April 29, 2021

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A year in review page

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STUDENT RUN NEWS SINCE 1926

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MSUREPORTER.COM

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

Students not happy about second virtual commencement By JENNA PETERSON News Director

For the second year in a row, spring commencement at Minnesota State University, Mankato has been cancelled due to COVID-19. While students say they understand the decision — the virtual event is set for Saturday, May 8 — they still feel empty leaving campus without the traditional celebration. MNSU senior Lissette Garza, earning her degree in dental hygiene, said the decision leaves her regretful. “I feel like cancelling the spring commencement made the ending of this semester seem just like any other,” she said. “I was hopeful that the school would come together to figure out better options for us since the vaccine has been out and CDC guidelines are changing. I don’t feel like I’m accurately celebrating this accomplishment.” Julia Wilson, a MNSU senior graduating with a degree in English language arts education, said she agrees with the precautions made following the cancellation. “I think this was the right thing to do,” she said. Following the decision to eradicate the spring com-

By JULIA BARTON Continuing to advocate for students across Minnesota, Emma Zellmer and Arnavee Maltare have been officially announced state chair and vice chair for Students United, an independent non-profit organization operated by students who represent Minnesota State Colleges and University students. The role includes representing students who attend Minnesota’s seven state universities including Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Metro State (St. Paul/Minneapolis), Minnesota State University-Moorhead, St. Cloud State University, Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall and Winona State University. Representing students on

Student approaches differ when it comes to finals By BAILEY BRENDEL Staff Writer

to do this year and to carry it over into next. I love advocating for students and work-

As finals week rapidly approaches, many Minnesota State University, Mankato students are grinding out there last week of the semester (or even the final days of their college career). At the same time, students are also looking to spend time with the friends they made here before they head home for the summer or graduate. Many medical and nursing majors are prepping for their final practicals. “I have my lab practicum on Friday that I have really been preparing for,” freshman bio-med major Abigail Johnson said. “I’ve spent countless hours in the library getting ready to take this exam.” Other students, like freshman Hailey Bacon, are using this time to go over all of their previous class notes. “I have been rewatching all of my Zoom meetings and looking through all my notes so I can be prepped for any questions that may come my way,” Bacon said. Similarly, junior Zane Coyle said, “I’ve been reviewing all my notes and practicing with other students in my class so we can all succeed. I’ve also visited and talked with my professors whenever I have questions about a certain topic so I can fully understand each concept.” Each student has their own preferred method of studying class material. “I study in one to two hour periods with breaks in between so I can mentally refresh,” sophomore Brady Nelson said. Junior Jack Wheeler said he likes to spend time alone to study. “It’s been hard to juggle my time with working and all of the student organizations I’m involved in,” he said, “but I always try to take time for myself and listen to music and go over the materials I learned throughout my classes.” For those who are leaving campus as the semester wraps up, studying for finals as well

UNITED on page 2 u

FINALS on page 3 u

FABIO CASTEL GARCIA • The Reporter

mencement, students begin to question what other options the school could have made to honor the class of 2021. “To my knowledge, we had the virtual slideshow (and) we could submit a picture for the 15-minute walk through the ballroom and get a picture taken,” she said. “It seemed like the school was trying to do more for us, but it was only offered Monday-Wednesday.” Garza also pointed out how many families might not be able to access this option

due to distance and other commitments. With lower COVID numbers and more vaccines rolling out, Wilson wished MNSU could have done something more. “It would have been fine to have some modified form of graduation,” she said. “However, they didn’t have the ability to predict the decrease in numbers.” President Richard Davenport announced commencement cancellation in a March

3 email. He said the university pursued other options for graduating students to explore, which included a professional photo session, a virtual commencement, and an invitation to be honored at the next in-person commencement, whether that be in the fall or next spring. Despite all of this, both Garza and Wilson said they’ve found new ways to proclaim their academic successes. GRADUATION on page 5 u

University students lock down two Students United positions Staff Writer

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a system, local, state and federal level, Students United is also recognized as the official voice for students in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees. One of their main goals is to discuss challenges, goals, and students’ experiences on their campuses to better the future of higher education. They also believe students should lead the conversation on higher education because it affects their future. The state chair and vice chair are elected by the board of the seven state university student body presidents who make up the student board of directors. Zellmer, a junior at MNSU who previously served as a senator and speaker for Student Government as well as the current vice chair of Students United, shared why she

FABIO CASTEL GARCIA • The Reporter Emma Zellmer, right, and Arnavee Maltare were recently elected as the state chair and vice chair, respectively.

decided to get involved with Students United. “I want to continue all the great work we’ve been able


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