In This Issue

Bus pass gains momentum
In the September edition of The Metropolitan, we told you about the return of Metro Transit’s GoTo College Pass at Metropolitan State University. This card provides Metropolitan State students with unlimited rides on buses and light rail for an entire semester. The cards are available for fall 2009 semester, and even if you’re waiting until now to purchase yours it is still worth the money. Given the success of the subsidized version of this card during the previous academic year, the Student Senate is working on making the card available at a price comparable with the U-Pass card, which is available to students at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities for a smaller cost...

Metropolitan State considering on-campus child care facility
The Metropolitan State University Student Senate’s Child Care Center Committee has a mission to implement a child care center into the St. Paul campus. Metropolitan State is currently the only school in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system that doesn’t have such a facility on campus—and is in desperate need of one. The average age of Metropolitan State students is higher than the average age of students attending the other schools...

Benefits available for military service members
The United States does a lot to care for its service members. Beyond hospital care and support groups, there is hard cash to be had. In fact, thousands of dollars are available to service members even after their enlistments are up, especially if they’re going to college. With so much to gain, it’s hard to see some of these benefits go unclaimed. There are over 900 students, or 10 percent of the student body, that are connected in one way or another to the armed...

Remembering 9/11
Around the country, there were many organized events to memorialize the horrific day that left over 2,700 people dead. Here at Metropolitan State University, it was no different. At 9 a.m., students and faculty were invited to the “Remembering 9/11” ceremony in Founders Hall Auditorium. During the program, attendees were introduced to several student service members during an opening flag ceremony...

Gateway system reorganization scheduled for 2009-10
Many students rely on Metropolitan State University’s Gateway system for more than just registration queries. Gateway staff receives questions about financial aid, advising and student accounts, among others. In an effort to better serve the student population, the Student Affairs division of Metropolitan State has recently implemented a Gateway Reorganization. They are working to devise a new system of more in-depth support and a higher level of customer...

Ordway renovates its 25-year-old Main Hall stage
Leontyne Price sang from it, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater danced on it and the cast of Les Misérables performed 216 shows on it. After hosting 25 years of performances, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts retired its original stage floor and renovated it this summer. Work on the 4,500-square-foot stage floor was done by Minneapolis hardwood flooring firm Anderson Ladd. It is a traditional sprung floor ideal for dance, opera and musical theater performances. Throughout the seven-week-long construction...

FallFest 2009 recap
Metropolitan State University is unique among the 32 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU); it is the only state university without a residential campus and the things that usually come with it—athletic teams, a student union, fraternities and traditional homecoming activities. Since those are not part of Metropolitan State, the University Activities Board (UAB) hosts FallFest. This year’s event took place during the week of Sept. 8-11...

Maximize your college experience: Join student organizations
Metropolitan State University can pride itself on providing high quality education for over 9,000 students, 65 percent of which are part-time students. But we, as students, need to feel a sense of belonging and community. With so many students achieving their educational goals part-time or online, it can be hard to feel like a part of a community at Metropolitan State. But by joining one or more student organizations, you can maximize your student experience. According to a study done by A.W. Chickering called “Commuters vs. Residents,” joining a student organization can stimulate students with new ideas, values and beliefs while providing support and alternative gratification. When you join a student organization, you are enhancing your overall educational experience. It improves your social life and...

Planning to take a Goal IV mathematics course?
In an effort to promote student success in Goal IV mathematics and statistics courses, beginning with Spring Semester 2010, the Department of Mathematics will enforce pre-requisites for Math 110 (Math for Liberal Arts), Math 115 (College Algebra) and Stat 201 (Statistics I). Students who do not satisfy pre-requisites will be dropped from these courses. In order to enroll in these classes, a student must satisfy any of the following...

Alumna offers feedback to screenwriting students
If you take a look at Melissa Brandt’s resume, one thing becomes clear: she truly believes in higher education. After receiving a B.A. in English in the 90s, Melissa returned to school at Metropolitan State University to earn a B.A. in screenwriting in 2004. From there, she enrolled in the master’s program at Mankato State University and received a M.A. in literature and creative writing in 2008. She’s now back at Metropolitan State as a community faculty member...

Theater putting a face to modern issues
Theater Underground and the theater department at Metropolitan State University have started an ambitious project that requires the participation of Metropolitan State students, faculty and active alums to succeed. The project is called Theater Du Jour and its goal is to put a human face on the issues of today. Theater Du Jour is an expansive project collecting many different and personal stories from the Metropolitan State community and putting them on stage. Gail Smogard, director of the theater program at Metropolitan State, explains why this project is so important and unique to the university, “Unlike many traditional state universities, Metropolitan State is generally a more...

Halloween fun without butchering your budget issues
Parents may have “budget” on the brain but those of trick-or-treat age have only costumes and candy on the cranium. Don’t let grown-up worries hinder their fun; with some creativity and improvisation, this year’s Halloween festivities can be as eerie as ever. Conjuring the festive spirit of Halloween begins at home; ingenuity is essential in creating haunting home décor that costs next to nothing. Let nature be your muse by bringing the outdoors in. By incorporating the warm colors and rustic textures of the season, you can easily and inexpensively create a fall-friendly feel...

Go “Out on a Limb” with your kids issues
If you have young children (or grandchildren), you know that despite busy schedules and a tight economy, time spent with them is never wasted. But if you’re looking for something new—or different—to do and share with them, then you should consider going “out on a limb” with them at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Hands on, baby...