December 2, 2014

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U OF M

MINNEAPOLIS

TUESDAY

ST PAUL

DECEMBER 2, 2014

CAMPUS

Political groups shifting focus

MEN’S BASKETBALL IS MOVING ALONG WITHOUT THE GUARD.

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IMMIGRATION

Obama’s action prompts queries Since the president’s executive order on immigration, a Law School center is in high need.

BY MORGAN WOLFE mwolfe@mndaily.com

LIAM JAMES DOYLE, DAILY

Holly Santiago, a member of Grease Rag, speaks on Nov. 25 in Ford Hall about what she wears while riding her bicycle during the winter. The Minnesota Public Interest Research Group hosted the event to help students stay safe.

Student organizations that were involved with the recent elections are now taking on new initiatives. encourage students to bike safely during

BY MORGAN WOLFE mwolfe@mndaily.com

A

the winter.

fter participating in a flurry of activ-

The group has a handful of events lined

ity revolving around Election Day,

up to raise awareness on issues relating to

several political student groups at the Uni-

the environment, democracy and corporate

versity of Minnesota are regrouping and

accountability before winter break begins

shifting focus.

— including topics like healthy eating and

Some, like the University’s chapter of

staying safe on a bicycle.

the Minnesota Public Interest Research

To help students learn to bike safely,

Group, have taken up new initiatives, like

MPIRG’s environmental task force part-

bike safety. Others, like Students for a

nered with the Minneapolis Bicycle Co-

Conservative Voice, have started efforts to

alition for its “Winter Biking and Mainte-

bring high-profile speakers to campus next

nance Workshop,” said MPIRG member

semester.

Bailey Shatz-Akin.

MPIRG members say they spent many

The environmental task force is interest-

hours and dollars encouraging students

ed in working on different projects that will

to vote this year. Now, the group wants to

make biking more accessible for students,

President Barack Obama’s executive order last month to reform national immigration policy has jumpstarted demand for University of Minnesota legal services designed to aid undocumented immigrants.

The Law School’s Center for New Americans has seen a spike in legal inquiries since Obama’s Nov. 20 announcement to grant millions of unauthorized immigrants relief from deportation.

Benjamin Casper, the center’s director and a University Law School alumnus, said student employees will help educate the community about the reform and work cases involving undocumented immigrants as a result of the president’s actions.

“We are going to be a part of the mobilization to educate and prepare thousands of people in Minnesota to take advantage of [Obama’s plans],” Casper said. “It’s going to be a very large undertaking but will make a big difference.”

More than 90,000 undocumented immigrants who reside in Minnesota could be affected by Obama’s actions, which could shield about 4 million undocumented immigrants nationwide from deportation and grant them more rights.

The Law School’s Center for New Americans opened last year in anticipation of major immigration reform, Casper said. The center’s three immigration law clinics help immigrants who struggle with the legal system and can’t afford assistance.

The center’s law students work with pro bono programs from top Minnesota firms, u See CENTER Page 3

COURTS

McNeil to plead not A lid over the highway? guilty u See CHANGES Page 10

Making dreams reality, just one room at a time A nonprofit, student-led group redesigns bedrooms for kids who are critically ill, all for free.

TRANSPORTATION

SPAN OF I-35W LID

DEVELOPMENT AREA INTERSTATE LID

u See NONPROFIT Page 10

WA S

35W

HIN

GTO

NA VEN

UE

BY LOGAN WROGE lwroge@mndaily.com

SO

UTH

resolving major issues like pollution, health, climate change and equity in the area.

“I think it’s important that [the lid] happens in the future,” Johnson said, adding that he’s excited to see if developers bite into the idea.

While the proposal is intriguing to officials at the Minnesota Depar tment of Transportation, the model remains in preliminary design stages without funding and a step-by-step implementation plan, said Scott McBride, a MnDOT metro district engineer.

“If you look at all of the land that MnDOT actually owns … we have a lot of land, and that land [like I-35W] does serve as a barrier from one side of the freeway to the other,” he said. “[A] proposal like this, what it tries to do is re-stitch the fabric of the community back together.”

One of the University’s biggest

University of Minnesota basketball player Daquein McNeil plans to plead not guilty to charges that claim he assaulted his girlfriend and wants to return to school as soon as possible, his attorney said Monday.

McNeil is currently in custody after allegedly beating his girlfriend with a belt and strangling her last week. He made his first court appearance Monday afternoon.

The sophomore guard is suspended from all team activity until his case is resolved.

At the Monday cour t appearance, a judge set McNeil’s conditional bail at $30,000. That would require the player to stay away from the 900 block of Fulton Street Southeast where the alleged assault occurred, keep out of contact with his girlfriend and avoid further criminal charges, among other conditions.

Hennepin County Judge Gina Brandt told McNeil the no-contact stipulation includes a ban from social media use and attempting to contact the victim through other people.

F. Clayton Tyler, McNeil’s attorney, told reporters after the court appearance that the player would need about $3,000 in cash to make conditional bail, but raising that money would be difficult for an unemployed student-athlete.

McNeil’s next hearing is set for Jan. 5.

If he can’t come up with bail money, Tyler said he will push to move up the second hearing date.

“Any time you’re a student-athlete,

u See I-35W Page 3

u See TRIAL Page 10

TH

AVE N

UE

SO

UTH

BY LIZ ANDERSON landerson@mndaily.com

VEN ELE

Thir teen-year-old Jessica Helmbreck has battled bone cancer most of her life.

But despite constant chemotherapy sessions, she’s remained positive, surrounded by her family, friends and a redesigned room that gleams with bright pink walls and paintings of flowers and butterflies.

Jessica’s room was the first project for the University of Minnesota student group Designing Dreams, which redesigns rooms for critically ill children. This year, the team of students became a nonprofit organization to gain additional funding with the goal of changing more children’s lives.

The group started in 2012 when Designing Dreams president Lauren Cur wick wanted to combine her passion, pediatric oncology, with volunteer work.

“It’s definitely made my college experience that more enjoyable,” said Cur wick, who is now a senior. “I want to make a direct impact because there are so many volunteer opportunities, but [in] a lot of them, you aren’t able to interact and make a difference in children’s lives.”

As sophomores, Cur wick and four of her friends from the University started redesigning rooms for two children in Wisconsin, the students’ home state.

The student organization primarily funded the early redesigns through personal connections and bake sales, Cur wick said. But now as a nonprofit charitable

Daquein McNeil, a sophomore basketball player, had his first court appearance on Monday.

KEY:

CEDAR AVENUE

PHILANTHROPY

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA METROPOLITAN DESIGN CENTER

A U-designed plan would connect downtown and the West Bank.

BY JESSIE BEKKER jbekker@mndaily.com

The University of Minnesota’s Metropolitan Design Center and students in the School of Architecture have a plan to seamlessly connect downtown Minneapolis to the West Bank.

The project idea, which some city leaders are calling a lofty developmental endeavor, would plop a lid over a section of I-35W that would extend outward to span 17 acres.

The freeway cap would serve to lessen noise pollution from traffic, increase green space and create an area for development and business growth. While some transportation officials see the project as a great opportunity, some neighborhood leaders are concerned it could disrupt the community.

Mic Johnson, interim director of the University’s Metropolitan Design Center, said he sees the freeway as a barrier to

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 52

2

Daily Review

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

2001 The Enron Corporation files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a New York court, sparking one of the largest corporate scandals in U.S. history.

HISTORYCHANNEL.COM/TDIH

EAST BANK Vol. 116 Tuesday, December 2, 2014, No. 52

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A man walks down a hallway in Rapson Hall on Monday.

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT

MSA recommends dropping student representative Carrière Damien Carrière called another student group leader a “pro-war activist” in emails.

BY MOLLY MICHALETZ mmichaletz@mndaily.com

The University of Minnesota’s undergraduate student government is requesting that a student representative to the Board of Regents be removed from his position after he allegedly accused a student group leader of being part of a “hate group.”

The Minnesota Student Association filed a formal complaint against Damien

Carrière last week.

Carrière said in a series of emails to his colleagues on the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly’s executive board that the founder of a pro-Israel student group was unfit to ser ve on the school’s Student Ser vices Fees Committee.

In the emails, Carrière called Students Supporting Israel founder Ilan Sinelnikov a “pro-war activist” whose political views would keep

him from reviewing student groups’ applications for funding in an unbiased manner.

Sinelnikov, who’s applying to be the fees committee’s financial administrator, said he felt his leadership role in Students Supporting Israel and experience working to create change made him a suitable candidate.

Carrière said he stands by his statements and that he has nothing against Sinelnikov.

“The job I was asked to do by GAPSA was to advise who would and would not, in my opinion, best serve the

committee,” he said. “I’ve expressed my opinion as I was asked to do.”

Minnesota Student Association President Joelle Stangler said the group expects to hear from the University’s Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity later this week whether it will act on MSA’s complaint against Carrière.

Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Danita Brown Young said in a statement that the school is examining the issue and “will work to resolve it in a way respectful of all involved.”

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Medical pot producers Library’s seed exchange may be set; questions remain against state law

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota agriculture officials say a seed-sharing program at the Duluth library is on the wrong side of the law.

The seed exchange, one of about 300 such programs in the U.S., allows members to borrow vegetable seeds from the library in the spring and later return seeds they collect from their gardens. Program manager Carla Powers said about 200 members borrowed 800 packets of seeds in the first year of the exchange.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture caught wind of the program and has informed the library it is likely violating state seed law. Anyone who sells, trades or exchanges seeds in Minnesota must follow state rules and proper labeling. They must also pay a $50 fee and have the seeds tested to make sure they germinate, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.

“We didn’t consider ourselves to be selling seeds,” Powers said. “However, selling, in (the) Minnesota seed law, also includes free distribution or even exchange.”

Steve Malone, a supervisor in the state agency’s Plant Protection Division, said the department is working with the library to bring them into compliance with the law, which was intended to create a level playing field for seed companies and protect consumers.

“Our enforcement of this is to try to coach and bring them along, rather than just come in and blast them,” he said.

ST. PAUL — Two Twin Cities-area companies will grow and distribute marijuana for Minnesota’s medical cannabis program, state of ficials announced Monday, filling in just one of many blanks as the state gears up to provide the newly legalized treatment.

The Minnesota Depar tment of Health chose Minnesota Medical Solutions, or MinnMed, and LeafLine Labs from a field of 12 applicants, ending a weekslong selection process. Both companies are led by local physicians but will collaborate with organizations involved with medical marijuana in other states. LeafLine Labs has strong connections with the Bachman floral family — several members are co-owners.

Now, a seven-month sprint begins for the providers to get their growing facilities up and running, nail down distribution systems and register patients in time to deliver medication to Minnesotans star ting July 1.

“There cer tainly is plenty of work ahead before we see medical cannabis products available in Minnesota,” Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger said.

But many questions remain. Among them: • How many patients will register and where do they live? The Minnesota Department of Health thinks they’ll have about 5,000 patients, but it could be as many as 15,000, according to other department estimates.

• Will the state eventually add intractable pain to the limited conditions such as cancer, HIV and AIDS that currently qualify for the program? That could multiply the patient pool.

Monitoring travelers for Ebola challenges officials

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PAUL — It’s been five weeks since Minnesota began monitoring travelers arriving from Ebola-affected countries, and none of the 120 people screened so far has developed symptoms of the virus. And all have been deemed low-risk.

But that doesn’t mean the task has been easy.

The effort has been timeconsuming and sometimes complicated by language barriers or bad contact information, public health officials told Minnesota Public Radio.

On the positive side: most people have willingly cooperated with the monitoring, said David Johnson, supervisor of epidemiology in Hennepin County, home

to much of Minnesota’s Liberian-American population.

“They’re there at the phone waiting for our call and so we really appreciate it,” said Johnson, whose public health of fice has monitored about 70 percent of the travelers. “That’s made our jobs just that much easier because of that cooperation.”

Minnesota’s program was set up to make it easier to trace and quickly contain possible Ebola cases in the U.S. Travelers arriving from Ebola-infected West African countries are asked to provide contact information so they can be monitored at their destination for 21 days — the incubation period for Ebola in a person.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

3

The ‘bridge’ between locals and police Crime Prevention Specialist Carla Nielson was recognized for fostering relationships in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

BY BARRY LY TTON blytton@mndaily.com

From Carla Nielson’s desk in the West Bank Safety Center — where she sits almost every day of the week — venetian blinds are the only obstacle to a perfect view of a busy playground just outside.

And during Nielson’s breaks, she sometimes leaves the Riverside Plaza “F” Building to spend time pushing kids on the swings.

Nielson, a crime prevention specialist for the Minneapolis Police Department, was recognized last month for the close relationships she’s built with the Cedar-Riverside community — the area she serves.

She said she was surprised to be one of the 15 people awarded with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Of fice’s Community Leadership Award, and she believes her work has just begun.

Nielson described her position as a “bridge builder” between various West Bank community groups and law enforcement. She said she encounters four to seven languages on a daily basis and interacts with community members of all races, ages and backgrounds.

“Many don’t know quite what to call me, so I’m the ‘safety lady,’ ” she said.

“ ‘ Police lady’ is sometimes what the kids will call me.”

Though on the job Nielson wears floral scar ves in lieu of a badge, she said she works closely with sworn of ficers, calling them in when necessary.

While many American citizens are familiar with the role of law enforcement, she said, some recent immigrants in Cedar-Riverside’s “global village” need reassurance.

“For individuals that are coming from war-torn countries where the police were easily bought off, it takes a while to learn that that’s not what law enforcement is in the United States,” she said.

So, Nielson said, her job often involves helping immigrants and community members learn how to handle a parking ticket or what to do when their car is towed.

Gail Baez, a senior attorney for Hennepin County, said she has known Nielson for nearly 13 years and that her colleague’s tenderheartedness sets her apart.

“She is a ver y compassionate person; she’s not somebody who is just doing her job,” Baez said. “She really does care.”

Nielson said she has taken two courses on Islam at the University of St. Thomas and has learned “hello” and “thank you” in almost every language she has come across during her

CORA NELSON, DAILY

Crime Prevention Specialist Carla Nielson poses at the West Bank Safety Center on Wednesday afternoon. Nielson recently received the 2014 Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Community Leadership Award.

two years as a crime prevention specialist in CedarRiverside.

“She takes it upon herself to learn, and it’s not just an academic learning, but it’s a desire to get to know what people are really like,” Baez said.

Metro Transit Captain Michael LaVine said Nielson is reputed for her dedication to serving the area.

Man arrested after taking swings at Green Line car Also, police saw an assault on campus Sunday after the Vikings game.

BY NICK WICKER nwicker@mndaily.com

An unusual crime punctuated an expectedly quiet Thanksgiving break for campus police, said University police Deputy Chief Chuck Miner.

At about 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Miner said, University police witnessed a man waving his arms as he walked down Huron Boulevard Southeast.

He said the man “had his arms out like a bird” and was “walking with a swagger that appeared as if he wanted all traffic to stop behind him.”

From time to time, the man would stick his thumb out like a hitchhiker, Miner said, until the Green Line light rail forced him to stop

at the intersection of Washington Avenue Southeast and Huron Boulevard Southeast.

As the last train car passed the man on the tracks, he swung with his right arm and hit the train, then lifted his arms “as if he was upset that the train was blocking his walking path,” Miner said.

University of ficers watched as these events unfolded and approached the man. He quickly became resistant to the of ficers, who smelled alcohol on his breath, Miner said.

Police at the scene arrested him for obstruction of the legal process and disorderly conduct and booked the man at the Hennepin County Jail, according to a police report.

Couple’s argument leads to violence

A University student and her boyfriend — who is not af filiated with the University — were

interr upted during an argument as they walked along Oak Street Southeast after the Minnesota Vikings game Sunday afternoon, Miner said.

Behind them, a pair of brothers listened to the exchange and decided to inter vene, he said.

One of the men, age 35, assaulted the boyfriend, Miner said, adding that police saw the brother kick the man on the ground.

The victim lost consciousness, and he was brought to the hospital by an ambulance, Miner said.

A passerby and witness of the incident was a nurse who administered first aid to the victim until the ambulance arrived, Miner said.

According to a police repor t, the male suspect was arrested by UMPD officers on site and booked at the Hennepin County Jail for third-degree assault.

Designers plan out lid over I-35W I-35W u from Page 1

suppor ters is the Minneapolis Downtown Council, which released a 2025 plan mentioning the need for a better connection between downtown Minneapolis and the University.

The creation of a linking lid is one of the ways to make a more “seamless physical connection,” said Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District.

Cramer said the council hopes to see the project formulate in the next decade or so, though it’s still up in the air.

Other cities have seen developments like the proposed lid, Cramer said, keeping proponents hopeful that the plan might take shape in Minneapolis.

Calculating the lid’s potential economic benefit will be a key next step toward execution, Cramer said.

“It’s captured the imagination of a lot of important people,” he said.

Concerns in the community Positives aside, some are war y of connecting the two communities.

AJ Siddiqui, president of the West Bank Community Coalition, said he’s concerned that residents of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood could face negative change from a project as large as the lid.

“There are so many pressures coming to this area,” he said, noting that community members fear new development could increase the cost of living and drive out East African businesses in the area.

Siddiqui said his main concern isn’t just about a downtown to Cedar-Riverside connection, but other large city projects that he says have threatened the neighborhood. These include the new Minnesota Vikings stadium and a year-old announcement that the city plans to build a pedestrian bridge to connect downtown to CedarRiverside.

With the three projects combined, Siddiqui said, he fears the predominantly Somali community filled with young families could become the “tailgating

headquarters” for Vikings fans once the stadium is opened in 2016.

Other concerns include potential traffic issues and air ownership rights over the section of I-35W, said McBride from MnDOT. “We have to be mindful of what we can and can’t do with federal rules,” he said, adding that developers would have to consider future maintenance obligations as well.

Siddiqui said an undertaking of this scale could bring significant change, especially in one of the lowest-income housing neighborhoods in the area.

“When you do this kind of huge project, obviously there is going to be gentrification in the area,” he said.

Siddiqui said he’d be happy to see this project come to fruition if developers could accomplish the task without altering the character of the East African neighborhood.

But with the pedestrian walkway, the new Vikings stadium and now a potential community-connecting freeway lid, Siddiqui said change is already flooding the district.

“This avalanche is coming down on this neighborhood,” he said.

“She is very knowledgeable about the people that she works with,” he said.

Through her time on the West Bank, Nielson said, she has grown to love the area’s international atmosphere.

“I’m meeting someone from Togo. I’m being given the oppor tunity to sign a bir thday card for Nelson Mandela,” she said. “If you

asked me as a young woman growing up in Omaha, Neb., ‘Did I ever think I would be immersed with coworkers from countries that I didn’t know how to spell or didn’t know existed?’ I would [have said], ‘What?

Me?’” Before being assigned to the West Bank, Nielson worked for the MPD for 16 years. She has lived in

Minneapolis for 22 years.

While Nielson said her work has been rewarding, she said building meaningful community relationships has taken longer than she initially assumed.

“There really haven’t been many stumbling blocks,” she said. “[It’s about] being patient and respectful — that relationship building takes time.”

Obama’s order prompts questions Center u from Page 1

like Faegre Baker Daniels LLP. Oppor tunities for students to work at the center have quadrupled since it first opened its doors, Casper said, adding that he thinks the center’s role in offering legal ser vices will strengthen with time.

Nick Bednar, president of Voices for Immigration Student Association, is a law student who works in the center’s Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, which represents asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution.

“It can be ver y difficult at times, hearing some of the stories about these peoples’ experiences,” he said, adding that he’s eager to see how the president’s executive action will affect Minnesota immigrants.

Michele Garnett McKenzie, advocacy director at the Advocates for Human Rights, works closely with the Center for New Americans on its education and outreach programs. She said the most pressing need is informing

undocumented immigrants about how the executive order applies to them and how they can proceed.

“It’s going to require a communitywide collaboration and outreach to educate ever yone on this policy,” Casper said.

Some professional associations are concerned about scammers tr ying to take advantage of uninformed immigrants, McKenzie said, adding that there are upcoming information workshops in Minneapolis to help prevent fraudulent activities.

Some University students will be intricately involved in the education process, McKenzie said.

“It’s going to be an exciting time for students, in particular, to get involved and change the discourse on immigration,” she said.

Casper said the new executive order will have a profound impact on both individual immigrants and their families.

“I think that it will change the politics of immigration, and it is certainly going to change the daily lives of tens of thousands [of] Minnesotans in a very good way,” Casper said.

GROWTH OF THE CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS SINCE ITS OPENING At opening in July 2013 1 clinic, 10 student opportunities

Current as of November 2014 3 clinics, 41 student opportunities

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LAW SCHOOL’S CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS

U study reports that taconite workers risk contracting rare form of cancer

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MINNEAPOLIS — A final report to the Legislature on a six-year, $4.9 million University of Minnesota study says the state’s taconite workers face higher risks from a rare form of lung cancer called mesothelioma the longer they’ve worked in the industry or if they’ve had above-average exposures to certain kinds of dust.

The study assessed the risks to taconite workers from exposure to tiny, needle-like fibers called elongate mineral particles, or EMPs. Mesothelioma, a usually fatal cancer of the lung lining, is generally caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.

Lawmakers commissioned the study after a spike in the cancer was found on the Iron Range in 2006. Researchers planned to present the final report at a community meeting in Hibbing on Monday.

Many of the key conclusions from the study were in

a preliminary report in April 2013, including that taconite workers had triple the death rate from mesothelioma than ordinar y Minnesota residents. Taconite workers also died at higher rates from more common kinds of lung cancer and hear t disease at higher rates, they found.

The final repor t adds a closer look at the role of EMP exposure levels in taconite workers’ risks of mesothelioma as well as the role these exposures might play in other diseases, principal investigator Jeffrey Mandel said.

For example, the study found the number of years people worked in the industr y was linked with their mesothelioma risk, but not their risk of other lung cancers. It also found workers with above-average EMP exposures were nearly twice as likely to get mesothelioma as workers with belowaverage exposures. But it found no apparent links between EMPs with rates of other lung cancers among

these workers.

The study also says these workers face an elevated risk of dust-related noncancerous scarring of the lung and lung lining.

Researchers analyzed 57 mesothelioma cases found among taconite workers through 2010. They were unable to determine to what extent the increased mesothelioma risk came from mining dust or from exposure to commercial asbestos that used to be common in taconite plants, said John Finnegan, dean of the university’s School of Public Health.

The final report makes several recommendations, including more data collection, steps to reduce controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and reducing exposure to EMPs and other kinds of dust, including more use of respirators.

“Given the known hazards in mining, the process of avoiding exposures generated in the mining and processing of taconite ore is critical,” the report said.

4

Editorials & Opinions BUSINESS

Uber cars are standard, despite bad press Uber’s numerous benefits and aggressive business practices push taxi drivers to compete.

I

f you’ve noticed a group of students piling into a nice black car on a Friday night in Dinkytown, you’ve likely seen the use of an Uber car.

The Uber app uses your phone’s GPS to find where the company’s drivers could pick you up. This is helpful if you have no idea where you are on campus. You’re also able to stay safely in your location instead of waiting alone on the cold curbside in the dark.

On your phone, you can see where your Uber car is on its way to get you, and you’ll get a text when the driver arrives. Ever ything is all on the app, and you can hook up your credit card to pay. You can even split the cost of the trip with others if you’d like.

Uber has promoted its company around campus by passing out coupons that offer a discount on your first ride. A common perception is that using an Uber car is nicer, cleaner and less expensive than taking a taxi.

During my own experience with Uber, the black SUV I rode in still had its new car smell.

BROOKE BOVEE columnist

However, the driver was unfamiliar with the campus area. My ride was cheaper than calling a taxi with their coupon, but the price depends on what city you’re in and whether there is a ton of traffic. According to Business Insider, a taxi is cheaper in heavy traffic because Uber in Minnesota charges per mile and per minute whether you’re moving or not. Taxis charge per minute when idle and per mile when moving.

Uber has frequently made headlines for several controversies. Most recently, Emil Michael, Uber’s senior vice president, was overheard saying he wanted to spend money to hire journalists who could help fight Uber’s negative press by digging up infor mation on other journalists.

Uber has constantly received negative media attention, but the company continues to prosper. This may be because it has set a new standard for ride services. It has become a threat to well-established taxi

companies. Uber encourages you to “step it up when you step out for a big night”. This implies that you can use Uber to impress your date or “treat yourself” without much cost.

One major problem yet to be addressed is that Uber poses a threat to safety.

Unfor tunately, Uber has had repor ts of alleged abductions and fraudulent business practices. Although abduction is also possible in a traditional taxi cab, Uber is not held to the same regulations as taxi companies. For example, although Uber conducts background checks on its drivers, taxi companies more heavily regulate their employees.

We should hold Uber to the same strict regulations — like licensing and vehicle inspection — as established taxi services.

Uber is essentially providing the same services, and regulation would help make rides safer for everyone.

Despite all of the bad press, if established taxi ser vices don’t step up their game by providing other benefits — like a text upon arrival, a GPS tracker, coupons or simply cleaner vehicles — yellow taxis will become a thing of the past.

Brooke Bovee welcomes comments at bbovee@mndaily.com.

DAILY DISCUSSION

Support the fossil fuel divestment resolution

In the second week of December, Minneapolis City Council members will be voting on the fossil fuel divestment resolution.

More than 30 cities in the United States have already passed similar resolutions.

Minneapolis needs to be the next city.

Fossil fuel divestment means taking investment out of the top companies holding reserves in coal, oils and natural gas. This will ultimately reduce deadly carbon dioxide and other harmful gas emissions into the atmosphere and the air that we breathe.

It will also give institutions and individuals more opportunities to invest in clean energy, such as wind or solar.

If this resolution is passed, there could be a powerful and positive impact on social, political and economic change in our daily lives.

One of the most effective ways to get this resolution passed is very simple: talk directly with the people in office making the decision.

You can do this by contacting your own counselor and letting them know that you support them in supporting this resolution.

Climate change does play a role in this resolution, but there is so much more to it than that. As human beings, we need to recognize our impact on the world and our ability to undo damages and prevent further fossil fuel usage through not only technological innovations, but political, social and economic change. Will you be a part of this change and call your city representative about fossil fuel divestment?

Miranda Hanson University student

Comment on ‘GMOs will be the future of agriculture’

While I agree with the overall tone of the piece, one major error has been reported.

Agribusinesses do not sue for simple contamination. One of the primary cases in this area found that a farmer engaged in deliberate purification of his crop by spraying it with Roundup in order to find the genetically modified plants. This has been further affirmed in multiple cases and even led to an organic farm association’s declaratory judgment being dismissed due to the fact that “simple contamination” has not led to suits, but only cases where willful action was taken on the part of the landowners. GMO contamination does not lead to lawsuits or fines — willful and deceptive action in violation of contracts does.

Nick Ames via MNDaily.com

This Nov. 24 Minnesota Daily ar ticle totally misses the mark on the state of the University of Minnesota’s biomedical research. While patents are one measure of a successful research operation, what about the global health impact of the University’s breakthroughs?

More than 1 billion people worldwide suf fer from so-called “neglected diseases” — illnesses rarely researched by the pharmaceutical companies because most of those af fected are too poor to provide a market for new drugs. Even worse, millions of people die each year simply because they can’t get life-saving medicines that already exist — often because those treatments are just too expensive because of patents.

EDITORIALS Domestic violence needs attention

S

everal University of Minnesota groups gathered last week to discuss relationship violence, a problem they say is sometimes hushed in the campus community.

University police have had just over 30 reports of domestic assault since 2009, the Minnesota Daily reported last week.

However, that number likely accounts for a small fraction of incidents that occur.

National statistics say that as many as onequarter of women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and more than 80 percent of domestic violence victims are women.

The LGBTQ community has a particularly large problem with relationship or domestic violence. According to the 2013 Boynton Health Service College Student Health Report, nearly half of bisexual students and more than onethird of gay and lesbian students say they have been a victim of domestic violence.

University policy defines relationship violence as “causing physical harm or abuse, and threats of physical harm or abuse, arising out of a personal, intimate relationship.”

It’s highly likely that far more University employees and students are experiencing this than incidents are reported to police. Victims may feel embarrassed or like they are betraying their significant other. This should not be the case, and it’s crucial that the University community knows that entities like the Aurora Center and the University Police Department are there to advocate for survivors of assault.

Domestic violence is a serious crime and must be treated as such. There should be no shame in reporting or seeking help.

Dinkytown is still worth preserving

T Lea Graber welcomes comments at lgraber@mndaily.com.

POLITICS

Your name does not describe you While the reason for racial disparities in callbacks is still unknown, it’s discouraging.

A

pplying to jobs and seeking a career can be a long and draining process.

The pressure of landing a well-paying job right after graduation is enough to stress any college student to the breaking point.

Thus, it’s unfor tunate to hear of the prevalence of racial bias in callbacks.

The National Bureau of Economic Research recently found that people with whitesounding names receive about one callback in 10 resumes sent, while people with blacksounding names had to send out about 15 resumes before receiving a callback.

Not ever yone agrees that this is solid evidence for discrimination. Economists Steven Levitt and Roland Fryer explain in a CBS News report that while black-sounding names may be associated with lower socioeconomic status, it’s not the names themselves that make for an economic burden.

Their data suggests that your name might depend on your economic status — and that it could therefore suggest your

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Response to ‘University pushes research from the labs to the market’

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Universities play a unique role in drug development because of their primary mission to ser ve the public good. Therefore, instead of focusing on patents, universities should pay more attention to the public health impact of their innovations rather than the amount of intellectual property they are able to generate.

These two goals can be achieved in tandem, but not always, especially when it comes to ensuring access to medicines.

There are other ways to drive innovation that ensure access and promote health, and universities have the opportunity and the responsibility to step up and share their medical breakthroughs.

Under a Global Access License Framework, the University could create open, non-exclusive licenses or licenses that promote lower prices in developing countries.

The Academic Health Center’s mission

THE EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS DEPARTMENT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE NEWSROOM

DESTANIE MARTIN-JOHNSON columnist

educational level. If this is true, names that indicate a lower level of education would lead to fewer callbacks.

Although most companies cannot legally turn away applicants because of their age, sexual orientation, religion or race, there is no easy way to prove that all companies abide by these rules.

However, there is hope. The millennial generation has been shown to care less about race in the workplace, instead valuing collaboration and other “soft skills” that actually matter.

We students are the future of America’s workforce, and it’s up to us to make sure that we continue to move in a tolerant direction.

Destanie Martin-Johnson welcomes comments at dmartin-johnson@mndaily.com.

seems to have a distinct lack of emphasis on global and local. There are immigrants in Minnesota with these neglected diseases, but social justice is lacking, in spite of an explicit focus on the aim to “enhance Minnesota’s bioscience industries.”

The University of Minnesota has a “D” on the University Global Health Impact Report Card, a product of an international student group called Universities Allied for Essential Medicines. The University Global Health Impact Report Card evaluates the top United States and Canadian research universities on their contributions to urgent global health research and access to treatment worldwide.

While the University is definitely a productive research university, I encourage those in our Office for Technology Commercialization to reconsider celebrating such a hollow victor y if those that most need our discoveries are unable to access them in an affordable and equitable way.

he organization Preser ve Historic Dinkytown recently held a “Dinkytown Reunion” that drew more than 100 attendees to the Varsity Theater. The group formed in response to an announcement that the city of Minneapolis will study Dinkytown to assess the neighborhood’s suitability as an official historic district.

Currently, Minneapolis is home to 12 historic districts, including the University of Minnesota Greek Letter Chapter House Historic District. The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Committee protects designated areas, repairing any run-down buildings and educating the public about the city’s history.

The current inspection of Dinkytown examines the histor y of four city blocks between 1899 and 1971, during which time the neighborhood witnessed a great deal of social change and urban development. Historic designation could preser ve approximately 30 Dinkytown buildings, according to the Minnesota Daily.

Responding to concerns that historic designation might affect Dinkytown’s modern character, Ward 3 Councilman Jacob Frey expressed his belief that modernization and preservation aren’t diametrically opposed to each other. “You can have both,” he said.

We recognize that cer tain concerns still surround Dinkytown’s potential historic designation. For example, preservation can’t hinder new generations of students from making the neighborhood uniquely theirs. Moreover, it seems paradoxical to restore or repair a neighborhood whose character comes predominantly from its somewhat ramshackle appearance.

Nevertheless, we feel that Dinkytown is a supremely valuable part of the University’s culture, which is itself an important subculture within Minneapolis. As a result, we wholeheartedly support Dinkytown’s official historic designation.

EDITORIALS & OPINIONS DEPARTMENT Editorials represent the voice of the Minnesota Daily as an institution and are prepared by the editorial board.

SHARE YOUR VIEWS The Minnesota Daily welcomes letters and guest columns from readers.

All letters must include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification. The Daily reserves the right to edit all letters for style, space, libel and grammar. Letters to the editor should be no more than 500 words in length. Guest columns should be approximately 350 words. The Daily reserves the right to print any submission as a letter or guest column. Submission does not guarantee publication.

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Ted Fagrelius Medical School student

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Sports

5

@MNDAILYSPORTS

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Goalie Peters waits in the wings Redshirt freshman Sidney Peters has played in three games this season.

BY GRANT DONALD gdonald@mndaily.com

When redshirt freshman goaltender Sidney Peters arrived on campus last year, she was fresh off a 70-game season.

However, in the year and a half that she has been a member of the Gophers women’s hockey team, she has only played in three games.

“Hockey has been such a big thing for me my entire life, and to be told that I wasn’t going to be able to play in a game for a whole year was hard news,” Peters said.

Before her freshman season began, head coach Brad Frost and his staff decided it would be best for the program for Peters to redshirt her first year on campus, allowing her to maintain her four years of eligibility.

Frost had already named then-sophomore Amanda Leveille as the team’s starting goaltender, but he still wanted to get the most out of the very talented Peters. Redshirting her allowed him to do just that.

“Anytime you get to sit and watch is beneficial,” Frost said. “Academically, it should help her start on some master’s [degree] classes, and also it should help us down the road from an athletic standpoint.”

It wasn’t easy for the Geneva, Ill., native, as Peters had to battle her own competitive nature and trust that this was the best thing for her future at Minnesota.

“Redshirting is difficult, and that’s probably the hardest thing I have ever had to go through,” Peters said. “It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I’m glad I did it, and I feel a lot more prepared for this year.”

While Peters is now eligible to participate, her playing time will still be limited over the next two years as Leveille

T

ELIZABETH BRUMLEY, DAILY FILE PHOTO

The Gophers’ Sidney Peters poses for a photo Nov. 4. Peters redshirted last season but has played in three games this season.

is the seasoned veteran at the goalie position.

Because of that, Peters must take advantage of any and all of the ice time she has.

“Looking for ward into next year, it is going to be another hard year because again I am going to be the younger goalie,” Peters said.

“It’s going to be exciting also because once Amanda graduates, things will be different.”

Finally playing hockey

After sitting out for a year, Peters finally made her collegiate debut during the Gophers’ season opener against Penn State.

In her first career start, Peters posted a shutout in an 8-0 victory, making 15 saves in the process.

“It was incredible because when you are redshirting, all you’re thinking about is that first game and what is it going to be like,” Peters said.

“Finally getting to be a part of the game when the clock actually starts and not just in the background was an incredible experience.”

However, it wasn’t until Peters’ second start against Bemidji State — almost a month later — that she felt like she finally arrived on the college hockey scene.

The game ended up going into a shootout, which the Gophers lost, but Peters said she loved the opportunity to play in a tightly contested game.

“We knew how [the Penn State game] was going to end up by the end of the first period, and with Bemidji, we were with them all the way throughout the whole game,” Peters said. “[I] actually had an influence on things, and it made it feel a little more real because the game was more intense.”

A couple of weeks ago, Peters made her third start of the season, playing the first two periods before senior goalie Shyler Sletta finished the 4-0 victory over Minnesota State-Mankato.

Moving forward, Frost acknowledged the importance of getting Peters game experience to keep the program moving in the right direction.

“It’s a hard position to be in because being a goaltender, you are playing an individual position but in a team sport,” Frost said. “Only one goaltender can play, and right now Amanda is our starter, and we will keep encouraging Sid and let her have her opportunities to play well.”

Leveille was in a similar position her freshman year, as she had to wait behind former Gophers goalie Noora Räty.

The only difference between the Gophers’ top two goalies is that Leveille didn’t have to redshirt for a year and was able to play in a few games right away.

“Last year, I can’t imagine how frustrating it had to be for [Sidney],” Leveille said.

“But she pushed through it and got a lot better, and it just goes to show what type of person she is.”

There is a mutual respect between the two goalies, and on more than a couple of occasions last year, Peters turned to Leveille for advice on how to handle her unique situation.

“[Amanda] is actually one of my best friends on the team, which is hard at times because I have to put aside the fact that her and I are competing with each other,” Peters said. “It is always tough when you want something that somebody else has and you are working for it every day.”

It doesn’t seem like things will get any easier for Peters in the near future with Leveille returning for her senior season next year.

However, the young goalie knows that once she takes over, it will be that much sweeter than if the starting spot was handed to her on a silver platter.

“When you wait for something, it makes you want it that much more because you actually have to earn it,” Peters said. “It would have been nice to come into a program where I could have started right off the bat, but that’s kind of taking the easy way out. I wanted to play for a team where I would have a chance at winning the national championship.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Minnesota adjusts lineup without McNeil

BY JACK SATZINGER jsatzinger@mndaily.com

With Daquein McNeil serving an indefinite suspension from all team activity, Minnesota is forced to move forward without a major piece of its rotation.

“It certainly is a very difficult situation for everybody.

And when that happens, a lot of guys need to fill roles that they’re not used to filling,” head coach Richard Pitino said. “[We lost] a guy that played 19 minutes a game.”

McNeil averaged only 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in four games played this season. But he scored 15 points in an exhibition against Minnesota-Duluth and emerged as one of the team’s top defenders.

With the loss of Austin Hollins to graduation, small forward was the biggest question mark for the Gophers entering this season. Junior college transfer Carlos Morris and an inexperienced, unconfident McNeil were the only options to replace him.

As the offseason wore on, Morris gained at least 15 pounds and McNeil became Minnesota’s most improved player. Morris eventually won the starting job, slotting McNeil as one of Minnesota’s major contributors off the bench.

Morris is now the only true small forward on Minnesota’s roster, so his backup will be filled by committee.

Pitino said power forwards Charles Buggs and Joey King will both slide down to small forward at times to spell Morris. Guards Nate Mason and Andre Hollins will also see time at the position.

Buggs, a 6-foot-9-inch string bean with tantalizing athleticism, is still raw but has shown a capability to play small forward. He hit three 3-pointers to help the Gophers eke out a 66-62 victory against Georgia on Friday.

“For it to be so sudden, I think they did a really good job of just stepping in,” senior point guard DeAndre Mathieu said of McNeil’s replacements. “Charles Buggs stepped up really big in the Georgia game.”

When Pitino slots Hollins or Mason at small forward with Mathieu at the point, Minnesota will be a nightmare for bigger teams to defend.

But when the Gophers are on defense, their lack of size could be exploited. Mason and Hollins are barely more than 6 feet tall, which is a defensive liability against some of the taller small forwards in the Big Ten. Wisconsin’s starting small forward, Sam Dekker, used his 6-foot-9-inch frame to body up LeBron James last summer. Nebraska small forward Walter Pitchford is 6 feet 10 inches.

“When we’re playing a zone [defense], we’ve got Andre in the back sometimes.

That’s not ideal,” Pitino said.

Redshirt senior center Mo Walker said the Gophers have spent their past few practices adjusting without McNeil.

But the results haven’t been pretty so far.

Mason and Buggs have both been sick, Pitino said, and they first practiced Monday after returning from New York City for last week’s games.

HOLLY PETERSON, DAILY FILE PHOTO

Gophers guard Andre Hollins plays against Coastal Carolina on Nov. 19, 2013, at Williams Arena.

“The flow of practice is not going to be real good for a while, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t win games,” Pitino said. “We’ve got to get back to practicing different combinations, different rotations. That’s just the reality of the situation right now.”

David Nelson contributed to this report.

MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW

@ MINNESOTA 4-2 WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday

WAKE FOREST 4-3 WHERE: Winston-Salem, N.C. SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM

he pressure of playing inside Madison Square Garden can be insurmountable for some players. For others, it’s an opportunity to prove their worth.

And when freshman guard Nate Mason played in one of basketball’s great cathedrals, the rookie performed with a poise that seemed beyond his years.

Everyone who watched the Gophers play during the NIT Season Tip-Off in New York City over Thanksgiving weekend saw Mason continue to play with the confidence and intelligence required for every guard in Division I college basketball.

It looks like head coach Richard Pitino struck gold with the Decatur, Ga., native. Mason won’t just be an important piece for the future — he’ll be someone who will be counted on to produce this season with sophomore guard Daquein McNeil out.

Mason combined to put up 18 points and five assists in the 47 minutes he played during the twogame stretch.

“We always liked him, but you never know until the lights come on,” Pitino said.

But after one game of watching Mason play, Pitino knew he had found a quality player.

“That Louisville game surprised me because he was ready to play,” Pitino said.

W ith McNeil suspended, Mason’s presence became all the more important, as the Gophers will rely on the freshman to pick up some of the slack.

“A lot of guys now need to fill roles that they’re not used to filling,” Pitino said.

“We’re almost having to hit reset.”

But if there’s one person who seems up for the task, it’s Mason.

He led with a quiet confidence and was arguably the Gophers’ best player this past weekend.

Despite the quick results Minnesota has seen, it’s not a given that a recruit will turn into a star or even become a large part of the team.

Look no further than former University of Arizona point guard Josiah Turner.

Turner ranked as the top prospect coming out of California in the 2011 class, and ESPN graded him as one the best players in the nation from that class. In 29 collegiate games, Turner mustered just 6.8 points per contest and dished out 2.4 assists per game.

The trend continued with current Minnesota Timberwolf Zach LaVine during his time at UCLA. LaVine — who ranked as the 11th-best point guard out of high school — recorded just 1.8 assists per game for the Bruins.

In Mason’s six games, the No. 31-ranked point guard from the class of 2014 looks like the real deal.

Still, a probable increase in minutes over the next two weeks — and possibly the rest of the season — will challenge the freshman’s basketball IQ. But from what he has shown so far, look for Mason to thrive in an increased role.

David Nelson welcomes comments at dnelson@mndaily.com or on Twitter.

@DavidNelson18

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

DANCE

Ballet by Balachine The Suzanne Farrel Ballet brings a unique dance experience to Northrop Auditorium.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSALIE O’CONNOR

Elisabeth Holowchuk and Ian Grosh perform in The Suzanne Farrell Ballet.

BY LAINI DEVIN ldevin@mndaily.com

S

uzanne Far r ell had a close relationship with choreographer George Balanchine. After his death, she sought out some of his rare works to build a unique repertoire.

Balanchine, a St. Petersburg native who died more than three decades ago, was one of the most prolific contemporar y ballet

choreographers during the 20th century.

Farrell, now the artistic director for the Suzanne Farrell Ballet company, was one of Balanchine’s most prodigious muses. She joined Balanchine’s company in 1961 and has since endeavored to preserve his opuses.

A master class Farrell led in 1993 laid the foundation for the creation of her company.

“Over time, the modest project grew into a national,

three-week intensive — Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell,” Farrell said.

The fully-fledged company took off in 2000 in collaboration with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “In 2001, I began this pr ocess by r e-working ‘Variations for Orchestra,’ a solo that [Balanchine] originally made for me in 1967,” Farrell said.

Her company continues to perform other works that Farrell debuted in her days as a performing dancer under

Balanchine’s direction.

Dancer Elisabeth Holowchuk per formed with Far rell’s company for 14 years. During her time, she’s made her way through its ranks and was eventually promoted to first soloist — a prestigious honor within a ballet company.

The per formances of “Swan Lake” and “Allegro Brillante” that are par t of the company’s current tour are set to music composed

by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. “The Concert (Or,

The Perils of Ever ybody)” features music by Frédéric Chopin.

Music is the driving force behind Balanchine’s choreography; dancers focus on how the music tells them to move.

They perform in tandem with a live orchestra, which Holowchuk said is a challenging feat.

“A piece of music will always be the way the composer intended it; the notes will never change,” Farrell said, “but choreography

is subjected to many variables.”

While the orchestra’s musicians rely on their instruments to assist the pieces, the dancers exhibit their own form of musicality.

“Dancers don’t use anything other than who they are, in the sense that they are not machines where the volume can be turned up,” Farrell said.

Dancers’ bodies ar e their instruments, Holowchuk said.

“We have to do it all visually and energetically. We are our own technology, our own instruments,” Farrell said.

In case of any technological mishaps, the company values each moment spent rehearsing.

“When we get to our destination, we spend extra rehearsal time spacing our production to the new theater,” Holowchuk said.

The level of a rehearsal’s productivity — determined by its poetry and vitality — depends on how dancers and choreographers work together, Farrell said.

“We have short rehearsal periods, so I need dancers who can learn quickly. I also look for team-oriented people,” she said.

Despite the rigorous touring schedule, the company sometimes takes a day off to explore the city it’s in, Holowchuk said.

But Holowchuk and the company’s dancers don’t seem to mind Farrell’s intense rehearsal process.

And because of their diligent work, Blanchine’s ballets remain in high esteem.

“Dance is unique from other art forms in the way it can live on,” Farrell said.

“If Balanchine ballets retain his integrity [and] his musicality, the right environment will hold them together.”

The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Where Northrop Auditorium, Carlson Family Stage When 7:30 p.m. Thursday Cost $44-$74

THEATER

A new odd couple Park Square Theatre will hold the regional premiere of “4000 Miles.”

BY JACKIE RENZETTI jrenzetti@mndaily.com

A

my Herzog’s “4000 Miles” dramatic comedy features a zany pair of roommates.

After 21-year-old protagonist Leo Joseph-Connell completes a 4,000-mile cross-countr y bike ride, he decides to crash at his grandmother’s house.

As the two reacquaint, they learn from each other’s different perspectives due to their age gap. The play premiered in 2011 and was placed as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama last year. Park Square Theatre’s production of the play this weekend will mark its regional premiere.

“It’s really a beautiful stor y, but it’s not sappy.

It’s not about a warm and fuzzy relationship between a grandmother and her grandson,” said actor Gabriel Murphy, who plays the protagonist.

One of the biggest differences between the two characters’ perspectives spurs from their shared liberal political alignment. The

A&E EDITOR

grandmother, Vera Joseph, grew up following Marxism and lived through various labor causes, including the civil rights movement and the Cuban missile crisis.

The young character has the political views of a millennial. When he first arrives at his grandmother’s, director Gar y Gisselman said, she of fers him a banana, and he rejects it because of its environmental impact.

Gisselman said the comparison between Leo’s grandmother’s concer ns and his individualized, “new-age environmental politics” carr y the notion of learning to get along and leave people alone.

“It’s a totally dif ferent liberal politics from her liberal politics, and I like watching how all of that goes together,” he said.

Similarly, Leo studied Mar xism in college and discusses it with his grandmother. Despite finding common ground, they view the political ideology differently because of their age gap.

“She lived her life according to cer tain principles, and he’s studying

Joe Kellen jkellen@mndaily.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF PETRONELLA J. YTSMA

Gabriel Murphy and Linda Kelsey play Leo and Vera in Park Square Theatre’s production of “4000 Miles.”

those principles,” Gisselman said.

The play’s five-member cast received the script in June and met up for the first time earlier this month. The rehearsal process lasted three weeks. Gisselman said having a small cast allowed the actors to dig deep into character relationships and associated backstories.

“The idea of doing a small cast in a smaller theater was really appealing,” Gisselman said. “You can do that kind of intimate work in a smaller cast play

ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR Grant Tillery gtillery@mndaily.com

that you don’t always get the chance to do with a larger cast play.”

Because the plot focuses on family dynamics, the bonds between the play’s actors is especially important. Ultimately, the relationship between Leo and Vera goes beyond discussing politics, as they find similarities in their troubles.

“You can tell right away that something terrible happened to [Leo],” Murphy said.

As Leo reveals his personal

RADIO K TOP 7

hardship over the course of the play, Vera does the same. But their perspectives continue to differ because of Vera’s experience and Leo’s naiveté.

“The grandmother is growing old, and the grandson is growing up,” Gisselman said.

Leo ultimately finds healing from the relationship, and though Gisselman said the play’s conclusion is “more hopeful than not hopeful,” the plot will likely surprise audiences in Minnesota.

1. Allo Darlin’, Romance and Adventure 2. Panda Bear, Mr Noah 3. Sam Amidon, Pat Do This, Pat Do That

“I don’t know that anything is resolved in this play. I think there’s a cer tain amount of understanding and appreciation, but it’s cer tainly not tied up in a bow,” Gisselman said.

“4000 Miles” Where Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul When Dec. 5-21; 2 p.m. weekends, 7:30 p.m. weekdays Cost $19-58

4. Ariel Pink, Dayzed Inn Daydreams 5. Clark, Winter Linn 6. Flake Music, Deluca 7. Tiny Deaths, Ocean

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

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UPCOMING EVENTS WHAT: Fast-a-Thon WHO: Al-Madinah Cultural Center and Muslim Students Association WHEN: 4 p.m. Thursday WHERE: Great Hall, Coffman Union PRICE: Free Description: Join AMCC and MSA in our ninth annual Fast-a-Thon to support innocent children left homeless in war-stricken regions. For every pledge to fast that we receive, our sponsors will donate $2 toward funding meals for orphans through the Zakat Foundation. We offer you dinner so that you can share our tradition of breaking our fasts with a community. For every person who attends the dinner after fasting, our sponsors will donate an additional $3. Visit us in Coffman 236 to fill out a pledge form.

WHAT: “Uncle Walt,” a dark comedy by Andrew Rosdail WHO: Brazen Theatre Company WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday–Saturday WHERE: Third floor, People’s Center Theater, 425 20th Ave. S., Minneapolis PRICE: $10 student; $20 general Able and Cain had nothing on Clint and Ron in this modern-day allegory about two brothers at war. When Clint is fired from his job as a Disney animator, he kidnaps Walt’s frozen head to hold it for ransom. He takes the head home in a styrofoam cooler to the shabby townhouse where he lives with his slacker younger brother. However, Clint does not count on Walt’s head coming to life with an agenda of his own: obtaining a new body. Walt’s plan? Talk one of the brothers into killing the other.

WHAT: Rarely performed chamber works, featuring guitar WHO: The Musical Offering WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, 1531 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul PRICE: $10 student; $25 general Our Dec. 7 concert features classical guitarist Christopher Kachian. This concert focuses on rarely heard combinations of works in chamber music, combining guitar with winds, strings and piano.

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7

8

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

BACKTALK

horoscopes

sudoku

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.

12/2/2014

Yesterday’s solution © 2013 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services.

All rights reserved.

Today’s Birthday (12/2): Spread your wings this year. Jot down your wildest ambitions before 12/23, when a new personal power phase launches (through 12/19/17). Clarify plans over summer.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Written by Nancy Black

Aries (3/21 - 4/19): Today is a 9 — Separate business from personal. Work smart, not hard. Make the commitment you’ve been considering.

Libra (9/23 - 10/22): Today is an 8 — Get into action! A collaboration’s red hot. Consider the future result desired, and then look back to get the logical previous step, to the present.

Taurus (4/20 - 5/20): Today is an 8 — Study for more options. Think it over before making big decisions. Bring in an expert with practical experience.

Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21): Today is a 9 — Put your back into your work and a fat haul is possible. Do what you promised, and stick to the plan.

Gemini (5/21 - 6/21): Today is a 7 — Handle your end of the business, especially details.

Magnify the impact by collaborating with partners and friends.

Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21): Today is a 7 — Your desires and effort seem aligned. Find ways to economize. Don’t let go of what you’ve achieved. Let your partner take the lead.

Cancer (6/22 - 7/22): Today is a 7 — Today’s work leads to career advancement. Fix something before it breaks. Fit short-term tasks to your long-term plans.

Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19): Today is an 8 — The next two days are good for making changes at home. Make household decisions and clean up a mess. Neatness counts.

Leo (7/23 - 8/22): Today is an 8 — Work out like you mean it. Greater effort wins greater reward. Get help with the heavy lifting, and get household chores out of the way.

Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18): Today is a 7 — Work smart for career advancement. Keep track of earnings. A business opportunity comes your way. Go by the book, and go for it.

Virgo (8/23 - 9/22): Today is a 7 — It’s smart to work hard now. An older friend provides just what you need. Group effort pays off big.

Collaborate to grow family resources.

Pisces (2/19 - 3/20): Today is an 8 — Business takes center stage, and it’s starting to heat up. Let your subconscious mind solve the problem.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

crossword

from the archive

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 2, 2014 11

BACKTALK

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

DAILY CROSSWORD 1 4

Well, Networkia, based on the severe lack of entries we can only assume you were all too distracted by today’s new and improved Backtalk.

Watch out for that Sudoku character. He might look harmless, but if you’re not careful you’ll end up like Russell Crowe in that one Ron Howard movie. Next thing you know you’ll be throwing phones at hapless bellhops and playing in bands with unnecessarily lengthy names.

From: Siskel’s Nemesis

I enjoyed Slanted&Enchanted’s list of “great movies.” Here is my list of the five worst movies: 5. The “Police Academy” series (toss-up between “Miami Beach” and “City Under Siege”). Net: Helllllo? Have you forgotten about Steve Guttenberg? The guy was in “Three Men and a Baby” for Christ’s sake.

4. “Rollerball” (2002) Net: We can’t decide what’s more upsetting: Rebecca Romijn’s ridiculous Russian accent or the fact that she dumped John “Uncle Jesse” Stamos for the guy who played the fat kid in “Stand By Me.” 3. “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” (2005) Net: 50 Cent couldn’t act his way out of a cardboard box. He makes Eminem look like Laurence Olivier.

2. “From Justin to Kelly” (2003) Net: Why God? Why? 1. “The Honeymooners” (2005) Net: Cedric should stick to Bud Light commercials.

From Slanted&Enchanted

The stupidity and pointlessness of the scholars walk has been well covered in these most hallowed pages. But has anyone else noticed those new in-ground lights randomly scattered in the sidewalk near Murphy hall? Net: It’s only a figment of your imagination. It’s a good thing the HEY! SEND YOUR ENTRY, NAME & PHONE TO:

University is doing its best to trim the fat from the budget. Who needs GC anyways? Give me sidewalk lights or give me death!

From Lord T. Beauregard of Narfdom

Net, what is with people? Do they not realize that they are complete ass-goblins that need to shut their NUTTing mouths? Net: Unfortunately, being an ass-goblin requires complete ignorance of your own idiocy. Whenever I am at work these two douchebags are always talking about sports for hours on end and it drives me insane! Can’t they talk about anything else? Net: What else is there? Social issues? Nah. Global conflict?

Meh. Girls? That’s what the Internet is for. It’s all about that stats, man!

From Studly McStudlyson

Somewhere, somebody is playing foosball. And it was glorious. Net: Uhhh … Namaste, Net. Hopefully your Thanksgiving was as November 24th-ish as possible. Net: You’d better believe it. We stuffed ourselves until our cyberpants were bursting at the seams. I know mine was. Is it just me, or is it weird that Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday every year? Net: What a strange coincidence … Seems kind of silly, you know? Why should Thursday have a monopoly on all the sweet Thanksgoodness? Net: Some days are just luckier than others. Monday pretty much got screwed. No one looks forward to it. I’d like to propose a simple query to Networkia, however. When you eat your mashed potatoes, do you prefer the runny mountain method, or the placid gravy pond? Net: Very deep Studly, very deep indeed. It’s an important decision and can quite easily determine the succesfulness of your meal. Discuss. Net: For our money, nothing beats the placid pond and its turkey-dipping goodness.

NETWORK@MNDAILY.COM

Minnesota Daily Volume 107, Issue 59 November 29, 2005

7 10 13 14 15 16 17 19 21 23 25 26 27 32 33 34 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 49 52 53 54 59

ACROSS Seek charity ACROSS Dispenser candy 1 Netherlands Like Carroll's export Hatter CIA, once 5 “500” initials on Actress Lupino Wall Street Felling tool Buckeyes' sch.

10 Important time Dundee denial Having more periods ringlets 14 Outfielder Crisp Stationary nicknamed for a sculpture Monopoly cereal box concern Bluish green character Osaka okay15 Acting award __ 500 16 Night in Nantes Luther Vandross 17 Modest abode show, e.g.

19 Armory supply Shaping tool Barak of Israel 20 Galena or Takes an easy hematite stroll Altar promise 21 Currier’s partner K. Capek play Some MDs22 One in a 3 Chickpeas Track circuit congregation 4 Tylenol's target Struggling 5 Marked a breather 24 Winnebago questionnaire Corrida cheers owner, briefly 6 Critical time P. Hearst's 7 Compositein a kidnappers25 Defendant picture Root beer defamation case 8 __ Spumante chain 26 More orderly 9 Binary Make unclear 10 Vegetable for Std. 29 Weak stews Lambs' moms 11 Leafy course Leave for a30 G.I.Grads 12 Run-down Like some boat 31 Tusked porcine 18 Find a perch motors 20 Limeys Do better door- animals 22 South Africanand to-door 32 Spot for rest bread?

In the past 23 Golfer Stadler __ me with a relaxation 24 Thrice repeated spoon!

35 Gimlet fruit 66, e.g.

36 UrgeSeinfeld forward catchphrase Comic Romano 28 Cleveland Oedipus' title 37 Help to withdraw 40 suburb Shoshone 38 Neighbor of Isr. 43 44 29 Butter maker Shut yer __!

47 30 Glowing coal CBS logo 39 Attorney general 48 31 Architect Aldo under 35 NotReagan here DOWN 49 36 New Pen name?40 Map outHaven 50 student Part of some 41 Seize, as a 37 Crosses URLs

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

12/2/14 3 Top Monday’s Puzzle Solved 63 4 Unruly group 64 5 In any way 65 6 Peter of Peter 66 51 Remove from U.S. flag 67 and Gordon packaging Don of "SNL" 68 7 Cpls. and55sgts.

Prego rival Debtor 69 Campus house Menial worker or56Hoover 70 8 Aswan 57 I'm __ here!

Carrots and 9 Opening night 58 Miners of the peas, for short Pipe material 1 showing 61 WAC Set down "Tootsie" star 2 10 Tooth cover 62 Caustic stuff Jessica chance 11 Folding feature of 43 Grab greedily an old roadster 44 __ City: Oz 12 Actress Anouk locale 13 Put away for the 46 Tiny energy future source 18 Exists 47 Title for Bovary 23 Recedes to the and Butterfly sea Dear Dr. Date, 48 Landed *the names 24 areHoarfrost from “Three’s Company“ My live-in is a grad student who works in the school 49 ROTC ©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC 12/2/14 sure you already knew!

Sailor’s time off lab on weeknights and gets home at 8:30am. I fyi...although I’m25 near have a 9:45am language class, after which I goD.C. 26 Hard to believe, 52 Good buds 45 Title role that 34 Lit. collection Dear Chrissy Snow, to work downtown serving at an upscale restaua story lady.

The Good Doctor did rant. Here’s the rub. He is very, uh, 53energetic WindblownYou got that right,as won Borgnine a 36 Seriously 27 Nastase of some undergrad work in pop culture, so it’s when he hits home, and then WE hit it hard: desert plant 15-Across doubtful you’re evertennis getting any reference past reduces oral, anal, rimming, spanking, the works!

56 To and be, tomy Bizet keen eye.

46 “Tiny Alice” 37 “Kapow!” cousin I LOVE it but afterward I am a sapped 28 Hogwarts 57class Prop As for Janet’s intentions, I’d wager this 39 is Respectful smelly mess. I don’t want to flunk my (orfor Picasso dramatist Edward headmaster something for pretty hard (under lose my job), but I don’t want to be “don’t- Asian 58a Inland seaJack is pushing 48 “Are not” retort the influence of his buddy Larry no doubt), but it address muss-my-hair” thrill kill and curb his enthusiasm.

29 Force unfairly 59 Like Easter eggs I need you: people are moving their desks away could easily (well, maybe 49 Wang known for 40 100 bucks (on) not easily) be Janet’s 60 Gin berries doing. Odd that they’d ask a newbie to join in on from me. And I know why! wedding gowns 42 Wiped off the 31 Naan, 61 Lock maker the extravaganza, methinksfor you would have — lovestinky 50 Supper, e.g. example wanted someone more experienced. Usually, board you get eased into threesome, Dear lovestinky, 51 Out of a job 43 Motion picture 33the Jardin du see what else DOWN Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s back this up a sec- is out there before you try the buffet, as it were. frames 54 Delta rival: Abbr.

Luxembourg, par yet 1 Reverberate But perhaps the logic goes that if you haven’t ond — rimming?!?

55 Method 44 Fix firmly 2 Sullen maybe you’d be more open Again, my patients never cease to amaze me, batted for one team,exemple 60

By Bernice Gordon

and I really shouldn’t be as taken aback by this lit- to trying out both at the same time.

A bit twisted, perhaps. tle letter as I am. But “lovestinky”? Wow. Again, If I were you, I’d be less concerned about the just never thought I’d see the day. motive (it’s sex) and more concerned about the And yet here it is.

All raunchy sex and disgusting sex smell (like repercussions.

Now there’s an old adage that deals with the sweat drizzled on B.O. marinating in a funk cassevery situation you’re in. It’s the one about the role) aside, you gotta sit your excited fella down.

You’re right. You don’t want to lose your job or threesome gone awry, and while it has some flunk your classes just for some stinky (tr)ucking detrimental effects on your end, Chrissy, Janet back at the ranch. It’s one thing to radiate sexuali- might suffer the brunt of the emotional and perty (the Good Doctor’s been accused of that), but sonal damage should your little foray into the to actually have cartoon-style stink waves wafting garden of forbidden pleasures go south.

What if he looks like he’s enjoying it more off your still-flushed body, methinks is something when he’s with you? What if he moans differentto avoid at all costs.

So talk to the dude, tell him you like the old ly? On the other side, what if she looks like she’s hot-and-sticky as much as the next gal, but he’ll getting more out of getting off with you?

Your involvement, anyone’s involvement, in have to contain himself, and maybe keep the sex theasexfew life of twomany people drinks in a committed toys and KY in the closet when he knowsOK, you’ve after too last rela- Brace yourself for what you’re about tionship complicates things. Keep that in mind got to get to class in 10 minutes. weekend, I hooked to read, but understand that I come tread softly. up with this guy Telling him you don’t want to “hit it HARD” and Or just tell them to give Mr. and Mrs. Roper a every night of the week, midday, midmorning, whom I had met a few times before.

It from a good place. during tea with the folks, after “The Price is Right,” call, I heard they’re a coupla real swingers. was pretty stupid, I’m not attracted to my girlfriend anyDr. Date before you run to church, on your way out fun to the and,—admittedly, car, during the second half of the but double you regret it.

I don’t more, and talking to her about it is really Dear Dr. Date, have to work at the restaurant, etc., shouldn’t be a I have been to this for this like a good hard. I hate seeing her feelings hurt, but But the thing is, talking I think I girl like signal to him that you’re sick of sex or that you’re some time of prude. It should, however, show you two months now. We met in a math class and guy now. I’ve been thinking about him I also don’t like living like I’m perfectly to be a somewhat responsible student and work- have been talking ever since. When I first met her, told myself I wouldn’t jump the gun and content with our relationship. constantly I since wethat had our one-night er, trying to repress her inner sexual deviant.

You can let the freak flag fly when you have the date her like in 2 weeks of knowing each other, so stand, even though I’m trying so hard to Based on this, I think it’s time for us time. It’s better to keep it at half staff, than to turn I set a goal for at least two months. The thing is though, Iemotionally. only get to see once a week in class and to end things. I’m just hesitant to do that into the smelly kid in class. Or worse unattach yet, Pig-Pen. myself we don’t really talk much on the phone. We did — Dr. Date We haven’t since the morning get to talked have lunch together and talk about what before the holiday break because we we were looking a certain type of relation- have a Florida trip planned.

Dear Dr. Date, I left his bed, and he’sforain major player.

My friend, lets call her Janet Wood, recently ship. I mean, she told me that she wasn’t looking I’m pretty sure he’s hooking up with ahow I It would be so awkward going on asked me a favor that I’m a little unsure about. at this time, but I just want to really tell her feel ...

How do I do this? such hapa sweet and the vacation after breaking up — it’s She asked me if I would join her andgirl her this new weekend, andSheI isjust nice girl, she always says, “It doesn’t matter” when boyfriend in a threesome. pened to beI ask one rotation. her on to dohis something ... and she always seems with her family — but I also don’t think Now I have never met her boyfriend, who we to go my way when IIask.

Like for example, can call Jack Tripper, and they both go toBut school is there a chance can make this I ask, I should keep dating her when I don’t about 4 hours away. Even though I’ve never had “Do you want take a walk?” and she responds, “It work?

The only reason I’m reaching outto say want to. I’ve committed to this vacation sex I’m positive that I like guys, but I am still open- doesn’t matter ... ” then I don’t know what and II say, “Okay lets go” and she just says, “Okay” financially, so without question I have to mined about the idea. to you is that can’t stop thinking about Janet and I have made out a few times before ... I am just worried if I tell her how I feel, our himanything and thefriendship idea of together. willus change and she will see me differ- go. when we were both drunk, but never like what she has in mind. I’m first off a little con- ently, please Dr. Date Help ME! Sincerely, When is a good time to drop the — Confused and Lost fused on why she would ask me if I haven’t even bomb? Also, should I be honest and tell had sex and we have plenty of other good lookDear Confused and Lost, ing sexually active friends that she could’ve her the real reason I’m breaking up with I’m not going to sit here and tell you you asked. are they lead should go up andfun, tell her howcan you feel, because her, which is that she’s not as hot to me I’m also confused if she’s doing thisWhile for her hookups couldaren’t just makealways shi(r)t awkward for the two as she used to be? pleasure, or Jack’s. I guess the reason asking that toI’mfeelings that reciprofor your help is because I am curious of what it of you. cated.

Experiencing conI’m also not an goingemotional to say you should wait her would be like, but I’m also wondering about the out, because you see her only in class, and the reprecussions. Is it going to be weirdnection or awkwardwith someone after sex is norafterward? Could it potenially ruin our friendship, semester ends in like three weeks. you’ve done most intimate of Any less the confused or lost? or their relationship? Is it going to mal; be worth it?

Didn’t think so.

Please help!

dr. date

Dr. Date,

Dr. Date,

—More Than a One-Nighter

Catching Feelings,

—The End Is Near

acts, so it makes sense that your bond is — Dr. Date deeper afterward. about a relationship with Need relationship advice? Fantasizing E-mail Dr. Date at drdate@mndaily.com. your crush can be exciting. Infatuation may give you a little extra pep in your step and a new reason to smile.

That said, don’t confuse fantasy for reality. Given his reputation as a player, your chances of locking down your crush for a committed relationship are almost nonexistent. If there’s something about him that you just can’t shake, proceed with caution. And remember: He’ll probably break your heart, so you’re better off setting your long-term prospects elsewhere.

— Chrissy Snow

—Dr. Date

Break It Off,

The time to drop the bomb is now.

Your relationship is causing you anguish, so it’s not fair for you or your girlfriend to keep it going. You deserve to be with someone you’re attracted to, and she deserves a boyfriend who’s attracted to her.

Even though you made a financial commitment to go on the Florida trip, the right thing to do is cancel your plans.

Why would you go somewhere with someone you no longer want to be with?

As painful as it may be, you should save everyone the time and break up with her now.

—Dr. Date

Need relationship advice? Email Dr. Date at drdate@mndaily.com.

9

10

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Campus political groups shifting focus Changes u from Page 1

she said.

During election season, MPIRG used more than $125,000, part of the student ser vices fees the group receives, to hire staff members who helped organize the group’s “Get Out the Youth Vote” campaign.

These staf f members will help on other MPIRG campaigns throughout the year, Shatz-Akin said.

Other groups also used student ser vices fees to further their goals during elections but have since switched focus.

Although SCV used the election season to recruit conser vative guest speakers and host events with other political student organizations, SCV President Allison Maass said the group now spends its time and money preparing the Minnesota Republic, a monthly conservative magazine.

Now that elections are over, Maass said, the group is working to get Ron Paul, a former Texas Congressman, on campus to speak to students next semester.

Paul was a two-time presidential candidate and veteran, and he served several terms in Congress.

“He’s a big name that

“It’s really important to us that the student voice is heard.”

BAILEY SHATZ-AKIN MPIRG member

people could come see,” Maass said. “It’s a pretty big event and a thing to do.”

Although the Student Ser vices Fees Committee granted funding to MPIRG and SCV for its endeavors, other politically active groups don’t get those resources.

Par tisan organizations like the College Republicans and College Democrats don’t receive student services fees.

College Republicans Vice Chair Ron Feingold said the group doesn’t have a huge budget. It only receives funding grants from the Minnesota Student Association, Feingold said.

“We don’t get a lot of money from [MSA],” he said.

The group used the majority of its funding for activities and events leading up to Election Day, Feingold said, adding that the group wanted to inform students by having Republican candidates speak at their weekly

LIAM JAMES DOYLE, DAILY

The Hub Bicycle Co-Op employee Ben Erickson sits on Nov. 25 in Ford Hall before his presentation on how to maintain the health of bicycles during the winter.

meetings.

For example, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mike McFadden attended a weekly meeting and pre-

sented for students.

N o w, F e i n g o l d s a i d he and the other College Republicans of ficers are busy brainstorming events

for next semester. So is MPIRG. The group is tr ying to engage more students by encouraging them to work

on the issues they care about, Shatz-Akin said.

“It’s really important to us that the student voice is heard,” she said.

Asian sorority comes to U’s greek organization The sorority Sigma Psi Zeta officially joins seven other multicultural greek organizations on campus.

BY SARAH CONNOR sconnor@mndaily.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF AJ RIEHBRANDT

Designing Dreams recipient Jessica Helmbreck poses in her room with the programs’ volunteers after having her room redesigned in January.

Students make dreams reality, one kid’s bedroom at a time Nonprofit u from Page 1

organization, she said, Designing Dreams hopes to receive more donations of large items, like furniture and electronics.

“We decided that in order to receive grants from cer tain companies, like Target or Ikea … we had to be a nonprofit,” said Becca Scott, Designing Dreams’ public relations of ficer.

“It’s just much easier to get those [items].”

The organization received $1,500 this summer from the Peder Hedberg Foundation, a group that provides funds to nonprofit organizations that work with children. “[Designing Dreams] definitely fits within the categor y of [helping] kids with special needs,” said Paul Hedberg, president of the foundation. “… When we heard about Designing Dreams, it just sounded like one of the most creative ideas that we had ever heard of.”

The group took on projects from family friends

“There are no words to describe seeing the children’s faces when they [first] walk into their room.”

LAUREN CURWICK Designing Dreams president

during its early years. But now, with the official organization in place, families with critically ill children ages 3 to 13 need to apply for a bedroom redesign. The group will start its next project, making over a Minnesota child’s room, in January.

But children who don’t receive a room makeover can still be featured as a “child of the month” on the Designing Dreams website and receive a gift basket, Scott said.

And the giving doesn’t stop once the group finishes with its projects.

Jackie Helmbrecker, Jessica’s mother, said the Designing Dreams team still takes her daughter out for frozen yogurt and keeps in contact with her.

Scott said she and her friends plan to continue the nonprofit after they graduate this year, adding that

they all want to keep affecting and improving children’s lives.

“There are no words to describe seeing the children’s faces when they [first] walk into their room,” Curwick said.

Jessica Helmbrecker’s only request for the group during the redesign was that it create a pink-themed bedroom with her favorite quote etched on the wall: “Though she be but little, she is fierce.”

After the room makeover and being a part of Designing Dreams, Jackie Helmbrecker said her daughter is paying it forward by bringing treats to children at the hospital where she receives chemotherapy.

“I really think that each kid that gets a room should pay it forward and do something for the next kid,” she said.

McNeil expected to plead not guilty Trial u from Page 1

routine is impor tant. He wants to get back into school,” Tyler said.

As charges against McNeil were read of f to him on Monday, he folded his hand and covered his mouth. He’s facing one count of felony third-degree assault and another felony count of domestic assault by

strangulation after the Nov. 24 incident that allegedly occurred at his girlfriend’s apartment.

During the hearing, prosecuting attorney Daniel Homstad r equested a large bail because of the “lengthy and br utal” nature of the alleged crime.

McNeil allegedly br oke a mir r or, pulled out drawers and poured alcohol on clothes at his girlfriend’s apar tment

shor tly after he ar rived to pick up a backpack last week.

He strangled the victim and whipped her with a belt, the complaint against him said.

Police of ficers found McNeil’s girlfriend with several large welts and bruises later that day.

“I t ’s a v er y s eri ou s matter, and we’re going to have to deal with the charges,” T yler told reporters.

When international students Sarah Sham and Faith Tan came to the University of Minnesota as freshmen two years ago, they sought out a greek community that recognized Asian culture.

But after an unsuccessful search, the Singaporean students began recruiting friends and classmates to charter a new campus sorority that would cater specifically to Asian women.

The group was officially welcomed into the Multicultural Greek Council late last month at a reveal ceremony in Coffman Union.

Members say the new sorority gives them a place on campus to call home and will create a community for future Asian women students at the University.

“We felt like we were missing something from this college experience, and we really wanted to make our experience memorable,” said Sham, vice president of the sorority, Sigma Psi Zeta.

“We wanted to make something out of nothing and leave a legacy behind.”

Tan, the organization’s president, said the new sorority sprouted from the student group Bel Esprit, which she and Sham

created after neither of them found a good fit with the sororities that already existed on campus. The student group helped gain support and members for the new sorority, she said.

MGC adviser Mia McCurdy said she’s expecting Sigma Psi Zeta to do great things on campus now that it’s an of ficial greek organization.

“I have been working with these women for over a year now, and they were an incredibly dedicated interest group that moved very quickly to become a sorority,” she said.

Tan said she and Sham recruited the chapter’s first 12 members “organically” by contacting friends, classmates and acquaintances and even cold calling women who they thought would be a good fit.

The sorority likely won’t participate in spring recruitment, Tan said, but it plans to take par t in formal recruitment next fall.

“We want to try to recruit as soon as we can, but we don’t want to rush things,” Sham said. “We want to make sure we have a solid foundation before we actually recruit more girls.”

Though it’s hard to predict whether Sigma Psi Zeta will struggle in recruiting

new members because it is new, McCurdy said, it’s done a good job so far identifying itself as a multicultural sorority and making women of diverse backgrounds feel welcome.

Tan and Sham said they’re planning to get the sorority’s name out through events like mixers and fundraisers and by participating in a greek-based step show at South Dakota State University this winter.

“Our biggest goal is to start planning for recruitment so we can get our first class and really get a good group of girls to join our sisterhood,” Sham said.

Katy Huang, Sigma Psi Zeta’s fundraising chair, said she hopes the new organization and the other greek chapters on campus will work together.

“We really want to get to know the other fraternities and sororities, especially in MGC,” she said.

The sorority joins seven other culturally specific organizations in the MGC, including a South Asian sorority and a Latina sorority.

Tan said she hopes the new Asian women-centered organization can help those students feel more connected to campus.

“We wanted an experience out of greek life that could cater to our culture and our background and be somewhere that we would all feel comfor table,” she said.

DNR settles lawsuit over lowered water levels in White Bear Lake

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has settled a lawsuit over declining water levels in White Bear Lake, the agency said Monday.

The White Bear Lake Restoration Association and the White Bear Lake Homeowners Association sued the DNR two years ago, saying the agency had allowed nearby cities to pump too much groundwater from the aquifer connected to the lake.

The settlement stops litigation for as many as three years. Meanwhile, the DNR will support efforts to move 13 communities from using groundwater to using surface water from the Mississippi River. But it’s not clear when that will happen. The DNR said moving the first six communities would cost as much as $230 million, and no one has committed

to paying.

As par t of the settlement, the DNR will support legislative proposals to fund the feasibility, design and constr uction of a system connecting six nearby cities to surface water to relieve pressure on the Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer, Minnesota Public Radio News reported. The lawsuit will not be dismissed until such a system is in place, attorneys for the homeowners said in a statement.

“This settlement is the first step in restoring White Bear Lake’s invaluable ecosystem and its natural, recreational, scenic and aesthetic value,” said attorney Michael Ciresi, whose firm represented the plaintiffs.

Assistant DNR Commissioner Barb Naramore said the settlement will help advance “long-term water sustainability” in the northern and eastern Twin Cities suburbs, but she said agency

officials continue to disagree with the plaintiffs on what led to the lake’s decline.

“We believe there are other causes for the low lake levels in recent years, and would note that those levels are within the historic range of variation recorded at White Bear Lake,” Naramore said in a statement.

The DNR also agreed to set a minimum water level to guide regulation of new or existing groundwater permits. That wouldn’t apply until the first six communities move to sur face water.

The agr eement still needs a Ramsey County judge’s approval.

“This is really just the beginning of our ef for t,” Katie Crosby Lehmann, an attorney for the plaintiffs, told MPR. “We’re hopeful the state will invest in water and supplying a sustainable water source.”