Thursday, November 17, 2011 twitter.com/@msureporter
facebook.com /msureporter
Minnesota State University, Mankato
www.themsureporter.com
SATURDAY
H 38 • L 21
SUNDAY
H 31 • L 19
DEALER:
An anonymous source shares his stories of the MSU marijuana trade
CHRISTIAN HAGEN
staff writer
“You’ve just got to go about your business. You go about your business and you’ll be good.” DZ is a weed dealer, distributing out of his apartment near the Minnesota State
week. And while he says he prefers to work off-campus, DZ would be open to selling in the dorms. “If I’m coming to meet somebody on campus, it’s gonna be in their room or something, I’m going to know ‘em,” DZ said. “I mean, security ain’t really tight on campus.” And he’s not alone. JX, DZ’s roommate and a self-described “weed connoisseur” who also wished not to be identified, says he thinks weed dealing is big business on the MSU campus. “I’d probably say a little over a third of the campus smokes,” JX says, “and they’re not all getting it from • photo by megan kadlec, illustration by christian hagen the same person. I’d probably say there’s 50 kids that live University, Mankato campus. a drug. Weed isn’t really on campus that sell.” He’s perfectly comfortable a drug. It should be legal. While there are no firm discussing his trade, even if I think it’s gonna be legal statistics for drug sales at he doesn’t want his real name soon.” MSU, on-campus drug arin print. As he sees it, his DZ estimates that he sells rests are on the rise. product is safer than other to about 20 clients, moving a The school’s annual “Partthings he could be selling. couple ounces of marijuana ners in Safety” Campus Fire “Weed is good,” DZ said. with each shipment, making and Safety Reports show a “That other shit’s bad, it’s a total profit of about $400 a
steady increase in on-campus drug arrests, from 23 in 2007 to 49 in 2010. Drug arrests that went to adjudication increased even more, from 66 in 2007 to 262 in 2010. “I think it [marijuana] is being used more,” said Assistant Director of Campus Security Carol Jensen. “No doubt about it, we’re getting more and more calls coming into us. It’s a trend.” DZ isn’t worried about any legal troubles. “Security came a few times,” DZ said, “but it’s just weed. Everybody smokes weed.” Drug arrests seem to be primarily concentrated in the residence halls, with 35 of last year’s 49 on-campus arrests coming from the dorms. “It’s not that common in the other buildings,” Jensen said. “I bought out of Gage a couple times last year,” JX said. “It was different people. You call up one of your freshman homies and they know someone.”
Dealer / page 14
Event honors life of Josselyn Bishop, raises awareness of domestic violence ALLISON MATTHEWS
staff writer Students, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday in Ostrander Auditorium to commemorate a Minnesota State University, Mankato, student, Josselyn Bishop, who lost her life far too early due to domestic violence. The presentation featured a wide array of speakers and videos that paid tribute to Bishop’s life and raised awareness of domestic violence. Bishop, age 19, was found on a median on North Victory Drive July 8 after being
inside: Voices.............................................4 Sports.............................................9 Arts & Entertainment.................12 Classifieds...................................15
stabbed multiple times. Bishop died on the median moments after she was discovered. Damone Christopher Williams-Tillman, Bishop’s boyfriend, was charged with first-degree murder on Aug. 4. Guest speaker from the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center Peggy Roy spoke about the process of healing and the aftermath of violence. Roy said she noticed the solidarity in Mankato surrounding Bishop’s death. “What really gripped my heart was the sense of community,” Roy said. “What
incredible strength; through that comes healing, through that comes action.” Roy talked about the span of people that are affected by domestic violence. Roy said that women are not the only victims of domestic violence, but it is a problem among men and transgender individuals as well. Roy also talked about those who witness abuse. She explained ways bystanders can help those who are experiencing intimate partner violence. “Active bystanders take the initiative to help someone,” Roy said.
She said acts such as talking to victims and survivors, and being open to the things they say are important steps in helping them. A video was featured of Bishop’s family and friends telling their stories of Josselyn and what happened the months before her death. Another video showed a reenactment of the moments before Bishop’s death. A woman ran with a video camera in the exact place Bishop ran before she fell and died on the median. The video meant to show the reality of Bishop’s death
and how real these situations are for the countless people who experience domestic violence every day. The presentations also aimed to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence. LGBT Center Director and Interim Women’s Center Director Jessica Flatequal spoke about the prevalence of violence and what MSU offers for victims and survivors. “Last year, there were over 28 people killed in Minnesota because of domestic violence,” Flatequal said.
Josselyn Bishop / page 5
RATKE WRITES ABOUT HIS NO-SHAVENOVEMBER EXPERIENCE (IT DOESN’T LOOK GOOD) -PAGE 4