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Student Activist against Islamaphobia
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Do Academics come first for Student-Athletes?
April 2016 Wellzine Issue 04 Vol 03
Editor’s Letter
You’d be surprised by how many things you unknowingly get used to when you’re in one place for four years. For example, the second stall on the right in the girl’s bathroom on third floor Minné Hall doesn’t latch. Two of the treadmills facing the bluffs in the Integrated Wellness Center have large divots in their running tracks. Plus I’m used to the beauty of the bluffs, forgetting most of Minnesota is prairie. On the other hand Winona still holds mystery, like an eerie house I found on East Seventh St. but was never able to find again. As excited as I am to graduate in May, I can’t help but feel nostalgic. I’ve learned valuable lessons here and have become a fairly functioning adult. For example, don’t accidentally put hand soap in the April Wellzine
dishwasher unless you want a kitchen full of bubbles. Also, remove the lint from your dryer often unless you want to unearth a three-inch thick lint fire hazard. I’ll miss grilling out on tiny grills with my friends on warm afternoons or spending sunny days camped on Latch Island beach. I’ll miss playing at Mugshots with my musical friends, Allie and Cecilia. I’ll miss Spoken Word nights with my nerdy poetry-loving friends.
against islamaphobia on campus or take a peek at one of our shorter articles on minimalism, tai chi or student-athletes. Each month Wellzine hopes to contribute to the enriching experiences you have at WSU. Hopefully this month we can open your eyes to a few new ways of living.
Kim Schneider
College is odd in the fact that you spend four years building a family with peers and then when you graduate, you go separate ways. As a freshman, I never envisioned having the type of enriching experiences that I’ve been able to have here.
Photo Credit: Above: Kim Schneider at Mugshots in Spring 2016 By:Charlie Utzman ‘17
Although Wellzine readers are busy preparing for finals, flip to our feature article on a WSU student who is starting a movement
Cover: Florida Fishing By:Jacob Hilsabeck ‘16
Contents
pg 3-4
pg 5-6
pg 7-8
Sexual Health Services on Campus
April Highlights & Other Events
Student Activist Against Islamaphobia
pg 9
pg 11
pg 13
Student-Athletes Commit to Balancing Act
Minimalism: Finding more with Less
Meditation in Motion: the Gentle Martial Art, Tai Chi
pg 2
Health & Wellness Services
Clinic
IWC 222 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
Pharmacy IWC 130 Hours: Mon-Fri 1-5 p.m.
Written by Wellzine Staff
Sexual Health Services on Campus
April Wellzine
Although the discussion about safer sex is often seen as taboo, it’s clear it’s an important discussion to have because one in four Americans have been affected by a sexually transmitted infection, according the Winona State University’s Health and Wellness Services page. Health and Wellness Services offers screening for the most common bacterial STIs, gonorrhea and chlamydia. These are tested through a simple urine sample; results for these come in within 24 hours. Health and Wellness Services also provides screening for HIV, HPV, herpes and syphilis. Call the “Ask A Nurse” message line for more information at 507-457-2292. If a student wants to enhance their insurance, they can apply for the Minnesota Family Planning Program (MFFP). This program provides supplemental insurance that covers family planning office visits and education, various birth control methods, sterilization and diagnosis and treatment of STIs found during a family planning visit. Go the MFFP’s website for information on how to apply.
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Health and Wellness Services has condoms and lubricant for sale on campus in the Integrated Wellness Center 222. Students can also get condoms and lubricant for free at special campus events. Health and Wellness Advocates will be handing out free safe sex kits April 11-15 outside of the Well, IWC 138.
SAVE THE DATE: 5th Annual Family Weekend Run For The Well of It 5K Run/Walk Hosted by the Student Health & Wellness Advocates Saturday, September 24 at 3 p.m. WSU Gazebo For more information please visit: http://www.winona.edu/healthservices/advocates.asp
Ways to Get Involved with Health & Wellness Services! Health and Wellness Services is always looking for enthusiastic students to help shape programs and services. There are numerous involvement opportunities each semseter and summers. • • • • • •
Health Promotion Team Internships visit: http://www.winona.edu/healthpromotion/StudentPositions.asp Student Health & Wellness Advocates visit: http://www.winona.edu/healthservices/advocates.asp RE Initiative Volunteer Opportunities visit: http://www.winona.edu/healthservices/re-initiative.asp pg 4
April
Highlights
13th-16th
THAD Represents “As You Like It” Vivian Fusillo Main Stage Theatre 7:30 p.m.
1st-7th
29th
Paul Watkins Gallery 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Gazebo area, IWC hallway if poor weather 1 - 3 p.m.
Art Muse
Nuts for Mutts
Weekly Programming Health Hut Tuesdays Tuesday’s 7 p.m. IWC Hallway
8th
Let’s Get Physical
15th Yes? No? Got Consent?
22nd
29th
23rd
30th
Frisky, Not Risky Safe Sex
Warriors Go Green
Wellness Wednesdays
Wednesday’s 3 p.m. The Well IWC 138
9th
Be The Friend They Need
16th
Managing Stress & Anxiety (IWC 143)
Alcohol Facts on Tap
Cute or Creepy
Other Events 1st-7th
4th
6th
Art Muse Paul Watkins Gallery, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fifth Annual MnScu Undergraduate Scholars Conference, All Day
Author Heid Erdrich, All Day
Power in Pluralism Retreat, Tau Center 1-5 p.m.
7th
1st Herbs in the Marketplace Tau Center 5:30-9:30 p.m. Study Abroad Peer Advising Meetings, Kryzsko Commons & Maxwell Hall, Noon-3 p.m.
2nd
Herbs in the Marketplace Tau Center 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Winona Oratoria Chorus 3 p.m.
Anxiety Management Seminars: Week Three, IWC 267 3-3:30 p.m. “If I was President: liberation for a New Generation” Student Activity Center, 7 p.m. Jazz Combos, Smaug Stage 7:30 p.m.
Anxiety Management Seminars: Week Three, IWC 267, 2-2:50 p.m.
UPAC and Recovery Warriors: Inside Out, Stark 103, 7 p.m.
14th THAD presents “As You Like It,” PAC Main Stage, 7:30 p.m. Film Screening: A Thousand Voices, Stark 103, 7 p.m.
22nd Department of Music Gala Weekend: Jazz Ensemble, PAC Main Stage, 7: 30 p.m.
24th Department of Music Gala Weekend: Symphonic Wind Ensemble, PAC Main Stage, 2 p.m.
26th Piano Four-Hands Recital, PAC Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Student Senate Meeting, Purple Rooms, 5 p.m.
18th
29th
MN Education Fair, All Day
Arbor Day Celebration, All Day
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Photo by Emily Dean ‘16
A
Winona State University student sparked conversation early Spring semester when she posted a photo of herself wearing a sign with facts about Islam on Facebook.
The sign read: Stop Islamophobia; There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world; 0.003 percent of the Muslim population is responsible for terrorist attacks; Less than 27 percent of all terrorist attacks are carried out in the name of Islam; You have more chances of being killed by a bee than a Muslim. Nada Hussein, a WSU senior majoring in political science posted the picture of herself on the “Overheard at WSU” Facebook page and received mixed reactions. The post and reactions that followed got the University’s attention and prompted the visit of Sheikh Dr. Odeh Muhawesh. Muhawesh presented “Islamophobia in America: How Did We Get Here?” on March 2 in East Hall, Kryzsko Commons. Muhawesh discussed the misconceptions surrounding Islam and the dangers of religious segregation. The greatest misconception about Muslim’s is that they are the “other,” he said. “Muslims in America are in every aspect of our society from armed forces to professors, to cab drivers, to doctors, to judges, to students. It’s a misconception to view them as “somebody else,” Muhawesh said. “Muslims can be white Americans, African Americans, Scandinavian Americans; so that image that people have of Muslims being different is a big misconception.”
Student Activist Against Islamaphobia Written by Emily Dean
April Wellzine
Hussein’s Facebook post resulted in a variety of comments, showcasing various thoughts toward Islam and people who are Muslim. Some students offered their support and asked to be involved. Others linked articles to news reports from the San Bernardino shootings and the Paris attacks, pointing out the growing numbers of terrorist attacks coming from groups like ISIS. Another student commented: “Although I do not
support the type of hate the likes of Trump seems to be espousing, it seems clear to me the world would be a better place without Islam. Further, the idea that ‘Islam is peace’ seems absurd to me. If you want a peaceful religion, you are going to have to look further than the Middle East.” Hussein said this type of response is not unusual and was not the worst of the comments. She said she deals with the negativity by rarely answering negative responses. “It makes me feel really bad because I’m not trying to defend Islam, I’m trying to make a peace movement and tell people about what they don’t know,” Hussein said. Muhawesh said Facebook and most social media allows people to hide behind a wall. He said it’s not surprising Hussein received more hateful comments online than she has in person. His suggestion to the people who posted negative comments on Hussein’s post is to have a conversation with a Muslim or visit their mosque. “With interfaith dialogues, we encourage dialogue and face-to-face meetings. Go to people’s churches, mosques, coinages, temples and see people face-to-face because it’s a totally different feeling,” Muhawesh said.
sign with her shortly after the attacks on Paris. She has vowed to carry it with her on campus everyday until the end of the semester.
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“Everyone said ‘pray for Paris’ but two days before, the same thing happened in Lebanon and no one said anything about it.” Hussein said. On a local level, Hussein said people hardly ever comment or ask about her sign in person on campus. She said she gets the best support from faculty members. “Students don’t really care. They just look at it and keep going,” said Hussein. “It’s more likely for students to walk by and ignore me than say something hateful.” Other students have begun supporting Hussein by carrying signs on campus. According to Hussein, all of the students who joined her are non-Muslim, American students. “It’s hard to be a Muslim around here. For me, people may not know by looking at me that I am Muslim because I’m not wearing a headscarf but once I say it, it’s hard.” Hussein said.
The biggest misconception Americans have about Muslims, Hussein said, is they are According to Muhawesh, there are 45 all terrorists. Hussein said discrimination mosques in Minnesota and as far he knows, against Muslims has gotten worse in the there is an open door policy. four years she’s been in the U.S. She thinks it’s due to world events such as the NoMuhawesh said the key to eliminating mis- vember Paris attacks. She said since ISIS conceptions of Muslims is to teach religion has been on the upswing, discrimination without evangelizing faith. against people who are Muslim has gotten “out of control.” Hussein added that the “I’m very much in favor of teaching about upcoming election is also making her feel religions in public schools. Not as a matter worried because of the policies Donald of faith, but as a religion,” he said. “Every Trump proposes. segment of the population has a faith of some sort. We need to understand each “He wants to give us identification cards other and without that education we will and that makes me feel really bad. I think always, in each other’s eyes, be the ‘other.’” I’ll be leaving the country if he’s elected. Hussein came up with the idea to carry the Why would I stay somewhere and be treat-
ed like how Hitler treated people years and years ago?” Hussein said. When it comes to how people discuss these issues in public forums, such as a televised debate or facebook, Muhawesh said hate speech can only lead to violence. “We should tolerate freedom of speech and criticism. We should tolerate investigations and disagreements but when that turns into hate and aggressive behavior, that is when we should stop it.” Muhawesh said.
Photo Credit: Above: Sheikh Dr. Odeh Muhawesh speaks on campus By:Emily Dean ‘16 Opposite: Nada Hussein starts Stop Islamaphobia campaign at WSU By:Emily Dean ‘16
pg 8
Student-Athletes Commit to Balancing Act Written by Written by Lisa Daraskevich ‘17 Allison Mueller
Between weight training, practice, games and tournaments—all on top of classes and studying—student-athletes have a schedule that is packed. While the WSU Women’s Basketball team found ways to rally our school spirit by having a successful season, one might wonder: are student-athletes really students first and athletes second? WSU’s athletic program includes five men’s sports and nine women’s sports. While sports can be a focus for students studying at WSU, student athletes are not required to major in athletic-based studies. Kayla Timmerman, a player on the WSU woman’s basketball team, is an elementary education major that recently transferred to WSU to partake in both academic studies and athletics on campus. She devoted her high school extracurricular life to sports April Wellzine
and kept her motivation alive to become part of the university’s athletic community. Although her season is over, Timmerman said she made it through the busy time of state and national tournaments without her academics suffering. “My grades didn’t suffer and my teachers were understanding,” Timmerman said, adding that since the team’s final games were played over spring break, she also didn’t miss much school. Madison Scheer, a former member of the WSU soccer team said balancing school and athletics was difficult because she personally struggles with organizing her time. She said the study tables provided for student athletes are more harmful than helpful.
“They tell you that the athletic and academic counselors are always there for you but they don’t [do] much. They act like the study tables they force you to do will you keep you on top of your assignments but it was distracting working in a giant room with twenty other rowdy football players,” Scheer said. Aside from struggling with organizing study time, Scheer said being an athlete is time-consuming. She said it’s tiring balancing all of her obligations between sports and academics. “My big thing that got tricky was waking up at 5:30 a.m. to lift for an hour and a half and then having to go to class right after. That was basically impossible and traveling really screwed with your study time for sure,” Scheer said.
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Contrary to Scheer, WSU football player Kinjo Omar said he is happy with the support he has received from faculty and staff to succeed in both athletics and academics. “Time management is important to balance between the sport you are in and most importantly your education, and with great support from coaches and athletic advisors,” Omar said. Brett Classen, a former Winona State football player said his athletic and community involvement at WSU still influence him even though he decided to transfer. Classen transferred to Nebraska State University because it has been his dream to play football there, he said. He said it’s hard for athletes to find a balance between classes and practice.
Photo Credit: Above and Opposite: Sophomore softball athlete Tayler Obermann and sophomore golf athlete Courtney Terrill study Spanish 101 in the new Somsen Lounge on the WSU campus. By: Taylor Nyman ‘17
“It takes a lot of focus on homework when you’re free since you don’t get a lot of time,” Classen said. “Sometimes you don’t get a lot of sleep but you have to try hard to build it in.” The pursuit of education and passion for sports is a balancing act for these student-athletes—ultimately they just need to decide if it’s all worth it.
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Minimalism: Finding more with Less WrittenWritten by by Allison Allison MuellerMueller ‘17
*Allison Mueller participated in the travel study discussed below. This article is a culmination of her and her peers’ experiences of Jamaican culture. During the week of spring break Winona State University students got the opportunity to experience a culture that is in many ways, opposite of our own. Seven travel leaders and 18 students from WSU embarked on a travel study to Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica through the Special Education Department. The entirety of the trip is described in detail on the study’s travel blog, but the group traveled to Jamaica with the goal of completing a netball court, painting April Wellzine
classrooms, leading music lessons and reading bird passages with the primary school students at Pedro Plains. In addition, the group brought $4,000 and more than 2,000 pounds of donations that were disbursed among five different schools, the Treasure Beach Women’s Group, student scholarships and the Project Jamaica fund. Visiting Jamaica and its inhabitants taught this group a great deal about living a minimalist lifestyle. Most Jamaicans live a minimalist life, whether they would like to or not. According to a 2014 article in The Gleaner, around 1.1 million Jamaicans live below the poverty
line, while the population as of 2016 is 2.8 million. WSU Junior Katie Deiss was one of the travel study students, and she said most people in Jamaica do not choose to live a minimalist lifestyle. “Because of the lack of resources, they have no other option than to live with the minimal number of things to live comfortably,” she said. “They are [on] an island, so things are expensive and hard to access.” Despite the extreme poverty in some areas, travel study students experienced the kindheartedness, gratitude and positive attitudes of locals. They also saw how many Jamaicans made do with what little possessions they had while preaching love and respect. U.S. minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus promote this way of living
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through their website, talks, books and events, and explain how minimalism is not as simple as getting rid of material possessions; it’s about focusing on the room you are making for more time, passion, growth, experiences and contribution to society. The travel study students noticed drastic differences between Jamaica and the U.S. This changed many of their views on how they lead their lives in a consumer culture. Sophomore Cassie Schley, part of the travel group, said while there are obvious environmental reasons for minimalism, the benefits an individual receives from leading this kind of life is what matters. “If you lead a more simple life, you will be able to take note of all the great things
around you,” Schley said. Many people find it impossible to lead a minimalist life. Participating in this travel study allowed students to see firsthand how Jamaicans practice minimalism. They moved the students to reassess their own lifestyle choices.
Photo Credit: Above: Students volunteer in Jamaica By: Allison Mueller ‘17 Opposite: Kids play in Jamaican sun By:Allison Mueller ‘17
“So many things we see as ‘essential’ in our daily lives are nothing near a necessity,” Schley said. “Living a minimalist life may seem difficult, but there are a lot of rewards [from it] that you will never be able to buy.”
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Meditation in Motion: the Gentle Martial Art, Tai Chi Written by Cortnie Schierman ‘17
It’s a practice that’s slow moving, patient and meditative—yet Tai Chi finds it’s roots based in the martial arts and self-defense. Winona State University Tai Chi Professor Bahieh Wilkinson said Tai Chi uses traditional fighting moves and incorporates animal movements. This soft, non-contact martial art is practiced in many places around the world. “Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of exercise and martial art used for health and self-development not only for the body but also for the mind,” Wilkinson said. April Wellzine
According to Mayo Clinic staff in the stress management portion of their website, Tai Chi is often termed “meditation in motion.” It is different from Yoga and other meditation practices because Tai Chi uses constant, flowing movements. This martial art is non-competitive and self-paced. There are many benefits that come along with practicing Tai Chi correctly and regularly. The Mayo Clinic highlights these benefits: decreased stress, anxiety and depression, improved mood, increased energy, improved aerobic capacity and improved muscle strength.
Wilkinson said Tai Chi could act as a preventative medicine, help develop balance and correct body alignment. Tai Chi will also help learn the art of relaxation and concentration. Other benefits include enhancing sleep quality, improving the immune system, lowering blood pressure, improving joint pain and improving over-all wellbeing, he said. Wilkinson teaches the Tai Chi Chi Gong and Tai Chi Chuan courses at WSU. She and her husband got involved in this practice in 1980. Wilkinson’s husband previously taught Tai Chi as a Chinese communication theory and kinetics course at WSU. He eventually retired and Wilkinson now teaches the course.
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Pricila Andrade, a WSU senior, took Tai Chi her sophomore year to fulfill one of the general education requirements. “The class served as a great way to relax from life stressors,” Andrade said. The WSU Tai Chi course offers one of the five major Tai Chi styles. The style is a short form of the yang style, said Wilkinson. Each style, according to the Mayo Clinic, has subtle variations but they all emphasize a variety of the Tai Chi principles and methods. Tai Chi is practiced indoors and outdoors. Groups or individuals may practice this meditation technique. All ages and fitness levels can generally
participate in this practice, Mayo Clinic says. It is low impact and does not put very much stress on joints and muscles. Tai Chi does not require any special equipment and is inexpensive. Interested in getting involved in Tai Chi? Sign up for the one credit course offered through the Recreation Tourism Therapeutic Recreation Department as a contemporary activity. WSU also has a Tai Chi club. They meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in room 127 of the Integrated Wellness Center from noon to 12:50 p.m. For more information about Tai Chi in Winona, visit http://www.winonataichi.com/.
Photo Credit: Above: Tai Chi Gong By: Kim Schneider ‘16 Opposite: Bruce Wilkinson leads Tai Chi Gong during a Tai Chi club meeting By:Kim Schneider ‘16
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With: Uzma Ghazanfar, International Student
Photo by Kim Schneider ‘16
Student Spotlight
Issue vol03 02 Issue 0403Vol Uzma Ghazanfar, 30, of Karachi, Pakistan, was working as an art director for an advertising agency in Pakistan before she “got bored.” She realized continuing her education was a priority. Ghazanfar, a sophomore studying Computer Science, is a Student Technology and Resource Specialist in Technical Support where she provides training on software programs. She was born in the Middle East, earned a bachelors degree in animation in Malaysia and speaks English and Urdu, Pakistan’s official languages. She also practices Islam. Ghazanfar will share her culture by cooking at the International Dinner on April 9, 6 to 8 p.m. in East Hall, Kryzsko Commons. Tickets are $10 for WSU students and $15 for community members. How has where you are from influenced who you are? I’ve lived in a lot of other countries. I went to a lot of international schools as a kid. When I was in Pakistan, people didn’t think I was Pakistani. They thought, culturally I don’t fit in. [At the international schools] we grew up together. It’s just normal to accept everything. I was different from most people I met but I didn’t find it too difficult to adjust there. Our entire culture is about food and dance. And we’re loud, so I think that’s the biggest influence. Spicy food, talk really loudly, have a strange accent—most people don’t understand what I’m saying. [Winona] has influenced me. Meeting so many people from different countries. I find most of us are more similar than different. It makes it easier to accept differences.
About the writer Interviewed by: Kim Schneider Kim Schneider is a WSU senior and will graduate in May with bachelor degrees in Mass Communications Journalism and English Writing. Kim enjoys spending every free moment outside. She also enjoys yoga, playing guitar and dancing.
Why did you choose to continue your education? When I was working in the advertising agency, we made applications and developers were impossible to talk to [because we didn’t know how to explain what we wanted]. That’s when I realized it doesn’t matter; you need to know how to do it as well. So whatever’s in your mind, you need to know how to do it. Coding is super important. You need to know how to code. So I came back to school. As a Muslim, what is it like living in a country where Islamaphobia is a prevalent issue? I haven’t had anyone be a jerk to me because of my religion or my color. I’ve seen a lot of Americans who are really concerned about it but I haven’t seen that yet. I’ve only met people who are super understanding and curious which is great. I think people here are so scared of offending someone else that they don’t ask directly. If they really want to know, it’s better if you go and ask someone that. It would just make things so much simpler. How does your religion influence your life? [Growing up my parents taught me to] believe but also use common sense. You’ve been given intelligence and a brain for a reason. Don’t kill people. Trust your instincts and don’t do anything that goes against your natural law. So that’s what I take from it. Religion is so personal; everyone does it differently. I pray five times a day but I would not have a problem with someone who didn’t. You hear things about ISIS but at the same time, we have sayings from our prophet that say you need to protect Christians. People believe what they want to believe. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you’re a good person. The rest of the time, whatever you do is your business. pg 16