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Minnesota State University, Mankato
THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
Chick-fil-A President makes anti-gay comments Petition at MSU might revoke an American classic from its CSU
LINDSAY PETERSON
staff writer
The survival of Chick-fil-A on college campuses is in jeopardy as students begin to head back to school and take action. The anti-gay remarks from Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy, along with Chick-fil-A’s secret donations to anti-gay organizations, has college students, faculty and LGBT supporters voicing their opinions against the company’s presence on campus and what it may represent. When asked about his rumored bias against same-sex marriage rights, Cathy responded “guilty as charged.” Since the beginning of 2011, Chick-fil-A has been the topic of gay rights groups “when it was revealed that an independent operator in Pennsylvania supplied food to an event sponsored by a group formed to defeat same-sex marriage initiatives,” according to an article in The Atlanta JournalConstitution. “Instead of discriminating a social group he should be posi-
tively supporting organizations that would actually benefit others,” a Minnesota State University, Mankato junior, Lisa Miller said. Chick-fil-A has donated more than $5 million dollars to anti-gay organizations between 2003 and 2010, supporting groups such as Focus On The Family, Exodus International, and the Family Research Council. “We are very much supportive of the family - the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a familyled business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that,” Cathy said in an article by the Baptist Press. “We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.” “Everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe but, using his power in that way seems counterproductive,” theater arts major Paige Knoedler said, “ you work for Chick-fil-A, not an anti-gay organization.” MSU student Wil Bernstrom
began an online petition on Change.org that has garnered 367 signatures thus far to remove Chick-fil-A from the Centennial Student Union food court. The petition letter reads: “Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay stances have long been known, but now they have explicitly stated their animus towards gay people. Minnesota State University, Mankato has a long and proud history of celebrating diversity. Chick-fil-A is in clear violation of MSU’s stance on diversity.” At many universities it is more than just college students who want to rid their campus of Chick-fil-A. An assistant professor at the University of South Florida, Dr. Scott Ferguson, has started an online petition to remove the Chick-fil-A from the campus, which has generated more than 500 signatures of support so far. “By removing the Chick-fil-A vendor from the Marshall Center, the USF community will affirm its commitment to all of its members,” Ferguson said in the
Chick-fil-A / page 3
elise konerza• msu reporter The petition at Minnesota State University, Mankato has 367 signatures in favor of removing Chick-fil-A from the campus food court.
lela magxaka• msu reporter The grand opening of the new indoor rock wall encouraged many students to try it out for their first time.
Campus Community Fair
Employers gathered for the annual fair during the grand opening of the rock wall CHRIS HOUCK
staff writer
The Campus Community Fair got underway Wednesday morning and hundreds of students gathered at the Meyers Field House to look for jobs, see the new rock wall and eat free food. “It looks cool,” said Jimmy Adams, a junior at MSU after just arriving to the event. “It makes you want to see what’s up. I might tell my friends to come and maybe meet a few people too.” Adams was one of many students navigating their way through a slew of free gifts, brochures, contests and job offers in the field house as music was being pumped by radio stations that brought their truck or van into the arena. “We love just putting our name out and getting involved in the community,” said Patrick McLoon, Marketing Associate for Pita Pit. “It’s good marketing exposure for us.” Kayla Lyman, president of MSU’s Impact organization
HOWPREVIEW TO SPEND YOUR SUMMER IN MANKATO SEASON FOR THE MSU THEATRE DEPARTMENT PAGE13 9 PAGE
was also there, trying to recruit some students. “I think the Campus Community helps everyone get an idea of what’s happening on campus and what’s available,” said Lyman. “We set goals for what we want to achieve and events like these help. The employers who were at the event say they are looking forward to hiring students for their businesses as well as being able to accommodate them. “It’s a lot easier to work with students,” said McLoon. It’s the demographic we’re trying to sell to. They’re also the more intelligent people to work with.” “I’d say it’s neither easier or harder said Wow Zone manager Allison Jennings on working with college students. “It’s different with different generations.” The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new rock wall was also done during the event. MSU President Richard Davenport along with several Greater Mankato Growth ambassadors
Fair / page 3
VARIETY SPORTS
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INDEX: VARIETY SPORTS
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CLASSYS
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