In this issue
A center for students?
Have you ever been hanging around Metropolitan State University’s St. Paul campus waiting for another class to begin? A very studious pupil would take advantage of library resources and get some studying in. But wouldn’t a cup of coffee be better? Maybe a game of pool? Or how about a place to check your Facebook updates on a nice comfy couch...
Metropolitan State University welcomes Campus Camp Wellstone
According to an Oct. 26, 2002, New York Times newspaper article titled “A Liberal with a Wrestler’s Stance,” by Bill Holm, Minnesota may have been the last place to find a character like Paul Wellstone, Democratic State Senator from 1991 until his death in 2002. Wellstone was known for his strong liberal views and his continuous fight for families and the working class throughout his political career. Holm writes that Wellstone was able to...
New student-loan bill questioned
Do you depend on financial aid to pay your tuition? An estimated 10 million students received loans in 2009 to pay for their education, resulting in approximately $95 billion paid out. Last month the Department of Education issued a press release regarding the president’s 2011 education budget...
VOICES reaches out with new direction, leadership
The student organization Voices of Indian Council for Educational Success (VOICES) has been supporting the needs of American Indian students at Metropolitan State University since 1999. This year the group nominated new leadership and is working to add more members to its current collection of 10 by offering more events and more excitement. The objective of VOICES is to “promote educational success for...
Find your funds
It seems everyone is keeping a closer eye on his or her wallet these days. That’s why it’s hard to believe that national and state government agencies are holding on to billions of dollars, unclaimed and seemingly forgotten. Money and other assets are considered abandoned after a state or federal agency or a private company has attempted unsuccessfully to contact its rightful owner. Typically, abandonment is declared three to five years after a business has lost contact...
Why is the census important to students?
Starting this month Metropolitan State University students, along with everyone else in the United States, will receive their census survey from the federal government. The census, done every 10 years as authorized by Article 1, Section 2, of the United States Constitution, accomplishes three primary tasks. First, it determines the number of seats a state gets in the House of Representatives. Second, the data is used to determine federal spending on needs such as schools, roads and emergency services. Lastly, the data helps...
MLS graduate shares experience, education
A notable event that will be taking place this spring is the graduation of the first Masters of Liberal Studies (MLS) class. As one of the participants I would like to encourage students at Metropolitan State University and others who are interested in acquiring a higher education beyond the bachelors degree, to look at the graduate courses at this university. My experience at Metropolitan State has been astounding due to the faculty and mentors that have made the completion of my MLS possible...
“Beacon of hope” at Founders Hall
On Sunday mornings the auditorium in Founders’ Hall on Metropolitain State University’s St. Paul campus has been home to Beacon of Hope, St. Paul, a church that started out one year ago in a home in Woodbury. The church has been renting space in Founder’s Hall since September 2009. Presently, Beacon of Hope has approximately 80 regular attendees who, for the most part, have found the ministry through word-of-mouth. In addition to services held on Sunday mornings, they also offer weeknight studies on various topics. Each study lasts six weeks and sessions are held...
Institutional research: the University census takers
As spring draws near, television commercials promoting the United States census inhabit the television airways. As most people are aware, getting an accurate census reading allows local and federal government agencies to make informed decisions about how public funds and resources can be used. These decisions can affect how spending is allocated to public assistance, health care and public education programs, all of which can affect you directly or, often, indirectly. But for students at Metropolitan State University, there is a smaller-scale “census bureau” that strives to affect the lives of its community members on a daily basis. Cynthia Devore, research analysis specialist...
Work and school? You can do it!
The majority of students studying at Metropolitan State University are also working full-time. Metropolitan State is different from many other colleges in this respect, and it also lacks the traditional university culture that keeps students involved. All students are commuters; there are no sports teams and few extracurricular activities. Studies have been released comparing the academic performances between...
Theater Du Jour
I recently had the chance to interview Gail Smogard, associate professor in the Communication, Writing and Arts Department, to discuss Theater Du Jour, a politically and socially conscious program created to give voice to the wide array of personal stories of Metropolitan State University students. Theater du Jour (Theater of the Day) will be an evening of original scenes, stories and personal monologues about social and political issues concerning the diverse community of Metropolitan State University students in very personal and direct ways...
Messenger
On February 16, Chicago-based singer Joe Pug released his first full length album, titled Messenger. Although the 25-year old cites John Prine as an influence, I thought his weary vocals and acoustic style were much more reminiscent of early Dylan. Pug has toured with M.Ward, Josh Ritter and Steve Earle. With his defiant style and highly metaphorical lyricism, though, I’d like to see him open a Mason Jennings or Travis tour. Pug’s talent for words...