University Chronicle February 8th Issue 2010

Volume 86

Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Number 20

Campus preps to conduct 2010 census Jason Tham Staff writer

Nearly all SCSU students are planned to be counted as the 2010 Census is being conducted this spring.

“It’s easy. It’s safe and it’s important,” Robert Groves, director of the U.S. Census Bureau said.

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States and is required by the

Constitution to take place every 10 years.

All students, citizens and non-citizens, Seventh-generation American and recent immigrant to the States will be counted.

Exemptions are given to students who commute to school and resides full time at their parents’ or guardians’ household, and students who are studying abroad this semester.

“I

t's easy, it's safe and it's important” Robert Groves DIRECTOR OF U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

The Census committee previously informed students who live on residence halls

or Greek houses they will receive their Census forms April or May and they will

have to return these forms to designated sites on campus.

However, the Residential Life’s associate director of Operation and Facilities, Kenny Hendrickson, said there are some updates on the way.

“From my understanding that as of today’s date, at least the residence halls, right now, they will not be mailed out the forms and we are actually just going

Cultural Cafe hopes to become a tradition Mike Runyon STaff WRITER

Every Friday this semester, the Cultural Cafe is expected to be hosted in the Mitchell Hall Lounge as a joint effort between several student programming groups on campus.

A different country is presented each week by students from that country to SCSU students, faculty and community members.

This is the third semester of Cultural Cafe, which was formerly hosted by Lawrence Hall.

It was moved this semester to a larger space to accommodate more people.

“Last semester the average was about 70 people per café, and 130 at the largest,” said Emily Lynch, a graduate assistant at SCSU. Lynch said they hope to have more students attend this semester to learn about different cultures and connect with other students on campus.

Students typically give a 15 to 30 minute informal presentation on their country.

Then, they are encouraged to talk about the presentation and connect while enjoying some cuisine from the culture presented.

“We’ve already had Nepal, Korea, Germany and South Korea,” said Firuza Dzhabbarova, Cultural Cafe coordinator.

“It is a great way for them to learn about different cultures in a informed way. A lot of international and U.S. students attend and we’ve been trying to get community members to at-

Valerie Steffl Asst. News Editor

Relations Graeme Allen also spoke during the Delegates Assembly giving them an update on the issues MSUSA will be lobbying for this spring.

The proposed platform was ultimately accepted by the delegates and will be brought to the capitol.

MSUSA’s Strategic Plan release Ceremony took place on Saturday Evening.

The ceremony was intended to introduce MSUSA’s future plans and goals to the delegates. Many people spoke at the ceremony including Eduardo Wolle, the first MSUSA Executive Director.

The Conference wrapped up with the Boards of Director’s Meeting on Sunday

As the number of SCSU graduates grows while the number of employers actually hiring graduates shrinks, 2010 graduates may face a challenging job-hunt after they finally toss their graduation caps.

If that is not difficult enough, many international students are also faced with navigating through the jungle of government restrictions and visa statuses with acronyms like F-1, CPT, OPT, and H1-B in order to find employment.

Kimberly Koffi, assistant director of International Students and Scholar Services, assists international students as they embark on building a life after SCSU. She said she sees students are getting discouraged and expressing some concern about the current job market.

“It’s harder for everyone,“ Koffi said. “Any SCSU student is having a hard time and international students are facing it more because of their work eligibility.”

Rejan Pandey, engineering management major from Nepal, agrees that there is an increased hardship for international students finding work.

“It’s harder for international students because currently the government can’t give jobs to domestic students, so obviously it is harder for us,” Pandey said.

Miezan Echimane, from the Ivory Coast, thinks the workforce is more competitive now and believes international students need to have something different in order to compete.

Koffi pointed out that out of the 46 employers who attended SCSU’s Diversity Job Fair, which brought employers particularly interested in diversity recruiting to campus, only five employers invited international students to apply.

“Employers don’t hire international students because it may cost them a lot of money.”

In order for international students to legally work after college in the United States, they and their employers have to file for different visa statuses.

•See MSUSA/ Page 4

•See Job hunts/ Page 3

Molly English/ Staff Photographer

Albania was the center of Friday’s Cultural Cafe. Cultural Cafes are hosted every Friday in the Mitchell Hall Lounge.

MSUSA Conference comes to campus Emile Thiessen Asst. A&E editor

SCSU hosted last week’s Minnesota State Universities Student Association (MSUSA) Conference in Atwood Memorial Center. MSUSA conferences occur multiple times per semester on different MNSCU campuses.

This was the first time in 5 years a conference was held at SCSU. Mankato’s student body president Murtaza Rajabali was the first to arrive on Thursday night.

Rajabali had a chance to see SCSU’s campus for the first time and also address the Student Government Association (SGA) directly during their weekly Thursday meeting.

“I wanted to get to see

INSIDE News...............2-5 Opinions................6 Entertainment...8-10 Classifieds.......11-12 Sports..............13-16

how things work here compared to Mankato.” Rajabali said. “This [the SGA] is very different here.”

Rajabali said he was very impressed with the campus and the high level of hospitality he had been shown by students.

The remaining delegates from all seven MNSCU schools arrived on Friday evening in time for the welcome ceremony in the newly opened Alumni room.

MSUSA State Chair Jennifer Weil was the first to speak, thanking students for taking time out of their busy schedule to attend the conference.

“I know how difficult it is to be students,” Weil said.

“You are busy on your home campuses not only as student leaders but also to give up your whole weekend of

academic studies. It shows a whole other level of commitment to the students.”

SGA President Michael Jamnick also spoke at the Ceremony welcoming all delegates to SCSU. After attending various working groups on Saturday, delegates met for their assembly in the afternoon.

Many issues were addressed including the election of a new MSUSA Vice Chair after an abrupt resignation. SCSU senator Tanya Schloesser ran for the position but lost to Ian Glachutt of Winona.

In addition, Mario Vargas, the 2010 Minnesota Census Coordinator, spoke to the delegates about the upcoming census including why it is required and the importance of every person getting counted.

City expands crime lab abilities

Page 3

•See 2010 Census Page 5

Foreign transfer students may have difficult job hunts

tend,” Lynch said.

There is also food at every Cultural Cafe, which allows students to talk further about the culture presented and also about other cultures represented on campus.

The Cultural Cafe is a joint effort between the Intercultural and Scholar Programming Student Association and the Center for International Studies “The goal of this program is to make it a regular thing that students can put in their schedule and interact with other cultures,” Lynch said.

Dzhabbarova said she believes the Cultural Cafe is a good way for students to know and learn more about a culture than they knew before.

“It is a good way to build bridges of friendship between countries,” she said.

The Cultural Cafe draws audience from the community as well.

Carol Hallan, a community member, said she attends Cultural Cafe often because she wants to learn about the different cultures.

“Anytime you can get diversity into the community it helps to get to know other cultures,” Hallan said.

“I like when they wear their culture’s clothes. It’s a fun aspect of it,” Hallan said.

The presentation on Albania began with an overview of the population of Albania, as well as some major customs and an overview of their major historical events.

•See Cultural Cafe/ Page 4

to provide the information for them (Census Bureau),” Hendrickson said.

“Students are probably not going to get mailed for their census forms, but we, as staff, will have to report how many students are living on campus, we, the central office will provide the information for the census.

With new cell phone forensics, St. Cloud is home to an updated crime lab for the Police Department.

He explained the amount of money received by the federal government is a direct result of our population, as well as the number of Congressmen and women that represent each state.

We lose about $1,300 for each person that we fail to count,” Vargas said. “Over a decade, we lose about $1.3 million. It is critical that every individual is counted.’

“Also, in Minnesota, we are in danger … there has been a lot of talk of losing a congressional seat and we do not want that.” Vargas said.

Vargas added that Texas is projected to gain 4 congressional seats based on the 2010 census.

Vargas said questionnaires will be mailed out mid-March and are Due April 1.

Director of Government

SCSU Theater to show Don Juan

Page 8

www.universitychronicle.com

A performance of Don Juan will kick off the Spring semester line-up for the SCSU Theater department.

Men’s hockey in first place tie

Page 16

After getting three points from the Sea wolves, the Huskies are tied with UMD.

2

PAGE

Bulletins

Local

Search resumes in St. Croix River

AFTON, Minn. (AP) — Rescuers were expected to resume their search for a snowmobiler who may have fallen through the ice of the St. Croix River in Afton.

The Washington County sheriff’s department received a call about 6:35 p.m. Friday about someone yelling for help near Windmill Marina. Witnesses also told police they found a helmet near open water on the river.

Dive teams, airboats and the state patrol searched the area on Friday night but found no one.

Monday Feb. 8, 2010

Campus Crime Report 4

1

State

3

National Guard soldiers still wait for pay

Nation

Woman found shot inside ice cream truck near middle school VALLEJO Calif.-Vallejo police report that a woman was hospitalized after she was found shot in her ice cream truck near a middle school.

Sgt. Kevin Bartlett says they discovered 39-year-old Amarjut Kaur of Vallejo behind the wheel of her truck around 2:41 p.m. with gunshot wounds to her chest. The truck was near Springstowne Middle School, where she sold ice cream. Police have released surveillance video from a nearby business of a person they would like to question about the shooting.

2

World

Recalled laced dairy products still on market

Weird news

Cop pulls over driver for using mannequin as passenger

ISLANDIA, N.Y.- A New Yorker faces a $135 traffic fine for using a mannequin as her passenget in the high-occupancy vehicle lane of the Long Island Expressway.

An alert sheriff’s deputy on Long Island became suspicious this week when he saw the “passenger” wearing sunglasses and using the visor. The supposed problem was that the sky was overcast.

When the officer stopped the vehicle, he found the mannequin, fully dressed with a long dark wig, blazer, shirt and scarf.

Who Knew?

Ways to be Green Edition

(Courtesy of ANIMENT ACTION ON Campus)

1. always do full loads of laundry 2. when using a faucet, use lowest pressure possible 3. use reusable bags (the us consumes 100 billion plastic bags a year which equates to 12 million barrels of oil)

5. make sure tires are fully inflated

Interesting events from the past

6. unplug all electronics after use to avoid phantom drain

-1887 Aurora Ski Club of Red Wing, MN became the first U.S.

1. (2/3/10) Disorderly conduct, Stearns Hall 2. (2/4/10) Theft (personal boots), Halenbeck Hall 3. (2/5/10) Noise complaint, Mitchell Hall 4. (2/5/10) Suspicious activity, Q-Lot

4. slowing from 75-65mph will cut gas consumption by 15%

This day in history

7. don’t use a screen saver 8. bundle up instead of turning up the heat

ski club

-1920 Swiss men vote against women’s suffrage

9. On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year.

-1926 Walt Disney Studios is formed

10. The electric chair was invented by a dentist

-1936 First ski jumping tournament in Red Wing, MN -1940 Lodtz, first large ghetto, established by Nazis in Poland

11. Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books -1998 NHL stops season until Feb. 24 to accommodate the and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and Olympics paper that goes into printing new books.

Cloudy with Snow High: 22 °F Low: 18 °F

Tuesday

Wednesday

Cloudy with Snow

Partly Sunny

High: 17 °F Low: 13°F

High: 15 °F Low: -2 °F

Editor Dana Johnson Managing Online Editor Jun-Kai Teoh News Editor Emily Peterson Asst. News Editor Valerie Steffl Entertainment Editor Megan Junkermeier Asst. Entertainment Editor Emilie Theissen Sports Editor Tyler Ohmann Asst. Sports Editor Kyle Stevens Visuals Editor Samantha Bushey Asst. Visuals Editor Andrew Jacobson Opinions Editors Joe Froemming Copy Editors Alexa Sandbakken Casey Cromwell Asst. Online Editor Molly English Editorial Artist Mark Reif Advertising Manager Emma Helfrich Business Manager Nils Badrul Faculty Adviser Michael Vadnie The University Chronicle was founded Sept. 19, 1924. It is published weekly during school semesters and weekly during summer sessions.

Schedule exceptions occur during final periods and academic breaks.

The newspaper is funded with student activity fees through the Student Government Finance Committee.

The University Chronicle posts some content online only at www.universitychronicle.com.

••• The University Chronicle is distributed on the campus of St. Cloud State University along with businesses in the downtown St. Cloud area. For a complete list of distribution locations e-mail Dana at joda0504@stcloudstate.edu ••• Periodicals postage paid in St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301 (USPS 121-580).

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to University Chronicle, St. Cloud State University, 13 Stewart Hall, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498.

Corrections

The University Chronicle prides itself on journalistic integrity. We usually do not publish misinforReport courtesy of: mation, but we JAMES NICKLAS are prone to huThursday man mistakes. We will correct any errors of fact or misspelled names promptly. Call Mostly Sunny 308-4086 with any High: 20 °F corrections.

Low: 2 °F

Local weather forecast Monday

On the Internet www.university chronicle.com Phone Office: (320) 308-4086 Fax: 308-2164 Advertising: 308-3943 Business: 308-3945 Editor: 308-2449 E-mail joda0504@ stcloudstate.edu

Staff

WASHINGTON - More than 2,500 Minnesota National Guard solders are waiting for their $10 million that is owed to them in overtime pay for their deployment in Iraq three years ago.

Members of the Minnesota congressional delegation are looking to the Pentagon to pay the checks to the state’s 34th Infantry Division that served in Iraq longer than any other U.S. military unit.

“It’s frustrating as heck,” said Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., a former National Guardsman, who attended the hearing. “There’s no doubt they have drug their feet bureaucratically on this.”

CHINA- China began an emergency inspection of dairy products in response to reports that tainted items the government ordered to have destroyed during a safety scandal in 2008 were still on the market.

The dairy products contain melamine, an industrial chemical added to the products to give them the appearance of having a greater nutrition value.

The melamine can cause kidney stones in infants and led to the death of six children while 300,000 people fell ill in 2008. The government ordered these products to be recalled and destroyed, but some companies repackaged recalled products for sale, according to China Daily.

Melamine-laced milk powder has resurfaced mostly as an ingredient in processed food such as ice cream and condensed milk, the newspaper said.

The latest announcement is likely to further undermine confidence in food and other products from China, which has been at the center of safety scandals in recent years.

St. Cloud State University 13 Stewart Hall St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498

News

PAGE 3

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Crime lab utilizes cell technology Ashley Imdieke contributing writer Along with a new department building, the St. Cloud Police Department also added a new and improved crime lab.

With the development of the new station, a new crime lab was also constructed to support expansion and innovative ways to analyze evidence brought in by St. Cloud officers and many other police departments from the surrounding area.

“We like it,” said Forensic Specialist, Kim Meline. “It gives us that much more space to spread out to do our jobs and to function better, so that we can get things done faster for our officers.”

Space and ventilation were important contributing factors when it came to designing the new crime lab. In the previous building, there was a lack of efficient ventilation throughout the lab that was hazardous to the health of the staff.

“We’re conscious that a lot of the things we work with are health hazards,” Meline said.

“When we designed the lab we really looked forward and tried to be aware of some of those things. We added chemical hoods, exhaust hoods, in order to take some of those harmful things out of our environment.”

The space improvements

on the crime lab have given the staff more room to conduct their tests more efficiently and will provide them with room for expansion.

While space and ventilation are very important, the St. Cloud Police Department crime lab has had a few larger improvements in their analyzing technology.

While the new station focused on crime scene investigation and fingerprint development, the new crime lab features a new drug analysis section, crime scene analysis, forensic video analysis, fingerprint development and cell phone forensics.

“There is a lot of evidence to be gained with cell phones whether it be text messages or video images related to crimes we investigate,” Meline said.

The forensic specialists can digitally archive the information so they can preserve it and present it in court if necessary. Meline said the forensics involved with cell phone evidence becomes more and more advanced as the cell phones become more complex.

Before designs for the new crime lab were introduced, the staff consisted of a one-man operation.

Meline said they were overworked and after their shift, they would be on call and would have to come in if they were needed. St. Cloud State officer, Nick Smith, was assigned full time to the crime

Job hunts Continued from Page 1 Even with the increased challenge to find jobs in the U.S., international students have different reasons to stay in the U.S. to work.

Prabin Maharjan, also an engineering management major from Nepal, wants to get a job in the U.S. before he goes back to Nepal to gain experience.

Both Maharjan and Pandey agree if they go home with just a degree, they may not be able

to find a challenging job.

If they go back with five or six years experience they may be able to start a business of their own or work in a big corporation.

Echimane said he cannot go back home to work because the environment there is not conducive for him to live in due to his asthma condition.

According to Koffi, a first step for international students who wish to continue their

Ashley Imdieke / contributing Photographer

The new crime lab features forensix video analysis and cell phone ferensics. lab.

When asked what he likes about the new crime lab and the extra person on staff, he replied: “Flexibility in the dif-

ferent areas you can work in, being able to get time off. I’ve been full-time in the crime lab for three and a half years and with the police department for

careers in the U.S. can apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training).

The application fee for this status doesn not cost the employer anything but costs the student $340.

OPT grants the student one year of work authorization after graduation in the student’s field of study.

Even though this visa does not cost the employer any money, the employer may see the employment as temporary, which may not be attractive for hiring.

A presentation Wednesday, given by immigration attorneys Robert D. Aronson and Sandra Feist of Aronson & Associates P.A., explained the intricacies of the U.S. visa statuses.

Aronson said in order for international students to work without permanent residency a company needs to sponsor the employee to file for an H1-B status.

The H1-B status can cost the employer between $1,440 and $3,000.

In addition to these costs, Aronson said there is also a cap on the number of H1-B visas granted each year.

Finding an employer who is willing to hire a student who requires visa assistance can be daunting.

Koffi directs students to the Career Services’ graduate statistics portion of their Web site to see SCSU’s documentation of where international student alumni have been hired.

nine.”

Before the new additions to the crime lab, the St. Cloud Police Department would have to send their fingerprints into the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in St. Paul if they didn’t have a suspect.

Now, they are able to accomplish this task a little easier with the technology available in St. Cloud.

In the future, the St. Cloud crime lab can look forward to expansion of their staff as well as new technology.

Computer forensics, automated fingerprint identification systems and a Midwest fingerprint identification network, which allows the forensic specialists to take a fingerprint they do not have a suspect for and turn it into the states’ databases are possible additions to the lab.

“I like the people that I work with. I’m very lucky to work in an environment where there are a lot of really interesting, nice and dedicated people,” Meline said.

“Getting those pieces of evidence, putting those pieces together to be able to lead to an arrest. That’s always exciting and exciting for the investigators when they get the news back that you got a fingerprint match. That’s pretty exciting too. That’s the best part,” Smith said.

Koffi said employers go through the visa process with an international employee because they want to diversify their workforce and because there are some jobs, particularly in math and science, which domestic students do not pursue.

Echimane, Maharjan and Pandey all expressed that most of their friends found jobs after they graduated.

“It’s not easy, and it’s sometimes frustrating, but we have to try our best,” Pandey said. “I take it as fun and don’t worry about the hard time now because you have to take it easy and it will work out.”

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS TODAY

• Open Mic Night

At 8:00 p.m. in the Quarry, SCSU students can sign up and perform anything from comedy to music in a 15 minute slot.

TUESDAY

• Volunteer & Service Learning Fair

10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Atwood’s main lounge will be a chance for students to learn about service opportunities.

WEDNESDAY •Battle of the Bands

At 7 p.m. in the Atwood Ballroom, student artists or bands compete against each other for a winning spot at the Battle of the Unsigned Bands at the Mississippi Music Festival.

THURSDAY

• Make your own Valentine

11:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Atwood’s Main Lounge tudents can create their own Valentine’s Day cards by using construction paper, glitter, and other craft items. There will be cookies given out as well.

News

PAGE 4

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

SCSU Storm chasers host convention Molly Willms Staff writer On Sunday, the first Minnesota Storm Chasers Convention was hosted in the Atwood Memorial Center.

People came from all around, including one student who drove in from Chicago. A former SCSU student, Kirsten Trout braved the weather to experience this event, since there’s “absolutely nothing” like this in Chicago.

The convention was sponsored by the SCSU Storm Chase Club, which was founded in 2008 by current president Michael Stanga and co-founder Daniel Fruechte.

“The club was started to find weather enthusiasts and to be able to share in our unique passion together,” according to the club’s Web site. “[The convention] literally got thought up three months ago,” Stanga said, citing his collaboration on the idea with Fruechte. “[The speakers] were actually incredibly eager to come and help out.”

The event boasted such guest speakers as John Wetter, storm chaser and founder of the Web site www.wxchaser. com; Tony Perkins, a storm chaser and founder of the Web site www.blueskybust.com; Joshua Wurman, inventor of Doppler-On-Wheels (DOW) radar vehicles and star of the Discovery Channel series “Stormchasers;” and the Twister Sisters, Peggy Willenberg and Melanie Metz, gradute of SCSU and storm chasing team.

John Wetter began the round of speakers with a presentation called “So You Want to Be a Storm Chaser...”.

Attendees of the event

consisted of amateur and professional storm chasers, meteorology students and fans of various speakers.

Wetter spoke of the importance of field experience, finishing the title sentence of his presentation with “just go out and do it.”

He spoke to meteorology students, saying multiple times that, while a degree can get people hired, the only way to become a better storm chaser and forecaster is to go out and learn through experience.

“In my experience,” Wetter said, “attending a fouryear meteorology program alone will not teach you to be a better forecaster. That’s up to you to become a betterthan-average forecaster.”

Wetter was followed by Perkins, who gave a tutorial entitled “Spice Up Your Videos!” He spoke mostly to avid storm chasers, teaching them how to make their actual storm footage stand out using facts and diagrams to bring the picture into perspective.

Next was convention founder and creator of the Web site www.thewxpage. com, Michael Stanga with a presentation entitled “8 August 2009- A Storm Chasing Perspective.”

Stanga summarized a particular storm chase he and colleagues had pursued on the listed date.

After a brief break for lunch, the convention began again with Wurman, who talked mainly about his DOW vehicles and his experiences trying to be a scientist on TV. The DOWs are “the microscopes and telescope of what we had before,” Wurman said, citing the revolu-

MSUSA Continued from Page 1 morning.

MSUSA’s Board of Di-

rectors includes the seven student body presidents from

Seng kiat khor/ staff Photographer

People from as far away as Chicago came to SCSU’s first Storm Chasers Convention Sunday. tionary technology now available. He first warned, “No on should be satisfied with where we are,” elaborating on how crude storm detecting technology still is and how far it still needs to come.

He also talked about his experiences on television.

While grateful for what the funding was able to provide for his research organization, Vortex 2, Wurman had the audience laughing as he told of the networks’ expectations.

“What [the television

producers] are hoping for are great incompatible mixes of people,” he jokes, “fighting and loving their way through the plains. That’s just absolutely not what we’re doing.”

After Wurman’s anecdotes came the local Twister Sisters, Willenberg and Metz.

The ‘Sisters’ took the attendees through their experience with their “favorite tornado” in a presentation entitled “The Southern Minnesota Tornado Outbreak of 14 July 2003-- A Case of Under

Running the Cap”.

The Sisters showed pictures and videos of a tornado that touched down and continued no more than 100 feet away from their vehicle.

“At this point, we were sitting in the vehicle with our mouths kind of hanging open,” Willenberg said.

Overall, the ‘sisters’ dispensed advice for all storm chasers: While data is important, when you’re on the chase, it’s important to use observation, experience and

instinct.

“Use this computer,” Willenberg said, pointing to her head in reference to the brain.

“It’s a lot smarter.”

A reception followed the final speech of the day, a social hour for many of the storm chasers to catch up.

Stanga concluded the convention by expressing thanks to all attendees and hope that this convention will become a yearly tradition.

each MNSCU school. The directors were given updates by various MSUSA insiders regarding many current issues facing both MSUSA and individual schools. In addition, the meeting was a time to review any issues that were addressed throughout the weekend conference.

“Overall, the conference went pretty well,” said Luanda Majo, MSUSA Campus Coordinator for St. Cloud.

“We elected a new vice chair which is something we really needed for the organization.”

“During the Delegates assembly there were a lot of

heated conversations but I think in the end we got a lot of things resolved,” Majo said.

Majo added the update from MSUSA’s Graeme Allen was also important to get an idea of the issues MSUSA will be lobbying for come March 3.

Majo stressed any student can lobby at the capital through SGA and can find more information in the SGA office.

“At the end of the day it was a good conference and we were glad to be able to host it here at St. Cloud State,” Majo said.

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

News

Free, confidential HIV screenings offered Anazthasya Anthony Staff writer

In conjunction with Sexual Responsibility Week and Valentine’s Day, St. Cloud students, faculty and community could receive a free HIV screening today.

As interns at St. Cloud Red Cross, Amali Dabarera and Bijesh Amatya, are collaborating with Peer Educators to run this event.

Susie Wistrom, their supervisor, suggested the screening as part of their project. Dabarera said people should be cautioned. Last year, Minnesota saw a 13 percent increase of new HIV infections.

People often fail to associate HIV education with Red Cross Amatya said. That is why the Red Cross runs HIVrelated programs.

“We go to schools and educate kids on how they can get infected and what they can do to prevent it,” Dabarera said.

Dabarera said the test will not involve blood samples.

They will collect an oral sample and results can be obtained in 20 minutes.

“Students who ask why they should get tested should know HIV can take years to show symptoms,” Amatya said.

He said a person may be involved in HIV-causing activities yet not know he or she is at risk.

Anyone wanting to get tested on the day can expect privacy. Wistrom plans to be the only person in the testing room to ensure as such.

Dabarera and Amatya plan to distribute flyers at the entrance. The testing room will not be visible to them Amatya said.

“You can give a fake name if you want just so Susie can get in touch with you,” he said.

The goal for the screening is preventative care Amatya said. Without cure, prevention is the next best option he said.

“It is like a never ending saga if the source of the virus is not detected,” he said.

Testing is free for all. Da-

brera said they are more concerned with the welfare of people instead of money.

They started on a tight budget Amatya said. Through the help of Red Cross and Peer Educators, he said the screening was made available.

Attendees on the day stand a chance of winning giveaways from local businesses including Green Mill and Godfather’s Pizza. Amatya said it is good to let people feel recognized and appreciated.

He said anyone might be afraid if the results are HIVpositive.

“If a person is diagnosed with HIV, we will not leave them hanging,” she said. Wistrom will provide counseling and further information.

They chose the significance of Valentine’s Day for a reason Dabarera said.

“If you care enough for those you love, you would get tested,” she said.

Testing will be conducted at from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Atwood Ballroom.

Education center of Sexual Responsbility Jason Tham Staff writer

Campus Health Promotion Peer Educators are expecting to team up with American Red Cross to bring awareness for healthy sexual relationships to SCSU this week.

Awareness and informative booths are expected to be set up at Atwood Memorial Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m Monday.

“We cover a variety of topics: Sexology 101, Contraceptives, STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) awareness and prevention, HIV/AIDS facts and resources, and free condoms giveaway,” Lee Zutz, senior, president of R.E.A.C.H. (Real Education About College

Health) Peer Educators, said.

The Minnesota Family Planning Program (MFPP) plans to be in attendance to provide free birth control and contraceptives to Minnesota residence who meet their requirements.

R.E.A.C.H. Peer Educators plan to go around to all residence halls to give away free condoms from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, An awareness table that focuses mainly on Healthy Relationship and Communications is planned to be set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at Atwood Memorial Center.

“It is a world-wide program that is going to take place in every school,” Zutz said.

Troy Shafer, assistant di-

rector of Health Services, advisor to R.E.A.C.H. Peer Educators, plans to be there for all the awareness tables to answer any question students may have.

“We will have spinning wheel for prizes, and students can get prizes too if they answer our quiz questions regarding the topics,” Zutz said.

Students can go to the Health Promotion front desk at Hills Hall (next to Health Services) to look up for brochures and more information about the Sexual Responsibility Week.

“We are happy to assist students if they have any projects regarding sexual responsibility,” Zutz said.

Students can reach Health Promotion at 320-308-4850.

PAGE 5

Cultural Cafe Continued from Page 1 Members of the audience laughed at jokes made by the presenters and were able to quietly converse about things presented.

This continues the goal of encouraging exploration and communication about other cultures.

Cultural Cafe tries to

2010 Census Continued from Page 1 To make sure all 3000 students are going to be counted,” Hendrickson said.

Students who lived offcampus houses or apartments will receive the forms by mail or delivery in March.

They have to return the completed form in the U.S. mail envelope attached.

Henderickson said anyone who is living off-campus, it (Census form) will be one per house or apartment. If they are living in a group, only one of them has to fill out the form but he or she has to provide all the information about his or her roommates.

If no form is mailed back, residents can expect a personal visit from a census taker some time after March 2010. The census taker will ask the questions on the form. They will record the resident’s answers and then submit the form for the household.

“Really, the whole key is education, so I am trying to do is [to] work with University Communications, Student Government, and a whole bunch of different clubs like athletic units and the international student services (Center for International Studies),” Hendrickson said.

Students do not have to worry because all data they provide on the Census will be kept confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot

share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

“It (student’s information) is a hundred percent, completely, confidential,” Hendrickson said.

The 10 questions of the Census form range from personal identity to homeownership, contact information, social-economic characteristics, race and ethnicity. The Census will not ask about the legal status of respondents and Social Security Numbers.

“The 2010 Census will likely determine whether Minnesota loses one of its eight U.S. House seats; population determines seat allocation. Political experts agree that a few thousand people not filling out census forms may be all it takes for the state to lose a congressional advocate in the nation’s capital,” A June 2009 Minneapolis Star Tribune noted.

Besides helping to determine distribution of federal monies and allocation of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Census data is helpful for employers, understanding where the next generation of workers is coming from, which will influence recruitment efforts.

“For the census, if you are going to college and you live in the residence halls or off-campus, it is considered your home, moms and dads

present different cultures every semester.

Following presentations this semester aare planned to include Ethiopia, Tibet and Scandinavia.

According to Lynch the Cultural Cafe hopes to become a tradition at SCSU. The Cultural Cafe is free to students, faculty, and community members.

cannot fill the census form out on the students’ behalf,” Hendrickson said.

Census data helps college and university students and faculty as it can be used for scientific research, reports, statistical profiles and other projects.

Census data also impacts college and university tuition grant and loan programs.

Census figures help establish fair-market rents and enforce lending practices.

The information the census collects helps to determine how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects and emergency services “The President is very supportive on this; we really want to make sure that SCSU gets an accurate count and it also shows how many students are going to school in this university, so, be counted.” Hendrickson said.

Should the students have any questions about the census, Hendrickson urged students to look up the census Web site (www.census.gov) that is set up in many different languages.

Also, from March 15 to April 1, there will be representatives from the Census Bureau stationed at Atwood Memorial Center, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer any questions that the students may have and give handouts to educate the students.

6

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The Chronicle; a crash course on American culture By the time this joyed (if that’s the Jun-Kai issue is printed and right word) some Teoh distributed at the rather interesting many (or few?)

“American” expeplaces that it goes riences. to, it’ll be one day For example, short of a year Sugar Daddy’s. since my first pubWhat I was told to lished University be a “Guys night Chronicle article. out at Perkins” Is it a big deal? turned out to be Maybe, maybe not. Managing Editor a short mysteriI’m not entirely ous trip out of St. sure on that front Cloud to a place yet. with bright neon lights called What I can say however “Sugar Daddy’s.” is that my experiences at the Nope, I’m not going to Chronicle have played a huge talk about what happened. role in shaping my experi- I’m afflicted with selective ence of the United States. amnesia. Twenty years down The Chronicle can be a the road I’ll be lying in a posh very crazy place. Constantly couch spending $200 an hour trying to rush deadlines while for therapy sessions. balancing everything else, it’s You know how as a kid not one of those jobs where your parents would probably you just go through the mo- tell you not to accept candy tions like a robot day in and from strangers and stuff like day out. that? They should probably It’s the people I work expand that to include “Boys with at the Chronicle that are night out” spells trouble. spectacular.

I’ll never be able to think I’m aware that there are of bacons and eggs at a rather people out there that don’t good restaurant the same way really appreciate what we ever again. do, and they go through our But, moral and ethiarticles with a fine toothcomb cal dilemmas (and possible lusting for any mistake that emotional and psychological we make. trauma) aside, I can’t deny But the people that work that part of the reason I came here are great. They do what to the States was to expose everyone else does; work myself to different experitheir rears off for minimal ences. pay while enduring the harsh Working with the people criticisms that people enjoy I work with is like having a throwing at them. crash course on everything They have classes to go remotely “American”, rangto, rent to pay, assignments ing from “Big Lebowski” to to finish and articles to write. “Las Vegas Chainsaws” (trust Best day of the week? Sun- me, stay away from Google days when they’re laying out Search with that) to Hunter S. the next issue only to find Thompson and Ted Bundy. out that some stories were They sometimes poke fun dropped at the last minute. at me saying that I’ll be disThe people at the Chron- owned by my family when I icle do what they can with go back to Malaysia. what they have.

Not likely unless they But for me, they’re more find out I’m in an open relathan just my coworkers. tionship with one of my coThey’re like my Webster worker’s dog.

Dictionary to understanding Looking back to the day anything American. From the that I walked down the steps innuendos to the slang, from of Stewart Hall to Basement the Civil Rights Movement to Room 13, I see myself as the Ford Mustang.

Lews Carroll’s “Alice” fallAnd they have, at the ing down that rabbit hole. very least, made sure that this I think all we’re lacking international student that’s down here is a caterpillar writing this piece here en- smoking a hookah.

The opinions expressed on the Commentary and Opinions pages are not necessarily those of the college, university system or student body.

Activities on campus expose new experiences

One of my goals when I first started here at SCSU was to become as involved with different groups and events on campus as possible.

I was really looking to make the most of my college caKyra reer and try Loch to take every opportunity that came my way.

As we near the end of the school year and another graduation ceremony is slowly approaching, I have overheard a few conversations of students bragging they have made it through all their college years without joining or participating in anything.

I understand most college students do not have that much time or money to spare, but the experience of being involved within an organization is definitely worth it.

There are hundreds of organizations and groups to choose from.

The wide variety of organizations offered gives every student a chance to find his or her niche on campus. Finding one’s place and actively becoming involved can make a student’s college years much more enjoyable and give his or her time here in St. Cloud a sense of meaning.

Joining any kind of organization not only enhances our college experience, but helps us to prepare for future careers, allows us to meet new people, develops our leadership skills, and overall helps us to become more well rounded people.

There are a wide variety of groups for many different interests; anything from the Campus Rec. to the University Programming Board committees offer students a chance to get involved.

The most beneficial organizations are ones that are

specifically related to different departments and majors on campus. These kinds of groups offer students a chance to become even more engaged with something they plan on doing the rest of their lives, and to see if they would actually enjoy it.

These groups also help students gain more experience and develop skills to help them with their future careers. It is a chance to network and possibly be noticed by future employers.

Students are also able to meet fellow peers within their major and develop a relationship with the professor or advisor of the group.

I do not understand why some students do not take these opportunities. For example, if someone wants to be a journalist, why not write for the Chronicle or work at UTVS? It only is benefiting them for the future.

Along with organizations related to majors, the often overlooked and stereotyped Greek community on campus can be beneficial to students.

The Greek system is probably one of the fastest ways to meet new people and immediately become involved on campus.

Aside from the unrealistic depictions shown in television and movies, the Greek system offers a smaller community for students on a large campus.

Becoming involved within a Greek house also gives students opportunities to develop important and valuable leadership skills.

The best part is that if students cannot find a group that meets their interests or expectations, they can always start their own organization.

College is all about gaining experience and trying new things. Students are cheating themselves if they do not somehow get involved on campus at some point during their college career.

Opinions University Chronicle

Monday Feb. 8, 2010

Gender roles may contribute in violent behavior Jayme Campbell

War of words between satirist and pundit Grant Allen Columnist A recent bit on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” satirized popular political commentator Keith Olbermann after his most recent rant on SenatorElect Scott Brown.

Jon Stewart, while putting on and taking off a litany of glasses and assorted eye wear, lambasted Mr. Olbermann for his over the top and exaggerated ad hominem attacks on the Senator-Elect, in which Mr. Olbermann jumped many times to questionable conclusions in an emotional attempt to discredit the Republican candidate for the late Ted Kennedy’s senatorial seat.

Now this is nothing new; as we have seen in the past, “The Daily Show” has criticized many public figures, from politicians to musicians.

What is most interesting about this situation is that “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” issued a response to Stewart’s satire, in which Olbermann countered with some ad hominem attacks on Mr. Stewart and apologized rather apathetically about his rants being “a little over the top lately.”

Now what is so special about this? Well, what this is telling us is that Keith Olbermann and John Stewart are equals; essentially, they are peers.

They are colleagues, if you will. Let’s say, for example,

Republican leaders made some sort of accusation against the Democratic leaders.

Naturally, the Democratic leaders will respond to these allegations with a defense or perhaps with new allegations against the Republicans. This is because both groups involved are politicians.

They belong to the same group, share the same space and are competing for the same rewards.

Now consider the issue at hand. “Countdown” could have left the matter alone, but it instead felt the need to reply to Mr. Stewart’s attack on its host, because it perceives “The Daily Show,” a comedy show, to be on the same level as “Countdown,” a news and politics show.

Had “Countdown” perceived “The Daily Show” as a show on a different level or in a completely different category, then perhaps a response would not be warranted.

This occurrence is not new.

Consider the issue with Jon Stewart and Fox news in November of last year, when “The Daily Show” discovered that Fox had used footage from a large conservative rally to portray a much smaller “republican health care” rally, giving the impression that the more recent rally was much bigger than it actually was.

Sean Hannity apologized (with tongue firmly in cheek) and conceded that Mr. Stewart was correct, but not before be-

littling “The Daily Show” staff.

Again, the people at Fox news decided that it was necessary to respond to Stewart’s rather snide critique of its programming with a snide critique of its own, implying that these two programs are of the same category.

Looking back even further, when Mr. Stewart appeared on “Crossfire,” he openly criticized the show for being disingenuous and misleading.

The commentators on “Crossfire” responded by attacking the credibility of “The Daily Show,” to which Stewart replied, “If you want to compare your show to a comedy show, you’re more than welcome.”

This is interesting because the conclusion that we can draw from this is that these so-called political news shows are on the same level as political comedy shows.

Why? It all has to do with ratings.

If these news shows, like “Countdown” or “The O’Reilly Factor,” want to stay on the air, they need to be entertaining.

They must attract viewers by giving them a person like Olbermann who they can admire and support in order to garner higher ratings and thus more money.

On cable programming, news and entertainment are fused together for profit, so to answer the first question, it’s apples to apples.

Is it food quality or just wreckage?

Jason Tham Columnist I can’t help but to exclaim in me, “man, that’s such a waste!” when I saw the cashier at a restaurant threw away a packet of French fries, right in front of me.

Why? According to a student eating at that restaurant that time, any food that is touched by the customers, and not purchased, will not be put back on the food serving shelf.

Same goes to those other food products that the servers feel that they are not fresh anymore.

They all ended up in the same trash bin.

I understand the need for food quality control, however, I just feet that there is another way to handle these “touched” food instead of throwing them away. To me, throwing them away has not only created more garbage but also a form of wasting our natural resources.

How many processes are needed before a packet of French fries is produced? From the potatoes, to the oil and then the packaging materials, which one of them does not require

earthly resources?

Let’s look at the people at Haiti right now. On one hand we are busy collecting donations all around the campus, ironically, on the other hand we are throwing food to the garbage bin.

While we are a community that is claiming to provide as much resources possible to the people who experienced disaster at our neighbor country, I seriously wonder why on the earth are we exercising these wasteful behaviors?

I am not an expert in quality control. Hence, I do not provide professional suggestions on how these foods can be handled.

Nonetheless, from my personal point of view, I suggest these foods to be kept and donate it to those who just crave for a meal in a day. I don’t mean French fries alone, burgers, nugget and meats; they all can be given away for free instead of going into the trash bin where nobody can benefit from them.

It is just too much if we throw away food that is not really harmful to people. Having someone touched the packet of French fries will not kill the next person who purchases it.

Similarly, a packet of fried on-

ion ring that is rested on the food shelf for an hour also won’t kill someone who eats it later on, I suppose.

We are humans, given the power and authority to rule of the rich resources on the earth.

Have we ever thought what if these resources are to run out one day? And I am pretty sure they will, if we are not changing our awful attitudes.

I know I may have gone too far from a packet of thrownaway-fries to sounded-likethe-end-of-world. But, this just triggered me to relate these inferences.

As far as what I believe in my culture, it is not a smart thing to do to throw away edible food.

Those who does will surely receive some sort of punishments, be it from God Himself or the servants on the earth.

Think about it. Are there any other ways we can do this?

I don’t hope there’s one day I would desperately regret for not grabbing the lady’s hand who threw away the packet of fries in front of my face.

Let’s find a way, before it is too late

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy is appalling Jian You Hoe Columnist “Don’t ask don’t tell” policy should be repealed as soon as possible under the current Obama administration. Currently, the United States Armed Forces barred against gay, lesbian to participate or join the military.

Every American citizen should have the same amount of opportunities to be successful in life no matter what are their sexual orientations.

This is not the first time Americans have endured this type of discrimination.

Back around 20 to 30 years ago, Americans all around the country has been fighting for their rights as a citizen of this land.

For instance, women reaching and fighting for their rights that one day they would be able to vote; African Americans fighting and many other minority races fighting for their civil rights under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. All of this would not be possible, if those parties did not

fight for their rights and needs.

200 years ago it would be impossible to even see an African American and White American working together in the White House, yet today you would witness cooperation from the minority and majority for instance President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden in the White House.

From the facts above, it just shows that this is not the first time Americans have endured discrimination from gender, tradition, background, religion, nationality, skin color, origin and many more.

Some would ask, if it is not broken why you would want to change it? It wills definitely cause more problems for this country.

The country is in the midst of the recovering from the worst economic downfall and unemployment with thousands to thousands of job losses each month.

Sadly to say, I have to disagree with it.

If it is not broken does not mean we should follow. We should definitely find solution to better or improve because the

world is ever changing. In the 21st century, American cannot afford to fall behind on other emerging superpower such as China and Russia.

Because of this implementation of “don’t ask don’t tell” policy many Americans that love their country deeply will not be able to serve the military.

Because of this policy, military personal that are gay or lesbian could not do their very best because they are always trying to be somebody and not themselves. They are afraid that if the military authorities know their true identity they are force to quit the army.

Because of the policy, thousands to thousand of military are force to quit the United States Armed forces.

I am glad that President Obama is dealing with this problem. America has seen worse and I have no doubt, America will grow even stronger as a country and once again ready to lead the world again.

The United States will always be the land of the free and home of the brave.

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Columnist

On Thursday of this past week, I was at work flipping through the Internet news venues when I found a story that actually made my jaw drop. For those of you who know me, this does not happen easily.

The main story on Yahoo!

News was about a nine year old boy who gut busted for bringing a gun to school. That wouldn’t be so shocking if the gun wasn’t literally two inches long and plastic.

Timothy and his friend had been sitting at a table in the lunchroom and playing with Lego figures when he put the two-inch gun into the hands of a plastic police officer.

That was literally all he did.

Timothy’s mother said that the reason the boy liked the gun so much is because his father is a retired police officer.

The boy was then brought into the Principal’s office, asked to sign a statement and nearly suspended.

I apologize, but this boy is nine years old! The gun was the size of his pinkie, maybe. Never mind the fact that it was plastic.

But then we had another gun story literally a day later that did not end on a good note.

On Friday in Madison, Alabama, a ninth grader was shot in the back of the head in between classes at a local high school and is currently in critical condition.

So as a society how do we link the two together? Do we say that one is just an innocent young boy playing with a gun and another is one who is unstable and took things too far?

Or do we say that the person who was the school shooter played with toy guns as a young child and that this is what led him to kill a fellow classmate?

I remember after the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999 that everybody and their brother blamed video games for violence amongst children.

After the Virginia Tech Massacre, it was that a student who needed severe mental treatment was not helped in the way they needed.

We are always playing the blame game without actually looking at the true source.

So should the Principal in Timothy’s case have jumped to the assumed conclusion that by allowing Timothy to play with the tiny gun that he would later go on to commit violent acts?

No. She should have seen that he was just a child and that boys across this country are genderized to play with guns and other violent games and weapons.

Walk down any boy’s section of the toy store and you will see mostly guns or other weapons with taglines like “Kill,” “Fight” and “Destroy.”

All Timothy was doing was going along with what society has demanded of him since he was first wrapped up in a baby blue swaddle.

I’m not saying that gender stereotypes are the main reasons for school shootings by any means. Drug abuse, mental illness, an abusive past as well as many other things can all be seen as causes as well. I do, however, feel that when we consistently tell young boys to play with guns and to “destroy the enemy,” that maybe we aren’t sending all the right signals.

It may not just be the toys that are perpetuating the violence, but it is definitely being caused by something.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice between 1998 and 2002, eighty three percent of spouse murders and seventy five percent of dating partner murders were executed by males. If, according to RAINN, one in every three women will be raped in her lifetime, who is doing the raping? Men. Males are brought up to be “tough” and to not “bitch out” or be a “pussy.” All that does is tell them that being sensitive and not constantly fighting is wrong.

That is not okay. We, as a generation, need to make sure that with our children we do not perpetuate the issue that is underlying at least some, if not all, of the violence; gender stereotyping.

When will we stop blaming violence in video games solely and start looking at the genderization of little boys and the way that we as a society tell them that fighting and guns are okay, but then criticize them and ask parents what went wrong when little boys and young troubled men shoot up schools?

University Chronicle Monday, February 8, 2010

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PAGE 7

University Chronicle

8 Arts & Entertainment

PAGE

Monday Feb. 8, 2010

Pachenga celebrates Bob Marley’s birthday Molly Wilms staff writer

The spirit of “pachanga”, an informal Spanish word, can best be described as “get down, get loose, party, whoop it up and have a good time together.”

At least that’s what the Web site of the Stearns County Pachanga Society says. Between SCSU Spanish professor Dr. Mike Hasbrouck, Peru native Lalo Quillo and the other seven members of the Society, it’s safe to say they’ve got the definition down pat.

The Stearns County Pachanga Society has been performing together for more than seven years, and some have been doing so even longer thanks to involvement in other local groups.

This past Saturday, though, the Society decided to use one of their crowdrousing shows to honor a man who “has been a huge influence on every one of [them].”

Vocalist Stacy Bauer spoke these words in reference to Bob Marley, the late singer whom the group was honoring last Saturday on what would have been his 65th birthday.

“Old enough to retire,” announced Mike “Dr.” Hasbrouck during the concert.

“But, I don’t think he’d retire.”

The society was joined at Pioneer Place by one of its many guest performers from around the world. This time, it was Julian “JuJu” MacFarlane of the Minneapolis band Ipso Facto.

“The best part of playing with them is that they’ve been playing together so long that they have a natural groove,” MacFarlane, of the Pachanga Society, said. “They’re fun to play with, and I just have a blast.”

According to Mike Hasbrouck, that “natural groove”

was not easily come by.

Before they were the nine-member Pachanga Society, the groups’ individual members played in such noted local bands as the Surahoolies (or just the ‘Hoolies,’ to fans.) One day, Hasbrouck had the idea to get local talent together to play this participatory music.

The group quickly gained popularity and had to reassess its direction. “We have 22 kids between us,” Hasbrouck said. “It’s not easy being up until three or four in the morning on a regular basis.”

They also, unfortunately, had to cut down on some of the audience participation.

Originally performing primarily in local bars, the band would get complaints about audience members ruining the show with rowdiness.

Not only that: “We lost over $100 in equipment in the beginning,” says Hasbrouck, explaining why they don’t pass out expensive percussion instruments anymore.

Now, the Society performs a few times a month around the county, passing out shakers to audience members and, more than anything, encouraging them to get up and dance.

Saturday’s show was no exception. Besides having a house packed so full that people were lined up between the bar and the seating area, there were between 20 and 30 people on the dance floor at a given time.

More notable, though, was the variety. There were children under 10 and adults apparently over 70.

College students, parents, families and everyone in between turned out to see the tribute to Bob Marley, who MacFarlane calls “the son, the father, the grandfather of the reggae music we all know and love.”

run wang / staff photographer

The Stearns County Pachanga Society honors the late reggae musician Bob Marley on his 65th birthday on Saturday at Pioneer Place. three encores at audience Marley, this is nothing but a While the band has been that was performed.

“Well, I’m A Bob Mar- request, one that was an im- funky reggae party.” performing around the area The Stearns County for several years, the tribute ley fan,” Amy Casperson, provised mash-up of various Pachanga Society will be aspect of the evening seemed an audience member, said. R&B hits.

Even after the band de- performing at Lee’s Liquor to be an important part of the “I’ve always heard that [The evening for much of the au- Pachega Society] does an cided that it was finally quit- Lounge in Minneapolis on excellent job with their mu- ting time, the audience yelled February 27. dience.

MacFarlane will be perfor more.

Many dancers sported sic.”

As sung by MacFarlane in forming again at the Pioneer This seemed to be the Bob Marley t-shirts and hats, and even more sang along consensus of the audience. summary of the evening: “In Place with Ipso Facto on with every Bob Marley song The Society did a total of the words of Robert ‘Master’ June 11.

‘The Vagina Monologues’ show this week

Theater dept. to perform ‘Don Juan’ Gabrialle Landsverk contributing writer

What better way to follow up Valentine’s Day weekend than a legendary tale of passion and love? This year, “Don Juan” will be kicking off SCSU’s Spring Theatre Production line-up.

The play is an adaptation of three different scripts by playwrights Tirso de Molina, Moliere, and Alexander Pushkin and will combine plot elements from all three.

The story follows, in three acts, the life and exploits of Don Juan, an infamous man who can have any woman he wants but is satisfied with none of them.

He has been exiled from Spain for his misdeeds, and travels across the land seducing many women and making many enemies.

The tables are turned when he finally returns to Spain and meets a woman whose father he once killed in a duel.

Much to his surprise, he falls madly in love with her.

Their relationship, however, is doomed to end in tragedy.

Along the way is enough sword fighting, passion, and plot twists to keep any viewer on the edge of their seat.

Directing Don Juan is Vladimir Rovinsky, Asst.

Professor of Theater.

“I love this play and I’ve wanted to work with it for long time,” Rovinsky said.

In addition, because the play deals with themes of love and passion, he added, “It’s very good material for young actors to do.”

Leading actor Bjorn Anderson, a senior at SCSU, says about being Don Juan: “It’s a little nerve-wracking.

You have to deal with the

lines, first of all, and seducing all these women. They have to be attracted to me somehow it’s always awkward [at first].”

Jessica Smith, one of the leads, has the challenge of playing two very different characters.

Also a senior, she plays Dona Isabella, a naive noblewoman who is Don Juan’s first conquest in the play. Her other character, Laura, can be best described as ‘Don Juan in a skirt,’ a very self assured woman who entertains many suitors.

To get in character, she thinks about what her characters do every day, how they interact with people, and how they feel about love and relationships.

“With Dona Isabella, it’s very peaceful at first, because you have to become to childlike to become her,” Smith said. “With Laura, it’s really fun just because she’s so full of herself, and everything about her loves life.”

David Jensen, a film major, plays Don Carlos, a man seeking revenge for brother’s death.

Jensen has a particularly interesting task; his character has a death scene. This will be the first time the actor has died onstage.

“I’m kind of excited to do it,” Jensen said. “And nervous too.”

Other members of the cast include Adam Smith, sophomore, who plays Don Juan’s sidekick/servant Leporello and Zach Kulzer, also a sophomore, as Bartricio, the fiance of a woman Don Juan seduces.

Meanwhile, the costume crew has been hard at work on the lower level Performing Arts Center, designing and constructing outfits for

Alexa Sandbakken contributing writer

gabrialle landsverk / contributing photographer

A swordfight was practiced as part of the “Don Juan” performance.

the different characters, like the monk’s robe Don Juan uses to disguise himself.

Dona Isabella’s costume is an expansive white gown that looks like it comes straight from Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe, while Laura will wear a suggestively sheer and lacy black skirt with a matching top.

Other costumes include Don Carlos’ colorful shirt and black vest and Don Juan’s handsome white suit, complete with a roguish hat.

The set of the play features a spiral staircase on which Don Juan and Don Carlos battle to the death.

Performances will take

place in the Arena Stage on the lower level of the Performing Arts Center beginning Tuesday, Feb. 16 and running through Sunday, Feb. 21. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. Feb. 16 to the 20 and 2:00 p.m. Feb 21.

Tickets are free with an SCSU student or faculty ID, $7 for non-SCSU students, and $10 for the general public.

They will be available at the door, or may be purchased in advance at the Atwood Memorial Information Desk, or by calling (320) 308-4636.

It is, once again, that time of year when Hallmark cards, flowers, and chocolates are sold at outrageous prices for the sake of a holiday.

On a more meaningful note, it’s also time for SCSU’s annual production of “The Vagina Monologues,” based off the play written

by Eve Ensler. “The Vagina Monologues” are a part of the V-Day movement, a global effort to stop violence against women.

One of the show’s codirectors, Brianne Perreten, a junior majoring in Communication Studies, was emphatic about this year’s cast.

“We have a really great cast this year. It’s a lot bigger than it has been in past years, so you’ll see a lot more variety,” Perreten said. “The way the pieces are being performed is a lot different; we have some funny accents and I think that the interpretation of the pieces this year is a lot funnier and a lot more entertaining.”

Cati Morin, a senior English major in her second year with the production, agreed.

“This year we have a much larger cast; it’s a lot of different women with different backgrounds, which gives the monologues a great insight into different perspectives,” Morin said.

“There’s a lot of really funny pieces, a lot of funny jokes, [but] then there’s some serious pieces as well.”

Like productions in the past, this year’s event is about more than two nights of entertainment.

“The Vagina Monologues” can also be seen as a tool for women’s empowerment. “[It] actually really does

empower you to be able to use the language that you want and turn such a dirty word, as a lot of people call it, into something of power and so I can use it now comfortably not as an insult but as in a conversation,” Morin said. “I don’t whisper it.”

“Performing the Vagina Monologues as a Means for Women’s Empowerment” is also the focus of the upcoming Women on Wednesday series at 12 p.m. this Wednesday in the Atwood Theatre.

In addition to each evening’s performance, there will also be a silent auction beginning when the doors open at 6 p.m.

“Not only are you entertained, [but] you get to help stop violence against women,” Catherine Bjertness, codirector and a senior majoring in communication, arts and literature, said.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center with a portion going to back to the V-Day organization in order to benefit women throughout the world.

“If [you] want to have a night filled with laughter and excitement, then come to ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and help to raise awareness and money to help stop violence against women,” Bjertness said.

“The Vagina Monologues” begin at 7 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 12, and Sat., Feb. 13, in the Ritsche Auditorium with doors opening at 6 p.m.

Advance tickets can be purchased in Atwood.

Student prices are $3 if purchased in advance and $5 at the door while tickets for the general public are $6 in advance and $7 at the door.

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Arts & Entertainment

PAGE 9

Matt Kubat offers new graffiti clothing style Valerie Steffl asst. news editor

When looking around SCSU, people can notice that there is no shortage of spectacular art and artists, but there is one person that has taken his art to a whole new level and stands apart from the rest. That guy is Matt Kubat.

Matt Kubat, senior travel and tourism major, took his self-described ”ball point pen insanity” off notebook paper and onto people’s backs when he collaborated with Julio Gasco, senior international business major, to create their own clothing line, Culprit.

According to Kubat, his art ranges from black and white psychedelic pen art to more of a graffiti style that is all his own.

Kubat didn’t pursue a graphic design or art major because he did not want anyone telling him what art is.

“I didn’t want it to be an assignment, I wanted it to be a leisurely activity,” Kubat said.

“I didn’t want to force or hold back my creativity.”

Despite not having formal, institutional art instruction, he still wins the approval of friends and art enthusiasts.

Mary Mom, junior linguistics and T-ESL major, has known Kubat for a year and a half and thinks Kubat’s art is “nothing short of awesome.”

“Some of it looks as though the apocalypse has just occurred and everything that was familiar is now melting into insanity, in a good way,” Mom said. “His art is crazy and random, sometimes even humorous, yet at the same time highly intricate and precise.”

Quentin Felix, SCSU alumnus, has known Matt for three years and agrees with Mom. “Matt’s art is generally the combinations of abstract or surreal objects conglomerated into more concrete images,” Felix said.

Culprit clothing was in the works ever since the days since young Kubat started developing his style when first picked up a crayon and started drawing from the help of Ed Emberly and Syd Hoff books.

After he put the crayons down and went to school, Kubat continued to sketch in his notebook during classes just for a distraction. His friends gave him so much feedback that he realized his work shouldn’t be trapped within the pages of his notebook so he moved on to poster boards, a room full of them, and onto some of his friends’ skin at the request that he design them tattoos.

Mom has seen some of the volumes of prints and sketches done by Kubat and finds it hard to pick out a favorite.

“My favorite is the drawing he did of the Minneapolis skyline, it is black and white and looks as though all of buildings exploded out of sort of a “big bang” in the center of the piece. When he first showed me the drawing I couldn’t tell what it was until he pointed out each individual building,” Mom said. “He took the characteristic features of these familiar buildings and made them into something unrecognizable.”

Kubat pursued the long entrepreneurial process to create a clothing line because he wanted people to see his art in different way.

“I wanted to get into art that could be worn, either tattoos or screen printing, Kubat said. But tattoos have a lot of liability and t-shirts are removable.”

Felix knows Kubat doesn’t produce art for the money.

“Matt is an art conscious, sincere individual who seems to view his art as an avenue for expression first and commercially viable second.”

Kubat’s friend Julio Gasco hooked him up with a textile company that worked with Ed Hardy Clothing in Peru to pro-

valerie steffl / staff photographer

Matt Kubat sketches new ideas for his clothing line and designs. duce the new Culprit shirts.

“This isn’t a company that prints on generic Hanes shirts,” Kubat remarked.

Over winter break, Gasco oversaw the prototype production and brought them back to St. Cloud.

According to Kubat, they

made 40 prototypes and sold out right away and are going to start the final production process soon.

Felix thinks that Culprit is different from other clothing lines out there. “What makes his line of clothing different than others is the artwork,” Fe-

lix said. “It is unique and this carries over into his clothing line because [Matt puts his] art onto the fashion medium in a pleasing and stylish manner.”

Kubat and Gasco are looking to continue to take Culprit farther as they want to develop a Web site and start designing

shoes, more clothing items and skateboard decks. They also are planning market to their products to stores as Culprit has already received the attention from both local skate shops and some in North Dakota and Wisconsin.

‘White Wash’ play honors Black History Emilie Thiessen asst. a & e editor

White Wash, a one-man show celebrating the famous black people of history was performed on the Atwood Ballroom stage last Saturday night. Performed

by University of California graduate Antwan LaMar Herron, the play highlighted the famous words of numerous people active in the struggle for equality including Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. The 50-minute play was written by Grant Evans and has been traveling the world on and off for 6 years to spread the mes-

sage of civil rights.

“The piece turned our to be a much larger piece about the Africa American experience in general, and in particular, through the perspective of a young, frustrated, bewildered African America male who is trying to deal with his internal issues.” Herron said when talking about the evolution of the play.

“Certain themes that are frequent throughout the play have to deal with anger, heroes, and how to constructively incorporate and utilize anger.” Herron said.

Larry Heimgartner, a professor of theatre at Los

Angeles Harbor College, helped put the play together 6 years ago and accompanies Herron on tours.

“We wanted to build a piece to celebrate Black History month on campuses.” Heimgartner said. “We had an opportunity with this piece to celebrate this rich, noble history and the contributions of some amazing Americans that weren’t celebrated enough.”

During the play, Herron used minimal props to transform from a disenfranchised black youth to Civil Rights leaders Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Herron explained that

highlighting these figures is a reminder to black youth everywhere that although anger from inequality is justified, their anger must manifest itself in a positive way.

“Often times youth are told that they shouldn’t feel angry, frustrated or infuriated by the situation they are in.” Herron explained.

“I think young developing minds need to understand that it is ok to feel frustrated, especially young, impressionable minds from inner city communities that are experiencing social economic adversity.” Herron said.

Cinescope shows films at Le Cirque du Cinema Mike Runyon staff writer

Many student films were screened at a film festival fundraiser aptly titled, “Le Cirque Du Cinema.: Felip Costaglioli, the advising professor of cinescope, said that he was pleased by the diversity of the films. He added “we have seen many different genres from comedy, science fiction, drama, experimental, poetic, horror, and of course camp.”

The event was a fundraiser to help the student club Cinescope ascertain a budget. Cinescope plans on using the money for field trips and to make a film with the entire club. A donation box was also present at the festival.

Patrick Suggett, a student director and member of Cinescope said, “[The crowd is] so supportive.

They are donating more than they need to give to us because they believe in what we’re doing.”

Over ten student films were showcased at the fundraiser. The films ranged from light comedy to experimental horror. All of the

films were shorter in length, ranging from five to twenty minutes.

“I’m glad that my film is being shown. I think it’s necessary for everyone(in the club) to get their work out.” Tyler Borresch, a director and member of Cinescope, said.

Nearly 100 students, professors and members of the St. Cloud community attended the festival.

The festival was held on Friday, February 4th in the Performing Arts Center’s main stage.

Steve Johnson, a member of Cinescope, said “I was honestly not expecting so many people to show up.”

Borresch said “I’m glad there was a big, big turnout tonight. Not many people show up to our film festivals regularly” The festival was the first screening of Eternal Glamnation, a film that everyone in the club had contributed to for the national film challenge.

Costaglioli said “It was a wonderful experience to see how mature, organized, responsible and creative the students were.”

Costaglioli said that the

“What is significant just as well is that you use that anger and frustration constructively and that you do not use it in destructive ways, “ Herron explained.

“So that you are part of the social solution and not part of the social problem.”

“For me, one of the most important parts of the play … is to prepare the young people for the great diversity of tomorrow.” Heimgartner said.

Heimgartner also said that the play has been a wonderful opportunity for Herron as it has allowed him to travel many different places and meet a vast number of

people from a wide range of diverse backgrounds.

Heimgartner said that the popularity has been growing, so much so that they cannot find time to make it to every campus that requests a show.

“We cannot get to as many requests as we receive, there is just no way,” Heimgartner states. “but we try to get to as many as possible.”

Both Herron and Heimgartner are scheduled to return to SCSU this April to perform another show titled “Are You Positive?” a play about the impact of HIV and AIDS.

Celebration for Black History Jason Tham staff writer

photo courtesy of facebook.com

Cinescope featured films made by students in the club. club had 24 hours to write Cinescope had also sold Eternal Glamnation. He tickets at a kiosk in Atwood said that they decided to on Thurs. for the festival. write a camp movie.

Filmgoers were given a All of the films were cre- program and asked to write ated by members of Cine- down comments, suggesscope. Some of the films tions and to write why they were shot in spring semes- went to the festival. ter of last year. Other films Borresch said of his film were shot last semester.

“I feel great that it’s a film Costaglioli said “I was that’s part of a series.” pleased by the richness of The idea to host a film the films thematically, in- festival fundraiser was contellectually and visually. It ceived in December of last was a solid showing of what year. None of the films our students can do and their were written exclusively passion.” for the festival, yet the ones Cinescope has been an chosen ran with the theme organization since the late of oddity. nineties.

Co-sponsored by the Council for African-American Students (CAAS) and Multicultural Student Services, a celebration of Black History Month – the African-American Music and Resistance with Bruce Henry was held in Atwood Memorial Center Ballroom on Friday.

“I was raised by great story tellers, I was raised up with perfect love for history and music together,” Bruce Anthony Henry, a vocalist, composer and educator, said.

Henry filled the evening with his jazz baritone vocals that brought the audience through a journey from the earlier African traditional music to Blues and Protest Music.

“I love sharing with people and I find lots of inspiration in music,” Henry said. “[For] every performance, I try to bring in some music from the past and music of the present day. I like to do music from the great artist in history,” Henry said.

Henry also said that there was “no audience” in the earlier days of African music performances; he wants all the audience to participate in his performance.

He made the audience form a big circle around the ballroom and walked along the circle while he was singing “Wade in the Water.” “[Bruce Henry’s] artistry [deserves] much wider recognition. Henry is an international voice,” Leigh Kamman from the Jazz Image Minnesota Public Radio, said.

While educating the audience about the African history,

Henry said that “We’re almost a nation of dancers, musicians and poets.”

Henry believes in the power of music to entertain, uplift, heal and educate.

He said, “To understand African-American music, its history and the context in which it exists within the African-American community is to gain a profound insight into the Black experience.”

Towards the end of the event, Spokenword Artist, Tish Jones presented her poetry and rap music. Her poems and rap song brought her roaring applause from the audience.

“It was a good event, [it is] informative and has a high energy level,” Jones said.

“It is not just academics,” Geoffrey Tabakin, professor of division of general studies, said.

“Music is in the soul of all people; we communicate through music,” he said.

“Through performing and singing, you invite the spirit down,” Henry said, as he educates the audience about the concept of descending spirit in African-American music.

“He is very good at what he does. He shows live examples and it is close to perfect,” Jones said.

February is the month students, staff and faculty honor nearly 500 years of contributions to American life by people of African ancestry.

Jones explained that she will celebrate this Black History Month by simply “Being black.”

“I will continue to bring it into all my classes and will work to support the events. I will celebrate Black History,” Tabakin said.

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Arts & Entertainment

PAGE 10

‘In Mono’ - newest Beatles for sale Joseph Froemming album review It is rare for a band that broke up 40-years ago to still have an impact on the musical world, yet The Beatles not only influence artists to this day, but were one of the best selling acts of 2009.

In Sept. of 2009, the group’s catalogue was re-released and remastered for the first time since the 1980s. Amidst these releases was a box set which many hardcore fans had been waiting for: the Beatles albums in their original mono mixes.

“The Beatles In Mono” is quite a curious listen. From “Please Please Me” in 1962 to their self-titled (“White Album”) in 1968, the mixing of their albums were supervised by the band themselves; the stereo versions were mixed by their producer, George Martin.

There are some striking differences between the mono mixes and the stereo mixes, more noticeably from “Help” and after. The differences include different tempos of certain songs, different takes of songs and once in the “Revolver” era and beyond, the sound effects and studio tricks have noticeable differences.

Another interesting aspect of “In Mono” is the albums are packaged as replicas of the original U.K. vinyl releases. It would take another article to explain the differences between the U.K. and U.S. releases of their albums up to “Revolver.”

Since the original CD releases were distributed in the U.K. versions, most people are familiar with these versions.

“In Mono” covers all their albums except “Let It Be” and “Abby Road” because there were no mono mixes of those records. The songs from the “Yellow Submarine” soundtrack have been included in the “Mono Masters;” the mono equivalent of the “Past Masters” singles and b-side collection.

These make up for the “Let It Be” tracks that are missing from

the “Past Masters” collection.

Here is an album by album review indicating what each has to offer. Some may contain little to no differences, while others contain more. This is mainly due to the early records were not as different from mono and stereo.

Please Please Me

The album which introduced the world to The Beatles has a great sound on this collection.

Though there are no big differences, the sound quality is incredible and has a deeper sound from the 1980s CD release.

With the Beatles

Much the same as “Please Please Me,” “With The Beatles” does not stray much in sound from the stereo and mono, but is a much better upgrade from the CD release in the 1980s.

A Hard Day’s Night

Here the differences can be noticed. The vocal pitches on “If I Fell” sound bitterly matched between Lennon and McCartney. “I’ll Be Back,” the eerie finisher of the album sounds much more stark and foreboding than the stereo mix.

Beatles for Sale

There are certain little aspects on “Beatles For Sale” that sound different from its stereo counterpart; but that may be more towards how the different use of the stereo channels and mono spread the sound out differently. The mono mix sounds more compact.

Help!

Now the changes begin to be prevalent. The biggest noticeable difference begins right away with the song “Help!” It is actually a different take of the song; the vocals sound different and the instrumentation starts and stops in a less fluid way than the stereo version.

Also included on the same disc is George Martin’s original stereo mix of the album, which is also slightly different from the stereo mix heard today.

Only an audiophile would be able to nit-pick through all three

Massively good game Jun-Kai Teoh game column “Mass Effect 2” is a masterpiece. Bioware overdid themselves when they designed and developed this game.

Offering the option to import characters from the original “Mass Effect”, Bioware has successfully created a semi-persistent world where players will feel that their choices matter.

Introduction Scene Unlike the opening scene of the Star Wars Trilogy with the scrolling text, the semi-playable opening scene of “Mass Effect 2” was breathtaking, mind numbing and overwhelming for me.

The beautifully rendered graphics aside, the intense and fast paced action of the first ten minutes sets the pace and tension that is to be persistent throughout the game.

Like me, other players of the original “Mass Effect” will find that the introduction to the second game will have a very strong impact as the “Normandy” makes a cameo appearance here before being blown into smithereens.

As I took control of Commander Shepard during the opening scene, the sudden transition from chaotic explosions into the cold empty silence of space with the vista of a planet hanging overhead blew my mind away.

Running up the once-beautiful and ever so familiar stairways to the bridge of “Normandy,” the explosions and raging fires laid waste to the one place Shepard (and I) called home in “Mass Effect.”

And without warning, silence drowned out everything else. All I could hear was the harsh breathing coming from Shepard as he took a step out into the bridge.

A gaping hole replaced the roof, with the beautiful vista of a planet looming overhead.

My mind was still at awe at the sudden transition, and the powerful impact of the scene, when Shepard was literally blown away and killed.

It is with the death of Shepard from “Mass Effect” that the sequel, “Mass Effect 2” begins.

presence without revealing itself at all.

The opening scene was superb. It was how the simple death was presented that made it spectacular, and that was not to be the only one in the game.

Throughout the game, such spectacular scenes and vistas are part and parcel of the storyline. The side quests are also more closely tied to the main storyline than in the original “Mass Effect.”

Players that brought over their character from “Mass Effect” will find that their actions there play a very significant role.

While new characters (from “Mass Effect 2”) and imported characters (“Mass Effect 1”) will still follow the same storyline, character interactions and certain options are drastically different or restricted depending on choices made in the previous game.

The game can easily last anywhere between 10-30 hours, but it’s best to be taken in bitesized sessions to fully appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the game.

Bioware created a beautiful and believable world. Don’t waste it by rushing through it.

While “Mass Effect 2” is spectacular on its own, I would

to make a comprehensive list of differences.

Rubber Soul

As with “Help,” this also includes Martin’s original stereo mix as well. The songs sound richer in mono; especially tracks like “In My Life,” “Norwegian Wood” and “Nowhere Man.” The frantic guitar licks on Lennon’s untypical Beatle-esque murder/revenge tome “Run For Your Life” sounds more menacing, though there is no evidence that this is any different from the stereo mix.

Revolver

Here is where the group’s studio prevalence and interest begins to emerge. “Eleanor Rigby” has a crazy amount of vocal overlap from McCartney, which gives it a more haunting sound than in the stereo mix.

“I’m Only Sleeping” contains more backward guitar sounds, the vocals sound a little more distorted and the overall sound has a softer, dream-like feeling as opposed to the stereo mix.

“Tomorrow Never Knows” has a strikingly different way the tape-loops that make up the acid drenched psychedelic opus sound more like an intense inner trip through the mind’s eye. They seem to swirl in and out more and faster; Lennon’s vocals sound even more like a ghost screaming through a cave that is amplified to 11.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Bånd

This is the way the band intended the album to sound, and it sounds cleaner and dreamier sounding than the way Martin made the stereo mix. “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” has cleaner, more natural sounding phasing and McCartney’s bass lines are not as overwhelming as they are in stereo. They blend more naturally in the mono mix.

Perhaps the most startling difference here is “She’s Leaving Home.” On the stereo mix,

strongly suggest – no, even insist, that for those that can afford a copy of “Mass Effect” to at least finish a playthrough of the original first.

Enjoy the equally great storyline of “Mass Effect” and the consequences of choices made in it will show clearly and distinctly in “Mass Effect 2.”

Gameplay

“Mass Effect” was not sure which genre it should fall under, an RPG or a third person shooter. “Mass Effect 2” still dances along those lines, but it does a much better job of blending the two genres together.

The lackluster and mild shooting experience that dogged “Mass Effect” has been upped in many ways in the sequel.

Bioware replaced the cooldown feature of the weapons, replacing it with more traditional ammo counts, lending to it a more realistic feel.

The combat generally feels much tighter. Weapons have a more distinctive sound and feel to it, and the firefights have quadrupled in intensity. Smaller areas, faster pace, better artificial intelligence.

The RPG aspect of the game has also been changed. Characters have fewer skills to learn, but the skills now have a more active role in the game.

Something that they removed in “Mass Effect 2” however is the ability to land on planets and do random explorations. Instead, now they have players “scan” planets and probe for rare minerals through a small, but tedious, mini game.

While enjoyable at first

this sounds like a sappy ballad of a child leaving her parents for something happiness. The mono mix is a tempo faster and is more like a pop song than a ballad. McCartney has been on the record as being unhappy with the stereo mix; it was not the way he intended it to sound.

It is a mystery as to why this difference occurred.

There are many other differences on the mono version as well. The chicken clucks that segue “Good Morning, Good Morning” and the “Sgt. Pepper’s” reprise bleed more into the latter track than in stereo.

The verses on “Fixing A Hole” are sparse in comparison to the stereo mix.

“Within You Without You” sounds (somehow) weirder than the stereo mix. There is also a noticeable different sample at the end; the laughter which ends the track is different from the stereo version.

This version is no doubt superior to the stereo mix. The sound quality is warmer and feels not as compacted as the stereo version. Another plus is that, since the disc are replicas of the original vinyl, it comes with the cardboard cutouts.

Magical Mystery Tour

Much like “Sgt. Pepper’s” the soundtrack to the Beatles’ psychedelic film failure has some strange differences than the stereo version. Sound effects come and go in different places, in some areas the vocals sound more powerful or subdued. Yet, it is a toss-up between these versions.

“I Am The Walrus” is better on the mono mix; Lennon’s distorted vocals are more prevalent. The sound effects appear in different areas or not at all.

This is heard after the first verse when things stop after Lennon sings “I’m crying.”

The cool thing about this box set is that “Magical Mystery Tour” is packaged in the limited edition version with the 24 page gatefold book when the album is opened.

Beatle fans will forever argue which version of this album is better. It is also the first time the mono mix has had an official release in the U.S. It was widely bootlegged when CDs replaced vinyl as the dominate tool for the medium, and it is perhaps the most different in comparison between the two mixes.

“Back In The U.S.S.R.” has more airplane effects and even use different plane effects from the stereo version. While that is neat, the song is still annoying.

The same is true with “ObLa-De Ob-La-Da.” The handclaps are missing, which was an aspect of the song that seemed unnecessary. While this omission certainly helps the song, it does not save it.

“I’m So Tired” sounds like a different take. It seems looser and McCartney’s singing with Lennon on the chorus sounds just a bit off, even more than on the studio mix. Lennon also sounds a little angrier during the chorus as well.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” hands down one of the best songs on the album, has a warmer transition going in and coming out than the stereo version. It also sounds like there are more overlapped vocals as well.

“Don’t Pass Me By,” Ringo’s best song with the group (songs about octopuses have never and will never be cool or good).

The mono mix is different. The tempo is faster, his vocals sound like he was sucking on helium, and the string section is more prevalent. It has a country-western sound to it missing from the stereo version as well. This sounds weirder than the stereo version.

“Yer Blues” suffers on this mix, due to the subdued bass and guitar lines for the bluesy rocker from Lennon.

“Helter Skelter” is shorter, omits Ringo’s screaming about his blisters and seems to have a slightly faster tempo. It sounds compacted, McCartney’s vocals

seem to have an edgier presence on it and temporarily can make one forget the Charles Manson connotation to it.

The packaging includes the original, uncensored poster and the four photographs of each Beatle that was included with the vinyl release.

Mono Masters

This is an interesting collection, but once again the differences are not as apparent until the mid-to-late 60s songs appear. Hearing the songs from the “Yellow Submarine” soundtrack (most recorded during “Sgt. Pepper’s”) do have some audio superiority, especially Harrison’s “Only A Northern Song” and “It’s All Too Much,” which sound freer and have breathing space which allows listeners to hear more little details in the songs.

And in the End...

This is a great collection.

The sound quality is, in this reviewer’s opinion, better than the stereo remasters that were released at the same time. These recording were treated differently in the remastering process.

What is irritating is that this set is more expensive than the stereo box set and contains fewer albums (“Let It Be” and “Abby Road”). While it is cool to have these presented in the original vinyl format, it quickly becomes annoying pulling the CDs out and putting them back in because the format was never intended for CDs, which are vastly smaller than vinyl. Also, for the price, why didn’t they tag on the stereo mixes as well.

They did for “Help!” and “Rubber Soul” but not for the rest.

Other than those issues, these albums are clearly superior to the stereo versions, both in sound quality and the basic fact these are they way The Beatles intended them to be heard.

Certainly Martin’s stereo mixes have some moments which are better, overall the mono set is better.

the mini-game of scanning and probing takes a long time and gets very dull after a short while.

The only motivation to do so is the upgrades that it unlocks. But even so, exploring each and every planet manually becomes a very tedious labor.

The game generally feels like a very tight and intense third person shooter, streamlined with RPG elements that enhance the story.

It does enough to feel like a great shooter, but also stays away from feeling like a mindless “Duck and fire!” game like “Gears of War.”

Conclusion

The replay value of the game is undeniably high. Actions, large or small, from “Mass Effect” carry over and affect the world in minor but meaningful ways.

Actions in “Mass Effect 2” affect the game even more so, with many multiple endings ranging from the death of every crew member and team member of the game, to everyone being safe. Add to that equation the political and moral choices that are made, there’s really no single way to “finish” the game.

Not to be forgotten is that actions and consequences will be carried over to “Mass Effect 3.”

The game is just, simply put, a spectacular piece of art.

Out for the Xbox 360 and PC, “Mass Effect 2” retails for $60 and $50 respectively. GoGamer.com is offering “Mass Effect 2” at $39.90 for a limited time only.

photo courtesy of freshwap.net

Blige’s newest album was released Dec. 21, 2009.

Tear up at new Mary J. Blige Jian You Hoe album review

Storyline

Continuing from where the original left off, the insidious threat of a superior mechanical race called “The Reapers” once again return. Though this time instead of taking to the stage, it acts as more of a puppeteer.

“The Reapers” maintain a

The Beatles (The White Album)

photo courtesy of gallery.strahotski.com

Mass Effect 2 has the option to import characters from the first game.

Many were once Mary J. Blige fans a long time ago, with her meaningful songs such as “Be Without You.” The song always reminds me of good memories and just can’t help but to sing along with it.

Those good old memories have since pass and now are filled with disappointment and anger.

Her latest album “Stronger with Each Tear” just did not meet the music expectations that many of her fans have put on her.

This album is just another marketing strategy to gain shortterm profits.

First, why would you want to collaborate with a rapper or a R&B artist that does things differently from you?

As it shows, their lyrics and music career are based on more club enjoyment and one hit success while you have been singing from inspired music lyrics and notes with a mission to lift up a person hope.

To be direct, both of you are just from two different parts of universe.

Not only that, from the collaboration with this type of artists shows that you are indirectly supporting what they are rapping or singing.

Before this, most loyal lis-

teners would view Mary J. Blige as a superwomen that could help fight human rights form your powerful and meaningful songs especially women issues such as domestic violence.

Unfortunately, from this album it has shown the total opposite of that.

To prove this, just try listening to singles such as “We Got Hood Love” and “The One.” Both songs do not have much motivational and inspirational lyrics rather than just songs about putting your “swagger” style.

The album also lacks of quality collaboration from strong artists such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys and many more.

Not one artist featured in her album is considered a great artist.

They are only featured because of their sudden hype or the current “hot thing” in today music community.

It is time, the Mary J. Blige start to hold the responsibility and role model towards her title “The Queen of Hip Hop Soul” or risk being snatch away by other artists that are striving to create much better and powerful music.

Other billboard artist managed to stay true to their artwork despite the constant changing music scene such as Alicia Keys. It’s time Blige learned a thing or two from her.

Classifieds University Chronicle

Monday February 8, 2010

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11

12 Advertising University Chronicle

PAGE

Monday February 8, 2010

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Sports

PAGE 13

Huskies and Mavericks split Katharine Blum staff writer

The SCSU women’s hockey team split last weekend’s series against the Minnesota State Mavericks.

On Friday, the Huskies defeated the Mavericks 6-1 at the National Hockey Center.

Captain Felicia Nelson tallied five points in the game and was only one point shy of tying the school record for most points scored in a single game.

However, on Sunday afternoon, the Mavericks rallied back from Friday’s game, and shutout SCSU 4-0 at the All-Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minnesota.

With a total of two points out of the weekend’s series, SCSU now moves into fourth place in the WCHA.

Friday

Seng Kiat Khor/staff photographer

Assistant Captain Holly Roberts fights away from a Maverick player Friday.

SCSU dominated over WCHA rivals Minnesota State Mankato Friday afternoon at the National Hockey Center, defeating the Mavericks 6-1.

The Huskies took a quick lead when SCSU Captain Felicia Nelson fired the puck into the back of Minnesota State-Mankato’s net a mere twenty-five seconds into the start of the game.

Lisa Martinson and Alex Nelson each tabbed assists on the play.

“Our team usually strug-

gles with getting off to a good start. Usually the other team scores on us first, so it is nice to get on the board early; we have not done that much all year,” Nelson said.

Ashley Young responded with the Mavericks’ only goal of the game nine minutes later at 9:55 to tie the score at one goal apiece.

However, Holly Roberts was able to regain the lead for the Huskies at 12:50 with her first goal of the game. Felicia Nelson tallied the lone assist for the goal.

As the first period dwindled down to the end, three penalties were dished out for slashing. Two went to Minnesota State’s Kala Buganski and Kathleen Rosso.

SCSU’s Holly Roberts took the only Husky penalty on the call, putting St. Cloud on the power play at the start of the second period.

Caitlin Hogan capitalized on the power play opportunity with a goal at 1:04 into the period. Meaghan Pezon and Felicia Nelson assisted on the play.

Minnesota State’s Holly Snyder was called for body checking at 3:55, giving the Huskies yet another power play opportunity. Thirty-six seconds later, the Mavericks were called for another penalty, putting Lauren Smith in the box for tripping.

This allowed SCSU to go on a five on three power play for a minute and twenty-four seconds.

Holly Roberts sent the puck flying past MNSU’s Alli Altmann to score her second goal of the game, bringing the score 4-1. Felicia Nelson tallied her third assist and fourth point of the game. Caitlin Hogan also picked up an assist on the play.

SCSU continued the scoring spree when Kelly Meierhofer scored at 13:37 in the second period.

Both Alex and Felicia Nelson picked up assists.

Felicia Nelson’s fourth assist gave her a total of five points for the game, coming one point shy of tying the school record for most points scored in a game which was six points, achieved by Roxanne Stang on Jan. 9, 2004.

Near the end of the second period, the Mavericks’ head coach, Eric Means, made the decision to pull starting goalie Alli Altmann

and send in Paige Thunder for the remainder of the game.

The second period ended with the Huskies leading 5-1.

14:20 into the third period, Meaghan Pezon solidified the win with the Huskies’ sixth goal of the game.

Sophomore Brittany Toor picked up the single assist on the goal.

“It was a big win because we are always going back and forth with Mankato. It is nice to get the first game on them. We really took them to it today,” Nelson said.

Saturday

The Mavericks came back with a vengeance Sunday afternoon at the AllSeasons Arena in Mankato, Minnesota, shutting out the Huskies 4-0.

Kala Buganski opened up scoring for the Mavericks at 9:30 in the first period on a break-away, short-handed goal.

The first period ended with the Mavericks leading 1-0 with each team having seven shots on goal.

Ariel Mackley scored the second goal for Minnesota State at 9:28. Christina Lee and Emmi Leinonen each tabbed assists on the play.

About six minutes later, Moira O’Connor fired another Maverick goal past SCSU net minder Ashley Nixon at 15:40.

Minnesota State carried the three to zero lead into the third period.

Emmi Leinonen added to the win at 4:55 in the third period on a power play goal after SCSU’s Danielle Hirsch was sent to the penalty box for checking at 4:24.

Assisting on the Maverick’s goal were Christina Lee and Moira O’Connor.

The game finished with the Mavericks earning the shutout win over the Huskies.

SCSU next takes on the University of Minnesota in a home-and-home series this weekend. Friday’s game will be played at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis at 7:07 pm. Saturday’s game will be played on home ice at the National Hockey Center at 2:07 pm.

“U

sually the other team scores on us first, so it is nice to get on the board early; we have not done that much all year.” seng kiat khor/ Staff Photographer

Felicia Nelson

First year forward Kylie Lane races after the puck Friday at the National Hockey Center. The Huskies beat the Mavericks 6-1 Friday.

SCSU senior captain

Men’s tennis Staying active season begins Samantha South

Contributing writer

Tyler Ohmann Sports editor

Last year, the SCSU men’s tennis team was one of the best teams in the region. They finished the season 25-3, the highest dual win total in school history.

But that was last year.

They graduated four senior players, who filled the top spots in singles and who made up their best teams in doubles.

“We are a new team as far as experience goes, we lack that,” said sophomore Jeremy Thompson. “Me, Kevin and Shane moved into the top spots this year.

It’s new tennis now.”

Saturday they opened the 2010 season hosting Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 10 a.m. and Concordia-Moorhead at 4 p.m.

“It was tough,” Thompson said.

Thompson, the Huskies number three player on the day, lost his first match in singles against WisconsinEau Claire’s Lars Olson (16, 4-6).

“Tight and nervous,” Thompson said about his play. “I kind of held back, I wasn’t as loose as I had hoped to be, but the second set was better than the first

one.”

The Huskies lost the match to Eau Claire 8-1 the only win coming from the doubles team of Jeremy Thompson and first year Aaron Johnson.

Huskies number one player, Shane Ecklund, lost to Eau Claire’s Phil Loprinzi (1-6, 4-6).

“We were as prepared as we could be, as young as we are,” SCSU head coach Jerry Anderson said. “We have two juniors and only two true sophomores, so we got a lot of new faces.”

In their second match of the day the Huskies took on the Cobbers of ConcordiaMoorhead.

Huskies number one Shane Ecklund again was defeated this time by Concordia-Moorhead’s Matt Edin in a close match losing 6-7 and 5-7.

The Huskies, however, pulled out the win taking seven of nine points from the Cobbers and improving their season record to 1-1.

Big win’s for the Huskies came from the three doubles teams who all won and a particularly crucial victories from number four and number six spots.

Huskies number four, freshmen Aaron Johnson

got a big win, defeating Jordan Swanson in three sets.

Another three-set victory came from the number six position and freshmen Mike Mangolies.

Thompson also came out with a victory in three sets over Kirby Johnson (6-1, 6-7(10-12), 6-1).

“There is a lot of pressure on the young guys filling up the bottom spots,” Thompson said. “But it’s kind of exciting to get better.”

Last season the Huskies made it to the NCAA Regional’s where they lost to Western New Mexico. And despite losing the seniors from last year, Anderson remains optimistic about the team’s chances of repeating the trip.

“I just hope to see them steadily improve,” Anderson said. “If we can learn, realistically my goal for this team is to qualify for the regional tournament.”

The Huskies were excited to be back out on the court after a long off-season.

“It was exciting, but I was super nervous,” Thompson said.

“We have to try and find some chemistry, play through butterflies and learn how to play at this level,” Anderson said.

Powder Ridge, a local Ski area, keeps SCSU students and others busy during the winter season.

With more snow on the way, people all over Minnesota will be trying to find something active to do outside.

Students here at SCSU who don’t play hockey or other indoor winter sports entertain themselves in other ways, like snowmobiling, snow-tubing, skiing, and snowboarding.

Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area provides a wide variety of slopes. From beginners to experts, all levels are welcome.

“Powder ridge is probably more of a beginner to intermediate level hill but we also have experts out here,” said Jerry Wahlin, President and General Manager of the Recreation area. “Anyone can start here, especially with tubing now.”

Powder Ridge first opened in 1958, formed from a group of people right out of St. Cloud and was then taken over by Buck Hill, another local ski area business.

It is now owned by Wahlin and his partner, who bought the hill in 2004.

“Almost all skiers did it because someone had the love of skiing,” said Wahlin.

For people who are new to skiing and snowboarding, lessons are provided at Powder Ridge. Prices for lessons include $15 per person per hour

for groups and $35 per hour for private sessions.

If snowboarding and skiing isn’t in the books for others, snow-tubing is also available at the “Wild Chutes” snow-tubing park on the far west side of the recreation area.

Being so close to a wide variety of communities, Powder ridge sees around 100,000 people in one season, starting around Thanksgiving and ending around March.

“I think it’s a good place and it’s the closest place,” said Mallory Danford, a sophomore at SCSU. “They have a good park set up for people snowboarding and hills for the little kids.”

Powder ridge includes three train parks for skiers and snowboarders. Kowabunga Park is located on the west side for beginners and the North and South Parks located on the opposite side that includes boxes, rails and jumps.

Events such as the Volcom Peanut Butter Jam and the Youth Shelter Snow Rider Classic are located in these areas during the season.

The Volcom Peanut Butter Jam has been held at Powder

Ridge for the last 4 to 5 years and will be there on Feb. 20 this year. The Youth Shelter Snow Rider Classic will be there on March 6.

Ski and snowboard packages can be rented for those who are new to the sports.

Regular prices for rentals are $20 for the ski package and $26 for the snowboarding package. Lift tickets are regularly $27. Specials include New Years Family Night, Super-Bowl Sunday Special, College Night, and Church Night Special.

College Night is every Friday night. When showing a college I.D. students save $7 on lift tickets, $4 on ski rental, and $6 on snowboarding rental.

“In the winter time there’s not a lot to do, especially outside,” Wahlin said. “It’s a way to get outside, get fresh air, and it’s a nice release for people.”

Powder Ridge is located 12 miles South of St. Cloud on Highway 15 in Kimball.

Other winter recreational areas include Buck Hill in Burnsville, Coffee Mill Ski Area in Wabasha, Afton Alps in Hastings, and Mount Kato Ski Area in Mankato.

“I

t's a way to get outside, get fresh air and it's a nice release for people.”

Jerry Wahlin

General Manager Powder Ridge

Sports

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

PAGE 14

Sports Scoreboard

First

NHL Season Standings

Continued from Page 16 Lasch had two assists and a goal in the game.

The three points put him in third place all time in Huskies history, passing Mark Hartigan.

With the victory Saturday the Huskies now have 29 points in the WCHA are deadlocked in a tie for first place with the Bulldogs of Minnesota-Duluth, who split this weekend against the Huskies of Michigan Tech.

The Huskies stay at home next weekend hosting the University of North Dakota at the National Hockey Center. The Huskies split their series in Bismarck earlier this season. Both games begin at 7:07 p.m.

Students wishing to attend the game for free need to pick up their tickets beginning at 9 a.m. today.

(Sun at 12 p.m.)

Eastern Conference Atlantic (W-L-OTL) PTS New Jersey (36-19-2) Pittsburgh (35-22-1) Philadelphia (28-25-3) NY Rangers (26-26-7) NY Islanders (23-27-8)

Northeast

Buffalo (32-18-7) Ottawa (33-22-4) Montreal (28-25-6) Boston (23-22-11) Toronto (19-29-11)

Southeast

Washington (40-12-6) Tampa Bay (25-21-11) Atlanta (25-24-8) Florida (24-25-9) Carolina (21-30-7)

86 61 58 57 49

Central (W-L-OTL) PTS Andrew jacobson/asst. visuals editor

Sophomore forward Travis Novak facing off against the Anchorage Sea Wolves in Saturday Night’s game.

Heart

Coach

Continued from Page 16

Continued from Page 16 understand that heart disease is the number one killer in women,” Carlberg said, explaining the importance of getting the message out about women’s heart disease.

The main goal of the event was to let people know about heart disease and help promote physical activity.

Some of the leading risk factors of heart dis-

ease are tobacco use, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity.

If you could not attend the event, the American Heart Association has a very informative website about heart disease and they will also be back next year, teaming up with Campus Recreation to continue spreading the message.

“M

ost people do not understand that heart disease is the number one killer in women.”

71 70 62 57 49

Western Conference Chicago (38-15-5) Nashville (31-22-4) Detroit (27-21-10) St. Louis (25-24-9) Columbus (24-27-9)

81 66 64 59 57

Vancouver (35-20-2) Colorado (32-19-6) Calgary (29-21-9) Minnesota (29-25-4) Edmonton (18-33-6)

72 70 67 62 42

Northwest

Different companies were wearing red, and the mothers of Super Bowl players have also been participating in the event by helping to get the message out about heart disease.

Since Wear Red Day began about seven years ago, awareness of women’s heart disease has been growing.

“Most people do not

74 71 59 59 54

Natalie Carlberg

Development Director of the AHA

Boos has not had a lot of time to assess the talent that is currently within the SCSU volleyball program, but what he has seen has him impressed.

“I think the pieces are in place there to create a successful volleyball culture and a successful program,” Boos said. “Obviously Kayla Tschida has done a great job with her opportunity in the middle and Ashley Shields is great on the outside.”

“That is one of the exciting parts of it is to see and learn a little bit more about them,” Boos said.

He does, however, know that talent in the area in terms of recruitment is of top caliber.

“The area that surrounds

Pacific

it [in] terms of recruiting talent- Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa- is strong as far as talent goes,” Boos said.

“There are lots of pieces in place for good things to happen.”

Moving forward When the coaching decision will be made final has not been said, but come next fall there will be a new coach at the end of the SCSU bench.

Whomever it is will no longer be a Bulldog, a Loper or a Blazer- that coach will have become a Husky.

San Jose (38-11-9) Los Angeles (36-19-3) Phoenix (35-19-5) Dallas (26-21-11) Anaheim (27-24-7)

85 75 75 63 61

On the tube, Feb. 8-14 Tuesday

Wolves at Philly, 6 p.m. (FSN)

Wednesday

Phoenix at Wild, 7 p.m. (FSN)

Friday

Atlanta at Wild, 7 p.m. (KSTC)

Sunday

Vancouver at Wild, 2 p.m. (KSTP)

University Chronicle Monday, Feb. 8, 2010

Sports Calendar

Men’s Hockey WCHA Schedule

Games Friday, Feb. 12 North Dakota at St. Cloud State Minnesota at Denver Minnesota State at Wisconsin Games Saturday, Feb. 13 North Dakota at St. Cloud State Minnesota at Denver Minnesota State at Wisconsin

Women’s Hockey WCHA Schedule

Games Friday, Feb. 12 St. Cloud State at Minnesota Minnesota State at Wisconsin Ohio State at Minnesota Duluth North Dakota at Bemidji State

Games Saturday, Feb. 13 Minnesota at St. Cloud State Ohio State at Minnesota Duluth Bemidji State at North Dakota

Games Sunday, Feb. 14 Minnesota State at Wisconsin

Men’s Basketball NSIC Schedule

Games Friday, Feb. 12 SW Minnesota State at St. Cloud State Bemidji State at MSU Moorhead Minnesota State at Concordia St. Paul Upper Iowa at Augustana Minn. Duluth at Minnesota Crookston Winona State at Wayne State (NE) Games Saturday, Feb. 13 Minnesota State at St. Cloud State Bemidji State at Minnesota Crookston Upper Iowa at Wayne State (NE) Winona State at Augustana Minnesota Duluth at MSU Moorhead SW Minn. State at Concordia St. Paul Mary at Northern State

Women’s Basketball NSIC Schedule

Games Friday, Feb. 12 SW Minnesota State at St. Cloud State Bemidji State at MSU Moorhead Minnesota State at Concordia St. Paul Upper Iowa at Augustana Minn. Duluth at Minnesota Crookston Winona State at Wayne State (NE) Games Saturday, Feb. 6 Minnesota State at St. Cloud State Bemidji State at Minnesota Crookston Upper Iowa at Wayne State (NE) Winona State at Augustana Minnesota Duluth at MSU Moorhead SW Minn. State at Concordia St. Paul Mary at Northern State

Sports

PAGE 15

Steroid users saved sports

It is sad to see that athletes are condemned for trying to further their career along by Joseph means of selfFroemming destruction.

I’m talking about the heroes who pump drugs into their ass just to throw a football farther, hit a baseball harder and swing a golf club better.

Yes, the men and women who use steroids have been unjustly ostracized in our society just for their efforts to make the game just a little bit more entertaining.

Remember baseball in the 90s? Of course not.

It was bogged down with foul balls and base hits. Then Sammy Sosa and

Mark McGuire came along, juiced up to the hilt, and made a memorable home run derby. God bless those heroes.

I’m sure some people are reading this and are wondering “Is this guy serious?” Well, that is open to interpretation which I’m not going to bother with.

You see, steroids made baseball watchable again.

Who cares what these guys do to make their game a little better?

Do we condemn Keith Richards’ crippling heroin addiction as “unfair” when it comes to making music?

Should we discount Pink Floyd’s efforts at incredible music because they may have indulged in LSD at some point in their lives?

Of course not, so why is there this double standard

with sports?

This is when the nitpickers come along and claim they are role models.

Where is this stipulation in their contract? I’m sure Michael Vick may have thought twice if he were forced in print to be a role model for kids when he ran that dog fighting club years back.

Actually, he probably wouldn’t have.

Face it, we are beginning to see boring baseball games again. The remedy is for us to allow athletes to do what they can to entertain us.

I also find the role model excuse an insult to the intelligence of children. Athletes have done far worse than steroids in the public eye. Who remembers the Vikings boat scandal? Way

worse than simple performance enhancing drugs.

Even Kirby Puckett, legend of the Minn. Twins, was accused of raping a woman in a bathroom.

I’d rather have remembered him as juicing up steroids than being accused of rape.What impacts the children more?

The other argument is that those who do not use these performance enhancing drugs are at an unfair advantage.

So, the person who works out more, exercises more and works harder should also be condemned as well; seeing that they unfairly do more work than others.

Wrong. The same goes for steroids. If an athlete wants to have his balls shrunk and suffer from the

long-term ill effects of these drugs, then let them. Who are we to tell them how they should attain athletic heights?

It is not cheating using steroids. Cheating would be a pitcher taking sandpaper to the ball before he pitches it. Steroids is merely using a drug to “enhance” one’s ability at whatever sport they play.

In all actuality, it is a personal choice for athletes which public opinion should have no say in.

We should not condemn people for what they do in private; because if we allowed others to do that to us, we would not stand for that.

Also, I think congress had more to worry about this decade than whether Sammy Sosa used Steroids.

Falcons or Saints: Which is worse?

Derek Herman

It’s amazing how quickly sports fans forget.

Two weeks after the Minnesota Vikings dropped the NFC Championship game to the New Orleans Saints 31-28 in overtime, there are still many bitter Viking’s fans.

So many Viking’s fans that are still dreaming about what could have been if the Vikings were able to score before halftime.

If Adrian Peterson would have had one less fumble, if Brett Favre would have hobbled for a few yards instead of trying to make a play with his arm, if there wouldn’t have been 12 men in the huddle on the game’s most crucial play, or if the referees weren’t supposedly paid off by the Saints.

Despite all of the opportunities and the “what ifs” that can be recalled from the 2010 NFC Championship game, was it really worse than 1999? Sitting

in the moment right now, some fans may think that 2010 is worse than 1999.

Let us compare the key points of both games.

Home Field Advantage The Vikings were only the third team in NFL history to post a 15-1 regular season record up to the point of 1999. This stellar record guaranteed the Vikings home field advantage throughout the playoffs, something the Vikings weren’t able to accomplish in 2010.

Heavy Favorites

Going into the 1998 NFC championship game, the Vikings were heavy favorites to make the Super Bowl. Even though the 15-1 regular season record was only a game better than the Atlanta Falcons’ 14-2 mark, the Vikings had beaten their opponents by an average of

23 points when they played at home.

However, in 2010 the Vikings were forced to play on the road, where they posted an average 4-4 record. The Vikings weren’t favored against the Saints and weren’t even the number one seed in the conference.

In Game Drama

1998 included a Randall Cunningham fumble just before halftime deep in Vikings territory, which led to a Falcons touchdown.

Even with the late first half score by the Falcons, the Vikings led 20-14 at halftime. Also, who will ever forget the Gary Anderson missed field goal?

Anderson made all of his 35 field goal attempts up to that point, only to miss what could have been the game winner with a couple minutes to go in the game.

Finally, 1998 introduced

us to the conservative Dennis Green, who despite having the most potent offense the game had ever seen to that point, opted to kneel the ball and play for overtime.

On the other hand, 2010 included many memorable plays of it’s own.

An Adrian Peterson goal line fumble sent the game to halftime with the score tied instead of the Vikings having a lead.

There was a three-ring circus headed by Peterson, Bernard Berrian, and Percy Harvin as they embarrassingly tried to hold onto the ball.

Twelve men in the huddle penalty, which will go down in history as the play that continued the Vikings’ curse.

A late Brett Favre interception that many think lost the game. And finally, a blown call by the referees that the league later apologized for.

Bottom Line

In 1998 there weren’t many that envisioned the Vikings would lose the game to the Falcons.

With the most potent offense ever, a defense that forced turnovers, and a very reliable kicker that helped lead to a 15-1 season, it was easy to get cocky.

The Vikings had the best record in the NFL and the only blemish on their resume was a three-point loss in Tampa Bay to the Buccaneers.

In 2010, with the way the last month went, the game didn’t have the same invincible feel.

However, the Vikings did manage to gain many more yards and seemingly handle the Saints in almost every category except for turnovers.

Even though the game was intense throughout most of it, there was the feeling that the Vikings were susceptible to loss.

You be the judge.

Sports University Chronicle

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Monday Feb. 8, 2010

Three finalists vie for SCSU job Tyler Ohmann Sports editor

The SCSU volleyball team struggled this past season, due in large part to numerous injuries to starting and veteran players.

They attempted to fight on, but failed to post a winning season finishing 3-17 in the NSIC and 7-25 overall.

It was another losing season in a string that dates back to the 2004 season, their last winning season and also the last time they made an NCAA tourney appearance.

The Huskies went 70141 in the Gerchy-Mickow era and SCSU decided it needed to make a change.

Three finalists have been named to potentially replace Gerchy-Mickow. They are current Nebraska-Kearney head coach Rick Squires, current St. Ben’s head coach Michelle Blaeser and current Minnesota-Duluth head coach Jim Boos.

Squires and Blaeser each answered questions in a public forum earlier this week and Boos is scheduled to do the same today at 4:30 p.m. in Halenbeck.

All have been successful at their current posts and look forward to bringing about a change if hired to fill the SCSU job.

More than success

For Rick Squires, admiration as a successful coach would be an understatement.

In his 11 years as head coach of the Division II powerhouse “Lopers” of Nebraska-Kearney, he has never posted a losing season—not by a long shot.

Each of his eleven seasons he has led UNK to the NCAA tournament and he boasts a 354-51 record in his tenure.

“To be successful you need to maintain optimism at all times,” Squires said in his public forum on Tuesday. “You have to look like winners, act like winners, have body language like winners and really buy into the program.”

Squires admits he is still learning, despite the success he has had.

“I haven’t invented one thing for the game of volleyball,” Squires said. “You have to steal things and ideas in this business. And I’m still learning. I try to take things from opposing coaches.”

His plans if he is hired are simple: be competitive.

“I think the first thing is to put a competitive product out there,” Squires said. “As

Lou Holtz said, ‘They don’t come to watch you play, they come to watch you win’.”

A passionate pursuit

Michelle Blaeser did not start out as a volleyball player when she attended nearby St. Cloud Tech high school.

“I was a tennis player,” Blaeser said in her public forum on Thursday. “I didn’t start volleyball until my senior year.”

From there she blossomed.

She went on to start all four years at Minnesota State-Mankato and after her playing days were over she followed a road many players take—coaching.

For the past 10 years as head coach of St. Bens, Blaeser has amassed 187 wins and the Blazers have never had a losing record in conference play.

“I am very passionate and I’ll get excited and I’ll expect that out of them,” Blaeser said about her coaching style. “I am open and honest, I’m clear on roles and expectations.”

Blaeser hopes to come to SCSU to seek another passion of hers—teaching.

“In this position I would be head volleyball coach

Jim Boos

Rick Squires

Michelle Blaeser

-Current Head Coach at Minnesota-Duluth

-Current Head Coach at Nebraska-Kearney

-Current Head Coach at St. Bens

-Has a 195-33 record at UMD

-Has a 354-11 record at UNK

-Has a 187-109 record at CSB

-Second among active Division II head coaches with a .855 winning percentage

and teaching, and I really have a passion for teaching,” Blaeser said. “That is what is a huge draw.”

Currently Blaeser is also the Assistant Athletic Director at St. Bens and she carries a lot responsibility with the position.

She has a pretty simple goal if she were to be hired as the next SCSU coach.

“To foster people that are here to make this a strong program,” Blaeser said. “This is just a different professional opportunity, that if it happens could be a very positive thing.”

-Led UNK to the NCAA tournament in all 11 seasons as head coach

A new opportunity

Jim Boos and his Bulldogs played SCSU in the past and for them they have usually come out on the winning end.

That has been the case with most of Boos and the Bulldogs competition during his tenure as head coach.

In his eight years as head coach of the Bulldogs he has won 195 games and has led the Division II team on seven trips to the NCAA tournament.

But Boos sees SCSU as

-Is also the Assistant Athletic Director at CSB

a new opportunity for his career. “[It’s] an opportunity to look at something that has a lot of things going for it,” Boos said. “I just see it as a new opportunity, that is most of my rationale behind it.”

He is not reluctant to leave his post at UMD, but looks back on much success.

“UMD has been great to me and my family, but I just see this as an opportunity to check something out and

•See Coach / Page 14

SCSU ‘goes red’ Jackie Kastner Staff writer

For every three women that die each year, one dies from heart disease, making it a growing issue.

The American Heart Association and SCSU Campus Recreation teamed up last Friday to bring National Wear Red Day to the Halenbeck Hall dome.

The event was a part of the Campus Recreation incentive program, giving members of the program who attended the event credit for going.

“Through this activity, we want to promote physical activity which can have a huge effect on your risk factors for heart disease and this is a good opportunity to get the message out,” said Natalie Carlberg, Development Director for the American Heart Society.

Carlberg, along with SCSU Fitness Coordinator Kris Haukos, led the event.

The main table had free pins, beads, mints, informative heart disease brochures and door prizes for everyone, helping to create a fun atmosphere.

“What we hope to achieve here at St. Cloud State University is to build a sustainable program and we really enjoy working with the campus community in building awareness for the purpose of Wear Red Day,” Haukos said.

The awareness for Wear Red Day is getting out to the campus community.

During the entire event, people were coming and going, signing in and either walked or ran around the track.

While heart disease is a very serious issue, this event was a fun way to get people together and incorporate some physical activity into their day while supporting a good cause.

Outside of the SCSU campus, many Wear Red Day events were taking place on a national level.

Through the country, news anchors wore red in honor of the event.

•See Heart / Page 14

Men skate into first place tie

Andrew Jacobson/Asst. Visuals Editor

Forwards Jared Festler (11) and Ben Hanowski (10) playing against the Anchorage Sea Wolves in Saturday Night’s game.

Split second heroics saves Friday, first shutout on Saturday

kept the Seawolves from winning their first game at the NHC. They recorded their first shutout of the season winning 6-0.

The Huskies are now 136-3 in the WCHA and are 18-8-4 overall this season.

Tyler Ohmann

The Huskies struck first Friday as Ryan Lasch scored on the power play just over a minute into the game. Assists on the play were credited to the Garrett’s, Roe and Raboin.

The Seawolves would take over the game for the rest of the first and most of the second period after that.

They got two goals from Kevin Clark, one coming on the power play and a goal from Craig Parkinson to take a 3-1 lead.

Sports editor

The Huskies have never been beaten by the Seawolves of Alaska-Anchorage at home since they moved to the National Hockey Center.

That streak was not about to be broken this weekend, as the Huskie managed to gain three points and tie themselves with MinnesotaDuluth for the top spot in the WCHA. On Friday split-second heroics from freshmen Ben Hanowski kept the game alive. Hanowski’s seventh goal of the year came with a tenth of a second left on the clock and sent the game to overtime, where it eventually ended in a 4-4 tie.

Saturday an all out dominant effort by the Huskies

Friday

Lasch then scored his second goal of the game and fourteenth of the season to bring the Huskies within one early in the third period.

Kane LaFranchise put the Seawolves ahead 4-2, but two another Huskies goal by Oliver Lauridsen brought the Huskies back within one, trailing 4-3.

Then, the play of the season happened.

With the goalie pulled, and the top Huskies scoring line on the ice, freshmen Ben Hanowksi took the pass from Ryan Lasch and put the puck past the line with .1 seconds left, sending the game to overtime a 4-4 tie.

It remained a tie, the Huskies fourth of the season.

Saturday

Saturday the Huskies entered the game with a chip on

their shoulder, or at least that is what their play seemed to suggest.

“We knew that yesterday wasn’t one of our best games and we needed to work harder,” said junior forward Tony Mosey. “We knew that everyone in the room needed to be better and we were. It was a good effort all around.”

Again it was Lasch that struck first for the Huskies, going top shelf on Anchorage net minder Jon Olthuis.

“It is always a goal of ours, to come out hard,” said alternate captain Aaron Marvin who scored two goals in Saturday’s game. “We saw last night what happens when you don’t come out hard.”

The Huskies did not look back, as they got goals from junior’s Garrett Roe and

“W

e knew that everyone in the room needed to be better and we were. It was a good effort all around.”

Tony Mosey

SCSU junior forward

Aaron Marvin in the second period.

“I think the turning point was in the second period,” said SCSU head Coach Bob Motzko explained.

In the second period the Huskies made a couple of the few mistakes that were made in the game, which led to quality scoring opportunities for the Seawolves, but it was Mike Lee who stepped up big.

He made several big saves including one where he was crossed up and lunged to his right stopping a would-be Anchorage goal with his leg.

“Lee is a whale of a player,” Motzko said.

Marvin went on to score another goal in the third as did Roe. For Roe it was his twelfth straight game with a point.

“There was a lot of hard work from my line mates,” Marvin said. “Guys like Jared Festler and Ryan Lasch are coming up big out there.”

•See First Page 14