September 23, 2010

Page 1

Thursday, September 23, 2010

www.msureporter.com

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Not student Splitting the problem, social NA TION problem ANNE LEMERE

Mayor Brady talks to MSSA about his recovery, bettering communication with MSU

shannon rathmanner • msu reporter Brady told MSSA members he hopes to regain the trust of MSU students and the commnity at large after his drunken driving arrest. ELENA SHUFELT

news editor

index

Mayor John Brady apologized Wednesday to the Minnesota State community for his Aug. 21 arrest and how it affected the city. Minnesota State Student Association President Tom Williams and Vice President Brett Anderson invited Brady to attend an MSSA meeting at a recent city council meeting. Brady said since he started on the city council 14 years ago, it has been his dream to better the communication between the city and the students, adding that he would like MSSA’s advice on how to accomplish that goal. Williams questioned Brady about the possibility of placing a student on the city council as a non-voting member. Brady said he would support that idea, but is unsure if the council would be able to have such a member. During MSU’s Welcome Week, police gave out 105

Voices......................................4 Study Break.............................8 World and Nation....................9 Sports....................................11 A&E........................................15

citations, 39 of which went to students. Williams asked Brady what MSU can expect from him and the city to change the perception that students are the sole problem in terms of alcohol consumption. In the past, Brady, along with other city leaders, has labeled students as the problem. “I think a healthy dialogue is the first step,” Brady said, “and that’s what I’m hoping to initiate today.” Brady went on to say that he has never intended to be perceived as one who blames the student community for Mankato’s issues with alcohol, though other public officials may have made such comments. He said he would like to work with MSU to find a way to deal with issues of substance abuse. “It would be nice to be addressing the issue of addiction earlier in my life and under different circumstances, but

Brady / page 6

INSIDE:

staff writer

Shocked is the feeling that many described as their first expression towards the Sept. 11 attack nine years ago. Vang Xiong, an assistant ethnic studies professor, said what he remembers most about 9/11 was the people and thinking about how he would feel if he was in the building knowing that his life was going to end or wondering if he lost someone. A similar shock comes with the topic of building the cultural center and mosque, also known as Park51 and Cordoba House, near ground zero. It is a double-sided issue. One side views the cultural center as a peace offering to what had happened to the area and the other side believes it is disrespectful to the families that have lost loved ones. Xiong said that he believes that 9/11 and the cultural center are two different situations and that people should “look at them as

different cases.” Mustafa Almeer, a finance major and American-Muslim, said, “It [the center] would be built even if 9/11 didn’t happen, because it is not about 9/11.” Though there will be a section honoring those lost in the attacks. Vice President of the International Student Association Sobia Khan said, “Personally I think it shouldn’t have been an issue in the first place. I understand that people have been affected but it is a cultural building that is proving the stereotypes are wrong, by opening our arms to the community to educate them and say that we are welcoming and loving.” “Disgusting” is how Thomas Hefferman, a graduate assistant in the department of ethnic studies and a member of the 9/11 Truth movement, described the thought of the cultural center and mosque being thought of as a threat. “Muslim means following

Mosque / page 6

MNfashion week page 15

David Wei answers students’ tech questions (page 17) Sports editor in the friend zone? (page 4)

Online: New podcast by The Kid’s Cast


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