In This Issue:

Limited Street parking frustrates neighbors

Neighbors of Metropolitan State University are frustrated. Parking in front of their homes has been difficult, if not impossible because Metropolitan State University students and staff have been parking on the street. In many cases, these neighbors do not have off-street parking such as a driveway or a garage. Additionally, people who work in St. Paul have also been parking on the street in front of the school’s neighbors’ homes and taking the bus so they don’t have to pay for parking Downtown, which has exacerbated the situation.

Lavender Bridge, a catalyst to GLBT acceptance at MSU

"When I came in, I saw rainbow triangles and everybody’s name tag had a rainbow sticker. It made me feel like I had one less hurdle to overcome." This was Lavender Bridge President Anne Hodson’s first impression of Metropolitan State University. Since the early nineties, the student organization, Lavender Bridge, has striven to create an accepting and encouraging environment for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) students at Metropolitan State University.

Published poet plans his future - Student Spotlight: Olusola Dada

Olusola Dada received an award for his first published poem that can be found in an anthology at the International Library of Poetry. He has a book of poetry that will be available in 2006, is working on a children’s book and a fiction novel and wants to start an online business. Olusola, or “Shola,” as he likes to be called, has been writing since he was four or five years old. However, his love of writing poetry sparked when he took a required English class at Century College in 2004. Since then he’s been hooked...

War veteran grateful for the daily grind - Student Spotlight: Joe Henry

Joe Henry is one of the few students not dreading finals. A human services major, Henry, 27, is enjoying being back at school after a seven-month deployment in February 2003 at the Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad, Iraq. Of his recent deployments, he says it made him appreciate his life here even more and caused him to look at things differently...

Metropolitan State University students celebrate Hmong New Year

The Hmong New Year was celebrated at the Excel Energy Center Nov. 25–27, 2005, where approximately 20,000 Hmong family and friends attended the 30th annual Hmong celebration. Among the attendees were students from Metropolitan State University. "The purpose of the New Year is to celebrate the year’s end in terms of community and gathering among friends and family," said Sam Vang, advisor for the Asian Student Organization (ASO).

Student practices her craft while chronicaling Minnesota's seasons

Photo Essay by

A Letter to the Editor

Why all the group work? I understand why it is important to be able to work together as part of a team, BUT does that mean that we have to be forced into it in every class we attend? While not all group experiences during my stint as a student at Metropolitan State University have been bad, the vast majority of them have left me feeling frustrated...

Areas devastated by hurricanes still in shambles
A student recounts her trip to the region

If someone were to mention New Orleans, what would you think about? Mardi Gras, the French Quarter or Hurricane Katrina? I think about the people still trying to survive after Katrina. So much help is still needed, not only in New Orleans but all along the Gulf Coast.

Has your well run dry?

Whenever we speak of taking care of ourselves, if we do at all, we usually do so quite apprehensively, anticipating (if only from our own hearts) the dreaded charge of "selfishness." Stemming, perhaps, from a sincere effort to defuse this charge, many flee to another extreme, selflessness, which is no more admirable and no closer to the truth...

Psychology Club Information:

Metropolitan State University’s Psychology Club provides support services and social outlets for all Metropolitan State students and alumni with an interest in psychology and/or fields psychological in nature. We provide access for Psychology Club members to psychology professionals both as speakers and advisors...

Sports: Fantasy Football on the rise

Fantasy football has taken over the sporting world as we know it, subconsciously deprogramming die-hard football fans everywhere. This glamorized office pool has completely changed the way fans view American football. And now that it’s here, there’s no chance of it ever going anywhere.

Twin Town Sound: Romantica creates magical experience

When I think of how music moves people, I think of how it moves me on an emotional and psychological level, not a physical level. I was thinking about what Kyle said and I flashed back to the concert at the Varsity Theater. During the song "There She Goes," I had my eyes on a girl with black-rimmed glasses as the band sang, "She’s walking down the boulevard..."

Chew on This - Ode to Pho: The secret comfort of fish balls

Everyone knows that soup is comfort food and I wanted to share its wonders with you. Pho 79, a few blocks east of Highway 280 on Energy Park Drive and Raymond Ave. serves pho. This place is about two miles from Metropolitan State University’s Midway Campus...

A Woman's Place - Tips to negotiate a better salary and other benefits

So, of your new New Year’s resolutions, did you list "getting the raise you deserve"? If this intimidating feat is part of the "to-do’s," you’re in the right place. Read on for tips on how to get that hard-earned bump in pay—or rank yourself under "how to know when it’s time to leave that job"...