In This Issue:

An alternative to homework

Project SHINE is now offered in 19 Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis Community and Technical Colleges courses, by 14-plus faculty members, as an alternative to research papers or other class assignments. According to its Web site, Project SHINE (Students Helping in the Naturalization of Elders) "links college students with older immigrants and refugees seeking to learn English and..."

Camp Wellstone a hit

Over two days in February 2006 a group of 80-plus interested students packed a conference room in the Metropolitan State University Library to learn the skills necessary to get involved and make a difference in politics and public policy. The largest Campus Camp Wellstone, to date, was run by the Wellstone Action...

All our voices matter — have yours heard in the Student Senate

The Student Senate is the governing body at Metropolitan State University. Acting as a liaison between students, faculty and the administration, the Student Senate takes pride in advocating for the Metropolitan State University student population. Included in this mission is...

How to cope with test anxiety

Do your palms sweat during a test? Does your heart pound and your mind go blank? Do you feel pushed for time and worry if you are the last one to finish? If so, you might have test anxiety...

Planting new seeds

Most academic and community scholars would agree that most of our social problems and solutions come out of education. The Urban Teacher Program at Metropolitan State University is designed by its Vision and Mission to be the solution to the diversity needs detailed in the Principles of Community Engagement report...

Twin Cities Muslims peacefully rally against controversial cartoons

Overseas, protests over cartoons were hardly nonviolent. But the one organized by Twin Cities Muslims was deliberately different—peaceful—so peaceful that furor against Muslim violence seconded the furor over the cartoons, the subject of the rally in Minneapolis....

Courageous student makes a difference
Student Spotlight: Anne Hodson

You would not know from the joy and good humor Anne Hodson exhibits that five or six years ago she battled a life and death situation. Her unhappiness, confusion and discomfort with her gender could not be pushed down any longer. It was time to stop living a lie; time to stop living as a male...

Campus Crime News

Editor’s note: The following are excerpts of an email sent by Metropolitan State University’s Director of Public Safety, Thomas R. Maida, MPA, regarding thefts on campus. The thefts took place in early March....

East Side beat cop award-winning officer

Officer Lucia Wroblewski, 43, is a 17-year veteran of the St. Paul Police Department (SPPD). She is a beat cop who patrols lower East Side St. Paul neighborhoods between Payne Avenue and Arcade Street. Her compassion, care and dedication sparkles forth while wearing badge number 674. She performs her duties this year with the same passion and enthusiasm she had as a rookie cop back in 1993...

Sports: Top five athletes in Minnesota history

Magazines and newspapers all across the country are ranking former and current athletes by putting together a top-five list. For some strange reason, there is seldom any Minnesota representation on these list. With names like Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew, how can Minnesota athletes not have been included? It’s time for Minnesota to rise up and honor our own and put together a top-five list consisting solely of Minnesota athletes...

Twin Town Sound: Music based on good sound

Martin Devaney assumes the stage of The Entry in Minneapolis, his curly brown hair looking quite mussed and his scraggly beard hiding his young face. Even though I have seen him perform a number of times, I am always a little surprised at his slight build. That slight build and his fragile voice, however, have become a staple of the Twin Cities music scene, and Devaney’s impact on the universe of Minnesota music is expanding...

A Woman's Place: Is your glass always only half full? Identifying self-defeating behavior

We’ve all met them—or secretly know we are them—the woe-is-me individual who, while feigning a weak smile or crying buckets, describes their unfair plights in life. They may be bailing out a friend or relative from jail (though they are already financially strapped) or are saddled with kids and receiving no support from their spouse. Maybe they complain of being constantly passed over for promotions, or see themselves as being repeatedly "dumped on" by their friends...