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MSUREPORTER.COM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
TIME TO LISTEN
No verdict for 3 cops in Floyd killing after 1st day of deliberations
Presentations from Students United and fee proposals hit the senate By MAXWELL MAYLEBEN
By AMY FORLITI, STEVE KARNOWSKI and TAMMY WEBBER
Editor in Chief
The 89th Student Government of Minnesota State University, Mankato met last night with a presentation by Students United as well as the first round of fee allocations presentations. Students United State Chair Emma Zellmer, Vice Chair Arnavee Maltare, and Treasurer Pierre Young spoke to the senators on the functions of the non-profit organization. Students United is recognized by the Minnesota State System as the official representation of students that attend any of the schools within the system. During their presentation, Zellmer asked the senators to fill out a survey regarding the Students United budget and how it is spent. Young spoke to the senators about the program priorities as well as gave a mid-year advocacy update. He mentioned several areas in which they are advocating, including COVID-19 advocacy, International Student Healthcare, and sustainability. The leaders also presented their legislative agenda, which included supporting the Minnesota State Capital investment program, doubling the pell grant, and increasing funding for Open Educational
Associated Press
JULIA BARTON • The Reporter
State Chair Emma Zellmer (center), Vice Chair Arnavee Maltare (right) and Treasurer Pierre Young (Left) address the MSU Student Government about opportunities with Students United.
Resources. There were three fee presentations from Student Health Services, the dome, and outdoor facilities. Student Health Services is responsible for an on-campus medical clinic, pharmacy and health education on campus and is located in Carkoski. During their presentation, Student Health Services spoke to their goals of expanding telepsychiatry initiative, support mental health initiatives, as well as adapt to the changing needs from the pandemic. Stu-
dent Health fee requested to receive a 10 cent increase, the first increase in the fee since 2018. This comes after a projected decrease in credit hours, which directly affects the funding of the health services. Next, Sam Steiger spoke about both the campus recreation facility and the dome fee. For the facility fee, Steiger spoke to the senate about how this fee funds the outdoor recreational fields and their upkeep. This fee works to pay off the debt of the renovations to
the facilities, as well as pay for various maintenance costs. Steiger then spoke to the dome fee. In 2018, a referendum was passed by the student body to add a new fee for students to pay for the Seasonal Sports Dome. The dome will be paid for over the next 10 years at a fee of 83 cents per credit banded at 12-18 credits. In upcoming weeks, there will be continued presentations from different fees, including the Student Activities fee.
By ALEXANDRA TOSTRUD Staff Writer
Of all the ways for Minnesota State University, Mankato students to get involved on campus, joining a learning community is one that leads students to lifelong connections and academic success. By grouping students with similar majors in the same courses and residential halls, they have the opportunity to learn both in and out of the classroom. “What students tell us is that the largest benefits are the built-in study groups. Learning community students are pre-enrolled together, so they have the ability to study together. If a student misses class, it’s pretty easy to find someone to catch notes from because you already know 25 other peo-
ple in your class,” said Jean Clarke, the director of learning communities. “Students in learning communities also have a proven higher GPA.” Clarke oversees all 18 of MSU’s learning communities, including the programs that continue past first-year involvement. “We offer second-year learning communities for business, nursing, and elementary education. Three quarters of students continue into second-year communities,” she added. Currently, MSU students are not required to live in a designated residential hall to be a part of a first year community, a policy that changed due to COVID-19. While the living-learning aspect of the program can be extremely helpful for students, living in a different hall or off-campus
Courtesy photo
Learning Communities leads students to success
MSU is equipped with 18 learning communities with various majors.
does not affect the benefits students can gain from joining a learning community. “I already had a roommate that wasn’t a part of my community. Even now, one of my [off-campus]
roommates is in my learning community,” says sophomore Quinn Ellingson on her experience living outside her learning community. Although she is COMMUNITY on page 5
A jury wrapped up its first day of deliberations Wednesday without a verdict in the federal trial of three fired Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights when he was pinned to the ground for 9 1/2 minutes as fellow Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck. J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are charged with depriving Floyd of his right to medical care. Kueng and Thao are also charged with failing to intervene to stop Chauvin during the May 25, 2020, killing that was captured on bystander video that triggered protests worldwide and a reexamination of racism and policing. Jurors deliberated all day Wednesday without reaching a verdict and were expected to resume their efforts on Thursday. Prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments that the three officers “chose to do nothing” as Chauvin squeezed the life out of the 46-year-old Black man. Defense attorneys countered that the officers were too inexperienced, weren’t trained properly and did not willfully violate Floyd’s rights. All 12 members of the jury — eight women and four men — appear to be white, although the court has not released demographics such as race or age. A woman who appeared to be of Asian descent was excused Tuesday from the panel without explanation; a man who appears to be of Asian descent remains as an alternate if one of the current 12 cannot continue. Lane is white, Kueng is Black and Thao is Hmong American. The jury is a sharp contrast to the panel that deliberated the state murder case against Chauvin. That jury was half white and half nonwhite, according to demographic information provided by the Hennepin County court. The federal jury pool was selected from throughout the state.