In This Issue

As the economy sinks, college enrollment numbers climb
eak, scarce, bleak—call it what you want, and we’ve heard it all before—the current state of our economy is anything but burgeoning. Often compared to conditions as exorbitant as the Great Depression, it’s safe to say that people nationwide are scrambling. And they’re scrambling fast, as the layoff rate soars to record heights, breaking the ’90-’91 recession stats, with employers continuing to swing the axe. Daily announcements are surround-sound as headlines from CNN to our local and national periodicals to the Web incessantly reveal the newest victims surrendering to the belt-tightening economy. Families are seeking a quick turn-around solution for their impending and existing income challenges, and higher education ostensively fits the bill. A growth spurt of college enrollment numbers has taken place across the board, with Metropolitan State University smack...

MnSCU aims to recruit more underrepresented students
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, which includes Metropolitan State University, is stepping up initiatives to encourage more students of color, first-generation college students, and low-income studentsto attend college. According to the State Demographic Center, Minnesota’s population is quickly diversifying and MnSCU plans to stay ahead of the game by encouraging students to seek higher education.“We have been reaching out to underrepresented students for quite some time,” says Melinda Voss, MnSCU Public Relations Director. “Historically, the underrepresented groups have not participated in higher education at the same level as other groups, so that is why there is a special outreach to these groups.” The MnSCU Board of Trustees’ number one goal, as part of its strategic plan, is to raise the participation and achievement in post-secondary education by meeting the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and educational goals...

Remember the Fallen Tribute
The Military Salute Project of Woodbury, Minn. will conduct 80 gravesite visitations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin during May, June, July and August to honor those who served our Nation during the Global War On Terror. The 2009 Remember The Fallen Tribute is dedicated to the families and friends of Minnesota’s fallen so that they will know their loved ones have not been forgotten. Participants will present a memorial floral arrangement and sound “Taps” at the graves of Minnesotans who served on or after Sept. 11, 2001 in the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force or the United States Coast Guard, including activated Reservists or members of the Army or Air National Guard, in support of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, including a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 and those who died while working for companies contracted by the United States Department of Defense....

“A New Birth of Freedom”? Metropolitan State rings in the presidency
The stage was sparse. A podium stood to the side, with a single-blooming peace lily next to it, and a sign language interpreter motoring through the words. On the other side sat a pedestal with a student-made bust of the 44th president. But the attention of the crowd of students, faculty and community members gathered in the Founders Hall auditorium was focused almost exclusively on the large screen broadcasting the inauguration of Jan. 20, 2009. Metropolitan State University’s program “A New Birth of Freedom” centered on the historic inauguration of the nation’s new president. The program featured addresses by two speakers and broadcasted the oaths and inaugural address to a packed house, echoing the crowded conditions everywhere. Student Senate President Melissa Heinz opened the event, thanking the multitude of sponsors and introducing Dr. Sue K. Hammersmith, president of Metropolitan State University. “I am thrilled to celebrate today the inauguration of Barack Obama,” Hammersmith announced to the giddy crowd. ...

New ways to find smoke-free apartments
Minnesota renters looking for smoke-free apartment buildings can easily find them by using a new online directory launched this month by the Association for Nonsmokers—Minnesota (ANSR). Compiled by ANSR’s Live Smoke Free program, the online directory, http://www.mnsmokefreehousing.org, lists more than 250 Minnesota apartment buildings that are 100 percent smoke free. The new user-friendly directory provides renters with a free, easy way to search for apartment buildings in their community that do not allow smoking inside the building, including the individual apartment units. “Tenants are looking for smoke-free apartments, and apartment building owners want to promote their smoke-free buildings...

Spring Break for any budget
You probably know that Spring Break is March 8–14 this year, but what you may not know is how to spend this upcoming free time. Why not get away from the daily grind? Here are a few vacation ideas to fit every price range: So much money to burn, so little time to burn it If azure waters and white beaches sound good to you, check out the last minute cruise deals online. Most prices are based on double-occupancy, so take a friend along and trade the Minnesota snow for some Caribbean sun! ...

Use the Web to build your own Blockbuster
Recession-hit Americans can now watch hundreds of free movies—by using a new Web site to borrow DVDs from their friends. “It’s like Netflix meets Facebook,” said Tim Jackson, founder of LendAround.com. “You list some DVDs you own, invite some friends you like, and start browsing their collections. The Web site helps arrange loans, and keeps track of where everyone’s DVDs are. And nobody pays anyone anything.” Jackson estimates that though there are over two billion DVDs in U.S. homes, 80 percent are watched just twice a year. “What stops us sharing with friends isn’t meanness,” he said, “it’s embarrassment. Borrowers don’t know how to ask, and lenders fear they’ll forget who they lent a treasured movie to.” LendAround solves the problem for both sides. Browse and search tools make it easy to find out what movies and TV ...

Metropolitan State recognized for service to adults
The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), a nonprofit dedicated to helping adults access higher education, awarded Metropolitan State University the 2008 CAEL Institutional Service Award. The award recognizes colleges and universities that have made an outstanding effort to reach out to adults and provide quality programs suited to their needs. The award was presented during CAEL’s 2008 International Conference on Nov. 13 in Philadelphia, Pa. College deans, presidents and administrators gathered to discuss how the presidential election and the economy will affect Americans’ access to higher education. Susan T. Rydell, professor, Psychology Department, College of Professional and Community Studies, and project manager, Minnesota Center for Professional Development, represented the university at the award presentation...

Final score: Chiropractors 1, Dvorak 0 A review of the Minnesota Sinfonia concert
The emotions of sports fans and the fortunes of their favorite teams often plummet when a star athlete goes down with an injury. You might not think the same extends to the fine arts, but on Friday evening, Jan. 9 at Founders Hall Auditorium, this happened.Minnesota Sinfonia Conductor and Artistic Director Jay Fishman had to open the concert by breaking some disappointing news: the guest soloist, world-renowned violinist Kyoko Takezawa, had to cancel her concert appearances with the Sinfonia that weekend due to a painful back injury. Fortunately, when Jay Fishman is breaking the news, we can still smile about it. He explained that the injury had to be bad since Takezawa knows about high pain thresholds, having given birth to a child. (This drew a collective chuckle from the full house.) Fishman then cracked a joke about ticket refunds, which drew a cascade of laughter from the audience...