February 26th, 2018

Page 1

FLU SEASON TAKES TOLL ON UMN CAMPUS PAGE 3 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018

EARLY WEEK

THE VIRUS HAS MADE A HEAVY IMPACT THIS YEAR.

MNDAILY.COM

CAMPUS

Ben Shapiro to speak on St. Paul campus Monday State lawmakers and students have voiced concern over the speech’s venue in St. Paul. BY MADELINE DENINGER mdeninger@mndaily.com

The University of Minnesota has received widespread attention and criticism for its handling of conservative commentator Ben Shapiro’s Monday visit. The event’s sponsor, organizing student groups, state lawmakers and Shapiro himself have voiced disapproval of the decision to host Shapiro at the North Star Ballroom on the University’s St. Paul campus, claiming it reflects institutional bias. The controversy

has drawn attention from national media outlets. “The University is blatantly against the free exchange of ideas. The fact that we had Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Al Franken speak on the main campus with no issues, but they feel the need to quarantine us conservatives and push us off main campus seven miles from where the main students and where the main dorms are just shows their bias toward conservatives on campus,” said Madison Faupel, a member of College Republicans and Collegians for a Constructive Tomorrow in an interview with Fox and Friends earlier in the month. Young America’s Foundation, the event’s sponsor, as well as The Daily Wire, the conservative news outlet of which Shapiro is

editor-in-chief, have also picked up the story. Shapiro took to Twitter encouraging followers to “call University of Minnesota right now and tell them to fulfill their Constitutional obligation not to discriminate based on political message.” In a press conference at the Capitol Wednesday, University President Eric Kaler said the school holds no bias toward conservative views, and that officials chose the St. Paul campus location for safety reasons. “We are … mindful of the fact that he is a controversial speaker and that at several places where he’s spoken, protests have objected, and we intend to ensure the event is safe for all who attend,” he said. University Regent Steve Sviggum, a former Republican speaker of the Minnesota

House of Representatives, said the school’s decision to prioritize the safety of those in attendance was reasonable. “It’s about the students and we need to focus on the students, and if in fact it’s because of a safety concern, I have a hard time arguing with that,” Sviggum said. State lawmakers have also taken notice of the controversy unfolding at the University. Rep. Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, and Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, have introduced bills in their respective chambers aimed at protecting all viewpoints on college campuses. A “campus neutrality” bill introduced in the House by Nornes and Senate by Nelson would seek to assure that universities approach u See SHAPIRO Page 3

POLICE

Concerns prompt defense course Organizers found that most students are unaware of how to defend themselves on campus.

she and friend Megan Doi, who also attend-

BY KELLY BUSCHE kbusche@mndaily.com

thought it would be a cool opportunity to

University of Minnesota students threw kicks, punches and blocks to practice selfdefense Saturday afternoon. Around 40 students attended the Self

ed the workshop, often go off campus. “We really wanted to go … because we learn some effective [and] good skills,” Doi, a marketing sophomore, said. After the workshop, Doi said she realized she’s often focused on her phone when she is out and about.

Defense Workshop hosted by Student

“I think I need to be more mindful of my

Unions and Activities in Coffman Union.

surroundings. I definitely walk around …

Event coordinators hosted the event after

with my head down sometimes looking at

noticing that many students are unsure

my phone,” she said.

what to do if their safety is threatened.

use the physical maneuvers, but she’s glad

self-defense gave proactive tips to prevent

she had the opportunity to get a better un-

being in a threatening situation. It also

derstanding of safety strategies and avail-

taught physical maneuvers to use when

able campus resources like 624-WALK.

resources. Rebecca Sedivy, a sophomore studying

MAX OSTENSO, DAILY

From left, Rebecca Sedivy, Megan Doi and Megan LaBat practice kicking attacks.

Sedivy said she hopefully won’t have to

The one-and-a-half hour “rundown” of

situations escalate, as well as campus safety

MAX OSTENSO, DAILY

UMPD officers Josh Betts, left, and Lara Bauer demonstrate knee attacks during the selfdefense workshop in Coffman Union on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Event partner University of Minnesota Police Department led an informational presentation and safety skills training at

physiology who attended the workshop, said she wanted to learn safety skill since

u See SELF-DEFENSE Page 2

STUDENT GOVT.

ADMINISTRATION

Sexual assault policy could see changes in wake of Reggie Lynch case

Kaler delays move to close U childcare center

Leaders in the Minnesota Student Association took issue with how the case was handled. BY KAYLA SONG ksong@mndaily.com

A resolution regarding the sexual assault policy for athletes at the University of Minnesota was unanimously passed on Tuesday, pushing for changes in how an athlete’s suspension is handled during a misconduct investigation. In the most recent sexual misconduct case surrounding Gopher men’s basketball player Reggie Lynch, the athlete was allowed to practice with the team throughout

the investigation. After students in the MSA Sexual Assault Task Force expressed discomfort with how the athlete’s suspension was handled, student body president Trish Palermo started drafting the resolution in January. The resolution recommends that the University establish a committee to discuss what should happen to players found responsible for sexual misconduct. “I think that [the resolution has] very fair acts … it adds in that extra committee that ultimately makes the decision,” Palermo said of the resolution. “It adds in an extra step before it’s decided what happens to the players.” The new committee will include members from student affairs, the president’s

office, a representative from the athletics department and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, said Sami Rahamim, a Student Legal Service representative. “We thought that’d be a great way to ensure that there is a diversity of voices around the table when making a decision on whether to suspend an athlete or not,” Rahamim said. If the resolution is approved by Mark Coyle, the University’s athletics director, he will no longer be the only one deciding whether an athlete is suspended. The resolution also amends the definition of suspension to include “practicing.” Currently, University policy only prohibits u See SEXUAL ASSAULT Page 3

HOCKEY

Gophers advance to WCHA Final Faceoff after sweep Minnesota swept St. Cloud State over the weekend and will now face the Buckeyes. BY MAX BIEGERT mbiegert@mndaily.com

MAX OSTENSO, DAILY

Forward Nicole Schammel passes the puck during a game against St. Cloud State at Ridder Arena on Friday, Feb. 23.

The Gophers scored two goals Saturday from a duo who had only combined for four other goals all year prior to the playoff game against St. Cloud State. Defenseman Emily Brown put the Gophers ahead 1-0 8:57 into the first period. Then, after a goal by the Huskies to tie the game, sophomore defenseman Patti Marshall flung a low shot in from the blue line for her second goal of the year, putting the Gophers ahead 2-1 and in the lead for the rest of the game. No. 3 seed Minnesota (22-10-3) won 4-1 at Ridder Arena Saturday and 5-1 Friday to complete the first round sweep in the WCHA playoffs over No. 6 St. Cloud State u See WOMEN’S HOCKEY Page 3

The Child Development Center was set to close in summer 2019 before Kaler’s Friday decision. BY CARTER BLOCHWITZ cblochwitz@mndaily.com

In a letter sent out Friday, University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler announced the closure of the Child Development Center would be postponed until alternatives for childcare on campus are explored. This release followed a January announcement of the center’s closure by summer 2019. The Child Development Center has provided childcare and enrichment programs to children for University faculty, staff and students since 1974. Megan Kocher, a science librarian at the University and a parent, has been advocating for families who will be affected by the closure and said she didn’t expect the postponement. “We were happily surprised. We’re really thrilled with this development,” Kocher said. “We see this as a great first step. Now we feel like we can work with the administration.” Per Kaler’s letter, the exploration by the University will include: An assessment of our ability, either alone or with a public/private or nonprofit partnership, to scale the child care services to serve more families while retaining the high quality for which the CDC is known. A cost model that will reduce and ultimately eliminate the University subsidy that is currently required. We are under pressure to prioritize our budget, and subsidies of all kinds are under scrutiny. Recognition of the role that the CDC serves in allowing undergraduate students majoring in child development a convenient, easily accessible facility to complete their practicum requirements. More than 25 families with small children piled into Morrill Hall and up the stairs to Kaler’s office on Feb. 8 to protest the closure.

VOLUME 118 ISSUE 42


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