Warnings for first timers instead of punishments
Students and faculty contruct steel bridge
Students no longer required to purchase specially-configured computer
The College of Business recently changed its laptop policy requiring students to buy a specially configured laptop from Dell. The changed policy, updated in May, no longer forces students to buy the specially configured laptop, but instead requires them to have laptops that meet or exceed the minimum specifications established by the college.
Four Minnesota State Student Association (MSSA) members walked 95 miles to the capitol in St. Paul to invite legislators and gubernatorial candidates to a forum at Minnesota State in fall 2010. President Tom Williams and Vice President Brett Anderson led the way and were joined by Speaker Matthew Schmidt and Senator Dan Kromer.
Sorority recruitment moved to weekends
Female students are going Greek with sorority formal recruitment at Minnesota State beginning this weekend. This year, Panhellenic Council (PHC), the governing body of sororities, has revamped sorority recruitment at MSU. Previously, recruitment was done later in the semester and during the week.
Changes lower costs, make more accessible
The Higher Education Opportunity Act went into effect July 1, addressing important concerns that college students face, including how to afford much-needed textbooks. According to the Student Public Interest Research Groups, three main provisions in the law affect textbooks: price disclosure, textbook bundling, and textbook list disclosure.
“The way government does business is going to be changing,” says Mankato mayoral candidate Christopher Frederick. Although Frederick, a 2008 graduate of Minnesota State’s electrical engineering program, failed to ascertain one of Mankato City Council’s at-large seats in last fall’s election, he believes he has what it takes to take down incumbent John Brady.
Minnesota State professor Dr. Kathleen T. Blue is hosting a two-day Crime Scene Recovery Workshop. Law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, coroners, MSU students and members of the public are invited to participate. The workshop is Aug. 12 and 13.
Construction forces display to move near Riverfront Park
With Blakeslee Stadium under construction until late July, the Mankato fireworks celebration have been relocated. The stadium has held the fireworks for several years, hosting up to 7,000 spectators. The City of Mankato, Verizon Wireless Center and Radio Mankato have been making a great effort to ensure the community gets its fireworks.
Appointment to begin July 2010
Scott Olson has been recommended for the position of interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). Chancellor of MnSCU James McCormick recommended Olson, who is currently provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State.
Low expectations helpful for finding work, internships give experiences to build résumé for future
Even though a good number of summer jobs and internships are already filled by early May, it’s not too late to get a summer position. Pam Weller-Dengel, director of the Career Development Center at Minnesota State, said getting a summer job is neither bright nor gloomy, but she believes it’s not much different from last year.
City has many outdoor options to keep students busy until fall semester
Summer days in Mankato might seem dull to some students, but the city does have some alternatives to hanging out on the couch all summer. With higher temperatures and long-lasting daylight, going on a picnic or a hike can spice up a boring day. Some good locations are closer than expected.
Eliminate Hate Week to teach tolerance to MSU
This week the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Center is pulling out all the stops to promote tolerance for not only the gay, but world communities this week.
LGBT will try to “squash hate” with Eliminate Hate Week 2010.
The biggest event of the week will be a lecture by activist Judy Shepard. Her son Matthew was murdered near Laramie, Wyoming in 1998, because he was homosexual. Since his death, his parents established the Matthew Shepard Foundation in his memory.
This is the final week before Minnesota State Senate Association elections April 13, and candidates are working hard to make an impact on voters.
Presidential candidates Tom Williams with Students First, and Pradeep Neupane with Mavericks United are speaking with students and getting the word out about their ideas. Their vice presidential candidates are Brett Anderson, with Students First and Stefan Dudziak, with Mavericks United.
Fifth annual APAC conference this weekend
From hula dancing and fashion shows to a panel discussion featuring prominent figures in Asian-Pacific culture, this week’s Asian-Pacific American Conference will focus on providing awareness and education to the public about the influence of Pacific Island cultures.
MSU students to spend a day barefoot to raise money for Ethiopia
Due to the warm weather hanging over Mankato, many students are setting their feet free by exchanging their winter boots for summer shoes. But this Thursday, many Minnesota State students are showing their feet in a different way by kicking off their shoes for a cause and going barefoot around campus.
The One Day Without Shoes event, created by TOMS Shoes, is taking place on Thursday nationwide and is a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. TOMS Shoes is asking people to go the day, part of the day or even a few minutes barefoot to personally experience a life without shoes.
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