUWINONA, Minn., Jan. 18, 2007 -- Botanist and environmentalist Wes Jackson, author of "New Roots for Agriculture, Altars of Unhewn Stone" will speak at Winona State University. Jackson said he will explore the intersection of science, society, agronomy and ecology, culture, and politics, mixing old-time storytelling with solid science. Jackson is cofounder of the Land Institute, which works on problems of agriculture with public presentations conferencerd with intellectuals and scientists. Besides the speech, Jackson will hold a public discussion at 2:30 p.m. in Baldwin Lounge in Kryzsko Common. The speech:
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Somsen Auditorium
Cost: Free
Contact: (507) 457-2842
Democrats pick up GOP support to cut loan costsWASHINGTON, Jan, 17, 2007 -- A Democratic bill to cut the interest rate on Stafford loans for college student loans passed the House overwhelmingly, picking up significant Republican support. The bill, approved 356-71, applies to the 5.5 million federally subsidized loans for students whose families earn $26,000 to $68,000. If the Senate concurs and President Bush changes his mind and approved, the bill would phase in interest rate reductions to 3.4 percent from the current 6.8 percent. The bill was the fifth to sail through the House in what Democrats have hailed as an historic first 100 legislative hours of the new Congress. Earlier bills were passed to implementat of the Sept. 11 Commission recommendations, to increase the minimum wage, to support for embryonic stem cell research, and to lower Medicare prescription drug prices.
The college-loan bill, however, is less than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's campaign promise to cut all student loan interest in half. The lowered rate in the House bill would apply only to Stafford loans. Also, in the year 2012, the interest rate would returns the rate to the original percentage -- unless Congress acts again for a lower rate. The bill would not increase Pell Grants or student tax credits, as originally considered.
Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chair of the House education committee, scaled down the original plan, which would have cost $45 billion. The version that passed would cost $5.8 billion, with roughly one-third of the additonal subsidy being absorbed by lenders and guarantee agents. About Pell grants, Miller said that Democrats are working on separate legislation to increase Pells and also to press colleges to "do their part" to hold down costs.
Background: Walz praises bill to cut student loan rate
Background: Bush against cutting student-loan cost
Background: Democrats: Lenders will finance loan cuts
Background: Kennedy: Rid temple of money-changers
Set of keys missing near WSUWINONA, Minn, Jan. 17, 2007 -- A set of 10 to 12 keys was reported missing near Winona State University and Seventh street, police said.. The keys may have been on a heart-shaped keychain , Police Chief Paul Bostrack said.
Reporter: Ezra Firkins
Walz praises bill to cut student loan rateWASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2007 -- In his first House floor speech Rep. Tim Walz D-Minn., called for making college more affordable and accessible. Walz, a Mankato high school teacher, now on leave, spoke in favor of legislation to cut interest rates on federally subsidies student loans to 3.4 percent. The bill, the College Student Relief Act, passed 356-71 and now heads to the Senate. "With this legislation we have the capacity to make the American Dream just a little more attainable for 5.5 million American college students every year," Walz said. "These are students I taught in the classroom, coached on the football field, and trained in my National Guard unit. These students are my priority, and with the passage of this bill, they will once again know that they are the priority of their government in Washington."
Walz said he regularly sees students who delay entering college or who never get there at all because of cost. "Today's students must compete in a global economy, and Congress has a duty to do whatever we can to ensure our students have the education they need to compete," he said. "The best way to both maintain our leadership in the world marketplace and strengthen the American Middle Class is to make college more affordable and accessible for everyone who wants to attend."
Walz cited data from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group that student debt has more than doubled in the last decade, with interest rates on student loans jumping almost 2 percentage points in the last five years. On federally subsidized loans the interest now is 6.8 percent. walz said the average Minnesota student debt is saddled with $13,480 in federally subsidized debt. |
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TIM
WALZ
Southern Minnesota member of Congress |
Background: Bush against cutting student-loan cost
Background: Democrats: Lenders will finance loan cuts
Background: Kennedy: Rid temple of money-changers
| BASKETBALL
(WOMEN'S)
Concordia of St. Paul 64, SMU
42 |
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(MEN'S)
SMU 79, Concordia of St. Paul
67 |
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Governor looks for "high-achiever" collegesST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 17, 2007 -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he will propose $50 million in his budget recommendations to the Legislature for Minnesota colleges as "performance bonues." Pawlenty did not define how college would quaoify for bonuses but said there would be specific criteria. In his State of the State address Pawlenty also said that his budget would also include substantial funding increases for colleges in addition to the $50 million bonus money. Pawlenty did not identify where the money would go once it was allotted to high-achieveing colleges. Nor did he college tuition, although earlier he has said he would not veto a tuiton freeze if passed by the Legslature.
The governor spoke about one of his previous plans, entitled Achieve, to give high-achieving students in high school two free years of a college education. Now, he said, he will offer the Legislature an alternative, which he called Achieve 2, to reward high-school students who take "rigorous classes" with scholarships to any Minnesota public college or university. The scholarship would be awarded despite ACT scores and grade point averages.
Otherwise, Pawlenty spoke little on higher education, focusing instead on early education and high school. "We are blessed with fantastic educators, engaged oarents and, of course, above average students," he said. "But nation-leading in student performance isn't good enough anymore. Our students need to be world-leading, not just nation-leading." He said many high-school students are engaged in "academic loitering."
"In too many cases our high-school students are bored, checked-out coasting, not even vaguely aware of their post-high school plans or opportunities, and they're just marking time. It's costing us a lot of money, and it's costing them their future."
Pawlenty proposed financial support for schools that impolemeny rigorous, relevant courses. He emphasized career and technical cujrses in high-demand fields. He also proposed stepping up the melding of high school and collo=ege curriculcums by giving more college-credit opportunities for high-schoolers. To qualify for special funding, he said taht high schools must give a full year of college courses to every student and create work-based learning and internships.
Reporter: Elizabeth Adams
Background: Pawlenty on tuition freeze |
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TIM
PAWLENTY
Bonuses for high
achievement
VERBATIM
THE CYBERINDEE
IS YOUR NEWS SOURCE
OF
RECORD |
Pawlenty devoted 49 words to higher-ed in his State of the State address:
"We can improve our chilren's future by improving our higher education system. My budget will contain substantial increases for our colleges, universities and tuition aid programs. For the first time, it will also contain $50 million in performance bonuses for higher education institutions that achieve clearly defined strategic goals." |
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James Madison indeed will drop 10 sports>HARRISONBURG, Va., January 17, 2007 -- While atheletes rallied and demonstarted outside a meeting of the James Madison University governing board, the board members voted to go ahead with the elimination of 10 varsity sports,
The board was persuaded by the budget burden of maintaining women's sports programs that federal law requires in equal proprotion to men's programs. Meanwhile, parents have organized a lawsuit against the cuts.
Backgriund: James Madison quits 10 sports
WHY DID WSU BASKETBALL STAR QUIT?
"PERSONALTIES"
WINONA, Minn., JAN. 17, 2007 -- The senior Winona State University women's basketball co-captain who recently quit the team, Leslie Ross, blamed "personalities" for her decision to walk away from the program. In a Facebook message, Ross apologized for her departure. "As a team captain, I am sorry that I was unable to complete my senior year," the 6-foot-2 center said. "The personalities involved led to my decision to leave." She did not elaborate on the "personalities."
Ross, the team's second leading scorer and rebounder, opted to quit before Friday nightÕs victory over Concordia of St. Paul instead of running laps -- a punishment handed down by coach Scott Ballard for what he said was "conduct detrimental to the team." Ballard has declined to be more specific about the conduct.
Ironically, Ross also mentioned in her Facebook message that she thought she set a good example of what a college athlete should be: "I feel good that I set a good example of what a college athlete should be and always gave 100 percent at practices and during games."
The Warriors, 9-6 overall and 5-2 in the Northern Sun conference, split the two games since Ross' departure. Currently the team is in a tie for third place in the Northern Sun despite being projected by a coaches' poll before the season started to finish sixth.
Reporter: Matt Huss
Background: Lead basketball player quits in tiff |
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LESLIE
ROSS
Defends conduct as exemplary |
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SCOTT
BALLARD
Coach: "Detrimental conduct" |
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VERBATIM
THE CYBERINDEE
IS YOUR NEWS SOURCE
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RECORD |
| Leslie Ross: "I have been asked if I would like to respond to a story that will run in the student newspaper regarding my leaving the women's basketball team. Without the story I would have considered the matter closed but will make a brief statement. I wish the University and the athletic teams success now and in the future. I feel that I set a good example of what a college athlete should be and always gave 100% at practices and during games. As a team captain I am sorry that I was unable to complete my senior year. The personalities involved led to my decision to leave." |
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Proposal: Quintuple India universitiesNEW DELHI, India, Jan. 17, 2007 -- The 350 universities in India are not enough to bring the nation's percentage of young people in higher-education up to Asian averages. The National Knowledge Commission said 1,500 universities are needed by 2015 if the proportion of 18- to 24-year-olds entering higher-education institutions is to reach a 15 percent goal. The perce tage now is 7 percent, only half the average for Asia. The commission report was in response to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh call for "a systematic overhaul" of the nation's universities so more people go the uniersities while, as a matter of policy, maintaining academic standards.
Bush against cutting student-loan costWASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2007 -- President Bush opposes a Democratic plan in Congress to cut interest on federally subsidized student loans by half, the White House announced. The statement did not say if the president's opposition is so strong that he would veto the proposal. The White House statement said: "Reducing student-loan interest rates would direct federal subsidies to college graduates, not to students and their families who are struggling to meet current and future educational expenses." The statement also said that reducing the student-loan interest rate from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent could lead to more borrowing and more debt. The result? "Fuel today's upward tuition spiral," the statement said.
Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House education committee, denied that the bill would raise the limits on borrowing. "All it does is lower the interest costs that students pay for college," he said. Banking interests have opposed the Democrats' proposal.
Background: Democrats: Lenders will finance loan cuts
Background: Kennedy: Rid temple of money-changers
WSU student reports purse, $500 missingWINONA, Minn., Jan. 17, 2007 -- A purse belonging to Katie Krantz, a Winona State University student, was reported stolen off a porch at 118 W. Sanborn, police said. The report was called in at 7:43 a.m.. Krantz estimated the loss at $500.
Reporter: Caitlin O'Connor
DAVE
BUSSE | 
ALYSSA
FRANKLIN | 
CHARLIE
MOBGURG | 
DANETTE
GUNTGER | 
STACY
BROGAN | | | 
JESSICA
PLUTH |
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TOMORROW'S GREATEST BYLINES
TODAY |
The race is on for November 2008WINONA, Minn., Jan.
17, 2007 -- These are the 2008 races that Winona campus
people are watching:
WSU Foundation puts aid forms olineWINONA, Minn., Jan. 17, 2007 -- The Winona State University Foundation opened a Web site to help students find the scholarships. The site inludes application forms.
Details: WSU scholarship site
Merit-based aid grows for richer students WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2007 -- Students from high-income families are awarded a disproportionate number of merit scholarships, according to study by the consulting firm Eduventures. From 1994 to 2004, students from families in the top-income quartile, which starts at $111,000, received three times more merit aid as students in the lowest quartile, $38,000 or less. Families in the lowest quartile spend 58 percent of their income on the net price of college, compared with 12 percent for families in the highest income group, the report said.
PUBLIC
POLICY
NOTES
POSTED
JAN. 17,
2007 |
SAVE THE BOGS. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., proposed a 10-year, $400 million federal project to acquire wetlands for preservation. The money would come from federal hunting licenses.
FRANKEN CANDIDACY. Al Franken, the television comedian and radio commentator, confirmed he has contacted Democratic political leaders about challenging U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., in 2008. A yes or no decision will come within a few weeks, Franen said.
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Fired prof coming home to HighlandsLAS VEGAS, N.M., Jan. 17, 2007 -- A New Mexico Highlands prof, who was fired in 2005, will return next fall, this time with tenure. The firing of Gregg Turner, a mathematics prof, had been a key isue in the eventual dismissal of universty President Manny Aragon last year Turner sued when he was denied tenure. In a settlement last summer, after Aragon's removal, the university paid him $170,000 and granted tenure.
Turner had publicly criticized Aragon in the Las Vegas newspaper for trying to increase the number of Hispanic faculty members at the university to the exclusion of non-Latinos. Turner is non-Latino. Turner's lawsuit accused the university of discrimination in denying him. The American Association of University Professors investugated and agreed there were irregularities.
Background: New Mexico Highlands prez gives up
"ArtMuse" exhibit opens at WSUWINONA, Minn., Jan. 17, 2007 -- An student juried exhibit, "ArtMuse 07," opens Wednesday at Winona State University with "people's choice" award voting Opening reception:
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 17
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Place: Watkins Gallery
Cost: Free
Contact: (507) 457-5395
UNDER-AGE
BOOZERS
WHO GOT
CAUGHT
BEING
STUPID
DON'T
TELL
THEIR
MOTHERS
|
CAMPUS
SALARIES
Judith
Ramaley
WSU president
2006: $217,200
Louis
DeThomasis
SMU president
2001: $155,245
Jim Johnson
Tech president
2001:
$125,000
OTHER
SALARIES
|
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2006
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Sheehan
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Snow
Laura Spielmann
Adam Stanek
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