Jan 13

Page 1

Debating america’s struggle with racism

Keeping the train Rolling

Columnists argue whether America will ever overcome racism, prejudice PAGE 4

NU extends win streak with comeback victory against W isconsin PAGE 10

friday, january 13, 2012

volume 111, issue 080

DAILY NEBRASKAN dailynebraskan.com

art by gabriel sanchez

Voter ID bill taken off agenda

story by justice jones

Sen. Janssen hopes to reintroduce the bill next session LEGISLATURE

Abel residents battle bed bugs

dan holtmeyer daily nebraskan

With help from UNL Housing, two students stomp out dorm-room infestation

W

hen freshman nutrition and health sciences major Emily Mrzlak returned to Abel Residence Hall on Jan. 6, she didn’t expect to spend her evening with bed bugs. Mrzlak, who didn’t notice the unwelcomed guests until she saw them on her roommate’s comforter, immediately broke into a panic. “I had my boyfriend kill them because bugs freak me out,” Mrzlak said. “After they were dead I didn’t think anything else about it and just went to bed” But her panic wasn’t over. “That night I couldn’t go to sleep, I kept feeling these pinches of nerve pain all over my legs and arms.” Although she figured it was merely a figment of her imagination,

Mrzlak woke up the next day with multiple bug bites on her legs. These bites occurred at night, because bed bugs are nocturnal. They usually reside in dark spaces such as cork boards or mattresses until a human source is available to feed on, according to Keith Zaborowski, associate director of Housing Residence Life who has also done research on the insects. As soon as Mrzlak found the bites she took major precautions; she threw her sheets in the washer and dryer to kill them with heat. She then texted her roommate, because they were the same bugs they saw on her bed the night before. But the bugs returned. Mrzlak’s roommate, Ashleigh Auman, a freshman mathematics major, decided to go to their floor’s resident assistant, who pointed her to the Abel Facilities office. When notifying Facilities, Mrzlak and

Nebraska’s proposed voter ID bill, LB 239, has been removed from the legislature’s agenda, according to Associated Press reports Thursday evening. The bill would have required voters to present a valid, current photo ID, or qualify for one of several exceptions, before receiving a ballot on election day. It had been introduced last session by State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont and carried over to the session that began this month. The bill was one of dozens around the country that have recently been introduced or enacted, mostly by Republican controlled state legislatures. According to reports from the Omaha World-Herald, Janssen pulled the bill to give himself more time to counter “misinformation” spread by the bill’s opponents. Several reports said he planned on bringing it back later in the session. Janssen said in an interview Wednesday that the proposal was meant to protect the integrity of the vote by preventing voter fraud,

Auman said they learned that the maintenance staff was reluctant to believe there were actual bed bugs in the room. “We went down to talk to them and they didn’t really believe it was bed bugs at first, but they came to set traps up in our room anyway,” Mrzlak said. As soon as the staff realized the insects were indeed bed bugs, they set traps. However, once they discovered just how many had infested the room, they decided to call an exterminator. During the fumigation, the extermination company also checked other places in the room in case the bugs were tucked away i n dark hidden spaces. “When they searched the room, they found the bugs living in the cork

bed bugs: see page 3

voter id bill: see page 3

Chancellor to present annual MLK awards Frannie Sprouls Daily Nebraskan

Every year on the third Monday of January, schools are closed to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments. And every year on the third Monday of January, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor’s Office presents the UNL Chancellor’s Program for students and community members. This year’s presentation will be on Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. The event consists of the presentation of the Chancellor’s “Fulfilling the Dream Awards” to two recipients, which is followed by the keynote speaker. At the beginning of the event, Chancellor Harvey Perlman will present the award, said Patrick Jones, associate professor of history and ethnic studies and cochair of the committee running the event. “It’s usually two [recipients],

“My hope is that the UNL community will have an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s dream for freedom and justice.” Catherine WilsoN associate law professor

one to a campus individual or organization and one individual or organization that is community oriented,” Jones said. This year, the award will be presented to the African American and African Studies Program and Zainab Al-baaj and the MENA Hope Project. After the awards presentation is the keynote speaker Mary Pipher, a renowned writer and psychologist from Lincoln. Pipher is the bestselling author of “Reviving

mlk: see page 3

martin luther king jr. events UNL will honor the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. with a week full of events that celebrate diversity. These events include lectures, a film screening and an open mic night. All students are encouraged by the university to attend these events. MLK Freedom Breakfast when: Friday, Jan. 13, 7:30 a.m. where: Embassy Suites Hotel what: Keynote Speaker is Larry Williams, executive director of the Clyde Malone Community Center. cost: $20 per person contact: Jody Wood at 402-4720085 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Chancellor’s Program when: Monday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m. where: Nebraska Union Auditorium, City Campus what: Features Keynote Speaker Dr. Mary Pipher, a therapist, writer and speaker. Film Screening and Discussion: “Soundtrack for a Revolution” when: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m. where: Nebraska Union Auditorium, City Campus what: Screening of the film “Soundtrack for a Revolution.” Dr.

DN Flashback page 2 Hip hop page 5

Patrick Jones from the History/Ethnic Studies Department at UNL will moderate the post-discussion. Lecture: “Martin Luther King Jr. and the Global Struggle Against Racial Discrimination” when: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m. where: Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center what: Lecture by Professor Brian Lepard, University of Nebraska College of Law. Service Learning Project when: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. where: Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center what: Students can volunteer at various spots around the community to help accomplish Dr. King’s vision for community outreach. contact: Joe Ruiz unlmlkcommittee@ gmail.com

Open Mic MLK Tribute Night when: Thursday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m. where: Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center what: Open mic that showcases student creativity through poetry, dance, spoken word and song and addresses topics surrounding the work and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Afrikan People’s Union MLK Banquet when: Friday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. where: Nebraska Union Ballroom, City Campus what: Afrikan People’s Union MLK Banquet with keynote speaker John Ewing, Douglas County treasurer. The theme is ‘Looking Back to Go Forward.’ cost: $10 per person or $70 per table contact: Rhaniece Choice at niece24choice@yahoo.com Compiled by Kim Buckley, kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com

basketball page 10

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