False alarm draws firefighters to WSUWINONA, Minn., Dec. 23, 1997 --A welder inadvertantly activated a smoke alarm at the Kryzsko student center at Winona State University. Firefighters, called at 11:07 a.m., reset the alarm within 20 minutes. Have a news tip? Tell the CyberIndee Prof's bond set at $25,000ROCHESTER, Minn., Dec. 22, 1997 --Bond was set at $25,000 for a Winona State University prof who was arrested for a weird gun encounter over the weekend. Judge Gerald Ring said he would schedule a next court appearance later for Craig W. Hansen, 38, of the Winona suburb of Goodview. Police said Hansen dropped a handgun after it was fired twice, perhaps more, in an altercation outside a restaurant. The altercation was about 8 p.m., Saturday. Within two hours Hansen was arrested at his Goodview house.
WSU prof faces handgun chargeGOODVIEW, Minn., Dec. 20, 1997 -- Police arrested a Winona State University philosophy prof for a Rochester, Minn., altercation in which at least two shots were fired. Police said Craig W. Hansen attacked a woman friend and another man outside the Smiling Moose sports bar. He was wearing a ski mask, black clothes and carrying the handgun and a stun gun, police said. Nobody was hurt.
Townie charged with hateful assaultWINONA, Minn., Dec. 22, 1997 -- A rural Winona man was charged with racial hatrred in the beating of a group of Winona State University foreign students walking home to campus. Under the state hate-crime law, Timothy J. Bruss, 19, faces four years in jail and a $12,000 fine. What did Bruss do? The complaint says he punched, beat and chased the foreign students. Among the racial epithets, this one to a Pakistani: "Get on your magic carpet and go back to your fucking country."
Charity drive finds 275 pounds of foodWINONA, Minn., Dec. 19, 1997 -- Speech prof Kelly Herold was disturbed by news stories that Christmas charity was hurting this year, so she quickly organized a Winona State University food drive over the Internet. In just a few days of collecting, Herold and student helpers rounded up 275 pounds of food for Winona Volunteer Services. Seven bar raids yield four ticketsWINONA, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- Police raided seven bars for underage drinking, but nabbed only four people -- the least tickets issued in bar raids since cops began their current booze crackdown. At Fitzgerald's, police ticketed two 20-year-olds and one 19-year-old. At Brothers, one 20-year-old was ticketed. Also raided: Jake's, Handy Corner, Schniepp's, Shorty's and Steve's.
Computer chief drags feet on MacsWINONA, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- The Winona State University computer czar, Dan Pecarina, has dallied on providing Apple sales reps the specs they need to submit a proposal for integrating Macs into the campus-wide Laptop U program, insiders say. Pecarina, who favors IBMs, has run hot and cold on including Macs in the program -- even now that the faculty has voted 4-1 that it wants a choice.
Is cronyism paying off for MnSCU?ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- When Gov. Arne Carlson put crony Morrie Anderson in charge of the statewide MnSCU college system in 1997, a lot of people, knowing Carlson's unfriendliness to higher-ed, feared the worst. The fear, it seems, was unfounded. With his old buddy in charge at MnSCU, Carlson has put forth a $42 million supplementary package for the system -- $10 million more than Anderson asked for. What got into the governor? He has confidence in Anderson, he said, calling him a "strategic thinker." The governor even donned a sweatshirt with the MnSCU logo after announcing his support for a record-high MnSCU budget.
WSU composer named best in stateWINONA, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- A Winona State University music student, Ryan Demlow, was named collegiate composer of the year by the Minnesota Music Education Association. Demlow wove two poems together for the winning vocal duet, "The Shepherd and the Nymph." The duet warned first placed in the association's state competition. Demlow won second for a piano solo, "Iatiku." Suzanne Anderson, another Winona State musician, placed third in the vocal solo division for "Wondra," whose lyrics came from a poem by her husband. WSU has Bulls basketball to raise fundsWINONA, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- Basketball alum Wally Blase, now an assistant athletic trainer for the Chicago Bulls, donated an autographed official game ball from the championship Bulls team to Winona State University to auction off. Blase said he hopes the auction will raise money for academic scholarships for student jocks. Blase was graduated from Winona State in 1992.
Guv favors catch-up funds for collegesST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- Gov. Arne Carlson's higher-ed budget includes a $42 million supplement for the statewide MnSCU system, which includes Winona State University and Winona Tech. The supplement, resulting from the state's recent prosperity, would help campuses catch up on budgets that haven't kept pace for several years. State Rep. Gene Pelowski, D-Winona, vowed to work as House higher-ed funding chair to see that as much of the money as possible gets to campuses -- rather than disappearing in "the MnSCU Central" bureaucracy in St. Paul. Full speed ahead for Krueger greenifyingWINONA, Minn., Dec. 18, 1997 -- President Darrell Krueger's timetable to greenify Winona State University got a boost with Gov. Arne Carlson's $3 million proposal for more campus parking. With new parking, widespread opposition to Krueger's vision to grass over existing parking is expected to ease. Mayor Jerry Miller, concerned that grassed-over campus parking lots have congested streets adjacent to campus, lobbied the governor for the money to acquire land for more lots.
Cops claim 14 underage boozersWINONA, Minn., Dec. 17, 1997 -- Police swept into three downtown watering holes in a late-night raid and ticketed 14 people, mostly Winona State University students, on booze-related charges. At Chucker's, cops busted 11 18- and 19-year olds, accusing one, they said, of having a false identification card in addition to minor consumption. Two 20-year-olds were ticketed at Bulls-Eye Beer Hall. One of them, police said, gave a false name and birthdate, which also meant a second charge. At Rascal's, a 20-year-old was ticketed.
Governor sees WSU parking needST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 17, 1997 -- Gov. Arne Carlson proposed spending $3 million to buy up houses around Winona State University and raze them for parking. The money, part of a state higher-ed budget package, would alleviate the worsening Winona State parking situation. The parking money is in a $700 million state borrowing plan that Carlson will propose to the Legislature in January.
Top cop: Winona booze arrests declineWINONA, Minn., Dec. 17, 1997 -- Despite arrests resulting from the crackdown on underage drinking, Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said alcohol arrests declined 5.1 percent for the first nine months of the year -- from 138 to 131. The numbers were in Pomeroy's periodic report to the state. All arrests totaled 2,443, up 15.8 percent.
Truck students may see new pavementST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 17, 1997 -- A $1.5 million truck-driving range at Winona Technical College was included in Gov. Arne Carlson's higher-ed package. The Carlson plan will be taken up by the Legislature in January. Aghaming grant overseer chosen from SMUWINONA, Minn., Dec. 16, 1997 -- The Winona City Council appointed Barry Drazkowski of the Saint Mary's University Resource Study Center to oversee a $50,000 McKnight Foundation grant for Agahming Park. WSU lands $18,000 water lab contractWINONA, Minn., Dec. 16, 1997 -- The Water and Waste Water Lab at Winona State University will study city water, the City Council decided. The contract: $18,180. Want to buy a solar cell? Only $20WINONA, Minn., Dec. 15, 1997 -- Winona State University engineering students launched a $20,000 fund-raising campaign to build a solar-powered automobile to enter in an intercollegiate race. Darin Grinsteiner, president of the Northern Lights Team, said update technologies are expensive. Grinsteiner said people can buy solar cells at $20 each to become a sponsor. Although design won't be completed until January, car probably will have 200 to 300 solar cells, he said.
Ousted physician claims Clinic unfairWINONA, Minn., Dec. 9, 1997 -- Pediatrician Joe Repice sued the Winona Clinic and its president and administrator for being thrown out of the clinic, where he had practiced 20 years. Repice alleged all kinds of wrong-doing, including harassment for alcoholism. Repice said he had been subjected to undue scrutiny, unfair criticism and assigned duties that fellow physicians didn't have to do. For damages he asked $350,000. Meanwhile, Repice supporters, including some Winona State University students, have rallied behind Repice.
Five booze clerks profess innocenceWINONA, Minn., Dec. 8, 1997 -- Five booze clerks arrested in Winona police stings on bars and liquor stores last April told the judge they're innocent. Next, Judge Lawrence Collins will schedule a pre-trial conference. The clerks' attorney, Kevin Lund, said he may ask for separate trials. All are charged with selling alcohol to minors.
Faculty union asks for arbitrationST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 8, 1997 -- After mediation failed between faculty and chancellor contract negotiators, the state profs' union is requesting arbitration. Dave Abel, president of the Inter-Faculty Organization, noted that the state chancellor has previously opposed arbitration. Going for arbitration signals deterioration in faculty-state relations. Meanwhile, the union, which represents faculty statewide, including Winona State University, is preparing a strike vote.
WSU prof wins state poetry contestWINONA, Minn., Dec. 8, 1997 -- Poet Orval Lund, of the Winona State University English faculty, has been named one of three winners in the Minnesota Voices competition. Student group lauds Pelowski recordST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 8, 1997 -- State Rep. Gene Pelowski, D-Winona, was named the Legislator of the Year in the Minnesota House by the Minnesota State University Students Association. The association's state chair, Francis Klinkner, credited Pelowski as "instrumental in bringing education back to the forefront of Minnesota's priorities." Great bookkeepers, those WSU folksWILLMAR, Minn., Dec. 6, 1997 -- Sate auditors who check financial records at Winona State University found only tiddly matters to gig over the past year, and recommended the Univeristy for the internal controls excellence award. Fred Naas, Winona State comptroller, accepted the award at a state meeting of campus financial officers. . Profs' union authorizes strike voteST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 5, 1997 -- The governing board for the statewide professors union authorized its executive committee to schedule a strike vote. The board specified that the executive committee consult with both the union's statewide actuon committee and union negotiators first. Meanwhile, union President Dave Abel is visiting campuses, including Winona State University, to test faculty feelings on a strike. Profs have been working without a contract for five months.
Faculty execs discussing email policyWINONA, Minn., Dec. 4, 1997 -- The Winona State University Faculty Senate executive board will hash out the new state email rules for state employees, faculty president Alex Yard said. Yard said expects the full Senate will also take up the issue. Profs have objected to the policy limits of Internet use, which they argue would curtail research. Profs also are concerned that the policy allows access only to state employees -- not students.
Prof: Students vulnerable in email policyWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- The people who drafted the new state email policy were off the wall, said Winona State University sociology prof Brian Aldrich. "The document was obviously drawn up for political correctness, not for reality," Aldrich said. He said students feel particularly vulnerable for possibly not being politically correct in their use of the Internet. He noted too that the policy seems to bar students from state computers, which puts every college in the state in violation of the policy.
WSU profs want Macintosh optionWINONA, Minn., Dec. 4, 1997 -- Faculty voted overwhelmingly against President Darrell Krueger's plan to outfit Winona State University exclusively with IBM computers. Eighty-one percent responding to a Faculty Senate poll want a choice between Macintoshes and IBMs. Philosophy prof Kevin Possin conducted the poll after faculty and students in several disciplines, including masscom, said Macs are the preferred tools in their fields.
J-prof decries state email restrictionsWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- Journalism prof John Vivian called the new state email policy "naive" in barring the use of state computers to get into pornography and obscenity. Vivian, at Winona State University, noted that porn is legal in the United States except for children and that the courts have found obscenity virtually impossible to define. Vivian said his mass media law students, who study obscenity, need unfettered Internet access to ideas and information.
WSU keeps big classes but not labelWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- Recognizing the negative effect of huge classes on recruiting, Winona State University has stricken the term "mega-sections" from the official vocabulary, but they're still alive and well. Winter classes with more than 180 seats: WSU librarian faults state email policyWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- Veteran Winona State University librarian Russ Dennison said the new state policy on employee Internet use "chills academic freedom." "For example," Dennison said, "it would be impossible top study the Klan since that would involve receiving ... racist information." He said the policy does not seem to consider higher education and could be interpreted to bar students from Internet access.
Bye, bye, Dixie SokolikWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- After 22 years, Dixie Sokolik is retiring Winona State University's student health services. Sokolik has been the registered-nurse supervisor since 1992. Before that, she was student health services coordinator. Nova fades to black in cyber-graveyardWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- Whoever chose Nova as the name for a new Winona State University central computer has egg on the face. The university announced it was canceling the name and looking for a new one. Officially, nobody wanted Winona State confused with Nova University. Unofficially, "nova" in Spanish means "won't go." It was a bad choice. To astronomers, a nova is an exploding star heading for destruction. Perhaps worst, Nova just doesn't sound cyber-savy.
WSU computer chief firm on privacyWINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 1997 -- The Winona State University computer systems administrator won't delve into computer records of university people even if ordered to under a new state policy. "I will refuse," said John Stafford in an email statement to all faculty: "If I am ordered to search or reveal email, or in any other way compromise the privacy of any Winona State University community member and the only authority given is the (new Department of Employee Relations) instrument in question, I will refuse."
Grapevine: More police raids comingWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- As thousands of students returned from Thanksgiving break, the word spread fast not to hit the bars if you're not 21. The grapevine: Cops were planning more bar raids for under-age drinkers and possible checks outside liquor stores. Police Chief Frank Pomeroy quietly called off raids and stings this fall because of complaints the cops had used deceit last spring, but on Nov. 18, as students were leaving for Thanksgiving, Judge Lawrence Collins ruled the police were justified because under-age drinking had gotten so out of hand. The next night the cops raided three bars and issued 18 tickets.
Marijuana putting WSU on dubious mapWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Winona State University continues appearing in the marijuana-extolling magazine High Times.< In 1994 students sent in a picture of marijuana growing in the bluffs. In 1995 another photo had seven students puffing the stuff. Also, Winona State is on the mag's Hemp 100 list. Howard McCann, president of the campus political science honors frat, isn't surprised: "Winona is known for how much people use marijuana."
WSU ski lessons immune from El NinoWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Sue Ann Mullen isn't too worried about whether the El Nino warming effect predicted this winter will affect her Winona State University ski classes. Mount La Crosse, where she teaches, has snow-making machines, Mullen said. According to Winona State meteorology prof Dennis Battaglini, El Nino is warming the ocean off South America and could significantly affect weather all over the hemisphere with above-normal temperatures and less snow.
WSU urges students to find majorsWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Students at Winona State University soon will face more pressure to declare a major earlier. Chief academic adviser Barb Brown said students with 88 credits -- that's two years of college --will be summoned by her staff to discuss their plans before they register for more classes. The new policy, Brown said, is intended to ensure graduating inb four years. The policy begins in 1988, she said.
Church, WSU may create joint parkingWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Reports that Central Lutheran Church and Winona State University may convert Sanborn Street into a parking lot west of campus were confirmed by campus construction coordinator John Burros. The plan is in talking stages, Burros said. The idea is for the campus and church to share the lot, which would be an extension of the church's existing lot. One variation would involve purchasing two houses on the street.
Students apathetic about WSU semester perilsWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- The prof in charge of Winona State University's switch to a semester calendar is worried. "People seem to be ignoring it," said Cindy Killion. She has distributed materials, put up displays and scheduled forums to be sure students know the pitfalls of semesters, which begin in September. Only five students stopped by an information table at pre-registration, Killion said.
Anti date-rape drug posters going upWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Two-hundred posters warning against the date-rape drug Rohypnol will be going up in saloon and campus women's restrooms around Winona soon, said Women's Resource Center director Vicki French. The posters, part of a Winona State University student project, were supposed to go up last spring, French said, but there was a communication problem. French said she suspects more Rohypnol cases have occurred since the first scare last winter.
Cops promise consultation on keg lawWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Booze retailers will be consulted before police propose a keg law to the City Council, Deputy Chief Don Walski assured liquor store owners. Retailers, including Dave Steven, manager of Home Bev, across the street from Winona State University, had expressed concern that the cops were charging ahead too fast for an ordinance requiring anyone buying a keg to sign a permit first. Walski said he hasn't yet looked at a St. Cloud, Minn., keg law that he wants to study before working on a Winona draft.
WSU employees fear online Big BrotherWINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Copies of a new state email policy was waiting for Winona State University employees when they returned from Thanksgiving break, stirring concern about Big Brother. The policy, from the state Department of Employee Relations, allows bosses to eavesdrop on email and check what employees have in their computer caches and what's they've been looking at online. Campus computer systems chief John Stafford called the policy "a travesty" that ignores academic freedom.
Could WSU make money on sports dome?WINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- If Winona State University builds it, would they come? And what would they pay? Speculation that a proposed sports dome might lead to a pro-team training site led to additional questions of how much revenue could result. From documents at host Cheese League campuses, here is a breakdown of what NFL teams pay for lodging, meals and athletic facilities: New Alliss grants lure non-trad studentsST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- People who have been out of school seven years or more are eligible for a free community college course with somebody else picking up the tab for their textbooks, the state college system announced. Application for the Alliss grants are available through Minnesota State College and Universities home page. Six WSU departments becoming laptop-readyWINONa, Minn., Dec. 1, 1997 -- Students taking courses in six Winona State University departments will be required to have laptop computers in September, campus computer czar Dan Pecarina said. The first laptop departments: chemistry, computer system, information management, marketing, nursing. Pecarina said profs in those departments have been issued laptops to work up exercises and adjust courses to take advantage of the computers. Over three years, all departments will become part of the Laptop U vision laid out by university President Darrell Krueger.
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1997 NEWS VISITOMETER SO FAR IN 1997 WSU CLASSES CANCELED?FM RADIO89.5 KQAL Wnona 93.3 WIZM La Crosse 95.3 KAGE Winona 97.5 KNXR Rochester 99.5 KWNO Winona 100.1 WKDH La Crosse 101.1 KHME Winona 101.7 KRCH Rochester 105.9 KWNG Red Wing 106.9 KROC Rochester AM RADIO 830 WCCO Minneapolis 1230 KWNO Winona 1250 KCUE Red Wing 1270 KWEB Rochester 1340 KROC Rochester 1380 KAGE Winona 1410 WIZM La Crosse CABLE TELEVISION 20 Winona OVER-AIR TELEVISION 4 WCCO Minneapolis 5 KSTP St. Paul 8 WKBT La Crosse 10 KTTC Rochester 11 WXOW La Crosse 13 WEAU Eau Claire More campus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
