Campus News

A chat with the chancellor
Metropolitan State University is one of the seven state universities in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) system, which also is the parent organization of the state’s 25 community and technical colleges. James H. McCormick, Ph.D., became the third chancellor of the MnSCU system in July 2001 and is responsible for 54 campuses and 10 attached centers and service sites. None of the MnSCU institutions are affiliated with the four campuses of the University of Minnesota system...

Metropolitan State University offers study abroad
Seven Metropolitan State University students recently returned from a trip to Nicaragua led by Dr. Kathryn Kelley, associate professor of the Communication, Writing and Arts department. The students, ranging in age from 22 to 60, spent half of their days doing volunteer work at the local community center and the other half studying Spanish. Weekends were comprised of traveling and shopping. The entire two-week trip cost roughly $1,000. Dr. Kelley’s theory on studying abroad is that money shouldn’t be the deciding factor. “Can you learn something about the culture, about yourself and have a good time?” is all she asks of her students...

Students begin first MLS capstone projects
For the past two years, a small handful of Metropolitan State University students have been studying courses with titles as various as “Gender, Sport and Culture,” “The Chapbook Workshop,” and “Art and War,” taught by an interdisciplinary team of instructors. This semester, these students will be the first to complete their capstone project in the new Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (M.L.S.) program at Metropolitan State and to graduate in May. The M.L.S. program technically began in August 2006, when it was approved by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board. However, Professor Lawrence Moe, director of the program...

New art exhibit opens Jan.28
Metropolitan State University Third Floor Gallery is pleased to present We Sing Our Songs. The exhibit opens with a reception on Thursday, Jan. 4 7 p.m. and continues through Feb. 26. Gallery hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. 7 p.m.; and Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. 4 p.m. The gallery is located at the St. Paul Campus, Library and Learning Center, third floor. We Sing Our Songs is a photographic exhibit that provides...

Underrepresented no longer
In the last year, enrollment of underrepresented students low-income, first-generation American students and students of color increased by 22 percent among all 32 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU). From a system that produces 33,500 graduates a year, the 7,300 additional students from traditionally non-college-seeking backgrounds is a great sign that MnSCU’s Access, Opportunity and Success Initiative, established almost three years ago, is helping underrepresented students hurdle the gap to college. “It’s about removing barriers,” said Whitney Harris, executive director of diversity and multiculturalism at the MnSCU system office...

Law enforcement center gets smart
On Sept. 21, 2009, Metropolitan State University held a ceremony in celebration of the new Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center. The new, two-story building, valued at $16.25 million, is located on the Hennepin Technical College campus (at Highway 169 and Brooklyn Boulevard) in Brooklyn Park. Ginny Lane, executive director of the Metropolitan State School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, emceed the event...

Undoing racism workshop: a step in the right direction
Metropolitan State University is proud to have hosted the Undoing Racism workshop offered by the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. Founded in 1980, the People’s Institute is a national, multi-racial collective of veteran organizers and educators dedicated to enabling people to secure their rights and to ending racism and oppression. Trainers of the People’s Institute are dedicated to building an effective movement for social change. The two-day workshop was offered Nov. 19 and 20...

Crisis line now available
The Metropolitan State University Domestic/Sexual Violence Crisis Line is now available to students and their family members who are experiencing or have experienced violence in their lives. Last winter the results of a survey of Metropolitan State students by the University of Minnesota indicated that 40 percent of Metropolitan State female respondents have experienced violence in their lives, and 25 percent of male respondents admit to having perpetrated violence. These are high percentages and raised the question of how the University can support students...

Events planned for Black History Month
Stanley Hatcher’s office has been a hive of activity lately. Hatcher is in charge of student services for Metropolitan State University’s African American students, and I have yet to be in his first-floor office in Founders Hall when our conversation was not interrupted by—or interrupting—several other people also in dialogues with him. If a student is in need of counseling, support or encouragement, she or he is likely to find it in Hatcher’s office, and many students and staff do stream to his door for just these reasons. Hatcher has been very busy recently coordinating...

What is MSUSA?
The Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA), established in 1967, is an independent, non-profit organization subsidized and operated by students. The organization is funded by a $.43 per-credit fee representing and paid for by over 70, 000 students who are enrolled in the seven Minnesota state universities, including Metropolitan State University and those in Moorhead, St. Cloud, Southwest (Marshall), Bemidji, Mankato and Winona. The mission of MSUSA is to educate and inform students about higher education issues that affect their lives while providing opportunities for them to campaign on behalf of all Minnesota State University students. MSUSA advocates and lobbies on the behalf of the students...

Chemistry lab processes go green
As students, many would agree that hands-on learning is effective. This is especially true when it comes to sciences where direct observation allows students to understand better. Being engaged in exploring objects, materials, phenomena and ideas firsthand helps students develop meaning and awareness. That being said, people don’t traditionally think about how much it costs monetarily or environmentally to participate in hands-on activities requiring substances and materials that may be harmful to the environment. Chemistry courses at Metropolitan State University are now incorporating...