In This Issue:

Events on Campus celebrate American Indian heritage

Metropolitan State University scheduled eight on-campus events in November to celebrate National American Indian and Native Alaskan Heritage Month. To commence last month’s schedule of events, Jack Weatherford, anthropologist and Macalester College professor, lectured on Nov. 2 about his book Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World in New Main’s Great Hall, St. Paul Campus...

Founder of Genocide Intervention Network speaks at university

Though the United States government has labeled the Darfur conflict in Western Sudan as genocide - some 500 people continue to die every day in what could be the world’s most neglected war. But what haunts 24-year-old Mark Hanis, founder of Genocide Intervention Network (GIN), who spoke at Metropolitan State University on Nov. 18, is that signs of systematic elimination are underway in Darfur while the world’s media attention is focused on Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ lavish marriage in Italy. "Shame on the media for their lack of action," he said...

Shelton gives back to the community
Staff Spotlight: James T. Shelton

In September, James T. Shelton, Ph.D. was promoted to Metropolitan State University resident faculty and was given tenure track appointment in the Human Services Department. This promotion comes after serving 17 years as assistant professor with the College of Professional Studies. Shelton said that what he enjoys most about Metropolitan State University is the student diversity. "I learn a lot from them [the students] through my classes; and whatever I learn through my classes and them, I try to pass it on..."

Metropolitan State e-mail

What’s the deal with Metropolitan State University email? According to a recent survey by The Metropolitan student newspaper, most students don’t seem to see the need for it. Students were asked if they used their email and whether or not they used it for purposes outside of the classroom, such as receiving assignments and so on. Out of the 27 students queried, 20 said they use their email; 18 said they don’t use it outside of the classroom...

Top five reasons to use Metropolitan State University email

5. Email alerts: Sign up to receive Metropolitan State University alerts about events such as free massage day. Who doesn’t want a free massage? Also, if you receive financial aid, notifications regarding your payments and due dates are sent only to your school email...

Challenges of working students

You sit down at the computer ready to get started on that big essay due next week. The room is well lit, your notes are all in order and everything is set for some serious homework time. Then, chaos erupts. The children are screaming about who stole whose toy, the dog is barking and everyone is demanding your immediate attention. These are the top three reasons found by an informal survey conducted Oct. 1–7 with Metropolitan State University students as to why students get distracted...

World Toilet Day

One’s first instinct is to snicker at the thought of a day devoted to toilets, but on Nov. 19, World Toilet Day received the serious attention of diplomats, educators and scientists the world over. Each year on World Toilet Day, the Singapore-based World Toilet Organization asks that you think about the impact, good and bad, that public toilets have on your daily life. Are the facilities you use available, accessible, clean and attractive..?

Derek Dishes: Keys Cafe & Bakery

The Keys Café and Bakery, located only five minutes from Metropolitan State University–Midway Campus, is a great place to grab a quick bite before or after school. This little restaurant, which was introduced in 1973, has six other locations in the Twin Cities. This restaurant has great food, reasonable prices and friendly, prompt service...

Holistic approaches to health

Juggling school, work and family responsibilities can be extremely stressful for students. There seems to be a constant sense of urgency within us to complete a never-ending to-do list. We are aware of the benefits of exercise and eating right, but what about exercising the mind and spirit? Holistic therapy focuses on treating the mind, body and spirit...

University assumes major workforce development role

Metropolitan State University has assumed a major new leadership role in workforce development as the lead partner in the Center for Strategic Information Technology and Security. The Center unites the university’s expertise in computer science, forensics and management of information systems with the technical expertise of two Twin Cities-area colleges: Inver Hills Community College and Minneapolis Community and Technical College...

Surviving cold and flu season the natural way

The weather outside has changed from the warm, sunny days of summer to the grey, cold days of winter. Your child’s nose is red and running, and your co-worker is expelling germs into the recycled air of your office building. It’s officially cold and flu season. But there is hope of avoiding the stuffy head and body aches that are bound to follow exposure. You can even achieve good health without having to subject your body to the flu shot...

Five tips on getting an intership

Not everyone who attends Metropolitan State University is a Writing major, but everyone could benefit from an internship in their chosen field. If you want an internship but don’t know how to get one, my five tips below might help...

Letters to the Editor - Metropolitan State University 5th Civic Engagement Conference: Religion, the University, and Public Life: A student’s reflection

Metropolitan State University held it’s fifth annual Civic Engagement Conference Thursday, Nov. 9 in the Ecolab Community Room, St. Paul Campus. This year’s topic was Religion, the University and Public Life. President Wilson G. Bradshaw started the conference with an introduction, welcome and presentation of the Civic Engagement Award...

Letters to the Editor -Commentary Policy

As a former Metropolitan State University student and editor of The Metropolitan, I am saddened to hear of your decision to limit commentary. This strikes me as counter-productive. The events of last spring should call for more vigorous efforts to engage student opinion...

The Guthrie Theatre’s Edgardo Mine a hit

As a baby, Edgardo Mortara was deathly ill. His Catholic nursemaid assuming, that he was going to die in her care, baptized him in order to save his Jewish soul. Edgardo recovered, and at age seven, was ripped from his home by the Catholic Church who, at the time, believed a Christian could not live among those of the Jewish faith. Set in 1850s Italy, the Guthrie Theater’s current play, Edgardo Mine (directed by Mark Lamos), focuses on the struggle between the Jewish and Catholic faiths in a predominantly Catholic world...

MCTC choirs present an Early Winter Concert

Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) will present an Early Winter Concert featuring the MCTC Concert Choir and Vocal Ensemble on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 pm, Whitney Fine Arts Theater, MCTC Campus, Minneapolis...

Fables opens November 30

Fables, which is a series of tales old and new, is pulled from many sources, including the Brothers Grimm and Aesop. Using mime and improvisation, a seven-member cast transforms into a myriad of characters, including talking animals, magic fish, a golden goose and an Indigenous mystic...

The World In Film - 'Older Than America' Film reveals atrocities at American Indian boarding schools

Older Than America, the newest film from Native Media Network, began filming mid-November in northern Minnesota. The film will focus on the deep secrets and atrocities of the American Indian boarding school system..

Sporting the Twin Cities - Woe is football

The autumn months just before winter bring many reasons for sports fans to give thanks. There is the impending delight of the collegiate bowl announcements, professional football is in full swing in the mid-weeks of the season, hockey has established a preemptive course and basketball is up-and-running. Unfortunately, November in Minnesota had sports fans re-thinking their Thanksgiving benedictions...