UMN OFFICIALS ADDRESS BEN SHAPIRO VENUE PAGE 2 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
EARLY WEEK
SOME STUDENTS SAID THE ST. PAUL SPOT IS TOO REMOTE.
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MEN’S HOCKEY
ENTERTAINMENT
Weekend series ends in U sweep The Gophers beat the Badgers 4-2 Friday and 7-1 on Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin. BY DREW COVE dcove@mndaily.com
Paul Bunyan’s Axe might have gone back to the Badgers after they shutout the Gophers in football, but the men’s hockey team managed to score seven against Wisconsin on the ice. No. 12 Minnesota (18-13-1, 9-10-1 Big Ten) dominated No. 17 Wisconsin (14-15-3, 8-11-2-1 Big Ten) in a 7-1 offensive explosion-victory Saturday for the coveted fourth spot in the Big Ten standings. “We talked about the playoffs had begun for us,” head coach Don Lucia told the Gopher Radio Network. “We’ll have a chance at homeice and this was a critical two-game segment for us.” The offense for Minnesota has struggled to produce much of the season, but Saturday, it came alive to score seven goals on the Badgers, a season-high goal total for the team. Forward Rem Pitlick — goalless in the past 12 games — scored two goals, including one where he batted a puck out of mid-air. On top of Pitlick’s offensive resurgence, another name that has been quiet on the scoresheet this season came back and scored a goal for the first time in months. Forward Leon Bristedt scored 20 goals two seasons ago for the Gophers, but had only three coming into Saturday’s game. He scored his fourth goal of the season in the victory, which marked the first time he scored an empty-net goal since a game in late December against Army. The last goal he scored that wasn’t an empty-netter was on Nov. 4 against Michigan State. It didn’t take long for the Gophers to get back into their offensive stride. Just 1:07 into u See MEN’S HOCKEY Page 4
CAMPUS
Keillor’s face removed from Scholars Walk The former “Prairie Home” host was quietly replaced on the campus monument. BY MAX CHAO mchao@mndaily.com
Former radio host Garrison Keillor was removed from the University of Minnesota’s Scholars Walk following a recent sexual harassment scandal. Scholars Walk, which honors outstanding University faculty and alumni, removed Keillor’s plaque. Keillor’s song lyrics from an early A Prarie Home Companion was still on the Wall of Discovery as of Sunday night. Keillor, a longtime Minnesota Public Radio personality, was fired in late 2017 after facing allegations of workplace sexual harassment. In a letter to members published on Jan. 23, MPR’s President Jon McTaggart said that an outside investigation looked into dozens of allegations regarding sexually inappropriate incidents by Keillor. When asked for more information on the decision, a University spokesperson deferred comment to a company based in McNamara Alumni Center that manages Scholars Walk. When reached for comment, the company deferred comment to a University spokesperson. Keillor graduated from the University with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1966.
Kiss the Tiger perform at the Varsity Theater as part of their grand reopening show on Friday.
MAX OSTENSO, DAILY
A Dinkytown staple returns The Varsity Theater’s “soft reopening” was the venue’s first live show in over a year. BY KATE DRAKULIC kdrakulic@mndaily.com
Friday night appeared to be just like any other. Underclassmen walked in tightknit herds to frat-row, jocks ignored walk signs as they stormed Qdoba and odd characters tumbled from Ubers in front of the Kitty Cat Klub. To the uninformed eye, all was ordinary in Dinkytown, except for the handful of social smokers and the sound that seeped out of the doors of the Varsity Theater. For the first time in over a year and a half, Varsity opened its doors and put on a show. You would never know the theater took such a hiatus from the inside. The quirky jungle bathrooms, the bars and the barn-like warehouse ground floor were still very much intact. As the night u See VARSIT Y Page 5
MAX OSTENSO, DAILY
Dirt Train perform at the Varsity Theater as part of the theater’s grand reopening show.
ADMINISTRATION
President Eric Kaler addresses sexual misconduct, bonding bill hopes Kaler also spoke about the controversial plan to close an East Bank child care center. BY KELLY BUSCHE kbusche@mndaily.com
The Minnesota Daily sat down with University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler Friday for this semester’s first monthly interview. Kaler discussed the University’s legislative priorities, the President’s Initiative to Prevent Sexual Misconduct and the planned closure of the University’s Child Development Center, among other topics. Did you check out the Super Bowl last week at all? We had the NFL Honors here in Northop, which was fun. So my wife and I, we went to that, which was interesting. … But I did not go to the game. We have a tradition of watching it with friends and [my friend] bought a new TV with speakers so we went over and checked it out.
Last time you sat down with the Minnesota Daily you mentioned that a few of your biggest goals for 2018 are developing the 2019 budget and advancing the University’s legislative agenda, so looking specifically at this semester, what are your top priorities? Getting a good bonding bill is really critical to the future of the University. … This is also the time in which we are developing our operating budget for the next fiscal year. … And that will engage a lot of conversations around things that we’re going to do … [and] around what tuition will be. And again some conversation with our [legislators] about the potential for a supplemental budget that might bring in some more operating dollars. So that sounds all about money, and that’s a necessary, but not sufficient, thing for a University to have. So we’ll also engage in exchanges with faculty governance and student governance around the student conduct code and other issues that will come forward. Your annual State of the University speech is coming up March 1 … have
you started thinking about the themes and topics you might address? Absolutely. Yeah, I think I’ll probably be pretty timely. I think I’ll spend a fair amount of time talking about freedom of speech, the First Amendment rights and protest and I’ll spend a fair amount of time talking about the President’s Initiative to Prevent Sexual Violence [Misconduct] … and how I’d like to see that grow. So those feel to me to be probably the two most significant parts of what I’m going to talk about. Why are those the most significant? I think right now, in this country there’s incredible tension, uneasiness, a real inability for people with opposing points of view to come together and talk and try to understand each other … and universities are the place where that kind of dialogue should be able to take place in a safe and respectful environment. And I’d like this University to be that kind of place. And I don’t think there’s any element in our society now that u See KALER Page 8
ADMINISTRATION
Protesters storm Regents meeting The interruption came after a disagreement over new changes to the student conduct code. BY KELLY BUSCHE kbusche@mndaily.com
CARTER BLOCHWITZ, DAILY
A group of students air grievances to UMN President Eric Kaler and Regent David McMillan during the Board of Regents meeting on Friday. Their concerns stem from a proposed Student Conduct Code change.
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents discussed a potential tuition increase, a new sexual misconduct initiative and institutional risks, among other topics, at its meetings Thursday and Friday. The meeting Friday was also interrupted by a group voicing opposition to proposed student conduct code changes. Student Conduct Code A scheduled vote on the proposed student conduct code amendment was postponed amid criticism from some students and faculty. Under the proposed document, student
groups could be held liable for conduct they direct, sponsor or endorse that violates the University’s conduct code; or if a group’s officers don’t prevent misconduct during a group event. Students and faculty who attended the protest worry this change could make it easier for the administration to punish students who engage in “disruptive behavior” — like protests — on campus. The current code defines “disruptive behavior” as a punishable offense that includes “participating in a campus demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of the University,” “engaging in intentional obstruction that interferes with freedom of movement … on campus,” and “using sound amplification equipment on campus without authorization.” With about five minutes left in the Board of Regents meeting Friday, a group of u See REGENTS Page 3
VOLUME 118 ISSUE 38
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
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THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Monday, February 12, 2018 Vol. 118 No. 38
An Independent Student Newspaper, Founded in 1900. 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55414 Phone: (612) 627-4080 Fax: (612) 435-5865 Copyright © 2018 The Minnesota Daily This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.
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OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER Mike Hendrickson Editor-in-Chief mhendrickson@mndaily.com (612) 435-1575 Kathryn Chlystek Business Operations Officer kchlystek@mndaily.com (612) 435-2761 NEWS STAFF Nick Wicker Managing Editor nwicker@mndaily.com Cedar Thomas Managing Production Editor cthomas@mndaily.com Jack White Sports Editor jwhite@mndaily.com Gunthar Reising A&E Editor greising@mndaily.com Alex Tuthill-Preus Multimedia Editor atuthill-preus@mndaily.com Maddy Fox Assistant Multimedia Editor mfox@mndaily.com Sheridan Swee Copy Desk Chief sswee@mndaily.com Molly Tynjala Assistant Copy Desk Chief mtynjala@mndaily.com Harry Steffenhagen Visuals Editor hsteffenhagen@mndaily.com Jane Borstad Visuals Editor jborstad@mndaily.com Desmond Kamas Chief Page Designer dkamas@mndaily.com Rilyn Eischens Campus Editor reischens@mndaily.com Olivia Johnson Campus Editor ojohnson@mndaily.com Ryan Faircloth City Editor rfaircloth@mndaily.com David Clarey Features Editor dclarey@mndaily.com =
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MAX OSTENSO, DAILY
Interviewee Samad Qureshi makes air quotes with his hands while talking about his experience with mental health stigmas on Saturday, Feb. 10. as a part of a video profile series on Indian students at the University created by the Indian Student Association.
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STATE REPORT ELECTION MAY TEST ANTITRUMP WINDS, AFFECT SENATE CONTROL ST. PAUL — Monday’s special election for a Cottage Grove-area state Senate district will provide the latest barometer for how Democrats can capitalize on a midterm swoon for Republicans nationwide and cue up a fight for control over a closely divided Senate. But the Democratic and Republican candidates are doing their best to tune out the high stakes surrounding the unusual Monday special election, instead focusing on their legislative credentials from previous stints at the Capitol. DFL nominee Karla Bigham and the GOP’s Denny McNamara planned to spend nearly every hour of daylight until polls close knocking on doors, as they had for the last few months. It’s one of two special elections scheduled for Monday that were set in motion by the resignations of lawmakers — a Senate Democrat and a House Republican — who were accused by several women of sexual harassment. And while both races drew attention, most eyes were on the Senate race for a district that’s been reliably Democratic for years but swung narrowly for Donald Trump in 2016. Ac ro s s t h e c o u n t r y , Democrats have snatched surprise victories in legislative and congressional seats that Trump soundly won in, none bigger than Democrat Doug Jones’ upset to win Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ old Alabama Senate seat. Most recently, Democrats in Missouri and Wisconsin won special elections in legislative districts that Trump won big. Coupled with a precinct caucus turnout last week that tripled Republicans’ showing statewide, Minnesota Democrats believe that momentum is on their side. “It just reinforced what we were kind of expecting: that the DFL base is pretty mobilized,” Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk said. But special elections are fickle, low-turnout affairs that can confound logic and contradict electoral trends. And there’s an extra twist: a rare Monday election, forced by scheduling conflicts and a desire to ensure the winner is sworn in when the Legislature returns Feb. 20.
‘The Indian Perspective’ launched by student group The project allows Indian students to share thoughts on issues and culture. BY LEW BLANK lblank@mndaily.com
Through a video series featuring Indian students and their stories, the Indian Student Association at the University of Minnesota launched a project last week to highlight lesserknown issues and to inform fellow students of their culture. The project, called The Indian Perspective, is a series of videos allowing Indian students on campus to talk openly about issues they face and their cultural identities, as well as how certain topics are handled differently in the U.S. and India. Senior Soniya Somani, ISA vice president, said the project was inspired by Humans of New York, a popular online photo and video series featuring passers-by and their backgrounds. ISA had the first volun-
teer meeting for the project on Friday night and conducted several interviews over the weekend, which they plan to post on their Facebook page in March. “It’s a way for us to put out people’s voices,” said Pallavi Janiani, who will help edit the videos. “We don’t necessarily hear a lot from the Indian community about these topics.” One of the main goals of The Indian Perspective is to inform the University community about the dayto-day lives of Indian students on campus. “We’re all different, like no two states in the United States are exactly the same,” said Sourojit Ghosh, one of the students interviewed for the project. “I think that hearing voices of several different Indian students can paint a … more collective picture of what different sides or different states or different parts of the culture look like.” In their video interviews, some students discussed how mental health is treated differently in the
U.S. and India. “There’s increased awareness happening in the recent years of mental health within Indian communities, but it’s something that was traditionally, not necessarily, talked about ... a few decades ago,” said Anisha Dharnipragada, president of ISA. While Western culture encourages a more open discussion of mental health, it is discussed more hesitantly among South Asians, said Samad Qureshi, a participant in the project. As a result, Qureshi said discussions on mental health “typically are centered around very strongly Caucasian-based groups.” Some students believe Indians are less aware of mental health issues because they lack signs of physical injury. “If you break your leg and there’s a plaster on it, that’s a physical manifestation,” Ghosh said. “But if somebody suffers from mental health, there is no physical manifestation
of a wound or something of that sort, so people don’t recognize that as a problem in Indian society.” Alongside mental health, questions about cultural identity and the significance of family names were featured in the interview process. “I have a very long last name that’s really hard for people to say,” Dharnipragada said. “What does our name actually mean to us? What is the meaning behind it? Is it okay that people are mispronouncing our names, or is that something that we want to educate people on?” In the end, Dharnipragada hopes the Indian Perspective will demonstrate that Indian culture is deeper than how others perceive it. “We’re not just about Bollywood movies and dances,” she said. “That’s a big part of our culture, definitely, don’t get me wrong. But there’s things that we go through in dayto-day life as well that we want others to really hear about.”
Shapiro talk prompts U response Some students said the planned location of the conservative event is too remote. BY ELIANA SCHREIBER eschreiber@mndaily.com
Controversy over the location of a conservative speaker prompted University of Minnesota officials to call a press conference to clear the air Friday afternoon. The University held the conference at Northrop Auditorium to explain why Ben Shapiro, a prominent conservative scheduled to speak Feb. 26, would be hosted on the St. Paul campus later this month. At the conference, University Relations Vice President Matt Kramer said the decision came after a lengthy process of working with students
from all three student groups involved — Students for a Conservative Voice, Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow and Minnesota Students for Liberty. Kramer specifically addressed rumors that came up during Super Bowl LII that St. Paul is not as important as Minneapolis. “I have seen remarks that St. Paul is ‘exile,’” he said. “St. Paul campus is integral to the University of Minnesota. It is no different than the East Bank or the West Bank campus.” Kramer said the North Star Ballroom in St. Paul was chosen because it met size and security requirements. He added that many of the larger venues on the Minneapolis campus were unavailable due to prescheduled classes or other events.
Additionally, Kramer dismissed rumors that the University has an anti-conservative bias. In the past year, the University hosted conservative speakers Lauren Southern and Charlie Kirk with full support from the University of Minnesota Police Department to protect attendees and protesters, he said. UMPD Lieutenant Troy Buhta was also available at the conference to answer questions related to security concerns surrounding Shapiro’s talk. Despite the University’s reasons for the event’s location, students from conservative student groups on campus expressed frustration. Madison Faupel, a member of College Republicans and Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow, said while she is
sympathetic to security concerns, she wishes the groups could have secured a spot at one of the buildings on the Minneapolis campus. “The police want to stay safe, they want us to stay safe, they want the protesters to be safe. I get that and I understand that,” Faupel said. “But I think that they could do that on this campus.”
“I have seen remarks that St. Paul is ‘exile.’ St. Paul campus is integral to the University of Minnesota.” MATT KRAMER University Relations Vice President
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EDITORIAL BOARD Anant Naik Editorials & Opinions Editor anaik@mndaily.com Aleezeh Hasan Editorial Board Member ahasan@mndaily.com Ray Weishan Editorial Board Member rweishan@mndaily.com Mike Hendrickson Editor-in-Chief mhendrickson@mndaily.com BUSINESS Genevieve Locke Sales Manager glocke@mndaily.com David Keane Controller dkeane@mndaily.com Corrections The Minnesota Daily strives for complete accuracy and corrects its errors immediately. Corrections and clarifications will always be printed in this space. If you believe the Daily has printed a factual error, please call the readers’ representative at (612) 627–4070, extension 3057, or email errors@mndaily.com immediately. THE MINNESOTA DAILY is a legally independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is a student-written and student-managed newspaper for the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. The Daily’s mission is: 1) to provide coverage of news and events affecting the University community; 2) to provide a forum for the communication and exchange of ideas for the University community; 3) to provide educational training and experience to University students in all areas of newspaper operations; and 4) to operate a fiscally responsible organization to ensure its ability to serve the University in the future. The Daily is a member of the Minnesota News Council, the Minnesota Associated Press, the Associated Collegiate Press, The Minnesota Newspaper Association and other organizations. The Daily is published Monday and Thursday during the regular school year and weekly during the summer, and it is printed by ECM Publishers in Princeton, Minn. Midwest News Service distributes the 10,000 issues biweekly. All Minnesota Daily inserts are recyclable within the University of Minnesota program and are at least 6 percent consumer waste. U.S. Postal Service: 351–480.w
Monday, February 12, 2018
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West Bank organization calls for more art
CARTER BLOCHWITZ, DAILY
Allen Christian works on a “little library” made out of an old Star Tribune box, keyboard keys and many other spare parts in his Cedar-Riverside gallery, House of Balls on Saturday.
Local artists have expressed interest in contributing to a public art project. BY CARTER BLOCHWITZ cblochwitz@mndaily.com
Cedar-Riverside business leaders are looking to bring more art to their neighborhood. A project led by the West Bank Business Association aims to attract local artists to design functional and culturally relevant art along Cedar Avenue. Local artists and community members gathered at WBBA
meetings last week to discuss the project and how to receive financial assistance for their work. “What we’re hoping with these projects on Cedar Avenue is that they’re used by the neighborhood for years to come,” said WBBA Executive Director Jamie Schumacher. “Culturally relevant artwork for the neighborhood — a walking mural, something that traces visually the immigrant history of the neighborhood.” Schumacher said the WBBA plans to subsidize projects for 20 to 25 local artists, and will help participants craft public art proposals for City approval.
The organization is providing this support because gaining approval from Minneapolis city officials can be a lengthy process, she said. One of the project’s potential artists, Allen Christian, owns the gallery and artist studio House of Balls in Cedar-Riverside. Christian, who uses metalwork and found materials to craft art, said he has several ideas for the project. “It would be interesting to do a series of [benches] along Cedar related to the culture in [the area],” Christian said. “Something to do with Somalia — something related to the immigration ground-zero that the West
Bank has been for a hundred years.” The WBBA’s public art project will be funded by a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and pending National Endowment for the Arts funding. Once an artist has their project approved, Schumacher said they would be eligible for a stipend of up to $15,000 for their time and effort. Proposal submissions are open through March. The WBBA and community members will review each project proposal in April and May. “We’re really looking at the audience that’s going to be using public art, so we’re
thinking about 6,000 people that live here and the people that work here,” Schumacher said. The idea for this project grew out of several years of “pop-up” art and clean-up efforts done through a collaboration between WBBA and Augsburg University. The pop-ups ranged from art installations to little free libraries, including pop-up gardens and parks as well. Through an independent study conducted by the WBBA, the organization found that graffiti and litter was significantly reduced in the neighborhood in the months following
artistic and community efforts. “We saw that after we did the clean-up and the art, it really did reduce the amount of litter and graffiti because those areas were more cared for,” Schumacher said. Ifrah Mansour, another artist invited to participate in the project, said she appreciates WBBA’s efforts to improve the community. “I hear through [neighborhood elders] that there are some parts [of the neighborhood] that aren’t friendly or welcoming,” Mansour said. “I really do appreciate what West Bank is doing to help.”
Protesters storm Regents meeting over conduct code Regents u from Page 1
around 25 students entered the hall asking for a public forum with the regents. Regent David McMillan and University President Eric Kaler stayed behind to talk with the group. Students and faculty in the opposing group said the proposed amendment would “criminalize” student action. Thursday night, a crowd of about 35 people gathered outside Coffman Union to voice their opposition to the proposed changes, which some worry could make it easier for the University to punish students for protesting. After the demonstration, Differences Organized members Josie Slovut and Maikha Khang said the comment period wasn’t adequately publicized and didn’t allow for a true dialogue among students. At the meeting Friday, McMillan said the board won’t reconsider a change until “deepened and strong consultation” with stakeholders takes place. The board has not rescheduled a review of the proposed changes. Tuition increase Tuition will likely increase one percent for in-state students at the University’s Twin Cities campus, according to a regents discussion Thursday. The change would keep tuition in line with inflation levels and generate an additional $3.4 million for the University, regents said at the meeting. The regents approved a 15 percent tuition hike for nonresident, non-reciprocity students in December, and the board is considering an additional 15 percent increase for incoming nonresident, non-reciprocity freshman and a five percent increase for current students. The board is set to discuss
the proposed tuition increases in May and vote at its June meeting. If approved, the increase would provide $8.8 million for the University’s 2019 budget. Tuition at the University’s other campuses would remain unchanged. Student Representative to the Board of Regents Lauren Anderson said she’s heard feedback both from supporters and opponents of the tuition increase. When tuition increases place burdens on students, the board must “go back to the drawing board,” she said. However, some students are in favor of tuition increases because they attend the University knowing its high standards require financial support, Anderson said. President’s Initiative to Prevent Sexual Misconduct During a discussion of the President’s Initiative to Prevent Sexual Misconduct, which was announced in May, regents voiced widespread support for the campaign, with many citing the current climate around sexual misconduct. “Prevention of sexual misconduct and promotion of a culture that supports the health and welfare of all is an absolute necessity,” said Karen Miksch, associate professor and coordinator of Higher Education Programs for the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development, at the meeting. The initiative was designed from a public health a p p ro a c h a n d a i m s t o change the culture around sexual misconduct by requiring increased training for University faculty and staff, promoting “respectful cultures” in academic departments and developing awareness and educational campaigns. “We live in a culture of sexual misconduct … and we here at the University
are not immune from this epidemic,” Kaler said at the meeting Friday. Institutional risks At the meeting, the board also reviewed institutional risks — areas involving legal compliance, or where the University’s reputation could be at risk. Brian Dahlin, chief information security officer for the Office of Information Technology, said cyber risks are “inherent” for the University. Developments to protect the University from cyber attacks have been implemented, Dahlin said. Highlights include two-factor authentication and a network upgrade to increase the University’s ability to detect attacks. Bernard Gulacheck, vice president and chief information officer for the Office of Information Technology, said something as simple as a phisher gaining access to a University email account can give them wider access. “That’s what I lose sleep about,” he said. Purchases and approvals The board approved a motion to purchase the Keeler Apartment Building, located a block from campus, from the Wedum Foundation for $12 million. The building will continue to be used for student housing and managed by the University’s Housing and Residential Life. An approval by the board will move the wrestling practice facility to the first floor of the Bierman Field Athletic Building in the nowvacated basketball practice gymnasium. Anonymous, private donors funded the $26 million move. The new practice facility will house more than 7,000 square feet of mat area, a trainer room, a cardio room, coaches offices, a conference room and a recruiting space.
ELLEN SCHMIDT, DAILY
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents hears a presentation from University of Minnesota-Crookston Chancellor Mary Holz-Klause at McNamara Alumni Center on Thursday.
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Sports
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
MN DAILY
MNDAILY.COM
MEN’S HOCKEY
No. 12 Gophers sweep Badgers in Madison Men’s hockey u from Page 1
the game, Bristedt’s goal opened the scoring. Minnesota wasn’t done there, though. The Gophers scored two more in the first period alone, including the eventual gamewinner from Brent Gates Jr. Another forward who is enjoying a resurgence on the scoreboard is captain Tyler Sheehy. He added a goal Saturday, and he ended the weekend series with three goals in two games. Besides the scoring prowess returning to Minnesota’s lineup, the defense kept the gates closed for Wisconsin’s offense. The Gophers scored 11 goals in the two games, while the Badgers scored just three. “Our team did a real good job of keeping them to the perimeter, making my job easier,” goaltender Mat Robson told reporters. “I feel like they made me look really good all weekend.” Robson got his fifth consecutive start in net for the Gophers Saturday. He faced 24 shots and allowed one goal,
MEN’S HOCKEY RESULTS
FRIDAY Minnesota Wisconsin
SATURDAY Minnesota Wisconsin
1 0 1
2 1 0
3 3 1
FINAL 4 2
1 3 1
2 2 0
3 2 0
FINAL 7 1
SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM
while Friday he faced 40 shots and allowed two goals. The game was riddled with penalties — seven power plays for each team. Minnesota has had difficulty converting on the power play this season, with only 17 goals with the extra man coming into the game, but this matchup was different. Ramsey scored on the power play, a unit he is not usually on. Lucia credited that to his effort on the penalty kill that stopped all seven of Wisconsin’s power play chances. “We had some good looks tonight,” Lucia told the Gopher Radio Network. “It was nice to see [Jack] Ramsey get rewarded for all the dirty work that those guys do during the game with the penalty kill.”
MADDY FOX, DAILY FILE PHOTO
Gophers forward Leon Bristedt assists forward Taylor Cammarata with his first-period goal against St. Cloud State at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Oct. 21, 2016.
Minnesota earned another three points Saturday, which brought them to 29. The team also went ahead of Wisconsin for home-ice advantage.
Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan are all ahead of the Gophers in the conference standings. The Wolverines have 32 points, close enough
ATHLETES VILLAGE
for Minnesota to get even in points with one victory. “The guys were ready at warmups,” Lucia told the Gopher Radio Network. “We
talked about the importance of this weekend, the importance of this game tonight, a chance to leave here ahead of Wisconsin.”
SOFTBALL
Inside the U’s $166 million project
CARTER JONES, DAILY FILE PHOTO
MaKenna Partain swings at a pitch during a game against Northwestern on Saturday, April 15 at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Softball team starts season undefeated in Las Vegas Minnesota shut out two teams in five games over the weekend to go 5-0. BY DREW COVE dcove@mndaily.com The football team meeting room in the Football Performance Center on Saturday, Feb. 10.
CARTER BLOCHWITZ, DAILY
Gophers athletics moved into the new practice and training center last month. BY JACK WARRICK jwarrick@mndaily.com
Athletes Village is officially done with construction. Every team that has wanted to move into the new facility is settled in. Three new buildings, costing $166 million in total, have gone up on top of and around the old Bierman Field Athletic Building in Dinkytown. One other facility — the track and field stadium — is expected to be finished by some point in the fall, a Gophers spokesperson said. The six-level centerpiece of the new Athletes Village houses the women’s and men’s basketball teams, it also includes one level halfway underground. The building has the men’s basketball practice court, locker room and trainer room on the third level. The men and women basketball players share the weight room on the fourth floor, which is the only part of the facility they share. The women’s court, locker room and trainer room are just above the men’s court, taking up part of the fifth and sixth floors. The teams each have offices for coaches and recruiting. There is also different rooms for studying film, as well as a lounge and tutor rooms for the players. The fourth floor contains the John and Nancy Lindahl Academic Center, fit with 34 different tutor rooms and a study lounge. The sixth floor has the Leadership Center,
CARTER BLOCHWITZ, DAILY
Visitors and media stand on the new football practice filed in Athletes Village on Saturday, Feb. 10. The facility has boasted more natural light than most indoor facilities.
which was designed to help players find jobs after school with different offices and meeting places, as well as a 180-person classroom. The second level, or the first floor, contains a dining center open for breakfast and lunch to all students with meal plans from Monday to Friday. Only student-athletes can eat at the dining center for dinner. On Thursday, the University announced that the wrestling team would be turning the old Bierman basketball court into the new wrestling room. Anonymous donors gave $2.6 million to completely fund the new wrestling facility, the Star Tribune reported. It is expected to be done in November. The other two buildings are solely for the Gophers football team.
The team will leave the old 6,000 square foot weight room for a 16,000 square foot facility that is just for them. It is complete with a 43-yard turf training area, medicine ball wall, several squat racks, yoga and pilates area and a kitchen so the athletes can get nutrition immediately after their workout. The third floor has the Gophers locker room, showers, training room fit with four training pools, and even a two-chair barbershop where players can get a convenient haircut. The fourth floor has meeting rooms for each position group and for the offense and defense. It has an auditorium with 160-person seating and the offices for the Gophers’ coaches, as well as a lounge area for the players with a kitchen and video games.
Across the skyway is the third builing of the complex: the indoor practice facility. It is a full 100-yard field with an 85-foot high ceiling. According to the spokesperson, the old practice facility — the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex — which now houses other Gophers sports, could fit inside the new facility without touching the walls anywhere. The new one is 20,000 square feet larger. The project is being funded completely by donations, according to athletics director Mark Coyle. Though the University used loans to pay M.A. Mortenson Construction, donations will pay back the debt — not tuition or some other form of revenue. Coyle said that $122 million has been raised as of Thursday for the $166 million project.
The Gophers opened the season with a bang this weekend. No. 16 Minnesota (5-0) swept the opening weekend of the season at the UNLV SportCo Kickoff Classic with five victories. “We came into this saying our mission was to win the tournament,” head coach Jamie Trachsel said. “Find different ways to win, whatever it is, whatever it takes.” Minnesota started the weekend in Las Vegas with games against two teams from Utah: Southern Utah and Utah Valley. For the Gophers, it did not matter which Utah team they played, scoring eight runs against each of them. Minnesota won its first game of the season 8-5 against Southern Utah, then got a second victory in a 8-3 win over Utah Valley. On the first day of games, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year picked up where she left off. Catcher Kendyl Lindaman collected her first two home runs against the team’s first two opponents. “They were great, just getting back into the swing of things,” Lindaman said. “Things don’t always go your way, but I did have a good weekend, so that’s just a great start for myself.” Lindaman broke the Gophers record for home runs in a season last year with 20. Through the first two games, she was 4-7 with three RBIs. The second day, the Gophers pitched a shutout in both games. The first game was against North Dakota State. Minnesota stifled the Bison in a 4-0 shutout. The second game was against UNLV and the Gophers shut the Rebels out 3-0. Minnesota used two pitchers in the first four games, junior Sydney Smith and sophomore Amber Fiser. Smith started the first and
SOFTBALL RESULTS
FRIDAY Minnesota Southern Utah Minnesota Utah Valley
8 5 8 3
SATURDAY Minnesota NDSU Minnesota UNLV
4 0 3 0
SUNDAY Minnesota Creighton
7 3
SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM
fourth games of the weekend. In her Gophers debut, she went six innings with three strikeouts. The junior transfer from LSU came back in the fourth game of the weekend and shut out UNLV with seven strikeouts in all seven innings of work. Fiser played in the first, second, third and fifth games of the weekend. She came in to record her first collegiate save in the first game, but started in the second and third game to lead the Gophers to two victories. “This year, I feel a lot more confident and comfortable,” Fiser said. “Whatever happens, happens and I have confidence in the defense behind me.” Fiser played again in the fifth game of the weekend and held the score close until Minnesota found a way to break the game open offensively. She played all seven innings of the game and found her way to a new personal best. Fiser retired the final batter of the game with her 10th strikeout, which is the most in one game for her career. Fiser led Minnesota to finish the weekend with a game against Creighton, which was a close match until the final inning of play. The Gophers scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to lead Minnesota to a 7-3 victory. The Gophers are now 5-0 and will head to the Big Ten/ ACC Challenge. They have two games against Notre Dame and Florida State. “Winners find a way to win,” Trachsel said. “You have to win different ways.”
5
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
MN DAILY
MNDAILY.COM
VALENTINE’S DAY
A&E’s guide to Valentine’s week Hey babes, this year A&E is your valentine. And we’re going to give you the best week of your life. The worst part of it all should be that she’s the patient, but it’s not. There’s another lover — another psychiatrist. And he’s the first psychiatrist’s twin. When: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. Where: St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 S.E. Main St., Minneapolis How much: $6 - $8.50
BY SOPHIE VILENSKY svilenskymndaily.com
R
oses and chocolates are all well and good, but this Valentine’s Day there has to be something more. Something more to look forward to than the convenience store clearance section on Feb. 15. Something more than that bad 2010 “Love Actually” rip-off starring Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner as high school sweethearts, “Felicia and Willie.” This, darlings, is your place to find something more.
If this is going to be you and bae’s big night out:
If your favorite valentine is yourself and you’re perfectly okay with it: “Feeling Myself: A Party for Singles and Their Friends” Flip Phone’s First Avenue theme parties are fabulous, and this one is all about YOU. To quote the event’s Facebook page, “Don’t stay home and watch the Hallmark channel, this is your night to DANCE.” (It’s for singles, yes. But a night of grooving to Beyoncé, Cardi B, Rihanna, Nicki and Lil’ Kim with friends? Go. We won’t tell your s/o.) When: Feb. 14, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Where: First Avenue, 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis H o w m u c h : $10 advance/$12 door If your valentine is yourself… but next year it would be really nice to buy flowers for someone: Chairlift Speed Dating Sticking yourself with a potential partner on a chairlift might be a terrible idea. Or it might be a great story to tell your
JANE BORSTAD, DAILY
grandchildren! If the conversation is bad, you can ski away as soon as you reach the top. If it’s good, you can ski away together, down to the lodge for some romantic warming up. This event is 21+. When: Feb. 17, 2 - 6 p.m. Where: Afton Alps, 6600 Peller Ave. S., Hastings How much: $30 If you need a card to go with those flowers: Bohemian Press Valentine Cards Sale Last year’s cards included Drake caricatures and nods at “ride or die” (before Kim Kardashian’s Kimoji Hearts did it). This year’s feature potato stamped pink hearts and heart shaped boxes filled with
donuts. There are some without hearts too, you’re just going to have to check them out for yourself. When: Feb. 12-13, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Where: Regis Center for Art, 418 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis How much: $5 for a card
“Erotic Poet Champion of the Year.” The losers may have to find new material. When: Feb. 14 - 16, 8 p.m. Where: Kieran’s Irish Pub, 85 6th St. N., Minneapolis on Wednesday and Friday, 824 18th Ave NE., Minneapolis on Thursday How much: $10
If you have a lot of lovey feelings that need to find a way out:
If you’re a fan of love and want to practice it healthily:
SlamMN! Valentine’s Poetr y Tournament Back for the 24th year, here’s everyone’s favorite erotica slam! And while new poets will perform every night, you’re going to have to read Pablo Neruda on your own time. The winner of the three-day competition will be crowned
MUSIC
Review: Varsity Theater’s ‘soft’ Re-Opening Party Varsity u from Page 1
progressed, the audience swayed near the stage, couples snuggled up in the lounges and people clutched their draft beers and leaned over the balcony to catch a glimpse of the set. “I don’t think that there’s going to be a lot of changes. Our main goal is to throw great events, both private and public concerts,” said Elise Holm, Varsity’s special events and sales manager. “We just want the community to come back in and have a great time.” Holm worked at Varsity Theater when it was under previous management. The venue is now owned by Live Nation Entertainment. The lineup of the ReOpening Party was a group of diverse local sounds, which brought a unique crowd. DJ Jake Rudh, a frequent host on 89.3 the Current, started the night off with funky sounds accompanied by music videos projected on the stage screen. Rudh was followed by Minneapolis rock n’ roll group Kiss the Tiger, at which point people dared to approach the stage. Led by UMN theater alumna Meghan Kreidler, Kiss the Tiger livened the room as Kreidler jumped, kicked and danced her way around the stage while simultaneously belting her lungs out. The night brought a mix of local music junkies, primarily those with curated facial hair and round eye-glasses, as well as students and possibly parents. There were beanies of all shapes and sizes. University sophomores Abigail Aswege and Elle Pagel were among the crowd. “There’s no place in
MAX OSTENSO, DAILY
Dirt Train perform at the Varsity Theater as part of the theater’s grand reopening show on Friday.
Dinkytown like [Varsity Theater],” said Pagel, a political science major. “I think it’s really cool.” Aswege, a sophomore graphic design and art major, chimed in. “I think it’s going to be a really cool piece to Dinkytown and a good hub for people to come and hangout that’s not necessarily the bar scene,” she said. In a drastic change of sound, Chris Koza followed Kiss the Tiger with smooth vocals and acoustic tunes. While impressive, it didn’t prove to be lively enough to keep the crowd on their feet.
By the time Dirt Train took the stage to close, the theater had somewhat cleared out, but those present made the most of the rock-soul band. The Re-Opening Party, noted by staff to serve as a soft-opening, was underwhelming. But hope prevails. As the only concert venue of its type so close to campus, Varsity Theater is sure to continue to bring students and locals to its doors. The theater has performances scheduled through May. Letter Grade: B-
Presentation and Q&A with Me Too Movement founder Tarana Burke A social justice activist and 2017 TIME person of the year, Tarana Burke has spent decades raising awareness of sexual abuse and assault around the world. Put on by the University of Minnesota’s Office of Multicultural
Student Engagement and The Aurora Center, Burke’s talk will make your heart ache — and inspire you to help mend others’. When: Feb. 16, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Where: Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis How much: Free If you can’t stop talking about how much you “hate Valentine’s Day” and “never want to hear another word about it:” Screen “Double Lover” It’s French, it’s frisky and —according to the New York Post — it “makes Fifty Shades look wholesome.” Chloe, played by Marine Vacth, starts an affair with her psychiatrist.
Dessert at Alma What comes up when you Google “most romantic restaurant Twin Cities?” Alma. And it’s so close to campus! If you’re not in the mood to spend $59 on the prix fixe menu, treat yourself to dessert at the restaurant’s a-little-less-fancybut-still-fanciful adjoining cafe. It’s worth the cash, and no one really enjoys Insomnia Cookies that much. Where: Alma, 528 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis When: Open daily, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday and Saturday) How much: Desserts $6 $14 Valentine’s Day Stargazer Snowshoeing Valentine’s evening under the stars, the moon reflecting on the crisp snow… sounds pretty romantic, doesn’t it? This hike will lead lovers through North Mississippi Regional Park as the instructor tells stories of the constellations. But please don’t forget to tell your beloved that the most important stars are those in their eyes! When: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Where: Kroening Interpretive Center, 4900 Mississippi Ct., Minneapolis How much: $5
6 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018
MN DAILY
MNDAILY.COM
Editorials & Opinions
COLUMN
EDITORIAL
Art and morality: the Chuck Close problem
Safety first for Shapiro visit
Museums should contextualize, not ban, artists with problematic pasts, including Chuck Close.
H
is paintings are staples of Minneapolis art museums: “Frank”, a distinctive 9 feet by 12 feet portrait of a man, resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and one of his ELLEN AILTS most famous works, columnist “Big Self-Portrait”, can be visited at the Walker Art Center. Chuck Close, photorealist artist known for his large-scale portraits, has an undeniably looming presence in the canon of American portraiture, world renowned for reviving the art form. Recently, several women have come forward with allegations that Close made crude comments and sexually harassed them while modeling at his studio. He has since denied making some of the comments, but apologized if he made any of the women feel uncomfortable. There have been mixed reactions as to what galleries should do about Close’s works. “Self-Portrait 2000” was removed by Seattle University amid concerns over “potential student, faculty or staff reaction to seeing the self-portrait.” The National Gallery postponed his upcoming solo exhibition. The reactions of these institutions are understandable, especially given the recent demands for change around a
pervasive culture of sexual harassment and exploitation. Still, in deciding the extent to which we should censor and attempt to erase artistic history, we should consider that many of our most renowned artists have less-than-spotless histories; if galleries removed works according to the philosophy of moral perfection, a huge swath of art history would disappear. The Renaissance artist Caravaggio killed a man, Picasso was a well-known misogynist and serial abuser who famously said, “women are machines for suffering,” but these men are also considered artistic geniuses, still celebrated for producing works of cultural and historical importance. Demanding removal of works by artists that we consider immoral sets impossible standards for art institutions — but ignoring the problem isn’t a viable option either. One suggested solution to the issue is to use the wall text in museums as an opportunity to contextualize the artists themselves. It perhaps seems a simplistic solution, but an important step in the right direction — institutions doing justice to changing cultural tides in regard to holding powerful artists responsible for their actions. It would allow museum-goers to gain more information about various artists, and to consider the ways in which their works, and their personas, have shaped our culture and history. We could attempt to censor the past, demand that museums remove the works of all morally problematic artists (though a somewhat impossible feat in itself). However, we should consider the benefits of art institutions bringing attention to the lives of artists that we have deified in the past
Art should not necessarily be tainted by the sins of the artist; while the actions of these artists should be considered in order to contextualize their work, the work itself need not be totally erased from history.
if we want to invite informed discussion and ask how our culture needs to change. It should be the responsibility of museums to educate visitors about important works of art, not to censor and deny the lasting effects of these artists on artistic culture. Art should not necessarily be tainted by the sins of the artist; while the actions of these artists should be considered in order to contextualize their work, the work itself need not be totally erased from history. Appreciating and engaging with the nuances of our history, instead of resorting to censorship, ultimately creates a much more fruitful relationship with the past. Artists should be held accountable to the extent that they can be, but we can still attempt to maintain the richness and complexity of our history. Ellen Ailts welcomes comments at eailts@mndaily.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR With Ben Shapiro coming, how effective is protesting? In light of the anger and protest over commentator Lauren Southern’s invitation to speak on campus last semester, it is a reasonable expectation that the same sentiments will be displayed when conservative pundit Ben Shapiro comes to speak later this month. While there is no doubt many deplore the ideas of these and other speakers, certain trends exposed during the Southern protest hint that demonstrations may do little good. While people certainly have the right to protest, taking the time to observe the opposition logically will help their cause. To make a convincing case for any argument, it is imperative to be familiar with the opposition and their stances. I’d never heard of Southern before her event on campus, and I find it hard to believe that everyone demonstrating was familiar with her. Many argued she is a hateful white nationalist, but were protestors making these conclusions themselves or merely absorbing and relaying others’ opinions? Moving forward, I recently saw a Facebook post making blanket claims about Shapiro. Regardless of your initial reaction to these claims, draw your conclusion by listening to Shapiro firsthand. (I’d recommend his speech at Northwestern last year; hardly anyone asking questions agreed with him, yet the discourse was civil and engaging). Labeling anyone with whom you disagree hateful or a white supremacist cheapens the labels to a point where they no longer apply properly. Shapiro, an orthodox Jew, has been labeled a white supremacist. Yet in the past few years, actual white supremacists have tried to obliterate him, so much so that he has become their top social media target. Shapiro was similarly blasted by Milo Yiannopoulos and the alt-right for his departure from Breitbart News and his choice not to support President Donald Trump in the election. Claiming Shapiro is a white supremacist is mind-bogglingly illogical. The natural response to his ideas, if you disagree, should not be moral attacks, but instead to argue that he draws incorrect conclusions from available facts. Visibly protesting Shapiro and similar voices can ironically backfire. Using Southern as an example, most students had no idea who she was, at least until a protest paralyzed West Bank for an evening. The idea of these demonstrations is to discredit certain individuals, yet doing so can drastically raise the person’s profile, a counterproductive side-effect. Evil ideology is thwarted because its premise is not logically sound, and can be shredded in open debate. Doing this, rather than merely yelling that a person is hateful, shrinks a speaker’s visibility, a far better tactic. All this said, people obviously have free speech, which allows them to protest whatever or whomever they choose. Take note, however, that this does not include the right to obstruct others’ rights to speak or assemble. If you choose to do so, make sure you have evidence to leverage any accusations, and consider that civil discourse may convince others more effectively. This letter has been lightly edited for clarity and style. Bobby Hahn is a sophomore mathematics major at the University of Minnesota.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
Rape results in about 32,000 pregnancies each year. SOURCE: CDC
Robert McGrady welcomes comments at rmcgrady@mndaily.com.
COLUMN
The Snapchat update is terrible The Snapchat update sucks and needs to focus more on the “social” in social media.
T
he new Snapchat update came for us like a jaguar in a “Planet Earth” clip stalking its prey in the jungle. We knew it was coming — Snapchat announced it November last JONATHAN ABABIY year — just not when columnist exactly it would show up. We tried to prevent it from happening by turning off auto-update, but it still found itself on our phones. Snapchat’s reasoning for the update actually makes a lot of sense. In a company blog post, Evan Spiegel, Snapchat’s founder and CEO, wrote that “The new Snapchat separates the social from the media.” He argues that the split is necessary because the mix of media and “social” has made us feel like we have to perform for everyone and even produces fake news. The move is an unusually perceptive business decision from the man at the helm of one of the world’s biggest businesses. I must add that perhaps the real reason for the update is that Snapchat needs more revenue. It had disappointing earnings Q3 of last year, before picking up again in Q4 and losing only $90 million. The company still has yet to turn a profit. Spiegel is desperate to find a way to continue growth in the face of Facebook and its toy, Instagram. However, the update still dramatically misses Spiegel’s hope of creating a more personal app. In its attempts to split up the “social” and the media, it has ceded less attention and space to the real reason people use the app: to interact with friends. The app has effectively packed in all of the “social” into one panel, putting it
on equal footing with Discover and its constant awfulness. All your friends’ stories are confusingly crammed together with your current snaps. The Snaps below your first few constantly churn with new different snaps, neglecting the old sense of stability that Snap had. Snapchat will not generate the growth it needs by giving more and more screen time to online publishers’ content like the Dodo’s “Sea Angels Have The Wildest Sex You’ve Ever Seen,” or your popular friend’s lunch. An increase in curation, as Speigel promises in his blog post, won’t help either. Snapchat is so popular because of the way it provides a unique, self-expressive way of communication. Snapchat was novel in its ability to let you customize your snaps with everything from lenses, funny bitmojis and a drawing tool. Thankfully, however, Snap’s disappearing feature is preserved. When my friends mourn Snapchat’s update, they complain about not having another platform to send snap-like messages, not its media or curated stories. Unfortunately, though the ability to do so brings people to the app, the funny faces you send to your friend don’t bring Snap any money. The company has to rely on your eyeballs constantly soaking up the brain-softening listicles and videos in the Discover tab. The company must revive the social aspect of the app. Spiegel was right to say that we shouldn’t mix social and media together, but we don’t need to neglect one to feed the other. To keep Snap alive, Speigel needs to make sure the app fosters the spontaneous and humorous style of communicating it became famous for. It’s the tragedy of the Internet — having an amazing website or app that isn’t profitable — that felled Vine. Hopefully, Snapchat can stay alive. Jonathan Ababiy welcomes comments at jababiy@mndaily.com.
O
n Monday, Feb. 26, the University of Minnesota will be hosting conservative pundit Ben Shapiro in the St. Paul Student Center, much to the apparent dismay of several organizing conservative student groups and even Shapiro himself. The animosity stems from the venue location, with some feeling as if the event was pushed to St. Paul because of Shapiro’s ideology and views. After these accusations arose, the University recently released several dozens of emails in correspondence with organizers in order to clarify why the event was situated on the St. Paul campus. An extensive response from the Minnesota Republic, one of the organizing groups, claimed to have been subjected to biased decision by the University in a “gotcha” moment. Ultimately, it seems as if the University acted on behalf of safety and minimizing protest. The emails chronicle a long road of scheduling and back-and-forth dialogue between the University and the event coordinators. The emails show that several venues, such as the Ted Mann Concert Hall and Rarig Center, were unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. After deferring to the wisdom of officials at the UMPD, another venue in Willey Hall was also ruled out on Dec. 21. It was upon this information that the organizer stated, “It looks like St.Paul will be our best option.” From then on, a tour of the venue took place and extensive details about the venue (including capacity) were conveyed, with complete acceptance and compliance from the organizers. All that time passed without objection. Looking at this situation from the viewpoint of the University, Vice President of University Relations Matt Kramer urged, in his recent press conference, that security and safety was a priority and it is clear that the organizers and University were aware of that from the earliest correspondence. Security and safety should be the first priority when selecting a venue and hosting an event, regardless of the speaker. Ben Shapiro has run into protests on many college campuses, deservedly or not. The University also saw protests at an event hosting conservative speaker Lauren Southern last October. The University is likely eager to limit protest, violent or peaceful, of any kind. Given the history surrounding Shapiro and the University’s history regarding protest this year, it is reasonable that security would be of the highest priority. The event is still happening, in a venue that initially satisfied the needs laid out by organizers in the released emails. We see no way free speech is being abridged by the University’s decision. Ben Shapiro weighed in on Twitter, echoing sentiments from the Minnesota Republic’s response, and criticizing protesters, among other things. The fact of the matter is, the event is likely to be protested. That is not the University’s fault. However, the responsibility to ensure student safety and that protest is minimized does fall on the shoulders of the University and law enforcement officials. Anything that can be done to facilitate a successful event, while ensuring safety, needs to occur and we believe that University officials have accomplished this without obstructing free speech rights. The event sold out quickly and will happen in a place that minimizes protest. Thousands of students use the Campus Connector every day and any complaints towards transportation should be more persistent, not just regarding one event on a Monday night. Overall, we believe the University acted how we would expect with every major speaker, regardless of the speakers’ views.
CONTACT THE EDITOR Anant Naik anaik@mndaily.com EDITORIALS & OPINIONS DEPARTMENT Editorials represent the voice of the Minnesota Daily as an institution and are prepared by the editorial board.
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HOROSCOPES Today’s Birthday (2/12): Guide your career to unprecedented levels this year. Careful preparation allows for high performance. Personal power and confidence rise to a crescendo this spring. Your physical fitness and health practices energize and build strength this summer before romance sparks a partnership.
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle CROSSWORD Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
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 an 8 — Forge ahead for professional gain. Your prize has long-term benefits. The stakes are high, and you have what you need.
Libra (9/23 - 10/22): Today is a 6 — Consider long-term plans before beginning a home renovation. Discuss ideas with family. Study color and style schemes and test before committing.
Taurus (4/20 - 5/20): Today is an 8 — Travel sounds nice, but wait for traffic to clear. Can you attend a meeting or conference virtually? Studies have your focus. Learn from an expert.
Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21): Today is a 7 — An answer you’ve been seeking is hiding in plain sight. Practice your creative arts and discover unexpected beauty.
Gemini (5/21 - 6/21): Today is a 7 — Anticipate financial changes, and put backup plans in place. New expenses may require adaptation.
Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21): Today is a 9 — Your morale gets a boost as your wallet grows fatter. Disciplined efforts pay off. Pay bills and reduce debt.
Cancer (6/22 - 7/22): Today is an 8 — A romantic partnership blossoms naturally. Everything seems possible. Brainstorm to narrow the options and choose your course of action.
Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19): Today is a 7 — Make a personal change. Practice optimism and selfcare. Put aside judgments and complaints for a while, especially those directed at yourself.
Leo (7/23 - 8/22): Today is an 8 — Profit from meticulous service. Take advantage of a lucky break. Balance work with pleasure, sedentary pursuits with physical action.
Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18): Today is a 5 — Stretch and rest in peaceful privacy. Sit or walk somewhere with a lovely view, soothing music or fragrance.
Virgo (8/23 - 9/22): Today is an 8 — Relax, and take advantage of the fine conditions for love. Enjoy family and friends. Play games, music and sports together. Pay someone special attention.
Pisces (2/19 - 3/20): Today is a 7 — Crowdsource a solution between your community. You can accomplish great things with a team of talented friends.
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ACROSS 1 Send (to), as an inferior place 9 Partner of Paul and Mary 14 Trite 15 WWII bomber __ Gay 16 Trifling matters 18 Iroquois enemies 19 Editor’s “never mind” 20 IRS form IDs 21 One out on the lake, e.g. 24 Cookie holder 27 Focal point in a theater 29 That girl 32 18-wheeler 33 Tablet with Mini and Pro versions 34 John Paul Jones was a commander in it 39 Chevy subcompact 40 Rowlands of “The Notebook” 41 Originally named 42 May observance for those who died in military service 46 Two-__ tissue 47 Troubled state 48 Has a midnight snack, say 52 __ upon a time ... 53 Kate’s TV sidekick 54 Statesman born 2/12/1809 whose surname can precede the starts of four long puzzle answers 59 Señor’s squiggle 60 Schemed 61 Bottomless chasm 62 Ones storming the castle, say DOWN 1 Lassos 2 Activist Medgar 3 Russian Revolution leader 4 Diving seabirds 5 Fellows
By Jerry Edelstein
6 Busy __ bee 7 Bill with Hamilton on it 8 NYC summer hrs. 9 Be a nuisance to 10 Goes in 11 Promote big-time 12 North Pole worker 13 U.K. flying squad 17 East, to 48-Down 21 “__ there, done that” 22 “I’ve got this round” 23 Prickling with excitement 24 Tokyo’s country 25 Tequila source 26 Color again, as hair 27 TV forensic series 28 __ Pan Alley 29 Rascal 30 Ramshackle home 31 Hostile force 35 In addition 36 Kennedy and Koppel 37 Gray’s subj.
2/12/18
Last Issue’s Puzzle Puzzle Solved Solved Saturday’s
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38 Dismiss from work temporarily, with “off” 43 Put spots in magazines 44 Foot’s 12 45 Side squared, for a square 48 Legendary Spanish hero 49 “__ like ours / Could never die ... ”: Beatles
2/12/18
50 Flooring specialist 51 Mails 52 Paris airport 53 Kendrick of “Twilight” 54 One step __ time 55 Baby’s spilled food protector 56 1101, to Romans 57 Chaney of horror 58 Bill for mdse.
SUDOKU
DR. DATE Dear Dr. Date, I went on a date with this girl, er, woman last night. She’s badass — she’s got sleeve tattoos and drives an old Ford pickup that she fixed up herself. She’s also a little older than me. OK, like 10 years older. I’m thinking this’ll be a nice change of pace from the fussy, self-important princesses I usually pick, but I found her Facebook the other day. I’m not so sure about her bio: It says she got her education in LIFE from the SCHOOL of HARD KNOCKS. I’m almost finished with a degree in political science; I read Aristotle and Foucault for fun. Can I really make this work? – Too Pretentious? Dear Too Pretentious?, This really depends on you. What are you looking for? Do you want someone to teach you how to do six shots of whiskey in a row without puking? To learn to defend yourself with a bow and arrow? If so, she’s probably the lady for you, at least for now. It’s cool to get into a thing like this if you keep your boundaries clear from the beginning. For instance, if you want to call her “Mommy,” you should probably let her know before you do it in a, ah, compromising situation. Jokes aside, though, this could be a healthy sex-ploratory mission for you. If you tell her what you do and don’t want — e.g. do you want monogamy? Weekly playtime? A spanking? — you should be fine. After all, it’s not the age that makes the difference (so long as you’re both consenting adults). What really matters here is that you know what each of you wants from the exchange so that one of you isn’t waiting for a date while the other’s making for a booty call. – Dr. Date
Hey Dr. Date, HOLY SHIT. This girl. Her hair. Her perfume. Her Tumblr. They’re all … mesmerizing. I know no one uses Tumblr anymore, but gimme a break, because I went to art school before I transferred to the U. And her blog is littered with De Stijl—both the art from the ‘20s AND the White Stripes album track. Is that cute or what? I sit behind her in painting class, and I’ve been wanting to ask her out for a couple of weeks. When I told her that I needed to do some make-up work for class, and asked if she’d be my model, she said yes (this doesn’t involve anyone taking their clothes off, btw), so that’s how I got her number. We’ve been talking a bit since then. I have a problem, though. I dated this guy for a while, so it’s been a bit since I tried to get a girl’s attention. How screwed am I if I just tried to flirt by sending her the track “You’re Pretty Good Looking [For A Girl]”? I did it ten minutes ago and now I’m realizing now how bad that looks. – Fell in Love With a Girl Dear Fell in Love With a Girl, Yeah, I’d say it’s cool. If anything goes wrong, just send her the track “Why Can’t you be Nicer to me?” She’ll probably get the joke then. It sounds like even if you end up just being art class friends, you’ve met someone you click with. If you’re not one of those obsessive unrequited love people (please don’t be “The Phantom of the Opera,” it’s flatout creepy), you’ll be fine. You’ve got mutual interests. If you make a move and she’s not interested, that’s that. Either way, it’s your ability to be straight — or not — with one another that’ll really end up counting here. – Dr. Date
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. 2/12/18
Last issue’s solution
© 2018 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
8
Monday, February 12, 2018
Kaler sits down with Minnesota Daily
JACK RODGERS, DAILY
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler fields questions from the Minnesota Daily in his office on Friday.
Kaler u from Page 1
is of more urgency to address than issues of sexual harassment. You’re seeing it from Hollywood to tailgate parties, and we have a good plan to tackle this — to change culture. It’s going to take time, it’s going to take a lot of work, but I think we can get that done. So we kind of talked about this already, but the U of M’s 2018 bonding request is among the largest in the past five years. Gover nor Mark Dayton has proposed an addition $60 million more in capital funding than the University’s request. What was your reaction to his proposal?
Well I was quite obviously delighted by his proposal. He has been a very good friend of the University during his time as governor. … The principle area of increase was in HEAPR, the Higher Education Asset and Preservation Repair fund. And that’s completely consistent with our theme of requesting items that help us renew our campuses. No big, bright, shiny new objects, but renewal and reinvestment in what we have. What do you expect the outcome to be during this legislative session? I think the economic climate combined with the fact that it’s an election year will help generate a bonding bill. I think the historical barrier to having a bonding bill that’s
more than a billion dollars is a significant challenge. … The governor’s proposal is $1.5 billion, and we are about 20 percent of that — about $300 million. So a target of 20 or 25 percent of the final bonding number is … probably realistic. But we will be aggressively looking for all that we can get. Many parents are scrambling to find childcar e options after the University announced last month that the Child Development Center would close in the summer 2019. And yester day families delivered a petition with 3,000 signatures to Morrill Hall. The University has declined to discuss … much about the decision. Can you tell us
more about the reasons for the closure? Well, I don’t think we have really declined much to talk about this, but Jean Quam, Dean of [the College of Education and Human Development], is the administrator responsible for the child care center. She has use for the space where the current daycare center is to relocate the lab school as part of renovations of the Institute of Child Development. … The daycare center also receives a substantial … subsidy from CEHD. … That’s a decision she makes, and I support that. The next step then, of course, is for us to come together as a community and say, ‘What is the University’s responsibility and opportunity in providing daycare for our faculty and staff and students?’ … In this environment, we’re quite optimistic that one or more private partners would be eager to partner with the University. … So we have a request for proposals being developed to look for these private partners. And we’ve asked for volunteers for a group to help steer that conversation. … And we’ve had over 100 people volunteer to do that. The President’s Initiative to Prevent Sexual Misconduct, which is the product of a task force you assembled last spring in response to growing concerns about sexual misconduct, is a multistep initiative that launched this year. What stage is the initiative in now? Right now we’re … just really rolling out the action steps. So we have developed training in accord with the Faculty Senate … for faculty and staff. It’s being piloted [by] about 700 employees and about 300 supervisors ... I took it this week. I found it useful. … I hope others will also find it useful. … About 40 percent or so, I think, of that target group have taken the training so far. We’ll then assess and make it available to the broader population going forward. We’re also, in parallel, doing a variety of other things. … We understand that one hour-long training session is not the end of the process. It’s just barely the first step, and there are going to be a variety of other elements rolled out at the department level, additional training for students throughout their four years, etc. Why is this topic impor tant for you? … This is a pretty lar ge initiative.
I don’t think we have any greater responsibility than creating a place for men and women to come, to learn, to grow, to be safe. And the incidents of sexual misconduct are just personally unacceptable to me, so it’s a very personal thing. What are the next steps for the initiative? We have a roll-out plan … faculty, staff training, student education, engagement and training, awareness campaign, research and evaluation, and then closing the loop and going back to see what works. A big theme will be bystander intervention — the idea that if you see something happening, it’s not OK to just say ‘Oh, you know, they’re just doing their thing.’ … You have to have the training and the gumption to intervene. Can you tell me a little more about [the training], the experience? It’s very nicely done, in my opinion. [It] lays out the factual information, the definitions, identifies the University policies that are relevant, and then outlines the employee obligations in reporting sexual harassment — that you need to go to the Title IX office. … [There are] a variety of real life scenarios that I found pretty realistic and pretty useful in understanding what sexual misconduct looks like. Gopher men’s basketball member Reggie L ynch was recommended for expulsion by the University’s Equal Oppor tunity and Affir mative Action of fice in early Januar y after an investigation from a spring 2016 sexual misconduct case. This is the thir d time the EOAA has investigated L ynch for sexual misconduct. Can you tell us about the vetting process for transfer student athletes? I can’t talk about the specifics of any particular student, as I think you know. … So [let’s say] we have a hypothetical transfer student. The coaches understand their responsib ilit y t o kno w ab o u t the player that they’re recruiting, and certainly know that the recruiting of somebody involves not only an assessment of their athletic ability, but of how they’re going to fit into the team and how they handle themselves in society. I’m sure that was [done] by our coaching staff.
“I think right now, in this country there’s incredible tension, uneasiness, a real inability for people with opposing points of view to come together and talk and try to understand each other.” ERIC KALER University of Minnesota President
Do you have faith in the process? I do have faith in our coaches. I have great faith in our athletic director. He is instilling a culture in Gopher Athletics, Mark Coyle is, that holds individuals accountable and holds individuals to a very high standard. Some wonder if this situation, especially in the context of other recent U of M athletic scandals, is indicative of cultural issues within the athletics depar tment. Other universities nationwide have grappled with similar criticisms. Has this incident prompted any discussions about culture within the athletics department? Oh, absolutely. And an important reason that I hired Mark Coyle now a year and a half ago, a little more, was his absolutely superb reputation as a person with very high moral standards and very high ethical standards. He has taken the issues of culture and morale in athletics very seriously. He’s brought in external experts. He has turned very serious attention to that issue, and I think will be able to affect any changes needed. Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
“I don’t think we have any greater responsibility than creating a place for men and women to come, to learn, to grow, to be safe.” ERIC KALER University of Minnesota President
