Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Reporter Rewind

Demanding diversity

Feb. 11, 1970

After a series of meetings with former President James F. Nickerson, the Black Student Union (BSU) at Minnesota State made a list of demands totaling $130,000 by fall term 1970. These funds were to be intended for recruitment and scholarships for black students, a Black Student Center, black-oriented cultural programs and recruiting more black faculty members and administrators.

Also requested was recruitment of at least 50 more black students for fall term, 20 of which were demanded to be men, 30 women. More than half of the request, $70,000, was intended to go toward scholarships for new black students.

Prior to this list of demands, Nickerson said on a radio interview, "State funds can't go for scholarships, for blacks, reds or whites."

This proposal spurred much debate throughout the campus, including demands from other ethnic groups. The Green Student Union (or the Irish Emphasis League) demanded that GSU students be excused from classes March 17 and the student union be painted Kelly-green.

In response to the black task force created to investigate these issues, Nickerson announced plans to create a center for minority studies to host cultural events, arrange student and faculty exchange programs and raise scholarship funds. Winter quarter 1970 included 70 black students and one Indian out of 12,422 students enrolled.

Steeling spree

Feb. 11, 1988

A painting valued at $1,485 was stolen from the CSU Feb. 8, 1988. The painting, titled "Cyclist," was being leased from C.G. Rein Galleries in the Twin Cities. Centennial Student Director at the time Jim Zwickey said when students steal, they're not stealing from the union or from MSU, but from themselves.

This painting was not the first crime spree for the CSU that year. In January, someone broke into the CSU general office where popcorn machines and furniture were also reported stolen. On Jan. 27 a condom machine was torn off the wall from a CSU restroom. In 1988, MSU was paying $8,500 for insurance.

Rumors mill

Feb. 9, 1995

Jake's Stadium Pizza owner, Vernon K. Carstensen held a press conference at the restaurant and told local area media that rumors that his restaurant provided the onset of a meningitis outbreak were hurting his business. The outbreak claimed one young life and sent six more to the hospital.

Carstensen told reporters that these rumors - as well as one that said his wife was the 64-year-old woman who contracted the disease - were false.

Carstensen's grandson, John Boyer, was one of the five Mankato West students who contracted the disease and did work at Jake's. The State Health Department ordered throat cultures at Jake's as well as all other places where infected students worked. According to Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital at the time, about three percent of the population carries the meningitis bacteria.

Welcome, Reno

Feb. 12, 2002

Janet Reno, the nations first female Attorney General, spoke to Minnesota State students in the Taylor Center Feb. 11 of peace and justice.

She also said problem- solving is important for Americans to learn and understand.

Reno also said education is a key to society's ability to solve problems and it provides the necessary tools to accurately define a problem and find a solution.

"You who are students are in an institution of great learning. Use your education. Use this university. Bring this community and this space together to build a Minnesota, to build a United States, to build a world."


Compiled by staff writer Brittney Hansen

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