12.4.18

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An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890

TUESDAY

12.04.2018 Vol. 219 No. 072

IOWA STATE DAIL DAILY

HOW FOOD RECALLS IMPACT IOWA STATE BY ADOLFO.ESPITIA @iowastatedaily.com

In just a half hour after receiving an email about the romaine outbreak, Iowa State Dining immediately responded by throwing out the leafy green and notifying student managers from all 24 food stores and dining locations. Four Midwestern states reported cases of E. coli amid the recent romaine outbreak, with Michigan the COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES ISU Dining is bringing romaine lettuce back following an outbreak which occurred over Thanksgiving break.

Ames Middle School principal fired after allegations of bullying BY PAUL.ATTEMA @iowastatedaily.com Ames Middle School Principal Dan Fox has been fired in the wake of allegations that he promoted a negative culture and environment for people in the LGBTQIA+ community. Fox was replaced by Ames High School Principal Spence Evans in the meantime under the direction of Superintendent Jenny Risner, and many in the community are questioning what prompted the change. Eric Smidt, director of school, comDAN munity and media relations for the Ames COX Community School District, has confirmed that bullying did play a part in their decision. “I can confirm that [bullying] was one aspect of the concerns that were brought to us,” Smidt said. A memo from school officials said Evans acting as interim principal for the middle school would be temporary. “These changes were prompted by an effort to address feedback we received from stakeholders who wanted to see an improved culture at Ames Middle School,” according to the memo. “We will be working on various measures to ensure there is a safe and orderly environment for teaching and learning” This language allows for many interpretations, but some community members believe that the school’s decision may

Ames • Story City

have been prompted from a petition that was posted to change.org titled “Make Ames Middle School a safer place for its LGBTQIA+ students!” that was directed towards the former acting principal Dan Fox. Approximately 150 people have signed the petition that was started two months ago by an anonymous author “SA” who is from Ames. The petition reached 100 signatures two weeks ago, possibly garnering the school’s attention. In the post, the author states that they are a transgender male, who often still gets labeled as female. The post alleges that homophobic comments are made in the halls and that people are bullied because of their sexuality and gender identification. “I want this to stop before something serious happens because some of us are self-harming or on the verge of suicide and if that’s what it takes to get your attention, a lot of us won’t hesitate,” the author wrote in the petition. “Please don’t put our lives and safety in danger and make [Ames Middle School] a safer place for not just me and my other LGBTQIA+ peers but girls, older teachers and people of color. Smidt said they are aware of the petition, but said it did not play a role in the superintendent’s decision. “I was made aware of it last week, I’m not sure when Superintendent Risner was made aware of it, but I believe recently,” Smidt said. “That petition itself had no impact on Superintendent Risner’s decision for the leadership change. The content of the petition is concerning for us because all students should feel safe and welcomed at our schools.”

DID YOU DQ TODAY?

ROMAINE

PG8

878 travel packages have been sold for Alamo Bowl thus far BY LINDSEY.SETTLE @iowastatedaily.com With the Iowa State Cyclones headed to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 28, fans are ready to hit the road. The Alumni Association and Iowa State Athletics are partnering with Anthony Travel to set up fans with accommodations in San Antonio. The three-day travel packages inc lude lodging at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio. More than 878 travel packages have been purchased so far. “ We’re planning on a ver y large fan base,” said Heather Botine, director of travel and m e rc h a n d i s e a t t h e a l u m n i association. Due to a high number of fans purchasing the packages, currently only air travel packages are available starting at $2,115 for a double-bed room.

The round-trip charter flight will depart from Des Moines on Dec. 26 and arrive in San Antonio the same day for check-in and an exclusive welcome event at the Grand Hyatt hotel that is currently being planned. The travel packages website through the Alumni Association and Iowa State Athletics said, “Cyclone Club members should purchase their bowl game tickets directly through the Iowa State Athletics Ticket Office (by logging onto their Cyclones Athletics Account at cyclones. com or by calling 888-4782925) to receive priority seating. All bowl game tickets purchased as part of a travel package will be seated after Cyclone Club donors in the best available seats, by order of booking date.” Iowa State made the Liberty Bowl last year in Memphis.


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