January 18th, 2018

Page 1

NEW FUND AIMS TO HELP DACA STUDENTS PAGE 8 THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018

LATE WEEK

TEMPORARILY PROTECTED STUDENTS WILL ALSO RECEIVE AID.

MNDAILY.COM

ADMINISTRATION

STATE LEG.

Regents hope to close campus racial gap

Dayton bonding ask would fully fund U projects

Four-year graduation rates for students of color are currently far lower than for others. BY KELLY BUSCHE kbusche@mndaily.com

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents will vote on a resolution aimed at improving retention and recruitment of underrepresented students at its February meeting. The resolution includes five strategy points to increase undergraduate diversity on the Twin Cities campus and requires the

University’s president to give an annual report on the status of the strategies. Several University surveys show gaps in graduation rates and campus satisfaction between white students and students of color. Around 71 percent of white students graduated in four years, while around 58 percent of students of color, on average, graduated in four years in 2013, according to most recent available data from the Office of Undergraduate Education. The resolution would direct the University president to increase recruitment efforts in Twin Cities high schools, evaluate University recruitment efforts each year, reduce four-year and six-year

graduation gaps for African American and Latinx students, monitor local underrepresented groups to identify possible graduation gaps and improve campus climate for students of color. Although enrollment has increased for students of color over the past 10 years, the Student Experience in the Research University survey results showed a “concerning difference” in student satisfaction between students of color and American Indian students and white students. “We’re going to dial up those places where we think these underrepresented u See RETENTION Page 3

MUSIC

JACK RODGERS, DAILY

From left, Evan, Colin and Cameron Campbell of The Shackletons pose for a portrait in their home on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

SHACKLETONS’

family values BY SOPHIE VILENSKY svilensky@mndaily.com

Cameron (22), Colin (21), and Evan (17) Campbell, otherwise known as The Shackletons, met as children. Notice how they all have the same last name? That’s because they’re brothers. They met as babies.

The family outfit combines a mix of sounds in its bluesinfluenced second effort.

The Shackletons’ latest EP, “Second Attempt,” was released Dec. 27 with a sold out 7th Street Entry show. Add that University of St. Thomas student Sam Luloff said the Campbell’s house was ‘the place to go’ in high school, and it’s a wonder the band is still humble. Somehow, they transcend.

“We’re not trying to fabricate. We’re not trying to be trendy — but we’re not actively trying not to be trendy. We’re just trying to play music that we would want to listen to,” Colin said. The Shackletons’ origin story can be traced back to their parents’ meet-cute, but we’ll jump forward on the timeline. In middle school,

u See SHACKLETONS Page 5

The $1.5 billion request this week is greater than any in the governor’s tenure so far. BY MICHAEL ACHTERLING machterling@mndaily.com

Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a $1.5 billion bonding bill on Tuesday that includes nearly $300 million in spending for the University of Minnesota campuses. D a y t o n ’ s p u b l i c w o rk s p a c k a g e matches the University’s entire 2018 capital request of $238.5 million, plus an additional $60 million for c r i t ic a l f a c il it ie s m a in t e n a n c e a n d the design of a new clinical research facility on the University’s Twin Cities campus. “Since 2011, we have made many important investments in Minnesota’s aging classrooms, buildings and other critical infrastructure,” Dayton said in a statement. “But those investments have not kept pace with the enormous need for infrastructure improvements across Minnesota.” The University’s 2018 state bonding request includes: • $200 million for Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) • $24 million for a Pillsbury Hall renovation • $10.5 million for the renovation and renewal of coordinate campus classrooms and laboratories • $4 million for repairs of Duluth’s Glensheen mansion. Dayton’s proposal also includes $243 million for the Minnesota State system. In his statement, Dayton said his plan will help invest in the state’s future, adding that underinvestment in past years has “shortchanged” higher education. University President Eric Kaler issued a statement Tuesday urging the Legislature to pass the governor’s proposal in order to address the University’s infrastructure needs. “Gov. Dayton’s public works proposal supports improvements on our campuses, helping to reduce a backlog in deferred building maintenance while making strategic investments to renew facilities,” Kaler said. Last year, lawmakers approved around $120 million of the University’s $245.1 million bonding request. “I am pleased the governor released an aggressive bill,” said Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, DFL lead on the House Capital Investment committee, in a statement. “Minnesota communities are counting on the legislature to help them fund and improve water infrastructure facilities, housing, higher education and upgrade unsafe railroad crossings among other critical requests.” The 2018 Minnesota legislative session begins Feb. 20.

CAMPUS

Student government leaders lay out plans for spring semester, including legislative efforts Minnesota Student Association members want to build on last semester’s successes and goals. BY MARAYA KING mking@mndaily.com

As the spring semester begins, the Minnesota Student Association at the University of Minnesota plans to improve

food, transportation, immigration and sexual assault awareness on campus. Additionally, MSA is increasing involvement with the state legislative process this semester, said MSA President Trish Palermo. Minnesota’s legislative session begins Feb. 20. MSA partnered with Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minneapolis, last semester to draft legislation addressing three main goals identified by MSA: short-end leases, limiting

mandatory arbitration clauses and requiring leases to be unit-specific. These goals seek to protect students from signing confusing leases and getting trapped in restrictive housing situations. In immigration efforts, student body presidents from the Big Ten conference gathered last weekend to film a video encouraging Congress to act in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Palermo said. The video will be released

Feb. 2. As part of a sexual assault awareness campaign launching in April, MSA proposed an amendment last semester to the medical amnesty law. The amendment would give immunity to nonalcoholic drug related incidents and victims of sexual assault, Palermo said. She added that MSA’s Sexual Assault u See STUDENT GOV. Page 3

HOUSING

New micro-apartment building proposed in Marcy-Holmes neighborhood Some in the area have voiced concern that the 27 new units could cause parking issues. BY CARTER BLOCHWITZ cblochwitz@mndaily.com

A new four-story apartment proposal could bring tiny living to Marcy-Holmes. Developer Go Gopher Rentals, LLC is looking to construct a 27-unit micro-apartment building in the neighborhood. The micro-unit complex would be the second of its kind in Marcy-Holmes if approved by the City of Minneapolis. But the project has drawn criticism from local residents concerned about its effect on area parking. The micro-apartments, which would be built at 408 4th St. SE, are part of a twophase proposal that includes modifying an adjacent townhouse. “We’re very confident that this is going to be very popular,” said William Wells, project architect and applicant on behalf of Go Gopher Rentals. Wells said their target markets are

students at the Aveda Institute and those who work in Northeast Minneapolis. Similar apartments in the area include Coze Flats and another development Wells designed that is pending City approval. Chad Kraft, owner of Go Gopher Rentals, proposed a rent of $900 to $1,100 for the apartments that typically range from 400 to 500 square feet. Kraft said the development’s location will be ideal for city living. “[Tenants] have… all the amenities and sensibilities that they need to take advantage of the urban living that is thriving here in Minneapolis,” Kraft said. Despite its small size, the apartment has drawn concerns over the developer’s requests for fewer parking spots than required. “We struggle for parking,” said Cerise Lewis, representing the Church of Minneapolis, which has a location west of the proposed development. “[Marcy Open School] does not have a parking lot, we do not have a parking lot and there are limited parking lots for the apartment buildings u See APARTMENTS Page 2

COURTESY OF GO GOPHER RENTALS, LLC

A rendering of a 27-unit micro-apartment building proposed by Go Gopher Rentals, LLC.

VOLUME 118 ISSUE 31


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