Students lobby lawmakers at capitol
Financial aid for private institutions takes center stage By Carly Tsuda Contributing Writer
With the mission of defending state funding for private higher education, 18 students lobbied for the State Grant Program at the capitol in St. Paul, Minn. on March 8. Day at the Capitol is an annual event hosted by the Minnesota Private Colleges Council that allows students to get a taste of state government in its official setting. Students were given the opportunity to have one-onone conversations with elected representa-
tives, discussing the importance of state financial aid for students attending private institutions. The out-of-state students met with the representatives from Northfield, Senator Al DeKruif (R) and Representative Kelby Woodard (R). Woodard in particular showed support for the program and the freedom it gives Minnesota students. “[Woodard] is a Republican, so I thought he might be more likely to be against increased funding for higher education just simply because it requires state expenditure, but he was very supportive of the State Grant Program,” said Jon Riley ’15, Political Awareness Committee (PAC) coordinator. “He thought of it as an issue about giving kids the opportunity to choose which school they go to in order to get a higher education. That was great. The Northfield representative is definitely in support of increased funding for financial aid.” Students whose hometowns are in Minnesota had one-on-one meetings with their local representatives. According to Assistant Director of Student Activities Geoff Swanson ’10, not only were these meetings more personal, but they also helped spread the message to as many representatives as possible. “They try to cast the net wide because what a senator from Polk County does still affects students in Rice County,” Swanson said. “I’d like to think that we’re a small enough state and a tightknit enough community that we can have that dialogue between senators that aren’t necessarily our representa-
tives as well.” While experiencing the importance of grassroots political involvement, students also witnessed how the simple act of showing up has a significant impact. “The takeaway lesson for me was that you can always go lobby your representatives,” Riley said. “We didn’t do anything today that you can’t do any day. You can always call, make an appointment and go and visit with them. And they’re definitely persuaded. Just the fact that we were willing to take time out of our day to come talk to them is important.” The Minnesota legislature functions on a biannual basis. This past year, amid state financial turmoil, the legislature voted to maintain the State Grant Program, securing funding for thousands of students this school year and the next. Showing up to thank elected officials for their support is just as important as defending the program when it is in jeopardy. “Particularly for this year, it was important because we showed up regardless of any imminent or pending threat to state aid,” Swanson said. “I think that’s really important in politics. The fact that it’s a tradition and something that we do every year is perhaps more beneficial than if it’s something where we suddenly show up when funding is on the chopping block. It’s important to really make that impact with legislators, saying, ‘Thank you for your support’ and not simply just showing up when feathers get ruffled. I think that adds a lot to the message.”
Although the majority of students in attendance were involved in political science, the impact of the State Grant Program transcends majors and interests. With many students on campus receiving government aid, the program affects the entire St. Olaf community. “Especially with the State Grant Program, it’s a non-partisan issue that is very real to us,” Alyssa Berg ’15 said. “By allowing students from all backgrounds to be able to attend schools like St. Olaf, it allows those schools to have a diverse student body, and that’s what the real world is like. Whether or not you get the funding yourself, it affects your college experience.” As an annual tradition, Day at the Capitol shows that consistently supporting the cause is just as important of a reason to attend as experiencing state politics. The perspective that students bring with them to the capitol is crucial for sustaining the State Grant Program, which is an effort that must be repeated year after year. “This year, the government shut down because it couldn’t agree over a budget over the summer,” Riley said. “Even in that context, they kept the State Grant Program because we lobby. They cut all these other programs, but they supported this one because all these college students care and pay attention. Every year there’s going to be budget constraints and they’re going to reconsider funding. It’s not an automatic thing.” tsuda@stolaf.edu
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Peace Corps alums Weekend menu cuts down on Pause waits share travel stories By Amy Lohmann News Editor
As students at St. Olaf, we live in a relatively comfortable and stable environment. However, many Oles are hoping that their future will hold a bit more adventure, worldliness and, of course, service. This past Thursday, March 8, a group of Ole alumni held the panel “Transformations through Service – Oles and the Peace Corps,” detailing their experience in the program. In accordance with the college’s theme this year, “Transformations,” the panel specifically outlined how their service transformed the lives of others and their own. The speakers included Jonathan O’Conner ’98, Andrew Tompsett ’07, Bob Munsen ’64, Cindy Jurgensen ’81 and Curt Rahman ’81. Each had plenty to say about the process of applying for the Peace Corps and what prospective participants should look forward to. One aspect many of the panelists spoke about was the “fishbowl lifestyle” that could be expected when moving to a remote country. Tompsett, who was stationed in Bangladesh as a primary school teacher, found himself in several humorous situations due to the curiosity of the natives of his village. “You really don’t have a lot of personal space,” Tompsett said. “This extended to the types of questions people would ask: ‘What is your father’s name? How much money does he make?’” These inquiries were one of the many ways in which Peace Corps volunteers experience culture shock. After being assigned to their country, they must go through a rigorous three-month training session. By staying with a native host family they are able to learn the local language and acclimate to their surroundings. Once they are transported to their volunteer site they will be even more isolated than before. “I lived in a grass thatched roof house with no running water, no electricity,” said O’Conner, who was stationed as a teacher in Tanzania. “That was difficult for me.” While there are many hardships, the volunteers found many sources of joy and satisfaction. “The easiest part was relationships,” O’Conner said. “I really learned that relationships are kind of the universal language.” O’Conner made sure to tell the students attending that while relationships are important, volunteers must understand that each country has customs for interactions between people of different gender. These customs are exemplified in the case of Jurgensun and Rahman. The two were dating at St.
Peace...
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Pause workers make pizza around 11 p.m. on a recent night while Susan Kenzie ’12 waits for her study fuel. A dramatic increase in late-night and weekend traffic at the Pause this year has led to the creation of a new, simplified menu during these times.
By Shannon Cron Online Editor
With the absence of pizza bagels, cheesy bread, pitas and quesadillas, St. Olaf students wonder where their favorite Pause snacks vanish to on the weekends. Though the student reaction may be less than favorable, the kitchen staff assures Pause-goers that the changes prove more efficient for both customers and staff members. The Pause menu changes consist of a limited menu starting at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. “The weekend menu offers pizza, chicken strips, nachos, ice cream, shakes and pop,” Pause Kitchen Manager Laurel Midthun ’13 said. “We try to have some cookies out early in the night and pizza by the slice as much as possible.” Though the employees kept pace with the late-night weekend rush, the slow speed of the ovens, along with lack of space, caused the inefficiencies in the Pause kitchen. “The great thing is that we can now use both of our ovens to make all the food we’re selling,” Pause Kitchen Manager Jordan Rosedahl ’12 said. “Typically we use the top oven, which is set a little hotter, for all the pizzas and the chicken strips. Everything else goes through the bottom oven, which is set a bit cooler and at a slightly faster belt speed.” Limiting the menu to the items that cook at the top oven’s temperature allows the staff to use both ovens for making pizzas, getting the customers their food at a more timely rate. “Frequently on the weekends we would have pizzas waiting to be put in the oven,” Midthun said. “Now, there is always room for us to put them in.” Along with efficiency in service, the Pause weekend menu allows kitchen tasks to become more of a collaborative effort. “Instead of each worker having a separate job – one for bagels, one for shakes, one for pizzas – we can have most of the workers on pizzas and two doing cashier and shakes,” Midthun said. “It ensures that all of the workers are making pizzas so that they can do a better job on each pizza individually.”
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As the changes help to simplify the chaos behind the counter, the kitchen staff appreciates the decision to limit the menu. “I think the changes were a good choice because limiting the menu allows us to fill orders so much faster,” kitchen staff member Michael Mayer ’15 said. “We can focus on making higher quality pizzas instead of trying to keep a bunch of craziness under control.” Though the staff intended the menu changes to benefit the St. Olaf community, many members of the student body were disappointed and confused by the alterations. “I miss the variety,” Lindsey Mornson ’15 said. “Besides, pizza bagels were my favorite!” Contrary to the profit-seeking speculations of some students, the Pause does not profit directly from its sales. “All of the money we earn goes directly to food purchasing and then capitol improvements of the Pause,” Midthun said. “After a certain amount, it goes directly to SGA, and they use it for the student body in general. Most of the people I have talked to are much more open to the idea once they understand that it isn’t simply for our workers to have it easier or so that we can make more money.” Though these reasons may not be enough to match some students’ desire for a pizza bagel late on a Friday night, Rosedahl emphasizes that the chaos of first semester proved nearly unmanageable for both customers and staff. “What the student body has to realize is it is a trade-off between variety versus speed and efficiency,” Rosedahl said. “I was there a lot of weekends during first semester – it was ridiculous. Speaking as a student who’s worked at the Pause since the fall of 2008, I can say first semester was overall the busiest I’ve ever seen the Pause. This change had to be at least experimented with.” Noelle McCabe ’15 understands the arguments both for and against the changes, but remains relatively neutral herself. “The changes haven’t really affected me,” McCabe said. “I’m still able to get my Pause pizza, so I’m happy!” cron@stolaf.edu
Opinions
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MANITOU MESSENGER
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Gender quotas won’t fix lurking discriminations By Amanda Olson Despite progress in recent years, it should come as no surprise to hear that the number of women in high-ranking leadership positions in most countries remains dismally low. In the E.U., there has been increasing talk of solving the gender disparity in business through the use of quotas. Several countries, including Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, have already adopted gender quotas of some sort. Some companies, such as Deutsche Telekom in Germany, which aims to have 30 percent female representation in upper management by 2015, are voluntarily adopting these measures.
For many, however, the idea of gender quotas is unsettling. It calls to mind a dystopian vision of a world where under-qualified workers fill top-ranking jobs. They deduce that all these men in boardrooms must have been hired because they are the most qualified. It’s true that some fields have fewer women in general. This suggests that the solution should lie in education. If we just try to attract more women to fields like engineering and business, the boardrooms will naturally adjust to fit them. Right? Let’s look at the numbers in Germany. According to the BBC, 60 percent of business school
graduates in Germany are female, but as of Deutsche Telekom’s initial decision, only 13 percent of their top management positions were held by women. When it comes to Germany as a whole, in the top 200 companies only 2.5 percent of board members are female. This isn’t an issue of qualifications. Just to reassure everyone: Those who support gender quotas are not believers in some nefarious, mustache-twirling boardroom male who flings women’s applications out the window. Instead, imagine a beleaguered executive picking out candidates without necessarily noticing his own bias. The one thing that quotas do well
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Submission Policy The Manitou Messenger encourages contributions from students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators. Opinion articles are open to all political, social and philosophical viewpoints. The views expressed in all letters, editorials and articles do not necessarily represent the views of the student body, faculty, administration or Messenger staff members. “A word from our editors...” is written each week by the executive and managing editors. The Manitou Messenger reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and/or content. Letters must be signed and must include the writer’s full name, telephone number, year in school and major, title or occupation. The Messenger will verify the authenticity of all letters before they are published. Letters submitted by an organization must be signed by an author representing that organization. Letters or articles containing offensive language, libelous material or misleading information must be rewritten before publication. Letters based on two-party disputes will not be published. Letters must address issues affecting the larger campus community. Letters must be submitted via email to <mess-opinion@stolaf.edu>. Letters must not exceed 400 words. Letters exceeding 400 words will not be published until they are edited by the author to meet this specification. Letters must be received by 5 p.m. the Sunday preceding the publication date. The Manitou Messenger does not endorse the content of its advertisements. They are exclusively the opinions of the advertiser and do not represent the views of the newspaper or its staff. The Editorial Board of the Messenger reserves the rights to review the content of advertisements prior to printings or to refuse publication. All content and editorial decisions of the Manitou Messenger remain in the hands of the students. If you wish to contact us you may reach us at our office in Buntrock Commons, Room 112. All staff members are available via email at the addresses listed above. The Manitou Messenger is a student publication of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. It is published weekly during the academic year except during vacations, exam periods and interim. The cost for one year’s subscription is $50. Postage is paid in Northfield, Minn. The paper can be found online at: www.manitoumessenger.com. Address:
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is challenge employers’ implicit assumptions. Quotas show that a problem exists and that people are actively searching for ways to even out an unequal workforce. Still, gender quotas aren’t the best solution. Even their most stalwart advocates must admit that the demographics of any applicant pool are subject to change over time. But now we can have the conversation that naturally follows: What would be a better solution? Some, such as Atlantic writer Hanna Rosin, suggest that it’s only a matter of time before women are equally represented. These remaining male-dominated structures are merely the “last gasp of a dying age,” Rosin said, and she may well be right. However, the problem with saying that it’s only a matter of time is that it frees us from the obligation to look for solutions. Recent attacks on women’s rights in the U.S. make it clear that women can’t simply pat themselves on the back, congratulate their mothers for a job well done in the ’70s and coast into a glorious future where women hold the same leadership positions as men. Seeking a solution to the gender gap in business isn’t just about improving opportunities for women – it’s about continuing the conversation about all discrimination, in and out of the workplace. Amanda Olson ’12 (olsona@stolaf. edu) is from Bloomington, Minn. She majors in English and Asian studies.
ONLINE EDITION Online Editor (mess-online@stolaf.edu) Shannon Cron ADVISING Faculty Advisor Jan Hill
March 16, 2012
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No more name-calling Are free elections a farse? By Maddy Carpenter We have always had problems in this country with mudslinging between liberals and conservatives. It seems like each group feels it is inherently better than the other. If this dysfunction has not been disturbing enough, Rush Limbaugh’s recent attack on Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University law student, takes the insults exchanged to a whole new level. Limbaugh called Fluke a “slut,” as well as a “prostitute,” because of her advocacy for birth control to be a part of student health care plans. These comments have caused a whirlwind of controversy, inspiring criticism from liberals and conservatives alike. This disapproval has influenced Limbaugh to issue a public apology, calling his remarks “inappropriate” and “uncalled for.” I must admit that although I think Limbaugh’s apology was both respectable and necessary, its sincerity is questionable. Limbaugh issued it after facing scrutiny from many different outlets, and having numerous sponsors, such as AOL and Allstate Insurance, pull their advertisements from his radio show. Instead of expressing a real concern for Fluke and how his comments affected her, Limbaugh’s apology comes across as an attempt to rehabilitate his image and rectify his relationship with sponsors and other politicians. The real issue at play here, however, is not the validity of Limbaugh’s apology. It is the fact that his negative comments about Fluke, which relate birth control use to being a “slut” and a “prostitute,” validate the idea that it is acceptable for people to speak in such a way about women who take responsibility for their bodies and decisions. He criticized only women who seek birth control, while completely ignoring the males in
the equation, who are just as responsible for the necessity of birth control as the women. As a household name, Limbaugh abused his position as both a leader and a broadcaster by using such derogatory terms. When he attacked Fluke in this way, he was condemning not simply the issues that were fueling his anger, but women in general. He repeatedly berated Fluke, but we heard no mention of her male counterparts. Such discrimination between genders about sexual activity is a huge problem in our country. A man who engages in premarital sex is often praised, and the more sex he has with as many women as possible, the better. Meanwhile, a woman who has sex even half as often as that same man is almost always labeled as a “slut” or a “whore.” Limbaugh’s comments legitimize these beliefs, which set back all that women have worked for in terms of gender equality. His comments also validate the idea that the use of such terms is acceptable in describing women and their behaviors. When someone like Limbaugh, with such influence and power, uses these words, people are further desensitized to how truly awful those words are. This results in a huge risk that they will become more prevalent in day-to-day conversations. As a leader, Limbaugh should be looking out for all of the people who follow his example. With this attack on Fluke, he completely fails to represent a huge portion of the population: women. Maddy Carpenter ’15 (carpente@stolaf.edu) is from Duluth, Minn. Her major is currently undecided.
By Seth Ellingson Last week, the world was stunned by the come-from-behind victory of Vladimir Putin in the Russian presidential election. This marks the beginning of Putin’s third presidential term in Russia and coincides with a deepening displeasure with the government among the middle class. Of course, after the parliamentary elections fiasco earlier this year, one can’t help but wonder if there are truly fair and free elections in Russia. Given some of the results, like a 127-percent turnout in Chechnya, an area that Putin essentially declared war on after becoming president, you have to ask yourself whether six more years of this guy is a good thing. And what does this mean for Russia or the world? The short answer is that we don’t know. We are good at examining events in hindsight and concluding the cause of such events, but political predictions are often completely wrong. Did anyone see the Arab Spring actually toppling governments throughout the Middle East or predict that it would happen that fast? No one foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union, even though today we can look back at the events leading up to it and figure out what caused it. Take George W. Bush as another example. After he was elected, no one really knew anything he was going to do, let alone that he would declare war on Iraq. Events can appear out of nowhere and change the entire course of reaction. If anything, we should wag our fingers at our media for trying to simplify the actions of states into strictly blackand-white terms. Now, since we were essentially the arch nemesis of Russia for the better part of a century, we are inevitably skeptical about its democracy. Was there fraud? Yes. Was it a free and fair election? No. But at the end of the day, Putin would have won either way. This is a replay of the elections in Iran a few years ago, where Ahmadinejad won in the face of obvious fraud. Like the Iranian
presidential election, even if the incumbent didn’t win in Russia’s election, there would not be a lot of change. On the bright side, this is probably the highest point of Russian democracy ever! Really, can you name one time in Russian history that wasn’t corrupt, influenced by the government or prone to other illegal activities? Look at the demonstrations in Russia. For a country with a history of shooting protesters on sight, having peaceful demonstrations is groundbreaking. More surprising still is that the government has to sign the permits for these demonstrations to happen, which has never happened before. This in itself is a sign of blossoming democracy in Russia. The best part is that they are incredibly lighthearted. This is a nice opposite to the brutal crackdowns we have in Oakland. So how are we the paradigm of the democratic process? What right do we have to point fingers at the elections in other countries? We are calling out a country that has virtually no democratic history. Russia is moving to a more open process and in many ways is already more democratic then we are. It has a multi-party system, instead of choosing between two trite candidates. Its elections are only valid if it has 50 percent of voter turnout, and if the candidate doesn’t take over 50 percent, it has a runoff election. Are the candidates suppressed? Yes. But then again, when was the last time an Ivy-League educated millionaire didn’t win the presidential election over here – wasn’t that suppression? Was there voter fraud? Yes. But didn’t Gore really win Florida in 2000 with the popular vote, but didn’t really win? Even if there were “free and fair” elections in Russia, one of the parties to gain the most from that would be the Communist Party. We would be back at square one. Seth Ellingson ’15 (ellingss@stolaf. edu) is from Powder Springs, Ga. He majors in political science and Russian.
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Opinions MANITOU MESSENGER
March 16, 2012
Paul the only candidate who can save economy By Rachel Palermo Recently, posters have appeared around campus advertising a group that hopes to bring about big change at St. Olaf. Avalanche, a new student-led, underground organization is trying to call out contradictions in our college’s ideals and actions. Unfortunately, this anonymous group has already jeopardized the legitimacy of its mission before it’s really started. Avalanche has produced a letter questioning the morality of Dean Buntrock’s donation of $29 million to St. Olaf – the funds providing for the construction of Buntrock Commons. The author(s) cite dubious dealings by Mr. Buntrock and his company, Waste Management, alleging that his actions have “called into question” St. Olaf’s “commitment to ideals.” However, the authors hastily add: “The goal of this letter is not to suggest any particular punishment for Mr. Buntrock, or even imply his guilt. Rather, we’d like to start a conversation among students, faculty and administration about the contradiction between ideals and actions – and we’d like the students to start holding the administration accountable for its actions.” Despite the group’s unwillingness to “imply guilt,” the letter asks Dean Buntrock to sign his name as we do on our Honor Pledge, under this heading: “I, Dean Buntrock, pledge my honor that I ran Waste Management, Inc. honestly. I pledge that, as CEO, I did my best to comply with stated environmental regulations, honest accounting practices, and moral obligations to both stockholders and citizens.” What possible use does this letter have in starting a “conversation among students, faculty and administration about the contradiction between ideals and actions”? Let’s assume the worst: Dean Buntrock’s money is tainted, and his evil presence among us ruins the moral character of this institution. What then? Do we destroy Buntrock Commons to purge this blight upon our Hill? Do we eject a man who has greatly improved this institution from the Board of Regents? There is no productive conversation to be had here. Better examples abound. We are a school concerned with social justice, yet we have official St. Olaf apparel made in Sri Lanka and other developing nations. We claim to value environmentalism, yet “going tray-less” in the Caf fell flat. Students commit to a dry campus, yet drink. Although it is important to be mindful of our past transgressions, focusing on topics that cannot be resolved – realistically, St. Olaf is not going to stop using Buntrock Commons, nor is Dean Buntrock going to apologize or admit any wrongdoing – is counter-intuitive to facilitating conversation. After all, how can a conversation start if it has already ended? Avalanche further debases its premise by its anonymity. According to its mission statement, Avalanche “seeks to increase responsibility of students, faculty and administrators at St. Olaf College by encouraging transparency in decisions related to the college’s past, present and future.” It’s simply impossible to reconcile the goal of transparency and Avalanche’s commitment to anonymity. Why take this approach? We authors have worked for similar aims using our names and found a very receptive audience in several deans and the college controller. We are fortunate that at St. Olaf students do not have to be afraid to raise our voices when we need to. Secrecy undermines Avalanche’s own stated agenda and jeopardizes its commitment to this college’s ideals: “Integrity in actions and intent; celebration of the gift of community by becoming engaged in it; honesty in all aspects of life, in and out of the classroom.” Furthermore, Avalanche should be careful not to solely blame the administration. Students play the most important role in ensuring that our actions follow our ideals. Unless students take equal responsibility for their actions, change remains impossible. Avalanche is built on a solid premise but it has gone awry. We share the belief that students need a system that gives them greater power and responsibility in the operations of the college – power that goes beyond the SGA. Engendering conversation to improve the college is a goal we can all get behind and requires none of this Buntrock witch-hunt or silly anonymity. We must be open, receptive, respectful and – above all – take responsibility for our own actions. This is the groundwork that must be put in place before Avalanche can achieve its goals. Until that time, however, the group shares the same unfortunate fate of so many student initiatives – a passing fad, soon to be forgotten. John Broadway ’12 (broadway@stolaf.edu) is from Marquette, Mich. He majors in English. Eric Erfanian ’12 (erfanian@stolaf.edu) is from Coon Rapids, Minn. He majors in philosophy and ancient studies.
If you spent $1 million every day from the moment Jesus was born, you still wouldn’t have spent $1 trillion. According to the U.S. Treasury, our government has made a pattern of spending well over $1 trillion more than its revenue annually for the past few years. The national debt has exceeded a grand total of $15 trillion. This means that if every tax payer paid the federal government $135,000, we still wouldn’t have completely paid off our debt. Because of our failing economy, a hotbutton issue in the GOP race consists of how the candidates plan to turn our country around. While the majority of the potential candidates have proposed traditional conservative solutions, one candidate, Ron Paul, stands alone. Although some might call him crazy and delusional, once people understand how dangerous our debt truly is, it is clear that Paul is the only candidate who has proposed plans that have the potential to restore America’s economy and save its future. One reason Paul is the only GOP candidate who could save our country is that he actually understands how the economy works. In 2002, Paul predicted the upcoming economic collapse. He believed that because the government was interfering with the housing market, its prosperous state was simply a short-term housing boom. He pleaded before Congress that the government stop guaranteeing loans because they would eventually harm the taxpayer. He explained that when the Federal Reserve guarantees interest rates, the market distortion it causes leads to failure in the long run. His criticism of the economy all leads back to his statements in 1971, when President Nixon took the U.S. dollar off of the gold standard. He knew that once the Fed became able to print an unlimited amount of money with the press of a button, inflation would cause the value of a dollar to diminish. According to the Minneapolis Federal Reserve branch’s website, what you could buy with $1 in 1913 would now cost you $22.55. Paul warned that this would
happen for decades, yet the media still refuses to accept the reality of his warnings. Paul’s supply of concrete ways to save the economy is endless. One thing Paul is known for is his belief in staying out of foreign affairs. The Office of Management and Budget reported that under the current administration, national defense makes up about 20.1 percent of the federal budget. In 2011, factcheck.org stated that the U.S. borrows 36 cents of every dollar spent. When we don’t have any money to spend, we need to stop spending. Paul is one candidate who has consistently voted no on any unbalanced budget and on any bill that he believes to be unconstitutional, which is why he has been nicknamed “Dr. No.” His plan to cut $1 trillion in his first year in office is the only way to stop us from not only borrowing from other countries, but also borrowing money from ourselves. As more primaries and caucuses have passed, it has become embarrassingly clear that the GOP nominee will be either Mitt Romney or Rick Santorum. Even though Romney can’t refrain from changing his opinion every few years and Rick Santorum believes gay people and women don’t deserve any rights, the Republican population has decided that those are the guys who will best represent them. One of these two idiots will inevitably be the nominee because of agenda-setting by the media. If news outlets were to portray an unbiased version of the news, Paul would have the GOP nomination in the bag. He is the only candidate who has had consistent beliefs and has proposed concrete plans of how to turn the economy around. Not only has Paul been ignored during the current GOP race, he has been ignored for decades. Most don’t question why this is; instead, they follow the media’s example in thinking he’s just crazy. I didn’t even realize the extent to which Paul is ignored until the Iowa straw poll in August. Paul lost the race by a mere 200 votes, yet the media ignored his near-victory and limited themselves to covering the other possible candidates. The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart put it best when he said that
the media focused more nobodies like John Huntsman, who only accumulated 69 votes. He joked, “If all of Jon Huntsman’s supporters met at the same Ames, Iowa Quiznos, the fire marshal would say ‘Yeah that’s fine, no problem.’” Even though Paul obviously had an overwhelming level of support, the media continued to pretend he didn’t exist. Because we are dependent on the media for learning about the happenings of the world, we enable the news to tell us what to think. We let it brainwash us. It’s puzzling as to why exactly the media has been so keen to ignore this important candidate. Although no one wants to believe this, the reason is that he is right. Americans don’t want to accept the reality of how dire our economic situation truly is. No one wants to accept that our crisis would have been prevented if we listened to the person the news told us to ignore. We care more about our pride than fixing our country. Another reason could be that Paul isn’t even a Republican. His libertarian ideals separate him from the other candidates. The fact that he isn’t a true Republican, however, could help him beat Barack Obama in the long run. Fiscal conservatives would support him due to his belief in cutting (or nearly eliminating) spending, pacifists would support him because of his isolationist outlook and stoners would support him because of his belief in legalizing weed. If America wants a change in the current administration, Republicans and Democrats could unite in the beliefs they share and support Paul. Let’s be real here: no one takes any of the other current GOP candidates seriously anyway. If a tool like Romney or Santorum becomes president, I’m moving to the land of the Canadians. Would anyone like to join me? Rachel Palermo ’15 (palermo@stolaf.edu) is from New Brighton, Minn. She majors in political science and economics.
Online, we are the masters of our own image By Paul Cathey
Today we can publicize ourselves online with barely any effort at all. It is instinctual to see something absurd or upsetting, and we social-process before we self-process. The ease of sharing (and sharing is a good thing) has caused a self-imposed panopticon of the significant events in our life. Our image is made digital. A recent CNN op-ed titled “‘Hot or not?’ Trust me, you’re beautiful” examines the extent of Internet self-image. The piece explains how a group of teenagers, mostly women, are using YouTube to determine their physical beauty. In Sherry Turkle’s 2011 TEDTalk, “Alone Together,” she describes the ways in which connectivity creates a void of self-awareness. By using the internet as our primary method of communication, we develop our identity within a medium that is in our control. It can be turned on and off. Some users may maliciously manipulate personal images developed online, but most of us are the masters of our virtual avatars. The difficulties of communicating with facial expressions, body language and physical interaction are not an issue online. The language of communication is therefore simplified and we become less comfortable with long conversations requiring our emotional engagement. Youth social legitimacy has as much to do with communication as with visual image. People, teens specifically, are posting videos to ask whether or not YouTube users find them attractive. The Internet legitimizes our life experiences and is the logical method for also legitimizing our bodies. CNN’s article emphasizes the power of one hurtful comment. Users who view the hot/not videos as an opportunity to poke fun at image-conscious teens post intentionally spiteful comments. The teens posting the videos report that 100 positive comments cannot make up for one negative one. Body image is an extremely volatile method of self-legitimization and the Internet is a notoriously volatile medium. Put together, posting a hot/not video verges on masochism. If we yearn to reclaim control over our identity-conscious youth, the elder generations should encourage interpersonal, face-to-face communication. When a par-
ent picks their child up from school and is looking at the phone while asking, “How was your day today?” it sets a precedent. Body image anxiety is consistent with the fast and shallow interaction that the Internet requires. The first step is a simple policy: Keep your eyes on your friend’s face with your cell phone in your pocket. Social Internet communication should fill blank
DANIEL BYNUM/MANITOU MESSENGER
time but not replace the more challenging, strengthening and meaningful exchanges we spend in making eye contact with our live companions. Paul Cathey ’13 (cathey@stolaf.edu) is from Chicago, Ill. He majors in philosophy and Asian studies.
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Entertainment
March 16, 2012
MANITOU MESSENGER
Bartelt directs ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ By Ashley Belisle Staff Writer
From Thursday, March 8 to Sunday March 11, Haugen Theater opened its doors for six sold-out performances of “Circle Mirror Transformation,” a play by Annie Baker. Director Lauren Bartelt ’12 spent the past year immersed in the process of bringing Baker’s words to life. Last February, she applied to direct this year’s spring black box performance. Of the many students who applied, Bartelt was invited to direct and she knew when she applied which play she wanted to produce. “I picked ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ after having seen it performed at the Guthrie two years ago,” Bartelt said. “I knew then that I wanted to direct the play at St. Olaf.” She said that among the factors that made her fall in love with “Circle Mirror Transformation” was her personal admiration for its author, Annie Baker, whom Bartelt describes as “a brilliant young female playwright.” Additionally, Bartelt said she is “quite fond of the characters in this play” and was eager to bring them to life for a St. Olaf audience. Those who attended last weekend’s performance will understand precisely why. “Circle Mirror Transformation” is an exquisite peek into the lives of four adults enrolled in an acting class at the local community center in small town Shirley, Vt.,
and that of their instructor, Marty, played by Johnna Purchase ’14. Marty is a former hippie whose idea of learning to act is a far cry from what Lauren (Julia Valen ’14), a 16-year-old high school student hoping to land the lead in “West Side Story,” had expected. Marty’s husband, James, played by Max Collyard ’13, is a middle-aged father without the slightest interest in being an actor, but he shows up to class every week nonetheless. Schultz (Lance Melin ’13), a recently divorced carpenter with a heart of gold, and Theresa (Sofia Galloway ’13) a young woman in the process of finding herself, complete the cast. Haugen Theater was transformed into a recreational center and gymnasium, with the audience seated on three sides of the room and a mirrored wall on the fourth. The play took its audience on a journey through the six weeks of Marty’s acting class. Attendees became acquainted with Marty’s warm-up exercises, got more comfortable with the awkward pauses left when none of the students answered a question and wondered along with the characters what might happen next class. As the weeks progressed, the audience gradually gained insight into the lives and individual stories of each character. Schultz was enamored with Theresa. Marty and James fought. Lauren slowly warmed up to
the older students, and even began to appreciate Marty’s alternative methods. They told stories. They shared secrets. “Circle Mirror Transformation” was not notable for its action or for its plot. Rather, it brought to life a wealth of characters whose stories reminded audience members of life’s beauty and complexity and of all that is inexplicable. For all that viewers learned about the members of the adult acting class, even more was left unsaid. Baker herself referred to “Circle Mirror Transformation” as a “strange little naturalistic meditation on theater and life and death and the passing of time.” This work of art was indeed strange, but it was also funny, poignant and beautiful. The five actors – with the help of a custodian (Steven Coleman ’13) who noted the passage of time by coming in to sweep the floor before each new week of class – brought Baker’s work to life and made Bartelt’s imagination reality. “Working with my peers – who are also dear friends – has been both the greatest challenge and greatest reward in this process,” Bartelt said. Despite the difficulties that accompany a show produced entirely by students, Bartelt also notes that “Circle Mirror Transformation” was just as professional as all of the faculty-produced productions in the St. Olaf Theater season. She is proud of her peers’ hard work. “I realized at one point during our tech rehearsal . . . that there was not a faculty member in sight,” Bartelt said. “The set, lighting, sound, and costume designers are all students, as are the stage managers.” All of these students created a piece of art that left their audience with much to ponder. When asked what she has learned from this year-long directorship process, Bartelt was thoughtful and straightforward. “Trust your instincts,” she said. “Make mistakes. Choose your language carefully. Let things go. Always say thank you.” belisle@stolaf.edu
HANNAH RECTOR/MANITOU MESSENGER
“Circle Mirror Transformation” – a play cast and directed by Lauren Bartelt ’12 – ran from March 8 to March 11 in Haugen Theater. Students were responsible for all aspects of the production.
Diversity celebrated at International Night By Kyra Friedell Staff Writer
St. Olaf prides itself on being a college with a global perspective. With over two-thirds of the student body participating in the 110 study abroad programs, it is no stranger to an international focus. The 46th annual International Night gave the entire student population a different opportunity to share in the spirit of a global perspective right from Northfield, Minn. On Saturday, March 10, St. Olaf students from Minnesota and beyond came together to celebrate their unique heritage. Select students took pride in carrying flags representing the birthplace of their ancestors and immediate family in the opening ceremony. Emcees Roderick Gui ’13, Shafi Shahriar ’13 and Sujata Singh ’13 guided the audience on a magic carpet ride through an
NATE BISHOP/MANITOU MESSENGER
evening full of Indian dancing, British singing and international cuisine in search of “international treasures,” the night’s theme. Historically, international nights have featured at least one Bollywood dance, always a crowd favorite, during the show. This year, the night kicked off with an energetic compilation of “Lal Ghagra, Gal Mitthi Mitthi (Bombay Bounce Dhol mix)” and “Subha Hone Na De,” choreographed by Shivani Sethi ’12. The audience welcomed the dance with raucous applause. The show continued with beautiful rendition of “Song for Yangtze River” by soloist Billy Ji ’15. Despite being sung in Chinese, the song successfully conveyed a subtle eloquence in both the voice of Ji and the lyrics he sang that transcended language barriers. Ji was followed by four traditional dances: Indian, Palestinian, Scottish and Irish. The latter performance was reminiscent of shows by The Riverdance Company, full of high energy, curly blond hair and a little bit of moon walking. The Irish dance was followed by one of the more intriguing performances of the night, a duet performed to an Indian arrangement. The couple mesmerized the audience with their alluring hand motions and impressive ability to spin rapidly without becoming visibly nauseated. However, by far the most comical, and arguably memorable, performance was delivered by Alex Kirstukas ’14, who belted out the lyrics of “I Got It From Agnes,” an old British song by Tom Lehrer about contracting venereal diseases from acquaintances. To conclude his number Kirstukas jumped into the crowd and very deliberately pointed to a male audience member shouting, “Who gave it to you?” The second half of the evening commenced with a few energetic drumming numbers by Taiko Club. The audience was transported from Japan to England by a cover of British singer/songwriter Adele. Rachel Zhang ’15 and Dea Jessica ’15 beautifully crooned a very eloquent version of “Daydreamer.” The final highlight of the evening came in the form of a jazzy, timeless rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Girl from Ipanema” by a group of six St. Olaf musicians, including a pianist, drummer, bassist, two guitarists and a lead vocal singer. The gamut of performances is evidenced in senior Ikram Irfanullah’s sentiments about the tradition. “I really like International Night because of how many people get involved,” he said. “It’s a great chance to learn about the different cultures represented at St. Olaf as students come together to organize, perform, cook and watch. It’s also cool to see the different talents and interests your peers have.” friedell@stolaf.edu
March Madness shouldn’t only apply to college basketball. In the past couple of weeks, with the warming of the weather, I’ve seen students trade in their jackets to show off more skin and make a statement that they are on the prowl. March offers paths for students to express their sexuality to its fullest. The month starts with the second week of Lent, a season that often gives the modern person an excuse to chastise themselves for over a month. The idea of ever willingly abandoning chocolate aphrodisiacs (or even worse, sex itself!) and oppressing bursting sensual thoughts for 40 days seems a dangerous feat for any college student. Men wake constantly with wet sheets, while women become hot at the warm spring breeze. I tend to go for more positive versions of reinforcement. Instead of giving up sex, why not be more sexually aware of your partner’s needs? Give them the chance to lie back and admire your work. Or, even better, ask them specifically what they want from an intimate relationship and try to improve upon it. Even if you’re not in a relationship, you can still experiment with pleasing yourself and others sensually. Start giving people compliments for something they’ve done or for the way they look any given day. Also, I often find a good wink can make anyone’s heart flutter when done at the right time. Instead of taking away, try adding something good into the life of those around you. If, somehow, you have made it past the first four weeks of Lent without “doing the deed,” chances are you didn’t attend Drag Ball last Friday. After leaving the Pause that night, the current in my head ran wild with sexual disorientation and desires. Girls dressed with more convincing masculinity than I sometime can create made out with each other. Meanwhile, guys in skirts and eyeliner would grind-up-on-it like backup dancers in a Beyonce music video. Released from society’s normal restrictions, students finally expressed their curiosities with salacious enthusiasm. I am impressed not only by the behavior of our Norwegian-rooted campus, but also by the immense student body turnout to such an eccentric event. The LGBTQ community, albeit vigorous in publicity, is underrepresented on campus, but the fact that students of all diverse backgrounds were able to celebrate under a reign of glitter and multicolored wigs perpetuates an important message. So, great, you’ve made it this far, but with spring break just hours away, how much longer will you last? For many, spring break is the ultimate chance to escape to an exotic location for a proper vacation before finals arrive. As I experienced from my interim trip, a hook-up abroad can be an exhilarating adventure with practiced discretion. Although, road trips and travel plans with friends can quickly turn into troublesome situations as couples pair off with romantic intent. It’s a deserved outlet for enjoyment to be flirtatious over your spring break, though, if you’re with other people, make sure to devote some attention to them as well. The loner stuck back at home, however, enjoys just as much opportunity. He learns to give his right hand a break and enjoy the vacation reconnecting with those distanced through college. Hooking up with old high school flings can be a great relief as long as no strings are attached when you head back to the Hill. Getting into a relationship over break invites the chance of an increased stress level to manage a long-distance relationship while heading into finals. When school starts up and March comes to an end, hopefully we’ve all encountered a cure for our spring fever, or else set a decent pace of sexual excitement to continue through the remainder of the year. March challenges the general level of libido on campus; still, students should approach those fresh feelings with strong arousal. To submit questions, comments or concerns to the sex columnist, e-mail sexcolumnist@stolaf.edu.
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Entertainment
March 16, 2012
MANITOU MESSENGER
‘Miss Representation’ overlooks the diversity of depiction By Sarah McGivern Arts and Entertainment Editor
women must endure on the path to power in a society dominated by white male privilege. In contrast to the cameos of such “real” women, the film also compiles shocking images of the objectification of women through commercial marketing and creative media. Advertisements featuring violence against women and film clips of female protagonists whose only concern is to land a man are salient examples of how the media has become overrun with images that trivialize and objectify women. However, the film seems to create a somewhat unbalanced juxtaposition by splicing these images of the media’s ubiquitous cultural disempowerment of women with the authentic stories of female figures who have “made it.” By creating a dichotomy between “real” women – powerful members of society who are resilient even in the face of obstacles – and the media’s misrepresentation of women as one-dimensional, sexualized objects, the film overlooks the fundamental
Last Thursday, March 8, the Tomson Hall auditorium grew packed with students and community members eager to view the film “Miss Representation” in celebration of International Women’s Day. The screening of the documentary, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and a postshow panel discussion were co-sponsored by St. Olaf’s women’s studies, film studies, media studies, social work and family studies departments and the Wellness Center. The League of Women Voters of Northfield and Cannon Falls supported the event. According to the documentary’s official website, the purpose of “Miss Representation” is to examine how “the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.” The film includes personal stories from women including Katie Couric, Condoleezza Rice and Rachel Maddow, and it explores the fundamental problem facing young women today – “You can’t be what you can’t see.” “Miss Representation” contrasts the negative images of women in the media with the “real life” examples of powerful female leaders. The film also brings to light the lived struggles of women in such positions. In one scene, Nancy Pelosi describes facing questions of who would care for her children upon her election as Speaker of the House. As Pelosi notes, the chances of her male colleagues being asked the same question are seemingly improbable. Similarly, news reporter Katie Couric discusses being pitted against fellow reporter Diane Sawyer throughout her career. These stories contribute to a deeper understanding of what KATIE LAUER/MANITOU MESSENGER
Get Tickets NOW The Cults will be playing on the mainstage at First Avenue on Monday, Apr. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are a mere $13 and the show is an ample opportunity to “Go Outside” the city of Northfield. Recommended Read The book “Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains” by Nicholas Carr. The title is fairly self-explanatory, but the content is fascinating. Song Recommendations “Soul and Body” by Air Dubai Start Thinking... April 1 is approaching quickly, so start brainstorming your elaborate schemes whilst on spring break, and/or begin preparing for others’ pranks . . . Website of the Week Is our five-star Caf not enough for you? Check out www.foodgawker.com to get your fill of “food porn” photos of all kinds - from delectable cheesecakes to innovate and fresh salads. And the best part? You can click on any photo to go straight to a recipe - great for perfecting your cooking skills over break.
need for a more diverse understanding of women. Ideally, this shift would take place in the representation of women in both the media and the larger cultural understanding of women. Rather than simply encouraging greater media literacy among youth or offering only counterexamples of strong female political figures in society, we must broaden and diversify how women are represented in both the media and America’s larger collective conscience. Just as women should not be portrayed in the media as only buxom playthings, they also do not exist in reality as only pantsuit-wearing political figures. This differentiation is necessary not only for the symbolic power of women, but also to demonstrate how women as individuals vary in personality, ideology and experience. Presumably, it is this diversity of representation that female writer Diablo Cody refers to during an interview with New York Magazine earlier this year. In the film,
By Wyatt Engl Staff Writer
I love Bruce Springsteen for two reasons. First, his latest album, Wrecking Ball, managed to finally knock everyone’s favorite stuck-up Brit off the top the Billboard album chart. Maybe people can finally shut up about Adele for a few days. She’s really not doing anything remotely new, and in interviews, she comes off as impressively self-absorbed and egomaniacal. Let’s not forget about that incident at the Brit awards, and I should shove it ’cuz no one cares. Seriously though, I should write about why pop divas are boring and in somewhat cases just outright awful.
“Young Adult,” Cody creates a female protagonist who is largely unlikeable. Cody says of her character, “I believe in just having as many representations as possible of women onscreen . . . good, bad, shitty, whatever. There just needs to be volume.” And herein lies what perhaps ought to be the official purpose of “Miss Representation” – to broaden our collective understanding and representation of women as a diverse group of individuals. Certainly, depictions of women as heterosexual or homosexual, politically powerful or environmentally apathetic, contemptibly pathetic or compellingly pitiable, are all representations that young women must see. It is through such diversity of representation that women become not only seen as role models for current generations, but also heard for their individual experiences and voices. mcgivern@stolaf.edu
is just pandering to modern trends. Some tracks even graft a vague hip-hop undercurrent onto their lush arrangements. He also successfully infused his sound with traditional celtic instrumentation and soaring gospel-style backing vocals. In the past, my beef with Springsteen has been not that he isn’t a wonderful songwriter and musician, but that he has tried so hard to show his working class stripes that he forgets to make his music fun. Thankfully, that is not an issue on Wrecking Ball. His songs are upbeat, short, and catchy and don’t get bogged down in the sludgy earnestness that suffocates his early ballads. The rollicking “We Take Care of Our Own” gets things off to a fiery start that establishes Springsteen’s new musical direction and his vision of a progressive America. Some critics have written the song of as “jingoistic” but they are idiots. Pride for one’s country is not the same thing as jingoism, and besides, it wouldn’t be a Bruce Springsteen album without an ode to the U.S.A. An additional highlight is “Land of Hope and Dreams,” yet another ode to working class America, featuring a sax solo by the late Clarence Clemons and serving as a great lead-in to the album’s coda, “We Are Alive.”
engl@stolaf.edu
But, I digress. Springsteen is in that elite pantheon of artists who are unquestionably legends, and have long ago earned the right to do whatever they damn well please. I also love Springsteen because after all these years he is still cranking out albums like he’s just getting warmed up and still has to prove himself to the world. And here’s the kicker – his new albums hold up to his classics like Born to Run and The River. Wrecking Ball is notable because it was recorded without the E Street Band. Sure, various play on a handful of tracks, but this is a very solo effort by Springsteen. Also, the death of Clarence Clemons leaves a massive hole that Bruce wisely makes no attempt to fill. What makes Wrecking Ball great is that Springsteen manages to update his sound without sounding like he
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Sports
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March 16, 2012
MANITOU MESSENGER
Tennis alums share fond memories
Past players look back on school and sports, offer advice By Alana Patrick Sports Editor The St. Olaf men’s tennis team challenged Ole alums in their annual alumni game at Skoglund fieldhouse on March 10. The event was lighthearted, ending with pizza and soda for all participants. Meanwhile, alumni of all decades were celebrated – from Dick Kleber ’55 to Erik Brekke ’08. Some brought wives and children; all brought enthusiasm for the tennis team and their alma mater. Below, four of these individuals share stories from their past and offer advice for Ole athletes today. Name: Karl Wilbur ’02 Major: Economics Today: Sales director at the YMCA Most memorable moment as an Ole tennis player: “We went on a trip to Hawaii for spring break my junior year. We played the University of Hawaii and a few other schools. It was fun having the whole team there, we really bonded.” How St. Olaf has changed: “The new gym is
nice. We didn’t have a wind turbine before.” Advice for current Ole athletes: “Enjoy your time. You are making friends for life. I still keep in touch with people from the tennis team.” Name: Dick Kleber ’55 Major: Math Today: Retired St. Olaf math professor (taught 1960 – 1996) Most memorable moment as an Ole tennis player: “My most memorable moment was when I was a first year. We were playing Carleton on an old dirt court near where the theater building is now. We played six singles and three doubles. We were down 3-4 with the number one and number two doubles teams yet to play. I was playing number one doubles. Both matches went to three sets. We won both within one point. To top it off there had been a faculty-student softball game that had ended nearby, so there was a huge crowd to see us beat Carleton 5-4. How St. Olaf has changed: “When I came back to teach math in 1960, there were four
professors in the math department, including me. I was the only one with a Ph.D. I taught every advanced course in the math department. In the 1980s, we had 19 full-time math professors. The math department had changed dramatically. It grew and grew and grew and still is growing today. Advice for current Ole athletes: “Enjoy your time getting to know your teammates because that will stick with you. I suppose, being a former professor, I also have to say don’t fall away from your schoolwork.” Name: Erik Brekke ’08 Major: Economics and statistics Today: Financial analyst at U.S. Bank Most memorable moment as an Ole tennis player: “During pregame warm-ups, I’d bring a lawn chair out on the court, read ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ and heckle my teammates. It made for fun bonding times at matches.” How St. Olaf has changed: “The facilities have gotten a lot nicer, especially the new science center. The old science center [now Tomson Hall] has been revamped. The people seem pretty similar. All are very friendly.” Advice for current Ole athletes: “Appreciate the time you have here.”
Name: Chris Martin ’99 Major: Economics Today: Accountant at Pricewaterhouse Coopers Most memorable moment as an Ole tennis player: “The spring break trips that we would go on. We went to Hawaii, South Carolina and southern California. They were good bonding experiences with the team, hanging out and playing tennis.” How St. Olaf has changed: “There are more new buildings. The new athletic center is awesome. However, even though the campus changes, the people do not. There is still the same camaraderie and Ole spirit.” Advice for current Ole athletes: “Enjoy the matches and practices that you have. Write down or video EBRU YAYLA/MANITOU MESSENGER the stories that happen. At the time, Two St. Olaf alumni pose during the annual alumni game at Skoglund Fieldhouse on March 10. The day was lighthearted, ending in pizza and soda for all participants. Though new they might seem memorable, but buildings have gone up, most alums insist that the Ole spirit remains the same. you’ll forget them and want to remember them later.”
Timmerman wrestles to second All-America honor
By Alana Patrick Sports Editor
Wrestler Ryan Timmerman ’12 finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Championships in La Crosse, Wis. on March 9 and 10. In the quarterfinal round on Friday, 141pound Timmerman defeated Augsburg’s Will Keeter and William College’s Ces Antista with scores of 8-4 and 6-5, respec-
ST. OLAF SCHEDULE
Baseball Edgewood College @ Auburndale, Fla. on March 17 Softball Hamilton College @ Fort Meyer, Fla. on March 17 Men’s Tennis Concordia (Wis.) @ Hilton Head Island, S.C. on March 19
ST. OLAF SCOREBOARD Team
Result
Date
Men’s Alpine USCSA 3rd/20 Skiing Championships
3/43/11
Women’s USCSA 5th/19 Alpine Skiing Championships
3/43/11
Baseball
Women’s Tennis
Opponent/ Tournament
Wartburg College
L 2-9, L 1-4
3/13
Luther College W 6-3
3/10
tively. These wins qualified Timmerman for the semifinal round on Saturday, in which he was pegged against top seed Bebeto Yewah of UW-La Crosse. After losing 15-7 to Yewah, Timmerman rallied to beat his next opponent, North Central’s Andrew Zobac, by a score of 4-0. This win advanced Timmerman to the third place match, where he once again faced off against Keeter. This time, Keeter came out victorious, defeating Timmerman 9-2. Timmerman, who placed third at the NCAA Championship last season, was awarded his second straight All-America honor. St. Olaf wrestlers James Roach ’14 and
Jacob Bohler ’13 also qualified for the tournament. In his first bout, 174-pound Roach defeated sixth-seeded Logan Einerson of Dubuque, Iowa. Despite this initial upset, Roach went on to lose his next two matches to Ohio Northern’s Kyle Kwiat and Augustana’s Jordan Richardson. Bohler, a 157-pound junior, lost his first two matches, falling to The College of New Jersey’s John Darling in the opening round followed by Ohio Northern’s Michael Lechter. The Ole team will graduate four seniors this spring, including Timmerman. patrick@stolaf.edu
Get to know tennis standout Muller NAME: Christine Muller ’12 SPORT: Tennis HOMETOWN: Shoreview, Minn. HIGH SCHOOL: Mounds View High School MAJOR: Math WHY I CAME TO ST. OLAF: The food of course! TENNIS HISTORY: I’ve played since I was little and played for Mounds View High School from seventh grade on. PRE-CONTEST RITUAL: Listen to sophomore Liz Eggert’s pump up CDs on the bus FAVORITE SPORTS MOVIE: “The Blind Side” RANDOM FACT: I really like ketchup. FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE: Roger Federer THREE FAMOUS PERSONALITIES I’D INVITE TO DINNER: Ricky Rubio, Roger Federer and Kevin Garnett FAVORITE BOOK: “Harry Potter” FAVORITE SPORT OTHER THAN TENNIS: Basketball FAVORITE RESTAURANT: The Tavern FAVORITE TV SHOW: “Modern Family” BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
ATHLETICS: There is a better balance between athletics and academics. Another difference is Coach Scott Nesbit’s positive and energetic coaching style.
Muller ’12 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AS AN OLE ATHLETE: Defeating Carleton two years in a row in the MIAC playoffs (after losing to them both times during the regular season) to earn second place in the MIAC PLANS AFTER OLAF: Working for United Health Group in an actuarial position
KATIE LAUER/MANITOU MESSENGER
Paying for pain: Saints’ bounty controversy
By Jordan Hiller Contributing Writer
On March 2, it was revealed that a significant portion of the New Orleans Saints’ defensive players had participated in a “pay for performance” program that included payments for hits that injured opposing players. The program had been created and administered by the Saints’ then defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, from 2009 to 2011. Significant fines and penalties are expected to be placed onto the Saints players and officials. One may wonder, though, whether these fines and penalties will be enough. During the period in which the bounty system was active, the Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009 and made the playoffs in both 2010 and 2011. Furthermore, it has been indicated that Williams may have instated similar programs in some of his previous teams, including the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills. Players that were potentially negatively affected by Williams’ program include the Minnesota Vikings’ Brett Favre and the Indianapolis Colts’ Peyton Manning, to name a few. A scandal isn’t new to sports. Doping has been a major source of scandal for years, with many athletes being found to have used drugs to gain an advantage, with the latest accusation being levied against the winner of seven consecutive Tour de France’s, Lance Armstrong. Previous athletes accused and/or convicted of doping include Olympians Ben Johnson and Marion Jones, baseball players Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jose Conseco and Alex Rodriguez, as well as NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman. In 2007, it was found that the New England Patriots had been spying on other teams’ signals during games to gain an advantage on defense. What makes the bounty system that Williams and the Saints instated different from doping and from stealing of signals is that it is supposed to result in the injury of other human beings. This doesn’t just affect the wins and losses that go on the permanent record; it affects the players that are the victims of the system for potentially the rest of their lives. The Saints, along with any other team that has allowed such a program to exist, has essentially told their players that wins are more important than people. It is true that football is a brutal sport with a high chance of injury, but that doesn’t justify intentional injury. If a player on one football squad were to intentionally injure a player on another squad off the field, this would be considered a crime. Treating it as another part of the game simply makes a mockery of the skill and effort that the majority of the players and coaches bring to the game. The failure of Saints Head Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis to shut down the program condemns them to placing wins and profit over basic humanity. Any wins that the Saints had and any other teams that have used bounty systems are tainted by those systems. Systems and attitudes such as those taken by Williams and the Saints organization do not benefit any business or organization. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that all of those involved will face severe penalties including fines and suspensions for individual coaches and players, while the Saints’ organization may be stripped of draft picks. The NFL must punish everyone involved to the fullest extent that the situation demands. Any further violators must be prevented from creating a program similar to this which rewards players for deliberately injuring another player in an already injury-prone game. hiller@stolaf.edu
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News MANITOU MESSENGER
March 16, 2012
Amnesty International demonstrates class issues in food
By Ben Taylor Staff Writer
EBRU YAYLA/MANITOU MESSENGER
Students passing through Crossroads paused to examine a display set up by GLOW during their Pride Week celebration on Thursday, March 8. People were invited to draw a line to show the relationship between the gender they identify with and the gender they express.
Pride Week entertains, informs By Stephanie Jones News Editor
The week of March 5 through 9, the leaders of Gay, Lesbian, or Whatever! (GLOW!) provided a multitude of entertaining opportunities for the community as a whole to become more informed about and comfortable with gender identities. An annual event, this year’s Pride Week included established favorites like Drag Ball as well as presentations on relatively unfamiliar topics like asexuality. “Personally, I found two events to be just spectacular outside of Drag Ball, which is always fabulous,” said Katie Barnes ’13, a GLOW! coordinator. “‘Asexuality 101’ was presented by Chella Jagaraj ’14, a member of the St. Olaf Queer Support & Outreach house. A criticism of GLOW! is that we, as an organization, do not focus on less discussed topics. This event was one where, if attended, the most content was learned. [Jagaraj] did such a great job conveying the information, being humorous without detracting from the educational focus.” For a fresh perspective on public impressions of LGBTQA citizens, GLOW! sponsored a guest from Duluth. Speaker and author Natalie Klueg led a workshop entitled “Are You Queer Enough?”. “She’s hilarious!” Barnes said. “The presentation focused on queer stereotypes, images of the movement and how that affects what we do as youth. The conversation she started was one that many members of GLOW! have commented was worth noting in reconsidering how we, as individuals and an organization, could always be more conscious of what we say and do and how that affects others.” Those who attended “Asexuality 101” and “Are You Queer Enough?” certainly received a great amount of clear, organized information about the topics at hand. However, Barnes also believes that the more raucous atmosphere of Drag Ball is also a meaningful component of the week in its own way. “I think there is more to Drag Ball than the typical ‘let’s go to a Pause Dance’ attitude,” Barnes said. “It’s an opportunity for people to be who they want to be or be who they are, and I think the student body is receptive to that. For members of the LGBTQA population on this campus, it’s one of the most affirming and welcoming nights.” However, Barnes emphasizes that the benefits of this experience were not restricted to only LGBTQA students, but that their straight peers also gain something important. “For those who do not identify with the queer and allied population, it’s a night of no assumptions where gender, identity, and sexuality are bent consistently,” she said. “I
think people underestimate how affirming that is for the entire community and not just those who identify as queer or as allies.” In order to reach the broadest possible audience, GLOW! made sure to take advantage of St. Olaf ’s many platforms for expression. One particularly important venue was chapel time on Thursday March 8, where Barnes explained to her audience that the meaning of “Pride” goes far beyond colorful demonstrations. “As the speaker for this year’s Pride, my personal motivation for the talk was to break down Pride in a way that would be meaningful for the LGBTQA & allied community as well as those people of faith who would be in attendance,” Barnes said. “I think too often Pride is just seen as rainbows and glitter. While that is a big part of it (it is a celebration after all), it is more than that, which was what I tried to convey through the message delivered that day.” While GLOW! provided opportunities for students to hear new perspectives, the conversation was not one-sided. Attendees of the various workshops had a chance to ask questions and comment, and a celebration during community time in Crossroads allowed for less structured discussion. Papers hung in hallways provided an anonymous forum for students to voice their thoughts, and though some expressed animosity, the overall tone was still largely positive. “This campus is overwhelmingly accepting for the most part,” Barnes said. “There were a couple of comments that made me sigh, but they were by and large quite affirming. One that stood out was the comment about ‘perversions’ and the immorality of LGBT parenting, but that was really the only overwhelming negative comment.” Though some issues surrounding the LGBTQA community still provoke controversy, Barnes believes that this makes times like Pride Week that encourage dialogue all the more important. “Personally, I think people are entitled to their own opinion. Clearly we differ, and I vehemently disagree with negative statements and judgments upon my character by unqualified individuals, but more smiles came from those comments than frowns, and that’s what matters.” Those interested in becoming more involved with St. Olaf ’s network of LGBTQA students and their allies can contact the GLOW! coordinators at glow@stolaf.edu. Weekly meetings are at 8 p.m. every Wednesday in the Valhalla room.
On Tuesday, March 13, 50 St. Olaf students crowded into Trollhaugen to participate in the Hunger Banquet, sponsored by St. Olaf ’s Amnesty International. Maria Ward ’12, an organizer of the event, began the evening by explaining why it is important to be aware of food as a human right. “A child dies from hunger every four seconds. Two-and-a-half million people live in poverty,” Ward said. She listed several other facts concerning hunger and its connection to poverty before switching her tone and speaking directly to those gathered. “Everyone everywhere has the right to live with dignity.” The members of Amnesty International hoped that the banquet would raise awareness of this right to dignity and food. As Ward explained, the types of food students would eat and the amount they would receive would serve “as a metaphor for how food is proportioned around the world.” Denzel Belin ’15 participated in the event “because at Olaf, we live in a privileged bubble,” he said. He explained that he felt such issues were not addressed as often as they needed to be because students did not necessarily think these issues related to them. Sijia Wei ’13 echoed Belin’s thoughts and added that her interest in a career in global health attracted her to the banquet. “Poverty is a big factor in global health, especially in developing countries,” she said. This was the connection that Amnesty International was hoping to make for students explained Kate Hellie ’12, chair of St. Olaf ’s Amnesty International. “We want to raise awareness of the connection between poverty and human rights,” she explained. To enforce this concept, students were separated at random into the low-income, middle-income or upper-income groups. Students received different amounts of food based on their income level. Those in the wealthy group were served a pasta dinner with desert included, while those at the very bottom could only have a small cup of rice and an equally small cup of water. Student reactions varied slightly depending on the group they found themselves in, but a common theme among those eating the pasta dinner was a sense of guilt. Kirsten Overdahl ’15 described the event as “very guilt inducing.” Cassie Paulsen ’15 agreed with Overdahl
adding, “What is the probability of drawing that card? And then everyone is staring at you.” Paul Drees '13 was also in the upperincome group. He noticed that no one in his group had offered any of their food to anyone else in the middle or lower tier. “I think this has to do with the bystander effect,” he said. “Everybody expects somebody else to do it.” Students in the lower classes consistently mentioned expecting to feel hungry and that they would probably get a snack later that night. Katherine Lewiston ’13 was shocked to learn that the cutoff for the global upper income group was $12,000. “I think of my family as middle class,” she said. Lewiston was surprised at how little money it took to be part of the upper income group and that only 15% of the world qualified. “There is such a huge inequity,” she said about the other 85 percent. “I think it is difficult to know where to start.” Geoff Delperdang ’12 shared Lewiston’s surprise, but felt the event’s message was slightly diminished by the availability of food to the students as soon as they left. “We know we are going to have at least 17 meals this week,” he said. “You know you can get food.” Paulsen added, “Everyone at the table assumed they were middle class, but in a global context, we have so much. The global middle income is considered poverty in our mindset. We do not even think of that as a livable income.” Ward hoped that the hunger banquet would help students make the connections between poverty and the unequal distribution of power. “There are five empty homes in America for every homeless person,” she told those gathered. “That shocks me. That makes me angry.” The hunger banquet was part of Amnesty International’s “Demand Dignity Week.” To accompany this event, on Wednesday, March 14, the organization showed “Dead Mums Don’t Cry,” a film investigating why more than half a million woman die every year in pregnancy and childbirth. The final event will be a letter writing campaign in Buntrock on Thursday, March 15 during community time. taylorb@stolaf.edu
COURTESY OF MARIA WARD
joness@stolaf.edu
Hunger banquet participants in the foreground of this photo ate a full meal with multiple courses; those on the floor received only a small portion of rice and water. Amnesty International organized the event to raise awareness about the extent of hunger.
Peace - Years of international service have lifelong impacts for participants Continued from A1 Olaf when they decided, separately, that they wanted to go into the Peace Corps following graduation. This became a bigger decision than it originally appears, as many of the countries linked with the Peace Corps would not allow them to serve together unless they were married. They tied the knot over spring break their senior year and traveled to Kiribati (also known as the Gilbert Islands). Rahman spent much of his time on the island constructing a library, while Jurgensun worked with new mothers and their babies. Both stressed the transformative quality of their experience on their view of the globe and of life in America. “It changed
my world view; it made the world smaller to me,” Jurgensun said. “We are all people, and it is by the luck of the draw where we are born and how we get to live.” Munson, who was stationed in Venezuela working with rural community development, testified that everything that followed in his life was due in part to his experience in the Peace Corps. After his return he was able to find work in the Red Cross, as the only Spanish speaker in the program in Minneapolis during his time. “When you come back, the world is still wide open to you,” Munson said. “Everything really sprang forward from the Peace Corps.” All of the speakers emphasized the fact that students should understand that by volunteering in the Peace Corps they would be able to change the world, even if it was
in small ways. “Our objective was to give a variety of perspectives by including panelists from different generations who had worked in a wide range of projects and countries,” O’Conner said. “My hope is that those who came to listen to the panel left with a better sense of how Peace Corps volunteers experienced their service at the individual level, since those experiences paint a more personal and nuanced picture of the rewards and challenges of fulfilling such a commitment.” The students in attendance found the panel to be informative and insightful. Many were glad to get more concrete information about the entire experience that they could expect. “I’ve been thinking about doing the Peace
Corps after I graduate and had been on the website which was very vague,” Vicki Anton ’14 said. “It was nice to get some faces and hear some personal stories. It was very helpful.” Other students appreciated the fact that the panel provided a very diverse range of experiences and views. “It was nice to hear from multiple generations to hear the differences and similarities in the program over the years,” Liz Brindley ’15 said. For more information on the Peace Corps, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov. lohmanna@stolaf.edu
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Thomas Carruthers
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March 16, 2012
MANITOU MESSENGER
LOVE Language of
By Kathryn Haggstrom Staff Writer
There is something rewarding about making an impact on someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; about helping to shape the course of a future. But the where and how of volunteering are always challenging. Where are the opportunities to make a difference in the world? How do you know what is a right fit for you? How do you even start looking? Royal Gamber â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 and Daniel Elchert â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 were sitting at a coffee shop in Seoul, South Korea, during their Global Semester abroad when an answer struck them. They could create a trustworthy online resource for fellow Oles. This is how Ole English Abroad was born. Check out the site for yourself at oleenglishabroad.wordpress. com. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While in the coffee shop, we concluded that our conversations with Ole English teachers in China and South Korea made us feel more informed, and therefore prepared to teach abroad,â&#x20AC;? Elchert said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We figured that other St. Olaf students would benefit from this input so we decided to do something about it.â&#x20AC;? It can be hard to find reputable sources for job hunting, especially for teaching in another country. Ole English Abroad is a site dedicated to Oles who want to teach English in a foreign country. The website uses a â&#x20AC;&#x153;quantity over quality approachâ&#x20AC;? meaning that while the listed programs are limited, the descriptions are thorough and accompanied by Ole testimonials. A testimonial from a fellow Ole â&#x20AC;&#x153;fosters communication between students and alumni and assures interested teachers that someone of similar academic preparedness has succeeded in that specific position,â&#x20AC;? Elchert said. Joining the St. Olaf community creates a sense of loyalty and commitment to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fellow students that still exists long after graduation. Encountering any Ole out in the real world is like running into an old friend â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this campus instills a strong connection between Oles. Elchert and Gamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog is a way to use those connections. It lets Oles explore teaching English as a post-graduation plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I recognize that finding employment
after graduation can be difficult,â&#x20AC;? Elchert said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel that teaching English abroad is a great post-graduation plan that many students overlook.â&#x20AC;? Currently teaching jobs are posted for Tanzania, Spain, France, China, South Korea, Germany and Thailand. Elchert also hopes to post information about Georgia soon. Co-creator Gamber is currently teaching English in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Elchert works as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow in Northfield. Each country has a description of the program which is a direct quote from an Ole who experienced it firsthand. There is also information about how to apply to the programs. However, Elchert urges those interested to contact the alums in person. To learn about new jobs to add to the site, Elchert and the blog managers actively search through the St. Olaf directories and email those who have taught English abroad. Anytime they receive new information about the program, they update the site in order to keep it current and maintain its trustworthiness. Elchert and Gamber have also created a Facebook page called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ole English Abroad.â&#x20AC;? This venue caters to Oles who may feel too nervous to email an alumnus directly. In the future, Elchert hopes that the website can continue to help Oles find the right fit. His hope is that the site will eventually become an even better free resource for Oles seeking jobs after graduation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope the website can be a student-run initiative to provide trustworthy information to current students about international English teaching positions that St. Olaf graduates have had positive experiences with,â&#x20AC;? Elchert said. The only way this site continues to be available to other Oles is through the dedication of current students here on campus. This year, two students are work-
ing with Elchert to maintain the site and keep everything up-to-date. As these â&#x20AC;&#x153;blog managersâ&#x20AC;? graduate, though, someone new will need to take their place. Ole English Abroad is looking for current first years or sophomore students to direct the website next year. Interested students should email a resume to elchertd@gmail.com by May 1. Elchert also stresses that anyone with questions about joining the staff or
alums, this blog will continue to flourish. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to visit Ole English Abroad if you have even the smallest interest in teaching English. Send an email to one of the alums featured on the blog. Who knows, maybe you will discover the perfect fit and be able to make a difference in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life in the process. haggstro@stolaf.edu
teaching English abroad should contact him via email or at 651-270-8592. With the combined efforts of current students and dedicated
Calendar of Events March 26th - March 31st Wednesday, March 28 Loudest Form of Silence 7 p.m., Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pause What is it like to be a woman of color in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society? Through poetry, song and dance, performers at this show will speak out about their experiences. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll offer personal perspectives on the trials and triumphs of life as a minority woman.
Friday - Saturday, March 30 - 31 Rhythm Project Dance Concert
7:30 p.m., Dittmann Center If you think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the beat, come check out this dance medley. Focused on intentionally rhythmic styles of music and movement, the show will feature Latin dance, hip-hop, tap and African dance. Afterwards, get ready to get your groove on in an audience and cast dance party. The Rhythm Project will also show on April 1 at 2 p.m.
Friday, March 30
Polka Dance 8 p.m., Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pause Impromptu dance parties arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite your thing? Never fear, the polka dance will be the perfect substitute. Lessons will be offered throughout the evening, and the dancing wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be limited to just polkas. Try out a waltz or a schottish as the live band accompanies your moves. The dance will also be an opportunity to interact with Northfield community members, as it is open to families and children of all ages.
Saturday, March 31 StowThrow Juggling Festival Spectacle 1 p.m., Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pause A full day of juggling and a show by renowned performer Doug Sayers will attract jugglers from Northfield and the Twin Cities area to this convention. Join them, no matter your skill level, for a free open gym in Skoglund Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather not test your own skills, you can check out the spectacle, which will also feature the band Dirty Petrov.
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